DESCRIPTION: We ate there twice in (March & July, 2002) and were delighted both times. Can't remember what we ordered, but all in our party were happy with the food. No problem with service, and the ambience is wonderful. It's like a small restaurant in France. Of the half dozen restaurants we've tried so far in Portsmouth and VA Beach, this was our favorite, hands down.
DATE: 2003-04-15
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8

Outstanding Spot
DESCRIPTION: Located along the High Street restaurant corridor, this restaurant really stands out. It serves a variety of authentic French and Continental dishes, all beautifully prepared, in an atmosphere strongly reminiscent of a French bistro. The wine list is also excellent. Prices are moderate. When it is available, the lentil soup is the best I have ever eaten.
DATE: 2003-09-09
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Lentil Soup

Make room for dessert!
DESCRIPTION: We've eaten here several times since moving to Portsmouth - the service is professional to French standards, the wine list good and improving steadily, the food inventive and superbly prepared. I don't usually eat desserts (weight!), but the chef patissier is a master here, and I just take an extra walk for a week. Sometimes in summer we just stop on the way back from the library for a kir - such a civilised thing to do, and such a wonderful little city to do it in. (The rating system is misleading - there aren't any flaws to complain of here, but you have to leave space for the truly world class
DATE: 2003-12-13
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : frequent specials - fish, desserts in particular (but ask about the escargots!)

Best we have ever had!
DESCRIPTION: The restaurant is run by a family in which the husband is the only chef. His wife is the best hostess in town! We have been many times and it is by far the best restaurant we have eaten in around the country. On our first trip we asked the server "what happens if the restaurant is full?" He said "people wait." After we ate that night we both agreed that we would have waited!
DATE: 2004-09-06
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Veal

Wonderful Greek Restaurant
DESCRIPTION: Athena is a great Greek restaurant. The food is excellent and the atmosphere is wonderful. It's a popular place before shows at the Keswick, so make sure to make reservations in advance and allow plenty of time for your party to be served. The wait is worth it.
DATE: 2002-11-22
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 6
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Lemon & rice soup and hummus & pita

Read About It in Montgomery Country Living
DESCRIPTION: I read about it in the winter edition of Montgomery Country and living. The food was great. I had a whole chargrilled fish, imported from Greece. It was great. My husband had lamb shanks, needless to say it was gone in seconds. It was busy so the service was not super fast but it was BYOB so we had our wine and enjoyed the Greek music.
DATE: 2003-02-07
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : lamb shank, fresh fish, and octopus

Authentic
DESCRIPTION: We went on a Thursday night, and it was great. We were afraid to eat Greek because we hadn't before. My sister had a filet mignon shishkabob, and I had rack of lamb. It was great. It's a casual restaurant with great food.
DATE: 2003-10-18
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Baby lamb chops, Shishkabob

The Best Restaurant in Glenside / Keswick Area
DESCRIPTION: Tonight I ate at the Athena Restaurant and everything was excellent. I had one of the specials - sauteed mussels, shrimp, and calamari, and my wife had moussaka. Service was superb. A truly great find! BYO wine.
DATE: 2003-11-14
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Combination appetizer

great dining experience
DESCRIPTION: I have eaten here on three different ocasions. Each time the outcome has been the same, OUTSTANDING. I discovered the restaurant before a show at the Keswick Theatre, since then I have gone out of my way to go back. You have to try the hummus or combination appetizer. I cant wait until I can get back there.
DATE: 2004-01-02
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : hummus,any fish,filet shiskabob

Poor customer service
DESCRIPTION: I used to be a regular at Athena, prior to the change in ownership. New owners won't let two people share the large Greek salad as an entree. Old owners never said a word. I won't ever return to Athena!
DATE: 2005-04-25
SERVICERATING : 2
OVERALLRATING : 2

DESCRIPTION: This place has it all great food, great service and ambiance. I was there last friday night with my wife recommend highly. We can't wait to go back!
DATE: 2001-02-04
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Veal Milanese

DESCRIPTION: Although the food, service and atmosphere are very nice, be careful when ordering any of the the daily specials. I ordered the lobster ravioli special last weekend and suffered "sticker shock" when I found out that it was $24.95!! I have never paid this much for any kind of ravioli dish, including at much higher scaled restaurants.
DATE: 2004-04-21
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8

