Was able to do a walk-in on a recent Thursday evening…read more I had been many times before, but it had been a while, so it was great to dine at Agora again. Everyone in my group loved the assortment of small plates that we had. We considered getting the lamb chops, but it only comes with 2, and there were three of us, so we opted against it. The dishes we got instead (an assortment of vegetables, meat, and seafood) were all delicious, and we would all be happy to get them again.

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.

Outstanding experience featuring delicious food, beautiful presentation, and excellent service…read more Everything felt thoughtfully prepared, creating a memorable evening that exceeded expectations and made us eager to return again soon.

Following a recent visit, my friend and I popped in following the pride parade and were able to…read moresnag two seats at the bar. The environment was very comfortable and service was great and quick. We had some great recommendations with the cocktails. I had the 50 shades of purple and it felt so festive. I shared the tuna crudo with a friend and we both loved it. It was so bright and vibrant, I could not get enough of the sauce, so delish! Following my prior review regarding a friend's allergy, I was pleasantly surprised to see that this was now noted as an allergy on the menu. Awesome job by management!

Brunch review ahead!!!!!…read more Ambiance- perfect for a cute date, time with friends, family members, or coworkers. The ambiance welcomes it all. Hospitality- The hostess was incredibly friendly and seated us upon arrival. Waiter- Eric was an AMAZING waiter. Bubbly personality, very polite and personable. His service was definitely a 10/10 Brunch- My friend and I decided to try their Easter Sunday brunch and my only regret was not visiting here sooner and not selecting an earlier time to dine, LOL! The entire experience was phenomenal! Bottomless mimosas- SO worth the extra $ Standout dishes: Adana meatballs Braised lamb Chicken Golden cauliflower Crispy Falafel Desserts: Baklava Brownie Kadayıf Sadly we did not get to experience all of the brunch menu items because brunch ends at 3pm and our reservations were at the heel of this time. Nonetheless, the standout dishes and desserts were enough for me to come back. I've enjoyed their happy hour, cafe area, and now their brunch. Can't wait to return.

Three stars isn't the actual rating; I'd say more 3.5. Stopped by after visiting the Dupont…read moreCircle's weekly farmer's market to try their Sunday brunch buffet. Was warmly greeted, seated, and given an overview of the menu and brunch package options; decided to opt-out of the bottomless drinks, which had an alcoholic (mimosas and Bloody Marys) and NA (juices, sodas, drip coffee and black tea), as I wanted to try their more speciality coffee and tea. The drinks I ordered were the Turkish coffee, Levantine-style tea and digestive tea. All were quite solid. The Turkish coffee was as robust as espresso, yet not overwhelmingly bitter and slightly sweetened. The Levantine tea was a smooth black tea with natural sweetness and layered with a mint steep and floral notes of hibiscus, and rose petal. The digestive was more herbaceous with fennel and pomegranate zest, in addition to a steep of spearmint. The food was more hit-or-miss. On one hand, the meat and seafood was all very delicious and well-made. The braised lamb shank is their speciality, and well-deserved, as it's moist, savory and tender. The short rib similarly so, and the chicken casserole, lamb biajeen, Adana kebab and steamed lavraki (sea bass) were all similarly flavorful. On the other hand, the sides and mezze options were more mixed; the dolmas and fresh bites cheese with za'atar/nuts were delightful, however, the borek, cheeses, and some of the dips tasted reheated and/or not super fresh, the Brussels sprouts were quite scorched, and the savory salmon waffles were bone dry and flavorless. The French onion soup had the right flavor profile, but not the intensity; it tasted watered-down and even looked it, due to the noticeable oil blebs on the surface. Dessert was similar; the melon and fruits were fresh enough, the yogurt bar was quality, the kadayif nutty with the sweetness balanced, and the layali lubnan was intoxicatingly tasty, but many of the baked goods looked rather packaged and the fondue station was mediocre. The staff, however, were extremely friendly (my special regards to Mia, she's a great conversationalist and a sweetheart!). They answered all my questions, and one of the bartenders even gave me half a lemon to zuzh up my tea with. As I said at the start, more 3.5 stars than 3 stars. The core of their offerings are all quality, so I can't quite dock them a full two stars for the food quality because they had buffets aren't usually renown for said quality. You really can't expect perfection from AYCE, even though I naturally encourage the management to avoid sourcing pre-made items from Sysco if possible. The friendly staff and eloquent Eastern Mediterranean ambiance allows me to still say I enjoyed this experience, and may be back for dinner in the future.

My favorite restaurant once again excels! I always try to visit when I'm in DC ! Had shrimp and…read morebranzino this time, fantastic!

This place is in a great corner location, the food was delicious, and the staff were friendly…read moreoverall. We had a reservation to make sure we got a table, and the restaurant was completely full when we arrived. The only downside was that after being seated outside, we felt a little forgotten for the first 30 minutes or so. No one came by with water or to check in, and it seemed like the staff may not have realized a new table had been seated until we flagged down the outside host. There were also swarm of flies hovering around the outdoor tables, which another table pointed out and then we started noticing too. Aside from that, the experience was good overall. The inside dining area definitely had a dressier vibe compared to the patio seating, and once we were helped, the food made up for the slow start.

