An amazing atmosphere accompanied by exceptional service. When this place is not packed you have the option of sitting at the bar, at your own table, or sitting back and relaxing in the lounge section. After seeing that there was a lounge area with couches we did not hesitate to sit back and order our first beer off their happy hour menu. There were half off wines, six dollar margaritas, and half of beers wines, which included local, domestic, and imported beers. Initially i was inclined on trying their burger off the dinner menu, however, I was talked into ordering the pizza off the happy hour menu. My waiter indicated that they have one of the best pizzas in town, so then I was eager to take a shot at their red pizza. Their dough is made fresh in-house everyday and the pizza is cooked in a brick oven. The finished product did not disappoint. The crust was tasty, the sauce was robust, and the cheese was cheesy. (I couldn't come up with cheesier way to describe their cheese) I've had a yelp account for a long time now and have never written a review. The waiter we had and the service we received yesterday was too good to pass up the opportunity to write my first glowing review for any establishment. Our waiter was friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. He is the reason this place gets that one extra star to receive a 5-star review. I'm going to put this out there and say I've never given an individual a bigger tip than I did to my waiter at The Liberty Tavern. I enjoyed it so much and I will defiantly be back to try that burger and receive the outstanding service I received last time. One word of advice, I'd make a reservation next time before going there. Seating is fairly limited, getting there at the beginning of happy hour will ensure you a seat anywhere you choose. Getting there two hours after happy hour or anytime after you will have trouble finding a place to sit.
(5)
Darcey K.
Social and Deeelicious are the two things that come to mind when thinking of The Liberty Tavern. A neighborhood gem which can suit just about anyones palate they serve up a great happy hour, budget friendly fine dining experience, and the brunch isn't bad either. If cocktails with your colleagues or friends after work is what you enjoy be sure to join the crowd between 4:00-7:00pm for their wonderful Happy Hour drink/food specials. Their wine list is varied and cocktails oh so creative. Wood fired pizza is a must otherwise you'll find yourself drooling over your neighbors. My all time favorite food they serve is their grilled octopus appetizer from last years fall menu. I can't tell you how many people turned their nose until I forced them to try mine and now they can't stop talking about it. Chef Liam LaCivita, PLEASE BRING BACK THE OLD GRILLED OCTOPUS!!! Service has always been great, make sure you ask for Nick the bartender and tell him Darcey sent you. HE ROCKS!!! I've also had the pleasure of meeting the owner Brian Normile who's such a great guy. If you hangout long enough I'm sure you'll find him chatting it up with you at the bar as well. Atmosphere : Social and inviting Service: Very good Food: Twenty times better than any other popular wine bar/tavern you've ever been to. Price: Definitely budget friendly with GREAT food Overall experience: Definitely recommend to anyone in the area.... I'm a regular for a reason.
(5)
John A.
Had dinner with friends here during restaurant week and I can't really remember the food. And by that I mean nothing stood out; nothing overly great, nothing noticeably bad. Service was okay, but our waiter seemed distracted (I think he had a lot of tables). We had drinks while waiting for our friends (our waitress in the bar area was fantastic, by the way), and when we got the receipt I noticed that there was a $1.50 up-charge for ordering a Manhattan (it said $13.00 for "Blantons," and $1.50 for "Manhattan." WTF is that all about? It wasn't even all that good a Manhattan.
(3)
FunnyGirl Z.
LOVE the food here! They have a rotating menu, which is great to be able to try something fresh and new, but on the flip side, sucks b/c an item you love may not be there waiting for you the next time around. I'm not a fan of how dark it is nor that the restaurant is above a crazy loud bar, nor that it's often crowded, but I return for the food, so I can't deduct for the other things; plus, it is a "tavern" after all, so it's not falsely advertising anything. Haven't tried the other mealtimes others have mentioned, so this review is just for the weekend dinner menu and ambiance. If you're in it for the food, bottom line, this should be a good experience!
(4)
Kunal M.
Best bar on that street Lot of annoying people crowding the bar. $9 for a drink Good for a late evening bar Hop in Arlington. More polished and groomed Crowd who live nearby and think It's cool to pay 2500 in rent for an apartment.
(5)
Darjeeling T.
Went here last night with two friends. Made reservations with no problem, seated promptly, atmosphere is generally excellent--lively but I can still hear my dining companions perfectly well. I had one of the "Classics" on the menu, the skirt steak with potato and rainbow carrots. The meal was absolutely fantastic. It did come out a little cold for my liking, but I asked for it to be heated up a little, and the manager delivered it back to me personally. I really wasn't irate about the food or anything, so it was all good--and absolutely delicious once at the right temperature. Also, I wasn't particularly into the cocktails on their menu (all seemed perfectly fine, I just wanted something more familiar and less complicated, but didn't want to go for wine or beer). I asked if they could make me a Dark and Stormy, and of course they did. And again, it was perfect. I ended up having two with dinner, and I almost never have more than one drink at dinner (if at all). So, with all the excellent food, why only a four-star review? The service felt a little haphazard. We'd wait 15-20 minutes for our waiter to come back to do things like check on us and our food and drink situation, and then suddenly there would be like four or five people all over us asking if we were okay, are we done with our meal (one almost tried to take a half full plate away from my friend) etc. The hot and cold service was a little strange and inconvenient. Everyone was always 100% polite, but sometimes just disappeared for a bit. All totaled, it was a wonderful meal. I felt great about the food prices, the quality I got, the nuances in the food, and the fact that my cocktails were delicious. I'd happily go back here, but I'll just cross my fingers that the service is a little more consistent.
(4)
Windi L.
**Nightlife Review** Even though I failed at my dream of meeting my future vanilla ex-husband here this past Saturday night, I still really enjoyed my time at Liberty Tavern. If it weren't for the fact Clarendon was such a small neighborhood, I'd frequent this place more often (I don't want to be tagged "a regular" at any one location). The bartenders here are fun, friendly and quick. Even though there's no real line to order your drinks, they seem to be fair in plucking people out of the crowd to get a drink. The crowd here is diverse, but I'd say the median age here is 31 which is good. I don't like drinking with bratty 21 year old college interns. No thanks. Liberty Tavern also had some good music playing. I heard everything that night from Journey, to Warren G. "Regulate", and current hits from Beyonce. And the music wasn't too loud, either, so you could easily pick up your next booty call for the night. Overall, not a bad place to start your bar trolling out in Clarendon.
(4)
Brent W.
I sat outside and the atmosphere was pub- ish and pleasant for people watching. I expected pub-ish food, and instead was surprised by a very good side of chicken with nice presentation. Beer selection is on the hoppy side.
(4)
Dawn M.
I'm writing this review because of the amazing service ! I don't go to bars a lot, but when I do I am used to fighting my way through crowds and waiting for quite a long time before I can get a bartender to look at me. We let the bartender know that I still hadn't eaten dinner, and he told me to pull up a seat, set a place for me, grabbed menus...I just felt spoiled. We had a group of maybe 8 women, and he was super-attentive: always making sure we had drinks, getting my food out quickly (Vermont pizza-AMAZING), and even creating a signature cocktail for a friend when the one she ordered wasn't available. The only reason I didn't give LT 5 stars is because the prices are a bit steep. I'll try to stick to happy hours from now on, because I really do love this place.
(4)
Wendy C.
Who doesn't like a buffet brunch!? The selection is pretty extensive and while some of the items are nothing special, some really stood out in looks and tastes! My favorites were the smoked salmon, pizza, home fries and biscuits! Yumm. The size for the biscuit, muffins, pizza,etc weren't too large so it gives you a chance to try a little bit of everything available. The dessert/candy table was super cute. There were bite sized triple lemon cupcakes (amazing), chocolate crinkle cookies (best i've tried) and assorted candies all around the table. Came out to about $21 per person. Suggestion- make a reservation since the place is pretty popular!
(4)
Dynise B.
I met a friend there for brunch, both with laptops to get some work done, and have a couple adult beverages. Our server was attentive without being intrusive, accommodating and informative. As the restaurant emptied out she scooted a table over for us to make room for computers, food and beverage containers. The brunch buffet was fairly good, but I would definitely like to return for dinner to get a broader sampling of the dishes...especially the pork belly that I read about. I will definitely go back...making sure that you allow time/quarters for parking is something to be aware of... Damn fine bloody mary as well;)
(4)
S. D.
Try their Amish Chicken, absolutely delicious! Wine list & service, very good.
(4)
Oxana P.
Awesome pizza, great DJ on thursday nights, but gets too packed on weekend nights.
(4)
Hannah B.
Still waiting for my brunch reservation to open up....but dinner was awesome! The service was excellent. I wish I could remember the waiter's name but he works the brunch crowd too. We started with the cheddar steak fries. Not your typical fry, more of a thin potato skin...without the skin. The entrees we chose were varied from strip steak to haddock to calamari. Cooked to perfection. Great meal, hope to try the brunch menu soon without the hour long wait.
(4)
L G.
I heard about this place from my best friend who read on the Washington Post about this place. I invited some friends there for a late dinner but was very disappointed in the food and the drink menu. The drink menu was very lackluster and so was the food. For the price of the food, I don't think I will come back to this place again.
(3)
Thrifty DC Cook B.
Brunch Review Liberty Tavern has a buffet brunch that I would consider better than most buffets I have seen in the DC area. The scrambled eggs seemed to be made of fresh eggs and were not left in the chaffing dish long enough to get that yellow-crusted look that eggs get when left in heat for too long. The bacon was applewood bacon and tasted good. You have a choice of ordering from the buffet or ordering items a la carte. The buffet is $18 and all you can eat. Here are some of the highlights: -Smoked salmon - they had a great platter that included crème fraise, red onions, capers, and crostinis. I could have made a delightful plate full of smoked salmon and would have been happy. It was good quality smoked salmon. This was worth the $18 alone. -Roasted meats - They had roast lamb, roast pork and roast turkey with accompanying gravies and au jus. The lamb was moist and delicious. -Potato Cauliflower Gratin - Simply delicious. -Dessert table - They had a simple but satisfying dessert table with dark chocolate and white chocolate bark, macrons, chocolate chip cookies, and a variety of other candies. The main buffet table also had cranberry scones. -Good Coffee - My date ordered coffee and got a big French Press full of good coffee that he shared with me. It is my opinion that coffee should always be included in the price of a brunch buffet but this coffee was very good and so I didn't mind it that much. -Hot Apple Cider - The hot apple cider was sweet and tasted like Fall. A nice touch to this brunch in the month of October. Disappointments: -Biscuits and Gravy - The biscuits were described as fluffy on the menu. They were not fluffy. They were dense and not enjoyable to eat. The gravy was the biggest disappointment. It basically tasted like cream and flour mixed together with absolutely no seasoning. It was such a disappointment. -Caesar Salad - I think the general rule for buffets should be that the salad should never be pre-mixed. No one wants to eat a soggy salad. Simply place the dressing and croutons on the side of the salad and allow the diner to assemble it themselves and we all will be happy. Please note that the brunch menu on the website is not exactly what you will get at the restaurant. It is only a sample of the menu. It was an enjoyable brunch over all. The service was attentive and good. The food on the buffet table was regularly replenished. For any buffet, this is probably one of the most important part of the service.
(3)
Valarie G.
Tony was an amazing server and the skirt steak was amazing. Also impressed with the lamb they had as a special last night. Great place to avoid the snow with an Old Fashioned and a cheese plate
(5)
Stephanie W.
I ended up at Liberty Tavern when I spent the evening with a good friend I haven't seen in 5 years. It was a warm evening and we were able to find one outdoor table for dinner and drinks. Liberty was very crowded on a Thursday night with a sexy dark wood interior, and we were lucky to find a table outside. I ordered an exceptionally well made sidecar and the pistachio crusted arctic char at the recommendation of the server. The char had a perfect texture but the chef was quite heavy handed with the wasabi so the subtleties of the fish and nuts was enveloped. Everything about Liberty Tavern -- the food, atmosphere, service made for a fantastic evening. The flavors meshed well together even if the wasabi was a bit overwhelming, and the presentation was absolutely perfect. I would certainly return if I lived in the area.
(4)
Melody C.
Went here for brunch with a friend from out of town - met her boyfriend for the first time. It was a nice place to meet for Sunday brunch. And their buffet was choc full of goodies - smoked salmon, hot apple cider, tons and tons of bacon, which i like, roasted lamb, chimichangas, taquitos, scrambled eggs, french toast, waffles, pancakes, the works!!!! and the drip coffee is excellent and the waitstaff are very knowledgeable about their coffees. we had an indonesian and another type that i can't remember now. only thing is that brunch is SUPER expensive - with buffet and two drip coffee pots, each person paid over $30 - that blows. i haven't been here for happy hour but it looks like a good place for it.
(3)
Allison A.
After reading some of the reviews I wasn't too sure about this place, but I'm so glad we gave it a shot. Everything was tasty, and man did we eat it! The beet salad was excellent, the pizza crust was tasty (and I hate crust), the desserts were excellent, and then there was my entree. All I have to say is: bacon wrapped haddock. Read it slower. Bacon. Wrapped. Haddock. With creamy polenta, chestnuts, and Brussels sprouts. I ate the whole damn thing. Although, I don't feel horrible about it because portion sizes are normal human portions, not super-sized. Helen was excellent. She was good about getting us to order and stop talking, and she was very attentive. I never had to ask for anything, she just knew.
(4)
Taylor W.
Overall a good experience. The dishes we had (gnocchi-appetizer 1/2, Duck confit, pork belly) were all cooked very well and showed a well thought out dish. The service was good and the dinning process was well timed for all courses. Pros: Food, service, menu Cons: crowded upstairs seating. Inside tip: If it's just two of you eating request a table upstairs next to the railing. These seats offer a bit more privacy and you don't feel like you're eating family style. (You'll see, the booth seating around the perimeter is a bit tight) I recommend this restaurant.
(4)
BJ K.
We came in for a late dinner on Tuesday night. We were seated immediately and I ordered the skirt steak. It came out perfectly. So GOOD!! The service was excellent as well. Probably the friendliest hostess/waitress group I've ever seen. I really can't find anything wrong with this place other than this place gets really loud around the bar area, but luckily we got a table outside. I would definitely come here again.
(5)
Amy T.
Went to this place for brunch on Easter Sunday and it was really awesome. Boyfriend loves brunch buffets and finding a good buffet at a decent price is difficult (its either super expensive with great food or decent prices but bad food) and this hit the perfect spot. It's not the biggest buffet of course but there was so much quality foods and the pans are never empty. There was like 3 different kinds of salmon, plenty of bread, french toast, meats, potatoes, and of course fruit, eggs, etc. Service was great - always ready for the refills and attentive even if it's only to pick up your finished/empty plates. Boyfriend doesn't really like to go anywhere else for brunch now. :)
(5)
Dan M.
Pizza is stellar, good beer selection
(4)
Oscar M.
Don't let the three star rating fool you, Liberty Tavern is definitely a place worth visiting. Their effort to serve quality food beckons a more stringent eye! I was here for dinner with my parents. I was slightly nervous about the noise inside on a Friday evening being too much, but luckily a table outside was free. I was immediately impressed by the menu they offered, a mix of traditional appetizers, wood fired pizzas, pastas, and meats and seafood either pan roasted or wood oven fired. I ordered the Handcrafted Saffron Orechiette with braised lamb neck. The presentation was beautiful, with a perfectly cooked sunny side egg on top of hand made pasta. Unfortunately, it's presentation was slightly better than it's taste. I appreciated the subtle qualities of the lamb neck, but it felt too muted in terms of flavor. A dash of salt was all it needed however, and in the end I enjoyed it thoroughly. Afterwards, I had a bite of my mom's Spaghetti Nero and was overwhelmed by the burst of flavor. it was delicious, this time it looked as good as it tasted with thick black pasta drizzled with a seafood broth of mussels, clams, shrimp and scallions. Just the right balance of flavors. Afterwards, I ate the broth with the amazing bread they provide! On to my dad's Summer pizza, consisting of country ham, figs, arugula and caramelized onions. Perhaps I am too accustomed to Neapolitan style pizza, but I found this pizza to be on the heavy side. The effort to create a unique pizza is definitely there, but i feel there's room for refinement. Each bite was a mixture of the sweetness of the onions and vinaigrette dressing, combined with the sour of the country ham and fontana cheese. Not bad, tasty even, but in the end too much of a commotion in terms of flavor and weight. All in all, I was very pleased with what Liberty Tavern has to offer. I agree with what their webpage states, "smart and unexpected." The best way to experience what they have to offer is probably at the bar with a sassy lady friend and and a glass of one of their wines they have to offer. Go there, NOW!
(3)
Courtney R.
Tina R. took me here for brunch this past Sunday, totally getting me stoked on brunch while at the same time derailing my brunch experimentation 2010 project. This joint is top-notch for brunch. For $18 you can indulge in the buffet, which on this particular Sunday consisted of two types of scrambled eggs, a carving station, fresh fruit and salads, biscuits and gravy, pasta, pizza, hash browns, salmon (smoked and broiled), bacon, sausage, ham, french toast and pancakes to name a few. Most of the food is organic, locally sourced and the meats as well as dairy products are free-range and/or grass-fed. There's also a dessert table loaded with candy--they had my fave ever DOTS! Mimosas, bloody marys and a third cocktail--vodka and grapefruit I believe--are only $5 a pop. And the BMs come with a Brooklyn lager shot. The service is impeccable, particularly for a buffet setting. We never wanted for refilled drinks (or anything else) and our server knew the score of his establishment inside and out. My belly was full, the company was great and the cheap booze had me feeling fine. While I planned on filling my 2010 weekends with different brunch spots, LT will make this hard to do because it's an amazing deal and the food is scrumptious. -1 star for the slippery floor--not a good match for my traction-less flats (especially when I have a plate piled high). Note to self: next time, wear soccer cleats.
(4)
Kay S.
We need to be Free of Liberty Tavern. Showed up for a power lunch and ended up with a weak meal. Their description of the Reuben Sandwich was mouthwatering maybe that's why the meal was so disappointing. Naw, it sucked and in every way imaginable. Liberty stated on the menu that they made their own corned beef and perhaps that's the reason they were so stingy with it. They're in the back hoarding it like buried treasure. I'm sure it's somewhere in a cave because it was definitely not in my sandwich. The corned beef was pathetically pinched in the middle with TWO inches of bread on both sides. I know, hard to believe but true. I'm kicking myself for not taking pics but try to explain that in a power lunch. The fries were unmemorable. Seriously, I can't remember them they were so unmemorable. So let's move on to the coleslaw. I just want to know how you can make coleslaw look like it's slathered in mayonnaise and yet still taste like wet cabbage. It's a magical trick that only Liberty Tavern has conquered. Does a really bad sandwich define a restaurant as so bad they can't make a good sandwich or so arrogant they can't be bothered with making a good sandwich?
(1)
William B.
Yet another loud, crowded bar with an obnoxious clientele-- and you have to go all the way to Virginia for it too.
(1)
Jenelle O.
This is my first experience with Liberty Tavern but it will not be my last. My company held a happy hour for our project team here this past week and the management and staff were extremely helpful and accommodating in answering questions, providing attentic service, and catering to all of our whims - Tod was especially helpful. The food was exceptional and there was plenty of it - we actually had to ask them to stop sending us so much food (which is always a good problem to have). We were fans especially of the mushroom pizza, filet mignon sliders, and crabcake sliders. Even better they boxed up the leftovers from the party and let us take it all home. If there are any future parties my company is thinking of having, Liberty Tavern will be at the top of our list.
(4)
Michele G.
I had dinner here with a few friends the day after running the Marine Corps Marathon this past October. I appreciated their selection of local beers, and they had some awesome descriptions of them (even if they did make fun of our overly hopped IPAs in San Diego). I ordered a salad that involved grilled octopus. That was the reason I ordered the dish and I recall it being quite yummy. Our server was also really nice, and she brought by a few samples of beer for tasting purposes as well. Were I a resident of Arlington, I would definitely frequent Liberty Tavern on a regular basis.
(4)
Shenan C.
This place blew me away. I recently held a charity event here and the servers were patient as we had reserved an entire section. Half of our guests didn't show, but our server Matthew did not bat an eyelash - he was happy to wait on us and hold our section and was fast as ever! Let me also say - this is a busy restaurant - I was very suprised how quickly it filled up, both upstairs and downstairs. The menu was fantastic with so many options. But I decided to have a bloody mary for lunch and it exceeded my expectations. Thank you Liberty Tavern. I had a really nice time and appreicate your help with this event.
(3)
Bhumika K.
Seriously WTF? Scenario #1: Bar bitch: "Call that woman who just walked away for me!" Woman: "yes?" Bar bitch: "Where's my tip?" Scenario #2: Friend: "2 Amstel Lights please" BB: "Keep tab open" Friend: "No" (shaking head no) **Beer is served, awaiting bill** BB: "What do you want?" (to my friend in an unfriendly tone) Friend: "My bill" BB: "you want to close out? Once you close out, i won't open another tab for you! Are you sure you want to close? You only want one round of drinks?" Friend: "Yes" BB: "Next time you need to tell me you want to close out!" Friend: [thinking in his head] are you f'ing kidding me?! Best part, you work at LIBERTY TAVERN not some high upscale Vegas or NYC or better yet DC bar, so drop the attitude, because you're not that cute either. I seriously wanted to throw my empty beer bottle at her. Rude, crude and snooty for no reason at all. I'll never go back here, even though my husband swears they have good pizza.
(1)
Cliff W.
Have I really not written a review for Liberty Tavern? How can that be? Liberty Tavern has the best brunch in Arlington, without a doubt. Their Farm Table, which is a buffet, is full of items that will have you make at least 2 trips, if not 3. On holidays that fall on a Monday their brunch is usually open as well. If you have a group of two you can usually just show up and sneak in somewhere, but I highly recommend reservations if your party is 3 or more. Make them in advance as well because this place is no secret.
(5)
Jen M.
One of my go-to favorite places for HH, apps and dinner. But tonight, they hit it out of the park. The service, fun and atmosphere was fantastic. Thank you Gillian for the hospitality and thank you Liberty for a wonderful night! Points to note: Great brunch and HH specials Unique menu that is seasonal. There is something for everyone. If you're visiting, try to get a seat by the window and a pub table. Eat, visit and people watch! Try the pizza!
(4)
Alex W.
This place was amazing. I had the salmon special with squash risotto and spinach. Absolutely delicious. Perfectly cooked salmon. Risotto was tender, creamy, and had a nice combo of savory and sweet. It tried my friends white pizza which had a perfectly crisp crust. Also had a very good Moscow mule. Plus reasonable prices ! Must try
(5)
Amanda K.
My hubby and I came here for my birthday celebration and also it was restaurant week. During restaurant week The Liberty Tavern offered their whole menu which allowed my husband and I a lot things to taste. I ordered the grilled octopus "en purgatorio" as my appetizer which was just okay. The grilled octopus was purplish color with tentacles. My husband's appetizer was fritto mistro. I would recommend getting this because you get fried clams, squid and shrimp and even fried lemon and zucchini. The breading was crispy and really allowed you still to be able to taste the meat. My husband ordered the foggiana pizza and is definitely an entree for 2-3 people. I loved the taste of this pizza even when it was cold (late night snack!). I think they offer pizza deals during the week. Anyway, I ordered the pineland farms skirt steak and I would like to say the steak was very good and cooked to my liking. However the sauces that is used- per website, smoked bacon steak sauce- just didn't do it for me. We took our leftovers and desserts home with us. For dessert I ordered the waffles which came with fudge sauce and berries. I swear it is the best way to eat waffles. My husband got the chocolate olive oil cake which came with ice cream and black and blueberries. The cake slice was a sliver and didn't taste that good. I wouldn't recommend either one of these desserts since they are nothing special but if I had to pick I would choose the waffles. Be aware they serve Lost rhino on draft. Yum!
(3)
Lee N.
Phenomenal place. Hand crafted cocktails, top notch food- not just what you'd expect as standard pub fare. I had lamb ribs as a starter (great value at $11) that fell off the bone. The bartenders here make for a fun evening- they are engaging, witty, and hilariously swarthy. Get to know Bobby. I'll be back for sure.
(5)
Ryan Z.
Food is delicious, but the portions in my order were very small. Perhaps I ordered the wrong things. I absolutely loved my halibut, but for $25, it couldn't have been much bigger than 0.3 oz and thus not particularly filling for supper. Half orders of pasta are a terrific idea in theory, but for tortelloni, that means you'll be getting a mere three pieces of pasta; I guess that means that a whole order is six pieces (or six bites)? I'm not looking to pig out, but come one, there's no reason to be that stingy with something that is so inexpensive to make. Service was terrific, and the cheerful hostesses made me feel so welcomed and set a very positive tone. The waiter did a great job, and the busboys were borderline aggressive with their water refill duties.
(3)
Hilary C.
I had such an amazing experience her last week. We wanted cheese for An appetizer and the kind server suggested 2 for us, both incredible. Next i for the lamb burger and my friend got the scallops, both were just exquisite. It was a few days before my birthday and while I was in the bathroom, my friend told the server it was my birthday. She promptly brought us a dessert sampler plate with a candle. So amazing Just amazing all around! Just one word of advice make a reservation!
(5)
Andrew S.
