I came here for Valentine’s Day. Unfortunately this was my first and last visit. I was not attended to by any waitress until I had to motion for the manager. Branzino was could’ve used more flavor. Afterwards, the owner then stated I was double booked and implied I had not paid my bill when I had. She went on to explain they were unable to accommodate the volume of patrons that evening, which is not my responsibility as a guest. She mentioned dinner would be on her next time, but it should have been comped that night given the experience. I will not be returning.
First, we were really excited about eating at this restaurant, and I love Mediterranean food. When we arrived, the space seemed a little tight, but we like close, intimate experiences when dining out. However, we were seated and waited about 10 minutes before a waiter came over to get our drink orders. After we placed our drink orders for two pistachio martinis, which were actually good. However, after waiting for 20 minutes and watching them sit at the bar, I had to go over to get them on the bar, and they were literally warm. We placed our orders for the salmon in white wine sauce and the lamb shish. After about 30 minutes, we finally got our orders. The salmon was literally disgusting. It was white and dry as paper, and not a speck of pink or orange in it. After a few minutes, the host and owner/hostess came over and asked how our dinner was. I expressed concern about the salmon being white, dry, over-cooked, and not resembling the website photo at all! I've never seen salmon look white and dry. In addition, this salmon had no skin or seasoning on it. The owner/hostess came over after some time to ask about how it was, and I was honest about what I thought, and she asked if I wanted anything else, and I politely said no thanks. She offered a free drink as comp, and I got a margarita. However, it also sat at the bar, and the bartender who came to assist another unsatisfied couple seated next to us had to go get their own drinks and silverware. They were pissed, and we were pissed! In addition, another couple seated near us also expressed that it took an hour for them to get their dinner, and they were really unhappy! The waitress came to check on us twice. The two couples next to us had similar complaints about their waitress. It's really a shame. We were really excited about eating there. Their advertising online did not live up to what they provided, not only to us, but to the tables near us. All three tables were really, really unsatisfied. Don't waste your money! Like seriously!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Ozan Ulug-Berter
Wonderful restaurant that really understands the cuisine they create. Every dish was delicious and authentic. Lovely atmosphere and lovely people. I will definitely be coming back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bruna Arantes
The food is amazing, fresh, savory and authentic! A lot of vegeterian and vegan options!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Blessing
I was very disappointed in the service. I came to my table, and there was no one that had come by. The owner eventually came by to take my order. Throughout the whole ordeal, I was even told that they had accidentally double booked me when I had already paid for my bill. Then Bronzino was OK, but could've used a little bit more flavor. Did not like the pistachio martini at all. I probably will not be back.
William
This was our first time dining at Elaine's and I decided to try them on Valentine's day do to the really good ratings on Open table and Google. When we arrived, the person at the front desk did ask for some patience as this was the busiest day that they have had since being open, which I found understandable but now had trepidations on how good the service would be. Starting off things were excellent. We ordered 2 separate appetizers to share, the fired cauliflower and the humus. Both were incredible and the drinks were also very good. This issue came with the entree. My lamb was very good and my wife's Cod started off well but found it was not done in the middle. When brought it to our servers attention and she took the fish back to the kitchen. When she returned it was with the same half of fish. When questioned she said they reheated the fish, which was still under done. We decided to return the fish and take it off the bill. We then went to desert and she ordered the Pistachio Baklava Cheese Cake. When it came to the table the crust was burned. When we questioned the manager he said that is how they serve it. I asked if it was the norm to serve the cheesecake with a burnt crust. He then told me it is Baklava and that is what happens. At this point we were ready to leave. I was willing to give the restaurant another chance since it was busy a night and the kitchen may have been off, but to insult my intelligence buy telling us that the desert should be served burnt when it is not displayed that way on your website was egregious.
Cindy
Elaines is our favorite place to eat in Old Town Alexandria. The food is always incredible, the prices are fair for the quality and the service is through the roof. The lamb shank is so tender it melts in your mouth and I dream about the pistachio martini. Everytime we have come the owner has personlly stoped by to great us and make our evening special. It truly is a gem of a restaurant and I cannot recommend it enough.
Bill
Great ambiance with a couple of options between the bar, main restaurant room and library room upstairs. Friendly staff. Delicious food and unique cocktails!
Jada Gainer
Extremely rude owner!! Would not recommend this place at all, the food is as bad as the owner’s attitude.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Karen
Great dinner and warm welcome at Elaine's! Chelsea was a terrific server. Also enjoyed the Frank Sinatra vibe!
Food was great. Restaurant staff was lovely and accommodating. Vibe was low key and great for conversation. Portions were very large.
Laurie
One of our favorite places to dine out in Alexandria. Cynthia and Jeff, the owners, are delightful as are their entire team. Food is always delicious, drinks are amazing. Always happy to go back.
Jonathan
Fantastic staff, so helpful and welcoming. The food and drink were equally amazing. Highly recommend and will return again and again!
Elizabeth
Food is delicious! The chairs have very short backs and thus were quite uncomfortable for me.
Virginia
The menu is extensive, hard to choose what to eat. The food was delicious and beautifully prepared. Great service. Wonderful atmosphere.
