Another great meal at Ellie Bird. We sat on the patio and started with the bread basket, then…read moreshared a good spread across the table: wedge salad, kimchi potato salad, a bottle of wine, and a round of Full Blooms. Their spin on a caipirinha was absolutely delicious and refreshing, easily one of the best drinks of the night. My daughter went back for the cacio e lote again, it's become one of her go-to orders here. They were also great about accommodating my friend, who is dairy free. She enjoyed the salmon and the tomato salad, and finished with sorbet for dessert. The passionfruit was the standout flavor. We rounded things out with the key lime pie. Consistently good food and a fun menu to explore. Already looking forward to the next visit.

I really wanted to like Ellie Bird more than I did…read more For starters, I was expecting a much larger menu. My boyfriend and I both had a surprisingly hard time finding something we actually wanted to order, which doesn't happen to us often lol. Our server, Jaslene, was SO sweet though! She was very attentive, friendly and honestly one of the best parts of our experience. The restaurant itself is also really cute. I loved the decor and furniture and it definitely has a nice atmosphere. Unfortunately, the food just didn't match the price point for us. For what we paid, I expected the quality to be much better and neither of us thought the food was all that good. Cute place and great service, but between the limited menu, pricing and food quality, I personally don't see us returning.

I thought I had booked the omakase experience, but realized I accidentally selected the wrong…read moreoption, which was disappointing at first. The staff explained they prepare omakase for a set number of guests, so they couldn't accommodate us last-minute. That said, the manager and his staff, our wonderful server completely turned the experience around with their kindness. They comped part of our meal, brought out desserts for my husband's birthday, and even treated me to a mocktail. It was such a thoughtful gesture and made the night feel really special. The service was warm and attentive, and we still had an amazing time. I've already booked omakase for next week and can't wait to come back! The place has great vibes. Highly recommend!! And the HANDROLLS WERE THE BEST WE'VE EVER HAD!!! forgot to mention how amazing the food was. Yummy!

The Naisho Room has been open for a little over a year now and how quickly they learned that trying…read moretoo hard to be "exclusive" does not go well. At least not in the DMV area where there are simply so many better options. Some friends and I were finally special enough to be granted a reservation and the whole experience was meh. I was a bit late so I checked in at Wren and then was walked back to the elevator to go up to their gym. From there you walk to a door. Once I got there and pulled on the door, a very dissatisfied hostess warned me not to do that. She walked me in and pointed me to an area but that wasn't even where my friends were sitting. Go figure! The decor left a lot to be desired and it was super bright inside. Right away the vibe was off. What speakeasy is bright? Definitely none that I've been to before. We each just ordered a drink and split an appetizer before dinner reservations at Wren. Once again, the drinks were not special at all. The Tokyo Reverie was somewhat drinkable, with Takumi being our least favorite. The server was somewhat friendly. Based on this experience, I have no desire to go back, nor would I recommend it to anyone.

I cannot praise enough the high tea at the Ritz Carlton. We gave my daughter a bridal tea shower,…read moreand it was so amazing all because of the staff ! I will say the restaurant is elegant and beautiful, and the food was savory and sweet just amazing, but it is the staff who went above and beyond to make the high tea memorable. This is my third bridal shower. I have given at the Ritz Carlton in Tyson's corner, and I would go no other place. Let me start out by mentioning a few exceptional people. I started planning this in the beginning of the year and Sriram Hariharan is one of the most giving, caring and supportive person I know. He put me in touch with all the right resources. He would follow up to see how things are going. I would say his detail to customer service and experience is exceptional. Next is Rohit Ray who assisted every step of the way helping me with my attendee numbers , the set up design and more. He was there throughout the whole party. Rohit's kindness and grace that is unwavering. Finally, our server Astrid. She oversaw my last shower in January and I know we were in good hands when I saw her last Saturday. she is truly A+. She made sure the event went smoothly. Was proactive in helping us get things organized, and when one of the guests reported she was a vegetarian she made changes so her tea party food was vegetarian. The entire celebration was impeccable. I had 26 people attend and one person shared they've experienced three high teas in London and the experience at this party was the best one yet. After the party ended, I received so many calls telling me how elegant the party was, how exceptional the service was. And how wonderful all the food was. I will give honorable mention to Smail and the director of valet who helped us bring up the party favors and flowers and more. my heart is full. It was a magical experience we will continue to talk about.

