Balos Estiatorio
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We had such a great experience at Balos Brunch! The espresso martinis were absolutely delicious, and the octopus was amazing as well. A special shoutout to Davidé, our bartender, who was incredibly helpful, hospitable, and so much fun to talk to! He really made our experience even more enjoyable. Great food, delicious drinks, and outstanding service. We'll definitely be back!
First dinner date out with my gf who just moved back home! This place is gorgeous, modern, and has a nice coastal like vibe. We were seated promptly, overall the service was nice! We enjoyed a variety items off the menu. Our absolute least favorite were the sea bass skewers, they were insanely bland so we were quite disappointed. The table bread though? Very good. The crab cakes and steak frites were fine, nothing exceptional but made up for the skewers for sure. The Brussels were just meh. We both enjoyed our martinis though! We'd definitely come back to try other items.
I've been to Balos a few times and I cannot believe I haven't written a review. This place is fantastic. The employees are all extremely nice and hospitable. The restaurant is beautifully decorated and it's always a vibe in there. The food is amazing. It's probably some of the best calamari in the area. There isn't a bad thing on the menu and so far I've had the lamb chops, steak kabobs, Balos chips, crab cakes, lobster pasta, fries, roasted chicken, chocolate cake and the crème brûlée. I've heard they do a napkin toss late night so I have to go back and check that out. This is one you cannot miss.
Unfortunately, Balos missed the mark for us, especially considering we traveled from out of town specifically to celebrate my best friend's birthday. We love traveling for food and had high expectations for this experience, but the restaurant was very subpar and did not live up to what we anticipated. The best thing we had throughout the entire meal was honestly the bread and hummus. After receiving our water, there was a significant wait before anyone came over to take our drink order. The wait was so long that we ultimately placed our drink and food orders at the same time. When our food arrived, it was not hot, unlike the dishes we noticed being served to other tables around us. The birthday girl ordered the Greek Roasted Chicken and said it was overwhelmingly lemony. She decided not to send it back because we were already disappointed with the overall experience. The lobster pasta was decent, and the best part was definitely the generous amount of lobster. What was most frustrating, however, was being charged for items we had simply inquired about but never ordered or said we wanted. We were already so over the experience and ready to leave that we didn't even make a big issue of it at the time. For example, we were charged for a shot of Don Julio that, when it arrived, tasted watered down. We were also told by our waiter that he had "something for the birthday girl," and a piece of chocolate cake was brought to the table. We assumed this was a complimentary birthday gesture, only to find that we had been charged for it as well. There were simply too many small disappointments throughout the evening, and for a restaurant of this caliber especially one we traveled to for a special celebration we expected much more. I really wanted to love Balos, but based on our experience, I would not revisit at this time.
This will be my 3rd brunch since May and I'll be back again next week. Every group of people I bring here falls in love with not only the vibe but the food and service. The aesthetic is gorgeous and the entire restaurant just feels like an experience. The grilled octopus appetizer was cooked perfectly...tender with a nice char and thankfully not a hint of that super chewy texture you sometimes get with octopus. The french toast was also great. I loved that it wasn't overly sweet, so you can actually taste the bread and all of the toppings instead of everything just tasting like sugar. What keeps bringing me back is that Balos has so much on the menu that I want to try since I love Mediterranean food. Also, the service has always been great in my experience. Josh was my server the last time and he was amazing!
Came here last weekend, thoroughly disappointed. The restaurant was freezing cold, and at one point in the evening m, we were all shivering which made our experience pretty unpleasant to begin with. We started with the spanakopitas and Greek salad. Both were fine, nothing to write home about, but also it's pretty hard to screw up a Greek salad. We ordered the moussaka and the filet skewers. The moussaka was lacking seasoning, it was so incredibly bland, and the portion was ridiculously tiny. And the skewers arrived with pita that was more on the burnt side than charred, as described on the menu. We felt like our waitress was being spread incredibly thin, and felt she could not attend to our needs or check in because she seemed so frazzled. Felt the food and service was way overpriced for what we received, and would consider telling others to avoid visiting while you're in town.
