Le DeSales — Restaurant in Washington

After reading all the good reviews, I reserved a table for two for my husband's 50th birthday. Our experience was so terrible that it's laughable! There were three people at our dinner, my husband, myself, and the waiter. While a nice man, he had no boundaries and often lingered and shared stories even while we were eating. After being seated, he stood over us until we ordered our drinks. I appreciate the suggestions he made, but we would have liked to read the drink menu without someone lurking and pressuring us to order immediately. From then on, we were constantly interrupted mid-conversation by our primary waiter, other waiters, and the manager. 15 minutes after arrival, our drinks had arrived, our apps were finished and we'd told three different people we weren't ready to order our main course yet. It was so rushed! We were frustrated and my husband stopped making eye contact because he thought it would help the staff take a hint that we didn't want to be disturbed every 3-5 minutes. Our waiter actually said to him, "Sir, look at me and blink three times if you're in danger." What the actual...???

For apps, the squash blossom tempura was delicious, very delicate, and light. My husband's French onion soup lacked a depth of flavor...the color was more like chicken broth and the onions weren't caramelized. I ordered the whole branzino after a different waiter suggested it. I shared my concern about knowing how to eat it and he said the meat just peels away from the spine. He said there were no extra bones like you'd find in salmon and that the chef recommends the broccolini on the side. When it came, I must not have done something right because I was constantly picking bones from my mouth. I thought maybe they'd give me a fish knife but it was just the regular knife left from my appetizer. The charred broccolini tasted like a cigarette and had no ricotta-it was inedible. My husband ordered the ribeye and gratin de macaroni. We were surprised that the ribeye came out sliced, but he said it was fine. His side was missing so he waited about 8 minutes for it - but the macaroni and cheese had a fantastic sauce and the mushrooms and bacon gave it great flavor. I asked for the broccolini to be removed from our bill, the fish was on me since I ordered it knowing a whole fish has bones.

So, that should be enough, right? No! I went to use the restroom. Like many restaurants, it's in the back opposite the kitchen. Wearing open-toed booties, when I approached the restroom/kitchen area, my feet splashed in water. One of the bathrooms had water flowing out and no one had noticed. I immediately told an employee and then told the manager. They said it was a sink left on so the water was clean but was the final nail in the coffin.

The manager ended up taking off 30% of our bill, our waiter told us that he pressured him into doing that. We had a great visit to DC, but an unbelievably bad experience at Le DeSales. I couldn't recommend...

So, I was in DC for a couple of days to hang out, see some stuff and meet up with a friend during the middle of March 2023. Unfortunately, it was a little on the cold and windy side but that did not ruin the whole trip.

For dinner on my first night, after a long day at a museum, I decided to try Le DeSales on DeSales Street. Despite having stayed at the hotel directly across the street at least four times in the past, I had never been to Le DeSales. I did not make a reservation because it was a Monday evening at about 5:15P when I arrived at the restaurant. The bar area looked pretty busy but I wanted a table. I was seated immediately. My server was there immediately to bring me water and get my drink order. I chose one of their specialty cocktails, Asian Pear Sangria. I love sangria since my first glass while in college. I have consumed sangria in many restaurants in the U.S. and even in Spain. This was different and very good. Instead of just chunks of fruit, it actually had pear puree mixed into the drink, giving it a different texture.

For dinner, I ordered the Pasture Raised Chicken that is roasted with a tarragon, mushrooms and poulette sauce. I chose French fries instead of a side like wild rice or roasted cauliflower or charred broccolini. My meal arrived pretty quickly. I was impressed with my selection. The chicken was perfectly roasted so not dry and well-cooked. The poulette sauce and tarragon was not overpowering and only added to the flavor of the chicken.

For dessert, there were only two options—a little disappointing. I chose the chocolate tarte with a scoop of vanilla ice on top because I can rarely go more than twenty-four hours without chocolate. The tarte had a graham cracker crust. The ice cream was either house-made or from a good dairy/ice cream maker. The tarte was also very good.

The atmosphere was very nice. My server was very attentive, making sure that I was taken care of. Dinner for one, that included a drink, dinner, dessert and tea was a reasonable $59 for D.C. Food was very good, as was the service. I would eat there again and I would...

Le Desales is a must-visit for anyone looking for an exceptional dining experience in DC. From the delicious food to the expertly crafted cocktails, every aspect of this restaurant is top-notch.

First and foremost, the food is outstanding. The menu offers a wide range of options, from classic French dishes to more modern, innovative fare, and even sushi. Every dish is beautifully presented and bursting with flavor, and the ingredients are clearly of the highest quality. Highlights include the tender and juicy New York Strip, the branzino, and the mouthwatering salmon. The dessert options are also not to be missed, with the heavenly chocolate mousse being a standout.

In addition to the food, the drinks are also exceptional. The bar offers a wide range of expertly crafted cocktails, as well as an impressive selection of wines and beers. The bartenders are knowledgeable and skilled, and can make recommendations based on your preferences.

The atmosphere of the restaurant is also a highlight. It's elegant and sophisticated, with soft lighting and comfortable seating that makes you feel like you're in a chic Parisian bistro. The service is also outstanding, with attentive and friendly waitstaff who are happy to accommodate any dietary restrictions or preferences.

I highly recommend Le Desales to anyone looking for an exceptional dining experience in DC. The food is outstanding, the drinks are delicious, and the atmosphere is sophisticated. Whether you are trying to impress a date or colleagues or just looking for a great meal, this restaurant is...