Iron Gate

I ADORE this place. The food is always thoughtful, seasonal, and fantastic. I don’t think there has been a dish I didn’t enjoy. Their octopus (if they have it) is to-​die-​for, the pastas are on-​point, and one of the most recent dishes I had there, a sugar snap pea and burrata grilled crostini, is a dish I’m desperate to recreate it was so good! The ambiance here is spectacular and intimate. A must try if you’ve never been. It’s a staple in my DC dining repertoire!

Wonderful dining experience. My boyfriend made a reservation for my birthday, and everyone from the hostess, to our waiter, to the runners wished me a happy birthday. I really appreciated the fact that they paid attention and were all so sweet about it.
We opted to get three small plates and the grill plate as our main course. All of our small plates were fantastic, but I especially loved the focaccia and squid ink rigatoni. Very well-​balanced plates. Our grill plate was a huge dish with around five different meats, all bursting with flavor. The sausage with mint was fantastic, as was the fillet. Loved the potatoes that came with the dish too. Ended with their yeast donuts, which were fantastic as well.
They have a Moscow mule (called «Kick the Mule,» I believe), which I enjoyed, but I liked their bourbon and honey mixed drink even better.
The ambiance of the whole restaurant is incredible. Secluded, beautiful, and classy. It feels like DC’s secret, romantic, getaway restaurant. We would return in a heartbeat.

Perfect patios. Great service, extensive overseas wine list. Small menu makes for an easy ordering process. Everything tastes great. Do get the seared feta, and meatballs. Avoid the octopus if possible, nothing to write home about. 5 stars, will definitely be back.

Wife and I went here for our anniversary last night and we loved it. We sat in the back dinning space which is perfect for a special occasion.
I was a little apprehensive about the idea of small plates and it not being enough food but I was pleasantly surprised… more than enough food.
We both settled for the four course and I opted for the wine pairing. We loved all of the food, the unique flavors, the presentation, the cozy and romantic setting… made for a perfect night.
Would highly recommend

The absolutely best meal I have had in a long time. We had the tasting menus (she had the 4 course, I the 6), along with the wine pairing. First of all, the staff are really competent and clearly enjoy their work. They have excellent knowledge of all aspects of your dining experience and are discretely attentive. The dining room is darker, intimate and comfortable.
It was a great experience from the first course, wine and a variety of incredible looking and fabulously tasting small plates: pickled small veggies, oh-​my everything was creative and tasted wonderful. I love this kind of small-​plate dining with multiple courses. The wine was perfect… and unknown. Next, Risotto, crab caesar and scallop. Each plate tapas sized and each a beautiful looking and great tasting experience. More great wine pairing. The cheese course and desert course were also delicious.
This is a great and seemingly under-​discovered restaurant. Please consider opening up a second one in Reston VA! Incredible, although at the high-​end price wise it is a genuine high-​end restaurant and a bargain compared to most others. Please don’t change. And thank you for the experience, I must come back.

The ambiance on their patio in the back is the reason this place is amazing. I can’t believe no one ever told me about this place in the 2 years I lived here. Iron gate is a hidden secret! Excellent ambiance, gourmet cuisine, and great libation options. See my pictures for more details but overall food is 3.5−4.5 stars. Our server seemed new but he made an effort. Street parking is scarce but it’s very close to DuPont circle and the metro.
My favorite food items were the focaccia, lentil tambouli, tomatoes, and cannelloni. The ones I didn’t much care for were the beet dip and its salty salty crackers nor the rabbit pasta dish.
I didn’t check out the bathroom to comment on its cleanliness. The restaurant and patio seemed very clean. There are (naturally)bugs flying around outside and on the table but they are minimal and not intrusive to your meal.
They have another back patio where they host private parties as well (there was one happening that night we were there).
This is a very romantic spot. If you are planning a party or want to impress your people, come here. You won’t be disappointed.
I can’t wait to come back here. Loved it.

Holy moly (yes, people still say that) I walked past Iron Gate super late one night and thought to make it a point to check it out.
What a shock. Some of the best tasting combinations I could ever ask for. Total hidden gem.