We recently celebrated my fiancé's belated birthday with friends at Balos in DC. The friends are locals, and this restaurant was highly recommended. I can see why, because it had a lively vibe from start to finish. Our reservation was at 8pm, and we had enjoyed some cocktails earlier in the evening. It was espresso martini o'clock, and I was delighted to see they had multiple options to choose from. I settled on the S'mores iteration (Grey Goose, white and dark chocolate liqueur, toasted marshmallow). Much to my surprise, the marshmallows were lit ablaze tableside! This was such a fun way to kick it all off. The hard part was deciding what food to order. Luckily, everyone was down with splitting multiple plates, so we could get a little taste of everything. Before our cocktails arrived, we enjoyed complimentary hummus and pita bread. Let me tell you, this was the most pillowy, soft pita bread I've ever had. I couldn't get enough, so we obviously had to order Classic Spreads to get more. We chose tzatziki, crazy feta, and Melitzanosalata. We also ordered the Grilled Octopus, Gyro Eggroll, and Calamari. The Calamari was my favorite of the appetizer round. It was so delicate and perfectly cooked with just the right amount of fried goodness. The Grilled Octopus was also probably the best cooked octopus I've ever had. It wasn't chewy like I've experienced in the past, and the red onions, capers, fava purée, and roasted peppers added a nice depth of flavor. The Gyro Eggroll was a little dry and gamey for me; not even the tzatziki served with it could save it. For our mains, we shared the Swordfish Kebab, Lamb Chops, and Moussaka. The Lamb Chops were my favorite out of the entrees. It was a nice touch that our waiter offered to add a lamb chop since there were 4 of us, and it is typically served as three lamb chops. They were cooked perfectly to the temperature we requested. The Swordfish Kebab was sadly a miss for me. I thought it was oversalted, and the sautéed broccolini served with it was undercooked. The Moussaka was a fun hybrid dish with Greek-style lasagna layered with eggplant, potato, ground beef, and béchamel. As the meal wound down, the atmosphere became even more animated with a live DJ. The servers brought out Greek flags and danced with the patrons as they waved them. We stuck around at the bar, continuing to enjoy drinks and the ambiance. Balos strikes a balance of great energy without sacrificing the quality of the food and service. Thank you for helping us continue the birthday celebrations all night long!
I came here with a colleague for lunch, and the restaurant is beautiful. The service was incredible, and 99% of the food was excellent. The dips were fantastic, and the eggplant and zucchini chips were surprisingly light, crispy, and delicious. My colleague ordered the lamb shank, which was tender and full of flavor. The only reason I'm giving 4 out of 5 stars instead of 5 is the whole fish. It was highly recommended and presented as being deboned, filleted, and easy to eat, but unfortunately it didn't have much flavor and had a ton of bones, so I could barely eat it. My recommendation would be to skip the whole fish, but everything else was incredible. I would absolutely come back.
Balos definitely met my expectations with their food selections! My family and I enjoyed every single part of our meals. We came here to celebrate Mother's Day with our mom, and Balos was so kind to gift every mother with a rose and locally-crafted coffee. Because it was so busy this day, we did have to wait a bit for our food. Our waiter seemed overwhelmed, but he eventually brought us the complimentary pita bread and hummus after some time. For my drink I ordered the matcha cocktail, and this tasted absolutely delicious. I ordered the crab cake benedict for my entree, which came with roasted breakfast potatoes. I loved every bit of it! There was enough to take as leftovers, too! We also really enjoyed the show that was put on in the middle of our dining experience. Very entertaining! And I can't forget to mention how beautiful of a restaurant it is! We were able to take lovely pictures with our mom. As a heads up, they will not seat you or put your name on the list until every person in your party is present, even though we had a reservation. This wait was a bit frustrating since one of my family members had trouble finding parking and all garages nearby were closed because it was a Sunday. The host also seemed frustrated and wasn't the friendliest. I recommend Balos offering valet parking if they continue instilling this rule and to avoid long waiting times for patrons.
The restaurant is very crowded. We had a reservation but we still waited 30 min but we were prepared from TikTok. They give complimentary wine I did not drink any & I wasn't offered any.Tust was disappointing. I got a blood orange margarita from the bar that took about 15 minutes , it was strong so I liked it. The bar was super crowded but those bartenders did a great job. Once seated you get pita & hummus so good. Appetizer von got octopus I had a Greek salad $29 not an appetizer. Entrees I got lamb chops and Von got some steak kabob. My lamb chops were $68 I think and drinks $21 each. Prices were good our check was almost $300 and we had a lot of good. They did napkin toss and party line it was fun. This place is very trendy and authentic I loved that. I saw a bunch of photographers outside I'm assuming they work for the restaurant and take pictures of customers coming in but again I'm not sure. Overall experience really good and I'm going to come back and try the brunch.
I love Balos! I rated 4 stars only because the service can be spotty in the mix of the vibes and I've experience orders getting mixed up quite a few times. Other than that, no complaints! I went for my birthday over a year ago and had to go back. Little did I know it would be a back to back visit with my girls. I went for an impromptu dinner on a Friday (didn't eat here -- mainly drinks) and less than 24 hours I returned back for brunch Saturday afternoon. LOL! It was so worth it. The only downfall was they completely butchered my drink Friday and served me mezcal (which I hate) with the Butterfly Pea Margarita. This was fixed once I raised the issue after the bartender tried my drink hisself. I ordered the Matcha Espresso Martini which was probably my fav -- it was very light and delicious. For brunch, the Crab Cake Benedict is a MUST. The crab cake is so tender & delicious. Also, highly recommend participating in the bottomless espresso martinis if you plan to order more than 2 drinks. FYI -- the whole table has to participate. I ordered the Honey Lavender and Orange Chocolate Carajillo. My favorite for brunch was definitely the Honey Lavender, but overall I would say the Matcha is my first & foremost. Please expect to have a great time here -- the vibes are unmatched from the employees, djs, guitarist, all the above. Come for the experience and be sure to participate in the napkin tossing & flag wave. It's a must!
