A friend and I stopped in around 6PM for a quick dinner before an evening class on a Wednesday. There was only one other table occupied in our area, but there was a large group in a private/separate room. Since we had limited time (about an hour), our waitress was very good about keeping our dinner moving. I ordered the fish special (flounder with marinated onions) and was terribly disappointed. There was hardly any fish (2 VERY small pan-fried filets) and far too many slices of grilled onion. Who eats just grilled onion?? I told the server that I was disappointed (too small portion and too many onions) but nothing was taken off the bill. In splitting the bill with my friend, I paid $60 for two bites of fish, a side of sweet potato fries and half of a dessert. DEFINITELY WON'T BE GOING BACK!!!
(2)
Carey A.
Found a great deal on eater.com that offered a FREE 5-course tasting menu for all those celebrating birthdays in April. The hubby and I have been wanting to try this restaurant for some time and since his birthday was in April, it gave us the perfect opportunity to try out their tasting menu. This place is definitely great for private getaways, as it was filled with couples and parties no larger than 4. We stopped at the bar to have a few drinks and if you aren't up for a 5-9 course tasting menu you can always opt to just eat ala carte at the bar, but we weren't here for that. Once seated, we decided to go with the 9 course tasting menu. . .hey, you only live once, right! We shared a bottle of wine, and started our 2 hour binge fest, HA-HA! I will have to admit that we were both a little disappointed that everything was just pretty good. We were waiting for something to really blow our socks off and/or just be really memorable, but unfortunately we didn't experience this as such. What was memorable about this place was the traditional, cozy, and quaint setting. The service was some of the best we have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. It was just a great overall experience, and something that you will always remember. We would definitely recommend this place to couples celebrating special events. In the mean time, we will continue our search for places in the DC metro area that wow us with their food!
(4)
Krystin M.
Restaurant Eve is now one of my most favorite restaurants I have been to in the DC area. Just walking up to restaurant Eve your led by beautiful candle light and gorgeous decor once you walk in. First impression had me already excited to dine there! My friend and I choose to eat at the bar due to the restaurant being very busy. Which was a wonderful experience in itself. The bartenders were extremely kind and very attentive and crafted perfect martinis! The food was incredible! We had the salad of wild mushrooms as our appetizer which was divine!! Yet, the entree was our favorite part. It was their special of the evening -veal shank pulled off the bone over a bed of polenta. The veal was so tender and flavorful and the polenta was the perfect side to compliment the veal. Such a creative and tasteful dish! I wish we would have had room for dessert and will definitely try at my next visit! Between the decor, service, drinks and food- outstanding!!! Can not wait to return again soon!
(5)
Meghan C.
I've stayed at the Hotel Monaco several times, and had heard that one of the best resturants in the DC area (Restaurant Eve) was right next door. Finally, we had a lunch business meeting scheduled there, and I was excited to finally visit. Our dining companions explained that the menu is constantly changing, and all produce and ingredients are fresh and local. Perfect. First, we were served amazing bread. After much deliberation, I decided on the blackened sea bass served over diced beets and butter braised sunchokes. The pairing was great, but the dish was small, despite the waiter assuring me that it would be more than enough food. I ordered an additional item of the risotto, which was fantastic. We finished off with freshly steeped coffee and home made shortbread. The shortbread was amazing! Better than any shortbread that I have tasted. I would knock down this review to a 4.5 because the wait staff was a tad rigid.
(5)
Joshua S.
A place to enjoy a special night. Attentive staff, delectable food and drinks, cozy atmosphere. Menu-wise, you can't go wrong. Drink-wise, the gin and tonic is to die for.
(4)
Andrea S.
I'd give 3.5 if I could. This is only about the tasting menu experience, and I can't help but compare it to the others I've had (Volt, Citronelle, Komi). We did 7 courses with a group of 4 for a special occasion. I was disappointed that the pescatarian in our group was given a ton of fish--I think some creative vegetarian dishes would have been better than filet after filet--to me it seemed kind of one-note. The table favorites were mushroom agnolotti and a chocolate cake bar. I found that the smaller the bites, the more delicious and interesting they were, so the canapes and amouse. But the lamb and other dishes just didn't pack a punch. The flavors weren't interesting. I also found the service to be a little off--not terrible, but it just wasn't smooth. I'd expect each dish to be explained at least a little upon presentation, especially when the menu is vague. We shouldn't have to wonder what something might be. From our experience, Eve seemed like a fine tasting for the less adventurous. But for over $100 a person I want to be wowed (even if a little confused or hesitant at times).
(3)
Darren S.
I'm very stingy with my stars and Eve earned all 5. Great good, excellent service from a team of employees and a truly local and organic menu with a strong eye on sustainability. Very happy to see skate wing and various shellfish dishes offered. Expensive, but with good food you get what you pay for. My asparagus app was amazing and my local organic rib eye was spectacular. Local Rhubarb cobbler for desert was awesome. Five Star!
(5)
Hannah H.
Our project team decided to indulge for a celebratory dinner and this place really hit the spot. The service was probably the one of the best I'd experienced. The atmosphere was initmate and really could be romantic if you went there for that special occassion. We all went with the 7-course pre-fix meal and it was delectable! We all loved it. The servers were knowlegdable enough to explain the varieities and differences of the wine they carried. If I was in the area again, I would definitely reserve a table there in advance.
(5)
Rebecca Y.
4.5 stars. I came here with my aunt last year around this time, so my review can't be as accurate as I'd like it to be. But I remember I really enjoyed my experience there. First off, the decor is impeccable. Perfect for a date or a super special occasion. When I was there, I remember several large groups celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and graduations. I still remember the cloth napkins were bound together by an exquisite jeweled butterfly. They also have a special metal hook that attached to the table so that you could hang your bag on it. Maybe that's standard at fancy restaurants, but I've never seen it before, so I thought that was pretty nifty! Second, I love the theme of this place (a Garden of Eden sort of thing) and the little motifs that appear in its menu, inside and outside the restaurant. A vase on our table featured a flower with its green stem coiled around like a snake. Outside of the restaurant was also beautiful with dim lights, cobblestone, and ivy; a "Secret Garden" type of atmosphere. I remember we both got the 5-course Tasting Room Menu ($110 each), with each course representing a different stage in creation: Creation (fruits, herbs, legumes, beans), Ocean (seafood dishes), Earth and Sky (meat dishes), Age (jams, purees, marmalade), and Eden (dessert). -I remember I liked some dishes better than others, but can't remember any specifics. But the one dish that really stood out was the "Eden" course: Tasting of Chocolate. WOWWWW. From left to right on your plate, you have a spectrum of different kinds of chocolate, from white to milk to dark, in different textures, from airy mousse to velvety gelato to buttery cookie to thick cream. Each one was exquisite. This dish was ABSOLUTELY PERFECT, from presentation, to quality, to taste. A lot of thought was put into this. A MUST-HAVE. To top it all off, we ended the 5-course meal with grapefruit jellies and a couple mini-chocolate cookies topped with gold dust (whoa, awesome!) I'm eating gold! =D The restaurant also let us have a copy of our menu tied with a ribbon, to help us remember our wonderful evening. I don't know where that menu is now, otherwise, I'd write a much more detailed Yelp review :) Bottom line: Come here for a super special occasion (birthday, graduation, anniversary) or with a very special someone. Everything here is meant to impress!
(4)
Michael U.
Full review of the actual dinner service in the Tasting Room in my blog, highlights below: Having heard good things from multiple friends and Washingtonians (including Chef Cooper at Vidalia and the Maitre D' at The Inn) I was quite excited for the meal and although reservations were a bit tricky it worked out well as the Tasting Room is open on Mondays and we landed a two top for 6pm. Arriving 20 minutes late due to traffic we parked the car and made our way down the tiny alley to the lobby of Chef Cathal Armstrong's beautiful restaurant and were greeted pleasantly by a pair of young ladies who led us quickly to the Tasting Room, a lovely space separated by glass doors from the restaurant proper. The vision of Chef Armstrong and his wife Meshelle, Eve features three dining areas with each sporting different menus and price ranges, the tasting room being the most exclusive. Having contacted the restaurant ahead of time I was assured it was okay for me to order the spontaneous 9-course menu while mom opted for less food - I will note that Reservations Manager Ashley Pique' was quite helpful both before and after the meal, when she E-mailed me to ask for a mailing address for a copy of the menu. For my second course, the presentation was Chef Armstrong's signature 000 "Oysters, Cippolini Onions, Iranian Osetera Caviar" and like other signature oysters and caviar dishes it is worthy of the title as signature dish. A clever play on the "000" rating given to Beluga caviar I opted stir and combine the dish after cutting the oyster in half - the fluffy tart itself being substantial and the oyster being solo. With the overall flavor of the dish strongly influenced by the supple oyster flesh and briny popping caviar I appreciated the manner in which the sweet and pungent onion balanced out the heavy and buttery tart - each flavor showing on its own but also complementing the others. The next dish for myself was a $15 supplement (even on the spontaneous tasting there are three options for supplemental cost - foie, lobster, and Iranian Osetera) and worth every penny - even if it did look like the world's most golden Twinkie when it arrived. Simply dubbed Foie Gras en Croute with Bliss Elixir and Pickled Rhubarb the best way to describe this dish is to see a picture - essentially a sliced log of Foie gras baked in a golden pastry shell and served alongside sour pickled rhubarb, shaved wisps of fennel, and a strawberry-lavender-citrus sauce. A thicker and more texturally layered slice of liver than most I rather assume the Foie Gras itself was first roasted before baking, but whatever the method it was excellent and ample in portion. My fifth course was amongst my favorites of the night, largely because it presented something I loved in a manner I've never seen done. First roasted to remove some of the fattiness, then pan fried to crisp, the dish of Crispy Belly of Pork with Virginia Asparagus, Jamon Iberico, Sauce Soubise was excellent. Minimally fatty for pork belly, the two slices were wrapped around a thin slice of Iberico ham that added a smoky flavor to the already intensely savory belly - paring the two pig proteins with potato batons, onion, and nutty green asparagus gave the dish a stew-like essence...it reminded me of a more refined version of the Pork Steak and Potatoes my Grandfather used to make...a good memory, to be sure. Having written ahead to tell them we'd be celebrating my mother's birthday in addition to the previously mentioned accomplishments we were next delivered what has become a signature dish of the Eve Bistro menu - the Birthday Cake. Expensive at $12 the cake was wonderful with a poundcake textured interior and rich buttercream frosting - as a larger version of the recipe has been published in that past by the Washington Post I do wonder if they used Kerrygold butter in the dish or if a "lesser butter" would produce a dish equally rich - if the later this could become a go-to standard cake recipe for myself. Making our way to the door we had a glimpse of the small kitchen - almost too small to imagine so much great food coming from, especially with all the home curing, brewing, pressing, and roasting. Bid farewell by our primary server and the hostess we made our way to the street with our scones and butter in hand to find the world of old town Alexandria buttoned up tight and quiet - like Washington, VA the place seemed miles away from the metropolis of DC. Looking back on the meal I have to say it was a wonderful experience - the food Armstrong is putting out of that kitchen being some of the balanced and "unfussy" I've had at a restaurant of that caliber and his sourcing, business model, and dedication to a vision beyond reproach.
(5)
Charles S.
Eve's was just a bit off. If I were to go back, it would be for lunch at the bar. Here's the story: Big night in Old Town with out of town guests so we chose Eve. The food and wine were excellent. I was very pleased with the duck breast; my wife got a surprisingly large portion of nicely prepared veal milanese. Desserts and appetizers were fine, but not outstanding. It took me a while to figure out what I didn't like about Eve. I had a fabulous and equally costly meal in Miami two weeks ago. There the owner and staff did everything to cater to the guests and ensure they were content. Eve gives off the aura that the guests should accommodate themselves to this shrine of haute cuisine. If they aren't completely delighted, it's the guest who has the problem. I should have suspected that when they asked for my credit card number when I made the reservation. At a merely expensive restaurant, okay. At take-out-the-second-mortgage prices, everything should be perfect.
(4)
Tony B.
The Yelp description for 2 stars suits our experience at the bistro at Restaurant Eve perfectly: "Meh. I've experienced better" Good points: the restaurant is very nice, well decorated, good furniture, clean, etc. as you'd expect. Love the concept behind the regionality of the food (though I've never seen monkfish or salmon in the Potomac) The wine list was about what would be expected from a restaurant playing at this price point. Greeters were very nice. Plating and presentation were well done, cheese selection was quite good, the venison carapccio was also good. Mediocre points: the service was both pretentious and lacking (the server trying to speak down his nose while saying "ummmmmm" while trying to remember the specials isn't impressive), and service took an excrutiating amount of time with plates sitting on the table longer than they should have. Also, if two plates go back with more than half the food left on them, you might enquire why. Bad points: frankly, the food just wasn't that good. The leg steak tasted of nothing but the breading, was dry and was on par with your average chicken fried steak. For $37 I expected something far more refined. The Belly of kurobuta Pork was simply not a good piece of meat -- far too much gristle and again, meager flavor profile. The saucing on the foie gras special was far too sweet for the dish and overwhelmed the foie gras. So all that is to say that it feels as though Eve is still checking all the boxes for what should make a high-end restaurant successful: nice place, good wine list, interesting (local?) ingredients, snooty wait staff. The mechanics are in place. But the food just felt like an afterthought. After trying each course, we said "Meh, I've experienced better . . ." What's a dining experience if you don't get anything from the flavour of your food? And for a $230 check, that doesn't fly. Next time I think we'll go back to Tallula.
(2)
Joe C.
I have been living in Alexandria and working in NYC for 8 years--Restaurant Eve is the only fine-dining experience I consider on par with Manhattan. I give it 5 stars for the food, 5 stars for the ambience, and 5 stars for the wine program (I have learned as much as I'll ever need to know about Madeiran wine from the knowledgeable and enthusiastic sommelier). I have experienced the tasting menu here 4 times and look forward to the 5th.
(5)
Rob S.
Had dinner tonight at the best restaurant in the United States! Sharon and I had a ball there.
During my time in DC, my friend raved, and raved of this one restaurant in Alexandria. If you can break away from work and wander over to Eve, you can take advantage of probably one of the best deals in town! The Licketey Split Lounge Lunch Meal is an awesome one. (Say that five times fast) The only catch is, you have to walk in (between the hours of 11:30 - 4:00 Monday thru Friday) and grab a stool at the bar. If there is a wait, do it, trust me it's worth it. The way this works is relatively simple in principle, choose any two items from the menu for 13.50. That's right, any two items, if you want a cocktail with a pint of Guinness you can do that, you can do two desserts, or any combination of the appetizers and entree. The hardest thing is to decide what combination you want! I mean in this day and age considering the strength of the economy, sure for 13.50 for lunch it can be a little splurge, but if you think of it as a test run, to get an idea on the food coming out of the kitchen where dinner entrees may run 35-40 bucks, and their 9 course tasting menu goes for 150... This is quite a deal! After much deliberation, the four of us finally decided on our meal, here are the items we choose... Seared Maine diver scallop with chantrelle mock risotto and pea puree - The scallop was perfectly cooked, the meat still had a subtle sweetness to it, it had a nice crust on the outside. The mushroom mock risotto had a amazing flavor, great texture and against the pea puree it added color to the dish and the fresh pea flavor contrasted well with the starch. OMG, a seriously amazing dish. Creme of leek and potato soup - A simple soup, with a nice depth in flavor, the creamy potato and the aromatics from the leeks made for a great soup, it was actually very light and clean flavored. Nothing complicated here, you just taste the ingredients. Irish BLT with chips - The sandwich was tasty, the bacon was fatty, crisp and had a great smokiness. The chips where just OK, but the sandwich was fantastic. Pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw - The pulled pork was decent, it was actually a little on the dry side for my tastes. But the brioche bun it was served on, had a fantastic crust, but was light and airy. The coleslaw was very light and refreshing, not to heavy on the mayonnaise. Frisee salad with seared monk fish and mustard creme sauce - They gave quite a generous piece if monk fish, it to had a nice char on the outside, a rich velvety and flavorful center, I was worried if the mustard sauce would be to overpowering, but with the mild spiciness, and creaminess, it went really well with the dish. Birthday cake - Tasted like a normal cake, looked really cute, but it wasn't exactly anything different that I have ever made. Overall, I was really impressed, the buy behind the bar was fun, witty and very attentive. The food came out pretty quickly and I must say the two be dishes of the meal had to be the seared scallop dish and the monkfish salad. Still the other items on the menu were still pretty damn good, and they definitely got me really interested in coming back. It's shame that I can't enjoy the lunch special more often, but it's also probably for the better of my waist and my wallet. I guess the next time I come here, considering it's a special occasion that I should come back and splurge on one of their fancy tasting menus. When I made my way to the restroom I did get a glimpse of a kitchen side dinning table as well. Oh man, I can't wait to go back to the east coast!!!
(5)
Jonathan K.
I really wanted to give Restaurant Eve's Tasting Room five stars. But, there were just too many slip ups, for a restaurant of this caliber, for me to give them such high marks. When we were being shown to our table, and I asked to be seated away from the entrance, the "greeter" acted dumbfounded. She fumbled for a few moments and then offered a more private table (they knew before hand that it was my wife's birthday). I would have overlooked this ineptness, but the greeter never pulled the original table out so that my wife could scoot out to go to the new table (after she had done so to seat her). Maybe this is nitpicking, but I took it as a sign of an inexperienced staff. The other complaint, and it was consistent, was the temperature of the food. Each course was merely lukewarm (when they should have been hot). It was as if they had been prepared before hand, and had been sitting in the kitchen, but not even under a heat lamp. I don't think that was the case, but I expected (and have experienced better prepared tasting menus in other upscale establishments) something other than barely warm dishes. On the positive side, the waitstaff was extremely professional, balancing their friendliness with just the right amount of information (for us) about the food and wine pairing (both of which were excellent and perfectly matched). This balance is very difficult to achieve and I applaud the servers for their sensitivity and demeanor. This is still the best restaurant in Old Town Alexandria and well worth a special occasion visit. More so if they work out the kinks at the front desk and find a way to get hot food to the tables.
(4)
Molly T.
Solid 4.5 stars. I'm taking off .5 of because of the last course disappointment. Check out the pics of all courses(except the first one). My brother took My Mother and I to Restaurant Eve to celebrate her birthday. I wore 5 inch heels( they were tasteful mind you. And yes, this is possible). What I must mention to any women planning to go.. have your "driver' drop you at the front or park really close to the entrance. As you'd expect, this Old Town Alexandria Gem is well, located in Alexandria, which is, well Old and the streets could use some leveling/repair. That said, let's get to the review. (PS. We ordered one of each of the supplements- the Caviar $35 and the Lobster $15- see asides below) We decided to order the 9 course Chef's Tasting Menu( I mean, if you're going to do it.. do it right, right?). Listed below are our courses and small notes. Course 1: I honestly can't remember. I didn't take a picture of this one, but I remember enjoying it. Not a favorite though.. Course 2: OOO" Onions, Oysters and an "O" shaped croissant topped with Ostera caviar. M'mm. Absolutely Incredible. This was my Mother's Favorite Dish. Really well done pastry shell with delicious oozing warm onion and oyster filling. A great way to start the meal. ***My brother ordered the supplement Caviar: Black River Ostera Caviar with Creme Fraiche Sherbert and crisp feuilles de brick. Severed with a Mother of Pearl spoon. Quite honestly it was a lot of caviar(yes, we should have known). He enjoyed it, but later wished he'd gotten the OOO as it came with a small, but decent portion rather than an ice cream scoop worth. Course 3: Housemade Ricotta Tortellini with sugar snap peas and pine nuts in a parmesan-garlic cream topped with fontina cheese. Really delicate tortellini with a creamy, buttery and sweet sauce( YES I dipped the bread in it. It was that good. Yes, I know where I was dining. No, no one frowned at this). Course 4: Tasmanian Sea Trout Filet with Pioppini Puree, Garlic Scapes and Diva Cucumbers. ( The crust was crisp and delicious. Unexpected and innovative. The cucumbers added a nice crunch and texture. The sauce had a slightly soy taste.) ***My Lobster Supplement: Butter Poached Maine Lobster in a curry sauce with tumeric and heirloom carrots. Absolutely Incredible. Succulent, perfectly poached lobster with an amazing curry sauce. I don't like curry, but I LOVED THIS. A highlight of the meal for sure. Course 5: Crisp Veal Sweetbreads with spring onions, jamon iberico and bone marrow vinigrette. Bone Marrow Vinigretty sounds disgusting, but this was my other favorite of the night. My mother who is an incredibly picky eater actually enjoyed this until the dinner conversation went to include what Sweetbreads really were. Then she was finished... Course 6: Roast Randall Lineback with fava bean puree, morels and a Ciabatta Froth. Really interesting and unexpected. The fava beans were perfectly cooked. The ciabatta froth a nice treat. The meat was cooked perfectly and decently sized. Course 7: Piedmont Cheese over poached grapefruit with lavender from the Restaurant Eve Garden. This dish came with honey as well and it really made it sing. The lavender was a nice touch and added to the springy feel. Course 8: Buttermilk Panna Cotta with poached blueberries and aged, lavender honey. If you like Panna Cotta, you'll love this. The poached blueberries were so fresh and burst-in-your-mouth goodness. The best blueberries I've ever had. Course 9: Chocolate ganache brownie with an extra virgin olive oil "kiss" and sorbet. This was my least favorite course. The brownie was dry. The olive kiss was very unusual. Not bad, but definitely not "dessert." A little disappointed, but since we were already stuffed, it wasn't a big deal. There were many small plates, Amuse-bouche throughout the meal. Two before and one between the savory and dessert portion of the tasting. I remember there being something with a foie gras mousse that was incredible. Later we had a mini Peanut Butter Cupcake and to finish after the tasting, there were macaroons and marshmellows. Yes, we somehow managed to eat all of the food. I would have to say that it exceeded my expectations. I felt like the service was lacking slightly. All the i's were dotted and t's crossed, but I sensed a stuffiness or arrogance from two of our servers, which was off putting. The "food runners" were pleasant. The decor seems true to being an Old Town Fixture, but it is not my taste. A little bit too ticky-tacky, old country cottage, eclectic for my taste. P.S. The small tasting room is COLD. This may have been because I sat between two vents, but be prepared and bring a cover-up that is suitable for a three and half hour dinner. (PS. I'm super excited. I heard they have a Lickity Split Lunch( 2 course for $13). I will be going asap to try it and then report back. If you don't have $600 to blow on the below 9 course, I'd recommend giving this a try.. Eve is great.)
(4)
D H.
We went to the tasting room, where I picked my 5 courses, and my wife got the 5 course chef surprise version, which costs an extra $25. The food was good, and so were the wine pairings, and the service was very good. The disappointment at the end of the evening was when we realized that the chef's surprise menu choices were all just from the regular menu -- what a waste of $25.
(4)
Richard L.
I have known a particular lovely brunette for a while now, and I've always liked the idea of looking at her over the wide expanse of a cream colored tablecloth. I never had a chance to do so - our schedules have always been at odds with each other, which I always thought was quite a pity. Of course, fate has a lovely way of pushing beautiful women into my life, if only momentarily, so it was with electric glee that I convinced her to have dinner with me. This is not a simple task - I am, as is well known in some circles, a complete asshole. Sure I'm gorgeous, and charming, and I smell faintly of chypre and sandalwood, but I am also an asshole. I picked Restaurant Eve in order to get around this fact...did I mention I'm brilliant? I arrived early and drank at the bar - a lovely bar, warm wood and dim lighting, the staging of a lounge crossed with the exultation of a properly stocked bar. All of the drinks were named with the wry humor of a lackadaisical wit. which I appreciated. I ordered an old fashioned crafted with decent rye bourbon, and I appreciated the way the bartender made it. Muddled sugar with the citrus peel, rye, tonic. No simple syrup, one large ice cube, stirred enough times to properly dilute and mix in the sugar. I do think the sugar was not dissolved enough(generally it's hard to get sugar into the liquid without osmosing over time), but it was still quite good. The drink was delicious, perfect, beautiful. The same could be said for the girl, who walked in looking as lovely as anyone has ever looked in this restaurant. One of the hostesses walked us to our table...I followed behind them, out of courtesy, and also because watching this girl walk in heels is something that she could probably charge a man for, and I would happily pay. We talked as we ordered drinks, our orders taken by an exceptionally professional waiter, and ordered appetizers. I barely registered the food, since she had the kind of eyes that glimmer gold, but when the food arrived I was jarred back to reality. There were oysters rolled in cornmeal and fried, over mushrooms. There was a salad with sweet lobster and the acid overtones of citrus. It was fantastic, and we both ate quietly with secular devotion. Our waiter(who was as perfect as a waiter can be, by way...especially as he used a moleskine instead of a receipt) brought us bread, that we ate as talked about whatever two lovely people tend to talk about. The entrees came, pork belly for me, filets of sugar toads(fish, not actual toads) for her. They were both outstanding, so delicious that I lost track of my thoughts for a moment - I looked at her and I thought to myself that I would like to feel the pulse of her excitement through that nimbus pale skin of her neck, and then I took a bite of my pork belly and couldn't think of her anymore. The soft creaminess of the melting fat combined with the sweet saltiness of the pork, and my soul did little half arc pirouettes into the sky. The evening was lost in bliss and I watched it go, a father sending sons to war. After dinner I took a toothpick and there was a warm frisson outside, where I should have kissed her, lips parted softly and the night an astor lily pale. A light refracted and I watched it chase from iris to iris and I gave her a hug instead. I walked down the street followed by long shadows made small by passing cars. Restaurant Eve is the kind of place that makes leaving without a kiss from beautiful women no less perfect than it could have been. That is not a small thing. That is not a thing that can be disregarded, like the turning of a season. If you are in Old Town Alexandria, there is no better place to eat than here.
(5)
Linda S.
Wow! Stopped in for lunch on a whim and was blown away by the amazing food and service. This is probably the best meal I've ever had in the DC area. We were embarassingly underdressed for the elegance of this place, but the staff nevertheless made us feel warmly welcome. Service was attentive and thoughtful throughout, A+ from beginning to end. We ordered the 3-course Virginia Asparagus menu, $35 for a hearty, well-crafted, beautiful and very creative meal. It was all absolutely delicious, but my favorite was the entree of fried lemon and whitebait with pickled baby asparagus. The brightness of the lemon and asparagus perfectly balanced the delicate little fried fish. I had my doubts about the asparagus sorbet in the dessert, and by itself it was a little unusual, but it paired so nicely with the creamy lemon cake. The cocktail menu was so interesting that I wanted to order everything. The ones we tried were fantastic, albeit a little on the sweet side. The by-the-glass wine selection was good and the prices very fair. I have one minor quibble, and related suggestion to the restaurant: please keep the steam irons out of the dining room. This is unfortunately not the first upscale restaurant where I've seen linens ironed at tables as they are reset during service. I don't know if it's supposed to be a whimsical twist in a fancy setting, but for me at least, it doesn't work. Going out for an excellent meal in beautiful surroundings is a rare indulgence, an escape from the everyday. It kinda kills the fantasy when you look up and see reminders of the chores waiting for you at home.
(5)
Jeff P.
We heard/read that Eve was an amazing restaurant. Ate there last night and it was quite a disappointment (especially for the price). I had the lamb special (bland & boring) and my wife had the ribeye (nothing special). The big-eyed tuna appetizer was excellent as were the pre-dinner cocktails ("Bring out your Dead"-awesome). The birthday cake was a major let-down. Dry cake + butter creme frosting = wishing you were having cake from Harris Teeter. The service was poor. The server was nice enough, but could offer no advice on the menu or wine list (she's smart enough to not eat there I guess). And dinner......took.......forever. At least we had plenty of bread!
(2)
Ana W.
Favorite restaurant in DMV. Great service and food everytime. My all-time favorite is the mussels. Just had the snapper which was delicious. Bread is a must-try also. Enjoy'!
(5)
Robert S.
It is really a 4 star place, but my wife and I were bitten by black flies on our ankles and feet during dinner. Additionally, I was served a port with a black fly in it. The food, service, and ambiance are worth 4+ stars otherwise. The flounder with poblano sauce is an outstanding starter, as is the roasted mushroom salad. The cocktail selection is great and the 'Buzzed' cocktail had just enough ginger and bitters to make it a great summer drink. Overall it is not worth the money though and the lack of concern for the flies was disappointing for a place of this reputation.
(3)
Margaux H.
The food was a 5, but the service was a 2... We ate in the Tasting Room and did the 5 course option, which actually ended up being 8 when you count the canapes, amuse buche, AND check-accompanying cookies. (There are also 7 and 9 courses, but I'm pretty sure you'd have to find an extra stomach or spend all day there to be able to eat all of that.) There was an option of the chef surprising you with selections for each course, but we decided to chose our own since his choices would have come from the same menu anyway. Pretty much everything was fantastically delicious. Favorites were a puffed pastry filled with cipollini onions, oysters, and a cream sauce, topped with a very generous spoonful of osetra caviar (the "OOO"); the antelope, which surprisingly tasted nothing like venison and was absolutely beautifully cooked; and the wine pairings, which were just out of this world. Usually we are very disappointed with wine pairings and kicking ourselves for not having ordered something we knew we'd like. But if there's a place to do the pairings, it is Eve. Todd Thrasher is a genius. Two complaints for what was otherwise an amazing experience. The reduction on my rabbit dish was a little off, and the service was very mediocre. I think we must have sat at our table for 45 minutes before we were served a lick of food (and mind you, our seating wasn't even until 8:45 pm), there were lip marks on my water glass, and the waitstaff were overall pretty ineffectual. It was really a shame, and in general, poor service really ruins a meal for me. Fortunately, it was a celebration, I was with the man I love, and the food itself was extraordinary good, so our evening still was an incredible one (portions x-posted to my blog).
(5)
Truly I.
I feel funny about not being more excited about Restaurant Eve. All of my friends said, "Ooooh, you'll love it!" so we booked it for our anniversary dinner. The long and the short of it is that if I went back, I think it would be for their lickety-split lunch. If I went back for dinner, I'd only order appetizers. It's quite heavy and rich food, which somehow is not that appealing when it's 100 degrees outside. That said, the service was very attentive, although the waiter was a "low talker" so we had to strain to hear him. Each server very thoughtfully wished us a happy anniversary. More details: The salted bread is phenomenal. The lobster roll appetizer was luscious. Very, very tender lobster meat. By the time I had finished it (and didn't eat the rolls), I was full. My whole bass with lobster sauce was overly salty, and I'm someone who salts everything. His steak was chewy and tough. He said he much preferred steaks we had grilled at home the week before. So, gastronomically not the delight I had hoped for, but nice attentive service.
(3)
Susan M.
My girlfriend and I went here after shopping because we saw great reviews. Decided to sit in the bar because of the off time. Moved from the table to the bar where we were treated poorly or ignored by the bartender, who was the opposite with regulars. My girlfriend felt it was racism because she's black and the white customers were treated differently. We did the best we could but the food is not that great, over priced and our treatment was horrendous. Looked into diningroom before we left and the smell was horrible. Forget Eve's - there are better places to go in Old Town. We will NEVER go back!
(1)
Amber B.
Hands down, one of the best establishments I have been to in the mid-Atlantic region. Innovative, yet traditional. Sophisticated, yet not too pretentious. I loved my Eve experience and if it was this good for lunch, I can't imagine how amazing a dinner here would be. After years (!) of living in the area and always wanting to go, finally the opportunity arose last month when my coworkers & I decided to take our boss here (it's her favorite) for her birthday lunch. We started with the papri chat, which is a yogurt-sauce based chutney mix with potatoes, chickpeas and spices. There was also a crunch in there that made it all complete. We all had a helping of this and all "Mmmm"-ed and "Oh yeah"-ed at first bite. It was then that we knew this meal was going to rock our world. For my main course I had the pan roasted Alaskan line caught halibut w/ Virginia asparagus, chanterelles and cipollinis. My oh my. This was seasoned and cooked to perfection and went lovely with the side of bacon and garbanzo risotto w/ Gorgonzola. Among other hit entrees at the table: chicken confit, roasted black bass w/ morels, ramps and a black garlic puree, and the two guys at our table had the Hawaiian blue prawn sammy w/ salsa fresca and serrano aioli and a ham & cheese sandwich which looked, well like it was an Eve ham n cheese sand which :) But then came the desserts. Of course, we ordered the birthday cake, the devils food cake w/ strawberries and chocolate ganache and --and this was by far best of all three -- the rhubarb pineapple crumble with vanilla bean ice cream. I know what you're thinking.. Rhubarb? And if you're like me and don't necessarily like pineapple. Pineapple? Let me tell you: this dessert was perfection in a bowl. The rhubard-pineapple crumble was equal parts subtle as it was sweet and we all could not get enough of this. The choc ganache devils food was tasty, but much too sweet for me. The birthday cake was just OK for me as well, but that's just my personal opinion, as the table loved it. It was very butter tasting it was overbearing. Top it all of with impeccable service and a beautiful, comfy layout and decor (kinda old school, but quaint). Restaurant Eve is a perfect place for any occasion, whether it's a birthday, an anniversary, date night or just any day/night of the week you're looking for a fantastic meal. This is sure to be had at Restaurant Eve. I can't wait to get back for dinner and even the Lickity Split lunch, which was packed in the bar when we visited.
(5)
Alisa M.
My boyfriend took me to Restaurant Eve for my birthday for the Tasting Menu. This place is very very elegant. I will keep this review short because looks like a lot of people have reviewed this place as well. I can't recall all of the things in my tasting menu but the pictures should give you an idea of what to expect. The tasting menu is 7 courses with amuse bouche and macaroons at the end. So really its like 9 courses. It doesn't look like much food but it really was A LOT! The food was amazing! It's a great place for a special occasion! Check out my pictures! flickr.com/photos/pixela…
(5)
S T.
What a disaster! I made reservations on line for my husband's birthday and was so excited after the reviews i read. So, we arrive and the hostess wishes me a happy birthday! I corrected her and told her it was for my husband and that the name was in correct. I guess they thought my online reservation had a typo and corrected it making the male name a female one. Next, we were seated side by side, which we are not fond of and were reseated but with some attitude from woman seating us. Next, the personalized menus arrived with the typo at top. Now the menu sounds amazing as written! Very detailed. That is until the food arrives. We are well aware of tasting menus and nouvelle cuisine being a fan of komi but come on! Mediocre tasting food that is miniscule in exceptionally large plates is a joke. We are willing to pay a substantial amount for good food, but no gimmicks. Multiple course tasting menus need to be truly tasting menus and not served as elaborately presented courses when you could breathe in the food and the taste is just ok. I wouldn't go there again nor suggest it to a friend.
(1)
Catherine B.
This review is for the Chef's Tasting Room. It was worth every penny and more. I would have to say that they can have my first born child as long as the food keeps coming! My SO and I did the 5 course meal since our waiter informed us that the portion sizes did not change regardless if you got the 5, 7, or 9 course meal. It's good that we did because the portions were perfect plus tiny dishes are often served between courses. My SO and I chose to do the Menu Surprise (i.e., we gave complete control of our courses to the chef). Yes, we ended up paying the supplemental price for some courses. Was it worth it? Yes! Everything was melt-in-your-mouth delicious! The wait staff was attentive but not overly so. Despite standing around the center island, there was no awkward hovering that you experience at some DC area restaurants. Is it pricey? Absolutely. But as I said, it was worth every penny and more. Since it was our anniversary, the restaurant provided a little swag bag with scone mix and our personalized menus (that included anniversary wishes and our names) at the end of our meal, which was a nice touch. Unfortunately my S.O. got food poisoning from the meal so it might be a while before I head back here. But would I go without him? Yes, after all, I'm giving the place 5 stars.
(5)
Marianne L.
Somethings are just worth the wait. The really good ones leave you wanting to turn right around and go back for more. I've wanted to come here for so long AND I WANT MORE!!! Met up with Tony P. today for the Lickety-Split Lunch special, eager to check off another on my myriad of Yelp bookmarks I've been meaning to go to for so very long. If this is how Restaurant Eve does lunch - then I definitely want to be back here for dinner. Everything on the special menu sounded so good it was hard to choose and there was much waffling back and forth. I finally settled on the Soup du jour (Cream of Asparagus) and the Papri Chat. And I only longingly looked at Tony's Salad du jour of duck confit a few times. :-) (It really did look fabulous and from the other diners in the bistro seemed to be a popular selection.) The soup was a delightful surprise as I'd ordered it with a bit of hesitance concerned that it might be too think as some cream soups can be. Oh but it wasn't. It was delightfully light with a nice delicate fresh flavor. And it was topped with a healthy amount of chopped chives - not the token amount you often see. This meant you got some in every spoonful and it provided a nice textural contrast to the smoothness of the soup. Papri Chat was one of those "have no clue what this is going to be, but the bartender made it sound good" moments. There was no description of the dish on the menu but the bartender was quick to describe it for me. Sounded good - item #2 selected. OMG THIS WAS FANTASTIC!!! Fantastic to the extent that upon arriving home I googled to find recipes. Papri Chat was not "peppered cat" (thankfully) but a fabulous Indian salad of chickpeas, potatoes, cippolini onions, and puri (unleavened bread). Three sauces completed the dish: a thin yogurt one, a mild tamarind curry (almost but not quite chutney consistency) and the third "green" one which I can't remember what it was - but I will tell you not a drop I could get up remained behind. Not working in Old Town will mean that I don't get here often for the lunch special, and the price point for dinner definitely will probably put this in the "special occasion" category, but damn it I want to know what else Chef Cathal Armstrong has cooking up in that kitchen. I want to sample the flavors of the full menu. This is one place I definitely won't be taking my bookmark off "to try".
(5)
Mukur H.
I took my fiance for her birthday dinner here last week. I didn't know what to wear and since the website doesn't provide too many details, I think I was over dressed in suit and tie. Next time I am going to wear a shirt and jacket as there was no need for the tie. We had dinner in the tasting room. The dinner lasted approximately 3 hours, the service was extremely friendly and the food was delicious. We started at 5:30, needless to say.. since they just opened the tasting room, we were the only ones inside. We ordered a bottle of wine and decided to choose our own dishes rather than allowing the chef to be creative and decide for us (wasnt feeling too adventurous). Now, I did not enjoy every dish that I got but I was glad to have ordered it. We had the opportunity to eat things that we never had before. For example: caviar, halibut cheeks, 100 year old balsamic vinegar, ton of micro green and well too many other things to name. I was also glad that we got to eat foods that were not prepared in the traditional fashion for example: basil mousse. My fiance did get to take the menu home and she received a scone and coffee mix. I was disappointed that they did not provide the birthday cake as the dessert for her. I dont know, I might have had to do something different to get that, or maybe they do not provide it in the tasting course. I like the experience and I will be back again, someday.
(4)
Alec R.
We celebrated our anniversary at Restaurant Eve, and the cooking was up to their usual superb level. The three course bistro menu is very reasonably priced for the high caliber of the cuisine as it has been in the past. I did notice that the service had slipped since our past visit. Waiters spent so much time ironing newly placed table clothes, that we were not tended to in between the serving of the courses very closely as we have been in the past.
(4)
Weina F.
We went to the restaurant during cherry blossom weekend, the location of the place was off Pratt Street (the main street of old town) in Alexandria. From the outside, the place looked like a big brick house, and finally we saw the sign that says "restaurant eve". Across the street is the parking lot, we stayed there for over 3 hours, and costed us 2 dollars. The restaurant was not as fancy as I expected. We booked the tasting room for a 5 course meal. You have a choice of 5, 7, and 9. You also have an option to have the chef select the meal for you. The courses had some theme to it. The first course ("creation"), we each got white truffle and goose egg custard with black garlic puree, tartar of ahi tuna with coconut cream, almond oil and habanero marinade, Sausage (chef selected) and Caviar with with yukon gold potato gnocchi and creme fraiche (a croissant looking cup served in a small copper pot. 2 of us did not like the goose egg custard, it has an extremely weird flavor, you either like it or don't. I was okay with the tuna tartar, wasn't anything too crazy. But Jason loved the cavier and Nancy likes the sausage (it was presented very nicely). Prior to the first course, the restaurant first present 3 petite amuse bouche, the theme is definitely fried with some type of creamy filling. Then the chef complimented us with his special fried frog leg with a wasabi sauce, and finally another amuse buche with shaved ice sweet with some sea salt. The second course ("ocean") we got were Alaskan Black Cod with jerusalem artichokes and spade head spinach, Jason got the Chesapeake Rockfish with Baby white asparagus puree, smoked ham hock and cioppolinis, and Alan got ricotta Biretta with baby leek and perigord truffle butter. I think I like the cod out of all the dishes, except I would hoped for a bigger piece. The third course we got was named "earth and Sky". I got the squab with celery root puree, squab confit, and spice jus; Nancy got the wild oregon morel duxelle (muchrooms, i didnt know what they were and had to ask); Jason and Alan both got the farm raised filet beef with wheatberries, oven dried tomatoes. The farm raised cow i believe was only fed with veggies, so the meat was not as tender, and definitely tasted a little different from a filet from a steakhouse. My squab was served crispy on the outside with glazed skin, and pefect with the sauce. Not too crazy about the mushroom, that's why I am not a vegetarian. The fourth course ("age") we got was the cheese course. There were three choices, "Cashel Blue" with sauternes pate de fruit and sauternes syrup, the "Monocacy Gold" Flan with roasted abalone mushrooms and micro mizuna and hazelnuts, and "Tete De Moine" en Cirolle with Spiced Yellow Carrot Salad and golden Raisin Jam. I am not a big Cheese fan, so I didn't like any of them, the Tete de moine was the most duable for me. The last course was the dessert named Eden. We each got warm dark chocolate and ginger fondant cake with candied ginger and ginger ice cream, warm virginia wild flower honey cake with roasted pineapple, dulce de leche, and coconut caramel, and Praline-Crumb Doughnuts with Sauteed banans and Praline Ice cream. They were delicious, all of them. At the end we also got some free chocolate truffles and petite cookies, very cute. The service of the place, when I read on the review, should have been impeccable. But we were not too thrilled because she forgot to bring the wine out when we asked for second round of drinks. However, on the other hand, the water was filled for us constantly, and the plates and silverware was switched during every course. I would definitely recommend doing the 5 courses vs. 7 or 9 ($125 and $150), if given a budget of 7 or 9 courses, definitely go for citronelle for $40 more, it's worth it! Overall, the place worth a try, but the amount of food was not as much as I expected comparing to Citronelle. Oh, one more point, they are good at giving you extra little things, like the cookies and amuse bouche. At the end of night, they gave us a goodie bag with a recipe to make cones and some ingredients. The place has a very personal touch for you and your guests.
(4)
Stephanie A.
I expected better and a more modern take on cuisine for some reason- My friend had the seared tuna which was incredible actually and her plate was beautiful. I had the squab and it seemed like i could have made it myself at home and the plate looked a little sad. It was cooked beautifully though- very moist. The cheese plate on the other hand was delicious and the bread included was great! I would go again and try something new. The service was excellent- always there to check on us and cleaned our table of crumbs. I would recommend this as one of the places you must try- romantic setting and I plenty of space to not hear your neighbor's conversation. I hope the next time I go I would give this 5stars- I think my squab really let me down :( maybe my expectations were too high.
(4)
James C.
I really don't care if the chef while herding sheep or on some spiritual vacation in the Andes dreamed of this dish that wasn't that good and left me starving on the way out. Think it cost me over $150 for me and my GF. I will say the drinks while expensive were really good. Been there twice with a group and dreaded it both times! I refuse to go a 3rd time and have declined or changed other people's plans. If you want to spend a lot of money and stay on a diet go.
(1)
Greg Q.
I was hoping that some of the less than positive reviews on here were wrong. Unfortunately I found many of them to be true. I'll do a quick synopsis of our trip to Restaurant Eve: We arrived about 10 minutes early for our reservation. The hostess didn't seem very excited to greet us and very plainly told us to sit in the bar until our reservation time. There was no offer to take our coats. About five minutes after reservation time a different hostess came to get us and escorted us to our table. The table wasn't ideal. It was pushed up against a set of french doors (one of us had the handles pointing into our space) and over a large vent. This caused both the table and chairs to wobble. Overall our waitress was very nice, just overwhelmed. She had too many tables at once to do a good job. She was quick to bring us water and ask us about drinks. This was the only thing that was quick all night. We decided to go directly to a bottle of wine. It took about 15 minutes for the sommeliar to bring over the bottle of wine and then another 10 minutes before he was able to pour it. At this point we still hadn't ordered anything and our waitress hadn't been back. Finally we placed our orders. Here is what we had and how is was: To Start: Tempura Oysters: This were fine. Fairly heavily breaded but not bad. Mussels: These were very disappointing. They were very dry and there was only a small puddle of broth at the very bottom of the bowl. Any french bistro would do much better. Mains: Bass: This was well-prepared. The lobster quinoa was great. Goat Ragout: The goat adequate. Definitely not as good as Komi in DC or the Girl and the Goat in Chicago...but fine. The beets and onions were lacking much flavor. Dessert: Birthday Cake: We took home two of the "birthday cake" desserts. While it looked beautiful it wasn't moist at all. It felt like it had been sitting out for a day or two. One other thing that I found odd is that there were people to clear plates. Our waitress seemed to be the only one doing this and dirty plates would sit on the table for 10-15 minutes at a time. Perhaps it's just a peeve of mine...but I hate when the service let's dirty plates linger. The cost was $300 for two. I can list a dozen restaurants in the DC area that would provide a much better experience for the same price.
(2)
Lucia D.
Very disappointed in freshness of food. I had read eves other reviews and was ready to be thrilled. But is wasn't going to happen with a tiny deviled egg that tasted like any other deviled egg you'd get at a back yard picnic. My sweetbreads were sinewy, and every dish was served merely luke warm. The bananas foster at the end of the meal was especially disappointing: a slice of cake, a thimble full of ice cream and 4 slices of warm banana. I would have laughed if I hadn't been paying so much. I would not recommend this restaurant.
(2)
Chris O.
I like my filthily indulgent meals as much as the next guy (especially when my date is paying), but Restaurant Eve failed to fully deliver. Perhaps it was because we were the last table, but there was just something off the entire time in the tasting room. The service was enthusiastic, but without rhythm. The food was tasty, but not ambitious. The wine recommendation of the sommelier was almost insulting - I get it, I look young, but don't patronize me. All of that being said, I think I'd give the joint another go. I appreciated the goals of the chef's tasting menu and I would like to see what he can come up with on my next visit.
(3)
Elina T.
Had an amazing dinner on the 1st wedding anniversary last week in the Tasting Room. Every course was so well thought-out and balanced and the service was absolutely impeccable. It was not just a dinner, but a great and memorable experience. We order the 5-course "suprise" tasting menu where the chef chooses what you eat for the daily menu (their menu varies daily). You can provide any dietary or other restrictions. Everything on the menu was spot on. My husband and I got a different dish for each of the five courses and they got our preferences spot on -- my dishes were lighter and sweeter, while his were heavier and more savory. In addition, the chef popped out a number of amuse bouches and palate cleansers that were heavenly in themselves. Here is what we had: - Amuse Bouche: Deviled egg with caviar, foie gras mousse and salmon mousse - Treat from the chef: cold soup with a foie gras emulsion and Virginia peanuts - Palate cleanser: shizo sorbet - My 1st course: Spanish mackerel sashimi with pickled watermelon and smoked olive oil vinaigrette - My husband's 1st course: the "OOO" - Onion pastry with oysters and something else that started with O! - My 2nd course: Agnolotti with homemade ricotta cheese with tamarind, marcona almond crumble and heirloom carrot butter - My husband's 2nd course: Pacific halibut with chanterelles (they get chanterelles in Virginia!), trout roe and smoked eggplant puree - My 3rd course: Loin of lamb with confit of cubanelle peppers and shishito pepper puree - My husband's 3rd course: Pan fried veal sweetbreads with ragout of path valley beans, parmesan-filet beans with garden basil oil - My 4th course: "Julianna" cheese with peanut brittle crust, honey poached cherries and basil - My husband's 4th course: "Old Kentucky Tome" cheese with black eyed peas and candied fennel - A sweet treat with the kitchen - a gelee with an edible gold leaf - My 5th course: decadent dessert - Madagascar chocolate mousse with saffron peach gelee - My husband's 5th course: Sweet corn and dark chocolate pot de creme with smoked panna cotta and rock salt ice cream - Extra treat: cookies from the pastry chef (we took these home because we could't eat anymore)! We also received a menu with "Happy Anniversary" on it, as well as a goody bag with a scone mix and Irish butter. I could come back here for our anniversary every year!
(5)
J. W.
Really pricey, but I guess if you're making a reservation here you already know that. That being said, this place has some of the best food I've ever eaten. I had the Dover Sole, and it was exquisitely cooked, almost perfectly tender. Service is fantastic and the cocktail selection is very diverse. Highly recommended as a treat to yourself.
(5)
Ben W.
Resturant Eve is hands down my favorite dining experience today. We went to celebrate 1 year together and we absolutely loved the food and service. I can't celebrate the service enough - it's rare that it is as memorable as it is here. The food is more as expected, delicious, unique and not overly pretentious. I personally had the ribeye and it was mouthwateringly perfect. My gf got rackfish and it was equally perfectly made. For dessert we opted to get something other than the fame birthday cake and it was a great decision. Honestly nothing you can get will be bad.
(5)
Sara J.
I forget how much i love eve for lunch. The dining room is so pleasant and light filled. Top rate service, specialty cocktails and food. This last visit (a rare day-date with my husband) we were seated fireside neath a romantically magnolia and dried oranges swagged mantle. I enjoyed the oh honey cocktail. Then we split the tongue fritters over caramelized onion and fried garlic slivers and mustard sauce-a new menu item. My husband had the pork belly sandwich and I loved my basque seafood stew main event. Such an enjoyable visit! A few days later- met a friend for drinks and lite dinner at the bar. Love the atmosphere but have to report that the male bartender (older bald gent NOT todd thrasher) was surly and rude. Regardless, the orange vodka cocktail and the grilled shrimp- heads on- very rich and delicious. For dessert we shared the birthday cake (cute and what you'd expect) and had a port pairing recommended by Mr. Surly Bartender. All in all, I always love Eve, but am sometimes turned off by the waitstaff.
(4)
Helen V.
Lickity Split lunch! Salad du Jour: Crab Cake (if you came early) Antelope Scrapple and Poached Egg Without power at the office, I was granted another day of working at home. Blessing? Yes, because that means my lunch break was spent at Restaurant Eve. :) I have always walked past the little hanging sign for Restaurant Eve, but I never realized where the actual entrance was! Today, I came sharply at 11:30 (to avoid a wait, plus I didn't have breakfast) to wonder through the narrow corridor that led me to the glass door of Restaurant Eve. I found a seat at the empty bar and was eventually sitting beside two regulars, friends of the bartender. Since the three of us were the practically the first diners for lunch, we were able to have the crab cake salad, while later diners were offered the tempura flounder. **Lesson learned: go early for their limited special; the regular told me when they have extras from their dinner menu, it usually becomes the limited lunch 'du jour'.** The crab cake salad was subtle, unassuming, and delicious. My first impression of the dish was: that's all the crab cake I get??? I should have gone with something else! However, I was definitely mislead. It is true, the crab cake was the size of a diver scallop and the salad was a generous heap of butter lettuce, cucumber, and other tasty greens. But together, in their own portions, the crab cake and salad made a refreshing and light dish. Great way to start lunch! The antelope scrapple and poached egg were interesting and very rich. I've never had scrapple before today and realized even the exotic Antelope Scrapple may not convert me after today. I loved the poached egg atop the scrapple because a cut into the little tower let the yolk flow to all the layers, which results in a tongue popping bite. That said, it wasn't my favorite dish, but I did enjoy it and it was quite savory. The liquor storage room (glass windows) on the way to the dining room is such a visual delight (I'm a lush, what can I say?). Restaurant Eve is very posh and I would love to come to dinner here if I could afford it. For now, I'll stick to Lickity Split lunches when the office is shutdown on a weekday. But it doesn't mean I won't be daydreaming about Restaurant Eve during lunch breaks at the office!
(5)
Judy C.
4.5 stars! I finally got around to going to Restaurant Eve for their Lickety-Split Lunch. The lunch special is served at the bar area from 11:30am to 4pm on weekdays. For $14.98, you get to choose two selections from a limited number of drink, appetizer, entree, and dessert options. It's a great deal, especially considering that many of the appetizers and entrees on the regular menu are only a dollar or two less that the Lickety-Split menu. You can't make reservations for lunch, but it's not a free for all at the bar. The hostess seats all parties, either at the counter or at low tables around the bar area. The tables fit 4, but we were able to fit 5 people at the table by the window - any more than that would have been uncomfortable. The service from the hostess and servers was excellent. Even at the bar, I felt like it was fine dining. It's better to go a bit later, like at or after 1pm to avoid having to wait for a table. I had the pork belly rilette with fried green tomatoes and the antelope scrapple with poached egg. Both dishes were memorable! Next time I'll probably go with one lighter dish and one heavier dish, because I was completely stuffed after the meal. The rillete was delicious with the perfectly fried green tomatoes. The antelope scrapple dish was great too. (I'm from Philly, so scrapple doesn't scare me) The antelope scrapple was served with a potato hash brown, topped with a poached egg, and I could taste maple syrup in the dish as well. It was the best breakfast food I've had in a long time. The flavors melded together wonderfully. All in all, a great meal. I'll definitely come back to Restaurant Eve again.
(5)
Carolina V.
I had heard so much about Restaurant Eve and its food that I was drilled when I finally made it here. Maybe because my expectations where so high it was tough for the restaurant to live up to it. The place is super classy and elegant without being obnoxious (something very difficult to find in the DC area). My only problem is that the food might be too complex for me. I am a simple girl and like simple foods and flavors. All of the dishes had some ingredients that I didn't like or care for. The chef was great and worked with me to prepare something that I would like, but I am afraid this place was not for me. I do recognize how flavorful the food is. If you are foodie, you will probably love it! As far as the dessert goes, this is the best dessert I have had in the DC metro area, hands down!
(4)
Travis L.
Very good and fairly inventive menu. Lots of focus on pate style compliments in most dishes. Food was great, friendly staff (especially the bartender). Very nice atmosphere.
(4)
Amanda H.
Excellent restaurant for a special occasion! Definitely one of my favorites. If you like Obelisk and CityZen, then you will love Eve. Each course was amazing (which is rare for a 7 course meal). The chef was considerate of our preferences for non-beef items. My favorite was a white chocolate desert with Guinness infusion - so creative! Great wine and port menu as well. The entire experience was perfect, right down to the personalized menu. I also recommend a nice walk down by the water afterword - super romantic!
(5)
Dat N.
Simply, the most exciting lunch experience of my life. Lickety Split lunch allows diners to select two items from a short menu of deceivingly simple selections (chicken salad, for example, as the most beautiful arrangement of dressed, mixed greens and delicately breaded filets of white meat) and at under $15, is the biggest steal in the region. You must sit in the bar/lounge area and no reservations are taken. Wife ordered the papri chaat and pork belly rillettes atop fried green tomatoes. I ordered the sandwich du jour (braised veal on brioche with pickled red onion) and poached egg atop antelope (yes, antelope) scrapple and potato hash. I've had amazing lunch before -- terrific greasy burgers, wood-fired pizzas, expertly crafted sandwiches, pounds of mussels, crawfish, hardshell crab, oysters, etc. -- but nothing has matched the care that went into the preparation of this lunch -- from where the ingredients were sourced to how they were handled and prepared. I had a wonderfully mixed cocktail and our meal was preceeded by warm, to-die-for crusty bread. A perfect combination of seasoning, textures -- the runny, golden yolk oozing into the crisp breading of the scrapple -- the brioche just porous enough to soak up the delicious juices without overwhelming the porportion of meat to bread. If you haven't taken advantage of this deal -- go yesterday. We left three pounds heavier, but gastronomcially on cloud 9 -- and with more than enough reason to return for a go at their dinner menu. And ignore the ridiculous and often, ignorant, talk you hear around you from folks who don't know food, chefs or professional kitchens. I overheard a group of ladies expressing shock over the serving of scrapple and despite the server explaining the preparation, kept commenting. Did they honestly think that this well-regarded restaurant known for its house-made everything would serve up questionable meat from a plastic package that you could purchase at your neighborhood Giant... and made from antelope?!
(5)
Barry S.
Very stuffy ... With good food and an average value ... Many better joints around dc. ... Although obviously fine fare in Alexandria
(3)
Cathy H.
We have been here twice. Once to celebrate a birthday on New Year's Eve and once to celebrate our anniversary in June. Both times the personal attention we received from the staff was superb and the meals were sublime. Our only regret is that the meals are not more affordable but it is a worthwhile indulgence that everyone should have the opportunity to experience at least once.
(5)
Meg R.
Great service, and great food. We ate at the bistro and had a wonderful prix fixe dinner. The Big O was an amazing cocktail to start the night off. The fried oysters were cooked to perfection and sat upon a delicious gravy. My main was good but my Birthday cake really hit the spot. I'm looking forward to going back for the ribeye. Tried a bite of my friend's and it was unreal!
(5)
David C.
This was an exceptional experience. Crazy expensive and tasty. We sat at the bar and had the specials and watched them make CRAZY drinks. They make their own tonic water cubes. I ate antelope - and it was yummy!
(5)
Collin B.
My wife and I had an excellent, romantic Valentine's meal at Restaurant Eve. I wavered as to whether to give 4 or 5 stars to Eve...I think 4.5 stars would be most accurate. Eve is one of the best restaurants in the Washington, DC area but slightly behind a truly epic destination experience like Komi. We dined in the Bistro at Eve which offers a three course dinner. You can have a five, seven or nine course meal in the Tasting dining room but I recommend the Bistro as best value. I recommend starting the evening in Eve's bar which features excellent cocktails including the best Gin & Tonic I've ever had with house-made lemon bitters and a unique house-made tonic. There is a romantic two-person table directly in front of a fireplace in the Bistro - you might want to request this table or one of the booths in the rear of the Bistro. Top marks to the Sommelier who assisted us in making the difficult selection between many great wines on a 5 star phenomenal wine list which emphasizes French and Spanish wines. We were extremely happy with the Spanish Rioja we selected which perfectly complemented our entire meal. The service was very good the only issue we had was that the kitchen did not bring out our delicious heirloom beet risotto with our meal - a minor issue. The ribeye with bone marrow sauce was tender and very satisfying as was the Kurobuta pork belly. We were also very pleased with the Scottish Salmon first course and the delicious steak tartare. I also recommend asking the hostess at the beginning of the evening to arrange for a reservation at PX for after dinner drinks. PX is also owned by Cathal Armstrong and features Todd Thrasher's divine craft cocktails made with terrific creativity. You cannot go wrong at PX but you won't be disappointed if you order an Old Fashioned which is not on the menu but is a bourbon-based masterpiece. Restaurant Eve offers an Old Town Alexandria experience not to be missed!
(4)
Neil M.
We went to the tasting room at Eve for my wife's birthday. It was expensive, but was well worth the experience. If you have ever watched Top Chef and thought about how much fun it would be to be a judge, then Eve's tasting room is the place. For each course (my wife and I got different items), the server comes out, explains what it is, and then allows you to eat/trade and critic it by yourselves. My wife also got to sit in a very nice throne type chair and it was quiet and personalized. The menus had her birthday on it and we got to keep it along with some irish butter and some other items. We also got the wine pairings which were very good. The wine expert comes out after the server and explains each pairing and why it was chosen with that dish. We got a different wine with every dish!! One of my pairings was a BEER which is great to me because it told me that they had actually put thought into it and said "a wine wouldn't work, so we paired it with a beer." The pairings were accurate and you could actually understand and taste why the pairings were made (we know this because we could switch wine and food or just one or the other). The courses were good and contained unique meats and other items just like you would see on Top Chef. I won't say everything was perfect, but it was definitely the experience that we were looking for, and some of the food was excellent. We have been to some other similar restaurants and I have posted a few reviews. For the Top Chef judge experience we have not found a place better than EVE's tasting room.
(4)
Kat L.
Alexandria UYE put on by my two favorite filipinos, Hilvic and Michelle! Filipino mafia strikes again! I came early for what's known as the 'lickety split' lunch. Its at the bar, any two items for $15. You can choose from booze, entrees, and dessert. I, as always, was early and the first one there. I snagged a table by the window for 4. By the time all the yelpers showed up we had seated 7 comfortably. But this is also probably because the yelpers who came to lunch were HWP. (*Google that term*) I had a fresh, and crisp tomato salad that was bathed in balsamic, and stacked high with a tease of fragrant basil. Its fair to assume that I inhaled that dish. I also got it without the cheese, apparently a bit of cheese accompanies it, but I wouldn't know anything about that. For my second, and final of this lickety split, I had the mushroom risotto, which I found to be filling, yet bland. I found a plethora of mushrooms hidden beneath the sea of rice, but I wonder why the lack of mushroom flavor rang through. No matter I'm just being picky as I make better at home (but I use truffle oil so thats cheating). I spied the desserts, and the 'birthday cake' was cute, and looked fun- (none for me *sad face*) Lunch for 7 in about an hour and 15 minutes. Not too shabby. The restroom here is singular, and very well kept. Individual hand towels reside in a glassed encased cubby. Cute touch but it irks me to touch things with wet hands as anyone with 1 semester microbiology under their belts know that is how bacteria is truly spread. Resilient little buggers love them some water. And I just want to take a moment and give a bit of recognition to our fantastic (and beautiful filipino) waitress. I SO want to recruit her into the Flip mafia! She was extremely knowledgeable, well spoken, and patient with our very crowded table. I can't wait to return! **** tons of parking a block away on Pitt and Duke, as well as a parking garage directly across the street.
(5)
Bon K.
Disappointing this time. We've been there several times, and generally have been good with it. Very expensive; i.e; about $200 per person including wine & tip for 5-course tasting. It's been a while since we went; maybe a year? The taste quality of the food is definitely down, while prices seem higher than ever. Food is still beautifully presented, but just not as well prepared. Wait staff is less polished than I remember. I don't mind paying top dollar for top shelf quality but this just isn't it any more. The chef/owner was nowhere in sight, and has apparently taken his eyes off the ball. Bottom line: Not worth the cost. Sorry.
(3)
Sarah J.
I was having a very hard time deciding what to get the man who has everything for his birthday. I called Mini Bar for a week straight to no avail. So I thought hmm...where would be another good place to go...ah! Restaurant Eve. We love the bistro and the $20 lickedy split lunch, so let's venture to the tasting room. I called with one week to spare and got a Friday night reservation. The hostess asked if it would be a special occasion, to which I said yes, it is a birthday. I will get to that in a moment. The night started with us being escorted to an intimate table in the tasting room. We were immediately greeted and they wished the bf a happy birthday. How thoughtful! We were given the rundown of our options (sparkling or still water, number of courses from which to choose) and handed menus. Now get this--they printed happy birthday on the menu for the boyfriend with his name and everything! How friggen thoughtful. Since we were feeling adventurous, we opted for the 7 course chef's choice menu (for those who like to plan a bit more, you can choose each course if that is more to your liking). Before our courses came, however, we started with a couple cocktails. I had the Eammon's Cocktail and the bf had something with whiskey in it that was quite delicious. I didn't realize how girly my drink would look when I ordered it, but boy was it delicious. It was pink and citrusy and I loved every sip. With dinner, we opted for a bottle of malbec, but for those willing to splurge a bit more, you can receive wine pairings with each course. With our cocktails we were served multiple amuse bouche. First, 4 various plays on cheese and crackers: salmon mousse and caviar; deviled quail egg; peanut butter and ants on a log; and another that is slipping my memory. All were little bites of amazing flavor. I really appreciated the attention to detail. Our second amuse bouche was one of the best mousses I have ever tasted--sea urchin! It was my first and likely best sea urchin experience. It had fancy bacon bits on top. Yum! There was also a third course before the main courses began: a lovely sherbert palette cleanser. Perfectly refreshing for the meal to come. Finally onto the courses! The first course may have been my favorite. Carmelized onion puree wrapped in hamachi sashimi and topped with a slice of black truffle and sea salt. I was in salty heaven. The second course was a blue cheese stuffed agnoloti. Creamy and perfectly balanced. We were served fish with a red pepper sauce for the third course. The fish was perfectly cooked with a crispy sear on the outside and the sauce had a delicate hear that was delicious. For the fourth course we were served veal sweetbreads accompanied by a sauce that played on spinach and artichoke dip. This may have been the most beautiful plate we were served--squares of veal placed on top of teardrop forms of spinach and artichoke purees. It tasted divine. The fifth course was venison served atop a delicious pastry and drizzled with a wine sauce. The meat was perfectly cooked, albeit a bit cold for our tastes. However, still delicious. The sixth course was the cheese course. This was the bf's least favorite course since we were served a big hunk of monocacy silver goat cheese with nuts and droplets of raspberry lining the plate, but I ate up every morsel, being the cheese addict that I am. Dessert was homemade ice cream, a crispy cookie and orange gel. Sounds odd but it flowed together beautifully and was just sweet enough. The best part was that they served it with a candle lit in honor of the bf's birthday! Such a nice touch. Now, you'd think we were done, but no. With our check came a tiered cookie tray with homemade red velvet and chocolate macarons, chocolate layer bars, and chocolate chip cookies. Neither of us needed to eat anything more, but they were there and we were paying a mint so we did. We were stuffed to the gills, but it was worth it. And to top everything off, they sent us home with a birthday care package: Irish butter and a scones mix with house recipe. They also rolled the menu up and tied it with an adorable bow for us to take home and remember our meal. This was by far one of the best dining experiences either of us ever had. From the moment I made a reservation to our mini post party at PX (which our server reserved for us with a call ahead), the entire experience was stellar. Not only was the food perfect, but the service was absolutely top notch. We never wanted for anything, courses were served at the perfect pace, and every server we encountered was friendly, knowledgeable and professional. My only wish is that they would allow the women to wear something more flattering than stuffy pants suits. As a woman who has to wear them fairly often, they don't do anything for our figures or self esteem. Bottom line: if you are looking for a special night out and want to splurge, look no further than Restaurant Eve's Tasting Room. Amazing experience.
(5)
Kyla C.
This restaurant came highly recommended from my sister so since she was in town, we went. It is very fancy with great service, cocktails and food. They bring awesome ciabatta bread to the table which I could have eaten a full loaf of. We shared the pork rillette which came with a green sauce and was arranged on top of fried pickles - delish!! My sister and I also shared the squash agnolotti (super yum but parsnips were just a tad undercooked) and the arctic char (great crispy crust and beans underneath). I couldn't decide which entree I liked best honestly and the sides of green beans and risotto were fantastic. The risotto might have been my favorite item all night. This is a great place for a romantic dinner so get your loved one and enjoy, you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Ani P.
I met up with 6 other Yelpers for lunch. I arrived a few minutes before noon and there was ample parking. Eve is a bit hard to find (there's proper signage) but it's not obvious. The entryway is beautiful, you feel like you're at a cool dude's pad where there may be a vineyard hidden in the backyard. The inside is quite cozy. Cozy is great -- it's just not the best place to have a huge group gathering or drag in a double stroller. I believe I shared 2 seats with 2 other people (we were comfie only b/c the three of us had relatively tiny bummies). We selected off the Lickity Split Menu (thinking it would be uber quick for lunch). Not so much. If you come here for lunch on a workday, I'd give yourself 2 hours if you work in Alexandria or a nearby place. The portions are not equal. For example the risotto is maybe 3 bites and the meatballs with beans is substantially larger. I ordered 2 items from the Lickity Split menu: Heirloom tomato salad -- Tasted like tomatoes! The flavor was very clean. The balsamic dressing was perfectly tangy and I wanted to slurp up the dredges. Papri Chaat -- I appreciate that they tried to make an American version of papri chaat. Unfortunately, they missed the mark. None of the vibrant flavors of authentic papri chaat were present. There were tons of chickpeas and it was healthy, but not what I expected. I left hungry. I am not a big girl by any stretch of the imagination. And I was kinda dying at my desk. But I went dancing the night before... so maybe my bod just needed extra cals. Anyhow, it's pretty rad you that you can order smaller items that showcase what their menu is all about. Next time, I'm sticking with anything that isn't South Asian inspired.
(4)
Don M.
Of all the ridiculously expensive restaurants in DC, I think this might be the least worth it. I didn't feel like I got admission for a show like at Minibar. It didn't leave me with my jaw on the floor like at Komi. I wasn't pampered in that old world way like at Cityzen. But I was almost drowned in all the fabric covering my chair and the table. I want to like Restaurant Eve but I don't know if I can justify the line item in my budget. Next time I'll listen to my accountant and just grab some fish and a beer at Eamonn's
(3)
Sara A.
I travel to VA several times a year and love to visit Restaurant Eve. This is a great place to bring someone who enjoys fine dining! If you are a fan of venison this is your place. The food is always fresh and flavorful. The atmosphere cozy and romantic. The service is attentive without being intrusive. I had a chocolate and banana dessert there that I still dream about YEARS later. Truly.
(5)
Ben W.
Like a scene from the Emperor has no clothes... We went to PX followed up by Restaurant Eve. Having been to Eve many times before we were looking forward to a great night. How the mighty have fallen. The food was uninspired and the service hapless. They seem to have fallen into the cult of personality mindset about themselves. If I heard one more time that the 't' is silent in Cathal from the mouths of servers, I was going to scream. $400 for four people for dinner. $100 for six drinks at PX. What a rip-off. There are countless great places to go in the greater DC area. Do not waste your time or $$$ here.
(1)
Craig H.
Wish I could give it 5. I've waited to dine at Eve for four years and finally lined up my schedule with theirs. While Eve has much going for it, overall I was disappointed, to the tune of $300. First, we ended up in a very simple back room which was too quiet except for the obnoxious finance specialist at the next table. The server was efficient but not overly inviting. The tartar appetizer was very good. The ahi which I ordered for a main course was devoid of indication of preparation other than having been seared. The dessert was pretty but not very flavorful. Actually it tasted of pepper. I've been to lots of nice high end restaurants and find it hard to see what the hipe about Eve has been about.
(4)
Kim S.
I was lucky enough to visit the bistro when they were having the black truffle risotto special. It's a $50 appetizer and actually worth it. Shame for me I didn't order it and shame for my best friend she did. I ruthlessly and not evenly stealthily stole bite after bite...I had no shame. I simply could not help myself. Eventually she gave in, took my meal and handed over the rest of hers. That's love. I generally have issues with restaurants that require in-depth menu explanations. I mean "marinated hedgehogs"? Does that sound like a mushroom? But our server happily offered detailed information about each dish. I wasn't particularly excited about the Tile Fish I ordered but Eve gets four stars for truly amazing service, great atmosphere, excellent drinks and well, the risotto.
(4)
Drew S.
I'm guessing I came here on a bad day. I had the day off and was able to try their lickity split, 2 items for $15 bar menu. On their seating setup, I'm not a fan of eating on their little cushions and having to lean in to eat my meal. Next time I would wait for a bar spot to open up. First entree was their salad with pulled rabbit, and there were lots of bones in it. So I let our server know this and she asked if I would like something else. My wife was having the soup du jour and enjoying it so I asked for that also. The server came out 5 mins later with our second item, the pulled pork sandwich for me, risotto for my wife as well as my soup. Before the server left, I noticed a long black hair sitting in my sandwich which I pulled out to show her. She then took my sandwich away. Things were not going well for me. However the soup was nice, but I felt the risotto was just a cheesy glob. One of the managers came out to apologize and let us know they were making another sandwich, and also that they were taking the entire lunch off our bill, which was very nice. To me, their only saving grace was their management, which could not have been more apologetic to us, which definitely went a long way. I know stuff happens, and I really am the last person who will bring an issue up to the staff. but the service that day was bad. Very disappointing since this was my first time at Eve. Having dinner here doesn't really interest me. I have friends who can't stop gushing about the place. But $130 for their dinner tasting menu? I'm getting tired of these food 'Experiences.' Just give me a quality meal where I don't feel like I'm getting ripped off. The Majestic fits that nicely.
(2)
Catie C.
for $13.95, I can't tell you any other place that can beat this for lunch! 5 star quality for a 3 star price! Best of all, you can pick any 2 items on the presented menu. ANY! not 1 appetizer and 1 entree. I can pick 2 desserts if I really had a sweet tooth going! How bizarre yet logical is that concept!? I absolutely love this concept since I am not a big dessert fan and I love appetizers. I ordered a chicken salad. The free range chicken was juicy and full of flavor. Greens were totally soaked in the cherry vinaigrette producing a well flavored rabbit food. For the 2nd dish, I ordered a pulled pork sandwich. They must bake their on bread here! It's so moist and warm - just to die for!! It's pulled pork loin in their special sauce which I can't really describe; but it's definitely bold! I seriously could not finish everything. I felt guilty for wasting such good food; but there was no choice since there was a day of touring ahead of me. I should mention that the menu I described is only available at the bar/lounge area.
(5)
Shamik T.
We got there an hour late for a 6PM reservation on a Saturday after a miserable delay on the Yellow line, but called ahead to say we'd be 15 minute late. They were going to give our table away, but we promised to finish by 9. Manager was cool with it and was effusively apologetic (I'm not sure why...we were the ones who were late). We ended up staying past 9, and the service was impeccable. Truly great. Asparagus w/ parm. cheese and poached egg was fantastic. Nothing bad on that menu, and frankly, for what you get, the price is not unconscionable.
(4)
Rohan P.
Went to this place on a friend's recommendation. Great choice. We went for their fixed prix lunch, and loved it. Loved it so much, we got a special chef dinner menu created for vegetarians. It was great and the wine ---wow! Great service and food. It was expensive, but well worth the experience.
(5)
Sally D.
Outstanding dining experience. Best food, service and ambiance. The scallops were cooked perfect and the delicious steak and fish dishes were exactly as ordered, Definitely, a place to return to often as even the customer service was outstanding. They made a special night out a happy memory forever. Thanks, Restaurant Eve.
(5)
Dine N. D.
Some friends and I stopped by Restaurant Eve to have a drink at the bar, yesterday, and received a full dose of the restaurant's misguided arrogance. I've eaten at the Tasting Room before and it just wasn't great at all ... not to mention the server doused me with a full glass of wine with no mention of any sort of compensation - just napkins. However, I did enjoy the drinks at the bar, so thought it would be a nice trip for my friends. When we arrived, we said to the hostesses that we would like to have a drink at the bar and they promptly replied with "we're not open." Hmm ... ok, "what time do you open?" we asked. To which the hostess replied "5PM." In unison, we all looked at our watches and marveled at the hostess when she explained "it's 4:58." Ha ha ... seriously?? Then, once we were allowed a seat in the bar area, the ridiculous bartender comes over and drops cocktail napkins down for us ... no greeting, no acknowledgement of us, nothing. So, I said to him, "Hello, how are you?" ... and he replied with "what can I get you to drink?" Really? A little acknowledgement, maybe just a one word "hello" ... maybe just go way overboard with "Hello, my name is ... " ... too much trouble? In a restaurant that tries to compete with some of the fine dining restaurants in the area, they can't coach their staff a bit better on customer service? Then, our friendly bar keep locks in on my friend's cup of coffee that she had been carrying around waiting to dispose of and abruptly says "who's coffee is this??" (so, it was directly in front of her ... you needed to ask who's it was?). A bit startled, my friends says it was hers and before she could utter another syllable, bar keep abruptly says, "this needs to come off of the table ... I can pour it into a mug and save it for you." Really? How about, "are you finished with your coffee? may I take care of it for you?" By this time, I'm just embarrassed that I've brought people here. Fortunately, a bit later, a new hostess arrived who actually knew something about customer service and took care of us. Train your staff ... if I ate fast food, I would probably have a better customer experience at BK or McDonalds. Maybe if the staff underwent a bit more training, it would make up a bit for the lackluster food experience. Don't spend your money, here ... there are way better dining experiences in this area.
(1)
Hubert H.
I have been to Eve twice. I thought it to be unfair to give it a bad review with only one visit. It is, truly, a lovely place but my waiter on both occasions was arrogant and dismissive, almost like he was doing me a favor and that "I" was fortunate to be there! The food was not good at all. The Lobster Bisque was watery and not at all creamy. My sandwich was not good either. And to top off everything for the second visit the bill was staggering! I will not be back. I live in Alexandria and have all my life, this city has never had a true Four or Five Star Restaurant and that is sad!
(2)
Jason T.
So maybe my expectations were running high -- but I was a bit let down by my experience here. I know I really wanted it to be good. I want to confirm my experience with a return visit before I chalk this place off. I went for their Bistro lunch and sat at the bar. The food I ate was generally tasty if not a tad over salted. My real disappointment was with the service. Overall, it was a strong service, but I really hated seeing the sausage get made. I realize I'm sitting at the bar in the bistro. I realize drinks are going to be made in front of me with a fair amount of that producing noise. But the bartender was commanding a strong service from the other servers to the point it was militant and unpleasant. Routinely barking out orders "Clear 2" or "Prep 7 & 8" or other commands of staff that were firmly stated over top of the conversations of the guests so servers across the bar could hear them -- it just really ruined any charm I was feeling. Additionally behind the bar and in an adjacent area staff were polishing silverware and glasses that had just been cleaned. While it's nice that they care about the presentation of the silverware, the constant clanging of silverware after being polished became annoying as the meal continued on. I wish they did that in a polishing room or other service area away from guests. I really want to like the place, but they would need to go a bit easier on the salt and hide more of the sausage being made away from guests -- even if they are in the bar area. I want to give it another try -- this time sitting in the dining room and I hope that it's a better experience.
(3)
Sam R.
Came here for dinner here with my girlfriend on Valentine's Day last year. Finished dinner and left with a fiancee. Now I have a beautiful wife. Thanks Eve! I'll update this review when I drag her back for an anniversary dinner.
(5)
Brandy H.
The best thing about flying into Washington D.C. -- National monuments? Cherry blossoms? Seeing democracy in action? Nope, none of these compare to the beauty of the "Birthday Cake - Just Because" at Restaurant Eve. A whole miniature double layer cake with bright pink frosting that instantly made me feel like a giddy eight year old on her birthday. When a pretty pink cake was just about the best thing in the world. Actually, that still ranks very high on my list at 29 years old. Everything else here was close to perfection, but if you only visit the bar to split a bottle of wine and this cake, I promise you'll have a delightful experience.
(5)
Charles M.
I feel compelled to provide an update in light of a conversation with friends this evening. For dinner, I would reduce the rating to 4-stars. It is really good. I mean really, really good. However, I am not sure it is $100 a person good. So why did I give it 5-stars again? LUNCH. This is the best $15 pre-fixe you will find anywhere. It is fun, an adventure and delicious. It is only available Monday - Friday and it fills up fast. My advice - either get there early (doors open at 11:30) or come during the first turn (usually around 1:15-1:30). Oh - and feel free to linger for an extra piece of bread. It is the best in the region.
(5)
Jayme R.
I am in sales. I travel and entertain clients (on an expense account) and/or dine with friends (at my own expense) a minimum of 5 nights/ week (excluding lunch). I am not bragging but wish to establish that I am not a "newbie" when it comes to dining out at both casual and fine dining establishments. But when a friend (who is a bigger foodie than I) suggested we meet at Restaurant Eve for my pre-birthday celebration I was delighted as this is one of my "Special Occasion" favorites. As I left my office I excitedly told a colleague where I was going, (and based on my previous experience dining at Eve) how wonderful restaurant is and that he must dine there at his earliest opportunity. After tonight's experience I am not sure why I would ever say this and must tell him and everyone else I encounter otherwise. It was not a busy night at the bar but service was unexplainably slow. REALLY slow as in I am purposely ignoring you slow. I cannot remember the last time I used the word pretentious but based other YELP reviews you will find Restaurant Eve listed in Webster's Dictionary as an synonym for PRETENTIOUS. Our bartender started out aloof and it took some time to get served our drinks. But we were patient, for we were at (what we have been led to believe) THE Restaurant Eve and everything is fabulous here. But when we had the audacity to say that the (initially warm and soft) bread served with our cheese plate was too hard, our inattentive and unkempt bartender (give the girl a hairbrush) told us "I'll tell Chef" (because we were obviously too ignorant to determine what hard bread is). We were eventually given new bread with the explanation "this is served in the restaurant" (with the underlying tone "perhaps your Plebeian taste might appreciate this). The other bar staff was not any more hospitable or less pretentious (the word is perfect for this establishment). The evening was capped off by a staff person stomping and through the bar, knocking into our chairs to get to and from a back office. Other than the standard "thank you for coming" from the hostesses as we were leaving we were never made to feel welcome at Restaurant Eve and attitude and lack of service truly put a negative aura on the evening. There are too many other dining establishments in this area who appreciate their patrons to return here. Eve when will you get past the idea that pretentious is NOT a good attribute and appreciate your clients?
(2)
T T.
We went here last year for my birthday. It was good. But, it was expensive. Crying child at the table to our right. They were spending lots of money and not controlling their child. We were thinking of having my husband's company party here. This was the test run. But we felt secondary to this other family. Not a good feeling Plus it was my birthday. He wasn't impressed.
(3)
Theo A.
Where to start.... From the excellent appetizers, to the scrumptious entree and the succulent desert .... Servers very attentive and penchant for detail .... This is a place where you would take your GF to unwind in what i concider a cosy and romantic atmosphere..... You absolutely get what you pay for..... You'll understand when i say this..
(5)
Courtney R.
4.5 stars--we'll get into why Eve and I can't meet at five-star status in a minute. The Welshman took me here for a hot date last night, and we were sat in the Bistro, which is cute and romantic (you both sit on the same side in a love seat), and very toasty to boot. We ordered a bottle of pinot noir, and I tried the Black Bass cocktail as well as ordered a dirty Belvedere later. I thoroughly enjoyed myself but I don't think the high-rolling businessmen sat next to us were enjoying my flapping lips by the end of the meal. The Black Bass was surprisingly tantalizing: it had yellow chartreuse (which happens to be a wine-based liqueur that only three people in France know the ingredients for, but they pass it along and don't know that the previous one has done, kind of like top-secret clearance). It was pretty sweet but cut with an onion-stuffed, house made olive. Delightful, but you can only really do one. A quick word about all the ingredients: They are top-notch. Super fresh, often locally sourced, and many times made in-house (bread, bitters, olives). They also grow some produce. The shining star of the night was my starter, the Papri Chat. This class Indian dish was remixed into a refined explosion of flavors, done much more gracefully and sneakily than I've experienced with the real deal. I was stunned. It was light, citrusy, hot, sweet, sour, sharp, mellow. It was everything. It was delicious. I popped my sweetbreads cherry last night; I've always been too scared in the past. They were pan-fried with carrots, shallots or onions and what I think were cranberries. Also delicious. The flop was the creme brulee. Maybe it went over my head, but I don't care: I didn't like it. It was a gelatinous mold of chalky molasses and chocolate, although I'm not sure what was in it. I only ate two bites! To me, a five-star experience has no flaws, at least not flaws big enough to ruin an entire course. Welshie had the mussels (too much saffron for me, I like the ones at Brabo better) and the snapper--quite divine. He ended with the cannoli, also a little off to me (lemon bitters?). The service was great, if a bit over-the-top, but the staff loosens up along with you once they suss out your personality. The space is cozy and open and clean and warm all at once. All in all, Eve falls in the five-star range, and is certainly among the cream of the crop in terms Old Town dining (if not the zenith). I can't wait until the day I hit that five-star meal at Restaurant Eve--and I know that day is coming.
(4)
Nina B.
Overrated. The Bar: This place is owned by the same folks who run PX and The Majestic. I would strongly recommend going to PX and Majestic for your cocktails, and don't waste your money here. The Ambience: It's decent. I like the fact that you have to walk through this old courtyard to get into the restaraunt. Makes you feel like you're in the 18th Century. The service staff is friendly and amiable. The lighting is a bit too dim for my taste, I like to see what I'm eating before I ingest. The Meal: My companion ordered the steak. And he seemed pretty happy with it. Although they haven't ordered new steak knives since they opened. So, it was a bit of a hassle actually cutting with super dull knives. At points I thought our wine glasses were gonna fall over from all that table shaking. I ordered the Bouillabaise, and was a bit underwhelmed. I've had better seafood across the street at "The Wharf". So, if we had found this place without knowing all the hype, I'm sure we would have been impressed. But, I've been too much better restaraunts in Old Town that I would go to for a nice evening meal on a special occassion.
(3)
Loesje T.
Who are they kidding? Went to Restaurant Eve three weeks ago on a Saturday for a birthday celebration. I was incredibly disappointed! The appetizer was agnolotti (my favorite and something my Aunt Bina made beautifully, since she was Italian) which were so tiny I looked twice and smothered with fresh peas, clouding the taste of them. My Aunt would have been stunned. The bread was crusty on the outside but soggy and undercooked on the inside (get your bread somewhere else). The only good part was the Kerry Gold Butter. My main course was trout, but the pinkest I've ever seen. I think it may have been salmon and I received someone else's meal. Again, not very good. The wine by the glass was also suspect and I wonder if they switched on me. Since the meal wasn't what I had expected I was eager to "fix" it with the dessert which was showcased in the Post's Sunday magazine, the peanut butter Napoleon. Another disappointment. Gobs of peanut butter balls topped with a thin slice of chocolate. But I ate it since I was still hungry from the small portions of the previous two courses. I think I've been had! I felt like the Emperor in the Emperor's New Clothes. A rip-off. Service was weird at best and the staff was snotty. Save your money for Citronelle or Cafe Milano or Brasserie Beck where the food is plentiful and their chef's culinary talents are showcased. Restaurant Eve never again.
(3)
Chris F.
We had been wanting to dine here for a while and finally got the chance to eat at the Bistro last night. We weren't disappointed. The food was very well prepared, the ingredients were absolutely top-of-the-line, and the service was polite, knowledgeable and totally professional. The atmosphere was warm (we got a table next to the burning fireplace) and friendly, but you definitely don't feel like you're invited into someone's home. We had wine, cocktails, antelope pate, veal shortbread, rockfish with lobster and after-dinner sherry and dessert. Everything was of exceptional quality, but nothing was the "best-ever", and that's my main criteria for five stars. To be honest, my Dad made the best rockfish I've ever had from a filet he caught himself earlier that day and pan-seared it in lemon-butter with cheap white wine and light seasoning. Not nearly as complex or difficult as what Restuarant Eve attempted, but even more delicious. About the food: a very creative menu, from the cocktails (changing daily) to the wine list (extensive) to the changing daily menu, which is practically guaranteed to have ingredients you've never heard of (sunchokes? morel puree? chat?) unless you are a professional chef. Don't be intimidated though, because the staff can explain everything in detail. Your best bet is to eat here for the lunch special. As good as the food is, it's hard to justify spending a week's rent for a dinner here. If we come back, we'll come back for lunch. Or maybe the bar.
(4)
Paul S.
I treated my family to the tasting room and overall, the experience was good. The decor and waitstaff were top-notch but the food was a mixture of "this could be the best thing I've ever had" to "oh god, I want it out of me." (Granted, I do not have the type of sophisticated palate to appreciate the more unique food choices that were presented to me. None the less, I know bad.) The final bill with tip came out to be $800+. For that price (which I knew going into the experience) I figured I'd have life changing goodness from my dining experience. Instead, I was impressed but not left jaw dropped. Some of the dishes were so unique and wonderful that it's impossible for me to imagine where they came up with the idea. Some other dishes were just horrible. Spitting into napkin horrible. My recommendation is that you go there with an open mind. Be willing to try something unique and undoubtedly, you'll have a rewarding experience.
(4)
Glen H.
Made a last minute reservation in front of 3 others. Told me they only had availability in the Tasting room, time 8:30 PM. They took my name, and we drove to dinner. when we got there the snot nosed young kids at the front couldn't find the reservation, said I was mistaken and said there was no availability. When we spoke to the Manager, another youth right out of diapers his only defense was that they only take reservations with a credit card and if they didn't take a credit card I didn't make a reservation. OK, mistakes happen all the time but I didn't make the mistake. Even if I did, the staff were total a-holes. I ate here 2 years ago the food was good enough. But there are so many great restaurants in the DC area, I prefer to frequent restaurants with competent service-oriented staff.
My boyfriend took me to Eve's tasting room to celebrate my birthday last night and I can say that this really is the ultimate special occasion restaurant. The service at Eve is absolutely impeccable. The entire restaurant staff greets you as you make your way to your table. The servers work in teams and are knowledgeable and polite. I thought that Marcel's provided the best service in the city, but Eve surpasses it. As everyone else has said, the food here is incredible. It is imaginative, unique, well-prepared and delicious. The butter poached lobster appetizer is fantastic. Really rich and flavorful. I also enjoyed the antelope. It sounds weird, but it is not gamey at all. The sear and seasoning on the meat were incredible. Plus it was served with truffles, morels and potatoes. Probably one of the best dishes I have had in my life. The desserts were great, but I preferred the complimentary mini-desserts that they brought out at the end. Eve's macarons are awesome. If you are celebrating a special occasion, I strongly recommend this restaurant. The menu was personalized for my birthday and you leave with a birthday gift (coffee, scone mix and Irish butter). Thank you Eve (and my boyfriend) for making my birthday so special!
(5)
Mick A.
Good food, but not my favorite (See Kushi or Yechon or 2941) Staff was uh, quirky. 3 girls in one corner talking and two in the other corner. And they seemed to be staring daggers at each other from across the room. Wife didn't want me to use the restroom because she thought a fight was going to break out between Rachel McAdams and Lindsey Lohan over who was going to provide us the dessert menu. I said to my wife: "They're probably fighting because I'm already taken and they're jealous of you". She then convulsed into laughter and knocked her glass of wine off the table. She then called me delusional and recommended seeing a psychiatrist. Based on my wife's direct and helpful feedback to my statement, I'm guessing that probably was not it Perhaps I just went on an off night, because many do love this place.
(3)
Ken R.
I've chastised a number of restaurants I've eaten at for not being good enough for the money spent. I don't mind spending money on a good meal and experience but if you're going to charge 5 star prices, you better darn well deliver. Restaurant Eve does.... in spades! There isn't anything I can say bad about Eve. From the food, to the service to the ambiance... I enjoyed it all and have voted with my dollar by going back several times. In fact, its been a few weeks so I'm due for a return visit soon!
(5)
Sophie W.
I came here with some colleagues while I was in town for a conference. Yelp had great reviews, so I figured it was worth a visit. We did the Bistro room and everything was phenomenal! I had the butternut squash appetizer, which was amazing, the grass fed rib eye (cooked perfectly medium-rare), a side of the mushroom risotto, and instead of the Birthday Cake dessert, the house beignets, which were simply delicious and just the right size for dessert. For bourbon drinkers, I also highly recommend the Shoofly What? cocktail. I'm told it tastes just like a Shoofly Pie, but having never had one, I can say it tastes generally like a bourbon-y apple pie. Delicious! The service was fantastic as well -- our server was full of interesting facts about the menu (e.g., the Shoofly Pie). Overall, I'd say this is definitely a must-visit if you're in the area and in the mood for fine dining. Next time, we're definitely going to try the Tasting Room.
(5)
Brian G.
All I got for ya is simply "wow"... It's the most amazing place I've ever eaten. I've been to the tasting room and the bistro and the bar. I'm always blown away and thoroughly impressed. The service is impeccable, door is amazing, staff is friendly. It's worth the cost to have an amazing dining experience such as this. I wish I could eat here every day.
(5)
Joshua K.
Delicious food! I didn't know what this restaurant was about so I had no expectations going in. Everything we ate was DELICIOUS. I'm going off my memory of the food for this review because the interior of this place is ho-hum... like you are eating in some nice cottage in the Fench Alps or something. I've never actually been to the French Alps but that is the vibe that I got in the place... just kinda boring. Did I mention the food was delicious? Great place to take a significant other for dinner. Yummy.
(5)
Brianne C.
With its vibrant orange roses in the foyer, Val the bartender's careful descriptions of the items on the Lickity Split menu, genuine smile, and meticulous beverage crafting skills, and its light-filled lounge and plush bar stools, my recent meal at Restaurant Eve was a superior lunch experience. The Lickity Split lunch invited us to choose any two items from its list for $13.50, and was incomparable to any lunch partaking in the area. The lunch offerings were straight forward dishes, but they were prepared with fresh, well-sourced ingredients by devoted cooks whose knife skills and attention to detail were exquisite. From a list including a fresh beet salad, papri chat, a rutabaga veloute soup finished with lardons, a goat cheese salad with greens and champagne vinaigrette, a smoked pork loin sandwich (house seasoned, roasted, and smoked) with caramelized onions and spiced mayo, veal meatballs with creamy parmesan polenta, a truffle risotto with reggiano cheese, Todd's whiskey drinks, and birthday cake, we decided on four savory items. Sitting back with the Eamonn's cocktail, a seductive marriage (officiated by Val) of herbal red lemonade finished with a whimsical yuzu foam, we giggled a bit and chatted about volcanoes and stargazing in Hawaii. Each dish presented by Val was clean and highlighted the main ingredients. The beets were presented in an unusual dice, but gleamed burgundy sweetness. I particularly enjoyed the papri chat, a satisfying, comforting cool dish of garbanzo beans, hunks of potato, and cioppino onions dressed with herbed yogurt and finished with a tamarind paste and cilantro dressing. The smoked pork sandwich was a bit liberally dressed with mayonnaise, but the tender slices of pork (excepting a couple of toothsome bites) were redolent of cumin and smoke, and the toasted potato roll complemented the pork's texture and the caramelized onions reminiscent of honeyed strands of angel's hair. The veal meatballs were delicate and lightly seasoned, and their accompanying tomato sauce was bursting with the slightly bitter, savory flavors of Italian tomatoes and wine. Truthfully, everything was nearly flawless. As others have mentioned (and over which my companion enthused), the dishes served were not discernibly different in quality or portion from those served in the dining room. And, we met some lovely individuals while nestled with everyone seated at the bar, and their boisterous enthusiasm for the restaurant (and life in general) added brightness to a day with a sky the color of aluminum. Restaurant Eve's cuisine, inviting setting, and friendly service and clientele were a marvel, and we can't wait to return with our friends. Highly recommended.
(5)
Christopher F.
This restaurant is all it's cracked up to be. Food was stupid good, and everyone in the place was a professional. The guy who cleared the tables and ironed (yes, ironed) the tablecloths was wearing a beautiful black suit. If you've got the money, it's the clear choice.
(5)
Marc P.
My wife and I went to Restaurant Eve (the Chef's Tasting Room) for our anniversary. We did the five course menu, and, like some of the previous reviews, our food was pretty good (4) but the service/price point was a 2 at best. For two meals and four drinks, a four hundred dollar bill should really accompany one of the best meals ever, but this one was just okay. We were seated a little late after being crammed into the adjacent lounge by the hostess who seemed annoyed we arrived five minutes before our reservation. Our meal was brought out over the course of nearly three hours, with the first course not arriving until forty-five minutes after we had been seated. The food was, as I mentioned, good, but I wouldn't return for any of the dishes (except the initial appetizer plate) for even regular prices. Also, we were never asked if this was a special event, so we were a little bewildered when the tables around us received little "goodbye gifts" at the end of the meal while we were not. This was very much a symptom of a server who, aside from a two-second "did you enjoy your XX course", always only directed at my wife, never really engaged with us. In the end, it really appeared to be an "emperor's new clothes" sort of sell in terms of putting up with the extremely long wait for small dishes with obscure names and only slightly above ordinary tastes. We will not be returning. One odd thing, the small acoustics of the booth were such that my wife had the conversation of the table across the room inflicted on her the entire meal. I couldn't hear a thing.
(2)
Carolyn S.
Absolutely phenomenal. Hubby and I went for a special lunch date and ordered from the "Lickity-split" menu. Fantastic prices for seriously gourmet food. We tried the Heirloom Tomato Salad with basil leaves and goat cheese, Chanterelle Mushroom Soup, Meatballs with Creamy Polenta, and the Almond-milk Pot de Creme. Flavors were spectacular. Presentation was beautiful. Oh, and the fresh bread they bring out with the meal - wow. This is no ordinary restaurant. Can't wait to go again!
(5)
Amanda M.
I was so excited to finally make it to Restaurant Eve for my birthday... especially because my folks were treating! :) We had the five-course tasting menu. Overall, Eve did not disappoint. The decor is comfortable and cozy, the service excellent, and the cocktails/wine selection very good. Expect to spend a good chunk of time here if you are visiting the tasting room; it is not a meal to speed through. This was a good choice for a birthday, as they created special menus just for me and also gave me some scone mix and coffee to take home in a little gift bag. The food was very, very good - though I would argue that for this price, it should be unforgettable. We all enjoyed our dinners immensely, but I have one suggestion: even if you are celebrating your birthday, do NOT get the mini birthday cake. Sure, it was cute and all, but the cake was terrible. Dry and flavorless. I was disappointed with my choice because the other desserts my parents had were DELICIOUS. So, stick with the house specials!
(4)
Christy C.
Good, but not fantastic. I agree with other reviewers who say they had a solid, good meal, but it wasn't phenomenal. (And with the prices we paid, I expect phenomenal!) My husband had the Ribeye with a side of brussels sprouts. He said the tater tot accompaniment and the brussels sprouts both tasted of fish (perhaps fried/prepared in the same pan?). I had salmon and the various beans it was served with were underdone and slightly crunchy. I ordered the risotto as my side dish and it was great; although the peas and ham were unexpected and not listed on the menu and I HATE peas. Easy enough to eat around them, but would have been nice if it had been listed on the menu. We both ordered dessert and again, both were good, but not the best I've ever eaten. Hubs had apple tart in puff pastry. I had chocolate cake w/peanut butter filling in the layers all covered in ganache. His was much better than mine. What was totally and completely outstanding was the service. Every detail was handled, every need anticipated. The wait staff was courteous, knowledgeable and unobtrusive. The decor was lovely and had a certain charm. All in all, would probably not return considering the price we paid didn't match the meals we had.
(3)
Lydia B.
