The final stop on our adventures was a mediocre establishment in Georgetown. My top-tier chum who literally went to the school of hospitality and I both wanted to see this section of the DC metro area and I personally had been advocating aggressively for a quick peek at the Exorcist Steps (which I got to see but even I can't quite figure out how to write a lengthy review for stairs). This restaurant was about a 10-minute walk from there, which honestly felt longer because it was the Tuesday morning after the Inauguration and still hanging out in the single digits. But we carried on, as we do.
The building 1310 was in was pretty cool - it's in the same location as the Georgetown Inn, which I imagine a lot of bougie college parents end up staying at when they visit their kids nearby. You can access the restaurant directly from the street, but to use the facilities requires a quick trip through the Inn's lobby, which as bathroom walks go was pleasant. We visited in the late morning/early afternoon, which was prime brunch time. Maybe because it was a Tuesday and officially no longer part of even a long holiday weekend, it was pretty empty during our visit.
I'm willing to bet that this just isn't the time to go (weekday brunch), because 1310 has a really good reputation but I just didn't see it during our visit. I don't think the cream of the crop was on the clock and unfortunately it showed, particularly from the service side. Beyond the fact that it was very slow and we had to aggressively locate/hail down our waiter multiple times - and weren't even in a rush - the biggest issue for me occurred when we were ordering. My chum doesn't eat pork and asked if one of the items on the brunch menu (I think it was an omelet) had that ingredient in it. The waiter said no, but you could tell from his demeanor that he wasn't sure, so she asked again. This time he stuttered nervously and said he would check in the kitchen. That's a huge miss in my book - the pork was a dietary preference but I don't even think that matters. There are plenty of reasons why people don't eat certain items and if you can't trust the waitstaff to know the menu and more importantly convey it to you? Huge problem. What if it had been an allergy? Also, a pretty wild aside - I saw a nearby customer walking around the bar area looking for assistance, only to be stopped by the person she'd just been talking to, who had to clarify SHE was the person to ask. The customer assumed they'd been communicating with a fellow patron, not a staff member. I'm not sure I've ever seen that before.
I ended up getting the avocado toast with a side of bacon, which was fine. The bacon was on the dry side and in hindsight I would have just gotten the toast and foraged for something savory on our walk afterwards. (And in 1310's defense, the last bacon I had was literally hanging off a clothesline that I had to cut down with scissors - everything after that was going to be a letdown.) The taste of the toast was good and unique; the inclusion of the pomegranate seeds was definitely an interesting touch. I think the texture was a little too crunchy but that's just my personal palate coming out to play.
This wasn't a bad experience but it wasn't memorable and there unfortunately weren't many positives to it. It's unlikely I'd come back if I were in the area; there are so many other options to sample. But regardless, I would avoid coming back for sure during this time...
Read moreI recently had brunch at a trendy kitchen and bar in Georgetown and it was a mixed experience overall.
The food was decent, though nothing particularly stood out. The menu offered a variety of options, but the dishes lacked the flair you'd expect given the high prices. While everything was cooked well and presented nicely, the flavors were fairly standard and didn't justify the premium cost.
Mimosas were a significant disappointment. Despite being extremely expensive, the quality was mediocre at best. They were served with the usual fanfare, but the taste didn't live up to the price tag, making them a poor value for money.
One of the highlights of the brunch was the service. The staff were attentive, friendly, and efficient. Our orders were taken promptly, and the food arrived quickly. The exceptional service certainly elevated the dining experience and made us feel well taken care of.
The vibe of the place was another strong point. The atmosphere was mellow and classy, providing a perfect setting for a relaxed brunch. The decor was stylish, and the overall ambiance was very inviting. The restaurant was also impeccably clean, including the restrooms, which were well-maintained and spotless.
Situated in Georgetown, the restaurant offered lovely street views and a charming city feel. Dining by the large windows gave us a chance to enjoy the vibrant neighborhood and added to the pleasant dining experience.
Overall: While the food and drinks didn't fully live up to expectations given the high prices, the exceptional service and delightful ambiance made for an enjoyable brunch outing. If you're looking for a chic spot with great service and a pleasant atmosphere, this place fits the bill, but be prepared for the cost not entirely matching the...
Read moreMy family stayed at the Georgetown in, where this restaurant is located and decided to meet a friend for Brunch.
The positives Staff was friendly and prompt Clean and orderly lowkey decor was fine (if not exceptional or interesting in any real way
The Negatives I'm bummed to say, brunch on a Sunday was just meh. I had the stuffed french toast, which for the price was only 2, rather anemic slices and did not include a side as part of the price (which wasn't cheap). The bread was very soggy and did not hold up well to the filling inside. It wasn't BAD, but it was just "meh". The bacon I ordered as a side was thick cut, which is fine as I often prefer that but I found it overcooked (slightly burnt) with several small bits so hard/over-cooked that they were in-edible. I suspect this was because the bacon was mass cooked once in the oven, then re-heated again for too long, resulting in a tough meal. The hot chocolate was fine, though the whipped creme was stingy and had mostly melted by the time we were served.
This place isn't bad. You'll eat a meal and be fine. It's just not GOOD. In a tourist area with so much stiff competition they'll really have to up their game. I did not eat dinner there so I'm interested to see if that is a...
Read more