Wow, my first Michelin star experience did not disappoint. The service was immaculate, it was almost military like. Everyone was on cue when setting silverware, plates, and drinks. The food was amazing too, we did the 6 course with the duck add on. My favorite was the scallop, it was seared beautifully. It was salted and there was a pasta underneath that was a bit sweet. Such a great blend of flavors, it was like remy from ratatouille when he was explaining flavors. Different beats danced off my pallets. The only odd thing or gripe that would make this 4 stars for me vs 5 is the wagyu. I ate with a party of 6 and everyone had mixed cuts. Where mine was more dried and chewy, the person to my left had a buttery soft cut. That really hurt our experience but overall I would still recommend Bresca. read more

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We already visited Jont (upstairs) earlier this year and wanted to try Bresca as it is another Michelin starred establishment here in DC. Since I am subscribed to their newsletter, I saw that a special dinner "Hunter's Bounty" was available so I used this as an excuse to visit the restaurant. Of course, we expected the best as Jont was a memorable experience with their Japanese inspired cuisine. Bresca is a "contemporary Parisian bistro showcasing techniques rooted in France but influenced by our regionality, carefully sourcing only the best ingredients from both the mid-Atlantic and abroad" according to their website description. Our menu for the evening included honeynut bavarois (maple - creme fraiche), caramelized apple (rye - cheddar), sea urchin (furikake - venision), scallop & lamb belly (sunchoke - black garlic, beurre noisette), carrot cappelletti (king crab & guinea consommé with Alba white truffle), venison loin (celery root - cocoa, maitake mushroom), duck à la presse (chestnut - foie gras, sauce à la royale), mont blanc (chestnut - white chocolate - toffee), and the petit fours. The dinner started with the honeynut bavarois, caramelized apple, and the sea urchin small bite appetizers. In the similar vein of Jont, these were exploratory bites that really kickstarted the meal. The honeynut bavarois was wonderfully smooth, velvety, and had a relaxing not overly sweet taste to it. The creme fraiche was a nice touch to balance the sweetness of the bavarois. I really loved the sea urchin and venison bite, the familiar luxurious sea butter taste of the sea urchin with the savory meat taste of the venison worked in unison to create a harmonious bite with the crisp pastry shell. The caramelized apple bite had notes of sweet and savory (on the sweeter side) but was a welcome contrast to the more savory sea urchin bite. The scallop & lamb belly was our first savory course, and it did not disappoint. The scallop was perfectly cooked and succulent; as many of you know it can be overcooked easily. The milk foam obfuscated the sunchoke, little crispy cubes of black garlic, and the beurre noisette, but nonetheless a fantastic dish. The carrot cappelletti was also amazing, cooked to a perfect al dente and topped off with the supplemental Alba white truffle shavings. The intense aromatic perfume of the white truffle wafted into your nasal passages with ferocity. Amazing! The consommé provided a delicate savory contrast to the cappelletti which contained a sweeter filling. The two main proteins were the venison loin and the duck à la presse. The venison loin was so succulent and tender; there wasn't even a hint of the gaminess that you might expect from a wild game meat. The finishing salt on top of the venison was also a nice touch. We actually had the duck à la presse from Jont but I feel this rendition of the duck at Bresca was more satisfying, substantial, and better executed. The duck breast was perfectly prepared, succulent, and had no hint of grey overcooked flesh in sight; the salted and herbaceous crunchy skin was also executed perfectly for the textural contrast component to the pink duck breast. The portion was very healthy and the accoutrements of the foie gras, sauce à la royale, and sweet puree paired beautifully with the duck. Finally, the dessert was delicious and provided textural contrasts and varying levels of sweetness between the chestnut, toffee, and white chocolate components. The petit fours were a nice touch and rounded out our evening. If you want to have a luxurious French inspired meal, come to Bresca! read more

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I took my family here for a special occasion and we all got the tasting menu, absolutely insane from start to finish. Interesting flavors, everything was spot-on. The duck there was my favorite. They even accommodated dietary restrictions (vegetarian, nut allergy) with ease. Excellent for a special occasion! read more

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One of the best one star Michelin restaurants! We were completely full!!! Everything was delicious and beautiful. read more

