Gwen, Debbie and I went to Bibiana for dinner on a Friday night.
The food was very good but the service was exceptional. (I had previously dined at Bibianna for lunch with David.)
As you enter the restaurant there is a greeter’s podium to the left. Straight ahead is a bar with a wall full of bottles and 12 high chairs. To the left is a dining room with a glass wall and door which is filled with round tables. To the right is a room filled with four tops and two tops.
At the far end of this room there is an alcove that can seat up to 8 at a single table or handle several smaller tables. It has somewhat opaque curtains blocking it off from the rest of the dining room. (It was in this alcove with the curtains pulled back that David and I had lunch.)
We were seated immediately upon arrival in the room with the 2 and 4 tops. We were seated at a four top next to the “private” alcove which was separated by a floor to ceiling screen.
The area was fairly loud so Debbie asked whether we could be reseated. The waiter immediately said “yes” and took us across the room to a four top at a banquette that hosted two 4 tops and two 2 tops. It was less noisy.
Gwen started with Isalata Tricolore; Red Radicchio, Endive, Arugula, Fried Shallots, Shallot Mustard Dressing followed by Royal Bass with Artichokes.
Debbie began with Sformatino; Butternut Squash, Parmesan Fonduta, Amaretti Crumble, Grappa Pickled Raisins. For her main course she ordered Brodetto; Seafood & Tomato Stew, Bass, Prawns, Calamri, Shellfish, Roasted Garlic Crostini.
I ordered Polipo; Grilled Octopus, Romesco Lime Pistachio Dressing, Safffron Pickled Potatoes followed by Coniglio; Rabbit Porchetta, Sunchoke Puree, Braised Cabbage.
For dessert, Gwen had Chocolate Ice cream; Debbie and I ordered Affogato al Caffe; Fior di Latte Gelato Drowned in Espresso.
Gwen’s fish was not sufficiently cooked for her taste. She asked the waiter if she could get it cooked a little more. He apologized and immediately took her plate to get that done. Before it was returned one of the managers came over to apologize and asked if there was anything she wanted while she waited. The waiter apologized once again before he returned with her fish, done perfectly this time.
The restaurant seats 120 people. It is a bit on the noisy side.
As you enter the restroom, to the left there are two tall white ceramic washbasins with towels on an open table between them. They are fronted by a large wall mirror. Further into the room are three commode rooms. Each of them has a square white ceramic washbasin and next to it a white ceramic commode.
Bibiana is a part of the Knightsbridge Restaurant Group in Washington which includes 701, Bombay Club, The Oval Room, Rasika West End, Rasika Penn Quarter, Ardeo+Bardeo, Nopa-Kitchen & Bar, bindaas and Sababa.
Bibiana
1100 New York Avenue, NW
(Corner of 12th and H St)
Washington DC 20005
202-216-9550