Kohl R.
Google
This was a fantastic experience and I cannot recommend this place enough. Let's get one thing out of the way - this place is not cheap. However, There's pretty good reason. They have an Incredible location right by archives metro, they have amazing staff that wait on you like the queen of England, they have delightful live piano in the main lobby with original art and views of the plaza, and of course, the food is in a different league than the other places around it.
My wife and I decided to come here for our one year wedding anniversary. We went in the day before on our way back down the metro to ask about reservations for the next day. The host welcomed us kindly despite our sweaty disheveled appearance from a day on the mall (we looked and felt quite out of place in the beautiful entrance). He asked if there was an occasion and when we informed him of our anniversary he lit up and said he'd be happy to make it special for us!
The next day, we came in in our best clothes we had packed looking as fresh as possible in 100% humidity after coming out of the metro. They said they had a large group coming but that several seats by the window were still available. I could not have been more pleased with our seating. We overlooked the plaza and were far enough away from the piano to easily carry conversation while enjoying the incredible pianist in full.
If you've read this far I'll tell you the best part. They have a pre-theatre menu available from (I believe) 5 to 6 pm. This is a major good deal. you get an appetizer, entree, and dessert for, I want to say, 35 dollars! It was unbeatable, my wife and I ordered completely different meals and tried as many culinary delights as possible. Every single thing was amazing, the peach gazpacho was delightful, the steak and potatoes was out of this world, and the carrot cake was the best I've ever had with a delicious cream cheese frosting swirled into every bite. The candied walnuts were each perfectly flavored. We ordered a great bottle of Chardonnay and our server was incredibly on top of our glasses all evening.
To top it off, they gave my wife and I each a bit of complimentary champagne after our dinner. They truly made our one year in DC very special. Thank you 701.