Copperwood Tavern
4021 Campbell Ave, Arlington, VA, 22206
Copperwood Tavern Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Arlington for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
4021 Campbell Ave
Arlington, VA, 22206 - Phone (703) 552-8010
- Website https://www.copperwoodtavern.com/contact.php
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 1:00pm
- Mon : 11:00 am - 1:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Brunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Average
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Susan A.
3.5 stars I came to Copperwood Tavern for brunch this morning. I made a reservation for 1pm and I was seated in 5 minutes upon arrival. Other Yelpers have said that a reservation is necessary, but there were many groups that came to dine without a reservation and were seated quickly. This is my first time in Shirlington, and I really like the area. The main road is bustling with good restaurants and dogs. Most of the restaurants provide dog water bowls, so many people have their canines tied up to the fence. It's a very family friendly area. Copperwood Tavern isn't as family friendly -- the food is geared for adults' taste buds. The theme and ambiance of the restaurant is similar to all the other New American restaurants in the area (think Founding Farmers, True Food Kitchen in Mosaic District, etc) where the servers wear collared, farm-looking shirts, and there's rustic decor (mason jars for cups). The menu is big and I was overwhelmed with options. I chose the Belgian waffles with fresh berries and vanilla whipped cream. The portion of berries was small. The waffle was dense; I usually like my Belgian waffles slightly crisp and light. The whipped cream was also sloppily smeared on the top... not a big deal though. The price of the meal was higher than the quality of the food. I really enjoyed the spicy and salty popcorn they gave us to nibble on as we waited for our room. I sat outside. The tables are pretty close together. We had some drama towards the end of our meal because of a rowdy table, and some other guests complained to the manager. It seemed like the rowdy table knew some of the severs and kitchen staff, which led me to assume that they worked there, but I don't think that was the case. The manager took care of it appropriately and quickly. All in all, it was a good brunch, but nothing memorable or special about my food or the experience. The proximity of the other tables outside and the drama outside made it uncomfortable.
(3)Dani P.
My husband made reservations here for dinner the night before Valentine's Day. It was bustling, and we did have to wait, but we didn't mind. We were given the option to sit at the bar area in order to be seated faster, so we opted that way. It looks like they have a proper mixologist on staff. We enjoyed some specialty drinks. They have a large variety of bourbon and moonshine, which I found quite unique. I'd never had moonshine before, so I chose a drink that included some (unfortunately not a fan). I ordered the pecan crusted trout for myself and the brussel sprouts side for us to share. They aren't kidding about the sides being intended for sharing! We had a large heaping of delicious brussel sprouts. My trout was double the size that I'd expected. It was delicious and melted in my mouth. After taking both home, I managed to make two more meals out of both because of how generous the portions were. It seems that they really do pride themselves on the quality of their ingredients. Also not related to my experience, though something I did witness: while we were waiting to be seated, there were some irate customers that had been waiting for an hour and decided to give up waiting for a seat. What appeared to be a manager spoke very courteously to them and seemed to handle the matter very professionally. I think that's impressive when the restaurant is busy and the customer is potentially difficult to still compose yourself like that.
(4)Col S.
Came here on a Friday night with some friends to grab a drink and some food. The place was absolutely packed so the first order of business was to get our names on the list. They took down our number and told us they'd text one a table was ready With a 45 min. Wait, we headed to the bar where we had a very difficult time getting a drink. The server working the bar tables was incredibly nice and gave us some pointers as to which tables may be getting p soon so we could grab a seat. In the interval he took our drink orders and grabbed us some popcorn. I had the malbec which was great, my friends had cocktails with were all tasty and strong. The popcorn had some killer seasoning. The drinks came very quickly and we snagged a bar table. Both the dinner and bar menus are provided so we chose to have dinner in the bar area. We ordered some Mac and cheese and I had the mussels and a side salad. All of the food was delicious. The Mac and cheese was particularly cheesy and the taste of truffles was amazing though not overwhelming. About half way through my meal, my phone beeped letting us know our table was ready. Glad we didn't wait around. The mussels had huge chunks of blue cheese and the side salad came with a great assortment of vegetables. The dressing was light and not overpowering.
(4)Kirk S.
The chefs here need to have their right to use spices like paprika away. There's good quality here, and some amazing dishes, but a lot of missteps as well. Copperwood Tavern is a rustic, wood-themed, and rather quaint little joint in the Shirlington area. It's dripping with Southern rustic flair, which makes it nice, but it does get pretty noisy when it's packed (and it seems to be pretty often packed). Prices here are on the middle-high end of the range for the area, so it's a pretty decent spot for most people. The service was slow but decent and, despite a reservation, we got crammed into a rather poor seating location. The food here is either excellent or awful. We went for brunch and cocktails. The mimosa was good, but the "Copperwood Bloody Mary" was possibly the worst cocktail I've ever tasted in my life - it was so over-spiced that the taste stuck around in my throat for something like 6+ hours after the meal. It was genuinely awful. The free included BBQ flavored popcorn was okay, but wasn't exactly mind-blowing. My entree - the fried chicken and biscuits - was absolutely excellent and basically worth the entire trip. The duck hash entree was, however, a bit disappointing - it was more potato than anything else, and really lacked a good blending of flavors like one might want. All in all, this place could have been amazing (and Founding Farmers-esque) if it weren't for the godawful cocktail. That thing nearly ruined our entire meal.
(3)Kimberly W.
Welcome to the neighborhood. While this place has been around for awhile, I've made a few trips here and have never really been able to find something that I love. They do have some decent bar food, I'm more than certain they cannot cook a medium burger. I'll keep coming back for the popcorn and decent bar.
(3)RE A.
I came back today for the Duck Hash for New Year's Day brunch. I was rather disappointed. Compared to a previous visit., the hash I was served was mostly potatoes. There were only two tiny pieces of duck confit and very little else of over cooked shreds of burnt duck. I should have tried 1 of 5 eggs benedicts instead. I'd have given only 2 stars but I got good service.
(3)Larry S.
What great fun!! we sat at the bar and had a variety of foods so well done. great beer selection and a very friendly bar staff. from the happy hour oyster specials to the short ribs cooked so well and the chicken breast my wife just loved. A very creamy and tasty asparagus soup and bison meatballs - just wow!
(4)Gary K.
Great brunch spot that isn't really well known yet. Menu is very expansive for brunch with good breakfast AND lunch options. Inside is beautiful; makes you forget you're in Shirlington. Prices are very good on food and drinks. All portions at our table were very large and generous. Definitely recommend as a change of pace to bus boys & poets.
(4)Kevin H.
Only been here once but DAMN the bison ribeye and gouda potatoes were amazing!!
(4)Alina V.
This place has a cool ambiance, and a country rustic feel to it - I love it. I wish my house looked like it did here. The complimentary popcorn is spectacular. But, the food is just OK. I feel like everything that I've eaten here has been a little burnt or bland. However, I really enjoyed the peach and caramel moonshine - delish. Had to reduce 2 stars because of the food... and I feel like they should be playing country music in here. I think they were playing house/pop music the last time; it definitely did not fit the vibe...
(3)B. M.
Great food Great service. 8 dollar slidder and fries for kids Perfect. Salads are awesome
(5)Erica G.
We've had brunch here a few times and dinner last night. Copperwood is very much farm to table and stresses the use of local and organic ingredients, unlike chains that ship god knows what in from a freezer truck. I also dig the rustic vibe of the place- it's comfortable and inviting. Now for the food: The meatballs were very tender and moist and the french onion soup was salty and flavorful with a crispy gruyere crust. The trout was moist and flaky with roasted pecans- generous portion. My friend said that the filet was one of the best he's ever had. The garlic frites didn't really taste like garlic- more like regular fries, and they are of the dense variety, not light and crispy- not my favorite but my husband finished those off. Overall, a good meal, and we'll be back. I want to try the milk and cookies dessert next time- it sounded great, but I just didn't have the room.
(4)Tony B.
This place has great food and drinks. The deserts need to come up to the level of everything else and adding the cookie sundae is a start in the right direction. But deserts still have a long way to go. I would recommend going to Best Buns across the street for one of their cookies or cupcakes. The biggest mistake you could make is getting the brownies with Nutella ice cream. Copperwood would improve their deserts by simply removing this selection from the menu. I've had the bread pudding multiple times and tried to like it thinking it looked so good but why does it have so far to go? Get the pork chop medium rare, chicken and biscuits or one of the Benedicts for brunch. Pulled pork sliders, burger, and salmon entree are all tasty. The newly added ribs are worth trying as well. Can't go wrong with most anything though on the brunch, lunch, or dinner menus. The bartenders are some of the best in Arlington and DC for that matter. I like the bacon rebellion off the menu but if you are a day drinker and Will is working he can make just about anything. Vlad is the go to bartender in the evening. They have a good beer selection but you can go anywhere and have someone pour a beer. Have these guys put their skills to use.
(5)Irene C.
Came here for brunch 2 weeks ago. We had the duck confit which was delicious but on the saltier side. I do wish there was more duck and less potatoes. The french toast with bananas was amazing! Crab cake eggs benedict was delicious too. I would definitely come back for lunch or dinner menu. Make reservations as they do get busy on the weekends and if you ask for ketchup, they will give you their house made ketchup which tastes like straight of BBQ sauce.
(4)Ellen J.
Food was good but service (during brunch) was lacking. Once our waiter brought our food he disappeared and we had to ask several waiters a few times to get coffee refills. Overall, I'd much rather go to Carlyle for brunch.
(3)Aaron M.
I've been here 3 times. Each time I've tried something different and sat in a different location. Bar, table, and outside. Each time....each experience, each server, as good as it gets. I've had great experiences while at the bar. The bartender is always knowledgeable with drinks as well as the occasional random known fact to keep the conversation light. I tried the Portobello sandwich which was really good. The seasoned garlic fries....what can I say, I can make a meal out of just that. For dessert I decided to have pie....apple pie. Ok, Apple Pie flavored moonshine. Let's just say that I'd visit my grandma more if she made moonshine instead of actually apple pie. It was REALLY good. If you are ever in the area...drop in. So many farm to table dishes that will leave you wanting more.
(5)Georgia A.
First time diner here. My friend and I were warmly welcomed by the bartender, Will. The decor of this restaurant is amazing, it has a very "at home" feel that is accompanied by such wonderful hospitality. The food is, hands down, the best lunch I've had in quite some time. I had the BALT and my friend had the Tavern Burger. Both delicious and I would lick my plate clean if I could. I will definitely be back, their drink menu looks awesome as well!
(5)Diane L.
Came here for brunch with some friends and I thoroughly enjoyed my experience and the service. The French toast sticks are so good. Their orange honey butter dip makes the dish so good. Not to mention the French toast sticks were cooked perfectly. The Scotch egg is a definitely must try. Also try the blueberry ricotta pancakes. I ordered the crab benediction and it was pretty good but not the best I've had. My friend got the fried chicken and biscuits and the chicken was nice and juicy and not dry. If you're into bloody marys definitely try the Copperwood bloody mary. It has a smoky, bbq flavor that was unique but delicious. I will definitely have to come back for more.
(5)Chris E.
This place is fucking epic!!!!! The bartender Will is amazing at recommending drinks!!!! This is a place you have to go to for drinks.
(5)Pegah Y.
Solid lunch spot. I loved the rustic decor, the interesting tavern theme, and the great brunch options. Also, it's conveniently located in Shirlington (free parking less than a block away and near tons of other great restaurants). We ordered: Fried Chicken n Biscuits (Maple-chicken Jus, house made biscuits) - very delicious, though I didn't like the maple cooked into the chicken as it was. I usually order fried chicken n waffles (which is a similar concept) and I like the sauce on the outside, not baked into the chicken. It was just too sweet. Still, this entree was a perfect portion size for me. Tavern Burger (8oz burger, coffee rubbed, Aged Sharp Cheddar, Crisp Bacon, Red wine Shallot Aioli). My hungry boyfriend enjoyed this meal. My only qualms were: The chicken was a little too sweet. I love chicken n waffles and have had them at numerous places, but the syrup somehow did not mesh perfectly with the chicken at this place. Also, the seating arrangement is very odd. There isn't really much separating you from the table behind you. You feel like you're staring at not just your own meal companion, but several other people too. Other than that, I really enjoyed the atmosphere and food during brunch at Copperwood Tavern, and I would certainly visit again.
(4)Oliver C.
Great Old West ambiance. I came for the Tavern Warmers Tasting and Pairing, but I got there early and enjoyed the happy hour. The waiters offer free popcorn that was seasoned with BBQ rub: my first time eating BBQ flavored popcorn. During happy hour 4-7 PM they offer oysters on the shell for $1 each, either grilled or raw. I chose grilled oysters, and they put breadcrumbs on top. They also take $1 off beer and wine during happy hour, and there is a magnificent selection of moonshine for $9. At the Tavern Warmers tasting, the bar manager, William, started off with the Brandy Warmer, made with Lairds Applejack apple brandy, which is the only one of its kind produced in the US. He prepared this right in front of us using wine reduction, nutmeg, and orange zest. This drink did indeed warm me up, and it was paired with their Butternut Squash puree garnished with cream and vanilla. Next was the Rum Warmer made with Sailor Jerry rum, cider, fresh squeezed lemon juice and served with Ossobow pork chop. Those who don't consume pork can substitute for a fried green tomato. Last but not least was the Copperwood Nog, an eggnog recipe that he made with a spiral piece inside the shaker that really mixed up the raw egg and rum, I didn't even taste the egg, great job! If I had known ahead of time that this is a monthly event, I might have used better judgement and skipped this function due to the inclement weather and traffic aftermath. However, I had a great time, and hope to come back one day after work just to try some moonshine!
(4)Saam T.
Came here the other night with friends and thought the food was great. From farm to table. The ambiance isn't anything that exciting, and service is average, but the food makes up for it. They have fresh fresh good. The Mac and cheese and Brussels sprouts are a must. The ribeye and bison steaks are cooked to perfection. And my friend got a fish, I believe it was snapper, and it was excellent!! Drink selection is on point. They have real copper mugs for their mules. There is a great moonshine selection that taste great and really packs a punch. I definitely recommend this place!
(4)Mary Kate M.
I like Copperwood sometimes, and other times I think it was a complete miss. Depends on what you get here that will truly make or break the meal. For the latest visit, I brought my in-laws here to get some country style grub. Initially my husband had suggested IHOP as our dinner outing, and I was about to have a heart attack if he truly thought that was going to give his parents some good American food. Besides his parents weren't even in the mood to have breakfast for dinner. Copperwood was the only thing I could think of for some reason. Anyway, that is where we went for dinner. The in-laws enjoyed it. We got 4 meals and split them among each other. His mom got a caesar salad, my husband got their cooked mussels, I ordered their duck confit salad, and his dad got the brown-butter chicken. We all enjoyed ourselves. Hubby's parents loved the decor of the restaurant. They kept going on how they liked the high ceilings and wood beams/rustic interior. I guess this is something they're not traditionally used to seeing in their home country. Service was okay. He took care of us. I can't really complain. All in all, 3 stars for my multiple experiences here.
(3)Neal P.
Excellent farm to table cuisine. Huge bar menu. Very pleasant dining experience. Ask for Jayson.
(5)Angela P.
And we continue the saga of crappy Virginia restaurants. On this particular occasion, I was meeting Chris' family at a restaurant to celebrate his brother's birthday so I had little say into where we were going. We ended up at Copperwood Tavern in Arlington, Virginia. They emphasize that they are "farm to table" as most trendy restaurants do these days. We were immediately seated once we arrived. The restaurant was loud -- really loud. It was packed and the service was pretty slow. Very few wines were available by the glass so I just started with a Pinot Noir from Jezebel in Willamette. It was fine. I asked the server about vegan options and he wasn't too optimistic that I'd find much. He, of course, just listed the salads. I mentioned that I called and asked about this ahead of time and was told the stuffed peppers were vegan. He was sure they weren't so he left and went back to the kitchen. He returned stating that the Red Quinoa Stuffed Peppers were, in fact, vegan without the parmesan so I ordered that. It was probably 25 minutes later before we received our food. The peppers were as bad as they look. They were hard and tasted like they hadn't been boiled. The red quinoa veggie mix inside was flavorless and the two spoonfuls of generic tomato sauce were not only not good, but not plentiful enough. I was incredibly disappointed as was everyone else at my table. I also ordered a side of asparagus. It was fine, but nothing special. For $17, I expected a much better entree. The restaurant was loud, the service was poor, and the food was awful. I would not recommend this place.
(1)Maha N.
This was the first time that I made a trip out to Shirlington and it was absolutely lovely. I went with a group of friends and after about a 45-minute wait on a gorgeous Sunday night, they were able to seat us outside (because as many of my friends know, I refuse to sit inside when it's nice out). We started off with the bison meatballs and short rib small plates to share. There were 6 of us and we ordered 4 small plates total, which was perfect. I ordered the tavern salad with steak and my friends ordered the filet mignon, stuffed peppers (which looked so phenomenal I'm sad I didn't get a picture or steal a bite), and the bison chop. I had some of the bison chop, which was extremely well seasoned and juicy. Needless to say, I was impressed. I also ordered the truffle mac n cheese alongside my salad. I thought it could've been warmer and creamier but overall still delicious (truffle usually has that type of effect on me). Service was good and the experience overall was lovely! Just realize that the food is heavy and that you should come hungry. *Not accessible by metro but very close to Crystal City and Pentagon City metro stops if you feel so inclined to cab it *Farm to table
(4)Myles L.
The cornbread muffins and the appetizers were the best. Wasn't a big fan of the drinks though..
(3)Ray W.
Went for Sunday Brunch without a reservation. At first it seemed we might need to eat at the waiting area seats in the front window, but after ordering drinks a table large enough opened up and they were happy to seat us. Brunch choices are plentiful. Some typical fare but most with a special twist. Had a fantastic Gingerbread Stout from the tap (Hardywood) and finished the meal with a hit of Midnight Moon. The final topper was literally the very best Pecan Pie I've ever had! The Management and Staff were all very, very attentive despite being beyond capacity. The menu had enough interesting choices, and especially was able to satisfy our vegetarian friend. We were still served in a very reasonable amount of time. All in all a great choice!
(4)Jill W.
The atmosphere at this place is rustic and trendy. The tables are a little too close together. They have a lengthy beer and spirits list. They even have moonshine. I was not so adventurous. A choice of flat or sparkling water is served in a carafe for your table and your glasses are ball canning jars. Cute cornbread muffins with softened butter is served. The menu is a la carte. So the $24 pork chop is only a pork chop. Sides are sold separately. We ordered scallops for an appetizer. Then I had swordfish and asparagus. My friend ordered the chicken. Everything was delicious! I wish the place was not so expensive so that I could come more often.
(4)Alex K.
Very mediocre. Went last night with my girlfriend...I had heard good things so I had high expectations. We ordered the mushroom bruschetta which was actually pretty good. It was goat cheese, mushrooms, balsamic and bread. Then we got the seasonal rockfish which was OKAY at best. Both my girlfriend and I had the same thought while eating it which was "this is okay but I can make this better for myself". What really pissed me off was that a side of asparagus was $8...what we got was 8 individual asparagus which were grilled and had no taste (had no seasoning). When I got my bill was when I realized how not worth it my "bang for my buck was".... Overall my opinion is that the food is OKAY but it does not match up to the overall cost.
(2)Keith Z.
Great food, drinks, atmosphere and service. Me and the Lass's favorite brunch spot. Unless you have a reservation on the weekend, good luck getting a table. That's all.
(5)Nikki B.
4 stars for the food. 1 stars for the annoying bartender who spoke to me as if this was my first time eating out and eating at Copperwood. It's not uncommon to inquire about which dish is good, or popular amongst guests. Instead, the bartender asked if I know how the restaurant business works... Whew Lord, I had to bite my tongue. The bartender proceeds to inform me of the difference between a large menu and small menu; he states if it's a small menu, it's due to the restaurant specializing in those items on the menu, meaning all the dishes are good. He uses Cheesecake Factory's menu as an example. Now, I know I do not eat at CF because the food isn't that great to me. So, I find it interesting that he uses CF as an example. Well, pompous a**, you assumed and made a gross, inaccurate perception about the person you're serving. I already know that of which you speak. I simply want to know if you recommend the Lamb burger over the Copperwood burger. The guest next to me picks up on this foolishness and tries to make an excuse for his behavior. Honey, excuses are tools of the incompetent. Now, I'll return because the food always delicious here. But this lunchtime bartender, brunette, maybe 5'8" or 5'9", average build with a few extra pounds, wellllllllllllll, he is the worst. God bless his ignorant heart.
(1)P J.
Update: The manager of Copperwood Tavern saw my Yelp review and messaged me and apologized and invited me to come back. She also said that she was not going to single out the server my friends and I had poor service with (which I appreciated, I wasn't trying to get anyone in trouble), but use it as a learning experience for all of her servers. My friend and I went for lunch on Sat. at 12:30 and the level of service matched the excellent food and atmosphere. I will come back again now that the service issue has been addressed and improved. I had the salad with shrimp and it was delicious.
(5)Gino K.
Went for breakfast. Service was very good. Got the blue crab eggs Benedict. Duck hash was a little on the salty side. Oysters were great. They make their own ketchup which taste smoky like bbq, got regular ketchup instead. Just a taste preference. Finished off with the foster banana french toast. Which was amazing! Needed more bananas bc i prefer more fruits. Plan on making a reservation if youre coming on a weekend.
(5)Audrey B.
Best mixologist In the Norther VA area! Freshly made cocktails from scratch, very entertaining to watch them make these drinks!! Food is good too, but we always go for the drinks!
(5)Camille L.
The food is really good here but we had the worst server our food took way too long to come. All the other tables that sat after us were eating their entrees while we just got our appetizers. Try the peach moonshine its strong but good. Short ribs app was good along with the oysters. I ordered a ribeye and my friend ordered the chicken both were great.
(4)Wes J.
I've been a fan of the dishes here for a while, but I had to get my review in after their excellent hosting of our large group birthday party for my fiance. Favorite options include the steaks and trout entrees, mac & cheese and the fried brussels sprouts shared sides are awesome and the steak tartare appetizer. Looking forward to our next visit!
(5)Katie S.
4.5 stars The restaurant (4 stars): I made a reservation here through Opentable and when our dinner guest ended up stuck in traffic I panicked a little when it wouldn't let me push my reservation back an hour. So I gave them a call and it wasn't even an issue! Whew! We were seated immediately, and although it took a while for our server to take our orders, I feel like we were well taken care of all night. We started off with the grilled oysters and country pâté. Both were very good and was just the right amount of an appetizer for our table of three. I selected the grilled Cesar salad and added shrimp. My husband got a steak, his cousin a pork chop and then we selected mashed potatoes and Brussels sprouts as sides to split. Everything that came out was absolutely phenomenal. We're all sharers, so we all sampled everything and were in agreement that our stomachs could handle it, we want want to do that again immediately! lol I'm not sure who thought of grilling lettuce, but I would like to hug them. It gives the dish such a crazy pop of charred yumminess! Kudos. For dessert we split a brownie with Nutella ice cream. The brownie was too dry for our liking, but the ice cream was fantastic! The bar (5 stars): They have all the moonshine your heart could ever desire, and then some. They have a huge beer and wine list (at various price points), and have a great list of classic and modern cocktails. The decor is funky; it's a little country, a little modern, and a whole lot cute. They bring you smoky sweet popcorn and you can order from the menu at the bar if you can't get a table in the restaurant. The bartenders are super friendly, and I like the system they have for split coverage, so there is never too long of a wait for a drink. Overall Copperwood Tavern is a great place to be!
(5)Meredith V.
My first time in Shirlington! This place has a nice tavern feel to it with a bit of a gastropub spin. Service is professional and friendly. For apps we ordered the steak tartare, which I was very pleased to see on the menu, as it is not a common menu item at most restaurants. The actual tartare was delicious; it was served with some crostinis which were so sharp they could cut the roof of your mouth. How about a nice thin wafer cracker? My friend and the waiter was raving about this pork chop that people have been talking about through all the land. Apparently they slay and prepare the pigs in the back! That makes me a little sad and a little intrigued at the same time (gives a whole new meaning of farm to feast...oh!). Well the pork chop did NOT dissapoint. It was basically thick bacon served with an apple-onion chutney. Very clever. I ordered the swordfish, another menu item not often seen at restaurants, served with a delicious tapenade and cooked nice and juicy, not dry like some swordfish steaks can be. I think everything aligned here for this meal. Everything we ordered was fantastic, service was great and the ambiance was barn-chic with nice decor. Great date night spot.
(4)Brian G.
I had the venison steak, risotto, and grilled asparagus. Everything was cooked perfectly, and tasted awesome! My coworker had the Bison steak, and said it was fantastic. All of the staff was really friendly, and the prices were reasonable. I'm planning on coming back next time I'm in the area.
(4)Matt B.
A great atmosphere, fantastic food. Arguably the best drinks in Shirlington and pretty helpful staff. Definitely been back a couple of times and plan to go again.
(4)Flo S.
Love the rustic feel when you come into this place. Also, the mason water jars at our table were equally cool. We came here for my birthday brunch on a Sunday and the brunch exceeded our expectations. They were able to accommodate our large party of 20+ people and we were seated right next to the window. So, we had natural light coming through and over our entire party. Here's what we ordered and what I got to sample: -french sticks - mmmm delicious -crabcake benedict - my choice and a winner overall -blueberry pancake - nom nom -shrimp and grits - was told they were good -quiche - a couple folks raved about this Everyone pretty much enjoyed their food and I had an awesome birthday brunch with my closest friends. Overall, a great experience with attentive staff, a good comfort brunch selections and good conversation all around. What more could a birthday girl ask for? Nada! I'd love to come by and check out their raw and grilled oysters since I love seafood and also try their other selections mentioned in the yelp reviews.
(4)Rosalie D.
My boyfriend and I decided to have dinner at Copperwood last night. We moved to Shirlington a few months ago and have wanted to try it for a while because it always seems to be packed. I follow Copperwood on instagram and really wanted to try the duck corndogs as an appetizer. I also really wanted to try the lamb burger. Since these items are only on the bar menu, we went inside and the hostess greeted us. I asked for a table at the bar, and she stared at me and seemed to be extremely confused. My boyfriend felt awkward so he asked for a table and she immediately led us to a table. I think the hostesses need training because they are clearly young, confused girls. I asked the waiter if we could order the corndogs even though they're only on the bar menu. He said he could ask but "they will probably say no." I thought it was odd that the waiters aren't allowed to make decisions on their own. As if it's Applebees and all of the staff are too inexperienced to be trusted or something. And what's more odd, is that we didn't order an appetizer at all because he couldn't make an exception. Why a restaurant would want to lose money that way is beyond me. My boyfriend order the chicken and I ordered the gazpacho with lump crab. The chicken was meh, and it's disappointing that there are no garnishes at all. Serving a plate with JUST chicken on it is odd. My gazpacho had one tiny piece of crab in it. The waiter should have told me if the kitchen was out of crab and I would have ordered something else, instead of paying $10 for bland soup. I ordered a bowl and it was more the size of a cup. VERY small. I can't imagine what the cup size looks like. We asked for a dessert menu, but ended up skipping dessert because the menu was not very impressive. They were also very overpriced for what they are. Milk and cookies should not be so expensive. Our dinner experience was meh. We were still hungry when we left and walked home to eat at home. I think the a la carte menu style is not what people want, and the entire menu should be revamped. I will be going back to sit at the bar only, and to try those burgers and corn dogs. But I will never sit in the dinner area again.
(2)Lori A.
Came here for brunch; wasn't that impressed. They claim you need a reservation but when we arrived there were a couple open tables in the bar area and at least 3 tables in the restaurant area. With 5 people in our party, they sat us at a small booth. Service was good, we were never really waiting for anything drink or food wise. They have a great beer selection, along with moonshine and cocktails. Food: we started with the scotched egg. It was different; a boiled egg with fried sausage wrapped around it. I ordered the smoked salmon and it was just ok, nothing extraordinary. My boyfriend got the blueberry ricotta pancakes and he seemed to enjoy them. They did provide very little syrup, so the pancakes were a little dry and all the ricotta cheese was concentrated solely in the middle. To sum it up, not a bad meal but not a place Id come back and brunch.
(3)D R.
Stopped in around 8 for a moderate wait but grabbed table without a fuss. It still had plates from the previous guests so we waited for the busers to bus. The popcorn was tasty, the waitress not lazy but she was busy delivering food. So another came over to ask about our order and delivered two glasses of booze. We ordered the Tavern burger, a slab of bison, side salad, Mac and cheese and fries. Lots of food but without question it was all good!
(4)Anna Laura B.
I came here for brunch with two friends. This restaurant is a welcome addition to the lackluster dining options available in my Shirlington neighborhood! I wish it hadn't taken me so long to go. I enjoyed the meal, standard brunch fare. If you are looking for a tasty, solid brunch this is an excellent choice in Shirlington. However, the service leaves something to be desired. It was so, so, painfully slow when we went, and we were not demanding whatsoever. Our food took about 40 minutes to come out without so much as a mention of it from the waiter. Getting the check seemed like a battle. Despite the poor service, the food was good enough for me to come back.
(3)Steve S.
First time for dinner. We were greeted immediately upon entry, and seated right away. Wait staff brought water and mini muffins and took our drink order right away. Amazing selection of Virginia craft beer, wine, bourbon and even moonshine! I had the rockfish and grilled asparagus, my friend had the pecan trout and Brussels sprouts, we both had a Hardywood Park Brewery beverage. Everything was delicious, wait staff was very attentive. Great meal, wonderful environment, will definitely return with my bourbon aficionados.
(4)Q. H.
OMG!! The popcorn they give as a started is delicious! I asked for seconds and thirds lol. I moved to the roasted duck with the blackberry compote, which was so nice and tender. It was a bit undercooked, but it was still very tasty. My friend had the trout with a butter sauce. The truffle mac, brussel sprouts and sweet mashed potato was to die for....so stuffed we didn't order dessert, but I will be back for that. Very cozy ambiance....high ceilings, wooden tables & accents. Very log cabin-ish lol...low lighting.... Service was great. He was very attentive with nice accent! Very playful with us and I appreciate that kind of service!
(4)Lyn L.
I've read the reviews and hesitated to try the place due to the fact that most farm to table places seem down right pricey for their limited options. This place was different. We started at the bar and one of us enjoyed a nice tray of happy hour priced oysters. They give out complimentary spiced popcorn. It's yummy. Yup, that's $1 for oysters, no limit. Their drink menu was enticing, and at the bottom left of the menu was something called "MoonShine", and yes, it's exactly what it is....that strong stuff that according to my hubby, is something strong that he once drank in 'college'. I opted for their "Red, White and Blue", made with Leblon Cachaca, Veev Acai liquor, raspberry puree, lime foam. The foam made my drink! For dinner, our party tried a few of the small bites and then went in for full protein and shared a bunch of their sides. I loved the braised short ribs over parsnip and garlic confit puree. Seriously, that was a big small plate and I was already regretting the upcoming protein- 14oz double-cut maple brined Ossabaw pork with coco-chili rub and peach chutney. This was grilled exactly to what my palate needed, I could taste the rub and LOVED the taste of grilled chop! The hubby had the Bison Chop, a 14oz bone-in ribeye. It was not as thick as my Ossabaw pork chop but he said it was grilled perfectly. Our friends also ordered the same chop and the pecan crusted trout. Again, the portions are ginormous. Yes, they provide nice big carry out boxes. The sides were a meal by themselves, again, regretting all the food but loved the tasting! We shared the Fried Brussels Sprouts, Parsley Frites, and Truffle mac and cheese. We also forced fed each other dessert, if you can believe it! The brownies with Nutella ice cream was heavenly, and I tasted their coffee ice cream. I didn't really care for the Strawberry shortcake because they used biscuits instead of sponge cake, but it was a hit with my friend. Service was awesome! Water is plentiful, and our server was in tune with everything we needed.
(5)debbie a.
What do we Foodies love to hear? Local, Sustainable and sesonal. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the service here (not to mention the BBQ rub popcorn that they bring to the table), but I was not completely thrilled with the meals. My dining partner and I chatted about the food being good, but we weren't wowed by the experience or even talking about how great the food was. While the food was obviously prepared by someone with some technical culinary skills (temperature of the food i.e. salmon medium, Burger medium..etc.) the flavor could have been better. We only had 2 dishes and we plan on trying a few more. Maybe we will be wowed next time.
(3)Julie M.
I am normally so happy with the service and quality of the food whenever I am here. However, this time a very big exception occurred that I am very unhappy about. I made reservations for 6:00 and took some friends from out of town here on Saturday evening. My part of three ordered drinks and the short ribs small plate, our proteins and sides. We were all swapping tastes of our pork chop, NY strip and filet because of how amazing the food was. My guests were raving at how awesome the food was, how fun the atmosphere was and the service was going great. Our waiter, George was friendly and was very attentive. As soon as our plates were cleared and the check had been removed, things changed. One of the owners/managers hovered near our table as we took an extra few minutes to discuss where we were heading next and to finish our drinks. He came over, interrupted our discussion and began telling us that despite being sorry, he needed us to move over to the lounge area because they needed our table as they were very busy. We were all quite shocked as there were several other groups that were there before us still sitting at their tables but they were not rushed out. It has been an hour and a half at this point and we still had drinks that we were finishing. My guests quickly finished their drinks, as no effort was made to find us a place in the lounge, and we left. This was a first for my guests and me. None of us could remember a time or place where were were rushed out as soon as the check was cleared. Will I come back? More than likely because the food was amazing but I am still pretty embarrassed and upset that this happened.
(2)W. John R.
Visiting the area for the first time since I was a toddler, I contacted some friends who live in the area and they suggested I head to Copperwood Tavern after my flight landed. Looking at the Yelp reviews, I was a bit worried and expected only a comforting bite of food and a nice place to have a drink. When I got out of the taxi I was immediately impressed by the Shirlington atmosphere. Vibrant with lots of patio restaurants and a pedestrian-friendly downtown - it seemed like a great place to take in a Friday evening. Copperwood had a nice airy ambiance, with lots of wood and nice décor. We started off with the charbroiled oysters - very impressive! I was ravenous but ordered from the "small bites" menu (lobster claw over risotto) and split two sides with one of my dining partners. The fried Brussels sprouts and the mac and cheese were both absolutely delicious, even for someone who normally needs a lot of coaxing to enjoy the bitterness of Brussels sprouts. The lobster was succulent and the bed of sauce and risotto possibly even more decadent than the meat. My companion's scallops and foie gras were almost sinfully delicious. I had to take small bites so I didn't feel like I was being too naughty. I tried the moonshine on a whim and thought it was mediocre. For $9 it was a tiny portion and even though I have been sampling moonshine from family friends since I was old enough to drink, this tasted cheap. It's really my only complaint about the place. Fortunately my service experience was much better than the average Yelp experience here. Our waitress visited often, was pleasant and engaging to talk with, had lots of recommendations about what to order, and made sure we had our refills. Couldn't really ask for a better service experience. Despite my prejudice towards binning this as just another beer-and-fries tavern in an unfamiliar town, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this place as a destination eatery or a go-to favorite. I only wish I lived closer so I could go back and try a few more of the menu items.
(5)Jillarae R.
One Friday night, my bff and I were on the hunt for some good cocktails... more specifically, whisky. I remember first moving here and a new friend took me here. (I'm SO glad I remembered this place!) We had dinner outside where I finally got to try their brussel sprouts. I don't know why no one likes brussel sprouts... but if you want to try somewhere that does them right, this is the place. I'm not a meat eater, but my friend is and he loved the bison. So, the drinks. We made our way inside, for the full experience. We are nerds and actually like seeing the bartenders work their magic. The people they have working behind the bar really know their stuff, so we could also appreciate that. We started with the obvious, old fashioned. and yes, NO FRUIT. I already forgot what bitters they used but it had a cinnamon orange taste to it and WOW. The team here puts a lot of work into perfecting their craft... the cocktails. I will definitely be back here to try them all (:
(4)Lendsey C.
I picked this place on the off chance that it was as cool as other Yelp reviewers made it seem and it was nothing shy of awesome. I instantly fell in love with the entire decor of the place. There's wood EVERYfrigginWHERE. It's a beautiful light shade that brightens up the place without making it feel fancy. If I had to say anything, I'd say being here is like being in someone's log cabin. The tables, chairs, copper pipes, and other furniture have a handmade charm to them that carries throughout the place. Also sometimes I visit a place and I feel like the layout could have more of "flow" to it. Coppertavern was spot on with this. The seating is unique and set up in way that made it easier to speak with your friends and weren't terribly close to other tables so you had some privacy. This aspect alone kept my friend and I at the bar for nearly three hours without realizing it. The food menu was equally exciting. Confit duck corn dogs? Sundried tomato relish rosemary grilled chicken salad? Garlic parsley frites? Umm sign me up! Presented beautifully, all of the things I tried were very fresh and felt like they had been made to order and not sitting under a heat lamp. My only complaint was the house dressing which was lacking some flavor. Copperwood touts "farm to table" and I can attest that everything I saw and tasted looked as if it taken from the farm and picked just for me. I'm excited to go back and try some more of their menu!
(4)Brandon M.
Pros - great, and I mean absolutely great food. The pork chop is a must. Beautiful decor. Great bar. Cons - The wait time. After being told it was 45 mins it took about 1 and 30 mins to be seated, and that was only because our party of 3 bum rushed some people leaving. After waiting over an hour we were still 7th on the list. The reason for this is because people who are waiting "hawk" those that are leaving and scoop up the tables. Hostess having no idea. That was really the only disappointment. Overall - Food is a 5. Service is a 2 so I gave it a 4.
(4)Debi N.
I love the décor and ambience of Copperwood Tavern. It's very rustic and they serve water in mason jars! The service is a hit or miss but maybe with enough complaint/training they will remedy this. Instead of giving out bread, they give you popcorn that's seasoned with spices. I can't really tell what spices they use but it's tasty. I've only been here for brunch and they have a variety of options. I always have a difficult time choosing. Eggs benedict (with the option of blue crab, salmon, spinach, traditional, etc.), the vegetable frittata, breakfast burrito, pretty much anything is solid. The side potatoes are great and are sautéed with peppers and onions. I will definitely be back for dinner and a more thorough review.
(4)molly h.
Was really looking forward to this! Went in for apps and drinks and a little recon for a possible dinner out another time. Sat at the bar and the bartender was so dismissive and unhelpful that I was a bit offended. Loved my cocktail - some smokey thing- and my husband tried several beers and found a few new faves. Toward the end of our stay another bartender or maybe the manager had the original bartender go take care of something and this "replacement" was so welcoming, helpful, and kind that it only underscored how bad the first one was. For the prices here I am pretty sure we won't be returning. I simply won't shell out that much money to then have someone be so rude!
(2)Sarah S.
OVER the top in service and food quality! Let me start by saying I'm CHOOSY and have excessively high expectations. I also could only visit Copperwood at lunch, but wanted the venison (a dinner item). I called the restaurant the night before begging them to serve me the venison at lunch before I boarded my plane back to California. Not only did they agree, when I arrived the next day Chef Rob was on top of everything and brought me his fabulous creations himself! These are people who take pride in their work and it shows. Copperwood did not disappoint in any way! Bring your pals, indulge in a libation and eat some amazing, real food in a place where they understand what it's all about!!
(5)Steve H.
The food at Copperwood is tasty. Some of the sides are stand outs; we loved the gouda mashed potatoes and truffle mac and cheese. Some of the food items are only available at the bar. This place is known for its bar and all our drinks were delicious. The service is wonderful. Susannah took really good care of us.
(4)Carl G.
5/5 food. 4/5 price. 5/5 for having apocalypse ale works hopocalypse imperial red on tap! Walked in randomly while in shirlington and got immediate bar seating (go straight for the high tops during rush hour if you don't mind a little stranger company!) Ordered a dozen happy hour oysters, a copperwood burger (bacon jam? Yum!), a lamb burger (medium rare, great), and a couple sides. Will not disappoint, although the price tag surprised me a little. Will be back in shirlington just for their happy hour!
(5)Emily L.
Copperwood is like a sophisticated hunting lodge - complete with deer heads mounted on the wall, beer served in cans, and great bar food. Not sure what we had been expecting, but we were pleasantly surprised by how much we liked Copperwood Tavern. A group of us went for dinner on a Saturday night without reservations, so we were told it was going to be 45-60 min wait. Pretty awesome that they text you when your table is ready - much better than the pager system! We were happy to wait in the bar area and were even happier to snag a cozy booth a few minutes later! We ordered off their bar food menu and were all really happy with our food. We shared the duck confit corn dogs which were moist and a nice twist on the classic. I went with the mussels, which came steamed in a cider, bacon and blue cheese broth - super flavorful and I was glad the blue cheese didn't overpower the flavor of the mussels! The serving was generous and the grilled baguettes that came with it were perfect for soaking up the delicious broth after I had polished off the mussels. We also shared the stout brownie with Nutella ice cream, which I wish had been served warm. Was super rich and chocolatey but I couldn't taste much of the stout influence. Love the atmosphere and love that they use mason jars! Service in the bar area was also good. Would love to come back and try their dinner menu. Really nice addition to the shirlington area!