This was one of the best meals I've had in my entire life. For those of you who have been to the Inn at Little Washington, I thought this was better. Seriously! We had started our night at the PX (will review this later) so we didn't have any cocktails before dinner, but I have been to the bar before and highly recommend starting with a cocktail. Their cocktails are unique and they make a lot of their own bases for those drinks. We sat in the chef's tasting room for dinner and did the 7 course tasting menu. They also have a 5 and 9 course. We also did the wine pairing. Every course was perfect and every wine pair was perfect with the food. The cool thing also is I am not a red wine drinker and they totally accomodated that when we did the pairings. One of the people in our party is also gluten free and they completely accomodated her to the point that they made her a special loaf of bread made from garbonzo beans instead of wheat. It was as good if not better then the regular bread they serve (which is very yummy by the way). The service was also spectacular. I can hardly wait for another special occassion so we can go back.
(5)
Brittany V.
I went with my boyfriend for our two year anniversary and had a phenomenal meal. The asparagus with a farm fresh poached egg was delicious. My main course halibut was also amazing. At the end of the meal they gave us a nice treat (a small peanut butter eclaire and a scone mix to take home), which was a nice touch. Would like to make it a tradition to come back every year!
(5)
Leslie G.
I had lunch at Restaurant Eve last week and was very impressed. I ordered the sweet corn veloute, chilled, with a mix of microgreens on top. I couldn't get it all out of the bowl and was very upset! For my main course, the waiter recommended the Artic Char, nestled atop what seemed to be macerated turnips, shallots, and speckled with small but substantially thick pork belly nuggets (educated guess). The first taste was amazing! Every ingredient worked together and I wished that I had not eaten any of the delicious bread to save room for every bite. I did, however, manage to finish it all! Can't wait to go back for the tasting menu. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Andrea R.
I don't know the DC area very well, but I have a feeling this may be the best deal in town...especially for the quality of food! Miriam W and I made ourselves comfortable at the bar here this afternoon. We were presented with a menu where I was told to pick any 2 entrees for $13.50. 2 seemed like a lot at first, but then I glanced at the menu and everything looked so good that I could have picked 5! I settled on the mussels in marinara sauce and the salad du jour (a fruity tasting salad with a flaky fish on top). I knew I picked right when a huge portion of mussels drowned in a tasty sauce were in front of me just minutes later. I should probably warn against the mussels when on a date because these were messy little suckers, but I know Miriam well enough by now to be a complete slob in front of her. The mess problem probably could have been solved if I had actually used the bowl they gave me for the shells, but we're not so fancy over in Chicago so I didn't actually notice the bowl until I was eating my last mussel. Whoops. The salad was also a nice portion and I loved the fish- it was a very light salad, but I felt quite full after devouring both the mussels and the salad. Oh, and I should probably mention the delicious bread they brought to us as well...fortunately, they bring out the pieces one at a time or I would have ate the entire basket! Miriam mentioned she eats here all the time and after lunch today I can imagine why....there are very few places (at least where I come from) where you can get food this good for this price! Next time I'm here I plan on leaving room for dessert...they have birthday cake!
(5)
Stephanie T.
This is for the lunch special they have. It's fabulous. I love the bartender there. He's wonderful. We see him pretty much every time and look forward to it. The service is exceptional. He explains everything you could ask for on the menu. It's always crowded, but he does his best. I love their iced tea, and the fact that they have sugar syrup that goes in the tea so you don't have to wait until the sugar melts and its more sweet uniformly that way. Best ice tea. The lunch is always my favorite. Sometimes it can get a little salty, but besides that its quite an amazing value. I wish it was closer to where we live, but then we'd be too spoiled.
(5)
Havar E.
Yes this is one of the top 3 restaurants in the DMV. A perfect place to close any deal. Amazing service and food.
(5)
Cat C.
Note: Review is for June 2009. Restaurant Eve deserves a 4.5. Maybe its just me, but Restaurant Eve sure does deliver when you are celebrating a special occasion. In my case, this was for my 30th birthday. My now-husband went to EXTREME pains to set up an AMAZING 30th birthday..--- dinner at Restaurant Eve, followed up with drinks at PX and then followed up with a surprise party back at our apt! Highlights: Service was very good. They take special occasions very seriously and will have a special menu printed up personalized just for your special occasion so that you can take it home with you as a memento. Food was all around delicious. We had the Chef's tasting menu and all the dishes were fresh and seasonal. At the end of the meal, they send you home with a little bag of scone mix and their special coffee. -- YUM!
(4)
Marc H.
Went to a birthday dinner here for my friend... Exceptional. The restaurant didn't even know that we were there for a birthday, but as we walked to our table, the hostess asked us if we were here for a special occasion, to which we replied, yes, we're here for a birthday. No later than 10 minutes after we were seated (and presented with an amuse bouche), did we receive a menu with "Happy Birthday XXXXXX" at the top... very very nice touch to print that out on the spot. The food was fantastic. Standouts include: "OOO" (oysters, onions, and osetra (caviar)) Sweetbreads Soft-Shell Crab Wild Mushroom dish (can't remember the name) Banana dessert The wine (by the glass) was great, we simply asked them to bring what they felt paired best with each course (or progression of the meal), the cocktails were terrific (a la PX) and the service was unmatched. Definitely definitely definitely coming back.
(5)
Kevin K.
This place is one of the places where I would definitely spend my own cash without a bat of an eye. You know that you are going to eat and you are going to eat very well. If you are looking for a place to enjoy an evening of culinary degustation go with the full tasting menu plus the wine. It will take you a good 3 to 4 1/2 hours but there is nothing better I would rather be doing than spending time. I will skip the details but many of the servers there also work at PX so they can also hook you up woth reservations afterwards if you can swing it on thurs - sun. Desserts are to die for! Once again happy eating!
(4)
Liz H.
EVE'S BISTRO: I'm giving this bistro 5 stars because of the white truffle risotto appetizer. Yes, it's $50.00. Ellie (our wonderful server) described the taste as "beautiful." It was exactly that. I truly respect a chef who knows how to use rare ingredients (let's face it, white truffles aren't in season for long and often cost upwards of $2,000 a pound). There were truffle shavings on top of a truffle risotto, which showed off this rarity to perfection. I would've hated myself if I hadn't tried it. The drink I ordered "I had to much thyme on my hands"....blah blah blah was a delicious apple concoction that included apple balls. I'm usually not a fan of cocktails, but the alcohol wasn't noticeable. For my entree, I had chicken with waffles. This truly shows how playful the chef is to start with a $50.00 appetizer only to follow it up with a staple of my Southern cuisine. The chicken was quite crispy. We had to put a rush on our dessert so we could make Cirque du Soleil on time. We had the apple creme brulee. Honestly, it was a little too sweet for my palette. This place has a very romantic feel, but the playful menu shows that it's not pretentious. It's a great place to take a date. It's quiet. Also, Ellie was able to joke with us and we got a good table. Extra points for not sitting the young people by the kitchen or bathroom. This chef knows his ingredients, and you'll feel like you're eating at the kitchen table--perfect if you want to impress without feeling out of place.
(5)
sarah l.
We ate here for a special occasion dinner and were so very disappointed. For the extravagant price that the meal costs, the quality of the food did not measure up. And the server was quite haughty and unfriendly. It reminded me once again that fancy restaurants are not worth the money that we pay. The experience is rarely a good one. If you know of one that can prove me wrong, I'd love to hear about it!
(1)
Julie C.
I was prepared for and expecting a great experience at Restaurant Eve. What ended up happening was food envy all night. While I moderatly enjoyed the mussels and rockfish I ordered, I would have much preferred the papri chat and black sea bass my friend ordered. Best part of the meal was the cocktail and wine. The rockfish was prepared well, but I thought it lacked flavor from the mushrooms that I was looking for. Service - um a bit awkward. The server kept interrupting our conversation to interject odd small talk. She also didn't recognize that my mother is hard of hearing and couldn't hear the explanation of the menu, drinks and specials. We had to ask her multiple times to repeat herself and come stand closer to my mom so she could hear. Would recommend to those looking for a great meal, but there are a lot of other places I'd like to try before going back to Restaurant Eve.
(3)
Karman L.
flickr.com/photos/karman… Finally, I made it here today for the Lickety Split Lunch Special - $13.50 for two items on the lounge/bar menu. Lunch Special is served Mon-Fri 11am-4pm. Since I was driving, I didn't pick any of the alcoholic drinks (wine and beer). I got the mussels and the pulled pork sandwich. HUGE portion of mussels and they taste AWESOME!!! One complaint...a few of the mussels maybe under cook, but it's overall a great dish. The pulled pork sandwich was also tasty but a little salty. Cons - I think I caught them on a bad day, it was extremely busy at the bar. Everything took a bit longer than I expected. No bread was served - they said they ran out and had to bake more. It took me about 1.5 hours for this bar lunch. Pros - Even it was very busy, the bartender and the manager were very helpful and nice. Great service. Bartender's attention to details is incredible (I was watching her making 5 martinis), she still pull all the small decoration for the martinis and made it very tempting to drink. Wish I wasn't driving. It was definitely a GREAT deal. I think just the mussel itself worth about $14 at regular price. The lounge/bar area is very spacious. You have a choice to sit up at the bar or on the comfy couch/ottoman along the wall. Will come back another day. Hope the service time will be faster.
(4)
Michael A.
Fantastic service, great food, generous little 'extras.' Really a great experience, and one of the best places I've been to in the DC area. Will be returning!!
(5)
Andrew H.
reading favorable yelp reviews is generally a blessing to any establishment, but sometimes it can also be risky as it may lead to too high of expectations. and sadly, that is what i experienced. don't get me wrong, the food was good and i definitely enjoyed myself, but i expected more. perhaps my three star ranking is a bit low. i would say that there were several dishes that our table ordered that i thought were exquisite...the beef tartar being one and the black bass being another. however, at the end of the meal, as satisfied as i was, i felt that i could have received the same caliber of cuisine at a lower cost than what showed up on my receipt. ultimately, i'm glad i went...if not only to scratch off another destination from washingtonians top 100 list...then for the good company, great service, and gratifying tastes.
(3)
Udunnome B.
Simply put, the customer service was superb. I don't know how well they are compensated for their work but the host and our server was nearly flawless and made our experience memorable. My gf took me to Restaurant Eve for my birthday. The first moment we stepped inside, the host greeted us with exuberant smile and made us feel exceptionally welcome and at home. They sat us by enclosed corner of the restaurant to give us more privacy and even turned up the temperature when I told them it was a bit chilly. The menu was customized for our table and it actually wished me happy birthday on the very top of the menu. The interior is little bland . There is nothing much to look at and the food was delightful yet lacking flavor at times. I had grass fed beef and my gf had halibut. Both were good but not exceptional. Considering the price we paid, I feel as though the chef needs to up the flavor a bit. How? Well, beats me. Overall, food was sufficient but due to superb customer service our experience was memorable and would like to visit again just to be reminded of how good it is to have great customer service due to lack of customer service almost every where these days.
(4)
Valarie G.
The food is amazing, the staff is top notch - dinner here is really treated as an art and there are incredible artists both in the kitchen and in the dining room. If you can swing it, this really is a treat for a very special occasion. The wine list, appetizers, cocktails, entrees, dessert - all breathtaking.
(5)
Monica L.
I usually don't go to new restaurants with the jitters, but on the way down to Restaurant Eve, it felt like the butterflies in my stomach were spontaneously combusting. I had heard all the rumors, read all the reviews, and knew that this was going to be an extraordinary experience. I worried about what to wear, how to style my hair, how not to look like a silly young girl who rarely goes out to fine dining. I was definitely more on a date with Eve than my real companion. What struck me first upon entering was the immense feeling of composure. There were innumerable staff, but no one was rushing or looked like they were doing anything except exactly what they meant to do. Our suited server was patient and knowledgeable, and explained the tasting menu with such eloquence that we decided, "Screw it all and the economy, let's do the 9-course! Yeah!" It was a wise decision. We started with an aperitif each. Companion chose a delicious malbec with great legs, and I was curious about Todd Thrasher's ingenious creations and picked the Lemony Laurel. The combination of lemon and bay leaf was refreshing and pleasant, that reminded me of a Ricola. But the Finest Ricola from the Finest of Pharmacy Aisles. I could go into great detail about each course with an accompanying photograph, but that would be too much. The menu changes too constantly anyway. But I will say that everything caused us to marvel and look at each other with amazed faces. Whether it was absolutely ridiculous-looking or tiny or came with too much flourish didn't matter. Each course turned out to be exactly what we wanted to eat at that precise moment in time. The meal was well-paced, the service perfectly on point, the wine flowed, etc etc. In the end, the 9-courses were more like 15, what with amuse bouches, palette cleansers, pre- and post-desserts... and yet we were comfortably full by the time the bill came. We were so content and happy that we forgot ourselves and got lost driving back into DC from Alexandria, making a few wrong turns back into Virginia. Probably because Eve was calling us back.
(5)
Anna K.
My partner and I went to Restaurant Eve for his birthday and were very impressed. We did the chef's tasting room - 7 course with wine pairings. The wines were spot on and very well thought out. There wasn't one pairing we could have argued with. However, for the size of the pours, the pairings were over priced. The fish dishes were the most creative and certainly the most tasty. The red meat dishes were lacking; one venison dish was over cooked and there was far too much rosemary. The desert was truly special with a romantic flare that I've never seen before. Looking back I would skip the cocktails -- they were OK and knowing that we were having so much wine later it would've been better to stave off the tipsyness. The service was great; perfect timing of the courses and a high level of attentiveness. I would say that Restaurant Eve produced the second best meal I've ever had at the highest price I've ever paid ($$$$$$$).
(5)
Sean V.
This place is the truth! The bride and I visited for a combination birthday/birthday/Valentine's Day dinner and gave the tasting room a go. It was extraordinary. The food was simply outstanding and the drinks were top notch (gin & tonic and the tequila drink with smoked ice were unreal). I've read several comments about uppity waiters there, but did not have any issues at all. In fact, we found the servers to be very helpful and knowledgeable, especially our main waiter. Once you got this guy going about the cheese dishes, he was like a freight train! it's refreshing to see that kind of passion about food and his enthusiasm and knowledge definitely helped vector us in to the correct choices throughout the meal. Yeah, it's a bit expensive, but what do you expect for fine dining around here? you get what you pay for, and we were very satisfied with our meals.
(5)
Holly B.
I've done their tasting menu twice now, and they were both some of the best meals I've had. I called ahead for my fiance's birthday and they had a little custom menu and take home gift for us when we got there - really nice touch. The service was fantastic - just right. The wine selection was fabulous, the atmosphere was spot on. I just loved the place. Every time we go back I vow to do the main dining room/al la carte dining, but the tasting menus are always so good I can't resist! Their bar up front is fun to stop in for a drink also :)
(5)
Elizabeth E.
My fiance treated me to the tasting menu a few days before we moved from Alexandria to Ann Arbor. It was exquisite - from the fancy cocktails to the wee amuses we were presented with to the friendly and attentive table service from a waiter who happened to be from Ann Arbor and who gave us recommendations for places to eat in our new town to the tiered trays of tiny bites of dessert that rounded out our three hours of dining. We ate amazing things, many of which were new to us and that we wouldn't have had otherwise. It was a wonderful experience, and one I'm happy to recommend. I wish I'd had the opportunity to visit Restaurant Eve for other meals or more cocktails - if you have a special occasion and money to spend, I highly recommend it.
(5)
Susan L.
Fabulous food, great service, and pleasant atmosphere. It is pricey but you get your money's worth. An absolute must. Intend to try their lickity split lunch, which I hear is great, but I will most definitely go back for dinner.
(5)
Roll T.
All other lunch reviews for restaurants in Old Town are judged by this juggernaut placed in the esteemed hands of Cathal Armstrong. A one sentence review really suffices: You cannot get better quality food at a cheaper price than you get at Restaurant Eve. Indeed, within the United States, I have never seen a nationally recognized restaurant make their cuisine so affordable to the masses. Possibly even more interesting, there are no ascertainable quality drops between the "Lickety Split" and "Bistro" lunch menus. Instead, the restaurant matches interesting choices with local availability to provide stunningly delicious food at dirt cheap prices. Yes, dirt cheap prices. I just ate a pan roasted rainbow trout that was likely swimming in the Rappahannock in the last 24 hours over Davencrest Farms mixed greens and paired it with a gorgeous English pea, gongonzola, and bacon risotto for under the price of $20 including tip (yes, Restaurant Eve fans. the house risotto has indeed changed, but the new version holds up strongly against the old preparation). Each dish not only tasted exceptional, but also scored high from a purely aesthetic point of view. When a chef's preparation of food has the ability to transcend the sensation of taste and actually stimulate all your senses, then you realize the true value of this restaurant. I've noted a number of complaints about the service. In defense of the individuals who work here, they strive hard to allow the customer to fully appreciate the cuisine which has been prepared for them. We all face brutally stupid questions in our jobs, and sometimes, based on our subjective mood that day, we might come off as brusque or annoyed. I once thought that I had a rather rude response regarding a question I had about the risotto. I got over myself, and I have quite honestly felt a genuine bond towards some of the individuals that work here. How about the patrons themselves? Sure, many of them are the old birds of Old Town. But, I swear there is a regular here by the name of Robin who just might rank amongst the 25 most interesting people I have ever met in my life. I would say that the restaurant has a pleasant, friendly, sophisticated vibe that encourages conversation amongst the patrons. I would comment further regarding the Lickety Split menu, but it changes rather frequently. In fact, other than the Irish BLT, the pulled pork sandwich, and the birthday cake, there are no items remaining from my original review of this restaurant. I can generally suggest that their soup of the day is often a vegetable based veloute where all solids have been strained out in the preparation, the salad of the day generally pairs seafood with fresh local greens, and the sandwich will generally be red meat spiked with Pomery mustard. The risotto and mussels are always excellent if you aren't impressed with the daily options. If you are in the Old Town area, you owe it to yourself to try this lovely restaurant. If you make it down for lunch, you even get the added benefit of five star quality restaurant food at three star prices. I give this restaurant my highest recommendation.
(5)
J D.
It had been some time since I was last here. I had lunch with some friends on the bar side of the restaurant, enjoying the " lickety-split" special: two choices from the bar menu for a bargain price of $14.98. The food on the bar side is prepared by the same kitchen that prepares the dishes for the dining room and many of the dishes on the bar side are also on the dining room's menu. I opted for the salad of the day (tossed greens with a light mustard dressing with two substantial slices of pork terrine as the accompanying meat) and the Irish bacon, egg and cheese grilled sandwich). Both choices hit the mark! The flavors of the dishes were complex and layered - the Irish bacon (all meat, no fat) sandwich was terrific. Having started with the salad, I only managed half the sandwich and had the other half packed in a take away container (it reheated very nicely). My dining companions raved about the roasted butternut dishes they ordered and the lentil soup. Service was attentive but not hovering. To cap things off, I ran into a friend I hadn't seen in over a decade. This was a memorable lunch. This restaurant shows no sign of slipping from its lofty place as a destination restaurant in Old Town Alexandria.
(5)
Elizabeth W.
This was the best experience I've ever had! My review is for the Chef's Tasting Room. After reading MANY comments by fellow yelpers and local reviewers, we decided to splurge for my birthday dinner and our anniversary and check out the tasting room at Restaurant Eve. Upon arrival, we were greeted promptly and were asked to sit in the bar as our table wasn't quite ready for us. We did have to wait about 5 minutes to be waited on and another good 10 for our drinks, which was somewhat disappointing as a first impression considering the bar wasn't that full... Good thing the drinks were worth the wait! Definitely one of the best cocktails I've ever had. After about 15 minutes, we were shown to our table. I didn't know what to expect and couldn't wait to see what was in store. We were seated next to a small group of people, sharing a buffet style seat. The distance wasn't ideal for privacy but nonetheless served us fine. I particularly loved the beautiful napkin ring holders, which was a nice touch along with a fresh flower display and candle. Talk about romantic! After looking over the menu and discussing options, we decided on the five-course tasting menu and a bottle of wine. One of the nicest surprises that I didn't read about before were the three mini courses BEFORE our five courses and two AFTER that are compliments of the chef. I am not sure if this is normal or if it was because our dinner was at 9:30 but it was a very nice added touch. I can't imagine what the seven or nine courses would have been like as the five was PLENTY. I did read a review stating portion size was small. Yes, it is a tasting room, not a full-on entree per course. If you are expecting large portions for each course, you're better off ordering a few from the bistro. This is definitely about the experience of really tasting the food, not eating a large meal. We chose to let the chef pick our courses and are SO glad we did. What an amazing, amazing experience. Many of our courses were not on the menu and were exceptional. I think the restaurant's slogan - "Nourish the palate" is absolutely spot on for the experience we had. This was like a journey rather than a meal. It was carefully paced (five courses took us 3 hours) and left us in awe. We tried the sweetbreads and I have to say, they were amazing. I really never thought I would be so adventurous but what a nice surprise they were! From the somalier to the wait staff, the service was exceptional. I've never been to a restaurant where the wait staff worked as a "team". We probably had 4 or 5 people waiting on us throughout the night. One of the best things was that the staff was extremely friendly and down to earth which made us feel very comfortable. I was also a little surprised that a few of the men didn't have jackets or ties on in the tasting room. I guess the policy isn't as strict as we thought it would be (even though on the door they do request proper attire). I was also quite surprised that I saw people come to the bistro and bar with a nice shirt, jeans and flip flops.. Definitely a lot more "casual" than I was expecting but nonetheless I think the fact that the restaurant wouldn't turn clientele away due to attire is actually refreshing considering it is so high end. I've seen women turned away for bare shoulders at a restaurant in DC that didn't even compare to this restaurant.. Overall, exceptional and well done. Well worth the price. We definitely will be back and can't wait to bring others for a special night out!
(5)
Sam F.
I just took my husband to Restaurant Eve for his 40th birthday, and had a great time. We ended up making the reservation at the last minute for a Monday, and it wasn't a problem getting a seat in the Tasting Room at the time we wanted. (I called at about 5pm, and we were seated at 8pm.) The food was perfect. We did the 5-course tasting menu with the "surprise"--meaning we didn't pick what we wanted, but instead let the chef choose. I think if you're particularly concerned about what you want to eat, don't do the "surprise" but it was a nice experience for us. Also, they made sure my husband and I got different meals so we were able to try each other's food! The food itself was inventful and thoughtfully prepared with obviously high quality ingredients. The service was excellent. We had 1 primary server who explained the menu to us (as it was our first time there) and was pleasant to talk to. They were available for anything and were able to answer any questions we had. They have a sommelier on-hand in the room, also, to explain the wines if you decide to get the wine pairing. We only drank wine, which was great, but if you like American wine you may want to be specific about that as a lot of their wines are French or Spanish. ALL of them were excellent. Others in the room had cocktails which looked yummy. Overall, I thought for a super-fancy meal this was excellent. The ambiance was great and we felt like we were really taken care of. They even had "Happy Birthday" on my husband's menu when we sat down, as well as on his dessert and then gave him a little "gift" at the end. The food was great and had a lot of variety. My only hesitation is the price as our meal was over $400! (2 people, both had 5-course tasting menus, 1 had wine pairing) I would love to try the a la carte menu in the future, as well as the chef's other restaurants, but I'll leave the Tasting Room for extra special occasions only.
(5)
Andrew H.
Besides the best gin & tonic (secret: they make their own tonic) that has ever been made in the history of the world, this place rocks. Sit in the dining room, sit in the bar - doesn't matter. The service is attentive and polite and the food is without equal. Every time I go I think that it can't possibly be better than the last time, and it always is. The whole menu is locally farmed/raised and everything tastes fresh. Even if you aren't a foodie, have two or three of their fantastic cocktails and it won't matter. The bartenders don't cut corners - every drink is a work of art. Having birthday cake on the menu all year gets them extra points. Don't miss it.
(5)
Bill P.
I would give this place 3 1/2 if I could. Went here during the week with the lady and we had a nice time. Service was fine, food was good, and the ambiance was terrific. Really liked the fireplace...I imagine that would be great when it gets cold! However, not all of the food was amazing...I ate at Marcel's recently and every course was terrific! Restaurant Eve was good, but it wasn't good enough to make me want to come back and spend that kind of money again. Instead, I thought, "Good food, but I'm curious to see what else is out there." I'll be going back to Marcel's sometime though!
(3)
K S.
Without a doubt, the five-course tasting menu at Eve has been my absolute favorite "occasion" meal in the DC area. I don't know how anyone ever gets through the nine-course menu, as we counted up our total courses and with bread, an amuse-bouche, a "pre-dessert", the birthday cake ordered specially for me, and the treats with the check, we consumed 10 courses. Amazing. Standouts included: the amazing cocktails (all hail the magician that is Todd Thrasher); the "bacon and egg" sandwich with pork belly and poached quail egg; the butter-poached lobster; the house-made feta and kalamata olives in the "deconstructed Greek salad"; the choice of butters (Irish and domestic) with the bread; and - HELLO! - they serve a course called "PRE-DESSERT"!!! Service was perfect - attentive and helpful without being presumptuous or stuffy. Mr. Thrasher himself was maitre'd-ing the Tasting Room, and I got a little star-struck when he refilled our wine glasses. Our reservations were at 6, and I think we were there for about 2.5 hours...the room is so lovely and comfortable, you really do feel whisked away from the world and pampered by the outstanding food and libations. Because it was my birthday, I left with some "gifts from the house" - special "Eve blend" coffee, a scone mix, and a hand-written birthday card. I felt extremely lucky to have had the chance to enjoy the Tasting Room, and I'd love to go back for lunch at the bar or dinner in the Bistro. Update: Made it back yesterday for the Lickety Split lunch with my mom - what a treat! Seriously, if I worked in Old Town I'd be there all the time. $13 for two truly gourmet courses? Versus what, $8 for the same old burrito or pita or sandwich?! Anyway, between us we had haricots verts with toasted almonds and sungold tomatoes (x2), sweet corn veloutte with parmesan-herb gnocci, and crab cakes on a bed of arugula and green olive...accompanied by complimentary fresh-baked bread and soft Irish butter. The bartender was friendly (although admittedly very busy serving the full bar), and all the support staff couldn't have been more polite and on-point. A lovely lunch break and an amazing deal - can't recommend more highly.
(5)
Emily D.
We tried out the bistro for our anniversary dinner. It was a great mix of fancy and friendly with a welcoming staff and a wonderful menu. The menu is small, but everything we had was delicious and the staff was happy to explain or describe any item we were unfamiliar with. The gin and tonic was especially delicious where some of the other cocktails were a bit too sweet for us. Wine pairings were available for each course and were spot on. Overall, a wonderful meal. We will be back again.
(5)
Kim N.
Delicious, but be prepared to lay down a pretty penny (or a few)! Seems like this place has been well-reviewed, so I'll just give the basics. Great food, great service, great atmosphere (elegant without the pretentiousness). We did the 9 course tasting and oh my gosh, was I stuffed by the end! Seeing how expensive it was, I'd only go for special occasions, or perhaps check them out for lunch.
(4)
Windi L.
*DINNER REVIEW* I've been to some pretty high end establishments in the area and hands down EVE is the best, most opulent dining experience I've ever had in my entire life. Not only is the service top notch, but if you're not happy with a dish, expect to be treated like the Queen of England as they do what's necessary to make you happy. Between the terrific service and beautiful decor, Eve will deliver what's necessary to make your special event "pop". First, you will spend a lot of money so save now or start vending whatever you can on craigslist. But I promise you, it is all worth it!! And Eve isn't pretentious glamor... it's real high end dining. The personification of what fine dining should be. Even for their tasting menu, the portions are far larger than other restaurants. And the taste (ooooh the taste!) is worth every single penny. If you don't like your dish, the staff will fix is ASAP and without any reservation. And, despite its truly glamorous setting, the staff is personable and non pretentious. Also, the deserts were something out of this world! Aside from my birthday cake (ding ding ding!! JACKPOT!) the other deserts made me pray to never get diabetes so I could continue to dine here for years to come. If you're looking for the best dining experience your money can buy, this is it. Hands down. It truly doesn't get any better than Restaurant Eve. Oh and might I suggest skipping the wine paring and get a bottle you like. Only reason being is their speciality drinks are truly one of kind that rival las vegas. *LUNCH REVIEW* Contrarily to the $600 we spent for dinner, lunch was only $13.50 if consumed in the lounge/bar. That's right, $13.50 for TWO items. Those items can be a glass of booze with an entree or how about some booze and a dessert? You can mix and match. I chose two dishes which was a mistake because the portions were actually quite large. Well... I take that back. My upscale version of "pulled pork" was very filling, tasty and UNIQUE! A great blend of different items made it memorable. I also had the gnocchi which was a smaller portion however could be filling on its own. Once again EVE came through with great drinks. I recommend the one drink with plums and egg whites (sorry I forgot the name). It was very delicious. Going there for lunch is not nearly the same as going for dinner (the food is equally as great) however the overall experience just isn't the same without all the glitz and glamour that Eve brings.
(5)
David T.
The bottom line: Impeccable service, great food, cozy atmosphere. Visited Eve for my wife's birthday last winter. Making the reservation, I notified them that it was her birthday and they gave us a very nice table, by the fireplace. The service was perfect. A staff of centrally located servers topped of water, folded napkins (my wife drank a ton of water and each time she left her seat, the napkin was folded and replaced), answered questions and chatted happily. We opted for the tasting menu and the food was generally delicious. Unfortunately, I can't recall the majority of it (I should have joined yelp earlier). I do recall having wonderful sweetbreads (think brain), and a "restaurant given" pink birthday cake. I will have to go back for another menu-full to provide a better report.
(5)
Pui Ying S.
Ordered the tasting menu for 9 courses and every dish was delicious. Notes of the meal were 1. Sweetbreads - the best entree. It didn't have the gland texture and it was super tender. 2. Service - Very good service. It wasn't overwhelming and the birthday girl got a scone bag with some Irish butter. I ordered the thyme drink and one rogue thyme leaf was floating in my drink which resembled a dead bug. I knew it wasn't a bug and continued drinking. A waiter noticed, gasped and took it away quickly and I got a new drink. I'm satisfied. 3. Bread was hot. Fresh. You can always judge a restaurant by how fresh the bread is. 4. Macarons - It's not Paris and the filling was cream - not the usual jelly /paste like texture. Not uniform in shape or size. However, tastes much better than the St Regis but Michel Patisserie is still superior. 5. Great tasting cocktails that aren't too sweet. But they were 15 bucks 6. Expensive 7. Dessert cake - This was disappointing. I felt like I was eating a brownie from a box. I would come here again to try the bistro.
(4)
Michelle B.
Want to know how to lose loyal customers and influence people to go elsewhere? After frequenting this establishment, mostly because of the incredible bar staff, for almost five years, it is a safe bet to say my dollars and friends will no longer be supporting Restaurant Eve. Verbally abusing the bar staff in front of customers with language more consistent with a Jerry Springer show than a 5 star restaurant is not acceptable. These bartenders are the reason we come here and for their manager to take his over-inflated ego trip out on them is unprofessional and abusive. I seriously hope Ken and Tami realize there are better places out there that will appreciate the business they bring in and plenty of customers that will follow. This place, and the overhyped bar manager, is drinking their own Kool-Aid.
(1)
Laura W.
Restaurant Eve, like Christmas Eve, might be nice and festive, but all the same, leaves you looking forward to the next day, the real deal. Honestly, the level of service at the bar here truly marred the top-notch quality of the food. The bartender acted snotty and aloof to not just my lunch date and I, but to other patrons as well. One lady, a regular, after ordering a few leisurely rounds of drinks, said a friendly goodbye to the bartender. All he could muster was a surly "OK." As for how he treated my date and I, not once did he make eye contact with my date while describing the specials. I'm not sure what was more uncomfortable: the staredown I got, or the fact that he was ignoring the other person completely. (To give him the benefit of the doubt, maybe he was tired of describing the specials in overblown, pretentious language to foodie types. Seriously, I know what a veloute is.) The service aside, the food was a great deal for the $13.50 Lickety-Split Lunch special. Helpful tip, you can only get the special at the bar. Don't make reservations since it's first-come, first-served. The mussels steamed with an apple broth were surprising yet some of the better ones I've had at a restaurant in awhile. (I don't know, I get tired of the same old garlic and cream schtick.) This came out first, followed by the Salad du Jour, which was a salad of greens with guinea hen on the side. While the flavor of the poultry was refreshing, I found it somewhat tough. At least I can say that I appreciated the fact that the two courses came out separately instead of both at once. I will not forget the bread. That soft, warm, flaky bread had me at "Hello, I'm on your plate, waiting to be buttered." Oh, and butter it I did. I buttered it every time the server lovingly placed another slice on my plate. I may return for the food, but if I see Baldy the Aloof Bartender I'm heading straight back out into the main dining area.
(3)
Emily M.
I have been a patron of Restaurant Eve more than a couple times. The location is on a quaint side street in Old Town Alexandria and the entrance to the restaurant is hidden down a court yard path. The menu is delicious with many overly appetizing choices. I have always been pleased with lunches and dinners. The house cured pork belly, Irish BLT, and Chesapeake Rockfish are a few of my favorites. And you can't forget the bread and butter! I could live on the fresh, warm house made bread and Irish butter alone. The quality of the food is high. For dessert you can not choose poorly. A favorite as always been "Birthday Cake....Just Because." A perfectly made individual birthday cake with buttercream frosting and sprinkles made just the way your mother would have made. The only set back to this Eve is the service. While friendly and knowledgeable, the service is often slow. Nonetheless this is a spot worth visiting.
(4)
Blanca W.
Always a pleasant experience, whether going formal in the Dining Room, or casual in the bar. Can't beat the lunch specials. Highlights: the outstanding bar tenders, with great signature cocktails, and super attentive to requests: on one visit I asked for Ramazotti, which is never available in local bars, and they didn't have it - but by my next visit the bar tender not only had it, he remembered I had requested it. For those of us who adore 'the innards" this place is heaven- divine sweetbreads and pates- the only restaurant left serving beef tartare and headcheese. Dieing to go to one of the "snout to tail" dinners. Dining is always leisurely, wait staff always attentive but not obnoxious. So happy it's within walking distance of my house.
(5)
Dian C.
First of all, they really should split the reviews for Restaurant Eve into three: the bar, the Bistro, and Chef's Tasting Room. I think the experiences would all be first class yet completely different (so is the damage on your wallet). On my special day, Christmas Eve, I was able to steal away from work early and join PC W and another friend for the Lickity-Split Lunch (many others have reviewed this deal) at the bar. Always always go for the mussels, no matter how they cook it. On this day, they cooked it with apples. Apples?! Who would've thought that that light, refreshing flavor of apples would complement mussels, but it worked. The mussels were meaty and fresh, unlike most of what you buy at the grocery store or at other restaurants. Since it was my special day, I had to get the birthday cake. Out came a cute little cake ensconced in pink glazed frosting (bigger than a cupcake). The frosting was a bit too sweet for me, but the cake was moist and fitting for lunch on my special day! The bartender/waitress adroitly handled the bar full of hungry patrons before her and there wasn't too much of a wait between courses. We did have to get her attention a couple of times, but we also had to be somewhere. I only wish I lived or worked closer!
(5)
Jim S.
The best restaurant in Old Town. I have been there several times and it is always awesome. Service has always been impeccable and attention to detail throughout the entire experience is noticed. Restaurant Eve is a perfect place for any occasion, whether it's a birthday, an anniversary, date night or just any day/night of the week you're looking for a fantastic meal.
(5)
N S.
The Tasting Room served me what was easily one of the top two meals I've had in my entire life (Blackie's being the other - and I'm not sure which was better), so good I had to give the GM a hug and Chef a handshake. The 9 course tasting menu was a delight from beginning to end and the service was beyond outstanding. The only weakness may be the front desk, where things seem to be a little disorganized and built more around acheiving Bistro-quality serivce rather than Tasting Room. It certainly was not enough to detract from the meal and hardly dents one point on one of the stars. All in all, the price was extrordinarily out of my range to become a regular, but I will be making room in my budget to make this my special occasion haven. NB: As a caveat to those who haven't been, plan in advance, as you may have to look a bit farther out in making your reservation - I called at the end of May and the earliest Saturday they had open was at the end of July, at the tail end of their booking window. I ended up combining multiple celebrations into one visit, but it was worth the wait.
(5)
Michael D.
I rarely do the 5 stars thing. Originally I was going to save that for the most exceptional of exceptional (Per Se, Craft, Luger's, etc.), but then I thought, isn't Restaurant Eve exceptional? So I thought about it, and I can't think of one thing I would change about my meal. Not one. They achieved exactly what I expected and what you expect, Truly exquisite seasonal fine dining with exceptional wait staff, wine list, and cocktails. I couldn't not give this 5 stars after remembering what I ate and how it made me feel. The most exceptional thing about this wasn't just that the food was out of this world, it was that the cocktails were some of the best I've ever had. Turns out the bartender is a mixologist to the highest degree. Dude makes his own tonic water...what?! Yes, he does. I highly recommend each person in your party to order something different off the drink menu and tasting all of them. As far as the food, it's just perfect. Not overly pretentious, yet you know that the chef cares about how you feel about eating it. The wait staff and management was also top notch. We had a total of 5 people working on our table (waiter, 2 runners, 2 cleanup/bus). I liked that as it felt that the waiter was orchestrating everything to make sure we got the full experience. Now, I ate in the Bistro, and I'd recommend this to everybody who's not into the whole tasting menu thing, but next time I go, it's tasting menu for me. Where a jacket, you'll feel weird without one on like yours truly. What? Dress pants and a button-up isn't good enough? I kid..I kid.
(5)
Paolo G.
I've lived (and eaten) near Old Town for over ten years and this place is without question the best restaurant in the area. The food, from apps to dessert was outstanding and innovative, the service was excellent, the ambiance was perfect. I can't think of anything I would change about Restaurant Eve.
(5)
Lily Z.
I had the $13.50 lunch special at Eve. The quality of the ingredients was top notch, the seasoning was perfect, and the price was right. Everything on the menu sounded simple, yet when you actually taste it, you can't help but think "wow, they made this mundane sounding dish special" Eve's temptation had a fresh apple taste with good amount of vodka in it. Eve's uses lots of homemade juices and concoctions in their cocktails, something you don't see in other places. The BLT was good, but the star was the pastrami sandwich. It was the best pastrami I have ever had. The lean part was savory and smoky and the fat part was meltingly tender. The mussels were also outstanding. They were small mussels with very thin shells (I have never seen this variety before), very tender and clean tasting. I didn't detect any grit. The apples and rosemary were an odd seasoning combination for mussels, but it worked here. Can't wait to try the dinner from here. I am sure it will be spectacular.
(5)
Bill P.
Yup went to Nourish the P-l-te (TM)........fill in the blanks... First visit.....quick lunch turned into two hours.....great and friendly barkeep Terp alum Val and place is always bustling.....pairs of Old Town women LOVE this place.....but alas no sign of Alison Starling :( Had the beet salad and Irish bacon egg on butter toasted sour dough sandwich $13......sandwich was the BEST!!!!! Could eat that everyday....will be back.... weekend revs are a killer gotta slip in off-peak. :)
(5)
Peter M.
This was my first visit to Restaurant Eve, and I have to say the hype did not meet expectations. The service was excellent, the wine was very good, and the food was... acceptable. After a long day, my wife wanted to take our daughter and mother to Eve. Our daughter being just a year old, made this a little difficult - but accommodations were made with a standard restaurant high chair. We were seated in the back of the room (which is fine, again, we're not picky) and offered a wine menu, water and a food menu. Soon, bread and still bottled water was available, as was a very nice French Pinot Nior. So why only four stars? I have to say I was disappointed with my main course. A "co-op" sirlion of beef, cooked medium rare - and properly - over a bed of celeriac in a very well flavored sauce. And the meat was tough... as tough and unflavored as any beef I've gotten from "Sizzler." Heavily salted, and seared, this was a severe disappointment. At the end of the meal, I decided to imbibe in a Pear sorbet. This was a very promising end, that also came up a little too short - simply because it was too heavily sweetened. I'm not sure if it happened because it warmed a little, or that there was a bit too much simple syrup in the sorbet... but it left me grabbing for my water glass and guzzling half of it. I have to say, I do appreciate what is being attempted here. The service was excellent - the wine and the food had great potentials - it just fell a little short for me. I'd like to return, and hopefully amend this review with a slightly better one - preferably not on a Monday night right after New Years. Bottom line: Chef Armstrong's staff is very close to pulling this one off. But I am really hoping for better. Still, a very good choice for a very good meal.
I recently tried the Lickety Split lunch. This place would be great for Jager bombs if only for the sheer hilarity of doing crazy shots right next to some bluehairs who were already staring at our apparent unfamiliarity with the rotating menu. It certainly didn't help that our potentially xanbarred-out bartender/waiter/chef? recited the specials in the most monotone and expressionless manner we'd ever experienced in a blank stare. He did not seem amused by our inability (by choice, not age) to order alcoholic beverages as he asked us several times. Did he think we were teenagers? Adult lunch alcoholics? The food was excellent, could have used a little maple syrup (my apologies, chef). Unfortunately the other clientele could only be aptly described as "withering" (kudos to my fellow diner for that descriptor). Male gigolos need look no further. Someone laughed in my general direction when I announced I had a meeting to be at and needed my check. Thanks, Eve. Thanks for a monotone dining experience. I did enjoy the actual towels (not paper) in the restroom. My apologies to the writers of Eve's glowing reviews on Yelp. Doesn't take much to make me feel welcome somewhere. Or, you know, hang up a sign detailing the age requirements.
(3)
Keri M.
Came here with some fellow yelpers for the $13.50 lunch. We sat at the bar and got personalized service from the bartender. She remembered Venu N. and seemed to remember Justin S. as well. The portions are fairly small here, but do not worry because the food is so rich you will not leave hungry. The lunch is called the "Lickity-Split Lunch," which is marketing spin that would only seem to ring true for executives of, say, large banks. Our lunch took an hour and a half. I ordered the soup and salad of the day, which sounds boring from reading the menu, but sounded delicious in the bartender's explanation. The soup was a creamy porcini mushroom soup. It was so flavorful and rich that my hot, buttered bread was relatively tasteless. The salad included two crab cakes next to a mold of chopped green beans mixed with (I think) creme fraiche next to mixed greens with a delicious dressing. The crab cakes had large jumbo lumps of crab and little else besides seasonings. Best crab cakes I've ever eaten. The green bean salad was pretty good too. The beans were cooked perfectly, then cooled. The bar where we sat had only top shelf liquors and the bartender refilled our water from a fancy glass bottle. They do a good job here of making you feel like you are amongst only the finest things. Eve is overall a very elegant place.
(4)
jame s.
I've been here twice now. First I enjoyed the 7 course vegan tasting menu and I loved the food and the experience and have recommended the tasting room to others who also enjoyed themselves. My second visit was to the Bistro, which serves from an a la carte menu. The food was ok, but the service was obnoxious in its solicitous delivery. We felt pressured to leave ASAP. First when my companion was finished with her roll, they attempted to serve her another and she declined the offer. The waiter approached our table and said something to the effect of "well, I'll just take the plate away because they'll keep hounding you", and then he reached for my plate too. I wasn't done with my bread. The continued hovering around the table made me anxious and I was unable to thoroughly enjoy the meal. That said, the online reservation systems are effective and the follow-up punctual. The hostess offered a pleasant welcome and the fancy cocktail I enjoyed sure was tasty.
(3)
Sara M.
This was also one of the best meals I've had in my life. The service was impeccable. We did the 5 course meal. It was just manna from heaven. They don't cramp the room so we had a lot of space to ourselves so we could actually hear each other speaking at our table. We showed up at 530pm which is when they open. You have to get reservations. I got the chocolate for my dessert.. delicious. The food just kept coming. We started off with three pates on a biscuit, but the men get something different. One of the pates had caviar on it, but then men don't get that one I don't think. The homemade breast was delicious. After the pate we got cheese plates I think. I got the first cheese plate listed aioli? It was good. In b/t we got sherbet. I loved the sauces that came with each dish too. After that I got the lobster which costs an additional $15. After that I got the veal which was like chicken. After that another cleanser and then dessert I think. The plates kept coming so I can't keep it all straight. Also Todd Thrasher is the mixologist there and he is almost like a celebrity. His picture was splashed in all these magazines that lined the hallway. Everytime we got a meal we got explicit descriptions for each thing. I wish I had had the venison as that looked very good. I encourage everyone to go. Tom Sistema of the Wash Post gave this 4 stars out of 4 stars and I can see why! The staff is very personable and nice too. I love this restaurant!
(5)
Patti S.
Quite disappointing dinner experience. I had had lunch at Eve and it was fantastic! Maybe because it was not busy and there was no competition for service, but we really enjoyed it. For a friends birthday, I suggested we go for a nice dinner for four. Service was slow and the food was just okay. The ribeye I ordered was lukewarm when it arrived, dry, and impossibly tough. I had difficulty cutting it with a steak knife! Even though we were in the Bistro, we still had to order three courses for $65 per person - which was unexpected. I ordered the birthday cake - a dry, over-sugary, concoction. Again - surprising in it's lameness. Maybe I will stick to this restaurant for lunch and not try dinner again. Either way, I'm not recommending it again.
(2)
Susannah S.
Amazing food, amazingly snobby. This place is fine for foodies and those who don't mind a little judgment with their rockfish. Otherwise, just head to their sister establishment: the Majestic.
(3)
steve l.
I've been meaning to create a Yelp profile and make postings, and my recent experience with Restaurant Eve inspired me to do so. I scheduled the Valentine's Day Tasting Room, and because of work, had to cancel. I called, went through the process, and yet here on my credit card statement, a charge for $100 for a no show. The entire setting up a reservation with them was a nightmare, they called me 3 times because they couldn't locate all of the information I had supplied them. The food is great, the lunch special without a doubt the best in the Metro Area, but I do not know if I will ever go again, depending on my level of hassle correcting this mistake.
(1)
vineetha p.
One word : RIDICULOUS A co-worker and I went to lunch here. We decided to eat at the bar. The bartender decides to serve her her first and second courses before I even received my first, or was even told that my course would be delayed : ridiculous. (Keep in mind he felt the need to tell her that her second course would come way before mine). Even after the course finally arrived he continued to not acknowledge me and continued to direct his questions only to my friend. The entire meal the bartender continually doted on her and asked whether she needed any more bread or to refresh her drink, and asked me NOTHING. He even picked up the bread basket and placed it before her, asking if she wanted any bread..completely bypassing me: ridiculous. Ignorant and inept. However, I'll be sure to go back and I'm sure the bartender will enjoy his shift.
(1)
Wendy D.
There is no better place to take clients, business associates or adult friends or family on a special occasion than Restaurant Eve. I have read in some of the reviews that the service is snooty. Yes, it is snooty, if snooty means having all of your needs taken care of before you even know that you require assistance. The food is impeccable and in spite of the fact that most of the time we choose the tasting room, the Chef actually accommodates my special dietary requests without any attitude. The atmosphere is upscale but at the same time quiet and conducive to conversation. Restaurant Eve has never failed to please me or any of my guests!
(5)
Alaina C.
Staff was extremely rude, which is unfortunate because the food is so good. But when your paying that much you sort of expect to be treated like a human being. Bartender Jason is eve's saving grace. He actually acted happy patrons were there, others just seemed bothered. Skip it, unless you enjoy being treated like a doormat
(3)
Debra W.
Wish we had gone for the lickety-split - the chef's tasting menu was true to it's word - it was just a taste. That being said, we were not impressed with the tastes and didn't really want more. Service was great but the food was a huge disappointment - really expected more for the money and the hype. Beginning to lose faith in spending that kind of money $300 before tip - and hoping to receive a party in my mouth. Should have read my fellow yelpers before we decided to splurge for no good reason except to be wowed - instead we were deflated when we left. What you don't receive in food you get in sweets so you will leave filling full, just not satisfied.
(2)
Arcann M.
The best meal I've ever had was in the tasting room at Restaurant Eve. The bistro menu on the other hand is good but not excellent.
(5)
A W.
I wanted to try Restaurant Eve for some time so I visited for the "Lickity Split" lunch special. I'm glad I was able to try the food for $15, but would have been very disappointed if I had paid for a dinner. The bar area was very busy, and I was there for an hour and a half, so it was anything but lickity split, especially for a weekday lunch. The bartender was very knowledgeable and knew what farm all of the food came from and exactly how it was prepared. I was impressed with his insights. He was making cocktails that included as many as six ingredients a piece. I've heard they are great, but I'm guessing this was part of the reason the service was so slow. The food was great and worth a try, but I wasn't impressed with the service. The hostess told everyone that there was a wait and four groups were ahead of them, even if four groups were not waiting, which was unusual, but not a big deal. Once we got to the bar area to order our food, I noticed that of the 13 seated guests, only two had food and most of the water glasses were empty. I have worked in several restaurants and this isn't standard service, and I would expect much better at a high end restaurant. We ordered our food at the same time as a couple next to us. Although the bartender put in both orders at the same time, and two of the orders were identical, our food arrived after the other couple had eaten, paid, and left. Overall, the service wasn't rude, just poor and busy. I felt it could have easily been made up for with a polite "I'm sorry for the wait; we are really busy today," but no such gesture was made, even though we interacted with about five staff members. I think it would be a great restaurant to take someone you are trying to impress that would enjoy feeling lucky to have a seat by standoffish servers, but I don't think I'll return for dinner. I would give it 3.5 stars if I could.
(4)
Todd W.
Seriously some of the best dining of my life. The cuisine was creative, perfectly presented, with amazing flavor. If you're going to hit up Rest. Eve. bring some extra cash and get the 9 course prix fixe menu with wine pairing. If you've got a good 4.5 hours to spend, you won't be sorry. If you want to get the Rest. Eve experience on a budget, the abridged, yet still creative and wonder lunch menu is fantastic.
(5)
Steven F.
This place has always been a fantastic experience. We go on many special occassions and dine in the tasting room. We have been all over the country to great restaurants and this is in the Top 3. Go for the experience, stay for the great food and service. I hope they can maintain this!
(5)
Matthew M.
I've been here twice-- the first time, I dined in the tasting room, with matching wine flights; the second time, I was in the regular dining room. Both meals were excellent. Oddly, the service was actually better in the regular dining room (but that was on a relatively slow weeknight, whereas I had a relatively late seating in the tasting room on a Friday night). The meal I had in the tasting room actually ranks among the very best meals I've ever had in a restaurant-- placing it on a short list with restaurants like L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon in Paris and Tru in Chicago. (I had the same date with me at both Restaurant Eve and Joël Robuchon, and she actually preferred Restaurant Eve.) Given that it was significantly less expensive than either of the other two, I'll forgive the fact that the wait staff at Restaurant Eve's tasting room was perhaps a touch less attentive and inviting, and the sommelier a bit pretentious (this was a year and a half ago, so it's entirely possible that the staff has changed). During my more recent visit to the regular dining room, I again enjoyed excellent food, and our server was excellent. The chef's emphasis on high-quality ingredients complements perfectly his culinary style, resulting in beautiful medleys of strong flavors.
(5)
Rae N.
I took a long time client and his wife to the tasting room in appreciation for his patronage several months ago. We all selected the 5-course tasting and I asked for mine with the wine pairing. I asked our server if Chef Armstrong was there that evening and she replied that he was. Not being a gourmet, I asked her if the Chef would make my selections for me. Needless to say, that was without a doubt, one of the best meals I have ever had. I've had their Lickity-Split lunch specials (4-stars) many times and even though it's not close to what is served in the tasting room, you can't beat the price for the quality of the meal. I've had two meals in the dining room. The dinner, many years ago shortly after they opened, was very good (4-stars). The recent lunch (3 1/2 stars) was about on-par with the lounge menu but with more choices and at three times(!) the cost of the Lickity Split. I am returning to the tasting room in October. Hopefully it will be as good as the last.
(5)
Clay B.
I've eaten here several times and it just gets better. At first the service was good, but not outstanding (i've had this conversation with several people in the real world and they've agreed) but now it seems Restaurant Eve has worked out its kinks and I couldn't be happier. I've yet to dine in the tasting room but if its half as good as the bistro then it will be worth a second visit. If you've got an expense account or just feel like treating yourself to a great meal then this is the place to go. Also if you're looking for a place to impress that special someone then take them here. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Catherine H.
This review is for the bar "lickity split" lunch only. 3.5 stars. My family and I don't venture to the Commonwealth often; to be blunt, its Republican ways and bad traffic give us the creeping heebie jeebies. I've wanted to check out Restaurant Eve for so long, though, that last week we set aside our statism and headed for Old Town for lunch. The bar "lickity split" lunch menu that allows you to choose any two items for $13.50 is quite a good deal, particularly when you contextualize it with the $6.50 one can easily spend at Subway, and the much higher price point charged in Eve's bistro and dining room. If you want to sample Restaurant Eve without breaking the bank, this is definitely a good starting point. That being said, I wasn't totally blown away by either the food or our experience. First, the presentation was lacking. The bar looked haphazard and the room decor reminded me of an upscale dentist waiting room circa 1984. The bartender was a bit brusk (although I think this reflected her general personality, and not her specific interaction with us). There was a loud patron ("VISITING FROM WALNUT CREEK, CA" as he kept telling us) who insisted on talking to the whole bar, when he wasn't on his cell phone. And the runners who brought our food did so out of order, and slower than really seemed reasonable. Second, the food, while definitely high quality and a good deal for the price, wasn't really amazing. I love mussels and enjoyed the preparation at Eve, but in the end they were mussels-- a food that costs under $5 a pound and takes under five minutes to cook. They're good, but they're also a really simple food that restaurants serve to impress, even though they're one of the simplest things in the world to cook. I also enjoyed the pulled pork sammie, but I wasn't blown away. I like Carolina style BBQ, but somehow Eve's combo of vinegar and mustard was too acidic, which at times I found off putting. The chips were good, but (again) fresh made chips are hardly an expensive or difficult food-- we make them at home with some regularity, and honestly I've had equally good fresh made chips at the Orioles game. My mom's cream of asparagus soup was thick, rich and delicious. It might have been my favorite thing on the menu. The BLT she ordered was made with clearly quality ingredients but somehow was no more satisfying (and much thinner) than a good Italian sub. My fiancee was pleased with the house-made pastrami although his sammie was also very thin. His risotto was creamy and well flavored. Overall, the bar lunch at Restaurant Eve is an excellent deal for the amount of choice and the quality of the food. I really wish I had liked it more than I did, and perhaps I'll go back to experiment with combinations to find one that really works for me. But honestly, with all the hype I expected a lunch that would transcend my general distrust for the Commonwealth, and I can't say that's what I found.
(3)
Justin S.
It's not likely I'll ever be able to properly enjoy the full tasting menu here or anywhere else where the per-person tab might break $200, let alone be able to write a knowleadgeable review of the experience as compared to other market options. Thankfully the good people of Restaurant Eve have an affordable lunch option for us less fiscally able Yelpers. For about $15 per person, Restaurant Eve offers a two course weekday lunch. It's still a splurge, but for only $15 it's a high end menu obtainable by just about anyone who really wants it. I fully expected flaws with this setup. I'll admit that I tend to be a bit of a skeptic, especially when discussing pricey food in the DC metro range. I expected the portions to be tiny. I assumed the lunch would be treated trivially and without care. What I got was a big surprise. After perusing the menu of fancied up familiar foods, I ordered a bowl of potato soup and a summer sausage sandwich served with homemade chips. The soup came out first. I was immediately pleased: the bowl was a bowl, not a teacup. It was perfectly creamy and whipped into just a slight froth, allowing it to be rich without feeling quite as heavy as it really was. I'm a big fan of potato soups, and this one wins. I can't recall ever having one so good. There wasn't anything specifically striking about it, just the right balance of ingredients, a perfect texture, and a fresh-not-salty flavor. I'll probably talk about it in my sleep tonight. Shortly after finishing my soup, the sandwich came out. Again I was pleased: It was big. There were lots of chips. The sandwich was made with toasted white bread, summer sausage slices, a fancy slaw, and some whole-seed mustard. Unfortunately the bread was so heavily buttered that I couldn't taste any of the other flavors. After I discarded the bread and ate the sandwich as a pile of slaw, sausage, and mustard, I found it was delicious. When not butter-soaked, the different components all had unique, bold, and delicious flavors that blended well. Even if not eaten as a sandwich, it was a most savory pile of goodness. Overall, the meal was fantastic. The food was delicious, fresh, unique, and most importantly, fit for it's price. The service was attentive and invisible, the atmosphere was comfortable, and I left full. It's nice to be able to have a treat once in a while that's both affordable and better than what I could make at home. I'm sure I'll be back soon enough... most likely for a crusty BBQ sandwich like the one that the guy two seats down from me seemed to be enjoying so much. Yep. I'll definitely go back for that; that and more perfect potato soup. EDIT: I came back for the bbq sandwich: Totally worth it! I got a glass of wine to go with the sandwich and the meal also came with homemade chips. Again I left full & happy. I'm a snob about my bbq and was honestly surprised by how delicious it was. What a treat!
(4)
Scooter G.
We went to the tasting room for our anniversary. I was very excited to go--maybe too excited. I thought this meant I would be disappointed. But no, it was great, and really a wonderful place to go for a special occasion. We did the surprise 7-course meal. We did some add-ons. And it was all great. Some dishes were better than others, of course. But it's absolutely worth doing. The entire restaurant--the menu, the decor, the staff--was warm, inviting & friendly. The gifts from the chef don't ever stop. It's not stuffy or too formal *at all* especially when compared to other restaurants of its type.
(5)
amy c.
Restaurant Eve is one of the most delicious extravaganzas I have ever experienced... REPEATEDLY! I have dined in both the Bistro and The Tasting Room, many times. Restaurant Eve is a really unique spot because even though you're in a really swanky, magical place, you still feel very much at home. While the Tasting Room seems pricey, I prefer it because I like the broad range of food, as opposed to just getting app/entree/dessert. If I'm going out for a nice dinner - I want to "taste the rainbow". Parking is a super easy jog across the street at only $2 for the night. The entry way is like this cool little port-hole into another world. The bar is hip and lively and offers all the same food you can get in the Bistro. The Bistro is cozy and inviting. The Tasting Room is like a DREAM! They even have the Lickety Split menu for weekday lunches that are just the right amount of food. I definitely recommend this for couples, friends, families... I would not recommend bringing mischievous children or infants though. Please remember that Restaurant Eve is a DESTINATION restaurant. People are coming there to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, engagements... It's a classy place! Don't ruin it for the rest of us.
(5)
Dirk M.
I would give this restaurant zero stars if I could. I was utterly disappointed with the service, the staff and the quality of the food. We made reservations a month in advance for our family who was visiting from out of town. The reservation box asks for dietary restrictions, and I explained that we had one dairy allergy and one vegetarian. When the restaurant called to confirm the reservation, they explained that they were aware of the restriction. I picked Restaurant Eve particularly because vegetarians have said that it is a good option. When we got to the restaurant, I was surprised to see that there was only one vegetarian appetizer and it was an Indian Street food menu item that is starchy, fried and with very little nutritional content. There was no vegetarian entree. I asked the waiter if there was anyway I could get some vegetables, either from some of the sides that they had on the entrees or anything else they had on the menu. The waiter said that he would have to ask the chef, and then he came back to say that they are RUNNING LOW on vegetables so the chef cannot give me any. (Mind you, I called a MONTH in advance to say that we were coming) The waiter said that he could give me a "leafy green salad" as an appetizer. he prix fixe costs $65 and everyone else on the table had interesting and inventive food. I did not want to pay $65 for a salad, so I asked for the other option. The waiter said that my vegetarian entree course was a Moroccan stew or falafel. Again, I can get a falafel wrap on the street for $6 and was not expecting that as part of a fine dining experience. I asked for the Moroccan stew. The first course came out and it was horrible. It was a mess of starchy fried bits of flour and sauce that immediately gave me heartburn as soon as I ate it. I barely touched my food while the rest of my table finished their first course. Then the second course came out and the waiter brought me the WRONG DISH. I had ordered the Moroccan stew and he brought out the Falafel!!!! When I told the waiter that it was the wrong dish, he tried to say that the chef had combined the stew and the falafel, but he was just straight up lying. The Falafel dish he brought out was exactly like the dish he described and NOTHING like the Moroccan stew. And what is worse is that the Falafel dish was almost exactly the same as the first course they brought out (with the same chickpeas and potatoes) and it gave me the same kind of heartburn as soon as I ate it. So I ate a few bites and then stopped. The rest of my table finished their entrees and none of the waitstaff seemed to notice that I was not eating. Finally, the Sommelier came by to refill wine and asked me what I thought of the Falafel and I explained the situation. She said that the restaurant had no vegetables because its the time of year where they cannot get any vegetables!!! I said that I had called a month in advance, and all of the other entrees have vegetables as sides so I don't understand why they cannot just give me vegetables. She took my falafel away and then came by later to say that she was bringing me another entree. I said that was not really necessary. At this point, the other 5 people at my table were finishing their entrees and I did not want to GET my dish at that point. The point of going out to eat with people is that you enjoy the dining experience together. She insisted on bringing out an entree, so I let her. She came back with some ricotta stuffed pasta and some bits of small turnips. While the entree itself was better than the first two, I had lost my appetite. I ate out of politeness. As a vegetarian, I am used to getting sub-par meals and horribly cooked vegetables. I rarely complain. If it is edible, I'm fine. But if you are going to an expensive meal to a restaurant that advertises that it caters to vegetarians AND YOU GIVE THEM A MONTHS NOTICE that you are coming, I expect a decent vegetarian meal. Our bill ended up being about $100 a person when it should have cost about $10. It was just that bad. We were with family and I did not want to make a scene so I remained polite throughout the dinner, but I will never eat here again. If you have any dietary restrictions, or if you are looking for a restaurant to accommodate your preferences, do not eat at Restaurant Eve.
(1)
Angela L.
I've only been to Restaurant Eve and it was for their weekday Lickety Split lunch in the bar/lounge area. Wow, that's all I can say. Wow. Amazing, amazing lunch for only $13.50. While I was tempted to get two slices of Birthday Cake, I decided instead for a class of Chenin Blanc and the special of the day, Carolina pulled pork sandwhich. The wine was great but the sandwich was even better. Perfectly cooked pork in a somewhat sweet vinegar sauce on toasted bread whose type I still cannot determine. I'll be certain to go back for lunch but am already eyeing their dinner menu. Mmmm!
(5)
Alexandra A.
Really yummy food and dessert is always super memorable. Whisky Bread and Butter pudding is always a favorite and the had peaches with anise and Greek yogurt which was lovely too. The wine selection is a winner, one of my favorite places in Virginia.
(4)
Julie K.
this truly is as good as it gets. ive had the best meals in dc at the tasting room at eve. everything is fresh, inventive, quality ingredients, superb service. I would go back any day, any meal.
(5)
Jenn K.
We went here on Saturday night for my friend's 30th birthday, and overall we had quite a lovely meal! First, I must comment on the service, which was impeccable! Every little small gesture added up, and they didn't miss a single opportunity to shine. Awesome. The food was quite good. My friend and I both had the partridge, while our boys had pork belly and sweetbreads. Commenting on my own meal, the partridge was good, but a bit tough (perhaps that's just the way of the partridge!). The potato cake had a gummy texture, but it wasn't bad by any means, just unusual. For dessert I would highly recommend their "birthday cake", which is both adorable and delicious!
(4)
Kerin K.
After hearing such amazing things about the tasting room, and working just up the street, some co-workers and I decided to try out their Lickity Split-Lounge Lunch. It is only offered in the bar area during lunch time, and the way it works is you get to choose 2 options from their special menu for a ridiculously low price of $13.50. The have things like wine and cocktails, pulled pork sandwiches, mushroom risotto, as well as their mini birthday cakes. I ordered the sandwich of the day which was an open faced beef rib sandwich which came with house made chips and their risotto. The sandwich was excellent...the beef seasoned well, bread was delicious. And the risotto with all of the different mushrooms...yum. Everyone loved their choices: The spiced beef sandwich wasn't as spicy as my Irish friend wanted and we were all disappointed that the Irish BLT used american bacon, not Irish rashers...but the fingerling potatoes made up for it. We were in and out fairly quickly...eating at the lounge tables was a little uncomfortable, but we managed. The bar maybe next time as we will be back!
(4)
Chase H.
This review is for restaurant Eve's Bistro (not the "tasting" room) which is in the same restaurant. I made reservations at the bistro after several unsuccessful attempts to book the tasting room for my parents anniversary. I told the very friendly reservationist that I was bringing my parents to celebrate their 40th anniversary, she told me that they would make a note of that and they would send a "gift" out from the chef. The day before our reservation I received a call from another very friendly reservationist confirming my reservation, celebrating an anniversary-- I confirmed and told them my parents where very excited to celebrate their anniversary there. When we arrived we were sat quickly, greeted by our server and given the wine list (a good list with a well rounded selection of varietals and price points). I ordered a fantastic Gewurztraminer to start with, the sommelier suggested the Papri Chat for the first course with our wine selection. I took the sommeliers suggestion, the papri chat was a light, tasty and fresh dish of boiled chick peas, potatoes, and yoghurt sauce-- it did indeed go amazingly with the wine. We also ordered a terrine that wasn't very inspired (slightly over peppered I thought), a nice gazpacho and a side dish of very tasty creamy risotto. For the main course we ordered the trout special, rib-eye, salmon and the veal special. The veal special was described by our waiter as a thinly pounded, breaded rolled and stuffed cutlet, when we got it, it was as thick as a shoe heel and about as tough, the "stuffing" was just piled on-top; the rib-eye was ordered medium rare and came out medium almost medium well. The trout was amazing and cooked to perfection, light and flaky with a nice crisp skin, the salmon was also very nicely prepared. However we had two glaringly sub-par dishes on our table, since this dinner was a special occasion I didn't want to complain to our server when he asked us how we were enjoying our meals, but I did ask him if the veal was suppose to be thinly pounded, to which he replied: "it is." OK, I was hoping he would have taken that as a hint that everything was not perfect, when he collected our plates and saw that the $40 veal special wasn't even half eaten I expected FOR SURE for him to ask if it was ok-- but no. I can't blame them for not knowing we weren't happy, but to over cook a steak and serve tough veal at that caliber of a restaurant is unforgivable. We all ordered a dessert and coffee (their coffee is their own special blend and it is amazing) the server forgot the cream and when we waived down another server to ask for some she quipped: "oh, yeah it's right behind you." as she grabbed it from the servers station. I am not sure what that meant, maybe we could have just reached over and gotten it ourselves? When I am ponying up for $20 starters and $40 entrees I like to have my servers anticipate my needs a bit more then what I got from Restaurant Eve. The bill came, I paid and we left-- our server didn't say goodbye or thank you, oh and the "special" anniversary gift from the chef, it never appeared. Hell, nobody at the restaurant even acknowledged the special occasion we were there to celebrate, even though they said the "made note of it" when we made the reservation (the cards and gifts that were on our table all through dinner would have been a good tip-off or reminder to a observant server/ sommelier/manager that there was a special occasion being celebrated). I took the time while we waited for our cab to ask the hostess if they had on the books that we were there to celebrate an anniversary. She said yes it was on the books and that our server should have given us a gift bag from the chef, she then said if my parents wanted to come back in she would be happy to get it for us. I told her no thanks, the ball had already been terribly dropped! Over all this was an ok meal but the fairly poor service ruined the overall experience. I honestly feel if this restaurant was in Manhattan, Chicago or San Francisco, it wouldn't even get noticed. I don't know, maybe they down play the service in the bistro to make it seem more impressive in the tasting room, but after my dinning experience in the bistro, I won't be spending the big dollars to find out if it's any better there. If you are thinking about going here for a special occasion, I would perhaps consider another restaurant.
(3)
A. S.
Eve has been reviewed to death, so I'll just focus on a couple of particular comments. The bar area is my favorite, mostly due to the fireplace, and the fact that you can have wonderful food without ordering a full dinner. My only beef (pun intended ha-ha) is the prices. I'm not naive, so I realize it costs a gazillion bucks to run a really high-quality operation like this, but I think $40 for a steak is pushing it. Also, the carrot cake is 90% frosting and 10% cake. I expect better than that from this very fine establishment.
Pretty disappointing. Had a meal here with another couple for a special occasion. A nice dining experience (ambiance, service), but the food was just not great (veering into not good). I am a vegetarian, and we chose this restaurant in part because the website touts the vegetarian options available. An appetizer of chickpeas, potatoes, and onions was a good size and overall enjoyable but not groundbreaking. The Indian flavors were a bit surprising given the rest of the menu, which skews toward traditional American fare. If I wanted vegetarian Indian food, there are lots of Indian restaurants I could have gone to. To the restaurant's credit, this was a more refined take on Indian flavors. The biggest disappointment was my entree, which was the only vegetarian entree available. It was described as a moroccan stew, but was more like cippolini onions in a very heavy coconut sauce (certainly not a broth). A few potato pieces and parsnips were thrown in, but onions were the main ingredient. Really? There weren't any other vegetables or ingredients available? No carrots or kale or squash or sweet potatoes? Onions? No, thanks. I ate about half of the entree and felt ill from the heaviness of it. Everyone else's dishes looked better composed and better considered than my pile of messy orange gunk. Was this really what the chef thought a vegetarian would appreciate for a special (and not inexpensive) meal? A heavy mess of onions? Dessert was also a let down. We ordered a carrot cake. Simple enough. However, the chef decided to give us a "cake" that was about 1/10th cake and 9/10ths cream cheese. One bite of that was enough. Way too rich. Not bad tasting but not carrot cake and not what I was wanting. Bottom line: There are tons of other places that I would have preferred, especially given the price. I had a lunch at Volt a few days later that was much, much better for a vegetarian. I have also had much better vegetarian options at BLT Steak.
(1)
Jimmo X.
This is the type of place to go on birthdays, anniversaries, etc. Is it worth it? Yes, if you want your lady friend to feel special. No if you want the best, or even top 100, meals of your life. The food is good and fresh, but you are really paying (a good amount) for great service. I dare you to leave your table with napkin on seat - when you return, it will be folded nicely on the table. How about leave a crumb on the table? The mini-dustpan and brush will make its way over to you. That has got to be custom made. Have a purse on the floor? Forget about it! There is a special hook placed at your table so it can hang freely. Wrinkled tableclothes? Never - they take out the iron. And you thought only shirts and pants get ironed. How about, oops, I spilled off my plate. Don't worry, a clean napkin will cover the blemish. If the food were great, I'd kick the rating up a notch, but there are really many places in town that will add more zing to your pallette.
(4)
T G.
This continues to be my absolute favorite restaurant in the DC area. My SO and I dined in the tasting room last night, and, as always, the food and service were absolute perfection. We had an 8:00 reservation and were seated promptly and brought Eve's inventive cocktail list- my SO had the black currant fizz and I had the Eve's temptation- both were delicious. Our waiter, who is also the tasting room manager, took time to answer all our questions about the menu and give suggestions on dishes. He made the experience even better than it already would have been. We decided to do the 5 course menu. Everything was good, but the standouts were the fois gras with rhubarb cheesecake, butter poached lobster, soft shell crab, pork belly, guinea hen, and black forest cake, which was like a fancy ho-ho. My SO doesn't eat cheese, and they even let him substitute the cheese course for another course on the menu. For wine, we started with a half bottle of white- a standard Sancerre- and when we were trying to decide on the red, the sommelier brought out something from the cellar that wasn't even on the menu after we declared our affinity for traditional Spanish wines. It was INCREDIBLE- perfect for the meat courses we had ordered. We will definitely be back soon to taste some of the summer menu items- I would recommend Eve to anyone looking for a wonderful night and doesn't mind dishing out a little coin.
(5)
Timilin S.
This place lived up to the hype. The service was amazing and the food was exceptional. We dined at the Bistro, which was still the most expensive meal I've had in years, and yet it was 100% worth it. We came for our anniversary, and several members of the staff wished us a happy anniversary as we were walking back to the table. Small details such as that made this experience above and beyond what we were even expecting (and we had high expectations!). The appetizer special was the highlight of the meal--fresh crabcakes, best I've ever tasted. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Jon D.
Absolutely superior! This is one among the very best restaurants in Old Town. Three dining options (order of price): the Tasting Room, the Bistro, and the Bar. Exceptional food in all, thought this is among in the more expensive range. About $250 for two in the Tasting Room; perhaps $100 in the Bistro? The appetizer portions on the lounge/bar menu are small -- for one person -- but excellent (don't try this as a meal!). Exceptional wine list and superior service. Perfect for the most special occasion.
(5)
Andrea C.
Great food, great presentation, and 5 star service. A cozy atmosphere that provides the perfect setting for a private and romantic night out.
(5)
Carl S.
Exceptional lunch spot. Has a great 14.99 lunch special where you pick two items and the selection is awesome. Had the fish stew and oyster sandwich which were both delicious. After lunch one of the hosts took us on a tour of the restaurant and it looks great, definitely coming back for dinner.
(5)
Patrick D.
Always amazing...even lunch!
(5)
Angela P.
Seeking to continue to expand our palates for fine foods, our journey led us to the famed Restaurant Eve located in Old Town Alexandria. Zach and I chose to dine in the Tasting Room, their even more upscale restaurant inside their upscale restaurant. Our server encouraged us to order a drink in the meantime so, I started with the "What Happened to the Party?" Cute name for a great drink. It was made with sauvignon blanc, Boyd and Blair vodka, cardamaro, fennel, white pepper, lemongrass, and grapefruit bitters. As we were handed the food menus, the server acknowledged that he knew we'd be dining vegan and encouraged us to choose from the regular menu as anything could be modified he said. Huh?! We took a look at the menu and it was very meat- and cheese-heavy. Not only that, but this remark made it seem like the chef had not given any thought to the vegan menu for tonight and was planning to just wing it, which did not sit well for either of us. After deciding not to ask if I could have the foie gras done vegan in a smart ass sort of way, I politely handed the menus back to the server and told him we'd be having the 7-course degustation with courses chosen by the chef with wine pairings. I refused to sit here and ask a million questions about a menu that was clearly not designed for us. For our first course, we were served a tempura of matsutake mushrooms with celery caper relish. It was very good, but I was expecting a little more creativity for the first dish. Granted it isn't easy to find matsutake mushrooms in DC, but it is easy enough to get them from Pennsylvania. The wine pairing that was introduced by the sommelier was a white Adegas dos eidos 'Eidos de Padriñán', Albariño 2011 from Rias Biaxas, Spain. The second course was a roasted butternut squash with apples and a harissa vinaigrette. It was fine, but again, not very exciting. It was paired with Cantina del taburno, Taburno, Falaghina 2011 (Foglianese, Italy). A very nice pairing. The third course consisted of grilled carrots, carrot puree, and housemade kimchi from daikon radish. We were very impressed with this dish. The wine pairing of the Pinot Gris from Chehalem Vineyards in Willamette Valley was perfect. For the fourth course, we were served roasted sunchokes in smoked eggplant puree with smoked lentils. This dish was so-so. The wine pairing was Brooks 'Janus' Pinot Noir 2010 (Willamette, Oregon). The fifth course was a grilled rutabaga with young chives in a roasted cippolini onion broth topped with sweet potato leaf and oyster mushrooms paired with a Mauritson Family Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 (Healdsburg, California). The sixth course consisted of poached pears with red miso and Bob's walnuts topped with a sorrell leaf. It was paired with Selbach-oster Spätlese, Riesling 2009 (Mosel, Germany). As a palate cleanser, we were served vanilla poached apples with honey. I asked if it was real honey and they said it was to which I replied that we don't eat honey. They apologized and took it back and returned with one without honey. Now normally, this would not bother me. But, I made these reservations two months ago and spoke to them three times regarding my dietary preferences to which I clearly expressed that we did not consume honey, which made this most disappointing. The dish without honey, however, was very nice. Lastly, this is where the pastry chef, Joshua Jarvis, really shined. We were served dark chocolate with a chocolate sorbet, prunes, and orange. It was extremely rich and incredibly good. I have to say that this was the best course of the night. Despite how nice all of this sounded, I was really never wow'd in the same way I was when I dined at Cityzen and Rogue 24, which are at similar price points. So, in the end, we were disappointed. We were disappointed because the meals were priced at $135 per person plus $85 for the wine pairing not to mention the $14 cocktails we started off with, which made it about $600 for two with tip and with a meal priced that high, I would have expected him to concoct a special vegan menu for us in the same way that Cityzen and Rogue 24 did. But, they did not. Instead, they modified existing dishes and came up with dishes on the fly, which, while impressive, is not as impressive as it might have been had they thought it through ahead of time. Don't get me wrong, the food was great, but not $600 great. I will say that the sommelier did an incredible job in explaining the dishes and the drink pairings. In fact, we thought all of the wine pairings were great. The service was very good as well. But, in the end, it was overpriced for what it was. If you are vegan and are trying to find a very special restaurant, I would recommend Cityzen or Rogue 24 over Restaurant Eve. Unfortunately, I do not think we'll be back.
(4)
Gening L.
I would probably give this place a 3.5. I dined in the bistro last night with a few friends, and we were SO excited about this place.. having read about it in Food & Wine and on yelp. We waited about 20 minutes to be seated, then after we ordered, we were met with the most amazing bread. The waiter brought by a basket, put two pieces of this ciabatta on our plates, and it was so delicious. Really crusty on the outside, flaky and soft on the inside, and really nice, creamy butter to spread all over it. I probably had five pieces of bread and couldn't wait for my entrees. Unfortunately, the excitement of the night stopped there. I ordered the agnolotti appetizer and the special vegetarian entree which never makes it to the menu, but which you can always get if you request it. so the agnolotti was these house-made pastas with sweet corn and avocado puree and pancetta. First thing, they forgot to take my pancetta off even though I requested it not be on. But the big thing was, the pastas which were sort of like raviolis, were just so tiny. Our $15 plate came with four total, so two each. I had to nibble mine in order to make it last more than 2 bites. It was really good, but it just wasn't $15 good. My partner actually said the pancetta was the best she'd ever had, but then she only got about three breadcrumb-sized pieces. When my entree came out, it looked amazing, but it just didn't taste amazing. It was really good, and maybe I'm being naive when I say this, but at a restaurant that ends up costing me $150, I want to be BLOWN AWAY and WOWED. The dish had this great aged balsamic, but there were only like four drops of it. I had to practically lick my plate to get it cause my fork just kept spreading it around. My entree was creative, a pine nut toast with mushrooms, swiss chard and parmesan on top.. but it just wasn't that delicious. I kept thinking that I was feeling more wow from the afghan food I had a week before.. where every bite felt like a bite of heaven. Here, it was just good. The desserts.. $10 each, totally not all that, and not even as good as the desserts we had at busboys and poets two nights before. We ordered the cobbler which had no crumb toppings on it (essential to a cobbler I think), and also this special fried thing which the waiter raved about. Both were really just mediocre.. I don't know. Maybe it's my fault.. I don't eat meat, I miss out on what's really special about these restaurants, but even so, my carnivorous dining buddies weren't raving about their dishes either. Everything was very good, but nothing was $150 good. The total tab came out to about $300 for four people which as I understand it, is a pretty good deal for this place. Either way, it was pretty disappointing and I probably won't go back again.
(3)
Lisa P.
The food in the bar is great but what I've had at the restaurant has been mediocre at best. Staff can really have a snippy attitude and it doesn't have a friendly atmosphere.
(1)
Slk C.
I wish to thank all of the hard working wait staff at Restaurant Eve for going above and beyond on our 5th year wedding anniversary! Service was superb and so was the food! They even went as far as giving us free desserts and a bag of ginger scone mix to take home! Overall THE BEST restaurant experience we've ever had on a special occasion. Would highly recommend this place if you're looking to impress a special someone :-)
(5)
J B.
Just reviewing the 13.50 lunch special in the bar, here. I haven't eaten in the tasting room or the bistro. It's definitely a good deal, but I expected more from 5 star food, I think. Most of the entrees were well-executed and clearly the ingredients were high-quality but the dishes were somewhat... boring? The risotto was creamy and delicious, but overpowered by the butter. So were the mussels. The irish spiced beef sandwich was good, but not even in the top 10 sandwiches I've ever had. The best thing was the scallops salad (the salad of the day). The scallops were perfectly seared and delicious with the greens. The drinks are great but as another reviewer mentioned, you might as well go to PX or the majestic because you'll pay for the markup here.
(4)
kathy j.
I've been extremely pleased with every meal I've ever had at Restaurant Eve (2 dinners and 2 Lickety Split lunches over the past 2 years). However, I was not impressed with the pulled veal sandwich that I ordered recently. My friend agreed with me..she thought it tasted like something out of a can; I thought it had an "off" taste, a little spoiled, maybe. I mentioned it to the waiter and he explained that the veal was organic, local, etc., but to me, it just tasted terrible. My friend and I agreed that the ice tea also had a strange flavor! Seems like they are adding to many unnecessary ingredients and ending up with something unpalatable. On the other hand the chicken/salad dish was wonderful! The service was superb, as always!
(2)
Liz B.
Last Friday I had the pleasure of having diner in Eve's tasting room. My husband and I were out to celebrate my birthday. We were looking to have dinner somewhere very nice. Given that I am a vegan and he is a meat eater that isn't the easiest thing to find. After searching around I realized that Eve was happy to find something that worked for me. We had the 5 course tasting menu and it was amazing. I also got the wine pairing with my dinner. The food and wine were great. My vegan meal was as well crafted as my husband's. The servers were very attentive and the decor was elegant. At the end of dinner we were given a care package that even included a gift cert for $50 plus fruit and coffee. I know they normally give a baked good but I am sure they aren't vegan so they pulled together a great assortment of things for me. Wonderful way to celebrate! Last year we made it to the Inn at little Washington for dinner and Eve is of the same quality.
(5)
Jennifer S.
Oh my...they had me at "how many in your party?" We dined in the bistro one weekday for a late lunch and had a thoroughly enjoyable meal DESPITE the fact that the tasting room is for what they are most lauded. Just as good as the food (and this is a tough one) is the service. The only other rival I've experienced in this area is at 2941 in Falls Church (my undisputed favorite). I don't dare describe the food in detail, as this visit took place too long ago to be perfectly accurate. Would I go again? Absolutely (and this time I'll write the review in a more timely fashion!).
(5)
Ann L.
Came here for Valentine's Day with the boy...special 9 course tasting menu. Wasn't a perfect experience in terms of service, but the food was really really tasty. Better, in my humble opinion, than the highly touted Inn at Little Washington. Ambiance was definitely not as cute (for lack of better word), but not terrible either. First off, we sat in a room sort of annexed off of the main dining room, awesome b/c it allowed us a little more privacy and (plus!) they had these brilliant little loveseat couch chairs so you can sit NEXT to your sweetie instead of across from them...such a simple idea but totally appreciated on such a gag-inducing holiday. The meal did not start of well b/c the waiter forgot to bring us the tasting canapes (those cute little spoons) from the chef with the bite sized goodies, and we were a little too embarrassed to ask for them ( how do you ask for something that is usually presented as sort of a "gift" from the chef?) even though they were offered to the couples to the right and left of us. Oh well. We'll chalk it up to the madness that was Valentines. Seriously, every few minutes we would see a waiter or two congregate with another and whisper and exchange sympathetic glances. I felt sort of sorry for them, since we had the latest seating (btw our seating was at 9:30, and we didn't actually get seated until 10:30)...but come on people! when you're making $75 per couple in tips, you'd better be enduring ripping fingernails for me to truly feel sorry for you. Felt sort of ignored by the waiters (just so many couples to get through!) the whole evening. Bread was AMAZING...I'm such a fan of bread, there's nothing that makes me more happy and makes a restaurant experience that much better than by bringing out a beautiful, warm crusty loaf with a pot of softened butter...Irish butter (Kerry gold) in this case.... On to the real food. 9 courses, only a few of which I remember, but that's probably because I have a terrible memory (due to an alarmingly deficient sleep cycle). But the main highlights included this BEAUTIFUL lobster cassoulet in a clay pot dotted with black truffles...the lobster was poached in butter, then the vegetables underneath were cooked in the butter...aaaaannd it was pretty much heaven in the mouth. and perfectly roasted quail, though I can't remember the accompaniments. Cheese plate was pitiful. I can't remember what I had for dessert either. Sorry that this review is lacking the actually necessary details. Loved the little candied treats with the bill as well....used to soften the blow of course. The cost for dinner (including 2 glasses of wine, not even a full bottle) and tip was $450. Pricey. Sent us home with another box of four different kinds of homemade chocolates and candies. Overall, definitely worth checking out but make sure you go anytime OTHER than Valentines!! The prices are ridiculous (higher than normal) and the service was subpar, but the food was pretty delicious.
(4)
David M.
I had an excellent experience at the Bistro. Food was great, service superb. The Beef Tartare appetizer is one of the best dishes I've ever had, not to be missed. The rockfish and apple tart dessert were also very very good. I've only been once so I can't speak to other items on the menu.
(5)
Arl G.
Not sure I would return. Have eaten dinner here in the bar, and the restaurant (both pretty good) but what turned me off was the Lickety Split lunch. My husband and I came expecting a fun day-off lunch. Instead we were faced with rude and extremely slow service (2 couples arrived, ate and left before we got our food) and the bartender barely acknowledged us. Our food (when it finally arrived) was cold and lackluster- we considered talking to a manager in the end just wanted to leave. We are in our late 30s and have had fine service here before. This really left a bad taste in our mouths. I understand it's a "lunch deal" but frankly I think I could have gotten better service at Subway up the street. I'm not sure we will ever return.
We had the Bacon, Poached Egg and Cheese Salad, Co-op Steak Tar-tare, Duck and the Artic Char (best I've had). All of the food was great, this is a must visit--may not be your fav. but a nice experience. The lighting was a little dark and the wait staff was not as polished as expected but I would go again.
(3)
Kristin P.
My husband and I love this restaurant. The service is always above reproach when we dine there. The wait staff is knowledgeable about the dishes and their preparation. The food is superb. It is creative without being overdone. I haven't been back since they completed the outdoor area, but look forward to going soon. Their mixed drinks are also great. My husband loves the pickled martini. It's also a nice restaurant for a romantic dinner. It is quiet (lots of upholstered furniture and carpeting absorb the sound) and intimate. Update: I finally made it to their lounge/bar for the lunch special (2 selections from the special menu for 13.95). Of course, it was great.
(5)
Kirsten B.
Restaurant Eve itself is great, but I'd just like to take a moment to mention their coffee. It's sold at Whole Foods in Alexandria and roasted by Cafe Pronto, and as long as you get a recent roast date, it's consistently fabulous. My husband uses a water boiler and a 1970's style Chemex, the old school low-tech drip coffee technique, and he loves Restaurant Eve's coffee. I can't handle too much caffeine, but I always have some of his anyway, and it's just so good! It's nutty and light. (It's way better than Illy, which is just a bit too dark.) Enjoy!
(5)
Charlotte Anne B.
Everything was perfect except that we HATED our server. I took a friend for a much belated birthday dinner. We met in the bar where he had waited a bit for me and had a cocktail before I got there. The list of cocktails was fun and this being Artini month, interesting cocktails have been what we have been up to. I had a cocktail and it was interesting in a good way (sweet and salty) but I ended up letting him finish it. He had another cocktail with Irish whickey in it and bubbles on top (looked like a pink bubble bath in a cocktail glass, very fun). After the cocktails which were worth the cost and the effort (the bar was nice with the bartenders being friendly, but not overly so) we informed the desk we were there for our reservations and were seated immeidately in the bistro. Our server came over a young Asian woman with a very heavy accent who was hard to both understand and hear (and this place is pretty quiet). She did a few things wrong, my friend ordered wine to be served with his meal and it came out (delivered by her) before our appetizers got there, she was WRONG about how cooked his steak would be, and she was overly attentive through the meal which would not have been so bad if we didn't already hate her then disappeared when we were ready to leave. Other than the server the food was good. I had the beet salad and the rockfish. The salad was fun, but a tad overpriced for a bunch of carved beets on a plate with beet dressing and some herbs on top. The rockfish was perfectly cooked. The seasonings were a bit sweet for my tastes, but my friend loved it. He had the tempura oysters and the ribeye. Other than the ribeye being rare when he specifically asked what medium rare was in the restaurant it was a lovely peace of meat with nice salty spicy rub on it. The oysters were amazing and I could have licked the aioli off the plate. We skipped dessert being full with cocktails and decent sized servings from a place with these prices. I left very happy, but tipped our server only 15 percent since she made our evening less than perfect.
(4)
Steve F.
excellent service, delightful ambiance, the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was that you expect this level of quality with prices this high. Everything ordered at our table was delicious, from the sandwich of the day to the rockfish to the skate wing... oddly enough, the complimentary bread and butter was both plentiful, and arguably the best bread I've ever had (and I love my bread...)
(4)
Rashida M.
Came here today for the first time for my B-day. We opted for the lounge/bar area for the "Lickety Split" bar/lunch menu. The food was fresh, rich, and delicious. Like another reviewer said, listen closely to what the item du jour is and order it! I highly recommend the risotto as well. The food off this menu was surprisingly filling. The service was excellent and the "Birthday Cake" was very cute and delicious. Ambience was very nice and comfortable. We loved the fresh lemonade with the metal spoon/straw. Can't wait to go back for dinner and try the cocktails!
(5)
A C.
My dinner companion and I ordered the five-course meal for $120 each and a bottle of wine. You can order five, seven, or nine courses. They also offer a wine pairing--two ounces per course, $75 with the five-course. The five-course was enough for me (light eater), but my companion ate two sandwiches immediately after we left the restaurant. The service was excellent and the ambience was nice. The bill was over $400. I don't mind paying this much for an exceptional dining experience, but nothing about the experience was exceptional. The food is good, but not great. I'm annoyed that they charge the same as or more than an incredible 2 or 3 star Michelin-rated restaurant in Europe where you have a special, memorable dining experience. They would not be starred and would fall only around the middle of the list if they were in France, Italy, Amsterdam, etc. The only memorable part is being gouged. The meal is worth less than half the price charged. Skip this restaurant and keep your money.
(1)
Zack S.
I have never eaten better. In fact, there is nothing that even comes close. Keep in mind the context: I am a summer associate at a law firm in Midtown, NYC and I am taken out to many of the nicest restaurants in that area multiple times per week. None can touch Eve. If you can, get somebody else to pay. If you can't, sell your child/soul/collection of unopened Star Wars figurines/virginity to eat in the tasting room. The food was perfectly prepared; it was innovative, yet comforting. The bartender spends days preparing the unique drinks and it shows. The service was impeccable and our server was quite knowledgeable. My only complaint was that our server was yelled at by the manager in front of us for no reason, which was a little unprofessional and embarrassing. At least it is an indication, though, of Eve's dedication to good service.
(5)
Cecilia P.
How good can you make apple pie and ice cream? Umm...so much that I had to restrain myself from dropping the f-bomb when describing it. So good. I chose this restaurant for a corporate dinner. We were in town for a conference in Alexandria. Apparently word-of-mouth on this place is good- we had way more RSVP's than I expected and the restaurant was so flexible. We started with a table of twenty and ended up having to add a table of twelve on the same day. They gave great phone - seemed genuinely excited to welcome our party and help me make the event a success. No hint of snobbery or even worse of "whatever, I just work here." It's surprising how many fine dine restaurants don't have happy, excited staff. Eve definitely does. We had a set menu - I started with the beet salad (yum! finished all of it, which I don't usually do with a starter). Moved on to the rockfish - which was good, but not as awesome as the beet salad. And then...the apple cobbler and ice cream. Wow. I'm not a huge dessert person, and I think even in many excellent restaurants, dessert can be an afterthought. Not here. One of my colleagues is a runner with a big appetite. The cobbler was so good he ate his, half of mine and half of someone else's. I did taste the chocolate ganache and it was a bit rich for me. I loved the atmosphere (this sounds odd, but the upstairs bathroom smelled like cedar - reminded me of up North Michigan), the service, the general friendliness and the food.
(5)
andrew m.
if you're looking for a revelation rather than just food in your next dining experience in the DC area, then restaurant eve should be your destination of choice. i sampled the 9-course menu, though it turned out to be close to 12 courses if you consider all of the other dishes that were brought to the table. at $125 per person for 9-courses, restaurant eve may seem a bit extravagant but every dollar is well spent on dishes and service that approach perfection. also, it took nearly 4 hours to finish my meal from cocktails to desserts (there were 2 desserts counting the plate of sweets that accompanied the bill) so if you think of it as 2 dining experiences in one you're way ahead of the game. some of the items that really stood out in my meal were the broiled-to-perfection venison, pastry-wrapped foie gras that was sweating butter, succulent sweetbreads with fried oyster, and for desert a goat cheese creme brulee with candied quince. the only minor mis-step in my opinion was a white tuna sashimi dish that was drowned out by a gorgonzola cream sauce. people, yelpers, foodies alike: restaurant eve is destination dining.
(5)
Yee W.
terrific food, romantic and cozy setting. tried both bar menu (cheaper) and tasting menu (pricey) -- both are excellent and highly recommended!
(5)
Ruth G.
My husband and I dined at Restaurant Eve last night to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We ate at the Bistro. On the favorable side, we felt the service was very good. Our waiter was very attentive and the sommelier did a nice job of recommending a bottle of wine for us. On the not so favorable side, we didn't feel the menu options were that great, the food was just so so, the tables are really close together, really just a foot apart, the dessert was good, torte, but the coffee, yick. We split the foie gras appetizer and it was decent tasting, but just four tiny crackers with the foie gras for $25, a bit steep. I ordered the rockfish and my husband ordered the cod. Both were fine, but nothing special. I doubt we would go again, but wanted to try it based on the good reviews.
(3)
Beth F.
My meal at the tasting room was one of the best and most expensive of my life. The service was perfect. We had the side-by-side seating in the corner and everyone wished us a happy anniversary all night. We ordered cocktails. Mine included blackberries, blueberries, riesling, and rum. I loved it! We ordered the 5-course dinner and, as a vegetarian, I had a choice for every course. And the amazing thing: They didn't feel like add-ons or like they were second-rate to the meat courses. Every course was delicious! The first course was an egg custard that made me moan. The second course, my favorite, was gnocci. The third course was a wonderful mushroom thing. Fourth I got stinky cheese. THe fifth, dessert, was actually my least favorite. I loved it, but it didn't make me want to stick my face in the bowl and lick out the crumbs. I ordered wine pairings for each course. It was expensive but really fun. The sommelier explained each wine to me and 3 of them were phenomenal. (The other two were great, but not amazing.) He also printed the wine choices out for me to take home. It was wonderfully pacing and I couldn't have been happier. But the price tag for 2 people $425. Really very expensive. So start saving up.
(5)
Socal E.
We went for a birthday to the bistro, and I was a bit disappointed. We waited for 20 min for our table and they didn't even take my husband's coat. We are vegetarians and indicated that when they asked if we had any food requirements upon making our reservation. When we looked at the menu, there was only one thing on the menu that we could eat. The food was delicious, but I was disappointed that there wasn't any variety. The birthday cake and the drinks were incredible (even if the bar was out of the drink I had my heart set on). They sent us home with their scone mix as a birthday gift. The scones were wonderful! All in all, I've had better, but I'm glad I've been to see what all the fuss was about.
(3)
Gerald M.
Can't beat the tasting room. It is great. We got the chef's choice and loved everything. It's expensive but worth it.
(5)
D S.
for the lickity split lunch. excellent. for the price, amazingly good. had the risotto and the sausage sandwich. both great. great bartender who is very knowledgeable, and doesn't get in your space. have to get there early for this food though - the lunch menu is popular, b/c its such a great value. also try the majestic lunch, same idea, same good food. definitely return.
(4)
Grace L.
I grew up in Maryland and currently live in DC, this means that I have an irrational aversion to crossing the river. My take has been why would you go to VA. After visiting Restaurant Eve, I finally get it. My friend and I had a superb meal in the tasting room a few weeks ago that still has me smiling. Sometimes being a vegetarian during a tasting menu leaves you longing for more, but not in this case. The 5 courses that came out were delicious and well executed and even though every course of mine had tomato, the preparation and flavor pairings were wonderful and made me look at tomatoes in a new way. I started with a cocktail that was bourbon pecan water and peach puree. Honestly, you could probably serve me bourbon mixed with dung and I would be happy but this combination was perfect! The peach did not overpower the bourbon and the pecan completely complemented it. After the cocktail we switched to the wine. We both chose the pairing which was spot-on. I have NEVER had such an amazing pairing. Most of the time it is like oh yeah that wine is good. But during this dinner, there were two distinct moments (during two courses) when I took a sip and could taste the opening of new portals of wine flavor. I almost got up and started asking people to taste how amazing it was but I really just didn't want to share. Each dish was wonderful and when I asked a question about the preparation of something the servers were more than happy to tell me or if they didn't know, they found out. It was additionally exciting for me because two of the servers shop at the farmers market I work at so we had a discussion about sourcing and the farms that the restaurant uses. It was clear from the conversation that the wait staff really believe in the mission of the restaurant and we started talking about farms that they have visited. At some point I made a joke about taking the bread home with me in my purse, so it was pretty amazing at the end of the night to have them wrapped up in a little Restaurant Eve bag. What a thoughtful thing to do. All in all a really special experience.
(5)
C B.
Hmmm....we ate in the Bistro section, and while most of the food was very good, we were as some have said, a little underwhelmed - overall it is more of a 3 1/2 (food a 3, service & etc. a 4)...The restaurant itself - from its narrow entry/alley way to the tables - was welcoming, friendly and had a charming ambience. The beef tartare was excellent, but the antelope pate en croute was such a disappointment !. This appetizer was served like a miniature "meat pie", that we use to have growing up in Aus/UK, and the crust was very dry and tasteless , and did not complement the meat inside. We've had something similar served elsewhere, and the crust was always light, buttery and flaky. The service remained attentive, but not hovering. It was quality food, but we expect everything on the menu to exceed or meet our expectations as this restaurant is highly regarded in the DC area. We would like to try the other appetizers next time, or maybe the Tasting Room is what makes this restaurant....
