Firefly is the cutest hotel "diner" tucked away in DuPont Circle. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with incredibly friendly service from MJ and the bartender--both were warm, accommodating, and genuinely attentive, doing everything they could to make our experience great. We had a Sunday brunch reservation at 1:45 pm (note: the kitchen closes at 2:30, so plan accordingly). Every dish we ordered was enjoyable. The chicken and waffles came with a hearty portion of chicken that was perfectly seasoned and crispy. The Swiss waffle was divine,not overly sweet, and the burger was generously sized; although it was cooked a bit more well-done than preferred, it was still delicious. The deviled eggs were great! Definitely made for a great appetizer. Overall, Firefly has a cozy, inviting vibe that's ideal for couples or small groups. Definitely a spot worth checking out! read more

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I've visited Firefly at least 3 times with colleagues, and it's one of the best hidden gems in DuPont Circle. It feels really cozy and comfortable in there, like an upscale diner. For breakfast, you can't go wrong with the French toast, breakfast potatoes, and eggs. For happy hour/dinner, the sea scallops are to die for! During one of my visits in October, they hosted a fall cocktail making class and it was the cutest thing ever! We had edible sparkles in a specialty cocktail for spooky season and set cinnamon bark on fire for a smoky finish. What a nice surprise, excellent service. Highly recommend! I will be back! read more

We stopped into this chill vibe joint which is notable for its breakfast and brunch. They do have a decent dinner menu as well. On one side of the restaurant you'll find a couple of cozy nooks and on the other side, more traditional dining set ups. You can also sit at the bar for breakfast or drinks. Their wine menu is very limited, but they do have a couple of draft beers on tap. We popped in for taco Tuesday. If you like beef tacos, here they come with ground beef not Skirt steak. We decided on the shrimp and chicken taco plates along with the flight of 3 margaritas. They do not have frozen margaritas, on the rocks only. We also decided on their Thai chili shrimp appetizer to start with which comes with three jumbo sized fried shrimp. The tacos were fairly good and the guacamole looked fresh made but the salsa was clearly from a jar (I'm pretty sure it's Pace). We finished it off with their chocolate cake/strawberry dessert, which to be honest, tasted store bought with some added touches. The prices were decent for what you get and the service was very attentive. It's a place I'd come back to, especially for breakfast judging by other reviews. If you're coming here with a group of 10 to 20 people, they do have a back room for private partys. Informative photos and bill included. read more

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Service is great! The atmosphere is very pleasant. Food is delicious and wholesome, Parking is really not in abundance in this area. Price is average for DC (high but not ridiculous) I'd go back for the coffee ... the omelette... for sure! read more

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Firefly was a great spot for a fun Sunday brunch! The place has a fun and cool ambience and all of the staff was very friendly and attentive! We started by sharing the deviled eggs. They were very good, although I've had better at other places in the past. I had the Smoked Salmon Benedict for my main dish and it was delicious. A couple of the folks in my party had the Chicken and Waffles and enjoyed it. One member of our group went for the Biscuits and Gravy and found it to be quite tasty! It was a little pricy, but overall a good spot for brunch. read more

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Got the mussels and friends got many other dishes like the burger, pasta, and fish & chips. They had some cool cocktails and wines. Service was really attentive and food was standard, nothing too out of the ordinary. We came on a tuesday night and it wasn't crowded. read more

Heartening to find a place with great food, service, and ambiance all in one. Apparently they had just introduced a new Cajun-inspired menu a few weeks ago ... pleased to see the chef so personable and enthusiastic about our feedback. We had a chili glazed shrimp (MUST TRY!!), chicken wings with mango pineapple sauce (another 5/5), grilled salmon (3.5/5 - good but nothing special), Alfredo pasta (3.5/5 - would have been 5/5 if it had more vegetables) and lamb chops (3.5/5... a bit dry). Finished off with triple chocolate - crème brûlée- apple tartlet ... all a 5/5. Definitely coming here again!! read more