10/10 experience! Balos Brunch is the place to be--very festive and celebratory with upbeat music, waving country flags, and napkins in the air. The ambiance is beautiful, with chic boho and floral décor. We did the prix fixe brunch menu, and everything was delicious. The tuna tartare, grilled octopus, and lobster & crab Benedict were standouts. The baklava and drinks were also very good. Niko, our server, was attentive, fun, and truly made the experience worth it. I would love to return and highly recommend
Brunch was phenomenal - Brunch at Balos Estiatorio this past weekend was such a vibe. Their bottomless options are honestly a win across the board. The mimosas are $45 and the espresso martinis are $55, and if you go with the espresso martinis you can also get the mimosas, which feels like a major bonus. They offer a prix fixe menu that is super affordable with a great selection, plus an à la carte menu if you want to mix it up. Either way, there are plenty of good options to choose from. The ambiance here is always 10 out of 10. It is one of those spots that just feels good to be in. Our server José Andres was incredibly sweet, attentive, and communicative, which made the experience even better. I had such an amazing time catching up with my friend and overall it was a top tier brunch experience. I would absolutely come back again.
1 year ago
Went to Balos for brunch and dinner and loved my experience both times! The food is absolutely delicious. I ordered the watermelon and feta, French toast, and custard dessert for brunch. For dinner, I ordered the fish. All hits, no misses. Everything was made to perfection. Service was 10/10. They were so attentive and friendly. It's a great vibe. read more
3 months ago
Restaurant is beautiful! Great location! Went for lunch. Wait service was pretty long, food was a little salty but it was fresh and had great taste. True Mediterranean food.i will try it during happy hour next time because I loved the atmosphere. Wait staff was friendly. read more
9 months ago
The ambiance was nice. Perfect for a date night or a girls night. The food was good. Drinks (French 75) were perfectly made. My husband had the Mediterranean salad, which was nice and filling. He enjoyed it. I had the Branzino and roasted vegetables. The Branzino was good, but nothing to write home about as far as flavor. The roasted vegetables were decent. While they were seasoned, they were heavily soaked in oil. The show stopper was the service; excellent customer service from the hostess, to the runners to the servers... everyone was super polite and attentive. We were stuffed after our food and the complimentary hummus and pita. I would definitely go back to try more menu items to include dessert, which looked delicious. read more
Everyone in the dmv area has probably seen the video of the napkin throwing rituals at Balos- well, the place is beautiful and spacious but that's about all it had going for it. The food wasn't good- way too salty and nothing special about it. The drinks are fine but I never asked for a complicated cocktail. The service is par and it seems like a very popular happy hour spot. My beau works in the same building so I would wait here after grabbing two spots at the bar before it was completely filled out. I'd go for their HH and bar but the one time I had a meal here was not impressive. I don't think I've heard anything good about this place's actual food- just that it's practically a club at night. read more
9 months ago
Balos was a great time for brunch! Fun energy and pretty good food, for the most part. The grilled octopus was one of the best starters on the menu. The pita bread and hummus was also delicious. I ordered Lamb Chops for my entree and was satisfied. It wasn't the best in terms of flavor, but I wasn't disappointed at all! I didn't love the pairing with fries. The s'mores espresso martini - my goodness. It was soooooo good. I love how their bottomless brunch drinks included various espresso martinis instead of just mimosas. The only thing I didn't appreciate was the server. He was a bit too "comfortable" with us to where it felt very unprofessional. His jokes and sarcasm didn't hit the mark. Thankfully a manager stepped in to usher things along. read more
Came here with friends to try out their brunch and bottomless brunch option and the food did not disappoint! You can either choose between the three course menu or ordering a la carte. We weren't a fan of the three course menu, I particularly didn't find an option that piqued my interest for the dessert or starter options. I ordered the balos burger a la carte and it tasted great! If you're debating, order the classic spread for the table, it's wonderful. I also tried my friend's dishes and they all were full of flavor. I would order any of the dishes again. Bottomless is all or nothing--the whole table has to opt in or order drinks a la carte. I love that they offer espresso martini variations and I'm surprised no other place does this for brunch, it's genius! We obviously ordered every flavor. Blueberry was the best flavor by miles. Second, salted caramel and I didn't care for the remaining flavors. This is a great brunch spot, with something for everyone. Would definitely recommend! read more
Balos Balos Balos we NEED to talk about this BRUNCH. Oh my god, where do I begin. The decor is the perfect balance of luxury meets casual, and the wait staff was attentive, if not the most friendly. Both my friend and I got the chicken soup and the steak and eggs, which were both great, although my steak was a bit overcooked (still so flavorful). My favorite part was the baklava dessert, which is truly something you have to experience to believe. Even with the very minuscule hiccups, I'm so excited to enjoy this brunch again and again! read more
