Trump Hotel DC Restaurant Review
When in Rome, you go to Vatican City. When in Washington, DC, you visit the Trump Hotel. In this Trump Hotel DC Restaurant Review, I explain why this tourist destination with fantastic food, beautiful architecture and gorgeous interior design is a must on your bucket list.
When in Rome, you go to Vatican City. When in Washington, DC, you visit the Trump Hotel. In this Trump Hotel DC Restaurant Review, I explain why this tourist destination with fantastic food, beautiful architecture and gorgeous interior design is a must on your bucket list.
Trump Hotel DC Restaurant Review
Our nation may be divided over this presidency, but there is no question about the quality of the dining at the Trump Hotel. Absolutely top notch, and well worth a visit.
Not to mention the celebrity sightings… as you will see below! The Trump Hotel is to Washington DC what the Ivy or Spago’s are here in Los Angeles.
I flew from Los Angeles to DC on a Wednesday morning for the MONAT conference which was super fun. I’ll be doing a series of restaurant review posts about the various restaurants we went to and some of the sites we saw. If you haven’t been before, DC is a fabulous place to visit.
My flight was smooth and I worked the whole way. One of the great things about being a blogger is you can write almost anywhere. By the time I landed, I was ready for my martini.
One of my dear friends kindly picked me up at the airport and we headed straight to the The Trump Hotel for drinks and dinner. Yes, I am blessed to have such wonderful friends!
Trump Hotel DC Restaurant Exterior
The architecture and exterior of the Trump International Hotel DC is truly gorgeous.
It’s worth stopping by just to take a look. (Oh, come on, who are we kidding? You made it all the way there… stop in for a drink!)
We got there just a little too late for a tour of the clock tower. But I will be back and be sure to do that next time.
Benjamin Bar Review
We started at Benjamin Bar & Lounge for cocktails and appetizers.
The bar is just steps away from the lobby and registration desk. The expansive and grand lobby reminds me a lot of the Sheraton Palace in San Francisco.
Apparently, the bar is named after one of our nation’s Founding Father, Benjamin Franklin:
Benjamin Franklin’s mind was never idle as he continually looked for ways to improve life. He was famous for more than his inventions and for being the country’s first Postmaster General. He was also known as a “Founding Foodie” and for his belief that “There can’t be good living where there is not good drinking.”
The interior, like the exterior, is absolutely stunning.
My crappy iPhone pictures do not do this place justice. You really have to go and see it in person.
The Kavanaugh hearings were on the TVs at the bar.
I dove right into my martini, which was made to perfection: Belvedere, up, slightly dirty, extra olives.
Cocktails are served with treats like jelly beans, potato chips and nuts.
If you don’t have a reservation at the restaurant, they have lots of great options in the bar.
You are not gonna go hungry here.
The toughest thing is just to decide what to order.
Charcuterie & Cheese Night — Oh La La!
And that’s when we found out it was Cheese & Charcuterie Night? What a great welcome for the Cheeseslave!
Executive Chef Oliver Beckert is a genius. He was kind enough to give us a complimentary cheese board, which was outstanding.
If you miss Cheese & Charcuterie Night, which happens every Wednesday night, they have theme nights I believe Wednesday through Saturday.
I can’t remember them all, but I know one night (maybe Saturday?) they have Caviar and Champagne. And I think every Fridays are Dessert Night.
Oh! And they also serve High Tea in the afternoon. Now, that would be a lovely experience. [Adds to Bucket List…]
BLT Prime Restaurant Review
BLT Prime is the restaurant overlooking the Benjamin Bar and the hotel lobby. It is actually quite secluded and quiet.
And you’re perched way up high like a cat in a tree, perfect for celebrity sightings (scroll down for more on that).
BLT Prime Restaurant: The Food
First they bring the popovers. You didn’t order the popovers. But somehow the popovers arrive, like some kind of miracle.
The popovers are served with butter on a Himalayan salt butter dish.
I’m pretty sure that when you get to Heaven, these popovers are on the menu.
In fact, our waiter’s name was Gabriel… we asked him if Michael and Raphael were working that night. Seriously, though, you will hear angels sing when you try these popovers.
I guess they probably got enough requests that they now offer everyone the recipe. You know I’m going to be making these popovers at home!
Oh, my gosh, no wonder I loved them so much… look at the ingredients! They’re literally full of cheese!
So anyway, you’d think maybe I was full by now… and while that may be true, do you think I would let that stop me?
Aww hell no, I’m a professional.
I ordered a glass of red and the filet, medium rare. Plus I had to have the onion rings and potatoes.
Looking back at the menu, all I can think is, Damn, I should have gotten the Bernaise sauce to go with it. [Adds to bucket list…]
The steak was cooked to perfection. Why am I not surprised. Everything at the Trump Hotel DC was perfect. Literally everything.
Yes, the onion rings were perfect, too.
Remember when I said I was full? I was. But did that stop me?
Again, one word. Professional.
I truly do not think we ordered that dessert. Maybe I’m in denial?
Maybe our archangel waiter Gabriel was just excessively nice (he was)… or maybe it was because I told him I was a food blogger.
Needless to say, it was delicious.
Celebrity Sightings Galore
As I was waiting to be seated at BLT Prime, the hostess was guiding a party to their table. “Right this way, Mr. Gowdy,” she said.
Mr. Gowdy?
I craned my neck to see who it was… and lo and behold, Representative Trey Gowdy was in the house.
I watched all of the Benghazi Hearings on YouTube… so for me, this was a very big deal.
And, no, I did not stalk him and take photos at his table. You see, because I have restraint.
That did not stop me from surreptitiously snapping pics of all the other politicos we saw… (Trey was seated a little too far away otherwise, I would have snapped those, too.)
While I can’t remember them all, I know we saw at least 5 famous politicians and media pundits.
For example, Kevin McCarthy, Senator Majority Leader and Representative of California’s 23rd district (Bakersfield) in the U.S. House of Representatives.
That’s him on the left with the pink tie.
And get this… I got back to my hotel room, flipped on my TV, and guess who was on the news?
I guess the Trump Hotel is where all the big dogs go after they do their media spots.
Trump Hotel DC Restaurant Review: Should You Go?
Yay or nay? Is it not abundantly obvious the answer is YAY!
Bottom line — if you’re in Washington, DC, you do not want to miss the Trump Hotel for drinks and dinner. Great food, fantastic atmosphere, and you get to rub elbows with the DC power players. Or at least try to eavesdrop on their conversations.
And popovers. If for no other reason, you have to go just to get those popovers. You’ll thank me later.
What would you order at the Trump Hotel DC Restaurant?
If you went, what would you order? Comment below!
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