Our company division recently hosted a team offsite in the DMV area, and to encourage us to meet…read morenew colleagues, we were placed into small groups of 10-12 people where a local colleague selected a restaurant for the group. I chose Ambar for my group, and I'm very pleased with our selection. Food Most of our group had dietary restrictions. Several of us were gluten free, and one person was both nut and seafood free. Ambar did an excellent job curating a menu that worked for everyone without making anyone feel like an afterthought. We opted for the Chef's Table experience, which included a spread tasting with veggie sticks and a variety of dishes that were clearly labeled and thoughtfully prepared: * Bean hummus - GF / DF / NF * Ajvar - GF / DF / NF * Balkan salad - GF / DF / NF (one prepared without feta cheese) * Baby carrots - GF / DF / NF (one prepared without tofu sauce) * Roasted peppers - GF / DF / NF * Cauliflower - GF / DF / NF * Baked beans - GF / DF / NF * Roasted lamb - GF / DF / NF * Stuffed pork belly "Sarma" - GF / DF / NF * Brussels sprouts - GF / DF / NF (one prepared without yogurt and bacon) * Seafood platter Everything was flavorful, well-seasoned, and beautifully presented. The meal was so delicious that I didn't even manage to get photos of everything, which rarely happens for me. Just know we dined very well and left completely satisfied. Service The staff was wonderful from start to finish. From the event team member who served as our account manager, to the chef, to the servers and wait staff, everyone was attentive and accommodating. They handled our dietary needs with care and professionalism and made sure our group felt taken care of throughout the evening. Pricing We paid a set fee that we were able to negotiate, and the final rate wasn't too bad for a group experience like this. Just keep in mind that there is an admin fee, a 20% gratuity, and taxes added on top, so be sure to factor that into your planning if you're booking a group event. Overall, I'd absolutely recommend Ambar for group dining, especially if you have guests with dietary restrictions. They made coordination easy, delivered great food, and created a memorable dining experience for our team.

We had an enjoyable experience. The all-you-can-eat small plate style is great for sharing with…read morefriends or family and trying a lot of different dishes. The food was overall tasty, especially the dips -- we all really enjoyed the beet dip, and I liked the fresh citrus balance in some of the spreads. The medium rare steak was also cooked well. Some other dishes like the shrimp and grits, sliders, and mac & cheese were more underwhelming and a little lacking in flavor. But overall a solid spot for to come with a group and a good way to try a variety of Balkan-inspired dishes.

Riley was attentive and a pleasure to have as a waitress. Food was amazing! Will come back againread more

The food was good, however the food was a bit late…read more Also, the manager personally apologized for the delay and provided us with complementary desserts which was very kind of him and we appreciated it Finally, the waiter was professional and explained the dishes when they came out An overall wonderful experience and good food and service

@lediplomatedc warm shrimp salad (of course) & Roast Beef with horseradish cream, on caraway…read morebaguette --- impeccable service, and vibes as usual it's very kind of them to split portions and plate separately for sharing!

Quite a famous and historic restaurant. In DC, so let's try it. It definitely stands out as you…read moreapproach it and you enter a very happening bar area. Very loud and electric atmosphere. They have a nice selection of cocktails and beer. The salade verte was artistically presented with radishes and a nice vinaigrette. It was topped with green beans which seemed a tad odd. French onion soup was a must try. It had a nice cheesy crust and croutons soaked in the soup. So classic and very tasty. The steak frites was also classic. The frites were tasty and crispy and the steak was cooked well. The steak was slightly small. The roasted salmon was cooked perfectly--very moist and a crisp skin. The fava beans and pea sauce was very creamy. The trout amandine was also cooked well with crispy skin. FYI It is cooked in a ton of butter. We did not order any of the dishes suggested by our waiter LOL, he steered us to the most expensive entrees. His service was quite good, perhaps a tiny bit snooty.

In all the years I've been to Belga, not once has it disappointed. The food is well prepared and…read morethoughtfully presented. The staff is attentive but not intrusive. The beer selection is well curated and served appropriately cold. We went for Easter brunch. The fresh fruit cover waffles were served with maple syrup and were delicious. The Green Eggs and bacon were a nice change of pace. We did have a small issue with the bill, but they took care of the problem quickly. Belga is a lively place.

