The Occidental

The Occidental is, without a doubt, the most beautiful restaurant in DC, offering an unparalleled dining experience. Every detail, from the ambiance to the impeccable service, was outstanding. We indulged in the oysters, caviar, and Seabass salad, each dish prepared to perfection. And the desserts-wow! We had the champagne cake, coconut cake, chocolate mousse, and bananas Foster, and every bite was exceptional. The highlight? The best martinis in town. Stephen Starr has truly outdone himself with The Occidental-this might just be his finest restaurant yet. Highly, highly recommend. Run, don't walk!

The Occidental is, without a doubt, the most beautiful restaurant in DC, offering an unparalleled dining experience. Every detail, from the ambiance to the impeccable service, was outstanding. We indulged in the oysters, caviar, and Seabass salad, each dish prepared to perfection. And the desserts-wow! We had the champagne cake, coconut cake, chocolate mousse, and bananas Foster, and every bite was exceptional. The highlight? The best martinis in town. Stephen Starr has truly outdone himself with The Occidental-this might just be his finest restaurant yet. Highly, highly recommend. Run, don't walk!

My dining companions and I absolutely loved our experience at the newly reimagined Occidental. The decor is stunning—velvet, leather, and wood, complemented by charming hand-drawn wall illustrations. The menu pays homage to an earlier era, with standards updated just enough for modern tastes. The crab-stuffed avocado starter with citrus supremes was playful and delicious. We enjoyed a ham steak with grilled pineapple that looked straight out of Betty Crocker but was the best ham steak any of us had ever had. The stroganoff was excellent as well, and the sides were just as impressive: a crispy, flavorful "giant hash brown," green beans amandine with a touch of lemon and toasted almonds, and a rich, steakhouse-style creamed spinach. Desserts were just as memorable, especially the banana ice cream baked Alaska. The only miss was their marquee "pheasant under glass"—a fun idea but underwhelming for my tastes. If I have one complaint, it's the noise level, made worse by too-loud background music. The pricing is also a little strange. For example, the Dover sole meunière, which Stephen Starr serves for $59 at Le Diplomate, is an eye-popping $82 here. That said, the Occidental is the best new addition to DC's dining scene in quite some time.

My dining companions and I absolutely loved our experience at the newly reimagined Occidental. The decor is stunning—velvet, leather, and wood, complemented by charming hand-drawn wall illustrations. The menu pays homage to an earlier era, with standards updated just enough for modern tastes. The crab-stuffed avocado starter with citrus supremes was playful and delicious. We enjoyed a ham steak with grilled pineapple that looked straight out of Betty Crocker but was the best ham steak any of us had ever had. The stroganoff was excellent as well, and the sides were just as impressive: a crispy, flavorful "giant hash brown," green beans amandine with a touch of lemon and toasted almonds, and a rich, steakhouse-style creamed spinach. Desserts were just as memorable, especially the banana ice cream baked Alaska. The only miss was their marquee "pheasant under glass"—a fun idea but underwhelming for my tastes. If I have one complaint, it's the noise level, made worse by too-loud background music. The pricing is also a little strange. For example, the Dover sole meunière, which Stephen Starr serves for $59 at Le Diplomate, is an eye-popping $82 here. That said, the Occidental is the best new addition to DC's dining scene in quite some time.

Everything is really excellent about this location: the service, the decor, the history, you name it, just top notch. However, the food 🥘 with all honesty was average. The quality, taste, an flavor were okay with both the half chicken platter and the salmon platter we ordered. Not worth the price. They were cooked/served without salt 🧂and I don’t care what secret recipe you have, if you don’t use salt when you cook, might as well head to the nearest senior living buffet (no offense). But hey, I guess you’re only there for a piece of history and service.

Everything is really excellent about this location: the service, the decor, the history, you name it, just top notch. However, the food 🥘 with all honesty was average. The quality, taste, an flavor were okay with both the half chicken platter and the salmon platter we ordered. Not worth the price. They were cooked/served without salt 🧂and I don’t care what secret recipe you have, if you don’t use salt when you cook, might as well head to the nearest senior living buffet (no offense). But hey, I guess you’re only there for a piece of history and service.

Slight bit of wait but that's alright. Restaurant is split into two sections, one formal dining and the other the bar. Stopped at the bar side and ordered wine. Has a decent wine selection and the price is ok. Portion for the ahi tuna was a little too small. Burger was fine but by then was too full to finish the whole plate.

Slight bit of wait but that's alright. Restaurant is split into two sections, one formal dining and the other the bar. Stopped at the bar side and ordered wine. Has a decent wine selection and the price is ok. Portion for the ahi tuna was a little too small. Burger was fine but by then was too full to finish the whole plate.

A nice, quiet place to have lunch and a challenge to remember the names of the famous people whose portraits are hanging everywhere. The short rib grilled cheese sandwich had lots of tender meat and was oozing with cheddar and Bel paese cheese. What made it unique and special was the radicchio-citrus marmalade. Reasonably priced with great service thanks to Chanel.

A nice, quiet place to have lunch and a challenge to remember the names of the famous people whose portraits are hanging everywhere. The short rib grilled cheese sandwich had lots of tender meat and was oozing with cheddar and Bel paese cheese. What made it unique and special was the radicchio-citrus marmalade. Reasonably priced with great service thanks to Chanel.

Food was good. Pleasantly surprised by the cornbread. I was expecting the usual starter bread. The cornbread was served in an iron skillet so it stayed warm longer! I had the pasta special which was pasta made on site with lobster and clams. It was not heavy at all! I also had the Occidental salad which was also light and good. Normally with a meal this size I walk out of the restaurant feeling like I had a ton of bricks in my stomach because I was so full but not here. Decor is interesting. Many pictures on the walls of influential people in Washington. Waiter was attentive!

Food was good. Pleasantly surprised by the cornbread. I was expecting the usual starter bread. The cornbread was served in an iron skillet so it stayed warm longer! I had the pasta special which was pasta made on site with lobster and clams. It was not heavy at all! I also had the Occidental salad which was also light and good. Normally with a meal this size I walk out of the restaurant feeling like I had a ton of bricks in my stomach because I was so full but not here. Decor is interesting. Many pictures on the walls of influential people in Washington. Waiter was attentive!

Came here for lunch with some coworkers. We had some oysters, angus burger, crab cake sandwich and the fried green tomato BLT. Everything here was delicious. Oysters were so good we had to order another dozen. The burgers and sandwiches are a must order. The crunch from the thick cut bacon and fried tomato in the BLT was definitely the highlight. The crab sandwich was cooked perfectly and the added water crest added some great texture. This is a great place to people watch. The outside patio is perfect when the sun is out. Food and ambience here is great. If you want seafood and American food this is one of the best spots around the mall.

Came here for lunch with some coworkers. We had some oysters, angus burger, crab cake sandwich and the fried green tomato BLT. Everything here was delicious. Oysters were so good we had to order another dozen. The burgers and sandwiches are a must order. The crunch from the thick cut bacon and fried tomato in the BLT was definitely the highlight. The crab sandwich was cooked perfectly and the added water crest added some great texture. This is a great place to people watch. The outside patio is perfect when the sun is out. Food and ambience here is great. If you want seafood and American food this is one of the best spots around the mall.