1226 36th St NW

American · Georgetown

1226 36th St NW

American · Georgetown

1

1226 36th St NW, Washington, DC 20007

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1226 36th St NW by null
1226 36th St NW by null
1226 36th St NW by null
1226 36th St NW by null
1226 36th St NW by null
1226 36th St NW by null
1226 36th St NW by null
1226 36th St NW by null
1226 36th St NW by null
1226 36th St NW by null
1226 36th St NW by null
1226 36th St NW by null
1226 36th St NW by null
1226 36th St NW by null
1226 36th St NW by null
1226 36th St NW by null

Highlights

Elegant fine dining with American cuisine & extensive wine list  

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1226 36th St NW, Washington, DC 20007 Get directions

1789restaurant.com

$$$ · Menu

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1226 36th St NW, Washington, DC 20007 Get directions

+1 202 965 1789
1789restaurant.com

$$$ · Menu

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Aug 22, 2025

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"Iconic Stone Stairs Near Georgetown University Run up and down 10 times, and you'll feel the burn! This is a favorite among Georgetown University athletes and the student body, especially on Halloween. Made famous by the 1973 horror classic written by Georgetown alum William Peter Blatty (class of 1950), the dark, narrow, 75 steps are part of the film's climax (in which a Catholic priest rids himself of the devil by hurling himself out of a window and down the steeply sloped stairs to his death). As you make your way to the top, head to 3600 Prospect St. NW to see the the brick house where the film's exorcism occurred."

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Lorenzo M.

Yelp
First Visit to 1789 Restaurant & Bar - A Memorable Experience This was my first time dining at 1789 Restaurant & Bar, and I was pleasantly surprised. From the moment I arrived, the 1789 Team made me feel right at home with their stellar service. The food was absolutely incredible, and the libations were top-notch. The atmosphere is charming--like taking a step back in time. The restaurant is cozy, warm, and filled with character. I'll definitely be returning! If you're ever in the area...GET SOME!
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Patrick G.

Yelp
A special occasion place but one everyone should try once. It has a cool ambiance and great service. I enjoy the scallops here particularly.
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Ryan S.

Yelp
Incredible experience again at 1789! The dining room is very cozy with the big fireplace and historic vibes. Service was amazing all night - our servers made great recommendations for each of our courses (great restaurant week menu). Entire meal was incredible from cocktails and apps to the main course and dessert. Highly recommend the lobster bisque, filet, rockfish, and gelatos/sorbets!
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Liz B.

Yelp
1789 is still one of my favorite restaurants. This time, my date and I on a whim decided to go without reservations. The restaurant takes their reservations seriously and said they only had room at the bar. The brioche crusted halibut is still exquisite. Also the bartender graciously made me a French Blonde even though he had never done so before. He nailed it. The dessert of a bananas foster was more deconstructed but still decadent. The only negatives is that the bread isn't as good as before Covid and we weren't treated to any amuse bouche like before.

julia k.

Yelp
The service was truly unmatched, from the beginning, our server, (we believe his name was Theo) was incredible. It was our anniversary and he made sure to make it so special, he had our menu wrapped (the paper) so we could keep it, had made recommendations that really guided us towards the best experience. All of the food was top notch, as well as the drinks. Highly recommend for a special night!
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Steven T.

Yelp
Dinner at @ in Georgetown. My uncle took us to one of his favorite restaurants and wow was it good. Menu is not large, but every dish is executed very well. I am typically not a fan of snails, but the escargot here were amazing! The trout had a perfect crisp skin, while still maintaining a juicy, flakey center. The Pineapple Upside Down Cake was also really good as well! Great spot for a date night with great service! Apps: New Bedford Scallops, Seared Foie Gras and Escargot Entrees: Pan Seared Trout, NY Strip, Roasted Duck Breast and Berkshire Pork Chop Sides: Pomme Rosti Dessert: Pineapple Upside Down Cake
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Bessy G.

