My wife and I ate lunch at this restaurant today, Thursday, December 30, 2021. It was our first visit but not our last. Walter took great care of us. And our Papas Bravas, Puntillitas, Gambas al Ajillo, Souffle, Sangria, Mocktail, and Café Cortado were delicious. It was a lovely dining experience. read more

Bumped into a bunch of neighbors tonight waiting for their take-out orders. We kept social distance. Our family enjoyed wonderful dinner from Ser. Highly recommend for anyone looking both for great dinner and to support local!! Full wine list is available for delivery and great paella, tapas and sandwiches. Picture is of salt cod paella. read more

SER - Spanish Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Amazing ambiance, service, and food -- what more could you ask for??? I came here with my parents as an end-of-the-year treat/celebration dinner. My dad read about SER and their famous "jamon pata negra" (the leg of the famous black-hooved Spanish pig which is carved in front of you!) from the Washington Post. So we decided to check the place out. The interior design of the restaurant is very modern-esque, cool, and relaxed. Which fits perfectly with what each letter of the restaurant's name, "SER," stands for: "Simple Easy Real." I especially liked the lit, soft-fluorescent letters of "SER" on their wall -- it added a comfortable, homey feel to the atmosphere. We ordered the Octopus a la Gallega and Jamon for appetizers. The octopus, cooked in boiled water, had a lightly chewy yet tender texture. It was also a bit spicy and had a nutty, olive oil flavor. It. Melted. In. My. Mouth. 10/10 would recommend if you like seafood! (I would also recommend sharing it with a group of people though b/c the flavor/oil gets a bit strong after continuously eating it). My parents had the jamon pata negra, which was wheeled out and carved right in front of us! (very, very cool!) It was served in clean, neat slices and topped with crunchy mini bread sticks. For the main course, we shared a pan of the seafood paella, which is also an entree they are known for. I am a HUGE fan of paella, and let me just say -- they're paella was absolutely amazing. They use house-made fish stock, which adds so much depth and flavor to the rice and shrimp, mussels, and clams. They also divided the paella for us on three individual plates. Lastly -- dessert! (my fav heh #guilty) We ordered two -- Flan de la casa and Crujiente de pina (#treatyoself). Flan was flan, don't get me wrong, it was good! Smooth texture, delicious, but nothing special. The Crujiente de Piña on the other hand (recommended by our waitress) was mouth-wateringly delicious. It's kind of like a puff pastry with pineapple glaze on top. It was buttery, and flakey and so, so, SO good. It disappeared so fast. Overall, I want to give a shoutout to our waitress Natalie who was oh so accommodating and nice! (This review is long overdue so I'm not sure if she'll see this -- but thank you so much!) Even though the food is a bit on the pricier side, the quality and experience makes the visit quite worth it (: read more

SER - Flan a la casa (top) and Crujiente de Piña (bottom) - Spanish Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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Came here on a Wednesday evening at 6:30 and were seated right away without a reservation. But when we found out that happy hour was only at the bar, we got up and moved... So glad we did because happy hour was lovely. AND our service was MUCH better. Happy hour appetizers were only $7 and cocktails were $8. Cocktails- I had the campos rose, which I thoroughly enjoyed. And my boyfriend's bellavista cocktail was equally wonderful- and beautiful. Food- we shared the choricitos, gambas, and puntillitas. Of the three, I enjoyed the choricitos best. The shrimp was spicy! And the squid was very fried tasting... Dessert- we split the flan and the goxua and loved them both. Very fresh and not too sweet. We will definitely be back to try more of the happy hour menu ! read more

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SO good. We went on Sunday, when they do a prix-fixe menu. Appetizer, main course, dessert, AND a sommelier-paired bottle of wine for $35. Everything was just outstanding, and the wine (Cab Franc from La Mancha) couldn't have been more perfectly paired for us. Such a nice touch. Service was attentive and prompt! We will most definitely be back. Really hoping this place does well. read more

