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Siroc Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Italian Italian
915 15th St NW(between N I St & N K St)
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 628-2220
- Nearest Transit:
-
Mcpherson Sq Metro Station (Blue, Orange)
Farragut West Metro Station (Blue, Orange)
Farragut North Metro Station (Red)
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Classy, Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
138 reviews for Siroc Restaurant
Review Highlights
"The black pepper tagliatelle was easily the best pasta I've..."
(in 12 reviews)
"...with the bosc pear poached in red wine and ginger with..."
(in 5 reviews)
"...especially the almond cake with blueberry topping - yum."
(in 7 reviews)
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138 reviews in English
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Review from Samantha G.
Washington, DC
This is a nice little spot that I probably walked by hundreds of times without so much as a second glance. When searching through Restaurant Week menus, though, the Siroc menu definitely stood out. And they could accommodate a group of 14 too.
The space itself is actually rather small. The decor just right - not too much, not too little; not too dark, not too bright. The service was attentive and thorough.
The Restaurant Week menu offerings were incredible. Four courses with several options to choose from for each course. And each course was plated spectacularly! Easily some of the prettiest dishes I've seen outside of Vegas.
While everything was delicious, I have to be honest and say that not everything left me craving more. I think my favorite dishes were the venison gnocchi and panettone pudding. Those two most definitely left me craving for more!
This is definitely a great spot for an upscale meal in a non-pretentious setting.Listed in: Pasta Pasta Pasta, Something Smells Fishy, Around My DC 'Hood
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Review from Mike B.
Washington, DC
12/19/2011
The Mouse That Roared!
A beautiful and worthy gem at McPherson Square.
Owner and self-taught chef ,"Mitch," has trained in both DC and European kitchens, and found a sweet spot delivering foodie-quality scratch Italian fare at fair prices with an attentive kitchen and wait staff...
What to get? You can't go wrong with any of the menu. If there are special food requirements, please, be sure to ask for substitutions. A few suggestions:
DUCK HASH topped with poached egg appetizer is a winner
SPINACH PARADELLE fresh pasta with sauteed pancetta bacon and shrimp tossed with a sweet buttery garlic oil.
ALMOND TORTE w/blueberries is light and refreshing - takes about 15-20 minutes to prepare and worth the wait. -
Review from angela n.
12/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
Vegetarians: Upon request, they can make the Spinach Pappardelle without pancetta and shrimp. I wish I had tried that, instead of what I did have, the Butternut Squash Cappellacci (similar to ravioli). Unfortunately the edges of the pasta were too al dente -- overly chewy and firm. My friend was blunter: "It's undercooked," he declared.
The butternut squash filling was flavorful, though, and I liked the hint of almond. The dish was topped with thin strips of ricotta salata (a salted sheep's milk cheese). Finally, the sauce was so nice and buttery that I couldn't bear to waste it. I used my bread to wipe it off the plate. But these positive qualities were outweighed by the too-hard pasta.
The surroundings are dark, elegant, and comfortable (as long as you don't mind sipping white wine while the 99% are camped just outside, protesting income inequality). -
Review from Curtis C.
1/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place is pretty awesome... However, it seems to be stuck in the late 90's with food presentation, but the service and flavor are on spot to make up for it. Would I go back for seconds? Maybe... but there are so many great restaurants to try in DC, that it might take awhile to get back here.
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Review from Shevonne P.
Fairfax, VA
1/15/2012
We went for Restaurant Week last night. It was a four-course meal with three choices. There were three of us, so we each got one of the dishes. The food was delicious. We really loved the presentation and the overall taste. There were some dishes that were better than others. My cousin's roasted tomato was delicious and her gnocchi with venison. My butternut squash was perfectly sweet, and I loved my sister's almond cake. It was definitely a great place to bring a date. It seemed very romantic. Overall, a huge success.
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Review from Heike Y.
Gaithersburg, MD
Updated - 11/20/2011
I am delighted to say that our second time back at Siroc was fabulous.
The owner listened to my concerns and the restaurant seemed to have more space. The waitress was lovely and concerned about our well being - so was the rest of the staff. As mentioned in my earlier review - food is delicious and the wine matches it's food offerings.
Thank you for inviting me back and showing me that Siroc "IS" on of the top restaurants in Washington, DC.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/16/2011
The food was outstanding - including the presentation. The wine list was appropriate for the menu… Read more »
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Review from Steve R.
