Great choice for dinner when the inn at Mt Vernon was closed for a private event, during our visit. If you get a table by the window it’s a great view of the river.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
CynicalReviewer19
> I had been a loyal customer for over 35 years and was surprised to see the place nearly empty on a Saturday. I later learned they no longer serve Saturday brunch since the change in ownership.
The food wasn’t bad, but nothing stood out. The entire old menu appears to be gone, and the new dishes lack the character the restaurant once had. Cleanliness was acceptable, though there was noticeable dust above chair height.
Overall, it just isn’t the same place anymore. Sadly, I can’t call it the local gem it once was and don’t plan to return.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 3
Austin Alexander
Overall experience was sub par for the pricing. Had the reservation for valentines and they called to ask for card info, they asked if I had seen the fixed menu and I had not but when reaching back out they never provided it nor was it on the website.
Food lacked flavor and was served at room temperature. It felt as if it had been prepared several hours earlier and left in a warmer as some of the meat was rather chewy. The dessert did not match the menu with the exception of the lemon pouset. I ended up with food poisoning most likely from the food being served at room temperature and it was not the valentines I had planned.
Waiter was very inattentive but why would you be when and included 23% is already coming your way. A tip should be earned not guaranteed.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 1
Erin
Valentine’s Day dinner here was, unfortunately, a very expensive disappointment.
We were blindsided by a $120 per person prix fixe menu that was never disclosed on the website or at the time of reservation. Transparency matters, especially when you’re asking people to spend this kind of money.
The food itself did not come close to justifying the price. All but one of our main courses arrived cold. At $120 a head, that should simply never happen. Out of roughly 10 items served, the only standouts were the smoked salmon appetizer, the bread, and the beef Wellington. Everything else ranged from forgettable to genuinely underwhelming. I have included a photo of the two sides that we were served. This was the portion that was sent out for TWO people to share at $120 each. Both were cold and as you can see the quality is…….bad.
The desserts were particularly baffling. One consisted of a single raspberry with sauce, which felt more like a joke than a plated dessert. Several appetizers and desserts tasted and looked store-bought, which is pretty inexcusable at this price point.
Our waiter was the bright spot of the evening and did provide a discount after we raised concerns, which we appreciated. Still, we spent over $350 and left both hungry and disappointed.
For the same money, we could have gone into DC and had an actual fine-dining experience. This was absolutely not how we wanted to spend our Valentine’s Day. Unfortunately, between the lack of upfront communication and the poor quality, this was not worth it and we won’t be returning.
Hee Woon Stewart
I wouldn’t even give one star if there’s an option!!!! 😡Not a great experience at that restaurant! 🤢 Ordered oyster Rockefeller, veal scallopini, and jumbo prawns and scallops for Valentine's dinner and were super disappointed with the food quality and ridiculously long wait for the main course. Definitely not worth a price. 😤
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
JohnaLee
Every meal here is lovely and the cocktails wonderful! Great spot for small intimate dining -
Joe
Cedar Knoll is a unique dining place and if you are an early Americana era buff, you will enjoy the historical aspect. The menu and food are surprisingly good and the Chef's passion really shows through in the preparation and prese tation. We have been there several times thus far and have not been disappointed!
Mike
Overall, the experience was great but we did not freak the food was as good as it usually is.
martha
The paneled dining room at Cedar Knoll is a very moderate size and beautiful with some booths and some tables, placed far apart. It is totally quiet The service was outstanding, and my venison was celestial. My husband was a little less enthusiastic about his crab cake, but all in all, it was a terrific experience, a little pricey but to my mind totally worth it.
Beverley
Cedar Knoll is a lovely experience. The food is delicious and the staff is great. It has a wonderful view of the Potomac River and a terrific club like interior. It is geared mostly towards adults and date nights rather than children. But family dinners are great there, too.
Cedar Knoll is cozy with spectacular views of the Potomac through large picture windows. Cocktails are amazing and the dinners with fresh crab, shrimp and scallops are delicious. A final slice of chocolate cake with two forks and coffee made for a special evening.