I don’t like handing out 5 stars like candy on Halloween, or maybe I do enjoy giving 5 stars often… Iron Gate provided a dining experience I could not forget. Everything from the service to the ambiance was excellent. Walking through the entrance was already a treat in it self, the bar area is beautiful. We sat out side under string lights and a branched outdoor-​roof structure. This is back when DC wasn’t 20 days of overcast/​rain.
We ordered octopus, charred avocado, rigatoni, and the meatballs. Please get the meatballs. All drunk with a bottle of Greek rose. I see some people have rated this as sub-​par blaming reservations to minor food issues. I think going in, we had no idea what to expect. Being adventurous, asking what foods the waiter thought was best is a great way to indulge in their specialties. This was a dining experience I can not get out of my head: it was a beautiful evening with great company, the service was friendly, helpful, and accommodating (we were going to be seated indoors and they were able to shift around for us to enjoy outside). The food was delicious, no complaints at all except that we wish we could’ve ordered more.
I recommend this place for a lovely dinner with a companion

4÷20÷2016 — Birthday Dinner Review: Food was 2.5 stars and Service/​Ambiance was 4 stars.
Syros Parsley Salad, Marcona Almond and Everything Crackers
*The crackers were absolutely delicious and the parsley salad was a great accompaniment but the almonds didn’t add anything to the dish.
House Focaccia, Russet Potato, Olive and Aged Provolone
*The focaccia was very soft and fluffy but the provolone was cold and overall it was just bland.
Charred Octopus, Gigante Beans, Chilles, Celery and Pickled Garlic
*This is one of the best octopus dishes I’ve ever had. The octopus was extremely tender and the flavors of the celery, pickled garlic and chiles had great acidity to balance out the char on the octopus. I also am not a huge fan of beans but the gigante beans really paired well with all the elements on the dish.
Green Tomato Keftedes, Torn Mint and Caper Salad
*So for me this was a texture issue. The green tomatoes were crunchy and the goat cheese was creamy but the textures together just didn’t meld well. The caper salad was bland, I was expecting salty and the whole dish just felt soggy.
Spanakopita Arancini, Sumac and Lemon Aioli
*What a let down. I really expected something fabulous and although the arancini was beautifully cooked, it had no flavors of a spanakopita. I didn’t taste any spinach or cheese so this was lackluster. If the menu described a classic arancini it would’ve been a success.
Roasted Sweet Potato, Goat’s Milk Butter, Vin Cotto and Fried Rosemary
*The sweet potato had a crust similar to when you roast a marshmallow but again, it was super bland. I would definitely skip this dish. We each had one piece and then never went back for a second.
Maine Mussels «Scampi», Dry Vermouth and Gnoccheti Sardi
*This mussel dish was a total fail for me. No matter how well you cook a mussel, if the broth has no flavor the mussel then has no flavor. The gnoccheti sardi was completely undercooked so it was very chewy. We ended up sending this dish back to the kitchen.
Imported Burrata, Roasted Local Beets and Salsa Verde
*I was expecting the creaminess of a burrata and it had the texture of more of a mozzarella. I love beets for their earthiness and they were bright and perfectly cooked. I liked the salsa verde which complemented the burrata and beets.
For dessert we had the loukoumades which were piping hot, crunchy and gooey. I would definitely go back for the dessert. The ambiance is really great both indoors and outdoors, the patio is beautiful and everything feels rustic. Our service was pretty consistent throughout the meal from start to finish. Our entire meal was $ 87 for two people and it honestly felt like we overpaid because we only enjoyed 2 out of the 9 dishes. If I came back I would definitely go for the octopus and try the meatballs and finish with the loukoumades.

