Dinner at Iron Gate was an absolutely lovely experience. The restaurant is beautiful- adorned with blooming plants, and rustic decor. If it's a nice day definitely ask if you can sit outside. The outside garden area is draped in a canopy of vines and fairy lights. The menu is supposed to be arranged so that the dishes increase in size as you go through the menu. Two of us got 6 plates and 1 dessert and were absolutely STUFFED. I recommend getting 5 and a dessert, which is more than sufficient. Cornbread Crostini (5/5): Delicious, moist cornbread adorned with picked onions, shrimp, avocado, and radishes. The produce was very fresh and the shrimp was cooked perfectly. Burrata with peaches and tomato (4/5): The burrata was so creamy and decadent. It had the consistency of a thick yogurt. The tomatoes and peaches added the perfect amount of acidity to cut the rich cheese. This was a pretty small dish but was somewhat filling because it was cheese. Roasted carrots with harissa (5/5): This was my ABSOLUTE favorite dish of the night!! The carrots were fresh and tender with a honey caramelization. It was balanced with an herbacous yogurt and flavorful harissa, but the carrots were still clearly the star of the show. A good-sized portion too. Bomboloni (4/5): Essentially a savory donut filled with prosciutto, cheese and a mustard dipping sauce. Filling was very rich and gooey but I didn't taste the prosciutto. There could've been little bits of deli ham and I wouldn't be able to tell the difference. The donuts were lightly coated in a sugar glaze that balanced out the saltiness of the prosciutto. Gemelli with rabbit (4/5): This was a rich pasta with a creamy, egg yolk sauce, olives, and a punch of mustard. I was disappointing with the scarce amounts of rabbit, but the pasta itself was delicious. The dish was larger than the others, but a little pricey at $15 for the size. Octopus with crispy potatoes (4/5): For $15, the dish was pretty small. The dish came with two large chunks of octopus that were so tender and perfectly cooked. The crispy potatoes were nothing special- something you could get as homefries at a diner. The aioli added a pop of color and flavor but there was only a small dollop of it. I wish the dish had a little more acidity to brighten it up. By this point of the meal we were stuffed and needed something fresh to cut the dryness of the potato. Donuts with orange blossom syrup (3/5): Right when the waiter brought the plate out, I could smell the fragrant citrus, The donuts were like mini beignets- light and fluffy. However, they were sitting in a pool of really strong honey and orange essence- making them way too sweet for my taste. After a huge meal, I couldn't eat more than 2. A pretty sizable portion for only $6. read more

The food was great. Our service was terrible. We had to ask for someone to serve us, our meal took 2+ hours to all come out, and then I had to flag someone to get the check. Then they hit us with a 22% service charge, which they told us about in advance so totally fine. But then the server told us that charge did not include gratuity and expected more on top. So basically they changed us 42% for service. read more

Went here as part of a fairly large group to celebrate a birthday. Service was hectic but that's expected when you got two dozen people ordering all sorts of things at random intervals. Food was okay, drinks were okay, outside seating was very nice. I'd love to go back and try some of the dishes I saw being passed around, everything looked great and the group was very happy with this place. The only problem was that it can get really hot out in the patio area since they don't have any fans or anything. read more

What a nice surprise in the city! Loved the ambiance and the history behind this restaurant! We had the 4 course tasting menu inside the "stable" room in the back, past the patio. It would have been nice to sit in the patio but I think there are different menu options there. My favorites from the night were the focaccia-- thick and crispy and perfect balance with olive oil. Squid ink taglierini was also delicious though a bit on the salty side for my dining companion and I. Granted, we normally don't add salt to our food at all, so maybe it would taste "normal" for a sodium lover. However, the first bite combined with the crab was still heavenly. Also ordered the oak grilled swordfish which was good- but not memorable. The lamb came prepared two ways- one with a strong peppercorn flavor. The chef was gracious to accommodate my lactose intolerance self and so cooked the pasta in olive oil instead of butter and also whipped up a different dessert for me. However, I did have a bite of the smoked almond gelato and mmmmm for those who like almonds. Would definitely come again and this time to sit in the patio! read more