Firefly - With the chef - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Went here for brunch last weekend and it was absolutely delicious! We were seated right away and were actually able to choose where we wanted to sit which was nice. Our waitress Tina was top tier and deserves the world!!!! She was so kind and attentive, as was the rest of the staff. I got the eggs Benedict with ham and potatoes and it was so good! I would definitely get it again! We also had a pitcher of mimosas and coffee which were both great! I would definitely go again if I was in the area and highly recommend! read more

Firefly - Eggs Benedict - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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A group of us came late at night on a weekday so we only order a drink each. The female staff member was very kind and welcoming. The bartender who took our drink orders seemed new as he wasn't sure what some of the drinks contained, and when we were trying to order "Check Your Floatability", he kept pointing to the rest of the cocktails above. The female staff member had to explain what it was. Presentation-wise, Check Your Floatability looked great. The drink itself was good, but a bit too sweet, and I typically enjoy sweet cocktails. My friend got a pink drink (unsure of the name), and it reminded me of cough syrup. Cocktails are $17 each. read more

Firefly - Check Your Floatability - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We stopped by Firefly for brunch on a Sunday. Firefly has a modern, yet comfortable atmosphere and a simple interior. We sat at the bar and ordered an egg white frittata and smoked salmon Benedict. The bar tender was a buffoon. Instead of taking our order, he shouted at us from the order station, requiring us to yell over to him. He truly thought he was sly hiding his phone in a menu and popping in an earpiece to take a call and again later to text for several minutes. Mind you, he was not attentive to empty glasses directly in front of him. He routinely left the bar and mostly acted like he was busy to his coworkers before returning to do very minimal items, such as washing two glasses, while ignoring the customers at the bar. The epitome of an employee acting busy and avoiding actually working. The food was good, but not exceptional. The eggs Benedict hollandaise was on the sour side and the smoked salmon wasnt the best offering. The potatoes were excellent as was the frittata, though it could lose the mushrooms. read more

Firefly - Egg White Frittata - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I want to round up but this is more like a 3.33 review so down it is. I stopped by the Firefly after a night at the attached Hotel Madera to try out their brunch. Pros: attached to the hotel; trendy and conspicuously clean; and well-trained wait staff It was Mothers Day do I expected a wait and was surprised to get a seat in the lounge quickly. I was seated quickly but service was quite slow. I had a spa appointment so I was in a rush and ordered coffee, chicken and waffles and a the Garden Rose. The cocktail came before the coffee and I had to request cream and sugar. The coffee was amazing. The chicken and waffles claim to be served with maple syrup-that was my draw. They were not. At all. I had to flag down the waiter to ask, though the host/manager did check on me prior to that. The waiter claimed it was maple. Unsurprising as the FOH often doesn't know what the kitchen does. It. Was. NOT. Maple. The waffle was okay. Tasted like krusteaz but made on a fancy iron. The chicken tenders were nicely proportioned and the breading was not overdone but they were not well seasoned. Couldn't find the waiter for hot sauce so I ate them as they came. Overall 3/5. The service was SLOW. I was late for a spa appointment and asked for my check. It took the waiter over 15 minutes to return. I don't know how much past that but I only waited for the 15 then I paid cash and split. Underwhelming, but in a good location would be my estimation of Firefly. There are way nicer brunch places in DC but Hotel Madera is nice so I'm sure they'll continue to get brisk business. I won't be back. read more

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Don't advertise brunch 9 am - 3 pm if you close at 2:15. We walked in at 2:20 and were turned away. read more