We stopped in for dinner the other night, one of the best burgers I have had. It gets very crowded especially on the weekends so be forewarned. The Brunch is also awesome!
(5)
Alex T.
Stopped by there a few weeks ago and looked like a pretty upbeat and fun bar. Heard they had brunch and decided to try it with a few friends last Sunday. I expected it to be a pretty standard brunch, but still fun and relaxing. To my surprise, Liberty Tavern surpassed all my expectations. The upstairs dining area is bright and tastefully decorated, the service was great, and the food is beyond what I've come to find around the Clarendon area. Everything from standard breakfast fair of omelets, bacon, sausage, and biscuits, to fried chicken, pulled pork, and ginger bread. Definitely a place I'll be returning to.
(5)
Nat L.
I had a surprisingly good time for brunch. Now, maybe I'll get some hate for this, but I feel like Brunch in the DC area is super overrated. Brunches in DC are okay on average - not great, not even "good". just "okay". This city doesn't eat brunch for the taste, it eats it for the status. It eats brunch because they like to say "I went out to brunch". As a result, I feel like the food and service in most places suffers. This place, however, was pretty darn good. I liked the decor - modern but classy. Lots of wood, the music wasn't too loud, nothing tacky on the walls or anything like that, and huge windows because the restaurant is on the corner. The cocktails were delicious and the beer selection was good. But the highlight of the brunch was easily the buffet. Oneof the better breakfast buffets i've seen in the area. I wished I wasn't trying to lose weight because I would have made 3 trips there without even thinking about it. the fried chicken and french toast is the closest you'll get to good chicken and waffles in this city, and the desserts were just amazing. I don't go to clarendon often, but if someone told me i had to schedule another brunch out there, I'd schedule i'd choose this place no problem.
(4)
Raquel M.
I came here the other night with a coworker for dinner and some drinks. Not knowing what to expect since it was a tavern but we had heard good things so we decided to check it out. We ordered a plate of cheese to start the meal, it was a great way to try new kinds of cheeses and man, they were so good!! Talk about quality cheese! I am also a sucker for bread, they make their own bread there by the way. They serve these cracker like things with cheese toasted onto the top I couldn't stop eating them! For dinner I ordered the prosciutto and goat cheese salad. This had to be one of the best salads I have ever had, the figs were sweet and rich. For dressing they just drizzle a little olive oil on top complimenting the salad perfectly! We ended the meal with these dessert apple dumplings al la mode! These too to die for! My recommendation get a table instead of the lounge area, it was slightly uncomfortable to sit here for dinner. One last thing, we came during happy hour which means wine was 50% off! Talk about a steal!! I would totally come here again if I ever find myself in the area again!
(4)
Rachel P.
Came in for Sunday brunch and it's as good as it gets. Food and service were excellent. Will be back again!
(5)
Marc L.
Ate here for a business/social dinner. Outstanding imaginative food, elegant yet casual atmosphere, outstanding service. A bit pricey. I would return for business, too expensive for frequent dining.
(5)
Ev K.
Good draft beer selection for happy hour (weekdays, ends at 7pm) but I wish they had a porter or stout included in the draft list.. It was Monday so got the fried chicken special - plenty of chicken for 2 people to have a good time with it, the biscuit was great, the "two seasonal sides" are of such a small portion you really get only a couple bites of each - a slaw and some mashed potatoes. I would branch out for something else, even if I was back on a Monday. I think there's better stuff on the menu. And I suggest you make a reservation! Every table on the ground floor and every seat at the bar seemed full at 6:30pm.
(4)
Greg P.
Beet Tartare Salad was innovative and the Brussels Sprouts were perfect. Scallops were tender and cooked well. Chocolate Mousse cake dessert was underwhelming and chalky. Waiter had clear knowledge of Gluten-Free items, but there was not a separate GF menu, which was key for our party.
(4)
David T.
Pretty nice place. I like the lounge and bar set up. Had the duck confit pizza which was pretty good, hella flavor! The drinks were decent and the prices were average (like any other DC metro yuppie bar). I have to say that the service was really good, our server was really nice and he took really good care of us.
(3)
Debi N.
Still one of my favorite restaurants in Clarendon and my previous review still stands. If you are lucky enough to try their brunch buffet (reservations recommended) you are in for a treat. They have a wonderful selection of breakfast and lunch options and a dessert table. It's never too hectic. I believe they change their buffet options often. My last visit some notable items were: salmon lox with all the fixings, eggs scrambled two ways, french toast, quiche, roast beef, bacon, biscuits and gravy, pork belly and risotto, potatoes, grits, mussels in a tomato broth, fruit, and a whole bunch of other stuff. The dessert table had an assortment of chocolate pudding with crumble and various cookies and turnovers. So Lyon Hall is their sister restaurant and I recently raved about Lyon Hall's man-mosa (which is a mimosa with vodka and triple sec). I was pleasantly surprised when they had a man-mosa here at Liberty Tavern, except this version did not come with vodka and only triple sec. I guess they don't want their guest getting too sloppy. Which is nice because it keeps the upstairs dining area very pleasant.
(4)
Emily W.
I'm a big fan of Northside Social and finally made it over to sister restaurant Liberty Tavern for a Sunday night dinner. To start, my group of three split the crispy Brussels sprouts, which were excellent and came with a great garlic aoli sauce. The restaurant also serves a complimentary bread basket with a variety of different options, which was nice. For dinner, I got the shrimp pizza, which was delicious and big enough for two meals. The only issue I had with the restaurant was the service. Drinks took forever (even water), and our waiter rarely came over to check on us, even though the restaurant wasn't that busy and our group was very friendly. Overall, solid experience, but I'm personally a bigger fan of Northside. I've heard the brunch here is great, though, so I'll definitely need to come back for that.
(3)
Zack B.
I went here for brunch and for dinner within a two week span and both times were excellent! Pros: Amazing brunch with high quality servings and ingredients for a very reasonable price ($21.95 all you can eat). Dinner was excellent and some of the best in the area. Very nice, somewhat higher end atmosphere yet allows you to come as you are. The wait staff is professional, knowledgeable and friendly. Cons: Outdoor seating is on the sidewalk and very far from the Sunday brunch buffet.
(5)
M A.
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!! YOU WILL EAT HERE! I have been going here for years. Way before Mr. President and long before reservations were necessary to get a table. That will not deter me though. This place is delicious! All of the waiters are amazing and knowledgeable about the menu. The menu changes seasonally. No matter what the season You cannot go wrong here with anything you order. The fish dishes are always amazing. The short ribs will change your outlook on the world. I can no longer order short ribs anywhere but here because I will always compare it to Liberty Taverns. The recipe changes every season but each time I like the dish better than the last one. The deserts are good, but you should definitively try the cheeses. Most are made in house. If you are a cheese freak (like me) be prepared to fall i love. The cheese portions are generous and good for sharing. Don't forget about brunch either. Everything is homemade. The french press coffee i superb. My husband and I had our rehearsal dinner here and go every year for our anniversary. The waiters and staff always make it a great experience. Even on a random week night this place is completely wonderful. Stop reading and go!
PROS: Good food. Try the pizza CONS: The place not to modern for me and dont have a good happy hour drinks
(3)
Esther L.
A couple girlfriends and I went for a Valentine's Day brunch on Saturday. Their brunch buffet is fantastic and as a southern girl, their creamy grits are FANTASTIC! I think we had a reservation so the wait wasn't long, and the service was perfectly fine. I'm not sure if their brunch items change regularly but we literally ate every single thing that the brunch table had to offer.
(4)
Eileen D.
It might sound dramatic, but this review makes me question all the other five-star reviews I've given. Their brunch is that good. First, our table wasn't quite ready yet after 15 minutes, so they asked us if we would mind sitting downstairs, and (with some mild cajoling from a friend in my party) offered us a round of mini-Mimosas to make up for it. Turns out the joke was on them, downstairs is beautiful with lovely light coming in from the street, whereas upstairs has the shades drawn and isn't all that enjoyable. WIN. Brunch had EVERYTHING you could want: biscuits and gravy, grits, two kinds of eggs, bacon, sausage, tiny little parfaits, smoked salmon (smoked in-house!?), French toast, ham, quiche, fresh fruit, shrimp, hash browns... I could go on. And then a whole table of dessert, including tiny mousse cups. And hot apple cider. Amazing. Oh and fried chicken. Everyone that tried it raved about it. And breakfast pizza. Man. I feel full again just thinking about it. Not everything was out of the park fantastic, but my experience with buffets is that everything is generally meh - not bad, but not memorable either. So the fact that five-six things on the buffet completely nailed it - I was impressed. Mimosas are only $5 and perfectly made, the coffee was French-press and delicious and our waitress was incredibly accommodating without being overbearing. Definitely check this brunch out - I got major props from all my friends for finding this place (this could be you).
(5)
Rebecca Y.
I've only been to the liberty tavern for brunch and it reminds me a little bit of the brunch at four seasons. its buffet style, but elegantly done. Everything is delicious. We had hot cider with Makers Mark. It was the perfect drink to warm your insides. You have to call early in advance for brunch reservations though.
(5)
Mary Kate M.
I came here with one expectation and left with another. I guess that's my first mistake. I showed up for Sunday brunch. The menu is sorted where you can order entrees or from the buffet. The buffet had a $20 price tag on it that I just didn't want to pay. I opted for the limited entree menu to save $5. There was no way I could have ate $20 worth of food anyway. For my order I decided to go with the steak and eggs. I had asked for medium and it came out closer to red raw than medium. Getting a hold of my server was a chore and she bypassed me putting more emphasis on the other tables since they had more people. Picking favorites doesn't work well for me at any time. Service was lame and so was the overall quality of food and experience. I was very disappointed since my friend gave it such a glowing review of her time here. I guess we just have different expectations. I expect to have a refill being before finishing my meal or you know, have my food cooked properly so I won't get food poisoning...
(1)
Tony T.
Have never been disappointed with this place. Had only been for HH and loved their Tizers. Recently went there for a Sunday Holiday brunch with a group of 11. We made a reservation but we delayed from our scheduled time for almost 20 mins. But to make up for us, they brought the entire group champagne while waiting in the downstairs bar. Hey! Give me alcohol and you can take all the time you need. GREAT brunch buffet. The brisket was off the chain as was all the other food. They keep all the dishes fresh and full. Very attentive service staff and never had to wait long for any attention. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Jazmine P.
We were originally going to the diner across the street - but on a Sunday it was super packed as you can imagine! The line was out the door. We noticed this cute little spot across the street and looked it up on Yelp and saw the good reviews so we headed on over. $21 dollar buffet brunch was DELICIOUS! My friend and I didn't even make it back up for a second plate! $6 mimosas were good! Nice staff. Server Shawn was the sweetest. My friend held the napkin against her shirt as she was taking out her silver ware and he offered her his personal lint roller because it got all over her shirt. Also we sat outside and one of the staff members adjusted the umbrellas because the sun was beaming on my friend for a few minutes after we say down and she didn't even say anything. They pay attention which is great. Definitely coming back and bringing friends!
(5)
Anna Laura B.
I love Lib Tav as my friends and I call it. This spot is excellent for a first date or just to meet up with friends. It can get pretty loud even on weeknights so if you're looking for a more quiet spot I'd go elsewhere. Its casual-nice and the food is excellent. They do fill up for dinner, so reservations are always recommended here!
(4)
Jeremy C.
Meh...I've tried giving Liberty Tavern opportunities over the years despite my thoughts each time. I think it's only solid if you go there on like a weeknight for dinner and drinks. A date would be reasonable. Every time I've gone on a weekend it always felt a bit off and not that great. Ive also heard a ton of hype about their brunch over the years and I'm sad to say I was very disappointed. It's just like a decent hotels brunch but not nearly as epic as everyone has made it seem.
(3)
Anh N.
Made reservations for Sunday Brunch here during the holiday season. We sat upstairs which was nice. Cute and cozy atmosphere with Christmas lights and all. $22/pp all you can eat Brunch. Well worth it. They had a good variety to choose from with salads, biscuits and gravy, waffles, desserts, etc. I would definitely go here again!
(4)
Philip L.
Great spot. Always busy, but that goes to show how good it is. Service is on point and friendly. Their pizzas are great as well. Really good food.
Came in for a late night meal.... And surprised by the awesome pizza special. Got two of the prosciutto and apple one. Delicious. Cara knows how to make a great cocktail and Will the sommelier was very helpful... Highly recommend.
(5)
Pablo R.
Easily one of my favorite places in the area. Always high quality food, drink, and service with the right level of atmosphere. The pizza is always solid, Brussel sprouts are amazing, salads are always good, I am partial to the cheddar when looking at he cheese plate options. The Arancini (rice balls with a meat bolognese) is ridiculously good, and FFS I would mortgage the house I don't own to be able to eat all the pumpkin tiramisu when its on the menu (its not right now, but like everything else they make their other deserts are good as well). O yea probably the best brunch in Arlington!
(5)
Cece C.
Hey Arlingtonians! Does Liberty Tavern REALLY need yet another review? .....No!! Am I gonna write one anyway? ......Yes!! We went here for Christmas Eve brunch with a group of 13 people. About $25 per person for all-you-can-eat brunch including, oh man here we go: various salads, fruit, eggs, yogurt, lox, turkey, ham, bacon and sausage, french toast, pizza, oysters (yes oysters), au gratin potatoes, quiche, hot apple cider, and a delicious dessert table. The weird variety of food was very good and everyone was happy. Hooray! I do believe you can, in fact, get a cheaper buffet brunch at other places. And this is not a 5-star restaurant by any means, but it's still good food and a very nice inviting atmosphere. We even got some complimentary pizzas for our group. Drinks are also quite good. As for coffee, they only offer french press coffee at $7/pot but it is definitely worth trying! I think I drank a whole pot by myself actually. So there you have it. An Arlington staple. Go there, enjoy, write another review :P
(4)
Jake T.
If you actually want to eat or be able to talk and hear your friends/date do not bother going between 4-10pm Mon-Thursday, anytime after 6pm on a weekend...
(2)
Ben S.
Be very careful tonight, had the salmon appetizer and barely made it home before getting sick. Cross them off the list.
(1)
Fabian L.
It was a really a good moment. The food was great, I took a sirloin with mushed broccoli (entree of the day), cooked perfectly. The server is pleasant. But the place is a little bit noisy and it's hard to find a parking.
(4)
Christine M.
This place is good but overrated- I wouldn't say the dining experience is very memorable.
I had a great time on my first visit. Tony was especially amiable, and made me feel very welcome. He was just leaving after I got there, and made sure to introduce me to who would be coming on shift next. Those little things count. This spot is part of the same family as Northside and Lyon Hall, and I really must commend the upper management on the caliber of service demonstrated by their employees. The real thanks goes to the staff. From someone who's seen the spectrum of service, you guys rock. Of course, the food is amazing too, and tasty drinks as well.
(5)
Paola A.
LOVED this brunch. It's a buffet-style and they offer a ton of different lunch, brunch, and breakfast options. Everything I had was fresh, delicious, and tasted home-made. From the mushroom and goat cheese quiche, to the smoked thick-cut bacon, to the carved roast beef which mushroom au jus... Everything was absolutely awesome. Highly recommended!!
(5)
Keith O.
It was recommended by a friend to meet up after work. Overall clean. Bathrooms seemed to have been maintained well. Service was fairly quick, with one of the waiters checking on me within 5 min after i joined my group. I guess as expected of most taverns, it was very noisy. We could barely hear each other. Proper acoustics certainly missing. Although, it was a bit crowded being it was a Friday night on a pay day weekend. Decently mixed crowd, whom I found to be quite friendly. Selection of beers limited. Did not try the food. I would go back.
(3)
Jennifer B.
They have a great brunch here. My #2 in Clarendon. Good selection Been here drunk before late at night and they had good pizza and friendly service Happy hours and weekend are nice if not too crowded.
(4)
Kelly N.
Went here for a business lunch - good atmosphere in that respect as I've also been here on a date and it was not good (the atmosphere, not the date...) because it was incredibly loud. My favorite thing here is the bread and butter - great, fresh bread and amazing butter with course sea salt in it. Super tasty. The potato salad side was also very nice. I ate the lobster roll for my main entree and I would not recommend it - the lobster was somehow rubbery and flavorless. I'm not sure how they did that, but it was very disappointing. Overall, pretty good place for lunch in some respects, not so great for dinner if you want to be able to converse with those you're with (but if you don't like the people you're with, I'd go for it), and hit or miss on the food.
(3)
Lolie M.
My mom and I had just completed 2700 miles of driving over the past week-i moved from L.A.- and were in need of a good drink and meal to celebrate our final day of road tripping. this place was fantastic, fun, yummy and made my first official nite in dc a smashing evening! thank you to the staff for taking care of us!
(5)
Nikki J.
Be sure to get the brunch buffet! There are so many things to choose from. The smoked salmon is to die for.
(5)
Will N.
The food is outstanding. The brunch pizza is out of control. Their brunch buffet might be the best in Clarendon. A very good happy hour spot, tends to be a little bit more mature crowd than Whitlows or Spiders. I see it as a good starting off point if you're going to hit a few bars in Arlington. Friendly and attentive bartenders/waitstaff, good beer selection. Also the upstairs is more of a restaurant atmosphere and is great for dinner. Great spot
(4)
Arlene T.
Love this place! I love the atmosphere and great food. It is a smaller menu, but the food is superb. Different variety of not your run of the mill pub food. I love the salmon sandwich and the lobster roll is refreshing. You need to treat your palette!
I have been here for both brunch and a quick late night drink. Overall, I like the ambiance and the atmosphere- it is very casual without being dirty or divey. I have heard that the brunch buffet is amazing, but I ordered a la carte when I went so I am unable to say for sure. Brunch: The food was midgrade (very fresh but not overly delicious) and the waitress was extremely nice but very slow and forgetful. I enjoyed the cappuccino that I had (authentic espresso machine) but had to wait because they were out of milk and had to go to the store. Late Night: Quick bartenders that seemed to hate their job. Drinks were nothing special (I am not aware of any specialty cocktails or craft beer selection). Very loud/rowdy crowd, just like everywhere else in Clarendon circa 2am on a weekend. A fine place to meet up and pregame, in my opinion.
(3)
Yuchen Z.
I can only speak about the Brunch Buffet.... IT WAS AWESOME. I have never seen such an amazing selection of food for a brunch buffet! They had just about everything you can ever want for breakfast! They had: potatoes, ham, steak, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, grits, salads, muffins and bagels.... so many different things. I can't even remember but it was just soo very good. They also had a dessert table, including cupcakes and mousse, tarts and so many others. I was thoroughly impressed with all the selections. Maybe some people say the food gets cold when it's left out... I didn't notice much though. Most things are covered and all hot things have the burners under them and whenever I lifted the lids, the hot steam would come out. I was still satisfied with the temperature. I do recommend eating your money's worth. It is about $20 so if you're not super hungry, maybe the buffet is not the best for you. But if you don't have your eye on anything in particular and you're ready to eat, I recommend the buffet. =)
(4)
Jonathan K.
I've been to The Liberty Tavern twice now, once for happy hour/dinner and once for brunch. Its a great place in Clarendon, not too big so it has a warmer feeling than the bigger bars in the area. Its got a nice selection of beers and we munched on their pizzas during happy hour. The pizzas are very tasty, thin crust with fresh ingredients. Can't remember how much they cost, but they do have happy hour deals. Experienced the brunch last weekend and was again very happy with the experience. This place was busy, so I ended up sitting at the bar. If you have a larger group, you definitely need to make reservations for Sunday brunch. I ordered their french toast and was very pleased. Good sized portion and the bacon was thick and flavorful. My friend got the breakfast pizza, and I was a little disappointed with it; it just simply was not nearly as good as their lunch/dinner pizzas for some reason. If you are really hungry, they have a huge brunch buffet upstairs, but I didn't want to pay $21 for it, that is pretty steep. In general, this is a good place to go for drinks/lunch/dinner/brunch. I was not blown away by the food or the service, but it was still a good experience and I will be going back.
(4)
Colli M.
This review is only for happy hour. Looking for a central venue to catch up with a friend and knock out some volunteer group-related discussions in a single evening; after perusing Yelp for a bar convenient to both of our offices, we settled on Liberty and its self-proclaimed 'legendary' happy hour. Arriving at 5:30, we were able to secure a space within the lounge around a low table. The waitress was friendly, coming by to take our drink orders relatively quickly after we were seated; it's unfortunately, however, that the only things on special during happy hour are beer and wine (with a single cocktail available -- unfortunately, as a non-tequila drinker, I was limited to wine). The Riesling I chose was fine, however. The major driver for my three-star rating is the noise level within Liberty's bar area -- okay, yes, I know that I'm in a bar and that people want to get a little rowdy after work. But, my goodness, it was LOUD; as the night went on, my friend and I had to practically yell to hear each other across the foot-wide table. If I were to close my eyes and estimate the number of individuals in that somewhat small space, I would have guessed it were packed. By 6:45, when we left, I had a slight headache and a sore throat. I'll definitely consider returning to the Liberty Tavern for a happy hour in the future, though only if I'm not interested in having any substantive conversation with my friends.
(3)
Caroline K.
The food here is quite good, but the service is meh. Our server was extremely socially awkward. Is that even allowed when you work in the service industry? Every time she stopped by our table she kind of just lurked there and waited for us to make the first move. Not unlike the frustratingly hot guy across the bar who you keep making eye contact with but who refuses to come and talk. The mussels appetizer for one person was easily enough for two people. So don't bother ordering the larger size. Is it just me or do restaurants always do that? It seems like a better deal but in the end the smaller plate would have been more than sufficient? My friend and I were feeling especially gluttonous so we shared an order of fries and the Prosciutto pizza. The pizza was pretty good, a little too hammy if I even dare to say. The fries were delish. Thin cut, very crispy without being too crunchy. We got to the restaurant way before our reservation so we waited and had a drink at the downstairs bar first. The bartenders were nice, but it definitely had a Clarendon vibe, aka people are not the most friendly. Oh well. In the future I would skip the bar and come straight for the food.
(4)
Nikki B.
The brunch is the best in arlington - breakfast buffet is everything! Get the french press coffee - it has hints of chocolate! Get there early - place gets packed on Sunday brunch. Good happy hour spot too. Downstairs couch area is a fun spot to reserve for parties.
(5)
Claire T.
Went there for brunch this past weekend. Good young professional atmosphere as is the area. This was my second time here. First time we did the brunch buffet option which was a little over $20. So many different tasty breakfast foods. Second time we just did the a la carte menu. Wasn't really feeling my meal this time around. The mimosas were small in my opinion and my bf thought his Bloody Mary was too spicy. Waiter was attentive especially when we were sitting outside and he asked if we wanted to pull one of the umbrellas for shade.
(4)
M. Kelley S.
I've had a few dinners here and cannot speak highly enough of it. The Liberty Tavern is a terrific local restaurant. Highs: -The service is excellent. We have, on a number of occasions, asked for wine or food recommendations - easy opportunities for the wait-staff to try and sell us more expensive glasses or entrees. They don't up-sell us or push expensive bottles. To me, that says volumes. -The food is consistently very good. The salmon and halibut we had last night were delicious - both fish cooked flawlessly: seared lightly with the meat left flakey and moist. The gazpacho with crab was refreshing, with just a little peppery flavor to make the dish sing. Lows: -It can be a bit loud (there's a bar downstairs and the noise travels).
(5)
David M.
This place has been on the top of my list for years, for their regular menu. They have great food, at very reasonable prices. However, I just recently went to brunch here for the first time, and now I have a whole new appreciation for Liberty Tavern! The buffet table has tons of great options, including your typical breakfast foods (eggs of all sorts, french toast, sausages, etc), as well as more heartier fare like fried chicken, BBQ pork, pizza, and steak. There's also a smaller table w dessert options. The kicker is that you get all this for just over $20! I ate so much, I wasn't hungry again until 24hrs later.
(4)
James F.
Liberty Tavern is a generic American food joint in Arlington. It's a safe bet. Fairly loud, always crowded, and a little bit overpriced. Food was uninspiring and not very imaginative.
(3)
Susan H.
