Came here for dinner to celebrate a special event and was really underwhelmed by everything we ordered. Service was lovely but almost everything we got was either badly seasoned or flavorless. The matcha cocktail was sharply herbal, like chartreuse, with no matcha or tea flavor whatsoever. The watermelon salad was strongly seasoned with dill and onions and the fruit quality wasn't good, and the risotto balls were overwhelmingly truffle-y which overpowered the more delicate filling. The cod with seasonal veg was absolutely covered with parsley and mint, but the fish itself was flavorless and unseasoned and the vegetables only tasted like butter. Flank steak was chewy and the potatoes were overcooked. Maybe it was an off night but for $250 we won't be back to try again. read more

My husband I have been on two fantastic dates here recently. One for dinner in the winter and then recently for brunch. Starting with dinner- we did the chef tasting menu which we felt was reasonable given the price. Service was excellent, despite our indecisiveness on drink orders. We sat indoors by the fire and it was charming. For brunch, we got a Greek yogurt cocktail that is now my 2nd favorite cocktail I've ever had. Get this drink!! The food was delicious too- I highly recommend the baked eggs dish. We sat outside and even on a very hot day it was totally fine! read more

A friend and I visited here while I was in DC for work and it was an exceptional experience all around. No notes. The cocktails and wine were perfect, hats off the bartenders and the sommalier, who was excellent. We had the tasting menu, which was an absolute bargain given that every single dish was delicious including a few jaw dropping surprises, and by the time we got to the pre-desert desert we were stuffed. I've had tastings before that were three times the cost and not nearly as wonderful. The ambiance, service, and overall experience was just really amazing, and I've been raving about it all day today to anyone who would listen! read more

Beautiful patio! Make sure to book in advance. Amazing brunch and service. They even had a hand written note for Easter! read more

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If I had to rate a restaurant on ambiance, this place would get 5 stars. 6 even for extra credit. It's so beautiful and unique I loved it! And because of that, I really wanted to love the food. But I just didn't. Maybe my expectations were too high but for the price and relative to the other restaurants of that caliber, I was just underwhelmed. We left with a thought of, that was "okay". I will say the biggest take away we had on menu was a strawberry rhubarb panna cotta that I still dream about. If you're going, go for the views, the bar, the beauty. read more

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is this how you add more than 5 stars?! This place is fantastic. I sat at the bar and had a stunningly delicious cocktail and the beet salad. The amuse bouche of hummus and crudite was a nice touch that helped to fill me up a bit. I caved when the bartender described the chocolate dessert and am so glad I did! I'm visiting DC and have had bites of it each night at my hotel (it is pretty big and filling even though it's flourless). The "coffee ice cream" is a sorbet that is made in house. Tasty but not ice cream. I will definitely come back when I'm in town again. Service was impeccable, friendly and helpful in deciding from a large menu. Folks next to me got the octopus and it both smelled and looked divine. read more

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Walked in at 5:30 on a Sunday when there were no reservations to be had online and asked for a table for two and they happily accommodated me and my friend! We were celebrating her birthday, and they went above and beyond to make her feel special. We opted to do the tasting menu and it was all very good, if you ask me the oyster was the best thing. But we literally made three meals out of it with all the leftovers we got to take home - it is a ton of food, come with an appetite that is for sure. Our server was fantastic, super knowledgeable and friendly. We never felt rushed and were able to stay for hours and chat and catch up which is exactly what we hoped for. We left feeling satisfied. It is on the pricier side but perfect for a special occasion and you get a LOT of food. They are also really great about boxing things up to take home so none was wasted, and I enjoyed it two days in a row! Highly recommend, the ambiance is some of the best in DC, the staff here was so warm and welcoming, and they gave my friend the cutest birthday dessert! The cocktails are also worth mentioning - so good! I only had one but several on the menu stood out as interesting so I may be back just to enjoy the bar. This is an easy add to my top dining recommendations in the DMV. Glad I was able to come in and experience it. read more