I was upgraded to a refurbished room with a refreshed bathroom. It was nice with beautiful tiles…read more The room was spacious and clean. I went to entyce for dinner and breakfast. During dinner, there was live music which created a nice ambiance. I ordered the half roast chicken and chicken Bryani. The half roast chicken was disappointing. The breast was dry and flavorless. The bed of corn and beans reminds me of something you pull from the freezer. The chicken bryani could use more seasoning and spices. Dinner menu seems to be the same as the dinner menu from last year. Breakfast we ordered the chicken and waffles and also the lobster eggs Benedict. The chicken and waffle was cooked fresh. Chicken crispy and juicy. Waffle fluffy. The lobster Benedict was a let down. Eggs were cooked nicely but the lobster bits were mushy. Overall the room was nice and the food was hit or miss.

We go out to eat quite regularly. The food, service, ambiance top notch in every regard. One of the…read morebest meals we've had. David, the manager checked on us frequently. Tables never had empty plates just sitting there. Glass always filled with water. Highly recommend!!!

Agora was an outstanding dining experience from start to finish. Every dish we ordered was…read morebeautifully presented and tasted just as incredible as it looked. The mezze sampler offered a fantastic variety of fresh flavors, the watermelon and feta appetizer was refreshing and unique, and the cocktails were both creative and expertly crafted. Even the warm pita served with the dips was fresh and delicious. The atmosphere was inviting, upscale without feeling pretentious, and perfect for a relaxing meal. The service was attentive, friendly, and helped make the evening even more enjoyable. The only negative was that the restaurant didn't carry cash on hand to make change when people wanted change for a cash tip.

NUE: Elegantly Vietnamese (NEV) is the perfect harmony of fine Vietnanese cuisine, beautifully…read moreartistic ambiance, and generous hospitality! Having grown up with fine Vietnamese cuisine thanks to Bethesda's Green Papaya, my dining companion and I had felt over a decade of void (of exceptional Viet cuisine, in general) since its closing nearly 14.5 years ago. Recommended to us by one of our students who volunteers as a community organizer for Eden Center and other Vietnamese-owned small businesses, NUE with its incredible first impression has us beyond thrilled to have found a spiritual successor to our dear Green Papaya (albeit a bit more modern in style and even fancier). Since it was our first time visiting the Founder's Row mall, it took us a moment to get our bearings (the biggest parking entrance is on the southern side of the development but there are elevators that lead to the main area further northwest along Broad Street (including NUE, Ellie Bird, and Fish Taco) as well as the QR Code-based parking system. After scanning the QR code for parking, it was not too difficult to utilize it (NUE provides a code for 2 hours validated parking). Upon entering, we were greeted warmly by our server Joshua, who took great care of us throughout our celebration lunch and is very knowledgeable about the food as well as the restaurant group. Also, kudos Kyung at NUE's parent group (Happy Endings Hospitality) for acting super promptly (just over an hour later on a Saturday!) to an query I came across regarding their membership rewards. As for the restaurant's ambiance, it is decorated with a beautiful mural and the artistic direction reflective of Co-Owner Tuyet Nhi Le's heritage (her grandfather who was a famous painter). Upon sitting down and being served our requested hot water+lemons, we could notice the attention to little details (metal chopstick holder, bamboo lids atop our hot water glass, and later, the onyx-handled knife for the Fried Fluke). Speaking of the fish, our favorite celebration entree at Green Papaya was a Fried Flounder, and wouldn't you know it, one of NEV's "Iconic & Shareable" entrees is their Whole Fried Fluke with a bouquet of Fresh Herbs, Rice Noodle Rolls, and Pineapple Nước Chấm! This alone got us to slog through I-495 traffic across the river (congested even on a weekend for lunch!). In addition to the quality of ingredients (fish and herbs), Executive Chef Daniel Lê's thoughtful touches really stand out. For the fish, he debones the fluke's central bone while retaining its structure to make nearly the entire fish edible. As for the execution, the fish was prepared with optimal salinity, a delicate hand to let the innate flavors stand out, and superb texture (especially loved the crunchy dorsal fins, collar, and tail fin that were easy to eat completely). The abundance of fresh mint, Thai Basil, cilantro, and red leaf lettuce added a refreshing contrast together with the dynamic dipping sauce (slightly viscous to cling to the rice noodles and herbs), plump limes, and savory toppings (fried garlic-peanuts & fried scallion+oil). At $98, it represented a good value as the outstanding quality was matched by generous portion, satisfying both of our appetites (we purposefully ate very light yesterday) and left us with just enough room for dessert. To conclude our absolutely delectable meal were the Tropical Chè (~fruit parfait with coconut milk tapioca pudding, pineapple-mango-passion fruit sorbet, Thai Basil Seeds, mango, lychees) and the birthday treat of Fried Sweet Yuca with Salted Caramel Ice Cream and Waffle Feuilletine. The duo offered a lovely contrast of temperature (former being ~ fancy Halo Halo, latter being warm and comforting ~more substantial Mochi Donut-meets-steak cut fries), textures (tender, crunchy, QQ, and crisp) and flavors (floral, fruity, neutral-savory, salty)! To top it off, they included a Birthday Card featuring their signature artwork and a generous gift to welcome us back for our next visit! All in all, NUE is what we had been starving for the nearly past 15 years: a fine Viet restaurant that delivers fantastic food; warm, attentive, and welcoming service; classy ambiance for a special occasions, entertaining VIP guests, or just a fancy meal to treat yourself! With Joy by Seven Reasons having closed earlier this year, we had lost a dear favorite that starred fancy Fried Fish (Dorade) in a tropical culinary backdrop (Pan-Latin). NUE also fills that void. Now, if only NUE open a second location in the Bethesda-Rockville area like Joy!

