We had such a fun night at ZOOZ for their comedy night, and it was such a great addition to The…read moreWharf! The host, Uncle Ant, did a great job keeping the energy up. There was a great lineup of comedians, Myss Brown Sugga went last and was outrageous and hysterical! I love that they are taking the comedy night to the next level. Starting with the next show (August 26) it's becoming Comedy Competition, with a different lineup for each show. Guests will vote for their favorite comedians, with cash prizes for the winners, plus half-off wine (yassssss). ZOOZ has a really sexy, cool cocktail-garden atmosphere that makes it a great place for a night out. Our server was very good, the food was good, and the cocktails were excellent. And the location at The Wharf is perfect--you can make a whole evening of it by grabbing dinner and drinks, catching the comedy show, then walking along the river, enjoying the swings on the pier, and taking in everything else the Wharf has to offer. We're definitely looking forward to coming back for the next show!!

When I heard that this was the after party for the event ceremony I was a part of, I was pretty…read moreexcited. But upon arrival, I realized that they changed a few things. They had a late night happy hour that was really the allure for random weeknights, and I thought it it made them stand out among others in the area. Unless it's some secret menu item now (I don't think it is), the late night happy hours gone. But this was the most full I had seen ZOOZ, and I was so happy for them. But it didn't seem like they were :/. All the times I have been here, I had always said to myself that I wish they were more crowded because people are missing out. But something was up with the staff that night, and I couldn't help but wonder what was going on! Between the lack of happy hour and the staff, the vibe was off, completely. Maybe I would stop in during when they're happy hour actually is now, but otherwise I wouldn't be back.

Realm Rooftop & Lounge is truly a hidden gem in DC! The atmosphere is elevated, stylish, and…read morewelcoming, with a beautiful rooftop setting and a great vibe. The brunch was a highlight! I had the shrimp and grits and really appreciated that they were able to accommodate me by substituting chicken sausage. The French toast was delicious, the breakfast potatoes were perfectly prepared, and the breakfast salad added a fresh touch to the meal. The cinnamon roll topped with blueberries and the lemon cream from my french toast was a mouth party. Definitely a standout! Between the food, atmosphere, service, and overall experience, Realm is a great destination for brunch, a celebration, date day, or simply enjoying DC from a rooftop. I'll definitely be back!

3/5 Realm Rooftop…read moreLounge is one of those places where the ambiance is doing some very heavy lifting. The views are stunning, the music is on point, and the vibe has all the ingredients for a great night out. Unfortunately, the service and operations left a lot to be desired. We stopped by after dinner for a nightcap, and honestly, the experience got off to a rocky start before we even made it upstairs. One member of our group was denied entry because his denim shorts were cut off, which is fair enough if that's the dress code. He went home, changed, and returned, so crisis averted. Once we got upstairs, however, the confusion continued. We asked both the bar back and a server whether we could seat ourselves in the bar area, and neither person seemed to know the answer. After a brief game of "Who's on First?" , we tracked down the hostess, who informed us that yes, we could sit wherever we wanted. Great! Or so we thought. After taking a seat, we spent several minutes watching our server walk past us repeatedly without acknowledging our existence. At some point, the men in our group decided to do what apparently needed to be done and headed to the bar to order drinks themselves. Now, here's where I have to give credit where it's due: the drinks were excellent. We ordered the Purple Rain, Island Spritz, Casa del Fuego, and a tequila soda water, and every single one delivered. The bartender clearly knows how to make a cocktail. Unfortunately, she also seemed like she'd rather have been literally anywhere else. The drinks were enthusiastically slammed onto the bar with an energy that suggested we'd personally inconvenienced her by ordering them. Despite all of that, the ambiance truly is fantastic. The DJ was spinning an excellent set and created the perfect soundtrack for a summer night in DC. The rooftop views are gorgeous and absolutely worth experiencing at least once. Unfortunately, Mother Nature was operating on "surface of the sun" settings that evening, so spending too much time outside wasn't an option. At the end of the day, Realm has all the makings of a great rooftop destination: beautiful views, strong cocktails, and good music. What it's missing is a smooth operational flow and staff who seem interested in providing hospitality. Would I return? Yes--but I'd give them some time to work out the kinks. The potential is absolutely there. As I always say: I'm not difficult to please. I just have standards.

