Best Restaurants with a Fireplace in Foggy Bottom

The food and service were amazing! We went for my husband’s birthday and had the most amazing time. From the food to the service, we will be back again.

I don’t write many reviews, but every now and then, a place completely earns it and Balos Estiatorio in DC absolutely did. From the moment we walked in, the vibe was just right. The hostess team was not only strikingly elegant but genuinely warm and welcoming setting the tone for what would become one of my top five first-time dining experiences, right up there with Le Bernardin in NYC and Lewis Barbecue in Charleston. (Anyone who has been to both will know what i mean) Our waiter, Nico, was a gem. Friendly without being pushy, knowledgeable without pretension, and clearly passionate about the food and the Greek culinary tradition. It felt like we were in expert hands from the start. Now for the food: this was not your average Greek fare, it was elevated, thoughtful, and full of soul. Im just gonna say Pita.....and wow! I’ve had babaganoush before, but this was the first time I genuinely loved it, it was smoky, silky, and addictive. The filo pastry was perfection, light and buttery with just the right crunch. Then came the stuffed peppers (a recommendation by Nico...because his mom used to make them when he was a kid, theyre great! Best selling point for a dish ive ever heard, had to order them.) They were, I mean beautifully done, I had to pause mid-bite just to take it in. And the filet? Impeccable. Seasoned with care, seared with precision, and melt-in-your-mouth tender. By the end, we couldn’t fit dessert if we tried, but the coffees (Americanos) were rich, bold, and the perfect close to an unforgettable meal. Tbh it feels like they're doing all the right things to be a Michelen star restaurant but they genuinely seem to care about your experience rather than any awards that come from it. Balos is a must-visit if you’re in DC and take your food seriously. I’ll be back, probably sooner than I should. Bravo to the whole team.

Creative and exciting menu with strong options (including vegetarian options throughout the menu), do offer a price fix menu but we chose a la carte

this is more or less classic steakhouse with a very nice ambience. of particular note is the absolutely outstanding piano player DAN RUSKIN who played with ubbelievable charm, skill and highly original riffs on very classic songbook standards. remarkably he is 90. the food is very good including filet, lamb chops, tuna and oysters but is simply too expensive.everything is a la carte in terms of sides. the restaurant was only about 20% full at best during the evening and perhaps that is a reflection of the price. dinner for 4 people with a modest bottle of wine was 800 without tip.

Still one of the best food. A great value. Great plant-based brunch--the best we've had.