Provost

We made a reservation but ended up coming in earlier than expected. The place was not crowded at all and we were easily accommodated. I had their stuffed mushroom, shrimp and grits, breakfast potatoes and a mock Bellini. I recommend brunch on a Saturday and trying the stuffed mushroom.

Ok so truth is I don't like to rave about certain places because reservations become so much more difficult but Provost deserves it. You must come here for yourself to taste for yourself. It's a Caribbean fusion establishment with bottomless and great music. Did I mention it's minority-owned? What more can you really ask for? Service was speedy, and menu items are all reasonable priced. Rooftop that I did not check out because it was cold. Will for sure be back.

Such good vibe and good food. Got seated at the rooftop. Love the lounge music they are playing. We had the crab cake and the mushroom burger. Essentially it was the grilled portabella cap if you opted for grilling. I have not had the fried cabbage in an southern food joint and this one was simple and delicious :).

Came here as a group of 6 for a delicious brunch. I got the - crab cake eggs Benny (4/5), on the smaller side but we'll balanced and a great hollandaise. - I also tried the shrimp n grits (4/5) I don't eat meat but my sister got the chicken and waffles and said it was one of the best she's had! And we got both the Oreo cheesecake and banana pudding for dessert. That Oreo cheesecake was so smooth and delicious. The service was so friendly and attentive. Loved the decorations too. The seating high top itself was a bit awkward as the chairs were all different heights.

A cute little Bavarian themed restaurant in the middle of DC. We were looking for somewhere to have a brunch that wasn't crazy busy but near the metro - landed on here and made reservations. Upon arrival it was clear a reservation was not necessary as it was a ghost town - even for a mid-morning Sunday. I thought this was going to speak to the food, but it did not - the food was good, the service was friendly and we had a great experience.

What a phenomenal experience I had here with my extended family in one of my old DC neighborhoods!! The owner was friendly, and the wait staff was very attentive. The important factor of my 1st experience there was how great my order was. I had the Crab Eggs Benedict and Chicken Sausage, and everything was so #Goot that plate did have crumbs on it!! BTW, Provost DC is a sweet Black Owned Business that is sure to please!! #Brunch #GootEats

If you want to support a black-owned restaurant and get ridiculous food too, come here. We decided to try this place out since we're trying to do a family brunch once a month now. We're glad we visited this place. Atmosphere - I loved the exposed brick. There is also a rooftop area to enjoy your food during the warm weather months. I also loved the art around the restaurant. Customer Service - Very good and attentive. They answered all the questions we had about the menu. Food - Yes, yes, yes! My husband had lobster omelet. Yes, LOBSTER! I had the shrimp and grits. Both were fantastic! I don't think you'll be disappointed by anything you get here. Overall, try this place if you want really good food for brunch. Come back when it's warm to see what upgrades they've done to the rooftop deck.

Great food and vibes! I love the rooftop and the dj is always playing hits. The food is fresh and tasty and service is fast.

I've lived in the neighborhood forever and 1st time trying. I will definitely be returning. THE FOOD WAS DELICIOUS AND DRINKS WERE GREAT! Neighborhood Treasure!

Due to my day jobs work schedule, it's difficult for me to catch brunch. This spots brunch last until 4 pm!! Only open Fri-Sun, I had heard about this place, and I was excited to go. Upgraded soul food...LET'S GO!! . Where I am: @dcprovost . Location Reviewed: 2129 Rhode Island Ave., N.E. Washington D.C. . Menu Includes: Salmon, Red Snapper, Shrimp, Chicks & Waffles, Crab cake, Blueberry/Chocolate/Plain Pancakes, French Toast, Omelettes, Home Fries, Grits, Seafood Chowder, Mac n Cheese Balls,Burgers, Chicken, Lobster, Steak, Salads, Cheesecake's, Bread Pudding, Beverages, Beer, Wine, & Cocktails. . Items Reviewed: Their Cheese Omelette (with mixed greens side salad $11). LIKE THAT!! I wasn't hungry!! Simple, & tasty!! Their French Toast (with syrup $12). STAMP!! Cooked to perfection, crisp on the outside, soft, & buttery on the inside!! Their Turkey Bacon ($4). LIKE THAT!! I'm partial to this thick cut turkey bacon...it HITS!! Their Chicken Sausage ($5). DELICIOUS. It was good. Their 6 Oz. Crab Cake (with mixed green side salad $20). LIKE THAT!! Seasoned well with very little filler. Their Shrimp & Grits (with a cream broth, cheese, & grilled shrimp $18). STAMP!! Creamy, succulent, scrumptious, EVERYTHING!! Their Bread Pudding (with vanilla ice cream $10). STAMP!! The best bread pudding I've ever had!! Moist, sweet, with a tip of cinnamon...GET THIS!! Their Provost Sweet Tea ($3). STAMP!! House made, & refreshing!! . Customer: On Point (Excellent)! . Online Navigation: Easy . Parking: Rough/Metered . Recommendations: The Shrimp & Grits, and the Bread Pudding!! =STAMP =LIKE THAT =DELICIOUS =DECENT =PASS =NAH #Bigschlimsreviews