Visited this restaurant during the Metro Restaurant week . So tried the dishes off the restaurant week menu . Appetizers of spanish egg / salad and entree of salmon were delicious. I wasn't too impressed with the consistency of creme brûlée . Would love to visit again to try the regular menu . read more

My main goal was to try the roasted pig that they cut with the side of the plate and they didn't disappoint! It was entertaining to watch and the pork was absolutely delicious! My compadres and I thought the meat was just right - not dry, plenty available and the skin was crispy but still kept a lot flavor. All the other food was delicious as well. Our waitress Ganna, she was hilarious but she was very knowledgeable about the food. She gave us great wine recommendations as well. There is a garage around the corner and they do validate parking. I will be back to try more food on the menu! read more

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Spectacular Spanish food! Incredible service. Can't wait to go back!! It's great for dinner with the family or celebrating a special occasion! read more

This place has a great ambience for groups but it can get a bit loud. Their red sangria was delicious; our group ordered liters throughout dinner. The smalls plates were pretty tasty, however we ordered the half suckling pig (priced at $110) and it was so excessively salty that we couldn't take more than 2 bites. That was unfortunate since it was the most expensive dish we ordered. The parking garage was easy enough to find if you look out for The Melting Pot right next to SER, and go through the entrance on the side. read more

I came here on Thanksgiving weekend and was surprised to see the restaurant almost empty on a Saturday night. This restaurant is too good to be empty on a Saturday night! The décor at SER is contemporary and relaxing. I like it. It feels a bit like a hip friend's home. We ordered the chorizo during happy hour. It was only 7 pieces ($7), but dang, those 7 pieces were delicious. They're not your typical fried chorizos, but the Spanish type, which probably means they were stewed in a tomato-y onion sauce. We also munched on the complimentary bread. The bread cooked with fresh olives is unusual and yummy! But the sesame bread was my favorite - it was so soft! We also ordered the seafood paella ($28 per person). The paella included mussels, shrimp, clams, squid, and some other things I probably missed. The pan is larger than other restaurants' version of 2-person serving, so I was happy about that. The chef is from Spain (as is most of the staff), so I feel content that I had an authentic Spanish paella. For example, the rice was intentionally cooked al dente. It was a bit salty for my liking though. I hope SER stays around Ballston. It's a lot better than driving into DC for authentic Spanish cuisine! Random tip: SER does parking validation in the garage for $2 if you come on a weeknight. read more

Met up with some friends from DC and decided to meet at Ser for dinner. While the place is nicely decorated , and intimate on the inside the food and the service left much to be desired. We ordered oysters for the table. The cocktail sauce was bland and boring. It wasn't until after we were done with the oysters the waitress came bye and offered horse radish . Then my friend ordered a a potato tapas dish and it was so bland . It had no taste and when we asked for a sauce of any kind all they had to offer was hot sauce . We then ordered the paella , this paella was small for the cost and absolutely the most saltiest paella I've ever had . I left rather disappointed with the entire experience and doubt I'd go back. read more

Went here for a quick bite for lunch, never knew this place was here for the longest time.(I took a chance w parking outside on the 30 minute spots and managed to get out in time. I was told that the crews are strict about parking there) Had their SER Classic with Mahou beer (caña), reminded me of vacationing in Barca. Can't find this brand beer anywhere in this area. 4 stars: although sandwich was amazing, a true Spanish tapas place is cheaper and has stuff you choose at the bar that's already prepped. I know, high expectations, but when you've been to Spain and seen it done, why not in the States? read more

SER - Spanish Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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Had dinner with friends (9) Dec 3rd, 2021 Food was very good but portions very sparce for the price. Ordered the Salt Cod with bell peppers. The Cod was very good, but the two pieces in the bowl were, each half the size of a business card.... I glanced around the table and saw that the entree's served to the others were also very small. If you even have a mild appetite don't dine at SER. If you are on a very strict diet and have $ to spend, drop in read more

Stopped by Saturday afternoon happy hour time - Enjoyed wine, cocktails and spread of tapas and oysters(Get the dozen!). Service was quick, food warm and tasty. Don't judge by the ratings. Great place to catchup with friends. read more

