My mom and I had a staycation at the Conrad over Thanksgiving for Thursday and Friday night. I made dinner reservations on Open Table for the two of us for their Thanksgiving feast for $115 per person. The menu was extensive - they had a selection of all you can eat on the counter where it was first come first serve raw bar for oysters, cocktail shrimp, and tuna tartare. The oyster and shrimp size was very generous. They had some bites which included plates of the "falldorf" salad (a play of words on Waldorf I believe), smoked trout, cheese & charcuterie board and their more well known Maryland crab roll. Then from the kitchen, they served us a fancy version of fish sticks, cedar planked scallops, and a creamy sunchoke veloute which was like a thick soup and Brussels sprouts. The Brussels sprouts were a bit too salty for my taste but i really enjoyed the fish sticks and the scallops were very fresh. For the main dish, you get to choose between several selections of fish, kale rigatoni, Turkey, or ribeye. My mom decided to share the ribeye and turkey since we decided we have to be a bit festive and get turkey for thanksgiving. Along with our main dish, we received Mac and cheese, kohlrabi and kale, and a green bean casserole. We didn't receive the potatoe purée or the dilly pickles but we also didn't ask for it since at this point we were so stuffed and couldn't finish our entrees. We decided to take home a good 30% of our entrees to leave some room for dessert! Towards the front entrance of the restaurant, they had a whole long table display of desserts with a lovely decorated spread. The pudding was my favorite that I ate three of them. It wasn't too sweet and it was very creamy with few pearls at the bottom. The ambience was very romantic where you can see the dc city lights through their floor to ceiling glass windows. I was hoping for a window seat and even told them I was willing to wait but they ended up not giving us a window seat and left it for the couples. They had an open kitchen which was cool to see and watch the chefs work hard on each of the dishes for our lovely thanksgiving meal. I would definitely make reservations again when I'm staying at the Conrad and would recommend it to a friend. read more

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First time here, business lunch. three of us. No alcohol (this time!). I went in with an open mind; had heard wonderful things about the menu and space. Well well....I'm a fan and each of us had an incredible meal. First, the space is truly beautiful - all the windows and with the restaurant on the 3rd floor makes it really refreshing. Neither Voltaggio brothers were cooking today; however, their team is obviously very talented. Limited menu, similar to the trend I've seen in the past year or so. This works because there is something for everyone, unless you're one of those horrible picky people. The tuna tartare...ohmygosh...the most unique I have had or tasted. The Shishito peppers. as soon as i saw "burrata on the description, i ordered it. I actually shared it but could have eaten it all by myself! We were tempted to order the Parker Rolls; next time. They serve this beautiful tray of skinny Old Bay dusted breasticks with a delicious dipping sauce. Excellent service from everyone. One touch I truly appreciate: whoever delivered each course thoroughly described the dish and the ingredients. It is not an inexpensive lunch; however, it was well worth it. Three of us: $93 before tax & tip. read more

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Holy shit these people know customer service. Every worker I encountered was friendly, gracious and on point. The entire Conrad in general had amazing customer service. Came here for brunch on a Saturday. Food was good though very expensive. The fact that I had a Hilton credit helped the blow. The following dishes were tried in my group Friend calamari: really enjoyed. It's a bit more charred in flavor due to it being mixed with a squid ink pasta. The batter used gives it a very nice crunch. While it is served with an aioili I would've preferred a marinara sauce but that's probably just my jersey Italian roots coming out Cod: while I read online about the cod ramen it was not available during my visit. I guess they changed the menu up a bit. Instead my cod was served with some stuffed peppers. The cod was cooked perfectly. Chocolate croissant: very good. Served nice and warm and nice and buttery and flaky. My partner had some eggs and said they were cooked perfectly and he seemed to enjoy them. The side potatoes were seasoned nicely and were nice and crispy. When staying at the Conrad I would definitely splurge again for a nice meal here and would love to try their dinners. read more

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So this time the hype isn't just hype! Estuary really knocked it out of the park with it's unique, playful, contemporary menu. A friend and I were able to get a fairly late reservation for dinner on Saturday night an hour in advance. I have to admit that we were laughably turned around when getting off the elevator and not immediately certain where to find the hostess. Hint: enter the dining room and the discreet isle without a screen or obvious hostess is your mark lol Once we wondered over to who appeared to be the hostess, things flowed smoothly. We were immediately seated and our waitress gave us a warm and quick rundown of the favorites from the menu. Loved that she made a point to ask about our allergies, taste preferences, and how hungry we were! We opted to order several appetizers (crab roll, avocado confit, surryano ham). The Crab Roll is the current IG and yelp photo fave for obvious reasons: the adorable crab chips are super cheeky and fun. But the cool, creamy dressing coating sweet lump crab meat makes this seriously worth a thousand more words that the pictures! And the warm buttered roll?! Ugh so good. Note: this is small, so I wouldn't share again lol The avocado confit and surryano ham were equal parts comfort food and smile provoking. I loved the mini corn on the cob shaped pieces of corn bread served with the ham. I could have nibbles on a basket of those alone! We shared the Cedar Planked Salmon. It was all that you need a good piece of fresh fish to be: crispy well rendered skin, flaky but moist fish, and perfectly seasoned. The only misstep for me was the sunflower seed risotto. A tad too "earthy" and definitely muddled the fresh but sumptuous fish. Lastly, we shared the Cookies and Cream. Now I take my chocolate seriously and apparently so do the Voltaggio brothers! This very adult version of a childhood favorite is brilliant. The elevation of each ingredient into a beautifully nuanced creation is nothing short of masterful! I would have put my face in this if socially acceptable! read more

