Went for restaurant week. Mussels appetizer was AMAZING - sauce was so so good! Service was really good, and the restaurant atmosphere was pleasant. My roommate got the linguine and clams and said it was tasty. Overall would recommend this place but would NOT recommend ordering the chicken milanese. It was just ok; there are better things on the menu. read more

RIS - chorizo & mussels appetizer - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I know restaurant week can be a mixed bag, but in choosing to dine at Ris for restaurant week I was optimistic based off reputation and reviews. However, I was sorely disappointed. My friend and I shared a mediocre overpriced dinner, with two orders that came out wrong - first, the wrong appetizer, second, the wrong wine. We asked for sparkling wine and when we did not receive one the waiter offered to add club soda. No joke! What pushed us over the edge and truly made us feel like we were getting pranked was the alleged amuse-bouche. We even asked our waiter if it was a joke and just brought to us. We had to take a picture for the memory of the absurdity. You can't make this up - we each got a slice of cantaloupe and a little bowl of cherry tomatoes to share. We commented this felt more appropriate for an airport lounge or a Denny's... Overall, decent appetizers and entrees but not worth the price or the fuss. read more

RIS - "Amuse-bouche", no joke. - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I have adored Ris and admired her talents for many year, ever since she was at 1789. Her menu, creativity and incredible staff are just part of the reason i love coming here. She's authentic and her menus are well thought out and absolutely delicious. My birthday dinner with a gal pal. Glass of champagne to start, delicious food, attentive service and wonderful decadent cookies to finish off the evening. Always a treat to come here. Two of my biz friends were in town recently staying at the Marriott down the street and they wanted to know where to go. I sent them to Ris. They texted me afterward and said the experience was over the top. Quality wins every time. read more

RIS - Celebrating my birthday - isn't Ris the best?! - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I thought this place was just okay overall. The appetizers were actually pretty good- I got the scallop margarita which was cute and creative and the salmon tartare- but that was the highlight of my entire dinner. The entrees were very average and nothing to write home about. The service also seemed very rushed which was odd. read more

RIS - Scallop Margarita and salmon tartare - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

It's been a long time -- according to Yelp, 9 years! -- since I've been to RIS. I had such fond memories of my last visit that I was really looking forward to returning, and I was excited about some of the dishes that were posted on the online menu. Unfortunately, the menu when I arrived was a bit different and the dishes I had hoped to order weren't available. (The website does have a disclaimer, "Our menus change daily. Posted here is but a sample and is updated weekly," but I was still disappointed!) The meal I did have was still pretty good: I enjoyed the crispy fried whole red snapper with scallion sesame rice and napa cabbage slaw. But of course, it's not for the faint of heart who are freaked out by seeing the full fish form and needing to pull the fish off! I wish the cabbage slaw had been cut up a bit more, as the pieces of each veggie were a bit large and not easy to eat when mixed together with the rice and fish. I had wanted to order the "peaches and cream streusel" that was listed on the online menu, but it wasn't available, so I went with the butterscotch pudding, which was good. My server, Julia, was friendly and attentive without being intrusive. Some of the other staff were a little less hospitable, but it didn't detract from my visit. It's clear that the restaurant is a bit dated now, 9 years after my last visit: It seems like a lot of the patrons are older folks who live in the neighborhood and that this is a dependable local spot or a friendly place to celebrate a special occasion, and the decor isn't really trendy. But that's okay! It was a nice place to have a relatively quiet, tasty meal. The menu has a lot of things that might be categorized as "comfort food," though it's wide ranging -- with options that are German and Asian and everything in between. read more

5 stars for a fantastic restaurant experience. While most people look to the current Washingtonian Top 100 for recommendations, my wife and I like to look at past year's lists since venues move in and out so randomly. One of those former Top 100 spots, RIS, popped up on our radar. While the reviews weren't outstanding, the venue did look good as we were looking for a nice dog-friendly place for dinner. Located at the corner of 23rd and L in West End, RIS stands out when you walk up based on the outside patio chairs with bright red covers. I found the interior of the venue to also be large and beautiful as the very pleasant hostess sat us down outside for our 8pm reservation. Our waiter came back soon after to give us menus and grab us drinks. While he wasn't the best waiter I've ever had, he performed very well and was about as on-point as you can be for the price point. In terms of drinks, I decided to order a gin drink (I believe it is called The Wheelhouse) while my wife got a glass of wine. My drink was very good with some strawberry jam mixed in and gin/vermouth that the owner came and told us he made in house! Always fun to learn those little facts about a place. In terms of food, my wife ordered the lamb shank while I order the Chicken Milanese and a side of roasted spaghetti squash that came with hazelnuts. The price for everything was very fair, while the taste of everything was top notch! The chicken was very flavorful with a great little salad to go with it, while my wife's lamb was very tender and included a host of ingredients (yogurt, chickpeas, etc) that worked very well together. Afterwards, the waiter brought us out some tasty peanut brittle with our bill, which made a nice end to the night. Overall, RIS lives up to it's reputation as a top restaurant in the area. The wonderful venue and service combined with the tasty food to provide us an excellent dining experience. read more

