This will be re-opening soon as just “Majestic”, under the management of the folks who bring you Eve and also Eammons.

———— 2004-01-12:

I had a good meal here. The sparking blood orange drink was a great starter. But service was hard to come by, at times, and the menu left me a bit flat- I wasn’t in the mood for anything especially heavy or involved- but everything on the menu that evening was heavy and involved. My meal was quite tasty but I only ate about half of it. Don’t come here looking for a simple inexpensive nosh. Convivial atmosphere, pleasing decor.

“Every chef’s dream is to open a diner,” said Majestic chef Susan McCreight Lindeborg on a recent Sunday afternoon. The place was humming but not full, and she was walking around and chatting with the customers. She’d heard from one of the hosts that I was cold and came by to apologize; apparently the booth nearest the kitchen is also just under a vent, and she said it was the coldest one in the restaurant, and offered me any empty table in the house. How often does a chef make that kind of connection with her customers? This is my very favorite place for Sunday brunch, worth the long drive. My only quibble is that Chef Lindeborg won’t consider crossing the Potomac and setting up shop in Maryland.

[review from 3/9/04]

Darnit, I just can’t make up my mind about this place. A recent Sunday brunch almost makes me want to rate it a 9. Sweet potato soup with ginger and coconut was delicate and perfectly balanced; Virginia ham fritata was tasty without being heavy and greasy (they often are); waffles were served with orange pecan butter, a delicious combination. The mango-blueberry cobbler was just perfect.

Guess I’d say Majestic is a great stop for brunch, a good stop for lunch, and a tricky proposition for dinner. I’m still in love with the interior design, though.

[updated review 1/6/04]

I’m afraid I must downgrade my beloved Majestic after my last dinner here. I still love the space and the concept, but the food doesn’t quite live up to its promise. It’s a great neighborhood restaurant, but not a perfect one. By the way, if you’re a fan of banana cream pie, go on Thursday. You have to know to ask for it.

[original review dated November 2003 follows]

A lot has been written elsewhere about the history of Majestic Cafe. Let’s just say a lot of thought went into the place. It’s a classy reincarnation of an old diner, with a straightforward menu of well exectuted American dishes. I love it for the fact that spoon bread is always on the menu. And American layer cakes are a daily changing dessert special. When’s the last time you had a gen-u-ine American layer cake?

The Majestic Cafe is as close as you can get to a perfect neighborhood restaurant.