Little Pearl — Restaurant in Washington

Update: Little Pearl reached out to me shortly after I posted my initial review to apologize for my experience and invited me back for a second chance. I'm happy to say my second dining experience with them was much better! I tried each of the two non-alcoholic cocktails offered (1 pear, 1 rhubarb). Both were delicious– light, refreshing, and not too sweet. We were served all of the offered dishes this time. All of them were lovely– not as greasy nor heavy as my first visit. Any heavier dishes were offset with the right amount of acidity. The course was good mix of lighter vs. heavier bites, and all with seasonal, well-sourced ingredients. It was a really fun tasting. I left feeling satisfied but not sluggish. If you are seated inside, it can get a little loud as seats begin to fill with echoing voices trying to talk over another, but that's not really in the staff's control. The service was on-point and really friendly. They take your dietary preferences/needs into consideration and check up on you just the right amount. I've already asked a friend to come back with me in the future. I send my thanks and gratitude to the staff at Little Pearl! :)

Previous review: I am a fan of Pineapple & Pearls and Rose's Luxury, so I was excited to give this spot a try for an anniversary dinner. We were very disappointed and will not return. No one was by the entryway when we arrived. The bar area looked really packed, so we stood awkwardly by the door until staff behind the bar invited us in and asked for the name on the reservation. They begin by serving champagne and cocktails from a small menu but no one in my party drinks alcohol so they had to create a mocktail on the fly, which was nice, but I am disappointed there wasn't already one on the menu. Plenty of people do not or cannot drink, so for a fancy/expensive place, I would expect them to be more prepared. They asked for my taste preferences on the mocktail and I said "anything light, fruity, herbal". The beverage I received wasn't bad, but it wasn't any of those things. It was too sweet and resembled dessert, with pandan, lime, and simple syrup. The first course is served during the opening drinks, but we didn't get to try it because they forgot about us. I didn't realize we were missed until I saw the full menu at the end of the night. I find this strange because, presumably, they would make the exact number of bites required for the reservations. They should've had two left to give.

We were seated outside on a very hot evening (85-90F) and they served us still water without ice, which we had to request ourselves later. The rest of the evening was followed by small plates with well-sourced ingredients, all of which tasted so-so. None were spectacular nor memorable. The dishes were all very heavy or greasy (with the exception of the scallop), and missing a much needed acid component. I honestly started to feel full after having half of my mocktail and the first dish: an olive grease cookie (and I can eat A LOT). Upon delivering each plate, a staff member would describe the dish, but some did so better than others. I found myself eavesdropping a different staff member at times to understand the ingredients better. The rest of the service performed fine – always clearing our flatware and plates at the right time, filling water when needed, and paid attention to dietary restrictions – for which I am grateful, but this is expected.

We left feeling loaded up on fat and unsatisfied. I think some people might enjoy what LP has to offer, but it wasn't for us and I cannot recommend it...

First thing first, the table arrangement at Little Pearl ruined my Cherry Blossom trip to DC.

My parents and I had a wonderful day trip for Cherry Blossom this Saturday, and selected LP as our last stop.

Once we were leading to our ‘table’, we found that we didn’t have a regular table, but had to share a long table with another group. The worse thing was, our seats (group of 3) were squeezed at the end of the long table, which had no enough space for 3 guests, therefore one seat had to be at the short side of the long table. (To be clear, if there were regular space for 3 guests, there should be 4 side to side seats and one will be empty, even sharing long table with other groups)

I then asked if we could have a regular table, because sharing and squeezing at the end of the long table was not what we expected for a Michelin Star restaurant. However, manager told me they were fully booked so that’s what it was. I asked her the reason the other group could have a regular table next to us, she told me because they had 4 guest and we only had 3, even we booked months ago.

I was very frustrated because I didn’t know how to explain to my parents (they don’t speak English, and we just went to CRANES at the noon and had a wonderful experience there) only we three had to sit in this terrible space but everyone else didn’t (I had had told them both lunch and dinner restaurants were Michelin One Star restaurants). In addition, they walked a long distance in the afternoon, and it’s embarrassed to take my tired and hungry parents to leave the restaurant we booked months ago and tried to find another one. So we stayed.

