What an experience. I really wish this restaurant was in Gaithersburg. But maybe if it was it…read morewouldn't be as special. Sunday was my first time trying this restaurant and it was great. My friends suggested that we dine here for restaurant week which was a sweet idea. As soon as we walked in we were greeted by the friendly hostess who took us to our seats. Then our waiter explained the menu and gave us some time to decided what menu we wanted to order from (Restaurant week brunch menu or regular menu). We chose the brunch menu. For the brunch menu we were able to choose a appetizer, entree, and a dessert for $35.00. Not too bad. For drinks I ordered PIRATE PRINCESS which was Ron del Barrilito 2 Star Puerto Rican rum, passionfruit, miso honey, lime, and togarash. It was a perfect balance of sweetness and a little bitterness. For food we ordered the shrimp and corn patties, and the pan roasted salmon. The shrimp and corn patties were delicious. It was packed with multiple flavors and it was seasoned really well. The pan roasted salmon was cooked to perfection. It was flaky, and seasoned very well. It came with Ramen noodles that I thought were going to be temperature hot however, they came room temperature which was fine. They were seasoned very well. The ambiance was very nice. It gave like 1950's/ 1970's vibe. Old marble tables, antique pictures on the walls. It seemed like the building use to be a house prior to it becoming a restaurant. It was a great time. If you are in the Hampden area I recommend giving this restaurant a try. I am looking forward to visiting again for dinner. Cheers!!

WOW! If I could leave a one word review this would it WOW. I am going to be honest, a friend…read moresuggested The Duchess to meet for dinner and I looked at the menu and decided I would just order fish and chips because it was the only thing on the menu I actually knew what it was but boy am I glad that I took a chance and tried something that I had never heard of before! But before we get to the food let me start with the customer service from the second you arrive and the young man working valet parked our car to the second he brought it back you felt like you were a VIP. The valet, the host, the servers and the managers all make you feel like you're the most important guest in the building, regardless of how many other guests and parties are there. I was impressed with the service and felt so cared for and the server answered all of our questions and explained everything in great detail so I knew exactly what I was getting. And the atmosphere is one in a million, I felt like I was at a neighborhood hangout but also eating in a royal dining room. I love the attention to detail. So now to the food + drinks. I am not a drinker so I asked for mocktail recommendations and ended up with the POG it was served in a SPAM can and was so delicious it was passion fruit, orange and guava drink and was not just delicious but also beautiful! Now to the appetizer we ordered Spam Musubi and it felt like an explosion in my mouth, it was so delicious and like nothing I've ever tasted. For dinner, I had a delicious dish Gochujang Tteokbokki again melt in my mouth deliciousness and not something I would have ever thought to order. We ended the meal with dessert we ordered one of everything and shared and there wasn't a crumb left. If I could give them 10++ stars I would and this will definitely be a return place for us! I am so glad that I was able to try foods I wouldn't normally eat, but also experience upscale service in a neighborhood vibey space! Keep up the good work, Duchess!

Great service and AWESOME whiskey selection! You have got to check this place out! The food…read moreselection is really good as well.

Been here twice and both times loved it. It does get crowded but thankfully they have additional…read moreseating upstairs. Their whiskey cocktails are delicious and food was good. Definitely will go back when craving a night out with a whiskey cocktail.

The most amazing crab cakes!! It's very much a dark dive bar, but the service was great, and the…read morebeer was cold!

Amazing sliders and one of the best cheesesteaks we've had - compares to Philly !!…read more Coleslaw & fries were okay. great spot to host friends on a chill night !

We are always looking for some good pizza and Raffy's has made the list. We got artichokes,…read morepepperoni pizza, the goat pizza, a side of spicy ranch as well as some drinks. The artichokes were nothing special, I'd skip those next time. The pizza was delicious. Thin, crispy, and very nice sauce flavor and toppings. The side of spicy ranch had a kick to it. We were the only ones there at the time but the service was on top of it. She was nice and attentive. Id definitely come back and try other flavors. They do specials and offer a thursday date night deal.

Checked out the menu outside and saw their date night special for Thursday - it was Thursday! An…read moreappetizer, a pizza, and two cocktails for $45! We were greeted quickly and told to sit anywhere we waited. The restaurant was very well lit and decorated. I really enjoyed the atmosphere. The server was newer but very nicem she greeted us with a pitcher of water, concerning it was a very hot day this certained earned some points! We had some questions about out the menu and she asked the nearby bartender which was really helpful. We got the cocktail of the month and the brown derby. Both excellent and well made. Next we ordered the honey old bay wings. They were very salty, we asked for more honey and that helped a lot. Lastly we got the mushroom onion pizza. This was delicious and full of shrooms. A really great date night, I'm excited to return to try more!

