First time here, and have been so looking forward to their Mid-Summer's Evening Market Dinner!!…read more From the moment of our arrival, we were treated like welcome guests in someone 's home. Hugs for my friends who are regulars, and a warm hello and handshake for me. After a brief wait for our table of ten, we were seated graciously, and the experience began! Water, drink orders and bread were brought, I think we had at least six or so people checking in, taking orders and refreshing glasses of wine, for those who ordered the $125 wine pairings to the $145 dinner, I was driving, so I ordered two glasses of wine - $22 and $18. The amuse bouche was a tiny BLT and a small glass of clarified gazpacho- never heard of that, but the liquid was clear with tiny bits of red and green peppers and was so flavorful! The first course was yellow corn panne cotta with a smear of jumbo lump crab - oh, wow! Almost my favorite course. My favorite was rockfish ravioli in a basil and clam broth - could have eaten way more than the three of those if it was a main, but they were generously sized!!! The third course, Chicken Ballantine, Summer Vegetables, Natural Jus, was a little strange - there was a small medallion of chicken breast that was, I think, ground and under cooked - spongy, wrapped in some veg, maybe bok choy?, and then wrapped in dried-ish chicken skin. A little like a sushi presentation, but cooked. It was accented by a tiny fried piece of chicken breast. That fried bit is all I ate. Dessert was divine - a peach that was really a construction of white chocolate, sponge cake inside and peach butter - nestled on meringue and other yummy things like a tiny scoop of peach sorbet - and a companion sorbet in a fruit liquid. By that time, my taste buds were so overwhelmed by deliciousness, I had to get dessert to go (sans sorbet). I had it for breakfast- what a treat!! Overall, a wonderful experience - only a couple of odd things - since we were 10, we asked for separate checks by couples - the server grumbled and complained about something about having to override their system from the time we asked for that until the time we paid the check. A few couples had to go to the bar to pay the check, until she was able to do a work around to let the last of us pay...after waiting for some sort of fix...and more grumbling. And, while I really appreciate that they provided small stands for our purses next to our chairs, I tripped over them while using the ladies, and getting seated on return when the sweet staff ran to follow us back in the room and tried to pull our chairs for reseating. We left with a sweet basket of a little brioche bread with lovely plum jam for each of us. So special!! I can't wait to go back - maybe for lunch time. Such a memorable experience!!

Wonderful dining experience! I first learned of this place when they won a James Beard Award in…read more2024, but wasn't able to eat here until yesterday. Excellent food, both in taste and visual presentation (bravo chef, and thank you for the meet & greet). Excellent service, thank you Shawna for being so kind, explaining the menu, and making us feel warm and special. Bread/water guy (sorry didn't catch your name) was also always on it refilling water, and offering bread without being asked. Alex, also gets a shout out for the service and attention! All the variety of breads and butter (esp the ramp/onion butter) were delicious, chicken/truffle tortellini app, crab salad, lamb entree, dover sole entree, pear/yuzu dessert, strawberry cake were my favorites. Thank you also for the birthday treat :) we will be back again!

Before our flight home, we came here with a reservation so we could grab a meal before heading to…read morethe airport. When we arrived, we were seated right away, but it seemed like there were very few staff working--possibly only one waiter. It took about 10 minutes before we finally had to flag him down just to place our order. The food then took around 25-30 minutes to come out, which felt very long since we were on a tight schedule for our flight. When the food finally arrived, I ordered the macaroni and cheese, and unfortunately it was the worst mac and cheese I've ever had. I don't want to be mean, but it was very bland and really needed salt. My sister surprisingly liked it, but it just wasn't for me at all. The rest of my family did enjoy their meals, and I thought the fries were decent, just lightly seasoned. My mom especially liked the grilled cheese. The waiter himself was nice and kept our drinks refilled, so I don't think the long wait was entirely his fault. The restaurant is very cute inside with cozy, old-style vibes and festive Christmas decorations, which I really liked. However, between the long wait times, the limited menu, and my disappointing mac and cheese, I wouldn't recommend that dish. Overall, it's a charming place, but the service was too slow for us--especially when trying to catch a flight.

