The Lafayette

My friend and I visited to celebrate my birthday last month. The ambience and piano music was lovely and beautiful! While the food wasn’t quite to our taste, the staff in the hotel and the restaurant were polite and accommodating, which made this unique experience enjoyable overall. Thank you!

Stunning atmosphere with a beautiful piano in the middle. The service is friendly and attentive, which adds to the overall experience. While the presentation of the food was impressive, the taste didn’t quite hit the mark. The rockfish could use better cooking, but the red snapper was tasty. The zucchini and artichoke appetizers looked great but lacked flavor. The souffle was absolutely delicious! Overall, La Fayette is a lovely spot, and with a few tweaks to the menu, it could be even better. Definitely worth a visit for the ambiance and that incredible souffle!

Come here for view of White House, classic dining area or if you are staying at the hotel, but not the overpriced food. Tasty health smoothy, a small jar of ketchup, 2 sausage, 4 pieces of potato, half a grilled avocado accompanied omelette. While ok does not justify the price. Clean opulent dining room, white table cloth, service was excellent throughout.

The restaurant is beautiful, the food is spectacular, but the most impressive part is the service. The team working there is made up of incredibly kind people — from the moment you walk in to the moment you leave, they’re super attentive. I was helped by José, and it was a 10/10 experience.

The Lafayette is a truly exceptional dining experience. The elegant ambiance perfectly complements the exquisite menu, featuring beautifully presented dishes that are bursting with flavor. The service is attentive and knowledgeable, making you feel truly valued as a guest. I particularly loved the seasonal offerings and the classic desserts. Whether for a special occasion or a casual night out, The Lafayette delivers an unforgettable experience. Highly recommend!

Simply put, this place is amazing. The food is wonderful, the staff arebamazing and the location is the best. The appetizers were unique (I had the grilled octopus 🐙) and excellent. I recommend the filet for dinner. Drinks were phenomenal. If you want classic and elegant this is the place.

The Hay-Adams has become one of my favorite hotels. The staff is amazing, the hotel is quaint and brings that old-historical charm. The Lafayette restaurant at the Hay-Adams, exemplifies its elegance and luxury in fine dining. I was very fortunate to have Giovanni as our server multiple times at the Lafayette. We even were able to meet the sous chef and question him on some of the amazingly delicious dishes he constructed. The pictures don’t do the taste justice. You will have to experience it for your self.

Absolutely superb top to bottom Pro: - beef tartar (Absolutely winner dish) - environment - live piano - service - wine/champagne selection - view - china/decorations - you can sit before your dinner reservation and have drinks Con: - Price (while close to fair, slightly overpriced) An Absolutely wonderful evening, with a great experience! 👍

Disappointed in afternoon tea. From the making of a reservation there were issues. The staff on the phone at the restaurant were incredibly standoffish and rude. I called to confirm my reservation and was met with the same apathetic and disgruntled tone ( a reservation confirm call FROM them would also be appreciated) We had a dirty glass on seating and 2 of our menu folders were empty. The food was poor, VERY POOR. Sandwich bread was rock hard as was the pastry case for the mini lobster, all lacked seasoning. The deserts were average to say the least. We were served 2 types of scones but no butter or preserve. No finesse to the rock hard gingerbread house either. We ordered a bottle of champagne but had to wait a considerable amount of time to have it brought to us and once the initial sips were poured our glasses were never refilled. Also our water was never refilled. The children's tea was unavailable that day and the server earned both of the stars in this review for his efforts to make things right- but a let down nonetheless. The piano playing the background created a nice atmosphere BUT I would not recommend or happily return here. For great service, delicious freshly prepared food and a true experience in customer care I would go to the four seasons in George Town.

Very beautiful and romantic venue. From the beginning the host collects your coats and you are lead past pianist playing soft dinner must to our nicely spaced table by the window. They have an excellent selection of wines by the glass and many bottles of all types and price points. The service was top notch. I started with the French onion soup it was delicious and perfect to warm up on during a cold DC evening. The amuse Buche was delightful and super light but packed with flavor. For my main dish I had the butter nut squash gnocchi. To be honest I was disappointed. It had large chunks of squash and the sauce wasn't that flavorful but salty. I did appreciate that the gnocchi was hand made. I would definitely give this place. Another try as everything was perfect except for my main dish.