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A fantastic meal! The chef's tasting menu was excellent. Each course was a masterful mixture of flavor and textures. My favorite was the avocado confit. It was a stellar composition of avocado stuffed with raw tuna, a little bit of spicy oil, covered with a very thin slice of jicama. The wine list had a few half bottles and some nice choices by the glass. The only drawback was the open space and communal table in the middle seem to encourage loud conversations more in keeping with a sports bar than fine dining. One woman was extremely loud, and may have been over-served. Her talking to her table mates--and at one point she was actually singing--was disruptive to my meal. read more

While its gorgeous, understated space and excellent service are calming like its namesake, Estuary's food is a tidal wave of dazzling flavors, beautiful presentations, and healthful compositions all creatively composed to leave a wake of culinary memories beckoning another visit. The food is fancy and contemporary takes on Chesapeake-inspired New American by Chefs/Owners Bryan and Michael Voltaggio and Chef de Cuisine Dan Kennedy. With driving into DC becoming increasingly difficult due to worsening traffic (Metro delays also abound due to construction), my dining companion and I have been forced to choose more wisely than before, and Estuary is one that is easily worth the trek into the ritzy City Center neighborhood. For our first visit, we went for brunch and thoroughly loved it. Our enthusiastic server Jeanine and team helped made our brunch pure culinary joy each bite of the way! Below are what we ordered: LA COLOMBE COFFEE with CHOCOLATE CHIP BISCOTTI Perfectly-brewed, our coffee stayed fresh and hot to the last drop in our small thermos. The rustic-textured biscotti provided a pleasant, barely-sweet contrast between sips of the delicious medium-roast coffee. MARYLAND CRAB ROLL Starring a decadently buttery brioche, the lightly dressed lump crab salad was garnished with a pretty ice plant and crab-shaped old bay chips. The brioche is so good that it would be equally awesome simply with avocados and chilies. CHICKEN FRIED QUAIL with YEAST WAFFLES, QUAIL EGGS, SORGHUM SAMBAL While fried chicken+waffles is justifiably all the rage these days, none have stood out quite so much as this flawless dish. The quail was perfectly rendered and fried with a crunchy batter that is perfectly seasoned and textured, and the waffle was delicately savory and moist. Tying it all together were the picturesque 6 over-easy eggs, spicy sambal, and refreshing garnishes of fennel fronds and scallion. Even without the eggs or sambal, this usually dry dish was unbelievably perfect in having just enough moisture without the need for a thick sauce. The waffle is best in class, and dare we say, the quail is the best fried bird! Absolute must-order dish! BENNE SEED & TOGARSHI-CRUSTED ATLANTIC COD with CUTTLEFISH & ENOKI MUSHROOMS over COD BONE TONKOTSU RAMEN BROTH Even with its flaw (broth was salty and undefined due to being too complex), this was still a superb dish because of how silky the cod was prepared alongside the tender cuttlefish and complementing textures of enoki (blanched, fried). If the broth is improved, this dish has potential to be absolutely elite! "KEY LIME PIE" of COCONUT SORBET in CHOCOLATE DOME sitting on PEANUT BUTTER SHELL over THAI BASIL, BROWN BUTTER MERINGUE, and LIME CURD with HIBISCUS COULIS Deconstructed in presentation, its multitude of flavors resulted in a harmonious and innovative rendition that was gently sweet, floral, tart, nutty, creamy, and firm. While a chocolate mint or lemon balm in lieu of the basil may further heighten this dish, it is generously portioned and like enjoying a few desserts in one multi-level tower! Having dined previously at Chef Bryan's other restaurants, from flagship VOLT back in 2010 to Range and Family Meal in following years, Estuary reflects his evolving growth as a chef/restaurateur. While our first visit to VOLT was underwhelming, Family Meal was solid (if unmemorable), Range was strong under Chefs Mattie McGhee and Romeo Tivoli, and now, Estuary is the best of the bunch! All in all, while certainly fancy in its scope and ambiance (ceiling-to-floor windows brings in lots of natural light to accent the elegant tables, tableware, and setting), Estuary is reasonably-priced considering its quality, execution, and feeling of satisfaction (particularly the entrées) while refreshed and energized. Just note that the restaurant is on the 3rd floor of the classy new Conrad Hotel; take the elevator to the right upon entering the main lobby entrance. We can't wait to return for the Quail & Waffles as well as trying something new! read more

