Doesn't Recommend

Tom20010

Joined 4 years ago

rude jerks. Left my credit card at Marvin Saturday night. They refuse to give it back until after 5:30 pm Monday. Incredible. How is that legal?

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marydeering

Joined 3 years ago

Dinner at Marvin did not disappoint. I've been to Marvin a couple of times for the bar and have generally had a good time. The last time, however, it was so packed upstairs and outside, we were forced to hang at the bar downstairs before moving on. I'm definitely glad we spent some time down there though, because it gave me a chance to see and smell the food, which convinced me to go back for dinner. To be on the safe side, we checked with OpenTable to make a reservation before heading over, but were told we couldn't make one between 6:30 and 8:30. When we called the restaurant, they recommended just walking in, and when we arrived at a little before 7:00, we were seated right away to a relatively empty restaurant. It filled up quickly, and you could tell because they pack a lot of little tables into a not very big space. Other than it being a bit cramped, I like the atmosphere of dim lighting, dark wood, and lots of candles.

We got the goat cheese croquettes with fig sauce to start and they were delightful. For my meal, I went with the mussels in the dijonaise sauce. They had 5 or 6 different sauce options for the mussels, and all sounded delicious, but our waitress recommended this one. The heaping bowl of mussels came with a huge thing of fries, and my meal definitely could have been split for two (with a salad would have been perfect). I also tried the pea and ricotta ravioli, which I really enjoyed.

Overall, I thought the food was good and would definitely go back for dinner.

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cngo

Joined 3 years ago

fun dinner spot. This is a great spot to grab dinner with friends or get drinks on the rooftop when it's nice out. The downstairs has a cool, trendy, yet laid back vibe. I went here for dinner the other night and had a fantastic time. We ordered the scallops, shrimp and grits, and white wine and garlic moules frites to start, which were all really good (especially the fries and grits!). My chicken and waffles were really good...the chicken was very juicy and cripsy, though I didn't really care much for the waffle. Everyone really enjoyed their dishes. Our waitress was awesome, especially when she brought me a sampling of the draft beers when I couldn't decide which one to get. This is definitely a place to check out...just make sure you have a reservation if you go on a weekend.

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Adam Renz

Joined 3 years ago

So close to amazing. Was expecting this place to be another bastion of indifferent, hipster mediocrity devoid of customer service, but I must say I was pleasantly surprised and it was a pretty good experience. Once you got past the off-putting bizzaro rainbow brite hostess, the place is pretty decent.

The outdoor deck, while sparse, is a nice option but definitely could use a little more lighting. Once we were seated, we were greeted by a pleasant and decent enough server - didn't really distinguish himself but then again didn't disappoint either, which is sometimes a victory in itself. Thought the food was really good, everyone at the table enjoyed their food, and I thought it was appropriately priced.

Would give it 5 stars if I thought it had a little more character, which I think it relies on in name only.

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bethannv

Joined 4 years ago

Groovy Restaurant and Bar, Hip U Street Crowd. This is one of my favorite U Street restaurants. This uber-hip bistro is named after Marvin Gaye and is full of soul and spirit. The menu is comprised of home-cooked classics and uniquely blends belgian-style and classic southern comfort foods. The perfect example of this food marriage: The Country Fried Chicken and Waffles. Upstairs you'll find a lounge and rooftop bar, which are perfect gathering places, especially when the weather is warmer.

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PrettyLovely

Joined 3 years ago

Lovely Sunday Brunch. My favorite DC brunch spot - and I don't really enjoy the act of brunching. The food is always delicious - classically prepared french flare and the best part is that you hardly ever have to wait.

I also get caught up in the amazing subway tiles and white marble bar slab.

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Lauren Sloat

Joined 4 years ago

Citysearch Editorial Review. Marvin is an always-popular U Street bistro and bar; the downstairs restaurant serves a mix of Belgian-style classics and American South staples--such as chicken and waffles--while the upstairs bar and roof deck are a nighttime mainstay.

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Erin Beasley

Joined 3 years ago

Great atmosphere - can be fave spot bar for anyone. The bartenders knew their stuff, and there was a diverse, but not TOO diverse crowd there. I think that most anyone could walk into Marvin and feel comfortable, whether you are the preppiest of the preppy, or the hippest of the hipsters. Great place to bring visiting friends from out of town.