I have not been here since they changed their name. It was formerly Charley Prime Foods. However, the food, service, and ambiance is still great. As soon as we walked in we were greeted by the hostess who was very friendly. We arrived a bit late like 8pm and they close at 9 but luckily we were still able to be seated. Next, our waiter came over. He was very friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. He gave great suggestions for drinks, and food. We ordered a sidecar, and Oaxacan Anticuado. The side car was bit strong but delicious and the Oaxacan Anticuado was a great play on an old fashioned. Charley's is known for their whisky cocktails so it was nice to experience a great drink that was not whisky. For appetizers we ordered a dozen of the half shell oysters. 6 of them were sweet and the remaining oysters were a little salty. I really enjoyed the sweet oysters. It was my first time tasting sweet oysters. They were prepared correctly and very enjoyable. For our entrees we ordered the catch of the day which was Halibat Fish with spinach and The grilled Za'tar crusted salmon with a loaded baked potato. Both of the fish were cooked to perfection and had great flavors. Overall, it was a great experience. They offer many seafood options. So if you are looking for a new seafood restaurant I highly recommend Charley's. I will be back soon. Cheers! read more

We came here for a Mother's Day weekend celebration, expecting high-quality steak and seafood. Instead, it was a massive disappointment. We ordered nearly every premium item on the menu--from the fried oyster appetizer to the crab cakes and various entrées--and none of it delivered. The red flags started early: the staff mentioned a recent menu change but knew nothing about it, and spent most of their time loitering and joking around. When the food arrived, the presentation was poor, and the taste was extremely below average. Paying a premium price for this quality is unacceptable. This was apparently their second menu since a recent remodel, but if things don't change, they won't last. Message to ownership: shut it down, fire the executive chef, and start over. read more

I've been a few times now for brunch, HH, and dinner and have enjoyed the food and drinks here. Service is always friendly and the food comes out fairly quick. The crab dip and double smash burger are solid options here. I've also enjoyed the huli huli pork steak and a couple of the fry baskets. To drink, definitely can't skip their crushes - there's a few to choose from. If you have InKind, don't forget to use it here! read more

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Another great meal at Charley's today. Friendly staff and fast service too. Hard to beat the price of their oysters. Also had a shrimp cocktail, 5 spice pork with crispy rice, and a 7 Locks lager. Great location with indoor and outdoor seating. Check out the video. read more

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Since I was in the area and had earned a bonus offer from one of my favorite apps, I decided to give this place a try. Although I had been to the Rio before, it had been quite some time, so finding the restaurant was a bit difficult, but we eventually made it. We arrived shortly after noon, and the restaurant was quiet, with only one other table occupied. The hostess greeted us, showed us to our table, and started us off with water. Shortly after, our server, Mary, came by to take our food and drink orders. Since it was our first visit, we asked for recommendations, and everything she suggested was excellent. My usual Appletini was good, although it tasted more like vodka than apple. The jumbo lump crab dip, while a bit small in portion, was absolutely delicious and packed with crab and perfectly paired with the sesame baguette. Mary also recommended the shrimp and chicken tenders basket, which was another great choice. My only critique would be to cut the chicken tenders into smaller, bite-sized pieces, as they were quite large and, combined with the crunchy batter, a bit difficult to eat. However, the flavor was spot on. The menu is extensive, including a wide variety of drinks and oysters from different regions. Although I spent more than expected, I would consider visiting again in the future. read more