(4)Laura R.
If the brunch had more lunch options I would give it 5 stars, but it's really annoying to not get your favorite menu items because they have a limited menu during certain times. The French onion soup is absolutely to die for, it's sooooo freaking good. Don't skip the Gouda mashed potatoes either, those are sublime. Can't wait till the next time I go. Another note, if you wanna go - get s reservation, otherwise you're going to be waiting a while.
(4)Hayley M.
I went here for Valentines Day Brunch and it was a great way to spend the morning. Our server was enthusiastic, helpful and attentive. Here's what we got (everything was satisfying and delicious-the entire table was happy!) -Bloody Marys ($7! multiple types also) -Moscow Mules (our server was able to make it with whiskey instead of vodka per our request) -APP: French Toast Sticks (get these-they're huge!) -Entrees: BALT (Bacon, Avocado, Lettuce, Fried Green Tomato) Sandwich, Blueberry Ricotta Pancakes, Cajun & Traditional Eggs Benedict. YES to all! Esp those pancakes..wow. We were all full and happy. I will definitely be back!
(5)Rusty V.
Hadn't been here in a year but back in town and WOW. The meal was exceptional and a surprise for the venue. The small plates were wonderful. The short ribs were my personal favorite but fhe mussels were pretty good too. We had a party of 8 and no one was disappointed. The pork Chop, rock fish and filet were all great. The cocktails were creative and classic. Service was certainly attentive but not overbearing or intrusive. By the way. Not normally a desert guy but we had the milk and cookies... nice finish and we'll worth the calories.
(5)Saara Z.
As a new restaurant, Copperwood did not disappoint when I came here for an early dinner a few weeks ago. Still, I think the restaurant has room to improve. I came here for an early dinner with a friend and we shared the following menu items: - Raw Oysters - Grilled Oysters - Lamb Burger - Duck Confit Corn Dogs All of the items were decent. The oysters were your average bar-type oysters, the grilled ones were a bit too buttery but still enjoyable with some bread. I thought the lamb burger was a bit dry and the bread it came with was so thick and dense that it overshadowed the smaller portion of lamb meat in the sandwich. A few minor improvements to this dish could make it much more enjoyable. The duck confit corn dogs were my favorite item; the sweetness of the corn bread complimented the duck very well. I only wish there was a bit more seasoning on the duck but the mustard sauce it came with helped make up for the minor lack of seasoning. Our server was great. There was an issue with our first round of oysters but he apologized genuinely and made sure to remedy the problem very quickly. Overall, the restaurant is pretty average right now but I think as they grow and make adjustments to the menu, Copperwood could really end up a crowd pleaser.
(3)Karisa D.
**** Brunch review**** Located in the middle of Shirlington and across the street from the bright lights of Guapos (not hating, appreciating), is Copperwood Tavern. This is a farm to table concept that Shirlington has actually been lacking in until recently. They are open for all meals but this review is all about their Sunday brunch. Brunch in the DMV goes from 10am to 2 pm. We came to Copperwood on the later side of brunch (like 1:30ish), but they were still offering their brunch menu so yay for us! I made reservations which they were able to accommodate. But if you're coming in later in the day, you should be fine without reservations. We were greeted and seated immediately. Our server was friendly and made good recommendations on food. She brought out popcorn as their on the house appetizer and gave us time to review the menu. Everything on their brunch menu looks delicious and is all reasonably priced as far as brunch goes. I ordered the Spinach Florentine Eggs Benedict and the fiance ordered the Biscuits and Gravy. Our food came with a side of their breakfast potatoes. Our friends also ordered Bananas Foster French Toast to share. Everything we ate was delicious. My eggs benedict was good and a good ratio of egg to spinach. The ambiance of Copperwood Tavern is a relaxed and rustic feel. The inside is decorated with wood paneling and a hodge podge of items that gives the feeling that you're eating in a barn. Alcoholic libations are served in copper cups and even our water was served in mason jars. Speaking of beverages, they have a decent list with local beers, wines, specialty cocktails, and even moonshine. I didn't partake in an adult beverage on this particular excursion, but I could be swayed next time I come back! Which after my first experience, I will, especially for brunch as dinner is a bit on the pricer side.
(4)Neo G.
Most unique food in Shirlington Village.Amazing customer service too.Went there for dinner and brunch both awesome experience.
(5)Anastasia T.
We went there for Saturday lunch/brunch -the three of us: two adults and a baby. With so many food options in the area, this "farm-to-table" country-chic decor bar restaurant (yes, all of the above) caught our attention. It was very good -not something we'll never forget, but something we'll try again (again, considering all the options around, that is no small deal). We tried the duck hash, the Cesar salad with chicken, and the oatmeal (for the baby). No kids menu, btw, which we have no problem with. In fact, unless kids plates come looking like something out of the pages of a professional children's cookbook, (with food in shapes and colors, assorted with balloons, bows, and stuffed toys) I don't see the need for a separate menu. Anyway, the duck hash was yummy, but it doesn't look like a hash (it comes with country fries), and FYI, it doesn't include duck meat, just duck fat (which I am sure you can gather from the description on the menu. The Cesar salad was good, and the chicken which came on it, very-very good -for $15, it better be. The oatmeal was just too rich and sweet. I mean, that's no healthy option whatsoever. It was not advertised as such, but, c'mon, it's oatmeal! It's next to the Greek yogurt+fruit on the list..One would assume, this would be a gourmet version of the one you make at home, but it was actually the extravagant or "deconstructed" version of an oatmeal cookie. Put it on the desert list, and we're good. The complimentary popcorn they bring at the beginning, I was not too impressed with...it's popcorn + seasoning. We didn't try any cocktails. The service was excellent. Special bonus: the restroom (at least the women's one) was pretty and clean AND it had a real changing table, like the one in your baby's room.
(4)Warren J.
I've been researching restaurants to try and came across Copperwood. After a lazy Saturday morning, I decided to give them a try for brunch. The interior is cool with wood, copper pipes and a wall made of logs. A nice rustic hearty feeling. After ordering, I received complimentary popcorn which had a nice flavor. For brunch I got the bananas fosters french toast and the fried chicken with biscuits. The french toast was phenomenal. 4 thick slices with a great banana fosters topping. The chicken biscuit was a beautifully fried boneless breast over 2 biscuit halves with a flavorful gravy and a nice side of potatoes. I enjoyed it all and my server, Jessie D was very attentive and helpful. I look forward to returning for lunch or dinner.
(4)Erica Y.
Tried it for brunch for the first time. I think it's a nice addition to Shirlington. The space is a bit tight as they crammed five of us in a small round table that realistically only fits four. But I understand space is at a premium and they got a lot of people waiting. Food was excellent. We tried French toast sticks and biscuits for the table, both had hints of orange, very good. For entrees we tried crab Benedict, steak salad and shrimp and grits. The feedback on crab Benedict is very good, and the steak salad looked yummy. My shrimp and grits was very tasty too, and not too salty as some others I've had. I'm also in love with the free popcorn they serve, very addicting! Service was good, she kept the drinks refilled and came around to ask if things are ok. You do feel slightly rushed as we were seated at 12:05 and they cleared our plates well before 1. We stayed and tried to chat a bit but they kept coming around to take our drinks away, giving us the check...so we got the hint and were out the door by 1:15. I understand they are busy, just next time if I want to catch up with someone we will come at a less busy time. Overall good addition to Shirlington and I'd be back to try happy hour or dinner soon.
(4)Erica O.
I've been in here twice, now, and I have had a good experience both times. The first time, I had some burbon, an appetizer, and dinner. The burbon selection was great (I think), but I also don't drink burbon very often, so I am perhaps easy to please. :) The bartender seemed very knowledgeable and was able to guide me to a burbon that I enjoyed. For someone like me, I thought that was perfect and showed good training of the staff. ALl of the food that I had was delicious and definitely tasted fresh. The second time I went in, I had one of their cocktails and dinner. The cocktail was something seasonal that I am sure that they've since rotated off of the menu, but it was also at the suggestion of the bartender. So, again, their bar staff seems to be very well trained. I had the pulled pork bbq sandwich for this meal and it was okay. I think that it was just a little big for me, so I wasn't able to finish it all. It was also (if I remember right) on the move vinegar-y side of bbq, which I actually typically like, but this one was just a little more than what I prefer. Nothing wrong with it at all, but maybe just not my thing. Certainly, that didn't put me off. This place is definitely in my regular rotation.
(4)Katrina V.
My boyfriend and I dined here with my mom while she was in town. I love Shirlington Village and knew she would too, so I chose a restaurant I hadn't been to yet. I started off with the oysters (which are hard to mess up, so I was happy). My boyfriend ordered the bison meatballs and enjoyed them. Mom ordered the short ribs and they were fantastic. I ordered the filet mignon, that had these wonderfully caramalized onions on top. So good. Mom got the brown ale buttered chicken, and though it was somewhat swimming in the sauce, she liked it very much. My boyfriend got the venison, and they came as two chops. He loved that they were coffee-crusted, and came with a chutney. All in all, we were very pleased with our meal and the rustic style of the restaurant. We will come back soon!
(4)Kale B.
Consistently good although a bit expensive - I'm always so surprised at the bill. Guess that's what happens when you get a couple of their cocktails! Food: Recommend their brussel sprouts, truffle mac and cheese, crab gazpacho, bison meatballs, oysters (I like them grilled), small 1/2 grilled caesar salad, and their addictive popcorn. Drunks (typo and it stays): predator zin, paloma, caramel moonshine. Please bring back: Colonist Ricky drink, rabbit pot pie Would love to be able to nominate special ingredients for them to incorporate into a dish - can we make this a thing Copperwood? Monthly customer ingredient nominations? I see potential. Management, servers, and hostesses are always very pleasant! Thanks!
(4)E L.
Ate outside with the pup for brunch yesterday and it was a really good time! The popcorn was a flavorful and light alternative to normal pre-meal bread, I really enjoyed the gouda grits, which were delicious and filling, and the crab gazpacho, which was a good seasonal dish. A nice touch was when a hostess brought out a dog biscuit for our pooch while we waited. I would come back here! It was well-priced for brunch fare and the inside of the restaurant looked cozy.
(4)john A.
We were looking for a tasty, outdoor Sunday Dinner end to the weekend and all we got was a massively underwhelming experience. I was hungry so as soon as we sat down and I saw Scallops on the menu, I immediately ordered them. The presentation was quite appealing - 3 scallops on a bed of mixed veggies in a small cast iron serving pan. When I put my fork through the scallop I was excited because they looked perfectly cooked! I sunk my teeth into it and it was oddly chewy; not overcooked chewy, but something different, maybe stored differently or possibly a different scallop than I'm used to. This did not deter me from diving into the vegetables, I took my first bite and it was salty. I was hoping this is where the finishing salt landed so I took a second bite - it too was salty, so I went back to finishing the Scallops to sate my hunger. Next was the Steak Tartare... I love steak tartare. I was excited to eat another grass fed, earthy, peppery, raw ground beef that I look forward to every time I see it on a menu. Unfortunately, this too disappointed; the meat was bland. I felt like I was eating generic, industrial fed, bland beef. My third plate was the Pate - I love a good pate! This dish was acceptable, but I wouldn't order it again. My favorite part of the meal was the corn bread and spread. We love to eat, and this is the first time we ever looked at each other and asked if we could undo that. I would have complained to management, but nobody asked us how our food was, and after eating 3 less than enjoyable plates I didn't have the desire to talk to explain this in person.
(2)Mike P.
Visiting a friend and she recommended this place for the "tavern burger". A couple of ciders, the burger, and great side of fries, we waddled out of there in a fantastic food coma. Burgers were cooked exactly as requested and tasted so good that we ate ourselves into fore mentioned coma. Atmosphere is a rustic/ relaxed that you are good to go with flip flops or dressed up. Friendly staff. I am looking forward to my next visit to explore the menu more.
(5)Rachel N.
I have only had oysters from this place and the grilled ones are AMAZING. Seriously, they are pretty darn good! Perfectly dusted with parm cheese and I'm guessing butter - then lightly grilled and served with more melted butter. They are light and slightly crunchy. Again, AMAZING. We have only sat the bar and it is really cute. The drink specials are ok on Happy Hour - I think its a few dollars off draft beers and then a house wine special. Nothing special but hey, I go for the oysters which are only 1$ on Happy Hour! The service has always been pretty good as well. We have no complaints in that department. Last time we sat at the bar there was a drip coming from the pipes above us. We mentioned it to the bartender and she said 'I know, isn't it annoying?'. Well, yea it is. Its a very minor drip that wasn't often but we could still notice it.
(4)Huong D.
We were super excited to see a farm to table option in Shirlington and with outdoor seating on a warm Sunday evening... But unfortunately the food was just sub-par. I rarely give under 3 star reviews but this meal was truly disappointing. The scallops were super salty and rubbery. The rockfish was ok- also on the saltier side but I expected more since the server was just raving about it. BF had the steak tartare which was bland and tasted like "ground beef from a processed plant"- not grass fed cows. And the pate was just ok- but nothing to write home about. The part that we both liked were the little cornbreads they served. For the price point and how they advertise as farm to table- we were truly expecting a higher quality dining experience.
(2)Katie A.
Went for brunch with some friends and it was a good group spot. There was indoor and outdoor seating available at 11 am on a Saturday.Since it was 4 of us, we had made a reservation in advance, which I think ended up being a good idea. We chose to sit inside because it was HOTTT out. I had the blueberry ricotta pancakes which were really light and fluffy and delicious. I wish the plate included something more than just bready carbs (like side of bacon - or even fruit) but they were tasty and I stole some of my friend's turkey sausage. The buckwheat pancakes (my boyfriend ordered those) were not good. They were really dense and had a vaguely chemical-y flavor to them. Or maybe it was just undercooked and I could taste batter? Not sure, but they were really, really bad. The coffee/iced tea was good and our service was really good. Our food arrived quickly and our waitress seemed to notice that we ate fast and probably wanted to chat a little longer. She asked if we wanted to hold off on the check so we could continue our conversation. I thought that was a sign of really good service. Despite the fact that it was fairly crowded in the restaurant she "read the table" well. I heard the breakfast burrito was delicious so next time I might try that. Order the blueberry pancakes if you're in the mood for something sweet, but I'd recommend getting some sides to round out your meal.
(3)Richard C.
This place was awesome. So awesome that my gf and I came 2 nights in a row haha. Well, let me explain. The first night we just wanted a night cap. We sat at the bar and the bartender (Megan) brought us a couple waters and pail of popcorn with their homemade bbq seasoning thrown on top. I swear these things taste amazing...like crack. I ordered the Bacon Rebellion (old fashioned with a strip of bacon) which was amazing. The bartender tells that everything is homemade...the syrups and juices they use in the drinks are all made at the restaurant, which is something you don't see everyday. Of course after I chugged the glass of Bacon Rebellion I wanted to try another drink. So I got their version of a Moscow Mule, which again was really good. Very refreshing!! Let's fast forward to the 2nd day when we actually ate here. I had the Bison strip steak...cooked perfectly and was given a little bit of their bbq sauce to dip it into. It was the first time having bison and I thought there was no real difference between beef and bison. My girlfriend ordered a medium cooked filet mignon. When it came out, she cut into it and saw that it was well done. We brought the waiter over and let him know that it was overcooked. The manager came over apologized and gave her a new filet mignon. This time it was perfectly cooked with that red in the middle..oh and he gave it to us for free bc of their mistake. You can't go wrong with that!! I will def. be coming back especially since I live 5 mins from there. p.s. Their menu/drink menu will be changing in the next couple weeks.
(4)Antonia N.
Excellent service and food! Brunch was really enjoyable this morning. They are a farm to table restaurant and it really shows in the quality. We all shared a chicken and biscuits which was HUGE! It was the perfect mix of salty-sweet with the savory biscuit and chicken with maple jus on top. Their light and fluffy Frittata is a perfect size. Had a cup of refreshing yellow gazpacho on the side. And to top it off the service was really excellent. We will be back for sure!!
(4)Alyssa A.
I came here for brunch with a friend on a Sunday. We had just run the cherry blossom 10 miler... and were starving! I love coming to Shirlington b/c there is a super easy parking garage next to all the restaurants and it is so close to Arlington where I live (literally 10 min drive or less). Beware of coming here on the weekends without a reservation, there were packed!! It was easy to make a reservation online so I would try to book ahead of time if you can. We were seated immediately and given popcorn. Their popcorn is amazing and free so it held us over while we were waiting for out food. Duck Hash - this is delicious. Potatoes, vegetables, and shredded pieces of duck topped with 2 poached eggs. They give a generous portion and I was very pleased with the meal - excellent. I love that this place is farm to table. They list all the farms that they source their local food from. In addition, the decor is so cute. it's very rustic and welcoming. I'll definitely be coming back!
(5)Phoenix Simone W.
One of the best brunches I've had in awhile! The inside is super chill and rustic and has a friendly vibe. As soon as we were seated, our server brought out popcorn, which was peppery, spicy, and delicious. They had 3 different bloody mary options, which was new to me. A traditional, vegan, and copperwood (bacon and bbq) option. I went with the copperwood option, yum! I didn't taste the bacon or bbq as much as I expected to, but it was very tasty. For our meal I ordered the duck hash. Very well made. The duck and potatoes were cooked to perfection, and the Sunnyside up egg was a perfect addition. I will say that the ratio of egg to everything else was a bit off. As soon and I mixed in the egg, the flavor was lost. I also wish their hot sauce was a bit more spicy. The one they brought out didn't really add any flavor, and I even ended up using a good amount of the bottle. Some other people in our party got the banana french toast, and I highly recommend that too. Not too sweet, and cooked perfectly to that crunchy but still soft taste. I would definitely come back here again!
(4)Ryan W.
Much better experience this last time. Food was fantastic and service excellent. Also discovered the grilled oyster special for HH which is a pretty good deal. I will def be coming back.
(4)Donna F.
Dining outside is nice on the dog friendly patio. I was disappointed in the cheap greasy bun for my lamb burger. Since this is a farm to fork menu, I expected a more upscale bun. The flavor of the lamb was ok bit the french fries were greasy & not thick cut. Living in California, I like a lighter menu . I worried about the cleanliness of the wood plank tables.. it just doesn't seem clean not to have a place mat to put silverware on after removing it from the nspkin. My husband enjoyed his fish.
(3)James C.
Good place and finally another good restaurant in Shirlington. All American simple but good food. A lot of choices and good bar
(4)Ghermay W.
Since our opening day visit we have been to Copperwood several times and it was quite a transformation between the first week debacle and now. Great turnaround and kudos to the management for a job well done. We will keep patronizing your establishment. Even little pooch Aussie-doodle loves your joint and the brass water-bowls. She hopes to win the pet-of-the-month selection one of these days. Not sure how I can remove my 1 star review of the opening week but hopefully this will counter that. Cheers and keep up the good work!
(4)Xena P.
Tasty food, friendly staff, wonderful ambiance, located on a tree lined street perfect for stroling along after your meal. Our table shared eggs Benedict, bbq sliders, and your basic burger. Very tasty food and delivered on time.
(4)Local F.
Delicious lamb burgers....great cocktails. Nice location.
(3)Sarah B.
Went here for brunch only. At 12 on a Sunday still had a few seats. The menu was diverse and liked they had different pancakes that were healthier. They started off with popcorn, which was weird for brunch. Also, did not have a reduced price for a virgin Bloody Mary, though server said he would knock off $2 when I balked. We had the salmon Benedict and blueberry ricotta pancakes and grits and French toast sticks between my husband and toddler. Would not repeat the French toast sticks because were greasy for me (not sure what I expected). However, my toddler loved them. The salmon Benedict had pickled onions that gave an odd sweet taste. But the eggs were cooked right. My husband thought there was added salt. The blueberry ricotta pancakes were the star. There were two huge dinner plate size ones. If I returned would get that and breakfast sides only. Re sides, the cheese grits were great. We left food behind because was a lot.
(4)Pamela G.
I went to Copperwood Tavern for brunch with several friends. The service receives high marks from me. The front desk servers took my friend's stroller and my coat almost immediately. Then servers came by our table to pick up the coats of my friends who arrived later. The place was very busy but the noise level was minimal. Requests for ketchup, more water, etc were quickly met. The server was friendly, knowledgeable, and easy going. He provided us with accurate separate checks. I liked the menu selection. Everyone at our table enjoyed their meal. This is on my "return frequently" list of restaurants.
(4)Shahrzad R.
Was excited to try Copperwood Tavern for the farm to table aspect and also has a rustic and cozy feel. Hanging mason jar lanterns, cool wood decor and great lighting. Reservations were easy. We got seated right away. Start you off with cornbread and butter - tasty! The menu is diverse, lots of great appetizers of which we tried the brussel sprouts, squash rissoto and mac and cheese, ceaser salad. All fab and we got a second helpding of the mac and cheese. Had the butternut squash soup and a salad. Soup was excellent, salad was mediocre. Mostly just lettuce and tomatoes. I've had WAY better. Friends of mine ordered the more hearty entrees - steak, fish, lamb burger. Everyone was very pleased and we had no room for dessert. Copperwood is pretty high on the price side, but high quality. Service was good, though they did take a while to clear our plates and refill our waters. I would give Copperwood another go - it's a beautiful, romantic place - just what Shirlington needs.
(4)Linda C.
Great lunch at Copperwood Tavern with friends. Had the Copperwood Banh Mi sandwich. Delish!
(5)Michael K.
I've been to Copperwood Tavern a couple times for dinner, lunch or happy hour and every time it is excellent. This time I enjoyed their Sunday brunch for the first time though. It was awesome!! Three of us enjoyed it this time. The grilled oysters were delicious. I tasted the blueberry ricotta pancakes and they were fantastic. Of course the beers and Bloody Mary went down smooth. Reasonably priced for a Sunday brunch too. I will definitely make it back for brunch again soon. Keep up the excellent work.
(5)Chris R.
I was looking for a place that served a decent brunch without having to drive into DC. Copperwood seemed promising and since Shirlington is close to me, this seemed like a winner. We got there right as the restaurant opened and the staff was literally staning around the hostess table looking a little bit lost, but it did just open so it's all good. They sat us at the window, but the first thing I noticed was that the window looked dirty. No big deal. They brought us mason jars (that looked dirty) and filled them with water from water bottles (that also looked dirty) that they had clearly been filled in the kitchen. They brought us popcorn which was actually good. Everything was going fairly well, the menu didn't really have anything on it that I wanted, but was still going to give it a shot. We placed our drink order...and then it happened...the last thing you ever want to happen when you're sitting down to eat...a cockroach ran across my seat. Horrified doesn't even describe it. We asked to move to another table, but just couldn't stay there...we had to leave. We told the manager what had happened and when we showed her, you could see the roach running around on the seat bottom from the hostess stand. She seemed horrified too. She didn't charge us for the drinks which was nice, but I can't ever go back to a restaurant after having a cockroach run across my seat. Sorry guys.
(1)Ashley F.
Amazing food and service. Great atmosphere and in a great part of town along a cute stretch of restaurants.
(5)Eddie S.
Went for Valentine's Day and although it was busy the service was still great and my wife and I were able to have a conversation without yelling across the table to each other. Now on to the food...... For a "tavern" the menu was not what you would normally expect on a bar/tavern menu - but the food was absolutely amazing I had the smoked Gouda mashed potatoes, truffle Mac-n-cheese and bison strip steak. All were really great but the truffle Mac------ life changing! I will be back here no doubt about it 5 stars!
(5)LB L.
Farm to fork is the word here and it shows on the food. This is my uncle's go-to place for visitors. Having not been in Shirlington for years, I didn't know about thus place, but the delightful menu is one I'm sure to come back to in the future! The fun starts with the small bites- basically tapas of the moment- I grabbed the scallops and seared foie gras on a bed of corn purée which were perfectly cooked and deliciously seasoned. I'm a sucker for a great Caesar and this one excels. It's a half grilled Caesar with the perfect amount of dressing and cheese. I'm also a fan of onion soup- if you like it, don't pass this one up... It's darn near perfect.,., the only thing I would add is a little shot of cognac to really blow your mind. The dessert of the day was the cherry pie- perfection! We coupled with lemon house made ice cream to make it a winner. As the terminator said- I'll be back!!!!
(5)Arthur R.
We had a very pleasant surprise at CopperWood last night. It is quite a large restaurant with pleasant outdoor dining. The waiter seemed very inexperienced but his lack of polish was certainly made up for with the Hostess. I had overheard another waiter talking about items that our waiter never mentioned. When the head hostess seated customers near us I stopped her to find out about the details we had missed. Simply put, Michele Romano has to be the restaurant's secret weapon. She engaged us,answered our questions and made sure to check up on us each time she was nearby. Our party ordered the roasted chicken, the pork chop and a Caesar salad with chicken plus two sides. Everything was terrific. We skipped dessert since we'd had so much to eat. We promised we'd save room on a return visit. In summary, lovely place for outdoor dining on a summer evening. Share the sides. Really tasty. And once again BRAVA to Ms Romano. She is quite an asset to CopperWood!
(4)Andrew H.
This year my family choose to celebrate both my mother birthday and mine at Cooperwood Tarven in Shirlington Village (Arlington, VA). Making reservations for the event was easy, they use opentable, and it allowed me to add notes to the restaurant. When we arrived we were seated right away. The table was a bit squished into the space, it was a booth that really would have been more appropriate for 4 people maybe 5, but we had 6 folks so it was a bit tight. The service was spectacular! First and foremost service in the DC metro area generally sucks, and it was very refreshing to have such great service. Our server and all of her support staff made sure we had full cups of coffee and water throughout our meal. As for the food, things were pretty good. We started with a couple orders of the "Scotch Eggs" which arrived and could have been a touch warmer, but the taste was on point. Each of us had a different entree, the highlights were definitely the Blueberry Ricotta Pancakes and the Quiche. The pancakes noted above were overflowing with tasty blueberry's and dollops of ricotta cheese and cooked perfectly. The plate arrived with perfectly spreadable butter (which is a must of pancakes) and warm maple syrup. The quiche was chalk full of cheese and tons of flavor. I ordered the Duck Hash, and over all it was good, but seemed to lack a good amount of seasoning (it needed salt), and again like the Scotch Eggs, arrived warm rather than hot (I am a big HOT food HOT, COLD food COLD kinda person). Since it was our birthdays (My mother and I) the restaurant also sent out a standard but very tasty brownie sundae with a candle for us to share, and gave each of us a gift card for the restaurant (not sure of the amount) which was pretty fantastic! Over all Cooperwood Tarven, a newer additional Shirlington Village, is a welcome breathe of fresh air from a service perspective. The tasty food is worth a return trip.
(4)Nadine E.
The "happy hour" was prob the most disappointing in the DMV. $1 oysters was the only food discounted. and it was only $1 off draft and wine. seriously? the place was NOT busy, and yet we had to track down our server and wait for awhile to get her attention. The thai place next door is much better, just as cool vibe, and MUCH better HH specials.
(2)Maria W.
Well, I hope to help begin to flesh out Yelp's "menu highlights" section for Copperwood. Of the 7 menu highlights, I notice that 3 are alcohol or junk food. A farm-to-table place with a high rating and extensive menu must have a few more real-food menu items to recommend it, right? I must confess I've only ordered the vegetable frittata once (so it could have been a fluke), but the day I ordered it, at last Sunday's brunch, it was amazing! Fluffy, light, silky-moist deliciousness. I'm not sure if the ingredients change -- maybe so, because the menu doesn't list them. The day I ordered it, it had sun-dried tomatoes, asparagus, and a baby Swiss or gruyere-like cheese (definitely not the cheddar that our server thought it was). In my life, I've had *maybe* two or three frittatas as good as this one. In place of the salad that normally comes with the frittata, I substituted duck-fat-fried potatoes. These were pretty good, though when I ask for ketchup, I'd really appreciate just a big ol' bottle of Heinz. As seems to be the frou-frou trend these days, they brought a thimbleful of a tomato-y substance (a house recipe, I suppose) that was too sweet for my taste -- not enough acid. The coffee is about 50% too strong. When I add all of the cream that I am served, and the coffee is still a dark rust color -- this is too strong. On another brunch visit, I ordered the duck hash -- waayy too heavy, dense, leaden in my stomach. The portion was too large (admittedly, subjective and better than too *small*). The flavors were bland, boring. Oh, my husband's take on the french toast sticks: "Okay, but not as good as a Cinnabon or a [Founding Farmers'] cronut." Still, I need only one reliable standby dish to make me a fan, so if Copperwood can consistently serve excellent frittatas, I'll be a regular. :-)
(4)S M.
The shrimp and grits were unexpectedly cheesy. Like 80 percent cheese and 20 percent or less grits. It wasn't good. The shrimp were small and overcooked. Whatever was going on with the ham was hardly noticeable in all of the cheesy goo. I asked for biscuits and got "Texas toast" to sop up the cheese, and had to ask again for biscuits. By that time the plate had cooled and the cheese goo hardened. I was almost angry that anyone would do such a thing and call it grits. The place was crowded at 10 am and we had to sit at the bar. The coffee was ok. I am also not a fan of the bar wood decor. The bartender was nice. I probably should have had the grapefruit mimosas and called it a day.
(1)Angela H.
Absolutely love the salads here. The service is fantastic and Chef Justus knows what he is doing ;) Always a great place to grab a drink after work or brunch on the weekends. If you haven't yet, go stop by and talk to Will at the bar, he is a genius when it comes to drinks and bar small talk.
(5)Heijin M.
We recently celebrated a friend's birthday at Copperwood for brunch. It was great! First off, our waitress was wonderful. She didn't rush us at all but was there whenever we needed something. Secondly, the food was delicious. I had the florentine benedict which was excellent. We also shared appetizers - the bruschetta and French toast strips, and desserts - bread pudding and lemon shortcake. Yum! Everyone enjoyed their meal and the ambiance. I highly recommend Copperwood for brunch!
(5)Judson W.
Woodsy. An unusual term to describe a restaurant/bar. But here I find it very appropriate. The moment you walk into this establishment, the uniqueness of the interior hits you. You're indoors...but kinda feel like you're outdoors. The rustic wood that makes up the walls and the incredible smoky smell made me feel like I was in a millionaire's trendy log cabin. The ambiance definitely gets an A+ from me. Unfortunately, I can't say the same about the food or drinks. The food that I sampled was just alright. We went on a Thursday which meant that all oysters were only $1 each. We ordered 12. I was very surprised to hear that they served oysters, but no oyster crackers. I enjoy combining my fresh oysters with cocktail sauce and horseradish atop a cracker, but we were only offered bruschetta bread. Definitely not the same taste. The truffled mac was yummy but not as mouth watering as everyone on here claims. I think I would have been more forgiving had the food not been as expensive as it was (at least $20 a plate). The beer selection was solid, but left something to be desired (like IPA!). Also, it's hard to get excited about a happy hour when the draft beer is only $1 off! Overall, I'd recommend Copperwood Tavern to anyone, mainly because it's a very pleasant environment to hang out in. Just don't expect the food or drinks to live up to high prices.
(3)Sophie P.
Copperwood is fantastic! The food and service are always great, and the drinks - wow! Bonus points just for having a patio in the front. I highly recommend the Virginia Peach Julep.
(5)Chris M.
This place is almost always packed, and the atmosphere is great. The food is good, but there should be more vegetarian options. The moonshine is excellent, and the service has always been exceptional. Try the Sunday brunch.
(4)Katie K.
Fantastic farm to table menu! My favorite time to visit is actually Sunday brunch - wonderful Bloody Mary menu (I think you have 4 options on which type of Bloody Mary you want), with a nice array of breakfast/brunch/lunch dishes, even for vegetarians. One of my favorite restaurants in No Va, hands down!
(5)Jen T.
Sunday brunch- crowd starts early so prepare to wait if you don't have a reservation. But it gets worse...we had a painful time waiting on service from getting water to our check. We waited more than 40 minutes to even get a breakfast burrito and a breakfast sandwich. Asked for ketchup and it never arrived. Plus we witnessed the floor manager asking the table next to us to leave since they already finished their meal which held up a free table and there was more people waiting to dine in. I was shocked that he had the audacity to ask them to leave when they waited at least 30 minutes for the server to take the credit card to pay their check. It's obvious they are short staffed in the kitchen and on the wait staff. In addition, my breakfast sandwich tasted like an expensive version of a McDonalds Egg McMuffin. I don't understand the hype. If in Shirlington, there are much better choices to eat than here
(2)Charles P.
Made my second visit to Copperwood Tavern last night, and it was a great experience. First, the atmosphere reminds me of a Colorado mid-mountain restaurant, which is unique in our area, and was just right for a cold night. Copperwood is cozy and interesting, with lighting on the low side. Good place for a date or evening with friends. Also, with the table spacing, you can easily carry on a conversation with your partner. Second, the service was second to none. Just tops from when we entered the restaurant to when we left. Definitely professional, yet friendly staff, including good suggestions from the menu. My friend and I were given ample space to talk, while the waiter checked in frequently enough, but was not overbearing. Third, the food/menu is unique and food well prepared. I tried the blueberry pancakes for brunch, and they were filling and delicious. French onion soup and Ceaser salad with chicken for a light meal, and everything tasted fine. The menu prices are on the mid-high side, but the menu offers some unusual choices. Everything I have tried has been very good. good beer and wine list. Copperwood is a welcome addition to the area!
(4)James W.
The food is good but there was an hour wait when we arrived. We sat on the couch in the front window which wasn't comfortable but at least we didn't have to wait that full hour.
(4)Kerry R.
What impresses me most about Copperwood Tavern is that they're willing to listen to their clientele and make changes to continuously improve a customer's dining experience. Each time I'm back, I like it a little more. The decor has always been welcoming and quirky, and the food has always been excellent, but when they opened the restaurant last fall, the service was close to abysmal. They've gone through their growing pains, and have done a 180 degree about-face with service. Now the service is arguably the best feature of the restaurant. The servers and bartenders are personable, warm, and efficient. I'm a Shirlington resident, and Copperwood has made its way into my regular rotation of restaurants / bars. Welcome to the neighborhood!
(5)Henry H.
Stopped in here looking forward to a farm-to-table meal. The waiter had trouble finding my table as he was too busy to come back after bringing me my drink. When he bothered to show up, I asked for the check and headed across the street, where I had a delicious meal and was well taken care of. Lots of good restaurant choices on this street in Arlington, this was not one of them.
(1)Justin L.
Came in this past Sunday early afternoon, 11/17 for brunch. Took 5 minutes for a hostess to show up and seat us in the bar area, promising a waiter would be over soon. We waited 20 minutes as at least 4 or 5 different waiters (they seriously seemed to have more staff than patrons) walked by our table and took care of more pressing issues like cleaning the table next to ours, rather than even offering us a glass of water while they found the right person. This includes a manager who was wearing a dress shirt and tie. We eventually walked out, unnoticed. Menu looks nice.
(1)Sara J.
Ignore the older posts-I think Copperwood is really making an effort to work out the kinks. The restaurant is very inviting -- warm upscale rustic-- a nice change from some of the chain-like Shirlington spots. Our waitress was lovely and just attentive enough. The meal starts with delicate cornbread mini muffins and citrus butter. Yum. Then my friend and I shared the short ribs over parsnip purée. It was delicious but could've been warmer... It and all the dishes came out way too quickly and on top of one another. That works for tapas but not when we both ordered apps and soups and salads. Would've preferred more space, especially for a leisurely dinner. My butternut squash soup was as promised and a great winter option. My friend's French onion soup was much too salty. Our salads were perfect and plentiful. Dessert was a mediocre cakey brownie that would benefit from moistness or texture variety (add some chocolate chunks?) but the Nutella ice cream helped. Overall I will come back here. Welcoming and warm atmosphere and an original addition to the neighborhood indeed.
(3)Jackie P.
We've eaten here a number of times, for brunch, lunch and dinner and are always happy with the quality of the food. The burgers are great, bison chop is wonderful and the brussels sprouts and risotto are delicious. The beer selection isn't huge but has a good variety. Our table service is always friendly and attentive, but I can't give this restaurant 5 stars until they do something about the people they have at the hostess stand. They truly couldn't be less welcoming or seem more reluctant to acknowledge a customer, much less seat you. We were in night before last and the guy at the stand just looked at me until I said "2 for dinner?", then he said "Ha, I wondered if you were going to say anything". A "hi, are you here for dinner" would have been lovely, thanks. Not a great immediate impression of an otherwise quite good restaurant.
(4)Bernice C.
I came out here for happy hour because my family was raving about this place, so I decides to check it out before I left town. It was alright. The raw oysters were good and worth their price $1/oyster. I got a natty green buck shot amber ale to go with the oysters. The beer was alright--not the best I've had. The service was great and the waitresses were on top of it, but it wasn't as exciting as I'd expect it to be, and it definitely wasn't a place id wait for (if the place was crowded).
(3)Tyler M.
Sadly lunch today was not up to par. From waiting numerous minuets at the bar to be acknowledged by the manager to the bartender spending more time making him and his buddy whip cream, the service was less than acceptable today. No coffee or water refills offered without requesting. Not sure if this shift forgot attention and customer service. Simple lunch took almost a half hour and the staff definitely weren't being worked.
(1)Jorge M.
This is my wife and I's first visit here and we came for dinner. The service was good and the food was tasty. I loved that there is organic and locally grown meat and meals are made from scratch. They have a really tasty bread to start you off with as well... We ordered two entrees chicken and fish bother were tender, moist, and every bite was full of flavor. Entrees run from nearly $20 to mid 30s and do. It include sides. We also had an amazing creme brûlée (seasonal) currently made of fig that i would highly recommended trying if you have extra room.
(4)John A.
We made our reservations on open table, arrived at the restaurant a little early but they were able to seat us right away. Took a little bit to get some water and for the server to come around, but once it started rolling we were in good shape. Ordered oysters and scallops to start with several drinks.. the server was great. I always like to ask what they would order, I was going between the steak and the pork chop. She recommended the pork while a cheaper option, it was great! Cooked great and had a great taste. The sides are very good, would go with the mac n cheese, and pass on the mashed potatoes. Another time: Went on Saturday night for late night drinks, good service and even got a table (lucky since it was busy) Several drinks and hanging out. All together 2 great visits so far, want to come back and try the brunch as it looks great.
(5)first l.
Like the idea but inconsistent kitchen. Shrimp and grits were bland and not thoroughly cooked. Pulled pork was good though and great fries.
(3)Madeena H.
Love the ambience and food here. Their grass fed steak was soso but everything else made up for it.
(4)Sara W.
Spring has sprung...sort of...and Copperwood Tavern is getting in the "Spring" of things with rolling out a new spring menu in conjunction with a complimentary tasting of wines from Chateau Grand Traverse. Chateau is a Michigan based winery...yes we asked the same question, wineries do exist there and for a lot of white varietals apparently flourished. THE TASTING: We were asked to head to the back bar, which is the servers bar located near the kitchen (cool) and the bathrooms (not so cool) as both servers and customers heading to the restroom cut through our tasting group of about 10-12. Chateau Grand Traverse offered three of their wines accompanied by small bite tastings. Since we were all standing around with no where to really put down our glass or plates it was a little bit of an awkward space. I realize that this was a free event which everyone loves, so my only real criticism of the even is to have us seated somewhere in the restaurant at a private table where we can write notes on the wine, and put our glasses down to eat the nibbles. Other than that what was presented to us definitely receives a 5 star rating THE WINES & BITES: Although the wine reviews are for Chateau Grand Traverse, but it was part of the overall experience. The first was called Ship of Fools served with oysters on the half shell raw and broiled. The wine was a blend of three grapes, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Grigio, and a touch of Pinot Noir. I believe this was what they called a "patio pounder." Lots of ripe apple and just super easy to down a whole bottle before even knowing it! I don't eat raw oysters, so my husband did that honor for the both of us and said they were delicious. The broiled oysters, however were buttery, rich and cooked perfectly. The second wine was a single varietal, Pinot Grigiot pared with Copperwood's spring risotto. The risotto was creamy and rich with asparagus and shaved parmesan on top. It paired perfectly with the pinot with its acidity balancing the fruit. Lastly was a Gamay Noir accompanied by a Carolina Pork BBQ Slider. Although the Gamay is a lighter grape, it stood up quite well to the BBQ. The pork slider stole the entire show as far as I was concerned. DINNER: Before tasting we had made 7pm reservations for dinner. Antonio was our incredibly helpful and most awesome server. Even though the BBQ Pork Sliders from the tasting were only on the bar menu, not the dinner menu, he wrangled an order of three for our table since after the tasting I was craving nothing else!! I am telling you if for nothing else those sliders are the bomb. We were already planning on getting a bunch to go, a bottle of wine, and going to picnic! We also did our customary couple rounds of moonshine which is a must taste as well. Peach is by far my favorite. Not too sweet, not too much of a harsh bite. We went family style with the short ribs with parsnip puree (5 stars), half dozen grilled oysters (5 stars), and the house garlic-parsley frites (5 stars)...are you noticing a pattern?? Although for future events and tastings there were some minor improvements that could be made, I still stand by my previous review that Copperwood is a must visit if you are going to be anywhere close to Shirlington!!