We checked out Iron Gate during winter 2023 restaurant week . They have a small indoor bar seating area, but most of the tables were outside in the backyard (which has very cute decor and brick walls). You get the full appetizer spread (which included onions, citrus salad, hummus, carrots, mushroom arancini, smoked deviled eggs, and cheesy focaccia) and your team up to pick one entrée and one dessert for two people. We picked the oak grilled lamb kebab for the entrée, which also came with a side, salad and 4 pieces of bread. The meat has a lot of spices at the base (which is a bean stew) is kind of bland in comparison. The olive oil torta was delicious! It has a tinge of olive oil and the bread was very moist! The sweetness came mostly from the pineapple chunks on the side. You won't feel sugar overloaded. Iron gate has Mediterranean elements in their dishes but it doesn't feel like your classic Mediterranean cuisine. Overall, the winter restaurant week menu was a good deal for $55 and the restaurant has good vibes. I would recommend it for a date night! Reservations through OpenTable. read more

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Highly recommend the patio. Everything from the food to the service was amazing. Came here for dinner and will definitely try their brunch someday. read more

Great service, very sexy ambiance! Amazing for dinner or date night. I loved the food - my boyfriend did not enjoy the meat though (steak was too tough). The desserts are where it's at though! Best dish: chocolate mousse! read more

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Finding a place to eat for your 20th anniversary, during a pandemic, in early January, is no easy feat! A huge thank you to Iron Gate for making our anniversary dinner our best yet! My husband made the reservation in October 2020 for Jan 2021 (I married a smart man). Upon arriving, we were escorted to our table on the patio. We were also asked to put our masks on whenever someone from the wait staff approached the table. This showed us that they not only care about the safety of their patrons, but of their staff as well. All tables were social distanced, and had either a heater or fire table. It was a cold night, and honestly, were were totally comfortable and could even take our coats off. We ordered a variety of small plates to share. I'm writing this review a little late and therefore cannot remember everything we had. I will say that every single plate was delicious, and beautifully presented. We were treated to a great cup of hot chocolate and a special champagne to toast. The waitress noticed I wasn't drinking so she had the bartender make me a special non-alcoholic drink which was delicious. Cannot wait to go back to Iron Gate. I may be our new anniversary spot! read more

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Iron Gate lives up to the hype! From the ambiance, to the service to the food. Everything was on point! We had an 8:30pm reservation for dinner but arrived early. We had a short wait but our table was ready right at our scheduled time. We were lead to an exclusive back patio area that was dimly lit and romantic. They had patio umbrellas covering the tables along with soft lighting and vines with grapes on them. They are truly enforcing social distancing as the tables were 6 feet apart, everyone wore masks and sanitizer was available everywhere. Our server Shek (Shrek without the R) was beyond amazing. He was attentive, knowledgable and did frequent checks during our dining experience. He also made excellent suggestions for both food and drinks. This is the last week for their pop up so I'm excited we got in before it ended. They are scheduled to reopen the outdoor seating in September. As of now, due to Covid, the indoor dining is not available. The entire experience from beginning to end is worth every penny! The entrance to the restaurant is discreetly tucked away on a side street in the Dupont Circle neighborhood. As many times as I have driven on this street I never knew this gem was tucked away there. Strongly recommend. Unfortunately, I was so caught up in the experience I didn't take any pictures except for the little sweet treats at the end. Enjoy! read more

Iron Gate - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We went to Iron Gate for a work dinner and had the chefs tasting menu. Everything was served family style. The appetizers included focaccia bread with olive oil hummus with seasonal crudités and dakos salad. The main entrees were amish chicken, house made pasta and a beet salad. There was also a chocolate custard and fresh berries and crème for dessert. The food was excellent and so was the service, read more

We came here for restaurant week and had such a lovely time. The setting is beautiful. I recommend sitting on the patio under the greenery and bistro lights. But we were seated in the back room which looks like a fancy medieval den. The server was very friendly and attentive. The Restaurant Week deal was so awesome. We ate so much food and still had to box some up for home. Highlights of the meal included the zucchini focaccia, the kale Caesar salad, and the pasta dish. Everything was delicious. We were both so impressed. I will definitely come back here again. read more