Yelp
The ambiance has a 1940s vibe, dark wood, low ceilings with what sounded like the soundtrack to the Notebook. Service was top notch with several staff checking in on us, without being overbearing. The food was delicious and fresh. My favorite was the New Bedford Scallops. The sauce was sweet, salty and tart. I also enjoyed the fresh bread, which helped me wipe the bouillabaisse off my branzino dish. We received a complimentary birthday dessert along with a copy of the menu rolled up like a scroll as a keepsake. Recommended for a special occasion for sure.
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Ijeoma O.

Yelp
Came here for restaurant week and this was hands-down the best deal, best meal, best menu for restaurant week. I'm so surprised I've never heard of this restaurant. Of course it's a little gem tucked away in Georgetown. I was blow away by everything.. the food, drinks, service were all 10 out of 10. I've now added this to my list of favorite restaurants in DC. I came here with three friends and we each got something different off the menu so we could try as many items as possible. For appetizers, you must get the ravioli. I don't even like ravioli but one of my friends ordered it and it was amazing. So rich with flavor, it was a wonderful punch in your mouth. Honestly, you can go wrong with anything on the menu. We enjoyed every dish. We sat next to the bar, and the bartender mixed us great drinks. The staff super courteous, and overall just a great vibe. This is a great spot to impress a date that loves good food or bring family from out of town or just a spot you want to go to on the regular. This is one of the best meals I've had in DC.
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Chelsea A.

Yelp
So I went here for restaurant week and wow what a pick! This place is so good! It's a perfect date night, friends night etc. Ambiance is cute and romantic, dimly lit and cozy. The food? No complaints beginning to end. We got steak, halibut and the short rib and literally all of us were so satisfied. Food super flavorful. And a cute place to get good food. Service was on point too.
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Samuel D.

Yelp
I gave the 1789 restaurant a go after hearing good things about it. I took the opportunity to try it during restaurant week. I will start off with the inside, the decor was a very unique design it was like entering an old time like village. The plate setting and seat arrangements are very well thought out and planned that nobody feels like they are truly on top of each other. The service is another thing I will rate highly, they were very attentive and interactive. Gave great recommendations and pairings for the deserts. As for the food, I really enjoyed having the Wagyu tarter, that was a good combination of flavors that didn't overpower each other. The only thing I was not a fan of was the wagyu rib, the flavor really reminding me of an average pulled pork sandwich. The vegetables and spinach and carrot sauce were great and had great flavor but I don't think paired well with the wagyu rib in my opinion. I would recommend getting something else especially at the price point. The desert was I think by far the best! Fluffy and tasted exactly as described, I would highly recommend getting that. Overall a great experience, if you have the funds to come and experience the food do so, I don't know when I'll be back as it is very pricy for two but if it ever fits my budget for a fancy dinner date out I would consider dropping bye.
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Lauren H.

Yelp
This place was such a disappointment. Our server was rude never checked on us and had an attitude when we asked her to reheat food that was served very cold. It was extremely expensive and extremely underwhelming for what you got. I would not go back here nor would I recommend it to anyone. Our appetizer was good, or entrée was not. Not worth the money at all.
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Matthew K.

Yelp
Environment was awesome, staff was great, walked over to their sister bar after and had an incredible night overall.

Mei T.

Yelp
Overall amazing experience - high quality food and fantastic service. My family and I came here for an evening weekend dinner and had a lovely time. The staff was great, the food was exceptional (excellent taste, wide range flavors, and they were not stingy on portion sizes like other more high-end restaurants). Drinks were delicious as well. I'd recommend the tuna appetizer - so flavorful - and the duck entree. You really can't go wrong. The ambiance is lovely and feels very cozy. Would absolutely recommend this place.
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EMieracle R.

Yelp
I love the story of this restaurant. We visited in fall 2019 and this is what I had! It was very delicious, the service was nice and the ambiance of the restaurant really depicted the story well. I remember the powder room too. A nice experience.
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Stuart M.

