Kennedy Center: Roof Terrace Restaurant

The Roof Terrace Restaurant Offers Guests Something New

A Very Talented New Chef. For more than 25 years, Vatche Benguian has dazzled the taste buds and accrued a loyal following of fans in Washington D.C. and its suburbs at restaurants the likes of La Colline, Le Mistral, Le Tire Bouchen, The Historic Georgetown Club and Melrose. We are honored that he has brought his culinary talents bridging contemporary and traditional cuisines to serve a new group of guests, soon to join his loyal following of fans.

The Roof Terrace Restaurant & Bar is not just great for a pre-theatre meal; it's also the perfect dining destination. With awe-inspiring, panoramic views of the Washington, DC skyline that can be viewed through floor-to-ceiling windows high above the Potomac, the Roof Terrace Restaurant features a deco-inspired dining room complete with soaring ceilings and alabaster columns of light. The grand room is enveloped with a warm palette of caramel-colored suede and mahogany. To complete the fine dining experience, the chefs’ Modern American cuisine focuses on light and seasonal foods, using a variety of exotic spices and seasonal vegetables that accent each appetizer and entree. A staff of highly-trained, seasoned servers is at-hand to guide guests through the meal.

Spectacular views, fantastic food and attentive service: What more could you ask for, the next time you dine?

The Roof Terrace Restaurant & Bar offers pre-theater dining before most Concert Hall and Opera House evening performances with reservations from 5pm until 8pm. The Kitchen Buffet Brunch, a Grand Buffet, is served most Sundays of the year beginning at 11:00 AM with last seating at 1:45PM.

The Roof Terrace Restaurant & Bar; A memorable experience with elegant food and awe-inspiring views of DC’s breathtaking skyline.

The Roof Terrace Restaurant Offers A Spectacular Venue for Group Dining

The Roof Terrace Restaurant & Bar offers almost 7000 square feet of space at the Kennedy Center. Groups up to 90 guests may dine during pre-performance dining hours in the Main Dining Room. For later dining and evenings when the restaurant is closed, larger groups up to 270 guests may dine on our three or four-course fixed price menus. A private dining room is also available for seated groups of up to 30 guests & standing receptions up to 40 guests. Our current public and private group dining brochures are available to download at the bottom of this page.

Reservations are highly recommended for Dinner and Brunch at (202) 416-8555.

Roof Terrace Restaurant closed for Dinner on the Fourth of July

Every Fourth of July, The Kennedy Center sponsors a family-oriented event for Kennedy Center members at the Donor Level and above. As this event involves more than 1000 guests, the entire Terrace Level of the Center will be closed to the public. Both the Restaurant and the Cafe will be closed for the evening.

Jazz Brunch Continues at The Roof Terrace

The Jazz Brunch returned to Roof Terrace Restaurant this Spring and continues into the Summer. Live Jazz will be provided by the Chris Grasso Trio through August 9th. Enjoy Memphis Jazz and Blues during the run of The Color Purple. Following our Summer hiatus (August 10 through September 11th), we will resume our Jazz Brunch on September 13th.

Sunday Kitchen Buffet Brunch

Brunch is served most Sundays of the year beginning at 11:00 AM with last seating at 1:45PM. Sunday Brunch is usually priced at $36.95 for adults (a Mimosa or glass of Sparkling Wine included) and $20 for children under 12. Special events such as Brunch with Santa, Easter and Mothers Day may have different hours and pricing.

Summer 2009 Dinner Menus

The Roof Terrace Restaurant offers two distinct dining options; a limited selection three-course Prix Fixe menu for $39 and an A La Carte menu in four courses. The Prix Fixe menu start with a choice of soup or salad, then a choice of at least two entrees, one of which is a vegetarian offering followed by a choice of two desserts. The price does not include beverages and excludes tax and gratuity. As the Prix Fixe menu offerings change at least weekly based on the Chef's selections, only the A La Carte menu is listed below.

Prelude

HOMESTEAD SALAD $10: Peaches, Watermelon, Radishes, Blackberries, Cloth Bound Cheddar, Spicy Pecans

GAZPACHO ANDALUCIA $9: Brunoise of Tomato, Cucumber, Bell Peppers, Micro Herbs

PEEKYTOE CRAB AND ASPARAGUS SALAD $14: Red and Yellow Grape Tomatoes, Basil, Chives Aged Sherry Vinaigrette

CARAMELIZED FOIE GRAS $16: Red Cassis Jus Lie, Brioche, Rosemary Oil

WINTER HARBOR SMOKED SALMON CARPACCIO $12: Crème Fraiche, Red Onion, Dill, Capers, Crostini

Interlude

PEPPER SEARED TUNA NICOISE $18: Nicoise Vegetable Ragout, Quail Eggs, Olive Tapenade, Saffron Elixir

GRILLED VEGETABLE TIMBALE $13: Red Pepper Aioli, Sweet Garlic, Frisée Salad

PEI BLUE BAY MUSSELS “ MARSEILLAISE ” $17: Chardonnay, Sweet Butter, Saffron, Basil

CRAYFISH SPRING ROLL $14: Andouille Sausage, Rice, Cilantro, Tomato Vinaigrette

Finale

LAKE VICTORIA PERCH FILLET $29: Marcona Almonds, Arugula, Haricots Verts Salad

HERB CRUSTED LOIN OF PORK $30: Yam Puree, Wilted Spinach, Red Grapes, Golden Raisins, Buttermilk Biscuit

JUMBO LUMP CRAB CAKES $36: Country Style Mashed Potatoes, Popcorn Shoots, Baby Mache, Corn Nuts

PAN SEARED PEKIN DUCK BREAST $28: Sweet Potato Hash, Rainbow Swiss Chard, Blueberry Sauce

FILET OF BEEF “PONTCHARTRAIN” $34: Grilled Vidalia Onions, Roast Fingerling Potatoes, 5-Peppercorn Sauce

FOREST MUSHROOM RISOTTO $22: Wild Mushrooms, Porcini Essence, Grana Padano, White Truffle Oil

Encore

CHOCOLATE PECAN PIE $10: Bourbon Ice Cream, Caramel Drizzle

SWEET POTATO WAFFLE $10: Buttermilk Ice Cream, Home Made Pecan Syrup, Fresh Berries

WHITE CHOCOLATE BANANAS FOSTER BREAD PUDDING $10: Chocolate Fudge Drizzle, Rum Raisin Ice Cream, Grand Mariner Anglaise

GEORGIA PEACH COBBLER $10: Cinnamon Ice Cream

HOUSE-MADE ICE CREAM OR SORBET $9: Assortment Available Daily

ARTISAN CHEESES $13: Assortment of Specialty Cheeses

Downloadable Events and Special Menus

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