Bouboulina

Came for brunch to celebrate a birthday and Bouboulina didn’t disappoint. Our server Baris was very nice and helpful with food and cocktail suggestions! The portions were decently sized and plenty to share between 3 people! We started off with the tuna crudo and Bouboulina salad. Then we shared the French toast, crab Benedict and the truffle mac and cheese. We were too full for dessert but Baris did bring a complimentary soft serve to celebrate our friend’s birthday! Everyone is so friendly and we loved the vibe of the restaurant. Definitely want to come back to try dinner!

Had a great experience at Bouboulina! Tried the New York Sour, Bouboulina Bread, 10oz Wagyu Picanha, and the Fire Roasted Cauliflower — all were delicious. The flavors were spot on and everything was beautifully presented. Big shoutout to Brandon, the bartender, who was fantastic — friendly, attentive, and made a perfect cocktail. Definitely recommend!

I had a hard time rating Bouboulina. There are aspects of our experience that I really enjoyed- others not so much. My biggest hang-up is value for money. I feel that the cost is not justified for the food quality. The desserts were the star of our meal, so I'd return for those. The chocolate cake with espresso gelato was DELICIOUS (though I'd argue that the cake should have been warmed a bit more). The house-made soft-serve ice cream was WONDERFUL. The cheesecake was spectacular. However, the Bouboulina Bread was just okay. The smoke used to flavor the butter overwhelmed to the point that it created a meaty undertone that was... unpleasant. My Beef Tartare was quite good, as was the Caesar salad, but they left the white, bitter ends of the lettuce on. That meant that every other bite had an unpleasant bitterness. That would have been easily resolved if they'd cut off the bottom of the head of lettuce. My lasagna was tasty, but while the presentation was cool, there's a reason that lasagna noodles are typically engulfed in sauce. I tasted the chicken. It was moist and pretty well seasoned, but not spectacular. I'd say the same for the baked potato- it was just fine. I tasted the filet mignon and it was fine. Well cooked, but not spectacular (and frankly not worth the price). The service was... serviceable. Not at the level I'd expect for this price point. She forgot to bring the coffee we ordered with dessert and seemed overall a bit annoyed by us, for whatever reason. I had to request water refills. Again, at this price point- that's an issue. The atmosphere is chic and trendy. There were several nicely appointed restrooms. The sound track was at an appropriate level; however, why on Earth was "The Girl From Ipanema" played 6 times in just over 2 hours??? That is excessive, odd, and fairly irritating. Would I return? Maybe. If I did, it'd be for dessert only.

what a treat!! from the attentive service to the quality of dishes, this place is 10/10. branzino was cooked excellent and the skin was perfectly crispy. my husband and i shared the side of cauliflower as well as the mango sorbet for dessert. if you are looking for a romantic night out or an elevated dinner to enjoy, this is the spot. i will be returning and spreading the word to friends and family!!

Bouboulina shows its Michelin Star ancestry. The menu is well considered, the service is welcoming, flexible and responsive. The food is wonderful, sophisticated, showing unexpected flair and detailed best judgment, impressive presentation. We especially loved the beef tartare and the salmon, and the desserts are exquisite. Bouboulina is world class fine dining!

Excellent!! Excellent service, food and atmosphere. This spot definitely raises the bar for dining in Bethesda. The interior is beautifully decorated—chic but cozy, with a great vibe. Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious. We started with the chilled shrimp wrapped in fresh shiso (so good!)—super fresh and a generous portion. The lobster iceberg salad was both creative and satisfying. For the main course, we had the wagyu with roasted celeriac purée—perfectly cooked, well-seasoned, and the purée was a surprise hit: creamy, smooth, slightly sweet, and totally savory. I wasn’t expecting much from dessert, but the chocolate cake with espresso gelato was rich, decadent, and not too sweet—just right. Can’t wait to go back!

Today, I had brunch at Bouboulina. The food (Steak, salad, bread service, sides) were delicious. The service was great, as the Manager checked on us a few times. I’m looking forward to going back for dinner.

Very good steak house. The entire staff was super friendly and welcoming. Our waiter was knowledgeable of the menu, checked in just the right amount, and was overall pleasant. The food was delicious, my favorite being the carrots!

Celebrated a birthday and it was perfect in every way! The staff was so warm, welcoming and accommodating (and gave a personal happy birthday card). They explained the menu and answered our questions very thoroughly. Throughout they tended to us without being intrusive. The dining area had warm dark wood tones that reminded me of old school steak houses. We shared the house bread, which came with a butter potion blended with honey and parmigiana cheese. The bread was warm, chewy and soft. The butter had hints of sweet and salty from the honey and cheese. It melted on the bread slice. My companion had the grilled branzino. Fish was tender and flaky with a crisp skin. The cabbage slaw accompanying the dish was crunchy and well seasoned. I had the lasagna. It was the most unique and tastiest I've had. Instead of layered sheets baked it was rolled up and baked on its side. The pasta sheets were stuffed with mozzarella, bechamel and bolognese meat. Portion came with 4 rolls and a delicious meat, basil and tomato sauce surrounding. Basil and parmigiana topped the rolls. The top edges had a slight and perfect char. Was rich and filling. We shared a roasted mushroom side that was smoky, tender and topped with manchego and thyme. The egg yolk was on the side as requested. Meal and birthday celebration was perfect!

