I had Obelisk classified as an "oldie but a goodie" since it has a great reputation--starred reviews--and has been in DC for seemingly forever. Finally got my chance to try last Friday and can confirm that the raves are well-deserved. The service and food were both excellent. For a place with $$$$ attached to it, Obelisk is very accessible. There's nothing stuffy about this restaurant, which I really appreciate. On their website, they said of their dress code: "Whatever you're comfortable in is fine with us." That's my kinda place! I want relaxed but elegant settings and great food, and Obelisk delivers all that. The restaurant occupies the upper level of a Dupont Circle row house and probably seats no more than 50 people at a time, if that. Obelisk's smaller space creates a very intimate feel, making it perfect for dates and other special occasions. Unlike other area restaurants, Obelisk only serves a five-course meal, no a la carte dining. They can make tweaks to the menu for pescetarians and vegetarians but not vegans. Let them know about your dietary restrictions when making the reservation. Tom N. told them I was a pescetarian, so the servers were very mindful of that throughout the evening. Our main server identified pescetarian-friendly dishes on the menu, either ones that contained no meat or that could be modified. The things I enjoyed that night (well, everything. here are the details): Amuse-bouche #1: Homemade burrata bathed in olive oil. Creamy deliciousness. So wonderful. Simple and comforting. Amuse bouche #2: Arugula and sardine salad. Just way salad should be--simply seasoned, not overly sauced, and super fresh. The crouton-like bits of fish complemented the greens really well. Amuse-bouche #3:Marinated shishito peppers. Someone described eating shisito peppers as "playing roulette." Pretty accurate. Luckily for us, these peppers were mild and sweet. Amuse-bouche#4: Radish, red onion, and botarga salad. Mixing rich and salty seems to be a common technique employed by the chefs, and it also worked really well in this dish. The snappy radish slices and the simple marinade worked well with the buttery yet briny fish roe. Amuse-bouche #5: Shrimp crostini. This was a superlative dish. The sauce was perfect, not too salty, just right. The head-on shrimps were hugeeeeee. I just couldn't ask for more. Primi: Fava bean ravioli with chives. Despite being a pasta dish, the ravioli was rather light and the fava bean and chive stuffing was a winning combination. The sauce wasn't cloyingly rich. Secondi: Black bass with clams and asparagus.This dish usually comes with guanciale (similar to salami), but they removed it for me. I definitely wasn't missing out on anything. The fish was perfectly cooked and seasoned. Its accompanying sauce was delicate yet flavorful. The clams were sweet and the asparagus was as fresh as could be. Formaggi: We were offered three types of cheese: cow, sheep, and buffalo. The buffalo cheese was akin to brie, which I love. Accompanied by a lovely jam, the cheeses, smeared on their fine bread, were delightful. Dolci: Fiore di latte custard with almonds and balsamic vinegar. I never was a flan kinda gal, but this dessert made me think twice. Eggy and decadent. I would order this again. He ended his meal with chocolate cake served with pistachio ice cream and cherries. Yum! Very, very good. I also sampled his primi, lobster soup. Awesome! Huge chunks of lobster in a chunky soup, not a bisque. Obelisk takes fresh ingredients, some not native to Italian cuisine, and treats them in Italian ways. Their food is simply seasoned and prepared yet elegant and very satisfying. The servers' timing was really good. Dishes came out steadily, but we never felt like we were being bombarded. Plates were cleared as soon as they were emptied; glasses were refilled without us ever having to ask. The servers were happy to explain things to us and also checked on us often enough but not too much that it became annoying. Obelisk may be considered a very expensive restaurant, but it's totally worth it. I feel like you get more than what you pay for. Will be coming back for sure. read more

Obelisk - Beautiful and flawlessly executed shrimp crostini - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

See all

A-mazing!! Food, service, ambience were excellent. There were 5 courses, each one was so thoughtfully and deliciously prepared. Bread and breadsticks alone were to die for but you had to be careful not to eat too much because there was so much food! The first course alone was a feast. If you are looking for an intimate dining experience with lots of attention from the staff and enjoy a leisurely meal with little surprises here and there coming your way, this is a must try! Will definitely coming back again and again. From the first bite of the breadstick with the homemade burrata to the last bite of the grapefruit granita with fennel ice cream, this was indeed a fine dining experience in an un-pretentious setting. read more

My girlfriend and I went to this establishment tonight; we had high expectations based on these yelp reviews and they were met. We had various antipasti prior to our first course. These included the burrata, an extremely creamy and fresh cow's milk cheese, an egg dish, arugula salad, pesto crostini with shavings of cheese, and fried sardines with a lemon wedge. All these antipasti in tandem worked well together. I especially enjoyed the burrata since it was so fresh. It spread on the provided bread with great ease. The bread itself was incredibly soft, albeit not warm, and an item we had many pieces of. Also the novelty of the long bread sticks was welcomed and they tasted great as well. For our first course we selected the tagliatelle with was done with black fungus and pancetta. The noodles were in long strands, cooked to the perfect doneness and had a delicate taste to them. All the components of the dish worked well with each other and had a great mouth feel. For the protein, my girlfriend selected the duck accompanied with spinach, raisins, and pine nuts. She stated that the duck was juicy and fatty skin of it was crispy and delicious; the sauteed spinach was light and not heavy. I selected the boar chop with wilted greens; the flavor was there, but the chop was too tough for me. I was fighting to chew the meat which I sliced from the chop. I didn't want to finish the boar dish since I opted to in my mind to request the 3rd protein offering, which was the mediterranean sea bass with tomato and clams. I waved down our server to let this happen as a supplement to the meal. This protein selection was far superior; I was quite pleased with the moisture level of the fish and that the flesh was fork tender with its crisped skin. The clams in their broth worked well with the tomato and fish. For our next go-around, I will definitely opt for the seafood offering. Aferwards, we were given the cheese course which consisted of a hard cow cheese. semi-soft cow cheese and soft sheep/goat/cow blend. The fig jam that came on the dish was enjoyable as well. As for the dessert, we picked the meyer lemon tart and the chocolate polenta cake. Both desserts were divine. The chocolate polenta cake had an incredibly smooth mouth feel with just the right amount of chocolate intensity; it was accompanied by an orange crème anglaise with wedges of blood oranges. The lemon tart's filling was very soft and mildly sweet, with its shell having a buttery finish. The lemon ice cream that accompanied it was creamy and delicious. The evening finished with candied blood orange, a cocoa truffle, and a nutty mini-biscotti. I was very pleased with this meal outside of the boar chop which was saved by my additional selection of the fish course. Had I not tried a different protein course, this review would have been a definite 4 stars. We will definitely be back. read more

