Roof Terrace Restaurant
| Address: | 2700 F St NW, Washington, DC 20566, USA |
| Phone: | +1 202-416-8555 |
| Site: | roofterracedc.com |
| Rating: | 3.2 |
| Working: | 5–8PM 5–8PM 5–8PM 5–8PM 5–8PM 5–8PM 11AM–2PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 12
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A Private User
We have dined at the Roof Terrace a few times. Their Sunday Brunch is outstanding, and worth of a trip on its own (5 stars). However, the after concert "lite fair" is really a few small bar snacks -in spite of what you may be told if you call ahead for more information. We went to a concert yesterday evening, and after having discussed what the "lite fair" menu was with them that morning, we were surprised to discover that it consisted of 5 cold "small plates," three of which were sold out. So, at 10:00 on a cold winter night, our concert evening dinner for three consisted of two modest cheese plates, two smallish prosciutto plates, a generous selection of Pepperidge Farm crackers, and, after much prodding, 5 mini baguettes. The cheese was excellent and the prosciutto was good -but we expect a lot more than a backpackers lunch as dinner from a theater that aspires to be world class. So, dont believe the hype, if you want dinner after the show -go elsewhere.
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A Private User
Despite the mediocre and worse reviews posted here, I made reservations to eat here before a show last week. I cant claim to be a true "foodie", but I have pretty high expectations when I eat someplace that is supposed to be fine dining, and I can recognize and truly appreciate good food when I get it. Put me in the category of people who prefer to pay more for less food of higher quality. So my expectations were low since I planned to eat here only because it would be convenient. But I was pleasantly surprised and felt like the criticisms were either overblown or have been addressed. The food was not spectacular but it was quite good, and the service was excellent. I should add that we did ask the server what he recommended, and we stuck to those items. I can only conclude that they have been trying to remediate some of the deficiencies discussed on this page and elsewhere.
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A Private User
This large restaurant on the terrace floor of the Kennedy Center is well suited to pre concert dining. The large well laid out room appears immense thanks to the very high ceilings; our table near the window offered splendid views of the potomac and the take offs from National. Service is prompt and efficient, but in a mass serving kind of way, meaning that they serve you the food then move on to the next table and youll struggle to get their attention if you need anything. The menu is small, changes only once a year from what I can tell, and there are no specials. The prices as much higher than what the food is worth (and dont expect much), but you king of expect it here at the Kennedy Center. All in all, you come here for the experience, not the food. If they only changed the menu more often, they could do so much more with this restaurant!
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Nancy P
I echo the reviews that rate this restaurant as way overpriced with mediocre food. Compound that with a waiter who clearly couldnt care less (didnt even ASK how I wanted my sirloin cooked; no info about price fixe option; ignored our request to see the desert menu) with a weird reservation experience (told no reservations available at 6PM, but 6:15 was ok -- then the restaurant was, at best, 50% full) and cafeteria-like crowded seating, and I definitely will NOT return or recommend this place to anyone. Positively awful. Rarely am I treated with such disdain -- and to pay handsomely for the privilege?? I cant even give this experience one star but I have to in order to publish this review.
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Deb Stewart
We visited this restaurant for the Kitchen Buffet Brunch prior to a matinee show and it was fantastic! The unique layout of the brunch - winding through the restaurants kitchen - makes it interesting to visit and is a great way to make sure the food is as hot and fresh as possible. They have a great variety of both breakfast and lunch items - including a made-to-order omelet station and a carving station, along with a large selection of seafood items, pastries and desserts. And the buffet price even includes a mimosa! The only negative is the atmosphere of the place - unless you have a window seat, youre pretty much sitting in a sea of tables with little ambience.
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Barrett McInerney
Sunday April 17, 2016. Decided to have a pre-heated dinner before the show. Yelp said they were open until 9:00pm. Called the restaurant at 4:15pm but the voice message on the answering machine said that the reservation line closed at 4:00pm. We came over at 5:15 hoping to walk in but the restaurant was closed. Heres a helpful marketing tip: When you are going to be closed for the night, change your voice message on the answering machine so people dont waste their time. Very unprofessional.
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John Gill
We read all the lousy reviews, so our expectations were low. We actually had a very nice meal. Soup, veal, desert, wine. The meal was good. Not gourmet dining, but much better than a cafeteria. The service was about what you expect, along with the meal: Not wowed, but not disappointing. Servers were polite and cheerful. I would not go here as a dining destination, but as a pre-theater meal, if you are enjoying the Kennedy Center, it was very nice, and we would do it again.
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Mark Sheffield
A beautiful view, but for the price, a pretty lackluster experience. Our waiter was friendly, but he only made about half the trips to our table that he should have. I would have purchased a second glass of wine if he had asked, and they forgot to bring out our duck fat fries. Wanted the shrimp, but they were sold out. Rockfish was pretty good. If it had been a $40 meal, Id have given it 4 stars, but for $140 it only warrants 3. Really doubt that I would ever go back.
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Kevin Lehnerd
Definitely a pre-show dinner trap. All the food is designed to get you in and out before a show. Risotto was under cooked but the chicken and ratatouille was pretty good. However, dinner for two, in a loud and crowded room, (two glasses of wine, two dinners, two coffees, and a shared dessert) with a pretty tip total of $119.80 seemed a little outrageous. On the plus side, the staff was great, knowledgeable, and attentive without overdoing it.
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A Private User
It is a disgrace that the Nations Capitals iconic arts venue should host such a third rate restaurant. Compounding the disgrace is that The Roof Terrace occupies and pre-empts one of the most beautiful views of the Capital. If this place did not have the captive clientele of Ken Cen patrons, it would have folded years ago. The food is, at best, edible, and is obscenely over-priced. The wine list is almost a self-parody.
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Natalia Trullson
NOT impressed at all and waaaaaay below my expectations. Besides the view and good wine, the food was mediocre and extremely expensive for the quality. Service was average and besides being convenient for when watching a show at The Kennedy Center, I still would rather walk across the street and have some delicious food at Compono. I do not recommend and I wont be coming back...
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Nova Golfguy
Very dissapointed in the changes here. The ambiance was akin to eating at Paneras, whose food by the way was both tastier and hot, compared to the slightly warmer than room temperature of our two entrees. The weight staff was pleasant but their attire, for an above average priced venue, left something to be desired. Overpriced and undersized entrees, skip the Bib salad .
