River Club DC — Restaurant in Washington

Lamb ragout Cavatelli- very nicely seasoned, the sauce, and lamb proportions to the house made noodles was excellent. Flavor was present. Not too spicy but clearly spiced with some hotter than average peppers. All flavor no pain. Textures perfect for the ingredients. Not too soft not crunchy perfect sauce and noodle dish.

Hazelnut chocolate mouse bar - this is the most upscale snickers bar I’ve ever tasted. It’s delicious but very decadent. I mean extremely indulgent. Absolutely delicious but also very, very sweet. After multiple bites I can say I regret nothing. The dessert is not as indulgent as I thought initially. Every bite feels like I am cheating on my diet but that feeling never lingers. I finished the whole thing.

The portion was excellent. A sensible person can have a healthy portion of leftovers. I, however, am not sensible. Finished the entire entrée but didn’t feel overly full or stuffed.

España old fashioned - it comes garnished with olives and black pepper, brace yourself, as an Oliver detractor I was skeptical to say the least. However I can certainly say I was wrong. The flavor was different than normal an old fashioned but not in a bad way. And not so drastically that it was unfamiliar. The sweetness was present but as if it came from a different direction, the other flavors didn’t overwhelm the drink but were very pronounced. This take on a classic made me want another.

“Lebanese” old fashioned - base buffalo trace, pomegranate molasses with Lebanese seven spice, angostura and orange bitters and a splash of Arak. The arak made me very curious so I tried a traditional arak drink.

Arak - with a splash of water to make the drink cloudy to the opacity of milk. The initial flavor is very licorice forward but none of the bad parts of it. Carlos did the traditional Arak presentation for me. I am absolutely wowed.

Absolutely delicious. Beginning to end.

I highly recommend the restaurant as a whole. Huge shoutout to Solomon for his insight and thoughtfulness in helping me with my order. I wanted to have the full experience and his suggestions really did that for me. Carlos set it over the top with the Arak...

River Club does not miss. I must admit I was a bit shocked considering it was their first week of service and normally that means “working out the kinks”. Let’s just say there was nothing that needed to be worked out.

It started with the service, our waiter, Nick, was outstanding. Complete comprehension of the menu and enthusiastic about sharing his perspective. Furthermore we had a gluten allergy at the table, he and the kitchen were able to modify almost anything and the attention to the allergy was on point.

Let’s talk food. The papas bravas were as good as any. The jamon iberico was melt in your mouth type, paired with some 8 month manchego. Whole fish loin skewers are making my mouth water as I write this damn review, and the smoked lamb belly skewers might be the best bite on the menu. The pasta limone was done right, with the perfect hint of lemon and noticeably fresh tagliatelle. Lastly, the Whole Green Circle Chicken. WOW. What in the world is green circle chicken?! Little did I know until our server explains, in my words it’s the a5 wagyu of chickens. Never in a thousand years would I normally order chicken, but one of the people in our party was sold and off we went. Thank the lord she bought in because I can’t say I’ve had restaurant chicken as good as that (granted I only ate the breast).

Ambiance is the last thing to cover and it did not disappoint. Kudos to whoever did the renovation because the space is exceptional. Decor and color palettes were fire. More importantly there was a noticeable buzz. We were a party of 4 on a Wednesday night. The restaurant was packed and service flowed smoothly. Only knock was we ended up being the last table left and they turned the lights up on us. Let us stay!

As with all restaurants, the biggest test will be if this place can remain consistent. I look forward to my second go round. Based on first impressions, from an experienced diner, this spot is one of the best...

I recently booked River Club DC for an intimate birthday celebration, and from the moment we walked in, it was clear we had made an excellent choice for a date-night setting. The warm, dim lighting beautifully complemented the coral-toned dining room and the elegant, elongated bar lining the opposite side. While the tables are fairly close together, it’s a common layout for DC and didn’t take away from the experience.

To start, we enjoyed the Caviar Pop and the Smoked Lamb Belly Arancini. The caviar pop was a playful bite—a thin, crispy pita chip topped generously with caviar, making for a fun and luxurious introduction to the meal. The arancini was especially memorable: an oversized, perfectly crisp sphere served on an elevated dish and showered in Pecorino. Inside, the ratio of rice to lamb was spot-on, delivering a rich, well-seasoned bite with just a hint of heat. It was both visually striking and full of flavor.

For entrées, we went with two of their signature offerings: the 14 oz. New York Strip Steak and the Gambas al Ajillo, along with a shared side of Oyster & Maitake Mushrooms. The steak stood out immediately—expertly cooked, beautifully seasoned, and absolutely satisfying. I’d highly recommend it. The gambas featured large prawns and arrived with an eye-catching presentation, but the flavor fell slightly short. The prawns had a faint grittiness that dulled the dish.

The mushroom side was boldly tangy—likely from the shatta—and very saucy, offering a bright contrast to the richness of the mains.

Service was friendly and attentive, and the music enhanced the overall vibe. The atmosphere at River Club is truly one of its standout qualities, with thoughtful touches like tableside cocktails and beautifully plated dishes elevating the experience. I’d absolutely return—especially for the steak—and the fish entrée we saw served nearby also...