My girlfriend and I didn't want entrees, so we visited Botanero. It's one vast room with a bar and…read morean array of tables. We were seated immediately and got a chance to review the menu. Then nothing happened. The few servers moved slowly and although they passed near our table on several occasions, none had the courtesy to even tell us, "Someone will be with you shortly" or something. Thankfully, the runner who seated us, (a kind and helpful gentlemen who got a separate tip) noticed and got Daniel to visit our table. My gin martini was excellent and the water was cold. We ordered several plates, which arrived rather quickly. The homemade hummus with the carrots and pickled onions was fantastic. We'd take creamy and delicious hummus like that any day. The deviled eggs were wonderful and came with an extra kick thanks to the jalapeno. Gnocchi with parmesan, carrots, and asparagus was creamy, comforting, and filling. The lamb over hummus, with their rich homemade gravy, rivaled any amazing lamb dish I had anywhere. The portions were phenomenal. I have been to places that give half as much with the same prices. The chef and kitchen staff are incredible. We'll definitely return to try new dishes but we hope the service is much improved.

Great little find in the King Farm area of Rockville! My friend and I stopped by Botanero for happy…read morehour and had a wonderful experience. The food was delicious, the service was great, and the prices were very reasonable. They also have a nice outdoor seating area, which is perfect for relaxing. Definitely a great spot to unwind with good food and drinks. I'll definitely be back!

We've been here before and the food is as good as we remember! We ordered about 7 tapas and…read moredevoured them all! Happy Hour deals and choices are really good ( could do better with wine choices but all good) Service was attentive and quick. Located on a nice pedestrian strip , comfy outdoor seating which allowed us to enjoy HH on a nice setting with delicious food & drinks, we had a blast !

Didn't actually get to eat here…read more I had a reservation for 6:30 on a Thursday. It wasn't too crowded. We sat for over an hour. No server ever came to take our order. We didn't even see one to flag down. We saw the table next to us having the same problem. We ended up just leaving and going somewhere else.

6/26/26: Kema by Kenaki exceeded every expectation and was easily one of the best meals we had…read moreduring our trip. The restaurant has a modern, inviting atmosphere, and the staff was warm, attentive, and knowledgeable throughout the entire meal. We ordered the Black Magic Roll, the Mini Masunosuke Don Bento, and the Mini Unadon Bento, and every dish was exceptional. The Black Magic Roll was the standout of the meal, with incredibly fresh fish, great texture, and a unique combination of flavors that made every bite memorable. The Mini Masunosuke Don Bento featured king salmon topped with ikura over rice, along with karaage, salad, miso soup, and dessert. Everything was fresh, well-balanced, and beautifully presented, making it feel like much more than a typical bento box. The Mini Unadon Bento was just as impressive. The grilled unagi was tender, flavorful, and perfectly glazed, served over rice with crispy karaage, salad, miso soup, and dessert. It was comforting, satisfying, and executed exceptionally well. What really stood out was the attention to detail. Every plate looked beautiful, the ingredients tasted incredibly fresh, and the quality was consistent across every dish we ordered. You can tell the chefs put a lot of care into both presentation and execution. If you're looking for high-quality Japanese cuisine in the Gaithersburg area, Kema by Kenaki is absolutely worth the visit. Between the creative sushi, outstanding seafood, and excellent service, it's an easy 5/5. I'll definitely be back to explore more of the menu.

Stopped by this sushi spot for lunch today with my family, and it was another great experience. We…read morewere the first ones in the restaurant, which made for a calm and relaxing start to the meal. We ordered the ribeye Japanese fried rice, Green Monster roll, J-Pop roll, California roll, Crunchy Shrimp roll, Crunchy Spicy Salmon roll, Shrimp Tempura roll, miso soup, and Deep Sea hand roll. Everything came out quickly, fresh, and flavorful - exactly what we've come to expect from this place. The ribeye in the fried rice dish was incredibly tender and cooked perfectly, while the rice itself was seasoned so well that every bite was packed with flavor. My favorite roll was definitely the Green Monster Roll - fresh, delicious, and full of flavor. I also appreciate that the maki rolls here are never skimpy, which makes them very filling and well worth the price. The service was excellent from beginning to end - quick, attentive and consistent throughout our visit. Our waters and hot green tea were always refilled without having to ask, and every request, from extra pickled ginger to additional plates, was handled promptly and politely. Overall, another solid dining experience with no issues at all. I would absolutely recommend this spot for either lunch or dinner if you're craving sushi. One thing to keep in mind is that they do close for a part of the afternoon to prepare for dinner service, so plan accordingly!