I've had the opportunity to eat at Range (closed) and Voltaggio Brothers, both of which were pretty awful meals but based on the reviews and word of mouth about Estuary I was very optimistic. Their inspiration is sourcing ingredients from up and down the Chesapeake with their own Voltaggio spin. APPETIZERS: Tuna Tartare: pan con tomate, tuna jamon, tomato, black garlic $18 *the bread was nice and crispy, only really tasted the tomatoes, the tuna jamon was a chewy afterthought Maryland Crab Roll: crab chips, old bay, iceplant $12 *bread to crab meat ratio was not ideal, roll is great but the delicate crab meat flavor was completely lost MAIN: Lamb Pastrami: loin and belly, charred cabbage, Russian dressing romesco, lavash $32 *both the loin and belly were really dry, romesco was the best part of the dish DESSERTS: Key Lime Pie: coconut, lime curd, peanuts, brown butter meringue $10 *not your traditional key lime pie but in the best way, great nuttiness and creamy texture, I typically hate key lime because it's too tart but this was very well balanced Cookies & Cream: caramelized white chocolate, dark chocolate pudding, creme fraiche rocks *I finished the whole dessert and really didn't share, sorry not sorry, the chocolate bottom was my favorite part I really wanted to like this place especially in such a gorgeous hotel but the food was just average, service was consistent and desserts were the only thing that kept this from being a 2 star rating. read more

If your staying at the Conrad DC or not, please do yourself a favor and stop in for some yummy eats. My girl and I stayed at the Conrad recently for a couple of days and started each day here. The coastal omelet is killer and the pork hash is really something else. Fresh squeezed juice and green tea were a nice compliment to our meals. Later in the day we stopped by the adjoining bar and lounge and ordered what has to be the best crab roll I've ever had and living on the east coast I've had my share. Thank you to the staff and cooks at Estuary, this place will be unforgettable for the both of us! read more

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This review is primarily for the exceptional appetizers and phenomenal service! The attention to detail, beautiful dining room, the plating and service were above and beyond. Shoutout to the bartender for making me a great mocktail. We loved the Parker house rolls and crab roll in particular, but also loved the amuse bouche and dessert. Highly worth a visit! Neither my husband and I were as interested in our main plates. I sent back my entree, the chicken, after one bite. While the menu description was chicken, asparagus, hazelnut, and smoked potatoes, the chicken actually appeared to be tenderized or sous-vied in a way that meant the chicken tasted heavily of the fat underneath the skin. It was soft in a way that reminded me of ... I'm sorry... cat food, and the sauce was so earthy, so umami, that I found the flavor to be inedible. I apologized to the kitchen and explained that it was likely just not to my taste, but just a warning to any other diners. read more

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Absolutely excellent! Food was superb all around. Imaginative flavors and plating that came together wonderfully. Service was also lovely. And it's priced quite reasonably, especially for such quality, and especially for such quality in a hotel. Sous vide chicken: delicious but it's still just chicken. Mozzarella: fantastic and adorable plating. Ceviche: also fantastic an also adorable plating. Key lime pie: not at all traditional. Peanut butter is totally unexpected. And it's absolutely delicious! I would love to come again for another meal. And if I'm ever in the area I'd also consider stopping by just for dessert. They're all only $10 and more refined and interesting than what MilkBar has for the same or more around the corner. read more

Excellent experience at Estuary, where you will definitely benefit from knowing what's not to be missed, what's just fine, and what to avoid. Located on the second floor of the new Conrad hotel, Estuary begins with its bar/lounge area, which looks comfortable, cute and chic, and we almost decided to eat there but opted instead for the proper dining area. The dining area itself is a rather sweeping area, that in all candor felt a little sterile, given the sweeping and spread-out nature of it (the problem with many hotel restaurants). The floor to ceiling windows, however, slightly assuage this problem and provide loads of natural light. Service was very good; our waitress was insightful, kind, and generally attentive. (One recommendation was a miss, but otherwise she steered us well.) The sommelier's recommendation (a Basque white, the Txomin Etxaniz) was also pretty good, though a little less mineral than I had hoped. We started out with several of Estuary's cocktails, the That'll Do, Better with Bitters, and another I can't recall that included gin and absinthe. Honestly, these were fine but unremarkable. Instead, a classic whiskey sour (with egg white foam specifically requested), was impeccably made and delicious. After dinner, if you're feeling whiskey, the Iwai Blue Label is a great value that drinks much older (and like a single malt) than it is. But you should come here really for the food: The amuse bouche was an interesting and refreshing beginning to the meal. Next, we began with an array of small plates: Two orders of the Maryland Crab Roll (for three people; it's hard to split one roll between more than two) Ceviche Parker House Rolls Mozzarella The Maryland Crab Rolls were buttery, warm, and filled with ample and fresh crap. Divine. 5/5 The ceviche was cute in its presentation (and was a recommendation from our waitress), but I've had much much better ceviche. Not enough acid, too many other flavors garbled the message the chef was trying to send. 3/5 Parker House Rolls were excellent and the whipped mortadella and ricotta (I don't even like ricotta usually but this was fantastic) were perfect compliments 5/5 Mozzarella (colored red, hence the "pretending to be a tomato") and the pomodoro was fresh, rich and decadent tasting - my companions were skeptical as to how good this could be, but voted this the best dish of the meal 5/5 We also split the Cod entree, which had "ramen" made of cuttlefish and enoki mushrooms- the fish was cooked very well, and the cuttlefish was excellent; very good and creative 4/5 Finally, we indulged in three desserts: Key Lime - i don't usually like key lime desserts, but this plus the coconut was incredible 5/5 Cookies & Creme - the chocolates were fantastic and the creme fraiche rocks/snow really took the dish to the next level 4.5/5 Fluffer Nutter - sounds amazing; it's not. Avoid. 2/5 All in, it was a fantastic meal, one of the better I've had in DC. However, the menu appears that it has some rockstars and some misses, so order carefully and do your research before going. read more

