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    Bole Bole

    3.3 (20 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 11:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

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    Shared combo plate
    Audrey S.

    Delicious Ethiopian food in a chill setting. I liked that the seating was all benches and the tables were lower, as it made for a relaxed environment. The food was very good and the combo platter we got was reasonably priced and fed four people. As usual with Ethiopian, a blend of delicious meat and vegetarian options. I loved the yellow lentils and everything else I ate. So good we came here on our way out of DC and came back on our way in!

    Kik alicha, gomen wat and tikil gomen
    Katherine L.

    I love Ethiopian food, especially the injera. Most of it is prepared in advance... because how could you possibly cook down legumes with a delicious melange of spices and flavors on an order by order basis without it taking a very long time? It's ok, though, because the flavor medley is usually worth it! Bole Bole confirms for me that the food is definitely made in advance and reheated because I ordered a 5-item vegetable medley in person at the restaurant, and it was handed to me in a plastic to go bag in about 3 minutes (I know, because I barely had time to do anything meaningful on my phone). That's not the concern I have for Bole Bole, though, as, again, Ethiopian food at a restaurant is not made to order. Could you imagine their making injera to order? That would be so cool... but I digress. When you reheat food, there are a few choices for the type of food you generally order for entrees at an Ethiopian restaurant. On the stove, in an oven, a microwave... but, I wonder if what they did here was somehow add each item to a skillet or sauté pan with hot water and heat it up? I say that because in all the millions of calories (yummy, too) of Ethiopian food I've eaten in my time, I've never had Ethiopian dishes feel and taste watered down. The five items were a tiki gomen/ cabbage dish with cabbage that was so flimsy, I don't know how to describe it. There's cabbage that's tender, and cabbage that like all food/ vegetables when it's older, just starts to deteriorate. The spices in the food were there, but I could barely taste them. The main reason I know they were there is I could see the characteristic golden turmeric infused color to the cabbage and the rich spicy brown in the red lentils seasoned with berbere. The spices also lingered on my eating utensils, aka, my fingers. However, the flavor in my mouth was so diluted, it was strange. Again, I've never had that occur to me, ever, with Ethiopian food. This seems to align with comments from others that the food is really greasy in the sense that maybe they saw the reviews and tried to address it but over compensated by literally watering it down. The other give-away for me that the food is likely watered down is that there was very little oil or grease, which is extremely rare for Ethiopian dishes to have such a small amount of oil (again, you know it's there from the signature sheen on the food items, which is not bad IMO), and, the salt level was incredibly low. I am not a fan of salt, but, it was almost like there was no salt at all. I could only taste the actually veggies like the cabbage, the collards and the shiro. I've never tasted shiro was taste so much like chickpeas - that super earthy mellow flavor - and almost nothing else. The shiro wat was so watery I couldn't actually pick up anything more than just a light coating on injera acting like a dip rather than a stewed dish of substance. Even the red lentils were not spicy with hot peppery heat and the kik alicha yellow split peas has the similar earthy rich flavor of just plain legumes. So, I guess the take-away for me is this: if you hate salt and oil and lots of spices, you'll do great here! The dishes all tasted like their namesake key ingredient with little else to elevate the palate sensation. The injera was extremely fluffy, so fluffy I don't know when I might have if ever had such thick fluffy injera. In that sense, I can understand why some folks might have had a stomach ache afterwards. If you're used to using pieces of injera to pick up Ethiopian food, as one does, you end up using a lot more injera per bite because it's so thick and fluffy. This leads to a far higher ratio of injera to the dishes/ stews that if the injera were nice and thin. All in all, the restaurant was a lovely open space, the service was fast, the prices were fair and the parking was easy. However, if you're looking for the most flavorful Ethiopian fare, this is not for you. At the end of the day though, if you just want something to eat really fast that is Ethiopian, this place will do it, as long as you are ready for the food expectations.

    Ambiance
    Sarthak S.

    The service and ambiance were good. The server was quite attentive and friendly. The veggie combo for 7 on the other hand was sub-par. The injera was just alright. The establishment didn't offer teff-based injeras. The greasiness of the items was off-putting. I also had the veggie combo for 7 as takeout item as well and the grease puddled after the takeout sat for sometime. The flavors were nothing to write home about.

