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Nestled in the heart of Washington, DC, The Henri is a distinguished restaurant that masterfully blends Belgian and French culinary influences into a refined yet approachable dining experience. Located at 1301 Pennsylvania Ave NW, this stylish eatery offers a sophisticated atmosphere that strikes a perfect balance between cozy intimacy and modern elegance, making it an ideal destination for everything from casual lunches to special celebrations.
The Henri’s menu is a celebration of carefully curated flavors and exquisite craftsmanship. Diners can indulge in standout dishes such as the melt-in-your-mouth Beef Carpaccio, the delicately seared Sea Bass, and the hearty Braised Short Ribs that embody rich, slow-cooked perfection. Seafood lovers will appreciate the Saffron Broiled Prawns and the buttery, tender Butter Poached Cod, while adventurous palates will be captivated by the Herb Crusted Lamb and Venison Sausage—a bold dish that offers complex layers of herbaceous and gamey notes.
Complementing these main courses are thoughtfully composed sides such as the creamy Potato Croquette with leeks and classic Belgian Frites, delightfully crispy and golden. The menu’s cheese and charcuterie selections are a highlight in themselves, featuring artisanal treats like the award-winning Culatta Emilia and silky Duck Rillette, perfect for sharing. Each bite showcases a perfect harmony between tradition and innovation.
For those with a sweet tooth, The Henri serves irresistible desserts including a luscious Chocolate Mousse and a decadent Pistachio-Speculoos Tart. Coffee aficionados will find satisfaction in expertly crafted beverages such as the smooth Cappuccino and robust Cortado, ideal to conclude a meal on a refined note.
The ambiance at The Henri is nothing short of captivating. Guests consistently praise its elegant yet inviting design, illuminated by thoughtful lighting that creates a warm and lively atmosphere without sacrificing intimacy. Whether attending a wedding reception, enjoying a night before a show, or savoring a leisurely lunch, the seamless service elevates the entire experience. Staff are attentive and professional—cocktails arrive original and delicious, glasses are never empty, and the team anticipates every need with a genuine warmth that makes each guest feel valued.
Reviewers highlight the exceptional quality of both the cuisine and the hospitality. One guest was particularly impressed by the inventive snail croissant, a daring French-inspired dish that defies expectations with its incredible flavor profile. Others celebrate the impeccable coordination and kindness shown to guests and vendors alike, reinforcing The Henri’s reputation as a venue where every detail matters.
In essence, The Henri offers a richly textured dining journey, where well-executed classic flavors meet contemporary flair in an environment tuned for both celebration and comfort. It’s a place that leaves you not just satisfied but inspired—someone who dines here once is sure to return, drawn by the promise of truly memorable food and impeccable service.
We attended a wedding reception at The Henri and were absolutely blown away from start to finish. The space was elegant, modern, and perfectly set up for a celebration intimate yet lively, with such thoughtful details in the layout and lighting. The staff were exceptional: attentive, kind, and incredibly professional. Every drink was topped off before we even realized it, and the service flowed effortlessly all evening. The food was phenomenal : from the appetizers to the main courses, everything was beautifully presented and full of flavor. The rotisserie meats and sides were definite standouts, and several guests at our table couldn’t stop talking about the cauliflower dish and crab cakes. Dessert was equally impressive and felt so personal to the couple’s menu. The entire night felt seamless, thanks to the staff’s attention to detail and warm hospitality. The Henri truly delivered a first-class experience and made the celebration unforgettable. I can’t wait to come back for dinner soon!