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Absolutely phenomenal meal. I had the hush puppies made with crab to start. Follows up by the seared rockfish. I hate mushrooms and the chef was nice enough to sub asparagus for the rockfish and it was unreal. Bartenders were very nice. A great meal! read more

I don't know if this is going to end up being the first review, but I am so excited that this restaurant has finally opened, especially in such a beautiful space at The Conrad Hotel. The elegant, airy atmosphere complements the trendy and upscale setting of City Center very well. The restaurant space is huge and versatile. The lounge and bar are separate from the dining space so these are two different experiences to be had. But, everything about the restaurant is high end, so don't come here expecting anything less than exceptional. (A benefit and a draw...) Everything here is so pretty, modern, and bright! Undoubtedly, it is the result of love and labor and heavy handed curation by the Voltaggio brothers... with elevated expectations by Conrad Hotels. I feel obligated to give the 411 on everything I know so far so this will be a longer review than usual... Service: Arriving, the doorman took me up the elevator and escorted me to the sleek host stand. It is more like a hotel reception desk than anything else. The bartenders, waiters, everyone I've encountered here have been warm and very, very helpful. Everyone is ready to make a recommendation, based on your personal tastes, should you feel the need to ask. All the dishes are "explained" when they are brought out by the staff. Tablewares are promptly removed once you've finished with them. Food: They are offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner here. I like elevated cuisine as much as everyone else, but I found it kind difficult to order because of how "extra" everything is. I've been here a few times, but I've only experienced dinner. The dinner menu is a large selection of small plates, a few entree portions, and a few desserts. The bar menu is basically small plates, fancy "bar" foods like a burger and pizza, cocktails, and a moderately sized selection of beers, wines, and champagnes. You can, of course, order from the dinner menu at the bar if you'd like. I found the drink menu to be incredibly simple but the drinks themselves are more complicated. My favorite drink has been the daiquri, but they have an interesting spin on the manhattan if that's your thing. On the bar menu, I loved the burger... something about that bacon was just... ahhhhhh!!! As for dinner, I have been intrigued by everything I've tried. The presentation is always great. The parker house rolls and shishito peppers make are good but just average experiences, in my opinion. However, I am especially amused by the fish sticks and I've gotten them every time I've gone. They are made from puffer fish and taste so good with the house made tartar sauce. They still have the bone in, so you have to eat them like chicken wings. I also like snacking on the peas and carrots... they are served ice cold (literally they have iced cheese on them) and taste great as soon as they come out or even as the cheese starts to defrost/melt. I've only had dessert once but the cookies and cream - so good!!! Vibes: I could see the scene here evolving into something that resembles the scene at Bourbon Steak in the Four Seasons, D.C... a perpetually "powerful" dining room and a bar that is very trendy and fun on the right night, but intimate and sophisticated at all times. In the lounge/bar area, you'll enjoy plenty of windows, cozy couches and high chairs that swivel easily to face your dining companion. The view of The Park at City Center is perfect- if the restaurant was located any higher and it would be ruined. Huge gripe, though - the bar lacks purse hooks - hello!! it's 2019.. this is a must for any bar area and a pet peeve for any woman - a nusiance for most bar tenders, and a massive inconvenience for other guests ("Excuse me mam, is that your bag?") The dining area is perfect for a business lunch or dinner, a romantic date, or a special gathering for a special occasion. White table cloths, well dressed waitstaff that pours your glass at just the right moment and dotes over your every need. This is a place I could see myself visiting over and over again. I hope they keep it read more

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Are here 3 mornings in a row. Absolutely fantastic in every way! Thanks for the stellar service and fantastic gourmet food! Top notch! Mark and Guillermo were A1! Service impeccable read more