Ellicott City, MD
1/29/2012
Been hearing about this place for a while. Disappointing, perhaps as much from not meeting expectations as anything else. Appetizer duck confit hash. Very uninspiring, flavors were okay but they did not meld to form a great dish. Would definitely not order again. Pasta was black pepper fetaccini was a true stand out dish though my wife thought too much pepper. I thought it was the one standout dish. Roasted monkfish was overlooked and over seasoned with salt. Wine list is okay and so was service. I may have experienced an off night for the kitchen. I would be willing to give them a second chance but with so many great places to dine I doubt I will return.
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Review from Isay J.
Alameda, CA
1/28/2012
Excellent service. Went on a half full Sunday night for restaurant week. For a cold snowy night I thought it was a good showing. But maybe because it is right on McPherson Square maybe most of the folks were tourists. Anyway, food was excellent, tagliatelle with scallops, mozarella with tomato, duck confit and chocolate mousse with hazelnut. This chocolate mousse was not too sweet, not too plain- just right. The pasta was my fave dish for the tasty seafood inspired sauce and pasta is handmade I think. Overall, not your "Americanized" Italian restaurant because the food was quite light. Thank God for restaurant week because it is fairly pricey but worth it for a special occasion.
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Review from Vanessa K.
Washington, DC
11/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
One star off for the portions being too small and me hungry after my scallops pasta entree (although it might be because I eat a lot)
Overall, dressy place for a convenient yet hidden spot for anyone meeting near McPherson Square Metro. The customers were all mostly in suits and looked like they were there for a fancy company lunch so watch out and don't come in here in scrubs. There's an outdoor seating area too if you're ready to brave the cold. I was not a fan of the decor inside although the tables placement did make it very snug. Reservations are highly recommended as I watched the tables fill up around lunch time. I'd def. go back for dinner again if I have the time and run out of places to try. Their pasta was home made and the selection varied, I love scallops and I try scallops at a lot of different places and Siroc did not disappoint! -
Review from Tanya B.
Las Vegas, NV
1/7/2012
Had a fabulous time here. Riad gave us excellent service & Chef Martin cooked a fabulous meal. This review is over year old, but I hear it's still a great place to dine.
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Review from Beth L.
Washington, DC
9/5/2011
The food is okay here. I had the roast chicken. It was just okay.
The chocolate tart was good but it took an extra 20 minutes for them to prepare it.
Decor is nice but the tables are very close together.
Prices are good here. -
Review from NN P.
Fort Lauderdale, FL
10/14/2011
The meal I had a Siroc ranks in the top 10 meals I've ever eaten. Upon arrival, we were seated at our table by a very helpful and knowledgeable server. She served us bread with olive oil that was the best-tasting olive oil I've ever had. The chef sent out an amuse-bouche that left me licking the sauce off the tiny bowl. We ordered 'Hand-cut Thick Spaghetti with Portobello Mushrooms Sauteed with Roasted Garlic, Olive Oil and Basil, topped with Pecorino Romano' and 'House-made Black Pepper Tagliatelle with Sweet Garlic, Olive Oil, Red Pepper Flakes and Seared Scallops'. The black pepper tagliatelle was easily the best pasta I've ever eaten. It was obviously freshly-made as the edges were rough, like real pasta should be. The scallops were beyond good. Both dishes were under $20, and both were superb.
When in Downtown DC, do yourself a favor and stop by Siroc. No, the portions are not very large and no, it is not a big place, but the quality of the food, the plating and the service are all top-notch. -
Review from Natasha S.
Washington, DC
7/22/2011
If I could, I would actually give this place 3.5 stars.
My friends had an intimate wedding celebration dinner here. I had never heard of the restaurant prior to this occasion. We had reservations and were seated immediately. The atmosphere is cozy and quaint.
The server was very.... real, she didn't try very hard to smile or be warm with us. She pretty much let us know upon seating, that we would either love or hate her. Which I thought was an interesting approach. I didn't find her as rude either, just very human. A bit refreshing if you ask me.
The quality of the food was very good.
We had.....
