ELIZABETH’S VEGAN FINE DINING IN WASHINGTON DC

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When we were researching sustainable things to do in Washington DC and scoping out vegan and vegetarian places to eat there was one place that stood out amongst others, for its celebration of the humble vegetable, location in Downton DC and it’s truly intimate setting, Elizabeth’s. Rooted in the owner’s personal cancer journey, it started as a ‘raw’ vegan restaurant which now under executive chef, Francisco Hernandéz, serves a taster menu three days a week, in a quaint townhouse. Alternatively, grab a pew at the Onyx Bar for an à la carte menu of refined cocktails and small plates. Read on to discover why Elizabeth’s vegan fine dining in one of the city’s most vibrant neighbourhoods, downtown, is an exceptional destination plant based diets and why we think it should be at the top of your fine dining list in DC.

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A Word About The Owner: Elizabeth

We were lucky enough to meet Elizabeth Petty, the owner and founder on our visit, who welcomed us and showed us to an extra special table. Working in the clinical oncology research field ourselves, it was truly inspiring to learn of her compelling story and how Elizabeth became more aware of vegansim in 2009 after her own experience with breast cancer and introducing a plant-based diet to gain access to better health, wellbeing and mindset. Having been a part of the Washington DC hospitality and food community for over 33 years, and her passion and dedication shine through her brand, a unique destination for elevated plant-based dining.

The Executive Chef: Francisco Hernandéz

Born and raised in El Salvador, Chef Francisco Hernandéz cooks around wellness and shared experiences. Trained classically under the tutorage of Vache K. Benguian, he is a dab hand at creating innovative and sophisticated vegan cuisine for over 12 years now. He has worked at Elizabeth’s for well over a decade and seamlessly blends a classic-style with self-taught elements, central to developing seasonal tasting menus resulting in a wonderful explosion of flavours, where the vegetable is the main player. Coupled with vivid artistry in presentation and food worthy of ‘fine edible art’ status, Chef Francisco truly is a master of his craft and then some!

Elizabeth’s: The Experience

Housed in a three storey town house right in the heart of Washington DC, it has an allure about it. On a dark misty evening, the low lighting from the ground floor window is warm and inviting oozing with elegance.

Upon entering, diners are greeted with the pale green fascia lit Onyx Bar to the right, where they serve cocktails, host happy hour as well as a limited menu of small plates.

Exterior of Elizabeth's vegan fine dining in Washington DC, housed in a 3 storey town house. Theer are steps leading up tp the entrance and the front window has teh light on revealing the bar area

Onyx bar at Elizabeth's, vegan fine dining in Washington DC. The exteroor of teh bar is lit up with speckled green adn black under lighting and the wall behind it has a ornate baroque framed mirror with a flower vase. The bar area has a row of neatly arranged spirots and there are a few place setting in the bar counter with high top stools.

We were swiftly greeted by Elizabeth, coats handed over and escorted to a wonderful table on the first floor, which is the main dining room. Arriving for a 8 pm reservation the room was filled with low chatter and clinking cutlery and wow, we were not expecting the grandeur of this restaurant.

First floor seating for diners at Elizabeths, Washington DC. There are 6 tables with white table cloths and cutlery. The walls are a pale pink colour with photos on the wall with brown and antique gold frames. The lighting is low. The image format is portrait

Think tall vestibule staircase as you enter the historic atmospheric townhouse, ornate baroque framed mirrors, vases and paintings that look like they belong to notable art collections. Not to mention the chandeliers glistening in the low lighting. The walls are a pale salmon pink hue, with white panelling complementing the crisp white table cloths and dark wood furniture. We were seated on a small table in the corner beside a tall blue vase and an upholstered sofa on a slightly elevated mezzanine level on the first floor.

Painting over the marble fireplace at Elizabeths, Washington DC. The walls are a pale cream/pale oink colour above a marble fireplace with candle sticks and a delicate vase of flowers.