Huge open space with tables, a bar, and small bites. There is also a beer garden outside space for…read morenice weather. Came here for a meetup with friends and had a blast! There are so many beers to choose from and I got the Zadie's Lager on draft (which was a delicious light beer). They have windows into the brewing area which looks super cool, and they brew a lot of the beers on site! I ended up getting a six-pack of Mountain Girl beers to take home. Staff was quick and friendly. It was busy for a Friday night and there were some kids running around and being obnoxious, but other than that we had a great time. This is the perfect spot for an event or meet up with lots of friends. The space is huge!!

i've been here several times and had a good experience during all of them. their take on a mule is…read morereally tasty and well balanced. i'm not much of a beer person, but their draft cider was incredibly dry (to the point it tasted like wine to me). not my cup of tea but could be someone else's. i also got the hummus and veggie wrap and soba noodle salad. the hummus and veggie wrap (not pictured) is pretty good and refreshing. i would say the same for the soba noodle salad. nothing mind blowing but for food at a brewery i'm not mad. their fries are cooked very well (though underseasoned). during the day there are far more kids that hang around, and it gets quite busy at night (especially on weekends). there is a really nice outdoor area to hang out in when the weather is nice. they have some fun activities, including a cute little vending machine with mystery packs in it. overall a fun time!

I had a shared guacamole dip and a drink while waiting for my lunch. Both were good and tasty. The…read moreother couple shared an oyster (fried) dish which they complimented. My lunch salad with chicken was good and filling. The cookies after lunch were great and enjoyed by all. The service was very attentive and timely. I had a question about a larger group for dinner and the manager appeared, showed me their spaces and patiently answered my questions. It is a very cozy environment for getting out of the heat or cold. All and all I enjoyed my lunchtime visit and would recommend a visit for uptown dining.

I have seen Johnny's on Instagram for a while now and I decided to try it. Unfortunately, the food…read moredid not meet my expectations. However, the service and ambiance stood out for me. As soon as we walked in we were greeted by the hostess. She was very friendly and kind. She politely showed us to our table outside. The ambiance outside was so nice. They had plenty of flowers, and the tables were cute and quaint. Next, the waiter came over and explained the menu to us as we have not been to Johnny's before. He was very friendly however, very soft spoken so it was a bit difficult to hear what he was saying. However, he was very polite and knowledgeable about the menu. Also, the owner came and greeted us at the table and ensured that we did not need anything else so that was cool. The food was decent. Nothing really to brag about. What drew me to Johnny's was the fried oysters. They looked amazing on IG. However, when I received them the portion size was very small and it did not look as appetizing as pictured. However, the seasoning was great. I also ordered the steak and eggs. The steak was perfectly cooked along with the eggs and had great flavor. My friend ordered the pancakes which she enjoyed. I also ordered the bottomless mimosas which were refreshing. Overall, it was a good experience. I am glad I got to try them out. Not sure if I will be back only because of the distance. But if you are in the area check them out. Cheers!

I had a true 5-star experience at Nepenthe. A few weeks ago,…read moreI visited Nepenthe for a happy hour at work and had the chance to meet Chef Andrew. During our conversation, I mentioned that my wife absolutely loved a specialty burger from his previous restaurant. That restaurant closed several years ago, and the burger isn't on Nepenthe's menu. Without hesitation, Chef Andrew told me that if I gave him some advance notice and brought her in, he would get the ingredients and make it especially for her. So that's exactly what I did for her birthday. When the burger arrived, my wife was genuinely surprised. Chef Andrew even added a candle to the plate to make the occasion extra special. The burger was everything she remembered. She often says she compares every burger she eats to that one, but had resigned herself to the idea that she'd never have it again. Bravo, Chef Andrew. What makes this story even more remarkable is that I had only met him once before. This wasn't something I asked him to do--he was the one who suggested it. That's the kind of hospitality is something I'll never forget. The food at Nepenthe is consistently good, and the atmosphere is fun, lively, and full of energy. It's a great spot for happy hours, trivia nights, and group gatherings. I'll never forget the kindness and hospitality we experienced. This is Baltimore hospitality at its finest.

Nepenthe Brewing is a great place for vegans and non drinkers. Seem weird for a brewing company?…read moreMaybe, but they make it work well and that is why I'm a fan. Nepenthe Brewing has a rotating menu of inspired vegan dishes. This isn't your typical burger and fry brewery. We've visited for date nights, during vegan week, with kids and without. Each time, Nepenthe has not disappointed. Some of the dishes my family and I have enjoyed here are the Killer Tofu (top notch), Crispy Mushroom Banh Mi, Berry Smashed Mocktail, Lemon-Blueberry Cake and, for the kids, the fries with vegan pub dipping sauce. As long as Nepenthe keeps putting forth unique vegan food and mocktails, my family and I will keep it a part of our rotation.