See all

God this place is so fantastic. I would say 3 of the best 5 meals I have had in the last decade have been here. Ambience awesome, service awesome, food sublime. read more

If you want to go here during prime time hours you have to reserve weeks in advance. I have a problem with how you have to call a day or two before to verify your reservation... They should call me... (that's how other very nice restaurants do it...) Thus, they lose a star... The food is very good, though the portions are a bit small... Nice atmosphere, dining room (dining room is very small and intimate), great service... It's a bit dressy as well. read more

This was one of the best meals I've had in DC. Excellent service. Great wine pairings with each course - recommendations made by our sever. read more

See all

This restaurant was average. For a place that has been around for 30+ years, I would expect high quality dishes. The price was not appropriate for the quality of the food. It was classic Italian food, but not executed like authentic Italian food. Nothing was impressive and the pairings of different elements of each dish did not pair well. For example, the dessert pairing of pistachio and pomegranate did not work. The pistachio ice cream would've gone better with the caramel sauce, and the pomegranate with the chocolate cake. It was apparent that things were fresh, so there's that. There was nothing distinct about any of the dishes. They were all very bland, no dish was memorable. The ambiance is cute and the service was good. We noticed a couple parties knew the staff, so we were excited about a good place people came back to. But as we ate we couldn't help but be confused as to why people went back to the performance of food quality and price. read more

Obelisk is homey and inviting. The service is executed perfectly and every little dish proves the chef's magical culinary abilities. Nothing is a let down, and not once did I feel like it wasn't worth the price tag. I'm completely in love with this restaurant. (for my full review http://lavienouveau.wordpress.com/2009/09/03/obelisk/) read more

See all

I can see why everybody loves this place so much. The assortment of really interesting, slightly modern, slightly rustic, Italian food is really first-rate. Our main dishes were fine-- really very good, I guess-- but the real show stealers were the array of small nibbles, amuse bouche, and other small plates that came out at the start of the meal and the cocktail menu. (My fiancee got a rhubarb sour, I got a blood orange/ arancello/ camapari cocktail that was gloriously fruity and bitter). If only it were possible to stop in just for drinks and snacks, I would do so often. read more

Obelisk has been on my to-do list since about 2010. Well and of course I forgot about it for awhile. But I finally went for my birthday this year and all I could say was...WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG!? Our reservation was at 9pm on a Friday... later than I'd normally dine as I'm usually passed out by that time on a Friday night but with the help of a venti coffee at 430PM, I made it. Ha. We were greeted at the sliding door after hanging our coats with, "Griffin?" -- yep. That was us. I mean, I think we were the only party to be seated at this hour but it was nice that they knew the reservation name without having a host stand to use as reference. The prefix dinner is $85/person and entirely worth it. There is the antipasti, the primi, secondi, formaggi and dolci. I couldn't have been more happy to find a plate full of dreamy burrata kicking off the meal -- generously drizzled with olive oil, salt and pepper. Paired with the 2 foot long breadsticks protruding from the breadbasket - it was seriously heaven. The remaining items in the antipasti course were blistered shishito peppers, delicate scallop crudo with fennel and suckling pig fritters. So awesome. For my first course, I had the tagliatelle with artichokes, guanciale and breadcrumbs. It was perfect. My dining partner has the arugula + ricotta ravioli with pine nuts. It was tasty but I preferred my pasta dish to his. For mains, he had the branzino and I had the beef culotte. The beef was a perfect medium rare and was paired with some spinach and radicchio. The cheeses were of course delightful. And dessert - we split the chocolate cake + caramel whipped cream (omg) and I had the pineapple thingy. Service was stellar throughout. Everyone was so kind; they made sure we were properly hydrated with full water glasses or had a wine refill. By the end of our meal, I was sufficiently stuffed and was already plotting a return visit. I can't wait to go back. read more

See all

Nice atmosphere, tasty italian. Bit expensive. You need reservation and It is bit difficult to make reservation. The restaurant is closed on Sunday and Monday. read more

See all

Finding the restaurant is a little tough; parking is do-able around the residential streets, but you might have to walk about a block or two (not a problem). The inside of the restaurant is small and cute, with their menus hand-written of the day's menu. A basket of bread was given, and I really liked the two long crunchy bread straws. The marinated olives were nice and salty, and I was popping them down like chips. We were given a little plate of cow's milk cheese from Puglia (burrata) - it was seasoned with some salt, pepper, and olive oil, and it was very delicate - almost like a mozzarella, but more stringy-er. The chickpea fritters with rosemary were good - kind of like corncakes. I also tried their octopus with olives; green tomato salad with anchovies (fresh, and I love anchovies in general); wild boar skewers (nice and juicy); tagliatelle with Virginia ham and peas; clam soup with saffron, tomatoes, and spring garlic; striped bass with capers, olives, preserved lemon, and asparagus (kind of bland, even with the capers); duck breast with spinach, golden raisins, and pine nuts (my least favorite); Pipe Dream Farm's Cravanzina and Bra Duro with green tomato jam.; strawberry infusion with pistachio ice cream; buttermilk panna cotta with rhubarb; and, a small plate of small sweets. Everything seemed so fresh and simply made - definitely not your 'typical Italian chain restaurant' fare, but the evening was enjoyable, and I am glad that I finally got to try this place out. The service was great, and this place is definitely an intimate type of a setting. +Puglia (complimentary!) +wild boar skewers +simple Italian fare read more