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This restaurant was exactly what I imagine a 1 star Michelin experience to be: each dish tasty, expensive bill, attentive service, and enjoyable but not memorable ambiance. Cocktails were underwhelming considering how highly rated their cocktail program is. Our favorite dish was the kombucha they served as a palate cleanser at the top of the meal. Our favorite part of the meal and perhaps the only memorable aspect was that the Bees Knees cocktail came in a whimsical bug glass, Overall, happy to have tried it and won't return. read more

Bresca - The Bees Knees cocktail - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Could not rave more about Bresca! I am so amazed by not only the food but also the atmosphere. Throughly impressed is an understatement! Kyle, the chef, is absolutely brilliant with his menu planning. The white asparagus was out of this world and I'm rarely stunned by unusual pairings. The staff was attentive, the flow of the courses was timed perfectly and we were very well taken care of. A 10/10 experience and an amazing way to end our trip in DC. read more

With the prices of this place, I would have expected something unique. Total disappointment from presentation-tastes to quality. Atmosphere - 1 Music - 1 Foods - 1 Taste - 1 Quality - 1 Services - 5 Maybe just not my cup of tea but for sure it doesn't even worth $50 per person. ($148 pp) Six course menu "Only Choice" on a Saturday night! The entrees... Pork Loin vs Duck A La Press (choose duck is extra $25) Our whole party didn't like the duck dish."Definitely don't worth the extra $25 to choose duck." Stick with the Pork Loin if you do come this place. read more

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Went for the Ethos 5 course cocktail experience and left completely stunned! I learned so much from Sara the bartender and she did such a great job explaining how every flavor played into a bigger emotion. The staff was so kind and made me and guest feel like family. I loved the dim lights and the music added to the sophisticated ambiance. This is my second time at Bresca and they did not disappoint. read more

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Shout out to my server Bary at the bar! Excellent. This is the first time I had a Michelin starred dining experience in America, and in all phases, this establishment was excellent. I had a three course dinner. The 21 day aged duck was succulent and full of intense flavor. The scallops were amazing. The dessert at the end too! Bary was awesome the whole time I was there- very personable and a great conversationalist. Everything here is excellent! read more

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Best restaurant I've dined in this year! Parking was insanely hard on a Wednesday evening. A very happening area. Nearby parking lot was charging $40 to park. Thankfully eventually found street parking. Every dish was beautifully and deliciously prepared. Price point seemed right. They didn't even blink when I said GF and had every dish on their tasting menu available in GF including handmade pasta. The best scallop I've ever had. Can't wait to come back again! read more

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We went for restaurant week and got one regular menu and one 5 course menu. I really liked the tomato plum starter and my non-tomato eating husband even ate about half of his. The cornbread and the the yogurt with melon was good too. He had a scallop and it was perfectly cooked and the sauce was tasty. For mains we got to have two orders of the brioche stuffed chicken which was the star of the night. The chicken was so juicy and flavorful and the stuffing on top was so good. Husband also had the short rib which was the low point of the night. I wish I had taken a picture because it didn't look like what I've seen on here nor any short rib I've had before. There was no bone and it was cut into little medallions like a normal steak. A few of the pieces were just full of fat and while I expect some fat with short rib usually its falling of the bone and has like a pot roast texture but the way this was cut you would just get this really chewy texture. There was also a weird aftertaste that we could not place. I should have said something. We ended with the pavlova which was also awesome, very sweet but the green tea flavor was subtle and combined with the yogurt it reminded me of a lighter cheesecake. We both had a bourbon cocktail that I also really liked. Service was stellar as you would expect. read more

Wonderful tasting experience on valentines Day. I'm pescatarian, so chose the miso scallops for the main. I thought they were a bit too salted. There's plenty of salt and umami flavors in the miso so I thought it was unnecessary to add in additional salt. Each dish was packed with flavor. The dessert was my favorite, such unique flavors and textures that was truly incredible. The crispy meringue and the soft tapioca balls with the flavors of basil oil and passion fruit just made my mouth sing! I'll definitely be coming back for another tasting, just hoping to be more impressed with the main the second time around. read more

