My wife said, as she returned to the car with the takeout, that Birdsong was not crowded. To stay…read moreby the side of our elderly dog, we are foregoing the experience of dining out, more and more. After we finished eating, she remarked we needed to visit the restaurant sometime. We'll have to look for an opportunity when we are around the dog all day, so she can be on her own for a couple of hours, likely sleeping. Birdsong already is acclaimed. This is much more Thai and Thai American. Like Chinese or Italian cuisine before it, Thai flavors have assimilated to a palate not accustomed to the true strength of the spices. Birdsong is a remedy. They do not offer the pad thai that has become a staple, no longer exotic but to its detriment. (A digression. The history of pad thai, with contested origins, is fascinating. As you delve into these matters, you see how syncretic culture is. You also are exposed to the efforts to fashion a unifying mythology.) We ordered the chicken, the shrimp, the crab fried rice, the papaya salad, and the enhancement. The chicken and the shrimp were quality ingredients, prepared well. Although both proteins were fried, they felt clean. The crab fried rice was one option of many with the rice base. The papaya salad was fresh. The enhancement was radish with "fermented daikon, garlic, red onion, cilantro, palm sugar, and fish sauce scrambled with eggs for a balanced savory and sweet flavor," and the portion was generous: we put it on the rice, then I finished it off in an omelet the next morning. We have traveled to Bangkok. Thai spiciness exceeds what I would endorse, and I love hot dishes. Birdsong was much milder, though with sufficient pepperiness my wife, who does not share my preferences, remarked it was closer to her limit. They will work with you in this respect, and I'm confident I could request something that would test my capabilities. That is, in my book, all positive. The dishes that were mild according to the menu, were mild, but they were flavorful. If you do not like fish sauce, for example, you may not appreciate the offerings, which if they don't have fish sauce have something along those lines. I hope Birdsong fares well.

We were looking forward to eating at Birdsong, which has gotten great reviews. A few friends said…read morethat they went and loved it. But we thought only one of the four dishes we ordered was especially good, I wouldn't order the other three again. The Basil Shrimp - described as "Battered and golden fried" seemed more like tempura. I wouldn't have ordered if I knew. The Tom Yum soup was good, but very pricey at $25. For comparison, a similarly sized, likely an even larger entree Tom Yum soup at Bambu is $14. It had lots of noodles. We were sharing, and asked our server for recommendations- she suggested a second dish with the same noodles. Usually a server points out if diners are ordering two dishes with the same base ingredient (noodles) but our server actually suggested the second one. Seriously? And unfortunately, it was underwhelming, just blah. We left most of it. We got the chocolate crème brûlée, the presentation was very nice, with gilded peanuts on top. The taste was just so so, sweet but not much chocolate flavor. We liked the decor and the atmosphere was nice. We loved the bird mural. Service was mixed. Our server was friendly, but could have been more helpful. First, the recommendation for a second dish with the same noodles was not a good one. We asked if we could share everything, including the soup. We specifically asked if they could put it into bowls for us. They brought two bowls, but we had to wait a while for a spoon to divide it ourselves at the table. She ended up bringing us one of those small soup spoons that you often use for soup at Chinese restaurants. It was around the same size as a regular soup spoon. Apparently they didn't have anything that is more like a ladle, and it was not very useful for portioning out the soup. We thought we'd love this restaurant, but it was a miss for us tonight. Not only that, and this is on us, the only dish with any real nutrition or healthy ingredients was the soup. For one "small plate" appetizer, two entrées and one dessert, the total was just under $100.

Alonso was our server. He provided us nice recommendation. You guys should try the pisco punch that…read moreone is pretty good.

This month's cuisine adventure (prior to Chante Moore's show at Bethesda Theatre) was Peruvian at…read morePisco y Nazca in Bethesda, MD. And whew, DELISH! Every.single.bite. My top two? Definitely the grilled octopus and the Pink Coconut Breeze cocktail. The octopus -- along with its flavorful supporting cast was one of the best I've had. Perfectly grilled, tender, smoky, and beautifully paired with the sauces and sides. And that Pink Coconut Breeze? Flavorful with just the right kick. Bonus points for the strawberries marinating in the cocktail because yes, I absolutely used my fork to scoop them out of the glass. No shame. The ceviche sampler was fresh, bright, and flavorful. The Nikkei Sticky Ribs were deliciously sticky and savory. The scallop dish gave me chargrilled oyster vibes. And the pork belly bao buns? That crispy-yet-chewy pork belly skin was a whole moment. And beyond the food, the experience itself was wonderful. The service was attentive and seamless, and the decor was bright, lively, and festive. Oh and did I mention they offer Happy Hour on Sundays throughout the entire restaurant? Yeahhhh... that's a win. Thank you, Pisco y Nazca! I'll definitely be back, especially for the grilled octopus dish. But don't just take my word for it. Check them out and experience the deliciousness for yourself. Featured Dishes & Cocktails We Delighted In: CEVICHE SAMPLER tradicional, cremoso, callejero NIKKEI STICKY RIBS caramelized slow-braised pork ribs, Nikkei BBQ sauce, sesame seeds, scallions PLANCHA PULPO grilled octopus, choclo, causa, chimichurri, anticuchera sauce, ají amarillo sauce CONCHITAS A LA PARMESANA seared scallops, parmesan gratin, lime, garlic chips, grilled ciabatta PORK BELLY BAO BUNS crispy pork belly, red onion, cilantro, leche de tigre, chipotle mayo PINK COCONUT BREEZE 16 tequila, triple sec, lime juice, fresh strawberries Mmmm... #BonAppetit! Cheers! Enjoy!