Two of my friends and I had dinner here two weeks ago and we all left the restaurant feeling underwhelmed. With all the wonderful reviews and complements we decided to give it a try. Putting decor aside, service was great, although I would have liked it if they explained the entree a bit more. Now to the food. The anti-pasti dishes were okay, we were offered five, cheese, fried risotto balls, stuffed veal, salad and something else I cannot remember. The risotto ball was the best. Primi: I got the Shrimp and clam soup. I will admit, this was very yummy. Secondi: Snapper with mushrooms, it was good, but expected it to taste better Formaggi: Three cheeses, fig jam was the best part Dolci: Pinza with a glass of muscato, did not like it! My two friends were also disappointed. Perhaps we should have gone another time with a different selection. read more

See all

Add me to the list of people who brought a significant other here for her birthday. Thankfully it is perfect for the occasion. You will definitely make someone feel special if you bring them here. The first adventure of the night was just finding the place - it is not adorned with a large sign, and the address refers to a large building that seemingly takes up the whole block. The entrance to Obelisk is above Tomfoolery (We had to call for directions, despite having a GPS.) There is a small piece of paper on the door with the name on it. The space is small and looks almost like someone put a restaurant in their apartment (you even have to hang your coats in a smallish closet area near the entrance), it barely looks like a conventional restaurant at all, so right off the bat, you feel like it's going to be a unique experience. Anyway, you will get a large assortment of different small dishes to try, and they were consistent in their high quality taste. Our dinner consisted of grilled black bass with radicchio and blood oranges, steamed cauliflower, buratta with olive oil, and a pasta dish with watercress and prosciutto. Can't beat that variety. I do not have the mental prowess to remember specifics of each, but I do remember the way I felt after making my way through everything. That feeling was happy, full, and satisfied that we just had a meal worthy of a birthday celebration. The only course we didn't care for was the cheese plate, but I'm not a big cheese guy to begin with. I have to end on the dessert, because it was heavenly. It did not sound like much, a rice ice cream, but it was among the creamiest ice creams I've ever had and tasted super fresh. That makes all the difference in an ice cream. For drinks, their specialty is wine as you probably expect, but they had some eclectic beer options as well. I had a japanese espresso stout. Delicious. Bonus points for the bathroom shenanigans - I was using the facilities, and imagine my surprise when I turned my head to the left and saw the large picture featuring drawings of a root, the phallus impudicus. I was shocked to find this was actually a plant in nature because it really does look like its namesake. Extra bonus points for stellar service. And, for those curious, for two dinners and two beers, the bill was slightly over $200. read more

My husband and I went on 9/25 for our 1 year anniversary celebration. It was an incredibly pleasant experience. You do have to call the day before to confirm your reservation (or same day in the morning). The woman on the phone when I made the reservation told me to do it though so I put it in my calendar and did it and had no problems. We arrived and were seated in a very pleasant dining room. It felt almost like you were at a person's house as it is rather small, but not cramped. Our waitress was very nice and helpful but not overbearing in any way. The menu has a few choices and it all looked so good. The beginning plates were (which you don't choose) burrata in olive oil and salt-really good and tasted so fresh it was like you could taste the grass those cows ate. yum! then some sort of sardines with carmelized onions and yellow raisins, lamb skewers, arugula salad with parmesean and mushrooms and lemon dressing, and smoked swordfish. All great. For the primi my husband had the gnocchi with pesto-so good. I wanted to lick that pesto off the plate. I got the fresh pasta with butter and crab. Simple and delicious. For the secondi I had the duck and my husband got the steak. Both were good but not blow you away. The cheese plate was very tasty although I couldn't tell you what it was. A goat cheese and two others. Dessert I had poached pear and cinnamon spice ice cream-tasty! and my husband got a chocolate almond torte-really really good. All in all, really really good. The only drawback: the price. For two all we had is the meal ($75 each) and each a glass of wine and the total was $225. Pretty steep...guess it's good you only have one first anniversary! read more

Totally deserving of all the hype. I should also add that I lost a gift certificate and they graciously looked it up and let me use it after almost two years. But beyond the warm service and the smiling faces, the food truly rules. Everything was cooked to perfect temperature. And we ate each course tasting the clear and intended star of the plate. When my fish arrived, you could barely see it. Plus with all the truffles and asparagus, it could have been so easy to lose the bass into the dish. But nope. Many of the dishes, I felt like it couldn't have had more than 5-6 items. And that's perfect for me. The antipasti was a true joy. And that burrata. Omg. I will definitely go back for sure. It definitely took me back to my time in Southern Italy. Thumbs up! read more

See all

3.5 stars total... First course was the highlight but it went downhill from there. In general way too heavy on the butters, oils, and cheeses. Granted we chose the ravioli with cheese for the first course but when the antipasti includes a main of a burrata and a side of a goat cheese crostini to be followed with a cheese course later kinda overdid it. Wagyu beef top sirloin was grainy and very disappointing. Not melt in your mouth like it should have been. Regardless of price, don't think it's worth it. Oh, and additionally no palate cleansers which would be a nice touch for a meal like this. Finally, bread basket was very average . read more

Obelisk - Cheese plate with dry moscato...Sooo much food already! - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This is my wife's and my favorite spot. They take incredible care of their guests. The experience is spectacular, as is the cuisine, which is prepared expertly. You may wait to be seated; understand that going in, and it is because of the dining experience provided, the incredible courses, and the desire of the patrons to linger over the meals -- likely because they are sated and glowing. read more

