Cedar RestaurantSophisticated, upscale spotCedar is our favorite restaurant for pre-theater dinners and meeting friends for a quiet meal.
Excellent food, friendly, professional service, and adult ambience. Interesting cocktails, jazz on the sound system.
Good value!6/13/2013 12:00:00 AMConsistently wonderfulCedar doesn't diappoint. Our group have all four of the Pre-theater entrees and all were terrific. The wine pairing were perfect.6/13/2013 12:00:00 AMYour Choice!I am normally not a breakfast person - the draw on this menu was the number of choices of unusual savory items - that really did not have to do with breakfast, as we know it. I have the Fried Oyster Sandwich - I was quite the happy camper! They rattled off the special sausages for their Wild Game Sausage trio - it was a tough choice. The rest of my table had - Crab Benedict - plate cleaned! Hangtown Fry - plate cleaned! and the Banana Nut Crunch French Toast - cleaning the plate was attempted - just a bit too much - and heavy - and still VERY happy with her plate - (I would suggest splitting it - or making it dessert for the table). We had a surprise 5th guest, and the wait staff was flexible and helpful! A great start to our Sunday.6/9/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfect date spotThe staff took perfect care of me and my date. We shared the lobster bisque; which, with the white chocolate, is out of this world. The steak was perfectly cooked to order and the duck was tender and very tasty.
More than the food, the service is the kind you always expect or want but rarely see. They touched my table just enough and made sure that we always had exactly what we need.
If you have not made a trip to cedar, it is about time you gave it a try.6/6/2013 12:00:00 AMExpensive and worth itGreat food for the chi chi business goers during the day and the theater crowd at night. Yummy upscale American food. Nice service.5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful evening at CedarMy wife and I had a great dinner at Cedar. We enjoyed the pre-theater menu which provided excellent food at a reasonable price. We also selected the wine pairings. The desert pairing really missed the mark, but the other two pairings were fine. We felt the charge for the wine pairings was a good value. The ambiance was peaceful and quiet. It made for a relaxing evening with great food.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMGood brunch, quiet brunch spotI had family visiting from out of town and this was a great spot for brunch. Solid food, good service and it wasn't overly crowded so we were able to have a nice leisurely meal and could easily have a conversation. They put us in a neat booth space that was a bit isolated from the rest of the main seating area, which also added to our experience.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMVery special place. One ofVery special place. One of our friends is vegan and has gluten issues. The chef has a special menu that was extraordinary. Beautifully presented and she said that everything was delicious.5/23/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat experienceFood and beer were wonderful. It became a bit noisy as more people arrived.5/21/2013 12:00:00 AMDining UndergroundI took my son and his wife there for his graduation from GTown. I hadn't been to this space in years and Cedar has done a great job of making one feel that they are not underground. The food was excellent and the drinks were quite refreshing. I had a cocktail with elderflower and champagne and my daughter-in-law had the cocktail with white cranberry juice and champagne. We ate chicken and waffles, french toast, and salmon benedict - they were all memorable and quite tasty. I'd highly recommend the restaurant for brunch as it was pretty laid-back and unpretentious.5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMdelightful surpriseMy husband and I wandered in to Cedar with a last-minute reservation. Unsure of what to expect, we were blown away by the incredible service and yummy food. Ironically, we almost didn't eat here because I''m a vegetarian and the whole restaurant concept is about nature so much of the menu incorporates game. However, they had a secret vegan menu to offer me and it was delicious. Difficult to find fine vegan dining and they really did a fantastic job. I actually am rating the food as good because my husband had the signature dish of wild boar and was disappointed, although he hadn't had it before so it could just be that he doesn't prefer it. Anyway, the staff was terrific and the atmosphere lovely so I'd highly recommend this spot.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMBest brunch in the city. ABest brunch in the city. A wonderful experience every time I visit!5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMComplements shows at Ford's TheaterVery nice atmosphere, and very responsive, pro-active staff. We had two appetizers each plus cocktails, and were very impressed by the presentation and flavors. A great place to go before/after Ford's Theater!5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMFavoriteAlways a pleasure dining at Cedar. We think it the perfect place for client lunch meetings. Service is good and not intrusive. Menu is unique and always impresses. It is a tiny place that packs a lot of punch.5/6/2013 12:00:00 AMMore than lived up to the hypeA local friend suggested Cedar. He was spot on. Delicious food at reasonable prices (mid-upper $20s for entrees). Street parking after 6:30. Valet will cost you $10. Corkage to BYO is $25.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMFinally a restaurant thatFinally a restaurant that understands people don't like to eat on top of each other and have music blasting so loud that you have to shout to have a conversation. In addition, the food is very good.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent modern rustic experienceCedar marries the best of contemporary cuisine with earthy ingredients and a large selection of fresh fish and wild game. The Taste of Earth appetizer, what has to be the chef's signature, is a must-experience. The mushroom tastes and ingredients move in a balanced way from cold (black truffle ice cream) to hot (mushroom tea). Also recommended is the boar entree, which comes with a delicious cherry compote.
