Palena

I ate here in late summer and it was AMAZING. Their home-made pasta is to die for an I have been dreaming about it ever since. Also I had the best desert I've ever had here. We had a big group and each ordered a different one to try. I had the Autumn sundae and the whole table was in love! Give it a try for yourself!

DON'T EAT HERE! There are a lot of good restaurants in Cleveland Park. This is not one of them. We ordered the over priced $12 pancakes, which came with faux syrup and tasted terrible. We ate one of them. When the coffee came to the table, they didn't have any cream, and instead in the words of the waitress brought "vitamin D milk". Huh? Last I checked all milk had vitamin D in it. I had to walk to the mexican take out joint around the corner to get half and half. Finally, we asked them to split the bill. They charged one card the full amount and one card half the amount (so we would have paid 1.5 times the total if I had not caught it). When I asked that they credit the coffee, they said "no" because they "asked if I needed any help" during the meal. Guess they felt the couple dollars saved was better then this review. So short sighted.

Always request the dining room. My 1st visit was on an evening when only the bar menu was available (didn't know that until I arrived) - food was good bar food but not memorable. My 2nd meal was in the dining room. What a difference! I had one of the best meals of any I've enjoyed anywhere in DC. Dishes were creative and service was excellent. Sadly, my 3rd visit was to the expanded bar area and the food wasn't even good. Not sure about a 4th.

very original, wonderfully prepared food with innovative takes on familiar ingredients. superior wine list - very fairly priced. exceptional flavors - especially deserts. an experience not to be missed in dc.

I thought the menu and food was pretty good but wasn't spectacular. Dining experience was at a slow pace which is good for a romantic outing or for business celebration. Waiters were outstanding and attentive.

choose the formal dining room, or the cafe at the front, where you can order off the cafe or the dining room menu. the best roasted chicken i've ever eaten is only $12 off the cafe menu.

The fried plate is delicious as is their burger, but it is on the expensive side. Not overly priced for the type of place it is though.

Went here once- never wanted to go back. But I will give it another chance :) Nothing I had for dinner was memorable.