This was one of the best dining experiences of my life.
My boyfriend and I were in town celebrating our anniversary, and he surprised me with a reservation at Iron Gate. Upon entering the restaurant in the side streets of DC, we were whisked away to a unique dining location at the back of the venue. The room we dined in could probably hold about 60 people comfortably, and the décor was very charming and cozy.
We had a wonderful table — directly in front of the fireplace. Upon sitting down, we were congratulated on our anniversary and were each given a glass of champagne. The sommelier recommended a wonderful, unique Greek red wine based on our love for Pinot Noir and Cabs.
We chose the four course tasting menu, which in our opinion was plenty of food! I could not have imagined doing the six course menu! We began with olives and antipasto — which in reality was about 5 items alone, consisting of beets and burrata, focaccia bread, quinoa, and an egg-​like quiche.
For our mains, we shared mushroom risotto, parsnip ravioli, beef short ribs and a pork dish. All were delicious, but the mushroom risotto really stood out as being excellent.
For dessert, we ordered chocolate cake and a blue cheese, but they were so kind as to also bring us the panna cotta! Additionally, the cake had a piece of chocolate on it that said ‘happy anniversary’! And how could I forget the delicious little donuts they gave us before our dessert course!
The staff was so kind to help us celebrate our special day, and they truly provided an experience I will never forget. I will be sure to recommend Iron Gate to my friends and family visiting DC.

The five star rating is based entirely on my experience of the Lemon Ricotta Pancakes. I tend to eat clean and avoid gluten, so this was a special treat for me. Worth every bite! Two other people at my table also had these pancakes and both were impressed. It was one of those special meals where you leave both full and happy.
This is a gorgeous restaurant, with a fascinating history and charm. Prepared to be wowed by the relaxing ambiance and timeless beauty of the restaurant. Theres a lovely patio outside, which I imagine makes for a delightful brunch. Most importantly, the people here are polite. They accommodated the seating arrangements for a deaf member of our party, and went out of their way to ensure the experience was a good one. Will definitely return here!

Iron Gate will always be near and dear to my heart because of everything they did for our (day of) engagement dinner. From congratulating us as soon as we walked through the door, the complementary glasses of AMAZING sparkling rose, and up to the customized desserts, everything was wonderful.
Iron Gate is one of the oldest restaurants in the DC area and is beautiful — a former carriage house with an incredible bar and outdoor dining area, and a very cozy, dark, and intimate space where we ate.
The (at the time) new fiancée and I enjoyed the six course tasting menu with beverage pairings — our server was extremely knowledgeable about each of different wines that were paired with each course of the meal, and had great answers for all of our questions. I can’t remember much of what I ate a few months later, but I especially loved the sharing plates at the beginning with the incredible foccaca bread with olives and garlic.
A great experience and a great restaurant to have it at!

Husband got us reservations here for Brunch for our 6 year anniversary playing around with the traditional 6 year gift of steel. I know, we’re cute.
I’ve heard of Iron Gate of course but somehow it’s never made it to my list of restaurants to visit. always thinking of the latest and greatest restaurants in DC and for that I feel like an idiot.
What a surprise!
It is the best brunch I’ve had in the DC area. Topping my old favorite Woodberry Kitchen in Baltimore.
The ambience of the restaurant is quaint, cozy and romantic and it was the perfect retreat for the cold winter morning when we visited. I know the patio is probably a ton of fun in the spring but I honestly loved the dining room and how cozy it was in the winter.
The food is what I consider perfect brunch food. Small twists on classics that elevate the food without making it pretentious.
We started with the sourdough and nutella bread and I’m considering ordering two on our next visit. Not because it’s a small dish but because it was addictingly good.
For our entrees, we had the Lemon Ricotta Pancakes which were light and fluffy and pancake perfection.
My husband had the fried eggs with salsa verde and he loved every bite. He said it was a great egg dish.
I predict we will be back many many times.

Amazing!!! We came for restaurant week and were not disappointed. The staff is so great and nice. The food is even better! Highly recommend. Great for a date!

