Mallard is a charming and cozy Southern restaurant, serving everything from classic shrimp & grits to Peking duck. You cannot go wrong with their menu! The shared pork saddle was the star of our evening... insanely delicious and perfectly cooked. I also hope they continue offering their Valentine's Day Raspberry Sunday. The peppercorn and ice cream combination was delectable. Bravo! Mallard's restaurant appears divided into two parts, with seating areas as you walk in and a smaller nook closer to the kitchen. Both are beautifully decorated and offer enough space to not feel crammed. The servers and hosts are welcoming, patient, and extremely attentive. Thank you to all the staff for a wonderful evening. We will be back soon enough! read more

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tl;dr -- 3.5/5, but bumping it to a 4/5 for the attentive service. Mallard's been on my friend and I's list for awhile, so we got dinner here for our catch-up meal this past Tuesday. The interior leans into a nostalgic Southern theme rooted in a different era, with warm red-brown tones, vintage frames lining the walls, and some duck-related decor. After placing our order, our server brought out a small serving of French onion soup for us to enjoy, compliments of the chef. The soup was incredibly creamy and smooth with a nice acidity. The bits of fried onion on top gave it a sweeter flavor that had us wanting more. SEA ISLAND PEA DIP - 9 Duck Fat Saltines, Benne Seeds The house-made saltines were a nice touch, with a wheat-y and nutty texture and flavor that's missing in the store-bought ones. I love the pea dip, which was mixed with benne seeds, for a smooth, yet gritty flavor. My friend thought it tasted a bit too heavy of a "fennel" flavor, but I personally enjoyed it. FOIE GRAS & WAFFLES - 23 This was easily our favorite dish of the night. The combination of flavors and textures was outstanding: silky, umami-rich foie gras balanced by tart pickled apples, grounded by the familiar comfort of waffle, and brought together with a savory onion sauce and apple butter. The foie gras maple syrup was quite delicious, definitely a unique pairing. PENNSYLVANIA PEKIN DUCK - 46 Given that there would be Peking-style duck breast, with sauce reminiscent of hoisin on the side, we thought there would have been some sort of bun to pair with it. Despite that, the duck breast was so juicy and perfectly prepared. The collard greens were delicious. The fried chicken leg was great with the meat falling off the bone easily. The batter was not overdone either. Definitely a standout dish, with the duck breast being the highlight. GRIDDLED WILD BLUE CATFISH - 31 The dish featured a small slab of lightly battered catfish with a generous pour of the she-crab chowder, which read more like a sauce given how reduced and salty it was on its own. Since we family-styled everything, we only had a couple bites of the catfish each. We enjoyed the peanut potato, but left majority of the bacon and chowder since it was too salty. A few pieces of toast would've gone a long way in balancing the dish, which was a shame, as the chowder itself was quite seafood-forward and savory. "COFFEE & CIGARETTES" - 15 Lastly, we ended our night with our dessert featured on an ashtray. A generous scoop of espresso ice cream topped with chocolate mousse, topped with tobacco caramel and olive oil. There were also espresso morsels on the side, with its bitterness cutting through the overall sweetness of the dessert just a bit. This was good, but a bit too rich and sweet for my taste. While there were a couple standouts, my friend and I both agreed that Mallard is fine, but not great (echoing a couple other reviews). We're glad we tried it, but it's hard to say when we'd be back. read more

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Mallard Overall Rating: (3/5 Stars) Dark, moody, and cozy in the best way, Mallard delivers elevated dishes without tipping into pretension. For many, this is a DC staple. For me? I left intrigued but not fully convinced. Restaurant Week Dinner Menu (3 courses, $55) Opener: * House Velouté (complimentary): So good I asked for more. Sadly, that request was denied. Smalls: * Pork Reuben Dumplings: Truly unique. I've never had anything like this before, and it worked. * Devilled Crab Tartine (+$5): Crab and apple surprised me in the best way. Fresh, balanced, and thoughtfully composed. Mains: * Pennsylvania Pekin Duck (+$15): I'm deep in my duck era, and this delivered. I just wish it had been paired with a different vegetable, as the collards didn't do it for me. * Seared Sea Scallop: The scallops themselves were delicious, but everything around them fell flat. Compared to the vibrant plates elsewhere on the menu, this dish felt dull and uninspired. Dessert: * Banana Puddin: Not for me. I tried to find something to enjoy here, but it just didn't land. * Coffee & Cigarettes: Chocolate, so I passed. My girly loved it, though, so that counts for something. Service: Classic, homey restaurant energy. The staff was friendly and attentive, and the food came out in a timely manner. No complaints on service. Disclaimer: These are my personal opinions. Please try these restaurants and form your own judgments--it's what I would do. IG: @_edaj_ TikTok: @_edaj_jade_ read more

