After a three-year pandemic-driven closure, Skydome has reopened in National Landing with a fresh menu and sweeping views of the D.C. skyline.
The restaurant, which rotates atop the Double Tree by Hilton Crystal City Hotel, reopened in January and is the only revolving eatery in the D.C. area. It originally debuted in 1972 as part of a Quality Inn—riding a mid-century trend that inspired some two dozen or so revolving restaurants across the United States.
Executive Chef Klaus Happel, whose 30 years of kitchen experience includes stints at several resorts and hotels nationwide, has designed a menu of shareable plates and hearty entrees billed as “American fare through a Mediterranean lens.”
To start, sample the cheese and charcuterie board (which includes prosciutto, soppressata, goat cheese and marcona almonds), truffle mushroom pizza, or grilled octopus with potato-chorizo corn hash. Salads include baby iceberg (roasted yellow tomatoes, corn, bacon, thousand island) and can be topped with chicken or salmon.
Hungry diners can choose mains such as gnocchi alla vodka (shrimp, asparagus), a Wagyu burger (cheddar, candied bacon) and a 16-ounce grilled tomahawk porkchop served with honey-garlic glaze (with honey sourced from the hotel’s rooftop beehive). For a sweet finish, try chocolate mousse crème brûlée, a slice of strawberry cheesecake or a chocolate caramel Magnum bar.
The cocktail program, curated by beverage director Haley Stone, includes some showstoppers. The Evening Thyme is infused with house honey and smoked in a cherry wood fog just before serving. The Nectar of the Gods mixes Absolut pear vodka, pear nectar, lemon, agave and 24-karat gold flakes—a befitting accompaniment to the glittering skyline in the distance.
Skydome is located at 300 Army Navy Drive in Arlington. The restaurant is open Tuesday-Saturday from 5 p.m.-10 p.m.