LIA’S

Very nice, varied menu. More than reasonable prices. Excellent dinner special. Nice setting.

Went in for a drink and maybe a couple appetizers. It took a lot longer than I would have liked to be acknowledged after we walked in, but the waiter was slammed and he was very sweet. I enjoyed my sangria it was tasty. I really hate when sangria is served with ice, but for the happy hour prices I couldn’t be too mad. They have huge beer mugs for $ 9 which is pretty fun. We got a bruschetta with mushrooms. It was pretty tasty but super overpriced.

Had celebration dinner with family and friends tonight. Our server, Evereth was spectacular, as was the food. The NY Strips were great — I had mine with the polenta, and my son had his with the mac and cheese. My wife had the salmon, which was done exactly as she ordered it (it was one of the first time in memory that she didn’t have to send back under cooked fish!). The veal scallopini special was also superb. All in all, a great night, great food, and great service. We will certainly be back again!!!

Horrible service at the bar. Multiple of us standing there waiting for drinks after happy hour and the bar area wasn’t even busy.

I have never noticed this hidden gem before tucked away into a corner and took my mother here for Mother’s Day. It’s a huge restaurant with outdoor seating. If you dine between 4 – 6:30pm they have an awesome menu special for 3 courses for $ 25! Considering the entrees there cost $ 20 it’s a fantastic deal! The chalkboard art is very pretty, you can ask them to add your birthday or celebration to it.
Our server Calvin was very friendly and attentive, even with a boot on his foot. The peach sangria was delicious but low on alcohol. The brussels sprouts were deep fried and just too oily for me, I mean they were dried of oil, but when you bite it you still feel it. The mushroom ravioli was amazing and a generous serving. The white mushroom pizza was delicious as well, I liked the light crust of it.
Cons:
The restaurant is way too loud, I could not hear my mom across the table. Sound levels can be controlled in restaurants by installing certain materials in the walls. Lia’s really should think about how the noise affects their ambiance. The bathroom was too dim for me to see myself in the mirror to re-​apply my lipstick.

Ordered Gulf Shrimp today as a take out. The plate arrived with 5 shrimps, that’s it. Nothing else on it. If you want 5 grilled shrimps for $ 25.95 than its a place for you. However, I will be ordering shrimp somewhere else.

The service was excellent. Joshua in particular. We had 5 different appetizers and they were incredible. I don’t normally like Brussel sprouts but these fries ones were divine. Will definitely be going there more often.

I’ve ordered take-​out here many times before, and have always been more than pleased with the quality of the food. This time, my order included items for a friend who has celiac disease, meaning gluten-​free isn’t just a fad for him, but an absolute necessity.
I asked to speak with the manager, who was incredibly kind, and throughly knowledgeable about gluten-​free needs. She guided me through the menu — first, their gluten-​free menu, and then the «regular» one, pointing out dishes that could be safely modified — and then oversaw the preparation and packaging of the order to be sure we would’t have a problem.
Everyone was delighted with their food. The Chicken Milanese was tender, breaded just right (this was not one of our GF items), and had a lovely lemon-​y sauce to accompany it, and paired well with a fresh arugula salad. The kale salad was flavorful and fresh, with tender, tasty strips of kale accented with fresh apple, dates, and red onion, and an apple-​cider vinaigrette, with additional grilled shrimp that were fresh, nicely seasoned, and perfectly grilled. The Greek lamb burger was juicy, savory, and accurately cooked (not overdone). A side of Mascarpone polenta was delicate (polenta can get rubbery in the wrong hands) and delicious.
We could not have been any happier with our experience at Lia’s!

Went here last night and had an interesting, but altogether good, experience.
My Mom and I arrived for a 9PM reservation and were seated promptly, but nobody showed up to our table. After about 10 minutes, someone came by with water, but nobody took our order. After sitting for almost 20 minutes, Mom went up to the front and politely inquired after our server. He arrived shortly after and was perfectly friendly. He took our orders and the food arrived promptly. However, after we’d received our food he was, again, nowhere to be found. Eventually, I waved down someone (A host? A manager?) because they’d given Mom the wrong sauce for her Lia burger (and they had also left off the pancetta). After this, we ended up with a new server, and she was great — she’s the reason I’m moving this review from 2 to 3 stars. She was extremely polite, apologetic for our prior service, prompt, attentive, and helpful. I think that her name was Dulguun? But there’s a good chance I am totally wrong about that… Regardless, her excellent service completely made up for the lack of service during the first half of the meal.
Now, onto the food:
To start, I got the arugula salad and Mom got the caesar salad. Both were a little plain — too much lettuce, not enough anything else. However, my arugula was very fresh. Also, the lemon dressing that it came with was amazing. We also split the crispy brussels sprouts, which I thought were much better before we squeezed lemon on them.
For dinner, Mom had the Lia burger and I got the mushroom ravioli. Like I mentioned above, the burger was inexplicably served with the wrong sauce (instead of a garlic aioli, some kind of green basil sauce?) and without the pancetta. The burger itself was perfectly cooked and a good, tasty piece of meat. But, I thought the garlic aioli, after all the trouble we went through to get it, was pretty nasty. The sweet potato fries on the side were give-​or-​take — some were really delicious and some were definitely overcooked.
My mushroom ravioli was great. The portion was large and the dish was very flavorful. I also really enjoyed the creamy sauce that it came with. The mushrooms — both in the ravioli and served in the dish itself — were excellent and came in fun variety. However, the dish was also served with spinach and tomatoes and those were not a great addition. I love tomatoes, but they didn’t really fit into the dish. The spinach was slimy and didn’t really have any seasoning, so it added bad flavor to any bite that involved it. Altogether, a great dish with a few bad bits.
The manager at Lia’s was kind enough to send over some ricotta donuts as an apology for our service. These were really exceptional, though also a little bit burned? Regardless, they were deliciously crispy and sugary and the lemon curd that they were served with was perfect. The ricotta is visible in the donuts and it’s awesome. I’m not much of a dessert person but I now want to get these every time I go back to Lia’s because they’re so great and fresh-​tasting.