Arpeggio...Our Favorite Suburban Restaurant
DESCRIPTION: Fabulous food every time. Service is very good, atmosphere is pleasant. It is our favorite restaurant outside of the city. We can never resist the hummus and rarely resist the desserts.
DATE: 2003-10-19
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Hummus, personal pizzas, desserts

Don't waste your time!
DESCRIPTION: I've eaten in many a restaurant in Park City and with so many good choices, I wouldn't waste my time at Mediterraneo. But if you insist, be sure to come with very small people as they have ridiculously small tables, some of which are placed next to plants that poke at you while you eat, (although the one my daughter was sitting next to no longer will since we did some pretty serious trimming). The service is laughable. The waitress was horrible, but in an innocent sort of way, so she was tolerable. But when we asked to move from our ridiculously small table, we were told, "the manager says there are no other tables we can seat you at right now" and then we sat there for an hour and a half watching the restaurant stay half empty. Rather than coming to our table to explain herself, the manager sent our poor, inexperienced waitress to offer us a free desert. We refused it and left, wondering why we even stayed through dinner. The food actually wasn't that bad, but once again, with so many other choices, why waste your time with bad service?
DATE: 2004-01-03
FOODRATING : 6
SERVICERATING : 2
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 2

Great Food
DESCRIPTION: Aladdin's is one of my favorite lunch restaurants. I love their soups and their wraps. They have great desserts as well. I always take a dessert home to my partner. They are very hospitable as well. They have very attentive waiters, and you feel very well taken care of when you eat in their establishment.
DATE: 2006-05-03
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Len-Chil Soup

Tortilla Soup = Liquid silk
DESCRIPTION: Love Rosemary's -- the best thing is their daily soup which is a tomato-based tortilla soup. It's truly liquid silk, I could eat it every day. The rollas are great as are the kebab entrees.
DATE: 2003-05-29
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 10

Great food, service without an attitude
DESCRIPTION: We chanced on this terrific spot on a recent trip to DC. What a find. great food...tough to make up one's mind with so many great choices. Had lamb shish, an old standby and it was cooked to perfection. Went back for Sunday brunch and found the place just as welcoming. Service is friendly, efficient, adaptive. Food is tops for casual Mediterranean fare.
DATE: 2003-07-21
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8

Great Pide'
DESCRIPTION: What a great dinner at Rosemary's thyme, a great soup already mentioned above, with a good ceasar salad, and a Cheese Pide ( sort of a rolled up pizza) All that for less that $17.00. What a great place to eat, don't forget the bread that they serve you at the beginning of your meal.
DATE: 2004-06-29
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Pide

Highly recommended
DESCRIPTION: Excellent food very affordable prices
DATE: 2006-03-16
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Chicken Shawerma/ Hummus

Sanitation a Problem?
DESCRIPTION: My husband and I took a Sunday drive out to Mount Vernon and stopped here for dinner and their popular sangria. We arrived roughly 30 minutes before they actually opened for dinner and the maitre d' restaurant was kind enough to offer us a lovely table and a pitcher of sangria while waiting for the kitchen to open. We were having a lovely time until we noticed tiny ants floating in my glass and the bottom of my husband's glass also full ants! Upon inspection, we found the pitcher full of ants as well. Needless to say, we left quietly and went elsewhere for dinner
DATE: 2002-11-25
FOODRATING : 2
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 2

DESCRIPTION: We had our reception at Cedar Knoll Inn in 2001 and our anniversary dinner there again in 2002. Both occassions were exceptional! Although the food is a bit fancy for me, it was tasty. We will be going there again today for our 2nd year anniversary and can only hope that nothing has changed. The historic atmosphere was and still is what we love about this place.
DATE: 2003-09-14
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 8

