Johnny’s

I will give the restaurant two stars for the setting, but our bartender at the whiskey bar was horrendous. I went in and waited a the bar for my husband to park the car. I was clearly pregnant and asked the bartender for a virgin drink. I wasn’t picky just something he can whip up. He asked me, with attitude, well what do you want. and I said I’m not really sure of any could I pick from the menu and it just not have alcohol. and he said that wasn’t how it worked so what would I want him to do. UM, I DON’T KNOW. You are the expert and should have a few drinks up your sleeve if you are a professional bartender in a nice restaurant.
When my husband came in, he tried to order two whiskeys and both were sold out… AT A WHISKEY BAR. Third time’s the charm. The bartender had to measure out the whiskey (seriously?).
Went to dinner at a fine establishment a mile down the road in which the cost was reflected in the service and food. We will not return to Johnny’s which is unfortunate since the food is quite good.

I’m really surprised to see that this place only has 3 stars. I’ve been here about 5 times now and it has been splendid each time, granted, I’ve only been for brunch – I can’t speak for the dinner experience. All of the menu items are delicious every time I go, and the coffee is on point. The only reason I took away a star is because the service isn’t always on point – however, it’s never terrible. I truly hope I see the ratings for this place turn around, because I truly enjoy it – it’s a complete 180 from the experiences I’ve had at its neighbor and sister restaurant, Petit Louis.

I’ve only had the pleasure of being here once, but it was outstanding. I loved the atmosphere, our waiter was excellent, and my lunch was delicious. I had the bacon, avocado, lettuce and tomato sandwich, which, though simple, was delicious on home made «wonder bread». I am excited to go back and try more of their fare.

For my family, Johnny’s is like an ex to whom you keep going back, even though you know she isn’t right for you. As Roland Park residents, we are 100% invested in a local spot doing well. The locale, especially, has a soft spot in our hearts, and gave us hope initially — we loved Anita’s, which occupied the spot years ago. For a couple of reasons, though, we are consistently disappointed:
1) The wait to be seated is frustratingly inconsistent. Sometimes, we are seated right away. This past week, right when the restaurant opened, two other couples were seated immediately, and we waited 5 full minutes in the waiting area before we were seated, despite several servers walking by.
2) Bar and table service are incredibly slow. Even when the restaurant isn’t crowded, it is almost impossible for us to get in and out of Johnny’s in less than 60 – 90 minutes, regardless of the time of day. If you’re friendly with the wait staff or baristas, plan on settling in. While we truly appreciate a cheery staff, we don’t think it should come at the expense of timely service.
3) A lot of the food lacks flavor or what seem like basic standards of preparation. Some of the items on their pretty creative menu taste great, while others leave us scratching our head. The chicken sausage is literally plain chicken, ground and shaped into patties; it has the slightest hint of lemon and some green garnish. You can also get a side of potato cake, which should basically be an amuse bouche; it is that small. I ordered pancakes this week and the outside edges were wet with uncooked batter — a family member let me know that she’d had the same experience, sent the uncooked pancakes back, and was then delivered another batch of uncooked cakes! The pancakes also don’t taste like much at all. The huevos ranchers, guac (when they have it in stock), burgers and frittatas are usually great. Our family loves their pastries, including pies and peanut butter cookies!
4) Prices. I am happy to pay for a quality dining experience, but have a hard time justifying a steep bill when the food and service have been lackluster. We’re coffee aficionados, too, but don’t understand how you can charge $ 6 for a 10oz latte.
The bright spot of Johnny’s is the staff. They remember us when we come in and are really friendly. When you have them at your table, they are funny and great ambassadors for the restaurant. Like the Wizard of Oz, though, I’m not sure what happens when they go behind the doors of the kitchen, but something prevents this spot from delivering on substance. How long can they get by on optics, a hipster vibe, and the Foreman and Wolf name?
From a long-​time Roland Park family, we hope that Johnny’s can put more effort into the backbone of a good dining experience — the basics. We’re ready to come back when they do, but for now, we’re exploring other options.
Sincerely,
Hopeful on Roland Avenue

Been going here most weekends for brunch as a family. ALWAYS great! The manger always checks in to see how we are doing. Other serves will refill our coffees and waters. The fried rice and chips n dip are something I would have never ordered (server recommendations) but hands down the best I’ve ever had. Worth the trip for those alone! Stop in and enjoy the food and service. Get the wild honey cocktail. AMAZING.

Great for lunch. Disappointing for dinner…
Restaurant is gorgeous and very inviting, but food left a lot to be desired. Soups are excellent but ended up being the highlight of the meal!

A must go! Start to finish a great time. I went there last year for my birthday and I plan to come back for my next and next

I go there #1 for coffee /​Lindsay Barrista +++
Tonight I had 3 types of tuna sashimi — wow
Amazing bites
And Wills’ last night

Decent spot in Roland Park. Chef Ron at the sushi bar is a true artist. Food was okay. Nice atmosphere.

