The chicken and waffles on Evening Star's brunch menu inspire me to make the unspeakably tween declaration OH.EMM.GEEEE! A waffle so crispy it stands up to syrup like a champ. Chicken so moist, with the perfect batter-to-chicken ratio. ::guilty confession:: I kept picking at the batter long after I was full, because it was so damn good. And that bacon? A more delightfully candied pork has never graced my lips. Le bf ordered the eggs and hashbrowns, and do not misunderstand, breakfast potatoes are my JAM. I was torn. But thank god he got them! They're sort of a fried mashed potato, and friends, I could have eaten four of them. The coffee was fine, but unremarkable. The blood orange mimosa was refreshing and tasty, not too strong but also not a scam like many a mimosa. Our server was friendly and accommodating. I realized I didn't like the hot sauce butter that came with my dish, and asked if I could have a small plate to put it on so it wouldn't melt all over my dish. She held out her hand and said just put it here. I almost died. Talk about sacrifice for service! Ha! Newest favorite brunch place acquired. read more

Ahhhh, my beloved Star. This ties for number one with Los Tios for Favorite Neighborhood hangout. We've been coming here since it opened. When the weather's warmer you definitely want to dine on the patio for some good people watching. You can even bring your well-behaved pooch along and he can lie outside the railing while you eat. The food: brunch, lunch and dinner are all first-rate and the menus are updated to reflect seasonal fare. Owning Daily Planet wine next door ain't so bad, either. The really great thing? The people who work there and the atmosphere. Hang out in the downstairs bar, The Majestic Lounge, and you'll feel like you're in a friend's living room. Our favorite tidbits to gnosh on when we're back there are the brie, gumbo and calamari. Soon you'll know all the wines by their number on the list. The only downside is that it gets incredibly smoky when very busy. The No. 9 Lounge upstairs also has a homey feel with intimate tables and big, comfy couches. Check out The Joe Chiocca Band on Monday nights. Chris Gabriel, the drummer, and his wife, Anne, are opening up an all-natural pet store across the street by Los Tios later this month. More on that in the future. They currently have a home delivery service in this area called Nature's Nibbles (http://www.naturesnibbles.com). I digress. The only downside is that they haven't designated at least one of the bars as non-smoking, like they have with their sister restaurant, Tallula on Washington Boulevard. I've been to a few events furnished by Evening Star Catering and they've been exquisite. See you at the Star! read more

Evening Star has a cute, eclectic atmosphere, but they seem so pleased with themselves over the farm-to-table experience that the experience fails. We had reservations, but the hostess was fairly put out that she had to seat a couple with a baby. (Despite there being other children dining at the time.) The waitress poured my water glass and handed it to me, with a bug in it. I was pretty surprised, but I just passed it right back to her. I didn't get upset or anything, but she was fairly indignant. Seriously, you have to be really oblivious to not notice that there is a bug in the class that you're serving. The food was ok, but expensive for what it was. Redeeming item was the sweet potato rolls - these were excellent. Overall, I was disappointed. We don't usually find this kind of silliness in DelRay, but I guess that means we have a lot of other options. read more

Found the food somewhat unremarkable, and the wine list seemed dated. Which is weird since the wine shop is right next door. The booths were somewhat cramped, and the atmosphere a bit too dark and somewhat depressing for my taste. The back room with the bar seemed more inviting. The coloring inside is reminiscent of being in a circus ride. But, there is outdoor seating, which is nice - if the weather permits and the sound of the occasional bus passing.doesn't bother you too much. Food was good, but the chef really needs to "kick it up a notch" for better reviews. I look forward to going back someday, and hopefully will be pleasantly surprised. read more

I adore brunch. Evening Star is located in a quaint area of town and the restaurant itself is cozy and charming with a lot of repurposed items used as decor. We started off with complimentary lemon, poppyseed bread - moist (I hate that word, but it fits here) and delicious. They ran out of the duck hash, so I went with a standard bacon, egg and cheese sandwich ($7). Good, but nothing to write home about. I loved the little crispy nuggets of potato love that comes with it though. Be warned that they might be too salty for some (I, however, wasn't born with a sweet tooth, just a very salty one). My cousin had The Duke sandwich ($10), which was delicious, especially with the great kick from the andouille patty. Finally, the sticky bun ($4). Warm, succulent, sweet, and sinful. Cute brunch spot - I'll be back to try the duck hash! read more

