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    The Saga

    3.7 (59 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 2:30 pm, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    The Saga Photos

    Business Info

    THE SAGA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Happy hour specials
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - The Saga

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    Gambas al Ajillo
    Rebecca H.

    I enjoyed the food here and the way it was presented. The Manhattan and New Fashioned cocktails were good. The Gambas al ajillo was flavorful and tasty. The arroz amarillo came with duck confit, pan seared rice cake, mushrooms, radishes and baby tomatoes. I thought the duck was really good and so were the flavors. The arroz rojo came with bomba rice, prawns, lobster, mussels, and pearl onions. This was also good but I thought it was a bit salty. The New York strip was decent but it wasn't particularly interesting like the other dishes. It came with potatoes, shishito peppers and cremini mushrooms. The Branzino was good. For dessert, I thought the crema catalana had a cool presentation but I liked the chocolate tart better. Overall, the food here was delicious and visually appealing. The service was great and I liked the modern vibe of the restaurant.

    Gambas al ajillo
    Sydney C.

    Came here for my mom's birthday dinner and it was amazing. The restaurant is cozy and welcoming. Ephrata, our server, was so helpful and sweet. When the restaurant was out of the tomahawk, she was able to source one from the hotel so we could still have it. The drinks were amazing and the mocktails were tasty. We also had the paella - and while there was one strong spice in it we couldn't really identify - everything was awesome. Definitely would come back.

    Eggplant hummus
    Carmen L.

    We visited in late January during Restaurant Week. The restaurant was buzzing in the early evening, which only increased as night fell. Staff was very welcoming and sat us at a table for two. We order our first and second courses. I and my companion had eggplant hummus (delicious). It was smooth and served with flat (think no yeast) crackers. Perfectly light if you want to enjoy multiple courses. For my main I had the seafood paella. Given the eggplant hummus was really good, I was expected to be blown away. Unfortunately, I was not. The paella didn't have any one flavor stand out. The rice also felt different, so perhaps that also had something to do with it. My companion had the Branzino filet and that was served on a bed of red fumet, the color presumably from red bell peppers. That was quite tasty. For my dessert I had the crema catalana sorbet, which was light and full of flavor that felt very tropical. Overall, this was a good experience but I was not necessarily blown away. I believe they have sister restaurants, so I would opt to branch out before returning to The Saga.

    Wonderful chocolate dessert
    Michelle C.

    Great little bar/restaurant in the Ritz Hotel. They offer happy hour drink specials till 8pm. Wonderful bartenders, even provided a sweet treat for the birthday girl in our party.

    Sanchita G.

    I would say that the service was extremely good. That's why I give it three stars. I got the fluffy margarita, which is super Duper good that was probably my favorite thing and then we got the croquet balls which I appreciated that they were actually vegetarian because usually they have some sort of meat in them . I was super disappointed by paella I felt like the quantity was sparse and it was not as good as it was hoping it would be. They were trying to almost be too high-end with it. Also, the dessert menu was not what it was hoping. Therefore, it didn't get that. The ambience was super high end. It is in the Ritz Carlton!

    Austin G.

    Inside the Ritz-Carlton in West End, The Saga is a full restaurant that combines flavors from Spain, Central America, and South America. Meeting a friend for dinner at 7:30 p.m., here's our experience. 1) Food: The menu is large and to feed us both, we each got an appetizer, main, and dessert. I ordered the croquettes of the day, the scallops, and the torta de Santiago. The croquettes come in two kinds that change daily- six in total. The winner of the meal was the scallops. They were cooked well and the flavors of the bacon and peas worked well. The cake was fancy, but having hiked the Camino de Santiago, it was NOTHING like the cake found on the hike. 2) Drinks: Wines reign on the menu, but a generous cocktail list comes with drawings. The fluffy margarita and red sangria were unique and tasty if you have a sweet tooth. 3) Service: It was spot on- friendly and attentive. 4) Space: It's in a hotel so it's a little more sterile, but I like that look. It's a great place to go with work friends. 5) Neighborhood: Street parking is usually easier to find in this part of town compared to Georgetown and Dupont Circle.

    Amuse Bouche
    Ken S.

