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!

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.

- 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

Went to Barca Saturday 6pm without a reservation and was seated rather quickly for 2. Knowing it…read morewas outside, I was hopeful it wouldn't be too hot thanks to the fans throughout, but where we were seated left the sun blazing on 70% of the table, even with the umbrella. That made it hard to stay and enjoy more tapas. Tried the goat cheese dip, beef kabobs, chicken albondigas, and lamb chops. Drank the Valencia sunset, which I would have liked more without the red powder that was sprinkled in it- I want to say it was tajin or similar. If it were in the description of the drink I would've skipped it. Then focused on the descriptions, I ordered the orange wave before the realizing it was a mocktail, and a pricey one at $16!!! As it was my mistake I didn't mention it to the server but don't think that's a reasonable price for a mocktail. The goat cheese dip is as great as others rave, but the chicken albondigas lacked real flavor and I did not like what accompanied the lamb chops. The service was excellent but the overall experience didn't quite make 5 stars, unsure if I'd return.

So this place is...quirky. Whether you enjoy it will depend on whether you embrace that going in…read more It gives immediate NoLa vibes. I went in expecting a place that specializes in chocolate and deserts. Turns out that's not really accurate. The environment is sensual and fantastical and beautiful, but this is really a bar and coffee shop that also sells boxed chocolates. Their actual menu had one chocolate item, a cake, which they were put of when I came. I learned they were out of the chocolate cake only after I ordered a cab sauv to go with chocolate cake, so I ended up spending an additional $30 on packaged chocolates to go with my wine and that I didn't really care for. Likewise I was not thrilled with the brioche grilled cheese small plate. It said it was a trio of mini grilled cheeses served with a soup shot for $12. So I was expecting tomato soup and three little grilled cheeses wither on mini slider buns or cut like tea sandwiches. Oh no. These were Itty bitty little toasts and the soup shot was...French onion? French onion is made with beef broth and I don't eat meat so my friend tried it and did not like it. The toasts were...miniscule. And a little burned (because small things burn). I would rather just have a real grilled cheese. We also got fries, which were fine. The cocktails however - delightful. I saw cocktails going out to other people. Gorgeous. The garnishes were a delight. My friend got a bees knees garnished with a spray of lavender and he lit it on fire. I didn't know you could just burn lavender like that and it smelled INCREDIBLE. New life hack. The space is really small. It filled up when we were there. It was my friend and me, one woman reading, and then a largeparty that felt they could kind of take the place over and they weren't being loud or rambunctious per se but because they felt the liberty to kind of inhabit the small space and take over the room it got loud and we could hear their whole conversation. Likewise, we only had one server working the whole space so he was doing cocktails, coffee, food, the cash register...he was clearly overwhelmed. Not doing a bad job, he was hustling, but it was just too much for one person and I feel like they need two people there if it's busy. Maybe this large party was atypical for a monday afternoon. I still give it 4 stars because the cocktails are fantastic, the space is beautiful, I love the concept and the kitschiness and IYKYK of it, and I also see its potential as a gorgeous sexy little cocktail bar and coffee place when it is more chill. It would easily get a 5th star from me if they reworked a few of the small plates, added more chocolate to the menu itself, and made sure they were staffed more for rushes. Maybe on weekends they are, dunno.

Me, high collar, with fascinating bourbon cocktail. Her, red raincoat and hat, martini. Slide note…read moreacross the bar, code-words exchanged to authenticate our contact, and mission accomplished. The Parlour Spy Lounge experience.

We are Canadians living in old town Alexandria for work and this is probably the best food and…read moreservice we have had. We both had pasta dishes and the arancini and everything was perfectly executed. For dessert the doughnuts were to die for. And we loved the Latino spin the chef added to the dishes. Positive energy and lively ambiance with still a cozy side and romantic feel. We will return for sure!

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!

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.

The food is amazing and our waiter was even better, shout out to Christian who gave us incredible…read moreservice! Definitely recommend!!

Great drink menu and delicious food. Ordered old fashion eagle rare and Australian lamb chops…read more Would definitely recommend and will be coming back. Outdoor seating is very close to the water with a breeze

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.

View | Food & Drink | Reservation…read more View: The view is arguably the best in Old Town Alexandria--absolutely stunning. The only drawback is that you can't really enjoy it from most seats. Except for those at the bar, the seating is so low that you end up staring at the wall rather than the skyline. Food & Drink: The menu is quite limited because there's no kitchen on the rooftop. Most dishes are prepared downstairs and brought up, which contributes to slower service. That said, the drinks are excellent--perfect for enjoying a cocktail with a view. However, there are no hot drink options available upstairs, which becomes an issue during the cooler months. Reservation: The rooftop becomes extremely busy around sunset, so reservations are highly recommended. Of the roughly 20-25 seating areas, only 4-6 have heaters or firepits, so if you're visiting in fall or winter, try to request one of those spots when booking or bring blankets. Why not five stars? Slow service, limited food options, and no hot drinks--altogether, these small drawbacks cost the place one star. Pro Tips: There's no self-parking nearby, only valet, so plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early. A 10% military discount is available--just ask!

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.

So, you'll have to figure this out...Alice on the top floor is a bar with a full-ish menu…read more Downstairs, using the same kitchen, is Thai Signature, a restaurant with a larger menu. It is a different establishment. I like both but the mood upstairs is very lively and fun. Downstairs is usually quieter. I had the chicken with red curry (duck on the menu). It was tasty. I added broccoli on the side and mixed it myself. I like some spice so added crushed red pepper. It wasn't otherwise spicy at all. Good service. Very efficient. This is probably my favorite Thai place on King St. Easy to get to. I go for the Resy credit on my Amex. Pretty decor. Fresh flowers on the table and in the room. Bonus *s! Check them out and let me know what you think!

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!