I was in DC for birthday celebration search yelp and voila Hen Quarter was the first option; so…read morehere we are. The restaurant is so beautiful and inviting. So much attention to detail from the front door lighting to the soft seating; beautiful plates, flowers pink napkins and forks. Thé hostess was just okay; however our server Marque was awesome. He made great suggestions knew the menu and verified menu items requested. He did not miss anything. I appreciated him checking in timely. There was also a woman-manager maybe who was also friendly and checked on our satisfaction while eating. The food and drinks; I came for seafood. We ordered fried lobster pasta- which included shrimp; spicy goodness! So flavorful; my only minus was a bit oil at the bottom of the pasta(curious about that. The jerk bites were delicious seasoned but a little chewy. The deviled eggs; so good I forgot to get a full presentation lol. The lemon drop was made to perfection and my passion fruit margarita was tasty. Overall I was very satisfied with my first side quest adventure. I'll be back with more friends or family.

I was excited to finally get a reservation at Hen Quarter. The restaurant is beautiful, and the…read morewaterfront location makes for a great atmosphere. Surprisingly, it wasn't very busy for a Friday night near Navy Yard, which, in hindsight, may have been a sign. The service got off to a rough start. Valet parking was advertised, but no valet was present when we arrived. We waited about 15 minutes before anyone showed up. Once seated, it took quite a while for our server to introduce himself, check on us, and even offer water. We opted for the $30 unlimited drinks, which sounded like a great deal. Unfortunately, the bartender struggled with an Old Fashioned multiple times. The first drink had the wrong liquor, incorrect ingredients, and even the wrong ice. After another attempt, our server explained that the bartender was new, so he ended up making and pouring the drink himself. The food was a mixed bag. The jerk steak bites were disappointing, several of the six pieces were mostly fat, making the appetizer feel like a waste. The Brussels sprouts, which are cooked with okra, were anything but crispy. Instead, they were extremely slimy. The lobster pasta had good flavor, but it was swimming in so much oil you could have fried a batch of chicken. On the positive side, the chicken and waffles were delicious and easily the best dish we ordered. The sea bass, however, was just mediocre. To end the evening, we experienced another long wait. It took about 15 minutes for the valet to return, and then another 10 minutes to bring the car. Overall, Hen Quarter has a beautiful location and a lot of potential, but the inconsistent service and hit-or-miss food made for a disappointing experience. I really wanted to love it, but based on this visit, I wasn't impressed. I hope they can work through these issues because the restaurant truly has the potential to be something special.

Miss Toya's Southern Kitchen DC edition is definitely the vibe for Haply Hour... the music is on…read morepoint and has most of the patrons doing a seated shoulder 2-step. The atmosphere is extremely vibrant and filled with positive energy ( I came in for a takeout order and ended up staying for over two hours... ) I had the honey hot sauce Salmon bites... and I would call them mini bites of perfection ( absolutely delicious ) seasoned just right and the HH serving definitely outshines its $8 tab... I also ordered the 1/2 chicken with seafood fried rice and cabbage ( that's for dinner.. but I couldn't wait to put the spot light on their super live HH ! ) The customer service is cool ( they can seem a little overwhelmed at times ) shoutout to Tae the bartender for doing an amazing job at keeping everyone happy and grooving ( Hennessy side-car was no less than an 8 1/2 ) And I want to give BIG props to the manager ( Kelvin I believe his name is ) he went above and beyond to ensure that every soul in his restaurant was pleased and took care of on a high level from beginning to end... definitely should be up for restaurant manager of the year !!! FYI: Now, my biggest gripe ( and what had me close to putting 3-stars... but the Vibe kept it at 4-stars ) was the fact that I ordered a dozen of raw oysters and they served them on a plate ( not on ice ) the oysters were warm, which made them stick to the shell entirely too much. Kelvin, one word of advice... no high end or reputable establishment ever serves their oysters on a ice less plate ( NEVER ) I know you'll correct that in the very near future... Miss Toya's is too on point not to invest into official oyster treys !!! Definitely going back real soon for HH again...

