We went here for a birthday dinner and had a wonderful time. The food was excellent and we also had exceptional service. I would definitely return!
Jarad
Tasia took the best care of our table, the food was all so good. We basically ordered one of everything and shared it all. Standouts were the broccolini, the spaetzle, the steak tartare (SPICY, but warm, long spicy, not super habanero hot). Will be making a visit each season as the menu changes!
Kirk
Sat at the counter. Enjoyed the chefs at work. Meal was hit, interesting and generous portions with excellent presentation by chef. Cocktails and wine selection very good.
Constance
We thoroughly enjoyed our special Thanksgiving 3 course dinner. Our server Lauren was cheerful and perfectly attentive. Having the chef come to each table and explain the thought behind the preparation of each dish was a treat. Offering an assortment of several traditional sides and desserts served family style added to the overall holiday dining experience.
Rick
Kiln in Alexandria, a small and eclectic restaurant, delivers an incredible night at the chef's table—Taija's service was flawless, and the chef's meticulous approach to seasoning made every course sing with perfectly balanced flavor. From the rockfish to the lobster risotto and carrot cake, nothing was overdone, just layers of precise, dialed-in seasoning that turned a great meal into an unforgettable experience.
Laura
I don't recall the server's name. The food was outstanding, but we were left at the table for long periods of time with nobody coming by to check on us. The Maître D served us our food, with the side coming out 5 minutes before we received our fish. We ordered 2 glasses of Rose and our fish was practically gone before the bartender came rushing over to bring us our wine. We needed to ask the busboy for a dessert menu and the Maître D took our dessert and coffee order. We had been volunteering at a charity event across the street and we were there almost 2 hours, so we were tired just sitting at the table with empty plates in front of us. We will come back one more time because the Rockfish and the cabbage side dish was fantastic. But the service was “meh”. Our check was $200 and I left $40, but if at our next visit we encounter the same kind of service, we won't be back.
Teresa
What wonderful delicious dinner we all had! Our waitress Fikir described the some of the specialties of the house and she was so right! We'll be coming back!
Rae W. (Rae)
Fine, but with so many great dining options in the area I doubt Id return. Pros: Clean and modern. Quality food. Some friendly staff members. Cons: Criminally small portions (kale salad had less than 10 pieces of kale), flavor optional, charged for bread, service experience dependent on staff member
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Shane Tews
I stopped by the Huron Hotel breakfast this past weekend to sit with my relatives as they finished their meal. They were in an area with six tables, and ours was the only group seated at one of them. The restaurant was less than a quarter full.
When I set my water bottle on an empty table next to me, the hostess came over and told me to move it because she “had a reservation coming in.” There was no one nearby. The interaction felt unnecessarily abrupt and unfriendly. I even offered to move to the other side of the table since we’d only be a few more minutes, but she repeated herself and walked off. She returned several times to wipe down the same table and continued acting cold and dismissive.
It was such an odd and unkind exchange — completely the opposite of what you expect from hotel hospitality. The experience really turned off my entire family. They enjoyed the hotel experience but noted that the restaurant staff were often dismissive and unprepared for work. This hostess made it clear she didn't want to be at work that morning.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Department of Cocktails
I generally make it a point to leave positive reviews, knowing that people are more likely to post after a bad experience. With Kiln, I’ve tried to extend the benefit of the doubt on several occasions. Unfortunately, this evening was the breaking point.
The good: The food is usually good. The ambiance is warm and inviting, making Kiln one of the more attractive dining rooms in town.
The problem: Service. Or, more accurately, the lack of it. This isn’t a one-off. After a combined half dozen visits here and at Kiln’s rooftop sibling, Good Fortune, the pattern seems systemic.
Regarding the rooftop sibling: Tonight, I waited 10 minutes on the roof without acknowledgement, while two servers chatted idly with the hostess. Eventually had to get to and ask for service.
Moving downstairs, the dining room was just as welcoming as ever, but it still took close to ten minutes before our server appeared. We ordered wine and appetizers right away, which came comparatively quickly, but the main courses stretched our patience.