Appetizers:
Sea Scallops served with Sautéed Artichokes and Braised Black Lentils with a Rich Tomato Sauce
House-smoked Salmon with Fingerling Potato and Cilantro Salad, Sweet and Sour Marinated Cucumber and Chive Cream
Squid Stuffed with Scallop Mousse, Corn and Chorizo Sausage served with Braised Cannellini Beans and Squid Ink Sauce
Entree's:
House-made Black Pepper Tagliatelle with Sweet Garlic, Olive Oil, Red Pepper Flakes and Seared Scallops
Black Cappelacci filled with Crab, Asparagus and Mascarpone served with Thyme Butter Sauce and Tomato Filets
Saffron Fettuccine with a Bolognese of Beef Tenderloin, Pancetta, Tomato and Herbs, topped with Grated Montasio Cheese
Filet of Domestic Black Bass Filet served with Sauteed Rapini, Fingerling Potatoes and Preserved San Marzano Tomatoes
Roasted Eggplant layered with Braised Lamb Shank, Oregano and Pecorino Cheese, served with a Roasted Pepper Sauce
I ordered the "Roasted Eggplant layered with Braised Lamb Shank, Oregano and Pecorino Cheese, served with a Roasted Pepper Sauce", which I thought was delicious. It was very well prepared and delicate in taste. I could really taste the flavors of each ingredient.
I sampled the "Black Cappelacci filled with Crab, Asparagus and Mascarpone served with Thyme Butter Sauce and Tomato Filets" which I thought was good but wasn't anything super memorable. In fact, it tasted like a seafood ravioli I had in the past, elsewhere.
I also sampled the "Filet of Domestic Black Bass Filet served with Sauteed Rapini, Fingerling Potatoes and Preserved San Marzano Tomatoes" which I thought was a generous portion. I thought the Bass and Sauteed Rapini were perfectly cooked. I thought the Bass was tender yet the skin was perfectly crispy.
As for the appetizers, nothing really screamed out to me. While I was pleased with my meal, would I return? Probably not. It's one of those places you are satisfied going to once, and for the experience. -
Review from christina k.
Washington, DC
7/15/2011
What a lovely restaurant with very reasonable pricing! My coworkers and I came today and since it was a bit chilly, we opted for in door seating. The outdoor wasn't the most beautiful patio, but the indoors was very chic. Our waitress was very attentive and helpful and we started off with the complimentary focaccia.
I ordered the portabello mushroom sandwich with goat cheese and onions. There was a LOT of goat cheese. Very good. I also thought the mixed greens were sooo good - lots of arugula and there some delicious roasted potates piled on top of it. We also split the chocolate mousse, which was dense, and topped with sweet raspberries, but it wasn't as chocolate-y as I would have liked.
Definitely a restaurant to try out. We are booked for restaurant week! Can't wait! -
Review from Dina T.
Springfield, VA
1/11/2012
A great restaurant. We went during 2012 Restaurant Week. The appetizers and main courses were wonderful. Filet of Branzino served with Sauteed Spicy Spinach, Roasted Red Potatoes with Lemon Zest Dressed with a Lemon-Caper Oil was excellent. And the Fettuccine with a Bolognese of Beef Tenderloin, Pancetta, Tomato and Herbs topped with Grated Montasio Cheese was delicious. The bread was very good. I wasn't crazy about the desserts, but the rest of the food was wonderful. And the service was great.
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Review from Lauren E.
Arlington, VA
8/22/2011
We went to Siroc for Restaurant Week and my boyfriend's birthday. The portion sizes were large for the number of courses, the service was wonderful and the food was tasty!
The restaurant itself is fairly small, but doesn't feel cramped.
My favorite dish was the arugula salad! Very light and refreshing. The pastas were slighty bland, but I'm inclined to try one with a different sauce and see if it was just my dish (scallops with black pepper pasta). -
Review from Michael L.
Washington, DC
8/2/2011
Wow, this sure beats sphagetti and meatballs! Not being much of a fan of Italian food- I just may have found a spot that could convince me otherwise. I was very, very impressed with the decor, food, and quality of service. This is how businesses thrive, recognizing I have money to burn and making me enjoy givig it to you (the business).
For the food, I have to say I was disappointed with the portion size- but, apparently it must be pretty rich, because I actually felt very, very full upon my last bite (and yeah, i cleared my plate). The coffee was eh! But the italian dishes were delicious. I'd recommend it for sure, but i still be on the hunt for the perfect Italian restaurant. -
Review from Pamela R.
