Fourth Estate Restaurant at the National Press ClubHistoric surroundings, excellentHistoric surroundings, excellent restaurant for all the reasons identified above; we plan to return on the next rip in October and possibly to use the restaurant as the site for the University's annual alumni event spring 2014.6/14/2013 12:00:00 AMExquisite food!The Fourth Estate never disappoints! The meals are consistently delicious and at extremely reasonable prices--incredible value for the dollar.
There are traditional items like steak and always at least one vegetarian entree, but there are inventive options as well, so choices for every diner.
We started with the gourmet coconut lemongrass soup, smooth and delicate, followed by a tasty calamari dinner salad for me and salmon with lentil rice and sautéed spinach for my date, and a glass of wine each. All beautifully presented and served, in an attractive dining room for less than $100--an incredible bargain for DC.6/4/2013 12:00:00 AMA Gem in Downtown DCOutstanding from entry to exit. Seated upon arrival. Attentive management and wait staff. This was our first visit so we asked the waiter for recommendations - the crab cakes and New York Strip steak. Both were first class. My wife, with the first taste, stated the crab cakes were the best she had ever had. We ended the meal with freshly brewed coffee and the smoothest raspberry and chocolate mousse we have ever had. Validated parking in downtown DC is a big plus for the Fourth Estate.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMPrivate club feel w/o pretensionThis is the place to go for special occasion or business meal where you want to talk. It has a private club feeling, but with better food than most private clubs I've dined at. We selected the Fourth Estate for my son's graduation dinner, because it was a short walk from DAR Constitution Hall.
The manager treated us with great care, but without the feigned familiarity you get at so many restaurants. He placed the eight of us at the round table in an alcove with Eleanor Roosevelt and her press corp overlooking us. We could easily talk and been heard.
The staff was highly attentive and nice, without being too friendly. The food was first rate. I had the lamb chops that were cooked perfectly medium rare.5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMQuietly underratedWe thought this might be an interesting and quiet dinner spot to take a friend from out of state. It was definitely quiet as there were only two tables occupied. What we received was first rate service and delicious food practically all to ourselves. We thought about keeping this a secret, but decided not to be selfish! Good food, good service, great location, fun venue if you're sort of a journalism geek. As my daughter pointed out, not hip and happening, but that's okay, there are other places for that!5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMFirst TimerI recently visited the Fourth Estate restaurant for lunch with a business associate. The food was excellent, service superb and we were able to have to have a nice conversation with our meal. To find a place in downtown Washington DC that marks high on food, service, ambience and noise level is a great find!5/22/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat dining experienceI was dining alone, and I must say that I was treated with respect by my server. He was very friendly and made me feel as if I were the most important customer of his day. The food was fabulous and arrived in a timely manner. Overall, I would say that this is a great place to go for a very pleasant dining experience.5/14/2013 12:00:00 AMExtremely goodThis is a great place for lunch when you want great food and service and a place where you can hold a conversation without having problems hearing the other person or people. It is my favorite place for a serious lunch meeting.5/13/2013 12:00:00 AMLovely place for dinnerWe celebrated our daughters's graduation here and were treated to delicious food and wonderful service. Almost too quiet though as we were the only group at 8pm. Easy and validated parking in nearby garage. Love the photos of press people and politicians. A night to remember.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMA hidden gem with delicious foodThe Fourth Estate is a hidden-gem. Hope more people (especially journalists) support this place. The halibut entree was delicious. The shiraz tasty. The spinach salad excellent. The sorbet yummy. And the wait staff, as always, was very friendly. Wish the restaurant could change the lighting a bit. Feel like there's a spotlight overhead.5/7/2013 12:00:00 AMWhere the Elite Meet to EatThis is where many of Washington's movers and shakers go to eat and socialize. The food is excellent, and so is the service. It's very much on the pricey side; I recommend it only for a special occasion or if you have a discount coupon (I had one from AAA). It was surprising quiet and uncrowded.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMQuiet lunch meetingsDelicious meals, great service, and quiet place for important lunch meetings.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food, music and service!I was very pleased with my experience at the Fourth Estate Restaurant. The food was DELICIOUS. The service was fantastic. I was particularly impressed that the chef and servers were willing to accomodate my young children by giving them kid-friendly food and desserts, even though it was not on the menu! The servers were very attentive and the manager and host were very friendly and engaging with the children. The Blues Alley Youth Orchestra combo was fantastic!! What a great addition to the restaurant experience. It was a great evening for my family and the guests that we invited! Thank you.5/1/2013 12:00:00 AMA quiet, out of the way treat.A quiet, out of the way treat. Perhaps a little pricy, but the food was excellent. Fun pictures on the wall and interesting atmosphere.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMNice spot to take colleaguesNice spot to take colleagues to lunch. Good food and absolutely lovely service, thank you!4/23/2013 12:00:00 AMClose to TheatersIn the National Press Club. Convenient to theaters. Food is very good, service is excellent. It is great for a quiet, relaxing meal before attending a show in downtown DC. It is not very well known, so it is easy to get a table on a crowded theater night.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMNot only are the food andNot only are the food and service top notch, what I really like is the quiet, unrushed atmosphere. Great for good conversation. Also, it isn't so dark that you can't read the menu.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was very good. OurThe food was very good. Our server was really terrific and was very friendly. They just opened up at 5:30 when we arrived so it was very quiet. They only had five other tables. New guests starting arriving as we were finishing up around 6:45. Overall pretty good food and the atmosphere was quiet.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMWhat a find - good food, greatWhat a find - good food, great service, and the noise level was perfect to be able to have a conversation among the four of us without having to raise our voices. Head chef came out to say hi, which was a nice touch. Definitely try the crab cakes!3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMThis is a real find if youThis is a real find if you need a very nice place to dine downtown. It is a hidden gem with very good food, extremely attentive service and a very nice ambiance3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMFourth EstateRestaurant only open for a couple of hours but it is great not only for a romantic dinner or special occasion but would be perfect for business guests.3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMPleasant eveningGreat (early)dinner with friends. We would definitely go again.3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMVery interesting venue...feltVery interesting venue...felt it was a great place to bring guests visiting Washington from out-of-town. We will go back.3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMThe very best crabcakesThe best crabcakes! The entire staff makes this a most enjoyable experience and the food is delicious.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent food, outstandingExcellent food, outstanding value, and first class, friendly service. Worth the trip into DC from Ashburn, VA.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMThis is the second time IThis is the second time I have been to the Fourth Estate, and recommend it very highly. The food is excellent, the service is flawless and the ambiance - actually inside the National Press Club, with all of its history - can't be beat.3/11/2013 12:00:00 AM