Friday night, my wife's birthday and I wasn't sure where to take her to leave an impression. We've heard about this place from many people who are trusted foodies, so I picked up the phone and made a reservation. I am glad I did!!! While it wasn't overly busy, there were a fair number of people enjoying their dinner. No sneakers, t-shirts, or sloppy dressed people. Elegant, but relaxed and an environment where well healed people could relax, enjoy a nice bottle of wine and dine on a meal that is far from ordinary. We were greeted by the owner "Saiid" and given the option of the main dining room or the small private room off to the side. We opted for the private dining room and were graciously seated by our main server. He was gracious and made us feel as if we'd come to dine at his home and we were his guests. We ordered two of the oysters with the spinach and Pernod Champagne sauce appetizers. Sadly, we were told that there was only one order left, so we substituted the second order with the escargot. We were pleasantly surprised with both! The oysters were in a delicate Pernod sauce that was not heavy, but rich with flavor and my wife and I only got one escargot each. The kids swiped them quickly and began dipping their bread in basil, garlic and olive oil bath that they had been served in... Round one, a great success. My wife, kids and I ate shellfish and slugs and wanted more!!! Both kids ordered the veal piccata, calves liver for me and a pasta dela mare for my wife. The kids simply swept up their meals and did not look back. The calves liver reminded me of what I used to eat as a child, but much more tender and flavorful. Veggies off to the side and risotto with the kids meals. It was more like a pilaf than a risotto, but I am not going to get nit picky. My wife's pasta dela mare had plenty of shrimp, scallops, muscle and clams with pasta in a flavorful garlic and olive oil bath. She ate it ALL and was not remorseful for her sins.... We were subsequently were greeted by a plate of all the dessert on the menu and my wife enjoyed a few glasses of port. Happy Birthday! You deserve it, and you deserve coming back here again on a date night with just the two of us. Charm, elegance and a lost era of dining. There are far and few places that can do what this place does, and it's just down the street from us. I don't know why I waited so long to go there. While it is not a French Brasserie, it is a fine dining establishment that has a distinct sense of belonging to any community that can appreciate old world charm and a sense of proper in a world of smoke and mirrors. Cafe Renaissance reflects the pride of the owner and the members of this family that embody its spirit of timelessness. The wine list is amazing and you can see all the bottles on your way to the powder room. Just a little touch of old world charm. If you didn't notice, you'd miss it. Go there. You will not regret or forget it. It's no wonder they've been there 20 plus years. See you next week! read more

Atmosphere - we ate at night. The restaurant had very flattering lighting. Enough to see the menu and marvel at the activity of the golden bubbles in your champagne, but dim enough to make everything look smoothed over, softened, and beautiful. As the name may, to some, suggest, the decor was old-fashioned. Striking portraits, nothing later than the 19th century, I would hazard, adorned the walls, which evoked, at least in part, the European Renaissance. The owner was very friendly and welcoming without being pushy. The waitstaff had the same attitude. We were one of four groups in the restaurant at 5:30 on a Sunday in December. (All, it turned out, were celebrating birthdays). Although we spent over an hour at the restaurant we were served everything extremely promptly. Wine - I abstained for the night but everything the others in my party had struck me as structured, flavorful, and dry without being astringent. Food, person 1 - one member of my party ordered the shrimp provencal appetizer (a special) and found it's four jumbo shrimp to be prepared in an unusual but delightful sauce. He's both picky, a lifelong consumer of gourmet cuisine, and has sensitive taste buds, so if he liked it, you may as well. He also enjoyed the house salad (as did I). His main course, lobster, which would normally be paired with shrimp, but was, because of his shrimp appetizer, paired instead with crab, was very tasty. The lobster may have been slightly more tough than we've enjoyed in Maine, but it was flavorful and the sauce complemented it exceedingly well. The surprise dessert they brought him for his birthday was exceedingly delicious. I found it a nice, personal touch that the other groups who were enjoying birthdays all got served different desserts. Food, person 2 - the second person in my party ordered the venison in apple and brandy. She noted that she prefers venison that is rare. (they did not ask her how she would like the venison and cooked it according to their predetermined specifications). She also ordered the vichyssoise and found it tasty. Food, person 3, myself. I ordered the onion soup. It was a good, traditional onion soup. I may have preferred cheese with a little more kick - but the whole experience was warm and tasty. I also ordered the venison with apples and brandy (just a slight hint of sweetness, I should note). I found it delicious. Pounded flat and cooked to my taste, I had no complaints. Unlike venison i've had previously, it was easily cut and very tender. Not potroast tender, but absolutely no chewiness whatsoever. Flavor was absolutely delicious. Food, everyone - the bread was delicious. Within the rich warm bread flavor were little points of saltiness, not as overwhelming as salt crystals on a pretzel, but just enough to dot the tongue and make one thing, in a fit of foolish and painting-inspired hyperbole, of Seurat. Food - others at the restaurant. The last part of the evening was made watching the various flaming desserts offered at this restaurant. The cafe (coffee) renaissance involved pouring lit alcohol into different glasses, adding sugar (which would then sustain the burn and be caramalized) and various other treats. We also saw the bananas foster being prepared, flames leaping high. Price - about 180 with a free dessert and free dessert wine (for the birthday). read more