Will file my experience last night in the "you have got to be kidding me" file. Friends took me to Obelisk for my birthday. What we got was excruciatingly slow service and when any of our courses finally arrived we were expected to choke down food so drenched in oil (aka lazy) it rendered each dish inedible. I had high hopes for the pasta course but even that was substandard - the ravioli was thin and chewy, drowning in butter (in what appeared to be an attempt to give flavor) with inside of wet frozen spinach and a little ricotta maybe - hard to tell with the overwhelm of the wet spinach. We thought at least dessert should Be ok - who messes up dessert we thought? Enter Obelisk who delivered a burnt piece of inedible lemon cake (dry, literally burnt). The best part was the cocktail and it was very good so I was forced to have three of them just to get something in my stomach. But to add insult to injury a couple of us have extremely upset stomachs today so it appears the oil dousing may be meant to hide not so fresh ingredients? How in the world did this place get the hype it has? Maybe a new chef is there? All I know is never ever will I go to this place again. You can do better at Chipotle. read more

Quite simply probably the best meal that my wife and I ever had in DC. Obelisk is the most authentic, genuinely elegant and at the same time not in any way contrived Italian meal I have been lucky enough to partake in. Just really good food prepared with love, served in an intimate setting with a very knowledgeable wait staff who are attentive to your every need. read more

Four of us had a 9pm reservation on a Saturday night. The place is small and we waited a little bit. That's my only negative comment. The entire meal was death row worthy. I will return to this restaurant. The set up is that you choose a primi course a secondi course and a dessert. They bring an array of appetizers and bread first before the primi course arrives. And a cheese course before dessert. We also chose the wine pairing which were well matched based in your choice per course. Wines were outstanding. The bread basket was delicious but the long crispy bread sticks stole the show. Good luck trying to stop a snapping pieces off it during the meal. Antipasto included the "crickets", burrata cheese, a yellow and red pepper mix, olives, pork rolet, and fennel salad with citrus. The "crickets" looked like something in the giant shrimp/prawn family from the Mediterranean but my friend who is native Italian said what they call them in Italy is literally translated as "crickets" but the server called them something that sounded like praying mantis. Both agreed that they are rarely found in the US. They tasted like sweet shrimp. I could have sat in front of a bushel if them and kept eating. I am not a big roasted pepper fan but the pepper dish was mild and tasty. The burrata cheese tasted heavenly. I started with the paparadelle with porcini mushrooms which I loved. But since no one had ordered the gnocchi with pesto, they also brought that our. They were mini pillows of heavenliness. I got the snapper which was thick and fresh. Loved it! Two people split the chicken and one got the lamb. Everything was excellent. I ordered the lemon tart for dessert. It was good but the coffee toffee chocolate chip ice cream was better. read more

See all

Eight years later, I'm still amazed by the quality of Obelisk. I've been there a number of times now and am never disappointed. In anything! The prix-fixed menu gives you ample choices without overwhelming you. I also know that I can order unusual dishes (like squab most recently) and get the same impeccable level of quality. I love the antipasto before the first course and there always seems to be something inventive about even the most traditional dishes. I had chocolate cake and ice cream the other night and the flourless cake was light and fluffy and the ice cream was full of mint flavor and fruity chocolate bits. I really just can't say enough nice things about this restaurant and the people that work there. They are the perfect blend of professional and unassuming. This is a high-end restaurant that's not snobby, and frankly the best value I've found after eating out extensively at some of the best restaurants in DC. If you need to take someone out to dinner and guarantee them a good meal, you should look no further than Obelisk. read more

Cyndy's Bottom Line: Still the same consistent and delicious. I've been there ate that got the burrata and the breadsticks. Obelisk consistently serves delicious dishes from a repertoire of rotating daily menu dishes. Other than that there is no change here which may or may not be considered a good thing.. The price point is a little high for what you receive inclusively especially since there are so many wonderful choices in DC today. Service was a little weird, odd. Everything flowing smoothly until we finished our secondi and ran out of conversation wondering if we were going to have the opportunity to order dessert. Finally with extreme patience we got to order dessert! This is what we ate: The chocolate cake was light, airy and scrumptious. Served with cherries and a pistachio ice cream. The texture of the pistachio was a bit chalky. The strawberries on brioche with vanilla ice cream. Loved the vanilla ice cream which I preferred with my chocolate cake instead of the pistachio ice cream. The strawberries were delicious but the brioche seemed like an after thought. It did not hold up or compliment the strawberries. Aloha & Mahalo! read more

See all

I came to dine with a group of friends a while back for my birthday. The restaurant is really hard to find because it doesn't have big signs or clear directions. The only thing telling me I was in the right place was the obelisk engraved on the wall. Like the introduction on their website, it is a small establishment. There were a couple of tables and a serving table in the center. I loved how they just took breadsticks out of a vase in the center table and placed them on your table. The food they had was pretty good. They start you off with a selection of appetizers and cheese. Passing around the food really gives you a homey feeling. For pastas, the gnocchi with lamb ragu was simply amazing. If you see that on the menu, it's definitely worth a try. For the second main course, they had branzino or veal chop for two. The veal chop requires a lot of chewing so if you like you steak medium rare or even rarer, it might not be a good choice. The branzino was good and had the exact texture I was looking for. For dessert, everybody at my table unanimously ordered the lemon tart except for me. I had their flourless chocolate cake. I guess I had a very high expectation for the cake because I have previously had some pretty spectacular flourless chocolate cakes. This one, though, was not baked as I had hoped and was too dense. The sweetness level was right but to be honest, it was too average. Interestingly, although my friends didn't appreciate their lemon tarts, I actually thought it was really good. The citrus provided a great finish to the meal. But overall, I'd say their dessert isn't really their strong suit. So a couple of friendly reminders: -The menu was a bit hard to read because everything was handwritten in a fancy font. -Portions for each course seems small but they are more than enough to fill your belly. -And be prepared, their five course dinner really takes three hours to finish!! read more

