Lafayette Restaurant

We were there for a birthday brunch. It was pretty busy and we understand if the service and food would be slower than normal. It took half an hour for the server to come to take a drink order. The server served the bread and we had to ask for the butter 3 times. It took another half an hour for the server to come back to take the food order. We understood that they were busy so we order only 4 simple entreé. We waited for about an hour and we still did not receive the food while other 4 tables around us came after us and they got their food before us and they almost finished their foods. The server clearly didn't care about our table and never come to explain what happened to our food. It was almost 2 hours at the restaurant and we received a terrible service with no food. We decided to cancel all the order. The server didn't even apologize for what happened. He gave the excuse saying that it was slow because we didn't order the appetizer and the entreé would take longer to cook. This is the dumbest excuse I've ever heard. It doesn't matter what we ordered, other 4 tables got all their foods even they order after us. This is ridicurous. I used to recommend people I know to visit this restaurant but I think it's time to recommend the other places with better service and way better food.

We had a beautiful dinner at The Lafayette. The atmosphere elegant, the food was wonderful, and the service was excellent!

The ambiance and service were first class, as were the surroundings. The food was, well, meh, except for the creme brulee which was outstanding. I had the chicken which was very bland and just your basic baked style, the branzino was way too lemony. My drink, however, "first but not last " grey goose, lemon juice, and lavender syrup was delicious. Don't think we'll be back.

The most lovely dining experience for my Mother’s birthday! Staff was excellent and very friendly and attentive. The food was amazing! All around the best experience!

Amazing restaurant and service! We love coming here!

We were celebrating my daughter’s 21st birthday. It was my first time back since the pandemic. The dining room is lovely and peaceful. The service staff is by far the best in Washington, D.C. I specifically requested a view of the White House but was denied by the hostess even though the dining room was empty when we arrived. The Chef sent out Amuse Bouche before we ordered. Lovely. The menu seems slight compared to past menus. Beef Wellington is, of course, missing. The desserts are extraordinary. It seems this is the chef’s specialty. The pear soufflé seemed higher, lighter and more lovely than I’ve ever experienced. The sugar lace work on the chocolate dessert is extraordinary. I’d recommend a coffee, cup of tea or after dinner cocktail. The bar always gets it right or pop down to Off The Record to continue the evening. Always a pleasure to dine here. Dining with a view is even better.

Fancy fun brunch

Geo is the best!

Celebrated my 60th birthday here and could not ask for a better experience!

Ambiance was stellar. Wait staff was attentive and well trained. Overall a superb romantic dinner for us.

Our dinner and the atmosphere were very good indeed. The menu is not as extensive as it used to be, but still there were excellent choices. My only caveat is that the wait staff, when not busy, gather at the entrance and they talk loudly among themselves when they should be discreet.

Wonderful!

Beautiful setting, amazing food, fantastic service

Great service, good food but you’re definitely paying for upscale ambiance. we made the mistake of thinking this was a casual brunch place. It is very fancy

The main reason we wanted to eat at the Lafayette was because of the spectacular views on the 9th floor dining area. Unbeknownst to us, that location was only temporary during COVID. As a result, the dining area is on the lower main floor with absolutely no views of anything. The place is pretty pricey and the only reason to pay the high prices was the location/view. Since they moved downstairs, we won’t be eating there any longer. It was good while it lasted!

Luxurious atmosphere, outstanding food. Service is slightly slower than perfect, but an outstanding experience overall.

The staff is excellent. The food was really outstanding. My only (minor) issue was the menu is very limited. There are a few small plates for appetizers, a few entrees and a couple of desserts. It is a small restaurant and very quiet. If you want to speak confidentially, this is NOT the place. I happened to be eating alone, and I couldn't help but follow all of the conversations around me. I really wasn't doing it deliberately, and I did resist the temptation to comment, but just beware, voices carry.

By the way, HB245 will die in committee. Don't ask me how I know. I just know. (That's a joke.)

Expected a bit more professionalism from the staff. Not too attentive fir the first half hour nor throughout dinner. Seemed to be preoccupied. Was there for a birthday and we had to ask after desserts were brought if they remembered it was a birthday dinner? They said yes and then had a trumpet player which was lovely but the fact we had to orchestrate it and then others didn’t really rally and join, just seemed odd.
When our food arrived, the server didn’t explain the dish and set it down with patience. All seemed rushed and a bit sloppy fir a fine dining experience.
Same place for breakfast and lunch - service was casual which was expected. Seems like the staff works all day and night and evening dining experience suffers.
Food was delish.

