The Grill from Ipanema is an amazing experience with its all-you-can-eat Brazilian churrasco. Every…read morebite is amazing, from juicy picanha to tender lamb, all carved fresh at your table. The lively vibe, samba music, and caipirinhas transport you straight to Rio. I loved it and I will be back. Follow my IG account for Curated Google Maps list for brunch, happy hours, rooftops, parks, wineries & more in the DMV area: @yourdmvbestie

Honestly, I love Brazilian food, but for the summer restaurant week we felt overcharged and that…read morethey really under delivered. There were two options $40 menu and $55 menu, took a picture of the $40 menu but we choose the $55 options for 'upgraded/ premier' options . It actually came up to $71 with included gratuity. Had I known this I would've ordered off the regular menu because the apps and dessert were not that amazing. And unfortunately, the dessert was the best part. Even though it was a poor presentation plating wise. Seemed like the way I'd serve it to myself at home, not like a chef would. Unfortunately, they were unable to accommodate dietary restrictions to any degree. When we asked for just fruit instead of anything with dairy for dessert, they said there was nothing that could be done. All desserts had dairy. However, both desserts came out with a lot of strawberries, so it was strange that they could not be flexible on that. Second, both main courses were actually small in terms of the meat. For my grilled meat, they were two bite-size pieces of steak, four dry pieces of chicken breast and two small pieces of sausage. The rice and beans were the best part. I don't know if I would return based on the restaurant week experience . The server was nice at least. And the restaurant was large. A lot of large groups were able to walk in and be seated. They had a paper covering over the table cloth so it took some of the 'classy' ambience away.

The meal was decent with fair portions and reasonable prices, but service felt slightly slow. The…read moreatmosphere was pleasant enough, although nothing particularly memorable stood out during our visit today.

Went with a group, we ordered a couple of shareable items such as the Potato Gratin, Beef and…read moreChicken Skewers, the Lamb with rice, Falafel - all amazing dishes. Went during lunch and wasn't too busy. Honestly, I walk past this place all the time and I think what this place might need is better signage. I'm so glad I stopped by, it was sooooo good. I will definitely be coming in more. You won't regret coming here! Also, the decor is super cultural and clean.

Meze Restaurant was a pleasant surprise. I went during off hours, so it was pretty quiet, but the…read morefood was better than I expected. I had the chicken sis kebab, and it was really good. The service was also good, and overall it ended up being a nice experience.

We stopped in here in May while in town for a conference and we enjoyed our visit. We had a late…read morelunch that day, so just wanted a small nosh and a drink and this was perfect. The mojitos were flavorful and tasty and we really enjoyed our katmar dessert (a phyllo pastry filled dessert with pistachios, cream, and honey). I also had some raki, which was delicious and was a nice way to end the meal. Service was pretty good and we'd recommend stopping in here if you're in the area.

My friend and I went to a movie in Georgetown and decided to finally try Alara. I had walked by…read morebefore and was always intrigued by it -- the beauty of the space visible through the windows definitely caught my attention. And the atmosphere did not disappoint. Gorgeous, chic, and inviting. The bar is especially beautiful, with warm lighting that feels welcoming while still being dim enough to create a romantic vibe. It's definitely a place where I'd happily linger over cocktails. We're big on sharing, and honestly, I think that's the way to approach a Mediterranean restaurant like this. It gives you the chance to try a little bit of everything. Drinks The Summer in Santorini was my favorite -- incredibly well balanced, beautiful, and fabulous. Definitely a drink I'd order again. My friend had the Strawberries & Cream, which she enjoyed. We also tried the espresso martini, which came with some gorgeous artwork on top. It was a little too coffee-forward/strong for me, but my friend liked it. Food We were served a bread basket, with olive oil and vinaigrette. I liked the idea, but the bread was quite dense and doughy, and a little difficult to tear apart for dipping. The tzatziki was good, although it leaned pretty heavily on the dill for my taste. The chicken kebab was a little salty on its own, but paired wellwith the tzatziki, the flavors worked really nicely together. The feta in phyllo was probably the most interesting presentation. I was surprised that it came more like a spring roll than the traditional triangles I was expecting. The flavor was good, but the phyllo was fairly thick, which made the filling feel a little lost. My friend and I actually started brainstorming how we'd serve it differently -- maybe more like a flatbread/pizza with some hot honey on top. Just a thought! The shrimp, though, were definitely the star of the night for me. That was the dish that really stood out. Overall, I enjoyed Alara and would definitely come back. I don't think everything we tried was spectacular, but there was enough that I want to explore more of the menu. Next time, I'd like to settle in for more of a multi-course dining experience and try some of the entrees. And I'll absolutely be back for the cocktails. Beautiful space, fun atmosphere, and definitely worth exploring -- especially if you're in Georgetown and looking for somewhere that feels a little special.