We were in Clarendon today to buy some cupcakes (review to follow later). I poked around Yelp and came up with a small list of possible places for dinner, then told my husband that it was his choice. He surprised me by saying he wanted to eat at The Liberty Tavern. "Why?", I asked. His answer---they have Duroc pork on the menu". He had had Duroc pork at the Peacock Cafe in Georgetown and raved about it. We had talked about going back there but never got around to it. You know---so many restaurants, so little time. From reading the Yelp reviews, I learned that it was a good idea to make a reservation here. It was so easy to do using Yelp. I clicked the tab that linked me to Open Table. Right away, my name came up as did my email address---very nice! All I had to add was a phone number. I made a reservation for 5 p.m. on a Saturday. Then Yelp started nagging me to write my next review. Geez, Yelp! Give me a chance to go there first! We got here a few minutes before 5. The hostess told us to take a seat at the bar and that she would seat us "about 3 minutes after 5" because the staff was in a meeting. There was no pressure at the bar area to buy a drink---we were even offered a glass of water. Sometimes you wait at the bar for your table to be ready and the pressure is there to order a drink, so I appreciated that there was none of that here. The bar is downstairs while the dining room is up one flight. We were the first customers of the evening and got seated at a table for two right next to the stairwell railing. I kept telling myself to be careful not to drop anything because it would go down the stairs. Our waiter brought us some water while we looked over the menu. To drink, I ordered a cocktail named "The Lawnmower". It consisted of (straight from the drink menu) "spiced rum, Drambouie, Rishi organic blueberry iced tea". My husband got a Stella Artois which was on tap. My drink was good---a little sweet but it did pack a bit of a punch. For an appetizer, we chose "Italian feather loaf garlic bread". Before ordering it, I asked the waiter if it would be too much for 2 people. He said that it consisted of 5 small slices of bread and that it would be just right for 2 but too much for 1. He was correct. It came out piping hot but the crust was a bit charred in some spots. Nevertheless, it was very tasty--- crusty on the outside but a light, airy bread on the inside. The garlic flavoring was strong enough that it didn't overwhelm the bread but yet gave excellent flavoring. For my main course, I had Georges Bank Haddock. This dish consisted of (again, straight from the menu) "Jonah crab, house bacon with semolina gnocchi, spring peas, rainbow carrots, buttermilk/brown butter froth". The crab meat was placed in the center of a small haddock filet, then rolled up and bacon was wrapped around it. It was a very mildly flavored entree. I expected that the bacon would have had more flavor but instead, the flavor was faint. There was some semolina in the dish but it wasn't gnocchi-shaped. Rather it was in a patty form. The rainbow carrots were interesting---large thick slices of regular carrots that were lightly cooked and strips of a red carrot that was sweet and tart. My husband, of course, had his pork --- Duroc Pork "Milanese". This dish consisted of (once again, straight from the menu) "brown butter/lemon marmalade vinaigrette, grilled fingerling potatoes, dandelion salad with housemade pancetta, egg". The pork chop was butterflied and flattened plus it appeared to have a panko crust on it. A fried egg was on top. I tasted a bite---it was very well prepared. The pork was not overdone and was very juicy and flavorful. While my husband did enjoy his dish---and found it filling, he said that he would have preferred a more conventionally prepared pork chop. Overall, we enjoyed the dining experience. Service was excellent---very prompt and attentive. Before the tip, dinner cost $74 plus change. We would consider going again sometime.
(4)
Tu-van L.
Definitely a better lunch buffet option than Whitlows and for a better price too. Most a la carte dishes are about $15-20 while the buffet is $21. Pretty solid offerings in the buffet where you can sample a little bit of everything they offer, including the roast beef/ham carving station. I especially liked the fried chicken, jalapeño biscuit (tasty but on the dry side), scrambled eggs, and the French toast with banana fosters syrup. Heck even the salads they offer on the buffet was delicious. While the ambiance is energetic the buffet line is actually free flowing and not crowded with too many people.
(4)
Sydney L.
A very good selection for the brunch buffet, but nothing blew me away. The bacon was way overcooked to the point that it would crumble when you tried to pick it up. The quiche was served cold...is that a thing now?! Ham had a very odd taste--not quite brown sugar, but something sweet. Scrambled eggs were very good as was french toast. $21 per person for buffet; add a drink to that you're spending $30 on brunch. For $30 I expect better quality and consistency.
(3)
Brian P.
I highly recommend this place for brunch. The food is exceptional with many options. The restaurant can get very busy, so I suggest making a reservation.
(5)
Veronica Y.
One of my favorite go to spots, for a romantic or celebratory dinner and brunch. The food is exceptional and the service is quite attentive. The Potato and Pecorino gnocchi is perhaps my favorite dish there. It's a ragu-based dish with braised pork shoulder, kale, elegantly crafted gnocchi topped with robiola. The robiola just melts into creamy goodness. There is a hint of citrus favors in the dish that I'm a big fan of. This dish warms my heart and soul. For drinks, they have a nice selection of wine and cocktails. For brunch, I suggest the grapefruit buck. It's fruity, not to complicated and easy to drink. It's oh-so-delicious. The restaurant is located in a busy part of Arlington so parking is a bit difficult to find. For the chronically late, make sure you leave a bit early if you are making a reservation!
(4)
Ela P.
We came here with an inaccurate reservation, yet they were still able to accommodate us and seat us almost immediately. You can't go wrong with the brussell sprouts and fries.. I got a pepperoni and carmelized onion pizza, and it was delicious. Will definitely be back soon!
(4)
Sean G.
Like everything else in Clarendon, it gets crowded. Tell me something else reviewers. This place has good food and a nice variety for American style pub food, which tries to fancify it with beet salad or something like that. It has burgers, pizza, beet salad...oh and we can't forget salmon because that makes a place wicked cool. Happy hour prices are fine. After happy hour, it is way over priced. Oh wait, its a bar in Clarendon...
(4)
Juliana P.
Came into town to visit friends, and our group of five came here for dinner. We opted to sit in the lounge area, as the restaurant was pretty packed, and they have casual seating with tvs set up. Their happy hour deals are great! Half off wine and drafts made us all pretty happy. They offer a nice mixed bread basket with some crispy thin crust garlic bread which was delicious. We tried the cheese plate with beet and I think carrot? purree which paired will with the different breads. Myself and another opted for the fig and proscuitto salad which was delicious! It is a little small for a main, and was, to be fair, on the appetizer list, so if you order it, I suggest getting another app as well. The others ordered the brussell sprouts, gnocci, spaghetti and meatballs, and a pizza. Everyone was super satisfied. The pizza and spaghetti and meatballs were big enough for them to have a decent amount left over to take home. The rest of us licked our plates clean (not really). We also tried the apple a la mode for dessert which was really tasty, and a nice end to the meal for us all to split. Special shout out to Tony for great attentive and prompt service!
(5)
Cat P.
Good drinks, great cheese, tasty bread, and uneven dishes--this sums up my experience at Liberty Tavern. Things I liked: Upstairs seating, away from bar madness Helpful and knowledgeable server Good wine and beer selection ranging from Oktoberfest to whites from Spain Delicious homemade breads Awesome cheese platter options What left more to be desired: I ordered the squid fettuccine with crab, shrimp, mussels, and sea urchin, and wasn't as satisfied with my dish. One: Where was the sea urchin? Sure, I got plenty of crab meat, and mussels, and shrimp, but the yummy sea urchin? Barely detectable in this dish. Maybe it was mostly melted into the sauce, but I couldn't really taste it. Also, the sauce was a bit too thin, watery. A thicker sauce, a sauce that coats each strand instead of sliding off of it, would have been more ideal. My dining companions seemed overall happy with their dishes, though. The pork shank looked juicy and flavorful, and the diners who ordered it confirmed that was the case. Oh, and another thing: My hubby asked for no pancetta on his pizza, but it came out with pancetta anyway. Hmmm... The Liberty Tavern is getting 3.5 stars for being a good but could-be-better dining option in Clarendon. If you're only interested in nibbles and drinks, then The Liberty Tavern would be a good choice.
(4)
Tamara Y. W.
Chad is the BEST server/waiter ! Honest, checked on allergy interactions with the kitchen, first, before answering, water stayed full, etc. Now to the food. I didn't anything wheat based on the buffet, but the salmon was moist, eggs were not dry, fruit was fresh, bacon was all over (some crisp, some soggy) and the grits......... stopping to have a moment of silence ...those stone ground cheese grits are the HOLY GRAIL OF GRITS! They were sooo good! Would I go back, yeah. If you can have wheat items, double score for you!
(4)
Jamie G.
Had dinner on a Friday night. Downstairs bar area was energetic and loud. We opted to eat dinner upstairs. Had to wait a few extra minutes for our table, but the manager offered us sparkling wine while we waited. Had the scallops and cous cous for my entree and it was delicious!
(5)
Frank H.
A couple of my friends and I ventured here to eat our sorrows away on a chilly Valentine's Day (I rhymed! yay me!). What better way to do so than with the all-you-can-eat brunch buffet at Liberty Tavern for only $22 a person (Note: this is not a boozy brunch, so if you're trying to get unlimited mimosas/bloody marys, you're going to the wrong place)! The fact that it's served between 9:00am and 3:00pm on Saturday and Sunday makes it that much better. Lazy morning fix anyone? This being my second time at the brunch feast, I already knew what to expect and had my plan of attack. The buffet centers around a long dining room table essentially, where you grab a plate at one end and make your rounds, circling and picking at all of the deliciousness that you want. I loaded up my first plate up with delectable deviled eggs, heaping mounds of the house-smoked salmon (which is the perfect balance of salt and smoke), some french toast with a walnut maple syrup, country style scrambled eggs with some peppers, onions, and tomatoes, some apple-wood smoked bacon, homemade breakfast sausage, rare slices of carved beef brisket, and a buttermilk biscuit with some red eye gravy. Talk about an amazing plate full of food! I devoured every single item, and washed it all down with the hot mulled apple cider that is also found on the buffet line. On my second go, I grabbed some of the stoneground grits with cheddar, and then a heaping serving of mussels, cooked in a coconut and basil broth that was simply to die for. Highlight of the meal for sure. To round off my brunch, I grabbed a plate of some fresh fruit and then headed for the dessert table, located only a few steps away. Be sure to grab the brownie bites, they're chewy, chocolaty, and just amazingness personified. My friends and I left Liberty Tavern happily bloated and content with our singlehood. Our eating habits may or may not contribute to the fact, but I'm perfectly okay with that. (Oh, and also, definitely make reservations if you plan on going to avoid any potential wait time! It can get pretty crowded)
(4)
John B.
Went during price fixe dinner week thing. Pretty solid food with solid servings. Waiter was solid all around. Bar feeling downstairs, nice sit down thing upstairs. All around solid.
(4)
Mike S.
Great high quality American food. The lamb ribs appetizer is huge (for an app) and awesome! The pizzas, scallops, short ribs are also highly recommended. Burger and beer lunch special is a good bet. Weekend buffet is pretty extensive and great quality, though you should reserve ahead if you don't want to wait an hour.
(5)
Heather R.
The decor is simple and updated, I like that there is a dining room upstairs which is separate from the loud bar on the first floor. They do have limited outdoor seating where you may enjoy dining with your dog! Our server was nice and professional. When I asked the food runner about the nuts in the bread served with the cheese plate he didn't know what they were. It took a few minutes for him to return so I had to wait to begin eating. Glad I did, they were walnuts! I started with three cheeses. They were so yummy. It was my favorite part of the meal. If you like cheeses they have a nice selection, not big but good. My husband had the lobster gazpacho and said it was very tasty. He liked that the lobster didn't over power the dish. For my entree I had the scallops and braised short ribs. Overall the dish was too salty for me, however, the scallops and meat were cooked perfectly. The short rib meat was so tender and fell apart with my fork.
(3)
Megan C.
Surprisingly good find for those seeking an under-$25 breakfast buffet in a convenient location that also accepts reservations (you'll need one). I was previously naive to the excellent brunch at Liberty; having only known them in the past (pre-Yelp days) as a happy hour/pizza spot. Brunch is totally different, but you still get the same atmosphere and the too-cool-for-school Arlington crowd. The service we received on a busy Sunday was quite good, and I love that a huge pot of French Press coffee only set us back $3. Mimosas and Bloodys are reasonably-priced, but I didn't imbibe, so I can't comment on their quality. For only $20.95, you buy yourself access to an impressive smorgasbord of brunchy and breakfasty treats, plus a delighfully-appointed pastry and cookie table. I was pleased with the selection of bacon, sausage, Southern biscuits, gravy, cheesy grits, fresh fruit, and even LT's well-known pizza. There was also a delicious goat cheese and squash quiche, a soup, some kick-a$$ French toast, fried chicken, and two varieties of scrambled eggs. Would I have enjoyed some cinnamon rolls or some cheese blintzes? Sure, and if you know of a buffet where I can still get these items, LMK! However, Liberty really didn't leave anything to be desired. Food looked and tasted fresh, and was nicely merchandised and displayed, and clearly-labelled. Buffet table was also refreshed regularly with fresh abundant food, so no standing around waiting for more French toast. Our waiter and a busser cleared our table quickly, and water refills were frequent. The homemade "pop tarts" and toffee brownies at the pastry/dessert table were great notes on which to end my decadent brunch. Noise level was energetic, but not frenetic. Still easy enough to converse. My only wish would be for a less-cramped food service area. There's no clear direction of travel for filling one's plate, and it grows quite crowded with the kitchen/plating window parallel to one of the sections of the buffet table.
(4)
Flo S.
Came on Saturday afternoon and sat at the bar and ordered Lobster Roll and a side salad. It was pretty good. The bread was nice and grilled and had a hint of butter. The inside was full of lobster with the right amount of dressing and flavor. The perfect combo for a Saturday lunch at the bar. Oh, let me not forget the the salad that accompanied the roll which consisted fresh mixed greens with a light dressing. I love this place for its casual, but upscale wooden look and feel. The host, bartender and even the patrons were all just full of smiles that day and ready to celebrate the Christmas Holiday. The guy next to me got the brunch buffet and I could hardly peel my eyes away from his plate. It looked so inviting and I noticed some eggs, some fabulous-looking fried chicken and salad. The two men that sat to my left had great stories to tell about their dog, their gambling the night before etc. They even offered me a drink, but I declined because I didn't want to dehydrate in the Bikram yoga class I was heading to after leaving the place. I've tried other food in the past such as calamari, flatbread, burger, etc. and they were pretty good too. I also came on late on a Saturday evening and they had a DJ and people crowded around the first floor and got to dance for a little bit. They played top 40 music and little bit of old school. Not a bad place to hang out on a Saturday nite as well. Overall, fast service, good food and a friendly staff. I definitely be back to try out their brunch one day.
(4)
Matt S.
Went here for an impromptu late night dinner. Had been about 2 years ago and remember it being a good bit better. The cucumber G&T that I started out with was quite good. Simple yet a step above a normal gin and tonic with the quality ingredients that were utilized. We started out with the octopus ceviche. After spending time in Brooklyn and NYC, and experiencing some highly creative uses of octopus, this dish was a bit of a disappointment. It was heavy on the basil to the point of overwhelming any of the ingredients that should have been more of the focus like the octopus. I went with the salmon as my entree. The dish was tasty but was a bit overdone and on the dry side. Ultimately, the meal was better than most others you'd have in Arlington, but not great.
(3)
Arya S.
Had dinner and drinks here on a Thursday night with a couple friends and we were thoroughly impressed. Everything from the bread&butter to the main course was served with great attention to detail. We started with the Arancini and it was absolutely superb. They are fried rice balls stuffed w/smoked mozzarella and peas, and sitting in a lamb&pork bolognese. We basically fought over the last bite (I won). Next we shared the Campanello pasta. This was the star of the show for all of us. We haven't been able stop thinking about it. Even typing this review right now makes me want to go straight there and have it again. Our main entrees were the roasted half chicken and the grilled hanger steak. Both were great, but I particularly enjoyed the hanger steak. We also got the crispy brussel sprouts which were fantastic. We will definitely be back.
(5)
Tara C.
I've never had a bad meal here. Period. Lunch is great, salads are always good, dinner is awesome. Also the Brussels sprouts are on point!
(5)
Jackie B.
Wow, I'm impressed by their weekend brunch! I haven't tried their buffet, but everything we ordered on their breakfast and lunch a la carte menu - from the Maine lobster roll to the breakfast bloody mary's - was excellent! - Breakfast bloody mary: I love that they serve it with a beer chaser. You don't see that too often! I like it because it helps with the spiciness of the bloody mary, but also, it's that added step they take to make the drink extra special that I really appreciate. - Buttermilk pancakes: Is it too soon to say these are the best pancakes I've ever had? They are melt-in-your-mouth good. Served with caramelized bananas and your choice of sausage or bacon. - Maine lobster roll: I'm a huge fan of Luke's Lobster. Luke's rolls are very simple with little to no mayo on a very delicate buttery bun. The lobster rolls here are dressed in a cucumber mayo and on a heartier bun BUT it is still really good. The lobster chunks are not big, but they give you a ton of sweet lobster meat in the roll *see pic*. I was very satisfied. - Fish and Chips: Typically, my taste buds quickly get tired of a fish and chip entree but the fish was really tasty and crunchy here. And the fries were addicting. It's been only a day since I was here and I could already go for another round of everything I listed. It was that good. Can't wait to come back!
I so wish this place existed closer to home. Buffets tend to be quantity over quality. That is not the case at The Liberty Tavern -their brunch buffet is insanely good! If you are in/near the DC area then you need to check this place out. It is well worth it.
(5)
Pegah A.
I had several dishes there during restaurant week but my favorite was the lamb short ribs. It was crispy on top but tender underneath and perfectly cooked and seasoned. The octopus ceviche was not good though. Much too acidic and the octopus was over cooked. The line caught halibut was also delicious and flakey.
(4)
Jessica A.
Arrived around 12:30pm on a Sunday for brunch and was told about a 45 minute wait, within 25 minutes, I received a text message that my table was ready. The hostess was extremely friendly and offered us the choice of a high top or outdoor seating. Now for brunch you have the option of choosing the buffet or whatever you want off the menu. I went for the Steak & Eggs, and it was delicious! It is severed to order and comes with home potatoes. So good! I was more than satisfied with my choice! My friend choose the buffet route and for $21 he got more than he bargained for. The selection is huge! Fried chicken, scrambled eggs, french toast, grits, salmon, and so much more. Definitely worth every penny! Our waitress was extremely attentive and friendly throughout the entire meal. For a place to busy on a Sunday, the service was excellent! Definitely coming back again the next time I'm in town!
(4)
Katherine S.
Nice little spot in Arlington. Nice variety of choices on the menu- I wanted to try everything. Seems to be a good spot for happy hours. Worth trying it once kind of place. Not sure I would put it on my list to go back to. Tasty pork, collared greens and sweet potatoes!
(3)
He H.
The brunch buffet is very good. People recommend me the smoked salmon but I like the scramble eggs and potato salad the most. The bacon is good too. In general, you need to prepare yourself for lots of sodium.
(4)
Nino S.
Tagliatelle with lamb was absolutely tasteless. No seasoning, no effort. Halibut was bland and mostly tasted of corn. So $90 later we are thinking any random chain restaurant would have been better.
(2)
Katelynn W.
I went to Liberty Tavern for Brunch and Lunch good burgers! The buns are fantastic better than your average American burger **aahemm MCDONALD'S yucko. Don't go on Fridays or Saturdays unless you have a reservation. Happy Eating!
(5)
Jared C.
Descent food and reasonable drink prices. A good starting/meeting point for a night out.
(3)
Kimberly S.
Liberty Tavern in an Arlington staple and for good reason too. I've been here for brunch happy hour and dinner and have never left wanting for more. The boy recently planned a pre Captain American brunch party for a couple of friends and we arrived a few minutes late per usual. When we arrived, we saw all of our friends around the buffet table with their eyes about a dollar piece wide. I've never seen them look so happy in their life. It was an eclectic group and there was something for everyone: housemade lox with all the fixings, skillet fried chicken, yogurt and granola parfaits, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, quiche, grits, sausage gravy, biscuits, french toast with banana walnut maple syrup, fresh fruit, an array of salads, sliced roast beef, home fries...it was like Disney World for fat kids. They even had a "Filipino rice noodle dish" aka: pancit which was surprising to see as well. Not as good as my mama's but definitely a buffet bonus. The clear winners of the day were the fried chicken and the cheddar sausage gravy and biscuit. The dessert table had some mightly fine looking cakes, brownies, turnovers and other pastries but I only had enough room for a few bites of my dining mates chocolate pistachio pudding. My friends really enjoyed their Bloody Marys which had a great spicy, bold flavor. I prefer my drinks on the sweeter side so I was happy with my bellini with fresh fruit puree. Definitely a crowd pleaser!
(4)
Mojdeh S.
How I heard of this place: An establishment in the heart of Clarendon village, amidst a block of establishments all owned by the same people is hard to miss. The Liberty Tavern is no exception. My husband and I made the assumption, on all of our walks past this joint that it was just like most other Arlington restaurants: lacking creativity and afraid to take risks with cuisine. It wasn't until I read about Liberty Tavern in the Arlington Magazine's Best Of issue that we decided to give it whirl. Type of cuisine: "The Liberty Tavern features modern American cuisine in its upstairs dining room and downstairs bar, along with a diverse wine list, creative specialty cocktails and a great selection of premium draft and bottled beer." Ambiance: "Located in a historic building in the heart of Clarendon...Our comfortable ambiance is enhanced by warm, hospitable service, and whether you're joining us for a round of drinks in the bar, a casual midweek supper with your children, or a special evening with friends and family, you're sure to feel at home. OUR NAME It's really not easy to choose a name for a restaurant. When we were about to get desperate, "The Liberty Tavern" was proposed, and we knew we had the right fit. The name is, in part, a tribute to Dominick Calabro, Stephen and Mark Fedorchak's beloved maternal grandfather, who owned and operated The Liberty Hotel and Bar in Northeastern Pennsylvania for nearly fifty years. Additionally, we feel the name "The Liberty Tavern" has a warm, timeless ring to it that reflects our aspirations of becoming a longstanding Clarendon destination." What I ordered: My husband was immediately intrigued by the stainless steel french press ($7), holding four cups of coffee, and placed an order for our table. After perusing the menu, we both decided to participate in the Brunch Buffet ($20.95 each), and were joined by our dining companion in time for all three of us to dig in. We ate everything from eggs scrambled with cream to country-style eggs, a bleu cheese, pear & prosciutto breakfast pizza, North Country applewood smoked bacon and breakfast sausage links to baked spiral ham, home fries with mixed peppers and country ham with red eye gravy and homemade biscuits, miniature yogurt & granola parfaits with a marionberry fruit compote, French toast, butternut squash & goat cheese quiche, house-smoked salmon with creme fraiche, Baked Mountain trout Almondine, marinated hangar steak, braised pork curry, fried chicken and a bacon-kale soup of the day. As if that weren't enough, we had our choice of several salads, including a spinach & red onion salad with goat cheese & toasted pine nuts in a red wine vinaigrette, a spinach, bacon & bleu cheese salad, traditional potato salad as well as mulled apple cider, a mixed bean cassoulet, chilled muscles in EVOO and lemon, cheesy stone ground grits and roasted carrots in orange butter. For dessert - yes, our buffet included a plethora of desserts - citrus poppyseed pound cake, chocolate pudding, blueberry buckle, double chocolate cupcakes, chocolate orange tarts, chocolate brownie bites, Noso pop tarts and white chocolate chip chocolate cookies. What I loved: From the dessert table: chocolate cookies with white chocolate chips. Of the main dishes, one of us most enjoyed the homefries, another loved the scrambled eggs, and I really (surprisingly) enjoyed the French toast. (I would have preferred real maple syrup, rather than maple-flavored corn syrup, but the thick-cut French toast was quite tasty on this Sunday afternoon.) Why I loved it: A ninety minute wait would have been too long to truly get a sense of enjoyment out of Liberty Tavern. I did love the cornucopia of options available to us - for breakfast, brunch and lunch at the buffet. I loved that the venue was bustling enough that the food was consistently fresh, being rotated every 10-20 minutes. It was perfect, too, sitting directly across from the buffet, as we could keep an eye out for the freshest options, and jump up when they were replenished. My favorite part: not feeling rushed! We sat for 90 minutes, and thoroughly got our money's worth as well as satisfied our hungry tummies. Cost: Average to high ($20.95 per brunch buffet)
(3)
Darren N.
Thoroughly enjoyed my grilled octopus salad for lunch. The rapini was cooked long enough to reduce some of the bitterness, yet not too long as to lose the nice crunch of the stalk. Accompanied by a good assortment of pickled vegetables (carrots, onions, red bell peppers) and firm yet soft potatoes. Topped with several pieces of grilled octopus seasoned rather generously which balanced nicely when eaten with the rest of the dish. I was completely surprised to find such a well thought out and executed dish such as this here! Fairly priced at $11.95, I'm eager to try the rest of their menu!
(4)
Cindy L.
Brunch is always, always good here. Great selection. Iced coffee sucks. I try not to think about how douchey it gets at night. Tried it once, never again. Brunch and brunch ONLY.
(4)
Phoenix Simone W.
Came here for happy hour. The bartenders were really friendly and seemed to be well known by many people. Service was quick and they seemed very knowledgeable about the menu. I got a cheese plate because it's pretty rare to see them offered in a bar! Wasn't the greatest presentation, and the bread choice was interesting but it was good overall.
(4)
Yassi K.
I always like to ask the waiter what they recommend particularly because they should have extensive knowledge of the menu. I was not disappointed at Liberty Tavern! I asked for a sour and slightly sweetened cocktail: Hennessey Daquiri...it's fan-freaking-tastic.
(5)
Donna H.
Since words had it that President Barak Obama ate there, I assumed the place was delicious. I would say their appetizers were delicious, however, their entrees was disappointing. You can order appetizers and that should be enough. The appetizers were filling. It was a nice location considering it was in Clarendon, theres plenty of bars that you can jump to for after parties. Over all I would have to say the service was good and the appetizers definitely balanced out the menu.
(3)
Ando M.