Evening Star Cafe - Bacon, egg and cheese sandwich with crispy fried potato - New American Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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Like someone else mentioned, the entrance to this place is tricky. It's the door that says "Majestic Lounge", which is really just 1 room of the Evening Star Cafe. I don't see any reason not to give them 5 stars. The dinner menu is pricey but the lounge menu is priced just right for "bar food" -- in the $10 range -- and it's pretty good stuff. I had the fried chicken sliders with the side salad and that was excellent (the bread they had the sliders on... sweet potato biscuits? SO GOOD.) I sat in the upstairs section where there's a full bar, lots of beers on tap, a pool table, bar seating, couches, etc, plus that's where they seem to do live music. I went there to see Pretty Gritty play and if I lived closer, I'd probably go there quite frequently. The place has a nice ambiance to it... "cozy" might be a word I'd use. It's a really nice, relaxed vibe and a friendly, attentive bartender. I guess price could be considered a downside to the place overall... expect to pay $6 - $10 for a beer. (16 oz pilsner - $6; 12 oz imperial IPA - $9; 10 oz Belgian dark ale - $10... the prices go up as the glasses get smaller!) But they do have a lot of interesting beers. You should probably try the Curieux, though I found a mainstay in the Pikeland Pilsner. And they do have draft Yuengling, 16oz $5 and the usual Bud/Miller 12 oz bottles for $4 so you don't HAVE to drink expensive. But you probably should. Because it's delicious. read more

Evening Star Cafe - Live music upstairs! (Check calendar for details) This was "Pretty Gritty" on 1/2/2014 - New American Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

This place was very good - along the lines of a romantic dinner for you and your loved one. It fills up fast after 6:30, even on weeknights ... so go early or make reservations. They take reservations through www.opentable.com, so that's a total bonus. I had the chicken and macaroni and cheese ... it was good. The chicken was quite excellent. It was tender and juicy and yummy, but it was nothing I haven't seen before. The mac and cheese was ... eh. I think it's pretty hard to do mac and cheese right at a fancy restaurant. It always ends up too floury and thick and grainy from improperly melted cheese. Trust me ... this has happened to me time and time again. And it was the same at Evening Star. I just didn't groove with it. My companions - the husband and his former colleague - really enjoyed their meals. He had the pork, and our friend had the duck. Both said the meals were great. My man and I also split the giant gnocchi for an appetizer, and that was quite good as well. So yeah. I think it's a GOOD place, but it's not TOTALLY OUTSTANDING. So I have high standards. Especially about my mac and cheese. Whatevs. To me, this place is a bit run of the mill in terms of the trendy, fancy restaurant with five types of fish on the menu you've never heard of. Maybe that's just me. I would say ... for a better experience, go to Bistrot Lafayette in Old Town. read more

This is always a good place to go for a really good meal that borders on truly excellent. Great atmosphere (except when the guy next to you takes his three year old out with him). The wine list is impressive but because of how its organized is not imtidating. The food is dependably great. It really borders on truly outstanding but seems to be lacking just that little extra edge or extra love that would send it into the stratosphere. All in all, this place has a lot of charm and well seasoned, well executed food. read more

Dinner was delicious. 8:00 on a Wednesday night and it was pretty packed which is a great sign! The hostess was so helpful and personable and got us seated right away. The bread they bring to the table with honey butter is divine! For appetizers I recommend the Crispy Poppadews which are a bit sweet and tangy. At our table we ordered: Buttermilk Fried Chicken with collard greens and mashed potatoes (delicious!), Chargrilled Swordfish (very flavorful and not "fishy" at all like swordfish usually is), Del Ray Market Salad (so fresh and flavorful) and side of Brussels Sprout which are pan roasted and spiced with kimchi. I am a huge fan of brussels sprounts and these were one of the best I've ever had! The flavors were right on point and they were cooked to perfection. It's a must! For dessert, the Tipsy Pardon (almond cake soaked in brandy with strawberries and delicious whipped cream) was a hit! Definitely coming back to check out the lounge for HH - they have a great selection of craft beer. Excellent service and delicious food with reasonable prices for the high quality. read more