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Got the a la carte menu and tried: - Scallop with Thai basil broth (4.5/5) - Nice scallop flavor with light but aromatic broth - Foie gras agnolotti (4/5) - Duck a la presse (4/5) - Behind the mask cocktail (5/5) - One of the better cocktails I've had in DC - Daylight in a box cocktail (4/5) The place had a nice atmosphere with really attentive service. Especially given how great the cocktails were, Bresca is one of the better restaurants I've been to in DC. read more

Great brunch! Came here Sunday morning for the prix fixe menu and I was pleasantly surprised. Every course was delicious and well presented! Pros: 1. Great drinks! It's difficult to find good cocktails that's also presented creatively! 2. Great food! Food was cooked perfectly. Kudos to the chef! 3. Everyone still wore masks and I felt safe. Cons: 1. Would have liked 1 more course for overall satisfaction and price. 2. Beef cut was slightly tough. (think it was only my cut) Overall, I highly recommend Bresca for Brunch! read more

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A few weeks ago I had Jont, and was excited to try out Bresca after a fantastic dinner. However, I was a bit disappointed after last night. We opted in for the 3 course prix fixe menu and had Cervena Venison, Wagyu Beef, Bluefin Tuna Crudo, Bacon + Egg + Peas, and Strawberry Pavlona. 1) CERVENA VENISON - the flavor profile is very similar to what I got from Jont, however, the quality of meat was extremely disappointing. We couldn't cut the meat with our knives and spent a good five minutes sawing at it. Afterwards, we had a jaw workout trying to eat it. 2) WAGYU BEEF - the sides and sauce were the same as the venison but with wagyu instead. Same with the venison, we could not cut the meat with the knife provided and almost gave up trying to finish the dish because it was tiring. 3) BLUEFIN TUNA CRUDO - we felt like the richness of the bluefin tuna and the heavy red beet glaze were fighting with each other instead of complimenting one another. 4) BACON, EGG & PEAS - the saffron raviolini was absolutely amazing. The saffron really elevated the dish by providing a savory fragrance. It went well with the coddled egg yolk that drenched the raviolini by providing different textures. 5) STRAWBERRY PAVLOVA - my favorite plate of the night. The different textures of the sour cream, tapioca, and lightness of the basil on the rim really made this dish exciting. I loved how the flavors all complimented each other, while all having their own unique characteristics. Overall: I'm a bit disappointed in Bresca being a one star Michelin spot. Out of the 5 dishes, only two of them were hits. For a $260 dinner (2 people prix fixe, w drinks, tax, tip), I expected a lot better. Also the bill includes a 22% service charge, which is fine if the service was stellar. The wait staff was friendly but didn't check in on us throughout our meal. Because of that, we weren't able to tell them about the quality of our main entree until they picked up our dishes afterwards. read more

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Bresca had long been on my DC restaurant bucket list, with friends raving about it and coworkers favoring it as a special occasion location. When I snagged a last minute, Saturday night, restaurant week reservation (using Tock's waitlist feature), it seems like lucky was on my side! This was one of the best meals I have had in DC. Granted, it was at a restaurant week price of a cool $55 for three courses (four, if you include the "snack" at the beginning, which I would) and $12 for a house cocktail, so how could I not be pleased at that price point? But really, everything started off with a bang. We were immediately given kombucha while we waited before being presented with our "snack" of a cucumber and sour cream phone paired with ahi tuna. Was way more impressive than the olive and nuts we were expecting when we read "snack" on the menu. The cucumber bite was so unique and delicious that it remained a highlight of the meal. The first "real" course was a pasta that was their spin on mac n' cheese. It was good, and filling, but certainly the most forgettable item of the evening. The second, and main, course was Australian wagyu with a Shishido pepper and eggplant spread. I love wagyu (especially at that price) and this was cooked to perfection, with the perfect sear on the outside. Dessert was a delicious pistachio case with lemon "ice cream" that was more like clotted cream--which I loved. Then, with the check, we received a tiny madeleine cookie and caramel. It was the perfect conclusion. Our service the entire evening was impeccable, with out waiter and other staff explaining each dish, promptly filling our water and bringing us dishes, and generally having some of the best presentation I've seen for a DC restaurant. I really have no complaints. The food, service, and vibes were all top notch. If I had to pick on one thing, it would be the 23% service fee. It was very clearly listed online/emailed with my reservation confirmation, on the menu, and on the bill. It also very clearly broke down what the fee went to along with how much the waitstaff was paid. What it DIDN'T explain was how much to tip!! It seemed like the combination of wages and a percentage of the service fee made up more than a normal restaurant gratuity, but not all the service fee went to the front of house, so it was unclear. We ended up adding a nominal amount on top because the service was great and it was so confusing, but it made us feel bad, uncomfortable, and guilty at the end of an otherwise stellar evening. Not a great way to leave things. I'll also say that restaurants that charge a service fee on restaurant week menus seem to be skirting the price point rules a bit, but Bresca is only one of many offenders of this. read more

