Everything was splendid at breakfast this morning! We had a 9:30 a.m. reservation and were seated…read morepromptly in a comfortable booth. The restaurant was clean, bright, airy, and vibrant, with a trendy atmosphere that we absolutely loved. We started with the cornbread, which had a lovely texture, somewhere between traditional coarse cornbread and a sweeter version. It was tender, delicately baked, and served with delicious butter. I ordered the three-egg omelet, accompanied by a beautiful, fragrant, and refreshing arugula salad that I thoroughly enjoyed. The eggs tasted farm-fresh. My mate enjoyed a full breakfast of beef sausage, bacon, potatoes, over-easy eggs, and a biscuit. The coffee was hot and delicious, and my hot matcha was equally enjoyable. One small tip: specialty drinks ordered from the drink bar may take a little longer to arrive at your table, so keep that in mind. Our server was excellent, and the overall experience was wonderful. We were happy to leave a 25% tip for the great service. Between the delicious food, welcoming atmosphere, and attentive staff, this was an thoroughly enjoyable breakfast. We loved it and would gladly return!

Disappointing First Visit -- Unfortunately, I Won't Be Returning…read more I was genuinely excited to finally visit Ruthie's All-Day in Arlington after hearing so much about the restaurant. Unfortunately, my first experience was disappointing, especially considering how much I was looking forward to it. We started with Harry's Hot Hushpuppies, made with shrimp and jalapeño. They arrived nice and hot, and the batter was crispy, which I appreciated. The flavor was decent, although I think a different dipping sauce would have complemented them better. Overall, they were okay. For my entrée, I ordered Ruthie's Big Plate. I specifically requested my eggs scrambled soft with cheese. Unfortunately, they arrived without the cheese and were not cooked the way I requested. The beef sausage was another disappointment. After taking one bite, I found the texture unusually soft and mushy, almost as though it hadn't been cooked thoroughly. I couldn't enjoy it. The bacon, however, was excellent! The portion was generous, and the flavor was really good. It was honestly one of the highlights of my meal. Unfortunately, the breakfast potatoes were the complete opposite. They were dry, lacked seasoning, and had very little flavor. I did enjoy the grits, which were another positive. My husband ordered the fried chicken biscuit. I tasted his chicken, and it was extremely salty. There was a sweet honey glaze that helped balance the saltiness somewhat, but the salt was still overpowering. The biscuit itself was just okay. I did speak with the manager about my experience, and I want to acknowledge that she was very apologetic and offered to have something else prepared for me. I appreciated her professionalism and willingness to make things right. However, I declined because my husband was already eating, and by the time another meal arrived, he would have been finished. I didn't want him sitting there waiting while I ate. For me, dining out is about more than just the atmosphere or a restaurant's reputation. The food should be flavorful, properly prepared, and served as requested. Unfortunately, too many items fell short during this visit. I really wanted to love Ruthie's All-Day, but based on this experience, I don't see myself returning. I hope management takes this feedback constructively because there is definitely room for improvement in the consistency, seasoning, and preparation of the food. I also want to acknowledge the manager's effort to make things right. She came back over to check on us again, and a server brought us complimentary apple donuts with cookies and cream ice cream. I must say, the cookies and cream ice cream was absolutely delicious! When I spoke with the manager again, she told me, "I didn't want you to leave dissatisfied." I genuinely appreciated her saying that and, more importantly, making the effort to turn our experience around. I even told her that the ice cream was my "happy place" because I enjoyed it that much! Although I was disappointed with several aspects of our meal, I believe in giving credit where credit is due. The manager was attentive, sincere, and genuinely concerned about our experience. Her hospitality did not erase the issues we had with the food, but it certainly made a difference in how we felt leaving the restaurant. I truly appreciate her kindness and willingness to make things right, and I felt it was only fair to acknowledge that in my review. So I changed it to 3 stars for the effort to make things better.