Yelp
We took advantage of the restaurant week dinner. She had the scallops in a coconut lime sauce, and enjoyed them. I had the octopus which had a perfect texture. Not too firm or rubbery which happens when they are overcooked. For entrees we shared a NY strip steak and the halibut. Portion size on both entrées was small, but both dishes were otherwise flawless. The steak had parsnip purée, Swiss chard , mushrooms, all in a pepper reduction. The fish had firm wheat berries, grilled leaks and fennel. We had a pear tart for dessert. It had poached pear which I found hard to taste, and almond tart that was nice. It was the least successful item we tried. Our other dessert was chocolate mousse that was very well done with a small amount of raspberry custard. The other components didn't contribute much. Despite small portions, the meal in its entirety was ample. Our room was well appointed. Service was excellent. 1789 will reward you with a first class dining experience.
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Kevin R.

Yelp
As a somewhat regular at the Tombs and having dined at a few of the many Clyde's Restaurants, I can honestly say that my expectations were nowhere near as high as to the level of quality that my friends and I enjoyed tonight at the 1789. In a word it was simply "AMAZING". The service was flawless, there were there when we needed them and mysteriously disappeared when we were set. Sometimes in fine dining the service staff can be hovering over us like Seagulls on the prowl at the Jersey Shore. We took our time to consume three courses and an enjoy a few libations. The dining room is intimate and inviting the fireplace was lit aglow, warm and comforting to sit by. The menu is adventurous but not contrived or so esoteric that we needed to google explanations so that we might navigate our choices. Presentations were elegant and simple with the emphasis on execution. Unlike so many trendy new places around DC seem to be awash in multiple concoctions that involve far too many syllables. The flavors were on point and the kitchen showed a prowess that must only come as a notice that it's all about the taste, the freshness and the seasonality that we find ourselves in. The New Bedford Seared Sea Scallops were delicious, plump and sweet. And the accompanying sauce just perfectly paired with the Scallops. The Escargot garlicky and salty. The only ever so slight misstep was with the Grilled Octopus, a wee tad rubbery possibly didn't poach long or slow enough to tenderize the tentacles before they were finished on the Grill. Our Entrees were all eagerly passed around the table and there was unanimous agreement that all four were perfect. We sampled the Lamb, the Halibut, Duck and the Wagu Short-ribs, whose taste and tenderness took me back to a similar experience 30 years ago at a small French Cafe in Newport. In my Humble opinion this entire experience was undoubtedly the finest meal I've ever been served in our Nations Capital. Reservations are almost always a must but trust me it is indeed worth the wait. Everyone got dessert because we were all part of the Clean Plate Club. Of particular note was the 1789 Pastry Chef's interpretation of Classic Carrot Cake. Reservations are highly recommended and be assured that you will leave with a delicious taste in your mouth and an overwhelming urge to plan your return to the "1789".
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tony P.

Yelp
Thank you DC restaurant week!! Heard a lot of compliments about this restaurant, and when I saw they were participating in DC restaurant week we had to go! Old elegant decor greets you when you walk in, we were seated right by the fireplace. The table was elegantly dressed and set. We were quickly greeted by our waiter, who informed us of the extensive wine and cocktail menu. I started my meal with the best Old Fashion that I've ever had! It was a brown butter old fashion with Buffalo Trace bourbon, it literally was to die for! For my meal I chose the way beef tartare, and it did not disappoint. It was a combination of creamy and chunky at the same time, delicious. For my entree I chose the Braised Waygu short rib with sweet potato purée, kale, and petite heirloom carrots, all cooked to perfection. For dessert I chose the ice cream and sorbet combo, I know ice cream? I was extremely full. I got the vanilla bean, maple bourbon ice cream with a lemon sorbet, very good!! Overall the meal was great, from drinks to dessert, this place is a must try!!!
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Quels P.

Yelp
My 2nd experience was better than my first and my first was great. I went for my birthday. The restaurant was decorated nicely for the holiday season. We were seated right away. Sat in the saloon. Our waitress was knowledgeable of the menu and specials. She was attentive and kind. They have a birthday menu. Which is a nice touch. It's the regular menu but it says Happy Birthday at the top. I got the scallops for appetizer. They were tremendous. I would have never thought to put lime on a scallop and it was the perfect combination. My entree was the short rib. It was juicy and tender. Cooked perfectly. For dessert I had the chocolate & sorbet. It was rich and tasty. They also brought out a cheesecake with a candle. It was yummy. I will be a regular!
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Austin G.

