We came to Gypsy Kitchen for our anniversary, and it was the perfect spot! The service was speedy…read moreand kind, and the decor/ambiance was beautiful. We ordered a bottle of the Cava, and four small plates, which was plenty of food. The mussels, labneh and Patatas bravas were all very generous portions. Labneh: 5/5, delicious, served with plenty of pita Patatas bravas: 5/5, with great flavor and crispy roasted potatoes Mussels: 4/5, generous portion size, and the sauce was very good but I wished the sauce was more white wine-based Tuna crudo: 5/5, not a ton of food but the flavor was absolutely delicious, very citrusy and fresh Labneh cheesecake: 4/5, served with a sauce that was a bit like cough syrup but otherwise absolutely delicious

We paid $130 with tip for croquettes, lamb skewers, tuna crudo, hummus, and two 50 Shades of Purple…read more(drinks with butterfly pea gin). We sat outside on the patio and it was a gorgeous day. The decor is perfect and I love that they've added plants to cover the staircase. Drinks were delicious and the food came out quickly. Our water glasses were rarely empty. Service was kind. Food wise if I were to stack rank I would say the hummus is the best of what we ordered. The pita bread is thick and garlicky and oily and massive. The croquettes would be at the bottom of my list simply because they're dissimilar from any I've had before and a little bit underwhelming. The tuna was fresh but it's a small dish and not much to write home about. The lamb skewers have a subtle kick to them and they're pretty substantial. I'll definitely be back to try more! Highly recommend on a warm summer day as you're covered by the canopy above, if you're looking for a rooftop vibe.

Really understand why this place is so popular! Came here with some friends and had a lovely…read moreexperience. We were sat right away and I was surprised at how big the restaurant is (way bigger than it looks from the outside!). I started with a hibiscus margarita, which was delicious. Then we ordered a few things to split, including: guac and tostadas, charred cabbage, gorditas with chorizo, aguachile negro, and the beef short rib platter. The charred cabbage was the biggest sleeper hit. It was so flavorful and unlike anything I've ever had before. Everything else was delicious, although the aguachile was probably my least favorite of what we tried. We finished with the rose water tres leches and the dulce de leche crepes. The tres leches were pretty good but the crepes were amazing. I don't usually love dulce de leche, but it was definitely a standout.

Overall, I had a positive experience dining at Cielo Rojo. The restaurant has a very inviting…read morespace, and it appears to be very kid-friendly. If you are planning to visit during popular dining hours, it might be worth it to make a reservation. We arrived during a weekend around 5:30 pm, and the place was somewhat empty. However, by 6-6:15 pm, the place was PACKED. I was a very surprised (in a good way) that the menu was a bit smaller compared to other Mexican/Tex-Mex restaurants in the area. I necessarily do not think the smaller menu is a bad thing because, with a smaller menu, a restaurant can focus on preparing everything well (i.e., it's easier to do a good job with 20-item menu versus a 50+-item menu). For my dining pleasure, I went with the enchiladas suizas with a few margaritas. Overall, I thought my plate was very delicious; however, other diners at my table and I noticed that the portion sizes were a bit small for the price. Perhaps, the restaurant uses higher quality ingredients for its dishes. Although the margarita sizes might appear to be small, they definitely are not "small" in power/punch, so the $13-$18 price range is appropriate. My favorite margarita of the night definitely was the El Jardinero, which was a wonderful mix of carrot, cilantro, peach, lime and a semi-spicy pepper of sorts. Collectively, we all thought the service was exceptional because our waitress constantly visited the table. Personally, I thought it was a bit overkill, but that's a very, very minor complaint based on my very, very personal preference.

Came here for date night after hearing so much about this restaurant and it didn't disappoint!…read moreLaotian food is always a hit. We had major indecision because there's SO many things on the menu we wanted to try but ended up getting: Naem khao: 4/5 probably better with the sour pork, but loved how fresh this was. It was a large portion too, so we got kind of full from finishing it before our mains even arrived. Shrimp pad see ew: 5/5 the best pad see ew I've had in the DMV. So much wok fire flavor. You can really taste the caramelization. And the large shrimp were velveted which was made it extra satisfying to eat. Also a good shareable portion size! Muu Som: 4/5 this was super rich and heavy. Would get this again only to share with a larger group. Loved that it came with sticky rice. Mango sticky rice: 4/5 delicious but in my opinion didn't need the ice cream on top (my boyfriend thinks otherwise though). Very large portion as well. The cocktails were a little pricy ($15) for what they were but I did love the tamarind margarita. Just wish it was a larger drink or a smaller price tag. Service was very attentive!