My girlfriend and I went here for an anniversary dinner one night (about 2 years ago) and it couldn't have been more perfect. First, the food, the service and ambiance are great! This is a good alternative to Chez Francois in Great Falls, VA because it is much cheaper (if you are on a tighter budget) and it also has great french food. After dinner, we ordered some dessert and the chef threw in complimentary Port. I think our bill came out to less than $90 and we were extremely satisfied. Highly Recommended! read more

At a certain price point you expect certain things from a restaurant. Cafe Renaissance is a perfect example of how a restaurant fails to live up to the expectations its prices set. First, finding it. The location is in the odd corner of a strip mall. Strange for a high-end restaurant but I was willing to go with it. Second, despite having a reservation my date and I were made to wait for 25 minutes for a table. Ok, these things happen. Third, after being seated we were largely ignored until I had to physically grab the waiter at the table next to us just to place a drink order. Now I'm annoyed. Fourth, the location was obnoxiously loud ... not really romantic. Fifth, the food was completely unremarkable, unoriginal, and totally uninspired. For $120 for 2 I should get at least 1 item on a menu I haven't seen 10 times before. I guess I shouldn't set my expectations quite so high for a random suburban location. read more

This is one of the best meals we have had in Northern Virginia. The Food was done to perfection, the Service was impeccable and the Wine selection was right on!! We have been to a number of good restaurants in the last few years (Le Boulanger, 2941, The Prime Rib, The Palm, L'Hermitage, and on and on) but rarely find a reason to give a review. Cafe Renaissance is an exception to that rule. You would never expect it from the unassuming location, but trust us, it is worth a vist. :-) We will be back for sure!! read more

We had the pleasure of having dinner here last night for our date night and can heartily say that it was the most romantic meal we have had in Northern Virginia. Although located in an awkward space in a shopping plaza off Maple Avenue, This cute and charming little restaurant is a hidden gem! We were greeted with so much warmth and enthusiasm by the gregarious and charming gentleman who went by Andy the moment we stepped in through the door. The menu was extensive and had so many delicious options. We were spoiled by the warm and friendly service! The chef even came around the tables to chat and personally took our orders. I definitely recommend dining here for any special occasion! read more

My "date" and I had an 8pm reservation at Cafe Renaissance and they knew who we were right when we walked in the door and greeted us by name. All of the gentlemen were absolutely adorable. They kissed my hand and offered us our choice of seating: the cozy corner table or the table for 4 where we can sit next to each other and hold hands all night. Hah, let's go with the former. Three different people attended to us: the owner, the server and the sommelier. They were all sweet and even cared to know what the occasion was. The server was extra funny. He bantered with us and it made for an extra entertaining evening. I got something I normally don't get in terms of pasta, and part of me wishes I hadn't been "adventurous." I think I'm too picky of an eater for adventure sometimes. In any case, I got the veal canneloni and it was okay. I probably should have stuck to something I know I like. The accompaniments were good though...some sweet potato, squash/zucchini, etc. The sommelier chose a wine for us based on our preferences, and seeing we were the youngest people in the restaurant (at mid-20s), implied it wouldn't bust the budget. I never actually saw the bill itemized but it was probably around $50, which is good for their options. And the wine was good, too! A French Viognier. Knowing we were there for my birthday, the gentleman brought out a plate of 3 different cake slices with a candle and sang to me. "Happy Birthday...Lovely Lady..Happy Birthday to You!" Super sweet! I didn't think this would be the type of restaurant where they sing but I'm glad it was. I think I'm one of 4 other people in the world who actually like being sung to at restaurants. I would definitely return to try something new on the menu! read more

