5 star food and service. Tremendous dinner. Starters including oysters and potato leek soup were exceptional. The entrees were delicious. The scallops with the andouille marmalade were perfect, soft, tender, melt in your mouth goodness. Not surprisingly, given the name of the restaurant, the duck was cooked perfectly with a crispy fried coat and juicy on the inside. Really nice staff, service, ambiance. Good wine and drink list. Highly recommend. Also had breakfast their and it was equally lovely. read more

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My husband and I stayed at the Park Hyatt DC for a minimoon. We only tried lunch and breakfast at this spot and it was a strange experience. I think they rotate the staff a lot here. One of the mornings we ate here, one host was being aggressive to a server about the seating map. It was an awkward interaction to witness right before being seated. The food itself is fine, but the price is absurd for what you are ordering. I got a charred caesar salad with chicken on the side for $50 for takeout lunch. We tried the almond granola parfait and harvest grain porridge which were ok. One morning I didn't have much of an appetite so just got eggs and had two separate servers ask me why I didn't finish them and if I didn't like the eggs. The outside seating looked nice, but we were only offered indoor seating during our stay which was fine. It seems like they are a better spot for dinner. It feels a bit like an underground restaurant with the indoor seating for two. Our servers were kind and the food was ok. read more

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I dined here last Saturday night, and our server (I forgot his name, unfortunately) was great. We were offered to sit at the glass booths on the left side of the bar, which I was a little skeptical at first (the hostess was very nice and understanding and let us view the booth first, before deciding), but it turned out great!! The glass booths are very private, and are nice if you want a more intimate dining experience. We ordered crab cakes which was my favorite dish, even more than the duck. The bread basket was good, and side of garlic mash was as expected. We received a complimentary dessert for my birthday, which was a nice touch, thank you! The next morning, was a definite different experience. A lot of others were staying at this Park Hyatt and lining up for breakfast. Even though there was a 25-30 minute wait, Derrick at the front area was very patient, professional, and kind and even came all the way to our table to check up on us during our meal. He bid us a nice farewell too. Derrick was excellent and deserves all the good praise!!!! However, one note for the restaurant regarding breakfast/brunch layout: I rather disliked how close together the breakfast tables were for two people, as we sat down first and a couple was seated right next to us and literally felt like we were almost at the same table, which I had a strong aversion to since they were within earshot. Overall, if the tables could be more spaced out that would be great. The food took a bit of time come out, but I understand because they were super busy on a Sunday. read more

Afternoon tea review (cherry blossom themed spring tea): The good: Tasty food, good tea selection The bad: Overpriced Atmosphere is lacking (no cute teawear/plates as found in a tea house) Slow service I don't think this experience is worth the high price tag. We did have a good time but I wouldn't repeat. read more

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The food here was spectacular! Set in the Park Hyatt, Blue Duck Tavern exudes an elegant warmth that would also be apt to describe the food as well as the service. I started out my meal with a mocktail that was okay. It was a watermelon and elderberry extract concoction with dried flowers pressed along the outside of the glass. It was beautiful, but the flavor was a bit too tart. This was the only element of the meal that didn't wow me, but fortunately everything else was top notch. For a starter we had the bone marrow. Goodness gracious- this was like the uber-comfort food. It was incredibly filling. The spices used were like the culinary equivalent of a big hug. The only thing I wish I had done differently before ordering this was that I had trekked 10 miles through the snow, walking uphill to be able to rightfully deserve this decadent masterpiece. The meal just kept getting better from there. My entree was the Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes with the Lemon-Caper Remoulade. The crabmeat was sourced in Chesapeake Bay- and these were without a doubt the BEST crab cakes I've ever had. The accompanying Frisée and radish salad was bright and fresh. The only thing I wish had been different was that the salad had been more finely chopped because the very large pieces were an awkward fit on the fork. Lastly for desert, I had the housemade Passionfruit Plum sorbet, which was excellent and the perfect end to the meal. All the while, we had superb service from our waiter Yves. He did a tremendous job being attentive and never missing a beat. He had a lovely French accent and it was such a nice treat to be referred to as "Madam" :-D Overall Blue Duck Tavern was an exquisite experience and an all-around lovely and memorable meal. Everything about this place is so well thought out and executed with purpose and intention. That's why the food, service and atmosphere feel like total warmth and comfort. After dining here, I felt like it was absolutely worth every penny and now I have a lovely memory of my first stay at this Park Hyatt. read more