Debbie
Exceptional as always, Andrew prepares the most delicious food, the staff are great people and we really enjoy our dining experience there every time
Kevin Mulalley
We were really disappointed with our dinner last night. This has been one of my favorite, go-to restaurants since I moved here 6 years ago. The grilled octopus appetizer should have been labeled as a salad. This was the least amount of octopus I’ve ever received…anywhere. It did not come as a whole tentacle, but cut into small pieces with salad and cut up potatoes. The largest piece was smaller in diameter than my petite girlfriend’s pinky finger, and if all pieces were put together, would probably not have been longer than her finger. The rockfish was severely overcooked, dry and woody. The schnitzel was disappointing as well. Sad to see the level to which Cedar Knoll’s standards have fallen.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
viki ryan
What a disappointment. After enjoying a beautiful Christmas holiday experience several years ago, we had our hearts set on Thanksgiving at Cedar Knoll, knowing we'd have a real Americana experience. NOT. Even though we'd requested another room when we made the reservation, we were seated in the LaFayette room. When we entered it was fully lit, all white walls, folding tables with table clothes, not a single center piece on a table. The room lacked any warmth or character, and the management made no effort to create one for this event. If you didn't know where you were you might think you'd come to a church social or rotary club meeting in a basement.
We were escorted to our table and had to remind the person to check our coats. The waitstaff was stretched, the time between courses was long.
The food was served family style. We had just enough for our party. It wasn't very hot, but tasted good- though not terribly special. The desserts were definitely not memorable; some cookies and what could have been store bought mini pastries.
Overall, it was not worth the nearly $600 for 4 people. For the room we were significanly overdressed. Jeans and a warm sweater would have sufficed to match the ambiance.
This will not be our first choice in the future, it may not make the list at all unless we're guaranteed a different room.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 3
Graham
We had a lovely meal on Thanksgiving. Sara, our server, had been working all day and was still incredibly friendly and attentive. Definitely a nice experience on a very tough day for an restaurant.
Great choice for dinner when the inn at Mt Vernon was closed for a private event, during our visit. If you get a table by the window it’s a great view of the river.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
> I had been a loyal customer for over 35 years and was surprised to see the place nearly empty on a Saturday. I later learned they no longer serve Saturday brunch since the change in ownership.
The food wasn’t bad, but nothing stood out. The entire old menu appears to be gone, and the new dishes lack the character the restaurant once had. Cleanliness was acceptable, though there was noticeable dust above chair height.
Overall, it just isn’t the same place anymore. Sadly, I can’t call it the local gem it once was and don’t plan to return.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 3
Overall experience was sub par for the pricing. Had the reservation for valentines and they called to ask for card info, they asked if I had seen the fixed menu and I had not but when reaching back out they never provided it nor was it on the website.
Food lacked flavor and was served at room temperature. It felt as if it had been prepared several hours earlier and left in a warmer as some of the meat was rather chewy. The dessert did not match the menu with the exception of the lemon pouset. I ended up with food poisoning most likely from the food being served at room temperature and it was not the valentines I had planned.
Waiter was very inattentive but why would you be when and included 23% is already coming your way. A tip should be earned not guaranteed.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 1
Valentine’s Day dinner here was, unfortunately, a very expensive disappointment.
We were blindsided by a $120 per person prix fixe menu that was never disclosed on the website or at the time of reservation. Transparency matters, especially when you’re asking people to spend this kind of money.
The food itself did not come close to justifying the price. All but one of our main courses arrived cold. At $120 a head, that should simply never happen. Out of roughly 10 items served, the only standouts were the smoked salmon appetizer, the bread, and the beef Wellington. Everything else ranged from forgettable to genuinely underwhelming. I have included a photo of the two sides that we were served. This was the portion that was sent out for TWO people to share at $120 each. Both were cold and as you can see the quality is…….bad.
