Best American Restaurants in Washington

We had a great experience at Proper 21 in DC! The food was delicious, and the service was excellent… our server was attentive and made sure everything was perfect. The highlight was the dessert. We tried the churro, and it was hands down one of the best we’ve ever had. It was crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and perfectly paired with creamy vanilla ice cream. If you’re in DC, Proper 21 is a must-visit for great food, excellent service, and unforgettable dessert!

I made reservations with OpenTable during Valentin's Day weekend. We came in and got seated immediately. Our server was Alexa. She was phenominal with giving suggestions for drinks, food, and specials. I got the heavenly eggs, and my fiance got collard greens dip. Excellent. I went with the chicken and specialty waffle of the month, which was red velvet. Crispy, flaky waffle, not overbearing seasoned chicken, and give you the option of whitw or dark meat with you waffles. I also had a side of yams and macaroni & cheese. My fiance got banana pudding waffles and a side of lobster mac. Everything was delicious. We got the special dessert, which was the Strawberry Trifle. So good. Not overly sweet. 10/10 recommend. Now I have got to find the number for them to cater my wedding!

I am vegan and the server had no problem making sure my meal was dairy-free and meat-free. She even told me there was fish broth in the Miso Soup, which I didn’t order due to her honesty. I think the restaurant should include the fish broth on the list of ingredients on the menu. Every ingredient should be listed when it comes to meat, diary or any spice with heat (cayenne, chili, etc.). Good food, good service. I have never had a bad meal here.

They have had since 1856 to perfect the art of service. They have not wasted a bit of that time. We had a server and he was fantastic. With that, the entire brigade worked as a fantastic machine and supported the goal of quick and perfect service for the guest. I have never had apps arrive so quickly at a restaurant before. I even threw another order in while ordering our main course and it was on the table 2 minutes later. The quality of the food is top notch as well. The roast beef sandwich had a bit of bite on it that was unexpected but definitely not unappreciated. As I was dinning with my 13 year old son tonight, I also appreciated the non alcoholic options on the drink menu. It was great to have a delicious option that wasn't a soda. Overall, this is a MUST for any visit to DC.

Great service in all parts of the experience, from accommodating a last-moment addition to the party, through explanation of menu items and seasonal specials, to expertly handling an unexpected spill. This places seems to every day earn its great reputation!