I recently dined at this restaurant, and it was a deeply disappointing experience. While our waiter was polite and attentive, the positives ended there. The food arrived undercooked and was of poor quality overall. When we voiced our concerns, the response was dismissive at best. John, who identified himself as one of the managers, was particularly rude and ignorant in addressing our complaints about both the low-quality food and the mandatory gratuity. It seems they may be quite familiar with unsatisfied clients, given that tipping is not optional, regardless of service or food quality. They appear to have developed a concerning resilience to complaints. The atmosphere only added to the experience, as the space was poorly maintained, dirty, and had an unpleasant odor. It's clear that basic standards of cleanliness and quality are not priorities here. I wouldn't recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for an enjoyable dining experience. read more

Not since eating at Michel Bras in LaGuiole have I had this experience. Impeccable. The atmosphere. Perfect for the new vibe. They didn't waste time and money on table cloths and other accoutrements. Although appreciated in other places, not necessary here! The staff could not be more attentive and more customer focused. A walk to and fro the restroom, every staff member, to a person, pulled over in order for me to get back to my experience as soon as possible. The sommelier. There were two. Very different in approaches. Excellent in presentation. And then the food. Wow! I don't know what was my favorite, the bites, the scallops, the pork, or any of the courses. Well presented and serving sizes were perfect for the amount of intensity and the placement in the rotations. Excellent!!!! read more

We decided to give Bresca another try and we are so happy we did! The service was excellent-- our server was extremely kind and explained the menu to us. He was very knowledgable and it turns out he was a chef prior to working at Bresca. We had some nice conversations during our visit! Additionally, our food came out in a timely manner and everything was spaced out appropriately. We did not feel rushed during our visit. The food this time around was remarkable. The aged duck, which came with a reduction sauce is a must! I promise you will not be disappointed. As for drinks, you can't go wrong with their classic Bees Knees. Our bill came out with complementary dessert, which was a fun way to end our night. Be prepared to spend $$$, but thankfully we left feeling full! I am so happy we give Bresca another chance! read more

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I first reviewed Bresca right after it earned its Michelin star and I was impressed with the price, the food, and the service. Unfortunately, it took about two years to get back. Last night I ordered the six course tasting menu and added the duck. We ate in the outdoor Autumn cottage which is like a little personal glass greenhouse. I'm glad we chose this option because it's intimate while immersing one in the movement of 14th street. The cottage even has a Bluetooth speaker so you can enjoy whatever music you'd like. The cost was bit more than when I first visited but the food was somehow also better! When I go out for fine dining, I am sensitive to the idea of being "cheated." Perhaps it's my midwestern roots but I expect to get what I pay for. So often, fine dining is a disappointment in that area. Not Bresca. Worth every penny. Service is tough in the time of Covid and I've noticed a shift in the customer/server relationship at some DC restaurants. This is not the case at Bresca. The staff is extremely attentive, witty, and helpful. Bresca does so many things right that it would be exhausting to go into each of them. Go, see for yourself! read more