Came here twice in the span of two weeks - once for the a la carte menu, and once of the tasting menu. The restaurant hit it out of the park both times. Absolutely a great value for the price. If you haven't checked it out - GO! Now! (before this place lands on all the bloggers' best-of lists) The first time, we sat at the bar and ordered from the cafe menu. We left full, but not stuffed. Make sure to order to focaccia bread with olives. The cocktails left much to be desired, but the wine list was exceptional. Stick to the wine and you'll be very very happy with your pairings. The second time, we did the six-course tasting menu WITH the porterhouse steak (added charge of $10 per person). The dining room was very cozy and romantic. The staff knew we were celebrating a special event and were incredibly courteous. The starter plates were very plentiful, main courses substantial, cheese course delectable, and desert inventive. My favorite were the crispy greek yeast doughnuts with orange blossom syrup. However, the staff seemed disorganized - incorrectly brining doubles of a dish to the same table instead of to the adjacent ones. *Pros* great value (reasonable prices) cozy atmosphere in the main dining room amazing cheese course the desserts! order all of them! extensive drink menu inventive dishes *Cons* disappointing cocktail selection staff routinely brought the wrong dishes to the wrong tables. Verdict: you should go! read more

So, so good. My wife wanted to go here for her birthday, and we were both blown away. If you think tasting menus aren't your thing, please give them a try and I think they'll change your mind. They offer a choice of a four course, six course or the chef's tasting to accommodate a wide variety of appetites. Moreover, they had no problems at all when we asked for no pork, and were completely accommodating of the vegetarian couple seated next to us. My wife and I went all-in on the chef's tasting, and I got the wine paring as well. We couldn't have been happier with our choice. We started with a table-filling array of small bites that were delicious, standouts included fried sunchokes, an octopus salad and some perfectly pickled vegetables. The next course was even better and my wife's favorite, a kuri squash risotto with diced apples, hazelnuts and shaved foie gras. It was followed by a very tasty rockfish dish with hen of the woods mushrooms, crispy salsify, sautéed spinach, salsify foam and caviar, which added a nice texture and salt element. We hadn't really planned on going out for steak, but the fish was followed by a perfectly aged, seasoned and grilled porterhouse, sliced for two (of which we had most of it boxed up). We soldiered on through cheese and dessert courses which didn't disappoint. The wine pairing was absolutely superb and well worth adding to the meal. The atmosphere was lovely, small, upscale and intimate, yet not stuffy. The servers were a well-orchestrated team that did an outstanding job. I really appreciated the pacing of the meal, never rushed with perfect pauses between courses. My only warning would be not to come here on a tight timeline as it would be hard to really enjoy the experience here. Bottom line, one of the best meals we've had in DC. Well worth a little splurge for excellent food, service and atmosphere, and we can't wait to go back. read more

Amazing cocktails (especially the Greek yogurt-based Nikolaki) but these guys just *cannot cook*. Which is a shame, since they're a restaurant and not just a bar. The ambitious dishes fail, the safe dishes aren't executed well, it's just mediocrity all around. Not every restaurant needs to be great, but for the price of a meal here you could be eating at Rose's Luxury. To put salt on the wound, Tabard Inn right across the street consistently cooks a better dinner at a lower price point. Eat elsewhere, stop in for a drink. read more

My sister recommended this place for my 35th birthday. I put in the reservation notes that we r celebrating "a birthday" so all we got was a "happy birthday" from the hostess!! That didn't really matter to me but I thought it was a bit odd. I expected a little candle at the end of the meal, but oh well. Moving on to the food... VERY DISAPPOINTED!! We ordered the mixed grill for two, grilled calamari and the beets salad. Wasn't impressed one bit with any of the dishes. The ingredients sounded excellent and interesting when reading the menu, but the taste was just not there when we tried each dish. It was something about the texture and seasoning. I also came here expecting a "CityZen" when it came to the taste of the food and maybe that's why I was just disappointed with one thing after the other. I guess my expectations were just a little too high. The ambiance is nice. read more