See all

This was a great place! Expensive, quality food, great atmosphere, nice dining experience. You got a nice variety of small bites and plates throughout the meal. Small, slice of a restaurant. I would estimate a capacity of maybe thirty people at once. I came with my girlfriend here when I was in town. One quirky thing I liked: there's a table in the middle with a large centerpiece and had baskets of bread and large pieces of cheese from which the wait staff cut bread and also the cheese course. Not something Ive seen before, so I thought it was pretty cool. First course was a large variety of appetizers. Burrata, arrancini ( similiar to it, but called something else), olives that I actually enjoyed, some grilled meat, some other stuff that I can't quite recall. Pasta course, I got gnocchi and gf got some tagliatelli. Gnocchi was soft and even in texture, like a savory gourmet marshmallow. The tagliatelli was ribbony and buttery, without any bite to it. Main, a duck breast and branzino (or some white fish, don't quite recall ). I haven't had branzino often, but it's a largely straightforward, inoffensive fish so wasn't very excited by it, but it was well cooked and had a nice char. The duck breast was juicy with a nice fat cap. Well done, classic. Cheese plate was classic combo of soft, creamy, hard European cheeses. They were good, but can't quite remember their names. It came with an eggplant jam as an accompaniment, which was really good on top of being kind of unconventional. Looked it up and it's a thing, kind of a sweet relish. Dessert: not really a dessert person, but got a chocolate cake to see how they do it, gf got a pastry with ice cream. Was not achingly sweet, definitely centered on the cocoa element vs the sugar. All in all, a great dining experience. Italian tasting menu and courses, wasn't feeling bloated as heck at the end. Really expensive, but not necessarily overpriced. If you're feeling like a special dinner, this is a great place. Not quite good enough for me to choose this place over a new restaurant of similar style and price point. There are always so many new restaurants to try, so I consider it an impossibly high bar but I'd highly recommend it. read more

This was our second visit to Obelisk; we went this same time last year (also for my boyfriend's birthday). When making the reservation, I again let them know that we are both pescatarian & I can't eat shellfish. Unlike last year, they knew upon seating us of our dietary requests, and the server immediately began informing us of which options on the menu would be appropriate. Again, they bring a variety of great dishes for the Antipasti Misti course, along with bread and butter. The farro (believe it was with butternut squash) was my favorite, my boyfriend really liked the fried shrimp, and we both enjoyed the roasted peppers (and I may be forgetting a dish). And he got two servings of the burrata, since I don't like cheese! For the first course (Primi), we couldn't order the cranberry bean soup as she told us it had a pork-flavored broth, or the rabbit dish, so that left us with the sweet potato ravioli. But it certainly wasn't settling for anything, as that ravioli was fantastic in its sage brown butter sauce!! For the Secondi course, we each ordered the pompano, although I ordered the rapini and potatoes as the accompaniments, since I don't like lima beans. It's great that the chef is willing to make these accommodations, and we both really enjoyed that dish, especially as the fish was cooked perfectly. Of course, my boyfriend thoroughly enjoyed the cheese course (although he couldn't finish both his and mine; he had to leave room for dessert!). As for dessert, we both got the pear pie w/vanilla ice cream...the same dessert we had last year and still enjoyable. And they were nice enough to put a candle in his when they brought it out. Overall, this is a great dining experience. It can be a little limiting, as far as menu choices, if you have certain dietary restrictions. But as they offer corkage, we love the chance to bring our own bottle of wine and enjoy a leisurely dining experience with great food in a cozy setting. read more

Obelisk - Sweet potato ravioli - Italian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

See all

Food: Best dishes are the pastas (and save this from a lower rating, given the price point). Mind-blowingly soft gnocchi with perfectly meaty ragu. The ravioli had a fantastic sauce. In the middle was the antipasti (nothing novel but well executed, like a very fresh buratta) and the veal. Worst dishes were the desserts. They tasted like frozen Trader Joe's desserts that had not even been warmed up properly. The bread was fine but lacking salt (as most Northern Italian bread). The breadsticks were surprisingly crispy, fresh, and pleasing. Service/Ambiance: Good service but the room is too small to have no music. You can hear everyone else's conversation (which maybe you want?). read more

My wife and I both became violently ill after leaving this restaurant, so BEWARE. The food was also mediocre and not worth the price. Go to Kinship for the same price and an actual delicious meal. We would never return here and will tell our friends to avoid it. read more

My girlfriend and I headed to Obelisk in celebration of her birthday. Quite simply, this is one of the best restaurants I have been to in the United States. I give it 5 stars with no hesitation. Here is how I broke down eash dish we sampled: Antipasti Fried Squash Blossoms: These perfectly fried treats brought forth a different flavor with each bite. They were doused in oil and had a hint of sausage. I cannot begin to provide this dish justice with superlatives. Quite simply, it is one of the best items I have eaten at any restaurant. Burrata: The fresh burrata was also excellent. I have never understood why this mozzarella resembling cheese has never found its way onto a gourmet pizza, but it was a nice accompaniment to the squash blossoms. Heirloom Tomato Crostini: The local tomatoes (cherry and orange) made the difference in this upscale version of bruschetta. Simply masterful. Capicola: I love capicola, but the kitchen did not take any real chances with this dish. It was simply nice capicola, but it wasn't transcendent in any way, shape, or form. Shrimp with green sauce: The green sauce was a bit sour, and we found the breading didn't really add flavor to the shrimp. On the bright side, the shrimp was perfectly cooked. Entrees: Chittara with squid and zucchini: The chittara was little more than an upscale version of angel hair pasta, but it was fine for this dish. The squid rings added a hint of necessary flavor. The broth was a nice, spicy concoction that would have went well with the bread. Duck Raviolini with Poached Egg: The tiny duck raviolini was excellent, but I'm not too sure about pairing it with the poached egg. Having said that, the egg mixed excellently with the chicken broth. Meat Entrees: Pollastrino with Chantrelles and Guanciale: Guanciale? No idea. The young chicken was paired with flavorful mushrooms that perfectly matched the olive oil based sauce. I will be adding chantrelles to quite a few of my own dishes as a result of trying this dish. Halibut with fennel, tomatoes, and olives: A nice, tender filet of halibut with just the right touch of spices. Although the dish took little chances, it was quite tasty. Cheeses: We had a mix of Cinerino, Raschera, and a goat cheese from Pipe Dream Farms in Pennsylvania, The Cinerino was the winner here. This sheep milk's cheese had a milky taste with a pleasant, slightly sweet finish. The raschera was a delicate, soft cheese that had the perfect texture. It was very soft, but at no point did it turn into a useless dribble. I only wished I could have paired it with some vegetables. My girlfriend loves the Pipe Dream Farms goat cheese, but it was much too pungent for me. Desserts Chocolate cake with mint anglaise: The mint anglaise was the correct complement to the bittersweet chocolate. The kitchen did a great job with this dish. Peach Melba: Wow. A sugary peach served with cookies and ice cream. Sounds simple, but I assure you that it was exotic. Rather, it is my restricted powers of description that fail to deliver the true value of this excellent finish to a wonderful meal. The kitchen serves us complementary biscotti, hazelnut brittle, and apricot candy. The biscotti was filled with oats and had a hint of licorice. It was an interesting combination, but my girlfriend didn't seem to enjoy it. On the other hand, I found the hazelnut brittle to emphasize the nut and leave out the toffee. The apricot candy was delightful; it was perfectly sweet and went well with my Americano. This is a great place to go for a special occasion. Reservations are taken in advance, and it is best to take only a small group. This is not the place to have some drinks with your friends; this is a sophisticated meal that takes hours to enjoy. However, the end result is that you will appreciate the service, atmosphere, and food at this wonderful DC restaurant for years. read more

