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Iron Gate is doing EVERYTHING right! 4.5 stars! And if I lived in the area I would come back. They offer a family style menu in which you pay one price and all the appetizers come out in small bites so you can try everything. They also add complimentary little surprises during each course. My top 3 were the oysters the potato croquette with caviar and the branzino... oh the focaccia was also very Tasty!!!! The capellini was very salty which was a little upsetting. The yogurt had a a light crunch crust and it just wasn't doing it for me. But their take on a cheesecake was very airy which was nice. Let's talk about our server, she was a pleasure!!!! She was honest about every dish we would Receive. She was attentive and there was nothing more we could have asked for. I will remember this meal forever!
Tried Iron Gate for restaurant week and really enjoyed it. Everything we ordered was super fresh and high quality. It was super busy for a weekday but the service was still top-notch. The ambiance is very cute and would def recommend for a date night or girls night out.
After a long day of traveling across the country, I was thrilled to find that Iron Gate is quite literally across the street from my hotel. Score! I called ahead to inquire if I might be able to just drop in rather than make a reservation because I still had some lingering work to finish, and the lovely hostess was so accommodating. She greeted me with a big smile when I mentioned I had called, then proceeded to give me a full tour of the restaurant. First, the front bar area, which is dubbed the "Tunnel of Love" for the first part of February with fun and festive decor and a special menu. Next, a quick, brisk walk through the outside patio area, which looks like it would be incredible when it's slightly warmer than 27°F, what with its nice pergola with abundant vegetation above and multiple fire pits. Lastly, the carriage house, complete with partially open kitchen, cozy fireplace and dark paneling giving it an old world charm. I chose to sit here. Will provided friendly and prompt service without making anything feel rushed. I was offered a complimentary bowl of flavorful hummus with carrots, cucumber and crackers. I opted for the focaccia, winter citrus salad and beet ravioli. Everything was scrumptious. At one point in between dishes, I went over to the fireplace to warm myself up a bit. The sommelier came over to my table shortly thereafter and asked if I liked apple cider. He offered me some hot cider because he saw that I was chilly. Super warm touch on the cold winter night. Delightful.
Iron Gate is a beautiful restaurant tucked near Dupont Circle. The space is split between a dining room, an enclosed carriageway bar, and my favorite area, the wisteria-covered outdoor patio. It's the perfect setting for a special night out, especially when the weather is nice. The menu is modern American cuisine. I loved the tomato and watermelon salad to start, followed by the flank steak, which was perfectly cooked. The grilled scampi was also delicious, full of flavor and beautifully prepared. Iron Gate blends history, charm, and excellent food, making it a standout in Dupont. I can't wait to come back!
Could not have asked for a better experience from the hostess to the food, it was top notch. Our waiter, Joey, deserves a review of his own because he made the experience 1000x more memorable. If you go here ask for him, he was amazing, knowledgeable, and made us feel so special. We came to celebrate our engagement and left with all the best memories. Had the four course dinner with wine pairings and everything was unreal. Get the seafood!!! After coming back from the South of France recently the seafood was as close as we had in Nice and that's huge. Absolutely stellar service, atmosphere and food. 10/10 recommend, we will definitely be back, but only when Joey is working.