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Decided to try out this for dinner for Restaurant Week and the food was good. We had the best server, Delilah. I tried the fried Chesapeake oysters, Old Spot Heritage Pork 2 Ways, and Coffee & Cigarettes. The oysters were seasoned well, I like the crispy bbq shoulder more than the braised belly, and the dessert was very tasty-- especially that ice cream. However, the portion was very small to me. Overall, solid menu and food. I would like to try their lunch/brunch items. read more

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I took a recommendation from a stranger to try this place. She said she knew the chef and it would be a fantastic meal. She was spot on. The menu isn't big. Based on other Yelp reviews, I'm guessing the options change frequently. I had the shrimp and grits and it was, by far, the best meal I ate on this trip to DC. The grits were so smooth, rich and full of creamy flavor. The shrimp were seasoned exceptionally. They were "face-on" but when I removed their beady little bug faces, the shells released an amazing red sauce that dribbled all over the shrimp. The portion was satisfying but I could have eaten a bucket more because it was so dang good. Well done chef and thank you to the stranger who sent me here. The next time I'm in DC, I will definitely come back. read more

Mallard - Shrimp and grits. - Southern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

SO GOOD! Ok those Fried Oysters SET IT OFF for me! He had the asparagus to start, which were absolutely delicious and the perfect choice going the healthy route. But it's the oysters for me! I didn't have the Duck Wings but want to try them next time. I had the Shrimp & Grits which were creamy good! He had the Icelandic Char...very good with the rich amount of Char on the Char! Banana pudding for dessert was different...not what I was expecting at all...good but different. Service was excellent and attentive! The manager was on the floor working tables too. Gorgeous ambiance and decor with the theme. read more

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We had an amazing time during Mallard's restaurant week. For starters, we each had a cocktail, both of which were awesome. Then we began with the three course meal We loved every dish, and signed up for wine pairings with each dish - all of which paired well and were so good. For apps, I had the cool ranch salad and my boyfriend had the pork Reuben dumplings. My salad was huge and SO good. My boyfriend loved the dumplings and said he would order those again as well. For a main, I had pork two ways, and I will be dreaming about this dish until I return. The pork cutlet was so good but that pork belly melted in my mouth. I've never had pork so good in my life. My boyfriend selected the flat iron steak, and expressed his desire to have that again too. For dessert, I had the coffee and cigarettes (which was perfect/ espresso ice cream, chocolate, sauce, omg) and my boyfriend had something with meringue which he highly recommends (and I can attest was so good). I forgot the name though because it wasn't on the online restaurant week menu, whoops. We cannot wait to return, and we will well before the next restaurant week. Well hope to have Gaby as our waitress again- she was lovely! Thanks for the best experience we've had out in a while! read more

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I really wanted to love Mallard, but I just can't. We went on Christmas Eve and luckily were able to get seated near the bar right away. The decor is super cute and funky while the service was wonderful. We started with a gift from the chef which was a delicious bread. I ordered the mallard steam burger and just found it weird. The fries were good but the pepperoncini Mayo just wasn't good. It would have been an average burger otherwise, but this kind of ruined it. Especially for $23 there are such better burgers in the city. My friend got the Christmas Eve special of prime rib. It was cooked perfectly. The Brussel sprouts were great. It came with a Mac and cheese that my waitress said was the best she'd ever had. It tasted liked baked buttered noodles with a bland cheese sauce on top. One of the worst we've both had - we didn't finish it. For nearly $100 including too, I don't say the food was close to worth it. I live nearby and don't think I'll return, such a miss. read more