This place was absolutely fantastic…read more Reminiscent of an Asian hawker/ Buffalo wild wings but with significantly better food. I couldn't say enough about the service, bartender / guide really helped us get through the extensive menu and drinks. The place seemed pretty lively for a Monday with lots of hustle and bustle. The entrees are a good size. I would say if you order a couple appetizers and split an entree that would be your best bet. The bar seem to be the best spot to sit for some people watching and to enjoy your meal although they were decent enough amount of high tops and booths. The lamb udon was probably the best I've had in a while.

OMG MADDI was such a wonderful server she made my first date such a wonderful experience. She was…read moreso great at offering suggestions and making my dining experience personable. The food was SO GOOD and the vibe is great. The happy hour does go from 3pm - 6pm. Great options great vibe and lots to choose from! The cocktails and mocktails are superb! Thank you so much MADDI & Hawkers staff.

Confession - I haven't written this review for YEARS. In fact, please don't read this review. I'd…read morelike to continue to be able to get in easily to this restaurant without much of a reservation. They have great food, great service, and a nice chill environment. It's not a kid place but they're nice to my kid. Sadly they have pared down their menu but everything on it is excellent. The paella is worth waiting for, but if you don't want to wait the lamb chops are spectacular. Pretty much everything is great but we order the lamb chops every time. If there's three or more drinkers order a pitcher of sangria, otherwise singleton glasses should be fine. Whether you've had tapas before or not, you'll love this restaurant. But ssshhhh! for goodness' sakes don't tell anyone! 'Cause I'd like to keep being able to get in...

Delicious tapas and paella! Every dish we ordered was worth ordering: charred octopus, gambas…read more(shrimp), croquettes, mixed vegetables to name just a few. The paella marinera was absolutely cooked to perfection. Service is very friendly and attentive and the restaurant is quite cozy.

Really nice Greek spot tucked away in an unexpected location. The restaurant itself is beautiful,…read morewith a great patio and an old-school dining room inside. We got the mezze, gyro plate, and village salad, and everything was fresh and really well made. The food is simple and doesn't try to do too much, but you can tell they use good ingredients and know how to cook them. Definitely on the expensive side, but one of the better restaurants I've been to in terms of the food. Would definitely come back.

Such a beautiful restaurant hidden in a farm-like area. The patio is awesome, but I also loved the…read morefancy old-school dining room too, it has such a classic feel. It's a kid friendly place too given that you have a well-behaved one :) Food-wise, this place REALLY impressed me. Everything tasted SUPER FRESH and well made, and I actually love that the dishes are pretty no-frills and let the ingredients speak for themselves. If you appreciate good ingredients and simple, well-executed food, this is definitely the spot for you. If you're looking for dishes loaded with sauce, MSG, or a ton of extras, this probably isn't your place. Everything here feels more focused on letting the ingredients speak for themselves. I usually can't eat feta cheese, but theirs honestly changed my mind. It was probably the best feta I've ever had. It's on the pricier side, but this is easily one of the best meals I've had in the DMV lately. Already know I'll be coming back!

Still a nice vibe. I hadn't been in sometime. It wasn't super busy early on a Saturday evening. We…read moremade it for the tail end of happy hour. I love a place with weekend happy hour. The specials were pretty good. I tried the old fashioned and it wasn't bad. We sat outside trying to soak up what little was left of summer. The DJ was good. I do plan to try the igloos this fall/winter.

Nice views. Missed the special elevator so got a hotel guest to key us up. Comfy chairs and seating…read moreon balcony. Didn't try food. Good stop if you are a guest or in the area.

Hidden gem! Atxondo puts out quality small plates and entrees in a relaxed atmosphere. Personal…read morefavorites include the grilled scallions and the seared scallops.