This is an old time favorite, but after our visit this past week, it feels like it lost its magic! Have always been a fan of the focaccia, but I think they changed the recipe-it was not as good as it normally is. The beet salad was actually the stand out dish, could eat that every day. We also ordered the cuddlefish pasta and mushroom manitaropita--both delicious but overall felt like it lost its magic touch after being blown away in the past. Epecially disappointed in the focaccia
Iron Gate was good but not great. They have room to improve some of the dishes, the service, and the dessert options. The restaurant is certainly one of the most beautiful in DC. It's constructed from an old carriage house, an outdoor area, and an enclosed alleyway. The interior spaces have rustic charm with dark wood and brick; the exterior space is a lovely, cozy patio with tree coverage. I visited for a special occasion dinner at 6 PM on a Thursday. The place was pretty empty but filled in by the time we left around 7:30 PM. Iron Gate offers a set menu ($95/person food + $75/person wine) or a la carte. The set menu includes all of the meze courses plus one from the pasta, entree, and dessert courses. This isn't one per person, but one per two people. The menu doesn't make this clear, but if you have more than two people you get to order two items from each course (we overheard this told to another table). We weren't interested in all of the meze options and wanted to get more than one entree, so we ordered a la carte. We also didn't think the set menu would be a good deal. You can get one pasta, entree, and dessert for about $95 by themselves, so the other $95 is just for the meze? Even if they make the dishes a little larger to accommodate two people, I'm skeptical. It seems like a better deal for the restaurant than the guest. Anyway, we got the Romanesco "Wedge" ($16), Squash Salad ($18), Hen "Diavolo" ($38), and "Chermoula" Swordfish ($37). The salads were good but I would have liked them to be a little more tender/softer. The romanesco, for example, said it was "charred" on the menu and it was mostly raw when I would have preferred it more roasted. The hen was a full chicken roasted with dry rub and served with a side of green beans, bacon, and onions. The chicken was nicely cooked and very tasty, although I wouldn't call it diavolo -- it was spiced but not spicy, and to me, diavolo suggests it will come with some spicy red sauce a la pasta diavolo. The swordfish was our favorite dish -- very tender and served with a delicious hash. We took about half the entrees home for leftovers. We had some cocktails and wine ($15-$19). I liked the Ciao Napoleon cocktail a lot. We skipped desserts. We weren't impressed by the two options: budino (pudding, $16) and "cheesecake" ($18). Those are very high prices for very basic desserts. Since there were only two options and both were basic, I suspect Iron Gate does not have a pastry chef, which it really should for a fine dining restaurant. Our service was very friendly and helpful at the beginning of the meal but then largely absent later on when the dining room got more crowded. We felt forgotten. We intended to get another drink, but by the time someone brought the drink menu again and then someone came back to take our order, it was too late in the meal so we skipped it. Our server gave us a few gratis items: a small hummus dip, a small spelt bread, and small glasses of lemoncello at the end. He did not acknowledge our special occasion; these seemed to be standard free items they throw in and we saw a few other tables get them. We had a nice two-top in front of the unlit fireplace, which was a nice spot, but also a bit cold and drafty.
BEWARE! Do not trust an important evening to this restaurant. Last night romantic dinner in DC while on vacation - destroyed. Still made us pay full price. I don't normally write reviews, but this was insanely terrible for this style/price point. Complete cluster. They already have an incredibly limited menu - no problem knew that going in. We spent time pairing up all three courses at the beginning of the evening, including wine pairing for each course. You should know it's going to be a long evening as they don't rush the courses - thats fine, romantic setup. First course was fine. Second course was light as expected. Delivered with gaps we expected the experience. We're hungry at this point and an hour and a half into dinner service when it was time to deliver the third course, which was their high dollar dish, they said they were "out". We planned the entire evening from the front end around this dish and it ruined everything. A restaurant like this should know from the start how each course is supposed to come out and take stock at the beginning of the night to know how they're supposed to finish each course on time. Someone really screwed up and the manager was completely spineless and in a hurry to make us leave after we said were not interested in any of the other 3rd course options after pairing everything up. The waitress was frazzled and probably got yelled at by the chef when it's clearly a back of house issue. No discounts to the evening, 3 hours and our cap to our trip blown. This restaurant is allegedly on the DC Michelin guide, no restaurant that's on that guide should be making these kinds of mistakes - then giving you the full bill. Just terrible and beware!
Hadn't been to iron gate in years but decided to check out their restaurant week brunch. It was fantastic. The French toast was amazing as an entree. The desserts were delicious and really filling. The first course was also great the table had gotten one of each option. I liked the yogurt the best.