We very much enjoyed this visit to Lia’s. The restaurant is upscale but still casual, with a busy vibe. Service was good. I had a NY Strip steak which was excellent quality, others in our party also enjoyed their food. For downtown Chevy Chase, parking was convenient and the parking is discounted if you validate.

Had not eaten here in a couple of years (we had lunch with extended family and enjoyed it), but decided to come in for a quiet family dinner early on a Saturday night, since it’s close by. It was a very quiet evening when we arrived, only 2 – 3 other tables seated. It took a while for our menus to be presented, and then another long while for our server to return and ask what we would like, such that we had to flag him down. I ordered the filet mignon special, and another diner ordered the braised ribs. We were both underwhelmed with the accompanying sides and the presentation.
— The steak was mushy and was plunked down on top of a pool of salty, gloppy asparagus risotto and sauce (some kind of wine reduction). The quantity and loud flavors of both the risotto and sauce detracted from the steak — it was more what I would have expected at a Friday’s or Applebee’s: acceptable but not exactly fine dining. For the price I probably should have spoken up, but I was hungry. (In contrast, consider Bar Civita’s fantastic hanger steak, or the steak with porcini sauce — simple, perfect, no heavy extraneous flavors.)
— The braised ribs were ok but did not go at all with the soggy mashed potatoes (oddly sweet) or the pomegranate seeds sprinkled on top. She ate a bit then took the rest home to «fix» it. («I can do this better.»)
— The children’s steak portion was actually better-​plated than our full-​sized entrees. The meat was nicely cooked, fanned out on the plate, served with fries on the side. When the food is good it doesn’t need a lot of fanfare or disguise.
Next time I think we’ll head in the opposite direction, see if Chef Geoff’s flagship maintains its high standards. Or drive to Woodley Park instead.
ETA: Pleased to say that the staff at Lia’s reached out to me, after I posted here. They were very open to feedback. I’m always a fan of businesses that are alert and responsive. I look forward to giving Lia’s another chance down the road.

I enjoyed a wonderful dinner here Saturday evening. It was the best dinner, I’ve had in a long time…
We were seated promptly by a friendly hostess in the dining area. The ambience is classy casual. The décor is understated but very nice. The dim lighting and low noise level made the dining experience delightful. Our server was great. She was very attentive, pleasant, and knowledgeable of the menu. She also deserves added praise for the awesome dinner and dessert recommendations.
We started with the Arugula Salad and Spaghetti Fritto Misto. The Spaghetti Fritto Misto was delicious. The crispy Calamari and shrimp that came along with the spaghetti was cooked to perfection. The garlic butter and cherry peppers mixed in sent my tastebuds to flavor heaven! The Arugula Salad was the best, I’ve ever had. It was fresh and mouthwatering. It was lightly mixed with some tangy lemon vinaigrette and tasty Parmesan cheese. Last but not least, the dessert. The Ricotta Doughnuts and Limoncello Pudding tasted heavenly. I would describe it as wonderful comfort food. These yummy melt in your mouth doughnut balls were served warm with some great tasting, but not too sweet pudding on the side. I’m still thinking about these doughnuts three days later!
Great food, customer service, and ambience are three things needed for a great dining experience. Lia’s passed all three with flying colors! I will be back soon. VERY SOON!

This review is solely on the happy hour. Every Monday and Tuesday, they offer all day happy hour. Went on a Tuesday and it was pretty crowded luckily I was able to find a place to sit. The Lia burger was pretty good and it came with fresh cut fries. You can substitute the house frites for sweet potato fries if you’d like (for a small fee). They offered two fall cocktails, tasted more like juice but tasted good overall. If you’re not interested in cocktails you can always order a big mug of beer, a hh special. Will be back to try dinner. The bartender was super sweet and attentive.