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This is our go to restaurant when we want to treat ourselves. The food is beyond delicious, the atmosphere is fantastic and our waiter Jonathan was the best. I cannot say enough things about Jonathan. He answered all our questions, was attentive and has the best personality a true gem of a person. Jonathan made a wonderful evening even better. read more

AMAZING! This might be my favorite dining experience in DC. We sat at the bar and did the tasting menu. Before sitting, we were given a tour of the restaurant and garden - beautiful space! The staff was wonderful and informative! We were brought several "surprise" dishes, despite not celebrating any particular special occasion. The tasting menu is definitely great for cheese lovers. I think we had 4-5 cheese-centric dishes. Everything was unique and well prepared. Stand outs included the arancini, oyster, and soft cheese with fish. We sat at the restaurant for over 2 hours with a steady flow of food the entire time. This is one of the best value/quality/experiences in tasting menus. We loved it! Looking forward to coming back when the menu changes. read more

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Careful booking for important occasions, they can and will cancel your reservation in favor of the highest bidder on short notice. I would look elsewhere if it's special occasion. read more

I hate to give such lackluster review but there was not a single stand out dish of anything for me or my boyfriend. The best thing was a cake pop that was given as a birthday treat, that we were there celebrating. While the service was good but the highlight was probably the cocktails we had before being seated. Also, we had a reservation and had over a hour wait at the bar. So it was a good thing that ended up being the most enjoyable aspect. Lovely atmosphere but for the cost of set menu, sadly I would give a pass on returning read more

Iron Gate - Dessert. Rich but not that enjoyable - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Everyone should go here at least once in their life. May sound a bit dramatic but we mean it! The prix fixe is truly worth it and was so delicious! read more

Iron Gate - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Beautiful ambiance and really delicate food. Came here Sunday at 11 for brunch and was able to snag a table indoors. Among the three of us, we ordered Ricotta Pancakes (4.5/5): Oh man- these were SO fluffy and delicious. The ricotta gave it a bit of savoriness and moistness I usually miss from pancakes. Also didn't make me feel food coma-y after. I also love thE toppings were on the side but I was missing the mascarpone flavor from the whipped mascarpone Olive Oil Fried Eggs and Steak (4/5): the potatoes were like crack! Love the crispy skin and seasoning and so soft on the inside. Unfortunately, the salad was a tad salty and overdressed and the eggs felt overwhelmingly oily Poached Hen Eggs (4.5/5): the salmon on this was delicious and the bernaise sauce on the spinach was incredible. The everything bagel was also really yummy and was great with the poached egg. It was a little confusing to eat with the way it was stacked, but still a solid dish. Everything was delicious but very small in portion size. Definitely needed an additional 1-2 plates to be full read more

Iron Gate - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

While it was one of the first truly winter like days In DC we wanted to check out what the Iron Gate was doing for RW. First, the lovely restaurant has 3 unique dining areas...the front area with limited seating and bar, the garden patio with wonderful canopy of wisteria and the back carriage house and kitchen. All offer great atmospheres. Our waiter arrived within moments to get us settled and water came immediately. The drink menu featured some unique options including a warm Sangria. While the F bomb was my first choice, they were shy a few ingredients, which prompted me to head to the unique draft beers. The entire brunch menu looked delicious and the specially priced ($22) RW had subsets from it. My wife went for the pumpkin bisque to start, the fried catfish and the milkshake chocolate for dessert. My son did the custard crisp, the eggs and the same dessert. I ventured forth with the cremini mushrooms, the bifteki and the tart. All were very good....but the mushroom balls edged the other 2 out as the best of the 3. On to the entrees! The hens eggs were first out. Poached, in an incredible pomodoro sauce with thinly sliced, perfect toast. The catfish, as described by Josh, our waiter, was lightly fried, juicy, and on top of a bed of really tasty coleslaw. I had the bifteki and potatoes. it featured the cheese cube inside and was cooked to a nice medium temp. All were outstanding just our party rated the hens eggs as the top choice (oh that sauce really screamed) followed by the catfish and narrowly trailed by the Bifteki. The only thing holding the catfish back was the absence of some type of sauce to bring it all together. Hot tea, delicious desserts and the roaring fire made for a great end of an outstanding meal. The only nit is that Josh was having to work the majority of tables, which slowed down service just a bit. So note to management would be to be prepared to jump in or maybe add a backup server. read more