Yelp
From the people behind Old Ebbitt Grill is a classic D.C. restaurant popular among locals for special occasions. On the edge of Georgetown University, it's named after the year the university started. My wife and I went for a Saturday dinner. Here's our experience. 1) Food: Everything we has was very, very good. To feed two of us, we ordered the scallops and oysters to start, the waygu short ribs with sides of seasonal vegetables and brussels sprouts, and their chocolate dessert to finish. Each dish was a more unique take on American classics and my wife said the oysters were the best she's ever had! The warm bread with butter that comes to every table was delicious too! 2) Drinks: They have a full wine, beer, and cocktail menu. My wife ordered the brown butter old fashioned and my French 75 and Bee's Knees were refreshing and more sweet. 3) Service: It's impeccable. The staff treat you like returning guests and take the time to walk you through the entire menu, creating a personable experience. 4) Space: It's a charming, old-school space with regal plates and art on the walls. Connected to 1789 is a bar called Fitzgerald's. 5) Parking: Being away from the busier parts of Georgetown, we found two- hour street parking nearby easily.
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Hannah R.

Yelp
Unique atmosphere, great service, and great food. Place is certainly worthy of a special occasion.
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Emily P.

Yelp
This DC classic is perfect for date night. Atmosphere was very romantic. For dinner we enjoyed the truffle crusted halibut and the pork chop. I enjoyed the halibut - I wasn't a big fan of the beans as they were tough but the fish and the pomme purée were divine. I do wish they had a better wine by the glass selection though.
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Bella J.

Yelp
Amazing! I only have good things to say about them. 1. Reservation: absolutely required. Prime hours are always booked 2. Ambience: romantic, quaint and cozy. Nice old school pictures about Georgetown. Great for a date 3. Decor: fine, old school but charming 4. Service: excellent, fast, team-work based instead of just 1 person 5. Food: amazing Most unique escargot! A must try Rabbit!!! Not many places have this! super unique Lobster: never had bad lobster anywhere anyway, so it was good 6. Dessert: wow Not many places have this good dessert! 7. Cocktails/drinks: amazing!
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Dona P.

Yelp
I feel like it deserves to be a solid 4.5 or 4.7 .... I saw some small stains on the linen table clothes and napkins but it's so hard when it's all starched white linens!! One of the most classically beautiful interiors with unique historical accents and architectural features ... my dinner date was confused how I hadn't made him go sooner lol ... we snagged a coveted restaurant week resi- and I would say it's the best restaurant week menu in terms of sophistication of items and luxurious level of table service and attentiveness. We're talking items like scallops / foigras mousse/ waygu beef tartare / duck / waygu short rib / lamb chops etc etc. decadent and super high end presentation. They really spoiled us by splitting the dishes and we felt so so special. At the end my date was like we are coming back here soon!!!! Truly one of my favorite places in the dmv..
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Bradley Thomas A.

Yelp
I just ate at a reasonably priced Georgetown haunt called 1789 with a 1930s old money vibe. Dark wood, colonial artwork, intimate quarters cooley playing roaring twenties jazz; it feels like a good old boys cigar lounge without the cancer. The food was better than your average nice night out; close to Michelins, if that was a goal for which they aimed. The waiter was attentive and knowledgeable with recommendations and customer engagement. Interestingly enough, this place is perfect for what it is. If you're looking for a classy night out that won't break the bank but still makes you feel part of special, I cannot recommend 1789 enough.
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Michael K.