I took my friends here on a Friday night. The customer service was excellent, the music was incredible, the vibes were great, and there was easy parking! All excellent... where we fell short was the food, and that, my friends, fell completely FLAT! Friend #1 ordered a medium burger with no cheese. Mom ordered seafood soup and cornbread BFF ordered fried shrimp and French fries I ordered grilled wings and cabbage These were simple orders, and we were the only people there. It took 45 mins - 1 hour to get our food. Friend #1's burger was made with cheese...and it was cooked well done. We didn't want to cause a stir, so we didn't send it back. Mom's seafood soup was delicious. Her cornbread was horrible. It tasted stale and old, and they covered it in honey to mask the poor quality. An atrocity. BFF's shrimp was over cooked by far. They forgot her fries. So, they cooked some after she was halfway through with her appetizer. Unfortunately, the fries weren't completely cooked. They were still hard and white looking. Unacceptable. I ordered grilled wings. They cooked fried wings. I waited so long, I didn't want them to correct the order, so I took the fried wings. They were good but cold. The waiter took the fries off of our check. He didn't know to do more because we were so overwhelmed that literally every order missed the mark, that we kept it to ourselves and accepted the L! It really sucks that we had this experience. To me, it seems like the cook was a novice, inattentive, and lacked skill to follow through and make good food. That's unacceptable in the restaurant industry. Please invest in a better chef!

I had a good time at this super chill spot on Rhode Island Avenue! I've driven by so many times but never noticed it. Had dinner here last night. During the day it was much warmer so the rooftop would have been perfect. They have heating lamps, but we still ended up sitting inside on the first floor. They don't have physical menus or QR code scannable ones. I had looked it up ahead of time as any good Yelper would do! I had my heart set on the burger. Although there was a bit of a wait, it was worth it! It was huge and very tasty! Bartender/server Keith was great! I saw how busy he was juggling multiple roles and yet still provided good service. I will be back for brunch!

Very cool place! Clearly a neighborhood favorite. The bar was packed on a Friday night, and the jazzy R&B band sounded great. Friendly staff, and the food was amazing. I had the seafood chowder, shrimp & chicken Cajun pasta, homemade corn bread and bread pudding with ice cream. Everything was so yummy and bursting with flavor! They also have a rooftop lounge that looks perfect for private events or outdoor chillin. I highly recommend this place.

Had the pleasure to host an event here recently and honestly everyone had a good time. I was in communication with the owner, Nina, and she was great to communicate with. Laid out everything clear for me and was able to get my security deposit back as she promised. Happy to find out this restaurant was black owned. They have 2 levels, 1 on the main ground and other on the rooftop. Our group sat on the rooftop and it was a nice day out. I had the chicken with French Toast (sub waffle) and I enjoyed the food! For the French toast I would recommend a bit more cinnamon/vanilla for the batter. Servers were friendly and fast and very accommodating for everyone in the party and having separate checks was a plus. I do plan to come here again and you are looking to host an event this summer for 30-40 people this is a great spot!

