Got a recommendation to try this spot for lunch in DC. While we were visiting, we decided to check…read moreit out. I ordered the Cajun Pasta with chicken, my boyfriend ordered the smothered chicken and biscuits, and we each had a Green Light Juice. The wait for food was a bit long; however, it was very very well worth it!!! Vee is fire in the kitchen, she cooked up our meals ans another customers meal in 30 mins or so, and that flavor was amazing!!! She knows what is up!!! Took the leftovers, went sightseeing and ate the rest outside of Liberty Memorial. Thank you Vee!! Best spot for soul food!

Had brunch today, I think if you smartly order what's good, the taste was very southern good. I do…read morethink it might be priced a little high for the lack of Service and takeout boxes and plastic silverware, but the taste was on point. The Gumbo had a good kick, the fried chicken was succulent and good too. I'd recommend till Service improves order to go and take home if you live in the area. I'll give it another try if they go to bringing your order to table with proper flatware, but taste wise no complaints!

I have been going to Barrel since they opened in the mid 2010s. As someone who loves whiskey this…read moreis the place to go for a range of offerings. The bar staff has always been knowledgeable on providing recommendations. For instance, they were the first place I tried the Old Forrester Birthday Bourbon. While it's not something I get frequently, since then I treat myself to it every full moon. They have selections from around the world and I have sent many friends here and they have been impressed. Also while their menu seems small-please know everything they offer that they do very well. The burger is delicious, the fries, the mac and cheese and wings are some of my favorite items. Go and enjoy!

Popped in for happy hour on a Friday around 5pm. Arrived when it was still pretty slow and was able…read moreto take my pick for seating at the bar. The bartender was friendly and helpful, I'm not a whisky girl so I went with wine. My partner tried a whiskey that was recommended and then a whiskey based cocktail that were both really good. For food we tried the fat fries they were delicious, hot fresh and plentiful! My partner also ordered the chicken sliders, 3 fried chicken (thighs I believe) on biscuits with a drizzle of honey. The sliders were a bit dry for my liking and lacked any flavor/seasoning. Chill vibes and good service I would definitely return!

It was my third visit. The first two were more than six months ago. Same great food. Same great…read moreambiance. Same great prices. Great service was the only thing lacking and service previously was beyond excellent. Our server seemed disinterested and left us hanging through out the evening (although we ordered appetizers, two mains, dessert, and two drinks). Idk, maybe an off night for him. I don't usually submit reviews because I'm not that picky; but this was worth mentioning. I hope it comes to management's attention.

Had a wonderful time at Marcus DC! The customer service, ambience, and food were all amazing…read more Since Marcus is inside a hotel, staff greet you as you enter and direct you to the restaurant. Parking can be challenging in the area, so give yourself extra time to find a spot. The restaurant itself is beautiful, with a great balance of modern and elegant design. For cocktails, my companion had the Abyssinian Blaze and I ordered the Blushing Root. Both were excellent. We started with the Blue Cornbread and Oysters on the Half Shell. Both were great, but the oysters were a standout thanks to the spicy-sweet grapefruit habanero granita. For our main courses, we shared Mel's Crab Rice, Chuck B's Roasted Bird, and the Confit Heirloom Carrots. Everything was delicious, but the crab rice and roasted bird were especially good and definitely worth ordering. We finished with the Praline Cake, which is served tableside and has a beautiful presentation. A fun way to end the meal. Overall, the service was extremely attentive, the food was memorable, and the entire experience felt special without being stuffy. Customer service was truly top-notch, and I'll definitely be back!

When you are in Union Market there are so many food choices to choose from but Puddin is a place…read moreyou will want to come back to. We come here all the time for the bread pudding but this time we brought a group. Always pleasant and lively, Puddin reminds me of southern hospitality at its finest. The bread pudding is served warm and rich with chunks of bread and browned butter and bourbon flavors throughout. Add the creamy homemade vanilla pudding on top and we never leave without it. We also got to sample a new alcoholic beverage that was heavenly. Cannot remember the name but if you go to the front counter they will give you a sample of the mixer. Trust me, you will want to order it. The gumbo was a crowd favorite. One sample and the flavor made you want to double back. My guests walked the area and came back specifically to get some to take home. They boxed it up separately for easy transport. Now that is service. Quick and easy stop right before it rained. Puddin is a complete takeout spot but the vibes while you order and wait make it a counter worth visiting again and again. The hospitality, the comfort food, and the inviting staff make it unforgettable.

