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    Ambar Shaw

    4.5 (278 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 4:30 pm, 5:00 PM - 9:30 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

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    AMBAR SHAW ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy

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    Recommended Reviews - Ambar Shaw

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    Dips
    Baran K.

    It is unbelievable that you can get 2 hours of unlimited drinks and brunch for $50. The bloody mary was STRONG, might I add. We ordered a host of dishes (hangar steak, mac and cheese, shakshuka, flatbreads, the dips, etc...) and everything tasted good (not necessarily a revolutionary culinary experience but REALLY solid good quality food. The restaurant is also beautiful and our server was so kind and attentive. Loved this brunch.

    Kiana M.

    Well this was my first time at Ambar and it was an amazing experience. They offered an all you can eat experience which for the low price was great! As well as all you can drink unlimited beverages. It is a Balkan restaurant so I was able to try different foods and known foods just prepared a different way. All the food came out hot and had a delightful flavor. The service was impeccable as expected. Our waiter was very attentive and catered to our every need and want. He made sure our glasses were never empty. The ambiance was nice. The aesthetic was comfortable but also classy. I would 100% recommend. I will be back soon.

    Fiona Z.

    I would come back to try their buffet, but this is a happy hour (food) review only. My friend and I walked in pretty much right at 5 pm and it was fairly empty so we got to enjoy the quiet atmosphere. Service was good and food was overall mediocre with a couple of gems. We didn't get any drinks. Cauliflower ($5): A little too salty, but well crisped. Would order again. Balkan salad ($5): The amount of pepper and onion in this was too high. It didn't taste bad, but the ratios of the ingredients were off. Nice enough veggie option. Lamb sliders ($9): Fine, dry, didn't taste the yogurt sauce. Veal soup ($5): Delicious. Honestly tasted a bit like chicken pot pie with more cream (adding a lemon made it even better). I would come back just to order this if I was ever craving cozy soup. Drunken mussels ($6): These had a strangely strong olive taste, so were a little on the more bitter and briny end.

    TG- Short Rib Goulash
    Emily K.

    I thought Ambar's restaurant week deal was amazing - $55 for unlimited plates plus a drink and dessert! I didn't even grab pictures of most of our plates because they were coming out so often. We split as many as we could - the spread sampler plus another feta urnebes spread (our fave!), halloumi, croquettes, lamb lasagna (melt in your mouth), Brussels sprouts, short rib goulash, lamb medallions, chicken skewers (would skip next time), and the white flatbread. Needless to say we were stuffed but still had room for a few bites of baklava and raspberry cake! We also tried the NA mango mule which was really delicious. Our server was wonderful and the dining room was beautiful and cozy. Will definitely be back here!

    LaShawn G.

    First time having I believe Balkan food and will definitely come back if in the area. Me and my friend stopped here before going to an event which was right across the street. I see that have an all you can eat selection, but I knew I wasn't going to be able to eat all that so I decided to try the lamb lasagna, Greek salad for some greenery, and an assortment of dips. I was disappointed that they didn't have babaganosh which I absolutely love. But tried the I believe beet hummus and couple others that slips mind. The complimentary breads/pitas were really fresh and had to control myself so I wouldn't be too full to complete my meal. The waitress was really nice to explain the menu and offered suggestions of drinks as this was our first time here. The drink I believe was a kiwi and mint, but whichever it was really good. Nice interior decor that is airy and full of light which opens up the restaurant and makes the are seem bigger that it actually is. 3.75 stars!

    Potato hash with random pickles and carrots that shouldn't be there
    Shantal W.

    I had a very mid brunch experience at Ambar. The service was just ok. Had to flag our server down serval times. She walked past my empty drink glass and even saw her look at it and keep going. The food was also just ok. I usually go to the capitol hill location and absolutely love it every single time so I'm not sure why the food was different and not as good. You can't ever beat a bottomless brunch with or without drinks. It's always a good time. I was just disappointed in my overall experience. The potato hash had random pickles and carrots that weren't supposed to be in there. The flat bread and apple waffles (not pictured) were the best item we had. The creamy grits are not creamy at all. The mimosas were strong and just a hint of juice how I like it

    Lamb Lasagna was delicious
    Yuli L.