I live near here, but don't eat at the Star all too often. However, I do like to hit the bar (the Majestic in the back or 9 upstairs) after work sometimes for a few drinks a nibble. The atmosphere is cool and comfortable. The food's tasty -- pretty much American with pizazz. The wine list is good (as it should be, this restaurant is part of the Star Group that owns the wine story next door -- the Daily Planet -- and the wine store at Tallula). They have outdoor seating and a full bar. Can get a little smoky, but, hey, it's Virginia -- to be expected. The Star is good for the locals and worth a trip, too. read more

This is our neighborhood restaurant, have been here quite a few times. Brunch never blows me away and I hate that they no longer have cappuccinos :( However, we recently had dinner here with Tyler as our server. Tyler was great, made awesome recommendations for beer, wine and food. He was very knowledgeable and familiar with the menu. The good: The pork chop was perfectly cooked, tons of flavor and the stand out of the night. Mac and cheese - jalapeño made it the absolute best I've ever had. Brussel sprouts - YUM! Our table was raving about the mussels as well. The not so good: Ribeye Steak was unimpressive, extremely thin! Winter greens soup was tasty but lukewarm at best. I went back and fourth between three and four stars and settled on four because the service is great and our meal very enjoyable. I'd give it 3.5 if I could, and one less at brunch where I just find the dishes fairly pedestrian. Go for dinner, there are better options in the area for brunch. read more

Pretty darn good food and courteous and efficient service. I don't think I've ever been disappointed, save the occasional grand of sand in the scallops. I come for dinner, brunch and the rare lunch. The menu, while compact, manages to offer a good variety of food and prices. The waitstaff generally generally exhibit a good bit of cheerful teamwork. The one complaint is the noise on a busy night (most nights), but that's part of the charm. read more

The food here was absolutely amazing, so it made up for long waits and service. We got the apple salad, the duck confit hash, and the French toast. Salad was pretty good. Pretty standard, but good nonetheless. Duck confit hash was amazing and definitely worth it. Perfectly prepared. Then the piece de resistance was definitely the French toast. They used bread pudding in place of bread... omg... and topped it with a peanut butter mousse... I am still salivating for it! Will definitely be back.... when it isn't so busy ;) read more

So this place is very small and it's a really cute bunch spot. I actually came across this place looking for a place with a good Bloody Mary. They have a bloody mary that is topped with a tiny grilled cheese and bacon! That sounded so great... So of course when we get here I ordered it. But... the grilled cheese was like soaked in vodka or something (like they poured the vodka over the mini grilled cheese bite) and it tasted awful -_- it was disappointing. The food was mediocre. read more

What's better than sitting at a table by the window on a sunny Sunday morning, eating eggs benedict and perusing The New York Times at Evening Star? Not much. At least not much that's legal. This small restaurant "on the Avenue" in Del Ray has a loyal following, so get here on the early side for Sunday brunch. The cuisine is New American Southern. If it's not too hot outside, the outdoor seating is pleasant, with lots of good people-watching. read more

Tried Evening Star for brunch, which is admittedly, my least favorite meal, but is a darn social institution so I do it. Happily, they serve the full menu at the attached bar, the Majestic, so my friend and I didn't have to wait. The full menu though, is overly egg focused and is small, so if you're like me, and want the lunch half of brunch, I wouldn't recommend coming here. I ordered the prosciutto and goat cheese salad. It was good, but small for the price. I was still hungry after finishing. My friend ordered the burger, which came with some nice crispy fries - she said it was a pretty standard burger, nothing to write home about. Our bartender was super nice and had to double as the waiter for the whole area so I was impressed with his service but I'm food focused and so will be skipping this for future forced brunches. read more

Came here with my wife for brunch. She ordered french toast. I ordered chicken and waffles. The chicken was moist and very tasty. I tried some of her french toast, and that was also very good. We also ordered an extra side of hash browns that are almost like crisp potato cakes with a soft inside. Definitely a great place to go to for brunch. read more

What a lovely little restaurant. We don't go out much in Del Ray but happened to be in the neighborhood. We saw on YELP (of course!) that this restaurant was only a couple blocks away from us at the time. They happily sat us and our stroller at a table inside, although they do have outdoor seating as well. All of the food has a southern flair to it. We started with the Poppadews which are made with peppadew peppers and cream cheese - their yummy versions of jalapeño poppers but more sweet than spicy. Next we had the catfish paella, grilled oysters, and Mac and cheese. Everything tasted great. I had a tough time deciding what to get so I will just have to go back sometime for the shrimp and grits. Note to cost conscious diners. It says $$ but all the entrees are $17-$22, which in my mind means a $$$ meal. They are worth the money but the rating on YELP is misleading. The service is excellent! read more

