We were celebrating my birthday and our anniversary. We arrived early, so the hostess situated us…read moreat the sidebar until a spot opened at the bar. At the bar, we got delicious drinks (try the sesame old fashioned) and appetizers (tamale). The bar tender was very careful to ask if it was gluten free for me. We were moved to a nice table for two next to the window. Luis was dressed as a pirate (it was Halloween) and other staff members joined in the fun too. The menus said happy anniversary on them, which was a nice touch. Luis helped me order from the menu, since they don't identify gluten-free options (my only complaint). I had the braised bison shoulder. It was fantastic! Although we waived off on dessert (so full), they brought a complementary ice cream sundae. It was tasty. We enjoyed our experience and plan to return for our next special occasion.

Evelyn Rose: A Restaurant Worth Celebrating A few years ago,…read morefriends introduced us to Evelyn Rose in Vienna, and we've been grateful ever since. We've made the trek from Arlington several times, and the restaurant has accomplished something increasingly rare: it has never given us a reason to regret the drive. For years, Clarity occupied a special place on our restaurant list: excellent food, impeccable service, and prices that didn't require a second mortgage. Evelyn Rose has gradually assumed that role. It's become a restaurant where we arrive with high expectations and leave feeling they've been justified. Our latest visit was another celebration. October is particularly busy in our household, with my wife's birthday and two of our three wedding anniversaries. Yes, three. To each other. Long story, best discussed over cocktails. We'd already celebrated with a European tour accompanied by 30 friends. This time, we wanted something more relaxed. No grand production, just an excellent dinner together. We arrived early, and the hostess found us two seats at the bar for drinks and appetizers. It was a thoughtful beginning, the sort of hospitality that makes guests feel genuinely welcome rather than merely accommodated. Sarah ordered a Toasted Sesame Old Fashioned featuring yuzu, which she loves, and the Squash Tamale. She's equally fond of squash, although under other circumstances she'd probably prefer tennis. I chose a Godfather, partly because I enjoy them and partly because I'm old enough to order one without irony. My appetizer was one of the best Caesar salads I've had in years. This wasn't one of those timid salads where the kitchen seems vaguely embarrassed by anchovies. It had a kale base, plenty of cheese, flavorful croutons, and, best of all, a generous supply of whole salt-cured anchovies. I realize anchovies are divisive. For some diners, they're a reason to send a salad back. For me, their absence is often a reason not to order one. Evelyn Rose understands that a Caesar salad should have personality. This one certainly did. Just as we finished, the hostess appeared to escort us to our table, precisely at our reservation time. No waiting, no interruption, no wondering whether we'd been forgotten. The transition was seamless, another example of excellent service being most noticeable when you don't have to think about it. For dinner, Sarah ordered the Bison Shoulder, I chose the burger, and we shared Beef-Fat Fries. Not every celebratory dinner requires an elaborate tasting menu. Sometimes you simply want something delicious. The bison was flavorful and, thanks to its sauce, exceptionally rich. Sarah thoroughly enjoyed it, although its richness eventually got the better of her appetite. My burger was, as always, very good. Evelyn Rose understands balance, particularly in its choice of cheddar, which complements rather than overwhelms the beef. Some restaurants pile on so many ingredients that the burger becomes almost incidental. Thankfully, Evelyn Rose resists that temptation. My only complaint? There could have been more burger in the burger. Then again, that's probably my general philosophy on hamburgers. Despite my desire for more beef, neither of us could finish our meals. We packed up roughly half of each entrée, happily anticipating a second excellent meal at home. For Sarah's birthday, the restaurant treated us to a complimentary ice cream sundae. A lovely gesture, although by then our enthusiasm had substantially exceeded our remaining capacity. Remarkably, we took half the sundae home, too. It survived the trip to Arlington and now resides in our freezer, awaiting an opportunity when Sarah isn't looking. But the evening offered one more memorable moment. At the neighboring table sat a group of older diners, some perhaps even as old as we are. We noticed the extraordinary attention they received from staff and management. Clearly, something was going on. After they departed, a waiter explained that one of them had been Evelyn herself. The Evelyn. Grandmother of one of the owners. Well, that explained a few things. There's something reassuring about discovering that the person whose name adorns a restaurant actually eats there. Being the owner's grandmother undoubtedly guarantees attentive service, but it doesn't guarantee food worth eating. Evelyn's presence struck me as a charming endorsement and a reminder that there's a real family behind the restaurant's name. (Actually two, Rose is the chef's grandmother... I wonder where she was eating?) Evelyn Rose has earned a place among our Official Celebratory Restaurants, reserved for occasions when we want something special without going Full Michelin. And considering how many anniversaries we celebrate, it's fortunate we've found somewhere we can count on. Evelyn Rose isn't simply a restaurant we enjoy visiting anymore. It's become part of how we celebrate.

