Entire ambiance was ideal!! The food to the service was top…read morenotch. Will definitely take my lady here again for dates.

Gypsy Kitchen is one of those places you can take anyone and everyone to have a great time and an…read moreeven greater meal! One of my favorite tapas style spots in DC! Everything and when I say everything, is absolutely delicious! Some honorable mentions are the hummus, beef kebabs, and literally anything bread! Always so fresh and delicious, and the service/vibe is top tier for a good photo opp! PS: Crispiest Diet Coke in DC!!!!!

The food was so good! We tried the Patatas Bravas, Croquetas de Setas, Gambas Al Ajillo, and…read moreBoquerones con Naranja; everything was flavorful and well prepared. Each dish had something special, and we honestly enjoyed all flavors. It was very busy and a bit loud to make conversation, but the server was really nice and attentive despite how packed it was. Overall, such a great experience and I'll definitely be back!

A very swanky place. Me and a date were walking around Galleryplace for a place to sit and when we…read morewalked in and we knew immediately to ask for a table. The dark warm mood lighting, the corrugated wall, the intimate seating, and of course the small share plates makes for the sexy experience tapas is suppose to be! It is typical of Spanish flavors, heavily relying on high-end cured meats and cheeses, and classics such as croquetas. There is something very special that goes into tapas because its suppose to satisfy you based on good taste over quantity. Large shrimp in a generous skillet of olive oil and slow cooked garlic slices and a iberico mac and cheese are some examples of how they elevate classics we are familiar with. We really liked that they learned into garlic and spice. We found dried Aji Caballero in our meal, great attention to source country. They have a very robust and generous drinks menu. Loved watching others not dining alone and embracing that share quality of the menu design. Perhaps it is not the best tapas I had, I would have liked to see a balance with lighter citrus flavors but maybe that was an ordering issue. At some point, since the menu heavily leans towards rich and decadent, its better to plan around that. Our waitress was amazing, she explained the questions we had on the ingredients and was on it with the refills.

Dennis was an AMAZING server with great service and the food was fantastic! Such a fun birthday…read moredinner!!

The flank steak and potatoes bravas were excellent. The service was quick and very nice. The…read moreambiance was cool and upbeat, a fun place to go with friends. However it was pretty loud if you prefer a quieter dinner. Would definitely go back!

I went to Atxondo hoping to taste the work of a Basque chef, and found out that the new chef is…read morefrom El Salvador, but has studied cookery in Spain. After having a full meal with cocktails, appetizer, entree, dessert and coffee (about $70 per person), I concluded that Atxondo will be a definite future destination for Happy Hour and light bites, but that my full meal dining dollars will be spent elsewhere. The Patatas Bravas (Fingerling Potatoes) were outstanding, with their two tasty sauces and rich, crispy flavor and texture. The Hibiscus Margarita with its salt and tajín rim was good enough to warrant a second one... but the Sangria was lackluster due to the complete absence of cut-up fresh fruit in my glass. The "Crispy Duck Breast" is no longer served whole, but sliced on a bed of sauteed kale... and, sadly, seemed to be only a shadow of its former self. The Lamb Meatballs suffered from being mushy (a coarser grind would have made a world of difference in the texture) and lacked that meaty exuberance one treasures in any kind of meatball. My serving of Basque Cheesecake was almost comically tiny (at $9 per serving, perhaps not so funny after all). But my cup of Americano came out of the espresso machine strapping strong and piping hot, with a gorgeous head of natural crema from the oil of the coffee beans. So I will definitely return for a future Happy Hour to devour the outstanding Patatas Bravas and sip the good Margaritas, and to try the bargain Manchego Burger and other Happy Hour bites. For serious dining, Atxondo falls short of the mark... but for drinks and bar food, Atxondo turns out to be a real neighborhood gem. .

