Hank’s Oyster Bar, Dupont Circle — Restaurant in Washington

I normally leave positive reviews because I want to celebrate the places that make me happy. I can't remember the last time a place rose to a level of incompetence that I not only wanted to write a negative review but also remembered to write that review two months after the experience.

That said, Hanks Oyster Bar was a negative experience from the moment we walked in the door. It was my birthday, which doesn't really matter given that no one else should or would ever have a reason to care. It was, however, reason enough to make a reservation and to call and request an outdoor table. A request that was seemingly taken seriously and duly noted by the person on the phone. I'm starting to think it may have been a mischievous guest.

When we arrived there was no host, we stood there for the better part of 5 minutes and when one arrived on the scene I became convinced that not only did we not have a reservation but that this person may not actually fully comprehend what a reservation is, the purpose of one or what they would do in the event that one was made.

With that said we were finally seated in rather tight quarters at a lowtop 2 seat table. I only mention tight quarters because it's the first restaurant/seating area I've been in 'post' Covid that I would have been mildly uncomfortable in pre-Covid.

At this point a bubbly but distracted man said hello and that he'd be right with us whereupon he commenced to disappear for the better part of 20 minutes. I've worked in multiple restaurants bartending and waiting, I have had to take an emergency #2, I have dipped out for a cigarette, once I even got busy in the cooler, good memories. With that said I have never in my life been gone for more than 10 without getting someone to cover my table. And when I say he disappeared he wasn't serving other tables, or bussing, he was just gone. When he did return he took our drink order and then disappeared (completely) for another 15-20. When our drinks got to us they'd clearly had ample opportunity to warm up sitting on the bar. Leading me to believe that the bartender, at least, understood the nature of their engagement.

We took this opportunity to get the check, leave and find dinner elsewhere. No explanation or apology was given, no consideration or wait time was offered for our outdoor seating, no intelligence (emotional or otherwise) was displayed by anyone we encountered during our hour long stay in Hanks. I don't even say that to be mean, just to say that you might want to consider having a conversation with your wait staff about the definitions of customer service, host, waiter/waitress and why restaurants exist.

Anyway my birthday was in April and I was driving this afternoon and thought it would be nice to have oysters tonight and then I was irritated again and remembered I never reviewed your restaurant.

The beatings will continue til morale improves may be a good place to start changing your...

I recently dined at this restaurant and had mixed feelings about the experience. On the positive side, the food was absolutely excellent—flavorful, well-presented, and clearly made with care. The location was beautiful, and with the perfect weather that day, the overall setting was truly enjoyable.

However, the service left a lot to be desired. When I asked a staff member who seemed to be the bartender for a glass of wine, she responded in a surprisingly rude and dismissive way, telling me to speak to my waiter or waitress instead. It felt unnecessarily arrogant and unhelpful, especially coming from someone working there.

To be fair, our waiter was polite and seemed like he was doing his best, but it was clear he was under pressure. He checked in every 10 minutes with a rushed “Is everything okay?” and didn’t have time to actually engage with us. It felt more like he was following orders than offering genuine hospitality. For a bill that totaled $266, I expected a more relaxed and attentive dining experience. If you guys are in such a hurry, maybe consider opening a food truck instead at least then the rushed pace would make sense.

It’s a shame because the food, ambiance, and weather made for what could have been a perfect meal. If the management gave their staff more time and support to focus on guests, this place could easily become a favorite. But as it stands, I left feeling brushed off, and that made the whole experience fall short of...

I've been going to Hanks for more than 10 years whenever in DC and have recommended it to many over the years. Well thats all over. They now do a 5% service charge. Don't tell you about it, then present a tip option starting at 20% and going up from there. So if you choose the 20% option, you are actually tipping 25%, without realizing it. I was there twice this week. Realized this after the first time, and when I asked our server if tip was included the second time, she said "no". I said what about the 5%. She said, oh ya, that's there. Dodgey!! and Not Transparent. THis server was not good by the way. Very slow service, didn't check on our party of 8 frequently and when I had to return a G&T because the tonic was dead flat, the replacement she brought me also had the same dead flat tonic. Despite the poor service, I still tipped 12% PLUS the 5% automatically taken for a total of 17%, again on bad service. Well that wasn't good enough for our server, who made a point of coming back to our table of 8 and complaining to me that the tip wasn't big enough. Wow!! Talk about completely ruining a restaruant I've been a patron of for 10 years, as well as for the seven others, whom had never been and now will never go back and will tell everyone they now about this brutal behaviour. Good luck Hank's, but I feel your end is near. You must be noticing more empty tables with each...