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.

My husband surprised me with brunch at Ambar because he always researches menus before making…read morereservations to make sure there are enough options for my food intolerances. That thoughtfulness is one of the many reasons I was excited to try it. When we arrived, I was initially concerned after learning that the "G" on the menu indicated dishes **containing** gluten rather than being gluten-free. Since many menu items were marked with a "G," I worried my options would be very limited, especially for the unlimited brunch experience. Thankfully, our server, Emma, immediately put me at ease. She brought me the food allergy menu, answered my questions with patience, and made sure I understood what was safe for me to enjoy. While my husband and I were deciding whether to stay, the manager, Antonio, came to our table after Emma shared my dietary concerns. His kindness completely changed the experience. He took the time to explain my options, offered to have the kitchen modify several dishes, and reassured me that their goal was for me to feel safe and enjoy my meal. Thanks to Emma and Antonio, what started with uncertainty became one of the most enjoyable brunch experiences I've had. I was able to enjoy a variety of delicious dishes, the mimosas were a great value, and the restaurant itself is absolutely beautiful, with floor-to-ceiling windows that fill the space with natural light. What I'll remember most, though, is how genuinely cared for I felt. Before we left, Antonio stopped by one last time to make sure I was happy with my meal and that all of my needs had been met. My husband had put so much love and intention into choosing this restaurant, and thanks to Emma and Antonio, we both left with happy hearts and full bellies. If you have food intolerances or dietary restrictions, I hope this review gives you confidence to visit Ambar. Their team didn't just accommodate my needs. They made me feel welcome, respected, and cared for. That's the kind of hospitality that earns five stars from me.

New: TG corn ribs. Delicious and creative (see my picture). It's a new interpretation of corn on…read morethe cob. Mixed grill is now more expensive (as part of the Ambar Experience at Home set: grill). Though now you can choose individual ingredients (chicken, lamb and so on as opposed to mixed grill which is no + $4) Baklava shrunk! In the past the portion was generous. Now: only 3 tiny pieces.

This place reminded me of home. We ordered the Veal Zürich Style and it was fantastic. My mother…read moreused to make this dish for me growing up, and I haven't had it since she passed away two years ago. It was so good that I am inspired to try my hand at this in my own kitchen. Thank you, Silvan and David, for bringing back those memories with your amazing food! The fondue was also exceptional. We enjoyed the Belper Knolle fondue and ordered the potatoes to accompany the bread for dipping. Speaking of bread, the basket of bread and butter they brought us while we waited for our food was wonderful. If you are looking for really good bread, take home a loaf of the Wurzelbrot. (We did!) Drinks were incredible and served to us by Silvan himself. We enjoyed the hot spiked apple cider and the Smoking Mirrors. Service was excellent and everyone was so friendly and welcoming. We spent the first snowy night of the season at Stable DC and boy, was it the perfect place to be! Can't wait to come back and try the rest of the menu. Vielen Herzlichen Dank!

I appreciate Swiss culture being part of the DC food scene! I came here for both brunch and dinner…read moreservice, and I'll say the drinks/food I had were amazing. Especially with the fondue service, they did everything right and I felt like I was back in Switzerland! Would highly recommend for dining here, especially in the back rooms indoors where it feels like you're in a lodge. I will say I am not giving this place 5 stars because of the quality of service I received here. It was disappointing for brunch, the server kept on messing up mine/my friend's orders, and eventually we gave up trying to correct him because we didn't want to inconvenience him anymore. Furthermore, for dinner, we were only served when we did our initial order, when the food came out, and when we were presented the bill. Overall, I very much enjoyed coming here. Perhaps I went on off days, but would be willing to do the dining experience again.

The food, the service and attention to detail were outstanding. Our server, the GM, did everything…read moreto make our dining experience enjoyable. We even received a complimentary dish to welcome us back, as repeat customers. You will not be disappointed if you dine here; definitely try the risotto!