Yelp
After spending the afternoon at the car show, my wife and I drove across town to have dinner at 1789. They are located in a quiet part of Georgetown a little bit off the beaten path. There are no nearby parking garages leaving you to find street parking which thankfully was easy on a Sunday evening. Their website mentions a valet service but it was not available this particular evening. From the outside, the restaurant looks for the most part like a townhouse blending into the surroundings quite well. Once inside the door, you still feel like you are outside with a faux exterior of an older looking house. To the right is a staircase up to I don't know what. To the left a small area with a full size bar and straight ahead their cozy dining room. Don't dawdle too long in this area as you may get hit by a door from someone leaving the bar room like I did. The dining room has perhaps a dozen tables in a beautiful little room with a welcoming fireplace. The space felt bigger and it was easy to have a private quiet conversation. Lighting was on the darker side and made it a little difficult to easily read the menu. Speaking of the menu, it was restaurant week with a three course fixed price meal. Our server told us it was all their regular selections for the most part. The choices were surprisingly varied with lots of options. They also provided a wine list along with several nice choices by the glass. Our server offered her suggestions as well based on what we were thinking about having. My wife got a Merlot and Cab Franc blend from Bordeaux and I got a Rioja Reserva that I thoroughly enjoyed. To start, we both selected a crispy lobster appetizer with Thai basil, papaya and cabbage. It looked amazing and tasted even better. There were several distinct flavors and textures all existing in complete harmony. For our entrees, my wife followed our server's recommendation and ordered the roasted rack of lamb and I the Duo of Beef. The rack of lamb arrived on top of a bed of couscous with a couple of onions and an eggplant purée. She remarked how good everything tasted and how well it all went together. My Duo of Beef was made up of a couple of slices of NY strip and small portion of braised short rib on top of a sweet potato purée. The steak was very flavorful and the perfect temperature. The short rib was delicious as well. The portions were a little small for me but did leave room for an amazing desert. For dessert, we went our separate ways. My wife is a sucker for cheesecake and I opted for a dark chocolate cake. Despite looking quite pale and bland, the cylindrical shaped cheesecake and white maple ice cream balls were awesome. My chocolate cake with vanilla bean ice cream was super rich and super yummy. Service was on point the entire evening. The staff helped one another out to ensure everyone had an excellent dining experience and that we did.
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Isabel W.

Yelp
This is a very fancy restaurant. Inside is white tablecloth so you can definitely dress up to go here. The service was really attentive and the food was amazing. We had a tasting menu for Valentine's Day. My favorite item on the menu was the foie gras, waygu tartare and surf and turf!

Olivia R.

Yelp
Phenomenal from the service to the food. I really can't say more than that every bite of what we had was delicious. We got the grilled octopus and beats to start. Followed by the ny strip and lamb. Pictured is the beat and burrata appetizer.
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Doug R.

Yelp
Great place with tons of history and character in the middle of Georgetown and a couple of blocks up from M Street, North of Wisconsin and South of Campus. Formal but with character. Great food and has been different styles over the years. Historically, always well done and presented. Great bar room setting and normally quiet and elegant in atmosphere. Great for a special night or an important occasion. There are more expensive restaurants in Georgetown & D.C., but few with the heft and authenticity of 1789!
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David H.

Yelp
AMAZING place. Deserves 6 stars - truly exceptional food, drinks, service, and setting. And it's in the iconic and gorgeous Georgetown - can't get much better than this!
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Mike R.

Yelp
Great place new server brought us the check mid service so that was weird but she came back to take it to another table. The host stand also called me during our meal looking for me so that was also pretty odd. Besides that the food was great. I would come back. Maybe better execution overall next time would be nice. I got the scallops and the brioche crusted fish. Dessert was amazing as we had all of them at the table. Yummy.
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Katie H.

Yelp
My uncle, arranged to have a private room for a special get together, and this place was perfect! It has that amazing, historic, feel, and is so cozy and absolutely beautiful! Not to mention the fact that we had a particularly wonderful meal. For my first course, I went with their handmade pasta, which was absolutely lovely! My husband enjoyed his scallops, as well. For my entrée, I had the short rib and it was wonderful! Although I think that my husband's steak was possibly even better. Especially with the cubed, potatoes! They were super crispy on the outside and buttery soft on the inside! Our desserts were fancy beyond belief and equally as delicious. I can't remember the name of the one I had but it had chocolate and raspberry, and totally hit the spot! We certainly hope to return here for a date night when we can!
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Lauren M.

