![Facebook]( "Recensione")
Man, where do I start? I arrived at about 3:30 on a Thursday and I was first in line. I've heard people suggest that you bring bug spray, and i agree. I was on day 10 of my east coast food and drink vacation, so I fell asleep on the sidewalk. Seeing this hipster type sleeping in front of Bad Saint must have looked hilarious.
Anyways, since I was by myself, I was sat at a single barstool on the expo line, giving me a great view of the kitchen. I'm a hospitality professional myself, and seeing the effective communication between FOH/BOH made me envious. I ordered a calvados cocktail, which reminded me of my go-to plantation pineapple daiquiri. Can't complain there.
The food. Man, this is where my skill as a writer will fail to convey the amalgam of flavors. I was on a day fast in preparation so I ordered three items. The service staff worked as a team and multiple servers offered this perspective on dishes, describing flavor profiles and ingredients without using empty adjectives. I went with the prawn skewers, the heirloom rice salad, and the beef ribs. Everything was beautiful, and the beef ribs were easily the best I've ever had. I decided to pair an IPA with the habanero sauce on the shrimp, and a Barrel Aged Sour with the ribs. The latter of the two was one of the better beer pairings I've ever had.
I'm singing to the choir here but this was one of my favorite culinary experiences yet!
My Husband and I are big foodies, we both cook pretty well, and I was raised eating the best Filipino home cooked food. So going to Filipino restaurant where I have to queue for an hour is like “why am I doing this, huh” kind of thing. But, these guys at Bad Saint surprised me. Well, they are not in Washingtonians top DC restaurant for nothing. They had a “current way” of interpreting Filipino food but the flavor and taste are faithful to their roots. Every dish brought back memories of big weekend lunches and dinners with families in Davao and Manila. Happy place 😊. I highly recommend Bad Saint. It’s worth the long wait in the queu.
Thank you Genevieve and staff! Last evening I enjoyed the 7-course tasting menu and was thrilled that not only was there a vegetarian version but that each dish was a culinary adventure and a surprise. On top of that the staff were some of the nicest people and thoroughly knowledgeable about the content and construction of the food and the beverage pairings. All the best in 2018! Maraming salamat po!
![Facebook]( "Recensione")
Honestly one of the most enjoyable dining experiences I've ever had. They don't take reservations and as they are abundantly blessed with loads of interested diners, there is a significant wait. But from the moment we walked up to their tiny "home" they graciously came outside, greeted us joyfully, took our name then recommended several solid neighborhood restaurant/bar options to enjoy a snack and a couple of refreshments at prior to our arrival (2 hrs). They were spot on with that recommendation and actually called us back a 1/2 hour early. Once we did enter we seemed to step into some obviously special and somewhat magical place. We were led to a comfortable booth directly adjacent to the kitchen (5-7' from us) where we could see clearly, all of the culinary action going on. The presence of unique blends of spices and herbs was positively intoxicating. The staff treated us like their favorite long lost cousin and couldn't have been more fun, warm, informative, welcoming & lovely. With a background in restaurants, architecture and commercial real estate, I found the interiors to be completely attention grabbing, too. The refreshments including beers were unique and the food was perfecto! I cannot wait to return.
Ps- three of us had drinks and our tummies were full and the bill was under $100.00 (before tip).
Cheers to a fabulously efficient, generous in all aspects and welcoming place to share a dining experience. �
![Facebook]( "Recensione")
Been wanting to dine here for the longest time, finally made it! Waited an hour in the cold and ended up 17 and 18th in line. Place sits between 24-26 at a time I believe. No reservations! Started off with Vigan empanada. Crispy, not greasy, the creaminess from the egg, well seasoned beef and sprouts, and that spicy vinegar dipping sauce of course! Next was the ginisang ampalaya. Brought back memories of when we would have this for dinner back home. With a twist of tausi. Lastly, the pinaputok na isda. Well-cooked branzino. Tender and flaky and the tomatoes bursting with flavor. That maggi lime sauce though, puts it over the top! I think we loved it too much! 😂 Picked that thing to the bone, literally! A bit pricey but for the amount of food you get, the quality, ambience, service, and the feeling of being home, it was worth every penny! I hope to go back in the future and get that kare kare! Non-Pinoy couple next to us loved it, ate to the very last drop of the sauce! Made me happy to see that! ❤❤❤
The food, ambiance and service were excellent! I had the radishes and the lobster and noodles which I would highly recommend. Obviously, I don’t have all the ingredients but I’m sure the staff can help you figure out the dishes by the ingredients mentioned. Totally worth the wait!