We need more places like this in Montgomery County. It was so classy, cute, and everything was so well-plated. The waiters know what wine is good and what to recommend with what you are eating. Me and my girlfriends loved our cocktails. And I cannot even begin to talk about how well the food was presented. It was so soooo well done. Everything was just so pretty -just check out my pictures. But the reason why I'm giving it just four stars, that while the food was really pretty, and the atmosphere was excellent, the taste and food chemistry of the dishes was just not there. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a good date night, or if you're looking for a place to impress a potential gf/bf. The presentation, atmosphere, and drinks are amazing. I just wouldn't take a foodie here.

Been here twice--once for bar drinks and once recently for a friend's birthday dinner. The restaurant has a fancy feel, speak easy vibes--it's pretty dim lit inside. Service here was excellent--our server Jonathan was friendly, attentive and helpful in recommending dishes. Overall, food was good, with some mixed feelings. Lobster Wedge Salad had chunks of lobster meat but the dressing lacked flavor, so the whole salad was bland. The 10 oz. Wagyu Picanha Steak was tender and well flavored, one of my top favorites. Whole Grilled Branzino was delicious--the gremolata was a nice flavor addition to the fish. Wasn't a huge fan of the Lasagna--also bland and dry, not enough sauce inside, just at the bottom (the sauce wasn't cooked in for extra flavor). For sides, the Fire Roasted Cauliflower and Ember Roasted Mushrooms were great! Cocktails I recommend: The Coldest Martini in DC, Espresso Martini, Dirty Gin Martini & Rose Blossom. Jonathan brought out a small soft serve with candle to celebrate the birthday girl! We also the Basque Cheesecake and Espresso Gelato which were both pretty good.

My parents and I are big fans of Melina, so I was excited to try the newest restaurant from their book. This one is different from Julii or Melina, and it feels more formal. The bar is small and feels like a nice place to grab a drink. The back room is darker and feels much more formal, and a return to long gone days. It's a gorgeous ambiance. Anyways, we had a reservation for a friday night. The waiter was pretty attentive, and we ordered several items to share: *The meatball - this was really tasty and delicious! Loved the sauce. *Beef tartare - solid tartare! *Tomahawk - this was perfectly cooked (medium rare), which was expected given it's a steakhouse ha! *Side of cauliflower - I love a head of cauliflower, and this one was cooked to perfection. We were so full, but wanted to have dessert, so we asked for the Basque cheesecake to go. Even though we ate it over an hour later, it was still delicious! We also had some wine, and I had an old fashioned cocktail. All of which was really good! Overall, the bill came to $400, which is on the pricier end, though again, the is a steakhouse, and we had a bottle of wine + one cocktail, so it's to be expected! I would definitely recommend this place, but more for a special celebratory night.

This was our first time visiting Bouboulina as we wanted to try a new place. From the exterior, the interior, the dining, the service...everything was amazing! We loved the ambience and presentation of the food. My husband had the lasagna and I had the fillet mignon, and then we split a couple of side items. We were both impressed with the quality, taste and flavor. You also have to try the cherry verbena lemonade if you're into mocktails. This was definitely a great option and I'm glad we gave this place a try.

Came here for lunch to celebrate anniversary with my husband. Booked reservations through Opentable and told them we were celebrating our anniversary. They had a card and gave us complimentary bubbles whicg elevated the experience. We did get cocktails- a gin blossom drink with egg white that was delicious and husband got their Old fashioned. For our entree I got their salad and added hanger steak for protein. Salad was tasty with dates, pear and lemon vinaigrette. Husband got the wagyu that he said he enjoyed. Included loaded potato to share. For dessert we shared the chocolate cake. We have been wanting to try this place out and the experience lived up to our expectations. The decor was beautiful as well! We will be back.

We visited about a month or so after opening day. We made a reservation on Open Table, and upon arriving, check-in was smooth. Nestled in the very busy Pike and Rose off Rockville Pike, there are nearby parking garages and you'll take a short walk to the restaurant. The entrance offers a bar that is separate from the main dining area. As you walk towards the dining room, you're greeted with dim lights and a beautiful steakhouse-like decor. The furniture and finishings were beautifully executed. As we settled in, we opted for the Lobster Wedge Salad as an appetizer. We tried the NY Strip Steak, Hearth Grilled Half Chicken, and the Branzino. For a side, we chose the Fire Roasted Cauliflower. Listen, I know some will debate a salad is a salad, but no...incorrect. The Lobster Wedge Salad was something delicious! Medium-boiled egg, with chunks of lobster and a little seasoning on the lettuce? 5/5. I would definitely get this again. The NY Strip was good too, but nothing too amazing. Same goes for the Half Chicken. The Branzino was tasty. I particularly enjoyed the pickled onions that accompanied the fish. Lastly, although I consider myself a foodie, I like to think of myself as a health-conscientious foodie. So, when I say that their cauliflower was nothing short of amazing...it was just that! With it being fire-roasted, the outside had a nice char, but was very soft inside. Loved it. Last, but not least, the dirty martini -- it was highlighted on the menu, and that made me try it. I expected the usual olives as a garnish, but it was finished off with olives that were either roasted or manipulated in some way. Regardless, I didn't like it. The presentation, however, was beautiful. I would definitely visit Bouboulina again. Cheers!

