Catch 15

Disappointed that the salmon arrived covered in «krab». You’re miles from Maryland. Get the real stuff or don’t even bother.

Had to send back burrata appetizer because it was spoiled. Felt tingly on my tongue instantly, which is a telltale sign. After leaving a bad taste in my mouth (literally and figuratively), everything else was just okay. An extra star because my boyfriend said his meal was «alright». Service (especially after sending something back for being spoiled) was lackadaisical. There are so many better restaurants, especially for a $ 100 meal. I’d recommend skipping this one.

Nine of us came here for oysters. They do not have raw Oysters. Let me repeat they do not have raw OYSTERS.

Review is for Happy Hour only: I was meeting up with a friend a couple of weeks ago and saw this was one of the few HHs that accommodates private industry people (in other words HH that goes past 6pm). The place is small and has an intimate feel. The bartender was very friendly and was pretty attentive. The HH menu included both food and drinks so we both got the sangria and ordered the risotto balls, crab cakes, fried shrimp and truffle fries. Everything but the truffle fries were stale. The shell on the shrimp was fried. When I bought this to the bartender’s attention he immediately called over someone who looked like a manager who proceeded to tell us ‘well the bottom shell is still on but you don’t eat that’. Please don’t tell me what I ate, thanks! Everything was room temp and you could tell by the curdling of the sauce that it was put under a heat lamp, nothing was cooked fresh. Yes I get it we are getting happy hour dishes but on the other hand if the food is not fresh, not only will we not want to order dinner here or even go back and of course we will tell our friends. Two stars for the bartender who was very apologetic and said the drinks were on him.

Italian Kitchen + Oyster Bar. What a scam. I give Catch 15 the second star for its pleasant, hip décor, and for a slightly above mediocre main plate of rockfish, but if you’re looking for friendly service stay away. And oysters? Run away. Far away.
I’ve been to a lot of self proclaimed oyster bars that have tacked on «oyster» to add some class.. and failed. But one on K St really has some chutzpah. To anyone that enjoys oysters, this place is an affront to good taste!
For a place offers only two types of oysters, Blue Point and Misty Point, no one there had any idea what the hell they were talking about. The gruff waiter– who failed to introduce himself and was so aloof to the point we honestly didn’t know if he was our waiter or bus staff — didn’t know where the oysters came from. Shrugging, he said «West Coast,.» That’s like saying a wine came from the west coast. While technically true, it demonstrates. … ignorance. A bad trait in serving seafood.
The waiter eventually brought over the «owner» who adamantly confirmed the Blue Point were from New England (they’re not– they’re originally from New York, now raised in DE and Virginia) and the Misty Point were from the. .“west coast.” They’re not. They’re from right nearby in Virginia. I found this out later when my disbelief was suspended long enough to look up the facts on Misty Point oysters:
«Misty Points are raised on exclusive grounds in the pristine seaside waters of Popes Bay, Virginia. The flavor profile is high salinity up front that fades into bright, sweet hints of celery and grass.»
Not in this shellfish. They were mealy and fell apart. Signs of being old, bought cheap, and managed by people who know nothing about oysters. Yuck.
Look, I don’t expect most servers to know a ton about oysters. But when the name of your restaurant includes the phrase «Oyster Bar» and you place a folding wooden sign on K Street advertising oysters, you better know what you’re doing. And they only have two oysters on the menu! That’s like having Bud Light and Guinness as your two beers on tap and a bartender needing the manager to help explain where they’re brewed. Then getting it wrong.
Salad was weak, service was weird (asked 4 times at odd junctures in the meal if i wanted a drink when i already had one) and rushed. Even nudged us out with no one waiting for the table, grabbing the check back as soon as I signed it.
Time to catch your seafood elsewhere.

I have organized multiple happy hours here for myself and my co-​workers. We usually go through their event coordinators to ensure that we have enough seating. Everyone involved in helping me organize the event is always very professional, friendly, and responsive. Most recently we worked with Kristin and she was awesome!
Now for the reason my office keeps returning to this spot-​the awesome cocktails and appetizers! I specifically recommend that you try the Amalfi punch, the red sangria, the calamari, the oysters, the truffle fries, and the flatbreads-​the list goes on! The restaurant has a really nice ambience too-​the lighting is very pretty and perfect for an evening out. They have a seating area with couches for happy hour, as well as a large table for big groups like ours, and plenty of tables for smaller groups. Highly recommended!

Not impressed at all. Took my parents last night for dinner before the Theatre as their Christmas present. Food was mediocre at best. None of us even bothered to finish what we ordered. For dessert we ordered the Italian ricotta cheesecake which they didn’t have so changed to the panna cotta. That came out a total mushy mess and the waiter said, «sorry, it’s supposed to be firm but it wasn’t ready» Really? Why did you serve it then. Worst Martini I have ever had. Than we left and were charged $ 15 to valee park. They said, Oh, sorry, I guess we should have old you the price before we parked it. You think? We were there less than 2 hours and my husband parked the car not the valee. Never going back.