Walked in midday on a cold Wednesday. Place was completely dead. Ordered a Smashburger and tots to…read morego. A pretty solid burger IMO. Some of the other menu items seem a little overpriced tho. Gives off Cheers bar vibes as in it's a cozy place to warm up over a libation from the cold. I know this place has had a lot of turnover in recent years. Aura looks promising tho.

This place was okay, I will openly admit I miss Chadwick's. That place held a lot of good memories…read morefor me. My friend and I came to try it out. We got nachos and I got the shrimp wrap and she got the fish and chips. Food was fine, nothing mind blowing. It wasn't busy at all and there was only one person working. Fun that they have games. Not sure if I'll be back, but that's not the restaurant's faults, that's friendship heights. It's just kind of dead up there.

Delightful speakeasy with remarkably cozy vibes, super friendly service, and delicious cocktails…read more This small, no-reservations-allowed space is hard to snag a spot in (unless you're willing to wait in their multi-hour-long waitlist), but it's 100% worth the hype and effort. I'd recommend trying to come a bit earlier in the night or on a slightly off day -- we came by around 8 PM on a Thursday -- and you might be able to slip in with no or minimal wait. We were initially placed at a standing table, then relocated to a proper table when one opened up after about 30 minutes. It is a smidge loud, but still manageable, and I love the cozy, homey atmosphere created by the dim lighting, almost industrial architecture mixed with old fashioned bookshelves (which double as bathroom doors), and candles. They have a short menu of custom cocktails you can choose from, or you can also ask for any of the classics and/or tell the bartender what you typically enjoy and let them come up with a good fit. We tried a smattering of cocktails, including two from their menu, a whiskey sour, and a bee sting (which the bartender selected for us based on our general preferences). Each one was expertly crafted and extremely tasty, and made so much better by the ambiance.

OKPB is a popular speakeasy, a pretty small space. You show up and use the ring doorbell to connect…read morewith the host. They will add you to the waitlist and give you an estimated time. I generally will add myself to the waitlist and then head out to grab dinner. If you are called before dinner is finished, they are generally good about moving you further down the waitlist. For drinks, they have a small cocktail menu but the whole appeal is to let the server know your typical preferred drinks/flavor profile and they will create a drink for you. I generally always go that route and have been happy with my drinks. I even requested a non alcoholic drink once and I felt like i got the same fun experience.

This is a great neighborhood spot, we usually go once a month. Pasta is great, chicken Parm and…read moreMilanese is delicious, it's a great spot. Owner is Italian Italian (from Rome) and the menu is fun (half Italian American, half Italian Italian, eg the 4 roman pastas). They used to have some consistency issues, but they fixed those a while ago bc for the last 3-4 years I haven't had a bad meal. The neighborhood restaurant feel is sadly rare in DC, so it's always nice to find one.

Friends in town and we took them to I'm Eddie Cano on Wisconsin Avenue, NW. once again we had a…read moregreat evening. The Al Padrino was a great cocktail. The linguini with lobster, tagliatelle bolognese, shrimp scampi, and pasta carbonara were all delicious and beautiful presentation. Our waiter was friendly and helpful with our order. Nice background music and lighting. Not too noisy. I heartily recommend this place!!!

My dinner at Buck's Fishing and Camping was the best I have had in a long time....by a long shot…read more This is one of the few restaurants in the area where I can truly feel that the kitchen cares about food. And what a joy that is. Although it has been around for decades, Buck's has adapted deftly to our current inflationary environment. Perhaps a luxurious dish like steak au poivre is not longer affordable? Well then, how about Burger Au Poivre? With top quality toppings creatively prepared: grilled oyster mushrooms, gruyere and white cheddar cheese, and grilled vincotta marinated onions. Oh my word. All of it was beautifully plated on a bed of cracked peppercorn sauce. Of course the meat itself was of excellent quality, perfectly cooked to order at medium rare. At $31 it is not cheap, but I think a bargain for a meal that sends you over the moon. An equivalent quality steak would have been exorbitant. We paired it with asparagus tempura (also excellent), a nice bottle of Montepulciano de Abruzzo, and for dessert, apple crisp. I also truly appreciate that the portions are generous. Another thing that has become rare these days. Given the service and unique ambience, this is a special occasion restaurant that is fantastic bang for the "Buck," while also casual enough for date-night any day of the week.