After about 5 minutes, the manager told me they could move us to another table, but we need to leave in 1 hour and 45 minutes… Usually I would reject it but I didn’t want my parents had to eat carefully to squeeze some space for me, who sit at the end of the long table. So I told the manager, because they had the tasting menu, as long as the waiter and chef could make it on time, we could do it, and she told us they could, so we moved.

To be honest, the tasting menu and cocktail matched our expectations, especially Japanese cocktail, Angel Egg, Steak Tatar, and Beef and Brassica.

If everything went well, we should have a not perfect but still good experience. But, LOL, because there were another 2 guests sitting next to us were started the same time with us, the waiter didn’t rush the steps, so we were provided the check about 10 mins after 1 hour and 45 minutes.

And right after I signed the tips, the manager came and urged us to leave …. The last thing you would expect in a fine dining restaurant was asked to leave, especially we were fully cooperated with the dish speed. At least should give your guests two minutes to wrap up…

I almost changed the tips but held myself, because tips were paid to the waiter, who worked hard and well, even though our mood was screwed.

Btw, each guest received a special drink as goodbye gift, the guests sitting next to us received the big bottle of the drink and we only had the small one. I don’t know Little Pearl treats guests differently even on the gift, or it’s depending on the manager.

So I have my review point as below:

Food and Drink: 4.5 Table Service and Environment: 4 Management: ZERO

Overview: 2

I want to honestly record my personal experience and provide reference for...

Little Pearl isn't so tiny in heart. When Aaron Silverman of Rose's Luxury and Pineapple and Pearl fame announced he was opening a coffee shop on Capitol Hill, a few things were stacked up against him: 1) He was taking over the space of a beloved Hill restaurant, Bayou, 2) The space is a historic building coming with limitations on design and function, 3) It's off of Barracks Row on the property of a community center with low traffic, and 4) One can argue the DC coffee scene is saturated. Well, Aaron and his team are fighters and Little Pearl overcame every obstacle to create a world-class coffee shop/wine bar. Here's why it's THE place to visit near Barracks Row:

1. Quality coffee and food: For a coffee shop, they have a large and diverse menu from the coffee shop regulars like a latte and a mocha. Then they have a few stand out items like pretzel gelato or caffeinated cocktails. In addition, they have sandwiches that are a full menu and if you're in search for the BEST FRIED CHICKEN SANDWICH IN THE DMV AREA, look no further. It's on its way to win awards!

2. The price: Little Pearl is classy. There's no questioning it. Because of that, you'd assume prices would be steep, but they are not. My decently sized latte was only $4 (a bit more with the preset 18% tip their checkout system added to it- you can change, but don't. They deserve a 50% tip). Maketto down the road on H Street NE charges much more than that for a latte and it's on par to this one (okay, Little Pearl's is better).

3. The atmosphere: It's in a historic cottage house with a Charleston design and charm. The brick flooring is something they couldn't change being a historic building, but it works with their brick white washed walls and marble bars. It's simple, yet regal. Even the two condiment areas are simple and classy. There's one side room with tables and one back glass enclosed patio area. When it's warm, they have plenty of outdoor seating.

4. The staff: With quality food and a name like Aaron Silverman behind it, Little Pearl has every right to own their success and be arrogant, but they are not. Each staff member is helpful, warm, and concerned for each customer. I met Casey, who I assume if the lead manager, and she is a great person.

5. The personality: When you least expect it, they mold a bit of humor into their brand. If you use the bathroom closest to the bar area, you'll see a Andy Warhol inspired painting of bananas on the wall. It works with the simple design inside the bathroom and it's not cheesy at all. It's subtly hilarious and it works.

When you step inside and experience Little Pearl for a minute, you can't help but give them a standing ovation for overcoming the obstacles, winning the hearts of Capitol Hill, and doing it with such grace and class. Little Pearl, you are a neighbor welcome to stay...forever. I raise my...