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!

Very delicious food, Grilled chicken & fish was my favorite! Great entertainment, great service!read more

I ordered via GrubHub their slab of smoked pork ribs and also smoked chicken wings. What I received…read morewas disgusting and went in the garbage. The soggy wings reeked of a chemical smell that I just can't get out of the house even though they were only in here about 10 minutes. The ribs were individual beef ribs, not a slab of pork ribs, and under cooked. Disgusting! Never again.

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.

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.

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.

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

This place was excellent. Good atmosphere…read more I had a duck with a glass of Chardonnay. It was superb. I will come again.

Whenever I'm in town I try to go somewhere new. This charming spot was calling my name. I…read moreabsolutely loved it here! It's a very small and charming location. The bar area seats about 7, I think. But that made visiting with the regulars so much more intimate. The staff there were absolutely amazing!! They were so friendly and welcoming and assisted me with my choices. I got the muscles which came with truffle fries. I only had one fry and it was great but I ate all those muscles myself. Mmmm. So yummy!! The drinks were fabulous as well! I will absolutely be back. I'm really enjoying the adventures.

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.

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

What a great addition to the type of cuisine in the area! Silk Road is so lovely. One part of the…read morerestaurant is polished with nice decor, and the other still has a a display counter for take out orders and has a pastry shop feel. The food is great, with the standouts being the cold skin noodles (such a unique flavor!), falafel, and of course their honey cake and Turkish tea. If not anything else, come here for that cake and tea. The honey cake flavor builds as you eat it... really good and tastes like you are eating honey comb. We opted for vegetarian today, but will certainly be back to try the meat dishes. The absolute best thing about Silk Road is the staff. The staff is so friendly, accommodating, and hardworking. I never saw anyone at rest, but it wasn't in a chaotic way that made you feel hurried. Love this place.

The food at this place is very good. I have been there 2 times. This would have received a 5th…read morestar, but unfortunately the service here is lacking. The first time I came here I had fried cornish game hen. It was small but quite good, fried but not greasy. I also tasted some of my fiance's food and it was good too. Next time I had the borscht with beef and that was very good. The breads there are also great. The next time I opted for the Khachapuri. This is a rather large boat of dough, baked with cheese and an egg on top. Now to be fair I think this is a Georgian dish, so who knows if they make it better. The bread was decent, but I guess I was expecting more from the cheese. It wasn't bad but wasn't great, it just had a very mild flavor.