Yelp
My favorite restaurant in DC and a great place to take your parents or friends visiting looking for a classic American dining experience with true French-American cuisine. Their dining room transports you to another time and their front bar looks and truly is a piece of history. I'll start my review of desert first because I think it's critical not to miss. Their pastry chef is top notch and truly innovative. I've never had a desert here that didn't blow me away. Their home made gelato is also to die for. Onto appetizers- my recommendation is the beef tartare. It's served on delicious crisps and is stunningly savory. It isn't too heavy and leaves room for your entree. I order it every visit. For the main course, you cannot go wrong with the lack of lamb. Always cooked perfectly with a delicious sauce that pairs so well- it's also my go to entree. The Tournedos Rossini (beef with foie gras) is also exceptional. If you decide to keep the evening going post-dinner and grab a drink at Georgetown's best college bar; ask the host to show you the VIP entrance to The Tombs.
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Sarah T.

Yelp
This was my first time trying 1789 and I'm 100% coming back. The service was amazing, our waiter knew the entire menu by heart and gave excellent wine recommendations for our entrees. The halibut was excellent. Definitely worth the price for the value of the food and service. Will be a regular here now!!

Rhona B.

Yelp
1789 had been on our list for years - it's an institution in DC. My husband and I went there for dinner last night. For the price, the food is just ok - much better options in DC at this price range. My trout was good (though they said it really tasted and looked like salmon which it did) but the potatoes were luke warm. My husband said his halibut was good but at $50 was way overpriced. Our side of brussel sprouts were okay - I like the brussel sprouts at Circa much better. Very small wine by the glass list. Didn't get dessert since we were not impressed with the food. So we have crossed this restaurant off our list for the price and quality of the meal.
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Elisabeth H.

Yelp
Loved the atmosphere (exposed beams, gorgeous fireplace, white tablecloths, and colonial style paintings). Our table ordered the halibut, duck, pork chop, and other dishes. The salad ingredients were so fresh. Everything was superb.
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Kimberly C.

Yelp
This spot will have a special place in my heart given a very special moment happened here. I'm a little late posting this review but the experience was amazing so it's hard to forget. I digress... Having never been, the downstairs dining area seemed quaint and charming - it has the historical Georgetown nostalgia of centuries past. The crispy lobster was delicious (wish there had been a bit more of it on the plate, but as far as taste and quality - amazing). Weird as it sounds, the bread selection for the table was oddly addicting; it was pillowy, light, soft, and we had a carb coma before our food even arrived. We opted for the rack of lamb and the Tournedos Rossini and both were not left standing by the time we were done. The tenderloin was cooked perfectly and cut like butter, the lamb was nicely sized, and the pomme rosti and brussels sprouts barely got any love because we stuffed ourselves but were also excellent. I'd have to return again in another season to taste more of this menu (darn, such a hard decision, right?) and I recommend with two thumbs up.
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Nicole T.

Yelp
1789 is a Quaint and Cozy restaurant. We attended in a large party of 6 and sat in the main dining room. The staff is very Polite, the food was great. I had the Berkshire PorkChop whIch was the largest plate of food on the menu. I was very pleased with my meal.

Kathleen W.

Yelp
We went here to celebrate our anniversary and everyone went above and beyond. The food was dynamite. I had the pork chop and my husband had the lamb chops. Both were juicy and cooked to perfection. I had the cosmopolitan and my husband requested a hot toddy. The ambiance was nice! We loved the fireplace and the historic atmosphere.
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Anqi C.

Yelp
You can always believe 1789 restaurant&bar! Everything is great! The Wagyu Tartare is the best, I highly recommend it!

Robert S.