I was super excited to try Miss Toya's after seeing it all over TikTok, but unfortunately, the meal…read morewas pretty mid and lacked proper balance and seasoning across the board. The Breakdown: Fried Green Tomatoes: Overcomplicated and heavy. The crab meat on top came in huge chunks...almost like chicken nuggets...and sat in a very thick cream sauce over corn. It was underseasoned, and the combination of textures and flavors just didn't come together for me. Fried Pork Chops: I'm so glad I got the gravy on the side because it was extremely salty. I had to use hot sauce to give the pork chops some actual flavor. Sides (Greens & Fried Rice): Very average. Cornbread: If you like cornbread that tastes like actual dessert, you might enjoy this. But for me, it was super-duper sweet...put caramel on it and it could pass for a cake. Maybe it was just an off day for the kitchen or I ordered the wrong items, but for all the hype, it fell flat Maybe I'm just a tough critic because Chicago has me spoiled with great food! Service was friendly. The restaurant was an older facility with decor saying we're trying to be modern. I was a little let down spending almost $100 for average.

Succotash Prime has been serving up the classic Southern Brunch with a glamorous yet hearty twist…read morein every bite. From their tried and tested deviled eggs to their classic but with a twist Gochujang Tator Tots to their hearty Shrimp'N'Grits; the menu always has something that is sure to please each and every person in your company. My family and I enjoyed all of the dishes and we found that our selection of items was quite perfect for a group of three looking for a balance of savory and sweet. What we tried: The French Toast is crusted with cornflakes, making every bite a treat for the senses. I daresay that french toast should never be served in any other way. The crunch from the cornflakes elevates an otherwise humble dish and highlights the ingenuity of Southern cuisine: simple ingredients that when brought together deliver high impact results. The Shrimp'N'Grits was a delight. We have a dish similar to this which I insist the team at Succotash must try. It's called Kichuri; similar but different. This is perfect for those who prefer a savory breakfast packed with umami and flavor in every bite. Mr. Roger would definitely approve of this one. Potatoes are a universal favorite and thus Tator Tots were a must order for us. We didn't have any children with us but fried potatoes always satiates even the most picky of eaters. We did appreciate the integration of a gochugang aoili and pickled jalapeños. This elevated the dish enough to where it could be enjoyed by both adults and children. The Deviled Eggs are a no-brainer unless you are someone who hates perfection. They are the creamy dreamy accouterment to elevating one's daily protein intake and perfect wholesome addition to any breakfast or brunch. Not mentioned: I have had the Chicken & Waffles at Succotash and I still dream about it to this day. We did not have it in this visit because we decided to opt for more shareable items but the Chicken & Waffles is highly recommended. It's a complete meal: both savory and sweet. Probably the best post hangover meal.

First and foremost you are greeted either such warmth it blew me away. The hospitality felt truly…read moregenuine. The energy that greeted me was so awesome I left and came back in to experience it all over again. The service was anticipatory and responsive. Truly Kwame was able to be Johnny on the spot. Then there was the food. It is restaurant week so we probably got more than we would have. But boy am i happy we did. We shared our dishes and it was great! Everything would receive a 5! I wondered why i hadn't been in a while! Will be back soon

My wife and I recently went to Marcus DC to celebrate an anniversary and had an outstanding…read moreexperience. We were seated at our reservation time and had great service all evening-our server answered our questions, asked about dietary restrictions, explained each dish, and even provided complementary champagne and a delicious layered dessert to celebrate our anniversary. The manager on duty also came by at the beginning and end of our meal to ask about our experience and to answer questions. The food came out in a well-timed manner, with courses spaced out appropriately. A huge shout-out to all the Marcus DC staff for above and beyond customer service! Marcus DC's ambiance is nice-understated and elegant. Due to recent weather in DC, the restaurant was warmer and stuffier than normal; however, Marcus DC sent me an e-mail earlier in the day explaining the situation and how they were remedying the air quality, which I appreciated. My wife and I ordered a la carte (I would recommend), and shared the following dishes: Blue Cornbread: The star dish of the evening and one of the five best dishes I have had at any restaurant this year. I loved the unique blue corn flour, providing an excellent color. The cornbread was not sweet, which was great, and had an unexpected and delightful small kick. The Yassa butter with honey was perfectly creamy and spreadable, and provided an excellent complement to the warm, soft cornbread (topped with the right amount of salt). Two pieces come with each order and I would advise ordering enough to make sure everyone in your party gets at least one piece-it's that good. Snapper Crudo: While I wish we had gotten a little more fish, the citrus and sauce provided excellent acidity, the avocado great creaminess, and the sunflower seeds great crunch. A great dish. Seared Faroe Island Salmon: The salmon was perfectly cooked medium-rare with great crispy skin. The sauce was the perfect accompaniment to the salmon, providing lots of good flavor. Charred Heirloom Tomato: A nicely grilled tomato with good umami from the mushrooms and smokiness from the onions. Crispy Potato: The potatoes were perfectly baked, with a nice crispy skin. I wish there had been more creme fraiche, roe, and dill but Confit Heirloom Carrots: The only disappointing dish of the night. The carrots were significantly undercooked and the salsa verde was way too salty. In addition to our complementary dessert, we split the corn cremeux and the praline cake. The corn got lost in the berries, custard, and ice cream, and the praline cake was a bit cloying, although the apricot ginger sorbet was fantastic. I would highly recommend Marcus DC for your next special occasion!