A nice brunch spot with a chill ambience and nice environment for brunch. First of all parking can be rough. It is metered parking directly outside of the restaurant. Luckily, we were able to get a spot right outside of the place and had no issues on this Saturday Morning. Service: Excellent. The place was not packed. It was relatively empty for brunchtime. The servers were able to be very attentive and polite. On our way out, we did hear that a party of 40 were on their way so it appeared we had arrived just in time. Nevertheless, our food was fresh, hot and delicious. Food and drinks: We ordered the Provost Lemonade to start which had an interesting and unexpected taste. It tasted more lie it belonged in a hot tea rather than an iced tea. The server informed us that the tea is made fresh so it may taste a little different each time it is made. It is also a tea that is not meant to be a sweet tea. We also ordered a Blue Hawaiian which was mixed with jut the right amount of rum and flavors. The Peach Bellini was the typical Peach Champagne but was also good but nothing special. For food: The chicken and waffles were hot and good. The syrup they use is lite but still flavorful. The two chicken thighs are larger than the waffles you get and the waffles are of the thin version. The French toast was also very flavorful. It has a vanilla taste but is very very good. I also ordered the chicken sausage which was very tasty. Overall the experience was very nice and maybe next time we come back we might even get a seat on the patio upstairs!

Delight in a culinary journey filled with delectable flavors and a truly impressive happy hour selection at this exceptional establishment. The entirety of the staff exudes an aura of excellence, while Nina, the illustrious owner, embodies a level of brilliance that is truly awe-inspiring. With her unparalleled friendliness, unwavering politeness, and exceptional level of accommodation, Nina sets the standard for remarkable hospitality. Prepare to be astounded by the impeccable service that graces every moment spent within these walls. Each interaction is marked by an unwavering commitment to exceeding expectations, making the overall experience an extraordinary one. Though the prices may verge on the higher side, the sheer quality of service renders it an almost worthy investment. Savor the delectable fare offered at this fine establishment, as the culinary offerings are truly commendable. The food, while undoubtedly delicious, reaches its pinnacle when shared among a gathering of friends during group dinners. The emphasis on shareable sides fosters an atmosphere of conviviality and camaraderie, ensuring a memorable dining experience for all.

The Food has been always amazing! Service excellent no complaints! Also if you looking to have a private party! The catering is amazing! Yum!

My two friends and I visit minority-owned restaurants once per month. This was our first time visiting Provost and we'd certainly return. Our host was AMAZING! He spent time detailing the menu, he laughed with us and was just gracious all around. The ambiance is very very nice and quaint. There 5-6 tables and full bar seating. A deejay was starting his set as we were leaving. The later crowd began to thicken with what seemed to be mostly 30 somethings. The food, hmmmm, my friends enjoyed their lobster and my shrimp was cooked to perfection. There was something a little off with all of our pastas (mostly too runny). Mac n cheese balls were average. The cauliflower bites were not cooked to our liking. The drinks were really good. The owner was gracious and took a quick photo with us. Our guy Ralph is worth the return visit. His energy matches this quaint gem. Gosh, I wish I knew the other guy's name who bought out some of the food, he is was super cool, as well. We'll return for the drinks, the ambiance, the vibe, and maybe the mac n cheese balls. Oh wait, the bread pudding was DELICIOUS!!!

Had one of the most delicious burgers ever. Service was very thoughtful--we had a great time.

Great drink to set the mood! Great service!!! Not a lot of space but very cozy!!! Great place to try when it gets warm due to the rooftop seating!!

Five stars for first rate service. I was headed to DC and wanted to grab breakfast on the way. Yelpers never steer me wrong on restaurants and this was no exception. I love trying out new places and this black owned business is worth a stop in. They are still abiding by covid19 protocols which I appreciated. Brian greeted us, offered us a tour of the restaurant and rooftop deck, and suggested some good dishes for breakfast. The coffee was delicious, as was the cauliflower hash recommended by Brian. I really enjoyed the French Toast, scrambled eggs, and home fries. This place has good positive energy, from Brian's pleasant welcome to the music and decor. I highly recommend trying this place out. You'll be glad you did!