We'll probably be back to try their brunch but their dinner was slightly underwhelming. It got off to an outstanding start. We got the lamb ribs and arancini. The arancini was good but the tomato sauce that came with it was a little salty and overwhelmed the more delicate taste of the arancini. But whatever, the real hero here was the lamb ribs. I've never had lamb ribs before but from what I can tell it's basically crispy lamb flavored pork belly. It was crunchy, it was meaty and it was filled with a layer of amazingly near liquid fat. On it's own it would have been too much but it comes on a bed of yogurt sauce that really helps cut the fat and balance out the richness. The rest of the meal was sadly forgettable. The gnocchi was very average, the scallops were good but not amazing. The worst part of the meal though was the onion rings. Now I love onion rings, even crappy ones but these rings were overly battered just... bland and slightly doughy. I'd honestly rather have that onion ring tower at Red Robin and that's a pretty low bar if you think about it.
(3)
Meredith V.
I had only been to Liberty Tavern until recently to drink and was pleasantly surprised to see it was more than just a bar. The food is excellent, which is to be expected since it is from the same owners as Lyon Hall. It has a nice, laid-back, gastro-pubby feel. Upscale food in a casual environment (I love places like this). I had the hangar steak salad, cooked to perfection (MR). The service was on point as well. This isn't just another rando restaurant to it, it's probably where the more mature (not Clarendon Ballroom crowd) would go for dinner and drinks.
(4)
Sarah M.
Typically when people hear "brunch buffet" they generally think of overpriced and bland food that has been dried out sitting on hot plates all morning. As for Liberty Tavern in Clarendon this is certainly not the case. For $21 (*only on Sundays) you can select from a bountiful offering of fresh food both hot and cold. All the dishes are made with high quality ingredients and include interesting flavor combinations. In addition to the food, the restaurant also comes through in calling the buffet, "The Breakfast Table." My mom and I came here following mass down the street on a beautiful Sunday in May. We arrived without a reservation and were seated right away in the upstairs dining area. Other Yelpers highly recommend making reservations for brunch at LT but I think it depends upon the number in your party and timing. We lucked out it being just the two of us and 10AM. The upstairs offers an open-feel with high ceilings and plenty of light. Downstairs is more bar-like with lots of wood accents and high top tables. I spotted a swanky lounge area next to the bar that looks perfect for a night out with friends! There is a great deal of outdoor seating for when the weather is nice. We were seated by our delightful server, Sarah, who explained the buffet offering which we (obviously) opted to do. After she promptly poured our first cups of coffee (which she refilled regularly), we scouted out the buffet. There is something for everyone with the breakfast buffet: quiche, french toast with banana walnut maple syrup, homemade lox with all the fixings, yogurt and granola, scrambled eggs with or without apple smoked bacon, grits, home fries, skillet fried chicken, biscuits, breakfast pizza, sausage & bacon, a number of green and fruit salads, and so on. After enjoying one round of a little bit of this and a little bit of that, we went back for more. My favorite menu items were the quiche and the cheese and chive biscuits. One fantastic draw of the buffet option is the beautifully displayed table of sweet treats which includes cookies, brownies, muffins, scones, pudding cups, and even homemade pop tarts. My mom and I treated ourselves to the delicious lemon lavender cookies. LT is part of a restaurant family that includes Northside Social and Lyon Hall. Northside Social, diagonal from LT, is where a number of the sweet treats came from. All items are baked fresh daily. Overall LT had fast and friendly service, good food, and all at a great price. I look forward to coming here for drinks sometime soon.
(4)
Ahran J.
4.5 I am posting just on the pizza and the bar. Man, i was lucky i was just in time for the happy hour without even knowing. I ordered hemington daiquari, which has grapefruit and lime and maraschino liquor and rum, and the combos were amazing. I wondered if lime and grapefruit would work together, and thet did. Similar but opposite citruses blend in to give this indepth flavor. I ordered prawn arugula pizza. Prawns were cooked perfectly but i wish the pizza had a bold ingredient. Needed salt and pepper too. Overall very good
(4)
Ruth G.
I've had dinner here twice now, and both times I've been impressed with the food, service and ambiance. Portions are large, fresh bread is offered free of charge, and prices are really reasonable for such tasty food. My only small gripe is that both times I've found the ice cream to be lacking in flavor.
(5)
Tyler R.
I've been here several times for brunch with my girlfriend and each time its been awesome. We sit upstairs and usually get their brunch buffet. A lot of the food items have been different every time we've gone but everything they make is really good and usually unique in some way. Only complaint I really have is that seating is kinda cramped. Last time I was there it seemed they've tried to space it out slightly but it's still fairly tight. One day I'm gonna try dinner here and based on what I've experienced so far I'm sure it won't be anything less than fantastic.
(4)
Richard F.
It is in Arlington, so prices are a little high, but the food and service were up to snuff and we had a nice meal here.
(4)
Drew S.
I'm here every couple of months for brunch or dinner and I am baffled as to why it doesn't have four stars or more. I've never had a bad experience and the food is always top notch.
(5)
Elizabeth R.
I love going for brunch/summer lunch at Liberty Tavern and sitting outdoors - they have a nice selection of pizzas and items to share as well as individual platings - and some great appetizers. I love the octopus here - it comes in a really tasty dressing. The mac & cheese is VERY heavy - a small appetizer portion goes a long way.
(4)
Hue K.
Good deli can get you big sandwich filled with quality meat and whatever you want. Liberty Tavern get you tasty sandwich with good beer and wine selections. Portion was pretty big. I had to take half of my sandwich to-go because I had a basket of fresh bread before my sandwich came out. Peanut soup reminded me of liquid peanut butter. if you are peanut butter maniac, you should try this. If I'm in Clarendon area and want to have good sandwich or pizza for casual lunch in high-end restaurant ambiance, I will definitely consider LT. PS: Don't miss out their bread. It's complimentary and awesome!
(4)
Patrick O.
wonderful brunch Buffet love this place.
(5)
Hudson L.
Best brunch in all of Clarendon! Maybe even all of DC. Kim usually serves the downstairs area and she's one of the best around. Make sure you ask for a manmosa (or 2) while you're there... basically a higher octane mimosa served in a pint glass instead of those tiny champagne flutes they have. Just don't go between 11-12 on Sunday mornings because that's when I usually go... and the wait's already long enough!
(5)
Michelle G.
This is my husbands and my go to spot. Amazing brunch, especially if you sit at the bar with Jackie and the dinner will never let you down. Everything on the menu is good and the staff is friendly. An Arlington must!
(5)
Kevin K.
Now in my more formidable years and straight through fatherhood, I would imbibe in a great cocktail a few too many, far too often with too much frequency. Since then the closest thing to a late weekday night would be carrying my child over to her room to ours because of a bad dream. Now I come to a classic watering hole in Arlington....I would say I rank Liberty at the top of the list for bars and food. The brunch is phenomenal it's an all you eat smorgasbord of great eats. The take out is fantastic and would recommend anything on the menus. The bar can get busy if you like crowds go during happy hours and the weekends, if you like quiet time where you can talk to one another at a low decibel then check out early week and late night during Mon, Tues, or Wed. Cheers and happy eats!
(4)
Josh F.
I wish I could give 4-5 stars. The food was excellent -- skirt steak with bacon potato mix was delicious. The problem: had my parents visiting, made reservations for 8:15 PM (only time I could get them). We waited as our "table was being set" for 50 minutes or so. The hosts were apologetic. We were promised a complimentary toast and free appetizers for our wait. Those never came. So, we waited for 50 minutes after my reserved time and never received the promised incentive to stay. The food was great but that kind of service is too lackluster for the price we paid. Bar is generally pretty cool, albeit pricey for the area.
(2)
Jenna L.
This review is for the brunch buffet. It was MLK day and I hit up this place because it was one of the few actually serving brunch. I'd never been here for anything prior, and I was pleasantly suprised, and now I'm excited to go back for happy hour or drinks. We didn't have reservations, but the hostess was able to find us a spot at the bar. The environment is really nice and chill. Lots of wood paneling, comfy bar stools, ect. Since getting the buffet was only a few dollars more than most of the entres, a friend and I went that route. There were so many options - pizzas with crazy topings, smoked bacon, eggs, pastries, hash, even steak and chicken wings. Some of the food was better than others, but on the whole, I really liked everthing I ate. Particularly the pizzas and the steak. My only complaint is that by noon (when we got it) most of the food was kind of cold and had clearly been sitting out a while. Still, I was really impressed with the service. Every time we got up to go the buffet, we came back to a refreshed cup of coffee and water (never even had to ask).
(4)
Paula B.
The make the best manhattans in the area. The food is pretty good too. I don't come here too too often though, because the drinks are a bit pricey (although tasty).
(4)
Karisa D.
Upstanding establishment in Clarendon. I like coming here for drinks. The bartenders are friendly and know how to create a delicious cocktail. It's always busy when I come, which to me is a good thing. I haven't yet had to wait too long for a table (no more than 5 minutes) and hopefully it stays that way. I really like the atmosphere; it's modern looking on the inside and the lounge/bar area is mixed with couches and high top tables. The middle high top table is fun to sit at because you get to mingle with the guests of the Tavern. I've yet to come here for food but it's on the list...
(4)
Emily V.
This place was a treat! Great atmosphere, wonderful wine and really, really great food. Inventive choices with interesting sides. I had the asparagus and pea risotto and it was so flavorful. My party also sampled the skirt steak and pork chops and they said those were winners as well. Great staff and dessert and cheese course was to die for as well. I'll definitely be back.
(4)
M M.
I love their fresh and seasonal dishes. Very good service, great wine. I've enjoyed their risotto and always order one of the (few) vegetarian dishes they have on the menu. So far, I haven't gone wrong. It is hard to find anything vegan though, so as much as I love the place, it might not be a great selection for vegans. Meat eaters have enjoyed their duck dishes as well as their calamari appetizer (the fried lemons are a treat). The brunch buffet seems to provide something for everyone. I loved it and like tasting a little bit here and there. I'm not sure I ate enough to justify the price, but it was worth the splurge. And you can always order from the menu for some great dishes.
(4)
Sam S.
This is the only relatively normal bar in the Clarendon area, i.e. not blindingly filled with televisions for fratish sports fans. Moving here recently from New York City, I had high hopes that this would be one bar I could go to in the neighborhood that was something of a refuge from the trash that is Arlington. Sadly, it is not. You are better off taking a taxi to innumerable places in DC that are far more civilized, and much cheaper. This places is an average bar with astronomical prices bordering on robbery. The interior finish is relatively normal by world standards, but unique in a trashy place like Arlington. It feels like a normal bar, not a Disneyesque frathouse for children. The service is variable and inconsistent, but generally friendly. Patrons are late 20s to 40s, few under 25. There are a few televisions behind the bar. What is incredibly outrageous is the pricing and pretentiousness of what in most places would be an average establishment. I'm a fan of Hudson whiskey, which is slightly premium compared to other brands - usually $70 a fifth at nearly every liquor store in Manhattan. This particular whiskey is common in New York, not so in DC. Went on a date to this place, and got us this beverage. Got the check for a simple night out - $240. They charged me $30 a glass, with the weakest pours one can possibly imagine. The 1/2 fifth bottle, which retails for $35, was hardly finished. I paid $240 for about $20-25 worth of alcohol at the RETAIL price. That is an OUTRAGEOUS markup - easily almost 1000%. I've never paid more than $18 for this whiskey at very exclusive establishments in Manhattan. The staff couldn't have cared less. Suffice it to say, I will never be back.
(1)
Bee C.
This place is crowded and trendy with really good food. The Vermont pizza and the duck pizza were amazing! I was pretty excited we had leftovers. We also got the beet salad that was really good.
(4)
Elana G.
Trying to decide between 3 and 4 stars, so giving them the benefit of the doubt and going with 4. I've been here twice. The first time was for dinner. A friend and I split some mussels and fries and they were both good. I'd go back for the mussels, for sure. They were in some sort of delicious marinara sauce. There's not really much else to say about dinner, because that's all I had. The second time was for brunch. I'll give a list of what I tried: "cheesy" grits - Whatever this was, it was NOT grits. It was more like a risotto. It tasted ok but it was in no way, shape, or form, actual grits. curried cauliflower - couldn't taste the curried element but otherwise fine Biscuit - gross, probably the worst thing I had and only thing I didn't finish. Carved steak - Really freakin delicious - probably my favorite item on the buffet. I only took one small little piece, and then I went back for seconds because it was really good. Bacon - fine but not super crispy. Home fries - good, got a kick of spice to them. French toast - I've had better, but otherwise ok. Smoked salmon - it's smoked salmon so it's hard to mess up. mussels - I would have preferred if they were served hot Fruits - they cut their fruits really close to the rind (watermelon, canteloupe, honeydew) and some were not quite ripe. Fruit salads - good. I really liked the pineapple mint except it seemed they added some salt to it, which was weird. Pudding - too sweet, otherwise ok I didn't really delve into any of the other desserts, but they looked ok. I thought $20 was a fair price but it should have included at the very least a non-alcoholic beverage (coffee/tea/juice). I'm not really a brunch person, and I guess I'd have preferred to go to a place that served strictly breakfast items, but overall the brunch buffet was ok. So I'd certainly go back for dinner. I'd go back for brunch if others were going but I dunno if I'd make a trip there again of my own accord.
(4)
Gabrielle M.
Ive been here at least a dozen times for drinks and the occasional pizza or snack, always pretty consistent. Definitely a busy spot on the weekends and difficult to find parking, but what do you expect for a great location like theirs in the heart of Clarendon? I enjoyed their brunch for the first time today and its definitely not the last time! $20 for the huge buffet with a huge variety of options & everything is kept fresh on the buffet. Went with a group of 7 girls for a birthday brunch (make reservations well in advance if you've got a large group) and it was a great atmosphere on the 2nd floor. My suggestions for improvement would be to offer a bottomless mimosa or bloody option (currently $5 a pop) and consider adding more egg options (only plain scramble or peppers & onion scramble available today)
(4)
Gus M.
Food is VERY good but $$$$. I was shocked at the size if my Cuban sandwich in ratio to the cost. I'm hoping the pork was some exotic rare pig they found in the Andes. The beer tap selection is short but decent. Service is friendly ... The guys bartending are a bit too friendly ... And I noticed a lot of "grab ass" in public in-between shifts with the staff. Bartenders are almost slimy. Almost. Wait staff is fast. Hostess' are really really bad. No greeting and they bordered on smug ... AND at 5pm this place turns into a friggin' club. Lights dim and the music cranks up to 11. Crazy amount of noise. You can't even think much less talk to anyone.
(3)
Courtney D.
I'm new to the area and have so far been terribly disappointed with Arlington restaurants - all form and no function in the food area, nothing on either count in service. But Liberty Tavern was a great surprise! Husband & I came for dinner at the end of an exasperating day of errand running. Service was warm & attentive, from the host to the server to the cocktail waitress. The place was hopping on a Saturday night, but they still managed to find us a sidewalk table within 10 minutes of arriving. Portions were reasonable - not overloaded like in my Midwestern home, and not insultingly puny like in the tapas & mezze joints that line Wilson & Clarendon. Prices were fair, quality of food was excellent, my drink (Hemingway Daiquiri) was strong & tasty (in dangerously right proportions) and the beer selection was exciting. I made a satisfying dinner of mussels (my favorite in town so far!) and pommes frites. Husband had the spaghetti alla chittarra with seafood and a spicy tomato sauce. Thank you for the half/full portion option! Half with a salad was perfect for him. So far, this is my favorite spot in the neighborhood.
(4)
CitySmurf C.
We decided to give Liberty Tavern a try for our anniversary and it was excellent! We had a fantastic server (Sheryl) and really enjoyed the atmosphere of the dining room. We tried the arancini (good!), a small cheese plate (amazing!), the gnocchi (cooked just right and the ragu had a great sauce), and the skirt steak (perfect medium cook as requested)- everything was wonderful! The wine selection was quite nice too! We will definitely be going back here!
(4)
zubin l.
I went with my cousins on a Saturday night and its definitely above a typical bar in terms of cocktails they serve. It's very rare to find ginger beer based drinks anywhere in US and they serve almost all of them. Dark N story, Moscow mule, etc were the drinks we tried and it was good. Its more of a bar/lounge than a night club and the service can be little spotty in terms of getting the servers attention. We had to go to the bar to inform that we needed a service of an attendant. In their defense, I would say that they were pretty busy that night.
(4)
Bob W.
Consistently good. For me, this is a warm place to come with friendly staff. I have not had a bad meal here. When they first opened, they provided a remarkable bread basket that, with their well-flavored butter, was almost a meal in itself. I wish they would bring that back, or make it available as an entree. Yeah, I know, "Bread as an entree?" But yes, it was that good.
(4)
K K.
TERRIBLE customer service. The woman "serving" us at the bar made us her last priority and was super SLOW. Awful. Their selection on weekends is really limited and generic (chicken reuben, etc.). I assume this is because they want you to buy their overpriced ($21) brunch of bacon and pastries (no alcohol included).
(1)
Kelsey I.
Liberty's breakfast sandwiches are amazing. Their pizzas are also pretty good. In general, the place is full but not too crowded. It's nice to have a neighborhood place where you can grab a beer at 3pm on a Saturday and know that you weren't the only one with that idea.
(5)
Iris T.
I think, if I could, I'd give The Liberty Tavern 3.5 stars. Unfortunately, Yelp doesn't allow half stars so I think I'd round down. Why? Ah, let me count the ways. 1. The food was decent - but honestly, I can't remember much about it. I remember it was, as Yelp would classify 3 stars, "a-ok." Nothing stood out as disgusting or as delectable so you know, nothing lost, nothing gained. 2. Buffet had a decent selection of food. Again, decent but not amazing. 3. The price was also not terrible: $20.95/person. I'm not sure if I'd say it's a great deal but like the theme of this review, it was decent. But what I did like about this place: 1. Location! Clarendon is one my favorite areas ever. 2. Atmosphere - definitely a great place to brunch and tons of seating area. I had fun sitting around, noshing on applewood smoked bacon while catching up with a friend. 3. Reasonably priced drinks - $5 for a mimosa. Now that's what I'm talking about! I'm not sure if I'll be back here any time soon for brunch but if I'm in the area and am with a group of friends, I think this would be a great place to get a drink, nosh, and chat.
(3)
Joe F.
This review is only for the brunch. I found the service to be totally annoying, and also indifferent at the same time. Good trick!!! The brunch food is uneven, toward mid-day they let it get dried out. Its ok, but nothing to write home about.
(2)
Lu D.
Liberty Tavern is one of the top restaurants in Clarendon. A fail-proof restaurant that remains a top option for a delightful dinner with friends, business, or for out of town guests. The staff are always pleasant, the food cooked with technique, and the ambience typical Clarendon: mid career professionals. I highly recommend their fish options. Their brunch on Saturday and Sunday is absolutely phenomenal: various cold salads, eggs, waffles, fried chicken, roast beef, roasted potatoes, shrimp cocktail..the options go on and on and on. Plenty for vegetarians and carnivores which isn't common much these days. A must.
(4)
Robert T.
Best brunch in the area, hands down. The thing that keeps me coming back is that while the brunch menu does not vary much, they still manage to surprise you with a few new additions while retaining all the favorites. Liberty Tavern is incredibly convienent and has a great location. I would recommend this to anyone in Clarendon who is looking to do something special on a Sunday morning. I will come back as long as they are open.
(5)
John E.
Always busy, make reservations. Food is good, drinks are expensive. Good date place.
(3)
Sara E.
Fun place to eat and drink. Good music, pool tables, shuffle board. Had a good time. Friendly Staff
(5)
Tom F.
Really like the menu upstairs and the servers are friendly and helpful,
(4)
Roll T.
I'm really beginning to question the whole Virginia sucks anthem that seems to revolve around in the heads of all people within the District. And by question, I actually mean I flat out disagree with the conclusion. Let's do a running tally, shall we? Pho? Arlington wins Burgers? Arlington wins Kabobs? Arlington wins Chinese Food? Arlington wins Korean Food? Annandale wins Indian Food? Fairfax wins What does this have to do with Liberty Tavern's bar? Just this: Girls? Arlington wins... and it's not even close. In fact, out of everything I listed above, probably the greatest disappointment in DC is just how much more attractive people are in Arlington as opposed to my neighborhood (Capitol Hill).* It isn't just a Hill thing either. I felt the same way when I lived on U Street and when I lived in Columbia Heights. Only Logan Circle and Foggy Bottom compare to Clarendon and Courthouse in this rather important category (or Eastern Market during lazy summer afternoons on the weekend, but I suspect that most of the people I see in my own neighborhood during that time are not from the Hill). Does this mean I'm just some yuppie asshole? Probably. It doesn't change the conclusion. There are other good things about Liberty Tavern. And by other good things I mean the beer list is pretty impressive. You'll find quite a few microbrews on draft, but some of the most interesting selections can be found on the bottle list. I can't really talk too much about the wine list but it appears to be quite popular here as well. Of course, Liberty Tavern is probably best known for their brunch. Probably the best treatment of the brunch at Liberty Tavern can be found in Hyunoo P.'s review, but I'll just say that Liberty's food is sinfully delicious for a tavern. It's actually worth a trek from DC simply to eat the brunch. With places like Ray's the Steaks, Kabob Palace, PX, Hell Burger, Rhodeside Grill, and Liberty Tavern, it can just be assured that I won't discount Virginia. It's okay to cross the river, folks. Virginia isn't as bad as you want it to be. * actually, the biggest disappointment is the District's crappy Indian food. Yes, I'm including your precious Rasika.
(4)
Meagan F.
Pretty good. Love the space.
(4)
Scott S.
Great food, amazing brunches, and great staff. Can be crowded and noisy in bar, and crowded upstairs for food, but still worth the experience.
(5)
Karen V.
Do you like amazing DJ's? Are you tired of the frat house that is Clarendon? Do you like alcohol? If so, you might like The Liberty Tavern. The DJ on Friday nights, "Jay One" is pretty badass. The bar service is attentive, despite how crowded it gets. I have heard the brunch is good, and will be trying it out soon. However, since I have not had the food yet, the four stars are for the DJ! :D
(4)
Karen L.
Really like this place. I've been as part of a large group and also a group of 2. Both times I enjoyed the food and thought the service was solid. I like how they offer half sizes of their entrees, and their salads are like a meal. The drink menu is great but the dessert menu leaves a lot to be desired. Rosemary Pine Nut Tart with Olive Oil Smoked Sea Salt Ice Cream? There's just too much going on with that one.
(4)
Angel W.
The best part of Liberty Tavern is the ambience on the second level. This is definitely a nice, cozy place to meet friends for dinner and it usually trumps all other Clarendon restaurants when my group of friends is coming to a consensus on a restaurant. Some things to note: 1) It can be difficult to get a reservation. Liberty Tavern worked to accommodate us at a more reasonable dinner hour after a few phone calls throughout the day. 2) Despite having a reservation, plan to wait 20 minutes to be seated. This has been the case every time I have made a reservation. 3) Service is a bit slow. This is the type of restaurant where the server shows up immediately and takes your drink order and then disappears for long periods of time in between all of the other courses. We have never finished drinks, dinner and dessert in less than two hours. 4) The worst part about being on the second level is that the restrooms are located on the first level at the back of the restaurant which means you have to walk through the drunkards to get to the two-stall bathroom, which is always full. 5) Also, watch the staircase. Someone fell down them while we were there. The wood on the steps is a blonde color and the end of one stair blends into the next step so it's difficult to differentiate one step from the next. The food is just okay and can be hit or miss. Drinks: Grapefruit Savant - Smirnoff Citrus Vodka, St Germain, Galliano, Grapefruit, Sage. My friend said this drink was really good. It was in a really small glass. Stella - was not very cold. The glasses/mugs could stand to be chilled. Entrees and Salads: Apple/Endive Salad - Great Hill blue, spicy pecans, buttermilk dressing, smoked bacon, tarragon. Two of us ordered the same salad. My friend had ordered this before and really enjoyed it but this time both of us thought it was too bitter. Tavern Salad field greens - breakfast radish, red wine vinaigrette. Just your ordinary salad. Housemade Gnocchi - Gnocchi with meadow mushrooms, Umbrian black truffle, sage, arugula, LT Ricotta Salata. I thought this was too rich. Pineland Farms Skirt Steak* potato champ, scallion butter, Dubliner cheese, house bacon, Guinness steak sauce. My friend wanted to come back to Liberty Tavern because the skirt steak was so memorable from our last dining experience at Liberty Tavern; however, this time she thought it was just okay. Buttermilk mashed potatoes. Your typical mashed potatoes. Potato champ, house bacon - a potato cooked and served in a skillet. This is another example of a dish that was well liked during our last visit but did not hit the mark this time. Desserts: Banana Anadama Bread Pudding - Roasted Banana Ice Cream, Toffee Sauce. This is the one dish that was raved about. My friend wished she ordered this as the main course. Housemade Ice Cream/Housemade Sorbet. I had a scoop of peanut butter ice cream (a little too icy and not enough peanut butter) a scoop of apricot sorbet (tangy) and a scoop of pear sorbet (which tasted just like a pear, it was uncanny!). Again, nice ambience, food is okay.
(3)
Yan W.
An absolutely amazing all you can eat brunch. I loved the variety of the dishes and the dessert was phenomenal. True, the roast beef could be a little salty, but the other staples - eggs, bacon, and so forth are perfect. The staff continuously brings out more goodies, so the supply levels always meet demand. I highly recommend getting a reservation, since the wait can be ridiculous. Parking can also be hard to find. Would definitely recommend metroing in, if convenient.