I visited Isla on Friday night of CBC weekend to celebrate my best friend's birthday. This was my…read moresecond visit, and after such an amazing experience the first time around, I genuinely couldn't wait to return. We had reservations but were seated rather abruptly. Nevertheless, our server, Geo, was personable, knowledgeable, and had great energy and recommendations. There was a well-known tennis player seated at the table beside us, and between the VIP attention and what I imagine was an overwhelming CBC weekend crowd, a few things fell short. We understood the circumstances and continued enjoying our evening. Now, the food? Absolutely no complaints! We ordered the Scallion Bread, Crab ISLA Patties, Fire Grilled Branzino, Smoked Chargrilled Chicken, BBQ Greens, and Mac Pie. Every single dish was delicious. No notes for the kitchen! The chef even made a point to circulate throughout the restaurant and check in on us, which was a thoughtful touch that I genuinely appreciated. They also surprised my best friend with complimentary ice cream for her birthday, which was such a sweet gesture! Between the delicious food, the atmosphere, Geo's personable service and great recommendations, and the chef taking the time to engage with guests, there was a lot to love about our evening. Unfortunately, the drinks were another story. Our first round of cocktails was ordered directly from the menu. For our second round, I requested a Don Julio Reposado lemon drop. After a lengthy wait, the drink arrived, and I immediately noticed that the color looked off. I tasted it and questioned whether it was actually reposado. I asked Geo if he had specified reposado, and he confirmed that he had. I didn't want to make a fuss, so I let it go. Geo ultimately comped that round due to the delay, which we appreciated. Later, we ordered shots of Don Julio Reposado. The pours were generous, but once again, the tequila did not appear to be reposado. I pointed out the color to Geo under the light, and he assured me that he had personally watched the bartender pour from the bottle. At this point, I was frustrated. I knew what I ordered, and I felt like I was being convinced to question something I was certain about. But it was my best friend's birthday, the restaurant was busy, and we were having a good time otherwise. I wasn't interested in making a scene. When the bill arrived, we appreciated that a round of drinks had been removed. The manager, Kellen, came over to check on us following the delays. We explained that while we had enjoyed ourselves overall, we were disappointed that we had repeatedly requested reposado but appeared to have been served blanco. To his credit, Kellen immediately sprung into action. He went to the bar himself, retrieved the bottle of Don Julio Reposado, and personally poured us shots. The difference in color was immediately apparent. I showed Geo the shot and said, "THIS is reposado!" I genuinely appreciated Kellen's response and his effort to make things right. He listened to our concerns and took action without hesitation. I also want to be very clear that this review is not a reflection of Geo's overall service. He was personable, attentive, and contributed to us having an enjoyable evening. I don't know where the breakdown happened between our order being placed and the drinks being prepared, and I'm not going to place blame on someone without knowing. **My issue is simple: Give me what I ordered. And if there's a mistake, acknowledge it. Don't repeatedly assure me that I'm receiving something when there's a legitimate reason to question it.** When a guest specifically requests a premium spirit, they should be able to trust that they're receiving what they asked for. It's not even about the money as much as it is about honesty and the integrity of the experience. I understand that CBC weekend is an exceptionally busy time in DC, and I wasn't expecting perfection. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was enjoyable, Geo brought great energy, the chef made an effort to connect with guests, the birthday ice cream was a lovely surprise, and Kellen genuinely tried to make things right. My first visit to Isla was exceptional, which is exactly why I was so excited to return. I genuinely wanted to love my second experience just as much. Unfortunately, the situation with the drinks left a disappointing impression on an otherwise enjoyable birthday celebration. I hope this was simply an off night, because there was a lot to love about our experience. I just wish I hadn't left questioning something as basic as whether I was being served what I ordered.

It went well! Gio…read moreour server went above and beyond for our party of seven. We were there to celebrate a birthday in the party (LETS GO LIBRA!) Any who we had quite a variety of patties (crab and that green sauce is all love! Oxtail was cool) I ordered the red snapper as an entree, unfortunately it tasted like nothing but salt, however the lamb chops, brazino and lobster over pilaf was A1. Sides of BBQ greens, rice, mashed potatoes, the mac and cheese brick (looks are deceiving) we're equally delicious . Drinks, ehhhh pass pre-game if you need cause - no. Great experience, location, price point and flavoooorrrr. I'd go back for the lamb chops, alone! You should visit too

Visited last night with friends and it was an amazing experience from start to finish! The whole…read moreplace is a vibe! The jerk lamb chops and the escoveitch fish were OUTSTANDING!!!!!! Big-ups to Milli the GM that when above and beyond to make our experience such a great one. We WILL be back!

Port Royal has officially become my new go-to spot in DC!…read more I met friends here for dinner this week and ended up staying for hours, ordering more food and drinks because everything was THAT good. The staff are incredibly welcoming, attentive, and genuinely warm. I came back today specifically for the jerk snapper and rum punch because I could not stop thinking about them. Both were delicious! I just messaged friends arriving this weekend from London and Senegal and told them they absolutely have to come here for dinner. That's how much I loved this place! Great food, great drinks, and exceptional hospitality. I'll definitely be back!

