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    Ada's on the River

    4.3 (1k reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 11:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Ada's on the River Photos

    Business Info

    ADA'S ON THE RIVER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Intimate
    Romantic

    Recommended Reviews - Ada's on the River

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    Reviews With Photos

    Caesar salad
    Lina F.

    This is my second time coming to Ada's -- once i came for a Mother's Day Brunch, I believe and the other was for my Boss retirenment party. the party was really fancy whcih is what you see posted here: there was a set menu that we were able to enjoy. AMBIANCE: Classy, cute, finely decorated. Right on the water so tbh for ME i'm not coming here on the regular -- it's a little pricier than what's in my budget, but if you got it spend it!! SERVICE: Service was okay -- i'll be honest. i'm not sure if it was because it was a big group but we had a team member request a SIMPLE modification on the burger: no cheese... do you know he waited an hour to get his food, after everyone got there (i was able to finish mine and LEAVE) because he had to send it back twice due to there being cheese on the burger... i think that's pretty simple, so I was shocked at that. I don't believe in knocking a restaurant over one mistake, but.... I deff haven't seen that happen before. FOOD: We come for the food though, RIGHT??? Like, unless the service is abysmal, food will always trump everyting. for me, that BREAD that heavenly. like, eating the black bread is great for affect, it does something to the mind because you think it's going to taste not good at all, pair it with the sweetness of the orange butter and it's an incredibly culinary experience. Ceasar salad -- also SOOOO good haha. i was quite peeved that they served it with a singular cruton (like you couldn't spare more???) but it dind't even matter becasue it was especailly seasoned. pepper, garlic, salt, and not overpowering at all. FInally, i had a sip of my supervisors spicy margarita and it was like HOT HOT. like jalapeño hot-- it was terribly intense. so unless your looking for HEATTTTT. i'd stay away from that.

    Espresso Martini
    Klara C.

    Came back for Happy Hour which is only available at the bar or outside high tops. I came around 4:30 and didn't find any issues with seating at the bar but the restaurant did get fairly busy after that. The bartender was a little busy and so it took some time to get my order. We really enjoyed the Happy Hour bites Mini Lobster Roll - this was really good, decent amount of lobster and the buttered roll was delicious. French Dip Slider - flavor was amazing but a little difficult to eat. This fell apart pretty easily but overall, I really enjoyed it. Peruvian Steak Skewer - this was also very flavorful and cooked perfectly. My friend got the crab rangoon and she said that she also really enjoyed it. The only issue we had was we ordered last minute for Happy Hour for another French Dip and it was accidentally rung up under the individuals next to us. We asked after realizing it was put in 30 minutes ago and they offered either a comped drink or have the kitchen make another one even though it was only offered on the Happy Hour menu. I really enjoyed everything and would definitely come back again.

    Outside
    Monica S.

    Happy Hour Review: Monday-Friday from 3-6pm, if you want to be outside they have limited hightop seating, first come first serve. I got a white cosmo for $9 and my friend got a Moscow mule for $17. The mini lobster roll was indeed mini, we asked them to cut it so we could share but didn't realize how mini it was at $8. You could finish it in 2 bites. Waitress was nice

    Tuna Tartar
    Annie F.

    Ada's on the River is the perfect spot in Old Town to enjoy a beautiful, sunny day. Sitting outside on the patio with views of the water makes for a relaxing meal. The service was fast and helpful. We went for seafood dishes and tried the giant crab cake and the tuna tartare. The crab cake had big chunks of delicious crab. Both were fresh, flavorful, and had a nice presentation. With its waterfront views, welcoming service, and strong seafood options, Ada's is a great place to unwind and enjoy a meal outdoors. I highly recommend visiting when the weather is nice.

    SEARED SCALLOPS* G
    Alexandra M.

    Ada's on the River just became one of my favorite spots in Old Town! The service was fantastic. I called the day of to change my reservation from 5 to 8, and the hostess accommodated me easily! Our waitress was attentive and had a great personality. The vibes inside are great. It is low-lit and elegant. I would recommend dressing up a bit for dinner. We ate inside, but they have a lovely outdoor seating area right by the water. The best dish of the night was by far the smoked swordfish with brussel sprouts. Fish was flakey had had a great wood fire sear. My boyfriend got seared scallops and said they were fantastic! He really enjoyed the flavor of the corn soubise the scallops were served with. Parking is a bit rough. The side streets in Old Town are always crowded. There are garages available, but they are about $20. The restaurant does not have valet.