I took my wife there for dinner and we ordered the 3 course tasting menu and the wine pairings. The food and wine were mediocre. My wife felt sick after eating the meal. The price for both of us, which included 1 drink each before dinner, the tasting menu and the 3 glasses of wine each that came with each course came to $490 which included tip. The food was average, but the price was outrageous! I do not recommend this restaurant! read more

5 Star ambiance 4 star service 3 star price and portions Gorgeous patio covered by an ancient wisteria vine--feels like a European escape away from all noise, you will have forgotten you are in DC. They serve small plates---and they are indeed SMALL, $12 average each. They are delectable--the stuffed squid is a fabulous creation--among others. However, they are too small to be shared and highly priced for the serving. Their presentation was also lacking. In addition, nothing extra at all was brought to the table--no bread, pita, dip, nuts, nothing. For that type of restaurant, at those prices, at a minimum bread should be offered---which we did ask for and it came at the very end as if a special request, so it was our dessert. read more

Nice location but we got the chef's family table menu and it was mediocre at best. Barely any protein and lots of carbs to cut corners and ensure profit. Steak was cold and the server Sam had a horrible attitude. We told him we were not happy with a dish and he basically confronted us and raised his voice. Would never go back. read more

Great food, still working out the kinks in the service I was happy to see Iron Gate re-opened after three years closed. The inside has been completely refurbished, and is still dominated by dark wood and the central fireplace, but the surfaces are all new, and the ceiling height varies which helps with noise control. The menu is somewhat limited. You have a choice of a four-course or six-course tasting menu (no ala carte ordering) all from the same menu. There is no choice in appetizer, and you have six entrees and two deserts from which to choose. The menu is not too veggie-friendly, but the chef did make an effort to accommodate. Luckily for us we found delectable selections from among the few choices. Appetizers are two bites each, and there are many of them. Main courses are small-ish, but we were full by the time we had our two dishes, followed by a desert plate of five one-bite sweets (all good). The menu is innovative and leans toward the savory and well cooked. The wine list is large and the wine steward was knowledgeable. The wine prices are about what you would expect for a destination-type restaurant. The service was friendly, and there was plenty of help. The timing of dishes was odd, however, with some dishes coming while we were still eating, and a 30-minute pause between entree dishes. This could be because they've only been open for three weeks, but one expects better at a restaurant of this caliber and in this price range. Speaking of which, our bill for two four-course choices and a bottle of wine was $240. read more

Disappointed! We were looking forward to going to the Iron Gate since it has a beautiful outside garden and was one of our favorite places a long time ago (before it was reopened by the current owner). The garden is still beautiful, but we ran into a number of unfortunate problems. Service was slow and not particularly pleasant. Only one of about half-a-dozen waiters was actually waiting on tables. The rest were not doing much of anything. We ordered campaign to start, which needs to be served cold. When they poured us a sample and it was warm, we rejected it and asked for a cold bottle. The waiter was a bit surprised and pretty unpleasant about this. The menu is complicated and the waiter didn't want to be bothered explaining it to us. In general, the food was good (not great), but the portions were surprisingly small. If you like small portions and slow service, this is the place for you! read more

Lots of interesting mix of ingredients and experimental dishes. Plates are served in small portions. It works well when eaten with wine, but if you are not a drinker, one might find it a little too edgy. The dessert, especially the yeast donuts, were amazing. read more

Went there for lunch on a weekday with a couple of friends and we had a lovely experience! We were seated in the outside garden/courtyard, which is amazing. I had the campanelle pasta with spicy pork ragout and it was delicious. Good portion and really fresh. We had some of the seasonal ice creams and sorbets as dessert. The service was fast and friendly enough. I am not sure about dinner prices, but for lunch it was very reasonable, around 40$ per person with appetizers, entrees and 2 shared desserts. I can't really say anyting bad about this place. Definitely going back! read more