My boyfriend and I walked in and were welcomed by an incredibly lovely gentleman who walked us to…read moreour table and set the tone for our experience. Our server, Zachary, was stellar. He was present, easy to talk to and kept our waters filled without ever feeling like he was overcrowding or overstepping on our meal. I ordered the chicken and waffles and my boyfriend ordered the mountain keto bowl. We loved both of them, great variety of options and allergy friendly! Personally, for chicken and waffles I like the chicken to be tenders so it's not so messy to eat and thought they were delicious! The honey glazed biscuits and homemade butter YUM! From the second we arrived, it was a positive experience. This place is doing everything right! Didn't have to wait for a table, food arrived nearly 10 minutes after ordering and the dining area wasn't too crowded or loud. Would recommend this spot to anyone looking to bring family and needing a quiet, delicious restaurant to dine at. I never leave reviews but WOW this place was perfection. Can't wait to go back.

I just had a wonderful lunch with some coworkers and the service was outstanding. I got the chicken…read moreBLT sandwich with the Brussels sprouts and they were delicious. The sprouts were nice and crispy and the sandwich was really moist. Our server was wonderful and the manager even brought us ice cold towels because it was 97 degrees outside. I will definitely be back and I look forward to trying everything on the menu.

What a gem of a place to go to on a really hot July 3rd. The A/C was working fabulous I came as…read morepart of a party of 10. We made our reservation a day or two in advance and when we got there the hostess led us to the second floor. The brunch menu has a myriad of pizza and salad and classic breakfast menu items to choose from. I remember when I was there there was a lunch special offer where you could have a half order of a salad with a side of your choice for a discounted rate so that was cool. I ordered the Tavern salad with a side of creamy potato salad and liked it.

TLDR happy hour is only at the bar and the food is good but service isn't…read more Came on mother's day and came early, before they were busy. When we made the reservation in advance, we called to ask if happy hour was everywhere or just at the bar; they said everywhere, so we booked a table. Plot twist, it's only at the bar / downstairs :))) We arrived 15 minutes early, so while they got our table ready, we ordered at the bar. 5 stars for the bartender. If I could review her, the host, and the happy hour prices in isolation, I would! They moved us upstairs, we sat down, and immediately saw the menus were different. We asked the gentleman bringing waters about happy hour and he sent the waiter over. The waiter, with about 2% helpfulness, shared that happy hour is only downstairs. I mentioned that we had called in advance to ask. We asked if it would be possible to have that menu or perhaps move. The conversation felt like pulling teeth. He said, with much dismissiveness, it was up to the host downstairs to move and if they had availability and left. (Fair, we move, he doesn't get his tip. An alternative? Give us the happy hour menu, still get your tip. Better yet, just be slightly helpful?) The host downstairs found us a table but shared it was booked at 6:15 so we needed to be in and out. It was no problem because we had arrived before 5 (early, remember?). Although, it took 15 minutes (I timed it!) for anyone to come bring waters or address us as their table. A little hard to operate with urgency when no one takes your order!! I got up, told the host stand, and they sent a server over, and he proceeded to come back all of three times. We also had to flag him down to get our check, while we sat with empty waters that were never once refilled. We had pizza, cod sliders, and half orders of aglio e olio pasta. The cod sliders were more breadding than fish, but the flavor was decent. The pasta was delicious. No five star Italian meal, but it hit the spot and the portion was plentiful. I didn't try the pizza but it was 12 inches, piping hot, and the two eating it couldn't finish it. The food came out quickly and hot. I think we spent under or just about $100 for four folks to have dinner + drinks, so the prices are really solid. Perhaps you get what you pay for though? Both of our male servers seemed annoyed to be dealing with us and mostly unhelpful. Noteworthy mention: there was a female server who was kind enough to bring us a brown paper bag for our to go box. She was running around and her tables seemed well cared for. Disappointed in my experience and the customer service.

The restaurant was really good and they have nice ambiance. No long wait and food served right…read moreaway. The menu was excellent. The sweet corn waffles are my favorites. Thai Tofu Bowl taste really great and so delicious too. Nice portion size. I really like the food so much made so full!

