Interesting spot we have been trying to go to for a while. Small spot with nice wine and champagne…read moreselection albeit pricey if you are only getting a glass. Nice service. Wedge salad was fine but not a hearty iceberg one like in a steakhouse. Signature raclette dish just not cheesie enough for $25. Was expecting alot more. Checked this one of our list...

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!

Carla and I recently visited Sonoma Cellar and unfortunately, the experience was disappointing…read moreoverall. We were seated on the patio, but service got off to a rough start. We were completely overlooked and had to go up to the bar ourselves to ask for menus and water. The food itself was decent. The Hot Artichoke Dip was creamy and served with pita. The Pacific Coast Salmon was well-cooked and paired nicely with mushroom risotto and vegetables. The Cinnamon Ice Cream tasted good. Where things really fell apart was the service and timing. We planned to enjoy dessert at the restaurant and also order takeout, but there was confusion and staff assumed the ice cream was to-go. The wait times were excessive: 40 minutes for ice cream 15 additional minutes for salmon takeout Another 10 minutes for the artichoke dip By the end of the visit, the delays and lack of attention made the experience feel frustrating and not worth it. Overall, while the food was okay, the service and long wait times significantly impacted the experience. I would not return.

Were we on the Spanish coast or Old Town? On the riverfront, on this warm spring day, we could have…read morebeen anywhere in the Mediterranean. We were instead on the pier in retrofitted shipping containers enjoying Spanish shareable plates with a great view. This place was crowded that's for sure. Primarily because there's no closer place to the water than this. (We were lucky-- the day after was rainy!) The food was great--we went for shareable small tapas and we still overordered. Service was great. We had a small wait upon check in but they made up for it by putting us in a nice location. Overall this was a great choice for a weekend lunch with friends.

Went to Barca for brunch and sat outside. Even though the weather was gloomy that day, we still had…read morea great time outside, and the staff was very attentive and helpful throughout the meal. For drinks, we got the Espresso Old Fashioned and the Pineapple Express. The Espresso Old Fashioned was probably a 6.5/10 for me. The flavor itself wasn't bad, but the presentation definitely needed work. I'd suggest using a better glass and the appropriate large cube ice instead of regular pebble ice, especially when you're paying $14+ for such a small cocktail. The Pineapple Express, though, was great -- not overly spicy and the pineapple paired perfectly with the tajín rim. From the brunch specials, we ordered the empanadas and the breakfast croquetas. The empanadas had really nice flavor and were well seasoned. They came with a green cream underneath plus pickled onions and a tomato-based hot sauce on the side, which complemented them well. My only issue was that the filling wasn't proportional to the amount of dough -- it needed more filling. The breakfast croquetas were exceptional and honestly something I'd go back for alone. Perfectly cooked, flavorful, and served over hot honey that made you want to keep dipping every bite into it. We also ordered the Catalan-style mussels, and those were definitely one of the highlights alongside the croquetas. The mussels were very well seasoned, and the sausage and vegetables paired perfectly with them. The bread served with it was also delicious, especially dipped into the sauce. The fried calamari had good seasoning, but the batter was too thick, making it hard to really taste the calamari itself. The sauce it came with was delicious though, and there was one battered lemon slice mixed in that was AMAZING. They honestly should add more of those because that flavor combination was so good. For dessert, we tried the burnt Basque cheesecake and the chocolate torta. The Basque cheesecake was fine, but honestly tasted like a pretty ordinary cheesecake. The chocolate torta itself was good, but I personally didn't think the Pedro Ximénez mousse and bananas paired that well with it. I think black cherries would complement the chocolate much better, but that's just my opinion. Overall, a decent brunch spot with some standout dishes, especially the croquetas and mussels.

What really nails it for me at The Parlour is the consistency of their theme which is carried…read morethrough the whole experience - they did a great job. The cocktails are good, and simple yet creative. The food is likewise simple yet well executed french food.

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.

Saturday was my first time back at Majestic since the new management took over, and I have to…read moresay--it was a great experience. Even though it was quite crowded, everything felt very well organized. The wait time to be seated was reasonable, and the staff were warm and welcoming from the start. Our waiter, Lorena, truly stood out. She was incredibly patient and accommodating while we took our time deciding what to order, and she was very helpful in guiding us through the menu. On top of that, she had such a pleasant and positive attitude that made the whole experience even better. As for the food--it did not disappoint. I had the salmon, which I would absolutely recommend. My daughter ordered the steak frites with French fries, which was excellent, and my other daughter had the same dish with mashed potatoes. Everything was so good that we left our plates embarrassingly clean. We'll definitely be coming back. And if you happen to get Lorena as your server, you're in for a genuinely great dining experience.

