The Washington Post
Home Page

Proof Editors' Pick

775 G St. NW, Washington, DC 20001 | 202-737-7663 | Web site »
Add to Calendar Icon: Microsoft Outlook Icon: Apple iCal Icon: Google Calendar
 
 
 
 
Make a Reservation with OpenTable.com

Neighborhood:

Chinatown

Metro:

Gallery Place-Chinatown (Red, Green and Yellow lines)

Cuisines:

Nouveau American

Tags:

cheese plates, charcuterie, wine bar, tasting menu, 2009 fall dining guide

hours:

Mon-Wed 11:30 am-2 pm, 5:30-10 pm; Thu-Fri 11:30 am-2 pm, Sat 5:30-11 pm; Sat 5:30-11 pm; Sun 5-9:30 pm

Atmosphere:

Outdoor Seating

Price:

$$$

Sound Check:

72 decibels (Must speak with raised voice)

Quick Take

Allison Dinner

It's easy to fall in love with Proof: a restaurant that offers top-notch fare, a great beverage program and an elegant dining room.

Read Editorial Review >>
 
 
 
 
 

Editorial Review

Critic Rating:

2009 Fall Dining Guide

By Tom Sietsema
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009

Here's my fallback for any number of restaurant scenarios. When friends ask where they should go for drinks, Proof and its excellent wine and spirits program leap to mind. (My refresher of choice: tequila, white port and chartreuse.) When strangers want to know what's hot but not too expensive, I tell them that the average dinner entree in this light-by-day, dim-by-night leather-and-brick playground is $25. When visiting foodies ring me up, I'll frequently introduce them to Proof. Lunch there finds a terrific, Indian-seasoned lamb burger and a dewy tuna tartare served between airy seaweed crackers. Evening yields such temptations as roasted wreckfish teetering on a hash of chanterelles, spaetzle and pea shoots. And a plump chicken breast defies the boring stereotype with its stuffing of goat cheese and wild mushrooms and sidekicks of spicy rapini and soothing polenta. "I like the sides and sauces best," a newbie to the restaurant says, an opinion that mirrors mine. Chances are, owner Mark Kuller will be hanging out at his restaurant if you show up for dinner. Chances are, the lawyer-by-day will be leaning against the front wall, sipping a glass of wine and looking very content. I would be, too, if I got to be the host of this warm and softly lighted Penn Quarter watering hole.

Four-course tasting menu per person: $56.

 
 
 
 
 

Reader Reviews [10]

Average Reader
Rating

My
Rating

Choose:
 
 
 
 

Write a Review

You must be signed in to write a comment. Sign In or Register

Thank You

Thank you for submitting a review. Please check back soon.

Reviews

Good food if you like audial torture

Posted by williamhuxtan | Oct 17, 2009 | Mark as Inappropriate

True, the food is excellent and the wine overpriced. But who cares about anything when you can't even hear yourself think? Or hear your dinner partner(s)? Look around at all the hard surfaces and it's no wonder. If you go for dinner, then go early, but still prepare yourself for audial torture.

Don't go there alone

Posted by crete | Oct 16, 2009 | Mark as Inappropriate

I have dined at Proof several times. The food is always very good, but priced accordingly. The problem I have is that every time I have gone there alone I get terrible service, I wonder if I'm at the same place where the same waitstaff treated me quite well just the week before when I was at a 4 top. The solo service is actually worse at the bar, which is even more surprising. Maybe if I'm dining alone take out from Proof would be better.

Delicious & Welcoming

Posted by e2hatton | Sep 14, 2009 | Mark as Inappropriate

Just had a wonderful dinner here. Equally suited for a carnivore (rich & tender duck + pork + boudin cassoulet) & vegetarian (divinely smooth gnocchi). Great service, including some delicious wine pairing suggestions. Plus, comfortable/romantic atmosphere - love it!

Good food

Posted by pvineswinger | Aug 21, 2009 | Mark as Inappropriate

We've been to Proof a few times, and the food has greatly improved since the first few times. It was never bad, but a little mediocre in the beginning- but amazing now. They are very pretentious about their wine- not a good thing in a slow economy...

Fabulous evening

Posted by fernva | Aug 03, 2009 | Mark as Inappropriate

The sommelier easily found us a great bottle of wine in our very low price range. The food was fantastic and accomodated my long list of special requests. The service was outstanding. I will definitely go there again.

Fantastic Fins

Posted by puppiesandkitties | May 12, 2009 | Mark as Inappropriate

Was in DC for a weekend and came across Proof by accident - so glad we did. We did the tasting menu with wine pairing and had one of the best meals of my life. the chef was willing and able to accommodate my seafood allergy and changed what our table was served, which is highly unusual without notice. The wines were excellent, the service fantastic and the food was amazing. It is on my "go back" list for my next trip to the city.

Good Food, Is there an affordable bottle of wine available?

Posted by jtjsmc64 | May 12, 2009 | Mark as Inappropriate

I thought the food at Proof was fantastic. I was a bit offended by the lack of an affordable bottle of wine. I love looking at the expensive wine list, but it would be nice if it were balanced with some less expensive choices. The lighting could better, but again, the food was fantastic.

Go To Place for Lunch

Posted by jbeasley2 | Apr 24, 2009 | Mark as Inappropriate

Proof is one of my favorite go to places for lunch. You can't beat their $12 lunch special which includes a glass of wine. Everything on the lunch special menu is delicious.

Huge Disappointment

Posted by gabifsu1 | Mar 22, 2009 | Mark as Inappropriate

Dined at Proof last night. Poor service. Our server never introduced himself and offered us appetizers before taking our drink order. Made no wine recommendations. Mediocre food. I ordered the sablefish since that is what everyone has raved about. It was nothing special. Very bland. I could have cooked it better. My boyfriend had the pork loin which was only so-so. Overpriced. Food and wine was overpriced for what you get. Finally, the restaurant was so small I felt like they were rushing us to turn over tables more quickly. I suppose that is why we got our appetizer before our drinks were delivered. Will not go again.

One of the best in the city

Posted by tim_clinton | Mar 05, 2009 | Mark as Inappropriate

No doubt about it, the team at Proof hit a home run with this one. Definitely not one you want to miss.

Voice Your Opinion. Write a Review.
Close

Request Removal of a User Review

You have chosen to submit a user review for possible removal by our editorial staff due to its offensive or inappropriate nature. Please confirm that you would like the review submitted for evaluation. If our editors find that the review does not fall within our user review guidelines, then it will be removed promptly.

 
Submit For Evaluation
 
 
 
 
 
Close

Your Review Has Been Posted

 
Close
 
 
 
 
 
Close

Thank You

 
Close
 
 
 
 
 

iPhone Application

The ultimate mobile entertainment guide for the D.C. area.

Mobile Site

The Going Out Guide mobile Web site is the must-have entertainment planning tool.
 
 
 
 
Close

E-mail This Going Out Guide Profile to a Friend

Proof

(Enter the e-mail address of the recipient(s), separated by commas. Please limit to 10 recipients. )

chars typed
 
Submit
 
 
 
 
Cancel
 
 
 
 
 
Close

Save to Go Out List

You must be signed in to complete this action. Sign In or Register

Powered by Google
Search Archives