Balos Estiatorio

This place was great! I went there on a Friday evening for an 8 PM dinner with some friends (reservations are necessary). It was quite busy, but we were seated right away. However, I wasn't thrilled with our spot as it was right next to where the waiters were grabbing silverware.Dress Code: Be aware that there is a dress code on the weekends.Music // Starting at 8 PM, they play music, which can get a bit loud. It was manageable for our group; we had to speak above our normal volume, but we weren't yelling, so it could have been worse.Food //Cost:: The prices are on the higher side, but the generous portions make it worth it, in my opinion.Balos Chips:: These were excellent, very fresh, and the three of us couldn't finish them all. The sauce on the side and the fried cheese were unexpected but delightful additions.Spanakopita:: This was just OK. I wouldn't order it again as the sauce was more tart and harder to spread than expected, and the filling lacked a ton of flavor.Scallops:: Amazing! They were cooked perfectly. This dish is ideal if you're not looking for a large portion. The accompanying sauce was nice, and it included olives, so ask for it without if you're not a fan.Lamb:: This was fall-off-the-bone delicious and came in a very large portion. The sauce was slightly sweet, which was a nice touch, and the seasoning in both the lamb and the orzo was excellent. Highly recommended if you're looking for a great dish.Service:: Our server wasn't the most patient. It was quite busy, but they seemed rather short with us throughout the evening. Although our food came out quickly, we had to flag down another server multiple times to find ours.Overall, a great restaurant that I will definitely visit again.

If you want to be instantly swept away to Greece while physically being in the DMV area, then Balos Estiatorio is the place for you. The ambiance exudes an upscale Grecian aesthetic.I went for brunch, where they offer a $45 brunch menu consisting of a three-course meal. I had the Onion Soup(superb and very cheesy, which I love), steak and eggs (amazing), and the baklava (out of this world). They also have a $45 bottomless drink menu.This is not your average bottomless mimosas, Bellinis, and Bloody Marys. Their drink menu features many variations of espresso martinis, which are brought out on a bar cart and made right in front of you. In fact, all the drinks from the bottomless brunch are crafted tableside.We're used to bottomless drinks being made with cheap liquor, but not here. They use premium alcohol in their bottomless drinks.As for the staff, they are incredibly welcoming and genuinely care about your experience. Elmer, our waiter and bartender, was a ray of sunshine. Jack, the manager, ensured we enjoyed our food and made sure everything was perfect.A special shoutout to Chef Alex Oradea--thank you for the care and love you put into the food!The only way to describe Balos Estiatorio as a whole is teleiótita--the Greek word for perfection

Never been & will likely never go..I planned to visit for brunch with a group and called before hand for clarity on the bottomless brunch drink verbiage on their website. The call was extremely uncomfortable, although I was simply trying to convey that I don't drink alcohol. The conversation was drawn out and awkward as it was being laid out to me I'd have to pay for drinks I wouldn't be consuming. Eventually the manager got on the phone, she was more friendly but the damage was done. She said she would "put a note" on the reservation, which in itself seems extremely dramatic & odd - a note on a reservation that someone doesn't drink. Ultimately, the staff made a big deal of my inquiry on the phone and I didn't trust that they wouldn't do the same at the table in front of others. I've opted not to go out with my friends, mostly out of fear of embarrassment and am planning to go somewhere alone that is more sober friendly. I encourage other non drinkers to do the same.

Last week, We dined here on a Thursday and the service was great! It's a Greek restaurant so the food was delicious and light. Here is what we reviewed:Drinks Strawberry punch StartersGreek salad Traditional chicken soupMain CourseGrilled Ora King SalmonDessertsCheesecakeWe strongly recommend reservations and go on a quiet night to enjoy the vibe. I felt rushed and i felt like we were packed in like sardines.