I went to Atxondo hoping to taste the work of a Basque chef, and found out that the new chef is…read morefrom El Salvador, but has studied cookery in Spain. After having a full meal with cocktails, appetizer, entree, dessert and coffee (about $70 per person), I concluded that Atxondo will be a definite future destination for Happy Hour and light bites, but that my full meal dining dollars will be spent elsewhere. The Patatas Bravas (Fingerling Potatoes) were outstanding, with their two tasty sauces and rich, crispy flavor and texture. The Hibiscus Margarita with its salt and tajín rim was good enough to warrant a second one... but the Sangria was lackluster due to the complete absence of cut-up fresh fruit in my glass. The "Crispy Duck Breast" is no longer served whole, but sliced on a bed of sauteed kale... and, sadly, seemed to be only a shadow of its former self. The Lamb Meatballs suffered from being mushy (a coarser grind would have made a world of difference in the texture) and lacked that meaty exuberance one treasures in any kind of meatball. My serving of Basque Cheesecake was almost comically tiny (at $9 per serving, perhaps not so funny after all). But my cup of Americano came out of the espresso machine strapping strong and piping hot, with a gorgeous head of natural crema from the oil of the coffee beans. So I will definitely return for a future Happy Hour to devour the outstanding Patatas Bravas and sip the good Margaritas, and to try the bargain Manchego Burger and other Happy Hour bites. For serious dining, Atxondo falls short of the mark... but for drinks and bar food, Atxondo turns out to be a real neighborhood gem. .

Door guy was kinda rude on 2 occasions. Other than that the spot was cool. Good food, good vibes.read more

Code Red is an amazing speakeasy in DC and easily one of my favorite cocktail experiences in the…read morecity. We ordered a variety of cocktails and loved everything we tried, but the Vieux Carré was absolutely out of this world. The drinks were beautifully crafted, balanced, and full of character. Service was excellent, and the staff were incredibly helpful in navigating the menu and recommending drinks based on what we were in the mood for. That made the experience even more enjoyable. The ambience is fantastic, with a beautiful Prohibition-era vibe that makes you feel like you've stepped back in time. They apparently also have jazz nights, which makes me want to return every time I'm in DC. We made a reservation for a weeknight and the place was already busy, so I'd definitely recommend reserving a spot. A must-visit for cocktail lovers in DC!

Ive seen this place for many years when coming to the area or jogging by and this place is always…read morepacked with people so had me curious just how good the place is! They have some seriously good feng shui!! Finally, I got to try this place with a girlfriend on a weekday during their happy hour. I arrived first and was able to get the "best table" in the house for us as per our waitress and I would agree. You have a little alcove and good view of the entire restaurant. HH prices are really good, $9 cocktails and $8 bites. I got a spicy margarita, where they put some fresh jalapeños in it. My friend also got a margarita. We started off with date wrapped with bacon, and patatas bravas! The date wrapped bacon was soo good, the dates just melt in your mouth. One of the best I have had in a long while. Patatas bravas were also good. We wanted to get their stuffed spring rolls but they were out of that so we ended up with empanadas, one chicken and one beef. Both very tasty! The HH experience was lovely and with great company too! Lots of really good conversation, making a new friend, excellent service and very good food. I would definitely come back here anytime for HH or dinner! This place was great!

Service - Noncommunicative. I went on a Friday night without a reservation. I had put my name down…read moreon a list to be seated as a walkin. throughout my time here, they did not take me off the waitlist. My friend was able to make a reservation while standing outside waiting for our table. Lo and behold, we were seated because of the reservation while my walk-in check-in was never updated. Food: Patatas Bravas - simple. This is a classic tapas dish. I think it could've used a touch more salt either on the potatoes or in the dolloped sauce. Fried Crab Risotto Balls - Mid. There was only a hint of crab within the risotto ball. I would go with the classic option to avoid upcharges for seafood. Gambas al Ajillo - Great dish. It was buttery, simple, and clean. The shrimp were poached perfectly and the toasted bread was the perfect addition to soak up the sauce. Tip: Recommend going for brunch with a reservation! On to my next adventure....