Ria R.

We decided to drive to this spot to see if they were officially open. We were seated immediately. The decor isn't my taste, but someone put a great deal of work into the decor. It's pretty gaudy and reminds me of an old school 80s vibe. Service was friendly and fast. The food was served extremely fast- freaked me out. When we asked the server if they had different pours for wine (6oz, 9oz, etc) he was very confused. He was also confused when we asked for the fish blackened not realizing that blackened is just a seasoning preference. My husband ordered the whole branzino w/o lemon butter- blackened instead. The fish had way too much blackening seasoning. The menu was very limited for the type of food I like. I decided to simply try to salmon deviled eggs. They were different, but okay. We ordered still water -- a 12 fluid oz bottle was $6. CRAZY! The automatic gratuity being included without notice or awareness was crazy. I almost crossed it out just because of principle, but decided to let it go. The menus were beaten up and hard to see due to lack of lighting. There is a very small parking lot and we lucked up as someone was coming out as we were pulling in. When we were about to leave we both decided that we were okay not returning. Nothing really stood out. But then....we were stopped on the way out by the owner (woman-- forgot her name unfortunately). She was soooo friendly! She told us the story behind the restaurant's name (her late son's name is Michael). She told us about employing his friends. She told us about how she gives back and works within the community. This conversation was the best part of the entire meal because you can tell she really cares - to come out of retirement and build something to honor her son's legacy. Admirable! Her and her husband really turned their grief into purpose. I'm so glad she stopped us. Think we'll wait a little while and give them another try in a few months.

Alanna L.

My friend and I had been looking forward to trying Michael's ever since it was announced last fall. We considered going during the soft opening, but reservations seemed nearly impossible to get, so we decided to wait until after the grand opening in May. We finally made it in for dinner on a Saturday around 6 p.m., and it was well worth the wait. The first thing that stood out was the ambiance. The restaurant is beautifully designed with an elegant, upscale feel. Everything from the chairs and tables to the flooring and lighting worked together to create a polished atmosphere. 5 stars! The space itself is longer than it is wide, with two bars; one near the entrance and another toward the back of the restaurant. For drinks, I ordered the Lavender Lemon Drop while my friend had "The Experience", which was good and came with a cherry and lychee garnish - it was good, just not good enough for a second. He landed on their Old Fashioned and ordered two of those. In all, the cocktails were good nothing overly extravagant, but well made and enjoyable. We started with the charbroiled oysters, thanks to our server's recommendation. I had only tried oysters once before, and it was my friend's first time having cooked oysters. I was originally leaning toward the fried cauliflower or the crab and spinach dip, but our server insisted we'd regret passing on the oysters. She was absolutely right. The half dozen disappeared quickly because they were flavorful and easily one of the highlights of the entire evening. For our entrées, my friend ordered the beef short ribs with a side of broccolini and I chose the seafood pasta. I'm not usually a big pasta person, but the mussels caught my attention, and I'm glad they did. The seafood was fresh, the shrimp nice and plump, and pasta was rich without being overwhelming. Also, the portions were huge. I ended up taking most of it home. My friend's short ribs were served over mashed potatoes with gravy. He's normally not a gravy fan (or any sauce/drizzle for that matter lol) but he said the dish was flavorful and thoroughly enjoyed it. We stayed for about two hours without feeling rushed. Although there's a sign stating that tables are limited to 90 minutes, I imagine that's mainly enforced during their busiest brunch or dinner services. Before we left, my friend ordered the key lime pie to take home. He ate it the next day and said it held up well and was just as delicious. The prices are definitely on the higher end, but the quality of the food, attentive service, and overall dining experience made it feel justified. I also appreciate supporting Black-owned small businesses, and Michael's absolutely delivered. I'd happily return with my girlfriends for dinner or stop by for happy hour if I'm in the Upper Marlboro area again.

Tracy C.