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I visited for an Easter cherry blossom high tea with some family that was visiting and it was such a beautiful experience. They were able to accommodate my diet preference (pescatarian) and called several days in advance to confirm, which was much appreciated. I encourage you to reach out and ask what they are able to accommodate. The bites were tasty and inventive. I'm not a scone fan and could not get enough of the scones with the crème fraiche and fresh berry jam. The tea itself was great. It was a chilly day so the warm tea hit the spot. There were quite a few to choose from, and the individual teapot warmers were a nice, added touch. For $95 per person, I thought this was a great price for the experience. read more

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I visited Blue Duck Tavern with a friend, and we truly enjoyed every moment--from the warm welcome to the last bite. The entire staff set the tone for a memorable experience, starting with Lizzie at the front desk, who was genuinely warm, gracious, and welcoming. Our servers--Zach, Eric, and Juan--were attentive, knowledgeable, and seamlessly coordinated, making the service feel both polished and relaxed. The food was prepared to perfection: beautifully executed, thoughtfully seasoned, and absolutely delicious. We also decided to try some of the flavor-infused lattes, which were a fun and delightful surprise. When one drink wasn't quite right, Zach graciously swapped it out and brought a fantastic almond vanilla latte instead--exactly the kind of thoughtful service that elevates a dining experience. The perfect ending came when Juan brought out the sticky buns--warm, indulgent, and unforgettable. A truly lovely final touch. Blue Duck Tavern delivers on every level: exceptional food, outstanding service, and a welcoming atmosphere that makes you want to linger. Highly recommend this fine dining experience, whether for a special occasion or a refined everyday treat. read more

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I really had high hopes to love this restaurant. Located inside the Park Hyatt. Now if your here for brunch, they are stickler on time. You cant be seated before 11:30. Their brunch menu is pretty much limited. I chose they duck confit hash. Let me sum it up... I dont recommend this . It was very mid. The duck breast was very chewy and didnt taste fresh. The sweet potatoes and regular potatoes were a bit charred and lacked seasonings and flavor. It came with a side order of a rosemary biscuit... dry dry dry. Butter and Jam couldn't save this. Cheese grits tasted like it came from a box. It had jam in the middle. Who does that? Service was mid.. They dont serve ice water. It was room temperature. They never came to refill. The ambience is nice. Maybe its different for dinner service. Maybe I'll come back to try dinner items. read more

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The breakfast was shockingly great! I was disappointed because the menu online did not match the menu I got when I went. I ordered the buffet option and it was great. It looked standard, but the eggs, grits, yogurt parfait, and French toast were amazing. The grits especially were probably more cream and butter than grits itself, but it was like eating velvet. The waiter was also very nice and attentive to the table. It was not the blue duck experience I expected, but it shocked me with how lovely it was. read more

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Service was good but food was just okay overall and very pricey. Not really worth it unless you are going more for the ambiance and less interested in the actual food experience. My entree ratings: Wood-Oven Roasted Duck (4 out of 10) Jumbo Lump Crab Cake (7 out of 10) Hand Cut BDT Fries (4 out of 10) Creamed' less Corn (10 out of 10) read more

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attended restaurant week 2026 Jan- came to celebrate my friend's birthday (always tell the restaurant you are here to celebrate something) they custom printed her own menu with her name and the entire kitchen staff signed it and it was the most memorable experience you can give to a friend / OR YOURSELF! service is 5/5 I will say food did not really live up to my taste expectations- I found everything to be really salty. the flavor is GOOD but it was just a little saltier for my taste. the bone marrow was TINY. i got like 1 scoop lol , 1 small spoonful. i was so sad. the salmon with lentils (lentils felt undercooked. something was really hard when i bit into it) chicken + gnocchi + mushroom - my favorite flavor combo, but SO SALTY. MY FAVORITE was DESSERT i'd probably only come back for dessert sorry. we ordered the Grapefruit Posset & Virginia Peanut Chocolate Cake, YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED GET BOTH. probably won't visit again anytime soon but great experience!! read more