(4)Nette P.
This is my go to for brunch spot .. I usually get steak and eggs or the chicken and biscuit.... The Bellini's are yummy..I love the popcorn that they give something different than every other restaurant that gives bread
(4)Meg C.
Went here for date night (without a reservation - BIG mistake - I'll get to that soon) and my boyfriend and I thought it was decent as far as American restaurants go. We like the concept of farm-to-table places like Farmers Fishers Bakers in Gtown and Founding Farmers in DC, so we decided to give this one in Shirlington a try. The place is beautifully decorated, warm, and inviting. The clientele is what you'd expect at an Arlington establishment (business-like, yuppie - myself included) and the food was good; nothing to write home about, but nothing terrible either. Like I said, we came here without a reservation and that was a huge error on our part. Even though we got there pretty early, we were seated in a rather awkward part of the bar area where they clearly tried to squeeze as many two-person tables up against a bench as they could. We were smushed up against the back wall of the bar and I was practically rubbing elbows with the lady next to me. TIP: if you are planning on coming here for a table or a booth, make a reservation. Being in the bar, however, we were lucky enough to look at both the bar menu and the regular menu. Both were pretty typical - burgers, sliders, fresh fish, etc. I got the pecan-crusted trout and my boyfriend got the house burger. The trout was huge, but DELICIOUS. My boyfriend's burger was just ok, so that was disappointing. We were also a little disappointed - as other reviewers have said - about the happy hour specials. $1 off beer and wine? Come on. I did have a really nice glass of Pinot Grigio that the waiter recommended, but even the "happy hour" price left us anything but happy. Speaking of our waiter, he was very gracious and attentive at first, but then literally disappeared for about the last 20 minutes of our meal. IMO, the last 20 minutes are a very pivotal part of the dining experience. It's when you decide to stay for another drink, order dessert, get coffee, etc, but our waiter nowhere to be found to even give us the dessert menu, ask us for another round, etc. Not the kind of service that makes us want to stay and give the establishment more of our money. So when he did finally show up, we quickly asked for the check and left. Bottom line. I enjoyed our meal here (well, I enjoyed my meal, can't say the same for my bf), but it wouldn't be the first place I'd suggest for another date night.
(3)Josh G.
I really dig this place. The ambience is chill but classy, all reclaimed wood and vintage fixtures. Great waitstaff and bartenders. For the price, the food is great, including (surprisingly) the brunch menu. If you're in the Shirlington/Arlington area, there's no reason this place shouldn't be your go-to. It's great. :D
(4)Keb V.
The food was excellent, amazing, great, insert any other adjective that describes awesome. The service however, terrible. Our server sucked, period. If you never refill the water, that's a huge negative. He seemed annoyed that we did not order any drinks. When asked if there were any specials, he immediately scoffed and said, "Oh there are no specials at this time." Hey guy, I don't f-ing work there, how am I supposed to know that? It was my first visit there. The waiter never came back to check on us only when he came to deliver the food. He was also annoyed when he pointed out that the dinner entrees did not have any sides and were ala carte. Now I can be forgiving when it's a busy environment but it was a slow Saturday afternoon. There really was no need to for the attitude. 2 stars for the great food and for the milk and cookies.
(2)A J.
okay so I went with a friend to Copperwood for dinner... walked in and got taken to table right away. We ordered drinks and reviewed the menus... had been there before so knew what we wanted. I really wanted a burger (they have great burgers) waiter came back over and I asked for burger and my friend wanted the pork. I was informed they could not serve burgers in the main dining area. This just doesn't make sense to me... I understand the need to keep things on another level but I could have moved 3ft and ordered the burger. What is the huge difference between a table where I sat and one 3 ft away. I hope they change the rules and let people order with out all the rules.
(3)Monica H.
I visited Cooperwood last week for dinner with a friend from college. When we walked in the atmosphere was nice, but it was our server who made our experience very memorable. The name on my check was Damon B. I couldn't remember his name until I looked at my check. I never thought I would write a review on a restaurant, and I almost forgot until I drove past not too long ago. It was our first time to the restaurant and did not know the menu. Damon took his time to explain everything on the menu. He asked if we had any allergies, which my friend does have a nut allergy, so he was able to tell her which dishes she would be able to enjoy. He also made sure to let the kitchen know of her allergies. I ordered the pecan trout with the sautéed spinach. I must say it was very very good! Damon was friendly, courteous, well versed in the menu and very professional! I WILL return and will REQUEST him to be my server again.
(5)Sam S.
Made reservations got seated right away Service was excellent good selection of draft beers Not too noisy even with little kids around Trout was very fresh salad was taste Bruschetta was different(no tomatoes) but very good I will go back
(3)Darcey K.
I've been here 4x now and have to say the food and drinks are delicious. I love their mule served in the copper mug and the tasty popcorn they bring out to nosh on. The service however has been poor every time I've dined inside or out. This leads me to believe their is poor management with low standards for hiring and/or training however id say its the latter. As I've worked in the food industry in the past I see potential with the right leadership. Probably won't go back even though they are very near to home. I'm disappointed and was really hoping for more out of this place after 4 visits but nothing has changed.
(2)Joe A.
Holy cow -- what a brunch! We have returned multiple times for brunch and dinner, including inviting out-of-town friends, and have sincerely enjoyed every trip. Our brunch favorites are duck hash and the eggs bennie... The dinner side of mac and cheese is to-die-for. Thanks to the staff for kicking so much foodie butt!
(4)Brandy C.
This will be my third and final review of Copperwood Tavern because I will never set foot in this establishment again. My boyfriend and I came here for dinner on a whim last Friday night. I should have known it wasn't going to be good because of the way the hostess greeted us. Or should I say didn't greet us. She could barely stop sucking the straw of her soda to look up at us. She then informed us, after I said hello, that it would be a 25-30 min wait for a party of two. It was a pretty night and I asked if we could sit outside after she did not offer to seat us in one of the several open tables out there... Then she sat us at the smallest table on the worst sideways slope I have seen in an outdoor seating area. Seriously? The ambiance was non-existent at this point. The waitress was friendly enough and I don't have anything negative to say about her; she was fairly prompt and attentive. The food, on the other hand, was a disaster. We both ordered steak, he the ribeye and I the filet. We ordered them medium rare. Both steaks came out practically mooing at us although his was worse than mine. I mean this meat was rare, rare. I think that overcooking beef is a crime but the meat was purple. We informed the waitress and she took my boyfriend's away. It was brought back to us a few minutes later by a different person (manager?) who said the steak was "brought to temperature." So, you took our steak that we cut into, put it on a grill with other meat, and reheated it? This is not right. Any person who has worked in food service knows this is unsafe.This may be why my boyfriend was sick all night, throwing up to say the least; he probably shouldn't have eaten the amount that he did. Add to this the fact that they charge $10 or so for a few spears of asparagus and another $10 or so for a scoop of "smoked gouda" mashed potatoes and we just dropped $100 on a dinner that we didn't want to eat. At this point, we were done with the experience and had lost our appetites. I just don't understand why I keep trying this place when Carlyle across the way is consistently good. They know how to cook a steak. I give it up to CR for trying to get my business after a previous poor experience but I can't continue to justify going to this restaurant. Good luck, CR, you'll need all you can get.
(1)Scott P.
Came here for lunch on a sunny weekday. They have a great location along the main drag in Shirlington and even though the patio was crowded, they were able to put a few tables together for our group. They start you off with popcorn for the table! It has a fantastic seasoning on it which makes it very difficult to stop eating. The lunch menu is simple and straight forward. They have a number of sandwich/burger options. The only kicker is that we had come during the work day and the entire meal took well over an hour. However if you are having a slow day and can afford to step out of the office for a while, this is a great option. Especially with the patio and outside seating!
(3)L S.
I was excited to try Copperwood Tavern, after some friends spoke highly of it and recently I've been getting into the new Farm to Table craze. Founding Farmers is one of my new favorite places to eat. So, I made a reservation on a Friday night, at 7:45. It was paaaacked. Luckily we had reservations. The bar section was crowded and quite loud, which means it's probably a good place for drinks. Anyhow, back to dinner. The wine selection was good, I had the Riesling, which was AMAZING. Had to have two glasses. Dangerous. Apparently, this place specializes in bourbon, which i do not drink. The guy at the table next to us seemed to be a connoisseur, and enjoyed whatever he ordered. My husband had a wheat beer which he liked. The menu is not as good as I had hoped. It has very limited entree selections, plus a small plates section. I personally feel that this small plates/tapas epidemic is getting old. I love the concept, because I am a taster, I like to try a little of everything. However, I know restaurants make their money in the appetizers and desserts, so it kind of gets under my skin that I end up paying almost as much as an entree plate. The prices range from $6-$12 per small plate, which are pretty reasonable. And when they say small plate, they mean it. They are about saucer sized, and are more of a tasting than an appetizer. Annoyingly, all of the entrees come a la carte, and sides must be ordered separately, which racks up the bill even more quickly. We ordered the French Onion soup to start, which was VERY good. A nice flavor to the broth, even though it was a tad on the salty side. I ordered a bunch of small plates rather than an entree, as none of the entree items piqued my interest. I ordered the wild mushroom bruschetta (good), the scallops & foie gras (meh), the braised short rib (good), the poached lobster claw with risotto (ugh) and the steak tartare (ugh). The scallops were very salty, and a little overcooked. The lobster was overcooked and no taste. The steak tartare was also pretty tasteless, and came with a qual egg on top. I would not get that again. My husband ordered the pecan crusted trout and a side macaroni and cheese. I would have been happier if the portions were smaller (the trout was enough for 2 people), and half the price. The trout was fine, but nothing special. The macaroni and cheese was horrible, and it is pretty difficult to mess up macaroni and cheese. This one had no flavor, and tasted like it was made with milk rather than cheese. Although the location is super convenient for us, I don't think we will be back for dinner. I might try it for brunch if there is no wait. Otherwise, I can always rely on our stand by, Carlyle across the street, for good food and very similar prices.
(2)Sarah M.
My boyfriend and I love Copperwood! It is our go to date night spot whether for drinks and apps or a nice dinner. It's great in the summer when you can sit outside but the vibe is great inside too! The potatoes and Brussel sprouts are AMAZING! I usually get one of those and the Mac and cheese - both off the sides menu for dinner. Sooo yummy. And the bartenders are great - they make custom drinks - one of the best I've ever had!
(4)Marie M.
It has a nice atmosphere, in the middle of Shillington. Great spot for a dinner date or girls night. Apps: Short Ribs on top of mashed potatoes. They were very tasting, enough for 4 people. Dinner, the main dishes do not come with a side. It is a la carte. Filet mignon: the sauce paired with it, was very good. We ordered it medium and it came out pretty much rare. I was not a fan of that. But the grilled taste and sauce were great. Trout: was very good! Great flavors and juicy. Sides: Truffle Mac: it was good, nothing too truffley about it though Smoked Gouda Mashed Potatoes: nothing 'smoked gouda' about it, was not a fan Fried Brussel Sprouts: delicious! Must get! Wine: Malbec, Sagelands, Columbia Valley, it was great with the steak! The manager came by and asked how we were doing. When we started to answer (that we were doing great!) she walked away before we could finish. I wouldn't take the time to go around and ask those questions if you are not prepared to wait for a response. Customer service and feedback is key to a successful restaurant. I will go back though!
(3)Charles S.
Copperwood is a relatively new restaurant in Shirlington. The decor is lovely. Kind of Harlan County for yuppies. Farm to table with a moonshiner touch to it. I kept looking for Raylan Givens. The four of us were looking forward to dinner on a cold Monday. We had reservations and showed up on time and ready to eat. Then the expectations met the reality. The reception. Four of us waited for what seemed like an eternity while two hostesses dealt with a young woman who wanted just the right table. Neither of the hostesses even looked up and made eye contact, let alone said "I'll be with you in a second." No acknowledgement that we were there. Ok, that is forgivable. Maybe the major league hostess was off onMonday and the promising AAA stars were being given a try out. I was pleased with the butternut squash soup as a starter. Just the thing to counter the polar vortex. Two of the four of us ordered duck breast (excellent), one ordered the trout fillet (very good), and one ordered the grilled salad with grilled chicken on it. So here's the weird thing. Three of the four dishes are served. The waited explains that "you don't want undercooked chicken on the salad." Really? Does it take longer to grill a chicken breast than it does duck breast or to sauté trout? As if it were DeAnn's fault for ordering that terribly complicated disk of salad with grilled chicken breast. DeAnn of course insisted that we start. The salad finally came. It looked just like what it was a salad with pieces of grilled chicken breast on it. Like you could make for yourself at home -- in a few minutes. The waiter apologized when he brought the check. But by then we were all fed up with Cooperwood and ready to get out of there. So did the waiter forget to turn in the order for the salad? Did the cook forget to grill the chicken? Was it frozen chicken that needed defrosting? Whatever the reason, you wonder what's up with Copperwood. Y'all invested a ton of money in the redesign of the interior of this space and in the decor. Where is the executive chef? Time to work with the waiters and the cooks and get this thing moving in the right direction. There is a lot of competition in Shirlington. Poor service is not going to make it. Update: I got a Yelp message from a sales manager the day after I posted this review. She wanted details, apologized and hoped that we would return. Nice touch. It's got to be tough to be in a business where a single employee can ruin the experience for a customer. That said, I don't think I could convince my dining companions to give Copperwood a second chance.
(2)Lauren E.
Overpriced, and very mediocre. My husband and I went for brunch. We were never served popcorn that every table around us received. We finally asked for it midway through our meal. Do not order a salad...priced at $11 to $12 on the menu, there were 3 salads offered. I assume when I go anywhere that salads at that price would be entree-sized...NOPE. My salad arrived and it was puny. It was on a side salad plate and it was all lettuce and nothing else...truly pathetic and underdressed. $11 for a small plate of lettuce...literally. My husband semi-enjoyed his fried chicken. My Bloody Mary was way to think and tasted like they use tomato sauce out of a can to make the mix...blah! Our server was nice, but new and still needs some training. Overall...we will not be returning. $70 for a mediocre brunch is not worth it.
(2)See W.
I really wanted to give 5 because my dinner here was amazing! Steak was cooked to perfection and the sides are perfect for two people. But my brunch today was not so good. My eggs were over done. I asked for over medium and for fried. The ketchup tastes more like BBQ sauce. And the butter for the toasts has an orange sherbet taste. I'm sure someone likes it but it's not for me. The waiter was rude. Didn't get his name because he never introduced himself and barely said a word after realizing we weren't going to have anything other than water for brunch. I don't think I'll be returning for brunch but It's definitely a spot for dinner. Hopefully you don't get the rude guy!
(4)Jay Y.
Went on a Saturday, around 12. Reservation was made 30 minutes prior, not necessary. The wait for the food was about average. Ambiance is a bit crowded, and seating is either comfortable or not. I personally am not a big fan of bench seats, which I got stuck sitting on. The food, however was simple yet delicious. I ordered a tavern burger, cooked medium. It was delicious, meat was ground and just melted in your mouth. I also tried the fried chicken n biscuit. Chicken Was boneless, and the biscuit was flaky, both a plus for me.Total was about $50 (with 20% tip) and well worth it
(4)Christine H.
We went for dinner at 7:30 on a Wednesday and even with a reservation, it took a while for a table. Busy joint. The restaurant itself is beautiful, copper elements, mason jar light fixture in the entry way, and lots of wood rounds on the wall. As a girl from the NW, I appreciated that. The service was SO SLOW. Even taking the crowd into consideration, it was slow. Our server was very friendly, but we rarely saw her. The food was good. Not great and not worth the $$. Everything was about $3 overpriced, and being ala cart is just irritating. I would go back with a Groupon or for happy hour but never to pay full price.
(3)Robert L.
Farm to table concept with big prices and poor execution. Went there with reservations on opentable after seeing a play. Service was good, but food execution was not. My friend sent back a swordfish order due to incorrect preparation, she said she never does that. And I simply suffered through my poorly executed venison. One chop was so overcooked it was more like jerky, and the one under it was red and undercooked. Just stacked and stuffed under the broiler I guess. Another friend at the table had the pork chop, and he was pleased with his entre. For the price won't be going there again.
(3)Mirela T.
What a nice addition to the Shirlington area! I've been here twice now, and still can't get over the wonderful ambiance of the restaurant. It has a very rustic/country feel. Really love the log wood wall behind the bar. Both times we have sat in the bar area because if offers both the bar menu as well as the regular dinner menu. Gives you a few more option which is what we liked most about sitting at the bar. Once you arrive you have popcorn as a starter to munch on while you are reading through the menu. Their happy hour offers $1 raw oysters as well as $1 off of a selected wine and beer list. It is a pretty sweet deal. It is offered daily from 4 to 7 p.m. First time here for starts we ordered: House Garlic Parsley Frites: cut in house, seasoned with garlic oil and parsley, side of smoked tomato ketchup. They were nice a crispy and shoestring style. Really enjoyed them along with the smoked tomato ketchup. Duck Confit Corn Dogs: batter dipped and fried, served with smoked tomato ketchup and beer mustard. Really enjoyed these as they were different from your usual corn dogs. I also really like the beer mustard, it definitely allows for lots of flavor as you dip your corn dogs in it. For Entree i ordered the Petite Filet: 8oz grilled, steakhouse seasoned, served with duck fat roasted fingerling potatoes. I ordered my filet medium and it was cooked to perfect. It also came out nicely cut and ready for enjoyment. The potatoes were also wonderful. One thing to keep in mind they garnish their potatoes with bacon, which proved to be problematic for me since i do not eat bacon. I am giving them a ding here because it should've been listed on their menu description. For dessert we had: Stout Brownies with Nutella Ice Cream. Mainly wanted to try this because of the Nutella ice cream (i love nutella everything) so i am slightly bias in this review. Would have to say that there might've been too much brownie on this plate. (Can't believe i just said that because i LOVE chocolate.) Second Time here my friend and i decided to take the sharing approach. Began with 6 chilled oysters, which were very fresh and delicious. Keep in mind it was a $1 per oyster. We also had the Grilled oysters, which were delicious. The butter sauce that came with them, was magnificent. Probably not so good for you, but nonetheless it was perfect to add on to the grilled oysters. We also had the Lamb Burger: herb goat cheese, tzatziki, pickled red onion. Our preparation choice for the lamb was medium with fries on the side. The lamb was cooked perfectly and the fries were to die for. However, one downfall to the burger was the bread, it was more of a roll which was slightly dry and overpowering the rest of the sandwich. If a substitution is possible for the bread i would recommend this sandwich otherwise. I also had a glass of the Standing Stone Riesling wine which was wonderful and help cut into the heavy lamb burger. The restaurant is a bit on the pricier side, but if you are coming for happy hour with some friends and are willing to share your orders i think it is worth it.
(4)Michael M.
Came here on a Saturday afternoon and had one of the most delicious lunches ever. Started out with a tall glass of fresh squeezed lemonade. So refreshing.. Ordered the Tavern Burger for lunch.. An 8oz burger rubbed with coffee and topped off with bacon, sharp cheddar and the tastiest aioli you could ever imagine.. Had to call a timeout in between just to finish it.. Came with house cut fries that complimented it perfectly. To end my lunch, had a shot of great Kentucky single barrel whiskey.. Ahhh!! Great way to finish things off.. Great service, great atmosphere, great prices.. Go Here and easy now!!!
(5)Kristin S.
Love the farm to table concept. Went here for a sunday brunch, reservations would be recommended during peak time. At first we were told there would be a long wait for a table, but that we could just seat ourselves at the hightop tables near the bar, which we took that option and found a table immediately. I think its really nice they give you a small bucket of popcorn which was actually very tasty, there was some sort of seasoning on it. Our waiter was very friendly and helpful when taking the orders. For the food, we got the short ribs benedict, the western omelet, and the breakfast sandwich. All of them tasted very good and had large portions. Also, the breakfast potatoes that came with all the dishes were yummy. I think this is a great brunch option in the shirlington area and I've been here twice so far.
(4)Bill D.
We chose this over THAI in Shirlington. I was weak after a day of not eating and flying. My judgement was clouded. If you're a pub, be a pub. If you're a foodie place - you have to bring it. This was neither. First, the server while well intentioned was under trained. In a better restaurant, my issues are often with the kitchen and the servers are saving the day. It took twenty minutes to get my glass of wine. Don't blame the bar, the Bavarian Illuminati or Putin. The server is the one who is responsible. Worse, the wine was more bitter than Fred Phelps finding out he's spending eternity in hell. I hate loud restaurants. This place amplifies sound with glass, concrete, wood - all echoic surfaces. Any surface here reflects, volubly. This kills the ambience which makes this a bad choice for romance. When I asked the server about gluten and chef's recommendations, he tried to make suggestions. He had the good sense to ask the chef, otherwise i'd be rather explicit about that here. That kitchen consult took a long time - and resulted in his original suggestions which was not reassuring. The husband ordered trout, which he said was very good. I had a steak (medium rare). It was tough and gristly. The grilled asparagus was fine, I didn't touch the creamed spinach. It was way more cream than spinach and Dean hated it. The server did ensure the garlic frites were fried separately. I liked them, but they should have been hotter. Now, the unacceptable behavior came in the form of some young in-your-face man who wanted to survey us on each and every item we ordered, how we liked it, and if not why. It was obnoxious. I appreciate that my wine and our frites were comped, thank you.
(3)J M.
Earlier tonight (Saturday May 24), my wife and I decided to try this place. This is a "farm to table" type restaurant. It's too bad why aren't all restaurants that way. I loved the decor - rustic but modern. We came in during the last minutes of their brunch time. Most of the other patrons were seated outside - some of them even brought their dogs. I had the chicken & biscuits with home fries ($14) and my wife had the shrimp & grits in a skillet ($16). We hope to return to try their other dishes, as both our meals were delicious.
(4)Ramel L.
Lobster Bisque, Grouper, crab cakes and banana pudding were all #delivert! Kesley was very nice as well!
(5)Jake C.
Copperwood Tavern is the perfect spot for a delicious, reasonably priced, farm-to-table meal. My wife and I have been to Copperwood for brunch three times and dinner once, and we've enjoyed every visit. The interior and ambiance are a good fit for the "industrial revolution" farm feeling they're going for. The place seems like a less pretentious, less refined (and less expensive) version of Founding Farmers, but the food is just as good. I've seen some complaints on Yelp about the quality of service, but we have never had any problems. Whether or not we've had a reservation, we've always felt welcome and the service has been good. The food is hearty and hits the spot for heavy-ish southern comfort food. Our favorite brunch dishes are the French Toast Sticks, which are crispy golden on the outside but have a wonderfully dense, soft interior, and the Blueberry Ricotta Pancakes, which are the best pancakes we've had in the area (they compare well to Cheesetique). We also really liked the Breakfast Burrito and Smoked Gouda Grits for savory choices. The Bloody Mary is good but should be a little spicier. For dinner, we went with a group of four and everyone liked their entrees, but the real stars of the meal were the Brussel Sprouts. Overall, if you're a fan of contemporary American food and farm-to-table style restaurants, you should definitely give Copperwood a try.
(5)Meagan J.
Very farm to table! The owner was very friendly and very kind! We had a bone in our rabbit pot pie , he refunded it! And even offered a dessert! He was very sweet and even explained how he pick out every food. He inspects everything before it hits his kitchen. Very good food great customer service.
(5)S M.
I LOVE Shirlington. It has easy access to parking as well as a variety of shops and restaurants. Copperwood Tavern is one of my favorites. My favorite is the Lamb Burger and Rosemary Grilled Chicken Sandwich. The drinks are always good and as well as the service. Highly recommend!
(4)Dominique M.
Went for brunch date on a beautiful sunday. The atmosphere was great, not overly crowded. Had indoor and outdoor seating. The best part of the experience was the free popcorn with bbq seasoning on it. It was so good i ate more of that then my meal. lol i would definitely return here and i would suggest it to others.
(4)Kevin D.
A fav for dinner and their Bacon Bourbon beverage; went to check out Sunday brunch. In a word, excellent. I went with the seafood Bloody Mary and crab (crab cake I think) eggs Benedict. Everything was just as I had hoped. It got busy around 11a so I'd strongly suggest reservations (easily obtained night before on OpenTable).
(4)Stephanie M.
mmm, yummy! My husband and I followed the suggestion of another Yelper, each getting an entree/protein and sharing two sides. We had sides leftover to take home. We were stuffed. Upon arriving we waited at the bar for the rest of our party. As stated before the popcorn was AMAZING! It was like kettle corn that had been covered with a light layer of chili powder or the like. My husband tried one of their whiskey specialty drinks and I, being pregnant, asked for a Shirley Temple. When our server brought our drinks he informed me that my drink was made with their pomegranate/mint syrup, not grenadine. This was the best Shirley Temple EVER and if I can keep getting a supply of these I wouldn't miss drinking the rest of my pregnancy. When our whole party was seated (10 people total) there was another round of drinks before ordering. My husband ordered the Lamb Steak and loved it. I ordered the Frisee Salad minus the duck egg (pregnancy). This salad was great. A LARGE bed of Frisse with some duck meat on top and a warm bacon dressing with a boarder of apples and fingerling potatoes. I'd order it again in a second. Both of us were rather on the full side before getting to our sides...fried Brussels sprouts and the grilled asparagus. The Brussels sprouts on the bottom of the kettle are where it's at! They soak in the cooking oil with the onions a lot better than the ones on the top so keep digging. The grilled asparagus was fresh and pure, nothing to cover up their taste. For dessert we had one of their specials, pumpkin creme brule. A perfect tasty ending to the meal! We will be back for sure as there are a bunch of their sides I'd like to try. And I'm looking forward to trying their meats after pregnancy. I don't like having to eat good meat well done.
(4)Dave J.
We went there for dinner last night. First the positives: Great space, high ceilings, reminds you of a ski lodge in Breckendridge,CO Appetizers and steaks cooked well and big portions. (4 to 5 stars) Negatives: HVAC system was off or temperature too high (uncomfortably warm-miserable) Service by our waiter David C. was awful. We waited over five minutes to be greeted at the table and get waters, his first statement "Ill be back in 3 minutes"...what? We asked if we could order the bar appetizers in the dining room, he stated "no were not supposed to...but ill allow it...allow what? for us to spend $30 more dollars at your restaurant?." He referred to us every time he came to the table by "Bro" "Brother" "here you go boss".....how about Sir? Or not refer to us by a name at all? But a 20 something kid referring to 40 year old guys as Bro...? As side plates arrived he failed to notice there were no spoons or forks to serve the sides, he failed to notice all our forks were picked up and we need additional ones. We waited over 20 minutes for a bottle of wine and arrived after the food did. The manager had to bring it to us. He never asked if we wanted more wine or deserts. David C seemed like a nice guy but had NO CLUE on wait staff service at this style of a restaurant. If were going to pay $300 4 people dinner (one bottle of wine) We should expect 4-5 star service. To put it bluntly this guy is CLUELESS and should probably be working behind the bar or re-trained. Either way this is a management issue and it made the meal unenjoyable....dude....bro....boss....really...are you kidding me? You have other Yelp complaints on this waiter....lof of kids need jobs....maybe you need to make a change? Overall 2 Star based on the awful SERVICE.
(2)Joshua K.
Went for dinner on a Saturday night. The place has this rustic feel to it, you need to have a beard to get the full experience. Since it was No-shave November I was in full beast mode with my beard (also I cheated and started growing mine in early October). Our server was really nice. We asked her if we could try a sample of the different moonshines (is that right? the plural for moonshine is moonshines?) Anyway, she said she would ask the bartender and next thing we know she shows up with a sample tray, awesome! The moonshine tasted good, and burned a little going down. I laughed at all my clean-shaven dining partners knowing full well that my beard would help me drink this firewater. The food was good. The wife's steak came out a little undercooked and one of the roaming staff noticed it. He took it away to get fixed and then brought 2 additional free appetizers back with him and offered an apology. Very classy gentlemen, considering he only had a goatee and not a full on man-beard. I'll go back here again once my wife makes me shave to see if I still like the place.
(4)David R.
If you're a fan of the décor at your local Cracker Barrel, you will enjoy this place. I always admire a farm to table concept and because I didn't have their food, I am not giving this place the one star that my experience there was worth. The place is ugly. There's even a poster of a farmer giving the finger in the Men's room - and this is supposed to be a family restaurant? I'd expect a place like this in Tulsa, but not in progressive Arlington. No crafts in bottles or cans. A bar tender who was robotic. Hootie and the Blowfish on the PA. Pass the revolver. The place is like a bad dream.
(2)Lauren N.
Maybe they are marketing off the hipster feel maybe they arnt, either way it is worth the trip. Been in on Saturday and Sunday, (noise level isn't horrible ) especially for such an open space. The bartenders are attentive and nice, the bloody's are amazing! The duck hash and chicken and biscuits are worth the calories and so are the grits. For this area this is a great place I'm glad they opened, shirlington needed a place like this. ** update- tried to go in on a week night but the wait for a table was almost an hour ( we seemed to be the first names on the list) and there were no tables in the bar area. When I asked the hostess why so long with so many open tables and nobody actually waiting she said they were all reservation. I understand that, but a dozen empty tables? That was a bit of a waste to me, so we went next door.
(3)Martin S.
22 minutes and counting...That's after a 15 minute delay in taking our drinks order. When my wife asked to replace rum with vodka in a listed cocktail, she got a flat "No" from the waiter. Had high hopes, but attitude and service suck so far. Maybe the drinks will be worth it - if they ever arrive....26 minutes and counting.
(1)Dan I.
I really don't understand all the lackluster reviews for this place. I suspect since it's new, it has still been working out a few kinks. But as far as I'm concerned this is a great new addition to Arlington. Very solid food and a cuisine that isn't redundant to the area. My wife and I tried it on Saturday night. This leads me to... Tip #1: Make a reservation The wait was 45 minutes when we arrived, around 7:45pm. But we had a reservation and were seated immediately. The décor is great. Really fun, cute, and fitting. I'd describe Cooperwood as the best hunted game cuisine I've seen in Arlington. The menu includes stuff like bison and venison. Also a few lamb options, duck, swordfish, etc. No elk or boar, but a pretty decent showing of meat variety, if you're into that sort of thing. (So this probably isn't the place to bring the vegan girl you're dating.) I had the swordfish - which was very good. No gnarly, veiny dark meat. Tasted fresh. And it was a nice-sized steak. The menu said 8 ounces, but I think it was a closer to 10 - pretty hearty. My wife got the grilled oysters, which she loved. The "proteins" are a la carte. Which means it's a piece of meat on a plate. So don't expect any fancy balsamic reductions or cucumbers cut into flowers. You'll get some lovely, delicious meat, nothing more, nothing less. But that doesn't mean the protein is the only draw. It also has a slew of shared sides, which leads me to... Tip #2: Get some sides. They're fantastic. We got 3 and it was way too much food, but we wanted to try several. My wife loved the fingerling potatoes, which were roasted with bacon, shallots and blue cheese vinaigrette. The beer-butter mushrooms were among the best mushrooms I've had as a pure side. We got the corn pudding as well. It was very good, but it was a lighter, slightly sweet, moister type corn pudding. I tend to prefer the more savory, thicker, denser version myself. We were too stuffed to humor dessert. But I really want to try the stout brownies next time, which sound amazing. That actually leads me to. . . Tip #3: As a general rule, I'd recommend a couple getting an entrée each and then sharing two smaller plates, meaning appetizers, desserts, or sides. That should be PLENTY of food. The beer list was decent. Not incredible - there were a couple good microbrews on there, but nothing terribly obscure. It has an awesome single malt bourbon and moonshine (yes, really!) list though, if you're into those options. The service was very good as well. Reasonable prices for what you get - not cheap, not outrageous. I have nothing bad to say about this place. So why only 4 stars for Copperwood? Well, it was very good, but it didn't have that sort of intangible "it" factor to push it over to a 5-star review for me. The food wasn't terribly creative or artistic. And it wasn't the best wild game place to which I've ever been. (For that, try Saddle Peak near Malibu.) But it's a great addition to the area, and my wife and I will surely be back. Soon.
(4)Clara G.
I love this place! We've bee here several times and I haven't been disappointed yet. The food is great, the service is good. Great selection of bourbon. The short rib starter was excellent and I'd love to see them do a bigger portion when the weather gets colder. The bison, pork chop, and chicken are all tender juicy and flavorful. Love the sides! Mashed potatoes with smoked Gouda - delicious, Brussel sprouts were thoroughly enjoyed by the non-brussel sprout members of our party and loved by the rest of us. The creamed corn was yummy. The sides are huge and designed to share. Looking forward to returning.
(5)Dale S.
I have since returned and it appears they are listening to their critics. I did have a reservation, and found my table was available when we arrived. The wait staff and runners were on this evening and very attentive, the floor was well covered and your water glass never ran empty. Our server that night was great, he knew the menu, he gave great suggestions and knew how to be present when necessary as opposed always checking in. I ordered a cocktail, not one of the Moonshine or specialty drinks, it was perfect. The meal itself was outstanding, I started with the grilled Caesar salad and followed up with a NY Strip that melted in my mouth. The grilled asparagus was an incredible treat and the creamed spinach was like what your mom would make. I left feeling just full enough and content. I'm happy that I've return, let keep the good work up.
(5)Byron H.
I discovered this fantastic farm to table spot a few months ago (they've been open about a year). From my first meal in the dining room of short ribs starter, venison entree, and the Brussel sprouts ever to my now "bar menu" experience, all I can say is wow! Great products, prepared perfectly with great flavors, and a service staff that meets the quality of the food. Must haves include the lamb sliders, confit corn dogs, Brussels sprouts, and any of the moonshine cocktails with their lime foam. If you are lucky you'll get Jen, her knowledge of the menu and her recommendations are spot on. Great place to hang out or for a special day.
(5)Gio D.
Nice place with ok food but just too expensive for what you get considering Carlyle is just up the street. I feel this place doesn't know what it wants to be when it grows up. It's a tavern right? Does tea smoked duck breast with poached pears and blueberry sauce sound like tavern food to you? What about scallops and Foie gras over sweet corn puree? Maybe a tavern in southern France, but not in Shirlington VA. My message to management is simple, get back to basics. When you start making better steak and crab dishes than Carlyle you can focus on poached pears and blueberries. For now, get the steak, grilled fish and chops figured out.
(3)Tonia I.
Visited Copper Wood on an early Saturday afternoon with a co-worker. No wait, great service, AWESOME fries. I ordered the Tavern burger with fries. My co-worker had the western omelette and raved about the butter and biscuit. I've been told they have an awesome duck dish that I must try so I'll definitely eat here again
(3)Jeromy F.
Had a fairly good meal here--wanted more for the price. Waitstaff was very friendly and accommodating. Bison meatballs were dry, which I should have predicted from such a lean meat. Short ribs are very good. We also enjoyed the Brussels sprouts, but the garlic parsley frites were overcooked and therefore a little starchy. The porkchop is a clear winner, the bison steak was not so good.
(3)Jen P.
Delicious meal on the patio. I had the Frisée salad and my husband had the Bison Steak and we shared the Mac and cheese. Very fast service and the food was hot and delicious. Our server (last name Mendez) was also very good. Will definitely come back!
(4)Alison M.
Came here recently for brunch and ran into the "you need a reservation everywhere in this metro area problem" but then we were let in on a little secret by the hostess. If you don't want to wait a half an hour take a seat in the bar area. That bar area included a number of open hi-top tables. Yeah, so I'm not sure why people were waiting 20+ minutes when perfectly good tables were available. So after sitting, we were promptly greeted by our waiter who presented us with some super, delicious popcorn. Seriously yum-oh and I'm not even a popcorn person, I'm thinking it was BBQ flavored. We ordered the signature bloody mary's and to tell you the truth I was disappointed. It had a very strong tomato and smoky flavor that I did not like. I had to lick the spiced rim to get any sort of expected spicy bloody mary flavor. I definitely did not taste the horseradish that was supposed to be in there. Since we were going the savory route I ordered the vegetable fritata. It was HUGE as was my date's breakfast sandwich. This is a sharing restaurant, because those eggs did not taste nearly as good when heated up at home and with the breakfast potatoes there was plenty for 2 people. Anyways, I would classify that fritata as more of a quiche minus a crust. It was super creamy, cheesy, and again very tasty. I'd probably come here again for brunch or lunch or maybe just for drinks (a different drink) and popcorn. Dinner prices seemed a little high.
(4)Liz B.
Went over Memorial Day weekend, lucky to get a table for dinner with no reservations and a short wait of 20 minutes. The rustic decor is charming. Ordered the pecan-crusted trout and it was moist and very rich. Shared my s.o. root beer baked beans, already researching how to make them. For dessert, ordered a blackberry pie, and it was delicious! I love blackberries, but never had them in a pie before. Looking forward to trying their brunch/lunch menu.
(4)Nate D.
This place was really good! The ambiance was very comfortable and welcoming. The whole staff was very very friendly and welcoming. I got the coffee-coco rubbed venison chop with a blackberry compote and fried Brussels sprouts on the side. It came out perfectly cooked to a medium rare, like I asked and the Brussels sprouts were delicious. Be advised that the side portions are big enough to share. I will say I was expecting a little bigger potions for the price but overall I would recommend checking this place out. I mean the size of the chop was on the menu next to the price so I knew what I was paying for before I got it.
(3)Mary W.
Long story short: Don't serve mediocre mashed potatoes and charge $8 for it while charging $20+ for the protein alone. You are no Morton's. In summary, everything on the menu was overpriced and was not anything special. On the plus side the decor and atmosphere in the restaurant is really nice and their moonshine is delicious. Otherwise, in my opinion, not worth the $$.
(2)Will M.
Back to amend the Copperwood Tavern review from 10/21/2013 as they have improved since our initial visit. Wifey and I were both still disappointed in their standard burger offering. It wasn't overwhelmed with smoked cheddar like last time, but the beef is still largely very bland. Not sure why its so unseasoned. Only got the sliders this time since we weren't going to chance a full size disappointing burger for lunch. The Pork BBQ sandwich and Rosemary Chicken sandwich on the other hand were both quite good as were the fries. The Rosemary Chicken was juicy and had great flavor. A great departure from your standard grilled or BBQ chicken sandwich most restaurants have. The Pork BBQ is darn good and not overly sweet. A good balance of pork and BBQ sauce that doesn't overwhelm each other. Also the bread that all of the sandwiches are served on is quite good. They still need work, but its a definite improvement over the first visit in the fall. I do find it troubling that they have such difficulty with a standard cheeseburger. Clyde's and Dogfish both still have them beat by leaps and bounds in the burger department. The beer list also could use some work as its pretty pedestrian for this area. A step in the right direction and we will return for a third try that may indeed be the charm.
(3)L C.
Really solid, lovely addition to the Shirlington area. Everything I've had here is delicious - the duck corn dogs were surprisingly amazing. Brunch is fabulous, even the side potatoes aren't a throwaway like so many places - perfectly crispy skins on the outside. I did here about some hiccups opening weekend, but that's to be expected. This place was decorated by O'Neill Studios (soon to be Swatch Room), and their work is superb. Every detail was thought of in this place - it has a bunch of fun details that evoke a country/moonshine theme without looking like a theme park the way so many places do when they just throw a bunch of things on the wall and call it decorated. The patio is lovely as well! Here's the deal on the 4 stars - it's more expensive than I think is necessary for the area - but everything is so delicious and made from great ingredients, made to order (they make a big deal about being farm to table), so I get it. Brunch however, is quite a good deal - so I'll probably stick to that :)
(4)Richard W.
Nice bar atmosphere - certainly not fine dining - but that is what menu prices reflect. Frankly I have a biases with a restaurant / bar like this where it is $20+ for an entree plus $8-10 additional for a vegetable
(3)Angie B.
One of my favorite brunch locations in Arlington. The ambiance is very unique. Food is phenomenal and the drinks are delicious. The BBQ Bloody Mary may still be the best I've ever had. Definitely a location to try!
(5)Julianne M.