Yelp
A much-anticipated Christmas Eve dinner at 1798 was undermined by unprofessional and rude behavior by a senior staff member. Our entrees (pork chop and halibut) both arrived cold, and we asked our server to return them to the kitchen. Our ordered side dish, a plate of winter vegetables, remained on the table. During the extended wait for the entrees, we sampled a few fork-fulls of the vegetables--which were also growing cold. My husband caught the attention of a staff member he assumed was a manager (an older, bearded man in a suit) and mentioned that our side dish was now cold as we waited for our re-heated entrees. Instead offering to replace them or re-heat the dish, he sarcastically said "Well, it looks like you managed to eat them anyway," brusquely adding "I'll take them off your bill" as he whisked the plate from the table. We called this to his attention not because we wanted the vegetables to be comped. We simply wanted the side order to be warm when our main courses returned. We were both taken aback by the rudeness of the manager--particularly at a venerable restaurant like 1798--and it soured the rest of the evening for us. In truth, more elements of our experience were disappointing. The quality of food was far less than expected given 1789's reputation and price point. The bread plate was mediocre. The pork chop could have been moister, and the halibut--which was only accompanied by garnishes--was simply tasteless. Not a good value for a $50 piece of fish--and a meal with a tab of well over $200 (even without the charge for the disappearing vegetables). And the oddly tasting "deconstructed" buche de noel was a failed experiment bordering on a joke. Our holiday spirits we dampened by both the meal and the level of customer service with which we were met. It's a shame that on what should have been a festive evening, none of expectations for the restaurant were fulfilled. We don't plan any return visits. At a favorite restaurant for Christmas lunch, we shared our discouraging experience of the previous night with one of our regular servers. Interestingly, he told us ours was the fourth story in recent weeks from diners who had poor experiences at 1789.
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Christine K.

Yelp
My partner and I came here to celebrate our 1st year wedding anniversary. Overall, we had a wonderful experience and would highly recommend. The ambiance is classic and intimate (a reprieve from a series of recent trips to restaurants that have eccentric decors and loud music), perfect for celebrating an occasion, and service is simple exceptional- attentive yet non-invasive/interrupting. Food was excellent though the only reason for a 4 star is our disappointment for their crudo appetizer was just a bit fishy (I have high standards for raw fish!). Cocktails are SO delicious, though I'd stay away from their espresso martini if you are sensitive to caffeine in the afternoon... it was the best espresso martini we've had but had trouble falling asleep.
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Maggi R.

Yelp
We were so delighted to see 1789 participating in Restaurant Week and even more excited when we were able to get a reservation for dinner. When we want to dine, we do not mind driving from Baltimore to 1789. Even though the dress code has been relaxed, we still dress to enjoy this elegant restaurant. It had been several years since our last visit, mostly due to Covid restrictions. Another pleasant surprise was the addition of the first floor restrooms. Because of that, we were able to invite another couple to join us for dinner. She is recovering from a broken leg and could not possibly do stairs. We actually arrived early for our reservation. We were warmly greeted and, as stated on their website, we were requested to show IDs and our vaccination cards. We were seated at a table near the fireplace as we requested in the John Carroll Room. Ruta, our server, was right there to welcome us and effortlessly attended to our every need. The service at 1789 is always exemplary. The gentlemen started off with cocktails and the ladies enjoyed Pinot Gris and Chardonnay wines. We must compliment the chef on the extensive menu that we were presented with for Restaurant Week. Two of us started with the Crispy Lobster coated in Panko breadcrumbs with a papaya and napa cabbage with a Thai basil sauce. It was very tasty, but a little too spicy for us. My husband had the American Wagyu Tartare with shallots, cornichon, parmesan, pomme Rosti and black garlic. Our friend (who is not a lover of soup) decided on the Butternut Squash soup with coconut panna cotta, cranberry jam, apples and toasted pumpkin seed. She was thrilled with her choice. We enjoyed the following entrees: Brioche-Crusted Halibut with roasted fingerling potatoes, fennel, grilled leeks in a Saffron-mussel broth, two Roasted Racks of Lamb with Israeli couscous, Cippolini onions, eggplant puree with Chermoula; and the Duo of Beef which was a grilled NY strip and a Braised Short Rib with sweet potato puree and baby carrots. We were all thrilled with our entrees. They were beautifully prepared and presented. For our sweet ending, we had the Green Apple Charlotte, Vanilla Cheesecake and a Dark Chocolate Gateau, which was presented with a lighted candle to celebrate my birthday. It was so worth the drive to 1789. Thank you so much for a most enjoyable evening!
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Sid R.