If you are the type of foodie who patrons places like Restaurant Eve, 2941 or say, Komi, then this place will most likely not impress you. If you're idea of a great night out is say, Applebees, Obelisk will knock your socks off. Basically my point is there are better restaurants for the price you pay and your liking of this place is based on your current restaurant rotations. Ambiance aside (there isn't much as this restaurant only holds about 30) the food here is pretty good. Not spectacular, but still good enough. As I mentioned above, I patron some very expensive restaurants so prices don't bother me. They only bother me when I'm spending more than what I'm getting and Obelisk is a prime example of this. I'd say the quality of my meal would have been $50, not $75. The first two courses (the anti pasti dish and appetizer) were great. The unique blend of flavor really popped. However when it came to the main course, cheese course and dessert meals, all were seriously lacking. The meal just didn't blend well as I had hoped it to. Perhaps my expectations were high but compared to other eateries in the DC area, Obelisk rates average. I'd honestly compare the food here to Kora in Crystal City. Yelp failed me this time. Epically failed me. read more

From the first dish, I knew this was going to be a 5-star review. Around 8:30 on a rainy night, my girlfriend (errr.... fiancee as of 8:15) and I needed a nice place to eat. Did a quick search on here, found Obelisk, gave them a call to check availability, were admitted on the fact that we were en route, and were then served what we both agree to be one of the best meals of our lives. The restaurant can actually be a bit hard to find as I don't think there is any signage out front and the door next door is labeled with the same address, but follow the photos already taken by other users and you'll be set. Upon entering, you find yourself in what appears to be someone's home. It's not, but it has that kind of feel. The interior is nothing at all to write home about or what you'd expect, but it's small, cozy, and I feel can best be described as "intimate." The menu is fixed, but you are given a couple of options for your $70 (on this night). There was also a $40 wine pairing and cocktails were $12/ea. The antipasti was completely fixed and contained... - Bread basket. Amazing. - Marinated olives. I've had better. - Pig ear salad. Not our favorite ingredient. - Fried, stuffed jalapeno. So light and delicious. - Zuchinni? frittatta. Delicious. - A light, fluffy mozzarella-type cheese in olive oil, salt, and pepper. The most exquisite cheese we'd ever had. - Whipped cod and cheese covered crostini. No idea how they made the topping so light, but it was delicious. The "firsts" consisted of... - Zucchini ravioli. To die for. So rich. So cheesy. - Guinea hen raviolini "soup." Very comforting and delicious. - Something else we didn't order. The "seconds" were... - Cornish hen w/ a mushroom side. Marvelous. - Seared tuna w/ a mixed bean side. A seared tuna is a seared tuna, but this was very good tuna. - Something else we didn't order. Then the cheese plate... At this point we were stuffed, but gave it a go anyway. The cheeses were very good, but two of them were goat, which I have what I have dubbed "a chemical aversion to" so this was far from my favorite course of the meal. Then dessert... - Rich, dark chocolate cake with the best mint-chip ice cream you'll ever have. I'm quite certain the ice cream had basil in it. We could have done without the cake, though. While good, again, we were stuffed and couldn't find room for it. - Roasted figs with some crazy amazing praline-type topping, raspberries, and an unidentifiable flavor of ice cream. A+ - Something else we didn't order. Following the bill, we were treated to yet another plate of quick one-biters that were all something special... A berry jelly, a cocoa-coated marcona almond, and some little bite-sized almond cake thing. As a whole, the meal was to die for. Service was great, the intimacy of the restaurant is something special... You may not fully appreciate each and every item, but this is one of the best dining experiences in the DC area and it also turned out to be _relatively_ easy on the wallet to boot. GO NOW. read more

Obilisk is truly a hidden gem in DC. A course menu is for $60-70. A place for special occasion, or not, that would not break the bank. The food is thoughtful and service is truly up the notch. read more