Great blueberry ricotta pancakes, yummy bacon, good coffee. Ambience is farm chic, service is a good, food is slow coming out but delicious. Manager went next door to honor a sour cream request. :)
(4)Chris C.
Really not impressed with their food for the amount they charge. We had the bone in rib eye and the filet mignon, which was average in taste, but at $30/ plate ala cart it really wasn't worth it. Sides were pretty good though.
(2)Sheri G.
They were the only restaurant offering outside seating on a warmish late October day when my friend and I went for a late lunch, so props to them. Our babies were accommodated on the patio. I did duck inside to check it out. It's a prettier and more interesting space than other Shirlington restaurants. The lunch menu looked good--mostly salads, sandwiches, but a few soups and entrees. I opted for the BALT which was a BLT with avocado and fried green tomatoes. It sounded really good but failed on the execution; I could barely eat the thing. The bread was really hard, and the fried green tomatoes were not cooked enough so they were hard as well. I shouldn't need a fork to eat my sandwich. The fries were covered in garlic and tasty but a bit soggy. My friend enjoyed her salad. A 3 for now. I'll go back for dinner and give them another shot.
(3)Matt P.
Wow! what a different experience. After our first review we were contacted by the manager who asked us to give them another try. We did and what a delight! We were met by the Manager who sat us and we were promptly introduced by our professional server Domo who was simply great! I watched as the manager directed the floor like a composer. Our server was knowledgable, friendly, prompt, and a real delight. So I needed to update my review to Fantastic! I will return! Thank you manager for asking us to give you a try again.
(5)Crystal D.
My husband and I live in Shirlington Village and were excited to try the new restaurant in the neighborhood. Saturday night we stopped in only to discover that the restaurant had run out of food. The hostess apologized and explained that they had no clue that the Oktoberfest was scheduled for that weekend. Thus, they had not planned on a high volume of customers. Tonight, we decided to stop in for dinner at about 8:30 pm. We were promptly seated but then had to wait 10 minutes just to get water and 2 cold, dry complimentary mini cornbread muffins. We waited another 30 minutes and no waiters came to take our order! We proceeded up to the hostess stand and asked to see a manager. The manager (female) came over, apologized and offered us one drink (for the 2 of us to share) from the bar. We declined. We were hungry! So we expressed our disappointment and she then asked if we were still planning to eat there or not. We left. I also overheard another couple complaining that they had waited an hour for their cold food. I will never go there again! It's a shame since I live in the neighborhood but this place is seriously lacking in the customer service department. I guess we'll stick to Busboys & Poets where we are always served promptly and with respect!
(1)Amber E.
A solid brunch experience in Shirlington. The place is very cute, the popcorn they give you at the beginning of the meal is delicious and the service was relatively fast. If you are looking for a good brunch without going into the city, consider this one. Make reservations though! Thankfully we did...but it was pretty packed. Couldn't imagine just showing up and trying to get a table.
(3)Torrey S.
My boyfriend and I enjoyed a wonderful brunch here! We highly recommend trying the great cocktails like the BBQ Bloody which was delicious and the Bellini which was so refreshing. We also recommend trying some of the fun moonshines - which are very hard to find this far north! They honestly have a great list of fun cocktails - we can't wait to go back and try to rest! I had the Cajun Benny which was very flavorful and the grilled tomato added a nice surprise to the dish. It's a must try. The atmosphere is great and they played a very cool soundtrack of music. We were also able to watch the US Open as they had both matches playing at the same time on their big tvs at the bar. The service was wonderful and the servers were very knowledgeable and pleasant. You can tell they like being a part of this restaurant and that makes a difference in your experience. All in all I highly recommend making the drive. The area where the restaurant is located is really cute so you can do some shopping after your meal and even bring your dog and sit outside on their patio. They even have dog bowls for water to keep your pup hydrated! Enjoy!
(5)Mindy D.
Copperwood is a welcome addition to Shirlington. I had given up hope that Shirlington would open a non-chain restaurant that offered not only a great bar scene but also amazing food. I think this is it. Copperwood Tavern is a rustic contemporary restaurant that serves family style comfort food. I dined here this weekend, and understanding they just opened two weeks ago, I think they worked out most of the kinks that previous reviews highlighted. The restaurant is larger than it appears from the outside. CWT offers patio seating (they need heat lamps), and there are oversized couches in the front of the restaurant for lounge/group style seating in addition to the dining area. The bar is a decent size, and from what I noticed, expect happy hour to be fairly packed there. The decor is so fun and there is a lot of attention to detail. The bar serves a diverse selection of craft beers, bourbon and moonshine - yes, moonshine. I tried the peach moonshine - there are six varieties to choose from - and honestly moonshine is moonshine. You're basically drinking flavored fire. If that's your thing, go for it. I opted for a Bourbon drink called the Bourbon thief - Bourbon, Ammareto, lemon, apple cider reduction, egg white. The apple cider reduction makes it the perfect fall drink. I also want to highlight that some beverages are served in mason jars, which I love. The menu offers family style comfort food; here's what I tried. Appetizers: bison bites, raw oysters. The bites were served in a mini iron skillet, and they had a bbq style sauce on them. I would recommend them if you want to try bison but don't want to commit to an entree. The oysters were delicious, and I will always recommend them. FYI - they have an oyster happy hour (bar side only). Main course: filet, brussels sprouts with bacon and the truffle mac and cheese. Generally I am all about family style except when asked to share the mac and cheese. It was all delicious and I would recommend all of it. Save room for dessert, because they have nutella ice cream, which should also not be a family style course. The service was excellent and the food was delivered to our table in perfect time - not too fast, not too slow. CWT is must try if you are looking for a non-stuffy, vibrant ambiance while feeding your cravings for a well cooked grass fed steak to go with your truffle mac and cheese.
(4)Amber W.
I had been anticipating Copperwood Tavern for months, on the promise of small plates and artisan whiskeys and beers. Short story: sorely disappointed - overpriced, uninspired and small portions. No amount of cool decor can save a place that leaves you feeling jipped. To be fair, I dined on their fifth day open. Some of the previously mentioned service complaints (running out of food?) were resolved on my visit, though we did order brussels sprouts that never appeared but that did show up on the receipt (and were removed, upon request). Beers all came out timely and as ordered. I was surprised they didn't have flights. Food took *forever* - we waited maybe 45 minutes for apps and another 45 for mains. When they came, they were lukewarm (soggy fries, gross). But more than that, the portions were sad. A tiny disc of tartare and 4 slices of baguette for $10. A single short rib, well shy of an agreeable temperature, for $8. Forty-five minutes and a bucket of unsalted popcorn later, we were eating duck and frisee salads and a pork chop. The aforementioned brussels sprouts never appeared, despite asking for them. The fries were lukewarm and soft. The salads were alright - nothing special, but tasty enough. The pork chop was fine, but obviously had been sitting under a heat lamp for a while. Based on the press releases, I expected this place to have lots of interesting tapas-size plates. Based on what we ordered, I have to assume all the other "small plates" are likewise tiny. They're priced as apps but served like tapas - a disagreeable situation. The mains are all big cuts of meat prepared like big cuts of meat (nothing interesting, and priced $20-30, no sides), and appropriately named "proteins." Sides are shared. The bar menu food actually looked better, but we didn't order anything there, so can't judge. Truth is, we'll probably pop back in at some point after it's been open for a while. I really want this place to work and would love to have an upscale beer type place to hang out... but so far it's completely not working for me. They need to both offer larger portions and more interesting fare or drop those prices. Shirlington won't pay $28 for a steak when we could roll over to Ray's for something amazing, or Lyon Hall for something interesting.
(2)jeff m.
Our first attempt to go here we walked in and the bar was busy, the dining room was only about one third full, but we were told they were only seating people who had reservations. So we left. Came back another time. We were seated promptly. Service was ok, not great. I don't mind paying for a good meal, but the menu was over priced for what I would consider a very average meal.
(2)Chris R.
Great new place. Beautiful ambiance and dining area. Delicious drinks and concoctions that will accentuate any palate. The soups are delish. The fries need just a little work...serve with ketchup not BBQ sauce. My Cuban sandwich was solid and tasted great. My fiends arugula salad was great and very fresh. Melissa the bartender is awesome and will help you decide on some great food and suggestions that meet your pallet. Service was prompt and efficient. Didn't have a chance to try the desserts but I will certainly be back.
(5)Bj A.
Great food and fantastic service from Casey. Mgmt, hostesses, support staf complimented the outstanding bison chop, oysters, appetizers, and variety of drinks. This is a "must do" while visiting and a regular destination for those seeking outstanding evening.
(5)Chad R.
My wife and I visited on Monday, which was technically their third day open. First impression: LOVED the way it looks. Lots of rustic touches, lots of wood, mason jars, clever touches. We received a friendly greeting and were given the option of bar or dining room seating. We sat in the front bar area, comfy stools, good light right by the window. We arrived around 4 PM so only the bar menu was available, but no worries, it's a full and varied menu. We noticed Moonshine was available so we gave it a shot. It was pretty delicious but you should probably tread lightly :) We opted to try a bunch of the Small Bites. Here's how we ranked them: 1. House Frites: Nice crispy fries served in a cute little bucket, lightly seasoned with a really nice smoky ketchup. 2. Smoked Trout Dip: It was very tasty but strangely plated. They nice crostini were stood up in the dip along with a few stalks of celery and slices of radish. They brought us more crostini when we asked which was necessary to finish the dip. 3. Duck Confit Corndogs: The corndogs were good, though the sticks pretty much just slide out and aren't really usable. They were nicely fried and the breading was delicious. The duck was slightly overwhelmed but still good. The beer mustard was way too bitter for me, wish they could sweeten that up a bit. The corndogs were much better with the smoky ketchup. 4. Fried Green Tomatoes: They were good, just not outstanding. Nice tart tomatoes and crispy breading. My wife said they were pretty much like what she would make at home. She's a pretty good cook though, so don't let that sway you! 5. Steak Tartare: Major disappointment. It came out a little too gray to my eye and it had an odd chemical taste. The quail egg was a little overcooked so it was difficult to mix the yolk into the beef. I'm hoping this was just a bad one-off dish. Oh, we got dessert too! We got the Stout Brownies with Nutella ice cream. The brownies were delicious! Moist, warm and plentiful. The ratio of ice cream to brownie was too low though. Adding a scoop of ice cream and maybe a dollop of whipped cream would've made it perfect! So, over all, we are very excited about this place! Our server was friendly and attentive. Lots of craft beers and a lot of menu items left to try. We'll be back soon!
(4)Tom W.
Poor.customer Management...not very gracious welcoming host at front ..went sat eve at 5 30 pm..with no reservation..wouldn't seat us (4) as all reserved...though restaurant area had few tables occupied at time .offered full menu in bar area..left..wanted to sit at a table..Carlyle across street got our business..no problem graciously seating us
(2)Chris B.
This review is for their brunch only: I went for brunch with several friends and we all loved it! The waitstaff is friendly and attentive, the portions are quite large and the drinks are well made. The waiters are still learning the menu and what is and is not included with certain entrees but given that this is the first weekend they have served brunch, it's forgivable. Props to the manager for going around to each table to make sure every guest enjoyed their dining experience. I would definitely recommend Copperwood to friends and I'll be back to try their diner menu.
(5)Alex D.
Everything here is ok. Nothing too special. The complimentary popcorn is pretty good, so always get that when offered. I will warn you that the ketchup here does have an odd flavor to it, which isn't a pleasant one for me.
(3)Lesley P.
For me, the mark of a good restaurant is their ability to make me feel like an appreciated, valued customer. Copperwood hits this mark for me. The menu provides a decent mix of comfort and fresh, local favorites. There are many tasty items to choose from but two items in particular get high marks from me and those are the Grilled Chincoteagues oysters, quite delectable and the fried chicken & biscuits accompanied by their sausage gravy (brunch)...so wonderfully sinful! As most of us know, we work hard for the money we spend on our "free time" so having an attentive and efficient staff is greatly appreciated. This starts with Management who leads by example. I will call out one in particular, Will Melnykovich. He greets everyone as if they are his "favorite" customer. He takes the time to understand your particular needs and in turn makes your time at Copperwood, I feel, very much worth your time. If for some strange reason you are less than satisfied with something, he will definitely remedy it as quickly as he can. Will is also an accomplished food and beverage professional. As he gets to know his customers, he will spontaneously come up with creative drink recipes based on what he feels you may like. This also applies to his suggestion for food options. He often asks your opinion on flavor profiles which gets another high mark...can make you feel like you're contributing to future menu changes. Copperwood Tavern's atmosphere is as comforting as their food. The bar itself is definitely conducive for meeting familiar and new people. The bartenders are exceptional and this is coming from someone who used to work in the industry as well as someone who appreciates great libations. The selection of moonshine is impressive! Boris, the drink guru, manages the drink recipes for the restaurant and helps keep things interesting. To name a few of the bartenders I have been fortunate enough to meet...Kyle is an expert bartender with a wealth of knowledge and a sense of humor to be appreciated. He knows his stuff!! "Z" is another inviting bartender with a fantastic personality and makes you feel welcomed for sure! Micky is as cool as you can get and is a fantastically funny lady. Cassandra couldn't be friendlier and is as cute as a button! I obviously recommend you visit this place...not just to eat/drink but to get to know some of the people who help make this gem one of my local favorites!
(5)Pete S.
Stopped in for a drink after dinner elsewhere, we should have had dinner here! Great bar tender and overall great atmosphere. We will be back. Thanks for making it a good night out Aaron!
(4)DeAngelo V.
I really don't want to give this place a bad review, however as a new or fairly new establishment they don't have their S___ together. The service is subpar. It appears that they hired a bunch of people that have not worked in the business before. They are slow, inattentive and not well knowledgeable on the menu. The bar tenders are good! Overall the food is decent for the most part. Nothing overly stands out. If given a choice I would more than likely consider another restaurant in the neighborhood.
(3)Terry M.
No one should compare this place to Founding Farmers. Sure, they have similar décor and claim farm to table food, however this restaurant is much more overpriced for the quality and quantity of food. If I'm paying for my entrée AND my side separately, I expect the food to be amazing and the portions to be larger. My chicken was dry and flavorless and the gouda mashed potatoes were cold in some parts. The so called "shared sides" of mashed potatoes was laughable, perhaps if you're sharing with a toddler it'll suffice but definitely not three adults. 1 star for supporting the farm to table industry, 1 star for the décor and friendly waitress. It's a shame, I wanted to like this place more. Perhaps once they include their sides into their entrees I'll try them again.
(2)J D.
I ate here for Sunday brunch early one afternoon, looking for something besides my default choice in Shirlington, Carlyle. The menu looked intriguing from the outside, a mix of entrees, sandwiches, and starters so we ventured in. We were seated promptly. The shrimp and grits I ordered proved to be a good choice. The shrimp were well prepared and seasoned and thankfully not overdone. The grits were buttery and smooth. The side of sausage, however, was overcooked, dry and disappointing. There is quite a selection of bourbon, playing to the rustic Southern atmosphere the restaurant is trying to convey. The mimosas we ordered were acceptable, not the best I've had but not the worst either. The restaurant was somewhat busy and service was spotty. Our waiter served our food promptly but it seemed to me that they were trying to turn tables a bit too quickly. One of the wait staff tried to gather up our plates even though we hadn't finished eating (there was still food on them), perhaps mistaking conversation as a cue for having finished dining. So, pay attention or your meal may be whisked away before you are done. There is ample parking in the garages adjacent to the clusters of restaurants.
(3)Derek D.
I came in on a late Monday night to grab a small meal and drink with a few friends. Inside the restaurant has a modern/rustic fusion vibe, which is quite nice. The bar has an excellent whiskey selection to match. Because it was so late, we only had a limited menu to order from - still there was much better choices than the limited pub fare you find on most menus. I ordered duck corn dogs, and my friends ordered a lamb burger, and beef burger. The prices are fairly expensive, but everything was a good bang for the buck. This would be a good place to take someone on a date. Lastly - and maybe most importantly - the food service was excellent, and the staff were friendly and good at their jobs. 4 stars because of the price.
(4)Charles B.
Not our best dining experience. The staff was friendly and competent and the service was prompt but not pushy. The Asparagus and the Fries sides were very good. My wife had the trout entree and found it both generous and good. I had the 14 oz double cut pork chop. What meat there was in the chop was done nicely and it was tasty. Problem was there was about 6 oz of fat on the chop! It was like a treasure hunt to find the meat. On our way out I suggested to the manager that the chef trim the chops of most of the fat.
(3)Rose J.
All of my friends have been eating at Copperwood Tavern lately, so I decided it was my turn. I think the idea of "farm to table" is cool, but I am usually a little weary of it. A lot of times it means very expensive, average tasting food. Well! This is not what happened at Copperwood. The food was great - and the portions were huge. We overordered (as we always tend to do) and had a mushroom bruschetta (pretty good) and French onion soup (really good). For an entrée, I had a pork chop with rhubarb chutney. Creative and tasty. My boyfriend had the steak and said it was great. He offered to let me try it but I was too stuffed. We also shared sides of truffle mac and cheese (awesome) and brussel sprouts cooked with bacon and maple syrup (OMG!!!). We were really pleased with the whole meal and thought that everything was very reasonably priced. Will definitely be back!
(4)C M.
I like this place, I have had bunch, lunch, and dinner here and the food was good each time, but I feel like it's a bit overpriced. Service when this place is busy is just so-so. Like all of the restaurants in Shirlington, I love the outdoor seating when its warm.
(3)Erika K.
Great location and our server was awesome. I give it four stars out of five because you cannot order the pulled pork sliders in the regular dining room, only the bar. Unfortunately we only found that out after we had been seated. This is a rule that should definitely be changed.
(4)Kumar D.
Love this place. Menu is local, grass fed, and delicious. Service was perfect
(4)Naomi B.
Went for my Mom's birthday. I chose the place alone for the farm to table menu and they are a scratch kitchen. Which benefits my mom who has a food allergy/sensitivity. My parents (who are originally from SC) shared a French onion soup and both chose the pork chop that they still rave about weeks later. The husband and I shared the rabbit pot pie which was perfect. I chose the duck (my favorite) and he chose the trout(he loved it). I had wine with my meal and I enjoyed the waitress's recommendation of the zinfandel to pair with my duck. I recommend agreeing on sides to share for the simple fact that you're paying for everything separate it's al la Crete. We order two sides the sweet potatoes (our waitress was more than accommodating in running back and forth to let us know if they contained cinnamon) and the Mac and cheese. My dad refused to taste the Mac (he is very picky when it come to Mac and cheese) everyone else loved it. The waitress(I wish I could remember her name) asked us how our family made the Mac and my dad loved that she was willing to give his recipe a try. Our total with food, drinks(5), and tip came to about $205. My mom later told me that she left an extra $10 because her enjoyed the waitress so much. Price wise expect to spend money this is not your every weekend place. Makes great for date night and celebrating special occasions. It's worth every penny!!!
(5)Casey G.
Been here multiple times and I've never been disappointed! The truffle Mac n cheese is to die for. Reasonably priced, great service, and a wonderfully cozy atmosphere! You really can't go wrong with this place
(5)Jack T.
We attended on the second opening day during OctoberFest in Shirllington. I'm not a big writer but this is what I got: 1. AMAZING Buger, with excellent cripsy fries. Everyone in our 4 person group enjoyed the food thoroughly. We kept it simple to burgers and sandwiches though. 2. Timely and well priced drinks. The moonshine was different and delightful. 3. The decor is awesome and I'll be back just to be apart of the ambiance. 4. Service on food was slow.... which on the second day of opening and the fest was too be expected. 5. The manager gave us a great discount on food/drinks due to the long wait time for food, this ensures that they are trying and I plan to come back. (reason for the 4th star). Overall, I'll return for more.
(4)Megan M.
Their Brunch was fantastic! Went around 12:30 on a Sunday - the place was very crowded! They have communal tables in the bar area, so my group of 3 just grabbed the end of one! We had servers immediately! Loved the BBQ flavored popcorn - I was tempted to ask if I could buy some and bring it home! Their Menu has lots of options. I couldn't decide if I was going to go with Healthy - BALT sandwich or the biscuits and gravy! So of course, I opted for the biscuits and gravy and they were fantastic! Very large servings for the price! All 3 of us enjoyed our meals! The mimosas are very small for $7 but that didn't hurt my experience. I can't wait to come again or try it for dinner! Great atmosphere!
(5)Alisa W.
I've been to Copperwood Tavern multiple times before, and have always recommended it to friends for brunch or date nights. However, today, for Sunday brunch with my dad, who I haven't seen in over six months, was quite another experience. We did not have a reservation, so waited thirty minutes to be seated. This is normal, and was no aggravation to myself or my father. After being seated, our server was a little slower than the servers I had previously had, but my father and I are both patient people, so it was again, no aggravation to us. Our meals had just been cleared, the checked had just been paid, and my father and I were in mid-conversation when a manager came over and asked us to move. Not only did the manager interrupt our conversation, but we had been seated for less than an hour! I was shocked. Sure, the manager offered us gift cards, but that does not overshadow his rudeness for asking us to move when we had only been seated for a short while. I've worked in food service before, and asking a guest to move was always a HUGE no-no. I am so offended, and my experience was tainted. I would have given no stars if it wasn't for the food or the server. I will not be back.
(2)Lewis S.
Had brunch there over the weekend. We were greeted by a cheerful, very young looking hostess who was super nice. Our waitress, Mickey, was great and took the time to explain the new brunch menu to us and was also very professional and nice. The only thing better than the service was the food! I had eaten there previously during their first week of business and it is obvious the have worked out all the kinks.
(5)Erin G.
I've been meaning to try this place out ever since I heard about their $1 oysters at happy hour. Who doesn't love some oysters?! My roommate and I sat at a tall table near the window in the bar area. Nice spot, good people watching. The decor was nice enough and loved the look of the high ceilings throughout. The popcorn that they brought to the table was AWESOME. We tried to re-create it at home and failed miserably. I would go back just for some more of this. It was a sweet and savory combo of something like brown sugar and old bay. So good. We had 1.5 dozen raw oysters between the two of us. The oysters were tasty and seemed fresh, though the cleaning must have been hasty as there was still some grit in a few of them. But not enough to warrant any concern. I guess when you are serving $1 oysters you have a shuck them fast to meet demands! We also split the lamb sliders with garlic fries, which were fantastic. The lamb was well done and the tzatziki sauce on top was super flavorful. The garlic fries that came with it were yummy, but nothing to write home about. The service was friendly but a little on the slow side. They had a couple of good stouts on hand and the server was quick to recommend an alternative to me when a keg was being changed so that I wouldn't have to wait too long. All in all, very pleased and would definitely go back.
(4)Trevor G.
So happy this place is open! What an amazing experience, great food, and fun drinks. 1. Decor was amazing / felt like a ski lodge, old saloon, and barn from Montana - very cozy. 2. Music was perfect - could not have made me happier. 3. Drinks were fabulous - don't miss out on the Moonshine! 4. Service was exceptional - well done, very likeable people 5. Food Overall, it was really good. The meatballs were to die for, especially with the gravy The mushrooms and brussels were AWESOME! All of the sides came in really large portions - by far a good bang for the buck...I was surprised at how large they were My chicken breast was really really tasty - awesome job. Same can be said for the Filet! My overall impression was great - I can't wait to come back and feel the comfort I felt last night with the tasty drinks, warm food, and cool vibe.
(5)Mean Gene K.
The service was great but the Duck was not. I ordered the DuckHash for brunch and it was the worst duck I've tasted. I couldn't tell what was wrong but, it was gross. "Maybe over smoked." The popcorn was really plain and they could have kept that. I would like to say I had a taste of my wife's crab cake Benedict and that was tasty. I have a suggestions also for the owners "Chill the Tap water at least!" The serving of the warm tap water in the nice bottle was a turn off. For that you guys get this rating.
(2)Matthew D.
All 3 plates had to be sent back for proper temperature. Chef still didn't get it right. Raw pork was served, twice, with a manager trying to convince us that it was safe to eat. Chef attempted to cook meat to temperature by only cooking on one side. Half of each cut was cooked too much and the other half was completely raw. Meat didn't rest at all... Truly a shame. Come here for drinks and salad.
(1)Scott L.
Really enjoyed our drinks and fries! Amazing staff-very helpful! We'll be back!
(5)Liz L.
So good! This is one of my and my husband's new favorite places. We came here for the first time on Valentine's Day because it was one of the few places in the area that had last-minute reservations available. (Our romantic out-of-town weekend trip was cancelled due to the snow.) The atmosphere is rustic, yet upscale. A lot of wooden and copper accents to go with the name. They have some nice group seating - picnic tables & benches - but also enough 2-tops for couples. They serve moonshine drinks and also have some cool moonshine accessories displayed around the restaurant. Just a really neat-looking place. Now onto the food. Looking at the menu, the first thing I thought was "Wow - pricey." And, yes, it is a little more than I would normally spend on a meal. But this isn't your everyday kind of place. This is a place when you really want to go all out. Every single thing we ordered was delicious and well worth the expense. We started with the bison meatballs. The gravy they come with is to-die-for. The meatballs themselves are large, but flavorful. All of the entrees are meat only - sides are extra, but a must! My husband got the venison chop and I had the duck. Both were perfectly cooked to order and delicious. (We've since gone back and had the NY Strip and the Pork Chop - also amazing) But wait. There's more. The stars of the show are the sides. In fact, I could skip the meat altogether and just order sides and apps for the meal. The brussel sprouts are out of this world. Cooked in a cast iron mini-skillet, they're crispy and full of flavor (and bacon, I think). The truffle mac-cheese is SO GOOD. I ate the whole thing myself. My husband claimed the gouda mashed potatoes. We've also had the fingerlings (which I liked more than the mash, but my husband disagrees) and the fries (which are good, but no comparison to the others). Oh - one other thing - they bring these little cornbread muffins with the most heavenly orange-zested honey butter I have ever had. They are complimentary and, again, so good. We've never made it to dessert - way too full from the meal. However, I'm sure we'll make it one of these days and I'm sure it will be delicious. The only thing that I really was not pleased with was my drink. I'm not much of a moonshine girl, but thought I'd try one. I got the hot buttered shine - the moonshine completely overpowered the flavors of the drink. I'll stick with water, thanks. You'll leave this place with a full belly and an empty wallet, but you'll have enjoyed one of the best restaurants in the area (Shirlington).
(5)Jessalyn L.
We went for brunch. The decor is not my style, but farm to table food is always a plus. The waiter was friendly (if not over the top) and I felt that he may never stop asking if I wanted a Bloody Mary (to be fair, a friend had one and said it was amazing, I just don't like them). But the food was delicious. I had a western omelette and the potatoes (fried in duck fat). We shared the french toast sticks, which were good but the syrup and butter were better. I tasted my husband's fried chicken with biscuits and it was delicious. Overall, we will be back to try all the other things on the menu, brunch and maybe even dinner. The prices were on par with most of Arlington but worth it.
(4)Geoff O.
Eh. Way too expensive for lunch or dinner and still a bit too expensive for a mediocre breakfast. The entrees look good on paper, but I was not impressed by the time I actually ate my food. It was average. Silver Diner will give you a more satisfying (and cheaper) meal.
(2)Patrick O.
I generally like Copperwood. They have a great drink menu, good beer on tap, and I very much like the food overall. BUT, I went there with my family last night, including my 14 year old son, and we were seated in the "dining room" side of the restaurant. It turns out that, although they have both a kids menu and a bar menu (burgers, etc.), they refuse to serve either on the "dining room" side. It was not that they stopped serving the bar fare earlier in the day. No, they only serve it on the "bar side". While they offered to move us to the bar, at that point it would have been more of a hassle. We asked the waitress why they wouldn't serve the bar food on the "dining room" side, and the explanation was that the owner insists on that separation, because he (or she) wants there to be a clear delineation between the more formal dining room side and the less formal bar side. That, in my view, is absurd and pretentious -- and, to the owner I say, get a clue. The two sides of the restaurnt don't look that much different, and certainly the dining room side looks just as casual as the bar side. (Aside: are the tables outside considered on the "bar side" or the "dining room" side, or does it depend on whether they are to the left or right of the front door?) And while I enjoy the food, there is pretty much NOTHING on the regular menu that a teen or younger kid will like (even the mac and cheese and meatballs are too fancy for most kids, as I learned last night). Plus, I really don't understand the concept of having a children's menu, but only having it avilable in the bar. So, while I like the food and generally like the atmosphere, and those, by themselves would proably have resulted in a 4 or 4.5 star rating, this absurd and pretentious separation between the two "sides" of the restaurant compel me to lower my rating, and more importantly, to cross this restaurant off of my list for family outings.
(3)Alyse C.
Had a feast set for kings. Strip steak, swordfish, filet, taretare. The mashed was the best. I have no complaints. Staff was friendly and on point
(5)Melinda M.
I have been here three times and each one was more disappointing than the previous visit. Seems like it is hit or miss from other reviews. For me getting sick the last time made it a strike out. Don't think I'll try this one again. There are much better places to eat and drink.
(1)Gwendolyn F.
Brunch. Food: decent. Service: not so much. Server made 2 passes through the dining room, ignoring the empty glasses and everything else. Finally got his attention during his long chat with a co-worker by waving my empty glass over my head for about a minute.
(2)Jess M.
Had a great burger today! Enjoyed the friend green tomato, high quality roll, and the beef patty was juicy and cooked perfectly (to medium). I would come back again!
(3)Ryan B.
I've been to Copperwood Tavern twice now, and both were stellar experiences. That probably had something to do with our waitress, but more on that later... The decor is nice... Definitely a "cabin in the woods" feel when you walk in and in the bar. However, the dining room area is still classy enough for a special night out. The space is pretty small, so people can be crammed in there on a busy night, but I won't take a star off for them being too popular. We dealt with the hostesses on both occasions, and both times they were very helpful and respectful. First time to inquire about bar seats, and the second time to cancel our dining room reservations to sit in the bar area. They welcomed us on the way in, and bid us good night on the way out. This is a small thing, but nowadays, it's not guaranteed. Food/Drink: The first time we came, we sat in the dining room, and were started off with some cornbread. I believe it had a citrus spin to it, and I really enjoyed it. I also enjoyed some peach moonshine... Very good! For the meal, I got the Duck Breast and the girlfriend got a filet. The pear/blueberry combination with the duck was outstanding. My girlfriend is not always a red-meat person, but she enjoyed her steak. We shared the Truffle Mac and the Asparagus. That Truffle Mac is outstanding. Has a nice crunch on the top, and is a perfect texture (in between creamy and dry). I finished with the creme brulee, which was pumpkin. Not exactly "Seasonal at the time" but delicious none the same. The second visit, we sat in the bar, which offers a different menu (but you can also order off the normal menu!). Because of these options, I think we'll be sitting in the bar area for future visits. In the bar area, we were started off with complimentary BBQ popcorn (might have been kettle because of the underlying sweetness). I then had some happy hour chilled oysters, which were Ok, but definitely satisfied my craving for seafood. My girlfriend got the petite filet, this time off the bar menu and it came with duckfat fingerling potatoes which were INCREDIBLE. Her filet was a little underdone for Medium, but not criminally so. I got the pecan trout, which was different, but a great spin on a crust. The Truffle Mac was shared again, and did not disappoint. Beer Selection: They have an awesome selection of craft beers on draft here. They throw in some locals as well, and I was actually able to try several beers I've never had before even though I try A LOT of new beers. Service: Our waitress, whom served us when we were in the dining room the first time and then the Bar area, was awesome. Her name is Cassandra. She was so polite, respectful, prompt, helpful and (any other nice adjective). I really appreciated that, and she definitely represents the restaurant well. Overall, this place is a great spot to grab a beer and some above average "bar food" or sit down and have a nice meal with a significant other. I recommend it, and will be back!
(5)Rick T.
Sat at the bar on a midweek evening. Started with Fried Green Tomatoes which were dense with a coating of spackle. I ate 3/4 of one and set my plate aside. Tried the Pork Barbecue Sandwich and ate all the accompanying salad but only a few forkfuls of the meat because I found it overdressed with vinegar to the point that the pork flavor was indistinguishable. The two stars go to Mick the bartender.
(2)Joe C.
Went to this place on 3/17/15. I could write a rambling review but I think I will just cut to the chase. THIS PLACE SUCKS. Very douche-baggy food at unreasonably high prices. If I had the stomach of a wood nymph, this place would have been filling. Small plates that were not supposed to be small plates. I ordered the chicken breast, which was pretty good but that was all that was on the plate. One sorry ass piece of chicken. $19.00 for chicken breast that looked like it was rescued from a dungeon in SE Washington, D.C. . Wife had the filet mignon at 29.00 plus 10.00 for the mac and cheese side. As an aside, i found it funny that one of the most inexpensive item on the menu happened to be the largest portion. Back to the steak. They should advertise it as the button filet because it was literally the size of a button. It came with some mushrooms in a miniature skillet. Now, if something is served in a skillet one would think it would be at least warm if not hot. NOPE, butt cold. So, for a little comparison, the special at Ruth's Chris steak house is 44.00 which includes sides and a nice cut of steak. So, theres that. This place is trying way too hard to be hip. Especially for shirlington. Save your money. Or spend it at Charlyle Grand. Or Weenie Beanie.
(1)Chelsey O.
I'm that person who uses Yelp for recommendations on everything, yet never leaves my own review. This experience was bad enough to make me want to write my first review. Ordered a $28 New York strip medium rare. The steak came out medium well, so we sent it back. After a 10+ minute wait, they bring out a new steak that was actually cooked medium rare yet the outside was burnt to a crisp and the only thing you could taste was a nice charcoal burnt flavor. Now I understand the restaurant didn't want to comp a $28 steak. Fine, I get that. But they didn't even offer to give us a free round of drinks, or comp our second round of beer. As a manager at a 'farm to table' restaurant where you're paying $$, the customer shouldn't have to ask for a free beer or discount because of no fault of their own, they had to have their steak sent back to be cooked the way they ordered it in the first place. This should have been offered immediately. My husband and I wanted to eat dinner together, not have him eat a medium rare charcoal steak 10 minutes after I was finished eating.
(2)Cee E.
The fried Brussels Sprouts are the MOST amazing thing here. Second most amazing thing is that you can HEAR your dining companions. It's a full house tonight and I can clearly hear the music floating above--but I can still converse at a normal level!! Props to the management!!!! As I write this, my dining companion is woofing down the chocolate brownie with Nutella ice-cream with a large smile. But she can't decide whether this or the welcoming corn muffin with orange butter was the best thing here. The decor is rustic and refreshing. Definitely a nice change of pace for Shirlington. I would give it five stars if there were more variation in the menu over time. But no complaints right now.
(4)Mary R.
The manager was unprofessional and rude. A spelling error was pointed out on the dinner menu and my daughter asked the waiter if she gets a free dessert for bringing it to their attention. She observed the waiter telling the manager and he just blew it off. When the waiter returned to the table and did nothing we asked to speak with the manager. The manager came to the table and said " Because I made a spelling error on the menu I should give you a free dessert?" Ugggghhhhh he definitely flunked Marketing 101. If he can spell marketing!!!!!! As far as the food goes . . . the oysters are the deal. Drinks are pricey but what do you expect in Shirlington. Will I go back? Probably not. There are other places to choose from that appreciate repeat business.
(1)William H.
Pleasant wait staff, Elisabeth. The manager walked by twice and did not take a drink order. The highly recommended pork chop was grizzly and fatty. Other food was adequate. Many other better choices on that same street so avoid this one.
(2)Amanda T.
I went to Copperwood the other day and met one of their farmers and enjoyed a salad from them. It was great! I love farm to table restaurants. The truffle Mac and cheese was amazing! The short ribs with this mashed potato purée was delicious! I think this restaurant is great and getting better and better each time I go!
(4)Adria G.
Last night was my first time dining at Copperwood. I was headed to the movies and I just passed by Copperwood. First of all, the decor is very inviting at night. I love the Mason jars everywhere. I had the short ribs (I didn't taste the root beer in this), the brussels sprouts, the truffle mac and a Duvel beer. Everything was sublime! The short ribs could be cut with a fork. The taste of pureed parsnips could have been a little bit bigger so you could actually eat it with every bite of short ribs. I consider myself a connoisseur of brussels sprouts and the brussels sprouts here are in my top two (first is Food, Wine and Company. The worst are at J. Paul's). I've definitely found a new addiction. I've already shown their website and menu to a co-worker. I will probably go back later this week for dinner again. Great job!
(4)Cricket M.
Really liked this place. First time, good new restaurant. I love that they have a brunch menu - finally an alternative to the usual hum drum places!
(4)Cheryl D.
I like this spot! Cool atmosphere, GREAT Bourbon menu, of which I am a big fan. I've been here for both brunch and happy hour, the food is good. Mussels are fantastic, definitely a very welcome addition to the neighborhood. The only thing I'm not crazy about is the ketchup, not a fan but that's just personal taste.
(4)Nicole M.
I went here on a Sunday for brunch and was glad I had made a reservation as it was packed. Copperwood Tavern has a really cool rustic theme going on and the tables are spread out enough that you don't feel as if you are on top of your table neighbors. That being said, the place was loud, borderline roaring (must be all the metal decor). The servers (we had a team of 2 helping us) were friendly, but slow and forgetful. I wanted a water refill the entire meal and never got one. My peach bellini was really delicious, but entirely overpriced. For my meal, I ordered the biscuits and gravy with potatoes on the side and was underwhelmed. The biscuits were okay, but nothing that I would bother telling anyone about. The potatoes were soggy with oil and not good at all. My friend ordered the blue crab benedict and said it was one of the best things she has ever eaten, so maybe I did not choose wisely. I definitely will not be back here for brunch, but I would like to stop in for dinner at some point and see if I have a better experience. I will update my review, if necessary, when that time comes.
(3)Joseph R.
Excellent lamb burger. Don't shy away from the drinks with egg in them, you'll be pleasantly surprised. Cassandra is an excellent bartender, trust her judgement if you're unsure of what drink you'd like. Just remember, you have to give your bartender am idea of what you like before you ask for a recommendation. I'll definitely be coming back because of this experience.
(5)Kait U.
Amazing food! I've been several times and have never been anything less than impressed! Their grilled Cesar salad is incredible and the drunken portobello sandwich is perfectly constructed with such great flavors that compliment each other perfectly. Definitely recommend it to anyone heading to Shirlington!
(5)C B.
First, the decor. Cheesy and very Disneyworld. I am always suspicious of "theme" restaurants. Plastic to the max! Second, the service. They do not have it together yet. All the 4 star reviews couldn't be right based on what we observed! Third, the food. Please don't treat me like I'm your money machine! The food is not great and certainly not worth the price. Fourth, if you simply like to drink in a "theme" environment, this is the place! Won't be back!
(2)Emily H.
I have been their twice for brunch and each time have enjoyed the experience. Cons are prices are a little higher then I would like, and sometimes I have to flag down the server for more water. All in all though a solid brunch location.
(4)Janet C.
we had gone here for happy hour and dinner before, and it was good, comparable to other choices around shirlington. most recently, today, we came here for brunch, and it was pretty good as well. we ordered the scotch egg, some chilled oysters, the blueberry ricotta pancakes, the western omelet (which came with crispy potatoes) and a side salad, and the quiche (which came with a salad). everything was tasty, the panckes were ginorms, the potatoes were crispy and well seasoned, the scotch egg is everything you would expect it to be with a warm gooey yolk and the egg dishes were fine. surprisingly, i found the dressing for the salad to be unexpectedly awesome. all in all, another good brunch spot in shirlington.
(4)Alexandra A.
I normally don't write yelp reviews, but I we had a great time at this place. My fiance ordered the burger and fries (he said it was pretty good), I ordered the french onion soup & mussels. I wouldn't order the mussels again because the broth was reallllllly salty and buttery, a bit too heavy for my taste, but it may be right up some people's ally. The french onion soup was classic with a great flavor. Our friend also ordered the lamb sliders and brussels spouts. She raved about the sliders. The brussels sprouts were my favorite thing we ordered! All the sides were a VERY large portion. Perfect for sharing. We also ordered several shots of the "moonshine" since it was the best bang for your buck as the other drinks were a little pricier. Our server George was AWESOME and very friendly, I added a star just for him! We would go back. Overall all a nice little happy hour/dinner/drinks spot in the Shirlington area.
(4)Hanie H.
Gave CopperWood Tavern's brunch a shot this past Sunday. They were really accommodating. I had a 1pm reservation for 12 people and my friends are always late. Only there of us were there at One, and we were seated promptly. The entire group didn't arrive until 1:45. The space is nice, but the service stood out. Our server, split checks among our group with a smile on her face. Working in the service industry, I know this is a major pain. The food was average, I had the steak and eggs. The steak was bland, I didn't like the fact they served it sliced, but it was cooked to a perfect medium rare. Their French toast was banging. Light and full of flavor. I'm gonna come back here again to give their dinner a shot.