(3)
M R.
There are plenty of things to like about the tasting room at Restaurant Eve, but for the price I would definitely go to Komi or CityZen instead. I really wanted to like this place, but the pacing of the meal was odd (too quick) and the ingredients, while certainly fresh and delicious, were arranged in an unsophisticated way that I felt could have been easily replicated at home. I 'm interested in coming back one day to sample their lunch special, but I would never again choose it as a place to celebrate a special event.
(3)
Colleen M.
Restaurant Eve is located on near the corner of King & Pitt St. in Old Town Alexandria, and is surrounded by a considerable amount of traffic, construction, and the typical cut-throat parking situation. But walking down the stone pathway to the entrance of Restaurant Eve and through the door to this lovely, peaceful space leaves all that behind. The bar area is in a secluded alcove with comfy chairs. The cocktails are creative and tantalizing. We sat in the bistro area, which was a light and airy space. The space is small but not cramped, and the tables are organized to allow for a sense of privacy for diners' conversations. The food was phenomenal. The crab and avocado salad was a creamy delight with the bite of grapefruit. The Ruppersberger rib-eye steak (from local Shenandoah Valley) was a winner, tender with an incredible sauce. The bouillabaisse was chock full of prawns, cod, clams and mussels in a flavorful, lightly tomato-based stock. The wine list was user-friendly and offered lots of variety. Our waitress was very knowledgeable about celiac disease and assured me that anything on the menu could be created in a gluten free version. She made some recommendations that we loved, and overall it was a great experience.
(4)
R C.
Was excited to try out the lickety split lunch after reading so many great reviews. When we went around noon, there was room for two (or three) at the bar as well as a table in the lounge next to the bar for 4 - 5 people so we didn't have to wait for a table. It's true that the lunch isn't served quickly, but the time it took to receive the food was acceptable. I thought the restaurant was really nice, wasn't sure how the dress code would be for lunch at a bar so went business casual, but saw women wearing jeans and sweaters and that was fine. We ordered the Papri Chat, Sandwich of the day (Garlic Sausage sandwich on a hot dog bun), and don't remember the exact names but pork blood patties with sausage, and what i think was an apple tart with cinnamon ice cream. They give you bread while you wait so between that and the lunch we couldn't finish everything and left stuffed. Everything was really good, presentation excellent, and the bartender was really knowledgeable and gave excellent recommendations. Definitely going back!
(4)
Pep P.
I have only been to Restaurant Eve once and hope to go back so they can redeem themselves. My husband took me awhile back for our anniversary and the service was unpolished and inexperienced. We didn't get our correct order and the meal itself wasn't as impressive as you would expect for the price and all the stellar reviews. I had written an email to the restaurant which was just constructive criticism and also indicating that two phone calls for reservations on separate occasions were very disappointing. One time we made an appointment and it was confirmed and then when followed up, we were told that reservation was no longer available. Um how can you just cancel a reservation and not tell anyone?? After contacting the restaurant of my disappointments, I heard nothing back and have not been back since. Maybe the lunch time time scene will be a nice change and that will be a better experience.
(3)
Kirt K.
It was the first time Restaurant Eve participated in a restaurant week so my wife and I decided to check it out. For $35 per person, we got a 3 course meal from their Bistro menu. For the 1st course my wife and I selected the beef tartar and tomato basil salad. It was both of our first time eating raw beef but we figured if we were gonna do it, it might as well be at a four $ joint. I think we picked the tomato basil salad just in case raw beef experiment failed. To our surprise, both of the dishes turned out great. Beef tartar had a great beefy, nutty flavor and the tomato basil salad was dressed with fish sauce and it brought back delicious memories of our honeymoon to Thailand. For our main course we picked Bouillabaisse and Madai with compressed water melon, feta and cucumber. Once again they were both on point. My Bouillabaisse, which I still can't pronounce, is a french seafood soup and it came packed with fish, mussels, clams, and 1 giant shrimp. Quick tip. Suck the head! That shrimp head still has me drooling. Mmmm... My wife's Madai, which we learned is a Japanese sea bass, was crispy and savory. I would've never thought about putting together watermelon with fried fish but I guess that's why I'm not a rockstar chef. For dessert I got the "Peach" and my wife got the Sourdough chocolate cake with salted caramel Ice cream. I'm not a big dessert guy so I don't remember the details but they were both yummy. Overall it was one of our better restaurant week experience and we both agree that we'll be back to try their regular tasting menu.
(4)
Annie K.
The boyfriend and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary at Restaurant Eve. I'll have to be honest -- I came in with high expectations after reading all of the Yelp reviews... and I liked our experience here, but I didn't LOVE it. The service was impeccable throughout the night and the overall ambiance of the restaurant was romantic and intimate, which was perfect for us when it came to celebrating our special day. We both tried the Tasting Menu and also ordered the rigatoni from their Bistro Menu. I'll keep this short and sweet because there isn't anything to say about the Tasting Menu that hasn't been said on Yelp already. The chef also gave us complimentary mini courses in between our courses to cleanse our palettes -- with a total of 11 courses for us! The most memorable dishes for me were: Spicy hamachi sashimi ("Eden"), foie gras on top of toast (also "Eden," add $10 extra), and the pasture raised beef ("Range"). You can also upgrade your two of courses for a surcharge. We also received a complimentary dessert tray with macarons, chocolates, and bon bons, and a scone mix for our anniversary! They had also had a wonderful selection of wines by the glass. They had a great mix of items on their Bistro Menu and even an Asian inspired tasting menu (~$65/per person) with Southeast Asian and Filipino influences, so I would like to come back again to try that!
(4)
John C.
So average that I would neither come back nor recommend to anyone. Just not worth the price. The food is nothing special. The wine markup is ridiculous for mostly average wine. The ambiance and service are just so pretentious. Also pay attention to your final bill. They tried to charge me $167 for a $87 bottle of wine. When they realized they were caught cheating they claimed there were two wine on the wine list with the same name LOL!
(2)
Sanaa M.
My dining experience at restaurant eve was a solid hmmm... 3.5 stars Of course, I've had high expectations as I've heard nothing but good things about this place. As well as the reviews I have read on yelp. But sadly wasn't impressed. I expected the ambiance and decor to be much nicer. The service was kinda awkward and uncomfortable. I just wanted to get out of there. I've had the chef tasting menu $135pp. It was about 6 course dinner. The food was good but unfortunately did not meet my expectation... Am I coming back?! Nope. I don't think so. FYI: my review is based on my last year experience. Not sure if that counts but thought to share my experience.
(4)
Pamela J.
So worth it! Gathering service was impecible. The waitress was so knowledgable and informative. The tasting menu was delectable. I adored the scallop!
(5)
Vincent T.
Ambiance was 5 stars....service was 5 stars...covered parking right across the street on a very rainy night was 5 stars. The food was 4 stars. If I could give 4.5 stars I would...I err on the side of caution.
(4)
Gretchen P.
So I may be just sliiiightly biased due to the fact that I'm riding pretty darn high on being newly ENGAGED (as of Friday!), and was riding that engagement high throughout our entire celebratory dinner here. With that being said, though, I still believe that dining on Restaurant Eve's Tasting Menu has just jumped into my top five best dining experiences EVER. From the moment you walk down Restaurant Eve's beautiful entrance alleyway, you're transported into a different world. The restaurant is beautifully lit, has gorgeous details, and in general just has an ambiance that screams -- well, more like it whispers delicately -- intimacy. It is the absolute perfect place to celebrate a special occasion. The service you receive here honestly has no rival -- the staff:patron ratio is incredibly high, and there was not a moment throughout the entire experience that we were not perfectly attended to -- but not in an annoying, hovery way. Rather, people appeared to be Apparating out of thin air to serve on us. My water glass was below half-full? Suddenly someone was there to top it off. We were finished with our current course? Someone would be along shortly to clear the table and ready us for the next taste. Of course, the service and ambiance are just the surrounding factors to the main event: the FOOD! Restaurant Eve focuses on a locally-sourced, sustainable, seasonal menu, with dishes that are carefully crafted and constantly changing (say that sentence 10x fast!) We opted for the $85/pp tasting menu, which came with 5 courses of utter delectableness. First off, it needs to be said that at Restaurant Eve, you don't just get what you order. They bring our amouse bouches and palette cleansers and transitional bites out the wazoo, all of which were amazing, amazing, amazing. We were also treated to complimentary champagne to celebrate our new engagement! Our first course ("Eden") was a spicy himachi sashimi, served with a garlic emulsion. It was so fresh, spicier than I was expecting (in a good way), and really, really delicious. Our second course ("Surf") was a butter-poached lobster in a creamy sauce. I LOVE lobster, so this was probably my favorite course of the entire evening. A nice big chunk of lobster, a delicious sauce, a few thin oyster mushrooms... I was in Heaven. For our third course ("Ocean") we dined on rockfish that had a beautiful crispy skin and a shellfish sauce. A really nice, filling dish, since rockfish is actually quite meaty. This was one of Sean's favorite courses. Fourth ("Range") came with a sweetbreads dish, but we both opted to swap it out for the loin of pasture raised beef option for an upcharge. The beef was presented as a "heart of ribeye," and was cooked to a perfect medium-rare with a celeriac puree and light watercress salad. Fifth, but certainly not least, came dessert ("Eden")! You could choose between a gooseberry linzer tart or swap it for a chocolate cream dessert (for an upcharge.) I got the tart while Sean got the chocolate, so we got to have a bit of each! The tart came with a fig leaf ice cream that was to-die-for, and the chocolate creme came with these chambord-preserved raspberries that I melted over. We also received a complimentary tray of mini petit-fours at the end, which came with the cutest little raspberry macarons I ever did see, butterscotch bon bons, rich chocolate truffles, and roasted white chocolate lollipops. Mmm Mmm MMMM. Restaurant Eve is by no means cheap, but this is the epitome of "you get what you pay for," because it was truly a perfect evening. The service was just exquisite, the food was outstanding, and when you've got an occasion worthy of celebrating, I can't imagine anywhere better.
(5)
Tony J.
Not going to lie, I really do like to come in here! A real treat and a once in a while affair for the likes of a lax due with not a lot of pocket change. Thankfully, Restaurant Eve took part in Restaurant Week and I was glad to get a lot of great food for not a lot of bucks. To be honest, I was thinking that Eve was going to shortchange my date and I because of Restaurant Week, but I did not sense any shortcomings with the plates that I, nor my date, received. As always, start with the cocktails, because they are super creative. I personally had Dublin meets Manila, which was a good whiskey based cocktail mixed with a little heat courtesy of a Thai Chili and, I seriously needed to slow it down as it was just so good. For the First Course, I had the Filipino Street BBQ, which was a Pork Belly in a an Asian Sauce with a small quail egg atop basmati rice along with a onion mix. Combine all those flavor together with the tenderness of the belly and you have a party happening in your mouth. Mmmmm. My date had the Mussels which was enormous, they don't give you just a few, they will give you a large bowl. The mussels do no taste all that fishy in fact the sauce is what makes the dish. Plus take advantage of the bread, definitely goes well with the sauce. The Second Course saw my date and I reverse roles, sort of... My date went with the pork belly which was served with a corn side mixed with a sauce. I do remember falling in love with pork belly when I had this for the first time at Eve. I had the Soft Shell Crabs which was served in a curry sauce that any Asian restaurant would be clamoring to get their hands on. The crabs were served alongside some onions and green beans. For the dessert course, I went with a Brown Butter Birthday Cake, which is a signature dessert with Eve, and it was so rich and delicious and you can taste the brown butter goodness... Mmmm... My date had a cream cheese cake with blackberries where our server indicated that cream cheese was made on site (impressive. A delicious meal was definitely complemented by a great staff, it was not just one person, we had several people come up to help us with complete perfection and no miscommunication. Our main server, Brandi, was an absolute joy with a bubbly personality and absolute knowledge of the menu. When I first came, I thought it was a once in a lifetime opportunity, but, now that Restaurant Week has made this fine establishment more accessible but just as fantastic.
(5)
Diedrich B.
Why eat anywhere else? I have been here many times over the years and he is constantly pushing himself and landing perfectly . The curries are amazing! The service is impeccable. Go
Went there with a few friends and we decided to do the Irish asian tasting menu. I am a sucker for novel dishes and fusion dishes. The waiter did a great job describing it in a fancy way that made it sound like things I have never had. My favorite part was the appetizer they had with quail egg deviled egg. The drink pairings we're ok. The cocktail in the beginning was fantastic amd so was the desert wine. The wine they had for the meal was meh. I didn't understand why pairing a white wine that was mildly sweet with spicy dishes. Maybe it's taboo but I thought red wine would have been better with the spicy and majority of pork belly in the dish. I didn't appreciate the dishes... they seemed like they missed the mark. The spicy tofu with pork belly. It wasn't novel... you can get it as light house tofu. The other dishes... squid, more pork belly, and shrimp and fish with cheese. The only thing I liked was the fish and cheese. Also for a place with fine dining prices... I'd expect better. Our table cloth was covered in ink and spicy sauce. They probably should have replaced it before smearing it everywhere with the table scrapper. I dunno... this place would have gotten 3 stars if it wasn't for the amazing cocktail, desert wine, desert and service. I wouldn't recommend this place for dinner. But if what I read about this place for lunch. It's a much better deal.
(4)
Chef Scott A.
Filipino street BBQ using Pork Belly is simply outstanding! It was perfectly cooked and presented on a slate board for our enjoyment. The continuation of the BLT featuring Irish Bacon, Cheese, tomato and greens with herbed mayo was a beautiful addition to the tasting, accompanied by fresh fried potato chips. The perfect finish to the tasting was their Sweet Potato Clafoutis paired with excellent table side service and attention to details. All around a fantastic meal.
(5)
Mary F.
Had their sandwich special today: homemade sausage on house made potato bread roll with a sweet relish... Sausage was the best I've ever tasted but the roll was dry. The cheese cake with blueberries is just a sensual experience.. Super creamy, melts in your mouth with house made blueberry sauce with incredibly fresh berries... Flavor just pops in Your mouth! Asked for a tour of their garden ... Lots of fresh herbs, veggies & fruit they use for their menu. English thyme.. Fascinating complex herb! a brief tour of the kitchen. Enjoyed the experience ...
(4)
Hannah H.
I was super duper excited to check out Restaurant Eve, as this restaurant has been on my to-eat list for a handful of years! Owned by a husband-and-wife team, Chef Cathal and Meshelle Armstrong (they named the restaurant after their first child), the menu focuses on locally-sourced VA ingredients that are either hand-fed/farm-raised/organically-grown. They even have their own garden where they grow their own herbs and fruits (!!!), and offers a variety of housemade items (such as breads, cheeses, cured meats, and, cocktails). They offer lunch, dinner (a la carte & tasting), dessert, and a beverages. The LOVELY Adrienne M. and I decided to order several plates from the a la carte menu for samplings, and even received a few compliments from the chef: mini deviled quail eggs (creamy, tangy, and delicious), a gruyere puff (a little dry and less cheesier than I thought), the squab liver mousse pate (thick, creamy, and delicious!), and a tiny bowl of rutabaga soup with cracked pepper and chives (this was a nice little creamy soup, with a hint of sweetness from the turnip); Hand Cut Pappardelle with Braised Pork and Jaew (my favorite dish of the night; even thought this was an appetizer, I would have gladly ordered 10 of these! The pappardalle were cooked perfectly al dente, and the braised pork was just oh-so-lovely and flavorful - the sauce, while not thick, dressed up the pasta and the meat perfectly with a nice kick!); Hand Rolled Cavatelli with Braised Octopus, Nicoise Olives and Oregano (the oregano was from their garden; this was definitely olive juice-focused and quite overwhelming, and one of my least favorites of the night, as it was very salty and brine-like from the olives - the cavatelli were soft, and the I enjoyed the perfectly-cooked octopus); Salad of Roasted Winter Squash, Red Zeppelin Onions, Pine Nuts, Sesame Seeds, and Yoghurt (room tempered salad with squash (that seemed slightly undercooked); another least favorite); Sweet Potato Custard with Toasted Rosemary Marshmallow and Roasted Sweet Potato (we actually ordered 2 of these, thinking the portions would be on the small-end; the custard was very mousse-like and I tasted little grains of course salt in mine; the marshmallow definitely had a rosemary tinge to it, but I wasn't sure if the ingredients complemented each other; another least favorite); Pasture Raised Beef with Pommes Frites and Green Peppercorns (the steak is was a ribeye cut, a little stringy with the fat, but still flavorful and savory; the peppercorns were surprisingly not overwhelming; the fries were salted well, and great dipped in the glaze sauce); John Dory with Heirloom Beets, American Sturgeon Caviar and New Potatoes (the Dory had a nice crispy exterior, but tasted slightly overcooked; it also had a slight 'fishy' taste to it; the beets were also a little on the raw edge); Roasted Breast of Partridge with Turnip Cream, Scarlet Queen Turnips, Leg Confit and Bird Jus (the partridge was cooked perfectly and it definitely did not have a game-y taste to it); Sweet Potato Clafoutis with Dragee Hazelnuts, Cognac-Prunes and Butterscotch Ice Cream (great crunchy hazelnuts; the cognac-prunes added a slight sweet, but not powering, touch to the little tart; the butterscotch ice cream was so decadent and divine!); and, the Pecan Sandies with Cinnamon Yoghurt and Bourbon-Preserved Donut Peach (I admit, I got this for the donut peach :P The pecan sandies cookies broke easily with a touch of the fork, but did not crumble; the semi-dry cookies added to the cinnamon yoghurt, but my favorite part of the dish was the delicate bourbon-preserved donut peaches!). You also get hot, out-of-the-oven crusty bread that was quite delicious with the room-temperatured butter that was easily spreadable - yum (don't be shy in asking for more!) Also, for their famous 'mini' birthday cakes, make sure you order at least 48 hours in advance and/or make a note of it at the time of your reservations - these popular cakes are not available on-site! Ms. Brandi, our server, was extremely knowledgeable with the menu items, attentive throughout our whole dining experience, and was such a total sweetheart! The restaurant itself was very cute and had an interesting charm to it (even to the little details as the tissue- and ribbon-tied toilet rolls in the bathroom!). The entryway is through a little covered walkway at the side of a building, and making a right. Definitely one of the better, if not the best, restaurants in the OT Alexandria area :D +mini deviled quail eggs! +squab liver pate! +Hand Cut Pappardelle with Braised Pork and Jaew +Pasture Raised Beef with Pommes Frites and Green Peppercorns +Butterscotch Ice Cream +bourbon-preserved donut peaches +mini birthday cakes required advance notice (48 hours) +ask for Ms. Brandi! :D
(4)
Sarah D.
We went for restaurant week a few days ago and thought it was fantastic. The food was delicious and the drinks were quite tasty. The bread is also amazing. The servers were all so courteous and knowledgeable. We are looking forward to trying the tasting menu for a special occasion at some point in the future.
(5)
Lex L.
Have been here about 4 times. The last 3 times were great. Had really enjoyed the past meals although the last time I went, unfortunately all of my dishes were way off. I was surprised especially when I found out that Chef Cathal had prepared my pre-fix meal this time around since he visited some regular patrons sitting at the bar to chat w them. Sat at the bar w my bf which we prefer over the formal dining room. Add Mark, our fabulous bartender to the mix and wouldn't want to sit anywhere else. Watching him making drinks is a show in itself and we quite enjoy watching him creating these delightful concoctions. Btw, Mark's customer service is beyond excellent and he is extremely attentive. My bf & I ordered each the Dublin Meets Manila drinks from Mark. This drink is yummy & so fresh. It is floral and it leaves you with a bite of spice for an after taste that lingers in your mouth. This will be our regular go to drink for sure. Chef gives a couple of complimentary courses to start and cleanse your palate btw courses. First course (compliments of the chef) was tiny bite-sized puff pastries with different fillings. These were light and flavorful. Second course was the Mushroom cavatelli appetizer that I ordered which I so wanted to like because I am a big mushroom and handmade cavatelli fan. Unfortunately, it was inedible because it tasted like the lid of a salt shaker fell off and all of the salt went into this dish. What a pity because had it not been overly salty, this could have been delish. Just to make sure I wasn't insane or overly critical, I asked my bf to taste it and it was beyond salty. There were olives in the dish so not sure if the combo of the olives plus extra salt made it unbearable? I asked Mark if the chef could please re-make my dish minus all that salt. He was very apologetic and took my dish away. When he came back, Mark asked if it was possible to order another dish instead which I did. Ordered the heirloom beet salad which was not tasty at all and was very flat. My bf who is a foodie agreed. Third course (compliments of the chef) was a fennel soup. This also could have been amazing as it was creamy and refreshing but again, it was heavy handed with salt. Fourth course was my skate wing entree which also could have been delish had it not been salty. Doesn't feel like the chef is tasting what he is serving. Would have given this place 2 stars for the food but gave it extra star just because of Mark's service. I like a fair amount of salt for flavoring in my food but the amount of salt in these dishes were overwhelming which is unfortunate. This was the first time I had experienced such high levels of sodium in these dishes. Must have come previously when the owner/chef was off.
(3)
Lina E.
Everything about Resturant Eve is spectacular, from the hostess you meet at the front to our server Brandy and all the other servers who brought us food and drink. The food was beyond fantastic. Every detail was carefully thought out -and it showed. We loved that we weren't rushed through our dinner, we savored every morsel of our food. I highly recommend Resturant Eve!!! The icing on the cake... It was Resturant week!!!! Thanks Debbie for the recommendation. We will be back!!!
(5)
Alice M.
I really wasn't that impressed. It wasn't bad. The menu was very unique, but I really didn't think it was that great for the price. The bar/lounge menu was a reasonable deal. I had a salad with goat cheese but my salad was smothered in some of the strongest red onions I've ever eaten. I tried picking them out but there wasn't much left to the salad after I did. If you get the salad tell them to go easy on the onions or put them on the side. The cheese was very good. I also had a pork pate sandwich. It was good. But not exceptional. Some other diners had beef testicles which they seemed to enjoy. Service was good. The ice tea came with a side of simple syrup that could be added as desired. I thought that was an interesting touch If you want a unique menu this is a great place. It's not bad, I just didn't think it was good enough to warrant more than 3 stars. While the food wasn't bad I felt that for the price it would have had to taste much better to earn 4 or 5 stars
(3)
Mari A.
"I'm so fancy, You already knoooow." So, not even. But Restaurant Eve definitely carries this stature. I can see the eye's pierce as I walk in in my black jeans and fanny pack. The vibe and ambiance of the restaurant is a bit stuffy for me but when I peered around, the bar area seemed to be a little more laid back. My cousins were already seated and excited to order. I must admit I like the concept of how the restaurant takes a certain culture each month and does a family- style shared dinner by choosing certain dishes from that culture and giving it a twist. This month happened to be Filipino. I was excited as ever to try this out! Here's some of the dishes that they brought to the table: - Dinuguan: rather than pork's blood as the sauce, they used blood sausage. A very delicious dish. - Pork Meatballs: a little dry and I wasn't sure how filipino related this was as I don't know many dishes that we cook meatballs with. - Broccoli in a hoisin sauce: Very good but not sure how filipino it was either. - Two different curries: one tofu curry, extremely spicy and noted on the menu to "order with caution". The other a seafood mix in a red curry. There were a number of other dishes that came out that I thought were very good. The appetizers and soup also very good. And the dessert was also good. I lump these in this short paragraph here as you can see I forgot exactly what I had. They're that creative that you're not exactly sure what they fused everything with. All you need to know is that it was extremely delicious. Service was nice but they had forgot to explain some of the dishes and sauces that came out. Glass of wine for $18 a little much but it comes with the restaurant. All in all, the $60 for the family style meals wasn't too bad. Once you start to add the wine, tax, and tip, the $92 dollars I spent on myself that night felt a little heavy on the wallet. Definitely a great experience and happy to have tried it out. Would suggest this place as a nice birthday or anniversary dinner!
This is by and far the best restaurant experience i think i have ever had. Came here for a special event... had the tasting menu, no wine pairing. Our reservation was waiting on us...like literally they greeted us by name when we walked in. We were seated at a lovely love seat setup and waited on hand and foot. Never used the acme silverware for the same plated item. The tasting menu is 7 courses going on 12 courses because they give us little items before the first appetizer and after dessert. We ordered a glass of their pinot noir ($18) and 2 of their drinks. The wine was fantastic and the cocktails were flavorful, fresh made juices and unique and strong! ($14). The ambiance is romantic and semi-dimly lit. The servers are personable and know their food inside and out, to include regional historical references. Every item we sampled was out of this world except the sweetbreads, which was hard to fall for, considering what it is :P Take a gander at our pictures....they are self-explanatory. The only unfavorable part...our bill plus tip was 438$ for two ppl, drinks and a couple supplemental tasting meni charges. It's hard to muster that for a meal if not a truly special occasion and even then its still tough but i have to say they went out of their way to prove its value. Every detail is accounted for. Seriously, the best place to treat someone to high class fare!
(5)
Kimberly B.
Dined here for Valentines Day with my boyfriend. This place is first class all around. Although, our waiter lacked personality, he was still very knowledgeable about the food selections for the night. I love how the restaurant is located in a very obscure place.
(5)
Ben T.
Restaurant Eve was a wonderful experience. Like many people on the same night we came to celebrate a special occasion. This time, it was my wife's 28th birthday. The evening from beginning to end was exactly what I wanted it to be for her. Customer service is exceptional here and it shows. If you want a risk free night this place is a great option. You will have no fear that you will be treated well and served tasty and exciting dishes. My encounter with the restaurant started over the phone for reservations. You truly only have one time to make a first impression and I remember the phone call going very well. Located just off King Street but delightfully secluded the atmosphere is lavish but also relaxed. There are multiple ways you can venture on your dining quest here. We chose a la carte however, multiple course tasting menus and Asian family style were also available. An Irish chef serving Asian family style was hard to resist but I'll save that occasion for next time. The bar is hard to beat. I will definitely be back just to partake in those festivities in the near future. Bartender/sommelier Todd Thrasher (who also works with the acclaimed PX lounge) has his handiwork in the mixed drinks. You would be remised if you did not take advantage and order at least a few of his creations. There is not much and everything I could say about the food. Honestly by the time this is read the menu will be different. This is a great problem to have! All items are local farm to table. This description here has more truth and less buzzwordiness compared to other establishments I have visited. Do take the waiters recommendations. You have had chicken or beef many times before and there is no better place to experience something new. With such a talented chef I felt I could have closed my eyes, thrown a dart at the menu and been happy with what was brought. Restaurant Eve stands out among many in so many areas that it collectively becomes a world class destination. Thank you!
(5)
Karen P.
4.5 stars. I was very impressed on my first visit to this Alexandria restaurant. I have heard so much about it from my various wine-o friends. Service was impeccable. The mixology was impressive although I personally did not try a cocktail. Some of my dinner party did and each enjoyed their selections. Dinner was excellent - good food and great service. I had the pumpkin ravioli which was a little bit too sweet but good. Wines by the glass could use a little more creativity.
(4)
Angel W.
The food here was okay... it did not live up to some of the past reviews. For the price I would have expected more. The starter was a $12 beet salad-- in a nouveau riche restaurant like this, it was more like 4 beets cut into micro wedges and placed on a huge plate. it tasted okay, but was not exciting. I ordered the "mystery" entree, which came with warning (!!!!!) signs for its exoticness and weirdness -- when I inquired about it, the waiter informed it was just spicy braised pork belly. Shocking! Don't get me wrong, it tasted great, but why did I just fork over $35 when I could have stayed home and ordered the same dish from my favorite thai takeout place for 1/3 of the cost? Service was okay. The food was okay. I probably won't come here again, since there are plenty of restaurants that serve way better food in the $$$ price range.
(3)
Carl C.
Excellent ambiance, a great bartender with much experience, and good wait staff. A buddy invited me to lunch here and raved about the place as it was one of his and his wife's favorite places to eat. It was also very close to his home. I ordered the sandwich du jour and the soup du jour from their "lickety-split" lunch menu. The food was good, but it wasn't great. We sat at the bar. Since my friend is a regular, he navigated the menu and drink selection. He also introduced me to the bartender and we had a good conversation among the three of us during the meal. He also served as our wait staff when our waiter was gone. One would be surprised by the nondescript entrance and the small signage. Remarkably so I accidentally passed the restaurant as I was looking for it. I have to visit again, especially during the dinner hour (that's what this restaurant is known for), in order to give a much more comprehensive review.
(4)
J N.
Overall, four stars for food and five stars for service. I tried the five course tasting menu and I was a bit disappointed because I received the same sauce in two dishes. Even though we received some complementary items, I would've been happier if the main dishes were outstanding. The cocktails were okay.
(4)
Donna M.
Don't bother stopping here for a happy hour drink. So many other places where the service is friendly. Treated like I was interrupting their set up service at 4:30.
(2)
Erin W.
Visited Eve for the first time since they changed the dinner set up. You will be seated anywhere and can order either the a la carte menu or the Chef's tasting menu. Love the new way because it doesn't feel so divided. We were a party of 6 and each of us LOVED the food. The amuse-bouche (3 types) were amazing and some of the highlights from our group were Lobster Bisque, Filipino Street BBQ, Head to Tail Pappardelle and Sweetbreads. The warm bread and Irish butter and all the little touches like that really make this restaurant worth the money. Desserts were also all delish and, as a cheese lover, I was super impressed with the selections and portion size/presentation of the cheese. Eve continues to be a great choice for lunch, the bar scene and special dinners.
(5)
Katherine W.
Amazing food, super allergy accommodating. A great place for someone with a soybean allergy to eat. Drinks were amazing as well. We went there for our anniversary when I was pregnant, and the service was amazing.
(5)
Kat A.
I don't know who these people are or why they are giving Restaurant Eve 5 stars. Perhaps it is their one big night out a year or they've dipped into their 401k to try this restaurant after many years of hype. Like other prominent reviewers in the area, I agree the quality of food and service here has swiftly gone downhill. Throngs of people have reviewed the food so I won't bore anyone with repetitive information. My two major complaints are in regard to the wine and celebrities. The unique information I can provide is this: there's something shady going on with their wine operation and/or distributors. Our table ordered a bottle of red wine (can't remember which in particular). The Captain came to our table to inform us they did not have the bottle in stock. Without even asking, he opened a bottle of whatever he carried to our table and poured. We tasted it and didn't like it one bit. He didn't care and said this is all we have that's similar to the bottle you ordered. We were essentially stuck with it as he wasn't concerned at all with us not caring for the taste. We hadn't ordered our food yet, plus this is obviously a high brow establishment, so we didn't want to cause a fuss. Fast forward 20 minutes. The table next to us orders a completely different wine than we did and what do you know?! They don't have that bottle in stock either! Just like with our table the Captain comes to their table with the SAME EXACT bottle of wine he forced upon us. Again like us, they didn't care for it either but there really wasn't any other choice as the Captain implied this bottle was the only substitute for everything...unless we wanted to pay $300 for another selection. My second issue was the overall quality of the staff and customer service. In sum, they were pretentious and absolutely not as attentive as one would expect given the accolades and price. Just as I was talking to others at my table about a famous relative of mine, a waiter came to our table to remove a plate. I guess he overheard our conversation because I soon saw a real life version of the "telephone" game play out before us. In record breaking time it seemed as if everyone working in the dining room (maybe even everyone in the back too) knew who I was related to. It felt like an incredible invasion of privacy and certainly not what I would expect. Additionally, they were not welcoming or accommodating to allergies. I don't know if this is a front of the house or back of the house issue but either way it is inconsiderate. That being said, we won't be back.
(2)
Anthony I.
Perfection! I'm very glad that we rediscovered Restaurant Eve. My wife and I took our in laws to dinner the other night and everything was absolutely perfect! We all had the chefs 6 course tasting and every course was perfectly prepared, wonderfully flavorful, perfectly timed and absolutely delicious. The sommelier gave us some amazing recommendations for wines, even introduced me to my new favorite Pinot. Their creative cocktails are wonderful with house made bitters and tonics complimenting the finest spirits. The only thing that overshadows the food is the attention, professionalism and charming character of the wonderful staff. I could not have envisioned a more perfect evening, we look forward to becoming regulars! A truly exceptional experience.
(5)
Robert V.
Good bread. Had Asian tasting menu which was disappointing. Service very cordial but slow. Bartender mediocre. Suggest stick with regular menu.
(2)
Vivian C.
So if you want to visit Restaurant Eve in Alexandria, VA, you have a choice of dinner when entrees are priced in the 30's, and tasting menus priced above $100. Or, if you are fortunate to be in the area during a weekday lunch, you could hit the bar for their popular Lickity Split - Lounge Lunch of 2 options off a short menu for $14.98, limited to 1 per person. As a comparison, their regular Bistro Lunch Menu list appetizers in the teens, and entrees mainly in the twenties. This special lounge luncheon menu consisted of 4 alcohol options, 7 savories (including a soup, salad, and sandwich - du jour), and 1 sweet. Between the two of us, we opted for the 3 items of the day and the pork belly that called out to us. First to arrive was the parsnip soup - creamy, tasty - and the Pork Belly Rillette with Young Rutabaga and Grainy Mustard. The bread was baked fresh and arrived later so in the meantime we enjoyed the soup. The breaded rutabaga disks were solid yet tender and quite golden yellow and added a contrast to the smooth savory rillette. Second course was fish all around in the form of a cod salad with a healthy plate of dressed greens with a piece of fish about the size of a fat deck of cards, and their pollack tempura sandwich with crisp potato chips and cute little gherkins. The sandwich was quite juicy for all that it was fish. Of those we ordered, I preferred the soup and fancy filet o fish sandwich. We scored prime seats having arrived shortly before their 11:30am opening, but the bar filled quickly with regulars and newbies like ourselves.
(4)
Sun F.
Since dinner was well over $300, I'd love to give a 5 star rating, but that's not possible after last night's dinner. Last night was my fourth dining experience at RE. The first and third times were excellent. The second and fourth times were mediocre. Mediocre is not acceptable when paying these prices. With the help of the sommelier, we selected a wonderful bottle of wine that the sommelier promptly forgot about. We were shown the bottle and it was quickly taken away, leaving us waiting for our wine an abnormal amount of time. No one is perfect and this is certainly forgivable, but it would have been nice to have heard, "sorry to keep you waiting" or something along those lines. The broccoli with poached egg first course was fine, but not worth the price. I could make the same dish at home. I ordered the autumn vegetable tajine as my main course. It tasted of salt and nothing else. I don't understand why it was so over-salted. Shame on me, I suppose, for not sending it back. I couldn't finish it and had to drink a lot of water. I was not asked if I enjoyed my meal when the plate was taken away. Thankfully, my dining companions enjoyed the Char and Halibut cheeks. For dessert I enjoyed the chocolate-hazelnut birthday cake. It was delicious, but rich and I'd say very shareable for these reasons. Overall, I'm sorry to say the restaurant has a bit of pretentious, fussy vibe. "Great service" is subjective; I don't consider a staff person opening the restroom door for me and ushering me in "good service." I consider it weird. :) Unfortunately, I'm not in a rush to go back to Restaurant Eve. It wasn't terrible, but for the price I expect the food to be amazing and it just wasn't (aside from dessert).
(3)
Frank P.
The restaurant and service lived up to the hype. The bar area was quaint old school old Town. Libations were expertly prepared. Service was excellent from. Start to finish. We ordered the Asian sampler dinner for two. 4 courses, plenty of food.
I think I was just POed that I wasn't able to get into PX when I originally gave Eve 4 stars. After last night's visit (and several before that, this is probably my 5th time here and I've eaten both in the restaurant, Tasting Room, and bar) I'm 100% comfortable upgrading to 5. Went to Eve last night with my husband and camped out at the bar for drinks and then dinner. This is the first time that we've been to Eve since they made the "switch" (making the restaurant the same instead of a specific separate Tasting Room & Bistro). I have to say that the quality and taste of everything I had exceeded my expectations. We began with several cocktails at the bar - at Eve, how can you not? My husband had the gin and "tonic" and I had the "fizzy bubbly" (that was the category - the drink has a creative name but but I can't remember it right now). I love Eve's cocktail program - the drinks are always top-notch with high quality ingredients and creative names. My husband said it was all he could do to sip his slowly, it was that good. We had planned to have dinner at the bar all along, but when we got there, we had the munchies, so we decided to order off the bar snacks menu and order chips and Virginia dip. The Virginia dip was a cheese-beer dip accompanied by house-made chips and it was delicious. It hit the spot as we had another drink as we began to peruse the menus for dinner. Everything available at the restaurant is available at the bar, but we decided to go for the bistro menu. We were shocked when an amuse bouche of tuna tartare appeared in front of us. This was the biggest sign of change in the restaurant for me - we'd eaten in the bar before and never received an amuse bouche and all other bar patrons who ordered dinner received the same, that was a very unexpected and nice touch. The amuse bouche was followed by steaming-hot bread and butter, which was refilled throughout the evening until we had to say no more or else we'd be too full for dinner! For my first course, I ordered the parsnip ravioli with oxtail and my husband had the "bacon egg and cheese." Both were awesome. I used my bread to mop up the oxtail broth from my dish once I devoured the ravioli (thought it was strange that they had given me a spoon for a ravioli dish). The oxtail was braised beautifully with a wonderful flavor. My husband's bacon egg and cheese was a poached egg with a parmesean foam over country ham, and he loved it. What a creative dish! I decided to go adventurous for dinner and ordered the rabbit with morsels and pappardelle, and my husband ordered the ribeye. The ribeye was huge and came with 5 onion rings stacked on top - not what I was expecting when I saw "fried onions" on the menu (I thought they'd be more like onion straws). Wow! It was accompanied by fresh horseradish and was prepared beautifully. My rabbit was tender and juicy, the pappardelle was prepared to a perfect al dente, and the morels added a great touch. For our meals, we switched to glasses of wine which complemented our meals wonderfully. Service was excellent all night - the bartenders (Mark and someone else, I can't remember his name, so sorry!) were incredibly friendly and our water glasses nor drink glasses never remained empty. It's not a cheap night, but the high quality of the food and drinks is definitely worth the price, in my opinion. Favorite place to eat in Old Town and one of my favorite restaurants overall.
(5)
Hannahleine P.
Hi there folks good evening on a mediocre-winded winters day, there's probably a one-inch deep of sludge under grass and the melting snow... Anywayz good evening, and I'll try to tell my story in three succinct paragraphs as many elementary teachers often humiliated and criticized my sentence structure growing up. I'm sad this application can't hold a photo or two from my experience. Well I decided to splurge and regardless of the wine and alcoholic abc-abv amount for my 32nd birthday on February 11th for homecooked, organic or gentle AMERICAN food similar toClydes or LaBergerie's private sous chefs. And i particularly chose Restaurant Eve's in northe Old Towne, because I am a big Foodie, having lived in the Kingdom of Bahrain for eight whole yrs, after traveling through Newport Rhode Island, and i knew that my driverdad could easily maneuver around parking. I never been to this "dynamite 10-star" place for a simple twopointfive hr meal, but glad they did give minuscule odoeurves and a nice candle cupcake and nice birthday muffin kit. I love plastic show-case bags in easy to read instructions. The big lady with her hair in a bun had much knowledge about even resplendent Filipino street barbecue {pork or chicken?!?} sticks. But during the three hours, I felt sick and it wasn't my lithium or wellbutrin. Why the three or even f i v e different waiters looking over our shoulder and serving us, as we are too ethnic to go there once a month, sit and eat & pay with an Amex card?? My beets or radishes were too buttery or oily. Well their latrines were nice, as i am a quiet girl, only needed to use it once, and i am glad and chipper they served bread for my sister and i enjoyed parts of my dad's, Arturo Senior succulent fish. It was family or kid friendly too, i give only three stars because the lady or not to sound harsh, but the big lady hostess or the highschooler wine walker came over and i was explaining that I spoke to a manager beforehand about set menu or highlighted dinner specials, made me feel inferior or really stupid rather for asking what the meat was in the $55.00 three-course (incl 11ounce dessert) meal was. She said there was no promotion of such sort near a special dining section after 17:34:01 o'clock hrs. Well, i think that's a good reason why working women in the 22314 area would only give 15.00% total tip because they can't handle confusion or when people make them feel strange! And it's hard having to know how to split the bill too (I've eaten at Jaleo locations also) But as a one-timer I always observe waiters' waitresses traits and patience. Thanks for listening to Miss Hannahleine/Annaleine:-)
(3)
Keith P.
I am a bit conflicted on how to review Restaurant Eve. My wife and I are not usually great 'foodies' in chasing down destination restaurants with celebrity chefs. But when we asked a friend for a recommendation for a special place for a birthday dinner, she immediately pointed us here. Our only previous experience with dining at this exhalted level was eating at Volt a few years ago. I will say up front that each piece of the evening's experience was delightful. The entrance to the restaurant is through a small tunnel into an interior courtyard. Lit with small lamps, it set an ambiance for the night! We were welcomed warmly and throughout the evening the service was top notch...attentive without being obtrusive, removing plates promptly, but never rushing. The interior is quietly elegant...almost a bit Spartan. Tables are set nicely apart and the noise level was quite low. All of this focused the diner's attention on the food and each other! The food, of course, is what it is all about. For a special occasion and, as I said, rarely venturing into this rarified dining atmosphere, we opted for the Tasting Menu and I added the wine pairings (and shared with my wife.) First we had a complementary small appetizer from the chef. It was a duck pate' that was so creamy it was almost like chocolate. A really remarkable beginning. Next came a jumbo seared scallop. Scallops are my wife's favorite, but I am generally not a huge fan as they are so difficult to prepare well and their own flavor is often overwhelmed by the bacon, sause, or whatever. This was in a category all by itself. I have never had a scallop prepared to absolute perfection, seared without burning, warm inside without being cooked rubbery, and the light seasoning enhanced the flavor without masking it. This was followed by a seared tuna, that, again, was quite amazing (though I was not quite as blown away as I was by the scallop.) Again, seared without burning and kept the interior almost raw. Flavorful! Then we had a partridge dish. This, I will say, was very nicely done and delicious, but, really, I am sad to say that it was, a bird, and, to me, was pretty much chicken. Then on to the lamb. Wow! It was very, very rare...which might have worried me slightly elsewhere, though I love my lamb pink. But here it just worked! Again, a very light seasoning allowed the subtle young lamb (no mutton this!) flavor to be savored! Finally the desert was a chocolate/hazelnut concoction that I have a hard time describing, save that it was utterly melt-in-your-mouth creamy deliciousness. Each of the courses was paired with a wine. Each was very nice, my favority being the Ken Forester Renegade that went with the (Partridge?) But, here I will say that I was notably less impressed with the wines and pairings than I was during my Volt experience. Each was very nice...just that...none that really grabbed me with that feeling of 'perfection.' They recommend two to three hours for the tasting menu and we were there on the order of two and a half hours. The time went quickly as we appreciated each course and wine. The evening was not cheap, of course! But for a special occasion I would definitely consider it value for the money! For anyone in search of a very special evening, this is, indeed, a destination!
(5)
Kimberly S.
One day my wallet will be big enough for the Tasting Room but for now I'm sticking with Restaurant Eve's Lickety Split lunch which in my opinion is one of the best deals in town! Here are the details: - The deal is only available in the bar and lounge area, Tuesday through Friday, 11:30 - 3:30 - $14.98 gets you not one but TWO choices from their wide and varied menu I dropped by with a friend on a random Wednesday afternoon thinking that we would have to wait a few moments before finding a seat. Although the restaurant was full, we were able to find two seats right at the bar and I noticed that the general flow of the area moved pretty quickly. The worst part of the meal was deciding on what to order. Did I want a salad and an entree? Drink and a dessert? Two drinks? The bartender had several recommendations and all of the other diners made sure to pop into my conversation with their favorites as well. After a few minutes of deliberation I finally decided on the cucumber chive soup and the lamb bacon risotto. Also, because I couldn't resist the name...I ordered the "I am the Taylor Swift of Cocktails" drink for an extra $15. What can I say...I'm a sucker for T-Swizzle! My cocktail was exactly as promised: "starts off sweet with a bitter finish." I could not think of a more aptly named drink. Props to Todd Thrasher for his creativity! My drink was also surprisingly and pleasantly strong. By the end of my glass, I was trash talking and gossiping like a pro. Goodbye responsible and sophisticated business lunch! My cucumber yogurt soup was topped with pickled ramps and beautiful lavender chive blossoms picked from the Restaurant Eve garden. It was light, cool and perfectly refreshing for the 95 degree weather day we were having. Aesthetically and tummy pleasing to say the least. I was slightly less impressed with my lamb bacon risotto. The risottos I've had in the past have been colorful with a light bite. Mine came out looking like a wet plate of army gruel. The lamb bacon chunks were hearty...and a little bit cartilage as well. I didn't mind but it was definitely a surprise. The rice unfortunately had a classic case of over cooking and too much water. Overall, still a great deal for a ladies who lunch sort of thing! I expect to be back several more times this summer to try their antelope sausage hash and their sweet pink birthday cake which are also a part of their lunch menu. Stay tuned for the updates!
(4)
Katharine S.
Although the food was delicious and quite unique, the service, especially the management, was the worst that I have experienced. The entrees arrived at different times. In fact one entree didn't arrive until 45 minutes after the others. No one seemed concerned. The manager, we were told was busy with other guests, and when she finallyy came to our table was flustered, young, and completely unprofessional and inexpereienced. A restaurant such as this one, so positively reviewed, should spend a little more and hire decent management. Also, the tasting menue was misleading and/or the wait staff should better explain. It is a shame because I wil never return as I now have "a bad taste in my mouth."
Restaurant Eve is the best restaurant in the Washinton DC area. Impeccable food, over the top service in an elegant setting. Flawless.
(5)
Colleen B.
We went to Restaurant Eve last night for my husband's birthday. What a delightful experience that was definitely worth the price and getting a babysitter for. Let's start from the walk into the restaurant- we were guided by lanterns down a quaint, serene, covered, brick path to the entrance. The greeters and all of the waitstaff were polite, helpful, knowledgable and top-notch. We were curious about the restaurant - its origins, owners, mission, the building's previous occupants, etc, and our waiter spoke of every aspect like he was a member of the owners' own family. We ordered 4 cocktails throughout our meal that were all very well-crafted, artistic, and tasty. The unique metal straws kept each sip cold. Before our appetizer came, we were brought little spoons of rabbit liver pate with micro greens and some type of berry compote. Good thing they didn't tell us what it was beforehand (or I would not have eaten it!). It was surprisingly tasty with all of the flavors. I asked one of the waitstaff what it was after she cleared away the spoons. For an appetizer, we shared the lobster bisque and they split it into 2 bowls for us. Not a lot of chunks of lobster in each bowl, but what was in there was delectable and the soup was rich and creamy. They also brought out fresh, crusty, warm bread and soft salty butter, which was perfect for running around the bowl to soak up the remnants of the bisque. For our entrees, my husband ordered the soft shell crabs from VA, and I ordered the Maine Halibut. The halibut was SO DELICIOUS! The textures and flavors were well balanced and complimentary. My husband loved his meal too. There was ham in his, so I didn't try it since I don't eat pig products, but he said it was excellent. For dessert, I ordered the chocolate mousse with pistachio and he ordered the "cookies and milk", which was an interesting interpretation of the common treat. Again , the flavors were delicious in both desserts. At the end, our waiter brought out a small gift bag for my husband since it was his birthday- scones, Irish butter, and house made coffee. What a nice gesture! Our meal was $200 (not including tip) for 4 cocktails, 1 appetizer, 2 entrees , and 2 desserts, so yes it was pricey, but worth every cent for the service, atmosphere, locally sourced and sustainable food, and incredibly thoughtful and delicious food preparation. We are eager to try PX, a speakeasy down the road and owned by the same couple who owns Restaurant Eve , Society Fair, Majestic, and Eamonn's.
(5)
Candice M.
Delicious! I went here for my birthday, and the food was fresh, delicious, and beautifully presented. I would definitely recommend this place for a special occasion of some sort as it is a fancy restaurant. Their cocktails are also amazing and well worth a try. They also gave me a cute little gift for my birthday. Thanks!!!
Love this place. I think whatever they were trying to go for with the decor and ambiance worked. the servers are great and the food is very memorable.
(5)
David P.
My wife and I had a very pleasant dinner at Restaurant Eve's bar on a Saturday evening. We did not have reservations, but stopped by on a whim at 5pm since we found ourselves in Old Town with no dinner plans. The hostess apologized that the dining room was fully booked but offered us the bar. We were the first ones there so had nice corner seats. The restaurant and bar staff were extremely helpful and made us feel very welcome. We had a few of their cocktails and our bartender was very knowledgeable about the various types of drinks and their ingredients, and the entire menu as well. The entire menu is available to be ordered from the bar, including the tasting menu. We ordered a la carte and were offered a nice amuse bouche of very tender pork inside a deep fried breaded crust. For appetizers, I had the Filipino Street BBQ of pork belly and my wife the Hamachi Sashimi. Main course consisted of the Ribeye for me, and my wife the sweetbreads. Everything was perfectly prepared and presented. The entire experience was a wow, and I found the atmosphere at the bar to be very pleasant and probably much better for conversation and people watching than in the main dining room. I would eat at the bar again without hesitation. I found the prices at Restaurant Eve to be very reasonable considering the quality of the food and presentation. It's comparable to many other restaurants in the area that are of lesser quaiity. It's a bargain considering what you get. For me, Restaurant Eve lived up to its reputation and I want to come back to try the tasting menu as well as the rest of its offerings at another time.
(4)
Susan O.
After reading rave reviews of Restaurant Eve, I was excited to dine their for the first time recently. The atmosphere was lovely. The Captain (head waiter) was welcoming, though he visited the table a little too often, interrupting conversation. The service was five star. Unfortunately, the meal was only three star. I ordered beef and it lacked juiciness and flavor. My companion ordered fish and commented that it, too, lacked flavor. Given the restaurant's reputation and prices, I expected much more from the food. Dinner for two with one glass of wine each was $175 before tip. If you want to have dinner in a quiet, cozy place and don't have high expectations for food, I can recommend Restaurant Eve.
(3)
Cait S.
Best restaurant for a romantic birthday dinner!!! We were celebrating my birthday and the restaurant printed "Happy Birthday" on the menu. Great touch. Food was fabulous (we did the tasting menu) and the service was what you would expect from a restaurant of this caliber. I would most definitely recommend!!!
(5)
Rick P.
This is the best restaurant in Old Town--hands down! How anyone could give this place anything less than five stars is beyond me. If you did have a less-than-five-star experience, you should likely talk to the manager about it and see what he can do.
(5)
Adena B.
I took my girl friend out for a farewell lunch to this place, and I gotta say: I couldn't have picked a snazzier joint. *two pats on the back for me!* I'd made reservations, though the place was fairly empty. From the second we walked in until we left, we were waited on hand and foot. I almost hoped someone would give me a foot massage; alas, it didn't happen. DRANK +Eamonn's cocktail: ( yelp.com/biz_photos/rest… ) yuzu juice [sort of an Asian citrus], Nash's Irish red lemonade, Irish whisky, and a fluff of blended yuzu cloud. Tasty, light, and fun to drink. ATE +Hawaiian blue prawn sandwich with harissa aïoli: delicious, creamy harissa aïoli with a slight kick; it was the perfect complement to the well-cooked prawn. +Fried okra: You can't go to a restaurant with a southerner and NOT order the okra--so we did! My southern belle told me it's one of the best she's had; that's good enough for me. For lunch with a couple of cocktails, it was fairly pricey. But to be honest, because of the food, the service, and general atmosphere, it was the perfect farewell lunch and well worth the cost.
(4)
Patty L.
The attentiveness and care is there, but not all of the food was as stunning as the $$$. We happily chose the tasting menu. I have to start by noting that receiving sparkling water with tiny bubbles is the right way to make a girl happy. The amuse bouche nicely set the tone for the feast; a creamy pate and a cheesy puff pastry. He had the Hamachi; great lemon/lime flavoring, yet unable to enjoy any taste of the fish. I had fois gras for the first time ever and I am still thinking about the smoothness of it today. The lobster dish was a dream to this New England family. "Best lobster ever," was the sentiment. I would return for that alone. The fish dish that followed was crispy and tender, but missed on any significant flavor addition for both of us. Please consider adding something memorable to the perfectly prepared fish. We both were delighted with the palate cleanser of grapefruit sorbet and ginger; perfect memorable combo. The squab was great for me; but he didn't finish his small taste. That thready tendon is a bugger to deal with. Perfectly cooked and seasoned, yet not a standout. The lamb was easily a front runner; keep on there. After some discussion, the head waiter chose the cheeses for us and he could not have done any better. Thank you, Cheese Whisperer. He had a cognac infused glass of wine during the cheese plate that the somme recommended; a unique treat. Chesnut cream with hot toffee sauce was lovely, but the sweet tooth in me was topped out halfway through. Yes, I finished it, but can't say I enjoyed that level of sweetness till the end. Yes, the bread was warm and chewy and crusty. The dessert tower with the check was special, but a bit too much after all that. Only one of us did the wine pairings which was enough alcohol for the two of us; not cheap here, but who really needs to drink that much? The only failings of the ever bustling waitstaff was forgetting to ask if coffee was desired, then when it was requested it got forgotten. Surprised after all of the attentiveness. At the start of the meal we were promised a parting gift of a menu that also listed the wines enjoyed. That did not appear. We didn't care about obtaining it, but someone slipped up in that group of men and women in black. Are we glad we went? Yes. Do we need to return? No. Would we recommend it? Highly. Why would we not return? We have many other culinary adventures that need financing.
(4)
Liz C.
Fluff without substance A special occasion, quiet for conversation, a bistro in name. For all it's pretentiousness, Eve falls short of it's lofty goals. The "bistro" was a sparse dining room with formal service and high price tags. The appetizers were oversalted and deconstructed to the point of being a bit silly. Perhaps the the chef or perhaps it was a substitute cook was having a bad evening. Although I love fine dining, creations enticing on the menu fell short of being inspiring throughout the dinner. Appetizer-I ordered a white pudding- sounded intriguing, it was an oversalted overcooked "cake of sausage, nothing "pudding-y" about it. The short ribs were standard fare on a sorry bed of overly pureed potatoes with no flavor.Freshness was evident in all things but a heavy hand undid the creative mind behind the idea. Also odd was the mention of Kerrygold butter with every course(and it was salted..) . Perhaps an offspring of the creamery in the kitchen? It's available in grocery stores, I don't need the advertisement. We even got a birthday goodie bag with two butterpats and 1/2 cup of scone mix- really? The service was fair, attentive then absent. Although coffee was requested after dessert it came before, wine came halfway through the entree. $100 a head? Thanks but no thanks. There are others to choose from that deliver.
(2)
Petra E.
We have been to Restaurant Eve a few times and decided to go there again Monday night for a belated 27th anniversary and Valentine's Day dinner. We were as always greeted with the utmost professionality and led to our table in the quiet dining room. The hostess handed us our menus and was just about to ask about the wine list when my husband suddenly fell backwards into the table behind us. A couple was seated there with their drinks and my husband fell against the lady. Chaos ensued, the real candles fell over but thankfully extinguished on impact, the lady's wine glass shattered and she cut her hand. Meanwhile, my husband scrambled back up apologizing profusely to the lady. However, this was entirely the restaurant's fault as one of the legs of my husband's chair broke off, sending him sailing. I don't want to think how he could have hurt himself, he is not the youngest anymore either! In the meantime the staff of the restaurant did absolutely nothing! The hostess just stood there with her wine menu. No one helped my husband up, no one rushed to assess the situation, very weird. At least someone went in search for a band aid for the lady with the hurt hand. The other couple got a new table but it took quite a while for someone to finally come and express their apologies and thank my husband for his "flexibility" (luckily he was flexible, that may have prevented worse injury). We got a rose champage drink on the house and that was all that was said about that. The reason I'm giving three stars is because the food (we got the chef's surprise menu) was excellent as always and the service otherwise too. The latter however now seems very stiff and rehearsed to me. Hardly any human empathy surfaced with the personnel, the hostess even acted like nothing happened and asked "So, are you interested in the wine list?" once my husband was seated again. My husband is not one to complain (as opposed to me) but he did write a comment (after still giving a sizeable tip, mind you). He did not feel the restaurant made up for his embarrassment and pain which he of course had after falling like that. A complimentary champagne cocktail does not make one feel a restaurant of this caliber took a dangerous fall like he had to endure seriously.
(3)
Amanda H.
My best friend and her husband took my fiance to the tasting room to celebrate our engagement. Wow, what a memorable evening. We did the 7 course, and like my profile name says I am gluten free and a pescetarian. Normally I would be skeptical to trust someone to prepare seven courses for me. I let the waitress know and the chef took great care in preparing amazing courses with my dietary restrictions in mind. The wine pairings were divine. I already admired Todd Thrasher as a sommelier (and mixologist) but was again blown away. I usually hate most reds and chards, but they were all spot on. The service was impeccable. My favorite thing is how they walk ladies to the bathroom and lock the door for you. Such a nice touch. Every course was absolutely incredible, and the table decor was gorgeous. I have so much for respect for their professionalism and focus on excellence. They printed a nice personalized message of congratulations on our menus, and rolled them for us to take home. Something we will frame to mark our engagement and this amazing evening. For a special occasion I would recommend this experience.
(5)
Diana D.
This was by far one of the best dining experiences that I have ever had. I'm not going to bore you with descriptive details on the food(It's constantly changing). Just go! Take your date and make her feel like a princess. Take your wife/partner and show her/he what s/he means to you on your anniversary.
(5)
Local L.
I was very excited to finally try Restaurant Eve and last night I did just that with a few clients. The layout of the restaurant is gorgeous. The bar area is very nice as is the dining room and hostess area. We had the PX in the bar an it was delicious (albeit expensive at $12 a pop). I found the food to be just okay. The portions are very small, so if you're a 'hungry man', or my misfortune of having a client that likes a lot of food, this isn't your place. The presentation of the food was great, but the selection was thin and the food was just okay. I wasn't blown away by any means. I found the wine menu extremely frustrating. While it's extensive, there were relatively few well known mid-range wines to choose from. Anything I even remotely recognized was well over $100 per bottle. Our server offered us the services of their wine guy, but I passed. The service was also just okay. It took an unusual amount of time to get drinks, appetizers, desert - we ordered desert at 730 and by the time they were able to run the check it was nearly 900 and we are all quite ready to go. On my company dime, I'd try it again just for the atmosphere, but on my dime I'd pass.
(3)
christian b.
Don't be a jerk and order a la carte. Don't be a tool and expect a great meal at the bar. Go to the tasting room and do it right. Cathal Armstrong is a brilliant chef and the menu is outstanding. A good friend took my wife and me to Eve as a wedding gift, and to this day, it is one of the best 2 or 3 meals I've ever had, and I've eaten at virtually every top restaurant in D.C. The cocktails are outstanding as well, but maybe stay away from the New Age Gibson. You need a serious cocktail palette to enjoy this one. I think I was showing off when I ordered it; what a mistake! Chef Armstrong was just getting started when we visited. Years later, the word is the restaurant is even better and the cooking even more refined. I'll be back!
(5)
marcella l.
My friend and I had the lickity-split lunch special in the bar/lounge and it was the best lunch for the value I've ever had. For a mere $13.50 you get to choose two courses from a list of wine/cocktails, soups, salads, entrees/sandwiches, and desserts. I ordered the scallop salad and mushroom risotto. The salad was top notch. It had fresh romaine tossed with fingerling potatoes in a delicious vinaigrette. Beside the greens was a giant perfectly cooked sea scallop and buttery salmon mousse. The risotto was nicely al dente and had a good earthly flavor. Because lunch was so cheap I felt free to order wine. I chose Devil's Corner Pinot Nior from Tasmania. I had never had a wine from Tasmania and I was pleasantly surprised with how good it was. It had a great nose with soft yet complex flavor. I was tempted by the cocktail list because apparently Restaurant Eve is known for their signature cocktails but decided against it because it was so early in the day. It will be something to look forward to for my next visit. The service was what you would expect at a four star restaurant. The staff was so gracious and hospitable. All the details of service were effortlessly attended to. Your napkin is refolded for you when you get up. If you ask where the bathroom is, you are escorted to the door and it is opened for you. There was someone walking around the dining room dishing out freshly baked bread. Everything was great. I can't wait to go back and try the tasting menu.
(5)
Tim M.
I have to say this is the best restaurant in DC, Citronelle, definitely right behind it. However, I cannot understand how someone can give it one star, first of a all one star is hard to find, unless its just terrible, and this place is far from average let along terrible. We started with drinks and their reputation still surprised me, Cool Cuc, Donkey Peach, both excellent. We then had salads that were just perfectly proportioned along with the acidity of the dressing was perfect. For the main course, I had the steak with onions topped on it. I am a very good griller and this was one of the better steaks I have eaten in a long time. My wife had the red snapper and it was delicious as well, just perfectly seasoned. For dessert we had the Butterfinger, it was amazing. You can try it out yourself, I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. It is not snooty here, we actually sat right next to Ex Governor Warner and his family, he is some kind of investor in the restaurant. Give it a shot, but know that it takes reservations a month out.
(5)
Kenneth L.
A tad heavy for my palette, besides they need to train their staff. It is generally complained that the waitstaff are underdressed and inattentive. It is a disappointment and needs a lot of improvement to make up for the established image.
(2)
W. E.
It is always so lovely to walk into such a wonderful dining institution as Eve where the waitstaff and chef know you by name because as expected with my father, wherever he takes me to eat, has usually already established himself as a regular. And thus, the service we receive is perfect. Eve gave us just that experience: perfection. The cocktails are where you must begin the adventure. You really cannot go wrong with whatever you order because everything is made in house. As simple and even boring as their gin and tonic may sound - it is superb because they make their tonic in house. But, being more curious I went with their take on an apple martini. It was nothing like my previous experiences with apple martinis. It tasted like I was literally biting into a granny smith apple and to top it off a bing cherry soaked in cognac lay at the bottom awaiting my lustful mouth to devour. Moving forward, we ordered an array of first courses. I opted for the steak tartare served with pumpernickel bread and grain mustard. Very refreshing and just the right amount of add-ins to the raw steak. My father had the white truffle risotto which need no further explanation other than divinity in a bite. Other diners with us had the chicken liver mouse which was also the perfect consistency and flavors. I nearly forgot to mention that piping hot irish soda bread is kindly placed on our plates with creamy herigold butter to slather throughout the entire meal. (You can always judge a great restaurant by the quality of its bread). To follow the first course, I had the venison. It was so tender and served with a chutney of parsnips, pear, and other root vegetables and hazelnuts. The veal sweetbreads which another diner order were wonderful - so moist and fluffy, perfectly prepared. Topping the meal off, we had a bite of every dessert which my favorite held to the apple tartine served with maple ice cream and a caramel sauce. Their version of the butterfinger candy bar was also quite nice. Special treat - since some of our guests are from New Zealand and the Irish chef recognizing our love for sausages rolled in pastry - surprised us with a giant sausage rolled in pastry. A gourmet take on pigs in a blanket, but sooo so much tastier. Also - please note that my father and I go her on a regular basis for lunch because they have a wonderful bar menu in which you get two courses for only $13.50. Everything from the changing soups of the day to the hearty bacon sandwiches are all delicious. The bartender will never lead you astray - so always ask him what's good on the day and you will not be disappointed.
(5)
JB P.
I like the cozy street where you find Restaurant Eve, the alley way u walk thru into the restaurant and then the sleek hallway that leads you down to the dining area. That's the thing, all the little details charm even before the meal is served, and you already know you are in for a special night. This night was my anniversary. No one blinked when we requested a different table, and the service was responsive and friendly. Servers don't dawdle over your table here, they let you enjoy the space. One waitress actually said to me: "don't worry about decisions tonite, just relax and enjoy." Ahh, OK. I'll admit that I don't have the palate of a "foodie" , so the menu is a bit intimidating. But, there is plenty of choice and plenty to tempt. And the environ is so comfortable, that it takes away the stiffness and formality of other five star restaurants in the area. I went with the ribeye and gratins -- that were just delicious. My wife was crazy for the squab. When at Eve, we've stuck with the bistro and not yet opted for the tasting room. But, we could peer through the windows and be tempted by the various courses. Another time. Dessert is special, so don't pass it up. Many opt for Eve's signature "Birthday Cake" -- which is too sugary sweet for my tastes. but, the banana creme tart was just fine. A couple of the reviews below use the word "cheaper"; and Restaurant Eve really is not that. But, its not a place you regret spending the money. Restaurant Eve is the best there is in Old Town. And it just might be tops in the DC area.
(5)
Tom D.
We ate in the bistro. I had the bouillabaisse -- and my dining companions had the scallops and the pork belly. Let me start by saying that they pork belly was delicious -- and scallops also won rave reviews. The bouillabaisse was strongly recommended by the server -- but I was a litte disappointed. The bouillabaisse had 3 mussels, 3 clams and 2 little pieces of cod. The broth was oily as we the toasted pieces of baguette. I never browsed the wine list as I was not overly excited by the wines by the glass. I had a glass of white wine -- 4 ounce pour of a bottle which I believes retails for 16-18 dollars -- it was either 8 or 10 dollars for a glass.....why do restaurants do this? Service was attentive -- and polished though I would not qualify it as outstanding. Atmosphere was comfortable and while it is upscale, it is certainly not pretentious. 3.5 stars for me. 4.5 for my companions -- net 4 stars.
(4)
Charisse P.
This is my favorite restaurant in Alexandria! I've been here for lunch and dinner and have never been disappointed. The food and service are AMAZING!
(5)
Larry D.
A nice, intimate place. We enjoyed the 7 course dinner in the tasting room with the optional wine pairing and it was wonderful! The staff was friendly (but not everpresent), and the chef's choices were always top-notch. The wine server was very knowledgeable about both the courses and the wines that came with them. Two (or four, in this case) thumbs up!
(4)
annettka p.
I agree, completely delicious. I was lucky enough to have our company holiday reception here. Assigned with the task of orchestrating the event I was overwhelmed with the plethora of unique choices available for the tasting. The staff worked with me closely to help secure the perfect menu. We were greeted with an assortment of appetizers. Every dish was excellent and the wine was fabulous. If you are on a budget, I would recommend experiencing the restaurant at their wine bar. They have a great selection and priced by the glass to fit anyone's budget. Go ahead and order the risotto, which changes daily, for $6 you can get a flavor of the menu without breaking the bank.
(5)
Susan B.
"Birthday Cake ... Just Because" is available to go! I stopped in for a couple of these last week as a jazzier alternative to our typical ice cream cake. $12 gets you a cake (sans candle) and a cute reusable Eve Tote/ To Go bag. No need to pre-order - simply stroll right in.
(5)
Allison M.
Went here to grab a drink with someone I wanted to have a conversation with. The atmosphere worked out perfectly. The cocktails were both fancy and delicious. I would definitely recommend Restaurant Eve for anyone trying to keep it classy and enjoy the company of another.
(4)
Denise S.
I went for my birthday to the tasting room and it was a beautiful experience. I had been before many years ago, but I don't remember it being this good. When I called, they asked if I was celebrating a birthday and how I spell my name. When I arrived, we were greeted warmly and the staff must have wished me happy birthday 5 or 6 times! I don't understand the other reviews saying the service was not good. I think this restaurant needs to rated higher than Inn at Little Washington. I've been there too, and they do all the same things that Restaurant Eve does, but Restaurant Eve does it better (personalized menu, birthday cake at the end, extra treats). I loved where we were seated. We sat in this huge comfortable couch with pillows. I didn't want to leave! We used the sommelier's recommendation for wine. After sitting in that couch, I didn't want to think about anything else except what I was going to eat. I loved the flexibility of the menu. If you didn't like the choices each course, you could customize the menu the way you want and substitute from other courses. We did two cheese courses as the fourth and fifth course. I hope this restaurant gets the recognition it deserves in the future, because like I said, it's better than Inn at Little Washington.
(5)
Tom D.
Five months after eating dinner here, I am still irritated enough to write a review. My wife and I went here for our 9-year anniversary. We are vegetarians, and the restaurant advertises itself as vegan friendly. When I called for a reservation, I let the host know we wanted the vegan menu. No problem, I was told, they'd be ready. When the restaurant called to confirm, I reminded the host that we wanted the vegan menu. No problem--we'll have something special for you. We showed up, and were handed the regular menus. I asked the waitress if she knew we were vegans. She was clearly irritated, and stomped off. A manager came by, and said they would have the chef make us something. She too was flustered, and not overly pleasant. At this point, we were embarassed, and felt like everyone in the restaurant was staring at the commotion (not caused by us) and watching the waitress glower at us. The food was ok. Not breathtaking, just ok. The chana masala was no better than a standard indian restaurant. The asparagus was bland, and underseasoned. In general, it seemed like a collection of sides you'd expect to see when a vegetarian in a steakhouse (I've been there). Desert was fine, in fact I remember it being pretty good. Overall, though, it was kind of a lemon--we had fun going out for our anniversary, but the restuarant did nothing to make it special. I was disappointed enough to write a very courteous email to the manager, letting them know what happened. I did not expect or want anything beyond "Oh, we're sorry that happened." I am still waiting on a response. If this place delivered on its promised vegan-friendliness, we'd go there all the time for special occasions, since Old Town is our neighborhood. Since it didn't, we won't.
(1)
Richard T.
We have high expectations of restaurants rated in the Washingtonian's top ten. Perhaps we're a bit unrealistic, but although our meal was satisfying, it fell well short of the spectacular experience we had hoped for. The boulliabaisse, announced with pride as a house specialty, was generic, as was the ribeye. No reason to seek out Eve for either dish. The chocolate crepe we split for dessert turned out to be well-chosen -- a highlight of the meal. The service, though more than adequate, came up a bit short in such minor details as attentiveness to the bread supply. None of this is to say that RE isn't worth the trip. It is. It's just that its 6th place finish in the Washingtonian's annual restaurant sweepstakes has to rate as a bit of an upset.
(3)
Sonja G.
Went to the bar area in the evening for a drink and appetizers. Great atmosphere with two fireplaces, a small lounge, comfortable bar seats, and soft music & lighting. The drinks were made with care and tasted delicious. The bar menu was limited, although you have the choice to order from their restaurant menu as well. The service was excellent from the bartender, Val, and the hostess actually walked me to the restroom and opened the door for me. I had thought the bartender could call over to the mysterious PX lounge to get me and my fiance in, but while he did make the phone call a few minutes earlier for a couple seated next to us, he said they were filled to capacity. Darn. Overall, a good experience to get away from the crowded bar scene and enjoy a nice ambiance.
(4)
Joanna S.
My husband and I went for dinner to celebrate our anniversary. Did the 5 course tasting. On the whole, it was VERY underwhelming for the price. The desserts and the cocktails were outstanding. Also very nice- we received a personalized menu wishing "happy anniversary" and a gift bag with scone mix and coffee. Our primary server was outstanding, but the food runners seemed a little snobbish and mocking. Didn't enjoy that! A celery sorbet palette cleanser was the only innovative and delicious item. The foie gras mousse tasted identical to a stick of butter. The lamb chop was under-cooked to my pregnant lady needs of needing well done meat. Also, the fat was not properly rendered off the meat. The accompanying gnocchi were rubbery. I understand the "tasting" concept, but the portions were incredibly small. My husband got half an espresso - c'mon. Delicious drinks were also only half full in a standard size glass. I had been a few years earlier, and the tasting portions were definitely larger then. The tasting room itself is beautifully decorated, but noisy and crowded. Also, several items on the tasting menu, the ones you most want to try, now incur an additional charge. i found this rather insulting. The whole experience ran us about 350 with tip. On the whole I would say it was not worth the money.
(2)
W C.
Went for a birthday dinner on 11/14/08. We were unimpressed, but in fairness my wife had a slight cold. However -- service was VERY poor (but friendly) for a restaurant of this caliber -- had to ask several times to refill water; questions on the menu were going to be checked on but she came back the next time without an answer; had to call them over after waiting to make dessert orders. Just not the nicest experience for the money. Food was ok overall so willing to give it another chance for that. Pork belly seemed a bit overcooked. We were given a scone mix as a parting gift which we tried a few days later (just added cream I believe) which was delicious, I must say. Might be the most memorable part of the Restaurant Eve experience -- which is a bit sad.
(3)
Anil S.
Good place to take ur date. Romantic ambience, cool, calm, great food and service
(4)
Eleanor M.
Be prepared for an intense foodie and service experience. The thing is -- you won't want to go home because nothing, and I mean, nothing you can cook will come close to the culinary orgasm that awaits you. I noticed that many folks say it's expensive. Correct-a-mundo. Where I differ is that this place is not just a "occaision" experience. The more you go, the more you become a regular, the more you will just want to be there -- to hang out in the lounge with the regulars and the cool bartenders that are so on their Cocktail A Game that ordering a rum and coke would be like telling the Marine Corp barber to "keep the sides long, please". The drinks are truly special (they change frequently so I won't list them, although the Lemony Laurel, the house Gin and Tonic and anything with bourbon makes me exceedingly happy). My favorite foods are the BLT salad, the ox tail ravioli, the brazed short ribs and the skate. Oh, and the bread...it's just a slice of preverbial heaven. Careful on the salt -- the chef does tend to salt the sauces and fish a wee too much for me, so be sure to drink plenty of H2O. On the comfort side, the bathrooms need an update (particularly the lower-level) and the dining chairs are too low -- which cause a bit of a problem when you start to fill up. Oy. Just stop whining, save your dough, and eat from the gastronomic trough of the gods. Parking on the street or garage parking directly across from the restaurant.
(5)
S. P.
The tasting menu is fabulous but make sure to set aside some serious time for it. And also some bank. Totally worth it though! The wait staff was incredibly attentive - plus you get a new folded napkin every time you get up to go the restroom, take an urgent call, etc. If you go for a special occasion, you get a little memento - it's just a nice touch.
(5)
Jenny W.
The tasting room at Restaurant Eve is by far the best meal of my life. Unfortunately, the cost of the meal is typically out of my price range, but if you are looking to spend $100 on an incredible meal, the cost is totally worth it. If you are like me and looking for a cheaper option, I recommend their lickety split lunch served in the bar. For $13 you get a choice of two items off the lunch menu -- it's a great way to try some of Armstrong's genius in the kitchen with less of the burden on your wallet. In the evening you can also dine in the bar from their bistro menu. Most importantly, if you go to Restaurant Eve be sure to try their cocktails -- I promise you will never settle for your typical gin & tonic again. Eve literally makes their own tonic water (a process that involves boiling bark or something, turning the water a slight brown tint) -- it may not be what you expect from a gin & tonic but the taste is unforgettable.
(5)
sarah s.
I was sorely disappointed in this place. I'd always heard such rave reviews, but I wasn't impressed. My husband and I went at lunch-we both ordered appetizers and a glass of wine each, and split the dessert. $150 for lunch is a little pricey-and only later did I learn they have a "Lickety Split" lunch deal-it would have been nice if our waiter had told us about it. The food was fine, but it just wasn't anything too write home about, especially considering the vulgarity of the prices. And the one thing I was most looking forward to was the worst-the pink birthday cake. It was actually disgusting. The frosting was so sugary sweet and "chemically" tasting that I couldn't even finish it. And for me, that's unheard of-I've never met a piece of cake I didn't like-until Restaurant Eve. What a disappointment and a waste of $150!
(2)
Mickey L.
Facing tough odds, Restaurant Eve rose to the occasion thanks to Chef Cathal Armstrong's fantastic team behind the stoves together with our server Brandi and her crew. Since we were celebrating my dining companion's birthday parade, I was relieved and overjoyed that Restaurant Eve delivered an excellent evening of outstanding food and service. With a surprisingly slow weekend drive to Old Town Alexandria, I called a half-hour in advance as a courtesy to let them know that we would be 10-15 minutes late for our 5:30pm reservation, but the reservationist told me that our table had another seating at 7:00pm so we should hurry over. What?! We never heard any restaurant leaving at most 1.5 hours for a reservation, not the least of which would require going through at least 3 courses! Since my credit card was required to secure the reservation in the first place, we weaved our way past waves of bad drivers sandbagging it in the passing lane all through I-495 GW Parkway and made it to the restaurant around 5:35pm. Thankfully, things turned around. We were seated in a corner, which was cozy but a bit stuffy. Our server Brandi happily obliged in moving us to the more open-aired adjacent table. While the room was not hot, having the AC vents below our feet helped keep us cool especially after warming up with the well-kept temperatures of our hot food (a major plus for keeping the maximum potential for flavor). As for the menu, we decided to go with the Alexandria Restaurant Week promotion because of the many interesting offerings (the tasting menu and Filipino Family-Style dinner having limited or any choices at all). We asked for Brandi's recommendations, and she led us to outstanding dishes: - Filipino BBQ Pork Belly with Rice, Quail Egg, and Spicy Shallot Vinegar: - Lamb Belly Lasagna with Ricotta: Silky thin pasta sheets layered with delicately prepared strings of lamb meat and homemade ricotta. A fun spin on this popular Italian classic! - Bouillabaisse of Crispy Skate, Hawaiian Blue Prawns, and Cockles with Potatoes, Tomatoes, Arugula, and Rouille over Saffron Broth with Crostinis - Sauteed Soft Shell Crabs with Red Curry, Baby Bok Choy, and Garlic Chips: Loved the gingery note from the curry and the bok choy balancing the slightly salty sauce. - Peach Sable with Peace Sorbet, Poached Harmony Peaches, Thick Custard, Raspberry Meringues, and Wood Sorrel: Pretty like a blooming flower in colors, delicate notes, and layers of components forming a harmonious unity. I loved how verbena occasionally popped out on my taste buds to give the peach a lemony garden breeze. - Sourdough Chocolate Cake with Butterscotch Ice Cream, Scotched Caramel, Chocolate Soil: Fun textures and aroma of scotch made this a cute birthday cake. - Jasmine Pearl Green Tea with Shortbread Cookie The tea came brewed lightly so that we could enjoy beyond the first cup, and with flavor delicate enough for the peach dessert while strong enough for the chocolate cake. The shortbread was pleasantly crumbly with a just a dash of salt and sugar. Every dish was terrific in flavor, subtlety, presentation, and balance, but the Filipino BBQ and Bouillabaisse were truly exceptional. The pork had just enough fat for richness to balance the crispier layer and tender meaty layer, while the glaze had just enough sweetness balanced by smoky and savory flavors. The rice and quail egg provided more neutral flavors, while the vinegar cleansed the palate. Like the BBQ, the Bouillabaisse was superlative in its composition of beautifully prepared ingredients. We usually don't order a bouillabaisse because from our experiences, it has tended to be dish that has yielded a moderate risk (many being mediocre) with little reward (above average at best, though infrequent). With our appetizers being heavier, we gravitated towards seafood for our mains, and the seafood broth bowl sounded interesting. The skate was cooked to a nicely crispy exterior with moderate flavor to play to the superb prawns and sweet cockles. Meanwhile, the broth was subtle enough to let the seafood star but with enough character to enjoy on its own or dunking bread. Eve's Bouillabaisse is the best rendition we ordered outside of home. All in all, Restaurant Eve was a gem for Alexandria Restaurant Week. While the tasting menu seems a bit pricey considering very little in the way of choices (we don't eat liver and pancreas), the a la carte menu has many terrific choices with stars mixed in, ample portion sizes, and a reasonable value relative to its quality. Superb food, service, and a quaintly decorated Irish townhouse make Eve a nice night out without being stuffy or pretentious (kudos for no dress code).
(5)
Cindy L.
So pretty! The alley entryway isn't ideal but they really used their resources and created a quaint, unique look ...very The Secret Garden. The huge arrangement of fresh flowers at the maitre d' give a subtle elegant touch...makes you feel all sorts of romantical :D Plan on being a long time as the food does take a long time to prepare. Wait staff is almost too attentive...i felt slightly stalked and stared down. We enjoyed a bevy of appetizers and I had the steak (WOW). Before you order the steak they give a warning that it won't be buttery, etc. because it's grass-fed but I found it very good and the warning unnecessary. A great affordable yet boujie spot
(3)
John M.
Oh my! This was an amazingly disappointing experience. The staff was pretentious, the service painfully slow and the food was unexceptional. Our dinner took three hours, including almost 45 minutes waiting for coffee and dessert. It was a special family event and the experience at Restaurant Eve almost ruined the night. The waitress was bitter and snippy, making snide comments about members of our dinner party. The lighting is poor, the menu limited and the food ordinary at best. Given the high cost of the meal I think this rates as my worst dining experience ever. The owner and staff should be ashamed of their performance.
(1)
Pete V.
I must say Restaurant Eve is the best restaurant in Old Town, Alexandria and could easily be compared with some of the best in the DC area. Shockingly, I had not been to Restaurant Eve (I was actually supposed to go for my b-day, but had to cancel due to work) until last night for Alexandria Restaurant Week. The 3-course for $35 was an incredible value and opportunity to indulge in the delightful cuisine I had been wanting to try for ages. Upon arrival the entrance is a dimly lit arched walkway which actually reminded me of those you'd find strolling down the streets in tiny towns in Spain or Portugal. The interior decor is lovely with minute details, finishings, and art. There is a very cool wine cellar you can peer in to see the bottles of fine Bordeaux they have aging (actually most of the wines available by the glass are lined up near the window to the dining room). I started off my meal with "the Southside cocktail" gin, champagne, lime, and I believe a bit of ginger. It was the special cocktail for $10, not of the menu. It was a wonderful start to my meal. Very refreshing and reminded me of a Tom Collins, but much more complex. The Restaurant Week menu was surprisingly large with at least 5-6 items you could choose from for an appetizer, and another 5-6 entrees. I selected the pork belly lasagna to start and wow, it blew away my expectations! The pasta was very light, and delicately placed atop tender and flavorful shredded pork. The ricotta cheese looked to be homemade and perfectly balanced the dish. Each bite was an indulgence. I could barely keep my wife away from eating it all. For my entree I ordered the soft-shelled crab in red curry sauce. It was two Maryland blue crabs in a red curry sauce with green beans. I really enjoyed the dish and it reminded me of a dining experience that was very memorable (Mr. Krab-I in Krabi, Thailand) that served a very similar dish that I enjoyed equally. Although I am still dreaming of the lasagna, the soft-shelled crab was wonderful with sweet, crunching bites and enhanced by creamy red curry sauce. For dessert I elected to try the blackberry cheese cake and I ordered a glass of sherry. Unfortunately they were all out of the Lustau Oloroso that I wanted, but the sommelier came by and recommended the Amontillado, which was a dry, nutty sherry, and exactly what I was looking for! The cheese cake was actually deconstructed and served in pieces, which I thought was a very clever presentation. It was heavenly with very rich blackberry sauce, a light creamy texture and a sweet light crust. I must add that the service was outstanding. Our server was very personable and I was surprised that they were so attentive considering how busy it was (they were fully committed that night). Our server actually also escorted us outside to show us the garden in the back, which was very cool! They grow some of the vegetables used in dishes in that garden...I could see plenty of tomatoes, some cabbage, and other veggies. Overall we had an outstanding evening at Restaurant Eve. I still can't believe it took so long for me to visit. However, I have a feeling it won't take long for me to return...
(5)
Brennan M.
Review for Lickety-Split Lunch: Best lunch deal for miles and miles. It gets crowded right when they open at 11:30, but if you can wait for a later lunch, the bar will be cleared out for a quiet lunch around 2:00PM. The food was really amazing, and except for one dud dish, the restaurant deserves 5 stars. Read my review of each dish on my blog! philodough.com/2011/07/b…
(4)
Ethan L.
First, a few disclaimers: - I detest "meh, I've had better" reviews. - I similarly detest exhortations of value for money, an evaluation far too subjective to be of any real use in a restaurant review. - Going in, I had, despite an appreciation of each of the Armstrongs' concepts, a poor impression of their actual execution of those concepts. - I truly wanted Restaurant Eve to change that impression. - It didn't. All of that being said, here we go. As mentioned in previous reviews, the service is weird. The tasting menu format is awkward anywhere, so allowances can, and should be made. But when the delivery of courses, and their subsequent explanations a few minutes later occurred with precision, it only served to highlight their utter failure to deliver a simple glass of wine in time to enjoy it with the intended course. That is, of course, unless we'd opted for the $75 pp wine pairing option (for the 5 course menu). The people who chose the pairing seemed to have no trouble receiving wine on time. Everyone else? Suck it. This is in addition to the standard smug aloofness emblematic of all the Armstrongs' establishments. It's obviously intentional, and a critical error in judgment. The food was by no means bad. There were some bright spots, primarily among the amuse bouches and smaller bites, although there was a salted cod fritter that was like a fish baseball bat to the face. Proteins were a major weak spot. We found the filet of rouget, flounder, lamb and trout to be totally uninteresting, and unimproved by the accompanying risottos, foams, purees, etc. The roulade of squab was awful. It simply didn't work, and that's ok, it happens. The cheese courses, a blue cheese and beer soup for my wife and a hard Andante with butternut squash chips for me, were just not something either of us wanted to finish. Dessert was fine, I suppose. The grand total was $339, for two people with two glasses of wine, a champagne cocktail and a whiskey. Oh, and a $17 Kir Royale we didn't order that I found on the bill while reexamining it this morning, so that was nice. It's not about the price, truly. We knew what to expect going in. But the balls, the absolute balls it takes to charge that kind of money for an experience so lacking is remarkable. All that being said, I really feel that this type of experience is highly subjective, so I would encourage anyone considering Restaurant Eve to check it out for themselves.
(2)
T.J. C.
This one really deserves five stars. I had the five course tasting menu. The courses were lobster, fish, rabbit, and venison, plus dessert. All of them worked, which is a super rarity for me even at high end restaurants. The prices are what you'd expect, but they are slightly cheaper than comparable restaurants in DC. Maybe the rent in Alexandria is cheaper? The biggest concern is that they are apparently in the process of transitioning their menu (not in the sense that the ingredients change every season, but that they are apparently doing a major reworking of the whole underlying concept). I hope the quality is maintained.
(5)
Kaaren D.
This was a lovely place to eat, and the Vegan Tasting we had was amazing. The presentation of the tastings is half the fun, and may be the reason so many of us have felt compelled to take pictures of the courses. Even though the portions are small, you eat them over an extended period, and feel satisfied, although not full at the end of the meal. We paired our tastings with champagne to start and then I had a Pinot Noir. It was lovely. Thank you for an outstanding dining experience, not soon to be repeated.
(5)
Sarah H.
We came in here and sat at the bar for the "Lickity Split" lounge menu. You get two items for $15, one of which can be one of the several cocktails or glasses of wine on the menu. The food and cocktails were great, the service was fantastic and I enjoyed the atmosphere. I would love to come back and try them for dinner next time I am in Alexandria.
(4)
Rose L.
My absolute favorite restaurant at the moment. So far, I have loved everything I've tried from here, aside from the birthday cake that everyone raves about (I know I know, but it was too sweet for my taste). The decor is lovely and the servers are polite & actually treat their customers well. Just be sure to dress appropriately! If you want to experience phenomenal, gastronomic euphoria, this is the place. Enough said.
(5)
David W.
If you are looking for the perfect Bloody Mary or Sazerac, you've found it at Eve.
(5)
M B.
Really? 53 minutes on hold and still never getting anyone? Just a recording saying that you are having a high call volume? It is boxing day in the UK - maybe you all are off today and didn't remember to change the phone message. Lucky I finally hung up if so. Why bother having a phone if you don't intend to hire enough people to answer it? I would have been happier to get a recording saying you were closed for the day, or to hear that you were booked for eternity, than to wait 53 minutes and still never get a human.
(1)
Marivic L.
I forgot to update this for when I went to the Tasting Room. The Tasting Room must be the reason for this place to be rated so highly. The service, presentation and food were great. While the food was not as inventive as, say, Komi, it was still delish. They really try to make you feel like you're the only ones in the room. We went for my birthday and received a personalized menu. Unfortunately, they must've given us someone else's, and vice versa, but it didn't take away from the experience. Actually, it made us laugh. So, here's my opinion: Skip the bistro and save your money for the tasting room. Now, I have to try this place for lunch, so I can have a complete review of it. Yup, I like that idea :)
(4)
Sarah B.
Review for $15 lunch only. Yep, you heard me, you can eat at Eve for $15. That gets you two selections off the lunch menu--any two selections. Categories include drinks (alcoholic), appetizers/salads, entrees, and dessert. Every meal comes with bread. So... I'm sure there are some who get two drinks (it is DC). With a friend, we decided to do some sharing so we could have salad, entree, and dessert. She ordered the salad and her entree, I ordered my entree and dessert. We shared the salad and the dessert and left stuffed and satisfied. We had a delicious beet salad. I had a lovely, creamy risotto and she had a delicious cheese tartine. The pumpkin creme brulee she enjoyed, but I found it strangely sour. The service was impeccable (if a bit slower than I'd expect for the "fast" lunch) and the atmosphere was truly fun (we were seated at a lovely turquoise sofa).
(4)
Evan H.
My last review for RE was for the lunch special at the bar seating area. This review is for dinner with my fiancee and her father. We sat in the main dining room this time, which looks like the inside of an old carriage house. The interior walls are filled with nice paintings of flowers and the ceiling is open with several sky lights for more light. You know you are in for a treat when every single item on the menu is something you want to order. I struggled, but finally narrowed it down to the Curry Mussels and the Pork Belly main course, which came with spring onions, a tomato-like sauce and broccoli rabe. The mussels were delicious, despite not being the huge ones you sometimes see. They were all very tender, and fresh, all opened and plump. The sauce was something you would get a really good thai place, but more rich in flavor. The green curry was complex and delicious. For my main course, the pork belly, which I can no longer resist was HUGE. Two large pieces of pork belly. They were so crisp on the top and tender below that it was almost like eating a pork chop. There was very little fat, and what fat was there, was melt-in your-mouth tender. The other dishes that were ordered were also all delicious. I got to taste the Lobster Risotto which was creamy and each grain of rice was full, rather than a sort of 'mash' that sometimes occurs. The Papri Chat salad was another delicious flavor expedition that needed to be explored. It was a very Indian style dish with a type of Indian bread that was crispy like a crouton that was paired with chick peas, potatoes and three different dressings. For dessert we ordered the Birthday Cake, yes, this is an item on the menu, not someone's birthday. It was a bright and creamy pink frosting with a two layer vanilla interior. We also got a banana and caramel bread pudding with a creme brulee on top. Every single dish was wonderful, flavorful and fresh. You also left feeling full, even before dessert arrived. The seafood was fresh caught within the last 30 hours of you eating it and I'm sure the little piggy I ate was pretty fresh too. There is a reason this place is in the top tier of Washington DC restaurants every single year. A MUST eat.
(5)
Alison S.
Hubby was the one who clued me into Restaurant Eve on a recommendation from a colleague. The chance came on a Friday off work for us to go try out their "Lickity Split" lunch in the bar area. You get to choose any 2 items off their limited lunch menu for $15. In hindsight I would highly recommend picking 2 main savoury dishes if you want to leave with anything close to a satisfied belly. The portions are tiny!! I picked a glass of Cousino-Macul Sauvignon Gris 2010 (must say that this in my new fave white wine!!) and the Antelope Scrapple (just coz I was intrigued to try antelope). Hubby got the Pulled Goat sandwich (assembled in the style of a Cuban sandwich) and a dessert, Coffee & Chocolate Pot de Creme. His sandwich was quite a bit more substantial than my Antelope Scrapple. We both liked everything that we got but it wasn't a lot of food for sure. I asked to see the dinner menu just to see what they offer on the regular menu and saw many interesting items BUT the prices are so HIGH!! The appetizers are in the $15 - 18 range and the entrees are around $35 a plate. Prepare to splurge big time!! We got to take a peek at the main dinning area in the back when we went looking for the bathrooms and I loved the decor. So beautiful and cozy! Definitely great for a romantic date or very special occasions. The biggest issue I take with this place is probably the price : portion ratio. I understand the fine dinning thing with small portions but there's a limit to that and there's a point where my willingness to pay gets to zero no matter how good your food is.
(3)
Frank C.
Alexandria was my home for a four month work sojourn, and one of the things I most looked forward to was having that much time to really sample the region's cuisine. Some research led me to believe that the elegant Restaurant Eve would be one of the standout dining experiences of my trip, as it combined so many of the things that elevate a meal for me: dedicated and passionate chefs, a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients, and the opportunity to start the evening with an excellent cocktail. As Todd Thrasher of PX was already known to me, when I saw he was associated with Eve I thought it would be perfect, and I eagerly looked forward to dinner. Even better, since Eve was close to my temporary office, I was happy to find out that I could have lunch there in anticipation of dinner. I'm glad I did, since two lunch experiences convinced me not to hazard dinner. My first lunch was with some colleagues, and I had the Randall Linebacker meatballs over polenta. They were just...fine, but not remarkable in any way. Time constraints prevented us from having more courses, and I determined to come back, cursing my stupidity at having ordered something as simple as meatballs. For my next experience, I opted for the lickety-split lunch, and had the corn soup and the pork rillettes. The soup was fantastic; a standout. The rillettes completely puzzled me, though -- yes, a rillette is going to be salty, that's the point to some degree, but these were really salty, and each quenelle of which was served with a fried pickle which was also (not surprisingly, for a pickle) quite salty. Not to be outdone, the sauce on the rillettes was also quite overseasoned. This pairing seemed neither particularly inspired nor was it particularly tasty. Restaurant Eve seems to be known (on Yelp at least) for two things: very high quality food at rather high prices. If a meal provides the former, I don't mind the latter at all -- a good meal is always worth it -- but the reverse is not true. Sadly, there was far too little in lunch at Eve to make me believe that dinner would be worth it.
(2)
Michael H.
Restaurant Eve did a fantastic job for my wifes birthday. We had a party of 9 with follow on reservations to PX who Resturant Eve also coordinated with to allow for an after dinner start. All in all.. the bill was a little bit pricey but well worth it. Keep up the good work!
(5)
Vanessa O.
I've been to Restaurant Eve several times and it's absolutely my favorite restaurant in Old Town Alexandria.
(5)
Kristin D.
What a splurge, but it was a fun experience. This was my second tasting menu ever and I thought it was very good, but did not blow me away. My husband and I certainly tried to enjoy it for the money we spent, but wish the service would have been better. Our guy had somewhat of a snooty personality. I think it was one of those check-it-off-the-bookmark-list restaurants. Despite that, if I have a chance to return for lunch or dinner, I'll try out the a la carte menu items.
(4)
Tigerlilly Z.
Yelp hid my first review. I"m so glad I wasted my time writing one in the first place!!
(5)
Michelle S.
I thought it was fantastic! We had NYE reservations, and it was amazing! We had the tasting menu - each choosing a different option so we could try everything. I loved the Hamachi ceviche!! Honestly, I could have done without knowing what Shoat is - and I could have done without eating it. That was the only thing I didn't like. The taste, the texture - I just didn't like it at all. Otherwise, the menu and the wine pairing were excellent. The meal, the wine, the service - it was a perfect NYE!
While pricey, we enjoyed this restaurant a great deal. It is a wonderful location for a special occasion, and we would go back. I would suggest, however, that if you are sensitive to price, you select your own wine or ask the sommelier the price of her suggested wine. The service was very attentive. The food was excellent. The wine list was extensive although we would always like to see more California wines on a list. The atmosphere was very pleasant - it's almost always good in an old home and this was no exception. We will go back the next time we are in Alexandria. We did not try the tastings menu as by the time we got here we had been eating out for nearly a week. But ordering from the other side offered an amazing array of choices and ours were all great.
(5)
Piya V.
Still love their Lucky Split lunch menu. The quality of the food is the same as their regular menu, pick 2 choice for 14.95 and staff are very nice and polite.
(5)
Sasha R.
negligent me. we've been celebrating occasions here now for years, and hope to for many years to come. I think they had me at the wine list, but the attentive, friendly service, reasonable prices, and above all, the delicious food are the proverbial cherry (and whipped cream. and sprinkles) on top. we've never had a dud dish -- that's a record. the bar area is also a comfy place to hang out and enjoy the delicious cocktails. it's worth arriving a bit early to enjoy before a meal.
(5)
Nandini M.
My friend and I wandered in here for lunch after a shopping expedition in Alexandria. It was a fantastic experience and one of the best deals around! For $15 you get to pick two things off the lounge/bar menu. I got the soup and risotto which were perfectly prepared and very flavorful. My friend ordered the same thing and loved it too. The lounge area was very comfortable and roomy (often not the case in most places) and the service was attentive. This was my first time at Restaurant Eve and I was very impressed. The food is different and fun but not so modern that the taste factor wasn't paid attention to. It was a very filling and satisfying meal and I want to try their dinner next.
(5)
Natalie M.
I came here on the recommendation of two of my friends who raved about the lunch special, which consists of your choice of two items for $14.98 plus tax. I ordered the salad du jour for my appetizer and the Randall Lineback Meatballs with Creamy Polenta for my main course. The salad consisted of mixed greens with asparagus tempura, pine nuts, and onions tossed with vinegrette dressing. The salad was light and crunchy, but tasted incredibly salty. The meatball dish arrived about twenty minutes after I finished my first course. The dish was nicely plated with two large meatballs on a bed of creamy polenta. I happily devoured it, but I was still feeling hungry after I finished my meal. I guess I should have filled up on the complimentary bread. I agree with my friends that the lunch menu is reasonably priced; however, I have to dock the restaurant two stars for the salty salad and slow service.
(3)
Bao N.
Went for girlfriends birthday. Had the duck. it was superb. Staff was wonderful as well. Only issue was the wait for the food but it was worth it.
(5)
Colin C.
Lives up to the hype. Lots of interesting items on the menu and always lives up to expectations. However, I highly recommend the lickety split lunch menu in the bar. If you notice that most of the negative reviews refer to the price (which can be outrageous with the tasting menu and drinks.) This is practically as affordable as a terrible chain restaurant when you take advantage of that. Make sure to try the specialty cocktails and the desserts are all amazing. The meatballs are decent and the polenta is delicious. The lamb sandwich and the antelope scrapple with the poached egg were perfectly cooked. I can't remember the dinner I had there specifically but remember the fish also being cooked perfectly. The quantity is not huge as are most pricey restaurants and nothing too crazy or out there, but always perfectly cooked and satisfying.
