Woodward Table Restaurant Review

I've always wanted to eat at Woodward Table. Something about the ambiance of its outdoor seating and massive glass windows has always intrigued me. Last night I finally got the chance to drive down to H street and experience Woodward Table for the first time.

Woodward Table had a hip and sophisticated atmosphere, while maintaining a farm-to-table ambiance with their earthy-toned interior. We snagged a table next to a large glass window, and I loved the indoor-outdoor feel of our cozy booth.

The meal started off on a good foot with a series of appetizers. We had a great fresh tomato and mozzarella salad with capers and basil, shrimp cocktail that came with a remoulade sauce and the standard tomato-horseradish sauce, and Vidalia onion rings. The onion rings were thoroughly disappointing, heavily battered, and overly oily. However, the basil in the tomato and mozzarella salad brought out the freshness of the cheese and beautifully complimented the tomatoes. And the shrimp cocktail were perfectly chilled and nestled in a bed of beautiful bibb lettuce.

Then came the entree dishes--the true stars of the meal. The Maryland rockfish entree was, perhaps, the best fish dish I have ever had. The rockfish, seared to perfection (crispy skin intact), was served over a bed of diced potatoes, ham (go figure), lima beans, roasted corn, and lump crab meat. The fish melted in your mouth and the ham gave the dish an extra little kick of salt and pizzazz. Another stellar entree was the farro risotto, a dish I have seen done many times this summer. This farro distinguished itself as some of the best, dusted in lemon and olive oil, with a sprinkling of broccoli rabe.

By the time dessert came around, we were all too stuffed to consider their promising dessert menu. Instead we opted for a cappuccino and shot of espresso (which is always risky at non-European restaurants). I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the espresso and the delicious frothy foam of the cappuccino.

Overall, our service was good, our meal was great (primarily because of the entrees), and the price was reasonable for a nice restaurant in DC (about $50 per person with appetizer, entree, and the caffeinated after-dinner drinks). Would I go back? Probably. I would definitely stay away from those onion rings, though, and opt for their lighter seafood menu items.


Visit Woodward Table at 1426 H St, NW
Washington, DC 20005