Philotimo - Menu

To make this lengthy review more manageable, I’ll break down each course individually before summing up my experience. **Drinks:** My friend ordered the 'Mykon... read more To make this lengthy review more manageable, I’ll break down each course individually before summing up my experience. **Drinks:** My friend ordered the 'Mykonos,' a gin and tonic style cocktail, while I chose the Rum Mele, a rum-based drink with a hint of honey and other mixers. Honestly, I wasn’t overly impressed with my drink; one of the components overshadowed the rum and honey flavors I was hoping for. My friend's drink, on the other hand, was very refreshing. **Starters:** We began with Dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), which are my favorite Greek dish and a crucial benchmark for gauging a restaurant's authenticity; Melizanosalata (traditional eggplant dip) served with complimentary bread; and Tirokafteri (spicy feta dip). Unfortunately, none of these starters really stood out. The Melizanosalata was my favorite, but it was milder in flavor than I expected, though still delicious with the bread. The Dolmades were of good quality but didn’t taste traditional and lacked flavor; I primarily relied on the yogurt they were served with to enhance the taste. The Tirokafteri was tasty too but reminded me more of pimento cheese than anything you’d find in Greece, which, while not inherently bad, didn’t feel unique. **Main Courses:** We ordered Octopus, Braised Beef from Naousa, Mantia (Turkish meat dumplings), and Gemista (stuffed peppers). We also opted for a bold red wine that the waiter suggested to pair with the beef. Overall, I found the main courses much more flavorful. The standout dish for me was the Mantia, which is somewhat ironic as it’s distinctly not Greek. Despite the small portion, the pasta and filling were rich in flavor and enjoyable. The Octopus brought back fond memories of dining with my grandfather in Cyprus; it was fresh and well-cooked, seasoned perfectly to complement the mollusk. The stuffed peppers were good, but felt more fitting as an appetizer rather than part of the main course lineup. I had expected the Beef from Naousa to be the highlight, and it was my friend’s favorite. The meat was cooked well, and the pairing was spot on, though I found some flavors to be a bit less intense than I had hoped. **Dessert:** We ended with 'Yiayia's Nightcap' and a Baklava, accompanied by some evening Greek Mountain Tea for me and Metaxa for my friend. The 'nightcap' was quite innovative—baklava served in a glass with some aperitif and cream! While tasty, I’m not sure I would order it again. The baklava consisted of four small pieces; while flavorful, it felt a bit small for the $16 price tag, as you can find similar quality for less around town. My tea was delightful and provided a fitting end to our meal. Overall, my dining experience was very enjoyable, and my friend and I had a wonderful time. While the food wasn't at an elite level, it was still good and worth trying. I would return, but at about $180 per person, I think there are other places offering a high-end, elevated Greek experience at a more reasonable price in the DMV area. **Vegetarian options:** Greek cuisine offers a rich variety of vegetarian dishes which appeal to many tastes.

I had high hopes for this restaurant. The ambiance is stunning, and the food was overall good. However, the greens served with the lamb were excessively salted,... read more I had high hopes for this restaurant. The ambiance is stunning, and the food was overall good. However, the greens served with the lamb were excessively salted, which was disappointing. Ultimately, the meal wasn’t remarkable enough for me to return, especially considering there are much better dining options in the city at this price point.