Before a concert, we visited The Maple Room. Simplistic decor but very nice. We were surprised that…read moremore patrons weren't dining! With great food and service, why not? 3.5 stars! But Yelp doesn't have half stars, so we're rounding. We had the charbroiled oysters, branzino, lobster mac & cheese, and the tuna steak. The charbroiled oysters were typical. I really enjoyed my fish -- flavorful and met the mark. The tuna steak was a bit overcooked for me. Seems like he liked it, but I would have preferred it on a more rare side. The lobster mac & cheese was just ok. I would recommend more cheese and integrate the lobster a bit more IN the macaroni and cheese. The decor, again, was nice -- elegant with pretty wine glasses sitting on every table. There's also a parking lot so don't worry about street parking. We were also offered complimentary dessert! If in the area, I'd visit again, but Vienna is too far for me!

Spectacular food. Top notch service. Warm and comforting environment. Would go here again in a…read moreminute. We had our team dinner here last week and it was such a fabulous place to be. We shared pre-ordered apps and sides. I tried a little of each one and loved them all. Lamb lollipops, Brussel sprouts. Mashed potatoes, glazed carrots. Yum. I friend their squid ink pasta dish for my meal. Others around me tried their steak. Everyone enjoyed the food, including the delicious desserts..everyone was talking about affogatos with such delight, I decided to try it. Wow!!' It was so nice to feel like we were kings and queens for a meal. I hope we go back for another team dinner soon. Or maybe I will have to grab a colleague and go back before then...

We took a trip out to Virginia specifically hunting for a dinner spot with top-tier food that was…read moretruly worth the drive, and Artie's completely lived up to the hype. Word of advice: make a reservation! When you step through the doors, you're greeted by that lively hum of a packed house with every booth and table full. Scored a parking spot right outside, which was a great start to the night. Bread Basket: Outstanding start. The little round fried dough breads were incredible, and the artisan loaf (seemed like an olive bread) paired with the butter was fantastic. Calamari & Onion Strings: Fried to absolute crispy perfection without being greasy. Since my wife has a lobster allergy, they accommodated us by putting the lobster ginger sauce on the side for me. That sauce is killer, and the calamari and onion strings stood strong on their own, too. Side Salad: Came with the steak and was generous enough for my wife and me to share. I can't recall the exact dressing name from the menu, but it was seasoned and balanced completely on point. Drunken Ribeye & Loaded Baked Potato: Hands down one of the best restaurant dishes I've had in a very long time. First off, I loved the humor on the menu under the meat temperature guide, under 'Well Done' it literally says "Order chicken." Hilarious! I ordered mine rare, and they executed it flawlessly. Tender, high-quality cut of beef, great char, and deep, phenomenal flavor. The loaded baked potato had the exact right ratios of all the fixings. Portions were so generous that half went home for lunch the next day. Jambalaya Pasta: My Wife (My BFF) ordered this for her entree and thoroughly enjoyed every bite. The high ratings and reviews for this place did not lie. If you are in the Northern Virginia area, or looking for a meal that genuinely justifies the trip, do your stomach a favor and check out Artie's. 5 stars all the way!

Ate here during a work trip and decided to stop by because of the great reviews. I came on a…read moreweekday when it was pretty slow, and the service was great, my waiter was friendly and professional. I ordered the ribeye because it looked amazing in the review photos. Unfortunately, mine came out extremely charred even though I ordered it medium rare. The outside was so burnt that it was hard to enjoy, and the sauce was also way too salty for my taste. All I could taste was burnt char. Sadly, I left pretty disappointed, especially after seeing so many positive reviews.

Flew into town for a concert and saw this at the top of the recommendations, very serendipitous!…read more The place has a great atmosphere from the moment you walk in, the decor has a unique kitsch and the music is a definite vibe as well, and that's before you meet the staff. The staff was friendly front to back, hostess, waitress, bar tender- friendly and knew the menu and had solid recommendations and knowledge of the menu. The food was great, we had rangoons for an appetizer, followed by their famous General Tso's and the Mongolian Combination, all delicious! Highly recommend this place if you're in the area! Shout out to Jason!

I came here with a couple of friends who live in the area. The initial vibe and aesthetic seemed…read morereally cool. I was excited for my meal and experience there. However things went downhill pretty quickly. I ordered one of their specialty cocktails, which is more expensive than most of their meals, which was just ok. The drink was pretty strong which I didn't mind but most of it was just ice and the gummy was a little stale. Overall it looked cool but didn't really justify the price. The service is really where I felt let down. The 2 friends that I came with got their food in a normal timespan but it took 20-30 minutes for me to get my food. When I asked about it (because clearly they forgot) they lied and said their kitchen was backed up and the order is being prepared. The restaurant was half empty at that point so it was a little hard to believe. Also another waiter came out 10 minutes later and said my food just started to get cooked and will be out soon. Both my friends were pretty much done with their meals by the time I got mine and I didn't get anything from the staff aside from an insincere apology and a bad excuse. For the price we paid I expected much better service and for the staff to go above and beyond when they make a mistake, which didn't happen. The food was good when it eventually did come out though so I I'll give it an extra star for that.

My wife and I had dinner at Elyse last night, and it's one of the best meals we've had in a long…read moretime. From the outside it's a small, plain building you could easily drive past. Inside, it's a different story: chic, cozy, and intimate, with an upscale feel that isn't stuffy. The kitchen is right there, so you watch the servers moving, the cooks cooking, and the whole restaurant running around you. It feels like you're in on it. We started with cocktails. An Old Fashioned made with a Blanton's Gold barrel pick, and the house special, a vodka martini with a Japanese twist. I'm not a martini person, but this one won me over. It was smooth and balanced, not too sweet or too tart. We liked both drinks so much that we ordered another round with dessert. We did the tasting menu with the reserve pairings, and every course was excellent. The yakitori yak was our favorite, with the venison a close second. Being able to talk with the chefs and staff while they worked, about the food and what goes into cooking it, made the night. They were truly kind and friendly, and we really appreciated feeling welcome. Don't skip the bread. They're generous with it, which you'll need, because you won't want to leave any of the sauces behind. It's made from the owner's father's sourdough starter, which is 51 years old. Elyse is craft and storytelling on a plate, and it feels like the chef's family is part of that story and he's inviting you into it. We'll absolutely be back.

This is the best restaurant in N.Va. Food - 10, Service - 10, Wine Pairings- 10, Front of the House…read more- 10, Ambience - 10, Value - 10, Execution - 10. Wife and I sat at the Chef's Counter for a truly wonderful meal last night. The menu is exceptional, five courses, several with two options, and the progression was just perfect. We really loved all of the dishes, but for sure the ravioli with wild asparagus and ramps is one I will remember for a long time. The octopus was also a memorable dish, and the poussin was complex, layer after layer of flavor and the salt level was so good...just perfect food, perfectly executed. Oh, and shout out to the owner's dad, who is in his 90s and makes the bread, a rich sourdough, served warm, that has a 50 year old starter at its essence. Yum. We did the wine pairings and I def recommend. Some really good wines, curated from small vineyards globally, matched perfectly and well presented. The sommelier nailed it. We also just loved the service. Nice touches pre arrival, they are expecting you when you arrive and there's a lovely personal touch and welcoming feel. The ambience is warm, and you can hear and talk and it does feel like you're at a dinner party with friends and family. Finally, shout out to the chefs and servers. Knowledgable, conversational, and charming. We really enjoyed the Chef's Counter and the entire experience. Kudos to Chef Jon Krinn and his family for creating this masterpiece of a restaurant. It is Michelin star worthy, and we cannot wait to go back.

Wow, what a quaint British pub in the middle of Vienna. Parking is a little tight for this area,…read morebut you can definitely find some spots in the back on a weekday. I ended up biking and there's a bike stand really close by. My friend was craving fish and chips, so we ventured out this way. Because we came on a Thursday they had a deal going where if you ordered a pie, you could get a beer for free. Of course I had to partake, so I ordered the special pie, which was a masala, chicken, curry pie, and it was quite good. A bit small for the price point but with the beer included totally worth it also because their fries are so good. I could demolish over a pound of those fries. They were thick potato and maybe the extra added bonus of having to use a glass ketchup bottle added to it. My friend and I were also taught how to properly hit the ketchup bottle to get the ketchup out by the bartender. You find the 57 on the bottle at an angle and bump you palm there that instead of hitting the bottom and hoping and praying that ketchup comes out. It actually worked or at least it was more efficient than trying to hit the bottom of the bottle upside down. I had never had a hand pumped beer before, but it was quite good. They are a warm beer rotating and it was quite good, it especially paired well with the pie or fish and chips.

This pub had excellent food & drinks. And a whole menu for many Gin & Tonic options…read more We enjoyed curry mussels, steak& ale pie, British fries and curry chicken salad. They had several pimms cups too. Highly recommended.

Amazing food and service with great location.. David is a great host. Coming back again.read more

Squash soup and the octopus for appetizer…read more Got the ribeye but swapped out red wine reduction for chimichurri recommend by Josephine Wife thought they had the best squash soup

My husband and I came here Memorial Day weekend for a few beers and a quick bite before heading to…read morea picnic. I LOVE that they have a wide variety of local beers ... if you have seen any of my other reviews, you know I want variety ... too many IPAs and it's "straight to jail"! Anyway - they have a good mix from light to wheat to hoppy to malty - regardless of your tastes there should be something on their menu for you! And it's constantly changing which is awesome! Bartender was amazing and recommended several different six packs based on what we drank in house - the kołsch he recommended ... hands down one of the best I have had. Burger and sidewinder fries (or whatever they were called) is not to be missed either - not the best in the area, I reserve that for Dukes- but definitely a top contender it's also in "running" distance for me so maybe my nightly run will take a little longer in the future

Nice local Brewpub with good happy hour deals (Mon - Fri 3-6pm) - $5 Flatbread pizza and 40%…read morediscount on 1/2 pour, 8 oz beer and cider. With over 20 beers and a few ciders on tap, I enjoyed the #7 Downeast Pumpkin Blend cider from Boston, MA. The $5 Flatbread pizza was decent and filling. The housemade Mac & Cheese was very soupy. Glad I just got the 1/2 portion. The Simple Basket of Fries were a bit of a miss. The curly potato wedges came out a bit soggy from the air fryer and lacked the crispy texture that I was hoping for. They were a bit too thick to properly cook in the air fryer. I with the bar food had a bit better options. There's casual high-top and bar seating with 1/2 dozen outdoor tables. The bartender, who I believe was the owner, was delighted when I sat outside with my kids so we wouldn't disrupt the patrons inside. Will come back for the cider on tap and explore the menu!

I have lived in Vienna for 20 years and frequent the local restaurants and bars. I especially like…read moreBear Branch because of the hospitality I get from Ash. She always has a smile and attentive to keeping me up to date on my spirits. Never loose her!!

This place is much bigger than it appears! It took me (and others we watched) a couple seconds to…read morefigure out how to get in, as the outdoor bar area faces the street, but walk around the back for the main restaurant entrance. There is outdoor seating. Two large bar areas are inside and two dining areas, each with their own vibe. While the back (err side facing the street) has more tv's and a larger bar, both areas are kid and family friendly. There's a variety of mocktails and adult beverages to choose from. I was delighted to see a Pimms Cup! The drinks are vasty and well put together, not just with a thrown together mix. The servers are super friendly and appropriately attentive. Ours made really good recommendations. There's a very good beer selection and wine choices as well. We ordered A LOT of food (no judgment!) because trying new things is fun! The French Dip sandwich was DELISH! Perfectly executed and the roll was homemade and perfect. The best were the fried mozzarella cheese sticks - they're absolutely enormous and provide the perfect cheese pull. Don't skip the lump crab dip - the homemade baguette was the perfect compliment and the flavor was perfection. The pimento smash burger was good, but I would choose other items over this. It didn't eat like a regular smash burger and was way too overly saucy for me.

What an incredible place, small but mighty with excellent service and amazing food. They treated us…read morewonderfully on our anniversary, a real sense of care with attention to diet restrictions, gorgeous and flavorful dishes, just wonderful throughout, we'll be back for sure. Highly recommended.

Food and service good but could not make up for how small the space is and tables packed together…read morewith no noise suppression. One of the most uncomfortable auditory experiences ever over a meal.