The Occidental

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1. BK

   BradK

   Washington DC

   2 reviews

   1.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on May 8, 2021

   overall1food1service1ambience1

   Terrible. You took a booking for a restaurant that us closed You took a credit card deposit on a restaurant that is closed. Terrible service Open Table

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2. DD

   DD202

   Washington DC

   20 reviews

   vip
   1.0

   20 reviews

   Dined on May 1, 2021

   overall1food1service1ambience1

   Out of frustration, I leave a 1 Star review. I’m sorry that they have closed and that the phone number is out of service. They need to take Open Table offline and stop accepting reservations. The fact that they require a credit card to hold the reservation is absurd. I was unable to cancel the reservation and Open Table customer service was no help. I wish I had noticed that they were closed before I made the un-cancelable reservation. I hope they come back as they are a DC institution.

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3. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   New England

   2 reviews

   1.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on April 22, 2021

   overall1food1service1ambience1

   It wasn’t even open

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4. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Washington DC

   2 reviews

   vip
   1.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on April 12, 2021

   overall1food1service1ambience1

   This place is closed they need to update this site. I showed up for my reservation and it has been closed for covid.

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5. RH

   RobertH

   Washington DC

   7 reviews

   vip
   1.0

   7 reviews

   Dined on April 10, 2021

   overall1food1service1ambience1

   The restaurant takes reservations but isn’t open

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6. BL

   BrianL

   Washington DC

   3 reviews

   vip
   1.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on April 3, 2021

   overall1food1service1ambience1

   I made my reservation and it asked for my credit card which I gave. Arrived on time to find out that the Occidental had been temporarily closed for a long time (pandemic?). So I looked like an idiot showing up with the guest I was hosting. Thanks Open Table. Thanks Occidental. And still they asked me how my experience was? Well my guest was not pleased. I was embarrassed. We were both left standing outside in the cold in downtown DC. Whose fault is this?

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7. D

   Daphny

   New Orleans

   6 reviews

   2.0

   6 reviews

   Dined on October 31, 2020

   overall2food2service3ambience1

   Very limited menu

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8. MS

   MarkST

   Washington DC

   37 reviews

   vip
   3.0

   37 reviews

   Dined on March 14, 2020

   overall3food2service5ambience5

   I love the history, what a place. But, at least the night we were there, Saturday, March 14, early virus hysteria, the food was forgettable. Very sad. I've had excellent food there in the past. But on 03/14 my family and I had an entirely mediocre, if expensive, dinner.

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9. LL

   LindaL

   Washington DC

   2 reviews

   4.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on March 11, 2020

   overall4food4service5ambience4

   Always have a good meal here. Classic traditional DC vibe.

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10. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 11, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    So good. Great experience.

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11. TJ

    TJH3

    Washington DC

    23 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on March 7, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Great meal before the National Theatre show. Highly recommend for an outstanding meal.

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12. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New England

    3 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 7, 2020

    overall1food1service1ambience3

    My server was really rude. Didn’t bring us bread yet brought to other tables. His colleague told him we had asked for something. Our server, on his way walking towards us, rolled his eyes and sighed. The food was honestly was not good either.. For the value, I could go somewhere else with better service. Great ambiance, just had my mood ruined

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13. JB

    JoeB

    Washington DC

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on March 3, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Tasty food. Convenient to the theatre. We will be back!

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14. P

    Patsy

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 3, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Service was great. Our waiter was charming, funny and knowledgeable. The food was fresh and perfectly prepared.

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15. W

    Wine4me

    Washington DC

    89 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    89 reviews

    Dined on March 3, 2020

    overall4food5service4ambience5

    Had fabulous meals for lunch. We all did specials, shrimp por’ boy was great! Restaurant wasn’t too busy, maybe 1/3 full. Service was OK but not as attentive as expected. Spoke to manager, very appreciative of feedback, definitely will return.