My husband and I went here for our 3 year anniversary, and it was definitely the perfect choice. I had made reservations and mentioned we were celebrating. It was such a pleasure - everyone congratulated us as we trekked to the tasting room. Every attendant knew and gave well-wishes throughout the night. They gave us complimentary champagne once we sat down, and ended our night with an additional dessert. Between our free treats was a beautiful tasting menu. The highlights of the night were the mushroom risotto and the duck breast. While everything was delicious, those two dishes were outstanding. I could have licked the plate! I service was top notch. I'll also mention that when we got our bill, the staff had hand-signed a Happy Anniversary card for us. It was so out of the ordinary -- I've never experienced such personalized service in DC for a special occasion. read more

Great ambiance if you can snag a table outside on the patio. waiters very attentive and helpful. However, given the high prices, the food was thoroughly underwhelming. We had 3 different dishes, but all of them tasted like indistinguishable mush (apart from the meat). No discernible attempt at inventive or even spicy flavoring. Won't go back. read more

Brunch at Iron Gate was mediocre, middling. It seems that other people have had the same experience, looking at the other reviews for brunch. I wanted to go to Iron Gate when I read Tom Sietsema's review, promising beautiful, historical interiors and masterfully prepared food. Perhaps the latter is more evocative of the tasting menu, which is out of my reach for now. So when Iron Gate announced they were now hosting brunch, I jumped at the chance to try it. Atmosphere: Iron Gate does indeed have a romantic, intimate atmosphere. The main entrance's building has a tall ceiling and feels very airy. There's a bar and a few tables, and mostly felt relaxed. Then you go out in the courtyard and enter the main dining room, which was gorgeous. Exposed brick, a warm hearth behind the open kitchen area where you can watch the staff plate your food. We sat at the large table directly in front of the open kitchen, and it was great being able to watch the comings and goings of the waiters with the fireplace in view. As Sunday brunch went on, the room grew more bustling (people were clearly having a great time), but it was never too loud. Certainly if you sit with a smaller party, your experience will be a bit more cozier and intimate. Food: We started with the phyllo wrapped custard. The waitress said it was a pretty small serving, and she was right; you don't really want to share this with more than two people! I really liked the phyllo wrapped custard; it was just the right balance of crisp and sweet. Probably my favorite dish at brunch, which is unfortunate since it was only a starter. For my entree, I had the pork belly, eggs, potatoes and salsa verde. The dish was just fine. The salsa verde added a delicious touch, but otherwise I wasn't blown away. My friend wasn't impressed by her chicken veloute; the broth was nothing special (and actually, looking at the most recent menu, it seems they removed it). Service: It was a bit off. I'm sure the server tried her best but since the restaurant is relatively new, I'm not sure if the servers have really gotten the hang of things. She took our orders without using a notepad of any kind, and of course that resulted in getting two of our orders wrong. She brought out the pork belly, eggs and salsa verde dish instead of the veloute that they ordered (and really, they should have just taken the pork belly). She refilled our coffee without letting us know that refills weren't free, but a manager ended up taking care of it. All in all, it seems that she really lost steam throughout the meal and eventually she disappeared. We were all definitely put off by that. Verdict: There are better brunches in DC. I would probably go back here again to dine in their garden patio, even just for dessert, but perhaps only after a few months once they've gotten their service sorted out. read more

This review is mainly for the bar area: This location is a show-stopper. The cozy space heaters hanging overhead, the flames flickering against the walls, the giant mirror facing you straight on, the "is this Height Act safe?" tall ceilings. It all comes together and results in something pretty stunning. And this is just the bar. There is also a gorgeous courtyard with an ivy canopy. And past that is an intimate dining room with pastries on display and a warm fireplace. I'll quit my gushing, but really, the ambiance of this place is just spectacular. The drinks are great too. I first discovered Iron Gate after following Jeff Faile and Bender's (last name unknown) departure from my favorite Penn Quarter Italian water hole, Fiola, to their new digs. They haven't skipped a beat. The service is always thoughtful and informed, and their drinks are just as good. I've had countless Rittenhouse/Carpano Manhattans, but when I received one at Iron Gate it just tasted better than what I make at home. Maybe it's the ambiance creeping into my drink. Or maybe it's not. Either way it doesn't matter. This place is a winner. read more