Very solid 4 stars for Atxondo. Just a note that while there are paper menus, the QR code menu has…read morea lot more options. The service is very nice and attentive an adds to the homey feel. Atxondo really strikes me as an underrated gem. It's only about a mile walk from the Petworth Metro, is right on several bus lines and for us, coming from silver spring, the drive was a very easy ~15 minutes. Intrigued to hear how often people in the neighborhood come here. It's mostly a tapas style, so everything but the paella is smaller plates. Everything is wonderfully tasty. The mini chorizo, with the accompanying chips absorbing the chorizo liquid were awesome and our group also loved the cremini mushrooms. I love a good paella and Atxondo's is a standout. really wonderfull flavored and plenty for our group of 5. They say it's enough for 2-4, but unless its your only meal of the day, I fully think a group of 2 would have leftovers. It's definitely on our list to return

Great business lunch! Pleasant energy imbues the whole of the restaurant. Service was excellent…read moreand servers were all friendly. Tomato bread, a signature dish, was refreshing. Gazpacho had a nice subtle spice and was full of flavor. Salad was quite fresh and well prepared. The vegetables were the stars. I did not try to the Patatas Bravas but loved the way the dish looked!

Yes It's that…read moresimple. What's not to love? Chef has a new cookbook out, and this was a sampling of many of the menus within the cookbook. Our server was great. The food was excellent and I wish I lived here. I'd go much more often. Before I forget, they had a different version of an old-fashioned, and we love that too. This is one of those places just add to the list. I'll be back.

Sakoo- tasted like a mochi and spring roll cross over. The filling is a savory peanut sauce…read more Imagine eating a pan fried summer roll with the dipping sauce wrapped inside. Delightful Gaeng dang curry- yummy yellow curry. It was umami, salty, and there was a touch of spice from the chili oil drizzled on top. I thought the kick of spice was unique and made the dish Pad see eaw- this was also done well. The noodles had a great chewy texture. It was not too salty either I would give it a 4.5

KenScale: 8.0/10 Visit: August 2026…read more At this point, many people would instantly recognize Thai food from some of the more popular dishes like Pad Thai or spicy curry. But Southeast Asia is by no means a monolith when it comes to culinary tradition and culture. Vietnam, of course, has a large place in the regional and global culinary scene. How about smaller neighbors in the region like Laos? My wife Jun would love to visit the country one day, but for now Baan Mae would offer a good preview of what the Laotian food tastes like. Chef Seng Luangrath, who has been the face of the Lao Food movement in the U.S. (she also has another restaurant Thip Khao that we had visited before), wants to showcase her country's food at Baan Mae, which also draws from the influence of Thailand and Burma. Overall, we had a very solid dinner at the restaurant. Based on the reviews of the restaurant, it seemed like a no-brainer to order the "FiLao-O-Fish" sliders. The sliders with fried Chesapeake blue catfish (the restaurant has a mission to eat as many of these invasive species as possible) with spicy tofu mayo was indeed a very delicious snack to kick off the meal. Jun, an avid fried chicken eater, also highly approved the crispy fried chicken wings with jaew bong sauce, a traditional Lao chili paste made with mushroom, soy and tamarind. If you are looking for a dish with a bit more neutral flavor, the Hua Pii salad would be a great option. The shredded banana blossom salad with jicama and tamarind sauce had this very addictive quality while also tasting healthy. For the main dish, we shared the Gaeng Daeng Puu red coconut curry with lump crab on the bartender's recommendation, and it turned out to be a wise choice as well. We both wished the coconut curry had a bit more spicy kick, but otherwise the rich flavor was an unexpected antidote to the humid DC summer. We finished our meal with the green Thai tea gelato, which tasted more green tea than Thai iced tea; not a bad dessert but not as distinctive as we had hoped to be. Getting a reservation at Baan Mae is fairly manageable with about a week out. The dining space is fairly modest, but you can also try your luck at the bar area like we did and chat with the bartender to discuss food and drinks options. The restaurant has a number of interesting cocktail options incorporating ingredients and flavors from Southeast Asia, as well as a short list of wines and beers. The atmosphere of the dimly lit dining space with colorful walls feels pretty lively and ideal for a casual get-togethers or dates. Baan Mae has long been on my list of new restaurants to visit, and I'm glad Jun and I finally paid a visit. Jun certainly liked her experience enough to say she can see herself going back again in the near future, and I feel the same.