Went for a Saturday brunch to celebrate a baby shower. We had a private room in a section of the restaurant. As soon as guests arrived we were offered cocktail options or coffee. I opted for the mimosas which were amazing. For food, they brought out appetizers first. This consisted of different hummus and pimento cheese, pita bread, salad and a few Greek pastries. The pita bread was soft and fluffy. Pastries were a hit as well. We got to choose our entrees and everyone shared a bit of everything. I got the steak and eggs but also split to r baklava French toast. Both entrees were delicious. Ended the event with desserts! All the food was very good and the staff was super attentive and kind. I can't wait to come back to try more of their menu. read more
3 months ago
9 months ago
Came here tonight with my girlfriends of 16 years for a birthday and the ONLY reason why I am leaving this review is to shout out Jose Andres, (our server) and Luigi (his bar back/support). I mean yes the food was great, but he made amazing recommendations, great conversation , and we never were looking for him to fill a need. The food and his service will have me back for sure. If I had to share a negative, one of the hostess came to our table stating there was another party waiting...but we were waiting for to go food and for him to pick up the check. Strange but nevertheless every other hostesses was amazing one even taking our group photo. That brings me to my last point; it is so beautifully decorated that I wish the "aesthetic" photo areas weren't in high traffic spots. Lighting is great but if you come on a busy night there's no way. Overall will be coming back for their brunch Jose mentioned and the brussel sprouts read more
Balos doesn't owe me a thing. I went for my boyfriend's birthday and it was truly a one of a kind experience. We had a 9:30 PM reservation and Elmer took care of us. He was excellent. The service was a 10 out of 10, and the food? Also a 10. Everything was so flavorful and unique. The drinks were amazing too. You'll definitely pay a pretty penny, but you won't be disappointed. The napkin throwing starts closer to closing. We stayed until around 11:30 PM when it kicked off. We ordered apps, drinks, entrees, and dessert, and everything was on point. The restaurant was spotless and the entire staff worked together to make sure everything flowed smoothly. The decor at Balos is beautiful and adds to the experience. I can't wait to go back for myself next time. Big thanks to Elmer for putting me onto that fig port wine. It added to the beautiful ending. read more
Any place with flaming cheese is a yes in my book. And that's only part of the fun. This room is large and buzzy in a cool way. The restaurant has a really fun vibe, which sometimes includes a Greek napkin throw and a DJ. Great cocktail list and really extensive food menu. My daughter loved the chicken and the octopus was very tender. read more
I had a great time at Balos for lunch! Seated at the bar, the service from Amber was awesome and she made great recommendations. I decided to do the Power Lunch option and everything I had to eat and drink was delicious. Starting with the hummus and warm bread followed by the delicious grilled octopus and perfectly cooked lamb chop, I enjoyed every bite. I look forward to returning to try other menu options soon! read more
I've been wanting to check Balos out for sometime, especially after seeing all the videos of the infamous napkin toss. My friend was visiting for the weekend, and I figured it would be a great experience for the both of us especially since we both appreciate and enjoy Mediterranean food. She also seemed intrigued by the napkin toss and festive atmosphere. I called ahead of time to ask when the toss would happen so I could time our reservation accordingly. I was told to make a reservation for 930 at the latest because it happens between 11-1130 on weekends. I went ahead and made a 9 pm reservation for Saturday night. My friend and I were running late due to delays on the train so we almost missed our table, but thankfully we got there just in the nick of time. We had an interesting seat that was more of a couch where we sat next to each other. I would have preferred to be across from each other, but it was fine. It was very lively and pretty busy when we were in there. Lots of people by the bar, and every table seemed full. Our waitress was alright, but could have been a bit more attentive in my opinion. She spent a lot of time at the table beside us, and barely checked in. Her colleagues paid more attention, and made sure we had water refills and that our food was good. I ordered the salmon that came with greens and a white sauce. It was very delicious, nicely seasoned, and there was tobiko on top which at first, I didn't get, but actually ended up really enjoying it. My friend had the ground lamb appetizer with rice and she really liked it. Overall, it was a decent experience. It's aesthetically appealing inside, and very elegant decor. The food is the showcase in terms of presentation and experience. I saw food come out in flames and just create a more interactive experience. However, there is a bit of wait time and we didn't get to see the napkin toss after all. Our waitress told us it would likely begin around 12 or maybe 1230. It just depended on the vibes. By this point it was 11 pm, and for me, it wasn't worth sitting around for another two hours. I don't know that I'd come back. Not sure if it is worth the hype or price. read more
1 year ago