Friend told me to have low expectations for coffee in Virginia lol…read more The vanilla latte ($0.60 charge for flavored syrup) did not taste like vanilla for some reason. The corn waffles were really soft and flavorless, I was hoping for crispier or chewier waffles but what I got was mushy and flat? The plus is they gave ample seating inside for working and hanging out.

Yeong is a wonderful bar keeper. I stayed at the Westin for four nights recently and he always knew…read morewhat I was drinking. His football trivia knowledge is next level. Funny guy. Decent food, but if I return (and I hope I do) I hope Yeong is still there.

The food is excellent for happy hour and dinner. I loved my truffle mushroom pizza and the chopped…read moresalad was delicious. The bread they serve with the baked brie is a delicious sourdough and the drinks are great. The breakfast, on the other hand, is nothing exciting even though it's a Westin property and they focus on wellness. They had a couple of interesting, healthy beverages, and that was it. Francisco, who is one of the evening servers is fantastic and he's also a great bartender along with the other Indian bartender. Those guys are great. However, the morning team has a lot of room for improvement. They were friendly to me but completely disorganized amongst themselves. In fact, I didn't even bother with my second breakfast, which was free because what was the point between bad service and mediocre food. The place is spacious and they do lots of cooking classes which appear quite festive and enjoyable for groups. There's plenty of seating options that make it wonderful for everyone.

I signed up for the free Ambar Unlimited club and Oct's treat was a free $42 bottle of wine last…read morenight - We got the Sauvignon Blanc (Moldovia) and it was really light and delicious. It was definitely worth coming here, even though the price for Unlimited was $50 per person. Each dish for a la carte was at least $12 each, so the unlimited deal was pretty good. I think we got at least 9 dishes so we got our money's worth! Food (5/5): I love all the food here. I was sad that the steak tartare was no longer on them menu as this was one of my favorite dishes. Some other standouts: Kabob - This is a with a feta dip. The meat is cooked medium and this has the best flavor. We ordered two of these! Cheese pie - This is also one of my favorite dishes! Shrimp with corn puree - This is like the best grilled shrimp you have had with cream of corn. We each ordered one of these as it was really great. Service (5/5): Marios was a fantastic server! He was from the balkans area, so he knows the food and was great with the recommendations! Ambiance (4/5): I cannot believe this was fully crowded on a Wed night, but I think it is a testament to how good the food was :)

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.

Had a nice dinner at Ted's Bulletin my first night in DC recently. My friend lives nearby so we…read morepopped in and were seated immediately. We both decided to have the Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad and share a bottle of wine. Good was good, service was attentive, and the restaurant is lovely. Great option if you're in the Ballston area!

Prices have risen lately with many places so the happy our discount was a good reason to visit…read moreTed's. I've been to other locations but this was my first. I was surprised by how empty it was for a holiday evening, actually just as strange by how vacant and empty the whole area was. This used to be a very busy area. I started with a White Russian milkshake and it was quite good. Again, that happy hour pricing really made it worth it. My meal was the chicken and biscuits. Large biscuits, fresh, with a little honey and hot drizzle. The hash browns were a tad dry and didn't quite fit the meal I thought, but the chicken biscuits were good. Enjoyed those. BUT one point that was quite annoying: THE GRAVY COST EXTRA! The server tried to upsell me with the sausage gravy (+$3) but when I asked if that cost extra he demurred and said it was just something they asked. He wouldn't actually confirm that. Not cool. I don't like being upsold like it's McDonalds. Eating off my friend's plate I also liked the french fries that came with his steak and cheese sandwich. We also had the cornbread appetizer. Again, if not for that happy hour pricing.. Cornbread is uber cheap so getting four fingers of cornbread felt.. well.. not quite a value match. Service was a little hit or miss. We had a lot of people helping us it seemed, kind of a divided table. Everything is there but I'm just not used to the inflation pricing. Milkshake, cornbread, and the chicken and biscuits, with 20% tip, came out to over $40. This kind of food, at this level of service, .. I feel like I was overcharged or not given the happy hour pricing on something. This just didn't feel like $40 for one person. And they want to do everything on the machine and you don't actually get a paper receipt or a bill unless you ask for one. Which you should. I guess bottom line: Ted's is expensive for it's class and offerings, so it makes a good date spot, but for regular eating out I think there are places better priced.