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A couple of girlfriends and I finally went to this woman owned restaurant that has been celebrated for years! And now I can see why! We had such a wonderful time, and the service was impeccable. The food was delicious, and portions were very generous given that it happened to be restaurant week. I would write more details, but those have faded in my memory. As Maya? Angelou said, to paraphrase her, you may not remember what someone said or did but you will always remember how someone made you feel. And after a find me at RIS, I absolutely agree. read more

Food was really good! Brussels sprouts, spinach romaine cucumber feta cheese salad, fresh ricotta gnudi, and strawberry rhubarb crostata all were very flavorful and delicious. Didn't care for the chicken milanese read more

Restaurant Week review here. What we ordered: Appetizers: - Bowl of clams: delicious and rich! Just a touch too sour and salty but still great! - crispy Thai Brussel sprouts: also a touch salty but very good! However after the good appetizers things start to go downhill. Main courses: - hoisin glazed jumbo shrimp: what is this???!!! The cold, sour, raw radish cabbage salad + sushi rice + mayo + 3 pieces of jumbo shrimp = ?. The shrimps actually taste decent (a bit chewy from being overcooked) but the combo of these things makes this dish taste like disaster and like it has an identity crisis. The taste of the radish salad was overwhelmingly sour. Just no... - chicken pot pie: giant portion, good chicken meat but taste so plain. Plainville alert! Also a no. At this point in the lunch the service started getting worse at well. It took a while for dessert to come. - butterscotch pudding: strong nice butterscotch flavor. But it is extremely sweet. The caramel layer at the bottom makes it sweeter. The whipped cream on top helped a bit. But overall nothing to write home about. - tiramisu: they should name this tiramisu chocolate mousse instead of cake lol. The cake layer is almost non existent and the flavor is more dark chocolate than coffee flavor. At this point we just wanted get out. However, we managed to spend 25mins to pay Cos they kept forgetting us. read more

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Custom dinner menu with passed appetizers during the cocktail hour including a poured wine bar. The food was a nice mix of steak, chicken, vegetarian options. Everything was flavorful and prepared perfectly. I recommend this venue's private room for your next business event or family gathering. read more

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Went here for a group dinner through work. It is a swanky place. Several groups in the various private rooms with wine flowing and class showing. We had fixed menu options, and I had a salad that was fairly standard (not too big), the one vegetarian entree option (cauliflower) that was hearty but again not too big, and dessert (chose the chocolate mousse with raspberries but was envious of those who chose apple pie with vanilla ice cream). It was an enjoyable experience. I wish they would have put bread on the table to start since it took so long to take our orders and serve salad. Wait staff was polite and attentive. This review doesn't consider cost since it was paid for by the organization/conference. read more

This was our first visit to Ris. We ordered from the pre-theater or "marquee" menu: $40 for 3 courses. We each had the following. Mussels; grilled swordfish with sautéed cabbage and kale, potatoes Anna; butterscotch pudding. Everything was delicious and beautifully presented. The potatoes Anna were exceptional. Our server was knowledgeable, pleasant, and efficient. We would have awarded 5 stars but the kitchen was very slow, particularly for a pre-theater dinner. It took 30 minutes to receive our appetizer in a virtually empty restaurant. We will revisit Ris. read more

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Every bite exquisitely prepared from appetizer to salad to entrée and finishing with a delectable apple desert.

The salmon was great. Nice atmosphere but you definitely need reservations for dinner.