This is probably one of my very favorite spots in Alexandria, so I'm surprised by some of the poorer reviews. Best brunch anywhere. There isn't anything on the menu I haven't tried and didn't like. The chicken and waffles are to die for, and are raved about for a reason. I've always had fast and friendly service as well. The bar in the back is eclectic, and the drinks are unique and tasty. The bar upstairs also has pool tables and several large vintage chairs to lounge on. Not your average bars in Alexandria. read more

The Evening Star Cafe's two after-dinner drink spots, the Majestic Lounge (downstairs) and the Magic 9 lounge (upstairs) are welcome additions to the Del Ray bar scene. Both lounges feel more like you're sitting in hip friend's living room than a bar. Indeed, both of the small but efficient bars located on each floor have the feel of a friend's well stocked basement/family room bar. The entire experience exudes friendly ambiance and laid-back charm. As mentioned in other posts, this oasis also has a large and daunting wine list. For those who prefer some fermented grape, I assume you'll be able to find what you want here. Finally, a cheery happy hour with drink specials makes both lounges accessible and ripe for a after-work or pre-dinner drink. Whatever the occasion, both of these lounges present a comfortable, cozy, and intimate place to escape the hurly-burly of credit default swaps and bloated political big wigs. read more

Evening Star is a charming restaurant in a charming neighborhood (Del Ray). The only chain in Del Ray is 7-11, and everything else is either a yoga studio, holistic healing center, non-chain restaurant, cafe, or boutique shop (Barkley Square, anyone?). I think if you live in Del Ray you can pat yourself on the back and say 'job well done' for achieving yuppie Nirvana. And I'm not knocking it ... I love Del Ray. I also love Evening Star. If you go early you don't need a reservation. I only point this out because the dining room is relatively small, so if you're planning to eat later than 6:30 pm, you'd be wise to make a reservation. I like that Evening Star keeps their menu lean. You're not turning over pages and pages of a menu that could double as a food encyclopedia. You choose from 8 appetizers and 10 entrees, and then 4 soups/salads and the soup of the day . GO. The last time I ate here I had the braised lamb ravioli with wild mushroom and pea ragout. My dining partner(s) had the pan seared halibut with smoked couscous and creamy leeks and the grilled beef tenderloin with garlic mashed potatoes and crispy onion strings. I gotta say, I'm a sucker for ravioli of any kind. The more interesting things you put in it/on top of it the more likely I am to order it. The dish came with 4 large-ish raviolis over the top of the pea ragout and English pea puree (as advertised). The peas were fresh and tender, and the pasta from which the ravioli were formed was also fresh. The lamb was moist and complimented the peas perfectly. It was delicious. For $20 I think 5 ravioli may have made me think it was delicious and a slightly better value ... but whatever. Also, the pumpernickel raisin bread they put in the bread basket is honestly, something that I crave in my sleep. I have eaten at Evening Star a handful of times and for whatever reason, I find the service to be polite and efficient, but somehow lacking enthusiasm. Every waiter/waitress I've had seems kind of bored and like they wish they were somewhere else doing something more fun. Or, like they wish they were in the back bar having a drink. Which, you know, is fine, it doesn't detract from the meal, but its something I've noticed. Either way, I keep Evening Star on my list of places to frequent when the mood strikes. Its a good place to bring out of town guests and its a good place to go with friends, your spouse, a date...anyone really. I enjoy it greatly. read more

