The Dabney

Review summary

1. N

   Nicholas

   Washington DC

   10 reviews

   vip
   3.0

   10 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 5

   We had been here about a dozen times over the years, this was the worst experience yet. Having to provide a credit card to hold the table is never a problem for me. But when we arrive promptly on time after having a drink at a bar across the way because you have no bar we could sit at, then make us wait 20 minutes for a table, is unacceptable. The offer was to sit outside in the freezing cold at some tables in the entry way. The food this time was hit or miss, tasting menu was not the great experience we had in the past, couple that with the bad start to the evening and a $900 check, very disappointed. I think had they handled our 20 minute delay a bit better, I may have been able to overcome the mediocre food but we will never know. Our server was good, no issues there, very pleasant and helpful, wasn’t his fault. The hostess and management need to do a better job accommodating people and when you have 3-5 open seats at the bar, our table is late, you should seat us there for that time and at least provide us with a place to spend even more money. Not sure we will go back from a while after this.
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
2. R

   Ryan

   Washington DC

   22 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   22 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Excellent all around. Service is impeccable and the food superb.
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
3. J

   Joy

   Washington DC

   4 reviews

   5.0

   4 reviews

   Dined 5 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Outstanding- from the service, to the food to the atmosphere. Worth the expense. An experience!
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
4. N

   Nancy

   Hawaii

   3 reviews

   2.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 4

   I had high expectations for The Dabney, but unfortunately, the experience was far from enjoyable. Despite arriving on time, we waited over 40 minutes before any edible food was placed in front of us. Initially, the server blamed the delay on my request to substitute duck for pork as the main course, which makes no sense considering this had nothing to do with the five courses preceding the main dish. Later, the story changed, and the waiter claimed the delay was because they had just started a new menu this week and were still getting aligned. None of the dishes stood out, and the meal was so underwhelming that we didn’t even bother taking pictures of the food. I’m a big fan of Jônt and would happily pay more for their exceptional experience. Even El Cielo, which I’m not the biggest fan of, feels more on point when compared to The Dabney. Honestly, I would have been better off across the street at Unconventional Diner. The Dabney has a lot of work to do on both service and quality to justify its reputation.
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
5. K

   Karen

   Washington DC

   10 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   10 reviews

   Dined on 8 December 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   The succession of very small course were all delicious and presented in a beautiful way. It was fun seeing the hearth and the chefs creating each course. The service was unobtrusive and sometimes we wanted more explanation of dishes, as other waiters seemed to be giving to other tables. The sommelier helped us select our glasses of wine, and gave us a taste of those we were interested in. The ambience is warm and welcoming, if a bit noisy. Altogether, I recommend this highly for a celebratory dinner (it was my birthday) as it is amazing but pricey.
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
6. E

   Eleanor

   Washington DC

   4 reviews

   5.0

   4 reviews

   Dined on 7 December 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Delicious food, amazing service and staff, wonderful experience. Certainly pricey for the portions but each dish was carefully curated and mindfully sourced locally.
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
7. T

   Tania

   Cancun

   2 reviews

   vip
   2.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on 7 December 2024

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   We came back after 6 years. We had very high expectation. Chef is a disaster. He kept touching his face and nose and never washed his hands. Quality of food is very poor. The food is overpriced as the quality of an ex-Michelin ” star restaurant is just not there. We would never come back to it neither recommended to anyone. Don’t waste your money.
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
8. J

   Joey

   Hawaii

   4 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   4 reviews

   Dined on 7 December 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Food was amazing and the service was exceptional. Every server and
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
9. J

   Jon

   Washington DC

   13 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   13 reviews

   Dined on 7 December 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Another outstanding experience at The Dabney! Delicious and creative menu. Superb service from a knowledgeable team. The oyter pie was out of this world.
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
10. S

    Sangita

    Richmond

    8 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on 6 December 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4

    This was my husband’s 60th bday celebration. The waitress did nothing to make it special except put a candle in the dessert that we paid for. The table next to us got complimentary champagne to celebrate their birthday. I also requested on my reservation that I did not want to be seated in a high traffic area or near restrooms. We were seated near the hallway to restroom and where waitstaff entered dining room from kitchen. Very dissapointing. I went to Dabney years ago prior and had a much better experience. I would not recommend this restaurant for special occasions. The Inn at Little Washington does so much better to be acommodating and attentive to the guest. I will acknowledge that the server that was tall, lean, and with long earings was very good. When leaving the restaurant, someone asked how our experience was I told them that I was not happy that they did not do anything special for my husband’s 60th and she agreed that they should have but did nothing about it. We are foodies and are very dissapointed that after a $700 meal they could not give a complimentary glass of champagne but did so for the couple next to us!
    

    • 
    • 
    • 

    Is this helpful?

    Report