Not bad, but not great either…read more The restaurant's ambience is truly modern and inviting. As someone who resides in Dumfries, this is a very welcome addition to upscale dining, and I was greatly surprised by the decor. I've visited many casinos locally and around the country, including Vegas, Atlantic City, Biloxi, Mississippi, and New Orleans, and I must say this restaurant's decor is on par with many of the other fine-dining restaurants. When I arrived at the restaurant, it was not busy at all. In fact, there were only a few people at the bar and another couple who came in at the same time as us in the dining area. While someone would look at this and be very skeptical, I took it as number one. I was coming on a Sunday night around 5:30. Number two, it may be early for dinner, and number three. I could assure you that my food would come out hot. My server was excellent. The service was terrific, which I had heard was the most mixed part of the experience previously, due to staff turnover and inconsistent service levels for a fine-dining establishment. Akeara was fantastic, I mean, truly remarkable, and coupled with the excellent management and leadership of Veronica Keller, they made the dynamic duo who saved my dining experience. Akeara was very well-versed in the menu and sensitive to dietary restrictions when asked about many of the ways ingredients were prepared. She was invaluable and well-versed in preparation methods, as well as in drink pairings and menu options, to ensure we had a great culinary experience. The food I really enjoyed the calamari. It was fried perfectly. The two dipping sauces were fantastic. The rose salad is absolutely a star on the appetizer menu. I was a little skeptical about the crabcake because the way she described it sounded more like a fried crabcake than a pan-seared one. I think had she mentioned pan-seared, I would have likely gone with a crab cake, but I am certainly not disappointed in the calamari, and again, the salad was phenomenal. The steaks were a different story. I think they marinate the steaks, although I got different answers from the server and the manager when I asked; however, the steaks were a great cut. I saw someone get the bone in Tomahawk, which is presented nicely, hanging from a hook, with the Chef coming out to torch butter over the steak and vegetables beneath. I got the New York strip. It was a very, very lovely piece of meat. The New York strip was severely underseasoned. In fact, I had to ask for steak sauce, which is a cardinal sin of any steak restaurant. I think had they used a little more salt, pepper, and garlic to finish the steak It would've been perfect. The cook was absolutely perfect, medium rare. The seasoning was just off. I also got the risotto and short ribs. The short rib was well seasoned, though so much gravy from the short rib almost covered the entire plate of mushroom risotto. Tasty but just a little disproportionate in presentation. The bread basket was terrific, and the honey butter was nice, though the bread had a slight cheese flavor. It was still a really good combo. The baked potato is by far one of the best values on the menu as a side item. It was large. It was hot and fully loaded. The creamed spinach was a little more cream-cheese-forward, and it seemed like the spinach needed a little something else and seasoning, so it wasn't as bland. The desserts were another story: the toffee cake I thought would look like something I would get at Hell's Kitchen looked more like a very crumbly cornbread with ice cream on top. The vanilla ice cream tasted great, but the cake was just OK. The crème brûlée was on another level. It was fantastic, creamy, full of vanilla, and had a great crunch from the Brulé sugar on top. What really made this meal so good was the service. I talked with my server about my dissatisfaction with the two lobster tails: I did not appreciate being told they were pulled from the lobster shell, and they were served cold and rubbery. The server immediately jumped into action, spoke with the manager, and had the lobster removed from the bill. Thank you so much. But what really impressed me was the time that both the manager and my server spent at the table. Veronica was truly a pleasure to meet. As a military officer who has commanded hundreds and been responsible for thousands, she really hit it out of the park with her ability to problem-solve and immediately address issues as they arose. She was very engaging and really a pleasure to be with. This dynamic duo, who've only worked at this location for less than 5 months combined, really made me say I will come back to the restaurant, assuming they may have had an off night with seasoning and timing in the kitchen. If there's anything to take away, the food is OK (3 stars), the service from this dynamic duo was fantastic, and that's why they got the four stars.