The service was impeccable, far from intrusive, and very helpful in understanding the restaurant's concept.
Highly recommended!5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMFantastic FindI am a vegan. My friend is not. We both had fantastic meals. I don't know of any other restaurant in DC that accommodates vegans like Cedar does. I will be back again and again.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMEnjoyable evening!Our small group spent a wonderful evening at Cedar, where the service was attentive but discreet and the food was very good. Our server recommended an excellent wine from their list. I look forward to going back soon!5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMWhat's up with the decor?We really enjoyed the food, but the decor could use some work. Artwork on the walls could have come from garage sales and the wall murals of cedars were a bit cheesy. Also the painted monotone concrete walls? Kind of strange given the wonderful food and service. I'd strongly recommend that ownership spend a bit of money sprucing the place up (excuse the pun). I would note that the cedar menus were a nice touch, though.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMBest rabbit dish ever!Cedar is a hidden gem. So many restaurants in the Penn Quarter - but this one is one of the best. Tried it for an early dinner before a Shakespeare Theater and will definitely go back.5/1/2013 12:00:00 AMSome of the most pleasantSome of the most pleasant waitstaff I've met recently served us today. The email announcing the Vegan Brunch intrigued me. The dishes were all delicious and very creative, and never pretended to be anything other than vegetables--no faux pork chops or bacon or hamburger. I love the woodsy theme of the decor too, makes me feel like I am dining al fresco.4/28/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Brunch spot!we went to Cedar for brunch following the Nike Women's half marathon on Sunday April 28th and it was such a great post race experience. the waiter was very friendly and helped us with the menu and the drinks at brunch and the food was delicious!!4/28/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat place to catch dinnerGreat place to catch dinner before the show and they validate parking nearby for only $5. Great menu with attentive service.4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food. Had the oysterGreat food. Had the oyster roll and a mushroom entree wrapped in a pastry. Both were excellent.4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMCreative MenuThe menu is fun. The food excellent. The scallop appetizer was as good as it gets. Why have salmon when you can feast on wild boar? Service suffered a bit between the main course and coffee - delay. But otherwise impeccable.4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMsmall, subtle and smart, reasonablesuper attentive service. excellent food. helpful. delightful intelligent management.
great place for the 'off the record" meeting.4/22/2013 12:00:00 AMWe went here for the firstWe went here for the first time this morning for brunch. Great service. Good food. Terrific experience overall.4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMThe chefs at Cedar are quiteThe chefs at Cedar are quite accomplished, and it's always a treat to find a restaurant that doesn't just trot out eggplant parm when vegans or vegetarians come calling. The wait staff are friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommended!4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMFantasticWe ordered the tasting menu - everything we ate was outstanding and innovative, and the service was both efficient and unobtrusive. This was a memorable dinner, and we would highly recommmend - we will definitely return to Cedar.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMOutatanding Prix Fixe Chelf's MenuMy wife and I ordered the prix fixe chef's menu, and the wine pairing. It was a very creative menu without going over the top. For example, the wild boar was served "two ways": Loin chop and sausage. However, the sausage was served in pastry shell with the greens and the chop laid on top. For one course, the wine did not arrive with the dishes, but it was a very busy Friday night, and as soon as I got the waitress' attention she saw immediately what had to be done and got two glasses of wine from the bartender. Highly, highly recommend Cedar.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMVery good food and service.Very good food and service. A bit too oist though got quieter as bar emptied out we'd go again.4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat for business lunchMet a colleage for lunch there, was surprised at the number of empty tables. Food is very good and reasonably priced; ambience is white tablecloth and elegant; service is excellent. Very nice place for a business lunch. The restaurant is in the basement; maybe the stairs put people off? Direct access to an elevator would help.4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMThis restaurant is fantastic...This restaurant is fantastic... Expensive, but fantastic. The food is to die for and the service is great. The restaurant is small, but doesn't feel crowded... cozy is a more apt description. Don't count on getting in without a reservation, though.
I highly recommend the lobster and white chocolate soup. Sounds weird, I know, but it is superb.