    HOUSE-GROUND PRIME DRY AGED BURGER*
    Erika J.

    Came for a girls lunch. We ordered varying items. I had the burger how it is describe, my friend had the burger completely modified to just have cheddar cheese and my other 2 friends had the fish and ravioli. Every one said their food was good. I ordered a side of Brussels sprouts and they were really good and served with some kind of white cream. The only 2 things we were fans of was the seasonal watermelon zero proof drink. It was very smoky like ashes fell in it. And the mac and cheese don't really have any flavor which was a bummer for the price tag. Also we all were fans of the black bread but only 2 of us liked the butter, it had hints of orange in it. The view and atmosphere is top tier and the service was amazing. We chose to sit outside but soon got cold and the manager quickly brought a heater close to our table. I would definitely come back .

    Grilled Pork Chop
    Paige J.

    Ada's on the River is beautiful. We sat outside and had dinner, we ordered a variety of menu items to share and the pork chops were outstanding. The Hash Brown Pave paired perfectly with the pork chops. We ordered Grilled Chicken Thighs, Sweet Potatoes, and a Citrus Kale Salad. Our server was so kind and helpful. She recommended great drinks and the items we ordered for dinner. She made sure we were happy and enjoying our meal several times throughout our visit. We'll be back! #EnjoyTheRiver #PeopleWatching #GreatExperience

    Alan T.

    Ada's is a seafood restaurant at the waterfront of Old Town Alexandria, with plenty of outdoor seating! Walking in on a Friday night, seating took about 45 mins. I had a lobster tail, lobster Mac and cheese, salmon, and crab cake. I really enjoyed everything I had! The salmon was really tasty and juicy and the crab cake felt pure without fillers.

    HASH BROWN PAVE V
    Carli O.

    This place was incredible. We loved all of the dishes, would recommend the Benedict and the beignets. The hash brown pave is amazing! Crème brulee was very tasty. Service was great and the environment was very cozy. Outdoor seating is also available

    WOOD-GRILLED FISH
    Dede S.

    We went for brunch and really enjoyed the experience overall. The mocktails were fantastic everyone at the table liked them. I had the Cobb salad, which was very good, and my sister ordered the crab cake, which was also tasty and well prepared. We also tried one of the fish specials (I can't remember the name), which was just okay compared to the other dishes. The service was fast and casual, which worked well for brunch. I also ordered the vanilla chai crème brûlée. The flavor was good and unique, but the texture was a bit different from what I usually expect from a crème brûlée, so it wasn't my favorite version of the dessert. Overall, it was a great brunch experience and I would definitely return, especially for the mocktails and main dishes.

    May T.

    During our DMV trip, Ada's was one of our favorite restaurants! We came in with a big group, and the restaurant was packed and bustling at dinnertime. Even so, the service was incredible; we were served very promptly, and everything ran so smoothly. The dishes that stood out most to us were the scallops, sea bass, lamb shank, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, and mushrooms. We were especially amazed by how smoky and flavorful the mushrooms were. The drinks were wonderful as well; I ordered an Old Fashioned, and it was just so fantastic!.\

    COAL ROASTED CHICKEN
    Doug S.

    5 stars!!!! Ada's on the Rocks absolutely nailed our Daughters 19th birthday dinner. If you're looking for a spot that feels special without being stuffy, this is it. The entrance was decorated beautifully with holiday decor, the vibe was warm, stylish, and "we should've dressed up for this (but also we're totally fine)." Service was on point - very friendly, dialed-in, and paced the meal perfectly so we could actually enjoy the night instead of feeling rushed. Now the food: wow. Everything came out looking like it belonged in a magazine; beautiful plates, big flavor, and the kind of little details that make you stop mid-convo like, "hold on... try this." We had a mix of dishes and everyone of them was a hit--crispy, savory, bright, creamy... the whole greatest-hits album. And the drinks? Bright, refreshing, and dangerously easy to finish. The mocktails were lights out! Also, bonus points for the fun smoked old fashioned presentation moments (yes, the kind that makes everyone at the table reach for their phone immediately). Favorite dish = the Lobster Salad! A little eat with delicious crackers. Tons of lobster! Bottom line: Ada's on the Rocks turned a birthday dinner into a memory. We left happy, full, and already talking about what we're ordering next time.