    Derke Tibs

    The best meal I've had out in a long time. The food here is truly high quality and authentically Ethiopian. From the cooking methods to the fresh ingredients, they don't compromise. So you know you're enjoying a meal that's both delicious and healthy. The Derke tibs were unbelievably good--an absolute MUST when you visit. The spices and sauce were divine. The manager, Mika, came over to chat, and we had a great conversation. His mother is the chef, which explains the incredible flavors. They're both from Ethiopia, and you can taste that genuine heritage in every bite. If you're in the area, do not miss this place!

    Whats left of my Baklava... best ive ever had.

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    1 month ago

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    10 months ago

    The food was great. Took my mom here for her first Ethiopian experience. One dish is plenty for two. Yum.

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    3 months ago

    Warm, friendly, people, family owned. Authentic, delicious food and generous portions!

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    10 months ago

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    10 months ago

    Food is so good!! High quality! Nice to go with a small group. Very relaxing vibe. And the lunch prices are great!

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    1 year ago

    My son and I just ate there...unbelievably tasty. Service was great and their cuisine is unique.

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    2 years ago

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    Makers Union

    Makers Union

    4.2(474 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    This was my second visit to this location…read more As soon as I walked in, I was greeted by staff members. They let me check out the place before being seated. The bar area is self-seating.I chose to sit in the bar area...the only remaining big table with high chairs/table...it was packed! The happy hour is pretty awesome here. They have daily happy hour from 4-6 pm, which is pretty awesome, starting early and ending late. There is also a power hour from 3-6, where everything on the happy hour menu is $5, which is a little early!! The menu includes regular bar food and a variety of drinks (as shown in the picture). We ordered the following: -Let that "man"go - in general it's an iced drink, so I'd avoid. -Spicy pina marg - another iced drink. It was ok. -I'm Ron Burgundy (2x)- this had a nice strong coffee flavor, doesn't come with ice; I would highly recommend it...they made it so good!!! -Maker's mini nachos - There proportion of chips to toppings was off there wasn't enough toppings and too many chips, but there was a lot of cheese. -Calamari was a good portion, and tasty -Chicken tenders - they were delicious and moist There are so many items to choose from on the power hour/happy hour menu. I would definitely recommend lil B and the wings. There was live music, which was just way too loud for such a small space. We would have been okay with all the music. There is plenty of parking available in nearby garages, I believe free after 5pm. There is also timed/paid parallel parking. Would I return? definitely!

    Went here for midday lunch and was pleasantly surprised! Despite being a bit disappointed in the…read morebrunch menu having limited lunch options, we opted for the brunch nachos to start. They were HUGE and generously topped with lots of goodies! We planned on ordering entrees after but were too full for anything else! Our server was very attentive and helpful, despite our limited ordering. I will return and am giving this 3 stars just because of my limited experience, but I will be back!

    Photos
    Makers Union - Makers Union Breakfast

    Makers Union Breakfast

    Makers Union - Smashed Avocado Toast

    Smashed Avocado Toast

    Makers Union - Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich

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    Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich

    Jackson's Mighty Fine Food and Lucky Lounge - Sushi and Fish Tacos at  Jackson's Mighty Fine Food & Lucky Lounge

    Jackson's Mighty Fine Food and Lucky Lounge

    4.0(1.6k reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    The food, environment, and staff are amazing people. Every time I've been here I've had the best…read moreexperience

    Here isWe have visited Jackson's several times, and while this is my first formal review, our…read moreexperiences here have consistently been excellent. On this occasion, we returned specifically for the calamari--which is truly outstanding--and decided to explore a few additional menu items. We ordered the California rolls, goat cheese salad, and crab and corn chowder, and each dish was phenomenal. The quality, flavor, and presentation across the board were impressive. Despite being a popular and often busy restaurant, the service remains efficient and welcoming. The staff is consistently courteous and accommodating, and we were seated promptly without issue. Their ability to maintain a high level of hospitality, even during peak times, speaks well to their overall operation. The atmosphere strikes a nice balance. There is a comfortable, family-friendly environment inside, complete with menu options for children, while the outdoor seating area offers a more vibrant, metropolitan feel--ideal for small groups or those looking to enjoy a lively setting. From a value standpoint, the pricing is reasonable, especially considering the quality of the food and the overall experience. Additionally, the location adds to its appeal, offering a pleasant setting that is perfect for an after-dinner walk with family or friends. Overall, Jackson's continues to deliver a well-rounded and highly enjoyable dining experience. It is a place I would confidently recommend and one we will certainly continue to visit.

