(2 out of 5 stars)…read more This is a difficult review to write because the Sonoma Cellar used to be one of my favorite spots in Old Town Alexandria. I was aware the ownership had changed some time ago, but this was my first opportunity to return and see how things had kind of evolved. The good news is that they are pet friendly, which allowed us to bring our puppy, Chewie. Unfortunately, the rest of the experience was disappointing. The service was painfully, excruciatingly slow. The staff members were polite though, and genuinely trying to help, but they simply appeared unprepared. When we asked for recommendations or information related to the wines, we received very little guidance. One gentleman eventually admitted that he was just filling in and didn't really know the wines at all. Understandable, but not the experience I was going for. The water bottle for the table served to us was room temperature, which felt odd, especially on a hot day while sitting outdoors. The wine tasting was a major disappointment compared to what Sonoma Cellar used to offer, and the overall wine selection appeared to me at least, noticeably smaller than I remembered. I was also disappointed to discover that Sonoma Cellar has adopted the increasingly common practice of adding a 3% credit card surcharge. I didn't notice any clear disclosure beforehand, and these types of fees always leave a bad impression. I know I'm a bit picky with those, but still. The establishment was likely dealing with staffing issues on the day we visited, but the overall experience felt like a shadow of what this place used to be. What used to be one of my favorite wine stops in Old Town has clearly diminished in both service and selection. We left disappointed and, sadly, don't expect to return. Chewie agreed.

Carla and I recently visited Sonoma Cellar and unfortunately, the experience was disappointing…read moreoverall. We were seated on the patio, but service got off to a rough start. We were completely overlooked and had to go up to the bar ourselves to ask for menus and water. The food itself was decent. The Hot Artichoke Dip was creamy and served with pita. The Pacific Coast Salmon was well-cooked and paired nicely with mushroom risotto and vegetables. The Cinnamon Ice Cream tasted good. Where things really fell apart was the service and timing. We planned to enjoy dessert at the restaurant and also order takeout, but there was confusion and staff assumed the ice cream was to-go. The wait times were excessive: 40 minutes for ice cream 15 additional minutes for salmon takeout Another 10 minutes for the artichoke dip By the end of the visit, the delays and lack of attention made the experience feel frustrating and not worth it. Overall, while the food was okay, the service and long wait times significantly impacted the experience. I would not return.

- Great happy hour! -- $6 sangrias but not that strong -…read moreWaiter is attentive - Hummus is good and lots of fresh pita - Patatas bravas are SO good with the aioli - Calamari is so fresh and chewy - Skewers are meaty with tzatziki - Nice shaded area outside not in the water with a pretty view of the water

The ambiance alone gives this place more than 3 stars -- the service was great as well…read more After dinner at Ada's on the River, we walked over to Barca, Ada's sister restaurant, for a change of scenery, and you really can't beat the setting. Sitting outdoors along the waterfront, watching the planes pass overhead while enjoying the evening breeze, is an experience all on its own. We ordered sangria, an Old Fashioned, and the lamb chops. The lamb chops absolutely stole the show, they were tender, flavorful, and easily the highlight of our visit. The drinks, however, didn't quite live up to the food. Both the sangria and the Old Fashioned were underwhelming and lacked the balance and flavor we were hoping for. Even so, Barca is worth visiting for its unbeatable outdoor ambiance. If you're looking for a place to relax by the water with great views and excellent lamb chops, it's a wonderful choice. Next time, I'd probably skip the sangria cocktail and focus on more of the food and the atmosphere.

