We made reservations here for 4 people for Mother's Day. We were able to come in a few minutes…read morebefore our time and were seated right away. The waiter was nice but the service was very hit/miss because sometimes we had to wait for him or try to find him but it usually didn't take long. He also had a difficult time figuring out how to split the 4-person tab into 2 couples. Hopefully he was new and this helped him learn. The music was very loud, more like closer to club level than restaurant level, which made it difficult for me to hear most of the time. I am not a true seafood lover as there are very few seafood items I eat but needless to say my husband couldn't say enough positive things about the catfish and grits and the other couple we were with absolutely loved that they got their calypso sauce on the side because then they got to enjoy the flavor and crispiness of the fish. The one crabcake on the Chesapeake Crabcake meal was very flavorful and I enjoyed it. Their food was very good. The prices weren't too bad but you also got a lot of food for the price. We had leftovers which was nice!

This is the first time I have been since the change to a seafood spot, and I was pleasantly…read moresurprised. The ambiance was comforting, but I will stay that they were understaffed. We had a large party, so I had the anticipation that the service might be delayed, however it wasn't too bad. The seafood and grits were DELICIOUS! We ordered all of the favorites, and high were flavorful however the lamb chops were a disappointment. I ordered it to be served medium but even with a reorder, it was still well done. Drinks were as expected, nothing to write home about however I would visit again. Maybe for a happy hour timeframe.

An intimate and cozy venue with some of the best chicken wings I've had in a long time. I think the…read moreflavor was peach heat. The drinks were worth the money even though they did not have much of what we wanted (they seemed to be out of everything). There is bar seating as well as a few tables next to the bar. The back area is more spacious with high tables and booths and a bunch of TVs. This is a cute spot of date night. The bar tender was also our server and I think she may have also been the chef. We dined on a random Wednesday night after Happy Hour but the prices were still really reasonable.

I came here for a friend's birthday brunch - we had a large group and coincidentally, we had the…read morerestaurant to ourselves for a good chunk of our time there. The service was EXTREMELY slow. While our server/bartender was nice, I really wish they hadn't been so understaffed. We were a group of 15 and it took so long to get all of our orders taken and drinks made because she was the only one doing everything. Aside from that, the food was very good. I highly recommend the jerk chicken. Due to the slow service I wouldn't go out of my way to come back, but I would stop by for a quick drink and the jerk chicken wings if I happened to be in the area

In the midst of the chaotic construction along Bonifant is this restaurant / lounge. The door was…read moreopen and I could hear the music spilling outside. I met a friend to catch up and we sat in one of the couch booths... quite cozy! If you partake (I don't) they have hookah available. The lights are strobing and they have the afrobeats going nonstop. There's a booth for a DJ, and I'm sure it's a time when they're around. I was hungry, and I was told to try their suya, which they didn't have at the time. I then wanted to try their sambusas which they also didn't have -- but I settled on chicken tenders and jollof rice and THAT was delicious. I'm sure it's different when it's crowded, but it was a chill time in there, and there's apparently a back area too that you can kind of see from the front. I'd go back, but I just need to make sure they have the suya!

Even with all the construction, the vibes and customer service is GOOD! Cheap hookah ($30-40) and…read moregood drinks. Nice chill vibe & clean!

Overall, 10/10 This…read moreplace was great. I was in the area and needed a smoke break. Luckily, the area is saturated with options. My sister recommended Diversity Lounge and she hasn't let me down so I popped in. I got to the area before 9:30 pm on a Saturday. Parking was easy to find on the street so that was great. Not saying that's how it always is but this is my story. I walked in and went to the register and a wonderful woman asked if I needed assistance and showed me to a seat. Seats were super comfortable and the rest of the staff of very nice as well. (Good customer service takes every experience up several notches for me from the get go) So, since I'm a frequent hookah smoker at home, i like to add notes in my phone for places I might want to visit when I get out. I ordered my Hookah and tea and sat back to take in the vibes. Nice decor, TVs featuring sports and what not. I could get used to it. There was music playing quite low in the background. I open my notes app and get a few lines in and my hookah is already on the way out. . Very excited about that. I let the coals (quicklights) heat up the shisha to get a solid first hit so I sip my tea and lean back. After a few minutes, I take the first hit and it was what I was expecting to happen. Good smoke. Good flavor. Blueberry mint is my go-to tester flavor. I was not disappointed. I smoked for about an hour and then decided to head home. I caught the weekend price rate of $35 for the session and then the tea. Oh! Clean bathroom. Downside is that there was only one toilet in the place. So I could see that being a thing on a crowded night. I left around 10:30 and the music switched up so they were probably getting ready to shift into the young folk crowd. Anywho, I recommend it. I forget the weekday rate but if the service doesn't change, it's still rock solid.