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Taste: 5 paws Value: 5 paws Modifiers: Amazing service from Anton, Mind-blown Bottom-line: Mind-blowing cuisine, good portions, at a surprisingly reasonable price! As a cat with high standards, I pride myself on having the best foods. When I heard of there being black calamari at Estuary, I needed to make the trek all the way down to try it! Estuary did not disappoint: it's very rare to have a meal that redefines our perception of food. I'm also used to going to fancy restaurants (cause I'm a fancy cat *meow*) but feeling ripped off due to the small portion sizes and high prices. I'm happy to report that the prices at Estuary are incredibly reasonable for what they offer. We also had the good fortunate of being served by Anton, who really made our night very memorable. Will definitely be back! Amuse bouche: thin, crackly rice paper over a greek yogurt sauce. Was tart, refreshing, and fun to eat. The flowers also do wonders for my furry complexion. (4/5 stars) Fried calamari: the calamari itself was perfectly cooked and not rubbery. The black coating was salty, slightly bitter, crispy, and balanced nicely by the creamy and spicy aioli. The tomato dipping sauce was fresh and clean on the palate, though I personally would have preferred something less watery. (5/5 stars) Mozzarella and tomato soup: Super playful and creative! The mozzarella was creamy, the tomatoes fresh, and the soup tasted like pure essence of tomatoes. The balsamic dressing balanced out the tartness from the tomatoes nicely. The charred bread was also delightful for soaking up the leftover soup. (5/5 stars) Shishito peppers with Burrata cheese: I'm a huge fan of these peppers, and never have I seen it combined with Burrata cheese as a dipping "sauce". The combination worked! Loved the slight crisp, bitterness and sweetness of the peppers being contrasted with the creaminess and richness of the cheese. (5/5 stars) Pufferfish: This was probably our least favorite dish as it didn't seem as well-balanced as the other dishes. The dish lacked the "freshness" that I would expect from a seafood appetizer. I've never had pufferfish before, and this dish strangely reminded me of Japanese grilled eel. I did however appreciate being introduced to new foods! (3.5 / 5 stars) Crab roll: The pictures do not do it justice. Generous serving of super sweet crab, with just enough creaminess from the mayonnaise, and a soft fluffy roll (so fluffy!) with a buttery crust. The roll is not large enough to share, so be sure to get one for each person! (5/5 stars) Atlantic cod with cuttlefish noodles: this was highly recommended by Anton and initially we weren't expecting too much (after all, how many disappointing 'noodle' shops have there been?). But wow did this surprise us! The cod was (not surprisingly) melt-in-your-mouth, but the real stars of the dish were the cuttlefish noodles (super soft but still "al dente"), and the incredible umami fish broth. It was like tasting the essence of the sea. (5/5 stars) "Key lime pie": This thing was humongous. The pie was hidden all the way at the bottom. For $10, this dessert was an absolute steal given the thought and craftsmanship needed to make this dish. The coconut ice cream was very refreshing and not too heavy, and complimented nicely with the peanut butter (?) shell and crumbles. The key lime pie was very tart (which I happen to enjoy, though it may be too tart for some). My only complaint with the key lime pie was that it was a little bit too gelatinous for my liking. I also would have liked it if the basil leaves were integrated better into the dish. We ended up ripping them up like we do with pho, and it did serve as a nice balance to all the other components. I appreciated that this dessert was not overly sweet! (5/5 stars) If you're on the fence about this restaurant, definitely do try it! You won't be disappointed! It was so good that we came back the next morning for breakfast (we also had a free breakfast coupon from Conrad, which didn't hurt). I really enjoyed my pulled pork hash! Yummy! *meow* read more

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May 2019 I went to Estuary with the sole purpose of trying the Maryland Crab Roll. *The restaurant is on the 3rd floor of the Conrad hotel. As an initial observation, the roll is smaller than internet pictures led me to believe - it could fit in the palm of my hand. So, if you're thinking it's a meal, it's more like a snack. But what a snack! The bread is light, savory, and a perfect bearer of the sweet, creamy crab. The crab was surprisingly light despite being in a cream-based dressing. For the quality and obvious attention to detail in the dish, it is worth the $12 charge for this tasty treat. While I waited for the Crab Roll to arrive, a member of the waitstaff brought me complimentary breadsticks. If there was something special about the breadsticks, I missed it. They simply tasted like good breadsticks. However, the dipping condiment served with the breadsticks was noteworthy. Apparently it's cheddar cheese, old bay, and something else. Sounds simple, but if they bottled it and sold it, I'd buy it. Impeccable service. The hospitality of the service staff was seamless and greatly appreciated. Restaurant was very clean and the tables were dressed purposefully. I'm planning to go back for a larger meal. read more

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Just had my first lunch at Estuary and I confirm that I will be back again, again, and again. The prices seemed reasonable. Is it expensive? Yes. But did it seem on par with other City Center restaurants? Yes. Our lunch of five appetizers (we wanted to try them all!), dessert, and wine was $115 after tax and tip. The ambiance and setting is very modern. At first, it seemed a bit stale/awkwardly modern/bland to me. When you walk in the hotel, you have to take an elevator up to the restaurant. Honestly, we had to ask two people for directions. But then, I saw the kitchen. The open kitchen is beautiful and made me appreciate the artistry that went into my meal. The service is also excellent, which added a home-y vibe to the meal. The food. Yep, give it all to me! We'll go through in order. The pimento cheese served with the complimentary breadsticks was crazy good -- and the consistency was unlike any pimento cheese I've ever had. It was crazy good. I was surprised when our server's #1 recommendation was the calamari. But, I get it. The calamari is marinated in squid ink and the frying is very delicate. I highly recommend. The crab roll met crazy high expectations. (We got two. One per person.). If I were to make any tweaks, I wish the crab had been stuffed a little further into the bottom of the roll. And, of course, I wish I had several more of those crazy good homemade crab chips! Seriously, they could be their own menu item. My husband loves the beef tartar. While tartar generally isn't my thing, I found it tasty--especially the little hint of the onion ring flavor. The avocado confit was wonderful. I was afraid it would be bland, but the salt on it was just right and made me want more. And finally, the cookies and cream. Yep, you want this. I was expecting the "cream" to be vanilla ice cream, but it wasn't. I couldn't figure out exactly what it was. It was intriguing. The cookie was a bit darker than I had hoped (I prefer milk chocolate--judge me, I don't care!), but seriously, this was good. read more