I came here for Valentine’s Day. Unfortunately this was my first and last visit. I was not attended to by any waitress until I had to motion for the manager. Branzino was could’ve used more flavor. Afterwards, the owner then stated I was double booked and implied I had not paid my bill when I had. She went on to explain they were unable to accommodate the volume of patrons that evening, which is not my responsibility as a guest. She mentioned dinner would be on her next time, but it should have been comped that night given the experience. I will not be returning.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Alexandrian Grilled Whole Branzino
First, we were really excited about eating at this restaurant, and I love Mediterranean food. When we arrived, the space seemed a little tight, but we like close, intimate experiences when dining out. However, we were seated and waited about 10 minutes before a waiter came over to get our drink orders. After we placed our drink orders for two pistachio martinis, which were actually good. However, after waiting for 20 minutes and watching them sit at the bar, I had to go over to get them on the bar, and they were literally warm. We placed our orders for the salmon in white wine sauce and the lamb shish. After about 30 minutes, we finally got our orders. The salmon was literally disgusting. It was white and dry as paper, and not a speck of pink or orange in it. After a few minutes, the host and owner/hostess came over and asked how our dinner was. I expressed concern about the salmon being white, dry, over-cooked, and not resembling the website photo at all! I've never seen salmon look white and dry. In addition, this salmon had no skin or seasoning on it. The owner/hostess came over after some time to ask about how it was, and I was honest about what I thought, and she asked if I wanted anything else,
and I politely said no thanks. She offered a free drink as comp, and I got a margarita. However, it also sat at the bar, and the bartender who came to assist another unsatisfied couple seated next to us had to go get their own drinks and silverware. They were pissed, and we were pissed! In addition, another couple seated near us also expressed that it took an hour for them to get their dinner, and they were really unhappy! The waitress came to check on us twice. The two couples next to us had similar complaints about their waitress. It's really a shame. We were really excited about eating there. Their advertising online did not live up to what they provided, not only to us, but to the tables near us. All three tables were really, really unsatisfied. Don't waste your money! Like seriously!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Wonderful restaurant that really understands the cuisine they create. Every dish was delicious and authentic. Lovely atmosphere and lovely people. I will definitely be coming back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food is amazing, fresh, savory and authentic! A lot of vegeterian and vegan options!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I was very disappointed in the service. I came to my table, and there was no one that had come by. The owner eventually came by to take my order. Throughout the whole ordeal, I was even told that they had accidentally double booked me when I had already paid for my bill. Then Bronzino was OK, but could've used a little bit more flavor. Did not like the pistachio martini at all. I probably will not be back.
This was our first time dining at Elaine's and I decided to try them on Valentine's day do to the really good ratings on Open table and Google. When we arrived, the person at the front desk did ask for some patience as this was the busiest day that they have had since being open, which I found understandable but now had trepidations on how good the service would be. Starting off things were excellent. We ordered 2 separate appetizers to share, the fired cauliflower and the humus. Both were incredible and the drinks were also very good. This issue came with the entree. My lamb was very good and my wife's Cod started off well but found it was not done in the middle. When brought it to our servers attention and she took the fish back to the kitchen. When she returned it was with the same half of fish. When questioned she said they reheated the fish, which was still under done. We decided to return the fish and take it off the bill. We then went to desert and she ordered the Pistachio Baklava Cheese Cake. When it came to the table the crust was burned. When we questioned the manager he said that is how they serve it. I asked if it was the norm to serve the cheesecake with a burnt crust. He then told me it is Baklava and that is what happens. At this point we were ready to leave. I was willing to give the restaurant another chance since it was busy a night and the kitchen may have been off, but to insult my intelligence buy telling us that the desert should be served burnt when it is not displayed that way on your website was egregious.
Elaines is our favorite place to eat in Old Town Alexandria. The food is always incredible, the prices are fair for the quality and the service is through the roof. The lamb shank is so tender it melts in your mouth and I dream about the pistachio martini. Everytime we have come the owner has personlly stoped by to great us and make our evening special. It truly is a gem of a restaurant and I cannot recommend it enough.
Great ambiance with a couple of options between the bar, main restaurant room and library room upstairs. Friendly staff. Delicious food and unique cocktails!
Extremely rude owner!! Would not recommend this place at all, the food is as bad as the owner’s attitude.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Great dinner and warm welcome at Elaine's! Chelsea was a terrific server. Also enjoyed the Frank Sinatra vibe!
Restaurantji Recommends
Food was great. Restaurant staff was lovely and accommodating. Vibe was low key and great for conversation. Portions were very large.
One of our favorite places to dine out in Alexandria. Cynthia and Jeff, the owners, are delightful as are their entire team. Food is always delicious, drinks are amazing. Always happy to go back.
Fantastic staff, so helpful and welcoming. The food and drink were equally amazing. Highly recommend and will return again and again!
Food is delicious! The chairs have very short backs and thus were quite uncomfortable for me.
The menu is extensive, hard to choose what to eat. The food was delicious and beautifully prepared. Great service. Wonderful atmosphere.
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