The Carlyle Grand is an excellent place for those who appreciate both excellent food and presentation. Their seafood dishes, particularly any shellfish, are remarkably prepared. The atmosphere is casual, and the service usually attentive. Highly recommended.    [02 Dec 1999 21:13:21]

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Recommended Dishes: Lobster pot stickers, lobster bisque, crab cakes, warm flourless chocolate waffle with macadamia ice cream

     ­Anonymous   

Carlyle Grand Rocks
Bill Jackson is one of the best chefs in the country. Not only does he work at Carlyle, he also put a lot of input into the other restaurants Great American owns. Try it, it will soon become your weekly place to eat and meet people.    [27 Sep 2000 13:59:20]

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     ­eric   ericleskovar at yahoo dot com

No wonder this place shows up on everybody's
Among the best chefs in the country? That would be stretching it. This is not an ultra-gourmet restaurant. The food is not complex or particularly fancy and the service smacks more of corporate efficiency than personal pampering. But give Carlyle Grand all Aces for doing what so few restaurants manage to do: Deliver quality food, prepared properly and consistently, for reasonable prices, in an atmosphere that's conducive to a night on the town or a casual workday lunch. I don't know of a more consistent kitchen in the DC are    [07 Jul 2003 17:00:43]

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Recommended Dishes: Mixed greens with goat cheese, or order it with chicken for a meal. Yes, it's true: This salad is the best thing on a menu filled with great things!

     ­Fishmonger   

A Mere Shadow in Name Only
I've dined at the Carlyle Grand for eight years so I believe I can provide an objective review. There was a time until about three years ago that I would list the Carlyle as one of the area's top restaurants. It was the place to dine, meet people and be seen. It had a distinctive environment. But, then, it was remodeled extensively and any "character" that the place had was lost. Sections, like the once-popular bar, have become awkward settings. Service today is hit or miss. My lady friend and I objected not long ago because we heard a server made a racial remark about a passerby. Clearly, the caliber of service not what it was. Some of the mainstay dishes, like crab cakes, are still good but overall the good has taken on a mass production quality.    [13 Jan 2006 14:55:49]

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Recommended Dishes: Crab cakes. That's all.

     ­David Henderson   dehenderson at mac dot com

Great place to eat
Service is definitely hit or miss. However, the food is always EXCELLENT. Deserts are the best! The Best White Chocolate Bread Pudding in town. I travel alot for work, and have tried several.    [28 Oct 2006 12:18:42]

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Recommended Dishes: Salads, fish, etc.. White Chocolate Bread Pudding and Warm Apple Pie

     ­Anonymous