The service was outstanding! Our server was so nice and friendly and I wish I remembered her name. The reason I give RIS 3 stars is that I thought the food was somewhat lacking. However, I'm definitely willing to go back and try something different if given the opportunity. I think my favorite item from here was the seasonal watermelon salad they had. It was light and crisp and so refreshing. I can't say the same about my cauliflower entree. It's probably my fault for ordering this when I'm not even a vegetarian. I do have an undying love for cauliflower, but this dish felt so heavy and boring. The added pomegranates that I suppose were supposed to brighten the dish didn't really succeed. I also ordered the scallop margarita ceviche dish as an appetizer which I thought was cute and creative. The sorbet gave a classic dish like ceviche a fun twist and it could have easily been eaten as a dessert. I did find the sweetness a little overbearing at times and after a couple bites of the scallop, the texture became off-putting. This is all a personal preference. I'd say overall a 3.5 stars, but maybe if I try other dishes, my rating may change. I think that they have a dish here for everyone, and I was just unlucky with the choices I made when I had dinner here. read more

RIS - Cauliflower - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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We came for happy hour before going to the Kennedy Center. Brooke, the bartender, provided excellent service at the bar. I'm eating my way through the 2016 Michelin Guide DC and had the infamous butterscotch pudding with a recommended Frangelico made by a hermit monk 300 years ago in the Piedmont region of Italy. read more

RIS - Worth the trip for the butterscotch pudding with a recommended Frangelico! - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I checked out the new Rush Hour happy hour last Tuesday at Ris and it was pretty rad-tastic. Alright, so it was a little quiet. Maybe not the best place to meet and mingle, but great for grabbing a drink and some nibbles with a friend. Happy hour specials run from 4pm - 6:30pm and these witty folks created the layout of the happy hour menu the same way, starting with with $4 beer, $5 wines and ending with $6.30 appetizer specials. I grubbed down hard and everything was so tasty! -Slider deuce (Salmon BLT & Burger sliders) - Love you dolls! -Deviled Eggs & Salmon Rillettes - My new BFFs Bar Tarts (artichoke, potato and Greek feta with citrus butter) - Taking this back to the room. Please do not disturb. And by the time you're done, rush hour is almost over! Perfecto. read more

My guy and I came here on a Friday night for an early dinner. I had a salad and he had the cheese plate. The salad was the spinach, beet and grapefruit and had dates, candied hazelnuts, Manchego cheese and Green Goddess dressing. What a yummy combination of flavors! For dessert, I had the lemon tart that came with rhubarb sorbert and glaze. It was sweet without being heavy--exactly why I love lemon desserts. However, I took a star off because the person at the front desk had a bit of an attitude. We didn't have a reservation and arrived around 5:45 pm. Despite the restaurant being empty, she said we could only stay until 7:30 pm. I felt that was a bit snobby on her part. Other than this particular person, the waitstaff provided excellent service. read more

RIS - Lemon meurainge tart with rhubarb sorbet - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Short & sweet review. Loved it here. It's the perfect spot for a work lunch. I ordered the chicken milanese and it was divine. With this restaurant only two blocks away from my job, I will definitely be back! read more

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DC has lots of restaurants but I think folks here look at them from the perspective of where to take a client or catch a glimpse of a famous politician rather than the food. This place was jumping, the bar area was filled with folks being way pushy to get the bartenders attention. The menu was OK, not sure what they were going for, they had pasta, some Asian dishes and a mix of Mediterranean. Not sure the chef knows. We ordered the duck and the veal shank, both fine, but again nothing memorable. Servers were fine, they looked a bit stretched but otherwise they did their best. Did not see any famous politician but who knows I may have been next to one and did not know it. read more

RIS - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Came here for restaurant week and wasn't extremely impressed. We had the scallop margarita that was really good. I don't think I've ever had a scallop ceviche like dish. And we also had the salmon tartare which was also very good as well. These are two very unique dishes that you don't find everywhere so that's what helped make my experience. For the entrée I had the clam Pasa or linguine. It was OK it could've been amazing but it definitely needed some salt and seasoning. I will say that our server was very nice and very personable. The staff in general were very nice so A+ for that. read more

We came here for a Sunday afternoon brunch! The food was... for the most part delicious. We ordered: Chorizo Mussels: These were absolutely delicious. I recommend them if you like mussels. :) Farmer's Market Omelet : The omelet was delicious and tasted really fresh, but the portion is a little on the small side... and if you don't like butter on your bread, tell them to put it on the side. They drench their bread with butter... it was kind of gross. Waffle with Strawberry Rhubarb compote: This came with a side of bacon... which was kind of tasteless. Actually this entire dish was bland... I was really surprised, because I figured this would likely be the most delicious. It wasn't. Also the Strawberry Rhubarb just tasted like strawberry preserves... so... yeah. I would skip it. Also, how is it possible for bacon to be tasteless??? I didn't even know that was possible! Bread/Pastry basket togo: This was really tasty and awesome! I might just come back to pick this up if I'm ever nearby. The service was not worth what we paid. It was a bit absent. Also, I strongly suggest not arriving to this restaurant hungry. We waited about 20 minutes between each meal... and it took about 25 minutes to get our appetizer. So if you're the type of person that likes to spend hours over brunch, you might not mind this. :) read more