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What an entrance and experience Estuary was! Above and beyond my expectations for sure. Once you reach the elevator at the hotel, you'll be guided up to the 3rd floor, where the main entrance to the restaurant is. Walk past the incredible high ceiling grand entrance to your right, where you will meet the hostess (a little hidden off in the back) to be seated at your table. I was lucky in the fact that I went on a Monday evening as was 1/4 tables in the seating area. We definitely were given the top treatment from the moment we were seated. Let's start with the menu! You're given a menu with a rose gold metallic finish of the surrounding areas where both the owners and food originate from. Open it up to find the menu categorized with shareables, main entrees, and desserts. For the food, we had ceviche and calamari to start - the calamari was GF and pretty incredible. For the main entree, I tried the cod, which the waiter raved about the second I was seated. All of the choices were of top knotch and quality, with the fish dishes basically melting in your mouth. Aside from this, we were given a palette cleanser to begin, which was a small dish of chocolate mousse and pine nuts. To close the evening, we split the fluffer nutter dessert (think: peanuts, banana, marshmallow) and given a complimentary fruity, chocolate bite, and cake bite. Safe to say, we left extremely full and satisfied. The staff was extremely attentive and very knowledgeable on all of the dishes. No service complaints. Looking for a nice date spot or work dinner with not a lot of noise? This is your spot. Don't forget to check out the rooftop after dinner! read more

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It's all in the details 1. Gave my kids etch a sketch to play with while they ate (peaceful and creative time) 2. I got my own pot of La Colombe coffee 3. You get too see the chef plate food 4. My dish crab and corncake waffle looked like it was the sea I was in a beautiful peaceful space as I enjoyed my delicious food. Kudos!! read more

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DELICIOUS food!!! Had a birthday celebration here and we ordered almost everything off the menu. Each and every dish was wonderful.

Outstanding restaurant-- all around one of finest meals in DC. Food delicious -- everything on menu --can't go wrong. Service impeccable. Ambiance elegant and modern without being stuffy. read more

Excellent meal, and the service and hospitality were phenomenal! Every staff member we walked by - from the host to the manager to the servers to the cooks - greeted us with a smile. To start with, our server brought out breadsticks with an Old Bay cheese dipping sauce and a beet sorbet as a palate cleanser. I was super excited to try the crab roll, and I'm glad I did. The crab meat was super lumpy and the bread was melt-in-your-mouth yummy. I just wish the roll were bigger. For entrees, we had the salmon with cuttlefish noodles and the chicken. The salmon was really good, but just a tad on the salty side. The chicken was really moist and flavorful. We ended our meal with the cookies and cream, and our server also brought out complimentary cake bites and raspberry fondant bites. But again, I was most impressed with the service. Even when I went to find the restroom, one of the hostesses walked me all the way to the door and asked me how I was enjoying the meal. Thanks, Estuary! You did not disappoint. read more

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Estuary is based on locally sourced food from the Chesapeake area and they have a decent selection despite this geographic focus. This beautiful, modern restaurant has a nice view of the hustle and bustle of DC. Estuary is located on the 3rd floor of the Conrad hotel and has a large bar in the center with comfortable, lounge style seating on the sides. This seems to quickly becoming the "power happy hour" bar with some business meetings getting down in the lounge seats. The restaurant is set back and has large windows overlooking City Center. Service was good and everyone really seemed to work well together as a team. Everyone was attentive (until the end when it took 40 minutes for our check) and knowledgeable about the dishes. Each staff member provided an overview of the dish and also provided great recommendations. The food had a creative flare and we really enjoyed the calamari and the Maryland Crab Roll. For entrees, the lamb pastrami and Atlantic Cod were tasty and well-flavored. The portions were good, and each dish looked like art. Make sure to save room for the Cookies and Cream - a chocolate dessert with creme fraiche rocks and dark chocolate pudding. We'll be back for more. read more

I really hate giving a bad review...but OMG this was one of the worst restaurants I have been to in a long time. The hush puppies were burnt, still raw inside, and only tasted of oil. The soft shell crab and pasta were inedible. The staff was great, drinks were excellent, and the restaurant is beautiful; but anything food wise was not palatable. We were celebrating our 20th anniversary and hoping for an amazing meal. Not sure what the hype was about. read more

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Art of food . Exquisite experience last night @Esuary. Not large but very satisfying portions with mix of different unique aromas bursting from each dish, complimenting each other. Loved the custom made cocktail! The server was very professional, knowledgeable in DC food market and we had a nice chart. Recommend avocado appetizer, chunks of lettuce with delicious oils and spices and half avocado. Main dish steak with bone marrow! Just perfect read more

