Baku Delicious — Restaurant in Fairfax

There are forgettable meals, and then there are experiences like Baku — the kind that make you wish you’d stayed home altogether traveled here while on vacation.

Although we ordered takeout, we paid full in-store prices and waited over twenty minutes for our food. When the bill came, we discovered that the prices were markedly higher than what’s listed online. The staff’s explanation — that the cheaper prices were for “frozen food” — did little to justify the discrepancy. It felt less like a misunderstanding and more like a bait-and-switch.

Sadly, the food itself was no consolation. Every dish we brought back ranged from disappointing to inedible. The bread-based items were hard, dry, and clearly microwaved; the steamed dumplings were raw in the middle and all around half steamed, resembling unfinished dough rather than something fit to eat; and the puff pastry with potatoes and spinach was cold at its core, a chilling reminder of how little care had gone into preparation.

To make matters worse, Baku seems determined to inflate costs at every turn — tacking on extra fees and charging nearly four dollars for a simple boxed drink that retails for under a dollar. The entire experience felt careless, overpriced, and exploitative.

By the time we finished, what lingered wasn’t satisfaction,but a stomachache and regret. Baku manages to deliver the rare combination of poor service, deceptive pricing, and culinary indifference — a trifecta that ensures no second visit.

For those seeking warmth, quality, or integrity in their dining experience, look elsewhere. Baku offers none...

I recently had the opportunity to explore a Georgian lunch at a charming Azerbaijani family-owned bakery café, and it was an enjoyable experience discovering new cuisine. Upon entering the café, I was greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere, complemented by an impressive array of Eastern European products, including wines, sweets, fresh and frozen foods, pastries, desserts, bottled and canned beverages, and imported chocolates.

The owner was exceptionally helpful, explaining the menu options in a friendly manner, which I greatly appreciated as I was unfamiliar with many of the dishes. I chose to try the Kubdari Khachapuri, a round flatbread filled with beef, garlic, and spices. It offered a nice combination of savory flavors with a crisp exterior; I believe it would pair wonderfully with wine.

For dessert, I enjoyed the honey cake, which consisted of delicate layers of sponge and cream and was finished with a dusting of crushed taffy. This complemented my caffe latte quite nicely. I look forward to returning to this establishment soon to sample its unique bakery items and diverse...

This is a bakery/ cafe/ grocery store carrying a variety of Azerbaijani, Turkish, and Georgian food. My friend who has lived in Azerbaijan shops there regularly and says it's very authentic.

We had the full Azerbaijani breakfast, which included crumbled scrambled eggs with tomato, another dish made with eggs and plenty of chopped eggs (it was almost like a tabbouleh quiche, if you can imagine), 3 kinds of cheese, honey, butter, and 2 kinds of bread. The tandir (?) is a bit like a crusty naan, and the lavash is a bit like a crepe. It is way better than the "sandwich wrap" style lavash you may have gotten on a deli tray. The cost was about $25 and it was delicious. It did take a while to prepare, though, so consider getting some tea and maybe a package of fruit or nuts while you wait.

I haven't tried many of the grocery specialties but I look forward to doing so. Don't miss the refrigerated seafood case right by the door, and watch the kids (or yourself!) around the literal tower of candy that greets you near the entrance. We are definitely planning a...