My friend chose to celebrate her birthday here on the rooftop. We sat outside for maybe five minutes before we decided it was too chilly to eat outside. So, we moved inside and were the only people there for most of our meal. For the apps, we had the mac and cheese balls and the bang bang shrimp. The mac & cheese balls were pretty and nicely presented. The texture was great but it the dish lacked seasoning. The mac and cheese, breading and cheese sauce seemed a bit bland. The bang bang shrimp was delicious. The shrimp were a nice size, perfectly fried, & the chili sauce complimented it nicely. For the entree, I had the red snapper, coconut rice, & fried cabbage. It was my first whole fish. Provost does a really good job with food presentation. My entree was pretty and tasty. The fish was well seasoned, I really liked the coconut rice, and the cabbage was a little smoky, like maybe it was seasoned with some cumin. I also tried my friend's spicy Cajun and shrimp pasta, which was really good. For dessert, we tried the bread pudding. Before we ordered, we asked if there was any alcohol in the dish. The waitress said there wasn't but she was mistaken. I guess sometimes the dessert has rum and sometimes it doesn't. Maybe it depends on who is cooking that day. There was definitely rum in the bread pudding that day, lots of rum. It really overpowered the dish. At least it was pretty. I've heard Provost has really good brunch so I'll give it a try in the future.

Yaaassss!!!!! Covid: servers wore masks, tables cleaned often, tables far apart Vibe: beautiful rooftop patio and great music. Food: what didn't we order. Chicken and waffles, pancakes, crab cake, catfish, salmon, cauliflower, potatoes, dessert. Service: super attentive and personable. Walked us through the menu and helpful with suggestions. Owner was super friendly and came by to check on us. Tasty food, good service, great vibe. Support this black women owned business. Just go!

Sad bar. Slow staff, too loud music and dirty. I wouldn't go back if they paid me. Avoid! So many other quality options nearby.

The Provost is a nice, quaint, black owned restaurant that has delicious food and personable service. All of the employees seemed to really like their job. The food was delicious. I went on a Sunday morning not long after they opened. I sat upstairs which is outside. Nice bohemian vibe. Ordered the waffle and I had them add the fruit. Also the Red Snapper and grits. Omg! The grits were perfect. They look thick but were fluffy and tender. The Snapper was fried to perfection. And that sauce on the bottom...ask for extra. It is so good. I would definitely return.

Are like queens my friend and I. The service was amazing and he was fun. The whole experience was great and they're upstairs rooftop are was a nice vibe with great music. The drinks here are delicious. They're strong too. The food was next level and was packed with flavor. I enjoyed every bite and it was a big portion so I had leftovers. I will definitely come again. Side note, I found out they had hookah when I went to the restroom on my way out and say the hookahs lining the wall. So imagine if I would've seen that when I came in. All around great vibe.

A Black owned rooftop bar and restaurant right here in DC! Great views and good food. We enjoyed Salmon with curry cabbage and a portobello mushroom burger. The cabbage tasted great. The mushroom was good, but next time I'd probably opt to get it on lettuce instead, it didn't need the bread. We got to enjoy the most beautiful view from the rooftop! Our server Angel was so nice. She is actually the older sister of the owner, Nina, who is super cool as well!

I've been to Provost at least 4 times in the last 1-2 months now. The first time I went was with my very best friend Rachel and we were so glad we discovered this place. It is BLACK OWNED and everyone working in this establishment is also black.... I love discovering new black owned businesses! I love the rooftop ambiance and the music they play while we enjoy brunch. It sometimes gets very hot on the rooftop, but each time I go, there are more and more umbrellas so that we are not roasting on the rooftop! The service here is phenomenal, everyone truly cares about your experience and the people you have with you at your table. Each time I've reserved, they try to ensure that I have whatever I need. The food hasn't missed yet--I've had the chicken and waffles, the crab cake, pancakes, chicken sausage, turkey sausage, I mean nothing has missed. They do have bottomless mimosas which is always a vibe, but their regular bar drinks are also delicious as well. My friends and I went on Saturday and it was really cool to be recognized by a few workers when we sat down. My friend and I told them that this was our new favorite spot and they would continue to see us frequently! I cannot wait to see what Provost @ night is like in the summertime! Thank y'all so much!

Delicious food and a fun ambiance! We went for Sunday brunch and got the fish/grits and the chicken and waffles and it was all very tasty! The servers were very friendly and the drinks good too! A small space but a fun one! Would come again! My husband (who lived in NOLA for 8 years) said they were the best grits he ever had!