(4)
Craig M.
Great restaurant hidden away in Old Town. The meals are pricey, but it was a great place to go for a special occasion, and the food was really good. My only complaint would be that the Men's bathroom was really cold, it felt as though I was stepping outside.
(5)
A C.
Bravo Bravo! I've eaten here since 6 years ago and the place is still solid and as consistent a restaurant can get. I've done the lickity split, drinks at the bar area around the fire, the bistro menu, the regular tasting menu, and the recent filipino inspired tasting menu. I've loved all the decadent meals, paired very nicely with cocktails and wine. As far as mentioning specific dishes, I've liked everything that I have had here and the menu changes so you will just have to find out for yourself. You won't be disappointed! The waiters and waitresses are very professional. If you are looking for a nice celebratory dinner or casual drinks or dinner at the bar in a high class setting, this is the place for you! Finish off with a night cap at PX:)
(5)
Chrissy C.
Been here numerous times and I've never ate at the table. LOL. Bar is a great casual option if you are one of those busy people who eats whenever or suddenly had a craving for a good meal. They have a good wine selection but, an awesome cocktail menu. I recommend Eammon's cocktail. It's unique that it has some sort of foam on your glass (view it on one of my photos). Everything is in the menu is good. But i think the tartare of Pine Ridge Farm beef is superb for appetizer and the veal and pork belly are great choices for entree. Service is okay. It seems like the bartenders are constantly busy making drinks... which is totally understandable because they're making drinks for the people at the tables. The ambiance is very relaxing. Great for unwinding from a hard day's work.
(4)
Sandy F.
Love my 6 course meal. I let the chef decide my courses. The only disappointing thing was that I had to wait about 30 minutes when I had made a reservation a month prior. They did give us a cocktail for free for making us wait, but never the less, we had to wait. When you go to these type of restaurants, expectations run higher.
(4)
Jeanette H.
Dined here again in late November 2013. Dishes were fab and well-balanced. Fish perfectly executed. My 3 other guest diners really loved the restaurant. Good place to bring out-of-towners, foodies, ... esp those who like to dress up and enjoy fine dining.
(4)
Jens B.
My wife and I went for our 7th anniversary on Friday night. Very nice decor and service. Excellent wine pairing with the meal. Considering I got violently sick near the end of my meal, can't comment on dessert. Ran us 500 bucks plus a night at the nearby Monaco due to severe stomach issues.
2nd visit in several years. The most recent visit, on New Years Eve, was disappointing. Menu did not feature any vegetarian options, although the waiter did make an attempt to provide a few side orders of vegetables. Beautiful restaurant but service was slow and food was mediocre quality. I doubt we will return.
(2)
John B.
This used to be my favorite restaurant but unfortunately the food and service has slipped badly. The food was over-salted, there was unexplained delays between courses and when we spoke to the manager his explanation was that the kitchen had a number of orders arrive at the same time. The waiter was unable to identify the courses being served and when asked about non-alcoholic beverages he drew a blank. I think the decline started with the elimination of the tasting room. It allowed the restaurant to increase prices but the service suffered.
(1)
Angela F.
Walking through the tiny alley way and arriving to the door sent my expectations soaring. I had to believe an entrance this eluring surely had a foodies dream awaiting. Sadly my dream of amazing food was a little dashed by the initial appitizer. I had the summer squash with goat cheese. While the portion size was generous; The candied pinenuts were my favorite part of the dish. The beef tartar was over powered by onion and a mayo like dressing. Corn fritters:dry and flavorless. So appitizers were somewhat of a failure. Entrees: monk fish: tad over done and way overpowered by the smokey braised pork rib. Why would anyone put pork with a beautiful fish like monk fish...sad really. Rockfish: cooked well, but the flavor was lacking. The strong garlic spinach and thin polenta didnt help it. Dessert: the menu was a little boring. I like it when my decision for dessert is difficult b/c I want one of everything. ..I really didnt want anything. I settled for a baked mousse with earl Grey gelato. It was ok. So all in all a little dissapointing. I guess my expectations were a little to high.
(2)
Mary B.
I hate to say it, but this place was disappointing from the get-go. To be fair, most of the food was great, but the overall experience was lacking. The day of our reservation I got a voicemail confirming our reservation and asking that I call back. I did, and was funneled into an auto-attendant. There was never an option to leave a message, just recorded requests to continue to hold. After three minutes I hung up. I sent an email to the restaurant confirming that I would be there, and got a reply. The space itself is lovely; they've really made a small rowhouse feel airy. We ate in the bistro (seriously? What "bistro" has $40 entrees?). Our server was nice, but seemed inexperienced. We got cocktails because Todd Thrasher is a superstar. Mine was a wonderful mix of fruity sugary goodness. My other half had something that had six ingredients but tasted like cranberry juice with a little bourbon. We had two appetizers: pork belly on fried green tomatoes and oysters Rockefeller. Both very tasty, in spite of the fact that the oysters Rockefeller were not remotely close to the standard presentation, but in fact were fried oysters. For dinner, I had the ribeye and yegad was the sauce on it salty. I love salt and pour it over everything but this was mouth-puckering. We also ordered a side of risotto and it was delicious. Seriously, if you go to this place (and honestly, I wouldn't recommend it) get that risotto. For dessert, we had ... a view of a couple of servers ironing the tablecloths behind us. Do they normally do that between seatings or was this because it was the end of the night? I don't know, but it was really off-putting. I kept waiting for them to bring out the Bissel and ask us to pick up our feet. I guess I expected a more professional experience from this restaurant. I won't be back, not in a foot-stomping sort of way, but there is too much competition in this city for my dining dollar to go back to a place that I was disappointed in.
(3)
Andrew R.
Came for my birthday. Incredibly satisfied. Maybe the best meal I've had in the DC area so far. Service was impeccable. The waiter helped us make sure we each got something we enjoyed, and when things went wrong (e.g. my mom didn't like her drink), they fixed it quickly and with no complaint ("let me ask the bartender to make it a little sweeter. But if you don't like it after that, please let us know, so we can bring you something else.") The rest of the staff was similarly stunningly friendly and helpful. For example, one noticed my grandmother was cold and offered her a shawl that they keep on hand. But we came for the food, of course. Everyone at the table loved their food. I'd highly recommend the homemade parsnip ravioli with ox tail and the sourdough chocolate cake -- both vastly better than I could describe here. My drink, the Flower in the Style of a Manhattan, tasted like it sounds: almost like a cider, but it looked like a dark Manhattan. This isn't the kind of place you go to eat the best normal steak you can. This is the kind of place you go for an unusual, excellent, unpretentious dining experience. I -- and my family -- are excited to go back.
(5)
Noelle W.
Went in the Spring, so this review is long over due. I expected so much more from this place, given all the amazing things I'd heard about it. I was underwhelmed by everything but the bar. Great cocktails and great service there. We dined in the Bistro and it was a Tues night, yet all the patrons were dressed in suits and evening (some with sequins) dresses. So, because our table was not dressed that way (yet still prepared to spend the same amount of money) I feel like the waiter had an attitude from the get-go. He was new and it showed. When asked for recommendations on a bottle of wine to order, he stammered and then said,"Well I know the wines on the list of wines by the glass, but that's it; I can recommend something from that list.." Seriously? My friend and I were stunned into silence and just stared at him. He then said "Oh well we have a sommelier; let me get him for you." Um, why wouldn't you have said that in the first place? Food was meh. None of us loved any of our dishes. A few of us said our dishes were way too salty. There are so many amazing restaurants in the DC/Old Town area, that I definitely won't be going back here. It is a beautiful place, so it's a shame, but all of us were very disappointed.
(2)
Eve L.
I come here for the lunch menu, the ambiance, and the right price for a gathering with friends. I've also been for the tasting menu and it was a such a treat (6 courses of delish!). The service is friendly, the sommelier recommended two great bottles of wine with our meal, and we always leave very happy and eager to return.
(5)
Emma Jasper W.
First, this is a destination restaurant and not something you pop into for dinner. There are two sections, well three if you count the bar area. One side of restaurant is a bistro style menu and the other side has a tasting room. We did the tasting room menu. There are two options there. You can pick from a number of courses each in a category. Or you can do the chef's surprise menu, of 5, 7, 9 courses. You can do wine by glass or do a wine pairing/tasting (one 14 glass with each course for 5,7,9 wines.) We did the 7 course chef surprise with wine tasting. Please make sure you set aside 2.5-3 hrs for surprise with wine tasting, as it does take a little time with the cleansing the pallet bites in between. The service was impeccable ! All of our waiters were wonderful, patient and very attentive. They explained each item when it was served, including a description of the local produce or local preparations. All of the meat preparations were to perfection ! We can't say enough about our sommelier - he was wonderful ! Willing to answer any and all of our questions. He was so personable and very knowledgeable - and made adjustments to the pairings based on our feedback. We truly enjoyed the wine tasting with our meal. The Domaine Paul Autard, Rhone Blend 2009 (Châteauneuf-du-Pape) was our favorite, but all of the others were wonderful. We also tried a cocktail before dinner in the bar area. The creations are teasers to the palette and just the right beginning to a special evening. Great for anniversary or special day .... but we went just because we had seen this place reviewed by Washington paper.... and so glad we did. Expensive, with wine pairing special, expect 450-500 for 2 persons.
(5)
Brad Z.
Five of us went out to Eve to try the tasting menu. Rather than make selections, we left it up to chef's choice, with some variety among us, so we ended up with three to four different items each course. We shared, so that everyone got try try everything. In hindsite, I think I wished I had chosen the courses myself. I know I'm going to sound like a total redneck for saying this, but I just didn't get it. I don't mind spending money on good food, but at the end of the dinner, I didn't feel like it was worth nearly $1,200. Everything look fabulous, but I wasn't blown away by the taste. Many of the courses left me uninterested in all of the choices. After five courses and nearly four hours, I think we were just sick of eating. ...or so we thought. Since they couldn't get us a reservation at the bar at PX (same owners), we went around the corner to Jackson 20 for drinks afterwards. One of our group put in an order for french fries. In just a few minutes, we had savagely devoured the large order. Apaprently we weren't as full as we thought. Lesson learned: If I return, I'll skip the tasting menu for the Bistro dinner menu.
(3)
Michael N.
Total waste of time and money. I formerly liked this high end restaurant but tonight was just below subpar. Three of us in the tasting room served a five course meal of tiny plates of fru fru prepared food that just was not good. Average at best and with a final price tag just north of $400. Do not waste your time or money.
(1)
Jeff J.
I came to Restaurant Eve with friends during a visit to DC, and I'm happy I stopped in. We ended up seated at a lounge-esque setting with couches and a low coffee-table. In any other setting, I might have found this strange, but in Eve, I found myself rather enchanted. I had the black currant iced tea, then ordered 2 dishes for the lunch special: venison salad and antelope scrapple. The black currant iced tea was unmistakably delicious, though I did bite rather hard into the metal straw. After figuring out what it was, I thought the spoon at the bottom of the straw was pretty cool, though I didn't know what purpose it served (I used it later to scoop up my lemon). The venison salad was delightful-- perhaps a bit big, but very good. The peanuts were a nice touch, as it added a great texture to what otherwise would have been soft greens and soft venison. I was a little disappointed with the antelope scrapple, only because after frying, I couldn't really tell what I was eating. It could have been chicken for all I knew. It still tasted really good, but it wasn't very satisfying-- I was all ready to tell my friends what antelope tasted like! It's a charming spot, great place for a date, and if I lived in DC, would find the $16 bill ridiculously great value.
(4)
Danielle C.
Not impressed or as expected per other reviews and ratings. I expected more but I have particular tastes and diet restrictions, so I have left disappointed each visit.
(2)
Benny R.
I wanted to love Restaurant Eve. And from the outset, I want to be clear the staff was great and did their best to make sure it was a great experience. However, I found Restaurant Eve to be similar to my experience at Charlie Trotters -- below expectations (which were admittedly - and deservedly considering the prices - sky high for both destinations). Many of the courses at Restaurant Eve were wonderful. But not all. And taken as a whole, the dining experience simply didn't leave me blown away in the manner that a visit to another contender for best restaurant in the DC area, such as Little Serow, did. Simply put, Restaurant Eve was good. But not as good as its reputation.
(4)
suzanne s.
I've been jilted by Eve...Restaurant Eve that is. This was My Place...My Cheers...My spot for 6 years. I always recommended it. You have let yourself go and then some. I will Never again return. We were once a match made in culinary heaven. Special dinners served in the main dining room, attended to by attentive servers was the rule. More often than not over our love affair beginning some 6 years ago, we chose to head to the bar. Casual and cozy on the small couches or at the bar, we were treated just as well as in the main room. If I did not love a creation it was a matter of taste, as always the dish was perfection. Eve treated me well. I could count on her fine service, amazing bread, inventive dishes made from the freshest and finest ingredients and lovely wine menu. We were a thing...Until a few weeks ago. From start to finish, something was off. In fact, my sister and I almost left. The atmosphere was unusual. A window was propped open with a block and the lights were up (and it was later in the evening). An eerie quiet as we searched out a vacant seat left our heads on a swivel wondering where was the usual soft music and din of happy diners? The staff was uptight and tense. The whole vibe of the bar was tense. Serious...no one was having fun it seemed. After getting blasted out by the draft from the blocked open window (real classy) we sprang at the just vacated seats at the bar. The service was acceptable at first. But after ordering, there was no bread (which is seriously the best thing they have). The wrong meal was brought out for my sister. This is the tipping point....I heard her order...they got it wrong. The stuffy bartender hissed loudly to the other uptight bartender that she DID order that!! From then on, no refill on the bread, no refill on the water, no taking away dirty plates, no offer of another glass of wine, another martini for my 3 martini sister. The regular next to us, meanwhile, was the darling of the bar. Bread! Water! Samples! Smiles! All the love that Eve once gave to me was happening one seat over. The food was bad, bitter greens plopped on a plate with some trickle of sauce with a fancy name was truly awful. There were other dishes I wont get into, but If the food was not bad it was mediocre and a desperate attempt at creativity. Feeling truly jilted as I left, I approached the young staffer up front and told her point blank that after 6 wonderful years I would never, never return. I told her what I have just shared with you...she fumbled and stumbled with an apology and pointed at a passing man, "Look, I am sure he really cares that you are upset!" Apparently not, as you would have to be deaf and blind not to see the distraught gal you just breezed by and head over. A shifty looking young guy in a suit was sent to me and he fumbled around with his Restaurant Manager 101 answers to no avail. "Leave your card! I will have someone look into this!" WTH! Near tears, real chocked up folks, I once again said (that our long love affair was over and) that I was never, ever getting back together with Eve. Ever Never Ever
(1)
Britt M.
Pretentious and over-priced. We tried Eve when it was new , later again and again. Each time it was more snooty, with poorer service, and less quality. We will not go. There are way too many good choices in Alexandria and DC.
(1)
Lori W.
A girl could go broke coming here....and that is said because I believe I will become a regular, now that this restaurant / bar is within walking distance of my new casa here in Old Town. Restaurant/ Bar opened at 5:30 tonight and I got there at 5:45 and every seat was taken except one! Great sign. I have been here before so I already knew that Todd Thrasher's cocktail genius awaited me. My bartenders: Andreas and Jason (why THAT name??...no details here) were attentive and made great recommendations. I chose the healthy low-fat homemade chips and beer cheese dip to start. Just put on the menu yesterday, I am hoping they stay till the spring. Seriously great and only $6. Mushroom salad: 5 types of mushrooms, micro-greens and some sort of spicy (yay!!)spread around the circumference of the bowl. Demolished that. Rum drink: a chemistry degree was needed. There was fire involved. Flaming a zest over the surface of a drink is part show but also sends a lovely aromatic layer of carmelized citrus oils over the surface of the drink.(big words from a beer girl). Your nose will thank you. Massive single ice cube. cool. slow melt. Not being political by any means, but I do recall that President Obama and his wife, Michelle, had eaten here as well in the more expensive Tasting Room These guys are taking over Old Town: Majestic, Virtue Food & Grain (great deviled eggies), PX (speakeasy), Eammons. No dessert; I am running 13 miles in the am. So thrilled to be living in Old Town!! Extra happy that Restaurant Eve is so close to my house!
(5)
Meredith H.
Great experience, and fantastic food! Went with two friends to lunch, and got to pick from the special lunch menu - at the time, I had the scrapple (elk?) with a poached egg and homemade hash, and the BLT (pork BELLY, lettuce, tomato) with house-made chips and pickle. The scrapple was cooked perfectly, and was a great balance of salty, savory, crunchy, and smooth. The BLT was awesome as well - that bread is amazing! The portion sizes were generous, and I was left satisfied! Of course, I got the personal birthday cake for dessert - DEFINITELY lives up to the hype. I do feel like we were rushed out at the end, but that's an insignificant point. Great place to go for a special, unique, delicious lunch.
(4)
Sara Y.
Outstanding! Must try it. The best hidden place in the Washington DC area!
(5)
Jim P.
Food = 4.5 stars Service = 5 Stars Overall experience = 1 STAR Ordered a bottle of wine (clearly pointing out my choice on the wine menu). On the check was a wine charge that was 60% more than what I ordered. When I pointed out the error, the general manager said, "regardless of what you ordered, you were charged for what you drank." Yes, a wine had been presented at the table, but while we were fully engrossed in conversation, and then quickly whisked away and returned in a decanter. Was this a purposeful SWITCH from what I had ordered? Is this a common practice by the general manager? I would hope not, but his attitude when I politely questioned the error was to blame me for not paying more attention when the wine was presented. I mentioned that perhaps we were both to blame and asked if he'd be willing to split the difference. He adamantly refused and stood firm in blaming me alone for the error. I paid the bill (and included a generous tip), but wondered if Restaurant Eve's current failure to make even the top 100 list of Washington restaurants was due to its general manager's failure in the area of customer relations. He alone is the reason why our overall experience merits only 1 star.
(1)
Christina M.
I have never had a more enjoyable dining experience. My family went there for my birthday dinner and we splurged on the Chef's Tasting Menu. Aside from 1 thing everything was AMAZING. I was completely stuffed by the end of the meal. The local farm fresh ingredients they use makes a huge difference in the quality of food. On top of the great food the service was impeccable. The wait staff made me feel like royalty with how attentive they are. They all work together as a team and move as if it were a scripted ballet.
(5)
Ari P.
Excellent meal (tasting menu) and service. Top notch place that deserves more recognition than it gets. A perfect Virginia fine dining restaurant.
(5)
Shaun T.
Overpriced, mediocre food. I'm glad we had a gift certificate to go here (we ended up spending an extra $100 over the $150 certificate), because I would have been boiling mad if I had to spend $250 for a small, mediocre meal. Cocktails are inventive, but overpriced. The food itself is mediocre brasserie food - with an obscene price attached to it. Dessert was just meh, and, of course, overpriced. The ambience is nice (restaurant is cozy and has a European feel inside) and it is surprisingly not that loud for a DC restaurant. However, for all that money, you can eat at Bistro Du Coin for 1/4 the price and receive the same quality of food.
(2)
Ju Yeon P.
Pros: Great food and service. Very classy and upscale. Quiet for a romantic night out in Old Town, Alexandria. Cons: Not for kids or your typical family gathering.
(5)
Tim T.
one of our favorite lunch places in old town. we have only tried the lunch "dine and dash" menu, which is a great bargain. you can pick any two of three sections, usually a wine section, lunch section, and dessert section. you can mix and match any two, so if you were especially hungry, you could just grab two lunch menu items,and skip the wine/dessert. all for around $15. consider the dinner menu is pricey, this is a steal. the place is highly rated, and one of the best restaurants in the DMV, according to the washingtonian.
(5)
Mattie C.
Wow, a very fancy and classy place. I love the narrow side entrance with the dangling ivy and brick - kind of feels old and romantic. The inside of the place was charming as well - really great ambiance! We were here for a celebration lunch and enjoyed some cocktails. Apparently the person who makes the cocktails here is famous for it, and there were some really unique offerings. I got a cocktail that had ginger and thyme flavors.. and rye maybe? It was a very interesting sounding drink and it was absolutely delicious - I have never tasted anything like it before. I had a fish dish - halibut I believe. It was pretty incredible and cooked perfectly. It was a fancy dish but the portion sizes were still big enough to be satisfying. That is very important as I get annoyed by fancy restaurants that charge a huge amount for a meal and then end up giving you a comically tiny dollop of food arranged in a fancy way. Not the case here at all. For dessert I had jasmine tea, and actually did a cheese sampler. I don't know anything about cheese so the waitress made recommendations. For $10 I got 3 servings of unique cheese with plenty of toasted bread to scarf them down on. The cheese was delicious and I would definitely order the same thing again if I go back there. I really enjoyed this place and think it is perfect for celebrating something special or a romantic date!
(4)
Jeff F.
My wife and I had a fantastic time here. We did the seven course meal with wine pairing. The food was phenomenal from start to finish. The wait staff was extremely knowledgable and attentive. My only gripe is the pushing of the chef's recently published cook book. I found it to be pushy and intrusive. Beyond that, a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
(4)
Melissa C.
I love that an upscale restaurant like this offers a much more affordable option in their lounge area. My boyfriend and I are poor students so we opted for the lounge lunch menu on a Tuesday. Walked right in without a reservation! I got the salad of the day which was a mixed greens salad with poached salmon on the side. It was absolutely delicious. I didn't know salmon could be poached but I couldn't get enough of this dish! The ingredients were so fresh and flavorful. Boyfriend got the Irish BLT. This is a really really good sandwich. It doesn't come with bacon, but rather ham in it. The ham however is wonderful. For my second dish, I got the pork belly rillette, which was definitely not what I expected. This may have to do with my not knowing what rillette is...It was interesting but very salty. Boyfriend got the lemon verbena pot de creme for dessert. He really enjoyed it and loved the honeydew melon. But I think if we come here again, we would opt for the birthday cake for our second dish. The service is great here, very polite and attentive. Restaurant eve was a great treat for the both of us, and at an affordable price!
(4)
Melissa C.
I took my boyfriend who is a foodie here for his birthday last summer and was very disappointed especially for the price. At that price range my expectation would be for some exquisite combinations of flavors and textures and presentation. The appetizer was a fried green tomato which was combined with something that was too flavorless and fatty and did not look pretty. Not impressed. Their sister restaurant The Majestic which is one of my fav restaurants has a delicious fried green tomato app that is way better, much more interesting flavor combo and at least half the price. The dinner entree of fish was extremely small and very bland to the palette. The waiter while pouring my wine was careless and had wine spill out onto the table. I've had this happen before but at that price range my expectation is that wait staff would be much more careful. I give it two stars for the cocktail we had at the beginning of the meal which was great and considered 4.5 stars. I would only consider going back to the bar for the cocktails. All in all I felt like it was not worth the money. Go to The Majestic and save a bunch a cash, eat a much more interesting flavorful meal with great cocktails and leave happy.
(2)
Jerry W.
The food at this superior restaurant is among the best I've had anywhere, both in terms of quality, creativity, and use of unusual (but excellent) ingredients. The service set a new standard by which others will be measured, and the pace of the meal is relaxed so that it can be enjoyed properly. The decor is attractive, and the seating is comfortable. My only negative concerns the cost of the (optional) wine pairing; for the price charged I expected at least one or two of the wines to be exceptional, but none were even though all were good.
(5)
Tony P.
My latest visit with family was rewarded with some extraordinary fares from the bistro dinner menu. The lamb belly appetizer was outrageously savory and succulent. It was like all the essence of the lamb was concentrated into each bite. The pork belly terrine and chicharones appetizer was equally outstanding. The sour and porcine flavors just slaps your taste buds around while you crunch on the chicharones. All those flavors just made my excellent tartare whimpered by comparison. The entree's featured some equally exquisite offerings. The veal sweetbread was sublime. So smooth and creamy in texture with great flavors. The belly of Kurobuta pork was fantastic. The texture changes from the smokey exterior to the unctuous fat and the firm meat was outstanding. The rock fish over a bed of beans and bone marrow was also excellent. The crispy seared skin was perfect over the flakey white meat. The basque stew was a subtle bouillabaise broth with fresh seafood. Again I ended up on the short end of the flavor straw with the special antelope fare that was delightfully succulent but paled to the sweetbread or pork belly. People should not overlook the creamy risotto and brussels sprouts side dishes. I could eat 5 bowls of that risotto alone and be happy. After all that food sharing bliss, we also had some fine desserts with excellent tea. I especially like my bread pudding with rum raisins and orange sherbert.
(5)
Rachel A.
Everything about my dinner at Restaurant Eve was fantastic. We had a reservation in the tasting room and opted for the 7 course "Chef's Degustation Menu" which essentially means every course is chosen by the chef and it's a surprise to you. I would highly suggest this route if you're feeling a bit adventurous! list of courses: 1. Sashimi of fluke with Kentucky soy pearls 2. Yukon gold cannelloni with truffles 3. Filet of trout with carrot, chili threads (the skin was perfectly crispy) 4. Crispy Veal Sweetbreads with turnips and garlic root 5. Loin of lamb with black garlic caramel and bacon relish. Also, there was a piece of lamb belly (OMG THIS WAS AMAZING, my life is forever changed by lamb belly) 6. Grayson cheese with pate de fruit and candied walnuts 7.Sourdough beignets with mascarpone sorbet Yes, the portions are on the small side, but that's because it's a tasting menu. However, each bite is near perfection and by the end we were pleasantly full. In addition to these 7 courses, we were given several amuse bouches (fish & chips macaron, deviled quail's egg, something with caviar), palate cleansers (pear granita), and a final tray of mini desserts with the check (peanut butter lollipops and chocolates!). The service was efficient and unobtrusive; our water glasses and wine glasses were kept full and when each course was brought out, our waitress gave us a full description. At the end, they gave us a copy of the menu to take home. It's these kind of touches that make Restaurant Eve a special place to dine. We were there for a about 2.5 hours but the pace was just right: it never felt slow or rushed even though we were among the last diners in the restaurant. This was hand's down the best dining experience I've ever had.
(5)
Miss Rza M.
We went here for an anniversary dinner and it was absolutely wonderful. One of the best dining experiences to date. The inside of the tasting room is so warm and inviting. The service was spot on and well paced, and the wine pairing with the 7 course meal was absolutely divine. They even had a menu printed for us with our names and anniversary. We were so surprised and happy at that special touch. My one critics would be that the main protein course (rib eye) was a little less adventurous and more unforgettable than the vegetarian course (loved the bean tortellini) and even the fish courses. Also the sweatbreads needed a touch more seasoning. This is very nitpicky though because the entire dining experience was really special for us. We will return. Total bill with the wine pairing was about 600 after tax and tip. It's worth it.
(5)
K G.
First they tried to sit me and my date on the same side of a couch table. Get real, "same siders" should be locked up for disorderly conduct. Couldn't tell what anything was on the menu. Ordered a diet coke to drink and was laughed at and told they only serve some hoity toity soda that is loser to RC cola. Really bro? Pretention masquerading as fine dining. If you were given a gift card for a present like me just regift it or take it as a lose. Hit up Murphy's or Oconnels you'll thank me later.
(1)
Kevin v.
The
(4)
Nicoleen R.
Do you want to impress someone?Messed up and need to make it up?Better yet want to propose. This is the place people! Restaurant eve is the best kept secret. The outside appearance is that of a little red brick restaurant in France.Getting in you walk through what appears to be an alley. You walk on cobble stone which is usually found in historical cities. No offense suburgatory.The walk way is lit with little candle lanterns very romantic.The lighting inside is perfect not to bright not to dim. I was floating as walking in. My com-padre and I sat at the bar. Who best to talk to than the bartender service right in front of you. In this case it was Jason. He had great interpersonal skills the conversations went from Panda's to football to star trek. He was polite "may I take your plate".He found the perfect champagne for me one that suited my PALATE. We then ordered the "what happened to the party" martini. Someone from yelp recommended it. Full flavor you must like fennel though.I asked the host where the ladies was. She escorted me to the bathroom open the door for me,closed it and locked it. What impressed me was the fact that washcloths are used instead of paper towel.to dry your hands.Great bathroom decorations. Here comes the food! Just like the slogan nourish"Nourish the palate" all I can say is for the first time in the DMV has my palate been nourished. In comparison to Brabo,Vidalia,Marcels no offense. The food was very very very tasteful,full flavor didn't need to look for the salt and pepper shaker. Firstly we had the Pork Belly Rillette with bacon bits,underneath a bed of beets,I believe pickled onion and a turnip slice with a side of crackers appetizer.The consistency was that of a pate it was very flavorful.I could not make out the seasoning which is even better. That way I wont be able to make it at home making me want to come back.Okay maybe a hint of horseradish. For our entree we had the special Boar leg slice(medium rare) with a side of pan seared crispy baby sprouts drizzled with an amazing sauce. The sprouts were tender well caramelized the Boar was chewy the outer part. The quest for my chocolate dessert continues my disappointment was the only chocolate dessert they had was the mousse so we skipped dessert. Other than that five stars Bravo!
(4)
Miriam W.
The Lickity Split lounge lunch continues to delight! It's still just $13.50 and for that you get two choices from a menu that includes cocktails, wine, beer, salads, sandwiches, soup and desserts. My advice? Always listen closely as your bartender recites the soup, salad and sandwich of the day. These always-seasonal selections are typically creative and only around for a limited time. Recently I had a parsnip soup du jour and it was gorgeous. I imagine there are other places to eat lunch in Old Town Alexandria, but I doubt I'll ever find out because I cannot imagine going anywhere else but Restaurant Eve.
(5)
Wendy S.
very expensive relative to the food and ambience. Staff was very attentive, but in comparison to fine dining experiences not very polished . I had the tasting menu. The presentation was excellent, but the taste was not exceptional. Soft shell crab was the exception. My husband had an overcooked halibut dish. Though we live in Virginia, we normally go downtown for fine dining. We have tried many of the fine dining places in Virginia, and had hoped that this one would measure up. But not even close. Go to DC folks if you are going to spend $300 on diner.
(2)
Tucker H.
This review is for the Tasting Room, not the Bistro. From the moment you walk down the narrow alley, lit by candles, and into the entryway, it is clear that this place is something special. We were welcomed warmly, and as we walked past the open kitchen, through the bistro, and into the Tasting Room, every staff member we walked by greeted us. Unlike some of the other reviewers, we found the staff and service to be impressive. Our waitress was appropriately friendly, but restrained. I also appreciate the team approach since it generally means that you get your food as soon as the chef finish it rather than having it wait for a specific server. Some of the servers were more reserved than others, but when I'm out for a meal like this, I'd rather have them be on the reserved side than the Applebees side! The food was excellent (although the salmon amuse bouche was way too fish-flavored for me, I prefer my salmon milder). We had the five-course option, and it was the perfect amount of food; I was able to enjoy every course right up to the end without feeling stuffed. The sashimi was probably the highlight of the evening; amazingly soft and pillowy fish with a relish and a broth that knocked our socks off. A blue cheese and pecan agnolotti was a close second (as long as you like blue cheese) though. I don't normally enjoy the cheese course, but I don't pass up on bacon or maple syrup, so more blue cheese with fried pork belly and maple syrup was another winner. We certainly enjoyed our meal, and would absolutely return for another special occasion (but probably during a different season to see what they would do with a different set of ingredients).
(5)
HanaDC T.
We came back to celebrate for our DD's 1st bday. Our initial plan was just me and my hubby to have a lunch date. But then, our DD got sick and could not go to her daycare. So we called up a restaurant to see if we can bring our baby the restaurant. They said she is more than welcome. So we brought with her. As soon as we got a table to sit, they brought a high chair for my DD. I thought that was nice. We had a pork belly as an appetizer. That was very nice. It came with salty eggplants. That was nice snack. I had a fish and my hubby had a sausage with white beans. Both were so delicious. We had apple cake with maple syrup ice cream with a candle for our DD's birthday. That was very nice. Even when my DD dropped her pacifier, they picked it up and brought with hot water to clean. It was supper nice. We appreciated that they were so kind and friendly to us. We like to come back here again.
(5)
Dan M.
After I ate at Restaurant Eve, I looked it up in an old dictionary. Can you believe that this Old Town Alexandria restaurant was listed in an old dictionary? It certainly was! It was fully described under the word "Pretentious." Webster says that Pretentious is "attempting to impress by affecting greater importance, talent, culture, etc., than is actually possessed." In describing Restaurant Eve, it's hard to do a better job than this one little word. Others on Yelp have done a great job of describing their dismal meals and service at this haughty spot. So I suggest you read the 1 and 2 star reviews and add the following highlights: - 3 1/2 times mark up on the wine we ordered. Want to spend $85 on a $25 dollar bottle? It's fun, daddy! - Decent apps but a fish entree that wasn't under cooked, it was raw and cold. How can a multi-star "best of breed" fine-dining restaurant serve raw, cold fish? It happens, right? Being an experienced dinner and international traveler, I gave it my standard 5-minute rule. If the server comes back to the table within 5 minutes, I will let her make it right. If not, it will be sent back and taken off the bill and I will eat elsewhere. So six minutes later, our server bothers to come back and asks how everything is. My raw fish was sent back. I ask her to look at it and tell me how raw fish could be sent out. She's not interested in the least and won't look at it - she just wants to get it back to the kitchen to "refire" it or have a fresh one made. I'm thinking, "Will this one be raw and cold also?" Manager wants to know if he can bring me anything else. I explain my 5 minute rule. He doesn't understand or doesn't care. "Can I bring you a dessert?" "No thank you, " I reply. "I haven't eaten yet." - Lots of other pretentious things in this establishment including almost all ridiculous pricing, descriptions, and service. As someone who lives down the street, I can tell you there are SO many better choices in Old Town Alexandria and right across the river in DC: Vermillion and Brabo in Old Town. DC Coast, Corduroy and Caucus Room (to name a few) in D.C.
(1)
Seyran C.
I came here with my boyfriend for a romantic anniversary dinner and regret to give this place onyl three stars which is actually the average of my five stars and his one star. We started with the fried kumamoto oysters, delicious crispy sea-brine flavored pockets underlain by a surpising smoky bacon sauce. Definitely the highlight of the entire meal for both of us. I continued with the pork belly, fatty and salty with little parsnip garnitures. Boyfriend had some kind of a steak, which was ordered as a medium well, but arrived so beyond "well" that it had to be sent back (and he HATES sending things back I tell you). The creme brulee desert was non-descript and service was at a level I would expect from an establishment like this. This restaurant is simply A-ok, not that there's anything wrong with that.
(3)
KSU S.
A wonderful experience! Leigh was tremendous.
(5)
Meredith C.
I've been back to Restaurant Eve several times for the $15 Lickety Split lunch now, which always puts a huge smile on my face. It's more than I would generally spend at lunch (mostly because I never go out to lunch), but it is a fantastic deal. On a recent trip with a friend, I had the butternut squash soup of the day, and a roast beef sandwich. It was AMAZING. The soup was creamy without being overly heavy, delicately spiced and flavorful. And it was one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. My friend also had the soup, and the salad of the day, which had fish. It was also delicious. We also ordered the bartender's lemonade, which is hand-pressed to order. It's perfect--even if it might be considered the wrong season for it. There's not much to be said about Eve that has not been spelled out in other reviews, but it is consistently excellent food and service, with wonderful locally-sourced ingredients. I love what they state on the menu: "How you choose to eat affects the whole food system. Our menu reflects the Virginia growing season and features the best hand-fed, farm-raised, organically grown bounty that our region has to offer. We support humane, sustainable and responsible farming practices for the simple fact: local food, raised and produced by people who care, is better." I certainly agree.
(5)
Emily M.
Amazing- the entire experience from start to finish was divine! We had a group dinner in the Sunflower Room. From cocktails, passed hors d oeuvres, tasting menu, wines, dessert- it was a lifetime experience. The poached lobster was out of this world, but the broth quite possibly surpassed it. Amazing!
(5)
Glenn W.
What's the point of reviewing the best restaurant in Metro DC? I somehow managed to swing this Saturday-night reservation only a couple days before. Give it up for me. We ate: - Tartare of Pine Ridge Farm Beef with Housemade Rye Bread (awesome) - Crisp baitfish (meh) - Belly of Kurobuta Pork (great stuff) - Whole Roasted Branzino (amazing) My only "complaint" about this place is that for a place with a laid-back atmosphere in the dining room, the bar is disproportionately stuffy. Their cocktails are just a bit pretentious sometimes. A giant billowing cloud of yuzu foam? Come on. Let those made-daily juices and tonics speak for themselves. That's all I'm saying.
(5)
Fenny L.
I think our expectations were just too high. When one is expecting Mount Everest, one just can not be happy with Kilimanjaro. It was my mother's birthday, and my brother (fellow gastro-adventurer and partner in foodie-crime) decided that Restaurant Eve would be the perfect venue. Our dad (food-extraordinaire), our sushi-chef uncle, my mom (disdainful of anything less then the best), and my poor husband (dragged along for the ride) descended upon Restaurant Eve like a pack of loud locusts about to devour all that is good and delicious that their chefs could offer...and we walked away satisfied, but not impressed. Before I get started on the food - I must take a moment to comment on the *extraordinary* service (so it doesn't get lost in my impending rant). During the entirety of our 4 hour meal (yes, we're piggies), did we once have to look for our server to ask for anything. Our needs were anticipated and we were waited upon like pros. The service was a definite 5 star experience (and bumped up my review by a star). Now, before I begin, I must stress that the food was definitely tasty. However, we were expecting to experiencing something...more. Something that would make us say "HOLY CRAP THAT'S AMAZING", but instead, we left with a pleasantly full belly and a few moments of foodie-bliss, but not once did we cross the threshold and enter gastronomic-nirvana. We opted for the 7-course Chef's Degustation Menu ($135/person)...which turned out to be more like 11 "courses" (*awesome*). As we were deciding on cocktails, we were brought out 3 "bites" - tiny little morsels of yum: quail with caviar, fois gras mousse, and an antelope...something. All three were delicious, but the fois gras mousse was divine. If I could have scrapped the rest of the meal and just had a bowl of that with some of their bread (which was *amazing*) - I think I would have been perfectly happy. As we placed our drink orders (BTW - their drink menu is *hilarious* read some of the drink names and prepare to be enticed), an amuse bouche came out - mussels with bacon powder and a cilantro cream. It was delicious, but the bacon powder was too fine and to my dad, it felt like there was sand in the mussels. But the flavors were great. Our amuse bouche was followed by a palate cleanser of cilantro and serrano sorbet, which was a delightful surprise of clean flavors with a touch of heat. Our first course was a big-eye tuna sashimi, which my sushi chef uncle praised for the freshness but was underwhelmed by the inventiveness of the preparation. Personally, I found it delicious as did my brother. Our second course was a carrot ravioli which we all found to be way too sweet - it would have made for a wonderful dessert option instead. Our third course was a delicious bass, with a marvelously crispy skin over a scallion emulsion that was *delicious*, but could have had a touch of heat to make the flavors more interesting. However the fish was cooked marvelously and we all admired the wonderful crispy skin. The fourth course was veal sweetbreads. No, we have no moral compunctions about eating veal...and we *love* sweetbreads, but the preparation wasn't anything unusual (fried), and the morales that were served with them was way too salty. It was also served with a pea puree - which had my brother, husband and I all laughing hysterically (oh Top Chef, you have made pea puree a thing of scandal to us forever!). The fifth course was a lamb loin, which, while cooked perfectly, was a touch tough. The middle eastern inspired rub wasn't anything spectacular...my uncle, dad and husband are all *huge* lamb fans - and they were all very "meh" on this dish. The sixth course was the cheese course, which had sour cherry mini-donuts served with it. When the elements are taken separately, they were all very overpowering, but when eaten together, the flavors blended beautifully. However, I was the only one at the table that enjoyed this course - everyone else looked at me like I was insane. Before our seventh course (dessert), we were given a "pre-dessert" course of peanut butter brittle and a chocolate mini-brownie/cupcake. Oddly enough, my husband didn't like it, but the rest of us enjoyed the peanut butter brittle. Then our dessert was served, which was a pound cake served with a blood orange compote. The cake was just OK to me - but that blood orange compote was SCRUMPTIOUS. For those of us that ordered coffee, the dessert was perfect, but for those that didn't, they felt that the dessert was too sweet. But then, my family aren't huge fans of overly sweet desserts. As we were awaiting the check, we were given a little mini tower of sweets: lavender macarons, lemon tarts, and an almond brittle...of which we really only enjoyed the super tart lemon tarts (heh, I made a funny). The service was stellar, and the food was good...but considering the hype, we were expecting...more.
(4)
J F.
I've been emailing with Carly about a private dinner event. Suddenly she fell off the face of the earth. I can't get anyone at the restaurant to call me back. Terrible! I guess they don't care about business.
(1)
Jennifer N.
The name of the game is Lickety Split lunch - choose any two items on the menu for $15. Vegetarians, be warned, the options might be slim (e.g. today, you would have been limited to salad, soup, and papri chaat) and the menu is, to some extent, a surprise. Lickety split is lunch in the bar/lounge area of Eve - the bar seats about 15, and there are three tables that can seat 4. It seems that there's a crowd that comes fairly early (e.g. 11:30), but by 1, the place was nearly empty. The room itself is New England chic - if you've lived in Boston, you'll immediately feel like you're sitting in the lobby of The Charles Hotel - comfortable, amazingly efficient but not overly-friendly service (very New England), etc. It prides itself as a kind of local wholesome food place, but that wasn't the vibe that I got when I was there (this isn't to say the food isn't local and wholesome, of course, but it's not exactly a hipster locavore crunchy kind of place, which is sort of what I expect when I hear "local" and "wholesome"). The highlight of my two dishes was the papri chaat - it was a good interpretation of North Indian fast food and was served with delicious tamarind sauce, coriander chutney, and fresh yogurt. The creamy risotto was very rich - peas, bacon, lots of cheese - and was so filling that I only made my way through half. It was good, but fairly unitary- every mouthful tasted the same (unlike the chaat which is endless variety in one dish). My husband had the antelope (yes, antelope...!) served with a potato pancake and poached egg, which was great, and the sandwich of the day (veal chop). If I had to do it again, I'd order one main, and one dessert - the birthday cake looked sinfully good and everyone raves about it. All in all, Eve's Lickety Split feels like a decadent lunch at an amazingly affordable price - you have to embrace the element of surprise -- much of the menu changes every day -- and the element of timing. We got lucky with an open table right when we walked in. I guarantee you'll leave feeling like you just ate something good and expensive - and you'll only have dropped $15/per person.
(4)
Chrystina Z.
Antelope scrabble! Antelope scrabble with a poached egg. Could it get any better? Came here for lunch, and the food and service were excellent. I would like to come in the evening for the tasting menu.
(4)
Toast M.
It was our special occasion dinner at Eve to celebrate an important event. And our dinner was entirely wrecked by the kitchen and the attitude of the waiters. I ordered a partridge as my main course. When it arrived and i dug into the meat it turned out to be entirely absolutely raw in most of the bird's breast. It looked disgusting and nauseating and it was very unpleasant to see it and to touch it. We wanted the evening to be perfect and did not want to start a discussion with our waiter, moreover, that we were served by a confusing array of endlessly changing staff, and it was not clear with whom we should bring up the issue. Eventually someone came and we pointed out raw meat to him to which he asked: "how do you like your meet cooked?" As if it was our initial choice to have some raw poultry. He did not offer to fix it or to exchange it. Just left us with his question and an explanation that partridge is better consumed well done... But still he never offered to fix it! So we were left with a chink of unappetizingly looking meat sitting on our table that made us both feel cheated and nauseated. We made no scene and had no further discussion but it did hurt that such an allegedly classy place robbed us of our fine evening. We learned next day that apparently that night Obamas dined at the Eve. I wonder if the were served under-cooked bird... Or was it because the kitchen was so overwhelmed with an important presence that simple folks like us could be served junk?
(1)
James H.
3 stars only because my wife insisted due to previous experiences which were better. We recently treated another couple to the Chef's 7 course meal with wine pairings for every course. A couple of pairings were quite good but on the whole the food was only as good as other local restaurants - some not even rated. A la Carte would be a better choice. Poor, impatient waiter trying to take my plate several times while I still have food on it and I am still eating and impolitely interrupting our conversation to talk to us. Someone used the word pretentious to describe Restaurant Eve, which I agree with. It is time the Washingtonian magazine demoted this restaurant to 2-3 stars or no rating like they have for other good restaurants. Maybe Washingtonian should have a reviewer, truly incognito, review this restaurant for a change. No way is it worth the $1400 we paid, not even close as I have had better meals for much less!!! Restaurant Eve is amazing to me: for hype and their ability to consistently get Washingtonian Magazine to give it a high rating...year after year...
(3)
Stanley S.
In two words? Crumb scrapers. That's the level of service you get here and the type of experience you'll have. But, that's also the kind of money you'll spend. Go in with that expectation and you'll have a fantastic time. I've been here several times for special occasions because it serves the best food I have ever eaten. It's especially nice because they'll do vegetarian fare without making you feel like you're getting the short end of the meal stick. Done so well that I do my best to avoid palate guilt. You know, that bad feeling you have when there is anything but white space left on your plate once filled with amazing food. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't licked the my serving dish at least once. I'd go on naming all the savory miracle foods I've consumed here, but their menu changes fairly frequently so to name something now might mean I'm simply teasing your taste buds later. Oh, and for the boozy folks among those reading this, their wines, cocktails and beers are totally rad. I have only had the cheaper half bottles of wine, a few beers and some cocktails all of which were good.
(5)
Shemal ..
Restaurant Eve was simply delicious and awesome. I had the tile fish, heirloom tomato salad and lemon verbena dessert. The taste of the food was nothing less than impressive. All dishes were perfectly executed. I didn't have a reservation, so I was not seated in the main dining area; however, the bar provided a great space to dine and chat with friends after dinner. The staff was knowledgeable and extremely helpful. Overall a very satisfying dining experience. I will visit again upon my return to the DC area.
(5)
Susan F.
I've seen the great reviews and wish I could join in but alas, I cannot. If you are a true foodie, you will recognize the pretentiousness of the actually bland menu. I started with the hamachi. It was a little thick, chewy and bland -- or you could call it delicate, but too much so. I just couldn't find the flavor. I went with the lobster risotto as my second course but again, nothing special. I was with a big group and they sat us in the back room. The situation of the table provided for extremely awkward service from passing full dishes and empty plates to pouring wine. We had to hand our glasses over and grab our dishes in mid air if seated on the cushion side. Not what I expected. I felt sorry for the one couple that they stuck in the room with us as we were loud and pretty much a private party. (12 of us). On a good note-- the "K Syrah" is a GREAT wine and good value. It's a lovely looking restaurant but honestly, foam is foam and not that special. The 48 hour apple dessert was similar in substance to a lemon bar only with apple and didn't pack the promised punch that I was looking forward to. If you are not a true foodie and looking for a romantic experience it is a good place but if you tend to count flaws you will find several. Service wasn't up to par for the stature they claim but I can certainly see how some people will find it a superior experience.
(3)
Gio D.
Food is good, but for the price there are so many better options. Majestic in Old Town and Carlyle in Shirlington come to mind right away. For about half the price, you get food that is prepared just as well without the fake stuffy atmosphere. On average, a dinner for two at Eve will run you over $200 which I'd gladly pay if a meal is done right. Once you get into the $100+ per person range, you start competing with places like Komi in Dupont Circle and trust me, Eve doesn't even come close.
(3)
art f.
At the Bistro: We started with seafood mousse and papri chaat - an interesting (obviously Indian)classic street food dish that mixes wafers, chutney, and seasoned yogurt. The entrees were stellar - a generous portion of sea bass and a Basque seafood stew with clams, fish fillets, and prawns that came together nicely. The side of risotto was ordinary but fine. We ended with a cheese assortment - there's a wide selection of goat and sheep cheeses from around the USA as well as Europe. The wine list - while not full of bargains - -is well-organized and has a good sampling of VA wine. For this level of restaurant, the ambiance is well below average - we were relegated to an addition that's much much like dining at a friend's house in a Florida-style extension with a window looking out on a not so attractive interior courtyard.
(4)
Peter M.
I went here for my anniversary dinner and was extremely disappointed. The two stars are for the decor and the service, which were both great. But the meal was perhaps the most bland thing I've eaten, ever. I had the pan fried monkfish, and the wife had the bouillabaisse. The piece of fish looked good, and monkfish is supposed to have a mild flavor, but the sauce garnishing the fish had no flavor whatsoever. I had to ask for a salt shaker, and even that didn't rescue the dish. OK, so maybe that dish was supposed to be tame. The boullabaisse should be flavorful, right? Nope. Extremely bland, maybe a hint of spices but nothing special. Neither of the dishes were bad, they were just....dull. Extremely dull. For the price points this place charges I was expecting much better food.
(2)
Charles P.
What a lovely little restaurant, tucked away in a cozy nook of Old Town Alexandria. Restaurant Eve is a rare gem where a great chef, sommelier AND a talented mixologist hold court. The cocktails range from subtle to sweet and have all been rich flavorful and well balanced. Much the same could be said for the food and wine pairings. The tasting menu has never disappointed and as this is our standby anniversary dinner, the quality, service and overall experience has not waned in the slightest. I don't know if there are some off nights and I have just been lucky, but I have enjoyed every bite and sip and the staff have been nothing less than stellar. Available without hovering, informative without ostentation. Highly recommend it for a special night out! SPECIAL!!! It is pricey, but worth it. Never had the 9 course menu, sounds pretty drawn out, but maybe next year.
(5)
Soong W.
I returned to try their 5 course tasting and it was dream like. The tasting consists with small samples with amuse bouche and palate cleansers interwoven throughout the meal. To clarify the tasting options, one can choose from several items from each course from the 5 course menu. The other option is the chef's choice ranging from 5, 7, or 9 courses. Their sample menu from the website gives you an idea of what to expect but changes frequently based on the seasonality of the ingredients. The tasting is more an experience than a appetizer, dinner, and dessert. No problem. Just make reservations for the other half of Restaurant Eve.
(5)
S L.
I have been looking forward to going here for ages. My husband and I are trying to hit the top 25 restaurants in DC area, so we have no problem paying for a great meal and we love to eat adventurously. We got the 7 course tasting menu - chef's choice. Meh. Just about every course had one too many or one too few elements. For each course, someone would come and silently put the plate in front of us. No explanation or anything. Only when we were almost done would someone come and tell us what it was. The amuse bouche was steak tartare with pumpernickel crouton - my least favorite thing in the world. I just can't stand the texture of raw ground beef. I took a small bite and my husband finished it. He said it was very good and galicky, but he is also not a tartare fan. Then we had a plum sorbet and saffron foam palate cleanser, which seemed early in the meal. Then came the first course - hamachi tuna with crispy wonton. Two raw course like that in a row is just not good and feels lazy. The sauce was good, but they needed more of the wantons for some texture. Then came the stinging nettle agnolotti. This is the kind of dish you dream about. Fresh, creamy, bright, salty - perfectly balanced. I wish I had just had these and their homemade bread for my meal. The hake with a creamy sauce and turnips(we were never told what the sauce was) was good, but it was screaming for some kind of acid or bitter greens to balance the cream. Crispy partridge breast with confit duck was supposed to be a play on cassoulet had way too much rosemary. It overwhelmed everything (although the partridge and duck were perfectly cooked and delicious) In fact, it would have been good to have the palate cleanser after this! Next was lamb chops with pickled pear, which were seriously undercooked - cold lamb fat is just awful. I can't even remember what else was with it, it was that forgettable, We looked with envy at the people at the next table with some kind of steak and onion rings! Next was a wedge of hard goat cheese with pickled peach and roasted radish conserve. Since no one told it what it was, it was surprising to expect some thing sweet and find cheese. It was very good, but I would have liked a crostini under it. Next was concord grape mousse with popped amaranth and a foam (we were never told what it was). The anise-y flavor of the amaranth overwhelmed everything. The mousse itself had great flavor and texture. (I thought a peanut butter foam or something along those lines would have been perfect here) Nest was a chestnut terrine with smoked maple ice cream and truffle-caramel sauce. This would have been perfect except the smoke and the truffle battled each other. Take out the truffle and this would have hit all the right notes. The little plate of sweets were a bit bland, save the gingerbread macarons. The peanut butter bars and dark chocolate truffles tasted of nothing but unsweetened chocolate - none of those notes that good dark or bittersweet chocolate have. All in all, a disappointment (especially for the $$$$ price - $400 for two and we had 2 beers, a glass of wine and a "coke") . I would go and sit at the bar for that agnolotti again though! The main waiter was good, but the rest of his staff seemed uninterested.
(2)
G W.
My wife and I recently celebrated our anniversary at Restaurant Eve. We tried the Chef's 7 course tasting menu. We were very disappointed! We've tried many tasing menus and thus have a good benchmark against which to compare. The price, while in-line with 5-star restaurants, was way over-priced for the quality and experience. The food quality was average, at best. The first two courses were good but went downhill from there. The meats in particular were actually bad. The wines were simply just-OK but the cost was equivalent of 1st rate, which these were not! The pairings were OK for the first 2 courses but after that the wines did nothing for the food. I suspect that many of them were either just opened or had been opened too long. The portion size for tasting menus should be smaller (there's 7 after all) but these were silly small. The size of the wine pours were the smallest we've ever had by a factor of 2. I'm guessing that over the 7 courses we had 14 oz each or about a bottle. For this they charged over $150. This is just wrong given the quality of the wine. The service tried hard but didn't reach the quality expected for the price. The timing of wine pours and food delivery was at times too long, others too short. The wait staff stand around the room only feet away and that's awkward. At least 2 courses arrived cold. If you really want that special experience, great food, great service... don't go here!
(1)
Judy E.
Great service beautiful atmosphere orgasmic food
(5)
Cherine A.
My boss and I came here for a business lunch. I'm a fairly picky eater, so upon seeing the menu, I mildly panicked, wondering what in the world I could possibly order. The only thing that sounded good to me was the ribeye served with a parmesean vinaigrette salad. I asked our waitress (a quiet blonde girl who was an amazing server) if I could have it prepared medium well (since I know I'm probably the first person she's encountered to order it any other way than medium rare), and she replied that while it might "compromise the flavor," it wouldn't be a problem. We were asked if wanted sparkling or still water - both are served from glass bottles. I originally ordered still water, but once my food arrived I switched to sparkling. Our glasses never had the chance to be empty, because our waitress would immediately fill it (one time she managed to do it without me even noticing). The bread that is served piping hot out of the oven is sourdough, and it's fantastic. It comes with a very tiny amount of butter, but it doesn't need much anyway. My meal ended up being wonderful. The steak was flavorful and cooked perfectly, and the salad had a good amount of dressing. It also came with a side of marinated potatoes and chopped eggs, and I pretty much cleaned my plate. Another person ordered the sweet potato fries for the table, and while I've never been a fan of sweet potatoes, these were (to my surprise) excellent. Our table decided to split two of the desserts: the birthday cake (my boss decided it would be for my half-birthday), and the bread pudding. I can't say I was a fan of the birthday cake, although it was absolutely ADORABLE. I just don't particularly like sponge cake, and the frosting was overwhelmingly sweet. One bite of this was more than enough. The bread pudding was sadly quite small - it was delicious and had a fantastic flavor, I just wish there was a lot more of it. It was pricey for lunch (my meal was $25... glad I didn't have to pay), but it was enjoyable and the service was impeccable.
(4)
Oscar M.
Shout out to the great Yelpers that organized a delicious lunch outing! Like I've stated before, I like surprises. This is definitely another one, in terms of value and quality for what you pay for. I am of course talking about the Lickety Split Lunch special, in which two items from either the drink, entree or dessert list can be chosen for a mind blowing $14.95. Not bad considering an average dinner may cost upwards of 100 bucks a person! As I arrive, I'm greeted by legendary Yelper Hilvic N., organizer of our Old Town lunch outing. We enter a converted brick rowhouse through the side, somehow like a secret entrance. Once inside we make our way to the bar where other fellow Yelpers are waiting. The bar is full, the seats are few, but our patient host accommodated us as best as she could. It was difficult choosing two items from each of the lists, everything sounded enticing, from the Bittersweet cocktail, to the Heirloom tomato salad, to the blue berry coconut creme tart, but I finally settled on the Meatballs with bean rag out and an order of the Risotto. I've had homemade Risotto in Ticino, the Italian part of Switzerland, as well as in Milan and even in my own kitchen made by my loud mouthed friend from Tuscany. To say the least, I've tasted various forms of authentic Risotto (my favorite being one made with strawberries). Restaurant Eve's version doesn't disappoint. My only complaint was that it wasn't enough! To be fair, with such a great deal, one can't expect the generous portions most are used to. I ate and savored every morsel, eventually cleaning the plate with the delicious bread. The texture was velvety smooth, light and not too salty, as is the danger of making risotto. On to the meatballs, delicious and filling! I found the meat to be fairly standard, though exceptionally well seasoned and cooked, and complimented nicely by the bean rag out. It was understated but an essential contrast to the meatballs, which packed a flavorful punch. Afterwards, I got to see some of the deserts from the other Yelpers. The Birthday Cake was an amazing presentation, it was as if a normal sized birthday cake was shrunk to a mini sized individual portion. Beautiful. I was too late when one of the Yelpers offered a few bites to the rest of us, but I did get to taste the frosting, which was disturbingly delicious. It was not at all the conventional heavy frosting bursting with sugar, instead it was light and sweet, almost like a slice of watermelon made into frosting. All in all, I highly recommend Restaurant Eve's Lickety Split Lunch menu for anyone in the area. It's a rare case where you get more quality than you pay for. Make sure you get there early because it fills up fast. Take a sassy lady friend and impress her here with her own birthday cake! Go there, NOW!
(4)
Francesca F.
We had an amazing time at Eve. The food was delicious and the service was fantastic. Very reasonable for the quality of the whole experience.
(5)
Pamela E.
Everything about R.E. Tasting Room is amazing! Food, mixed drinks (had to try the "virgin" drinks since I was preggo) - although this review is over a year late- I wanted to make sure to give them their due! (Wasn't too thrilled with the hostess who exclaimed at how big I was, though.)
(5)
Megan K.
4.5! My boyfriend and I went here a couple of years ago for the Tasting Menu, which remains to this day the most expensive meal I've ever eaten ($300 for the two of us, including tip). I can't remember the exact details of the food, but I remember it being amazing, especially the scallops. My slight complaint about the food was that the vegetarian option for the meat course did not include any kind of protein--it was a mushroom thingy. They do go out of their way to include vegetarians and even vegans (as long as you let the know ahead of time). The best part of dining there, though, is the service. Everybody was so friendly and helpful--it's a real fine-dining experience, and I've been dying to go back ever since! Of course, let's be honest, in my real life, I am not a celebrity and I cannot afford $300 meals really even once a year. So I've been dying to get to the lounge for the $13.50 Lickety Split Menu, which they serve Monday-Friday from 11:30--4. Not 2. I thought it was until 2, so I about killed myself walking from the King Street Metro in my heels fast enough to get there before 2. Anyway, I sat at the bar and had the mussels, the birthday cake, and an awesome Lemony Laurel cocktail. The mussels tasted fantastic, very fresh, with the perfect amount of seasoning. However, they were strange and didn't come out of the shell easily. The bartender was concerned and asked the chef, who gave an explanation and said if I wasn't happy, they were more than happy to start another pot for me. I declined, but I thought that was very nice. The birthday cake--well, it's really famous, but I thought the cake itself was a tad dry for my liking (**commence people throwing things at me**), but the frosting was fantastic. And my cocktail was absolutely phenomenal. Just the right amount of sweetness and lemony-ness, light, refreshing, and perfect for a warm summer afternoon. And the ice was hand-crushed! The bartender was so friendly and nice and even bought me my drink because she had forgotten to give it to me at the very beginning. Would I go back? I would love to go again for the Tasting Menu when I hit the jackpot in the lottery. I would go for the lunch again if I had a guest in town and wanted to impress them in Old Town. The service is just great and I love the atmosphere. They put a lot of attention into little details. Also, here's a tip: BE CAREFUL on the stairs to the bathroom. I fell down them when I was there a couple of years ago, which was mortifying. It's a small space, and the stairs are wooden, and...well, it was really loud. They now have a sign warning people to watch their step. I hope that wasn't because of me!
(4)
Jeff G.
My wife and I visited Restaurant Eve to celebrate her birthday and also her finding a new job. The consensus between both of us is that the experience was one of the best that we've had in the DC region. Though we were only in the bistro, the service and food was wonderful and makes us want to come back for more. To get into the restaurant, you pass through a small portal into a courtyard, which almost makes you feel like you might be in the wrong place. Heading through the doors, the ambiance is quite nice, with warm lighting and understated decor. We were made to feel welcome by the staff, and, even though we were quite early, they seated us right away. Service throughout the night was wonderful. Our waiter was very knowledgeable of the food on the menu and had a very nice way about how she did things. We asked the sommelier for a wine suggestion, and he said "Do you trust me?", and we said sure. The wine he offered was a perfect pairing with both my duck and her halibut. I also got into a great conversation with him about various scotch flavors, and he brought out several for me to try on the house. The food was also wonderful. My wife started with oysters, which were topped with a vinaigrette flavored relish and tasted amazing (I imagine that people who claim to not like oysters would have loved these). I had the mussels to start. which were cooked perfectly and actually took on the flavor of the broth, which was also amazing when sopped up with a piece of their crusty ciabata. For her entree, my wife had the potato wrapped halibut, which was the most buttery-smooth halibut that I had ever tasted. My duck breast was the right combination of velvety meat with crunchy skin, and the pairing of confit of duck leg was absolutely amazing. For dessert, my wife went with a strawberry tiramisu that blew us both away (especially given that tiramisu is usually done in a ho-hum way). I had a selection of 5 cheeses that rounded out the meal very nicely. Overall, a wonderful experience. We will definitely be back to try the tasting room, when our wallets are a bit more full ;)
(5)
Leslie J.
Cheap eats at a Tom Sietsema 5 star restaurant? Really? Yep, Eve has a lunch special. You get two picks off the menu in their lounge area and can have lunch for two, wine included if you wish to find it five o'clock somewhere, with tip for $15.00 per person-not including tax and gratuities. The staff there are exceptional
(5)
Eddy S.
Yeah, 4 stars is just about right. I did the full tasting menu with full wine pairings. First, drop the dress code. Its not appropriate these days and on a hot summer day it significantly damaged me experience because I arrived hot and sweaty to a not-so-cool dining room. All of the courses were well prepared - none necessarily memorable, but all very good. I was very impressed with our wine pairings and impeccable service. Paid about $300 for the whole kit and kaboodle and didn't regret it.
(4)
alison s.
We had a great dinner at Eve and I would have given them five stars but ... DO NOT, under any circumstances, order the birthday cake for dessert. It sounds cute, it looks cute, but is as satisfying as a cupcake from Giant. You know the type of gritty frosting I'm talking about. We experienced huge buyers remorse, especially after we saw what everyone else had for dessert. Also, for some reason, other tables received free little bags of goodies, but not us :,(
(4)
Ateet A.
PHENOMENAL!!!! as of right now, my favorite restaurant ever and I have been to my share of restaurants. I made reservations here for our annversary in their chef's tasting room. I had the 7 course degustation menu and my wife the 5 course. This is where you do not choose the course but rather let the chef choose all the courses in the order he thinks you should eat them. they take not of all your dietary restrictions and customize a menu just for you and their food is SLAM DUNK AMAZING! by far the best resturant I have even been to. It is definitely not a place you go for the heck of it or all the time, you should go on a special occasion and get dressed up. Its an amazing experience, great wait staff and spoon licking food that makes your tastes dance in your mouth!
(5)
Des S.
Food excellent, wine excellent but atmosphere lacking. Had 9 pm booking on a Friday night and by the end of the meal, wait staff were ironing the table cloths of both adjacent tables. Felt I was eating at a laundry.
(2)
J A.
Try the terrine of headcheese. It's soo much tastier than it sounds.
(5)
Katie M.
We ate at Restaurant Eve for the first time the other night in the Chef's Tasting Room and had an amazing time! Leanard was seemless, unobtrusive, and engaging. He was so informative and a pleasant to have as a server. We will certainly return!
(5)
Vicki C.
I am a fan! Restaurant Eve may be "overrated" for some things, but the ingredients are farm-fresh, adding to the appeal of the restaurant. I always order the soup du jour- whether it's butternut squash or broccoli bisque, it is amazing and always has this warm, home-y richness. The lickity-split lunch is one of the BEST deals in old town. Also, a friend had the tasting menu and said it was one of his best foodie moments.
(4)
Maryam K.
Ahhhh, fine dining...nothing does it for me like a sophisticated tasting menu and paired wine. We had a wonderful, grown-up night here. The location is also great! The food was amazing...and the sommelier was pretty knowledgeable...now my only warning: doing the pairing can make you tipsy very quickly...so, as I only remember the first 70% of the meal, I will have to keep this review short!!
(4)
Brad M.
Dined in the bistro for dinner, and I really enjoyed it. The risotto was to die for as it was beet-based so had so a redish aura to it, and it was simply ambrosial. I generally only eat seafood, so I had the Rockfish and I was completely content. The place is a bit pricey, but the ambiance was great.
(4)
Curt C.
sorry to give a mediocre review as neighbors but after going a few times over the years, we can detect a definite slide in quality; mostly little things on our recent visit -- 20 min wait w/o apology; recited specials that were no longer available; spilled coffee in the saucer and grounds in the cup; inattentive water/bread service; a dessert menu none of us could find anything much we wanted to try; food was ok but not amazing as it had been before; we will go again but not anytime soon
(2)
Sandra K.
Okay I'm givng the place 5 stars. Albeit it was a $400 meal for 2 with tax and tip. With that said... It was amazing. Granted it was my anniversary and the servers all knew it. We got the crazy godfather table in the far right corner and everyone that came by to serve the drinks or take away plates said, "Happy Anniversary!" It was very pleasant. The menus also came with our names on them and another, "happy anniversary!" The first course I had was the house smoked bonito, bonito tartare and the bonito with housemade habanero sauce. Amazing. Very hearty and sturdy fish---great as the tartare, sashimi-style and the mousse. The wine pairing worked well too. I don't remember what it was. JP had the six month aged hand cut chapel hill farm veal salami with summer vegetables and pmmerey mustand. Best salami we've ever had. JP had the jezebel pinot from oregon. Very superior. Second course: I had the tempura soft shell crabe with liquid gold, cipollinis and spring onions. This dish was good but I've had the tempura before and the sauteed onions were okay. JP had the butte poached maine lobster with baby carrots, ginger and mcro basil. Amazing. the lobster was succulent poached in the irish butter, amazing. Only problem I had was it was impossible to identify everything in the dish. Third course: crisp mushroom duxell "cigare" with shaved parmesan and 100 eyar old balsamic "---the mushroom duxelle was a little bit tough. The parmesan--nothing special. the combo---very delicious not amazing though. JP had the chapel hill farm ribeye of beef with garlic scape custard, bordelaises and caufreet chips---this dish was succulent and complex--bringing the beef to a new level. The sharpness of the bordelaise sauce was amazing. Fourth course: housemade six and four month aged cheddars with apricot tartlet---amazing---subtle and the cheese had nice textures. pleasnat ridge rserve with warm golden syrup cake---a nice cow's milk cheese---sturdy and nice with the cake and syrup. fifth course: chocolate mousse cake with cherry ice cream---perfection. warm and cold---the cherry ice cream subtle as it mixed with the chocolate mousse and the wafer/cracker holder. Yum! I had the rhuburb and orange crisp with organge flower water sherbet. Wow. So subtle yet so powerful. The rhubard was chopped into tiny bits and sat underneath the rhubard crisp. On the opp. side was the orange and zest. Fabuluous combination. A lovely lovely meal. The amuse at the beginning was great---a ham fritter served with in-house mustard, a gorgeous pork pate served on a toast point and a "deviled egg" made with a quail egg. Second amuse: a salmon and scallop mousse served with a belon fried oyster. OMIGOD. So good. The service was warm and friendly and not overpowering. The dining room was warm and gorgeous---very clean. They do dust your table with antique crummers. Great great meal and place.
(5)
Takaki K.
A cute small restaurant. Although the paintings on the walls can hardly be called artistic, the interior is quite comfortable and homey. With all the hype around this place, I was expecting a high degree of sophistication, almost pretentious, in both service and food. Instead what we had was a very down-to-earth experience, similar to the sense of being invited to a friend's place for a nice relaxing dinner. We had the $125 9-course meal. Since they have a 'pre-course dish' and 'for cleansing your pellet' sorbet etc, this became a 13-course, 3 hour affair. Our waitress was very chatty and friendly, very down-to-earth. The food was quite fine. Something you would wow if your friend had made it. But it didn't bring the amazement that you would expect for this price. The course structure was not very well thought through. Our first two courses were fish chowder followed by seafood cream stew. They were good, but you would not want to repeat the similar taste for two courses. Four of our dishes had cream sauce in them. They lacked in variety. We ordered a few glasses of wine, none of which was that great. This is a fine restaurant. I know I'm being overcritical but I think I'm entitled to be, given the price they charge. My search for amazing meals in the DC area continues.
(4)
Becca B.
ohmygoodness--thisplaceissososososososogood! My company Christmas party was held here this year... and I've gotta thank Boss man for picking an excellent spot. Well done! We had some really terrific wines, and the food was excellent. Service was great too! I think I tried some of everyone's dish that night... all of the seafood was super fresh and tasty. I ordered the monkfish cheeks (a special that night)... turns out there was a regular monkfish dish on th menu as well and they served me that. I had never eaten fish cheeks before that night, so I didn't realized the error... but half way through my meal our waiter informed me of the mistake. He asked if he could get me the correct dish or anything at all... I declined because I was enjoying the Monkfish I was served. Apparently they weren't going to take not for an answer and shortly thereafter I was presented the monkfish cheeks special. Everyone got to try my second Entree... and let me tell you, it was amazing. I can't say enough about this place... sadly my wallet isn't as thick as my boss's so I doubt I will be back soon. Maybe next Christmas!
(5)
Kyle V.
Food was really good. Small, pricey portions, but that's what you get at most upscale places. Great building, very historic look and feel. I'd like to go back and sit in the tasting room.
(4)
Steven K.
Treat yourself to the cuisine of Restaurant Eve and a fantastic Irish Whiskey -- or two -- and do it casually sitting at the bar and ordering from the bistro menu -- prepared in the same main kitchen as the white tablecloth service. Love those big chunks of ice in the drinks! A relaxing evening of fine dining.
(5)
Chris F.
Tried Eve for the first time recently. We chose the Bistro as a trial run, and was quite pleased. Service was excellent, food was good, atmosphere nice. Eve is not a "bargain" venue, but I felt that I received good value for the price. We will try the tasting room option next. Oh, we both had the Rib-eye entree' with greens, sweet potato fries, and oyster and tartar appetizers.
(4)
Nathan S.
This is a review of the Bistro at Restaurant Eve. I'd like to give a rating of 4.5. We chose the establishment for our anniversary dinner and were extremely happy with the whole experience. The service was flawless as our waiter was mindful of the occasion, and balanced giving us ample time with perfect amounts of information and advice about the menu. On weekends the prix fixe menu has several options, which was a nice surprise compared to similar situations we've been in where the choice was extremely limited. For appetizers we tried the papri chat and the crabcackes, and were floored by the interesting flavors. For the entree, my wife tried the evening's special of Tasmanian trout and I enjoyed a prime rib. These dishes were very good (probably extremely good for most places), but I think that after the appetizers we were expecting another "wow" experience and were slightly let down. The trout was very mellow and I found the sauce accompannying the prime rib to be a little strong. Moving on from there we shared the flourless chocolate cake and chevre cheesecake for desert, and were again highly impressed with dishes that we'd had before in other venues but without such vibrant tastes. Pricing was expensive and I don't think that we'll be going back for a casual evening dinner, but I'm sure we'll look to Restaurant Eve on the next special occasion. All in all a fantastic experience.
(5)
Nicolas M.
Got a gift certificate for my coworker and was disappointed from the get-go. Places like this elevate expectations purely by cost, thus, if the meal had been cheaper I wouldn't be so harsh on the matter, plus, I'm writing from a close account of what I was told, not having been there myself. THOSE ARE THE CAVEATS, though, so understand where I'm coming from. Buying the gift card was arduous and the woman on the phone was a little rude. At one point, she asked if I still wanted the card and I honestly wasn't sure. Doesn't a nice phone person come with an expensive gift card? The card arrived (they charge $7 to mail it to you) and it was pretty beat up and pretty cheap looking. Another strike. Coworker and her fiance went to dinner and the service was incredible, however, the food and the seating were not. 7 courses, which sounds great, but each was about a bite and a half ok good, not great food. The seating was a couch and a little awkward. You just have to have the expectation of what you're getting into. They ended up spending $350 for a few drinks, tasting menu and tip feeling it was nowhere near justified. It's too bad, conceptually it's a good place, but good few at excellent prices don't match. I'm going to look into Marcel's or Komi for the next high-end gift I give, I think Eve's a bust for the money. At least, maybe the server can help the folks that provide the gift cards with service tips.
(2)
PC W.
I have been waiting months to get to the $13.50 lunch special - Monday-Fridays only in the bar. It was worth the wait and I'm counting the days until I can make it back. The curried carrot mussels were incredible - there must have been 20-25 meaty mussels in the dish. The bartender brought us fresh-baked bread that went fabulously with the curry sauce from the mussels dish. I had the wild mushroom risotto for my entree. So buttery. So creamy. So perfect. Hands down the best risotto I've had.
(5)
Paul E D.
We went to celebrate my birthday and it was a fabulous choice. The staff accomodated my special needs by making me an outstanding mushroom appetizer. At the end of the wonderful meal, I received a gift from the restaurant. It was a great touch. The three course meal was superb as was the service. I cannot say enough about this place. The staff is so caring and attentive without being intrusive. The attention to detail is unsurpassed. The cheese plate was indescribably good. The cheese selction is like few places I have been. The breads were incredible, especially the fruit/nut. The ribeye I had was a delight. The quality and preparation of the meat shined through. Of course, the birthday cake was the only way to end the meal.
(5)
Tate W.
I wrote a negative review about Restaurant Eve in 2009 that I regret. I did so because I was coerced into writing a bad review by a relative who hosted a private event there for her husband's birthday. She claimed to have received bad service, and asked me to back her up with a bad review. The only problem is that I had a great time that night, the food was excellent, and the service was satisfactory (slower than I would have expected for an expensive evening in which she paid for a private room), hence only 4 stars. Bottom line: Great restaurant, consistently good food. More expensive than it should be, but a very solid option for old town Alexandria. Their sister restaurant, Virtue Food and Grain is superb, where you get similarly high food quality for one step lower cost, and in a great atmosphere. Apologies for my previous low review, and integrity failure. This is a great restaurant, and I won't let my whacky relative influence future reviews of mine.
(4)
Meredith R.
Everybody has already filled you in on the fabulous pick 2 items, fixed price $13.50 lunch special - based on my experience I have some important information to add to that: If you go with a friend, you need to have a plan for ordering. A colleague and I just ate there, and did the usual - let's order 4 different items and share between us, thus maximizing the number of dishes we got to try. Makes sense, right? We had so much delicious food, we couldn't eat it all. Not by a long stretch. Just so you know, its pick ANY two items on the fixed price menu to include: cocktails, salads, soup, sandwiches, and desserts. Here's the plan that I would recommend - order one dish as an appetizer (the mussels were divine!) and share that, each of you get an entre - the salads are substantial! (the salad du jour came with a full 'crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside' leg of chicken on top) - and then share a dessert. We didn't order it, but I heard that the birthday cake will send you into a sugar coma. We'll get that next time! It is, hands down, the best deal in town. Go. Now. (But don't be in a rush, it did take a while to get our food....)
(5)
Daniel S.
Like every other reviewer, I love this place and the food and the service. Best restaurant in VA, hands down.
I got the opportunity to check this place out about two weeks ago with another couple. I read a favorable review in a recent Washingtonian and a good friend of mine who is also a feverish believer in dining out had been hyping this place upfor a while. The location is great, I love Old Town Alexandria, the small colonial style townhouse totally adds to the ambiance of the place. The mojitos we had while waiting were near perfect with just about everything else we had. I went with the 9 course meal along with wine pairing, something like 6 courses of brilliantly prepared dishes along with a cheese course, two desert courses and a couple "gift dishes" from the chef. As stodgy or pretentious as it sounds, the experience was void of anything like it. The wait staff and sommelier were friendly and engaging and the home-like setting really provided a welcoming feeling. It took 5 hours total and not once did I look at the clock until we stumbled out. Definitely doing it again.
(5)
Lauren C.
I had dinner in the bistro on Saturday night to celebrate a friend's birthday. It was superb. Fine dining at its finest. The ambiance is cozy, intimate and surprisingly not stuffy for a formal place. The wait staff is very attentive and professional down to the bathroom attendant opening and locking the door for you. The food was out of this world. Not a single morsel was left on all of our plates by the end of the night. I had the veal with beans, brussel sprouts and hollandaise sauce - very good. Although, I wish I had ordered ribeye with marrow sauce. I nearly ate half my boyfriend's meal. The portions are generous too, not small with over the top garnish and as some formal places tend to do. Overall, I was impressed and would go there again for a special occasion.
(4)
Julie G.
You can do better in Old Town. Lunch menu was unimaginative. Service was good. Food was forgettable. Atmosphere is stuffy. For all the hype it was disappointing.
(2)
Christina R.
I ate at Restaurant Eve last night and the experience was a disappointment. First, let me say that anyone can have a bad night; however when your entrees are $36.50 and up quality control is imperative. As far as service, our waitress was extremely nice and knowledgeable, but ultimately this restaurant gets a major fail because of the bouillabaisse dish that I ordered. The dish was tasty. It had approximately 2 prawns, a small portion of fish, two (maybe 3) mussels, and two clams. I discovered that one of my mussels and one of my clams were not open - that's a seafood no-no. Of course, when you've got a huge pot of mussels you'll find that some of them aren't open and that's fine, but when you're looking at a dish that offers mussels and clams in the single digits it's unacceptable. The young woman sitting across from me who ordered the same dish also discovered that she had shellfish in her dish that had not opened. The manager did come over and apologize; he then proceeded to take the pieces of shellfish that had not opened to the kitchen, returning a few moments later with the exact same amount of shellfish. I was floored by this. So let me try and understand this...I tell you that my extremely expensive dish, that was a small portion to begin with, had 2 pieces of shellfish that didn't open...instead of being shamed and offering a sincere gesture to express that shame you take the unopened mussels and clams that we gave you and return with the exact same number? I honestly feel that they took the bad pieces that we gave them and just further cooked them OR opened them and bought them back to us. Here's the MAJOR problem: 1. Quality control - The dish is not densely populated with seafood, someone in the kitchen should be checking to make sure that each mussel and/or clam has opened...we're talking 5 to 6 pieces at most per dish. 2. Lack of graciousness - They should have done more than taken the unopened mussels and clams and returned the exact same amount to us. 1) it looks like they just simply went back there and further cooked what we gave them and 2) for a restaurant of Eve's stature it doesn't seem gracious. At $36.50 for such a small serving they should have shown more embarrassment and offered more - they're in the customer service business, they could have figured out what the "more" should have been. Thoroughly unacceptable.
(1)
Colleen H.
My brother and our partners took our parents to the Tasting Room at Restaurant Eve on Saturday night for their anniversary. We could not have had a better experience. The Tasting Room was beautiful and we were seated in a wonderful booth in the corner which allowed us to see all of the Tasting Room. The service was incredible. The waiters were so pleasant and the sommelier recommended a great bottle of wine. We felt so comfortable there. We all started off with cocktails. My mother joked that hers was so good that she wanted to jump in, and Mr. Thrasher joked that he could make her a big one. We all got the 5 course degustation menu. The chef sent out different selections for each course. So, we were able to taste different food. It was all heavenly. In addition to our courses, we were treated to canapes, an amuse bouche, a sorbet palate cleanser, a pre-dessert, and sweet bites at the end. We felt so spoiled. The staff created a special menu for us that said "Happy Anniversary" and our parents' names, and they gave my parents an anniversary gift to take home. My husband and I had been to the Tasting Room 3 years ago, and we have compared all of our subsequent dining experiences to that one because it was so fantastic. I was nervous that this experience wouldn't be as wonderful as we remembered. But, I had nothing to worry about because Restaurant Eve once again gave us an amazing dining experience.
(5)
Deanna J.
I got to explore a bit of Old Town Alexandria with someone that knows the ropes there better than I, and we lunched at Restaurant Eve - which has a fabulous weekday-lunchtime-in the lounge only-special. You get to pick two from a list that includes everything from a glass of vino, to soups/salads, entrees and desserts - so if it's a early Friday afternoon, go ahead and opt for the wine! Unfortunately for us it wasn't - but I did get the Italian BLT (and incredible homemade chips!) and . . . the creme brulee. The near perfect, creamy and crunchy brulee. If you work in the city, take a little longer and try saying you're going to the dentist over lunch, and take the trip down!
(4)
Jina K.
The food is wonderful. Had oysters, steak tartare and bouillabaisse seafood for lunch. The oysters came with special 'dressing' on top and lemon already squeezed. Steark tartare- meat was very tender and did not smell at all. the seafood was fresh, sweet and yummie! Cant wait to go back. Went back on 6.4.08 for drinks at the bar. The wine was so yummie and the lobster ravioli was absolutely delicious!!!!!!
(5)
marzcie n.
I have been in better restaueant service in this place is bad i drove from Rockville MD No good at all bar area not services at all.
(3)
Mari C.
Special occasion only. Anniversary or birthday. Very expensive, exquisite food and presentation. We had an excellent waiter.
Lickity-split lunch: 5 stars. I went to the lickity-split lunch and was very pleased with my dishes: the braised lamb with pelento, and the antelope terrine with salad. I tried my friend's dishes, the Irish BLT and the Birthday Cake, and was less impressed BUT my friend really liked them, and thought the Irish BLT was the best of the 4. So everything worked out great. The portions for each dish aren't huge, but since you get two dishes, and some bread, I left feeling full. Very good quality and reasonable portions for $15. If it wasn't so far away for us, I'd visit this place all the time. Second time we went: one of us ordered the cheese, egg and ham (I think) sandwich and the boar hot dog. Our other order was the pot belly with baguettes and the antelope scramble. I liked the cheese, egg and ham sandwich, as did my friend, and I liked the pot belly with baguettes while my friend did not. I was not impressed with the antelope scramble, but my friend loved it. Make sure you order at least one sandwich type item, or you may leave hungry.
(5)
Katie F.
My sister was in town, so I took her here for the 13.50 lunch special---cause I wanted to show her a nice meal on a budget. As others have mentioned you get two glorious courses in the meal. I had the soup du jour--which was a mushroom creme soup--very good. I also had the Goat Cheese salad, also delightful. My sister had the Irish BLT, which had to much mayo for her morning sickness to handle, and the Birthday Cake which we both loved, and I ate most of because of the morning sickness. So here is a tip--go here with someone who has morning sickness and you can eat 3 courses---which is never a bad thing. The bar did fill up very quickly though, so I was glad to have arrived at 11:30 in order to get a slot.
(4)
Laz S.
Everybody raves about it. It's good, but some of the fare is just wierd. Protions are small and it's not cheap. Definitely worth at least one visit. Tasting menu is popular.
(3)
Maurina R.
Ate in the Tasting Room Tuesday, 12/29. As you can see in the original review, I've had some small problems with some dishes in the past. Tuesday's dinner was perfect. There was not a dish, or wine pairing, that missed on any level. Again, I did the Chef's Surprise, allowing the chef to pick the dishes. The food was impeccably prepared, carefully served, and well explained, and the wine a perfect match. What a way to end the year!
(5)
Sharon K.
Had Lunch at Restaurant Eve and although the ambiance/decor was fabulous (5 stars), I was disappointed in the menu options, price and staff. We had a reservation and tried to call in advance to make the hostess aware we were going to be few minutes lates. Could not get through because line was always busy. This was mentioned to the hostess when we arrived and she acknowledged that the phones had been busy and implied "of course you couldn't get through because we are important". The menu was limited, and although my rib eye salad was good, it wasn't great or outstanding considering the $19 price. A lot of very stemmy lettuce. We had to wait 10-15 minutes for hot (seasonal) beverages because bartenders had to wait for water to boil. I think it would be wise to invest in an appliance that boils instantly. Staff were too formal and had no warmth - I rarely saw any of them smile. There is a fine line between formal, outstanding service and a place that makes you feel welcome. There are so many other restaurants in this area that unfortunately, I will not return or recommend.
(3)
Brandon C.
I was impressed with this place. I did the 7 course prix fixe and it was the "adventure" style where they surprise you with the selections. Expensive, but at least once in your life you need to experience a $400 dinner... including wine and dessert.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Upscale Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Krista G.
A friend and I stopped in around 6PM for a quick dinner before an evening class on a Wednesday. There was only one other table occupied in our area, but there was a large group in a private/separate room. Since we had limited time (about an hour), our waitress was very good about keeping our dinner moving. I ordered the fish special (flounder with marinated onions) and was terribly disappointed. There was hardly any fish (2 VERY small pan-fried filets) and far too many slices of grilled onion. Who eats just grilled onion?? I told the server that I was disappointed (too small portion and too many onions) but nothing was taken off the bill. In splitting the bill with my friend, I paid $60 for two bites of fish, a side of sweet potato fries and half of a dessert. DEFINITELY WON'T BE GOING BACK!!!
(2)Carey A.
Found a great deal on eater.com that offered a FREE 5-course tasting menu for all those celebrating birthdays in April. The hubby and I have been wanting to try this restaurant for some time and since his birthday was in April, it gave us the perfect opportunity to try out their tasting menu. This place is definitely great for private getaways, as it was filled with couples and parties no larger than 4. We stopped at the bar to have a few drinks and if you aren't up for a 5-9 course tasting menu you can always opt to just eat ala carte at the bar, but we weren't here for that. Once seated, we decided to go with the 9 course tasting menu. . .hey, you only live once, right! We shared a bottle of wine, and started our 2 hour binge fest, HA-HA! I will have to admit that we were both a little disappointed that everything was just pretty good. We were waiting for something to really blow our socks off and/or just be really memorable, but unfortunately we didn't experience this as such. What was memorable about this place was the traditional, cozy, and quaint setting. The service was some of the best we have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. It was just a great overall experience, and something that you will always remember. We would definitely recommend this place to couples celebrating special events. In the mean time, we will continue our search for places in the DC metro area that wow us with their food!
(4)Krystin M.
Restaurant Eve is now one of my most favorite restaurants I have been to in the DC area. Just walking up to restaurant Eve your led by beautiful candle light and gorgeous decor once you walk in. First impression had me already excited to dine there! My friend and I choose to eat at the bar due to the restaurant being very busy. Which was a wonderful experience in itself. The bartenders were extremely kind and very attentive and crafted perfect martinis! The food was incredible! We had the salad of wild mushrooms as our appetizer which was divine!! Yet, the entree was our favorite part. It was their special of the evening -veal shank pulled off the bone over a bed of polenta. The veal was so tender and flavorful and the polenta was the perfect side to compliment the veal. Such a creative and tasteful dish! I wish we would have had room for dessert and will definitely try at my next visit! Between the decor, service, drinks and food- outstanding!!! Can not wait to return again soon!
(5)Meghan C.
I've stayed at the Hotel Monaco several times, and had heard that one of the best resturants in the DC area (Restaurant Eve) was right next door. Finally, we had a lunch business meeting scheduled there, and I was excited to finally visit. Our dining companions explained that the menu is constantly changing, and all produce and ingredients are fresh and local. Perfect. First, we were served amazing bread. After much deliberation, I decided on the blackened sea bass served over diced beets and butter braised sunchokes. The pairing was great, but the dish was small, despite the waiter assuring me that it would be more than enough food. I ordered an additional item of the risotto, which was fantastic. We finished off with freshly steeped coffee and home made shortbread. The shortbread was amazing! Better than any shortbread that I have tasted. I would knock down this review to a 4.5 because the wait staff was a tad rigid.
(5)Joshua S.
A place to enjoy a special night. Attentive staff, delectable food and drinks, cozy atmosphere. Menu-wise, you can't go wrong. Drink-wise, the gin and tonic is to die for.
(4)Andrea S.
I'd give 3.5 if I could. This is only about the tasting menu experience, and I can't help but compare it to the others I've had (Volt, Citronelle, Komi). We did 7 courses with a group of 4 for a special occasion. I was disappointed that the pescatarian in our group was given a ton of fish--I think some creative vegetarian dishes would have been better than filet after filet--to me it seemed kind of one-note. The table favorites were mushroom agnolotti and a chocolate cake bar. I found that the smaller the bites, the more delicious and interesting they were, so the canapes and amouse. But the lamb and other dishes just didn't pack a punch. The flavors weren't interesting. I also found the service to be a little off--not terrible, but it just wasn't smooth. I'd expect each dish to be explained at least a little upon presentation, especially when the menu is vague. We shouldn't have to wonder what something might be. From our experience, Eve seemed like a fine tasting for the less adventurous. But for over $100 a person I want to be wowed (even if a little confused or hesitant at times).
(3)Darren S.
I'm very stingy with my stars and Eve earned all 5. Great good, excellent service from a team of employees and a truly local and organic menu with a strong eye on sustainability. Very happy to see skate wing and various shellfish dishes offered. Expensive, but with good food you get what you pay for. My asparagus app was amazing and my local organic rib eye was spectacular. Local Rhubarb cobbler for desert was awesome. Five Star!
(5)Hannah H.
Our project team decided to indulge for a celebratory dinner and this place really hit the spot. The service was probably the one of the best I'd experienced. The atmosphere was initmate and really could be romantic if you went there for that special occassion. We all went with the 7-course pre-fix meal and it was delectable! We all loved it. The servers were knowlegdable enough to explain the varieities and differences of the wine they carried. If I was in the area again, I would definitely reserve a table there in advance.
(5)Rebecca Y.
4.5 stars. I came here with my aunt last year around this time, so my review can't be as accurate as I'd like it to be. But I remember I really enjoyed my experience there. First off, the decor is impeccable. Perfect for a date or a super special occasion. When I was there, I remember several large groups celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and graduations. I still remember the cloth napkins were bound together by an exquisite jeweled butterfly. They also have a special metal hook that attached to the table so that you could hang your bag on it. Maybe that's standard at fancy restaurants, but I've never seen it before, so I thought that was pretty nifty! Second, I love the theme of this place (a Garden of Eden sort of thing) and the little motifs that appear in its menu, inside and outside the restaurant. A vase on our table featured a flower with its green stem coiled around like a snake. Outside of the restaurant was also beautiful with dim lights, cobblestone, and ivy; a "Secret Garden" type of atmosphere. I remember we both got the 5-course Tasting Room Menu ($110 each), with each course representing a different stage in creation: Creation (fruits, herbs, legumes, beans), Ocean (seafood dishes), Earth and Sky (meat dishes), Age (jams, purees, marmalade), and Eden (dessert). -I remember I liked some dishes better than others, but can't remember any specifics. But the one dish that really stood out was the "Eden" course: Tasting of Chocolate. WOWWWW. From left to right on your plate, you have a spectrum of different kinds of chocolate, from white to milk to dark, in different textures, from airy mousse to velvety gelato to buttery cookie to thick cream. Each one was exquisite. This dish was ABSOLUTELY PERFECT, from presentation, to quality, to taste. A lot of thought was put into this. A MUST-HAVE. To top it all off, we ended the 5-course meal with grapefruit jellies and a couple mini-chocolate cookies topped with gold dust (whoa, awesome!) I'm eating gold! =D The restaurant also let us have a copy of our menu tied with a ribbon, to help us remember our wonderful evening. I don't know where that menu is now, otherwise, I'd write a much more detailed Yelp review :) Bottom line: Come here for a super special occasion (birthday, graduation, anniversary) or with a very special someone. Everything here is meant to impress!
(4)Michael U.
Full review of the actual dinner service in the Tasting Room in my blog, highlights below: Having heard good things from multiple friends and Washingtonians (including Chef Cooper at Vidalia and the Maitre D' at The Inn) I was quite excited for the meal and although reservations were a bit tricky it worked out well as the Tasting Room is open on Mondays and we landed a two top for 6pm. Arriving 20 minutes late due to traffic we parked the car and made our way down the tiny alley to the lobby of Chef Cathal Armstrong's beautiful restaurant and were greeted pleasantly by a pair of young ladies who led us quickly to the Tasting Room, a lovely space separated by glass doors from the restaurant proper. The vision of Chef Armstrong and his wife Meshelle, Eve features three dining areas with each sporting different menus and price ranges, the tasting room being the most exclusive. Having contacted the restaurant ahead of time I was assured it was okay for me to order the spontaneous 9-course menu while mom opted for less food - I will note that Reservations Manager Ashley Pique' was quite helpful both before and after the meal, when she E-mailed me to ask for a mailing address for a copy of the menu. For my second course, the presentation was Chef Armstrong's signature 000 "Oysters, Cippolini Onions, Iranian Osetera Caviar" and like other signature oysters and caviar dishes it is worthy of the title as signature dish. A clever play on the "000" rating given to Beluga caviar I opted stir and combine the dish after cutting the oyster in half - the fluffy tart itself being substantial and the oyster being solo. With the overall flavor of the dish strongly influenced by the supple oyster flesh and briny popping caviar I appreciated the manner in which the sweet and pungent onion balanced out the heavy and buttery tart - each flavor showing on its own but also complementing the others. The next dish for myself was a $15 supplement (even on the spontaneous tasting there are three options for supplemental cost - foie, lobster, and Iranian Osetera) and worth every penny - even if it did look like the world's most golden Twinkie when it arrived. Simply dubbed Foie Gras en Croute with Bliss Elixir and Pickled Rhubarb the best way to describe this dish is to see a picture - essentially a sliced log of Foie gras baked in a golden pastry shell and served alongside sour pickled rhubarb, shaved wisps of fennel, and a strawberry-lavender-citrus sauce. A thicker and more texturally layered slice of liver than most I rather assume the Foie Gras itself was first roasted before baking, but whatever the method it was excellent and ample in portion. My fifth course was amongst my favorites of the night, largely because it presented something I loved in a manner I've never seen done. First roasted to remove some of the fattiness, then pan fried to crisp, the dish of Crispy Belly of Pork with Virginia Asparagus, Jamon Iberico, Sauce Soubise was excellent. Minimally fatty for pork belly, the two slices were wrapped around a thin slice of Iberico ham that added a smoky flavor to the already intensely savory belly - paring the two pig proteins with potato batons, onion, and nutty green asparagus gave the dish a stew-like essence...it reminded me of a more refined version of the Pork Steak and Potatoes my Grandfather used to make...a good memory, to be sure. Having written ahead to tell them we'd be celebrating my mother's birthday in addition to the previously mentioned accomplishments we were next delivered what has become a signature dish of the Eve Bistro menu - the Birthday Cake. Expensive at $12 the cake was wonderful with a poundcake textured interior and rich buttercream frosting - as a larger version of the recipe has been published in that past by the Washington Post I do wonder if they used Kerrygold butter in the dish or if a "lesser butter" would produce a dish equally rich - if the later this could become a go-to standard cake recipe for myself. Making our way to the door we had a glimpse of the small kitchen - almost too small to imagine so much great food coming from, especially with all the home curing, brewing, pressing, and roasting. Bid farewell by our primary server and the hostess we made our way to the street with our scones and butter in hand to find the world of old town Alexandria buttoned up tight and quiet - like Washington, VA the place seemed miles away from the metropolis of DC. Looking back on the meal I have to say it was a wonderful experience - the food Armstrong is putting out of that kitchen being some of the balanced and "unfussy" I've had at a restaurant of that caliber and his sourcing, business model, and dedication to a vision beyond reproach.
(5)Charles S.
Eve's was just a bit off. If I were to go back, it would be for lunch at the bar. Here's the story: Big night in Old Town with out of town guests so we chose Eve. The food and wine were excellent. I was very pleased with the duck breast; my wife got a surprisingly large portion of nicely prepared veal milanese. Desserts and appetizers were fine, but not outstanding. It took me a while to figure out what I didn't like about Eve. I had a fabulous and equally costly meal in Miami two weeks ago. There the owner and staff did everything to cater to the guests and ensure they were content. Eve gives off the aura that the guests should accommodate themselves to this shrine of haute cuisine. If they aren't completely delighted, it's the guest who has the problem. I should have suspected that when they asked for my credit card number when I made the reservation. At a merely expensive restaurant, okay. At take-out-the-second-mortgage prices, everything should be perfect.
(4)Tony B.
The Yelp description for 2 stars suits our experience at the bistro at Restaurant Eve perfectly: "Meh. I've experienced better" Good points: the restaurant is very nice, well decorated, good furniture, clean, etc. as you'd expect. Love the concept behind the regionality of the food (though I've never seen monkfish or salmon in the Potomac) The wine list was about what would be expected from a restaurant playing at this price point. Greeters were very nice. Plating and presentation were well done, cheese selection was quite good, the venison carapccio was also good. Mediocre points: the service was both pretentious and lacking (the server trying to speak down his nose while saying "ummmmmm" while trying to remember the specials isn't impressive), and service took an excrutiating amount of time with plates sitting on the table longer than they should have. Also, if two plates go back with more than half the food left on them, you might enquire why. Bad points: frankly, the food just wasn't that good. The leg steak tasted of nothing but the breading, was dry and was on par with your average chicken fried steak. For $37 I expected something far more refined. The Belly of kurobuta Pork was simply not a good piece of meat -- far too much gristle and again, meager flavor profile. The saucing on the foie gras special was far too sweet for the dish and overwhelmed the foie gras. So all that is to say that it feels as though Eve is still checking all the boxes for what should make a high-end restaurant successful: nice place, good wine list, interesting (local?) ingredients, snooty wait staff. The mechanics are in place. But the food just felt like an afterthought. After trying each course, we said "Meh, I've experienced better . . ." What's a dining experience if you don't get anything from the flavour of your food? And for a $230 check, that doesn't fly. Next time I think we'll go back to Tallula.