Bad Saint is amazing and well worth the wait. From the moment we walked in the door, the service was impeccable. The staff was very friendly, attentive to allergies, and brilliant at guiding us through the menu. Every dish was beautiful and delicious. This was one of the best dining experiences of my life. Thank you Bad Saint! Keep doing what you're doing!
Ordinarily I would not suggest that waiting in line is ever worth doing, but Bad Saint scrambles the math on that calculation. Each dish was so well put together it would be hard to pick a favorite, but, if pressed for a few, the cauliflower, the branzino and the bitter melon danced on my pallet. The wine paired well and the accomplished staff worked well together as a team throughout the experience. I look forward to returning to get through the other half of the menu.
Without a doubt, one of the best meals I have ever or will ever have in my life! The flavors, the smells, the knowledgable, happy staff = a truly fabulous, memorable experience. I cannot wait to go back!
It’s amazing, great flavors, fun, great staff, perfect sharing sizes. Try it, I can highly recommend it!
Thanks for a great experience ��
Food is awesome, service is great! Worth the wait. Since their menu changes every week, there’s always a surprise. This place is a must try.
Bad Saint deserves its fantastic reputation. The hostess and entire staff always treat us very well. The pork belly and Adobo are to die for!
Why did we stand in line for 2 1/2 hours - it’s the perfect food you will love and enjoy. It’s out of this world. This is our second time and we were very satisfied. The place is unpretentious. And I love the way they serve the food.. one at a time that’s why you really enjoyed the dishes and taste the food very well. To the beautiful gracious mitre’d, Genevieve thank You with your warm welcome and most of all hats off to Chief Tom, thank You for your wonderful delicious recipes.. oops! didn’t bother saying hello this time, too busy it was a full house and long lines outside. My two sons and my honey were so excited and delighted coming here,
Made everybody happy last night. Thanks Bad Saint. Got the perfect table in the house. Not bad for our 44th anniversary celebration.
![5]( "Recensione")
I arrived to the restaurant at 3:30 p.m. on a Monday and discovered and I was the first in getting there. The line didn’t really start intensifying until an hour later.
During the two-hour wait I made a friend in line while we each waited for a friend. We ended up eating together in a table of 4, which is the largest Bad Saint offers.
I highly recommend arriving early and getting a larger table to be able to try more dishes. We had 6 dishes among us, and paid $40 each plus tip. Dishes are large enough that you wouldn’t want to be eating them solo.
For a place with such an elegantly short menu, waiters were super accommodating with dietary restrictions and allergies: they helped us with the selections and offered to put items on the side. The staff, all together, are some of the nicest and most helpful people you will meet!
The wait was definitely worth it. I experienced the most pleasant two hours with new friends over lots of flavourful unique dishes — every single of which I enjoyed. My favorite one was the Bitter Melon stir-fry. Not everyone at the table loved it but if you like bitter and unique bites, I would recommend it. Bad Saint is particularly amazing at making the best sauces to accompany each dish.
Photo credits go to my friend Lee.
I've been to Bad Saint several times now and it never disappoints. The menu is updated frequently with seasonal options. Staff is incredibly knowledgeable and willing to answer questions about the menu and give recommendations. The owner is incredibly kind and passionate about food. Plus the cozy setting makes you feel like being there is a real treat. Absolutely lives up to the hype.
The rice and asian pear salad was a light and refreshing start to a delicious meal. The veggie mix that came with rice was delicious.
The duck with crispy skin was the highlight of the meal and definitely stood above all the other dishes.