We just hosted our department holiday lunch party at Catch 15 and couldn’t have been more pleased with the whole experience. Kristin, the events manager, took care of us from the very start and worked with our budget — and was professional, friendly and accommodating to our needs.
We didn’t have to bring much décor as the the restaurant was already decorated so elegantly (dark panels/​candles) — and it really set the tone for our party. The food assortment we selected — sliders, bacon wrapped scallops, pasta arrabiata (personal fave!), bruschetta were delicious and gone within seconds.
The servers were warm and professional — and we didn’t feel rushed at all. We all work around the corner and talked about coming back again for lunch or happy hour. Great place to host events or just grab a bite!

This place is a hidden jem I discovered for happy hour. The food is good and the happy hour goes late — until 8! Yay! The wines are good and $ 5 and the second time I was here with friends the bar tender was topping off our glasses. Bonus was I got at least an extra glass of wine. Disadvantage was I had a bit too much to drink, but I wasn’t driving so who’s counting right? 5 stars to that bartender. It’s a really cute intimate space and is perfect for my catchup with friends.

A popular business spot for lunch and dinner it seems. It’s pretty noisy in there and a little downtown-​y for my more provincial tastes. But it was comfortable and got the job done. Our servers were numerous, attentive, and patients; presumably used to dealing with people who are there on business and want to talk forever. Primarily a seafood place, but they do have decent vegetarian selections, with some nice pasta albeit surprisingly mediocre fries. The chocolate cake I had for dessert was right.

I found this little gem on Unilocal.We visited at what seemed to be a slow time at the restaurant. We were really happy about that. We were able to take in all of the beauty an charm of the restaurant. Our waiter (Fasud or Fajud from Ethiopia) was very friendly and super attentive. He even went out of his way to give me a complimentary cocktail variation of the drink I had ordered the Amalfi punch. I thought that was awfully nice and gracious of him to do. To add to our excellent experience, the food was absolutely mind blowing! Especially the pasta. I have never had a better tasting pasta anywhere. We ordered the octopus appetizer as well as the crab cakes and the oysters bang bang. They were all outstanding. For my enter the waiter suggested the seafood cioppino which I had never ever had before. I was to die for. When the waiter asked how everything was I remember telling him that everything was so good, I felt like crying and I meant it!

I came for the drink but stayed for the food. Which drink, you ask? The very delicious Amalfi Punch! Who knew strawberries went so nicely with ginger beer? Apparently when you add in liquor it’s a match made in heaven! I had 2. Would have been more if it was happy hour…
Now on to the food. I am not an oyster expert so I was glad to get schooled by my dinner companions. We ordered a dozen and they tasted better than I was expecting them to be. Firm, not slimy or chewy. No fishy aftertaste. I get the appeal now.
The calamari was also tasty, as was my seafood fettuccine. The sauce was creamy and lemony, and the chunks of lobster, scallops, and shrimp were tender. I can’t believe I ate the whole thing!
Our server was great too. Helpful and got his hustle on! Worth every penny.

I visited Catch 15 on Sunday October 4, 2015 for dinner. I expected much more than I had received considering the location and I have never had anything less than great to eat in the downtown DC area. As we arrived and walked in no one greeted us. We finally let the host know we were there for a party. The host told us the party was set for 6:00pm and the current time was 5:00pm. We then sat at the bar for a drink. We noticed the establishment was empty so we decided to ask to be seated anyway. Once we were seated (it was only two of us present in a party of seven) no one came to greet us and the manager just walked by nervously looking towards us. We were pretty so I promise we didn’t bite lol. Finally a server came over to greet us with lemon water and bread. Once everyone arrived I ordered the oyster bang bang, the fried calamari and the dinner lamb. I drank throughout the night, I had Cabernet and two oyster shooters.
The drinks were great due to the very friendly bartender. He refilled my glass all night without me asking. The oyster shooters were also great. The oyster bang bang were great as well as the crispy calamari but that’s where paradise ends. Once the main lamb dish came to the table I realized why most reviewers raved only about the happy hour and raw bar. The meat was a little grayish and tasted soooooo gamey (hope I spelled that right). Everyone within the dinner party started to pick off each others plate to see if someone, anyone ordered a main course worth eating. The dishes included the spaghetti (watery), seafood pasta (bland), the small plate lamb, the empanadas and I forgot the others. The most bearable out of all were the empanadas.
Now I will give credit where it’s due. The appetizers and drinks were great but everything after was honestly a waste of my money. I would go back for the drinks, raw bar and apps. But nothing more.