The vibe is what you make it, so be sure to go with the right crowd to enhance your experience. The energy is upbeat with a mid-level buzz, keeping the atmosphere lively and engaging. It's a great spot for a date night or an intimate gathering with friends. The food is delicious--flavorful, tender, and packed with taste.For the best experience, I highly recommend the coursed menu, which lets you enjoy an appetizer, entrée, and dessert--perfect for sampling a variety of dishes. Balo Osteria is definitely worth a visit! Have you been? Let me know what you think!

The restaurant is absolutely stunning. Delicious food and drinks with a good selection of options. The service is not the best, but the ambiance, food, drinks and the vibe are incredible. It's a great place for drinks with friends, date night, or even a solo dining experience. I've been for brunch as well as dinner and enjoyed myself both times. Dinner gets a bit crowded so I recommend making reservations in advance.

This restaurant should DEFINITELY have 5 stars! Why it doesn't is beyond me! If you like to have a night out, loud dj music, amazing food, and a party atmosphere but still with seating, you will love this spot. I so badly wish I had a Balos where I lived because I would be there every weekend!The only complaint I have is the bathroom situation. The line gets incredibly long and it's a shared bathroom with men and women. Nonetheless, the napkin party they have in the late evening down to the great servers and drinks makes up for it.

Balos Estiatorio! First Bookmark checked off for 2025! Yelpies know that my Big Spoon is the bestest foodie partner! He always picks the BEST restaurants to eat at. I love me some him! He's perfect in every way imaginable! (Shameless appreciation post to him, he's so deserving.) Let's get into it! Appetizer: Crab cake - Delicious! Absolutely delicious! Main Entrees:My perfect partner got the lamb chops, they were great! I got the Lobster Pasta and it was delicious! Even better the next day! Definitely had leftovers. Drinks: My Babe picked the VIP for us, they were delicious. Service: Our waiter was super cool! Service from staff was great. One note, other reviews stated that the men at the door open and closed the door for them but my Handsome did the work for us. Not sure if it was too cold for them to do it but odd to have two men at the door just standing there if they are not there to open and close the door for guest. Ambiance: Super pretty from the outdoor entrance to the inside. Very very beautiful, decor is eclectic. The restrooms are unisex but gorgeous, I know, but seriously clean and decorated just as beautiful as the dining room. Kudos to whomever is responsible for this design! Definitely recommend! Couldn't give them 5 stars as I feel the two front door men not opening the door was a miss and also no manager presence. I'm BIG on manager presence. There are way too many restaurants in the DC area, the ones I frequent are the ones where manager presence is there, genuine, and welcoming. It's basic customer service, I'm coming into your home, greet me, love me, and make me feel welcome. Always a sure way to get me back and quickly!

Not what I initially planned for our 1st date night of 2025, however, this was the nicest pivot move I've done since I could dunk a basketball.. Lol! Balos was in my bookmarks so I was coming, I just didn't know when. On a cold Jan. 3rd, we warmed right up as soon as we entered and observed this beautiful restaurant. Once you enter, the huge bar lounge area is to the right but because we were on time, we didn't get to pre-game there like we would normally do. We were immediately seated eventhough it was pretty crowded given the snowy weather.Our server was super cool and accommodating. He was prompt and explained the menu like a true expert. He almost had me buying the 30oz Waygu Tomahawk but she's never that hungry to share such a masterpiece! I settled for the delicious lamb chops while she went for the lobster pasta. Pasta is her thing and she loved it. We both ordered the "VIP" for our cocktail and those things were addicting (strong and flavorful). The crab cakes that we ordered for our appetizer made us compare them to Ouzo Bay's in Bmore they were so good!I highly recommend Balos Estiatorio for your next fine dining experience.. You will absolutely love that you did!!

I have reviewed this establishment before and was not feeling the dinner but the brunch is another story!! The food was absolutely delicious. The $45 3 course brunch had so many options to choose from and all of my selections were absolutely delicious! The service was great our server was so knowledgeable and checked on us multiple times. My mom is a complainer but she had no complaints about our server she satisfied every need. The ambiance is great love the Greece vibe. It does get very loud in here so not the best place to go if you want to have an intimate conversation but still a great place to go nonetheless.