(4)
Mia N.
I trusted Yelpers yet again as well as Washingtonian magazine. This brunch had a lot of nice selections, but unless you get the food as soon as the servers bring it out then the food is going to be very cold. I couldn't eat after one plate, but since it cost $20 per head I forced myself to get another plate to get my money's worth. The fried chicken was cold and hard. The pork was tasteless. The only thing that was good was the eggs and grits, but I can eat that at home, and it will be HOT! The restaurant set-up is not built for a traditional buffet with built in hot steam heating food constantly so this food tasted like leftovers. The desserts tasted like they were old cut up pieces of packaged and processed poppy lemon pound cake or pumpkin/ginger bread [like from the Giant bakery]. I am sure the regular entrees served during lunch and dinner may be good, but when Washingtonian magazine proclaims this place as having one of the best brunches in town, then you expect it....I will never return and waste my money on this brunch. Plus it was so noisy. I never heard so many excited Yuppies in one place eating such cold and tasteless food. This place is for the chi chi set of young people who like to waste their hard earned money on drinks and wanting to be seen in what they deem as a cool bar.
(2)
Dominic Y.
I went to this place for dinner last night. It was my first time there. I have to say I was impressed. The menus was great and the wine list was also. It had a very nice atmosphere.
(4)
Mai T.
Have been here before for brunch which was a pleasant surprise. The coffee is a french press but the beans they use have great dark flavor. Good variety of entrees and pastries for brunch. Today we went for lunch. The grilled octopus salad consisted of pickled vegetables and large tentacles of grilled octopus. I thought the grilled flavor was good but the octopus seemed to be overdone. The pickled onions and broccolini was a good complement to the charred and somewhat bland octopus. One of the kids had the cooked salmon entree which was nothing special. Another had the pasta with red sauce but did not like it as the sauce was kind of bland. My kids love flavor and love my cooking since I use a lot of garlic. So Liberty Tavern, please note that there are kids that are discernible eaters. A plus was a kid's order of Fried Shrimp which had just the right amount of coating. Surprisingly, there was more than enough shrimps for a kid the size of an Oompa Loompa. The mussels were good in a tomato based broth with a tad of spiciness. Service was great and place is kid friendly. Highly recommend it.
(4)
J K.
Great food made more enjoyable by a very helpful and knowledgeable wait staff. If you're not sure about a wine or a beer they'll happily take the time to provide you with a sample. We ate upstairs late on a Friday night. Only distraction was the decibel level downstairs in the bar made it hard to hold a conversation. Would definitely return.
(4)
Erik F.
I've been here for multiple dinners and brunches and this place continues to deliver the goods. Most recently I went for brunch and Liberty did not disappoint again! The house-smoked salmon, trout almandine, shrimp cocktail, marinated flank steak, cheese grits, eggs, biscuits & gravy, quiche and fried chicken were fantastic. The fried chicken was crispy on the outside, moist on the inside and full of good flavor. The quiche was creamy with gruyere and a nice salty counterbalance of soppressata. The flank steak was super flavorful and cooked perfectly. The service was attentive and thorough--given our group of 10, including four children, this was greatly appreciated. Timing was attentive without being disruptive. Another visit and another killer meal!
(4)
David G.
LT is yet another "Modern American Cuisine" restaurant in Clarendon. And never mind a dead cat, you can't swing a dead FLEA without hitting one of those in the Clarendon-Courthouse-Roslyn corridor. (Wonder where that saying about swinging dead cats came from?) I'm fairly convinced that "Modern American Cuisine" means putting 30 or 40 slips of paper in a hat, each with a ingredient written on it, and pulling out 4 maybe 5 for a dish. The chef here does this schtick better than most, but I stick to the bar area and stick to the pizzas. A lovely crust with nicely thought-out toppings. Some of his pasta creations work well, too. The best is on Monday nights, when they offer a great fried chicken dinner "while supplies last". The meaty juicy chicken parts are lightly coated and delicately fried. It comes with a rotation of sides, which I mostly ignore, and a true buttermilk biscuit. I find the upstairs too cramped and crowded, trying to put too many tables in too small a space. As I said, I stick to the bar, where I find some great workerbees. Always engaging, when they're not overwhelmed. The place does get busy and does it get loud! With all the hard surfaces and nothing to absorb the noise, it almost has to, and that's just when the place is only 1/3rd full. Good place, not a great place, and certainly nothing unique going on here. If you like their particular staff members, its a fun joint.
(3)
Mrs J.
Good food, great service, and a short walk from the office make The Liberty Tavern my new favorite upscale lunch spot. Can't wait to try them for dinner.
(4)
Lizette A.
This is a great place to meet people for brunch. The brunch buffet is EXCELLENT, but make sure you make a reservation no matter what size your party is. The place gets packed around 11am-2pm. The buffet has a great variety of brunch and lunch entrees: mussels, eggs, sausages, smoked salmon, baked sweets, grits, french toast- don't forget to try the mulled cider!
(4)
Brooke S.
Love the staff super friendly and smart with great stories. Pizza is on point and other dishes looked great. Fun crowd that is not too young as Clarendon can tend to be.
(4)
Stephanie M.
YUM. I went for dinner during restaurant week a month or two ago. And it was DELICIOUS. Originally, we were waiting on the third member of our party before they would seat us upstairs, since we had reservations. But the hostess was accommodating and finally sat us. The waiter was AWESOME. He was knowledgeable and attentive, without feeling like he was hanging over us or just working for a tip. We asked him about various beers and wines, and he was great with suggestions that were paired with our foods. When we asked suggestions on food, he explained each of them thoughtfully, how they were made, and what all went into each dish. And his suggestions were right on! We all LOVED our meals, and for three courses on restaurant week, the price was good. One night when I want a little fancier meal I will be back.
(5)
CC L.
One of the best meals I have had in a very long time. Service was perfect. That is all.
(5)
Helen U.
First time patron at the Liberty Tavern and was not disappointed. Staff did a great job taking care of our table. Food was well-presented, served hot and promptly. Food quality was fine for this type of restaurant - kind of a creative mix of American and Continental fare. We lingered over our beers after eating and did not feel rushed. We made reservations and asked to eat upstairs, which I recommend due to the noise decibel coming from the bar area downstairs. They put on a thriving happy hour! Another plus is the location...a short walk from the Clarendon metro.
(3)
Jack S.
I went back today. The lobster roll was tasty and priced well. Service was slow as hell though... up to two stars in my book. Oh, and the hosts don't have their crap together. When we called on monday, they said reservations weren't needed and not recommended for friday lunches. When we got there today, we were told they were recommended but they would fill us in.
(2)
Tony M.
this place is just wrong. nasty manager almost got me arrested. the workers there they got physical and stole my cell phone. very disappointing.
(1)
Beautiful D.
Came here after getting some recommendations for anniversary dinner. I was hoping to be wow'ed but this was just ok. Were hoping for lively atmosphere but the place was dead the evening we came. The waiter was very cocky - i thought it was high and he made me very uncomfortable. The food was ok - nothing to write home about but not bad. I won't come back.
(3)
Gregg B.
Best comment is we are coming back in a month for our youngest son's birthday. Good advice -- if noise bothers you, make reservations so you can get upstairs. Much more "food friendly". And the food is worth enjoying. Two can get out for under $100. We split an appetizer & didn't have any room for desert. Looking forward to the summer menu. We started with the Frito Misto -- lots of food! The fried lemons were fantastic. Oysters were good as well. My wife had the veal, again very good, The 'less great' item was I had the Shortrib which was good, not great, but it 3 - 4 star level. Waiter was friendly, good suggestions, attentive. All in all, very good -- we'll be back.
(4)
Christina H.
Brunch buffet was amazing. Immediately, I was presented with a choice: go for standard fare or literally fill my plate with delicious but new-to-me items? Choice #2: strawberry, goat cheese, and arugula salad, jalapeno cheddar biscuits covered with addicting gravy of some kind, etc etc. Then, there was a dessert table. For breakfast. Then, they added candy bowls to the dessert table. Drinks are separate and not included in breakfast, price for kids is terrific (there was bacon, eggs, french toast, and brownies, what's not to love?). Only problem was tight tables made it difficult to get up and down to go to buffet. Go. It's amazing.
(4)
jenny m.
Great spot for brunch (I've not been for lunch/dinner or just drinks yet). I was here with a friend on Sunday around noon. Luckily we'd made reservations because the place was packed and a bunch of people were waiting. I love that they even take brunch reservations - very few brunch places in Chicago ever did and you always had to wait. Which is why I rarely went for brunch when I lived there! We sat upstairs right by the buffet. And while I was soooo incredibly tempted by it, I resisted the urge to overeat this time and ordered a la carte. I had a white cheddar, spinach, and wild mushroom omelet that was fantastic. Seriously one of the better omelets I've had in recent memory (they had me at the mushrooms though, I love em). That and a side of their crispy & delicious home fries and I was sufficiently stuffed. My dining companion did the buffet though and her plate was chock full of goodies. The selection on the buffet is pretty amazing - everything from your typical breakfast foods, to mussels, shrimp, pizza, salad, you name it and I think it was offered. And they have a separate table for all the sweet goodies - it looked deadly (as in I gained a lb just eyeing it up). Service was good and the water boys were on point. Man I like a place that knows when you are drinking coffee/tea and/or bloodies/mimosas, you need to keep us hydrated. Kudos for never letting my glass be half full for long! I for sure will be back for brunch. And I'll make sure next time I don't eat much the day before so I can indulge in the buffet and not feel guilty!
(4)
Kristine B.
Made reservations from brunch and after waiting 15mins for our table, we decided to sit downstairs in the bar area. Food was good, but not worth the wait or the poor management of reservations. Not sure if I would go back or recommend it. There are a lot of other good brunch places in the area.
(3)
Michelle M.
Yummy salads and drinks. The perfect spot to catch up with friends for dinner.
(4)
Nicole R.
I absolutely LOVE Liberty Tavern. The weekend brunch table here can't be beat. Yes, it's pricey (I think it's $19) but Liberty goes so above and beyond typical brunch fare that it really is worth it. We've come here often for dinner as well and love indulging in their cheese plate and amazing wine selection and their fresh, inspired specials. One of my favorites was a mouthwatering cioppino that was chock full of perfectly spiced, fresh seafood in a herby-tomato broth. Just incredible! Service is always great but consider yourself warned: Liberty is usually packed, so you'll want to make reservations for sure!
(4)
Gina K.
Reservations were made for 10:30 on Sunday. It may look empty when you first walk in at that time but crowds will soon follow. If you're looking for quiet, sit downstairs away from the buffet spread as long as you don't mind trekking upstairs to get your refills of what tickles your fancy. I was really impressed with the offering they had. They had a carving station with a choice of roast or ham, pizza, pasta, shrimp cocktails, an assortment of breakfast pastries, grits, biscuits and gravy, quiches, caesar and a lovely strawberry spinach salad with walnuts. There's quite a lot of variety that should please even the pickiest of eaters. French press was wonderful. The roast was good. I only wish they took their time in reloading the press so the grinds wouldn't escape into my cup. But rich and deeply enjoyable nonetheless. Solid!
(4)
Juliet K.
delishhhh... came here with a reservation which i'm glad we had one because it was quite busy. we were in a group of 6 and did family style on pretty much everything. Food: Duck Smorgasbord - most of the stuff on here i liked. foie gras was just ok. Skillet Roasted PEI Mussels - freaking delicious!!! and it was yummy dipping the bread in the sauce. Crisp Polyface Pork Belly - yummy. but i really love pork belly so maybe i am biased. Dry Rubbed Filet Mignon - it was good and cooked well, but i liked the fish dishes a lot more. Bluefish - a little bit overcooked in my opinion but still very tasty. Salmon - very yummy. Autumn Squash Risotto - a bit overloaded on the butter, but other than that the flavor was awesome. loved the squash, and i loved how they cooked the risotto. most places keep It way too aldente for me, but this was perfect. great wine selection!! would definitely come back.
(4)
Stephanie R.
Always good. Great services and tasty food. Great cocktails, beer and wine selection. Mildly obsessed wi the Vermont pizza. Warm and inviting.
(4)
Elizabeth C.
Love this place. The food is good and happy hour is fun. My husband and I have had multiple parties there. The staff were really great about being flexible with the timing, even when we asked to push our party start time back by an hour 3 days before an event. It can get pretty crowded in there, but you know what you are getting yourself into when you walk in the door.
(5)
Michi R.
Bartenders are great. They don't need to ask your name, see your cc & immediately refer to you by your name. Great service. Even when totally packed.
(4)
Jelli F.
The whole menu is good, but go for brunch. (And sit upstairs if you want to actually hold a conversation with your party)
(4)
J G.
Everyone should experience the brunch buffet here at least once in their lifetime. I haven't had this good a brunch in... well, ever! The coffee here is to die for. Servers were very attentive too. Hope to come back soon!
(5)
Natalie K.
I'm not going to lie, I was nervous when a friend said they wanted to go to dinner at Liberty Tavern. My only experience was with the absurdly crowded bar on several different occasions. I would struggle to get to the bar, order a drink, pay and get away from the bar without being smushed and being wholly uncomfortable. Not a relaxing bar experience. That being said, who knew there was an elegant and spacious upstairs? We got an early dinner and sat upstairs at a booth to accommodate the six of us. Our waiter was attentive and knowledgeable of the menu. We all ordered drinks (good cosmo!) and our meals. My friends ordered different kinds of steak which they all could not speak highly enough about. I ordered the gnocchi (being a vegetarian) and I was ecstatic that they could accommodate my dietary restrictions. The full order of gnocchi was a great dinner portion and the dish including butternut squash, brussel sprouts, mushrooms, brown butter and house ricotta was fresh and delicious. We were celebrating two birthdays and not only were they treated to dessert, but we were not rushed through our dinner at all and were allowed to stay and enjoy the ambiance. After we all saw that the birthday boys got the Housemade Ice Cream & Sorbet for dessert almost all of us ordered the same thing. A friend also ordered the Triple Chocolate Tart and loved it. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and would absolutely go back for dinner... probably not for drinks at the bar though. I enjoy my personal space.
(4)
J P.
I went here for brunch and it was just meh. Mediocre food, not great service. Wouldn't really recommend. There are plenty if other places in the area for a better brunch.
(2)
Trisha H.
Everything we ordered here was great. I got the apple cider cocktail with whiskey which was delicious for the wintery time of year. We also ordered a couple of cheeses, and we were happy with the waitress's descriptions and their tastes once we tried them. I ordered one of their pastas, the tagliatelle, which was just slightly spicy but very creamy. We also ordered the duck smorgasbord which was a thrill for the tastebuds. Lastly, we got two desserts, the Liberty candy bar, which was amazing and actually tasted like a homemade caramelly candy bar, and the pumpkin coconut ice cream sandwich, where the ice cream was the star. All in all a surprisingly delicious experience was had at Liberty Tavern and I would definitely recommend my friends to go there soon!
(4)
Alexandra H.
The mushroom pizza was AMAZING! A great little spot.
(4)
Lia M.
My first brunch in the area - yay! The Liberty Tavern does a nice brunch with a strong mimosa. Strong mimosas are key - nothing like a little "hair of the dog." Service was outstanding - extremely friendly, professional, and the right amount of attentiveness. I feel that they truly appreciated my patronage. Food was good, though not fabulous. I chose the buffet option, which had a nice variety. The smoked salmon was my favorite part - it was a whole salmon, and you cut your piece from it. Absolutely delicious, along with the crostini and capers. I also liked the French toast, and was sad I did not get to try the fried chicken. But I will be back for brunch, and will be sure to try it then.
(3)
Sonya M.
I can't speak enough good things about this place. I've been on a couple dates there, and although the guys are no longer around, my love for this place persists. First, the beer and wine selection is awesome, and feature some great local brews. I've never been disappointed. The food is mighty tasty and I'm a fan of their pizzas, which are big enough to feed two people. My dates' usually ordered pasta (ironically) and their risotto is delicious, but a bit creamy for my taste. I love roasted brussels sprouts (very underrated vegetable) as a side, and I was so happy that it was on their menu. My only gripe with LT is the seating. They really try to squeeze you in. I was on a date and I thought that if the next table was any closer, they might as well join our conversation/first date awkwardness.
(4)
Billy P.
Interesting food, a bit noisy, but great energy. If you find yourself in Clarendon, do yourself a favor and stop by for dinner.
(4)
Nick H.
Early this year, I went to the Liberty Tavern's sister restaurant Lyon Hall in Arlington. Since that dining experience, I had been dying to go back to Lyon Hall but also to try the Liberty Tavern. This past weekend, I had the luxury of finally visiting the Tavern, and it was equally amazing. The Tavern differs from the Hall and other fine dining establishments in Arlington in that it acts as both a regular casual drinking hole as well as a formal dining locale. On the first floor, you can watch sports on the big screen tvs while drinking beer, wine, or whatever liquor tickles your fancy. And if you're there to dine, then you can head upstairs to the second floor (after making reservations because the restaurant is so popular) to eat at a very finely decorated dining room. As for the food itself, it was so incredibly delicious. I tried the fried shrimp and clams as an appetizer and the pork belly and beer cheddar sausages as my entree. Both were incredible, with the pork belly being the best pork belly I've ever eaten. The texture and combination of flavors on the plate burst in my mouth the entire meal and I was astounded by the taste of the food. As with Lyon Hall, I simply cannot wait until the next time I get an opportunity to dine at either of these fine Arlington restaurants!
(5)
Kirt K.
After grueling Marine corp Marathon..10k. Bunch of us came here for the breakfast buffet and was not disappointed. The natives were becoming restless bc we had to hike additional 1.5 miles from the finish line to get here but I can say with certainty that we gained more calories than we burnt from race and everyone left satisfied. For around $25 the selection is vast and delicious. You have your standard eggs, good quality bacon and smoked salmon but you also get breakfast pizza with over easy eggs on top and steamed mussels. I highly recommend reservations or take your chances at the bar.
(4)
Alan W.
Been here once for a friend's birthday. The dishes I had was well made. Service was okay. I will go back when I get a chance. Overall 4 stars.
(4)
art f.
Great Restaurant week dinner - choice of any 3 courses. I went with the grilled octopus (no one does it better), rock fish (neglected regional specialty), and a cheese course. Service was excellent. The wine list offered an very good Alborino at a very good price. One place in VA where it's worth coming out of DC for the meal. Excellent service - prompt, sound advice, engaging but professional.
(5)
Lauren S.
We've enjoyed Liberty Tavern for a while, but it has jumped to the top of our dining list now that I have had to go dairy-free. We've been in twice in the past couple months and had great service both times. I'm embarrassed to say that I've forgotten our male server's name, but I think it may have been Neil. On our second visit, he remembered me and that I needed dairy-free options. He worked with the chefs to present me with what options were available to me as-is, and what substitutions could be made. The first time, we also had the pleasure of help from Catherine, who herself has a dairy allergy and was incredibly attentive to our table and my meal (including giving additional directions when my order was put in and dropping by the table to let me know what I could eat from the bread basket before I had a chance to ask). Catherine wasn't even our primary server! I love that I can come to Liberty Tavern, have a choice of tasty meals (still went with spaghettis both times - one with lamb and a goat ricotta and one with a variety of seafood), and get careful, attentive service. What a relief!
(4)
Alli F.
Nice place to go to brunch. Nothing out of this world on the menu or on the buffet but if you are with a group and do not want the hassle of everyone taking forever to order this is a good place to go. The buffet will have something that everyone will like even if it is not the best food in Arlington.
(3)
Madelyn C.
I've been here a few times. Really good food. Nice Sunday brunch. Really nice - and you can order a la carte or choose the brunch buffet.
(4)
Alex L.
This is by far my favorite restaurants in the Clarendon area. The food has always been great, the beer selection is amazing, and I've been able to hear the person I'm dining with. It can be pricey but the food is always high quality and the local ingredients are worth it. The pizzas are always a good choice for happy hour, but if Branzino is on the menu that is always my go to. There is usually at least on great vegetarian option, in the spring they have an amazing pea risotto. The staff are a friendly as it gets, something most places in the area can't say. It's my go to place for a great meal and excellent services.
(4)
Anpan W.
Apparently everyone loves this place at lunch. We were seated after, with, and before several groups of 10. The noise got to me, so I asked to be moved downstairs. Then a family with a young boy and a baby was sat near us and I asked for the check. Why do people bring babies to bars? Our drinks and app arrived timely and were good. Liberty Tavern has a decent preppy business guys staring at women vibe, maybe popular with UVa grad ex-sorors. The Maitre d' and the host were lovely.
(3)
Saangiit S.
Have tried the weekend bottomless brunch here which is just superb! Everything is good and there are plethora of options. Make sure you reserve beforehand as it is difficult to find a place even a day or two earlier.
(4)
Emily H.
I stopped by for some drinks on a Sunday evening before heading over to a friends house for dinner. I was impressed with the hostesses and the our waiter was just as welcoming. We ordered drinks from their cocktail menu and they were a good sized for the right price - I ordered the Manhattan and my husband ordered The Pursuit of Happiness. The drinks were true to their descriptions. When I was ready to move on to the next beverage, our waiter gave me some recommendations but I had to say true to my summer drink, Stoli Razz vodka and soda water. Granted it is tough to mess up the vodka and soda drink but it was made perfectly: a light background raspberry flavor with a slight fizz. We ordered some fries from the bar. The dish came with three dipping sauces - ketchup, a creole tasting creamy dip and then an asian style dip. I wasn't a huge fan of the asian dip because it was too thin and runny. As I mentioned here earlier, our waiter was great! He was talkative but not in an intrusive way. He was just being friendly. I think next trip would be to eat brunch at Liberty Tavern....
(4)
Jaye V.
Stay clear of the menu outside of normal lunch and dinner hours. For Saturday late lunch eats, I give LT 2 stars, when typically I would give it 4.5 stars. The menu is limited off hours, and there must be someone different cooking in the back than normal. The only issue typically I have with LT's food is that sometimes a dish can be way overly salted. This time the food we ordered completely *lacked* salt. So, from the limited menu, we ordered the fried Gulf shrimp and Ipswitch clams small plate. I've had this dish before at dinner and once it was perfect and the other time too salty. This time, like I said, no salt at all. And fried smelts (small fish) were substituted for the clams. And fried celery root was added. Um. Yeah. Without even letting us know - they just were set down on our table, no explanation. As if it was expected it'd be okay. [I just checked their lunch and dinner menus online, and the lunch one says shrimp, smelts, celery root, and calamari...and the dinner one says shrimp and clams. Either way, we got jacked.] We also ordered the Sardinian pizza, which was supposed to have smoked lamb on it. The lamb was really pork. There was supposed to be chilies on it. Nope. Again, no explanation. [Online lunch menu doesn't include this pizza btw.]
(3)
Hope H.
This was a great choice. The server went above the call of duty and food was mostly excellent. A little disappointed with the tasso hushpuppies, didn't taste the tasso at all and dry. Amish chicken was delish.
(4)
Jesse P.
Everything a tavern experience should be. I suggest you order as many of their appetizers as possible. Pros: local beer on tap, seasonal ingredients, great pizzas, servers, value Cons: bar downstairs is very loud I'm not the kind of guy who wants to go out for one radish and a single scallop in celery root puree with snooty servers, but I also don't want an enormous plate of food with so many bites that all thought is lost. Liberty finds that happy medium and meets my tastes on all counts. My first visit, a few months ago, was so good I have thought about it since. We started out with grilled octopus with pomegranate salad and venison pot pie. The octopus was tender, charred, the best I've had (admittedly, it was the third time I've had it but I"m a huge fan). The venison pie was salty and full of flavor, VERY heavy for an appetizer. You might want to split it between four. Our second visit, tonight, in the depths of winter the night before valentines day, was not spectacular but solid. To my disappointment, the kitchen was out of "salmon lasagne" but we had the special which was a salad with goat cheese, beets, arugula, and smoked macadamia nuts, and for appetizers crispy fried shrimp and Ipswich clams with aioli, a peanut soup with wild boar sausage and some sort of pickled vegetable (it was delicious, tomato?) and croutons, and we split the fried chicken entree which came with a small biscuit, mashed potatoes, and chard sauteed in lots of butter and salt. The shrimp and clams tasted very fresh and were very crispy, but with the mild chili infused aioli were good but not great. Although lemons were sent out, they were also fried. Why fry the lemons, am I missing something? I guess it was meant to be cool and look great but if I were to order it again, I would get the lemons raw and squeeze over the seafood. The beet goat cheese orange arugula salad was nice, and the flavors worked really well together. The macadamia nuts (there were about 6) did not have any smoked flavor, but were clearly roasted. But we couldn't help but feel it could be easily made in the home kitchen with no cooking, combining good ingredients from a supermarket. We felt like we had to order the peanut soup since we live in Virginia and my wife is from Georgia- it came with two slices of wild boar sausages that had a really interesting spice profile with perhaps juniper and cinnamon? I felt it worked really well but my wife found it odd. The fried chicken had very, very delicious texture and flavor to the crust, but was absolutely overcooked. Strangely, the breast was served boneless and was very dry. I wonder if it is possible to fry a boneless chicken breast perfectly juicy? The dish was served with a gravy which was heavily tasting of onions and VERY sweet. It helped the chicken breast portion, but was just too sweet for us.