    Since we don't have many Balkan cuisine options on the west coast, my husband thought it'd be fun to celebrate Valentine's Day with a dinner at Ambar. It was easy to get to the Shaw location, as it's only a few minutes walk from the Howard university/shaw street metro exit. Once we arrived, we realized we accidentally booked our reservation at another location, at Capitol Hill! Thankfully the staff were very understanding and told us they could honor our reservation at this location. After everything got figured out, they handed me a long stem rose as part of the Valentine's Day special. At Ambar, the Valentine's Day dinner included a starter bread and spread with an unlimited amount of small plates, unlimited drinks, and a shared dessert within a 2 hour timeframe. The Valentine's Day menu also included special items and was a total of $99 a person. The menu was quite expansive and everything came in small portions. It was a great way to sample a bunch of dishes, as long as you have the stomach to try everything. After 1.5 hours, 16 small plates and 4 drinks, I'm happy to report that everything was quite delicious! Out of all the dishes, our favorites were the Oxtail Wagyu Gnocchi, the YAGA Roasted Lamb, the Lamb Lasagna, the roasted Cauliflower, the Drunken Mussels, and the Grilled Shrimp. To drink we tried a Balkan-style old fashioned made with a Serbian liqueur instead of whiskey, a kiwi smash mock tail, the sangria, and a mango lemonade. I liked the mango lemonade the most as the old fashioned was a little strong. Our server was very attentive and soft spoken, he also made some excellent recommendations and we felt well taken care of. It was a pricey dinner after adding the tax, restaurant surcharge, and the included gratuity, but it was worth it for the experience. Next time we hit DC, we will come back for the less expensive brunch option.

    Sydney G.

    Ambar is pretty much always my first choice whenever someone asks for a good bottomless brunch option. I like that they have so many different options for drinks as well as a lot of variety on their food menu as well. They can accommodate many different dietary restrictions and nearly every time I've come we've had very good service. With the time limit on brunch it's important to have servers who deliver food and drinks promptly to feel like you're getting your moneys worth and I've never had any issues. I've also been for dinner, which is a much more relaxed, but still extremely pleasant experience

    Kenny J.

    This was a vibey spot that was not too busy for a weekday lunch. The waitress that was helping us was so friendly and great at providing us with recommendations. There's quick service, lovely ambiance, and delicious food for a great lunchtime price. I think this is also a great option for people less familiar with Balkan cuisine (like my gf and I) as you get to try a large variety of options. Some standouts from our order included Steak Tartare (which we ordered twice because of how much we liked it) and the beet salad which is a must try!

    Mushroom crepe
    Mary-Ann L.

    Definitely a must try place for relaxed yet deliciously seasoned dining. For $28 it's all you can eat Balkan cuisine with tapas like servings from salads to proteins ranging from Chicken, shrimp, beef, pork, etc. and for $4 more you can have all you can eat dessert as well! Service was friendly. Ambiance is simple, inviting (warm) atmosphere. Highly recommended are: ground beef kabob, grilled shrimp on corn mash, goulash, lamb lasagna. The lamb medallions weren't medallions, were too famey and chewy and accompanying potatoes and carrots were too salty. The mushroom crepe looked appealing but the taste of leeks was overpowering. Still with these misses, rating food for value a solid 5 stars.

    Creamy mussels and lamb lasagna
    Brianna T.

    Quite possibly my new favorite spot! You cannot leave without trying the lamb lasagna, creamy mussels, beet dip, and beet salad! They have a lovely outdoor covered patio and the bar upstairs is decorated nicely.

    Espresso Martini

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    Ambar Shaw Reviews in Other Languages

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    54 Restaurant - Vermicelli noodles

    54 Restaurant

    4.4(240 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    The server and owner were so cute and nice. I'm viet and id say this is definitely one of the…read morebetter Vietnamese restaurants that seem westernized but actually has good food along w big portions! The place is a little small but I went with a group of 7 and they accommodated for us easily.