Yelp
On a Christmas road trip from Arizona all the way across this great land we call America, we had a truly admirable and wonderful dinner at 1789. This was our third time there, and it was every bit as wonderful as the previous two visits. My wife had the duck entree. The confit was delectable while the actual breast was slightly chewy but delicious tasting. The duck was preceded by Kabocha squash veloute (soup). It had spun sugar on it, which was excellent. The presentation was absolute perfection. For my starter, I had foie gras mousse which was absolutely amazing. My entree was the starter portion of the Hokkaido scallops served with charred grapefruit, mojo verde, marinated chorizo, and trout roe. Even though, as a teenager, I used to use trout roe as fishing bait, this dish was superb. As good as the food was, the service was even better. In all, a near perfect evening in Georgetown.

N L.

Yelp
I just got home from the restaurant. I went there for Thanksgiving. The server was very nice, but the food was very lackluster. The beets in the beet and burrata salad were very hard. The lobster bisque soup was spicy and gross. The bread they brought to the table was (no exaggeration) as hard as a rock, inedible without hurting your teeth. The turkey was so bland, had zero seasoning or herbs. I had to add quite a bit of salt and pepper, and it was only slightly improved. I got the chocolate and coffee mousse, which was just okay; I didn't even finish it. The mashed potatoes were good and my parents said the lamb was good. My son hated everything and just ended up eating the gelato, which was good. Manager was not friendly or accommodating, as we had requested a banquet, but they didn't hold one for us. Because we had gotten there early, we said we'd wait until another table finished to be seated at a banquet, but they told us that we couldn't wait and were rude about it! Beware if you go w anyone who has trouble with stairs, if you get seated upstairs. The stairs are very narrow and steep. Not a good experience, won't return.
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Steven M.

Yelp
Exceptional. 1789 is an experience not to be missed. Hospitality, service, decor... and of course, the vittles are all top notch. Compliments to the chef and the entire staff at 1789. Check out the pics...

Jon L.

Yelp
Phenomenal culinary experience! It is a bit on the pricier end, but well worth every penny! My friend and I shared a roasted Rohan duck breast and veal tagliatelle dish and both dishes were prepared well! Each strip of the roasted Rohan duck breast had a tender, juicy, "melt in your mouth" quality that left my mouth salivating for more. The veal tagliatelle was filled with large portions of veal, and the pasta sauce was savory with a mild spicy aftertaste. Both dish were excellent, but the duck was certainly the winner for me. The customer service was outstanding and our waiter was very attentive. He checked in on us occasionally and offered excellent menu recommendations. I was pleased with the quality of customer care and the quality of care that was given to preparing our dishes at the end of the night. Highly recommend this restaurant for anyone visiting the area.
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Andrew T.

Yelp
I was invited for a conference in this restaurant for a 4 course meal which started with a salad followed by scallops, then braised beef, then cheese cake for dessert. It is was a great culinary experience but I must say that the scallops lost its original flavor. I didn't like the sauce that accompanied it. I wasn't also a fan of the beef either but my friends loved the food. Getting to the restaurant and finding parking was really difficult. The ambience is great as it recapitulates old Georgetown area. The food is also pricey. I don't think I would come back to this place again.
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Bradley C.

Yelp
Awesome. The fois grais app was amazing. Great steak. Service!!. Really cool colonial historic vibes. Martinis were just top notch. Def give it a try.
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Sana S.

Yelp
Could not have picked a better dinner for Valentine's Day! We had originally made reservations for NYE but they got canceled due to the indoor dining pause. So we were super excited to get a reservation for Valentine's Day. The pre fix menu, which usually I try to avoid because I don't like to be restricted on what I can order haha, was phenomenal. Portion sizes were perfect, from the appetizer to dessert especially for the price. I also appreciated the fact that what I would assume to be the more pricy options such as Surf & Turf or Lamb did not have an up charge as many restaurants will do. We were one of two tables in the upstairs dining room, which I loved. Very relaxing and romantic ambiance and once the other couple left we had the whole space to ourselves for the rest of the evening. Our server Michael was very attentive! Service in general I would give a 10/10, from the hostess to the food runners everyone was great. Food was of course, another 10/10. The goody bag / take home treats were also a very nice above and beyond touch. Definitely one of my new top favorites in DC and a place I'd recommend to anyone, especially for special occasions.