I recently visited The Majestic by Santiago Lopez shortly after they opened, and I already know…read morethis is going to become one of Old Town Alexandria's go-to date night spots. The space is absolutely beautiful--intimate, dimly lit, and very thoughtfully designed. From the decor to the overall ambiance, everything feels warm, elevated, and inviting without trying too hard. It's the kind of restaurant where you immediately want to settle in and enjoy the full experience. We started with the Parker House Rolls, and the orange-miso butter alone made them memorable. The Saffron P.E.I. Mussels were flavorful and comforting, and the Charred Jumbo Prawns had such a great smoky flavor. For entrees, the Lobster Pot Pie was rich and hearty in the best way, and the Pan Roasted Bronzino was beautifully prepared and balanced. The Steak Frites were also excellent--simple, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. Dessert definitely deserves a mention because the Majestic Coconut Cake paired with their original espresso martini was such a perfect ending to the meal. Overall, the food, atmosphere, and service made this a really great experience, especially for a newer restaurant. I'll definitely be back and would absolutely recommend it for date night, celebrations, or even a nice girls night out in Old Town Alexandria.

Great authentic Italian restaurant that evokes a true Italian charm! The ambience is inviting and…read moremakes you feel like you stepped into Italy for great pasta lol Staff are accommodating and personable. The honey butter is tasty and please don't get me started on how delicious the pasta is...chef's kiss! I truly enjoyed the tortellini pasta. I'll be back for another round of pasta and win!

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.

Kentucky Clay is the man! Incredible wealth of knowledge and passion for bourbon. With their own…read moreprivate barrels and perfect flight options, this place is an absolute must-see for both new and experienced fans of the spirit. The food is also amazing. The rockfish was wonderful and the chicken piccata perfect.

I am an Alexandria resident and I would say Virtue Feed & Grain is my go-to restaurant and bar. The…read morestaff is great, the atmosphere and vibe are great, and the food and drinks are top notch. It's semi-casual but also has an appeal for classier settings (work events). If you're looking for a cool vibe and just an all-around good time in Alexandria, this is your spot. The menu is consistently on point -- the quinoa salad is money, the poke bowl is always a solid. Beer, Cocktails, and whiskey selections are the best in the city. It's one of those places where you can keep coming back and still find something you're excited to order. It's also a really fun date spot, lively without being too loud, great energy, and just the right mix of casual and upscale to make it feel special without trying too hard. Special shoutout to Alex and Tara, who are wonderful in every aspect along with the rest of the staff. Thanks, Virtue, keep up the great times for the people of the city.

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!

Such a cute lil spot this is! I love thai food and I love cocktails, especially asian inspired…read moreones. This spot really was perfect for a few of us friends to get together and mingle. The place is tiny, but they make good use of the space. The service is pretty great too. I want to try more of the food next time.

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!

A great cat cafe, but a bit overpriced like most things in Old Town Alexandria. The cats are very…read moreadorable, but I'd probably recommend going earlier in the day as they seemed fairly tired and less social during the afternoon. Gets very busy and difficult to book a reservation, so be sure to book a timeslot way in advance. We didn't try to cafe food or drinks, so can't comment on that as much as the actual cat lounge. A great variety of cats and cat toys to keep them entertained. It also looks like they are very well taken cared of!

Arrived wayyy too early for a 5:15 pm appointment and this was the 1st bar close to my final…read moredestination. I coulda gone to a Starbucks or picked any one of the MANY pastry specialty shops along the way buttttt why would I? LOL. Decent Margarita (learning to say HECK NOOOO to Montezuma ... IYKYK). Super limited HH menu but the chicken skewer I ordered did not disappoint. Would order again. Juicy nuggets (clearly NOT air fried), decent tzatziki sauce, FRESH grilled veggies (albeit no seasoning *sigh*). 25+ beers on tap. Personally, I'm not a beer drinker (besides an occasional Stella or Modelo) buttt 25+ seems pretty impressive to me for a bar this size. Flyers promote stand up comedy events and some more! Sheesh, for the 40 minutes I was there, I can confirm they clearly have a strong presence on King Street. Most def recommending and personally, would most def return ... I'm super curious about the "wurst on a roll" and the rooftop setting (which wasn't open yet). Again, in my 49 minute time frame ... they lost A LOT of business because the roof top was not open. EXCELLENT play list ... YASSS to the late 90's - early 2K rap! In all honesty, this is the reason I gave them 4 stars. Alright, Body on Me (Nelly, Ashanti & Akon) is blaring ... gotta go pretend I can sing. When you come, share which beer, HH snack or entree YOU ordered and tell them you saw it on Yelp!

Visited for happy hour with a large group and arrived about 20 minutes before it ended. Service was…read moredelayed, and we had not been attended to as the cutoff approached. I went to the bar and successfully placed our order within the happy hour timeframe. However, the drinks were later billed at full price. When I asked about honoring happy hour pricing, I was told I should have waited to be served at the table--even though that would have occurred after happy hour ended. This was disappointing, as we ordered within the advertised window and expected the pricing to be honored. Also- the margaritas were not very good