Took my family to celebrate brunch for my mother‘s 82nd birthday. Very disappointed and I wish I had looked at the brunch ratings prior to going. I had memories of the Kennedy Center brunch before the renovation. Now with the renovation it feels like a huge cold conference room. The classical live music is gone, and the food is a step below basic. In no way does the “family style” food match the $70+ per person cost (w/o mimosas). While the staff were incredibly friendly and accommodating, the service was poor. Halfway through our breakfast we had to ask for coffee, we had to ask for salt and pepper, we had to ask for cream. One of the coffee cups came out looking unwashed, and the outside of the creamer was dirty with old splashes of coffee. The fruit plate, shrimp, cheese plate could be, as another reviewer said, purchased at Giant. The egg omelette, bread pudding french toast, scrambled eggs were mediocre at best. Our favorite thing was the avocado toast… But certainly not worth the cost. The view is lovely, but my suggestion is to not Invest the time and money into the Kennedy Center brunch.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
J Webber
We didn’t actually get to dine for brunch today, because the restaurant canceled my reservation, so I can’t rate the food, service or atmosphere this time. I do want to comment on the restaurant brunch in general. We have had the brunch many times before a Sunday matinee. We have NEVER had our reservation canceled before! Their excuse was that there weren’t enough reservations to open. They canceled on Tuesday, so how do they know they wouldn’t get more reservations between Tuesday afternoon and Sunday morning? Not to mention walk ins. Ridiculous. While the brunch IS overpriced, we have always enjoyed it. We wanted to celebrate my husband’s birthday, before the show, but ended up having to go to iHop instead. My husband and I were in the restaurant business for many years. Our restaurants NEVER closed because of a slow day. I don’t understand the KC Restaurant’s reasoning behind this. Very disappointed.
Jennifer M
First dinner visit was before an evening show last week and we had 2 hrs built in just in case. The place was maybe 25% visually occupied upon arrival and during our 2 hrs. Unfortunately, that wasn't enough despite our ordering everything up front at the same time: chowder and soup plus two equally easy main courses without any special requests. We weren't the only nearby table of pairs getting apologies at the delay of our main courses, but each was offered something different: drink there, dessert here, and could have it now or later like a ploy to help bring us back after the show. Seemed suspicious. We finally got our meals with only 15-20 minutes until the show so we declined the offer of a free drink and my date didn't notice the missing part of his meal the staff pointed out. The food seemed fine to me although supremely late and the differing options per table to make up for the delay within earshot were bothersome. However, all seemed declined. Wonderful views and dining room at least!
Parking: Under the building and currently $25 paid at entry.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 2
Laura Forcier
This restaurant has amazing views and a great setting. Unfortunately the service is subpar. I requested no cilantro and was ignored. The food was also very plain and cause me to have a stomach virus. I would not suggest this place to anyone. Too expensive to get sick from. Also paying for tasteless expensive food is not something we enjoy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 3
Kelly Staley
Average café. Expensive budget about $50 person (IMO)
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
S F
Disappointing. Great atmosphere and service, but mediocre food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Maine Diver Scallops, Lamb Chops, Rock Fish, Truffle and Reggiano Fries, Roasted Chicken Breast
travelgal987
Located inside the Kennedy Center, it’s a solid choice for dining pre-show. The food is good if pricey , the service is attentive yet intent on making sure you make your curtain. Nice, relaxed ambiance. Could I have gotten the same meal cheaper elsewhere? Probably. But in DC, especially for a weeknight show, the fact that you only have to fight traffic and park once , to me, is worth the up charge.
David Abercrombie
We went to the Kennedy Center to celebrate my wife’s birthday and to see a show. The food was delicious, while we didn’t have a reservation were able to eat in the bar/ lounge area and they served from the main menu. We had the roasted chicken breast and crab cakes. Both were prepared exceptionally. We had crème brûlée and key lime tart for dessert, very light and a great finish to the meal. They had a delicious nonalcoholic sparkling lemonade that had a very unique flavor, very impressive. I recommend the restaurant and making a reservation if you’re going to the Kennedy Center.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
J_
Great place! Always visit when I am in
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brock Heller
Beautiful rooftop restaurant in the JFK Center. Views are immaculate. However, I don't think I'd describe anything in or about the restaurant that way unfortunately. I was disappointed.
