It's a bit like Cheers, but for wine…read more We've been here a couple of times and even joined their Wine Club. Both times we've gone, it was during their happy hour, which runs until 7 pm, and we stuck to the special menu. Those have included their Charcuterie Board (something that contributed to Dr. Oz not being a senator), crispy Brussels sprouts, their Margarita flatbread, chicken skewers, and truffle fries. Don't hate us; that was spread over two visits. Everything tasted great, though next time I think we'll graduate to the real menu. The wines we've tried so far were either inexpensive or not bad. For inexpensive, I've had glasses of their $3 Tempranillo. While it wasn't great, I've paid a lot re for much worse. For "not bad", my wife had the $10 Buehler Cab. After it opened up for a bit it was quite drinkable.

I moved to Arlington a few months ago and I'm trying to hit up every local spot in each neighbor. A…read morefew weeks ago I decided to stop by Verre Wine Bar. There's two parking garages nearby and street parking. It's also walking distance from the Courthouse Metro stop. I sat at the bartop and my server was named Julia and she was so friendly! I asked her a bit about the menu and I ordered this drink that was kinda like a whiskey sour but I'm blanking on the name. The interior of Verre was nice. It looked like a wine bar, very quiet wasn't too loud despite me going around dinner time. Def a great place for a girls night or date.

- Great happy hour! -- $6 sangrias but not that strong -…read moreWaiter is attentive - Hummus is good and lots of fresh pita - Patatas bravas are SO good with the aioli - Calamari is so fresh and chewy - Skewers are meaty with tzatziki - Nice shaded area outside not in the water with a pretty view of the water

The ambiance alone gives this place more than 3 stars -- the service was great as well…read more After dinner at Ada's on the River, we walked over to Barca, Ada's sister restaurant, for a change of scenery, and you really can't beat the setting. Sitting outdoors along the waterfront, watching the planes pass overhead while enjoying the evening breeze, is an experience all on its own. We ordered sangria, an Old Fashioned, and the lamb chops. The lamb chops absolutely stole the show, they were tender, flavorful, and easily the highlight of our visit. The drinks, however, didn't quite live up to the food. Both the sangria and the Old Fashioned were underwhelming and lacked the balance and flavor we were hoping for. Even so, Barca is worth visiting for its unbeatable outdoor ambiance. If you're looking for a place to relax by the water with great views and excellent lamb chops, it's a wonderful choice. Next time, I'd probably skip the sangria cocktail and focus on more of the food and the atmosphere.

This place has casual cozy vibes and can be good for a friend catch-up or a date. I sat at the bar…read moreand everyone was really chill. Service was great-- the staff was friendly and knowledgeable. I had the featured wine flight, then split a bottle of champagne with my friend. We also had the happy hour meatballs and pimento cheese dip. Both were really tasty. I look forward to making this place a bigger part of my rotation!

(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.

Food is always great. I came once to the Van Ness location, and this was my first time in the…read moreArlington one. The vibes and colors of the restaurant are so cozy and cute; it's great for a date night! I ordered the lamb tortellini to share, calamari, and a charcuterie board that had mozzarella cheese and prosciutto. I don't even like olives, but the olives were tasty! I came for an anniversary, so the staff was so lovely and gave us a little sweet treat and a card! I ended it with the chantilly cake, which was also so tasty. Overall, I recommend it. I love handmade pasta, so I can't really imagine the other foods not being good.

Went here for dinner for a birthday celebration with a table for 13+ guests. They also serve half…read moreportions of pasta if you don't want to commit to a full plate.The carbonara was a bit too heavy & rich for my taste though I enjoyed the grilled calamari. Would come again here for this. Thanks to Juan R. for taking care of our large table and for the complementary gelato swirls for the birthday girl! The restaurant validates parking in the garage after 5:00 PM. +Provoline Garlic Bread-tomato sauce, parmigiano, spicy calabrese chiles +Argula & Asparagus-shaved butternut squash, toasted pumpkin seeds, sorrento citronette +Bucatini Carbonara-guaniciale, egg, pecorino, roman style +1/2lb Rhode Island Calamari-served with salsa verde, charred lemon +Gelato Swirl-vanilla gelato + apple cider sorbetto +Espresso Martini-vanilla infused vodka, galliano cold brew, bailey's, taverna amaro

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.