RIS - Pastry Basket To Go - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Great Valentine's Day dinner! Portions were great, the waiter split our shared apps for us (saved us from fighting lol) Rack of lamb was sooooo good was skeptical about the price + portion size but it was perfect. They even gave my date a little going away present of chocolate and a pink rose Job well done ! read more

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Our group made reservation at noon-ish but a few of my friends and I actually were there by 10:30am (we were coming from cheering at the Cherry Blossom marathon). There were plenty of seats in the bar area, so we just went ahead and got started on our unlimited mimosas and a cheese platter. The cheese selection was really good and a great starter to the 6(+) hours spent there! (Sorry to the staff and thanks for hosting us?) Noel at the bar was really attentive- replaced our mimosas frequently. The staff in general didn't mind that we wanted to switch between Classic, Pomegranate Ginger and Apricot Spice (all very good), and also accommodated us when we wanted to move our unlimited mimosas from the bar to our actual table reservation. Service: A++. We initially had 2 separate table reservations but we were able to combine 5 tables for 10 people. The staff was very accommodating and all very nice. Our waitress kept our mimosas coming and by the time we left, we were all feeling really good, haha. The food was pretty good (I got the Huevos Rancheros- unfortunately did not get a chance to ask my friends of their opinion) but I would want to come back to try the food in a more sober state. Overall, I'm a fan of the mimosas and the service. I definitely need to come back to try more of the food but recommend RIS if you're looking to have a good time. read more

RIS - Huevos ranchero - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Having had our first visit cut short--an emergency arose causing me and my dining companion to take our dessert to go--it was hard to give a RIS a fair full evaluation. With appealing offerings for DC Restaurant Week, we decided to give RIS another chance. The iRISistible summer delights by Chef Lacoste totally and fantastic service by Kareem won me and my dining companion over. Being restaurant week happened to make it an even more terrific value! The main attraction for our visit was the Scallop Margarita, which we enjoyed 16 years ago when Chef Lacoste was at the helm of 1789 Restaurant. It was every bit as good as we remembered it--refreshing, sweet, salty, spicy, tart, and boozy. However, it was the Miso Salmon Tartare and Hoisin-Glazed Jumbo Shrimp that stole the show. The former had an outstanding spectrum of flavors, aromas, and textures that made for a truly standout dish, while the latter was a true delight in range of flavors, colors, and refreshing layers (shrimp over salad over rice). The other entree, Lemon+Parmesan-crusted Chicken Milanese, was deliciously abundant and yet another example of superb execution and stellar composition with the arugula salad with prosciutto and parmesan, garlic roasted fingerlings, stewed tomato-capers, and aioli providing depth and complementing notes. For dessert, Kareem's recommendation--the Flourless Chocolate Torte --was wonderfully straightforward with dense and deep chocolate paired with refreshing berries (fruit, compote, coulis), mint, and whipped cream. The Peach Cobbler--bonus points for our special request of the bright Passion Fruit Sorbet instead of plain Vanilla Ice Cream--was warm and comforting with the lovely biscuit topping being the highlight. From start (Kareem thoughtfully brought us hot water for our lemon tea in an attractive earthenware pot) to finish, RIS was a joyful lunch of masterful cuisine and welcoming, helpful, and professional service. What a gem! read more

Popped in during restaurant week. The restaurant week menu offered a wide variety of items to select from. I did however notice an additional cost for most of the items listed which I thought was a little strange. I ordered the miso Salmon which was perfect and a hanger steak which was bland and lacking flavor. I was confused why the meat was cut up into cubes too, I've never seen that with hanger steak. For dessert I got the cobbler which I wasn't a fan of either. The service at this restaurant is spot on! The reason why I am giving four stars is because of the service that we received. It was excellent! read more

RIS - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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RIS hosted our wedding rehearsal dinner for 20 recently and the entire experience was an awesome experience and a great value. Ris herself worked with me to develop a menu that would meet the needs of all our guests (vegans, vegetarians, omnivores, children and some allergies!) The Federal Room was lovely, service was immaculate, and food was unbelievably delicious. (The scallop margarita appetizer and pepita crusted salmon were especially adored by our guests.) We had a standing cocktail hour with hors d'oeuvres followed by a 3 course menu with multiple options to choose from. Everyone was happy! Thank you, Ris and your great team! read more