    KenScale: 7.5/10 Visit: July 2023 Enrique Limardo is at the moment one of the busiest chefs in DC, opening restaurants all around the city in the last several years. Imperfecto, where chef Enrique used to personally cook the multi-course tasting menu himself at the degustation counter table on Friday and Saturday, is the crown jewel and absolutely a worthy destination to explore his Latin American-accented cooking at its best and other places that my wife Jun and I had been to like Seven Reasons and its Joy sister restaurant in Chevy Chase also had delicious dishes. Last year, chef Enrique went in a slightly different direction from his existing restaurants and decided to open a modern Spanish restaurant inside the Ritz-Carlton. We finally got to visit The Saga a few months after its opening, and it was somewhat a challenging experience to quite pinpoint. What would Spanish food with Latin American twist look like? The playful display of the dishes with chef Enrique's touch immediately caught our attention at first. For its version of pan con tomate, The Saga has multiple layers of different kinds of tomatoes on top of house-made sourdough (you can also add jamon ibérico on top for extra charges). For "not traditional" patata brava, you get to try a deconstructed version with thin circular layers of potatoes over romesco sauce. The popular gambas al ajillo also gets a new Latin American treatment with gulf shrimps from Mexico and dried Calabrian peppers. The starter dishes Jun and I shared together were mostly solid, save for perhaps croquetas (one with cheese and another with cod instead) which I thought were surprisingly pedestrian. I just wish the restaurant brought these dishes one at a time instead of bringing them altogether; by the time we were more or less done with one dish and ready to move onto the next, the temperature of the latter was already past its optimal level. Perhaps a bit of a kink in the execution that the kitchen should fix going forward? For the main dish, we shared arroz Amarillo with duck confit, which was a rather unusual food item (instead of, say, seafood or pork) for a Spanish rice dish, but turned out to the right choice. Jun was very appreciative of the rustic flavor of the duck confit that blended very nicely with baby radishes, mushrooms and cherry tomatoes as well as bomba rice. If there is one dish at The Saga you absolutely must order, the arroz Amarillo gets our vote of confidence. The desserts at The Saga could also use some work. The chocolate mousse with EVOO caviar was just OK, and we were surprised that the porcini churros with chocolate sauce on the side didn't have quite the crispy texture we were expecting. The Saga's dining room is relatively spacious so you probably won't have much trouble getting a table without advance reservations so long as you avoid prime time dinner (we went in for early dinner and by the time we were finished, the restaurant quickly filled up). The bright, upscale décor of the dining space makes the restaurant a good option for casual dinners with friends and family in a fun setting. The Spain-focused wine list is another strength at The Saga; unlike other Spanish restaurants that typically skew heavily toward Rioja, I was impressed with the breadth of the diverse regions in the country that the wine list covered. The Saga is a solid dining destination, but knowing what chef Enrique can do at his best, I couldn't help escape the feeling that the restaurant wasn't quite up to the high standard that he set at other restaurants. More importantly, it didn't quite feel like an establishment with chef Enrique's imprint all over it. Perhaps that is the limitation of a hotel restaurant and perhaps the chef wasn't as involved in this project as his other flagship places. In any event, Jun and I will wait and see how The Saga evolves before we decide on another visit.

    Lobster sliders
    Aubrie H.

    Stopped in for happy hour and oh my, is this place amazing. We sat at the bar but there was plenty of open seating when we arrived around 5pm. We ordered a gin and tonic and the best coffee cocktail we've ever tasted. So creamy and delicious. We also ordered the lobster sliders and the bread with tomatoes. Both were so so delicious. Definitely a place to visit if you're looking for delicious food and drinks. The happy hour pricing was very reasonable and only available at the bar

    Lamb Loin
    Tania A.

    I definitely chose a very busy evening to dine at Saga by Seven Reasons -- it was Valentine's Day. And understandably because they knew that they had a lot of reservations, there were several calls made to confirm reservations and also remind customers of the 90 min time-limit. This unfortunately was not exercised day of; which I guess is a good and bad thing, depending on who you ask . Reservations were all 30-40 mins behind, which as you can imagine, left a lot of people hungry and not best pleased. After we were finally seated, I quickly forgot about the long wait because the service, food and ambiance was absolutely fantastic! I would expect nothing less from a restaurant under Chef Enrique Limardo's culinary talents. The Valentine's Day menu showcased their most popular items from the dinner menu... Branzino Filet, Roasted Lamb Loin, Roasted Baby Carrots and their infamous Spicy Devilled Churros. The cocktail menu had a good number of options with different components from various liquor bases. I tend to lean towards cocktails that are more boozy or botanical, and throughly enjoyed the two cocktails I tried. One of which was 'Somewhere In Manhattan'. I was absolutely amazed by all the flavours with the Roasted Baby Carrots! I literally will make sure to order that the next time I visit... If you're a fan of habanero and labne -- You've GOT to try it !!