We loved the dark, cozy space as an anniversary spot. My expectations were high coming in. We were greeted with a glass of sparkling Rose to begin and ended with a special Happy Anniversary dessert. We definitely felt the special treatment. The start of assorted tapas was my favorite thing we ate. We did the tasting menu and I would give our dishes 3 stars. You pick the number of dishes and the options are quite limited. My favorite kind of tasting menu is when you pick the level and the then the chef just makes everything and surprises you. In this case, I was surprised by the number of dishes I didn't love. I would opt for Komi instead for the next special occasion. read more

Wow! This place is a hidden gem in Dupont. I'd give this place 4 stars just for their decor. The building itself is a stunner. Very intimate and romantic, but out-of-the-ordinary with open courtyards which lead into different dining rooms. We had the 6 course tasting menu with wine pairings. Overall, good food and attentive service. The meal started with a menagerie of tasting plates. Very nice touch and a fun way to start a meal. Afterward, we enjoyed the caramelized ricotta gnocchi, oak grilled sea scallop, pekin duck breast, chapel's country "bay blue" cheese plate, and then the gianduju terrine (with hazelnut ice cream and caramel). My favorite was easily the duck breast. Don't miss that one. The gianduju terrine was also very tasty. Pros: -Ambiance and beautiful building -Tasting menu is a fun way to dine...lots of flavors and options -Nice service Cons: -Pricey -Credit card required to make a reservation -Wine pairings were mediocre Recommendations: -Make a reservation for date night -Don't miss the duck breast -Take the metro to Dupont Circle. It is easier to walk from Dupont than to find free local parking. If you are okay with paying, the Tabard Inn has parking for $15. read more

I'm posting only about going to the Iron Gate's bar to meet friends for a drink before dinner. None of us had been here since the placed closed and then re-opened. The bar is on the noisy side, and someone kept adjusting the lighting level up and down which was a bit annoying. It ended being up on the murky side of decently lit. Most of the patrons were 20-30-somethings who haven't yet learned to talk with their indoor voices. People over 50 take note! Bar stools were not very comfortable, and bar table seating was limited. We asked for three different liquors (Maker's Mark, J&B Scotch, and Chivas) - none of which were available. We eventually gave up and let the bartender suggest a few options which, with a few exceptions like The Glenlivet, were brands we'd never heard of. The business model here obviously is to cater to younger drinkers who don't have a preference yet for regular call brands and to push them up to a higher price point. The boutique whiskeys and scotches, by the 1-ounce pour, varied in price from $11 to $80, most of them in the $20-30 range. The bartender seemed indifferent to our presence and rather than order a second drink, snacks, or dinner, we left to have a second round and dinner someplace else. read more

This is finally a restaurant that resists the "big box" feel of a lot of DC eateries, and instead focuses on small, well-designed spaces, and really flavorful, well-executed food. However, service could improve at every touch point. I've been three times now, once for the formal tasting dinner, and twice for brunch on the patio: The formal tasting dinner was elegant and fun, and most of the dishes were worth the price tag. The sausage dish was a little underwhelming for me, but the cocktails were fantastic and creative, and the atmosphere is perfect for either a special date, or a place to take your well-groomed parents. Brunch on the patio is perfect for summer, and the leafy exterior creates a relaxing vibe that takes your brain out of the city. The dishes, especially the phylo, the lamb shoulder and the crackers were delicious, but the doughnuts and nutella were surprisingly disappointing. The Greek yogurt cocktail was balanced and fresh for summer. However, all three times, service was lacking. Though wait staff was always friendly, I often found myself looking around for more water or another cocktail, or something I asked for (orange juice) that I never received. Both times at brunch, I waited around 20 minutes to order. After brunch on Sunday, my friend and I headed to the bar for one last cocktail, and were ignored for a long time before we had to ask to order. Then, it was another 10 minutes for drinks, despite being the only two people at the bar. So beautiful space and good food for DC, but could benefit from more attentive service. read more