    Antonia N.

    We had a lovely first experience at Ada's on the River! First off - the service. We came in with a large group and Sam took care of us. He was so knowledgeable about the menu, was quick to get our drinks and solve any issues. He was so great!!! Next - the drinks. I started with the alcohol free red sangria. I really appreciate that so many places are making thoughtful mocktails now that are actually really good. My husband had a smoked old fashioned that they brought out with a cloche and the smoke was very dramatic! Fun! Ok, now the food. Wow! So many interesting flavor combinations and menu items. We had to get their black brioche - which was really delicious with an orange honey butter. So unique! We started with the octopus and lobster mac and cheese as our appetizers. Both were delicious. The octopus was so tender and served with yummy baby potatoes. And the lobster mac and cheese was decadent! For my entree, I got the lamb shank, which fell off the bone! It needed more jus, but Sam brought it right over! My husband's entree wasn't as successful. They undercooked his Waygu a couple of times...But they made it right and it was amazingly tender and flavorful from the wood fire grill they use. For dessert we had the chocolate soufflé and beignets. I am still dreaming of the soufflé - light, fluffy chocolate, with salted caramel sauce and strawberry whipped cream. It was so delicious- I did NOT want to share with the table!! I'm coming back another time for my own. And the beignets were perfectly fried with a yummy apple pie filling inside. Both excellent deserts. We'll be back for sure!

    STEAMED Mussels

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    Page 1 of 26

    Ask the Community - Ada's on the River

    Is there a happy hour?

    I don't believe so.

    Are they still serving the Foir Gras doughnut?

    I did not see it on the menu.

    What is the corking fee if any?

    There is currently no corking fee.

    Any kids menu?

    Yes, there are a few options for kids (e.g., hamburger, shrimp, etc). The kids menu is located on the paper the kids can color on.

    What is the corkage fee?

    ARP has no corkage fees

    When does Ada's open?

    Ada's on the River will open to the public on Thursday, January 14, 2021. We hope to see you there.

    View All 7 Questions

    1799 Prime Steak & Seafood - Green curry mussels

    1799 Prime Steak & Seafood

    4.0(550 reviews)
    0.3 miOld Town Alexandria
    $$$

    I celebrated my birthday dinner at 1799 Prime Steak & Seafood and wow -- what an incredible…read moreexperience. The food was absolutely delicious, the atmosphere was amazing, and we had such a great time from beginning to end. Our waiter, Ibrahim, was phenomenal. He took exceptional care of our table, was professional, attentive, and truly elevated the entire dining experience. He walked us through all of the specials -- from the Chilean sea bass to the espresso-rubbed filet mignon -- and everything sounded so good that we ended up trying a little bit of everything. And let me tell you... every single dish delivered. For appetizers we had the Rockefeller oysters, whiskey shrimp and kale Caesar salads. For entrees, I personally had the red snapper entree and the scallop entree, and I also ordered the ribeye for the table. Other dishes included the espresso filet, a Mediterranean branzino along with another entrée featuring crab cake, shrimp, and salmon. Everything was flavorful, perfectly prepared, and beautifully presented. Everyone at the table thoroughly enjoyed their meals. One of the highlights of the evening was when Ibrahim smoked our drinks tableside for us. It added such a fun and memorable touch to an already special night. He also took the time to explain the history behind the restaurant, and it was such an informative and meaningful story. Learning about the history made the experience feel even more special and gave us an even greater appreciation for dining there. Overall, it was an outstanding birthday dinner and an experience I will absolutely remember. I will definitely be returning, and if you're looking for a beautiful restaurant with amazing food, wonderful service, and a memorable atmosphere, I highly recommend checking them out. Go hungry, enjoy yourself, and have fun -- you won't be disappointed.