Maple Ave is a small, no-frills bistro in Vienna that serves higher end modern European options ran…read moreby two people! They offer a prix-fixe menu that changes seasonally (?) for brunch and dinner. The ingredients here are high-quality and well prepared and cared for before serving. I've heard great things about Maple Ave from a friends, so I took my family here for dinner this past Wednesday. We really enjoyed the creativity of how the dishes were crafted and plated here and the execution was also phenomenal. This time around, it was 59.00 per person for a 4-course prix-fixe dinner (two appetizers, one entree, and one dessert). Since there were only a couple options per section, we were able to try all the options they had. FIRST: APPLE HAZELNUT SOUP Creamy, pale colored soup with a thicker consistency similar to butternut squash soup. It was lightly sweet, yet savory at the same time. There were some pickled apples and toasted hazelnuts delicately sprinkled on top that added a bit of a crunch. The soup was unique and we enjoyed it. FIRST: ROOTCAKE Between the rootcake and the apple hazelnut soup, the rootcake was my favorite. The vegetables were caramelized and made into a patty, topped generously with almonds with some umami aïoli and pimenton sauce. The rootcake was so good. Each bite was hearty and rich, and it's such a unique way to prepare vegetables. The sauce enhanced each bite and the almonds provided a nutty texture. I would recommend the rootcake as your first option. SECOND: CRISPY SQUASH NUGGETS I didn't think I would enjoy the crispy squash nuggets as much as I did. The roasted squash is breaded with panko crumbs, sitting in some dill yogurt sauce and topped with some raisins and radish. The squash were perfectly seasoned and crispy with a soft interior that left my taste buds wanting more. The dill yogurt sauce was a good complement. I'd definitely recommend this option if you're not a fan of mushrooms and/or you want something more crispy. SECOND: WILD MUSHROOM RISOTTO One of the best mushroom risottos I've ever had. It's rich and creamy, filled with truffle flavor. The shiitake mushrooms had a dry, crispy texture. The manchego shavings on top were a great plus. The squash was used for coloring and probably some flavoring? Not sure. The whole thing was really good and memorable. I'd definitely recommend! THIRD: SHRIMP I'm not a huge fan of shrimp, but my family loved it along with the citrus braised fennel. I was a fan of the creamy semolina, though! Overall, it wasn't for me, but that's more of a personal preference. THIRD: PORK CONFIT STEAK The pork they used was pork belly (?) and seared very nicely, topped with perfectly crispy potatoes, mangoes (?), brown butter sweet potato puree and chimi churri sauce. The pork belly melted in my mouth but as someone who's not the biggest fan of fatty pork, I wish it was a leaner cut. The potatoes were so good and went well with the sweet potato puree. Even though I didn't love the pork confit steak, I'd recommend this entree over the shrimp. FOURTH: MOCK FRIED "APPLE" PIE It was zucchini instead of apple and you can't even tell. I loved the crispy pie exterior which was lightly topped with cinnamon. The vanilla bean ice cream was my favorite as it was creamy and smooth. The dulce de leche and lavender honey were nice touches. Very nice way to end the meal. All the food here were so rich with lots of complex flavors. Each dish was so beautifully plated with many vibrant colors. We were quite full after all the food we ate. I would recommend coming here with another person to try all the options they offer here! The food here is unique and well-executed, and I'd be open to come back to try a different seasonal menu.

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!!!!!

A complete vibe! I…read morecame here with a coworker of mine the day before 4th of July for lunch and drinks, and I left full and happy. There is a parking garage around the corner of the restaurant so that makes things very convenient. The inside decor is gorgeous and is chic but also funky fresh. I got grilled octopus over a bed of bean salad that had pieces of pomegranate in it - 10/10. The savory taste of the octopus paired against the sweetness of the salad was really delicious. For desert I got the baklava option that comes with ice cream - INCREDIBLE. You have to order it if you come here.

Went there twice to taste different kinds of Turkish dishes. One time for dinner and the other for…read morelunch. Overall the food was good. The serving size of the dishes I ordered were medium to small. The service was far less satisfactory than food. I tried the following dishes: 1. Complimentary pita: ~40g per piece. Not salty and paired well with the other dishes. Definitely get some! 2. Lahmacun: The lamb+beef mixture was tasty. It came with 4 pieces. 3. Branzino: ~6oz. The fish was grilled to perfection; juciy tender, and the skin was nicely charred. It was served with freh parsley and seasoned grilled tomato (salt+oregano I think). 4. Imam Bayildi: Half of an eggplant topped with sauteed onions and tomatoes. While itself was pretty normal, it went so well with the Ottoman rice. 5. Ottoman Rice: The true highlight of all the dishes I tried! It was basically Basimati rice cooked with dried apricots, raisins, almonds & pine nuts mix, and seasoned with black currant. Overall it was warm, earthy and lightly smoky. The apricot slices added some delightful sweetness and juiciness to the dish. Should pair well with Labneh, chicken and seafood. But to be honest, I can simply eat this stuff along for a whole meal! 6. Tabbouleh: They went against the traditional recipe by substituting the bulgur with quinoa and added some pomegranate arils. I liked the special texture of quinoa. The sweetness of pomegrante arils also enriched the flavors. However, I had to constantly spit the seeds when enjoying the salad. 7. Kofte: Adana style ground beef patties. Just like what I make at home haha! I ordered it as an add-on to my salad at lunchtime. It came with only 2 pieces which weighed no more than 3oz in total... Despite the delicious food, service was disappointing. The first time, the dinner, was Okay. While my food came out slowly, at least my server was aware of it and asked me how I liked the dishes. The second time, the lunch, was horrible. Even before I was seated, my server made me feel that he was reluctant to serve me, and emphasized that I had to order asap. "Luckily", I had already decided what to order. After I got my dishes, no one in the restaurant asked me if the food was Okay. And at the check, my bill was thrown onto my table. In comparison, the two ladies dining next to me came even after I started eating, but were greeted warmly and were given lots of time to decide what to order; not to mention that the staff gave them lots of suggestions, asked about their dining experience, and even chatted with them about sightseeing in DC, etc. Such discrimitory treatment is really unacceptable.