I went to Balos Estiatorio for the pre-fix brunch and had a great experience. In addition to the prefix brunch I ordered the bottomless brunch cocktails. I started the meal with a classic espresso martini and the grilled octopus. The octopus was tender and the lemon paired nicely with the capers and vinegar that seasoned the octopus. The espresso martini had a nice balance of sweetness from the syrup and bitterness from the espresso. After my appetizer I got the steak and eggs. My steak was cooked to a perfect medium rare and had a lemony sauce that added extra flavor. The fries also added a nice side dish to eat with the runny eggs. I also ordered the galaktoboureko for desert; however, I ended up taking it home because I was so full. My only critique is that while the rest of the service was great I was a little confused about the table side espresso martini. My first espresso martini, the classic, was brought to me on a platter, while the second espresso martini called chocolate was prepared table side. My last espresso martini ,matcha, was also brought to me by a waiter on a platter. While this normally would not be a problem the menu listed them all as table side preparation so I was a little confused by the back and forth of actual table side preparation and being brought the drink fully prepared. Overall, I still had a wonderful experience at Balos and would return. read more
SUPER trendy. For 3pm on a Sunday, this place was PACKED & JUMPING! Personally, I'm toooo old and sooo not interested in creating content so this was not my vibe buttt it is an absolutely BEAUTIFUL restaurant, with EXCELLENT service (shoutout to our bartender Ana and our server Niko), and DELICIOUS food. Triple threat, hands down. Our party of 11 (celebrating my daughter who earned her Master's degree from American University today) were all totally blown away with everything ... from the starters (grilled haloumi cheese and spicy feta) to the aioli for the calamari, to the perfectly seasoned NY strip to the tobiko (roe on the salmon) to the massive dessert platter! Nothing but praise for Balos. A must add to your bucket list. Just be warned ... if you prefer a more intimate, classy, family vibe ... avoid Friday and Saturday nights AND Sunday brunch. No shade ... that's just my #OldLadyGang #SeniorLiving priorities busting through! LOL! read more
9 months ago
Our waiter, José Andres, provided better-than-exceptional customer service. We were a party of six celebrating a birthday, and he went above and beyond to make sure the birthday girl felt special -- including offering our table champagne, which was such a thoughtful touch. I usually order the lamb chops, but José recommended the lobster pasta this time. I decided to switch it up based on his suggestion, and I'm so glad I did -- it was absolutely delicious and full of flavor. No regrets at all! The service, the ambiance, the food -- everything was top tier. We'll definitely be back for brunch (per José's recommendation). Highly suggest everyone check this place out! read more
This is my second time coming to Balos. The first time I came it was into dinner time and I was seated at a table and the food was delicious. I wanted to have an early dinner so I went to Balos after work. I didn't realize that during happy hour they don't seat people at a table, so I was asked to sit at the bar. No problem, as long as I can order from the full menu which I could. I ordered my food and again the food was delicious. The bartenders were lovely. Unfortunately, I'm taking away a star because as soon as I sat down I noticed the flies and fruit flies flying around me and my food. I tried to not let it bother me, but it was annoying to have to keep waving my hand over my food so that they don't go in my food. I was over it when I mosquito bite me. Would I come back to eat? Yes, but I would never eat at the bar. read more
4 months ago
I have been here for brunch and dinner. I enjoyed the brunch; the Balos burger was tasty, and the bottomless cocktails were definitely a highlight! Our server was so quick with the drink orders. For dinner, my friends and I ordered two appetizers and entrees. The classic spread was satisfying but the gyro egg rolls were not good. I did not enjoy them whatsoever, but my friends did (1 star removed for that as two egg rolls were $29 and we ordered 2). My entree was the Greek roasted chicken with the lemon potatoes substituted for the saffron rice, which I loved! The island passion cocktail tasted unbalanced, so I proceeded to order classic cocktails for the remainder of the night. I likely will not return for dinner but will definitely come back for brunch! read more
Today's visit I tried Balos' lunch express special $45 for 3 fabulous courses! The octopus (+ $10) was perfect! And for an appetizer was a very large portion. Underneath were whipped potatoes which were also very good. For my entree I had the seafood youvesett (+ $15) which was packed with seafood even the lobster head. It was different from the lamb youvesetti which is my favorite dish here. The orzo in this dish tasted more like Parmesan instead of the flavor of the sauce. Definitely a go to if you like seafood dishes. Lastly I had the cheesecake which was very rich in flavor and the candied cherries were super decadent. I think the only suggestion for desert would be the addition of whipped cream. read more
1 year ago