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Was very excited this spot since so many people rave about it. First, I have to say the service was impeccable, our waitress went above and beyond to make sure that we had a great dining experience. Wasnt able to get outdoor seating which was a bummer but still had a great time. For the food, we came here for dinner and chose the tasting menu which surprisingly had big portions (not mad about that!). The fresh baked focaccia was absolutely to die for. I was debating getting one to go lol. The antipasti dishes were a collection of small appetizer-like dishes that were all unique and presented beautifully. Although there were a few that tasted very meh, like the cauliflower and anchovy pairing. I was not a huge fan the caesar salad. It seemed rather plain and did not really compliment the 2 other dishes of the main course. Overall, I recommend this restaurant if you are looking for a great ambiance and good food. Some dishes were great and others did not impress, but I would be willing to return ad try a different tasting menu. read more

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We wanted to try it out during restaurant week. The only available time was lunch. Unfortunately we found out that the special restaurant week menu was for dinner only when we got there. The only menu available was brunch menu. Positive: The atmosphere was nice and pleasant. The prices were normal. The waiter was nice and attentive. The food was well prepared and of fine quality. Negative: Parking is never easy in DuPont circle. So we arrived early, maybe too early. The hostess turned us away. We came back 7 minutes before our reservation time, the hostess still couldn't seat us because she had to stick to the schedule. It was very unusual because there were at least five outdoor tables available and the entire indoor section was free. Of course we didn't know the restaurant policy nor issues they face. There was no attempted small talk nor brief explanation for being unable to seat us 7 minutes earlier. The hostess was very attractive but she acted like she was from Buckingham Palace. She only minced her answers when asked. No smile nor pleasantries exchanged. She acted more like an ice queen than a restaurant hostess. It seemed that we were all beneath her. I thought restaurants want to use restaurant week to promote their business; the Iron Gate let us peek in, but the hostess shut the iron door right in our face. People don't want to spend money at venues where they they are not respected or mistreated no matter how excellent the food is. The experience counts too. We didn't want to spend more time than necessary, so we only ordered the minimum. 3*CARAMALIZED RICOTTA GNOCCHI included basil, parmesan, and tomato. It was fresh and pretty good, but lots of carbohydrates. 4*NEW FRONTIER BISON FLANK STEAK came with crispy potato, charred red onion, yogurt sauce: steak was medium rare. Tasty and filling; well cooked and well prepared. read more

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I took my husband to Iron Gate for birthday brunch. I chose it because it was in the March 2023 issue of Washingtonian magazine as a romantic restaurant. The ambience and waitstaff are good. The food is expensive but tasty. But you don't get anything but the dish you are ordering, so no soup or vegetables with an entrée. They also seem disinclined to modify a dish except to exclude something. We had a cocktail each--I experimented with a Bloody Mary, which I didn't like. (Tough luck.). My husband had a cocktail he liked. For the entree I had sirloin tips with potatoes. The dish usually comes with onions but I don't like onions so I requested sautéed vegetables or mushrooms instead. It came w/onions and also w/o sautéed vegetables or mushrooms. My husband had a pasta dish which he liked. We each had a different desert, which we enjoyed. Mine was a chocolate pudding with candied hazelnuts on top which was delicious. The chocolate was rich and the pudding dense with plenty of candied hazelnuts. The bill, not including a tip, was around $125, for brunch--so rather steep. Well, at least my husband was happy with all his food choices and it was his birthday brunch. read more

Fruit flies! Not a ton, but quite a few. I had been once before and it was quite decent but I went again for Sunday brunch and was a bit crestfallen. Cons: Small sized cocktails, it made us feel like we weren't getting the moneys worth for them. Watery coffee with no refills. Our waiter was polite but inattentive and I could not hear him, he mumbled and was very quiet. The Bloody Mary is served in a small class with no accoutrements. Pros: Gorgeous interior. Good date spot if you want to try a beautifully aesthetic place. The tartine thing for brunch is easily their best item. Get it if you go! It was mediocre at best but I did enjoy going. It was quick to access and making reservations is very easy. read more

My date and I went here last week and really enjoyed the atmosphere. The music, the service, and the food were very good. I recommend it.

