FINALLY made it to Isla! After hearing all the rave reviews, I was excited to finally snag a Friday…read morenight reservation with friends. The space is larger than I expected, with a chic, sophisticated vibe and an upstairs area. Our waiter, Carlyle (I believe that was his name (very tall!), was friendly and helpful. The cocktails were delicious and well-crafted, and we ordered a ton of food. The oxtail patties were amazing and we definitely wanted more than three! The crab patties were good but the oxtail win. As a branzino connoisseur, I have to say the branzino was some of the best I've had... perfectly cooked and seasoned. The prawns were great too, but the BBQ greens and warm bread were standouts. And the carrot cake was the perfect ending. Can't wait to come back for dinner and finally try the brunch!

I visited Isla on Friday night of CBC weekend to celebrate my best friend's birthday. This was my…read moresecond visit, and after such an amazing experience the first time around, I genuinely couldn't wait to return. We had reservations but were seated rather abruptly. Nevertheless, our server, Geo, was personable, knowledgeable, and had great energy and recommendations. There was a well-known tennis player seated at the table beside us, and between the VIP attention and what I imagine was an overwhelming CBC weekend crowd, a few things fell short. We understood the circumstances and continued enjoying our evening. Now, the food? Absolutely no complaints! We ordered the Scallion Bread, Crab ISLA Patties, Fire Grilled Branzino, Smoked Chargrilled Chicken, BBQ Greens, and Mac Pie. Every single dish was delicious. No notes for the kitchen! The chef even made a point to circulate throughout the restaurant and check in on us, which was a thoughtful touch that I genuinely appreciated. They also surprised my best friend with complimentary ice cream for her birthday, which was such a sweet gesture! Between the delicious food, the atmosphere, Geo's personable service and great recommendations, and the chef taking the time to engage with guests, there was a lot to love about our evening. Unfortunately, the drinks were another story. Our first round of cocktails was ordered directly from the menu. For our second round, I requested a Don Julio Reposado lemon drop. After a lengthy wait, the drink arrived, and I immediately noticed that the color looked off. I tasted it and questioned whether it was actually reposado. I asked Geo if he had specified reposado, and he confirmed that he had. I didn't want to make a fuss, so I let it go. Geo ultimately comped that round due to the delay, which we appreciated. Later, we ordered shots of Don Julio Reposado. The pours were generous, but once again, the tequila did not appear to be reposado. I pointed out the color to Geo under the light, and he assured me that he had personally watched the bartender pour from the bottle. At this point, I was frustrated. I knew what I ordered, and I felt like I was being convinced to question something I was certain about. But it was my best friend's birthday, the restaurant was busy, and we were having a good time otherwise. I wasn't interested in making a scene. When the bill arrived, we appreciated that a round of drinks had been removed. The manager, Kellen, came over to check on us following the delays. We explained that while we had enjoyed ourselves overall, we were disappointed that we had repeatedly requested reposado but appeared to have been served blanco. To his credit, Kellen immediately sprung into action. He went to the bar himself, retrieved the bottle of Don Julio Reposado, and personally poured us shots. The difference in color was immediately apparent. I showed Geo the shot and said, "THIS is reposado!" I genuinely appreciated Kellen's response and his effort to make things right. He listened to our concerns and took action without hesitation. I also want to be very clear that this review is not a reflection of Geo's overall service. He was personable, attentive, and contributed to us having an enjoyable evening. I don't know where the breakdown happened between our order being placed and the drinks being prepared, and I'm not going to place blame on someone without knowing. **My issue is simple: Give me what I ordered. And if there's a mistake, acknowledge it. Don't repeatedly assure me that I'm receiving something when there's a legitimate reason to question it.** When a guest specifically requests a premium spirit, they should be able to trust that they're receiving what they asked for. It's not even about the money as much as it is about honesty and the integrity of the experience. I understand that CBC weekend is an exceptionally busy time in DC, and I wasn't expecting perfection. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was enjoyable, Geo brought great energy, the chef made an effort to connect with guests, the birthday ice cream was a lovely surprise, and Kellen genuinely tried to make things right. My first visit to Isla was exceptional, which is exactly why I was so excited to return. I genuinely wanted to love my second experience just as much. Unfortunately, the situation with the drinks left a disappointing impression on an otherwise enjoyable birthday celebration. I hope this was simply an off night, because there was a lot to love about our experience. I just wish I hadn't left questioning something as basic as whether I was being served what I ordered.