Beautiful dining area reminiscent of times past. The wait staff is on point and the food is delicious. The poached eggs were perfect. The only negative were the many gnats and mosquitoes in the restaurant. The wait staff were trying to help them meet their demise with electronic rackets.

This is a classic hotel breakfast meal in an extraordinarily beautiful room. The service is great, the views of the White House are amazing, the celebrity sightings are innumerable. The food is good enough that if you want a political scene or you're staying at the Hay Adams, you'll be happy to be here.

About a 1-1.5: Not sure what happened, but The Lafayette is not the same. We loved coming here for holiday brunches, especially for Christmas, but the spread and the set-up are just not what they used to be - before, the variety and the selection of the food items were amazing, each station was replenished quickly and ample for returning patrons, and the decor was on point. However, on our recent visits, the spread has just been looking super scarce - there was some misleading information on raw/seafood bar station, in which one type of crabs was stated to be offered, but it wasn't; also, they weren't fresh and haven't been thawed properly, as we received items that were still frozen and icy. There doesn't seem to be any effort into the decor for the seasonal brunches; I remember the buffet area being super festive and decorated so beautifully, but it's just super plain. Note that when you check-in with the hostess, you are lead to a separate dining/waiting area until your table is ready to be led to the elevators to go up to the brunch area. Service has always been attentive and friendly. With the high price point and the inconsistency of the buffet offerings, we definitely won't be returning. Limited metered street and garage parking available. +inconsistent quality of holiday brunches +reservations required +metered street and garage parking available

Not an expansive menu but very strong for what they offer, a vegetarian option, steak, a few fish entrees, etc., each cooked inventively and aiming to please. They serve Tattinger champagne--glass or bottle--which you don't find often. Linens are French, Garnier-Thibault. Lovely, elegant surroundings; attentive wait staff. Everyone hits their marks here.

Perfect ambience, great wait staff and of course delectable entrees. It was an amazing place for our date night while we were visiting in town. Highly recommended!

Old timey, high end decor. Wonderful service, quick and attentive. Food arrived quickly and was absolutely divine. 10 out of 10 would recommend

Would highly recommend. Food service and ambience were all fantastic. There was live piano during dinner, homemade bread and a free appetizer to start.

What stands out about this restaurant is the actual location for this restaurant. Located in the historic Hay-Adams hotel, Lafayette exudes an elegant and refined ambiance that perfectly complements the delicious cuisine. I had a work meeting at this location, and I was distracted by the amazing food and delightful venue. My brunch adventure began with the lamb chop, and it was a true masterpiece. Cooked to perfection, the lamb chop was tender, succulent, and bursting with flavor. Usually, I don't like lamb, but this was done so well. The accompanying herb-infused sauce added a delightful depth to the dish, enhancing the natural richness of the meat. Next, I had the fish, and it was equally exceptional. The fish was flawlessly cooked, moist and flaky, with a delicate seasoning that enhanced its natural taste. The dish was beautifully presented. Every bite was a harmonious blend of flavors and textures, leaving me thoroughly impressed. As I mentioned above, the setting of Lafayette is outstanding. The restaurant's elegant decor, with its classic furnishings and soft lighting, creates a sophisticated and inviting ambiance. The panoramic views of Lafayette Square and the White House further enhance the overall experience, providing a captivating backdrop to the exquisite brunch. While Lafayette offers a refined dining experience, it is important to note that it comes with a higher price point. However, considering the impeccable service, the exquisite food, and the remarkable setting, it is well worth it for a special occasion or for those seeking an unforgettable culinary journey in the heart of Washington, DC. In short - Excellent food - AMAZING 10/10 location and setting. - You can get similarly high quality food at another restaurant, but you CANNOT match this venue.

Came to the Lafayette to try some delicious food and enjoy some nice views. Unfortunately, there was a party that reserved the top floor so we didn't get to enjoy the view but the food was delicious. I ordered salmon Benedict on English muffin which was delicious and tried some pancakes which also tasted great. The service is nice but be prepared for a semi-pricey meal. It's definitely one of those places you wanna go to once for the experience.

Awesome restaurant next to the White House. The service was great and food was excellent not only the quality but the price is reasonable as well. There's piano playing during dinner, how romantic

Good but too expensive. The servers were all so friendly and helpful. It was unbelievably fancy. You are clearly paying for the experience.