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Had an amazing time with friends at Mallard. My friend knows I love duck, so of course we had to come here. We tried most of the menu and let me say, everything was amazing! Not a single note. We started with the pimento cheese, the foie gras (the jam with it was to die for), the dumplings, the ahi tuna, and the duck wings which we devoured. We then shared the shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes, the catfish, and of course the duck. Shrimp was so good and flavorful. We loved the fried green tomatoes, and we usually don't like collard greens but we all agreed these were cooked perfectly. And the duck was unreal. Cooked two ways! Sooo delicious Of course we had to try dessert. Both were ... wow! Coffee and cigarettes was addictive. Couldn't stop eating it. It was slutty in the perfect way. And the banana pudding, man I can have more right now. They had caramel popcorn on it too that was the cherry on top. What an amazing experience at Mallard. I cannot wait to come back again! read more

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Cute and comfortable restaurant with delicious food. The three of us ordered four starters and two entrees and had to bring a little bit home. The endive salad was so refreshing and tasty. The roasted brussel sprouts were crunchy and soft at the same time. And the poached currants and thyme donut crumble were so good. But this was surpassed by the pork Reuben dumplings - I want more!!! The scallop crudo was an outlier. We don't even finish them. We also ordered the shrimp and grits entree. The shrimp were very good and the grits were great! We also loved the fried green tomatoes with greens. The greens were especially good. Service was exceptional and I love that you can get half pours of the beers so you can try more. And I almost forgot the delicious complimentery squash soup as a starter and chocolate bite as a finish. Highly recommend Mallards. read more

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Had a wonderful dinner at Mallard last night!! This was our first time there, but we will definitely be back again soon. The dining room and bar were gorgeous, and the plateware was so fun and on theme. The team was outstanding! The manager, Becks, was so welcoming and personable. Our server, Liv, was super attentive and offered great recommendations. And Chef Hamilton, who even came out and spoke to us, is really doing amazing and innovative things in the kitchen!! Finally, the food and drinks were devine!!! Seriously, everything we tasted was outstanding. I loved the fried oysters, but my boyfriend's favorite was the foie gras. We both ordered a "Drinkin Dark Wiskey" and cannot recommend it enough. Overall just a wonderful experience and we will be back to try more!!! read more

Mallard - Dessert - "coffee & cigarettes" - Southern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I attended a group dinner that was hosted in the private dining area. The table was decorated beautifully. The pre-fixed menu was family style with two appetizers, three main dishes, and two desserts. The food was delicious and the portions were large enough for a group of 11 to have a few leftovers. The pre-fixed dinner does not include cocktails but they are about $12-$16 each. The service was also great, we had one main server and she was very nice and attentive. Overall I really enjoyed my experience and my favorite dish was definitely the duck confit. read more

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Mallard was fine, but not great *for me.* I'll preface this by saying that I don't particularly love New American cuisine, but I can appreciate it when it's done well. I dined with a small group of three and we ordered a few dishes to share for the table. The most memorable dish was the amuse-bouche-- a creamy parsnip soup. I honestly wish it had been on the menu so I could've ordered a bowl for myself. We also had the duck wings, fried oysters, a fried and roasted duck entree, and the Brussels sprouts. Everything was fine, but not memorable. Service was great and the inside of the restaurant is really pretty, but the menu isn't calling me to return. read more

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If you're looking for a restaurant that treats you like family and feeds you like royalty, look no further than Mallard. I went there recently to celebrate a friend's birthday, and from the very first greeting to the last bite, the experience was nothing short of exceptional. The staff? Incredibly kind and impressively knowledgeable--they knew the menu like the back of their hand and gave recommendations that were absolutely spot-on. We felt in good hands from the start. To kick off the celebration, they surprised us with complimentary champagne on the house (a classy touch), *and* a special off-menu appetizer as a birthday treat. That kind of hospitality is rare--and very appreciated. Now, let's talk duck. I ordered it, and I'm still thinking about it. Cooked perfectly, served with elegant sides, a rich sauce, and the genius combo of crispy fried duck *and* tender baked duck on one plate. It was like getting the best of both duck worlds. My only wish? That heavenly baked duck deserves to be an entrée all on its own. Give it its own spotlight on the menu--it's that good. Mallard, you've won me over. I'll definitely be back. Duck me up again soon. read more