A girlfriend and I dined at 1609 Prime Cuts at 5pm on a Wednesday, and sat in the section of…read moreShaudine - Food Server (1609). Shaudine was attentive, knowledgeable about the entire menu, and helpful in recommending dishes. Overall, we had such delightful meal experiences. We started with their Oysters Rockefeller, which included 6 good-sized oysters topped with creamy spinach and toasted breadcrumbs. Delicious! For my meal, I ordered the Tomahawk Prime Steak ($130). Although the restaurant is à la carte, the tomahawk comes with a medley of broccoli, fingerling potatoes, and multi-colored carrots. The meat was tender and flavorful, and the table side searing presentation by their Chef was awe-inspiring. Likewise, the steak and vegetables were complemented by tasty truffle butter. My friend ordered the lamb chops, accompanied by blackberry compote. We also shared the Brussel sprouts, which were also quite delicious and savory; cooked with onions and bacon. For dessert, we shared a lava cake with vanilla ice cream... and Chocolate martinis as an accompaniment. The restaurant ambiance was curated and sheik. Large, round booths with nice fabrics, well-appointed details and lighting, and a beautiful bar area with a backlit-lucite bar. A nice steakhouse feel. I would like to leave two recommendations: 1. The Bartender should ONLY tend bar... as the role indicates. Not also act as a server for tables beyond the bar. When those of us dining in the main restaurant order drinks, we have to wait for the bartender to finish serving tables before they can return to the bar to make drinks. That is not a good system. 2. There should be jazz or some other music playing in the background to drown out the incessant noise coming from the casino's slot machines (which are only steps away). Music would help to elevate the aesthetic of the steakhouse, while minimizing the casino noise. The manager did visit each table during our time, which was quite a nice touch. She also gave good recommendations on how to reheat and enjoy leftovers. Top notch!

Great environment, great staff, the Prohibitionist mocktail was Delicious! ~ ordered the baseball…read moresteak which was cooked to perfection and I esp. loved the low sodium rub they use. Carrots perfectly cooked and the pea salad was very good but could have used more cheese and red onion in it, it was mostly peas. Over all 5 stars, I would eat here anytime!

04.2026 Our first…read moretime here and it was a great experience! The servers were very sweet, attentive and helpful in explaining the different dishes. The atmosphere was light and lively...not loud. I would definitely make a reservation for it can be a very long wait. The steaks, the desserts, EVERYTHING we had was sooooooo yum! I highly recommend the truffle fries, truffle mac & cheese, and the any of the steaks.....sooooooo goood!!! The best dessert: the banana pudding!

This is a cool spot. Entry is really cool and looks like prohibition speakeasy's of times gone…read morepast. Two HUGE bouncers inside who were policing everything to maintain the vibe. Husband couldn't read the menu, can't use your phone for that, he was leaning up against a wall, can't do that, finally snagged seats on a couch, feet off table. We had two drinks and enjoyed about 20 minutes in here and went off to find something to eat. Definitely work a stop if you are nearby or in the area. It's a cool experience. One thing og note: They do not really deviate from their limited menu of drinks. These bartenders are not like those of speakeasy's from other, larger cities I've been to. I don't drink alcohol at all, so, I tend to ask them to make me a mocktail. They didn't seem very inventive and only offered basically ginger beer in a cup for $14.

The bartender Chris accused me of being intoxicated because I was vibing to the music Saying that I…read morewas had my eyes closed at the bar when I was just feeling the music. Clearly he can't discern when a patron is intoxicated or not!!!!!! I do feel as though it was a level of discrimination as I only ordered water at the bar no drinks were ordered....and I had no drinks prior to arrival. Never assume from a distance someone's sobriety just because the clientele you serve normally is intoxicated

Love the "Spirit of Sperryville" cocktail ! Refreshing after a nice ride through this beautiful…read morearea! Jenny was our bartender and she was genuinely nice and professional, my wife and I will definitely stop here again when in the area ,for the best delicious pizza from next door at RPK (sorry FredVegas ! lol )and my favorite cocktail here at Francis, Cheers!

Absolutely love this place! Bar ambience on point with some good accent lighting and playing the…read morenatural wood tones. They have a small market next door with so many great home made foods! This place is a must if stopping through for some of the site! Bartender Craig was rad and had some great service !

Songbird is an Asian Cafe & Bar located in Fairfax, VA. The restaurant makes comfor Chinese…read moreAmerican food and custom cocktails. They even have a disco ball ! Some of our favorites: *Lychee Pearl Cocktail *Sapporo *Sichuan Spicy Wontons *Disco Tots *Crab Rangoon *Mighty Spider Roll *Tiger Roll This restaurant provides fast service all around, from ordering to receiving drinks and food quickly after placing your order!