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Decided to try Charley Chesapeake Chophouse at Rio for lunch with a friend. We started with the cheddar bay biscuits - a bit too savory and salty for our taste, but the poppyseed honey butter was excellent and definitely helped balance things out! I ordered the lunch combo - picked the single smash burger and rigatoni alla vodka. The burger was juicy with a good sear and the house made pasta had a nice chew and was creamy and flavorful, with a nice kick. For $14.95, this was a great deal to try 2 dishes - I would go back for lunch to try a couple more! My friend ordered the fried catfish and shrimp basket with fries - solid choice! I tried a bite of everything and the shrimp and fish were fresh and cooked perfectly without being dry. Everything was crispy and well-seasoned, and the fries had that nostalgic boardwalk taste - add some old bay that's on the table! Dessert was mixed. The crème brûlée was rustic, but nicely done with a crackly top and smooth custard. The bread pudding was too dense and on the dry side - missing that classic crème anglaise that usually brings it all together. They had a strawberry sauce instead and although it was served with white chocolate ice cream on top, the bread pudding wasn't warm enough to melt it. Service was friendly, and the atmosphere fit the Rio setting - casual yet polished. I liked the boardwalk-style diner vibe inside. Despite a few tweaks needed, it's still a solid spot and I'd still return to explore more of the menu. Love the salt water taffies at the end too! read more

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I met a friend here for lunch. I'm glad I already looked at the website because it was indeed a little difficult to find. I was seated right away as I arrived shortly after they opened. The atmosphere is cozy. We started with the cheddar bay biscuits. They were ok. Of course I had to compare them to Red Lobster and RL wins. I ordered the junior crab cake with a side Caesar and the coleslaw. My friend ordered the catfish basket that comes with fries. My crab cake was good. The coleslaw could use a little more dressing, but I love cabbage, so it was good to me. My friend didn't like it. The breading on the catfish came off whenever he bit into it. I had a sample and the catfish was a little bland, but cooked well. My friend also got a scoop of ice cream. It was ok, but not really worth $5. Overall, it wasn't bad, just don't think it was good enough for a return visit. read more

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Came here for dinner and had a fantastic time. We ordered the apple and orange crush and both drinks were delicious. They were $2 off due to happy hour. We also ordered the steak deal and rigatoni Alla vodka. I absolutely loved the pasta, it had the perfect kick. My husband got the steak and said it was pretty good but could have used a little more flavor. Regardless, it was great overall. It came with a salad, fries, one side and dessert. The brownie sundae was delicious. Ambiance was cozy and nicely decorated for the holiday season. I look forward to coming back and trying more items on the menu. read more

Charley Chesapeake Chophouse & Bar - American Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

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I will start off by saying the food was excellent & I would have given a 5, however, I am reviewing based on overall experience. The hostess welcomed us & took us to our table right away, but then we waited & waited, servers went by us several times, but then one of the servers Molly took the time to give us water & take our drink orders & was kind enough to apologize that we had been waiting for awhile & told us our server Patrick would be with us momentarily. She definitely made an impression and should be given some kudos for giving a helping hand. Once Patrick came to our table, he apologized for the wait and took our orders, offering his opinion based on our preferences. For appetizer, we tried the crab & artichoke dip and it was pretty good. For main entree, I got the salmon over orzo & it was delicious. My husband got the basket with fries, catfish, shrimp & chicken. And Patrick persuaded us to get key lime pie which is absolutely one of my favorites. We chose to sit outside & it was pleasant to be close to the water. It was a bit loud which is expected for a Friday night. Aside from the wait at the beginning, we enjoyed the food & will likely come back. read more

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Charley Chesapeake Chophouse & Bar. A total redesign of Charlie Prime & Bar. Same place different vibe. Simple menu, same great food. The atmosphere does feel different, it just I am used to the old interior. The oyster was delicious and hit the spot. The 14 oz Ribeye was cooked perfectly. I will say I am happy the drinks are still done with perfection and the staff is still friendly and attentive as always. Don't let the name change deter you, it is still the same rest place just with a new face. read more

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My friend and I came for happy hour, and we sat outside. The outdoor seating is covered. We got the margarita, and gimlet and they were decent. We liked the fried green tomatoes and the gaithersburger was decent (a little more cooked than I liked). Fries were good. Staff was attentive and friendly. Would rate it a 3.5/5, rounding up to 4/5 read more