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Google/Yelp stars will be purely based on a very general metric of taste and the overall experience. For my detailed review below, typically above a 4.5 is in the two or three Michelin star category and 4.2-4.4 is a Michelin 1 star. For all my other adventures visit: https://www.instagram.com/food_for_chu?igsh=Zjk3ZDlrNTAxY2J0&utm_source=qr Fallen Star #1: With this new series, I will be reviewing restaurants who have lost their Michelin star. Our first trip lands us in Blue Duck Tavern in Washington D.C. that last had a star in 2020 after Chef Adam Howard left the restaurant. Ambiance: 4.0/5.0 I have to start by saying the entry way of this restaurant is beautiful. Massive floor to ceiling windows bring in lots of light and the seating arrangement while a little awkward because of all the pillars, is still very cozy. The kitchen is open to the dining room which I love, but the lighting back there gives off a gloomier vibe as opposed to the front of the restaurant. I do have to note that the tables and chairs need an upgrade ASAP. They are out-dated and chipped which takes away from the overall feel. Service: 4.1/5.0 I came here before going to the airport and the staff were more than happy to take my bags and store them. The waiter was extremely friendly and even made a substitution for me! The staff did seem to be leaner so it didn't have the feel of staff ready to help you at an instant vibe that you get at other Michelin star restaurants. Food: 3.7/5.0 BDT Cheeseburger: Per the waiter's recommendation I got the burger which is only on the lunch menu and substituted regular fries for BDT fries. The bun is light and fluffy and the red onions and pickles provide a great bite. The sauce seemed like a standard thousand island. Now for the bad, the burger was wood roasted which was unique, but unfortunately it was over cooked. I order medium but it was completely cooked through making the burger taste like something I would get at a good backyard cookout. The BDT fries are essentially fried mashed potato sticks and this was a little bland by itself (but good with the sauce). Crab Cake: I also got a single order of crab cake, of which, as someone who is Maryland raised, expectations were extremely high. The crab cake, while maybe a little too moist in the middle (some people prefer this), is a proper crab cake. Lump meat crab and minimal breading with a delicious sauce that provides great acidity. It may not be the best crab cake I've ever had (title goes to Jimmy's famous seafood) but it's solid. Apple Pie: When they say this is for two, it is not an exaggeration. This apple pie is huge! As for taste, warm gooey interior and nice flaky exterior while the apples still had a nice crisp! I wish they served this with ice cream especially at its price point but the taste of the pie itself is fantastic. If I got this on Thanksgiving, I would be extremely happy. Overall: 3.88/5.0 There is so much potential at the Blue Duck Tavern. A beautiful space, strong staff, and some great dishes. However, the overcooked burger had a big impact on my experience this time around. As such, I have to concur with the lost star status. read more

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Great food, nice ambiance and excellent service! We enjoyed all of our apps, dinner, drinks and dessert and left filling very satisfied! read more

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Regardless that Blue Duck Tavern may not resemble a traditional "tavern" in ambience or cuisine to most people, it remains a highly inspired New American dining destination. Our family of three enjoyed the signature whole duck entrée and were not disappointed. It was prepared beautifully--tender, richly flavored, and delicious in every bite--though it did arrive warm rather than hot. Our server, Kamal, was both gracious and efficient, enhancing the overall experience. The atmosphere felt comfortably continental, with low ambient noise that made conversation across the table easy. read more

Made reservations for my mom's birthday, the staff did everything in their power to make her feel special throughout the night. They printed out a special menu that said Happy Birthday, they wrote happy birthday on her dessert plate in the most beautiful cursive Ive ever seen and ended the night by bringing out a menu with the entire staffs signatures and birthday notes and even gave her a chocolate box filled with 2 handmade chocolate truffles. We ordered the bone marrow as an appetizer, it was phenomenal. It had a perfect buttery consistency and the top was seasoned with a Rhys Crumble that gave you a perfect slight tang. For dinner we ordered the scallops, dry-aged beef tenderloin and the duck breast. The scallops were served over a purée that might have been one of the best flavor combinations I've ever had. The tenderloin was perfectly moist and pairs wonderfully with the potato purée. The duck breast left more to be desired and was overall a little flat but was good for what it was. For dessert we had the Baba St Germain and the VA Peanut Chocolate Cake and both were delicious! Overall the restaurant was beautiful and open, the food was certainly worth every penny and the staff was extraordinary. read more

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Stopped in for a quick bite and grabbed a seat at the bar. Bartenders were friendly and attentive. The pork belly sandwich was so delicious and so were the sticky buns! Definitely would like to return and give dinner a try! read more

Blue Duck Tavern - Sticky buns - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Went for dinner on a Saturday evening at Blue Duck Tavern and had a solid meal. Started with the Gem Salad which was very good and had the Duck and Crab Cakes for entrees. The Duck entree came with a Duck breast and the leg. The breast was prepared perfectly but the leg was a little overdone. The Crab Cakes were delicious and full of crab meat. The Brussels Sprouts for a side were excellent. read more