Excellent brunch at a historic restaurant in walking distance of the White House, St. John's Church and Lafayette Square.

I went here for brunch not to long ago after (shamelessly) seeing an Instagram reel. The location is top notch! Right on BLM Plaza. We opted to park at a third-party garage but there's also valet parking given it's a hotel. The service was great. Inside looks super classy and it felt like a very nice atmosphere. The waiter let us know we can build whatever we want off the menu and not to feel limited by what was on the paper. I got the salmon benedict, the green juice, and a cappuccino and it was amazing! Highly recommend checking this place out. I think there's a nice top floor / rooftop view too but I wasn't able to check it out.

I had breakfast at this restaurant while I was staying at the Hay Adams Hotel. The restaurant has a nice ambiance with views overlooking the White House. The fruit juices are freshly squeezed, and the pastries are amazing. When you order tea at the restaurant, they bring you a whole freshly brewed pot. I will definitely be back, everything about the Hay Adams is magical.

I could hear the waiters making fun of me in the back from my table so - yeah, not going back. I brought my husband here for a nice breakfast before seeing the sights in Washington. It was his first Father's Day since his dad recently passed and I planned a special day since I knew it would be hard on him. I actually booked the Lafayette well in advance and in my reservation I explained the circumstances and asked for a nice table to help this be a good experience. My husband is vegetarian and it can be difficult to navigate vegetarian alternatives. He was interested in the 2 egg breakfast plate but this came with bacon and sausages. On his behalf, I asked the waiter whether there were any vegetarian alternatives like a vegetarian sausage and he went to the back to ask. Another waiter came over to verify what I asked and when I repeated my question he simply said "No" without giving alternatives. When he went to the back I could hear all the wait staff laughing at us, and one screamed "Vegetarian sausages" in a fit of laughter. I was pretty disappointed in this, especially given the fact that this was supposed to be a nice start to a difficult day for my husband. When the waiter returned to take our orders I mentioned to him that I could hear them laughing at us from the back and that vegetarian sausages did exist, I didn't just make it up (I was actually quite surprised by the whole event). Instead of apologizing he said "that wasn't me who was laughing" and left abruptly. Needless to say the service was lacking. The food itself was OK. My husband had a mushroom omelette which he enjoyed, the accompaniments not so much. I had the ricotta pancakes which were stodgy. We shared some pastries which came lukewarm, like they were standing around for awhile instead of warm from the oven. The restaurant itself was fairly empty but we had a very early meal so not sure if this is the norm. I was disappointed that the view was no longer of Lafayette park which was one of the drawing points for me. I wish this was made clearer on the website. I think it tells a lot about the restaurant how knowledgeable the staff is about food options and accommodating dietary restrictions. It also tells a lot how hospitable or lack-thereof a place is. In that respect the Lafayette failed abysmally. Given that and the food being so underwhelming we did not have a good experience and in the end I felt that I had paid over $100 to be made fun of by staff who really didn't respect customers. The restaurant is shiny on the outside but pretty empty on the inside, in more ways than one. The only saving grace was that it made us realize that we made the right choice deciding not to stay at the Hay Adams for our trip to Washington. We stayed at the intercontinental where the service was actually one of the highlights of our trip. If I could do it again I'd stay far away from Lafayette which was an unwanted stain on our day.

I wish I had the words to express exactly how positively exquisite breakfast at the Lafayette was. Service level was next tier, I was immediately ushered to my white linen table and offered fresh squeezed juices. With that said, I'm a bit of an Eggs Benedict snob and the benny at the Lafayette are my absolute favorite. World. Class. Eggs. Benedict. I liked them so nice, I ordered them twice!

The ambiance was very nice - seemed very presidential and almost like a tea party. Lovely table settings! The service was fantastic, they are very attentive and knowledgeable. We got the French toast which was delicious - lots of flavor and great texture to the toast itself. Also got the burger which was pretty good - meat was tender. Other than that, a pretty standard burger. The coffee and cappuccino were not my favorite, tasted a little burnt or overdone. Here's a little tip!! They have a rooftop and we originally thought the restaurant was up on the roof since that's where it was in the beginning of the pandemic. The restaurant staff made special accommodations to allow us to go the top floor and see it, even gave us a nice little tour of all the buildings. Spectacular view of the White House lawn. Loved it!