Incredible experience, wonderful service and unforgettable food. This made for a wonderful last night in D.C.

Great restaurant to enjoy special occasions. Would recommend to anyone.

Am blessed to dine here quite frequently...and the food and service are always impeccable. You can't find a finer establishment in the nation's capital...and there is no better location.

Great ambiance, delicious food and wonderful service

We went for Sunday brunch to celebrate my Mom's birthday and I could not have been more pleased with the experience! The food was delicious. We got the mushroom omelet and the crab cakes benedict. I highly recommend both dishes! They also brought out a delicious tiramisu. I don't usually like tiramisu but this was an exception! In addition to great food, the service was impeccable! Everyone was so kind and helpful. Finally, go to the roof to see the incredible views of the White House! By far the best view in the city!

Amazing food and ambience, very expensive though.

Was expecting to sit on rooftop. When we arrived found out it was closed for a private party. Very disappointing as my daughter selected it purposely for her engagement announcement.

Food was great, service absolutely amazing, but WE COULD NOT GO TO THE ROOFTOP!!! I made the reservation based on the pictures on open table and Instagram but the restaurant is not on the rooftop, you can go there to see the view, but not always.

Amazing food and nice service! Highly recommend!!!

We had an8pm reservation on a Thursday, and we were the last table seated.
The wait staff is impeccably trained however, we were rushed to place our order(before cocktails), the first course arrived in moments after the cocktails, the main course far from properly spaced.
The waiter made a few errors in the order, nothing material , but was annoying.
Food was absolutely perfect, coffee and desert perfect.
We are from out of town and will come again but they need to understand even if you are the last table you should be treated like the first.

Wonderful experience for an elegant and memorable birthday celebration. From the gracious and helpful reception in the classy lobby of the Hay Adams Hotel, to the friendly and competent bartender, Martin, in the iconic Off the Record bar, to being immediately seated at our appointed reservation time at a quiet and separate table. The service was knowledgable and expert. From wines, amuse bouche, to main course to the elegant deserts plus a birthday Napoleon with candle. Hit all the notes I wanted for a classy celebration. Memorable. We will return.

A gastronomic experience. A must rest to go!

Lafayette Room does not yet have its magnificent brunch buffet back, presumably due to Covid. But it is still a lovely venue for Sunday brunch. The menu is good, food is good, waitstaff very competent and professional. Be aware that 16 th St is torn up and you have to approach from the White House side.

Was looking forward to a nice Sunday breakfast with my family based on the reviews. Unfortunately, had a very disappointing experience, server was extremely rude and off putting. Would not recommend and will never go back. Plenty of other restaurants in DC who value their customers and treat them with respect. This is not one of them.

What a disappointment our visit to The Lafayette at The Hay Adams was. I've lived in DC for nearly ten years, and I had yet to visit The Lafayette (though I'd been several times to Off the Record). Despite the reputation The Hay Adams has and my prior experiences at their underground speakeasy, brunch at The Lafayette was shockingly poor (both objectively, as well as compared to the relative status of the hotel).
The Food: decidedly mediocre and subpar to expectations
- the bloody mary was poorly mixed (separated) and hardly seasoned
- the poached egg on the crab cake benedict was entirely unsalted and tasted extremely watery
- the crab cake on the crab cake benedict was mushy and the quality you would expect from the freezer aisle (edible, but not remotely worth the cost at the restaurant)
- the cherry souffle looked and tasted like the chef was giving it their very first go and hadn't made a souffle before; the top didn't rise, the inside was undercooked and wet far beyond "moist", and the taste was pretty bland.

The service was also inattentive and slow. Given our experience, I would discourage people from eating here, as there are myriad other restaurants in the district with views of the city/WH, better service, and decent-tasting food for the same cost.

Amazing. A wonderful place to come with a date. My boyfriend and I are in our early twenties and wanted somewhere super nice for brunch that was also not a million dollars. Great quality food, great service, and it truly felt like such a special experience. 10/10 would recommend for people who love tea, good breakfast, and a great, upscale atmosphere.

We had a wonderful tone at The Lafayette! The food was delicious, and the service was superb!

Great food and great staff service. Everything was delicious and provided a great backdrop to celebrating a friend's board certification. Very accommodating, professional and attentive.

Awesome experience. Dinner was excellent with tremendous service. And afterwards we got an impromptu tour of the hotel from George. Something we’ll never forget.

My favorite DC restaurant to relax and connect and enjoy fine dining. The service is impeccable and the staff thoughtful.

Good food, great service. I liked it better when the restaurant was relocated on the top floor.

The pictures are very misleading