    Chevalier S.

    While we were eating, the good music being playing was such a focal point. The manager was stopped. By and talked to us about the menu and let us know about yhe spicy peppers in our dish. I we absolutely enjoyed everything about this restaurant. So much many tasty choices to choose from.

    Roasted Lamb loin
    Jackie N.

    We went here for the first time for a Valentine's Day dinner. It is located next to the Ritz- Carlton and across the street from the fire station. There is public parking connected to the hotel and street parking as well. The restaurant was pretty packed, and all reservations were behind. However, the service was immaculate. The staff did come around to apologize, and after a while, they started to hand out complimentary champagne and roses for the ladies. The restaurant has an intimate feel, with low casting music. We were finally shown to our seats. Nice window seating. The menu was a fixed menu for Valentine's Day. Drinks 2x The Saga for my date Fluffy Margarita for me Food First: 5/5 Patatas Bravas Roasted Baby Carrots Second: 3.5/5 Arroz Amarillo Arroz Morado Third: 2/5 Roasted Lamb Loin Branzino filet a la Veracruzana Desserts: 4/5 Carajillo Flan Spicy Deviled Churros Overall, the experience was beautiful 3.5/5. The wait, due to it being v day , was long. However, the staff understood and tried their best to accommodate everyone, as best to my knowledge. They have coat check-in and restrooms on the right of the entrance. Cons: Don't come on a night that is a holiday or something of an event. If so, reserve early because that wait will drive you away. Pros: the service! The staff is prepared as best as they can for such days.

    Lamb shank and guava
    Marilyn C.

    My friend brought me here for my birthday and everything was absolutely perfect! The staff was very nice and attentive and really made this experience a delight. We started off with drinks, a couple of cocktails, which were recommended by our server. The ambiance is elegant and romantic. I dressed up a bit for the occasion but I don't think it's necessary. I also saw folks at the bar having a glass of wine, so definitely elegant but approachable. We had the Gazpacho, a nice way to prime our experience into the rest of the meal. Very light and tasty! The Octopus Carpaccio was definitely a favorite. It's super thinly sliced pieces of octopus with a delicious sauce. I really enjoyed it. Next we has the Gambas Al Ajillo, the Arroz Amarillo which includes duck, and for protein we had the lamb shank with guava. All of those were a 10/10! The arroz Amarillo was very savory and flavorful and the duck was moist and cooked so well, seasoned, and just delicious. I would go back for the rice itself. The lamb shank is very good and was the heavier part of the meal as it was also served with a potato and sweet potato gratin. We were so stuffed but it was SO good. This was more than enough food for two people but we enjoyed it all.

    New Fashioned
    Dania J.

    Recently went to The Saga for the first time and I can honestly say I had a top notch experience. We went on a Wednesday evening and as a result, it wasn't crowded at all. I loved the minimalistic and contemporary design. The ambiance helped enhance the entire culinary experience. The service was top notch!! Our server was knowledgeable, extremely attentive and really personable. At times when I didn't know what to order, he pointed me in the right direction. The New Fashioned cocktails were so good, I had 2. We then received a complimentary savory cocktail which includes butternut squash, coconut and ginger which was absolutely delicious. Next we had the mofongo and cheese croquettes which bursted with flavor. For my dinner, I had the branzino and arroz amarillo. The combination of both dishes together was a culinary masterpiece. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I finished off the evening with the It's Not Crema Catalana dessert which included crema catalana foam, tomate de árbol ice cream, orange-hibiscus couli, honey comb and cotton candy. It was such an interesting combination but all the flavors complemented each other so well. The Saga is another gem to add to my list of restaurants I would love to revisit again. Keep in mind there is 22% gratuity that is automatically included, but in my opinion it is well worth it!