(2)Joe C.
I have been living in Alexandria and working in NYC for 8 years--Restaurant Eve is the only fine-dining experience I consider on par with Manhattan. I give it 5 stars for the food, 5 stars for the ambience, and 5 stars for the wine program (I have learned as much as I'll ever need to know about Madeiran wine from the knowledgeable and enthusiastic sommelier). I have experienced the tasting menu here 4 times and look forward to the 5th.
(5)Rob S.
Had dinner tonight at the best restaurant in the United States! Sharon and I had a ball there.
(5)Melissa R.
If you are looking for a romantic evening, then take your date to Old Town, Alexandria in the Spring. The proximity to the water's reflection, quaint restaurants, and vitality on the street infuse charm into your experience. The other night, my date asked where we should eat and I suggested Restaurant Eve Bistro. From what I've heard, it's upscale rustic atmosphere is perfect for a casual date. Lit candles line a cobblestone path to the restaurant's entrance and inside, the space is cozy and stylish. In addition, Restaurant Eve serves organic, hand-fed, and farm-raised bounty from local farms. Their attention to detail comes out in everything they do. I will admit that every now and then my date and I shared a quiet laugh at the waitstaff and their flourishes. They gave me a small seat for my purse! We started with the tartare of pine ridge farm beef with housemade rye bread which was finely minced and excellent. I had their special antelope entree and my date had the belly of kurobuta pork with kimchi turnips, red cabbage purée and pork fat fried ric. Both meals were flavorful and cooked well. It is apparent that the kitchen spends a lot of time preparing the sauces, sides, and spices. For instance, the waitress mentioned that the pork belly dish took 4 days to prepare. I liked my antelope, but felt that my date's kurobuta pork belly was a bit overwhelming and strong-tasting for me. Perhaps, that's just personal preference. We ended with a light selection of sorbets and herbal teas. My favorite sorbet was the one flavored with ginger. Price: around $200 for one appetizer, two entrees, 4 glasses of wine, sorbet, and 2 herbal teas. All in all, we were happy with our meals and the experience, although, the restaurant's vibe was a little too fancy for me to come back on a regular basis. In addition, the food is a little rich and over thought for my normal taste. Hence my '3" rating.
(3)Chris T.
During my time in DC, my friend raved, and raved of this one restaurant in Alexandria. If you can break away from work and wander over to Eve, you can take advantage of probably one of the best deals in town! The Licketey Split Lounge Lunch Meal is an awesome one. (Say that five times fast) The only catch is, you have to walk in (between the hours of 11:30 - 4:00 Monday thru Friday) and grab a stool at the bar. If there is a wait, do it, trust me it's worth it. The way this works is relatively simple in principle, choose any two items from the menu for 13.50. That's right, any two items, if you want a cocktail with a pint of Guinness you can do that, you can do two desserts, or any combination of the appetizers and entree. The hardest thing is to decide what combination you want! I mean in this day and age considering the strength of the economy, sure for 13.50 for lunch it can be a little splurge, but if you think of it as a test run, to get an idea on the food coming out of the kitchen where dinner entrees may run 35-40 bucks, and their 9 course tasting menu goes for 150... This is quite a deal! After much deliberation, the four of us finally decided on our meal, here are the items we choose... Seared Maine diver scallop with chantrelle mock risotto and pea puree - The scallop was perfectly cooked, the meat still had a subtle sweetness to it, it had a nice crust on the outside. The mushroom mock risotto had a amazing flavor, great texture and against the pea puree it added color to the dish and the fresh pea flavor contrasted well with the starch. OMG, a seriously amazing dish. Creme of leek and potato soup - A simple soup, with a nice depth in flavor, the creamy potato and the aromatics from the leeks made for a great soup, it was actually very light and clean flavored. Nothing complicated here, you just taste the ingredients. Irish BLT with chips - The sandwich was tasty, the bacon was fatty, crisp and had a great smokiness. The chips where just OK, but the sandwich was fantastic. Pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw - The pulled pork was decent, it was actually a little on the dry side for my tastes. But the brioche bun it was served on, had a fantastic crust, but was light and airy. The coleslaw was very light and refreshing, not to heavy on the mayonnaise. Frisee salad with seared monk fish and mustard creme sauce - They gave quite a generous piece if monk fish, it to had a nice char on the outside, a rich velvety and flavorful center, I was worried if the mustard sauce would be to overpowering, but with the mild spiciness, and creaminess, it went really well with the dish. Birthday cake - Tasted like a normal cake, looked really cute, but it wasn't exactly anything different that I have ever made. Overall, I was really impressed, the buy behind the bar was fun, witty and very attentive. The food came out pretty quickly and I must say the two be dishes of the meal had to be the seared scallop dish and the monkfish salad. Still the other items on the menu were still pretty damn good, and they definitely got me really interested in coming back. It's shame that I can't enjoy the lunch special more often, but it's also probably for the better of my waist and my wallet. I guess the next time I come here, considering it's a special occasion that I should come back and splurge on one of their fancy tasting menus. When I made my way to the restroom I did get a glimpse of a kitchen side dinning table as well. Oh man, I can't wait to go back to the east coast!!!
(5)Jonathan K.
I really wanted to give Restaurant Eve's Tasting Room five stars. But, there were just too many slip ups, for a restaurant of this caliber, for me to give them such high marks. When we were being shown to our table, and I asked to be seated away from the entrance, the "greeter" acted dumbfounded. She fumbled for a few moments and then offered a more private table (they knew before hand that it was my wife's birthday). I would have overlooked this ineptness, but the greeter never pulled the original table out so that my wife could scoot out to go to the new table (after she had done so to seat her). Maybe this is nitpicking, but I took it as a sign of an inexperienced staff. The other complaint, and it was consistent, was the temperature of the food. Each course was merely lukewarm (when they should have been hot). It was as if they had been prepared before hand, and had been sitting in the kitchen, but not even under a heat lamp. I don't think that was the case, but I expected (and have experienced better prepared tasting menus in other upscale establishments) something other than barely warm dishes. On the positive side, the waitstaff was extremely professional, balancing their friendliness with just the right amount of information (for us) about the food and wine pairing (both of which were excellent and perfectly matched). This balance is very difficult to achieve and I applaud the servers for their sensitivity and demeanor. This is still the best restaurant in Old Town Alexandria and well worth a special occasion visit. More so if they work out the kinks at the front desk and find a way to get hot food to the tables.
(4)Molly T.
Solid 4.5 stars. I'm taking off .5 of because of the last course disappointment. Check out the pics of all courses(except the first one). My brother took My Mother and I to Restaurant Eve to celebrate her birthday. I wore 5 inch heels( they were tasteful mind you. And yes, this is possible). What I must mention to any women planning to go.. have your "driver' drop you at the front or park really close to the entrance. As you'd expect, this Old Town Alexandria Gem is well, located in Alexandria, which is, well Old and the streets could use some leveling/repair. That said, let's get to the review. (PS. We ordered one of each of the supplements- the Caviar $35 and the Lobster $15- see asides below) We decided to order the 9 course Chef's Tasting Menu( I mean, if you're going to do it.. do it right, right?). Listed below are our courses and small notes. Course 1: I honestly can't remember. I didn't take a picture of this one, but I remember enjoying it. Not a favorite though.. Course 2: OOO" Onions, Oysters and an "O" shaped croissant topped with Ostera caviar. M'mm. Absolutely Incredible. This was my Mother's Favorite Dish. Really well done pastry shell with delicious oozing warm onion and oyster filling. A great way to start the meal. ***My brother ordered the supplement Caviar: Black River Ostera Caviar with Creme Fraiche Sherbert and crisp feuilles de brick. Severed with a Mother of Pearl spoon. Quite honestly it was a lot of caviar(yes, we should have known). He enjoyed it, but later wished he'd gotten the OOO as it came with a small, but decent portion rather than an ice cream scoop worth. Course 3: Housemade Ricotta Tortellini with sugar snap peas and pine nuts in a parmesan-garlic cream topped with fontina cheese. Really delicate tortellini with a creamy, buttery and sweet sauce( YES I dipped the bread in it. It was that good. Yes, I know where I was dining. No, no one frowned at this). Course 4: Tasmanian Sea Trout Filet with Pioppini Puree, Garlic Scapes and Diva Cucumbers. ( The crust was crisp and delicious. Unexpected and innovative. The cucumbers added a nice crunch and texture. The sauce had a slightly soy taste.) ***My Lobster Supplement: Butter Poached Maine Lobster in a curry sauce with tumeric and heirloom carrots. Absolutely Incredible. Succulent, perfectly poached lobster with an amazing curry sauce. I don't like curry, but I LOVED THIS. A highlight of the meal for sure. Course 5: Crisp Veal Sweetbreads with spring onions, jamon iberico and bone marrow vinigrette. Bone Marrow Vinigretty sounds disgusting, but this was my other favorite of the night. My mother who is an incredibly picky eater actually enjoyed this until the dinner conversation went to include what Sweetbreads really were. Then she was finished... Course 6: Roast Randall Lineback with fava bean puree, morels and a Ciabatta Froth. Really interesting and unexpected. The fava beans were perfectly cooked. The ciabatta froth a nice treat. The meat was cooked perfectly and decently sized. Course 7: Piedmont Cheese over poached grapefruit with lavender from the Restaurant Eve Garden. This dish came with honey as well and it really made it sing. The lavender was a nice touch and added to the springy feel. Course 8: Buttermilk Panna Cotta with poached blueberries and aged, lavender honey. If you like Panna Cotta, you'll love this. The poached blueberries were so fresh and burst-in-your-mouth goodness. The best blueberries I've ever had. Course 9: Chocolate ganache brownie with an extra virgin olive oil "kiss" and sorbet. This was my least favorite course. The brownie was dry. The olive kiss was very unusual. Not bad, but definitely not "dessert." A little disappointed, but since we were already stuffed, it wasn't a big deal. There were many small plates, Amuse-bouche throughout the meal. Two before and one between the savory and dessert portion of the tasting. I remember there being something with a foie gras mousse that was incredible. Later we had a mini Peanut Butter Cupcake and to finish after the tasting, there were macaroons and marshmellows. Yes, we somehow managed to eat all of the food. I would have to say that it exceeded my expectations. I felt like the service was lacking slightly. All the i's were dotted and t's crossed, but I sensed a stuffiness or arrogance from two of our servers, which was off putting. The "food runners" were pleasant. The decor seems true to being an Old Town Fixture, but it is not my taste. A little bit too ticky-tacky, old country cottage, eclectic for my taste. P.S. The small tasting room is COLD. This may have been because I sat between two vents, but be prepared and bring a cover-up that is suitable for a three and half hour dinner. (PS. I'm super excited. I heard they have a Lickity Split Lunch( 2 course for $13). I will be going asap to try it and then report back. If you don't have $600 to blow on the below 9 course, I'd recommend giving this a try.. Eve is great.)
(4)D H.
We went to the tasting room, where I picked my 5 courses, and my wife got the 5 course chef surprise version, which costs an extra $25. The food was good, and so were the wine pairings, and the service was very good. The disappointment at the end of the evening was when we realized that the chef's surprise menu choices were all just from the regular menu -- what a waste of $25.
(4)Richard L.
I have known a particular lovely brunette for a while now, and I've always liked the idea of looking at her over the wide expanse of a cream colored tablecloth. I never had a chance to do so - our schedules have always been at odds with each other, which I always thought was quite a pity. Of course, fate has a lovely way of pushing beautiful women into my life, if only momentarily, so it was with electric glee that I convinced her to have dinner with me. This is not a simple task - I am, as is well known in some circles, a complete asshole. Sure I'm gorgeous, and charming, and I smell faintly of chypre and sandalwood, but I am also an asshole. I picked Restaurant Eve in order to get around this fact...did I mention I'm brilliant? I arrived early and drank at the bar - a lovely bar, warm wood and dim lighting, the staging of a lounge crossed with the exultation of a properly stocked bar. All of the drinks were named with the wry humor of a lackadaisical wit. which I appreciated. I ordered an old fashioned crafted with decent rye bourbon, and I appreciated the way the bartender made it. Muddled sugar with the citrus peel, rye, tonic. No simple syrup, one large ice cube, stirred enough times to properly dilute and mix in the sugar. I do think the sugar was not dissolved enough(generally it's hard to get sugar into the liquid without osmosing over time), but it was still quite good. The drink was delicious, perfect, beautiful. The same could be said for the girl, who walked in looking as lovely as anyone has ever looked in this restaurant. One of the hostesses walked us to our table...I followed behind them, out of courtesy, and also because watching this girl walk in heels is something that she could probably charge a man for, and I would happily pay. We talked as we ordered drinks, our orders taken by an exceptionally professional waiter, and ordered appetizers. I barely registered the food, since she had the kind of eyes that glimmer gold, but when the food arrived I was jarred back to reality. There were oysters rolled in cornmeal and fried, over mushrooms. There was a salad with sweet lobster and the acid overtones of citrus. It was fantastic, and we both ate quietly with secular devotion. Our waiter(who was as perfect as a waiter can be, by way...especially as he used a moleskine instead of a receipt) brought us bread, that we ate as talked about whatever two lovely people tend to talk about. The entrees came, pork belly for me, filets of sugar toads(fish, not actual toads) for her. They were both outstanding, so delicious that I lost track of my thoughts for a moment - I looked at her and I thought to myself that I would like to feel the pulse of her excitement through that nimbus pale skin of her neck, and then I took a bite of my pork belly and couldn't think of her anymore. The soft creaminess of the melting fat combined with the sweet saltiness of the pork, and my soul did little half arc pirouettes into the sky. The evening was lost in bliss and I watched it go, a father sending sons to war. After dinner I took a toothpick and there was a warm frisson outside, where I should have kissed her, lips parted softly and the night an astor lily pale. A light refracted and I watched it chase from iris to iris and I gave her a hug instead. I walked down the street followed by long shadows made small by passing cars. Restaurant Eve is the kind of place that makes leaving without a kiss from beautiful women no less perfect than it could have been. That is not a small thing. That is not a thing that can be disregarded, like the turning of a season. If you are in Old Town Alexandria, there is no better place to eat than here.
(5)Linda S.
Wow! Stopped in for lunch on a whim and was blown away by the amazing food and service. This is probably the best meal I've ever had in the DC area. We were embarassingly underdressed for the elegance of this place, but the staff nevertheless made us feel warmly welcome. Service was attentive and thoughtful throughout, A+ from beginning to end. We ordered the 3-course Virginia Asparagus menu, $35 for a hearty, well-crafted, beautiful and very creative meal. It was all absolutely delicious, but my favorite was the entree of fried lemon and whitebait with pickled baby asparagus. The brightness of the lemon and asparagus perfectly balanced the delicate little fried fish. I had my doubts about the asparagus sorbet in the dessert, and by itself it was a little unusual, but it paired so nicely with the creamy lemon cake. The cocktail menu was so interesting that I wanted to order everything. The ones we tried were fantastic, albeit a little on the sweet side. The by-the-glass wine selection was good and the prices very fair. I have one minor quibble, and related suggestion to the restaurant: please keep the steam irons out of the dining room. This is unfortunately not the first upscale restaurant where I've seen linens ironed at tables as they are reset during service. I don't know if it's supposed to be a whimsical twist in a fancy setting, but for me at least, it doesn't work. Going out for an excellent meal in beautiful surroundings is a rare indulgence, an escape from the everyday. It kinda kills the fantasy when you look up and see reminders of the chores waiting for you at home.
(5)Jeff P.
We heard/read that Eve was an amazing restaurant. Ate there last night and it was quite a disappointment (especially for the price). I had the lamb special (bland & boring) and my wife had the ribeye (nothing special). The big-eyed tuna appetizer was excellent as were the pre-dinner cocktails ("Bring out your Dead"-awesome). The birthday cake was a major let-down. Dry cake + butter creme frosting = wishing you were having cake from Harris Teeter. The service was poor. The server was nice enough, but could offer no advice on the menu or wine list (she's smart enough to not eat there I guess). And dinner......took.......forever. At least we had plenty of bread!
(2)Ana W.
Favorite restaurant in DMV. Great service and food everytime. My all-time favorite is the mussels. Just had the snapper which was delicious. Bread is a must-try also. Enjoy'!
(5)Robert S.
It is really a 4 star place, but my wife and I were bitten by black flies on our ankles and feet during dinner. Additionally, I was served a port with a black fly in it. The food, service, and ambiance are worth 4+ stars otherwise. The flounder with poblano sauce is an outstanding starter, as is the roasted mushroom salad. The cocktail selection is great and the 'Buzzed' cocktail had just enough ginger and bitters to make it a great summer drink. Overall it is not worth the money though and the lack of concern for the flies was disappointing for a place of this reputation.
(3)Margaux H.
The food was a 5, but the service was a 2... We ate in the Tasting Room and did the 5 course option, which actually ended up being 8 when you count the canapes, amuse buche, AND check-accompanying cookies. (There are also 7 and 9 courses, but I'm pretty sure you'd have to find an extra stomach or spend all day there to be able to eat all of that.) There was an option of the chef surprising you with selections for each course, but we decided to chose our own since his choices would have come from the same menu anyway. Pretty much everything was fantastically delicious. Favorites were a puffed pastry filled with cipollini onions, oysters, and a cream sauce, topped with a very generous spoonful of osetra caviar (the "OOO"); the antelope, which surprisingly tasted nothing like venison and was absolutely beautifully cooked; and the wine pairings, which were just out of this world. Usually we are very disappointed with wine pairings and kicking ourselves for not having ordered something we knew we'd like. But if there's a place to do the pairings, it is Eve. Todd Thrasher is a genius. Two complaints for what was otherwise an amazing experience. The reduction on my rabbit dish was a little off, and the service was very mediocre. I think we must have sat at our table for 45 minutes before we were served a lick of food (and mind you, our seating wasn't even until 8:45 pm), there were lip marks on my water glass, and the waitstaff were overall pretty ineffectual. It was really a shame, and in general, poor service really ruins a meal for me. Fortunately, it was a celebration, I was with the man I love, and the food itself was extraordinary good, so our evening still was an incredible one (portions x-posted to my blog).
(5)Truly I.
I feel funny about not being more excited about Restaurant Eve. All of my friends said, "Ooooh, you'll love it!" so we booked it for our anniversary dinner. The long and the short of it is that if I went back, I think it would be for their lickety-split lunch. If I went back for dinner, I'd only order appetizers. It's quite heavy and rich food, which somehow is not that appealing when it's 100 degrees outside. That said, the service was very attentive, although the waiter was a "low talker" so we had to strain to hear him. Each server very thoughtfully wished us a happy anniversary. More details: The salted bread is phenomenal. The lobster roll appetizer was luscious. Very, very tender lobster meat. By the time I had finished it (and didn't eat the rolls), I was full. My whole bass with lobster sauce was overly salty, and I'm someone who salts everything. His steak was chewy and tough. He said he much preferred steaks we had grilled at home the week before. So, gastronomically not the delight I had hoped for, but nice attentive service.
(3)Susan M.
My girlfriend and I went here after shopping because we saw great reviews. Decided to sit in the bar because of the off time. Moved from the table to the bar where we were treated poorly or ignored by the bartender, who was the opposite with regulars. My girlfriend felt it was racism because she's black and the white customers were treated differently. We did the best we could but the food is not that great, over priced and our treatment was horrendous. Looked into diningroom before we left and the smell was horrible. Forget Eve's - there are better places to go in Old Town. We will NEVER go back!
(1)Amber B.
Hands down, one of the best establishments I have been to in the mid-Atlantic region. Innovative, yet traditional. Sophisticated, yet not too pretentious. I loved my Eve experience and if it was this good for lunch, I can't imagine how amazing a dinner here would be. After years (!) of living in the area and always wanting to go, finally the opportunity arose last month when my coworkers & I decided to take our boss here (it's her favorite) for her birthday lunch. We started with the papri chat, which is a yogurt-sauce based chutney mix with potatoes, chickpeas and spices. There was also a crunch in there that made it all complete. We all had a helping of this and all "Mmmm"-ed and "Oh yeah"-ed at first bite. It was then that we knew this meal was going to rock our world. For my main course I had the pan roasted Alaskan line caught halibut w/ Virginia asparagus, chanterelles and cipollinis. My oh my. This was seasoned and cooked to perfection and went lovely with the side of bacon and garbanzo risotto w/ Gorgonzola. Among other hit entrees at the table: chicken confit, roasted black bass w/ morels, ramps and a black garlic puree, and the two guys at our table had the Hawaiian blue prawn sammy w/ salsa fresca and serrano aioli and a ham & cheese sandwich which looked, well like it was an Eve ham n cheese sand which :) But then came the desserts. Of course, we ordered the birthday cake, the devils food cake w/ strawberries and chocolate ganache and --and this was by far best of all three -- the rhubarb pineapple crumble with vanilla bean ice cream. I know what you're thinking.. Rhubarb? And if you're like me and don't necessarily like pineapple. Pineapple? Let me tell you: this dessert was perfection in a bowl. The rhubard-pineapple crumble was equal parts subtle as it was sweet and we all could not get enough of this. The choc ganache devils food was tasty, but much too sweet for me. The birthday cake was just OK for me as well, but that's just my personal opinion, as the table loved it. It was very butter tasting it was overbearing. Top it all of with impeccable service and a beautiful, comfy layout and decor (kinda old school, but quaint). Restaurant Eve is a perfect place for any occasion, whether it's a birthday, an anniversary, date night or just any day/night of the week you're looking for a fantastic meal. This is sure to be had at Restaurant Eve. I can't wait to get back for dinner and even the Lickity Split lunch, which was packed in the bar when we visited.
(5)Alisa M.
My boyfriend took me to Restaurant Eve for my birthday for the Tasting Menu. This place is very very elegant. I will keep this review short because looks like a lot of people have reviewed this place as well. I can't recall all of the things in my tasting menu but the pictures should give you an idea of what to expect. The tasting menu is 7 courses with amuse bouche and macaroons at the end. So really its like 9 courses. It doesn't look like much food but it really was A LOT! The food was amazing! It's a great place for a special occasion! Check out my pictures! flickr.com/photos/pixela…
(5)S T.
What a disaster! I made reservations on line for my husband's birthday and was so excited after the reviews i read. So, we arrive and the hostess wishes me a happy birthday! I corrected her and told her it was for my husband and that the name was in correct. I guess they thought my online reservation had a typo and corrected it making the male name a female one. Next, we were seated side by side, which we are not fond of and were reseated but with some attitude from woman seating us. Next, the personalized menus arrived with the typo at top. Now the menu sounds amazing as written! Very detailed. That is until the food arrives. We are well aware of tasting menus and nouvelle cuisine being a fan of komi but come on! Mediocre tasting food that is miniscule in exceptionally large plates is a joke. We are willing to pay a substantial amount for good food, but no gimmicks. Multiple course tasting menus need to be truly tasting menus and not served as elaborately presented courses when you could breathe in the food and the taste is just ok. I wouldn't go there again nor suggest it to a friend.
(1)Catherine B.
This review is for the Chef's Tasting Room. It was worth every penny and more. I would have to say that they can have my first born child as long as the food keeps coming! My SO and I did the 5 course meal since our waiter informed us that the portion sizes did not change regardless if you got the 5, 7, or 9 course meal. It's good that we did because the portions were perfect plus tiny dishes are often served between courses. My SO and I chose to do the Menu Surprise (i.e., we gave complete control of our courses to the chef). Yes, we ended up paying the supplemental price for some courses. Was it worth it? Yes! Everything was melt-in-your-mouth delicious! The wait staff was attentive but not overly so. Despite standing around the center island, there was no awkward hovering that you experience at some DC area restaurants. Is it pricey? Absolutely. But as I said, it was worth every penny and more. Since it was our anniversary, the restaurant provided a little swag bag with scone mix and our personalized menus (that included anniversary wishes and our names) at the end of our meal, which was a nice touch. Unfortunately my S.O. got food poisoning from the meal so it might be a while before I head back here. But would I go without him? Yes, after all, I'm giving the place 5 stars.
(5)Marianne L.
Somethings are just worth the wait. The really good ones leave you wanting to turn right around and go back for more. I've wanted to come here for so long AND I WANT MORE!!! Met up with Tony P. today for the Lickety-Split Lunch special, eager to check off another on my myriad of Yelp bookmarks I've been meaning to go to for so very long. If this is how Restaurant Eve does lunch - then I definitely want to be back here for dinner. Everything on the special menu sounded so good it was hard to choose and there was much waffling back and forth. I finally settled on the Soup du jour (Cream of Asparagus) and the Papri Chat. And I only longingly looked at Tony's Salad du jour of duck confit a few times. :-) (It really did look fabulous and from the other diners in the bistro seemed to be a popular selection.) The soup was a delightful surprise as I'd ordered it with a bit of hesitance concerned that it might be too think as some cream soups can be. Oh but it wasn't. It was delightfully light with a nice delicate fresh flavor. And it was topped with a healthy amount of chopped chives - not the token amount you often see. This meant you got some in every spoonful and it provided a nice textural contrast to the smoothness of the soup. Papri Chat was one of those "have no clue what this is going to be, but the bartender made it sound good" moments. There was no description of the dish on the menu but the bartender was quick to describe it for me. Sounded good - item #2 selected. OMG THIS WAS FANTASTIC!!! Fantastic to the extent that upon arriving home I googled to find recipes. Papri Chat was not "peppered cat" (thankfully) but a fabulous Indian salad of chickpeas, potatoes, cippolini onions, and puri (unleavened bread). Three sauces completed the dish: a thin yogurt one, a mild tamarind curry (almost but not quite chutney consistency) and the third "green" one which I can't remember what it was - but I will tell you not a drop I could get up remained behind. Not working in Old Town will mean that I don't get here often for the lunch special, and the price point for dinner definitely will probably put this in the "special occasion" category, but damn it I want to know what else Chef Cathal Armstrong has cooking up in that kitchen. I want to sample the flavors of the full menu. This is one place I definitely won't be taking my bookmark off "to try".
(5)Mukur H.
I took my fiance for her birthday dinner here last week. I didn't know what to wear and since the website doesn't provide too many details, I think I was over dressed in suit and tie. Next time I am going to wear a shirt and jacket as there was no need for the tie. We had dinner in the tasting room. The dinner lasted approximately 3 hours, the service was extremely friendly and the food was delicious. We started at 5:30, needless to say.. since they just opened the tasting room, we were the only ones inside. We ordered a bottle of wine and decided to choose our own dishes rather than allowing the chef to be creative and decide for us (wasnt feeling too adventurous). Now, I did not enjoy every dish that I got but I was glad to have ordered it. We had the opportunity to eat things that we never had before. For example: caviar, halibut cheeks, 100 year old balsamic vinegar, ton of micro green and well too many other things to name. I was also glad that we got to eat foods that were not prepared in the traditional fashion for example: basil mousse. My fiance did get to take the menu home and she received a scone and coffee mix. I was disappointed that they did not provide the birthday cake as the dessert for her. I dont know, I might have had to do something different to get that, or maybe they do not provide it in the tasting course. I like the experience and I will be back again, someday.
(4)Alec R.
We celebrated our anniversary at Restaurant Eve, and the cooking was up to their usual superb level. The three course bistro menu is very reasonably priced for the high caliber of the cuisine as it has been in the past. I did notice that the service had slipped since our past visit. Waiters spent so much time ironing newly placed table clothes, that we were not tended to in between the serving of the courses very closely as we have been in the past.
(4)Weina F.
We went to the restaurant during cherry blossom weekend, the location of the place was off Pratt Street (the main street of old town) in Alexandria. From the outside, the place looked like a big brick house, and finally we saw the sign that says "restaurant eve". Across the street is the parking lot, we stayed there for over 3 hours, and costed us 2 dollars. The restaurant was not as fancy as I expected. We booked the tasting room for a 5 course meal. You have a choice of 5, 7, and 9. You also have an option to have the chef select the meal for you. The courses had some theme to it. The first course ("creation"), we each got white truffle and goose egg custard with black garlic puree, tartar of ahi tuna with coconut cream, almond oil and habanero marinade, Sausage (chef selected) and Caviar with with yukon gold potato gnocchi and creme fraiche (a croissant looking cup served in a small copper pot. 2 of us did not like the goose egg custard, it has an extremely weird flavor, you either like it or don't. I was okay with the tuna tartar, wasn't anything too crazy. But Jason loved the cavier and Nancy likes the sausage (it was presented very nicely). Prior to the first course, the restaurant first present 3 petite amuse bouche, the theme is definitely fried with some type of creamy filling. Then the chef complimented us with his special fried frog leg with a wasabi sauce, and finally another amuse buche with shaved ice sweet with some sea salt. The second course ("ocean") we got were Alaskan Black Cod with jerusalem artichokes and spade head spinach, Jason got the Chesapeake Rockfish with Baby white asparagus puree, smoked ham hock and cioppolinis, and Alan got ricotta Biretta with baby leek and perigord truffle butter. I think I like the cod out of all the dishes, except I would hoped for a bigger piece. The third course we got was named "earth and Sky". I got the squab with celery root puree, squab confit, and spice jus; Nancy got the wild oregon morel duxelle (muchrooms, i didnt know what they were and had to ask); Jason and Alan both got the farm raised filet beef with wheatberries, oven dried tomatoes. The farm raised cow i believe was only fed with veggies, so the meat was not as tender, and definitely tasted a little different from a filet from a steakhouse. My squab was served crispy on the outside with glazed skin, and pefect with the sauce. Not too crazy about the mushroom, that's why I am not a vegetarian. The fourth course ("age") we got was the cheese course. There were three choices, "Cashel Blue" with sauternes pate de fruit and sauternes syrup, the "Monocacy Gold" Flan with roasted abalone mushrooms and micro mizuna and hazelnuts, and "Tete De Moine" en Cirolle with Spiced Yellow Carrot Salad and golden Raisin Jam. I am not a big Cheese fan, so I didn't like any of them, the Tete de moine was the most duable for me. The last course was the dessert named Eden. We each got warm dark chocolate and ginger fondant cake with candied ginger and ginger ice cream, warm virginia wild flower honey cake with roasted pineapple, dulce de leche, and coconut caramel, and Praline-Crumb Doughnuts with Sauteed banans and Praline Ice cream. They were delicious, all of them. At the end we also got some free chocolate truffles and petite cookies, very cute. The service of the place, when I read on the review, should have been impeccable. But we were not too thrilled because she forgot to bring the wine out when we asked for second round of drinks. However, on the other hand, the water was filled for us constantly, and the plates and silverware was switched during every course. I would definitely recommend doing the 5 courses vs. 7 or 9 ($125 and $150), if given a budget of 7 or 9 courses, definitely go for citronelle for $40 more, it's worth it! Overall, the place worth a try, but the amount of food was not as much as I expected comparing to Citronelle. Oh, one more point, they are good at giving you extra little things, like the cookies and amuse bouche. At the end of night, they gave us a goodie bag with a recipe to make cones and some ingredients. The place has a very personal touch for you and your guests.
(4)Stephanie A.
I expected better and a more modern take on cuisine for some reason- My friend had the seared tuna which was incredible actually and her plate was beautiful. I had the squab and it seemed like i could have made it myself at home and the plate looked a little sad. It was cooked beautifully though- very moist. The cheese plate on the other hand was delicious and the bread included was great! I would go again and try something new. The service was excellent- always there to check on us and cleaned our table of crumbs. I would recommend this as one of the places you must try- romantic setting and I plenty of space to not hear your neighbor's conversation. I hope the next time I go I would give this 5stars- I think my squab really let me down :( maybe my expectations were too high.
(4)James C.
I really don't care if the chef while herding sheep or on some spiritual vacation in the Andes dreamed of this dish that wasn't that good and left me starving on the way out. Think it cost me over $150 for me and my GF. I will say the drinks while expensive were really good. Been there twice with a group and dreaded it both times! I refuse to go a 3rd time and have declined or changed other people's plans. If you want to spend a lot of money and stay on a diet go.
(1)Greg Q.
I was hoping that some of the less than positive reviews on here were wrong. Unfortunately I found many of them to be true. I'll do a quick synopsis of our trip to Restaurant Eve: We arrived about 10 minutes early for our reservation. The hostess didn't seem very excited to greet us and very plainly told us to sit in the bar until our reservation time. There was no offer to take our coats. About five minutes after reservation time a different hostess came to get us and escorted us to our table. The table wasn't ideal. It was pushed up against a set of french doors (one of us had the handles pointing into our space) and over a large vent. This caused both the table and chairs to wobble. Overall our waitress was very nice, just overwhelmed. She had too many tables at once to do a good job. She was quick to bring us water and ask us about drinks. This was the only thing that was quick all night. We decided to go directly to a bottle of wine. It took about 15 minutes for the sommeliar to bring over the bottle of wine and then another 10 minutes before he was able to pour it. At this point we still hadn't ordered anything and our waitress hadn't been back. Finally we placed our orders. Here is what we had and how is was: To Start: Tempura Oysters: This were fine. Fairly heavily breaded but not bad. Mussels: These were very disappointing. They were very dry and there was only a small puddle of broth at the very bottom of the bowl. Any french bistro would do much better. Mains: Bass: This was well-prepared. The lobster quinoa was great. Goat Ragout: The goat adequate. Definitely not as good as Komi in DC or the Girl and the Goat in Chicago...but fine. The beets and onions were lacking much flavor. Dessert: Birthday Cake: We took home two of the "birthday cake" desserts. While it looked beautiful it wasn't moist at all. It felt like it had been sitting out for a day or two. One other thing that I found odd is that there were people to clear plates. Our waitress seemed to be the only one doing this and dirty plates would sit on the table for 10-15 minutes at a time. Perhaps it's just a peeve of mine...but I hate when the service let's dirty plates linger. The cost was $300 for two. I can list a dozen restaurants in the DC area that would provide a much better experience for the same price.
(2)Lucia D.
Very disappointed in freshness of food. I had read eves other reviews and was ready to be thrilled. But is wasn't going to happen with a tiny deviled egg that tasted like any other deviled egg you'd get at a back yard picnic. My sweetbreads were sinewy, and every dish was served merely luke warm. The bananas foster at the end of the meal was especially disappointing: a slice of cake, a thimble full of ice cream and 4 slices of warm banana. I would have laughed if I hadn't been paying so much. I would not recommend this restaurant.
(2)Chris O.
I like my filthily indulgent meals as much as the next guy (especially when my date is paying), but Restaurant Eve failed to fully deliver. Perhaps it was because we were the last table, but there was just something off the entire time in the tasting room. The service was enthusiastic, but without rhythm. The food was tasty, but not ambitious. The wine recommendation of the sommelier was almost insulting - I get it, I look young, but don't patronize me. All of that being said, I think I'd give the joint another go. I appreciated the goals of the chef's tasting menu and I would like to see what he can come up with on my next visit.
(3)Elina T.
Had an amazing dinner on the 1st wedding anniversary last week in the Tasting Room. Every course was so well thought-out and balanced and the service was absolutely impeccable. It was not just a dinner, but a great and memorable experience. We order the 5-course "suprise" tasting menu where the chef chooses what you eat for the daily menu (their menu varies daily). You can provide any dietary or other restrictions. Everything on the menu was spot on. My husband and I got a different dish for each of the five courses and they got our preferences spot on -- my dishes were lighter and sweeter, while his were heavier and more savory. In addition, the chef popped out a number of amuse bouches and palate cleansers that were heavenly in themselves. Here is what we had: - Amuse Bouche: Deviled egg with caviar, foie gras mousse and salmon mousse - Treat from the chef: cold soup with a foie gras emulsion and Virginia peanuts - Palate cleanser: shizo sorbet - My 1st course: Spanish mackerel sashimi with pickled watermelon and smoked olive oil vinaigrette - My husband's 1st course: the "OOO" - Onion pastry with oysters and something else that started with O! - My 2nd course: Agnolotti with homemade ricotta cheese with tamarind, marcona almond crumble and heirloom carrot butter - My husband's 2nd course: Pacific halibut with chanterelles (they get chanterelles in Virginia!), trout roe and smoked eggplant puree - My 3rd course: Loin of lamb with confit of cubanelle peppers and shishito pepper puree - My husband's 3rd course: Pan fried veal sweetbreads with ragout of path valley beans, parmesan-filet beans with garden basil oil - My 4th course: "Julianna" cheese with peanut brittle crust, honey poached cherries and basil - My husband's 4th course: "Old Kentucky Tome" cheese with black eyed peas and candied fennel - A sweet treat with the kitchen - a gelee with an edible gold leaf - My 5th course: decadent dessert - Madagascar chocolate mousse with saffron peach gelee - My husband's 5th course: Sweet corn and dark chocolate pot de creme with smoked panna cotta and rock salt ice cream - Extra treat: cookies from the pastry chef (we took these home because we could't eat anymore)! We also received a menu with "Happy Anniversary" on it, as well as a goody bag with a scone mix and Irish butter. I could come back here for our anniversary every year!
(5)J. W.
Really pricey, but I guess if you're making a reservation here you already know that. That being said, this place has some of the best food I've ever eaten. I had the Dover Sole, and it was exquisitely cooked, almost perfectly tender. Service is fantastic and the cocktail selection is very diverse. Highly recommended as a treat to yourself.
(5)Ben W.
Resturant Eve is hands down my favorite dining experience today. We went to celebrate 1 year together and we absolutely loved the food and service. I can't celebrate the service enough - it's rare that it is as memorable as it is here. The food is more as expected, delicious, unique and not overly pretentious. I personally had the ribeye and it was mouthwateringly perfect. My gf got rackfish and it was equally perfectly made. For dessert we opted to get something other than the fame birthday cake and it was a great decision. Honestly nothing you can get will be bad.
(5)Sara J.
I forget how much i love eve for lunch. The dining room is so pleasant and light filled. Top rate service, specialty cocktails and food. This last visit (a rare day-date with my husband) we were seated fireside neath a romantically magnolia and dried oranges swagged mantle. I enjoyed the oh honey cocktail. Then we split the tongue fritters over caramelized onion and fried garlic slivers and mustard sauce-a new menu item. My husband had the pork belly sandwich and I loved my basque seafood stew main event. Such an enjoyable visit! A few days later- met a friend for drinks and lite dinner at the bar. Love the atmosphere but have to report that the male bartender (older bald gent NOT todd thrasher) was surly and rude. Regardless, the orange vodka cocktail and the grilled shrimp- heads on- very rich and delicious. For dessert we shared the birthday cake (cute and what you'd expect) and had a port pairing recommended by Mr. Surly Bartender. All in all, I always love Eve, but am sometimes turned off by the waitstaff.
(4)Helen V.
Lickity Split lunch! Salad du Jour: Crab Cake (if you came early) Antelope Scrapple and Poached Egg Without power at the office, I was granted another day of working at home. Blessing? Yes, because that means my lunch break was spent at Restaurant Eve. :) I have always walked past the little hanging sign for Restaurant Eve, but I never realized where the actual entrance was! Today, I came sharply at 11:30 (to avoid a wait, plus I didn't have breakfast) to wonder through the narrow corridor that led me to the glass door of Restaurant Eve. I found a seat at the empty bar and was eventually sitting beside two regulars, friends of the bartender. Since the three of us were the practically the first diners for lunch, we were able to have the crab cake salad, while later diners were offered the tempura flounder. **Lesson learned: go early for their limited special; the regular told me when they have extras from their dinner menu, it usually becomes the limited lunch 'du jour'.** The crab cake salad was subtle, unassuming, and delicious. My first impression of the dish was: that's all the crab cake I get??? I should have gone with something else! However, I was definitely mislead. It is true, the crab cake was the size of a diver scallop and the salad was a generous heap of butter lettuce, cucumber, and other tasty greens. But together, in their own portions, the crab cake and salad made a refreshing and light dish. Great way to start lunch! The antelope scrapple and poached egg were interesting and very rich. I've never had scrapple before today and realized even the exotic Antelope Scrapple may not convert me after today. I loved the poached egg atop the scrapple because a cut into the little tower let the yolk flow to all the layers, which results in a tongue popping bite. That said, it wasn't my favorite dish, but I did enjoy it and it was quite savory. The liquor storage room (glass windows) on the way to the dining room is such a visual delight (I'm a lush, what can I say?). Restaurant Eve is very posh and I would love to come to dinner here if I could afford it. For now, I'll stick to Lickity Split lunches when the office is shutdown on a weekday. But it doesn't mean I won't be daydreaming about Restaurant Eve during lunch breaks at the office!
(5)Judy C.
4.5 stars! I finally got around to going to Restaurant Eve for their Lickety-Split Lunch. The lunch special is served at the bar area from 11:30am to 4pm on weekdays. For $14.98, you get to choose two selections from a limited number of drink, appetizer, entree, and dessert options. It's a great deal, especially considering that many of the appetizers and entrees on the regular menu are only a dollar or two less that the Lickety-Split menu. You can't make reservations for lunch, but it's not a free for all at the bar. The hostess seats all parties, either at the counter or at low tables around the bar area. The tables fit 4, but we were able to fit 5 people at the table by the window - any more than that would have been uncomfortable. The service from the hostess and servers was excellent. Even at the bar, I felt like it was fine dining. It's better to go a bit later, like at or after 1pm to avoid having to wait for a table. I had the pork belly rilette with fried green tomatoes and the antelope scrapple with poached egg. Both dishes were memorable! Next time I'll probably go with one lighter dish and one heavier dish, because I was completely stuffed after the meal. The rillete was delicious with the perfectly fried green tomatoes. The antelope scrapple dish was great too. (I'm from Philly, so scrapple doesn't scare me) The antelope scrapple was served with a potato hash brown, topped with a poached egg, and I could taste maple syrup in the dish as well. It was the best breakfast food I've had in a long time. The flavors melded together wonderfully. All in all, a great meal. I'll definitely come back to Restaurant Eve again.
(5)Carolina V.
I had heard so much about Restaurant Eve and its food that I was drilled when I finally made it here. Maybe because my expectations where so high it was tough for the restaurant to live up to it. The place is super classy and elegant without being obnoxious (something very difficult to find in the DC area). My only problem is that the food might be too complex for me. I am a simple girl and like simple foods and flavors. All of the dishes had some ingredients that I didn't like or care for. The chef was great and worked with me to prepare something that I would like, but I am afraid this place was not for me. I do recognize how flavorful the food is. If you are foodie, you will probably love it! As far as the dessert goes, this is the best dessert I have had in the DC metro area, hands down!
(4)Travis L.
Very good and fairly inventive menu. Lots of focus on pate style compliments in most dishes. Food was great, friendly staff (especially the bartender). Very nice atmosphere.
(4)Amanda H.
Excellent restaurant for a special occasion! Definitely one of my favorites. If you like Obelisk and CityZen, then you will love Eve. Each course was amazing (which is rare for a 7 course meal). The chef was considerate of our preferences for non-beef items. My favorite was a white chocolate desert with Guinness infusion - so creative! Great wine and port menu as well. The entire experience was perfect, right down to the personalized menu. I also recommend a nice walk down by the water afterword - super romantic!
(5)Dat N.
Simply, the most exciting lunch experience of my life. Lickety Split lunch allows diners to select two items from a short menu of deceivingly simple selections (chicken salad, for example, as the most beautiful arrangement of dressed, mixed greens and delicately breaded filets of white meat) and at under $15, is the biggest steal in the region. You must sit in the bar/lounge area and no reservations are taken. Wife ordered the papri chaat and pork belly rillettes atop fried green tomatoes. I ordered the sandwich du jour (braised veal on brioche with pickled red onion) and poached egg atop antelope (yes, antelope) scrapple and potato hash. I've had amazing lunch before -- terrific greasy burgers, wood-fired pizzas, expertly crafted sandwiches, pounds of mussels, crawfish, hardshell crab, oysters, etc. -- but nothing has matched the care that went into the preparation of this lunch -- from where the ingredients were sourced to how they were handled and prepared. I had a wonderfully mixed cocktail and our meal was preceeded by warm, to-die-for crusty bread. A perfect combination of seasoning, textures -- the runny, golden yolk oozing into the crisp breading of the scrapple -- the brioche just porous enough to soak up the delicious juices without overwhelming the porportion of meat to bread. If you haven't taken advantage of this deal -- go yesterday. We left three pounds heavier, but gastronomcially on cloud 9 -- and with more than enough reason to return for a go at their dinner menu. And ignore the ridiculous and often, ignorant, talk you hear around you from folks who don't know food, chefs or professional kitchens. I overheard a group of ladies expressing shock over the serving of scrapple and despite the server explaining the preparation, kept commenting. Did they honestly think that this well-regarded restaurant known for its house-made everything would serve up questionable meat from a plastic package that you could purchase at your neighborhood Giant... and made from antelope?!
(5)Barry S.
Very stuffy ... With good food and an average value ... Many better joints around dc. ... Although obviously fine fare in Alexandria
(3)Cathy H.
We have been here twice. Once to celebrate a birthday on New Year's Eve and once to celebrate our anniversary in June. Both times the personal attention we received from the staff was superb and the meals were sublime. Our only regret is that the meals are not more affordable but it is a worthwhile indulgence that everyone should have the opportunity to experience at least once.
(5)Meg R.
Great service, and great food. We ate at the bistro and had a wonderful prix fixe dinner. The Big O was an amazing cocktail to start the night off. The fried oysters were cooked to perfection and sat upon a delicious gravy. My main was good but my Birthday cake really hit the spot. I'm looking forward to going back for the ribeye. Tried a bite of my friend's and it was unreal!
(5)David C.
This was an exceptional experience. Crazy expensive and tasty. We sat at the bar and had the specials and watched them make CRAZY drinks. They make their own tonic water cubes. I ate antelope - and it was yummy!
(5)Collin B.
My wife and I had an excellent, romantic Valentine's meal at Restaurant Eve. I wavered as to whether to give 4 or 5 stars to Eve...I think 4.5 stars would be most accurate. Eve is one of the best restaurants in the Washington, DC area but slightly behind a truly epic destination experience like Komi. We dined in the Bistro at Eve which offers a three course dinner. You can have a five, seven or nine course meal in the Tasting dining room but I recommend the Bistro as best value. I recommend starting the evening in Eve's bar which features excellent cocktails including the best Gin & Tonic I've ever had with house-made lemon bitters and a unique house-made tonic. There is a romantic two-person table directly in front of a fireplace in the Bistro - you might want to request this table or one of the booths in the rear of the Bistro. Top marks to the Sommelier who assisted us in making the difficult selection between many great wines on a 5 star phenomenal wine list which emphasizes French and Spanish wines. We were extremely happy with the Spanish Rioja we selected which perfectly complemented our entire meal. The service was very good the only issue we had was that the kitchen did not bring out our delicious heirloom beet risotto with our meal - a minor issue. The ribeye with bone marrow sauce was tender and very satisfying as was the Kurobuta pork belly. We were also very pleased with the Scottish Salmon first course and the delicious steak tartare. I also recommend asking the hostess at the beginning of the evening to arrange for a reservation at PX for after dinner drinks. PX is also owned by Cathal Armstrong and features Todd Thrasher's divine craft cocktails made with terrific creativity. You cannot go wrong at PX but you won't be disappointed if you order an Old Fashioned which is not on the menu but is a bourbon-based masterpiece. Restaurant Eve offers an Old Town Alexandria experience not to be missed!
(4)Neil M.
We went to the tasting room at Eve for my wife's birthday. It was expensive, but was well worth the experience. If you have ever watched Top Chef and thought about how much fun it would be to be a judge, then Eve's tasting room is the place. For each course (my wife and I got different items), the server comes out, explains what it is, and then allows you to eat/trade and critic it by yourselves. My wife also got to sit in a very nice throne type chair and it was quiet and personalized. The menus had her birthday on it and we got to keep it along with some irish butter and some other items. We also got the wine pairings which were very good. The wine expert comes out after the server and explains each pairing and why it was chosen with that dish. We got a different wine with every dish!! One of my pairings was a BEER which is great to me because it told me that they had actually put thought into it and said "a wine wouldn't work, so we paired it with a beer." The pairings were accurate and you could actually understand and taste why the pairings were made (we know this because we could switch wine and food or just one or the other). The courses were good and contained unique meats and other items just like you would see on Top Chef. I won't say everything was perfect, but it was definitely the experience that we were looking for, and some of the food was excellent. We have been to some other similar restaurants and I have posted a few reviews. For the Top Chef judge experience we have not found a place better than EVE's tasting room.
(4)Kat L.
Alexandria UYE put on by my two favorite filipinos, Hilvic and Michelle! Filipino mafia strikes again! I came early for what's known as the 'lickety split' lunch. Its at the bar, any two items for $15. You can choose from booze, entrees, and dessert. I, as always, was early and the first one there. I snagged a table by the window for 4. By the time all the yelpers showed up we had seated 7 comfortably. But this is also probably because the yelpers who came to lunch were HWP. (*Google that term*) I had a fresh, and crisp tomato salad that was bathed in balsamic, and stacked high with a tease of fragrant basil. Its fair to assume that I inhaled that dish. I also got it without the cheese, apparently a bit of cheese accompanies it, but I wouldn't know anything about that. For my second, and final of this lickety split, I had the mushroom risotto, which I found to be filling, yet bland. I found a plethora of mushrooms hidden beneath the sea of rice, but I wonder why the lack of mushroom flavor rang through. No matter I'm just being picky as I make better at home (but I use truffle oil so thats cheating). I spied the desserts, and the 'birthday cake' was cute, and looked fun- (none for me *sad face*) Lunch for 7 in about an hour and 15 minutes. Not too shabby. The restroom here is singular, and very well kept. Individual hand towels reside in a glassed encased cubby. Cute touch but it irks me to touch things with wet hands as anyone with 1 semester microbiology under their belts know that is how bacteria is truly spread. Resilient little buggers love them some water. And I just want to take a moment and give a bit of recognition to our fantastic (and beautiful filipino) waitress. I SO want to recruit her into the Flip mafia! She was extremely knowledgeable, well spoken, and patient with our very crowded table. I can't wait to return! **** tons of parking a block away on Pitt and Duke, as well as a parking garage directly across the street.
(5)Bon K.
Disappointing this time. We've been there several times, and generally have been good with it. Very expensive; i.e; about $200 per person including wine & tip for 5-course tasting. It's been a while since we went; maybe a year? The taste quality of the food is definitely down, while prices seem higher than ever. Food is still beautifully presented, but just not as well prepared. Wait staff is less polished than I remember. I don't mind paying top dollar for top shelf quality but this just isn't it any more. The chef/owner was nowhere in sight, and has apparently taken his eyes off the ball. Bottom line: Not worth the cost. Sorry.
(3)Sarah J.
I was having a very hard time deciding what to get the man who has everything for his birthday. I called Mini Bar for a week straight to no avail. So I thought hmm...where would be another good place to go...ah! Restaurant Eve. We love the bistro and the $20 lickedy split lunch, so let's venture to the tasting room. I called with one week to spare and got a Friday night reservation. The hostess asked if it would be a special occasion, to which I said yes, it is a birthday. I will get to that in a moment. The night started with us being escorted to an intimate table in the tasting room. We were immediately greeted and they wished the bf a happy birthday. How thoughtful! We were given the rundown of our options (sparkling or still water, number of courses from which to choose) and handed menus. Now get this--they printed happy birthday on the menu for the boyfriend with his name and everything! How friggen thoughtful. Since we were feeling adventurous, we opted for the 7 course chef's choice menu (for those who like to plan a bit more, you can choose each course if that is more to your liking). Before our courses came, however, we started with a couple cocktails. I had the Eammon's Cocktail and the bf had something with whiskey in it that was quite delicious. I didn't realize how girly my drink would look when I ordered it, but boy was it delicious. It was pink and citrusy and I loved every sip. With dinner, we opted for a bottle of malbec, but for those willing to splurge a bit more, you can receive wine pairings with each course. With our cocktails we were served multiple amuse bouche. First, 4 various plays on cheese and crackers: salmon mousse and caviar; deviled quail egg; peanut butter and ants on a log; and another that is slipping my memory. All were little bites of amazing flavor. I really appreciated the attention to detail. Our second amuse bouche was one of the best mousses I have ever tasted--sea urchin! It was my first and likely best sea urchin experience. It had fancy bacon bits on top. Yum! There was also a third course before the main courses began: a lovely sherbert palette cleanser. Perfectly refreshing for the meal to come. Finally onto the courses! The first course may have been my favorite. Carmelized onion puree wrapped in hamachi sashimi and topped with a slice of black truffle and sea salt. I was in salty heaven. The second course was a blue cheese stuffed agnoloti. Creamy and perfectly balanced. We were served fish with a red pepper sauce for the third course. The fish was perfectly cooked with a crispy sear on the outside and the sauce had a delicate hear that was delicious. For the fourth course we were served veal sweetbreads accompanied by a sauce that played on spinach and artichoke dip. This may have been the most beautiful plate we were served--squares of veal placed on top of teardrop forms of spinach and artichoke purees. It tasted divine. The fifth course was venison served atop a delicious pastry and drizzled with a wine sauce. The meat was perfectly cooked, albeit a bit cold for our tastes. However, still delicious. The sixth course was the cheese course. This was the bf's least favorite course since we were served a big hunk of monocacy silver goat cheese with nuts and droplets of raspberry lining the plate, but I ate up every morsel, being the cheese addict that I am. Dessert was homemade ice cream, a crispy cookie and orange gel. Sounds odd but it flowed together beautifully and was just sweet enough. The best part was that they served it with a candle lit in honor of the bf's birthday! Such a nice touch. Now, you'd think we were done, but no. With our check came a tiered cookie tray with homemade red velvet and chocolate macarons, chocolate layer bars, and chocolate chip cookies. Neither of us needed to eat anything more, but they were there and we were paying a mint so we did. We were stuffed to the gills, but it was worth it. And to top everything off, they sent us home with a birthday care package: Irish butter and a scones mix with house recipe. They also rolled the menu up and tied it with an adorable bow for us to take home and remember our meal. This was by far one of the best dining experiences either of us ever had. From the moment I made a reservation to our mini post party at PX (which our server reserved for us with a call ahead), the entire experience was stellar. Not only was the food perfect, but the service was absolutely top notch. We never wanted for anything, courses were served at the perfect pace, and every server we encountered was friendly, knowledgeable and professional. My only wish is that they would allow the women to wear something more flattering than stuffy pants suits. As a woman who has to wear them fairly often, they don't do anything for our figures or self esteem. Bottom line: if you are looking for a special night out and want to splurge, look no further than Restaurant Eve's Tasting Room. Amazing experience.
(5)Kyla C.
This restaurant came highly recommended from my sister so since she was in town, we went. It is very fancy with great service, cocktails and food. They bring awesome ciabatta bread to the table which I could have eaten a full loaf of. We shared the pork rillette which came with a green sauce and was arranged on top of fried pickles - delish!! My sister and I also shared the squash agnolotti (super yum but parsnips were just a tad undercooked) and the arctic char (great crispy crust and beans underneath). I couldn't decide which entree I liked best honestly and the sides of green beans and risotto were fantastic. The risotto might have been my favorite item all night. This is a great place for a romantic dinner so get your loved one and enjoy, you won't be disappointed.
(5)Ani P.
I met up with 6 other Yelpers for lunch. I arrived a few minutes before noon and there was ample parking. Eve is a bit hard to find (there's proper signage) but it's not obvious. The entryway is beautiful, you feel like you're at a cool dude's pad where there may be a vineyard hidden in the backyard. The inside is quite cozy. Cozy is great -- it's just not the best place to have a huge group gathering or drag in a double stroller. I believe I shared 2 seats with 2 other people (we were comfie only b/c the three of us had relatively tiny bummies). We selected off the Lickity Split Menu (thinking it would be uber quick for lunch). Not so much. If you come here for lunch on a workday, I'd give yourself 2 hours if you work in Alexandria or a nearby place. The portions are not equal. For example the risotto is maybe 3 bites and the meatballs with beans is substantially larger. I ordered 2 items from the Lickity Split menu: Heirloom tomato salad -- Tasted like tomatoes! The flavor was very clean. The balsamic dressing was perfectly tangy and I wanted to slurp up the dredges. Papri Chaat -- I appreciate that they tried to make an American version of papri chaat. Unfortunately, they missed the mark. None of the vibrant flavors of authentic papri chaat were present. There were tons of chickpeas and it was healthy, but not what I expected. I left hungry. I am not a big girl by any stretch of the imagination. And I was kinda dying at my desk. But I went dancing the night before... so maybe my bod just needed extra cals. Anyhow, it's pretty rad you that you can order smaller items that showcase what their menu is all about. Next time, I'm sticking with anything that isn't South Asian inspired.
(4)Don M.
Of all the ridiculously expensive restaurants in DC, I think this might be the least worth it. I didn't feel like I got admission for a show like at Minibar. It didn't leave me with my jaw on the floor like at Komi. I wasn't pampered in that old world way like at Cityzen. But I was almost drowned in all the fabric covering my chair and the table. I want to like Restaurant Eve but I don't know if I can justify the line item in my budget. Next time I'll listen to my accountant and just grab some fish and a beer at Eamonn's
(3)Sara A.
I travel to VA several times a year and love to visit Restaurant Eve. This is a great place to bring someone who enjoys fine dining! If you are a fan of venison this is your place. The food is always fresh and flavorful. The atmosphere cozy and romantic. The service is attentive without being intrusive. I had a chocolate and banana dessert there that I still dream about YEARS later. Truly.
(5)Ben W.
Like a scene from the Emperor has no clothes... We went to PX followed up by Restaurant Eve. Having been to Eve many times before we were looking forward to a great night. How the mighty have fallen. The food was uninspired and the service hapless. They seem to have fallen into the cult of personality mindset about themselves. If I heard one more time that the 't' is silent in Cathal from the mouths of servers, I was going to scream. $400 for four people for dinner. $100 for six drinks at PX. What a rip-off. There are countless great places to go in the greater DC area. Do not waste your time or $$$ here.
(1)Craig H.
Wish I could give it 5. I've waited to dine at Eve for four years and finally lined up my schedule with theirs. While Eve has much going for it, overall I was disappointed, to the tune of $300. First, we ended up in a very simple back room which was too quiet except for the obnoxious finance specialist at the next table. The server was efficient but not overly inviting. The tartar appetizer was very good. The ahi which I ordered for a main course was devoid of indication of preparation other than having been seared. The dessert was pretty but not very flavorful. Actually it tasted of pepper. I've been to lots of nice high end restaurants and find it hard to see what the hipe about Eve has been about.
(4)Kim S.
I was lucky enough to visit the bistro when they were having the black truffle risotto special. It's a $50 appetizer and actually worth it. Shame for me I didn't order it and shame for my best friend she did. I ruthlessly and not evenly stealthily stole bite after bite...I had no shame. I simply could not help myself. Eventually she gave in, took my meal and handed over the rest of hers. That's love. I generally have issues with restaurants that require in-depth menu explanations. I mean "marinated hedgehogs"? Does that sound like a mushroom? But our server happily offered detailed information about each dish. I wasn't particularly excited about the Tile Fish I ordered but Eve gets four stars for truly amazing service, great atmosphere, excellent drinks and well, the risotto.
(4)Drew S.
I'm guessing I came here on a bad day. I had the day off and was able to try their lickity split, 2 items for $15 bar menu. On their seating setup, I'm not a fan of eating on their little cushions and having to lean in to eat my meal. Next time I would wait for a bar spot to open up. First entree was their salad with pulled rabbit, and there were lots of bones in it. So I let our server know this and she asked if I would like something else. My wife was having the soup du jour and enjoying it so I asked for that also. The server came out 5 mins later with our second item, the pulled pork sandwich for me, risotto for my wife as well as my soup. Before the server left, I noticed a long black hair sitting in my sandwich which I pulled out to show her. She then took my sandwich away. Things were not going well for me. However the soup was nice, but I felt the risotto was just a cheesy glob. One of the managers came out to apologize and let us know they were making another sandwich, and also that they were taking the entire lunch off our bill, which was very nice. To me, their only saving grace was their management, which could not have been more apologetic to us, which definitely went a long way. I know stuff happens, and I really am the last person who will bring an issue up to the staff. but the service that day was bad. Very disappointing since this was my first time at Eve. Having dinner here doesn't really interest me. I have friends who can't stop gushing about the place. But $130 for their dinner tasting menu? I'm getting tired of these food 'Experiences.' Just give me a quality meal where I don't feel like I'm getting ripped off. The Majestic fits that nicely.
(2)Catie C.
for $13.95, I can't tell you any other place that can beat this for lunch! 5 star quality for a 3 star price! Best of all, you can pick any 2 items on the presented menu. ANY! not 1 appetizer and 1 entree. I can pick 2 desserts if I really had a sweet tooth going! How bizarre yet logical is that concept!? I absolutely love this concept since I am not a big dessert fan and I love appetizers. I ordered a chicken salad. The free range chicken was juicy and full of flavor. Greens were totally soaked in the cherry vinaigrette producing a well flavored rabbit food. For the 2nd dish, I ordered a pulled pork sandwich. They must bake their on bread here! It's so moist and warm - just to die for!! It's pulled pork loin in their special sauce which I can't really describe; but it's definitely bold! I seriously could not finish everything. I felt guilty for wasting such good food; but there was no choice since there was a day of touring ahead of me. I should mention that the menu I described is only available at the bar/lounge area.
(5)Shamik T.
We got there an hour late for a 6PM reservation on a Saturday after a miserable delay on the Yellow line, but called ahead to say we'd be 15 minute late. They were going to give our table away, but we promised to finish by 9. Manager was cool with it and was effusively apologetic (I'm not sure why...we were the ones who were late). We ended up staying past 9, and the service was impeccable. Truly great. Asparagus w/ parm. cheese and poached egg was fantastic. Nothing bad on that menu, and frankly, for what you get, the price is not unconscionable.
(4)Rohan P.
Went to this place on a friend's recommendation. Great choice. We went for their fixed prix lunch, and loved it. Loved it so much, we got a special chef dinner menu created for vegetarians. It was great and the wine ---wow! Great service and food. It was expensive, but well worth the experience.
(5)Sally D.
Outstanding dining experience. Best food, service and ambiance. The scallops were cooked perfect and the delicious steak and fish dishes were exactly as ordered, Definitely, a place to return to often as even the customer service was outstanding. They made a special night out a happy memory forever. Thanks, Restaurant Eve.
(5)Dine N. D.
Some friends and I stopped by Restaurant Eve to have a drink at the bar, yesterday, and received a full dose of the restaurant's misguided arrogance. I've eaten at the Tasting Room before and it just wasn't great at all ... not to mention the server doused me with a full glass of wine with no mention of any sort of compensation - just napkins. However, I did enjoy the drinks at the bar, so thought it would be a nice trip for my friends. When we arrived, we said to the hostesses that we would like to have a drink at the bar and they promptly replied with "we're not open." Hmm ... ok, "what time do you open?" we asked. To which the hostess replied "5PM." In unison, we all looked at our watches and marveled at the hostess when she explained "it's 4:58." Ha ha ... seriously?? Then, once we were allowed a seat in the bar area, the ridiculous bartender comes over and drops cocktail napkins down for us ... no greeting, no acknowledgement of us, nothing. So, I said to him, "Hello, how are you?" ... and he replied with "what can I get you to drink?" Really? A little acknowledgement, maybe just a one word "hello" ... maybe just go way overboard with "Hello, my name is ... " ... too much trouble? In a restaurant that tries to compete with some of the fine dining restaurants in the area, they can't coach their staff a bit better on customer service? Then, our friendly bar keep locks in on my friend's cup of coffee that she had been carrying around waiting to dispose of and abruptly says "who's coffee is this??" (so, it was directly in front of her ... you needed to ask who's it was?). A bit startled, my friends says it was hers and before she could utter another syllable, bar keep abruptly says, "this needs to come off of the table ... I can pour it into a mug and save it for you." Really? How about, "are you finished with your coffee? may I take care of it for you?" By this time, I'm just embarrassed that I've brought people here. Fortunately, a bit later, a new hostess arrived who actually knew something about customer service and took care of us. Train your staff ... if I ate fast food, I would probably have a better customer experience at BK or McDonalds. Maybe if the staff underwent a bit more training, it would make up a bit for the lackluster food experience. Don't spend your money, here ... there are way better dining experiences in this area.
(1)Hubert H.
I have been to Eve twice. I thought it to be unfair to give it a bad review with only one visit. It is, truly, a lovely place but my waiter on both occasions was arrogant and dismissive, almost like he was doing me a favor and that "I" was fortunate to be there! The food was not good at all. The Lobster Bisque was watery and not at all creamy. My sandwich was not good either. And to top off everything for the second visit the bill was staggering! I will not be back. I live in Alexandria and have all my life, this city has never had a true Four or Five Star Restaurant and that is sad!
(2)Jason T.
So maybe my expectations were running high -- but I was a bit let down by my experience here. I know I really wanted it to be good. I want to confirm my experience with a return visit before I chalk this place off. I went for their Bistro lunch and sat at the bar. The food I ate was generally tasty if not a tad over salted. My real disappointment was with the service. Overall, it was a strong service, but I really hated seeing the sausage get made. I realize I'm sitting at the bar in the bistro. I realize drinks are going to be made in front of me with a fair amount of that producing noise. But the bartender was commanding a strong service from the other servers to the point it was militant and unpleasant. Routinely barking out orders "Clear 2" or "Prep 7 & 8" or other commands of staff that were firmly stated over top of the conversations of the guests so servers across the bar could hear them -- it just really ruined any charm I was feeling. Additionally behind the bar and in an adjacent area staff were polishing silverware and glasses that had just been cleaned. While it's nice that they care about the presentation of the silverware, the constant clanging of silverware after being polished became annoying as the meal continued on. I wish they did that in a polishing room or other service area away from guests. I really want to like the place, but they would need to go a bit easier on the salt and hide more of the sausage being made away from guests -- even if they are in the bar area. I want to give it another try -- this time sitting in the dining room and I hope that it's a better experience.
(3)Sam R.
Came here for dinner here with my girlfriend on Valentine's Day last year. Finished dinner and left with a fiancee. Now I have a beautiful wife. Thanks Eve! I'll update this review when I drag her back for an anniversary dinner.
(5)Brandy H.
The best thing about flying into Washington D.C. -- National monuments? Cherry blossoms? Seeing democracy in action? Nope, none of these compare to the beauty of the "Birthday Cake - Just Because" at Restaurant Eve. A whole miniature double layer cake with bright pink frosting that instantly made me feel like a giddy eight year old on her birthday. When a pretty pink cake was just about the best thing in the world. Actually, that still ranks very high on my list at 29 years old. Everything else here was close to perfection, but if you only visit the bar to split a bottle of wine and this cake, I promise you'll have a delightful experience.
(5)Charles M.
I feel compelled to provide an update in light of a conversation with friends this evening. For dinner, I would reduce the rating to 4-stars. It is really good. I mean really, really good. However, I am not sure it is $100 a person good. So why did I give it 5-stars again? LUNCH. This is the best $15 pre-fixe you will find anywhere. It is fun, an adventure and delicious. It is only available Monday - Friday and it fills up fast. My advice - either get there early (doors open at 11:30) or come during the first turn (usually around 1:15-1:30). Oh - and feel free to linger for an extra piece of bread. It is the best in the region.
(5)Jayme R.
I am in sales. I travel and entertain clients (on an expense account) and/or dine with friends (at my own expense) a minimum of 5 nights/ week (excluding lunch). I am not bragging but wish to establish that I am not a "newbie" when it comes to dining out at both casual and fine dining establishments. But when a friend (who is a bigger foodie than I) suggested we meet at Restaurant Eve for my pre-birthday celebration I was delighted as this is one of my "Special Occasion" favorites. As I left my office I excitedly told a colleague where I was going, (and based on my previous experience dining at Eve) how wonderful restaurant is and that he must dine there at his earliest opportunity. After tonight's experience I am not sure why I would ever say this and must tell him and everyone else I encounter otherwise. It was not a busy night at the bar but service was unexplainably slow. REALLY slow as in I am purposely ignoring you slow. I cannot remember the last time I used the word pretentious but based other YELP reviews you will find Restaurant Eve listed in Webster's Dictionary as an synonym for PRETENTIOUS. Our bartender started out aloof and it took some time to get served our drinks. But we were patient, for we were at (what we have been led to believe) THE Restaurant Eve and everything is fabulous here. But when we had the audacity to say that the (initially warm and soft) bread served with our cheese plate was too hard, our inattentive and unkempt bartender (give the girl a hairbrush) told us "I'll tell Chef" (because we were obviously too ignorant to determine what hard bread is). We were eventually given new bread with the explanation "this is served in the restaurant" (with the underlying tone "perhaps your Plebeian taste might appreciate this). The other bar staff was not any more hospitable or less pretentious (the word is perfect for this establishment). The evening was capped off by a staff person stomping and through the bar, knocking into our chairs to get to and from a back office. Other than the standard "thank you for coming" from the hostesses as we were leaving we were never made to feel welcome at Restaurant Eve and attitude and lack of service truly put a negative aura on the evening. There are too many other dining establishments in this area who appreciate their patrons to return here. Eve when will you get past the idea that pretentious is NOT a good attribute and appreciate your clients?
(2)T T.
We went here last year for my birthday. It was good. But, it was expensive. Crying child at the table to our right. They were spending lots of money and not controlling their child. We were thinking of having my husband's company party here. This was the test run. But we felt secondary to this other family. Not a good feeling Plus it was my birthday. He wasn't impressed.
(3)Theo A.
Where to start.... From the excellent appetizers, to the scrumptious entree and the succulent desert .... Servers very attentive and penchant for detail .... This is a place where you would take your GF to unwind in what i concider a cosy and romantic atmosphere..... You absolutely get what you pay for..... You'll understand when i say this..
(5)Courtney R.
4.5 stars--we'll get into why Eve and I can't meet at five-star status in a minute. The Welshman took me here for a hot date last night, and we were sat in the Bistro, which is cute and romantic (you both sit on the same side in a love seat), and very toasty to boot. We ordered a bottle of pinot noir, and I tried the Black Bass cocktail as well as ordered a dirty Belvedere later. I thoroughly enjoyed myself but I don't think the high-rolling businessmen sat next to us were enjoying my flapping lips by the end of the meal. The Black Bass was surprisingly tantalizing: it had yellow chartreuse (which happens to be a wine-based liqueur that only three people in France know the ingredients for, but they pass it along and don't know that the previous one has done, kind of like top-secret clearance). It was pretty sweet but cut with an onion-stuffed, house made olive. Delightful, but you can only really do one. A quick word about all the ingredients: They are top-notch. Super fresh, often locally sourced, and many times made in-house (bread, bitters, olives). They also grow some produce. The shining star of the night was my starter, the Papri Chat. This class Indian dish was remixed into a refined explosion of flavors, done much more gracefully and sneakily than I've experienced with the real deal. I was stunned. It was light, citrusy, hot, sweet, sour, sharp, mellow. It was everything. It was delicious. I popped my sweetbreads cherry last night; I've always been too scared in the past. They were pan-fried with carrots, shallots or onions and what I think were cranberries. Also delicious. The flop was the creme brulee. Maybe it went over my head, but I don't care: I didn't like it. It was a gelatinous mold of chalky molasses and chocolate, although I'm not sure what was in it. I only ate two bites! To me, a five-star experience has no flaws, at least not flaws big enough to ruin an entire course. Welshie had the mussels (too much saffron for me, I like the ones at Brabo better) and the snapper--quite divine. He ended with the cannoli, also a little off to me (lemon bitters?). The service was great, if a bit over-the-top, but the staff loosens up along with you once they suss out your personality. The space is cozy and open and clean and warm all at once. All in all, Eve falls in the five-star range, and is certainly among the cream of the crop in terms Old Town dining (if not the zenith). I can't wait until the day I hit that five-star meal at Restaurant Eve--and I know that day is coming.
(4)Nina B.
Overrated. The Bar: This place is owned by the same folks who run PX and The Majestic. I would strongly recommend going to PX and Majestic for your cocktails, and don't waste your money here. The Ambience: It's decent. I like the fact that you have to walk through this old courtyard to get into the restaraunt. Makes you feel like you're in the 18th Century. The service staff is friendly and amiable. The lighting is a bit too dim for my taste, I like to see what I'm eating before I ingest. The Meal: My companion ordered the steak. And he seemed pretty happy with it. Although they haven't ordered new steak knives since they opened. So, it was a bit of a hassle actually cutting with super dull knives. At points I thought our wine glasses were gonna fall over from all that table shaking. I ordered the Bouillabaise, and was a bit underwhelmed. I've had better seafood across the street at "The Wharf". So, if we had found this place without knowing all the hype, I'm sure we would have been impressed. But, I've been too much better restaraunts in Old Town that I would go to for a nice evening meal on a special occassion.
(3)Loesje T.
Who are they kidding? Went to Restaurant Eve three weeks ago on a Saturday for a birthday celebration. I was incredibly disappointed! The appetizer was agnolotti (my favorite and something my Aunt Bina made beautifully, since she was Italian) which were so tiny I looked twice and smothered with fresh peas, clouding the taste of them. My Aunt would have been stunned. The bread was crusty on the outside but soggy and undercooked on the inside (get your bread somewhere else). The only good part was the Kerry Gold Butter. My main course was trout, but the pinkest I've ever seen. I think it may have been salmon and I received someone else's meal. Again, not very good. The wine by the glass was also suspect and I wonder if they switched on me. Since the meal wasn't what I had expected I was eager to "fix" it with the dessert which was showcased in the Post's Sunday magazine, the peanut butter Napoleon. Another disappointment. Gobs of peanut butter balls topped with a thin slice of chocolate. But I ate it since I was still hungry from the small portions of the previous two courses. I think I've been had! I felt like the Emperor in the Emperor's New Clothes. A rip-off. Service was weird at best and the staff was snotty. Save your money for Citronelle or Cafe Milano or Brasserie Beck where the food is plentiful and their chef's culinary talents are showcased. Restaurant Eve never again.
(3)Chris F.
We had been wanting to dine here for a while and finally got the chance to eat at the Bistro last night. We weren't disappointed. The food was very well prepared, the ingredients were absolutely top-of-the-line, and the service was polite, knowledgeable and totally professional. The atmosphere was warm (we got a table next to the burning fireplace) and friendly, but you definitely don't feel like you're invited into someone's home. We had wine, cocktails, antelope pate, veal shortbread, rockfish with lobster and after-dinner sherry and dessert. Everything was of exceptional quality, but nothing was the "best-ever", and that's my main criteria for five stars. To be honest, my Dad made the best rockfish I've ever had from a filet he caught himself earlier that day and pan-seared it in lemon-butter with cheap white wine and light seasoning. Not nearly as complex or difficult as what Restuarant Eve attempted, but even more delicious. About the food: a very creative menu, from the cocktails (changing daily) to the wine list (extensive) to the changing daily menu, which is practically guaranteed to have ingredients you've never heard of (sunchokes? morel puree? chat?) unless you are a professional chef. Don't be intimidated though, because the staff can explain everything in detail. Your best bet is to eat here for the lunch special. As good as the food is, it's hard to justify spending a week's rent for a dinner here. If we come back, we'll come back for lunch. Or maybe the bar.
(4)Paul S.
I treated my family to the tasting room and overall, the experience was good. The decor and waitstaff were top-notch but the food was a mixture of "this could be the best thing I've ever had" to "oh god, I want it out of me." (Granted, I do not have the type of sophisticated palate to appreciate the more unique food choices that were presented to me. None the less, I know bad.) The final bill with tip came out to be $800+. For that price (which I knew going into the experience) I figured I'd have life changing goodness from my dining experience. Instead, I was impressed but not left jaw dropped. Some of the dishes were so unique and wonderful that it's impossible for me to imagine where they came up with the idea. Some other dishes were just horrible. Spitting into napkin horrible. My recommendation is that you go there with an open mind. Be willing to try something unique and undoubtedly, you'll have a rewarding experience.
(4)Glen H.
Made a last minute reservation in front of 3 others. Told me they only had availability in the Tasting room, time 8:30 PM. They took my name, and we drove to dinner. when we got there the snot nosed young kids at the front couldn't find the reservation, said I was mistaken and said there was no availability. When we spoke to the Manager, another youth right out of diapers his only defense was that they only take reservations with a credit card and if they didn't take a credit card I didn't make a reservation. OK, mistakes happen all the time but I didn't make the mistake. Even if I did, the staff were total a-holes. I ate here 2 years ago the food was good enough. But there are so many great restaurants in the DC area, I prefer to frequent restaurants with competent service-oriented staff.
(1)Preston H.
GREAT lunch deal. Had cocktail and sausage. Wife had pork pâté and lobster bisque. Knowledgable bartender and quiet atmosphere.
(4)Annie T.
My boyfriend took me to Eve's tasting room to celebrate my birthday last night and I can say that this really is the ultimate special occasion restaurant. The service at Eve is absolutely impeccable. The entire restaurant staff greets you as you make your way to your table. The servers work in teams and are knowledgeable and polite. I thought that Marcel's provided the best service in the city, but Eve surpasses it. As everyone else has said, the food here is incredible. It is imaginative, unique, well-prepared and delicious. The butter poached lobster appetizer is fantastic. Really rich and flavorful. I also enjoyed the antelope. It sounds weird, but it is not gamey at all. The sear and seasoning on the meat were incredible. Plus it was served with truffles, morels and potatoes. Probably one of the best dishes I have had in my life. The desserts were great, but I preferred the complimentary mini-desserts that they brought out at the end. Eve's macarons are awesome. If you are celebrating a special occasion, I strongly recommend this restaurant. The menu was personalized for my birthday and you leave with a birthday gift (coffee, scone mix and Irish butter). Thank you Eve (and my boyfriend) for making my birthday so special!
(5)Mick A.
Good food, but not my favorite (See Kushi or Yechon or 2941) Staff was uh, quirky. 3 girls in one corner talking and two in the other corner. And they seemed to be staring daggers at each other from across the room. Wife didn't want me to use the restroom because she thought a fight was going to break out between Rachel McAdams and Lindsey Lohan over who was going to provide us the dessert menu. I said to my wife: "They're probably fighting because I'm already taken and they're jealous of you". She then convulsed into laughter and knocked her glass of wine off the table. She then called me delusional and recommended seeing a psychiatrist. Based on my wife's direct and helpful feedback to my statement, I'm guessing that probably was not it Perhaps I just went on an off night, because many do love this place.
(3)Ken R.
I've chastised a number of restaurants I've eaten at for not being good enough for the money spent. I don't mind spending money on a good meal and experience but if you're going to charge 5 star prices, you better darn well deliver. Restaurant Eve does.... in spades! There isn't anything I can say bad about Eve. From the food, to the service to the ambiance... I enjoyed it all and have voted with my dollar by going back several times. In fact, its been a few weeks so I'm due for a return visit soon!
(5)Sophie W.
I came here with some colleagues while I was in town for a conference. Yelp had great reviews, so I figured it was worth a visit. We did the Bistro room and everything was phenomenal! I had the butternut squash appetizer, which was amazing, the grass fed rib eye (cooked perfectly medium-rare), a side of the mushroom risotto, and instead of the Birthday Cake dessert, the house beignets, which were simply delicious and just the right size for dessert. For bourbon drinkers, I also highly recommend the Shoofly What? cocktail. I'm told it tastes just like a Shoofly Pie, but having never had one, I can say it tastes generally like a bourbon-y apple pie. Delicious! The service was fantastic as well -- our server was full of interesting facts about the menu (e.g., the Shoofly Pie). Overall, I'd say this is definitely a must-visit if you're in the area and in the mood for fine dining. Next time, we're definitely going to try the Tasting Room.
(5)Brian G.
All I got for ya is simply "wow"... It's the most amazing place I've ever eaten. I've been to the tasting room and the bistro and the bar. I'm always blown away and thoroughly impressed. The service is impeccable, door is amazing, staff is friendly. It's worth the cost to have an amazing dining experience such as this. I wish I could eat here every day.
(5)Joshua K.
Delicious food! I didn't know what this restaurant was about so I had no expectations going in. Everything we ate was DELICIOUS. I'm going off my memory of the food for this review because the interior of this place is ho-hum... like you are eating in some nice cottage in the Fench Alps or something. I've never actually been to the French Alps but that is the vibe that I got in the place... just kinda boring. Did I mention the food was delicious? Great place to take a significant other for dinner. Yummy.
(5)Brianne C.
With its vibrant orange roses in the foyer, Val the bartender's careful descriptions of the items on the Lickity Split menu, genuine smile, and meticulous beverage crafting skills, and its light-filled lounge and plush bar stools, my recent meal at Restaurant Eve was a superior lunch experience. The Lickity Split lunch invited us to choose any two items from its list for $13.50, and was incomparable to any lunch partaking in the area. The lunch offerings were straight forward dishes, but they were prepared with fresh, well-sourced ingredients by devoted cooks whose knife skills and attention to detail were exquisite. From a list including a fresh beet salad, papri chat, a rutabaga veloute soup finished with lardons, a goat cheese salad with greens and champagne vinaigrette, a smoked pork loin sandwich (house seasoned, roasted, and smoked) with caramelized onions and spiced mayo, veal meatballs with creamy parmesan polenta, a truffle risotto with reggiano cheese, Todd's whiskey drinks, and birthday cake, we decided on four savory items. Sitting back with the Eamonn's cocktail, a seductive marriage (officiated by Val) of herbal red lemonade finished with a whimsical yuzu foam, we giggled a bit and chatted about volcanoes and stargazing in Hawaii. Each dish presented by Val was clean and highlighted the main ingredients. The beets were presented in an unusual dice, but gleamed burgundy sweetness. I particularly enjoyed the papri chat, a satisfying, comforting cool dish of garbanzo beans, hunks of potato, and cioppino onions dressed with herbed yogurt and finished with a tamarind paste and cilantro dressing. The smoked pork sandwich was a bit liberally dressed with mayonnaise, but the tender slices of pork (excepting a couple of toothsome bites) were redolent of cumin and smoke, and the toasted potato roll complemented the pork's texture and the caramelized onions reminiscent of honeyed strands of angel's hair. The veal meatballs were delicate and lightly seasoned, and their accompanying tomato sauce was bursting with the slightly bitter, savory flavors of Italian tomatoes and wine. Truthfully, everything was nearly flawless. As others have mentioned (and over which my companion enthused), the dishes served were not discernibly different in quality or portion from those served in the dining room. And, we met some lovely individuals while nestled with everyone seated at the bar, and their boisterous enthusiasm for the restaurant (and life in general) added brightness to a day with a sky the color of aluminum. Restaurant Eve's cuisine, inviting setting, and friendly service and clientele were a marvel, and we can't wait to return with our friends. Highly recommended.
(5)Christopher F.
This restaurant is all it's cracked up to be. Food was stupid good, and everyone in the place was a professional. The guy who cleared the tables and ironed (yes, ironed) the tablecloths was wearing a beautiful black suit. If you've got the money, it's the clear choice.
(5)Marc P.
My wife and I went to Restaurant Eve (the Chef's Tasting Room) for our anniversary. We did the five course menu, and, like some of the previous reviews, our food was pretty good (4) but the service/price point was a 2 at best. For two meals and four drinks, a four hundred dollar bill should really accompany one of the best meals ever, but this one was just okay. We were seated a little late after being crammed into the adjacent lounge by the hostess who seemed annoyed we arrived five minutes before our reservation. Our meal was brought out over the course of nearly three hours, with the first course not arriving until forty-five minutes after we had been seated. The food was, as I mentioned, good, but I wouldn't return for any of the dishes (except the initial appetizer plate) for even regular prices. Also, we were never asked if this was a special event, so we were a little bewildered when the tables around us received little "goodbye gifts" at the end of the meal while we were not. This was very much a symptom of a server who, aside from a two-second "did you enjoy your XX course", always only directed at my wife, never really engaged with us. In the end, it really appeared to be an "emperor's new clothes" sort of sell in terms of putting up with the extremely long wait for small dishes with obscure names and only slightly above ordinary tastes. We will not be returning. One odd thing, the small acoustics of the booth were such that my wife had the conversation of the table across the room inflicted on her the entire meal. I couldn't hear a thing.
(2)Carolyn S.
Absolutely phenomenal. Hubby and I went for a special lunch date and ordered from the "Lickity-split" menu. Fantastic prices for seriously gourmet food. We tried the Heirloom Tomato Salad with basil leaves and goat cheese, Chanterelle Mushroom Soup, Meatballs with Creamy Polenta, and the Almond-milk Pot de Creme. Flavors were spectacular. Presentation was beautiful. Oh, and the fresh bread they bring out with the meal - wow. This is no ordinary restaurant. Can't wait to go again!
(5)Amanda M.
I was so excited to finally make it to Restaurant Eve for my birthday... especially because my folks were treating! :) We had the five-course tasting menu. Overall, Eve did not disappoint. The decor is comfortable and cozy, the service excellent, and the cocktails/wine selection very good. Expect to spend a good chunk of time here if you are visiting the tasting room; it is not a meal to speed through. This was a good choice for a birthday, as they created special menus just for me and also gave me some scone mix and coffee to take home in a little gift bag. The food was very, very good - though I would argue that for this price, it should be unforgettable. We all enjoyed our dinners immensely, but I have one suggestion: even if you are celebrating your birthday, do NOT get the mini birthday cake. Sure, it was cute and all, but the cake was terrible. Dry and flavorless. I was disappointed with my choice because the other desserts my parents had were DELICIOUS. So, stick with the house specials!
(4)Christy C.
Good, but not fantastic. I agree with other reviewers who say they had a solid, good meal, but it wasn't phenomenal. (And with the prices we paid, I expect phenomenal!) My husband had the Ribeye with a side of brussels sprouts. He said the tater tot accompaniment and the brussels sprouts both tasted of fish (perhaps fried/prepared in the same pan?). I had salmon and the various beans it was served with were underdone and slightly crunchy. I ordered the risotto as my side dish and it was great; although the peas and ham were unexpected and not listed on the menu and I HATE peas. Easy enough to eat around them, but would have been nice if it had been listed on the menu. We both ordered dessert and again, both were good, but not the best I've ever eaten. Hubs had apple tart in puff pastry. I had chocolate cake w/peanut butter filling in the layers all covered in ganache. His was much better than mine. What was totally and completely outstanding was the service. Every detail was handled, every need anticipated. The wait staff was courteous, knowledgeable and unobtrusive. The decor was lovely and had a certain charm. All in all, would probably not return considering the price we paid didn't match the meals we had.
(3)Lydia B.
This was one of the best meals I've had in my entire life. For those of you who have been to the Inn at Little Washington, I thought this was better. Seriously! We had started our night at the PX (will review this later) so we didn't have any cocktails before dinner, but I have been to the bar before and highly recommend starting with a cocktail. Their cocktails are unique and they make a lot of their own bases for those drinks. We sat in the chef's tasting room for dinner and did the 7 course tasting menu. They also have a 5 and 9 course. We also did the wine pairing. Every course was perfect and every wine pair was perfect with the food. The cool thing also is I am not a red wine drinker and they totally accomodated that when we did the pairings. One of the people in our party is also gluten free and they completely accomodated her to the point that they made her a special loaf of bread made from garbonzo beans instead of wheat. It was as good if not better then the regular bread they serve (which is very yummy by the way). The service was also spectacular. I can hardly wait for another special occassion so we can go back.
(5)Brittany V.
I went with my boyfriend for our two year anniversary and had a phenomenal meal. The asparagus with a farm fresh poached egg was delicious. My main course halibut was also amazing. At the end of the meal they gave us a nice treat (a small peanut butter eclaire and a scone mix to take home), which was a nice touch. Would like to make it a tradition to come back every year!
(5)Leslie G.
I had lunch at Restaurant Eve last week and was very impressed. I ordered the sweet corn veloute, chilled, with a mix of microgreens on top. I couldn't get it all out of the bowl and was very upset! For my main course, the waiter recommended the Artic Char, nestled atop what seemed to be macerated turnips, shallots, and speckled with small but substantially thick pork belly nuggets (educated guess). The first taste was amazing! Every ingredient worked together and I wished that I had not eaten any of the delicious bread to save room for every bite. I did, however, manage to finish it all! Can't wait to go back for the tasting menu. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Andrea R.
I don't know the DC area very well, but I have a feeling this may be the best deal in town...especially for the quality of food! Miriam W and I made ourselves comfortable at the bar here this afternoon. We were presented with a menu where I was told to pick any 2 entrees for $13.50. 2 seemed like a lot at first, but then I glanced at the menu and everything looked so good that I could have picked 5! I settled on the mussels in marinara sauce and the salad du jour (a fruity tasting salad with a flaky fish on top). I knew I picked right when a huge portion of mussels drowned in a tasty sauce were in front of me just minutes later. I should probably warn against the mussels when on a date because these were messy little suckers, but I know Miriam well enough by now to be a complete slob in front of her. The mess problem probably could have been solved if I had actually used the bowl they gave me for the shells, but we're not so fancy over in Chicago so I didn't actually notice the bowl until I was eating my last mussel. Whoops. The salad was also a nice portion and I loved the fish- it was a very light salad, but I felt quite full after devouring both the mussels and the salad. Oh, and I should probably mention the delicious bread they brought to us as well...fortunately, they bring out the pieces one at a time or I would have ate the entire basket! Miriam mentioned she eats here all the time and after lunch today I can imagine why....there are very few places (at least where I come from) where you can get food this good for this price! Next time I'm here I plan on leaving room for dessert...they have birthday cake!
(5)Stephanie T.
This is for the lunch special they have. It's fabulous. I love the bartender there. He's wonderful. We see him pretty much every time and look forward to it. The service is exceptional. He explains everything you could ask for on the menu. It's always crowded, but he does his best. I love their iced tea, and the fact that they have sugar syrup that goes in the tea so you don't have to wait until the sugar melts and its more sweet uniformly that way. Best ice tea. The lunch is always my favorite. Sometimes it can get a little salty, but besides that its quite an amazing value. I wish it was closer to where we live, but then we'd be too spoiled.
(5)Havar E.
Yes this is one of the top 3 restaurants in the DMV. A perfect place to close any deal. Amazing service and food.
(5)Cat C.
Note: Review is for June 2009. Restaurant Eve deserves a 4.5. Maybe its just me, but Restaurant Eve sure does deliver when you are celebrating a special occasion. In my case, this was for my 30th birthday. My now-husband went to EXTREME pains to set up an AMAZING 30th birthday..--- dinner at Restaurant Eve, followed up with drinks at PX and then followed up with a surprise party back at our apt! Highlights: Service was very good. They take special occasions very seriously and will have a special menu printed up personalized just for your special occasion so that you can take it home with you as a memento. Food was all around delicious. We had the Chef's tasting menu and all the dishes were fresh and seasonal. At the end of the meal, they send you home with a little bag of scone mix and their special coffee. -- YUM!
(4)Marc H.
Went to a birthday dinner here for my friend... Exceptional. The restaurant didn't even know that we were there for a birthday, but as we walked to our table, the hostess asked us if we were here for a special occasion, to which we replied, yes, we're here for a birthday. No later than 10 minutes after we were seated (and presented with an amuse bouche), did we receive a menu with "Happy Birthday XXXXXX" at the top... very very nice touch to print that out on the spot. The food was fantastic. Standouts include: "OOO" (oysters, onions, and osetra (caviar)) Sweetbreads Soft-Shell Crab Wild Mushroom dish (can't remember the name) Banana dessert The wine (by the glass) was great, we simply asked them to bring what they felt paired best with each course (or progression of the meal), the cocktails were terrific (a la PX) and the service was unmatched. Definitely definitely definitely coming back.
(5)Kevin K.
This place is one of the places where I would definitely spend my own cash without a bat of an eye. You know that you are going to eat and you are going to eat very well. If you are looking for a place to enjoy an evening of culinary degustation go with the full tasting menu plus the wine. It will take you a good 3 to 4 1/2 hours but there is nothing better I would rather be doing than spending time. I will skip the details but many of the servers there also work at PX so they can also hook you up woth reservations afterwards if you can swing it on thurs - sun. Desserts are to die for! Once again happy eating!
(4)Liz H.
EVE'S BISTRO: I'm giving this bistro 5 stars because of the white truffle risotto appetizer. Yes, it's $50.00. Ellie (our wonderful server) described the taste as "beautiful." It was exactly that. I truly respect a chef who knows how to use rare ingredients (let's face it, white truffles aren't in season for long and often cost upwards of $2,000 a pound). There were truffle shavings on top of a truffle risotto, which showed off this rarity to perfection. I would've hated myself if I hadn't tried it. The drink I ordered "I had to much thyme on my hands"....blah blah blah was a delicious apple concoction that included apple balls. I'm usually not a fan of cocktails, but the alcohol wasn't noticeable. For my entree, I had chicken with waffles. This truly shows how playful the chef is to start with a $50.00 appetizer only to follow it up with a staple of my Southern cuisine. The chicken was quite crispy. We had to put a rush on our dessert so we could make Cirque du Soleil on time. We had the apple creme brulee. Honestly, it was a little too sweet for my palette. This place has a very romantic feel, but the playful menu shows that it's not pretentious. It's a great place to take a date. It's quiet. Also, Ellie was able to joke with us and we got a good table. Extra points for not sitting the young people by the kitchen or bathroom. This chef knows his ingredients, and you'll feel like you're eating at the kitchen table--perfect if you want to impress without feeling out of place.
(5)sarah l.
We ate here for a special occasion dinner and were so very disappointed. For the extravagant price that the meal costs, the quality of the food did not measure up. And the server was quite haughty and unfriendly. It reminded me once again that fancy restaurants are not worth the money that we pay. The experience is rarely a good one. If you know of one that can prove me wrong, I'd love to hear about it!
(1)Julie C.
I was prepared for and expecting a great experience at Restaurant Eve. What ended up happening was food envy all night. While I moderatly enjoyed the mussels and rockfish I ordered, I would have much preferred the papri chat and black sea bass my friend ordered. Best part of the meal was the cocktail and wine. The rockfish was prepared well, but I thought it lacked flavor from the mushrooms that I was looking for. Service - um a bit awkward. The server kept interrupting our conversation to interject odd small talk. She also didn't recognize that my mother is hard of hearing and couldn't hear the explanation of the menu, drinks and specials. We had to ask her multiple times to repeat herself and come stand closer to my mom so she could hear. Would recommend to those looking for a great meal, but there are a lot of other places I'd like to try before going back to Restaurant Eve.
(3)Karman L.
flickr.com/photos/karman… Finally, I made it here today for the Lickety Split Lunch Special - $13.50 for two items on the lounge/bar menu. Lunch Special is served Mon-Fri 11am-4pm. Since I was driving, I didn't pick any of the alcoholic drinks (wine and beer). I got the mussels and the pulled pork sandwich. HUGE portion of mussels and they taste AWESOME!!! One complaint...a few of the mussels maybe under cook, but it's overall a great dish. The pulled pork sandwich was also tasty but a little salty. Cons - I think I caught them on a bad day, it was extremely busy at the bar. Everything took a bit longer than I expected. No bread was served - they said they ran out and had to bake more. It took me about 1.5 hours for this bar lunch. Pros - Even it was very busy, the bartender and the manager were very helpful and nice. Great service. Bartender's attention to details is incredible (I was watching her making 5 martinis), she still pull all the small decoration for the martinis and made it very tempting to drink. Wish I wasn't driving. It was definitely a GREAT deal. I think just the mussel itself worth about $14 at regular price. The lounge/bar area is very spacious. You have a choice to sit up at the bar or on the comfy couch/ottoman along the wall. Will come back another day. Hope the service time will be faster.
(4)Michael A.
Fantastic service, great food, generous little 'extras.' Really a great experience, and one of the best places I've been to in the DC area. Will be returning!!
(5)Andrew H.
reading favorable yelp reviews is generally a blessing to any establishment, but sometimes it can also be risky as it may lead to too high of expectations. and sadly, that is what i experienced. don't get me wrong, the food was good and i definitely enjoyed myself, but i expected more. perhaps my three star ranking is a bit low. i would say that there were several dishes that our table ordered that i thought were exquisite...the beef tartar being one and the black bass being another. however, at the end of the meal, as satisfied as i was, i felt that i could have received the same caliber of cuisine at a lower cost than what showed up on my receipt. ultimately, i'm glad i went...if not only to scratch off another destination from washingtonians top 100 list...then for the good company, great service, and gratifying tastes.
(3)Udunnome B.
Simply put, the customer service was superb. I don't know how well they are compensated for their work but the host and our server was nearly flawless and made our experience memorable. My gf took me to Restaurant Eve for my birthday. The first moment we stepped inside, the host greeted us with exuberant smile and made us feel exceptionally welcome and at home. They sat us by enclosed corner of the restaurant to give us more privacy and even turned up the temperature when I told them it was a bit chilly. The menu was customized for our table and it actually wished me happy birthday on the very top of the menu. The interior is little bland . There is nothing much to look at and the food was delightful yet lacking flavor at times. I had grass fed beef and my gf had halibut. Both were good but not exceptional. Considering the price we paid, I feel as though the chef needs to up the flavor a bit. How? Well, beats me. Overall, food was sufficient but due to superb customer service our experience was memorable and would like to visit again just to be reminded of how good it is to have great customer service due to lack of customer service almost every where these days.
(4)Valarie G.
The food is amazing, the staff is top notch - dinner here is really treated as an art and there are incredible artists both in the kitchen and in the dining room. If you can swing it, this really is a treat for a very special occasion. The wine list, appetizers, cocktails, entrees, dessert - all breathtaking.
(5)Monica L.
