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The Fourth Estate
Rating Details »
- Nearest Transit:
-
Metro Center (Red, Blue, Orange)
- Hours:
Mon. 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Tue-Sat. 11:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good for:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
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- 386 reviews
- Location:
- Washington, DC
"Fantastic brunch spot! Some of my friends in DC organized a going-away brunch in my honor, and I don't think they could have chosen a…" read more »
7 reviews for The Fourth Estate
Service and atmosphere = 3 stars
Food = 4 stars
Overall = 3.5 stars
We went for brunch on a Saturday, which I think is a new thing there. I used a groupon so we essentially got everything for half off, which was great since it was pretty expensive (especially since we each had a drink). It was literally empty, which felt a little awkward. Our waiter was pretty formal but not so attentive and a bit forgetful, which was partly annoying because there were about two other people total in the restaurant.
That said, it's a cool space with a lot of history (though the view of the inner courtyard is nothing to write home about). The food was really fantastic and the brunch cocktails (mimosa for me, bloody mary for my friend) were generous and delicious. I don't know if I would go back but I definitely enjoyed my visit!
I was here for a business lunch for 15 people. They were Portuguese journalists and were mightily impressed with the fact that they could dine in the National Press Club, in a private room with tuxedoed waiters. I thought the space was nice, too, although for a 13th floor location, they could have had the windows face outwards instead of into the NPC's courtyard. The service was excellent, very prompt and professional.
But the food left something to be desired. As it was a private lunch, we had a set menu of a salad starter (mesclun greens, not bad, nothing great), choice of three entrees (salmon, chicken caesar, or filet mignon), and choice of two desserts (panna cotta and apple tart). I opted for the salmon, which was a standard cut and cooked fine, but came with a bizarre mango/pineapple/avocado salsa on the side. The salsa might have been fine as a light tapenade or garnish, but as a complete side that took up half the plate, it was too much and too tropical for the rich salmon. The apple dessert had a lovely presentation and was pretty good, but, like the starter, nothing to write home about.
For what it was (a business lunch), it was a success, but don't come here expecting anything hip or revelatory.
BEST.KEPT.SECRET.EVER!!!
The 4th estate has just been remodeled to give it an open and more airy feel. The brunch is AMAZING and the prices are lesser than you pay elsewhere- but it's still downtown, so it's not cheap.
Wednesday night lobster is brilliant, the lobster is seasoned with something barely detectable, but completely delicious and addictive- I can't rave enough.
A fab place to take people you wish to impress. My 2nd favorite establishment in town.
I didn't even know the Fourth Estate restaurant existed until a few months ago, but after attending a recent wine dinner at restaurant, I can say it is truly one of the best kept secrets in Washington! The food was excellent, the service was attentive and the history of the club added something extra. I'd highly recommend the Fourth Estate for a special evening out - or for their new brunch menu they are serving on the weekends.
My friend is literally addicted to the Fourth Estate's scallops: She ate here three times during Restaurant Week! Being vegetarian, I didn't try them, but hers did look tasty.
The Fourth Estate menu, on its face, was not veggie friendly. But I asked the nice staff if they could accommodate me. They asked if I liked cheese (Yes!), then they spoke with the chef, who kindly prepared:
- a fresh salad made of avocado, tomatoes, hearts of palm, green leafy sprouts, and mango.
- a smooth cold peach-ginger ale soup (yeah that sounds unique, doesn't it? I liked its fizzy sweetness)
- a pleasantly cheesy vegetarian risotto with red and yellow bell peppers, onions, zucchini, tomatoes...
- the highlight: a damn fine cheese plate. It had an Irish cheese (made with Guinness!), a sharp Spanish goat cheese, an Italian sheep cheese with black peppercorns, a British "Harlack" cheese made with horseradish, and a pungent blue cheese whose origins I forget. The plate was served with small berries, almonds, and some honey.
On the whole, four large tasty courses made a good Restaurant Week deal. It was also fun to browse the wall photos of NPC events (George Clooney, etc.).The only reasons I don't rate the Fourth Estate higher are that I didn't see any windows (on the 13th floor, you'd expect some sort of view, no?), and the non-Restaurant Week prices are just a little too high for my taste (but if you're a National Press Club member, you'd get a discount).
The best thing about The Fourth Estate is the multi-course wine dinners. You can actually meet television star chefs like Anthony Bourdain, John Shields (who I knew from his restaurant in Baltimore), Mireille Guiliano (sp?) who is the CEO of Veuve Clicquot and wrote "French Women Don't Get Fat," and more. They bring in a wine expert who pairs a different wine with each course.
For just a regular-night dining experience the food is really good, but I wouldn't say the restaurant itself is completely memorable; you're basically in an old men's club that now admits women and lets the general public visit its restaurant. But if you go to one of the wine dinners, or if you go to a National Press Club event and then have dinner afterward, it's perfect.
This is the National Press Club's restaurant, located on the 13th floor of the building. Unlucky number 13, as it applies here, as far as I'm concerned.
The Fourth Estate's regular menu offers both higher end entrees and more bistro-like fare (lunch and diner), with ingredients purchased from organic and small farmers nearby. However, I was here for NYE, a night when you EXPECT everything to be at its prime, and it wasn't. The service was very attentive in a quiet way and the ambiance was what you would expect - very nicely done. My salad was good, with maybe a tad too much oil. My risotto was supposed to be mushroom-free and was not. My lobster had this quality that made it look translucent - it's called undercooked, and I couldn't choke it down. Normally, I am not one to suffer through a meal that is sub par without attempting to at least fix the situation. This night however, we were with several couples, the girlfriend of one actually worked in the building and set up this special section for all of us to enjoy. None of us could/would complain in her presence, but all of us disliked our food. Every last one of us. Given that, I cannot imagine going back, not even for dessert (which was actually quite good).