Phenomenal tapas, cheese selection is on point for variety and flavor. Papas bravas and the puntillitas just wow

We've enjoyed this restaurant. The music over the intercom being played sounded like Andalucian flamenco music. I get kind of tired of that. I like to have heard different regional music like that of Galicia. Yes, with those bag pipes. The staff was very friendly. We ordered sachichon iberico, meat paella, and a chocolate souffle. I was satisfied with all. I would also have like to see live music and maybe some live TVE at the bar. read more

Tried it out for restaurant week and was disappointed. The piece of salmon was tiny and had no seasoning whatsoever. The creme brulee was soupy and missing that crispy top you expect. Glad I only paid restaurant week prices. I won't be back. However, my friend said her items were very tasty so maybe I just picked the wrong items. read more

Yet another perfect evening at SER! This wonderful, family-owned Spanish restaurant is such a gem. Whether indoors or outdoors, the ambiance is warm and relaxing, the staff are gracious, the cocktails and sangria are phenomenal, and the food -- oh, the food!!! The little fried squid were perfection! Fresh, tender, light, and scrumptious! The tortilla española and gambas al ajillo are my standard go-to tapas, but everything on the menu is fantastic. From flash floods to pandemics, SER has managed to not only hang on but continuously improve. I absolutely love SER!!! read more

Delicious paella, friendly wait staff. Highly recommend for expertly prepared paella.

I sometimes forget about SER's existence tucked away in that neglected corner of Ballston on N. Glebe Rd. But after only two visits in the last year, it has quickly become one of my favorites. On my most recent visit, a birthday lunch treat from my wonderful co-workers, I was no less impressed by the quality of the food and the excellent service. From the moment we sat at our table, our server, Ana, was on her game. Our glasses were always filled and the table was always - miraculously - cleared of empty plates (really, I never noticed when she swooped in and cleaned up). When we inquired about meat and cheese boards, she gladly told us about those that were on the dinner menu that we could order. At her suggestion, we went with a plate of thinly sliced serrano ham and a board of Mahon cheese, both of which were to die for: The ham, flavorful, dry and less fatty than Prosciutto; the Mahon, a hard, crumbly cheese, slightly sharp and just delicious. For my entree, I ordered the Segoviano sandwich - chunks of roast pork, creamy Montenebro cheese (which, it turns out, is Spanish goat cheese), salsa brava, served in a lightly toasted baguette and accompanied by big, hand-cut potato wedges - pretty much a perfect sandwich. Not to mention incredibly filling. When a friend's Tortilla Espanola came a little too runny for her taste, Ana quickly whisked it away to the kitchen for a little more cooking time and it came back a few minutes later in the right consistency. Another co-worker smiled and did little dances as she ate her smoked salmon sandwich, The Sea SER. We topped off lunch with a classic flan, light, airy, and a sweet ending to a great mid-day meal. As others have already commented, not only are the food and service fantastic, but SER is also a beautiful and inviting space with tasteful decor - tufted seats and splashes of mustard yellows and aqua blues. The second you walk in, it beckons you to take a seat and hang out for a really long time...with a glass of red wine...and a cheese board. I look forward to trying their dinner menu next time. read more

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3.5 stars. Very authentic Spanish food - took us right back to Barcelona and the hills of Catalonia. We tried the chorizo sausage/ham and pan Catalan for appetizers. Both EXCELLENT but the meat portion was tiny for the price. Bread basket and olive oil were wonderful - especially the olive bread. The swordfish special was fresh and simply prepared and accompanied by nicely seasoned vegetables. The beef special was a cowboy cut ribeye with wine sauce and Spanish potatoes. The beef was tender and well-cooked, but the wine sauce was a bit odd. The wine taste was too raw. The potatoes were out of this world crispy and delicious. The warm chocolate cake and coffee ice cream dessert was an excellent way to end the meal. Small portion - perfect for one but don't plan to share. Excellent wine list. 3.5 stars because it is VERY pricey and portions small. But we will be back. read more