what a gorgeous place! from the aesthetic inside, the beautifully curated menu, the service, all so wonderful. we tried a bit everything as me and my sisters enjoyed their sunday brunch. there was live music and the place was super lively so definitely make a reservation. they were very flexible as we moved ours around on the day but i wouldn't risk just walking in on a sunday. we did the pre fixed brunch option because it was def a great deal. ordered tuna tartare to start and a green salad. the baklava french toast and a mocktail they had on the menu. it was super refreshing. ended with baklava, which we took to go. tried a bit of my sis' lamb chops. love a good lamb moment. everything was so good and flavorful. enjoyed each bite truly. definitely want to go back and explore the dinner menu next time i'm in DC. read more
5 months ago
I had a girl brunch with one of my best friends and we absolutely adored this spot! The atmosphere and dynamic was lively and felt specific to this place. The food was delicious and the martini bar coming to our table was an extra plus for us! The all you can eat and drink pricing was ideal too. We'll def be back. read more
2 months ago
The food was nice especially the lamb shank ! Had the best server Josh ! The ambiance was very chill for dinner. Wish the napkin toss was earlier in the night as well. Front desk was hostile and not welcoming at all to myself and my party. read more
I wish I could give it a 3.5. Went for brunch recently with a couple friends. The good: seated right away by a really welcoming host, server was friendly and attentive, food was great, good price point with the 3 course brunch options. The not so great: music was good and fun but it's loud, like can barely hear the person talking across the table from you loud (I'm getting old!). The timing was off, 30-40 minutes between app and main course. No one at my table really liked the drink they ordered. Despite the tough parts, I would absolutely go back for that spanakopita. Yum! read more
1 year ago
Excellent food. Great service, I asked for a bit of an off menu accommodation which they graciously did for me. I saw several large groups so is nice to know they manage groups of at least about 12 or so at once, The restaurant is extremely loud though, once it started filling up it was a bit difficult to hear-but not a showstopper. Parking is hit or miss, there are some garages. Price is $$$ but the food and cocktails were really really good. read more
We came for the bottomless brunch and left completely satisfied. From the moment we sat down, the vibe was upbeat and welcoming, and our server was on point--friendly, attentive, and full of jokes. Now let's talk about the star of the show: the espresso martini cart. YES, a whole cart dedicated to shaking up the perfect martini right at your table. super fun and honestly, dangerously good. The food? Fresh, flavorful, and hits every brunch craving. The shakshuka was perfectly spiced with runny eggs just the way I like them. French toast was fluffy and decadent and the steak and eggs were cooked just right--juicy, tender, and well-seasoned. The whole experience felt like a mini getaway to the Mediterranean with DC flair. read more
I wanted to give this place more stars because my Lavraki was absolutely delicious and the waiter, Milos, worked hard.-As did the entire wait staff. The napkin toss was also fun but that's all they get from me. First, our reservations were at 9:45pm and we were seated at 10:50pm. What occurred during the wait time: this is the fun part, you're waiting in a crowded bar area, oddly placed at the front of the restaurant and likely a fire code violation. Seriously, it's a crowded standing space and I would hate to be the guests dining in that front area because they were invaded by bodies standing over them. But moving along, this ridiculously long wait time was in no way rectified but instead, we encountered the most disgusting manager, "Sasha's Boss" as she hastily told us while chasing us out the restaurant at the end. The management in this place can use some hospitality training, not the staff. How unprofessional is it to tell us "my restaurant is 25mins late for closing" as if we seated ourselves late and were the ones unable to manage time, food preparation, and over commit to reservations. Take that up with your poor restaurant management skills and do better at monitoring guests time instead of being snappy and unprofessional to paying customers. Would I recommend them? NO Would I return? NO! I pay for quality service and this place isn't worth another dime from me. WAY overpriced, long lines for the bathroom, mediocre food, limited cocktails, and it's essentially a nightclub with tables and chairs sprinkled around it. read more
I needed a solo date and Balos was the perfect option--especially late night. I got the cutest table in the bar area so it was perfect for people watching and vibing. They give complimentary hummus with the SOFEST pita. Like a damn pillow I ordered the hamachi crudo and spanakopita to start. The hamachi crudo was flavorful and came with thick, juicy cuts. The spanakopita was so flaky and flavorful. I had to make sure to not eat it all in order to save room for my entree. The star of the show was definitely the lamb shank with orzo pasta. The lamb fell right off the bone and the entire plate was seasoned very well. Despite the party style vibes later in the evening, the service was still impeccable. I truly think I might come solo more often! read more
6 months ago
Balos is an incredible place to dine or enjoy a tea or dessert I ordered a baklava and enjoyed incredible honey ice cream and a crispy Philo dough baklava which was incredibly good. The matcha drink was exceptional as well and service was incredible the indoor ambience and decor was decorated with beautiful florals and live music. This is an amazing spot to visit with friends and experience a lively ambience anytime of day read more