Easton, MD
11/19/2011
Second time at this smart restaurant. Recommmended by St. Regis Hotel concierge the first time and then not remembering the name, got help from YELP. Delicious food without 14 gazillon seasonings - lets the flavor the individual ingredients shine. Attentive, knowledgeabe wait staff. Satisfying portions - no need for doggie bag. Prices are also reasonable. Love the potato tort and the rock shrimp ravioli with red pepper butter sauce. Occupy DC was across the street at McPherson Square, but no traffic or street problems. Just seeing history......
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Review from Anna D.
Arlington, VA
5/17/2011
A solid four.
A quiet, small restaurant with a romantic ambiance. Unlike at Brasserie Beck, the candles are real. It's conveniently located near McPherson Metro, so you can easily get your lush on and then hop on the train back home.
Service was prompt and our glasses were never less than half full.
The meal started with a complimentary bread basket and meatball amuse bouche. The bread was cold and ok. They give you olive oil to dip the bread in. The meatball was tasty, though it could have used a little more bite. It was oddly soft for a meatball.
Starters: Composed avocado tower and rabbit sausage
The tower was good. Each component of the tower by itself didn't make sense, but altogether, it was yummy. Also, don't let the word "tower" mislead you. It is, by no means, a tall offering. This appetizer is compact like a patty, except it's layered.
The sausage was delicious. It didn't taste any different from a regular sausage, so I didn't feel so bad about the thought of eating a bunny.
Entrees: Pork tenderloin and boneless branzino
The pork was tender, moist and flavorful. There was a lot of black pepper on the crust and it was a little too much for my taste, so I ended up scraping most of it off. The polenta was cheesy and tasted like grits.
The branzino was properly cooked, but it had bones in it! Bones! In a "boneless" entree! What the heck!
Dessert: Chocolate tart and almond cake
The almond cake with blueberry topping was my attempt at ending the meal with something "healthy." Of course, desserts are rarely healthy, so I was just fooling myself. The almond cake was alright. I much rather preferred the chocolate tart, which the bf ordered and rightfully gobbled up while I peered enviously. Note to self: Always go with chocolate!
It was a successful meal. I would recommend this restaurant to friends and would definitely return. -
Review from Jim B.
Seattle, WA
10/26/2011
Excellent, elegantly prepared Italian. When I was having difficulty deciding between two pasta dishes the server (Justin) suggested 1/2 orders of each. Great idea! I would definitely go beck here again.
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Review from Hue K.
1/21/2011 4 photos
I heard about the hype... so I thought Siroc was pretentious posh Italian restaurant. Well.. I was wrong.. it was small and much humble cozy restaurant.
- Complimentary bread basket filled with a few different kinds of bread. They were so good... like freshly made in-house..
- Tower of avocado, shrimp and mango was awesome. Get this.
- Pasta: Yum.. yum.. yum.. no need to describe any more.
- Hazelnut chocolate mousse: this was my friend's dessert. Perfect balance of smooth mousse and crunchy nuts on the bottom with tangy berries...
- Almond cake with blueberry topping and zabaglion sauce: Good choice if you are not into chocolate or too creamy dessert.
Overall, I enjoyed all dishes I had.
Friendly and attentive service.Listed in: Basket of bread
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Review from Steve R.
Washington, DC
2/16/2011
I cannot give enough compliments to this place. Everything was fabulous.
The complimentary fresh baked bread was excellent... seasoned just maybe a slight bit too salty... but still good.
Deciding what we wanted on the menu was a good 10 minute task... as everything sounded delicious... and also because we had to Google a lot of the side items, as many different types of pasta and vegetables were listed. (what is a Haricots Verts? apparently.. it's a green bean... and it is DELICIOUS)
As I see many other people have listed on here, the tower of mango, avocado, and shrimp is absolutely divine. drizzled with some kind of tomato based sauce and balsamic vinegar.. we're just at the appetizer here folks.... you see where this is going.
I had the Beef Tenderloin served on Garlic Potato Puree , medium well. OMG... so tender... my wife doesn't even eat beef and she said she wanted a bite.
My wife had Cappelacci (google it) filled with Roasted Butternut Squash.. beautiful presentation... love at first bite. wow.