Ornate Baroque framed mirror with reflection of seating on the first floor. The wall is painted a cream/pale pink and there is a dado rail underneath

As we were seated, our attentive waiter introduced himself and bought over the ten course taster menu of the evening. As we perused the menu, the sommelier, Emma Rose, introduced us to their selection of wines and got a great feel for our likes and dislikes, when it came to our preferred aperitifs as well as wines and sparkling wines. We particularly loved the casual, approachable nature of our conversation, rather than just a list of wines presented to us. We valued her expertise and patience as we opted not to go for the wine pairing due to work commitments the next day but we’d recommend the finally curated list.

10 Course menu at Elizabeth's vegan fine dining in Washington DC. The menu is dark grey and is on the white table cloth ewith cutlery next to it. There is an ornate vase in the background against the salmon pink wall and small tea light on the table.

A Hemingway in Havana and Amaretto ginger Sour at Elizabeths, Washington DC under a white table cloth. There is a blue ornate vase to left with a salmon pink wall to the right of the image

This is the thing about Elizabth’s, it may look rather grand, some would say posh, but as soon as you enter and have that first interaction, it is relaxed, welcoming and just beautiful in every way, with a huge helping of attention to detail.

Food & Drinks at Elizabeth’s

We were offered a la carte complements to start in the form of vegan caviar or vegan cheese but we wanted to get straight into the main menu for the evening so declined.

Cocktails

We started the evening sipping on a ‘Hemingway in Havana’, White Rum, Luxardo Maraschino, Clove-Thyme Syrup. Lime Juice; and a classic Amaretto Sour with ginger. Made and served beautifully, these were perfect to sip on the listed courses prior to the main dish.

Course 1: Amuse Trio

A slate board perfect to eat with a cocktail was made up of three morsel sized elements; The First, corn, pickled beet, coconut cheese; the Second, savoury potato pancake with coral pea flower; and the Third, buitlacoche & black truffle.

Each provided a pop of varying flavours and setting the scene for what we predicted from this point, as a memorable evening.

Bejal and Will doing a cheers with a Hemingway in Havana and Amaretto ginger Sour at Elizabeths, Washington DC under a white table cloth.

Trio of Amuse Bouche with two glasses of sparkling wine at Elizabeths, Washington DC on a white tablecloth next to an alcove with a blue and bronze vase

Course 2: Soup

A beautiful white dish with white and purple cauliflower and fermented cashew cheese medallions. One of our favourite dishes with its salty, almost Asian-inspired flavour.

Soup Course at Elizabeths, Washington DC with white dish with white and purple cauliflower and fermented cashew cheese medallions

Course 3: Bread

At this course, the sommelier brought over and poured two glasses of our chosen wine, the Gelsomero, Silvia Giorgetti, Gelsomoro, MSL Blend, Le Marche. Italy, 2018 full bodied with smooth tannins, deep red fruit, savoury earth, toasted nuts. Made for those who love warm, deep reds.

A perfectly sized melt in the mouth roll served with a small pot of popcorn butter.

Gelsomoro Red Wine at Elizabeths, Washington DC. Bejal and Will doing a cheers with a glass of red wine each with the salmon pink background in the back and blue ornate vase to the left of the image

Bread course at Elizabeths, Washington DC. Caramelized parsnip with popcorn butter in a small glass bowl and a bread roll on a white plate. There are 2 red wine glasses in the background.

Course 4: Appetizer

Poached white asparagus with nori and oyster leaf. A stunning green fresh hue to the dish against the white plate, bursting with flavour.

Appetizer at Elizabeth's Washington DC. Poached white asparagus with nori and oyster leaf

Course 5: Palate Cleanser

A tiny white bowl served cold containing grapefruit and vibrant fermented dragon fruit. The sour and sweet left a nice neutral taste in the mouth.

Palate Cleanser of grapefruit and fermented dragon fruit at in a small white bowl on a crisp white tablecloth Elizabeths, Washington DC

Course 6: Main

Artichoke, grilled heart of palm, cipollini onion hollandaise. A perfect mix of flavours and plating.

Artichoke Main at Elizabeths, Washington DC. A circular large white plate on the white table cloth with artichoke, grilled heart of palm, cipollini onion hollandaise

Course 7: Dessert

A large dark plate featuring balsamic and strawberry sauce, dark chocolate, pistachio vanilla gelato. The finally of this dessert is a fitting end. The delicate apple crisp and nutty cool pistachio vanilla gelato bring the light end to delicate flavours and the starring duo of this dish.

