I visited Myste for a private event, and while the space itself is very aesthetically pleasing, the…read moreoverall experience was disappointing, mainly due to the food and service. The lounge is on the smaller side, which actually worked well for the event and gave it an intimate vibe. The owner was also very nice and welcoming, which I appreciated. Unfortunately, that's where the positives ended. The menu is extremely limited, and you pretty much have to piece together a meal from a few items. I ordered the jollof rice and six-piece chicken wings. The wings were overpriced, overcooked, and had no flavor at all. The only options were sauces on the side (honey, ranch, or blue cheese), and when I specifically asked for honey drizzled on top with blue cheese on the side, that request wasn't followed. Even more frustrating, our server never came back to check on us or make sure everything was okay. The jollof rice was honestly the worst part. Instead of that rich, smoky flavor you'd expect, it tasted burnt with a harsh charcoal aftertaste. I've had jollof rice many times before, and this was nowhere close. I ended up sending it back. Because I was hungry, I forced myself to eat the wings, even though they were dry and lacked flavor. Overall, Myste Lounge has a nice look and potential, but the food and service really need improvement. A revamped menu and better attention to guests would make a huge difference.

Went to Myste Lounge with my boo thang on a Thursday night, and Thursdays are R&B night so it was…read moredimly lit, the playlist was smooth, and the vibes were definitely vibey . Service was great considering the place is small, it's hard to miss customers. It's a small hookah lounge in downtown Laurel, so don't expect a ton of space, but it's still a nice little spot to unwind after a long day or make a chill after-dinner stop. Hookah was smooth and the atmosphere was laid back. They do sell food, but we didn't try it this time. My only downside is the drink menu, it's mostly wine and champagne but overall it's a place I could see myself frequenting.

Food: The seafood okra I highly recommend, it's flavorful,…read morerich and so good! A lot of people like the indomie which is like a dry pho. The suya is what Mason is mostly known for. Service: The girls are pretty and usually attentive. The owner is really nice. He takes pride in his spot and treats all customers the same. Ambiance: Not a fan of the wallpaper downstairs but it's a nice size for it to be a restaurant then a club. They also have an upstairs but DJs are on both floors. Music is always good, Mason has the best DJs playing afrobeats, gogo, American and even Hispanic music. This is great spot if you want to just come to eat and hangout or have a night out that's not in dc.

We stopped by this restaurant after another event. It's a NO for me…read more Ambiance: looked cheap, tables and seating were dirty. The bathrooms were unkempt with no toilet paper or paper towels. Also, I am not a fan of the location either. However, the music was good. One reason why I give the place, 1 star. Service: okay. Our waitress was fine. She was the only one working at the time, so she was able to handle the small crowd. Food: I only liked the wings. It was well seasoned and cooked well-which is another reason why I give it 1 star. I had ordered the turkey wings and jollof rice. The turkey wings were too tough and dry. The Jollof rice was spicy and the grains were stale and tasted funny. I sent the food back and replaced it with only the chicken wings. The waitress shared that the place is Nigerian owned, so I was expecting better tasting food. I would NEVER return or recommend it. The place was practically empty, and it was a bit late for a Saturday night. Overall, it just looked dirty and dingy.

The Sky Lounge is a nice hookah lounge. Ambiance is great, and there is a lot of seating…read more Our hostess, Sara was wonderful and very insightful. They are fairly new so there was not a real food menu, however the Baklava and ice cream was wonderful. We've been assured of a new food menu next month!! Baba, the owner, really sweet! Looking forward to coming back!!

Wow... where to begin... this was disappointing to say the least. We stood at the door and the…read morehostess came from behind us in the door and then told to sit anywhere we'd like and i'd understand if they were just opening but at this point when we visited they had already been open for hours so not quite sure why she walked in behind us. The actual hookah was mid at best for D.C I was expecting a lot better. Then when it came to the bill we were charged $4 for each bottle (of which we were not even told there was a charge at all for water, and no we did not specifically ask for a sealed bottle all we asked for was water the sever never said tap or bottled, she just automatically brought us sealed) when on the menu they were priced at $3.50 sure it's .50 but when there was five that .50 extra could have almost bought another bottle. Also when she brought the bill she did not even show the itemized bill at first all she showed was the tip screen which upon doing the math from what we ordered vs paid we realized the amount was way higher than what we got and so we asked for the copy of the receipt only to find out there was ALREADY a service charge on there of which was NOT a credit card charge because we paid in cash and when asked what the cash total was she told us $60.31 yet the copy showed the cash price was $57.91 also they charge for charcoal, what am i suppose to do bring my own charcoal? i've never had to pay extra for charcoal they just include it with hookah price, absolutely ridiculous. Not to mention the vibes in this place is like an absolute funeral, all the pictures made this place look so fun and great, but no it was worse than funeral. I felt even more so like i was at a funeral after I realized how badly my wallet was robbed. I will never come back here.