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Have been wanting to come here for a while now but never managed to get a reservation - especially during restaurant week the place is booked up months in advance (although walk-in is possible if you don't mind sitting at the small bar). Anyway as usual, the higher expectation you have of the restaurant, the more likely it won't live up to it. Overall it was an ok experience, I just couldn't see what makes it as popular as it seems to be. It has a small glass front with bay windows seating - good people watching but watched as well. Midsize rectangular dining room with interesting boutique decor, including an artificial (or living?) grass/plants wall in the back. Spacing is overall ok although there are a few side by side two tops. At 6 on a weekday it was already two thirds full. Service a bit disorganized, we had three staff coming by to repeat the drink menu. Our server's attitude somewhat condescending when I had a question. Anyway, for apps we had the scallop mi-cuit, beets, and mains of short rib. Presentation was cute, portions were small (the size you'd have in a 5 course tasting menu). My short rib - well prepared, quite tender with just the right amount of chewiness - was tasty but extremely fatty, only half was actual meat. And the desserts - chocolate bar was ordinary, the ambrosia gimmicky, came covered with a round hard inedible meringue shell and that's all I can remember about it. Could be that the restaurant week menu is limited so not entirely representational. Might give it another try with the regular menu but probably not any time soon. read more

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I reserved the dinner with my family. It was a great experience overall. We ordered two Chief tasting menu and La carte. The burrata is great. All the sauce were delicately made. Ribeye and brioche chicken is outstanding! The halibut is not fresh enough for an upscale restaurant, the Margaret River wagyu is a bit mediocre. read more

The positives: the wine pairing was mostly very good, and the bread and madeleines were delicious. The amount of food was also generous (but considering the price tag of $135, it had better be). But every dish at Bresca was ruined by some cloyingly sweet element. The best dish, a sunchoke agnoloti, could have been great but was destroyed by a sweet cappuccino-like vanilla foam. The burrata had some unnecessary citrus marmalade. The worst offender was the herbal tea at the end- why would you serve this with lots of sugar mixed in rather than serving as a light digestive aid after a big meal? The least sweet and best executed dish was a chicken. But chicken breast in such an expensive restaurant, and followed by more fowl? (duck, Bresca's specialty, which was underwhelming but fine if you could avoid the sweet puree under the sweet beetroot). Service was poor especially considering a compulsory 22% charge that's not announced in the menu. We were seated well after our reservation time and served dessert some 15 minutes after a table that came after us. No gesture of apology. When I passed on my feedback to the server that the food was too sweet, he said "ok, alright" rather than"oh thanks I'll pass it on to the chef". Will not be back. read more

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To be honest, the first thing that hits you when entering the restaurant is the noise ! With an open metal ceiling with no sound buffering there isn't any place for the din to go. We're used to "high volume" places in Philly but this place would give any of them a run for their money. But I digress.. Luckily we were seated in the front near the windows and were able to talk during dinner. We opted for only certain selections from their fixed price menu. The Cheese & Crackers were 2 tiny crackers with cheese ! The menu said they had Fois Gras and Mackerel in them - we'll have to take their word on that. Both our entrees were delicious. The Carrot Agnolotti had a creamy texture and unique flavor and was the highlight of the meal. The Wagyu Steak with fresh beets was very good. With 3 drinks, before tip, the bill came to around $110. Really don't know if I would rush back. read more

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Omg this place is phenomenal. While pretty expensive, it's a good place for a special occasion. I was visiting from New Jersey when my boyfriend found this tasting menu and booked it for us to try. The staff was beyond amazing and very knowledgeable about the food, the drinks were spectacular (bee drink picture shown) and we were given a complementary dessert at the end! One of the best meals I have ever eaten! Deserves their Michelin stars 100000x over!!! read more

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Amazing meal, pairing and experience. I would be very surprised if they don't get a second star. The food is delicious, fresh, contemporary and filled with exquisite flavor combinations and surprises. The pairing is unique, thoughtful and perfectly compliments each dish. The service is absolutely stellar!! Honestly, I don't have a single criticism about the entire experience. Attention has obviously gone into every detail... the plates, the flatware, the bungalow built for 2 with your own Bluetooth speaker so you can play your own playlist. Honestly, just over the top impeccable in every aspect. We did the autumnal cottage (little plexiglass 2 person huts on the sidewalk). We shared a Bees Knees cocktail to start, then did the full menu including all add-ons, with the pairing. The squash tart was the most stand out, as I honestly expect from the amuse-bouche. Tbh I wish we had not ordered the truffles. It's usually our policy to say yes to everything to get the full experience, but $210 for white truffles was just too expensive. They smell great, but generally have very little taste. The caviar and wagyu were absolutely worth it and amazing. Highly highly recommended. We can't wait to try Jont! read more