    The Fluffy Margarita

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    Terrible experience the food was frozen and this restaurant made me question the whole Michelin system. It's not worth it at all

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    Ask the Community - The Saga

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    Pisco y Nazca Ceviche Gastrobar

    Pisco y Nazca Ceviche Gastrobar

    (2.9k reviews)

    $$

    Downtown

    I had gone here for a family dinner on Sunday,March 22nd. This is my second time dining at this…read morelocation and the food always has a great flavor, the drinks as well. I had made a reservation for 7 but one of my family members had to cancel last minute. When we were walked to our table, we walked past a table for 6 and then we continued walking past it. We ended up being sat at a table for 4 with two chairs on the end of it. We had asked to be moved over but they had said they were going to split the table into two seperate tables. Now, I question where they were going to seat us if we were 7! Personally, I don't like to be bumping knees at the table, especially if we are paying a few hundred for our dinner. I understand that the restaurant wants to make as much money as possible however I believe they can do so without making an uncomfortable experience for their patrons.

    This is a must visit when in DC…read more I enjoyed this place so much that I dined here back to back with two different groups and both raved about the octopus. We came during happy hour from 4-7 PM, which only applies to alcoholic beverages. The cocktails were excellent and definitely worth ordering. Service was a bit inconsistent, as our first visit had better timing and attentiveness, but both servers were pleasant. Each table was also given a dish of corn nuts to snack on while waiting for food. *Pinazo: the lightest cocktail I tried. The pineapple flavor came through clearly even though the puree was not visible. It was very fragrant, though I could not detect the amarena cherry. The fruit largely masked the vodka. *Lychee Pisco: the lychee puree itself was mild, with most of the flavor coming from the fruit garnish. The elderflower and hibiscus notes were more prominent. As someone who enjoys floral profiles, I liked this, though others may find it more perfumed than expected. *Guapo's Pisco: the passionfruit was again on the milder side, while the ginger beer stood out more. Served in a metal mug, it drank like a sweeter Moscow Mule. *Passion Pisco Sour: the pisco sours had more distinct and vibrant flavors overall, and I would highly recommend them if you enjoy fruit forward drinks with an egg white finish. There is also a flight option, which I would have ordered if not for happy hour. This one was my favorite, with a well balanced mix of tartness and sweetness. *Chicha Sour: more tart than the passion version, with a warmer, spiced undertone. The cinnamon added a subtle smokiness, though it still leaned sweeter than expected. *Ceviche Sampler: includes tradicional, cremoso, and callejero. A great way to try a range of flavors, and everyone in my group had a different favorite. I would recommend asking for crispy plantains, as they were not automatically included and help carry the seafood. The tradicional leaned heavily on acidity, allowing the fish to shine, though it felt a bit one note. The sweet potato helped balance it. The callejero was my favorite, with a noticeable kick in the leche de tigre. The cancha and choclo added nuttiness, earthiness, and crunch. The cremoso sat in between, with more body and a slightly sweeter, richer profile thanks to the sweet potato. My only complaint was that the fish pieces were cut quite large, so we had to break them down further. *Causa Sampler: another trio featuring crocante, tartare, and pollo. These were heavier despite the smaller portions. The whipped potato base was well seasoned and had more structure than typical mashed potatoes. The crocante featured a large fried shrimp with rocoto aioli, though I would have preferred the sauce on the side. The flavor leaned like a standard spicy mayo. The tuna tartare had a Japanese influence, but the aioli was overly sweet, making the dish feel cloying. A thicker layer of avocado could have helped balance it. The wonton crisp was also missing both times I ordered it. The chicken version was the most mild and rustic, and needed more acidity or spice to bring it together. Despite this, the trio had potential with some adjustments. *Plancha Pulpo: a must order. This featured a large grilled octopus leg served with causa and choclo on a sizzling plate. The octopus had a smoky char and garlicky chimichurri, with a perfect balance of tenderness and chew. It rivaled a well cooked steak and was easily the standout dish. *Lomo Saltado: medium rare tenderloin stir fried with onions and peppers. The savory sweet sauce coated the fries, rice, and meat beautifully. The flavor leaned slightly Asian, and the beef was juicy and tender. The vegetables were soft and naturally sweet. *Pionono: fried sponge cake filled with Nutella and dulce de leche. It was quite sweet, but the coffee chip ice cream added a deep, rich contrast. The ice cream alone was standout quality. This dessert is easily shareable among four. *Flan: a classic base topped with grilled pineapple and quinoa tuille. The flan itself was smooth and creamy, though the pineapple's acidity distracted from it. It would have benefited from more caramelization. The quinoa tuille added texture more than flavor. *Suspiro: a polarizing dessert, but one I personally enjoyed. The manjar blanco was extremely rich and sweet, paired with an equally sugary meringue. I would have liked more texture or a torched finish for contrast. The passionfruit glaze was my favorite element, though it was used sparingly and could have helped balance the dish more if incorporated throughout. Pisco y Nazca Ceviche Gastrobar deserves its praise. The portions are generous, and the flavors are thoughtfully composed. While there are small tweaks I would make, the overall execution stands out and feels a step above many other options in DC.