JCK has been on my list for a while to try; glad I finally stopped through for happy hour on a…read moreFriday. Their HH runs Mon-Fri from 5-7 and include 5-7 cocktails, beer, and wine that they offer at $2ish off the regular price. We stuck with the cocktails and had their Blue Lagoons (which are essentially electric blue vodka lemonades) for $8ish. They were tasty and after 2 of them, we were definitely ready to party. Next time, I want to try the rum punch for $10 - though I noticed the rum punch was premade (vs being made fresh per order). Unfortunately, there are no food offers on the happy hour. The spot was very empty when we arrived, maybe around 5.30p - there was one other couple enjoying time at the bar. Outside of the 8-10 bar seats, they have some lounge level seating, as well as more standard 4-top tables. At the very front of the area, is a small stage where DJ's and karaoke specialists set up. The food was really good; I had the curry chicken plate for $16ish and my girlfriend had the shrimp rasta pasta for $19ish. The food was very flavorful and came out piping hot from the kitchen. I'd get the curry again, for sure. The environment and vibe was the most enjoyable part of my visit; the hip hop and top40's music gave the place a great energy (but wasn't so loud that you couldn't chat. The bartenders were energetic, lively, and friendly. There seemed to be alot of regular patrons who knew each other and the bartenders - that's a really good sign. The star of the show was karaoke which started around 8 (when the bar was getting much more crowded). The karaoke host was great; she kept the group energized and led some karaoke style games and activities that I hadn't seen before. We ended up stay out way longer than expected because we were having such a nice time. I look forward to my next happy hour at JCK. Pro tip: It looks like they have coordinated, promoted parties twice a month on Fridays. And on the other Fridays, they have the 'standard' karaoke nights. Check their IG for the official, promoted parties.

This one slipped under my radar! If you know you know -- JCK is short for Jamaican Country Kitchen,…read morewhich happens to be right next door. I am no stranger to them, having seen their truck at Savor Bowie almost every single time I've gone. And I've driven by their brick-and-mortar multiple times, but never stopped. This one crossed my radar when my friend invited me to a soca party, and I was like "JCK Bar & Lounge? In Hyattsville? How have I never heard of that?" And now it all makes sense -- some time last year, Jamaican Country Kitchen expanded, and now they've got this place, DJ booth, dance floor, bar, lounge, restaurant, all in one. And I gotta say, it was a vibe. The staff was nice and I loved the decor and feel of the place. Bar was cozy and it was nice to be somewhere this late at night that still served authentic Caribbean food. They have happy hour, so I am going to have to return and get a deep dive on how they feel on a regular weekday after work. And I gotta see how their food compares to my other favorites nowadays!

I haven't been to Chef Tobias' restaurant in a long while, so I was excited to try 1123 and it did…read morenot disappoint. The decor was lovely and the ambiance represented an upscale experience in my opinion. They even offered free champagne and it was good! My friend and I tried: the Sticky Ribs Suya, Jerk-Braised Short Ribs with Curry Pea Risotto, Oxtail Mac & Cheese, and the Suya-Spiced Lamb Chops. All of the food was absolutely delicious, my only gripe would be that the lamb chops didn't come with enough green beans. The "Up All Night" (their version of an espresso martini) was also pretty good. Next time, I'd opt to get a traditional espresso martini though. Lastly, the service was outstanding. Our waitress was very kind, attentive, and timely. We even left her an extra tip. If I had to make a suggestion, the big ape could be moved elsewhere. It really does take up too much space.

I wanted to make one more visit to 1123 before they close their doors on August 31st. The…read morerestaurant is relocating to Miami, and unfortunately, its sister restaurant Huncho House closed a few months ago as well. Since I've enjoyed both restaurants, I definitely wanted to stop by 1123 one more time before they left. The restaurant is still beautifully decorated and has a really chill vibe. The music was mostly R&B, which fit the atmosphere perfectly. Service was still as great as I remembered it. Our waitress was friendly, very knowledgeable about the menu, and offered some great suggestions when I asked for recommendations. I started with the Laugh Now Cry Never cocktail, which kind of reminded me of a Painkiller. It was very fruity and very sweet, so it's one of those drinks where you need to be careful because it doesn't taste nearly as strong as it actually is. For an appetizer, we got the Jollof Rice Arancini. It was pretty good and definitely satisfying, although I thought it was a little dry and slightly overcooked. Even with that, I still enjoyed it and would probably order it again. My friend ordered the Oxtail Ramen. She thought it was okay overall, but the soy egg was aggressively salty. She had the Chicken Ramen back at 1123's soft opening phase and she enjoyed that one a little more. The Lobster Mashed Potatoes were still really good. They were very buttery and flavorful, and this was definitely one of the sides that stood out to me. The Oxtail Mac & Cheese was a first for me at 1123. I actually liked it much more than the version I had at Huncho House. I really enjoyed the pasta they used, and it was much cheesier. The Scallops with Crab Risotto was my absolute favorite. I'm not a huge scallop person, but I do love a good risotto, and the risotto is definitely the star of this dish. I will say I was slightly disappointed because I had this dish at Huncho House a couple of years ago, and the scallops were much bigger and tasted a little less fishy. Even so, the risotto was so good that the dish was still my favorite of the night. We also had the Plantain Bread Pudding for dessert, and it was delicious. I liked that it wasn't overly sweet, which can sometimes be an issue with bread pudding. It was a really nice way to end the meal. All in all, I'm really sad that 1123 is closing and moving out of state. Although I visit Miami occasionally, there are so many amazing restaurants there that I don't know if I would necessarily go out of my way to seek out a restaurant that I've visited a few times before. But I really enjoyed my experiences at 1123 and Huncho House, and I'm glad I was able to visit one more time before they closed. Best wishes to the 1123 team on their move to Miami. I'll really miss this place.

