manifest 002 - Union Market

Recently visited for a weekend dinner reservation - website provides that reservations are for members and the reservations open up for non members on Mondays. It was easy for me to book a reservation online. We entered through the main entrance with an easy check in with the hostess. We waited about 10 minutes browsing the retail area and then were greeted by staff to walk to another entrance and enter an elevator down to the restaurant. Seemed a little clunky to walk outside of the main area to another door and down to the restaurant when there is an entrance inside of the main area. Hour(s) has chic and minimal decor and the layout of the restaurant is intimate. The restaurant is a little too dark for my liking making it hard to view the menus and even dishes as they arrive to the table. The staff is phenomenal - Lex our server had great suggestions and knew the menu well - he checked on us regularly without being intrusive and other team members made sure our water glasses stayed filled and empty plates were removed from the table. Very great service. The food was great and is served tapas style however I felt the dishes were very filling especially the fried lobster and smoked brisket (which are on the higher end of the menu at around $60-70 per dish). The menu is very thoughtful and the flavor pairings are really good. I truly enjoyed the Brussels sprouts skewers. The ambiance and atmosphere is so sexy and the playlist was top tier if you enjoy 90s vibes and the like. Hope to visit again in the speak easy or bar area for drinks. Paid street parking available and nearby paid decks (I’m unsure if they have valet) $$$

This review is for the bar only, we didn't dine here, only grabbed a couple of drinks. Really loved the subterranean setting, bright minimalist decor, super clean and evokes the set of a Kubrick sci-fi movie more than a speakeasy. Holiday's cocktail program is superb, with drinks playing homage to DC in name, with a plethora of creative ingredients combining for some of the most unique cocktails I have ever tasted. Just like the setting, the drinks tasted otherworldly. Highly recommended.

Dined here last night and it was nothing short of amazing. When you enter through the main entrance, the setup of the venue is really nice—inviting colors, a great layout, and an overall great vibe. At the bottom of the steps, we were met by the host, Dina (Manager of After (h)ours), who greeted us warmly and showed us to our seats. Along the way, she even took a moment to point out different parts of the restaurant, which was a nice touch. Once seated, we were helped by Rudy, who did an excellent job explaining the menu and recommending items for us to try. The service overall was outstanding, and we had no complaints at all. Will definitely be back.

What a beautiful space and concept. Popping in for a latte and to work for a bit, Manifest is more than a cafe. It's a design-forward store with clothes, fragrances, and more, a bar, and an underground restaurant. Since I went for just coffee, I can only speak to the cafe. First of all, I really enjoyed my latte- strong and creamy. The barista was very nice as was each staff member. There's a long table to sit at or at the bar with a few outlets nearby. The wifi is easy to connect to and is strong. I'd go back for sure!

⭐️ Manifest – Washington, DC Rating: 9.5/10 I stopped by Manifest with a friend on a whim, and I’m so glad we did. I’ve walked past this spot plenty of times but never gone in — honestly, it always looked super high-end from the outside. The space gives luxury fashion boutique vibes, but what makes it unique is that it’s not just a store — it’s also a barbershop and a bar. The whole place feels like an exclusive “if you know, you know” kind of spot. Despite that, the atmosphere was chill, welcoming, and full of good energy. I ordered the Passion Fruit Green Tea, and wow — it was incredible. The first sip was like a burst of flavor. The passion fruit and green tea blended beautifully; it was tangy, smooth, and refreshing without tasting artificial. Easily one of the best teas I’ve had in a long time. To go with it, I tried the Plantain Cinnamon Roll, which was another pleasant surprise. The flavors were perfectly balanced — not too sweet, with just the right amount of natural sweetness from the plantain. It tasted thoughtful and unique, not like your typical cinnamon roll. My only critique was the wait time — it took over 20 minutes for two teas, which felt a bit long considering how simple the order was. But honestly, the quality made up for it. Overall, Manifest exceeded expectations. From the stylish atmosphere to the delicious drinks and pastries, it’s a hidden gem worth checking out. I’ll definitely be back soon — especially to try the restaurant downstairs that I didn’t even know existed until now!

Manifest & (H)ours Dining Room (what I experienced this evening) are truly one of a kind for DC. The atmosphere, the accommodating staff, the aesthetic, and the warmth you feel at every turn in this establishment has raised the bar for what you should expect when you are looking for a third space. Upon entering Manifest, the aesthetic and color palette strike you—bright lights juxtaposed with earthy pastels and clean decor with smooth lines—all throughout the venue calm you and gives you a sense of serenity that sets the tone for an amazing experience. The dining experience is unique and no detail has been overlooked. From black table linens, to the hybrid mid-century modern Japanese design, and tableware seemingly cast iron, you get the sense the owner and Manifest team want you to feel a sense of refinement but comfort while dining. For dinner, we had cocktails which were Caribbean fusion and Japanese inspired, food options that included duck and caviar bites, grilled brussel sprout skewers, claypot rice with trumpet mushrooms, plantain bread with Iberico thin sliced ham, butter and semi-hard cheese, and a pork dish iberico secreto that was mouthwatering, topping it all off with key lime tiramisu, and a beignet-like plantain rice fritter with mango sauce. Our dining experience was elevated and it was apparent the chef and culinary team prepared each item with care and a high level of focus to deliver a truly enjoyable culinary journey. Our waitress Sara was friendly, attentive and very knowledgeable about each item on the menu, and the waitstaff were professional and on top of things. Overall, I would highly recommend this to individuals seeking a refined and upmarket experience combined with relaxing and accessible vibes. A+ and 10/10. A huge congrats to the owner KJ and Manifest team—this is a true gem for the city of Washington, DC!

I really enjoyed my experience here. The entire staff was genuine and kind. They made excellent food reco that blew us away! We had the tuna crudo which was fresh and delicious. I’ve never had crudo with rice — perfect pairing! I also had the white bolognese and it was filling, delicious, classic, yet on theme with the vibe of the restaurant. The only thing that did not wow me was the beverage program. I had the summer melon, which was lacking in flavor. Reminiscent of a vodka soda. I tried the 1st silk press instead, and it was like a gin and tonic. For the price point on the cocktails, I need more flavor. The atmosphere was lovely and picturesque. I can’t wait to come back and check out the speakeasy and do some shopping.

10s, 10s, 10s across the board! Food, Service, Vibe! Had a fabulous girls night at Hour(s) Dining Room within Manifest! Manifest has a cafe/bar, gallery for shopping, restaurant and speakeasy lounge. Let’s dig into restaurant: Do I have to break down all the food? It was all 10s! Grilled wings, White bolognese, Collard Green Rockefeller Oysters, Brussel Sprouts. Order it all! The only thing mid was the complimentary bread service. The bread gave store bought dinner roll! The butter was a candle which was so adorable. They did not miss on the details and providing an upscale experience! Make a reservation! Parking is non existent 😖. Manifest is located on a one way street with limited parking. It’s about a ten minute walk to a parking garage within Union market. Dressed for the experience for Manifest, they need to have a Valet or Uber. There were reservations for the speakeasy when I made my dinner reservation and thought I won’t worry about it and see if there is a seat to not rush dinner. Rookie move! Make the reservation for the speakeasy at the same time! Needless to say I will be back!