    dLeña - Pork Belly** and Short Rib**

    dLeña

    (1.3k reviews)

    $$$

    Came last night before a comedy show at the Capital One Arena and OMG...10/10 hands down I have no…read morenotes. We went in right as they opened, on a Friday at 5 pm, and there was already a line! The reservations were full, but we were offered a seat either at the bar or outside. Luckily it was a beautiful day so we took a seat outside. They started us off with a sweet hibiscus flavored juice as a palate cleanser which was super refreshing. The left side of the menu had appetizers and shareables, while the right side had entrees. We ordered the short rib tacos, pork belly, wagyu empanadas, and seafood enchiladas. Everything had a beautiful bright orange sauce on it and made it look like it would be spicy but it wasn't! I think it's their signature guajillo sauce and it was VERY good, super creamy. Seafood enchiladas: This was my fav. Might have been because it was extremely hungry and it was my first bite. Definitely best when eaten warm, as the cheese is gooiest and the seafood inside is hot. I wasn't sure how the salad was going to be but it added a perfect refreshing and acidity to balance out the creamy sauce. Wagyu empanadas: Much gooey-er and cheesier than expected, but also a hit! Came with a decent amount of beef inside. Comes with the orange sauce and a chimichurri, which I think was a good idea because given how cheesy and creamy the filling already was, the chimichurri was a nice balance as well. Pork belly: Melts as soon as you cut into it. The Asian in me low key wanted a giant bowl of rice with this so that I could soak up all the sauce and veggies. Pretty fatty so if you're not a fan of that you might not like this. Short rib tacos: These were loaded, not with meat but with tons of crunchy topping (maybe fried carrots?) Could have done with slightly less crunch but overall still good. The orange sauce on the bottom had a peanuty flavor which I thought added a unique kick. Also, we were surprised at how quickly the food came out. We were in and out in under an hour. Our server Rebecca was also extremely nice. Will def be back if in the area. Highly recommend all around!

    I came to dLeña for brunch with friends on a Saturday, and overall, it was a decent experience but…read morenot one I'd necessarily go out of my way to repeat. We went around 11:30, so it started off pretty quiet, but as brunch picked up, it definitely got louder. The ambiance is nice though, very laid-back, chill, and a great vibe for a group brunch or celebration. We did the bottomless brunch, and one thing I really appreciated is that the bottomless food and drinks are priced separately. Not everyone in our group wanted drinks, so it was nice that we were only charged for the people who actually ordered them. The only downside is that mocktails aren't included. The food is served as small plates brought out progressively, but I do wish this had been explained better upfront. It was presented as if they would just bring items out, but it wasn't clearly communicated that we could also order anything we wanted from the menu. That made the experience feel a bit confusing. The meal started off strong. The salad was fresh, and there was a fruit/yogurt dish with agave that was honestly one of the best things we had. From there, it became hit or miss. The ceviche and chips were good, the fish tacos were solid, and I appreciated that they had some vegetarian options (though somewhat limited). The waffle and churro were highlights, but the potato hash fell flat. As the meal went on, service slowed down quite a bit. We were waiting a while for certain items (like the corn), and it felt like things just started to lag toward the end. Service overall followed a similar pattern. Strong at the beginning, but less attentive as it got busier. Overall, I'd rate it around a 7 out of 10. It's a fun spot for the experience and group setting, but the lack of clarity and inconsistency in pacing took away from it. I might consider trying it for dinner since I've heard good things, but for brunch, it's not a place I'd go out of my way to revisit.

