Ovations Restaurant | Wolf Trap
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Ovations Restaurant

Ovations Restaurant

Indulge in a dining experience as memorable as a Wolf Trap performance. At Ovations Restaurant, great food, refreshing drinks, and unforgettable shows come together in perfect harmony. Located near the Filene Center, Ovations Restaurant is an al fresco, gourmet buffet dining experience where guests can curate their own culinary adventure with a selection of delicious farm-to-table and seasonal offerings. The buffet is $48 per person and $25 for children. Beverages are not included in the buffet price.

Enjoy a varied selection of bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and globally inspired dishes that rotate throughout the summer. Thoughtfully curated by Wolf Trap’s Executive Chef Chris Faessen, each dish is crafted to balance delicious flavors, artful presentation, and variety to accommodate a wide range of dietary preferences.



Complement your meal with selections from our full bar, offering local craft beers, fine wines, expertly mixed cocktails, and a variety of non-alcoholic beverages to suit every taste.

Whether you're here for the music, the cuisine, or both, Ovations Restaurant sets the stage for a remarkable evening. We look forward to welcoming you!




For large parties (9 or more guests), special requests, or any inquiries, please reach out to us at OvationsDining@wolftrap.org or call us at 703.255.4017.

Ovations Restaurant is a fully cashless facility. For your convenience, we offer a variety of cashless payment options, including credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay, and Wolf Trap gift cards.

Chris Faessen – Executive Chef, Ovations Restaurant at Wolf Trap

Chris Faessen

For over 20 years, Executive Chef Chris Faessen has redefined dining at Wolf Trap, transforming food and beverage into an integral part of the experience. Now, with the launch of Ovations, he’s realizing a lifelong dream, creating memorable dining moments for guests in a place he loves.
Faessen’s journey began in his hometown of Reading, PA, working in steakhouses, country clubs, and breweries before refining his craft at Baltimore International College. His passion led him to top executive chef roles in Washington, DC, before finding his home at Wolf Trap in 2004. Since then, he’s been the creative force behind backstage catering, corporate dining, and special events, always striving to elevate every bite.

For Faessen, food is more than a meal, it’s an experience. After successfully transforming The Barns into a full-service restaurant, he now brings two decades of expertise and a deep love for hospitality to Ovations, ensuring every dish makes a lasting impression.

Food Menu 

With a rotating menu, selections may vary, but here’s a taste of what you can expect:


A Variety of Starters & Salads – From refreshing Chilled Cucumber & Avocado Gazpacho Shooters to a Rustic Mediterranean Dips Trio, or a classic Watermelon & Feta Salad, our selection of appetizers sets the stage for a well-rounded meal.

Main Course Highlights – Savor the bold spice of Jerk-Marinated Chicken with Spicy Mango Salsa, the richness of Seared Herb-Crusted Salmon, or the indulgence of Fried Chicken and Spam & Pineapple Fried Rice. Vegetarian & vegan options abound, with choices like BBQ Jackfruit Sliders, Impossible Meatballs with Capitol City Mambo Sauce, and the comforting Eggplant Parmesan.

Sides & Accompaniments – Enhance your meal with a Loaded Baked Potato Bar, creamy Smoked Gouda Mac & Cheese, or a colorful array of Grilled Summer Vegetables, all designed to complement our main course selections.

Sweet Endings – Indulge in an assortment of Mini Desserts, featuring bite-sized cheesecakes, lemon bars, and chocolate mousse, along with a selection of Assorted Mini Cookies for the perfect finishing touch.

Beverage Menu 

Cocktails

Ovations Lavender Lemonade
    Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Lemonade, Lavender Syrup, Butterfly Pea Flower Tea
    *Available Spirit Free

Meadow Breeze
   Hendrick’s Gin, Watermelon Cucumber Mint Tea, Ginger Syrup, Fresh Lemon Juice, Cucumber, Mint
    *Available Spirit Free

Margarita
   El Jimador Silver Tequila, Fresh Lime Juice, Grand Marnier, Agave Nectar
    *Available Spirit Free

Moscow Mule
   Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Fresh Lime Juice, Ginger Beer
    *Available Spirit Free

Espresso Martini
   Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Nitro Infused Espresso, Simple Syrup, Dark Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans
    *Available Spirit Free

Aperol Spritz
   La Marca Prosecco D.O.C., Club Soda

Island Storm
   Appleton Estate Signature Blend Rum, Fresh Lime Juice, Ginger Beer, Pineapple Juice, Angostura Bitters

Bellini
   La Marca Prosecco D.O.C., Peach Purée

Strawberry & Blueberry Mojito
   Bacardi Superior Rum, Fresh Strawberries, Blueberries, Mint, Lime Juice, Simple Syrup, Club Soda

Smoked Old Fashioned
   Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Simple Syrup, Angostura Bitters, Cherry Smoke

Spirits

Tito’s Handmade Vodka 

Grey Goose Vodka

Bombay Sapphire Gin

Hendrick’s Gin

Bacardi Superior Rum

Appleton Estate Signature Blend Rum

Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey

Woodford Reserve Bourbon

El Jimador Silver Tequila

Herradura Reposado Tequila

Glenfiddich 12 Year Scotch

Courvoisier VS Cognac

Grand Marnier

White Wine


Talbott Kali Hart - Chardonnay  (CA)

Whitehaven - Sauvignon Blanc (NZ)

Maso Canali - Pinot Grigio (IT)

La Jolie Fleur - Rosé (FR) 

Martín Códax - Albariño (SP)

Fre – Sauvignon Blanc (CA) Non – Alcoholic 

Red Wine

Prati Sonoma – Cabernet (CA) 

J Vineyards - Pinot Noir (CA) 

Breaux “Marquis de Lafayette” - Cabernet Franc (VA)

Brancaia Tre - Super Tuscan Red Blend (IT)

Fre - Red Blend (CA) Non – Alcoholic 

Sparkling

La Marca – Prosecco (IT)

Le Grand Courtậge – Brut (FR)

Reserve Wine

Le Petit Perroy Grand Vin – Sancerre (FR)

Martis Alexander Valley – Cabernet (CA)

Rombauer – Chardonnay (CA)

Our Lady of Guadalupe by Dave Phinney– Pinot Noir (CA)

Moët Chandon Impérial – Champagne (FR)

Local Draft Beer

Devil’s Backbone Vienna Lager (VA)

Starr Hill Northern Lights IPA (VA)

Starr Hill Groove Tangerine Ale (VA)

Stone IPA (VA)

Canned Beer & Cider

Wolf Trap Summer Ale (VA)

Bold Rock Va Apple Hard Cider (VA)

Michelob Ultra (MO)

Starr Hill Parallel IPA – Non Alcoholic

Soft Drinks, Coffee & Water

 

Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Ginger Ale

Sweet Iced Tea, Unsweetened Iced Tea, Lemonade

Coffee

Saratoga Sparkling Water (28 oz)

Saratoga Still Water (28 oz)

 
 

Buy a Wolf Trap Summer Cup and take your drink to your seats. Spill-Safe, reusable, and recyclable.

Please note that menu items can change.
Outside food or drinks are not permitted.