One of my biggest qualms about the Washington DC area is the lack of good spots for Italian food. Several of the highly rated spots were a complete bust including Tortino, a highly rated Italian restaurant in the Logan Circle area. Going into Obelisk, my expectations were low. At the $$$$ price point, I become excessively critical (it's bad enough already at lower price points) because I start comparing the restaurant to high end restaurants all over the US and the world. Very rarely, if ever, would a DC restaurant come up on top...say compared to a top restaurant of this caliber in NYC. That said, I think Obelisk turned out to be a pleasant surprise. I feel that from a stylistic standpoint, Obelisk is the "opposite" of Rose's Luxury. What does that mean? The food at Rose's luxury is an avante guard like style (reflective of the molecular gastronomy movement) that tests the limits of the physical and chemical transformation of ingredients in the dish in ways you would not expect. In stark contrast, Obelisk does the opposite. Obelisk plays it on the extreme conservative side, focusing mostly on the ingredients and execution. The meats are cooked perfectly and almost all the dishes were made from solid ingredients. The seasoning was very simple (salt, olive oil, pepper) yet on point. Dishes were dead center on the border of becoming slightly salty or bland. I was amazed at how well balanced the seasoning was. This stylistic difference does not indicate that Obelisk falls short in any way. It just means that it's a completely different style from the trendy restaurants with fancy dishes. If I were to judge based on execution and preparation only, Obelisk would be the winner of all restaurants I have tried in the DC area. While I would like to go in detail about the dishes that I had, that would be rather pointless as Obelisk changes their menu on a daily or near-daily basis. As for the the pre fixe course, while the menu you receive gives you the impression that it's only a few dishes because you only choose from your appetizer, main course, and dessert, you'll receive 4-5 additional dishes that are not on the menu....at the end of which you'll be stuffed. The most memorable dishes that I had here were: 1. Pasta dishes- perfect al dente cooked pasta. It's amazing to this day why it is so hard to find an Italian restaurant in DC that can do this properly. The ravioli dish that I sampled was creamy but not overwhelming and the natural salt from the prosciutto chunks gave it well balanced flavoring 2. Squab- for those who don't know...this is pigeon and it was absolutely delicious. For this wonderful medium rare preparation (very commonly done this way in Europe), I was on the verge of giving Obelisk a 5 star. This is reminiscent of the fantastic pigeon dishes that I had in France. For those who have not tried this, it can be repugnant simply because of the fact that it's a pigeon and the color of the meat. After this experience, the question remains as to whether I would recommend Obelisk to someone who has not yet experienced it. My answer is yes if you are actively looking to go to a $$$$ restaurant in DC. It wins on value, quality, quantity, and atmosphere. Is it fair to compare Obelisk to $$$$ restaurants in NYC? Unfortunately, no. I don't think it's a fair comparison because $$$$ restaurants in NYC can become far far more expensive than here and give far fewer dishes, If I were to compare to DMV restaurants...say Volt, I would wholeheartedly recommend Obelisk over Volt. The one small qualm I have is that I expected some degree of novelty that distinguishes the dishes from a $$$ restaurant and below (whether it's a novel ingredient that is rarely used at a $$$ restaurant or a distinct preparation). This area could use some improvement. Overall, I had a great time enjoying their wonderful service, cozy atmosphere, and solid execution and preparation of the food. For a special night, I give my thumbs up for Obelisk. read more

We had high expectations, to be sure. And they were sorely, sorely dashed. In short: not one item was outstanding. And they tried to overcharge us by $100. The details: My business colleague and I arrived on time for our reservation, eagerly anticipating the prix fixe dinner at the legendary Washington restaurant. We were greeted, presented the menu. The choices that night were not optimum, certainly. First course choices were beet ravioli, pappardelle with rabbit ragu and clam soup. Second course choices were snapper, squab or suckling pig for 2. I ordered the pasta with rabbit, he ordered the clam soup. We both chose the snapper. The meal is preceded by antipasti. In this case, burrata (pleasant), smoked salmon (ok), grilled radicchio with balsamic (good, but hard to cut), boar skewers (disgustingly gamey and gristly), chickpea fritters (yum). In fact, the chickpea fritters were the highlight of the meal. Seriously. Wait, I'm just getting started. The first courses arrived. The pasta with rabbit tasted like chicken soup without the broth. Perhaps it was just "subtle," but to me it was bland. The clam soup was AWFUL -- over-salted and bitter. The snapper was well-cooked but the accompanying white beans were not done. Nope, they were downright hard inside. Crispy is not an asset when it comes to beans. After the second course, you are served a cheese course, which I enjoyed, along with the sour cherry preserves. Those were delicious and a great complement to the cheeses. Oh, bread was fine. Breadsticks were impressively long, but tasteless. And then, dessert. I ordered the apple whatever. He ordered the hazelnut whatever. Whatever. Don't bother. I know this place has amazing reviews, and perhaps we just caught a bad night. I can assure you that I know good food, and love to reward good food with positive reviews. I can find good food in simple places and lavish places. But here's the deal: lots of reviews tout the service here. I didn't find the service to be particularly deft or warm or impressive. In fact, when we were presented the bill, it was exactly $100 more than it should have been. Clearly an addition error. So, he gave them the correct amount. The waitress returned to tell us that we hadn't given them the right amount. He says, yes, I did. She argues, No you didn't. Back and forth. Until he said you overcharged us $100. She said no, then finally actually looked at the bill. It wasn't too difficult. The meal was $75, and we each had 1 glass of Prosecco at $10 each. So, It should have been $176, not $276. The attitude was not appreciated. This was our experience -- unvarnished without exaggeration. . read more

I can't tell you how excited I was when I scored last-minute reservations to Obelisk. I really didn't know what to expect because it doesn't have a website and the actual place is so damned hidden. We got there on time, were seated, and promptly asked for our drink orders. We both went for the prix fixe tasting menu and each plate that came out was more delicious than the one before. I was definitely impressed by the quality, service, and general ambiance of Obelisk. If you have the opportunity, definitely try it. It costs a pretty penny, but it's worth it. read more

