Taj M.
Yelp
Truly a 5- star experience. This is a very new lounge. For capital one credit card members. Come get in free others have a $45 cost. I am unsure of non credit card holders are allowed in.
I was not sure about the $45 fee per person at first. However, I quickly realized you get every penny worth of your costs.
Service is 5 star. Everyone is attentive, professional and polite.
You check in. Which is a very quick process. You need credit card and Boarding pass. (Must be outgoing flight.)
Layout is roomy, open and very well designed. It has a spot for your luggage and also stroller parking. Not a big deal, BUT when it gets crowded. It makes alot of sense.
The food is VERY GOOD. This is not buffet this is Tapas. The lounge has a get up and grab section for cold items. And also a hot menu. We were there for breakfast. So bagel and lox, Avacado toast, yogurt and parfait etc. the hot menu had egg Benedict, scrambled eggs.
My only criticism is the hot food were not very hot, more like room temp.
The cocktails were decadent! I ordered 2 cocktails (don't judge, it's socially acceptable to drink at any hour in airports).
The Rum & Coconut is a MUST TRY. The the milk punch cocktail is "must try once". Supposedly it's the cocktail
Of choice for Ben Franklin. It has milk washed liquor. Which was why I wanted to try. It's good just not my type of cocktail.
The coffee is good as well.
Ambiance is nice. Very clean cut, open, comfortable temps, very nice lighting. (Not that harsh white lights in DCA).
Let's break down the cost for me.
Coffee, 2 cocktails, loads of food, a comfortable place to sit and eat, a carton of water (to go). $45 bucks. Not bad.
2 poor quality cocktails at another place in DCA would be $20 each not including tip.
The coffee would have been. $6-8.
The food. Can't put an accurate price on that.
A few things. My wife and I did not finish our coffees, and asked for a Togo cup. They don't offer/provide it. I get it's a high end lounge. But hate wasting coffee.
I asked for change for a $20 for a little tip in the table for our servers. It must be cashless. The server did not have it.
I can only assume Jose Andres pays a fair/livable wage to his employees. He is a very generous and conscientious person for all the charity work he does around the world)
I highly recommend this place. Get to DCA early and enjoy some high quality food and excellent service.
This is my second time here. Make sure you try to book 1 month out. Or get on the waitlist via their app.