So this place is...quirky. Whether you enjoy it will depend on whether you embrace that going in…read more It gives immediate NoLa vibes. I went in expecting a place that specializes in chocolate and deserts. Turns out that's not really accurate. The environment is sensual and fantastical and beautiful, but this is really a bar and coffee shop that also sells boxed chocolates. Their actual menu had one chocolate item, a cake, which they were put of when I came. I learned they were out of the chocolate cake only after I ordered a cab sauv to go with chocolate cake, so I ended up spending an additional $30 on packaged chocolates to go with my wine and that I didn't really care for. Likewise I was not thrilled with the brioche grilled cheese small plate. It said it was a trio of mini grilled cheeses served with a soup shot for $12. So I was expecting tomato soup and three little grilled cheeses wither on mini slider buns or cut like tea sandwiches. Oh no. These were Itty bitty little toasts and the soup shot was...French onion? French onion is made with beef broth and I don't eat meat so my friend tried it and did not like it. The toasts were...miniscule. And a little burned (because small things burn). I would rather just have a real grilled cheese. We also got fries, which were fine. The cocktails however - delightful. I saw cocktails going out to other people. Gorgeous. The garnishes were a delight. My friend got a bees knees garnished with a spray of lavender and he lit it on fire. I didn't know you could just burn lavender like that and it smelled INCREDIBLE. New life hack. The space is really small. It filled up when we were there. It was my friend and me, one woman reading, and then a largeparty that felt they could kind of take the place over and they weren't being loud or rambunctious per se but because they felt the liberty to kind of inhabit the small space and take over the room it got loud and we could hear their whole conversation. Likewise, we only had one server working the whole space so he was doing cocktails, coffee, food, the cash register...he was clearly overwhelmed. Not doing a bad job, he was hustling, but it was just too much for one person and I feel like they need two people there if it's busy. Maybe this large party was atypical for a monday afternoon. I still give it 4 stars because the cocktails are fantastic, the space is beautiful, I love the concept and the kitschiness and IYKYK of it, and I also see its potential as a gorgeous sexy little cocktail bar and coffee place when it is more chill. It would easily get a 5th star from me if they reworked a few of the small plates, added more chocolate to the menu itself, and made sure they were staffed more for rushes. Maybe on weekends they are, dunno.

Me, high collar, with fascinating bourbon cocktail. Her, red raincoat and hat, martini. Slide note…read moreacross the bar, code-words exchanged to authenticate our contact, and mission accomplished. The Parlour Spy Lounge experience.

Order yourself the delicious Mama Majesty, refreshing wizardry concocted by lovely Ali!…read more It is perfect answer to 104 degree temps on this July 4th weekend.

Our group of six celebrated a birthday with dinner at The Majestic. Under new management, The…read moreMajestic is both fit for foodies and a great neighborhood restaurant. The new chef and sommelier make the updated Majestic an incredible addition to the Alexandria restaurant scene. You can go for comfort food - a burger or roasted half chicken - or you can go for intriguing New American food with a Mediterranean twist. It's all terrific. GM and sommelier Jason can suggest great wine pairings by the glass - interesting, high quality wines that bring out the best in both food and wine but that aren't budget busters. Our group especially enjoyed the scallops and saffron rice (a beautifully plated dish of rice surrounded with scallops, mussels, clams and persillade/nduja sauce); the grilled salmon (a hearty piece of fresh fish complemented with a generous serving of corn, pickled ramps, roasted shishito peppers, peas and tomato relish); mouthwatering braised brisket arancini; and crispy artichokes. The Parker House rolls were a classic indulgence. Our desserts - coconut cake and chocolate mousse - were delicious. Thank you to chef Santiago, GM Jason, and server Fiona for such a special evening!

I came here with my team and able to get a day of reservation for a large group. Once we arrive the…read moregroup size grew, and they were still very accommodating! I'd return based off that alone, but our sever also did a tremendous job and handled our large group very well! Kudos to him (I forgot his name). Now for the food and drinks. Neither disappointed and the whole group enjoyed their meal (which is hard to come by often). I had the Pasta alla Veneziana, which came with lobster, shrimp, and salmon), and it was very good! It was a tad pricy, but I'd order it again. Extra shout out for removing the tails from the shrimp (my coworker also noticed). I love a Smoked Old Fashioned, so ordered one as well, and it did not disappoint. I'll be back to drink and dine on the patio when the weather cools a bit.