Great experience! We went here for my husband's birthday. The food was good and the service was solid. We ordered ribeyes, cauliflower bites, and really enjoyed the sides -- brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, and broccolini. The salmon deviled eggs were decent, but wished the fish wasn't fried. Overall nice spot. It feels like you are in a restaurant and bar combo, with tvs throughout, with a sophisticated menu. We will definitely come back.

Spencer H.

I would describe myself as traditional with a "splash" of flash. That said, Michael's interior is the polar opposite of traditional!! Let's just say, Gianni Versace would be proud..LOL! Black, Gold, Red color scheme with crystal lighting every where. It's definitely a sight for sore eyes. She started off at the bar because she was SUPER early and beat me for a change..SMH! She ordered a Dirty Martini but it was a little too dirty once she found a small hair in her drink. The staff was super professional and replaced it immediately. Would have been nice to get a comped drink... jus sayin :) We quickly moved from the bar to booth seating and began our dining experience. If charbroiled oysters are on the menu, I can assure you we're getting them. They were absolutely delicious! She chose the branzino for her entree and I had a hard choice between the bone-in ribeye and the lamb chops. I decided on the Ribeye and I must say, it was great. I had it cut and blackened and the flavor popped right off the plate! Her branzino was just as good although it seemed a little bony. Not sure what they can do about that? I have to give the owners kudos for properly pricing their menu. It isn't nearly as expensive as the same food if dining in DC, and yes its noticeable and appreciated. Please visit Michael's for a fine dining experience in Upper Marlboro. Just close your eyes and you'll feel like you're in Miami..LOL!

Donyiel C.

We celebrated a friend's birthday this past weekend. We did dinner for a party of 6. I would recommend a reservation! Parking isn't the easiest - we parked in a nearby lot. I was excited to try out this place. It's been the buzz for the last several months. I've seen the social media footage and reviews. Overall, the experience was just ok for me. My friend enjoyed her celebration and I'm happy for that, but there were some things that made it not worthy of a higher rating and made me not wanting to return. The place was packed. I didn't see an empty table. We got seated in a booth that was very hard to get into. The table was very high and awkward. We ended up waiting about 15 minutes before our server come over to us. They seem to be short staffed. She took our orders, including drinks, appetizers and our meals. The drinks took some time to come out. I had the lavender lemon drop and didn't love it - didn't seem well balanced and just tasted strong and needed to be mixed better. My friend asked for a wine list and there isn't one so the server just rambled off names of some wines. The menus were tattered and worn looking and hard to read the items. Perhaps laminated menus would be better or QR codes. I found the menu somewhat limited as far as options. The entrees don't really come with sides and you will have to order them separately. They have their name logo on their wine glasses and dishes. I thought that was a nice touch. The food took awhile and it didn't all come out at the same time. I got the beef short ribs which were a generous portion, but were a tad on the salty side. The mashed potatoes were not well flavored. A few others in our party got the same dish and also commented about the saltiness. The birthday girl ordered the ribeye medium well and it came out well done. There is a sign at the hostess desk and other places throughout stating a 90 minute limit per seating. Weird, but ok. We weren't forced out within that time because that would have been unfair when things didn't come out in a timely fashion. Still felt off putting to me. The decor is nice, but it didn't quite feel "upscale" to me. The design and layout felt very cramped with some many booths and tables side by side. There's not much space to even walk around comfortably. The attire is whatever you want. I saw some dressed up and some very very casual. There's automatic gratuity! Be mindful of that. I inquired about seeing their banquet hall downstairs and I was told by more than one staff member that they'll take me down for a peek, although an event was going on. We started to walk down and then the sheriff (yes, they had a sheriff there) yelled at me and told me I'm not allowed to go down there. I was not going on my own, but yeah. I can't give any info on that space. Oh well! I'm in no hurry to return anytime soon. I hope they work on fixing some issues, but overall, it wasn't a "fine dining" experience for me.

Jasminn W.

