1123 by Chef Tobias — Restaurant in Hyattsville

I chose 1123 for my daughter’s birthday brunch, and while the experience wasn’t terrible, it didn’t live up to the price point or expectations. My daughter was amused by the restaurant’s name aligning with her birthday, but our excitement dwindled as the experience unfolded.

Atmosphere & Service: The decor was nice, with high ceilings that created an open, inviting feel. I greeted the host, Justin, by name, recognizing his voice, but I would have REALLY been wowed if he had reciprocated. BUT before entering, my daughter struggled to figure out which door to use due to unclear signage and the placement of a lockbox. We daw the stanchion but even that was strange during daytime, non event use.

Our server, Faith, was attentive and professional, but the overall energy in the room felt flat. The only lively group was a large party, and the rest of the atmosphere lacked the vibrant brunch vibe I usually enjoy. The music choice may have contributed to this, but it’s hard to pinpoint.

I observed a few odd management choices as well. A woman who was later revealed to be the GM seemed disengaged, VERY dressed down, almost frumpy looking and unapproachable—unlike any GM I’ve encountered. She hugged an employee mid-dining room and performed tasks without interacting with guests, which felt like a missed opportunity for guest engagement, especially at this price point.

Menu & Food: The brunch menu was disappointing. Limited brunch options left us wanting more diversity, especially after driving over an hour to dine. I prefer discovering new dishes through SERVER recommendations, but the selection felt uninspired. • Fish & Grits: While the fish was fried perfectly and served at the right temperature, the presentation fell flat. There was another seafood element somewhere in the bowl that alarmed me as I’m allergic to shellfish, something I wish had been disclosed. • Churro Waffle & Korean Fried Chicken: The waffle was heavy-handed with cinnamon, and while the portions were generous, the $30 price tag felt steep for a chicken and waffle dish. • 1123 Punch & African Spiced Lemonade: The 1123 Punch tasted primarily of liquor with no real balance, and the lemonade lacked the sweet-and-spicy complexity we anticipated. Adding a muddled pepper or more mango essence could have improved it. • Pepper Sauce: As a Caribbean native, I love spicy flavors, but the “African pepper sauce” tasted more like honey mustard, while the alternative was a basic bottled hot sauce—both fell short of expectations.

We were surprised to see sushi returned by another table—it wasn’t on our menu, despite it being my daughter’s favorite go to. That option would have been highly favored. Additionally, there were no classic brunch cocktails, mimosas or even flights of their signature drinks, or creative drink pairings to elevate the experience.

Other Observations: Parking was another letdown. The sign advertising two free hours with validation was highlighted but afterwards we saw the validation was in small lettering, and Justin didn’t ask if I needed validation, resulting in an unnecessary $4 charge. For the area, which seemed a bit run-down, paying for parking felt unwarranted.

Final Thoughts: At over $130 for two guests, I expected a polished experience, but 1123 missed the mark. From the uninspired menu to lackluster management presence, it didn’t deliver on the upscale brunch experience it seemed to promise. My daughter is intrigued by the dinner menu, but I’m hesitant to return or recommend this restaurant. This brunch left much to be desired, and I hope the restaurant rethinks some aspects to match its pricing and potential. Maybe once the Chef returns from his medical leave it...

Restaurant Review: 1123 by Chef Tobias

My recent visit to 1123 by Chef Tobias was a mixed experience, with a vibrant atmosphere and well-curated music overshadowed by excessive wait times, inconsistent service, and underwhelming food quality.

Ambiance & Atmosphere – 9/10

The restaurant offers a sophisticated and lively setting, perfect for a night out. The lighting, décor, and music create an inviting environment that makes for a great first impression. It’s an excellent spot for drinks at the bar or a casual gathering, but unfortunately, the overall dining experience doesn’t match the aesthetic appeal.