I want to begin by acknowledging that I chose to dine out on Mother's Day, fully aware that it is…read moreone of the busiest days of the year for restaurants. I expected longer wait times for seating and food, and I was prepared to be patient. However, what I did not anticipate was a complete breakdown in both front-of-house and back-of-house operations. Having worked in the restaurant industry, it was clear that the issues extended beyond the kitchen. A back-of-house "crash" of this magnitude is typically the result of broader operational failures, including front-of-house management. It appeared that reservations were significantly overbooked without adequate planning for the volume. On a day like Mother's Day, full capacity should be expected, and systems should be in place to manage that demand effectively. At a minimum, there should have been proactive communication with guests regarding delays, allowing them the option to adjust their plans. Additionally, basic service standards--such as keeping water glasses filled and bread baskets stocked--were not maintained. The serving staff seemed overwhelmed and unsupported, which ultimately reflects a lack of clear direction from management. During our visit, we even observed a large party leave due to the experience. I genuinely felt for our server, who appeared to be doing their best under difficult circumstances. Without directly requesting specific items and even ordering from the bar myself, the experience would have been significantly worse. Unfortunately, the food did not meet expectations either. The seafood pasta, in particular, was underwhelming in both quality and presentation--featuring minimal seafood and inconsistent preparation. At the price point, I would expect a much higher standard. The chicken Parmesan felt like cardboard and was just as thin. The cod with peas tasted exactly like the frozen cod I get from Costco. Calamari never came, which we had no idea about. No option to get anything else. If the restaurant does not have the infrastructure to handle high-volume days at a consistent level of quality, it may be worth reconsidering reservation limits or adjusting service expectations accordingly. While I understand the desire to maximize business on a busy holiday, the long-term impact of disappointed guests may outweigh the short-term gains. I hope this feedback is taken constructively, as no guest should have the experience we did. And no we did not accept any free dessert, which I felt was a completely tone def to the experience we had.

Great Service! and wonderful food! make sure to grab the brussel sprouts starter and ask to sit in…read moreKentucky Clay's section!

Went in just before the dinner rush and seated ourselves at the bar. Good selection of beers on…read moretap, do try the Kolsch. Our bartender Mauricio is a cool guy. Got the Wagyu burger with birria and duck fries, excellent! Perfect spot by the water, some street parking nearby. Highly recommend!!

A beautiful view of the George Washington's Masonic Temple. The Soft Parade was deliciously crisp…read morewith a perfect wisp of spice; the right companion for any summer night. I thoroughly enjoyed my Old Town Old-Fash, with bourbon, rye, apricot, honey, apple blossoms bitters, orange. The pimento cheese, bacon jam, and crackers would have made our Southern Mom proud. Our sweet waiter, Cameron, was truly the delight of the evening. He was attentive without being overbearing. We will definitely be back. And a shout out to Rochelle, who made sure everything was good.

View | Food & Drink | Reservation…read more View: The view is arguably the best in Old Town Alexandria--absolutely stunning. The only drawback is that you can't really enjoy it from most seats. Except for those at the bar, the seating is so low that you end up staring at the wall rather than the skyline. Food & Drink: The menu is quite limited because there's no kitchen on the rooftop. Most dishes are prepared downstairs and brought up, which contributes to slower service. That said, the drinks are excellent--perfect for enjoying a cocktail with a view. However, there are no hot drink options available upstairs, which becomes an issue during the cooler months. Reservation: The rooftop becomes extremely busy around sunset, so reservations are highly recommended. Of the roughly 20-25 seating areas, only 4-6 have heaters or firepits, so if you're visiting in fall or winter, try to request one of those spots when booking or bring blankets. Why not five stars? Slow service, limited food options, and no hot drinks--altogether, these small drawbacks cost the place one star. Pro Tips: There's no self-parking nearby, only valet, so plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early. A 10% military discount is available--just ask!

So, you'll have to figure this out...Alice on the top floor is a bar with a full-ish menu…read more Downstairs, using the same kitchen, is Thai Signature, a restaurant with a larger menu. It is a different establishment. I like both but the mood upstairs is very lively and fun. Downstairs is usually quieter. I had the chicken with red curry (duck on the menu). It was tasty. I added broccoli on the side and mixed it myself. I like some spice so added crushed red pepper. It wasn't otherwise spicy at all. Good service. Very efficient. This is probably my favorite Thai place on King St. Easy to get to. I go for the Resy credit on my Amex. Pretty decor. Fresh flowers on the table and in the room. Bonus *s! Check them out and let me know what you think!

Alice Comfort Cocktail is such a hidden gem in Old Town. If you're looking for a fun, slightly…read morewhimsical vibe with cute decor, solid food, and really well-made cocktails, this is definitely the spot. Just a heads up though the space is pretty small so I'd recommend making a reservation. The bar itself only has like 3-4 seats. I tried the shrimp dumplings, crab rangoon, and bang bang shrimp, and had the litchi cocktail with it--everything was honestly so good. Really glad I stumbled across this place and I'll definitely be back to try more of the menu.