Firefly - Hours for brunch - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Let me start off by saying "amazing staff!" Their level of hospitality and quality service was consistent throughout our entire time and for that, I say "thank you!" Ambiance: if you could run away to a secret garden, this place would be it. The ambiance from the front door to the restrooms were very stylish, comfortable, and well designed. I was enamored by their decor and simply loved how comfortable this place was. Happy Hour: So my favorite part of their happy hour is the price of the drinks, not the limited selection of foods. I'll break them down separately. Drinks: I originally ordered a cocktail called Fake it Til you Make it ($13) and it wasn't my cup of tea. It was supposed to contain vodka but from what I tasted, there was mostly ice and cranberry juice and that wasn't what I was hoping for after a long stressful work day. I later switched to red wine ($9) and that was enjoyable throughout the night. Food: their happy hour food is limited but I enjoyed the Parmesan fries ($8) and Mediterranean bread ($13) both were very tasty but, they were super small. Because of this, I decided to order a Firefly Burger ($24) off the regular menu. The burger was paired with fries and the taste was simply okay. Topped with heavy cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and red onions, I have enjoyed better burgers....for less! I think given the size of the happy hour food and the price, you were a few dollars away from selecting something off the regular menu. That, in my opinion, wasn't cost effective. Would I return? Yes! For ambiance and drinks! But, I would definitely eat somewhere else because the area has better food/prices to choose from. Overall, I give this experience 4 slow hand claps for their service but not so much their food. Those prices were a bit ridiculous and the lack of happy hour bites wasn't welcoming. read more

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Found this very cute spot after I stopped here for a quick bite before heading to the farmer's market. I sat outside and enjoyed people watching as I waited for my food. I got the French toast which had very good flavor and fluffiness but was a bit too sweet for me. Scrambled eggs were good too-not dry like other places. read more

Firefly - French toast - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

In honor of a #FlashbackFriday...I gotta give credit where credit is due & that's to Firefly & their wonderful dishes. I visited the restaurant for a third time to try their dinner menu & I must say I made a GREAT decision. From the chili shrimp as an appetizer, to the lamb chops for my entree & ending with a sweet taste of cheesecake; manifesto. Gotta say the shrimp was a AMAZING w/ Chef Red's special sauce. The lamb chops marinating juices just melted in my mouth & I'm glad I was in the mood for something sweet. From the whip cream, to the berries & the sweet glaze on top; the cheesecake was EVERYTHING! And to top it off, the scenery was topped off w/ a great smooth ambiance. Firefly will stay on my list to comeback! I even had to get a "to-go" meal for my moms to try; she raved about chicken breast & those tasty mashed potatoes. Well done! read more

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I went here for brunch on Sunday. It's a cute restaurant in DuPont circle. I definitely recommend making reservations because it started getting crowded around noon. My server was extremely friendly and pretty attentive. There was a variety of food options on the brunch menu and the food came out really fast. The prices were also very fair. I ordered an egg white frittata and a cup of hot green tea for only $26. The egg white frittata was amazing! It came out piping hot in a skillet. The flavor was great. The feta cheese gave the frittata the saltiness, but it wasn't too salty. The combination of mushrooms, spinach, peppers, and feta cheese in the frittata was delicious! The side salad was bland. The dressing was just oil. The dressing needed lemon juice or balsamic vinegar to give it more flavor. read more

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Firefly Restaurant in DuPont Circle offers an unforgettable dining experience that's both cozy and exceptional. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with a warm, inviting atmosphere that set the tone for an evening we won't forget. The highlight of the night was the rib-eye steak. Cooked to a perfect medium, this steak was nothing short of extraordinary. Tender, juicy, and impeccably seasoned with garlic and peppercorn, every bite was a burst of flavor. The chef, Red, personally introduced himself to us and shared that he was from New Orleans, which made the experience even more special. He genuinely cared about how the food tasted and made sure we were completely satisfied--an extra touch that made all the difference. We also had the pleasure of enjoying the drinks from the talented bar staff. Patrick made me an Old Fashioned that was perfectly balanced, and Tina whipped up a delicious espresso for my girlfriend, both of which added to the overall high-quality service. Patrick and Tina were incredibly kind and attentive, making us feel completely at ease. After such a fantastic experience, my girlfriend and I couldn't resist coming back to try the lamb chops. They were cooked to perfection--tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor. My girlfriend had the salmon on our first visit, but after tasting the lamb chops, she declared she wanted to come back for those next time. I'll definitely be recommending Firefly to all my friends. My girlfriend and her friends are big brunch fans, so I'm sure they'll be checking it out soon too. We're already looking forward to our next visit! A huge shout-out to Chef Red for the incredible meal and to the entire team for making us feel so welcomed. We can't wait to come back! read more