Everything about Irongate is visually beautiful — the tucked back entrance, high ceiling carriage-​way, vine covered patio and then the wonderfully intimate and cozy main dining room tucked in the back. Lots of dimmed lights and candles, and a working fireplace — we loved the atmosphere.
We were also very impressed with the menu — creative offerings and presentation. We each did the 4 items tasting menu — and I did the additional wine pairing. The antipasto course was our favorite, a wonderful sampling of small tastes (focaccia, assorted cheeses and veggies, risotto balls). We enjoyed our main plates as well as desserts and the sommelier did an excellent job explaining the perfect pairings. Really no complaints about the food or drink — delicious and impressive, with little extra surprises, like the Greek donuts before dessert and the small cookies at the very end.
The wait staff was mostly attentive, but some service was disappointing. When our plates were brought out, the waiter was gone before I could ask a question about it. And no one ever asked us if we were enjoying our meal. The hostess was very helpful, but overall we were not impressed with the main meal service, it just did not match the amazing food and atmosphere.
However, Irongate is still a place we would recommend, and we would go back again to try out the garden/​carriageway menu and sample some of their unique and interesting cocktails.

Excellent! I enjoyed everything about this place. Service, food and atmosphere were all excellent.
I sat at the bar and my server/​bartenders were on point with their recommendations and service.
I went with three small plates and each one was better than the previous. My favorite was the pasta with sausage and red ragu sauce ($ 12). It was recommended by my server and it was awesome! I also had the potato faccocia ($ 6) and the rock shrimp with sweet and sour type dressing/​sauce ($ 11). All very good as well.
The restaurant itself is uniquely set up with a bar section, outside patio section and a formal dining room. The ambiance was warm and inviting but in a modern like setting. Hard for me to describe so you should come try this place for yourself. I highly recommend it!

Wife and I came here for our anniversary and were extremely pleased with our experience. It took us a couple of minutes to find the entrance, as it can be easily overlooked at night. However, once we walked inside we were immediately impressed with the ambiance and we were only in the restaurant’s bar area. We were escorted back into the dining room, and seated near its fantastic fireplace. Immediately, we were greeted by the General Manager who congratulated us on our anniversary and poured us two glasses on champagne. They offer a 4 course (@ $ 60?) and 6 course (@ $ 90?) tasting menu. Being that we are complete foodies, we ordered a four course and a six course (we were, almost, able to experience the entire menu). Each course consisted of fresh ingredients and were a perfect portion controlled amount. The staff explained the ingredients and preparation of every course they presented. The food was amazing! In addition to our dessert, we were given an extra edible congratulatory treat that was very thoughtful. At the end of the meal, we received a happy anniversary card that was signed by the entire staff.
The staff was extremely thoughtful, the food was amazing, and the overall environment is befitting of an anniversary. We will definitely be recommending it to our friends.
The prices are worth every penny.

Every once in a while I come across something that I feel I need to warn others about. This is definitely one of them.
My wife and I were looking for a small cozy dinner experience, and it started out well in the outdoor patio with fire pits and couches. I noticed ‘Family Style’ on the menu, and being a fan of family style ordering wherever I go, that’s what we went with. We ordered the ‘mixed grill’ family style, priced at $ 34, and well, it was five kinds of meat with no vegetables, bread or anything else except a rosemary garnish. That was fine, until I received the check expecting something in the $ 60 range.
It was $ 97. How in the world? I come to realize it’s $ 34 per person family style. I have never been to a ‘per person’ priced family style venue. Given how family style prices are typically larger and you simply get as many as you find that it serves, it sure would have been nice to have «per person» next to the price. I didn’t argue, who wants to make an awkward scene? It says ‘minimum two persons’ below ‘family style’, but I interpreted that as a qualifier for what ‘family style’ actually means. The ‘per person’ next to the price is definitely missing.
This place has too much going for it to need to resort to this kind of oversight. I just feel so robbed. Here’s hoping this helps others from having their evenings ever so slightly ruined.

Bar service was just ok — bartender barely acknowledged us but warmed up to us eventually. I usually get a dirty martini with the addition of Tabasco and he gave a great recommendation of a habanero sauce specifically for drinks instead. I really enjoyed it. My dinner date ordered a martini with Greek yogurt, honey, vodka, and rosemary. It was wonderful as well. For dinner we ate on the patio and I highly recommend it. Such a great atmosphere with a garden feel — first time I’ve ever experienced something like this in DC. The food was great and the service was on point. Highlight was the anchovy toast — be sure to try it.