Clean lounge with great decor. Owner was very generous and helpful. I have been smoking hookah for…read more15 years, all over the world and this lounge is the best in the area. Diversity runs a good mix of flavors.

This is a gorgeous spot! They have live music, plenty of couches to lounge on and a delicious…read morehookah friendly atmosphere. Of all the rooftop bars in the area, I believe Olivia's View may be the most chill. They have food and drinks, friendly staff and a nice crowd of people of all walks of life. This is a great place to go with friends, or to go make new friends at. Friday and Saturday nights are busy, loud and fun. There is ample space so it isn't crowded but if you want to snag a couch for your crew, I would recommend getting there early.

This is one of my favorite local places in the summer. It's casual, great food, great Afrobeats,…read morereggae, and hip hop spot. Sunday Day party's are the best.

Was out with GF's on a late Friday evening (around 11pm) and we were just going to find a spot to…read morechill at in Silver Spring. Found garage parking at Silver Spring Metro Station Parking Garage (It's less than a block away from The Republic Garden or Society). 2 hour ParkMobile spots (Monday-Friday 7a-10p) and then Free any other time, including weekends. So we didn't have to pay for parking. Plenty of parking. As we ventured out of the Parking lot, we heard reggae music and saw this place on the corner and stopped in. It was a $20 cover charge to get in. Cash, ApplePay, Cashapp. etc. they take it all to enter Place was split in 3. You walk in and thru a narrow area where general dining was. The middle section contained the bar and plush seating (where we were) with some TV's. The Back room had the DJ and seating for Hookah. Lounge/Restaurant reminded me of a narrow townhouse but there was still plenty of space to sit/stand/walk around Pics of the current menu and prices are attached to this review. I had a Blue MF'er to drink and it was small but Strong - only need one. My friends also said their drinks were good and strong too I didn't get any food, but my friends got the Strew and Jollof Rice and said that was good, along with chicken wings. Food seemed to take a long time to come out There was a live DJ spinning class early 2000 music, dancehall, and reggae music of today and a bit old. I would absolutely come back for that DJ alone. Around midnight, the place started to fill out a bit more with folks. There were even laser lights and smoke/fog coming out of a machine in the middle room. Pretty chill Bar seemed a bit slow and possibly understaffed waitress, but everyone was very helpful and patient. Prepare to pay for food and drinks upfront. We also had to order food and drinks at the bar Not sure, if it's any relation to the old Republic Gardens in DC but this venue has been only maybe only a few years Left around 1 and the place started to really jump

Finally made it here! Came out with the crew yesterday on Rum Punch Sunday to celebrate a friend's…read morebirthday! It's free before 8 - no RSVP needed. The vibes were good. The decor is cute. Service wasn't bad. Music on point! The drinks are overpriced and just ok. Food is blah. Well I just had the suya and probably the worst I've had. I'm no suya expert but I've had good suya and this wasn't it. Wouldn't get it again. Hookah is available on the back patio. I would possibly come back again to enjoy the music but I won't come hungry!

I recently revisited Kaldi's Social House, a place I hadn't been to in years. The restaurant…read morefeatures comfortable seating and a large bar that effectively divides the space, accommodating both diners and those working on laptops. We decided to order breakfast to-go. Although there was a line, it moved quickly, which was a pleasant surprise. We tried the 12oz lattes, which were decent but could use a little extra flair to elevate the flavor. On the bright side, the Sweet Corn Waffle and the Waffles with Fresh Berries were both absolutely delicious and a highlight of our meal.

