Kingbird at The Watergate Hotel

We stayed at The Watergate hotel where we celebrated our anniversary at the King Bird last year around the same time and we had a fantastic experience and service. Unfortunately this year we cannot same the same. Our waiter was not very attentive and we had to flag him down multiple times for numerous items. His service was not on par with our experience from last year. The menu also drastically changed. We will not be returning to the King Bird.

Some of the staff needs basic training. They were with a few exceptions flummoxed with how to handle a customer using a wheelchair. The apparatus to lift a wheelchair or semi disabled customer was unfamiliar and therefore unusual when entering the restaurant. Different personal at departure were ready to operate it but based on entry inexperience, the customer was unsure this group could overcome the arrangement. Service at the table at first seemed to be overwhelmed and slow but picked up as the customer offered encouragement. The food and wine selected was quite good. Definitely more positive than negative but not certain with the wheelchair issue would be a repeat customer.

My only complaint with Kingbird was for me, getting from the dining room to the restroom. I'm 84 and don't see all that well. There were steps which looked like a black hole, so I took the ramp on my hands an knees as it seemed unsteardy to walk down with my cane. A little illumination on those steps would be welcome. Otherwise everything else was great!

Kingbird is probably one of my favorite places in the city. The food is excellent and the service is outstanding. Tuna tartar, the lobster appetizer, the excellent short ribs - all delicious. Fabulous craft cocktails.

I'd recommend Kingbird if you want/need to be near the Kennedy Center to attend a performance. You'll have great views of the river from one side of the restaurant. The food tries to be exceptional but isn't. Having dined at restaurants all over the world, this was the first time I was served burrata that didn't have a soft, creamy center. A huge piece of rockfish (white) was served on a white plate with white pasta on the side. Our server handed us the check before offering coffee.

It's impressive, yet casual. The food is good but a bit expensive.

It was nice. Service was great. Honestly, food was too over priced for the portions given.

Kingbird has become my "goto" place for special events or out-of-town guests. It is also terrific as a pre-Kennedy Center venue. The tuna tartar appetizer is outstanding. Their presentations are creative and delicious and the service is top notch.

Everything was wonderful! Check out the pre theater menu!

Waitress was inattentive. Had to flag someone to fill water glasses . Even had to request pen to sign bill

Kingbird is a very convenient place for a pre-theater dinner. I parked at the Kennedy Center and walked over. If it weren't a week night I probably would have walked back over after the show for a drink on the rooftop.
The food at Kingbird is delicious. I had the Dover sole, which had the perfect lemon caper sauce. My companion had the short rib, It too was very good, but I preferred the sole. The tuna tartare appetizer was wonderfully chilled and flavored perfectly.

Truly gourmet. Food was amazing! The Innovative flavors and ingredients you are well thought out and presented At a Michelin level.

The food was very good. The service was really bad. The wait staff were not able to answer questions about food, and were generally not around. We had to flag them down to check on order. The food it was very slow in arriving. We asked for the wine menu and they never returned to find out if we wanted any. So, we were able to ask him to bring us a bottle of wine after our food arrived. So it was really very surprising for restaurants of that caliber to have sleepy staff

The food was overpriced, the portions were small, the taste was bland, and the server was disingenuous. We won't be back again.

Everything was perfect. All I suggest is some soft music. Our reservation was at 6pm and it was very quiet but we enjoyed so much and will be back.

This was my first time having dinner at Kingbird and I must say, the food and overall dining experience was excellent!!! I love the decor and location! The wait staff was great as well! I will definitely visit again.

Wonderful ambience..valet parking was only $12 which was a great deal given we were attending an event at the Kennedy Center. Wait staff asked if we were attending the theater and ensured we were fed and on our way prior to the show. Only suggestion would be for the short cut offered to the Kennedy Center from their back exit would be to pave the walkway. It was a little difficult walking through grass with heels.

Food was superb and plated beautifully. We had: octopus and crab cake as appetizers. Our entrees were lamb chops and lobster spaghetti. For drinks we had Mon Ami/Watergate Sour. Dessert was cappuccino and Remy Martin. After our event, we returned to the Top of the Gate (rooftop bar) for a champagne nightcap. Wonderful evening from start to finish. Would definitely return.

It’s a fairly typical hotel restaurant, but the people are very good at what they do and there are certain parts of the seating that have views. Definitely a better hotel restaurant.

This was a disappointment. As the main restaurant of the prestigious Watergate Hotel, we expected more, but the food was unremarkable. The fish for the entrées was well cooked but the accompaniments and side dishes were bland and insipid. There is nothing here to tempt the taste-buds, the room lacked atmosphere and it was a damp squib. Very underwhelming.

Three of us had the pre-theater special. With a 6:15 pm reservation, we just made our 8 pm show at the Kennedy Center. The entrees--duck confit, dover sole and rockfish were outstanding, as were the sexy fries. The burrata/asparagus appetizer was quite good. However, the half maine lobster was really just one bite, which was accompanied by marinated fish, which was fresh, but a strange combination of flavors.

The unique cocktails were substantial, but a bit too unusual, e.g. hibiscus syrup which was too strong in the pineapple drink. The chocolate dessert was delicious, lavender creme brulee was average. The cherries jubilee was not lit at the table; the cherries were good, but completely saturated in alcohol.

The setting is very hip with comfortable chairs. The music emanating from the bar area was distracting, as it sounded like dance music.

Overall, the chef is really good as was the experience. But it does not feel like a fine dining experience. Wait staff were mediocre at best.

Cocktails and food were delicious!

Great service and lovely food just prior to a show at the Kennedy Centre. The restaurant even countered the show in. Highly recommended!

The American Rose is a MUST! Food was delicious and worth the drive into DC. Afterwards, we went upstairs to enjoy the views on the rooftop. Highly Recommend!

Great dining experience. Beef tartare and grilled salmon were wonderful. Service was excellent. Highly recommend and will dine there again

Even though we were there at a busy time, the staff was efficient and helpful and got us to the theater on time. The Pre-theater menu selection was wonderful with enough variety to be interesting.

Perfect evening. Pre theater dinner had wonderful choices. The desserts were divine. It was a fine dining experience without the clutter and frou frou.

We were celebrating our anniversary. Champagne was brought out to toast and an anniversary dessert as well. The food was delicious,our server was nice, professional,but fun too. It is a 4 minutes walk from here to the Kennedy Center so perfect for a show and dinner. We would definitely come back here.

Everything was good but this is a place you expect more than good. I don't think we'll be back.

Great before theater meal and $12 valet for the evening (just make sure you get your ticket stamped)

Great service & food.

Overall good but not great or special. Decor and location ideal for Kennedy Center!

All buffet options were delicious! Service was great. I highly recommend and will dine here again

Great food and service!

Sunday brunch buffet is the best!!

Wonderful staff, service and the food was divine.

Lamb was very fatty and was ordered medium rare but came rare. Veggies .. broccoli was over cooked. Wait staff was excellent and that is why I tipped what I did .. would not recommend as food was not good for the price.. 154.00 for dinner I should be full and happy when done dining. I was not full nor happy. I would recommend the hotel but would not recommend this restaurant.

Had a wonderful dinner before heading over for a show at K.C. Food was delicious and service was outstanding! Going to go back in a couple weeks before the next show!

Service is frustratingly slow and has been for some time; doesn't seem to be a perceived issue from management. The burger was very good, though most other items are fairly over-priced for a lunch portion. I continue to go for lunch because of proximity to my office.

Grandson’s birthday

I don't mind paying a premium price for premium food. Our lunch did not meet that criteria. Very disappointing birthday celebration.