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Categories: American (New), Middle Eastern
Neighborhood: Dupont CircleDupont Circle (Red)
"Good place for a more upscale happy hour. Big, comfy lounge chairs in the outdoor area. The sun felt good. We got a very refreshing…" read more »
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Despite not advertising, the Iron Gate is almost always full. Why? Attention to detail, client loyalty, romantic setting, cozy atmosphere, and great food made with local organic ingredients.
The Iron Gate is a local favorite, be prepared to see famous Washington insiders hidden in the stable booths. One of the oldest standing buildings, dont forget to ask your host about the history of the place.
I highly recommend the lamb shank. Slow cooked over one day, the meat is tender.
If it's a romantic atmosphere you're looking for, the Irongate Inn has it in spades: beautiful, grapevine-covered courtyard off of a quiet street near Dupont Circle for alfresco dining, and indoor area with fireplace in a former carriage house for the winter months. Unfortunately, the food doesn't rise to the level of the setting (I'd give it five stars for atmosphere, but only two for the food).
Named after the gates to the courtyard, the Irongate has been around for 50 years or so, yet seems to fly under the radar, quite possibly because the food is so lackluster. Best for an after work drink or light meal (the Middle Eastern dishes such as hummus and stuffed vine leaves are decent). For an equally romantic meal with far superior (and far more expensive) food, try the Tabard Inn across the street... if you can get a reservation.
I have been to the Irongate a number of times for drinks and appetizers...and it is always enjoyable, except for the very slow and rude service.
The breezeway area is my favorite! The white walls, candle light and "iron gates" are so romantic! This is an excellent place for drinks and light appetizers.
They should hire another cocktail waitress for this area, during the warm weather months...the only reason we don't go more often is because the service is so slow and unfriendly!
If you go with more than 3 people, make sure you have cash, otherwise figuring out the bill will be a disaster.
The building is very nice and the patio is one of the best places to have dinner on a warm summer night. The food is usually great.
About seven years ago, I wandered into this place for lunch and, perhaps more importantly, a little midday shelter from the winter cold. What ensued was a lovely meal of grilled salmon, mashed potatoes and asparagus served next to a crackling fire. Not exactly pushing the envelope of nouvelle cuisine or anything, but a nice eats at a good price. What more can you ask for, right?
Flash forward to Saturday and the Irongate Inn of the present. This place has gone waaaaaaaay down hill. We couldn't sit outside on account of the storm (not their fault), so we had to eat inside. Unfortunately, the air conditioning unit was on the blink. Once the place filled up with patrons (more on that in a minute), the temperature became unbearable.
Adding to our misery, the decor is dated and there's a ton of clutter in the dining room. For some reason, it kind of reminded me of that scene in Summer Rental when John Candy takes his family to the Barnacle. Only at the end of MY meal, I didn't get to sail the Irongate in the Regatta or win said Regatta and stick it to that smug Richard Crenna.
Anyway, on to the overpriced food. Back in the day, this place was a real bargain, at least for lunch. But some deranged individual actually thinks you should pay $36 for filet. Maybe it's real, real good, I dunno. But I know that my chicken ($24) was overpriced and the GF's tuna kabob (also $24) were hardly worth the hefty price tag. Tasty enough and decent portions, but--if I'm being honest--we were both feeling a little woozy after dinner.
On the plus side, they still have great bread. But they completely blow even that. Why? Well, they used to give you butter. But in 2009, they don't serve butter, the don't serve cheese, they don't serve jelly, or any of these. They serve something that they claim is a mixture of garbanzos, capers, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil, but it tastes more like spoiled raccoon ass (don't ask, just don't). Who the hell asked these people to mix these ingredients?
Finally, the clientèle. Long ago, this place attracted a nice diverse crowd. But today? If I had to put money on it, I would bet that the Irongate offers some sort of fat AARP discount to attract the last elderly dregs of society that don't care what they eat anymore as long as it's early (and they can talk off the ear of the waitress because their children won't talk to them anymore). The GF and I were the only non-blue hairs at the restaurant. Seriously, these people still probably call movies "talkies."
So, one star because Yelp says so. And another star in memoriam for the Irongate of 2002. My 40oz. pours for thee.
The entrance to the Irongate is lovely -- sparkling lights, vines, lovely outdoor furniture. Inside is nice and cozy as well.
Our service, however, was less than lovely. We received a half-hearted welcome and felt neglected during our meal. Our $32 per entree filet mignons were not cooked to order. And the $8 glass of cabernet was not even drinkable.