I have been coming to this place for years now,it's such a great restaurant. Food is based on Greek and south of Italy, ingredients are fresh and well prepared, impeccable presented. The only downside on my personal opinion is that, they have a set 3 courses menu, it's not really my style and also they need to step up in the and put more fans on the area where the tables are, DC summer are brutal and it can be extremely uncomfortable to eat when is very hot, you can't enjoy your meal. Make sure to try their Greek roses wine. read more

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First off, food is solid and the ambiance is romantic. Went in wanting to order the tasting menu and the wine pairing and was disappointed in their methodology and felt taken advantage of. There are some good things about doing the tasting. For example you get extra surprise food. They give you a small sample of every appetizer on the menu, one or two bonus snacks, as well as some extra bread, salad, and a bowl of pasta with your entree. Sounds amazing right? Well, ends up they do this because instead of the usual style of pre fixe, you actually only get one shared entree and one shared dessert. It actually ended up where you could spend the same amount of money and get the full size version of every appetizer as well as two entrees, and both desserts for the same price as the pre fixe. You don't get the extras, but you ever up with a lot more bang for your buck. My second issue was with the wine pairing. It wasn't really a pairing. No matter what you ordered (whether it be the lamb, the swordfish, or the gnocchi) it was the same wine. They have some pretty decent bottles to choose from. I suggest getting a glass or a cocktail for the first course and then a bottle for dinner. You get to actually pair your selection to what you're eating (plus you get more to drink, which is pretty awesome) So once again, food was solid (not amazing, but well above average). I just felt swindled. read more

We enjoyed a delicious team happy hour and 3-course 12-plate dinner! The team loved the trendy vibe of the bar area and ambiance of the restaurant. We ordered a couple bottles of delicious Sauvignon blanc and Malbec equivalent wines. Our highlights were the foccacia, bison tartare, burrata, lamb loin, mushroom risotto, bittersweet budino and the olive oil torta - pretty much the entire meal! The service was excellent and attentive. I would highly recommend this restaurant for a nice evening out or a work dinner! read more

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We dined at Iron Gate for the first time this past weekend and I can confidently say that it's become a new favorite. We came for brunch and were first struck by the location. The entry way was a door tucked away in a quiet residential neighborhood. Inside, the space only consisted of a bar and maybe two tables. We were given the option of patio vs indoor seating (we chose indoor) and were led to the back, where there was a spacious area for outdoor dining. Hidden in the back, was another door that led to a room with additional seating. The decor was quaint and rustic. We got 2 appetizers (summer squash arancini and the crispy sesame feta), 2 mains (two olive oil fried eggs and 7 hills angus burger), 2 sides (crispy potatoes, harissa aioli and grilled lamb merguez), and 1 dessert (baklava ice cream, 2 nuts, chocolate, kataifi). They were all top-notch, surpassing all expectations. Favorites included the feta, crispy potatoes, and burger. There were only two shortcomings - we were a bit disappointed that the $14 crispy sesame feta dish only had two tiny cubes of feta (sure there was plenty of meat and melon, but we'd ordered it for the feta). Also, the dishes leaned towards the salty side. Other than that, our experience here was great and we're excited to try the dinner menu next time! read more