On my DC visit my friend told me this place was good and she didn't lie. The bread puddin is what I…read morewent for and it didn't disappoint. They have a decent size location located in the market and of course there's a line to stand in but it's not bad. Let me tell you, I got one small order and went back for a big order. The customer service was good and it's a walk up and keep it moving type of vibe. They call your number out, you pick up your order, find a seat or sit outside. Overall it was good and I would visit this location again.

A classic local spot where you can watch the game and enjoy some classic soul food. You can order…read moreahead and pick up (or get delivery through the apps) or come and sit at the bar , where you're guaranteed some food conversation

Great food and good camaraderie! The portions were generous, everything was seasoned well, and the…read morevibe felt authentic and relaxed. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area. -- Troy M.

Quality dive bar with a fun theme, great food actually, and nice bartenders! Great spot for a hot…read moredog and cold beer.

Appears to be a dive bar at first glance, but the vibes and prices don't reflect it. Really dug the…read morelook to this place and the staff for the most part was pretty welcoming, but the vibe and clientele were not what you would come to expect from a traditional dive bar experience. My drink was extremely overpriced in comparison to other similar places in DC. I enjoyed the decor (especially upstairs) but that's pretty much about it. I can't speak for the food though which did look pretty good, since we had already eaten prior to visiting.

Absolutely loved our meal here. Everything was a knockout. I ordered the chicken and was pleasantly…read moresurprised at how good it was. You'd assume there's not many ways you can innovate fried chicken but there's was amazing! Other highlights of our meal were the biscuits, the broccoli, the watermelon salad, and the ribeye steak. The service was great and we loved the dark, moody cabin-inspired ambience as well.

Visiting DC and swung by this establishment for dinner with a group of friends…read more Overall enjoyable, but there are definitely some items which are hits and other misses. Before getting to the food, I'll first rate the interior excellent. It's big and open, and has a modern yet rustic design, which makes it an excellent atmosphere. They had an impressive list of wines and cocktails, but the draft beer selection was limited. Could use a bit more variety on tap, but I enjoyed the Imperial IPA nonetheless. As for the food; all of it was on the pricey sized given the quality and quantity served, but the salmon collar was by far my favorite -- followed by the chicken, although the chicken was a bit less meaty than I expected. The gem salad, the carrots and the steak fries were all very "meh," and the bisques seemed like small ciabatta buns rather than actual biscuits. All that aside, the biggest disappointment was unfortunately the ax ribeye - it wasn't cooked properly (despite asking for med-rate, depending on the bite, it ranged from medium to very rare), and it was really stringy and fatty - a major disappointment for a steakhouse. Deserts were delicious, I really enjoyed the ice cream cake and thought the peanut butter pie was good. Service was great, prompt and friendly. So I definitely wouldn't recommend this place as a statehouse based on my experience, but would consider coming for the salmon.

I had an amazing dinner here. All the food was great but my favorites were the truffle gnocchi and…read moreseafood bisque with scallop. The gnocchi was pillowy soft and delicious. The bisque was creamy and flavorful. There were a lot of different bites between the courses which were tasty and interesting. From the various desserts I tried I really liked the popcorn ice cream. It was a nice combination of sweet and salty. There was a pre-dinner drink that I wasn't a fan of but all the other wine and cocktails I had were great. The service was good and the restaurant had a cozy and fun ambiance. They gave me a box with a burger, a postcard and a Polaroid photo at the end which was a nice surprise. It was a very memorable dinner.

Pineapple & Pearls is a masterclass in what fine dining should be. What impressed me most was the…read morechef's incredible ability to elevate the simplest ingredients into something extraordinary. Every course showcased impeccable technique, creativity, and restraint, proving that luxury isn't about expensive ingredients--it's about transforming familiar flavors into unforgettable experiences. Each dish, though small, was beautifully presented, but more importantly, every bite was thoughtfully balanced and full of surprises. The attention to detail was evident from the first course to the last, making the entire meal feel like a carefully curated journey rather than just dinner. I did leave feeling satisfied but not super full. The service was equally exceptional--warm, knowledgeable, and perfectly paced, allowing us to savor every moment. Pineapple & Pearls isn't just a meal; it's an experience full of extraordinary. Ambiance was suited for fine dining. I did notice most people were really dressed up.