This spot was a quick stop for us to fuel up after church. The hostess was very nice and greeted us with a friendly welcome. We had a reservation, so we were quickly sat. The outdoor seating area is very nice and quaint. Unfortunately, it's cicada season and I don't do bugs so we were accommodated with indoor seating. In doors is just as nice. The lighting creates a chill vibe and the music is r&b you can sing to. The wait for our food was rather long and once we got it , it was very underwhelming. The food was decent. There was nothing nasty about it, but what you get for the price is kind of shocking. I ordered the French toast with a side of chicken sausage. The French toast comes with 2 pieces of toast cut in triangles and the chicken sausage is literally one chicken sausage. One FIVE dollar sausage that I could get a pack of for $3.99 from Safeway. The the prices for the food just don't give you your bang for your buck. I could see if the food was BANGING! But it's not. Once we received our food, our waitress never came back to check on us and we were waiting for at least 15-20 mins for the check. The place is clearly a big hit in the area as it was really crowded and seemed to accumulate a wait. I appreciate the aesthetics and vibes and would recommend this place for a chill meet up with friends. But if you're looking for a place to go for some bomb food, this ain't it.

It's a friendly, intimate space. Something this neighborhood has been crying out for. Stopped in for my first Happy Hour and found it to be welcoming, with reasonably priced specials. A nice bottle of Malbec was opened in front of me and I received a generous pour. Enjoyed the fish and chips; tempura veggies and onion rings--all were served piping hot and with care. Have only experienced bar seating, but there are a few booths on the main floor as well as a roof top area that's available, weather permitting. Good vibes, organic food, professional service. I'll be back.

We decided to visit for Black Restaurant Week to support the business. We ordered pancakes, chicken and waffles, and French toast. Our food arrived fairly quickly and our waiter was attentive. The food - nothing exciting. Large pancakes with powdered sugar. French toast (four small slices - not sure if it was brioche bread which is typically used for French toast). Chicken and waffles - waffles were thin and the chicken didn't seem to have enough seasoning. The price of bottled water - $10.00 (insane). And......there is included gratuity of 20% which isn't mentioned anywhere. Not sure if we would return. The dinner menu appears to have some interesting options - but not enough for us to return to dine in the immediate future.

Atmosphere: Absolutely love the environment. It has music in the background which is sexy. It is so cute! However it is small. 8 tables max. Madonna was our server and she great. Drinks: Peach Bellini is the best thing I've drank in a minute. 10/10. Would come back just for this!! Absolutely Delicious. Food. I got the (1) French Toast with (1) Egg with cheese and a side of Turkey Bacon. It was fantastic!!!! 10/10. I think I just found my new favorite cute breakfast area. I tried my friends waffle and it was better than my meal. So 11/10 lol. I love this place. Omg.

I came in on a Sunday for brunch and the restaurant was empty so I expected to get good or decent service and service was seriously God Awful...But, Food is actually really good and affordable for brunch. They have a nice hot sauce that they make in house. The Chicken and Waffles is nice the chicken is crunchy and tender while the waffle is soft, the Shrimp and Grits were good but the grits were really good and thick like grits should be, but the shrimp wasn't the best imo. Vibes were dope, they had cool textures and art on the walls and an interesting layout of random furniture like a cool mirror/glass circular armoire. Drinks were good and stiff like i like my cocktails which was great but the bar selection is very limited and service is so slow I never had the chance to get another round. Worth a try

I was put on to Provost thanks to my gf and have been here twice so far. She loves it here for brunch and I can see why. We both had the chicken and waffles and when I say I would put their chicken and waffles at the top 5 best places to get them in DC, trust me... THEY ARE. They have a very intimate setting and the decor is beautiful. This business is black owned and those who may keep up with my Yelp know I love me a black owned business. I would recommend going for a date or if you want to check out a low key brunch spot.

My husband and I have gone back 3 times and every time enjoy it as much as the first time. From the snapper to the French toast, this chef KNOWS HER WAY AROUND A KITCHEN. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu and we LOVE IT.