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Brescia was exactly what we expected. First service was outstanding! The staff were attentive and knowledgeable, exactly what you want to see at an establishment with their reputation. The tasting menu was a great experience. The highlights for our family were the Brioche stuffed chicken and Brescia Duck. The Chicken was so succulent, just perfectly prepared. The flavor exploded from the duck, well worth the addition! Everything else was solid as well, nothing disappointed. The quality of the Coho and Blue Fin were amazing. The preparation allowed them both to stand on their own. Exactly what you want from fish of that quality. The Strawberry Ambrosia was a nice end to the meal. The flavor combinations and texture elements make it something special. We will be back for certain! read more

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I really don't understand how this place has so many 5 star reviews. I don't know if it's because I've been to so many other Michelin star restaurants but this place did not live up to the hype. Service: 3/5 Food: 3/5 The food was okay. I really only liked the ravioli and that wasn't even great. I thought it was such a cop out to provide so many Madeleines for dessert. Service was not great. The server spilled one of our guest's drinks and never apologized. It was super awkward and then he changed tables after that. Could be a coincidence but who knows. We also had multiple people filling our waters and reaching over the table every 5 minutes so we'd have to pause our conversation and sit there in silence until they left. I get that they want to be super attentive but that was overkill. I'm going to blame Covid and shortages on the low quality meal. read more

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Amazing food but definitely not cheap! You will not leave the tasting menu hungry and in fact each dish gets better and better as the courses go by. We splurged on the luxury add ins and they were indeed luxurious. Caviar was to die for. The foie gras was insane. But each and every dish was perfectly plated, incredibly delicious... Also the absolute best outdoor dining experience we've had. The little huts with private heater and adorable decor are dreamy. Perfect for a blustery evening. read more

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Wow! What a wonderful place that lives up to all the yelp reviews. Even the bar service is spectacular when Will/Nick is there. I don't even feel the need to make a table reservation because they provide top service. It's a great date spot with the intimate and cozy set-up. They have the best cocktails and each one is spirit forward . Try the Bees/Knees (pictures attached) it includes gin and a fancy shape decoration of an actual bee (LOL). This one so happen to be my favorite because it's refreshing. The Eagle Whale Wolf which includes gin too is delicious. read more

Bresca - Eagle Whale Wolf $14 with Gin - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I've been dying to sit down and dine here since Bresca got its Michelin star! First of all, I will say we had to wait 15 minutes beyond our allotted reservation time which is not exactly what I expected from a place like Bresca. But it is not the end of the world; they have a nice seating area where we were able to get our drinks ordered. I did the 6 course tasting menu with the addition of the duck. I also ordered a couple of Bees Knees, which were delicious and came in a unique bee shaped glass! A majority of the dishes were good- but not mind-blowing so I'll focus on the dishes that I enjoyed the most. The white asparagus was unexpectedly great. I didn't think much of it, however the sauce it came with really made the dish. I also sort of enjoyed the Bacon, Eggs and Peas but I think the bacon is truly what gave the dish the necessary flavor. I noticed I did not enjoy bites without the bacon bits nearly as much. The halibut was extremely buttery and cooked to perfection. However, the shrimp that it came with ended up stealing the show on that plate! It was delicious and I almost wish they included more of it. I expected to love the duck the most, but I really enjoyed the venison the most. I am typically not a huge fan of venison as I find it to be gamey. But this venison was not! Once again, rare and cooked to perfection. It came with some bread which was also great! The duck was alright, but I thought the whole spices on the crust overpowered it. I know a few of my friends did enjoy it though. The strawberry pavlova was an incredible dessert, which a variety of textures and flavors. I would say that was my second favorite dish of the night, after the venison. They finished us up with a bunch of freshly made Madeline cookies and some other pastries/sweets such as a gummy, macaron and chocolate. The service was incredible. Our server Alex was wonderful and even went as far as to not charge 2 of my friends for their duck because they did not enjoy it. In addition, one of the servers (not Alex) accidentally poured a beef fat sauce on my friends' venison when they do not eat beef and communicated this beforehand. They quickly brought them a new plate of venison with a quail fat sauce instead. In addition, we were given a complementary glass of wine on the house to make up for it. So service was a 10/10 for me. Overall, I did really enjoy Bresca but thought that they fell short with a few dishes (the amuse bouche, duck, etc). I think if they had an a la carte option, there would definitely be a few things I would eat again. But I did not enjoy all 7+ dishes enough to come back again. Perhaps after they introduce items onto their menu. Glad to have checked this off of my DC Michelin Bucket List though! read more