One of the worst meals I have had in D.C. AVOID AVOID AVOID. The service was mediocre, wine list overpriced, and food literally (see: tomato squid "ragu" around the rock fish) rotten. The meal started with promise (except for some of the poorly pickled vegetables, one of which (squash) that tasted like old gym shoes. Then came a chicken liver mousse that resembled in taste and form dirty dishwater: an ambiguous congealed ecru that had been pressed through far too many tamis. The squid was horrific: I almost vomited as did my date. It tasted like bait (I fish, I know what squid tastes like when it starts to decay), perhaps simulating the different elements of a catch (a squid moat around a simply broiled piece of fish). Iron Gate, however, lacks the creativity and the execution to be making a narrative statement with its mains. I suppose leaving out food to rot fits the "rustic" vibe the restaurant is going for. In this ostensibly Greek establishment they did not even serve Retsina properly (a piney greek white that is arguably one of the most common and ancient wines from the region) and when I asked for the bottle to be chilled the "sommelier" served two lukewarm glasses before putting it on ice. Thanks? The service was something I expect at an empty hotel restaurant: eager but confused, stuttering over words and forgetting details on the plate. This restaurant is nothing if not consistently mediocre. I am beyond confused why this restaurant keeps receiving top marks in local reviews. Perhaps it has something to do with the ambiance -- which feels "hip" in the speakeasy cliche -- dark, quiet, oddly lit. i wanted to like this place, I really did, but the meal was just horrible. If you want over-processed, salty, mediocre, and vomit-flavored food, save yourself $300 and get a jumbo slice instead. At least you will get what you paid for. read more

This place was amazing! We're visiting from Nashville and these are the best drinks I've ever had- we tried 7 different specialty drinks and each one was delicious and exceeded expectations with creativity on presentation. The overall atmosphere is eclectic and modern. The service was top notch- our waters were never below half full and our server was knowledgeable about menu items which was helpful. We will definitely be back. read more

Firstly, this place is G-G-G gorgeous. Dope date spot, and if your date is someone who gets all hot and bothered by someone spending guac on them then this is your place. The bar, the indoor and outdoor seating, it's all beautiful. The service when I went was also on point. The server was knowledgeable and affable, and accommodating. This place offers small plates, with emphasis on small. So you should definitely go into this restaurant expecting to spend a lot of money if you want to be full, or maybe pregame your visit with something light. We ordered cornbread crostini, charred octopus, and crispy blue catfish. All the dishes were delicious and presented/plated beautifully. The cornbread in the crostini was the right amount of sweet to contrast the avocado and chili oil, the shrimp was tender and cooked to perfection. The crispy blue catfish was audibly crunchy and had a great crunch to it. The hollandaise and dill added a creamy savoriness to the catfish. It could of been seasoned a little bit more, but overall still really enjoyed this dish. The charred octopus had a great texture to it, really melting in your mouth. The char added just the right amount of smokiness mixed with hummus and onion pickles, the dish was really well rounded. Overall, I enjoyed the restaurant especially the ambience. Is it expensive? yes. Did I want to go to shake shack right after? Maybe. All in all though, I would go again, the food is innovative and executed at a high level. The ambience is very romantic and even if you only got a couple of things the drink menu is literally a book so the evening is bound to be enjoyable. check out my pod for more details. www.riceinmylunchbox.com :) read more

shared the tasting menu with family on 7/8. it was an absolutely incredible experience! every single dish from start to finish was spot on, the entire meal featured unique and delicious dishes while still flowing cohesively from one course to the next. we opted out of the wine pairing but our server was very helpful and happy to help us pick out a nice bottle to go with our meal nonetheless. the bison flank was the star of the show. If I could give our experience 10 out of 5 stars I would! will definitely be coming back here again read more

After glancing at the reviews on Yelp, my experience with my party of 6 last week is similar to others: beautiful patio but over priced and sub-par service. Maybe it was because our server was having a off night, but he was abrasive from the start. Given that parties of 6 have their tip included, the roughly $380+ we spent at the restaurant was not worth the money or time. Like other eaters have mentioned, the portions were very very small and not worth the $12-$14. There was no bread service. The fried octopus was tiny and the portions of food were just too small- too small to even to share. For the entrees, each were priced "at market," and at 25-30 per person- very odd to not even have a price on the menu. I've been to Kapnos and other DC area Greek restaurants and the service and food was just not on par. Our table came to the conclusion this place is a jip joint. I would recommend having a drink at the bar as the setting is truly unique. Other then that, if you want to spend $$$ head to 14th street or downtown. read more