Very Pleasant Lunch!
DESCRIPTION: First time at Cedar Knoll in 2002. Met a friend for lunch the week before Christmas. We were able to spend a leisurely 3 hours catching up without being pestered by wait staff (a rarity nowadays). They seemed to know when to check on us without being intrusive or demanding to know "How is everything?" while interrupting your train of thought in mid-sentence! The food was good. The lobster bisque was tasty, and the veggies sauteed to a nice turn. As for the main courses, we've both had better crabcakes (the ones at Sweet Water Tavern are usually excellent and exorbitantly priced) and Cuban sandwiches (at Cafe Havana and in Miami), but we've also had much worse. I'd rate the food a "B." No ants found in our food or beverages. The view of the Potomac River was splendid. We'd both return anytime. Highly recommended
DATE: 2004-01-01
FOODRATING : 6
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 6
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Lobster Bisque

DESCRIPTION: Despite the review regarding the ants, my husband and I ventured to the Cedar Knoll Restaurant for dinner the other evening. We went with great expectations since from the outside the restaurant seems reasonably quaint and the other two reviews were rather good. Well, we were very disappointed. The bread at the beginning of the meal was nice and warm but the butter had a decidedly 'refrigerator' aftertaste. Everything we ordered -- my husband had the bisque and I had the French onion soup plus the two chicken dishes (we both ordered a chicken dish) -- on the menu lows quite salty. Even the veggies, although crisp tender, were also salty. My entree was to be accompanied by Rice Pilaf; it was a plain white rice (I presume a substitution had been made since the sauce also contained mushrooms not mentioned in the menu description and the meal also came w/veggies not mentioned in menu description). Both entrees were mediocre. The chicken was a little on the 'overdone' side. The portions were adequate (nothing worse than getting nouvelle sized portions or oversized portions). We were not 'over fed' which was pleasant. However, for the quality of the food we feel it was overpriced. The wine we had with dinner was quite pleasant and served well chilled. We opted not to bother to try the deserts. We are new to VA, from the Los Angeles area, and are trying to find nice eateries with good cuisine. Cedar Knoll was nothing to rave about. Adequate service. Quality of food was a bit upscale of Applebee's. We were disappointed. We have tried The Mount Vernon Inn (just down the road) and find their cuisine similarly priced and far superior
DATE: 2004-01-22
FOODRATING : 4
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 4
OVERALLRATING : 4
RECOMMENDED DISHES : none of

Overpriced??
DESCRIPTION: My date and I went there for an early evening meal.... mostly just to meet with good views of the river. We ordered a bottle of wine which came properly chilled and the waiter popped the cork and immediately poured a little bit into both our glasses.... Forgive me if I'm wrong but I thought.... that the waiter was supposed to pour the man's drink first.... he is supposed to taste it and say whether it's acceptable or not? not both glasses? But be that as it may.... we ordered two appetizers because neither of us were very hungry, but couldn't help but notice the prices were a bit upscale? :( Maybe not overpriced when you consider the wonderful view of the potomac ....
DATE: 2005-08-29
FOODRATING : 6
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 4

Nice view, but...
DESCRIPTION: Multigenerational family group of 12 for Mothers Day lunch. Nice view overlooking the Potomac River. Limited menu options for Mothers Day - three entrees. Two were okay, but most of the party ordered the third, prime rib, and everyone's was overdone and tough - took three tries to find a piece close to pinkish middle for my mom - everyone else took their well done pieces in relative silence. The side dishes and desserts were good. Service varied - prompt with drinks and more bread, but "forget" to bring steak knives for the prime rib, had to ask twice, and the children (ages 6 to 14) were a sight trying to cut a tough piece of meat without them. I won't go back - too bad, there are so few places in the DC area with a nice view.
DATE: 2006-05-15
FOODRATING : 4
SERVICERATING : 4
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 2

Comfortable place with decent food
DESCRIPTION: The Phoenicia Restaurant is a nice, comfortable place to dine. The fountain in the center of the restaurant is a nice touch. Friday and Saturday evenings they have belly dancers. Service is very pleasant if not terribly professional. The food is ok... not great. Gyro had an unusual style of pita bun, but it was good. Not sure I liked the cucumber slices in the sandwich but everything tasted good. The meat in the gyro was not as plentiful or tasty as the gyro at International Delight, but the overall sandwich was probably tastier. The prices are very reasonable.
DATE: 2006-01-05
FOODRATING : 4
SERVICERATING : 6
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 6
RECOMMENDED DISHES : It's all OK