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!

amazing experience. highly recommend the scallop entree and cold pea salad. Jack, Mac and Jackie…read morewere really personable

Great Filets and meal! Just passing though, we spent our…read morefirst night ever in the area. Thursday night in August, and my wife loved walking around all the shops and restaurants. Lots of places to eat have good reviews but are empty. Then we get to F132 and every table is full and there's a line waiting! We had no reservation and got seated at the bar area in 5 min. Staff were all perfect. Oysters, wedge salad, (2) filet with 2 sides, and 3 drinks, and peanut butter pie dessert. $200 + $40 tip. Crystal commented twice how excellent the steak was, and we eat steaks in a lot of places. Highly recommend!

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

Great cocktails in this bar adjacent to a food/wine market adjacent to pizzeria. The only complaint…read moreis the lack of seating. The very small place can be standing room only at times but the service keeps up. Park in the lot and walk around or through the market. Nice restroom in the market.

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 !

This place is lowk such a hidden gem! its perfect for a dinner hangout with the girls…read more They are consistently delicious, and you can tell a lot of care goes into every dish. The Sesame Chicken was super crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. I think by far, this one was my favorite dish. I also ordered the Crispy Chicken Bao and this was phenomenal. The way the spicy mayo complements the sweet and sour cucumber was scrumptious. The service was so friendly and attentive from walking in to sitting down. The owner (Angela's mother) was super sweet! The decorations are super cute and authentic. If you're looking for great Chinese-American cuisine with an elevated twist and an amazing ambiance, I highly recommend giving Songbird a try!

This place is such a fun twist on a Chinese takeout bar. The atmosphere blends tiki hut vibes with…read moreChinese influences, making it feel lively, unique, and perfect for grabbing drinks with friends. One of the highlights of the night was meeting the owner, Jason. We bonded over our shared Cantonese backgrounds and even got to meet his aunt, who was visiting from California and happened to be sitting next to us. It made the whole experience feel incredibly welcoming and personal. We ordered the Dynamite Roll, which was a solid choice with 8 generous pieces, and the Szechuan spicy wontons, which were juicy with just the right amount of heat. If you visit, definitely grab a seat at the bar. The bartenders are friendly, engaging, and really add to the experience. We were treated to a complimentary shot of Jäger with Jason and even got to sample their Lychee Pearl cocktail because the bartender had made an extra. The cocktails really stood out. Instead of masking everything with sugary juices, they use extracts and creative techniques to build balanced drinks that complement the flavors beautifully. Jason also mentioned that their cocktail specials change every month, so we already told him we'll be back regularly to see what new creations he comes up with.

Super cute, great drinks, amazing food! Love the entire vibe of it. Fast service as wellread more

Do not skip this place if you are in Fredericksburg. The food is served in small shareable portions…read moreand is fantastic. The service we received was top notch.

I absolutely love King's Ransom! The atmosphere is really dope. It is definitely hard to find as it…read moreis in a pizza shop. I went there with one of my friends and we really enjoyed ourselves. It is a nice quiet, hidden speak easy with great vibes. The service was impeccable. The bartender was very friendly and attentive. She gave great suggestions for drinks. We decided on a sour. Which was whisky, lemon, and honey. It was perfectly mixed and served. I also tried the Toki Highball which was excellent. It was rich in flavor and not too strong. If you are really into Whisky King's Ransom needs to be on your list to visit. Unfortunately, we did not order food but the couple next to us ordered the pizza and fries and it looked delicious. The ambiance was great. Its a little upscale with dark lighting. The raised bar and lighting add to the unique experience. This bar is great for date night or just a night out with friends in Alexandria, Va. If you are in the area check it out...you won't be disappointed. Cheers!

We planned a happy hour cocktail before dinner at Josephine's. I'm genuinely baffled at why anyone…read morewould rate this place as anything special. The "hidden" speakeasy is just a second floor bar. (And the bar is nothing remotely like a speakeasy vibe). Tried to order Hendricks gin. Nope. Then Bombay Sapphire. Nope. TheFour bottles of gin that no one had ever heard of. "How about a Jamesons"? Nope. Poor selection of booze and zero atmosphere. (The bartender was fine, though not at all apologetic about the lack of standard liquor selections). There are way better bars....

This is really one of my favorite spots in Manassas. The DMV tends to hype up a lot of places that…read morereally underdeliver in the larger cities around here. Proof is always a hit. The aesthetic is beautiful and feels a little more luxurious. The service is always consistently stellar. The food is always fresh and created with a twist. The entire place has heart. The entire hospitality group that owns everything back there really puts their best foot forward each time I visit any of their places. I literally tell all of my friends about his little compound tucked away in Manassas that offers exceptional food, spirits, and service. I really love this place.

Honestly I was thinking this was going to be really good and while the service was on point that…read morewas about it. 1. It's way too loud. Lots of conversation going on in not an overly huge space, plus music blasting made for difficulty in having a conversation. 2. Portions seemed a bit small and confused on why the desserts are a child's portion. Big time disappointment was the sticky toffee pudding; served with ice cream on top in a glass cup. Where is the sauce to pour over the pudding. 3. Taste: just average, nothing really stood out. Blackberry smash was not anything special. I know you have your own spirits but maybe try adding a double oaked to it. Was really hoping to a great experience and felt that the total for drinks, apps, two main course, wine, and desserts that the price was too much. I walked out wanting a better experience; I was quite underwhelmed.

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.

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

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!