This little gem is amazing !! Black owned, yummy food, good drinks... simple brunch and cute rooftop perfect during COVID!

A lot of my review is based on being understaffed. A reasonable restaurant should have asked some customers to wait or said they didn't have the capacity. Instead we got an overwhelmed staff with the excuse that there are generally fewer tables on weekends. Pros: A Black Owned Business, servers are polite, cocktails are very unique and good Cons: extraordinarily slow service, had to ask several times to get condiments or refills, 20% tip is included no matter the service, a table was not ready until 30 minutes post reservation time

We must have caught them on a bad day the food took an hour to arrive and it was cold - I ordered the avocado toast and it tasted like store bought guac with store bought salsa on store bought white toast. The crab patties also tasted store bought (frozen), also on white toast. My sister ordered a few sides and they were all cold, her last side (a poached egg) arrived even later and was punctured without seasoning. The staff was friendly and I heard good things about the restaurant! I don't think I'll come again though, definitely felt ripped off.

This place is hidden right on Rhodeisland ave NE. Food was amazing.. We dined in for Brunch. Definitely want to visit for dinner. #Blackowned

Hubby and I went here for dinner on a Saturday night . Although the staff was friendly the service was slow. I got a turkey burger & 1/2 & 1/2 fries. My turkey burger was salty and fries were cold & 1 bun was wet & soggy. Hubby got a burger it was Bland and 1 piece of the bun was wet & soggy. Probably won't return. I wish you much success.

The food and the service was superb. I had the cheese omelette with crab. He had pancakes with a side of chicken (not pictured). All organic and wild caught - totally worth the price. We also added bottomless mimosas which were delicious. Do yourself a favor and stop by. Also, they follow strict COVID guidelines. We're talking temperature check at the door, distancing, form for contact tracing. I felt very safe here and I've only been out 3 times from (March - Oct 2020).

Celebrating god-kid's 23 bday w/ a party of 20. While the staff seemed a bit overwhelmed with a party of the size, the food was pleasant, drinks were tasty, and we had a good time. Some of the items on the menu were sold out, but what was available made up for their absence. The Chicken Cordon Bleu was a tad over cooked, but the Chicken & Shrimp Pasta was a hit, as well as the stuffed shrimp. Will give a try again.

New Black Business Alert. Provost on Rhode Island Ave, NE. The food was good, the customer service was great. We had a great time talking to the owner Nina and her great employee Brian. We will definitely be back to check out the roof too.

My husband and I were super excited about trying this place since it is in our neighborhood and it is also Black owned. We decided to order takeout because of safety concerns with the Covid variant and we wanted something nicer as we were celebrating a big milestone in my husband's career. We ordered four items, the spinach dip which literally was just a slop thrown on a bunch of chips that were so soggy. We had the super green salad which had two soggy sweet potato slices on top of rice on top of super limp salad. It was so unappetizing. We also got the bang bang shrimp and cauliflower based on other reviews we read. When you picked up either the breading immediately fell off because it was so soggy. Zero crisp. We even tried putting them in our oven to see if we could re-crisp them up. We were sadly disappointing. We took one bite and could not eat any of the food. It was not cheap and it stung a lot trashing $50 of food.

My friend forgot to make brunch reservations while I was in town and decided on this black owned gem on the Northeast side of town. The staff was friendly and very accommodating, especially Keith. We decided to order several things to try them out and we were not disappointed at all. The Red Snapper and grits was just heavenly that we got 2 orders. The Chicken and waffles and Crab Benedict were tasty as well. I need a coffee to get it together and whatever roast they had was perfect, plus they had different milks depending on your preference. We sat in the main dining area, while it is smaller, by the time we were seated the area was empty so no complaints for that. the area is well lit and I liked the music they played. The music varied from old school R&B, neo soul, reggae and current hip hop. I know my friend said she can't wait to go back and next time I am in town I will definitely drop in.