This Club is sandwiched between the White House and George Washington University. It is a…read moreprivate club but open to the public during certain hours. The historic building is worth the visit and you can visit certain rooms that have art hanging on the walls. You can also use the facilities for events. If you enjoy art and a quiet atmosphere this is a very nice venue.

The Arts Club may be one of the many places in DC that has both a rich history and current…read moreactivities in its favor, but this place is special. This non-profit organization resides in the former home of President Monroe, who lived here when he was Secretary of State and again when he was President when the White House was undergoing renovations. The main purpose of the Arts Club is to support the arts in DC and surrounding areas. In fact, this club is the oldest nonprofit in the US. There are exhibits in the house by local artists as well as free events. It is a popular place for weddings, also. The courtyard here is magnificent. Check it out in the spring and summer time.

This review is long overdue. I was invited to dinner here and this has to go in the Top Ten places…read moreI've ever dined at. Of course my friend is a member and if I'm lucky, someday I will be too. It started off as I walked up the sidewalk and approached the club, the doorman was standing on the sidewalk. As I got closer, the doorman greeted me by name! I was taken a back for a minute wondering how could he possibly know my name! I was escorted in and asked to wait in the main reception while they went to get my friend. I went into what they refer to as the "Correspondence Lounge" which is sort of a small library with some incredibly old literary works. They have very strict rules and one of surprise is no use of cell phones... period. How refreshing! You can go into the Correspondence Lounge if you need to use your phone but otherwise you cannot use while in the dining room or other public areas. So make sure you "check-in" on Yelp when you are outside. Naturally they have a dress code, but really, if you have to ask what the dress code is, you probably aren't going to this place. Another rule I was surprised is they try to keep business limited so you cannot bring out a bunch of papers, laptop, etc... The only papers you can hold would have to be a newspaper or a book. Once seated, the service is impeccable. Extremely polite and not overbearing. They knew when we were engrossed in conversation and didn't interrupt. I had the lump crab cake for dinner and it was without a doubt the BEST! I lived in Virginia for five years and went to college at George Washington so I'm quite familiar with East Coast seafood and I can honestly say the lump crab at the Metropolitan Club is the BEST! I could go on about this place but simply put, if you have the opportunity to go, don't pass that opportunity up for what will end up being one of the greatest dining experiences of your life.

This is a wonderful spot nestled across from the White House. The building and members have more…read morehistory in Washington, than just about any place in the capitol, or the nation for that matter. I have been fortunate enough to dine, party, and converse with some of Washington's behind the scene's power players. You can learn a lot, if you ever get past the door man, or Lily.

Jodi officiated our wedding at The Carlyle House in Old Town Alexandria. From the moment we met…read moreher, we knew she was who we wanted to have preside over our special day. In addition to being extremely professional, Jodi is warm, kind, and caring. She truly puts her heart and soul into making your wedding day special. Our friends and family also loved Jodi and we received so many compliments about her from our guests. We could not have asked for a better officiant! Cheers!

We had our wedding ceremony at the Carlyle House in Alexandria VA, our officiant was Jodi Johnson,…read moreshe is amazing from the start to the end! We recommend her anytime, if your planning your wedding and really want someone that can make your moment special, you need to have Jodi as your officiant, very responsive, always follow up, and at the ceremony make you feel so special, thank you Jodi, you will be part of this precious moment for us.

I couldn't recommend Exclusively Entertainment more! They are extremely professional,…read moreaccommodating, personal, and talented! The DJ for our wedding, Maz, executed my vision just perfectly. He was the perfect match for our fusion wedding!

