Marcel'sPhenomenalWords cannot describe! From the Doorman, to the Hostess, the Head Captain, Chefs food accentuated by the ambiance.
This restaurant is an absolute gem. Once again, words just can't describe.
Reasonably priced, about $20 per course for the prefix menu. Perfect for all occasions, its not a stuffy uptight restaurant. I would suggest a suit but if you wear jeans they won't turn you away.
I've eaten at some stuffy 5star places, but never one as attentive amd delicious as this one. I'm from the South, we put spice&soul in our food. But Chef had me speechless, which is a never for us. Will most certainly be back.6/13/2013 12:00:00 AMThe BestOnce again a flawlessly excellent experience. Food was wonderful, service attentive but not pushy. All of Chef Wiedmaier's restaurants are terrific, and of course this is the high end. On the expensive side, but worth every penny! We celebrate our anniversary here every year, because we know that we will have a great evening.6/11/2013 12:00:00 AMFood and service was greatFood and service was great not much more to say we will be going to back.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMCompetent and attentive staff.Competent and attentive staff. Superb preparation and presentation. Breadth and scope of menu offerings adequate to intrigue the most particular gourmand. Just a great meal and a good time.6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMBirthday dinner for twoI had the tasting menu my wife had the Dover sole. Everything was perfect. I mean super professional. It's worth the money.6/6/2013 12:00:00 AMBest. Ever. Period.This is, by far, the best restaurant in the city, hands down. You feel special the second you walk in, and it's only better from there. I recommend a chef's choice 4-course menu, with wine pairing. The food is exceptionally good, though it is really the combination of food, atmosphere, and service that makes this such a special experience. It will set you back quite a bit, but if you have the means, I highly recommend it. Ask for Jonathan, the Head Captain server.6/5/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfect AnniversaryMy wife and I were looking for somewhere special to go for our anniversary. Marcel's did not disappoint. The menu allows for each diner to choose between 4 and 7 courses from anywhere on the menu (the course groupings are suggested, not required). The selection of courses is an excellent balance between the usual and the exotic. I personally recommend their house special, the Boudin Blanc. Yes, it's a sausage but it was phenomenal, as is their diver's scallop appetizer.
By far though, the star of the evening's meal were the wine pairings and the excellent service given by the Sommelier. At $65 for 5 courses, the pairings were a good value for their exquisite taste - they really did complement every course perfectly.
We will go back.5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMBest meal of the yearEverything was at an extraordinarily high level, including the service. Did the 4-course. Raviolini with lobster in a yummy sauce. Mussels with pork belly and fondue + other over the top high calorie delights - to die for. Splendid tenderloin with bacon. Tangerine tart for dessert. Lovely wine.
Wife had terrific duck, chocolate dessert..........
Not one miss. Worth every penny.
Just back from a "world-class" restaurant in Sao Paulo. Marcel's was as good or better every step of the way.5/29/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food, expensiveSeriously, this place is amazing. We spent $400 on dinner for two with a bottle of wine. We did the five course tasting menu. If you're on a wine budget and you're not a connoisseur, ask the waiter for the type of wine you'd like and the price you don't want to exceed--(s)he'll likely have an excellent suggestion. Highly recommended, but be ready to spend the money. If you can help it, don't save it for a major occasion, just go when you can possibly spare the money.5/26/2013 12:00:00 AMSpecial Occasion made specialI booked on line and sent Marcels an email to let them know that I had booked for a birthday celebration. When we arrived the maitre de wished my fiance a happy birthday and the night just got better from there. We had the degustation menu and the wines were matched. It was a perfect night. I only wished I lived in Washington, so I could dine there more often.5/26/2013 12:00:00 AMA step back to a better timeThis restaurant is laid out for the comfort of its' guest. There is plenty of room between tables so you feel like your dining privately. All the gentlemen guest s wore jackets and ties. Everyone was dressed nicely. Not a baseball cap in sight, neither backward or forward. The wait staff was gracious and professional. This place is my new vavorite.5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMAmazing tasting menuIf you ever wanted to experience a meal that makes your taste buds come alive this is the place5/23/2013 12:00:00 AMBetter than...Better than any meal I've eaten- something special. The vichyssoise w/mint whipped cream was refreshing. I sampled the smoked salmon-- I didn't expect to like it, but loved it. The diver scallop was exquisite-- the lemongrass was a lovely contrast. The skate wing was well-prepared but underwhelming after the flavors preceding it. The bison with Cabernet reduction was delicious! Desserts: panna cotta w/blueberry pinot noir sorbet was phenomenal; chocolate mousse was a decadent combo of texture and flavor that represents a culinary mastery unmatched in my previous travels. Server-- delightful, attentive, knowledgeable. Marcel's should make a calendar-- charming men holding beautifully prepared dishes of food = art!5/23/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat place for a "splurge"Great place for a "splurge" meal. The highlights of the evening were the boudin blanc, Marcel's signature dish, and a lovely roasted quail.5/22/2013 12:00:00 AMGood, but not that goodFlexible menu is a good idea. Food was good, but not outstanding. Watch out for some tables being drafty if opposite the air conditioning unit - ladies will need a wrap at least if seated there.5/21/2013 12:00:00 AMMarvelous Marcel'sCould not have been better. The service and food were outstanding-worth every penny. (And you will spend quite a few!). We both had the 4 course tasting menu and each dish was delicious. Would highly recommend and will return.