Firefly - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Since we were galavanting in Baltimore before getting to our hotel in DC at almost 10pm on Good Friday, the last thing on our minds was search for breakfast the following morning. Firefly almost fixed all that at the Hotel Madera. Close your eyes and imagine a chic ice cream parlor with pastel colors. Since their revamping, Firefly has elevated the past restaurant feel with the softest yellow walls on one side, the lightest blue on another, the most delicate pink fabric on some of the upholstered chairs (I see these getting real dirty, real fast), plush teals and brassy touches add to the backdrop. Brunch a la carte seemed nice and there's something for every eating lifestyle. My Smoked Salmon Bagel with the required toppings, a sliver of cream cheese- as I like it, was great and hubs loved his Yogurt+granola+berry bowl. Our light nosh later in the day before a performance at 8pm, was what I thought we needed. Our mixed green salad with fried goat cheese and dressed in lemon+oil, was great- our cocktails, missed. Hubs enjoyed his yogurt for Sunday Brunch and my Veggie Omelette tasted like it was made in the same griddle with bacon. ;-(. Come on. Really? Service from the 3 times we visited though, was extremely attentive. But for a place like Firefly and their new get-up, it doesn't spell out fantastic meals or cocktails with strength read more

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A good solid restaurant. My family and I went here for brunch on March 12th, 2023. We were sat immediately as we had a reservation and even without a reservation I believe we would have been sat quickly as the place was not full. The restaurant is attached to a hotel, so the bathrooms are shared between the two. We were "greeted" by our server and started with drinks. I say greeted loosely as I don't remember him actually greeting us, but rather asking if we were ready to order, our server was a bit gruff and did not engage in any pleasantries. For brunch I got the smoked salmon Benedict, the hubby got the chef's BLT which comes with egg, my brother and dad got the egg frittata, my mom got chicken and waffles and my other brother got a burger. My Benedict was okay, something on my plate was too salty, but overall it was fine - the poached egg was perfectly cooked and runny. The hubby loved his BLT, I also admit it was quite good. The chicken and waffles was also yummy, with the sweet and savory perfectly matched, in addition to the Balance of the crunchy chicken and soft waffle. Overall, the food was good, unfortunately the drinks were just okay, they were a bit too sweet and seemed to lack alcohol. Service also could have been better, I never got the glass of ice I asked for, our server didn't really check on us and unfortunately he wasn't friendly. All in all, a solid local restaurant. read more

Went here for brunch yesterday and it was just fine. It seemed like the waiters didn't have assigned sections so we constantly explaining to someone that a previous waiter had already taken our order or helped us. This led to some pretty big gaps in service. Thank goodness we weren't in a hurry because it was sloooooooow. The food was ok. Not very well seasoned, just bland and inoffensive. There is no salt and pepper on the tables to remedy this. This is a hotel restaurant and it shows. Definitely pricey for what you're getting. The decor and overall vibe is nice and the cocktail menu looked interesting so if I was staying at Hotel Madera, it could be a fun place to get a nightcap. Save your money and skip the food though. read more

Firefly holds a special place in my memory. It's a spot that has been around for over 20 years! How do I know this? It was the very first date that I ever had with my partner, and we're now married. Firefly I'm sure helped seal the deal! I remember coming here in my early 20s and thinking just how expensive it was. But then again, I was making just about poverty-level wages as a lowly DC newbie answering phones. The original spot had a different version of a tree in the middle of the restaurant. Think of it as a high-end version of Rainforest Cafe. It was pretty classy, and totally remember it like it was yesterday. My partner and I returned recently to celebrate our 19 year anniversary. My first thought -- the prices are totally reasonable. Though, our tastes have become a lot more expensive I guess. The cocktails are creative and they have an extensive list of mocktails, which is always nice to see. My partner got the filet, which he enjoyed and I had the Cornish hen. Service was nice and the place hit on all the nostalgia that I remembered. The restaurant is just south of Dupont Circle in the Hotel Madera. I'm not typically inclined to eat in hotel restaurants but it feels very separate from the hotel, with the exception of using the bathroom. We will likely come back again -- maybe our 39th year anniversary? Random number but so is celebrating 19 years. Regardless, it's a cozy spot. read more