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! ;)

What a night in DC!…read more Barrett & Whitney (representing the locals), Andy & Alisa (in from Birmingham), Spencer & Phoebe (holding it down from NYC), and I (representing hometown Dallas) set out in search of a spot for a family dinner that felt special but not stuffy. Ivy pulled baby duty with Warner--she was definitely missed--but the rest of us rallied. After scrolling through options, the description of Casamara on Yelp sealed the deal, and wow, did it deliver. Whit had the genius idea to do everything family-style, which turned out to be perfect for our crew of seven. Once drinks were in hand and the menus ogled over, I teamed up with our stellar waiter, Louis, to orchestrate the feast: - Two NY Strips, perfectly cooked and pre-sliced for easy sharing - Two butterflied whole Branzinos, meaty and crisp-skinned - One Harissa Chicken with just the right kick - Plus a lineup of sides and starters: Wild Boar Gemelli Pasta, Roasted Beets, Roasted Potatoes, Brussels Sprouts, and plenty of warm Focaccia Every dish hit the mark--beautifully presented, bursting with flavor, and portioned just right. Service was spot-on, too--Louis and the team had us covered without a hitch. Our only tiny gripe? The volume! The energy was great, but the noise level made conversation a bit of a challenge. Still, minor quibble aside, it was another picture-perfect evening for the Gold-Sokol-Lewis crew.

I visited this rooftop and was pushed by this white woman bartender/waitress…read more I also was with my fiance. And the bouncer carded him and my friends, saw me with him holding his hand, and chose to let in the group of white people next to us and made me wait to be carded even tho we told them we were a group of 10 and we were all together.

Very nice atmosphere and the staff here were top notch. It was recommended that this location is…read morebetter than others. The food is prepared directly in front of you where all can see similar to Chipotle. The fried pita chips are worth it. *** Be aware adding extra meat on your order is $7.

We needed a quick work bite to eat that offered vegetarian and vegan options, and we're so very…read morehappy to have this Cava not too far away. I tried the Garlicky Chicken Shawarma for the first time and while the flavor did stay on my breath longer than my coworkers might have liked, it was delightful. The folks behind the counter were lovely and quick with our orders, keeping us moving for the busy work day. The location itself is a little small but has nice windows overlooking Connecticut. We got our orders to go, but this could be a good spot to people watch.

Maydan was one of the most anticipated dining experiences for my partner and I on our DC trip and…read moreit was even better than I expected. Gorgeous restaurant centered around a giant hearth, the heart and soul of the space where much of the food is cooked. We went with two friends and opted to do ala carte, and ordered a bunch of items to share. - Muhammara & hummus spreads were both phenomenal - creamy, delicious goodness served with piping hot, generous portions of freshly made pita bread. - Halloumi with a nutty honey glaze - perfection - Sweet Potato - soft and just melts in your mouth - Mushrooms - super unique preparation, definitely worth a try. Very delicious. We also ordered every kabob on the menu (shrimp, scallop, chicken and lamb). The shrimp and chicken kabobs were excellent - charred to perfection and bursting with flavor. Paired with zhoug sauce, I was in heaven. Do not miss these! Scallop and lamb kabobs were just okay. Incredible service, beautiful ambiance, and a memorable meal that will stay with me. Grateful to have experienced Maydan!

Finally! I've been trying to make it to this restaurant, and my gfs took me for my birthday…read more The best experience. I can't quite tell you that you'd have the same experience each time you go because it all depends. I believe it also depends where you're sitting how impactful it will be on your experience as well. Whatever you do come back each time and try something else because I will Love Amb

Could not have asked for a better experience from the hostess to the food, it was top notch. Our…read morewaiter, Joey, deserves a review of his own because he made the experience 1000x more memorable. If you go here ask for him, he was amazing, knowledgeable, and made us feel so special. We came to celebrate our engagement and left with all the best memories. Had the four course dinner with wine pairings and everything was unreal. Get the seafood!!! After coming back from the South of France recently the seafood was as close as we had in Nice and that's huge. Absolutely stellar service, atmosphere and food. 10/10 recommend, we will definitely be back, but only when Joey is working.

Iron Gate is doing EVERYTHING right! 4.5 stars! And if I…read morelived in the area I would come back. They offer a family style menu in which you pay one price and all the appetizers come out in small bites so you can try everything. They also add complimentary little surprises during each course. My top 3 were the oysters the potato croquette with caviar and the branzino... oh the focaccia was also very Tasty!!!! The capellini was very salty which was a little upsetting. The yogurt had a a light crunch crust and it just wasn't doing it for me. But their take on a cheesecake was very airy which was nice. Let's talk about our server, she was a pleasure!!!! She was honest about every dish we would Receive. She was attentive and there was nothing more we could have asked for. I will remember this meal forever!

So much yum! We came in just for the ice cream - so this review is just about the soft serve. It's…read morethe perfect little sweet treat for a warm day. They have indoor seating and a cute little outdoor seating area as well. For soft serve, at the time we visited, they had vanilla tahini, cinnamon apple, or swirl. They have a few mixins. We each got a different one. The cookie seemed to be a favorite. The halva dust tasted good but the texture may not be popular for a lot of people. The service was great, very friendly and extremely fast given the lunch rush. I really enjoy their store bought dips and I can't wait to come back in and try other menu items!

Came for lunch today with a couple of friends. I ordered the Seasonal Chili Crisp Roasted Squash…read moreBowl, which was very good and very filling. The bowl came with a tasty pita. Also ordered a container of Pumpkin Spicy Hummus, which was good. The Hibiscus Lemonade was flavorful and refreshing. There's not a lot of seating in the restaurant, but we were able to grab two small tables in the corner and sit for about an hour. The restaurant is very well lit and comfortable. The Staff were helpful and friendly.