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Last night I had an amazing "The Feast of the Seven Fishes" experience at Iron Gate Restaurant. It.Was.EVERYTHING! The feast was a bucket list foodie experience that is deserving of tradition status. The Feast of the Seven Fishes is a distinctly Italian-American celebration of Christmas Eve. Chef Tony honored the tradition with creative dishes of fresh and local seafood. The menu was served family style. It was a beautiful exhale experience as we dined outside by fireside to include blankets. And, our server Kevin (and co-servers) was on point. The delicious menu consisted of: *First course - Grilled white stone oysters, goat's milk butter, calabrian chili, pickled shallot - TOP 5 FAVORITE - Chesapeake rockfish fritter, golden potato, dill, caperberry aioli - Smoked & deviled hen egg, lemon, chives, bottarga - Monkfish in sour, golden raisins, parsley, red onion - TOP 5 FAVORITE - Bay scallop crudo, cara cara orange, pickled chilies, avocado - Focaccia w/golden potato, kalamata olive, rosemary, aged provolone - TOP 5 FAVORITE **Second course - Bacon wrapped catfish - Shrimp and crab youvetsi, fennel, dill, preserved tomato, creamy orzo pasta - TOP 5 FAVORITE - Iron Gate's spelt flabread, caramelized onions, anchovy, sheep's milk cheese ***Third course - Orange blossom loukoumades - TOP 5 FAVORITE - Toasted pine nut tart, rosemary, chantilly cream, sour cherry spoon sweets read more

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This place was so charming, food was unique and delicious, and the bartender Nick and manager were so friendly. I loved learning about the history of this alley and stable turned restaurant. I ate inside but snuck through the courtyard to check out the beautiful outdoor seating area. My husband and I ordered the tasting menu and were pleasantly surprised by how much food we got. I know it changes daily but the focaccia bread with tomatos, pesto and goat cheese was out of this world. The bonus appetizer was my favorite part of the meal - catfish lightly breaded and soaked in oil and herbs. I'll be dreaming of that tonight. Only con: we were way too stuffed at the end to finish our desserts. read more

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The ambiance is great especially at their patio - lighting and fire works next to the table at night. Foods and service is excellent always.

Easily one of most unique dining experiences in all of dc. Very romantic and great for dates. Space is limited and tables are small. I recommend no more than 4 people... 2 is best. And reserve at least a week out. read more

I LOVE IRON GATE. I've been a few times for lunch and have always had an amazing experience. The food and the service is always top notch. I highly recommend getting a mix of the small plates and then maybe splitting a big plate, that way you get a good feel of what the menu has to offer. And it changes often, so if you come back, it's almost like an entirely new experience! Try to sit out on the patio if you can because it is magical! read more

Iron Gate - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Returned to Iron Gate for a business lunch and its still a winner. Cozy atmosphere, great lunch options, and very attentive staff. They ticked us away in the back room on a rainy day and the atmosphere was perfect. Location is also super romantic (especially the gorgeous vine covered patio) if you wanted to come for a date or special occasion like an anniversary. read more

Amazing food. We went to celebrate our 4 year anniversary, and the food/atmosphere did not disappoint. The drinks are great. I would recommend getting the family table where you receive all of the appetizers, and choose entrees to share with the table. We had so much food leftover we ate for the next two days. read more

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I've had lunch on the garden patio twice. The patio is a wonderful oasis to meet friends for food and drink in/around Farragut Square. In addition, the staff has always been efficient and attentive. I ordered The Grinder (focaccia pizza) during my most recent visit. The focaccia was amazingly flavorful and the toppings -- especially the fresh herbs -- provided a tasty contrast of different textures and flavors. My only "complaint" was that I could only finish 3 of the 4 squares/slices :-) I will definitely be coming back to Iron Gate in the future! read more

This was one of the best brunches of my life! Merriam was our server and honestly what a delight she is. Great recommendations, thoughtful service, and just a fun person to chat with. She recommended one of the skin contact wines (I had never tried any, it's not a common thing to see in San Diego I guess) and we loved it. We loved the stone fruit salad, the eggs in olive oil, and the pancakes were amazing. All of the food was just so fresh and flavorful. The building is so unique and the patio area like a little garden oasis in the middle of the city. We will return on our next trip to DC! read more

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I went to Iron Gate for the first time on a double date to celebrate some birthdays and had the best time! Robert was our server and he was incredibly helpful and patient in accommodating a dairy free adjustment for my incredibly lactose intolerant self. The whole staff was so kind, welcoming, and warm! The food was absolutely delicious, the portions were so generous, and the whole table left feeling super satisfied. Thankful for the super fun time with some of the best service I've had! Thank you! :*) read more

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