Mallard - Duck entree - Southern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Beautiful southern inspired restaurant. My experience here was brief but the food was amazing. The interior design of the restaurant is quite pleasant. Wish I had more to share but it's a great spot to get upscale southern dishes. One of the spots I'll be sure to come back to. read more

Came here for restaurant week and had an absolutely great time. I was a bit salty that so many items had additional prices so restaurant week wasn't that big of a steal, but that being said the experience and the quality was truly great. The art up on the wall was quite eclectic duck and other things themed but the place had a nice upscale vibe. Would recommend as like a one year anniversary or just bougie kind of meal. Our server Dalila was an absolute gem. She was communicative about the additional restaurant week pricing, brought us celebratory drinks for a friends birthday, and accommodated our other requests. We started off with a complimentary French onion soup that was so rich and had a strong truffle and umami flavor to it. We liked it so much we asked our server for another one before dessert and she was able to make it happen. For appetizers, my friends and I got the fried oysters, sweetbread and waffles, and cast iron valley fois gras. I've never been crazy about oysters but they had a nice crispiness to it and deviled egg aioli that paired nicely with it. The sweetbread and waffles I'd probably skip again, it was just a standard chicken and waffles and I felt like I could get that somewhere else. One of my favorite bites of the night was the fois gras which was so buttery and paired well with the other fresh ingredients. Truly so rich and delectable. For my main, I got the pekin duck which is a classic. I wish my duck had slightly more seasoning on it but I loved it being paired with the what I think was lingonberry? It was also cooked perfectly medium rare. The star of the dish was the chicken.fried leg which I don't know what was in that seasoning but it was mind blowingly addictive. For dessert, you cannot skimp out on the coffee and cigarettes. This is in my top desserts I've had in dc with an espresso ice cream with chocolate mousse that paired perfectly with one another. There was caramel made out of tobacco and the plating was immaculate. The plating and composition made it look kind of like an ash tray and there were some Oreo crumbs that looked like ashes, truly whimsical and fun. From this three course meal, I felt the right amount of full and left happy. Overall, I appreciated their upscale yet whimsical dishes, and each dish had a very intentional plating to it which I loved. read more

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Pretty good southern food! I liked the crab tartine, and the fried oysters were really good too. I didn't care for the dumplings, I would pass on that next time. Do know they have a rotating menu, I really wanted the creole catfish w/ gumbo but they didn't have it on hand. read more

Mallard - Southern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

surpassed my expectations. from the decor to the service to the food. started with complementary corn soup which tasted like cold clam chowder but sweeter/lighter. i could take five shots of it. each dish was a blend of sweet and savory. the crab tartine was a total foodgasm the trout was my least favorite but still good i liked the duck more than i expected -- even the fried part was good read more

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I was super impressed with Mallard. It was by far some of the best elevated American food that I had in recent memory. I've decided that this spot is making it into my go-to places as I was blown away. Each dish we ordered was impressive and packed with flavor. My favorites were the duck, steak and the banana pudding dessert. You also can't go wrong with any of the cocktails. Make sure to make reservations because this spot was full on a Friday night. It even has a nice homey and southern vibe to it - which was nice. The highlight of the evening was getting to meet the sous chef Alejandro who came out to greet our table. read more

Mallard - Steak - Southern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Great good great ambiance our server Jose was fantastic. Will be back for more. Thank you

Mediocre menu, but a fun ambiance. Next time, I'll just go back for drinks at the bar because the full dinner experience was very underwhelming. I ordered the rainbow trout, which was rather bland and lazy. The fried oysters were tasty, but didn't make up for the overall disappointing experience. Service was pretty solid throughout. read more