Firefly was a great, cute spot for brunch with my friend. The iced latte was on point and our food was great. I loved the tshirts that the staff had to wear! read more

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Escaped the heat in this cute restaurant-- we had a section all to ourselves in the front of the restaurant. I could even charge my phone. Coffee and mimosas, yes please! Loved my frittata with some hot sauce! I swear I need to be like Beyoncé and carry sauce in my bag! Super cute and tasty. read more

Firefly - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I had the most wonderful experience at FireFly! The ambiance of the restaurant was very cozy and organized but it was the people and food that made the experience 100x more memorable. Our waitress Tina was very charismatic and helpful in getting us accustomed, while kindly checking in throughout the night to ensure our satisfaction. Chef Red was attentive, accommodating, and extremely talented in cooking. His Alfredo pasta was creamy, very tasteful and was complemented perfectly by the salmon in it. I had to double up the sweet chilli tail on shrimp appetizers, not because they weren't enough (they were actually great, big sizes) but because the sauce Chef Red made them in were to die for, complimenting the crisp outside and tender inside of the shrimp. Overall, I would recommend anyone to come for dinner (although their breakfast was delightful as well)! Thank you Tina, Chef Red, and the rest of the FireFly team! read more

This place made our short trip to DC amazing!! The service was absolutely outstanding, thanks Andy!!! Every drink we tried was excellent and always had something fun like smoke bubbles or edible butterflies. The ribs were cooked perfectly, juicy and fell right off the bone, definitely try the mambo sauce! And the fries were the best we ever had! It's also a perfect place to relax away from the crowds and just people watch on the patio. Definitely will be back next time we're in DC! read more

From the hostess to our server customer service at this location was fantastic. The restaurant has a European minimalistic look and field with funky furniture placings and a very unique set up. For appetizers I ordered the avocado toast and the fruit bowl and for lunch I ordered the egg white frittata with the eggs Benedict. I took our servers recommendation on substituting the ham for smoked salmon and the selection did not disappoint. The flavors were so fresh and flavorful I cannot pick a favorite because I loved it all. read more

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Mediocre food and extremely pricey but the entire restaurant smells really good. The entrance is super cute too. Although I must say that I may not be too eager to patronize that spot again for brunch, especially with the wide array of brunch spots in the area. read more

Firefly - Egg White Frittata - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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The food was delicious, I had the chicken & waffles. Chicken was lightly breaded and crispy. The perfect sweet/salty combination. It's a small place but acoustics are good. The staff are very friendly and attentive keeping waters filled. read more

Firefly - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Service: Went for brunch on a Sunday and the food and service were both amazing. We had to get reservations and there weren't many tables which is usually a good sign and it definitely was for this place. The service was amazing. Our drinks were always filled. We had managers checking on us. The place was very clean. A very nice, quiet environment too where you can hear yourself think and speak. Food: The chicken and waffles was absolutely scrumptious. The chicken was juicy and the waffles had a distinct but good flavor. The French toast was very good as well. Everything was cooked perfectly. I joke, but the bacon may have been my least favorite part. Cons: The prices were a little high. There was no real deal on alcohol even during brunch. There wasn't any close parking, but it is DuPont Circle so that's pretty much expected. read more

Firefly - Chicken & Waffles - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This is one of my regular spots in Washington simply because it has strong gluten-free ratings. That said the food is pretty average the prices are average G It's a neighborhood Restaurant so that's a nice change of pace but I wouldn't go too far for this food read more