Just say yes to oatmeal soufflé! Extraordinary food and service! One of the best breakfast I have ever eaten!

It is no longer on the top floor overlooking The White House but on the mezzanine floor off the lobby. An excellent fine dining breakfast destination with attentive service from staff who seem happy to work there. Great for any occasions but can see some serious power breakfast tables around us. Lafayette was a 19year old Frenchman who came to help in the American Revolution and was a member of Washington's staff Juice/Smoothies 5* Killer Green spinach, green apple, moringo powder, almond milk $10 Carrot Juice $8 Berry Blue & Seed blueberry , blackberry, açaí berry, flax seed, chia seed $10 Freshen up Green apple, cucumber, celery, kale, spinach $8 Jay-Adams Traditions Avocado Tartin toast, pickled red onions , tomatoes, lettuce $20 5* Lafayette Eggs Royale smoked salmon, English muffin, hollandaise $23. 5* Corn Beef Hash & eggs(mainly protein dish) $20. 4* Sweet Specialities Oatmeal Soufflé with pecans & berry sauce is excellent! required 20 minutes $18. 5* Brioche French Toast caramelized Anjou pear, caramel sauce, almonds $18. 5* Coffee $6 Service attentive service from staff who seem happy to work there Located -on the left side of the Hay-Adams Hotel lobby -across the street from the north center of Lafayette Park, which in turn is on the north side across the street from The White House -on the NW corner of H St NW & 16th St NW (aka Black Lives Matter Plaza NW) Note: rode their ornate elevator and saw the wonderful view overlooking The White House and lawn from the south side (meeting) room on the top floor of the hotel. There are bathrooms up there too.

The ambience is second to none. You will be seated amongst DC's aristocrats and power brokers. The pianist plays soothing melodies at various seatings. And of course, your table looks out over Lafayette Square and the White House; who can expect more? We enjoyed the oatmeal soufflé, mushroom omelette, and breakfast potatoes for brunch. All delectable and so very memorable. The Healthy Start green juice is also refreshing. The only reason I did not give this restaurant four stars? The servers. I have had better, more gracious and attentive service at lower caliber establishments. The waiters were at best- inattentive, at worst, dismissive. I wish we could have had a better experience with the wait staff.

~ gluten free review ~ I had planned a brunch for my birthday at the Lafayette to celebrate with friends. We had a wonderful experience: the service was amazing, the food was incredible, and the atmosphere was perfect. The waiter found out it was my birthday and surprised me with a slice of opera cake. I couldn't eat it since I am gluten free however my friends said it was incredible. I had ordered a latte with oat milk and the mushroom omelet and I would go back just for the omelet. The roasted avocado added a great balance to the meaty mushrooms and the vegetables were cooked perfectly. I cannot say enough about my experience at Lafayette!

My partner and I had a birthday brunch here. As expected, it was elegant, opulent, and the service was beyond perfect. When I made the reservation online, I included in the notes that it was my husband's birthday and then completely forgot about it. Our waiter brought our cake and sang to him. It was awesome. The food was beautiful and yummy. My husband never eats soup and for some reason he ordered the soup de jour and he loved it. We felt bad about being very under-dressed (we were traveling and somewhat unprepared for such an opulent dining experience), but no one seemed to care and the staff was exceedingly kind, warm, and professional.

If you want a fancy night out that is a little pricier with amazing food, atmosphere and service, then look no further than The Lafayette. It is only a few blocks from The White House and is housed in the Hay-Adams Hotel, which also appears to be quite a nice establishment. I will note that you don't have to be dressed up like we were, as casual dress is very suitable. Our waiter was amazing and timed each course perfectly. Every course was as delicious as the next and it was a quiet, wonderful dining experience. The quality of food from starters: a simple garden salad, and cauliflower/potato soup to the Filet Mignon as our main course as well as dessert was perfectly presented and delicious. We had an amazing evening and everything was perfect. We won't hesitate going back to The Lafayette and have a fancy night out!

An amazing breakfast awaits you here!! It's a fabulous experience and if you're really lucky the Chef will prepare the eggs Benedict before 11a, upon request. ENJOY!

There's little news in rating The Lafayette five stars, since it's obviously a top shelf place. The ambiance, service, and food were outstanding. They made special meals for the two kids, and the adults both had the peppery gnocchi. We also had martinis and wine. A great place!

