Excellent experience. Frank gave me some great recommendations and I'm glad I followed them. I started with the tomatoe and burrata salad with vinaigrette to start. Then I got the 20 ounce ribeye medium rare and charred on the outside. They did it perfectly. It is challenging to make a nice char on the outside while leaving the middle red and they did just that. I had mashed potatoes and the mushroom risotto as sides. They were both done very well. For dessert I had the chocolate cake and a scoop of chocolate ice cream. Both were excellent. Carlos was my server and he was professional, attentive, and friendly. I look forward to coming back. I had the tom read more

Enormous menu, very large portions, and very tasty food, but the service was incredibly slow when I came. Both indoor and outdoor seating, and it started raining so there was some shuffling around of patrons, but it took a very long time for my wife and I to get and pay our check. That said, the place is cozy and the owner and staff are extremely friendly (the owner actually comes around and talks to all of the tables). Solid bread & butter that comes with a small tray of salt, pepper, and hot pepper flakes so that you can customize your olive-oil (there is also balsamic vinegar on the table as well), but there are only a few pieces of bread that come in it read more

Mele Bistro - French Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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The scallops I received were cooked well but slightly salty from the blackened seasoning I think. The mushroom risotto was perfectly made. We really enjoyed the complimentary bread, however we had to ask the server several times to even get one basket refill. When it got busier it seemed like our table was slightly forgotten and we had to get up and find someone to bring us our check and get water refills. Overall the food was good but maybe understaffed that day read more

Mele Bistro - Blackened Scallops with Mushroom Risotto - French Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

We sat outside and it was nice. They spilled something and we had to change tables. I ordered the salmon and it comes with 2 sides and he said I could not substitute a salad. So I ordered the salmon, mashed potatoes, and wilted spinach. I also ordered the salad separately. He came back and said there were no mashed potato's and we both had ordered it. I got the mushroom risotto instead. The fish was incredibly fresh. I would like to come back. read more

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Great to meet Chef Frank and hear about the wonderful sourcing of all the food. Obviously the entree and bread were fantastic. Outside a conversation was very easy. read more

Mele Bistro - Seafood Rotini - French Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

I dined here for a work dinner and I'm glad my colleague chose this spot. Another colleague also raved about Mele Bistro as well! We ordered the Calamari, Steamed Mussels and Portobello Mushrooms appetizers for the table. I'd only had mussels in a Cajun seafood boil before - these mussels were soo flavorful and tender that I will order them when I return. I was also pleasantly surprised by the Portobello Mushrooms appetizer...it was really tasty as well. The calamari was just okay. I'm used to calamari being more crispy. For dinner I ordered the small plate halibut with spinach and mushroom risotto (I wanted to try the sea bass but they were out). This was really good and flavorful as well. The service was outstanding (even from the owner as well). I definitely recommend checking this place out!! read more

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Service: 10/10 Value: 8/10 Food: 8/10 Ambiance: 10/10 The owner of Mele is amazing! We came here as a party of 8 and were blown away by his hospitality and warmth. The seafood is incredibly fresh here, and they have orders shipped from all over the globe on a daily basis, which is so impressive! However, it is quite pricey, and the food could be a bit more flavored. The ambiance of this restaurant is great. Especially on a warm spring or summer day, their outdoor patio is so beautifully decorated. read more

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Mele Bistro is an Arlington gem! The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, with warm and colorful lighting that makes it stand out. the owner came by to personally welcome us and walk us through the menu, you can really tell how much pride they take in their food especially the fresh seafood from hawaii! I had the seafood Alfredo, and it was incredible. Perfectly creamy and loaded with different types of seafood, all cooked just right. The drinks were also spot on. We also tried the fajita-style chicken, which was a surprising twist for an Italian spot, flavorful and served sizzling! It was a great experience and i can't wait to go back! read more

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This farm to table restaurant is rated #9 out of over 700 restaurants in Arlington. It's supposed to be romantic, beautiful with healthy farm to table French and Italian cuisine. The homemade pastas piqued my interest. I'm glad I was able to snag a table on the OpenTable app. We valeted the car in front & we're seated with a massive wine list. We started with a French Chardonnay. I enjoyed a silky cheesy sweet French onion soup to start. My family started with a small homemade pasta course. The warm bread was fresh & crispy. The service throughout the evening was impeccable. My entree was the Spanish fisherman pate with scallops, mussels, rockfish, artichokes, hearts of palm & portobellos in a light cream sauce. My portion was huge and I'm looking forward to enjoying the second half another day. Everyone else had steaks cooked to perfection with mixed vegetables, risotto, and asparagus. We finish the evening by sharing a slice of cheesecake, which was outrageous. read more