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I had been to Churchkey on numerous occasions, but sadly never made it to Mallard's predecessor restaurant. I was excited to try this replacement, though, as I love Southern food and it is conveniently located to me. For starters, the space is gorgeous. Very inviting and homey without being tacky, and beautifully decorated for Christmas if you visit during the holidays. There's plenty of vintage, duck-themed decor, with mismatched but chic glassware to compliment the vibe. Overall, very impressed with the ambiance. Our server was also very attentive and polite, making great recommendations when asked. As far as the food, everything I had was tasty, though the portions varied widely for the price. I was expecting the duck to be larger for its $40+ pricetag, while the shrimp and fries and catfish looked hefty. The fried oysters were good, but small, while the brussel sprouts were (also good and) quite a large portion. Oddly, my favorite item out of everything was the complimentary mini banana bread loaf with salted butter and crisped rice. It was to die for and I could have eaten five. I wish I could have it every day. The drinks were good, interesting. I had one of their signature lemonades spiked with gin, which was fairly reasonable and delicious though nothing avant garde. I had a white port with dessert, which I didn't even know existed! And for dessert, I had the "Cigarettes and Coffee" which was good, but not amazing. I'd be curious to try the banana pudding next time, as it sounds delicious. read more

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I had a fantastic experience at Mallard! We enjoyed the veal sweet bread waffles (4/5, amazing sweetbreads and sauces but a not truly malty half-waffle), the crab tartine (I didn't try it, but I'm told it was delicious!), and the Pennsylvania Peking Duck (5/5, two different styles and both done to perfection). In addition, there were complimentary appetizers of cheese and mushrooms on toast (5/5) and complimentary after dinner mint chocolate fudge squares (5/5). We ordered dessert and were wowed by the coffee and cigarettes (a very rich, smoky flavor, not really sweet at all, with a much sturdier dark chocolate mousse). We enjoyed the chocolate cake and hazelnut ice cream as well, but the cigarettes and coffee was the real standout. The only quibble we had with the food was the portion sizes - for example, the sweetbreads and waffles came with one small half of a waffle, rather than the waffles plural in the title - and that would have been an (inexpensive) way to bulk out the dish and bring it more in line with the cost. Still, everything was perfectly cooked and bursting with flavor, and I'll certainly be back. Service was phenomenal, and I loved our waitress. They made us feel at home. The decor here is also gorgeous. I love everything from the duck prints on the wall to the eclectic light fixtures to the plates to the design of the bar. It really felt thoughtful and gave the place such a warm atmosphere. In addition, the musoc is at a reasonable volume and (unlike many restaurants today) the acoustics were great. This is one of my favorite new spots I've tried in a long time. Those little extra touches really made the experience! read more

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One of my favorite dining experiences in D.C The food was creative and delicious. We ordered the foi gras as an appetizer - melt in your mouth good. Super attentive service and wonderful vibes read more

Mallard - Peking Duck - Southern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This place was beautiful inside, the service was amazing and the food? Well let me say that I like duck. And with a name like Mallard you better have some good duck. There was no dissatisfaction on my end. This duck was cooked to perfection two ways: Pekingese and duck confit (then chicken fried). Yep, get out of the way. When the plate came I did not think I could eat it all; it was o good I couldn't stop. Great job! read more

Mallard - Nice selection - Southern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Cozy vibes, friendly staff, unique flavors! What an adorable place! The interior was decorated beautifully, not too dark (you could actually read your menu lol) and not too loud. Food was great! Our favorites were: - sea island pea dip (flavorful dip but the duck fat saltines were the true star, flaky ritz cracker flavor but better) - foie gras (super decadent but not too rich with the blackberry pie sauce) - smash burger (can't go wrong, tasted like an elevated Big Mac) The pork trotter had a nice sauce but the trotter itself was all ground meat, tasted a little bit like a chicken nugget. Not my favorite. Also appreciated the 8 types of alcohol-free drinks! Lots to choose from! Staff was attentive and even wiped our table after each course. We even got complementary pumpkin bread bites which were delicate and delicious! read more

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We dined at Mallard shortly after the grand opening. Their summer restaurant week menu was the full menu with some surcharges. The service was great - quick, friendly and knowledgeable. I also appreciated that they were kid-friendly and easily able to make accommodations for my son. In terms of our food, we all enjoyed our food and promised to return. Pro Tip: Go! read more

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I went to mallard with a close friend recently and truly enjoyed myself. Our host was fantastic she did a great job accommodating all our request. We started with the fried oysters and duck wings which were both amazing. The duck wings had a sauce that was divine and slightly tangy. The fried oysters were heavy and crispy. My main course was the Pennsylvania Pekin Duck. This was a great portion size compared to the lamb that my friend got. I loved the lighting at this place. It definitely enjoyed myself and look forward to coming back. Parking is difficult. read more

