Hype, food novices jump on bandwagon when they know little about the restaurant biz. Had much better Greek food at Pan American Restaurant and Scorpios for 10% of the cost, and food made by former chef of 5 star hotel. But? the plastic ivy, and lattice is part of decor and lacks the "ambiance" or "pretension" of restaurants that will set you back $500 , a week,s salary for many people. The now closed Greek Taverna had food prepared by someone who became a chef out of love of cooking, and had food comparable, at a fair price. Capitalism at its best. But let's distinguish pretty good food for $$$$$ from great food for $. Bottom line , going to restaurants is not so much about eating because you are hungry or to celebrate an event, but to be seen or use it for water cooler chat to make one feel good.
Babak S.
Consistently delicious and authentic. I love the fact that the owner is always present and directing the wait staff. It shows in the degree of service that we get. The prices are really reasonable. We always get the 3 appetizer sampler - Greek yogurt, eggplant and fish roe mousse - and then the debate about lamb versus fish. The restaurant is reasonable quiet and always clean.
Pearl D.
Enjoyed dinner here! There is street and lot parking onsite. This place can get busy and reservations recommended. The sampler has one each of lambchop, beef meatball and chicken skewer. Good option to try a few different items Lots of good fish dishes as well.
Rena Memmedli
We had a great time. Even though I accidentally reserved a table on another day, they were very understanding and found a table for us. Food was very delicios. Our waitress Donika was super nice and professional. We will be back!
We had a reservation for a birthday celebration (the birthday was never acknowledged, but that doesn't affect the review). It's been a few years since we've been to Nostos but have always loved it in the past. I'm not sure why my table was the ONLY one affected, but we literally sat for over an hour waiting for entrees while surrounding tables (who ordered the same dish) were seated after us, served the same meal and finished before we were even served. We were told twice “it's a big fish, it takes a long time to cook” (we cook it at home often, it doesn't take an hour). On an aside, the acoustics are not conducive to conversation with your guests in the main dining room. The appetizers were very good, but our dinner sides came out early and were cold by the time fish arrived. An option I heartily recommend for Mediterranean food is Our Mom Eugenia. Delicious, authentic food you'll often find served by one of the owners. They'll happily tell you Eugenia's story, share a recipe, etc...you feel like you're in her kitchen. Sadly, I won't be back to Nostos. I think they've stopped trying...at least for the table we were sitting at last night. So much for a happy birthday celebration.
Deborah Fonseca
Nostos is easily the finest Greek restaurant anywhere within driving distance of Washington, DC. And likely one of the best in the Northeast USA. This is due in large measure to the fact that owner, Peter, is onsite virtually anytime the doors are open.We have been dining here since they opened. And we have not yet had a poor - or even mediocre - dish.This is our Go-To restaurant for Date Night, for our Real Estate strategy meetings, and to take clients out.The staff has been with Peter for many, many years. They know the menu. And they know their clients.Take it from a Greek-American: we are incredibly fortunate to have a Greek restaurant of this caliber in the DC Metro area!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Little
The food is very good, but the service at our most recent visit was something one might expect at less "lofty' establishments.We were a small party (fewer than six) in a smaller and, fortunately, less noisy room with other tables/patrons. The waiter was considerably more attentive to the other tables, while we waited . . . and waited . . . and . . .When he brought our drinks, one was incomplete, while two others, both clear liquors, prepared essentialy identically, were set down with no explanation or idea which was which. We had to taste-test them to figure it out. At one point, we planned to order a bottle of wine, but when our entrees did finally come out, the waiter hot-tailed it so fast without the standard "Is there anything else I can get you?" that we didn't have a chance. I was sitting at the end of one side and the waiter kept reaching in front of me to serve plates, remove plates, etc. I am not exaggerating to say his arm was 2-3 inches from my face each of the nearly half-dozen times leaned over to grab someone else's plate. I even said "Please stop doing that!" at one point, but to no effect. To be clear, there was room for the waiter to serve from the other side of the table and also down the table. Why he chose to repeatedly lean across me and the table bewilders me. (And whatever happened to serving guests from their left??) Maybe, just maybe, it wouldn't have seemed quite so obnoxious and disruptive if he had once said "Pardon my reach" or "Excuse me," but he never did.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 1
Duvel
Good thing we don't live close by or we'd be busting our budget on dining out! Great restaurant. An amazing note: we arrived at 4:30pm. Nostos didn't open until 5pm. Same for bar. I retreated to the car to read my book until opening time. At 10 of 5, there was a knock on my window. They were ready! And they say customer service is a dying art. Not at Nostos! Highly recommend.