Second time back, equally as delicious! The cocktails and mocktails are excellent. So good. And the…read morefood is delicious. Needed some dairy free items, so tried the muhamarra, stuffed eggplant, and kibbeh. It was absolutely delicious. Excellent service, street parking is available but not easy, and there is an automatic 20% service fee (that they said is not a tip).

Here's how I see it:…read more MITA delivered a dining experience that felt thoughtful from the first course to the final spoonful. As someone who does not typically gravitate toward vegetarian/vegan menus, the meal felt especially fresh and quietly innovative--proof that vegetable-forward cuisine, when handled with this level of intent, can be just as compelling, layered, and satisfying as any traditional tasting menu. Opting for the Camino Corto menu proved to be a well-judged choice. Paired with the supplemental arepas, it offered a generous and satisfying progression without ever feeling heavy. The arepas--served with guasacaca, cashew sour cream, and chontaduro butter--were an excellent addition, setting a warm, flavorful tone and easily standing as a highlight on their own. From there, the menu unfolded with precision and clarity. The picaron with persimmon, lúcuma, and huacatay was playful yet composed. The arracacha with fava beans, plantain, and mushroom dashi brought depth and umami-driven warmth, while the watermelon ceviche with white soy, cilantro, and quinoa delivered brightness and balance. The malanga course offered satisfyingly to-the-perfect point chewy texture, and the arroz con gandules--pigeon peas, sofrito, and sea beans--managed to feel both comforting and refined, a balance not easily achieved. Dessert, a modern bienmesabe with coconut sponge, coconut praline, and pineapple sorbet, closed the meal with elegance and lift. What stood out most was how seamlessly the kitchen elevated vegetables beyond expectation--never as substitutes, but as the main event. Each dish felt intentional, expressive, and complete. Service mirrored the cuisine in its composure and warmth: attentive without intrusion, polished without stiffness. There is a quiet confidence throughout MITA that allows guests to settle in and fully engage with the experience. This is the kind of restaurant that shifts perspective--where even a dedicated omnivore leaves not missing anything, but instead discovering something new. Respect to the chefs and the entire team for a meal that was both elegant and deeply satisfying.

Great Tasting Menu, but overpriced! (4.25/5)…read more Food - (2/2). I want to emphasize that though I'm giving 2/2 for the food, not everything was hitting out of the ball park. Also, for the price, it definitely left me hanging across the board. The full tasting menu started well with the smoke to bring you into the little villages of Latin America. The mini corn topped with a fragrant spread of tiny popcorn throws some inception corn flavor that blends well with the seasoning. The accompanying roll is perfect contrast to add some spice to the starter. The finish to the first course was an interesting fermented drink that just made sure the pallet was neutralized before the drinks and next courses. The next course (Arepas) was the highlight of the day for both my wife and I. The trio of sauces were unique. One was savory, another spicy, and one that was sweet. It came with 5 little tiny "breads" though they seemed to be for little kids than adults. Luckily, the sauces were so good, you could eat them all by themselves. These were definitely the highlight for us however, we couldn't even fill our stomachs with it even if we got 20 of these breads. Another unique dish (Ceviche Nikkei) we had and liked was the fusion between Asian flavors and Latina flavors. Pickled veggies on top of soy flavored watermelon soup base created a mixture that actually works well. The Tamal and Gnocchi were great as well. Overall, I enjoyed the unique flavors and the journey the chef takes us to across different Latin cuisines that vegans don't generally get to experience. That said, the desert ice cream seemed like an afterthought. There was more of sour flavor than sweetness in the shaved ice. Non-alcoholic drinks pairing (0.25/1) When we picked paired drinks with our meal I was looking forward to some variety of wines and cocktails or even beer. However, I was a bit underwhelmed with wine selections and that too with the quantity again. Very little variety and quantity in the drinks section. To me the value didn't match with the cost. Service (1/1) As a renowned Michelin star restaurant, you expect the service to be amazing. Though it didn't go above and beyond, the service was as you would expect from them. Decor (0.75/1) The dining room itself was cozy, close to the chef where you can watch them do their magic, and also close to the bar where you could order some great cocktails. The place was subtle and not too loud, the mood and lighting was perfect for a date. Overall, I liked the food, the service, and the place. However, for this much of a cost, I didn't come out filling satisfied and truly had to get 2-3 slices from Andy's right next door. It was a good experience overall though.

