Best Restaurants for People Watching in Washington DC

We usually go to the Willard’s Peacock Alley afternoon tea around the holidays but this year, when I went to book a reservation, there was no availability. So, I hunted around for an alternative, saw this, and decided we would give it a try. And we LOVED IT! The food was plentiful and delicious. The pastries were so beautifully and creatively made to reflect the Christmas season that I almost didn’t wast to eat them. It is also just a gorgeous place to have tea. The lobby where the tea is served is both grand and intimate. We were seated right by a big picture window. (Let’s be honest, there is a reason they call it Peacock Alley—you are basically sitting in a hallway making the experience at the Willard a bit claustrophobic.) And the service was OUTSTANDING! Everyone was so nice and attentive. (Although the service at the Willard is also generally good, it does feel a bit like a factory assembly line.) I almost don’t want to tell you how much we loved the whole experience because I don’t want it to get overrun like the Willard. The tea service at the Willard is still nice but I think we have found our new favorite place. Thank you to all the staff at the St. Regis for making it such a memorable experience!

Unfortunately, if you're reading this it's too late to indulge in a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. This is the second time in 65 years I've eaten Thanksgiving dinner in a restaurant and am I glad we ate here. I started with the beet and burrata salad, my husband had the gumbo. Both were fresh, generous portions with well balanced flavors. We both had the traditional dinner, other options were available. Turkey was moist and tender, mashed and sweet potatoes were perfect, as was everything else on the plate. And there was a lot!! I am not a fan of port wine anything and they were able to serve us whole cranberry sauce (minus the port). For dessert my husband had the apple crumble, served warm, with cinnamon ice cream. He was just going to taste it and finish it at home but once he started eating it, he had to eat it all. I had pumpkin pie, literally. A small pumpkin pie, with perfect filling in a buttery, crisp shell and whipped cream worth eating. And let me add, the service was every bit as good as the meal. Annie was professional and pleasant. Eat here, I doubt you'll be disappointed.

Food was excellent. I had the pork chop and it was amongst the best I’ve tasted. We had a party of 7 and they all had a variety of things and they were all happy. Bread basket is not to be missed.

I’ve eaten here in the past for lunch and it was fantastic. Ate dinner last night and it was again wonderful. Management on site to make sure everything goes perfectly. The service and wait staff are impeccable. The food is delicious and well prepared with a wide range of options. Very convenient in the Georgetown area and great for people watching with the tables upfront. 

One of the best restaurants in Arlington. Blackened mahi and the Ahi salad were both great. The only small complaint was we were in a small alcove that was pretty crowded and a little noisy. I was surprised Bistro Mele has no reservations for lunch but Circa was wide open. Probably the parking issue because both are comparable with quality and prices