Veriety of great African specialties from west Africa to central Africa. great service provided by…read morecaring staff. Nice and cosy environment. I would recommend it for bday and other celebrations. Shout out to GG ;) She took good care of us when we visited.

Stopped by The Continent during CBC Week 2026 for networking, and the entire experience was a vibe!…read more The atmosphere was beautiful and energetic, perfect for connecting and enjoying the evening. The service was welcoming and attentive, and the food definitely added to the experience. From the seasoned wings to the cocktails, everything was flavorful and beautifully presented. Great food. Great atmosphere. Great connections. The Continent was a great backdrop for an evening of networking, conversation, and building new relationships during CBC Week

SOST DC!!! COME TO THE FRONT...I finally made it to the Coffee & Private morning party, and I had…read moresuch a good time. Who knew I'd be dancing so hard before noon with a Honey Latte in my hand? The venue is much bigger than it looks from the outside, with plenty of seating spread across two levels. Instead of the typical trendy coffee shop aesthetic, the space embraces its Ethiopian roots with beautiful artwork and striking images throughout the restaurant. It creates a warm, inviting atmosphere that feels unique. The staff was friendly from the moment we walked in, and the service was excellent throughout our visit. I ordered the Honey Latte with almond milk...twice. It was that good. My friend went a different route and had a couple of espresso martinis, which she really enjoyed. Honestly, the other ladies in our vicinity were also raving about their food and drinks. My friend and I ordered the chicken and waffles with fries, and everything came out hot, fresh, and flavorful. Definitely exceeded my expectations. The portion sizes were huge so we were able to share it comfortably. One thing I really appreciated was the layout. There are plenty of clean, spacious restrooms on both levels, so even with a packed event, there was never much of a wait. Now let's talk about the party...the Amapiano and Afro-House music were HITTING. The DJs kept the energy up from start to finish, and the crowd was right there with them. It was such a refreshing change from the usual late-night scene. An early morning party with great coffee, delicious food, and nonstop Amapiano???? Say less...I wasn't sure what to expect, but it absolutely worked. I also love supporting Black-owned businesses, and SOST is proudly Ethiopian-owned. I'll definitely be back, for another Honey Latte, the food, and hopefully the next Coffee & Private event.

1 Star Extremely…read moredisappointing experience at SOST during Black Yacht Club Weekend. I was cursed out by the manager simply for asking for a napkin. I then requested to speak with the owner, who made me feel as though I was wrong for even bringing the complaint forward and asked, "What do you want me to do about it?" What makes this even more concerning is that we were professional adults attending an event not intoxicated or disorderly guests. I later learned from a fellow professional who attended the same event that his colleague was also kicked out that night without explanation. The level of hospitality was extremely distasteful. I will not return and cannot recommend SOST based on my experience

Fraiche DC was AMAZING! The service, the vibe, the music and the FOOD! Everything was on point…read more We started with the oxtail meatballs and they were so good we literally ordered a second round! I had the Golden Noodles with salmon and shrimp and Brussel sprouts, and my husband had the Jalapeño Jam Burger and oysters. And because clearly we weren't ready for it to end, we took home the mac & cheese and Old Bay wings for my daughter to experience which she also gave a thumbs up! Y'all... it was ALL amazing! Great food, great atmosphere, and an overall great experience. We can't wait to go back! Highly recommend!

Fraiche DC is a cute and unique spot. I'd describe it as casual dining with well-prepared comfort…read morefood. The space has an urban aesthetic and plays R&B music. It gives a bit of a nightclub with food feel. Your liking of the atmosphere/vibe will depend on your personality! I stopped by for an early Saturday dinner without a reservation and was able to sit at the bar. The bartender was a little slow, but I appreciated that he acknowledged it and made up for it with some fantastic cocktails. I ordered the salmon entrée which was prepared perfectly. There is a 20% service fee on all checks. Overall, I enjoyed the food and cocktails and thought it was a cool spot to check out!

I tried the ND Salmon Cakes & Eggs and opted for egg whites. The salmon cakes were really good and…read moreflavorful, and I shared a side of waffles, which was the perfect addition. They also offer bottomless mimosas for $30, which is definitely a nice brunch option! Overall, the food was good and I'd order the salmon cakes again. Ben's is always a favorite!

I went to Ben's Next Door for happy hour with my girlfriend, and the place was a whole vibe! The…read moremusic was loud, the energy was great, and the drinks were definitely strong--three drinks in, and I was loving life! We ordered two servings of the jerk wings, which were spicy, flavorful, and easily some of the best jerk wings I've had in DC. We also tried the shrimp deviled eggs, and they were amazing. The shrimp on top was perfectly seasoned and crispy, and all the flavors came together beautifully. It has been a while since my visit, but I still remember having a wonderful time. I only wish they still had the mac and cheese--it used to be a banger!