I’ve always had decent-​good experiences here, but overall it’s just such a disappointment because it fails to live up to its potential. Nothing on the menu every screams to me and I’ve never had anything I’d rave about to a friend. But I still have hope that it will turn around, and will definitely keep going back occasionally.

Brunch is my favorite meal of the day, and this was the best brunch I’ve had in a long time. We were there on a Saturday, when I expected they would be packed, but they seated us immediately and even offered us a choice of rooms (my friend, who had been there before, recommended the bar area as it was better suited for conversation.) The booths were comfortably plush, and I loved the clerestory windows that let in light but allowed privacy.
I loved the diverse, fresh menu even more, and it took more than a few minutes for me to decide on what I wanted! I settled on the chilaquiles and their «Hot Cup of Coffee,» which is a bit of a pun as it’s made with honey and cayenne. The server complimented my choices and said it was a great pairing. When I asked whether they could substitute cheddar cheese for the queso fresco on the menu, she immediately went to the kitchen to confirm it was doable — something I’ve never seen a server do. Her attention to detail was impressive!
The drinks came right away and we settled in for a good chat. After a few minutes the server came by, concerned that I hadn’t drunk much of my coffee. Did I like it? I told her yes, it was delicious, but I wanted to save it to taste alongside the chilaquiles. A few minutes after that, a manager came by and told me to enjoy the coffee while it was hot, and he would bring me a fresh one when my entrée arrived. I was absolutely shocked; I’ve never experienced that level of service in a fine restaurant, let alone a casual-​dining establishment (and no, they didn’t charge us for the second cup.)
The food was every bit as high-​quality as the service, prepared to Chef Wolf’s exacting standards. The chilaquiles were not crispy, as I’ve had them in the past; instead, they were simmered until soft in a velvety tomatillo sauce, topped by fluffy scrambled eggs, rich cheese and creamy avocado. The flavor and texture combination was perfect, and in conjunction with the smooth, sweetly spicy coffee, it was absolute heaven. The portion was also quite generous: I took home leftovers, and I think they were even better the next day!
My friend loved her eggs, which came with two sides — I stole a piece of her zucchini and it was the most delicious zucchini I’ve ever had. The server kindly inquired in the kitchen, and they said it was just sauteed with red onion, olive oil, garlic and sea salt, but I’m telling you, it was magical. I have tried to duplicate it on my own to no avail. Oh well — I guess I’ll just have to make Johnny’s a part of my regular Saturday morning routine!

I have been back to Johnny’s a few times and no longer think my «one star rant» is deserved. Although at the time, it was still generous (because zero stars isn’t an option) — and I couldn’t believe the top restaurant group in Baltimore would open the way they did.
BUT, to be fair, they have improved. The whiskey bar fiasco has been straightened out — the drinks are fine and the staff has been educated and/​or upgraded. The addition of an occasional sushi bar manned by one of the top sushi chefs in the city is an unexpected but welcome twist. And breakfasts there are very good to excellent, with a few creative and flavorful offerings.
Sooo…congrats to Johnny’s for pulling themselves out of my personal cellar. I no longer think you should be replaced by a hot dog stand. [And I may start coming there more frequently].

Went with a group last weekend and had a great time. We were able to make our reservation the night before without any difficulty when we called (open table was not accurate though).
The food (brunch menu) was ok and the prices were reasonable. The wait staff was great!
Definitely going back :-)

Johnny’s is huge; it’s around the corner and downstairs from Petit Louis in Roland Park. On paper this place should be fantastic. It’s part of the Foreman and Wolfe enterprises and I can get breakfasty foods in the mid-​morning on weekday. The pro is that their coffee program is totally on point.
Foodwise, I felt a little mislead. I went with the Chilaquiles. It’s in so many ways a deconstructed taco. In this particular case, a kinda soggy flavorless taco. The tortilla strips had zero texture and not much flavor given that they were simmered in tomatillo sauce. The avocado wasn’t seasoned and the queso fresco didn’t add much to the plate. There is no reason for this dish not to come with poached eggs or at least a sunny side up, runny egg. Other than sheer laziness. That being said, I think the best thing on the plate was the scrambled eggs — when does that ever happen?
The Kiko’s Loco Fried Rice was much better, although rather uninspired. Fried rice with some breakfast classics like bacon and scrambled egg, with some Asian inspired additions like garlic, scallion, and soy.
This wasn’t my first time at Johnny’s — and weekend brunch seems to be better than the daily experience. I sat at the bar, and found the barista/​bartender rather awkward and inattentive. I want to believe that this wasn’t their best showing.

I recently returned to Johnny’s for brunch and enjoyed the experience. The service was attentive and our food was nicely presented but I wouldn’t say it was anything out of the ordinary. Still, I’d be open to returning and seeing what a lunch experience might be like here.