The squid puffs were very light and delicious, but the sauce was surprisingly fishy, which is something I wasn't used to.
The spaghetti was very well made, with a perfect handmade noodle.
The Filipino sweet rice dessert was semi-sweet and very filling end to a great meal.
We got lucky with day-of reservations for dinner and really enjoyed ourselves! The restaurant space is very small - 40 seats tops - most of which are facing the window or wall. It's beautifully decorated and comfortable but certainly not for a large group. Onto the food:
Wow! It's very cool to see food from the Philippines elevated to this level. I'm a vegetarian but my partner isn't and we both found hearty, interesting dishes that we could enjoy. The portion sizes are actually bigger than I thought they would be and we took leftovers after getting 4 dishes between 2 people. The radish dish in coconut cream was amazing and so special and it's not to miss. The complimentary dessert was also a nice touch. I really enjoyed my cocktail too which had a coconut vodka-type spirit with some really interesting flavors, and the rye drink reminiscent of a Manhattan was also fantastic.
This is such a great spot for a special meal!
Tip: Make friends (or friendly conversations) with the other people waiting in line for 1-1.5hrs. Intimate restaurant. Fun lighting. Unique flavor combinations. Very attentive staff who check in and fill water without you needing to ask. Owner is very hands-on and buttons up details. Accommodating to people with allergies. Great place to celebrate birthday. The richest options of each menu section were a little too rich for my taste towards the end of the meal. Great experience.
We had to make a reservation a month in advance to get in the door. Service was impeccable, our server was efficient, pleasant and knew the menu well. The restaurant was pleasant, if a little compact. The food was excellent! The slow cooked pork was tender, luscious, richly smoky and benefited from the coconut (milk/water?) it was bathed in. The crisp pork skin was the best icing this cake could have! The crab curry was made from a rich, seafood broth, with plenty of crab meat. Though the flavor of the broth competed with the flavor of the crab a bit, would've loved a more crabby flavor. The bitter melon and egg salad might've been the star of the show! Layers of flavor and texture, with the fragrance of the flash fry in the wok always in the background. The hints of crunchy bitterness in each mouthful were perfectly balanced by the creamy egg and sauteed greens. Be generous with the lemon! Gave them four stars because the food was too expensive. But we were glad we ate there!
Wednesday Morning 11:00am. In order to secure a spot at Bad Saint, you will need to be on their website reservation page at that time. If not, better luck next week. Hopefully you are lucky enough to lock down a table, because it is a very unique and pleasant dining experience. A cozy and unique setting places you at a small table or counter like seating area. Service is quick and offers a limited but creative menu. Every day contains a chef's choice as well, which takes you through a rotation of on and off menu dishes (we went with this). Each dish had something that made it both delicious and different from anything we have ever had(sauce, pepper, style of cooking etc). Everything is shareable plates, and doesn't require any extra seasonings or sauces that they do not provide. Excellent overall experience and worth putting a little extra effort into getting that reservation.
The food here is great! This restaurant is very small and the chances of you getting in without reservations is slim to none. The staff is cool and all very knowledgeable about the food and ingredients. The menu is very small but it changes pretty often. The ambience here is cool I really like how the bar and kitchen are set up.
Cant really judge Filipino food because I've never had it. All the dishes were tasty and well crafted. A very small space for arestaurant. cocktails were just good, not great. It is a 5 star restaurant but I think the hype left me hoping for a bit more. Def worth a try though! Service was also great.
I can't say enough great things about this place. Yes you have to show up early to get a table and yes it's a small joint with limited seating, but it is all worth it.
I had the pleasure of visiting here while Tom Cunanan was in the kitchen and he didn't disappoint. We ordered 3 dishes (plenty of food for 2) and each one was unique and delicious. My favorite was the arroz Caldo, followed closely by the tocino dish. What surprised me most was, despite putting a fancy spin on these very traditional Filipino dishes, a lot of the flavors reminded me so much of my dad's cooking. The quality of the meal is much higher, but the underlying taste still reminded me of home, which is something I hadn't experienced at any other Filipino restaurant.
