Giving 4 stars because the selection was good, staff was knowledgeable, and the actual wine and…read morecheese we had was quite nice. It's a little pricey relative to places like Verre wine bar in Courthouse or area Vineyards. I noticed they had the Valravn cab sauv and it was A $20 glass but I have seen it for several dollars less at Verre and elsewhere. However, these were really large pours. So it may be their philosophy to have someone order/pay once and get a lot then having to constantly go back for more. Which is great if you value simplicity but less so if you want variety. I also didn't see flight options, though maybe I missed them. All in all it came out to $83 for 2 glasses of red wine and a cheese plate with 5 cheeses. However they brought bread refills - not sure if it's just that the plate was priced for unlimited bread or if we were being charged for more bread each time and that is what increased the price. Service was a little lax. Again not a bad thing, depends on your preference. When we got their attention they were on it. It resulted in being completely unrushed and unpressured which I appreciate. But my friend was starving and under those conditions we would have liked someone to come take our food order sooner. Vibe is chill. I wouldn't say it's as sexy as others do. When we arrived the lights were fairly bright and then they turned them down and started putting out candles while we were there so that may have been it. That was around 7 or 8 if you are gaming this out for a date. We were the 6pm crowd so maybe they were intentionally going for a less sexy vibe for the benefit of the after work drinks with friends types. I don't recall music. Note also they seem to really focus on imported wines more so than local. I don't thibk there was any local VA wine on the menu. All in all, if you need a wine place in the area then it is totally worth stopping by, especially if you like the specific approach described above. Is it a wine bar I would go out of my way for given that there are a bunch in different neighborhoods around DC? Probably not unless I was specifically looking for this kind of imported wine menu or large pours. This is a no if you are specifically looking for flights or to otherwise try a bunch of different wines.

A small slice of perfect…read more I hesitate to write this review, because I selfishly wish to keep this gem to myself - but that would be unfair to the business, so here we go. Located just off the bustle of King St., Brut sits unassumingly among the Old Town townhomes. You could easily walk past, and not notice it at all. But, if you've dialed in Brut as your destination, be prepared to step in to an oenophile's wet dream. The establishment is both a bottle shop and a wine bar. Every bottle in the joint is carefully curated. There is no junk...no fluff...no quid to subsidize quo...all excellence, from any country or region your heart may desire. Do your Christmas shopping here, for sure. That shopping is going to make you thirsty, so pony up to the small but well appointed bar. Its no easy thing to find a bar with a good "wine by the glass" list, but Brut manages that task with ease. From your sauvignon blancs, through the pinots, to full bodied reds...take a flight of fancy, and walk home well fortified. Since the bar is small, and seats are at a premium, the owner Dustin does a masterful job of weeding out the Riff-raff. Trust me when I say that watching it is far better than TV. I cannot recommend this cool little spot more highly. Maybe I'll see ya there sometime!

(2 out of 5 stars)…read more This is a difficult review to write because the Sonoma Cellar used to be one of my favorite spots in Old Town Alexandria. I was aware the ownership had changed some time ago, but this was my first opportunity to return and see how things had kind of evolved. The good news is that they are pet friendly, which allowed us to bring our puppy, Chewie. Unfortunately, the rest of the experience was disappointing. The service was painfully, excruciatingly slow. The staff members were polite though, and genuinely trying to help, but they simply appeared unprepared. When we asked for recommendations or information related to the wines, we received very little guidance. One gentleman eventually admitted that he was just filling in and didn't really know the wines at all. Understandable, but not the experience I was going for. The water bottle for the table served to us was room temperature, which felt odd, especially on a hot day while sitting outdoors. The wine tasting was a major disappointment compared to what Sonoma Cellar used to offer, and the overall wine selection appeared to me at least, noticeably smaller than I remembered. I was also disappointed to discover that Sonoma Cellar has adopted the increasingly common practice of adding a 3% credit card surcharge. I didn't notice any clear disclosure beforehand, and these types of fees always leave a bad impression. I know I'm a bit picky with those, but still. The establishment was likely dealing with staffing issues on the day we visited, but the overall experience felt like a shadow of what this place used to be. What used to be one of my favorite wine stops in Old Town has clearly diminished in both service and selection. We left disappointed and, sadly, don't expect to return. Chewie agreed.

We came here on a Saturday and don't believe we had a reservation. In Old Town Alexandria so there…read moreis some street parking and garages around. We ended up sitting outside in a cute courtyard but service was a little intermittent being outside. I ordered the Apple Cider Mimosa which was delicious age my friend ordered a flight. Wine was pretty good as well. We did end up ordering some food. It was still in the brunch time frame so my friend ordered a BLT breakfast sandwich. I ordered the Pimento Cheese Dip. The BLT was interesting. Cheese dip was good. I think i would come back and try the rest of the menu. Cute spot to hangout at.