(4)Meghan S.
We've wanted to try this place for a month, as we live close by. Unfortunately, we chose to try it on NYE. Poor life decision. First off, when we called to make reservations, the hostess neglected to inform us that it would be a pre-set menu for the evening with a pre-set price. Yes, I know it is NYE and many restaurants have that policy for the night, however I am not a mind reader and it is unacceptable that the information was not passed along during the call. The rest of the bad experience was "the kinks" everyone is talking about. Again, it was NYE, but it ended up being a 2.5 hour ordeal and we were sitting for around for a painstaking 30 minutes waiting for the check at the end. Almost missed the ball drop. They ran out of prime rib. The salad was straight from the Fresh Express bag with no effort at all to dress it up. The food was not spectacular. The only reason it is getting 2 stars instead of 1 is the brussels sprouts side. Delicious. Three of us ordered bourbon neat. Wish the pour was a bit better for $14. Never going back.
(2)Jonathan S.
I've been to this place on three separate occasions at different times in the day. Two of these times I've had the worst service by not even having a server approach me withing the first 15 minutes I was there. After finally asking the hostess to send us a server they show up with an "I don't care" attitude. Although I've only sat in the bar area, I think the only way to get good service is to sit at the bar itself. I've eaten here and have had 2 of their burgers. Both were terrible. If you can't do a burger well then you should just give up. I will not be visiting again.
(1)Caitlyn B.
Copperwood is one of our favorite new restaurants for brunch on the weekends. Their duck-fat fried potatoes are to die for. My favorite dishes are their omelettes or their blueberry ricotta pancakes while my husband is obsessed with their sausage gravy and pours it all over his order of chicken and biscuits. We've also been for dinner a few times and love their meatballs and mac and cheese. They also offer oysters and they're so good! Their dinner menu is a bit pricey for us but we really appreciate the local farm-to-table fare and are willing to pay extra to have the amazing chefs at Copperwood cook us up some sustainable meals. Our favorite thing about Copperwood is the upscale rustic atmosphere. And you can't beat the popcorn they bring to your table during the meal! More tips: This place is always busy, so be sure to make reservations! They're dog-friendly if you want to sit outside. Find parking in any of the free Shirlington parking lots!
(5)Allison F.
After moving to the area recently, I've finally decided Copperwood is my favorite restaurant in the Shirlington Village! The first few times I visited Copperwood it was mostly to grab a drink or two. Kyle, one of the bartenders makes the best Moscow Mules (vodka & ginger beer cocktail), served in copper mugs. They also always offer you popcorn, which is always a nice touch when drinking. The bar crowd is super friendly too. Definitely a great spot to bring friends for happy hour. Finally had the opportunity to try their food last night. One of the servers recommended I try the lamb burger. Never had a lamb burger before so I didn't know what to expect, but it was absolutely amazing and cooked perfectly! I've heard their brunch is one of the best in town, so I can't wait to come back to try the Blue Crab Benedict and Bloody Marys.
(5)Rene C.
What a great experienced!! I got to say working in the industry my self I'm very critical when I go dine out but this place Thumbs up!!! Decor was really nice, great ambiance and really clean place. Maria our server was spectacular very prompt and detail oriented, glasses were filled through the whole lunch, plates removed on time spectacular service! On top of that Mike the manager walked to our table to make sure we were having a good lunch, having the manager check on the table doesn't happened to often if your not eating in a fine dining restaurant. Food was delicious, kudos to the whole time! I will be back for sure.
(5)Melanie M.
Brussel sprouts were very good. If you come here, get the brussel sprouts. I also got the duck and found it to be very tender. It came with a great fruity sauce that complemented the meat well. Stout brownie was dry, wish it was served warm since it included nutella ice cream. I would not get this desert again. Service was average. Loved the ambiance. it was packed and lively.
(3)Malcolm J.
Nice brunch spot. Good ambiance, cool rustic decor. We sat @ the bar and the service (Abby) was friendly and helpful. Blueberry Ricotta Pancakes ($11): good flavor, but a little cakey for my personal taste Cajun Bennie ($11): Really good. The eggs were scrambled soft as I requested, the sauce was flavorful without being too rich, the ham was good real southern style breakfast ham (just a little on the thin side), & the potatoes were as good as everyone says. I would absolutely come back for brunch again and would order this dish again Absolute w/ fresh squeezed grapefruit ($9): tasty and refreshing.
(4)David G.
The following is what I sent in an email to management after our first visit this past Sunday afternoon; - A lot of nice design touches, especially the openness of the place. So many places feel so crowded that its a great switch. The open ceiling is refreshing too, both for looks as well as a sound buffer. - Enthusiastic staff which seem to need more training. Nothing critical that I observed, just some bumping into each other and a number of guests fending for themselves in the bar area. Will- an old friend formerly from Beckett's- straightened things out, fortunately. - Biggest problem, however, is your pricing. Simply put, way too high. The lamb burger at $16 was too pricey for what was received, especially since the patty was very lightly seasoned and dwarfed by the bun it rested in. A preview of your dinner menu showed some interesting items, but at a sticker cost that almost rivals Morton's. While your beer selection is nicely chosen, most are $1-2 higher than similar places, ie Blackfinn, Rustico. Worst of all-- $9 for Jack Daniels? Not Gentleman Jack, not Single Barrel Jack, just plain old JD? Seriously??? Overall, our first experience was a good one, and we will likely return soon. And there will be some birthing pains, especially since this is your first attempt at a full fledged restaurant. Hopefully you'll make a few adjustments that will place Copperwood at the top of our Shirlington list, instead of roughly 3rd or 4th, where it is at this time. The place does have potential, but they do have to get over themselves in terms of their pricing structure. Oh, and three days after I sent this message to management, I have yet to receive a response. Not too encouraging, if they really want to build a customer base.
(2)Ilene G.
for dinner with a large group. I felt that the serviced was very good when we first walked in and they weren't busy, once it got busy the service was slow. Interesting concept as farm to table, interesting dishes, great appetizers and soups. I feel as though they're trying to add up your bill by having all ala carte. It can get expensive, it's about 20% more expensive than similar restaurants in the area. Beer and sides were a expensive. the food quality was good and everyone was happy with their entrees. Desserts were great.
(3)D L.
Ate here on Sat evening 11/16. Was really looking forward to enjoying this new addition to Shirlington. What a disappointment! From the start a disaster. The waiter informed us she had been on since brunch. It showed as she seemed to not understand anything we said or asked. Appetizers were so-so. We had the scallops and 1/2 dozen of the grilled oysters. Better at Red Lobster. Salads were drenched in some vinegarette that was too salty. In fact salt seemed to be the #1 ingredient in everything we ordered. Filet Mignon was nearly in edible due to salt content. Skipped dessert and coffee since we couldn't wait to get out of the place. At tho
(1)Caroline C.
What distinguishes good service from great service? How the management rectifies mistakes. A group of eight showed up for a dinner reservation and immediately seated. We all order several different entrees and five share-able sides. My entree was delicious and my venison was made medium as requested and the fried brussel sprouts were so good they converted my mother in law who hates anything green. However two of my dining companions had meat varying degrees under what was ordered (one ordered well done, a travesty I know, and received medium and one person ordered medium but ended up with rare). The waitress was incredibly apologetic about the whole thing and immediately got the manager. Then we realized one person didn't have an entree and it came out about 10 minutes after everyone else. I think the line cook must not have started his ribeye when the rest of the orders came in and then tried to rush the bison ribeye because the late order came black and blue not medium. The manager was immediately alerted and immediately offered us desserts on the house. We were treated to a delicious dessert sampler, one of everything on the menu. The brownie with nutella ice cream and the balsamic strawberry shortcake were my favorites. I didn't care for the creme brûlée, wrong texture and they added orange when I was expecting vanilla. Three out of the eight entrees were not perfect but the manager made prompt corrections and was very apologetic. That one line cook probably needs a stern talking to and lesson in meat cookery and caused the removal of one star. Decor, food and service are great. I'll be back!
(4)Laura S.
Several words now come to mind with Copperwood: Bad service, meh food, fake rustic. Frustic, if you will. I hate drinking out of mason jars, and the decor was so forced as if to overemphasize a point. We get it, you're "farm to table." You're trendy. Good for you. Except that it isn't really farm to table, at least not the way other good standards in the area are. I don't know if the server we had was just uneducated, or if the chefs are apathetic or incompetent, but here is what happened: I have celiac disease, and I asked the waiter what options were GF friendly. Being "farm to table," this should be pretty easy -- fresh ingredients, local, and simple to modify. The waiter's response when I asked about the menu was, "If you have celiac and have been dealing with it for a while, I'm sure you know better than I do what you can eat." Uhhh, OK, but I don't know the ingredients here. I specifically asked you whether the risotto was gluten free, or whether I could eat the creamed corn. I never got a word back about those items. Every "protein" or appetizer on the menu contained gluten-words---bourbon sauce, witte beer butter, fried, battered, brown ale sauce, etc. The waiter in no way made it seem that the chefs could or would be accommodating. The waiter implied that I wouldn't be happy with proteins served plain (or that the chef would do that anyway), as they are "best with the sauces." I therefore selected the "oven roasted fingerling potatoes" as a side with some spinach. Well, turns out the "oven roasted" potatoes are actually fried (at least the waiter knew enough to warn me, since it wasn't described as such on the menu), so I simply ordered a side of spinach and a side of creamed corn, asking the waiter to please verify there were no gluten ingredients in those before he placed the order. He never came back, and the food was delivered to our table. I made the bad assumption that because it was put through on the ticket, that meant the food was gluten free. Mistake! I got sick about 2 hours later. Our server was borderline rude. He tried to convince my friend and I to split a bottle of Rose when we each ordered a glass of white wine. When we politely declined, he didn't let it go. He also told us several times about the number of children he had at home and that this was his second job. He was quite pushy about menu items and desserts. He brought over the check and then offered to split it for us by couple, practically grabbing the check out of my boyfriend's hand and crumpling it up while walking away brusquely (if you don't want to split it, don't offer to?). Overall, I was not impressed with the food. The rest of the party was mixed, some really enjoying the food and others implying they had better experiences elsewhere. It's also pretty pricey for apparently not being as "fresh" as it seems. I'll never go back to this place, and I definitely won't mix the fake cowboy seats and wooden decor. Do not go here if you have a food allergy!
(2)Neno D.
Been looking for a good brunch place near our house lately and this delivered! The drinks were a little expensive and no bottomless option, but well worth it. I mean a Bloody Mary with bacon? Awesome concept. The food was very good too...French toast stocks with orange butter and it was soft inside and crispy on the outside! The scotch egg was everything I thought it would be...you just have to try it...I had always seen it on food network and travel channel, finally was able to have it! We will be back!
(4)Sunny C.
Everything from the decor, farm theme, ambiance, and accommodating service set the stage for a potentially wonderful dining experience. However, the quality of the food is the only reason for this 2 star review. Our table ordered two of the same side dish (truffled mac and cheese), but if you put the dishes side by side, they looked completely different. One was lightly toasted, and the other one was burnt. Why did that dish leave the kitchen? The fried brussels sprouts were incredibly salty. It took effort to try to finish the side dish and not waste food. I drank four full mason jars of water and still did not think it was enough to balance the saltiness. Also salty was the poached lobster claw. The risotto was so salty that it masked the flavors I think the kitchen staff wanted to draw out from the dish. The "wellness" of the steaks also were inconsistent. The items in the "small bites" menu are truly small; the dish is about 5 inches across tops.
(2)Keren S.
This place opened right before we moved from dc a few months ago. Now that we're back, we decided to try it as our first 'adult dinner' without our 4 month old date. It's a beautifully designed place. The walls have wood rounds stacked to the ceiling. They have a nice bar to be at. The drink menu is fun with all of the different bourbon and moonshine offerings. They have the coolest copper cups that some of the drinks come in. They have some very unique wines-like the wine from Maynard James keanan's Arizona estate (he's the lead singer from tool). The menu is very heavy and rich. We decided to over do it a bit because we wanted to try everything. We ordered the short ribs appetizer, the lobster claw and risotto appetizer, the Caesar salad, and the French soup as starters. Then we ordered the bison chop and the roasted chicken. The bison chop had a bit too much salt and the appetizer plates were a bit expensive for what they were. In spite of the few criticisms, it was all rather good. We will go back and try some other things that look interesting. They supposedly have a fun brunch that is kid friendly.
(4)Raja T.
Drinks only- Great place to meet up with a friend to catch up. Full, but not too crowded. Great vibe, and varied clientele
(4)Rachael C.
Stopped here on a random mid afternoon lunch date with my husband while we were exploring the area and as the name implies it is a lot of copper and wood and features fresh from farm to table food. Had great service and the food was excellent. I will be back and would recommend.
(4)Soone'y V.
Ate here on a Sunday afternoon, went inside to wait for a table at the hostess stand. There was no one there, my brother and I and a few other customers waiting around for 10 minutes. They were not overflowing with people, I understand the wait if a restaurant is a full house. The hostess didn't apologize for the wait, barely looked at my brother and I, we were seated and shortly after our waitress came by with popcorn and menus. We ordered burgers and fries which were good, not greasy and the french fries portion was generous. The decor fits the name, lots of wood, mason jars, country theme with a modern appeal. The service was slow and not a place I would go out of my way to eat at being I live in Shirlington. If I want a great burger and service I would go to the Burger Joint in Old Town Alexandria or Ted's Montana Grill by Eisenhower Metro. If you want great whiskey drinks go to 219 in Old Town to the cigar bar, that is where you will get yourself a whiskey drink from knowledgable bartenders.
(2)Juan M.
There are restaurant and then there is Copperwood! A small hand selected seasonal menu that is prepared with taste in mind. Most of menu is departed into main dishes and side dishes. The Mac and cheese is heavenly, the taste is unlike any other Mac and cheese ice ever tasted and caresses your taste buds and seduces you into tasteful submission. The slabs of meat are expertly cooked I've had the steak and constantly walk away with a satisfied smirk. The garlic truffle fries are a must! Coming into the DC area from a mountain town this place makes me feel nostalgic with its decor.
(4)Morgan M.
Great food, great drinks, great atmosphere! The dinner menu is great, and brunch is amazing. It can be hard to get a reservation, so call early. If you can't, just walk in to the bar-- there are plenty of tables and we've never had to wait long. Best place to eat in Shirlington!
(5)Jeremy C.
It's nice to see a popular place in Shirlington. The food was pretty good, I went during brunch. I was hammered and forgot what I ate but I knew it was solid. The wood decor in pretty cool. They also had pretty big dog bowls full of water out so my dog could drink while we hung out. 5 stars yay
(5)Rebecca M.
I hate brussel sprouts... I LOVE Copperwood's brussel sprouts. Seriously, I'll get cravings for them and luckily it's easy getting any of my friends to go to this place because the food is awesome and so are the drinks. My favorite drink there is the Bacon Rebellion. I believe it's Wild Turkey, maple syrup, a giant ice cube, and yup you guessed it bacon (duh). The bacon soaks up the liquor and it's delicious. The muscles and french onion soup are also on my list of favorites here. My one critique here is that the restaurant area is rather small. So if you are coming in for a reservation and it's a really busy night, chances are you'll be waiting to be seated past your reservation.
(4)Kiev R.
Wanting to try something new in the Shirlington area, my co-workers were excited to try out Cooperwood Tavern for happy hour. We were excited to see that the bar area was big enough to accommodate a large party, with a nice lounge section that made chit-chatting with everyone relatively easy. Unfortunately, the small coffee tables, while cute, proved inefficient at holding all the food and drinks ordered so some people were relegated to balancing their plates on their laps while trying to eat. The happy hour specials were good, with $2 off all draft beers and $1 oysters. I was excited to see that they had hard apple cider on tap! That alone made the visit worth it. I ordered half a dozen oysters on and garlic parmesan fries. The food was good but nothing extraordinary. Our waiter was doing his best but was a little overwhelmed by the sheer number of tables he had to cover (since happy hour proved rather popular). Other staff occasionally jumped it to help him, but it would have made a world of difference to have another waiter covering the area. Overall, it was a great happy hour spot despite the minor inconveniences so I'd definitely be willing to stop by again.
(3)Angie S.
I recently met up with some friends here a few weeks ago for a drink & was BEYOND elated when I discovered they had moonshine on their menu. When I was there I mixed the blueberry moonshine with lemonade, it was very refreshing with just the right amount of sweetness & tang. I couldn't WAIT to get back & try the food. I had that opportunity when my friend was in town visiting from TN for the 4th. When we showed up there was about a 45 minute wait for a table, but the hostess let us know that if we wanted to we could sit or in or at the bar area & be served as well. Thankfully someone was leaving when we came in so we were able to snag a table! When I say EVERYTHING that we had off of this menu was delicious I mean it! My friend doesn't really like to try new things, but ordered the Duck Confit Corn Dogs, not being a huge fan of duck as what I have tried has been pretty fatty meat I was surprised at how good it was. The meat was shredded & then had the corn crust on the outside, even my friend who is a picky eater (I got her to try Salmon for the first time 2 years ago) liked them. I couldn't decide between the Venison Chop (being from Michigan this girl gets VERY excited when she see's venison on the menu, I've only seen at one other menu at Eventide in Clarendon) or the Red Quinoa Stuffed peppers. Ultimately I decided to go with the peppers, because I didn't want to spend as much on the Venison. We also ordered the Truffled Mac as a side, when I tell you this is absolutely THE BEST Mac n Cheese I have ever had I'm not lying. It had just the right amount of the truffle taste in it without being over done, something is telling me they might use a smoked gouda cheese as well. I was tempted to lick the bowl clean it was that good. I was going to order the blueberry moonshine with Lemonade again but our waiter Brian S (who was great PS by the way) suggested I try Shine N' Tonic since it had the lime foam on the top. It was great!!! Everything is locally grown, & is farm to table grass fed beef, chicken etc. Not to mention the atmosphere & décor of the place is great as well. Drinks are served out of Mason Jars or Copper cups, the clapboard wood, & rustic look is kept very light as to not make everything look over done. I will def be returning!
(5)Lhynette C. A.
Great brunch menu! Had brunch here on a Saturday morning. For appetizers, we had the scotch eggs, and it was DELICIOUS! I loved how the egg was boiled semi-soft, but not runny. It was perfectly cooks and very tasty. Eggs wrapped in meat at 10:00am? Why not! This place does it right. I tried the crab meat eggs benedict...sounded like a strange combo to me, but the dynamic of the food combination of the flavors was out of this world. Definitely have to get this when you visit. Also, I had the BALT. BLT with avocado slices. Simple, yet well prepared. The sandwich was very big, so I was able to just crush half of the sandwich. Overall, this place has a GREAT brunch menu that I would like to try more. The restaurant is well designed, very earthy inside, lots of wood and gives off that organic feel. Little details like using mason jars for their serving glass is funky! :) this place has an awesome yummy brunch!
(4)Krista B.
I had dinner here early on a Saturday evening. We called a week in advance for reservation for our party of 8. We arrived right at 5:30 and were seated promptly. The decor is quite a sight- very coal-miner chic. While there are some booths, our table had very uncomfortable benches to sit at, but otherwise not terrible. After being seated and looking over their fancy drink menus, we all ordered something different- some cocktail, some brews, myself the sole moonshiner. I got the Apple pie moonshine on the rocks and it was FABULOUS. We did wait a bit for our drinks, especially when the restaurant wasn't quite full and it was still early. I did love our mason jars and drinks in tin cans. Once the adult drinks were secured we got to ordering. I inquired about their scallop appetizer, hoping it was enough to serve as an entree. However, the waiter advised it comes with only one scallop. ONE for $12! 'But it is cut in half and quite large!' he insisted. As I couldn't be guaranteed that sucker was the size of my plate, I skipped the single scallop app and opted for a grilled chicken salad and shared sides. Everyone ordered something different with additional sides and everyone enjoyed their meal. The bison chop my bf ordered was a bit red but he said it was decent. Our shared side of roasted corn pudding and buttered mushroom were excellent- and come in cute little cauldrons! I was disappointed the meals arrived on large plates with no additional sides or garnishments- just a hunk of meat/fish on a large white plate. My chicken salad left a lot to be desired- the chicken tasted like it had been frozen and was very dry. Overall it was a nice experience.Our drink and food orders took a little longer than expected to arrive, but we did have a large party and everything came out correct and together. We also had split checks that were correct (amazing feat!) and we had very friendly service.The atmosphere is nice and not loud at all given the large open space and tall ceilings. It is a bit pricey (see the single $12 scallop above) but not bad for a special night out. They are still very new and experiencing growing pains so give them a chance!
(3)Luis G.
Very nice and trendy place to go!!! Have had lunch there and I can assure their veggie sandwich is something out of this world, I am not a vegetarian, but I must say this one left me floored, it was that good!!!! Bend there at night for a salad, in this department, they are not the best and choices are very limited. Also like the short menu, not leaving one confused with what to order. Staff is very nice!!!!
(4)C S.
I was absolutely disappointed in my most recent experience at Copperwood Tavern. The hostesses appeared incapable of effectively understanding the wait times and were ineffective at communicating the wait times to customers. Their standard response was a consistent, "it's about 10 minutes until your table is ready." Two hours later a table finally became available. Unfortunately, management's response to this ineffective communication was that we should have called and made a reservation. I understand protecting your staff members, however, when they are poorly trained and ineffective, it makes good business sense to listen to the customer. Of additional note, the bathrooms were stocked out of paper towels with trash cans overflowing. This is unsanitary for the wait staff and completely unacceptable for a restaurant in Shirlington Village. Highly disappointed! On a positive note, the food was great and our waitress went out of her way to ensure that our experience was enjoyable despite the complete and utter failure of the hostesses in managing expectations. The staff needs further training and the dirty restrooms are unacceptable. In my opinion, these two discrepancies speak volumes to ineffective management of a restaurant with great potential. Will not return, and would not recommend to others unless improvements are made in service. Two thumbs down.
(1)Jo K.
I have been to this place twice, both on Friday evenings (6:30~ish). It is really for fancy lads and ladies in their late 20s and early to mid 30s. Definitely, need to know a 'tender to get decent service. VERY limited wine selection. Food is tasty, but might be a bit overpriced. SO, if you want a trendy place to have drinks and dinner, Copperwood is the place. If you are mature and want a relaxed environment for drinks and food, keep looking.
(3)Josalyn F.
From the delicious muffins with the subtle lemon butter-- to the toasted bacon, Brussels...so many amazing choices!! I have tried the oysters grilled n the mussels n both have been absolutely outstanding! Also, my awesome dog is welcomed n loved by the staff which is great! We would sit outside n eat here every night if our budget n pants were flexible ;)
(5)Anita T.
Went here last night and was looking forward to trying it out. Unfortunately my friend and I were hugely disappointed with the quality of the food. Ordered the fried green tomatoes (bland and texture was dry) and chicken sandwich (bread was very hard and chicken was a bit bland). Would not go back until they improve their menu. I was also not impressed with their cocktails. Would go to other restaurants in Shirlington.
(1)Valerie K.
Delicious brunch. Egg white omelette was very tasty, ambiance was comfortable, and service was great.
(5)A N.
Easily the best and most interesting restaurant in Shirlington. It's so refreshing to find a legit farm-to-table restaurant in this part of town -- who lists the farms where their meat comes from, no less. Guilt-free dining :) And the food was delicious, especially the truffled mac, fried brussels sprouts, bison meatballs, and bacon wrapped figs. The only item less than perfect was the pork chop. The portions are HUGE! The ambience is very rustic and comfortable and service was excellent. I'll be back many times, for sure!
(5)Andrea S.
Went here for a last minute brunch with 4 other people. We were able to be seated immediately on a Saturday at 12. (We were late brunchers!) Our table ordered a variety of food including blueberry ricotta pancakes, duck hash, blue crab eggs benedict, chicken and waffles and grits - not to mention bloody marys and mimosas. SO SO: The pancakes were fluffy but just okay. The duck hash was plain, had a lot of tender duck in it but no flavor otherwise (however the poached eggs were the perfect amount of runnieness). STAND OUTS: The blue crab benedict was delicious! The chicken and waffles were great (but maybe less waffle would be better suited to not overpower the chicken). The true standout were the grits. The entire table was saying how we all wished we had ordered the grits as we stole from the person who did! Service was awesome! Attentive but not overbearing. Offered to split the check at the end of our meal and got everything correct! Sundays seem to be much busier than Saturday. I would go again on a Saturday where you can actually hear and talk to your friends. Def. going to be a Shirlington staple. Haven't tried anything but brunch. Their lunch menu looks minimal. I'm excited to watch this restaurant evolve. Enjoy your time there!
(4)Sarah F.
Drinks The beer and cocktail menu here should be enough to attract even the most stubborn won'tâ€leaveâ€DC'ers. All of the cocktails are bourbonâ€based. My kind of place. I had the Bacon Rebellion, which was appropriately strong, just a little sweet, and exactly what I was looking for. My boyfriend had the commonwealth mule with whiskey and loved it as well. All the other cocktails were equally enticing, and quite creative. We sat for dinner, but the bar was totally hopping even though it was pouring rain outside! I noticed that the bar area was seriously spacious; the bar itself is very long, and there are lots of standing tables. I'd be super comfortable going here for drinks and a few bites. Food The short rib: probably the most delicious thing I've eaten in 2013. It was very tender, and the meat was perfectly caramelized. The pairing with the parsnip puree is pretty brilliant, it's slightly sweeter than potato. But it WAS $8 for one short rib. Given its deliciousness, I wasn't upset, and would order it again, but it should be priced at $6 or they should plate two short ribs. The chicken: I think they may have burnt the butter in the sauce? It was very bitter and displeasing. The chicken itself was fine but unremarkable. The corn pudding: delicious. Cross between a stuffing and a corn pudding actually, but good portion size, and very comforting. Pairs well with their proteins. The asparagus: this was the "chef's veg" seasonal vegetable, and was by far the most outrageously priced dish I've ordered in a long time. It was $10 and we got mayyybe 12 spears of asparagus. If you've been in a grocery store lately, you'll know that amount of asparagus will run you about $2. I felt insulted. Coffee creme brulee: I have to admit, I'm a bit of a creme brulee snob, so others might not have as strong a reaction as I did. But the custard was entirely too loose, and didn't set properly. The crust was also not thick or hard enough, and somehow they had managed to make the entire thing very warm. Three very big strikes on dessert. The flavor was ok, so I guess it's got that going for it. Service Service was pretty slow. Both in terms of wait time for the waiter coming to our table, and in terms of the time it took for food to hit the table. But I'm really forgiving on that front, because the place has only been open a week, and they were slammed, it being 8pm on a Friday night and all. That said, the manager made a sizable faux pas. I arrived, told the hostess that I was here for my reservation, and she was checking on a table for me. Then, a female manager with short blondish hair arrived to the host stand and yelled at a host right in front of me about seating another table. It's unprofessional to behave that way in front of guests, and it meant that my first impression of the restaurant was sloppiness and rudeness. I was embarrassed for the host, and that manager should be much more aware of her surroundings. I glanced over some of the reviews here and would like to mention that I think it's important to remember that it usually takes awhile for a restaurant to hit its stride, especially where it concerns service, and the amount of time it takes to get food on the table. It seems that those here furious over long wait times haven't been to a recently opened restaurant. Overall, I think this restaurant fills a huge hole in Shirlington for restaurants with a little more character. But the kitchen manager should focus on pricing dishes more reasonably, and the manager should try not to send guests reeling out the front door before they've even been seated.
(4)Nick S.
I work in Shirlington and was really excited for Copperwood when I saw the sign on the window of the long gone Bistro Bistro. I waited a few months for them to work their kinks out and tonight decided to give their bar menu a try. My shift ended at 10 and I headed over with a couple friends. Kind of stood awkwardly inside the door for a couple minutes before asking some bussers if I could sit anywhere which was the case. We were quickly brought menus and ordered a couple drafts. However only 2 out of 3 drinks made it to the table...15 minutes later. The head on my beer was gone meaning it had sat for a while. We told three different servers we were missing a drink and it was never brought. We were never asked by our server if we wanted to order food and at that point I grabbed a passing server and just asked for the check so we could leave. Bummer. Food looked good too.
(2)M. B.
Came yesterday for the first time it was a beautiful day and wanted to sit outside. The server Abby was so nice and helpful with our choices. I had the lamb burger, lots of fusion tastes going on with pickled onion that was slightly sweet. The side salad comes with a house dressing and I barely got a taste of the dressing needs a better choice. My better half had the fillet was a bit too rare but he said it was still delicious and the potatoes were out of this world with bacon. Dessert was a bit disappointing a blackberry lime pie also lacked flavor and didn't have that nice punch of lime kick. Actually we couldn't taste lime at all. For a busy holiday Saturday at 4pm only one sever outside which they should have had two. But again Abby did a great job! Will try it again maybe for apps and drinks for a date night.
(3)ABellaDC B.
We had dinner here on Saturday and I must say everything was delicious. I highly recommend the brussel spouts, truffle mac & cheese, and the bison steak. The decor was different and very nice. we will definitely come back here again.
(5)Gus M.
Great drink and beer menu ... They call this place "farm to table" but I call it mediocre. Not great. It's fine. The food is really okay - but not for the price. Yikes ... $$$ small Caeser with small slices of steak just rolled me up for $15.00
(3)Rosie M.
I've visited this restaurant a couple of times and I must say, every time I go, I enjoy it. The food is good and tasty, waitstaff friendly and attentive and the atmosphere is clean with an inviting ambiance. The only thing I will say that throws me off sometimes is that you have to have a reservation, otherwise sit at the bar, which for me is not a problem but if you want to have a romantic dinner date, might pose a bit of an obstacle. It's a bit on the pricey side, but definitely doable and worth it.
(4)K K.
They have a wide selection of craft beer. Service is always wonderful, however, a reservation is highly recommended as they do become quite busy. The food is delicious. The complimentary corn muffins are a nice touch. The mussels are amazing!
(5)Lindsey C.
Great food! Staff and food runners are a work in progress. My husband, myself, and another couple went around 1pm on Saturday during the Shirlington Octoberfest. It was crowded and completely chaotic. However we were able to quickly grab a seat in the bar area and our server came over in good time. We placed our drink and food orders quickly. The server didn't know much about the menu or drinks, when asked questions, but they've only been open less than 48hrs. The peach moonshine has a bite to it where as the cherry moonshine was much smoother. The down side was our food never showed up as it was taken by the food runner to another "unknown" table. This was horrible BUT the manager came over and was very apologetic and comped all four if our meals AND drinks and put a new ticket in resulting in us getting our food in less than 5min. Upside- the food was AMAZING! We all sampled each others food and we had the BALT, Copperwood Burger and the Pulled pork sandwich. The burger was one of the best burgers my husband has ever had. It was cooked medium rare and was perfect. I got a salad as my side which was a mistake because it wasn't bad nor good but the side fries were awesome and seasoned perfectly! We will be back as the atmosphere, food and management were spot on. Hopefully they can work out the kinks with the serving staff and food runners.
(4)Becky B.
The menu is fun and different. They do the pork BBQ just right and the spices in the lamb burger make my mouth water just thinking about it.
(4)Ken E.
average and unexceptional. I live in the neighborhood and was underwhelmed. seems to draw a crowd, maybe more for the bar than dinner menu?
(2)James P.
Excellent environment and excellent service, very cozy for a group of friends to relax and enjoy a entertaining lunch. We also came on a busy day and wasn't expecting much for a first time visit...this establishment far exceeded our reputation. Food was excellent and it did take some time to come out but overall it was delicious which is far more important. Before i wrote my reviews, i read a few below and i disagree with most of them, the reason why i gave it 5 stars. This place is definitely under reviewed and needs some support. Thanks Copperwood!
(5)Kerri D.
Small but unique menu. Lots of bourbon and hand crafted bourbon drinks! The punch is delicious!
(4)Erica S.
The table was ready when we arrived (made reservation through open table), the service was great and the food was delicious. I highly recommend making a reservation as it was very crowded and the wait time seemed to be over 45 minutes for those without reservations. Very worth the wait though. The specialty drinks were fantastic too! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
(5)Rich H.
Yesterday was my second time at Copperwood since it opened (the first was an ill-advised attempt at dinner after Shirlington Octoberfest - they had not planned well and ran out of food - we had some drinks on that trip). There are clearly some growing pains to work out, but I like the general idea. Drinks were good and came out fast. They have a nice beer selection and a good mixed drink list as well - try the poor man's gold! The dinner menu strikes me as a little pricy, I had the Filet, it was well cooked to medium rare, but the appearance was not what I expect from Filet Mignon - it was thinner and wider than what you expect, and was smothered in sauce. It was also cut in half and had a strange chunk of gristle at the end. My date had the frisee salad with steak. It was well presented, and the duck confit was great, but she thought the potatoes were a bit strange and seemed out of place. We split the mac and cheese - best thing we ate. Service was acceptable - everyone was pleasant, but clearly in the weeds. Once they work out the kinks I think it has great potential, but I expect more at the current price point.
(3)Explorer P.
If you plan on going to this restaurant in the next month or so (probably through Thanksgiving) then keep an open mind that it is new and there are growing pains involved. What we loved: The atmosphere. Very chill but still had an upscale feel. You can relax there but also know you will get quality food and service. The drink selection- low key yet great taste. Beer, bourbon, moonshine...you can't go wrong! The food menu- Plenty of choices. If you are a health nut, the options are somewhat limited but this restaurant wasn't created for that. Use this as your cheat night. We loved the food. The cornbread in the beginning with the popcorn is a great touch. The mussels and broth were excellent. The parsley and garlic frites were very good as well. My husband and I both got a salad (duck for me, steak for him) because we weren't overly hungry but they were excellent as well. My duck egg was cooked perfectly. I'm a huge fan of fresh eggs on salads. The steak was cooked perfectly on the salad as well and my husband enjoyed the dressing. The "So-So" The service was slightly horrible but listening to the other server at the table next to us, I think we just got a bad server. I'm pretty sure he will be gone before the next time we visit. As mentioned in the beginning, I also think the servers need time to adjust to the opening-pains of the restaurant as a whole. We met the Manager and were quite pleased to hear they are aware of the improvements they need to make and they are working diligently to do so. If you go soon, go again in a few months. I think you will only see this restaurant grow to become a Shirlington and even Arlington staple.
(4)Bennett B.
One of the better restaurants in Shirlington. Interesting menu with great service. We've been for lunch and dinner and liked it well both times.
(4)Matt And Emily G.
Our hopes were high when we saw Copperwood moving into the space previously occupied by the lackluster Bistro Bistro. The first time we tried to get in, we were told there would be a 30 minute wait. At the end of the 30 minutes, we were advised that the front desk had goofed and there would be an additional 45 minute wait. No thanks! We turned around and left. On our second attempt, we were told up front that the wait would be 45 minutes, so we went elsewhere. The third time, we wised up and made reservations. A place this hard to get into must be amazing! It wasn't. The ambiance is fantastic and the food is delicious. However, it's really expensive for the portion size (very small portions) and the service was terrible. We ordered two appetizers to start, but they were tiny - more like tastes than appetizers. At over $10 each, we felt cheated. The scallop appetizer looked like it came with 2 scallops, but it was actually one scallop cut in half. Really? After that we split an entree and a side dish. (The sides here are a la carte - entrees are the protein only.) At over $20 for a duck breast, it better be the most amazing duck breast ever, or it should be huge, or it should come with a side. It wasn't any of those. The side dish we ordered, the truffled mac, was indeed delicious, and was probably the best value we had all night in anything we ordered. We also had two whiskies, which were fine. Our waiter was absent for most of our meal, being busy flirting with the hostess. He didn't even offer us dessert. Our final bill - about $100 - was absurd given that we left hungry. We considered ordering more food, but everything had taken so long to come out that we didn't want to be stuck there for another 30 minutes. We suspect that lunch might be a better value than dinner, so intend to try Copperwood again and hope for better service. There is a lot of potential here, but also much need for improvement.
(3)Lo J.
You won't be disappointed...we made our reservation on Open Table, arrived and were seated immediately. The waiter was excellent in reviewing all of the items on the menu that we asked about, as well as a few others. He inquired if it was our first time at Copperwood so took time to share the kitchen's philosophy. We decided to order the Copperwood Burgers (felt there were many good choices), which includes bacon jam and fried green tomato! Come on - bacon jam! Was yummy!!! Also enjoyed a local pumpkin ale. The burgers did not disappoint...they were delicious! We had a leisurely lunch and were not rushed at all - the service was attentive and well executed. We feel this restaurant will give Carlyle some competition. They atmosphere is lovely, the noise level lower, and the food and drink are excellent. We're so glad Copperwood came to Shirlington!
(5)Kristine B.
Shortribs are AMAZING! I definitely recommend getting them. I wish they were an entrée. The small house salad is also great and not very small (bonus). The additional veggies added nice texture and flavor. Great dish for the price. In addition to the yummy food, the service was great and the manager was extremely nice. He stopped by all the tables to ask how things were, which was very nice and thoughtful. I have been a few times and will go back.
(4)Jill B.
I've gone to Copperwood Tavern three times. I sat at the bar twice with girlfriends and then my boyfriend and I met another couple for dinner a few nights ago. The last time I was at the bar, Patrick was the waiter. He was so friendly, funny and very informative. The food was delicious. It was fresh and flavorful. My friend said her steak was the best she had ever had and I can attest to the fact that her fries were delicious. When my boyfriend and I went to dinner with our friends earlier this week, the service was excellent and the food was great. My boyfriend had the filet mignon, our friends had the trout with pecan, his wife had the Cream of Asparagus soup and we all split the fries. I had the scallops appetizer because I wasn't too hungry. That was a good thing, because the appetizer was VERY small, but it was delicious as well. One small thing that we didn't like was that the fries were over cooked and lukewarm. I had really enjoyed the fries the time I was at the bar, so I was a bit dissapointed by that. For dessert we had the grand marnier creme brulee and ice cream. I love Shirlington, live in the area and this place is a great, new welcome addition.
(4)Harumi R.
We all absolutely loved this place! Farm-to-table, fresh squeezed yummy OJ and lemonade, welcoming corn bread and popcorn, instead of regular bread of regular restaurants...I like the idea of the sides to share. We got the Mac n' cheese, roasted potatoes and risotto- all were excelent! For the protein part we got venison, sword fish and trout (which was pretty big!). The decor is pretty cool as well, and the server, although he was new, he was pretty much on top of everything. It was an excellent experience that we hope to be back soon! (it does get a little expensive, but with all the wild caught, and free-range meat, fresh veggies, it gets acceptable).
(5)J W R.
The Farm to Table promise drew me in. The execution of everything else will keep me away for a long time. Weekday evening, we were stuck in a side table with no view of the rustic atmosphere. The only the thing we could see was the two couples next to us and I mean right next to us. There could not have been more than 8" separating the tables. It was loud. We heard just about everything the two women said. The food was not good. The pork chop was recommended and had it been cooked it might have been good. It was raw -- and raw pork is unacceptable. Our waiter was not attentive. Overall the food was lousy, the place is cramped, loud and lousy.
(1)Emanon V.
Was in for a brunch - didn't have any of the service issues that were mentioned by the other reviewers - my waiter was good with taking order and periodic follow up. Got seated right away. Had the blueberry ricotta pancakes - they were okay - am a slower eater so they became a little rubbery for me - and the pancakes are huge - could barely eat one - Will I go back, probably - haven't tried lunch or dinner meals though.
(3)Jason S.
During our first visit, Copperwood Tavern was quickly becoming one of our new favorites. The uneven service from the wait staff and kitchen during the second visit, however, has made us question whether to return. While dark, and lit by interesting lanterns with large, exposed filaments, the restaurant's ambience is warm and inviting, albeit a bit loud. Exposed wood logs and beams round out a rustic feel. During our two visits, we marveled at the tasteful variety of raw oysters, enjoyed the creative, yet comfortable, flavoring of a root beer flavored short rib, and soaked our bread in the juice housing plump and well-cooked mussels. The scallops and foie gras was a teensy bit firm, and the marinade a bit thick, but delicious nonetheless. The french onion soup felt a bit standard. Most of the appetizer portions are relatively small, and a bit pricey for their sizes, but make up for it in taste. The wife, a poultry purist, ordered the brown ale buttered chicken both times. While I thought it a bit bland, she enjoyed it immensely. On both visits, we shared the incredible fingerling potatoes with blue cheese and bacon. I enjoyed a perfectly cooked swordfish the first visit. The second visit, for my entree I ordered the pork chop, cooked medium rare. It came to the table rare (closer to raw), which is not something I look for in pork, so I sent it back to the kitchen. Instead of cooking me a fresh chop, they recooked the portion and served it to me, this time too tough to cut. I sent it back a second time. When I finally received my entree again, it was properly cooked and tasted great. However, the whole process took 45 minutes; my wife had already finished her meal and I was barely hungry any longer. During the process, our waiter, Antonio, was not terribly sensitive and even accused me of just not liking pork cooked medium rare. I also talked to the manager, MIke, who was apologetic, but also annoyingly defensive and unaccountable. He remarked, "I didn't even know about this"; Trump would have fired him since the project manager should be on top of everything. I expressed to him the poor form of re-serving the same piece of meat and the length of time it took for me to get my meal; my entree should have been pushed to the top of the queue since it was the house's mistake. He was surprised at my expectations, which annoyed me further, but eventually (not without prodding) took the entree and my appetizer off the bill. While I understand that mistakes happen, the staff and manager's response was not satisfactory. While we did eventually enjoy the food, the service left a bad taste in our mouths.
