Pineapple and Pearls

We chose this spot as a unique Michelin star experience. We arrived for our reservation and had to wait a bit to be seated. As a result we not only got the standard welcome drink, but did a “caviar bomb” with a champagne chaser, which was fun. One of the folks that worked there asked if we were celebrating anything and we said “friendship.” Later, while still waiting to be seated, we were asked how many years of friendship and we said “16” which they “took note of.” We were seated and a very kind employee sat with us and said they’d like to spoil us, not let us order anything from the menu, and bring out whatever the chef wants. We were obviously super excited for this special treatment and said yes of course. Meanwhile, we had tables extremely close to us, and could see everything they were getting, about a course ahead of us. We heard all of the explanations and knew what was coming. We maybe got some additional dishes the people to our left and right didn’t, but for the most part it was exactly the same and I have no idea where the “note” of 16 years of friendship came into play. Don’t get me wrong, the food was delicious, risky and interesting. However, when a server tells the table next to you “oh the chef would hate to have you share this so we’ll get you another one” and then tells the same exact thing to you, it doesn’t really make you feel special, which is what Michelin stars set out to do. The gift at the end included a menu of everything we ate, and I noticed it listed things we definitely did NOT get, such as the taste the (berry) rainbow. Maybe we didn’t get that because of my raspberry allergy, but at least give us an accurate souvenir. All said, I was WAY MORE FULL than I expected to be (which is a good thing) the cocktail I got (#6) was amazing, and I absolutely loved the staff, decor and vibes. I just think for a $600 meal, it wasn’t it. Note: we almost got the $200 gummy bear and caviar ice cream add-on and we decided against it. We saw the table next to us get it and we were so full and got all of the other desserts that we were happy to not also get that.

Oh my, p&p is such a gem!! The perfect balance of excellent food, service, and ambiance. My husband threw me a bday party here and they have exceeded everything I could ever imagine. The team’s attention to detail was chefs kiss. Frankly, we have high standards and not easily pleased. Thank you p&p team for my making my bday extra fancy!! Btw your food slurps (inside joke)

This was the best restaurant experience I've ever had in D.C. Yes. Ever. Save your pennies if you must. It is without a doubt worth every cent and more. To say that they go above and beyond is an understatement. Yes. An understatement. I don't know when, but I'll definitely be coming back. Our group chose to have the send-us-whatever-you-want-from-the-kitchen experience. You will not be disappointed.

anyone that wants to experience what it is like to truly "treat yourself" then this is the spot. The customer service was impeccable, the attention to detail was phenomenal and the FOOD was INCREDIBLE!!

Pineapple and Pearls really helped make our second anniversary special. Amazing food that grew in flavor and complexity as you tasted it! And the staff is second to none. They are all super knowledgeable and excited to tell you all about what you’re tasting. We had a blast! Rubio in particular provided the best service one could ask for. Worth every penny.

My first Michelin experience. What a showstopper! The food, the service, the atmosphere…everything was just incredible. I had been looking for a restaurant to go to with my friends to celebrate a recent accomplishment of mine, and had been thinking about P&P for months (after having done extensive research on DMV’s fine dining restaurants). Please note***: I actually wish I hadn’t read as many Google reviews and Reddit threads about P&P, because I knew nearly exactly how the evening would proceed. While my expectations were certainly exceeded in many ways, I do wish I had been able to experience the surprises this meal entails. That being said, for those who also can’t commit to dining at a place (especially not one as expensive as this) before immersing themselves in reviews, I will briefly describe the evening and food. We walked in to receive Death in the Afternoon and take some Polaroids. As someone who does NOT like black licorice, I was expecting to dislike this first welcome drink. However, it was balanced with other flavors that complemented the taste of the licorice very well, and I actually ended up enjoying the drink a ton. The beggar’s purses were next up, and this was one heck of an introduction to caviar for me. Perhaps one of my favorites of the night. We were in a group, so we everyone got to taste every option. The tuna and watermelon was delicious and very simplified in a beautiful way that highlighted the main stars of the dish, the tuna and watermelon. The lamb was also incredible, and that is coming from a person who does not enjoy lamb or ever order it. I’m very happy I did have it, though, and it very much lived up to its name (“Even if You Don’t Like Lamb”). The three cheese ravioli was, quite surprisingly, my and everyone’s least favoriat. I’m not sure if it was off that evening, or intended to be this way, but it was an explosion of salt when you bit into the ravioli, with not much else to balance it out. As a huge pasta lover, this was a bit of a let down, but the texture of the pasta itself was delicious. It was just way too salty in the middle. The bacalao, champagne, and caviar was a massive hit. Another one of my (and others’) favorites from the evening. I think somewhere around the 3rd course, I was very pleasantly surprised with a complimentary extra cocktail (“Salad Course”) as the “guest of honor,” which was a very kind gesture! LOVED this drink. “Parts unknown” was delicious and simple. The stuffed mushrooms were to die for (another favorite). And the Wagyu was tender beyond belief and incredible (this was my first time having wagyy and also first time enjoying a steak dish). The jello palette cleansers were gorgeous and delicious! And the strawberries were fantastic and paired very well with what was hidden inside them. Dessert was by far the biggest course, and either by accident or by design we ended up with an extra dessert that we did not originally order (the summer sorbet). The Manila in Vanilla was everyone’s favorite and the brightness of the lime was such a nice contrast to the heaviness I was feeling by that point in the meal. They also treated me with a funfetti pancake stack with a butter candle, which was not the most appetizing (I’m also picky when it comes to pancakes generally), but was a fun treat to be gifted nonetheless. The crème brûlée donut was delicious, and while I enjoyed the pear balls that accompanied it, not everyone was a huge fan of this dessert. Finally, even though we were stuffed, we were presented with the final dishes: a uniquely flavored ice cream and truffle infused amaretto (which was brilliantly made with left over truffle they couldn’t use during pandemic). And even though we were full, this ice cream and amaretto pairing were so good, we couldn’t help but eat just a little more and savor this. Overall, from the beginning, we were diligently taken care of, entertained, and fed like royalty. This was truly a once in a lifetime experience. Parking: not bad at all. If you drive down a bit earlier you’ll be just fine.

Amazing experience! Service is incredible, food is elegant & flavorful, but imo a real gem is the incredible mocktail/non-alcoholic pairings. These drinks are beyond delish, with a depth of flavor and smoothness that blew me away. Loved the upbeat vibe, fun soundtrack and down to the Loewe hand soap in the restroom, P&P shows the attention to high-end detail.

I had the amazing experience of being able to dine with Pineapple & Pearls for my 21st birthday! The entire experience was amazing-each member of staff we encountered was equally as such.. The best food I’ve ever had in my life and I’ve been fortunate enough to try some of the best restaurants around the world.. so in my opinion that’s saying something!! Such an unforgettable experience and I can’t wait come back! (Visited Oct 13 2023)

This was some of the best food I’ve ever eaten! The staff are fun and friendly, making you feel very special and at home. I’ve never had better gnocchi or Wagyu anywhere. Once in a lifetime food experience!