DebM
I love the elegance of this restaurant. Linen tablecloths, and the welcoming hostess who greets you immediately upon entering. The menu choices are great and the service is efficient, especially with refilling water glasses. The parking is a challenge for sure. Overall, it's a lovely way to spend a lunch or dinner eating wonderful food!
DimitriG
Great food, tasty and authentic. Try the lamb shank or have a grilled fish prepared right next to you. Nice and in depth Greek wine list, as well. Service is attentive, and never intrusive. A must visit if you're in the mood for fine Greek cuisine.
It's a shame that we are only limited to five stars on this not well-known gem. The food was only second to the service, in the hands of Jerry who took care of us very professionally and courteously. His attention to detail DID make a difference. Nostos is nor your traditional American version of a Greek restaurant. The food is authentic, and the ambiance is worth any dollar you will spend there. And if you don't trust me, trust the two gentlemen in the picture at the restaurant's entrance. I should ask them wherever else they eat.
Mark0637
The Valentine's Day price fix menu selections and value were fantastic. The appetizer, entree and dessert selections were fantastic. Lanb and filet were done perfectly with great flavor. Will be back, again and again.
foodie2
Booked a Valentine lunch for my husband and me. I expected to be seated in the main dining area but we were placed in side tables by the bar. Ok no worries. It took a while before anyone came by to give us menus and even longer for someone to fill our water glasses. Our server was almost completely silent... never greeted us or asked if we had been there before. He barely said a word during the entire time. It just felt weird especially considering it was Valentine's Day. Timing of food coming out was also slow but the food itself was excellent - delicious mussels for appetizer and we had the fried cod and chicken souvlaki - both delicious and a good value. It's a shame the service wasn't more inviting.
Linda Burkhart
$19 for a glass of regular red wine is a bit absurd. The octopus was good but too salty. The rockfish special was diminished by serving soggy skin skin. Any restaurant should know if you keep the skin on, the skin has to be super crispy. The service was hood but this place is over rated.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 3
MaryF
We've been leaving in the neighborhood 10+ years and just found out about this spot. It definitely won't be our last - We were not too adventurous and stuck with classics like stuffed grape leaves and spanakopita. The tzatziki was amazing - the perfect balance of ingredients and delicious, creamy yogurt put it over the top! There was a good selection of wines - I chose a greek white wine recommended by our waiter and I was not disappointed. Very nice. We ended the meal with cheesecake and orange cake. I mean......heavenly. The next time we eat here, I am going to be more adventurous, because this place knows how to make good food.
Hype, food novices jump on bandwagon when they know little about the restaurant biz. Had much better Greek food at Pan American Restaurant and Scorpios for 10% of the cost, and food made by former chef of 5 star hotel. But? the plastic ivy, and lattice is part of decor and lacks the "ambiance" or "pretension" of restaurants that will set you back $500 , a week,s salary for many people. The now closed Greek Taverna had food prepared by someone who became a chef out of love of cooking, and had food comparable, at a fair price. Capitalism at its best. But let's distinguish pretty good food for $$$$$ from great food for $. Bottom line , going to restaurants is not so much about eating because you are hungry or to celebrate an event, but to be seen or use it for water cooler chat to make one feel good.
Consistently delicious and authentic. I love the fact that the owner is always present and directing the wait staff. It shows in the degree of service that we get. The prices are really reasonable. We always get the 3 appetizer sampler - Greek yogurt, eggplant and fish roe mousse - and then the debate about lamb versus fish. The restaurant is reasonable quiet and always clean.
Enjoyed dinner here! There is street and lot parking onsite. This place can get busy and reservations recommended. The sampler has one each of lambchop, beef meatball and chicken skewer. Good option to try a few different items Lots of good fish dishes as well.
We had a great time. Even though I accidentally reserved a table on another day, they were very understanding and found a table for us. Food was very delicios. Our waitress Donika was super nice and professional. We will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spanakopita, Baklava, Branzino, Lamb Chops, Galaktoboureko
We had a reservation for a birthday celebration (the birthday was never acknowledged, but that doesn't affect the review). It's been a few years since we've been to Nostos but have always loved it in the past. I'm not sure why my table was the ONLY one affected, but we literally sat for over an hour waiting for entrees while surrounding tables (who ordered the same dish) were seated after us, served the same meal and finished before we were even served. We were told twice “it's a big fish, it takes a long time to cook” (we cook it at home often, it doesn't take an hour). On an aside, the acoustics are not conducive to conversation with your guests in the main dining room. The appetizers were very good, but our dinner sides came out early and were cold by the time fish arrived. An option I heartily recommend for Mediterranean food is Our Mom Eugenia. Delicious, authentic food you'll often find served by one of the owners. They'll happily tell you Eugenia's story, share a recipe, etc...you feel like you're in her kitchen. Sadly, I won't be back to Nostos. I think they've stopped trying...at least for the table we were sitting at last night. So much for a happy birthday celebration.