Ok-- this might make the top 5 best meals I've had in DC! First of all, the restaurant was beautiful. We sat in the outdoor patio and wowowoow the vibes were immaculate! Service was good but veryyyyyy slow-- our dinner lasted 4 hours!! We were a big group so we ordered the family table with dishes to share. It was A LOT of food-- we ended up boxing up leftovers to go because we were so stuffed! They also give you a lot of complementary "gifts", which means even more food!! Cocktail: - Grey skies: 10000/10 (omg this cocktail!!! Reminds of my fav cocktail from Silver Lyan. It's slightly citrusy, creamy, and aromatic) Appetizers: - Baby beet: 100000/10 (one of my fav bites of the day! The beet was super fresh and I adored the beet sauce on the bottom of the dish! Also the crunchy feta cheese was chefs kiss.) - Oak roasted dates: 100000/10 (another of my fav bites of the day! Hot dates filled to the brim with cheese... what not to like?) - Foccacia: 100/10 (cheesy, hot, and soooo good!! Literally had to have 2+ slices each.) - Grilled Chesapeake oysters: 100/10 (idk it just tasted very fresh and very special-- loveddd it! Perfect way to start off the meal.) - Wood roasted asparagus: 8/10 (yummy sauce but asparagus was a bit tough to chew on) Pasta: - Braised local rabbit gemelli: 100/10 (we were all a bit nervous to try rabbit, but this was fantastic. Pasta was cooked to perfection and the noodles held the sauce flavor very well.) - Fresh ricotta fagotini: 9/10 (solid but not groundbreaking) Mains: - Chicken breast: 9/10 (chicken was cooked well and seasoned well. Loved the sweet potato it comes with.) Dessert: - Chocolate budino: 10000/10 (as a dark chocolate lover, this was heavenly!!!! Not too sweet, slightly bitter, and veryyyyy thick in consistency.) - Buttermilk pana cotta: 10/10 (buttery and yummy)
My partner and I chose Iron Gate to celebrate a special occasion while in town and had a lovely time. We went with the tasting menu, which was inclusive of so many delicious bites. We loved starting off with a bunch of small plates! Our favorite dish though was the bacon wrapped monkfish. The fish was cooked perfectly and we appreciated the uniqueness of the dish. Service was helpful and friendly!
This is an absolute gem. Walking into it it is a slim indoor dining area with a bar and then some outdoor seats near the entrance. I was a little taken aback because I had high expectations but then they walk you into the actual dining areas and it is a lovely surprise. The restaurant is beautiful! Every area we passed looked like the most romantic setting. Our table was the farthest away indoors and was very quiet and romantic. I did not get many pictures of the inside of the restaurant due to the complete awe. For dinner we did the four course menu and this includes all meze, an option for the next three courses. This was an anniversary dinner as we came to DC for our anniversary. This place was definitely a big highlight. All the food was pretty adventurous for us - but it was very delicious ! They also included some things on the house which was very kind - we had at least two items not on the menu. The hummus dip not included in that count was given to every table at the start before you order as well. Overall it was an amazing experience and I would most definitely love to go back. Note - we did spend at least 2 hours here but it is SO worth it. As you can see I didn't photograph as much as I liked due to the upmost enjoyment of my experience here.
Cute hidden brunch place! There's outside seating underneath some sort of canopy and it's perfect for when it starts to warm up outside. Everyone working was nice, and attentive, and our server checked on us sparingly (a plus for me). I started with a Cappelletti spritz, which was sweet and refreshing. For my main, I got the olive oil-fried eggs, and this was such a balanced brunch. The eggs aren't traditionally fried (not crispy, no brown lacing), but the sauce on top of them was delicious. Everything was bright and citrusy, the potatoes were crispy, and the salad just rounded it out well.
Had a very nice dinner here tonight. We sat outside and while it was very warm it was very nice. I have some dietary concerns mostly that I can't eat egg. The server was great with helping me, she even brought me a marked up menu showing me what I could and couldn't have. I did wish there was more protein I could have, but I still left satiated. I loved everything I had, presentation and taste were fantastic. Our cocktails were spectacular - I had the watermelon one My friend was very impressed by the sparkling wine pour and said it was the best she had ever seen. We felt lucky to be able to walk in without a reservation. I would definitely recommend this place to others. read more
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Amber P.