Exceptional - that's the word that comes to mind when we think of Exclusively Entertainment. From…read morestart to finish, Iman and his team did absolutely everything they could do to make the wedding planning process seamless and our wedding day exactly how we imagined. We were planning our wedding during the pandemic and things were constantly uncertain as to whether or not the wedding would be able go to on. Iman and DJ Kia had routine calls with us to check-in and offer advice. We knew we could trust their opinions and flexility during the uncertain times. On the day of the wedding, DJ Kia was so involved with every aspect of the ceremony and reception. He knew exactly what to do, when to do it, and how to make our wedding day an unforgettable experience. He literally orchestrated our ceremony processional and was making sure everything was running smoothly. Everyone felt at ease walking down the aisle because DJ Kia was there to send them off. We were lucky enough to have Iman MC our wedding, and believe us when we tell you he knows how to put on a show. The dance floor comes alive with Iman on stage and everyone was out of their seats and dancing the entire night. Our cocktail hour ended up going over schedule, which pushed back our reception. It was no worry though, because Iman was there to quickly restructure the timeline and ensure everything ran smoothly. Even with unexpected issues, we felt completely at ease knowing he had us covered. He is such a genuine person who truly cares about his client's happiness. We also used Night Owls for our video production and working with them was a truly pleasant experience. They captured every aspect of the wedding beautifully. In just a few short weeks, we had our trailer and wedding video created, both of which were edited to our liking. They were extremely patient with us throughout the process and the end result is videos we still can't stop watching! Thank you to Brandon and the team at Night Owls for all of their hard work. We also want to give a special thanks to Wake on the sax, Farzan on the drums, and Cyrus on the cello. These three gentleman made the music come alive and our guests could not stop raving about how talented they were. My wife and I still talk about just how great it was working with Exclusively Entertainment and we would absolutely recommend them for your events!

Loved our first visit to Ellipse! The staff was very friendly and they have a good selection of…read moredrinks & food. The seating was comfy as well.

This bar is tiiinnyyyyyyy. Me and my homegirl were looking for a view and a drink. We hadn't…read morerealized that we had crashed a language exchange event and "new to town" mixer. Definitely a quiet spot despite the location and people present. We had a lotta guys coming up to us trying to get to know us or promoting other clubs in the area. We just wanted to see the fireworks for the cherry blossom festival. Unfortunately the surrounding buildings were a bit too tall, and we could only see a few fireworks. Out of everyone we chatted with, the bartenders were the most charming people there. Me and my homegirl were grateful for their heavy pour. The drinks themselves were priced fairly relative to the area.

I was invited to an event at The Gathering Spot, and while the event itself was wonderful, The…read moreGathering Spot truly felt like the perfect place to host it. It was a happy hour and learning-style event, and the space worked incredibly well for both. There was a great balance between areas that encouraged socializing and connecting, while also having comfortable spaces where everyone could sit down and focus during the learning portion. The staff was phenomenal. They were attentive and proactive in a way that stood out. They seemed to anticipate questions before we even had them and made sure everyone knew where things were and felt taken care of throughout the evening. I also ordered the spinach artichoke dip during the class portion of the event and I need to take a moment for that because it was, without exaggeration, the best spinach artichoke dip I have ever had in my life. I'm still thinking about it. A few others at the event also commented on how incredible their dishes were, so kudos to the kitchen because clearly this was not a one-off experience. I'll probably be dreaming about that spinach artichoke dip for a while.

If you're looking for a great place to hold a meeting or a gathering. The gathering spot is your…read moreanswer it has all the chic pizazz of a lounge but the sophistication of an office setting. The happy hour menu is the best in the city and the staff is amazing. If you're looking for a membership hit them up and as for Mr. McCraw tell him Donica sent you.

My daughter and I visited in 2015, 2019 and again last Spring 2023 took a tour of the downstairs…read moreonly. In 2019 a 200+ pound replica of the White House by former Executive WH pastry chef Roland Mesnier was on display. A photo of the Gingerbread house has been attached to this review. The unassuming brick home sets across from the WH. The house happens to be the oldest private residence in DC at almost 200 years young. I would not go out of your way, but we thought the cake was super cool inn2019. 3.5 rounding up.

Came here for a after-hours party so to be honest, this is more of a review about that party than…read moreit is about the house itself. The party occurred in what I assume to be the courtyard; it was covered (though the weather was nice out for March), with beautiful lighting. But crazily enough, the space was HUGE. Absolutely gorgeous. If you're looking to host a large party, I 100% recommend this location. The set-up was fantastic. I have NO clue where the food came from, but whoever catered was phenomenal (I had the best cheesecake bites I have EVER let my tastebuds experience). While waiting 45 min for this lyft to arrive, I decided to venture around the house (with the guide). The house itself is pretty bare, but I love it's simplicity. It was of course quiet, though you could hear the faint sounds of the party outside. I completely forgot that we were SO close to the white house, could have gone for a night stroll, but didn't. Overall, this was a fun experience and I am glad I got to enjoy it in such a way.

