Cynthia Bar and Bistro — Restaurant in Washington

We were visiting DC for a special occasion coming from Colorado. I made reservations based on the restaurant's website and good ratings. We were disappointed to see that the menu was significantly abbreviated from the menu on the website, with very few selections and only 2 mains available. The space is beautiful and the atmosphere was very nice, so we were surprised that the quality of the service and food that we received just didn't live up to our expectations. We were a group of three, but ended up only ordering one two appetizers and one main due to the very limited menu. The brussel spouts were very well prepared and we did really enjoy them. We also ordered the $32 charcuterie board, which we found lacking and ordinary. The server could not tell us what was on the board. I also ordered the chicken parm, which was so bland and uninspired that it could have been safe for a children's menu. The tomato sauce had no seasoning and was more like a watered down can of tomato soup. I really can't see how a chef would put that dish out. It was almost flavorless and honestly the worst chicken parm I've ever eaten. My other guest didn't bother ordering mains because of the lack of selections. Not at all what we were expecting after viewing the online menu and images that looked amazing. Overall, we found the evening disappointing and overpriced for the quality of the food we were served. That chicken parm was memorable for all the wrong reasons. Either update your website or get a...

This restaurant is outstanding. On my first visit, a group of 5 of us went for the tasting menu. I Iove the ambience of the restaurant and the "nook" that they seat slightly larger parties in is especially charming. Service was outstanding throughout - attentive, friendly, multiple food runners for each course so we were all served together, wines poured in advance of each course - and every dish was very good to amazing.

Highlights from the omnivore menu were the crudo and the short rib bourguignon. They were also happy to make a substitution since I don't eat lamb, which I was really impressed with, and the sweet potato gnocchi they subbed was definitely another highlight.

I didn't do the wine pairings, but a few friends did and they have a really unique selection of VA wines that aren't always from well known producers. I was able to buy a glass of the Stinson meritage, which I highly recommend.

On a second visit, I had a drink and a bite at the bar. The mushroom tartlette was delicious, although not served particularly warm. Mika, one of the owners went above and beyond to make sure we enjoyed our wines as well (she also went above and beyond to save a piece of jewelry I had left behind on my first visit).

If I lived closer (and had more discretionary funds) I would be a...

What a delightful restaurant. We went there the first day they opened and were impressed by the service, food, and wine. They do a seasonal tasting menu with optional wine pairings - either Virginia wines or global wines. The real stand out for us on the tasting menu was the beef bourguignon, which had a rich, complex flavor and little sweet carrots to balance it out. But everything was good (great, even). I think I preferred the Virginia wine tasting menu over the global one only because it was fun to learn about wines relatively close to DC.

My only complaints were that one dish was left off of our tasting menu without anyone mentioning it to us and service was a bit slow - we were there for about 2.5 hours for dinner (which is fine - I just wish the food had come out faster). But considering it was their very first day neither of those things are a big deal. My other complaint, probably not a complaint for most, is that I would have been happier with one less glass of wine. For me it was so much wine that I couldn't finish all of the tasting glasses. So if you do the pairing prepare to not drive home! Overall we loved this restaurant and think it's a great addition...