I really like this neighborhood restaurant which combines California cuisine with a Maryland setting.
The bar area to the right is bright and airy while the downstairs area near the kitchen feels secluded and is dark (seniors don’t trip).
I’ve always been seated in the way back of the restaurant Rosa Parks style, but it’s quiet and the booths are spacious.
The décor is modern and simple as is the food. Fresh ingredients, nicely plated items, and a decent price point range.
Dinner for two was just under $ 80 including tip: we ordered some appetizers, a burger, and some cocktails.
I’ve had lunch here with my mother and the food was also delicious and not too much portion wise. I like the ambiance and the service has always been professional without being pretentious.
Brandy H waited on us most recently and she was very knowledgeable about specials and ingredients and gave us excellent service.
We will be back soon!

I love Johnny’s for their pastries. When I stopped traveling to Columbia regularly, I also stopped my regular visits to Le Comptoir for tea cakes and a cappuccino. Thankfully Johnny’s is just around the corner from my home to fill the void. (Plus, they offer a fabulous little deal of an espresso drink and pastry for only $ 5 to help make your morning commute a bit more manageable!)
Our recent brunch experience here though was just meh. We ordered the bakers plate that consisted of a carrot muffin, bacon biscuit, citrus tea cake, berry crumble tea cake and pineapple preserves. Honestly, this was the highlight of the meal. I ordered the breakfast burrito with chicken sausage, which was fine — nothing particularly notable. My husband ordered the chilaquiles. The tomatillo sauce was good but I almost think runny eggs would have made a far better top than scrambled ones. He also ordered a pineapple rosemary iced tea, which didn’t seem well balanced in flavor. My cold brew coffee was fine but I was a bit grossed out when they brought over the little jug of creamer and the spout and insides were covered in a yellow crust of dried cream. Eek! When was the last time they properly washed those things?
Overall, I think I’ll continue to stick to just their tried and true baked goods and espresso drinks where the milk is poured directly from the carton into the steamer.

Very nice atmosphere!
The place looks great, the food is good, and the staff is friendly! Here on Unilocal it says that it’s a Mexican restaurant but that’s not entirely correct. It’s American contemporary food and some of the menu items have either a Mexican or Asian flair. I came here for brunch and it was great! The serving sizes are pretty small for the prices (a little pricey).
Overall — - a great place for dates, family time, brunch, or a nice dinner! I recommend it highly.

Went to Johnny’s with a friend and our moms for brunch. I liked the décor and think it has a lot of potential, but I was not impressed by either the food or the service. The hostess was not at all friendly. Our waitress was okay, but not great. The food was mediocre… My friends omelette looked fine, but it was also something you could make at home. The chicken on my moms salad was so overcooked it was chewy — a $ 15 salad. My burger was charred on the outside and undercooked on the inside, and the farm greens that came on the side were drizzled in a tasteless dressing. Overall, Johnny’s was overpriced and under delivered, and I don’t plan on returning.

ANOTHER TONY & CINDY PLACE !!!
What the heck is this place?
Satay, Hummus, Burgers, Poke, Hoisin Ribs, Tamales, Mac n Cheese
I’m starting to stay away from places that do more than one cuisine, and for good reason.
How can someone be an expert cook in Thai, Middle Eastern, American, Hawaiian, Chinese and Mexican food?
Answer: They can’t
When i go to get hummus, i go to my guy from Egypt at Hummus Corner who makes everything himself, and has been making Hummus for 35 years. Same with all his other food, I’d never order a tamale from him?
So i get ¹⁰⁄₁₀ rated Hummus and Baba and falafel/​tahini
When you go to places like this, you get maybe one cuisine that is pretty good (maybe), and everything else is just marginal
MEXICAN FOOD: I have a HUGE problem paying $ 23 for a tostada. As a matter of fact, i have a VERY, VERY hard time understanding the concept of $$ Mexican food, Chipotle or Qdoba. Mexican food is poor people’s food, and it’s authentic. It’s not $ 23 and it’s not white meat chicken breast with no skin, cheddar cheese and BBQ sauce in a flour taco possibly fried crispy. We have SO MANY hole in the wall, awesome Mexican places around here. And you go in at lunch and walk right up to the counter. Meanwhile, the line at Chipotle is out the door. People are taste blind
Anyway, i don’t think i’ll be back to this mish mash, bi-​polar place. I went with a group of 6. Everything was just ok, but made me wish i had ordered the Poke at «Taste of Aloha», the satay from «Stang of Siam», the hummus from «Hummus Corner».
It was all a ⁴⁄₁₀. The burger was the only good thing, and that was maybe 7/​10, but again, better one’s elsewhere
So if you like a 20 page menu and the «Cheesecake Factory» concept of serving every known cuisine, rock on and get the Poke with Satay and a tamale with a side of mac n cheese !!! There is just too much going on here and the result is a wide range of ⁴⁄₁₀ food
I’d rather go down a few to Petit Louis and get FRENCH cuisine… ONE cuisine
I hope they don’t start putting Pad Thai, Reuben’s and Sashimi on that menu