Went for happy hour with a friend. That tomato mozzarella toast was so delicious! Pretzel was okay…read more But overall a good happy hour experience

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

Visited here once in 2024 and again in 2026 during Restaurant week. The price has increased over…read morethe years and there is a restaurant service charge on top of tax and tip, so coming during restaurant week felt a little more "normal" price wise for lunch ($35 per person for all you can eat plus dessert). Service was pretty fast, though we did come in on a weekday during lunch hours. It wasn't super packed which made it a relaxed vibe. The appetizers and the main meals were outstanding. Every time we go to Ambar, the Balkan Salad, the beet tzatziki, and the veal soup are our non-negotiable starters. The bread basket that comes with the spreads is always warm as if it came out of the oven which is a nice touch. This time around we got to try kajmak- tasted like fresh butter from a farm. The orders we kept coming back to in particular were the grilled shrimp, the sesame crusted salmon, and the beef goulash. It's easy to get full quickly, but if you're eyeing on dessert, pace yourself! Unless you love decadent cakes, I would pass if dessert is an extra cost. The dessert menu was quite underwhelming to me and, besides the baklava, doesn't give traditional Balkan dessert vibes. If I were to recommend going to Ambar, definitely head in during restaurant week! And if paying full cost, I would say brunch has a nicer sweets selection over the dessert menu offered during lunch and dinner.

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 may be my favorite coffee shop in OEC. It's got delicious lattes and even more amazing food…read moreoptions. The Dino sandwich is my favorite and the display case of goodies when you order is too hard to resist. The cheesecake was heavenly. They do have a love like most weekend mornings but it's worth the wait. There is a lovely outdoor seating area and they bring your food to your table. Servers are great and very helpful.

Cute little coffee shop in Old Ellicott City. I love how casual this place is. I got a Cineyhone…read moreand a butter croissant. Everything feels cute, but it's slightly unclean. Why am I seeing an open trash can while I'm ordering? They could have hidden it a little better so customers don't have to see it. Plus, the restrooms could be cleaned more thoroughly. The workers were friendly, and I love that they offer the option to have less sugar in your coffee. They have a cute setup, but the interior design and layout could use some improvement. it feels a bit claustrophobic.

Came here for a private party for about 30 people, nearly all Russian, on a Saturday night. The…read moreambiance was cozy and the stage and dance floor well done. There were numerous cold salads placed throughout the u-shaped table. My favorite was the avocado and shrimp. They were good at when to repeat. This was followed by a fish course, which included whole fish, a cheesy fish casserole-type dish, many cold fishes. he whole fish was my favorite and so fresh. But everything was good. This followed by a meat/poultry course. There were different meats including lamb. They also had duck. This was followed by assorted desserts (French macaroons, mini eclairs, lemon meringue tarts, etc.), blinis, and birthday cake. All was delicious and I ate too many! Service was attentive and the water jugs were constantly replenished. My only two minor complaints- (1) dishes came with a regular fork to serve. It would have been better to have oversized forks and large spoons for serving some of the dishes (ex, filleting the whole fish was a challenge withy a regular fork even though it was ore-cut) and (2) they did not change out the silverware during the meal. It would have been good to have a clean fork when changing from fish to meat, etc. One of the guests wanted 2 orders of potato latkes to go and offered to pay cash separately. The quickly and pleasantly accommodated her. I would highly recommend this place.

We have been wanting to eat here for awhile. Today we finally did and it was very good. We will be…read moreback. They had a good flow of people in and out.

Came here last night and it took an hour and a half for our entrees to come out. There was no…read moreapology or acknowledgement at all. The place was emptying out by the time we got our meals. They tried to appease the pair of diners next to us with free shots of something, but nothing for us because we went an acquaintance and his sister who are regulars, so they knew it didn't matter if we were happy or not. Food was terrible. I had the rainbow trout which seemed like it might have come frozen. Topped with dull brown gravy and canned mushrooms. Got a large dollop of bland mashed potatoes with it and a few green beans. TLDR: this place is for senior citizens who take comfort in familiar cafeteria level food. I'm perplexed how it's in business with high ratings. I've come here numerous times because the person I know (who's about 25 years my senior) comes here every Friday night.