I came here for brunch on the recommendation of a friend and I am glad I did. I called to make a reservation and when I arrived I loved the covid- procedures (hand sanitizer, temperature checks, and contact tracing from at the table). They also sanitized the table and chairs prior to us sitting down. If I had any concerns about dining out, they allayed them instantly. We sat upstairs on the roof and it was perfect. I mean it was high 60s and that rooftop gave me the feeling like I was living life, which is a welcome feeling after 2020. I got the blackberry margarita made by Ms. Nina. My advice- GET IT! I love a margarita that is smooth but has some power behind it. The blackberry margarita was just that. I asked when she works because I'll be back for her margarita. I ordered the snapper with a side of pancake since I heard they had homemade syrup. The food was a-m-a-z-i-n-g! The snapper, I mean the pic speaks for itself. The grits were perfectly cheesy. The pancake was light and fluffy but the syrup that came with it was something special. This New England gal knows her maple syrups. This syrup was a beautiful golden color (like a grade A syrup) and it was light (think thin texture) but the flavor was really delicate and not overly sweet. My dining companions loved their dishes too, the shrimp and grits and french toast. Of course I sampled their dishes and I can do nothing but rave about this place. This black owned business with great food and service will be in my regular rotation now and it should be in yours too.

I had heard great things about this restaurant from multiple neighbors so I was excited to go. I stepped into the restaurant and was met with the greeting "What are you here for?" Direct quote. There was no "hello" there was no "how may I help you". Given it's a restaurant, I would think that you would expect me to be coming to eat. I almost turned around and left but I was starving and decided to stay. The service was incredibly disjointed and slow. I ordered the crab cake with sweet potato fries with spinach. The spinach and crab cake were fairly good but not impressive. The sweet potato "fries" were irregularly cut pieces of sweet potato that someone threw into a frying pan and browned on the outside and left raw on the inside. No one came to check on me or offer me anything else. I was shocked when I asked for the bill and there was an automatic 20% gratuity. There was no service that warranted a 20% gratuity. I will say there was a private event going on at the same time so perhaps they were understaffed. But if you can't handle an event and regular customers at the same time, you need to plan for that. And to charge a 20% gratuity for non-service is absolutely reprehensible.

Came to this lovely establishment with a group. Pros: Nice interior, great rooftop, great location nearby street parking is easy to find Cons: Everything else. Like other posters I so wanted to love this place. It was a great vibe upon walking in, but it was a downhill from there and I'm not talking the bunny hill. Think Black Diamond slope. My group was seated and realized one person hadn't arrived yet. When we asked, we were told we couldn't be served until that final person arrived - not food but WATER. So all of us are sitting with sun beaming on what felt like a hot dam$ tin roof (some of us next to a heater) and we were literally refused water. And not by an unknowing waitstaff person. By the owner! She literally said (rather stankily) "I told the person who made the reservation that you can't be served until everyone in your party arrives". Alrighty. Within a few mins our last party member arrives. A good 20 mins later we got water. About 30 mins later we got a "proof of life" that we had a server as they came to take our orders. Yay!! Who knew it would be an hour before a literal subset of orders came out (30% of our total orders placed). But we were going to let it slide because most of us had heard about the slow service and were going to let it pass. But the remaining 70% of our group's orders didn't come out until another hour later! Friends couldn't even be gracious and wait for others to eat because our food would've been long cold! This was to be part one of an Easter fun filled day with friends and unfortunately, a few people had to skip our next stop as the slow service threw off their entire day and they had to leave (some without eating). For timeline context, we were seated about 1pm and at 3:15pm 70% of our party still had not received their food. To be clear, my friends and I aren't a 'going off' type group when it comes to bad service. None of us are looking for, or need a free meal ticket etc. Particularly, in this situation during COVID with a black owned biz we all wanted to love & support. We literally sat and discussed how we empathized with the staff and owner and how we could best share constructive, yet positive feedback. But we were no match for the ambivalence and defensive stance of the owner, which is unfortunate. And here we are (on Yelp). Note to the Owner - As POC, my friends and I were, and still are, happy for your success in opening this restaurant which I'm sure certainly was more than a notion to get off the ground. But please understand that your business model related to customer service and food prep is not working. Your "still persevering" as you stated is not enough in the DC restaurant space. Primarily because several small, thinly-staffed restaurants face your same challenges and are making it work (we went to one immediately after). Suggestions - Try reducing your capacity. Let me repeat this for the people in the back...try REDUCING YOUR CAPACITY until you can work more efficiently. Consider bringing in a Consultant. Invest in more umbrellas for the roof (when possible). But above all, respect your patrons and make them feel appreciated/valued, even if you are stressed. Because honestly, if you would've simply said, "I'm sorry everyone, I will take care of you all next time. We are still working out some kinks" or had even offered to comp beverages etc. we would've rode for you into the sunset relative to future support. Yet, unfortunately you didn't give us this option. I personally made eye contact with you on the way out and you didn't even bother to say, "thank you for coming" despite the challenging time you knew my group had with service. My friends and I still want to see you win and though we won't be referring friends we are wishing you much success.