    I came here with my girlfriend for a casual meal while we were visiting from out of state and…read morecraving some Vietnamese food. Before we even walked into the restaurant, we were informed that the left entrance door had been broken for quite some time. Since we had a double baby stroller with us, getting inside was a bit of a challenge and not exactly the best first impression. Overall Ratings Atmosphere - 3/5 Service - 3/5 Food - 3/5 Parking - Street Parking Atmosphere - The restaurant feels a bit old and dated and could probably use some updating. Interestingly, while the dining room definitely shows its age, the ordering system is modern and up to date. The contrast between the two was pretty noticeable. Service - Service was just okay. This is more of a casual setup where customers place their orders at the counter and the staff bring the food out when it's ready. There wasn't really anything memorable, either good or bad, about the service experience. What We Ordered - -Spring Rolls (Good) -Pho Dac Biet (Special Beef Pho) - The flavor was good overall, but the broth was only lukewarm when it arrived. A bowl of pho really needs to be piping hot, so this took away from the experience. -Grilled Pork Rice Plate - The pork was a bit too salty for my taste and was just okay overall. Final Thoughts - This was an average dining experience. The food was decent, the service was adequate, and the atmosphere was nothing particularly special. Nothing stood out enough to make me want to go out of my way to return, but I also wouldn't discourage others from trying it if they're already in the area. There are simply other Vietnamese restaurants nearby that I would be more inclined to visit first.

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    54 Restaurant - Cafeteria style interior

    Cafeteria style interior

    54 Restaurant - Vietnamese coffee, crispy tofu, chicken wings.

    Vietnamese coffee, crispy tofu, chicken wings.

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    Baan Siam

    Baan Siam

    4.5(725 reviews)
    0.7 mi
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    This Thai restaurant is the best in the city. Their food is consistently flavorful, fresh, and…read moredelicious. The service is timely and effective. Plus, the ambience is a mix of relaxation and class. I ordered the Lychee Martini to start, followed by the Tom Yum Fried Rice with Shrimp. It was cold, fresh, and so flavorful. Plus, it packed a punch. Although I normally eat the pork belly with fried rice, I decided to go with the Tom Yum Fried Rice with Shrimp, which did not disappoint. The freshness and spicy/sour flavors really delight the pallet. Plus, the pepper tray provides vinegar and hot sauces to supplement, if needed. The owner not only cares about the quality of the food in this restaurant, but about his customers and the community. I haven't visited for a while, and the staff still remembered my standard order. That attention to detail is something that makes people feel appreciated and want to come back again and again. Kudos to Baan Siam for their success year over year!

    Amazing Thai food at this restaurant. Got the green mango Salad, chicken wings, khao soi, and beef…read morecurry. The mango salad was delicious, I could eat that all day. The khao soi had good flavor, and it came with rice. The chicken wings were for my son, he said they were the best wings he's ever had. The beef curry had good flavor, but the beef was a bit overcooked. Service was a little bit of a miss. When the waiter first came, he asked us for our food order. However, we wanted to order drinks first. I was able to order my cocktail, however, the waiter left before anyone else at my table could speak to order a beverage. Food came out very quickly. This is not the type of place where you would want to enjoy drinks and food over a period of time. However, if you are super hungry, your food will definitely get to you quickly. Restaurant was crowded, but not super loud. Overall, I would come back for the food, I just wish that I could have more time to enjoy my restaurant experience.

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    Baan Siam - Bar seating

    Bar seating

    Baan Siam - Coconut soup- divine!

    Coconut soup- divine!

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    Kitchen

    The Smith - Potato Chips

    The Smith

    3.9(1.8k reviews)
    0.9 miPenn Quarter
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    Excellent lunch at The Smith! We came in for a late lunch without a reservation. We had our baby…read moreand stroller with us, and they were able to seat us with enough room for our stroller next to the table. We could tell that they had all the families with little kids grouped to one side of the restaurant, and we felt that was clever and convenient. The food was great! We both got salads. I loved the snap pea chicken salad. And my husband really liked the soba noodle salmon salad. He had a Bloody Mary, and I had a yummy mocktail. Everything was great, including the service!

