Carthay Circle Restaurant vs. Lounge

[momtotwolittleones]

We go to DL once a year, but we have never been to Carthay Circle. We were thinking about finally doing a meal there this trip, but upon thinking it through more, are now leaning towards just going to the lounge for drinks and apps, but I was wondering what the feedback is on this from people who have been there. We mainly didn't want to do a full meal because of the time commitment, but the big bill doesn't help either.

Is the restaurant that much of a different experience than the lounge? Do we need reservations for the lounge? We are going on April 13 and 14, which seems to be a low crowd week, and we'd rather decide on the fly when to take a break.

Any feedback on the two would be much appreciated!

 

[Girimama33]

They do not take reservations for the lounge. If you just plan on apps and drinks, the lounge would work...just how it isn't too busy on that day. We go to CCT every trip. Love the Tequila Daisy and the duck wings.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Love the Carthay Lounge. As stated no reservations, seating can be limited. The bill won't be low fyi. The drinks are excellently crafted, the apps are good but not particularly filling.

 

[figment_jii]

The Restaurant and the Lounge have different menus and you cannot order items from one menu at the other location (we recently inquired about ordering the Carthay House Biscuits at the Lounge and were told that they were only available at the restaurant and vice-a-versa for the lounge menu items). I really like the offerings at both locations, so it really depends on what you want to eat. The lounge does not take reservations and there is often a line of guests waiting to get a table (especially on the weekends). It used to be "first-come/first-serve" in terms of finding a lounge table, but now they have a line (so in theory, you will get a table in the order that you arrive). The restaurant does take reservations and it's highly recommended that you make a reservation, especially at prime dining times and weekends.

 

[Eclectic Goddess]

If it's in your budget to do so, I would absolutely go to the restaurant itself rather than just the lounge. The food is good in the lounge, but as PP have said, it's just appetizers. The food upstairs is excellent, the service great, and the atmosphere is wonderful.

 

[momtotwolittleones]

Thanks for the replies. Dh is a big fan of manhattans, so we'll definitely have to try one of those! I think we're going to have to play it by ear - I know we might miss out on making reservations, but I just don't want to commit to a 1-2 hour dinner when we are only in the park for 2 days. The menu does look fantastic though!

 

[Congo Queen]

I've done both apps/drinks in the lounge and full dinner in the restaurant several times. While the dining room at Carthay Circle is gorgeous and the food very good (though I give Napa Rose the edge on both food and service), the lounge is fun too. And actually, my family decided last visit that we like the lounge experience better. We did it as a sort of late lunch experience on our last visit and it was terrific. It is so nice to exit the loud, hot, tiring late afternoon day of DCA to sit in a comfortable lounge with a great drink and some very good appetizers. There was plenty to eat so we were satisfied by the food and to have the edge taken off by one of those ice-ball Manhattans...heaven. Thumbs up all around.