This Black History Month, I've decided to celebrate Black excellence by supporting Black-owned…read morebusinesses! The support continues beyond February so join me! Today we took a drive to Kaldi's to order some breakfast to-go. The restaurant was really packed but the ordering process was actually pretty smooth. We ordered their 12oz lattes, my drink was modified to add a splash of almond milk. The lattes sadly weren't anything special and could probably benefit from some cinnamon or a flavor of some sort to bring a little personality to the drink. To eat, we ordered their waffles (sorry for the to-go pictures) I ordered the sweet corn waffle and my boyfriend ordered the waffles with fresh berries. The waffles were PHENOMENAL!!!!!!!!! Probably the best and most creative waffles I've had in a long time. The sweet corn waffles were magical. The addition of jalapeño peppers perfectly balanced off the sweet flavor seeping through the waffles. It was beautifully paired. The waffles were also very creamy and soft. Only downside is that I didn't care for the random garnish of corn of top but I get the presentation. This might have been better if it was seasoned or sautéed but the random corn didn't add or take away from the dish. My boyfriend lovedddddd his waffles and berries and said that it was the perfect breakfast selection. I'll definitely come back to order more waffles but also wished that they had a way of conducting pick up through their online portal. As mentioned, it was packed in there but there were some nice seating around the restaurant so I assume that you'll need to get there really early in order to dine in. Overall, I'll return and hopefully I can try another beverage.

I finally tried Citizens & Culture for brunch + day party after being on the fence for a while due…read moreto mixed reviews from friends. My cousin and bestie were in town and wanted a true DC brunch/day party vibe, so we gave it a shot and overall, it was a good time. When we arrived, we ordered mimosa pitchers and were directed straight to the buffet. The food spread was huge: waffles, pancakes, French toast, made-to-order omelets, chicken sausage, pork sausage, bacon, fried chicken, jerk chicken, shrimp, grits, collard greens, mac & cheese, breakfast potatoes, salmon, fresh fruit, and more than I can even remember. The variety was definitely a highlight. I wish they had real food utensils instead of plastic. The mimosas, however, were very juice-heavy and pretty weak . We ended up switching to bottle service so we could enjoy real champagne, which was much better. The absolute best part of the experience was our server, Noah kind, attentive, friendly, and fine AF . She made sure our drinks stayed flowing and kept us informed about our table time so there were no surprises. Top-tier service. The space itself is large with two levels. We initially thought we'd be seated downstairs, but due to a private event, we were directed upstairs. You pre-pay for the food at the door before being seated, while drinks are paid for at the table. Hookah is also available for an additional cost. Overall, I'd definitely go back especially on a Sunday when I don't have work the next day. It's a fun spot for the 30-something crowd looking for good food, music, and a lively day party atmosphere.

C&C oozes so much potential but fails to deliver in the atmosphere and vibes here. The architecture…read moreand interior design are immaculate and awesome which means the establishment has the bones to truly complete and stand itself out as a premier spot, however the limited menu, pedestrian service, shared co-ed restroom (which is a dangerous concept, that I do not like and certainly pushes against social norms and boundaries) and the VERY loud music where you cannot have a fun lively dinner without it being too extreme. I think if the music was turned down, menu expanded, and separate restrooms for genders, then the place would be a more memorable experience. The server was a nice young man, but he would piece things like me having to verbally ask him for utensils, straws, napkins, and other items that we needed, instead of him providing the basic essentials up front, taking the initiative to ask us in advance or even suggest that since he brought napkins how about straws etc., having more hustle and a proactive approach goes a long ways. The door man and the server were nonchalant here, for a place blasting Nelly at 100 plus decibels, we do want the staff to have a little energy. The music upstairs and downstairs are also different, and you can hear the music thumping at the garage about to leave. I think this place is at the top of the noise ordinance downtown Silver Spring. We struggled to find menu items (There was some item online I think burger that was not on the current menu, so the updates need to be reflected online.) We enjoyed our grilled chicken sandwiches with avocado, lettuce, tomatoes etc. but there needs to be more of a hybrid approach here if the owner wants to maximize business potential. The club and lounge era is dying especially with Millennials and Gen Z globally. There should be the quieter restaurant vibe that might have live events like comedy shows (Hire local Huggy Lowdown to work down here) or music performances etc. (Hello Marcus Johnson another local) I think having live events here occasionally will provide the energy better than blasting music that will crack you and your dog's eardrums with your dog sitting outside of the establishment as I don't think Fido needs to be sitting at the table eating and drinking with me like some folks think. Del the Funky Homosapien "It's important to practice good hygiene, at least if you wanna run with my team!" All in all, let's not have it too clubby, let's scrap the shared restrooms, let's have more professional, welcoming, inviting service, and this is a rough gem in the making if major structural changes and updates are made and they step their game up, they have the foundation and bones but need to carve it out a bit more and polish the rock!