After reading several good reviews and getting a recommendation from my neighbor, we decided to try Michael's on Main Street in Upper Marlboro. I am so glad we did. From the moment you walk in, you feel like you've been transported somewhere far outside of Prince George's County. The decor is beautiful. Gold accents, flowers everywhere, elegant lighting, and a great atmosphere. It feels upscale without feeling stuffy. One thing I really appreciated was the menu. It wasn't pages and pages long. There were enough options to make choosing difficult, but not so many that it felt overwhelming. It gave me the impression that they focus on doing a smaller number of dishes really well, and based on our experience, that's exactly what they do. We started with the crab dip, steak egg rolls, and salmon deviled eggs. Every single appetizer was delicious. The crab dip was especially memorable. The cheese was perfectly melted, the crab was plentiful, and everything was cooked just right. I also loved that it was served with fresh tortilla chips instead of bread chips. That was a pleasant surprise and, in my opinion, the perfect choice because they paired so well with the dip. The steak egg rolls and salmon deviled eggs were equally delicious. For our entrees, we ordered the seafood pasta and the lamb chops. The lamb chops were cooked a perfect medium just as requested. The sauce was incredible. We knew it would be brushed on, but whoever brushed it on did so with love because there wasn't a single bite that didn't have that amazing flavor. The seafood pasta was equally impressive. You could actually see the seafood. This wasn't a plate of noodles with a few pieces of seafood hidden throughout. There were shrimp, mussels, crab, and plenty of it. Every bite had seafood in it. We kept it simple with water and appreciated having the option of tap, still, or sparkling. They also offer Coca-Cola products and a full bar. What really stood out to me, though, was the service. Our server, Josiah, was amazing. Thank you, thank you, thank you. He was attentive, friendly, knowledgeable, and made us feel welcome from start to finish. What impressed me even more was how the entire staff worked together. We never had to sit and wait because our server was helping another table. Multiple staff members checked on us throughout the evening. If someone walked by and noticed a need, they stepped in to help. That level of teamwork is rare and made the whole experience feel seamless. Michael's is definitely a place you go when you want to impress someone, celebrate something special, or simply enjoy a fantastic meal. We need more restaurants like this in Prince George's County. Thank you to Josiah and the entire team for such a wonderful experience. We will absolutely be back.

Talika B.

So my first time here. We came after our step promo video meeting. We waited for our table. The manager came to the front where we were and not once spoke to us. He was very nonchalant and just stand offish. Our waitress Norie was amazing. She had a lot of tables so she was quite busy. The ambiance was beautiful. They poured into a lot of love and time into this place. And money. The food was amazing. This restaurant is needed for the community. I appreciate the Owner Stan speaking with me and my Soror's.

Joseph B.

Shoutout to Michael's for making my brother bday celebration an awesome hit. The staff is out of this world and goes above and beyond to make sure everyone was satisfied ( The Chef came out several times and checked on things with our large party to ensure he was operating at a level that moved our taste buds in a pleasant direction ! ) The Atmosphere in Michael's is absolutely stunning !!! And the patrons all seemed to mix with each other seamlessly. Lovely decor and their dedication to excellence is aspirational. And then there's the food... beautiful menu that gives you a plethora of options to choose from. I had the salmon bite deviled eggs and my entree was the classic chef salad with salmon added. Both meals touched home and guaranteed that I will be back sooner than later ( like really soon ! ) I also tried the lemon pepper wings ( out of this world ) Michael's isn't just an upscale restaurant... it's actually a true experience !! ( and they have the best birthday song on this side of the equator !! )

Bri S.

It was a solid dinning experience. The place was packed and service was great ! We ordered the southern fried chicken, mashed potatoes, cheesesteak eggrolls, Brussel sprouts, crab and spinach dip, salmons deviled eggs, and the Tequila mockingbird. The chicken was crispy, they used extra lump crab meat and the eggs were top tier. Skip the cheesesteak eggrolls, mashed potatoes and Brussel sprouts. I'll be back

Necola S.

Everything was lovely. The food was delicious, the decor impeccable, the server was friendly, quick, and courteous. The room was busy, but we never felt rushed. The owner/family was there making the rounds, welcoming guests, and ensuring everyone was taken care of. They spent time at each table. They were all so friendly, authentic and genuinely glad to have us there. THE ONLY ISSUE was the "large group" service charge of 20% (we were a group of 7), on top of the 18% gratuity. While our serve was excellent, a 38% additional charge to the bill was unexpected and excessive. That's the only reason for the 4 stars, otherwise, our experience was EXCELLENT!