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Lots of seafood. Menu is a bit confusing and all over the place but they have lots of seafood options. Interior is pretty decent and the manager is pretty enthusiastic to explain the menu. I recommend to be here for a simple date if you're not looking for crazy fine dining experience but still want a nice seafood dinner. read more

We dropped in with no reservations at 8pm and was told to wait. After 15 minutes we were seated, we were thrilled we got in. The place was slammed. It took about 20 minutes to get our order in but was well worth the wait. So charismatic music in the background. We ordered the super healthy antioxidant soup, the mixto salad, and the grilled salmon with the spinach and mushroom risotto. The salmon was the best I ever tasted in a Italian restaurant. I can't wait to come back and try their steak selection. The Margarito was made with 1800 and was excellent. read more

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Mele Bistro absolutely delivered. From the moment we sat down, the vibe was warm, lively, and just upscale enough to feel special without being stiff. The lighting and atmosphere make it perfect for a night out, whether it's a date or dinner with friends. The steak was cooked beautifully -- tender, flavorful, and perfectly seared. The lamb chops were just as impressive, juicy with a rich glaze that paired really well with the risotto and asparagus. Everything tasted fresh and thoughtfully prepared. The cocktails were balanced and strong (in a good way), and the wine selection complemented the meal perfectly. Service was attentive without hovering, and the pacing of the meal felt just right. Only reason it's not a full 5 stars? It can get a little loud when it's busy, but honestly, that energy adds to the charm. Overall, Mele Bistro is a spot I'd definitely go back to. Great food, great drinks, great atmosphere -- hard to beat that combo. read more

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The owner does an incredible job trying to attract regular locals at this casual joint. We were greeted like we were family and given different wines to taste after dinner when the waiter had a better feel for our palate. The spirit of simple, creativity, and quality is evident throughout. The menu has small and large options so you can organize your meal tapas style (try a lot of different items) or opt for larger portions. We enjoyed everything - scallop squid ink ravioli, lobster ravioli, eggplant ravioli and the Hawaiian blue snapper. The seafood selection is incredibly extensive and fresh - flown in from the Pacific - so don't pass it up. read more

We went to Mele for Valentine's Day and it was adorable, they had heart balloons everywhere. The service all around is good. Now to the food, we started with the calamari but I didn't get a photo, it was good but not great, the marinara was amazing though. For the pasta, I got the North Carolina pasta and there were a lot of apple chunks, I could do without the apple but outside of that it was really good. The star of the show is the chocolate cake, we got two scoops of gelato with it and holy cow it was to die for, I would easily come back just for that. read more

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Excellent food and great service. The fresh ingredients and passion for great food is clear. The mussels were delicious and the staff is very friendly and helpful. 11/10 read more

Mele Bistro - Greek salad and mussels - French Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Nice spot located near a strip of restaurants in between Courthouse and Rosslyn. Big menu which can be overwhelming but the food came out great. Not much else on my end to share but I felt like the service was great. read more

OVERALL: Elevated italian restaurant with fresh fish imported from various places like Hawaii and Japan. Service is top notch. FOOD: My partner and I came here to carb load before a race. Since it was our first time there, we stuck to the basics and they did not disappoint. The spicy penne was more saucy than creamy (which is not what I'm used to) but I enjoyed it. The shrimp linguine came in big portions. The bread basket and olive oil were fresh. SERVICE: services are great and folks are knowledgeable about the menu. They come by often and refill your water before it runs out. VENUE: looks small from the outside but it is actually big and can accommodate big groups. I would make a reservation in advance as this place gets packed. read more

Mele Bistro - French Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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One of our regular neighborhood favorites. Lovely outdoor patio area. Excellent food and service. Solid wine list. Fresh pasta. Have always enjoyed my meal. The chicken parm and shrimp scampi were excellent. read more

Mele Bistro - Capellini Chicken Parmesan - French Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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This place is great! I think it was the owner who came up to talk to us but he was hilarious and so nice. He answered all of our questions and talked us through the ingredients. The steaks were absolutely delicious. Mine was pretty spicy but paired so nicely with the potatoes and mixed vegetables it came with. The complimentary bread was amazing. Everything was perfectly cooked to our liking and amazing service! Will definitely be back! read more

Mele Bistro - French Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Cool vibe! Authentic and legit. Also indulgent and enjoyable. Servers were friendly. Would definitely come back for dinner or takeout. read more

