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Palena
(Now Closed)New American Restaurant and Coffee Shop$$$$
Cleveland Park, Washington
The folks at Washington Post and Epicurious like this place. Would you agree?
51 Tips and reviews
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Bitches Who BrunchJanuary 12, 2014The Bitches Say: B. Palena serves delicious, high-quality food, but the ambiance could use a boost, and perhaps a bottomless mimosa option might help. Awarded with the Best Pancakes Award for 2013!
Washingtonian MagazineJanuary 9, 2012Palena is two restaurants under one roof: a softly lit dining room with some formality and a casual cafe where the smell of the wood grill fills the air. The cafe has the area’s best gnocchi.
Burger DaysApril 26, 2011The Palena Cheeseburger is the must-order here. With just truffled cheese & a garlicky, mustard mayo, it doesn't sound, or look, like much, but it's one of the best burgers you can get in the DC area. Read more- EaterApril 18, 2013Eater National features editor Amy McKeever: "People have been losing their minds for years over former White House chef Frank Ruta's cheeseburgers at Palena. This burger is a DC experience for sure."
John FenzelJune 12, 2011Brunch at Palena is fabulous! The Papardelle is the best I've had. Ordered it with a Bloody Maria, and that, too, was perfect. Don't forget dessert! A small assortment of possibilities--all gourme
Try NOT ordering the burger - best in DC. And go for the wood-fired chicken, but order early because it takes 30-45 minutes (and is worth each one).
FiOS 50November 23, 2011Frank Ruta's Palena is three things at once: a formal dining room, a more casual café and an artisanal market. Don't forget to pick up Ruta's popular lemon-glazed doughnuts while you're here.
EpicuriousAugust 23, 2010The chef at this intimate cafe used to work in the biggest-name house of them all: the White House. Garlicky mayo and truffled Italian cheese on a delicious patty - Reagan and Bush must've been happy!
Washington PostAugust 1, 2014Loup de mer is a perfect piece of fish bedded on beadlike Sardinian pasta swollen with hints of saffron, tomato and vinegar. Read more
ChrisMarch 24, 2013The cheeseburger totally lives up to the hype, but fries should be a part of the meal. And don't be afraid to ask for ketchup and (homemade) mustard!!- Washington PostMarch 13, 2013Get the burger. Chef Frank Ruta uses Angus beef laced with dry-aged steak, truffled cheese and a brioche bun made in-house.
Amy RNovember 15, 2013The burger. The burger. The burger. Oh, shoestring fries and Manhattan are great. But that truffled, juicy, un-acessorized burger...
John GrilloMarch 30, 2014The coffee bar is a welcome respite from the noisy and bustling coffee shops surrounding the Cleveland Park metro. My cappuccino was done well.- Washington PostMarch 11, 2013Get the cheeseburger. Palena uses Angus beef laced with dry-aged steak, truffled cheese and a brioche bun made in-house. Read more
- Washington PostAugust 1, 2014Sauternes and butter are a liquid canvas for tiny, delicate-tasting oysters that get pricks of flavor from grapefruit and ginger. Read more
ReginaApril 11, 2011Try the Brad Parker's Shoat - Braised with fennel, orange, cannellini beans, and Tuscan kale...AMAZINGLY DIVINE! Read all the reviews about the burger and regretted my decision immediately but then my
Joe ZJanuary 9, 2012If you opt for dessert, strongly consider whatever cakes they're serving. The flavoring is uniquely delicious and the whipped cream is made in-house.
BravoNovember 29, 2010From the burger to the housemade pasta, everything about the food is good. Great place for a relaxed dinner. -Tamesha Warren, Top Chef
Chelsea RaabApril 25, 2013Palena was one of the worst dining experiences i have had recently Our food arrived two hours after ordering. The burger we order medium rare was well done and an order of ravioli was soaked in oil.
- Washington PostOctober 16, 2013"Tastes of the Season," an enticing four-course sonnet from chef-owner Frank Ruta, deserves a big audience.
- Washington PostOctober 12, 2011*** 1/2 stars in Tom Sietsema's Fall Dining Guide 2011. (Tom's tip: Try the orange-scented, lemon-glazed donut.)
JohannaDecember 8, 2012The cheeseburger truly lives up to its reputation. The roasted chicken didn't impress me.
- Put your wood-fire baked chicken order stat - takes 45 mins and worth every second.
Countless have said it, but you will not find a juicier roasted chicken.
William WllmanJanuary 28, 2010Ask bartender Jeff for a "Pablo" aperitif....not on the menu but terrific...
- Ask @drink_shaker (aka Jeff Faile) to make you a Manhattan.
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Permanently closed (Show more)
- Tue–Sat
- 5:30 PM–10:00 PM
(202) 537-9250
Features
Outdoor Seating
Yes
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