Astoria DC is one of those spots I genuinely look forward to going back to. The restaurant itself…read moreis pretty small and intimate, but the vibes are always so good. Just keep in mind that it gets VERY busy, especially on weekends, so I definitely recommend making a reservation instead of trying to walk in. Now the garlic beef noodles... literally one of the best noodle dishes ever. I get them almost every single time I'm in the area because they're THAT good. The noodles are coated in this super flavorful, garlicky sauce with the perfect amount of spice. Every bite is savory, rich, a little spicy, and packed with garlic without being overwhelming. The beef is sooo tender too. It practically melts in your mouth and there's actually enough beef throughout the dish, so you're not just eating a bowl of noodles. It's also incredibly filling, so you definitely leave satisfied. The walnut shrimp was another standout. SOOO good. The shrimp were perfectly cooked with that crispy outside while still being juicy and tender inside, and the sauce was creamy, sweet, savory, and just rich enough without completely overpowering the shrimp. The walnuts add that little crunch that brings everything together. Truly one of those dishes where you keep reaching for another piece even though you're already full. Overall, Astoria is such a good spot if you love bold, spicy, flavorful food. The garlic beef noodles alone keep me coming back, but the walnut shrimp might be competing for my new favorite. Definitely make a reservation because the space fills up FAST!

First time visiting this place after saving it on my list for a while now. Well, let's just say…read morethat it's worth the hype! Advice: sitting outside might be better in the cooler weather because we were being eaten alive by mosquitoes and fighting off flies. I really hope that they consider some type of nature oils near the tables to help guests feel more comfortable outdoors. Also, it would help to get more than one fan. Hospitality: aside from the bugs encounter, I would say that we did not have reservations (they were packed inside) so the hostess was nice enough to accommodate us outdoor. Our waiter, Anthony was a ball of energy and he really understands the dishes and was able to give great recommendations, some of which we plan to try on our next visit. Portions: the dishes are shareable so we only ordered the beef noodles and walnut shrimp and both were more than enough for a party of 2. DRINKS: I ordered the dark and stormy which can best be described as not too sweet and perfect for anyone desiring a well balanced drink. The bourbon smash was also really good. Well balanced with a smoky flavor which I loved. FOOD: Beef noodles- gosh this was so divine! Be warned however, there is a bit of spice to it but nothing that you won't be able to handle. I think the spices paired with the preparation of the noodles and the beef all made this dish memorable. Walnut shrimp- another memorable dish which came with a side of white rice. The shrimps were HUGE! But the flavors on each shrimp paired with that crunchy texture and creamy sauce, spectacular! Safe to say that we enjoyed both dishes and cannot wait to return and reserve indoor tables lol

Soup Dumplings were very good and we enjoyed the Pork Belly Bao Bun Sandwiches. In and out in 20…read moreminutes. Would recommend!

I was looking for some noodles near our hotel that had good ratings so we went to Reren lamen!…read more The dumplings and wontons with chili sauce were definitely the star of the show! The food came out fast and the waitress was very nice. The support staff wasn't very nice at all, the place is very small, the broth was lacking flavor, needed salt and my beer was not cold. Too many other choices won't be back.‍

Let me preface this by saying that we're from NYC, so we're used to amazing food spots…read more Amazing food and good service. Probably one of the best spots we tried in D.C. Highly recommend and would definitely come back.

I debated whether I wanted to give this place 3 or 4 stars…read more 1. Mandu (3/5) - while it tasted good, the temperature was lukewarm which was disappointing. 2. Half chikin (4/5) - why do they call it chikin? It made me think it wasn't real chicken like what veggie grill calls their fake chicken. Anyway, it was messy but it was crispy and hot - it was fine. I've had better. 3. Lobster steamed egg (1/5) - the lobster was rubbery and I'm not a big fan of mixing sweet and savory together and for me, the sweet peppers ruined the entire dish. For me, the dish as a whole was less than the sum of its parts. 4. Ssam (5/5) - this dish saved the rest of the meal. The meat was tender the pear was nice and refreshing but to be honest, I consider this hard to mess up as long as the meat is good. My wife said that she wishes we just ordered two of these and nothing else lol. 5. Drinks (non-alcoholic - one was yakult and the other I think was passionfruit) - my wife really enjoyed both drinks so I guess I'll round up the review to 4 stars. If I lived in DC, I would probably go back here but since we're from out of state and visit DC once a year for work, we probably wouldn't come back here.