I went with a group for brunch. The food is extremely middling, with some of the food frankly (particularly the charcuterie and dessert board) looking like it was bought from Safeway and put on a white plate. The service was fine but not notable. It was not particularly busy so I feel the staff and chef should have time to put some love and care into what they do.
As a local who has been here for almost a decade now, it was very disappointing for the price and somewhat embarrassing for me for my guests. I suppose this is why no one has recommended this to me yet.
Now, the bottomless mimosas are strong and endless, but for $75 I expect more from the food especially when the views are technically free (you can walk up to the terrace for $0). Bottomless mimosas are all over DC (some under $20) including places with good food.
Some of these review pictures look quite good. I can assure you none of the brunch food looked good enough for me to take a picture of.
Very poor food quality for the price. Everything was mediocre. I wouldn't even pay $20 per person for the 3-course brunch that I got but it is priced at $60 per person. A few slices of cheese with a side of one plastic packed jam that you usually get in Holiday Inn hotels for breakfast, a few slices of fruits, and an ugly shrimp cocktail dish that was likely purchased from Costco was the starter for three person. The steak tasted like liver and we couldn't stand the smell.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 3
Jean Kaufman
The food is mediocre at best and the prices are high
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Roni Dinkes
Bartender fantastic! Views second to none. Food fun and delicious ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Numi S
I will not be returning after another patron spotted a MOUSE under our table. The staff made no efforts to rectify the disaster that was. At $100pp you’d expect more. How does a mouse get into a rooftop restaurant? They need to address their rodent issues and refund the patrons that attended on June 12, 2024.
Kenneth Lewis
Two top in a really tight area. Wedged between other booths.Bread service had rolls from Safeway that were stale. Food was good but meal was over $100 per person. Not that good.
Parking: Depending on number of events in center spaces can be scarce.
Took my family to celebrate brunch for my mother‘s 82nd birthday. Very disappointed and I wish I had looked at the brunch ratings prior to going. I had memories of the Kennedy Center brunch before the renovation. Now with the renovation it feels like a huge cold conference room. The classical live music is gone, and the food is a step below basic. In no way does the “family style” food match the $70+ per person cost (w/o mimosas). While the staff were incredibly friendly and accommodating, the service was poor. Halfway through our breakfast we had to ask for coffee, we had to ask for salt and pepper, we had to ask for cream. One of the coffee cups came out looking unwashed, and the outside of the creamer was dirty with old splashes of coffee. The fruit plate, shrimp, cheese plate could be, as another reviewer said, purchased at Giant. The egg omelette, bread pudding french toast, scrambled eggs were mediocre at best. Our favorite thing was the avocado toast… But certainly not worth the cost. The view is lovely, but my suggestion is to not Invest the time and money into the Kennedy Center brunch.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
We didn’t actually get to dine for brunch today, because the restaurant canceled my reservation, so I can’t rate the food, service or atmosphere this time. I do want to comment on the restaurant brunch in general. We have had the brunch many times before a Sunday matinee. We have NEVER had our reservation canceled before! Their excuse was that there weren’t enough reservations to open. They canceled on Tuesday, so how do they know they wouldn’t get more reservations between Tuesday afternoon and Sunday morning? Not to mention walk ins. Ridiculous. While the brunch IS overpriced, we have always enjoyed it. We wanted to celebrate my husband’s birthday, before the show, but ended up having to go to iHop instead. My husband and I were in the restaurant business for many years. Our restaurants NEVER closed because of a slow day. I don’t understand the KC Restaurant’s reasoning behind this. Very disappointed.