(2)Andie C.
For brunch, we have gotten good service for the last 3 times we have visited Copperwood. My favorite is still the breakfast burrito, but the blueberry pancakes are also great. I was not a fan of the banana pancakes since mine needed to be cooked longer. Within Shirlington, I think they have the most extensive brunch menu.
(5)Steve L.
The most ignorant staff in all of Arlington. Their restaurant is more than half empty, and yet instead of taking a name or offering a wait time, we were directed to a crowded bar area with no seating. Walked across the street to a packed restaurant and were seated right away. We will not be back.
(1)Kendall N.
Hit this a few times now. Menu is a bit more interesting than average Americana, some choices are a bit on the heavy side, though. Service has always been good. Nothing exceptionally good or bad. A solid 4* for no real weaknesses.
(4)Tony H.
Do yourself a favor and eat here. Casey, our waiter was attentive and fabulous all around. He explained the "farm to table" concept of the kitchen and how everything in the house was made from scratch. If I could clone Casey, I would recommend any restaurant owner order a dozen of him. If you did that, all of your diners would be full and happy. Now for the food: Appetizers were awesome. I strongly recommend the Bison Meatballs and the Scallops. Both were outstanding. For the entree, I have to admit that the Bison Chop has to be one of the top 3 Rib Eye Steaks I have ever had! Tender, moist, cooked to perfection. Wow! Just talking about it, I can taste it right now! For the sides, don't forget the Mac & Cheese and the Risotto. Now for Desert. Oh my word! Strawberry Short cake.....10 out of 10 Blackberry Lime Pie.........10 out of 10 We left fat, dumb and happy. Mission Accomplished Copperwood Tavern! I will be back!
(5)Christina B.
Nice decor, we felt at home. The mason jars lights were unique and the mason jars used for the water was a nice touch. As far as the food there were some things delicious and some not impressive. We has the bison meatballs for an appetizer. The gravy made them pretty good but it was only 3 meatballs for $9 dollars. A little pricy for the quality. For the main courses we got the crusted trout and the swordfish. Both were good but nothing amazing. Ask for extra sauce with the swordfish steak, it made it good. We shared the truffle Mac and cheese side which was really good! Topping it off we got the brownies with Nutella ice cream. Sounded good but was a real let down, it was only okay. Overall, an okay place. Main course and side dish were pretty good but the appetizer and the dessert we're let downs.
(3)C F.
Decent menu and friendly staff. A great place to enjoy brunch on a lazy Sunday. Steak and eggs were nice, but the mimosas were what helped the meal the most.
(4)Carmen G.
This place is very consistent. I eat here at least once a week for lunch as my office is walking distance. The food is always fresh, quick and the service impeccable. Highly recommend for not only the amazing food but the great atmosphere!
(4)Shane H.
Delicious!! We had the moonshine (I had cranberry.. Don't eat the berries) , and it was smooth. I had the Brussel Sprouts, Pork Chop, and mashed potatoes. Its a little pricey, but it sure beats going to Ruth Chris and buying their high price food. The chocolate pecan pie....YUMMY! Love the corn bread that comes to the table...reminds me of jiffy bread, and the mason jars! great staff and they were friendly. We went during the week, but expect a large turnout on the weekends!
(4)Marisa F.
I visited CWT last Friday, the first week it was open and so far it has earned a solid 3 stars because I can't give it 3.5. (Come on yelp, where are my half stars???) I try not to be too hard on a place that just opened and I think CWT has the potential to be really awesome once it gets out of its growing pains. I showed up on a Friday at 4 for happy hour and the hostess told me to sit wherever I wanted at the bar. It took a little while for my server to greet me and I was not very pleased when she waited on other tables (who came in well after me) and got them drinks before she even brought me a water or even a menu. After I finally got a water, in cute mason jars, it still took forever to order a drink and I had to ask for the wine menu. That said, another server came to help my first server out and she was leaps and bounds better. She kept my friend and I in wine and delicious popcorn while we waited (and waited) on our order. Now CWT has a sweet oyster deal during HH (4-7) and I set the bar low for oysters that were only $1 each. It took about 45 minutes for them to make it to our table, but they were really good! Our entrees came out about 15 minutes later, which is good timing compared to what some of the other reviewers have been saying. It was just a little strange that something that didn't even need to be cooked took much longer than sliders and a burger. I'm sure the kitchen kinks will be worked out in time. I ordered the lamb sliders, which was decently priced compared to some of the other apps and small plates and were really good. I was a little sad that I couldn't order one each of the different slider types they offer (lamb, pulled pork, and burger) but I'm hoping that once they are open a little longer they will start offering this option. My friend ordered the burger with the fried green tomato and even as a non-tomato fan she loved it. Neither of us were huge fans of the smoky ketchup that came with the fries, but I'm fairly boring when it comes to ketchup. I loved the decor! I loved the random details like mason jars and saws on the walls. It had a real mountain cabin feel. I will definitely be back, especially because they have bison on the menu.
(3)Janelle S.
Juan was an amazing waiter!! We tried the scallops, swordfish, goat cheese and the Brussel sprouts -all were super yummy! Definitely a "next time" restaurant!
(5)Sydney M.
Just had a phenomenal experience at Copperwood Tavern! The food was amazing, the ambience relaxing, and the waitstaff perfectly attentive. My best friend and I shared the small plates: mussels, short ribs, and lobster claw. All three were perfectly cooked and seasoned. We sat outside where we could enjoy the great weather and the fantastic area of shirlington which for a girl's night out, was more than we could ask for. The best part of the night, however, wasn't just the food and surroundings, but was Georgi, our waiter. He greeted us right away with a smile and eagerness to serve us. Throughout the night, we received the best service either of us has ever experienced. I asked for no bleu cheese on my fingerling potatoes, which were delicious, and he automatically removed them from our order of mussels, which I didn't even realize were on them. Later, he noticed our table wobbled when he set something down and without a hesitation, instantly put something under the leg to fix it. Throughout the evening, he was perfectly attentive, not hovering, but there before we noticed we needed him. He made the evening an unforgettable experience. If you get the opportunity, go to Copperwood Tavern, ask for Georgi, and have a great night out!
(5)Brooke E.
I had one of the most wonderful dining experiences here tonight. Georgi was our waiter and I can't recommend him enough. He was attentive, always making sure we had everything we needed. He even noticed that our table was wobbling and fixed it for us without us asking. If you come to Copperwood, I recommend sitting in Georgi's section. On top of the wonderful service, my friend and I split a variety of small plates. All of the food we tried was delicious. We are large fans of mussels and it was fun to try some mussels that had flavoring outside the norm. All the small plates were the perfect tapas size for splitting between two people. Definitely visit Copperwood for a fun rustic evening.
(5)Christie F.
This place has mixed reviews... And I want to say that I loved it!! I am a huge fan of Irish Whiskey Public House at DuPont Circle and this is the same owners. We were started off with this amazing popcorn that has a mix of seasonings, Old Bay, Middle Eastern spices, and a hint of something sweet.... Damn!!! Finger licking good!!! Drinks in Mason jars, carafes of water... Saloon like... Then the food, I had the Tavern burger with hardwood smoked bacon (smoked in house and not broiled!!!) aged cheddar cheese and a red wine vinegar shallot aioli... Yuuummmm! With garlic fries and smoked ketchup... Really?? I've smoked a lot of foods but that was quite a treat! Hubbs had the Cuban... Toasted roll with pulled pork, ham, pickle and mustard and actual mustard seed... Nice touch, crunchy, popping with flavor, with a side of fresh baby greens and a beer vinaigrette dressing. The staff, super friendly, on point and great knowledge of the food. We had George, he suggested some great bourbon and whiskey friendly cocktails but hubbs was working ;( and Donna a fellow server chatted a bit about opening night, she's great as well!! I can't wait to go back for dinner!!! Job well done guys!!!
(5)Barbara W.
First time here, love the atmosphere. If you don't like it dark, you may not enjoy. The server very well informed and helpful. You could make a meal out of the sides they are so varied and delicious! Overall the food was excellent as was the service.
(5)Maria-Elena T.
Two of us ate here for lunch midday on a Wednesday. The place was not too busy because many were eating outside. Our waitress Cassandra was knowledgeable and friendly. She had good timing too. The busboy was on target as well. I enjoyed the popcorn they put on the table when we sat down. It had a hint of spice. I especially liked that, after filling our water glasses, they left the bottle of water on the table for us to refill ourselves. They replaced the bottle when it was empty. My friend ordered a salad with a lot of exceptions and they got it correct. I wanted to steal one of the grilled shrimp on top! I ordered the Atlantic wild salmon with asparagus. It was good but came with a buttery sauce I would order without next time (it was good- but I'd rather save the calories for dessert). For dessert I ordered the cherry pie with Nutella ice cream. The ice cream was delicious and worth every calorie. The pie was a disappointment. It had some whole cherries in it but the remainder was gelatinous. However, despite the texture, the flavor was really good. I will return. This is a good option in Shirlington.
(4)Amanda K.
Went back for dinner last week and had a great experience. The vibe in the restaurant is perfect for after work; fun but relaxing - a great place to shake off the day. Our dinner was great. I ordered one of their signature cocktails, the Bacon Rebellion. I figured it was hard to go wrong with bourbon and bacon. I was right. We started with mussels and they were plump and in a savory blue cheese-y sauce. My filet came out a perfect med-rare and the bf happily wolfed down his pork chop. While the meat was delicious the sides were even better. Sides are a la carte and are generously portioned; we ordered 2 sides to share and took home plenty of both. The fried-brussel sprouts and the beer-butter mushrooms were amazing! If you don't get them you are wrong. The service was great; our waiter Georgi (sp) was very attentive and professional. We're looking forward to coming back for dinner.
(4)A H.
We had a great experience and would definitely recommend Copperwood to friends. Looking forward to returning to try the other moonshines! The apple pie was amazingly delicious and smooth.
(4)Stacy S.
We have enjoyed eating here, once for dinner and once for brunch. The menu is creative. For dinner, the proteins are a la carte, which makes the prices steeper than they seem initially. It does get very crowded for dinner on the weekends, so reservations are definitely recommended. Service was good during both visits. The best side dish was the fingerling potatoes. The cheese makes it very flavorful. We had the pork chop and swordfish for the proteins and both were decent. The duck hash for brunch was very good, though a bit salty. Overall a good addition to Shirlington.
(4)K P.
The $1 oysters at the bar during HH are awesome. My husband and I can get our fill for not too much money. I like the ambiance and different menu items that Copperwood brings to Shirlington. It appears that most of the wait staff have made their rounds in other restaurants in Shirlington, so you might recognize some familiar faces. We will be back!
(4)Adam D.
Great music. Great ambiance, and great staff. The duck was succulent and the fried Brussels sprouts were awesome. Shirlington needed a place like this for a long time.
(5)Mariam N.
Been here 3 times. 1st two were great, third visit was disappointing, specifically due to food. They have awesome brussell sprouts, but when we ordered them on our last visit,they were very sweet and not like before. Main gripe was the ribeye steak I ordered.... probably most expensive entree. It had a big portion of fat in it. When we told waiter that we didn't want it and showed him the problem, he remarked that "he'd still eat it if it were him". Anyways... the comment and experience was disappointing but the great thing was that the manager (Michelle) came and apologized for the food and the waiter's lack of judgement comment. She was sooo nice about it. She also gave us a $20 gift card for another visit and repeatedly thanked us for the feedback. This place has really good service, nice ambiance, great crowd and the food has (typically) been very good. We will definitely go back.
(4)Sean S.
Very close to 5 stars. Delicious food, good and novel "moonshine", and cool decour. The only thing holding it off 5 stars is the proximity to other tables. They really pack you in there. All the reviews raved about the Brown Ale Butter Chicken so I had to get it. DELICIOUS! Just do it. My lady friend had the NY Strip. ALSO DELICIOUS! I eat a lot of meat (not supposed to be a joke) and I would have a hard time chosing between these two if I had to order right now. For sides we had the beer butter mushrooms and smoked gouda mashed potatoes. Both excellent. We didn't have anything here that wasn't good. The moonshine was good. I had the Ole Smokey and the Firefly Caramel. I like my liquer to just be liquer so I was suprised that I liked teh Firefly Caramel so much. Overall, outstanding food, good farm to table patronage, great bar, good decour but packed on the weekends. I will definitely go back.
(4)Erin S.
Updating an earlier post (when Copperwood was new and struggling to provide good service and warm food)... They finally have it right! From the masterfully crafted libations at the bar (with a side of that warm, fresh popcorn, please!) to the delicious dishes at brunch through dinner, Copperwood serves myriad flavors using fresh ingredients and interesting combinations. The food tends to be over salted, but the deliciousness prevails. It's a wonderful addition to Shirlington.
(4)Colleen K.
Damon B was an amazing server! He gave us some great recommendations. Food was delicious! Definitely recommend this place to everyone. One of the better farm to table restaurants in the DC metro area. I've lived in DC for over four years and Damon B is BY FAR one of the nicest servers I've encountered! Two thumbs up!
(5)Allison S.
We read several reviews on Copperwood before choosing this for dinner a week ago as it is a fairly new establishment and we were not disappointed. The interior is absolutely beautiful. It has a rustic/trendy/hunting lodge/cozy feel and you can tell they shelled out some serious cash to have this place decorated. The ambiance makes for a great date night or a night out on the town with friends. The restaurant was packed when we were seated but we had several servers attending to us so we never felt like we had to wait too long for anything we needed. Even the manager pitched in at one point to clear our plates, which I always respect as I used to work in a restaurant in college. I had the french onion soup for starters which was more than enough for one person. I then ordered the pork chop which was perfectly cooked and delicious. My boyfriend had the butter chicken which was absolutely amazing. The chicken was juicy and I almost asked for seconds. We skipped dessert but had an extra glass of wine. The menu is priced appropriately for the portion sizes and the quality of food. We will definitely be back!
(5)Joel S.
Food was good, not great. Service was very prompt, never had to wait long for the server to check on us. Very reasonable prices, great draught beer selection.
(3)Douglas K.
We tried this place for breakfast and we should have kept walking to something else. Service was subpar at best. Management needs to re-train everyone. Slow and uninformed wait staff made it difficult to enjoy the good atmosphere. Not a large crowd when we dined, but they insisted on piling all the customers on top of each other in one section of the restaurant. When we asked for a booth, and there were at least 4 open.... They said no. Food was served to the table cold and burnt. Asked for ketchup and got some sort of BBQ sauce they call their smokey ketchup. We complained and they did comp our meal... Or what we ate of it so I can't be too mad. If I had to pay their menu prices for the quality of food and service we received, I would have written an even worse review. Bottom line, management needs to step it up and hire some staff that really cares, as there are too many other options on the same block. Not sure if I'll give this place a second try when the Carlyle is right across the street.
(1)Courtney B.
I live in Shirlington and am always excited when a new restaurant/bar opens in my neighborhood so I was excited when Copperwood Tavern opened. My boyfriend and I first ventured there in December for dinner on a Saturday night. The restaurant was perhaps half-full at 7pm and we were seated immediately (we had reservations). Our server was attentive and knowledgeable, explaining the concept behind CT - local meat, produce, farm-to-table kind of thing. We were off to a good start. I ordered the brown butter ale chicken and my b/f ordered the swordfish. For sides we went with grilled asparagus and beer-butter mushrooms. My chicken was good - flavorful and moist. My b/f fish was bland. The asparagus was nothing special (we make it better at home!) but the mushrooms were good. Overall it was a pricey dinner for what amounted to nothing great. In February I got an email promotion offering a free bottle of wine with dinner (entree purchase required) if I made online reservations. Never one to refuse a free bottle of wine my b/f and I headed back to give it another try. We started with appetizers - he got the steak tartare and I started with the scallops & foie gras. His was okay (again, we've had better) but mine was quite good. For entrees he got the brown butter ale chicken and I got the trout fillet. His was good and mine was okay - the fish was cooked properly but had no flavor. The pecan crust was nice but the fish itself was bland - no seasonings. We split a dessert (pumpkin creme brule) which was good. Our bill was over $80 - before tax and tip. By the time those two were added our total was just shy of $100. For food that I would describe as okay but nothing special. The staff is friendly, the service is good, the food is decent but nothing spectacular or special. We've given it two tries and both times been extremely underwhelmed. We won't be back.
(2)Jenna G.
What a great addition to Shirlington. Great bar area (try the moonshine), rustic decor, outdoor seating. I had the bison rib eye, my husband had the trout, both were excellent. Our sides were truffle Mac and cheese and maple Brussels sprouts, great dishes. I would say the menu is a bit small, but they just opened, so maybe they will expand it a bit.
(4)Marc H.
Love the flavorful brussel sprouts, just don't plan on getting any before 5 PM (dinner menu only)
(3)A.J. C.
Lots of options on the Shirlington strip, but I was psyched to see the menu for Copperwood. We ate outside on an early Spring evening, and of course loved the patio people/dog watching. PRO: -Locavore menu sourcing (there are Bison in MD, apparently) -'Frontiersy' flavor profile of the dishes. Bison meatballs with huckleberry sauce in a little cast iron skillet? Venison chop, cooked perfectly rare over blueberry compote? Excellent choices Chef Davy Crockett. -Whiskey cocktail options, in particular "Bacon Rebellion" with, you guessed, bacon. -Our young server was very polite and present without being a pain. Fine line. CON: -Outdoor seating in early spring with no heaters set up? If I was cold after sundown, you know my small Asian wife was frostbitten. -Outdoor seating ever without decent lighting. Help me stick around and drink. Please.
(3)Aileen F.
Come here with family or a group of friends. I've been to Copperwood a few times and have thoroughly enjoyed my meals. The portions are best for sharing which is nice to be able to try a few different options. The pecan crusted trout was terrific and you have to order a side of brussel sprouts- omg so tasty! The drinks are all well made, but you'll find mostly gin or moonshine on the menu. My friends and I have all enjoyed trying out different cocktails on the menu. I've only deducted 1 star because it seemed that there wasn't great communication amongst the team at Copperwood. In particular we were seated in a recently bussed table and the silverware hadn't been laid out yet. No problem, but it took several reminders before we finally received them. In fact we were served our meals and then waited for the silverware before we could dig in. Not the biggest deal, but it seems that they could have run more smooth during a busy time if they communicated a little better. This won't stop me from coming back- all my servers have provided a great dining experience.
(4)Darieus Z.
I've never had a bad experience at Copperwood. It's constantly been perhaps one of the best dining experiences my fiancé and I have had here. Try the Tavern Burger!
(5)Chris S.
Pricey, but phenomenal. And may I say, "Bacon Rebellion?" Break the wallet at least once here, you'll be happy you did!
(5)Erica W.
The ambiance and service was great, I found the food to be a bit heavy and oversalted. There are much better farm to table restaurants in the area that really highlight the quality ingredients instead of burying them in sauce and salt.
(2)Sandi F.
Wow!! Amazing Sunday breakfast! My daughter and I got here, sat at a table in the bar. GREAT service. The food?!? I have to come back. We shared a scotched egg- soft boiled egg wrapped in sausage then fried- on a bed of frisée. Then we shared two Benedicts- a smoked salmon with house made tomato jam- amazing. Then a short rib Benedict that has to be tasted to believed. Even the breakfast potatoes cooked with peppers rocked. All in all - an amazing visit and we will be back. Juan was our excellent server.
(5)Jay L.
I have been to this place twice since it opened in Shirlington, and both experiences were "meh." It's kind of like Purgatory: I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either. The interior of the restaurant is a bit dark. It makes for a more intimate setting, except the seating in some spots is a little "on top of each other." I don't need to clearly understand every word of strangers next to me. The service is pretty good. Sometimes a little too much time in between checking in on things, but the staff is always really courteous and helpful. The food is where I start to fall off. The first time I went, I got the swordfish. It was very average. Swordfish is usually a really nice dish, but they managed to take the majority of the flavor out. Not impressed. Sides of asparagus and the beer-infused mushrooms were ordered. The former was, quite frankly, bad. The latter was easily the best part of the meal. The second time around, we again ordered the mushrooms (yes, they are that good) and I got the brown butter ale chicken. Admittedly, this was very good. I also ordered the steak tartare, and while it was decent, it wasn't great. Too salty in my opinion, and I love salt like a fat kid loves cake. But more than anything else, the price here is what is going to keep me from coming back often, if not ever. Both times, two entrees, an appetizer, and two sides plus drinks and tip were over $100. While I don't mind spending that kind of money a meal periodically, it had better be good food. Overall, it's a decent spot with some good menu items, but a few duds in there as well. But the price and the darkness really turn me off.
(2)Cary C.
Beautiful restaurant, nice outdoor seating where you can leash up your dog and enjoy the weather while dining, delicious food--all-around great restaurant! Our waitress took forever to come back every single time we ordered or needed something, but it was busy and we were outside, so not enough to knock it down a star. Definitely will come back to try more things!
(4)Dan G.
It's a damn shame this place only has a three star average rating. Now granted, we've only had brunch there, but it was, simply put, fantastic. 1. Huge portions 2. Prices are very reasonable for what you get 3. Everything is scratch made We started with fresh complimentary spiced popcorn (think similar to Founding Farmers), then moved onto AMAZING (A-FUCKING-MAZING) french toast dippers. For $6, you get three huge pieces of french toast that you can dip into butter or syrup. I had the biscuits and gravy and she had the chicken and biscuits for the entree. That maple chicken is the shit. Biscuits and gravy reminded me of Ted's Bulletin (another fave of ours). Now here's where I'm not a yelp asshole..the grits were runnier than I personally like. But guess? I'm not docking a star because of it! They were still good grits, and it was just a side. Everything else shined. Our waiter was personable and attentive, I don't have a single negative thing to say about him. The man even comped our coffees. Just go already. Don't let the other reviews sully your opinion. Just go. At least for brunch.
(5)Victoria H.
I hadn't ventured to Shirlington for more than a year, so when I recently drove through it, I was surprised to see that Copperwood Tavern had sprung up. Once thing this area lacks, in my opinion, is restaurants with ambience -- it's like restaurants open expecting to close shortly thereafter and don't want to spend time on any sort of decor, so they just set up a bunch of tables in an open space. Lame. So when a place with an interesting menu (game meats!) that has put some effort into it's decor opens, I am an immediate fan. The joint is decked out like an old saw mill -- lots of copper-look accents, antique tools, and logs adorn the place. There's a weird impressionistic version of Rosie the Riveter in the ladies room that is completely misplaced, but whatever. A large bar area flanks the right side and to the left, the dining area. I've been to Copperwood for both dinner and brunch (bonus points for serving brunch on both Saturday and Sunday). For dinner, I tried a variety of their small plates -- truffle mac & cheese, steak tartare, creamed spinach -- all were delicious. If I hadn't filled up on the sweet n' spicy popcorn they bring to your table, I would've had room fore more. I did manage to squeeze in some Nutella ice cream for dessert and it was fantastic. I also had a Colonist Ricky -- Angry Orchard and Catoctin Creek Rye, can you go wrong? I think not. Dinner was great and I was excited to try their brunch. So...brunch...in short, I think they should stick to dinner. I hit up their brunch this morning and I was kind of disappointed. I ordered the Seafood Bloody -- being a huge fan of Bloody Marys AND oysters -- and what I got was a Bloody Mary so salty that I could barely choke half of it down. It was served with a shrimp, raw oyster and olive garnish and the shrimp was rubbery. A disappointing start. Next I ordered french toast sticks which is a generous piece of thick cut french toast cut into four slices. It was clearly served as a finger food on a serving tray with no extra plate, but I found the slices too large and unwieldy to be finger food. I ended up tearing them into smaller bits and dipping them into the syrup. I am a fatty carb lover and I only ate two of the four slices, so you know I was under-impressed. Next I ordered the duck hash with poached eggs and when I took my first bite, it was lacking seasoning. I added salt and pepper and it was palatable, but was disappointed that the dish wasn't more flavorful. I mean, we're talking duck and potatoes fried in duck fat, if it's lacking flavor, something is sorely amiss. Or perhaps my tastebuds had been killed by the over salty Bloody Mary. So while I'll skip the brunch, I'll definitely come back for dinner. Oh, FYI, they don't have a kid specific-menu. So if you bring your little ones who won't eat anything except grilled cheese or hot dogs, you're out of luck.
(3)Jodi M.
Great brunch! Delicious complimentary popcorn! We ordered the cajon Benedict (which was just okay) and chicken and biscuits (perfection). Cozy atmosphere and rustic decor. Can't wait to go back!
(4)Zachary T.
Went here for my birthday last night. The waiter was good as was the drink selection. The order for a friend was wrong and the manager came right over ans apologized for it and took the burger off the bill. Good times!
(4)Brittany B.
Very good for Sunday Brunch. We went here last Sunday for brunch around 1:30 without a reservation, and it was very busy, so we took a seat at the bar to wait and ordered 2 mimosas. Strangely enough the waiter said they were out of orange juice and it would be about 20 minutes until we could have one, so we opted for bellinis instead which were good enough. definitely make a reservation though, because we sat and waited for a table for about 30-40 minutes before we were seated, and then another 15 minutes before the waitress came over to us. The brunch menu is ridiculous, everything sounded unbelievable and it was hard to choose just a few things, so I know we will be back. We ended up getting the blueberry ricotta pancakes, which were SOO good, highly reccommend! And all the pancakes are available in a half size, for half the price. Awesome if you want to just try a few things instead of committing to a giant stack of the same type of pancakes. And we also had the blue crab eggs benedict, which was absolutely delicious. Our waitress was totally swamped with about 10 tables to herself, so I understand the slow service. Bottom line, awesome spot in Shirlington to sit outside on the patio and enjoy some nice weather, people watching and some good drinks and amazing brunch food. Their cocktails menu was pretty cool also, with a long list of moonshines. I'll definitely be back for brunch and maybe to try out the dinner menu as well.
(5)Edward M.
Went on a busy Friday night a few weeks ago, but had no issue promptly getting a table nearby the bar. Our server was attentive, explained himself clearly, and did a great job. Their peach and applepie moonshines are delicious, and I would certainly recommend them. Our food came out quickly, and we made quick work of it. It was really, really good. Mussels were clean and tasted fresh and the salmon was cooked to perfection. Avoid the popcorn, you'll get kernels stuck in your teeth and the toothpicks are way over by the hosts' stand. Overall, it's a great environment, easy to get to, easy to find, and the prices don't make you want to throw your wallet in a pond.
(5)P J.
Arrived for a late lunch hoping to have a great experience. However, we experienced absolutely horrible service. Our server was rude, inattentive, and disinterested. He took forever to take our order, bring our order, and bring the check. When we left, we didn't even look at our checks, we just wanted to get out of the restaurant because we had been waiting for over 15 minutes just to pay our bill. The sad thing about this server is that he was most engaged when we had already left the restaurant. It turns out he undercharged us and came running down the street asking us to pay more money. That was a first for us... Not only was the service horrible, the food was mediocre. We ordered French onion soup, lamb sliders, and a BBQ sandwich. The lamb sliders were ok, nothing spectacular. Basically 3 extremely tiny pieces of ground lamb on 3 tiny buns. The BBQ sandwich was terrible and it should actually be removed from their menu. It seemed like a bad mix between NC BBQ and southern BBQ-real tangy, dry, and just a poor mix of vinegar and BBQ flavors. Either go all the way with the vinegar based BBQ (NC) or all the way southern, but don't go half way on both. If you want good BBQ, go to Rocklands. Lastly, the reason this isn't a one star review is because the French onion soup was really good. This is sad because we thought the restaurant would be phenomenal and we would want to come back for more. We won't be.
(2)Katherine C.
My boyfriend and I were hungry and looking for a place open at 10 on a Sunday. We walked in and the hostesses were sort of cold to us and seemed distracted (or uninterested) in helping us. The place wasn't busy at all, so I have no idea what was happening. We were seated and waited between 5 and 10 minutes for a server, which was odd because there were plenty of servers standing around. Once our server arrived, we ordered the scotched egg, blue crab eggs Benedict, and BALT (bacon, avocado, lettuce, fried green tomato). The complimentary popcorn was really good! We enjoyed it while our scotched egg arrived. The scotched egg is a soft boiled egg wrapped in sausage and bread crumbs and fried/baked, served on frisee with a honey mustard dressing. The scotched egg tasted great BUT it was cold and not just "sitting a little while before it got to the table" cold but "this was in the fridge" cold. We weren't sure if it was supposed to be cold but it still tasted good, it was just unsettling to eat a cold, runny yolk. My boyfriend really enjoyed his blue crab eggs Benedict, but the waiter asked him what bread it should come out on, how the egg should be cooked, and what kind of meat should be on it, which was kind of strange. The menu didn't specify that you had all of these choices and my boyfriend had to repeatedly mention that he just wanted it how it normally comes. That wasn't a detractor necessarily, but it seems like our waiter was new or maybe you really can customize every single aspect of your eggs Benedict. I ordered a BALT. This sandwich was so good and was a really nice spin on a BLT. The tomatoes were fried perfectly and weren't soggy. There was plenty of bacon, the avocado was perfectly ripe, and there wasn't too much lettuce. The multigrain toast really held up to all the ingredients. I had it with a side of fries and the ketchup was amazing. I would definitely recommend Copperwood Tavern
(4)Steve M.
My fiancé and I went to Copperwood Tavern the day after Valentine's Day. We had read some positive reviews and wanted to try a new place. The decor is nice. It feels like the inside of a clean barn. The restaurant seating area is small, but the bar area is large. The restaurant is really loud. We were seated immediately. The server was attentive and explained that the restaurant does "farm to table" and all meat is grass fed and free range. We ordered the French onion soup as a starter. It was decent soup. They brought 2 tiny cornbread muffins to the table. They were good, but I would have liked more of them. I got the NY Strip Steak and she got the Filet Mignon. Both came with sauces that we were not fond of. The Filet was cooked to the right temperature, but tasted dry. The NY Strip was cooked well but lacked some seasoning. Neither steak had that hard seared crust that we like. The sides are served family style. We had the fingerling potatoes and Brussels sprouts. The potatoes were just okay. The Brussels sprouts were covered in some sort of vinegar sauce that we thought was unnecessary. Our bill came to $104 including 2 beers and not including tip. Both of us felt that this meal was not worth that kind of money. Grass fed or free range doesn't matter if it doesn't taste that good. Too much effort is placed in fancy sauces and not enough attention is put into cooking basics (searing meat, seasoning food, etc.) If i were to go back, it would only be to go to the bar. I will eat somewhere else.
(2)Kevin L.
I have several buddies that work here my first time eating here was on a Halloween night I remember ordering a burger with fries that tasted great but it came with some smoky ketchup which is very very tasty it sorta reminded me of a backyard bbq/ketchup whoever makes this is a genius chefwise that is i didn't go through the menu long enough but my first impression was all I needed for the moment the only thing I that bothers me is the high price of food its not bad if you're willing to spend extra money but going in here thinking youll spend under ten for a decent meal is a no no but its the quality that counts I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy my first meal here no furthers complaints I will return in the future and you should give it a try its a good crowd for a hangout spot
(5)Kelsey G.
Ate here for my birthday dinner. We had an 8:30 reservation for 6. We repeatedly asked about our table and the hostess explained that the wait was due to a group that was done eating, but still drinking. A couple gave us their 4 top in the bar when they left and we had drinks- love the mule. The hostess asked if we would like to stay there. Ummm, no. Only four people can sit here. We were seated at a narrow table at 9:10. Our waitress was awesome. Friendly and kept the drinks coming. We ordered apps. We were darn hungry at this point. A couple minutes after our apps came, the waitress pulled a defensive rush when staff began bringing in our meal. Then she came and asked if it could be brought anyway. Luckily she changed her mind and had the kitchen re-cook our food. More about the food- mussels were good- though not a fan of the blue cheese combo. My friends seemed happy with their soup. Salads were fine- fresh, simple, good portions. I got the brown butter chicken based on other yelp reviews. I am not a fan. Though it was tender and had a nice skin, the flavor just was off-putting to me. Everyone else at my table thought it was fine. Loved the brussels sprouts, fingerlng potatoes and garlic fries. Friends were happy with the mushrooms. I really wish the bar menu was available throughout the restaurant. I wanted duck confit corn dogs and for my comrades to have burger options. I support the values of this restaurant and I love the decor. However, there seems to be a big disconnect between quality of food and quality of service. No one apologized for our wait. That being said, I really appreciated that our server, a fun blond with a headband, made our experience better. Also, great beers on tap!
(3)S N.
Love this place .. I've only been here for brunch but the food is great. I love the flavored popcorn they put on each table and everything I ordered has been cooked well. Love the outside seating in the summer!
(4)Liz H.
Had dinner here last night. Great filet mignon, amazing mashed potatoes. Finished my meal with an amazing strawberry shortcake (great presentation and great taste!). Loved the atmosphere as well. Excited to come here again!
(5)Nicole F.
Went here for my birthday brunch with my boyfriend, my roommate and his girlfriend. We were able to get a table in the bar area (one of the high tops with stools) without a reservation on father's day which was awesome. The food ranged from ok to really good depending on what people got. I had the blue crab benedict and would rate it at just an ok due to the lackluster hollandaise sauce. My boyfriend has the Cajun Benedict and thought is was pretty good. My roommate had the burger and found it to be very good, but be warned that it is charred which he wasn't expecting. Finally my roommates GF had the BBQ sliders and said they were delicious. We also had the french toast sticks as a starter and those were very yummy, but we only received three for a group of four people. They do, however, come with real maple syrup which is key to me (I'm from Vermont and take my syrup very seriously). For drinks the BF had a BBQ bloody mary that he found to be delicious, I had a very yummy peach bellini and the roommate's GF had the most delicious fresh orange juice I've ever had. Finally, since it was my birthday, we got the brownie with ice cream which was very good but not amazing. I would rate the food overall at a B/B- Unfortunately the service was abysmal. Our waiter reintroduced himself multiple times (as in he forgot he had already talked to us) and kept getting our table mixed up with the one next to us right down to giving us the wrong check at the end. It was also incredibly slow (they seemed to be understaffed) with brunch taking almost two hours (and we weren't trying to linger) and if we saw our waiter we had to jump to order because we knew we wouldn't see him for another 20 minutes. I would rate the service at an F. Overall I think its a place I would try again because I've heard good things about it and feel that maybe we had an individually bad experience.
(3)Chris M.
Really expected better. Slow, inattentive service and high prices for ok food. Ordered my filet medium rare and got it medium well, tough and dry. This place seems promising, I wish it were better.
(2)Jeremy W.
Food was outstanding. Tasty, fresh and superbly prepared. The wait staff was friendly and prompt. There was a nice atmosphere through out the evening, they where near full, but you would never have guessed, as the noise level was such that it never interrupted the tables conversation. My only complain is the prices are on the high-side. With that said I will be back.m
(4)Cary K.
Just had one of the best weekend brunches in town. I had the breakfast sandwich with an awesome house made biscuit and a perfectly poached egg. The duck fat breakfast potatoes were amazing - crispy on the outside, soft in the inside. My husband had a burger ( it's all he ever eats, so he knows a good burger!) and he lived it. We'll be back - maybe tomorrow!
(5)Sean C.
It's great to have a place like this in Arlington. It reminds me a bit of Jack Rose Dining Saloon in DC. It's a little like a rustic hunting lodge and a little like a sophisticated whiskey bar. Their speciality is that they serve Virginia moonshine. Of course, it's the legal kind, but I like the idea nevertheless. There are a number of preprations, including ones that are fruit infused or made hot and served with apple cider reduction and hot butter. The hot buttered one was particularly good on a chilly night. They also have beer from the Heritage brewery in Manassas. This is the only place I've seen that serves it, other than the Heritage brewery itself. They also serve a number of other Virginia beers, but it was nice to see a smaller, local one represented. They had a great bar menu, including lamb sliders, which were very good. I also tried the fried green tomatoes. I can't claim to be an expert on fried green tomatoes, but these were also really good. The service was also very friendly and attentive without being annoying. I really liked this place and will come here again.
(4)Rob D.
Love this place for Lunch or Brunch but haven't tried dinner here. The lunch/brunch crowd hasn't been a factor and the food is excellent!
(5)Israly E.
Is not always that I suggest to have brunch (or any meal for that matter) in Virginia. But after reading about this place, I wanted to try it. The place is just as cute as the pictures on their website. Very inviting for these cold days. All that is missing is a real fireplace. The staff was friendly, not overly helpful, but friendly. Our waitress was nice, but was not checking on us enough to make sure for example, that my friend had butter for her toast. I had to give her some of mine. But that's about as bad as it got. I loved my buckwheat banana bear pancakes! Yum! I recommend. I ordered a side of scramble eggs and they were moist and perfectly cooked. My friend ordered the Tavern breakfast which includes: eggs, meat, potatoes and toast. The portions were good and considering her plate only cost $8, I considered that a go to when you want to fill up without spending too much. I am really looking forward to visit this place again in the near future and try some other menu items. The french toast sticks were calling my name! And so were the duck hash and biscuits and gravy. I just need to do 1000 burpees to earn them! ;)
(4)waleska p.
Interesting concept, had a hamburger, and you can not mess that up. Good customer service.
(3)Brian R.
Great service and fresh food. Great rustic atmosphere. A little on the pricey side. Highly recommend trying the moonshine
(4)Joyce C.
The decor is rustic and warm and the food is terrific. Loved the specialty drinks as well. My husband had the pork chop and I had the trout filet. Both were wonderful. We also had the shared sides of mac and cheese and asparagus. The asparagus was cooked perfectly. The waiter gave great recommendations and answered all of our questions about the food and drinks. You could tell he really likes the food. The portions are large . Can't wait to go back again.
(4)Jack H.
Copperwood had promise, perhaps it still does. The cornbread brought to the table was tasty, and then even brought more upon request. Liked the mason jars where the water was initially poured. Drinks came out quickly enough (selections included wines, craft beers, cocktails, and moonshine). Stuck to a couple of decent porters and martinis. Drinks were fine but we would find out later how expensive a martini with house vodka would be ($10!?). Then we ordered entrees (and a salad). Salad came fairly quickly but was $6 for essentially greens w/ no variety. Then we waited for the entrees. And waited. 45 minutes later they came. I laughed when I saw the $26 filet which could not have been bigger than 6oz (maybe it shrunk?). The chicken came out well with its beer batter sauce, very good. Shared sides of garlic frites (think french fries similar to Five guys) which were good, but should be for another $6. Baked beans were good also. Was the food worth the wait? No. Should a basic martini cost $10 in Shirlington? No. It was nice to see a place fill the void of the late bistro bistro, but I recommend to avoid this place before it goes that same fate unless the owners change some basic things: either provide more (e.g., better tasting, bigger proportion steak) and/or decrease the prices. I have the feeling there is a wave of first timers checking the place out as we were, but most won't be going back unless one of the aforementioned things happen (as we won't). Two stars for good chicken, pretty good service.
(2)J P.
As a long-time Shirlington resident I was excited to try Copperwood Tavern. Unfortunately, I was thoroughly disappointed not only by the pricing on a very limited menu but also by the tasteless fare. I thought my trout was mushy and my wife's NY Strip was bland and chewy. On a positive note, I thought the decor was a fresh and open-look that screamed "try me" and the meatballs were appetizing. As mentioned on a number of the reviews for Copperwood, the pricing has to come down; especially with our main entrees feeling so bare on their plates...I mean at those prices throw me a side. The service was lacking, but I can attribute that to the restaurant still feeling things out. I was still a bit surprised that our water jug was left empty for the majority of the meal and got more than enough of my salt intake for the year with the complimentary popcorn. I really hope that Copperwood Tavern adjusts appropriately with the pricing, quality of the food and service so I may "think" about giving them another chance. Until then I will keep my distance.
(2)Jennifer H.