Mele Bistro - Bar area - French Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Such a lovely atmosphere with super nice hospitality ! All the food was delish especially the French onion soup ! YUM !! I'll give them an A+ all around ! read more

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Food wasn't to our taste. Place was full and bustling with lots of happy customers. I'm sure the food was very good, just not our style. Our daughter liked the large salad she ordered. read more

VERY KIDS FRIENDLY! Great food, gorgeous desserts. Very friendly staff and gorgeous ambiance. We arrived at 530pm and the restaurant was practically empty. By 630-7pm, it was PACKED! Highly recommend you make rsvn. read more

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Visited while in Washington DC for dinner. The restaurant is located in a busy area of Arlington which makes it difficult to find parking. Not sure if it was the owner or manager but he was very welcoming, stopped at our table and talked for a minute. We had the shrimp scampi and it was outstanding with lots of shrimp, as well as the chicken parmesan. Because of the size of the restaurant it was noisy. read more

Mele Bistro - Shrimp Scampi - French Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Had dinner at Mele recently with work friends and clients. Decor was warm and welcoming. . Service was attentive and friendly. The star was the food! Wish I remembered to take pics! Gotta have the sautéed calamari appetizer. Amazing!! Most of us had steak, someone had lamb chops and someone else had pasta. All were delicious! Highly recommend!! read more

I tried Mele for the first time the other night for takeout. Ordering over the phone was easy and they were willing to make a substitution on the pasta shape! I ordered the chicken picatta, and although the food was well prepared, it was no where near a traditional picatta dish as you might be able to tell in the picture. My friend got the fettuccine Alfredo which was fine, but nothing super special. Overall probably wouldn't come back but it was very crowded inside and looked very nice ! Maybe next time I would try a pasta dish like their ravioli instead. read more

Mele Bistro - Chicken picatta - French Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Great food and service, and the owner makes everyone feel at home. The ambiance is one of relaxation and is conducive to long conversations with friends. read more

Came here with a group of 8 and they had a spacious table set up for us. The service was great, we had multiple different people stop by our table throughout the meal to check on us. The food was excellent with healthy portions. read more

Mele Bistro - Radiatori Bolognese - French Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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I can't remember what we ate or whether it was good. The entire experience got overridden by the owner's strange behavior. The guy came by our table to say "hello." That was fine. But, he also said he'd return, shortly, to "talk to us." That seemed odd. True to his word, the owner came back and began a long-winded monologue about the impeccable quality of the restaurant's food -- where he buys the fish, meats, and vegetables, and how each meal is prepared with the greatest care. This went on for a few minutes, until we told him we didn't want to listen and to leave us alone. A few people at a nearby table overheard and told us that he'd done the same thing to them, and that his speech had lasted about 5-7 minutes. It seems this guy believes that people visit a restaurant, and pay their good money, because they enjoy being lectured by the owner. Nope. read more

Truly stunning dining experience. The owner welcomed me and spent ten minutes talking with me about the history of the menu and how they source ingredients for their menu! I had the roast duck with lingonberry and mushroom risotto - easily one of the best meals of my life. I've never felt so welcomed and at home in a restaurant. This place is truly special. read more

We went here for valentines weekend and it was packed!! Squished in like sardines, which made the experience interesting. We were so close to other couples that it was easier to listen to their convos than to have our own. Regardless the service was fine, one guy was handling everyone's orders so it took a while. Food was delicious, would come back again to see if the ambiance is better on a normal die. Loved trying it and recommend it! read more

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Had a great meal here tonight Frank was wonderful. I had the cowboy steak, which is incredible. My friend had the tuna which was fresh and flavorful. Everyone in our party was satisfied and would highly recommend this restaurant to others. I do not normally leave reviews, but tonight I had to. read more