delightful! there's not really a better way to describe this cuisine than "new american" -- it is…read morevery globally inspired, drawing from latin american, african, and european techniques and ingredients many of the things we got were "classic" dishes like a snapper crudo, but elevated with salsa macha (a mexican chili oil similar to lao gan ma). some of the things like the sweet potato are a little gimmicky (topped with salmon roe) but at $13 for two sweet potatoes, totally worth and still tasted amazing. the cornbread was sweet and paired with a savory yassa (african ingredient) butter. i prefer regular bread or milk bread but it was tasty nonetheless the interior is also beautiful- brightly lit with earthy tones and plenty of space for each table the best part was the large open window into the kitchen where you can spot the chef - anthony jones from top chef - working. he came out to say hi to us and we got a pic!!

Daisy was an absolute gem! Walked us through menu options and popular orders. Loved our time hereread more

Luis was attentive, and great customer service! We are visiting from Oklahoma, and couldn't have…read morehad a better server. Thank you!

Best meal in the area. Service was spectacular. Atmosphere was quite and peaceful. Ribs and…read moremac-n-cheese were excellent. We appreciated very much after a week of mediocre meals at best.

Food was phenomenal! The chicken and waffles were amazing! Service was great and it was a kind and…read morefriendly environmen.

Can't figure out how to classify this place. Maybe Southern / New American / French mix…read more I had a soft-Shell crab , and it was delicious. Food was interesting, but not mind-blowing. (4 stars) Interior was probably my favorite part about this restaurant. If you like interesting and eccentric decor, this is for you. (5 stars) Service was very attentive. No complaints.

Mallard is a charming and cozy Southern restaurant, serving everything from classic shrimp & grits…read moreto Peking duck. You cannot go wrong with their menu! The shared pork saddle was the star of our evening... insanely delicious and perfectly cooked. I also hope they continue offering their Valentine's Day Raspberry Sunday. The peppercorn and ice cream combination was delectable. Bravo! Mallard's restaurant appears divided into two parts, with seating areas as you walk in and a smaller nook closer to the kitchen. Both are beautifully decorated and offer enough space to not feel crammed. The servers and hosts are welcoming, patient, and extremely attentive. Thank you to all the staff for a wonderful evening. We will be back soon enough!

Food was surprisingly great! It is pretty expensive. It…read morefeels luxury! Service was amazing and the owner came over and spoke. We had a blast. I forgot to get the drinks because we sucked them down.

Kitchen + Kocktails: Oh, How the Mighty Have Fallen…read more.. This was the 3rd stop on the For the Culture DMV Food Tour, and THIS is where the food experience officially started going DOWNHILL!!! I was actually excited about Kitchen + Kocktails because this was my second visit, and my first experience was AMAZING. Great food, beautiful atmosphere, the whole experience. So imagine my disappointment when we were escorted to a dark basement and served...a poorly made caesar salad and what I'm calling FAKE GUMBO. I'm sorry, but I was INSULTED. Kitchen + Kocktails, y'all know good and well this was not it! Of all the dishes that could have represented this restaurant on a DMV food tour, THIS was the choice?! The food was nasty, and unfortunately, I finally understood some of those not-so-great things I've been hearing about K+K on social media. What makes it worse is that I KNOW they can do better because I've experienced better myself. My first visit set the bar, and this experience wasn't even in the same building with that bar. Well...technically, we were in the building; we were just downstairs in the basement. The flower walls and beautiful hallways remain the highlights. The restaurant definitely has some gorgeous photo-op areas, but pretty décor couldn't save that meal. And AGAIN: How are these restaurants accommodating guests with ADA/accessibility needs?! SERIOUSLY? The stairs and accessibility concerns became a recurring theme throughout this tour. Thankfully, my first visit showed me a completely different side of Kitchen + Kocktails, so I know this experience isn't necessarily all they have to offer. But as a stop on the For the Culture DMV Food Tour? This was a MAJOR disappointment and definitely not the K+K experience I remembered.

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.