The sommelier brought over two glasses of the most perfect sparkling wine to accompany dessert.

Dessert at Elizabeths, Washington DC. A large black plate with balsamic & strawberry sauce, dark chocolate, pistachio-vanilla gelato. There are two flutes of soarkling wine in the background against the salmon pink wall and blue antique vase.

Two glasses of sparkling wine at Elizabeths, Washington DC on a white tablecloth next to an alcove with a blue and bronze vase

Petit Fours

Well. you have can’t leave without finishing with a little something more sweet, delicate and creamy can you?!

Onyx Bar

If you don’t want to go all out on the ten course menu selections upstairs then the the polished Onyx Bar on the ground floor, provides a walk in seasonal à la carte menu, Thursdays through to Saturday evenings, as well as happy hour options to sip on a wide selection of handmade cocktails from the menu and classics.

Other Services

Elizabeth’s can also host intimate private dining events for special occasions such as weddings, birthdays, working with clients to put together a bespoke menu. Elizabeth’s works as dedicated catering company alongside the restaurant and is ideal for perfect events in the DC area.

Elizabeth’s Vegan Fine Dining in Washington DC FAQ

Where is Elizabeth’s Located?

The restaurant is located in one of the most city’s vibrant neighbourhoods, downtown, a stones throw from many of the city’s best hotels and theatre venues .
Address: 1341 L St NW, Washington, DC 20005, USA. Google Map location.

What’s the closest Metro station?

If like us you’re visiting Washington DC, we were actually staying a block away from the restaurant so we walked. Elizabeth’s is located two blocks North of McPherson Square Metro station on the Orange and Blue lines. Walk out of the 14th and H street exit. On street level, walk three blocks towards L Street and turn right at 13th and L street. If you have hired a car, then the closest parking is at One Franklin Square Parking located at 1301 K Street NW. The entrance is on 13th Street (1010 13th Street NW), next to the Fire House Station. It costs around $10 with a voucher from the restaurant.

Does the restaurant have a dress code?

Unlike many formal fine dining places, Elizabeth’s is pretty casual and does not have a stipulated dress code. We wore business casual as did other diners on our visit.

Do we need to make a reservation?

We strongly recommend making a reservation if you plan to enjoy the taster menu, to avoid disappointment. It’s not uncommon for it to be fully reserved on Saturdays. You can of course walk in at the Onyx bar if there is room and eat a limited menu at the counter.

Does Elizabeth’s have any accolades?

The restaurant doesn’t have a Michelin Star, but we think it’s only a matter of time until it’s discovered for its innovation and forward thinking plant based options and impeccable service. We certainly intend on raving about it!

Elizabeth’s Vegan Fine Dining in Washington DC:Round-Up

With so many sustainable things to do in Washington DC, dining at this spot has to be top on your list. Elizabeth’s is a restaurant that stands by the ethical treatment of animals, conservation of the planet’s natural resources and the importance of wellness for mind, body and soul. Ingredients are intentionally sourced with care and appreciation for the seasons and meticulously transformed into masterpieces that celebrate their true flavour and nourishing plant properties. It’s a real memorable delight for vegans as well as those who consume animal protein. We woud go as far as saying, It truly is the best vegan restaurant in the whole of DC.

Elizabeth’s vegan fine dining in Washington DC is truly an unforgettable experience, it’s captivating food with a clear mission to be kind to the planet and promote wellness. The skill and dedication of the whole team with non stuffy, exquisite service coupled with extraordinary food creation and the vision of Elizabeth makes this a must visit experience for anyone looking to partake in something special.

The Details

Location: 1341 L St NW, Washington, DC 20005.
Find it here: Map Location.
Closest Metro Station: McPherson Square Metro station on the Orange and Blue lines.
Reservations: Essential.
Hours & Further Details: Website.
Perfect for: Romantic occasions, couples, families (not so much for children).
Price Range: $$$ (worth the pennies).
If you’re looking for somewhere to stay in the area, to make a night of it, we recommend Eaton DC Hotel (a 5 minute walk away). Alternatively check out our guide on sustainable focus hotels in Washington DC by neighbourhood.