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came here for an early valentines. all the sides we ordered were well-cooked and flavored. The brussel sprouts and gem salad were my favs - simple but with a unique twist that highlighted the ingredients on the plate. we also got the whole duck, which was tasty but i wouldve liked the skin to be a bit crispier and the meat slightlyyy less cooked. the grits it comes with is creamy and delicious If you like classic, rustic American food you cant really go wrong here! read more

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Somehow I've lived in West End for years and only just tried Blue Duck! The service was excellent--our server, Kamal, was knowledgeable and clearly experienced. I started with the butternut squash soup, which was poured tableside from a kettle. It was a delicious way to begin the meal. My family and I shared the whole duck, which was an extremely generous portion. Paired with the Brussels sprouts and their house-made fries, it made for a hearty and satisfying dinner. We also had breakfast at Blue Duck the next morning, which was equally enjoyable. My bagel with smoked salmon was both delicious and generously portioned. The duck hash and the avocado toast were also great. My only complaint is that there was a visible mouse/rat trap in the middle of the restaurant--definitely not something you want to see while dining, especially in a Michelin-adjacent establishment. read more

Blue Duck Tavern - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I'm in DC for a two week work stint and mom decided to join me for my first weekend in the city. Brunch was most definitely on the menu and with a great recommendation, we headed over to the Blue Duck Tavern at the Park Hyatt to start. Arrived for our 11:30am reservation and were a bit early, so we were seated and only waited a few moments before our waiter took our order. Mom and I have similar tastes, so we both opted for the Duck Confit Hash with a yummy seasoned biscuit on the side. It was delicious and the portions were perfect. We were headed for a day at the museum, so this perfectly fueled our heavy walking day. I was cheeky and also snagged one of the sorbet mimosas, it went great with my meal and added a little more happiness to my already great day. Lovely little brunch at The Blue Duck Tavern, the hotel was beautiful and serene, so it was nice being able to sit and take in the ambiance. I'd happily send anyone who was visiting this way to complete their perfect morning. read more

Blue Duck Tavern - Duck confit hash - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I came here and ordered the duck breast, which I had never tried before. It was cooked perfectly and balanced well with the sides. I'll definitely try it again soon. The service was great and perfectly paced, and the atmosphere was wonderful and relaxed. Definitely try it out if you have time. read more

The wood fired whole fish was the standout of the night. Perfectly grilled, deboned before hitting the fire, and stuffed with a mousse that kept every bite moist and packed with flavor. The flesh was tender, the skin had that ideal char, and the whole thing was done with so much skill it honestly surprised me. It's the kind of dish I'll come back for. The duck was excellent too. Rich and deeply flavorful, not overdone, just handled with care. And the crispy potato side? Not your usual fry. I'm pretty sure they seasoned mashed potatoes, froze them in a mold, and deep fried them. Whatever they did, it worked. Crunchy on the outside, soft and savory inside. Definitely a do-over. read more

Blue Duck Tavern - Wood Oven-Roasted Whole Fish, Roasted Rohan Duck, Hand-Cut BDT Fries. - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This place is really nice. Tall ceilings and rustic interior. The food is really good. I really like the bone marrow. They have a lot of good entrées though this is a great classic American place. It's upscale, but not too much. In the mornings they have a great breakfast hash maybe the best hash I've ever had. read more

Blue Duck Tavern - I came for a special occasion and they gave us this beautiful dessert for free. thanks guys! - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Came here for brunch during restaurant week. It was a little hard to find the entrance. The French toast with the vanilla creme sauce was amazing. Overall though portions were really really small for the price. Wouldn't go back outside of the restaurant week special. read more

This review is long overdue. We dined at Blue Duck Tavern, because it was close to our hotel, and it was well regarded. We ordered a bunch of dishes and were astounded at each and every one. The menu features ingredients from local farms and purveyors, and that translates into the seasonal and sustainable flavors. On a return visit to DC, I hope to stop in again. read more

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I've ate here a few times. There are definitely some great options but I think the quality has went down a bit over the years; they did lose their michelin star a while back. Service when I visited has been fairly good. Ambiance is definitely more upscale. Still good for office lunches but more of a fancy dinner type place to me. They always have good steak and seafood options but of course you have to try the duck. I was not super impressed with it to be totally honest. There are other better fancy places around. read more

