Nova Europa

Review summary

1. J

   Joseph

   Washington DC

   19 reviews

   5.0

   19 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   What a treasure this long time neighborhood restaurant is. Portuguese, French and Italian classics, lovingly prepared and reasonably priced. Look for the octopus dishes, the sardines, and the Portuguese sausage. Perfect place to go after a walk in Brookside Hardens
   

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2. K

   Keith

   Washington DC

   11 reviews

   4.0

   11 reviews

   Dined on December 18, 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   This was our first time and was for a birthday. Our host/owner/head chef was very gracious to walk us through the menu and they sang Happy Birthday to my wife with a candle in a slice of cheesecake. Overall, it was a very nice experience with very good food.
   

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3. E

   Elizabeth

   Washington DC

   5 reviews

   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on December 18, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great hidden gem, great food, great service with a down home feeling. Highly recommend!
   

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4. G

   Gregory

   Washington DC

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined on December 14, 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 4

   We've always enjoyed this restaurant but this particular visit fell short of past experience. We got there early so it was not crowded and no apparent need to hurry. However, our waiter did not offer any specials which we heard later being offered to other patrons. We only saw him when he took our order and gave us the check. A separate server brought our food, which didn't seem up to the standard we had experienced before. We did appreciate the free Amaretto aperitif.
   

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5. P

   Pavol

   Columbus

   2 reviews

   3.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on October 31, 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 3

   My scallop dish 2 years ago included 6 large scallops, the dish was delicious and I gave Nova Europa 5 stars. On October 31, 2024, it was quite different. Presumably, the management has changed, and the new one is interested only in benefiting from the excellent reputation of the previous establishment but not in keeping up with the latter's standards. When a server brought us the menu she did not bring bread and butter nor did she ask if we wanted to order some drinks. Because scallops were still on the menu, I ordered the same dish I enjoyed before. My companion ordered the same but the waiter said that they ran out of scallops. Only when we asked, we got some bread and butter. We asked for the drinks list, it was only a wine list they brought. Shortly the waiter came and said that he could serve us the scallops dish, after all. I changed the previous order to scallops. I asked the waiter if they served beer. They did, so I and a friend ordered a couple of beers. The waiter brought the beer and glasses, but they were not on a tray. He was holding the two glasses in one hand and the two bottles with his other hand fingers so that the beer, no matter how consumed, would wash the area he had previously been touching. I was greatly disappointed by the almost invisible scallops in my dish. Within the pasta were small pieces of something that did not have the typical shape of scallops. Sometimes, other types of seafood are shaped to look like scallops and served. The dish I had seemed to have been made from leftover bits of scallops. Why would any place cut any grade scallops into small pieces? Good restaurants are normally proud of the size of their scallops. On the positive side, shortly before the bill arrived, we were served a complimentary shot of Amaretto. When the bill came, I added only a little more than 15%. It earned me a waiter’s nasty look every time he passed our table. Never again, until the management changes.
   

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6. A

   AL

   Washington DC

   18 reviews

   5.0

   18 reviews

   Dined on October 27, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   EXCELLENT AS USUAL. VERY DEPENDABLE FOR A GREAT MEAL.
   

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7. D

   Daphne

   Washington DC

   16 reviews

   3.0

   16 reviews

   Dined on October 19, 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 4

   The waiter was rude and argued with my guest over vegetables vs pasta! The fish was not sautéed as I have had it previously, it was breaded and baked. I will not go there on a weekend night again. The week nights are much better and the waitress is always friendly and accommodating.
   

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8. h

   harley

   Nashville

   10 reviews

   4.0

   10 reviews

   Dined on October 11, 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   Great old school experience of wonderfully prepared and presented Italian. Elegant furnishings.
   

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9. b

   barbara

   VIP

   Washington DC

   24 reviews

   5.0

   24 reviews

   Dined on September 29, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Nova Europa gave us an excellent dinner experience. Manuel was our waiter and he was kind, professional, and excellent. We had the special for $23.95 from 5-6:30 PM to receive an appetizer, a delicious meal, and dessert. Highly recommend this restaurant!
   

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10. M

    Mike

    Washington DC

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on September 21, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    First time dining here and cannot wait to return. Every course was delicious, the wines were great, and our server was amazing.
    

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