Unconventional Diner

Review! Mount Vernon Square, Washington D.C. // American Restaurant // overhyped?

the ELEVATOR PITCH

This restaurant completely intrigued me when I came across it on my sister-in-law’s list of recommendations. Would it be a traditional American diner menu with cross-cultural fusion elements? Would it be a traditional American diner in vibes and interior décor only, but a menu that’s completely unrelated? Is it because it was located in the Convention Center? What makes this diner “unconventional”?

Fueled by a flurry of questions that needed answering, a reservation was made, public transit was taken, and *snap* just like that, we found ourselves in the lobby talking with the hostess about how our reservation actually didn’t go through. (And that’s the story of how we ended up at the bar in a restaurant busily trying to accommodate all that was going on that Friday night: a large corporate networking event was taking up 1/3 of the restaurant, dining parties of 4+ in the other 1/3, then many other business folk just stopping in for a pregame drink before some main event.) Let this be your lesson learned to make a reservation if you’re planning to eat at Unconventional Diner, because clearly they’re poppin’!

The vibes didn’t feel as sophisticated as I had expected (so don’t worry about dressing to the nines), and as expected, all of my theories on the meaning behind the name “Unconventional Diner” were wrong (😆). The restaurant didn’t have the interior of a traditional American diner, nor did it offer an inkling of a traditional American diner menu with cross-cultural fusion twists. It was just a regular fusion restaurant (self proclaimed “modern comfort food”)—truly not a diner in any sense of what you’d expect.

The dishes we ordered were good, but overall felt whelming because I felt like I could’ve made them myself or gotten them elsewhere (more details on those thoughts to follow👇). This was disappointing, since with the amount of kudos surrounding Chef David Deshaies’ concept (Deshaies himself had worked for Michel Richard Row for 17 years, a James Beard Foundation Chef of the Year winner) you’d think the menu would flip your culinary world upside down.

Overall, while my first experience of Unconventional Diner was just sort of good-not-mind-blowing, I’m still open to trying more of the menu to get a fuller perspective.

so, what did we get from the menu?

honest reviews incoming 👇

Buffalo Cauliflower: the breading is light but there, giving the BEST and dreamiest textural crisp. The house made hot sauce is mild, so paired with the labneh ranch makes for a dish that even people who don’t prefer hot sauce should enjoy. Honestly, no notes, a stellar appetizer! (rating: 10/10)

Sweet Potato Curry: the coconut rice isn’t too coconut forward, so don’t think you’ll be eating straight coconut milk (I sorta wish there was more coconut flavor tbh!); the curry was your typical flavor profile—more like Indian curry than Thai, and definitely not like Japanese curry. Overall, sort of a basic dish that you could probably make at home. (rating: 7.5/10)

👉 Miso Salmon: I decided to add this because a meal is still not 100% fulfilling with just plant protein 🙃 very flavorful and tender—the meat just flakes off and isn’t dry at all, but also not pink/raw (which I don’t mind, but I know a lot of people don’t prefer). Overall, done well but not mind blowing. (rating: 7.5/10)

Cuban Stew: when this was served, my husband and I were both a little confused since it looked more like a Mezeh bowl than a stew? Not a lot of soupy sauce, and more just a bunch of fixin’s on turmeric basmati rice. Flavors were great, and the entire dish was very nourishing, just would’ve preferred more pork shoulder and sweet plantains. (rating: 8/10)

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the RÉSUMÉ

address // 1207 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

⭐ located in the Capitol Business Center, near the Walter E. Washington Convention Center

operations // every day, 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM

⭐ Happy Hour; every week day, 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

⭐ Brunch a la carte; every day, 9:00 AM - 3:45 PM

logistics //

• take the metro to Mt. Vernon Sq. 7th St.-Convention Center

• no easy free parking; but options are street parking or the Cambria Hotel parking garage

• bus stops are prevalent

• make a RESY to secure a table (they hold these for 10 minutes); or you can do walk-in and chance the bar seating availability

amenities //

• public restrooms available

• accessible (i.e., tables are accommodating to wheelchairs, restrooms are down the stairs but there’s a wheelchair lift)

• family-friendly (high chairs available, changing table in women’s restroom)

• indoor and outdoor (covered) seating available

  • pet-friendly outdoors

• private & semi-private event spaces for rent

vibes // a nice modern chic American restaurant where you don’t have to be too dressy (but also still can if you want)

menu //

• beverages ($5.00 - $10.00): coffee (drip, decaf, cold brew); matcha, loose leaf teas, mocktails, juice/sodas

  • libations/bar ($8.00 - $55.00): cocktails, beers (draft, cans), wines (by glass & bottle)

• brunch/brekky food food ($15.00 - $25.00): pancakes, french toast, shrimp & grits, avocado toast, lox bagel, chicken & waffles, breakfast biscuits/egg sandwiches, corned beef hash, shakshuka

  ⭐ 9.00 AM - 3:45 PM

  • sides ($4.00 - $9.00): French fries, chicken sausage, bacon, toast, hash browns, grits

• dinner food food ($16.00 - $27.00): spaghetti/pasta, salads, fried chicken, duck bao buns, chicken noodle soup, Cuban stew, fried rice, curry, cheeseburger, shrimp & grits, meatloaf, steak & frites

  ⭐ after 4:00 PM

  • sides ($7.00 - $12.00): French fries, mac n’ cheese, grilled brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes, biscuit & gravy

  • starters ($10.00 - $16.00): cornbread, fried cauliflower, nachos, poppers, tartare, dips & bread

• desserts ($5.00 - $15.00): lemon meringue pie, Devil’s Food Cake, tres leches cake, cheesecake, carrot cake, ice cream/sorbet

kudos //

• Michelin Bib Gourmand since 2018

• Named “100 Very Best 2023” by Washingtonian.com

recs // definitely book ahead—they get packed!

• favorite dish: Buffalo Cauliflower

site // Unconventional Diner

~ cath!!