Did a pickup order. I thought the food was alright. There could've been more flavor for the mapo…read moretofu and moo shu pork. I would say the quality of the dishes we got were more on par with Chinese fast food while being more expensive. They also forgot one of our orders but I was able to get a refund for the missing dish once I called them. I recommend getting the coconut shrimp.

Cheeky's is definitely an experience--the kind that makes you say, "Wow, I'm really glad I left my…read morehouse for this." A friend hit me up for happy hour on a Saturday night, and shockingly, I was home from work early enough to actually make it happen. Even more shocking? We chose Cheeky's, and I couldn't have been happier. The last time I was here was back when it was Casey's and Cheeky's was just launching, so I was excited to see how it had evolved. From the moment I walked in, the vibe was giving elegant, cozy, and intimate. Soft lighting, relaxed energy--basically the kind of place that gently tells you to sit down, sip a cocktail, and forget about your responsibilities. My friends had already ordered and kindly let us sample their food. I can't remember exactly what it was (possibly drunken noodles? Possibly magic?), but whatever it was, it was delicious. Since we didn't want to copy their order, my boyfriend and I went with the duck fries, duck wings, and fried beef tips with rice. Let me start with the fries because...wow. Skinny fries tossed in garlic, what tasted like truffle, and cooked in duck fat. Honestly? Some of the best fries I've had in a long time. I would come back just for those. My boyfriend loved the duck wings, which were generously coated in mumbo sauce. A little too saucy for me (I prefer my wings slightly less...bathed), but the flavor was solid and the portion was more than fair. My fried beef tips were everything--perfect crunch, just the right amount of sauce, and packed with flavor. A true masterpiece that really showcased Asian-inspired cuisine at its best. I also ordered the hibiscus lemon drop, which was so good I considered ordering a second (and did). That said, it was a bit overpriced for the size--but still tasty enough to make me forgive it. Overall, Cheeky's is super chic, serves delicious cocktails, and delivers flavorful, creative food. If you're looking for a food adventure or something a little out of the norm, I 100% recommend stopping by for an evening. My only complaint? I still dream about the pork katsu sandwich they had back in the Casey's days--served with homemade wonton chips. I think about that sandwich more often than I'd like to admit. Please...bring it back.

Love the decor and ambiance! When it was Casey's that was my biggest gripe, it looked like a…read moreDennys, but the food was much fancier. The only issue i had when I went in, was that the coffee tables are a bit lower to the ground than was comfortable. My friend and I came during restaurant Week, apparently during happy hour! We ordered duck fries off the happy hour menu, but then also crispy beef, cucumber salad, biang biang shrimp, and duck wings. Everything was phenomenal! The cucumber salad was too spicy for me but it was a risk I took, even tho I could see all the flakes of red spicy all over it. Our server was very nice and he even tried to do the math to see which way to ring in or order to make the price in our favor. We told him not to worry about it, it's fine. We actually never got the duck fries, but at least it was the HH price and not full price. Oh! Then we got the red velvet cinnamon roll for dessert... I will say, I didn't love it. I love red velvet everything, but did not love that. The icing didn't taste like cream cheese although it was super light and fluffy... it was warm in some areas and just cold in others... idk, I just think it could be better executed in a couple different ways. Typically i might take a star away for not getting an item ordered and not loving the dessert, but i didn't mention any of it, so there was no option for the establishment to do anything about it even if they wanted to.

The service was great as usual and the drinks were great. I had two of them which were the Modena…read moreSpritz and the Toki Highball. Both were excellent! The atmosphere was bar appropriate with minimal noise, so I didn't need to raise my voice at all since I was in the tabled area in the back. Would I go back? Yes, absolutely.