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMA Place for Special OccasionThe food is good in general. One of the meat courses we picked could have served warmer.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMLovely brunch for Mother'sLovely brunch for Mother's Day, perfect pre-opera dining with very convenient car service to the Kennedy Center.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMWhat a lovely evening forWhat a lovely evening for a special occasion. Marcel's is fantastic! Definitely one of the top spots in DC.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMSit back and leave the restSit back and leave the rest to Marcel's! Attentive wait staff, not overbearing. We enjoyed every aspect of our meal, from the meal choices to wine smartly paired to our courses. Surprisingly, upbeat atmosphere where one could have thought it to be quite stuffy. Eclectic, international staff added more color to the evening. Expensive, but, worth the experience.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMOutstanding service!We went for dinner at Marcel's for my son's college graduation celebration. The food was amazing, especially the seared sea scallop, the dover sole and the special dessert that evening; a carrot cake souffle with cream cheese ice cream and goat cheese caramel sauce. I don't typically like goat cheese but this was so amazing!! Dinner was very expensive but felt it was worth it because not only was the food very delicious, the service was impeccable! Typcially, this kind of restaurant would have not treated our table as well as other tables because, other than college students, there were only 2 women at the table. It was nice to see they didn't "stereotype" us and gave us superior service.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful in every wayI have been back to Marcel's numerous times and every occasion has been nearly perfect. The service is impeccable and the food is delicious. I would highly recommend it for a special evening or for out of town guests.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMMarcel's always excels!The service was impeccable, and the food excellent and no course was heavy.
It is my favorite restaurant in Washington. Dr. Jocelyn Hicks-Brody5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat for pre theater. theyGreat for pre theater. they will take you to the Kennedy Center after dinner then pick you up after the show. Great meal. I will go again.5/8/2013 12:00:00 AMBest Meal We've Ever HadOur dinner at Marcel's was one of the most incredible dining experiences we've ever had. Amazing service, and the food was exquisite; every course!5/7/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat pre-show dinner!They have a special menu for those heading out to a show at the Kennedy Center and they keep track of the time for you, making sure that you get to enjoy your divine multi-course dinner and make it to your show on time. The food was superb and our waiter was extremely attentive (gave my mom a free glass of wine!) and friendly.5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMExceptional gourmet experienceAmazing menu, with wide variety of choices, all exceptionally prepared, served with finesse and paired with wonderful wine choices recommended by the wine steward. A memorable evening. Money well spent.5/5/2013 12:00:00 AM25th Wedding AnniversaryThe chef wrote Happy 25th Anniversary in chocolate on our dessert plates. A very special touch. My present is to come back to Marcels at least once every year.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMOne of best in DCFound this listed online as one of the best and it truly is. Of the three I went to while I was there, I would put this at the top. Fine french dining. Need I say more! I will definitely return.5/1/2013 12:00:00 AMMarcel's ReviewThe food was great and the chef's tasting menu was amazing. What made the occasion perfect was the service. We started the night Rebecca and later she had to leave so Ihsan took over our table. Both were amazing and really made the evening for us. The food is pricey but certainly worth it for a special occasion.5/1/2013 12:00:00 AMInnovative, excellent!There were four of us for dinner, and we chose the six-course dinner. Highlights were the cocktails, tartare three ways, foie gras, mussels, oysters, lobster ravioli, flounder, bison, beef tenderloin, and the carrot cake souffle! The menu is interesting, as is the method of choosing. You can choose a 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-course menu, and any of the choices can be from any category! Hungry eaters can select all the entrees if they want to; light eaters can choose six or seven appetizers. Whatever the choices, the food was excellent; beautifully plated and served.4/30/2013 12:00:00 AMMy husband and I went to Marcel'sMy husband and I went to Marcel's while in DC from Seattle. Since we are from out-of -town we didn't really know what to expect. Both of us were pleasantly surprised. The staff was helpful, friendly, and attentive. The food was all beautifully presented, creative in composition, and delicious. We so not usually splurge on dinner the way you have to at Marcel's but it was worth every dollar. They really earned it.