Mallard - Dining - Southern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Mallard is an intimate restaurant with lots of character. It has a homey southern vibe with a kind of old world charm when you walk in. The tables are adorned with utensils and flatware that you might expect from your grandmother's kitchen. The food wraps you in a warm southern blanket. First, if you're going to a restaurant named "Mallard" you have to have some duck. We had the Duck Wings as a started then moved on to the Orvia Duck with the Foie Gras option. The flavors were nothing short of amazing. Service was charming and helpful with both drink and food suggestions. On our servers recommendation we also tried the sister bar upstairs named Churchkey, which was a nice way to end the evening. read more

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Was visiting from out of town and came for drinks on a Sunday evening with friends. It was quiet but cozy and the decor is very cute. Feels like being in your uncle's hunting cabin. We sat at the bar and absolutely fell in love with the bartender, Quinn and server Olivia. We also got to meet the GM, Adrian. The drinks were fantastic and everyone was so warm and welcoming. I'll be back next time I'm in DC. read more

Went for brunch and unfortunately the dish I ordered was mid at best. The cornmeal pancakes sounded great on paper, but seriously lacked any flavor and texture. Even though the dish had wet toppings, it ate very dry. Overall after a few bites I was bored. Maybe I need to come back to try dinner and dessert. read more

Mallard - Cornmeal pancakes - Southern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

From the moment we walked in, the cozy atmosphere set the perfect tone. The lamb topped with microgreens was the highlight -- absolutely exquisite. The burger was also fantastic. We got the Brussels sprouts and crostini as an app that were equally impressive. The pimento cheese was so good we wished we had more, while the shrimp and grits were just okay in comparison. The cocktails were outstanding, perfectly crafted and a great complement to the meal. Overall, an amazing dinner with great food, drinks, and vibes -- can't wait to go back! read more

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Mallard DC delivers Southern cuisine with a refined, almost Michelin-level feel--without the pretension. From the moment you walk in, the hospitality stands out: warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. The cozy, chic decor strikes the perfect balance between elevated and comfortable, making it an ideal spot for both a special night out or a relaxed dinner. The food is thoughtfully executed, full of Southern soul, and impressively fair-priced for the quality and experience you're getting. Chef Ham and his team clearly have something special going on here--everything feels intentional, confident, and done with care. If you haven't been yet, get here. Mallard DC is absolutely worth the visit. read more

Met friends for dinner on a Saturday night. It's located prominently on 14th street, close to the 14th Street/Rhode Island NW intersection. The restaurant decor is giving southern grandmother's living room, with eclectic wall photos and southern knick-knacks. We were gifted an amuse bouche of parsnip soup from the chef. It was perfectly season with a creamy texture. After that, we began with the duck wings; they were extra crispy with a nice, balanced flavor. Instead of ordering individual meals, we shared the lamb, duck and Brussels sprouts. The duck was crispy on the outside and perfectly rare on the inside, and seasoned throughout. The lamb was also fully flavored at the right tenderness. Brussels sprouts served as the perfect veggie side to cut through the richness of the lamb and duck. For dessert, we shared their take on banana pudding. It was like a deconstructed banana pudding with bits of Cracker Jacks and vanilla wafers. All in all, food, service and ambience provided a great first impression, so I'll be back! read more

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I love a theme and Mallard goes all-in with the duck theme. At first when looking at the menu I didn't think it was that duck-heavy, but the duck-gaps were filled by decor. A drink I ordered came in a duck-printed glass and on the way to the bathroom I passed many duck decorations. The service was friendly and welcoming, including a complimentary glass of bubbly for my birthday. It's hard to pick a favorite dish from the night, but the Pekin Duck 2 ways slightly edged out the sweetbreads. The Duck, as expected, was cooked perfectly and we were able to enjoy it cooked slightly more traditionally and also "chicken-fried" style. The desserts didn't disappoint and rank in my top desserts in recent memory. The deconstructed banana pudding and coffee and cigarettes are elevated and complex while still being nostalgic and comfortable. All in all, it felt like visiting a good friend in the early 90s/late 80s when dark wood furniture, mirrors, and floral couches were in abundance. I left wondering what excuse I could use to come back again as soon as possible. read more