Great restaurant in Arlington!!! Great food quality and service staff make you feel very comfortable

Came here for happy hour with co-workers. Drinks were good, but the food was AWFUL! Ordered the chicken & ham croquettes. Yuck! Never again. Oh why, oh why did I order the seafood paella to go at $56???? This is absolutely THE WORST paella I ever had in my life. The mussels had SAND in them! YUCK!!!! I had a mouthful of sand for $56??? The rice was hard, and greasy. Just not worth my hard-earned money. I dont mind paying for good food at an expensive restaurant, but I would not feed this food to a stray animal or my worst enemy. I don't see how anyone could give this restaurant more than 1 star??? Absolutely disgusting and a waste of money! read more

We came here on a beautiful Sunday night. The outside seating is ample and comfortable even if it overlooks a fairy busy street. Service was welcoming and friendly; safety protocols were also appreciated. We started off with cocktails which while they looked good on paper they were lacking in depth and a bit weak. Adding to the disappointment was the fact that when we went to order they were out of a principal and really unsubstitutable seafood ingredient. We ended up ordering a series of tapas. The tortilla de patatas was well executed - a great dish to start off with. The presentation of the robalo was appealing but it was drowned in olive oil and a bit chewy. In fact, a lot of the tapas dishes were too heavy in oil - for example, fried eggplant and roasted vegetables. The roasted vegetables also lacked variety - overwhelmed by onions and peppers. SER has a lot of promise but they should focus on reducing the oil content in their foods and making sure they have sufficient ingredients on hand. read more

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My girlfriend and I LOVE tapas, and we're always looking for new restaurants. We went to SER with high expectations, as the ratings are all fantastic. Unfortunately, our meal was very disappointing. We started with a cheese plate, all of which we enjoyed. The rest of our tapas, however, were very bland and lackluster. The fried squid was flavorless, as were the patatas bravas. The shrimp with garlic was also underwhelming. The croquettes were the best of the lot, but overall, this was at the lower end of the many tapas restaurants that we've been to. read more

I hesitate to make this restaurant more popular then it is....but it is a wonderful 5star food experience. From the seafood tower....the sangria...the tapas...the crowning experience of the suckling pig...one course outdid the last! The con...a little loud...and the service could be a just a little more upscale....but I was there for the food..and nothing can diminish its authenticity, presentation and flavor. read more

I suggest this to friends because of the stellar reviews SER got online. We came here at LUNCHTIME on a Saturday and there were no sandwiches, just the brunch. Who doesn't serve sandwiches at lunch time? I ordered the gambas y semola. The chorizo was in quarter-inch pieces--you could barely find it. Staff was nice but the food was overpriced and doesn't live up to the hype. Probably won't go back again. read more

Went with the scrambled eggs and chorizo - and thinking about ordering 2nds! Great brunch site. Very supportive staff. Definitely coming back in PJ's any trying the PJ brunch (free mimosa with it if you come in your PJ's!) and will let you know how that is. read more

SER - Scrambled eggs, chorizo and mango mimosas! - Spanish Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

I had a truly superb experience at Ser on Saturday, 7/31. In particular, I would like to spotlight my bartender/server, Angel, who not only cared for my every need but also made truly excellent menu recommendations including drink pairings. He was attentive and personable. I would recommend Ser to anyone looking for a special night out! The food is fresh and beautifully prepared. Highly recommend the pulpo gallega! read more

SER - Pulpo gallega - Spanish Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Food was good. Wait staff was helpful and attentive. Dishes were priced decently. Desserts were tasty. read more

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SER is always excellent! The drinks are amazing, the food is always exceptional! Whether you are on a date or with a group of friends, SER never disappoints! They also have indoor and heated outdoor seating!. read more

excellent food! only disappointment was I was charged $65 for a bottle of wine that sells for $30. I know they have to make a profit but good Lord! i felt taken advantage of. the wine was more expensive than my meal! read more