When entrées arrived, my friends’ duck, steak, and lamb looked perfect. Mine, however—the same lamb dish, same temperature—was noticeably smaller, overcooked, and frankly looked like scraps. I almost never send food back, but this was an easy call.
The replacement took over 20 minutes (in an almost empty restaurant at this point of the night) which meant I ate alone while my friends’ empty plates were cleared. The lamb was, I dare say, perfect the second time, but by then, the shared sides were cold and the moment had passed. No accommodation was made on the check for the painful awkwardness.
Bottom line: Kiln delivers beautifully on food and atmosphere, but the consistently poor service undermines the entire experience. After multiple visits, it feels less like a bad night and more like a brand-wide issue.
The food wasn't anything special. Portions are small, prices are high. I had the rockfish, which was a 3-4 ounce portion for $34. It was nothing special. My friend had the lamb, which she said was good, but was served cold. Hubby had the burger, which he liked, but it's not as much as other burgers in Old Town. Oh, and the sweet potato was very small-- we had figured a normal-sized sweet potato is shareable. But this was more like 1/3 of a sweet potato. We all agreed that the experience was mediocre.
Jack Kirby
Premium pricing for bad food. I paid $65 for the worst steak of my life. My wife ordered the gnocchi and it was a micro portion for $35. Avoid this place.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 3
Daniel T
So despite the low numbers there were several favorable reviews and I took a chance on Kiln. That’s was a mistake I do not want others to make.
The food was mid at best, they suffer from tiny portions and delusional pricing. My beer was the best part of my meal and they didn’t make it. Also if you have an open kitchen concept, make sure the hygiene is flawless……
Save or spend your money elsewhere there are plenty of other options nearby.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 5
Kahea
Great restaurant! Cool rooftop view of the city. Food was good but a little light in the menu.
Rosemary L. Hopcroft
We went to restaurant week and had the prix fixe menu. I had a tasty and vibrant appetizer of octopus and nectarine, a delicious duck with perfectly rendered skin, and a delicious pot de crème with a crunchy top. Really quite fabulous.
We went here for a birthday dinner and had a wonderful time. The food was excellent and we also had exceptional service. I would definitely return!
Tasia took the best care of our table, the food was all so good. We basically ordered one of everything and shared it all. Standouts were the broccolini, the spaetzle, the steak tartare (SPICY, but warm, long spicy, not super habanero hot). Will be making a visit each season as the menu changes!
Sat at the counter. Enjoyed the chefs at work. Meal was hit, interesting and generous portions with excellent presentation by chef. Cocktails and wine selection very good.
We thoroughly enjoyed our special Thanksgiving 3 course dinner. Our server Lauren was cheerful and perfectly attentive. Having the chef come to each table and explain the thought behind the preparation of each dish was a treat. Offering an assortment of several traditional sides and desserts served family style added to the overall holiday dining experience.
Kiln in Alexandria, a small and eclectic restaurant, delivers an incredible night at the chef's table—Taija's service was flawless, and the chef's meticulous approach to seasoning made every course sing with perfectly balanced flavor. From the rockfish to the lobster risotto and carrot cake, nothing was overdone, just layers of precise, dialed-in seasoning that turned a great meal into an unforgettable experience.
I don't recall the server's name. The food was outstanding, but we were left at the table for long periods of time with nobody coming by to check on us. The Maître D served us our food, with the side coming out 5 minutes before we received our fish. We ordered 2 glasses of Rose and our fish was practically gone before the bartender came rushing over to bring us our wine. We needed to ask the busboy for a dessert menu and the Maître D took our dessert and coffee order. We had been volunteering at a charity event across the street and we were there almost 2 hours, so we were tired just sitting at the table with empty plates in front of us. We will come back one more time because the Rockfish and the cabbage side dish was fantastic. But the service was “meh”. Our check was $200 and I left $40, but if at our next visit we encounter the same kind of service, we won't be back.