Dessert... the Warm Chocolate Tart with Passion Fruit Sauce takes 15 minutes to bake fresh... and it is worth it. Do not pass this up. We also had the warm almond cake topped with blueberries.... please... this was a near perfect dinner.
Service. fabulous... Restaurant space.... totally unpretentious, but nice...
folks.. this place is the real deal. check it out -
Review from Linda K.
Washington, DC
1/15/2011
This is a nice place. Ambiance is nice. Staff is friendly.
I like the gnocchi, and the wine poached pear for dessert. Both were very good.
It gets a little crowded and service can be a little slow. Prices are reasonable, especially for lunch. -
Review from Dan C.
Los Angeles, CA
5/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
I had high hopes for this cozy little restaurant, but unfortunately it failed to deliver. The service was slow, to the point of being unreasonable. It shouldn't take 40 minutes to take your order...
For my entree, I ordered the pork tenderloin. Now typically, I would say a professional chef could cook a piece of meat--especially a lean cut--better than I can. But this was just bad. Completely overcooked, dry, and smothered with pepper. Lucky for me, my foodie coworker picked the tagliatelle as her entree and was gracious enough to share. It was delicious.
Our table shared a scallop appetizer that was very good, but the pork was just so bland I don't think I will ever return to this restaurant. -
Review from Wilbert O.
Washington, DC
9/29/2011
This is a fantastic Italian restaurant. I was quite impresed by its service and food.
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Review from Kim S.
Washington, DC
4/20/2011
Shocked about the 4-stars. I would say 2.5 at best. My husband and I went here for dinner the other night because I was impressed by the reviews. Needless to say, I was not as impressed by the food.
The menu looks amazing, the restaurant is intimate and warm, they have a great wine list, and the bread basket is delicious but that's where the compliments stop. Neither my husband or I thought our food was spectacular, or even that good, to be honest. Passable, sure, but I expect a little bit better at nicer restaurants. Other than the gnocchi, I can't recommend a single dish (this includes the rabbit sausage, scallop appetizer, black pepper taglietelle, saffron fettucine.)
Skip it, if possible. -
Review from Kara K.
1/26/2011
Went for restaurant week...food was good, not great. They offered 4 courses, instead of the typical 3, which is essentially why we went here...more bang for our buck.
The restaurant is very small with little decor and ambiance. First thing we noticed when we walked in the door...they don't have a bar. Very weird. They had a wine list and that was about it. I often enjoy grabbing a drink at the bar before a dinner reservation, but here that isn't an option. I guess a bar is something most patrons take for granted. I surely do. And when I show up to a restaurant and there isn't one...WTF?!?! That in itself will drop your rating a star, maybe 2!
Probably would never dine here again. Aside from the M.I.A bar, the food was okay. Not that our experience was bad, just underwhelming. -
Review from Jed W.
3/23/2011
This was one of the restaurants that had availability in the days leading up to the Restaurant Week rush, I think because not a lot of people knew of them - I certainly didn't.
A group of us gave it a shot, and were quite pleasantly surprised. A unpretentious Italian restaurant that had a lot of their options available for Restaurant Week, albeit with smaller portions.
Their ravioli was really good, and the osso bucco was huge. Gigantic. I can't imagine them steaming a full pot of these all day, because that would have to be the biggest freakin' pot ever.
In this instance, Restaurant Week served its purpose, because I look forward to going to back there again. -
Review from Marry K.
Washington, DC
5/26/2011 3 photos
Very cosy, intimate place with dim lighting. great for a date. Our waitress was quite attentive. as a group of four, we went through two bottles of excellent wine she recommended.
I had the duck, which was just okay. a bit too chewy. my friend had the pork chops which were pretty good.
Great food and desert in all. would definitely like to go there again. in a nice location as well. -
Review from Michelle Y.
Arlington, VA
1/19/2011
I have been to Siroc for lunch several times both when the restaurant first opened and also more recently during the 2011 restaurant week.
The service has been consistently excellent. The waitstaff is attentive but not overbearing, and I have seen the head chef step into the main dining area to see how things are running. On certain occasions, the chef has sent a complementary amuse bouche or dessert to the table. Quite simply, you are taken care of when you dine at Siroc.