I picked my wife up from a happy hour with some coworkers out in Del Rey last night, so we finally decided to check this place out for dinner. I must say, overall, I'm a fan. The decor of the place is a mix of old architecture and local bistro. The wooden benches give it a bit of college cafe/diner flair also. There is a bar on the other side of the place as well that was very packed when we came in for dinner. I wasn't too keen on having to go into the back door by the bar and then come all of the way back around to the front of the restaurant to the hostess stand. Why can't you just use the front door of the restaurant? But that was a small annoyance to the experience. I was very impressed by the wine list. They apparently own the wine shop next door, so the wine list is VERY extensive and you are most certain to find something you enjoy. We picked a Tuscan red for this evening. We had the muscle appetizer. They were delicious and served in a very nice sauce. The muscles were a little small, but the whole dish was delicious. I wanted more bread to go with the tasty sauce the muscles were soaking in (to sop it up and enjoy it), but our waitress forgot to bring us more bread. We got more from the manager later, after he already took our bowl that had the delicious sauce. Oh well. Small foul. I also had the gumbo with spicy ham and spinach as a starter and it was quite spicy and good. I really enjoyed it. For dinner I had the beef tenderloin on garlic mashed potatoes and spinach with onion straws. I ordered it medium rare and they brought it out medium rare. The cut of beef was very nice and properly cooked. The whole dish was really good. The wife had short ribs in a risotto which she enjoyed, but she found the mixture of cinnamon and goat cheese in the risotto to be a bit interesting. For dessert we had the rocky road bread pudding. It was tasty, although not completely bread pudding in texture, it was still a very good dessert which we shared and both enjoyed immensely. Our server was very friendly, conversational and on the ball. Outside of her forgetting to bring us more bread, I was very happy with her. Her personality and demeanor kind of made me forget about that small mix up. My only big complaint with this place is the price. I don't think the dishes they serve really are worth the price tag they have on them. Although the food is very good and the experience here is quite delightful, I'm not sure they should be charging as much as they do per plate. Expect to walk out of here with a $100 bill for two to three people, especially if you eat a lot. Overall I liked the place and despite the bill, I'd go back again. We really enjoyed our evening here... kind of made you feel a bit urban hanging out in Del Rey for a work night evening. ha! read more

Had an opportunity to try their food at the Taste of Del Ray and was turned off by the presentation and attempt at rebranding. Boy was that first pressing wrong. A birthday brunch, enlightened me to the delicious chicken and waffles. Chicken came as there boneless pieces, possibly thighs, and a great waffle. The butter is infused with hot sauces, for a perfect combination of salty, spicy, and sweet. Delicious. Portion was great, price was moderate to high. read more

Absolutely amazing! Our server Donnie, she was outstanding and provided an exceptional experience. Highly recommend!!!

The exquisite atmosphere, with red walls and warm lighting, was an immediate selling point for me. Divine French toast and crabcake eggs benedict at brunch time, delectable steaks at dinner time. Excellent beer-on-tap selection. And when my party-of-three arrived an hour and a half before our reservation on a recent Sunday--Mother's Day, to boot--just to see, on a whim, if we could be seated, and fully prepared to be shut down, the hostess kindly shuffled around her entire arrangement just to get us in early--and at a booth, of all places. Color me permanently charmed. read more

Out and about in Del Ray - decided to pop into the Evening Star Cafe for a quiet dinner. Main entrance was closed, we were routed around back to use the lounge entrance. With no smoking inside - guess where all the smokers were - right outside the lounge entrance! We ran the gauntlet of smoke and entered the lounge, down the hall past the bathrooms and we made it to the dining area. Seated promptly in the front window near the hostess station. Nice intimate space with a broken seat and no heat. Service was a bit slow, but not terrible. Out of the pumpkin ravioli, and the sirloin. I had the gumbo and the BLT Mac n' Cheese. My spouse had the Salmon. Salmon was reported to be nicely seared. My gumbo was spicy, full of chicken and sausage. The BLT Mac n Cheese was tasty, rich and flavorful. Dessert was the fried apple pie which came to us burnt on one side. One bite and we stopped eating it. Very disappointing. By this point the service had slowed considerably. Only 4 other parties in the restaurant at this point, so I have no idea why the service got slow. Bottom line - the food was good. Not great, not bad. For all the hype about this place I was really expecting better. The slow service and burned dessert were disappointing, though hopefully we just caught them on an off night. If you are in the area it's worth a try, but I wouldn't go out of my way just to go there. read more

Some of these reviews rate based on how the restaurant was run under the old management. As someone who never went to the "old" Evening Star Cafe, I would definitely go back to try other items on the menu or for a drink and some appetizers. Don't count this place out. DETAILS: -A dinner for two with drinks and appetizers will definitely put you under $100. -The slow braised lamb was very good. It had the perfect southern comfort food taste. -The buttermilk fried chicken wasn't my style. The meat was very moist, but I prefer a crunchier breading with some taste and some sort of seasoning on the meat. The taste was a bit sour to me. Is that how buttermilk fried chicken is supposed to taste?? -The service isn't lightening fast. We went on a fairly busy night, and I took that into consideration, but appetizers came out in an entree amount of time. The staff is however very knowledgeable and friendly. They apologized for the wait before we had to ask. Again, I would definitely go back. Don't be swayed by the reviews comparing the management. read more