I've been here for brunch once and lunch twice -- and both times the food was extremely fresh and delicious! First, the southwestern spiced popcorn they sit on the table is addicting. Having lived in the south, the grits on the brunch menu are among some of the best in this area as far as taste and texture. Needless to say, it's one of the top spots I enjoy in my neighborhood.
(5)P T.
After seeing the so-so reviews, I was skeptical of trying this place, but after dining there with some friends last night, I'm a fan. The service was great and the food was consistently excellent. The atmosphere was good too -- lively and energetic but not so loud you can't converse at a comfortable volume. It's certainly a top-tier restaurant for Shirlington -- up there with Carlyle in my opinion for overall experience.
(4)marian g.
Had dinner here last nite before going to Signature Theater so I made reservations arrived a few minutes late but we were seated promptly. Waiter was prompt with the menus and water. Menu has some tasty wines by the glass and several choices of beer. As we reviewed the menu our waiter mentioned that you should choose a protein and then share 2 or 3 sides I must admit although I understand restaurant pricing if you think about spending $26 for a duck breast with a few slices of poached pear, you need to think twice about how many sides you really want to order. My friend ordered the filet which was well seasoned and cooked to perfection. Another in the group had the trout which was a light well cooked piece of fresh fish, also ordered was the pork chop which looked also well cooked (I think it might have been a little overlooked but well seasoned). I ordered the duck breast which I asked to be cooked medium it was very tough, flavorful with a smokey taste but rare and too tough to finish. I would not order that again. Our side choices were the truffle Mac n Cheese, meh, nice tender spiral noodles but frankly just so so for that type of dish. I guess this is something I could easily cook at home by just adding a teaspoon or two of truffle oil. The truffle flavor really didn't seem to make it to my flavor palate. We also chose garlic mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus. Simple but delicious. The potatoes were very creamy and the asparagus well grilled We decided on a chocolate bread pudding with a burgundy cherry chip ice cream and the check. Time was running short, we got the check right away and was only able to eat one bite each of the dessert. We had reminded our waiter of our theater commitment. I would have hoped that he would have either comped the dessert or asked if we wanted to skip the dessert but he didn't I'll still come back on another occasion but will be a little more thoughtful of my choices.
(3)DeeJay K.
I hesitate writing a review during the first week a restaurant is open. However....... The service at Copperwood was horrible!!! It took 45 minutes to get drinks and the place wasn't terribly crowded although the wait staff argued otherwise -- argued being the operative word. The beers are overpriced by about 20% in my opinion. I only ate appetizers (fried green tomatoes and mussels) and they were okay at best. My entire party of five was disappointed to say the least. I'll give Copperwood a second chance since I'm local but my friends have completely written off the restaurant after a horrible Friday night 'happy' hour. Competent wait staff and a slight reduction in prices would go a long way with this new establishment. ______ I've been back 5 or 6 times following my initial visit and things are much better, although they couldn't have gotten much worse. I still refuse to sit at a table and deal with their wait staff, but the bartenders and knowledgeable and friendly.
(3)Jay G.
First Saturday night they're open and they're not serving dinner because they ran out of food (I'm not kidding). These owners are obviously new because who runs out of food before their first weekend. I'm not sure how good anything there could be if they can't even stock enough food. But I don't know. Maybe it's me. Maybe I'm just picky but I prefer a restaurant that has food.
(2)Jess M.
This place has its pros and cons, but overall it was a good experience, and we will be returning I'm sure. Pros: -Server was friendly and attentive. Ambiance is great. -The cocktail I had was tasty in a sweet but still boozy way. Drinkable but with a punch at the end! Sorry, I can't remember the name! I have no doubt they are all great. -We had the duck confit "corndogs", which were delicious. -We both had the BALT sandwich. Also delicious, and they did not skimp on the bacon. -My friend had the fries as her side with it, and those were great. I normally shy away from homemade ketchups, but theirs is worthwhile. -We were there for a late lunch before another friend joined us for happy hour, at which time they give you little buckets of their seasoned homemade popcorn. Our server generously kept refilling it for us. Cons: -Toward dinner time this place gets packed and the service drops a bit. -I ordered a Corona, and it did not come with a lime. I had to ask the bartender for one. I know, I know: this is not a Corona-drinking type of place. However, if you're going to offer it, do it right. -I had the side salad. While it was fresh, their house dressing was "meh". -We all split the brownie for dessert. This is one of the worst brownies I've ever had in the existence of brownies. Like other commenters said, it was SUPER dry. And if you're going to offer a SUPER dry brownie, at least don't skimp on the ice cream on the side. -This place is over priced in certain areas. The corndogs were $10. They should have been $6 for how small they are. The drink was $12, I'd say it was really worth $10. And that SUPER dry brownie was $8. Make a smaller, more palatable dessert and bring the price down. On the flipside, for $12, our sandwiches and sides were of great value. So hit or miss on this complaint.
(4)Grace R.
Been there twice. Dinner was very good, service was slow but responsive. Brunch was Fair, not really worth the $. The burgers took three times to get it right. Service was slow. The crab cakes Benedict's was very salty. Others commented there food was also salty.
(3)James H.
I've been to Copperwood Tavern about half a dozen times. The cocktails are amazing, and the ambiance is very good. The menu is well thought out and planned. Brunch is fantastic as are the appetizers. The execution of the entree recipes has become somewhat problematic during my last two visits. My entrees have been over-salted to the point of distraction. On a recent night we stopped in and ordered at the bar. The burger was really top notch, yet the fries were over-salted and tasted of too much garlic. Copperwood has a great vision, which could be achieved by paying attention to the cooks. I will be back!
(3)Cynde S.
Service is lousy. No other way to put it. Food is good, but poor service tainted our experience. Ate there at 2:00 on Sunday, when the limited brunch menu was the only option. Empty tables galore, but we were told they were "reserved" (only three of about eight of them were used during the hour we were in the restaurant). Ended up sitting in the bar area. Waited, waited, waited for someone to acknowledge our presence. Someone came, gave us water and glasses. No menu. Waiter arrives, no menu. Waiter fetches menus, brings them to us. Wait. Wait. Wait. Waiter finally appears, takes orders. Drinks and food arrive quickly, but the bill? Wait. Wait. Wait. Finally walked up to waiter to see about getting checked out. This place seems to have real promise, but someone needs to hire a wait staff manager who knows how to keep the place moving more smoothly. We will not return.
(2)David L.
Great addition to Shirlington Village. The decor is top notch, the bar is a work of art. For our first visit and dining experience we had lunch. The Tavern provides a fresh small pail of popcorn to munch on with a secret blend of seasoning, highly addictive. For starters, we had the French onion soup, by far the best either of us has had in years. The cuban sandwich and fries as well as the burger and Cesar salad were all superlative, excellent taste, especially the hamburger! Everyone is served filtered bottled cold water. The server, (Donna) was eager to please & professional. The place was exceptionally clean and the ambiance was just right. We will definitely be back for dinner.
(5)Chrissy P.
I don't mind paying for a decent meal, but the food was average at best. The service was slow. You had to order meat and sides separate and could only order family style (oversized) sides to share, which makes it tough for a party of two. If the food was divine could have lived with that, but it wasn't. It was overrated and overpriced. Would rather get a filet and crab cake at the Carlyle on the corner over this place any day of the week.
(2)Mark K.
My wife and I have been to Copperwood several times and always had a great experience-until yesterday. While the food and service were excellent as always, we overheard someone in the kitchen area-a mgr, presumably- screaming the F-word at the top of his lungs. He was abusive as well as profane and made us so uncomfortable that we probably won't go back. I can't understand why a quality restaurant would allow this kind of behavior.
(3)Mark L.
The French onion soup is the best I've ever had and the filet was amazing. Try the Maggie mule.
(5)James N.
I am from NC and have strong opinions about eastern style BBQ..! But the BBQ sandwich was amazing today. I LOVED the garlic fries too... The cherry bread pudding was too much for me, but certainly tasty. The decor and ambiance are just fine. I will be back again and again, based on my sample today.
(4)Rachel H.
I am really rooting for this place to make a turn around once the newness of the opening wears off and they settle into things. My first visit, however was less than impressive. The decor and atmosphere is really great. I love the high ceilings and the attention to detail in the decorations is fantastic. Even the bathroom is super cute! The layout seems a bit confusing - as there is so much open space that appears to be really under utilized. More tables in the bar area would be an improvement. I went with some friends for happy hour, so we only experienced the bar menu. The drinks were really good. I tried the Commonwealth Mule (my fav), the apple pie moonshine (delish!), and the Colonist Ricky (good, interesting flavor). All were really good and I would say that the drinks were the best part of the evening. The service was spotty, which is confusing b/c they actually have a back bar that appears to be exclusively for serving the tables, versus the main bar serving the entire restaurant. It took one friend about 20 minutes to get a second martini. He ate his entire meal without a drink. The food was a different story entirely. We initially ordered the garlic parsely frites (soggy & almost flavorless - the smoked ketchup was OK) and the fried green tomatoes. They were AWFUL. The breading was so thick and hard, it was difficult to even cut into them with a fork. I love fried green tomatoes so I was excited to see them on the menu, but they were so terrible, three of us only managed to choke down about two of them. The sauce they were served with was nothing special. I was really disappointed in that dish. We made a second round order of more substantial food. I got the half portion of the caesar salad - bad. The dressing tasted like straight up mayonnaise. My friend ordered the tavern burger, which she basically just picked at so I'm thinking it wasn't that great. Another friend ordered the sliders. He asked if he could have one of each - lamb, pork, and burger, but the server said no. I think that's a flaw - they should go ahead and just let you try one of each. Especially since he chose the pork bbq and thought it was awful. He only managed to eat two of the sliders. And again, his fries were soggy. The only decent food we had that night was a side portion of the Tavern Salad. The dressing for that was really tasty! The atmosphere only makes up for so much. I really hope this place turns around the food quality quickly. I plan to give it a try again in a few weeks, but for now I will stick with my old favorites in the neighborhood.
(2)Anthony F.
Food was not good. Overpriced for entrees and you have to pay for side items separately. They give you bread in the beginning and it was cold. Food had no seasoning to it and tasted very bland. Menu is also very limited with options. I can not recomment this place with so many other options in the area.
(1)Michelle R.
The design and layout are very nice. The service and the kitchen were particularly slow; it took almost 45 minutes for our appetizers to come out! The food has good intensions but most of it was just ok. For the prices I would expect much distinctive flavor from the main dishes. The sides we tried were all delicious.
(2)kelley r.
Won't be returning here - the ambiance is more kitsch than it looked from outside. It's like a cracker barrel esq theme restaurant version of a mimi's café. Just really over done with chotchkies. The service was just okay, but there was a big and loud group of about 6/7 of the management or owners and their friends drinking in the back in front of the service station blocking the hall to the bathrooms that was pretty detracting. For small plates we ordered the mushroom bruschetta - had little flavor, and was so overloaded with mushrooms we ended up wearing more of it than went in our mouths - with some salt and a tablespoon less per bread piece it could have been great; the shirt ribs was drier than it should have been for slow braised meat, the teensy portion of celriac puree below you couldn't even taste - due to the deluge of dr pepper bbq sauce on it all I could taste in the whole dish was dr pepper. I tried the grilled ceasar, which was okay. But the shrimp I ordered on it were hard as a rock and overcooked - they were light on one side and positively seared dark brown on the other. The strip steak we ordered was great, and their truffled mac and cheese was pretty good. But we were by far not the only people around us looking/asking for salt and pepper shakers. Everything was underwhelming and under seasoned. It was just absolutely not a meal I would spend that price on to repeat.
(2)Jason O.
We dined here on Saturday night (March 1) and found it an overall wonderful experience. The place was crowded but our party of four's 8 PM reservation was honored immediately. Every aspect of our meal was terrific -- the food was delicious and perfectly cooked, the cocktails were great, and the service was attentive. Each of us ordered a different appetizer and entree and side and everyone pronounced everything delicious. (Pork loin and pork chops can be difficult for restaurants to get right, and they were perfectly cooked as ordered.) Portions are substantial (my wife and I had enough leftovers for a meal the next day) and prices are typical for the dishes and food quality (local sourced, including the seafood). The decor and atmosphere make this a great night out. Do what we did -- ignore the early reviews that only suggest that restaurant openings are hard. Go now and enjoy what has become the best dining option in Shirlington.
(5)Sarah M.
I absolutely love Copperwood. I don't think this restaurant is getting nearly enough credit for what it deserves. The first thing I noticed when going to Copperwood for brunch was the interior. I loved the interior design and decorations. There are so many restaurants in Arlington/DC that spend so little time on creating an atmosphere. As one reviewer stated, it is reminiscent of a ski lodge in Colorado. We came early for brunch, around 11:30am on Saturday, and we didn't have to wait for a table - but there was still a fair amount of people there. The service was wonderful! Far better than most restaurants we have been to. Our waitress went far above her normal duties and made sure we had everything we could possibly need. The brunch was delicious - and the menu had interesting options, which is a nice switch-up from the typical eggs Benedict/omelets. I recommend getting the seafood bloody mary (I forget the name), and the french toast sticks were delicious.
(5)Patti K.
Re-visit to Copperwood Tavern today for brunch. Had made reservations for 6 people but 2 additional people joined at the last minute. There seems to be no way to call and speak to someone or leave a message, so I showed up with the 2 extra people. Receptionist said, "I know, our phones are messed up". Table was "set for 8" but that meant 2 chairs and 2 benches . We couldn't fit 3 adults on each bench for asked for 2 extra chairs. They then added a small table at the end of our table and brought the 2 extra chairs. The small table was smaller than the main table so did not match up with the main table and the 2 people on that end were hard to converse with. The benches are quite uncomfortable considering the long wait for the food to be served (see below). They still have the mason jars for water glasses and the nasty, lukewarm, cloudy water bottle on the table. No ice for the water. We ordered coffee and sodas and juice which came promptly (sort of) but the coffee's were cold. We waited almost an hour for our entrees (with 2 requests for them to check on our order). Once arrived, most at the table rated the food from very good to meh. It is still quite loud, 80-85 decibels and hard to hear your dining companions.Attention to detail is still lacking for so-so food and the long wait times. I won't be returning to Copperwood Tavern anytime soon.
(2)Anh-Thu N.
Service was outstanding! Everything except for the onion soup was phenomenal! We ordered: - Raw oysters which were extremely fresh - Grilled oysters were cooked perfectly - Duck confit corndogs were interesting - Onion soup was in the salty side but came in a cute single serving cast iron kettle - Small spare ribs were nicely braised and didn't require a knife to cut into - Spring peas risotto were ok, not that interesting - Mussels were cooked with caramelized onions and bacon, it was amazing,we had to order more toast to dip - Lamb sliders were topped with dilled onions and tziki sauce were cooked perfectly, filled with flavors - Ended with amazing homemade strawberry ice cream! So good.
(4)Chris S.
One of the best brunches my wife and I can remember having in a long time. Plenty of similar places in Alexandria and DC but the dishes we had were spot on and delicious. First, the salty/spicy/sweet popcorn was a great way to get brunch started. A little snack that set the mood perfectly. I knew almost immediately what I wanted after browsing the menu. The chicken and biscuits with a maple syrup aioli and their version of fried potatoes / hash brown. My wife went for the waffle. This was the most delicious brunch, chicken combo I've had. The boneless fried chicken breast was delicious, perfectly fried. Not too tough, not to greasy, but actually perfectly fried. The biscuit was the perfect compliment. Dense, full if flavor, a very southern inspired main dish. If I could eat this dish every day, I would absolutely do it, and guarantee if you get the quality of the dish I got, you will love it too.
(5)Jemima C.
I came here on a Friday night for happy hour. Happy hour is only at the bar and it was $1 off draft and wine. Pretty much crappy happy hour. After being unimpressed with the HH options I snacked on popcorn while waiting for my peach flavored moonshine on the rocks.Drink was a pretty decent, but not at $9 for a shot with ice. I was eager to try the truffled Mac and cheese since that was pretty popular in the reviews. Let me tell you...it tasted like premium Kraft Mac and cheese with bread crumbs on top. Nothing spectacular as he reviews made. I friend had the pulled pork sandwich and that was pretty tasty. But then again that could have been from my disappointed taste buds of having the Mac and cheese. Wait staff was very friendly and helpful with the menu. We came around 4:30 with outside seating being empty and by the time we left around 6 it was pretty much full.
(3)Keegan Z.
Copperwood Tavern is high-price/high-value restaurant that's perfect for impressing clients and in-laws alike. It is definitely not an "every day" sort of place, though you'll look forward to going on special occasions. Came here with a friend on a Wednesday evening the day before Thanksgiving. I was struck by the beautiful decor of the place and how clean it was (laugh if you must, I've been to some expensive places which were somehow still less than clean in the past). A gentleman led us to a long table where people ate "communally" of sorts. We had initially only planned to come in for a few drinks, though our intentions quickly changed once we saw the unique fare on the menu. My friend's curiosity was drawn by the lamb burger and my own was piqued by the duck confit corndogs, and so we ordered those. This place gives you unlimited spiced popcorn as a free snack while you're waiting on your food or just enjoying drinks, which was a nice touch. The food turned out to be as excellent as it sounded: there wasn't much in the way of quantity (only 2 corndogs for $10), though the quality was to die for. My friend allowed me to try his lamb burger as well and it was nothing short of amazing. We both had the German Schwarzbier to drink und es war ausgezeichnet (translation: and it was excellent!)! The service is what really won me over, though. Our server was extremely polite and friendly, made frequent callbacks, and ensured we had everything we needed: the ideal service experience. He even gave us a $10 gift card at the end of the meal, which I wasn't sure was just something this place does for new customers or if they do it to inspire better tips from their customers (I tipped very well anyway, so it just ended up being a bonus for me). Parking around here isn't too difficult once you know the locations of the two main free garages (don't try to find a space right in front, you won't be able to). The atmosphere of both the restaurant's exterior and interior is classy and makes you want to be there. I fully intend on coming back here soon. The prices make it a special occasion destination, though it is worth every penny. Overall: 5.0 stars --------------------- Pros: - Delicious and unique menu offerings. - Excellent service in every way. - Great atmosphere - Sizable drink selection, quality products. - Parking not difficult once you know where the garages are. Cons: - Expense is a concern, though as I said, this is an upscale place with upscale prices and you definitely get your money's worth here.
(5)Ra S.
Food is so good, everything is so unique, and amazing! This place is at least a 4 star spot hands down. And oMG, did I mention the moonshine? Bring your appetite!
(5)Will N.
This is my favorite of the Shirlington restaurants. It's got very pleasant outdoor seating, and a big bar. Awesome moonshine selection, delicious specialty cocktails. The Tavern Burger is what I have had the most, and the aoli is fantastic. This actually might be the best burger in Arlington. It's also very reasonably priced. The fries are really really good, although I often replace those with the salad, which is delicious. All in all, a great experience in Shirlington at a very reasonable price.
(5)Anna N.
I left my wallet here last night and when I called and finally got someone (after calling 30 times) the manager called me a "f******* pyschopath" because she thought that I was accusing her of stealing it. Which I absolutely 100% did not do. PLEASE do not go to a place that calls women names like that- this is absolutely horrendous. That aside: I was extremely disappointed to see everyone saying that they got free delicious popcorn- we were never brought any! We instead got three rolls. These were OK. This place was OK. I ordered the farm fresh salad which was nothing extraordinary, was really just lettuce for $12 lol. The prices were Ruth's Chris prices, but the quality of what we had was pretty good. Our server was amazingly helpful and friendly. Sitting outside was really nice last night- that is why three stars.
(1)Sandy S.
I've been here a few times. The food is really good and I cannot stop eating the delicious popcorn (keep it coming!). The atmosphere is nice, though it is loud inside. The drinks are quite good but quite expensive as well.
(3)Maryann C.
I've been here 3 times now. Twice for dinner and once for brunch. Things I love: - the french fries - the cornbread and the mandarin spread - the side salad - the burgers Things I don't like as much: - the price - the dim lighting inside - the porkchop (hit or miss. the first time was unbelievably delicious and the second time, it wasn't seasoned well or tender) I definitely recommend making a reservation since it's a pretty popular place. The free popcorn is a plus as well. Although I'm not a HUGE fan, I know many love their homemade seasoning. I'll likely keep coming back :)
(4)Gwen B.
I give this spot 3.5 stars. We have been here for both brunch and dinner. Copperwood is definitely the new hot spot in Shirlington, it has been crowded every time we've gone. They have nice outdoor seating which is wonderful for a Spring brunch. As other Yelpers have commented, service is terribly slow. Their homemade bbq popcorn is delicious and addicting but I had to request it from our waiter even though the tables all around us had it brought to them. Our drinks took forever to come out and went empty long before we were asked if we needed refills. For brunch here is what we ordered: -french toast sticks: crispy deliciousness -short rib Benedict: well done -chicken and biscuits: a little sweet but still yummy -ricotta blueberry pancakes: a huge hit with the table For dinner we have had: -steak tartare: fresh with great flavor -duck breast: good but not great and the portion could've been bigger for the price -bison meatballs: just ok in my opinion -truffle Mac and cheese: delicious to share -Brussels sprouts: highly recommended -asparagus: decent Overall Copperwood has fresh and flavorful food, however as my husband commented, it's slightly TOO rich sometimes. You walk away feeling a little heavy because the dishes can be over the top. The price tag tries to rival DC so that's another reason to take away half a star. Not a bad addition to the Shirlington area though, we will likely be back at some point.
(3)Maya W.
Today's brunch with the ladies was an overall disappointment. I tried the shrimp and smoked gouda grits for the second time and it was just as good as the first time, but the only high note. Noone else was content with their meal. The general sentiment is that the food could use a little more sentiment. The biscuits came to the table cold and the French roast sticks were tastess. our waiter never returned after bringing the cold bread. When we asked for the manager, he bypassed our table and headed straight to the party next to us. When he finally came, he promised to bring hot bread, only to deliver one hot biscuit which he agreed to comp but never did. The manager never checked on us again and the waiter all but gave up. I had been excited to try this place for dinner but not after today.
(2)Drew S.
So, in 3 visits, I've only sat at the bar, so take that as it is. If you have read my other reviews, you'd realize this is how I roll. Anyway, see Cassandra or Will. These two will take care of you, know the menu, and mix mean drinks/pour a great glass of beer while treating you like a bartender should. They are the main reason this review gets 5 stars. The food is the second reason this gets 5 stars. My wife and I love this place. Things to order (so far): french onion soup, signature burger, french toast sticks, lamb sliders, Cuban sandwich. OK, now on to the drinks. This should really be listed before the food, but I don't want to seem like too much of an alcoholic, but the drinks at this place are fantastic. They have at least 20 taps with amazing beer flowing through them (there's a bar and a service bar, so the combos are pretty good). They have great whiskey's available and even make the "Bacon Rebellion". What's a Bacon Rebellion? It's a bacon laced Old Fashioned. Yeah, that's gone down my gullet with no guilt. Other pluses: dog friendly, outdoor tables with fireplaces and smore's packs, ample seating, big TVs, and friendly staff. All in all. Go here, eat here, and for god's sake DRINK HERE.
(5)Jim K.
Food was very good, although our fousome wasn't very adventurous on this visit (salads). No one in the mood for wine, but the beer list was pleasantly original with mostly local offerings. Waitress was attentive without being overbearing and we didn't feel rushed to finish so they could turn the table. Noise level was moderate inside and we look forward to a patio table on our next visit.
(4)Daniel B.
My wife and I went for a Saturday brunch. The food was frankly, phenomenal. We started with the French toast sticks, with delicious Orange butter and syrup, and Mimosas. Then we ordered the blueberry and ricotta pancakes as well as their southwest style omlette. Our meal was interrupted by the both of us saying things like, "I can't believe how good this is." The decor was lovely and the service was perfect. 10 out of 10.
(5)Angel W.
Shirlington has been hurting lately with the restaurant closures and no backfills. Copperwood Tavern seems to have a made a good choice in regards to opening in Shirlington Village, since each time I've shown up there's been at least a 40 minute wait. I finally got in on my fifth try! Copperwood Tavern is a pleasant place to grab a bite to eat or drink with friends, family, a date, etc. The tables are close enough to give it that cozy feel but not too close that you can hear your neighbors. What we ordered: Winter Risotto with sugar pumpkin, toasted walnuts and mixed exotic mushrooms. This dish was quite tasty although the portion was too large. The sides are advertised as "shared sides" and the prices reflect that. They offer 11 different sides (asparagus, fingerling potatoes, smoked gouda mashed potatoes, root beer baked beans, fried Brussels sprouts, truffled mac, sautéed spinach, beer-butter mushrooms, house garlic-parsley fries, winter risotto, and mashed sweet potatoes). It's a plus that they offer so many sides. The downside is that Copperwood will not create a vegetable platter with various sides. I've never been to a restaurant that has declined this request. If they have the sides, the restaurants are usually happy to accommodate four smaller vegetable portions on one platter. The server was adamant that they could not do it. They have so many great sides, so it was a bummer that I was relegated to eat a huge dish of winter risotto rather than try a few different sides. My friend ordered the Brown Ale Butter Chicken basted with brown ale butter. It was swimming in butter. Entrée prices are $18 - $32. I find the cost of $18 for some stuffed peppers to be outrageous! We had the Nutella ice cream for dessert. Highly recommended! It comes with the stout brownies or you can order by the scoop separately. I think it automatically comes as three scoops if you only order the ice cream so if you don't want three scoops, you have to request less. I probably won't be back here since they were so unaccommodating with the vegetable platter request. There are not enough other vegetarian gluten free options to order besides the salads, the $18 peppers, or one side dish (since the sides are huge and priced as shared sides).
(3)Geoff G.
Unfortunately I have to lower my rating for this place. Food has been very strong, but have had some bad service experiences. In our last trip, we were getting together with some friends with 2 kids. To keep things brief, our server was barely loud enough for us to hear, tried repeatedly to upsell us to buy apps despite not being interested, charged the kids $8 for 2 tiny glasses of orange juice, told us the kids meal (sliders) did not come with fries, so we ordered an extra side of fries for no reason, and brought out my fiance the wrong entree, and then did not apologize and told her if she wanted what she ordered it would take a while. (Ultimately, it did not. It was a thin trout filet, which the manager brought out fairly quickly and apologized for). This was still unfortunate, since we were all amost done eating by the time she got her entree, and there were no other concessions made for this error.
(2)David G.
The following is what I sent in an email to management after our first visit this past Sunday afternoon; - A lot of nice design touches, especially the openness of the place. So many places feel so crowded that its a great switch. The open ceiling is refreshing too, both for looks as well as a sound buffer. - Enthusiastic staff which seem to need more training. Nothing critical that I observed, just some bumping into each other and a number of guests fending for themselves in the bar area. Will- an old friend formerly from Beckett's- straightened things out, fortunately. - Biggest problem, however, is your pricing. Simply put, way too high. The lamb burger at $16 was too pricey for what was received, especially since the patty was very lightly seasoned and dwarfed by the bun it rested in. A preview of your dinner menu showed some interesting items, but at a sticker cost that almost rivals Morton's. While your beer selection is nicely chosen, most are $1-2 higher than similar places, ie Blackfinn, Rustico. Worst of all-- $9 for Jack Daniels? Not Gentleman Jack, not Single Barrel Jack, just plain old JD? Seriously??? Overall, our first experience was a good one, and we will likely return soon. And there will be some birthing pains, especially since this is your first attempt at a full fledged restaurant. Hopefully you'll make a few adjustments that will place Copperwood at the top of our Shirlington list, instead of roughly 3rd or 4th, where it is at this time. The place does have potential, but they do have to get over themselves in terms of their pricing structure. Oh, and three days after I sent this message to management, I have yet to receive a response. Not too encouraging, if they really want to build a customer base.
(2)Ilene G.
for dinner with a large group. I felt that the serviced was very good when we first walked in and they weren't busy, once it got busy the service was slow. Interesting concept as farm to table, interesting dishes, great appetizers and soups. I feel as though they're trying to add up your bill by having all ala carte. It can get expensive, it's about 20% more expensive than similar restaurants in the area. Beer and sides were a expensive. the food quality was good and everyone was happy with their entrees. Desserts were great.
(3)Gwendolyn F.
Brunch. Food: decent. Service: not so much. Server made 2 passes through the dining room, ignoring the empty glasses and everything else. Finally got his attention during his long chat with a co-worker by waving my empty glass over my head for about a minute.
(2)Jess M.
Had a great burger today! Enjoyed the friend green tomato, high quality roll, and the beef patty was juicy and cooked perfectly (to medium). I would come back again!
(3)Caroline C.
What distinguishes good service from great service? How the management rectifies mistakes. A group of eight showed up for a dinner reservation and immediately seated. We all order several different entrees and five share-able sides. My entree was delicious and my venison was made medium as requested and the fried brussel sprouts were so good they converted my mother in law who hates anything green. However two of my dining companions had meat varying degrees under what was ordered (one ordered well done, a travesty I know, and received medium and one person ordered medium but ended up with rare). The waitress was incredibly apologetic about the whole thing and immediately got the manager. Then we realized one person didn't have an entree and it came out about 10 minutes after everyone else. I think the line cook must not have started his ribeye when the rest of the orders came in and then tried to rush the bison ribeye because the late order came black and blue not medium. The manager was immediately alerted and immediately offered us desserts on the house. We were treated to a delicious dessert sampler, one of everything on the menu. The brownie with nutella ice cream and the balsamic strawberry shortcake were my favorites. I didn't care for the creme brûlée, wrong texture and they added orange when I was expecting vanilla. Three out of the eight entrees were not perfect but the manager made prompt corrections and was very apologetic. That one line cook probably needs a stern talking to and lesson in meat cookery and caused the removal of one star. Decor, food and service are great. I'll be back!
(4)A N.
Easily the best and most interesting restaurant in Shirlington. It's so refreshing to find a legit farm-to-table restaurant in this part of town -- who lists the farms where their meat comes from, no less. Guilt-free dining :) And the food was delicious, especially the truffled mac, fried brussels sprouts, bison meatballs, and bacon wrapped figs. The only item less than perfect was the pork chop. The portions are HUGE! The ambience is very rustic and comfortable and service was excellent. I'll be back many times, for sure!
(5)Andrea S.
Went here for a last minute brunch with 4 other people. We were able to be seated immediately on a Saturday at 12. (We were late brunchers!) Our table ordered a variety of food including blueberry ricotta pancakes, duck hash, blue crab eggs benedict, chicken and waffles and grits - not to mention bloody marys and mimosas. SO SO: The pancakes were fluffy but just okay. The duck hash was plain, had a lot of tender duck in it but no flavor otherwise (however the poached eggs were the perfect amount of runnieness). STAND OUTS: The blue crab benedict was delicious! The chicken and waffles were great (but maybe less waffle would be better suited to not overpower the chicken). The true standout were the grits. The entire table was saying how we all wished we had ordered the grits as we stole from the person who did! Service was awesome! Attentive but not overbearing. Offered to split the check at the end of our meal and got everything correct! Sundays seem to be much busier than Saturday. I would go again on a Saturday where you can actually hear and talk to your friends. Def. going to be a Shirlington staple. Haven't tried anything but brunch. Their lunch menu looks minimal. I'm excited to watch this restaurant evolve. Enjoy your time there!
(4)Sarah F.
Drinks The beer and cocktail menu here should be enough to attract even the most stubborn won'tâ€leaveâ€DC'ers. All of the cocktails are bourbonâ€based. My kind of place. I had the Bacon Rebellion, which was appropriately strong, just a little sweet, and exactly what I was looking for. My boyfriend had the commonwealth mule with whiskey and loved it as well. All the other cocktails were equally enticing, and quite creative. We sat for dinner, but the bar was totally hopping even though it was pouring rain outside! I noticed that the bar area was seriously spacious; the bar itself is very long, and there are lots of standing tables. I'd be super comfortable going here for drinks and a few bites. Food The short rib: probably the most delicious thing I've eaten in 2013. It was very tender, and the meat was perfectly caramelized. The pairing with the parsnip puree is pretty brilliant, it's slightly sweeter than potato. But it WAS $8 for one short rib. Given its deliciousness, I wasn't upset, and would order it again, but it should be priced at $6 or they should plate two short ribs. The chicken: I think they may have burnt the butter in the sauce? It was very bitter and displeasing. The chicken itself was fine but unremarkable. The corn pudding: delicious. Cross between a stuffing and a corn pudding actually, but good portion size, and very comforting. Pairs well with their proteins. The asparagus: this was the "chef's veg" seasonal vegetable, and was by far the most outrageously priced dish I've ordered in a long time. It was $10 and we got mayyybe 12 spears of asparagus. If you've been in a grocery store lately, you'll know that amount of asparagus will run you about $2. I felt insulted. Coffee creme brulee: I have to admit, I'm a bit of a creme brulee snob, so others might not have as strong a reaction as I did. But the custard was entirely too loose, and didn't set properly. The crust was also not thick or hard enough, and somehow they had managed to make the entire thing very warm. Three very big strikes on dessert. The flavor was ok, so I guess it's got that going for it. Service Service was pretty slow. Both in terms of wait time for the waiter coming to our table, and in terms of the time it took for food to hit the table. But I'm really forgiving on that front, because the place has only been open a week, and they were slammed, it being 8pm on a Friday night and all. That said, the manager made a sizable faux pas. I arrived, told the hostess that I was here for my reservation, and she was checking on a table for me. Then, a female manager with short blondish hair arrived to the host stand and yelled at a host right in front of me about seating another table. It's unprofessional to behave that way in front of guests, and it meant that my first impression of the restaurant was sloppiness and rudeness. I was embarrassed for the host, and that manager should be much more aware of her surroundings. I glanced over some of the reviews here and would like to mention that I think it's important to remember that it usually takes awhile for a restaurant to hit its stride, especially where it concerns service, and the amount of time it takes to get food on the table. It seems that those here furious over long wait times haven't been to a recently opened restaurant. Overall, I think this restaurant fills a huge hole in Shirlington for restaurants with a little more character. But the kitchen manager should focus on pricing dishes more reasonably, and the manager should try not to send guests reeling out the front door before they've even been seated.
(4)Nick S.
I work in Shirlington and was really excited for Copperwood when I saw the sign on the window of the long gone Bistro Bistro. I waited a few months for them to work their kinks out and tonight decided to give their bar menu a try. My shift ended at 10 and I headed over with a couple friends. Kind of stood awkwardly inside the door for a couple minutes before asking some bussers if I could sit anywhere which was the case. We were quickly brought menus and ordered a couple drafts. However only 2 out of 3 drinks made it to the table...15 minutes later. The head on my beer was gone meaning it had sat for a while. We told three different servers we were missing a drink and it was never brought. We were never asked by our server if we wanted to order food and at that point I grabbed a passing server and just asked for the check so we could leave. Bummer. Food looked good too.
(2)M. B.
Came yesterday for the first time it was a beautiful day and wanted to sit outside. The server Abby was so nice and helpful with our choices. I had the lamb burger, lots of fusion tastes going on with pickled onion that was slightly sweet. The side salad comes with a house dressing and I barely got a taste of the dressing needs a better choice. My better half had the fillet was a bit too rare but he said it was still delicious and the potatoes were out of this world with bacon. Dessert was a bit disappointing a blackberry lime pie also lacked flavor and didn't have that nice punch of lime kick. Actually we couldn't taste lime at all. For a busy holiday Saturday at 4pm only one sever outside which they should have had two. But again Abby did a great job! Will try it again maybe for apps and drinks for a date night.
(3)ABellaDC B.
We had dinner here on Saturday and I must say everything was delicious. I highly recommend the brussel spouts, truffle mac & cheese, and the bison steak. The decor was different and very nice. we will definitely come back here again.
(5)Gus M.
Great drink and beer menu ... They call this place "farm to table" but I call it mediocre. Not great. It's fine. The food is really okay - but not for the price. Yikes ... $$$ small Caeser with small slices of steak just rolled me up for $15.00
(3)Rosie M.
I've visited this restaurant a couple of times and I must say, every time I go, I enjoy it. The food is good and tasty, waitstaff friendly and attentive and the atmosphere is clean with an inviting ambiance. The only thing I will say that throws me off sometimes is that you have to have a reservation, otherwise sit at the bar, which for me is not a problem but if you want to have a romantic dinner date, might pose a bit of an obstacle. It's a bit on the pricey side, but definitely doable and worth it.
(4)K K.
They have a wide selection of craft beer. Service is always wonderful, however, a reservation is highly recommended as they do become quite busy. The food is delicious. The complimentary corn muffins are a nice touch. The mussels are amazing!
(5)Lindsey C.
Great food! Staff and food runners are a work in progress. My husband, myself, and another couple went around 1pm on Saturday during the Shirlington Octoberfest. It was crowded and completely chaotic. However we were able to quickly grab a seat in the bar area and our server came over in good time. We placed our drink and food orders quickly. The server didn't know much about the menu or drinks, when asked questions, but they've only been open less than 48hrs. The peach moonshine has a bite to it where as the cherry moonshine was much smoother. The down side was our food never showed up as it was taken by the food runner to another "unknown" table. This was horrible BUT the manager came over and was very apologetic and comped all four if our meals AND drinks and put a new ticket in resulting in us getting our food in less than 5min. Upside- the food was AMAZING! We all sampled each others food and we had the BALT, Copperwood Burger and the Pulled pork sandwich. The burger was one of the best burgers my husband has ever had. It was cooked medium rare and was perfect. I got a salad as my side which was a mistake because it wasn't bad nor good but the side fries were awesome and seasoned perfectly! We will be back as the atmosphere, food and management were spot on. Hopefully they can work out the kinks with the serving staff and food runners.
(4)Becky B.
The menu is fun and different. They do the pork BBQ just right and the spices in the lamb burger make my mouth water just thinking about it.
(4)Ken E.
average and unexceptional. I live in the neighborhood and was underwhelmed. seems to draw a crowd, maybe more for the bar than dinner menu?
(2)James P.
Excellent environment and excellent service, very cozy for a group of friends to relax and enjoy a entertaining lunch. We also came on a busy day and wasn't expecting much for a first time visit...this establishment far exceeded our reputation. Food was excellent and it did take some time to come out but overall it was delicious which is far more important. Before i wrote my reviews, i read a few below and i disagree with most of them, the reason why i gave it 5 stars. This place is definitely under reviewed and needs some support. Thanks Copperwood!
(5)Kerri D.
Small but unique menu. Lots of bourbon and hand crafted bourbon drinks! The punch is delicious!
(4)Erica S.
The table was ready when we arrived (made reservation through open table), the service was great and the food was delicious. I highly recommend making a reservation as it was very crowded and the wait time seemed to be over 45 minutes for those without reservations. Very worth the wait though. The specialty drinks were fantastic too! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
(5)Rich H.
Yesterday was my second time at Copperwood since it opened (the first was an ill-advised attempt at dinner after Shirlington Octoberfest - they had not planned well and ran out of food - we had some drinks on that trip). There are clearly some growing pains to work out, but I like the general idea. Drinks were good and came out fast. They have a nice beer selection and a good mixed drink list as well - try the poor man's gold! The dinner menu strikes me as a little pricy, I had the Filet, it was well cooked to medium rare, but the appearance was not what I expect from Filet Mignon - it was thinner and wider than what you expect, and was smothered in sauce. It was also cut in half and had a strange chunk of gristle at the end. My date had the frisee salad with steak. It was well presented, and the duck confit was great, but she thought the potatoes were a bit strange and seemed out of place. We split the mac and cheese - best thing we ate. Service was acceptable - everyone was pleasant, but clearly in the weeds. Once they work out the kinks I think it has great potential, but I expect more at the current price point.
(3)Explorer P.
If you plan on going to this restaurant in the next month or so (probably through Thanksgiving) then keep an open mind that it is new and there are growing pains involved. What we loved: The atmosphere. Very chill but still had an upscale feel. You can relax there but also know you will get quality food and service. The drink selection- low key yet great taste. Beer, bourbon, moonshine...you can't go wrong! The food menu- Plenty of choices. If you are a health nut, the options are somewhat limited but this restaurant wasn't created for that. Use this as your cheat night. We loved the food. The cornbread in the beginning with the popcorn is a great touch. The mussels and broth were excellent. The parsley and garlic frites were very good as well. My husband and I both got a salad (duck for me, steak for him) because we weren't overly hungry but they were excellent as well. My duck egg was cooked perfectly. I'm a huge fan of fresh eggs on salads. The steak was cooked perfectly on the salad as well and my husband enjoyed the dressing. The "So-So" The service was slightly horrible but listening to the other server at the table next to us, I think we just got a bad server. I'm pretty sure he will be gone before the next time we visit. As mentioned in the beginning, I also think the servers need time to adjust to the opening-pains of the restaurant as a whole. We met the Manager and were quite pleased to hear they are aware of the improvements they need to make and they are working diligently to do so. If you go soon, go again in a few months. I think you will only see this restaurant grow to become a Shirlington and even Arlington staple.