This is a very unassuming restaurant. The outside conceals a unique design. With both indoor and outdoor seating. The the bar gets really crowded during happy hour, and it can be difficult to find a seat at the bar. But don't let that discourage you because the mixologist are great. The main dinning area has a relaxing rustic vibe. The food is a bit on the pricey side but tasty. The overall atmosphere of this restaurant makes it worth the wait, and there is always a wait. read more

I enjoy going here for the ambiance of the venue. It is lovely - romantic and intimate. But the food and service have declined significantly in the past months. Food: - the food here has gone so salty - I drank like five full glasses of water throughout dinner. - do yourself a favor and NOT get their chickpeas. It looks good on the menu but what they don't tell you is that it doesn't come peeled and it's a MASSIVE hassle to eat it. You basically have to eat it like edamame except it does not work that way for chickpeas. You will get your hands greasy and it will disturb your meal. Oh, and when I asked the waitress about it, she asked me if she should take it away then - not helpful, at all. - Dakos salad is good, though. Service: - they seem to be constantly understaffed. You will feel like they are constantly being rushed and rushing you. There are many service staff running around, yet it's hard to actually get their attention. They splashed water on the table and on my phone - and did that throughout the evening. read more

Iron Gate - Do NOT get the chickpeas. It will get your hands greasy and disturb your meal. Was not cooked right, either. Disappointing. - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Iron gate has been on my list for awhile, and I finally went! I made a res on open table, but it does seem increasingly more difficult to get res on there. My friend and I went on a friday evening. The space is really beautiful. The back patio is perfect for a nice evening. They have a few different dining spaces with different vibes. Our server was very good and engaged. I had the spritz drink- it was light and refreshing. My friend and I shared the carrots and the cod for 2+. The dishes were delicious. I only wish there had been more fish on the shared platter. The presentation was so well done and the flavors did not disappoint. We had the rhubarb cheesecake for dessert. Overall, the food was delicious. My only qualm was the portion size for the price point. Honestly, I went pretty hungry and didn't leave full. The food felt so light, but maybe some bread would have helped. I wish they offered bread to the table. Overall, though, I really really enjoyed the experience and would like to go back. read more

This is one of the most beautiful restaurants I've ever been to. My boyfriend took me here on a date and it didn't disappoint. While there weren't a ton of food choices, everything was very well done. We actually had one of everything and it was all good. They change their menu often so I would recommend dishes but I know they won't be there later. I enjoyed my meal here because I was able to sit, relax and take it all in. While the bar is beautiful and long, make sure you sit out back, if it's chilly at night, they'll turn on the heaters. read more

Went here for lunch and immediately loved the ambiance! The patio area is very quaint and charming and equipped with fire pits for those cool days and nights. We opted for inside seating and the indoor space was no less charming. I hate being cold in restaurants so I loved being seated next to the fireplace. We opted sharing the small plates and ordered the batter fried halloumi, the roasted squash, the gnocchi, and the spiced lamb keftedes. There was a simplicity to the flavor palette but everything was quite good. Do keep in mind, the sharing plates are small but surprisingly filling. We topped it off with crispy yeast donuts for dessert. Reminded me of Mediterranean gulab jamun. It was just the right thing to clean the palate! Seriously, the ambiance here is so fantastic the food could afford not to deliver so highly. But no worries on the food - I thought it was solid! Service was great as well. Looking forward to returning for dinner. Rating: 4.2 read more

Nice ambiance. If you like paying top dollar for toddler-sized portions then this is the place for you. I like food so i'll skip this place next time. read more