I'm assuming I need to go back for a second try b/c they were pretty busy and seem popular, but honestly the first wasn't fab so I'm not gonna risk it. The service was fine and everyone else's food looked fine, but my husband and I both got the Eggs Chesapeake and we both not only couldn't finish them (and we LOVE crab cakes!)...but didn't feel too hot for the rest of the day. At one point during my meal I literally had to run to the restroom b/c I thought I was going to vomit. Three of the 4 of us got the bloody mary's and none of us were able to finish them b/c they were so bad. I had thought maybe that's why I couldn't finish my meal, but I think it might have been both the drink and the food. Bottom line, probably won't go back....too many other options out there to waist money on food that upsets your stomach :( read more

I live near Kingstowne, so I don't get down this way often. But I was glad I did. The food was very good, although probably a bit overpriced. I think I had the duck. The servers were friendly, although a little slow as there were a lot of people. Went on a weeknight, it was quite crowded. Not really digging the grungy atmosphere in the downstairs area. I went upstairs to see the bar and it looked like a comfortable hang out spot...I will have to come back and hang out there. read more

Three words: ohhhh, so, yummy Frequently : multiple This little restaurant in the Del Ray area of Alexandria is just awesome. My biggest complaint is that the food is too good and I leave stuffed because my taste buds will not allow me to stop. For starters, get the BLT mac and cheese. Or you could try the pork belly, how can pork belly ever be a bad thing. Both of these apps were winners on the last visit. The main courses I have also been good including the duck and halibut. The vegetables that come with the main do not seem as flavorful to me, but by the time I get to this point I am stuffed anyway. Love the food, vibe and ambiance. The service has been spot on each visit and it is a great place to go for a date. read more

The new Evening Star is fantastic, just fantastic. My husband and I make a point of trying the Washingtonian Top 100 restaurants frequently and have been to many of the best restaurants in the DC area. My husband is a serious foody and spent 6 months in French cooking school becoming classically trained. Given what he can cook at home, it's not worth it to us to go out and spend money on a nice dinner unless the food is special- the new Evening Star is truly, truly special. We went occasionally to the evening star before and never really understood why our neighbors liked it at all, the food was just okay, not very creative and the prices were too high for what they were serving. The new chef has worked miracles and as del ray residents we are over the moon this caliber of food is walking distance from our house. The beer list and wine list is extensive and delicious, I could keep going back just to try more craft beers. Both times we have been since the reopening we have had potted duck and it is out of this world- the flavors are so good you will tell your friends and coworkers about it days later. The shrimp and grits and the burger are both great, really artfully seasoned with great flavor combinations. The crown jewel, however, is the fried chicken with sun choke mash and collard greens. Move over Central, there is a new winner in town for best fried chicken. I can't say enough about it, so just go and taste it for yourself. For dessert we tried the fried fluffer nutter and i think it's worth an extra gym trip to get this every time, it was heavenly. I'm told by the wonderful, knowledgeable and professional waitstaff that the banana pudding is even better, but I haven't tried it yet. I am at a loss for words over the reviews of those who say they lost their neighborhood restaurant. With respect, I think that's nuts. If I had the budget and metabolism I would come three times a week and I am so grateful to the chef for bringing his extraordinary talent and great concept to our neighborhood. Del ray is proud to have you here!! read more

The charred romaine salad with salmon was fresh and tasty! The burger was cooked just like we ordered and it tasted delicious! A great place for lunch or dinner! read more

I am or was a regular here. My girlfriends and I would meet here once a week. I am not a huge fan of the new food. There used to be a awesome salads and light food. My boyfriend and I used to be able to have drinks, salads, shared app and entrees for around $100. It has gone up in price and I'm not sure for what exactly. It is hot now and they need lighter food on the menu. I don't crave sausage when I am eating outside in he 90 degree heat. I couldn't find anything that I could eat that wasn't fried or had peanuts. I am allergic so that eliminated half the menu. Also, if you do eat outside try to avoid the pub table the air conditioning units drip on you. I will go back because the staff is excellent. I will probably give the menu 2more attempts but I really miss the old mussels. read more