(4)
Chrystina Z.
Went here for Sunday brunch. Good place for picky eaters. Both the scrambled eggs with cream and eggs with veggies were good. I also sampled "the meats" (bacon, sausage, ham, and turkey). Enjoyed the assortment of grains from french toast, pancakes, muffins, breads, etc. They had smoked salmon, which I don't eat, but looked pretty with capers and other garnishes on the side. Ordered some mimosa-type drink, but instead of OJ it was grapefruit. Tasty. Definitely a good deal for the $18 brunch. And the buffet presentation gave me new ideas for using my Le Creuset pots :)
My husband and I went here during Winter 2011 Restaurant Week. It was our first visit. We went for lunch. First of all, they open up the entire menu for RW, so we didn't long for something on the menu that wasn't included in the $20.11 price. We both got the cheese assortment for the starter. This is the only part of the meal I regret. It's not that the cheese wasn't tasty, it was just slightly underwhelming (two pieces for $7). I wish we had tried something else. The gratis bread was fresh and enjoyable. For the entree, I ordered the trout while my husband ordered the beer sausage stuffed with cheese. My husband loves sausage, and he proclaimed this was one of the best sausages he had ever had. The trout was also good. For dessert, we ordered the chocolate caramel lava cake with ice cream and the white chocolate lemon mousse dome. The cake was good, the ice cream being the highlight, which really shouldn't happen. BUT, oh oh but, the mousse was divine. What texture! What taste! A great ending to an overall enjoyable meal. The service was also very good. Fresh silverware for each course; prompt beverage refills; and a post-course table brush off (which in my home town we would deem as fancypants). Great atmosphere (judging from the layout, there seemed to be a lot of power lunches when we went), inventive menu, fresh food, reasonable prices. We'll be back, maybe next time for brunch!
(4)
Kim H.
One of my favorite bars in Arlington. LT has a bit of an older crowd which is good if you want to get away from the frat boy scene that spews next door at the Ballroom. On a busy weekend, LT is usually packed to capacity making it hard to get a drink. There is one long communal table in the middle of the bar which makes for fun random conversation with strangers. On the 1s and 2s you will hear everything from Biggie to Billy Joel. They have outdoor seating, so in the Summer, it's fun to sit outside and watch the crazy Clarendon scene unfold. Good times.
(4)
Erin K.
I love Liberty Tavern. I have been here for dinner, brunch, and happy hour numerous times. In addition, I am a huge fan of Liberty To-Go. Keep in mind that the menu is seasonal so things may change a few times a year. For dinner, one of my recent favorites was the rabbit gnocchi. I noticed the last time I was there that is was different (pork now; seasonal I assume) and I haven't tried that yet. But, my go-to is the pizza. I've tried every kind (including seasonal) and my ultimate favorite continues to be the Vermont. The combination of prosciutto, apple and caramelized onions is to die for. I often get the Tavern salad to share as a starter (it's quite large for a side salad). LT's Sunday brunch is my favorite brunch anywhere. The buffet is worth the price. The bacon, french toast and various egg options are always fabulous. Plus they always have different pizzas and homemade breads and muffins. I enjoy the seasonal touches (such as hot cider in the winter). Plus LT's french press coffee is great. Happy hour can get crowded but it's always half price glasses of wine among other things (I generally stick to the wine during HH). But, their seasonal cocktails and seasonal beers are always a good way to mix it up. It can get crowded quickly so I always recommend a reservation. If I'm craving the wonderful pizza but don't feel like waiting, I just called Liberty To-Go and my pizza will be ready in 15 minutes!
(5)
Jason B.
Liberty Tavern is my go-to place in Arlington Everytime I have dinner at Liberty, I am impressed on a number of levels. 1. The depth of menu. If you're not looking for the whole nine yards, there's flatbread pizzas and a couple of good sandwich choices. If you are having the works, the choices for first courses and entrees is consistently strong. Don't get me wrong, it isn't Cheesecake Factory...with pages and pages of mediocrity. But the choices Liberty seem to all sound good. And the ones I've had were very good. 2. The setting. If I were younger, downstairs would be very appealing. Always full. Always buzzing. Lots of energy. Upstairs is just so simple and well-done. The interior design compliments the architecture. The seating is intimate without being crowded (for the most part, thought the end overlooking the stairs can get a bit tight). 3. The wait-staff. Always top-notch. Bottom line: I think the combination of a strong menu that is extremely reasonable along with a sophisticated atmosphere make Liberty one of my favorite Arlington haunts.
(4)
Conor Q.
Pizza is very tasty, but unfortunately there is not much to it, one pie will not be enough for 2 ppl. All pizzas run about $12, they have some interesting combinations not fund in other restaurants and are very creative with their presentation. They also offer several specialty mixed drinks if thats your thing, and have a solid happy hour until 7pm that has most of their draft beers for $3. Atmosphere is pretty quiet during the day but heats up at night and is a good place to have a good time, mostly 30 and under crowd but with out a lot of the meatheads and douchebags populating many other Arlington area bars. Drinks can get pricey but not outrageous for the area.
(4)
Yizhou E.
This review is only for the upstairs dining room. I've been here a bunch of times for dinner and it's always decent. The pizzas are great and inventive. Toppings like green apple or clams make them stand out in the menu. They have a wood oven so the crust comes out thin and crispy. Appetizers are a nice nosh too. You must get the grilled octopus because it's the most tender thing you've ever had. Our party got them, ate them in 2 minutes, and ordered them again. Other goodies are the clams which come in an aromatic tomato broth, and the seafood fritto misto-type dish. Other than that the other dinner items I've ever had were good as well. I mean, any time there's veal paired with pork belly and slab bacon, there's a party right? Just a few things that keep this place from getting more stars. The non-pizza dishes that I've ever had have been over salted. Maybe my palate is just lighter but I always suck down the waters when I eat there. Also the bar downstairs is notoriously packed with drunken people on any given weekend with sometimes disastrous consequences. Two times, I couldn't eat there because of the overwhelming smell of vomit as I walked in the door. I kid you not.
(3)
Paul R.
Absolutely fantastic food and service!! I went with my wife for an extended Friday lunch (2+ hours). The grilled octopus appetizer was perfectly done, as was the Arctic char. Pizzas use really fresh ingredients and that makes all the difference. Mixed drinks are well done and the wine list has some nice selections. Be sure to have their French press coffee; it's the best in town.
(5)
Mary D.
Brunch here is the best, they can get very busy. I've done buffet and off the menu, all is fresh and delicious! Staff is helpful.
(4)
Brian K.
There really wasn't anything to not like about this place, my parents were meeting us for dinner so naturally we went to the bar in the downstairs area to have a Brooklyn lager. I read some reviews where people complained the bartenders were rude, ridiculous. I know most bartenders introduce themselves, but not many extend their hand immediately after a warm greeting and PROPERLY introduce themselves like the ones at Liberty Tavern. So already, top marks from me. The food is very well presented, and delicious... our waiter was knowledgeable and very attentive. My Mother ordered sausage and fennel Pizza, I had their pork chops Medium Rare which the waiter suggested. My girlfriend ordered the Scallops and my Father orders anything that has lamb. I sampled their fare a bit, the pizza was excellent but I was more into my Porkchops which were like butter they were so tender. The lighting was very dim so I couldn't make out the inside color but when I got home and ate the rest (portions are huge) they were most definitely medium rare. Liberty loves to tout their wood burning hickory grill and with every bite I could taste it among the honey mustard glaze. Oh yeah, you must order the French press coffee, the desserts are also pretty to look at and delicious. Overall, 4.5 stars but 5 just for yelp.
(5)
Vonetta Y.
2.5 stars -- Review of bar/lounge only After leaving Spider Kelly's without having participated in their sham of a happy hour, we went to Liberty Tavern, hoping for something other than $2 pisswater one consumes at frat parties. Upon entering Liberty, a peculiar scent rose to our noses. "Does it smell like beer and vomit in here to you?" My coworker asked me. "Yep," I said. But for some reason, we plopped down on the sectional sofa in the lounge area anyway. We got used to the smell after a while, and soon enough it reminded me of those horrible Georgetown parties of my youth, making me all nostalgic. Sigh. Anyways, they at least had half-price wine and a couple of discounted beers, which was sufficient. I got what I call the syrah surprise, this blend of three wines, that was actually really really flavorful, with a nice medium-full body and smooth finish. My coworkers got the pinot noir, which they quite liked, and for $3.50-$4 a glass, we weren't going to complain. Foodwise, I got the classico pizza, which is essentially a pizza margherita with thicker crust. It was good, but not worth the epistle I would normally write about pizza. My coworkers split the french fries, which came with 3 dipping sauces, one of them being ketchup, but really? Would you really call ketchup a dipping sauce? I found that terribly anti-climatic. I shaved off the .5 star if not for the smell, for the service. Our waitress was attentive in the beginning, quickly collecting our drink orders and coming back to soon after to see if we wanted food, but she disappeared after that, and we had to flag her down for the fries and second round of drinks. BUT what was really annoying -- and I might not go back to Liberty for happy hour because of this -- the busboys were INSISTENT upon taking my pizza plate and wine glass away, BEFORE I WAS DONE! I swear, if he'd put his hand on my plate one more time, while I still had crust in my mouth, I was going to flip. It was more than annoying, actually, it was almost disrespectful, like they were trying to push me out of the place. But given that I was paying for pizza and two glasses of wine, and I was hungry on top of it, I was going to finish THE WHOLE DAMN THING. Perhaps they're not used to skinny girls scarfing down whole pizzas by themselves in NoVA, but hell, I live in the District. I eats. So. Since I've heard so much about the great food in the dining room (my coworker told me the same thing the other yelpers have said--she had a great dining room experience), I'd like to try it, but I'm very hesitant to come back to Liberty for happy hour.
(3)
Elisa H.
Best happy hour wines around! Reasonable and not overpriced. Wood fired pizzas are very Italian style (Italy, not NY!) and simply fantastic! I enjoy the open area at the bar too because it makes it feel more open no matter how crowded it gets.
(4)
Haley G.
Probably one of my favorite places in Arlington for a casual (but super yummy) bite to eat and a great meeting place for HH. Loooove the Vermont pizza, desserts, cheese selection and bar fries.
(4)
kaie c.
this place has made some very positive changes with a great wait staff. The last two times I have been there after 9pm for some drinks, there were multiple waitresses wondering around getting drinks for all of us, and opening individuals tabs for us. I was extremely impressed, and happy to not have to fight to get the bartenders attention.
(5)
Pat G.
This visit was a good month ago, but I meant to write the review. The menu changes often (and probably doesn't match my review anymore), so try everything from the local farms they feature. I tasted a few things on this visit! We sat at the bar, not wanting the wait for upstairs. Busy local scene feel to the bar with lots watching the game. Friendly attentive service with good knowledge of the menu and wine list. Delicious Hemingway daiquiri and overall, what a surprise and value! Two people for $100, three courses, with cocktails and wine. The smoky sauced mussels enraptured this nonseafood eater. I got the American charcuterie spread with some smoky blue cheese and a very smooth Barbera. I was especially fond of the light crispiness to the scrapple, and the pickled vegetables that would do my grandmother proud. I wonder if they'd let me take home a jar of pickles, hrmmm. The perfectly cooked meats on the beef trio with tangy mostarda, especially the beef cheeks which literally melt in the mouth. I was afraid to order the heritage pork, since I don't like pink pork, but I might make a special request next visit considering how talented the chefs make everything. Too full for dessert, as I had far too many servings of the soft anadama bread with the sweet butter and sea salt.
(5)
Kristen W.
4.5 stars. I came here last night with some friends for dinner - we ate upstairs and it was fabulous. First of all, we got seated right away - awesome. It was crowded for a Tuesday night but they clearly have an efficient system for turning tables over and getting people in. Next, in spite of the close proximity to other diners, it wasn't obnoxiously loud and you were in no way involved in the conversations at other tables. Although our waiter was kind of the spitting image of the Geico caveman, he was enthusiastic, knowledgeable about both the wine list and the menu, and was attentive without being annoying. I can't find a single thing to nitpick about the ambiance or the service - it was great. Now, the food. The menu was simple yet extensive and very unique. All of the dishes we tried had rich, complex flavors in combinations that I would never think to put together. For example, I had the diver scallops - first of all, they were enormous. Second of all, they came with scarda, which is some kind of jumbo cous cous and it was absolutely delicious. It was all served in this hazelnut and grapefruit butter, which is what I'm talking with the flavor combinations - grapefruit? But it was delicious. I wanted to eat it again today for breakfast, lunch and dinner. My friends got the Arctic char, the gnocchi, and the apple/endive salad (which be aware, is a massive pile of apples and endives). I tried bites of both and they were also really tasty. All in all, highly recommend. -.5 stars because I almost slipped and fell while trying to navigate through the meat market happening in the bar downstairs.
(4)
Dan B.
Neat atmosphere, good wait service. Good pizzas and sandwiches. Fantastic happy hour crowd. Seating upstairs is tight and loud, so difficult to have a conversation. And for crissakes, stop putting dill on things.
(3)
Rocky A.
The Liberty Tavern is in its soft open in the heart of Clarendon. The bar/restaurant is a trendy, moderately priced addition to the Clarendon restaurant scene. Liberty has a warm, inviting space with an elegant wooden bar and vaulted ceilings. A large communal table spans virtually the length of the first floor. Picture windows look out onto Wilson Boulevard. Outdoor seating is planned. The dinner menu is still in flux, with the current menu offering a fraction of what is planned as the kitchen eases in. A selection of individual-sized pizzas is available. Although not as good as Two Amy's, the pizza is cheap, quick and good. Liberty has 14 wines by the glass, 10 beers on tap and three specialty drinks. The specialty drinks feature fresh fruit. Bartenders Meg and Shannon were very friendly during my short visit. Just don't trash talk the Yankees in front of Meg. During the soft open, Liberty is open for dinner beginning at 5 p.m. A small bar menu is available beginning at 4. The place is closed on Sunday. No date has yet been set for the grand opening.
(4)
Bob L.
Washingtonian top 100, with high expectations that fell flat. The two salads were ok but nothing I couldn't get at a chain restaurant. The Gnochii did not resemble anything I had ever seen for the dish and was really a bland dish of steamed vegetables. The Scallops were nice and fresh but nothing special. The desert was perhaps one of the worst presentations of a desert at a restaurant that I have seen in some time, a warm muffin, some ice cream in a bar glass, and some filbert brittle. The decor was dated. A kid with a baseball cap kept listening in on my conversation with my date while eating his pizza. 2/3rds of the restaurant was empty but everyone was seated right next to each other. Nothing went wrong, it just isn't that good.
(2)
Jason K.
Just what I needed. Parking was a little dicey being in Clarendon, but that's the only negative. The place had a nice decor with a big bar area. There is patio seating, but we just stood in the bar area. The bar was 2-3 deep and the service staff was on the ball. We had drinks in our hands the whole time, with very little wait time. The patrons were a mix of 30-somethings with the small pockets of kids in their 20s. Great experience, would highly recommend the face plant, but just 1. Great place to start the night off.
(4)
Shawn M.
We save Liberty Tavern for special events. Their food is outstanding. When the event calls for it, and we have the appetite, my husband and I will indulge in the chiefs tasting. They pick your food and wines and they are always excellent. If I had one complaint, it would be that they are so popular that the restaurant is noisy and crowded.
(5)
C J.
I like hitting this place during the week for Happy Hour. They have 1/2 priced glasses of wine and I think 1/2 priced beer as well (not sure cuz I go for the wine). Otherwise I think they are a bit on the pricey side. Their food is excellent however (not 1/2 price but worth it). I have had several of their pasta dishes and pizzas - never been disappointed. I won't touch this place on the weekends as it gets ridiculously packed and that just isn't my thing. But during the week (not Thur) I would highly recommend it for Happy Hour. PS - Nick is an awesome bartender!
(4)
Candace C.
My update is for brunch only---I'm still not a fan of dinner. Brunch, however, might as well be considered a whole other restaurant---a golden one at that--in my eyes. Brunch was gooooood. The breakfast table doesn't seem very big, but my eyes are always bigger than my stomach. i set out to taste a small spoonful of everything and barely made to to dessert. The smoked salmon with creme fraiche, egg, capers, and onion was good, the leg of lamb was nice as well. I was thrilled to get french toast with a nice strawberry compote and be able to eat other things as well. I missed out on the pancakes cuz everyone else beat me to them. We LOVED the shortrib shepherd's pie and with a small scoop of cheese grits, I was in heaven. The pasta salad was also very tasty. The only sad part was dessert. I thought the assortment of American candies was interesting, but there were only two real desserts--brownies and a black forest cake. On the sample menu there was a much larger selection of pastries/cookies/cakes, so I'm sad there were only two this past Sunday. Maybe next time they'll at least have some cookies or even better---more cake. I'm almost sad that the menu changes every week because I'd certainly love to have more lamb and french toast. But unlike my dinner experience, everything was pretty good, so I'm willing to take the risk. At 18/pp it's a pretty good deal--it would be even better if coffee or tea were included--but for leg of lamb's sake, I'm not complaining. I'll be back--maybe even next week :)
(5)
Chris K.
Loved the Vermont pizza...topped with apples and cheddar cheese. It sounded strange but tasted delicious.
(4)
Porshca E.
Although we waited for over an hour after the hostess told us it would be 25minutes the service was great, the food was amazing and our waiter Todd was the best! We walked in the restaurant on a Tuesday night and you would have thought it was a Friday night. It was completely crowded, which was a good sign bc none of the people in my party had visited before and we took this as a sign that the food was good. The hostess told us it would be a 20-25minute wait, we said ok and ordered cocktails. Fast forward 1 hour and we are still waiting...I can't lie, I was getting very annoyed but my boss told me this place was amazing so we waited. Once we were finally escorted to our table upstairs, Todd our amazing waiter came to greet us and from there the night took a great turn for the better. We were given wine and an appetizer for the wait, which we appreciated, we quickly ordered our main dish and Todd was great as he told us from the beginning that the Amish chicken would take 30minutes to cook and he was right on point! It took 30minutes BUT it was so worth every bite. No dessert, we were a little tipsy and full but I'm told that the dessert is amazing as well. Overall great atmosphere and amazing full. The service, especially Todd, was excellent! Thanks for redeeming yourself bc if it wasn't for the food and service the wait for a table would have caused me to never come back here again.
(4)
Elizabeth W.
From the other reviews, looks like I should have gone upstairs to their dining area... maybe next time. I had a drink in the bar, and it reminded me of college. People were dressed like they were going to the night club, but there was no dancing going on. Perhaps that's what the kids are wearing these days. And they did look like kids.
(1)
Mark P.
I can't believe it, but I think Arlington has better restaurants than DC. Exhibit 1: Liberty Tavern I started with a Masonic, which is basically a mojito with bourbon. Great drink for summer. The pours on the wine were generous, and they even had a non-alcoholic beer for my dad. We shared a bunch of dishes, all of which were good: Branzini fish with this tremendous spinach spaetzle, a half portion of gnochi which was very different from others I've had, a half portion of an ear-shaped pasta with peperoni, the pork belly, and a pizza with prosciutto and apple. Closed it all out with a dessert of profiteroles. It was all very nice.
(4)
Jim G.
After a lot of recent hype about the place as a meet-market for prepsters, I finally went around 6pm on a Saturday, and we ate in the upstairs dining room. It was surprisingly not busy when we arrived but by the time we left a little after 7pm, it was packed. It is an attractive and convivial atmosphere, which seems to whet the appetite, so I can see the appeal for that. It definitely captures the 'Arlington' zeitgeist in terms of its clientele (upper middle-class, pseudo-urban, WASP-ish). My 2 friends both commented that it had a very 'Pottery Barn' feel. However, because of the earlier time-slot, there more older folks in the mix, but still filling that feel I just mentioned. The food was quite tasty for the most part. It was considerably more upscale than I had anticipated, but the good preparation of the food made it worth it. My raviolini with snails, artisan cheese and garlic was delicious, as was the cheese sampler we ordered. I was disappointed by the cobbler served in a skillet. After a few bites, I realized that I could taste the rust and iron of the skillet, and getting disgusted, I let go of what is typically my favorite dessert. Fortunately, the waiter was gracious to take it off the tab. If you are looking for a place that is inexpensive and will fill you up, this is not the place for you. It is also not a place for adventurous foodies, but the selection is still interesting enough to enjoy. It seems to fit that tight niche of business casual - perhaps like a slightly more upscale version Houstons. I will probably go again sometime and sample their pizzas.
(3)
G. H.
Liberty Tavern is one of my favorite restaurants in Arlington. I've eaten here at least 10 times and always go back on special occasions or when I have out-of-towners visiting. Their mussels are the best I've had, no joke. And their service is pretty great too -- wait staff is always very friendly. They used to have a charcuterie option on their menu comprised of some very special tidbits, such as rabbit pate (I think), beet-juice soaked egg, prosciutto, and pickled veggies. It was one of my favorite things to order, but it's no longer offered (sad face). However, there are plenty of other seasonal dishes that are really good. I really like their pastas too. If you can get a table upstairs, you should -- it's got much more of an ambiance than the bar area downstairs. Reservations are essential, especially on holidays/weekends/graduation season.
(4)
Alex F.
Great meal! The Burger I had was mind blowingly good. The desserts were great too. Our server did a great job when making suggestions.
(4)
Jason D.
Their brunch buffet is great because they have a good selection, but don't let the quality of the food slip. I probably ate 3 plates of their house-smoked salmon (I heard that occassionally they smoke a different fish instead of salmon). For $20, you can't beat it. The weakest point was probably the dessert table which had treats like lavender cookies and Bailey's marshmallows. Interesting, but not my thing. Another time, I came here with my girlfriend for drinks and dessert, except my fat ass got french fries for dessert. Best decision of my life. The huge basket of french fries comes with an aioli, ketchup, and some sort of jus. All the sauces were so delicious I just didn't know where to dip next. For $5 it's a damn good bar snack, side dish, or "dessert." I also had a drink that was their version of a mint julep. It had a good amount of bourbon and wasn't too sweet like most juleps and mojitos.
(4)
Matt B.
I don't think this is the place for me. Beer choices were okay and well priced, maybe I should give it a 3 for that. Food left me unimpressed. Lobster ravioli is lobster meat on top of plain ricotta ravioli in a strange watery sauce, it was somewhere between sour and bitter. Fries were good, but they didn't have any ranch dressing in the place (I use ranch, not ketchup, sue me). They did bring out a bit of their buttermilk dressing, it was tart and very watery. When cleaning our plates away they took the half full basket of fries that we were still eating from. I'd try it again, but I really don't know what I'd get next time around. I guess I'm a simple man with simple tastes.
(2)
Michelle P.
What a lovely neighborhood spot. I was at the bar for drinks that turned into a meal on Saturday, and I couldn't have been happier. The service was excellent, and even though we showed up at 4:30 and the kitchen didn't open til 5 pm, our server went out of her way to make us comfortable. The atmosphere was relaxed, welcoming and unpretentious--not something I always find at restaurants in this area. The food: Yes on the pizzas--wood-fired, not overdone on the toppings, just really nice. The mussels--I really liked the fennel tomato broth, but there was something weird going on with the mussels themselves. Maybe they were overcooked because they were kind of mushy. And the charcuterie board--perfect perfect perfect. The chicken liver pate was excellent, as were the pickled vegetables. The breads were quite fresh. I would come back here just for this charcuterie board. I just think everything--food and service-- here is really nicely executed, and I can't wait to come back and try more, as this place screams 5-star potential.
(4)
Pheniece J.
So I think there should be 2 different listings for Liberty: Liberty Tavern: The Restaurant (4 stars); and Liberty Tavern: The Scene (3 stars).* *Trademarked by moi. Liberty Tavern: The Restaurant - The food is really damn good. Creative, fresh, Italian-inspired entrees, apps, and brunch. The mussels are delicioso, the classico and sausage pizzas are the bomb, and their wine selection is great. For dinner, go early and sit upstairs or outside or come on a Monday and sit in the lounge-y area. The brunch was really good but there is never enough seating and always a long wait on the times I have been. Liberty Tavern: The Scene - The first floor is my go to place if I want to have drinks in Arlington and be somewhat low-key (definitely attracts an older crowd from the mid-20s up). The place starts to get packed around 10pm and it does get unbearable crowded and with the island in the center, getting to the bar can be hard. The drinks are overpriced in my opinion ($16 for a glass of mediocre wine???) but I keep coming back. If I had to choose a neighborhood bar it would be Liberty Tavern: The Scene.
(4)
Danny Boy K.
Pros: Service was friendly/bubbly/attentive. Happy hour specials were great. The clams in the fried clams/shrimps/fennel dish were damn good. Nice people all around. Cons: They didn't have the first 2 pizzas we ordered and the pizza we did get was not special. The shrimps and fennel in that fried appetizer were not very good. Overall: good spot in Arlington, will be back.
(3)
Chris F.
