$$$American
In quiet Chevy Chase, on the border of Bethesda, this buzzy restaurant is well on its way to becoming a neighborhood essential. Far from flashy, the team isn’t out to redefine a cuisine or break any culinary boundaries. Ricotta dumplings, beef tartare, a properly cooked filet of trout – these are familiar flavors handled in a confident manner. There is the occasional surprise, like the excellent lamb-stuffed pita. And for dessert, there is no escaping the tiramisu ice cream, a triumphant finale that nobody will want to share. A reasonably priced set menu appeals to those not in the mood to mak
TripAdvisor review sample · 4.9/5 · 80 reviews
Located on Clearwater Beach, Opal holds a 4.9/5 average rating. Service is consistently praised, with staff members like George, Gary, and Halle noted for being attentive, friendly, and efficient. The ambiance is elegant with Gulf views. Food quality receives mixed feedback; while many find it fresh and delicious, some report issues with seafood preparation, such as dry lobster, and inconsistent meal pacing. Although a few reviews mention value concerns, the overall experience remains highly recommended for its service and setting.
Ideal for diners prioritizing service and views, though those demanding precise seafood preparation should proceed with caution.
$$Italian
This attractive, cheery trattoria offers plenty of style, with its working pasta station and a whimsical portrait of Sophia Loren. “Sfoglina” refers to the matriarchs who traditionally hand-made fresh pasta, and appropriately the menu features an assortment of such from various regions of Italy. From Emilia-Romagna, green tortelloni are folded around a rich, tender filling of braised pork ribs, doused with rosemary-loaded cream sauce, and from Le Marche, ravioli are filled with herbed goat cheese; there are also a number of dried pastas, as in Rome’s famous carbonara, featuring bucatini dudded
TripAdvisor review sample · 4.2/5 · 80 reviews
Sfoglina in Temple Hills holds a 4.2/5 TripAdvisor rating based on 80 reviews. Positive feedback highlights food quality, service, and atmosphere, with guests appreciating half-portions and knowledgeable staff. Conversely, negative reviews cite meal pacing issues, inconsistent food quality, and poor value. Critics mention late deliveries, overly rich dishes, and high prices relative to portion sizes. Some reviewers question the authenticity of ingredients compared to Italian standards. While many enjoyed their meals, others reported disappointing experiences due to service errors and perceived overpricing.
Suitable for diners seeking authentic pasta who can tolerate potential service inconsistencies.
$$$Seafood, American
It may be part market, but there’s nothing remotely pedestrian about BlackSalt. This lively restaurant’s menu manages to be both approachable and interesting, with sublime shellfish and a concise selection trawling coast to continent for inspiration. Begin with Addie’s mussels bathed in a well-balanced broth—you’ll be sopping up every last drop. Then move on to the ever-warming, saffron-tinged Provençal market stew bobbing with the day’s finest catch, which may include juicy mussels, tender shrimp and flaky swordfish, among others. Finish this aquatic feast with a slice of their tart key lime
TripAdvisor review sample · 4.3/5 · 80 reviews
BlackSalt in Chevy Chase specializes in seafood and American cuisine. Reviews frequently praise the high quality of fresh ingredients, particularly oysters, crab cakes, and wood-fired fish. While many appreciate the attentive service and unique fish-market atmosphere, others note issues with pacing, understaffing, and noisy crowds during peak times. Value perceptions vary; although the food is often deemed excellent, some diners find the prices unjustified relative to the ambiance or are dissatisfied with credit card surcharges. Overall, it offers a distinct dining experience with consistent food quality but mixed reviews on service consistency and cost-effectiveness.