Definitely one of my favorite go to spots for lunch. I haven't been here for dinner but the…read morecustomer service is welcoming and attentive. The manager makes his rounds and is sure to communicate if there needs to be a substitute on a menu item. Very accommodating and the food has always been good. Supportive of solo diners, date night, groups and that gal pal catch up. We make reservations whenever we go, but it does seem that walk ins can be accommodated as well.

Came for restaurant week and thought my meal was just okay. Everything we ordered was average…read moretasting or dry, except for the tuna crudo, crab Rangoon beignets, and black pepper steak I'd say. Pork croquettes were very dry, that I couldn't initially tell what it is. I didn't like the fruit dessert they offered, as it was too icy and the blend of textures didn't work. I like the crunch that was added on the lo mein, but the noodles were overall meh. Chicken was somewhat bland. The honeycomb cake wasn't anything special, but it fit my palette at least. Service was attentive and nice at least. It's a nice spot to look at, but should have maybe known why this place wasn't that busy on a Saturday evening.

Doi Moi was such a lively dinner spot, and we happened to catch the tail end of happy hour, which…read morewas a nice bonus. We started with the spring rolls and bao buns, and both were great. Everyone also really enjoyed their cocktails. For dinner, we ordered the drunken noodles with shrimp, mala peanut noodles, and shaken beef. Everything was flavorful and delicious, and the beef was cooked perfectly. Our server was also incredibly patient with us (we were chatting and being indecisive), which we really appreciated. Overall, a fun atmosphere with great food and drinks!

- Lots of options for Ayce Brunch at a good price but Felt like it was the same items in different…read morefonts - There were times when the kitchen would get backed up so we'd have to wait before putting our orders in - Wish smaller portions of the main meals would be included in ayce brunch - Cute decor - Great egg rolls, fried jerky, crepes, tofu, pandan cake, samosas, and french toast - everything was mainly fusion. not big fan of the pork crepe or the tuna.

So glad we finally got a chance to try out this place. The best part was they let us make…read morereservations even weeks ahead! We celebrated 2 birthdays together over dinner on Saturday and it was truly amazing. The server even helped us grill all the meats/seafood, a big help since we also had a hot pot to attend to. A very good selections of buffet bar from seafood to Southeast Asian Street food, everything was surprisingly delicious. The restaurant is nicely decorated. The birthday team of staff brought out those big sparkling candles on top of a complimentary non-alcoholic drink. Loud music & singing, exciting & super fun atmosphere. Our kids were thrilled with the surprises. While you only have an hour 45 minutes for the all-you-can-eat meal, most people get stuffed after an hour. Our server m.k. was pleasant and friendly. She was also very efficient and handled everything quickly. A BIG thanks to her. If you have never been to this place, I would highly recommend it. I'll be taking my other family members here very soon :)

Such a great AYCE place for a group of friends who can't decide what they want to eat. They have a…read morehuge variety and offer KBBQ, hotpot and seafood. A little something for everyone You order the KBBQ and hot pot food on a tablet and the seafood buffet is self served. They consistently kept the buffet well stocked and clean. I love that they have a huge sauce bar selection.

Dania did an amazing job. Celebrated anniversary/birthday here Tuesday…read more I would say the atmosphere is more suitable for hanging out with group of friends

This is was a fun experience but was not the best-tasting menu I've ever had. The dishes were…read morepretty hit or miss. There wasn't anything that stood out as a must-have; it just felt mostly experimental. The service was pleasant, and the ambiance of the place was very nice. This was a cool experience, and we at least enjoyed it being unique.

My mom & I went Shōtō in DC for an early birthday treat and we had such a great experience! The…read moreservice was immaculate from start to finish. They started us off with warm towels, which was such a nice touch, and everyone was so attentive and welcoming throughout the meal. I started with a martini that came with a shot of sparkling sake, while my mom had a cappuccino. For food, we shared the Wagyu no gyoza and OMG... so good! Definitely an 8/10 and something I'd recommend trying. I also ordered the grilled octopus with potatoes, and that was delicious as well. My only wish is that the portions were a little bigger, but honestly, the excellent service and the fact that we shared several dishes made up for it. My mom ordered the Suzuki yaki, branzino, which was delicious, and the corn was SO good. It's covered in butter and absolutely worth trying! We ended the night with the matcha tiramisu, and they even wrote "Happy Birthday" on the plate for my mom. Such a cute touch and a perfect way to end the meal. They said online that we might leave hungry, but we were actually pretty full! I definitely think sharing several dishes is the way to go. If you're only ordering one entrée for yourself, you may leave wanting more, but with a few dishes to share, we had plenty. Overall, I'd definitely recommend Shōtō. It's definitely a bit pricey but the service really stood out, the food was delicious, and it felt like a special place to celebrate. I'm already looking forward to coming back to try the sushi!