I've heard good things about the brunch here. I can't confirm that, because I have only been here "twice" and both for the bar. Most recently last night, where I stood in the cold just waiting to get in. After 15 minutes of standing in line, I decided it wasn't worth it based on my previous experience at the Liberty Tavern. The staff is cold and short, like they're really too busy to talk to you, or have normal human communication. Ironically, they also have a sticker on the window that says they're loved on Yelp, which I find strange. I never got my food ordered the first time, but I didn't get billed for it either. The atmosphere is loud, crowded, it takes forever to get your drinks. I will go back: for breakfast sometime. I will never go back for the bar at 11:30 PM.
(2)
Katie F.
The unfortunate thing about eating at liberty tavern is that you have to encounter the breeders in the bar level down below before you make it upstairs to your meal, or again if you have to go downstairs for the restroom. However, when you do make it upstairs you find yourself in a nice dining room, with good service and good food. I had the lamb chop/confit shoulder dish. The confit shoulder was amazing, I have never had lamb quite like it. Some others at their table were not equally impressed with their meals, and there was a slight foul when one member of our party didn't get the dish she ordered. However, overall a nice dinner option in Clarendon--
(4)
Keri M.
Fantastic Sunday Brunch Buffet here. For $17-18, they offer a selection of at least two different types of eggs (i.e. scrambled with cheese and frittata), brioche french toast, smoked salmon, creamy grits, freshly cut meat, pizza, salad, sausage, bacon, et al. The interior upstairs is classy and modern and the brunch has a relaxed pace. You may find some families here, but they are pretty well behaved. Officially my favorite brunch-buffet-under-$20 place in the area! Note: I believe the brunch buffet is only served on Sundays.
(4)
Elena P.
I can definitely agree that this place highlights how popular Alrington restaurants are found by style over substance. I took my roommate here as a treat before he left for Afghanistan. The food was so terrible (and I felt so bad for taking him to such an icky place!) that I offered to take him elsewhere before he left. The menu is very exotic and the meal did not deliver the flavors or quality execution that it implied. I can't remember what I got, but I didn't eat much of it (which is crazy for the animal eater that I am). My roommate had to ask me if I was feeling alright. He ordered a fish of sorts and didn't think it was cooked very good - and he'll pretty much eat anything. The bar scene is pretty popular here but nothing spectacular. It also gets very crowded. It's not to bad if this is your jumping off point for the rest of the night but I would most certainly not make it a final destination nor can I say it will be the highlight of your evening. Clarendon is pretty big and has lots of places and flavors. I can think of at least 3 others I'd recommend over this and can't really understand how anyone stumbles into this place anyway outside of curiosity.
(2)
Carolina V.
Wow! I tend to expect very little from bars that serve food. The Liberty Tavern proved me wrong. We came here with a group of 6 and most of us ordered different foods- everything was very good and some of the dishes were fantastic. Particularly worth a try: the fillet mignon, the apple salad, and the pizza with sausage. The best thing, however, was the chocolate pot smores- I have never had such an amazing dessert! The service was great! We were seated immediately as we arrived although we were a bit early our table was ready. The waiter was helpful, friendly and on top. The bar has a fun atmosphere which just made the night even better. Will definitely go back.
(4)
Rebecca R.
The Monday night fried chicken dinner was awesome! For $15, I had a great meal of crispy chicken, mashed potatoes, and brussel sprouts...and I came home with plenty of leftovers. Our group had a comfy booth upstairs and attentive service. Overall, I was impressed! I'll definitely be back...I'd really like to try the pizzas next time...
(4)
martha s.
Unexpectedly, the best pizza I've ever had. Also excellent environment and great service.
(5)
Truthful Y.
Liberty Tavern is a great place for happy hour or late night drink. Pizza pies are half price after a certain time, so a good spot if you are getting a late start. The scene is late 20s and 30/40 somethings mostly professionals. It's kind of an upscale relaxed dressed bar scene. It's a little better if you are looking for a more mature crowd compared to the local "just turned 21 spots and going to wait in a ridiculously long line" in Clarendon places nearby. Music is also good. It can get loud and packed Thursday-Saturday.
(4)
Mike R.
Ok, so I read all the reviews before going and was kind of expecting horrible service and not my kind of crowd. I can see crowd criticism for the bar area, but I had good service all night. I arrived a little early for my reservation and my wife was still on the way so I grabbed a beer (or three) and people watched a bit in the bar. It was a Friday and packed with people that I would normally not hang out with. There was a lot of pretension in that bar. While waiting I think I saw a drug deal as some man dressed like a homeless man walked in and did the handshake with cash in his hand to the guy behind the hostess stand. Perhaps he was a delivery guy, but the interchange was really suspicious...and kinda funny. At any rate, my wife showed and we were seated right away upstairs. The people here were much more my crowd, but honestly I couldn't care less about that anyway, how is the food. We were there during restaurant week so we did the 3 course tasting. Foie gras and short ribs for our apps...both very good. Pork chop and Bolito Misto (plate o meat) for our mains. The meat plate was great with veal cheeks, homemade bacon, homemade sausage, another veal preparation, and some root veggies for good measure. The pork chop was cooked perfectly...very tender. For dessert there was a german chocolate cake which was good and ??? I forget. I'm not a dessert person and this was over a week ago. Don't read into this. I remember it being good whatever it was. The meal was quick, but I didn't feel rushed. Obviously they are moving a lot of people through in an evening and you have some servers that handle that appropriately and others that don't. Our guy was good. I was surprised to see what time it was when we got out of there. If you like to graze this might not be the place for you. Overall, the bar really isn't my scene, but I would definitely go back for the dining room. The food really was good and surpassed my expectations.
(4)
K S.
I've eaten at Liberty Tavern once, and that single experience left me with absolutely no desire to return. It was so bad (food - oversalted to the point of being inedible, service - totally absent, cleanliness - non-existant, etc.) that I actually wrote to the manager, who responded with an apology and a gift certificate for dinner for two on the house, and now almost eighteen months later I have yet to take him up on the offer because my first experience was just. that. bad. That being said, I will admit to having been to a few happy hours at the bar. Nothing special there...the place is loud and crowded with your standard insufferable Arlington yuppies. The specialty drinks...well, I am a lightweight (or just out of practice, depending on how you look at it), and even I didn't think the "blair drink project" packed much of a punch. I've occasionally revisted the menu online, and while sometimes there are some interesting additions, I guess I just don't trust the kitchen to execute. I hate to admit it, but this is the type of place that gives substance to the arguement that popular restaurants in Arlington are all about style over quality.
(2)
Josh F.
A great brunch. We were very lucky and were able to walk in and get two seats at the bar. Jimmy, who was working the bar, was very friendly and attentive. I didn't notice any of the attitude problems noted in previous reviews at all. The food was fantastic. I especially enjoyed the strawberry pancakes and the cranberry muffins. The French press coffee tasted what other coffee wished it could be. Two things of note here that we did not realize...First, make reservations as we were VERY lucky to get seated right away at 11:45 on a Sunday morning. Secondly, the dress says casual but the crowd wasn't dressed as what I consider casual (tshirt, jeans). I would say that a decent polo shirt and jeans will suffice at the minimum. The buffet was $18 but for what you get, its a good value. A little too expensive to do every week ($50 including tip for the total between my wife and I) but we look forward to going back again in the near future.
(4)
Artur K.
Couple of negatives before I get to the rest: The brunch is a bit overrated; it's a buffet, with a very limited a la carte selection. Yes, it's extensive, but nothing in the selection really stands out. Another thing thats mediocre is the pizzas, but that seems to be a trend at most DC area restaurants. The pizzas are placed as an afterthought to give the budget conscious an excuse to spend more money on beer. Now for the good stuff. The grilled octopus is the best I've had in the city. The beef strogonov is also great. I've had almost all of the main dishes and appetizers and can recommend all of them wholeheartedly. Nothing, other then the brunch, is all that expensive, either. One of the the best places to eat in Arlington.
(4)
Andrea S.
The brunch was great. There were a multitude of options (including for dessert)! The only downside was children sitting next to us that were kicking the connected bench seating with parents who didn't care. Not Liberty Tavern's fault at all.
(4)
Todd P.
We've gone to The Liberty Tavern twice. The first time we had an awesome meal of some of the best fish and chips with fried clam strips I've ever had. The next time we went, it was Restaurant Week and I took my parents (who are not adventurous dinners) and none of us could find anything on the menu (which they hadn't published on their web page) we would want, so we ended up leaving. I kind of felt like they were overreaching and getting too "cute" with unusual combinations just to be different. Some times simple and straightforward with good ingredients is all you need, which is what we got the first time we dined here, but not when we tried to return.
(3)
Tony J.
We opted for inside seating in July. My party of 6 for lunch were seated at the corner round table with a great view of the restaurant action. The three men enjoyed the "Brew & Burger" clasic lunch special, which is made from skirt steak, was cooked to order and tasted great. My wife enjoyed her salad also with skirt steak. Service was very good and we enjoyed a variety of micro brews.
(4)
Richard Z.
Generic Arlington. Bland bar filled with bland clientele. The manager is a miniature guido, which was funny for a bit but got old. The waitress was incredibly slow but friendly. Oh, and they don't know the difference between a tripel and a lambic. Just go to Galaxy Hut instead - at least they know something about beer!
(2)
S R.
Great happy hour specials and very good wine for those prices! I tend to go before it gets super busy and not on Friday or Saturday nights when it's the typical Clarendon popped collar crowd. It's usually a sausage fest on those nights, which works out great if you're single! Food is good and service is great.
(4)
Remy M.
I feel like two reviews are in order for this place...one for the bar and one for the restaurant. Oh well, here we go... I checked out the bar here with a couple friends...really nice atmosphere, attentive bar staff...quality. It was busy the evening we went, so I suspect they generally get a healthy crowd on the weekends. While at the bar, we saw some food being served to various tables. It looked delicious. So I came back on another occasion for dinner. I dined upstairs--away from the bar crowd, but still a nice atmosphere. The food wasn't as great as I thought it would be, but still okay. Quality service too. In sum, a nice place!
(4)
Stephen S.
Our first time here for dinner. Tasty grilled octopus appetizer very tender with good salad combination. Good sweet breads, although a little too crispy for my taste. Excellent veal breast and leak sauce. The filet migon ragout included a generous portion of tender beef, and had good flavors. The yorkshire pudding was different than what I have had in the past, but was also good. Good wine list at reasonable prices. Good service. Inovative menu and excellent execution. Hopping Friday night bar scene.
(4)
Chuck W.
I've been here for happy hour, dinner, brunch, and late-night, and am really a fan of this place. They have good happy hour drink specials - lots of different wine to try if that is your thing. Dinner was great - they are a locally owned restaurant and they try to buy fresh and seasonal ingredients and that is reflected in their food. I've been here several times for dinner, and their Amish chicken is always a classic. Service has also always been tremendous. Wait staff is on top of things without being too obtrusive. The piece de resistance (god I hope that's how you're supposed to say it) is the brunch. I believe it's 19 dollars, and what a spread! The scrambled eggs are my favorite, they do something to the eggs that make them absolutely divine. Plus there's just about 30 different types of foods, ranging from homemade breads and muffins, all the breakfast foods like bacon, sausage, gravy, smoked salmon, and lunch items like roasted lamb, pork, fish, and I particularly enjoy their fritatta. There's also a dessert table as well with great pastries and candies that you can take home. My friends who are coffee lovers also enjoy the French pressed coffee that you press at your table. Late-night is very crowded - a yuppie type place, but then again, that's pretty much what Clarendon is these days. But, good atmosphere and lots of fun.
(5)
Jonathan S.
Ok, I know this place gets some mixed reviews. I've been here for happy hour, dinner, mid-evening and brunch (not in succession - although that does sound like a challenge I'd be inclined to take up) Happy Hour - Solid beer specials and on-the-ball bartenders. This place get's packed, so I don't know how they do it. They have a long table in the center of the bar area that runs most of the length of the room. There's seating all along that, as well as along the windows (tall bar tables) and small lounge area toward the back. Really good people-flow which is hard to pull off. Even on more crowded mid-evening visits, it's still possible to grab yourself a drink and return to whichever table, couch or stretch of floor you've claimed as your own. Dinner - Amish chicken is pretty good. It's fresh and tasty and the skin is crispy. I've also had the Branzino which was flaky and delicious. Give the hangar steak a shot too. Brunch - Oh man. I can't overstate the otherworldly goodness that is Liberty Tavern's brunch-table. Rather than list off what you'll find, let's just say that it takes brunch-buffet to a level that I haven't seen outside of 5 star hotels. I will, however, note a few of my favorites: Smoked Salmon (smoked in-house - unbelievable), homefries mixed with chunks of roasted corned beef (what hash outside-the-can looks like), biscuits w/ sausage gravy, seasonal breakfast pizza, mesculun salad w/ goat cheese, and the list goes on. I'm stopping myself right there because I'm hungry now. If you go for nothing else, go for brunch! *note - the building used to be a masonic temple (you'll see their seal on cement blocks on the upper facade of the building). The brunch-table itself is the old altar, repurposed to delicious effect. Sort of creepy, but an undeniably cool feature.
(4)
Lisa D.
I don't go to LT for the crowded bar or the buffet brunch. I go for their creative, consistent, outstanding food in the upstairs dining room. They're religious about fresh, local, seasonal ingredients and they prepare them with care. The service is outstanding - perfectly attentive, knowledgeable about the food and the wine, times the meal perfectly - FAR better service than I expect in a neighborhood restaurant and comparable to pretentious DC restaurants. Their menu changes per season and the best available ingredients but consistent favorites of mine are the octopus and any iteration of steak with potato champ. I've taken foodie friends there and I've taken out-of-town guests there who are most accustomed to Chili's food - all were delighted and impressed and left stuffed and happy. A bar is a bar - get upstairs and eat their food.
(5)
Rebecca S.
This review is just for the bar - I didn't even see a food menu, much less eat, and I'm not even sure how much drinks cost because I wasn't paying. I normally wouldn't write this review right now. However, I needed to throw props to the bartenders. Night before Thanksgiving, a bunch of boyfriend's coworkers wanted to get together to celebrate a VERY crazy week in which most of the management team was out for a wedding. We showed up a little before 10, I guess, and it was already pretty busy. Fairly typical Clarendon crowd - young, yuppie-ish, most of the girls WAY to overdressed to be in a bar on Thanksgiving Eve, you know. I'd say less than an hour after we got there, there was a line outside the door - they were to capacity. Which kinda surprised me, because it didn't seem THAT packed. Which is reason 1 for the 4 stars - capacity meant you could still move around. And, primary reason for the 4 stars, it also meant you could still make your way to the bar and get a drink in a reasonable amount of time. The one time I walked up, the bartender at that end of the bar (and I'm pretty sure there were at least 3 maybe 4 bartenders - nice work, considering most places have 2, even on busy nights) the guy acknowledged my presence two or three times just to let me know he hadn't forgotten that I was there before he made it to me - and I think I waited maybe 4 or 5 minutes, tops. Boyfriend had similar experiences when he was at the bar. So nice work planning ahead and keeping your bar running smoothly, Liberty Tavern. I'm looking forward to coming back and trying this brunch I hear so much about, and if I had to pick a bar in Clarendon for some reason in the future, it will be on my short list.
(4)
Zak S.
:::Happy Hour Review::: Get there early. Good selection of wine that is half off from 4-7 Had one of the pizza's which was excellent. Staff was friendly but very busy. I would definitely go back for happy hour, but will bring ear plugs next time.
(4)
Marcus D.
Not my sort of place, a bit too yuppie for me - we sat outside at a table along the sidewalk, so we could be as loud as we wanted. Our waiter was accommodating, not douchy. The food appeared to be lackluster (I did not eat but others at the table did). Plenty of eye candy walking by late at night, on their way to the clubs. Not a complete waste but not my thing.
(2)
Kristen R.
The food was "OK" Too expensive for just "OK" Great Service Nice Atmosphere!
(2)
Jamie C.
I was looking for a good brunch spot to hit before I took my parents on to DC to go see the monuments and museums and came across Liberty Tavern. Apparently yesterday (26 March) was the first Saturday they started doing brunch. We were literally the first into the place at 9:30a, and were promptly seated and the staff was all really great. We sat in the downstairs area because my Mother has some issues getting up and down stairs, where the brunch spread is. After we were seated, our waiter promptly got our drink orders. My Mother is obsessed with very strong coffee, and Liberty Tavern brings out a French press for their carafe! She was so happy! And it was indeed very strong! My Daddy and I went up the stairs to get brunch and we were just amazed! There were so many options, it was just great! The scrambled eggs with chorizo was great, their bacon is probably THE BEST I've ever had in a restaurant (I'm a huge fan of bacon...), their salmon in a red pepper sauce was mouth watering and every little pastry was better than the last, with fresh fruit in all of them! I was just stunned! And chocolate in the morning? They make it impossible not to eat some! I am not usually a sweets person, but peanut brittle, except with pistachios, was the best sweet thing I've tasted in a long time! My Mother was in heaven with all the chocolate treats. Oh, and their basic mimosas were perfect! The wait staff was really great too. They didn't fawn all over you and interrupt your breakfast like most places. They actually watched until you were done eating, or you got up to get another plate, and then they took your plate. They didn't refill the water every time you took two sips. And when my Daddy got up to get another plate, the waiter folded his napkin all nicely and put it back in his chair before he took his plate. They were just really nice. And their bathrooms were spotless! We were just overall a big fan of this place. My parents made it a point to make sure when they came up again in the summer, I make reservations at this place for 9:30a on a Saturday. They were just really impressed with Liberty Tavern and if they're happy, I'm having a great day!
(4)
Lisa C.
Great service...food is horrible. I don't know why people review this as a good restaurant. Not fit for foodies.
(1)
Claire R.
Great ambiance, and the staff is friendly and attentive. However, the food is inconsistent with quality from dish to dish. At a table of four, 2 ordered pizzas, one a side of mashed potatoes, and another the steak. The steak was incredible. Perfectly cooked, seasoned, and the accompanying sides were delectable. However, the mashed potatoes were just "plain Jane" and the pizzas were nothing special. I personally would only come back for the steak and the environment.
(3)
Brittany W.
I went here for brunch this past Sunday. I'm trying to find a really great brunch place in Arlington but it appears that this is allot harder than expected. Although, the service was great, very friendly and helpful. The $19 buffet brunch was really not worth it. They did send out some yummy strawberry pancakes as part of the buffet, but the actual buffet selection as far as breakfast food goes was not very good. I got the french toast and it was like cardboard and the scrambled eggs were really dry too. Although, I will say the french press coffee was by far the best coffee I have had in long time. Overall, if your going here just for breakfast food do not bother with the buffet.
(2)
Jeremy R.
Well, I have been here twice, and both times the downsairs area seemed like a racous college party. Not bad if thats the kind of night you are looking for. The upstairs is a totally different vibe. The noise level is moderate and it's a good spot to grab a meal with your signifigant other or your family thats in town. The food I have always found to be excellent. I have never had a bad plate of food put in front of myself or my dining companions. However, the service had been hit or miss. The first time I went there everything was in front of us before we even knew that we needed it. The second time, not so much. Our server was overly pretentious. He kept leaning over the empty chair when he was at our table, referring to our table of men and women as,"you guys," and didn't place us with the proper silverware. At the end of our meal he said,"Oh and if you guys want any coffee drinks let me know. I used to be a barista so I can hook it up." Please. Five stars for the food, easily. The flank steak, bollito misto and duck are all outstanding. Two stars for the inconsistent service.
(3)
Michele W.
If I could, I'd give it 3.5 stars. I come here occasionally for a weekday lunch. The dishes I've tried - salads, soups, sandwiches, and a couple of the more creative pizzas - have ranged from solid to stellar. For some reason, the service is often a bit strange - not bad, just strange, of the waiter-telling-lame-jokes variety. All in all, it's like, not love, but that's enough to keep me coming back.
(3)
Steve R.
pretty standard tavern food, service was good
(3)
Jax W.
I will admit, I don't understand why they only serve brunch on a Sunday? There was nothing on the menu that suited my diet needs so our waiter who was quite nice but hesitant went to the kitchen and asked if they would make me a dry omelette. Thankfully they did and gave me a side salad. My friends had the lobster roll, he didn't rave much about it and the the fish sandwich, which she didn't rave about.... It's a nice place, though if I'm VA again, I probably wouldn't run back just for lunch.
(4)
Ken C.
First time here for Sunday bunch. Unless you are not hungry man, otherwise you shall take the brunch buffet. All staff are friendly, cutie and great : ) All the picture revealed their quality of food. Definitely a great place for family, friend and couple.
(4)
Laura G.
Cute, cozy ambiance and environment. Food was average (I ordered a burger) but the service was fast and attentive. I would return again, but order something different.
(3)
Richard S.
Had dinner Saturday night upstairs (downstairs is a very noisy bar.) Upstairs is loud but tolerable. Menu was very interesting, featuring pasta, pizzas and other entres. Four were at the meal and I shared the beet salad, regular salad and an excellent artichoke pizza (enough for two). Other couple shared a bunch of appetizers. Very generous portions and all were well prepared (try the roasted brusells sprouts). Service was fine though not exceptional. Ambience, I'd rate as fair, Pricing very reasonable. Parking very difficult in Clarendon area. I'll return.
(4)
Suzanne W.
At The Liberty Tavern, what you get is good service and really good food. I appreciate their menu because it has variety, and they definitely kick things up a bit, but they don't try to pretend to be anything they are not. Upstairs is better for atmosphere because the downstairs bar area can be quite noisy. I live in Vienna, VA and I wish a restaurant of the caliber of Liberty would open here. We really need it.
(5)
Laura S.
Bunch and booty shakin all in one place? Um, yes! Of course brunch in AM, shakin in the PM. This is one of my top 3 brunch places in Arlington b/c of the buffet brunch. If you're trying to eat gluten free or paleo then there are plenty of options when you get upstairs to the buffet section. Bacon, spinach salad, shrimp, smoked salmon, scrambled eggs and every once in a while (at least once a month) they'll have beef brisket. I wish they would serve it every other weekend. ***Did you hear that Liberty Taven? Pls serve the beef brisket every other weekend. Pretty please? If you like dessert, there's a dessert table w/ goodies like browine bites, cookies, coffee cake, fudge and popovers from Northside Social. Service is always consistently good wherever I sit...community table, anywhere upstairs or downstairs.
(5)
Bill N.
A great place to eat. Their roasted chicken is the best and they do carry-out. Parking can be quite difficult, and unless you get a reservation it can be very difficult to get in. Often they will accompany their chicken with something, one night I had lemon curd which was wonderful
(4)
Lendsey C.
"Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale a tale of a fateful trip, that started from this urban port, along this tiny strip" My reservation to Liberty Tavern was my reward for a hard work week. I had been looking forward to unwinding and enjoying some good food after seeing a play earlier in the evening. I arrived at the restaurant only to have to drive around the place 4 times before finding parking and even then, it was on a side street next to a building that was undergoing massive construction--sketchy. Once inside, I swore I had the wrong place because at 9:30pm it read like a nightclub, especially after having to show our IDs in the cold before being able to enter. There was VERY loud music, bumper to bumper dancing (or an attempt at such), televisions, and drinks being passed around. My date and I waited patiently at what appeared to be the desk for checking in and we waited and we waited, until after 5 minutes I walked up the stairs to what I hoped was the restaurant area. Thankfully it was. One of the managers sent to look for the host and when found they finally seated us. The decor was rather standard and a bit underwhelming if you ask me. Standard wooden chairs and wooden floor, no real art on the walls, full view of the expedition window, drawn curtains, etc. Which is why I was completely confused when we were handed a one page menu---with most entrees in the $21-25 range. Oh forgive me, there was a $15 burger that was conveniently the under my thumb where I was holding the menu. This wasn't their fault. It's something I wish were a little more streamlined. The $$ money sign is too large of a range in my opinion---for $11 three people can eat for the max of $30 which would be per person, that's a very large jump...but that's a rant for another day. Anyway I felt like the menu was a bit too upscale for what we experienced. The loud music changed to a DJ who was spinning what he deemed were his best hits and we could barely talk to each other across the table. Again it felt like I was in a dance club not a restaurant. The food and service up until this point in the evening had been great, despite the lackluster decor and the loud thumpa-thumpa making its way upstairs invading every conversation. Our waiter was knowledgeable and friendly, he had great suggestions and seemed to know his way around the menu and ingredients. We tried the octopus salad and handmade scrapple (what a treat!) When our food arrived, the stuffed trout and skirt steak, we were pleasantly pleased. It smelled delicious! The steak was cooked to perfection and melted in my mouth. It wasn't until after I started filling up that I realized I hadn't even seasoned one thing all night with salt or pepper. I was stuffed and asked for the rest of my steak and sides to go. We paid and made our way downstairs and looked for directions home before I realized "I forgot my leftovers on the table!" My date rushed back upstairs only to return empty-handed stated they had said they were thrown away. Thrown away?! After less than 5 minutes, I didn't buy this and went back upstairs myself when they told me the same thing, I told them I'd wait for my order to be re-cooked. The person in charge went in the back for a minute and magically produced my carryout container and we left not giving it a second thought. Fast forward to the next afternoon. I'm taking out my delicious steak from the previous night only to be crestfallen. It's gone. My beautiful $22 skirt steak that I only took three bites of WAS COMPLETELY GONE! Obviously when it went "missing", they meant in someone's stomach. I called up the restaurant immediately and demanded to speak with a manager. This is actually my first time encountering such bizarre behavior. I explained to him the situation and while Andrew really tried to offer me back at their expense, this was not acceptable. Mostly because I had already made the decision to not return for several reasons. Finally, he offered to refund me my meal. I assumed he meant just my steak but he was nice enough to refund the entire $75 check. I still wouldn't return to this restaurant but it's nice to know they admit to their mistakes. Which is a shame since the food gets four stars from me. Just know if you ask for a carryout container---cling to it for dear life or it just might be eaten from under you.