We made a point of coming here after seeing them on Check Please, DC on WETA. They definitely didn't disappoint, based on what we had in mind after seeing the show. Their menu is interesting, with many sections of smaller items, appetizers and such up to their entrees, of which they even have a special of the day mapped out each day. The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated with lots of attention to detail in the colors, wall art, etc. Restrooms were really nicely done and very clean and well-maintained. They have a nicely done bar, set aside from the formal dining area too, where bar diners can enjoy a drink and TV without interrupting dining room guests. Their food execution was amazing! Everything from charcuterie to soup to our entrees was delightfully plated and looked so appetizing we couldn't wait to dig in! They have a nicely done wine list too, with prices in the moderate to high range and wines to suit those prices and their food nicely. Service was very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable! Our server knew plenty about all of their menu and was able to offer some really good advice. Overall, we really enjoyed our dining experience, the food, the wine, the service and the place and would definitely return! read more

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This is a place you bring your clients. It's quiet and everyone is about getting those cogwheels turning. The food is a really well put together. The service is excellent as well. read more

Had lunch there today, since it is Restaurant Week after all. For appetizer I had Herb Crusted Grilled Squid with creamy polenta, tomato fondue and basil pesto. Sounds yummy right? Well it is!! It's so good, very tasty! For the main course I had Chicken Milanese. I would say it's not that bad but it's not something I would be craving for again (my heart is still set with Herb Crusted Grilled Squid, I hope they have this as an entree). The portions are pretty decent compared to other restaurant in the District. I was stuffed so I opted to order assorted cookies for dessert, I planned to have just one cookie and save the rest of the cookies for my son. Boy, I could not stop myself but had 2 cookies! It is soooooooo good!! It taste so fresh and so different. I swear by it! Not a typical cookie. Kudos to the staff too! very attentive and friendly. Will definitely dine there again. read more

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This is a bar review. I know nothing about the food personally. I've been debating whether or not to write a review because I'm not sure how many people I want to know about Ris's fantastic gin list. Multiple pages long, it's the place to go to taste multiple types of gins, or find that really esoteric one you had on vacation. The bar manager is a collector and enthusiast, and he knows his stuff. Ris benefits from his knowledge! By my mind, I'd love a different atmosphere. But that's personal preference. I come for the gin, not the chairs. read more

I had the Hanger steak $32. I scarfed it down in under 10minutes...& I'm a small girl. There is something passé about the space; furniture was ragged and menu, bland. The service was A1. Old fashioned hospitality and standard fare bites are probably the reason their clients (Old DC professionals) keep their lights on. My ratings are geared for millennials. If it wasn't on the company's dime, I wouldn't come. read more

RIS - Hanger steak - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Just OK. Came for restaurant week lunch, but it was a Sunday so RW brunch was the only option. First off, the selection was not impressive; no crepes, waffles, smoked salmon, or pancakes were offered. The first course was biscuits and a pastry, which were good, but there's no choice. For the second course I picked calamari which was nothing special, in fact, it was a tad salty IMO. The third course selected was short rib hash, which was tasty, but it felt like the short rib was hardly there, certainly didn't see much of it in comparison to the sweet potato and other ingredients. The service was excellent; ambiance felt dated but maintained. It is not a bad restaurant, but for their prices I would not return. read more

Not worth it whatsoever. I used to go to their popsicle brunch and decided to make a reservation for my college graduation lunch here. I confirmed over the phone the day before the reservation and as we were on our way I called to say we were a few minutes behind. Over the phone I was informed they are closed for a private event and when I said I had a reservation the lady over the phone basically ignored it. She confirmed that she saw it and when I asked why I never got a call in the two weeks of time from the date I made the reservation until the day of it, she ignored me. The food may be great I will admit it, but the only good employee they have is a waiter named Liam. Clearly the management is awful given how my reservation was completely ignored and I will never be back here again. There's a reason there's no one ever in there. read more

Expertly prepared food by a legendary chef. Each dish we tried had subtle flavors melded together for a wonderful finished product. Don't miss while in DC! read more