Two of us had a 9pm reservation. Our event ended early so we arrived at 8:15pm. The hostess told us she could probably seat us early– would be about 20 – 30 min and we could wait at the bar. She would come get us.
The bar was packed but we managed to get one seat around the time our craft cocktails arrived. Some people were eating at the bar. The aisle behind the bar was narrow. Nick the bartender took care of us and we had a few rounds.
Many were seated before us. We were not seated until about 9:10pm. They allowed us to move our bar bill to the food check. This is a major plus in my book.
We chose the 6 course chef tasting with the wine pairing. Wow! This is the way to go. Our waiter was extremely knowledgeable about the wines, regions, and vineyards. It was impressive.
The first course was amazing and consisted of 6 tapas style dishes and focaccia. An apple salad which was crisp and light was one of my favorites. The other was a beet with ricotta and hazelnuts.
The second course was a crudo. The swordfish was fresh. The whole dish was light and refreshing. It had celery– stalks and leaves– that added flavor. There were nuts and a sauce. The Greek white wine was delicious.
The lamb main course was a healthy portion consisting of meat on a big bone. The lamb was equally delicious with the occasional salt crystal. There was a head of garlic and toasts in the dish; I loved that touch. I thought the side cabbage slaw was a bit too vinegary that night but the next day found it mild and devoured it like a starved child. A green salsa was fresh and tangy.
The cheese course consisted of three varieties. Two of the three were gone very quickly. I was surprised I wasn’t so crazy about the blue cheese; I’m usually a fan but this was dry. The chips were salty in a good way. They served the cheese course with a Honeycomb — get the cheese course just for this!
There were 4 mini donuts involved.
The dessert of chocolate, cranberry sorbet, and candied cranberries was delicious but smaller than I expected.
We were the last to leave but never felt rushed. Our lamb leftover was tucked away in the back to take home and brought to the table after we paid the bill (another nice touch).
In summary– would do this again in a heartbeat. The price tag is not for the faint hearted– the chef’s tasting is more of a special occasion meal.

Although this place is a bit pricey, its definitely worth it. I came here for a happy hour with a group of about 20+ a few weeks ago and was very impressed by everything. The ambiance is one of the nicest aspects that I’ve seen at a DC restaurant.
The restaurant is surprisingly spacious for its location. It actually expands out to a very nice courtyard in the center of the row buildings. We had a larger group for this event and were very comfortable with the space we had reserved.
Service was great considering it was a Thursday and the size of our group. Although we were not seated at a table, we were still able to get reasonable service from the servers. In addition to this, the drinks were top notch.
I’m looking forward to coming back to this place for dinner.

I had an enjoyable experience at Iron Gate. I think it’s probably right on the verge of 4 stars for me.
I had their cocktail menu version of a manhattan, which was very nice. For food, we shared the buratta, foccaccia, crispy shrimp, cacio e pepe, and brussle sprouts. Plenty of food for two ladies, even though that’s of course the minumum number of plates they recommend. Nothing was mind blowing, but everything was pretty tasty. As with any tapas style place, I recommend ordering as you go — 2 at a time — so that you don’t get all your food thrown at you.
The atmosphere is really nice and intimate on the patio. Sitting outside in mid-​October was suprisingly nice. They stock the patio up with heat lamps and a fire pit. However, while a heat lamp can keep one person super hot, it doesn’t always reach all parties — I asked for one to be turned on, but a woman at another table closer vetoed it, which is kind of awkward…
I think my biggest problem was our server. He just seemed really aloof and uninterested. It was generally hard to get his attention. I did like the food runner, though — he was very pleasant.

