1123 by Chef Tobias

I visited here this past weekend and had an amazing experience! My friend and I booked through OpenTable they do reserve a payment of $35 for no shows! We booked for 6pm on a Saturday and the restaurant wasn't too packed. They have a bar and seating area with about 10-12 tables including booths. My friend and I started with appetizers- fried chicken deviled eggs and pork suya sticky ribs! The ribs were delicious and my friend enjoyed the deviled eggs. For our entree, i got the oxtail entree and she got the chicken katsu! The oxtail was delicious, tender and well seasoned. It was paired with a green rice which was well seasoned as well! The chicken katsu was super crispy and delicious! I enjoyed both meals! My friend did say the cornbread that was paired with the katsu was a bit bitter. The drinks were also very delicious and pretty! I got the dragon fruit margarita and she got the French 75! The vibe of the restaurant is very aesthetically pleasing, the waiters are super attentive as well! Music was great! Several people (general managers) came by to check in and asked for our feedback. Chef Tobias was present as well with his walker. I admire his perseverance despite what he's been through this past year. He definitely deserves recognition and support for this amazing restaurant.Definitely a must try! I love the Asian/african/Caribbean fusion. So creative! I would say, i would love if they could have a side of jollof rice (they have it as a main dish but not as a side even when asked) and I was told the side of the hot pepper African sauce would take 40 minutes to prepare, which is a bit absurd to me. Overall if they work out those kinks, this restaurant would definitely be one of the top restaurants in the DMV! Parking a little bit of a walk but there are garages near by for about $4 for 2 hours and street parking is also available!

What an awesome experience! This place was well worth the trip from TX. The only negative was waiting 15 past our reservation time to be seated along with food wait time but both waits were well worth it. The vibe is hip and the brunch crowd was grown and sexy! The food and drinks are what this spot is all about. Everything we ordered was banging from the drinks to appetizers to entrees! I see why chef Tobias is award winning!Ky-ana (I think was her name) was our great server! She checked on us often but was not overbearing. She made suggestions and was very knowledgeable on 1123s story and background of the menu items.

I really enjoyed Huncho House, so trying out 1123 was on my list. The ambiance was very swanky. I went to try it out since I really enjoyed Huncho House and its the same owner. We went for Sunday brunch. The food choices were befitting a fusion restaurant, however they did not provide us with the sushi menu, but the itamae was present...I don't know what that was about, but I was slightly disappointed. We did order the chicken fried devilled eggs, fried grit cake, fish and grits and the chesapeake. I will say that each of our dishes were delightful. We also ordered drinks: the 1123 punch and the Osaka 23. Both were tasty, but underwhelming. The service was okay. No issues, concerns, or compliments. the staff seemed to be occupied although the establishment was not full.Overall, I would likely only visit during Happy Hour if I went back- to really try the sushi- see if its tasty. Great option for if you don't want to spend a large amount to visit Huncho House, but I honestly think that the menu options place 1123 in a class by itself.

I love anything curated and has a stamp of approval by Chef Tobias! Love how he got James Hardens Houston spot on the map in Midtown, let's be honest it is his good food that keeps the people coming in. Crab Fries with old bay, he took our DC hits there, and it worked! Well Huncho House was hit and then came 1123, right across the street.For date night, my handsome made reservations, and we went. First impression, decor is beautiful.The waitress told us the back story of the painting of his mother, super beautiful. As we looked at the menu, both my honey and I had a look of disappointment. It was limited. We weren't expecting what was on the menu. We ordered an appetizer and drinks, then tried to bee line to Huncho House with no luck. Sticky Ribs were good-Portion Size was Small and compared to price, it's pricey. Not sure they were $20 good.Overall, I wouldn't come back, 1123 isn't for me, I am not into Asian cuisine and then with an African flare, it's risky and too risky for my taste. If I'm going to spend money, I want to spend it on what I know I love and like. Chef Tobias could have made this a Huncho House 2, and it would have stayed packed.Like I said, I am a fan of Chef Tobias, this one spot is a miss for me. We came, we tried, we conquered, if I come again, it's his doing!

1123 by Chef Tobias is a chef-focused restaurant offering an Asian and West African culinary experience. The menu was created by Chef Tobias, who was awarded Maryland Chef of the Year. There was an extensive amount of time dedicated to the design/vibe of the restaurant, innovative menu, and staffing.First and foremost, I am impressed by the amount of women empowerment established throughout the restaurant. Melissa, the General Manager ensures she touches every table to check in on the guest's experience. It is rare to see women in this position. I am also impressed by the black-owned brands they offer in the restaurant including Black Girl Magic Wine.I loved the overall ambiance of the restaurant. I enjoyed the music selection by DJ Pryme. I loved the Italian leather seats and the beautiful marble tables. You can tell there was a lot of time and attention spent on the restaurant's design.Everything we ordered was outstanding. The green curry branzino (my favorite), 1123 sushi roll, fresh local oysters, and the chicken fried double eggs are amazing. Chef Christian's sushi rolls are a must-try. I washed everything down with the refreshing hibiscus mule mocktail (Made with hibiscus tea, lime juice, and ginger beer).I will return to 1123 to try the lobster jollaf rice (a super innovative dish). I highly recommend visiting if you are looking for an upscale dining experience with great service.1123 is metro accessible. There is street parking and garage parking available. Please note that parking is not validated.