Another night... another amazing night! This time we went for the bar instead of the prix fixe option. It did not matter - we got the same exceptional service, the same ambiance and out of this world food, paired skillfully with our wine. Our server, Nomi I believe, was super attentive. She let us taste a few wines before we settled on a favorite. What I absolutely loved, is that every time we asked her for a recommendation she would not go for the top of the list - aka the most expensive item - like way too many people do, but instead described a dish for us and let us know the various flavors we should expect. Her advice was spot on every time. Thank you so much for an intimate, superb experience yet again. read more

One of the best meals I've had in DC recently! I enjoyed a lovely birthday dinner here and can't decide what I liked most: the romantic ambiance, the inventive (and tasty) food, or the servers who all worked so well together as a team. I appreciated that you could choose the number of courses on the tasting menu that you wanted, and you could even choose among different categories. The seasonal sharing plate provided a fun mix of tastes, and each course got better from there! The wine list was also very unique (Mediterranean-inspired - reminded me a bit of the Zaytinya wine list). Great food, ambiance, and service! read more

Husband got us reservations here for Brunch for our 6 year anniversary playing around with the traditional 6 year gift of steel. I know, we're cute. I've heard of Iron Gate of course but somehow it's never made it to my list of restaurants to visit. always thinking of the latest and greatest restaurants in DC and for that I feel like an idiot. What a surprise! It is the best brunch I've had in the DC area. Topping my old favorite Woodberry Kitchen in Baltimore. The ambience of the restaurant is quaint, cozy and romantic and it was the perfect retreat for the cold winter morning when we visited. I know the patio is probably a ton of fun in the spring but I honestly loved the dining room and how cozy it was in the winter. The food is what I consider perfect brunch food. Small twists on classics that elevate the food without making it pretentious. We started with the sourdough and nutella bread and I'm considering ordering two on our next visit. Not because it's a small dish but because it was addictingly good. For our entrees, we had the Lemon Ricotta Pancakes which were light and fluffy and pancake perfection. My husband had the fried eggs with salsa verde and he loved every bite. He said it was a great egg dish. I predict we will be back many many times. read more

I had a wonderful experience tonight at the bar with Nick-- ask him to make you a apricot margarita! The hostess Mary Grace the host was wonderful and patient! Food was incredible! Every dish was exceptional taste and different flavor profile. Trust nick with your drink preferences he knows what he's talking about!! read more

We came to Iron Gate to celebrate our courthouse marriage. I had been wanting to eat here for awhile and this occasion seemed so appropriate. I left a comment on my opentable reservation about the occasion. From the beginning, the team at the Iron Gate congratulated us, seated us at a nice table on the patio, and treated us to champagne. We felt so special and pampered. We order some appetizers and the mixed grill which was generous for the two of us. At the end, we were surprised with a delicious s'mores desserts. We couldn't have been happier with our selection to go to Iron Gate-- just a splendid experience all around and a great team. Would highly recommend to friends for a romantic meal or special occasion. read more

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Lunch Review: Me and a coworker went to Iron Gate for lunch... and OMG! It was one of the best lunches I've had in a long time. Iron Gate is located in the Dupont Circle area and the location is a cozy carriage house and historic living quarters with lots of old charm. We went to try the $22 fixed lunch menu but after being seated by a warm fire place (the restaurant has two separate buildings/seating spaces) we discovered that the fixed menu was only serve in carriage house (SO BEWARE AND ASK /MENTION if you want the fixed option). At that point we didn't want to give up the fireplace so we decided to order from the regular menu after they told us they couldn't offer us that option at our table (not cool!). Their lunch options consist of small greek plates and lunch specials such as open faced sandwiches, gyros, and heavier entrees like chicken and meat dishes. All the main dishes are reasonable price for lunch in a nice restaurant in the area ($10-22) . They have an extensive wine list and many greek wines. We ordered greek wines and the waiter was nice enough to give us the background of the wines. For lunch we went with the gyro of the day which was pork shoulder and the lamb open faced sandwich. Both were exquisite (See pictures!). Meat was well seasoned and juicy and the Greek flavors were on point. It is by far one of the best meals I've had in a while. My only complaint is that if you are advertising a $22 fixed menu PLEASE LET PEOPLE KNOW ITS ONLY SERVED at the carriage house. read more