I’m posting only about going to the Iron Gate’s bar to meet friends for a drink before dinner. None of us had been here since the placed closed and then re-​opened.
The bar is on the noisy side, and someone kept adjusting the lighting level up and down which was a bit annoying. It ended being up on the murky side of decently lit. Most of the patrons were 20−30-somethings who haven’t yet learned to talk with their indoor voices. People over 50 take note! Bar stools were not very comfortable, and bar table seating was limited.
We asked for three different liquors (Maker’s Mark, J&B Scotch, and Chivas) — none of which were available. We eventually gave up and let the bartender suggest a few options which, with a few exceptions like The Glenlivet, were brands we’d never heard of.
The business model here obviously is to cater to younger drinkers who don’t have a preference yet for regular call brands and to push them up to a higher price point. The boutique whiskeys and scotches, by the 1-​ounce pour, varied in price from $ 11 to $ 80, most of them in the $ 20 – 30 range. The bartender seemed indifferent to our presence and rather than order a second drink, snacks, or dinner, we left to have a second round and dinner someplace else.

One of my favorite restaurants in DC. Excellent dishes and wine list, attentive service, and wonderful ambiance on the patio. I look forward to dining there again.
I particularly recommend the scallops, the shrimp, and the braised rabbit.

For review #500, it seems apropos to review my favorite restaurant on this fall’s visit to DC.
My dearest friend made reservations for 4; her and I and our respective partners for dinner at this establishment on a Saturday night. Last year, she had taken me to Komi and I had LOVED it, so I wondered whether she would be able to top herself.
Restaurant is located in cute residential neighborhood, with a wooden sign out front.
Hubby and I were a few minutes early, but our friends were already there. Hostess offered to seat us right away. She led us through corridors to a back room that was warm and inviting; dim lighting, dark wood, soft music, fireplace and an open kitchen. Thus, the ambiance was perfect. It was raining and they checked all of our coats.
We were immediately greeted by the server and he explained the menu. They had a 4 course tasting, 6 course tasting & a chef tasting (they also offer wine pairings with all options).
Hubby and I opted for the chef tasting with wine pairings. And, they were able to accomodate my friend’s dietary restriction of vegetarian dishes.
Over the next couple of hours, the wines & food were Delectable and the service was Outstanding.
Items that were standouts?
Delicate prawns w/​watermelon juice & cucumber sorbet
The only Caper leaves in DC!
Tasty & juicy lamb shoulder w/​their house rub & salsa verde
The incredible selection of sharing plates (so many interesting tasty items)
The Sommelier was Fantastic. She did an incredible job pairing the wines with the courses.
As if all of this wasn’t enough, they brought out a platter of cookies/​chocolates wishing me Happy Birthday. WHAT?!! (Obviously, my friend had set me up.)
Finally, they brought out little bottles of the rub they used on the lamb shoulder to take home.
An Incredibly Scrumptious & Intimate Evening!

I picked this restaurant to celebrate my birthday dinner with my husband. I am glad that I did. The front lady was very sweet. We chose to sit a table inside not a patio.
The waiter was supper friendly. We had 4 course meal. The first menu was sharing dishes and they were 5 or 6. I had a halibut. It was nicely seasoned. The steak was very tender and was a nice portion.
I had a chocolate cake with espresso ice cream. It was not too sweet or anything. I really enjoyed it.
I would love to come back again.

The girls and I couldn’t have had a more pleasant brunch experience on their patio. The weather was perfect, the food was delicious and the service was also stellar.
Our brunch consisted of 3 dishes from the shared section and 2 entrees. I suppose they said that the entrees weren’t really meant to be shared… but we did anyway.
The mixed berry torta, mezze rigatoni, sourdough with peaches, ricotta & tomatoes — were the shared items and then we had the blueberry ricotta pancakes and the baked eggs.
My favorite was definitely the sourdough with ricotta, peaches and tomatoes. It was the perfect blend of salty and sweet on chewy, buttery sourdough. The pancakes were light and fluffy and it makes me wish I made my pancakes with ricotta instead of from a mix.
Coffee and tea service was good; you get your own individual pot (of tea).
It came to about $ 20/​person before tip which for all that we got, I felt was pretty good.
I’d be interested in returning for dinner — that patio I’m sure is absolutely dreamy all lit up at night.