I've been here twice, once for just late night cocktails with friends at the bar counter (the bartenders were very nice!), and the second time for dinner. The dining area in the back is quiet & private, and I really liked the overall vibes. Service was friendly & attentive. Cocktails were good both times I went! We've had their boubou old fashioned, espresso martini (love it with the banana liqueur), and yuzu spritz (refreshing) to name a few. Menu selection is smaller (just like at its sister restaurant, Melina), so that might not be for everyone. Ordered the tuna crudo to start--yum! For entrees, I got the lasagna--I was pleasantly surprised with the twist on the presentation that it was different from your usual rectangular lasagna, and the portion was generous. My husband ordered the wagyu steak, which unfortunately he thought was a little chewy. For parking, street and multiple garages on Pike & Rose, including one right across Bouboulina.

Boubolina was the first woman who attained the rank of admiral. She fought in the Greek War of Independence in 1821. She was a role model for women, as a mother and a soldier. This restaurant is named after her. The restaurant has a rich and stylish decor which is reflected in the rich tapestry, beautiful wall paintings, and stylish furniture that all help to enhance your dining pleasure. Service was simply amazing. We had excellent service and the staff were friendly and professional. We had several people check on us during the course of our meal. We started off with drinks. I ordered a mimosa, with fresh squeezed orange juice. My friend ordered the strawberry lemonade. Both drinks were excellent! My friend ordered the smash burger which comes with beef, a sunny side up egg, bacon, cheese, burger sauce and a pickle. She said it was delicious. I do think that for the cost, they should have included a side dish....some fries or breakfast potatoes would be a nice addition to the dish. I ordered the lobster Benedict which comes with spinach, lobster, cooked in brown butter hollandaise and espellette. I had asked for the pepper or espellette to be left off my dish. The waiter came out and told me that by accident they had included the pepper in the dish. So, I asked them to make one without it, as I had requested. I kind of thought that was strange for them to ask if my preference was due to a health condition or my personal preference. Either way, it was up to the chef to make the order as it was requested. I was definitely confused, as why they would even ask that question. Were they going to send it out anyway? (If it was a personal choice.) I mention this because when my meal was served, the hollandaise sauce was cold. They probably remade the poached eggs and left the rest of the breakfast entry as it was. When, you are paying the cost of a fine dining restaurant, it is the attention to detail that is very important. And, although I didn't send it back. This is not acceptable for a fine dining restaurant and caused them to lose a star. The other issue I had was with the lobster Benedict....you would assume that there would be large chunks of lobster in the dish. But, the lobster was lacking in this dish. The dish was very tasty. But, with 2 epic issues, definitely not a five star rating for the food. There were lovely touches. My friend was celebrating a birthday and they did bring out ice cream and a card for the birthday recipient. That was a lovely personal touch. So, the service was 5 + stars, the ambiance 5 + stars, the food was between a 3.5 and a 4 star rating. The chef definitely has some room for improvement. The cost at Bouboulina is expensive and when you are paying top dollar for a brunch....everything should be well executed.

Another hit from the same group that brought you Julii and Melina! It's quite discrete and tucked away in pike & rose if you weren't looking too closely. Firstly the crab rolls are a must get! The only downfall is that they're quite small for the price...think like half a hot dog roll for one order. That being said they are so buttery and sweet with the crab. You have to save room for the chocolate cake as well. It was rich and paired well with their vanilla ice cream. A good place for date night, girls night, or a special night out!

Bouboulina is taking dining in MoCo to a whole new level. The ambiance, interior design, service, and food are all what you'd expect at a top notch restaurant in DC. The downside is that all of that comes with DC-like pricing. However, that wouldn't stop me from returning for a girl's dinner or date night. Most of the guests were dressed up, adding to the experience. I got the branzino, which was amazing. I was going to get the celeriac puree as my side but our server recommended the carrots instead because the puree is more of a dipping sauce for steaks. I'm so glad he said something! I wasn't expecting anything from the carrots but they were great. The servers regularly checked in on us and answered any questions we had but still gave us space to enjoy our meal. The only thing I didn't love is that they really seem to upsell you on bottled water. Like, opening the bottle without even really waiting to know if you want to purchase the $8 bottle or if you're comfortable with tap water. They opened the bottle for my friend before I even got to the restaurant. I would've appreciated them waiting until the second guest (me) arrived at the table before forcing our hand with pricey water. I'm not a picky water drinker. I would preferred to save that money for my side or put it towards a cocktail. Next time I go, I'll say "I'm good with tap water" as soon as I'm brought to the table/as soon as I'm greeted. Not the most elegant approach but apparently that's what needs to be done.