Ligaya,…
It's hard to be me sometimes. Can you imagine trying to choose a restaurant in a city that you've never dined out in before? Can you imagine doing this while being a foodie and wanting to choose the perfect place for the occasion (even more difficult if there isn't a specific "occasion") but having almost no idea where to start? It's harrowing, friend, I tell ya. My restaurant FOMO (outdated term, sorry) is truly pathological, so sometimes I need to just pick something and deal (are we sure we're still talking about fun here). Anyway, let's get to the point, shall we? I found Iron Gate while comparing a number of different articles and listicles, and thankfully for us, it was all that we had hoped for. Romantic and charming, small plates-forward menu with fabulous, contemporary Mediterranean/Italian eats. Delicious and seasonal food, solid mixology program and a lovely selection of Greek and Italian wins. A success! 4.5 stars. I can't muster up 5, but it was pretty damn close. Made a reservation here for 6:45pm on a Thursday night. We had everything and more go wrong on our way from Virginia to DC, so we ended up arriving more like 7:20, which is blasphemous in my book. Plus, Iron hate is usually walk-ins only between 7-9. Thankfully, we called ahead and they were more than happy to hold our table. And our table was prime real estate. Right in the middle of the main dining room which is rustic and homey, dimly-lit, romantic and features a very real, very warm (we went on a 15-degree night) fireplace. Ambiance, A++. Our waiter, and the service overall, was delightful. He did not judge me at all for taking a quick and very unorthodox fireplace break mid-ordering due to my frostbitten hands. He was pretty much on the money when it came to choosing our damage, too. Iron Gate has an impressive array of cocktails, beers (LOTS) and wine, with an emphasis on those from Greece and Italy. I always like to start with a cocktail, and I went with the Give Me One Resin (Barr Hill Gin, Mastiha, honey, absinthe, lemon), which was tart with some undertones of earthiness from the Mastiha (pine liquor). Nice and well-balanced. The bf tried the Rakoway Beach (Civic Vodka Giffard Pamplemousse, Rakomelo spice, lemon), which we both liked more. Sweet with a punch from the Rakomelo. Both elegant and both solid choices. With my meal, I had the Colli di Lapio despite my knowing next to nothing about Italian wine. Somewhat floral and fruity but muted enough that it went well with our food. And I'll get to that, don't worry. Food-wise there are really only two ways to go here. Split a bunch of small plates or opt for tasting/one of the "feasts". Small plates is our go-to method of eating anyway, so it was any easy choice for us. The food was flavorful, warming and elegant. Plates were definitely on the small side, so I'd recommend 3 per person. Eats, below: Maplebrook Farm Burrata w/ autumn squash, Asian pear, spiced pumpkin seeds: A++ Our first, and favorite, dish of the night. Sweet, rich, perfect blend of textures and flavors. The burrata was heavenly. Try to get a little bit of everything in one bite and you'll have a spiritual experience. Brussels Sprouts Salad w/ raw cheddar, Castle Valley farro, walnut, two apples: A- Hard to follow the burrata. This one was decent but probably our least favorite of the night. Brussels and apples done two ways, yummy fall flavors and the farro was a nice touch. Felt uninspired, though. Spice Roasted Carrots w/ cilantro, harissa oil, pistachio, yogurt sauce: A+ A tiny plate but each morsel was delicious. I've had this roasted carrot/pistachio/yogurt combo a few different times and I've always loved it. No exception here. Carrots can be sexy, folks. Caramelized Ricotta Gnocchi w/ Calabrian chili, pecorino, cherry tomatoes: A I'm gluten intolerant but I made an exception here for two pieces of gnocchi, at the expense of my stomach. I love pasta but oddly have never liked gnocchi, but this was wonderful. Great texture, rich and warming flavors and not too heavy. Simple but powerful. Grilled Tangier Oysters w/ goat butter, roasted chili, pickled shallot: A Two each wasn't enough! Another tiny plate. But a very, very good one. Bites like these are Flavor Bombs. Nice flavor combo here with the brine and pickled shallot on one end, the butter and chili evening it out in an interesting way. A creative preparation that paid off. Charred Octopus w/ smoked sweet potato, chicory, black garlic, mustard: A+ Octopus has been my favorite food for year and still I wish I picked something less pretentious. But the mouth wants what it wants. Though we expected slightly larger portion for the price, what we did get was delicious. Whatever they did with the mustard sauce here was magical. The sweet potatoes and garlic kept the warm vibes alive. I don't usually see a sweet flavor profile with octopus dishes, so this was a nice change of pace with excellent execution. read more
3 years ago
6 years ago