I went in for the restaurant week lunch with a coworker and was pleasantly surprised.
The small plates-​focus felt considerably more hearty than a normal restaurant. Most of the dishes were well-​flavored, simple and refined at the same time. The standout was a piece of nice toast with peach and heirloom tomato on it. Amazing. The worst was a burrata, prosciutto and melon dish. The loukomades couldn’t be beat.
While the food was well above average, the atmosphere was the real standout. The restaurant features several distinct rooms, and each offering something different. This is the kind of place to sit and have a leisurely afternoon lunch or even better enjoy a bottle of wine over hours of conversation.
I will be back.

Great little hidden gem! I was headed to tabard inn and came upon this place. Supposedly they’ve reopened in the last year. I’m not sure what their indoor seating is, but my one strong recommendation is to not sit outside, or at least not when weather is in question. Fortunately for me it was a nice evening and they have blankets if it gets a bit cold.
Perfect date location if you are willing to pay a little more.
…You also should be okay with small plates, as that’s the best way to go!

I went to this place only once but I really enjoyed my experience. We sat at the bar and I ordered a virgin lemon mint drink which was really refreshing. We also shared a rabbit pasta which was one of the tastiest dishes I have had in ages. Who thinks rabbit can be sooo good?
The decore and ambience is very authentic, intimate, and lovely. The lighting is dim, and the place reminds you of european neighborhoods, just like the bars in narrow back alleys.
The restroom was very clean and cute and I liked the patio when I passed by it on my way to the restrooms. We couldn’t seat there because it needed reservation.
The bar tender was nice and attentive.
I definitely wanna go back to this place to try their other dishes and recommend this place to other people especially for a date.

It is a beautifullll restaurant!!! Especially the outdoor area — it is such an oasis of calm and reminiscent of an old country courtyard in the middle of DuPont. We went there on a beautiful early summer evening, and enjoyed a dinner of small plates. Everything was so delicious but oh my goodness you could taste the calories in each bite. I think I gained five pounds by just smelling the food. It is definitely not the cuisine for someone on a diet! I loved their mushroom dish… the gnocchi and the cheese bread were both just ok.
The Burrata was AMAZING — they use only the best Castelvetrano olives and you can taste how much detail and effort went into this dish. The only thing knocking off some stars is the pretentiousness of the people who dine here (as an example, we saw Newt Gingrich and his wife) — there were a few Suburbans idling in the front of the restaurant — and the price is really high for what you get. As we were walking out, we saw a table that had ordered the meat plate and the grilled fish — next time we are definitely coming back for the fish — but it might be a while.

Brunch is my favorite meal of the day.
So when family visits, there are high expectations to deliver on a delicious brunch. Iron Gate delivered and exceeded all expectations.
Located just east of Dupont Circle and tucked away in a stable formerly owned by a cavalry officer in the Civil War, Iron Gate melds the historical DC with the modern in a beautiful way that just makes me want to live here.
Brunch is comprised of a bunch of small plates and larger plates that could act as a main dish. My family opt’ed to get a bunch of small plates and share a few larger dishes, which was the perfect amount of everyone. Table favorites included: crispy yeast donuts in orange blossom syrup, crispy pee wee potatoes, burrata with balsamic marinated beets, oak roasted foraged mushrooms, gyro and ricotta pancakes. I must admit, the yeast donuts had a little too much syrup for my taste but my younger siblings devoured them without a second thought. The oak roasted foraged mushrooms were probably the hit of the table. (Though in my head I expected them to be warmer).
Our waitress was extremely knowledgeable — maybe sometimes too talkative for our liking but all-​around lovely. For the amount of food we got, I thought our bill was reasonably priced. We avoided brunch cocktails due to the amount day of walking ahead in our day which may have helped the situation.
I’m was a happy man leaving brunch, and would go back again soon. Next time, maybe for happy hour cocktails on the patio?