The Riggs Hotel Washington: Presidential Luxury, Parental Reality

Culinary Excellence for All Ages

Our dinner at Cafe Riggs was phenomenal. Fahad, the maître d’, provided wonderful service, while our waiter Hector brought infectious enthusiasm and friendliness to every interaction. His bubbly personality shone brightest when he literally caught our five-year-old son as he tumbled out of the booth during dinner—well past bedtime, naturally.

The restaurant successfully caters to diverse palates, offering an excellent children’s menu alongside a varied and daring selection for adults. The crispy duck confit with frisée salad, kumquat and croutons stood out among the starters, presenting familiar ingredients in an elevated, sophisticated preparation. The King Salmon with red rice, baby spinach and beurre blanc made me reconsider my hesitation about ordering salmon at restaurants—sometimes dismissed as the “boring” choice, this dish was anything but ordinary. My husband and son raved about the octopus with potato, merguez oil and Meyer lemon aioli, and while octopus isn’t for me despite repeated attempts to acquire a taste for it, this appeared to be an excellent rendition for those who appreciate the ingredient.

For dessert, a triple scoop of their homemade, unbelievably creamy vanilla, chocolate and pistachio ice cream. When we forgot our three-year-old daughter’s leftover mac and cheese that had been packed for our room, someone thoughtfully brought it to us (though, of course, we had nowhere proper to store it). These small gestures of care and attention distinguished the service at Cafe Riggs.

The next day, we returned to Cafe Riggs for a midday snack, ordering the homemade chips, house-brined olives and spicy mixed nuts—all three exceeded expectations as the perfect accompaniment to afternoon drinks. Our included breakfast (again at Cafe Riggs) was a highlight. The kids devoured fresh croissants, my coffee stayed hot, and the eggs were cooked to perfection—a strong start to our zoo-bound morning. We didn’t try room service, but based on the level of service everywhere else at the hotel, I imagine it’s worth the cost.