This spot was amazing. Bonfire next to tables, friendly staff & amazing food! We had the Chef Special & everything was very fresh & flavorful! read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
Had a wonderful Sunday brunch at Iron Gate, perhaps one of my favorites in D.C. so far. The food: so delicious! The sesame crusted feta with honey was amazingly warm, salty and sweet. The lemon ricotta pancakes were airy and soft, and paired well with the apple, syrup and whipped cream toppings. The baked hen eggs were savory, slightly spiced, and very tasty. Given the quality, the dishes are very affordable. The service: our server was attentive and gave wonderful recommendations for food. The location: we sat outside in the brick and fairylights patio area behind the restaurant where the outdoor seating is located. The heat lamp was a bit too intense for our table, and the leaves occasionally dripped on our table, resulting in removing one star from this review. Would definitely come back here for brunch or dinner in the future! read more
7 years ago
This restaurant is the best! I reserved a table in the garden patio to host a surprise birthday party for my sister. They were amazing. From the service to the food...everything was fabulous. They even personalized the menu and created a special cocktail for her. Love, love, love this restaurant. read more
I went to Iron Gate for restaurant week, and it hit all the marks despite the freezing cold weather. The seating area is cozy with many heat laps around to keep you warm. And you can order a blanket if you need something more. The food came out of the kitchen very hot which was important on such a cold night, and everything was excellent per the usual custom at Iron Gate. Well done. read more
4 years ago
Iron Gate definitely didn't disappoint especially during restaurant week in DC. The three course menu for $35 was incredible starting from the ambience of the restaurant. It wasn't too crowded and super chill. You could honestly just walk up and be a seated easily earlier in the week. I started the beet salad which was a great way to cleanse my palate. Next went with the short rib and polenta which were absolutely amazing. The polenta was so well seasoned and creamy. The beef wasn't too overwhelming and it was just the right amount of food. I then finished off my meal with the chocolate dessert that came with cashews. It was so creamy and a great way to finish off the already fantastic meal. I cant say enough good things about Iron Gate and I will definitely go back again. The food is a little pricey, but for a fancy not break the bank meal, it's definitely worth it. The entrees range from $15-25 or so FYI. read more
Finally made my way to Iron Gate for restaurant week! I've been attempting to go for a while but it kept falling through... First and foremost, this place is AWESOME! When you first walk in it's a long bar with a very high ceiling and it doesn't seem like it can seat anyone. Then you walk through to the back patio where they have outdoor seating with heaters and fire pits. You think "oh this is pretty nice, what a fun little surprise." But THEN they lead you across the patio to the adjacent building which has huge comfy chairs, a roaring wood-burning fireplace and an overall speakeasy feel. I had friends from out of town visiting so I'm extremely happy I chose this spot. On to the food! In short- everything was delicious! Thoroughly enjoyed the Spiced Lamb Keftedes as my appetizer. The lamb was cooked very well (not too dry which happens sometimes with lamb) and it was pretty hearty for an app. The short ribs were incredible. The fat was rendered down and full of flavor. The dish also had some sweet carrots mixed in, which added a cool dynamic. The dessert was a fun twist and unlike anything I've had before. Overall this place is great and I cannot wait to go back! read more
7 years ago
5 years ago
Iron Gate is one of the most lovely and relaxing fine dining experiences I've had in DC. Invite your friends, split some bottles of wine, and order the entire menu - the servers will keep the plates coming consistently, and you'll get to try everything from the house made focaccia to the grilled octopus to the rabbit meat gemelli. My friends and I were here for hours, enjoying good conversation and food under the patio lights and grape vines. Definitely add this to your DC bucket list. read more
Must Go!!! I was a little skeptical at first. I found the menu to be small for brunch, but boy was I wrong. My favorite was the Galaktoboureko ( I have no idea if I spelled that right or how to pronounce it) but get it!!! My second favorites were the potatoes with yogurt sauce and lemon ricotta pancakes!! I wish I liked the cheese but it was goat cheese and I just don't like goat cheese but my friends enjoyed it. The service was very attentive and fast. I also loved their regular coffee it was strong and delicious. I can't wait to come back bc apparently the menu changes!!! read more
Business owner information
Blake S.