    Chicatana Fine Mexican Cuisine

    Chicatana Fine Mexican Cuisine

    (95 reviews)

    Columbia Heights

    Had a great time and dinner! Chicatana is unassuming and unpretentious, staffed with attentive…read moreservers who do an amazing job (water was always filled and empty plates removed quite efficiently). The decor is simple, no table clothes or frills but it does live up to 'fine cuisine' with excellent food and presentation (another subtle touch is if you leave the table, you return to a nicely folded napkin). We got nearly everything on the menu including all the desserts and Mexican hot chocolate (yum, lightly spicy and piping hot!) . As others have said their guacamole is excellent...do check the charges though bc they added salsa and chips to the tab which we did not order (they removed). Also, the first order of guac came with big bowl of chips, but none with the second order of guac- not a problem though because you do not go hungry. Portions are quite generous. We even tried the ants which was a fun novelty

    This was the valentine's day 2026 stop. I had no idea it was in the area it was, but alas, we made…read morethe trek from lowly ballston anyway. After parking in the Giant parking garage (decent price), we walked the few blocks to the restaurant. We spotted it with the poster sign hanging up on the outer walls. Inside you head up the stairs and you're greeted by the host stand. We checked in and got our table, right at the window (hellya). There was a rose and a candle on the table (vday vibes) and we also received a vday specials menu. We landed on queso fundido to start and a cocktail each: prickly pear marg for her, a viva mexico for me. After fundido'ing it up, we ordered our entrees. We're simple folks it was a 2 carne asada tacos, 1 al pastor taco, 1 pescado taco, and 1 chicken quesadilla. Unfortunately we weren't bold enough to try the insectos. Food was great, drinks were great, service was great. You can pay your tab via Toast for no additional fee which was convenient. There are two, single use bathrooms in there too. Overall, solid spot.

    Lauriol Plaza - Chicken Fajitas

    Lauriol Plaza

    (2.4k reviews)

    $$

    Dupont Circle

    Came in recently on a Saturday with a friend. Had read the reviews before and was a little wary,…read morebut I was pleasantly surprised. We actually came in at a great time without realizing it, it was a happy hour, even on the weekend, that started at 9pm I think. Drinks were half off so that was amazing. We each got two margaritas which were great sizes. My only complaint here is that I wish they had more flavors for the on the rocks margaritas. They only have flavors for the frozen margaritas. I ordered the tacos Al carbon which comes with two tacos, but they are big tacos and are white hearty. I got the beef and it was very flavorful. The salsa was mild and didn't seem so authentic, but it was still good. We sat outside and typically I'm nervous about service quality outside, but here, the servers went above and beyond. It was a little chilly the night we went and even then, the staff was super attentive. I think this is a good fun place to go to locally and would be open to trying other menu items on my next visit!

    When I first arrived to this restaurant I was surprised that they have on-site parking. It is $5…read moreper car but it does help with not having to fight for parking in Washington DC. When I entered the restaurant I was greeted immediately and sat fairly quick. My waiter was very attentive and did a great job with offering some recommendations. For starters they give you salsa and chips. He recommended trying the cheese which was very tasty. For my entree I had salmon stuffed with crab meat which was amazing. The sauce that they put over it was the star in my opinion. The salmon was cooked very well and was a good portion. I also tried their Margarita/ sangrita which I can tell is a popular drink. If you are into a fruity flavorful drink then this is the one for you. You can order it by the cup or by the pitcher. For dessert I had tres leches cake And it was to die for I'm glad to finally find a tres leches worth $10 a slice. Overall my experience was great. I really recommend coming if ever in Washington DC Salmon 8.5/10 Cheese 9/10 Cake 9/10 Margarita 10/10

    Seven Reasons - Half Dozen Oyster

    Seven Reasons

    (583 reviews)

    $$$

    I am a huge DC restaurant week fan as it truly provides an opportunity to experience different…read morecuisines in the area. I haven't heard of Seven Reasons before but now was as good a time as any to check them out. To start, our hostess Ayana - fantastic and she took great care of us the whole evening! A few standouts: Hamachi tiradito - bananas!!! So good we ordered it twice Bread - could miss it but the Brazilian bread was interesting Snapper ceviche - 8/10 Cauliflower peru peri - 9/10 -I didnt know where this dish was going and as a cauliflower lover, I had to try it. Perfectly fried and sauces were so good. Yellow curry rockfish - 9.5/10. I love that they arent afraid to actually use curry! The tenderloin was so tender too!! And the taro cake very interesting, in a good way. A true stand out was the guava cheesecake - absolutely incredible and nothing like you'd think it would be. I love it when restaurants are super creative with food and the play on flavors were top tier during this meail. We also ordered a bottle of the Chilean sauvignon blanc, which paired perfectly with the food and stood on its own with the tenderloin. Our meal was a pleasure and I look forward to returning to this restaurant.