This restaurant is attached to the Madera hotel. They actually make a very good espresso here. It was quite impressive for not being a coffee shop. I purchased an egg white veggie omelette. It was delicious. The other people in my party, purchased berry, waffles, and breakfast sandwiches. They all enjoyed it. If you're in a hurry, this probably isn't the best place to go. This is a basic restaurant with something for everyone. read more

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I visited Firefly for Sunday brunch with a small group. Our reservation was at 1pm and we arrive a little early. We were seated right away and started with a round of drinks. 2 garden tries cocktails, a bourbon and a blueberry mimosa. They all came out within a reasonable amount of time and everyone enjoyed what they ordered. I had the garden rose and it was light & refreshing and wasn't too sweet. For entrees we had the Benedict, waffle w/fruit, chicken & waffles and the breakfast burger. Everything was fresh and a large portion. I had the breakfast burger (they allowed me to remix it a little by adding egg) it was a very large portion so I only finished about half. The staff at firefly was very attentive and friendly throughout our visit. I would visit firefly again, but maybe come earlier because it closes at 3. We didn't get a warning the staff just began to clear the table and some of the lights were turned off. In the torture it would be nice to get a heads up that they're closing. read more

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This could be an awesome restaurant. The location is fabulous. The decor is great. The service is excellent. But the food is very mediocre.

First time trying firefly and I was very satisfied! My friends and I stopped by for Sunday brunch today and the food, decor, and service was great all the way through! I ordered a birds of paradise drink for $12 and a ham eggs Benedict for $19. I wish I had remembered to take a picture of my drink because honestly it was huge. Definitely recommend! The eggs Benedict was delicious although I do wish it included a few more potato pieces. Thought the pricing was reasonable and would definitely visit again for brunch in the DuPont area! read more

Firefly - Eggs Benedict - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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We had Saturday brunch here. The food was outstanding as was the service. My wife commented that this was the first meal in a long time that was worth eating out and not making at home. She had the chicken and waffles which were perfectly sweet and salty. I had the corned beef hash which had an amazing sauce. We are looking forward to going back. read more

Very disappointing experience. There were four of us for brunch at 11am on a Sunday. It wasn't crazy busy when we arrived, but apparently a large group arrived some time after us and was served priority over our orders. We did not get food until 12:30pm. It was honestly disgraceful. We kept asking our server and he only said that it would be out soon - at one point saying two minutes when it took another 25 minutes. We had to ask for a manager, of which they had none on staff that day, in order to finally get the explanation that the large group's order had preempted ours and therefore we had to wait until the kitchen was done with them. It was a very frustrating experience and is enough for me to stay away. Food was okay, but not worth the wait or the price. read more

Phenomenal atmosphere, phenomenal taste in all we had. They did not have the sweet breads we wanted for an app or the ribs. The filet migon was rare when we ordered medium. Everything else was seasoned perfectly. The salmon was delicious, the cream brulee was the absolute best I've ever had! read more

Firefly - Filet mingon. - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Simple brunch menu performed well. Stellar service and wasn't crowded until we were leaving. Highly recommend this spot! Went with eggs Benedict and a fruit bowl with honey. Everything came out plates beautiful and just right. Get here before the crowd. People flock here for a reason. Pro Tip: the bathrooms are out the door towards the hotel, down the hallway. Do not go into the kitchen. They don't like it. read more

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Always love Firefly. Cozy room, great service, wonderful food. Not too loud so you can't hear your tablemates but loud enough. read more

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Cool ambience, great service some tasty bites but not a spot I'd seek out to recommend. We had great company here and my toddler stayed occupied with the cookie she got to decorate. All kids meals come with this. We ordered the cheese flatbread for the toddler. I enjoyed it as I end up eating more than she did. We ordered the truffle fries and the chowder for appetizers. Both were really good. The toddler approved the fries for sure. I had the scallops entree. They scallops were good, but not worth the value paid. I think there is potential at this restaurant, but something is lacking that leads to its overall 3 star rating. read more

Firefly - S'mores dessert - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia