If you're looking for a dining experience that feels like a warm hug from someone's grandmother, look no further. This Mediterranean treasure sitting along the Alexandria waterfront is everything a great restaurant should be. The concept here is simple and beautiful: recipes passed down and made completely from scratch. Don't skip the traditional hummus. I was skeptical about the halloumi goulash because of the fruit but somehow... it works! Both entrees: salmon and lamb chops were delicious. Allie was both the perfect server and drink (ask for her signature punch). They also create award-winning martinis; ask for one! read more

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I felt the host really tried to talk up the fact that they one best something.... I can't even remember.... Long explanation on the menu. It was like someone was trying to convince me that the place was great. Beet salad was incredibly underwhelming, and even looked unappetizing upon arrival. Nice musical playlist though, and overall space. I wouldn't go back to dine though... read more

I came to Elaine's for a book talk/interview with the author. It was very engaging. The owner and the author's conversation flowed easily. I can't wait to finish Lynda Allen's third novel in the Liv Wilde mysteries. My mother ate brunch during the event and said the meal was tasty. read more

Elaine’s - Bookmark from an event in the Literary Salon - Egyptian Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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My first time trying Branzino fish and I must say it was absolutely amazing. The texture was flaky and tender. It was seasoned to perfection. The dish came with seasoned veggies (cauliflower, onions, peppers, olives, etc.). I finished everything on the plate so that should speak volumes to how delicious it was. The service was also great. We were greeted by amazing staff upon entering. The owner came by to let us know the dishes came from his Wife's Mediterranean background. The restaurant was very clean and the decor fitted the theme of the dining experience. I'm hoping to visit this location again soon. read more

Elaine’s - Branzino Fish - Egyptian Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

It's an absolutely gorgeous restaurant and the staff was top notch! Can't say enough good things about the staff. Really can't. Excellent service!! BUT I very clearly told our waitress I had a food allergy to all peppers. I chose a meal and asked if it had any peppers in it. I was told no. The meal came and the sauce and the side were both spicy in taste. I have no proof that there was peppers in it BUT do u then flavor a food to have a similar taste to something someone is allergic too??? Of course not. U adjust your flavor profile or you put different sides on the plate. So I paid an exorbitant amount for three scallops. And I politely pointed this out to the waitress, with the hope that it would get back to management and chef. The waitress again top notch and lovely. BUT when you have a food allergy and you are clear about it chef needs to do better! read more

Went back to celebrate my husband's birthday. We tried the delicious Pistachio martini and the Dubai chocolate martini. Both are very tasty . The baked hummus , falafel and salty feta cheese were all delicious. For entree we had the salmon in white wine with egyptian rice and the chicken shish with vermicelli rice and red peppers. The salmon was good, the chicken was bland. The pistachio cheesecake was amazing! Enough for two people to share. Muna was very attentive and gave us suggestions on the menu. The restaurant itself is not loud, but people at the bar can be heard having a good time . The chairs have a short back, so after 2 hours they become uncomfortable. Good food and Muna was excellent. Will definitely return! read more

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Came here for lunch yesterday. I was greeted by the owner, who took his time to explain their dishes and the inspirations for each one. The interior is elegant and sophisticated yet comfortable. Tequila Mockingbird - absolutely delicious. A nice balance of sweet and sour. Mon Miro cocktail - Boozy and tasty. May not need another one after this, it does the job. Branzino - Amazing. The tartness of the olives is balanced perfectly w/ the smooth creaminess of the cauliflower puree. The fish isn't overseasoned - the natural flavors are allowed to shine. The crispiness of the skin really adds to this dish. My first visit was a hit, definitely plan on returning. read more

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Came here with some friends who were visiting from out of town. Was very impressed with the service and the food. The restaurant gave fancy vibes and could easily be a good spot for date night. My favorite was the hummus it was so creamy and smooth and the pita was hot off the stove! Only complaint is that extra pita cost more. It didn't come with many pieces so if you're sharing the dish it can be a bit annoying. read more

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Beautiful place and next to Momo's sushi. I walked by several times with escalating interest. Finally tried it with high expectations, and was a little disappointed. Almost felt like meeting your childhood hero. lol. The drinks are great, but the bar is slow so took half an hour to receive our drinks. The food was okay, but not amazing. Thankfully, I was with two amazing, hilarious, and beautiful ladies and despite slow service we had a great time and shared many laughs. read more

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Finally tried Elaine's as it's been on my list for a while. It's super cute inside and we were warmly greeted when we arrived. Service was inconsistent at times throughout the night- I think they had an event upstairs which may have played a role in that. I enjoyed the pistachio martini but would have like it more as a dessert vs to start out the meal as it was kinda sweet. I am curious to try the lunch here as it also sounds really good. Falafel was great. I enjoyed the hummus, pita, and the feta apps. Also really liked the chicken Shish dinner! read more

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Returning a year later to review! Overall, I would go here for a drink. Espresso martinis were good. This restaurant is simply over-priced . The quality just doesn't align with the prices. It's ok food (didn't care for the hummus, chicken and falafel were mediocre, halloumi was a bright spot). Service was still slow and non-existent really We sat in the bar area at a table - seemed like a lot for the bartender to manage the tables as well (as he was making drinks for the dining area as well). Also, they serve it as it's made which is a bit weird when one person gets 4 plates of food (small plates) and then the other person gets their entree 10 minutes later. Cute ambiance. Cozy and dark in the bar area and bright and light in the dining areas. read more

Elaine’s - halloumi wrapped in phyllo dough with blueberries and banana tahini - Egyptian Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

The owner himself treats you like family. There are servers that are tremendously friendly, but the owner humbly engages with you in the same manner . He takes pride in his establishment and makes you feel like a special guest. The food is fresh. read more

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We had a large group of ladies for lunch at this was perfect! They sat us upstairs, so we privacy. The books and wine displays are beautiful. I want to go back for an author feature night. The food was amazing! Everyone enjoyed it. I am gluten-free and had so many choices, right off the menu. I didn't have to make any special requests. I had the lamb with rice and honey harissa sauce. Others had the falafel and some of the chicken dishes. The bait hummus was different and delicious. The owner explained how it's his wife's family recipes and all of the weight staff were super nice. Great for big groups and people with dietary restrictions. read more

Food was delicious! Lots of flavor!! Good amount of options for those needing vegan and those that prefer meat & cheese. Every employee was very nice, helpful and professional. read more

A Hidden Gem in Alexandria - Elaine's Is Truly Exceptional! WOW....Elaine's in Alexandria, VA is an absolute treasure -- easily my favorite restaurant in the area and one of my all time favorites anywhere! From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere is stunning -- warm, elegant, and inviting, with the kind of charm that makes you want to linger over every bite. The meal began with their incredible hummus, made from an old family recipe that you can taste in every silky, flavorful spoonful. It's perfectly balanced -- creamy, rich, and served with the freshest pita. You can tell immediately that everything here is crafted beautifully. The service was just as memorable as the food. The owner personally came by to explain each dish with genuine enthusiasm, sharing the inspiration and stories behind the menu. The entire staff was so friendly and attentive, creating a dining experience that felt both personal and refined. Each entrée and appetizer was perfectly presented -- and each bite was even better than it looked. The flavors were bold and clearly made from top-quality ingredients and careful attention to detail. I don't drink but they have won awards for their martinis and they do offer mocktails as well. Elaine's isn't just a place to eat; it's a place to experience. Between the outstanding food, heartfelt hospitality, and the stunning atmosphere, it's truly a standout restaurant that I can't wait to visit again. If you haven't been yet, go -- and don't miss that hummus! read more

Really nice dinner with friends. Food was great. Service was quick and non-intrusive. Would recommend for a quiet, intimate meal.

I frequent Old Town a lot because of the many dining options. This place is a hidden gem, away from the usual busy areas. I met a friend for an early dinner and when we entered we were greeted by two hostesses. The smiles we received were very welcoming. We were seated immediately. The inside was cozy and charming but there was enough space between tables to allow for private conversations. We were then greeted by the Owner who welcomed us and told us a little bit about the restaurant...what a nice touch!! Our server appeared soon after with a smile and since it was our first time there we asked a few questions about some of the menu items. We both ordered the Shakespeare's Spritz which was refreshing and the fried cauliflower appetizer which was lightly fried and served atop a delicious roasted pepper sauce. For entrees we tried the Alexandrian shrimp and the pan seared scallops. Both dishes were very flavorful. I absolutely enjoyed dinner and look forward to visiting again real soon. read more

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I visited Elaine's for lunch on New Year's Eve with my wife and two friends. Overall, the food was very good, service was friendly and top rate, and the atmosphere was nice and conducive to relaxed conversation (we sat upstairs). One of my friends is vegan, and I was thrilled to be able to find a place with a nice selection of vegan entrees -- I really don't want to corner any vegan friends into a side salad and fries, which is so often the case. We'll be back for more enoyable meals here. read more

Located in Old Town Alexandria, Elaine's offers a cozy ambiance and introduces you to middle eastern cuisine with a flair of European influences. First things first, the thing always on my mind...parking! There is a little across the street that is a $10 flat rate- a convenient option. If you don't mind parallel parking and some walking, there are some 2 hour street parking zones--but this was hard to find on a friday evening. There are some 3 hour free parking zones a bit further away, that were still available. Re: Food. I think the appetizers hit the ball out of the park. We ordered the halloumi goulash (per owner's recs), calamari, and hummus. All delicious! My friends got the koshari and I got the scallops (may not have been the best scallops I've had but the fava bean puree was the highlight and really brought the dish together). I heard the koshari was good- I had a bite, and it was good but I was glad I ordered something else. The popular dishes seem to be the halloumi goulash, steak, koshari, and branzino. My pistachio martini was interesting and different; next time, I'd like to try their espresso martini. My friends got the baklava and the phyllo- wrapped brownie, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Service was good, our waiter was mostly attentive and would frequently check in. We did; however, flag people down for refills of water and drinks. I was a bit disappointed when we weren't notified that there would be an extra cost for additional pita bread. One of our members asked for a little more pita bread to finish off the hummus...which after looking at the receipt that I texted to myself, I noticed we were charged an extra cost. I'm not complaining of the cost, but I feel like we should've been told this. I think it was a nice touch that the owner and the chef were making rounds and checking in with the tables. The chef was very kind/ personable; he knew exactly what we had ordered (despite plates being cleared) and notified us that they have brunch on the weekends and have seasonal menus. The owner had checked in and offered suggestions at the beginning of our dinner, and told us that she names the restaurant after her grandmother. This is probably just my subjective feeling, but I felt like she was just speaking to my tablemates with body turned toward them (it had me wondering if it was because I was the only non-caucasian member of the trio). I had also made the reservation and asked for a nice table, away from the hustle and bustle as some coworkers and I were celebrating International Women's Day. Our table was okay, but it was right in line to the door and kind of got cold. The upstairs appeared to have a nicer ambiance with a "library" type of feel. TLDR; cozy ambiance, good service, appetizers were great. read more

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We came here to celebrate a friends birthday! I'll give a full review of each of the items and courses. We got drinks both cocktails and mocktails. The pistachio mocktail is very good and unique, definitely recommend it. The old fashioned and mango daiquiri were also good. From the mezze, we got baked artichoke, Brussels, and calamari. The latter two were very good, the artichoke was just okay. It came out later and also was cold but it said baked so not sure what was going on? The entrees were all disappointing and overpriced. We got the eggplant moussaka, omelette and fava bean dip. The portions were small and the flavors unimpressive. The restaurant itself is nice and clean inside with an intentionally curated and decorated space so they definitely put effort into it. The service was really slow and felt we were forgotten. Overall I wouldn't come back, but if you're here already then get drinks and mezze. read more

Could this be my best Alexandria restaurant week meal ever? I've had a lot of great meals during different restaurant weeks, but this could be it. I visited mostly because I have fond memories of the previous tenant, Bilbo Baggins. Motivating myself to visit new places is a tough call for me, but I needed to see what's there now. I soon saw Elaine's is very posh but warm. Everything is now different of course, but it made me miss Bilbo less knowing the location is in good hands. I came on a snowy day with limited patrons so my servers were very attentive. I even met the owner; a very charming lady born in the city of Alexandria Egypt who joked she went from one Alexandria to another. The dishes are what she referred to as 'real family-style Egyptian', not touristy-Egyptian (although if your average Egyptian ate like this then I'd be jealous). She also told us the place was named after her grandmother, and the 'library' upstairs was inspired by her author husband. The 4-course meals were a mix of New American and Egyptian. But my favorite by far was the braised lamb shoulder. Soft, succulent, yet a tiny bit crispy. It fell apart with my fork as soon as I dived in. This was washed down with a beer and a cocktail, made in front of me as I sat at the bar. Yep - 5 stars. read more

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This evening was my first time dining at Elaine's and in just one visit, it instantly became one of my favorite restaurants in Alexandria (or the DMV for that matter). From the friendly welcome by the proprietor (Jeff) at the door, to the last bite of the baklava cheesecake, the experience at Elaine's was wonderful. Anyplace with a London olive oil martini would generally peak my interest, but this place delivers on the promise of interesting drinks, excellent food, a very charming ambiance and great service. Give Elaine's a try. It won't disappoint. read more

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We've been eyeing this place for some time and finally tried it. Solid 3.5 place. 1. Reservation: necessary 2. Food: mediocre 3 stars The platter was okay, 2 items were good and rest were not so good. Mussels were decent but lots of them hadn't opened Entrée items were also okay, nothing special 3. Drinks: 4 stars They could improve their cocktail making skills. it was not bad at all but the price range, it was. 4. Service: very polite and nice. All in all, it was a decent place, but nothing stood out whether it be drinks or food. read more

Elaine’s - Elaine's: platter - Egyptian Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

After a cold day of holiday shopping, I was looking for somewhere warm and comforting; other reviews led me to Elaine's and I enjoyed it. They had one of my favorites (Moussaka--good, probably overpriced) and a quiet place for me to sit by myself and enjoy my book. I had been hoping for a special holiday drink menu (I saw one on-line), but wasn't offered anything and didn't ask (bartender that served me was fine, but I felt I was bothering him). I'd give it another try, but won't rush over there again. read more

Elaine’s - Egyptian Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Had high hopes for this place but was pretty underwhelmed. When we were first sat, we waited at least 15 minutes before a server came over and simply filled up our water glasses, and the restaurant was half full... The food was very average, especially for the higher prices they were charging. The pita did not taste fresh, the seared halloumi was okay, and the mussels were decent but not great. The wine was reasonable but the cocktails were priced at $16 per drink like it was a specialty cocktail bar in DC. The general manager did come over to apologize and was very attentive throughout the rest of the meal, but otherwise it was a pretty below average experience from what we were expecting. read more

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My boyfriend and I have been expanding our palettes and trying new restaurants along the journey. So, what better time than Restaurant Week to check some spots off of our foodie list, right? Perfect opportunity to try out Elaine's, esp since we LOVE mediterranean food! We made reservations and were promptly seated on the bar side of the restaurant right in front of the window. The other side was a more bright dining room while the bar area gave a very svelte vibe. We were cordially greeted and off to a good start. The menu was briefly explained to us by the host, and then we were given time to review and make a decision on what to indulge in. Luckily, it was happy hour, and only one other table was occupied in our area, which you would think meant faster service since the waiter/bar tender only had two tables. Wrong. But let me start with the drinks and food experience before I head to the service. We decided to partake in HH and grab some Egyptian meatballs to hold us over. I'm not sure what kind of meat this was, but they were good. We were thinking of lamb, but I'm not sure. Would I order again, maybe. We both tried the martinis. I ordered the Scriblerus Club Pistachio Martini, and my date ordered London's Olive Oil Martini. We both took one sip of our drinks, and we're like "WOAH"! They were good and STRONG! So, we were one and done there, which worked out because we were only asked if we wanted another drink one time. For RW, we ordered the Mediterranean Salads, Crispy Cauliflower, Grilled Shrimp, Grilled Salmon, and Braised Lamb Shank. The cauliflower was nothing to write home about, but the salads were super delish! The shrimp was good but a tad overcooked. My salmon was cooked perfectly, and the lamb Shank was falling off of the bone. Pretty darn good. Our fave was probably the salads, though. For dessert, we ordered the Baklava and Phyllo-wrapped brownie. The Baklava was very dry. Not a fan. The brownie wasn't bad but not as moist as I thought it would be. Nothing to even grab pictures for, honestly. Now, on to the service. This is where we were MOST disappointed and frustrated with the experience. For the most part, empty dishes piled up on our small table and sat there. I noticed this was the same for the other couple in the bar area, as well. I'm not sure why because the bartender/waiter for the area wasn't very busy. Also, he wasn't very cordial/inviting to us, either. About 20 minutes into our dinner, a group of four came and sat at the bar. This is where our waiter was nothing but smiles and laughs while his tables went neglected like we were the live version of "Lady and the Tramp" 2024. You would think after the other table decided to leave that service would get a bit better since one less table to ignore, but NOPE! At one point, we stopped a person in passing for assistance. Our waiter approached us maybe 3 times our entire 1.5 hour $150 dinner later. The host even came to check on us after noticing that we were basically playing the waiting game for service. We even had to wait nearly 15 min after finishing entrees to even order our dessert. He walked off so fast that we didn't get to tell him to pack it to go. By this time, we felt beyond disregarded and were ready to go. I, at first, thought, okay, it's HH, and they are sitting at the bar and getting prime service. Maybe that's where he feels best, but that is no excuse to ignore other patrons in your area. That experience alone was enough for us to say that we don't see ourselves returning, which is unfortunate because there were several other items that I wanted to try on the menu someday. read more

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We recently held a small family wedding at Elaine's and couldn't have had a better experience. The owners were wonderful - responsive and easy to work with as we did the menu and room planning. The restaurant decor is lovely & the upstairs rooms were perfect for our event. The food was delicious- from the many appetizers to all the entrees. (I'll crave the blackened cod in the weeks ahead.). Both the food and the cocktails/mocktails were a big hit with the guests. Importantly, the service was fantastic! Friendly, efficient and responsive so no one was lacking for anything. Thank you Elaine's for making an important day such a joy for all! read more

I'm a fan. We were greeted immediately and warmly, before we were taken upstairs to a lovely space that could accommodate large groups like the 13 of us. We got to meet the owner who was also as welcoming as the staff. Now to the food. We ordered the mezze platter. You pick six, so we got to try almost all of the mezze on the menu except 2. I know we passed on the hummus but can't remember the other. All 6 items were delicious, as was the accompanying pita. I ordered the squash and eggplant moussaka and it was absolutely delicious. I would definitely get this again. The baklava was the only let down for me. It wasn't crisp, which I was expecting, and I guess I'm just used to more honey or sweetness. I can't wait to go back and try more items. read more

Elaine’s - Mezze platter, moussaka, baklava - Egyptian Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Came here on a sunday evening. This is a nice spot on queen st cross st is lee. It is in a brownstone/townhouse so it has a homey charm to it. If you are tall watch out ceilings are low I liked my cocktail. Enjoy an onion in my martini They give you a good amount of pita bread so we were pretty full even though we mostly just got a bunch of apps and mezze. My favorite was the ful medame with poached egg. I also liked the halloumi. Staff were all very nice and attentive. read more

