701 Dc
 

I was leaning toward Oval Room but then heard of 701 (same ownership). Anyone eat there as zagat and their website seemed to like it. It seemed like a more romantic place than Oval Room but a bit father from the white house

I've never been to the Oval Room so I can't make a direct comparison. The food at 701 is good; we did not try any of the caviar selections but I found the juniper tuna quite all right. The atmosphere is a little bit like— what's the best way to describe it— a piano lounge from a 70s movie. It is not as stuffy as, say, the nearby Capital Grille... which makes it feel old but not distinguished. The service is mixed on weekends. If course, the last couple impressions may only strike those of us under 30, YMMV.

I was a regular at 701 when it was the only upscale joint near the Shakespeare theater. These days 701 has slipped, and simply glorious competition has moved into the area: Andale, Signatures, Jaleo, Cafe Atlantico. 701 crowd was pretty Republican: upcale prices for lackluster food. Haven't been back in years.

I had lunch at 701 last week and it was okay...not terrible, but just okay...