Overall: This restaurant has it all: delicious food, creative cocktails, solid service, beautiful views, relaxed and luxurious atmosphere, and DC celebrities. Tastiness: Luckily the dinner menu consists of a 6-7 appetizers, 6-7 mains, and a handful of desserts to enable those of us who have a hard time deciding to choose. You have enough variety to find options even for the pickiest of diners. The cocktails list and the wine list are also reasonably long, with plenty of options for the indecisive and choosy. Highly recommend the octopus and mushroom soup for appetizers and the Bronzino and vegan dish with chestnuts were also very tasty. Presentation: So pretty, I wish I would have taken some pictures of our meals. Service: Pretty solid, but not the most attentive or well-mannered. It could be better. Ambiance: This restaurant is both elegant and luxurious, and simultaneously relaxed and affordable. A pleasant mix. Also, if you are seated by a window you have a good chance of spotting local celebrities going in/out of the hotel/restaurant and accompanied by motorcade. A bit of a show, but it's DC. Cleanliness: Very clean, but wait-staff could do better at serving without splashing and dripping. Price: Pricey, but you pay for all the above elements.

This review is mostly to urge those of you who've never come here to consider breakfast at this, the lovely restaurant in the Hay-Adams hotel, as a life experience. For those who've been but not in a while, to see change and tradition occupy space simultaneously, and for both, to insist you order the (now off menu but available) blueberry pancakes. I've been coming here for over 30 years. The room is beautiful and overlooks Lafayette Park and the White House beyond. The service is gracious and welcoming. Geovvany was my server and was exceptionally good. Those things bring a sense of tradition and even pomp and circumstance to this experience. The China and silver are from an earlier era. But make no mistake, this place has kept up with the times. There is an açaí bowl and fancy oatmeal along with the old standards. More importantly, groups of business women, many of color, fill the majority of tables where in the past I've personally seen the last of the Dixiecrats (yes, Strom Thurmond and John Stennis). I hope 30 years from now the room, the service and the blueberry pancakes remain the same and the customers continue to reinvent themselves.

It pains me to deliver this review as I have always had a fond spot for the Hay Adams. I recently went there for lunch with a companion. The dining room was not very full and we were seated off to the right at a window table which was nice. What was not nice was that I was facing into the restaurant and the door to the kitchen was in my direct line of site. Service was slow as they had a sizeable group in the private dining room just next to us. I ordered the special which was a pan seared black bass with lobster sauce. What finally arrived on the plate (service was extremely slow)? Two thin slivers of fish way overdone and with strong "I'm getting old" taste which the lobster sauce could not improve. There were two cold potatoes that were not cooked long enough and a couple of grayish brocolli pieces that had to have been on a steam table for way too long. Disappointing for certain and I am not feeling as though I want to return anytime soon.

I was under the impression that the dinner would be upstairs where we were for cocktails which has the most amazing view of the White House. Unfortunately, the dinner was downstairs where I felt it was a bit stuffy, especially if you're sitting by the window. We did sit by the piano and the music and service was quite lovely. All in all, I would rate the food a 4. There were notes where the food was a bit too salty or too bland if not eaten in a particular way but overall, I would say the food was solid, just nothing too spectacular.

Ordered a Charred Octopus, Sea Scallop Crudo, and Seared Halibut. Hands down the octopus was the star of my lunch, perfectly tender and grilled perfectly and served with beans. The balance of flavors for the scallop crudo was perfect between sour, spice, and the freshness of the scallop itself. The halibut was done well. My up must compliments to the chef. This restaurant definitely makes my list of must go and go again. From the entrance to exit I was impressed. Definitely an upscale/classy restaurant as I was under dressed to the restaurant but still received amazing service with no bias to my appearance. I was expecting rejection because of my appearance and poor service but i was wrong. (Definitely dress up, unlike me haha) Food 5/5 Service 5/5 Pricing 5/5 Drinks 5/5

Food was good, waiter left something to be desired. In a fine dining restaurant, waiter should be 10/10. Friendly, approachable, etc. Also additionally, Waiter had little to no knowledge of the wine being offered -- as someone who drinks a lot of wine I had questions and the waiter couldn't answer any of them really. In a fine dining restaurant, you are paying for a lot of things including a knowledgeable staff. But fine / If staff aren't required to taste the wine/ know the wine then the restaurant (again a fancy restaurant) should at least have a sommelier there on staff who can come over and help. Nope. Tbh -- the food was ok/ good. Just OK food for a huge bill, and service we didn't feel was that great, we likely won't be back.

