Great food questionable service
DESCRIPTION: I would have to say that the food at this restaurant is great, but it does not make up for some of the service issues that they have. 1) If I am going to be paying 15 dollars for an entree you can at least give free refills. 2) The staff passed by my table at least 5 times without asking me if I needed anything when I had both glasses sitting there to be refilled beacuse I was eating a very spicy dish.
DATE: 2005-07-17
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 4
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 6
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Kung Pao Lamb

Very good!
DESCRIPTION: Had a Kobe beef burger, a little pricey, but it was VERY good.
DATE: 2004-07-20
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 10

Chinatown's best restaurant returns!
DESCRIPTION: After losing its lease a couple of years ago, Eat First has reopened on H Street, again raising the bar on food for every other restaurant in DC's otherwise disappointing Chinatown. This is not a fancy place. It's a simple storefront with fresh authentic food, including Hong Kong style noodle dishes, roast meats, clay pots, and the like. Service is friendly and attentive. The roast duck and pork aren't as good as Mark's Duck House in Falls Church, but some other dishes are best-in-class. Favorites include the pea pod sprouts in garlic and the wonderfully rich clay pots. Vegetarians should try their near-perfect vegetable spring rolls and a surprisingly delectable fresh soy sauce chow mein.
DATE: 2003-06-18
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Chicken with Ginger & Scallion in Clay Pot

Best Chinese Food for Cheap
DESCRIPTION: Went to this restaurant before a game at the MCI Center. We went with a party of 10 people and all of us agreed that most of the dishes were better than other chinese restaurants we'd been to. And to top it off, my brother wholeheartedly agrees. The only one that wasn't the greatest was General Tso's....everything else was perfect!
DATE: 2003-12-23
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Lemon Chicken, Lo Mein, veggie spring rolls, cashew chicken

Excellent place
DESCRIPTION: Great atmosphere, great food. Came across this little place by accident, and absolutely loved it. The prices are reasonable, and you can pick and choose from many different food styles all at once.
DATE: 2003-08-04
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Eggrolls, sushi (maki)

Go for it!
DESCRIPTION: Sushi was amazing, I personally suggest the Spicy California Rolls or the Philly Rolls. Their patio is great. Quite a place to spend a nice lunch. The location is perfect because it is right off Dupont, so you do not get all the hassle during weekdays. You just need go the extra mile to get a decent attention, but if that does not bother you, you are on the right track to enjoy a good meal.
DATE: 2003-10-21
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 6
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 6
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Spicy California Rolls or the Philly Rolls

Trendy and Delicious
DESCRIPTION: This is the place I bring friends who come to visit. So far everyone has absolutely loved it. The atmosphere is lively, service is ok, food is amazing. They also make the best cosmopolitan in the city.
DATE: 2003-12-19
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 6
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : chicken potstickers, calamari

a lesson in frustration
DESCRIPTION: I don't know how this place survives. Every time I've been there its a object lesson in how NOT to provide good service. The host makes you wait when tables are open, the waiters forget orders, if they ever take them, the food is hit or miss, and if you have a complaint, the manager dissapears. Last night, the last time I will set foot in the place, the waiter yelled at us when we refused to tip him after he forgot our order twice and tried to serve us another table's food.
DATE: 2004-06-25
FOODRATING : 2
SERVICERATING : 2
AMBIANCERATING : 4
OVERALLRATING : 2
RECOMMENDED DISHES : another restaurant

Best Thai I've Ever Had
DESCRIPTION: Expecting little, but wanting Thai, I tried this off-the-beaten path restaurant by Capitol South Metro, where I usually defer to some BullFeathers. What an amazing surprise! This restaurant serves the best Thai food I have ever tasted and they deliver! What a gem on Capitol Hill.
DATE: 2004-08-08
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Chicken Pad Thai

Great Food. Obnoxious Staff
DESCRIPTION: Isn't the restaurant industry all about customer service? Apparently David Winer doesn't think so. Although the food was exceptional at Merkado Kitchen, the staff at "the front of the house" was anything but. When I called to ask about the vintage of a certain wine on their wonderfully sourced (and priced) list, I was rudely told to "call back in an hour...I'm in the middle of something." Just yesterday I made reservations for a big group in person and the manager, acting annoyed, and barked orders at me, after acting as if he was doing me a favor. This area might be starved for good restaurants, but Merkado Kitchen will need a serious attitude adjustment in order to fit the bill.
DATE: 2005-05-16
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 2
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 4
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Asopao!!

Great food and service
DESCRIPTION: Maybe they read the earlier review. Anyhow, the service last night was excellent. The woman at the front door did her best to accommodate my wife and I, and get us a table during a very busy part of the evening. After an exceedingly minor incident where I was given a glass with a chipped rim, they credited me for my cocktail. The waiter was quick and knowledgeable without being pushy. Decor here is great.
DATE: 2005-06-10
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Duck starter - perfectly cooked! Tuna entree - delightful.

Great Food & Service
DESCRIPTION: Super enjoyable spot with some of the most amiable service I've come across in quite some time. Menu is interesting and fairly priced. We enjoyed everything but loved the White Tuna Sashimi, the Whole Fish and the Blueberry Napoleon. Wine list is a bargain. Bonny Doon Telegram is a steal.
DATE: 2005-06-28
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : White Tuna Sashimi

Coolest Place in the Hood
DESCRIPTION: Congrats to Winer, he's done it again. Best neighborhood restaurants in DC. The food was great, service was friendly and on the mark. Glass and a half of wine is a nice touch as well as the cool list of specialty drinks. We'll be back.
DATE: 2005-07-16
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Asopao