Went here for my best friend's birthday and we both really enjoyed it! I've seen a good amount of reviews that didn't like their dinner experience, but the breakfast/brunch food lived up to our expectations. We got the duck confit hash (would highly recommend since they are known for their duck), Benedict, cornmeal waffle, and white corn cheese grits (I'm a hugeeee fan of grits so I'm obsessed with this one - the little bit of beets on top was a nice touch as well). My friend also got the fresh-squeezed orange juice (definitely was fresh-squeezed but was room temp) The only thing I will say is that for such a notable restaurant, their service wasn't very good. I had to wait a while to order another item and even then I had to call the host to call a server. There was also a buffet option that we didn't get so you would think that would free up a server or so to check up on the non-buffet tables. read more

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The most phenomenal food and service! Everything is upscale, from the food to the ambience to the atmosphere. Definitely pricey, but worth the splurge. They have a formal dining area and a lounge dining area. read more

Blue Duck Tavern - Duck egg - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

My dinner at the conference was catered from here, and every dish was so delicious! My favorites were crab cake and halibut. read more

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First of all, if you are reading this post, please do not get sucked in to eating at this establishment due its rank on any list of top restaurants. I had the 1/4 chicken with sweet tea au jus. Umm, it is not hyperbolic when I say I have eaten better chicken at KFC. My friend had the crab cake and while it was full of lump crab meat, it was tasteless- no seasoning, no salt. Our guests had the halibut which was the size of a hotel room key, hidden in a dish full of tasteless foam that appeared as though someone had put too much soap in the dish while attempting to wash it. Prices were astronomical. If you really want duck, it would probably be less expensive to fly to New Orleans and get some duck jambalaya at a little hole in the wall on the West Bank. Then the service... 8 tables in the restaurant and it took at least 10 minutes to even get water. The wait staff had a condescending attitude as well. Perhaps I did not look like the typical customer at this "restaurant". Worst meal, worst service I have experienced in a long time. I will regret this dinner for a very long time. I should have gotten up when they did not serve the water. Sometimes you gotta trust your gut. The parking valet attendant was excellent. That guy is going places. read more

I've wanted to check out Blue Duck for awhile now and Restaurant Week was the perfect excuse to go check it out. We thoroughly enjoyed the food, service, and overall vibe! All of the food was extremely fresh and sourced locally. We loved the salmon and roasted chicken! Also, the ice cream and sorbet is homemade and very good! It's definitely a pricier meal but the quality is excellent. We'll be back! read more

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I wanted to have dinner here during our brief stay in DC because I love duck, the name is cute, and they used to have a Michelin star. Located in the Park Hyatt, Blue Duck Tavern serves rustic American food in an upscale setting. However, our experience with both food and service did not live up to the hype. Service was kinda meh, our server honestly seemed bored and uninterested which made ordering a little awkward. It's that blank stare and lack of response that leaves you thinking do I keep talking... or no... yannowhatImean? Nothing stood out throughout dinner although they were friendlier by the time the check came. Food: Soft poached duck egg with serrano ham, field pea salad, vinaigrette--I think this is one of their "signature" dishes. The egg, ham, and vinaigrette are fantastic together but the field peas... apparently I didn't know what they are because I expected green peas, but they're more like lightly cooked beans, the harder and grainier cousin of peas :( Cold asparagus soup was sweet and refreshing Wood oven-roasted bone marrow was super rich and delicious with a hefty portion of three canoe-cut bones and a whole head of roasted garlic Mushroom pasta was undercooked and could taste the raw flour in the middle Charred snap peas had some sort of white sauce on it (forgot what it was) and were quite charred, in particular, all the seasoning bits on the outside, so it was not a nice char flavor BDT triple fries are always good since it's a big log of fried mashed potatoes Duck two ways, at Blue DUCK Tavern... sadly the leg confit was half dried out (you can see it's dried to the bone on the drumstick portion) and totally overcooked which was such a letdown, and the breast was on the dry side and a bit overcooked as well Strip steak looked great from the outside but was also overcooked. It's like the duck and steak were cooked on super high heat, then transferred into a hot pan and left to rest in the hot pan, leaving both in the realm of medium well instead of medium rare I liked the cocktails, old fashioned was balanced and the garden thing I got later was a pleasant margarita-type drink Kind of a disappointing meal with the poorly executed meats. read more