Excellent value for money, truly fantastic. Compared to similar dishes like ilili, it might be more…read morepalatable to a wider audience. Pita: Pure wheat flavor, substantial texture, and even more moist and soft than ilili. It didn't dry out even without a cloth covering it. More suited to Chinese tastes. The accompanying simple vinaigrette was complemented by a particularly fragrant olive oil. Hommus: The hummus was smooth and creamy, with a perfect balance of acidity and a hint of garlic. A splash of chili oil added aroma and richness while preventing it from drying out; the vegetables were fresh and crisp, perfect for dipping. These two combinations were new to me, showing attention to detail compared to the usual simple dish of hommus. Shish Taouk: Tender chicken, with sumac giving it a distinct smoky flavor, and a refreshing, slightly acidic garlic sauce. The combination was both fragrant and light, truly deserving of its signature dish. Unfortunately, the onion salad was mildly sweet, offering limited relief from the richness; the roasted tomatoes, coated in spices, had their sweet and sour flavors overshadowed, resulting in a slightly weird taste. Lamb Baharat: The lamb leg was a bit dry and tough, and the tahini sauce and hommus were somewhat repetitive, but the Tabbouleh salad won me over from the first bite! The fresh aromas of parsley, mint leaves, and onions, the bright sweet and sour notes of tomatoes, and the wheat crumbs reminiscent of couscous and quinoa, with their hearty wheat flavor balancing the raw taste. Overall, it was restrained, light, and comforting. Crispy Brussels Afelia: The barberries, and garlic yogurt were all sour, making the overall dish too acidic and monotonous. It wasn't as good as ilili's system, built with grapes, walnuts, and mint yogurt, which achieved a balanced sweet and sour flavor, layered texture, and a smooth mouthfeel. Greek Yogurt and Apricots: What a beautiful dessert! The top layer was the rich, sweet aroma of apricot sorbet, with sprinkles of pistachios that enriched the taste; the middle layer was the tartness of apricot pectin and the fermented tang of yogurt; just when starting to feel a little disappointed by the monotony of the bottom, I discovered sweet, slightly crunchy diced muscat-soaked apricots at the very bottom. Its elegance, refinement, and meticulousness left me only with awe and admiration, and a sense of blissful ecstasy. The restaurant's decor features classic Greek blue and white tones, with natural light creating a clean and comfortable atmosphere; the tableware was decorated with traditional Greek patterns, making it both distinctive and exquisite.

As one of the longer running Andres restaurants, Zaytinya flew under me and my wife's radar as we…read moreexplored more trendy Mediterranean restaurants in the city. Though we typically look askance upon restaurants serving multiple ethnic cuisines, we nonetheless decided to try Zaytinya for dinner on the strength of friends' recommendations and when in need of a relatively last minute dinner reservation. The lively space is large and boasts bright white and marine blue accents characteristic of the Greek islands. While fancy enough for a date night, the place can get loud, so intimate evenings may be best had elsewhere. Zaytinya's large menu offers bites from Greece, Turkey, and the Levant. The meal begins with complimentary pita bread served with olive oil and pomegranate molasses. When fresh, the bread is soft and makes for pleasant munching. When it cools down a little it becomes a little hard and leathery, so be sure to eat it expediently. We started off with two Greek-inspired dips: the taramosalata and the tyrokafteri. Both tasted akin to what we have received at actual Greek restaurants, and subsequently hit the mark. Our zaatar pide arrived shortly thereafter. The dough on the flatbread was soft and we enjoyed the bites with egg and cheese. The zaatar itself ran more bitter rather than zesty, so while overall a decent bite I would skip it next time in favor of a different pide. Our imam biyaldi brought meltingly tender eggplant seasoned with warm spices, olive oil, and pine nuts. The dish tasted comforting and rustic. Our protein mezzes comprised the octopus Santorini, lamb kleftiko, and adana kebab. The octopus offered a generous portion of tender tentacles upon a schmear of creamy Greek style fava puree. The flavors and cook on the dish were good, though I could've used an acidic or herby element to bring a little brightness. The lamb kleftiko was the evening's uncontested favorite. Rather than the traditional parchment cooked preparation, the meat here is encased in homemade phyllo pastry and is set atop a rich tzatziki sauce. This made for a really delicious bite marrying juicy, tender lamb, crisp pastry, and cooling yogurt. Skip the adana kebab. The spicing on the skewer was adequate, but the somewhat bouncy texture of the meat and skimpy portion size made it a dud. Service ran smoothly but perfunctorily. We noted we were celebrating an anniversary on our reservation, but no mention was made. Our waiter didn't really explain the menu or offer suggestions for dishes. He did course the meal at a comfortable pace and the staff made sure we had plenty of fresh bread, and no errors were made. Our bill totaled $150 pre tip for six mezze and two drinks, which we found very fair for the quantity and quality of food. Overall, I can see why this restaurant has stood the test of time. While initially skeptical, we found most of the small plates here of a decent quality and taste and the menu appealing enough to return. Zaytinya thus gets four stars for solid Eastern Mediterranean fare at reasonable prices in lively surrounds.