(4)Lewis S.
Had brunch there over the weekend. We were greeted by a cheerful, very young looking hostess who was super nice. Our waitress, Mickey, was great and took the time to explain the new brunch menu to us and was also very professional and nice. The only thing better than the service was the food! I had eaten there previously during their first week of business and it is obvious the have worked out all the kinks.
(5)Matt And Emily G.
Our hopes were high when we saw Copperwood moving into the space previously occupied by the lackluster Bistro Bistro. The first time we tried to get in, we were told there would be a 30 minute wait. At the end of the 30 minutes, we were advised that the front desk had goofed and there would be an additional 45 minute wait. No thanks! We turned around and left. On our second attempt, we were told up front that the wait would be 45 minutes, so we went elsewhere. The third time, we wised up and made reservations. A place this hard to get into must be amazing! It wasn't. The ambiance is fantastic and the food is delicious. However, it's really expensive for the portion size (very small portions) and the service was terrible. We ordered two appetizers to start, but they were tiny - more like tastes than appetizers. At over $10 each, we felt cheated. The scallop appetizer looked like it came with 2 scallops, but it was actually one scallop cut in half. Really? After that we split an entree and a side dish. (The sides here are a la carte - entrees are the protein only.) At over $20 for a duck breast, it better be the most amazing duck breast ever, or it should be huge, or it should come with a side. It wasn't any of those. The side dish we ordered, the truffled mac, was indeed delicious, and was probably the best value we had all night in anything we ordered. We also had two whiskies, which were fine. Our waiter was absent for most of our meal, being busy flirting with the hostess. He didn't even offer us dessert. Our final bill - about $100 - was absurd given that we left hungry. We considered ordering more food, but everything had taken so long to come out that we didn't want to be stuck there for another 30 minutes. We suspect that lunch might be a better value than dinner, so intend to try Copperwood again and hope for better service. There is a lot of potential here, but also much need for improvement.
(3)Lo J.
You won't be disappointed...we made our reservation on Open Table, arrived and were seated immediately. The waiter was excellent in reviewing all of the items on the menu that we asked about, as well as a few others. He inquired if it was our first time at Copperwood so took time to share the kitchen's philosophy. We decided to order the Copperwood Burgers (felt there were many good choices), which includes bacon jam and fried green tomato! Come on - bacon jam! Was yummy!!! Also enjoyed a local pumpkin ale. The burgers did not disappoint...they were delicious! We had a leisurely lunch and were not rushed at all - the service was attentive and well executed. We feel this restaurant will give Carlyle some competition. They atmosphere is lovely, the noise level lower, and the food and drink are excellent. We're so glad Copperwood came to Shirlington!
(5)Kristine B.
Shortribs are AMAZING! I definitely recommend getting them. I wish they were an entrée. The small house salad is also great and not very small (bonus). The additional veggies added nice texture and flavor. Great dish for the price. In addition to the yummy food, the service was great and the manager was extremely nice. He stopped by all the tables to ask how things were, which was very nice and thoughtful. I have been a few times and will go back.
(4)Jill B.
I've gone to Copperwood Tavern three times. I sat at the bar twice with girlfriends and then my boyfriend and I met another couple for dinner a few nights ago. The last time I was at the bar, Patrick was the waiter. He was so friendly, funny and very informative. The food was delicious. It was fresh and flavorful. My friend said her steak was the best she had ever had and I can attest to the fact that her fries were delicious. When my boyfriend and I went to dinner with our friends earlier this week, the service was excellent and the food was great. My boyfriend had the filet mignon, our friends had the trout with pecan, his wife had the Cream of Asparagus soup and we all split the fries. I had the scallops appetizer because I wasn't too hungry. That was a good thing, because the appetizer was VERY small, but it was delicious as well. One small thing that we didn't like was that the fries were over cooked and lukewarm. I had really enjoyed the fries the time I was at the bar, so I was a bit dissapointed by that. For dessert we had the grand marnier creme brulee and ice cream. I love Shirlington, live in the area and this place is a great, new welcome addition.
(4)Harumi R.
We all absolutely loved this place! Farm-to-table, fresh squeezed yummy OJ and lemonade, welcoming corn bread and popcorn, instead of regular bread of regular restaurants...I like the idea of the sides to share. We got the Mac n' cheese, roasted potatoes and risotto- all were excelent! For the protein part we got venison, sword fish and trout (which was pretty big!). The decor is pretty cool as well, and the server, although he was new, he was pretty much on top of everything. It was an excellent experience that we hope to be back soon! (it does get a little expensive, but with all the wild caught, and free-range meat, fresh veggies, it gets acceptable).
(5)J W R.
The Farm to Table promise drew me in. The execution of everything else will keep me away for a long time. Weekday evening, we were stuck in a side table with no view of the rustic atmosphere. The only the thing we could see was the two couples next to us and I mean right next to us. There could not have been more than 8" separating the tables. It was loud. We heard just about everything the two women said. The food was not good. The pork chop was recommended and had it been cooked it might have been good. It was raw -- and raw pork is unacceptable. Our waiter was not attentive. Overall the food was lousy, the place is cramped, loud and lousy.
(1)Emanon V.
Was in for a brunch - didn't have any of the service issues that were mentioned by the other reviewers - my waiter was good with taking order and periodic follow up. Got seated right away. Had the blueberry ricotta pancakes - they were okay - am a slower eater so they became a little rubbery for me - and the pancakes are huge - could barely eat one - Will I go back, probably - haven't tried lunch or dinner meals though.
(3)Amanda K.
Went back for dinner last week and had a great experience. The vibe in the restaurant is perfect for after work; fun but relaxing - a great place to shake off the day. Our dinner was great. I ordered one of their signature cocktails, the Bacon Rebellion. I figured it was hard to go wrong with bourbon and bacon. I was right. We started with mussels and they were plump and in a savory blue cheese-y sauce. My filet came out a perfect med-rare and the bf happily wolfed down his pork chop. While the meat was delicious the sides were even better. Sides are a la carte and are generously portioned; we ordered 2 sides to share and took home plenty of both. The fried-brussel sprouts and the beer-butter mushrooms were amazing! If you don't get them you are wrong. The service was great; our waiter Georgi (sp) was very attentive and professional. We're looking forward to coming back for dinner.
(4)A H.
We had a great experience and would definitely recommend Copperwood to friends. Looking forward to returning to try the other moonshines! The apple pie was amazingly delicious and smooth.
(4)Stacy S.
We have enjoyed eating here, once for dinner and once for brunch. The menu is creative. For dinner, the proteins are a la carte, which makes the prices steeper than they seem initially. It does get very crowded for dinner on the weekends, so reservations are definitely recommended. Service was good during both visits. The best side dish was the fingerling potatoes. The cheese makes it very flavorful. We had the pork chop and swordfish for the proteins and both were decent. The duck hash for brunch was very good, though a bit salty. Overall a good addition to Shirlington.
(4)K P.
The $1 oysters at the bar during HH are awesome. My husband and I can get our fill for not too much money. I like the ambiance and different menu items that Copperwood brings to Shirlington. It appears that most of the wait staff have made their rounds in other restaurants in Shirlington, so you might recognize some familiar faces. We will be back!
(4)Adam D.
Great music. Great ambiance, and great staff. The duck was succulent and the fried Brussels sprouts were awesome. Shirlington needed a place like this for a long time.
(5)Mariam N.
Been here 3 times. 1st two were great, third visit was disappointing, specifically due to food. They have awesome brussell sprouts, but when we ordered them on our last visit,they were very sweet and not like before. Main gripe was the ribeye steak I ordered.... probably most expensive entree. It had a big portion of fat in it. When we told waiter that we didn't want it and showed him the problem, he remarked that "he'd still eat it if it were him". Anyways... the comment and experience was disappointing but the great thing was that the manager (Michelle) came and apologized for the food and the waiter's lack of judgement comment. She was sooo nice about it. She also gave us a $20 gift card for another visit and repeatedly thanked us for the feedback. This place has really good service, nice ambiance, great crowd and the food has (typically) been very good. We will definitely go back.
(4)Kelsey G.
Ate here for my birthday dinner. We had an 8:30 reservation for 6. We repeatedly asked about our table and the hostess explained that the wait was due to a group that was done eating, but still drinking. A couple gave us their 4 top in the bar when they left and we had drinks- love the mule. The hostess asked if we would like to stay there. Ummm, no. Only four people can sit here. We were seated at a narrow table at 9:10. Our waitress was awesome. Friendly and kept the drinks coming. We ordered apps. We were darn hungry at this point. A couple minutes after our apps came, the waitress pulled a defensive rush when staff began bringing in our meal. Then she came and asked if it could be brought anyway. Luckily she changed her mind and had the kitchen re-cook our food. More about the food- mussels were good- though not a fan of the blue cheese combo. My friends seemed happy with their soup. Salads were fine- fresh, simple, good portions. I got the brown butter chicken based on other yelp reviews. I am not a fan. Though it was tender and had a nice skin, the flavor just was off-putting to me. Everyone else at my table thought it was fine. Loved the brussels sprouts, fingerlng potatoes and garlic fries. Friends were happy with the mushrooms. I really wish the bar menu was available throughout the restaurant. I wanted duck confit corn dogs and for my comrades to have burger options. I support the values of this restaurant and I love the decor. However, there seems to be a big disconnect between quality of food and quality of service. No one apologized for our wait. That being said, I really appreciated that our server, a fun blond with a headband, made our experience better. Also, great beers on tap!
(3)S N.
Love this place .. I've only been here for brunch but the food is great. I love the flavored popcorn they put on each table and everything I ordered has been cooked well. Love the outside seating in the summer!
(4)Liz H.
Had dinner here last night. Great filet mignon, amazing mashed potatoes. Finished my meal with an amazing strawberry shortcake (great presentation and great taste!). Loved the atmosphere as well. Excited to come here again!
(5)Brian R.
Great service and fresh food. Great rustic atmosphere. A little on the pricey side. Highly recommend trying the moonshine
(4)Joyce C.
The decor is rustic and warm and the food is terrific. Loved the specialty drinks as well. My husband had the pork chop and I had the trout filet. Both were wonderful. We also had the shared sides of mac and cheese and asparagus. The asparagus was cooked perfectly. The waiter gave great recommendations and answered all of our questions about the food and drinks. You could tell he really likes the food. The portions are large . Can't wait to go back again.
(4)Nicole F.
Went here for my birthday brunch with my boyfriend, my roommate and his girlfriend. We were able to get a table in the bar area (one of the high tops with stools) without a reservation on father's day which was awesome. The food ranged from ok to really good depending on what people got. I had the blue crab benedict and would rate it at just an ok due to the lackluster hollandaise sauce. My boyfriend has the Cajun Benedict and thought is was pretty good. My roommate had the burger and found it to be very good, but be warned that it is charred which he wasn't expecting. Finally my roommates GF had the BBQ sliders and said they were delicious. We also had the french toast sticks as a starter and those were very yummy, but we only received three for a group of four people. They do, however, come with real maple syrup which is key to me (I'm from Vermont and take my syrup very seriously). For drinks the BF had a BBQ bloody mary that he found to be delicious, I had a very yummy peach bellini and the roommate's GF had the most delicious fresh orange juice I've ever had. Finally, since it was my birthday, we got the brownie with ice cream which was very good but not amazing. I would rate the food overall at a B/B- Unfortunately the service was abysmal. Our waiter reintroduced himself multiple times (as in he forgot he had already talked to us) and kept getting our table mixed up with the one next to us right down to giving us the wrong check at the end. It was also incredibly slow (they seemed to be understaffed) with brunch taking almost two hours (and we weren't trying to linger) and if we saw our waiter we had to jump to order because we knew we wouldn't see him for another 20 minutes. I would rate the service at an F. Overall I think its a place I would try again because I've heard good things about it and feel that maybe we had an individually bad experience.
(3)Chris M.
Really expected better. Slow, inattentive service and high prices for ok food. Ordered my filet medium rare and got it medium well, tough and dry. This place seems promising, I wish it were better.
(2)Jeremy W.
Food was outstanding. Tasty, fresh and superbly prepared. The wait staff was friendly and prompt. There was a nice atmosphere through out the evening, they where near full, but you would never have guessed, as the noise level was such that it never interrupted the tables conversation. My only complain is the prices are on the high-side. With that said I will be back.m
(4)Cary K.
Just had one of the best weekend brunches in town. I had the breakfast sandwich with an awesome house made biscuit and a perfectly poached egg. The duck fat breakfast potatoes were amazing - crispy on the outside, soft in the inside. My husband had a burger ( it's all he ever eats, so he knows a good burger!) and he lived it. We'll be back - maybe tomorrow!
(5)Sean C.
It's great to have a place like this in Arlington. It reminds me a bit of Jack Rose Dining Saloon in DC. It's a little like a rustic hunting lodge and a little like a sophisticated whiskey bar. Their speciality is that they serve Virginia moonshine. Of course, it's the legal kind, but I like the idea nevertheless. There are a number of preprations, including ones that are fruit infused or made hot and served with apple cider reduction and hot butter. The hot buttered one was particularly good on a chilly night. They also have beer from the Heritage brewery in Manassas. This is the only place I've seen that serves it, other than the Heritage brewery itself. They also serve a number of other Virginia beers, but it was nice to see a smaller, local one represented. They had a great bar menu, including lamb sliders, which were very good. I also tried the fried green tomatoes. I can't claim to be an expert on fried green tomatoes, but these were also really good. The service was also very friendly and attentive without being annoying. I really liked this place and will come here again.
(4)Rob D.
Love this place for Lunch or Brunch but haven't tried dinner here. The lunch/brunch crowd hasn't been a factor and the food is excellent!
(5)Israly E.
Is not always that I suggest to have brunch (or any meal for that matter) in Virginia. But after reading about this place, I wanted to try it. The place is just as cute as the pictures on their website. Very inviting for these cold days. All that is missing is a real fireplace. The staff was friendly, not overly helpful, but friendly. Our waitress was nice, but was not checking on us enough to make sure for example, that my friend had butter for her toast. I had to give her some of mine. But that's about as bad as it got. I loved my buckwheat banana bear pancakes! Yum! I recommend. I ordered a side of scramble eggs and they were moist and perfectly cooked. My friend ordered the Tavern breakfast which includes: eggs, meat, potatoes and toast. The portions were good and considering her plate only cost $8, I considered that a go to when you want to fill up without spending too much. I am really looking forward to visit this place again in the near future and try some other menu items. The french toast sticks were calling my name! And so were the duck hash and biscuits and gravy. I just need to do 1000 burpees to earn them! ;)
(4)waleska p.
Interesting concept, had a hamburger, and you can not mess that up. Good customer service.
(3)Emily H.
I have been their twice for brunch and each time have enjoyed the experience. Cons are prices are a little higher then I would like, and sometimes I have to flag down the server for more water. All in all though a solid brunch location.
(4)Jack H.
Copperwood had promise, perhaps it still does. The cornbread brought to the table was tasty, and then even brought more upon request. Liked the mason jars where the water was initially poured. Drinks came out quickly enough (selections included wines, craft beers, cocktails, and moonshine). Stuck to a couple of decent porters and martinis. Drinks were fine but we would find out later how expensive a martini with house vodka would be ($10!?). Then we ordered entrees (and a salad). Salad came fairly quickly but was $6 for essentially greens w/ no variety. Then we waited for the entrees. And waited. 45 minutes later they came. I laughed when I saw the $26 filet which could not have been bigger than 6oz (maybe it shrunk?). The chicken came out well with its beer batter sauce, very good. Shared sides of garlic frites (think french fries similar to Five guys) which were good, but should be for another $6. Baked beans were good also. Was the food worth the wait? No. Should a basic martini cost $10 in Shirlington? No. It was nice to see a place fill the void of the late bistro bistro, but I recommend to avoid this place before it goes that same fate unless the owners change some basic things: either provide more (e.g., better tasting, bigger proportion steak) and/or decrease the prices. I have the feeling there is a wave of first timers checking the place out as we were, but most won't be going back unless one of the aforementioned things happen (as we won't). Two stars for good chicken, pretty good service.
(2)J P.
As a long-time Shirlington resident I was excited to try Copperwood Tavern. Unfortunately, I was thoroughly disappointed not only by the pricing on a very limited menu but also by the tasteless fare. I thought my trout was mushy and my wife's NY Strip was bland and chewy. On a positive note, I thought the decor was a fresh and open-look that screamed "try me" and the meatballs were appetizing. As mentioned on a number of the reviews for Copperwood, the pricing has to come down; especially with our main entrees feeling so bare on their plates...I mean at those prices throw me a side. The service was lacking, but I can attribute that to the restaurant still feeling things out. I was still a bit surprised that our water jug was left empty for the majority of the meal and got more than enough of my salt intake for the year with the complimentary popcorn. I really hope that Copperwood Tavern adjusts appropriately with the pricing, quality of the food and service so I may "think" about giving them another chance. Until then I will keep my distance.
(2)Jennifer H.
I've been here for brunch once and lunch twice -- and both times the food was extremely fresh and delicious! First, the southwestern spiced popcorn they sit on the table is addicting. Having lived in the south, the grits on the brunch menu are among some of the best in this area as far as taste and texture. Needless to say, it's one of the top spots I enjoy in my neighborhood.
(5)P T.
After seeing the so-so reviews, I was skeptical of trying this place, but after dining there with some friends last night, I'm a fan. The service was great and the food was consistently excellent. The atmosphere was good too -- lively and energetic but not so loud you can't converse at a comfortable volume. It's certainly a top-tier restaurant for Shirlington -- up there with Carlyle in my opinion for overall experience.
(4)marian g.
Had dinner here last nite before going to Signature Theater so I made reservations arrived a few minutes late but we were seated promptly. Waiter was prompt with the menus and water. Menu has some tasty wines by the glass and several choices of beer. As we reviewed the menu our waiter mentioned that you should choose a protein and then share 2 or 3 sides I must admit although I understand restaurant pricing if you think about spending $26 for a duck breast with a few slices of poached pear, you need to think twice about how many sides you really want to order. My friend ordered the filet which was well seasoned and cooked to perfection. Another in the group had the trout which was a light well cooked piece of fresh fish, also ordered was the pork chop which looked also well cooked (I think it might have been a little overlooked but well seasoned). I ordered the duck breast which I asked to be cooked medium it was very tough, flavorful with a smokey taste but rare and too tough to finish. I would not order that again. Our side choices were the truffle Mac n Cheese, meh, nice tender spiral noodles but frankly just so so for that type of dish. I guess this is something I could easily cook at home by just adding a teaspoon or two of truffle oil. The truffle flavor really didn't seem to make it to my flavor palate. We also chose garlic mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus. Simple but delicious. The potatoes were very creamy and the asparagus well grilled We decided on a chocolate bread pudding with a burgundy cherry chip ice cream and the check. Time was running short, we got the check right away and was only able to eat one bite each of the dessert. We had reminded our waiter of our theater commitment. I would have hoped that he would have either comped the dessert or asked if we wanted to skip the dessert but he didn't I'll still come back on another occasion but will be a little more thoughtful of my choices.
(3)DeeJay K.
I hesitate writing a review during the first week a restaurant is open. However....... The service at Copperwood was horrible!!! It took 45 minutes to get drinks and the place wasn't terribly crowded although the wait staff argued otherwise -- argued being the operative word. The beers are overpriced by about 20% in my opinion. I only ate appetizers (fried green tomatoes and mussels) and they were okay at best. My entire party of five was disappointed to say the least. I'll give Copperwood a second chance since I'm local but my friends have completely written off the restaurant after a horrible Friday night 'happy' hour. Competent wait staff and a slight reduction in prices would go a long way with this new establishment. ______ I've been back 5 or 6 times following my initial visit and things are much better, although they couldn't have gotten much worse. I still refuse to sit at a table and deal with their wait staff, but the bartenders and knowledgeable and friendly.
(3)Jay G.
First Saturday night they're open and they're not serving dinner because they ran out of food (I'm not kidding). These owners are obviously new because who runs out of food before their first weekend. I'm not sure how good anything there could be if they can't even stock enough food. But I don't know. Maybe it's me. Maybe I'm just picky but I prefer a restaurant that has food.
(2)Jess M.
This place has its pros and cons, but overall it was a good experience, and we will be returning I'm sure. Pros: -Server was friendly and attentive. Ambiance is great. -The cocktail I had was tasty in a sweet but still boozy way. Drinkable but with a punch at the end! Sorry, I can't remember the name! I have no doubt they are all great. -We had the duck confit "corndogs", which were delicious. -We both had the BALT sandwich. Also delicious, and they did not skimp on the bacon. -My friend had the fries as her side with it, and those were great. I normally shy away from homemade ketchups, but theirs is worthwhile. -We were there for a late lunch before another friend joined us for happy hour, at which time they give you little buckets of their seasoned homemade popcorn. Our server generously kept refilling it for us. Cons: -Toward dinner time this place gets packed and the service drops a bit. -I ordered a Corona, and it did not come with a lime. I had to ask the bartender for one. I know, I know: this is not a Corona-drinking type of place. However, if you're going to offer it, do it right. -I had the side salad. While it was fresh, their house dressing was "meh". -We all split the brownie for dessert. This is one of the worst brownies I've ever had in the existence of brownies. Like other commenters said, it was SUPER dry. And if you're going to offer a SUPER dry brownie, at least don't skimp on the ice cream on the side. -This place is over priced in certain areas. The corndogs were $10. They should have been $6 for how small they are. The drink was $12, I'd say it was really worth $10. And that SUPER dry brownie was $8. Make a smaller, more palatable dessert and bring the price down. On the flipside, for $12, our sandwiches and sides were of great value. So hit or miss on this complaint.
(4)Grace R.
Been there twice. Dinner was very good, service was slow but responsive. Brunch was Fair, not really worth the $. The burgers took three times to get it right. Service was slow. The crab cakes Benedict's was very salty. Others commented there food was also salty.
(3)James H.
I've been to Copperwood Tavern about half a dozen times. The cocktails are amazing, and the ambiance is very good. The menu is well thought out and planned. Brunch is fantastic as are the appetizers. The execution of the entree recipes has become somewhat problematic during my last two visits. My entrees have been over-salted to the point of distraction. On a recent night we stopped in and ordered at the bar. The burger was really top notch, yet the fries were over-salted and tasted of too much garlic. Copperwood has a great vision, which could be achieved by paying attention to the cooks. I will be back!
(3)C B.
First, the decor. Cheesy and very Disneyworld. I am always suspicious of "theme" restaurants. Plastic to the max! Second, the service. They do not have it together yet. All the 4 star reviews couldn't be right based on what we observed! Third, the food. Please don't treat me like I'm your money machine! The food is not great and certainly not worth the price. Fourth, if you simply like to drink in a "theme" environment, this is the place! Won't be back!
(2)Cynde S.
Service is lousy. No other way to put it. Food is good, but poor service tainted our experience. Ate there at 2:00 on Sunday, when the limited brunch menu was the only option. Empty tables galore, but we were told they were "reserved" (only three of about eight of them were used during the hour we were in the restaurant). Ended up sitting in the bar area. Waited, waited, waited for someone to acknowledge our presence. Someone came, gave us water and glasses. No menu. Waiter arrives, no menu. Waiter fetches menus, brings them to us. Wait. Wait. Wait. Waiter finally appears, takes orders. Drinks and food arrive quickly, but the bill? Wait. Wait. Wait. Finally walked up to waiter to see about getting checked out. This place seems to have real promise, but someone needs to hire a wait staff manager who knows how to keep the place moving more smoothly. We will not return.
(2)David L.
Great addition to Shirlington Village. The decor is top notch, the bar is a work of art. For our first visit and dining experience we had lunch. The Tavern provides a fresh small pail of popcorn to munch on with a secret blend of seasoning, highly addictive. For starters, we had the French onion soup, by far the best either of us has had in years. The cuban sandwich and fries as well as the burger and Cesar salad were all superlative, excellent taste, especially the hamburger! Everyone is served filtered bottled cold water. The server, (Donna) was eager to please & professional. The place was exceptionally clean and the ambiance was just right. We will definitely be back for dinner.
(5)Chrissy P.
I don't mind paying for a decent meal, but the food was average at best. The service was slow. You had to order meat and sides separate and could only order family style (oversized) sides to share, which makes it tough for a party of two. If the food was divine could have lived with that, but it wasn't. It was overrated and overpriced. Would rather get a filet and crab cake at the Carlyle on the corner over this place any day of the week.
(2)Mark K.
My wife and I have been to Copperwood several times and always had a great experience-until yesterday. While the food and service were excellent as always, we overheard someone in the kitchen area-a mgr, presumably- screaming the F-word at the top of his lungs. He was abusive as well as profane and made us so uncomfortable that we probably won't go back. I can't understand why a quality restaurant would allow this kind of behavior.
(3)Mark L.
The French onion soup is the best I've ever had and the filet was amazing. Try the Maggie mule.
(5)James N.
I am from NC and have strong opinions about eastern style BBQ..! But the BBQ sandwich was amazing today. I LOVED the garlic fries too... The cherry bread pudding was too much for me, but certainly tasty. The decor and ambiance are just fine. I will be back again and again, based on my sample today.
(4)Liz L.
So good! This is one of my and my husband's new favorite places. We came here for the first time on Valentine's Day because it was one of the few places in the area that had last-minute reservations available. (Our romantic out-of-town weekend trip was cancelled due to the snow.) The atmosphere is rustic, yet upscale. A lot of wooden and copper accents to go with the name. They have some nice group seating - picnic tables & benches - but also enough 2-tops for couples. They serve moonshine drinks and also have some cool moonshine accessories displayed around the restaurant. Just a really neat-looking place. Now onto the food. Looking at the menu, the first thing I thought was "Wow - pricey." And, yes, it is a little more than I would normally spend on a meal. But this isn't your everyday kind of place. This is a place when you really want to go all out. Every single thing we ordered was delicious and well worth the expense. We started with the bison meatballs. The gravy they come with is to-die-for. The meatballs themselves are large, but flavorful. All of the entrees are meat only - sides are extra, but a must! My husband got the venison chop and I had the duck. Both were perfectly cooked to order and delicious. (We've since gone back and had the NY Strip and the Pork Chop - also amazing) But wait. There's more. The stars of the show are the sides. In fact, I could skip the meat altogether and just order sides and apps for the meal. The brussel sprouts are out of this world. Cooked in a cast iron mini-skillet, they're crispy and full of flavor (and bacon, I think). The truffle mac-cheese is SO GOOD. I ate the whole thing myself. My husband claimed the gouda mashed potatoes. We've also had the fingerlings (which I liked more than the mash, but my husband disagrees) and the fries (which are good, but no comparison to the others). Oh - one other thing - they bring these little cornbread muffins with the most heavenly orange-zested honey butter I have ever had. They are complimentary and, again, so good. We've never made it to dessert - way too full from the meal. However, I'm sure we'll make it one of these days and I'm sure it will be delicious. The only thing that I really was not pleased with was my drink. I'm not much of a moonshine girl, but thought I'd try one. I got the hot buttered shine - the moonshine completely overpowered the flavors of the drink. I'll stick with water, thanks. You'll leave this place with a full belly and an empty wallet, but you'll have enjoyed one of the best restaurants in the area (Shirlington).
(5)Jessalyn L.
We went for brunch. The decor is not my style, but farm to table food is always a plus. The waiter was friendly (if not over the top) and I felt that he may never stop asking if I wanted a Bloody Mary (to be fair, a friend had one and said it was amazing, I just don't like them). But the food was delicious. I had a western omelette and the potatoes (fried in duck fat). We shared the french toast sticks, which were good but the syrup and butter were better. I tasted my husband's fried chicken with biscuits and it was delicious. Overall, we will be back to try all the other things on the menu, brunch and maybe even dinner. The prices were on par with most of Arlington but worth it.
(4)Geoff O.
Eh. Way too expensive for lunch or dinner and still a bit too expensive for a mediocre breakfast. The entrees look good on paper, but I was not impressed by the time I actually ate my food. It was average. Silver Diner will give you a more satisfying (and cheaper) meal.
(2)Patrick O.
I generally like Copperwood. They have a great drink menu, good beer on tap, and I very much like the food overall. BUT, I went there with my family last night, including my 14 year old son, and we were seated in the "dining room" side of the restaurant. It turns out that, although they have both a kids menu and a bar menu (burgers, etc.), they refuse to serve either on the "dining room" side. It was not that they stopped serving the bar fare earlier in the day. No, they only serve it on the "bar side". While they offered to move us to the bar, at that point it would have been more of a hassle. We asked the waitress why they wouldn't serve the bar food on the "dining room" side, and the explanation was that the owner insists on that separation, because he (or she) wants there to be a clear delineation between the more formal dining room side and the less formal bar side. That, in my view, is absurd and pretentious -- and, to the owner I say, get a clue. The two sides of the restaurnt don't look that much different, and certainly the dining room side looks just as casual as the bar side. (Aside: are the tables outside considered on the "bar side" or the "dining room" side, or does it depend on whether they are to the left or right of the front door?) And while I enjoy the food, there is pretty much NOTHING on the regular menu that a teen or younger kid will like (even the mac and cheese and meatballs are too fancy for most kids, as I learned last night). Plus, I really don't understand the concept of having a children's menu, but only having it avilable in the bar. So, while I like the food and generally like the atmosphere, and those, by themselves would proably have resulted in a 4 or 4.5 star rating, this absurd and pretentious separation between the two "sides" of the restaurant compel me to lower my rating, and more importantly, to cross this restaurant off of my list for family outings.
(3)Jonathan S.
I've been to this place on three separate occasions at different times in the day. Two of these times I've had the worst service by not even having a server approach me withing the first 15 minutes I was there. After finally asking the hostess to send us a server they show up with an "I don't care" attitude. Although I've only sat in the bar area, I think the only way to get good service is to sit at the bar itself. I've eaten here and have had 2 of their burgers. Both were terrible. If you can't do a burger well then you should just give up. I will not be visiting again.
(1)Alyse C.
Had a feast set for kings. Strip steak, swordfish, filet, taretare. The mashed was the best. I have no complaints. Staff was friendly and on point
(5)Melinda M.
I have been here three times and each one was more disappointing than the previous visit. Seems like it is hit or miss from other reviews. For me getting sick the last time made it a strike out. Don't think I'll try this one again. There are much better places to eat and drink.
(1)Ryan B.
I've been to Copperwood Tavern twice now, and both were stellar experiences. That probably had something to do with our waitress, but more on that later... The decor is nice... Definitely a "cabin in the woods" feel when you walk in and in the bar. However, the dining room area is still classy enough for a special night out. The space is pretty small, so people can be crammed in there on a busy night, but I won't take a star off for them being too popular. We dealt with the hostesses on both occasions, and both times they were very helpful and respectful. First time to inquire about bar seats, and the second time to cancel our dining room reservations to sit in the bar area. They welcomed us on the way in, and bid us good night on the way out. This is a small thing, but nowadays, it's not guaranteed. Food/Drink: The first time we came, we sat in the dining room, and were started off with some cornbread. I believe it had a citrus spin to it, and I really enjoyed it. I also enjoyed some peach moonshine... Very good! For the meal, I got the Duck Breast and the girlfriend got a filet. The pear/blueberry combination with the duck was outstanding. My girlfriend is not always a red-meat person, but she enjoyed her steak. We shared the Truffle Mac and the Asparagus. That Truffle Mac is outstanding. Has a nice crunch on the top, and is a perfect texture (in between creamy and dry). I finished with the creme brulee, which was pumpkin. Not exactly "Seasonal at the time" but delicious none the same. The second visit, we sat in the bar, which offers a different menu (but you can also order off the normal menu!). Because of these options, I think we'll be sitting in the bar area for future visits. In the bar area, we were started off with complimentary BBQ popcorn (might have been kettle because of the underlying sweetness). I then had some happy hour chilled oysters, which were Ok, but definitely satisfied my craving for seafood. My girlfriend got the petite filet, this time off the bar menu and it came with duckfat fingerling potatoes which were INCREDIBLE. Her filet was a little underdone for Medium, but not criminally so. I got the pecan trout, which was different, but a great spin on a crust. The Truffle Mac was shared again, and did not disappoint. Beer Selection: They have an awesome selection of craft beers on draft here. They throw in some locals as well, and I was actually able to try several beers I've never had before even though I try A LOT of new beers. Service: Our waitress, whom served us when we were in the dining room the first time and then the Bar area, was awesome. Her name is Cassandra. She was so polite, respectful, prompt, helpful and (any other nice adjective). I really appreciated that, and she definitely represents the restaurant well. Overall, this place is a great spot to grab a beer and some above average "bar food" or sit down and have a nice meal with a significant other. I recommend it, and will be back!
(5)Rick T.
Sat at the bar on a midweek evening. Started with Fried Green Tomatoes which were dense with a coating of spackle. I ate 3/4 of one and set my plate aside. Tried the Pork Barbecue Sandwich and ate all the accompanying salad but only a few forkfuls of the meat because I found it overdressed with vinegar to the point that the pork flavor was indistinguishable. The two stars go to Mick the bartender.
(2)Joe C.
Went to this place on 3/17/15. I could write a rambling review but I think I will just cut to the chase. THIS PLACE SUCKS. Very douche-baggy food at unreasonably high prices. If I had the stomach of a wood nymph, this place would have been filling. Small plates that were not supposed to be small plates. I ordered the chicken breast, which was pretty good but that was all that was on the plate. One sorry ass piece of chicken. $19.00 for chicken breast that looked like it was rescued from a dungeon in SE Washington, D.C. . Wife had the filet mignon at 29.00 plus 10.00 for the mac and cheese side. As an aside, i found it funny that one of the most inexpensive item on the menu happened to be the largest portion. Back to the steak. They should advertise it as the button filet because it was literally the size of a button. It came with some mushrooms in a miniature skillet. Now, if something is served in a skillet one would think it would be at least warm if not hot. NOPE, butt cold. So, for a little comparison, the special at Ruth's Chris steak house is 44.00 which includes sides and a nice cut of steak. So, theres that. This place is trying way too hard to be hip. Especially for shirlington. Save your money. Or spend it at Charlyle Grand. Or Weenie Beanie.
(1)Chelsey O.
I'm that person who uses Yelp for recommendations on everything, yet never leaves my own review. This experience was bad enough to make me want to write my first review. Ordered a $28 New York strip medium rare. The steak came out medium well, so we sent it back. After a 10+ minute wait, they bring out a new steak that was actually cooked medium rare yet the outside was burnt to a crisp and the only thing you could taste was a nice charcoal burnt flavor. Now I understand the restaurant didn't want to comp a $28 steak. Fine, I get that. But they didn't even offer to give us a free round of drinks, or comp our second round of beer. As a manager at a 'farm to table' restaurant where you're paying $$, the customer shouldn't have to ask for a free beer or discount because of no fault of their own, they had to have their steak sent back to be cooked the way they ordered it in the first place. This should have been offered immediately. My husband and I wanted to eat dinner together, not have him eat a medium rare charcoal steak 10 minutes after I was finished eating.
(2)Cee E.
The fried Brussels Sprouts are the MOST amazing thing here. Second most amazing thing is that you can HEAR your dining companions. It's a full house tonight and I can clearly hear the music floating above--but I can still converse at a normal level!! Props to the management!!!! As I write this, my dining companion is woofing down the chocolate brownie with Nutella ice-cream with a large smile. But she can't decide whether this or the welcoming corn muffin with orange butter was the best thing here. The decor is rustic and refreshing. Definitely a nice change of pace for Shirlington. I would give it five stars if there were more variation in the menu over time. But no complaints right now.
(4)Mary R.
The manager was unprofessional and rude. A spelling error was pointed out on the dinner menu and my daughter asked the waiter if she gets a free dessert for bringing it to their attention. She observed the waiter telling the manager and he just blew it off. When the waiter returned to the table and did nothing we asked to speak with the manager. The manager came to the table and said " Because I made a spelling error on the menu I should give you a free dessert?" Ugggghhhhh he definitely flunked Marketing 101. If he can spell marketing!!!!!! As far as the food goes . . . the oysters are the deal. Drinks are pricey but what do you expect in Shirlington. Will I go back? Probably not. There are other places to choose from that appreciate repeat business.
(1)William H.
Pleasant wait staff, Elisabeth. The manager walked by twice and did not take a drink order. The highly recommended pork chop was grizzly and fatty. Other food was adequate. Many other better choices on that same street so avoid this one.
(2)Amanda T.
I went to Copperwood the other day and met one of their farmers and enjoyed a salad from them. It was great! I love farm to table restaurants. The truffle Mac and cheese was amazing! The short ribs with this mashed potato purée was delicious! I think this restaurant is great and getting better and better each time I go!
(4)Adria G.
Last night was my first time dining at Copperwood. I was headed to the movies and I just passed by Copperwood. First of all, the decor is very inviting at night. I love the Mason jars everywhere. I had the short ribs (I didn't taste the root beer in this), the brussels sprouts, the truffle mac and a Duvel beer. Everything was sublime! The short ribs could be cut with a fork. The taste of pureed parsnips could have been a little bit bigger so you could actually eat it with every bite of short ribs. I consider myself a connoisseur of brussels sprouts and the brussels sprouts here are in my top two (first is Food, Wine and Company. The worst are at J. Paul's). I've definitely found a new addiction. I've already shown their website and menu to a co-worker. I will probably go back later this week for dinner again. Great job!
(4)Cricket M.
Really liked this place. First time, good new restaurant. I love that they have a brunch menu - finally an alternative to the usual hum drum places!
(4)Cheryl D.
I like this spot! Cool atmosphere, GREAT Bourbon menu, of which I am a big fan. I've been here for both brunch and happy hour, the food is good. Mussels are fantastic, definitely a very welcome addition to the neighborhood. The only thing I'm not crazy about is the ketchup, not a fan but that's just personal taste.
(4)Joshua K.
Went for dinner on a Saturday night. The place has this rustic feel to it, you need to have a beard to get the full experience. Since it was No-shave November I was in full beast mode with my beard (also I cheated and started growing mine in early October). Our server was really nice. We asked her if we could try a sample of the different moonshines (is that right? the plural for moonshine is moonshines?) Anyway, she said she would ask the bartender and next thing we know she shows up with a sample tray, awesome! The moonshine tasted good, and burned a little going down. I laughed at all my clean-shaven dining partners knowing full well that my beard would help me drink this firewater. The food was good. The wife's steak came out a little undercooked and one of the roaming staff noticed it. He took it away to get fixed and then brought 2 additional free appetizers back with him and offered an apology. Very classy gentlemen, considering he only had a goatee and not a full on man-beard. I'll go back here again once my wife makes me shave to see if I still like the place.
(4)David R.
If you're a fan of the décor at your local Cracker Barrel, you will enjoy this place. I always admire a farm to table concept and because I didn't have their food, I am not giving this place the one star that my experience there was worth. The place is ugly. There's even a poster of a farmer giving the finger in the Men's room - and this is supposed to be a family restaurant? I'd expect a place like this in Tulsa, but not in progressive Arlington. No crafts in bottles or cans. A bar tender who was robotic. Hootie and the Blowfish on the PA. Pass the revolver. The place is like a bad dream.
(2)Hanie H.
Gave CopperWood Tavern's brunch a shot this past Sunday. They were really accommodating. I had a 1pm reservation for 12 people and my friends are always late. Only there of us were there at One, and we were seated promptly. The entire group didn't arrive until 1:45. The space is nice, but the service stood out. Our server, split checks among our group with a smile on her face. Working in the service industry, I know this is a major pain. The food was average, I had the steak and eggs. The steak was bland, I didn't like the fact they served it sliced, but it was cooked to a perfect medium rare. Their French toast was banging. Light and full of flavor. I'm gonna come back here again to give their dinner a shot.
(4)Meghan S.
We've wanted to try this place for a month, as we live close by. Unfortunately, we chose to try it on NYE. Poor life decision. First off, when we called to make reservations, the hostess neglected to inform us that it would be a pre-set menu for the evening with a pre-set price. Yes, I know it is NYE and many restaurants have that policy for the night, however I am not a mind reader and it is unacceptable that the information was not passed along during the call. The rest of the bad experience was "the kinks" everyone is talking about. Again, it was NYE, but it ended up being a 2.5 hour ordeal and we were sitting for around for a painstaking 30 minutes waiting for the check at the end. Almost missed the ball drop. They ran out of prime rib. The salad was straight from the Fresh Express bag with no effort at all to dress it up. The food was not spectacular. The only reason it is getting 2 stars instead of 1 is the brussels sprouts side. Delicious. Three of us ordered bourbon neat. Wish the pour was a bit better for $14. Never going back.
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