    Photos
    Jackson's Mighty Fine Food and Lucky Lounge - Chicken, Avocado & Beet Salad at Jackson's Mighty Fine Food & Lucky Lounge

    Chicken, Avocado & Beet Salad at Jackson's Mighty Fine Food & Lucky Lounge

    Jackson's Mighty Fine Food and Lucky Lounge - Deviled Eggs w. Spiced Pecans & Sugar Cured Bacon at Jackson's Mighty Fine Food & Lucky Lounge

    Deviled Eggs w. Spiced Pecans & Sugar Cured Bacon at Jackson's Mighty Fine Food & Lucky Lounge

    Jackson's Mighty Fine Food and Lucky Lounge - Lobster Club Salad at Jackson's Mighty Fine Food & Lucky Lounge

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    Lobster Club Salad at Jackson's Mighty Fine Food & Lucky Lounge

    Barcelona Reston - Pork belly & Potato Tortilla

    Barcelona Reston

    4.2(1.2k reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    It's been a while since I came here, but I LOVE Barcelona! The happy hour deals are pretty good. I…read morewish they had more wine options on the happy hour menu specifically red wine. The service was great, our waitress and fast, kind, and checked in with our group the perfect amount of times. The food was all amazing. They're fairly small portions so you do end up spending quite a bit, but the quality is great! If you want the paella you have to order right when you arrive cause it's 30 mins to 45 mins for them to cook it. Paella Salvaje* 5/5 Grilled octopus 5/5 Spiced Beef Empanadas 3.5/5 (tasted like pasta on the inside no spice lol) hanger steak 5/5 Happy hour trio deal Patatas Bravas 3/5 meatballs 4/5 Chicken Jamón Croquettes 4.5/5 Wines were alright. We ordered the sherry dessert wine which was not a fan fave. The sparkling white wine on the HH was refreshing and pretty good, very dry. Overall, always a good experience. It wasn't too crazy on a Thursday night. The inside ambiance is nicer at night time than day time. I'll have to go back for HH again and order some apps and paella.

    Barcelona Reston delivers a strong tapas experience with a few minor misses. The menu has a great…read morevariety, and overall the food quality is impressive. The standout for me was the patatas bravas--perfectly crispy potatoes paired with a spectacular garlic aioli. The truffle sheep's cheese was also outstanding, rich and flavorful, although the truffle honey didn't quite deliver on its promise--I could barely taste the truffle. It also only came with one slice of toasted bread, but thankfully the bread service helped stretch the dish (and even then, there was still cheese left over). The spiced beef empanadas were nicely crisp and satisfying. The grilled octopus, however, was just okay--slightly over-charred, which made it hard to fully appreciate the flavor. On the other hand, the paella salvaje was excellent, loaded with chicken, gaucho sausage, pork belly, chickpeas, and pickled onions. Definitely a must-order--but be sure to put it in early since it takes a while to prepare. For dessert, the flan catalan was a great finish--not overly sweet and nicely balanced. The wine list is another highlight, with plenty of good options available by the glass. We ordered the paella first and followed it with four tapas, which ended up being plenty of food for four people. Pricing came out to about $45 per person before tip, which felt reasonable for the quality and quantity. The interior has a warm, stylish vibe with lots of wood and dark tones, though it does feel a bit cramped--tables and booths are quite close together, and it can get pretty loud. Service was friendly and well-paced. It does get busy during peak hours, so reservations are highly recommended (they use Tock). Overall, a great spot for tapas with a lively atmosphere--just be prepared for some noise and tight seating.