This was my second visit to this restaurant. My companion and i ordered from the happy hour menu…read morewhich is on the back of the full menu. It is a $24.95 flat price offering an appetizer, entree and dessert for that price. (Only available Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday from 5-6:30 pm). There were about 6 choices each for appetizers and entrees and 3 for dessert. My companion had a mussel appetizer and I had French Onion soup. My soup was a great example of the classic preparation. Bubbly and browned cheese over a deeply flavorful broth of onions and a slice of French bread. My companion loved the mussels. As to the entree I had what was called Beef Diane, a twist on the classic Steak Diane. It consisted of tips of filet in a delicious gravy flavored with cognac. My companion had Rainbow Trout and was very happy with it. For dessert we both had cheesecake with strawberry sauce. A good example of a New York style cheesecake. Both entrees were served with well cooked mixed vegetables. The portions were not a scaled down size but normal size. The meal comes with fresh baked toasted bread served warm. Delicious. The service was attentive which was to be expected because there were only 3 tables occupied. A complimentary shot of a what I think was kahlua was served at the end of the meal. The atmosphere is lots of dark wood and a classic bar. Great food and a great experience. Don't pass up this great value!!

I went to CHLOE in DC and honestly, I've walked past this place so many times and had no idea there…read morewas a gym inside. I love that they have a whole fried fish because the presentation alone is spectacular. They also had a featured menu, I'm not sure if it changes weekly or monthly, and my date got the curry shrimp which was honestly a really good size portion. I was super tired that day so we were kind of in and out, but I'd definitely go back. The drinks were good too. Cute place and solid service - loved the bread as well

Food 8/10 Atmosphere 9/10…read moreService 3/10 Came here for DC Summer Restaurant Week and unfortunately left pretty disappointed, especially for the price point. First off, there seemed to be only one waiter handling around 7-8 tables. Tables on both sides of us were visibly getting frustrated with how slow the service was. We came to enjoy ourselves and weren't in a rush, so we didn't mind waiting as much, but the service was noticeably slow. Interestingly, the actual dishes came out fairly quickly, but everything else--ordering, drinks, checking in, and getting things we needed--took a long time. For a restaurant at this price point, I was also expecting the overall experience and atmosphere to feel a little more elevated. It didn't really feel particularly upscale or special, and the bathrooms were noticeably dirty, which was surprising and definitely took away from the experience. Overall, the food was decent, but between the understaffed service, cleanliness, and atmosphere, I didn't feel the experience matched the price. Restaurant Week is usually a great opportunity to try a higher-end restaurant and want to come back, but unfortunately I don't think I'd return at the regular menu prices.

Bia Kitchen is a quaint Irish restaurant/pub that has lots of buzz on social media and comes highly…read morerecommended. According to one of the lovely staff,"Bia" means food in Irish, in case you were curious. They have a full bar with lots of quality spirits to choose from. The beer selection is all draught, no bottled beer. We decided to share some appetizers with our drinks. We ordered PEI mussels, champagne peppercorn patè and fried calamari. All the appetizers were excellent. The patè was presented nicely with accoutrements of fig jam, cornichon, macerated tomatoes and bread. The mussels were offered in a Thai curry sauce but we asked for another serving option due to an allergy concerns. They offered us a white wine and garlic option and we gladly took it. The mussels were cooked very well, the flavor was clean and mild but could have used stronger seasoning, The fried calamari was executed perfectly. It was crispy, tender, flavorful with zero greasiness. The garlic tomato aioli accompanied the dish well. We shared the beef medallions as our entree and a side of fries because I spotted a server carrying fish and chips and the steak fries style potatoes were speaking to me. The steak was tender and flavorful and the Demi glaze brought the dish together. The fries were crispy and salty and wonderful, I'm glad I was inspired. We saved room for dessert and chose churros and Dubai chocolate. Both were a great finish to our dining experience.

Bia is an attractive spot just off the main street, with a pleasant atmosphere and attentive…read moreservice. It definitely has the feel of a business‑lunch destination. Unfortunately, the food didn't live up to the setting. We started with the Irish Nachos. The homemade thick‑cut chips were excellent, but the cheese sauce had no flavor and there wasn't nearly enough of it. All the bacon bits were clustered in one corner, leaving most of the dish bland. I ordered the "signature" short rib ravioli. While the presentation was nice, the pasta itself was tough, and the filling was a grey paste with no trace of meat or flavor. The capicola and prosciutto were similarly disappointing -- so underseasoned that we had to ask for salt and pepper just to make them taste like anything. Overall, a great-looking restaurant with friendly service, but the kitchen needs serious attention.

Food is always good when we go. Their service is professional and efficient and friendly.read more

Love the food and the service.Wished I lived close thanks for the hospitality if you want a great…read moretime eating nd talking and you mind at peace eat here