Service & Wait Times – 2/10

From the moment we were seated at 9:15 PM, service was noticeably slow. Despite the restaurant not appearing overwhelmingly busy, we waited over 45 minutes just to receive our drinks. Our appetizers and entrées took a staggering two hours to arrive, forcing us to request our meals to-go. The waitress, while polite, repeatedly apologized and provided inconsistent explanations—first stating that the sushi chef was out sick, and later attributing delays to another chef’s family emergency. While emergencies happen, the lack of communication and contingency planning was evident.

A major issue is the bar service efficiency. Drinks for seated guests should not be delayed because bartenders are prioritizing those at the bar. A dedicated bartender for dining guests would drastically improve service flow.

Food & Drinks – 4/10

• Fried Chicken Deviled Eggs – 10/10 This was the highlight of the meal—crispy, flavorful, and well-executed. Easily the best dish we had. • Crab Fries – 4/10 Disappointing, to say the least. Lacking in flavor, and I’ve had far superior versions elsewhere. Not worth the price. • Brozzini Fish Entrée – 2/10 Completely flavorless, with the overpowering taste of charcoal masking any seasoning. There was no depth to the dish, and it was an overall failure in execution. • Drinks – 5/10 Just average. After such a long wait, I expected well-crafted cocktails, but they were nothing special.

Value for Money – 3/10

For a $254 bill, the experience fell far below expectations. While I don’t mind paying for quality, the lackluster food, excessive wait times, and mediocre drinks made this feel like a complete waste of money.

Final Verdict

Best for: Grabbing drinks and deviled egg appetizers at the bar. Not recommended for: Full-course dining—it’s overpriced, slow, and not worth the wait.

This was my first and last visit to 1123. The atmosphere is the only redeeming quality, but when food and service fail to meet even basic standards, no ambiance can compensate for that. The restaurant needs to address its operational inefficiencies, particularly in bar service and kitchen timing, if it wants to justify its...

Hey, so I've been following Chef Tobias since his first appearance on Tripple G's. I was crazy excited when he was opening his first restaurant in the area! I tried to make a reservation, but they were always booked . . . Chilling and waiting for the excitement of HH to die down, Chef Tobias opens another restaurant, 1123.

The restaurant is considered "upscale," but it is far from. It sits on the corner in the University Town Center, in Hyattsville, neighborhood. It's not a huge restaurant, but it's not cramped, either. The host desk sits off to the left, across from the small bar. The decor is a pretty classic black on black color scheme with touches of Asian statues and bamboo paneling.

I sat in the back, in a booth. My server was Jennifer, and she was fluent in menu. She made a drink suggestion, dragonfruit margarita, which was really strong. I had to let it sit in ice before attempting again. It took me a while to figure out what I wanted. The menu options weren't that appealing to me, quite disappointing. I made out with the chicken fried deviled eggs, a spicy tuna roll, and a side of kimchi collard greens.

Chicken fried deviled eggs: Were actually really good. The batter was seasoned well, and the pieces of chicken atop were fried perfectly. Pretty tasty bite and a different spin on deviled eggs. 10/10

Spicy tuna roll: Although I did not have a hankering for sushi, I must say the roll was good. Honestly, you can't go wrong with a spicy tuna 😋! 10/10

Kimchi collards: Nasty work. I could not eat them and returned to sender. They were absolutely too sweet. The sugar was overbearing. I would not recommend 👎🏽. 0/10

This was a disappointing experience. I don't know, I thought the menu selections would be much better, the music was blaring loudly, and the other patrons seemed to walk in off the street (attire). There was no elegance one would expect from an upscale restaurant. Furthermore, Chef Tobias was in the building but didn't make any rounds, nor did the manager.

My bill was questionable as I was charged gratuity for the original amount; as I had the collards removed. Gratuity is built into the bill, apparently regardless of party size (it was just me 😐). I won't argue over three bucks, but I did notice. I also noticed my drink was $20 (no prices listed on the drink menu)! I didn't even like it. My Figi water was $8. It was NOT the big bottle, either.

I still plan to visit his other restaurant, but I don't see myself venturing back to 1123. It's a place for Millenials born after 90 and Gen Zs. As always, eat at your...