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I had a very good experience dining at Elaine's. The food was great, the ambiance was lovely, and the service was good. I just have one small suggestion: the door to the kitchen could use a re-painting. Other than that, the restaurant is lovely. read more

Elaine's recently opened and seemed a bit out of sorts. The service was slow and our server didn't know the beverage menu (yet). She ordered the wrong drinks from the bar. When a restaurant first opens, there are inevitably kinks that need to get ironed out. Cynthia, the owner, introduced herself and said hello. She stopped by our table and reassuringly explained the menu. It was a pleasure to speak to with her about her creations. I wish her only the best with a challenging business. Opening a new restaurant isn't easy, and of course, some ideas will work and others won't. The mezza platter: I enjoyed the falafel. The sesame seeds were a nice touch. The hummus wasn't the same as I'm used to. Maybe it's different in Egypt. I'm used to a more robust chickpea flavor and less garlic undertones. The ful medames (slow cooked fava beans) were my favorite of the pick 6 option. It was flavorful and paired nicely with my wine. It reminded me of flavorful beans from the Caribbean. The pickled veggies were also good. The salty feta with tomato was the least desirable for us. It was dry and didn't make any difference if we had it or left it. We ordered and chicken shish tawook tzatziki. It arrived at the same time as the mezza. We ordered it as the meal and the mezza as the appetizer. The chicken was cooked well, the veggies on the kabob were ok. They weren't seasoned with anything memorable. It was an ok dish and one that will get better with time. Overall, the idea of the restaurant is beautiful. The space and ambiance is charming and inclusive for a romantic evening or a group event upstairs. It's a lovely space. Elaine's is a new restaurant-- it seems items on the menu need refinement. Also, employee collaboration and workflow needs improvement. I look forward to our next visit after Elaine's is open a bit longer. Wishing Cynthia and her team all the best. read more

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Such a nice spot out of the main King street drag. The interior is elegant, inviting, and intimate - certainly a change from when Bilbo Baggins' was in the location! The food is both delicious and beautifully plated. The menu has great variety too. The cocktail menu was unique and intriguing - I wanted to try almost everything on it! We had a lovely evening. The only potential downside was that service was a little slow, but that could have been more due to the server having more tables than comfortable on an unusually busy weeknight. And seeing how crowded it was on a weeknight was definitely a good sign! Will definitely return for more cocktails and some of the local author events that the owners host here. read more

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On balance, Elaine's is a very average dining experience with nice but seemingly inattentive service, average food, and little to no ambience. My wife and I were excited to find an Egyptian/Mediterranean restaurant in the neighborhood. We ordered several mezzes with drinks. Elaine's is just off of busier King Street, and is much quieter, in case you want to have conversation without yelling or straining. Our server was attentive at first but as the night wore on, it became harder and harder to find her. A second glass of wine order was brought at the conclusion of my final mezze (instead of 25 minutes earlier when I ordered it.) Mussels were lukewarm: transferred to a plate they weren't cooked in for nice presentation but poor heat transfer. The decor of the restaurant portion was odd, almost barren. The furniture too: I felt like I was eating in a hotel lobby rather than a restaurant, let alone an Egyptian restaurant. Our table - a window table - was also on a slant, leaning into the window as if we were falling. Just odd. When I compare Elaine's to other Mediterranean experiences in the DMV, it does not come close to the flavor, ambiance, or service you'd find at Ala, Agora, or the new Lebanese restaurant in Georgetown. However, if you're looking for a place to have a quiet conversation, with decent mezze, it might be right for you. read more