Thanks for reviewing, Armani - the galaktoboureko is one of my…
This was a great place to come with a friend/coworker after work for a drink and a snack! We'll be coming back for sure! The food was delicious, and the wine and beer lists were surprising and fun--and good! I'd been here several times for work lunches in its previous iteration, but I'd yet to try its reincarnation until today, a quiet July Monday evening. A coworker and I were looking for a place for a classy post-work drink to catch up somewhere between Farragut and Dupont, and this was perfect! She ordered a half glass of one of the sour beers (that's right sour beer lovers, there were several!), and I ordered a glass of a Greek rosé. My coworker loved being able to order a smaller amount to drink, and I loved how many different options the wine list had compared to most other places in DC: a sparkling wine and a red wine from Sicily, an orange wine from Georgia, and the Greek rosé that I went with thanks to our server helping me decide. My wine was AMAZING. It was the perfect balance for me of flavor, balance, dryness vs sweetness, and still being refreshing. I wouldn't hesitate to order a bottle another time, or seek it out at a wine store. Their wine list emphasizes Greek and Southern Italian wines, which is why it differs from your standard wine list at DC's finer dining establishments. We mostly just wanted drinks, but we noticed a really nice looking focaccia on the food menu and ordered a piece to share. For the summer they're doing zucchini and smoked mozzarella, and man oh man was it delicious!! If you've never really had smoked mozzarella, you're in for an extra special treat! The extra salt tasted good to the two of us, but some could find it too much. It could do with less oil, as the paper underneath in my photo illustrates, plus this kept me from otherwise feeling like I'd been transported back to Sicily. Service overall was excellent; everyone was helpful and professional and not overbearing. The bar was full, but they weren't super busy, so the hostess was kind enough to let us take a table in the front, even though we hadn't planned on ordering food. I can't wait to come back here with my husband for dinner and for more drinks with friends! read more
Business owner information
Amber P.
Kristi,…
8 years ago
I went for the restaurant week and it was my first time dining here. As many other have said, the ambience is phenomenal...loved it! But the food, not so sure. I ordered catfish for my entree, and I had to politely ask my server if I could get a different dish instead - the fish was very bland underneath the fried batter and abnormally fishy aftertaste (weird especially because it was a fried dish). My server was very kind to replace it with one of the other entree options, and I got ravioli. Again, I was very disappointed - the edges of every single ravioli were very hard. Not sure if they weren't cooked all the way through or I just happened to get a bad batch. The desserts were just so-so. Overall, loved the cocktails, but the food can be better. Although I really loved the ambience of this place and the drinks they served, not sure if I want to give their food another try especially given the price point. read more
Business owner information
Blake S.
Thanks for taking the time to leave a review. I'm glad you found the…
7 years ago
Starting with the positives: great, friendly, attentive service and wonderful atmosphere, especially if you sit in the outdoor courtyard. The food is also well prepared. I give it three stars because the menu is rather limited for anyone with food intolerances. Additionally, the portions are incredibly small and overpriced. Left ready for a second dinner and a rather large tab. Won't be back. read more
7 years ago
This is a new favorite for me. I've been wanting to try this restaurant for over 5 years and I finally made it during the January 2020 restaurant week. The restaurant ambiance is amazing. There's an amazing outdoor seating area with this overhang of plants. Then past that section is a cute and cozy speakeasy feel restaurant. We sat right near the fireplace and it was very nice. The waiter as great also. He made excellent wine recommendations. One of the best glasses of wine I've ever had. Every bite of the three course dinner was delectable. Our whole table was raving about each and every bite. I will absolutely be returning. read more
9 years ago