Belgium (former owner) and French (executive chef) influence can be easily felt throughout the dishes. Each dish, is refined, flavorful and well prepared. The cocktails were original and delicious. As a Frenchman, I was most impressed by the snail croissant. I would have never expected this dish to work, but it did, it was incredible and would return to this establishment just for this particular appetizer. The other dishes were delicious. Although the lamb shank was good, it was on the verge of being dry. However, the polenta and jus that came with it totally made up for it. If you order that dish, ask for a little extra jus, as it was incredibly flavorful and elevated the whole dish. The service was impeccable, our waiter was attentive and made sure that we would not miss our show time at the theater across the street. The reason I took two stars away was partly due to the chairs. They were quite uncomfortable, and if you have a coat, you cannot put it on the back of the chair due to their roundness and design. I also wish the tables were a tad larger as it was a bit tight to share dishes. Finally, a quirky thing happened: I ordered an Armagnac as an after dinner drink. What came out was an Italian, clear colored grappa. I had to argue and request to see the bottle just to confirm that I was indeed, right… Our waiter did not charge us for the inconvenience.
The Henri is a nice balance between cozy and modern, creating a comfortable yet stylish atmosphere. Service was on point — our server was attentive and always nearby when we needed something. Everything we ordered was delicious, from the food to the cocktails.
As a wedding / event photographer, I have the opportunity to work at many venues across the city, but my experience at Tjhe Henri was truly outstanding. From the moment I arrived, the staff was incredibly professional, kind, and accommodating—not just to the couple and guests, but also to vendors like myself. Their seamless coordination and attention to detail made the day flow beautifully. The rooftop event space was stunning, offering fantastic view of the landmarks of the national capital and an elegant city backdrop for portraits and candid moments. It was the perfect balance of modern charm and sophistication. During the dinner portion of the evening, I was especially impressed by the ambiance and layout of the private dining space. The service team moved effortlessly and made sure every guest felt taken care of, while allowing me the freedom and access to document the moments authentically. On our way out after the coverage, they generously prepared to-go dinner packages for us. This was an unexpected and thoughtful gesture that allowed us to experience firsthand the incredible cuisine The Henri is known for. It was a delicious way to end a fantastic evening. Henri is not only a culinary gem but also a photographer’s dream venue in the heart of DC. I’m genuinely looking forward to returning for future events!
We came to the Henri before a show at the Warner Theater and it was wonderful. We started with charcuterie and mussels (which were a main but we got as an appetizer!). Both were phenomenal, I would order them both again! I also had their cauliflower purée soup to start and it was very yummy but might pass on ordering in the future. It was very tasty though! Our mains were the veal, which was good. It came with a lot of cream. The steak (which came with mashed potatoes and an aoli) was delicious. Very tender, I would definitely order it again. The stand out was a vegan roasted acorn squash dish which came in a pea puree. It was phenomenal. Nobody in our party is vegan but we ordered it when we heard how good it was. For dessert we ordered four items but the standouts were the bignets and the chocolate mousse. Our server was fantastic. She gave us great recommendations and made sure everything came out timed well. The plates were all beautiful, she checked in to make sure everything was good, and was attentive. All in all, with 4 people, where everyone got drinks, split apps, each got a main, and each got dessert, the meal cost $500 including tip.
Overall the good was good not great. At the price point it was not good enough to return. The steak and the chicken tasted ok. The lobster was fine. Nothing blew me away and nothing stood out as a must have of the mains. The apps were better than the mains. All that being said , the service was outstanding and the restaurant is nice. If you want decent food with excellent service this a good choice.
My only quibble with the whole dining experience is with the descriptions in the menu. And perhaps that's by design to either have a conversation with your waiter or be pleasantly surprised. The description for Venison is so vague that the last thing I was expecting was a meat stew with red wine, but with a French/Belgium bistro menu, I should have known better or at least asked questions. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised, and for a take on Beof Bourguinon, they did an outstanding job. Venison being a lean meat, this still melted in my mouth with the carrots cooked two ways, braised with the meat fork tender, and young baby, multi-colored carrots that were cooked more al dente. Our waiter was outstanding. The bar staff was stellar. I truly have no room for complaints nor want for improvement. If anything, we need to come back to try some things from the rotisserie menu.
Great place to eat. Also had a stake to eat. It was made perfect. Flipped only one time on high heat. Kept all the juice in. They never asked how my partner like their stake. It came out bloody but I told her to try it. She really liked it. Not her normal well done but in my eyes a rare stake is the only way to eat it