The ambiance is beautiful! I love the aesthetics in this restaurant. The food was good overall. We tried the grilled avocado stuffed with crab meat. My friend is allergic to old bay so they served on the side. The presentation was very pleasing to the eye but it was just okay. I wish they had more shareable appetizers. The menu was as new for brunch. I liked my steak and eggs dish. I rate the stuffed avocado an 8 and the steak dish a 9 out of 10. My friend said the French toast was underwhelming. The smash burger was over cooked. She asked for the medium rare and it was cooked done. The flavors were nice in the burger. They offered to make it over because the bread was burned. I heard they use wood for cooking instead of gas. My friend took it home. She had the Latte as well which she said was nice. They only serve espresso coffee drinks. The special part of the restaurant was the bar tender. He was concocting some special drinks at the bar. I had my one drink which was a fancy Bloody Mary. It was one of the best I've had. Watching him work was a treat. I heard that his time at the restaurant is short because he is moving to NY. Hurry and taste his cocktails before he goes away. Very special! He came over to greet me. Overall, I wasn't disappointed. I can tell the staff were trying extra hard. They were very attentive and professional. I do plan to try it again. Perhaps just for drinks and appetizers because the prices were a little steep.

Bouboulina is truly fine dining in the DMV, once you step in you're transformed to a whole new place. The ambiance is romantic and intimate, great for a date or girls catch up. Service was extremely kind and attentive all around. We had the Bouboulina bread, lasagna, 10oz wagyu, loaded potato and drinks. I'd describe the food as good, I felt like a bit more flavor could be used... like something was missing in each item. Drinks were great! Light and airy.

Hands down one of the best dining experiences I've had, and would recommend 10/10. First, you enter this parlor like restaurant, and as you are taken to your table, you are transported to the 1920-1930s with a speakeasy vibe that just envelops you. We were seated in a comfortable booth surrounded by detail and decor that caused you to go from looking at one thing to the next. The lights were very dimmed, and made for a very romantic vibe. Our waiter, Orlando, was such a great host and made some incredible recommendations. We started with the Bouboulina bread, which is a milk bread enveloped with a smoky flavor. It comes with a butter and honey spread on the side which is incredible. Just this dish alone, I could've eaten for dinner and would have been thrilled. I might also be mistaken, but something was giving like an anise flavor vibe, and my taste buds were there for it. Then came the entrees, and my goodness, were these out of this world. My husband got the Waygu and I got the lamb. Both were bursting with flavor and so tender. The waygu had a smoky buttery flavor but it was just enough that it didn't overpower the flavor of the waygu itself. The lamb was out of this world. It was tender and still tasted like lamb, and with each bite, you got a sneak peak of the red wine sauce it overlayed. The loaded baked potato was delicious and you could taste the smoke with each bite, and it had such a creamy texture with it. The asparagus dish ruined asparagus for me forever because I will never be able to eat asparagus and enjoy it after this one. This asparagus was cooked just enough but not too much so it still had a crunch, and there was a salty sweet sauce with a background hint of butter. As if things weren't incredible enough, we ordered the chocolate cake for dessert and they also surprised us with a vanilla soft serve to try. The chocolate cake will knock your socks off. It is topped with an espresso soft serve that is hard to beat, and the cake itself is moist and you can taste each layer within the cake. The cake is also stopped with what appeared to be sea salt, and so with every bite, you had an explosion of rich chocolate with a salty side. The vanilla soft serve was amazing. I now know what real vanilla tastes like. If you haven't been to Bouboulina, you're missing out. This is our new favorite restaurant.

Wow! This place is so unique. From the outside it's very non-descriptive. But once inside you know you've entered a special place. The decor is dark but elegant. You know and feel like you're in a high end steakhouse. The food was exceptional, the drinks were nice and the service was superb. Came here for our daughter's confirmation mid-week, we were a party of four. Note: OpenTable doesn't accept reservations for parties of 5 or more and a credit card is required when making reservations, they seem strict about their reservations but I can see why. We ordered the bread with chili butter (good), Caesar salad that we shared (feeds 4 and delish), 1 filet, two picanhas and 1 sirloin, (2) loaded baked potatoes (tasty, 1 can feed 2), side of asparagus (I don't eat this but I heard it was good). All steaks were delicious and perfectly cooked. Yum yum yum! The sirloin is huge ... Our waiter explained that they don't cook on gas stoves and that they use coal, which is kinda cool. You also go through the kitchen to get to your table. Drinks were nice, several types were ordered although I can only remember mine, a concoction taylor made to my liking (orange/vodka drink), since I couldn't pick one from the menu. Very good but two were enough for me. The entire staff was very attentive, you can tell they take pride in their food and service. Special shout out to Sean who was our waiter and provided exceptional service. This place is not cheap but it is a special place and in my opinion it is worth it.

This was a first visit, and I will certainly return! Situated in Pike and Rose, it's a good location to catch up with friends, walk around, shop...! The decor was a bit dark for intimacy, but the staff was bright and brought a welcoming energy. The food was rich. Lots of cream and cheese. Maybe too much on some cases. My favorite by FAR- the cauliflower. I'm coming back for it.

