Jônt — Restaurant in Washington

We were greeted by name, which was pleasantly surprising. After being shown to our seats we were started off with a glass of Champagne as part of the wine pairing. Then things started to go downhill……..

The first course consisted of five different amuse bouche. The Kaluga caviar was the only memorable one. I am amazed at the level of skill it must take to make chutoro (fatty tuna) or foie gras taste so lifeless.

The main courses included fantastic ingredients such as Uni, Live Scallop, Dry Aged Pork Ribeye, A5 Wagyu and great sounding vegetable and starch dishes such as Pink Pineapple and Sungold Tomato Gelé.

The best dish we ate was the “off menu” butterfish. Very good. The Tomato Gelé with raspberries and herbs was good, although a little heavy on the vinegar. These were the only two dishes worthy of commendation.

The A5 Wagyu was chewy and flavorless. The most disappointing. One of the Chefs brought a plate filled with beautiful scallops before they were cooked, a glimpse of the treat to come later in the meal. Touted as being cooked directly on coals. They delivered in that respect. They tasted like they had been sprinkled with coal dust. It was sadly overcooked and chewy. The sauce was flavorless. The Koshiibuki Rice with King Crab and Black Truffle was so lifeless, I was reminded of the scene from “The Hangover, part two” where the bride’s father likened Stu to a rice dish made of overcooked rice softened with water called khao, which is served to toothless old people. It was unseasoned mush with no flavor.

The remaining dishes melted into the “completely unremarkable” category of tasteless, soulless, void. All the dishes lacked passion. All lacked depth of flavor. All lacked texture. No crunch, or spice, or aroma, or any thing that tantalized the senses. No communication between the Chefs. I never heard (or saw) anyone talk to anyone else. Only practiced, workmanlike drudgery of doing the same thing in unison time after time. Chef Ryan was not there and it was impossible to tell who oversaw the brigade. The entire team, both front and back of house were very young. Not necessarily a bad thing. Young hungry passionate, skilled people are the driving force of any good restaurant, but the lack of experience and passion at Jônt is very evident.

Front of house. The same “overly practiced” routine was also very evident here. Like robots performing their duties. Although they never let my water glass go empty, and when returning from the bathroom, there was a fresh pressed napkin awaiting you.

The wine pairing was okay with the flavorless food. The only tequila on the menu was Don Julio 1942. I asked for Patron on the rocks with a couple wedges of lime, only to be informed they could not offer me Patron in the Jônt dining room (though it was stocked at the bar). I ordered a martini. A brass tray was brought with the tools and ingredients to make my Martini tableside. He had been trained how to make this martini, but obviously did not understand the whys as to the method. After pouring the Martini, he twisted a slice of lemon peel over the drink and rubbed it around the rim of the glass. The problem was his technique. The server came and performed the same Martini ceremony for my wife, only this time I asked for the slice of lemon peel which I twisted over my wife’s drink releasing the spritz of lemon oils and rubbed those oils on the rim of her glass. Needless to say her drink tasted better than mine.

We left the restaurant hungry. Next door is a wood fired pizzeria named Lupo. We ordered a bottle of Prosecco and a specialty pizza with Mortadella, Burrata and Pistachios. DELICIOUS!

Ultimately my conclusion is simple. If you have two grand you’d like to spend on dinner with your wife, you’d be better off going literally anywhere else. There are so many good Michelin starred restaurants in the D.C. area.

They must be very fearful of the next Michelin inspector’s visit as they will surely lose their two-star rating. Truthfully it doesn’t deserve One star, or even a mention in the...

Anniversary Dinner Review – Overall Rating: 3.5 to 4 out of 5

My husband and I dined here to celebrate our anniversary, and overall, it was a very enjoyable and memorable experience.

Food: The food was very good and well-executed. However, for a two-star Michelin restaurant, I was expecting to be consistently wowed throughout the meal. While each course was well-prepared, only a few truly stood out as exceptional.