Sam was phenomenal as a bartender. Matthew was cordial and…read moreaccommodating as a waiter. The rest of the staff we encountered was pleasant and polite. There were so many choices. It was hard to narrow it down, added to the fact that restaurant week had been extended. The food was excellent. As was my tamarind margarita which included tamarind candy on the rim The interior decor was top notch. It was like dining in an art gallery. Street parking was available.

Wren was such a great experience. The ambiance is beautiful, with great music, a nice crowd, and an…read moreoverall upscale but welcoming atmosphere. The staff was extremely friendly and attentive, which made the experience even better. Everything I ordered was delicious. The cod was incredibly tender and flavorful, and the torched salmon roll was delicious as well. I also ordered the short rib, which was very tender and packed with flavor. Between the beautiful atmosphere, friendly service, and delicious food, I'll definitely be back. Wren is definitely worth a visit!

Beautifully open spaces and fantastic food & drinks made our birthday dinner special for everyone…read morein our party of five. Service was gracious elegant and easygoing. We want to come again and highly recommend it!

Modan: A Pleasant Modern Japanese Lunch…read more Tucked into a prime Tysons location, Modan makes a polished first impression with its sleek, modern décor and attentive service. Its $30 three-course prix fixe lunch is designed as an approachable introduction to the restaurant's modern Japanese cooking. Started with the Yellowtail Jalapeño and Salmon Carpaccio--both quite fine, with distinctly different textures and a clever Japanese sensibility. The Filet Mignon with truffle sauce was tender and nicely cooked, with a subtle ponzu-like Japanese accent. The truffle presence, however, was rather restrained--almost playing hide-and-seek on the plate. The added sashimi plate was above average: the fish was fresh and well handled, though not necessarily more distinctive than what one might find at other good Japanese restaurants. Dessert was equally pleasant: the mochi and gelato were both above average without being particularly revelatory. Overall, Modan delivers a polished, enjoyable lunch experience. I liked it--and would happily return to explore more of the menu.