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This review is for their Valentine's afternoon tea service. I made a mistake booking a reservation for the wrong date, so when my bf and I showed up, they didn't have a table for us. Our server and the assistant manager Amanda were very kind and professional in handling the situation. I am grateful they were still able to accommodate us and turn our experience into a positive one! As for the tea service, they had a fantastic selection of teas and have a menu explaining the origins and flavor profiles of each tea, which I really appreciated. Each guest gets their own teapot sitting over a tea candle to keep it hot. The tea is left in the pot so it continues to steep throughout the meal and becomes quite strong by the end. All of the food arrives at the same time on a tiered platter. I enjoyed the savories more than the desserts. The food is definitely made in advance and sits for a short time before being served. However, we came in towards the end of the service so it was likely fresher for other guests. I loved their scones which are soft, buttery, not dry and served with cream, jam, and lemon curd. I just wish there was more of it because each guest only gets one and they are quite small. Afternoon tea was seated in what appears to be the hotel lobby bar area. There were some hotel guests wandering into the area to grab drinks or snacks as well. Some tables were encased in a glass box, offering some separation from outside. I probably wouldn't have felt like the meal itself was worth $90 but the overall service and experience made it worth it on this day. read more

This is the middle of the road review. Simply because I didn't research enough so I am really coming at it from a lack of orientation perspective. Maybe in the internet age I should have known better, but I think a restaurant of this caliber should have better soft skills to support guests. I was here on a work trip stationed at a the Hyatt Place. Upon opening the 12' tall doors, it dawned on our party of three we might be in for more than we bargained. Front of house greeted us with a smile beneath a mask and I commented, "this does not look like a tavern, do you take walk in?" she chuckled and kindly accepted our patronage. With experience now on my side, I can see this was a $$$ restaurant. I would even put it at $$$$. As a former Michelin Star restaurant, you get the magnitude, attentive weight staff and a choice of water. We got the charcuterie +cheese and meat to share. I have a wide pallet and discerning taste. This plate was beyond me. The blue cheese was so aged it had an orangish red hue. Another so dry it was chalky. Perhaps a delicacy, but out of my range. Our waiter was kind, but I could tell he saw our sticker shock. He did not take the opportunity to really orient us properly and we were left to our own devices. Entrees are quite filling. All sides are intended to be shared. This was not disclosed. Potato salad had some inexplicable caviar on top. French fries are actually ~1inchx1inch batons. Unfortunate the space was fairly empty and did not have much atmosphere. It was an early Monday evening. The strangest part.. through out the night, we saw burgers and classic fries leaving the kitchen. This was not on the menu! We should have asked but we cut our losses and had a good time all in all. read more

Food was good. Whole roast duck was delicious except for the wing which were stringy. Every side was delicious!! Grits well done as well as the pickled vegetables. Jumbo crab cakes a must! Host was cold and snobbish. Very dismissive when asked where restrooms were located. Wait staff was average, not very attentive. read more

Blue Duck Tavern - While roasted duck. - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Excellent and high quality food, great service with professional staff, delicious cocktails, modern ambiance. Solid recommend.

A little late writing this review, but I went to Blue Duck Tavern for brunch back in August when it was still warm outside. There are options to sit at tables with umbrellas to shield from the sun. I enjoyed mimosas, avocado toast and home fries which were freshly cut and really tasty. Our server was friendly and super attentive. I look forward to going back when the weather is nice again next summer! read more

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Very kind service. The food here is always consistently good! The raspberry compote dessert was okay but the apple pie was amazing. It's a gorgeous space to eat in as well. read more