Conveniently located north of the White House, you walk past the few outdoor tables where diners hardy enough to weather the rain or cold dine. Go inside and you walk back into a narrow space with a bar featuring three big screens showing an aquarium.
Really nice service and we had the fixed price dinner. Can’t remember what I had now, but it was good and I thought it was worth it. I believe I had the caesar salad and seafood spaghetti I tried to look it up on their website, but the fixed price dinner special had changed, which is probably a good thing to lure back diners.
I’d eat here again.

Came here for HH with a friend. The food was pretty good, especially the oysters and crab/​zucchini bites! I loved how the bites were paired with corn.
As for the drinks, they were GOOD but not too strong. Maybe after you order a few hehe.
The ambience was very chill and our bartender was great. I also liked the décor within the restaurant.
I’m sure that I will be back for HH soon. You can’t beat the prices and the food is good!

I came here for happy hour with 3 friends. The HH ends at 8pm, and we arrived at 7:15pm, so the bar area was packed. We didn’t care and ordered/​drank at the bar. After our second round of drinks, the manager was sweet enough to let us sit in the dining area, but continue to order from the HH menu! Since we wouldn’t have to juggle plates while standing, we ordered several appetizers at the table. (Got in another round of Amalfi Punch before HH ended!)
The drink — Amalfi Punch. I don’t know what else was in the menu, because this drink was soooo good. Limoncello, fresh strawberries, basil, lime juice and ginger beer. And inly $ 5 at HH. I’m in love! Did I mention we had 3 rounds…
The apps — arancini (crisp outside, moist and cheesy inside), truffle fries (just get them), caprese flatbread (soft bread, good mozzarella), beef skewer (omg, extremely flavorful). I’d order everything except the arancini again.
I will be back for the next HH! Next time I’ll try the oysters.

Came here for lunch with a girlfriend yesterday. Both of us were quite disappointed. The bread to start is great — nice and warm with a garlic salt toppping, but that was really the only thing that was good. For lunch I ordered the Crabmeat Ravioli. Now I understand that it’s unreasonable for me to expect that you would make your ravioli fresh, but they don’t even boil it fresh because the filling was stone cold. Not to mention there was way too much Ravioli to Filling. My friend ordered the Ravioli Verde which didn’t look impressive and she also said her filling was cold. We ordered the Dark Chocolate Mousse for dessert which was pretty good.
After a $ 60 lunch we both left pretty unhappy.

Happy hour drinks are really solid. Good price for a fair pour. A little sweet for my taste, but still refreshing on this almost-​summer afternoon, and there was plenty of room at the bar.
Food was not nearly as impressive. Oyster garnishes came mixed together and without spoons for vinegar. Oysters themselves were fresh enough, but bland, neither brine nor meat flavor. «Artichoke and goat cheese flat bread» was spinach and artichoke dip smeared on a decent crust. Arancini balls were not nearly crispy on the outside. Nothing was inedible, it satisfied the stomach, but not the taste buds. It’s certainly low prices, but at least on food, we got what we paid for.

A coworker and I were CRAVING oysters so we popped into Catch 15 for some delicious Happy Hour bivalves! We arrived early (around 4:30) and it was clear they were still setting up the restaurant and prepping for dinner service.
We sat at the bar and ordered a dozen oysters each (because, YOLO, right?). The oysters are listed on their menu as $ 1.25/pop, however when our bill came the 24 HH oysters were listed at $ 36.00 (which would make them $ 1.50/pop). Not a big deal, but i feel like some consumer protection law was violated lol.
Additionally, although the bartenders were very nice, there was a manager-​looking-​person meeting with some waiters not far away from the bar, clearly berating them for something. It was generally a little tacky, made even worse when he screamed screamed an F word profanity! My virgin ears! No, but for real, the irony of the manager lecturing waiters on proper behavior/​service/​whatever, and then screaming in front of paying customers!
I would go back for HH, and very nice that it lasts till 8pm!

I was stupid to think of giving this place a try after reading other Unilocalers review! Really STUPID!!!

They are doing 3 courses for $ 20 and 2 courses $ 13. My friend and I Decided to give it a try and go with the two courses menu since we weren’t really hungry. This way we can share one app, one dessert and two entrees. I Made it clear to our waiter That we were interested to try the two courses menu. He said yes but charged us for the 3 courses $ 20 each. When I complained he kinda pretended he doesn’t speak English and so he didn’t understand me… But the two courses menu only at the bar. Really!!!
he didn’t mind to get us another dessert since we are paying for 3 courses that we didn’t really get. And that was the only nice thing he has done.
The restaurant was almost empty. And our order took forever! the food tasted just ok, décor was pretty nice and the vibe was kinda weird! Once you get inside this restaurant you just feel this negative energy from the staff!
Be wiser and save your money ;))