Palena Market - Washington

One of my absolute favorites in DC! The service is fantastic, and the menu offers a variety of intriguing options. I would give Palena a perfect rating if it weren't for their fish dishes, which always seem to disappoint me—they're good but nothing exceptional. However, I have been consistently impressed with all the other dishes. And the desserts? They're simply divine!

Palena, a wonderful blend of Italian and French cuisine, is my favorite restaurant in DC right now. The back room is usually reserved two weeks ahead of time, but you can still find seating in the café area where you can choose from either the café menu or any course from the Prix Fixe menu. The roast chicken is incredible; it takes 45 minutes to prepare and is the juiciest, most flavorful chicken I’ve ever tasted. Don't miss the fantastic "fries," which are a selection of unique fry-like dishes, including fried lemon!

I also noticed that the online menu differed from what was offered at the restaurant. In the front area, guests can choose from either the cafe menu or the full formal menu. I decided on the ceviche-style starter and the “Bacon Lettuce Tomato” dish for my main course. The starter was tasty but came on a bed of a creamy substance that felt unnecessary, as the fish was delightful on its own. The Bacon Lettuce Tomato was quite innovative – it featured a warm stuffed lettuce leaf, a slice of toast with a rich tomato spread, and a generous piece of braised bacon, which was really enjoyable. For dessert, I had the chocolate Napoleon. It was nice, but not quite as impressive as the one at Grapeseed in Bethesda. While the cafe menu offers more reasonable prices compared to the full menu, I would still prefer other options for a splurge at that price point. Additionally, be aware that if you park in the lot next to the restaurant, you won’t receive validated parking, so expect to pay at least $6-9 depending on how slow your service is.