Had brunch with the whole family (2 adults, 9 yr old, 7 yr old, and 2 yr old). The place isn't very big but the wait wasn't horrible. Duck hash was good but may want to ask for the eggs to be runny. Eggs Benedict was delicious and the kids loved their cheeseburgers (they're huge). FYI the continental breakfast is perfect for little kids and great at only $4. Our server Fred did a great job! We'll probably be back. Oh and don't forget the pink lemonade. PS "The fries were crispy" Ava read more

I can't believe Evening Star has such wishy-washy reviews! I go there regularly with friends and enjoy it 9/10 times! The coffee is great and the service is almost always spot on. Sometimes it can take a while to get the check but it's usually not that bad. What does kinda stink is the noise level. It can get more than a little noisy and can sometimes get in the way of conversation. So maybe deduct half a star for that. If you do go here get the duck hash. It's absolutely incredible. And the newer sausage biscuits aren't too shabby either! read more

As long time customers of Evening Star we couldn't wait to come check out the renovations. Looked at the new menu online and weren't at all jazzed about it - but wanted to give it a shot nevertheless. Went last night (Saturday) and arrived about 7. We were told there would be a 30 min wait so we went to the bar and got a beer (racer 5 IPA - highly recommended). Buzzer sounded at almost exactly 30 minutes and we were seated. The new decor and layout we liked. A little brighter, and seemed like it was easier for the wait staff to get around. Dislike that all of the "window seats" are now 4tops... Unfortunately, we were really disappointed in the new menu. My husband got the lamb and I got the sweet potato dumplings. Mine was good - not enough sauce though. Very rich and filling. Nothing to rave about but good. My husband got the lamb - it tasted like pot roast. It was soggy in a soupy bed of beans and liquid. Definitely not worth the price. So terribly disappointed... This was our very favorite go-to, special (and not so special) occasion restaurant, but I don't see us coming back. Not worth the trip from Ashburn. If you love southern bayou food, you might like it more than we did. read more

I would give it 3.5 stars if possible. The good - Great brunch (4-5 stars) that is affordable, creative, and fun. Good beer selection. Great location. The bad - Dinner prices are disproportionate to lunch. They seem to have a "space management" problem when the place gets packed. While the food is normally very good, I have had a couple misses (one time undercooked (red) chicken, another time garlic in biscuits and gravy, and a total failure when they tried to boil crawfish). Their bars (the majestic and number 9) are OK. Its good to have the bars in Del Ray and the beer selection is fantastic. However the bars always have a weird vibe - they don't really know what they want to be - upscale bar, music bar, neighborhood bar, sports bar - which can make it awkward at times if not with a large group of friends. read more

Just as good (if not better) than the rest of the "stars" in this restaurant group's constellation. I know, bad pun. Couldn't resist. "Cafe" is a good word to use as far as describing the size of the place. It is certainly on the small side, complete with bright red booths and mustard yellow walls. The menu leans southern. Last time we were here they were offering a prix fix option with an amuze buche and I was surprised by that, but happy to see that the chef here was branching out. The pork chop is a solid option as far as the entrees go. And don't skip the biscuits. They are well worth your daily allotment of carbs. Wine list can't be beat (well, it can if you want to drive all the way to it's "sister" place in Arlington). read more

I liken Evening Star Cafe to my favorite restaurant, Jack's Bistro in Baltimore, because of its artistic decor and eclectic menu. Take, for instance, the "BLT" Mac & Cheese with spinach gnocchi, tomato concasse, apple wood smoked bacon, and caramelized onions. It's a beautifully creamy and rich appetizer that's satisfying enough as an entree. I've had better pork belly sliders elsewhere as these were slightly overcooked. The PEI Mussels aren't as fresh but its an amazing value at $10 a plate. A comparable dish at Granville Moore or Marvin's is easily twice that listed price without offering much more. What's best about Evening Star is its wide selection of wines (courtesy of Planet Wine next door) at surprisingly affordable prices. Many bottles are under $30. A great find for Delray. [Original Visit: July 12, 2010] read more

I give Evening Star a 4+ This is an adorable and well-run place where the food is casual but delicious and the service is friendly and quick. Inside, kitchy booths line the walls and four-top tables with very comfy seats are grouped in the center. The wine store next door is also owned by the same group, so you have the luxury of one thousand plus bottles to choose from. Our food was perfectly cooked, from the endive and pear salad to the cod to the sirloin steak. All food was cooked to order and very beautifully and deliciously served without pretension. I highly recommend the Evening Star Cafe. read more