    Service had a rocky start. When my group walked in, we were asked somewhat rudely to change out of…read moreour sweaters, even though the restaurant itself wasn't particularly formal and most people were dressed casually. We also had a reservation but were initially told they couldn't find it without much effort to check. The wait times were extremely long about 30 minutes for our appetizer and an hour for our entrées. After waiting that long, 2 out of 3 of us had to send our food back because it was undercooked. That said, our waiter Reuben was very kind and did what he could to turn things around. He comped some items and brought out bread pudding, which ended up being the best thing we had. The ambience in the bar area was decent, with nice smaller tables and good music, but it was so loud we could barely hear each other. Food overall was hit or miss. The calamari was just okay, but the breading was falling off and the sauce was runny. The clam chowder was actually pretty good, according to my friends. Unfortunately, the entrées were the biggest letdown; one steak came out rare instead of medium well, and my salmon looked slimy and unappetizing. Overall, between the long wait times and disappointing entrées, I wouldn't return. I do appreciate our waiter Reuben though for trying to improve the experience, so shout out to him!

    Photos
    1799 Prime Steak & Seafood - Salad and cold seafood area.

    Salad and cold seafood area.

    1799 Prime Steak & Seafood - Braised pork belly

    Braised pork belly

    1799 Prime Steak & Seafood - Tomahawk Steak

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    Tomahawk Steak

    The Majestic - Dinner at The Majestic by Chef Santiago Lopez

    The Majestic

    4.3(1.1k reviews)
    0.6 miOld Town Alexandria
    $$
    Full bar
    Large group friendly

    Saturday was my first time back at Majestic since the new management took over, and I have to…read moresay--it was a great experience. Even though it was quite crowded, everything felt very well organized. The wait time to be seated was reasonable, and the staff were warm and welcoming from the start. Our waiter, Lorena, truly stood out. She was incredibly patient and accommodating while we took our time deciding what to order, and she was very helpful in guiding us through the menu. On top of that, she had such a pleasant and positive attitude that made the whole experience even better. As for the food--it did not disappoint. I had the salmon, which I would absolutely recommend. My daughter ordered the steak frites with French fries, which was excellent, and my other daughter had the same dish with mashed potatoes. Everything was so good that we left our plates embarrassingly clean. We'll definitely be coming back. And if you happen to get Lorena as your server, you're in for a genuinely great dining experience.

    Lorena was an amazing waitress! Very friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. The majestic is…read morehands-down, one of my favorite restaurants in Alexandria.

    Photos
    The Majestic - Girl Dinner served during Majestic Hour. Mon - Fri | 3pm - 7pm at the bar

    Girl Dinner served during Majestic Hour. Mon - Fri | 3pm - 7pm at the bar

    The Majestic - BEEF CARPACCIO
aged balsamic dressing, black garlic aioli, toasted almonds, capers, arugula, crostini

    BEEF CARPACCIO aged balsamic dressing, black garlic aioli, toasted almonds, capers, arugula, crostini

    The Majestic - Cocktails at The Majestic by Chef Santiago Lopez

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    Cocktails at The Majestic by Chef Santiago Lopez

    Oak Steakhouse

    Oak Steakhouse

    4.1(361 reviews)
    0.9 miOld Town Alexandria
    $$$$

    Visiting Oaks Steakhiuse from out of state, we had such a wonderful experience from start to…read morefinish. I called ahead and spoke with Todd, who was incredibly kind and accommodating for our party of five. When we arrived, Todd greeted us and seated us right away. He truly radiates light and joy, setting the tone for the entire evening. Our server, Alison, was an absolute gem--attentive, personable, and on top of everything. The food was outstanding. We ordered the ribeye, New York steak, and filet mignon, all cooked to perfection. The Oysters Rockefeller were superb! I had asked for my daughter's meal to come out as soon as possible, and they made it happen without hesitation, which we really appreciated. For sides, we had the Brussels sprouts--perfectly balanced, sweet but not overly so--and the creamed corn, which was absolutely on point. We didn't end up ordering dessert, but the options looked amazing and tempting! Todd came by our table to check in, which added such a personal touch. The ambiance was lovely, and as we were leaving, Todd walked us outside and spent a few moments chatting with us--it truly meant a lot. Todd and Alison made our experience at The Oaks unforgettable, along with the incredible food. Thank you both--we hope to see you again soon! --SoCal Visitors