I came here with my boyfriend this past weekend to celebrate our anniversary, and everything was…read moreabsolutely phenomenal. The view was amazing, especially on a warm summer day, and we were comfortable due to the fans available. Our server Nya was delightful. She checked on us frequently, made great recommendations, and answered any questions we had. The food came out quickly, was hot, and left us wanting more. We loved the expansiveness of the menu, as it offers something for everyone. I will definitely be back.

Went here for a reception party and everything was beyond amazing - food, service, atmosphere -…read morejust everything!!! Every dish they served tasted superb. There was a shrimp dish they couldn't keep in stock. As soon as they filled it up everyone would jump up for more, but they kept refilling it. One guest is a chef and he was trying to figure out how to recreate it. Another great dish were the mini chicken sandwiches. Super yummy! One of the guests was allergic to dairy so they made some sandwiches especially for him without cheese or sauce. I was told the drinks were very good also. The service staff was extremely attentive, helpful and friendly. There was seating inside and outside. It was a beautiful evening so we chose to sit outside. The view looking out to the water was beautiful and peaceful. This is a perfect place to have a small party/reception.

We reserved a table for two during a recent weekend to try The Majestic's "Brunch & Bubbles"…read morethree-course meal with Champaign. Goodness, it was great! The staff were welcoming and helpful. Restrooms in the lower level have been updated. Everything was spotless, fresh and lovely. Our server, Tony allowed us to split a delicious salad with our meal. I recommend the Harvest Salad! The beverage, breads, salad and my smoked Salmon Benedict were beautifully plated, and spiced Mediterranean-style perfectly. We finished with a chocolate mousse parfait to-die-for! High recommendations!

We stopped in here on a Saturday night and sat at the bar for a drink and a light dinner. Most of…read morethe restaurant seemed busy but the bar area wasn't very crowded. Our bartenders were very sweet but I will say, their dirty martini was the most un dirty martini possible. I did ask for a side car of olive juice and that remedied the issue. We started off with the lobster artichoke dip and then followed up with splitting the salon entree. I think the dip was pretty unique, a perfect blend of rich flavors and cheesy goodness. I would definitely recommend getting extra bread for the dip as it was quite large and they didn't give enough bread to start. The salmon was pretty decent, I liked the flavoring but I didn't love the base of it was much. Overall nice service, good food and unique selection, just dirty up the martini please!

Tarac (sp?) was awesome and made the meal even better. Great dinner and great service. I'll Porto…read moreis my go to when in town

I came here with my team and able to get a day of reservation for a large group. Once we arrive the…read moregroup size grew, and they were still very accommodating! I'd return based off that alone, but our sever also did a tremendous job and handled our large group very well! Kudos to him (I forgot his name). Now for the food and drinks. Neither disappointed and the whole group enjoyed their meal (which is hard to come by often). I had the Pasta alla Veneziana, which came with lobster, shrimp, and salmon), and it was very good! It was a tad pricy, but I'd order it again. Extra shout out for removing the tails from the shrimp (my coworker also noticed). I love a Smoked Old Fashioned, so ordered one as well, and it did not disappoint. I'll be back to drink and dine on the patio when the weather cools a bit.

Walked in with no idea what I wanted, but one whiff of burger and my mind was made up. The birria…read moreburger and duck fat fries were delicious. Shoutout to my server Scott, hands down one of the best servers I've had in a while. Give that man a raise! He went over the specials, made great recommendations, and even pointed out the restroom without being asked, not sure that's ever happened to me before. When I couldn't decide between regular fries or duck fat fries, he brought out a small sample of each so I could choose. As for the burger, it was just as good as it smelled walking in. The birria sauce took it to another level of flavor. Didn't get pictures this time, but I'll be back and will update the post then. Highly recommend if you're in Old Town Alexandria.

Great spot near the water for some food and drinks! Server…read morewas great; He was attentive and kind! Definitely would give it another try!

A beautiful view of the George Washington's Masonic Temple. The Soft Parade was deliciously crisp…read morewith a perfect wisp of spice; the right companion for any summer night. I thoroughly enjoyed my Old Town Old-Fash, with bourbon, rye, apricot, honey, apple blossoms bitters, orange. The pimento cheese, bacon jam, and crackers would have made our Southern Mom proud. Our sweet waiter, Cameron, was truly the delight of the evening. He was attentive without being overbearing. We will definitely be back. And a shout out to Rochelle, who made sure everything was good.