I can say the host was welcoming and polite, but I could have skipped the rest. If I want to spent $130 for a dinner for two, I can think of much better places.
When did this place open? My friend told me it has been open for years, but I'd never heard of it, and I've lived in DC for a while. I like to think I'm up on the food scene. I mean, come on, I read Tom and his chats religiously.
Anyway, we went last night. First time for all of us. The atmosphere alone is worth the trip. We sat just in the entrance, next to the eponymous gate, which was like sitting in a small European alleyway somewhere. The only way to improve that space would be to have torches or gaslamps instead of electric lighting.
But when I ventured back to the patio - wow, that space is cool. I'm definitely going to have to book a table back there. Perfect place for a summer evening outside. I also really dug the interior -- it smells like an old church and the vibe in that room is very cool. It was empty and not in use last night, but I'd love to hang out in there.
The food was pretty good, too. Nothing transcendant, but solid. We had the hommos appetiser and for a main I had the pork loin. The mashed potatoes were really, really good -- they tasted like my Mom's do on Thanksgiving. My friend Rachel had the lamb shank, which I have to admit some dinner jealousy on. Luckily, she let me have a bite and it was very good.
Service was friendly, although our waitress had to cover the entire alleyway as well as the bar, so it took her a while to get to us sometimes. Especially as we were closing out our tabs, and keeping our eye on the Metro times on my iPhone. One thing that was funny was that she kept bringing new bottles of beer for my friend Dave, even when he didn't order them. I think she might have been trying to get him drunk.
4 stars for the bar area, not the restaurant
Discovering this kind of place is one of the things that keeps me from completely abandoning hope in the District and moving somewhere with more character.
I ended up in the bar area for a couple of drinks after work because a friend of a friend of a friend just started tending bar there. Despite the fact that my office is two blocks away, I'd never heard of it or noticed it before. And it certainly wasn't packed.
The bar is a breezeway with a brick patio floor and a white brick arched roof that's two or three stories high (seen inside the entrance in one of the pictures). Sitting in there, you really feel transported to an entirely different city, most likely a European one. It's a beautiful place to be on a nice evening. The decor that's added to the setting is a bit odd... it kind of looks like it belongs in a martini lounge in an airport or on the set of Sprockets but it's not noticeable enough to ruin the atmosphere.
I snacked on some hummus and it was, in fact, pretty bad. The pita was a good texture and nice and warm but the hummus was way too acid... totally overboard on the lemon. So it's definitely about the atmosphere, not the food. And the beverage selection isn't huge either... there aren't any taps, possibly because the bar is outside, and it's a pretty small selection of liquor.
But, really, you just have to check it out for the atmosphere!
You can't help but do a double-take walking past Irongate, whose entrance seems to have been pulled out of a foreign film or one of those romance novels they don't sell at the grocery store anymore. Quaint and mysterious, this seemingly undiscovered gem beckons you to come in and be seduced by the too good to be true atmosphere.
Alas, Irongate Inn's menu can't compete with its ambiance. The menu is fine - not bad, but certainly not life-changing. Unfortunately, my experience is likely tainted by the weather, as we sat outside (though covered) on a mid-June night and whatever system they have in place to control the temp (umbrellas, fans, etc.) is not cutting it. My poor man friend was overheated before we got our appetizers and by the end, we were sweltering and nearly (nearly, let's be honest) skipped dessert.
Nothing is wrong with Irongate per se, it just can't match the expectations created by its entrance. Tabard Inn across the street will ultimately triumph over this Iron curtain.
My boyfriend and I went there on a Saturday night for dinner. As the oldest restaurant in DC, the ambience was really old school and unpretentious - very quaint and beautiful. The best thing was the menu because it was really simple and home-cooked, not trying to be overly creative or posh. The appetizers and entrees were great, but the dessert was out of this world, especially the almond flan. My boyfriend gotthe date bread pudding which is heavenly but was too decadent after our giant meal. The service was excellent... Our waitress was rather unprofessional and aloof, but in a very polite and charming way. Can't wait to go back, especially in the summer when you can sit outside!
I wish I could rate this restaurant on ambiance and atmosphere alone. Unfortunately, I can't and it really breaks my heart to give the Iron Gate a bad rating. My boyfriend took me here for our 1 year anniversary last year and I immediately fell in love with the outdoor patio seating and white twinkle lights. It felt like we had walked into a a quaint little Euro bistro. We sat outside on a gorgeous summer night under ivy covering. They had a guitarist playing live music and it was really beyond romantic. I especially loved it because it was so unexpected and I had never even heard or seen of this tucked-away spot before. So 5+ stars for the setting...now onto the food.
I ordered a Mediterranean chicken dish that was WAY over salted. My boyfriend had the lamb and he too thought his dish was a sodium explosion. Even the broccoli side was hard to swallow. Now, I know Mediterranean meals are often a bit salty, but this was beyond the norm. I do remember the mashed potatoes being rather delicious though. I thought the dishes were slightly over-priced for the taste and quality being what it was. Plates average $20-30.
I would definitely go back for drinks, if only to enjoy the romantic setting again.
This is such a lovely place to dine...very quaint and romantic, especially out on the patio. It's old (1939) and used to be a stable, which adds unique charm. The food was very tasty. We started with the mussels with white wine, which were delicious (despite a bit of grit) especially dipping the excellent bread in the sauce. We ordered a bottle of sangiovese, which went great with the meal. We had the braised lamb shank and salmon for entrees. The lamb was particularly delicious - perfectly cooked and flavored, the meat fell right off the bone. I enjoyed the mediterannean accompaniment of orzo and feta with the lamb, a nice change of pace from potatoes/rice. The service was very friendly, too. I will definitely return in the future, it's a nice place to share.
The food was really good, the service was great. The environment was just fantastic. A really romantic place! Take a date here!
I have to walk down this section of N Street almost daily to go to my girlfriend's apartment and I'd passed this very inconspicuous restaurant dozens of times before I decide to check it out. I wish that I'd checked it out sooner.
The food was Mediterranean and tasty (if not particularly memorable), but the ambiance was key. It was a nice summer day so we sat under an ancient, interwoven canopy of foliage eating our hummus and roasted chicken. A (similarly ancient) man sat on a stool in the corner and softly played his guitar, while his wife eat her dinner nearby. The outdoor table and chairs were cast iron and a tad uncomfortable, which was forgivable considering the setting.
My girlfriend and I had been debating how long their canopy had been growing, so we spoke to the owner after our meal and he was kind enough to give us a full tour of the establishment and a recounting of its history. I wish I could remember more details, but the essence was that the main house had been a horse stable a century ago (and it's still recognizable as such) before being transformed into a restaurant. The trees and vines had been growing and intertwining ever since, producing an effect which nothing but time can create.
In any case, a great spot for a warm weather date. I plan to return when the winter approaches, as I understand the heat the stable by burning logs in their huge iron furnace.
The Iron Gate is a quaint little gem in Dupont circle. The restaurant is almost hidden on N st. between 17th and 18th st.'s. Upon entering through the iron gate (yes, there actually is one), you walk through the wonderful courtyard and are given the option to sit inside the Inn or dine amongst the vines outside.
The food has mediterranean influence and will certainly not dissapoint. I tried the shrimp and the lamb - both were superb. The service was nice, our waiter was very attentive, but luckily not overly so. The meals run around $50/pp and there is a nice wine list available.
Cute date spot, unimpressive food.
The best way to describe this place is "cute." The entrance is a large black iron gate that opens into a small outdoor bar area; a little further down and towards the left is the dimly lit indoor restaurant; to the right is the outdoor dining area, which features a vine covered canopy, trees, and lights woven throughout the canopy that light up and create the illusion of fireflies when it gets dark out. Great for sitting out in nice weather. Very romantic, definitely a little awkward for dinner with a friend.
For dinner I ordered the Roasted Pork In the Cuban Style, and my friend got the Braised Lamb Shank. After ordering we were given a basket of crusty bread with a dish of hummus (Sun-dried tomato?). Delicious. We scarfed down all the bread/hummus and our waiter brought us another basket without waiting for us to ask, which was a good thing, since it took forever for our food to arrive.
My pork came with beans, rice, two pieces of fried sweet plantains, and shredded cabbage. The beans were savory, and were yummy when mixed with the rice. The plantains were decent -- sweet, but a little too oily, and I prefer my bananas un-fried anyway. The main feature of the dish, the cuban-style roast pork, was disappointing. The meat was super tender, with fat still attached the lean meat. Unfortunately, the whole thing tasted weirdly vinegary, and I couldn't eat more than a few mouthfuls. I think the cooks need to go easy on the lime/lemon juice for the marinade. I was too full from the bread and rice/beans to try any of my friend's lamb, but it looked tender enough to fall off the bone, and my friend seemed to enjoy it.
Anyway, my overall impression of Iron Gate is that it has a great atmosphere, but the food is way overpriced given the taste/quality of the dishes. The wait staff are knowledgeable, polite, and easy on the eyes, but the service is a little slow.
-3 for slow service and mediocre food, + 1 for atmosphere
I recently went to this restaurant for the first time after living in the DC area for over 6 years and never having heard of it! The entrance to this charming little restaurant is easy to miss - it's across from the Old Tabard Inn. Having lunch there was like being transported to either New Orleans or any number of European cities. Grapevines formed a thick canopy over a brick patio, and a water gurgled out of a stone fountain in the wall. It was almost cinematically romantic.
The food was decent and so-so - the most important thing is that it didn't detract from the wonderful atmosphere, and the service was friendly but understated. This place is easily ten times more romantic than the list of Most Romantic Restaurants that shows up on the Post every year. Highly recommend!
The Iron Gate is one of those Washington spots that hardly anyone seems to know about. This despite the fact that its directly across the way from the Tabard Inn (a winter fave for a cold night cocktail by a fire but thats another story). The Iron Gate is, fittingly, hidden behind an iron gate and a broad low slung tunnel that opens onto to an outdoor dining room with a vine covered canopy.
Charming is the proper adjective here.
Dont ask me about the inside, Ive only visited the restroom bc the outdoor space is so out of this world. Especially at night. A great romantic spot. The food doesnt match the atmosphere, but it hardly matters. Its also a soothing lunch spot if youre having harried day downtown.
Great ambiance. Very romantic and dimly lit. I like that it is off the beaten path, a little inconspicuous and home-y.
The food was nice enough. Not fabulous but not horrible either. This place is a safe bet to take a date.
Last weekend my favorite Washingtonian took me here for dinner. The food was okay but on the whole unimpressive.
The real draw here is the brick outdoor patio with its gorgeous wisteria-covered overhead trellis. It was too cold for us to sit out there but in warmer weather (and especially by candlelight) I can't imagine a prettier or more romantic place in DC to dine.
For those of you who don't remember the 80s -- or who were born in the 80s - the Iron Gate has been around and has had multiple reincarnations for about 30 years. Location? On N between 17th and Connecticut, across from the Tabard. There' s a little sign and you walk back. Not only was it a carriage house of some kind once, but YOU CAN EAT AT A TABLE THAT STILL HAS THE HORSE'S NAME ENGRAVED ON A PLAQUE. That's where the horses once were! And what's more, there is a 100-year-old Wisteria tree outside that FORMS A CANOPY OVER THE LOVELY OUTSIDE TABLES. And if that's not enough, the Mediterranean-tinged French food, or French-tinged Mediterranean food, while nothing exotic, is robust, satisfying, and capably executied. It's a lovely place -- like a little Parisian restaurant, very elegant. Food hits all the marks -- the lamb shank and chicken come to mind, also the pork tenderloin. Nice wine list. You can easily carry on a conversation here -- the atmosphere is positively peaceful. You can share a fine meal here with a good friend or business associate and leave feeling satisfied. Oh, and ask about the history of the place.
Went to dinner this past thursday night by complete chance I ended up here. I ordered the chicken liver pate and the pork chops. Pate was old, gray and awful(the free stuff that they give away at BLT blows this out of the water and that is an understatement), my chop didn't require a knife and broke with my fork. It was a brown plate, with brown onions, cabbage and potato gratin. This wasn't a BRAISED piece of meat, but supposed to be a chop, the meat was probably so old and had been sitting in its marinade for way too long. I am sure during the summer months that the courtyard can be a nice respite from the city but I sat inside with its wooden wall paneling and red plastic booths, I really felt like one of the customers in Gordon Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares episode. The service was not horrible, food came out fairly timely and they checked in on us, but how can I tell them that I want to spit out the food? My friend ordered a scampi pasta which had overcooked rotelli, how can you overcook rotelli? It takes like 10 minutes for al dente!
I don't say this lightly, it was by far THE WORST FOOD I've ever had in DC. I went home and it just came right back up. EWWWW Seeing the reviews for this place, I am sorely disappointed with the company that Yelp keeps in DC and I mean this in the nicest way possible.
The food was delicious and service very enjoyable. Despite the beautiful outdoor setting, the restaurant had gaudy vinyl table cloths (also strange entry decor) and country music right out of a Texas dive bar that spoiled the mood momentarily as you enter the seating area.
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