Came here looking for authentic Spanish food. Food wise, it was hit or miss. Some of the dishes I enjoyed were the Puntillitas (crispy calamari), lamb, and papa bravas (potatoes). Others weren't as good (grilled veggies). I would probably rate this place higher if it weren't for the extremely slow service that we received. While our server was knowledgeable and friendly, he would barely check up on us. When he wasn't disappearing on us he was too busy performing closing duties. And the restaurant wasn't packed or understaffed either. I would come back here because there were other dishes that I wanted to try, but I'm hoping that the service will be better. read more

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Speaking exclusively for brunch, this place is a bit underwhelming. I dropped in here for brunch one Sunday morning and was a bit confused. Because the place opens at 11:30 am on the weekend, "Brunch" is really just "Lunch," and in any event the place was awkwardly empty. The menu focuses on a three-course meal, which seems far too much for any sort of breakfast/lunch combination, though apparently you may have been able to order ala carte (the menu was far from clear, which I'm sure is somewhat intentional). There are also other entrees available, though they are not differentiated from random appetizers, adding to the confusion. Put simply, the whole menu needs a redesign. I got a basic egg dish here, mostly as an attempt to avoid going hardcore with a three-course brunch, and found the dish tasty but a bit basic. Nothing really felt "Spanish" or even remotely spicy. Excellently cooked, but basically unsurprising. I suspect SER may simply not be a good brunch place. I'll be returning, albeit not for brunch. read more

Nice place with great staff and food is good. But it is overpriced IMO too. I rather save my money and get similar service/food at a different place then pay $180 for a steak and a couple drinks with a side read more

Love this place. We have been coming here for over a year now and love the food and ambience. Unlike many chain or multi "celebrity chief" chains this restaurant has a feel of uniqueness and a real sense of pride for what they are doing. If you become a customer that comes back for more they will remember you and you will in turn become familiar with the staff - a good sign in the service industry. It is not a Micheline grade restaurant but solid good quality food and very lovely, vibrant setting. It has become our local "go to" place. All in all great little secret in Ballston. read more

I enjoyed a wonderful birthday at SER with my family. I was impressed with the light and lively atmosphere, the delicious food, and the excellent and friendly service. They know how to take care of large parties and were prompt with bringing our meal. I will definitely return. read more

Service and ambiance above average. Moses I would say is friendly and knows the menu and suggests specials. The staff are well groomed and courteous. The food just average. The paella, egg plant, gambas below average and the portions, not enough and taste, nothing to rave about. The only thing that I can say was good, was the bacalao balls, tasty and fresh. One more thing, the duck was tasty and fresh. The paella, was a disappointment , not to mention the price. Your manager or owner should visit Grangha De Oro, and see for themselves the freshness and taste of what they have to offer. Will I recommend SER to my friends ? I will have to say , I just can't. Your staff are good and ambiance, that is about it. I am sure, there are a number of items in your menu that are good , unfortunately, I will not have the opportunity to know anymore. I am not a chef but I cook very well and know what is good cooking. Hoping management would from time to time eat what is in your menu. I have been living in Cherrydale for over 41 years and I know the restaurants around. More power to SER. read more

This place is something special. A slice of Spain. Service is excellent, drinks are top notch, wine selection is unique and high end, food is great and their fish specials, shrimp cocktail, jamon, soups and salads are particularly outstanding. They always welcome us like family and we leave happy. Great spacious patio seating when it's nice. read more

I have been to SER sooo many times because it's across the street from my company and all my company events and happy hours are there :)) I have tried their lunch specials and dinner in addition to happy hours my company throws there. The food is pretty descent, the appetizers are usually good, but nothing over the top. The bread and olive oil is my favorite. Their burgers are pretty awesome (they serve them on a pretzel bread) but once they burned my burger totally. Their tortilla sandwich and roast beef sandwich (lunch special) are my other favorites here. I have tried different cocktails here and they are pretty descent, especially the sangria. I love the way they serve them- it's sooo cute! For dinner, I have tried a couple dishes but none were very memorable enough. The service is decent too, and varies time to time, depending on how busy they are. I would try their lunch specials again, because it's a good deal, but wont recommend for dinner. read more

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