2 years ago
Last week, We dined here on a Thursday and the service was great! It's a Greek restaurant so the food was delicious and light. Here is what we reviewed: Drinks Strawberry punch Starters Greek salad Traditional chicken soup Main Course Grilled Ora King Salmon Desserts Cheesecake We strongly recommend reservations and go on a quiet night to enjoy the vibe. I felt rushed and i felt like we were packed in like sardines. read more
2 years ago
First impression of the place was great. The entry had lovely florals around the door and interior is large and nicely decorated. The vibe was definitely upscale and sort of trendy - like all the people there. Then it went a bit downhill. We went up to the host to tell him we had a reservation. He noted it and said we had a wait. He then proceeded to talk to several other people for quite a while (with several other employees at the host stand who didn't ask if we needed anything). We were finally seated and appreciated being near the stone wall to the right, as you first enter. It seems much more enclosed and quiet than the rest of the place and the bar. The server was pleasant and answered questions my friend had. I ordered the NY strip which was cooked how I'd asked and had good flavor. The Greek fries were flavorful and perfectly crunchy. I felt my meal was worth the price and maybe not worth a special trek over but I was already going to the Kennedy Center so it wasn't totally out of my way. The problem came later. So, my friend (who did not love her kabob and the fact it came with potatoes and pita) asked for a side of rice and she got it. The problem is, she was given rice which was then shown as an $18 charge for saffron rice. Maybe it's just me but that sort of charge should be stated and a side of rice doesn't immediately mean saffron rice. That's kind of the problem with this place. I'm not the person who complains about food prices if the food, service, and experience are a thing. I mean, Michelins are reasonable to me. Here, the food is good - just good. Would I give it another shot? Sure. read more
A true 5 star experience from the customer service we received to the food If you have a party of more than 8 people, you'd be considered a "large group." I couldn't find any detailed reviews when originally booking so here you are. This review will mainly be for "larger parties" (we had 11)From the start, Alyssa H (the event coordinator) was on top of her game when it came to answering any and all questions I had, making sure things were up to my liking, explaining how the pre fixed menu works, and I'm very grateful for her. She truly made planning my birthday dinner seem seamless! Definitely want to give her, her praise! With the Banquet/Pre Fixed menu you have 3 different menu options; I chose the "$125 per person" menu which included; Classic Spreads, Greek Salad, Green Salad, Cheese Saganaki, Calamari, Grilled Octopus, To our main course which we all got to individually pick, the options were Greek Roasted Chicken, 16oz Prime NY Strip, Lamb Chops, or Lavraki Filet. Getting to the restaurant, all the menus were custom with the name I wanted on it which was nice and we were even seated a bit early from our reservation time! Everything was evenly spread out amongst the classic spreads and appetizers when the whole party arrived. My group ended up feeling so full that none of us had room left for the main course!! Portions are very generous! Out of the food options, my favorite were the Calamari, Cheese Saganaki, 16oz NY Strip, and the classic spreads! My girlfriend really liked the Lavraki as well. The only thing I really didn't like was the octopus. I saw lots of high ratings on it but it tasted kind of burnt when we got them, was not a fan I saw lots of reviews on "music being too loud" I didn't experience that nor would say it was a problem as we were seated towards the back of the restaurant. The whole restaurant design is immaculate!! Only downside is the bathroom situation. The bathrooms are unisex so everyone waits in one line. Lines are always super long and when you have to use the restroom, you'll probably be waiting for 15-20 minutes. It didn't bother me that much to give them any less of a rating, it is what it is This was the first time going to Balos for everyone in my group and they couldn't stop talking about how great of a restaurant it is! Highly recommend booking a 9pm or later reservation as the napkin throw happened towards the end of our meal, 1130/1145pm. Perfect way to end everything! read more
1 year ago
The food was so fresh, delicious and filling. The flavors were all there and the pita bread was insanely soft and mouthwatering. I didn't get pictures or the main entrees but they were absolutely delicious. We got the caviar bumps with a shot of tequila which was a fun touch to wrap up dinner. The service was great and our server checked in on us often to make sure we were ready for our entrees. Our drinks were fantastic! The overall vibe of Balos was so fun! At the end of the night they had a DJ which kept the livelihood going and I would definitely return! read more
No valet, so on street parking is difficult to find, and there are no parking garages close to the restaurant. Bathroom lines are a problem. Food was good but overpriced, tax & surcharges were not worth the money. Oysters were meh. Brussel sprouts & lamb chops were good. Staff was attentive but missed an order due to noise level. Nice restaurant but reviews are overhyped. More of a bar step up than a restaurant IMO. read more