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First, we were really excited about eating at this restaurant, and I love Mediterranean food. When we arrived, the space seemed a little tight, but we like close, intimate experiences when dining out. However, we were seated and waited about 10 minutes before a waiter came over to get our drink orders. After we placed our drink orders for two pistachio martinis, which were actually good. However, after waiting for 20 minutes and watching them sit at the bar, I had to go over to get them on the bar, and they were literally warm. We placed our orders for the salmon in white wine sauce and the lamb shish. After about 30 minutes, we finally got our orders. The salmon was literally disgusting. It was white and dry as paper, and not a speck of pink or orange in it. After a few minutes, the host and owner/hostess came over and asked how our dinner was. I expressed concern about the salmon being white, dry, over-cooked, and not resembling the website photo at all! I've never seen salmon look white and dry. In addition, this salmon had no skin or seasoning on it. The owner/hostess came over after some time to ask about how it was, and I was honest about what I thought, and she asked if I wanted anything else, and I politely said no thanks. She offered a free drink as comp, and I got a margarita. However, it also sat at the bar, and the bartender who came to assist another unsatisfied couple seated next to us had to go get their own drinks and silverware. They were pissed, and we were pissed! In addition, another couple seated near us also expressed that it took an hour for them to get their dinner, and they were really unhappy! The waitress came to check on us twice. The two couples next to us had similar complaints about their waitress. It's really a shame. We were really excited about eating there. Their advertising online did not live up to what they provided, not only to us, but to the tables near us. All three tables were really, really unsatisfied. Don't waste your money! Like seriously! read more

Got take out and really confused .. is this supposed to be the Moussaka????!! lol I really don't understand how they can justify $18 for this it doesn't even taste good! The hummus wasn't great either. I hate writing this negative review I hope this is in an off day for them but my food is inedible couldn't enjoy or finish half of it and way too overpriced for the quality! read more

Elaine’s - Moussaka?????? - Egyptian Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Located outside the tourist zone of Old Town Alexandria serving Egyptian and Mediterranean-inspired food. We had the fried calamari for appetizers. It had a nice breading but flavored quite nicely. I wish the flavors were present for our main entrees. We had the chicken shawerma, lamb kofta, and grilled sandwiches. They were not bad meals, just less seasoned. Service was good and the host/owner was welcoming. read more

Elaine’s - Egyptian Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

We stopped by Elaine's today for HH before a dinner reservation. The plan was to cool off with a glass of wine and relax. However, after a walk my dad wanted a small bite, so we ordered the fried chicken shawarma and crispy cauliflower. I honestly can't express how bad the food was. I only had one piece of each, and even that was a struggle - both dishes were drowning in grease. I tried peeling the oily coating off the cauliflower just to get to the actual vegetable. The so-called chicken shawarma? There was barely any chicken. It was mostly deep-fried batter - just greasy, empty bites. What made it worse was that none of the bartenders gave us a heads-up. At the very least, a place like this should be honest about what they're serving. Not long after we left, I got intense stomach cramps while walking to our dinner reservation. It got so bad I had to cancel what was supposed to be a celebratory dinner for my dad. The place itself looks nice, and it might be fine if you're just going for wine or cocktails. But the food? It's honestly on par with the cheapest fast food, only way more expensive. I wouldn't recommend eating here. If you care at all about quality or how your stomach feels later, skip the food entirely! read more

First time here. Mom & I went during restaurant week. If we could give 10 stars we would. Owner Cynthia spent time at our table detailing the scratch kitchen & how everything is made that way. Genuinely proud! Outstanding service. Window view. Mom took home 1/2 of her incredible lamb dish Let me say...the phyllo wrapped brownie is so decadent as is the baklava. Look forward to working way through this amazing menu. read more

We noticed there was plenty of open reservations so we just walked in. Upon arrival the hostess were not hospitable and cold but not rude. Wasn't expecting much. Luckily our waiter was energetic and full of advice to help us with our choice. A fantastic cocktail selection (on the high side $17) and nice selection of wines. The food was delicious as we enjoyed pickled radish, salad, soup, head on shrimp and an amazing cod. All ingredients were fresh. The 70's music was not a match for the restaurant. Overall, our server locked in the four stars. read more

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Cute spot for great food! Nice and quite and spacious enough for a small lunch/dinner for 5. While I was expecting more portion I was pleased with the two appetizers I got and the entree. The staff was very kind and welcoming overall. read more

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