I usually don't go to new restaurants with the jitters, but on the way down to Restaurant Eve, it felt like the butterflies in my stomach were spontaneously combusting. I had heard all the rumors, read all the reviews, and knew that this was going to be an extraordinary experience. I worried about what to wear, how to style my hair, how not to look like a silly young girl who rarely goes out to fine dining. I was definitely more on a date with Eve than my real companion. What struck me first upon entering was the immense feeling of composure. There were innumerable staff, but no one was rushing or looked like they were doing anything except exactly what they meant to do. Our suited server was patient and knowledgeable, and explained the tasting menu with such eloquence that we decided, "Screw it all and the economy, let's do the 9-course! Yeah!" It was a wise decision. We started with an aperitif each. Companion chose a delicious malbec with great legs, and I was curious about Todd Thrasher's ingenious creations and picked the Lemony Laurel. The combination of lemon and bay leaf was refreshing and pleasant, that reminded me of a Ricola. But the Finest Ricola from the Finest of Pharmacy Aisles. I could go into great detail about each course with an accompanying photograph, but that would be too much. The menu changes too constantly anyway. But I will say that everything caused us to marvel and look at each other with amazed faces. Whether it was absolutely ridiculous-looking or tiny or came with too much flourish didn't matter. Each course turned out to be exactly what we wanted to eat at that precise moment in time. The meal was well-paced, the service perfectly on point, the wine flowed, etc etc. In the end, the 9-courses were more like 15, what with amuse bouches, palette cleansers, pre- and post-desserts... and yet we were comfortably full by the time the bill came. We were so content and happy that we forgot ourselves and got lost driving back into DC from Alexandria, making a few wrong turns back into Virginia. Probably because Eve was calling us back.
(5)Anna K.
My partner and I went to Restaurant Eve for his birthday and were very impressed. We did the chef's tasting room - 7 course with wine pairings. The wines were spot on and very well thought out. There wasn't one pairing we could have argued with. However, for the size of the pours, the pairings were over priced. The fish dishes were the most creative and certainly the most tasty. The red meat dishes were lacking; one venison dish was over cooked and there was far too much rosemary. The desert was truly special with a romantic flare that I've never seen before. Looking back I would skip the cocktails -- they were OK and knowing that we were having so much wine later it would've been better to stave off the tipsyness. The service was great; perfect timing of the courses and a high level of attentiveness. I would say that Restaurant Eve produced the second best meal I've ever had at the highest price I've ever paid ($$$$$$$).
(5)Sean V.
This place is the truth! The bride and I visited for a combination birthday/birthday/Valentine's Day dinner and gave the tasting room a go. It was extraordinary. The food was simply outstanding and the drinks were top notch (gin & tonic and the tequila drink with smoked ice were unreal). I've read several comments about uppity waiters there, but did not have any issues at all. In fact, we found the servers to be very helpful and knowledgeable, especially our main waiter. Once you got this guy going about the cheese dishes, he was like a freight train! it's refreshing to see that kind of passion about food and his enthusiasm and knowledge definitely helped vector us in to the correct choices throughout the meal. Yeah, it's a bit expensive, but what do you expect for fine dining around here? you get what you pay for, and we were very satisfied with our meals.
(5)Holly B.
I've done their tasting menu twice now, and they were both some of the best meals I've had. I called ahead for my fiance's birthday and they had a little custom menu and take home gift for us when we got there - really nice touch. The service was fantastic - just right. The wine selection was fabulous, the atmosphere was spot on. I just loved the place. Every time we go back I vow to do the main dining room/al la carte dining, but the tasting menus are always so good I can't resist! Their bar up front is fun to stop in for a drink also :)
(5)Elizabeth E.
My fiance treated me to the tasting menu a few days before we moved from Alexandria to Ann Arbor. It was exquisite - from the fancy cocktails to the wee amuses we were presented with to the friendly and attentive table service from a waiter who happened to be from Ann Arbor and who gave us recommendations for places to eat in our new town to the tiered trays of tiny bites of dessert that rounded out our three hours of dining. We ate amazing things, many of which were new to us and that we wouldn't have had otherwise. It was a wonderful experience, and one I'm happy to recommend. I wish I'd had the opportunity to visit Restaurant Eve for other meals or more cocktails - if you have a special occasion and money to spend, I highly recommend it.
(5)Susan L.
Fabulous food, great service, and pleasant atmosphere. It is pricey but you get your money's worth. An absolute must. Intend to try their lickity split lunch, which I hear is great, but I will most definitely go back for dinner.
(5)Roll T.
All other lunch reviews for restaurants in Old Town are judged by this juggernaut placed in the esteemed hands of Cathal Armstrong. A one sentence review really suffices: You cannot get better quality food at a cheaper price than you get at Restaurant Eve. Indeed, within the United States, I have never seen a nationally recognized restaurant make their cuisine so affordable to the masses. Possibly even more interesting, there are no ascertainable quality drops between the "Lickety Split" and "Bistro" lunch menus. Instead, the restaurant matches interesting choices with local availability to provide stunningly delicious food at dirt cheap prices. Yes, dirt cheap prices. I just ate a pan roasted rainbow trout that was likely swimming in the Rappahannock in the last 24 hours over Davencrest Farms mixed greens and paired it with a gorgeous English pea, gongonzola, and bacon risotto for under the price of $20 including tip (yes, Restaurant Eve fans. the house risotto has indeed changed, but the new version holds up strongly against the old preparation). Each dish not only tasted exceptional, but also scored high from a purely aesthetic point of view. When a chef's preparation of food has the ability to transcend the sensation of taste and actually stimulate all your senses, then you realize the true value of this restaurant. I've noted a number of complaints about the service. In defense of the individuals who work here, they strive hard to allow the customer to fully appreciate the cuisine which has been prepared for them. We all face brutally stupid questions in our jobs, and sometimes, based on our subjective mood that day, we might come off as brusque or annoyed. I once thought that I had a rather rude response regarding a question I had about the risotto. I got over myself, and I have quite honestly felt a genuine bond towards some of the individuals that work here. How about the patrons themselves? Sure, many of them are the old birds of Old Town. But, I swear there is a regular here by the name of Robin who just might rank amongst the 25 most interesting people I have ever met in my life. I would say that the restaurant has a pleasant, friendly, sophisticated vibe that encourages conversation amongst the patrons. I would comment further regarding the Lickety Split menu, but it changes rather frequently. In fact, other than the Irish BLT, the pulled pork sandwich, and the birthday cake, there are no items remaining from my original review of this restaurant. I can generally suggest that their soup of the day is often a vegetable based veloute where all solids have been strained out in the preparation, the salad of the day generally pairs seafood with fresh local greens, and the sandwich will generally be red meat spiked with Pomery mustard. The risotto and mussels are always excellent if you aren't impressed with the daily options. If you are in the Old Town area, you owe it to yourself to try this lovely restaurant. If you make it down for lunch, you even get the added benefit of five star quality restaurant food at three star prices. I give this restaurant my highest recommendation.
(5)J D.
It had been some time since I was last here. I had lunch with some friends on the bar side of the restaurant, enjoying the " lickety-split" special: two choices from the bar menu for a bargain price of $14.98. The food on the bar side is prepared by the same kitchen that prepares the dishes for the dining room and many of the dishes on the bar side are also on the dining room's menu. I opted for the salad of the day (tossed greens with a light mustard dressing with two substantial slices of pork terrine as the accompanying meat) and the Irish bacon, egg and cheese grilled sandwich). Both choices hit the mark! The flavors of the dishes were complex and layered - the Irish bacon (all meat, no fat) sandwich was terrific. Having started with the salad, I only managed half the sandwich and had the other half packed in a take away container (it reheated very nicely). My dining companions raved about the roasted butternut dishes they ordered and the lentil soup. Service was attentive but not hovering. To cap things off, I ran into a friend I hadn't seen in over a decade. This was a memorable lunch. This restaurant shows no sign of slipping from its lofty place as a destination restaurant in Old Town Alexandria.
(5)Elizabeth W.
This was the best experience I've ever had! My review is for the Chef's Tasting Room. After reading MANY comments by fellow yelpers and local reviewers, we decided to splurge for my birthday dinner and our anniversary and check out the tasting room at Restaurant Eve. Upon arrival, we were greeted promptly and were asked to sit in the bar as our table wasn't quite ready for us. We did have to wait about 5 minutes to be waited on and another good 10 for our drinks, which was somewhat disappointing as a first impression considering the bar wasn't that full... Good thing the drinks were worth the wait! Definitely one of the best cocktails I've ever had. After about 15 minutes, we were shown to our table. I didn't know what to expect and couldn't wait to see what was in store. We were seated next to a small group of people, sharing a buffet style seat. The distance wasn't ideal for privacy but nonetheless served us fine. I particularly loved the beautiful napkin ring holders, which was a nice touch along with a fresh flower display and candle. Talk about romantic! After looking over the menu and discussing options, we decided on the five-course tasting menu and a bottle of wine. One of the nicest surprises that I didn't read about before were the three mini courses BEFORE our five courses and two AFTER that are compliments of the chef. I am not sure if this is normal or if it was because our dinner was at 9:30 but it was a very nice added touch. I can't imagine what the seven or nine courses would have been like as the five was PLENTY. I did read a review stating portion size was small. Yes, it is a tasting room, not a full-on entree per course. If you are expecting large portions for each course, you're better off ordering a few from the bistro. This is definitely about the experience of really tasting the food, not eating a large meal. We chose to let the chef pick our courses and are SO glad we did. What an amazing, amazing experience. Many of our courses were not on the menu and were exceptional. I think the restaurant's slogan - "Nourish the palate" is absolutely spot on for the experience we had. This was like a journey rather than a meal. It was carefully paced (five courses took us 3 hours) and left us in awe. We tried the sweetbreads and I have to say, they were amazing. I really never thought I would be so adventurous but what a nice surprise they were! From the somalier to the wait staff, the service was exceptional. I've never been to a restaurant where the wait staff worked as a "team". We probably had 4 or 5 people waiting on us throughout the night. One of the best things was that the staff was extremely friendly and down to earth which made us feel very comfortable. I was also a little surprised that a few of the men didn't have jackets or ties on in the tasting room. I guess the policy isn't as strict as we thought it would be (even though on the door they do request proper attire). I was also quite surprised that I saw people come to the bistro and bar with a nice shirt, jeans and flip flops.. Definitely a lot more "casual" than I was expecting but nonetheless I think the fact that the restaurant wouldn't turn clientele away due to attire is actually refreshing considering it is so high end. I've seen women turned away for bare shoulders at a restaurant in DC that didn't even compare to this restaurant.. Overall, exceptional and well done. Well worth the price. We definitely will be back and can't wait to bring others for a special night out!
(5)Sam F.
I just took my husband to Restaurant Eve for his 40th birthday, and had a great time. We ended up making the reservation at the last minute for a Monday, and it wasn't a problem getting a seat in the Tasting Room at the time we wanted. (I called at about 5pm, and we were seated at 8pm.) The food was perfect. We did the 5-course tasting menu with the "surprise"--meaning we didn't pick what we wanted, but instead let the chef choose. I think if you're particularly concerned about what you want to eat, don't do the "surprise" but it was a nice experience for us. Also, they made sure my husband and I got different meals so we were able to try each other's food! The food itself was inventful and thoughtfully prepared with obviously high quality ingredients. The service was excellent. We had 1 primary server who explained the menu to us (as it was our first time there) and was pleasant to talk to. They were available for anything and were able to answer any questions we had. They have a sommelier on-hand in the room, also, to explain the wines if you decide to get the wine pairing. We only drank wine, which was great, but if you like American wine you may want to be specific about that as a lot of their wines are French or Spanish. ALL of them were excellent. Others in the room had cocktails which looked yummy. Overall, I thought for a super-fancy meal this was excellent. The ambiance was great and we felt like we were really taken care of. They even had "Happy Birthday" on my husband's menu when we sat down, as well as on his dessert and then gave him a little "gift" at the end. The food was great and had a lot of variety. My only hesitation is the price as our meal was over $400! (2 people, both had 5-course tasting menus, 1 had wine pairing) I would love to try the a la carte menu in the future, as well as the chef's other restaurants, but I'll leave the Tasting Room for extra special occasions only.
(5)Andrew H.
Besides the best gin & tonic (secret: they make their own tonic) that has ever been made in the history of the world, this place rocks. Sit in the dining room, sit in the bar - doesn't matter. The service is attentive and polite and the food is without equal. Every time I go I think that it can't possibly be better than the last time, and it always is. The whole menu is locally farmed/raised and everything tastes fresh. Even if you aren't a foodie, have two or three of their fantastic cocktails and it won't matter. The bartenders don't cut corners - every drink is a work of art. Having birthday cake on the menu all year gets them extra points. Don't miss it.
(5)Bill P.
I would give this place 3 1/2 if I could. Went here during the week with the lady and we had a nice time. Service was fine, food was good, and the ambiance was terrific. Really liked the fireplace...I imagine that would be great when it gets cold! However, not all of the food was amazing...I ate at Marcel's recently and every course was terrific! Restaurant Eve was good, but it wasn't good enough to make me want to come back and spend that kind of money again. Instead, I thought, "Good food, but I'm curious to see what else is out there." I'll be going back to Marcel's sometime though!
(3)K S.
Without a doubt, the five-course tasting menu at Eve has been my absolute favorite "occasion" meal in the DC area. I don't know how anyone ever gets through the nine-course menu, as we counted up our total courses and with bread, an amuse-bouche, a "pre-dessert", the birthday cake ordered specially for me, and the treats with the check, we consumed 10 courses. Amazing. Standouts included: the amazing cocktails (all hail the magician that is Todd Thrasher); the "bacon and egg" sandwich with pork belly and poached quail egg; the butter-poached lobster; the house-made feta and kalamata olives in the "deconstructed Greek salad"; the choice of butters (Irish and domestic) with the bread; and - HELLO! - they serve a course called "PRE-DESSERT"!!! Service was perfect - attentive and helpful without being presumptuous or stuffy. Mr. Thrasher himself was maitre'd-ing the Tasting Room, and I got a little star-struck when he refilled our wine glasses. Our reservations were at 6, and I think we were there for about 2.5 hours...the room is so lovely and comfortable, you really do feel whisked away from the world and pampered by the outstanding food and libations. Because it was my birthday, I left with some "gifts from the house" - special "Eve blend" coffee, a scone mix, and a hand-written birthday card. I felt extremely lucky to have had the chance to enjoy the Tasting Room, and I'd love to go back for lunch at the bar or dinner in the Bistro. Update: Made it back yesterday for the Lickety Split lunch with my mom - what a treat! Seriously, if I worked in Old Town I'd be there all the time. $13 for two truly gourmet courses? Versus what, $8 for the same old burrito or pita or sandwich?! Anyway, between us we had haricots verts with toasted almonds and sungold tomatoes (x2), sweet corn veloutte with parmesan-herb gnocci, and crab cakes on a bed of arugula and green olive...accompanied by complimentary fresh-baked bread and soft Irish butter. The bartender was friendly (although admittedly very busy serving the full bar), and all the support staff couldn't have been more polite and on-point. A lovely lunch break and an amazing deal - can't recommend more highly.
(5)Emily D.
We tried out the bistro for our anniversary dinner. It was a great mix of fancy and friendly with a welcoming staff and a wonderful menu. The menu is small, but everything we had was delicious and the staff was happy to explain or describe any item we were unfamiliar with. The gin and tonic was especially delicious where some of the other cocktails were a bit too sweet for us. Wine pairings were available for each course and were spot on. Overall, a wonderful meal. We will be back again.
(5)Kim N.
Delicious, but be prepared to lay down a pretty penny (or a few)! Seems like this place has been well-reviewed, so I'll just give the basics. Great food, great service, great atmosphere (elegant without the pretentiousness). We did the 9 course tasting and oh my gosh, was I stuffed by the end! Seeing how expensive it was, I'd only go for special occasions, or perhaps check them out for lunch.
(4)Windi L.
*DINNER REVIEW* I've been to some pretty high end establishments in the area and hands down EVE is the best, most opulent dining experience I've ever had in my entire life. Not only is the service top notch, but if you're not happy with a dish, expect to be treated like the Queen of England as they do what's necessary to make you happy. Between the terrific service and beautiful decor, Eve will deliver what's necessary to make your special event "pop". First, you will spend a lot of money so save now or start vending whatever you can on craigslist. But I promise you, it is all worth it!! And Eve isn't pretentious glamor... it's real high end dining. The personification of what fine dining should be. Even for their tasting menu, the portions are far larger than other restaurants. And the taste (ooooh the taste!) is worth every single penny. If you don't like your dish, the staff will fix is ASAP and without any reservation. And, despite its truly glamorous setting, the staff is personable and non pretentious. Also, the deserts were something out of this world! Aside from my birthday cake (ding ding ding!! JACKPOT!) the other deserts made me pray to never get diabetes so I could continue to dine here for years to come. If you're looking for the best dining experience your money can buy, this is it. Hands down. It truly doesn't get any better than Restaurant Eve. Oh and might I suggest skipping the wine paring and get a bottle you like. Only reason being is their speciality drinks are truly one of kind that rival las vegas. *LUNCH REVIEW* Contrarily to the $600 we spent for dinner, lunch was only $13.50 if consumed in the lounge/bar. That's right, $13.50 for TWO items. Those items can be a glass of booze with an entree or how about some booze and a dessert? You can mix and match. I chose two dishes which was a mistake because the portions were actually quite large. Well... I take that back. My upscale version of "pulled pork" was very filling, tasty and UNIQUE! A great blend of different items made it memorable. I also had the gnocchi which was a smaller portion however could be filling on its own. Once again EVE came through with great drinks. I recommend the one drink with plums and egg whites (sorry I forgot the name). It was very delicious. Going there for lunch is not nearly the same as going for dinner (the food is equally as great) however the overall experience just isn't the same without all the glitz and glamour that Eve brings.
(5)David T.
The bottom line: Impeccable service, great food, cozy atmosphere. Visited Eve for my wife's birthday last winter. Making the reservation, I notified them that it was her birthday and they gave us a very nice table, by the fireplace. The service was perfect. A staff of centrally located servers topped of water, folded napkins (my wife drank a ton of water and each time she left her seat, the napkin was folded and replaced), answered questions and chatted happily. We opted for the tasting menu and the food was generally delicious. Unfortunately, I can't recall the majority of it (I should have joined yelp earlier). I do recall having wonderful sweetbreads (think brain), and a "restaurant given" pink birthday cake. I will have to go back for another menu-full to provide a better report.
(5)Pui Ying S.
Ordered the tasting menu for 9 courses and every dish was delicious. Notes of the meal were 1. Sweetbreads - the best entree. It didn't have the gland texture and it was super tender. 2. Service - Very good service. It wasn't overwhelming and the birthday girl got a scone bag with some Irish butter. I ordered the thyme drink and one rogue thyme leaf was floating in my drink which resembled a dead bug. I knew it wasn't a bug and continued drinking. A waiter noticed, gasped and took it away quickly and I got a new drink. I'm satisfied. 3. Bread was hot. Fresh. You can always judge a restaurant by how fresh the bread is. 4. Macarons - It's not Paris and the filling was cream - not the usual jelly /paste like texture. Not uniform in shape or size. However, tastes much better than the St Regis but Michel Patisserie is still superior. 5. Great tasting cocktails that aren't too sweet. But they were 15 bucks 6. Expensive 7. Dessert cake - This was disappointing. I felt like I was eating a brownie from a box. I would come here again to try the bistro.
(4)Michelle B.
Want to know how to lose loyal customers and influence people to go elsewhere? After frequenting this establishment, mostly because of the incredible bar staff, for almost five years, it is a safe bet to say my dollars and friends will no longer be supporting Restaurant Eve. Verbally abusing the bar staff in front of customers with language more consistent with a Jerry Springer show than a 5 star restaurant is not acceptable. These bartenders are the reason we come here and for their manager to take his over-inflated ego trip out on them is unprofessional and abusive. I seriously hope Ken and Tami realize there are better places out there that will appreciate the business they bring in and plenty of customers that will follow. This place, and the overhyped bar manager, is drinking their own Kool-Aid.
(1)Laura W.
Restaurant Eve, like Christmas Eve, might be nice and festive, but all the same, leaves you looking forward to the next day, the real deal. Honestly, the level of service at the bar here truly marred the top-notch quality of the food. The bartender acted snotty and aloof to not just my lunch date and I, but to other patrons as well. One lady, a regular, after ordering a few leisurely rounds of drinks, said a friendly goodbye to the bartender. All he could muster was a surly "OK." As for how he treated my date and I, not once did he make eye contact with my date while describing the specials. I'm not sure what was more uncomfortable: the staredown I got, or the fact that he was ignoring the other person completely. (To give him the benefit of the doubt, maybe he was tired of describing the specials in overblown, pretentious language to foodie types. Seriously, I know what a veloute is.) The service aside, the food was a great deal for the $13.50 Lickety-Split Lunch special. Helpful tip, you can only get the special at the bar. Don't make reservations since it's first-come, first-served. The mussels steamed with an apple broth were surprising yet some of the better ones I've had at a restaurant in awhile. (I don't know, I get tired of the same old garlic and cream schtick.) This came out first, followed by the Salad du Jour, which was a salad of greens with guinea hen on the side. While the flavor of the poultry was refreshing, I found it somewhat tough. At least I can say that I appreciated the fact that the two courses came out separately instead of both at once. I will not forget the bread. That soft, warm, flaky bread had me at "Hello, I'm on your plate, waiting to be buttered." Oh, and butter it I did. I buttered it every time the server lovingly placed another slice on my plate. I may return for the food, but if I see Baldy the Aloof Bartender I'm heading straight back out into the main dining area.
(3)Emily M.
I have been a patron of Restaurant Eve more than a couple times. The location is on a quaint side street in Old Town Alexandria and the entrance to the restaurant is hidden down a court yard path. The menu is delicious with many overly appetizing choices. I have always been pleased with lunches and dinners. The house cured pork belly, Irish BLT, and Chesapeake Rockfish are a few of my favorites. And you can't forget the bread and butter! I could live on the fresh, warm house made bread and Irish butter alone. The quality of the food is high. For dessert you can not choose poorly. A favorite as always been "Birthday Cake....Just Because." A perfectly made individual birthday cake with buttercream frosting and sprinkles made just the way your mother would have made. The only set back to this Eve is the service. While friendly and knowledgeable, the service is often slow. Nonetheless this is a spot worth visiting.
(4)Blanca W.
Always a pleasant experience, whether going formal in the Dining Room, or casual in the bar. Can't beat the lunch specials. Highlights: the outstanding bar tenders, with great signature cocktails, and super attentive to requests: on one visit I asked for Ramazotti, which is never available in local bars, and they didn't have it - but by my next visit the bar tender not only had it, he remembered I had requested it. For those of us who adore 'the innards" this place is heaven- divine sweetbreads and pates- the only restaurant left serving beef tartare and headcheese. Dieing to go to one of the "snout to tail" dinners. Dining is always leisurely, wait staff always attentive but not obnoxious. So happy it's within walking distance of my house.
(5)Dian C.
First of all, they really should split the reviews for Restaurant Eve into three: the bar, the Bistro, and Chef's Tasting Room. I think the experiences would all be first class yet completely different (so is the damage on your wallet). On my special day, Christmas Eve, I was able to steal away from work early and join PC W and another friend for the Lickity-Split Lunch (many others have reviewed this deal) at the bar. Always always go for the mussels, no matter how they cook it. On this day, they cooked it with apples. Apples?! Who would've thought that that light, refreshing flavor of apples would complement mussels, but it worked. The mussels were meaty and fresh, unlike most of what you buy at the grocery store or at other restaurants. Since it was my special day, I had to get the birthday cake. Out came a cute little cake ensconced in pink glazed frosting (bigger than a cupcake). The frosting was a bit too sweet for me, but the cake was moist and fitting for lunch on my special day! The bartender/waitress adroitly handled the bar full of hungry patrons before her and there wasn't too much of a wait between courses. We did have to get her attention a couple of times, but we also had to be somewhere. I only wish I lived or worked closer!
(5)Jim S.
The best restaurant in Old Town. I have been there several times and it is always awesome. Service has always been impeccable and attention to detail throughout the entire experience is noticed. Restaurant Eve is a perfect place for any occasion, whether it's a birthday, an anniversary, date night or just any day/night of the week you're looking for a fantastic meal.
(5)N S.
The Tasting Room served me what was easily one of the top two meals I've had in my entire life (Blackie's being the other - and I'm not sure which was better), so good I had to give the GM a hug and Chef a handshake. The 9 course tasting menu was a delight from beginning to end and the service was beyond outstanding. The only weakness may be the front desk, where things seem to be a little disorganized and built more around acheiving Bistro-quality serivce rather than Tasting Room. It certainly was not enough to detract from the meal and hardly dents one point on one of the stars. All in all, the price was extrordinarily out of my range to become a regular, but I will be making room in my budget to make this my special occasion haven. NB: As a caveat to those who haven't been, plan in advance, as you may have to look a bit farther out in making your reservation - I called at the end of May and the earliest Saturday they had open was at the end of July, at the tail end of their booking window. I ended up combining multiple celebrations into one visit, but it was worth the wait.
(5)Michael D.
I rarely do the 5 stars thing. Originally I was going to save that for the most exceptional of exceptional (Per Se, Craft, Luger's, etc.), but then I thought, isn't Restaurant Eve exceptional? So I thought about it, and I can't think of one thing I would change about my meal. Not one. They achieved exactly what I expected and what you expect, Truly exquisite seasonal fine dining with exceptional wait staff, wine list, and cocktails. I couldn't not give this 5 stars after remembering what I ate and how it made me feel. The most exceptional thing about this wasn't just that the food was out of this world, it was that the cocktails were some of the best I've ever had. Turns out the bartender is a mixologist to the highest degree. Dude makes his own tonic water...what?! Yes, he does. I highly recommend each person in your party to order something different off the drink menu and tasting all of them. As far as the food, it's just perfect. Not overly pretentious, yet you know that the chef cares about how you feel about eating it. The wait staff and management was also top notch. We had a total of 5 people working on our table (waiter, 2 runners, 2 cleanup/bus). I liked that as it felt that the waiter was orchestrating everything to make sure we got the full experience. Now, I ate in the Bistro, and I'd recommend this to everybody who's not into the whole tasting menu thing, but next time I go, it's tasting menu for me. Where a jacket, you'll feel weird without one on like yours truly. What? Dress pants and a button-up isn't good enough? I kid..I kid.
(5)Paolo G.
I've lived (and eaten) near Old Town for over ten years and this place is without question the best restaurant in the area. The food, from apps to dessert was outstanding and innovative, the service was excellent, the ambiance was perfect. I can't think of anything I would change about Restaurant Eve.
(5)Lily Z.
I had the $13.50 lunch special at Eve. The quality of the ingredients was top notch, the seasoning was perfect, and the price was right. Everything on the menu sounded simple, yet when you actually taste it, you can't help but think "wow, they made this mundane sounding dish special" Eve's temptation had a fresh apple taste with good amount of vodka in it. Eve's uses lots of homemade juices and concoctions in their cocktails, something you don't see in other places. The BLT was good, but the star was the pastrami sandwich. It was the best pastrami I have ever had. The lean part was savory and smoky and the fat part was meltingly tender. The mussels were also outstanding. They were small mussels with very thin shells (I have never seen this variety before), very tender and clean tasting. I didn't detect any grit. The apples and rosemary were an odd seasoning combination for mussels, but it worked here. Can't wait to try the dinner from here. I am sure it will be spectacular.
(5)Bill P.
Yup went to Nourish the P-l-te (TM)........fill in the blanks... First visit.....quick lunch turned into two hours.....great and friendly barkeep Terp alum Val and place is always bustling.....pairs of Old Town women LOVE this place.....but alas no sign of Alison Starling :( Had the beet salad and Irish bacon egg on butter toasted sour dough sandwich $13......sandwich was the BEST!!!!! Could eat that everyday....will be back.... weekend revs are a killer gotta slip in off-peak. :)
(5)Peter M.
This was my first visit to Restaurant Eve, and I have to say the hype did not meet expectations. The service was excellent, the wine was very good, and the food was... acceptable. After a long day, my wife wanted to take our daughter and mother to Eve. Our daughter being just a year old, made this a little difficult - but accommodations were made with a standard restaurant high chair. We were seated in the back of the room (which is fine, again, we're not picky) and offered a wine menu, water and a food menu. Soon, bread and still bottled water was available, as was a very nice French Pinot Nior. So why only four stars? I have to say I was disappointed with my main course. A "co-op" sirlion of beef, cooked medium rare - and properly - over a bed of celeriac in a very well flavored sauce. And the meat was tough... as tough and unflavored as any beef I've gotten from "Sizzler." Heavily salted, and seared, this was a severe disappointment. At the end of the meal, I decided to imbibe in a Pear sorbet. This was a very promising end, that also came up a little too short - simply because it was too heavily sweetened. I'm not sure if it happened because it warmed a little, or that there was a bit too much simple syrup in the sorbet... but it left me grabbing for my water glass and guzzling half of it. I have to say, I do appreciate what is being attempted here. The service was excellent - the wine and the food had great potentials - it just fell a little short for me. I'd like to return, and hopefully amend this review with a slightly better one - preferably not on a Monday night right after New Years. Bottom line: Chef Armstrong's staff is very close to pulling this one off. But I am really hoping for better. Still, a very good choice for a very good meal.
(4)Vic-Crys W.
Pros (top notch ingredients, superb tasting, separate tasting room, EVERYTHING). Yes, everything from beginning to end, was sublime. Walking into the building that houses Restaurant Eve introduces you to the warm greetings of a friendly staff, and you're gingerly shown your table. The place's classic décor maks you feel like you're about to dine with King Louie XIV before he went all loony. Each course is perfect presented and the flavors of each component perfectly complimenting each other. We were presented with dishes such as a small portion of rabbit liver, an insanely well flavored skate wing, seasoned lamb chop, a selection of artisan cheeses, and a variety of chocolates for dessert. Service is impeccable as expected, and it was a perfect dinner of flavors and happiness. We came here for our anniversary, and the staff presented us with a copy of the tasting menu with the day's date and the our dessert had a chocolate bar with "happy anniversary" written on it with gold foil. They also gave us a scone mix and coffee as a parting gift. Cons (slightly stuffy atmosphere): The atmosphere is ... well, let's put it this way. The tasting room makes a white house state dinner feel like Cheech and Chong is throwing a bong-rific hash brownie party. The noise level was never above a raised whisper, and we couldn't groan and moan normally when eating food of perfect taste. Recommend: tasting menu for special occasions. Comparable to: Inn at Little Washington.
(5)Willow N.
I recently tried the Lickety Split lunch. This place would be great for Jager bombs if only for the sheer hilarity of doing crazy shots right next to some bluehairs who were already staring at our apparent unfamiliarity with the rotating menu. It certainly didn't help that our potentially xanbarred-out bartender/waiter/chef? recited the specials in the most monotone and expressionless manner we'd ever experienced in a blank stare. He did not seem amused by our inability (by choice, not age) to order alcoholic beverages as he asked us several times. Did he think we were teenagers? Adult lunch alcoholics? The food was excellent, could have used a little maple syrup (my apologies, chef). Unfortunately the other clientele could only be aptly described as "withering" (kudos to my fellow diner for that descriptor). Male gigolos need look no further. Someone laughed in my general direction when I announced I had a meeting to be at and needed my check. Thanks, Eve. Thanks for a monotone dining experience. I did enjoy the actual towels (not paper) in the restroom. My apologies to the writers of Eve's glowing reviews on Yelp. Doesn't take much to make me feel welcome somewhere. Or, you know, hang up a sign detailing the age requirements.
(3)Keri M.
Came here with some fellow yelpers for the $13.50 lunch. We sat at the bar and got personalized service from the bartender. She remembered Venu N. and seemed to remember Justin S. as well. The portions are fairly small here, but do not worry because the food is so rich you will not leave hungry. The lunch is called the "Lickity-Split Lunch," which is marketing spin that would only seem to ring true for executives of, say, large banks. Our lunch took an hour and a half. I ordered the soup and salad of the day, which sounds boring from reading the menu, but sounded delicious in the bartender's explanation. The soup was a creamy porcini mushroom soup. It was so flavorful and rich that my hot, buttered bread was relatively tasteless. The salad included two crab cakes next to a mold of chopped green beans mixed with (I think) creme fraiche next to mixed greens with a delicious dressing. The crab cakes had large jumbo lumps of crab and little else besides seasonings. Best crab cakes I've ever eaten. The green bean salad was pretty good too. The beans were cooked perfectly, then cooled. The bar where we sat had only top shelf liquors and the bartender refilled our water from a fancy glass bottle. They do a good job here of making you feel like you are amongst only the finest things. Eve is overall a very elegant place.
(4)jame s.
I've been here twice now. First I enjoyed the 7 course vegan tasting menu and I loved the food and the experience and have recommended the tasting room to others who also enjoyed themselves. My second visit was to the Bistro, which serves from an a la carte menu. The food was ok, but the service was obnoxious in its solicitous delivery. We felt pressured to leave ASAP. First when my companion was finished with her roll, they attempted to serve her another and she declined the offer. The waiter approached our table and said something to the effect of "well, I'll just take the plate away because they'll keep hounding you", and then he reached for my plate too. I wasn't done with my bread. The continued hovering around the table made me anxious and I was unable to thoroughly enjoy the meal. That said, the online reservation systems are effective and the follow-up punctual. The hostess offered a pleasant welcome and the fancy cocktail I enjoyed sure was tasty.
(3)Sara M.
This was also one of the best meals I've had in my life. The service was impeccable. We did the 5 course meal. It was just manna from heaven. They don't cramp the room so we had a lot of space to ourselves so we could actually hear each other speaking at our table. We showed up at 530pm which is when they open. You have to get reservations. I got the chocolate for my dessert.. delicious. The food just kept coming. We started off with three pates on a biscuit, but the men get something different. One of the pates had caviar on it, but then men don't get that one I don't think. The homemade breast was delicious. After the pate we got cheese plates I think. I got the first cheese plate listed aioli? It was good. In b/t we got sherbet. I loved the sauces that came with each dish too. After that I got the lobster which costs an additional $15. After that I got the veal which was like chicken. After that another cleanser and then dessert I think. The plates kept coming so I can't keep it all straight. Also Todd Thrasher is the mixologist there and he is almost like a celebrity. His picture was splashed in all these magazines that lined the hallway. Everytime we got a meal we got explicit descriptions for each thing. I wish I had had the venison as that looked very good. I encourage everyone to go. Tom Sistema of the Wash Post gave this 4 stars out of 4 stars and I can see why! The staff is very personable and nice too. I love this restaurant!
(5)Patti S.
Quite disappointing dinner experience. I had had lunch at Eve and it was fantastic! Maybe because it was not busy and there was no competition for service, but we really enjoyed it. For a friends birthday, I suggested we go for a nice dinner for four. Service was slow and the food was just okay. The ribeye I ordered was lukewarm when it arrived, dry, and impossibly tough. I had difficulty cutting it with a steak knife! Even though we were in the Bistro, we still had to order three courses for $65 per person - which was unexpected. I ordered the birthday cake - a dry, over-sugary, concoction. Again - surprising in it's lameness. Maybe I will stick to this restaurant for lunch and not try dinner again. Either way, I'm not recommending it again.
(2)Susannah S.
Amazing food, amazingly snobby. This place is fine for foodies and those who don't mind a little judgment with their rockfish. Otherwise, just head to their sister establishment: the Majestic.
(3)steve l.
I've been meaning to create a Yelp profile and make postings, and my recent experience with Restaurant Eve inspired me to do so. I scheduled the Valentine's Day Tasting Room, and because of work, had to cancel. I called, went through the process, and yet here on my credit card statement, a charge for $100 for a no show. The entire setting up a reservation with them was a nightmare, they called me 3 times because they couldn't locate all of the information I had supplied them. The food is great, the lunch special without a doubt the best in the Metro Area, but I do not know if I will ever go again, depending on my level of hassle correcting this mistake.
(1)vineetha p.
One word : RIDICULOUS A co-worker and I went to lunch here. We decided to eat at the bar. The bartender decides to serve her her first and second courses before I even received my first, or was even told that my course would be delayed : ridiculous. (Keep in mind he felt the need to tell her that her second course would come way before mine). Even after the course finally arrived he continued to not acknowledge me and continued to direct his questions only to my friend. The entire meal the bartender continually doted on her and asked whether she needed any more bread or to refresh her drink, and asked me NOTHING. He even picked up the bread basket and placed it before her, asking if she wanted any bread..completely bypassing me: ridiculous. Ignorant and inept. However, I'll be sure to go back and I'm sure the bartender will enjoy his shift.
(1)Wendy D.
There is no better place to take clients, business associates or adult friends or family on a special occasion than Restaurant Eve. I have read in some of the reviews that the service is snooty. Yes, it is snooty, if snooty means having all of your needs taken care of before you even know that you require assistance. The food is impeccable and in spite of the fact that most of the time we choose the tasting room, the Chef actually accommodates my special dietary requests without any attitude. The atmosphere is upscale but at the same time quiet and conducive to conversation. Restaurant Eve has never failed to please me or any of my guests!
(5)Alaina C.
Staff was extremely rude, which is unfortunate because the food is so good. But when your paying that much you sort of expect to be treated like a human being. Bartender Jason is eve's saving grace. He actually acted happy patrons were there, others just seemed bothered. Skip it, unless you enjoy being treated like a doormat
(3)Debra W.
Wish we had gone for the lickety-split - the chef's tasting menu was true to it's word - it was just a taste. That being said, we were not impressed with the tastes and didn't really want more. Service was great but the food was a huge disappointment - really expected more for the money and the hype. Beginning to lose faith in spending that kind of money $300 before tip - and hoping to receive a party in my mouth. Should have read my fellow yelpers before we decided to splurge for no good reason except to be wowed - instead we were deflated when we left. What you don't receive in food you get in sweets so you will leave filling full, just not satisfied.
(2)Arcann M.
The best meal I've ever had was in the tasting room at Restaurant Eve. The bistro menu on the other hand is good but not excellent.
(5)A W.
I wanted to try Restaurant Eve for some time so I visited for the "Lickity Split" lunch special. I'm glad I was able to try the food for $15, but would have been very disappointed if I had paid for a dinner. The bar area was very busy, and I was there for an hour and a half, so it was anything but lickity split, especially for a weekday lunch. The bartender was very knowledgeable and knew what farm all of the food came from and exactly how it was prepared. I was impressed with his insights. He was making cocktails that included as many as six ingredients a piece. I've heard they are great, but I'm guessing this was part of the reason the service was so slow. The food was great and worth a try, but I wasn't impressed with the service. The hostess told everyone that there was a wait and four groups were ahead of them, even if four groups were not waiting, which was unusual, but not a big deal. Once we got to the bar area to order our food, I noticed that of the 13 seated guests, only two had food and most of the water glasses were empty. I have worked in several restaurants and this isn't standard service, and I would expect much better at a high end restaurant. We ordered our food at the same time as a couple next to us. Although the bartender put in both orders at the same time, and two of the orders were identical, our food arrived after the other couple had eaten, paid, and left. Overall, the service wasn't rude, just poor and busy. I felt it could have easily been made up for with a polite "I'm sorry for the wait; we are really busy today," but no such gesture was made, even though we interacted with about five staff members. I think it would be a great restaurant to take someone you are trying to impress that would enjoy feeling lucky to have a seat by standoffish servers, but I don't think I'll return for dinner. I would give it 3.5 stars if I could.
(4)Todd W.
Seriously some of the best dining of my life. The cuisine was creative, perfectly presented, with amazing flavor. If you're going to hit up Rest. Eve. bring some extra cash and get the 9 course prix fixe menu with wine pairing. If you've got a good 4.5 hours to spend, you won't be sorry. If you want to get the Rest. Eve experience on a budget, the abridged, yet still creative and wonder lunch menu is fantastic.
(5)Steven F.
This place has always been a fantastic experience. We go on many special occassions and dine in the tasting room. We have been all over the country to great restaurants and this is in the Top 3. Go for the experience, stay for the great food and service. I hope they can maintain this!
(5)Matthew M.
I've been here twice-- the first time, I dined in the tasting room, with matching wine flights; the second time, I was in the regular dining room. Both meals were excellent. Oddly, the service was actually better in the regular dining room (but that was on a relatively slow weeknight, whereas I had a relatively late seating in the tasting room on a Friday night). The meal I had in the tasting room actually ranks among the very best meals I've ever had in a restaurant-- placing it on a short list with restaurants like L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon in Paris and Tru in Chicago. (I had the same date with me at both Restaurant Eve and Joël Robuchon, and she actually preferred Restaurant Eve.) Given that it was significantly less expensive than either of the other two, I'll forgive the fact that the wait staff at Restaurant Eve's tasting room was perhaps a touch less attentive and inviting, and the sommelier a bit pretentious (this was a year and a half ago, so it's entirely possible that the staff has changed). During my more recent visit to the regular dining room, I again enjoyed excellent food, and our server was excellent. The chef's emphasis on high-quality ingredients complements perfectly his culinary style, resulting in beautiful medleys of strong flavors.
(5)Rae N.
I took a long time client and his wife to the tasting room in appreciation for his patronage several months ago. We all selected the 5-course tasting and I asked for mine with the wine pairing. I asked our server if Chef Armstrong was there that evening and she replied that he was. Not being a gourmet, I asked her if the Chef would make my selections for me. Needless to say, that was without a doubt, one of the best meals I have ever had. I've had their Lickity-Split lunch specials (4-stars) many times and even though it's not close to what is served in the tasting room, you can't beat the price for the quality of the meal. I've had two meals in the dining room. The dinner, many years ago shortly after they opened, was very good (4-stars). The recent lunch (3 1/2 stars) was about on-par with the lounge menu but with more choices and at three times(!) the cost of the Lickity Split. I am returning to the tasting room in October. Hopefully it will be as good as the last.
(5)Clay B.
I've eaten here several times and it just gets better. At first the service was good, but not outstanding (i've had this conversation with several people in the real world and they've agreed) but now it seems Restaurant Eve has worked out its kinks and I couldn't be happier. I've yet to dine in the tasting room but if its half as good as the bistro then it will be worth a second visit. If you've got an expense account or just feel like treating yourself to a great meal then this is the place to go. Also if you're looking for a place to impress that special someone then take them here. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Catherine H.
This review is for the bar "lickity split" lunch only. 3.5 stars. My family and I don't venture to the Commonwealth often; to be blunt, its Republican ways and bad traffic give us the creeping heebie jeebies. I've wanted to check out Restaurant Eve for so long, though, that last week we set aside our statism and headed for Old Town for lunch. The bar "lickity split" lunch menu that allows you to choose any two items for $13.50 is quite a good deal, particularly when you contextualize it with the $6.50 one can easily spend at Subway, and the much higher price point charged in Eve's bistro and dining room. If you want to sample Restaurant Eve without breaking the bank, this is definitely a good starting point. That being said, I wasn't totally blown away by either the food or our experience. First, the presentation was lacking. The bar looked haphazard and the room decor reminded me of an upscale dentist waiting room circa 1984. The bartender was a bit brusk (although I think this reflected her general personality, and not her specific interaction with us). There was a loud patron ("VISITING FROM WALNUT CREEK, CA" as he kept telling us) who insisted on talking to the whole bar, when he wasn't on his cell phone. And the runners who brought our food did so out of order, and slower than really seemed reasonable. Second, the food, while definitely high quality and a good deal for the price, wasn't really amazing. I love mussels and enjoyed the preparation at Eve, but in the end they were mussels-- a food that costs under $5 a pound and takes under five minutes to cook. They're good, but they're also a really simple food that restaurants serve to impress, even though they're one of the simplest things in the world to cook. I also enjoyed the pulled pork sammie, but I wasn't blown away. I like Carolina style BBQ, but somehow Eve's combo of vinegar and mustard was too acidic, which at times I found off putting. The chips were good, but (again) fresh made chips are hardly an expensive or difficult food-- we make them at home with some regularity, and honestly I've had equally good fresh made chips at the Orioles game. My mom's cream of asparagus soup was thick, rich and delicious. It might have been my favorite thing on the menu. The BLT she ordered was made with clearly quality ingredients but somehow was no more satisfying (and much thinner) than a good Italian sub. My fiancee was pleased with the house-made pastrami although his sammie was also very thin. His risotto was creamy and well flavored. Overall, the bar lunch at Restaurant Eve is an excellent deal for the amount of choice and the quality of the food. I really wish I had liked it more than I did, and perhaps I'll go back to experiment with combinations to find one that really works for me. But honestly, with all the hype I expected a lunch that would transcend my general distrust for the Commonwealth, and I can't say that's what I found.
(3)Justin S.
It's not likely I'll ever be able to properly enjoy the full tasting menu here or anywhere else where the per-person tab might break $200, let alone be able to write a knowleadgeable review of the experience as compared to other market options. Thankfully the good people of Restaurant Eve have an affordable lunch option for us less fiscally able Yelpers. For about $15 per person, Restaurant Eve offers a two course weekday lunch. It's still a splurge, but for only $15 it's a high end menu obtainable by just about anyone who really wants it. I fully expected flaws with this setup. I'll admit that I tend to be a bit of a skeptic, especially when discussing pricey food in the DC metro range. I expected the portions to be tiny. I assumed the lunch would be treated trivially and without care. What I got was a big surprise. After perusing the menu of fancied up familiar foods, I ordered a bowl of potato soup and a summer sausage sandwich served with homemade chips. The soup came out first. I was immediately pleased: the bowl was a bowl, not a teacup. It was perfectly creamy and whipped into just a slight froth, allowing it to be rich without feeling quite as heavy as it really was. I'm a big fan of potato soups, and this one wins. I can't recall ever having one so good. There wasn't anything specifically striking about it, just the right balance of ingredients, a perfect texture, and a fresh-not-salty flavor. I'll probably talk about it in my sleep tonight. Shortly after finishing my soup, the sandwich came out. Again I was pleased: It was big. There were lots of chips. The sandwich was made with toasted white bread, summer sausage slices, a fancy slaw, and some whole-seed mustard. Unfortunately the bread was so heavily buttered that I couldn't taste any of the other flavors. After I discarded the bread and ate the sandwich as a pile of slaw, sausage, and mustard, I found it was delicious. When not butter-soaked, the different components all had unique, bold, and delicious flavors that blended well. Even if not eaten as a sandwich, it was a most savory pile of goodness. Overall, the meal was fantastic. The food was delicious, fresh, unique, and most importantly, fit for it's price. The service was attentive and invisible, the atmosphere was comfortable, and I left full. It's nice to be able to have a treat once in a while that's both affordable and better than what I could make at home. I'm sure I'll be back soon enough... most likely for a crusty BBQ sandwich like the one that the guy two seats down from me seemed to be enjoying so much. Yep. I'll definitely go back for that; that and more perfect potato soup. EDIT: I came back for the bbq sandwich: Totally worth it! I got a glass of wine to go with the sandwich and the meal also came with homemade chips. Again I left full & happy. I'm a snob about my bbq and was honestly surprised by how delicious it was. What a treat!
(4)Scooter G.
We went to the tasting room for our anniversary. I was very excited to go--maybe too excited. I thought this meant I would be disappointed. But no, it was great, and really a wonderful place to go for a special occasion. We did the surprise 7-course meal. We did some add-ons. And it was all great. Some dishes were better than others, of course. But it's absolutely worth doing. The entire restaurant--the menu, the decor, the staff--was warm, inviting & friendly. The gifts from the chef don't ever stop. It's not stuffy or too formal *at all* especially when compared to other restaurants of its type.
(5)amy c.
Restaurant Eve is one of the most delicious extravaganzas I have ever experienced... REPEATEDLY! I have dined in both the Bistro and The Tasting Room, many times. Restaurant Eve is a really unique spot because even though you're in a really swanky, magical place, you still feel very much at home. While the Tasting Room seems pricey, I prefer it because I like the broad range of food, as opposed to just getting app/entree/dessert. If I'm going out for a nice dinner - I want to "taste the rainbow". Parking is a super easy jog across the street at only $2 for the night. The entry way is like this cool little port-hole into another world. The bar is hip and lively and offers all the same food you can get in the Bistro. The Bistro is cozy and inviting. The Tasting Room is like a DREAM! They even have the Lickety Split menu for weekday lunches that are just the right amount of food. I definitely recommend this for couples, friends, families... I would not recommend bringing mischievous children or infants though. Please remember that Restaurant Eve is a DESTINATION restaurant. People are coming there to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, engagements... It's a classy place! Don't ruin it for the rest of us.
(5)Dirk M.
I would give this restaurant zero stars if I could. I was utterly disappointed with the service, the staff and the quality of the food. We made reservations a month in advance for our family who was visiting from out of town. The reservation box asks for dietary restrictions, and I explained that we had one dairy allergy and one vegetarian. When the restaurant called to confirm the reservation, they explained that they were aware of the restriction. I picked Restaurant Eve particularly because vegetarians have said that it is a good option. When we got to the restaurant, I was surprised to see that there was only one vegetarian appetizer and it was an Indian Street food menu item that is starchy, fried and with very little nutritional content. There was no vegetarian entree. I asked the waiter if there was anyway I could get some vegetables, either from some of the sides that they had on the entrees or anything else they had on the menu. The waiter said that he would have to ask the chef, and then he came back to say that they are RUNNING LOW on vegetables so the chef cannot give me any. (Mind you, I called a MONTH in advance to say that we were coming) The waiter said that he could give me a "leafy green salad" as an appetizer. he prix fixe costs $65 and everyone else on the table had interesting and inventive food. I did not want to pay $65 for a salad, so I asked for the other option. The waiter said that my vegetarian entree course was a Moroccan stew or falafel. Again, I can get a falafel wrap on the street for $6 and was not expecting that as part of a fine dining experience. I asked for the Moroccan stew. The first course came out and it was horrible. It was a mess of starchy fried bits of flour and sauce that immediately gave me heartburn as soon as I ate it. I barely touched my food while the rest of my table finished their first course. Then the second course came out and the waiter brought me the WRONG DISH. I had ordered the Moroccan stew and he brought out the Falafel!!!! When I told the waiter that it was the wrong dish, he tried to say that the chef had combined the stew and the falafel, but he was just straight up lying. The Falafel dish he brought out was exactly like the dish he described and NOTHING like the Moroccan stew. And what is worse is that the Falafel dish was almost exactly the same as the first course they brought out (with the same chickpeas and potatoes) and it gave me the same kind of heartburn as soon as I ate it. So I ate a few bites and then stopped. The rest of my table finished their entrees and none of the waitstaff seemed to notice that I was not eating. Finally, the Sommelier came by to refill wine and asked me what I thought of the Falafel and I explained the situation. She said that the restaurant had no vegetables because its the time of year where they cannot get any vegetables!!! I said that I had called a month in advance, and all of the other entrees have vegetables as sides so I don't understand why they cannot just give me vegetables. She took my falafel away and then came by later to say that she was bringing me another entree. I said that was not really necessary. At this point, the other 5 people at my table were finishing their entrees and I did not want to GET my dish at that point. The point of going out to eat with people is that you enjoy the dining experience together. She insisted on bringing out an entree, so I let her. She came back with some ricotta stuffed pasta and some bits of small turnips. While the entree itself was better than the first two, I had lost my appetite. I ate out of politeness. As a vegetarian, I am used to getting sub-par meals and horribly cooked vegetables. I rarely complain. If it is edible, I'm fine. But if you are going to an expensive meal to a restaurant that advertises that it caters to vegetarians AND YOU GIVE THEM A MONTHS NOTICE that you are coming, I expect a decent vegetarian meal. Our bill ended up being about $100 a person when it should have cost about $10. It was just that bad. We were with family and I did not want to make a scene so I remained polite throughout the dinner, but I will never eat here again. If you have any dietary restrictions, or if you are looking for a restaurant to accommodate your preferences, do not eat at Restaurant Eve.
(1)Angela L.
I've only been to Restaurant Eve and it was for their weekday Lickety Split lunch in the bar/lounge area. Wow, that's all I can say. Wow. Amazing, amazing lunch for only $13.50. While I was tempted to get two slices of Birthday Cake, I decided instead for a class of Chenin Blanc and the special of the day, Carolina pulled pork sandwhich. The wine was great but the sandwich was even better. Perfectly cooked pork in a somewhat sweet vinegar sauce on toasted bread whose type I still cannot determine. I'll be certain to go back for lunch but am already eyeing their dinner menu. Mmmm!
(5)Alexandra A.
Really yummy food and dessert is always super memorable. Whisky Bread and Butter pudding is always a favorite and the had peaches with anise and Greek yogurt which was lovely too. The wine selection is a winner, one of my favorite places in Virginia.
(4)Julie K.
this truly is as good as it gets. ive had the best meals in dc at the tasting room at eve. everything is fresh, inventive, quality ingredients, superb service. I would go back any day, any meal.
(5)Jenn K.
We went here on Saturday night for my friend's 30th birthday, and overall we had quite a lovely meal! First, I must comment on the service, which was impeccable! Every little small gesture added up, and they didn't miss a single opportunity to shine. Awesome. The food was quite good. My friend and I both had the partridge, while our boys had pork belly and sweetbreads. Commenting on my own meal, the partridge was good, but a bit tough (perhaps that's just the way of the partridge!). The potato cake had a gummy texture, but it wasn't bad by any means, just unusual. For dessert I would highly recommend their "birthday cake", which is both adorable and delicious!
(4)Kerin K.
After hearing such amazing things about the tasting room, and working just up the street, some co-workers and I decided to try out their Lickity Split-Lounge Lunch. It is only offered in the bar area during lunch time, and the way it works is you get to choose 2 options from their special menu for a ridiculously low price of $13.50. The have things like wine and cocktails, pulled pork sandwiches, mushroom risotto, as well as their mini birthday cakes. I ordered the sandwich of the day which was an open faced beef rib sandwich which came with house made chips and their risotto. The sandwich was excellent...the beef seasoned well, bread was delicious. And the risotto with all of the different mushrooms...yum. Everyone loved their choices: The spiced beef sandwich wasn't as spicy as my Irish friend wanted and we were all disappointed that the Irish BLT used american bacon, not Irish rashers...but the fingerling potatoes made up for it. We were in and out fairly quickly...eating at the lounge tables was a little uncomfortable, but we managed. The bar maybe next time as we will be back!
(4)Chase H.
This review is for restaurant Eve's Bistro (not the "tasting" room) which is in the same restaurant. I made reservations at the bistro after several unsuccessful attempts to book the tasting room for my parents anniversary. I told the very friendly reservationist that I was bringing my parents to celebrate their 40th anniversary, she told me that they would make a note of that and they would send a "gift" out from the chef. The day before our reservation I received a call from another very friendly reservationist confirming my reservation, celebrating an anniversary-- I confirmed and told them my parents where very excited to celebrate their anniversary there. When we arrived we were sat quickly, greeted by our server and given the wine list (a good list with a well rounded selection of varietals and price points). I ordered a fantastic Gewurztraminer to start with, the sommelier suggested the Papri Chat for the first course with our wine selection. I took the sommeliers suggestion, the papri chat was a light, tasty and fresh dish of boiled chick peas, potatoes, and yoghurt sauce-- it did indeed go amazingly with the wine. We also ordered a terrine that wasn't very inspired (slightly over peppered I thought), a nice gazpacho and a side dish of very tasty creamy risotto. For the main course we ordered the trout special, rib-eye, salmon and the veal special. The veal special was described by our waiter as a thinly pounded, breaded rolled and stuffed cutlet, when we got it, it was as thick as a shoe heel and about as tough, the "stuffing" was just piled on-top; the rib-eye was ordered medium rare and came out medium almost medium well. The trout was amazing and cooked to perfection, light and flaky with a nice crisp skin, the salmon was also very nicely prepared. However we had two glaringly sub-par dishes on our table, since this dinner was a special occasion I didn't want to complain to our server when he asked us how we were enjoying our meals, but I did ask him if the veal was suppose to be thinly pounded, to which he replied: "it is." OK, I was hoping he would have taken that as a hint that everything was not perfect, when he collected our plates and saw that the $40 veal special wasn't even half eaten I expected FOR SURE for him to ask if it was ok-- but no. I can't blame them for not knowing we weren't happy, but to over cook a steak and serve tough veal at that caliber of a restaurant is unforgivable. We all ordered a dessert and coffee (their coffee is their own special blend and it is amazing) the server forgot the cream and when we waived down another server to ask for some she quipped: "oh, yeah it's right behind you." as she grabbed it from the servers station. I am not sure what that meant, maybe we could have just reached over and gotten it ourselves? When I am ponying up for $20 starters and $40 entrees I like to have my servers anticipate my needs a bit more then what I got from Restaurant Eve. The bill came, I paid and we left-- our server didn't say goodbye or thank you, oh and the "special" anniversary gift from the chef, it never appeared. Hell, nobody at the restaurant even acknowledged the special occasion we were there to celebrate, even though they said the "made note of it" when we made the reservation (the cards and gifts that were on our table all through dinner would have been a good tip-off or reminder to a observant server/ sommelier/manager that there was a special occasion being celebrated). I took the time while we waited for our cab to ask the hostess if they had on the books that we were there to celebrate an anniversary. She said yes it was on the books and that our server should have given us a gift bag from the chef, she then said if my parents wanted to come back in she would be happy to get it for us. I told her no thanks, the ball had already been terribly dropped! Over all this was an ok meal but the fairly poor service ruined the overall experience. I honestly feel if this restaurant was in Manhattan, Chicago or San Francisco, it wouldn't even get noticed. I don't know, maybe they down play the service in the bistro to make it seem more impressive in the tasting room, but after my dinning experience in the bistro, I won't be spending the big dollars to find out if it's any better there. If you are thinking about going here for a special occasion, I would perhaps consider another restaurant.
(3)A. S.
Eve has been reviewed to death, so I'll just focus on a couple of particular comments. The bar area is my favorite, mostly due to the fireplace, and the fact that you can have wonderful food without ordering a full dinner. My only beef (pun intended ha-ha) is the prices. I'm not naive, so I realize it costs a gazillion bucks to run a really high-quality operation like this, but I think $40 for a steak is pushing it. Also, the carrot cake is 90% frosting and 10% cake. I expect better than that from this very fine establishment.
(5)Chris P.
As a previous poster mentioned, I really want to award 4.5 stars here, but Yelp just won't let me (hint, hint). I visited Restaurant Eve for a friend's birthday recently. The birthday girl had been there at least once before and wanted to sit at the bar, so we patiently waited for a few seats to open up. While watching the bartenders, we noticed a few things: 1) they don't exactly go out of their way to serve you a drink - if you're standing, you'll need to actively make your presence known, but 2) once they do acknowledge you, they craft some truly delicious beverages. And when I say 'craft', I mean 'craft'. We watched one of the bartenders on more than one occasion chipping away at a small block of ice so it fit perfectly in a cocktail glass. The birthday girl ordered one of their specialty drinks and the general manager intercepted it on the way to us to taste it and make sure it was up to par. I don't usually drink gin, but I highly recommend their Gin & House-Made Tonic for a unique experience. One of the benefits of being at the bar in Restaurant Eve as opposed to the dining room is that, if you're paying attention, the restaurant can help visually justify why you're paying $10-$15 for each of your drinks. Once we were able to nab some stools at the bar, we decided to go the à la carte route and let the feast begin. To start, all of the appetizers looked so mouth-watering, we actually ordered 2 rounds of them. Our first course consisted of a perfectly seasoned Steak Tartare with house made Pumpernickel (the dressing on the side greens was a bit strong, though), an order of Mussels (delicious, but to me they almost always are whether I pay $6 at a dive bar or $15 at an elegant place like this), and the Housemade Charcuterie plate, which was a real winner. One Charcuterie plate, some cheese, and a nice piece of bread would make a great lunch. Our second round of apps consisted of another Steak Tartare as well as one of their specials for the evening, Nettle Pasta Lasagna (minus the stinging hairs, thankfully). When entrée time came around, we went with the Duck Breast with Foie Gras & Onion, a Lamb Round Steak (which one of our dining companions unfortunately confused with the Veal Chop special he saw while waiting for a seat), and the House Cured Pork Belly. My Duck Breast was good, but a little bare for $33. The entire dished consisted of one duck breast, one slice of onion, and a few micro-wedges of foie gras that would probably best be measured in grams. Tasty to be sure, but I was expecting a bit more for the price. I didn't try the Lamb Round Steak, but according to my dining companions, it was excellent. The undisputed champion of the entrée round, however, went to the House Cured Pork Belly. Imagine an uncut slab of bacon that's been roasted until the fat starts to melt like butter. Everyone jokes about dishes they call a "heart attack on a plate", and this was certainly one of them. I'm thinking of starting an angioplasty fund just so I can go back and try that dish again. They sent out a birthday cake for the birthday girl, which we picked at a bit, but it was way too sweet for me. Being too full at that point to try any of the other desserts, we ordered a round of after-dinner drinks and then asked for the check. Depending on how much you drink, prepare yourself for some sticker shock. We ended up paying $470 for the three of us, which isn't exorbitant, but it does exclude the place from being a regular visit for most of us regular folk. Overall, it was truly one of the better meals I've ever had. A few nitpicks aside (the exposed window next to the urinals in the men's room makes a bathroom visit not for the shy), Restaurant Eve is a great place to go for a special occasion, or for whenever you have too much cash weighing you down. If I worked in the area, I would absolutely jump on their $13.50, 2-Course lunch menu. But for now, I'll have to just wait a few more months until another occasion comes along to go visit again.
(4)D E.
Pretty disappointing. Had a meal here with another couple for a special occasion. A nice dining experience (ambiance, service), but the food was just not great (veering into not good). I am a vegetarian, and we chose this restaurant in part because the website touts the vegetarian options available. An appetizer of chickpeas, potatoes, and onions was a good size and overall enjoyable but not groundbreaking. The Indian flavors were a bit surprising given the rest of the menu, which skews toward traditional American fare. If I wanted vegetarian Indian food, there are lots of Indian restaurants I could have gone to. To the restaurant's credit, this was a more refined take on Indian flavors. The biggest disappointment was my entree, which was the only vegetarian entree available. It was described as a moroccan stew, but was more like cippolini onions in a very heavy coconut sauce (certainly not a broth). A few potato pieces and parsnips were thrown in, but onions were the main ingredient. Really? There weren't any other vegetables or ingredients available? No carrots or kale or squash or sweet potatoes? Onions? No, thanks. I ate about half of the entree and felt ill from the heaviness of it. Everyone else's dishes looked better composed and better considered than my pile of messy orange gunk. Was this really what the chef thought a vegetarian would appreciate for a special (and not inexpensive) meal? A heavy mess of onions? Dessert was also a let down. We ordered a carrot cake. Simple enough. However, the chef decided to give us a "cake" that was about 1/10th cake and 9/10ths cream cheese. One bite of that was enough. Way too rich. Not bad tasting but not carrot cake and not what I was wanting. Bottom line: There are tons of other places that I would have preferred, especially given the price. I had a lunch at Volt a few days later that was much, much better for a vegetarian. I have also had much better vegetarian options at BLT Steak.
(1)Jimmo X.
This is the type of place to go on birthdays, anniversaries, etc. Is it worth it? Yes, if you want your lady friend to feel special. No if you want the best, or even top 100, meals of your life. The food is good and fresh, but you are really paying (a good amount) for great service. I dare you to leave your table with napkin on seat - when you return, it will be folded nicely on the table. How about leave a crumb on the table? The mini-dustpan and brush will make its way over to you. That has got to be custom made. Have a purse on the floor? Forget about it! There is a special hook placed at your table so it can hang freely. Wrinkled tableclothes? Never - they take out the iron. And you thought only shirts and pants get ironed. How about, oops, I spilled off my plate. Don't worry, a clean napkin will cover the blemish. If the food were great, I'd kick the rating up a notch, but there are really many places in town that will add more zing to your pallette.
(4)T G.
This continues to be my absolute favorite restaurant in the DC area. My SO and I dined in the tasting room last night, and, as always, the food and service were absolute perfection. We had an 8:00 reservation and were seated promptly and brought Eve's inventive cocktail list- my SO had the black currant fizz and I had the Eve's temptation- both were delicious. Our waiter, who is also the tasting room manager, took time to answer all our questions about the menu and give suggestions on dishes. He made the experience even better than it already would have been. We decided to do the 5 course menu. Everything was good, but the standouts were the fois gras with rhubarb cheesecake, butter poached lobster, soft shell crab, pork belly, guinea hen, and black forest cake, which was like a fancy ho-ho. My SO doesn't eat cheese, and they even let him substitute the cheese course for another course on the menu. For wine, we started with a half bottle of white- a standard Sancerre- and when we were trying to decide on the red, the sommelier brought out something from the cellar that wasn't even on the menu after we declared our affinity for traditional Spanish wines. It was INCREDIBLE- perfect for the meat courses we had ordered. We will definitely be back soon to taste some of the summer menu items- I would recommend Eve to anyone looking for a wonderful night and doesn't mind dishing out a little coin.
(5)Timilin S.
This place lived up to the hype. The service was amazing and the food was exceptional. We dined at the Bistro, which was still the most expensive meal I've had in years, and yet it was 100% worth it. We came for our anniversary, and several members of the staff wished us a happy anniversary as we were walking back to the table. Small details such as that made this experience above and beyond what we were even expecting (and we had high expectations!). The appetizer special was the highlight of the meal--fresh crabcakes, best I've ever tasted. We will definitely be back!
(5)Jon D.
Absolutely superior! This is one among the very best restaurants in Old Town. Three dining options (order of price): the Tasting Room, the Bistro, and the Bar. Exceptional food in all, thought this is among in the more expensive range. About $250 for two in the Tasting Room; perhaps $100 in the Bistro? The appetizer portions on the lounge/bar menu are small -- for one person -- but excellent (don't try this as a meal!). Exceptional wine list and superior service. Perfect for the most special occasion.
(5)Andrea C.
Great food, great presentation, and 5 star service. A cozy atmosphere that provides the perfect setting for a private and romantic night out.
(5)Carl S.
Exceptional lunch spot. Has a great 14.99 lunch special where you pick two items and the selection is awesome. Had the fish stew and oyster sandwich which were both delicious. After lunch one of the hosts took us on a tour of the restaurant and it looks great, definitely coming back for dinner.
(5)Patrick D.
Always amazing...even lunch!
(5)Angela P.
Seeking to continue to expand our palates for fine foods, our journey led us to the famed Restaurant Eve located in Old Town Alexandria. Zach and I chose to dine in the Tasting Room, their even more upscale restaurant inside their upscale restaurant. Our server encouraged us to order a drink in the meantime so, I started with the "What Happened to the Party?" Cute name for a great drink. It was made with sauvignon blanc, Boyd and Blair vodka, cardamaro, fennel, white pepper, lemongrass, and grapefruit bitters. As we were handed the food menus, the server acknowledged that he knew we'd be dining vegan and encouraged us to choose from the regular menu as anything could be modified he said. Huh?! We took a look at the menu and it was very meat- and cheese-heavy. Not only that, but this remark made it seem like the chef had not given any thought to the vegan menu for tonight and was planning to just wing it, which did not sit well for either of us. After deciding not to ask if I could have the foie gras done vegan in a smart ass sort of way, I politely handed the menus back to the server and told him we'd be having the 7-course degustation with courses chosen by the chef with wine pairings. I refused to sit here and ask a million questions about a menu that was clearly not designed for us. For our first course, we were served a tempura of matsutake mushrooms with celery caper relish. It was very good, but I was expecting a little more creativity for the first dish. Granted it isn't easy to find matsutake mushrooms in DC, but it is easy enough to get them from Pennsylvania. The wine pairing that was introduced by the sommelier was a white Adegas dos eidos 'Eidos de Padriñán', Albariño 2011 from Rias Biaxas, Spain. The second course was a roasted butternut squash with apples and a harissa vinaigrette. It was fine, but again, not very exciting. It was paired with Cantina del taburno, Taburno, Falaghina 2011 (Foglianese, Italy). A very nice pairing. The third course consisted of grilled carrots, carrot puree, and housemade kimchi from daikon radish. We were very impressed with this dish. The wine pairing of the Pinot Gris from Chehalem Vineyards in Willamette Valley was perfect. For the fourth course, we were served roasted sunchokes in smoked eggplant puree with smoked lentils. This dish was so-so. The wine pairing was Brooks 'Janus' Pinot Noir 2010 (Willamette, Oregon). The fifth course was a grilled rutabaga with young chives in a roasted cippolini onion broth topped with sweet potato leaf and oyster mushrooms paired with a Mauritson Family Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 (Healdsburg, California). The sixth course consisted of poached pears with red miso and Bob's walnuts topped with a sorrell leaf. It was paired with Selbach-oster Spätlese, Riesling 2009 (Mosel, Germany). As a palate cleanser, we were served vanilla poached apples with honey. I asked if it was real honey and they said it was to which I replied that we don't eat honey. They apologized and took it back and returned with one without honey. Now normally, this would not bother me. But, I made these reservations two months ago and spoke to them three times regarding my dietary preferences to which I clearly expressed that we did not consume honey, which made this most disappointing. The dish without honey, however, was very nice. Lastly, this is where the pastry chef, Joshua Jarvis, really shined. We were served dark chocolate with a chocolate sorbet, prunes, and orange. It was extremely rich and incredibly good. I have to say that this was the best course of the night. Despite how nice all of this sounded, I was really never wow'd in the same way I was when I dined at Cityzen and Rogue 24, which are at similar price points. So, in the end, we were disappointed. We were disappointed because the meals were priced at $135 per person plus $85 for the wine pairing not to mention the $14 cocktails we started off with, which made it about $600 for two with tip and with a meal priced that high, I would have expected him to concoct a special vegan menu for us in the same way that Cityzen and Rogue 24 did. But, they did not. Instead, they modified existing dishes and came up with dishes on the fly, which, while impressive, is not as impressive as it might have been had they thought it through ahead of time. Don't get me wrong, the food was great, but not $600 great. I will say that the sommelier did an incredible job in explaining the dishes and the drink pairings. In fact, we thought all of the wine pairings were great. The service was very good as well. But, in the end, it was overpriced for what it was. If you are vegan and are trying to find a very special restaurant, I would recommend Cityzen or Rogue 24 over Restaurant Eve. Unfortunately, I do not think we'll be back.
(4)Gening L.
I would probably give this place a 3.5. I dined in the bistro last night with a few friends, and we were SO excited about this place.. having read about it in Food & Wine and on yelp. We waited about 20 minutes to be seated, then after we ordered, we were met with the most amazing bread. The waiter brought by a basket, put two pieces of this ciabatta on our plates, and it was so delicious. Really crusty on the outside, flaky and soft on the inside, and really nice, creamy butter to spread all over it. I probably had five pieces of bread and couldn't wait for my entrees. Unfortunately, the excitement of the night stopped there. I ordered the agnolotti appetizer and the special vegetarian entree which never makes it to the menu, but which you can always get if you request it. so the agnolotti was these house-made pastas with sweet corn and avocado puree and pancetta. First thing, they forgot to take my pancetta off even though I requested it not be on. But the big thing was, the pastas which were sort of like raviolis, were just so tiny. Our $15 plate came with four total, so two each. I had to nibble mine in order to make it last more than 2 bites. It was really good, but it just wasn't $15 good. My partner actually said the pancetta was the best she'd ever had, but then she only got about three breadcrumb-sized pieces. When my entree came out, it looked amazing, but it just didn't taste amazing. It was really good, and maybe I'm being naive when I say this, but at a restaurant that ends up costing me $150, I want to be BLOWN AWAY and WOWED. The dish had this great aged balsamic, but there were only like four drops of it. I had to practically lick my plate to get it cause my fork just kept spreading it around. My entree was creative, a pine nut toast with mushrooms, swiss chard and parmesan on top.. but it just wasn't that delicious. I kept thinking that I was feeling more wow from the afghan food I had a week before.. where every bite felt like a bite of heaven. Here, it was just good. The desserts.. $10 each, totally not all that, and not even as good as the desserts we had at busboys and poets two nights before. We ordered the cobbler which had no crumb toppings on it (essential to a cobbler I think), and also this special fried thing which the waiter raved about. Both were really just mediocre.. I don't know. Maybe it's my fault.. I don't eat meat, I miss out on what's really special about these restaurants, but even so, my carnivorous dining buddies weren't raving about their dishes either. Everything was very good, but nothing was $150 good. The total tab came out to about $300 for four people which as I understand it, is a pretty good deal for this place. Either way, it was pretty disappointing and I probably won't go back again.
(3)Lisa P.
The food in the bar is great but what I've had at the restaurant has been mediocre at best. Staff can really have a snippy attitude and it doesn't have a friendly atmosphere.
(1)Slk C.
I wish to thank all of the hard working wait staff at Restaurant Eve for going above and beyond on our 5th year wedding anniversary! Service was superb and so was the food! They even went as far as giving us free desserts and a bag of ginger scone mix to take home! Overall THE BEST restaurant experience we've ever had on a special occasion. Would highly recommend this place if you're looking to impress a special someone :-)
(5)J B.
Just reviewing the 13.50 lunch special in the bar, here. I haven't eaten in the tasting room or the bistro. It's definitely a good deal, but I expected more from 5 star food, I think. Most of the entrees were well-executed and clearly the ingredients were high-quality but the dishes were somewhat... boring? The risotto was creamy and delicious, but overpowered by the butter. So were the mussels. The irish spiced beef sandwich was good, but not even in the top 10 sandwiches I've ever had. The best thing was the scallops salad (the salad of the day). The scallops were perfectly seared and delicious with the greens. The drinks are great but as another reviewer mentioned, you might as well go to PX or the majestic because you'll pay for the markup here.
(4)kathy j.
I've been extremely pleased with every meal I've ever had at Restaurant Eve (2 dinners and 2 Lickety Split lunches over the past 2 years). However, I was not impressed with the pulled veal sandwich that I ordered recently. My friend agreed with me..she thought it tasted like something out of a can; I thought it had an "off" taste, a little spoiled, maybe. I mentioned it to the waiter and he explained that the veal was organic, local, etc., but to me, it just tasted terrible. My friend and I agreed that the ice tea also had a strange flavor! Seems like they are adding to many unnecessary ingredients and ending up with something unpalatable. On the other hand the chicken/salad dish was wonderful! The service was superb, as always!
(2)Liz B.
Last Friday I had the pleasure of having diner in Eve's tasting room. My husband and I were out to celebrate my birthday. We were looking to have dinner somewhere very nice. Given that I am a vegan and he is a meat eater that isn't the easiest thing to find. After searching around I realized that Eve was happy to find something that worked for me. We had the 5 course tasting menu and it was amazing. I also got the wine pairing with my dinner. The food and wine were great. My vegan meal was as well crafted as my husband's. The servers were very attentive and the decor was elegant. At the end of dinner we were given a care package that even included a gift cert for $50 plus fruit and coffee. I know they normally give a baked good but I am sure they aren't vegan so they pulled together a great assortment of things for me. Wonderful way to celebrate! Last year we made it to the Inn at little Washington for dinner and Eve is of the same quality.
(5)Jennifer S.
Oh my...they had me at "how many in your party?" We dined in the bistro one weekday for a late lunch and had a thoroughly enjoyable meal DESPITE the fact that the tasting room is for what they are most lauded. Just as good as the food (and this is a tough one) is the service. The only other rival I've experienced in this area is at 2941 in Falls Church (my undisputed favorite). I don't dare describe the food in detail, as this visit took place too long ago to be perfectly accurate. Would I go again? Absolutely (and this time I'll write the review in a more timely fashion!).
(5)Ann L.
Came here for Valentine's Day with the boy...special 9 course tasting menu. Wasn't a perfect experience in terms of service, but the food was really really tasty. Better, in my humble opinion, than the highly touted Inn at Little Washington. Ambiance was definitely not as cute (for lack of better word), but not terrible either. First off, we sat in a room sort of annexed off of the main dining room, awesome b/c it allowed us a little more privacy and (plus!) they had these brilliant little loveseat couch chairs so you can sit NEXT to your sweetie instead of across from them...such a simple idea but totally appreciated on such a gag-inducing holiday. The meal did not start of well b/c the waiter forgot to bring us the tasting canapes (those cute little spoons) from the chef with the bite sized goodies, and we were a little too embarrassed to ask for them ( how do you ask for something that is usually presented as sort of a "gift" from the chef?) even though they were offered to the couples to the right and left of us. Oh well. We'll chalk it up to the madness that was Valentines. Seriously, every few minutes we would see a waiter or two congregate with another and whisper and exchange sympathetic glances. I felt sort of sorry for them, since we had the latest seating (btw our seating was at 9:30, and we didn't actually get seated until 10:30)...but come on people! when you're making $75 per couple in tips, you'd better be enduring ripping fingernails for me to truly feel sorry for you. Felt sort of ignored by the waiters (just so many couples to get through!) the whole evening. Bread was AMAZING...I'm such a fan of bread, there's nothing that makes me more happy and makes a restaurant experience that much better than by bringing out a beautiful, warm crusty loaf with a pot of softened butter...Irish butter (Kerry gold) in this case.... On to the real food. 9 courses, only a few of which I remember, but that's probably because I have a terrible memory (due to an alarmingly deficient sleep cycle). But the main highlights included this BEAUTIFUL lobster cassoulet in a clay pot dotted with black truffles...the lobster was poached in butter, then the vegetables underneath were cooked in the butter...aaaaannd it was pretty much heaven in the mouth. and perfectly roasted quail, though I can't remember the accompaniments. Cheese plate was pitiful. I can't remember what I had for dessert either. Sorry that this review is lacking the actually necessary details. Loved the little candied treats with the bill as well....used to soften the blow of course. The cost for dinner (including 2 glasses of wine, not even a full bottle) and tip was $450. Pricey. Sent us home with another box of four different kinds of homemade chocolates and candies. Overall, definitely worth checking out but make sure you go anytime OTHER than Valentines!! The prices are ridiculous (higher than normal) and the service was subpar, but the food was pretty delicious.
(4)David M.
I had an excellent experience at the Bistro. Food was great, service superb. The Beef Tartare appetizer is one of the best dishes I've ever had, not to be missed. The rockfish and apple tart dessert were also very very good. I've only been once so I can't speak to other items on the menu.
(5)Arl G.
Not sure I would return. Have eaten dinner here in the bar, and the restaurant (both pretty good) but what turned me off was the Lickety Split lunch. My husband and I came expecting a fun day-off lunch. Instead we were faced with rude and extremely slow service (2 couples arrived, ate and left before we got our food) and the bartender barely acknowledged us. Our food (when it finally arrived) was cold and lackluster- we considered talking to a manager in the end just wanted to leave. We are in our late 30s and have had fine service here before. This really left a bad taste in our mouths. I understand it's a "lunch deal" but frankly I think I could have gotten better service at Subway up the street. I'm not sure we will ever return.
(2)Loraine M.
Our group of 6 walked up King Street from the wharf after a day at Mount Vernon. We wanted crab cakes and we found delicious ones! One of our group had mussels. Being all women we ordered a lot of vegetables and side dishes. We ordered the appetizer crab cakes-one delicious nice size crab cake with a serving of cole slaw, pea pods with sesame seeds, portobello mushrooms with goat cheese, spaghetti squash, sautéed spinach with garlic, Brussel sprouts and our waiter suggested the " best macaroni & cheese. We all agreed it was the best! Also a delicious key lime pie finished off this wonderful dinner. We would recommend this restaurant to one and all!
(5)Shani L.
We had the Bacon, Poached Egg and Cheese Salad, Co-op Steak Tar-tare, Duck and the Artic Char (best I've had). All of the food was great, this is a must visit--may not be your fav. but a nice experience. The lighting was a little dark and the wait staff was not as polished as expected but I would go again.
(3)Kristin P.
My husband and I love this restaurant. The service is always above reproach when we dine there. The wait staff is knowledgeable about the dishes and their preparation. The food is superb. It is creative without being overdone. I haven't been back since they completed the outdoor area, but look forward to going soon. Their mixed drinks are also great. My husband loves the pickled martini. It's also a nice restaurant for a romantic dinner. It is quiet (lots of upholstered furniture and carpeting absorb the sound) and intimate. Update: I finally made it to their lounge/bar for the lunch special (2 selections from the special menu for 13.95). Of course, it was great.
(5)Kirsten B.
Restaurant Eve itself is great, but I'd just like to take a moment to mention their coffee. It's sold at Whole Foods in Alexandria and roasted by Cafe Pronto, and as long as you get a recent roast date, it's consistently fabulous. My husband uses a water boiler and a 1970's style Chemex, the old school low-tech drip coffee technique, and he loves Restaurant Eve's coffee. I can't handle too much caffeine, but I always have some of his anyway, and it's just so good! It's nutty and light. (It's way better than Illy, which is just a bit too dark.) Enjoy!
(5)Charlotte Anne B.
Everything was perfect except that we HATED our server. I took a friend for a much belated birthday dinner. We met in the bar where he had waited a bit for me and had a cocktail before I got there. The list of cocktails was fun and this being Artini month, interesting cocktails have been what we have been up to. I had a cocktail and it was interesting in a good way (sweet and salty) but I ended up letting him finish it. He had another cocktail with Irish whickey in it and bubbles on top (looked like a pink bubble bath in a cocktail glass, very fun). After the cocktails which were worth the cost and the effort (the bar was nice with the bartenders being friendly, but not overly so) we informed the desk we were there for our reservations and were seated immeidately in the bistro. Our server came over a young Asian woman with a very heavy accent who was hard to both understand and hear (and this place is pretty quiet). She did a few things wrong, my friend ordered wine to be served with his meal and it came out (delivered by her) before our appetizers got there, she was WRONG about how cooked his steak would be, and she was overly attentive through the meal which would not have been so bad if we didn't already hate her then disappeared when we were ready to leave. Other than the server the food was good. I had the beet salad and the rockfish. The salad was fun, but a tad overpriced for a bunch of carved beets on a plate with beet dressing and some herbs on top. The rockfish was perfectly cooked. The seasonings were a bit sweet for my tastes, but my friend loved it. He had the tempura oysters and the ribeye. Other than the ribeye being rare when he specifically asked what medium rare was in the restaurant it was a lovely peace of meat with nice salty spicy rub on it. The oysters were amazing and I could have licked the aioli off the plate. We skipped dessert being full with cocktails and decent sized servings from a place with these prices. I left very happy, but tipped our server only 15 percent since she made our evening less than perfect.
(4)Steve F.
excellent service, delightful ambiance, the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was that you expect this level of quality with prices this high. Everything ordered at our table was delicious, from the sandwich of the day to the rockfish to the skate wing... oddly enough, the complimentary bread and butter was both plentiful, and arguably the best bread I've ever had (and I love my bread...)
(4)Rashida M.
Came here today for the first time for my B-day. We opted for the lounge/bar area for the "Lickety Split" bar/lunch menu. The food was fresh, rich, and delicious. Like another reviewer said, listen closely to what the item du jour is and order it! I highly recommend the risotto as well. The food off this menu was surprisingly filling. The service was excellent and the "Birthday Cake" was very cute and delicious. Ambience was very nice and comfortable. We loved the fresh lemonade with the metal spoon/straw. Can't wait to go back for dinner and try the cocktails!
(5)A C.
My dinner companion and I ordered the five-course meal for $120 each and a bottle of wine. You can order five, seven, or nine courses. They also offer a wine pairing--two ounces per course, $75 with the five-course. The five-course was enough for me (light eater), but my companion ate two sandwiches immediately after we left the restaurant. The service was excellent and the ambience was nice. The bill was over $400. I don't mind paying this much for an exceptional dining experience, but nothing about the experience was exceptional. The food is good, but not great. I'm annoyed that they charge the same as or more than an incredible 2 or 3 star Michelin-rated restaurant in Europe where you have a special, memorable dining experience. They would not be starred and would fall only around the middle of the list if they were in France, Italy, Amsterdam, etc. The only memorable part is being gouged. The meal is worth less than half the price charged. Skip this restaurant and keep your money.
(1)Zack S.
I have never eaten better. In fact, there is nothing that even comes close. Keep in mind the context: I am a summer associate at a law firm in Midtown, NYC and I am taken out to many of the nicest restaurants in that area multiple times per week. None can touch Eve. If you can, get somebody else to pay. If you can't, sell your child/soul/collection of unopened Star Wars figurines/virginity to eat in the tasting room. The food was perfectly prepared; it was innovative, yet comforting. The bartender spends days preparing the unique drinks and it shows. The service was impeccable and our server was quite knowledgeable. My only complaint was that our server was yelled at by the manager in front of us for no reason, which was a little unprofessional and embarrassing. At least it is an indication, though, of Eve's dedication to good service.
(5)Cecilia P.
How good can you make apple pie and ice cream? Umm...so much that I had to restrain myself from dropping the f-bomb when describing it. So good. I chose this restaurant for a corporate dinner. We were in town for a conference in Alexandria. Apparently word-of-mouth on this place is good- we had way more RSVP's than I expected and the restaurant was so flexible. We started with a table of twenty and ended up having to add a table of twelve on the same day. They gave great phone - seemed genuinely excited to welcome our party and help me make the event a success. No hint of snobbery or even worse of "whatever, I just work here." It's surprising how many fine dine restaurants don't have happy, excited staff. Eve definitely does. We had a set menu - I started with the beet salad (yum! finished all of it, which I don't usually do with a starter). Moved on to the rockfish - which was good, but not as awesome as the beet salad. And then...the apple cobbler and ice cream. Wow. I'm not a huge dessert person, and I think even in many excellent restaurants, dessert can be an afterthought. Not here. One of my colleagues is a runner with a big appetite. The cobbler was so good he ate his, half of mine and half of someone else's. I did taste the chocolate ganache and it was a bit rich for me. I loved the atmosphere (this sounds odd, but the upstairs bathroom smelled like cedar - reminded me of up North Michigan), the service, the general friendliness and the food.
(5)andrew m.
if you're looking for a revelation rather than just food in your next dining experience in the DC area, then restaurant eve should be your destination of choice. i sampled the 9-course menu, though it turned out to be close to 12 courses if you consider all of the other dishes that were brought to the table. at $125 per person for 9-courses, restaurant eve may seem a bit extravagant but every dollar is well spent on dishes and service that approach perfection. also, it took nearly 4 hours to finish my meal from cocktails to desserts (there were 2 desserts counting the plate of sweets that accompanied the bill) so if you think of it as 2 dining experiences in one you're way ahead of the game. some of the items that really stood out in my meal were the broiled-to-perfection venison, pastry-wrapped foie gras that was sweating butter, succulent sweetbreads with fried oyster, and for desert a goat cheese creme brulee with candied quince. the only minor mis-step in my opinion was a white tuna sashimi dish that was drowned out by a gorgonzola cream sauce. people, yelpers, foodies alike: restaurant eve is destination dining.
(5)Yee W.
terrific food, romantic and cozy setting. tried both bar menu (cheaper) and tasting menu (pricey) -- both are excellent and highly recommended!
(5)Ruth G.
My husband and I dined at Restaurant Eve last night to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We ate at the Bistro. On the favorable side, we felt the service was very good. Our waiter was very attentive and the sommelier did a nice job of recommending a bottle of wine for us. On the not so favorable side, we didn't feel the menu options were that great, the food was just so so, the tables are really close together, really just a foot apart, the dessert was good, torte, but the coffee, yick. We split the foie gras appetizer and it was decent tasting, but just four tiny crackers with the foie gras for $25, a bit steep. I ordered the rockfish and my husband ordered the cod. Both were fine, but nothing special. I doubt we would go again, but wanted to try it based on the good reviews.
(3)Beth F.
My meal at the tasting room was one of the best and most expensive of my life. The service was perfect. We had the side-by-side seating in the corner and everyone wished us a happy anniversary all night. We ordered cocktails. Mine included blackberries, blueberries, riesling, and rum. I loved it! We ordered the 5-course dinner and, as a vegetarian, I had a choice for every course. And the amazing thing: They didn't feel like add-ons or like they were second-rate to the meat courses. Every course was delicious! The first course was an egg custard that made me moan. The second course, my favorite, was gnocci. The third course was a wonderful mushroom thing. Fourth I got stinky cheese. THe fifth, dessert, was actually my least favorite. I loved it, but it didn't make me want to stick my face in the bowl and lick out the crumbs. I ordered wine pairings for each course. It was expensive but really fun. The sommelier explained each wine to me and 3 of them were phenomenal. (The other two were great, but not amazing.) He also printed the wine choices out for me to take home. It was wonderfully pacing and I couldn't have been happier. But the price tag for 2 people $425. Really very expensive. So start saving up.
(5)Socal E.
We went for a birthday to the bistro, and I was a bit disappointed. We waited for 20 min for our table and they didn't even take my husband's coat. We are vegetarians and indicated that when they asked if we had any food requirements upon making our reservation. When we looked at the menu, there was only one thing on the menu that we could eat. The food was delicious, but I was disappointed that there wasn't any variety. The birthday cake and the drinks were incredible (even if the bar was out of the drink I had my heart set on). They sent us home with their scone mix as a birthday gift. The scones were wonderful! All in all, I've had better, but I'm glad I've been to see what all the fuss was about.
(3)Gerald M.
Can't beat the tasting room. It is great. We got the chef's choice and loved everything. It's expensive but worth it.
(5)D S.
for the lickity split lunch. excellent. for the price, amazingly good. had the risotto and the sausage sandwich. both great. great bartender who is very knowledgeable, and doesn't get in your space. have to get there early for this food though - the lunch menu is popular, b/c its such a great value. also try the majestic lunch, same idea, same good food. definitely return.
(4)Grace L.
I grew up in Maryland and currently live in DC, this means that I have an irrational aversion to crossing the river. My take has been why would you go to VA. After visiting Restaurant Eve, I finally get it. My friend and I had a superb meal in the tasting room a few weeks ago that still has me smiling. Sometimes being a vegetarian during a tasting menu leaves you longing for more, but not in this case. The 5 courses that came out were delicious and well executed and even though every course of mine had tomato, the preparation and flavor pairings were wonderful and made me look at tomatoes in a new way. I started with a cocktail that was bourbon pecan water and peach puree. Honestly, you could probably serve me bourbon mixed with dung and I would be happy but this combination was perfect! The peach did not overpower the bourbon and the pecan completely complemented it. After the cocktail we switched to the wine. We both chose the pairing which was spot-on. I have NEVER had such an amazing pairing. Most of the time it is like oh yeah that wine is good. But during this dinner, there were two distinct moments (during two courses) when I took a sip and could taste the opening of new portals of wine flavor. I almost got up and started asking people to taste how amazing it was but I really just didn't want to share. Each dish was wonderful and when I asked a question about the preparation of something the servers were more than happy to tell me or if they didn't know, they found out. It was additionally exciting for me because two of the servers shop at the farmers market I work at so we had a discussion about sourcing and the farms that the restaurant uses. It was clear from the conversation that the wait staff really believe in the mission of the restaurant and we started talking about farms that they have visited. At some point I made a joke about taking the bread home with me in my purse, so it was pretty amazing at the end of the night to have them wrapped up in a little Restaurant Eve bag. What a thoughtful thing to do. All in all a really special experience.
(5)C B.
Hmmm....we ate in the Bistro section, and while most of the food was very good, we were as some have said, a little underwhelmed - overall it is more of a 3 1/2 (food a 3, service & etc. a 4)...The restaurant itself - from its narrow entry/alley way to the tables - was welcoming, friendly and had a charming ambience. The beef tartare was excellent, but the antelope pate en croute was such a disappointment !. This appetizer was served like a miniature "meat pie", that we use to have growing up in Aus/UK, and the crust was very dry and tasteless , and did not complement the meat inside. We've had something similar served elsewhere, and the crust was always light, buttery and flaky. The service remained attentive, but not hovering. It was quality food, but we expect everything on the menu to exceed or meet our expectations as this restaurant is highly regarded in the DC area. We would like to try the other appetizers next time, or maybe the Tasting Room is what makes this restaurant....
(3)M R.
There are plenty of things to like about the tasting room at Restaurant Eve, but for the price I would definitely go to Komi or CityZen instead. I really wanted to like this place, but the pacing of the meal was odd (too quick) and the ingredients, while certainly fresh and delicious, were arranged in an unsophisticated way that I felt could have been easily replicated at home. I 'm interested in coming back one day to sample their lunch special, but I would never again choose it as a place to celebrate a special event.
(3)Colleen M.
Restaurant Eve is located on near the corner of King & Pitt St. in Old Town Alexandria, and is surrounded by a considerable amount of traffic, construction, and the typical cut-throat parking situation. But walking down the stone pathway to the entrance of Restaurant Eve and through the door to this lovely, peaceful space leaves all that behind. The bar area is in a secluded alcove with comfy chairs. The cocktails are creative and tantalizing. We sat in the bistro area, which was a light and airy space. The space is small but not cramped, and the tables are organized to allow for a sense of privacy for diners' conversations. The food was phenomenal. The crab and avocado salad was a creamy delight with the bite of grapefruit. The Ruppersberger rib-eye steak (from local Shenandoah Valley) was a winner, tender with an incredible sauce. The bouillabaisse was chock full of prawns, cod, clams and mussels in a flavorful, lightly tomato-based stock. The wine list was user-friendly and offered lots of variety. Our waitress was very knowledgeable about celiac disease and assured me that anything on the menu could be created in a gluten free version. She made some recommendations that we loved, and overall it was a great experience.
(4)R C.
Was excited to try out the lickety split lunch after reading so many great reviews. When we went around noon, there was room for two (or three) at the bar as well as a table in the lounge next to the bar for 4 - 5 people so we didn't have to wait for a table. It's true that the lunch isn't served quickly, but the time it took to receive the food was acceptable. I thought the restaurant was really nice, wasn't sure how the dress code would be for lunch at a bar so went business casual, but saw women wearing jeans and sweaters and that was fine. We ordered the Papri Chat, Sandwich of the day (Garlic Sausage sandwich on a hot dog bun), and don't remember the exact names but pork blood patties with sausage, and what i think was an apple tart with cinnamon ice cream. They give you bread while you wait so between that and the lunch we couldn't finish everything and left stuffed. Everything was really good, presentation excellent, and the bartender was really knowledgeable and gave excellent recommendations. Definitely going back!
(4)Pep P.
I have only been to Restaurant Eve once and hope to go back so they can redeem themselves. My husband took me awhile back for our anniversary and the service was unpolished and inexperienced. We didn't get our correct order and the meal itself wasn't as impressive as you would expect for the price and all the stellar reviews. I had written an email to the restaurant which was just constructive criticism and also indicating that two phone calls for reservations on separate occasions were very disappointing. One time we made an appointment and it was confirmed and then when followed up, we were told that reservation was no longer available. Um how can you just cancel a reservation and not tell anyone?? After contacting the restaurant of my disappointments, I heard nothing back and have not been back since. Maybe the lunch time time scene will be a nice change and that will be a better experience.
(3)Kirt K.
It was the first time Restaurant Eve participated in a restaurant week so my wife and I decided to check it out. For $35 per person, we got a 3 course meal from their Bistro menu. For the 1st course my wife and I selected the beef tartar and tomato basil salad. It was both of our first time eating raw beef but we figured if we were gonna do it, it might as well be at a four $ joint. I think we picked the tomato basil salad just in case raw beef experiment failed. To our surprise, both of the dishes turned out great. Beef tartar had a great beefy, nutty flavor and the tomato basil salad was dressed with fish sauce and it brought back delicious memories of our honeymoon to Thailand. For our main course we picked Bouillabaisse and Madai with compressed water melon, feta and cucumber. Once again they were both on point. My Bouillabaisse, which I still can't pronounce, is a french seafood soup and it came packed with fish, mussels, clams, and 1 giant shrimp. Quick tip. Suck the head! That shrimp head still has me drooling. Mmmm... My wife's Madai, which we learned is a Japanese sea bass, was crispy and savory. I would've never thought about putting together watermelon with fried fish but I guess that's why I'm not a rockstar chef. For dessert I got the "Peach" and my wife got the Sourdough chocolate cake with salted caramel Ice cream. I'm not a big dessert guy so I don't remember the details but they were both yummy. Overall it was one of our better restaurant week experience and we both agree that we'll be back to try their regular tasting menu.
(4)Annie K.
The boyfriend and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary at Restaurant Eve. I'll have to be honest -- I came in with high expectations after reading all of the Yelp reviews... and I liked our experience here, but I didn't LOVE it. The service was impeccable throughout the night and the overall ambiance of the restaurant was romantic and intimate, which was perfect for us when it came to celebrating our special day. We both tried the Tasting Menu and also ordered the rigatoni from their Bistro Menu. I'll keep this short and sweet because there isn't anything to say about the Tasting Menu that hasn't been said on Yelp already. The chef also gave us complimentary mini courses in between our courses to cleanse our palettes -- with a total of 11 courses for us! The most memorable dishes for me were: Spicy hamachi sashimi ("Eden"), foie gras on top of toast (also "Eden," add $10 extra), and the pasture raised beef ("Range"). You can also upgrade your two of courses for a surcharge. We also received a complimentary dessert tray with macarons, chocolates, and bon bons, and a scone mix for our anniversary! They had also had a wonderful selection of wines by the glass. They had a great mix of items on their Bistro Menu and even an Asian inspired tasting menu (~$65/per person) with Southeast Asian and Filipino influences, so I would like to come back again to try that!
(4)John C.
So average that I would neither come back nor recommend to anyone. Just not worth the price. The food is nothing special. The wine markup is ridiculous for mostly average wine. The ambiance and service are just so pretentious. Also pay attention to your final bill. They tried to charge me $167 for a $87 bottle of wine. When they realized they were caught cheating they claimed there were two wine on the wine list with the same name LOL!
(2)Sanaa M.
My dining experience at restaurant eve was a solid hmmm... 3.5 stars Of course, I've had high expectations as I've heard nothing but good things about this place. As well as the reviews I have read on yelp. But sadly wasn't impressed. I expected the ambiance and decor to be much nicer. The service was kinda awkward and uncomfortable. I just wanted to get out of there. I've had the chef tasting menu $135pp. It was about 6 course dinner. The food was good but unfortunately did not meet my expectation... Am I coming back?! Nope. I don't think so. FYI: my review is based on my last year experience. Not sure if that counts but thought to share my experience.
(4)Pamela J.
So worth it! Gathering service was impecible. The waitress was so knowledgable and informative. The tasting menu was delectable. I adored the scallop!