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16. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    45 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    45 reviews

    Dined on March 1, 2020

    overall5food4service1ambience4

    **UPDATE** Upon my initial review management was quick to contact my to resolve the issue. I was very impressed with their willingness to reach out and apologize and this quick effort will keep me coming back as a regular patron which makes me happy considering the food is so good. Pros - Food and atmosphere Cons - Service. Our server (an older Italian man) was very blunt and crass. He was incredibly slow in taking our drink orders and delivering them. However the most disappointing part of the night which really ruined my experience was when I ate a dish he told me was “very spicy” during the order process and when it came very bland I asked him why and he said “Oh yeah I noticed that they didn’t add the pepper to it and I asked and they said they were out of it”. So I responded “well why didn’t you tell me that before delivering the dish I would’ve ordered something else”. He then said “uh, yeah sorry”. Then he had the audacity to charge me for the dish on my bill!! I really want to like this restaurant but unless I hear back from management I doubt I’ll be back again.

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17. S

    Sandy

    Richmond

    31 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    31 reviews

    Dined on March 1, 2020

    overall3food3service4ambience2

    We went for our 40th wedding anniversary. I ordered the Norwegian salmon which was so so. My husband had the French onion soup and roasted bobo poussin which he enjoyed. The wine was good. The dessert was a linder torte which was pretty heavy and very average. There were free refills on the lemonade. No mention was made of our anniversary and nothing special was done.

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18. MC

    MichaelC

    New York Area

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 24, 2020

    overall4food5service3ambience5

    The food was terrific. But the side did not arrive on time. The manager took the cost off the bill. This was a gracious act. Our server was in training. He had difficulty answering questions about the food. Would have been better if he just honestly said "I haven't tried that, but I can get more information for you.". Overall, it was a good experience!

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19. AZ

    AntenehZ

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 23, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Had a great time! The food was so great!!! Definitely will go back. It is a little pricy, so definitely not a regular night out, it has to be for a date, occasion, etc.

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20. a

    amateurfoodies

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 21, 2020

    overall3food3service4ambience4

    Service was great, a little slow for an early dinner but very professional. The ambiance was great, with photos and portraits covering the walls. The food was unremarkable with fairly small portions on the fixed price menu, but it was fresh and well prepared.

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21. L

    Lorena

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 21, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    This spot is classic! Our waiter was so friendly and attentive and of course the food was delicious. We got the pre theatre menu and it was perfect.

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22. HD

    HelenD

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on February 19, 2020

    overall4food4service3ambience4

    Took an awfully long time to get our food but otherwise the food was good. the waiter who offered to validate our parking did not disclose that a fee would be added to the bill. He also was careless and didn’t put the full stamp on our parking ticket (a key piece with a number was missing) so the valet refused to honor it. So beware! Parking came to $38 with the $10 bucks added to our bill plus full cost of valet

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23. BN

    BobN

    Washington DC

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on February 18, 2020

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    The crab soup was flavorful and devine. The ravioli very good, but not as eye-watering as the soup - as the soup knocked me over with its flavor. The service and ambience superb.

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24. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    5 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on February 16, 2020

    overall4food4service3ambience4

    Service was not at the expected level. New York Streep was excellent

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25. M

    Markie

    Washington DC

    11 reviews

    3.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on February 15, 2020

    overall3food2service4ambience4

    Service was good and atmosphere was nice but food quality was only fair. Expectation was much higher than provided.

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26. AP

    AnthonyP

    Chicago

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 15, 2020

    overall3food4service3ambience3

    Sadly, I would not recommend this restaurant for Valentine’s Day. The menu was prefix. I like having more choice. And, our experience was that service was extremely slow. Indeed, we had to ask multiple times for assistance, bread service, drinks, order taking, etc. In someways, it appeared we were forgotten. And, for at least two courses, we received the wrong dish. The prefix menu was $100 per person. That cost is high considering the service. Our past experiences have been outstanding. That is why we chose this restaurant. additionally, our advice is to reserve seating in the main dining room on the ground floor. The Valentine’s Day seating was on the second floor and packed in tightly. Thank you.

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27. SH

    StephanieH

    Nashville

    20 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on February 14, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Fantastic meal and service!

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28. A

    Adriana

    Washington DC

    36 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    36 reviews

    Dined on February 14, 2020

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    Came here for Valentine’s Day and it was great

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29. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on February 14, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great Valentines Dinner! For a last minute reservation the Occidental was great! Great setting, amazing food, awesome service! Thanks!!!

