The Gourmet Basket

I last visited this little shop in 2009. Was great then. Not so good now.
Baba G was not good. They now buy pastry, probably from Michigan, and put the trays on display. They make their own mamoul, just not so good.
Bread was fresh, not made there. Everything is overpriced including bulgur, halawe, etc.
Kibbee was OK, but just not nearly as good as before.
Disappointing. Hardly a hidden gem.
Go to Alexandria and stock up on what you need for far less. And get good home cooked food and bread made on site.

The gourmet basket catered an event for my embassy client and it was perfect. Each piece was hand made and perfect. The platter presentations were fabulous. it was very reasonable y priced and on time. I would recommend the Gourmet Basket for all you catering needs…

I agree with the poster who said this place is for those who need ingredients in a pinch. Our take out order was a mess — lentil soup ice cold, no napkins or plastic spoons/​forks put in the bag, two shwarma sandwiches (one beef, the other chicken) were stuffed with pickles and several other non-​meat items that caused the pita to immediately fall apart when we started eating. We got ¹⁄₃ through and tossed it out.
Sides of moussaka and several veg were overly salted & inedible and we also threw those out. Our prepared food was not good and prices were too expensive. One is better off driving to the Lebanese Taverna Market on Lee Highway — far better in every respect.
The grocery store shelves will likely have a special item if you are cooking at home. Otherwise, based on our experience, avoid the to go items.

Awesome lebanese food and a hidden gem. Worth the trip to mclean to get some garlic sauce and kibbeh.

The best Kibbeh in town. Home style cooking and the flavors are wonderful.

The freshly made Lebanese preparations such as hummus, baba ghanouge, kibbe, lubieh, spinach pie, sambousik and many more are excellent. During Ramadan they sold many other specialties that I tried and enjoyed — most notably, the qatayef with cream filling — a small round pancake that is folded in half and filled, then deep fried and soaked in fragrant syrup — very delicious!!! I always buy baklava and other phyllo pastries from here — the best that I’ve found locally and comparable to the Lebanese baklava I’ve tasted in Dubai. Buttery, flaky, and easy on the syrup. Always crispy and not soggy. I thought they made the baklava in-​house but found they are ordered from a supplier in Michigan. The quality has been consistent since I’ve shopping here for seven years now.

Business plan = Cater to Arabs living in the McLean area that need a missing ingredient in a pinch but don’t want to go as far as Annandale to shop.
Result = Small store and selection + overpriced

This place has not only the ingredients I need to cook the Lebanese food I grew up on BUT the cooked to go selections are AMAZING!!! A slice of my Situ’s kitchen every time I make it there. A sure cure for when I am homesick!!!

They have Turkish pistachio nuts.
I looked all over the Rockville pike and could not find it at multiple grocery stores.

This little place doesn’t look like much from the outside. However, they have a nice selection of Lebanese food to take to go. I was pleasantly surprised. Although alittle pricey, the quality is high and I recommend this place.

I’ve had the falafel, shwarma, along with a few other of the appetizers and enjoyed everything. Very reasonable prices, a good selection of specialty groceries, and a friendly staff. I’m really surprised it isn’t on here and probably shouldn’t even be writing this.