The food at this place was absolutely impeccable. We came in for an early dinner and were the first ones there. The ambiance was wonderful and the place is beautifully decorated with a dark and navy fixtures everywhere. We instantly had service available where they told us how the food was cooked and helped us go through the menu. My friends and I had the steak and my friend's husband had the chicken. We also shared the bread and bouboulina salad. Individually, we got the roasted carrots, baked potato and the puree as a side. We got the chocolate cake, which was wonderful, and the ice cream. The chocolate cake had sea salt which could have been better distributed. Everyone loved what they received. I would definitely go back again!

A brand new place opened up so I had to come here. This time it was my significant other that brought me here for my birthday. I was excited to try something new. Coming here, it dawned on me. I can't pinpoint a steak house that is near the area that is on the higher end. So I guess this is why it was packed on the weekend. A lot of people were here to celebrate something. I saw a couple of tables with presents, gifts, and paraphernalia. It truly is a good spot to just have a private dinner with good service and a darker atmosphere and just have an intimate moment. The one downside I only can think of right now is that you have to walk through this hallway with the servers and the kitchen to get from the main dining room to the bathroom. Lots of sharp corners. Have to be careful on every turn or you'll bump into someone. But, it's not a huge deal. Just be cautious. The decor is rather unique for the area. I noticed each bathroom had different color themes. That was fun to find out. The food was executed quite well. They hit the steak temperature just perfectly. The tuna crudo had a lot of bright and citrusy flavors for the spring/summer. The meatball had the Italian flavoring, but definitely share this one as it was a heavy appetizer. The more you eat it, the more you'll realize that it can be salty. Also, I recommend eating the meatball after something light and bright like the tuna crudo. The flavor overpowered it and I couldn't taste my later bites. The food was delicious and quite filling. I loved the attention to detail from our server. I really appreciate the birthday wishes. I'm glad I was able to celebrate my birthday here.

So my my favorite of the Cava founders. My go to is always a NY Strip but went with the hanger steak entree and it was delicious. My dining friends ordered the chocolate cake. I am not someone who craves dessert but it was spectacular. Highly recommend.

New favorite restaurant in the DMV. Can't recall the last time I've been to MD, but I make exceptions. Decided to try Bouboulina after hearing great things. Service is amazing, as soon as you walk in you feel like you walked into a Jehova's Witness retreat: everybody wants to say : "welcome, hello..." Cocktails: the Old Fashioned was spectacular as was the martini. Never quite had a martini like this and it was amazing. Appetizers: Caesar salad and shrimp cocktail. The Caesar was unlike anything I've had in the DMV and was reminiscent of NYC Italian restaurants which I love. Entrees: lasagne and tomahawk steak & baked/loaded potato. The lasagne was worth coming for alone, the steak was great as well as was the baked potato. But if you've ever been to or heard of Don Angie in NYC (impossible to get in) the lasagne here tastes very similar. I'd come back tomorrow just for the Caesar salad, lasagne and cocktails. I anticipate this place will soon become impossible to get into and I hope I'm wrong.

When we learned that Bouboulina was opening, my girlfriends and I made a reservation and what a treat? We had a great experience for several reasons, first being the parking lot is right next door. I can't tell if that's a new lot or what exactly, but it was clutch. Next, when you walk in the restaurant it gives a real speakeasy vibe. You walk through the kitchen slightly, and you're treated like a star with the greetings, and when you get to the back for seating it was so swanky: dimly lit, with velvet seating. I really loved it--such a cool atmosphere. Now for food. It was great. My friends and I ordered a few items to split. We got the Wagyu Ribeye which was a special, the loaded mashed potato, the Bouboulina bread, the Caesar salad which was beautiful, and the chocolate cake which was soooo good. The food was delicious, and the presentation was great. Our waiter was also so nice and really helped with recommendations and learning about the menu. I also got an espresso martini which was delicious. It had banana liqueur in it which was Please go check it out--great for date night, or a catch up with friends.

Went to this new place mid week to celebrate a birthday. It has as many described a speakeasy vibe. Tables are situated close together so definitely not suitable for parties more than 4. Service is excellent, 5 star. Food is 4.5 stars. We shared the tuna crudo and the Bouboulina salad. And we preferred the NY strip steak and the grilled branzino with their special side, mixed mushroom with shaved machenco and an egg yolk. Dishes are good and portions are bigger than I thought. The branzino could probably serve two people. The salad is a bit over dressed though! The price is comparable to any 5 star restaurant.