The restaurant is in the historical Hotel Hay Adams. GREAT location, right in front of the White House and across from Lafayette Park. We had a delicious breakfast: steel-cut oats with fresh fruit. We also ordered eggs with toast and bacon. The food was great, but the service was even better!!! There were several politicians in the restaurant so the atmosphere was perfect.

Pretentious!! Went there tonight, party of 1, at 6:30 PM. Dining room was 95% empty. They asked me if I was staying at the hotel and when the answer was "no" they had no tables available, Whatever........

Was here 10.17.2021 for noon reservation that I booked a month in advance for table of 3. The service is great, from we step foot on the front door till we leave. Is inside an hotel in the first floor to your left when walk in. The ambience is very white and pure, the feeling is very easing and relax. We were seated next to the opening that were facing the Washington Monument. We had a Sunday brunch. To my surprise is not just the presentations of the platings but it also taste great. Shall be back to try the dinner menus next time.

Bask in the unobstructed view of the Whitehouse and fully understand why Barack & Bill alike both chose to cool their heels at that iconic address over Blair House while awaiting the start of their first terms. The cuisine at The Lafayette is rather good but the real feast takes place through your eyes. I assure you, it is not tacky to gawk over the rail and take more photos than Ansel Adams. Out of town guests will be thrilled, locals will be elated, doubters who have become disenfranchised will gaze upon the seat of our nation's highest office with childlike wonder. Once back at your table, viewing the spectacular landscape through the bottom of a tumbler should be your next contemplation, and they make a fantastic Old Fashioned for those who choose to do so. We skipped over the appetizers and went directly for the main course. The filet was prepared exceedingly well as was my fiancee's branzino was superior. A magnificent venue to take in a majestic view with a marvelous meal.

Great meal in a beautiful setting! We went for a family celebration brunch on Saturday with my elderly mom, everyone loved it. We had lobster bisque and smoked salmon as appetizers, and mains included the crab cakes benedict, merguez sausage, wild mushroom omelette and french toast, all were delicious. Service was welcoming, friendly and attentive. And of course the location, in a historic hotel across from the White House, adds to the experience.

The view is amazing and they would get 5 stars for ambience... service and food was just ok. The menu only has like 5 choices. They messed and gave me a drink i really didn't want, which was more expensive. My wife's fish had bones in it. All in all I would recommend going once for the view, but I would not go back

I had a wonderful afternoon tea experience here at the Lafayette. The service was spectacular and everything from the tea selection, sandwiches, and scones were delicious. The sweets tier was almost too beautiful to eat, and I ended up taking them home to extend the experience. By far one of the best afternoon teas I've had to opportunity to enjoy in the city. Try it out, you won't be disappointed!

The food and service here was delish. A chic little brunch place in a great area. I loved the cappuccino.

I came here for Sunday brunch. Unfortunately they haven't had the buffet or the piano player since pandemic. Their current brunch menu has both breakfast and lunch menu. Their bread is baked on the premise. Delicious! I had mimosa and tea as drink. Even the tea was soooo delicious. I couldn't stop drinking. I should have asked the tea brand. The ginger curry soup with squash was superb and beautifully presented. My main dish was omelet. They rely the flavor on very little salt. The vegetable was seasoned well with garlic. I enjoyed all the dishes. On top of that, the service was very friendly and attentive. Their china were all by Wedgewood - my favorite china brand. I had an amazing time. Our 2 hours went by so fast. This restaurant is definitely for special occasions and I would love to come back for my next special occasion again.

Nice formal restaurant next to the White House inside of the Hay Adams hotel. We have only been here for breakfast. While the portions could be a bit larger for the price, the quality of the food is good and the atmosphere and professionalism of the staff is what makes it worth eating here. The coffee is very good - it's a special blend that Starbucks makes for the hotel and cannot be purchased anywhere but in the hotel. The pastries are all made in house and very nice. They havve excellent almond croissants although they now add banana and Nutella as a filling. It is a higher end restaurant and it shows with the professionalism of the staff. When they are busy, you may need to flag down the waiter if you need something but it is better than them coming by and bothering you often. The house water is poured from Fuji bottles that sit next to each table. They also use fine china for the tableware. They even open the door for you when you enter the hotel. If you are looking for a nice meal in a nice establishment close to the White House, check out the Lafayette.