Oh my gosh, do I love this place! We have been eating here for years - mostly when we go to the Kennedy Center. They have a pre-theater menu, and they know how to get you in and out in time for your show. Our last visit was on a weeknight prior to a show. We usually only go to the theater on the weekends, so it was weird for me being out on a school night! The restaurant was not full at all - there were a couple of tables, but one large party in the back private room. I had the pleasure of meeting Ris herself while she was standing at the host stand chatting with her employee. Very charming and welcoming! I had the spaghetti and meatballs, and man, was it a treat! I will have to remember and go back during the week because her comfort menu of daily specials looks so appealing. I need to go again on meatloaf night! That cara cara orange tart with pistachio crust and caramel sauce was sublime. I fancy myself quite the home entertainer and baker, and I am definitely appropriating that idea for my next dinner party! The lovely and soothing decor of the restaurant and the relatable food make this the perfect place for a special dinner for locals, but also nice enough to bring out-of-town guests for something impressive. read more

A poster child for DC restaurant week! Excellent choices, great options (basic $40 and a few possible add-ons)--and even better food Plus nice, reasonably priced wine list Hard to do better! read more

Delicious American-style comfort food with French/Mediterranean/Asian influences. I'm not exactly the demographic for this establishment and feel a bit out of place when I stop by, but having been here many times over the years, there is no question -- Chef Lacoste and her all-star crew can cook their asses off, and this place as a tried and true destination for new American classics is criminally underrated. Pre-COVID, I was a loyal fan who loved coming in on Thursdays to order their steak tartare and market greens salad, rendered several meters higher than other salads thanks to the fresh herbs (dill, tarragon) and their house-made champagne vinaigrette. During COVID, I've gotten takeout, delivery, and purchased from their frozen pantry and farmer's market -- with each meal and thing purchased being a stellar and phenomenally tasty experience. You can really tell that there is genuine care and thought put into the ingredients, and the outcome has been consistently delightful. I appreciate that there are daily specials, which helps make me really look forward to Mondays, when they serve their smashingly delicious meatloaf and mashed potatoes. Yep, I said meatloaf -- that unglamorous and arguably antiquated dish of little more than a hunk of ground beef and bread crumbs made impossibly, delectably sublime in the hands of Ris's chefs. This millennial never knew heaven could exist in a meatloaf until she tried Ris's. Moist, flavorful, rustic in its crumbly texture yet fabulously sturdy, too, and topped with a savory sweet ketchup sauce -- listen, it all sounds unimpressive, even boring -- who goes to a restaurant to order meatloaf when there are fois gras, truffle pasta, swordfish to be had at other dining establishments in the world? But trust me. Other dining establishments do not have this. Ris's meatloaf wins, handily, and beats out everyone else's meatloaf, and, most other entree offerings in DC, by a cool thousand miles. You can't go wrong with their other offerings, too -- the frozen vegetable lasagna (which was such a treat to eat during a recent blustery evening in DC last week and made my apartment smell like a fancy Italian restaurant), their daily care packages ($15 for soup, salad, and homemade bread -- sounds humble, maybe even boring, but because it's coming out from Ris's kitchen, everything is elevated with the best and freshest ingredients). Their desserts are ace, too -- I recently ordered their homemade blood orange ice cream, which brought a little bit of summer to February. I will say: I did not much care for their spiced basmati rice, which was too sweet for my decidedly sugar-averse tastebuds, nor have I found the cheeseburger impressive. But please don't let my lukewarm feelings toward these two items deter you from visiting this undersung gem of DC. Good gravy. I didn't realize just how much I treasured Ris until I sat down and wrote what is clearly a paean to this amazing restaurant. But this praise is well-deserved. What a blessing and a pleasure it is to have the opportunity to eat Ris Lacoste's cooking. read more

Chef knows how to cook. Salmon was delicious... moist, and perfectly balanced flavors. Mussels were tender and broth inventively delightful. Linguini was rich and luscious. The entire meal was flawless. One of the best restaurants in DC, full stop. read more

Stopped by here during DC restaurant week and was very impressed with my dining experience! The food was simply amazing and the service was excellent. The salmon appetizer was nice and refreshing. It was topped with scallion and sesame seeds, which gave it a great flavor. For the main course I ordered the pork chop and it was absolutely delicious. The meat was cooked to perfection and was seasoned just right. It was charred on the outside and nice and juicy on the inside. The plate was very colorful, which included berries and a grilled peach. The dessert was also amazing, with an assortment on chocolate and marshmallows. The ice cream, marshmallows and all the other component worked perfectly together to make for a great ending to a delicious meal. read more

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