An unforgettable meal at a beautiful restaurant. Indeed it is one of the most romantic restaurants in the DC area. The drinks weren't too memorable, but the food was. We enjoyed the: Harissa Spiked Steak Tartare Batter Fried Halloumi Roasted Eggplant Caramelized Ricotta Gnocchi Acquerello Risotto Charred Octopus Apple Crostada The steak tartare was so fresh and flavorful with the harissa. The batter fried halloumi was my absolute favorite. I am a true lover of cheese and the crispiness balanced the soft warm halloumi beautifully. Gnocchi and Risotto are my Achilles heel. The gnocchi was a little sweet from the caramelized ricotta and the risotto was cooked to perfected. The charred octopus was cooked perfectly and not too chewy; which is a mistake that many chefs can make. The apple crostada was the perfect ending to our meal. I highly recommend this restaurant. Try to find parking in the garage behind the restaurant, maybe you'll get lucky like me and find $5 parking :) read more
4 years ago
I wanted my husband to have a beautiful birthday dinner and Iron Gate surely fulfilled my expectations. Staff Jean and Anita were amazing and tentative to us and especially made my husband feel so special. A beautiful table by the fire place and delicious food. I totally recommend this restaurant for their ambiance, food and service. Thank you again Jean and Anita. See you soon again! read more
4 years ago
This place was fantastic!! Ambiance A+. Food A+. Service A++. My girlfriend and I decided to try this place for a nice date night was visiting DC and it did not disappoint. It was a family-style three course meal and the appetizers were enough for a solid meal alone. They nearly had to roll us out. To put the icing on the cake, we received a hand written thank you card from our server, Karl. Never have I ever gotten a thank you card after a meal at a restaurant. It was a really nice touch to end a fabulous evening. I will definitely be returning if I am ever in DC again, as well as recommend to all my friends and colleagues who come to visit DC. read more
4 years ago
What a bougie place. The quintessential overpriced DC menu to match with the tiny, finger portions that you pay for. Came here for lunch on a nice sunny day - the interior is drop dead gorgeous, almost like you are sitting inside Narnia. My problem was the pretentious vibe that comes off from this place -- men in suits trying to swag their way into their clients hearts, groups of chatty "politics" wannabes trying to talk about the latest health care bill. It's so dang loud sitting in here that you can't help but roll your eyes a few times listening to people the around you. If you want to escape from that pretentious DC air, this is not the place for you. Onto the food...presentation was solid but the taste was little to be desired (especially for that expensive price tag). $15 for a sandwich. Really...and $15 for a salad with a sprinkle of hummus and coriander?! and $10 for bruschetta?! You gotta be kidding me. I was still Starving when i left the place and truly disappointed by the bird-Like portions. Also, during lunch time, when you only have an hour to sit and eat, it would be nice to have a waiter who comes by periodically to check in to see if you need anything like your check...but apparently it was mission impossible trying to find someone to help us out because there was only one person working, jumping from table to table. I'd say, this place is a great place to take a client or a great place to cash out with the company card. But definitely a no-go for me and my poor empty wallet!! read more
I agree that the decor is appealing. We were told that out door seating was not available, it might be worthwhile to see how it can be reserved when the weather cooperates. We were seated next to an overly loud party, and needed reseating to an area that was simply loud. The bare walls bounce sound back at you with what seems like magnification. Four of us decided it was easier to get a family style meal at $55 per person. It turned out to be an enormous amount of food. I cant id each dish because descriptions by the server were inaudible. The food had some nice moments but a number of items were excessively salty. A dip was ok. There was a fennel salad that was pretty good. The focaccia was a little limp. We were served octopus salad, but the octopus was sliced too thin. It also lacked grill or smoke flavor which was a missed opportunity. We had some kind of fruit salad medley that was tasty. We had skirt steak over spinach. The steak had a deep meaty taste, but with typical skirt steak toughness. The spinach was too salty to eat. Dessert was some kind of cranberry pound cake that had little sweetness, leaving it almost savory and tart. It came with mastic ice cream. Again, no sweetness and medicinal tasting. The meal had some moments, but over all, I wasn't feeling it. read more
7 years ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