Blue Duck Tavern - Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes, Hand-Cut BDT Fries, Roasted Chicken, Seasonal Vegetable Salad - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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(Overall: B) - Blue Duck Tavern is a michelin guide restaurant that excels at their duck dishes; I personally found the breakfast options to be quite inspiring and elegant whereas their dinner items to be elevated flavors without elevated presentation. I really enjoyed the calm and peaceful breakfast as the atmosphere is quite bright and energetic during the day. At night, the I found some of the food to miss the mark, but the service was top notch to help celebrate a special birthday in an unforgettable way! (Bone Marrow: D) - A very rich dish that pairs bread with roasted garlic and bone marrow. While the taste is quite good, I felt like it could've benefitted significantly from some acidity to help cut through the richness. The presentation also looked a bit sloppy and thrown together. (Tuna Tartare: A) - An elegant dish topped with a tapioca cracker for that light extra crispiness. I felt that the flavors were well balanced with creaminess and acidity to make for a pleasant dish. The only thing I could see improved is to use a pacific bluefin tuna for that extra richness. (Victory Lap: D) - This is a fruit forward cocktail that is sweet and very paletable. However, the presentation is significantly lacking for a $20 cocktail. (Charred Rapini: F) - Rapini is a hard vegetable to get right as the bitterness can be easily overpowering, like in this case. I was quite intruiging by the salted egg yolk pairing, but I found that to be too subtle to notice compared to the broccoli rabe. (Stuffed Fish: F) - The charred fish was flaky and tenderly delicious and I loved that salad pairing with the beautiful ikura. Unfortunately though, the core of this dish was a swordfish mousse which just tasted like a massive firm fish cake. I do not follow on this premise as usually fish cake is made from inexpensive fish into something better, but here we turned an expensive swordfish into something worse. (Duck Breast A+) - Definitely the best dish of the night, the duck is a beautiful tender pink with a fruity jam pairing. The duck confit added some crispiness as well for that textural complexity. (Triple Cut Fries: D) - Given the size of these fries wrt a potato, I could imagine it would be nontrivial to carve. However, the thickness of the fries I think does it injustice as it makes it that much harder to season, especially if you want the flavor to permiate. The presentation and the sauce pairing I felt were also a bit mundane for me. (Duck Confit Hash: A+) - I love their take on an elevated hash with vibrant vegetables to add color and freshness. The plating gives an elevated home feel and its very simple but elegant. The only thing I would change is to add more of that duck chichirron to for that textural complexity. (Matcha Pancake: S) - A picture perfect pancake that is innovatively balanced in flavor. I love the contrast of the matcha from the well structured but tender pancake in both color and boldness of the flavor, paired with the sweetness coming from the maple. The granola and dried cranberries also add texture and acidity that make this a perfect dish. -- Food: E Presentation: E Price: -1 Atmosphere: +1 Service: +2 Menu: +1 Overall: +3 B Insta/Beli: @amei_eats read more

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Worst DC dining experience in a while. The food was decent, but service and experience did not make up for it. We had an 11:30am res which is when they opened; we got there at 11:20am so they said we can have a seat until they're ready. We were the first or second ppl there. By the time 11:30 came, there was a line of guests standing at the host stand, and the host didn't acknowledge us sitting even though we were there before 90% of the groups standing. That's fine, whatever, we could have stood up. We chose to sit, weren't in a hurry, but it was the first red flag of the experience. We chose to sit outside on a sunny day, but it was still quite early and we made a comment to the host that the shade wouldn't be so bad. She sat in the shade, but in a spot that was clearly about to be overcome by sun. After 10 minutes of sitting with no acknowledgement, the host sat another group down and told everyone someone would be coming to open up the umbrellas. That's great, but some water would be nice. 10 minutes later -- after 20 minutes total -- someone came for the umbrellas. Still no water or server until 11:55am, 20+ min after sitting. Then it was about 12:18pm when we finally got to order food. 45min after being seated. The food came pretty quickly, and was the one decent part of the experience. The bone marrow was pricey but good, we'd never had it so we wanted to try it. Nicely roasted bread with roasted garlic to squeeze onto it and bone marrow. Yum. The biscuits and gravy were 5 stars. Delicious and lots of chicken in the gravy, definitely worth the price. Wish I could tell you about the brunch burger. It was the only burger on the menu, yet we were clearly served the lunch/dinner cheeseburger. No egg in sight. Lunch/dinner burger wasn't even on the menu, just the brunch burger, yet us and the table next to us both received it. At this point, we had been there for too long and were too hot to complain, we just wanted to leave, so we just ate it. The crispy rosemary home fries looked divine but were not very crispy which was disappointing. The server was nice but kind of oblivious to the experience and didn't even acknowledge the wait time or anything. So overall, between the hosts not giving water, sending someone to prioritize 10min of umbrella opening over water/service/etc, I would say horrendous service. This felt like... a typical hotel restaurant with slightly redeeming food. Guess we should have known better. The service seemed like hotel staff rather than trained restaurant staff, and they didn't seem to care. Not to mention a cold brew and a matcha was $23 before tax/tip/anything. Dont recommend. read more

Blue Duck Tavern - Biscuits and gravy (only positive about the experience) and lunch cheeseburger (we ordered brunch burger) - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia