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Categories: Greek, Mediterranean
Neighborhood: Dupont CircleDupont Circle (Red)
Tue-Thu. 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 5:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
1.-Red Room Bar: Tues-Sat, 5pm-8pm "Buy 1 get 1 Free!" 2.-Rooftop Glass Terrace: Sat-Sun, 10am-4pm "$3 Bloody Mary's and Mimosa's!"
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It wasn't until a day or two before we went to Komi that I realized it was #1 on Washingtonian's Top 100 Restaurants. I knew it had been in the top 10 and chef Johnny Monis had been rated by Food & Wine as a Best New Chef, but I wasn't banking on dinner at "the #1 restaurant" in the DC area. So with expectations at an all time high, it turns out that #1 is probably a little bit of an over-rating, though Komi should feel comfortable in the top 5-10 restaurants.
It was a lengthy meal, so I won't get into specifics. Our table did the tasting menu with wine pairings. Overall, I'd say everyone really enjoyed their meals. Some courses were out of this world, while others were merely very good. They were kind enough to accomodate both a shellfish and seafood allergies at our table. I appreciated the Greek/Mediterranean take on many of the dishes. Service was casual and attentive - not a hint of pretension could be found, which is refreshing for a restaurant of this renown and price-point. One gripe with the service is that the wine pairings seemed few and far between. My glass reached empty more than once when a wine to accompany would've been most appreciated.
Gotta give Komi five stars because it truly was an excellent meal, however for a chef's tasting menu with wine pairings and a splurge meal ($500 for two) Restaurant Eve easily does a better job.
People thought this was:
Realize in advance that you may be spending more money than you have ever spent for one meal. Once you come to terms with this fact, sit back an enjoy a food experience like no other. I can't even think of the words to describe the food I was putting in my mouth. Doesn't really help that I'm writing a review then, huh?
Seriously, everything was made with such precision and the highest quality ingredients. The explosion of flavors and mix of sweet and salty was beyond anything I had ever experienced before.
We did the tasting menu with the 3 wine pairing. The tasting menu was $125 a person and the wine pairing was around $40. It was worth every penny. We got about 12 apps, a pasta dish, the main course (goat), and a few desserts. If I skip a few meals throughout the rest of the week then I can definitely afford this place more often.
People thought this was:
The bottom line: Amazing and consistent.
Visited Komi for the 2nd time (first time was my birthday 1 year ago) and it was repeat-amazing. Friendly, great service and tremendous food. Fabulous blends of textures flavors and visuals.
Courses included:
Small Plates
"Taramosalata" Salmon roe on lemony creme fraiche and home-made baby brioche.
King salmon tartar with candied pine nuts and shiso sorbet.
Prosciutto di San Daniele with fried haloumi cubes, arugula and melon (wife doesn't like prosciutto or halloumi but loved this dish).
Pasta
Baby gnocchi (which practically floated off the plate) with guanciale, blueberries and a light garlic cream sauce.
Hand-made pappardelle with milk braised rabbit and rich tomato sauce.
Main
Suckling pig-rich smoky meat with requisite and delicious crispy squares of craklin. Hot, house-made, thick and chewy pita. Condiments included a green olive salt, habanero coulis?, eggplant spread, house-pickled cabbage and tzatziki.
Dessert
Lemony Greek (football-shaped) donuts with a Mexican chocolate shake.
Chocolate square filled with thick mint cream. On top a caramelized banana and below a fabulous curried caramel.
Go KOMI.
The bottom line: An amazing meal in taste and concept. One of the best restaurants in the city.
I…
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Two hungry, well-traveled foodies, one birthday dinner, lots of anticipation, three amazing hours of food, five stars. I wish I could give it more.
It was the first time at Komi for both of us. I am not one to gush, but it was an absolutely amazing experience. The service was attentive, informative, and very polite. The atmosphere was simple and relaxing.
We did the tasting menu with the three-glass wine pairing. Both of us rank it as hands down the best meal/food experience ever. Everything was fresh, flavorful, beautifully presented, perfectly seasoned, well-paced--the textures, smells, and above all the tastes were just phenomenal. Creme fraiche brioche with salted trout roe, marscapone dates, and scallop with mustard, hint of dill, and truffle stand out among the small plates. The goat was incredible--perfectly crispy on the outside, tender, and delicious. The cheese course and desserts were also great. The fleur de sel and olive oil that featured in many of the dishes were amazing in their own rights (whichever reviewer whined about over-seasoning needs to have his head examined). The wine pours were generous and featured unique varietals.
I'm out of positive adjectives, so I'll stop now.
People thought this was:
Everything about this restaurant is about as good as it gets. And the bill is about as high as it gets.
Certainly the most expensive meal we've ever eaten - $500 for two -- the Degustazione tasting menu is $125 pp, the five flight wine is $68pp, coffee was $6, then the Mayor gets 10% and a $70 tip for two. But we walked away having enjoyed it immensely. Food is very inventive, meticulously prepared and an adventure in flavors. Service is also excellent, and they'll work with your food limitations should you have allergies or sensitivities to certain things.
If I went there again I'd do the simple $90 fixed price dinner. You get the bit of the tasting menu experience with 5 tasting items, a pasta course (very small), an entree (a very good size serving) and a dessert. Then I'd buy a glass or two of wine and walk out without obliterating my wallet.
By far, my favorite "foodie" restaurant in the city. The only downside now is that it has become so difficult to get a reservation with all of the hype it has received in the the past year. Of the three meals I have had here, none disappointed in the least. Dinner here is an expensive proposition, but I feel my money is better spent here than Citronelle or Source (I do think Cityzen's tasting menu is on par with Komi however). I also like the simple atmosphere and relatively small dining area. I have had great experiences with all of the servers and found that the small space kept the servers appropriately attentive.
My only criticism is that on one of the occasions I ate at the restaurant with friends there were almost no (I think one, maybe two) options for single serving entrees. We were really forced to go the tasting menu route (which was great, and my general preference) as we couldn't work out how to split the two-person entrees. But, if my friends hadn't been willing to spend the extra $$, it could have been a real problem.
People thought this was:
I am yet another reviewer who will state that Komi is the best restaurant I've ever eaten in. Eating at Komi is like having a discussion about food with someone who is extremely articulate. Intimate is a great word to describe a meal there. Every morsel of food is thought out, carefully selected and cared for. It's like consuming the raw creativity of a genius. I can't say enough good things about eating at Komi.
My girlfriend and I chose the Degustazione option where, as the waitress described it, "we bring you little things to taste all night."
The hi-lights of the small plates, which were all great, were:
The little hoagie with mortadella and radish was intense and delicious.
The Salmon tartare was balanced and intense. I would have been satisfied with just that for a meal.
The mascarpone and Greek yogurt filled date with sea salt was like nothing I've ever tasted. Better than the richest, most intense bit of candy possible.
We had the roasted suckling pig for the entree. It comes with little Greek salads, hot sauce and seasoned salt. I am a huge fan of southern BBQ and this is slightly reminiscent of a BBQ although there is no smoky flavor to the meat. The skin was perfectly cooked and the meat was moist and delicately seasoned. All of the little condiments went very well with the meat on the outstanding freshly made pita bread. I wanted to call important people and tell them about this incredible dish, I couldn't get enough of it.
The little tastes continue through desert with a tiny milkshake with fresh Greek donuts, a mint and chocolate semi-freddo with curry caramel sauce and frozen Greek coffee. Curry caramel sauce! I couldn't believe the flavor of that sauce. The intensity of the milkshake was shocking as well. How do you make a milkshake better than a milkshake? How is that possible? Well, they do it at Komi. I got a little choked up by the time first desert came around, this meal made me emotional. We had coffee with desert as well. The coffee is from Counter Culture and it was perfect too. One thing that consistently drives me nuts about DC restaurants is that every thing will be good, great even, and then they serve you coffee which is not even an afterthought to them. It's as though they don't even taste the coffee, they simply include it because it's expected. Well, not at Komi, the coffee is as perfect as everything else.
The service here is impeccable and it has been every time I've visited or spoken with them on the phone. We even called one time and asked if we could buy some of the lollipops that they give you at the end of the meal. They said "sure, come by, we have extras." We offered them money but they declined to charge us for them. That's how great the service is.
I will make three comments about the bad reviews:
If the service was bad, the reviewer may have gone on a bad night, perhaps they were busy or they were training a new person. I understand that there is no excuse for bad service at these prices but I have never had that experience.
I simply don't understand a bad review of the food here. Some of the small dishes are very, very simple, hi-lighting the freshness and flavor of the ingredients they contain while others are intensely flavored and complicated. Simple doesn't mean bad.
To the person who thinks the roasted pig was greasy: the roasted pig is not overly greasy. The roasted pig is cooked perfectly to render the cartilage which then moistens the meat. This is a fundamental part of roasting a pig and he pulled it off perfectly. If you can't handle some fat in your meat, perhaps you should eat something other than pork.
People thought this was:
Went to Komi last night and had the Degustazione. The food was spectacular. The suckling pig was particularly good (the habanero sauce condiment was excellent!), as were the mascarpone-stuffed dates with fleur del sel.
We had one vegetarian in our party and they were able to put together an outstanding line-up for her also--stuffed squash blossom, and the cauliflower flan came in for particular praise. The wine selection was also very good--and included a number of very reasonably priced options.
This restaurant is by far the best in D.C. - possibly anywhere. The quaint atmosphere compliments the food that is just over the top. We had the tasting menu and let the chef decide - good choice. I don't drink, but my fiance paired the food with a few glasses of wine which she ranted and raved about. I highly recommend this restaurant to anybody looking for a great dining experience. It's a tasting menu, so be prepared for a long delicious dinner. Plan ahead, I think you have to book the reservation a month in advance.
People thought this was:
So I went to Komi last night! Nevertheless after weeks of anticipation, my expectations went down like Air France Flight 447! I'm truly sorry and terribly disappointed to be writing this disillusioned review, but I really feel as though I was mislead, taken advantage of, bamboozled, and had my heart smashed into smithereens! I guess its in part due to the fact that I was looking so so forward to eating here, and after putting enough $$$ aside to splurge on the dining experience without an Ouch!
In spite of that, I want to first acknowledge that the food was pretty good, actually I quite enjoyed it so I would give up 3 stars....Still and all, my girlfriend was eating almost everything but complaining and whinging about over-seasoning, this and that! She's just not a fancy-shmancy extravagant culinary delight type of chick. But I honestly think she didn't even like the food but for the money we were spending she figured she should eat every last bite out of spite!
So why am I so disappointed? Well kind of like Jeff G. so kindly put it, when you walk into this place, they have a name to live up to. They have a merit and standard of excellence to uphold. Its not just going to be another meal for you! LIke come on now people, you're telling me that you're going to go someplace and spending $300 on a dinner for 2 and NOT expecting so much more than you would from another average $50 dinner at any other Joe-Schmow establishment?
Now what really really turned me off was the service....3 words, 1 acronym: OMG! I couldn't have said it better than Wayne N.!!!! And I still can't comprehend why the **** this ostensible genius, culinary prodigy guy Juanny Koonis hasn't taken upon himself to hire some outstanding dining room help to match his outstanding menu?
Let's be realistic people, most Americans can go into a place and eat a mediocre meal but if they get good service they will keep going back. Vice versa, most Americans can go into a place and eat an amazing meal but if they get bad service they will never come back!
And when you're charging people "HOP" (Human Organ Prices), people are going to expect that not only you give them a Saturnalia meal but that you also give them seventh heaven service to match!
Isn't it only natural that you give people congruence in cuisine matched by equilibrium in service and symmetry in price? In my mind, an outstanding, amazing, exemplary establishment is that, a restaurant that produces homogenously in all 3 areas. And at least to my standards and opinion, which is my God given entitlement, Komi didn't come close! You broke my heart Komi....
People thought this was:
I'm surprised by the comments on the service. SO and I had amazing service. We never had to ask for water (or anything, for that matter). We did the tasting menu. I had the 3-glass pairing, SO had the 5-glass.
Everything was amazing. Just save up your money and go.That's all you need to know
OK, and know this -- I think, for the experience and quality, this is well worth it and a better value than Citronelle. For the same price at Citronelle, we got the three-course dinner (plus a couple of upcharged items), a cheese course, and a couple cocktails for each of us. Here we were able to experience many more courses for the same price, and in more relaxed atmosphere.
I know the styles and cuisine are totally different, but when it comes to the high-end dining experience in general, Komi is the clear winner.
People thought this was:
Disappointing. That's the best way to describe this place. So much hype and none of it lived up to. We did the degustazione ( hope I spelled that right ) and with each of the numerous courses, I was sitting there hoping the next course would bail it out. No dice. Given this place was little better than mom's spaghetti, I'll use a spaghetti western to summarize.
The Good: Maybe the stuffed dates? Sad that this is all I can say is good as far as the food was concerned. The service was definitely good but not incredible.
The Bad: Nearly every other small plate. Seriously bland. No point in listing them out.
The Ugly: The chef decided we needed to have the suckling pig for our main course. This was just plain gross. I seriously wanted to take sandpaper to my mouth after trying to choke it down. There was so much fat and grease that I felt like I was at some SD hawaiian bbq hell hole. Taste was mediocre and, like many other things, salted to all hell. But the fat and the overwhelming grease topped even the salt. It was revolting.
Seriously, $380 for two people for plate after plate of mediocre food. Were there "interesting" tastes" Sure. Was there a variety of tastes? Absolutely. Was any of it outstanding? Not a thing. And for nearly $400, that's simply not acceptable.
Another overly hyped DC fail. Next time it's Ravi Kabob and $350 in my pocket. Pathetic.
People thought this was:
One of the top 3 best meals I've had in my life. I can't wait to go back, I hope we do. Service - outstanding, tasting menu was off the hook amazing and the wine pairings were spot on. I've been searching for 2 years for a retailer that sold a few of the wines we tried to non-restaurants!
This is where you go for a great dining experience - don't take more than 4 people and come hungry. Last I checked they still weren't on open table, and parking isn't worth they hassle - take the metro or a cab. The meal is worth every penny, every moment and you'll remember it for a long, long time. We are still talking about the cheese stuffed date goodness I have no idea what was it but it was amazing - and that was an in between dish we had.
People thought this was:
I haven't Yelped in about a year, but I felt the need to give Komi five stars to counteract the jackasses giving it one star because it was "too expensive" or the service was "slow" all the while saying the food was very tasty.
I mean, you make reservations at this restaurant understanding that it's a 2+ hour experience and that it's going to cost you some benjamins. Sit down, relax, enjoy the effing delicious food, and eat ramen for a couple of weeks afterward. It's worth it.
Komi's full chef's tasting menu is the best meal I've had in Washington. It may be second only to Ko in NY for best meal of life. I am a snobby snobby foodie and Komi impressed me. The mezzo flavors were delicate and creative, the pasta courses were on par, and the goat shoulder blew my mind.
Save up and eat here. Don't listen to the haters.
People thought this was:
So I had to let my dining experience digest (har, har) before writing about Komi. The reviews really do make any diner feel like they have to pick a side: love or hate. Its a tough choice when you do recognize that the price is quite high, and the food is quite good, but that that latter isn't necessarily a direct result of the former. I've been to Komi twice now - both times electing to have the chef's tasting menu, and both times very pleased, but the price-point clearly makes careful judgment a necessity. So like a child in divorce court, I sat down and thought long and hard about which parent I wanted to live with: good or bad. Ultimately 3 factors influenced my decision to go with 4 stars:
Its not just dinner, its an experience.
Cheesy, I know, but when the waiter comes and explains to you whats on your plate, and you put on your tongue flavor combinations that you could have never in your wildest dreamed up (unless you are a molecular gastronimist or something), its a very cool thing. I don't know, maybe I'm just a rube, but I really like that aspect of the experience and I feel like it widens my perspective on how simple ingredients can be taken to the next level in effortless, but unusual, ways.
Its like food art.
Where else are you going to find an inside-out (crouton on the outside) caesar salad that you eat with your hands? Ok, ok, maybe in the midwest at some county fair where the lettuce is really a snickers bar and the crouton is really a deep-fried, batter shell. I didn't even particularly love this "dish" because I thought the dressing was a bit strong, but its a cool idea. AND its a reminder that the chef in the kitchen has been slaving to find new and different ways to "wow" his clientele. So no, its not a painting that you can hang on a wall, but its art nonetheless.
Its really, really good.
If you're a meatatarian like moi, I don't know how you could eat tender piece of suckling pig or let the crispy pig skin melt like butter on your tongue and NOT be impressed. If you're not a meatatarian - how you gonna come up in here and tell me those stuffed dates aren't the best thing since sliced crispy pig skin?! The food is excellent. Expect to take a few hours enjoying and savoring it.
So why 4 stars and not 5?
I had a similarly awesome chef's tasting menu meal, except awesomer, in Buenos Aires that rocked my world. Wine included, it cost $35 pp. Different place, different price-bracket, I know, but I only felt its fair to dock a star to show that the same good food doesn't have to cost a couple hundos.
Parting thought - try the wine pairing. We did the three wines each and it was quite nice. We were each served different wines that corresponded with our courses so nicely, and we were able to try each others wines and try a wider variety than just three pours.
Look, I'm all about being recession-chic. No one wants to pay a lot to be disappointed, which is precisely why I save my money anytime I'm offered $300 seats at a U2 concert. As for Komi, however, I'd say its money well-spent.
People thought this was:
We did that hard to say word, mezzethakia or something. every 5 minutes or so, delicate bits and pieces of fish and other unidentifiable and hard to enunciate goodness materialized. The main course was a suckling pig with very fresh and delicious pita bread. The whole experience was delicious, and probably one of the better places in this area. However, after paying 250$ each person, it just didn't blow me away. Minibar, by contrast, absolutely impressed, with their innovative menu items and freshness. I really expected something incredible, but I honestly can think of numerous mom and pop places in Italy that can do a better fish job than these guys for a hella less price.
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The thing that I loath and despise about DC the most is the "HERD MENTALITY"! Literally nobody can choose, decide, or set their own trends....
And when the subject at hand is "Komi" that same "herd mentality" applies tremendously! What can I say about this place? Well the service you'd expect for these outrageous prices is torturously bovine and slow! Even though the place is the size of your office cubicle you'll feel as though you need to holler for a drink refill, when as these prices, they should have your waiter on his knees waiting for your commands!
The food is good, very tasty, very fresh and delicious at best. The first time I ate here with a group of friends, I thought maybe they were having an "off night" and maybe I was having an "off night". But then last month, the 2nd times I ate here, and after contributing $800 total, I knew that it wasn't me!
Again, the food was tasty, edible, and good. However, my problem with this place starts with what they give you for what you give them! For a dinner for 2(alcohol no included) $300 is to say it politely, fu**king ridiculous! I mean come on for a bunch of goddamn vegetables and seasoned meat? I don't think so! The meal that I ate, both times, shouldn't have cost more than $100 with alcohol and desert included.
So if you want to "herd along" then yes, I highly recommend this "rip off joint" to say the least. Because I've had way better meals for 10% the price!
People thought this was:
Not too much new to post. This place kicks ass. Did the degustazione menu where Johnny makes all the choice for you. Paired it with the 3 glass wine offering (ended up augmenting with another glass as well). I am going to slack on the structure of this review and go to bullets:
logistics
- call 2 weeks or more in advance if you want a specific date/time
- they don't seat parties of more than 4
- be prepared for a 3 hour pr longer meal, don't bring the in-laws or someone else you don't want to spend time with
food
- the Mezzethakia seemed to go on forever and was fantastic. literally it took over an hour to get through this course. Each of these small (one or two bite) courses really showed off the complemenatry flavors and textures of the food. My favorite was one of the fish he served early - I don't remember what it was as theere were so many. It was so good I can still almost taste it now and I went over a week ago.
- one complaint. when we were going over the menu the server talked up the Katsikaki and we all were very interested. She said this was part of the degustazione menu so we all chose that option. We were then served Slow Roasted Suckling Pig - which was good and a similar option - but not what we had prepared ourselves for. Just a minor disapointment.
Wine
- the wines were all fantastic. I found my new favorite white. I won't post what it is here until I find a local distributor. I have been buying everyone out of it over the internet and it seems no one carries more than a case. My recommendation is to go with the pairings though. There are many great wines on their list, but they will serve you some excellent glasses that you may have not tried before.
Service
- fantastic, extremely attentive
- never had to move as the bus staff did gymanstics to get to finished plates without touching me or any other guest nor spilling or dropping anything.
- waitress was great apart from the screw up with the main course I noted above.
-sommelier was fantastic. I loved the pairings they offered and would definitely look to them for advice.
Bottom line, definitely one of the top three restaurants in DC. If you have the $'s to burn it should be on the top of your list...
People thought this was:
Can I say "wow"? I think that word adequately expresses my experience at Komi.
Food: we had the full degustazione with the 3-glass wine pairing. Since I'm often overwhelmed by restaurant portions, I was nervous that the degustazione would be too much food for me. It turned out fine, however. Although there are many, many mezze (maybe 15?) they're tiny and you're eating them at such a leisurely pace you've got time to digest. We left full but not feeling stuffed. The full tasting menu was a wonderful way to experience many things I normally might not be inclined to order. Each dish was beautiful and delicious. I think I was more impressed by the food at CityZen, but Komi's food was in no way disappointing.
Service: perhaps the best I've experienced in DC. I enjoy fine dining but not the stuffy atmosphere you encounter at many restaurants. The staff at Komi was attentive, gracious and knowledgeable but also low-key and friendly. Several people waited on us throughout the evening, which is often a pet peeve of mine. I usually find it stressful to have lots of different servers coming and going from the table. But Komi's staff is so smooth and pleasant that everything flowed perfectly. I also appreciated that although they were personable, the servers weren't intrusive: our meal didn't become all about interacting with the servers.
Price: it's crazy expensive. I lucked out since I wasn't paying but this isn't a cheap evening. Still, we agreed that our experience at Komi was top-notch.
Bottom line: If you're able and willing to spend the money, Komi does not disappoint. I'm already looking for a special occasion that will give me an excuse to visit again.
I crave Komi. If it didn't cost a mortgage payment I would eat there every evening, The caesar salad bites, the salted baked dates, the himachi, the roasted goat platter. AMAZING. Such a special restaurant. Amazing service and there is no comparison. It's no wonder this restaurant has national acclaim.
I should have taken notes on the amazing Mezzethakia (9 course tasting menu) we had here, but I enjoyed my 2 hour meal so much I didn't want to make a chore out of it. The 3 glass wine pairing made me forget most of the details, but I still remember the tastes so vividly.
Never knew Greek cuisine could be so stimulating to the palate. Johnny Monis is a true culinary magician. I hate that he's younger than we are, but he does put out an unusual and inventive menu. It will probably change by the time I post this.
- Beef cheek stuffed pasta with anchovies and preserved lemon (4 stars)
- Eggplant and wild onions stuffed pasta with snails & basil (5 stars)
- Spaghetti with Catalina sea urchin (4.5 stars)
- Raviolini of salt roasted pumpkin with maple and pine nut (5 stars)
- Olive oil roasted skate with almond puree and radishes (5 stars)
- Charcoal grilled beef with turnips and bacon (5 stars)
- Roasted suckling pig (4.75 stars)
I can't remember the last 2 dishes, but I do know I loved the taste of them. Every dish had all the right combinations. This place deserves all my 5 stars!
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It pains me to write this...
#1 Best meal I've ever had? No
#2 Was it worth $125 for the Degustazione? No
#3 Best Restaurant in DC? Maybe
#4 Would you go back? Probably not.
Harsh. Rude. Unbelievable. But its the truth my friends.
I won't go into details of how dinner works at Komi, as the numerous other excellent posts have detailed it sufficiently.
So here's my review of the dinner...
The Mezzethakia started off with several dishes of raw fish: amberjack, hamashi, etc. The problem here is I've had some good sashima at some of the best restaurants in the country. There's no way Komi, is going to beat the quality of the fish at a place like Sasubune Honolulu or Sushi Yasuda. Or even across the street at Sushi Taro! Plus the pieces of fish came with herbs like chives. It's like putting steak sauce on a cut of dry-aged porterhouse. So attempting to be the best by serving cuts of sashimi is just a hopeless task. And Salmon Tartare while a bit uncommon again doesn't amaze me.
The brioche filled with Foie Gras Mousse and trout roe tasted excellently, but was a minor highlight in a chorus of average-ness.
Flank steak tartate - ok.
Then came the main courses.
Spaghetti with Catalina Uni was good, but I had a similar dish at Basta Pasta in NYC. My pasta was cooked a bit too long, I would suggest it be serve more al dente.
Now by this point we were getting full. The best dish was a perfectly roasted suckling pig and goat. It was served with home made pita bread. Also came with a selection of condiments such as sea salt, tsaziki sauce, and red chili sauce. I loved this course and would go back to the restaurant if I could just have it. This is probably Chef Monis's closest success at a "signature" dish.
The service was outstanding and flawless. The waiters and waitresses were incredibly professional and friendly, but what would you expect otherwise in a restaurant of this level?
It's disappointing to write this review as I've heard so much about this place. But like many things in life, it didn't live up to the hype. Again I think trying to beat the best in the country with raw fish, be sashimi or ceviche, is an impossible task. The cooked dishes were inventive, but not completely original and if your a foodie you probably won't be completely surprised by it. For that, molecular gastronomy places like Mini-bar would be more successful.
So in the above $120 tasting menu class, this is A-OK. It's probably some of the best food in DC, but it's not ready for the world stage yet.
People thought this was:
Best meal I've had in DC. Everything was great: free glasses of champagne with wine pairings, roasted dates with sea salt, fried croquette that tastes like Caesar Salad. It was more of a culinary "experience" and adventure than having a wonderful dinner, which it also was. I just can't get over our main course, the slowly cooked and literally fall-off-the-bone lamb that I had. That dish was ABSOLUTELYSPECTACULAR and the best piece of lamb have ever had in my life. It was crispy on the outside, and juicy and tender on the inside. It literally fell apart when I combed my fork through the meat. AMAZING!
People thought this was:
Quite frankly I just don't get it. I'm sorry, but I agree with Jeff G in that Komi is overrated. The service is painfully slow. Just because the food is decent doesn't mean service should be lacking. An example would be my request for water was not addressed for 20 minutes. And speaking of the food, it is way over priced for what it is. I gave it the 2nd star because the food was decent. Everything else about the place is lacking in my humble opinion.
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**DISCLAIMER**
This is not a full "review" in that it has been over a year since I dined at Komi. This is merely a brief review of my experience. Once I dine there again, which will hopefully sooner than later, I will provide a detailed list of the foods, and my second experience.
**END DISCLAIMER**
I ate at Komi with my gf and her parents in January of 2008. After making the reservation in advance, my gf informed Komi that she was a vegetarian. This was NO problem, special dishes, or altered dishes were prepared for our arrival. How freakin' cool.
We started our meal with champagne, as it was a special occasion - a Birthday. As most have pointed out, the meal began with the arrival of our super friendly and attentive waiter. The meal included about 9-11small "plates" or dishes. Each were better than the one previous. The ones that stick out in my mind were the mini gyro, the Cesar Salad Bite, among others.
These didn't ruin our appetite, they only made it grow, as our mouths watered for the main courses. We ended up doing a 3 course tasting menu and wine tasting to go along with it. The meal was fantastic. From the servers, to the special attention to detail, to the vegetarian specialities. Perfect.
Sometimes I don't understand when people review a place like this and complain its "overrated" and "overpriced." Don't people at least read reviews of a place like this before they go? I know I do. I want to know about how much a meal like this was going to cost, despite the fact that I was relieved of the bill. I'm not sure what people expect from a long, 2-3 hour meal, from a brilliant chef who isn't even 30 years old. Some places aren't for everyone, and this place is clearly one of those places.
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Ok - I have to upgrade this to a 5 star. I made my way back to Komi because I lost a bet and had to "pay up". So glad I did and the only way to go there is to do the Chef's tasting menu. Worlds of a different experience from just ordering the normal way.
This time we had the Chef's tasting menu. I don't want to ruin this dining experience by listing out all of the amazing dishes that were brought to us because the element of surprise before each dish came was part of the experience. I will say that almost all of our dishes were creative fish dishes, with one meat dishes and they came together so perfectly like a story being told with each dish brought out.
I have to say, this tasting menu exceeded Minibar's tasting menu.
The bill was super expensive and I flinched to think it felt like a REALLY nice car payment. ($125/person plus whatever you drink that really racks your bill up)
If you're a foodie, save up for this. Don't look at the menu. Don't read another spoiler review. Just go in blind and do the chef tasting menu.
People thought this was:
I gave Komi 4 stars, simply because I still have Jose Andres' "Minibar" and "2941" as the top bar to… Read more »
If I could give it six stars, I would. Usually a good restaurant experience washes over me like the tide and it's barely a memory the next day. Not so for Komi. I ate there two nights ago and am still having flashbacks. Delicious, delicious flashbacks. I think it's important to come into Komi with eyes wide open about what this is; if you want a big fat steak and a plush dining room, go to The Palms. If you want a seemingly endless cavalcade of innovative, mind-blowing little bites in a spare but intimate dining room brimming with candle light, then call exactly one month ahead (the phone lines open at 12 noon on the dot) and start looking forward to it.
I would also strongly recommend going big and doing the degustazione. Part of the joy of the meal is not knowing what's coming next.
People thought this was:
This place was spectacular. My best friend and I did the tasting menu accompanied by the three glass wine flight. I cannot believe that the chef is 29 years old. The crudo was fantastic. The ceasar salad in a crispy bite was awesome. And the suckling pig was something special. All of the things I love about lechon but with gourmet touches. This is not a meal but a food experience.
People thought this was:
Definitely one of my top experiences ever. If you go, you must have the degustation. It is truly the best sharing experience and my girlfriend thought it was quite romantic. The Mezzethakia was the absolute highlight of the meal, and while some may disagree with the price, the flavors are absolutely unique and justify the splurge. I will not go into every course, as I'm sure that's been beaten to death here and in foodie websites. Monis is a little obsessed with the artisanal salts and the Mezzethakia did not seem like a progression, as much as individual (heavenly) courses.
I do not mind pig, but the suckling pig was a little oily for me and the portion much too large to finish after the long Mezzethakia.
There is no bar, but wine pairings are available for extra. Service is extremely attentive (sometimes overly so), but the attention to detail and friendliness of the servers made the experience enjoyable and not at all intrusive. If and when I return to DC, I will come again and bring friends.
4 and 7/8 stars. 1/8 off for the dining room's lack of good ventilation (a little humid).
People thought this was:
I just don't get the raves about Komi. I would rank Bar-B-Q joints much higher and can't imagine how Washingtonian keeps pushing the Komi thing on the lemmings here in DC (my home town, I am not a transplant) Having returned from Italy and having dined at places like Agata e Romeo, La Madonna delle Pescatore and La Gallura I JUST DON'T GET IT. Komi is just OK nothing special. The service is mediocre, they take themselves too seriously for what they know, the food is a re-hash of dishes you can get at any greek place in Highlandtown-in fact I would recommend going to Samos or Zorba's in the Highlandtown (East baltimore) for a hell of a lot more bang for your BUCK! SAVE YOU MONEY! KOMI IS NOT ALL THAT, IT IS SOOOOO EXPENSIVE AND SO NOT FINE DINING. It can't be compared to Citronelle, Marcel's, Source, Cityzen and several others where the chefs are the real deal. OVER RATED AND EXORBITANT !
PS-Good luck finding a parking spot, they have no valet!
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I have eaten at Komi five times trying to figure out how they have recieved such high accolades from… Read more »
So yum!! Even though we didn't do the tasting menu, the array of meze (tapas-like mini-bites in the beginning) was outstanding and made it feel like a tasting menu.
We had the suckling pig and it was incredible, although not too fond of that odd oregano-salt mix for it. The other sauces it came with more than made up for it, though.
Also, the service was impeccable. They even brought out more mini-pita break without us asking for it (we "pigged" it all down quite quickly).
Go, get a rezzie or, do what we poor saps did, and hope that someone cancels a reservation and get in off the wait list. Enjoy!!
Ok I am not such a huge fan of small plates...unless you are going to some tapas bar. But I gotta say that the suckling pig and spit fired goat is so money that you could say that it is like a sure thing....like betting on a 10 jack combo in blackjack.
The small dishes are pretty much a great thing including the pasta dishes...sea urchin and crab meat? WoW. The wine list is abbreviated and to the point....I hope that their wine prgram gets a little better. I have to say the the food and the service is not exactly warm but I can live without the banter that most other places have...after all you are there to eat.
great place to eat maybe twice a year and look forward to the next time I go...Monis you are doing good things and hope that your menu contiually evolves as your career. Cheers.....
Enjoy
Seriously.
I mean, really.
This will be a long review as there is no other way to get across to you people how much Komi deserves 5 stars.
Hands down, the best meal I've ever had. Not that you haven't heard that before while reading about Komi. I mean, it was so amazing, I think I may travel back here, from wherever I am, just to celebrate my 40th here with some REALLY close friends.
Some highlights:
*Impeccable service - even though my girlfriend and I showed up in jeans and nice shirts (you know, not slobbish, but not uber dressed up), we were treated just as well as any other patron that night, and maybe even better. I think the servers enjoyed how much we enjoyed the food. They were all very knowledgeable and thoughtful, and everyone took responsibility for us, not just our designated server. We were initially sat at a table in the middle of the room, closest to the kitchen, but as soon as another, more cozy, intimate table opened up, they offered it to us without us even asking.
*The Mezzethalia (spelling?) is basically 9-11 mini-appetizers. Each one was made with something I've never heard of or thought of actually eating, but each one was heaven. All of the dishes were perfectly delicate, but carried all the flavor you could dream of, complete with seasonings/sauces that teased out the base flavors and complemented them, without overpowering the main component.
*The pasta. It took me about 40 minutes to eat the Tagliatelle with milk roasted duck ragu because I just didn't want it to end. The wine they paired with the pasta was a Greek red (I wish I could remember what it was!) and they danced their way across my tongue on their way to my very happy stomach. My girlfriend had the Boulettas of arrowleaf spinach w/ brown butter and black truffle, and it was equally unique and unforgettable.
For our main dish, we shared the suckling pig, just because it was something I would never order anywhere else, and while I'm sure someone who enjoys little baby pig would die for this dish, I liked it okay. But I have to give Komi the benefit of the doubt on this one, since I was trying something I wasn't sure I would like anyhow. My girlfriend thought it was really good.
So, yes, it's hard to get a reservation, and yes, it's expensive, but I'd do it all again, in a heartbeat because it's SO worth it.
People thought this was:
I ate here two weeks ago and I'm just now getting around to the review. I will definitely eat here again. The prices are a little high for Dupont Circle and especially Seventeenth Street, but the food and service are worth it. I am also a big fan of Floriana (17th Street), Pesce (on P Street), and Sette (Conn. Ave.). Though service was friendly, I do agree with other yelpers that the wait staff is slow. That may be the fault of the kitchen, however. Sticking with 4 stars though. I'll be back.
People thought this was:
One word to describe the food at Komi: orgasmic.
When you leave, you are not stuffed, nor are you hungry. You feel a bit tipsy, but its not due to the drink. The food is like nothing I've had before. The price is quite expensive, but its worth every penny. Save this spot for a special occasion.
People thought this was:
Well, contrary to some of the rather whiny reviews that are on here, my experience was quite good. And just a note, I just think it should be personally embarrassing for someone to have to brag about their extensive world travel to try to give their self some type of special credence when it comes to food.
Anyway, the only real annoyance of the night was that our reservations were for 5:30 and they didn't open the door until right at 5:30, so we had to wait for a few minutes on the sidewalk before getting inside. But, once we got in, the staff was wonderful. They were helpful with talking about the menu, we all got the degustazione tasting menu where they brought out their own selections for us to enjoy and two of us got the three wine parings and the third just ordered it by the glass, where once again the service was excellent in suggesting a wine to perfectly meet that person's specifications. Each course was delicious and tasty, but yes, it does take awhile to work through the courses, but that is because a.) they are making everything for you right on the spot and b.) they want to give your palate a chance to "reset" between courses so you can properly enjoy the next. This is not McDonald's where you go in for a quick bite, this is an event for the evening by itself.
Some of the highlights of the evening were the delicious braised goat, which was served with pitas and several condiments; the seasoning on the oyster was incredible; the fried Cesar salad; and the fresh sashimi scallop. Though everything was really quite good.
Now yes, the place is very pricey, but the food is excellent and the dining experience of a tasting menu is always a treat. Now, I think it is unfair to compare this restaurant to others in New York or London or Paris, because yes, those cities are going to have a different variety which are probably going to be even more elaborate and expensive, but I do think it's appropriate to compare it in reference to DC's other top shelf establishments, namely Citronelle and Minibar, both of which I've also been able to enjoy. For Citronelle, the food is also excellent, as is the service, but it is considerably more expensive to get the tasting menu there and the service is a bit more stodgy, though still very attentive, so I would say Komi gets my vote there, though very slightly. Now in comparison to Minibar, I feel Komi's food is the better of the two, but Minibar is great for the showmanship of the experience of being right there watching them prepare it for you and being able to talk to them as they do it. So if you are looking for that unique, interactive experience go with MInibar, but if you just want an excellent tasting menu with great service, I say Komi.
As far as the comments that have ragged on people liking Komi being part of the "herd," I can assure you I'm not part of the "herd" but simply know good food and service when I see it. If I was part of the "herd" I'd be falling all over myself for the cliche clubs like Cafe Citron (excuse me, but what the f*&@ is up with that place). So just because a majority of people like something that you don't, doesn't mean they are part of herd, maybe they just have better taste.
Also, an added bonus on the night we were there, Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhal were two tables away, and though I can't speak for them, they seemed to be enjoying themselves very much.
People thought this was:
komi is a great spot for a special occasion... simple and intimate setting, excellent service, good food and an impressive beer selection (try a hitachino espresso stout paired with dessert).
Oh wow. This was dope.
Service was top notch. Food (tasting menu) was unlike anything else I have had. The atmosphere was warm and casual, yet there was no doubt that it was about some fine eating. We got the wine pairings, and they even wrote down all the wines for us because we liked them so much. All of the food was oh so good, particularly the seafood. I have never had seafood that melted in my mouth the way this stuff did, particularly the diver scallops with black truffles. This place is way pricey, and I doubt we will be returning too soon, but if you are looking to celebrate a special occasion with someone who loves food and appreciates creativity and presentation, this is it.
People thought this was:
Excellent seafood, cozy settings. I'm overwhelmed by how good it is. The whole dining process, from making reservation to enjoying your meal, is a wonderful experience. It's a little pricy but you'll get more than what you pay for! They always come up with combinations that constantly surprise you.
A little Komi math:
Johnny Monis
12 course degustazione tasting menu
3 paired wines
+ incomparable service
_________________________________________________
2.5 blissful hours worth every single penny of the $350 price tag
People thought this was:
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