I'm disappointed I haven't ever stopped in here before. I walk by this restaurant regularly and…read morenever thought to check it out. I actually intended to try out the Trini Vybez restaurant next door, but discovered they're closed but their signage is still up. Anyways, I got a seat at the bar for myself and service was great. I was a bit indecisive as the menu is pretty extensive, and I've never eaten Laotian food before. Luckily, it was happy hour, so I was able to sample a couple of their appetizers and their daiquiri which was quite strong. I had the Tam Sum, papaya salad and that was very good with a hint of spice and lime. Then, I also had Chuenh Peek Gai, which was tamarind glazed wings. Omg they were savory and crispy! I loved these. For the entree, the bartender recommended some great options, but I finally settled on Kee Mao, which is flattened rice noodles with stir fry beef and vegetables. It was also a very savory dish, with a sweetness to it. Laotian food is very similar to Thai food and I love Thai food. I will not sleep on this restaurant and will be back soon!!

Incredible place! I loved the food, customer service, and the atmosphere. It's a great location and…read moreambience. My group enjoyed the pan-fried grandma's dumplings, korean friend 'chicken', and scallion pancakes, among other great items. Desserts are also a highlight here, we loved the caramelized apple sweet buns. Looking forward to coming back and trying more of the menu!

Alison Amazing food service and ambiance with plenty of…read moreoptions for any diet. The restaurant is really cute too with plenty of plants. We got grandma's noodles, janchi bento, broccoli and fried chicken bento and pistachio cake. The janchi bento and cake were my favorite but everything was great. I also love the QR code ordering concept. I'll come back with my husband!

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.

I visited MITA for Winter Restaurant Week, and while the atmosphere is lovely, the experience was a…read morebit of a mixed bag. Because it was a set prix-fixe that wasn't posted publicly beforehand, it felt like a bit of a gamble, and unfortunately, it didn't pay off for my group. There was very little room for accommodating dietary preferences, which was surprising for a vegetable-forward concept. It would have helped if they had made the menu public so we knew what to expect before sitting down. The Malanga Gnocchi was a letdown. As a main course, it felt uninspired and lacked the "wow" factor I expected from a place with this reputation. Overall, I felt the dishes could have been much more inventive. For a Michelin-level spot, the flavors felt a bit safe and didn't showcase the full potential of plant-based Latin cuisine. The service remains attentive and the space is beautiful, but for the price point, I wanted more.

I love this place!!! Have eaten here a few times and even have picked up grocery items they have in…read morestock. You really can't go wrong with the pork vermercelli which comes with a yummy salad mix. Tender pieces of seasoned slices of pork. I also tried an order of their fries which, seriously were the best of the best. Light and parsley seasoned with a texture that is divine. I live up the street and no excuse for me not coming in weekly. I've tried all of the pizza joints and other restaurants in town and this place is the freshest and healthiest of the lot. The new Mom owner is ever present and very hands on. They will be here for a longggggggg time!

Really cute place in takoma park. Loved the way the interior was decorated with French influence…read more They have a pretty straightforward menu with a lot of classic Vietnamese dishes and then some. We were looking for a place with gluten free options and they have plenty here! They even have a gluten free fish sauce which was great. The food had lots of fresh herbs and the staff were really nice at introducing us to some dishes we didn't know. I got the vermicelli noodle bowl and it was perfect for the warm weather. I definitely felt satisfied and full after but also not weighed down and heavy.

I'm in the DC area for my birthday and I needed something with flavor and heart; Dodah's Kitchen…read moredelivered both. I went to the Mount Rainier location and ordered the drum plate with mac and cheese and collard greens; and I'm not exaggerating when I say this might be the best vegan soul food in the area. The drums were crispy with a one of one batter; I have never tasted anything like that before. Crunch on the outside, seasoned through, not greasy, just right. The mac and cheese redefined vegan; creamy, flavorful, and comforting without trying to imitate anything. It stood on its own. The collard greens took me straight back home; tender, seasoned properly, and full of soul. I also tried the ribs; and they were so good they honestly do not even need promotion. This is not good for vegan. This is just good. If you are in the DC area and craving real comfort food done plant based; Dodah's Kitchen needs to be on your list.

Food was amazing but the lady behind the counter clearly needed more help, she was alone in taking…read morethe orders and making the food. While I ate there with a friend, several people came in and stole stuff- we tried to tell the lady but she was too busy. Aggressive panhandlers also came in looking for food at first (which we gave them, and apparently they didn't like vegetables), and then asked for money, and we don't carry cash. But again food was great, but next time I'm going to take out. Such a shame because the window gives you such a nice view of the neighborhood.