What an experience! From start to finish, it was heavenly. The service was great, and the waiters…read morewere very attentive. The food was delicious, and the spicy tuna sushi roll was the highlight for me. The Gin-dara no Saikyo Miso Yaki was delicious, especially with the sauce. The Toro Tacos were okay-ish, but the Yaki Tomorokoshi was SO good! Some of the best corn I've ever had. I loved how buttery and juicy it was! The ambiance was perfect for a date night. Such a great experience overall!

AN is a typical bowl spot with both set and build your own bowl options and a variety of Southeast…read moreAsian inspired bases, proteins, and toppings to choose from. I made my own bowl and liked the topping options but the bases (vermicelli noodles, bok choy, and veg mix) and were underwhelming as was the teriyaki chicken. The best thing by far is the crispy pork belly which for a $2 up-charge you can have 3pcs. It also comes with a complimentary cup of broth which was surprisingly aromatic and flavorful. It's a large portion but not one I'd spend $20 on again.

Thanks to IG for the recommendation of trying out this spot. This spot is like a Viet Chipotle. You…read morecan choose a bowl they have set or your can make your own. The service was really great! They were patient and answered all of our questions. The vibe is very modern and cozy. It may look small, but there is a lot of seating upstairs. I made my own bowl with a side of the chicken broth. Bowl was good but what really caught my attention is the BROTH! I would come here just for the broth! lol. That's what really gives my review 5 stars. I highly recommend this spot!

My first visit to Love, Makoto and Beloved BBQ was fantastic. Love, Makoto is a large Japanese…read moreculinary hall near Georgetown University Law Center with several concepts under one roof, including Dear Sushi, Beloved BBQ, Hiya Izakaya, and the more casual Love on the Run. Street parking was surprisingly easy, but I highly recommend making a reservation because Beloved BBQ became completely packed by 7 p.m. Beloved BBQ is a Michelin Guide recognized Japanese steakhouse, and the atmosphere feels elevated and luxurious while still being relaxed and welcoming. Our server, Lydia, was wonderful. She gave us excellent recommendations, checked on us despite being incredibly busy, and even brought out additional dry ice so I could capture the perfect photo. Abu was also incredibly kind and attentive, and General Manager Lenny personally stopped by our table to ask about our experience. The entire staff made us feel so welcome. The Wagyu Tower was absolutely incredible, with the short rib being our favorite. We also loved the dragon roll, tuna crisp, and salmon. If you order only one appetizer, make it the oysters with chili koji. They were out of this world, and I could have easily eaten two trays! For drinks, we tried the Sakura Sour, lychee martini, and the zero proof Pomelo. The Sakura Sour was beautifully balanced, while the lychee martini was smooth and delicious. For dessert, we shared the Heartbreaker and Peach Moon and finished every bite. This is a wonderful choice for an elevated date night, girls' night, celebration, or special dinner in D.C. The food, service, atmosphere, and presentation were all excellent. I will definitely be back soon!

Love Makoto is a cool food hall with different restaurants inside. We tried Dear sushi for a…read morebirthday and the staff was so polite and professional after the group got rambunctious after a few bottles of sake. God bless them. The table got à la cart nigiri and they received large portions of fresh fish. The toro is great here. I ordered the omakase. While it had a cool concept of "old vs new school" methods of preparing the sushi. I ended up liking the simple flavors so next time I'll just go with the à la cart menu. The non sushi dishes were unremarkable. I found the omakase to be of poor value because the non sushi dishes were bland and uninteresting, and I was so hungry after. The thing that I couldn't get over was the rice. The rice was large kernels that tasted kind of like brown rice and had an odd texture. It did not stick together well and was falling apart when you picked it up. It was so distracting. Next time I will only order sashimi.