The nickname Yaya has a very special place in my heart, as it's what I have my son saved as in my phone book. When we first entered Provost, we were cheerfully greeted by a server who went by the same name. Trying not to build up too much hope at the coincidence, my date and I ventured up to the rooftop deck full of expectation and excitement. The reviews of this place were glowing, and we couldn't wait to see just how accurate they were. After we walked out, I feel it my responsibility to say....they may even have understated what a great place this is. Let's get to that review, FFS. Flair: the restaurant is definitely off the beaten touristy path. Situated in the northeastern portion of DC, it's a bit of a hike if you're staying downtown. 6 miles as the crow flies, 36 minutes as the lunatics drive. That's with okay traffic. The restaurant itself is simple, unassuming, but warm and welcoming. The atmosphere is hip and trendy, the music is modern and enjoyable, and the decor is eclectic and interesting. The rooftop deck was awesome for our evening dinner. My only slight caution is to pay attention...you could miss the frontage as it sits between a pizza joint and a Chinese food place. Food: my date and I tend to over order. A lot. We went with 2 apps, the soup of the day, and 2 entrees. I had a rum punch that was delicious. Containing bits of fruit, the sweetness wasn't overpowering. Soup of the day was seafood chowder, which, for me, is like giving a 3 year old a chocolate bar. I get just as hyper if it's good, so there's that too. How good was it? I completed my first ever marathon in between the soup and entrees. That hyper, that good. There were giant bites of real seafood. Corn. Potato. Enough spice to let you know what's up and who's in charge. It was one of the best soups I've ever had. The tempura cauliflower was light and delicious. I'm not a huge cauliflower guy, but this was gooooood. The real star, however, was the cucumber dill dipping sauce. It was light, refreshing, and a perfect accompaniment. I asked for a second cup of it to bring home with me. If I could bathe in it, I would have. I had that much energy, remember? The fried Mac and cheese balls were decent, not too rich and overpowering. They came off slightly flat, but I was pretty satisfied that I didn't need a cheese coma after I finished eating mine...so overall they were decent. My date had the chicken cordon bleu. This was not your traditional chicken. This was batter fried, juicy chicken. It was exquisite. The salty ham paired well with the batter. The cheese was fabulous. The sauce was outstanding. It was a home run in any ballpark. My fried red snapper was divine. The fish was cooked to perfection. Light and flaky, I can see why fish eat fish. I almost wanted to become a fish just so I could eat this fish every day. The sauce was so beautiful it made me cry. Spicy, smoky, tangy...it had it all. The sides...often forgotten about (but not here), were on point. The coconut rice was light, fluffy, and gave the perfect about of tropical flavor. It went great with the sauce from the fish. The spinach was salty, garlicky, and cooked al dente. It's hard to get that texture with a veggie that cuts in size like it's been on Jenny Craig, but the chef managed it was precision. Service: Yaya was absolutely terrific. She was attentive, accommodating, funny, and made us feel so welcome, I half expected to get invited for thanksgiving dinner. The bartender (Keith?) was incredibly friendly. He came upstairs often to joke with his teacher friends, but made sure to consistently check on all customers. The staff handled our pop in (we had reservations for 8:30 but wanted to eat early) efficiently and with open arms. Couldn't have asked for a nicer, more pleasant experience. This place is outstanding, from top to bottom. Using locally sourced, organic, and sustainable ingredients, their contribution to the community and our dining experience was incredible. Would absolutely, enthusiastically recommend dining at this place. I hear brunch is fantastic. I'll find that mystery out this weekend.