Nessa R.

Open to the public at the end of February, subject to change, call before coming! Well, well, well! There is a new restaurant in Upper Marlboro and let me tell you, it is going to become a staple just like OTI! 14601 Main St just steps from OTI is the luxurious Michael's Restaurant! They out did themselves! First of all, there is NOTHING in this area like this. NOTHING! I was invited to come take a sneak peek of the restaurant while they have their friends and family begin to try the dishes, being a foodie there was only one answer! YES, I'd love to come! The place was packed but it was only friends and family who were patronizing. I had to ask, if it's already packed with just friends and family how are you all going to welcome the community? They were gracious enough to show me the downstairs! Whoa! This place is NICEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! I asked why they are soft launching to only friends and family, the answer: to perfect their plating, execution, and rhythm! How is that for execution? Talk about precision! Ian was amazing at the bar! Teamwork all around! Manager, Eric, a gem! Owners, super super sweet and welcoming! Although I'm not in this area often, I will be coming to this spot! The Mayor, Governor, and all The Whose Who of the DMV already came and put their stamp of approval on this place. Thanks for letting me be one of the first to try, it is definitely not the last because there is more food to come and try! Let's get into it! App: Charbroiled Oysters - Delicious Entree: Short Rib - YUMMY! Drinks: Perfectly made! Ladies dress up for this place! Photo Op Galore! A must try! Thank me later! Kisses

I had the pleasure of attending the grand opening of this restaurant, and it was an outstanding experience from start to finish. The atmosphere was welcoming, stylish, and thoughtfully designed, creating the perfect setting for a memorable evening. The food was exceptional and full of flavor.The menu offered a great variety, and the presentation was just as impressive as the taste. The drinks were equally remarkable--creative, well-balanced, and expertly crafted by Nae! What stood out most was the attention to detail and the hospitality of the entire team. The service was friendly, attentive, and made guests feel genuinely appreciated throughout the event. This grand opening showcased everything a great restaurant should offer: delicious food, excellent drinks, and a warm, inviting atmosphere. I look forward to returning and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fantastic dining experience. It's super cute! Thanks Mrs.Neal :)

Andrew P.

I found myself wondering why there are so many reviews that aren't recommended for this spot? I didn't know what I was going to encounter whenever I came, and I honestly didn't know when I was going to come through because the weekly reservation links are somewhat difficult to come by. But I stumbled upon it, I made a reservation for myself, and then I decided to visit. I was lucky enough to get a parallel meter at spot right outside of the building. Otherwise, I would have parked near the swamp area or near the courthouse. Just from the outside, you know you are in for a treat. The building looks so regal. When you step inside, they play into the ever trendy viny walls, but there are a lot of beautiful roses too! It is obvious what their intended color scheme is, and it's beautiful. I didn't get to check out the other levels, but it was stunning from ceiling to floor. I checked in with the hostess, and since I was by myself, she asked if I wanted to sit at the bar, and I was fine with that. My spot was ready within 5 minutes. I got seated and was pleased by how beautiful the bar space was. And the dining room was full and popping! I received several menus from the bartender. Mind you, the bar was full and there was only one bartender. For 15 people, I feel like he could have used some help. One menu advertised a drink of the week, which was this pear drink that looked amazing. But they were out of the ingredients for it. So I decide to stick to water and behave, haha. I was struggling a lot of options for food, but settled on the seafood omelette and grits. That omelette was hefty, and the grits were flavor deliciously. I was impressed by how wonderful everything was, and for $25 I was not disappointed. Despite how full the restaurant was, everything did not take long either. It took a while to get my check, but that was really it. I would love to return, but I'll prefer to go at a time when it's quieter, just for my own preference. Since they are only open on weekends though, I am not sure if that is going to happen anytime soon. I wish them the best of luck!