My friend and I were looking for a quick bar to slip into around 10-11 PM and stumbled across this…read morespot. It's not too far from the waterfront, so it made for a nice walk after gelato. At first, you'll see what looks like just a pizza shop -- but if you head in and either use the side door or walk through and climb a set of stairs, you'll find the speakeasy upstairs. Very cool vibe: dark, cozy, and date-night ready. Drinks: 4/5 I ordered their take on an Old Fashioned, and it was definitely the highlight of the night but sweeter than I would have liked. They served it over a stamped solid block of ice (a small detail I ). My friend was abstaining from alcohol that night and asked for a non-alcoholic cocktail. To our surprise, they didn't just hand her a lemonade like most places -- they actually made her a crafted virgin drink, which she loved. Food: 3/5 We ordered fries and a slice of pepperoni pizza. The fries turned out to be waffle fries (not mentioned on the menu) and were overly crispy, so not really our favorite. The pizza was fine -- clearly sourced from the shop downstairs -- but it leaned oily and didn't really wow us. Service: 5/5 Pretty standard -- nothing over the top, but not neglectful either. Drinks came out reasonably fast, food followed, and we were checked on enough without it feeling pushy. Vibes: 4/5 The speakeasy itself is definitely the selling point. Dark, intimate, and stylish -- you feel like you've found a little hidden spot. All in all, the cocktails are the reason to come, especially if you're into whiskey. The food was forgettable, but it's convenient that you can order pizza upstairs. We spent about $30-40 for drinks and snacks, which isn't shocking for Old Town. Would I go back? Maybe if I was already in the area, but for a dedicated whiskey night, I'd probably head somewhere else.

Party of 5 on a Saturday afternoon -- no reservations, but we added our name to the list and waited…read moreat NOVA Live's bar area. Within about half an hour we were seated. Service was pleasant and knowledgeable about most menu items. This is primarily a whiskey bar, so keep that in mind when ordering cocktails. I loved the Citrus Kiss but wasn't a fan of the Blackberry Smash -- not that it was bad, just not my taste, so I passed it to someone else in our group. We shared the monkey bread, fries sampler, steak and cheese dumplings, chicken rigatoni, and salmon caprese. The rigatoni was a hit for one person at the table, but wasn't for me -- so I asked to swap it for the salmon, which was excellent. What earns this place five stars is not the ambiance, though stunning, but it is the service. No pushback, no awkward looks about the swap, and no extra charge. We all make mistakes when ordering, and I genuinely appreciated that the staff handled it graciously without complaint or an added fee. For that reason -- and the quality of the food -- I'll absolutely be back and would highly recommend it.

What an unexpected gem. This is definitely a must try. The ambience is very... smooth. There's a…read morefull bar, private room, mix of booths, tables and couches! They also have patio seating. This is a great place to hangout. The food is also very good. You have to try the Drunken Meatloaf. The smoke gouda tomato bisque is just amazing. I do recommend you ask them to separate the grilled cheese sandwich. Super big kudos to Rafael, our server. Even though they were busy he took care of us and was very attentive.

An amazing place to get a great cocktail. Staff was the best and the band was great as well.read more

Very small and eclectic place focused on their cocktail program, which they do quite well. Numerous…read morespecialty cocktails; classics and those they created. Consistent with the name, it is not a bar or a restaurant. Team members are very nice and take pride in their craft. They feature evening entertainment including bands, stand ups and Karaoke. Would be interesting to experience the late night scene.

I've heard lots of great things, so I came here with a coworker one evening to give them a try…read more.. They weren't very busy on a weeknight, rather dead with maybe only 10 others inside. Service was great! Our server, Abigail was very helpful, friendly, and attentive. We basically told her we wanted wings and burgers and asked her for her suggestions. She suggested their BBQ wings, so we got them - They were very tasty! Were they "jumbo" as the menu suggests? Kinda... the drum was, but the flat was basic. The flavor of the BBQ sauce on them was great tho! She also suggested the Girlfriend Burger with a side of their red potatoes - so we got these too. The burgers were great! Meat was cooked perfectly, not overdone and the size of the meat was pretty nice too. The sauce, lettuce, and cheese came together very nicely on it - definitely loved it! The bun was toasted nicely too. I'd definitely return!

Spent an overnight in Stafford VA en route to the Carolinas. Found Girlfriend's online and decided…read moreto take a chance. The location is on the back side of a shopping plaza that you have to snake through. I'd had my heart set on the crab soup but they were out! Our server, Kelsey, suggested I try their version of Zuppa Toscana, which was amazing! I had a Girlfriend's smash burger and friends had wings with a Cobb salad and a burger with hush puppies. Loved my burger. This place is great for watching sports (lots of TVs) or to meet for drinks after work. Kelsey was attentive, friendly and super efficient!