Review is for father's day brunch buffet. Having to charge the entire amount $95+20% tip (minus…read moretax) to rsvp is ridiculous. There wasn't even enough information on what all was to be offered, nor what entree selection there would be. I reached out via social media to ask but never got a response. In a sense, you're going in blindly not knowing what to expect. I've never been here, so I figured, if it's good, I'll come back for dinner. The place is clean, modern, has clean bathroom which is always a plus. Negative is the parking situation, which is common in that area. The chair's were the most uncomfortable I've ever sat in. The back support is so low, when you lean back to feels like its going to snap your spine in half. I couldn't even lean back as a result. As for the food, it was mediocre at best. Definitely not worth anywhere near the $95 price tag. I don't eat fried foods, which made up most of the starters. The rolls were underwhelming, the nigiri was decent but there was only 4 options, shrimp, salmon, tuna, yellow tail. How many of those can you keep eating before it gets boring. The oyster's were very good. The wagyu dumpling I didn't eat due to being fried but they super gimmicky. One of those instagram foods that looks good on camera but doesn't deliver. Those who did eat them said they were not good. I couldn't wrap my head around how small the main entree portions were. It was like 1 big bite or 2 small bites. The positive was they kept refreshing all the food keeping it fresh. End of the day, I walked out unsatisfied, feeling like I got ripped off. It is what it is, not good enough that I would come back.

Kindred Cafe demonstrates exactly how simple breakfast items should be prepared. I stopped in for a…read moremid-morning weekday breakfast and ordered the veggie egg scramble with toast and potatoes, alongside an oat milk vanilla latte. While a scramble sounds simple on paper, it is easy to overcook the vegetables. This one was executed perfectly, with every vegetable done just right. The thin-sliced potatoes were highly seasoned and stood out, moving away from the standard, heavy breakfast spuds you get at most places. The presentation across the board was excellent. The latte arrived with a nice touch--a small side cookie and a club soda to cleanse the palate, which shows a level of intentionality you don't always find. The staff members were incredibly friendly and gracious from start to finish. With fast Wi-Fi and a comfortable environment, it is an ideal spot to get some quality laptop time. It's a great addition to the local lineup.

I've wanted to try this place for a long time, and honestly, it was a letdown…read more I walked in with one other person--so a party of two--and while it was busy, there were clearly open tables. We were told we could sit at the bar or outside, but when we asked for one of the open tables, we were denied because they were "reserved for parties of three." That just doesn't make sense. We're still paying customers, ready to order food and drinks. Denying service like that--especially with empty tables in plain sight--feels unnecessary and rigid. I even asked twice, hoping for a little flexibility, but the answer didn't change. I work in the service industry, and this is exactly the kind of situation where you make an exception or use some common sense. Instead, it felt like policy over hospitality. Really disappointing experience for a place I was excited to try.

Food was wonderful and the waitress Kash was great!…read more There was a $3 beer special that was the best part of my night

After 5 years of happiness with Circa my joyful experience came to the end with their decision to…read morechange their menu. I hope they monitor reviews and will hear my grievances. I understand that you can't as a restaurant work on the same menu all the time,but they take away almost all staples and replace them with something very questionable. So far I tried 2 items and both were with major issues. First I tried Grilled trout entree and trout was bland with nice farro side . Whole dish seems underwhelming and had a lack of bonding sauce or flavor profile to make it a dish. Second time I had Salmon salad and this was not good at all. Salmon itself was perfectly cooked as a medium rare on my liking and champagne dressing in mixed greens was good. But I salad had cold and slimy potato pieces and big chunks of blackish marinated onions,it was hard to eat and even unpleasant. I'm really disappointed,because Thai shrimp salad was absolutely best salad in DC area as well as other very popular dishes from old menu. Please bring back Thai Shrimp!!

The ambiance of this place is super cool with the exposed rafters and liquor displayed against the…read morewall. The service was inviting and great. Our server was attentive but not over bearing which is great! He kept the water and drinks stocked which is wonderful! We had a B Side Smashburger and Rambo's Spice Bag. The burger was cooked to perfection and the beef fat fries were crispy and fried to perfection! The Rambo's Spice Bag was great. I did not mix the curry into the bag and shake it up like you are supposed to. Instead I chose the dipping route. The curry was good, chicken was juicy / not overcooked, and the fries were crispy! Overall this is a solid spot for happy hour. The meals are a bit pricey but delicious and well worth the price if you are willing to spend the money. Would return for the Rambos Spice Bag.

I've been coming here for quite a few years. I guess it's finally time I leave my review! This is a…read moresuch cute little place in the Mosaic district. Love the vibe inside, very chill and romantic. They have a very extensive beer list. One of the main reasons we started coming here. But I must say the food here is always delicious and on point. Service is always great as well. Servers are friendly and food comes out relatively quick. This will always be one of our favs for date nights. Keep it up B Side.