    Located in North Old Town. They offer free parking nearby. We had no problem finding street…read moreparking across the street. Fun, quiet atmosphere that definitely said "steakhouse!" Lots of wood and dark colors. Great service from Shawn. We tried the Ribeye and NY Strip. Both were ok. Not much seasoning. Lots of marbling. Both had significant sections of fat. For me, wasn't the best cut for either. Both were ok steaks. We had the fries and cream corn. The fries are made with a beef fat. Tasty. The cream corn has a lot of cheese on top and throughout (see pic). That wasn't a favorite for me. Was more like a mac and cheese. Pricing was for a Ruth Chris experience but fell flat on delivery. As an example, went to The Wharf a few days later and had their NY strip, with crab cake, and sides all for the same price. It was a much superior cut of steak and the flavors were fantastic.

    Photos
    Oak Steakhouse
    Oak Steakhouse - Mushrooms and Brussel sprouts

    Mushrooms and Brussel sprouts

    Oak Steakhouse - Spinach next to Brussel Sprouts

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    Spinach next to Brussel Sprouts

    Old House Cosmopolitan Grill - Züricher Geschnetzeltes

    Old House Cosmopolitan Grill

    4.6(271 reviews)
    0.7 miOld Town Alexandria
    $$

    Fun place, good atmosphere (modern German w/o being douchy or fake)…read more Had maybe the best schnitzel I've ever had - it was crunchy and tender, but also had great flavor (rare) and was almost "light" - I say almost bc nothing deepn fried is trully light but this ate that way. Excellent spot, look forward to going again next time in in Old Town.

    My experience at this restaurant was mixed. While the food itself was fine, the service left me and…read moremy husband feeling awkward and uncomfortable by the end. Our assigned server only came to our table twice--once to take our order and once to drop off the check. It was another staff member who actually provided a majority of the service - she brought us warm bread, delivered our food, and refilled our drinks multiple times. When it came time to pay, I paid in cash using a larger bill. The server assumed I was giving a large tip and was about to walk away with no intention of giving me my change. I made no comment of "keep the change" I then had to awkwardly ask for my change back so I could leave a tip separately. He proceeded to ask how much change I wanted, putting me on the spot and feeling pressured to leave a large tip (mind you, I was going to already leave a tip). Because of this, I ended up leaving a much larger tip (over 50%) than I had intended, especially considering the level of service he provided us. I understand that I could have been more firm about asking for all my change back, but guests should never feel pressured or uncomfortable when paying. Overall, the service experience with our waiter overshadowed what could have been an otherwise enjoyable visit.

    Photos
    Old House Cosmopolitan Grill - The 1st floor dining room

    The 1st floor dining room

    Old House Cosmopolitan Grill - Jager Schnitzel

    Jager Schnitzel

    Old House Cosmopolitan Grill

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    Vermilion - Crispy fried oysters

    Vermilion

    4.0(987 reviews)
    0.7 miOld Town Alexandria
    $$$

    We've been coming to Vermilion for almost 13 years now and it STILL doesn't disappoint!! It's one…read moreof the most beautiful restaurants in Old Town with its exposed brick and dim lighting. Especially in the winter time with the white lights lining King St outside. Tonight, we had an amazing meal prepared by Chef Tony. We started with their fried oysters on top of apple slaw and their potato and leek soup. The soup was piping hot with small hush puppy style croutons inside served in a beautiful bowl. It was delicious too! I don't even like oysters, but I liked these. Next came the Betty's buns and beet salad. The beet salad is such an interesting preparation with ricotta, raw and cooked beets, some herbs, orange segments and pistachios. I really enjoyed the brightness of the dish. And who doesn't love a good warm bun with butter? The entrees were really beautifully plated and delicious too. The catfish was our favorite with a delicious broth, poured table-side. I've never had a bison steak before - but this one was perfectly cooked with cippolini onions, chimichurri and sweet potatoes. The plating on everything was absolutely gorgeous. And for dessert - a spongy apple cider cake and creamy chocolate cremeux. I don't even like apples, but this cake was amazing. It had beautiful accompaniments as well. And the chocolate cremeux was served with beautifully poached pears and cranberries. We loved both. Our waiter kept our water glasses full, knew all the details about the menu and was so pleasant and prompt. Absolutely love it here!!!