360 degrees of excellence: from service to ambiance to cuisine. Bucks hit on all the notes! (A few…read moreextra items and this would be a 5-star review) Visited for a client dinner and enjoyed superb service and great food and drink -- the wine menu is nice (for any pallet) and the menu is deep (from Starters to Mains). HITS: NY Strip Steak w Fries: Vickie's Famous onion rings (truly awesome). MISS: Burrata wasn't as creamy as we'd desired, but the Pesto makes up for it.

Great place to study since they are open late. Not my favorite service.... My friends and I came to…read morestudy here and we did not get approached to ask if we wanted to order anything until we got up and went to the bar. Not sure if that's normal? We also didn't get our water refilled for a hot hot minute. The server did check in a couple times and seemed nice enough but I wasn't impressed. The food itself was ok. I would come back here to study again because I love the late hour but would try to bring my own food or stop by Trader Joe's first. Bathrooms are clean and nice though!

We arrived for an early Tuesday happy hour so the Place was empty. But it still took the sever a…read morelong time to serve us. That was frustrating. We had a bunch of appetizers. Calamari was nice and hot but very oily and I didn't care for the dip. Meatballs were bland. Chicken wings were overcooked and dry.

Fabulous March Celebration with 15 guests! Welcomed with open arms. Warm and friendly throughout…read morethe evening. The Parlor Room was inviting, comfortable. Perfect for our group. Kayla, asst. manager, and her team piloted our cocktail hour and dinner effortlessly and unobtrusively. Perfect service (my wine glass was never empty). Perfectly delicious dinner. Overall, nothing was amiss or went amiss thanks to Justin, Event Co-ordinator Extraordinaire. Listened to and accommodated my many requests. A lovely touch: a birthday card for the birthday girl (me). Did I say "Perfect Evening?" Heartfelt thanks to Justin, Kayla, and the team. Julia

Great place for both a quiet and fun-filled dinner! Exterior has a country home vibe. Interior is…read morejust as inviting, with dark wood floors, flowered wallpaper and warm tone decor. Dining areas are in several room spaces, instead of 1 big cavernous hall. There is a bar room as well as a tavern in the basement. Outdoor lawn has plenty of tables and lush greenery, perfect for a good weather day picnic. Our group was in a bigger room and a few steps downstairs from the bar area. Waitstaff was professional and helpful. We first ordered drinks, then starters. We ordered entrées after drinks and starters arrived for good pacing. Several of us shared a Skyfall Cabernet Sauvignon. It was smooth and fruity. We shared pimento cheese dip with veggies and bread triangles, bread basket, burrata and spiced cauliflower. All were excellent, Star was the burrata, so creamy and had pesto with it. My entree was a prosciutto sandwich with fig spread. The sandwich was on ciabatta bread. It held the sweet fig spread, savory prosciutto and soft Brie . Very filling and yummy, and came with crisp fries. Everyone loved their food. Some had dessert and coffee afterwards which was also top notch.

I've gone here many times, without a problem…read more But tonight I was served a smelly hamburger I couldn't eat. I complained to the bartender. It looked bad, and tasted bad. But the bartender that night, a man with a bald head, wouldn't apologize. He claimed that the hamburger was good, and that I had eaten half of it. I showed him that the hamburger was still there, minus a bit or two. He still wouldn't apologize. I could have gotten sick by eating the burger. But this bartender was blamed me. He still charged the full price on the smelly burger. I just paid and left right away. Bad experience.

Excellent service. The first time I visited here, I went during the day with my wife and toddler…read more The owner was so hospitable, I was determined to return. Subsequent nights with friends have been pleasant experiences; staff members are all kind, and there are three TVs behind the bar. Food is solid and quick but I need to try the burger again -- memory is vague, and that's an important dish to get right. Private event space is accessible downstairs or upstairs if you rent it. Downstairs, in particular, is a cool spot. Skip's is a quality sports bar in a neighborhood that otherwise lacks it. You feel like you're part of the community when you are here.

Had a great time at Hip Flask Rooftop Bar. Just went there for drinks so didn't get to try out the…read moregood. The drinks were well-crafted and the vibe was relaxed yet lively. Had stunning rooftop views that make it perfect for unwinding. Definitely a go to spot for a chill evening with friends.

Came here for the first time with my best friend. This is the rooftop bar on the Marriott which…read morehas a special elevator near the entrance of the hotel. It had a chill vibe. There were a good amount of seating but I easily see this spot getting filled up quickly. It was cold outside so the only outdoor seating was under the heated domes (there were 2). The waitstaff were great and the drinks were reasonable (on par with most places). Would love to come back when it's warmer to sit outside.