| Address | 7833 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda, MD 20814 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (301) 986-1337 |
What a massive disappointment and utterly frustrating experience! Believing the rave reviews that were written about the restaurant, my husband and I went for a special date and were truly shocked to see our food arrive looking like it had been cooked days before and heated under a heat lamp and, in the case of my food (Athenian Chicken), being utterly bland. I honestly could get the exact same thing at Whole Foods for about 1/3 of the price and feed my whole family on it. This is not even to mention the fact that while we were eating the owner's wife turned off the music in the restaurant so that she could blast the television program she was watching--certainly not something you want to even have to deal with when you are paying for a meal that is at least $30 per person. But to top it all off, the owner ended up charging us for the very food we had sent back, despite the fact we had originally agreed upon him charging us for the food we actually did consume (which, ultimately makes sense). Why would they charge us for the food we didn't eat and not for the food we actually did eat?? The answer is simple: because it was more expensive and they were more concerned with jabbing us with an extra $3 charge than treating us with respect, and perhaps securing our return to the restaurant. Who wants to pay $30/person for a restaurant where the food is stale, the ambiance poor and the owners are greedy and stingy?? I will never go back to this restaurant and, for the sake of whomever is reading this review I truly hope you consider our experience before you risk wasting both your time and your money. The only things I think this restaurant has going for it are its hummus, its busboy (who seemed to be the only person in the restaurant who even knew what service was about) and the fact that Ben & Jerry's is just around the corner.
Went with a big party for lunch. Everyone left satisfied. The vegetarian platter was huge; the moussaka was delicious, as was the hummus and grape leaf appetizers. Others ordered souvlaki and lamb kabobs, which looked amazing. The atmosphere included Greek music, and the waiter was very attentive. The chef even came out to see if we liked everything. A great experience. During lunch, it appeared to be a business crowd but would also recommend for a date.
Athenian Plaka is an old favorite of my family, with a new chef. We have been pleased with the menu changes and the specials tend to be delicious. The wait staff is eager to make recommendations...which are usually right on!
Coming from a Greek family I can definitely say Athenian Plaka is the real thing - and the BEST in Washington. The staff is friendly, quick, and will guide newcomers through the menu. The menu is big, but not too big. The specials are always amazing, the lamb (get it on the bone) is always divine! Thee food is so good, it's just like when Gia Gia Boukas comes to cook (sorry Gia Gia!)!
Go eat, drink, and enjoy!
Our food was wonderful, the chicken was fresh, the vegetables were delicious. I highly recommend the mushroom appetizer! Each entree is between $15 and $20, and well worth it. Large portions allow for leftovers, and the service was great.
It was not crowded at all, so there was no wait. I got the sense this is a well-kept secret of Bethesda.
Great authentic Greek food and decor! Get the sampler platter from the entree menu. A great taste of everything you can't pick one of from the menu!