Very solid 4 stars for Atxondo. Just a note that while there are paper menus, the QR code menu has…read morea lot more options. The service is very nice and attentive an adds to the homey feel. Atxondo really strikes me as an underrated gem. It's only about a mile walk from the Petworth Metro, is right on several bus lines and for us, coming from silver spring, the drive was a very easy ~15 minutes. Intrigued to hear how often people in the neighborhood come here. It's mostly a tapas style, so everything but the paella is smaller plates. Everything is wonderfully tasty. The mini chorizo, with the accompanying chips absorbing the chorizo liquid were awesome and our group also loved the cremini mushrooms. I love a good paella and Atxondo's is a standout. really wonderfull flavored and plenty for our group of 5. They say it's enough for 2-4, but unless its your only meal of the day, I fully think a group of 2 would have leftovers. It's definitely on our list to return

Very homey style restaurant with friendly waiters! We made a reservation but I don't think you…read morewould need one. Hot toddy - waiter recommended, it's hot and has honey lemon taste like a tea but the alcohol is also a bit strong 2/5 Pineapple margarita - very very strong almost like straight alcohol lol 1/5 Red sangria - super well balanced and fruity! Very yummy 4/5 White sangria - a little bit sharper alcohol flavor and less well balanced but still good 3/5 Embutido Combo - Jamon Serrano, Salchichon de Vic, Chorizo Iberico - I'm not sure which is which so going by the picture left to right. A little spicy, overall good quality but I do think they put a bit too much oil which made it have an extra oil taste 2.5/5 Middle - like prosciutto this is the best one! Not dry at all in any area and not too salty 3.75/5 Right - least favorite but it is still good overall. Taste a little less yummy than the one on the right even though the one on the right is too oily 2/5 Queso Mahon - rich and cheesy. Not too sticky and very soft. I like the little fruit it comes with too 3/5 Seared scallop - usually squid in rice I feel like is just color but this one was super savory and delicious with a unique taste too that I'm thinking must be from the ink! It's made super well and the crispy sear on the scallop adds so much flavor but also the scallop was not overcooked at all, super bouncy and tender. 4.5/5 Spanish risotto - very moist and yummy! Even though it's just vegetables it's made well 3.75/5 Crispy pork belly - falls apart and very tender. Not dry at all! Unfortunately too salty though. Also very heavy. Meat too salty but veggies it came with like potato that soaks up the flavor was like inedible too salty 2/5 Seafood paella - I think it came out a bit faster than 40 minutes but I didn't keep track. Large serving size! Wish there was more seafood but lots of rice! Very moist and flavorful rice, seafood flavor comes through too! Wish they cooked it longer though since bottom is not crispy at all. Shrimp is overcooked unfortunately but individually seasoned. All the squids and octopus don't have much flavor but cooked well and not chewy at all. Mussels were good too but had some weird webbing on some pieces that made me not want to eat it and size is a bit small. Needs more seafood to balance the rice amount 4.25/5 Crimini mushroom - weird with the poached egg especially since there's a bunch of mushroom liquid below that I think would mix weirdly together. But ignoring that, the mushrooms themselves were very flavorful and actually taste really great with paella! 3.75/5 Basque cheesecake - very heavy and dense. Jam is not too sweet which is nice 1.5/5 Churros - very airy and light inside! The fried part is more than double the inside though so wish that was a little less thick so it can be a little less oily but still overall light. Came very warm and the dipping sauces were very liquidy. Chocolate is on the darker side which is a nice match 3/5

Really enjoyed the Filipino restaurant, Purple Patch, in DC! Sign is very small so could miss…read moreeasily. Cute interior decor. Excellent service. Pinoy Cold Front No. 5 was a delicious version of an ube espresso martini! Enjoyed all the foods ordered: - ube waffle & fried chicken - ube pancakes & lechon kawali - sinagag & itlog (fried egg) & tapcilog (beef) - lumpia - fried eggplant Definitely want to dine here again when I'm back in DC!

I've been to Purple Patch in DC each time I've been here and it NEVER disappoints…read more Ube treats are a must-try here. I love the sweet breakfast options (I've had Ube French Toast and Pancakes in the past) and the savory egg platters that taste great without swimming in oil. I've also had crab torta(?) in the past, which I really enjoyed but haven't seen again since I first came like four years ago. Purple Patch is super popular, so if you don't have a reservation I'd recommend getting there right when it opens. Even about an hour after is okay. The earlier the better, though. I always have gone on a Saturday or Sunday and called beforehand to check if they had room. Parking isn't too difficult to find, but it WILL be street parking and you may need to walk 5-10 minutes to the restaurant.

Wanted to try this place because I was in DC, but was turned off by the service when we wanted to…read moreorder. Another customer even looked at me and said she was rude...so we left. Maybe it was a bad day ‍

This place is from a dream! I feel lucky to have gone…read more Food, service, and environment all excellent.