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMThe quiet, serene atmosphereThe quiet, serene atmosphere is wonderful for a quiet high level business meal i.e., 2-3 Board members; a significant date; a romantic evening. It covers that broad gamut very well. Service is attentive but not intrusive. The food is delicious and the variety significant.4/23/2013 12:00:00 AMMarcel's is a great restaurant.Marcel's is a great restaurant. The food is always wonderful, and sometimes a revelation. The atmosphere is elegant without being cold, and the service is refined and precise, but not aloof or off-putting. In short, this is a restaurant we want to return to again and again.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMJonathan, our waiter, wasJonathan, our waiter, was amazing and it made for one of better meals that I have had in DC. Every one of my courses was unique and extremely nice on my taste buds. The only thing keeping me from a 5-Star rating is that I thought it was quite expensive - particularly the wine list. It was a great place to take my fiancee for her birthday dinner, but this place will be saved only for the special and intimate nights in the future.4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMEverything was perfect forEverything was perfect for my husband's birthday. I have never been to a restaurant with a tasting menu that was so flexible. You could choose whichever items you wanted to get up to the number of courses you selected, and my husband and I didn't have to do the same thing. Most tasting menus are so rigid - it was a delight to have so much freedom! I definitely recommend Marcel's.4/15/2013 12:00:00 AMWent on a Monday night andWent on a Monday night and had the seven course tasting menu. The food was all amazing. The service started out fantastic, but became slower as the meal progressed. The last two courses (cheese and dessert) were both delayed. They both tasted great and the meal ended on a good note food wise, though not time wise.4/15/2013 12:00:00 AMWe went for my friend's birthday.We went for my friend's birthday. The food was delightful but they nickel and dimed us for everything. Not to mention they tried shoving champagne down our throats as if there was nothing else to drink without alcohol.Of course you go in knowing that this establishment is very costly, but with every small item there was a large price. I'd go back again but only for special occasions.4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMFood and service were outstanding.Food and service were outstanding. We had 5 course tasting menu. The lamb, halibut and duck were our favorites.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMoutstanding service. Madeoutstanding service. Made the price of the meal worth it. Very special occasion place4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was simply delicious.The food was simply delicious. Some nice twists on familiar items. The three fish tartar was exceptional. The staff was a bit mechanical and somewhat busy behaving but still professional. The food came out hot although was once a long lag time between courses. If you love eating very tasty small dishes, this is you place! Very pricy but worth it on special occassions. Enjoy.4/7/2013 12:00:00 AMI was a little dissappointedI was a little dissappointed with the food, but over all a great experience.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMThis is a terrific restaurant.This is a terrific restaurant. We had the seven course tasting menu. You can construct your own menu from a choice of four or five offerings under each category and you can order different dishes from your dining companions--you just must order the same number of courses. What a great concept versus having to accept whatever is offered. Each dish was outstanding. Wines by the glass are excellent and very affordable. Will definitely return.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful Special Occasion ExperienIt was a special occasion and Marcel's lived up to the task! Wonderful food - special presentation - spectacular service. Always a pleasure! Expensive but worth it - totally worth it.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMFood was delicious. A greatFood was delicious. A great place for Easter brunch. Service was very attentive.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMPricy, but worth it for aPricy, but worth it for a special occasion. Impeccable service.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMThis is my second visit.This is my second visit. Johnathan was our liason for the evening and we had the 4/5 course tasting menu. Everything was fabulous. We'll be back!!3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful experience and Jonathan,Wonderful experience and Jonathan, our head waiter, was marvelous!3/24/2013 12:00:00 AMI have been often to Marcel'sI have been often to Marcel's and have been disappointed. The food is both superb and imaginative. The service is excellent and this time, due to theater ticket time constraints, they served a three course divine dinner.3/17/2013 12:00:00 AMSuperb AnniversaryWe couldn't have asked for a greater night out to celebrate. Marcel's was attentive to every need and made every effort to accomodate us on our special night. Well worth every dollar spent.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AM