1789 Restaurant & Bar — Restaurant in Washington

Georgetown, if only you weren't so difficult to get to. Despite having lived in DC for over a year, my husband and I had only visited once (and it was a whole summer ago!). We knew we had to return for our last date night in the city and end on the most amazing meal one can find - 1789 was the perfect choice.

The restaurant/dining room was tastefully kept/decorated and beyond gorgeous. husband and I were welcomed by their customized menu (appropriately titled "Happy Anniversary") and best table in the house. Almost every table was celebrating some type of special occasions and every one was dressed in his/her finest, fancy suit/gown. The clienteles were definitely a bit older than my husband and me - nevertheless we didn't feel treated any differently.

Best kept secret: While most restaurants in DC are preparing for another round of restaurant week, 1789 is currently offering a summer special (Not listed on the menu or mentioned by our server) - $48 for three courses (any item off the menu - surcharge for rack of lamb). The options were endless. All descriptions were drool inducing. By simply tasting their complimentary house made bread basket, we knew we couldn't go wrong with any item off the menu.

Squid ink pasta, red snapper, berries and cream - I was pleasantly surprised by the generous serving of my first course. I'm a big eater but was already full from the pasta alone (maybe I went too hard on the bread). This bowl of pasta was pure perfection - every component was beyond lick the bowl worthy. Not only was the fish beautifully pan seared and cooked, it was genius-ly paired with smokey bacon and fresh steamed clams - every bite was a pure bliss moment of its own. Berries and cream was a deconstructed version of lemon ricotta cheesecake. Light and zesty - the perfect ending treat.

Pork belly + octopus, Icelandic cod, almond cream brûlée - my husband ate every bits of his three courses... and he claimed that he wasn't hungry coming in. He wanted me to make sure to let everyone know that his cream brûlée was the best dessert he's had to date. 30 years of desserts - 1789's wins.

Overall - the finest food, the finest service - Would be more than happy to return even without the...

Disappointed with the Food, but Exceptional Hospitality and Atmosphere

I visited 1789 Restaurant to celebrate a friend’s birthday, and while the staff provided exceptional hospitality and the ambiance was warm and inviting, the food was a letdown—especially for the high price point.

The restaurant is set in an old Georgetown home with a cozy fireplace, creating a wonderful atmosphere. The staff were warm, friendly, and attentive throughout the evening, making my friend feel special with a complimentary dessert featuring a lit candle. However, the dessert itself consisted of two small pineapple-flavored gelatin pieces—not the celebratory touch I expected.

As for the food, the experience left much to be desired. The bread service was unremarkable, offering warmed wheat bread and slices of aged French baguette. I started with the Bluefin Tuna Crudo, which was flavorful but lacked the freshness I’ve experienced elsewhere, like at Semolina in New Jersey.

Next, the New Bedford Scallops appetizer was passable but didn’t stand out in any way. Unfortunately, the Rockfish Basquaise entrée was a major disappointment. Both my dish and my guest’s had a fishy taste, suggesting poor quality or improper storage. Instead of the subtle sweetness rockfish is known for, the flavor reminded me of cod liver oil—an unpleasant aftertaste that lingered.

While the service and ambiance were outstanding, the unimaginative and underwhelming dishes did not justify the cost. I may give 1789 another chance in the future but will definitely steer clear of their fish dishes. For now, I can’t recommend it for those seeking a memorable...

We went for our anniversary and overall were impressed. The staff was excellent. Very attentive, listened to requests, gave us a card and special menus with Happy Anniversary written on it. We ordered a cheese plate which was by far the best I've ever had! We also ordered cocktails which were made wonderfully classic. I ordered the halibut and my husband the New York strip. I loved the halibut but I only ranked the restaurant 4 stars due to the New York strip. Let's just say it was an interesting take on it. When you see steak and potatoes on a menu, you expect steak and potatoes. The steak was pretty small, and was a strange consistency, almost spongy. I'm not sure if it was due to the cooking method (sous vide?) or if it was put through a tenderizer but it was strange! Also the "potatoes" were a tiny heap of finely grated somewhat raw potatoes. Reminded me of hash browns that have been partially blanched. Anyway, the steak wasn't bad, but just completely unexpected. I think that it's partially the servers responsibility to describe a dish that is different than perceived. I have served in fine dining for over 4 years and I have always made sure to describe to guests when there were any dishes that might "surprise" them. Overall we had a wonderful...