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The Estuary at the Conrad hotel adds a flair of elegance and modernism to DC's city center. Entering into the restaurant you'll have to bypass the bar area, where you will be greeted with a comfortable yet contemporary style lounging area, with floor to ceiling windows offering a picturesque view of city center. Love the interior decor on this one! Came here for a group of 3 on Sunday 11.30am with no reservations. Had to wait about 30mins - but that was no problem. Brunch experience|| Ambiance: 5 stars Food: 5 stars for taste, presentation, and quality Service: 5 stars (our waiter even had a French accent) Accessibility: 5 stars (right inside the Conrad Hotel) Price: $$$ read more

My wife and I had an awesome time. The food was excellent and the service was just good as the food. We look forward to eating there again. read more

I went for my anniversary with my gf. The place is really cool, view is gorgeous, especially, all dishes we ordered were all brilliant!! Worth the price we paid. Service was ok, not excellent. I do recommend for ones who finding places to celebrate or want a chill out day. read more

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Got a smorgasbord of items. The only item that was fantastic was the steak tartare and cookies and cream dessert. All the meats and fish were overcooked and the tuna tartare no longer comes on crostini. Was excited for the crab roll and it was way too much bread. Sorry. Just had high expectations. read more

Estuary was a disappointment. We were seated in a side area between the bar and the main dining room at a table with a beautiful view, but it seemed to be staffed by the bar waitstaff as opposed to the dining room's. Service was extremely slow. It took over 20 minutes to get drinks at the beginning of the meal and service remained slow throughout our dinner. When I asked for an explanation of how the menu worked, I was initially told that it was self-explanatory (it was not). The whole roasted fish was unavailable, despite Estuary's specialty being seafood, but I didn't learn this until almost an hour into the meal when we had to request to have our entree orders taken. Some dishes came out wrong. Absent an overhaul, I don't think I would return. read more

I waited for 20 minutes, but there was plenty of empty seats, and I didn't understand why the restaurant made me wait for 20 minutes. After I got seated, I waited almost another 10 minutes and finally someone came and filled water for us. The foods were average hotel breakfast as you expect. A little pricey. But the environment was great. Below is are my scores: Food: 3.5/5 Environment: 5/5 Service: 2/5 read more

Estuary - Steak and Eggs - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I dined at Estuary for lunch during restaurant week and the staff couldn't have been more accommodating. My table was under a bit of a time constraint and the hostess and server did everything in their power to ensure we had a pleasant and efficient meal. I ordered the crab cake, salmon, and chocolate mousse. The crab cake was served on a buttery loaf of bread with a cute crab potato chip on top. The salmon was perfectly cooked and was an appropriate serving size for lunch (not too large/heavy). The chocolate mousse was super rich. I would give the food 4/5 stars. Service was 5/5. read more

Estuary - Salmon - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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New chef started so I decided to try again. The views were nice as the sunset. The wine list was reasonable and had a lot of lower priced gems(60$). The bring our a bread dish. Popovers which were very nice. Wish they had more of these.Started with the lamb albondigas and smoked fish dip. The smoke fish dip was good. Served with toasted bread and cracker bread. A mild smoky flavor but nice. The lamb was more of a disappointment and a recurring theme. The spices are very heavy and overpowering. I would not order them again. Next was salad. We all had the earth n eats tomato salad. Billed as having an Aleppo vinegrette. I definitely would not recommend this. The portions are tiny and basically a few pieces of tomato and a few pieces of cucumber with scant slices of onion and sunflower seeds. Very boring and small maybe a third of a cup of food. Next the main course. I had the brisket burger. It was excellent. The fries had a great old bay seasoning and not overpowering. Others in the party had the seared summer squash and the rockfish. Both were way over seasoned and could not toast the underlying food. Also I just do not care for the spice flavors used. Dessert was also disappointing. The cheesecake had the consistency of gelatin and more key lime flavor. I did like the blue beer meringue with the tres chocolate. That dessert was okay. Overall a very disappointing meal. The wines were great the service excellent. The food small disappointing menu. The description of the restaurant is all wrong. They may source from the Chesapeake but the spices are not local and overpowering. read more

If you said I would spend over 3 hours at a restaurant and enjoy it I would not believe you. It was all due to our server, Anton. His service was amazing and his personality was just wonderful to interact with. The food was also amazing. The crab roll is a staple that we enjoy. The scallops were fresh. The octopus was tender and flavorful. The hanger steak was cooked to perfection. I love when a dinner is not only a meal, but an experience. The food was great and the service was top notch. We will definitely return... again. read more

I stayed at the Conrad for 90 days and basically lived at the bar. Brennan, Janine, Will, Alsine and everyone there were like a family while I was away from home. Brilliant mixologists and equally gifted conversationalists. I'm just sorry I can't give them 6 stars. Best joint in DC, no question about it. read more

wow, what a place! and i never thought i would say this about a hotel bar/restaurant. but i was impressed, mostly architectually but also the food the bar's old bay marcona almonds were addicting. im not obsessed with those things. food i was a bit wary of the menu. it was not very impressive but the things i ordered were incredibly tasty. tuna tartare-excellent lamb pastrami-DELICIOUS! it was absolutely delightful, and i cleaned my plate. the portion was generous. drink both were excellent rhino sour-loved it aloe there-loved it, mild but very smooth the rooftop-excellent views! EXCELLENT. they have different set of elevators that take you to it. the seating is tough because they want you to have a minimal tab of $500 to sit in the couches. we were essentially shooed away b'c the four of us werent gonna spend that kinda dough. price- HIGH. very HIGH. my part of my meal was over $ 90 bucks with tip, that killed my buzz. parking-street it is. i took a lyft. ambiance-the building is gorgeous. service-good, but the rooftop experience was a bittersweet one overall-i would come back with 50 friends and do drinks on the roof. read more

