Pineapple and Pearls, Washington DC

It is an exceptional option, the service is unbeatable, food is a journey of flavors and textures

Exceptional everything! The service is warm and professional but nowhere near stuffy - it feels like talking to a good friend who happens to know everything about food and wine. Very attentive and thoughtful - I commented on a dish that we hadn't ordered, and they brought us a sampling unprompted. All the food was exceptional and perfectly portioned with little gifts and surprises sprinkled throughout. My friend and I shared each dish, and I appreciated that they gave each of us our own pour of the wine pairings for both dishes so we could experience it fully. We both left full and extremely happy! This restaurant is my ideal fine dining - an experience executed by consummate professionals who make it seem casual and effortless.

Great wine pairing! Each dish was either amazing or underwhelming. Customer Service was AMAZING. Probably wouldn’t return because social media vs in person seemed very different.

Coffee snobs rejoice! This is an excellent coffee shop in DC. My first visit, I had a cortado. It was rich but smooth, without any bitterness normally associated with espresso in DC.

The space has an unassuming coffee shop in the morning called “Nothing Fancy”. As the barista told me, they’re nothing fancy except their very high quality, expensive espresso machine. He also told me most people grab the London Fog. I’d say getting that is missing out on a special coffee experience.

Come in and enjoy them while waiting for a seat at Crazy Aunt Helen’s.

If you like to explore the art of dining, Pineapple & Pearls is a worthwhile experience. Unlike most other Michelin restaurants, the brains at P&P maintain an air of whimsy and fun in the tone of their service, decor, and most importantly their food.

I was worried that I would leave hungry with only four courses on the docket, but the size/richness of the plates + the various "gifts" presented periodically ensured we left more than satisfied.

For our visit prompting this review, there seemed to be a cheese-centric theme, resulting in a few very rich pasta plates as well as a fun cheese ice cream covered in fondue + bumped up with a splash of vintage '06 Dom.

If I were to laud any one thing in particular here, the service is a treat. Cosmo, our main server, was positively charming. I struggled to decide between two entrees for the third plate + the kitchen surprised us by bringing one of BOTH for me.

The squad breast + "fancy meatloaf" plate was my personal favorite (I seriously wiped the plate clean ‍️) and my husband cheesed (heh) over the cheese ice cream with fondue, espresso crumble, and champagne. We splurged on the punch as well, which amounted to about five glasses between the two of us. I don't have a prominent sweet tooth, but I also loved the mezcal pineapple with coconut "dipping dots" as well as the soft serve. The buttered popcorn + dulce de leche twist actually tasted AMAZING together.

I read some reviews where people mentioned that service was prioritized at the cost of the food, but I disagree. I enjoyed my course set here a lot + found more than enough creativity in the plate ideas as well as a prominent style of playfulness combined with the nouvelle style of uncomplicated plates (for the most part).

In terms of critiques, I think I found P&P's dishes to lean towards richness in it's flavours + could have used acid to brighten/balance a few of the plates, but I still enjoyed everything I tasted.

I could go into way more detail about the plates, glassware, cutlery, etc, but you should just pop by and check them out yourselves. ‍️

This place is ridiculous. Excellent, adventurous cuisine. Favorite dishes were the gnocchi, monkfish, and campfire dessert. Surprises appear along the way. An unforgettable take-home gift. If you're interested in a restaurant that overperforms, this one is for you.

Great experience for our 23rd anniversary. Will return in the future.

Pros:
Staff is fun and passionate about their craft and it shows.
Food is an amazing experience.
Drinks are top-notch.
The mini "gifts" in addition to the four course meal.
The music is on point (old school, 80s, 90s, hip-hop).
The vibe is chill and fun.
No detail is passed over (from the drink glasses to the business cards.all classy).
All the extra desserts (buttered popcorn soft serve. WHAT? !? !).

Cons:
It's a very high price point for a two-star Michelin, but it's so worth it (might be too high for some).
The cackling human hen who thought she owned the whole restaurant and everyone wanted to listen to her annoying @ss laugh all night long (not the fault of the restaurant).
Parking can be annoying during busy times.

Wow! Just wow. Amazing service. Super friendly. Delicious. Simply outstanding. Highly recommended. Worth every penny and well deserved Michelin stars. I give it 5 stars.