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I had a nice dinner date with the man at Charley at the Rio Lakefront. Apparently, they used to be more of a steakhouse, but now they're more seafood-forward. Either way, it was our first time there and they did not disappoint! It was such a pretty day to be by the lake, and we got seated in a comfy booth with a great view of the water. We started with Jenny's Half N Half, wings and jumbo fried shrimp. The wings were really good (we went with the Hot Honey Harissa), but the shrimp stole the show, they were huge and sooo fresh! I tried their famous crab cakes for my entree, and they were amazing, lump crab, no filler and full of flavor. The hand-cut fries on the side were a nice touch too. All in all, we had a great date night with a view, delicious food, and excellent service. We'll definitely be back when we're in the area! read more

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I walked by Charley Prime all the time but never visited until I recently learned about their progressive oyster happy hour. So, on a lighter work-from-home Friday, I brought my laptop over to take advantage of the 2-3pm 50-cent oysters. First off, the staff here is so kind. The host who seated me was extremely accommodating when I asked if it was okay for me to have my laptop on the table to continue doing some light work. He sat me at a table next to an outlet, and when I asked about the oysters, he helped me move to the bar area at a table with an outlet in that section. Alex was the bartender who took care of my table and he made me feel very welcome and taken care of. For the oysters, he offered horseradish and hot sauce if desired, and when I ended up sticking around for a happy hour burger, he offered ketchup, malt vinegar, and Old Bay, as well as burger upgrades. I also saw him and the other bartender getting along great with the other guests at the bar. Maybe it was all the sunshine but I just felt really comfortable and content with this staff, they were really nice and I'm looking forward to seeing them again. The promotion everyone is buzzing about and coming to Charley Chesapeake for right now? That progressive oyster happy hour. If you come between 2-3pm (or 9-10pm on Friday or Saturday), you can get them for 50 cents each, an incredible deal in an age where the dollar oyster happy hour is going extinct. The main rules to keep in mind are (1) this deal is bar-only, you cannot get it from the main dining area, (2) 3 oyster minimum, and (3) you must purchase a beverage. I went with a dozen oysters and a half-ginger beer half-lemonade, after asking my server which of the housemade drinks he liked best and him letting me know I could get half-half. The oysters came with a lemon wedge and mignonette, and my server brought me 2 adorably teeny bottles of Tabasco upon request. Predictably, they were small and not fully detached from the shell but they were very tasty and fully hit the spot for me as I sat there wondering if I made a mistake only ordering one dozen for my little solo outing. Alas, the clock struck 3, and I told myself I would only order oysters during the $0.50 hour before I got carried away, so since regular happy hour is between 3-6pm I got myself the $10 single smashburger and fries, with ketchup and Old Bay for my fries. This burger was small and simple but also hit the spot. If I had to nitpick something, it would be that the tomato was a bit too cold, which was startling when I bit into it (had me worried that it was the patty at first). But I liked the sauce and it was a juicy little burger and I liked my fries, especially the crispy small ones. Truly this was such a great little indulgent afternoon outing for me, I hope to be able to do this again especially given that they were very nice about me working from the restaurant. I don't know that I'd feel comfortable camping out at the bar with my laptop for a full day, as the bar seating became completely full by the end of the $0.50/oyster hour, but the ambiance is nice and I think the rebrand seems to be working for this place even though I had not visited before. Hit me up if you want to visit their late night or happy hour and need a buddy to order more food with! read more

Charley Chesapeake Chophouse & Bar - Happy hour smashburger, ketchup and Old Bay for the fries - American Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

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Wow, just wow. I went to Charley's for brunch and I had the waffles and apple cider donuts and they were SO GOOD!! Not only that but our waiter, Brendan was extremely friendly and gave us some great food recommendations. To top it all off the air conditioning worked efficiently despite the hot weather today, and I loved the slight crab decor! read more

The place to go for restaurant week at the Rio. Hospitable service, delicious food, and wonderful location. Anytime is a good time there. Service was friendly, yet professional. Took my extra request for bordelaise sauce for my fries with pleasure. Kept my partner's smoked Old Fashion full. Delivered my red wine with my meal and not when it was convent for her. Definitely one of the finer places at the Rio! read more