Amazonia was an absolute standout. From the moment we arrived, we were impressed by the atmosphere,…read more we sat outside and couldn't have been happier with the beautiful aesthetics, vibrant design, and overall energy of the space. The outdoor setting created the perfect backdrop for a memorable evening. The food was exceptional. We started with the Scallops a la Parmesana -- Peruvian scallops with aji amarillo anticucheria sauce and parmesan cheese. The combination of flavors was unique, balanced, and beautifully executed. The ceviche was incredible -- fresh, bright, and exactly what I was looking for. I loved the lemon-forward flavor, which gave it the perfect freshness and acidity. The Crab Fusili was another standout. It was a creative and delicious dish, with amazing flavor and a perfect balance that made every bite memorable. For the main course, the lomo saltado truly delivered. The steak was cooked perfectly -- tender, flavorful, and full of the bold Peruvian flavors that make this dish such a classic. A special thank you to our waiter, Tagist, who made the entire experience even better. She took the time to explain each dish in detail, helped guide us through the menu, and made us feel confident that we were choosing the right dishes. She was absolutely right -- every recommendation was fantastic. Between the incredible cuisine, beautiful outdoor setting, and outstanding service, Amazonia offers the type of dining experience that makes you want to return. If you're looking for elevated Peruvian cuisine in Washington, DC, this restaurant deserves a spot on your list. Highly recommend -- a true DC dining gem!

This is definitely a unique spot! It's tucked away in an alley that I did not suspect for a fine…read morerestaurant. However, once you enter the restaurant it's a different wonderful world. This is definitely a must try. Also a must try is the Amazonia punch. It was simply a delicious cocktail. It's a bit fruity and sweet If you get the Corazon de Res, you'll like it if you had a heart dish before. If not, it'll be different.

A wonderful experience! We loved coming here and getting to try lil bites of as much as we wanted…read more We sat outside which I wouldn't reccomend, the atmosphere wasn't as comfy as inside. But service was efficient and food was excellent! Def come hungry so you can try all the things. Flatbreads and lasagna were a 10/10

I celebrated my birthday at Ambar on 8th Street SE in Washington, D.C., with a party of 13. The…read morerestaurant was clean, cute, and beautifully decorated, and the upstairs bar area was gorgeous. The bartender was also extremely friendly and provided excellent service. Unfortunately, the brunch experience was very disappointing. Our table was in a tight area near the kitchen, and the music was so loud that it was difficult to hear one another. The food service was extremely disorganized. Some guests never received their meals, while others received meals they didn't order. As the birthday girl, I had to intervene when an argument developed between the waitress and one of my guests over a bowl of potatoes. The waitress insisted my guest had already received them, but she had not. My guest was so hungry from waiting that she eventually began eating from another guest's plate. Honestly, who's going to lie about not receiving a bowl of potatoes during a Saturday brunch? My own omelette was not tasty, and I did not care for the white sauce, although the potatoes were good. The mimosas were good as well, except for the hibiscus flavor. We spent over $800 for our party of 13, yet several guests left without receiving their correct meals. We ultimately went next door to Matchbox so everyone could eat and continue the birthday celebration. I want to acknowledge the beautiful atmosphere and excellent bartender, but the overall service and organization were disappointing. Spending over $800 and leaving with hungry guests and incorrect or missing orders is unacceptable. I hope management takes this feedback seriously and improves how large parties are handled.

Didn't eat, but did partake in their beverage sampler. Atmosphere is dark wood everywhere, which I…read moreenjoyed. Friendly bartender. By no means a sports bar, but they had the NBA finals game on.

I came in fully expecting to say that it's a fine cocktail bar in a neighborhood with much better…read moreoptions, but... The Dignitary served me one of the most nostalgic and lovely drinks I've ever had. I'm not going to claim that it will be five stars for everyone, but the No Doubt About It made me feel like a kid again, all the way down to the slightly undissolved clumps of cocoa powder in the hot chocolate. Add in a very adult dose of rye whiskey and a dash of creme de menthe, and you have a drink that I'll be recommending to everyone I know for as long as it's on the menu. Thank you for the alcoholic version of a warm hug on a day that I really needed it.