A Refined, Local Gem -- Bouboulina at Pike & Rose We had dinner tonight at Bouboulina, the new Mediterranean-influenced steakhouse in Pike & Rose from the team behind Cava, Cava Mezze, Julii, and Melina--and it's an impressive addition to their growing collection. It's always exciting to see this group branching out, and I've been to many of their restaurants over the years. A steakhouse is a natural next step, and they're doing it right. The decor is stylish, comfortable, and classy--upscale without being pretentious. The dining room was small and cozy yet also felt spacious with tall ceilings. Every design detail is thoughtful--from the plates and glassware to the presentation of the martinis, which wouldn't feel out of place at something like The Capital Grille. Even the private bathrooms were clean, elegant, and well-appointed, although I will say the music in the restroom could use some help--odd pop covers by not the real singer that didn't match the refined tone of the rest of the restaurant. Something more classic or subtle would elevate the experience. We started with vodka martinis, expertly made and beautifully served. For appetizers, we had the shrimp cocktail, meatball, and tuna--all excellent. The shrimp were fresh and perfectly chilled, the meatball was rich and flavorful, and the tuna was clean, bright, and well-seasoned and had amazing texture. For my entrée, I had the lobster wedge salad--very tasty and well-composed, though it could have used a bit more lobster. Everything was cooked to perfection and plated with care. We finished with the cheesecake, which was outstanding--light, creamy, and a perfect end to the meal. The service was impeccable. Staff were in uniform, knowledgeable, polished, and genuinely welcoming. You can tell a lot of training and pride went into building the team here. The clientele was upscale, and the overall vibe was one of quiet sophistication--without feeling stiff. Bouboulina is a polished, confident steakhouse that blends classic technique with Mediterranean personality. It brings downtown quality and atmosphere to a more convenient suburban location--a true luxury for those of us who live nearby. I'll absolutely be back and look forward to seeing how this concept continues to grow.

Great food the ambiance is more than I could have asked for, the service was spot on, and I will definitely come back. This is the best steak I have had in the last three weeks.

I'd give it a 5 star but for the hostess who couldn't find our reservation (even when I said part our party may have already been seated). She wasn't very pleasant. Her sidekick found our reservation and noted part of our party was already seated. After this exchange the dinner was excellent. Our waiter was excellent and the food was absolutely delicious.

Our server Victoria a.k.a. V was absolutely a pleasure to have! Her energy was on point & she was so eager to help! Honestly, her customer service stood out more than the food lol. But don't get me wrong, the food was delicious as well & we'll be back! The room was comfortable and the ambiance was a mix of comfort luxury.

Brunch. Pretty shocked that my medium rare steak came out medium. Drenched With a burnt wine sauce. And the Sunnyside eggs had absolutely no seasoning/ taste not a speckled of salt or pepper . The French toast visibly had burnt edges. Like the way they make at Melina. And it was smoky. The sauce on the burger was great. The chocolate cake dessert also had some type of unexpected liquor/ caramelized sauce that did not work. I would only go back for the burger. Interestingly, no fries came with that burger. Though that was a good decision-- as you don't get too full and can enjoy the delicious burger. And because the burger is smashed, you don't have to worry about them over cooking it. The brunch menu definitely needs work ---the only traditional breakfast item besides the bad steak and eggs, was burnt French toast (which my friend really liked though she cut off the edges) and lobster Benedict, which I did not try. The staff was very nice.

(4.75) ~ Very High Quality Lamb Chops & Best I've had! Great Flavor & Texture! Worth the Price (See Photo:)

Unbelievable food. My new favorite restaurant. Beautiful atmosphere. Great service and the drinks are amazing

Bouboulina was nothing short of amazing. Rhe portions are large enough to share, the cocktails great, ambiance, and vibe is everything. We'll be back.

This is an awesome new steakhouse in Rockville. The interior is small but very well decorated. Comfortable seating and a really cool mural on the back wall. Soft jazz was playing and I'm happy it wasn't too loud. Our server was great and made sure we were taken well care of. I had a glass of red wine of which they had a few choices by the glass that appealed to me. Others at my table had an adult beverage which they said was very good. We shared a salad and it was tasty. I didn't use the cheese but the rest was good (although I wasn't a huge fan of the pears). An interesting lemon vinaigrette dressing was on the side. We also got the bread service and that was very tasty (Japanese milk bread served with strawberry jam and maple butter.). I got the hanger steak and it was delicious! The steak came with a brown jus. which was great. It was served with crispy flattened small potatoes and a couple of cooked cherry tomatoes. The steak was soft and very tasty! I also appreciate that they have good steak knives, which add to the experience. For dessert we got the chocolate cake and it was very good! It had a couple of layers of moose and a chocolate sauce. It came with an espresso gelato scoop which paired exquisitely. Overall, this is a winner! Great ambiance. Great food. Highly Recommended!

Let's start by saying 10/10 a must dine at restaurants. The music, the service, and the establishment was excellent. Our waitress Manu was 20/20 extremely nice and experienced. We never had to ask for anything. He was on top of everything. And now for the food. You get what you pay for. And we did and got top quality food. Definitely one of the best fine dining restaurants I've been to in a long time. We over indulged and we are beyond happy we did. Chef Matthew Cortes and stuff Did a phenomenal job.

A truly memorable dining experience at Bouboulina. From the moment we sat down, the service was nothing short of exceptional. Our server was kind, attentive, and in great spirits--and even the busser brought good vibes to the table. That level of hospitality makes a big difference. Now let's talk food. The Bouboulina smoked bread starter is not optional--it's a must. The combination of warm, house-made bread and smoked butter is one of the most creative and delicious starters I've ever had. It's the kind of dish you tell people about the next day. I ordered the steak, and it was cooked beautifully--flavorful, juicy, and satisfying. I'd give it a solid 8/10, which is high praise coming from someone picky about their meat. All around, Bouboulina nails it with top-tier service, bold concepts, and seriously good food. Highly recommend.