Now the real test is going to be the lumpia dish, so I hope he's serving that next time I go!
![5]( "Recensione")
"Filipino food, Flavors that is worth the wait."
I never really knew what the hype was all about, I had read about the place online, seen pictures of the food, but I had never had the chance to try it. Until now. We wanted to celebrate my fiance's birthday weekend here. Planned out to come to the place and wait it out for some time. Interestingly we actually met someone waiting in line that had been coming back to this place multiple times, willing to wait just to get a bite of this authentic Filipino cuisine. The time came up and we got in, Wow, not what I expected for all this hype, not at all. Place has very limited seating.
Host got us to our table and introduced the menu. Of course as we usually go on these food trips we love to indulge on the best they have to offer. So we did.
At the end of this all, we were at awe, the various flavors that they offer from variety of dishes are worth the wait. Seriously, it is.
For all the food lovers out there, if you want to cross that off your list of authentic food flavors, swing by and savor it. Hope this helps!
Karl Cabadin @kcSnapimagery
My favorite restaurant in DC. If you have the opportunity to eat here, take it. Very few seats so be prepared to wait. I recommend getting a drink at Wonderland or El Chucho while you wait for your table. The menu is always changing but believe me when I say it is some of the most unique and delicious dishes you'll ever taste. I didn't think it was possible to elevate Filipino food to a level of elegance, but this is exactly that. If you enjoy your meal at Bad Saint, I recommend trying to find a Mom and Pop Filipono run restaurant such as Lumigs and taste the dishes you tried in their original forms. It definitely won't be as decadent as Bad Saint, but you can see how the dishes taste in their indigenous form. I love homecooked Filipino food, but this restaurant really does enrich these dishes without taking away from their original charms and essences. If you don't take this opportunity to try this amazing restaurant, you're really doing yourself a disservice.
![5]( "Recensione")
To experience Bad Saint's Pagdiriwang celebration is truly a delight and heart warming experience, a prefixed menu curated for a delicious Filipino culinary adventure to kick off the new year and end the holiday season with a bang. We were fortunate to get a reservation for this extended event. Normally, one has to line up at 3:00 - 4:00 pm to get a seat at this cozy spot that seats about 24 guests. The menu included an assortment of dishes including black bass sinigang, a lobster rice tamale, lechon (of course), and Filipino spaghetti to name a few. With a rotating menu, we're always excited to see what Tom comes up with. He brings the comfort of home and his creativity and passion for cooking into each of his dishes with all the textures and flavors in every bite. If you are able to catch the window of opportunity to book a seat for one of their special events, do check it out. It was a nice perk to skip the line with all the snow, but even if you can't, Bad Saint is ALWAYS worth the wait!
Yes. Amazing. Go. Arrive 1-1.5 hours early to put your name down for one of their 3 seating time options. The staff is great and are very hospitable. They make sure you have a great experience beginning to end. Note that their menu changes often, so there could be something you've hear of that may be not be there when you go.
The staff was VERY friendly and helpful. I grabbed a seat at the bar and basically let the servers make my decisions for me. I had the pork belly with some type of blood sauce - was delish. I also ordered a couple of cocktails that were a perfect pair to the dish. This place definitely lives up to the hype but you better get there right when it opens!
We continue to be VERY impressed with these young Filipina\Filipino resto-preneurs! Cannot wait for their "Phase 2"... hopeful hopeful...
Salamat e grazie mille ;-)
From our most recent visit: our top fave was the pancit "Nero" (pancit sontanghon). Close second was the sisig, veggie version (shrooms instead of pork bits) which worked really well! The dinuguan, traditional version, brought me back to childhood's "chocolate meat" (haha).
LOVE how the menu changes and evolves constantly, blending tradition with innovation!
Arguably the best elevated Filipino food being made today . Tom Cunanan needs to be recognized for this! Everyone is warm and wonderful and you will have a great experience!
As always very well crafted menu and rich flavors. Quaint little place with great vibe...something about the comfort in that place. Even something as simple as radish was so good and well plated.
An error has occurred! Please try again in a few minutes