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30. J

    Jeanine

    Washington DC

    5 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on February 14, 2020

    overall3food3service3ambience4

    Slow service. Undercooked meat!

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31. MH

    MiscHuman

    New England

    42 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    42 reviews

    Dined on February 9, 2020

    overall3food5service2ambience4

    Most of the complaints about the Occidental on this and other sites seem to focus on weak service. Our experience mirrored that. We were seated quickly, and found the restaurant clean, comfortable, and pleasantly-appointed. The photos of various customers from over the decades gave us a fun pass time of playing “who is that?” Our server was an older fellow with a distinctive mustache, a jovial manner, and an accent that may have been Italian. We ordered wine, and it was exceptional, and worth the not-inconsequential price. We placed our orders, and the appetizer arrived, was enjoyed, and its remains taken away. Then we waited. And waited some more. The server did not come by to explain or even notice that our food was so long in coming. Eventually, the food was served; it was cool, which makes me think that the kitchen had finished it in a timely fashion, but the waiter had forgotten about it. Our entrees were still delicious, despite being less-than-hot, but the fries were stone cold and inedible. We got the attention of another server (ours was missing in action, as per usual), and they quickly got us some hot fries. At the end of the meal, our waiter delivered the bill, and a final insult: inverting the wine bottle to dump the dregs in my glass. It is a shame that a restaurant with such excellent food and wine allows such incompetent servers to undermine the experience.

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32. KK

    KevinK

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 9, 2020

    overall1food3service1ambience1

    Service was terrible. Food was delayed. Side dishes not served until the entrees. Drink order we had to wait for 10+ minutes after being seated. Table location was jammed in a corner that made it difficult to get out of the chairs. I’ve never had a disappointing experience there like this. Very out of character but this was substandard service all the way.

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33. I

    Indydiner

    Indiana

    134 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    134 reviews

    Dined on February 7, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Food and service were amazing

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34. VD

    VetnonD

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 6, 2020

    overall5food5service4ambience5

    Good service. Great food in a relaxed seating

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35. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 6, 2020

    overall2food3service2ambience3

    Some dishes like the scallops and crab cakes were tremendously good. The pineapple cheesecake was terrible. Bitter. The short ribs were very good the sauce on the pork chop was really off. Limited menu selection. The service was below average; they paid attention at all the wring times. Have been coming here once or twice a year for many years. It has emotional meaning for me but there are much better ways to spend $100+ per diner for a meal. I am sorry to say I won’t be going back.

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36. FI

    FoodieInBoston

    Washington DC

    38 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    38 reviews

    Dined on February 5, 2020

    overall3food3service2ambience4

    Beautiful atmosphere. Small booths. Server never arrived so we flagged someone down and he was reluctantly transformed into our server because the other was tied up. Slow to get drinks, slow to get food. My friend had ordered the french onion soup, but was brought the same appetizer I'd ordered, the ravioli. It was delicious, but hadn't been their choice. Their salmon was under-sauced/dressed so it tasted fishy and not very special, but no problem getting more sauce brought out. My scallops were delicious but the lentils they were served over were a bit undercooked. Delicious pinot gris. For the money, I'd make another choice next time.

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37. VV

    VisitingfromVirginia

    Washington DC

    25 reviews

    4.0

    25 reviews

    Dined on February 1, 2020

    overall4food5service2ambience5

    The ambiance is fun, and the location is excellent -- very close to National Theater. The food was tasty and well-prepared, but the service was surprisingly slow and inattentive.

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38. BG

    BetsyG

    Washington DC

    1 review

    vip
    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 1, 2020

    overall1food1service1ambience3

    PreTheater Dinner, which they did not have on Saturday. The experience was a C-, or D. Shocked!

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39. m

    malc

    San Antonio

    29 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on January 24, 2020

    overall3food5service5ambience1

    Food is very good. My wife and I had dinner at the Occidental twice in three days.

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40. CL

    CharlesL

    Washington DC

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on January 23, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    My recent experience at the Occidental was much improved--a different and more appealing menu and excellent/fantastic service by Chanel!

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