    We entered and waited a bit at the stand for some help. We did have reservations and were sat. The…read moreservice was good, our waiter did come around and check in on us. They also refilled our waters constantly! In terms of food: - we did partake in drinks: I had the passion over perfection and my gf had the pina colada. I will say her pina colada tasted more like pineapple juice than anything else. I enjoyed my drink though. - we were recommended by our waiter to get around 4-6 dishes depending on how hungry we were. We opted for 7R ceviche, cheese arepitas, Latin falafel, and seafood jalea. I will say everything tasted so freaking good (with the exception of the falafel because they were on the drier side) but those portion sizes i would expect a little more for pricing - I will also add a side note they were providing sampling of a pumpkin soup. Did j like it? No. Did i appreciate it the ability to say i tasted it and didn't have to pay for it? Yes - we also were greedy and went in for desserts: banana bomb and chocolate and Ron. The banana bomb SOOOOO good! The chocolate and ron was more on the forgettable side. Despite the portions, the food was so good I'd come back in a heartbeat. I would love to see the seasonal things they come up with!

    El Cielo

    El Cielo

    (167 reviews)

    $$$$

    Michelin Star me PLEASE!…read more I'm a foodie and when I told my friend I was one, he asked how many Michelin Star restaurants I'd been to. I chuckled, because honestly I'm not a foodie snob but perhaps I need to be. Pre Bday dinner before heading out of the country he chose El Cielo to celebrate me first! Located in Union Market, El Cielo hides in plain sight on the corner. Parking is always a win at Union Market hence why I am always there! Ambiance: dimly lit, reservations only, couples galore, and definitely an intimate atmosphere. Service: TOP NOTCH this is why you pay the big bucks! Nothing was amiss! My friend has experience with high‑end restaurants, Michelin star restaurants to be exact so his perspective added a helpful benchmark with what to order. He took the lead and ensured I tried all the top favorites! *They do offer an À la Carte Menu, or traditional Pre-Fixe menu* Let's get into it! Tree of Life - Yucca bread, Brown butter, Cilantro sauce - Such a cute presentation! Butter is amazing! Ensaladita Caliente - Grilled Romaine letuce, Parmigiano, Hearts of Palms, Kumquats - Soooooo Good! Yes to this dish! Catch of the day - SeaBass Buttermilk reduction, Green oil, Chontaduro - Perfectly cooked! Loved it! Yucca Gnocchi Pecorino cheese, Shitake mushrooms, Sweet plantain, Added Truffle - VERY YUMMY! Flan - Vanilla, Salted caramel - Fantastic! Mucholate - Rum Ice Cream - I mixed both this and the Flan! Loved it!

    I snagged a reservation do restaurant week and was happy with the results. The seating was prompt…read moreand it felt very warm and welcoming walking into the restaurant. I started with the tuna tartar (without the chicharon ) and it as delicious. The flavors were very interesting and oh so flavorful. The next was the gnocchi which I opted to top with the truffle. It was okay, not my favorite. It was served on the colder side which was I didn't find too tasteful. My dessert was the flan and it was amazing. It was my second favorite dish and that's saying a lot. It was wonderful! I will take a moment to hype the tree of life. It had the consistency of cloud bread but a bit more textured and firm on the outside. The butter that accompanied it was amazing. Very good and I would order again i opted to go back, I will sat there was a pretty big hiccup with our drinks. I had ordered a wine flight and my friend ordered a cocktail. After waiting thirty minutes and having our first course, including watching tables after us order drinks and get theirs, we realized they must have forgot. It was hard to grab our servers attention and we ended up finishing our first course sans drinks. This kind of ruined the wine pairing. When we did get his attention he made note that there was an issue at the bar, but the wine wasn't served at the bar, so it seemed sit was just forgotten and they were speeding to make them happen. We were comped a glass of wine which was nice, but my friend didn't drink wine and wanted her cocktail. When we both ended up with our orders drinks, we were happy. It wasn't too big of an issue in the end, but put a damper on the excitement we had for this meal since it almost took until our main/second to get it our drinks.

    The Saga - spanish - Updated May 2026

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