1123 ReviewI recently visited 1123 and here's my detailed review:Appetizers:1123 Huncho Fire Roll - Absolutely phenomenal! One of the best sushi rolls I've had in a long time.Black Garlic Suya Pork Sticky Ribs - Tasty, but it didn't deliver the bold Suya flavor I was expecting. It leaned too much on the sweet side for my liking.Entrees:Coconut Curry Chicken Ramen - A disappointment. I expected a fusion of Japanese ramen with African influences, but it felt more like "indomie." It didn't stand out, and I wouldn't order this again.Pork Belly Kimchi Fried Rice - This dish was just okay. It lacked the spice and bold flavors I was hoping for. The pork belly was the best part, but the overall dish didn't quite hit the mark.Side:Five Spice Mac & Cheese - Meh. It was overly cheesy, with too little macaroni to balance the dish.Drink I ordered:The Experience Old Fashioned - Incredible! This drink was as much a visual experience as it was delicious. The smoky presentation was a showstopper and perfect for Instagram. A must-try for sure.Dessert we tried:Bread Pudding - Outstanding! I usually don't enjoy chocolate in desserts, but this one won me over. The raisins added a perfect touch, an absolute chef's kiss.Ambiance:The ambiance is intimate, stylish, and cozy. It's an excellent spot for a date night or a casual outing with friends.Service:Our server was attentive, knowledgeable, and checked in regularly without being overbearing. Great service all around. If I could remember her name I would shout her out.Overall:I will definitely be back. I've been to Huncho House a few times, but 1123 takes it to another level. It's bigger, has a more intimate vibe, and offers an elevated dining experience. While some dishes could use improvement, the drinks, ambiance, and dessert more than made up for it.

When 1123 opened, I was so excited being a fan of Chef Tobias and his flagship Huncho House. But, the food at the 1123 is just "meh" and pales in comparison to Huncho House.First, the decor is beautiful! I definitely see the Asian inspiration. Service itself was also good--notably so, as I visited during their soft opening. Food - We tried a variety of things: jollof rice, crab fries, curry branzino, lobster mac and cheese, and ribs. The star was the jollof rice. The grains were soft and a hint of sweetness; a taste I'm familiar with when it comes to jollof. The crab fries were also tasty. The fries had a perfect bite, and were soft inside. I wish the crab chunks were more sizeable. I didn't care for the curry branzino. The "curry" did not taste like curry; further, I was taken aback by the green color. Being from the Caribbean, I'm used to a more yellow/brown color with spice! Perhaps it's a matter of preference, but I didn't enjoy the flavor. The fish itself though was flaky and moist. I didn't try the macaroni, but my dining companions seemed to enjoy. The ribs were solid.Because it was a soft opening (September 2024), we weren't able to enjoy the full experience. Apparently, there is now a full raw bar! I must visit again for that...and perhaps, update my review.

1123 was a great experience. It all started with a reservation call confirmation with Justin. He let me know that there was a 15 minute grace period and if didn't think I would make it to let them know. I explained that I was driving in from Baltimore and got out to a late start. He let me know that wasn't a problem and they would seat me when I arrived. I ended up arriving right at the 15 minute mark. We were seated right away but then opted to move to the bar. I always pregame so I knew what I was going to order. We started out with the chicken fried bacon and the chicken fried deviled eggs. While we waited for our appetizers we sipped on some delicious cocktails made by Mayo. The 1123 Punch goes down like cool-aid. The chicken batter is so freaking good. It's so well seasoned and lite. We ended up ordering the chicken and waffle, the Chesapeake and the plantain waffle. Everything was delicious and the portion size fit the cost. We ended up sitting at the bar and interacting with the staff from 12-4 pm!!! We had such a good time. The drinks were flowing and the environment was so comfortable. The zen like decor definitely set a mood. Chef Tobias has another hit on his hands. I wish him much success. We shall return.

A friend and I had brunch at 1123 on Saturday afternoon. Our server was the best -- she was accommodating and attentive. When they were working on the back door which caused some cold air to come in, she offered to move our seat and brought us complimentary turmeric tea while we waited for our food. The atmosphere was relaxed with hip hop and R&B playing on TV screens throughout the restaurant. I liked some of the decor, but it did seem a bit disjointed with a Buddha, roses in the ceiling and antler ears in a corner. The food was okay. I liked the croissant, avocado and crab appetizer, but the chicken fried deviled eggs were a bit too greasy. In terms of entrees, I ordered the plantain waffles (which I thought would be waffles made WITH plantains). It was moreso topped with candied plantains. They were cold as well. We also had the Chesapeake with the lobster and shrimp. The lobster had a burnt aftertaste but the flavor of the grits were good. I would go again and try their dinner menu.

Caught up with a buddy that also had not been. I always interpreted 1123 as being the 'casual' version of Huncho House. When I showed up, I saw some of that VIP red rope outside, and as soon as I got in... BEAUTIFUL decor. It was already a lot more than I was expecting. My friend and I sat at the bar, saw that cocktails were around $20... about the same price as the ones at Huncho House. It was a pleasant surprise that brunch was going on still -- until 5:00 PM, in fact! The vibe going on was definitely day party. There was a DJ up on a cool platform, and the layout was just such an upgrade from BeClaws, which I used to frequent way way back in the day. The place was pretty full but it didn't feel crowded. I decided to order what their version of a rum punch was... it definitely had some nice flare to it, but I won't spoil it haha. It was a hard brunch pick, but I decided on the Korean chicken & churro waffles. Crazy combo right?! Well guess what -- it was delicious. I've had a lot of K(orean)FC and that wasn't one of my favorites, but still, what a dish. And that syrup, whew!I want to come back for options outside of brunch, and for different vibes. It's a bit more expensive than I expected... it was maybe only slightly cheaper than Huncho. But it's still great. It's a trifecta of great Black-owned businesses all next to each other -- Hunch House, 1123, and Marley's. Check it out if you haven't been!