LOVEEEE the vibe at Hill East Burger. It makes me feel like I was easily transported to Brooklyn or…read moreBaltimore. It gives chill, with quality food. The interior is thoughtful with fun chachkies all around and exposed brick. And the food/beer selection is pretty good too. I've enjoyed the "OK burger". And the seasoned curly potato wedges!!! I would come back just for these. sooo sooo good. I also love how many sauce options they offer. The team is always really friendly and attentive. Chicken nugs and Lancaster burger are so so. I didn't really enjoy the arugula on the burger because it got wilted fast.

Hill East Burger was good. Great happy hour, good food, cute Tex Mex decor. I would visit again if…read moreI lived nearby, but I wouldn't make a special trip for it. I visited at 5 PM on a Monday, right after they opened. We got some burgers and fries. The Terlingua Burger ($13 for single patty) comes with cheese, beef chili, onion and yellow mustard. The chili didn't stay on the burger. It was basically beef with more beef. Tasty but not that interesting. The Lancaster ($12 single) had bacon, cheese, pickled onion, tomato relish, and arugula. It was a bit sweet with the tomato relish. Pretty good overall. Fries ($6) are "curly-ish" in a shape I've never seen before. I didn't think they would have the right balance of soft to crispy, but they were great. Happy hour includes a $2 tallboy beer which is impossible to beat anywhere in DC. The Montucky Cold Snap was a light lager, like you'd expect. The place is small, but cute. I like the two-person mini-booths and the Tex Mex decor. 20% auto-grat even thought it's not a full service restaurant. They have signs on the table inviting you to get your own silverware, napkins, and condiments. We ordered by QR code and had staff bring us the food and bus the table.

We happened upon this place when we were in the area after dinner. It was a Saturday night and it…read morewas surprisingly pretty quiet when we arrived, which I think was around 9pm. We sat at the bar near the back and were immediately greeted. The bartenders were super kind and quick. They chatted with us, but didn't linger. It was a great mix. They also ensured our drinks, including our water, were always full. They also brought out some snacks (on the house) for us. Music was on, but not too loud. We stayed for awhile, and pretty soon we looked up and were like, oh my gosh, this place is packed! Pretty soon there were people everywhere and it was so loud. We decided at that point we wanted to head out, but the bartenders still made sure to say goodbye. We will definitely be back when we are back in DC. Great vibes, atmosphere, and service!

Stopped by The Haymaker while hanging out around the H Street Corridor with my lady. I had passed…read morethis place before but had never actually gone in, so we decided to stop in and check out the happy hour situation. Drink-wise, we had the frozen mango margarita, which was very tasty, and my lady had the pisco sour, which was also really good and refreshing. For food, they team up with Little Miner Taco. We started with a small order of beef nachos. The flavor was definitely there, but my only complaint was that the toppings were a little underwhelming portion-wise. I would've liked a little more meat and toppings spread throughout the nachos. We also ordered the three-taco meal and went with the steak tacos. Those were absolutely amazing. Great flavor and definitely something I would order again. My only issue with the tacos is how the ordering works. With the three-taco meal, all three tacos have to be the same flavor. Since it was our first time trying the food, I would've really liked the option to mix and match three different tacos. They do sell tacos individually, but at around $7.50-$8 each, buying three singles ends up costing considerably more than the three-taco meal, which was around $20. They also offer a larger variety pack, but you can't substitute any of the taco choices in that either. I think allowing customers to mix and match would make it much easier to try different things, especially on a first visit. Atmosphere-wise, it was cool and laid-back. We went pretty early, around 2 or 3 in the afternoon, so we pretty much had the place to ourselves. Our bartender, who I believe was V, was very helpful, attentive, and provided great customer service. Overall, I definitely enjoyed The Haymaker and would go back. There were a few other things on the menu that caught my eye that I'd like to try next time. Aside from wanting a few more toppings on the nachos and a little more flexibility with the taco options, everything was solid. Definitely a 4.5 out of 5 for me.