I'd eaten here 17 years ago when my son was just over a year old. Having just moved from Southern California, I was in search of fine dining in my new locale of Oakton/Vienna. Upon entering with kidlet in tow, we were pleased with the decor and warmly invited in by the host. My son was fussy so who appeared to be the owners wife offered to watch my baby in the outer room while we dined! Everyone in the restaurant was saved by the tenderness and generosity of the staff. I ate there a few more times sans child and had a nice meal. Fast forward many happy and non-fussy years later to Mother's Day 2014 and I found the staff to provide almost the opposite experience. The maître d could not find our reservation in the tangled hand written mess that was his list. We waited for our table and were happy about the arrangements. However, things deteriorated from there. Here are some quotes from our waiter: "If I'd known this table had this kind of money, I'd have taken better care of you to start" - this was after we ordered a bottle of bubbly, a bottle of Chardonnay and some juices for the kids. "I can't make that dessert for you it's too much work and I've been here all day. I have to turn this table 2 more times before we close" this was after a different staff member offered other desserts from the menu. Granted, the menu was prix fixe for the day but we had ample time prior to the next table arriving. The food was below average. I had flounder with a crabcake. The flounder was battered too heavily and tasted like a frozen fish fillet. The crabcake had a few bigger pieces but was very bland. The vegetables on the plate were average. My rb had the filet mignon in a peppercorn sauce. The filet was nicely cooked but the sauce was dull. The only saving grace is a different staff member offered and made an Irish coffee flambeed table side. I've never seen this done before and it was very entertaining and delicious! Overall I would not recommend this place. There are so many other fine dining places within a few miles of there. I won't go again. read more

I wanted to take my girlfriend out for a nice intimate dinner on her birthday. I yelped restaurants in our area that were not mainstream since she likes to explore new places. Cafe Renaissance is where I chose after reading several reviews. I called ahead for reservations, explaining it was her birthday. The lady answering the phone was very nice and accommodating. Later that afternoon when we discovered we would be running late I called again to request a later time. The gentleman answering was very nice and told us not to worry at all, a table would be ready. You might not give this establishment a second glance as you drive by, since it is tucked in the corner of a small strip mall. However, don't let the location fool you. Inside was a warm and cozy atmosphere with fresh cut flowers accentuating each table. The lighting was low and gave you a romantic feel. The wait staff was extremely attentive and I believe the host genuinely enjoyed mingling with his guests at each table. No table he left from was quiet after he elicited a laugh from the patrons. As for dinner, she ordered the Dover sole fish. I ordered the veal, which I had never had before. The fish was good but a little to lemony. The taste of the fish would have been fine had the chef used just a touch less lemon. My veal was very good and I enjoyed the taste very well. I am not a foodie, such as my girlfriend is, and therfore can't describe the food eating experience nearly as well as she can. But I thought the food was all good! Let me just say that I enjoyed the finishing touch of our waiter and host bringing out a dessert dish with a candle on it to celebrate her birthday. Their singing may have been off key, but that's not what they get paid to do! We greatly enjoyed our experience and are very appreciative of their service! read more

We had such a great evening. My parents brought me out for my birthday and we weren't rushed at all. The hospitality was amazing. We felt like family. Syed and Osha were amazing. Thank you everyone for a memorable night. Plus the food was A++++++++ read more

My wife and I loved Cafe Renaissance through and through. The food was top quality (though it might not fully appeal to the Americanized over-salty palette), and the decor was quaint and lovely. Throughout the dinner, we enjoyed looking around and seeing the paintings on the wall and comparing them with the original, well-known works. The service was also top-notch, and they were very friendly and attentive. The fact that the servers were older immigrant gentlemen added to the European experience. On Opentable.com (which is where I found this place), this restaurant has one of the highest review averages, about 4.7+ across the board with over 1,000 reviews. Sorry Yelp, but something is wacky with the average rating here. 3 stars out of 5? You've got to be kidding me. This place deserves better for sure. My guess is that it's partially due to the fact that most customers are older...you know, the type of people who aren't likely to hop onto their computers and review things on Yelp. read more