Drink Pairings & Upgrades: We selected one alcoholic and one non-alcoholic beverage pairing. My husband found the alcoholic pairing underwhelming and drank mainly due to the price commitment. In contrast, the non-alcoholic pairing was a highlight of the evening. Joe, who curated many of the drinks, was outstanding—several of the beverages he personally created were incredibly inventive and flavorful. His presence and expertise significantly elevated the experience. I genuinely wish some of those drinks were available to take home.

We also upgraded to include the wagyu and king crab. The wagyu was a generous and satisfying portion, while the king crab portion felt quite limited considering the cost.

Dessert: Desserts were creative and fun. The sour cream ice cream was especially memorable, and the dessert box added a whimsical touch to the end of the meal. Although not every dessert matched my personal preferences, the variety clearly catered to a range of tastes. One small suggestion: I would have appreciated more dessert drinks included in the non-alcoholic pairing—I only received one chai-based beverage.

Atmosphere: The environment was casual yet refined, with '90s hip hop playing in the background—something I personally enjoyed. The volume allowed for easy conversation, and the overall vibe was relaxed and welcoming. Joe answered all of my questions with thoughtfulness, and the service felt warm and attentive. The kitchen appeared calm and well-coordinated, and the other guests were respectful.

The one major drawback was the seating. The chairs were extremely uncomfortable, especially for the length of the dining experience. By the end of the evening, both my husband and I were physically uncomfortable, which detracted somewhat from the overall enjoyment.

Final Thoughts: Our total came to $1,688.28, which included upgrades and pairings. While several aspects of the evening were excellent—particularly the non-alcoholic beverage experience and the warm, attentive service—I expected more from a two-star Michelin establishment at this price point. I’ve had equally or more impressive meals at fine dining restaurants without Michelin stars and at a lower cost.

That said, the thoughtful touch of a small take-home package, including a delicious matcha latte, was a lovely way to end the evening and left a...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at the prestigious two-Michelin stars Jont restaurant in Washington D.C., and I must say, it was an absolutely incredible experience. I chose this restaurant to celebrate my wife's birthday, and it turned out to be the perfect choice for such a special occasion.

From the moment we stepped into the restaurant, we were greeted with warmth and elegance. The ambiance was sophisticated yet inviting, creating an intimate atmosphere that set the stage for an unforgettable evening. The attention to detail in every aspect of the restaurant was evident, from the carefully chosen decor to the impeccable service provided by the attentive staff.

One of the highlights of our evening was the opportunity to witness the culinary magic happening at the open kitchen. We were seated at a table that offered a front-row view of the talented chefs in action. It was mesmerizing to watch their skillful hands as they crafted each dish with precision and creativity. This added an extra layer of excitement and anticipation to our dining experience.

The tasting menu at Jont was an absolute masterpiece. Each course was a work of art, beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. The chef's expertise and culinary imagination were evident in every bite. From the delicate appetizers to the succulent meat dishes, all with an incredible Asian inspiration, every ingredient was thoughtfully sourced and expertly prepared. The menu showcased a perfect balance of flavors, textures, and aromas, leaving us in awe of the culinary prowess on display.

As we moved from the open kitchen to the intimate dessert courses space, the atmosphere shifted to a more intimate setting. The soft lighting and cozy seating created a romantic ambiance that was ideal for celebrating my wife's birthday. The dessert courses were nothing short of divine. Each sweet creation was a harmonious blend of flavors and textures, showcasing the pastry chef's incredible talent. It was a fitting end to an exceptional culinary journey.

Throughout the evening, the service at Jont was impeccable. The staff was knowledgeable, attentive, and genuinely passionate about their craft. They guided us through the menu, explaining each dish in detail and offering thoughtful recommendations. Their warm and friendly demeanor made us feel welcome and well taken care of, further enhancing our dining experience.

I highly recommend Jont to anyone seeking an extraordinary gastronomic journey in Washington D.C. It truly deserves not two … but Three Michelin stars and is a testament to the dedication and passion of the entire team behind this remarkable...