In terms of the food, the menu experiences seasonal changes yet retains classic, signature items. Their pasta dishes are excellent with a fresh taste and luxuriously soft texture (just al dente so that it doesn't melt away). I've had (and I'm quite partial to) the black pepper tagliatelle with diver sea scallops several times. The rotating dessert selection has also been excellent. Currently, they are serving a warm almond cake with blueberry topping, which is perfectly moist, not too dense, and not too sweet. -
Review from Madhu D.
11/1/2011
we went for our anniversary. i regret it. there are a few plus points though overall, it's overpriced. their homemade noodles are great. the cheese was great. the customer service was what saved the entire experience, though i don't know if i would come here any time in the near future for a full meal. albeit i shouldn't have ordered seafood on a sunday, coupled with the fishy smell we encountered upon our entrance into the restaurant - that should have been a big tip off not to order any seafood. the lamb shank was tender & good however the flavors were nothing outstanding. the salad was great, the cheese in the beet salad was dreamy. i asked for balsamic to accompany my olive oil to dip the bread in. i'm a balsamic vinegar fan & this was some good aged stuff. i've definitely had better italian & would probably sick with their sister location - vento.
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Review from Jeff D.
Massillon, OH
4/29/2011 Seated via OpenTable
Siroc is an excellent little restaurant on McPherson Square. The restaurant is cozy, longer than it is wide, with modern yet warm decor. The staff are friendly and unpretentious with a solid knowledge of the menu and wine list.
I have had dinner at Siroc on two different occasions over the past year, most recently in March 2011. The food was delicious both times (I had gnocchi on the first visit and a pasta dish on the second), with fresh ingredients, authentic flavors and nice balance. The portions are generous, making appetizers unnecessary unless you're with a larger group. The wine list is solid and includes some excellent Italian reds.
Given the small dimensions of this restaurant (which I generally feel is an asset), it can get a bit noisy at times, especially if you're seated next to one of the larger tables. Overall, this is a great spot for hearty Italian dishes with good wine pairings. I will certainly eat here again when visiting DC. -
Review from Chris D.
Washington, DC
1/6/2011
Just an utter disappointment.
Went here for summer Restaurant Week with co-workers and the Siroc staff just weren't on their game. The service was extremely slow and inattentive, the food was bland and unskillfully executed, and save the desert, I truly enjoyed no part of this meal.
For my app, I had the Maryland crabcakes. I love crabcakes. I did not love these crabcakes. They were salty and I found shell bits in my crab - Fail.
For my entree, I had the roast chicken. It was very under-seasoned and just boring. It felt unfinished and the beans and squash were both undercooked.
As I said, the peach skillet cake desert was good, but it couldn't save the meal.
Finally, Siroc gets the dubious honor of a one star review because there was a bug found in one of my co-workers drinks, and the staff simply brought a new drink, with little apology.
It sounds like people have had a better experience outside of Restaurant Week, so perhaps that's your best bet if you want to try this place out. Personally, I'm done with Siroc. -
Review from Melissa W.
Washington, DC
1/31/2011
Tower of avocado, shrimp and mango was the highlight of the meal. I shared it with my friend. It was sweet and like nothing I had tried before. I don't even love shrimp and I enjoyed this dish.
Unfortunately, the rest of the meal was pretty blah. My arugula salad was mono-tone and barely had any of the gorgonzola it promised. The duck was also a bit lacking.
The place is tiny which can be good or bad depending on your taste, but it's just a rectangular room, not much decoration or unique feel to it.
I did like that the owner/manager was there, which shows a high level of attention to the place. The waitress (a Russian woman) was very sweet.
There was no 'bread basket' as other reviews have mentioned. Like I said, the shrimp/avocado/mango starter was amazing, so I'm sure there are also many other jewels on the menu, I just didn't find them on my first visit. If a friend proposed it, I would return, and hopefully find a reason to give it more stars next time. -
Review from Emily C.
Bristow, VA
9/8/2011
If you're looking for something other than meatballs and spagehitti, you've found the place. I don't know why anyone would give less than 5 starts to this place!
Our party decided to share our plates. We had:
Burrata Mozzarella with Roasted Zucchini, Heirloom Tomato Carpaccio and White Anchovy with Basil Pesto -- The vegetables were sliced ever so thinkly and the anchovey was not overpowering. The BUrrata Mozzerellas was creamy.