I treated my friend to brunch after seeing all the hype on TikTok, Yelp, and Instagram, and it…read moreabsolutely lived up to it! This was easily one of the most entertaining brunches I've experienced in the DMV, while still maintaining an upscale vibe. From the singer taking special requests during brunch to the live entertainment afterward, drummers, dancers, and a saxophonist turning things into a full brunch party...we were thoroughly entertained from start to finish. What really stood out, though, was that the food matched the energy. At some places, you get great entertainment but mediocre food - not here. Everything was beautifully presented, served at the perfect temperature, and genuinely delicious. My friend was so impressed with her birthday celebration that she thanked me for days afterward. The service was impeccable, the space is stunning with plenty of Instagram-worthy moments, and despite how busy it was, it somehow still felt warm and welcoming. If you're in the mood to get dressed up, enjoy an upscale brunch, celebrate a special occasion, or impress someone on a date, this is definitely the place. I'm already looking forward to my next brunch party here!

Gorgeous restaurant! I felt very underdressed but I loved the vibrant atmosphere…read more STARTER: Prosciutto - very large portion, had plenty to take home, thinly sliced and addictive ENTREE: Hanger Steak Au Poivre $56 10 oz black angus hanger steak, pomme frites & green beans, green peppercorn sauce *I really enjoyed the steak but I didn't finish it because I polished off 2 trays of bread by myself...andddd I don't regret it. COCKTAILS: Smoked Old Fashioned $18 BB Bourbon, BB House Bitters, Syrup, Smoke *I loved the smokiness of the drink and it went great with the bread because I had no self control... Our service was consistent throughout dinner and they packed up all of our leftovers very nicely and set them aside on the counter while we chatted and they didn't rush us with the bill like a lot of establishments do. **Would you believe it that the server packed me a to go box of bread? I am dead. I could not stop laughing when I saw that. I will definitely be back! ;)

One of the best Turkish restaurants in USA…read more Real Michael Guide experience Definitely worth it every penny that you paid. Real traditional Turkish food without any modern ingredients. Have visited for lunch we were group of 3 all of us had "Turkish experience " the name of lunch combo. Price to value is high. 20% tip added to bill automatically. Great place to visit. All payment forms accepted except Apple Pay , pay attention

Came here with 2 other friends for a Saturday lunch based on a friend's recommendation. It wasn't…read morepacked and the weather was nice so we took an outdoor table. We got the ottoman experience which included unlimited foods and drinks on the menu. I didn't know what to expect but the experience is mindblowing good! They served us everything included in the experience menu which has cold mezze and hot mezze plates, omelette, various skewers and desserts and sides. Everything is so fresh and tasty. I especially enjoyed the muhammara, the pink dip, and the omelette. The pita breads are warm and fluffy, perfect with the mezze. We also got a lot of mimosas and the honey yogurt dessert was not heavy and perfect end to our brunch. We all ended up so full but very much satisfied with the experience. If you go with friends or a group, get the experience you won't regret!

Small plates middle eastern-fusion restaurant with a cool vibe and great food…read more Table, booth, and bar seating I came here with my fiancé and we split small plates of hummus, falafel, brussel sprouts, and a chicken skewer. The hummus and Brussel sprouts were the best, and the chicken was solid as well, but we didn't love the falafel. Solid selection of drinks. My fiance got a passionfruit cocktail but thought that it was too sweet for her taste On inKind!

We were only able to secure outdoor seating, and unfortunately the ambiance outside is not great…read more The patio was wet even though it wasn't raining that day of the day before. There is nothing pretty or appealing about seating outside. The buffet is inside the restaurant which also makes it a bit of an inconvenience. The restaurant inside is on the smaller side and feels a bit crowded near the buffet area. They had a lot of food selections which was great, however, we were disappointed that the taste of the food did not match the great presentation of each dish. Overall the dishes were bland, lacked flavor, and were too oily. Even the mashed potatoes were bland and not tasty. Nice selection of desserts too, but again, nothing exciting, juts a typical dessert buffet selection (brownies, cupcakes, chocolate fountain..). The standout were the baklavas. The highlight of our outing was the service. Everyone was very attentive and nice.