The desserts were particularly baffling. One consisted of a single raspberry with sauce, which felt more like a joke than a plated dessert. Several appetizers and desserts tasted and looked store-bought, which is pretty inexcusable at this price point.
Our waiter was the bright spot of the evening and did provide a discount after we raised concerns, which we appreciated. Still, we spent over $350 and left both hungry and disappointed.
For the same money, we could have gone into DC and had an actual fine-dining experience. This was absolutely not how we wanted to spend our Valentine’s Day. Unfortunately, between the lack of upfront communication and the poor quality, this was not worth it and we won’t be returning.
I wouldn’t even give one star if there’s an option!!!! 😡Not a great experience at that restaurant! 🤢 Ordered oyster Rockefeller, veal scallopini, and jumbo prawns and scallops for Valentine's dinner and were super disappointed with the food quality and ridiculously long wait for the main course. Definitely not worth a price. 😤
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
Every meal here is lovely and the cocktails wonderful! Great spot for small intimate dining -
Cedar Knoll is a unique dining place and if you are an early Americana era buff, you will enjoy the historical aspect. The menu and food are surprisingly good and the Chef's passion really shows through in the preparation and prese tation. We have been there several times thus far and have not been disappointed!
Overall, the experience was great but we did not freak the food was as good as it usually is.
The paneled dining room at Cedar Knoll is a very moderate size and beautiful with some booths and some tables, placed far apart. It is totally quiet The service was outstanding, and my venison was celestial. My husband was a little less enthusiastic about his crab cake, but all in all, it was a terrific experience, a little pricey but to my mind totally worth it.
Cedar Knoll is a lovely experience. The food is delicious and the staff is great. It has a wonderful view of the Potomac River and a terrific club like interior. It is geared mostly towards adults and date nights rather than children. But family dinners are great there, too.
Restaurantji Recommends
Cedar Knoll is cozy with spectacular views of the Potomac through large picture windows. Cocktails are amazing and the dinners with fresh crab, shrimp and scallops are delicious. A final slice of chocolate cake with two forks and coffee made for a special evening.
Exceptional as always, Andrew prepares the most delicious food, the staff are great people and we really enjoy our dining experience there every time
We were really disappointed with our dinner last night. This has been one of my favorite, go-to restaurants since I moved here 6 years ago. The grilled octopus appetizer should have been labeled as a salad. This was the least amount of octopus I’ve ever received…anywhere. It did not come as a whole tentacle, but cut into small pieces with salad and cut up potatoes. The largest piece was smaller in diameter than my petite girlfriend’s pinky finger, and if all pieces were put together, would probably not have been longer than her finger. The rockfish was severely overcooked, dry and woody. The schnitzel was disappointing as well. Sad to see the level to which Cedar Knoll’s standards have fallen.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
What a disappointment. After enjoying a beautiful Christmas holiday experience several years ago, we had our hearts set on Thanksgiving at Cedar Knoll, knowing we'd have a real Americana experience. NOT. Even though we'd requested another room when we made the reservation, we were seated in the LaFayette room. When we entered it was fully lit, all white walls, folding tables with table clothes, not a single center piece on a table. The room lacked any warmth or character, and the management made no effort to create one for this event. If you didn't know where you were you might think you'd come to a church social or rotary club meeting in a basement.
We were escorted to our table and had to remind the person to check our coats. The waitstaff was stretched, the time between courses was long.
The food was served family style. We had just enough for our party. It wasn't very hot, but tasted good- though not terribly special. The desserts were definitely not memorable; some cookies and what could have been store bought mini pastries.
Overall, it was not worth the nearly $600 for 4 people. For the room we were significanly overdressed. Jeans and a warm sweater would have sufficed to match the ambiance.
This will not be our first choice in the future, it may not make the list at all unless we're guaranteed a different room.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 3
We had a lovely meal on Thanksgiving. Sara, our server, had been working all day and was still incredibly friendly and attentive. Definitely a nice experience on a very tough day for an restaurant.
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