Hubby and I went here for a date night- his pick! I was immediately drawn in my the vibrant ambiance "vibe". Very diverse crowd all there to socialize whilst enjoying some delicious food. The food was delicious, we are both fans of Mediterranean cuisine and cleared our plates. The stand outs were the octopus appetizer and the seafood dish that has an orzo pasta. We did the restaurant week dinner special which was a decent deal for the quality of the food. Otherwise, be prepared to spend a pretty penny. My only suggestion is to maybe clear out some of the tables. It was really close as I can tell they want to seat as many as possible. From a business lenses this makes sense, as a patron is a little annoying to have to squeeze between tables to get up. One lady knocked wine glasses down on the next table because her coat tail brushed up against the table. Wayyyyy too close. If they room out above 10 tables jut would be a much more enjoyable and spacious dining experience all around. Food and drinks are awesome, so kudos for that. read more
This restaurant should DEFINITELY have 5 stars! Why it doesn't is beyond me! If you like to have a night out, loud dj music, amazing food, and a party atmosphere but still with seating, you will love this spot. I so badly wish I had a Balos where I lived because I would be there every weekend! The only complaint I have is the bathroom situation. The line gets incredibly long and it's a shared bathroom with men and women. Nonetheless, the napkin party they have in the late evening down to the great servers and drinks makes up for it. read more
Balos Estiatorio! First Bookmark checked off for 2025! Yelpies know that my Big Spoon is the bestest foodie partner! He always picks the BEST restaurants to eat at. I love me some him! He's perfect in every way imaginable! (Shameless appreciation post to him, he's so deserving.) Let's get into it! Appetizer: Crab cake - Delicious! Absolutely delicious! Main Entrees: My perfect partner got the lamb chops, they were great! I got the Lobster Pasta and it was delicious! Even better the next day! Definitely had leftovers. Drinks: My Babe picked the VIP for us, they were delicious. Service: Our waiter was super cool! Service from staff was great. One note, other reviews stated that the men at the door open and closed the door for them but my Handsome did the work for us. Not sure if it was too cold for them to do it but odd to have two men at the door just standing there if they are not there to open and close the door for guest. Ambiance: Super pretty from the outdoor entrance to the inside. Very very beautiful, decor is eclectic. The restrooms are unisex but gorgeous, I know, but seriously clean and decorated just as beautiful as the dining room. Kudos to whomever is responsible for this design! Definitely recommend! Couldn't give them 5 stars as I feel the two front door men not opening the door was a miss and also no manager presence. I'm BIG on manager presence. There are way too many restaurants in the DC area, the ones I frequent are the ones where manager presence is there, genuine, and welcoming. It's basic customer service, I'm coming into your home, greet me, love me, and make me feel welcome. Always a sure way to get me back and quickly! read more
2 years ago
Not what I initially planned for our 1st date night of 2025, however, this was the nicest pivot move I've done since I could dunk a basketball.. Lol! Balos was in my bookmarks so I was coming, I just didn't know when. On a cold Jan. 3rd, we warmed right up as soon as we entered and observed this beautiful restaurant. Once you enter, the huge bar lounge area is to the right but because we were on time, we didn't get to pre-game there like we would normally do. We were immediately seated eventhough it was pretty crowded given the snowy weather. Our server was super cool and accommodating. He was prompt and explained the menu like a true expert. He almost had me buying the 30oz Waygu Tomahawk but she's never that hungry to share such a masterpiece! I settled for the delicious lamb chops while she went for the lobster pasta. Pasta is her thing and she loved it. We both ordered the "VIP" for our cocktail and those things were addicting (strong and flavorful). The crab cakes that we ordered for our appetizer made us compare them to Ouzo Bay's in Bmore they were so good! I highly recommend Balos Estiatorio for your next fine dining experience.. You will absolutely love that you did!! read more
3 months ago
Went for a night out to celebrate my sister's bday and had an amazing time. Warning up front, it's loud, but we knew that going in. We made the reservation that day (luckily there was a cancellation) and Ollie was very helpful and recommended we come for the napkin toss. Our server was the sweetest, gave great recommendations, and was very attentive, I wish I remembered her name. Now to the food- We had the hummus, Lamb Youvetsi, Black Sea Bass, and Greek Lemon Potatoes for dinner. For drinks, a Summer Peach Mule, Island Passion, Cuvee Les Chailloux, Cherrier, 2023, and a Chocolate Martini. Absolutely no notes on the food, the lamb and fish were cooked and seasoned perfectly and we both had to take half home from being so stuffed. The lemon potatoes were a perfect side dish but barely got touched due to the amount of food on the table. I would skip the cocktails and go for their great wine selection and maybe finish the night with one of their espresso martinis. read more
More info about Balos Estiatorio
1940 N St NW
Washington, DC 20036
Dupont Circle, Downtown
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(202) 952-1174
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http://balosrestaurants.com
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