Ruta is a great spot on Barracks Row. Friendly service and great Ukrainian food…read more The highlight of my meal was the summer borscht, served chilled. The creamy dill base was exceptional, and paired well with the tiny diced beets. We also had chicken kyiv and beef stroganoff, which were very good entrees. To finish things off, I got a piece of honey cake to go. Don't skip dessert. This was excellent!

Review is for the weekend brunch. Food is good, service and ambience are warm. The kind of sunny…read moreplace you can sit for hours, enjoy food and drink at leisure without loud music or interruptions. Assortment of Varenyky--5/5 the cabbage ones are the best Deruny/potato pancakes--5/5 Honey Cake--5/5, lightly sweet with distinct multiple layers Kyiv Cake--6/5, chewy meringue and chocolate are similar to the french Marjolaine, nothing is too dense or sweet, just how an end of meal dessert should be. Night on Ivana Kupala--5/5, Triple sec overpowers the Horilka just a tad but still good Drunk Cherry--6/5, this is where the Horilka really shines through with the cherry complementing it.

I thought the service was very attentive. Server was checking on us and always refilling our water…read more It's cute for a date night and removed from the hustle of main Georgetown. The mocktails were good and healthy. Tasted fresh. I got the lamb shank and wasn't disappointed my boyfriend got a kebab. Loved the fresh bread and olive oil. I would revisit for a date night. Especially is you want to have a little secluded moment and you're around that area. Probably would say $$ or $$$ for price.

4.2 Stars Service was great…read more The restaurant is on the smaller side so I would suggest making a reservation. Food was great! Very fresh. I had the lamb chops and they were cooked perfectly. The lamb shank was even better and was more meat if you want lamb. The drinks are great also.

Nice bibimbap (you can order it without rice, simply all vegetables). They also make some bento…read moreboxes. I got, for take out, teriyaki chicken bento and vegetable tofu bibimbap. Both are nice. This place used to be called Poppa Box. Similar concept but new decor (more modern). They have a kiosk for self ordering. To the right is a fridge with drinks. There are a few tables all along the window. It is a large space but empty. No other tables. They could put some more tables maybe? Note that the (gender neutral) toilet is locked. You need a code.

Popped in for lunch and found a new local spot for some good grub!…read more Food: 8/10 Chili Shrimp Box + extra chicken bento box (with veggie base instead of rice) - This meal was good and I would order again. It was a good lunch meal. * Chili Shrimp (8/10): Sweet sauce, well-cooked shrimp, and overall enjoyable. I'd order it again. * Grilled Chicken (10/10): Surprisingly standout. Simple, flavorful, and honestly better than the shrimp. * Veggie Base (8/10): Swapped rice for veggies and liked it. Think quick hibachi-style veggies from the mall--not Benihana, but still good. * Veggie Rolls (7/10): Great flavor, but the rice tasted a bit hard, like they weren't super fresh. The white filling tasted sweet (maybe tofu or cream-cheese-like). I don't eat dairy anymore, so I was curious--wish the ingredients were listed. Veggie Dumplings (6.5/10): Decent crunch and nice texture contrast since they're fried. The filling was just okay; probably wouldn't order these as an extra. Service (10/10) Ordered online through DoorDash, and the restaurant called to confirm timing due to a service issue. Really appreciated the extra care. Also, my meal was nicely packaged as well. Pickup was quick and smooth. Vibes: 10/10 Clean, nicely decorated, and feels newly built or renovated. Overall: 8.5/10 A solid lunch spot and I'll be back. It feels like a small step up from Quickway hibachi (and yes, location matters with those. Suggestion: Please list the main ingredients for the rolls on the website.