Best Restaurants for Groups in Washington DC

Filomena celebrates every holiday with exuberance! Christmas did not disappoint. The decorations are over the top as they do with every holiday!!! I have been here three times now, experienced three holiday themes and my third meal. Today I had the Agnolotti Alla Carbonara and added chicken and for dessert Filomena Cannoli. Sooooo delicious! I have never been disappointed by the food, service or portion sizes when I visit. Today was no different! Chef’s Kiss 😘

A great dining experience combines excellent food, impeccable service, and a pleasant atmosphere. Here are key elements that contribute to an exceptional dining experience: 1.Ambiance: A well-designed setting with comfortable seating, suitable lighting, and pleasant background music creates a welcoming atmosphere. 2.Attentive Service: Friendly and knowledgeable staff who anticipate needs without being intrusive make guests feel valued and cared for. 3.Quality Food: Fresh, flavorful dishes prepared with attention to detail and beautifully presented leave a lasting impression. 4.Personalization: Customizing recommendations or adapting dishes to dietary preferences enhances the experience. 5.Pacing: A smoothly paced meal, with just the right time between courses, ensures a relaxed and enjoyable experience.

Went for Christmas dinner. Foggy Bottom was one of the two locations that had the a’ la carte menu which was why I picked the location. It was a little crowded waiting for our reservation time and they were behind but we expected that and didn’t mind. There were three of us and we all were happy with our meals. We had wings and the corn bread skillet for appetizers. The wings were really good. I’m not a fan of corn in my cornbread but it still tasted good. I had fried shrimp with fries, coleslaw and corn bread. The shrimp and fries were really good. The coleslaw was a little blah. Our other two diners had a platter with ribs, cheeseburger sliders and fried chicken and coleslaw. They both loved theirs but also were not fans of the coleslaw. The staff was friendly and professional and fast. We enjoyed talking to them and the two different sets of patrons sitting beside us. We had a great Christmas dinner despite it not being an “traditional” Christmas dinner and would come back again.

Went for the Christmas Day Brunch and Dinner buffett as something different for achristmas this year. The food was great. Only complaint was that they needed to have larger plates of some of the featured meats so they didn't empty so quickly. They also had items from the kitchen that were walked around and offered by staff frequently. The wait staff and management team were incredibly attentive and friendly. The noise level was very loud, but that should be expected when a place is that busy, especially with a lot of families or groups of friends sitting around several tables. Overall, a great choice as a deviation from a normal Christmas breakfast.

Christmas Eve dinner at OEG is a 24-year tradition for my daughter and me. As always, the food was awesome. My daughter and I were quite surprised and disappointed by the lackluster greeting and overall experience when we walked in. The word "dismissive" comes to mind. Because our previous experiences were fabulous, I will look at this visit as a "one-off" one. Merry Christmas and a Happy 2025!!!