    I was unhappily surprised at the experience at Vermillion during restaurant week. I brought my…read morehusband here on his birthday because we had an amazing experience two years ago with a thoughtful menu, delicious bites and cocktails that were well explained. It seemed like the server was very busy tonight (which I understand because it's restaurant week) but we got no explanation of anything on the menu, getting a drink order took about 15 minutes for my husband, and worst of all when I ordered the wine pairing none of the wines came out before or with the courses and nothing was explained at all about what I was drinking. Not even a quick, this is a Cabernet Sauvignon. I was shocked! How do you have a wine pairing where you just fling down a glass of wine and run away? So I had a little blind taste testing with no answers. The food didn't even compare to the last time we came. Everything was fine, but nothing I would return for. We had the beet salad, the acorn squash salad, the short ribs, the bison steak, and some sort of chocolate dessert with pears in it. I had explained some food allergies and although the final receipt had those allergies marked, the dessert came out covered with one of my allergens and I had to notice, chase them down to tell them then wait and get it replaced, which they were very nice about but made me concerned that everything else I've been eating might've not have been safe. Again, last time I was here I felt completely fine afterwards and they were very on top of avoiding cross contamination for my celiac disease. Ultimately, I wouldn't come back here -- I was so disappointed at the experience when I really wanted a special night for my husband's birthday. I was shocked that this was recently named one of the top 50 restaurants in NOVA and had so many positive recent reviews. What am I missing? Majestic café, Josephine, Thompson's Italian are all tastier options a short walk away.

    Photos
    Vermilion
    Vermilion - Root vegetable curry with sauce poured tableside

    Root vegetable curry with sauce poured tableside

    Vermilion - VA Cabernet

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    VA Cabernet

    Kiln - Dessert - berries and cream

    Kiln

    3.4(45 reviews)
    0.4 miOld Town Alexandria

    We came on a very quiet weekday evening right after the holidays. I got the Hot and Dirty, which is…read morebasically their version of the extra dirty martini but with hot sauce added - expertly made with the perfect blue cheese-stuffed olive to finish off. For food, since we weren't very hungry, we went with the oysters and split the Kiln burger, which, mercy of mercies, came with fries (a restaurant including fries with their burger, instead of a separate add-on, is now more and more a rarity). The burger was fantastic, the smoked tomato jam an interesting choice that's better than standard ketchup, though I wish they would switch out the thin shoestring fries with thicker wedges. The bartender was very friendly and food came out fast but I gotta say, as someone who loves quiet places - the atmosphere was kind of dead. Not sure if it was because of the holidays but it was a little jarring to come here from the super bustling King Street one block over. Also, the drink prices were more expensive than comparable places in the area, given you're sitting in a hotel bar, but otherwise the portions were pretty substantial.

    DON'T EAT HERE. Some common slang I've heard these days when evaluating a restaurant goes by the…read morephrase "gas or trash?" Well, Kiln is both: gas poured onto trash and then lit ablaze into a raging dumpster fire TLDR: Don't eat here. I came here with my wife and a group of friends on a Friday night. The prices are outrageous, the food is terrible, the servers don't take orders correctly, and the ambiance is a that of a blank canvass. Don't eat here. I'm really not sure what peeved me more: $4 oysters, $23 burgers, or the $24 risotto that I ordered that the server left off the ticket. 5/6 people in our party were served their entrees. Then a manager randomly shows up and tells me my order of risotto was somehow left off the ticket. So I'm sitting there like a schmuck for 15 minutes waiting for my order while everyone else is eating. Risotto finally came and was undercooked and lukewarm. Then, the bill comes and the risotto wasn't even comped. Don't eat here. Plus, they have a tiny menu. Tiny menus are a godsend if a restaurant does these items well. But Kiln falls so far short on this notion that it's just sad. Lastly, don't eat here. You have a choice in restaurants in historic Old Town Alexandria and Kiln shouldn't be one.

    Photos
    Kiln - A good top shelf!

    A good top shelf!

    Kiln
    Kiln - Old fashioned

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    Old fashioned

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