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    Barcelona Reston
    Barcelona Reston - Raw Oysters

    Raw Oysters

    Barcelona Reston - Happy hour appetizers

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    Happy hour appetizers

    Open Road - Reston

    Open Road - Reston

    4.0(92 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    Great atmosphere (5 ): High ceiling, open concept with an…read moreindustrial look. All wooden tables with a combination of high tops and regular 4-person tables, plus a few luxurious looking booths on one side. Bar towards the back with multiple TV with sports channels playing. There is a whiskey tasting room, a game room, and another standing room only bar. We were just there on a Friday night and there was a solo live performance. Not too loud as the place is large enough to absorb the sound, and I was still able to carry a conversation. Great vibes! Food (4 ) Regular bar menu items. Good selection of local beers. Everything is delicious, portion on the small side - We had the Jambalaya and Steak Frites; an old fashioned and a couple beers. Service (4 ) The place was very busy, we don't see our waitstaff often but he's friendly, took our orders and everything came fine. We did ask for the water.

    First time at Open Road. Upon entering there was a cool vibe like a sports bar with lots of TVs…read more Arrived at 440pm on Saturday. Quite a few people here but not packed by any means. The young seater proceeds to seat us in a section with 9 empty tables, completely removed from the rest of the restaurant. Weird choice on her part. Husband can see the rest of restaurant/tvs in his view. I can see a wall column and windows. ‍ Server was super laid back. Ordered the Open Table burger with fries and the French onion burger with sweet potato fries as well as a take out order. Server opted to put the take out order in once our food came. Burgers came out quickly. They were cooked just as requested. Food was ok.. nothing special Server kind of disappeared so drink refills were hard to come by. I think because we were so far away from all of his other tables it made it difficult for him to get back to us. Manager (?) came by and offered to refill drinks and bring a box. Take out order came out right on time. No dessert was offered or suggested. Would we come back? Probably not but we gave it a try.

    Photos
    Open Road - Reston - The full bar. Kind of like the full monti

    The full bar. Kind of like the full monti

    Open Road - Reston - Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta...DELICIOUS...ordered it twice

    Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta...DELICIOUS...ordered it twice

    Open Road - Reston

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    The Simon At Reston Station

    The Simon At Reston Station

    4.2(37 reviews)
    2.0 mi

    If you're in Reston, do yourself a favor and go check out The Simon at Reston Station inside the JW…read moreMarriott. Seriously--you don't want to miss this one. Chef Anthony DiGregorio is doing something really special here. From the moment you walk in, the whole place just feels inviting. The open kitchen adds a fun buzz, and the staff couldn't be nicer--they really make you feel taken care of without it ever feeling over the top. And the food... wow. The charcuterie board has this melt-in-your-mouth pâté and amazing cheeses. The prawns are so good you'll catch yourself reaching for "just one more" every time. The tuna tartare is unbelievably fresh--one bite and you're hooked. The burrata with heirloom tomatoes is bright and flavorful, and the duck special? Let's just say you won't want it to end. Then dessert shows up--a cherry blossom cake that's light, beautiful, and just screams spring. Everything comes out on gorgeous Pordamsa plates, and honestly, each dish looks like it belongs in a photo gallery. No matter what you order, you really can't go wrong. Your taste buds will thank you. And bonus--it's just a short Metro ride from DC, so getting there is easy. I've also heard the hotel has great packages, and if you stay for breakfast, the deliciousness keeps going! Go. You'll be glad you did

    Here's a polished, standout review you can post as-is or tweak slightly for your tone:…read more Exceptional Experience at The Simon The Simon delivers on every level. The food was absolutely outstanding--beautifully prepared, full of flavor, and clearly made with high-quality ingredients. Every dish felt thoughtfully crafted and memorable. The drinks were just as impressive. Creative, perfectly balanced, and expertly made, they elevated the entire experience and paired wonderfully with the meal. What truly tied everything together was the service. Attentive, friendly, and professional without ever feeling intrusive. The staff made us feel genuinely welcomed and well taken care of from start to finish. Whether you're going for a special night out or simply want an excellent meal with fantastic cocktails, The Simon is a must-visit. We can't wait to come back.

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    The Simon At Reston Station
    The Simon At Reston Station
    The Simon At Reston Station

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    Bole Bole - ethiopian - Updated May 2026

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