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I love intimate, unassuming places that you can find in unexpected locations like a strip mall, and this place was no exception. More than the food, the service is outstanding. For appetizer we got sausage, escargot, and scallops. While the sausage was great, the escargot and scallops were my favorite. The escargot are small snails and has a lot of garlic, which I loved., The scallops were well cooked and both the escargot and scallop sauces were great to dip the bread. For the main course I had the branzino. The fish itself is not very notable, but the way it's seasoned and the sides it comes with makes the dish very enjoyable. Another person in my party got the flounder which was very good and which I would order if I were to go again. However, it was really the service that made me love this place. We were given complementary desert port wine and when the chef accidentally prepared an extra desert sampler, it was given to us on the house. The waiter was also very attentive and served us like we were family rather than customer's at a restaurant. I don't live nearby but will definitely recommend this place to my friends that do. read more

I came here to celebrate a three year anniversary with my boyfriend. I was skeptical because it was located in a strip mall and some of the old reviews were mixed. Boy was I in for the surprise of my life! We were so well taken care of that night that I honestly felt like a princess! The chef came out to greet us and pulled up a chair at our table. After some light conversation about where we were from and what brought us there, he asked us what we were in the mood for and ended up customizing a meal for us that was not on the menu! From past experience I've learned to NEVER question the chef and to ALWAYS agree to what he has to offer. When one cooks with passion and inspiration, an amazing meal surely follows. We started off with complimentary bread which was warm carbolicious deliciousness!! I had to limit myself to two pieces. The first course was salad. The chef made us two huge bowls of salad with a special Italian cheese. Unfortunately I am lactose intolerant so I had to watch my boyfriend eat that beautiful creamy smooth dollop of heaven. For dinner my boyfriend ended up with a filet mignon cooked to perfection with an amazing sauce (I don't know what it was, I was too overwhelmed to pay attention). I had a array of 3 types of fish that melted in my mouth. The presentation was spectacular too. My fish fillets were piled high and secured with an umbrella pick in the color that matched my dress (the chef pointed out that he chose the color based on my dress). How special!! I cannot forget to mention the manager who frequented around the room and paid close attention to our needs. He was great! He even prepared our Bananas Foster at table side which provided a great show. At the end of the night our check was paid and we were getting up to leave and here comes the chef with a choclate souffle for us! I couldn't possible eat more. He said he had made two just in case one didn't come out and both came out to perfection so he wanted us to have the extra one. As full as I can be, I will never turn down a choclate souffle. It was delicious. My boyfriend and I left the restaurant full and feeling almost guilty that we were treated so well! We will definitely come back. This place is a gem. The food is amazing, the prices are right, the staff and chef are superb. Thank you for making us feel so special! read more

I had lunch here with my wife and mother-in-law. The atmosphere was really nice. We ordered large plates to share. The staff was incredibly helpful. The waiter even spoke directly to the chef to prepare a special steak dish. We had the signature pasta with mussels, shrimp, scallops, and calamari. Then we also had a nice large flank steak with a side of potatoes. For desert we had creme brulee. I really like this place. If you go try talking with the staff about your tastes. Ask what is fresh or if the chef has any suggestions. They certainly aim to please. The chef is fantastic. + food + atmosphere + service read more

You can't improve the best. Cafe Ren is the full package. Stellar, personal service, incredible food, cozy and intimate ambiance. You will have a lovely evening. read more

Don't go there; stay away. What a disappointment, an expensive one! Bleak atmosphere, lousy service, mediocre food; and exorbitant prices. Reserved online but no table when we showed up. We got a table that everybody hit when waiters walked by. Waiters and personnel need haircuts, clean suits and shirts, button their shirts and shave, clean their hands and black finger nails. Food is not any better than the one eat at your local diner. Prices, however, are very high! Don't take anyone there who has high standards! read more

This is probably my new favorite local restaurant. The food was fantastic, they were very accommodating with my 6 year old pick eater. The service was amazing, we are definitely coming back. read more