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Had an amazing full tasting menu Anniversary Dinner here. The Food and service were wonderful, the ambience great for conversation. Get the Banana Chocolate dessert! The banana isn't strong at all, and it is delicious! I didn't enjoy my cocktail, as I'm not a fan of the smoky flavor profile trend, but that's purely a preference and no reflection on the execution or attention to detail given! read more

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Best service of any restaurant I've ever been to. They treat you like family and the food is exceptional. They also offer menus at every price point including a stellar restaurant week deal. We have been 7-8 times and this is our go to fine dining restaurant. The menu is always changing and the cocktail program is legendary. read more

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First time. Didn't know if it would be our vide. Came with my boyfriend and sat at the bar. Frank was incredible. I work in the industry and I have never come across someone with just diversity of drink recommendations and food knowledge. He nailed it on all points. The food was next level. I have been to all the Blagden alley bars, and other well known spots in DC. Bresca was overwhelmingly good. Again, if you go, ask for Frank. He made our night. Humor, knowledge, expertise- Frank made it happen. Thanks to the whole team! We will be coming back read more

Michelin starred restaurant in D.C. My standard for this review is very high, so take it with a grain of salt. It's a 4.5/5, this restaurant would've been 5 stars if it wasn't a Michelin starred restaurant. I would begin with the ambiance of the restaurant. We were sat near the window so the street view was decent but felt like it could use a little shades for privacy but it wasn't bad. (9/10) Service was good and the server was knowledgeable as expected from a Michelin restaurant. It's not as perfected as other Michelin place as some of us got cup coaster and other didn't, or was loudly interrupted by staff. We also didn't have base plate at first they eventually noticed and gave us some without asking (8.5/10). Finally we've come to the food. All the dishes was very intricate and has a level of complexity to them. There are few that are really delicious especially the "snack" which had polenta filling. The Beef was not as tender as i expected to it, had a bit of trouble cutting through the crust. The pork ironically enough, the cut near the bone tasted better than the ones on the plate. The Halibut was fresh but wasn't anything too special. My favorite dish was the Diver scallop & Foe gras. The scallop was super flavorful, then the foe gras was creamy and did not leave an after taste. The duck was definitely dry aged properly, it has a very strong nutty taste to it. I'd recommend dipping it with the kumquat purée and all the sauce to get the best experience. Overall the foods is (9.5/10). read more

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We live in the neighborhood and have been to Bresca a few times. They have these cute champagne glasses with heart stems that my wife has always wanted to use. When we were there earlier in the year our server told them they reserve them for anniversary's. Well this year for our wedding anniversary we booked Bresca. My wife was super excited. We put in that it was our anniversary- but they must have missed it. When we arrived there was no placard like at some of the other tables to commemorate our event. We shared with our server a couple times (Kevin?) that it was our special day, but he didn't seem to care or understand. When we asked for the glasses we were told no (even though we were willing to splurge on expensive champagne to put in them!). My wife was of course bummed out. To add insult to injury, around 2 hours later the table next to us was given the glasses to celebrate their anniversary. I get that it is a small thing, but at a restaurant like this I don't expect to be treated second class. We probably won't be coming back. read more