(5)Vincent T.
Ambiance was 5 stars....service was 5 stars...covered parking right across the street on a very rainy night was 5 stars. The food was 4 stars. If I could give 4.5 stars I would...I err on the side of caution.
(4)Gretchen P.
So I may be just sliiiightly biased due to the fact that I'm riding pretty darn high on being newly ENGAGED (as of Friday!), and was riding that engagement high throughout our entire celebratory dinner here. With that being said, though, I still believe that dining on Restaurant Eve's Tasting Menu has just jumped into my top five best dining experiences EVER. From the moment you walk down Restaurant Eve's beautiful entrance alleyway, you're transported into a different world. The restaurant is beautifully lit, has gorgeous details, and in general just has an ambiance that screams -- well, more like it whispers delicately -- intimacy. It is the absolute perfect place to celebrate a special occasion. The service you receive here honestly has no rival -- the staff:patron ratio is incredibly high, and there was not a moment throughout the entire experience that we were not perfectly attended to -- but not in an annoying, hovery way. Rather, people appeared to be Apparating out of thin air to serve on us. My water glass was below half-full? Suddenly someone was there to top it off. We were finished with our current course? Someone would be along shortly to clear the table and ready us for the next taste. Of course, the service and ambiance are just the surrounding factors to the main event: the FOOD! Restaurant Eve focuses on a locally-sourced, sustainable, seasonal menu, with dishes that are carefully crafted and constantly changing (say that sentence 10x fast!) We opted for the $85/pp tasting menu, which came with 5 courses of utter delectableness. First off, it needs to be said that at Restaurant Eve, you don't just get what you order. They bring our amouse bouches and palette cleansers and transitional bites out the wazoo, all of which were amazing, amazing, amazing. We were also treated to complimentary champagne to celebrate our new engagement! Our first course ("Eden") was a spicy himachi sashimi, served with a garlic emulsion. It was so fresh, spicier than I was expecting (in a good way), and really, really delicious. Our second course ("Surf") was a butter-poached lobster in a creamy sauce. I LOVE lobster, so this was probably my favorite course of the entire evening. A nice big chunk of lobster, a delicious sauce, a few thin oyster mushrooms... I was in Heaven. For our third course ("Ocean") we dined on rockfish that had a beautiful crispy skin and a shellfish sauce. A really nice, filling dish, since rockfish is actually quite meaty. This was one of Sean's favorite courses. Fourth ("Range") came with a sweetbreads dish, but we both opted to swap it out for the loin of pasture raised beef option for an upcharge. The beef was presented as a "heart of ribeye," and was cooked to a perfect medium-rare with a celeriac puree and light watercress salad. Fifth, but certainly not least, came dessert ("Eden")! You could choose between a gooseberry linzer tart or swap it for a chocolate cream dessert (for an upcharge.) I got the tart while Sean got the chocolate, so we got to have a bit of each! The tart came with a fig leaf ice cream that was to-die-for, and the chocolate creme came with these chambord-preserved raspberries that I melted over. We also received a complimentary tray of mini petit-fours at the end, which came with the cutest little raspberry macarons I ever did see, butterscotch bon bons, rich chocolate truffles, and roasted white chocolate lollipops. Mmm Mmm MMMM. Restaurant Eve is by no means cheap, but this is the epitome of "you get what you pay for," because it was truly a perfect evening. The service was just exquisite, the food was outstanding, and when you've got an occasion worthy of celebrating, I can't imagine anywhere better.
(5)Tony J.
Not going to lie, I really do like to come in here! A real treat and a once in a while affair for the likes of a lax due with not a lot of pocket change. Thankfully, Restaurant Eve took part in Restaurant Week and I was glad to get a lot of great food for not a lot of bucks. To be honest, I was thinking that Eve was going to shortchange my date and I because of Restaurant Week, but I did not sense any shortcomings with the plates that I, nor my date, received. As always, start with the cocktails, because they are super creative. I personally had Dublin meets Manila, which was a good whiskey based cocktail mixed with a little heat courtesy of a Thai Chili and, I seriously needed to slow it down as it was just so good. For the First Course, I had the Filipino Street BBQ, which was a Pork Belly in a an Asian Sauce with a small quail egg atop basmati rice along with a onion mix. Combine all those flavor together with the tenderness of the belly and you have a party happening in your mouth. Mmmmm. My date had the Mussels which was enormous, they don't give you just a few, they will give you a large bowl. The mussels do no taste all that fishy in fact the sauce is what makes the dish. Plus take advantage of the bread, definitely goes well with the sauce. The Second Course saw my date and I reverse roles, sort of... My date went with the pork belly which was served with a corn side mixed with a sauce. I do remember falling in love with pork belly when I had this for the first time at Eve. I had the Soft Shell Crabs which was served in a curry sauce that any Asian restaurant would be clamoring to get their hands on. The crabs were served alongside some onions and green beans. For the dessert course, I went with a Brown Butter Birthday Cake, which is a signature dessert with Eve, and it was so rich and delicious and you can taste the brown butter goodness... Mmmm... My date had a cream cheese cake with blackberries where our server indicated that cream cheese was made on site (impressive. A delicious meal was definitely complemented by a great staff, it was not just one person, we had several people come up to help us with complete perfection and no miscommunication. Our main server, Brandi, was an absolute joy with a bubbly personality and absolute knowledge of the menu. When I first came, I thought it was a once in a lifetime opportunity, but, now that Restaurant Week has made this fine establishment more accessible but just as fantastic.
(5)Diedrich B.
Why eat anywhere else? I have been here many times over the years and he is constantly pushing himself and landing perfectly . The curries are amazing! The service is impeccable. Go
(5)Katie S.
What a beautiful and absolutely memorable evening we had at Restaurant Eve! I initially wanted to treat my husband to a chef's table experience for his birthday this weekend, but after doing some research and having Restaurant Eve recommended by multiple people, I decided to make a reservation here instead. My best friend and her fiancé were happily on-board with this decision. As promised, the reservationist called two days before to confirm we were still coming and ask about any special occasions or food allergies. So from the start I knew what kind of care the staff here takes to ensure everyone has the best possible time. Walking up to the restaurant I was impressed with the soft romantic lighting via an assortment of lanterns and immediately transported to a whimsical place far away from the hustle and bustle of busy King Street (when in reality it is just a half block over). When we were greeted and seated I was really impressed that every employee we passed smiled and said good evening to us. That may sound silly, as it's a very small gesture, but it was a very impressive touch in helping us feel welcomed. I was also immediately enamored with the restaurant, as it is absolutely gorgeous! The soft elegant lighting from the walkway continues on the inside and each table has it's own charm with mismatched seating, fancy throne-like tall fabric backed booths and luxurious throw pillows. Priming us to have a wonderful evening, our server went over the menu, spending extra care, by again asking about food allergies and dietary restrictions. We all elected the 6 course tasting menu and she let us know our meal would take about 3 hours. The sommelier paid us a visit and helped us select two bottles of wine after our pre-dinner cocktails. They also offer a tasting flight to accompany the tasting menu as well if that is something you are interested in. First out were three surprise amuse-bouches: deviled quail egg, cheese puff and salmon mousse. Each tiny morsel was better than the last with my favorite being the salmon. Then we were served a tiny tureen of rutabaga soup that was light and silky, followed by a palate cleanser of a grapefruit sorbet. Then came the first course: Creation. I chose the Foie Gras with Crab Apple Purée and Toasted Brioche while the rest of the table had the Hamachi Naam Jim. The Naam Jim was very good. It's basically a quick ceviche were broth is poured over the fish table-side, so it makes for a lovely presentation. My foie gras though, was the most decadent, luxurious, and absolutely fantastic appetizer I have ever had. There was plenty to share too, so the rest of my table was happy. It was just so good they could have ended the meal there and I would have been happy. However I'm glad they didn't since lots more was still to come. The next course out was Surf: a perfectly seared, perfectly sauced Diver Scallop, which pardon me for being repetitive, was absolutely perfect. The next course out was Fish, which if I had to pick a least favorite I guess this would be it. It was still very good, but the sauce was the real winner here. Out next was Farm: a perfect little medallion of rabbit with the most wonderful sauce. Then came the final protein course: Range- which featured two perfect lamb lions over a bed of puréed goodness on a gorgeous vibrantly colored plate. Next came the transitional surprise dish that sounds a little weird, but was a huge hit at our table. An artichoke brûlée to transition from savory to sweet. It was this interesting combination off both, it really was quite good as apprehensive of it as we were at first. Then we had the option of a chocolate dessert or a berry and cream dessert. Our table found itself split on this decision, but eventually, the girls went chocolate and the boys went berries. I have to say, I liked both, but having had a bite of my husband's I think the berries were more interesting. There was something in his dish that felt almost like pop-rocks in your mouth upon biting into it. It was neat. Then, with our coffees, we were treated to a surprise sampler of bon-bons. The stand out here for me was the butterscotch lollipop. Yum! After we finished up, the staff brought out a goodie bag for my husband with their scone recipe, ingredients and a bag of coffee marked "Happy Birthday" on it. How sweet! And everyone we passed on the way out greeted us with a warm smile and earnest thank yous for visiting. To date, this is by far the most excellent dining experience I have ever had. You absolutely get what you pay for here! Restaurant Eve made us feel special from the moment I booked my reservation and we shared an evening here I will not soon forget.
(5)Eric L.
Went there with a few friends and we decided to do the Irish asian tasting menu. I am a sucker for novel dishes and fusion dishes. The waiter did a great job describing it in a fancy way that made it sound like things I have never had. My favorite part was the appetizer they had with quail egg deviled egg. The drink pairings we're ok. The cocktail in the beginning was fantastic amd so was the desert wine. The wine they had for the meal was meh. I didn't understand why pairing a white wine that was mildly sweet with spicy dishes. Maybe it's taboo but I thought red wine would have been better with the spicy and majority of pork belly in the dish. I didn't appreciate the dishes... they seemed like they missed the mark. The spicy tofu with pork belly. It wasn't novel... you can get it as light house tofu. The other dishes... squid, more pork belly, and shrimp and fish with cheese. The only thing I liked was the fish and cheese. Also for a place with fine dining prices... I'd expect better. Our table cloth was covered in ink and spicy sauce. They probably should have replaced it before smearing it everywhere with the table scrapper. I dunno... this place would have gotten 3 stars if it wasn't for the amazing cocktail, desert wine, desert and service. I wouldn't recommend this place for dinner. But if what I read about this place for lunch. It's a much better deal.
(4)Chef Scott A.
Filipino street BBQ using Pork Belly is simply outstanding! It was perfectly cooked and presented on a slate board for our enjoyment. The continuation of the BLT featuring Irish Bacon, Cheese, tomato and greens with herbed mayo was a beautiful addition to the tasting, accompanied by fresh fried potato chips. The perfect finish to the tasting was their Sweet Potato Clafoutis paired with excellent table side service and attention to details. All around a fantastic meal.
(5)Mary F.
Had their sandwich special today: homemade sausage on house made potato bread roll with a sweet relish... Sausage was the best I've ever tasted but the roll was dry. The cheese cake with blueberries is just a sensual experience.. Super creamy, melts in your mouth with house made blueberry sauce with incredibly fresh berries... Flavor just pops in Your mouth! Asked for a tour of their garden ... Lots of fresh herbs, veggies & fruit they use for their menu. English thyme.. Fascinating complex herb! a brief tour of the kitchen. Enjoyed the experience ...
(4)Hannah H.
I was super duper excited to check out Restaurant Eve, as this restaurant has been on my to-eat list for a handful of years! Owned by a husband-and-wife team, Chef Cathal and Meshelle Armstrong (they named the restaurant after their first child), the menu focuses on locally-sourced VA ingredients that are either hand-fed/farm-raised/organically-grown. They even have their own garden where they grow their own herbs and fruits (!!!), and offers a variety of housemade items (such as breads, cheeses, cured meats, and, cocktails). They offer lunch, dinner (a la carte & tasting), dessert, and a beverages. The LOVELY Adrienne M. and I decided to order several plates from the a la carte menu for samplings, and even received a few compliments from the chef: mini deviled quail eggs (creamy, tangy, and delicious), a gruyere puff (a little dry and less cheesier than I thought), the squab liver mousse pate (thick, creamy, and delicious!), and a tiny bowl of rutabaga soup with cracked pepper and chives (this was a nice little creamy soup, with a hint of sweetness from the turnip); Hand Cut Pappardelle with Braised Pork and Jaew (my favorite dish of the night; even thought this was an appetizer, I would have gladly ordered 10 of these! The pappardalle were cooked perfectly al dente, and the braised pork was just oh-so-lovely and flavorful - the sauce, while not thick, dressed up the pasta and the meat perfectly with a nice kick!); Hand Rolled Cavatelli with Braised Octopus, Nicoise Olives and Oregano (the oregano was from their garden; this was definitely olive juice-focused and quite overwhelming, and one of my least favorites of the night, as it was very salty and brine-like from the olives - the cavatelli were soft, and the I enjoyed the perfectly-cooked octopus); Salad of Roasted Winter Squash, Red Zeppelin Onions, Pine Nuts, Sesame Seeds, and Yoghurt (room tempered salad with squash (that seemed slightly undercooked); another least favorite); Sweet Potato Custard with Toasted Rosemary Marshmallow and Roasted Sweet Potato (we actually ordered 2 of these, thinking the portions would be on the small-end; the custard was very mousse-like and I tasted little grains of course salt in mine; the marshmallow definitely had a rosemary tinge to it, but I wasn't sure if the ingredients complemented each other; another least favorite); Pasture Raised Beef with Pommes Frites and Green Peppercorns (the steak is was a ribeye cut, a little stringy with the fat, but still flavorful and savory; the peppercorns were surprisingly not overwhelming; the fries were salted well, and great dipped in the glaze sauce); John Dory with Heirloom Beets, American Sturgeon Caviar and New Potatoes (the Dory had a nice crispy exterior, but tasted slightly overcooked; it also had a slight 'fishy' taste to it; the beets were also a little on the raw edge); Roasted Breast of Partridge with Turnip Cream, Scarlet Queen Turnips, Leg Confit and Bird Jus (the partridge was cooked perfectly and it definitely did not have a game-y taste to it); Sweet Potato Clafoutis with Dragee Hazelnuts, Cognac-Prunes and Butterscotch Ice Cream (great crunchy hazelnuts; the cognac-prunes added a slight sweet, but not powering, touch to the little tart; the butterscotch ice cream was so decadent and divine!); and, the Pecan Sandies with Cinnamon Yoghurt and Bourbon-Preserved Donut Peach (I admit, I got this for the donut peach :P The pecan sandies cookies broke easily with a touch of the fork, but did not crumble; the semi-dry cookies added to the cinnamon yoghurt, but my favorite part of the dish was the delicate bourbon-preserved donut peaches!). You also get hot, out-of-the-oven crusty bread that was quite delicious with the room-temperatured butter that was easily spreadable - yum (don't be shy in asking for more!) Also, for their famous 'mini' birthday cakes, make sure you order at least 48 hours in advance and/or make a note of it at the time of your reservations - these popular cakes are not available on-site! Ms. Brandi, our server, was extremely knowledgeable with the menu items, attentive throughout our whole dining experience, and was such a total sweetheart! The restaurant itself was very cute and had an interesting charm to it (even to the little details as the tissue- and ribbon-tied toilet rolls in the bathroom!). The entryway is through a little covered walkway at the side of a building, and making a right. Definitely one of the better, if not the best, restaurants in the OT Alexandria area :D +mini deviled quail eggs! +squab liver pate! +Hand Cut Pappardelle with Braised Pork and Jaew +Pasture Raised Beef with Pommes Frites and Green Peppercorns +Butterscotch Ice Cream +bourbon-preserved donut peaches +mini birthday cakes required advance notice (48 hours) +ask for Ms. Brandi! :D
(4)Sarah D.
We went for restaurant week a few days ago and thought it was fantastic. The food was delicious and the drinks were quite tasty. The bread is also amazing. The servers were all so courteous and knowledgeable. We are looking forward to trying the tasting menu for a special occasion at some point in the future.
(5)Lex L.
Have been here about 4 times. The last 3 times were great. Had really enjoyed the past meals although the last time I went, unfortunately all of my dishes were way off. I was surprised especially when I found out that Chef Cathal had prepared my pre-fix meal this time around since he visited some regular patrons sitting at the bar to chat w them. Sat at the bar w my bf which we prefer over the formal dining room. Add Mark, our fabulous bartender to the mix and wouldn't want to sit anywhere else. Watching him making drinks is a show in itself and we quite enjoy watching him creating these delightful concoctions. Btw, Mark's customer service is beyond excellent and he is extremely attentive. My bf & I ordered each the Dublin Meets Manila drinks from Mark. This drink is yummy & so fresh. It is floral and it leaves you with a bite of spice for an after taste that lingers in your mouth. This will be our regular go to drink for sure. Chef gives a couple of complimentary courses to start and cleanse your palate btw courses. First course (compliments of the chef) was tiny bite-sized puff pastries with different fillings. These were light and flavorful. Second course was the Mushroom cavatelli appetizer that I ordered which I so wanted to like because I am a big mushroom and handmade cavatelli fan. Unfortunately, it was inedible because it tasted like the lid of a salt shaker fell off and all of the salt went into this dish. What a pity because had it not been overly salty, this could have been delish. Just to make sure I wasn't insane or overly critical, I asked my bf to taste it and it was beyond salty. There were olives in the dish so not sure if the combo of the olives plus extra salt made it unbearable? I asked Mark if the chef could please re-make my dish minus all that salt. He was very apologetic and took my dish away. When he came back, Mark asked if it was possible to order another dish instead which I did. Ordered the heirloom beet salad which was not tasty at all and was very flat. My bf who is a foodie agreed. Third course (compliments of the chef) was a fennel soup. This also could have been amazing as it was creamy and refreshing but again, it was heavy handed with salt. Fourth course was my skate wing entree which also could have been delish had it not been salty. Doesn't feel like the chef is tasting what he is serving. Would have given this place 2 stars for the food but gave it extra star just because of Mark's service. I like a fair amount of salt for flavoring in my food but the amount of salt in these dishes were overwhelming which is unfortunate. This was the first time I had experienced such high levels of sodium in these dishes. Must have come previously when the owner/chef was off.
(3)Lina E.
Everything about Resturant Eve is spectacular, from the hostess you meet at the front to our server Brandy and all the other servers who brought us food and drink. The food was beyond fantastic. Every detail was carefully thought out -and it showed. We loved that we weren't rushed through our dinner, we savored every morsel of our food. I highly recommend Resturant Eve!!! The icing on the cake... It was Resturant week!!!! Thanks Debbie for the recommendation. We will be back!!!
(5)Alice M.
I really wasn't that impressed. It wasn't bad. The menu was very unique, but I really didn't think it was that great for the price. The bar/lounge menu was a reasonable deal. I had a salad with goat cheese but my salad was smothered in some of the strongest red onions I've ever eaten. I tried picking them out but there wasn't much left to the salad after I did. If you get the salad tell them to go easy on the onions or put them on the side. The cheese was very good. I also had a pork pate sandwich. It was good. But not exceptional. Some other diners had beef testicles which they seemed to enjoy. Service was good. The ice tea came with a side of simple syrup that could be added as desired. I thought that was an interesting touch If you want a unique menu this is a great place. It's not bad, I just didn't think it was good enough to warrant more than 3 stars. While the food wasn't bad I felt that for the price it would have had to taste much better to earn 4 or 5 stars
(3)Mari A.
"I'm so fancy, You already knoooow." So, not even. But Restaurant Eve definitely carries this stature. I can see the eye's pierce as I walk in in my black jeans and fanny pack. The vibe and ambiance of the restaurant is a bit stuffy for me but when I peered around, the bar area seemed to be a little more laid back. My cousins were already seated and excited to order. I must admit I like the concept of how the restaurant takes a certain culture each month and does a family- style shared dinner by choosing certain dishes from that culture and giving it a twist. This month happened to be Filipino. I was excited as ever to try this out! Here's some of the dishes that they brought to the table: - Dinuguan: rather than pork's blood as the sauce, they used blood sausage. A very delicious dish. - Pork Meatballs: a little dry and I wasn't sure how filipino related this was as I don't know many dishes that we cook meatballs with. - Broccoli in a hoisin sauce: Very good but not sure how filipino it was either. - Two different curries: one tofu curry, extremely spicy and noted on the menu to "order with caution". The other a seafood mix in a red curry. There were a number of other dishes that came out that I thought were very good. The appetizers and soup also very good. And the dessert was also good. I lump these in this short paragraph here as you can see I forgot exactly what I had. They're that creative that you're not exactly sure what they fused everything with. All you need to know is that it was extremely delicious. Service was nice but they had forgot to explain some of the dishes and sauces that came out. Glass of wine for $18 a little much but it comes with the restaurant. All in all, the $60 for the family style meals wasn't too bad. Once you start to add the wine, tax, and tip, the $92 dollars I spent on myself that night felt a little heavy on the wallet. Definitely a great experience and happy to have tried it out. Would suggest this place as a nice birthday or anniversary dinner!
(4)Jason G.
I ate dinner at Restaurant Eve with some friends, and had a delightful meal at this bucket-list restaurant. While I wasn't constantly and consistently impressed, it gets a solid 4.6 stars. The four of us were given a very nice table near the corner of the restaurant, which gave us a certain amount of privacy with our conversations. I appreciated that. We all decided on the tasting menu with wine pairings, so the choices weren't difficult to make. The English pea sorbet that we started with was okay -- to me, it seemed like the kind of thing from the TV show Chopped, where they give a contestant English peas for the dessert round and they decide to make ice cream with it. The next dish, foie gras, was a generous portion and cooked perfectly -- the blackberry jam was a perfect accoutrement. The next dish, a perfectly-executed scallop, by itself was very delicious. However, the dry Chardonnay wine pairing was a complete failure. The wine absolutely clashed with the meal, to the point where everyone said this and we said something to the waiter. Next was a flaky white fish that was crispy and delicious, and the fruity viognier matched it very well. Delicious. The goat meat and liver dish that came next was not my favorite dish. I'm not a big fan of duck liver that are not in pâté format, so I kind of forgot about this dish. The next dish came perfectly-prepared with a bold Napa red. Also, the cheese course was pretty good. I ordered cheese this instead of dessert, but even though we both had three cheeses, they were all different. Service was thorough and adequate. They are going for more of a friendly vibe than uptight service. No bones about it, this is an expensive meal. For the price, I preferred Komi or CityZen, it's near-equivalents in DC. At the same time, Restaurant Eve was a special meal and I'm glad that I was fortunate enough to try it.
(5)Akua O.
This is by and far the best restaurant experience i think i have ever had. Came here for a special event... had the tasting menu, no wine pairing. Our reservation was waiting on us...like literally they greeted us by name when we walked in. We were seated at a lovely love seat setup and waited on hand and foot. Never used the acme silverware for the same plated item. The tasting menu is 7 courses going on 12 courses because they give us little items before the first appetizer and after dessert. We ordered a glass of their pinot noir ($18) and 2 of their drinks. The wine was fantastic and the cocktails were flavorful, fresh made juices and unique and strong! ($14). The ambiance is romantic and semi-dimly lit. The servers are personable and know their food inside and out, to include regional historical references. Every item we sampled was out of this world except the sweetbreads, which was hard to fall for, considering what it is :P Take a gander at our pictures....they are self-explanatory. The only unfavorable part...our bill plus tip was 438$ for two ppl, drinks and a couple supplemental tasting meni charges. It's hard to muster that for a meal if not a truly special occasion and even then its still tough but i have to say they went out of their way to prove its value. Every detail is accounted for. Seriously, the best place to treat someone to high class fare!
(5)Kimberly B.
Dined here for Valentines Day with my boyfriend. This place is first class all around. Although, our waiter lacked personality, he was still very knowledgeable about the food selections for the night. I love how the restaurant is located in a very obscure place.
(5)Ben T.
Restaurant Eve was a wonderful experience. Like many people on the same night we came to celebrate a special occasion. This time, it was my wife's 28th birthday. The evening from beginning to end was exactly what I wanted it to be for her. Customer service is exceptional here and it shows. If you want a risk free night this place is a great option. You will have no fear that you will be treated well and served tasty and exciting dishes. My encounter with the restaurant started over the phone for reservations. You truly only have one time to make a first impression and I remember the phone call going very well. Located just off King Street but delightfully secluded the atmosphere is lavish but also relaxed. There are multiple ways you can venture on your dining quest here. We chose a la carte however, multiple course tasting menus and Asian family style were also available. An Irish chef serving Asian family style was hard to resist but I'll save that occasion for next time. The bar is hard to beat. I will definitely be back just to partake in those festivities in the near future. Bartender/sommelier Todd Thrasher (who also works with the acclaimed PX lounge) has his handiwork in the mixed drinks. You would be remised if you did not take advantage and order at least a few of his creations. There is not much and everything I could say about the food. Honestly by the time this is read the menu will be different. This is a great problem to have! All items are local farm to table. This description here has more truth and less buzzwordiness compared to other establishments I have visited. Do take the waiters recommendations. You have had chicken or beef many times before and there is no better place to experience something new. With such a talented chef I felt I could have closed my eyes, thrown a dart at the menu and been happy with what was brought. Restaurant Eve stands out among many in so many areas that it collectively becomes a world class destination. Thank you!
(5)Karen P.
4.5 stars. I was very impressed on my first visit to this Alexandria restaurant. I have heard so much about it from my various wine-o friends. Service was impeccable. The mixology was impressive although I personally did not try a cocktail. Some of my dinner party did and each enjoyed their selections. Dinner was excellent - good food and great service. I had the pumpkin ravioli which was a little bit too sweet but good. Wines by the glass could use a little more creativity.
(4)Angel W.
The food here was okay... it did not live up to some of the past reviews. For the price I would have expected more. The starter was a $12 beet salad-- in a nouveau riche restaurant like this, it was more like 4 beets cut into micro wedges and placed on a huge plate. it tasted okay, but was not exciting. I ordered the "mystery" entree, which came with warning (!!!!!) signs for its exoticness and weirdness -- when I inquired about it, the waiter informed it was just spicy braised pork belly. Shocking! Don't get me wrong, it tasted great, but why did I just fork over $35 when I could have stayed home and ordered the same dish from my favorite thai takeout place for 1/3 of the cost? Service was okay. The food was okay. I probably won't come here again, since there are plenty of restaurants that serve way better food in the $$$ price range.
(3)Carl C.
Excellent ambiance, a great bartender with much experience, and good wait staff. A buddy invited me to lunch here and raved about the place as it was one of his and his wife's favorite places to eat. It was also very close to his home. I ordered the sandwich du jour and the soup du jour from their "lickety-split" lunch menu. The food was good, but it wasn't great. We sat at the bar. Since my friend is a regular, he navigated the menu and drink selection. He also introduced me to the bartender and we had a good conversation among the three of us during the meal. He also served as our wait staff when our waiter was gone. One would be surprised by the nondescript entrance and the small signage. Remarkably so I accidentally passed the restaurant as I was looking for it. I have to visit again, especially during the dinner hour (that's what this restaurant is known for), in order to give a much more comprehensive review.
(4)J N.
Overall, four stars for food and five stars for service. I tried the five course tasting menu and I was a bit disappointed because I received the same sauce in two dishes. Even though we received some complementary items, I would've been happier if the main dishes were outstanding. The cocktails were okay.
(4)Donna M.
Don't bother stopping here for a happy hour drink. So many other places where the service is friendly. Treated like I was interrupting their set up service at 4:30.
(2)Erin W.
Visited Eve for the first time since they changed the dinner set up. You will be seated anywhere and can order either the a la carte menu or the Chef's tasting menu. Love the new way because it doesn't feel so divided. We were a party of 6 and each of us LOVED the food. The amuse-bouche (3 types) were amazing and some of the highlights from our group were Lobster Bisque, Filipino Street BBQ, Head to Tail Pappardelle and Sweetbreads. The warm bread and Irish butter and all the little touches like that really make this restaurant worth the money. Desserts were also all delish and, as a cheese lover, I was super impressed with the selections and portion size/presentation of the cheese. Eve continues to be a great choice for lunch, the bar scene and special dinners.
(5)Katherine W.
Amazing food, super allergy accommodating. A great place for someone with a soybean allergy to eat. Drinks were amazing as well. We went there for our anniversary when I was pregnant, and the service was amazing.
(5)Kat A.
I don't know who these people are or why they are giving Restaurant Eve 5 stars. Perhaps it is their one big night out a year or they've dipped into their 401k to try this restaurant after many years of hype. Like other prominent reviewers in the area, I agree the quality of food and service here has swiftly gone downhill. Throngs of people have reviewed the food so I won't bore anyone with repetitive information. My two major complaints are in regard to the wine and celebrities. The unique information I can provide is this: there's something shady going on with their wine operation and/or distributors. Our table ordered a bottle of red wine (can't remember which in particular). The Captain came to our table to inform us they did not have the bottle in stock. Without even asking, he opened a bottle of whatever he carried to our table and poured. We tasted it and didn't like it one bit. He didn't care and said this is all we have that's similar to the bottle you ordered. We were essentially stuck with it as he wasn't concerned at all with us not caring for the taste. We hadn't ordered our food yet, plus this is obviously a high brow establishment, so we didn't want to cause a fuss. Fast forward 20 minutes. The table next to us orders a completely different wine than we did and what do you know?! They don't have that bottle in stock either! Just like with our table the Captain comes to their table with the SAME EXACT bottle of wine he forced upon us. Again like us, they didn't care for it either but there really wasn't any other choice as the Captain implied this bottle was the only substitute for everything...unless we wanted to pay $300 for another selection. My second issue was the overall quality of the staff and customer service. In sum, they were pretentious and absolutely not as attentive as one would expect given the accolades and price. Just as I was talking to others at my table about a famous relative of mine, a waiter came to our table to remove a plate. I guess he overheard our conversation because I soon saw a real life version of the "telephone" game play out before us. In record breaking time it seemed as if everyone working in the dining room (maybe even everyone in the back too) knew who I was related to. It felt like an incredible invasion of privacy and certainly not what I would expect. Additionally, they were not welcoming or accommodating to allergies. I don't know if this is a front of the house or back of the house issue but either way it is inconsiderate. That being said, we won't be back.
(2)Anthony I.
Perfection! I'm very glad that we rediscovered Restaurant Eve. My wife and I took our in laws to dinner the other night and everything was absolutely perfect! We all had the chefs 6 course tasting and every course was perfectly prepared, wonderfully flavorful, perfectly timed and absolutely delicious. The sommelier gave us some amazing recommendations for wines, even introduced me to my new favorite Pinot. Their creative cocktails are wonderful with house made bitters and tonics complimenting the finest spirits. The only thing that overshadows the food is the attention, professionalism and charming character of the wonderful staff. I could not have envisioned a more perfect evening, we look forward to becoming regulars! A truly exceptional experience.
(5)Robert V.
Good bread. Had Asian tasting menu which was disappointing. Service very cordial but slow. Bartender mediocre. Suggest stick with regular menu.
(2)Vivian C.
So if you want to visit Restaurant Eve in Alexandria, VA, you have a choice of dinner when entrees are priced in the 30's, and tasting menus priced above $100. Or, if you are fortunate to be in the area during a weekday lunch, you could hit the bar for their popular Lickity Split - Lounge Lunch of 2 options off a short menu for $14.98, limited to 1 per person. As a comparison, their regular Bistro Lunch Menu list appetizers in the teens, and entrees mainly in the twenties. This special lounge luncheon menu consisted of 4 alcohol options, 7 savories (including a soup, salad, and sandwich - du jour), and 1 sweet. Between the two of us, we opted for the 3 items of the day and the pork belly that called out to us. First to arrive was the parsnip soup - creamy, tasty - and the Pork Belly Rillette with Young Rutabaga and Grainy Mustard. The bread was baked fresh and arrived later so in the meantime we enjoyed the soup. The breaded rutabaga disks were solid yet tender and quite golden yellow and added a contrast to the smooth savory rillette. Second course was fish all around in the form of a cod salad with a healthy plate of dressed greens with a piece of fish about the size of a fat deck of cards, and their pollack tempura sandwich with crisp potato chips and cute little gherkins. The sandwich was quite juicy for all that it was fish. Of those we ordered, I preferred the soup and fancy filet o fish sandwich. We scored prime seats having arrived shortly before their 11:30am opening, but the bar filled quickly with regulars and newbies like ourselves.
(4)Sun F.
Since dinner was well over $300, I'd love to give a 5 star rating, but that's not possible after last night's dinner. Last night was my fourth dining experience at RE. The first and third times were excellent. The second and fourth times were mediocre. Mediocre is not acceptable when paying these prices. With the help of the sommelier, we selected a wonderful bottle of wine that the sommelier promptly forgot about. We were shown the bottle and it was quickly taken away, leaving us waiting for our wine an abnormal amount of time. No one is perfect and this is certainly forgivable, but it would have been nice to have heard, "sorry to keep you waiting" or something along those lines. The broccoli with poached egg first course was fine, but not worth the price. I could make the same dish at home. I ordered the autumn vegetable tajine as my main course. It tasted of salt and nothing else. I don't understand why it was so over-salted. Shame on me, I suppose, for not sending it back. I couldn't finish it and had to drink a lot of water. I was not asked if I enjoyed my meal when the plate was taken away. Thankfully, my dining companions enjoyed the Char and Halibut cheeks. For dessert I enjoyed the chocolate-hazelnut birthday cake. It was delicious, but rich and I'd say very shareable for these reasons. Overall, I'm sorry to say the restaurant has a bit of pretentious, fussy vibe. "Great service" is subjective; I don't consider a staff person opening the restroom door for me and ushering me in "good service." I consider it weird. :) Unfortunately, I'm not in a rush to go back to Restaurant Eve. It wasn't terrible, but for the price I expect the food to be amazing and it just wasn't (aside from dessert).
(3)Frank P.
The restaurant and service lived up to the hype. The bar area was quaint old school old Town. Libations were expertly prepared. Service was excellent from. Start to finish. We ordered the Asian sampler dinner for two. 4 courses, plenty of food.
(4)Alice W.
For our two-year anniversary, my boyfriend and I celebrated at Restaurant Eve. It was the perfect meal to commemorate our two years together and we were both very pleased and satisfied with the quality and service Restaurant Eve provides. We expected as much after years of being loyal patrons of the Restaurant Eve Group and frequent visitors to the other Restaurant Eve Group restaurants and bars. Restaurant Eve was the crowning crème de la crème. We both decided to get the Chef's Surprise Menu, which is 7 courses for guests in a more "adventurous mood." I started off with the Eammon's cocktail, a twist on the Irish Rickey made with yuzu juice, Irish red lemonade, and Powers Irish whiskey. We were served an amuse-bouche and a palate cleanser of carrot and fennel sorbet with saffron foam before we entered our seven courses. Course 1: Hamachi with wild spring onion panna cotta, bull's blood beets, and garlic chives Course 2: Diver scallop with parsnip purée, caramelized onion and perigord truffle Course 3: Pan roasted rockfish with heirloom carrots, Meyer lemon and yogurt Course 4: Breast of partridge with scarlet turnips and partridge jus Course 5: Pine Ridge Farms' beef with celeriac purée, black trumpets and caramelized onion Course 6: Artisanal cheese Course 7: Meyer Lemon Bavarian, Cornmeal Cake, Toasted Marshmallow, Brown Butter Popcorn and Candied Meyer Lemon. In between course 6 and 7, we got a pre-dessert of crème brûlée and candied pear. And after our dessert course, we were presented with a small tier of other desserts such as chocolate truffles, macarons, petit fours, etc. I really liked the hamachi, scallop, and rockfish the most. Both the partridge and beef were a little tough for my taste but just as flavorful as my preferred dishes which says a lot about the quality, presentation, and care that went into each course. The dessert was delicious as well. I enjoyed some green tea with the dessert, which our server says they get from Teaism just down the street as they prefer to support local businesses. Service was top-notch, as good as it gets. They paid close attention to every movement, setting our plates on our right side, clearing the plates when we were finished, switching out old cutlery for new ones immediately after clearing the plates, making sure to tell us each course as soon as it's set down, and even engaging in light conversations with us. Very friendly, accommodating, and professional. At the end of the meal, we were given a small bag of Restaurant Eve's ground coffee and scone mixes as their way of saying "Happy Anniversary." The server also rolled the menu for us into a scroll and affixed a ribbon to secure it. What a fantastic way to celebrate our anniversary. We can't thank Restaurant Eve enough for their fantastic food and terrific service.
(5)Laurie W.
I think I was just POed that I wasn't able to get into PX when I originally gave Eve 4 stars. After last night's visit (and several before that, this is probably my 5th time here and I've eaten both in the restaurant, Tasting Room, and bar) I'm 100% comfortable upgrading to 5. Went to Eve last night with my husband and camped out at the bar for drinks and then dinner. This is the first time that we've been to Eve since they made the "switch" (making the restaurant the same instead of a specific separate Tasting Room & Bistro). I have to say that the quality and taste of everything I had exceeded my expectations. We began with several cocktails at the bar - at Eve, how can you not? My husband had the gin and "tonic" and I had the "fizzy bubbly" (that was the category - the drink has a creative name but but I can't remember it right now). I love Eve's cocktail program - the drinks are always top-notch with high quality ingredients and creative names. My husband said it was all he could do to sip his slowly, it was that good. We had planned to have dinner at the bar all along, but when we got there, we had the munchies, so we decided to order off the bar snacks menu and order chips and Virginia dip. The Virginia dip was a cheese-beer dip accompanied by house-made chips and it was delicious. It hit the spot as we had another drink as we began to peruse the menus for dinner. Everything available at the restaurant is available at the bar, but we decided to go for the bistro menu. We were shocked when an amuse bouche of tuna tartare appeared in front of us. This was the biggest sign of change in the restaurant for me - we'd eaten in the bar before and never received an amuse bouche and all other bar patrons who ordered dinner received the same, that was a very unexpected and nice touch. The amuse bouche was followed by steaming-hot bread and butter, which was refilled throughout the evening until we had to say no more or else we'd be too full for dinner! For my first course, I ordered the parsnip ravioli with oxtail and my husband had the "bacon egg and cheese." Both were awesome. I used my bread to mop up the oxtail broth from my dish once I devoured the ravioli (thought it was strange that they had given me a spoon for a ravioli dish). The oxtail was braised beautifully with a wonderful flavor. My husband's bacon egg and cheese was a poached egg with a parmesean foam over country ham, and he loved it. What a creative dish! I decided to go adventurous for dinner and ordered the rabbit with morsels and pappardelle, and my husband ordered the ribeye. The ribeye was huge and came with 5 onion rings stacked on top - not what I was expecting when I saw "fried onions" on the menu (I thought they'd be more like onion straws). Wow! It was accompanied by fresh horseradish and was prepared beautifully. My rabbit was tender and juicy, the pappardelle was prepared to a perfect al dente, and the morels added a great touch. For our meals, we switched to glasses of wine which complemented our meals wonderfully. Service was excellent all night - the bartenders (Mark and someone else, I can't remember his name, so sorry!) were incredibly friendly and our water glasses nor drink glasses never remained empty. It's not a cheap night, but the high quality of the food and drinks is definitely worth the price, in my opinion. Favorite place to eat in Old Town and one of my favorite restaurants overall.
(5)Hannahleine P.
Hi there folks good evening on a mediocre-winded winters day, there's probably a one-inch deep of sludge under grass and the melting snow... Anywayz good evening, and I'll try to tell my story in three succinct paragraphs as many elementary teachers often humiliated and criticized my sentence structure growing up. I'm sad this application can't hold a photo or two from my experience. Well I decided to splurge and regardless of the wine and alcoholic abc-abv amount for my 32nd birthday on February 11th for homecooked, organic or gentle AMERICAN food similar toClydes or LaBergerie's private sous chefs. And i particularly chose Restaurant Eve's in northe Old Towne, because I am a big Foodie, having lived in the Kingdom of Bahrain for eight whole yrs, after traveling through Newport Rhode Island, and i knew that my driverdad could easily maneuver around parking. I never been to this "dynamite 10-star" place for a simple twopointfive hr meal, but glad they did give minuscule odoeurves and a nice candle cupcake and nice birthday muffin kit. I love plastic show-case bags in easy to read instructions. The big lady with her hair in a bun had much knowledge about even resplendent Filipino street barbecue {pork or chicken?!?} sticks. But during the three hours, I felt sick and it wasn't my lithium or wellbutrin. Why the three or even f i v e different waiters looking over our shoulder and serving us, as we are too ethnic to go there once a month, sit and eat & pay with an Amex card?? My beets or radishes were too buttery or oily. Well their latrines were nice, as i am a quiet girl, only needed to use it once, and i am glad and chipper they served bread for my sister and i enjoyed parts of my dad's, Arturo Senior succulent fish. It was family or kid friendly too, i give only three stars because the lady or not to sound harsh, but the big lady hostess or the highschooler wine walker came over and i was explaining that I spoke to a manager beforehand about set menu or highlighted dinner specials, made me feel inferior or really stupid rather for asking what the meat was in the $55.00 three-course (incl 11ounce dessert) meal was. She said there was no promotion of such sort near a special dining section after 17:34:01 o'clock hrs. Well, i think that's a good reason why working women in the 22314 area would only give 15.00% total tip because they can't handle confusion or when people make them feel strange! And it's hard having to know how to split the bill too (I've eaten at Jaleo locations also) But as a one-timer I always observe waiters' waitresses traits and patience. Thanks for listening to Miss Hannahleine/Annaleine:-)
(3)Keith P.
I am a bit conflicted on how to review Restaurant Eve. My wife and I are not usually great 'foodies' in chasing down destination restaurants with celebrity chefs. But when we asked a friend for a recommendation for a special place for a birthday dinner, she immediately pointed us here. Our only previous experience with dining at this exhalted level was eating at Volt a few years ago. I will say up front that each piece of the evening's experience was delightful. The entrance to the restaurant is through a small tunnel into an interior courtyard. Lit with small lamps, it set an ambiance for the night! We were welcomed warmly and throughout the evening the service was top notch...attentive without being obtrusive, removing plates promptly, but never rushing. The interior is quietly elegant...almost a bit Spartan. Tables are set nicely apart and the noise level was quite low. All of this focused the diner's attention on the food and each other! The food, of course, is what it is all about. For a special occasion and, as I said, rarely venturing into this rarified dining atmosphere, we opted for the Tasting Menu and I added the wine pairings (and shared with my wife.) First we had a complementary small appetizer from the chef. It was a duck pate' that was so creamy it was almost like chocolate. A really remarkable beginning. Next came a jumbo seared scallop. Scallops are my wife's favorite, but I am generally not a huge fan as they are so difficult to prepare well and their own flavor is often overwhelmed by the bacon, sause, or whatever. This was in a category all by itself. I have never had a scallop prepared to absolute perfection, seared without burning, warm inside without being cooked rubbery, and the light seasoning enhanced the flavor without masking it. This was followed by a seared tuna, that, again, was quite amazing (though I was not quite as blown away as I was by the scallop.) Again, seared without burning and kept the interior almost raw. Flavorful! Then we had a partridge dish. This, I will say, was very nicely done and delicious, but, really, I am sad to say that it was, a bird, and, to me, was pretty much chicken. Then on to the lamb. Wow! It was very, very rare...which might have worried me slightly elsewhere, though I love my lamb pink. But here it just worked! Again, a very light seasoning allowed the subtle young lamb (no mutton this!) flavor to be savored! Finally the desert was a chocolate/hazelnut concoction that I have a hard time describing, save that it was utterly melt-in-your-mouth creamy deliciousness. Each of the courses was paired with a wine. Each was very nice, my favority being the Ken Forester Renegade that went with the (Partridge?) But, here I will say that I was notably less impressed with the wines and pairings than I was during my Volt experience. Each was very nice...just that...none that really grabbed me with that feeling of 'perfection.' They recommend two to three hours for the tasting menu and we were there on the order of two and a half hours. The time went quickly as we appreciated each course and wine. The evening was not cheap, of course! But for a special occasion I would definitely consider it value for the money! For anyone in search of a very special evening, this is, indeed, a destination!
(5)Kimberly S.
One day my wallet will be big enough for the Tasting Room but for now I'm sticking with Restaurant Eve's Lickety Split lunch which in my opinion is one of the best deals in town! Here are the details: - The deal is only available in the bar and lounge area, Tuesday through Friday, 11:30 - 3:30 - $14.98 gets you not one but TWO choices from their wide and varied menu I dropped by with a friend on a random Wednesday afternoon thinking that we would have to wait a few moments before finding a seat. Although the restaurant was full, we were able to find two seats right at the bar and I noticed that the general flow of the area moved pretty quickly. The worst part of the meal was deciding on what to order. Did I want a salad and an entree? Drink and a dessert? Two drinks? The bartender had several recommendations and all of the other diners made sure to pop into my conversation with their favorites as well. After a few minutes of deliberation I finally decided on the cucumber chive soup and the lamb bacon risotto. Also, because I couldn't resist the name...I ordered the "I am the Taylor Swift of Cocktails" drink for an extra $15. What can I say...I'm a sucker for T-Swizzle! My cocktail was exactly as promised: "starts off sweet with a bitter finish." I could not think of a more aptly named drink. Props to Todd Thrasher for his creativity! My drink was also surprisingly and pleasantly strong. By the end of my glass, I was trash talking and gossiping like a pro. Goodbye responsible and sophisticated business lunch! My cucumber yogurt soup was topped with pickled ramps and beautiful lavender chive blossoms picked from the Restaurant Eve garden. It was light, cool and perfectly refreshing for the 95 degree weather day we were having. Aesthetically and tummy pleasing to say the least. I was slightly less impressed with my lamb bacon risotto. The risottos I've had in the past have been colorful with a light bite. Mine came out looking like a wet plate of army gruel. The lamb bacon chunks were hearty...and a little bit cartilage as well. I didn't mind but it was definitely a surprise. The rice unfortunately had a classic case of over cooking and too much water. Overall, still a great deal for a ladies who lunch sort of thing! I expect to be back several more times this summer to try their antelope sausage hash and their sweet pink birthday cake which are also a part of their lunch menu. Stay tuned for the updates!
(4)Katharine S.
Although the food was delicious and quite unique, the service, especially the management, was the worst that I have experienced. The entrees arrived at different times. In fact one entree didn't arrive until 45 minutes after the others. No one seemed concerned. The manager, we were told was busy with other guests, and when she finallyy came to our table was flustered, young, and completely unprofessional and inexpereienced. A restaurant such as this one, so positively reviewed, should spend a little more and hire decent management. Also, the tasting menue was misleading and/or the wait staff should better explain. It is a shame because I wil never return as I now have "a bad taste in my mouth."
(1)Lydia R.
This review is for the seven course surprise tasting menu for a Saturday night birthday dinner: I selected the locale for my boyfriend's birthday dinner, and Restaurant Eve seemed like a unique, nice, classy place to celebrate, eat, and drink like kings and queens. I was right! This place lived up to and exceeded my expectations! Everyone who works at the restaurant was so charming, welcoming, and friendly (and smart - all employees are required to read "Windows of the World" so they can better pair wine and food). Our main waiter told my boyfriend "happy birthday" at the beginning and end of our meal, which was really sweet. One more note on birthdays - this place is great because my boyfriend received an Irish scone kit present as a birthday takeaway as well as a cleverly placed candle on his dessert plate because I called beforehand alerting them it was his birthday. Apparently several others had the same idea as I did - during the course of our three hour meal, we saw at least three other couples celebrating birthdays. On to the menu, which I'm so excited to share. For the record, the menu changes daily, so while this was a "surprise tasting menu", these courses will not be replicated the same way again. 1. We were given tuna tartare to start off with, compliments of the chef! This was such a fun surprise start because it packed a lot of delicious flavors yet did not overpower the delicate textures of tuna tartare. The first real course we were presented with was sashimi. It was so light and had just a hint of spices - amazing start! At this point, we were served fresh, amazing bread and a palate cleanser. 2. Next was the lobster, served in a creamy, onion sauce with notes of carrots. This was only a little chewy, but the surrounding sauce and purée complemented the lobster perfectly. 3. The Daurad Fish was the next item we tasted. The top of the fish was crunchy but in a good way, and the fish was just flaky enough and again, accompanied by the perfect purée. 4. Next was veal. I was surprised how much I loved it. As far as I remember, I've never had veal before, so I was a little nervous about this course. The veal was breaded and tasted like a mix of pork belly and calamari because of the breaking and chewy texture. The veal was cooked very well and was very tender. 5. The steak was next. Restaurant Eve took the liberty of preparing our steak rare, which I enjoyed, because I usually refuse to have rare steak most other places. Boy, was I happy with this course! Probably my favorite among the main courses - these guys know their red meat! 6. Now we move on to the desserts. We were next presented with a small cheese plate with pears, which complemented each other perfectly. Next was the "pre-dessert", a mini creme brûlée which was savory!!! Such interesting flavors! My taste buds were awakened here, and to be honest, not in the way I would have liked them to be! But we were told that the chef enjoys incorporating less sugary items into the menu when possible since so many of the desserts are reallyyy sweet. And that's probably my fault too (sweet tooth talking). But I really appreciate the uniqueness! 7. The main dessert course arrived with a candle for my boyfriend. It was so cool - popcorn with bursts of caramel and sugary undertones, scone bits and a cream to tie it all together. 8. Last on our surprise menu was another surprise from the chef - a two-tiered dessert tray. On it were dark chocolate truffles (oooh, and these were dark!! :)), petit fours, and macarons of course! I LOVED the petit fours and macarons, which were pistachio flavored. Oh my. Such decadence. I highly recommend Restaurant Eve to anyone and everyone! They will make your experience personalized, exciting, and flavorful!!
(5)Katie A.
This restaurant is truly special. VERY rarely to you meet staff that is so attentive yet easy going and that truly seem to enjoy their job. I am gluten free and do not eat onions and shallots (double whammy), and I had a great experience here. We even did the restaurant week menu, and the server was extremely helpful and attentive (which had not been my experience doing restaurant week at other high end restaurants). I ordered the mussels for a start, which came with a green curry type sauce. When my order first arrived, I saw what looked like shallots in my order. The server promptly double checked with the kitchen, and yes, there had been a small miscommunication. The dish was quickly remade and was delicious. It is not uncommon for this to happen when I go out to eat, so I am pretty easy going about it. However, a lot of times the servers will blame me or make up some excuse about how they did not really know that was what I meant. Our server was very gracious. Sincerely apologized and was upfront that there was a miscommunication, being that the kitchen thought it was just onions, not also shallots. I just really appreciated how she handled the situation. Mistakes happen. It is all in how you handle those mistakes that shows class. My date ordered the Phillipino style bbbq, which was a delightful pork belly dish. For his entree, my date got the steak with relish. Yum! I ordered the sautéed soft shell crabs. What a treat that they were not fried and I could get them gluten free. When my order came, there was some fried garlic on top. Just to verify, I asked the server to double check again that my dish was both gluten free and onion free. She did so very graciously. Anyone with food allergies or intolerances knows that eating out can be a bit stressful. The server, again, very sincerely handled my concerns, which made me feel at ease, and I was able to enjoy an absolutely delightful dinner. The Som helped us pick out a great bottle of wine, both delicious and reasonably priced. I would go back in a heartbeat. Big shout out to the chef and owner for creating such a delightful experience for people, from great food to great service to great ambiance. Oh and they also brought me GF bread to dip in my mussel sauce! Amazing!!!
(5)E F.
Restaurant Eve is the best restaurant in the Washinton DC area. Impeccable food, over the top service in an elegant setting. Flawless.
(5)Colleen B.
We went to Restaurant Eve last night for my husband's birthday. What a delightful experience that was definitely worth the price and getting a babysitter for. Let's start from the walk into the restaurant- we were guided by lanterns down a quaint, serene, covered, brick path to the entrance. The greeters and all of the waitstaff were polite, helpful, knowledgable and top-notch. We were curious about the restaurant - its origins, owners, mission, the building's previous occupants, etc, and our waiter spoke of every aspect like he was a member of the owners' own family. We ordered 4 cocktails throughout our meal that were all very well-crafted, artistic, and tasty. The unique metal straws kept each sip cold. Before our appetizer came, we were brought little spoons of rabbit liver pate with micro greens and some type of berry compote. Good thing they didn't tell us what it was beforehand (or I would not have eaten it!). It was surprisingly tasty with all of the flavors. I asked one of the waitstaff what it was after she cleared away the spoons. For an appetizer, we shared the lobster bisque and they split it into 2 bowls for us. Not a lot of chunks of lobster in each bowl, but what was in there was delectable and the soup was rich and creamy. They also brought out fresh, crusty, warm bread and soft salty butter, which was perfect for running around the bowl to soak up the remnants of the bisque. For our entrees, my husband ordered the soft shell crabs from VA, and I ordered the Maine Halibut. The halibut was SO DELICIOUS! The textures and flavors were well balanced and complimentary. My husband loved his meal too. There was ham in his, so I didn't try it since I don't eat pig products, but he said it was excellent. For dessert, I ordered the chocolate mousse with pistachio and he ordered the "cookies and milk", which was an interesting interpretation of the common treat. Again , the flavors were delicious in both desserts. At the end, our waiter brought out a small gift bag for my husband since it was his birthday- scones, Irish butter, and house made coffee. What a nice gesture! Our meal was $200 (not including tip) for 4 cocktails, 1 appetizer, 2 entrees , and 2 desserts, so yes it was pricey, but worth every cent for the service, atmosphere, locally sourced and sustainable food, and incredibly thoughtful and delicious food preparation. We are eager to try PX, a speakeasy down the road and owned by the same couple who owns Restaurant Eve , Society Fair, Majestic, and Eamonn's.
(5)Candice M.
Delicious! I went here for my birthday, and the food was fresh, delicious, and beautifully presented. I would definitely recommend this place for a special occasion of some sort as it is a fancy restaurant. Their cocktails are also amazing and well worth a try. They also gave me a cute little gift for my birthday. Thanks!!!
(5)Anne C.
I had the pleasure of dining at Restaurant Eve last week with my sister for a fun ladies night out. We chose to go with the surprise tasting menu as my sister had been here before, tried it, and loved it. I started off with a velvety rum cocktail, and it was not only quite tasty, but a work of art. The food was amazing--my favorite being the celeriac creme brûlée pre-dessert with pickled apple. Truly it sounded like an odd pairing but it was delicious and well balanced. Also, and this might sound weird, but their butter was the best butter I've ever had. I felt awful eating bread and butter when I had seven courses coming, but the overstuffed feeling I left with was definitely worth it. Each course was beautifully put together, tasted great and was represented fabulously by the amazing waitstaff. They were so knowledgeable about the sourcing of each item on the plate. I was so impressed! Overall, Restaurant Eve is all about the details, and they do it amazingly from the minute you walk towards the door. (The entrance walkway really sets a nice tone too). They take the time to do it right, from really well thought out dish components to the ever present yet not overbearing waitstaff to even steaming the milk for coffee at the end. Incredibly good restaurant, I highly recommend.
(5)Jeremy C.
Love this place. I think whatever they were trying to go for with the decor and ambiance worked. the servers are great and the food is very memorable.
(5)David P.
My wife and I had a very pleasant dinner at Restaurant Eve's bar on a Saturday evening. We did not have reservations, but stopped by on a whim at 5pm since we found ourselves in Old Town with no dinner plans. The hostess apologized that the dining room was fully booked but offered us the bar. We were the first ones there so had nice corner seats. The restaurant and bar staff were extremely helpful and made us feel very welcome. We had a few of their cocktails and our bartender was very knowledgeable about the various types of drinks and their ingredients, and the entire menu as well. The entire menu is available to be ordered from the bar, including the tasting menu. We ordered a la carte and were offered a nice amuse bouche of very tender pork inside a deep fried breaded crust. For appetizers, I had the Filipino Street BBQ of pork belly and my wife the Hamachi Sashimi. Main course consisted of the Ribeye for me, and my wife the sweetbreads. Everything was perfectly prepared and presented. The entire experience was a wow, and I found the atmosphere at the bar to be very pleasant and probably much better for conversation and people watching than in the main dining room. I would eat at the bar again without hesitation. I found the prices at Restaurant Eve to be very reasonable considering the quality of the food and presentation. It's comparable to many other restaurants in the area that are of lesser quaiity. It's a bargain considering what you get. For me, Restaurant Eve lived up to its reputation and I want to come back to try the tasting menu as well as the rest of its offerings at another time.
(4)Susan O.
After reading rave reviews of Restaurant Eve, I was excited to dine their for the first time recently. The atmosphere was lovely. The Captain (head waiter) was welcoming, though he visited the table a little too often, interrupting conversation. The service was five star. Unfortunately, the meal was only three star. I ordered beef and it lacked juiciness and flavor. My companion ordered fish and commented that it, too, lacked flavor. Given the restaurant's reputation and prices, I expected much more from the food. Dinner for two with one glass of wine each was $175 before tip. If you want to have dinner in a quiet, cozy place and don't have high expectations for food, I can recommend Restaurant Eve.
(3)Cait S.
Best restaurant for a romantic birthday dinner!!! We were celebrating my birthday and the restaurant printed "Happy Birthday" on the menu. Great touch. Food was fabulous (we did the tasting menu) and the service was what you would expect from a restaurant of this caliber. I would most definitely recommend!!!
(5)Rick P.
This is the best restaurant in Old Town--hands down! How anyone could give this place anything less than five stars is beyond me. If you did have a less-than-five-star experience, you should likely talk to the manager about it and see what he can do.
(5)Adena B.
I took my girl friend out for a farewell lunch to this place, and I gotta say: I couldn't have picked a snazzier joint. *two pats on the back for me!* I'd made reservations, though the place was fairly empty. From the second we walked in until we left, we were waited on hand and foot. I almost hoped someone would give me a foot massage; alas, it didn't happen. DRANK +Eamonn's cocktail: ( yelp.com/biz_photos/rest… ) yuzu juice [sort of an Asian citrus], Nash's Irish red lemonade, Irish whisky, and a fluff of blended yuzu cloud. Tasty, light, and fun to drink. ATE +Hawaiian blue prawn sandwich with harissa aïoli: delicious, creamy harissa aïoli with a slight kick; it was the perfect complement to the well-cooked prawn. +Fried okra: You can't go to a restaurant with a southerner and NOT order the okra--so we did! My southern belle told me it's one of the best she's had; that's good enough for me. For lunch with a couple of cocktails, it was fairly pricey. But to be honest, because of the food, the service, and general atmosphere, it was the perfect farewell lunch and well worth the cost.
(4)Patty L.
The attentiveness and care is there, but not all of the food was as stunning as the $$$. We happily chose the tasting menu. I have to start by noting that receiving sparkling water with tiny bubbles is the right way to make a girl happy. The amuse bouche nicely set the tone for the feast; a creamy pate and a cheesy puff pastry. He had the Hamachi; great lemon/lime flavoring, yet unable to enjoy any taste of the fish. I had fois gras for the first time ever and I am still thinking about the smoothness of it today. The lobster dish was a dream to this New England family. "Best lobster ever," was the sentiment. I would return for that alone. The fish dish that followed was crispy and tender, but missed on any significant flavor addition for both of us. Please consider adding something memorable to the perfectly prepared fish. We both were delighted with the palate cleanser of grapefruit sorbet and ginger; perfect memorable combo. The squab was great for me; but he didn't finish his small taste. That thready tendon is a bugger to deal with. Perfectly cooked and seasoned, yet not a standout. The lamb was easily a front runner; keep on there. After some discussion, the head waiter chose the cheeses for us and he could not have done any better. Thank you, Cheese Whisperer. He had a cognac infused glass of wine during the cheese plate that the somme recommended; a unique treat. Chesnut cream with hot toffee sauce was lovely, but the sweet tooth in me was topped out halfway through. Yes, I finished it, but can't say I enjoyed that level of sweetness till the end. Yes, the bread was warm and chewy and crusty. The dessert tower with the check was special, but a bit too much after all that. Only one of us did the wine pairings which was enough alcohol for the two of us; not cheap here, but who really needs to drink that much? The only failings of the ever bustling waitstaff was forgetting to ask if coffee was desired, then when it was requested it got forgotten. Surprised after all of the attentiveness. At the start of the meal we were promised a parting gift of a menu that also listed the wines enjoyed. That did not appear. We didn't care about obtaining it, but someone slipped up in that group of men and women in black. Are we glad we went? Yes. Do we need to return? No. Would we recommend it? Highly. Why would we not return? We have many other culinary adventures that need financing.
(4)Liz C.
Fluff without substance A special occasion, quiet for conversation, a bistro in name. For all it's pretentiousness, Eve falls short of it's lofty goals. The "bistro" was a sparse dining room with formal service and high price tags. The appetizers were oversalted and deconstructed to the point of being a bit silly. Perhaps the the chef or perhaps it was a substitute cook was having a bad evening. Although I love fine dining, creations enticing on the menu fell short of being inspiring throughout the dinner. Appetizer-I ordered a white pudding- sounded intriguing, it was an oversalted overcooked "cake of sausage, nothing "pudding-y" about it. The short ribs were standard fare on a sorry bed of overly pureed potatoes with no flavor.Freshness was evident in all things but a heavy hand undid the creative mind behind the idea. Also odd was the mention of Kerrygold butter with every course(and it was salted..) . Perhaps an offspring of the creamery in the kitchen? It's available in grocery stores, I don't need the advertisement. We even got a birthday goodie bag with two butterpats and 1/2 cup of scone mix- really? The service was fair, attentive then absent. Although coffee was requested after dessert it came before, wine came halfway through the entree. $100 a head? Thanks but no thanks. There are others to choose from that deliver.
(2)Petra E.
We have been to Restaurant Eve a few times and decided to go there again Monday night for a belated 27th anniversary and Valentine's Day dinner. We were as always greeted with the utmost professionality and led to our table in the quiet dining room. The hostess handed us our menus and was just about to ask about the wine list when my husband suddenly fell backwards into the table behind us. A couple was seated there with their drinks and my husband fell against the lady. Chaos ensued, the real candles fell over but thankfully extinguished on impact, the lady's wine glass shattered and she cut her hand. Meanwhile, my husband scrambled back up apologizing profusely to the lady. However, this was entirely the restaurant's fault as one of the legs of my husband's chair broke off, sending him sailing. I don't want to think how he could have hurt himself, he is not the youngest anymore either! In the meantime the staff of the restaurant did absolutely nothing! The hostess just stood there with her wine menu. No one helped my husband up, no one rushed to assess the situation, very weird. At least someone went in search for a band aid for the lady with the hurt hand. The other couple got a new table but it took quite a while for someone to finally come and express their apologies and thank my husband for his "flexibility" (luckily he was flexible, that may have prevented worse injury). We got a rose champage drink on the house and that was all that was said about that. The reason I'm giving three stars is because the food (we got the chef's surprise menu) was excellent as always and the service otherwise too. The latter however now seems very stiff and rehearsed to me. Hardly any human empathy surfaced with the personnel, the hostess even acted like nothing happened and asked "So, are you interested in the wine list?" once my husband was seated again. My husband is not one to complain (as opposed to me) but he did write a comment (after still giving a sizeable tip, mind you). He did not feel the restaurant made up for his embarrassment and pain which he of course had after falling like that. A complimentary champagne cocktail does not make one feel a restaurant of this caliber took a dangerous fall like he had to endure seriously.
(3)Amanda H.
My best friend and her husband took my fiance to the tasting room to celebrate our engagement. Wow, what a memorable evening. We did the 7 course, and like my profile name says I am gluten free and a pescetarian. Normally I would be skeptical to trust someone to prepare seven courses for me. I let the waitress know and the chef took great care in preparing amazing courses with my dietary restrictions in mind. The wine pairings were divine. I already admired Todd Thrasher as a sommelier (and mixologist) but was again blown away. I usually hate most reds and chards, but they were all spot on. The service was impeccable. My favorite thing is how they walk ladies to the bathroom and lock the door for you. Such a nice touch. Every course was absolutely incredible, and the table decor was gorgeous. I have so much for respect for their professionalism and focus on excellence. They printed a nice personalized message of congratulations on our menus, and rolled them for us to take home. Something we will frame to mark our engagement and this amazing evening. For a special occasion I would recommend this experience.
(5)Diana D.
This was by far one of the best dining experiences that I have ever had. I'm not going to bore you with descriptive details on the food(It's constantly changing). Just go! Take your date and make her feel like a princess. Take your wife/partner and show her/he what s/he means to you on your anniversary.
(5)Local L.
I was very excited to finally try Restaurant Eve and last night I did just that with a few clients. The layout of the restaurant is gorgeous. The bar area is very nice as is the dining room and hostess area. We had the PX in the bar an it was delicious (albeit expensive at $12 a pop). I found the food to be just okay. The portions are very small, so if you're a 'hungry man', or my misfortune of having a client that likes a lot of food, this isn't your place. The presentation of the food was great, but the selection was thin and the food was just okay. I wasn't blown away by any means. I found the wine menu extremely frustrating. While it's extensive, there were relatively few well known mid-range wines to choose from. Anything I even remotely recognized was well over $100 per bottle. Our server offered us the services of their wine guy, but I passed. The service was also just okay. It took an unusual amount of time to get drinks, appetizers, desert - we ordered desert at 730 and by the time they were able to run the check it was nearly 900 and we are all quite ready to go. On my company dime, I'd try it again just for the atmosphere, but on my dime I'd pass.
(3)christian b.
Don't be a jerk and order a la carte. Don't be a tool and expect a great meal at the bar. Go to the tasting room and do it right. Cathal Armstrong is a brilliant chef and the menu is outstanding. A good friend took my wife and me to Eve as a wedding gift, and to this day, it is one of the best 2 or 3 meals I've ever had, and I've eaten at virtually every top restaurant in D.C. The cocktails are outstanding as well, but maybe stay away from the New Age Gibson. You need a serious cocktail palette to enjoy this one. I think I was showing off when I ordered it; what a mistake! Chef Armstrong was just getting started when we visited. Years later, the word is the restaurant is even better and the cooking even more refined. I'll be back!
(5)marcella l.
My friend and I had the lickity-split lunch special in the bar/lounge and it was the best lunch for the value I've ever had. For a mere $13.50 you get to choose two courses from a list of wine/cocktails, soups, salads, entrees/sandwiches, and desserts. I ordered the scallop salad and mushroom risotto. The salad was top notch. It had fresh romaine tossed with fingerling potatoes in a delicious vinaigrette. Beside the greens was a giant perfectly cooked sea scallop and buttery salmon mousse. The risotto was nicely al dente and had a good earthly flavor. Because lunch was so cheap I felt free to order wine. I chose Devil's Corner Pinot Nior from Tasmania. I had never had a wine from Tasmania and I was pleasantly surprised with how good it was. It had a great nose with soft yet complex flavor. I was tempted by the cocktail list because apparently Restaurant Eve is known for their signature cocktails but decided against it because it was so early in the day. It will be something to look forward to for my next visit. The service was what you would expect at a four star restaurant. The staff was so gracious and hospitable. All the details of service were effortlessly attended to. Your napkin is refolded for you when you get up. If you ask where the bathroom is, you are escorted to the door and it is opened for you. There was someone walking around the dining room dishing out freshly baked bread. Everything was great. I can't wait to go back and try the tasting menu.
(5)Tim M.
I have to say this is the best restaurant in DC, Citronelle, definitely right behind it. However, I cannot understand how someone can give it one star, first of a all one star is hard to find, unless its just terrible, and this place is far from average let along terrible. We started with drinks and their reputation still surprised me, Cool Cuc, Donkey Peach, both excellent. We then had salads that were just perfectly proportioned along with the acidity of the dressing was perfect. For the main course, I had the steak with onions topped on it. I am a very good griller and this was one of the better steaks I have eaten in a long time. My wife had the red snapper and it was delicious as well, just perfectly seasoned. For dessert we had the Butterfinger, it was amazing. You can try it out yourself, I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. It is not snooty here, we actually sat right next to Ex Governor Warner and his family, he is some kind of investor in the restaurant. Give it a shot, but know that it takes reservations a month out.
(5)Kenneth L.
A tad heavy for my palette, besides they need to train their staff. It is generally complained that the waitstaff are underdressed and inattentive. It is a disappointment and needs a lot of improvement to make up for the established image.
(2)W. E.
It is always so lovely to walk into such a wonderful dining institution as Eve where the waitstaff and chef know you by name because as expected with my father, wherever he takes me to eat, has usually already established himself as a regular. And thus, the service we receive is perfect. Eve gave us just that experience: perfection. The cocktails are where you must begin the adventure. You really cannot go wrong with whatever you order because everything is made in house. As simple and even boring as their gin and tonic may sound - it is superb because they make their tonic in house. But, being more curious I went with their take on an apple martini. It was nothing like my previous experiences with apple martinis. It tasted like I was literally biting into a granny smith apple and to top it off a bing cherry soaked in cognac lay at the bottom awaiting my lustful mouth to devour. Moving forward, we ordered an array of first courses. I opted for the steak tartare served with pumpernickel bread and grain mustard. Very refreshing and just the right amount of add-ins to the raw steak. My father had the white truffle risotto which need no further explanation other than divinity in a bite. Other diners with us had the chicken liver mouse which was also the perfect consistency and flavors. I nearly forgot to mention that piping hot irish soda bread is kindly placed on our plates with creamy herigold butter to slather throughout the entire meal. (You can always judge a great restaurant by the quality of its bread). To follow the first course, I had the venison. It was so tender and served with a chutney of parsnips, pear, and other root vegetables and hazelnuts. The veal sweetbreads which another diner order were wonderful - so moist and fluffy, perfectly prepared. Topping the meal off, we had a bite of every dessert which my favorite held to the apple tartine served with maple ice cream and a caramel sauce. Their version of the butterfinger candy bar was also quite nice. Special treat - since some of our guests are from New Zealand and the Irish chef recognizing our love for sausages rolled in pastry - surprised us with a giant sausage rolled in pastry. A gourmet take on pigs in a blanket, but sooo so much tastier. Also - please note that my father and I go her on a regular basis for lunch because they have a wonderful bar menu in which you get two courses for only $13.50. Everything from the changing soups of the day to the hearty bacon sandwiches are all delicious. The bartender will never lead you astray - so always ask him what's good on the day and you will not be disappointed.
(5)JB P.
I like the cozy street where you find Restaurant Eve, the alley way u walk thru into the restaurant and then the sleek hallway that leads you down to the dining area. That's the thing, all the little details charm even before the meal is served, and you already know you are in for a special night. This night was my anniversary. No one blinked when we requested a different table, and the service was responsive and friendly. Servers don't dawdle over your table here, they let you enjoy the space. One waitress actually said to me: "don't worry about decisions tonite, just relax and enjoy." Ahh, OK. I'll admit that I don't have the palate of a "foodie" , so the menu is a bit intimidating. But, there is plenty of choice and plenty to tempt. And the environ is so comfortable, that it takes away the stiffness and formality of other five star restaurants in the area. I went with the ribeye and gratins -- that were just delicious. My wife was crazy for the squab. When at Eve, we've stuck with the bistro and not yet opted for the tasting room. But, we could peer through the windows and be tempted by the various courses. Another time. Dessert is special, so don't pass it up. Many opt for Eve's signature "Birthday Cake" -- which is too sugary sweet for my tastes. but, the banana creme tart was just fine. A couple of the reviews below use the word "cheaper"; and Restaurant Eve really is not that. But, its not a place you regret spending the money. Restaurant Eve is the best there is in Old Town. And it just might be tops in the DC area.
(5)Tom D.
We ate in the bistro. I had the bouillabaisse -- and my dining companions had the scallops and the pork belly. Let me start by saying that they pork belly was delicious -- and scallops also won rave reviews. The bouillabaisse was strongly recommended by the server -- but I was a litte disappointed. The bouillabaisse had 3 mussels, 3 clams and 2 little pieces of cod. The broth was oily as we the toasted pieces of baguette. I never browsed the wine list as I was not overly excited by the wines by the glass. I had a glass of white wine -- 4 ounce pour of a bottle which I believes retails for 16-18 dollars -- it was either 8 or 10 dollars for a glass.....why do restaurants do this? Service was attentive -- and polished though I would not qualify it as outstanding. Atmosphere was comfortable and while it is upscale, it is certainly not pretentious. 3.5 stars for me. 4.5 for my companions -- net 4 stars.
(4)Charisse P.
This is my favorite restaurant in Alexandria! I've been here for lunch and dinner and have never been disappointed. The food and service are AMAZING!
(5)Larry D.
A nice, intimate place. We enjoyed the 7 course dinner in the tasting room with the optional wine pairing and it was wonderful! The staff was friendly (but not everpresent), and the chef's choices were always top-notch. The wine server was very knowledgeable about both the courses and the wines that came with them. Two (or four, in this case) thumbs up!
(4)annettka p.
I agree, completely delicious. I was lucky enough to have our company holiday reception here. Assigned with the task of orchestrating the event I was overwhelmed with the plethora of unique choices available for the tasting. The staff worked with me closely to help secure the perfect menu. We were greeted with an assortment of appetizers. Every dish was excellent and the wine was fabulous. If you are on a budget, I would recommend experiencing the restaurant at their wine bar. They have a great selection and priced by the glass to fit anyone's budget. Go ahead and order the risotto, which changes daily, for $6 you can get a flavor of the menu without breaking the bank.
(5)Susan B.
"Birthday Cake ... Just Because" is available to go! I stopped in for a couple of these last week as a jazzier alternative to our typical ice cream cake. $12 gets you a cake (sans candle) and a cute reusable Eve Tote/ To Go bag. No need to pre-order - simply stroll right in.
(5)Allison M.
Went here to grab a drink with someone I wanted to have a conversation with. The atmosphere worked out perfectly. The cocktails were both fancy and delicious. I would definitely recommend Restaurant Eve for anyone trying to keep it classy and enjoy the company of another.
(4)Denise S.
I went for my birthday to the tasting room and it was a beautiful experience. I had been before many years ago, but I don't remember it being this good. When I called, they asked if I was celebrating a birthday and how I spell my name. When I arrived, we were greeted warmly and the staff must have wished me happy birthday 5 or 6 times! I don't understand the other reviews saying the service was not good. I think this restaurant needs to rated higher than Inn at Little Washington. I've been there too, and they do all the same things that Restaurant Eve does, but Restaurant Eve does it better (personalized menu, birthday cake at the end, extra treats). I loved where we were seated. We sat in this huge comfortable couch with pillows. I didn't want to leave! We used the sommelier's recommendation for wine. After sitting in that couch, I didn't want to think about anything else except what I was going to eat. I loved the flexibility of the menu. If you didn't like the choices each course, you could customize the menu the way you want and substitute from other courses. We did two cheese courses as the fourth and fifth course. I hope this restaurant gets the recognition it deserves in the future, because like I said, it's better than Inn at Little Washington.
(5)Tom D.
Five months after eating dinner here, I am still irritated enough to write a review. My wife and I went here for our 9-year anniversary. We are vegetarians, and the restaurant advertises itself as vegan friendly. When I called for a reservation, I let the host know we wanted the vegan menu. No problem, I was told, they'd be ready. When the restaurant called to confirm, I reminded the host that we wanted the vegan menu. No problem--we'll have something special for you. We showed up, and were handed the regular menus. I asked the waitress if she knew we were vegans. She was clearly irritated, and stomped off. A manager came by, and said they would have the chef make us something. She too was flustered, and not overly pleasant. At this point, we were embarassed, and felt like everyone in the restaurant was staring at the commotion (not caused by us) and watching the waitress glower at us. The food was ok. Not breathtaking, just ok. The chana masala was no better than a standard indian restaurant. The asparagus was bland, and underseasoned. In general, it seemed like a collection of sides you'd expect to see when a vegetarian in a steakhouse (I've been there). Desert was fine, in fact I remember it being pretty good. Overall, though, it was kind of a lemon--we had fun going out for our anniversary, but the restuarant did nothing to make it special. I was disappointed enough to write a very courteous email to the manager, letting them know what happened. I did not expect or want anything beyond "Oh, we're sorry that happened." I am still waiting on a response. If this place delivered on its promised vegan-friendliness, we'd go there all the time for special occasions, since Old Town is our neighborhood. Since it didn't, we won't.
(1)Richard T.
We have high expectations of restaurants rated in the Washingtonian's top ten. Perhaps we're a bit unrealistic, but although our meal was satisfying, it fell well short of the spectacular experience we had hoped for. The boulliabaisse, announced with pride as a house specialty, was generic, as was the ribeye. No reason to seek out Eve for either dish. The chocolate crepe we split for dessert turned out to be well-chosen -- a highlight of the meal. The service, though more than adequate, came up a bit short in such minor details as attentiveness to the bread supply. None of this is to say that RE isn't worth the trip. It is. It's just that its 6th place finish in the Washingtonian's annual restaurant sweepstakes has to rate as a bit of an upset.
(3)Sonja G.
Went to the bar area in the evening for a drink and appetizers. Great atmosphere with two fireplaces, a small lounge, comfortable bar seats, and soft music & lighting. The drinks were made with care and tasted delicious. The bar menu was limited, although you have the choice to order from their restaurant menu as well. The service was excellent from the bartender, Val, and the hostess actually walked me to the restroom and opened the door for me. I had thought the bartender could call over to the mysterious PX lounge to get me and my fiance in, but while he did make the phone call a few minutes earlier for a couple seated next to us, he said they were filled to capacity. Darn. Overall, a good experience to get away from the crowded bar scene and enjoy a nice ambiance.
(4)Joanna S.
My husband and I went for dinner to celebrate our anniversary. Did the 5 course tasting. On the whole, it was VERY underwhelming for the price. The desserts and the cocktails were outstanding. Also very nice- we received a personalized menu wishing "happy anniversary" and a gift bag with scone mix and coffee. Our primary server was outstanding, but the food runners seemed a little snobbish and mocking. Didn't enjoy that! A celery sorbet palette cleanser was the only innovative and delicious item. The foie gras mousse tasted identical to a stick of butter. The lamb chop was under-cooked to my pregnant lady needs of needing well done meat. Also, the fat was not properly rendered off the meat. The accompanying gnocchi were rubbery. I understand the "tasting" concept, but the portions were incredibly small. My husband got half an espresso - c'mon. Delicious drinks were also only half full in a standard size glass. I had been a few years earlier, and the tasting portions were definitely larger then. The tasting room itself is beautifully decorated, but noisy and crowded. Also, several items on the tasting menu, the ones you most want to try, now incur an additional charge. i found this rather insulting. The whole experience ran us about 350 with tip. On the whole I would say it was not worth the money.
(2)W C.
Went for a birthday dinner on 11/14/08. We were unimpressed, but in fairness my wife had a slight cold. However -- service was VERY poor (but friendly) for a restaurant of this caliber -- had to ask several times to refill water; questions on the menu were going to be checked on but she came back the next time without an answer; had to call them over after waiting to make dessert orders. Just not the nicest experience for the money. Food was ok overall so willing to give it another chance for that. Pork belly seemed a bit overcooked. We were given a scone mix as a parting gift which we tried a few days later (just added cream I believe) which was delicious, I must say. Might be the most memorable part of the Restaurant Eve experience -- which is a bit sad.
(3)Anil S.
Good place to take ur date. Romantic ambience, cool, calm, great food and service
(4)Eleanor M.
Be prepared for an intense foodie and service experience. The thing is -- you won't want to go home because nothing, and I mean, nothing you can cook will come close to the culinary orgasm that awaits you. I noticed that many folks say it's expensive. Correct-a-mundo. Where I differ is that this place is not just a "occaision" experience. The more you go, the more you become a regular, the more you will just want to be there -- to hang out in the lounge with the regulars and the cool bartenders that are so on their Cocktail A Game that ordering a rum and coke would be like telling the Marine Corp barber to "keep the sides long, please". The drinks are truly special (they change frequently so I won't list them, although the Lemony Laurel, the house Gin and Tonic and anything with bourbon makes me exceedingly happy). My favorite foods are the BLT salad, the ox tail ravioli, the brazed short ribs and the skate. Oh, and the bread...it's just a slice of preverbial heaven. Careful on the salt -- the chef does tend to salt the sauces and fish a wee too much for me, so be sure to drink plenty of H2O. On the comfort side, the bathrooms need an update (particularly the lower-level) and the dining chairs are too low -- which cause a bit of a problem when you start to fill up. Oy. Just stop whining, save your dough, and eat from the gastronomic trough of the gods. Parking on the street or garage parking directly across from the restaurant.
(5)S. P.
The tasting menu is fabulous but make sure to set aside some serious time for it. And also some bank. Totally worth it though! The wait staff was incredibly attentive - plus you get a new folded napkin every time you get up to go the restroom, take an urgent call, etc. If you go for a special occasion, you get a little memento - it's just a nice touch.
(5)Jenny W.
The tasting room at Restaurant Eve is by far the best meal of my life. Unfortunately, the cost of the meal is typically out of my price range, but if you are looking to spend $100 on an incredible meal, the cost is totally worth it. If you are like me and looking for a cheaper option, I recommend their lickety split lunch served in the bar. For $13 you get a choice of two items off the lunch menu -- it's a great way to try some of Armstrong's genius in the kitchen with less of the burden on your wallet. In the evening you can also dine in the bar from their bistro menu. Most importantly, if you go to Restaurant Eve be sure to try their cocktails -- I promise you will never settle for your typical gin & tonic again. Eve literally makes their own tonic water (a process that involves boiling bark or something, turning the water a slight brown tint) -- it may not be what you expect from a gin & tonic but the taste is unforgettable.
(5)sarah s.
I was sorely disappointed in this place. I'd always heard such rave reviews, but I wasn't impressed. My husband and I went at lunch-we both ordered appetizers and a glass of wine each, and split the dessert. $150 for lunch is a little pricey-and only later did I learn they have a "Lickety Split" lunch deal-it would have been nice if our waiter had told us about it. The food was fine, but it just wasn't anything too write home about, especially considering the vulgarity of the prices. And the one thing I was most looking forward to was the worst-the pink birthday cake. It was actually disgusting. The frosting was so sugary sweet and "chemically" tasting that I couldn't even finish it. And for me, that's unheard of-I've never met a piece of cake I didn't like-until Restaurant Eve. What a disappointment and a waste of $150!
(2)Mickey L.
Facing tough odds, Restaurant Eve rose to the occasion thanks to Chef Cathal Armstrong's fantastic team behind the stoves together with our server Brandi and her crew. Since we were celebrating my dining companion's birthday parade, I was relieved and overjoyed that Restaurant Eve delivered an excellent evening of outstanding food and service. With a surprisingly slow weekend drive to Old Town Alexandria, I called a half-hour in advance as a courtesy to let them know that we would be 10-15 minutes late for our 5:30pm reservation, but the reservationist told me that our table had another seating at 7:00pm so we should hurry over. What?! We never heard any restaurant leaving at most 1.5 hours for a reservation, not the least of which would require going through at least 3 courses! Since my credit card was required to secure the reservation in the first place, we weaved our way past waves of bad drivers sandbagging it in the passing lane all through I-495 GW Parkway and made it to the restaurant around 5:35pm. Thankfully, things turned around. We were seated in a corner, which was cozy but a bit stuffy. Our server Brandi happily obliged in moving us to the more open-aired adjacent table. While the room was not hot, having the AC vents below our feet helped keep us cool especially after warming up with the well-kept temperatures of our hot food (a major plus for keeping the maximum potential for flavor). As for the menu, we decided to go with the Alexandria Restaurant Week promotion because of the many interesting offerings (the tasting menu and Filipino Family-Style dinner having limited or any choices at all). We asked for Brandi's recommendations, and she led us to outstanding dishes: - Filipino BBQ Pork Belly with Rice, Quail Egg, and Spicy Shallot Vinegar: - Lamb Belly Lasagna with Ricotta: Silky thin pasta sheets layered with delicately prepared strings of lamb meat and homemade ricotta. A fun spin on this popular Italian classic! - Bouillabaisse of Crispy Skate, Hawaiian Blue Prawns, and Cockles with Potatoes, Tomatoes, Arugula, and Rouille over Saffron Broth with Crostinis - Sauteed Soft Shell Crabs with Red Curry, Baby Bok Choy, and Garlic Chips: Loved the gingery note from the curry and the bok choy balancing the slightly salty sauce. - Peach Sable with Peace Sorbet, Poached Harmony Peaches, Thick Custard, Raspberry Meringues, and Wood Sorrel: Pretty like a blooming flower in colors, delicate notes, and layers of components forming a harmonious unity. I loved how verbena occasionally popped out on my taste buds to give the peach a lemony garden breeze. - Sourdough Chocolate Cake with Butterscotch Ice Cream, Scotched Caramel, Chocolate Soil: Fun textures and aroma of scotch made this a cute birthday cake. - Jasmine Pearl Green Tea with Shortbread Cookie The tea came brewed lightly so that we could enjoy beyond the first cup, and with flavor delicate enough for the peach dessert while strong enough for the chocolate cake. The shortbread was pleasantly crumbly with a just a dash of salt and sugar. Every dish was terrific in flavor, subtlety, presentation, and balance, but the Filipino BBQ and Bouillabaisse were truly exceptional. The pork had just enough fat for richness to balance the crispier layer and tender meaty layer, while the glaze had just enough sweetness balanced by smoky and savory flavors. The rice and quail egg provided more neutral flavors, while the vinegar cleansed the palate. Like the BBQ, the Bouillabaisse was superlative in its composition of beautifully prepared ingredients. We usually don't order a bouillabaisse because from our experiences, it has tended to be dish that has yielded a moderate risk (many being mediocre) with little reward (above average at best, though infrequent). With our appetizers being heavier, we gravitated towards seafood for our mains, and the seafood broth bowl sounded interesting. The skate was cooked to a nicely crispy exterior with moderate flavor to play to the superb prawns and sweet cockles. Meanwhile, the broth was subtle enough to let the seafood star but with enough character to enjoy on its own or dunking bread. Eve's Bouillabaisse is the best rendition we ordered outside of home. All in all, Restaurant Eve was a gem for Alexandria Restaurant Week. While the tasting menu seems a bit pricey considering very little in the way of choices (we don't eat liver and pancreas), the a la carte menu has many terrific choices with stars mixed in, ample portion sizes, and a reasonable value relative to its quality. Superb food, service, and a quaintly decorated Irish townhouse make Eve a nice night out without being stuffy or pretentious (kudos for no dress code).
(5)Cindy L.
So pretty! The alley entryway isn't ideal but they really used their resources and created a quaint, unique look ...very The Secret Garden. The huge arrangement of fresh flowers at the maitre d' give a subtle elegant touch...makes you feel all sorts of romantical :D Plan on being a long time as the food does take a long time to prepare. Wait staff is almost too attentive...i felt slightly stalked and stared down. We enjoyed a bevy of appetizers and I had the steak (WOW). Before you order the steak they give a warning that it won't be buttery, etc. because it's grass-fed but I found it very good and the warning unnecessary. A great affordable yet boujie spot
(3)John M.
Oh my! This was an amazingly disappointing experience. The staff was pretentious, the service painfully slow and the food was unexceptional. Our dinner took three hours, including almost 45 minutes waiting for coffee and dessert. It was a special family event and the experience at Restaurant Eve almost ruined the night. The waitress was bitter and snippy, making snide comments about members of our dinner party. The lighting is poor, the menu limited and the food ordinary at best. Given the high cost of the meal I think this rates as my worst dining experience ever. The owner and staff should be ashamed of their performance.
(1)Pete V.
I must say Restaurant Eve is the best restaurant in Old Town, Alexandria and could easily be compared with some of the best in the DC area. Shockingly, I had not been to Restaurant Eve (I was actually supposed to go for my b-day, but had to cancel due to work) until last night for Alexandria Restaurant Week. The 3-course for $35 was an incredible value and opportunity to indulge in the delightful cuisine I had been wanting to try for ages. Upon arrival the entrance is a dimly lit arched walkway which actually reminded me of those you'd find strolling down the streets in tiny towns in Spain or Portugal. The interior decor is lovely with minute details, finishings, and art. There is a very cool wine cellar you can peer in to see the bottles of fine Bordeaux they have aging (actually most of the wines available by the glass are lined up near the window to the dining room). I started off my meal with "the Southside cocktail" gin, champagne, lime, and I believe a bit of ginger. It was the special cocktail for $10, not of the menu. It was a wonderful start to my meal. Very refreshing and reminded me of a Tom Collins, but much more complex. The Restaurant Week menu was surprisingly large with at least 5-6 items you could choose from for an appetizer, and another 5-6 entrees. I selected the pork belly lasagna to start and wow, it blew away my expectations! The pasta was very light, and delicately placed atop tender and flavorful shredded pork. The ricotta cheese looked to be homemade and perfectly balanced the dish. Each bite was an indulgence. I could barely keep my wife away from eating it all. For my entree I ordered the soft-shelled crab in red curry sauce. It was two Maryland blue crabs in a red curry sauce with green beans. I really enjoyed the dish and it reminded me of a dining experience that was very memorable (Mr. Krab-I in Krabi, Thailand) that served a very similar dish that I enjoyed equally. Although I am still dreaming of the lasagna, the soft-shelled crab was wonderful with sweet, crunching bites and enhanced by creamy red curry sauce. For dessert I elected to try the blackberry cheese cake and I ordered a glass of sherry. Unfortunately they were all out of the Lustau Oloroso that I wanted, but the sommelier came by and recommended the Amontillado, which was a dry, nutty sherry, and exactly what I was looking for! The cheese cake was actually deconstructed and served in pieces, which I thought was a very clever presentation. It was heavenly with very rich blackberry sauce, a light creamy texture and a sweet light crust. I must add that the service was outstanding. Our server was very personable and I was surprised that they were so attentive considering how busy it was (they were fully committed that night). Our server actually also escorted us outside to show us the garden in the back, which was very cool! They grow some of the vegetables used in dishes in that garden...I could see plenty of tomatoes, some cabbage, and other veggies. Overall we had an outstanding evening at Restaurant Eve. I still can't believe it took so long for me to visit. However, I have a feeling it won't take long for me to return...
(5)Brennan M.
Review for Lickety-Split Lunch: Best lunch deal for miles and miles. It gets crowded right when they open at 11:30, but if you can wait for a later lunch, the bar will be cleared out for a quiet lunch around 2:00PM. The food was really amazing, and except for one dud dish, the restaurant deserves 5 stars. Read my review of each dish on my blog! philodough.com/2011/07/b…
(4)Ethan L.
First, a few disclaimers: - I detest "meh, I've had better" reviews. - I similarly detest exhortations of value for money, an evaluation far too subjective to be of any real use in a restaurant review. - Going in, I had, despite an appreciation of each of the Armstrongs' concepts, a poor impression of their actual execution of those concepts. - I truly wanted Restaurant Eve to change that impression. - It didn't. All of that being said, here we go. As mentioned in previous reviews, the service is weird. The tasting menu format is awkward anywhere, so allowances can, and should be made. But when the delivery of courses, and their subsequent explanations a few minutes later occurred with precision, it only served to highlight their utter failure to deliver a simple glass of wine in time to enjoy it with the intended course. That is, of course, unless we'd opted for the $75 pp wine pairing option (for the 5 course menu). The people who chose the pairing seemed to have no trouble receiving wine on time. Everyone else? Suck it. This is in addition to the standard smug aloofness emblematic of all the Armstrongs' establishments. It's obviously intentional, and a critical error in judgment. The food was by no means bad. There were some bright spots, primarily among the amuse bouches and smaller bites, although there was a salted cod fritter that was like a fish baseball bat to the face. Proteins were a major weak spot. We found the filet of rouget, flounder, lamb and trout to be totally uninteresting, and unimproved by the accompanying risottos, foams, purees, etc. The roulade of squab was awful. It simply didn't work, and that's ok, it happens. The cheese courses, a blue cheese and beer soup for my wife and a hard Andante with butternut squash chips for me, were just not something either of us wanted to finish. Dessert was fine, I suppose. The grand total was $339, for two people with two glasses of wine, a champagne cocktail and a whiskey. Oh, and a $17 Kir Royale we didn't order that I found on the bill while reexamining it this morning, so that was nice. It's not about the price, truly. We knew what to expect going in. But the balls, the absolute balls it takes to charge that kind of money for an experience so lacking is remarkable. All that being said, I really feel that this type of experience is highly subjective, so I would encourage anyone considering Restaurant Eve to check it out for themselves.
(2)T.J. C.
This one really deserves five stars. I had the five course tasting menu. The courses were lobster, fish, rabbit, and venison, plus dessert. All of them worked, which is a super rarity for me even at high end restaurants. The prices are what you'd expect, but they are slightly cheaper than comparable restaurants in DC. Maybe the rent in Alexandria is cheaper? The biggest concern is that they are apparently in the process of transitioning their menu (not in the sense that the ingredients change every season, but that they are apparently doing a major reworking of the whole underlying concept). I hope the quality is maintained.
(5)Kaaren D.
This was a lovely place to eat, and the Vegan Tasting we had was amazing. The presentation of the tastings is half the fun, and may be the reason so many of us have felt compelled to take pictures of the courses. Even though the portions are small, you eat them over an extended period, and feel satisfied, although not full at the end of the meal. We paired our tastings with champagne to start and then I had a Pinot Noir. It was lovely. Thank you for an outstanding dining experience, not soon to be repeated.
(5)Sarah H.
We came in here and sat at the bar for the "Lickity Split" lounge menu. You get two items for $15, one of which can be one of the several cocktails or glasses of wine on the menu. The food and cocktails were great, the service was fantastic and I enjoyed the atmosphere. I would love to come back and try them for dinner next time I am in Alexandria.
(4)Rose L.
My absolute favorite restaurant at the moment. So far, I have loved everything I've tried from here, aside from the birthday cake that everyone raves about (I know I know, but it was too sweet for my taste). The decor is lovely and the servers are polite & actually treat their customers well. Just be sure to dress appropriately! If you want to experience phenomenal, gastronomic euphoria, this is the place. Enough said.
(5)David W.
If you are looking for the perfect Bloody Mary or Sazerac, you've found it at Eve.
(5)M B.
Really? 53 minutes on hold and still never getting anyone? Just a recording saying that you are having a high call volume? It is boxing day in the UK - maybe you all are off today and didn't remember to change the phone message. Lucky I finally hung up if so. Why bother having a phone if you don't intend to hire enough people to answer it? I would have been happier to get a recording saying you were closed for the day, or to hear that you were booked for eternity, than to wait 53 minutes and still never get a human.
(1)Marivic L.
I forgot to update this for when I went to the Tasting Room. The Tasting Room must be the reason for this place to be rated so highly. The service, presentation and food were great. While the food was not as inventive as, say, Komi, it was still delish. They really try to make you feel like you're the only ones in the room. We went for my birthday and received a personalized menu. Unfortunately, they must've given us someone else's, and vice versa, but it didn't take away from the experience. Actually, it made us laugh. So, here's my opinion: Skip the bistro and save your money for the tasting room. Now, I have to try this place for lunch, so I can have a complete review of it. Yup, I like that idea :)
(4)Sarah B.
Review for $15 lunch only. Yep, you heard me, you can eat at Eve for $15. That gets you two selections off the lunch menu--any two selections. Categories include drinks (alcoholic), appetizers/salads, entrees, and dessert. Every meal comes with bread. So... I'm sure there are some who get two drinks (it is DC). With a friend, we decided to do some sharing so we could have salad, entree, and dessert. She ordered the salad and her entree, I ordered my entree and dessert. We shared the salad and the dessert and left stuffed and satisfied. We had a delicious beet salad. I had a lovely, creamy risotto and she had a delicious cheese tartine. The pumpkin creme brulee she enjoyed, but I found it strangely sour. The service was impeccable (if a bit slower than I'd expect for the "fast" lunch) and the atmosphere was truly fun (we were seated at a lovely turquoise sofa).
(4)Evan H.
My last review for RE was for the lunch special at the bar seating area. This review is for dinner with my fiancee and her father. We sat in the main dining room this time, which looks like the inside of an old carriage house. The interior walls are filled with nice paintings of flowers and the ceiling is open with several sky lights for more light. You know you are in for a treat when every single item on the menu is something you want to order. I struggled, but finally narrowed it down to the Curry Mussels and the Pork Belly main course, which came with spring onions, a tomato-like sauce and broccoli rabe. The mussels were delicious, despite not being the huge ones you sometimes see. They were all very tender, and fresh, all opened and plump. The sauce was something you would get a really good thai place, but more rich in flavor. The green curry was complex and delicious. For my main course, the pork belly, which I can no longer resist was HUGE. Two large pieces of pork belly. They were so crisp on the top and tender below that it was almost like eating a pork chop. There was very little fat, and what fat was there, was melt-in your-mouth tender. The other dishes that were ordered were also all delicious. I got to taste the Lobster Risotto which was creamy and each grain of rice was full, rather than a sort of 'mash' that sometimes occurs. The Papri Chat salad was another delicious flavor expedition that needed to be explored. It was a very Indian style dish with a type of Indian bread that was crispy like a crouton that was paired with chick peas, potatoes and three different dressings. For dessert we ordered the Birthday Cake, yes, this is an item on the menu, not someone's birthday. It was a bright and creamy pink frosting with a two layer vanilla interior. We also got a banana and caramel bread pudding with a creme brulee on top. Every single dish was wonderful, flavorful and fresh. You also left feeling full, even before dessert arrived. The seafood was fresh caught within the last 30 hours of you eating it and I'm sure the little piggy I ate was pretty fresh too. There is a reason this place is in the top tier of Washington DC restaurants every single year. A MUST eat.
(5)Alison S.