Arrugola Salad with Gorgonzola Cheese, Roasted Golden Beets and Toasted Pine Nuts with Lemon and Black Pepper Vinaigrette. This was very light and a great balance in the meal. Would eat again!
House-made Black Pepper Tagliatelle with Sweet Garlic, Olive Oil, Red Pepper Flakes and Seared Scallops -- Other commenters said it was bland... it is a delicious homemade pasta wtih a very light sauce.
Roasted Eggplant layered with Braised Lamb Shank, Oregano and Pecorino Cheese, served with a Roasted Pepper Sauce -- I think this was my favorite. The braised lamb shank is shredded and melts in your mouth as does the eggplant. You should definilty try this!
We finished off with:
Bosc Pear Poached in Red Wine and Ginger, served with Mascarpone Ice Cream and a Ginger Cream -- YOu must order this. You don't taste the red win until then end and it doesn't overwhelm the dish.
Warm Chocolate Tart with Passion Fruit Sauce and Raspberry Coulis served with Vanilla Ice Cream -- this takes extra time to make so be prepared. It is akin to a chocolate lava cake. It's yummy, but again something I've tried at other places before. Be adventurous and go for the Bosc Pear poached in red wine and ginger! -
Review from Christine M.
Arlington, VA
3/29/2011
Unpretentious and focused on the food, but with a good ambiance. My go-to place for work lunches in McPherson Square area. Good, real Italian food with interesting twists, but maintains a focus on good food, not uniqueness. (unlike Mio down the street, whose food is sometimes just too unique and not all that good).
I've only been during the day, when it's full of suits like me, but could imagine it being a nice place for a date in the evening too. Would recommend a reservation during the height of lunch hour (again, don't know about evening), as it does get busy. They also have a small outdoor area in front which is nice in warm weather, if you can manage to get a spot.
I LOVE their Gnocci, but would eat just about anything on their menu. -
Review from Matt K.
8/12/2010 1 Check-in Here
Very much enjoyed our experience at Siroc.
I was impressed with the wine selection by the bottle. The menu had lots of sensibly priced bottles; something I did not expect in downtown DC.
It was cool that you could order two different pasta dishes and have them split each in half so you could try two different things in one visit!
Our server was friendly and helpful with recommendations. Everything was good and I would look to return.
It was certainly lots better than the banquet food served at the dinner we skipped! -
Review from Abby S.
Nashville, TN
8/22/2011
I love this place. Cozy, great wait staff, and amazing food. I am a huge pizza lover and their pizza is about as good as it gets. They also have great entrees and the best Italian veggie soup I have EVER had. Only downside is that I always over order because everything is so good!
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Review from Patrick M.
Washington, DC
2/28/2011
Siroc is a pleasant surprise.
Overall: Nice evening out. Feels grown up. Good meal at a nice price.
Location: Conveniently located in McPherson Square.
Ambiance: Nice. Small, quiet restaurant, with calm atmosphere.
Food: Good. The bread basket is OK. The 'tower' appetizer is very good. My friend got the air-dried beef (very flavorful) and the pepper pasta with scallops - delicious. I had the saffron pasta with ragu - very good. We did not order any of the entrees but they looked wonderful. Everyone around us seemed satisfied with their meals. The chocolate torte dessert is only OK.
Drinks: Good. My friend had a couple of rum and cokes. I had the prosecco to start followed by the Certine. Both nice, satisifying, and good pour.
Service: Nice. We were seated promptly and general service (clearing, bread, water) was attentive. Our server was polite and made it back when drinks were needed. She was gracious when I noticed that I had been charged for a bottle of presecco instead of a glass.
Bottom line: Not bad for what you get: $110 for two with drinks, tax, and tip.
Most reminds me of: A little place in NYC: crowded but not crazy, quiet enough that you can still talk, with decent service and a nice meal. -
Review from Harry C.
Naples, FL
8/19/2011
The dining room is an intimate affair with tables a bit small to handle the plates,wine, water, and bread. That said, the service was terrific with one of the most professional ladies I have come across in long time.
The food presentation was very attractive and delivered to the table by a pair of waiters. Although the place is vaguely Italian, it doesn't have any
tell-tale signs...I.e. Music, posters, or standard dishes. The pasta was modest in size and tasty. The fish first course was very good.
Well worth a visit.