My friends and I came here for dinner this past Wednesday to celebrate my friend's 26th birthday. She loves Italian food and has been on the hunt to find good Italian restaurants within the Wilson/Clarendon/Fairfax strip of Arlington. Unfortunately, Mele Bistro was a let down for us. First of all, Mele Bistro has one of the slowest service possible. It took awhile for the server to give us our waters and take our orders. Our entrees took at least 30 minutes to arrive and I had to walk up to our server to grab the check (and to pay it, too) because we were unable to flag our server down. Overall, this was not great. They gave us complementary baguettes prior to our entrees, which was nice. However, these baguette slices were stone hard (especially end edge pieces) which made it risky to eat. We could hear a loud thumping sound when we knocked some of these bricks on the table. Additionally, it was just super boring even after dipping it in balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Not great. SP. IN-HOUSE SMOKED NEW ENGLAND SCALLOPS SQUID INK RAVIOLI - 23 The menu says it's $20.50 but it's $23 on the receipt. I guess they haven't updated the prices on the physical menu. The one thing I like about this place is that they have "small plates" options. This is great for someone like me who doesn't eat a lot. So this small plate came with three squid ink colored ravioli in this creamy sauce that had bits of shrimp and vegetables (like peppers). I tried a bit of the sauce and it was just really boring. The ravioli were also shaped weirdly, almost like a cookie-cutter fried egg shaped. The filling inside was also kind of weird and sandy, and the boring sauce didn't make it any better. I'm really glad I got the small plate option because I had to force myself to finish the third ravioli. Overall, this restaurant was expensive and a complete letdown in terms of the taste of food. Maybe the ravioli just isn't the move here? They have a very extensive menu here (to the point where it's overwhelming). Either way, I probably won't be back. read more

Mele Bistro - Complementary baguette - super hard to eat - French Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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We were about 6-7 team of people and the waiter made racist comments. This created an embarrassing situation for a team of professionals. I'd never go back to this place just because of the waiter experience. I'll post his name and what he said 'publicly'. AVOID THIS PLACE, THE WAITER TREATED US UNPROFESSIONALLY FROM THE START!! read more

Some people dole out stars based on an ideal. That's fine. I grant stars based on how well a restaurant achieves what it is trying to do. Mele Bistro was a stunning discovery and a beautifully executed French & Italian place. I will be back. First, the food was mouthwatering and precisely prepared. The blackened sea bass was cooked perfectly. I both wanted to devour and savor it over an hour. I appreciated the lightness of the wilted spinach and the warmth of the shared bread. The spice trio with olive oil was a delightful touch. The overall ambiance was incredibly charming and relaxing. How many people begin a menu detailing over an entire page in small font how the selected ingredients are tailor-made for health and taste? The staff and owner were incredibly friendly. As I said at the outset, we will return as soon as possible. read more

First visit and hope to make many more! Excellent food, excellent service, love that they offer small and large portions. Truly a neighborhood gem and so glad I live in the neighborhood (well, very close by.) read more

My new employer has offices in Atlanta and Washington D.C. which has given me new opportunities to try restaurants outside of Richmond VA. On this particular day I got to try Mele Bistro. Let's start with the service which was spot on the money. The people here are kind and inviting and that alone is worth the price of admission. I was here in January of 2022 and thoroughly enjoyed the dining experience. I started with a hot bowl of lobster bisque soup which was in perfect balance. It was creamy without being too heavy. The depth of lobster flavor was just right. For my entree I had the ribeye steak, mashed potatoes and asparagus. It came with a side of peppercorn sauce since this is a French bistro after all. Naturally their steaks are served in the spirit of a classic "Steak au Poivre." To finish out the course I had a lovely slice of tiramisu which was equally as impressive as the food that preceded it. I would go back in a heartbeat. read more

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What a great spot right between Rosslyn and Court House metros with a huge menu, friendly staff, and emphasis on clean ingredients. Took a little bit to grab the server's attention, but he was essentially working the whole floor and patio on his own. Menu focused on fresh pasta, steak, or fish options and offered smaller size portions too. Loved the grilled halibut and fried zucchini. Burrata caprese was more like a green salad with a zesty dressing than the traditional presentation. Enjoyed an organic red Cote du Rhöne wine. A particularly lively group was having a mini reunion next to us and staff repeatedly asked whether we preferred to move seats. Can't wait to try more menu items soon. read more

Mele Bistro - Grilled halibut, asparagus, mashed potatoes topped with pickled ginger - French Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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Very good Italian / Spanish hybrid restaurant in Roslyn / courthouse. Big menu focused on seafood, pasta, and steak. Unique sauces to go with different entrees. My au ju sauce on my steak hit the spot. It came with 2 sides that were on the smaller side. Everyone in my party of 6 got something different and everyone was very happy with their entree. Only a few draft options for beer but enough options for a beer drinker to find something for their liking. Owner or manager comes over and is very chatty, plus or minus depending on how you look at it. There's a free parking lot which is nice for the area but fills up quick because it's shared with a few restaurants. read more

Great gem located close to many of the offices and Rosslyn metro. They have covered outdoor patio seating and a spacious inside. Staff was friendly, fun, and provided great suggestions. They have an extensive menu with a great selection of seafood options in particular - the blackened scallops were great! Really good food and enjoyable service! We will be back for more! read more