Expect to spend upwards of $100 for two people... nothing is cheap here. I also recommend the duck and the wild boar.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMUpscale dinner before a CapsUpscale dinner before a Caps game- surprisingly, 'jersey-friendly'. Food was good, but maybe we expected just a bit more special, for the price. Service was mixed; waitress not too attentive, but other staff was topnotch.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent appetizers, entreeExcellent appetizers, entree choices, prix fixe selection all with a wonderful presentation. Service was outstanding...will be back.4/12/2013 12:00:00 AMEverything was well portionedEverything was well portioned and tasty and the cocktails were good. I opted for a cocktail after finding out they were out of the beer that I requested. The opentable price legend is technically accurate, but this restaurant definitely falls on the upper end of this range. The location is good (Penn Quarter) and the restaurant is small and located in a basement. Overall, the food was delicious and the dinner was enjoyable due to good portions, presentation, service and a gift from the chef.4/12/2013 12:00:00 AMenjoyed 3-course pre-theatreenjoyed 3-course pre-theatre menu: beet salad, salmon entree, and dessert. love the appetizer they serve, what a great idea. plus, fresh, homemade, hot bread was a real treat. accommodation was made for my dessert selection since i did not care for either of the options presented. a great overall experience.4/9/2013 12:00:00 AMA Find!Friendly, warm service. Great food! Fantastic for dinner before an event at Verizon center or anywhere else.4/9/2013 12:00:00 AMPre-Theater WinnerIt was such an outstandingly pleasant experience and the staff got us seated, served, and on our way to an opening night performance at the Shakespeare Theatre Company that I posted praise for Cedar on my Facebook page. It is one of my favorite restaurants in DC and the pre-theatre menu is superb.4/9/2013 12:00:00 AMWarm and welcoming staff;Warm and welcoming staff; delicious food; quiet, attractive dining room.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMIt's the food and the staff!My wife and I have been back to Cedar many times now and although the menu changes slowly, each new dish is worth trying. Last week we tried the rabbit and it was so good we had to have it again tonight. After an amuse bouche of a shrimp on English pea mousse, I started with the Apple and Fennel Soup with fried shallots and spiced panna cotta. It had beautifully balanced flavors with a touch of sweetness – a wonderful way to start the meal. My wife started with the Smoked Virginia Trout with salmon roe, pickled onion, endive and preserved kafir lime emulsion. The presentation was spectacular and the subtle smokiness added to the flavors rather than overpowering them. We both had the Canadian Farmed Rabbit Two Ways with rabbit sausage,4/3/2013 12:00:00 AMI will have go go back toI will have go go back to rate the Brunch. I had the chicken and waffles. The waffles were cold and tough to cut. The chicken was very good. My friend had the shrimp and grits, which were very good. As usual, the manager of this restaurant goes above and beyond to provide excellent service to the diners. I would3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMVery good foodEverything at Cedar was very pleasant. Our waiter was a bit over-enthusiastic as he proclaimed every dish as "very delicious." The "side salad" that is not on the menu cost $9 which is way too much for lettuce and tomatoes, particularly because the fancier lunch salads were only $10-12 so I didn't save any money and I got a lot less for my money. I should have said something.3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMKudos for having vagan options!Kudos for having vagan options! and a great cocktail list! That Ideal Husband drink is amazing!3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMA Gem - Never Fails to Please!Every time we dine at Cedar we are glad we did. People were still talking about the fact that the First Lady had been there a few nights earlier; hope that helps others discover this place, which deserves a wider audience than it usually gets. The server was outstanding - provided insightful advice on wine (and introduced us to an excellent label I had not known). Attentive without being intrusive or a pest! The items are beautifully plated. It was a delight to bring out-of-town guests to this restaurant, which proved (once again) what a great food town this is.
Looking forward to a return visit.3/28/2013 12:00:00 AMIn Washington DC for a conference,In Washington DC for a conference, on the street and looking for a free table - not easy. Found this gem of a restaurant using table finder and checked out the menu - very interesting, booked table immediately and walked the few minutes to the restaurant. The food met all our expectations in variety and interesting combinations. The game food is great. I had Taste of the Earth to start - a great combination of earthy flavors using different fungi. The main cause was rabbit - a rare treat. Finished off with home made ice cream and a Tawny.3/28/2013 12:00:00 AMThe french press coffee isThe french press coffee is fabulous. A great way to finish off a lovely meal.3/26/2013 12:00:00 AMWild Game before the Game!Loved the menu - appreciate a place that's easy to get to with a selection of wild game entrees such as venison, wild boar, etc. Was a super alternative to "the usual" places to go before a Capitals game - and the staff was excellent about getting us out before the puck dropped! Thanks - I'll be back!3/26/2013 12:00:00 AMIncredible. Rich flavors,Incredible. Rich flavors, amazing. Great service, ambiance, and food. Not to be missed.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AM