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We went for the $.50 per shucked oysters and we ate 4 dozen. They were sweet, a tad briny, and clean. We also had the Classic Orange Crush. Each made to order, fresh squeezed orange, and plenty of liquor so it's not watered down. I do not have any pix b/c I was too busy eating my oysters! read more

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This place was a pleasant surprise! I came for DMV restaurant week and loved everything I had. I went on the Sunday right before school started, savoring the last bit of summer. It's right on the boardwalk at Rio but wasn't overly busy. There were several families with children and a gathering happening outside. I had the tuna tartare, cornmeal crusted catfish, and peach tart. The tuna tartare was a much larger portion than expected, and delicious. I liked the catfish, and liked that the slaw wasn't too much mayo. The fries were perfectly seasoned. The peach tart was to die for- so glad I took a chance on something new. My server was very nice and checked in several times. I also really like the decor- classic and sleek. I plan to go back tomorrow for the last day of Restaurant Week because it was so good! read more

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Had great food .. Drinks strong and good . Sat outside and the view was nice and peaceful.. Dave was our waiter and he was phenomenal!! I will definitely be back!! read more

Charley Chesapeake Chophouse & Bar - American Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

I came here with my family on a Saturday afternoon. We got some oysters that were delicious and our waiter was a tad above average. The space utilizes its space the best it can, but the restrooms are a bit awkward as they are located right by the kitchen. If you had to wait to use the restroom it may be cumbersome. read more

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Charley Chesapeake Chophouse & Bar (CCCB) is charming slice of Americana with a touch of the Mid-Atlantic in Gaithersburg's Rio Mall development. After two visits (brunch and lunch), three things really stand out for me and my dining companion: 1) terrific execution of moderately-priced American comfort food; 2) great coffee; 3) attentive, accommodating, and warm service! Below are what we ordered (and enjoyed): FRIED CHICKEN & WAFFLES w/ Whipped Butter & Maple Syrup (brunch) The fried chicken tenders are fried to a nice exterior crisp and juicy interior. The coating is delicately savory and helps to keep our fingers from burning when biting into the piping hot chicken. This dish is definitely not to be missed! +Pro Tip: Wanting a slightly lighter touch to this otherwise indulgent dish, we requested some Strawberries. Arriving in sliced+syruped form, this not only added to the presentation but also helped us to enjoy the waffle even more as a dessert companion to the exemplary fried chicken tenders! +Tip#2: Request a few wedges of lemon as a squeeze adds another dimension to complement the mild and delicate flavors. MORNING GLORY BURGER w/ White American Cheese, Egg (requested overeasy), Bacon, and Jalapeño, Rosemary Potato Rosti Hashbrown (brunch) Well-balanced and very brunchy without being too rich, this burger is perfectly seasoned and deliciously browned. The Hashbrowns are fried in polenta-like triangular prism shapes with mashed potato inside and crisp outside. They are perfect with the yolk from the eggs! FRIED CHICKEN + MAC & CHEESE (lunch) We couldn't miss out on the terrific fried chicken so we had to order this "Lunch Features" dish. +Pro Tip: While the Mac & Cheese is bland, requesting their Housemade Hot Sauce really amps up the dish. The hot sauce offers a nice piquant kick of fruity chilies with a hint of savoriness in a way like Kimchi. DOUBLE SMASH CHEESEBURGER w/ Pickles and Chuck's Burger Sauce (from all-day menu) This is perhaps even better than their brunch burger, especially with the request of Jalapeño, as it is a classic rendition of a smash cheese burger with butter lettuce, tomato, and ketchup+mayo-based sauce to tie it all together! +Pro Tip: For Wednesday Lunch, this is offered (without Fries) for only $8.95 ($6.95 for Single Patty burger). BREWED COFFEE from Ceremony Coffee Fresh, hot, and brewed to an optimal concentration, we enjoyed this to warm up on the cold days and to complement the hearty burger and chicken dishes! All in all, CCCB is a gem of classic American cuisine of outstanding execution and reasonable pricing, accompanied by friendly and courteous service (kudos to Jay and Amelia!). While the location inside the vast Rio Mall development is tricky at first (per their website's directions: park in the lot on the southeast end to the south of Zips dry cleaner), it is very convenient to get to by car. Can't wait to try more of their menu!! read more

