L'Annexe — Restaurant in Washington

Title: Disappointing Experience at L’Annexe Poor Service Overshadows Lovely Host

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆

My recent visit to [Bar Name] left much to be desired, overshadowing what could have been a pleasant evening. While the host was undoubtedly lovely, embodying hospitality in an otherwise lackluster environment, the overall experience was marred by three significant issues.

Firstly, the food quality was subpar, resulting in an unfortunate case of food poisoning and diarrhea. This incident was particularly alarming as it was the only meal consumed after lunch, indicating a direct correlation between the establishment and my subsequent illness.

Secondly, the manner in which ID verification was conducted by a staff member named Carolina Herrera was deeply unsettling. While I understand the importance of adhering to regulations, her approach was unnecessarily intimidating and condescending. The lack of respect exhibited towards patrons, including a friend without ID, was disheartening. Carolina's behavior reached a point where she openly questioned and humiliated our friend, casting a shadow over the entire dining experience.

The involvement of the Store Director only exacerbated the situation. Rather than addressing our concerns with empathy and professionalism, he responded with sarcasm and condescension. This dismissive attitude only served to escalate tensions, leaving us feeling unheard and disrespected.

Furthermore, it is worth noting that despite the establishment's aesthetically pleasing ambiance and delicious cocktails, the overall rating of 4.3 is misleading. Numerous reviews highlighting poor service underscore a systemic issue that extends beyond individual encounters.

In conclusion, while L’Annexe may boast a beautiful setting and enticing menu offerings, the pervasive lack of respect and professionalism exhibited by certain staff members tarnishes its reputation. As a patron, I had hoped for an enjoyable evening but left feeling disappointed and disheartened. It is my sincere hope that management takes steps to address these concerns and prioritize customer satisfaction...

BUYER BEWARE

My wife and I stopped in last night for a couple of drinks after a jazz show. My wife ordered a Syrah and I spoke to the bartender, J.P., about their rye selection.

I mentioned to the bartender that I preferred Rittenhouse Rye and that I was getting a Boulevardier and wanted something at 100 proof.

He said they have a limited rye selection and he offered me Old Pepper Straight Rye. He mixed it w Punt e Mes and of course, Campari. It was a good drink and I decided to have a second.

Got the bill and it was $30 per drink —- $28 for the rye and $2 for the other spirits. So, $60 for 2 Boulevardiers?

I asked the bartender what he would have given me if I asked for a “rail rye boulevardier” and he reiterated that “we don’t have a lot of ryes.” I then asked what Angels Envy costs —- $27.

So, Old Pepper, which “retails” for $50/bottle is $1 more than Angels Envy, which retails for $100/bottle. Make it make sense.

I told the bartender that I would have appreciated him telling me the price given it is $20 and the entire drink was $8 more than any drink in their menu. My comment was met with a shoulder shrug.

I said that I would expect to pay this amount at The Four Seasons, which we frequent, and he said that “inflation has really impacted prices.” To my wife’s point, this isn’t an airport. We go out at least once a week and I only drink overproof rye, so this classic defense falls flat.

This is my second time here, and I want to like this place, but won’t be back.

If a manager or owner reads this and wants to question the bartender, he honestly probably won’t remember much as he was himself drinking behind the bar the entire time we were there, much to the chagrin of his fellow female bartender. He was pretty blitzed...

A friend of mine made a reservation for a small group of us to grab drinks at 9:30pm on a Saturday. Coming from another event, I brought several more friends who wanted to grab a drink, thinking they’d likely be able to grab a drink at the bar without a reservation and my two groups of friends could meet each other. Well, I was wrong. At L’Annexe, you have to have a seat in order to be served, and if you don’t have a reservation, good luck finding a seat. When we arrived and were told this, I pointed to several seats around the bar area and said “we’ll just take those empty seats then,” not accepting no for an answer when I saw empty seats… It worked out, and my friends all found a seat after some turnover at the bar, but if they were to dare getting up to say hello to my friends 10 feet away at a table, they risked giving up their ability to stay in the bar at all and be served. Realizing my friends at the bar were handcuffed to the bar at that point, I invited my friends with the reservation to briefly come 10 steps away to meet my friends at the bar. When my friends with the reservation got up from the table, the staff swarmed us immediately asking if we were giving up the table, to which I responded “No, we’re coming back to this table, we’re literally walking 10 steps to the bar to say hello to another group of friends.” The whole thing was very awkward due to the pretentious and unwelcoming vibes of this place and terrible service. The only reason I’m giving a second star at all is because the cocktails were quite good, even if overpriced. Would I go back for the cocktails? Perhaps, under the right circumstances, but I won’t be raving about this place due to how uncomfortable they made not just one but two entire groups...