Let me start by piggybacking on what so many other reviewers have already said: the views are…read moreabsolutely stunning and arguably some of the best in the area. From the rooftop, you can take in stunning views of the entire DMV, which alone makes this spot worth checking out. The weather was perfect on the evening we visited, and we were even treated to live music by BJ Simmons, which added to the ambiance. Unfortunately, that's where the experience peaked for me. The service was surprisingly slow, especially considering the venue didn't appear to be particularly busy. We ordered a glass of wine, a martini, and the pretzels with cheese dip, which were recommended by the bartender. While everything tasted good, nothing really stood out as memorable or worth raving about. It also took nearly 30 minutes for the pretzel to come out which was a bit frustrating. Overall, the rooftop views and atmosphere are definitely the highlights here, and I can see why people enjoy visiting. However, between the slow service and average food and drinks, I'm not sure I'd make a special trip back. If I happened to be staying at the hotel, I'd probably stop by for the view and a drink but otherwise there are other spots I'd choose first.

We stopped by for drinks and apps while exploring Old Town. They have two levels I think -…read moredownstairs is their restaurant for proper dining (Thai Signature, if I am not wrong) and upstairs is more like a cafe/lounge. The upstairs decor is very charming and whimsical and reminiscent of Alice in Wonderful. For drinks, we got the Mango Sticky Rice (Planteray 3 Star, Coconut Rum, Junmai Sake, Toasted coconut, Mango, Yuzu) and the Alice (Roku Gin, Elderflower Liqueur, Lychee Liqueur, Butterfly pea, Yuzu, Egg white). My first assumption on entering the bar was that "instagrammable" places like this are usually a gimmick - but I was so wrong. The drinks were very boozy, aesthetically pleasing and tasted fantastic. Their food menu also looked so good so we also decided to get a couple of apps to accompany our drinks. We got the Shrimp Dumpling (steamed shrimp and chicken dumplings served with homemade creamy ginger lemon soy sauce) and Curry Puff (chicken, sweet potato, shallot in the rice dough served with sweet chili peanut dipping sauce) and I am so mad at myself for not ordering more food here (we had lunch reservation elsewhere). The presentation was spot on, portions were generous and everything was super flavorful - the curry puffs tasted like Indian Samosas! The woman attending us was very sweet and pleasant. Would definitely return for more food and drinks, not too far from DC so maybe one of my next DC trips will drag me here!

Alice Comfort Cocktail is such a hidden gem in Old Town. If you're looking for a fun, slightly…read morewhimsical vibe with cute decor, solid food, and really well-made cocktails, this is definitely the spot. Just a heads up though the space is pretty small so I'd recommend making a reservation. The bar itself only has like 3-4 seats. I tried the shrimp dumplings, crab rangoon, and bang bang shrimp, and had the litchi cocktail with it--everything was honestly so good. Really glad I stumbled across this place and I'll definitely be back to try more of the menu.

MUST VISIT! I wanted to swing by a cat cafe while I was in town and this one was right near me. The…read moretheme is spot on, lots of kitties are available for adoption and ready to be loved! They offer events, happy hour specials, a beer and wine bar and coffee/mocktail options! The first floor is the cafe/wine bar and the second floor is where the party is at aka the kitties! They owners are very kind and truly care about the kitties. It's is so empowering seeing the passion they put into the cat cafe! I highly suggest coming here for a drink or two and stopping by to see the kitties! *fingers crossed* you'll go home with one!

We had such a purrrfect afternoon experience here! I had wanted to visit this cat cafe for years,…read moreso spring break seemed like a great time to stop by. It was easy to make a reservation online for our entry times the day before, and check-in went very smoothly. Since it was our first visit, we were provided with instructions for everything we needed to know for interacting with the cats. Then we made our way upstairs to see the kitties! I immediately made friends with a cute tuxedo cat who flopped down at my feet. (I even got to give him a belly rub while he purred away!) The cats had many areas throughout the room where they could interact and explore, but they also had the option to go into the back if they were overstimulated. There was plenty of space throughout the room, so everyone was able to enjoy lots of kitty time. Bios for all the cats were posted on the wall to let visitors know about each kitty and their adoptability. It was clear that the cats are very loved and cared for, as they were relaxed and playful. We also stopped downstairs for lunch. The food was made fresh to order and was so delicious. I got the calico grilled cheese with a cinnamon cider, both items I would definitely enjoy again during a future visit. It was a really lovely experience, and I look forward to taking another trip there in the future!

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!

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.