What wonderful delicious dinner we all had! Our waitress Fikir described the some of the specialties of the house and she was so right! We'll be coming back!
Fine, but with so many great dining options in the area I doubt Id return. Pros: Clean and modern. Quality food. Some friendly staff members. Cons: Criminally small portions (kale salad had less than 10 pieces of kale), flavor optional, charged for bread, service experience dependent on staff member
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
I stopped by the Huron Hotel breakfast this past weekend to sit with my relatives as they finished their meal. They were in an area with six tables, and ours was the only group seated at one of them. The restaurant was less than a quarter full.
When I set my water bottle on an empty table next to me, the hostess came over and told me to move it because she “had a reservation coming in.” There was no one nearby. The interaction felt unnecessarily abrupt and unfriendly. I even offered to move to the other side of the table since we’d only be a few more minutes, but she repeated herself and walked off. She returned several times to wipe down the same table and continued acting cold and dismissive.
It was such an odd and unkind exchange — completely the opposite of what you expect from hotel hospitality. The experience really turned off my entire family. They enjoyed the hotel experience but noted that the restaurant staff were often dismissive and unprepared for work. This hostess made it clear she didn't want to be at work that morning.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
I generally make it a point to leave positive reviews, knowing that people are more likely to post after a bad experience. With Kiln, I’ve tried to extend the benefit of the doubt on several occasions. Unfortunately, this evening was the breaking point.
The good: The food is usually good. The ambiance is warm and inviting, making Kiln one of the more attractive dining rooms in town.
The problem: Service. Or, more accurately, the lack of it. This isn’t a one-off. After a combined half dozen visits here and at Kiln’s rooftop sibling, Good Fortune, the pattern seems systemic.
Regarding the rooftop sibling: Tonight, I waited 10 minutes on the roof without acknowledgement, while two servers chatted idly with the hostess. Eventually had to get to and ask for service.
Moving downstairs, the dining room was just as welcoming as ever, but it still took close to ten minutes before our server appeared. We ordered wine and appetizers right away, which came comparatively quickly, but the main courses stretched our patience.
When entrées arrived, my friends’ duck, steak, and lamb looked perfect. Mine, however—the same lamb dish, same temperature—was noticeably smaller, overcooked, and frankly looked like scraps. I almost never send food back, but this was an easy call.
The replacement took over 20 minutes (in an almost empty restaurant at this point of the night) which meant I ate alone while my friends’ empty plates were cleared. The lamb was, I dare say, perfect the second time, but by then, the shared sides were cold and the moment had passed. No accommodation was made on the check for the painful awkwardness.
Bottom line: Kiln delivers beautifully on food and atmosphere, but the consistently poor service undermines the entire experience. After multiple visits, it feels less like a bad night and more like a brand-wide issue.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
The food wasn't anything special. Portions are small, prices are high. I had the rockfish, which was a 3-4 ounce portion for $34. It was nothing special. My friend had the lamb, which she said was good, but was served cold. Hubby had the burger, which he liked, but it's not as much as other burgers in Old Town. Oh, and the sweet potato was very small-- we had figured a normal-sized sweet potato is shareable. But this was more like 1/3 of a sweet potato. We all agreed that the experience was mediocre.
Premium pricing for bad food. I paid $65 for the worst steak of my life. My wife ordered the gnocchi and it was a micro portion for $35. Avoid this place.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 3
So despite the low numbers there were several favorable reviews and I took a chance on Kiln. That’s was a mistake I do not want others to make.
The food was mid at best, they suffer from tiny portions and delusional pricing. My beer was the best part of my meal and they didn’t make it. Also if you have an open kitchen concept, make sure the hygiene is flawless……
Save or spend your money elsewhere there are plenty of other options nearby.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 5
Great restaurant! Cool rooftop view of the city. Food was good but a little light in the menu.
We went to restaurant week and had the prix fixe menu. I had a tasty and vibrant appetizer of octopus and nectarine, a delicious duck with perfectly rendered skin, and a delicious pot de crème with a crunchy top. Really quite fabulous.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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