Address: 3000 M St
Phone: 202.625.2150

http://citronelledc.com

Traveler Reviews

It was wonderful...but....
Reviewed by A TripAdvisor Member on Sep 2, 2008


Okay, we had a great time. I was with my husband, we weren't working, so how can you have a lousy time right? The food was wonderful, again, I was with my husband. We did the 15 course with wine pair...yes, a lot of $$$$$$$$$$, but it's Michel Richard. Complaints?...well...both my husband and I are in the food industry. My one complaint was service. The backhand, the reaching across my husband to serve my food, or to replace silver. Servers specking in tones that I can hear.The wine pairing coming out minutes after the food served. Am I being picky? Well, no... I don't work at a 5 star, or for Michel, but the standards should ALWAYS be maintained.When guest are paying a lot of money or not, the service should always be the best. I was there on a Monday night (11-6-07,) yeah I know it took me sometime to write this review but I've been busy), our check was about $750.00. (for 2)All I'm saying is that as you read this, (as a server) just remember you should always been on your top game. I don't care if table three is an [--], I'm here to enjoy myself and have top notch service that goes along with the gourmand food, you didn't let me down, but guys, hey, I think I could wait you under the table. Anyway, will I be back? No, but only because threre are many other places I want to dine at. Would I tell my friends, YES.This is only constructive criticism.Hopefully you'll put your helmet on and get back in the game. Even I need someone to kick my butt, just to remind me what I'm doing. Cheers!

Stil the best in DC
Reviewed by A TripAdvisor Member on Aug 5, 2008


We went to Citronelle on a Monday in early August (my husband's birthday). We were the second couple there at 6 (only time we could get because I forgot to reserve till late July) but by the time we left it was full. Not bad in a recession of sorts. [I was worried after reading the recent reviews and after our bad experience at Richard's Central (see my review). However, dinner was great and so was the service. Still the best in DC. Now, you might expect Central and Citronelle to be night and day, given that the latter bill was 3X that of the former. Well, yes, but. But the food at Central was reallt too fatty and salty. We mentioned the bad experience to the Citronelle sommelier...saying that the Central fried chicken was a zero compared to the amuse of fried chicken lollypop. He looked concerned, and said "they are supposed to be the same...improper execution!" Indeed. Hope they check out what's hapening.] Anyway, sorry for the digression. At Citronelle, we had a nice table up on the little balcany (one we'd actually had previously on a Thanksgiving). It has a nice view into the kitchen and was very quiet. We chose an excellent 2004 1er Cru Puligny Montrachet on the recommendation of the sommelier, who helped us choose between a few bottles (not choosing the most expensive!). We also chose the $105 pp 3-course dinner, with add-on supplements for the abalone appetizers and my husband's lobster. The abalone was to die for. Delicious caviar cream sauce, tender abalone, clever tricolor pasta for color. The lobster was cooked with Chinese spices...I did not get a taste! My skate with crab mousse was light and very good--incredibly tender skate. We shared a cheese course and a dessert...the celebration cake was big and extravegant but very flavorful and we ate it all! Service was attentive and helpful, with nice added touches such as a bit of dessert wine for the cake. Total for food--$263, wine--$180; with tax and tip about $600. In all, a great dinner and such a relief that Citronelle still seems to be a reliable choice for top quality dining in DC. We made out Thanksgiving reservations!

worthwhile
Reviewed by A TripAdvisor Member on Jun 21, 2008


We were here on a Thursday and it was full but not crowded. The atmosphere was about the only thing that wasn't five-star- very unremarkable dining area with a view to the kitchen. The entry through either the bar or hotel was also less than superb but I understand that the food is the attraction. We ordered the 9 course tasting and my spouse got the wine pairing, I passed on that because I can't drink that much alcohol and I'm more interested in California wines. It was a nice compliment to the meal, however. The service was impeccable. The presentation of the food was exquisite and whimsical. We genuinely enjoyed all nine courses and the bread with the exception of two of the selections on the cheese plate. We're light eaters and found that it really was quite a bit of food and probably should have skipped the bread. For a special evening out, I'd recommend this but only if planning to stay for 2-3 hours and try the chef's tasting menu. It really is an experience. If you're just going for a nice dinner, the atmosphere and price are probably drawbacks here. I didn't think it was a stuffy place- they do have jackets available and they're not snooty about fitting one as they did for the party in front of us. It actually seemed fairly relaxed for this quality of food and service. We live 500 miles from restaurants of this quality, so we were very pleased!

Sadly, not the fine dining experience we had expected
Reviewed by A TripAdvisor Member on Jun 7, 2008


Four of us booked a table at Citronelle on a very busy Friday evening. The place was buzzing but pleasant, as was the service we received. The food, however, did not meet the expectations we had for "Washington D.C.'s top-rated restaurant." We all ordered a variety appetizers and entrees from the ala carte menu. The mosaic surf and turf was gorgeously presented and really very nice. A big disappointment was the lobster beluga pasta--which was heavy with a salty butter flavor that overwhelmed the lobster. Overall our menu choices were nicely done but not memorable and certainly not at a price that would invite a second visit to see if we had just hit the restaurant on a bad night.

Food does not merit the price
Reviewed by A TripAdvisor Member on May 31, 2008


There are many reviews on here that go into detail on the food served at Citronelle, so I will not reiterate them. Suffice it to say that it's all competently served up by a wait staff that seems to have seen it all and is just going through the motions. While all the food is excellent to outstanding, there is a certain quality that is missing from this place. It's almost as if the patrons in the restaurant are just trying a little too hard to have a good time no matter what. The appearance of the room is certainly dull with the exception of watching the lively kitchen. The sommelier initially was recommending wines in the $250-$300 range (not uncommon on this list). I demurred and he recommended one that was $80...a relative bargain. Not bad, but the markup was more than double. In a word, I would say that Citronelle 'strives' to live up to the expense of $200 a person, but falls short by yards and yards. Cityzen or Il Mulino are two much better choices, but to each their own.