Cafe Renaissance - Duck appetizer - French Near Me - Vienna, Virginia

My two brothers and I were searching for a place to dine after our aunt's wake. After being frustrated in Falls Church (listed places either closed or really dodgey), I fired up Yelp and found Cafe Renaissance. We drove out to Vienna and parked in front in a non-descript strip mall. We walked in the door and were transformed to old World hospitality. Saeed, the owner/maitre d', greeted us as if we were long-lost regulars. He seated us with a flourish and introduced us to Kirby, the sommelier. Kirby walked us through the menu and gave candid reviews of the dishes, then offered wine pairings. My older brother ordered steak with bearnaise and a red wine reduction sauces on the side; I had veal Normande, with apples and a calvados sauce. My younger brother ordered branzino, Italian black sea bass. Try pairing that! We had salads for starters, then on to the main courses. Kirby recommended an excellent poilly-fuisse and his choice was spot-on. The food was excellent and served with appropriate flourishes. My older brother swears it was the best mea he ever had! For dessert, my older brother and I had Irish coffee. I have been the Buena Vista in San Francisco countless times, but I have to say this Irish coffee is the BEST I have ever had. The preparation is done tableside and they flame the whiskey. A bit over the top, but the flavor is incredible. All in all, Cafe Renaissance is not for foodies. The cuisine is very traditional, some might say old-fashioned. I think of it as classy comfort food. If you like adventuresome eating, this is not the place for you. If you appreciate old world manners and hospitality with tried and true dishes, you will love Cafe Renaissance. The decor, by the way, is equally dated. Don't let the exterior dissuade you. Like Duglass in Detroit or the late, lamented Wagin Wheel in Shaker Heights, Cafe Renaissance is a gem well worth a visit. read more

Had a work holiday party for 46 people at Cafe Renaissance. Food was amazing. Host and staff wereIncredible and made everyone feel at home. Hands down best holiday dinner we had this far. Very accommodating hosts. read more

Last night, my husband and I visited Cafe Renaissance to celebrate our 1-year wedding anniversary, and were enchanted by our experience. From the time we walked in and were ushered to our table, the dining captain knew our names, and seemed to take great pleasure in showering us with attention and delicious bread! We were presented with a listing of evening's specials, and were invited to order a chef's appetizer sampler which included a succulent seared scallop in a saffron sauce, three perfect potato gnocci in a pesto and a delicate, meaty crab cake with beurre blanc sauce. Kirby, "the wine guy" made sure our glasses were filled with wines that fit our palate, but did not seem to go out of his way to recommend pairings based on what we planned to order. He did offer suggestions on the menu, which was welcomed. Our salad course (ceasar) was unremarkable, and my husband and I both agreed we could easily skip it in the future. As we waited for our entrees, we were able to appreciate the decor in the intimate dining room. The mural against the back wall gave a distinct nod to Degas' dancers, while the gorgeous floral arrangement that graced the center of the room was a feast for the eyes. My husband ordered Risotto Pescatore and loved it- the seafood tasted fresh and the risotto was creamy without being overly heavy. I ordered the Soft Shelled Crabs Amondine. While I have to say I wasn't impressed by the preparation of the crabs (I've had better), the presentation and garnishes were as tasty as they were beautiful . Our dining captain insisted on a celebratory dessert on the house, which to my delight was a flambeed Bananas Foster- the best I've ever had, along with a complementary tasting of Port. By the end of the meal, we were filled to the gills and happy as clams. By far, the highlight of the meal was the service (I've never experienced better), and it was evident that this staff love what they do- and as a gracious patron, I appreciate that more than they know! read more

Don't let the strip mall location fool you. As soon as you enter you are made to feel as a most welcome guest. The standards on the menu are all excellent and the "specials" are just that. Be prepared for being attended to like you've got your own "garçon". All in all, a great spot for a romantic dinner for two as well as venue for a group celebration. read more

My family and I have been enjoying beautiful meals, service and charming ambiance for years at Cafe Renaissance. The staff is warm and welcoming and full of character. This is a true gem in beautiful downtown Vienna. The food is phenomenal! A beautifully simplistic vibe yet thoughtfully prepared with fresh ingredients that melt in your mouth. I think anyone with a broad pallet and an appreciation of a chic meets eclectic dining experience will find their time at Cafe Renaissance a true experience full of charm and food prepared with heart. Admittedly I'm confused by a couple of the scathing comments as they seem unnecessarily harsh and undeserved. I guess there's no accounting for taste. You know what they say about opinions...*rolling my eyes* I Highly recommend dining here with loved ones and friends who are true foodies and have an appreciation and openness for vintage ambiance that exudes character and whimsy. You will not be disappointed. Unless your a negative Nancy of course. ;-). Bon Appetite! read more

Got food poisoned!!! The place looks different, food is not French at all, that's also very clear on the desert. Conclusion ... Good taste was average , but the problem is that I got FOOD POISONING ! read more

Very nice restaurant, went there with my friends and we really enjoyed the food. a bit pricy but fancy style. We felt special dining there.

