One of my top favorites in DC. Wonderful service w/ an array of interesting menu options. I would give Palena a full star rating had it not been for their fish dishes which always seem to fall short for me. Good but nothing out of the ordinary. I have been, however, impressed with all other dishes. Dessert is to die for.

As the number 4 ranked restaurant in Washingtonian Magazine, I had high expectations for this meal. However, it was rather average, in my opinion and I would say that my dining companions would agree.

We sat in the front casual area and while the service was very attentive, it was quite slow. We didn’t order the famous roast chicken due to the “45 minute wait” for it- had we known how slow it would be we should have!

The menu online varies from the one in the restaurant. In the front part, you can order from the cafe menu or from the full formal menu. I opted for ceviche type of starter and the “bacon lettuce tomato” course as my entree. The starter was tasty but in a bed of something creamy that wasn’t really too necessary, given that the fish was nice on its own. The Bacon Lettuce Tomato was innovative – a stuffed warm lettuce leaf, a piece of toast with a dense tomato spread and a hunk of braised bacon, which was quite delicious. For dessert, I had the chocolate Napoloean, which was nice, but not as good as the one at Grapeseed in Bethesda.

While the offerings off the cafe are more reasonably priced than those off the full menu, for that price there are other places I would be more apt to go to for a splurge.

(Also, bear in mind that if you park in the lot that seems to be next to the restaurant, you do not get validated parking – expect to pay at least $6-9 for that depending on how slow your service is…)

A great mix of Italian and French cuisine, Palena is my current favorite restaurant in DC. The back room is booked two weeks in advance but seating is available in the cafe area where you can order either from the cafe menu or any course from the Prix Fixe menu. The roast chicken is amazing, it takes 45 minutes to prepare and is the moistest, most delicious chicken I’ve ever had. Also check out the great “fries” which are a variety of unconventional fry-like foods including fried lemon!