So I finally got to Obelisk, and I was not disappointed. My gf's father was in town and so this was the place he picked to go..not like he had to twist our arms. Lets start with the setting. It looks like a town house that without the sign, you'd think was a family home. The place it tiny, only about 30 seats, and has a very warm feeling to it. I've never been to Italy, but this is what I picture a really small local place to look like. My gf is a vegetarian, so we alerted them and they prepared slightly different variations of the dishes for her. Very accommodating. The meal: Anti-pasti: First we were brought Burrata Cheese with olive oil. It was a mix of mozzarella and ricotta. Delicious, very fluffy and flavorful. Second was a sardine over onions with lemon sauce. The sardine was perfect over the onions. Following that was duck breast with onion jam. The duck was tender and cooked to a nice medium rare. After that was a sucking pig fritter. Probably the "worst" (not bad though) of the first little plates. Next was Crostini with fava bean spread and pecorino cheese. This was a nice way to finish the mini anti-pasti. First Course: I ordered the tagliatelle with morel mushrooms, ramps and a very very rich butter sauce. While it was super rich, it was still amazing. After this course I was definitely feeling a little full...but I was ready for more. Second Course: Sea Bass over peas, artichoke hearts, fava beans with a light lemon "sauce" (aka as a lemon on the side). The fish was tender and flaky and the skin was left on a just cooked through. My favorite dish of the night. The Cheese Course: Pipedreams goat cheese, a cow cheese and a mix. These were served with sour cherries. The dessert: I ordered the lemon tart, my gf ordered the chocolate cake with coffee creme anglaise. Her dad ordered the strawberry "soup" with black pepper ice cream. I really enjoyed the tart, while it was probably the least imaginative of the three. The soup was quite tasty and the chocolate cake was super sweet and a bit too much for me. Overall this place was fantastic. Each course were very delicatly plated and really showed a very classic style of Italian cooking...but of course with some special aspects. I will be back, no doubt. read more

This Italian restaurant in a Dupont townhouse serves a fixed-price menu that changes daily and focuses on the simplicity of each dish's ingredients. Five courses of deliciously simple yet inventive food is the reason to go though. Even the breads and pastas are made in-house, but one negative (for me) is that the choices are limited among the courses, making it challenging for vegetarians and picky eaters. I'd recommend calling in advance for a sneak peak at the menu if you have this issue. One tip: save room for dessert - this is one of those restaurants where the dessert doesn't take a second seat. The atmosphere is elegant yet cheery and despite the close proximity of the tables around you, it manages to be intimate in a good way. It's not exactly library quiet though. Reservations are needed and you better make them WAY in advance (there are only 35 seats and they fill up quickly!). read more

Located not too far from the heart of Dupont Circle, Obelisk is a true treasure find in Washington. A five-course Italian tasting menu reveals fantastic dishes with artistic performances. The parade of antipasti, pastas, and desserts makes this restaurant one of the most authentic, elegant, and flavorful in DC. The menu changes daily, but the top notch attentive service and dressy casual romantic intimate nature of the restaurant are forever the same. Located in a brownstone, the restaurant seems almost residential with close and cozy tables and it feels like you're inside someone's tasteful living room. There is limited seating so definitely make reservations. Unlike other upscale restaurants with five course meals that seem more like one course meals, Obelisk's five courses are surprisingly very, very filling. The antipasti alone feels like an entire dinner, so I recommend you pace yourself when eating. Pastas are the restaurant's strength, but the meat and fish dishes are just as impressive. Obelisk is prix-fixe at $75 and there is a wine pairing option. The restaurant has been around for 26 years and has been consistently known as DC's top Italian place for more than two decades, an impressive feat in the ever-changing culinary world. I came here with my boyfriend and close friends to celebrate his birthday and everyone loved the food, the drinks, and the atmosphere. It was such a perfect evening and we were all stuffed afterwards! read more

A simple modern and elegant abode that serves as one of DC's top foodie spot. Hidden in plain sight, the establishment is not overtly noticeable except for the display box out front with the day's menu. The ambiance is one of cozy home comfort yet offering haute-cuisine dining. The availability of the street parking can be a bit of a bother in the residential vicinity. The menu offers a variety of thoughtful selections of innovative appetizers, brilliant entrees and delicious desserts. The 5 course fares vary often based on availability of ingredients. For this latest foray, my party of 3 opted to select the entire menu and were treated to the excellent fares of sea bass, hudson roast duck and wagyu beef entrees. There were so many appetizers, I couldn't remember it all... at least until I consume enough alcohol to trigger the state learning. The wine selection is limited but the available choices are quite good. This was my 3rd time dining here and the service and food have been consistently excellent. read more

4.5 Stars I would like to begin by saying this: If you go to Obelisk and leave feeling hungry, then you may want to reconsider a few of your lifestyle choices. The boyfriend hesitantly made reservations here for my birthday dinner. He had concerns that he would still be hungry after a $75 per person meal. These concerns were completely unfounded. As other reviews have stated, the meal is a five-course affair, and while the portions for each course aren't huge, they are still extremely filling. The meal started with the six-plate appetizer course, featuring a variety of delicious nibbles, along with bread and fresh butter. After that came the pasts dish. I had the blue cheese and Gorgonzola gnocchi. Holy mother of God...if heaven had a taste, this would be it. Those little fluffy pillows of cheesy goodness may have been the best things I have ever eaten in my life. The bf had arugula ravioli, which was delicious, but not as awesome as my gnocchi. He got the upper hand on the main course, though. I had duck; not just any duck, though. This was possibly the largest duck breast I have ever seen, and while good for the first ten bites, duck is a rich, fatty meat. I really could have gone for a smaller portion here. The boyfriend had a veal roast of some sort which was to die for! By this point, though, I was full. Full in the way that it was painful to finish the last two courses. The cheese course was good, but after the fatty duck, I really wanted something fresh and super acidic. The dessert I chose was a yogurt panna cotta, which was very good, but I almost wish that the dessert options would have featured a sorbet, or some sort of fresh fruit option, to follow-up the heavy meal. But, then again, we went in February, so the fresh ingredient list was probably a bit limited. As others have said, the restaurant is tiny, and if you choose the 9pm seating, you may have to wait for your table to be vacated by the previous set of diners. This meal does take a while: if you start at 9pm, you may be there until close to midnight. Our waitress was very nice, attentive and helped us decide on course selections. This is certainly a place to take a special someone for a romantic dinner, or a great place for an out-of-town guest. We will certainly return to Obelisk, hopefully in the summer to try another version of the menu. read more