    First, the service. Our waitress said they had "Coke products," so I ordered a Coke. I am from…read moreAtlanta, so you can't trick me. If that Coke wasn't a Pepsi, it was definitely a Coke Zero or Diet Coke. It tasted awful. Now, the food. The fries were pretty decent, but the au jus that came with my French dip wasn't hot, and it wasn't enough for the whole sandwich. The bread is supposed to get lost in the au jus with every bite. I had to ask for another boat. The menu said the sandwich had Gruyère, but if it was there, I couldn't taste it. I could taste horseradish and arugula. It wasn't worth the $33 menu price. The ambiance is a bit loud. The restaurant is very reverb-y, so I heard lots of talking (though some of it was probably due to the music's being too loud), but the waitstaff didn't compensate, so it was hard to hear their voices.

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    The Smith - 3/27/25 At the bar!

    3/27/25 At the bar!

    The Smith - Chicken

    Chicken

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    Restaurant space

    Soupy Dumpling & Fancy Cuppa Bubble Tea - 5. Spicy Wonton In Chili Oil

    Soupy Dumpling & Fancy Cuppa Bubble Tea

    4.5(129 reviews)
    0.6 miLogan Circle, Downtown
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    I found this place on tiktok and I love soup dumplings, soup and boba. This place has it all!…read more Coming inside there's a counter where you can order drinks and food to go but if you plan to dine in, you just sit down at any available table and order from the QR code. The restaurant I very clean and the decorations are really pretty. We ordered soup dumplings and noodles and our food was ready really fast. I ordered the veg spicy and sour noodles and they come with an egg and crispy pieces of corn and a lot of boi hot which I love. The flavor was spicy with a hint of lime for the sour flavor. My husband ordered the beef noodle soup and he said it tasted amazing. Our chicken soup dumplings were full of flavor and a lot of broth inside. This place is really similar to Yu noodles which is one of my favorite places so if I'm ever in the area again I would go to this place for soup dumplings. Our server was really sweet as well.

    Stopped by for dinner and had a good time overall. Seat yourself at an open table and place your…read moreorder using the QR code. Our order was brought out faster than I expected, with our mains coming up before the apps. Although not as spicy as I was hoping for, the spicy mapo tofu with noodles was really good. Of course I had to add ground pork for a few dollars more! To drink I had the strawberry fruit tea (50% sugar), which was good and refreshing. I also tried the pan fried dumplings and spicy wontons in chili oil. Both were just okay. I'll be back when I'm in the area to try out additional items.

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    Soupy Dumpling & Fancy Cuppa Bubble Tea - Inside

    Inside

    Soupy Dumpling & Fancy Cuppa Bubble Tea - 1. Spicy Beef Noodles

    1. Spicy Beef Noodles

    Soupy Dumpling & Fancy Cuppa Bubble Tea - Assorted soup dumplings.

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    Assorted soup dumplings.

    Unconventional Diner - Tip-Top Chop

    Unconventional Diner

    4.4(3.4k reviews)
    0.3 miShaw, Downtown
    $$

    Yep. If you're reading this, you should just make that reservation and go... and yes, I would…read morerecommend a reservation because this place is pop-u-lar, and I see why. The space itself is bright and airy and a bit on the noisy side. But the service was very good, and the food was served quite quickly. I've been on a shakshuka kick lately, so I opted for the the Sweet Potato Shakshuka, which is described as: Sweet Potato Curry, with Chickpeas and Sunny Eggs with a the chicken add-on - gotta get that protein in, after all. This was one of the most unique shakshukas I'd ever had... It literally tasted like a curry dish you might get at your local Indian restaurant, with a bit of a brunch flair to it. The curry itself had a wee bit of spice and was a bit sweet - but that could have been from the sweet potatoes. The chicken was served in a bowl on the side, which felt a bit... odd... I would've expected it to be incorporated into the main dish. It was kind of bland and a bit lukewarm, so I don't know that I'd order that again... but I would definitely order this again!

    Took two out of town visitors to brunch as they were staying nearby... my first time here. We…read morearrived at 2:30 without reservations on a weekday and it was fine. I had the corned beef hash, with was the most different interpretation of this classic dish that I had ever eaten. Don't get me wrong, it was delicious! But my first time seeing it presented as follows: both the corned beef and the potatoes were cooked in small, separate cubes, not blended or mashed together. As such, a whole new textural experience for the dish. They have both ample inside and sidewalk tables, and great service.

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    Unconventional Diner - Space is large, bright, and contemporary.  Reservations recommended.

    Space is large, bright, and contemporary. Reservations recommended.

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