(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.

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.

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

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

Order yourself the delicious Mama Majesty, refreshing wizardry concocted by lovely Ali!…read more It is perfect answer to 104 degree temps on this July 4th weekend.

Great food and service!…read more We came here for lunch with our 2 kids. Ally was our server and was super friendly and helpful. The food was delicious. We have been coming here for years but the food this time was exceptional. The kids menu is perfect and portions are great. The drinks here are also excellent but we didn't order any during lunch. Highly recommend for lunch or dinner!

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.

We had a great experience! Went for lunch one day and had to go back for dinner another day…read more Service was great, and food was delicious.

I was visiting my daughter who is a foodie like her dad and she recommended Virtue. It is in a…read morehistoric old building that is really neat! The service was excellent, the food was excellent, and the Bourbon selection was World Class! I liked it so much I went back the following week!

Went there on a painfully hot afternoon. The staff were awesome and the drinks were cold. They do…read moreneed to get some misters or fans for the staff and customers. Will go again, when a little cooler.

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!

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!

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.

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!