There were four of us. Good food and the service was exceptional. I had the double crab cakes. It was good and filling (and pricey). We sat outside and RIO has bands on Fridays, which made the night more enjoyable. read more

Got delivery to try out some things with the rebrand! Wings were good, shrimp a little more batter than I prefer but the shrimp themselves were great. Love the double smash burger. Crabcakes are still delicious! read more

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Charley's did not disappoint! Don't question if you should visit or not because they did not fail to amaze me. The customer service, the food, the establishment was clean and friendly. Just everything was outstanding in my opinion, wish i found this place sooner. Definitely will be back *order the house rolls you won't be disappointed read more

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Service was friendly and our waitress was very nice, but unfortunately the food was a bit below expectations. My wife ordered the jalapeño margarita after being told it was spicy, but it wasn't that spicy, just right actually. We were there for my son's birthday, and his steak frites came out undercooked, underseasoned, and disappointing in quality--rubbery and fattier than expected. He tolerated it and ate about 60% of it, but it was not enjoyable unfortunately. The chicken fingers were also underseasoned, and neither the kids nor the adults cared for them. The crab cake sandwich was bland and could have used more flavor. My cobb salad was also tasteless, lacked flavor (seasoning), cheddar cheese and other items typically that help a good salad. The location is nice, but based on this experience, this is not a restaurant we would likely return to. I will however give kuddos to the owner who did come over and make it right by removing the steak from our bill. And they made up for it by providing a nice gesture with a fireworks sundae for my son's bday. read more

Charley Chesapeake Chophouse & Bar - American Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

Food and service were great! DD was our server and recommended the crab cakes and they did NOT disappoint, I highly recommend! They also had a special of $3.25 oysters which we didn't get but will try it out next time. read more

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We've been here a few times as a family so we take our children here and they do great. The staff and the manager; they're always really great. Food is great, love the menu would definitely recommend for families Also excellent either for lunch, brunch or dinner... two thumbs up! read more

I really really liked the food here. My burger was delicious and perfectly cooked, and the pork belly was such a unique dish! I would definitely come back if I find myself in the area again. I only docked a star because the service was a bit slow and our waters were often left unfilled for a while, but the staff was very nice and helpful when we asked for recommendations or had questions! read more

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The apps are great! We ordered two different ones-burrata and tomato With prosciutto and artichoke truffle ricotta. I preferred the artichoke but I liked both a lot! We shared the chicken sandwich which was really good but a little too much sauce because the bottom bun got so soggy and started falling apart. They very kindly cut the sandwich in half for us too! The staff were very lovely and I really like the look of this place. A little pricey for brunch but it's a nice spot! read more

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I went for happy hour. I sat at the bar. It a medium sized restaurant with a few cute decors. The service was good. The food was amazing. I order some oysters. They were very fresh. When you add lemon, a little bit of horseradish, and the cocktail sauce it was yummy in my tummy. After my appetizer, I ordered a smashburger while my spouse the ordered the catfish platter. I was surprised that I did get any sauce with my burger and fries. But when I bite into my burger, it was juicy and delicious. The cheese gave it so much flavor that I didn't mind not getting ketchup. The catfish platter was also delicious. It came with a small container of spiced up ketchup and tartar sauce. The ketchup seems to be mixed with a hint of horseradish which helps bring out the flavor. My spouse and I were stuffed and amazed by the food. We also got some cocktails. The old fashioned was very tasty. I left with very satisfied taste buds. read more

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Stopped by Charley's Prime Food for happy hour after work and had an excellent experience. The host was welcoming, the service was great, and the happy hour menu was impressive. I'll definitely be back read more

Charley Chesapeake Chophouse & Bar - Oyster - American Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