Great French food tucked away in a strip mall. The nicest part of Vienna is the ability to support the gems like Cafe renaissance. A little classical but a lot delicious. read more

I brought my girlfriend to Cafe Renaissance to celebrate her birthday with the aim of providing at least a somewhat memorable experience for her and treat her like the queen that she is. With the help of this snazzy French place, I think I succeeded :) First of all, I have to say that the service was excellent. The manager or owner was very polite and attentive. He shook my hand, and welcomed us when we first arrived and ran outside to say goodbye to my girlfriend and I when we left. He certainly seemed eager to provide us with quality service... a man after your own heart, if you will. The waiter was also very knowledgeable and helpful. Like other reviewers have mentioned, we felt very spoiled. Personally, I felt as if I suddenly had a 7 figure income and had obtained access to some of the best French cuisine around ;) Speaking of which, the food was very good. I ordered the Filet Mignon and the House Pinot Noir (Hey, I only said I FELT like I had a 7 figure income) and my girlfriend had the Rack of Lamb and a Riesling. We both thought that for what you pay and the beautiful and unique environment, the place (and the food) was a steal. Near the end, the staff came and sang Happy Birthday and surprised my lovely girlfriend with the most delicious dessert we have had in all of 2013, and top 3 of all time. It was a slice of a custard-y dessert with a fruity glaze that was absolutely spectacular. To be honest, the scrumptious dessert is reason enough to return to this wonderful gem of a restaurant. This is one of the better eating establishments in Northern Virginia and in the DC Metro, really. If you are thinking of taking your significant other to a romantic place to celebrate a special occasion, consider Cafe Renaissance - you won't be disappointed. read more

Note to readers: I don't do a lot of reviews, and I don't give out 5 stars easily--the establishment has to approach Chez Panisse to get the fifth star. OK, you receive a gift certificate from a friend to a restaurant you've never been to and you decide to make reservations there for your wife's birthday dinner. What can go wrong? Café Renaissance is small place in a strip mall with an unassuming appearance from the parking lot. Feeling a little nervousness as we approached the door I began to mentally identify whose fault it would be if this went badly. But as soon as we entered, it was clear that there was potential: it wasn't really a café but had the ambience of an intimate little restaurant. We were asked which table we would like and as soon as we were seated the manager/owner came over and introduced himself. My wife asked what the daily specials might be. He sat down at our table as if we were old friends and began to describe the options for the evening. When he was finished, there was no need for a menu; only the wine list. We began with salads, mine a mixed green salad which was very good. My wife ordered her favorite--a Caesar salad. Now if you know my wife, you know the restaurant's fate rests with their performance on the Caesar Salad. Fortunately for Café Renaissance, they received excellent marks from her, something that doesn't happen that often. As an entrée, my wife ordered the lobster (removed from shell) with a shrimp and I opted for the potato encrusted flounder with a scallop. The use of a single shrimp or scallop as a garnish was an interesting touch. Both were accompanied by a selection of small portions of 4 vegetables (broccoli, carrot, green beans, and potatoes). I enjoyed the flounder and my wife thought the lobster was very good. Before we could order dessert, a serving cart was wheeled up next to the table with a surprise complimentary flambé dessert beginning to sizzle in the sauce pan. This was a bold, high risk move on the part of the establishment because there is only one dessert not containing chocolate that my wife really likes--Bananas Foster. And that was what was cooking in the pan. At Café Renaissance, the dish has two slight twists on the usual recipe. The dessert rests on a folded crepe and the heated sauce of butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, rum, and banana liqueur poured over the ice cream, bananas, and crepe included slivered almonds. Those having nut allergies need not worry, the server checked with us before adding them. All in all, a very nice dinner with friendly and attentive but not intrusive service. read more

My husband and I decided to host our small dinner celebration for 7 at Cafe Renaissance. Our experience was nothing shot of fantastic! The owner, Saeed, was very flexible with allowing us to create our four course menu, so planning was a breeze. Our waiter, Weselin, was amazing!! In addition to giving us excellent service, he had the whole table laughing all night. The Chef was spectacular!! First, he came to the table and introduced himself. Then he pulled up a chair and personally took our orders. He took the time to make sure each of us did not have any dietary restrictions (diary, gluten etc). He even created an off the menu lamb for my Mother and an off the menu rock fish dish for my Dad. Not only was the presentation beautiful, the taste was great. Make sure you try the Irish Coffe!! The waiter puts on an excellent flaming show!! read more

Cafe Renaissance - Seafood Capellini. Huge portions, fresh seafood and great taste! - French Near Me - Vienna, Virginia