Loved this new addition to Pike and Rose! It was super convenient to have the parking garage right next to the restaurant. The outside of the restaurant almost looks like a speakeasy, but once you're inside... Beautiful! I loved the decor. I loved the atmosphere, the bar on the first floor, the lighting... Absolutely stunning! The hostess walked us to our table all the way in the back, whenever we passed a staff member, they greeted us and welcome us to the restaurant. We were able to get seated to a booth where our server provided a drink menu and offered suggestions. For the food portion, the waiter did also provide recommendations and personal favorites. He did not steer us wrong! We split the Wagyu ribeye, loaded potato, Bouboulina bread, and Caesar salad everything was absolutely delicious. We even opted for a chocolate cake for dessert. I personally loved the ice cream on top as well as the mousse filling. I will definitely be back!!

There is no var menu, no small bites to have while having a drink They don't want you to enjoy the bar they cater to full dinners . I was really disappointed in that

A beautiful speakeasy vibe cocktail bar and restaurant with impeccable service, an excellent wine menu, and delicious multi course shareable dining menu. We started with a Negroni and a glass a sparking rose in the quaint bar area before our table was ready. Once at the table we devoured the bread with thick honey chili butter, crab rolls ($12 each), and we each chose a steak that came out cooked perfectly with au poivre peppercorn sauce with sides of loaded potato, carrots and asparagus. The carrots were seasoned with a blend of spices that reminded us of the Mediterranean or West Africa, and the asparagus was in season with a nice crispiness that was softened with the hollandaise sauce. My partner was celebrating a birthday and they brought him a card from the staff and soft serve. We also enjoyed a bottle of the Borolo (2018) and multi glasses of the chenin Blanc. I told you we loved the wine menu! Although it was a pricey night ($400), we haven't enjoyed a meal like that in ages and loved the experience. I wish I lived closer so this could be a more routine place for us!

Took my Mom here for brunch and it was incredible for many reasons! It's a tiny restaurant and it finally has outdoor seating but once you see the amazing interior you may not want to eat outside. The decor is similar to old NYC speakeasy - absolutely so elegant. There are 3 separate menus = weekday lunch/weekend brunch/dinner. For brunch my Mom had the French Toast and I had the Ceasar Salad. The Ceasar was very good - no complaints but similar to other places I've been but the French Toast was the best ever. I didn't realize French Toast could be this upscale! The bread was thick and the sauce/peaches/almond were sweet and delicious. Can't stop thinking about it! Will def go back for lunch and dinner - menus are limited but they seem to have a few good options per menu and I really just want to go back and sit inside the place again. They also have a bar area with about 8 seats and 2 dining tables.

So I was torn between giving four and five stars, but I think 4.5 is fair and could easily round up to five. Let's get into it. First the decor of this restaurant is absolutely gorgeous. You walk in to an anteroom that has a bar, that's creamy and decadent and really harkens back to a very classy 1950s space. Then you walk through a kitchen window and it's almost like a food speakeasy space where you think that the extremely dark navy blue in the walls is going to be over bearing, but it turns out it just creates this amazing ambience that coupled with heavy dark navy drapery makes you feel like you could be anywhere in the world besides Pike and Rose. Not that there's anything wrong with being a Pike and Rose, but the absolute allure of this restaurant is the creation of this 1950s classy space. The service was amazing from the moment we entered we were greeted there was no pretense in the greeting, everyone was extremely cordial. Our server was Constantly checking on us not to the point of hovering, but certainly made sure that all of our needs were met, as did the general manager, who was so kind, and did an amazing job of listening and making sure that he heard the concerns of any patron while he walked around the floor multiple times. Really outstanding on customer service, and they could probably give a class on it. To the food. We ordered the Wagyu picanha steak, the branzino, a salad, two espresso martinis, an old-fashioned, soft-serve ice cream, and chocolate cake. The branzino was delicious, and an extremely large portion, with a very nicely, crisped skin that they said was due to the dry aging. The pesto and tomatoes under it as well as the fennel salad were all chef's kiss and complimented each other perfectly!! But again it's huge, would recommend sharing. The picanha was good, the salad seemed to be dressed well but was also too big and certainly could have been shared. For some reason, we wanted a baked potato, and this did fall flat, because as scintillating as all of the other flavors were, the potato felt extremely basic. They mentioned that they removed the gnocchi because it was not a crowd pleaser during their friends and family event, and we decided that the potato probably could go as well. The drinks were tasty however, the espresso martinis were made with rum, not vodka, which made it taste like a spiked hot chocolate. The old-fashioned was yummy, but definitely had a question about the pinecone which our server was adamant that it should be eaten and it ruined my palate for the rest of the meal. It was so earthy and so bitter that he nicely brought me a new cocktail, which I couldn't even drink because I still had the pinecone flavor in my mouth. Awful, do not ingest, I beg you! In my retelling, I don't actually know where that half a point should be removed, and so I think I support the five stars with no hesitation. Definitely go, the price tag is not bad even as comparable to all of the restaurants in the area, and it really was an enjoyable three hours with no rushing felt on our part by our server. Thanks for being awesome, what a welcome addition to the neighborhood!