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Food: Some of the dishes were good and some were not! The pimento cheese 'snack' was good mainly because it came with pickled okra and cornichons. The cheese itself lacked kick and the pecans were bland. The fried catfish was thick and meaty and cooked perfectly, accompanied by a few black eyed peas and corn niblets. My friend got the crab tartine, which was very heavy on dill, and the shrimp and grits. At $30+ these were a disappointment. Instead of a nice smoky roux, the sauce tasted like straight Tobasco and drowned out the flavor of the head-on shrimp and grits. The deconstructed banana pudding featured stale caramel corn, some ice cream instead of pudding and a caramelized half banana that tasted burnt. The grit plum pie was quite good--a lemon cream tart topped with diced plums and merengue. The cocktails and wine were tasty. Service: The service needed refinement to justify this price point. Our neighboring table got their entrees while they were still eating their appetizer and because the table was small they had to whisk it away unfinished. Our server dropped the check on the table before we finished our desserts, and my friend was brought the wrong dessert. Ambiance: The decor and lighting are nice and cozy but it is LOUD. My watch sent me two high noise notifications and got up to 97 db, which is about how loud they allow the DJs on the Flash rooftop, for comparison. This can lead to temporary hearing loss. I could barely hear the waitress or my friend. They need some baffling on the ceiling if they want to keep the brick walls exposed. I would only come back for a drink at the bar and a snack. read more

This weekend, I visited Mallard in Logan Circle, DC, for a quick brunch. Finding parking took about 15 minutes, but despite making a reservation in advance, I was surprised to see plenty of open seats. The restaurant has a cute, classic decor with beautiful art pieces on the walls--definitely a charming atmosphere. What We Ordered: Poached Duck Egg - This dish came with Confit Duck Leg, Hollandaise, Mushroom & Potato Hash. While the textures were great--the duck was tender, and the hash was crispy--I found the overall flavor a bit underwhelming. A touch more seasoning would have made a difference. Shrimp & Grits - Loved this one! The grilled shrimp had a strong, smoky flavor that paired well with the creamy grits. Definitely a standout dish. Nashville Hot Chicken - My favorite of the three! The chicken was crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and cooked to perfection. The waffles with Huckleberry Jam complemented the chicken beautifully. Personally, I didn't feel the sunnyside egg on top was necessary, but the dish was fantastic overall. Mallard has a great ambiance and solid food. It was an enjoyable brunch. I'd definitely come back to try the dinner menu. read more

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First, the hostess, server and bar was first rate. The style and decor signaled that we came to the right place for good vittles. The problem is the food was not great at the price. Way too much effort to be "nouveau southern" without retaining the mouthwatering essence of good southern cooking, whether low country, high country, soul or creole. The catfish schnitzel was a miss at 32 and the duck at 46 with a smear of collards and squash was passable at 46; the 36 for a take in chicken and dumplings was good. The desserts were fancy but will not draw you back. The Great Server closed the night with a fresh pot of DC Jail brown water coffee! We will not return at $430. read more

Great ambience, dining ware, and pleasant staff overall. Cocktails were very tasty and again appreciated the style of glassware they were served in. Starters were so good...particularly impressed by the pan seared foie gras. It was so good it does make you wish you had a second serving (I think it's standard to have one medallion as a serving?). I got the shrimp and grits and before it came wondered why I had gone that route because it's so tough to get it right. Fortunately the shrimp were absolutely delicious. The grits hid behind the sauce, which was just too salty- if it had been 20% less salty, it would have been absolutely perfect. My wife got the catfish shnitzel and loved it....i stole a bite to cut the saltiness of my grits and sauce, and found the breading and fish to be lovely and light. Overall really great meal, very nearly a 5 but for the extra salt in the shrimp and grits. read more

The atmosphere and service at Mallard was thoughtful. The food is duck forward, which you should expect from a place named Mallard. The favorites were the duck wings and the cigarettes and ashes dessert. The banana pudding desert was deconstructed and felt incomplete. They had delicious cocktails as well. read more

Mallard - Delicious cocktail - Southern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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