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Short version: This is one of the best restaurants I've ever been to. Pricey, but well, well worth it. I pulled up outside the restaurant early Saturday evening and was...well, surprised. From the outside, located on the end of a strip mall, it doesn't look like much. Then you walk in the door, and are immediately struck. My party (3) were the first in that evening, but the care that was taken from the entire staff, beginning to end, was absolutely fantastic. The sommelier took great care of us ( I now have a new default red to get), the waiter was funny, knowledgeable, and spoke more languages than I do. Chef came out midway through dinner to see how we were doing (the hanger steak was melt-in-your mouth, apparently my look while eating it was about the same as my cat when scratching behind his ears), and to check on what we'd like for desert (I realize this isn't standard, it was my birthday - the fact that he did come out was indicative of the level of service.) He then prepared a mango-coconut creme brulee which just capped the night. I'm a terrible writer, but I cannot recommend this place enough. read more

Cafe Renaissance - Mango-coconut creme brulee (with a candle for my birthday!) - French Near Me - Vienna, Virginia

Pleasantly surprised. First time here. We came for lunch. Great old school Vienna French Restaurant. Everything was really good. Our favorite was the Oyster Rockefeller! Service was friendly! read more

While my wife was getting a pedicure at Organic Nails & Spa, I was looking for a place to eat lunch, since it was her birthday I wanted to take her to a nice place. After yelping for a good 30 minutes I narrowed it down to Maple Ave Restaurant, Nostos and Cafe Renaissance. After looking at the lunch menus I decided to taker her to Cafe Renaissance. I called ahead and told the hostess that it was my wife's birthday. As we were approaching the restaurant, my wife said "I don't think this place will be good." But I told her not to judge it's book by its cover. Once inside though, her perception of this place began to change. The interior was very pleasant and romantic with a Renaissance theme. Our table captain Weselin who provided us excellent service throughout the meal went over the daily specials. Weselin is a funny man who knows all the latest celebrity gossip. Lol. I showed Weselin a pic of a salad that wasn't on the menu and he called over the Chef. Chef Ocean who is also a entertaining man, told us he would make that salad for my wife. Along with the salad, we ordered the muscles with pesto sauce as an appetizer. They were both fantastic. The salad tasted as good as its presentation and the muscles and especially the pesto sauce was magnificent. My wife ordered the sea bass and I ordered the steak sandwich as our entrees. A few minutes later Chef Ocean came to me and said the steak was very dry and he didn't recommend ordering this time. He asked me what type of food I wanted and I told him meat. He told me he could make an off the menu filet, red brandy peppercorn filet using lunch portion. I hastily agreed. The steak came out perfect, it was so lean and juicy, even for a filet and that brandy peppercorn sauce was amazing. My wife's sea bass was a little on the bland side but still worthy of a good entree. The sides that accompanied the meals were very good. From the scallop potatoes, beans, broccoli with this creamy sauce, and red carrot... All delicious. After the meal, Weselin brought us a cream brûlée with a candle gratis. :) I really liked this place and I hope I can come back soon during dinner time. I love the "freestyle" chef and the excellent service provided by all the staff. I highly recommend trying this place. read more

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Took a lovely lady here for a first date, and we were not disappointed! Staff was amazing, informative, and had perfect timing. They knew when to leave us to ourselves, and then to attend to us. The food was absolutely delicious! The rack of lamb was cooked perfectly and the sides were delicious as well. Great wine list! read more

LOVE this place. I'm reviewing this because I a returning customer, but I want to tell you guys about my first time. ;) I actually went for Valentines day last year for the first time. I was asked in promptly to go to dinner and looked up a few places near by my house. The man who answered the phone was amazing, super nice and accommodating and said that he would squeeze us in. This place doesnt look like much from the outside, but its so cozy and intimate on the inside. Dark, with candle lighting. We were sat in a small room which I seating very close together but it almost fit with the ambiance. This is a more classic place nothing like the newer modern restaurants in DC. There was a special menu of wines and food for Vday. I ordered the filet mignon, it was served with green beans. So tasty. My date ordered a lamb dish that was out of this world. It was slow cooked and really big and just fell off the bone. The service was on point and the owners of the restaurant (family owned) were very nice. The head chef even took time to come out and meet us. Overall amazing place. Can't be beat! read more

Amazing place! Amazing food and nice staff! This is my favorite place to go for a birthday or for a romantic dinner with my husband. Keep up with good work ! read more