I want to begin by acknowledging that I chose to dine out on Mother's Day, fully aware that it is…read moreone of the busiest days of the year for restaurants. I expected longer wait times for seating and food, and I was prepared to be patient. However, what I did not anticipate was a complete breakdown in both front-of-house and back-of-house operations. Having worked in the restaurant industry, it was clear that the issues extended beyond the kitchen. A back-of-house "crash" of this magnitude is typically the result of broader operational failures, including front-of-house management. It appeared that reservations were significantly overbooked without adequate planning for the volume. On a day like Mother's Day, full capacity should be expected, and systems should be in place to manage that demand effectively. At a minimum, there should have been proactive communication with guests regarding delays, allowing them the option to adjust their plans. Additionally, basic service standards--such as keeping water glasses filled and bread baskets stocked--were not maintained. The serving staff seemed overwhelmed and unsupported, which ultimately reflects a lack of clear direction from management. During our visit, we even observed a large party leave due to the experience. I genuinely felt for our server, who appeared to be doing their best under difficult circumstances. Without directly requesting specific items and even ordering from the bar myself, the experience would have been significantly worse. Unfortunately, the food did not meet expectations either. The seafood pasta, in particular, was underwhelming in both quality and presentation--featuring minimal seafood and inconsistent preparation. At the price point, I would expect a much higher standard. The chicken Parmesan felt like cardboard and was just as thin. The cod with peas tasted exactly like the frozen cod I get from Costco. Calamari never came, which we had no idea about. No option to get anything else. If the restaurant does not have the infrastructure to handle high-volume days at a consistent level of quality, it may be worth reconsidering reservation limits or adjusting service expectations accordingly. While I understand the desire to maximize business on a busy holiday, the long-term impact of disappointed guests may outweigh the short-term gains. I hope this feedback is taken constructively, as no guest should have the experience we did. And no we did not accept any free dessert, which I felt was a completely tone def to the experience we had.

My family surprised me with a birthday lunch to Carbonara. Every meal our waitress Caitlyn…read morerecommended was in point . The impeccable service and delicious food made my special day perfect. From the fried mozzarella in whatever that special sauce was to the chicken parm, everything was EXCEPTIONAL.

The place was amazing I came with a person who is very special to me, we both really enjoyed the…read morefood and the atmosphere. I would recommend this place to everyone, give it a try!

I stopped in for a quick breakfast before work and asked the hostess how fast a coffee and parfait…read morewould be. She literally took me to the table and told the back what I wanted so my food was out in about 5-10 minutes and I was easily able to be on my way just in time! Prices are Ritz-level so my coffee and parfait clocked in at $30 but, expected. Service was excellent, I expect nothing less, and the decor and ambiance is classy and elegant. Smaller space, but gets busier at night for dinner.

Had a good experience here while staying at the Ritz - the food was very satisfying and the service…read morewas excellent. I ordered the Lamb Shank (recommended), which was delicious -- the lamb was falling off the bone, surrounded by a nice jus, but the side of wild rice with almonds & cranberries it was accompanied with also hit really well. It was a nice and warm combination on the plate that I wasted no time cleaning. I also started with the bread w/ some olive tapenade, which was very flavorful -- would come back if in the area

The food was amazing and Ernesto, our server was excellent! He truly went above and beyond. I got…read morethe steak frites which was absolutely delicious and cooked so perfectly. The restaurant itself is so beautiful. Will definitely be coming back!!

I've been on a mission to find a good French onion soup, so when I saw Josephine had a $25 lunch…read morespecial with a soup and your choice of a salad or sandwich, I was already sold. It ended up being one of the best random lunch decisions I've made in a while. I pulled up solo and wasn't expecting to walk into such a beautiful space. The high ceilings, all the greenery, the natural light...it honestly feels like you're tucked away in this little garden in the middle of the city. It was one of those places where you instantly relax. Whether you're grabbing lunch alone, catching up with a friend, or on a lunch date, the vibe just works. One thing I really liked was that the dining room where I had lunch feels completely different from the front of the restaurant. It's almost like two different experiences in one place, and I thought that was such a cool touch. Looking around, there were a lot of people on lunch dates, business lunches, and people just enjoying the afternoon. My server, I believe her name was Annie, was an absolute sweetheart. We got to chatting, and I mentioned I was celebrating one month at my new job. She was genuinely happy for me and made me feel like I wasn't just another table. Those little interactions always stick with me. Now for the food. I started with a gin cocktail that was smooth and refreshing, then had the house salad without the cranberries, which was fresh and simple. And of course, the reason I came...the French onion soup. The cheese pull? Exactly what I wanted. The broth had great flavor, and it definitely hit the spot. My only complaint is I wish the bowl was a little bigger, but I'm guessing that's because it's part of the lunch special. But I was so happy and the salad was also so fresh and tasty I was literally dancing in my seat. The bathrooms were spotless, and I have to shout out whoever decided to put a full length mirror outside of them because that's the kind of detail I appreciate. Perfect for a quick fit check before heading back to work. I love when I randomly pick a restaurant and it ends up exceeding my expectations. Great service, good food, beautiful atmosphere, and a lunch special that's actually worth the price. Josephine is definitely a place I'll be adding to my regular rotation, and next time I already know I'm coming back to explore more of the menu.