Iron Gate is as magical as you've heard. It is tucked away on N street serving delicious food and wine. My boyfriend took us to Iron Gate (after he proposed in our new apartment we just bought) so I might think its a little more magical than the average bear because of the high I was on. Anyway, we each had a cocktail, ordered some small plates, and shared a bottle of wine. Each dish we ordered was delicious, the wine was so good we took a pic to see if we can get some to have at home, and the dessert was on point. I actually ordered 3 desserts (again might have been my high from closing on our house and getting engaged) but we ordered the cannoli, donuts, and cheese dessert. I'd say the donuts and the cheese desserts were most memorable. I'm definitely excited to go back and try more of the dishes. Side note, my boss and some other colleagues have also gone to Iron Gate and its their go-to for lunches and drinks after work as well! read more
I visited Iron Gate for lunch last August for DC's Restaurant Week (Summer 2016 Restaurant Week). A 4-dish meal was just $22 for lunch (usually, you only get 3 dishes for Restaurant Week), which is a great deal! Iron Gate had been on my bucket list for a while, but I had never even known I'd passed by it before. It's tucked away in a little side street in the Dupont neighborhood of DC. I ordered the following for lunch: -Chilled Summer Tomato Soup, Melon, Blue Crab, and Basil Marscapone. This was so delicious! I loved the melding of all these flavors into one soup! -Maple Brook Farms Burrata, Stone Fruit, Spearmint, and Olive Oil. This was really delicious and came with apricots! -Baked Eggplant Involtini, Feta, Bacon, Pomodoro. This was my favorite dish. It was perfectly baked and rich in flavor. -Campanelle Pasta, Basil, Smoked Mozzarella, Cherry Tomato Sauce. Noms! This was really good! Very tasty and rich in flavor. I liked the food a lot, though the portions were a bit small. Service was decent and the atmosphere is quaint and old-timey. There are several dining areas and I got lost just trying to find my way out! I would certainly return again - it seems like an excellent date spot :) read more
We've been meaning to try this place for awhile but weekend reservations are always booked. We finally got a chance to check it out recently and I'm very glad we did. People often remark that this place has a very romantic ambiance. While certainly not the most place I've ever been in the world it is probably top two or three in DC. There are essentially three different rooms to choose from. The main entrance/bar area which has maybe six or so tables, the middle outdoor area which is quite pretty with a tree canopy and beautiful lighting at night, and the main dining room which with its all brick interior, dim lighting and cozy setting feels almost Parisian to me. Luckily the ambiance is not the only reason to go here. The food is very good as well. The cocktails here are well balanced, not too strong and not too sweet. We tried the bourbon and the tequila based cocktails which were both tasty and I'd recommend. Food wise they have a tasting menu for $95/person plus a wine pairing for $70/person additional. They also have a sizable tapas menu with most dishes between $7-15 per dish excluding a few smaller items which are a bit cheaper and a few larger items which are in the $30 range but are much bigger. We opted for the foccacia, cornbread with shrimp, beet salad, gnocchi, and octopus. Our favorites were the gnocchi which had an amazing fluffy texture and a bit of a kick to it, the cornbread which real was almost more like corn pudding but equally delicious, and the octopus which was char grilled and very fresh. I would skip the beet salad in the future as it just tasted like regular boiled and peeled beets. The dessert was also very good - the sweet honey and dough balls which are a very common delicacy of middle eastern cuisine. Overall iron gate impressed me and I plan on coming back soon to try more of their menu. read more
9 years ago
Must visit. Truly a gem in a city of great food. The ambience is intimate for two and comfortable for our larger group. Old World charm and beautiful lighting. I am a risotto snob. Today I am humbled. Incredible service from manager himself. Risotto with tasso and lobster...so delicious you will savor it a teaspoon at at a time. Wow. Pro-tip: order two and take one home. Get the cannoli. Get it. Prepare for it. Do not hesitate and plan your meal around it. A unique and exquisite Greek/Italian variation on a classic. With pistachios and cocoa garnish, you will remember the perfect balance of fluffy/rich filling as much as you will the artistry of the shell itself. The shell is a delicate basket weave of Greek pastry almost too pretty to eat. Then eat it...you will thank yourself for days. Again...plan to get a second order to go, you will impress or make envious the others. GF folks, the Concord Grape sorbet is a step into Florence with a decidedly American richness. Make this stop. read more
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More info about Iron Gate
1734 N St NW
Washington, DC 20036
Downtown, Dupont Circle
Directions
(202) 524-5202
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Visit Website
http://irongaterestaurantdc.com/
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