I was at this restaurant today for a tea to honor a coworker who is retiring and leaving us to move to Connecticut. It was a lovely experience. The interior is charming with the look of old France. The staff is very welcoming, the tea was presented in a most pleasant way and the teapots, oh so beautiful. The food was presented on a 3 tiered cake stand with lovely sandwiches, sweets, i.e., chocolate mousse, strawberry topped cake and other confections. Very delightful. This cafe is in strip mall so isn't very visible so please seek it out and enjoy it as I did. It is worth the taste for some most delicious edibles. Thank you to Saeed, Wes and Jonathon for your service. I am sorry I do not recall Madame's name who gave us the introduction to the teas. She was delightful. I had a wonderful time and will return again. Thank you for your lovely restaurant. read more

While the service was effusive (even bordering on obsequious), the food was uninteresting. Some of it was less than satisfactory. The restaurant was full on Saturday evening, so we had high expectations for our visit. Our first indicator of an issue was the confused early service - at least two different waiters and the maitre d came by to ask for our drinks/food orders. One took half our order (my spouse's) and then told us someone else would come take the other half. It left us wondering who we should deal with. Another telltale sign: the moment we were seated, one person asked us (before we had really taken a breath or been served water), whether we wanted a cocktail or wine. In other words, the sales pressure was immediate. Finally, one waiter kept grabbing my shoulder, three times, during the meal - as if he was an old friend of mine. I've never been to a restaurant where staff felt free to touch the customers! We felt the bread did not have any flavor. The carpaccio was acceptable, but the escargots were not good. We did not taste any flavor - butter, herbs, garlic. The lobster ravioli did not taste like it had any lobster. The dover sole was bland and overcooked to our taste. The fish did not seem to be fresh. From our perspective, and based on the dishes we had, the restaurant offered a poor imitation of French cooking compared with our experiences at many other French restaurants in the U.S. and in Europe. When we had finished after 45 minutes, the maitre d' stopped by to encourage us to return for a 2-3 hour meal, "the way it should be enjoyed," he said. We can't imagine doing so. read more

This place is outstanding. The servers and owner are attentive and interesting. The food is very good. The Irish Coffee is absurdly good and the presentation is worth the visit. read more

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I experienced Cafe Renaissance a year ago with three close girlfriends from college for our special reunion. I remember the interior decor being elegant and classy. The paintings on the wall complimented the flowers neatly arranged at each table along with a beautiful center piece in the middle of the restaurant. So as a maid of honor for my high school best friend, I chose Cafe Renaissance for our bachelorette dinner destination. Sayid, the owner, welcomed me when I dropped in earlier that day to outline seating arrangements and decorations, and offered his help in any way possible. He made our group feel special and welcomed. Our waiter, Mattie (sp?), was spectacular. He entertained us with his humor when helping us but definitely gave us the privacy when all the ladies were deep in conversation. Not to mention the other waiter who was so attentive with water re-fills and bread re-fills (we didn't even know when he came and left our table). We considered doing the group menu (which is an awesome deal) but didn't because a lot of our friends were vegetarians. As for the food, one of the specials used a fish called "branzino" from northern Italy. This is apparently one of the greenest fish you'll ever find. A friend asked Sayid about the sustainability of the fish given that a lot of what we eat is under pressure from commercial fishing -- he explained how the "branzinos" he purchases are farmed. Aquaculture does help with the depletion and exploitation of fish so that was nice to know. :) Oh, and another special was a toasted flounder with crab meat topped with sundried tomatoes and a yummy sauce. So delicious! The restaurant is one of those hidden secrets. It's easy to find IF you know where it is but it's not in the dead center of a shopping center so you might circle around. It's next to a yummy bakery and a good Thai restaurant. I would highly recommend Cafe Renaissance to locals as well as visitors. read more

My husband and I came here for our 2 year anniversary. We had reservations and we're seated promptly. We couldn't decide on an appetizer, so the waiter sort of made a "sampler" platter. ..which was definitely foodporn. We met the majority of staff, Including the chef, ocean?, I believe. Our food was delicious. I will be honest, portions are smaller so a very hungry stomach may deter you, but they really are not smaller, they are small by American standards. We ended with a dessert, which they took extra care to make special since it was our anniversary. Our waiter, from Bulgaria, was very colorful, entertaining, and on spot. The ambience was romantic. My husband made such a good choice and in no way was I disappointed. read more

Always looking for a good place to eat when we visit the Fairfax area from out home in Connecticut. This place is absolutely wonderful. The service, the food, the attention to detail. Don't miss out on this hidden gem. The filet was scrumptious and the deserts are to die for. read more