Snagged a reservation when their opening was quietly announced to the general public, and so glad we did! More details below, but TLDR version is that this place has all the ingredients to be a knockout on the DC food scene. Service and food were impeccable and without ego (even despite the working-out-the-opening-kinks snafus), and ambiance was classy enough to bring a client or a date, yet not stuffy or cost prohibitive enough to prevent adding Estuary to the regular rotation. Business casual attire suggested. Get the ceviche. Getting there: not intuitive. Go in the Conrad, go to the elevators on the right, go up to the third floor, exit into the gorgeous "atrium", and it's on the right. Drinks: we didn't venture into their wine list this visit, but I understand their somm is from Volt and at least some of their bar staff has some Killer pedigrees (eg, NYC's Nomad). Nevertheless we were taken care of. Very good cocktail list and selection of spirits, which will especially cater to the downtown bourbon bro showy client-pleasy crowd requirements with a pretty full lineup of Pappy, etc. priced at market for DC. Their mezcal martinez was lovely. Food: the menu focuses on food sourced from the Chesapeake Bay region (Estuary, getit?) and presents with an adorable little map that's a food key for the region. This ethos seems to be the backbone of the restaurant but Estuary is much less in your face about it than other spots like A Rake's Progress, which is a good thing. Our menu was broken up into 3 sections, with a decreasing number of selections in each category (around 10-15 appetizery / shared plate options, ~7 entrees, and 3 desserts). Seafood focused, obviously, but a good variety of options for the vegetarian among us. For 2, we got oysters and an appetizer each to share, entrees, and desserts, and it was the perfect amount of food for us. As a disclaimer, I should note that given the roll out, we did have the brothers Volt on the line for most of the evening, but I think the quality will persist given the ingredient-forward dishes. The standout dishes of the night for me were the ceviche, which was so playful in presentation and delightful on the fork, as well as the cedar planked salmon with risotto, both of which were technically perfect (risotto nerd over here) and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. I was also really pleased to see things like pimento cheese and smith Island cake on the menu. I would love to see a cheese offering, as someone who's not a sweets fanatic. The one almost-miss of the night was a delightful crab-and-tapioca crisp dusted with old bay. I wanted to gobble them up, but for whatever molecular gastronomy-related reason, if you hold this to your tongue or try to eat this more daintily it shrinks in a way that feels like it's cutting into your tongue. Actually weirdly painful. Not saying it should leave the menu or be avoided - just maybe should come with a disclaimer. Price point: less than I was anticipating, frankly, which was a nice surprise given the location. From memory, Appetizers ranged from $10-21, entrees from $23 - $68 (a steak outlier), and all of the desserts were $10. Definitely doable for a nice meal and needn't be reserved only for special celebrations. Decor / Ambiance: modern and sleek. Open kitchen. Coat check available. Loved the tables and linens. I think they have some version of a community / communal table in front of the kitchen, but can't be sure. The space does seem like it can get a bit loud acoustic wise, and doesn't have the benefit of carpeting or heavy drapes to help with that. But nothing egregious. Service: pretty outstanding. There were some ordering mix-ups but all was handled so well that they're not worth mentioning here. An example of the great service is I mentioned to our server that I avoid gluten when discussing dessert options (I know I know) - I never tell kitchens it's an allergy, because I've had places tell me they can't serve me or go to insane lengths to like clean their friers, but it's definitely not just a preference. I think our server understood I wasn't trying to make a fuss about it, so didn't push me on what I'd already ordered, but went ahead and took the liberty to send over a gluten free bread course (jicama, but it's the thought that counts) and pointed out when things were safe from a gluten standpoint, and even brought out a complimentary delicious coconut sorbet for dessert given I wasn't able to enjoy any of the others. It was thoughtful and intuitive and just a lovely touch. read more

Estuary - If you can't make goldfish jokes via your ceviche plating, where can you? - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Estuary is in the Conrad hotel and is absolutely stunning. Drinks start at $16 each and most mains are north of $20 so come prepared for a bit of a spend. The tuna tartare was exceptional and their cookies and cream dessert is life changing - Rich but not at all too sweet. If you can, try their restaurant week lunch. read more

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Playful but refined. Elegant but not pretentious. Creative but familiar. Such a terrific addition to City Center. Standouts were the striped bass ceviche and the tuna tartar - both left us speechless. Can't wait to return! read more

I'm feeling lazy, so I'm going to sum this up quickly: Great and friendly service! Decent drinks. Subpar and underwhelming food. Would not go here for food, but if you're looking for a upscale-ish ambiance and not bad but overpriced drinks, this is your spot. read more