I wanted to take a moment to let you know that I recently visited our DC office while in town for…read moreother reasons, and was duly impressed. In particular, Dominique was bright and smiling from the moment I opened the door. She was super friendly, helpful, and offered me coffee and snacks as soon as I told her that I was just stopping by. She also gave me a brief tour of the lovely building, and introduced me to Priscilla and Nia - also very cheerful and welcoming people. I am a fan!

The team at Intelligent Office is the best! I had two days of hosting a meeting with them and…read moreeveryone was super kind with every detail thought through. I would happily have a meeting here again.

The Crucible Flimflam on a Double-Throuple Date Night…read more So we met up with a dope ass Throuple at BAMM's Karaoke night last Thursday. All six of us caught a vibe but it was a vanilla event so the plan was to go on a double-throuple date Friday night. Not sure who picked it but we decided to meet up at the Crucible. I'm pretty sure it was the first time for all of us so we were excited to try a new place together. According to the event's fine print, the educational talks and demos were scheduled first but then "The Exploratorium" would be open after 11 p.m. I remember specifically reading, "More experienced folk come on out after 11:00 PM for open play." Well like I said, we had already caught the vibe the night before so we were ready to ride the wave the next night. We arrived at 11:15, dressed to impress and ready to party. The six of us stood in front lobby for a while. Apparently, no alcohol is allowed on the premises so the men had to run the drinks back to the car. I should have been paying attention to the faces of the people exiting or even the fact that folks were leaving soon after arriving. I guess I was so full of anticipation about the good time that I didn't notice. Well after we finally checked in, we were free to walk to the back. There are lockers and a changing area to the left. The restrooms are co-ed. The main hall opens into a large room with a bar and stage. There are several stations scattered about the room. A couple Saint Andrew's crosses, a horse, a canopy bed, a few overhead hooks, etc. To the right, there is a large open "theater" area. I think there were couches in there. And finally in the back left corner, there is a room with a swing and a couple fuckable chairs. I don't recall any music. It was eerily quiet with a weird mix of cocktail hour chatter and whipping noises. The lights were ON! Waaay too bright for an LS environment if you ask me. In fact, the whole setup wasn't really conducive to the type of on-premises fun we were looking for. The open floor plan makes it impossible to have an intimate experience. We walked around but it was difficult to find a place to get comfy with our party of six. I don't know if it was just a feeling we got or the fact that we were just in a new space but it felt like the entire couple watched us walk around and were waiting for us to "go." The crowd was almost entirely white. Maybe 30 people in the room. And we were six tall, sexy, Black people striding around the room in out panties and heels rubbing and groping each other. Even the men were shirtless and glistening! We looked good enough to eat and the crowd was drooling. We made our way to the room on the left with the swing. It's not at all private but at least we could get nasty without being on full display. The six of us started to "go" but the gentleman in the other couple was a little hesitant. He said that something was off so he wanted to check to make sure we could indeed play. He went to find an attendant to confirm that open play was allowed. Well, thats when they hit us with the flimflam. As the tip of my husband's dick just touched the lips of one of the young ladies, the attendant informed us that "absolutely no oral" was allowed on the premises. According to her, while sex on the premises is typically allowed, this was the one night that it was not. I went back and checked the fine print: "More experienced folk come on out after 11:00 PM for open play." Did I miss something? When they said play did they mean we could have play sex on their equipment? Were we really the only people who expected to "play"? Was there something particularly offensive by our half-naked Black bodies that prevented us from playing? Whatever the case, the Crucible is not swinger friendly at all!! Total waste of money. Date night killer. So basically we paid $100 to look at their equipment and pantomime sex. The shit almost blew our whole double-throuple date. We left for Shadows about 15 minutes after getting there. (The Shadows ripoff story is for another day.) Next time, we'll just go to a hookah lounge. Dance a little. Sip a little. Then we can just get a room. Unless you really really just want to attend educational event, stay away from the Crucible. It is an overrated waste of money.

Nothing as advertised on the website. wife and I wanted to explore in a semi private controlled…read moreatmosphere. even the bartender exclaimed, it's a run down gay bar. overweight guys having sex everywhere. not a place to meet like minded people as advertised. to go in and have one horrible drink and walk out was over $200. was not clean and the smell would turn your stomach. don't waste your time or money