Nostos is easily the finest Greek restaurant anywhere within driving distance of Washington, DC. And likely one of the best in the Northeast USA. This is due in large measure to the fact that owner, Peter, is onsite virtually anytime the doors are open.We have been dining here since they opened. And we have not yet had a poor - or even mediocre - dish.This is our Go-To restaurant for Date Night, for our Real Estate strategy meetings, and to take clients out.The staff has been with Peter for many, many years. They know the menu. And they know their clients.Take it from a Greek-American: we are incredibly fortunate to have a Greek restaurant of this caliber in the DC Metro area!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food is very good, but the service at our most recent visit was something one might expect at less "lofty' establishments.We were a small party (fewer than six) in a smaller and, fortunately, less noisy room with other tables/patrons. The waiter was considerably more attentive to the other tables, while we waited . . . and waited . . . and . . .When he brought our drinks, one was incomplete, while two others, both clear liquors, prepared essentialy identically, were set down with no explanation or idea which was which. We had to taste-test them to figure it out. At one point, we planned to order a bottle of wine, but when our entrees did finally come out, the waiter hot-tailed it so fast without the standard "Is there anything else I can get you?" that we didn't have a chance. I was sitting at the end of one side and the waiter kept reaching in front of me to serve plates, remove plates, etc. I am not exaggerating to say his arm was 2-3 inches from my face each of the nearly half-dozen times leaned over to grab someone else's plate. I even said "Please stop doing that!" at one point, but to no effect. To be clear, there was room for the waiter to serve from the other side of the table and also down the table. Why he chose to repeatedly lean across me and the table bewilders me. (And whatever happened to serving guests from their left??) Maybe, just maybe, it wouldn't have seemed quite so obnoxious and disruptive if he had once said "Pardon my reach" or "Excuse me," but he never did.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 1
Good thing we don't live close by or we'd be busting our budget on dining out! Great restaurant. An amazing note: we arrived at 4:30pm. Nostos didn't open until 5pm. Same for bar. I retreated to the car to read my book until opening time. At 10 of 5, there was a knock on my window. They were ready! And they say customer service is a dying art. Not at Nostos! Highly recommend.
I love the elegance of this restaurant. Linen tablecloths, and the welcoming hostess who greets you immediately upon entering. The menu choices are great and the service is efficient, especially with refilling water glasses. The parking is a challenge for sure. Overall, it's a lovely way to spend a lunch or dinner eating wonderful food!
Great food, tasty and authentic. Try the lamb shank or have a grilled fish prepared right next to you. Nice and in depth Greek wine list, as well. Service is attentive, and never intrusive. A must visit if you're in the mood for fine Greek cuisine.
Restaurantji Recommends
It's a shame that we are only limited to five stars on this not well-known gem. The food was only second to the service, in the hands of Jerry who took care of us very professionally and courteously. His attention to detail DID make a difference. Nostos is nor your traditional American version of a Greek restaurant. The food is authentic, and the ambiance is worth any dollar you will spend there. And if you don't trust me, trust the two gentlemen in the picture at the restaurant's entrance. I should ask them wherever else they eat.
The Valentine's Day price fix menu selections and value were fantastic. The appetizer, entree and dessert selections were fantastic. Lanb and filet were done perfectly with great flavor. Will be back, again and again.
Booked a Valentine lunch for my husband and me. I expected to be seated in the main dining area but we were placed in side tables by the bar. Ok no worries. It took a while before anyone came by to give us menus and even longer for someone to fill our water glasses. Our server was almost completely silent... never greeted us or asked if we had been there before. He barely said a word during the entire time. It just felt weird especially considering it was Valentine's Day. Timing of food coming out was also slow but the food itself was excellent - delicious mussels for appetizer and we had the fried cod and chicken souvlaki - both delicious and a good value. It's a shame the service wasn't more inviting.
$19 for a glass of regular red wine is a bit absurd. The octopus was good but too salty. The rockfish special was diminished by serving soggy skin skin. Any restaurant should know if you keep the skin on, the skin has to be super crispy. The service was hood but this place is over rated.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 3
We've been leaving in the neighborhood 10+ years and just found out about this spot. It definitely won't be our last - We were not too adventurous and stuck with classics like stuffed grape leaves and spanakopita. The tzatziki was amazing - the perfect balance of ingredients and delicious, creamy yogurt put it over the top! There was a good selection of wines - I chose a greek white wine recommended by our waiter and I was not disappointed. Very nice. We ended the meal with cheesecake and orange cake. I mean......heavenly. The next time we eat here, I am going to be more adventurous, because this place knows how to make good food.