Stay AWAY! I put a down payment on a private event with the owner of the lounge, Nate. As the event…read moretime grew nearer, Nate stopped responding to calls and text messages. He took the downpayment and then ghosted. Nate also posts fake reviews online--so don't deal with this place.

I hosted a birthday event here and the venue was perfect! From the beginning, engaging with the…read moremanager, he was very informative and answered any questions I had. The venue is nicely decorated and even has a small upstairs lounge area. I'd highly recommend hosting an event here! They don't have a kitchen, so no food for purchase. But they do allow you to bring food for your event (with an additional fee).

So...I tend to stick to the rivers and the "lounges" that I'm used to. But I came here for my…read morefriend's birthday because she loves both "Tacos and Tequila" (which happened to be the name of last night's event). This was ON A TUESDAY (and that's relevant because I'm over 30 and it was a work-night lol). It wasn't necessarily my scene, but it may be yours, so I'll drop the bullet points so you can decide for yourself. -Small establishment with street parking (The outside is honestly a bit sketchy-looking.) -The crowd was mostly locals that really just wanted to have a good time. Many were dancing--which I always want when I go out. And the club started to fill up around midnight. It actually packed out!--Yes on a Tuesday! -The DJ played mostly hip hop & rap. -I didn't personally try the food, but friends thought the tacos (beef or chicken) were good except that the tortillas were falling apart. -There was a full bar & nice bartenders, but the drinks were strong--but NOT tasty. -Bottle girls? Um... -Single bathrooms that were clean -The turn-up? Real. --Oh and it was hella smoky. My throat was on fire when I left and the smell was all in my clothes and hair. I think that about covers everything. Happy hunting!

Was invited to come here for Taco's and Tequila. This place is definitely a hole in the wall, but…read moreworth the time if you like your everyday hoodrat type atmosphere. The bartender is OUTSTANDING! Beauitful, BIG BOOTY JUDY! She makes the BEST DRINKS!!!! Music was good. Looked like a strong party atmosphere. I will definitely be coming back!

Randomly stopped here looking for suya. The suya was perfect. The customer service was great too…read morePrecious was a pleasure to meet.

Egisu soup wasn't flavorful. Yam is a little on the softer side. 25 dollars. Do have the meat in…read morethem.

Society Seafood has officially revamped, renovated, and reopened with a refreshed concept centered…read morearound upscale coastal seafood and bold Caribbean-inspired flavors, so I had to check it out. We started with the Oysters Rockefeller, which were rich and flavorful, followed by the Grand Marnier Society Wings--a standout appetizer with a great balance of sweet and savory flavors. The Mac & Cheese was creamy and made for the perfect side. For our entrées, we ordered the Calypso Pan Seared Branzino and the Coconut Curry Snapper. Both dishes were served with vegetables of the day, rice and peas, and sweet plantains, creating a well-rounded and satisfying meal. The seafood was cooked well, and the Caribbean-inspired flavors added a unique twist to each dish. For drinks, we enjoyed The Pearl, the Lavender French 75, The Golden Hour, and an Old Fashioned. Each cocktail was well-crafted and paired nicely with the menu. We finished with the Warm Cookie Skillet, topped with vanilla bean ice cream and a caramel drizzle. It arrived warm, gooey, and was the perfect dessert to share. Beyond the food, the renovated space feels modern and inviting, making it a great option for date nights, celebrations, or a night out with friends. If you're looking for an elevated seafood experience with Caribbean-inspired flavors, Society Seafood is worth checking out.

Jerk branzino (spicy but too good. It's a whole fish, so please beware of the bones, love!)…read more This delicious cookie and ice cream skillet will def melt in your mouth Crab eggrolls Crab fried rice - i couldn't stop eating this paired well with the branzino & a lemon drop Mumbo wings (they are cooked in Grand Marnier, so if you don't drink alcohol, just a heads up to maybe try the jerk wings) Nice upscale vibe. Good service

This place is large but overpriced. Gloomy with no decor. These fools charged $45 to enter with no…read moreavailable seating unless you paid extra and to food was being prepared in the back alley (not kidding). Bathrooms dirty. Bartender complaining about being tired and didn't wanna be at work. I love byb and that was my purpose for going!

Please don't go to this place. Services deplorable. It's only cash to get in the door who carries…read morecash . Food was horrible as hell. Cooking in the back with no hair net guys i didnt see any hand sanitizer and watch him step to side to smoke then came back to served food with gloves. Secondly water down,drinks not to mention the waitress was rude. This place needs to go..