Ideal for diners seeking fresh seafood and a unique market atmosphere, best visited during off-peak hours for optimal service.
$$$$Japanese
Located a few steps below street level, this restaurant from Chef Minoru Ogawa has a minimalist decor. The counter faces the sunken kitchen where an eight-course Kappo-style tasting menu with a focus on Wagyu woven with seafood is the main event. The kitchen is exacting when it comes to flavors, but their style is approachable. Go ahead and add caviar and uni if you're feeling flush, but you won't need them to feel well taken care of here. Wagyu tataki is lightly seared, tossed in an egg yolk soy sauce and topped with wasabi foam, then toro is set atop garlic ponzu and sided by a dashi-poached
TripAdvisor review sample · 4.7/5 · 80 reviews
Kappo in Seattle is renowned for its high-quality, fresh sushi and authentic Japanese cuisine, with a daily-changing menu featuring items like black cod and vegetarian options. The cozy atmosphere appeals to those seeking a traditional dining experience. However, opinions on value are mixed; some guests find portions small relative to the cost. Service receives polarized feedback, ranging from highly knowledgeable and attentive to complaints about slow pacing and mandatory charges. While food quality is consistently praised, the overall experience depends on individual tolerance for price and service speed.
Ideal for diners prioritizing exceptional freshness and authenticity over portion size and cost.
$Pizza
Now with multiple locations, Timber Pizza Co is a popular neighborhood hangout that's always buzzing. It's first-come, first-serve here, where you'll likely spy a never-ending stack of to-go orders being whisked out the door. So, what’s all the fuss about? It’s the flavorful cooking, of course. A few bites into the Griffin salad and it’s clear this kitchen knows how to handle itself. Those in the know order a half and half to explore the wide variety of pizzas, available in red, white or green sauce pies. You can't go wrong with a classic Neapolitan-style pizza with puréed tomato sauce, gooey
$$$American
In contrast to many of the shiny new restaurants that open every year, this Woodley Park veteran under-promises and over-delivers in the best of ways. Coffee-colored carpet, a tame color scheme to match and a quiet crowd do not sound like the makings of a great dinner, but under new management, the restaurant cooks with delicious confidence. The menu covers a lot of ground but does so admirably. Broccolini with black garlic Caesar dressing, crispy fried oysters with pickled cauliflower, and tempura beach mushrooms dusted in a Moroccan spice blend are enough for a meal on their own. Rack of lam
$$Lao
Chef/co-owner Seng Luangrath first opened in ever-transforming Columbia Heights way back in 2014. Her longstanding restaurant has since become one of the most prominent sources for Laotian cooking in the city. The menu, which shows some clear Thai influences, tempts with its sheer variety of options from vibrant starters like the crispy coconut rice salad with fresh herbs and lettuce wraps to warming soups and curries to “jungle menu” favorites like crispy pig ears in tamarind salt or alligator laab tossed with lemongrass. Sticky rice is essential. For sure, this is food that’s ideally meant t
TripAdvisor review sample · 4.2/5 · 80 reviews
Thip Khao offers Lao cuisine with generally positive reception. Food quality is a key strength, praised for creativity, rich flavors, and fresh ingredients, with recommendations for the jungle menu, mango sticky rice, and specialty sausages. Service is typically attentive, though some guests note slow meal pacing. The atmosphere is described as spacious, cozy, and upscale. However, issues include an unstable online ordering system, overly acidic tastes in some dishes, and isolated food safety concerns. Despite these drawbacks, most visitors find the experience worthwhile and suitable for those seeking authentic, exotic dining options.
Suitable for diners seeking unique Southeast Asian flavors who can tolerate minor service inconsistencies.
$$$Contemporary, Italian
A simple black and glass facade belies the delicious small plates available at this place. Pass a set of double doors to be greeted by a U-shaped bar, arched ceilings, and romantic dining room, Fitted out with muted green-tiled floors and snug tables, the restrooms are perhaps the most unique feature here—displaying clever illustrations of wine descriptions. Unsurprisingly, natural wines are a serious focus and pair wonderfully with the shareable plates.Begin with grilled oysters and garlic butter or crispy arancini. Then indulge in the star of the show—house-made pasta, like house-made bucati
$$Ethiopian, Regional Cuisine
This family-owned and operated Adams Morgan spot easily gives its brethren a run for their money—the food is that good. Its interior is welcoming, flooded with natural light and generously spaced tables; comfortable booths along one wall, beautiful artwork, as well as a long bar pouring wines and spirits welcomes one and all.This kitchen's exquisite cuisine reflects the many fascinating nuances of Ethiopia itself. While many cultures break bread together, few do it as well as this one, where injera is torn apart to scoop up stews, like awaze tibs. Its tender lamb cubes in a smoky, brick-red be