I had a great experience here! Came here for lunch with coworkers for the first time and here were some highlights: - Free parking garage nearby, which is ALWAYS a plus! - Great decor (really swanky and unique, I love it) - FAST service (minimal waiting time) - Very flexible (I was late in arriving and they were able to accommodate me) I got the Maryland Moscow Mule cocktail which was delicious and refreshing, and then ordered the salmon over a bed of tomato risotto - delicious! read more

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We came here on a weekday dinner for their happy hour to try different menu options. We got oysters, crab soup, the burger, and wings. All of which were good for the happy hour price. I will say the crab soup didn't taste fresh so I probably wouldn't get it again but everything else was good! Server was kind and interior is nice. read more

We had a relaxing early dinner and cocktails outside by the water. The weather was gorgeous and the menu had several fun small plates that were perfect for sampling and sharing. The service was efficient and the prices were reasonable. I will return when in the area again. read more

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We came here before and after the rebranding and they made a great choice to move in the current direction. The seafood-forward menu is definitely the right way to go! We came here most recently for the progressive oyster happy hour (.50 from 2-3 pm per oyster, $1 from 3-4 pm, etc.) and it is BY FAR the best deal for oysters in the DMV. On top of that, the oysters were very fresh. I just wish they had some meunière sauce in addition to the cocktail sauce and lemons they served us. The tiny Tabasco sauce bottles were a nice touch! Their draft beer selection is is legit (including local options) and their happy hour combos for $10-$14 are great deals. We will definitely be back (for either day happy hour or the late happy hour options - maybe both in the same day)! Bonus points for location at Rio where you can take a nice walk or go to the movies, shop or even play at the arcade or climb to work the food off! read more

Came to Charley to get early dinner. Was amazing. Was served by a nice gentleman named Alex at the bar. Made my experience good. Charley always had a nice interior! Clean and food is served fresh. Coming back again soon. read more

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I really, really wanted to like this restaurant. And, I know we may have ordered the wrong food item, but I would only give Charley Prime Food a 3 1/2 stars. Why, you may ask? We ordered the slow roasted lamb with the melted Swiss cheese and au jus for dipping. It was served on a large Italian bread- hoagie style. The issue was that there was very little lamb, you would need a microscope to find it. And, unfortunately, what was there was fatty and grisly. When, you are paying $23 for a sandwich you want a good amount of delicious lamb. The French fries were great. They were hot, crispy, and tasty. We ordered the Parker rolls as an appetizer and they were light, pillowy and tasty. I especially liked the herbed butter that was served with the rolls. It was a perfect foil to the fresh rolls. If this review was on dessert it would be a 5 stars. The bread pudding was amazing. The ice cream, the fruit, the sauce, and the bread pudding itself was like a symphony with each instrument adding to a superb finale. It is a small but artfully decorated restaurant. I think the bar area is beautiful. I think some of the art pieces are a bit questionable. But, you can see that for yourself in the pictures. I faced Charlie Prime's shirtless fishing picture for most of our dinner. : D Our server was good. He gave us plenty of time to talk and to enjoy our dessert. read more

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I ordered the Salmon Avocado Caeser salad...and my feeling about it? Meh. The dressing had little flavor, could have used more parm and anchovies. The salmon was Blackened, but not spicy, so with the bland dressing, hard boiled egg, and avocado... overall it was just "Meh"...not very interesting. Oh, and for me, the salmon was overcooked and dry. My friends liked their dinners, but no one raved about them. I'm in no hurry to go back read more

Went here for a lovely happy hour! They have a nice happy hour menu with a number of cocktails and appetizers as well as a few meals. The prices were great and we really enjoyed our drinks and the five spice pork and crispy rice. The Gaithersburger was good but a little underdone. Waiter was great and very cute dining area! read more

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The service was amazing. We had a party of 6, where we were celebrating 2 birthdays and they brought birthday sundaes. The brunch menu was pretty good, wish they had more variety on the menu though. read more

Excellent service from our server David. He was very knowledgeable of the menu and it was obvious he cared about our experience. Some of the best service we have had in a while. The food was great. We enjoyed our time here. read more