This review is for weekend breakfast -- note that they do a separate weekend brunch service starting later in the morning, which I haven't tried. The service here is really on another level. When first seated, our server told us that we could look at the menu as inspiration, but really they could do any breakfast we wanted -- any type of omelette with any reasonable ingredients, any type of pancakes, any type of breakfast sandwich, etc. The menu itself is very good, but it's really nice to be granted a wide birth right off the bat, and makes people feel more comfortable with off-menu ordering. The chef can really do a lot of things and make a lot of substitutions, so don't feel afraid to mix it up a bit. If you're paying $25 for a breakfast entree why not get what you want? Which brings me to my next point-- this is not a cheap breakfast. It's a high end restaurant, and they do a high-end breakfast. It's a great way to start the day, just understand what you're paying for and enjoy it. You'd think you wouldn't want to get scrambled eggs if you're at a 5 star hotel. Well, uhhh... you're wrong. You'll never have scrambled eggs like this anywhere else. Airy, savory, buttery. Same with the omelettes, poached eggs, etc. Sometimes it takes what we would normally think of as a simple dish for the chef's culinary technique to shine through. Bottom line: this is a great breakfast while staying at the hotel or as an occasional treat on a gorgeous weekend day if you're local.

Love the location and ambiance, the staff is friendly and great service. The food are very good, but the portion is not big. Overall, is a very good restaurant if you visit DC.

Not the ambiance I hoped for. The restaurant was just off the lobby. The clientele consisted of other couples celebrating an occasion or lone wealthy businessmen on travel. They sat us at a 4-top in the middle of the room. It was uncomfortably quiet, and I felt like I was in a library; everyone was almost whispering. I couldn't relax. The first hour was spent waiting for drinks and to put our order in. I noticed the lone businessmen got better attention and were brought drinks before us. The food was excellent. No complaints there. They never asked us if we were celebrating anything, and I was a little bummed our 5 yr wedding anniversary went unacknowledged. I left 2.5 hrs later feeling underwhelmed and a bit stiffed.

I came for an impromptu breakfast and enjoyed the eggs Benedict. It was delicious and delightful. The dish was nicely portioned, the poached eggs were perfectly cooked and English muffin was fresh and gently toasted. The wait staff were very attentive and amiable (Emmanuel was great). A pleasant restaurant at an optimal price. I would definitely come again.

The service was horrible. Came around 11:15 and there was ONE person in the entire place but she was talking it up with the host who ignored the three servers who notified him three times that me and my guests were waiting to be seated. Finally 10 minutes later, when someone comes up, they ask "do you have reservations?" Bruh, the entire restaurant is EMPTY. So I replied "No but I'm a hotel guest." Get seated and the bread basket comes around, I asked for two pieces because my guest had left his seat and didn't know which he would like. The server RUDELY SAID "NO you will not have two pieces only one." So I picked one for my friend. The lady at the next table said she ate there often and does not know why they started this stupid one piece of bread policy. Of all the things to be cheap, BREAD! This is supposed to in the best hotel (the hotel staff was more then professional and friendly), but the restaurant sucks rocks. Had soup, which would have been ten times better if it was hot, not luke warm. Then had the grilled romaine...what a joke. 1/8 of a head of lettuce, barely grilled, with cherry tomatoes and shaved carrots. Like zero thought. The gnats flying around the dining room raised questions of food safety. I'm sure other folks may have had better experiences but the RUDENESS of the staff and ONE PIECE OF BREAD stupidity makes this a horrible dining experience.

I came here for afternoon tea and had the TIME OF MY LIFE. Tea seating: 3pm Sat and Sun Cost $55, Cost with champs $75 I loved the room and the view, but also loved the tea. The sandwiches were good, scone wasn't great, and desserts were yummy. The staff was awesome and my favorite part is I didn't feel rushed... I just had tea at the Willard for Christmas and they never rushed me, but because there was a next seating- I was clearly pushed out. Love this one, highly recommend.