I’d been waiting for someone to suggest going here for five long years. So, when Ruth finally suggested it, I was psyched. Yes, I am that dorky that I got excited about checking out a restaurant with my name. Depending on your name, it’s not every day that one finds that.
I’m being a bit generous with my 4 stars, but this is based on happy hour, which offers reasonable pricing and big portions. However, the service was not good. I sat at a table for ten minutes before someone came over, and the server was not friendly at all. The host inside was great, though.
I only visited for happy hour, and would absolutely return for happy hour. I stuck with the cava, as the cocktails didn’t impress me, and it seems like that was the right choice. You can’t beat the pricing on the beer supermugs. I really loved the pizza. I thought the crust could’ve been cooked slightly longer, but it was tasty and there was plenty of cheese. Risotto balls were crisp and flavorful. I wasn’t a fan of the bruschetta with roasted peppers and goat cheese, though.
Happy hour is popular, and when I return, I’d like to sit at the bar, to see if service improves. Dinner seems to not be so popular here, but I’d be up for trying an entrée as well.

Muffaletta pizza has been my favorite, closely followed by wild mushroom, though I missed the sweet potato one while it was in rotation. Pepperoni is cut thick and includes greens for balance. Calzone varies widely in size by visit. Ricotta gnocchi had good flavor, but not enough chew for my preference. House salad is simple, but the fries are evenly crispy. Consistency is my biggest lament. Besides the occasional overcooked burger, we’ve ordered 2 of the same pizzas and received completely skewed topping ratios in comparison. Plus when it’s peach season, putting canned peaches with brie on bruschetta seems really lazy.
Three and a half stars for better food than drinks, assuming you’re looking for something more than an affordable supermug. I keep meaning to check out more of their bacon night and full dinner menu, but their happy hour in the lounge keeps distracting us every day from 3 – 7 pm (all day Mondays/​Tuesdays). With friendly service, TVs over the bar, twilight prix fixe, and so few dining options in the neighborhood, even the patio gets pretty busy when the weather is nice. Future hit list: braised short rib tortellini, wild boar ragu pappardelle, octopus puttanesca, braised pork cheeks, pan roasted salmon; tuscan eggs benedict, croque madame, big shrimp and very gouda grits, ricotta donuts.
Update: risotto balls are okay, and the new country ham flatbread is quite good. Skip the tuna tartare, the diced apple is nice but the accompanying chips aren’t crispy. Pasta portions are robust, osso bucco is fork tender.

I had never heard of this place, but my parents were staying nearby on a visit and didn’t want to venture too far away for their last night in town. It’s a large space, and though they seem to favor the wines above all else, they offer all their beers in three size glasses. My memory is a bit lacking, but I want to say it’s 16 oz, 23 oz, and 33 oz. Gotta love that. Being the sensible, compromising type, I went right down the middle. At $ 9 for a 23 oz guinness, I thought it was a steal.
For food, I had the scallop risotto and donuts for dessert. I don’t remember the risotto much, but I do remember thinking it was four star quality, so I guess that is saying something. The donuts were very good, tasted fresh and came with a delicious ricotta. I loved it. I also sampled the pound cake, which was kind of funky, served with a fruity pudding that was just a weird mix. The two did not go well together at all. Looking at the menu on their website, it seems that option is gone. Good idea, Geoff.
I had a nice dinner here and would gladly recommend it, especially to someone staying in the area.

This is a great happy hour spot right after work, especially when it’s warm outside and they have the water feature on. In the afternoons, the sun face away so the outside patio area is shaded. Inside, the bar is also a great choice to relax and have drinks. This place also has a very nice brunch on Sunday’s. I suggest the burgers, as they are very good as well.
Lia’s is right by the Friendship Heights Metro station, across from Whole Foods. You can exit through the parking garage and be directly across the street from it when you get outside.

Came here for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But really; only been to Lia’s only for happy hour and dinner. For happy hour, they got some amazing deals. I use to work across the street from this place so it’s definitely high on my repertoire. And you know those places that’s heavy on your repertoire you never take a picture of.
If you’re visiting Lia’s for happy hour, go for the happy hour special. It’s like $ 9 for a super mug. Essentially it’s a 2×12 oz can of beer filled into one jug. It saves you the trouble and rudeness of going back and getting a refill. The choices on tap isn’t bad either. Kinda blown they took shock top off draft but there’s a comparable replacement (forgot what it’s called).
If you’re coming here for dinner, you want to get the steak. But order the big salad steak though. You just get so much more quantity than you would get getting a normal new york strip. I ordered the regular new york strip and it came with a few pieces of garnish and 4 rectangular fries. Definitely wasn’t enough. But if you ordered the big salad with the steak, it comes with a whole extravagant salad with all the fixings and the same steak on top. Although pre-​cut.

Went to Lia’s with coworkers for Happy Hour and we sat near the bar.
Tasty bar burger and the supermug of beer hit the spot
Would go back for Happy Hour again.

Came here for lunch and started off with the risotto balls. They were good but not great. For my entrée, I went with a salad. I would tell you what it is… but none of these descriptions on the menu match my picture. It’s been a while, sorry. #LaterYelp (Like #LaterGram… get it? lol). Anyway, I added salmon to it and I thought it to be a perfect lunch. It is probably the chopped salad, but I have avacado on here too so maybe I added it extra. My friend went with the mussels and also really enjoyed her dish.
The service here was a tad slow– they could use a few more waiters. It’s nice that they have outdoor seating during the summer time though.