Federal City - Washington

The bearded bartender was one of the highlights of our visit to DC, but unfortunately, the food at the restaurant was inedible and the prices did not justify the poor quality. The service was prompt and the staff at the hotel bar were friendly.

The restaurant in the hotel lobby is currently undergoing renovations but the food and service are excellent. We dined in for two nights and also ordered desserts to-go to enjoy in our room. The Tijuana fries, burgers, pepperoni and sausage flatcakes, Calamari, and grilled Caesar salad were delicious on the first night. The second night, we tried the fried chicken-adobo sandwich, chicken quesadilla, tomato soup, crab and corn chowder, and chopped Cobb salad. The cheesecake and chocolate pot de creme were also a hit. Our favorite items were the Tijuana fries and cheesecake. I personally enjoyed the Caesar salad and Calamari, but the chopped Cobb salad was my favorite. The tomato soup and crab and corn chowder were also quite tasty. The Tijuana fries were a delightful combination of fries topped with cheese, guacamole, crema, salsa, and shredded beef. The Cobb salad was refreshing and delicious even without extra protein. The cheesecake was served in a lowball glass with a lemon graham crust, white chocolate cheesecake, and berries compote. It was not too hard or too sweet, just perfect. The Calamari was tender and crispy, and the grilled Caesar salad was interesting but really good. The portion sizes were generous, perfect for sharing or for a hearty meal. The staff was friendly, attentive, and welcoming. Although we didn't have any alcohol, the bar seemed busy. Overall, our meals were some of the best we've had on this trip.

I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of this hotel restaurant. The food was delicious and the service was efficient, unlike other hotel restaurants. The crab and corn chowder was exceptional and the Cobb salad was fresh and tasty. The fries were also good. The drinks were exceptional, perhaps the best I had in DC all weekend. I will definitely be adding this restaurant to my list of must-visit places in DC.

Best burgers in town. Yeah, I said that. Very strange to find the best burgers and bartenders in the lobby of a hotel. Bartender are very attentive and friendly.

Stopped after dinner around the block. We encountered the hardest working person in this Hilton Hotel. Van told us she was in training but handled the bar and several tables capably. She has a great sense of humor and pours a decent shot of tequila, even if their selection is limited. Wishing Van success!