Service: 5 stars. Ambience: 4 stars. Food: 3 stars. Go to Belga for the beer and the service. And…read moremaybe the brunch - where there are abundant waffles - since this is what they are most known for. When we went for dinner, before closing, they didn't offer waffles on the menu. These are only served at brunch. Check times first if you want waffles is what I'm saying. When I look at photos of this restaurant it must have undergone a redesign. I'm impressed with the photos of the outdoor decks and greenhouse. They look charming and cozy. The inside of Belga is completely modern and simple with a massive, gorgeous, antique round wall pendant upon entering. I think this exquisite piece of architecture has been there for at least 17 years judging by one Yelp photo. There is really not much else on their walls except for a gigantic high-gloss photo of an adorable baby pig's nose. The gorgeous miniature brass LED light in the foyer area adds much charm. The Belga Cafe beer and wine lists were impressive and exhaustive. The table of contents for their beer and wine list is 37 pages! Under beers, here are the categories: 1.) Gluten-free and Non-alcoholic 2.) Pilsners, white and golden ales 3.) Red & Brown Ales, Saison 4.) Exceptional Triples & Quadruples, Abbey 5.) Belgian Trappist 6.) Americans, Belgian Ale 7.) The Lambic Family, the Big Bottles. Humbling, as I have much to learn about beer. The Straffe Hendrick Tripel - "deep malt character, rum and pears" - was glorious. It was everything a beer should be and enough for me to order it as a second beer. Strong and malty. Blanche de Belga is my absolute favorite. It's a white beer with aromas of citrus fruit and notes of orange and lime. It's light and how I love a beer. This was my first choice. There was a rich, syrupy peach mel - Pêche Mel - beer I also enjoyed. I do not know if this peach mel was from Brasserie Dubuisson Frères sprl, Bush or Scaldis. The mussels were artfully presented - with gorgeous greens and onions - but the broth was maybe 1/4 or so of the portion. The mussels were delicious, though most fell out of the top layer. The selection of mayonnaise and butters served with our mussels was impressive. The French baguette - dusted with something that looked like green matcha powder - came with a basil butter. We actually couldn't taste the bacon notes, and he said it was bacon, but we enjoyed the basil. The baguette also came with seaweed butter. It was a surprising pairing with mussels, though interesting. I liked the complexity of the flavors in the seaweed butter, ultimately. The burger was monumental in height. We ordered it medium well but the meat had little moisture even for a well-cooked burger. In fact, it tasted sturdy and I was quickly thirsty after one bite. This $25 burger left me with more of a question than satisfaction. The service - however - was extraordinary! It was the best I've had in a very long time. The new manager is 5-stars by every definition. He delivered over and above what we asked for. He knew what he was doing. He surprised and delighted us with his gracious service. He made our experience memorable and I would go back for that level of service, the abundant selection of beer and to try the waffles at brunch!

This place is magic. The wine selection is tops. The…read morebartenders can make a mean martini And they have and I'm serious, the best shrimp taco in DC Enjoy!

We've walked past The Eastern multiple times without really noticing the entrance - we finally…read moreended up walking inside and had a phenomenal experience. Interior is cozy, nice warm colors with modern interior design - it was a full house when we fined in, but you could hear the person across from you just fine. Nice array of cocktails and a solid selection of wine. We had a pair of cocktails and a glass of wine each, nothing fell short. Food was in excellent serving sizes, well seasoned, cooked perfectly. We order a wide variety of the menu including the arancini, beet salad, and the lamb skewers. We'd happily eat all of it again. Overall a very satisfying experience, just down the street from us!

This is just such a lively restaurant on all fronts. The high ceilings and knickknacks they have…read morecollected over the years gives this historic home charm that you would like to see in a cuisine that has existed for quite some times. Dispelling the myth that French cuisine is pretentious, we felt like we were in a home, and that we would be fed full to the brim. Came in while it was packed late into the night. We were sat immediately and had a wonderful time. Our waitresses were patient and had great recommendations for our first time trying French food. They seem incredibly experienced and added comfort in the way they spoke to their customers and ran their tables. We were even greeted by the owner who was great and cheery to each table he visited. The one night we went, it was incredibly packed with people having intimate, lighthearted, and laughter-filled gatherings, tables with multiple rounds of wine, everyone sharing their fries, and so he should feel proud of this place. Touches like this made it as though we were dining in someone's house. And I love that they start you off generously with bread and butter. Its a type of french loaf that is nice and fluffy, and I'd recommend setting some on the side if you're ordering a brothy dish. We ordered Moules Marinières, which came in a delightfully large cauldron of juicy plump clean muscles swimming in an herbaceous-garlicky white wine sauce. Unassumable from the simplicity of ingredients they threw together, but incredibly complex in flavor. This is one of the few times I actually tasted bay leaf, and amongst the fewer times I found the use of rosemary not be so overpowering. The mussel liquor at the bottom was perfect when soaked up in bread. What an incredible dish. We also tried a classic, Le Steak Maison, which was also distinctively flavorful. Our steak had a perfect cook at medium rare, and was uniquely seasoned with some sort of blend of herbes de provence. The fries were pretty standard and substantial, but paired with the Béarnaise sauce, it was such a tangy play of richness and acidity. Again really simple ingredients just executed so well. Great job, looking forward to coming again to try more on this large menu.

I wouldn't go back. Food was fine, service was pretty awful. Not attentive, and not even friendly…read more Then the check came: -5% surcharge -20% tip added automatically -Additional tax on the tip?!?! -Tax on the rest of it What?! That's enough to drive me away, I don't know any other restaurant that does that and it seems petty. I would not recommend.