Crab roll had ONE tiny piece of lump crab, some delicious white sauce, and a small dollop of caviar. $12 and I felt ripped off. I've seen pictures of this dish on Yelp and some of them have split top roll, mine didn't. One tiny bite of crab, five bites of bread. Filet Mignon was fantastic and worth $64. Red and pink in the middle, slight char outside. Bravo. This is the reason I'll be back. Old Fashioned ($17) was very good, I'd get it again. The service is very good but it's very loud so it was tough to hear our soft talker. The ambiance is dark, wonderful but there's a bottleneck between the bar and restaurant where you have to squeeze through, avoiding the people exiting the restaurant and the servers picking up food from the open kitchen. Great concept, not very well executed. This passageway needs to be wider.

The food was amazing, truly! I recommend the crab roll appetizer and the chilled shrimp. Our waitress Roni was super helpful and gave us great service. They made our anniversary feel super special. Free rosé is always a win. The dark and stormy room was romantic and elegant. I will be back!!

Delicious superb finger licking good. This was amazing from the bronzinie to the cheesecake dessert this was outstanding. Thank you for not making me go all the way to DC to get an excellent meal.

TLDR: strong smoky flavors The restaurant is very nice, lovely dining experience (if not a bit loud). The dining room and bar are very pretty. I tried 3 different dishes that all had a smoky flavor, as they heavily feature their wood fired oven. I personally do not like strong smoky flavors and therefore did not enjoy my meal much. However, my husband and friends liked the food and had no complaints. We agreed it was not as good as Woodmont Grill, and I personally enjoy Julie and Melina more.

I love going to bouboulina for my anniversary dinner . I enjoyed the Caesar salad and the filet mignon. Both were excellent.

Reservation, finding parking, check-in, seating, waited staff, managers, servers, all did their best and we were treated well. Low light ambience for dinner so I would think this is an establishment suitable for adults. Amongst the menu, I loved root vegetable puree. I shared tomahawk with my son. It was well seasoned and cooked correctly to my son's liking. My husband had wagyu beef and found it was tougher than he expected. It is leaner part but we didn't ask beforehand so it was unfortunate finding out afterwards. All acompanying sauces were well seasoned, and flavorful. I think salad dressing for Caeser salad was also well prepared not too tangy. Over all it was a good experience and I'd think suitable for romantic night out.

I had the crab roll and the filet mignon. The crab roll (pic) was all bread, with ONE lump of crab and some stringy crab in white sauce and a dollop of caviar. The one bite that included crab was delicious, but the other five bites of just bread were, well... excellent bread. I would not get this again for $12. The filet mignon (pic) at $64 was just fantastic, as you would expect from a steakhouse. Medium-rare with pink and red inside, slightly charred outside, and the sauce was wonderful. I alternated bites - one with sauce, one without... Best steak in Rockville in my experience. The smoked old fashioned was a delicious work of art and worth the $17. The service was very good although the server was a bit mild in the volume area for such a loud restaurant. The entrance is very nice, walk past the bar but then there's a bottleneck trying to get through the "open-kitchen hallway" where people are trying to exit the restaurant as you're entering, everyone rubbernecking the kitchen and servers trying to pick up food. That space is much too narrow. The restaurant itself is beautiful, dark - but too loud and it wasn't quite full. I will go again to try a different cut of steak, hoping it's as excellent as the filet mignon. Oh, almost forgot - the beautiful marble and wood table had not been wiped clean (pic). All in all, easily one of Rockville's top restaurants. Not quite on a par with Il Pizzico, but up there with Clyde's.

The food was delicious! We went there for lunch today. The presentation was amazing! Vincent, our waiter was wonderful! The ambience was perfect! I can't wait to go back for dinner with my husband!

What a wonderful first-time (of many more to come) dinner. Wonderfully prepared food with plenty of flavor and imagination. Great service, too. Looking forward to our next dinner there.

This place is definitely nice in the inside...service is exceptional..managers or aka security.. i dont know who they are, but they line up on the wall just watching its kinda weird!! whispering & chatting how patrons react to the mediocre food, that's is not good. but its exceptional & very expensive & not worth the experience or price & the food is not hot!!! ..one of the managers was a little mouthy because guest showed up 10min ealry to an empty restaurant..long story short...go else where!!! Seriously!!! Place is about 4/10

Ate for the 2nd time at Bouboulina. First time experience a few weeks ago was outstanding in every regard--food, service, ambience. Just celebrated a big birthday last night and was underwhelmed mainly because one of us had a NY strip steak swimming in sauce. I had the lasagna (2nd time) with burnt noodles (top part) & very little Bolognese sauce & cheese. Service was good but server never asked if we wanted coffee. This experience was disappointing.