Hubby was the one who clued me into Restaurant Eve on a recommendation from a colleague. The chance came on a Friday off work for us to go try out their "Lickity Split" lunch in the bar area. You get to choose any 2 items off their limited lunch menu for $15. In hindsight I would highly recommend picking 2 main savoury dishes if you want to leave with anything close to a satisfied belly. The portions are tiny!! I picked a glass of Cousino-Macul Sauvignon Gris 2010 (must say that this in my new fave white wine!!) and the Antelope Scrapple (just coz I was intrigued to try antelope). Hubby got the Pulled Goat sandwich (assembled in the style of a Cuban sandwich) and a dessert, Coffee & Chocolate Pot de Creme. His sandwich was quite a bit more substantial than my Antelope Scrapple. We both liked everything that we got but it wasn't a lot of food for sure. I asked to see the dinner menu just to see what they offer on the regular menu and saw many interesting items BUT the prices are so HIGH!! The appetizers are in the $15 - 18 range and the entrees are around $35 a plate. Prepare to splurge big time!! We got to take a peek at the main dinning area in the back when we went looking for the bathrooms and I loved the decor. So beautiful and cozy! Definitely great for a romantic date or very special occasions. The biggest issue I take with this place is probably the price : portion ratio. I understand the fine dinning thing with small portions but there's a limit to that and there's a point where my willingness to pay gets to zero no matter how good your food is.
(3)Frank C.
Alexandria was my home for a four month work sojourn, and one of the things I most looked forward to was having that much time to really sample the region's cuisine. Some research led me to believe that the elegant Restaurant Eve would be one of the standout dining experiences of my trip, as it combined so many of the things that elevate a meal for me: dedicated and passionate chefs, a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients, and the opportunity to start the evening with an excellent cocktail. As Todd Thrasher of PX was already known to me, when I saw he was associated with Eve I thought it would be perfect, and I eagerly looked forward to dinner. Even better, since Eve was close to my temporary office, I was happy to find out that I could have lunch there in anticipation of dinner. I'm glad I did, since two lunch experiences convinced me not to hazard dinner. My first lunch was with some colleagues, and I had the Randall Linebacker meatballs over polenta. They were just...fine, but not remarkable in any way. Time constraints prevented us from having more courses, and I determined to come back, cursing my stupidity at having ordered something as simple as meatballs. For my next experience, I opted for the lickety-split lunch, and had the corn soup and the pork rillettes. The soup was fantastic; a standout. The rillettes completely puzzled me, though -- yes, a rillette is going to be salty, that's the point to some degree, but these were really salty, and each quenelle of which was served with a fried pickle which was also (not surprisingly, for a pickle) quite salty. Not to be outdone, the sauce on the rillettes was also quite overseasoned. This pairing seemed neither particularly inspired nor was it particularly tasty. Restaurant Eve seems to be known (on Yelp at least) for two things: very high quality food at rather high prices. If a meal provides the former, I don't mind the latter at all -- a good meal is always worth it -- but the reverse is not true. Sadly, there was far too little in lunch at Eve to make me believe that dinner would be worth it.
(2)Michael H.
Restaurant Eve did a fantastic job for my wifes birthday. We had a party of 9 with follow on reservations to PX who Resturant Eve also coordinated with to allow for an after dinner start. All in all.. the bill was a little bit pricey but well worth it. Keep up the good work!
(5)Vanessa O.
I've been to Restaurant Eve several times and it's absolutely my favorite restaurant in Old Town Alexandria.
(5)Kristin D.
What a splurge, but it was a fun experience. This was my second tasting menu ever and I thought it was very good, but did not blow me away. My husband and I certainly tried to enjoy it for the money we spent, but wish the service would have been better. Our guy had somewhat of a snooty personality. I think it was one of those check-it-off-the-bookmark-list restaurants. Despite that, if I have a chance to return for lunch or dinner, I'll try out the a la carte menu items.
(4)Tigerlilly Z.
Yelp hid my first review. I"m so glad I wasted my time writing one in the first place!!
(5)Michelle S.
I thought it was fantastic! We had NYE reservations, and it was amazing! We had the tasting menu - each choosing a different option so we could try everything. I loved the Hamachi ceviche!! Honestly, I could have done without knowing what Shoat is - and I could have done without eating it. That was the only thing I didn't like. The taste, the texture - I just didn't like it at all. Otherwise, the menu and the wine pairing were excellent. The meal, the wine, the service - it was a perfect NYE!
(5)Jax F.
Very disappointed by the experience at Restaurant Eve. I'm a vegetarian so my fiancée called ahead to ensure that the restaurant would have items I could eat in the menu. They said they had several items to choose from. We show up and there was only a single small salad available. The waitress went back to the kitchen to ask what they could do for vegetarian selection and they said they could make a stew, mind you it's an incredibly hot day, so why anyone would want to eat a stew is beyond me. Frustrated by that point I ordered the beet salad, it was awful. I don't know how you can mess up beets and cheese but they managed to do so, they were both watery and overcooked with no flavor at all. We then tried the dessert thinking it would be a smidgen better, nope. Ice cream tasted like soap and the pound cake tasted sour and rancid. Maybe it was an off day but I was not impressed with this place at all, nor by the decor or ambiance. It looked like a mix of an older suburban country club and someone's kitchen.
(1)Anne M.
While pricey, we enjoyed this restaurant a great deal. It is a wonderful location for a special occasion, and we would go back. I would suggest, however, that if you are sensitive to price, you select your own wine or ask the sommelier the price of her suggested wine. The service was very attentive. The food was excellent. The wine list was extensive although we would always like to see more California wines on a list. The atmosphere was very pleasant - it's almost always good in an old home and this was no exception. We will go back the next time we are in Alexandria. We did not try the tastings menu as by the time we got here we had been eating out for nearly a week. But ordering from the other side offered an amazing array of choices and ours were all great.
(5)Piya V.
Still love their Lucky Split lunch menu. The quality of the food is the same as their regular menu, pick 2 choice for 14.95 and staff are very nice and polite.
(5)Sasha R.
negligent me. we've been celebrating occasions here now for years, and hope to for many years to come. I think they had me at the wine list, but the attentive, friendly service, reasonable prices, and above all, the delicious food are the proverbial cherry (and whipped cream. and sprinkles) on top. we've never had a dud dish -- that's a record. the bar area is also a comfy place to hang out and enjoy the delicious cocktails. it's worth arriving a bit early to enjoy before a meal.
(5)Nandini M.
My friend and I wandered in here for lunch after a shopping expedition in Alexandria. It was a fantastic experience and one of the best deals around! For $15 you get to pick two things off the lounge/bar menu. I got the soup and risotto which were perfectly prepared and very flavorful. My friend ordered the same thing and loved it too. The lounge area was very comfortable and roomy (often not the case in most places) and the service was attentive. This was my first time at Restaurant Eve and I was very impressed. The food is different and fun but not so modern that the taste factor wasn't paid attention to. It was a very filling and satisfying meal and I want to try their dinner next.
(5)Natalie M.
I came here on the recommendation of two of my friends who raved about the lunch special, which consists of your choice of two items for $14.98 plus tax. I ordered the salad du jour for my appetizer and the Randall Lineback Meatballs with Creamy Polenta for my main course. The salad consisted of mixed greens with asparagus tempura, pine nuts, and onions tossed with vinegrette dressing. The salad was light and crunchy, but tasted incredibly salty. The meatball dish arrived about twenty minutes after I finished my first course. The dish was nicely plated with two large meatballs on a bed of creamy polenta. I happily devoured it, but I was still feeling hungry after I finished my meal. I guess I should have filled up on the complimentary bread. I agree with my friends that the lunch menu is reasonably priced; however, I have to dock the restaurant two stars for the salty salad and slow service.
(3)Bao N.
Went for girlfriends birthday. Had the duck. it was superb. Staff was wonderful as well. Only issue was the wait for the food but it was worth it.
(5)Colin C.
Lives up to the hype. Lots of interesting items on the menu and always lives up to expectations. However, I highly recommend the lickety split lunch menu in the bar. If you notice that most of the negative reviews refer to the price (which can be outrageous with the tasting menu and drinks.) This is practically as affordable as a terrible chain restaurant when you take advantage of that. Make sure to try the specialty cocktails and the desserts are all amazing. The meatballs are decent and the polenta is delicious. The lamb sandwich and the antelope scrapple with the poached egg were perfectly cooked. I can't remember the dinner I had there specifically but remember the fish also being cooked perfectly. The quantity is not huge as are most pricey restaurants and nothing too crazy or out there, but always perfectly cooked and satisfying.
(4)Craig M.
Great restaurant hidden away in Old Town. The meals are pricey, but it was a great place to go for a special occasion, and the food was really good. My only complaint would be that the Men's bathroom was really cold, it felt as though I was stepping outside.
(5)A C.
Bravo Bravo! I've eaten here since 6 years ago and the place is still solid and as consistent a restaurant can get. I've done the lickity split, drinks at the bar area around the fire, the bistro menu, the regular tasting menu, and the recent filipino inspired tasting menu. I've loved all the decadent meals, paired very nicely with cocktails and wine. As far as mentioning specific dishes, I've liked everything that I have had here and the menu changes so you will just have to find out for yourself. You won't be disappointed! The waiters and waitresses are very professional. If you are looking for a nice celebratory dinner or casual drinks or dinner at the bar in a high class setting, this is the place for you! Finish off with a night cap at PX:)
(5)Chrissy C.
Been here numerous times and I've never ate at the table. LOL. Bar is a great casual option if you are one of those busy people who eats whenever or suddenly had a craving for a good meal. They have a good wine selection but, an awesome cocktail menu. I recommend Eammon's cocktail. It's unique that it has some sort of foam on your glass (view it on one of my photos). Everything is in the menu is good. But i think the tartare of Pine Ridge Farm beef is superb for appetizer and the veal and pork belly are great choices for entree. Service is okay. It seems like the bartenders are constantly busy making drinks... which is totally understandable because they're making drinks for the people at the tables. The ambiance is very relaxing. Great for unwinding from a hard day's work.
(4)Sandy F.
Love my 6 course meal. I let the chef decide my courses. The only disappointing thing was that I had to wait about 30 minutes when I had made a reservation a month prior. They did give us a cocktail for free for making us wait, but never the less, we had to wait. When you go to these type of restaurants, expectations run higher.
(4)Jeanette H.
Dined here again in late November 2013. Dishes were fab and well-balanced. Fish perfectly executed. My 3 other guest diners really loved the restaurant. Good place to bring out-of-towners, foodies, ... esp those who like to dress up and enjoy fine dining.
(4)Jens B.
My wife and I went for our 7th anniversary on Friday night. Very nice decor and service. Excellent wine pairing with the meal. Considering I got violently sick near the end of my meal, can't comment on dessert. Ran us 500 bucks plus a night at the nearby Monaco due to severe stomach issues.
(3)Gregg M.
I took Carol W to the Tasting Room at Restaurant Eve on a Thursday night for a belated celebratory birthday dinner. The Tasting Room at Restaurant Eve exudes "special occasion" with its level of service and comfortable, intimate, refined dining room, which almost feels more like eating a wealthy friend's home than in a restaurant. We were attended to by a team of professional servers who were masterful in orchestrating our dining experience and provided thoroughly attentive service that was never intrusive. The Tasting Room only offers 5, 7, or 9-course tasting menus. We elected to have the 7-course meal, leaving the selection of dishes to the chef, with wine pairings. While we waited for our first course, we ordered cocktails. I had the "In the Moment", which seemed appropriately named on this particular evening. It was satisfying and a nice liquid kickoff to the evening's meal. Soon, a selection of canapés appeared, followed by an amuse bouche. One thing I really appreciated about our meal was that although we both had the 7-course tasting menu, the chef didn't send us the same dishes for each course, which allowed sharing of our respective offerings and gave us even more of a taste of Eve's amazing menu for that day. Each course was introduced by our lead server and was followed up by the sommelier's explanation of his wine pairing. I won't go into a blow-by-blow account of each course that we received only to say that each dish was amazing in its flavor profile and exceedingly well matched with the sommelier's choice of pairing. The pacing of our meal for each course was relaxed allowing us to enjoy our food and wine without ever feeling rushed. From impeccable service, flawlessly executed flavorful food, insightful wine pairings, and the little details such as the personalized menu and end of meal, take home gift bag, Restaurant Eve pulled out all of the stops to make this a memorable birthday for the girlfriend. There are more acclaimed restaurants on the national and local dining landscape, but Restaurant Eve and its Tasting Room provided one of the most memorable evenings of fine dining that I've had...ever. Most importantly, the girlfriend loved it, too. It's definitely the right spot for every special occasion.
(5)Bob W.
2nd visit in several years. The most recent visit, on New Years Eve, was disappointing. Menu did not feature any vegetarian options, although the waiter did make an attempt to provide a few side orders of vegetables. Beautiful restaurant but service was slow and food was mediocre quality. I doubt we will return.
(2)John B.
This used to be my favorite restaurant but unfortunately the food and service has slipped badly. The food was over-salted, there was unexplained delays between courses and when we spoke to the manager his explanation was that the kitchen had a number of orders arrive at the same time. The waiter was unable to identify the courses being served and when asked about non-alcoholic beverages he drew a blank. I think the decline started with the elimination of the tasting room. It allowed the restaurant to increase prices but the service suffered.
(1)Angela F.
Walking through the tiny alley way and arriving to the door sent my expectations soaring. I had to believe an entrance this eluring surely had a foodies dream awaiting. Sadly my dream of amazing food was a little dashed by the initial appitizer. I had the summer squash with goat cheese. While the portion size was generous; The candied pinenuts were my favorite part of the dish. The beef tartar was over powered by onion and a mayo like dressing. Corn fritters:dry and flavorless. So appitizers were somewhat of a failure. Entrees: monk fish: tad over done and way overpowered by the smokey braised pork rib. Why would anyone put pork with a beautiful fish like monk fish...sad really. Rockfish: cooked well, but the flavor was lacking. The strong garlic spinach and thin polenta didnt help it. Dessert: the menu was a little boring. I like it when my decision for dessert is difficult b/c I want one of everything. ..I really didnt want anything. I settled for a baked mousse with earl Grey gelato. It was ok. So all in all a little dissapointing. I guess my expectations were a little to high.
(2)Mary B.
I hate to say it, but this place was disappointing from the get-go. To be fair, most of the food was great, but the overall experience was lacking. The day of our reservation I got a voicemail confirming our reservation and asking that I call back. I did, and was funneled into an auto-attendant. There was never an option to leave a message, just recorded requests to continue to hold. After three minutes I hung up. I sent an email to the restaurant confirming that I would be there, and got a reply. The space itself is lovely; they've really made a small rowhouse feel airy. We ate in the bistro (seriously? What "bistro" has $40 entrees?). Our server was nice, but seemed inexperienced. We got cocktails because Todd Thrasher is a superstar. Mine was a wonderful mix of fruity sugary goodness. My other half had something that had six ingredients but tasted like cranberry juice with a little bourbon. We had two appetizers: pork belly on fried green tomatoes and oysters Rockefeller. Both very tasty, in spite of the fact that the oysters Rockefeller were not remotely close to the standard presentation, but in fact were fried oysters. For dinner, I had the ribeye and yegad was the sauce on it salty. I love salt and pour it over everything but this was mouth-puckering. We also ordered a side of risotto and it was delicious. Seriously, if you go to this place (and honestly, I wouldn't recommend it) get that risotto. For dessert, we had ... a view of a couple of servers ironing the tablecloths behind us. Do they normally do that between seatings or was this because it was the end of the night? I don't know, but it was really off-putting. I kept waiting for them to bring out the Bissel and ask us to pick up our feet. I guess I expected a more professional experience from this restaurant. I won't be back, not in a foot-stomping sort of way, but there is too much competition in this city for my dining dollar to go back to a place that I was disappointed in.
(3)Andrew R.
Came for my birthday. Incredibly satisfied. Maybe the best meal I've had in the DC area so far. Service was impeccable. The waiter helped us make sure we each got something we enjoyed, and when things went wrong (e.g. my mom didn't like her drink), they fixed it quickly and with no complaint ("let me ask the bartender to make it a little sweeter. But if you don't like it after that, please let us know, so we can bring you something else.") The rest of the staff was similarly stunningly friendly and helpful. For example, one noticed my grandmother was cold and offered her a shawl that they keep on hand. But we came for the food, of course. Everyone at the table loved their food. I'd highly recommend the homemade parsnip ravioli with ox tail and the sourdough chocolate cake -- both vastly better than I could describe here. My drink, the Flower in the Style of a Manhattan, tasted like it sounds: almost like a cider, but it looked like a dark Manhattan. This isn't the kind of place you go to eat the best normal steak you can. This is the kind of place you go for an unusual, excellent, unpretentious dining experience. I -- and my family -- are excited to go back.
(5)Noelle W.
Went in the Spring, so this review is long over due. I expected so much more from this place, given all the amazing things I'd heard about it. I was underwhelmed by everything but the bar. Great cocktails and great service there. We dined in the Bistro and it was a Tues night, yet all the patrons were dressed in suits and evening (some with sequins) dresses. So, because our table was not dressed that way (yet still prepared to spend the same amount of money) I feel like the waiter had an attitude from the get-go. He was new and it showed. When asked for recommendations on a bottle of wine to order, he stammered and then said,"Well I know the wines on the list of wines by the glass, but that's it; I can recommend something from that list.." Seriously? My friend and I were stunned into silence and just stared at him. He then said "Oh well we have a sommelier; let me get him for you." Um, why wouldn't you have said that in the first place? Food was meh. None of us loved any of our dishes. A few of us said our dishes were way too salty. There are so many amazing restaurants in the DC/Old Town area, that I definitely won't be going back here. It is a beautiful place, so it's a shame, but all of us were very disappointed.
(2)Eve L.
I come here for the lunch menu, the ambiance, and the right price for a gathering with friends. I've also been for the tasting menu and it was a such a treat (6 courses of delish!). The service is friendly, the sommelier recommended two great bottles of wine with our meal, and we always leave very happy and eager to return.
(5)Emma Jasper W.
First, this is a destination restaurant and not something you pop into for dinner. There are two sections, well three if you count the bar area. One side of restaurant is a bistro style menu and the other side has a tasting room. We did the tasting room menu. There are two options there. You can pick from a number of courses each in a category. Or you can do the chef's surprise menu, of 5, 7, 9 courses. You can do wine by glass or do a wine pairing/tasting (one 14 glass with each course for 5,7,9 wines.) We did the 7 course chef surprise with wine tasting. Please make sure you set aside 2.5-3 hrs for surprise with wine tasting, as it does take a little time with the cleansing the pallet bites in between. The service was impeccable ! All of our waiters were wonderful, patient and very attentive. They explained each item when it was served, including a description of the local produce or local preparations. All of the meat preparations were to perfection ! We can't say enough about our sommelier - he was wonderful ! Willing to answer any and all of our questions. He was so personable and very knowledgeable - and made adjustments to the pairings based on our feedback. We truly enjoyed the wine tasting with our meal. The Domaine Paul Autard, Rhone Blend 2009 (Châteauneuf-du-Pape) was our favorite, but all of the others were wonderful. We also tried a cocktail before dinner in the bar area. The creations are teasers to the palette and just the right beginning to a special evening. Great for anniversary or special day .... but we went just because we had seen this place reviewed by Washington paper.... and so glad we did. Expensive, with wine pairing special, expect 450-500 for 2 persons.
(5)Brad Z.
Five of us went out to Eve to try the tasting menu. Rather than make selections, we left it up to chef's choice, with some variety among us, so we ended up with three to four different items each course. We shared, so that everyone got try try everything. In hindsite, I think I wished I had chosen the courses myself. I know I'm going to sound like a total redneck for saying this, but I just didn't get it. I don't mind spending money on good food, but at the end of the dinner, I didn't feel like it was worth nearly $1,200. Everything look fabulous, but I wasn't blown away by the taste. Many of the courses left me uninterested in all of the choices. After five courses and nearly four hours, I think we were just sick of eating. ...or so we thought. Since they couldn't get us a reservation at the bar at PX (same owners), we went around the corner to Jackson 20 for drinks afterwards. One of our group put in an order for french fries. In just a few minutes, we had savagely devoured the large order. Apaprently we weren't as full as we thought. Lesson learned: If I return, I'll skip the tasting menu for the Bistro dinner menu.
(3)Michael N.
Total waste of time and money. I formerly liked this high end restaurant but tonight was just below subpar. Three of us in the tasting room served a five course meal of tiny plates of fru fru prepared food that just was not good. Average at best and with a final price tag just north of $400. Do not waste your time or money.
(1)Jeff J.
I came to Restaurant Eve with friends during a visit to DC, and I'm happy I stopped in. We ended up seated at a lounge-esque setting with couches and a low coffee-table. In any other setting, I might have found this strange, but in Eve, I found myself rather enchanted. I had the black currant iced tea, then ordered 2 dishes for the lunch special: venison salad and antelope scrapple. The black currant iced tea was unmistakably delicious, though I did bite rather hard into the metal straw. After figuring out what it was, I thought the spoon at the bottom of the straw was pretty cool, though I didn't know what purpose it served (I used it later to scoop up my lemon). The venison salad was delightful-- perhaps a bit big, but very good. The peanuts were a nice touch, as it added a great texture to what otherwise would have been soft greens and soft venison. I was a little disappointed with the antelope scrapple, only because after frying, I couldn't really tell what I was eating. It could have been chicken for all I knew. It still tasted really good, but it wasn't very satisfying-- I was all ready to tell my friends what antelope tasted like! It's a charming spot, great place for a date, and if I lived in DC, would find the $16 bill ridiculously great value.
(4)Danielle C.
Not impressed or as expected per other reviews and ratings. I expected more but I have particular tastes and diet restrictions, so I have left disappointed each visit.
(2)Benny R.
I wanted to love Restaurant Eve. And from the outset, I want to be clear the staff was great and did their best to make sure it was a great experience. However, I found Restaurant Eve to be similar to my experience at Charlie Trotters -- below expectations (which were admittedly - and deservedly considering the prices - sky high for both destinations). Many of the courses at Restaurant Eve were wonderful. But not all. And taken as a whole, the dining experience simply didn't leave me blown away in the manner that a visit to another contender for best restaurant in the DC area, such as Little Serow, did. Simply put, Restaurant Eve was good. But not as good as its reputation.
(4)suzanne s.
I've been jilted by Eve...Restaurant Eve that is. This was My Place...My Cheers...My spot for 6 years. I always recommended it. You have let yourself go and then some. I will Never again return. We were once a match made in culinary heaven. Special dinners served in the main dining room, attended to by attentive servers was the rule. More often than not over our love affair beginning some 6 years ago, we chose to head to the bar. Casual and cozy on the small couches or at the bar, we were treated just as well as in the main room. If I did not love a creation it was a matter of taste, as always the dish was perfection. Eve treated me well. I could count on her fine service, amazing bread, inventive dishes made from the freshest and finest ingredients and lovely wine menu. We were a thing...Until a few weeks ago. From start to finish, something was off. In fact, my sister and I almost left. The atmosphere was unusual. A window was propped open with a block and the lights were up (and it was later in the evening). An eerie quiet as we searched out a vacant seat left our heads on a swivel wondering where was the usual soft music and din of happy diners? The staff was uptight and tense. The whole vibe of the bar was tense. Serious...no one was having fun it seemed. After getting blasted out by the draft from the blocked open window (real classy) we sprang at the just vacated seats at the bar. The service was acceptable at first. But after ordering, there was no bread (which is seriously the best thing they have). The wrong meal was brought out for my sister. This is the tipping point....I heard her order...they got it wrong. The stuffy bartender hissed loudly to the other uptight bartender that she DID order that!! From then on, no refill on the bread, no refill on the water, no taking away dirty plates, no offer of another glass of wine, another martini for my 3 martini sister. The regular next to us, meanwhile, was the darling of the bar. Bread! Water! Samples! Smiles! All the love that Eve once gave to me was happening one seat over. The food was bad, bitter greens plopped on a plate with some trickle of sauce with a fancy name was truly awful. There were other dishes I wont get into, but If the food was not bad it was mediocre and a desperate attempt at creativity. Feeling truly jilted as I left, I approached the young staffer up front and told her point blank that after 6 wonderful years I would never, never return. I told her what I have just shared with you...she fumbled and stumbled with an apology and pointed at a passing man, "Look, I am sure he really cares that you are upset!" Apparently not, as you would have to be deaf and blind not to see the distraught gal you just breezed by and head over. A shifty looking young guy in a suit was sent to me and he fumbled around with his Restaurant Manager 101 answers to no avail. "Leave your card! I will have someone look into this!" WTH! Near tears, real chocked up folks, I once again said (that our long love affair was over and) that I was never, ever getting back together with Eve. Ever Never Ever
(1)Britt M.
Pretentious and over-priced. We tried Eve when it was new , later again and again. Each time it was more snooty, with poorer service, and less quality. We will not go. There are way too many good choices in Alexandria and DC.
(1)Lori W.
A girl could go broke coming here....and that is said because I believe I will become a regular, now that this restaurant / bar is within walking distance of my new casa here in Old Town. Restaurant/ Bar opened at 5:30 tonight and I got there at 5:45 and every seat was taken except one! Great sign. I have been here before so I already knew that Todd Thrasher's cocktail genius awaited me. My bartenders: Andreas and Jason (why THAT name??...no details here) were attentive and made great recommendations. I chose the healthy low-fat homemade chips and beer cheese dip to start. Just put on the menu yesterday, I am hoping they stay till the spring. Seriously great and only $6. Mushroom salad: 5 types of mushrooms, micro-greens and some sort of spicy (yay!!)spread around the circumference of the bowl. Demolished that. Rum drink: a chemistry degree was needed. There was fire involved. Flaming a zest over the surface of a drink is part show but also sends a lovely aromatic layer of carmelized citrus oils over the surface of the drink.(big words from a beer girl). Your nose will thank you. Massive single ice cube. cool. slow melt. Not being political by any means, but I do recall that President Obama and his wife, Michelle, had eaten here as well in the more expensive Tasting Room These guys are taking over Old Town: Majestic, Virtue Food & Grain (great deviled eggies), PX (speakeasy), Eammons. No dessert; I am running 13 miles in the am. So thrilled to be living in Old Town!! Extra happy that Restaurant Eve is so close to my house!
(5)Meredith H.
Great experience, and fantastic food! Went with two friends to lunch, and got to pick from the special lunch menu - at the time, I had the scrapple (elk?) with a poached egg and homemade hash, and the BLT (pork BELLY, lettuce, tomato) with house-made chips and pickle. The scrapple was cooked perfectly, and was a great balance of salty, savory, crunchy, and smooth. The BLT was awesome as well - that bread is amazing! The portion sizes were generous, and I was left satisfied! Of course, I got the personal birthday cake for dessert - DEFINITELY lives up to the hype. I do feel like we were rushed out at the end, but that's an insignificant point. Great place to go for a special, unique, delicious lunch.
(4)Sara Y.
Outstanding! Must try it. The best hidden place in the Washington DC area!
(5)Jim P.
Food = 4.5 stars Service = 5 Stars Overall experience = 1 STAR Ordered a bottle of wine (clearly pointing out my choice on the wine menu). On the check was a wine charge that was 60% more than what I ordered. When I pointed out the error, the general manager said, "regardless of what you ordered, you were charged for what you drank." Yes, a wine had been presented at the table, but while we were fully engrossed in conversation, and then quickly whisked away and returned in a decanter. Was this a purposeful SWITCH from what I had ordered? Is this a common practice by the general manager? I would hope not, but his attitude when I politely questioned the error was to blame me for not paying more attention when the wine was presented. I mentioned that perhaps we were both to blame and asked if he'd be willing to split the difference. He adamantly refused and stood firm in blaming me alone for the error. I paid the bill (and included a generous tip), but wondered if Restaurant Eve's current failure to make even the top 100 list of Washington restaurants was due to its general manager's failure in the area of customer relations. He alone is the reason why our overall experience merits only 1 star.
(1)Christina M.
I have never had a more enjoyable dining experience. My family went there for my birthday dinner and we splurged on the Chef's Tasting Menu. Aside from 1 thing everything was AMAZING. I was completely stuffed by the end of the meal. The local farm fresh ingredients they use makes a huge difference in the quality of food. On top of the great food the service was impeccable. The wait staff made me feel like royalty with how attentive they are. They all work together as a team and move as if it were a scripted ballet.
(5)Ari P.
Excellent meal (tasting menu) and service. Top notch place that deserves more recognition than it gets. A perfect Virginia fine dining restaurant.
(5)Shaun T.
Overpriced, mediocre food. I'm glad we had a gift certificate to go here (we ended up spending an extra $100 over the $150 certificate), because I would have been boiling mad if I had to spend $250 for a small, mediocre meal. Cocktails are inventive, but overpriced. The food itself is mediocre brasserie food - with an obscene price attached to it. Dessert was just meh, and, of course, overpriced. The ambience is nice (restaurant is cozy and has a European feel inside) and it is surprisingly not that loud for a DC restaurant. However, for all that money, you can eat at Bistro Du Coin for 1/4 the price and receive the same quality of food.
(2)Ju Yeon P.
Pros: Great food and service. Very classy and upscale. Quiet for a romantic night out in Old Town, Alexandria. Cons: Not for kids or your typical family gathering.
(5)Tim T.
one of our favorite lunch places in old town. we have only tried the lunch "dine and dash" menu, which is a great bargain. you can pick any two of three sections, usually a wine section, lunch section, and dessert section. you can mix and match any two, so if you were especially hungry, you could just grab two lunch menu items,and skip the wine/dessert. all for around $15. consider the dinner menu is pricey, this is a steal. the place is highly rated, and one of the best restaurants in the DMV, according to the washingtonian.
(5)Mattie C.
Wow, a very fancy and classy place. I love the narrow side entrance with the dangling ivy and brick - kind of feels old and romantic. The inside of the place was charming as well - really great ambiance! We were here for a celebration lunch and enjoyed some cocktails. Apparently the person who makes the cocktails here is famous for it, and there were some really unique offerings. I got a cocktail that had ginger and thyme flavors.. and rye maybe? It was a very interesting sounding drink and it was absolutely delicious - I have never tasted anything like it before. I had a fish dish - halibut I believe. It was pretty incredible and cooked perfectly. It was a fancy dish but the portion sizes were still big enough to be satisfying. That is very important as I get annoyed by fancy restaurants that charge a huge amount for a meal and then end up giving you a comically tiny dollop of food arranged in a fancy way. Not the case here at all. For dessert I had jasmine tea, and actually did a cheese sampler. I don't know anything about cheese so the waitress made recommendations. For $10 I got 3 servings of unique cheese with plenty of toasted bread to scarf them down on. The cheese was delicious and I would definitely order the same thing again if I go back there. I really enjoyed this place and think it is perfect for celebrating something special or a romantic date!
(4)Jeff F.
My wife and I had a fantastic time here. We did the seven course meal with wine pairing. The food was phenomenal from start to finish. The wait staff was extremely knowledgable and attentive. My only gripe is the pushing of the chef's recently published cook book. I found it to be pushy and intrusive. Beyond that, a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
(4)Melissa C.
I love that an upscale restaurant like this offers a much more affordable option in their lounge area. My boyfriend and I are poor students so we opted for the lounge lunch menu on a Tuesday. Walked right in without a reservation! I got the salad of the day which was a mixed greens salad with poached salmon on the side. It was absolutely delicious. I didn't know salmon could be poached but I couldn't get enough of this dish! The ingredients were so fresh and flavorful. Boyfriend got the Irish BLT. This is a really really good sandwich. It doesn't come with bacon, but rather ham in it. The ham however is wonderful. For my second dish, I got the pork belly rillette, which was definitely not what I expected. This may have to do with my not knowing what rillette is...It was interesting but very salty. Boyfriend got the lemon verbena pot de creme for dessert. He really enjoyed it and loved the honeydew melon. But I think if we come here again, we would opt for the birthday cake for our second dish. The service is great here, very polite and attentive. Restaurant eve was a great treat for the both of us, and at an affordable price!
(4)Melissa C.
I took my boyfriend who is a foodie here for his birthday last summer and was very disappointed especially for the price. At that price range my expectation would be for some exquisite combinations of flavors and textures and presentation. The appetizer was a fried green tomato which was combined with something that was too flavorless and fatty and did not look pretty. Not impressed. Their sister restaurant The Majestic which is one of my fav restaurants has a delicious fried green tomato app that is way better, much more interesting flavor combo and at least half the price. The dinner entree of fish was extremely small and very bland to the palette. The waiter while pouring my wine was careless and had wine spill out onto the table. I've had this happen before but at that price range my expectation is that wait staff would be much more careful. I give it two stars for the cocktail we had at the beginning of the meal which was great and considered 4.5 stars. I would only consider going back to the bar for the cocktails. All in all I felt like it was not worth the money. Go to The Majestic and save a bunch a cash, eat a much more interesting flavorful meal with great cocktails and leave happy.
(2)Jerry W.
The food at this superior restaurant is among the best I've had anywhere, both in terms of quality, creativity, and use of unusual (but excellent) ingredients. The service set a new standard by which others will be measured, and the pace of the meal is relaxed so that it can be enjoyed properly. The decor is attractive, and the seating is comfortable. My only negative concerns the cost of the (optional) wine pairing; for the price charged I expected at least one or two of the wines to be exceptional, but none were even though all were good.
(5)Tony P.
My latest visit with family was rewarded with some extraordinary fares from the bistro dinner menu. The lamb belly appetizer was outrageously savory and succulent. It was like all the essence of the lamb was concentrated into each bite. The pork belly terrine and chicharones appetizer was equally outstanding. The sour and porcine flavors just slaps your taste buds around while you crunch on the chicharones. All those flavors just made my excellent tartare whimpered by comparison. The entree's featured some equally exquisite offerings. The veal sweetbread was sublime. So smooth and creamy in texture with great flavors. The belly of Kurobuta pork was fantastic. The texture changes from the smokey exterior to the unctuous fat and the firm meat was outstanding. The rock fish over a bed of beans and bone marrow was also excellent. The crispy seared skin was perfect over the flakey white meat. The basque stew was a subtle bouillabaise broth with fresh seafood. Again I ended up on the short end of the flavor straw with the special antelope fare that was delightfully succulent but paled to the sweetbread or pork belly. People should not overlook the creamy risotto and brussels sprouts side dishes. I could eat 5 bowls of that risotto alone and be happy. After all that food sharing bliss, we also had some fine desserts with excellent tea. I especially like my bread pudding with rum raisins and orange sherbert.
(5)Rachel A.
Everything about my dinner at Restaurant Eve was fantastic. We had a reservation in the tasting room and opted for the 7 course "Chef's Degustation Menu" which essentially means every course is chosen by the chef and it's a surprise to you. I would highly suggest this route if you're feeling a bit adventurous! list of courses: 1. Sashimi of fluke with Kentucky soy pearls 2. Yukon gold cannelloni with truffles 3. Filet of trout with carrot, chili threads (the skin was perfectly crispy) 4. Crispy Veal Sweetbreads with turnips and garlic root 5. Loin of lamb with black garlic caramel and bacon relish. Also, there was a piece of lamb belly (OMG THIS WAS AMAZING, my life is forever changed by lamb belly) 6. Grayson cheese with pate de fruit and candied walnuts 7.Sourdough beignets with mascarpone sorbet Yes, the portions are on the small side, but that's because it's a tasting menu. However, each bite is near perfection and by the end we were pleasantly full. In addition to these 7 courses, we were given several amuse bouches (fish & chips macaron, deviled quail's egg, something with caviar), palate cleansers (pear granita), and a final tray of mini desserts with the check (peanut butter lollipops and chocolates!). The service was efficient and unobtrusive; our water glasses and wine glasses were kept full and when each course was brought out, our waitress gave us a full description. At the end, they gave us a copy of the menu to take home. It's these kind of touches that make Restaurant Eve a special place to dine. We were there for a about 2.5 hours but the pace was just right: it never felt slow or rushed even though we were among the last diners in the restaurant. This was hand's down the best dining experience I've ever had.
(5)Miss Rza M.
We went here for an anniversary dinner and it was absolutely wonderful. One of the best dining experiences to date. The inside of the tasting room is so warm and inviting. The service was spot on and well paced, and the wine pairing with the 7 course meal was absolutely divine. They even had a menu printed for us with our names and anniversary. We were so surprised and happy at that special touch. My one critics would be that the main protein course (rib eye) was a little less adventurous and more unforgettable than the vegetarian course (loved the bean tortellini) and even the fish courses. Also the sweatbreads needed a touch more seasoning. This is very nitpicky though because the entire dining experience was really special for us. We will return. Total bill with the wine pairing was about 600 after tax and tip. It's worth it.
(5)K G.
First they tried to sit me and my date on the same side of a couch table. Get real, "same siders" should be locked up for disorderly conduct. Couldn't tell what anything was on the menu. Ordered a diet coke to drink and was laughed at and told they only serve some hoity toity soda that is loser to RC cola. Really bro? Pretention masquerading as fine dining. If you were given a gift card for a present like me just regift it or take it as a lose. Hit up Murphy's or Oconnels you'll thank me later.
(1)Kevin v.
The
(4)Nicoleen R.
Do you want to impress someone?Messed up and need to make it up?Better yet want to propose. This is the place people! Restaurant eve is the best kept secret. The outside appearance is that of a little red brick restaurant in France.Getting in you walk through what appears to be an alley. You walk on cobble stone which is usually found in historical cities. No offense suburgatory.The walk way is lit with little candle lanterns very romantic.The lighting inside is perfect not to bright not to dim. I was floating as walking in. My com-padre and I sat at the bar. Who best to talk to than the bartender service right in front of you. In this case it was Jason. He had great interpersonal skills the conversations went from Panda's to football to star trek. He was polite "may I take your plate".He found the perfect champagne for me one that suited my PALATE. We then ordered the "what happened to the party" martini. Someone from yelp recommended it. Full flavor you must like fennel though.I asked the host where the ladies was. She escorted me to the bathroom open the door for me,closed it and locked it. What impressed me was the fact that washcloths are used instead of paper towel.to dry your hands.Great bathroom decorations. Here comes the food! Just like the slogan nourish"Nourish the palate" all I can say is for the first time in the DMV has my palate been nourished. In comparison to Brabo,Vidalia,Marcels no offense. The food was very very very tasteful,full flavor didn't need to look for the salt and pepper shaker. Firstly we had the Pork Belly Rillette with bacon bits,underneath a bed of beets,I believe pickled onion and a turnip slice with a side of crackers appetizer.The consistency was that of a pate it was very flavorful.I could not make out the seasoning which is even better. That way I wont be able to make it at home making me want to come back.Okay maybe a hint of horseradish. For our entree we had the special Boar leg slice(medium rare) with a side of pan seared crispy baby sprouts drizzled with an amazing sauce. The sprouts were tender well caramelized the Boar was chewy the outer part. The quest for my chocolate dessert continues my disappointment was the only chocolate dessert they had was the mousse so we skipped dessert. Other than that five stars Bravo!
(4)Miriam W.
The Lickity Split lounge lunch continues to delight! It's still just $13.50 and for that you get two choices from a menu that includes cocktails, wine, beer, salads, sandwiches, soup and desserts. My advice? Always listen closely as your bartender recites the soup, salad and sandwich of the day. These always-seasonal selections are typically creative and only around for a limited time. Recently I had a parsnip soup du jour and it was gorgeous. I imagine there are other places to eat lunch in Old Town Alexandria, but I doubt I'll ever find out because I cannot imagine going anywhere else but Restaurant Eve.
(5)Wendy S.
very expensive relative to the food and ambience. Staff was very attentive, but in comparison to fine dining experiences not very polished . I had the tasting menu. The presentation was excellent, but the taste was not exceptional. Soft shell crab was the exception. My husband had an overcooked halibut dish. Though we live in Virginia, we normally go downtown for fine dining. We have tried many of the fine dining places in Virginia, and had hoped that this one would measure up. But not even close. Go to DC folks if you are going to spend $300 on diner.
(2)Tucker H.
This review is for the Tasting Room, not the Bistro. From the moment you walk down the narrow alley, lit by candles, and into the entryway, it is clear that this place is something special. We were welcomed warmly, and as we walked past the open kitchen, through the bistro, and into the Tasting Room, every staff member we walked by greeted us. Unlike some of the other reviewers, we found the staff and service to be impressive. Our waitress was appropriately friendly, but restrained. I also appreciate the team approach since it generally means that you get your food as soon as the chef finish it rather than having it wait for a specific server. Some of the servers were more reserved than others, but when I'm out for a meal like this, I'd rather have them be on the reserved side than the Applebees side! The food was excellent (although the salmon amuse bouche was way too fish-flavored for me, I prefer my salmon milder). We had the five-course option, and it was the perfect amount of food; I was able to enjoy every course right up to the end without feeling stuffed. The sashimi was probably the highlight of the evening; amazingly soft and pillowy fish with a relish and a broth that knocked our socks off. A blue cheese and pecan agnolotti was a close second (as long as you like blue cheese) though. I don't normally enjoy the cheese course, but I don't pass up on bacon or maple syrup, so more blue cheese with fried pork belly and maple syrup was another winner. We certainly enjoyed our meal, and would absolutely return for another special occasion (but probably during a different season to see what they would do with a different set of ingredients).
(5)HanaDC T.
We came back to celebrate for our DD's 1st bday. Our initial plan was just me and my hubby to have a lunch date. But then, our DD got sick and could not go to her daycare. So we called up a restaurant to see if we can bring our baby the restaurant. They said she is more than welcome. So we brought with her. As soon as we got a table to sit, they brought a high chair for my DD. I thought that was nice. We had a pork belly as an appetizer. That was very nice. It came with salty eggplants. That was nice snack. I had a fish and my hubby had a sausage with white beans. Both were so delicious. We had apple cake with maple syrup ice cream with a candle for our DD's birthday. That was very nice. Even when my DD dropped her pacifier, they picked it up and brought with hot water to clean. It was supper nice. We appreciated that they were so kind and friendly to us. We like to come back here again.
(5)Dan M.
After I ate at Restaurant Eve, I looked it up in an old dictionary. Can you believe that this Old Town Alexandria restaurant was listed in an old dictionary? It certainly was! It was fully described under the word "Pretentious." Webster says that Pretentious is "attempting to impress by affecting greater importance, talent, culture, etc., than is actually possessed." In describing Restaurant Eve, it's hard to do a better job than this one little word. Others on Yelp have done a great job of describing their dismal meals and service at this haughty spot. So I suggest you read the 1 and 2 star reviews and add the following highlights: - 3 1/2 times mark up on the wine we ordered. Want to spend $85 on a $25 dollar bottle? It's fun, daddy! - Decent apps but a fish entree that wasn't under cooked, it was raw and cold. How can a multi-star "best of breed" fine-dining restaurant serve raw, cold fish? It happens, right? Being an experienced dinner and international traveler, I gave it my standard 5-minute rule. If the server comes back to the table within 5 minutes, I will let her make it right. If not, it will be sent back and taken off the bill and I will eat elsewhere. So six minutes later, our server bothers to come back and asks how everything is. My raw fish was sent back. I ask her to look at it and tell me how raw fish could be sent out. She's not interested in the least and won't look at it - she just wants to get it back to the kitchen to "refire" it or have a fresh one made. I'm thinking, "Will this one be raw and cold also?" Manager wants to know if he can bring me anything else. I explain my 5 minute rule. He doesn't understand or doesn't care. "Can I bring you a dessert?" "No thank you, " I reply. "I haven't eaten yet." - Lots of other pretentious things in this establishment including almost all ridiculous pricing, descriptions, and service. As someone who lives down the street, I can tell you there are SO many better choices in Old Town Alexandria and right across the river in DC: Vermillion and Brabo in Old Town. DC Coast, Corduroy and Caucus Room (to name a few) in D.C.
(1)Seyran C.
I came here with my boyfriend for a romantic anniversary dinner and regret to give this place onyl three stars which is actually the average of my five stars and his one star. We started with the fried kumamoto oysters, delicious crispy sea-brine flavored pockets underlain by a surpising smoky bacon sauce. Definitely the highlight of the entire meal for both of us. I continued with the pork belly, fatty and salty with little parsnip garnitures. Boyfriend had some kind of a steak, which was ordered as a medium well, but arrived so beyond "well" that it had to be sent back (and he HATES sending things back I tell you). The creme brulee desert was non-descript and service was at a level I would expect from an establishment like this. This restaurant is simply A-ok, not that there's anything wrong with that.
(3)KSU S.
A wonderful experience! Leigh was tremendous.
(5)Meredith C.
I've been back to Restaurant Eve several times for the $15 Lickety Split lunch now, which always puts a huge smile on my face. It's more than I would generally spend at lunch (mostly because I never go out to lunch), but it is a fantastic deal. On a recent trip with a friend, I had the butternut squash soup of the day, and a roast beef sandwich. It was AMAZING. The soup was creamy without being overly heavy, delicately spiced and flavorful. And it was one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. My friend also had the soup, and the salad of the day, which had fish. It was also delicious. We also ordered the bartender's lemonade, which is hand-pressed to order. It's perfect--even if it might be considered the wrong season for it. There's not much to be said about Eve that has not been spelled out in other reviews, but it is consistently excellent food and service, with wonderful locally-sourced ingredients. I love what they state on the menu: "How you choose to eat affects the whole food system. Our menu reflects the Virginia growing season and features the best hand-fed, farm-raised, organically grown bounty that our region has to offer. We support humane, sustainable and responsible farming practices for the simple fact: local food, raised and produced by people who care, is better." I certainly agree.
(5)Emily M.
Amazing- the entire experience from start to finish was divine! We had a group dinner in the Sunflower Room. From cocktails, passed hors d oeuvres, tasting menu, wines, dessert- it was a lifetime experience. The poached lobster was out of this world, but the broth quite possibly surpassed it. Amazing!
(5)Glenn W.
What's the point of reviewing the best restaurant in Metro DC? I somehow managed to swing this Saturday-night reservation only a couple days before. Give it up for me. We ate: - Tartare of Pine Ridge Farm Beef with Housemade Rye Bread (awesome) - Crisp baitfish (meh) - Belly of Kurobuta Pork (great stuff) - Whole Roasted Branzino (amazing) My only "complaint" about this place is that for a place with a laid-back atmosphere in the dining room, the bar is disproportionately stuffy. Their cocktails are just a bit pretentious sometimes. A giant billowing cloud of yuzu foam? Come on. Let those made-daily juices and tonics speak for themselves. That's all I'm saying.
(5)Fenny L.
I think our expectations were just too high. When one is expecting Mount Everest, one just can not be happy with Kilimanjaro. It was my mother's birthday, and my brother (fellow gastro-adventurer and partner in foodie-crime) decided that Restaurant Eve would be the perfect venue. Our dad (food-extraordinaire), our sushi-chef uncle, my mom (disdainful of anything less then the best), and my poor husband (dragged along for the ride) descended upon Restaurant Eve like a pack of loud locusts about to devour all that is good and delicious that their chefs could offer...and we walked away satisfied, but not impressed. Before I get started on the food - I must take a moment to comment on the *extraordinary* service (so it doesn't get lost in my impending rant). During the entirety of our 4 hour meal (yes, we're piggies), did we once have to look for our server to ask for anything. Our needs were anticipated and we were waited upon like pros. The service was a definite 5 star experience (and bumped up my review by a star). Now, before I begin, I must stress that the food was definitely tasty. However, we were expecting to experiencing something...more. Something that would make us say "HOLY CRAP THAT'S AMAZING", but instead, we left with a pleasantly full belly and a few moments of foodie-bliss, but not once did we cross the threshold and enter gastronomic-nirvana. We opted for the 7-course Chef's Degustation Menu ($135/person)...which turned out to be more like 11 "courses" (*awesome*). As we were deciding on cocktails, we were brought out 3 "bites" - tiny little morsels of yum: quail with caviar, fois gras mousse, and an antelope...something. All three were delicious, but the fois gras mousse was divine. If I could have scrapped the rest of the meal and just had a bowl of that with some of their bread (which was *amazing*) - I think I would have been perfectly happy. As we placed our drink orders (BTW - their drink menu is *hilarious* read some of the drink names and prepare to be enticed), an amuse bouche came out - mussels with bacon powder and a cilantro cream. It was delicious, but the bacon powder was too fine and to my dad, it felt like there was sand in the mussels. But the flavors were great. Our amuse bouche was followed by a palate cleanser of cilantro and serrano sorbet, which was a delightful surprise of clean flavors with a touch of heat. Our first course was a big-eye tuna sashimi, which my sushi chef uncle praised for the freshness but was underwhelmed by the inventiveness of the preparation. Personally, I found it delicious as did my brother. Our second course was a carrot ravioli which we all found to be way too sweet - it would have made for a wonderful dessert option instead. Our third course was a delicious bass, with a marvelously crispy skin over a scallion emulsion that was *delicious*, but could have had a touch of heat to make the flavors more interesting. However the fish was cooked marvelously and we all admired the wonderful crispy skin. The fourth course was veal sweetbreads. No, we have no moral compunctions about eating veal...and we *love* sweetbreads, but the preparation wasn't anything unusual (fried), and the morales that were served with them was way too salty. It was also served with a pea puree - which had my brother, husband and I all laughing hysterically (oh Top Chef, you have made pea puree a thing of scandal to us forever!). The fifth course was a lamb loin, which, while cooked perfectly, was a touch tough. The middle eastern inspired rub wasn't anything spectacular...my uncle, dad and husband are all *huge* lamb fans - and they were all very "meh" on this dish. The sixth course was the cheese course, which had sour cherry mini-donuts served with it. When the elements are taken separately, they were all very overpowering, but when eaten together, the flavors blended beautifully. However, I was the only one at the table that enjoyed this course - everyone else looked at me like I was insane. Before our seventh course (dessert), we were given a "pre-dessert" course of peanut butter brittle and a chocolate mini-brownie/cupcake. Oddly enough, my husband didn't like it, but the rest of us enjoyed the peanut butter brittle. Then our dessert was served, which was a pound cake served with a blood orange compote. The cake was just OK to me - but that blood orange compote was SCRUMPTIOUS. For those of us that ordered coffee, the dessert was perfect, but for those that didn't, they felt that the dessert was too sweet. But then, my family aren't huge fans of overly sweet desserts. As we were awaiting the check, we were given a little mini tower of sweets: lavender macarons, lemon tarts, and an almond brittle...of which we really only enjoyed the super tart lemon tarts (heh, I made a funny). The service was stellar, and the food was good...but considering the hype, we were expecting...more.
(4)J F.
I've been emailing with Carly about a private dinner event. Suddenly she fell off the face of the earth. I can't get anyone at the restaurant to call me back. Terrible! I guess they don't care about business.
(1)Jennifer N.
The name of the game is Lickety Split lunch - choose any two items on the menu for $15. Vegetarians, be warned, the options might be slim (e.g. today, you would have been limited to salad, soup, and papri chaat) and the menu is, to some extent, a surprise. Lickety split is lunch in the bar/lounge area of Eve - the bar seats about 15, and there are three tables that can seat 4. It seems that there's a crowd that comes fairly early (e.g. 11:30), but by 1, the place was nearly empty. The room itself is New England chic - if you've lived in Boston, you'll immediately feel like you're sitting in the lobby of The Charles Hotel - comfortable, amazingly efficient but not overly-friendly service (very New England), etc. It prides itself as a kind of local wholesome food place, but that wasn't the vibe that I got when I was there (this isn't to say the food isn't local and wholesome, of course, but it's not exactly a hipster locavore crunchy kind of place, which is sort of what I expect when I hear "local" and "wholesome"). The highlight of my two dishes was the papri chaat - it was a good interpretation of North Indian fast food and was served with delicious tamarind sauce, coriander chutney, and fresh yogurt. The creamy risotto was very rich - peas, bacon, lots of cheese - and was so filling that I only made my way through half. It was good, but fairly unitary- every mouthful tasted the same (unlike the chaat which is endless variety in one dish). My husband had the antelope (yes, antelope...!) served with a potato pancake and poached egg, which was great, and the sandwich of the day (veal chop). If I had to do it again, I'd order one main, and one dessert - the birthday cake looked sinfully good and everyone raves about it. All in all, Eve's Lickety Split feels like a decadent lunch at an amazingly affordable price - you have to embrace the element of surprise -- much of the menu changes every day -- and the element of timing. We got lucky with an open table right when we walked in. I guarantee you'll leave feeling like you just ate something good and expensive - and you'll only have dropped $15/per person.
(4)Chrystina Z.
Antelope scrabble! Antelope scrabble with a poached egg. Could it get any better? Came here for lunch, and the food and service were excellent. I would like to come in the evening for the tasting menu.
(4)Toast M.
It was our special occasion dinner at Eve to celebrate an important event. And our dinner was entirely wrecked by the kitchen and the attitude of the waiters. I ordered a partridge as my main course. When it arrived and i dug into the meat it turned out to be entirely absolutely raw in most of the bird's breast. It looked disgusting and nauseating and it was very unpleasant to see it and to touch it. We wanted the evening to be perfect and did not want to start a discussion with our waiter, moreover, that we were served by a confusing array of endlessly changing staff, and it was not clear with whom we should bring up the issue. Eventually someone came and we pointed out raw meat to him to which he asked: "how do you like your meet cooked?" As if it was our initial choice to have some raw poultry. He did not offer to fix it or to exchange it. Just left us with his question and an explanation that partridge is better consumed well done... But still he never offered to fix it! So we were left with a chink of unappetizingly looking meat sitting on our table that made us both feel cheated and nauseated. We made no scene and had no further discussion but it did hurt that such an allegedly classy place robbed us of our fine evening. We learned next day that apparently that night Obamas dined at the Eve. I wonder if the were served under-cooked bird... Or was it because the kitchen was so overwhelmed with an important presence that simple folks like us could be served junk?
(1)James H.
3 stars only because my wife insisted due to previous experiences which were better. We recently treated another couple to the Chef's 7 course meal with wine pairings for every course. A couple of pairings were quite good but on the whole the food was only as good as other local restaurants - some not even rated. A la Carte would be a better choice. Poor, impatient waiter trying to take my plate several times while I still have food on it and I am still eating and impolitely interrupting our conversation to talk to us. Someone used the word pretentious to describe Restaurant Eve, which I agree with. It is time the Washingtonian magazine demoted this restaurant to 2-3 stars or no rating like they have for other good restaurants. Maybe Washingtonian should have a reviewer, truly incognito, review this restaurant for a change. No way is it worth the $1400 we paid, not even close as I have had better meals for much less!!! Restaurant Eve is amazing to me: for hype and their ability to consistently get Washingtonian Magazine to give it a high rating...year after year...
(3)Stanley S.
In two words? Crumb scrapers. That's the level of service you get here and the type of experience you'll have. But, that's also the kind of money you'll spend. Go in with that expectation and you'll have a fantastic time. I've been here several times for special occasions because it serves the best food I have ever eaten. It's especially nice because they'll do vegetarian fare without making you feel like you're getting the short end of the meal stick. Done so well that I do my best to avoid palate guilt. You know, that bad feeling you have when there is anything but white space left on your plate once filled with amazing food. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't licked the my serving dish at least once. I'd go on naming all the savory miracle foods I've consumed here, but their menu changes fairly frequently so to name something now might mean I'm simply teasing your taste buds later. Oh, and for the boozy folks among those reading this, their wines, cocktails and beers are totally rad. I have only had the cheaper half bottles of wine, a few beers and some cocktails all of which were good.
(5)Shemal ..
Restaurant Eve was simply delicious and awesome. I had the tile fish, heirloom tomato salad and lemon verbena dessert. The taste of the food was nothing less than impressive. All dishes were perfectly executed. I didn't have a reservation, so I was not seated in the main dining area; however, the bar provided a great space to dine and chat with friends after dinner. The staff was knowledgeable and extremely helpful. Overall a very satisfying dining experience. I will visit again upon my return to the DC area.
(5)Susan F.
I've seen the great reviews and wish I could join in but alas, I cannot. If you are a true foodie, you will recognize the pretentiousness of the actually bland menu. I started with the hamachi. It was a little thick, chewy and bland -- or you could call it delicate, but too much so. I just couldn't find the flavor. I went with the lobster risotto as my second course but again, nothing special. I was with a big group and they sat us in the back room. The situation of the table provided for extremely awkward service from passing full dishes and empty plates to pouring wine. We had to hand our glasses over and grab our dishes in mid air if seated on the cushion side. Not what I expected. I felt sorry for the one couple that they stuck in the room with us as we were loud and pretty much a private party. (12 of us). On a good note-- the "K Syrah" is a GREAT wine and good value. It's a lovely looking restaurant but honestly, foam is foam and not that special. The 48 hour apple dessert was similar in substance to a lemon bar only with apple and didn't pack the promised punch that I was looking forward to. If you are not a true foodie and looking for a romantic experience it is a good place but if you tend to count flaws you will find several. Service wasn't up to par for the stature they claim but I can certainly see how some people will find it a superior experience.
(3)Gio D.
Food is good, but for the price there are so many better options. Majestic in Old Town and Carlyle in Shirlington come to mind right away. For about half the price, you get food that is prepared just as well without the fake stuffy atmosphere. On average, a dinner for two at Eve will run you over $200 which I'd gladly pay if a meal is done right. Once you get into the $100+ per person range, you start competing with places like Komi in Dupont Circle and trust me, Eve doesn't even come close.
(3)art f.
At the Bistro: We started with seafood mousse and papri chaat - an interesting (obviously Indian)classic street food dish that mixes wafers, chutney, and seasoned yogurt. The entrees were stellar - a generous portion of sea bass and a Basque seafood stew with clams, fish fillets, and prawns that came together nicely. The side of risotto was ordinary but fine. We ended with a cheese assortment - there's a wide selection of goat and sheep cheeses from around the USA as well as Europe. The wine list - while not full of bargains - -is well-organized and has a good sampling of VA wine. For this level of restaurant, the ambiance is well below average - we were relegated to an addition that's much much like dining at a friend's house in a Florida-style extension with a window looking out on a not so attractive interior courtyard.
(4)Peter M.
I went here for my anniversary dinner and was extremely disappointed. The two stars are for the decor and the service, which were both great. But the meal was perhaps the most bland thing I've eaten, ever. I had the pan fried monkfish, and the wife had the bouillabaisse. The piece of fish looked good, and monkfish is supposed to have a mild flavor, but the sauce garnishing the fish had no flavor whatsoever. I had to ask for a salt shaker, and even that didn't rescue the dish. OK, so maybe that dish was supposed to be tame. The boullabaisse should be flavorful, right? Nope. Extremely bland, maybe a hint of spices but nothing special. Neither of the dishes were bad, they were just....dull. Extremely dull. For the price points this place charges I was expecting much better food.
(2)Charles P.
What a lovely little restaurant, tucked away in a cozy nook of Old Town Alexandria. Restaurant Eve is a rare gem where a great chef, sommelier AND a talented mixologist hold court. The cocktails range from subtle to sweet and have all been rich flavorful and well balanced. Much the same could be said for the food and wine pairings. The tasting menu has never disappointed and as this is our standby anniversary dinner, the quality, service and overall experience has not waned in the slightest. I don't know if there are some off nights and I have just been lucky, but I have enjoyed every bite and sip and the staff have been nothing less than stellar. Available without hovering, informative without ostentation. Highly recommend it for a special night out! SPECIAL!!! It is pricey, but worth it. Never had the 9 course menu, sounds pretty drawn out, but maybe next year.
(5)Soong W.
I returned to try their 5 course tasting and it was dream like. The tasting consists with small samples with amuse bouche and palate cleansers interwoven throughout the meal. To clarify the tasting options, one can choose from several items from each course from the 5 course menu. The other option is the chef's choice ranging from 5, 7, or 9 courses. Their sample menu from the website gives you an idea of what to expect but changes frequently based on the seasonality of the ingredients. The tasting is more an experience than a appetizer, dinner, and dessert. No problem. Just make reservations for the other half of Restaurant Eve.
(5)S L.
I have been looking forward to going here for ages. My husband and I are trying to hit the top 25 restaurants in DC area, so we have no problem paying for a great meal and we love to eat adventurously. We got the 7 course tasting menu - chef's choice. Meh. Just about every course had one too many or one too few elements. For each course, someone would come and silently put the plate in front of us. No explanation or anything. Only when we were almost done would someone come and tell us what it was. The amuse bouche was steak tartare with pumpernickel crouton - my least favorite thing in the world. I just can't stand the texture of raw ground beef. I took a small bite and my husband finished it. He said it was very good and galicky, but he is also not a tartare fan. Then we had a plum sorbet and saffron foam palate cleanser, which seemed early in the meal. Then came the first course - hamachi tuna with crispy wonton. Two raw course like that in a row is just not good and feels lazy. The sauce was good, but they needed more of the wantons for some texture. Then came the stinging nettle agnolotti. This is the kind of dish you dream about. Fresh, creamy, bright, salty - perfectly balanced. I wish I had just had these and their homemade bread for my meal. The hake with a creamy sauce and turnips(we were never told what the sauce was) was good, but it was screaming for some kind of acid or bitter greens to balance the cream. Crispy partridge breast with confit duck was supposed to be a play on cassoulet had way too much rosemary. It overwhelmed everything (although the partridge and duck were perfectly cooked and delicious) In fact, it would have been good to have the palate cleanser after this! Next was lamb chops with pickled pear, which were seriously undercooked - cold lamb fat is just awful. I can't even remember what else was with it, it was that forgettable, We looked with envy at the people at the next table with some kind of steak and onion rings! Next was a wedge of hard goat cheese with pickled peach and roasted radish conserve. Since no one told it what it was, it was surprising to expect some thing sweet and find cheese. It was very good, but I would have liked a crostini under it. Next was concord grape mousse with popped amaranth and a foam (we were never told what it was). The anise-y flavor of the amaranth overwhelmed everything. The mousse itself had great flavor and texture. (I thought a peanut butter foam or something along those lines would have been perfect here) Nest was a chestnut terrine with smoked maple ice cream and truffle-caramel sauce. This would have been perfect except the smoke and the truffle battled each other. Take out the truffle and this would have hit all the right notes. The little plate of sweets were a bit bland, save the gingerbread macarons. The peanut butter bars and dark chocolate truffles tasted of nothing but unsweetened chocolate - none of those notes that good dark or bittersweet chocolate have. All in all, a disappointment (especially for the $$$$ price - $400 for two and we had 2 beers, a glass of wine and a "coke") . I would go and sit at the bar for that agnolotti again though! The main waiter was good, but the rest of his staff seemed uninterested.
(2)G W.
My wife and I recently celebrated our anniversary at Restaurant Eve. We tried the Chef's 7 course tasting menu. We were very disappointed! We've tried many tasing menus and thus have a good benchmark against which to compare. The price, while in-line with 5-star restaurants, was way over-priced for the quality and experience. The food quality was average, at best. The first two courses were good but went downhill from there. The meats in particular were actually bad. The wines were simply just-OK but the cost was equivalent of 1st rate, which these were not! The pairings were OK for the first 2 courses but after that the wines did nothing for the food. I suspect that many of them were either just opened or had been opened too long. The portion size for tasting menus should be smaller (there's 7 after all) but these were silly small. The size of the wine pours were the smallest we've ever had by a factor of 2. I'm guessing that over the 7 courses we had 14 oz each or about a bottle. For this they charged over $150. This is just wrong given the quality of the wine. The service tried hard but didn't reach the quality expected for the price. The timing of wine pours and food delivery was at times too long, others too short. The wait staff stand around the room only feet away and that's awkward. At least 2 courses arrived cold. If you really want that special experience, great food, great service... don't go here!
(1)Judy E.
Great service beautiful atmosphere orgasmic food
(5)Cherine A.
My boss and I came here for a business lunch. I'm a fairly picky eater, so upon seeing the menu, I mildly panicked, wondering what in the world I could possibly order. The only thing that sounded good to me was the ribeye served with a parmesean vinaigrette salad. I asked our waitress (a quiet blonde girl who was an amazing server) if I could have it prepared medium well (since I know I'm probably the first person she's encountered to order it any other way than medium rare), and she replied that while it might "compromise the flavor," it wouldn't be a problem. We were asked if wanted sparkling or still water - both are served from glass bottles. I originally ordered still water, but once my food arrived I switched to sparkling. Our glasses never had the chance to be empty, because our waitress would immediately fill it (one time she managed to do it without me even noticing). The bread that is served piping hot out of the oven is sourdough, and it's fantastic. It comes with a very tiny amount of butter, but it doesn't need much anyway. My meal ended up being wonderful. The steak was flavorful and cooked perfectly, and the salad had a good amount of dressing. It also came with a side of marinated potatoes and chopped eggs, and I pretty much cleaned my plate. Another person ordered the sweet potato fries for the table, and while I've never been a fan of sweet potatoes, these were (to my surprise) excellent. Our table decided to split two of the desserts: the birthday cake (my boss decided it would be for my half-birthday), and the bread pudding. I can't say I was a fan of the birthday cake, although it was absolutely ADORABLE. I just don't particularly like sponge cake, and the frosting was overwhelmingly sweet. One bite of this was more than enough. The bread pudding was sadly quite small - it was delicious and had a fantastic flavor, I just wish there was a lot more of it. It was pricey for lunch (my meal was $25... glad I didn't have to pay), but it was enjoyable and the service was impeccable.
(4)Oscar M.
Shout out to the great Yelpers that organized a delicious lunch outing! Like I've stated before, I like surprises. This is definitely another one, in terms of value and quality for what you pay for. I am of course talking about the Lickety Split Lunch special, in which two items from either the drink, entree or dessert list can be chosen for a mind blowing $14.95. Not bad considering an average dinner may cost upwards of 100 bucks a person! As I arrive, I'm greeted by legendary Yelper Hilvic N., organizer of our Old Town lunch outing. We enter a converted brick rowhouse through the side, somehow like a secret entrance. Once inside we make our way to the bar where other fellow Yelpers are waiting. The bar is full, the seats are few, but our patient host accommodated us as best as she could. It was difficult choosing two items from each of the lists, everything sounded enticing, from the Bittersweet cocktail, to the Heirloom tomato salad, to the blue berry coconut creme tart, but I finally settled on the Meatballs with bean rag out and an order of the Risotto. I've had homemade Risotto in Ticino, the Italian part of Switzerland, as well as in Milan and even in my own kitchen made by my loud mouthed friend from Tuscany. To say the least, I've tasted various forms of authentic Risotto (my favorite being one made with strawberries). Restaurant Eve's version doesn't disappoint. My only complaint was that it wasn't enough! To be fair, with such a great deal, one can't expect the generous portions most are used to. I ate and savored every morsel, eventually cleaning the plate with the delicious bread. The texture was velvety smooth, light and not too salty, as is the danger of making risotto. On to the meatballs, delicious and filling! I found the meat to be fairly standard, though exceptionally well seasoned and cooked, and complimented nicely by the bean rag out. It was understated but an essential contrast to the meatballs, which packed a flavorful punch. Afterwards, I got to see some of the deserts from the other Yelpers. The Birthday Cake was an amazing presentation, it was as if a normal sized birthday cake was shrunk to a mini sized individual portion. Beautiful. I was too late when one of the Yelpers offered a few bites to the rest of us, but I did get to taste the frosting, which was disturbingly delicious. It was not at all the conventional heavy frosting bursting with sugar, instead it was light and sweet, almost like a slice of watermelon made into frosting. All in all, I highly recommend Restaurant Eve's Lickety Split Lunch menu for anyone in the area. It's a rare case where you get more quality than you pay for. Make sure you get there early because it fills up fast. Take a sassy lady friend and impress her here with her own birthday cake! Go there, NOW!
(4)Francesca F.
We had an amazing time at Eve. The food was delicious and the service was fantastic. Very reasonable for the quality of the whole experience.
(5)Pamela E.
Everything about R.E. Tasting Room is amazing! Food, mixed drinks (had to try the "virgin" drinks since I was preggo) - although this review is over a year late- I wanted to make sure to give them their due! (Wasn't too thrilled with the hostess who exclaimed at how big I was, though.)
(5)Megan K.
4.5! My boyfriend and I went here a couple of years ago for the Tasting Menu, which remains to this day the most expensive meal I've ever eaten ($300 for the two of us, including tip). I can't remember the exact details of the food, but I remember it being amazing, especially the scallops. My slight complaint about the food was that the vegetarian option for the meat course did not include any kind of protein--it was a mushroom thingy. They do go out of their way to include vegetarians and even vegans (as long as you let the know ahead of time). The best part of dining there, though, is the service. Everybody was so friendly and helpful--it's a real fine-dining experience, and I've been dying to go back ever since! Of course, let's be honest, in my real life, I am not a celebrity and I cannot afford $300 meals really even once a year. So I've been dying to get to the lounge for the $13.50 Lickety Split Menu, which they serve Monday-Friday from 11:30--4. Not 2. I thought it was until 2, so I about killed myself walking from the King Street Metro in my heels fast enough to get there before 2. Anyway, I sat at the bar and had the mussels, the birthday cake, and an awesome Lemony Laurel cocktail. The mussels tasted fantastic, very fresh, with the perfect amount of seasoning. However, they were strange and didn't come out of the shell easily. The bartender was concerned and asked the chef, who gave an explanation and said if I wasn't happy, they were more than happy to start another pot for me. I declined, but I thought that was very nice. The birthday cake--well, it's really famous, but I thought the cake itself was a tad dry for my liking (**commence people throwing things at me**), but the frosting was fantastic. And my cocktail was absolutely phenomenal. Just the right amount of sweetness and lemony-ness, light, refreshing, and perfect for a warm summer afternoon. And the ice was hand-crushed! The bartender was so friendly and nice and even bought me my drink because she had forgotten to give it to me at the very beginning. Would I go back? I would love to go again for the Tasting Menu when I hit the jackpot in the lottery. I would go for the lunch again if I had a guest in town and wanted to impress them in Old Town. The service is just great and I love the atmosphere. They put a lot of attention into little details. Also, here's a tip: BE CAREFUL on the stairs to the bathroom. I fell down them when I was there a couple of years ago, which was mortifying. It's a small space, and the stairs are wooden, and...well, it was really loud. They now have a sign warning people to watch their step. I hope that wasn't because of me!
(4)Jeff G.
My wife and I visited Restaurant Eve to celebrate her birthday and also her finding a new job. The consensus between both of us is that the experience was one of the best that we've had in the DC region. Though we were only in the bistro, the service and food was wonderful and makes us want to come back for more. To get into the restaurant, you pass through a small portal into a courtyard, which almost makes you feel like you might be in the wrong place. Heading through the doors, the ambiance is quite nice, with warm lighting and understated decor. We were made to feel welcome by the staff, and, even though we were quite early, they seated us right away. Service throughout the night was wonderful. Our waiter was very knowledgeable of the food on the menu and had a very nice way about how she did things. We asked the sommelier for a wine suggestion, and he said "Do you trust me?", and we said sure. The wine he offered was a perfect pairing with both my duck and her halibut. I also got into a great conversation with him about various scotch flavors, and he brought out several for me to try on the house. The food was also wonderful. My wife started with oysters, which were topped with a vinaigrette flavored relish and tasted amazing (I imagine that people who claim to not like oysters would have loved these). I had the mussels to start. which were cooked perfectly and actually took on the flavor of the broth, which was also amazing when sopped up with a piece of their crusty ciabata. For her entree, my wife had the potato wrapped halibut, which was the most buttery-smooth halibut that I had ever tasted. My duck breast was the right combination of velvety meat with crunchy skin, and the pairing of confit of duck leg was absolutely amazing. For dessert, my wife went with a strawberry tiramisu that blew us both away (especially given that tiramisu is usually done in a ho-hum way). I had a selection of 5 cheeses that rounded out the meal very nicely. Overall, a wonderful experience. We will definitely be back to try the tasting room, when our wallets are a bit more full ;)
(5)Leslie J.
Cheap eats at a Tom Sietsema 5 star restaurant? Really? Yep, Eve has a lunch special. You get two picks off the menu in their lounge area and can have lunch for two, wine included if you wish to find it five o'clock somewhere, with tip for $15.00 per person-not including tax and gratuities. The staff there are exceptional
(5)Eddy S.
Yeah, 4 stars is just about right. I did the full tasting menu with full wine pairings. First, drop the dress code. Its not appropriate these days and on a hot summer day it significantly damaged me experience because I arrived hot and sweaty to a not-so-cool dining room. All of the courses were well prepared - none necessarily memorable, but all very good. I was very impressed with our wine pairings and impeccable service. Paid about $300 for the whole kit and kaboodle and didn't regret it.
(4)alison s.
We had a great dinner at Eve and I would have given them five stars but ... DO NOT, under any circumstances, order the birthday cake for dessert. It sounds cute, it looks cute, but is as satisfying as a cupcake from Giant. You know the type of gritty frosting I'm talking about. We experienced huge buyers remorse, especially after we saw what everyone else had for dessert. Also, for some reason, other tables received free little bags of goodies, but not us :,(
(4)Ateet A.
PHENOMENAL!!!! as of right now, my favorite restaurant ever and I have been to my share of restaurants. I made reservations here for our annversary in their chef's tasting room. I had the 7 course degustation menu and my wife the 5 course. This is where you do not choose the course but rather let the chef choose all the courses in the order he thinks you should eat them. they take not of all your dietary restrictions and customize a menu just for you and their food is SLAM DUNK AMAZING! by far the best resturant I have even been to. It is definitely not a place you go for the heck of it or all the time, you should go on a special occasion and get dressed up. Its an amazing experience, great wait staff and spoon licking food that makes your tastes dance in your mouth!
(5)Des S.
Food excellent, wine excellent but atmosphere lacking. Had 9 pm booking on a Friday night and by the end of the meal, wait staff were ironing the table cloths of both adjacent tables. Felt I was eating at a laundry.
(2)J A.
Try the terrine of headcheese. It's soo much tastier than it sounds.
(5)Katie M.
We ate at Restaurant Eve for the first time the other night in the Chef's Tasting Room and had an amazing time! Leanard was seemless, unobtrusive, and engaging. He was so informative and a pleasant to have as a server. We will certainly return!
(5)Vicki C.
I am a fan! Restaurant Eve may be "overrated" for some things, but the ingredients are farm-fresh, adding to the appeal of the restaurant. I always order the soup du jour- whether it's butternut squash or broccoli bisque, it is amazing and always has this warm, home-y richness. The lickity-split lunch is one of the BEST deals in old town. Also, a friend had the tasting menu and said it was one of his best foodie moments.
(4)Maryam K.
Ahhhh, fine dining...nothing does it for me like a sophisticated tasting menu and paired wine. We had a wonderful, grown-up night here. The location is also great! The food was amazing...and the sommelier was pretty knowledgeable...now my only warning: doing the pairing can make you tipsy very quickly...so, as I only remember the first 70% of the meal, I will have to keep this review short!!
(4)Brad M.
Dined in the bistro for dinner, and I really enjoyed it. The risotto was to die for as it was beet-based so had so a redish aura to it, and it was simply ambrosial. I generally only eat seafood, so I had the Rockfish and I was completely content. The place is a bit pricey, but the ambiance was great.
(4)Curt C.
sorry to give a mediocre review as neighbors but after going a few times over the years, we can detect a definite slide in quality; mostly little things on our recent visit -- 20 min wait w/o apology; recited specials that were no longer available; spilled coffee in the saucer and grounds in the cup; inattentive water/bread service; a dessert menu none of us could find anything much we wanted to try; food was ok but not amazing as it had been before; we will go again but not anytime soon
(2)Sandra K.
Okay I'm givng the place 5 stars. Albeit it was a $400 meal for 2 with tax and tip. With that said... It was amazing. Granted it was my anniversary and the servers all knew it. We got the crazy godfather table in the far right corner and everyone that came by to serve the drinks or take away plates said, "Happy Anniversary!" It was very pleasant. The menus also came with our names on them and another, "happy anniversary!" The first course I had was the house smoked bonito, bonito tartare and the bonito with housemade habanero sauce. Amazing. Very hearty and sturdy fish---great as the tartare, sashimi-style and the mousse. The wine pairing worked well too. I don't remember what it was. JP had the six month aged hand cut chapel hill farm veal salami with summer vegetables and pmmerey mustand. Best salami we've ever had. JP had the jezebel pinot from oregon. Very superior. Second course: I had the tempura soft shell crabe with liquid gold, cipollinis and spring onions. This dish was good but I've had the tempura before and the sauteed onions were okay. JP had the butte poached maine lobster with baby carrots, ginger and mcro basil. Amazing. the lobster was succulent poached in the irish butter, amazing. Only problem I had was it was impossible to identify everything in the dish. Third course: crisp mushroom duxell "cigare" with shaved parmesan and 100 eyar old balsamic "---the mushroom duxelle was a little bit tough. The parmesan--nothing special. the combo---very delicious not amazing though. JP had the chapel hill farm ribeye of beef with garlic scape custard, bordelaises and caufreet chips---this dish was succulent and complex--bringing the beef to a new level. The sharpness of the bordelaise sauce was amazing. Fourth course: housemade six and four month aged cheddars with apricot tartlet---amazing---subtle and the cheese had nice textures. pleasnat ridge rserve with warm golden syrup cake---a nice cow's milk cheese---sturdy and nice with the cake and syrup. fifth course: chocolate mousse cake with cherry ice cream---perfection. warm and cold---the cherry ice cream subtle as it mixed with the chocolate mousse and the wafer/cracker holder. Yum! I had the rhuburb and orange crisp with organge flower water sherbet. Wow. So subtle yet so powerful. The rhubard was chopped into tiny bits and sat underneath the rhubard crisp. On the opp. side was the orange and zest. Fabuluous combination. A lovely lovely meal. The amuse at the beginning was great---a ham fritter served with in-house mustard, a gorgeous pork pate served on a toast point and a "deviled egg" made with a quail egg. Second amuse: a salmon and scallop mousse served with a belon fried oyster. OMIGOD. So good. The service was warm and friendly and not overpowering. The dining room was warm and gorgeous---very clean. They do dust your table with antique crummers. Great great meal and place.
(5)Takaki K.
A cute small restaurant. Although the paintings on the walls can hardly be called artistic, the interior is quite comfortable and homey. With all the hype around this place, I was expecting a high degree of sophistication, almost pretentious, in both service and food. Instead what we had was a very down-to-earth experience, similar to the sense of being invited to a friend's place for a nice relaxing dinner. We had the $125 9-course meal. Since they have a 'pre-course dish' and 'for cleansing your pellet' sorbet etc, this became a 13-course, 3 hour affair. Our waitress was very chatty and friendly, very down-to-earth. The food was quite fine. Something you would wow if your friend had made it. But it didn't bring the amazement that you would expect for this price. The course structure was not very well thought through. Our first two courses were fish chowder followed by seafood cream stew. They were good, but you would not want to repeat the similar taste for two courses. Four of our dishes had cream sauce in them. They lacked in variety. We ordered a few glasses of wine, none of which was that great. This is a fine restaurant. I know I'm being overcritical but I think I'm entitled to be, given the price they charge. My search for amazing meals in the DC area continues.
(4)Becca B.
ohmygoodness--thisplaceissososososososogood! My company Christmas party was held here this year... and I've gotta thank Boss man for picking an excellent spot. Well done! We had some really terrific wines, and the food was excellent. Service was great too! I think I tried some of everyone's dish that night... all of the seafood was super fresh and tasty. I ordered the monkfish cheeks (a special that night)... turns out there was a regular monkfish dish on th menu as well and they served me that. I had never eaten fish cheeks before that night, so I didn't realized the error... but half way through my meal our waiter informed me of the mistake. He asked if he could get me the correct dish or anything at all... I declined because I was enjoying the Monkfish I was served. Apparently they weren't going to take not for an answer and shortly thereafter I was presented the monkfish cheeks special. Everyone got to try my second Entree... and let me tell you, it was amazing. I can't say enough about this place... sadly my wallet isn't as thick as my boss's so I doubt I will be back soon. Maybe next Christmas!
(5)Kyle V.
Food was really good. Small, pricey portions, but that's what you get at most upscale places. Great building, very historic look and feel. I'd like to go back and sit in the tasting room.
(4)Steven K.
Treat yourself to the cuisine of Restaurant Eve and a fantastic Irish Whiskey -- or two -- and do it casually sitting at the bar and ordering from the bistro menu -- prepared in the same main kitchen as the white tablecloth service. Love those big chunks of ice in the drinks! A relaxing evening of fine dining.
(5)Chris F.
Tried Eve for the first time recently. We chose the Bistro as a trial run, and was quite pleased. Service was excellent, food was good, atmosphere nice. Eve is not a "bargain" venue, but I felt that I received good value for the price. We will try the tasting room option next. Oh, we both had the Rib-eye entree' with greens, sweet potato fries, and oyster and tartar appetizers.
(4)Nathan S.
This is a review of the Bistro at Restaurant Eve. I'd like to give a rating of 4.5. We chose the establishment for our anniversary dinner and were extremely happy with the whole experience. The service was flawless as our waiter was mindful of the occasion, and balanced giving us ample time with perfect amounts of information and advice about the menu. On weekends the prix fixe menu has several options, which was a nice surprise compared to similar situations we've been in where the choice was extremely limited. For appetizers we tried the papri chat and the crabcackes, and were floored by the interesting flavors. For the entree, my wife tried the evening's special of Tasmanian trout and I enjoyed a prime rib. These dishes were very good (probably extremely good for most places), but I think that after the appetizers we were expecting another "wow" experience and were slightly let down. The trout was very mellow and I found the sauce accompannying the prime rib to be a little strong. Moving on from there we shared the flourless chocolate cake and chevre cheesecake for desert, and were again highly impressed with dishes that we'd had before in other venues but without such vibrant tastes. Pricing was expensive and I don't think that we'll be going back for a casual evening dinner, but I'm sure we'll look to Restaurant Eve on the next special occasion. All in all a fantastic experience.
(5)Nicolas M.
Got a gift certificate for my coworker and was disappointed from the get-go. Places like this elevate expectations purely by cost, thus, if the meal had been cheaper I wouldn't be so harsh on the matter, plus, I'm writing from a close account of what I was told, not having been there myself. THOSE ARE THE CAVEATS, though, so understand where I'm coming from. Buying the gift card was arduous and the woman on the phone was a little rude. At one point, she asked if I still wanted the card and I honestly wasn't sure. Doesn't a nice phone person come with an expensive gift card? The card arrived (they charge $7 to mail it to you) and it was pretty beat up and pretty cheap looking. Another strike. Coworker and her fiance went to dinner and the service was incredible, however, the food and the seating were not. 7 courses, which sounds great, but each was about a bite and a half ok good, not great food. The seating was a couch and a little awkward. You just have to have the expectation of what you're getting into. They ended up spending $350 for a few drinks, tasting menu and tip feeling it was nowhere near justified. It's too bad, conceptually it's a good place, but good few at excellent prices don't match. I'm going to look into Marcel's or Komi for the next high-end gift I give, I think Eve's a bust for the money. At least, maybe the server can help the folks that provide the gift cards with service tips.
(2)PC W.
I have been waiting months to get to the $13.50 lunch special - Monday-Fridays only in the bar. It was worth the wait and I'm counting the days until I can make it back. The curried carrot mussels were incredible - there must have been 20-25 meaty mussels in the dish. The bartender brought us fresh-baked bread that went fabulously with the curry sauce from the mussels dish. I had the wild mushroom risotto for my entree. So buttery. So creamy. So perfect. Hands down the best risotto I've had.
(5)Paul E D.
We went to celebrate my birthday and it was a fabulous choice. The staff accomodated my special needs by making me an outstanding mushroom appetizer. At the end of the wonderful meal, I received a gift from the restaurant. It was a great touch. The three course meal was superb as was the service. I cannot say enough about this place. The staff is so caring and attentive without being intrusive. The attention to detail is unsurpassed. The cheese plate was indescribably good. The cheese selction is like few places I have been. The breads were incredible, especially the fruit/nut. The ribeye I had was a delight. The quality and preparation of the meat shined through. Of course, the birthday cake was the only way to end the meal.
(5)Tate W.
I wrote a negative review about Restaurant Eve in 2009 that I regret. I did so because I was coerced into writing a bad review by a relative who hosted a private event there for her husband's birthday. She claimed to have received bad service, and asked me to back her up with a bad review. The only problem is that I had a great time that night, the food was excellent, and the service was satisfactory (slower than I would have expected for an expensive evening in which she paid for a private room), hence only 4 stars. Bottom line: Great restaurant, consistently good food. More expensive than it should be, but a very solid option for old town Alexandria. Their sister restaurant, Virtue Food and Grain is superb, where you get similarly high food quality for one step lower cost, and in a great atmosphere. Apologies for my previous low review, and integrity failure. This is a great restaurant, and I won't let my whacky relative influence future reviews of mine.
(4)Meredith R.
Everybody has already filled you in on the fabulous pick 2 items, fixed price $13.50 lunch special - based on my experience I have some important information to add to that: If you go with a friend, you need to have a plan for ordering. A colleague and I just ate there, and did the usual - let's order 4 different items and share between us, thus maximizing the number of dishes we got to try. Makes sense, right? We had so much delicious food, we couldn't eat it all. Not by a long stretch. Just so you know, its pick ANY two items on the fixed price menu to include: cocktails, salads, soup, sandwiches, and desserts. Here's the plan that I would recommend - order one dish as an appetizer (the mussels were divine!) and share that, each of you get an entre - the salads are substantial! (the salad du jour came with a full 'crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside' leg of chicken on top) - and then share a dessert. We didn't order it, but I heard that the birthday cake will send you into a sugar coma. We'll get that next time! It is, hands down, the best deal in town. Go. Now. (But don't be in a rush, it did take a while to get our food....)
(5)Daniel S.
Like every other reviewer, I love this place and the food and the service. Best restaurant in VA, hands down.
(5)Jacob W.
The night got off to a mixed start. When I arrived for my 8pm reservation my table wasn't ready, but I was offered a seat in the lounge area by the bar. The rest of my party was running late, so I wasn't too put off. After a bit of a wait, I was offered a drink and enjoyed a lovely Virginia sparkling wine. We were finally seated about 30 minutes late and without any particular incident. The waiter got off to a rocky start as he was a bit cold and unengaged. I certainly didn't get the impression we were welcome guests. Regardless, we ordered a bottle of wine, appetizers for the table, and our entrées. After the staff, my first measures of a restaurant are the bread and particularly butter--Eve scored pretty well here with a crusty loaf and seemingly small-batch produced butter served at a lovely just-cool-enough temperature. The appetizers (blue crab cakes on toast and rabbit liver mousse) were unremarkable, but adequate for my expectations. Two of us had ordered the rib eye for our entrée, one rare and one medium (the third member of our group had the pork belly, which from a single bite seemed delicious). When the steaks arrived I noticed immediately that my steak, which I had ordered rare, was instead prepared medium. Thinking perhaps that the back-server had simply delivered to the wrong patrons, I asked my friend to check that his steak was as-ordered, which it was. When I asked the waiter if there had been a mix-up he said there had not, but to his credit offered to have a second steak prepared. Not wishing to finish my meal while the rest of the group was ready to move on to dessert. Again, to Eve's credit the manager came over and apologized for the mistake and volunteered to take my entrée of the tab. This was a great response that many restaurants would not have made, but left me feeling let down by my evening at Eve, which had come highly recommended. In order for a restaurant to justify the reputation and price that Eve seems to maintain it is critical that everything be perfect. A steak that overcooked (or as I suspect, left sitting under the heatlamps that long) has not place in a restaurant of this caliber and should have been caught by the kitchen staff before it made it to my table. I hope Eve can work out there hiccups as the venue was lovely, the staff for the most part friendly, and the menu very enticing. I don't think I'll check back soon, however.
(2)Ryan W.
I got the opportunity to check this place out about two weeks ago with another couple. I read a favorable review in a recent Washingtonian and a good friend of mine who is also a feverish believer in dining out had been hyping this place upfor a while. The location is great, I love Old Town Alexandria, the small colonial style townhouse totally adds to the ambiance of the place. The mojitos we had while waiting were near perfect with just about everything else we had. I went with the 9 course meal along with wine pairing, something like 6 courses of brilliantly prepared dishes along with a cheese course, two desert courses and a couple "gift dishes" from the chef. As stodgy or pretentious as it sounds, the experience was void of anything like it. The wait staff and sommelier were friendly and engaging and the home-like setting really provided a welcoming feeling. It took 5 hours total and not once did I look at the clock until we stumbled out. Definitely doing it again.
(5)Lauren C.
I had dinner in the bistro on Saturday night to celebrate a friend's birthday. It was superb. Fine dining at its finest. The ambiance is cozy, intimate and surprisingly not stuffy for a formal place. The wait staff is very attentive and professional down to the bathroom attendant opening and locking the door for you. The food was out of this world. Not a single morsel was left on all of our plates by the end of the night. I had the veal with beans, brussel sprouts and hollandaise sauce - very good. Although, I wish I had ordered ribeye with marrow sauce. I nearly ate half my boyfriend's meal. The portions are generous too, not small with over the top garnish and as some formal places tend to do. Overall, I was impressed and would go there again for a special occasion.
(4)Julie G.
You can do better in Old Town. Lunch menu was unimaginative. Service was good. Food was forgettable. Atmosphere is stuffy. For all the hype it was disappointing.
(2)Christina R.
I ate at Restaurant Eve last night and the experience was a disappointment. First, let me say that anyone can have a bad night; however when your entrees are $36.50 and up quality control is imperative. As far as service, our waitress was extremely nice and knowledgeable, but ultimately this restaurant gets a major fail because of the bouillabaisse dish that I ordered. The dish was tasty. It had approximately 2 prawns, a small portion of fish, two (maybe 3) mussels, and two clams. I discovered that one of my mussels and one of my clams were not open - that's a seafood no-no. Of course, when you've got a huge pot of mussels you'll find that some of them aren't open and that's fine, but when you're looking at a dish that offers mussels and clams in the single digits it's unacceptable. The young woman sitting across from me who ordered the same dish also discovered that she had shellfish in her dish that had not opened. The manager did come over and apologize; he then proceeded to take the pieces of shellfish that had not opened to the kitchen, returning a few moments later with the exact same amount of shellfish. I was floored by this. So let me try and understand this...I tell you that my extremely expensive dish, that was a small portion to begin with, had 2 pieces of shellfish that didn't open...instead of being shamed and offering a sincere gesture to express that shame you take the unopened mussels and clams that we gave you and return with the exact same number? I honestly feel that they took the bad pieces that we gave them and just further cooked them OR opened them and bought them back to us. Here's the MAJOR problem: 1. Quality control - The dish is not densely populated with seafood, someone in the kitchen should be checking to make sure that each mussel and/or clam has opened...we're talking 5 to 6 pieces at most per dish. 2. Lack of graciousness - They should have done more than taken the unopened mussels and clams and returned the exact same amount to us. 1) it looks like they just simply went back there and further cooked what we gave them and 2) for a restaurant of Eve's stature it doesn't seem gracious. At $36.50 for such a small serving they should have shown more embarrassment and offered more - they're in the customer service business, they could have figured out what the "more" should have been. Thoroughly unacceptable.
(1)Colleen H.
My brother and our partners took our parents to the Tasting Room at Restaurant Eve on Saturday night for their anniversary. We could not have had a better experience. The Tasting Room was beautiful and we were seated in a wonderful booth in the corner which allowed us to see all of the Tasting Room. The service was incredible. The waiters were so pleasant and the sommelier recommended a great bottle of wine. We felt so comfortable there. We all started off with cocktails. My mother joked that hers was so good that she wanted to jump in, and Mr. Thrasher joked that he could make her a big one. We all got the 5 course degustation menu. The chef sent out different selections for each course. So, we were able to taste different food. It was all heavenly. In addition to our courses, we were treated to canapes, an amuse bouche, a sorbet palate cleanser, a pre-dessert, and sweet bites at the end. We felt so spoiled. The staff created a special menu for us that said "Happy Anniversary" and our parents' names, and they gave my parents an anniversary gift to take home. My husband and I had been to the Tasting Room 3 years ago, and we have compared all of our subsequent dining experiences to that one because it was so fantastic. I was nervous that this experience wouldn't be as wonderful as we remembered. But, I had nothing to worry about because Restaurant Eve once again gave us an amazing dining experience.
(5)Deanna J.
I got to explore a bit of Old Town Alexandria with someone that knows the ropes there better than I, and we lunched at Restaurant Eve - which has a fabulous weekday-lunchtime-in the lounge only-special. You get to pick two from a list that includes everything from a glass of vino, to soups/salads, entrees and desserts - so if it's a early Friday afternoon, go ahead and opt for the wine! Unfortunately for us it wasn't - but I did get the Italian BLT (and incredible homemade chips!) and . . . the creme brulee. The near perfect, creamy and crunchy brulee. If you work in the city, take a little longer and try saying you're going to the dentist over lunch, and take the trip down!
(4)Jina K.
The food is wonderful. Had oysters, steak tartare and bouillabaisse seafood for lunch. The oysters came with special 'dressing' on top and lemon already squeezed. Steark tartare- meat was very tender and did not smell at all. the seafood was fresh, sweet and yummie! Cant wait to go back. Went back on 6.4.08 for drinks at the bar. The wine was so yummie and the lobster ravioli was absolutely delicious!!!!!!
(5)marzcie n.
I have been in better restaueant service in this place is bad i drove from Rockville MD No good at all bar area not services at all.
(3)Mari C.
Special occasion only. Anniversary or birthday. Very expensive, exquisite food and presentation. We had an excellent waiter.
(4)Jackie M.
I have had the pleasure of eating at Restaurant Eve twice. Once with a friend and once with a group. The ambiance of the restaurant is calm and intimate, decorated in a country style with neutral tones. The first time I ate here, my friend and I did the Chef's Tasting menu, which consisted of 5 courses + wine pairings. I believe they also offer a 7 or 9 course menu. It was delightful. We were seated in the salon area (which I think is called the Sunflower Room), near the garden. Our waitress was friendly and very knowledgeable about the food and the wine and made sure to answer any and all questions we may have had about the menu. I can't remember what I had exactly, but I remember the flavors of each dish complimented the next perfectly. The spot on wine pairings were an added bonus. When I ate here a second time it was for a friend's birthday. We did the menu a la carte. Again, a delightful dining experience. I started with the terrine (a different way to present pâté) and then had the roast chicken with yukon gold mashed potatoes. You don't come to a place like Restaurant Eve to get in on some all-you-can-eat action and then roll yourself home afterwards. You come to a place like Restaurant Eve to experience what great food really tastes like, expertly prepared with care and attention. No "Bloomin' Onion" here, mate. They call it fine dining for a reason. And, in my opinion, you get what you pay for. This isn't the place to go if you want to be in and out in 30 minutes, with only $20 lightened from your wallet. It is a place where you savor your food and really think about what you're eating; the flavors, the textures, the ingenuity that went into the creations that end up on your plate. I know when I set up shop in my kitchen and bang out a meal ... I'm not serving myself Spanish mackerel or farm rabbit with baby turnips. Just like you go to a concert to hear someone sing, perform, or play an instrument better than you can, so too do you go to a place like Restaurant Eve. Also, this is the only place I've ever been where someone (a waiter from Israel) was able to read the tattoo on my left arm (it is in Hebrew). And yes, it actually says what I meant it to say. Hooray! I guess that's beside the point though.
(5)Sarah S.
Lickity-split lunch: 5 stars. I went to the lickity-split lunch and was very pleased with my dishes: the braised lamb with pelento, and the antelope terrine with salad. I tried my friend's dishes, the Irish BLT and the Birthday Cake, and was less impressed BUT my friend really liked them, and thought the Irish BLT was the best of the 4. So everything worked out great. The portions for each dish aren't huge, but since you get two dishes, and some bread, I left feeling full. Very good quality and reasonable portions for $15. If it wasn't so far away for us, I'd visit this place all the time. Second time we went: one of us ordered the cheese, egg and ham (I think) sandwich and the boar hot dog. Our other order was the pot belly with baguettes and the antelope scramble. I liked the cheese, egg and ham sandwich, as did my friend, and I liked the pot belly with baguettes while my friend did not. I was not impressed with the antelope scramble, but my friend loved it. Make sure you order at least one sandwich type item, or you may leave hungry.
(5)Katie F.
My sister was in town, so I took her here for the 13.50 lunch special---cause I wanted to show her a nice meal on a budget. As others have mentioned you get two glorious courses in the meal. I had the soup du jour--which was a mushroom creme soup--very good. I also had the Goat Cheese salad, also delightful. My sister had the Irish BLT, which had to much mayo for her morning sickness to handle, and the Birthday Cake which we both loved, and I ate most of because of the morning sickness. So here is a tip--go here with someone who has morning sickness and you can eat 3 courses---which is never a bad thing. The bar did fill up very quickly though, so I was glad to have arrived at 11:30 in order to get a slot.
(4)Laz S.
Everybody raves about it. It's good, but some of the fare is just wierd. Protions are small and it's not cheap. Definitely worth at least one visit. Tasting menu is popular.
(3)Maurina R.
Ate in the Tasting Room Tuesday, 12/29. As you can see in the original review, I've had some small problems with some dishes in the past. Tuesday's dinner was perfect. There was not a dish, or wine pairing, that missed on any level. Again, I did the Chef's Surprise, allowing the chef to pick the dishes. The food was impeccably prepared, carefully served, and well explained, and the wine a perfect match. What a way to end the year!
(5)Sharon K.
Had Lunch at Restaurant Eve and although the ambiance/decor was fabulous (5 stars), I was disappointed in the menu options, price and staff. We had a reservation and tried to call in advance to make the hostess aware we were going to be few minutes lates. Could not get through because line was always busy. This was mentioned to the hostess when we arrived and she acknowledged that the phones had been busy and implied "of course you couldn't get through because we are important". The menu was limited, and although my rib eye salad was good, it wasn't great or outstanding considering the $19 price. A lot of very stemmy lettuce. We had to wait 10-15 minutes for hot (seasonal) beverages because bartenders had to wait for water to boil. I think it would be wise to invest in an appliance that boils instantly. Staff were too formal and had no warmth - I rarely saw any of them smile. There is a fine line between formal, outstanding service and a place that makes you feel welcome. There are so many other restaurants in this area that unfortunately, I will not return or recommend.
(3)Brandon C.
I was impressed with this place. I did the 7 course prix fixe and it was the "adventure" style where they surprise you with the selections. Expensive, but at least once in your life you need to experience a $400 dinner... including wine and dessert.
(5)