Updating my review to recommend the baklava and sausage rolls! Both were excellent. The habibi chai…read moreremains a fave.

Per other reviews I was caught in the middle of the remodeling. Coming in it felt like we were…read moregoing through the back vs a front, but there is no other entrance. Once inside however it has a nice eclectic feel. My friends both got the banana bread latte which I could smell the banana very well from a short distance once they removed their lids which was nice. The front staff were very accommodating and explained what goes into the drinks if asked. For the banana bread latte they mentioned they used 4 shots, which is really generous and my friend added an additional shot to keep them going for the afternoon as well.

Delicious yeast (filled too!) and cake donuts, big and mini size! There are 20 types of donuts with…read more1/2 dozen new monthly special flavors. The donuts tend to get sold out later in the day. The small cafe is tucked on the street behind the Quarter Market (it's NOT inside the market) and just a few blocks from the metro. I've been to the D.C. Penn Quarter location many times and glad I made my way to the original location in Ballston. The cozy cafe has indoor seating with a few tables (no outdoor seating). The mini Cookie Dough donut, Sept monthly special) was delicious! The regular size was sold out! The Cookie Dough donut was so good that I returned for the regular size in D.C. the next day! My kids enjoyed the mini Triple Chocolate donut and I wasn't a big fan of the stuffed blueberry jam donut. Looking forward to coming back and trying out the new batch of monthly donut flavors!

This is a great breakfast spot in Ballston! I really appreciate that they have both sweet and…read moresavory options - and do both well. My husband had a chocolate cake donut and bagel with lox, while I had a turkey sausage breakfast sandwich and mini maple donut. We'd both order the same thing again - but would be happy to try something new as well. There is indoor and outdoor seating. Outdoor seating is a bit noisy at the moment due to construction across the street. My only complaint is that $3.50 for a very small drip coffee felt a bit steep - the small felt smaller than usual.

Diverse and flavorful tapas food with a fun artsy vibe! Great spot for date night and groups! My…read moregirlfriend and I enjoyed a delicious feast with 8-10 dishes. The dishes are small and $8-$12/dish and meant to be sharing. There's also a bottomless dinner and brunch option as well. At the end of the meal, I realized all of the prices ended in "22", lol. The walls are adjourned with paintings by local artists that you can purchase ranging from $300 to $10K! The Almond Pesto Mushroom Pan Pizza was the stand-out dish of the night, it was bursting with flavor in every bite! The Street Corn Pan Pizza was fun to try, but the mushroom was my pick. It's owned by the same parent company as Mia's Italian Restaurant in Alexandria with the same delicious rectangle pan pizzas. The Crispy Brussel Sprouts with Granola was another favorite (although I would have opted out of the sweet granola). The crispy Potatoes were very tasty. The Green Papaya Salad had a spicy kick! My friends enjoyed the Pork and Shrimp Lumpias, Dan Dan Noodles with bulgogi sausage, and Chicken Skewers. The Waterscape cocktail with watermelon juice was very Mezcal forward. I wish it was a bit more balanced. I wasn't a fan of the Strawberry Fields Mocktail with fresh strawberry and pineapple juice. It reminded me of Sex on the Beach and way to sweet, didn't pair well with dinner. The Mocha Parfait was a sweet ending to our meal with very moist cake and whipped cream topped with 2 coffee beans. There was less mocha that expected, but enjoyable dessert. Really enjoyed the food and pizza and will be back when I'm in the area!

I've been here so many times but this time I can for happy hour and on Friday the happy hour is…read more4-7. All of the happy hour menu for drinks and food is under $8 which I absolutely love. Always a pleasure