We always enjoy going to Bistro Cacao. The biggest plus is the highly appealing decor. It's unique…read morebecause of its colorful & unusual light fixtures as well as the fact that many of the tables are cozy because they have curtains that separate them from all the other tables. On our most recent visit we discovered an appetizer that we liked very much. It's called spicy shrimp & it's very tasty as well as large enough to share. I wasn't thrilled, though, with my entree. The beef bourguignon wasn't as flavorful as I'd hoped. It also was disappointing because it didn't include any carrots.

I love it here. It's a quaint, French restaurant with amazing food. It's a two story restaurant…read morewith indoor and outdoor seating. I came here with friends for brunch. They have an a la carte menu or three course brunch, and you can add on bottomless mimosas. The food did not disappoint! Their escargot is some of the best of I've had in DC. Their steak frites were perfectly cooked and I'm a sucker for shoestring fries. For dessert I ordered the crème brûlée. This was their only fault. I think the pan was too deep and not wide enough as the consistency was not on par with standard crème brûlée.

Chloe was incredible. It is definitely more upscale and the prices reflect that, but the food…read morereally delivered. We started with olives, pickled peppers, garlic bread, and fingerling potatoes. The olives were great because each one tasted distinct, and the peppers had a lot of flavor. The garlic bread was crispy and went well with the neutral olive oil. The potatoes were crispy, salty in the right way, and came with a good aioli. I also liked that they were pre-cut or slightly smashed, which felt like a thoughtful touch. The steak with noodles was excellent. It was more like tender beef than a traditional steak, but the marinade was so flavorful. The lemongrass, garlic chili, basil, and Thai flavors worked really well, and the sauce was amazing without being overwhelming. The whole fish was my favorite dish. It was tender and fresh inside, but incredibly crispy outside. You could actually hear the crunch when cutting into it. The tomatillo salsa was genius, fresh, a little grassy, and perfect with the lightly salty, buttery rice. The salmon with yogurt and pepper was also very well done and had great crunch. The fried oyster was delicious too, with cornbread and a beautiful presentation on rocks. The only dish that felt a little plain was the shrimp with Thai curry, which was fine but not as special as everything else. Service was great, the ambiance felt fancy, and overall I loved this place. The prices are upscale, but the food is incredible.

Casual neighborhood vibe - great outdoor atmosphere although the best seat is at the bar where you…read morecan see the kitchen prep the most delectable sharables. Friendly for dg owners, great service, and fresh, tasty food carefully curated. The spices are creatively woven into the Newell plated dishes. Great for groups, take out and for a local meal. Vegan options! My favs by far - the penne pasta with pork ragout, and the Flat iron Minute Steak with shiitakes and the caramelized Cauliflower.

Big fan of the Betsy! I have been dying to try it since I am a huge Gin fan and I had heard it was…read morea Gin bar. I can confirm that the drinks are delicious as is the food. While I love a good Gin cocktail, oddly Gin and Tonics are not my favorite, well that was until I had an Earl Grey Gin and Tonics from the Betsy. It was incredible, highly highly recommend!! Very much looking forward to going back and trying more of their cocktails.

I came here with some friends for birthday drinks and it was nice! It was a chilly night and the…read moresliding door doesn't fully close but they have multiple space heaters. It's a very cozy space but they were able to accommodate 6 of us. I'm still confused about the chicken theme! I wish it was explained somewhere on the menu or website but the chicken decor was wild. They are mainly a gin bar which I loved! We all tried the happy cocktail which is bartender's choice. The day we went was a pink citrus creation and it was delish. There were only two bartenders working but they had our drinks out quick and were attentive! This would definitely be a cute bar for a cozy date or a summer night.

Terrific sit down dinner with friends and colleagues at the 2026 international cleaning advocacy…read moremeeting. A fine variety of foods to choose from so kicked things off with a nice healthy green salad, including mixed greens, asparagus, snap peas, chives, with green goddess dressing. Tonight's entrée was the beef bourguignon. short rib that melted in your mouth. Add in mushrooms laden with pommes purée. served from a super friendly waiter who paid just the right amount of attention to us. They had a house favorite dessert, which was flourless chocolate cake. It doesn't go with my eating healthy, but based on the healthy dinner tonight, I indulged. The dessert... decadent

Kicked off my visit to D.C. with the cutest little breakfast at this French bistro right in our…read morehotel... it was a lovely way to start the trip! The decor was right up my alley: gorgeous details, stunning florals, absolutely beautiful. We both went with the Plat Américain, a classic breakfast with eggs, bacon, crispy fingerlings, and a croissant. A simple but solid choice! The croissant especially was so soft and fluffy, thoroughly enjoyed that. I ordered an iced latte and asked for it to be sweetened, but it came out pretty punchy... I don't think the sweetener made it in! If you're into a strong, bold latte you'll love it, but if you like yours on the sweeter side, just make sure to double check with your server. The manager also stopped by our table mid-meal which was a nice touch, super friendly and personable. It was a pleasure!