First dinner visit was before an evening show last week and we had 2 hrs built in just in case. The place was maybe 25% visually occupied upon arrival and during our 2 hrs. Unfortunately, that wasn't enough despite our ordering everything up front at the same time: chowder and soup plus two equally easy main courses without any special requests. We weren't the only nearby table of pairs getting apologies at the delay of our main courses, but each was offered something different: drink there, dessert here, and could have it now or later like a ploy to help bring us back after the show. Seemed suspicious. We finally got our meals with only 15-20 minutes until the show so we declined the offer of a free drink and my date didn't notice the missing part of his meal the staff pointed out. The food seemed fine to me although supremely late and the differing options per table to make up for the delay within earshot were bothersome. However, all seemed declined. Wonderful views and dining room at least!
Parking: Under the building and currently $25 paid at entry.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 2
This restaurant has amazing views and a great setting. Unfortunately the service is subpar. I requested no cilantro and was ignored. The food was also very plain and cause me to have a stomach virus. I would not suggest this place to anyone. Too expensive to get sick from. Also paying for tasteless expensive food is not something we enjoy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 3
Average café. Expensive budget about $50 person (IMO)
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Disappointing. Great atmosphere and service, but mediocre food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Maine Diver Scallops, Lamb Chops, Rock Fish, Truffle and Reggiano Fries, Roasted Chicken Breast
Located inside the Kennedy Center, it’s a solid choice for dining pre-show. The food is good if pricey , the service is attentive yet intent on making sure you make your curtain. Nice, relaxed ambiance. Could I have gotten the same meal cheaper elsewhere? Probably. But in DC, especially for a weeknight show, the fact that you only have to fight traffic and park once , to me, is worth the up charge.
We went to the Kennedy Center to celebrate my wife’s birthday and to see a show. The food was delicious, while we didn’t have a reservation were able to eat in the bar/ lounge area and they served from the main menu. We had the roasted chicken breast and crab cakes. Both were prepared exceptionally. We had crème brûlée and key lime tart for dessert, very light and a great finish to the meal. They had a delicious nonalcoholic sparkling lemonade that had a very unique flavor, very impressive. I recommend the restaurant and making a reservation if you’re going to the Kennedy Center.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great place! Always visit when I am in
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Beautiful rooftop restaurant in the JFK Center. Views are immaculate. However, I don't think I'd describe anything in or about the restaurant that way unfortunately. I was disappointed.
I went with a group for brunch. The food is extremely middling, with some of the food frankly (particularly the charcuterie and dessert board) looking like it was bought from Safeway and put on a white plate. The service was fine but not notable. It was not particularly busy so I feel the staff and chef should have time to put some love and care into what they do.
As a local who has been here for almost a decade now, it was very disappointing for the price and somewhat embarrassing for me for my guests. I suppose this is why no one has recommended this to me yet.
Now, the bottomless mimosas are strong and endless, but for $75 I expect more from the food especially when the views are technically free (you can walk up to the terrace for $0). Bottomless mimosas are all over DC (some under $20) including places with good food.
Some of these review pictures look quite good. I can assure you none of the brunch food looked good enough for me to take a picture of.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
Very poor food quality for the price. Everything was mediocre. I wouldn't even pay $20 per person for the 3-course brunch that I got but it is priced at $60 per person. A few slices of cheese with a side of one plastic packed jam that you usually get in Holiday Inn hotels for breakfast, a few slices of fruits, and an ugly shrimp cocktail dish that was likely purchased from Costco was the starter for three person.
The steak tasted like liver and we couldn't stand the smell.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 3
The food is mediocre at best and the prices are high
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Bartender fantastic! Views second to none. Food fun and delicious ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I will not be returning after another patron spotted a MOUSE under our table. The staff made no efforts to rectify the disaster that was. At $100pp you’d expect more. How does a mouse get into a rooftop restaurant? They need to address their rodent issues and refund the patrons that attended on June 12, 2024.
Two top in a really tight area. Wedged between other booths.Bread service had rolls from Safeway that were stale. Food was good but meal was over $100 per person. Not that good.
Parking: Depending on number of events in center spaces can be scarce.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Rock Fish, Crab Soup
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