We chose to sit indoors because it was a chilly spring day, but the small little cottages on the sidewalk were adorable and would be an intimate place to have dinner. The restaurant was spotless and the staff were meticulous, as shown by setting the table and paying attention to the distance between silverware and the plates. The service was overall OUTSTANDING! There were so many waitstaff to attend to you to fill your water, wipe the table between settings, take drink orders, and run/bus plates which came out hot from the kitchen. For drinks we started off with "still life with strawberries" and "at the Moulin Rouge." The Moulin Rouge was the best! The flavor was awesome with the bourbon being perfectly balanced in the drink. The lemon egg white wasn't too fluffy or over-dampening on the drink. The mixologist behind the bar did a fantastic job. The server was also very knowledgeable of the wine list and able to fully describe the wines offered. We chose the four-course prix fixe tasting and we both chose something different to be able to try each others and share the experience. First -- The bluefin tuna crudo was delicious and the wild fennel provided a delightful and herby flavor profile that was unique. It fell a bit on the salty side for me, which overpowered the taste of the fish too much for me. The farm cheese salad was very nice and light and the kiwi provided a citrusy juxtaposition to the more earthy fiddlehead. Second -- The foie gras grateau was the best part of the entire meal for me! The combination of the foie gras with the pistachio, strawberry and anise was mind-bending and delicious! I absolutely wanted more of this! The Hokkaido Scallop was buttery and nice, but the sauce of pureed nettles and mussels was such an amazing compliment! I could have ate a bowl of that sauce! The scallop was a bit over salted, but perfectly cooked. Third -- We both settled on the Australian wagyu zabuton. This was a disappointment for me. The meat was not tender, but rather a bit on the chewy side. I was hoping for more a more buttery texture. The filet, cut into four strips, was also incredibly salty, which overpowered the flavor of the steak, rather than complimented it. Overall, the mushroom, bordelaise sauce and wagyu were too salty. Fourth -- The warm madeleines for two was a delightful bit of whimsey. The madeleines were light, fluffy, and came out warm in a beautiful porcelain carrier. The mascarpone and lemon marmalade were a great compliment and they paired well with the chamomile tea. I enjoy going to and reviewing Michelin Star restaurants and can see how they earned their star, as the combination of unique flavor pairings, service, and plating is on that level; however, I was disappointed in the quality of the entrée, especially for an extra $20 on top of the meal. The quality of the meat was sub-par and the salt in several dishes far overpowered the flavors in the meal. While this is a five star restaurant in it's own right, compared to other Michelin star restaurants, it fell flat to me. I think Bresca has the ability to be a solid five stars, but more attention paid to quality and seasoning would be essential. read more

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The food was alright, some of it pretty creative. It was a special night out for us, so we would have enjoyed the evening no matter what. As we were finishing our meal, and paid an exorbitant amount of money (we tipped 20% on top of the 22% service charge because.. it's the right thing to do? Maybe?), about 95 minutes in, the manager asked us to please hurry to make room for the next seating. In what world is a seating for dinner less than 2 hours? Especially when you just paid hundreds of dollars for two people for a tasting menu? I asked the manager if that was normal, and he said "unfortunately sometimes we have to make a seating 1 hour and 45 minutes." If he would have communicated with his staff he would have known we had a concert to go to (because we had been chatting with the waiter), and wouldn't have stayed much longer. But instead, he made us feel rushed, unwelcome, and left a bitter taste in our mouth. I will say that they offered to buy us a drink. But, as I said, we were on our way out anyway. I don't think I would have stayed even if I had the time. I would say-- would not recommend. Usually when I go out on a special night, I like to feel welcome. read more

Excellent choice for a michelin star experience in DC. We reserved an outdoor greenhouse table that seats only two people. It was so cute and cozy, the only thing I wish is that we brought our small pup with us! Service was attentive and fast- you get capped at an hour and 45 minutes but that's plenty of time. The food was so delicious - I enjoyed everything that I ordered. I kind of wish they had a bigger menu though. The menu is prix fixe (no other option) and would suggest a larger selection in each category. Each category had 2 options, and a third option for surcharge (wagyu for an extra $20, duck for an extra $35 per person). The menu also seems like it changes regularly so be aware if you're going for something specific, it may not be there. read more

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We were traveling to DC for the weekend. I was able to get a reservation for two here a couple weeks in advance. The day before our reservation they called to confirm and asked if we were celebrating a special occasion or had any food restrictions. I told them I have a shellfish allergy. We did the chefs tasting. We were a little worried that the food would be super small and figured we may be filling ourselves up on some McDonalds down the street after (Ha!). But have no fear, the tasting was incredibly filling. Everything was amazing and the presentation of each dish and even the cocktails was WOW! There was one dish that had shellfish in it but they were able to make changes to it to accommodate my allergy. Overall it was a very fun experience that I'd definitely recommend. read more

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