(2)
Steph C.
Last month, I came to The Liberty Tavern on my only night in Arlington. I have a group of friends clustered in the DC area, and we needed a place that could accommodate a party of ten. This place fit the bill, and we had a nice long dinner in the upstairs dining room. I liked this place. It seemed to be centrally located in some kind of bustling downtown strip, and it had a lot of life to it. The atmosphere was casually upscale, befitting a rich man's tavern, and our big table was just one of many in a spacious dining room. We were comfortable, and the service was notably good. Our waiter Andy did a great job handling our large party, even splitting the check at the end by default. The alcohol selection was pretty good, and I had two beers that I ended up liking a lot, both Virginia-made and available on tap. The first was a brown ale by Legend Brewing, and the second was a Lost Rhino Face Plant IPA. The food was solid. I shared the grilled octopus "en purgatorio" to start, and it was tender and delicious, servasparagus asparagus, mushroom, radish, and a pickled ramp vinaigrette. The spaghetti alla chittarra was less tasty but still decent, the plump noodles swimming in a spicy tomato sauce with herbs and an assortment of seafood, all topped with a crumble of creamy cheese. I also had a slice of the prosciutto wood oven pizza, with Parma ham, mascarpone, parmesan, arugula, rosemary, and preserved lemon. The crust was thin and the prosciutto was lovely. My friends and I stayed for a while, and the dinner was fun and memorable. I'd recommend Liberty Tavern to anyone in need of a nice spot in Arlington. It served us very well.
(4)
Charles H.
My 2012 Restaurant Week visit #3 involved dining at the Liberty Tavern for lunch. For starters the Crispy Shrimp/Ipswitch Clams was served after some deep friedness with fennel and lemon. The appetizer was plentiful and flavorful when dipped in the smoked paprika-lemon aioli. The main course involved a huge serving of Primanti Bros" Style Sandwich with fries. The sandwich comprised of house made bratwurst, provolone, coleslaw on Liberty Tavern's house made Italian bread. I ended up eating half of the sandwich normally and the other half protein style (minus the bread). The best was saved for last as I devoured a Coca-Cola Cupcake for desert! The cupcake was humongous and served with a shot glass of milk and scoop of Strawberry ice cream. The service was spectacular as Chris took care of my order and refills promptly while the runners delivered my 3 courses within 30 minutes. Take advantage of Restaurant Week as the servings are big enough for two people share!
(4)
Aruna A.
Who doesn't love brunch? I mean really? WHO?!!?!?! I find brunch, while usually pretty hard to mess up - can be hit or miss in bars like Liberty Tavern. Fortunately, I found this location to be a hit. We opted out of the large, crazy but probably delicious breakfast buffet. I instead chose to order the omelette with cheddar, spinach, and mushrooms. It doesn't come with a side of fries or potatoes (which can be a blessing or a curse), but I got to try a friend's fries and I loved EVERYTHING I had. The omelette itself was GREAT. Well made, big and filling, and definitely tasted fresh. The mimosa was nothing special, but also nothing terrible. My friend's Moscow Mule was a fantastic drink. Service was quick. All in all, a good experience.
(4)
Jac H.
When I used to work in Clarendon, I would go to liberty tavern more often. I unfortunately have never had the pleasure of having the brunch, but I've dined for both lunch and dinner. The menus do change by the season, but something that I've seen more constant are the pizza options. The pizzas are alright, really filling and full of cheese (which makes them greasier than pleasing). I really do enjoy the tavern salads, I always hear people complaining that they're too tart, but I personally think they're one of the best parts of the meals. I would normally get the steak salad for lunch, which was typically a little light so I would order the soup of the day. The soups are typically cream heavy and full of flavor. I also switch it up and get whatever the sandwich of the month or season is, those have always been really good, and the fries!!! they fries are so good! And the price is pretty reasonable too.
(4)
Kelly P.
I LOVE Liberty, but the reason for the 3 stars is because of the music on Saturday night. The DJ feels he needs to play it so loud that it makes the speakers sound like crap. You have to scream to talk that you wake up in the morning with no voice and ringing ears. I'm all for loud music, but there is a point when it is so loud it sounds like shit and that is what happens on Saturday night with the DJ at liberty. He clearly can't hear, so he's torturing the paying customers. Dude, just two clicks lower and it would be 1,000x better!
(3)
Sami M.
Ya'll aren't nice.
(1)
SD H.
This place hits the nail on the head with all the right buzz words. You read over the menu selections and everything sounds amazing. The only problem is... they just don't deliver on taste. The pork belly entree which sounds incredible was a giant tough, rubbery piece of fat. That's not how good pork belly should be. I actually left the entire piece of meat on my plate. But the grits that came with it were tasty. The greens on the plate were unbelievably salty and overpowering... Some kind of fruit on the scallop plate was actually spit out by one person at the table. "A mouthful of vinegar" as he described it. The scallops were great though. The duck confit pizzette was dry but I feel like they had the right direction, the taste just wasn't there. I feel like everything is so incredibly rich it almost makes you feel ill. salt, salt, fat, fat, cheese, cheese, its so over the top its almost a turnoff. Let some of the food's natural flavors show through - that's the sign of a really good chef. I think they're just trying a little too hard. The wait staff was incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. The service was really great... I want to like this place but the food just kinda sucks. Downstairs is about at a roar all night, but its slightly quieter (thank god) upstairs.
(2)
Dagny T.
This is a brunch review only. I was dragged to the place, against my better judgment. $20 for all you can eat brunch just sounds suspect to me. I'm a food monger, but I would still rather spend $20 on 1 good entree than an unlimited array of bad food. I had a sampling of a bunch of stuff, and it was all pretty tasteless - mussels - meh - french toast - meh. It looked kinda pathetic in its little warming tray, and it was not good. - bacon - tasteless - sausage - meh - ham - tasteless - fried chicken - dry - every other thing I got that I can't remember - none of it was good - pastries - not worth the calories Well... the only thing I kinda liked was the carved flank steak. I got 2 pieces - one on the rarer side. The piece that was on the rarer side was edible. Oh and I seem to remember some sort of smoked bluefish pate. That was decent, but the toasted bread it came with was not good... And I can't eat large quantities of that for brunch. They also had something that resembled pizza but I didn't try it. The $7 pot of French roast wasn't great either. It wasn't terrible, but I wouldn't have it again. The 2 stars is for the bar service - it was decent. bottom line -- take your $20 and spend it at Boulevard Grill for brunch. Their (a la carte) brunch is delicious.
(2)
Molly S.
The food here is pretty good. My main problems with this place are the noise level and the price. I'd like it a lot more if the prices were a little more in line with what you are actually getting in terms of ambiance, which is definitely kind of a "scene" especially if you go here on a weekend or after 6pm. The brunch here was pretty good, but not as good as I'd heard it was. My biggest gripe is how crowded and noisy it gets though, and I just ultimately would rather go elsewhere in the area if given the choice.
(3)
Joann B.
We are definite fans of this restaurant. Reservations is a good idea for this place as I've always seen it packed. The atmosphere is very lively and pretty loud. Servers are frequently walking around, so if you don't see your specific server, you can find help regardless. I know it defeats the purpose of having a designated server, but this place can get crazy and if you want something right away, it can be done. On this particular night, three of us decided to share the hush puppies, onion rings, the small order of mussels and the skirt steak. The hush puppies came with a couple of popovers and the popovers won out. They were perfectly made. The hush puppies tasted like any others, so nothing special. The same went for the onion rings. It fed our onion ring craving and that was it. Our friend really loved the mussels. I was hoping for a more garlicky type of sauce, but this one was more tomato. They had a hint of spiciness and a little bit of brine to them. We would order them again. We ordered the steak at medium and it came more medium rare - no biggie to us as it was tender and very good. The side of potato champ with scallions was really good. We love potato dishes and could eat this by itself - it was creamy and flavorful. YUM. As usual, we could not fit dessert in. Maybe we'll make it to dessert our next go around.
(4)
Serena B.
I was disappointed with brunch at Liberty Tavern, the quality of the buffet food has deteriorated since my last visit. There were a few yummy items like the smoked salmon, granola yogurt parfait, and the potato salad, none of which were particularly remarkable. Half the French toast was burnt, the eggs looked all nasty and were swimming in oil. The carved ham was very dry. The dessert table was disappointing, it was mostly dried-out looking pastries and a plate of sugar cookies. I had a dry mini cake and some macadamia nut brittle. As for the service, we had to flag down someone for refills on our coffee. Overall the service was rather indifferent. The tables also seemed a little too close together. I don't think I'll return for brunch though it used to be one of my favorites.
(2)
Alan M.
Nice bar with section for groups. Pizzas different and appetizing. Eclectic bar menu for food and drink. Good food, almost cooked to appropriate temperature. Service is a bit slow. Good happy hour spot.
(4)
Rob P.
Love the food. Love the service. Even on busy nights our wait staff is always attentive and awesome. Great spot to eat with our dog during the warmer months.
(5)
Christine T.
Finding good brunch can be a challenge in the DC area. I had been here before for happy hour and found the food to be ok. However, the brunch is EXCELLENT! Its not a huge buffet, but they still have a good enough variety of both breakfast and lunch items and what they do have is quite yummy!! It was quite crowded so I would certainly recommend reservations. The coffee was excellent it is french pressed and it comes in a super cute pot. Also I loved the french toast. I like french toast at most places on the whole but theirs was at a much higher calliber. I was so full I didn't need to eat anything else the rest of the day.
(5)
Blanche N.
I went with a group of friends for brunch on a Sunday. The buffet was impressive. We loved how everything tasted gourmet and fresh. I would defintely go again. Yet, this might not be the best place for a long boozy brunch. We felt a bit rushed at the end and we were too focused on the food to order drinks.
(4)
Jen T.
Wait for Saturday brunch was 45 minutes which we were quoted 20 minutes. Sat at the corner table in the bar area which was too bad since I wanted to try their brunch buffet upstairs in the main dining area. So I opted for the Cuban pork sandwich with a side of green salad. I devoured it all. The combination of ham and just enough pork with the mustard mayo sauce and melted cheese. BF got the burger and he couldn't even finish it since he got too full midway through. Even though it was busy, the wait staff was attentive and kept our water glasses full. Next time I am making reservations to try their great deal brunch buffet.
(4)
Matt D.
Everything about this place was good except the beer selection which is very limited. The lamb burger was unreal and my girl got the hanger steak salad which I finished for her because it was to much but it was on point
(4)
Alexis V.
One of the bartenders, Bobbi, made me the best drink I can remember having! She asked me what my favorite flavors are, made up a drink on the spot, and it was amazing - light and refreshing, with every flavor I love perfectly combined. She is also just a really likable human being, and a very gracious host/bartender. I will be going back for more drinks soon!
(5)
Anita T.
I was brought here by my friend who is a big fan of the weekend brunch. It certainly has everything bad for you under the sun on one big banquet table... sausage, bacon, mussels in a saffron cream sauce, creamy mushroom pasta, french toast, carved steak and horseradish sauce, and a few fruit salads. But I love breakfast food so this was like food heaven to me. Only complaints are how the buffet is located on the upstairs level so if you're seated downstairs you now have to keep running up and down (I guess it's their way to get you to burn some calories if you're signed up for the buffet), and there was an exceptionally loud baby shower going on right next to me and the way the place is structured just somehow amps up the noise. Best part -- dessert bar included lemon lavender cookies that were AMAZING. Love anything flower flavored. They accidentally took my half-finished latte while I went up to get dessert so they kindly apologized and made me a brand new one. Aww.
(4)
Joanna M.
I've been to Liberty Tavern a few times. Happy Hours, dinner, brunch! Happy Hour crowd in arlington at liberty tavern is pretty good: nice mix of young professionals and older, more established patrons. Decent happy hour specials on beer and wines. Their pizzas aren't bad. Took mom here for brunch here once which was pretty good. We chose the buffet option and took advantage of the big spread upstairs (lots of fruits, fish, eggs, quiches, omelet station, etc.) She loved it! Had one of the WORST dark 'n stormy cocktails of my life here. bleh bad decision and never again order that.
(3)
Kate M.
Love this place. Have been here for lunch, dinner and drinks; service is always quick, food is always delicious, drinks are always well made and they have a great selection of beers on tap. Does tend to be on the loud side if you eat downstairs, but they also offer outside and upstairs seating. I go here all the time and it is my go-to place for meetups or casual meals with out of town guests.
(5)
Gina H.
My husband and i went here for Sunday brunch this past weekend while visiting my bro and bestie in DC. My biggest complaint about this place is regarding our waiter. I'm not sure who he was but he was not attentive at all. Awful in fact. I understand it's "self-service" since it's a buffet but if we are ordering drinks, need water, condiments, etc...those are things a waiter is suppose to keep up with. Considering it wasn't very busy when we were seated (wait time was almost an hour and by then a majority of the "brunch crowd" had dispersed), it was annoying to have to search for someone to get us the basics. Going upstairs for brunch is a pain, especially when you have to walk by people crowding around the entrance with plates of food in your hand, and the brunch area in general is just way too crowded for what it is. My brother says there are MULTIPLE all you can eat brunch places in DC so we'll have to try a different place next time (we are in DC at least once a month). Chances of us going back are very slim.
(3)
Howie O.
Perfect brunch spot but come early because there is always a waitlist. Tons of higher end options that will keep you going back for mre.
(4)
Tara S.
Sat at the bar for over five minutes and was ignored by all three bartenders that were working. They weren't even busy just standing and bullshitting. Sucks to have such a bad experience at a place that I frequent.
(2)
Amy S.
My grilled cheese & tomato soup could have used more flavor. Lobster roll was delicious, according to dinner companion. Our drinks SUCKED. How do u mess up a dirty martini? Twice. I tried cocktails from their menu, assuming they'd have that down pat. First I ordered a cocktail with grapefruit juice that came in a high ball glass for $10. Less than mediocre. So then I ordered "pursuit of happiness", which came in a smaller glass and was even more disappointing. Our server was very kind to recognize I wasn't drinking mine and had it remade for me. A little better. But I'm not one to complain for discounts. My advice would be to take the fancy cocktails off your menu or hire a bartender who knows how to make them. If you're going to charge Manhattan prices, you''ve got to provide Manhattan quality.
(3)
Amy L.
I he been here for brunch several times always a great place to have weekend brunch . Plenty of choices and the omelette are wonderful.
(5)
Meagan M.
After several visits to Liberty Tavern I've become a big fan. The place is always packed, whether you're there for brunch on the weekend, just drinks or for dinner. I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone looking for a quiet place to sit and talk. The sound from the bar (which is always full of young professionals) carries up to the dining room. But the lively atmosphere is always fun. They have a fantastic brunch buffet on the weekends (and an a la carte menu if you're not a fan of buffets) Their dinner selection is excellent (they have a whole "macaroni" section on their menu) And their beer selection is great.
(5)
Amanda B.
The brunch buffet is great if you feel like over-indulging...it's worth it every now and then. I like the buffet because it solves the sweet or savory choice I seem to face at every traditional brunch...I can just eat everything! I'm giving LT one star because we probably used to order the Apple Frisee Salad from Liberty to Go at least 3-4 times a month...and they took it off the menu! I order the beet salad now, but it's really no replacement for the bacon, blue cheese, apple, and frisee. If Liberty ever brings it back, I would put them back to four stars. Also-- it gets wayyyy too loud (both upstairs and downstairs) after 9 pm Thursday-Saturday night. If I wanted the crap, I would go to basically every other bar in Clarendon.
(1)
Bethany H.
This place use to be good. You kind of see the same people though as you would at circa. The menu should change a bit.
(2)
Sharon X C.
Let me just start by saying that I love buffets in general (no shame) and Liberty Tavern goes that extra mile by providing mass quantities of food that actually tastes delicious. I have been there two times now and each time have felt like I needed to be hospitalized for fullness afterwards. Both times we were unable to get a reservation upstairs so we were seated downstairs by the bar - this is probably the better option since at least you get to walk off the calories in like half a biscuit or something by going up and down the stairs (okay fine I may have taken the elevator once or twice...) and there's not really a wait. Both times I was able to gorge myself on some breakfast foods as well as lunch foods. I started with eggs, biscuits with country ham gravy, their very own lox, home fries, bacon, french toast, and pastries-- the typical spread of classic breakfast foods. The breakfasty stuff tasted good, but nothing really blew my taste buds away. However, both times I was very impressed with the lunchy foods for ex. tender cuban roast pork, creamy mac & cheese, fried chicken, etc. The service was just service, although the first time I went the waitress was lovely. Our friend had reluctantly joined us for brunch after a long night out and spent the majority of the time trying not to throw up on her food. She ended up just leaving half way through and the waitress didn't charge us for her meal since she didn't eat much of it!!! Extra credit: The music that they play here at night is great (early 2000s rap anyone??)
(5)
Brian K.
Decent food and a great atmosphere
(4)
Steph S.
I've had several delicious dinners here. Most recently on Valentine's day. I can't wait to go back for their brunch buffet! I recommend the lamb rib appetizer ... So good!
(5)
Paul L.
went here for the brunch buffet...and definitely going back. this wasn't your average breakfast/brunch buffet where the food looked or tasted watered down. the entrees were savory and of a good variety. the dessert area was meh, but, if ya did the rest of the buffet right, it's an afterthought. top items on the line were the brisket, salmon, and fried chicken. the buffet runners were always in and out of the kitchen replenishing the stations because the food goes fast!
(4)
John L.
This review applies to the brunch only. I give it 1 stars because I ordered a lobster roll and the amount of lobster that came in the role was minuscule. There was not even 2 ounces in the whole roll. Although they replaced my order with the full buffet, my experience with the situation was not the best.
(1)
Xarhya W.
Brunch is excellent but unless you make reservations, you're going to end up waiting for a longggggggg time. I've eaten here a couple of times during brunch, for lunch, and dinner. I wasn't very impressed with their Turkey lunch sandwich (Which is what the one star was for) but their dinner and brunch meals more than make up for it. Service is also usually on point. Great place to hang out with friends and catch a couple of drinks and also a trendy spot to catch a meal before heading next door to the Clarendon Ballroom (to work off the food) :)
(4)
Rory J.
A beacon of warmth in the cold Arlington streets. So I went on a Monday night at 6pm and the bar area was packed, there was only one stool available. I was pretty surprised for a Monday night, but I can kind of see why. I had a drink while waiting for the rest of my party to arrive for dinner. Chris, the bartender was super friendly and helpful with the wine list. When we were seated the waiter greeted us right away and was friendly and helpful with telling us the specials and making recommendations. This place is slightly pretentious for the price, normally I would not have minded that, but the group I was with really didn't care about where their cheese came from and if it was loved. We started with a three cheese plate, the derby cheese (cows milk), a goat cheese made in house and another less memorable cows milk cheese. All really good, but the derby cheese was excellent, like a cheddarish taste and texture. For entrees we had the skirt steak, friend chicken special and Shepherd's pie. The skirt steak was really well cooked (mid rare). The sauce was a bit much, and I didn't get any bacon from it, but it didn't take away from the steak, so not subtracting points for that. The fried chicken was also good, with a nice, lite crust. I didn't try the shepherds pie, but it looked good and there was nothing left at the end of the meal. I'd definitely come back, and order the skirt steak.
(4)
Christie E.
GENERAL: Came here for a later dinner Thursday around 9:30-9:45pm. The restaurant was still busy at this time and the hostess was very nice giving a brief overview of the menus. The server was awesome taking the time to explain items on the menu and describe cocktails and beers for us even though we were his last table and here on the later side. We appreciated his knowledge of the menu. FOOD: Grilled Octopus Salad - delish! The octopus was nicely charred and tendered. The salad was bright and light adding enough citrus to meld it all together. Diver Sea Scallops - yummy! I wouldn't think to put beets and scallops together, but it worked for me! I am also partial to beets, though. Short Ribs and Stroganoff - satisfying. Again, i wouldn't think to pair braised short ribs with a stroganoff or any creamy sauce for that matter, but it worked and it was comfortingly satisfying. Overall, the experience was great and the food was good! There were a few other items on the dinner menu I will definitely be back to try and their brunch buffet offerings look good as well. Looking forward to next time!
(4)
Carey A.
Liberty Tavern is like our restaurant 6th man...not a starter, but a consistent contributor. We have dined here several times now and have always had an enjoyable experience. They have a pretty spacious bar area downstairs where you can grab some drinks before they lead you upstairs to their main dining room. Their dining room is a bit cramped and crowded, but they make it work. We have enjoyed the skillet roasted PEI mussels for a starter. For entrees, the standouts have to be the Amish chicken and the pineland farms skirt steak. The pizzas look and sound amazing and I'm really interested in trying the New England Style Fish Soup next time. I really can't recall anything that we've had here that we didn't like. Service has always been exceptional all the way down to the bartenders. While not exceptional at any one thing, they are consistently good at everything.
(4)
P E.
Went to Brunch here on a whim. The food is presented in the most appealing, decorative manner ever. The platters are smaller than most buffets, but that's a PLUS because the friendly and efficient staff are at the ready to replenish so things are always hot and fresh. Definitely a favorite!
(5)
Meghan J.
The food and drinks were delicious! Definitely a cool bar spot in Clarendon. Would definitely recommend for a night out with friends or a girls night. The servers were friendly and made it fun!
(5)
Frank M.
Had a great meal and was treated very well by the staff and hostess. Menu had a good selection and the pizza's are wonderful. Pricing is high, but it's typical for the area
(4)
Emily S.
I'm on the fence about the Liberty Tavern. When I've been out for drinks here, this place usually has plenty of people and it's generally a good time. However it is always SO loud. I think the place is just small and has poor acoustics or something, but I can never hear a word anyone is saying in here. I've been to dinner here and it was fine - mostly bar fare, but overall a decent experience for what it was. I consider this a place that is consistently dependable for a decent place to grab a drink or two, but not to spend your evening. I probably won't do dinner here again due to the noise level thing, or perhaps I would try to go earlier before too many people get there.
Good food, good service and a great ambiance. Well done!
(4)
Adam P.
Great food and service! A friend asked for peanut butter and the manager ran down to CVS to buy some!
(5)
Turid D.
My first visit to this fabulous brunch treat! . Absolutely gorgeous and delicious brunch buffet including lox, sirloin steak and locally grown organic ham and pork. An entire table of scones and other pastries. I didn't try them but they looked great. Would definitely come back. Great atmosphere also.
(4)
Rachel H.
Don't let the name fool you, the food is great! The downstairs is more of the "tavern" environment and the upstairs boasts a warm dining room that has the sophistication for a date or work dinner, but will easily accommodate your child without making you feel like a pariah. The menu is seasonal and changes regularly. Features some local items (like locally raised meats) and always features a viable vegetarian option--not something hastily thrown together. Staff is friendly, prices are reasonable for the area. All in all a great option for dining or happy hour in Clarendon.
(5)
Hayes W.
We love Liberty Tavern. It is always packed for a reason, that's for sure. Besides having one of my favorite beers on the list, Heavy Seas Loose Cannon (if you don't know it, you should), their food is to die for. We rant and rave to our friends endlessly about the brussel sprouts, and usually that is not a conversation piece (unless you're a Raiders fan, then you just have nothing else to talk about). Their veggies are on point! I would drive out of my way for a side dish here. Head here for a date night or a happy hour, but get their before 5, because it fills up quickly!
(4)
Adam T.
I only stopped in for a drink, so I can't comment on the food. This is a nice, friendly pub with a good selection of local craft beers on tap and excellent happy hour prices ($3.50 for a pint of draft beer). The bartender was quick and attentive, which was a nice change. I am usually invisible to bartenders.
(4)
Charles S.
Joe and DeAnn had the genius idea of Liberty Tavern on a Sunday night and even found a parking space out front. Good food, excellent service, lots of fun upstairs in the restaurant.. LT is named for the tavern the owner's grandfather had in NJ. Every neighborhood should have a place like this. I wish mine did.
(4)
Jay S.
Came here during restaurant week. The menu was no different than usual, but that was fine with me. If I had one complaint, it would be that it got a bit loud (especially since the only seating available was next to the bar) but that doesn't take anything away from it. It definitely had a nice atmosphere. The server was very attentive and made great recommendations for food. I had the chorizo pizza which was delicious and the banana bread pudding was great too! I think it would be a fun place to try for happy hour but it was enjoyable for dinner too. Definitely would recommend coming here!
(5)
Angela G.
Greeted by really sweet folks at the front desk who were so patient as we sorted out a difficult parking situation. (Call and ask for advice or take Metro to Clarendon.) Super nice wait staff gives great advice on beers and entrees. No specials as menu changes every six weeks. Really creative dishes such as fresh homemade pasta with grilled cauliflower and egg. Nice bread basket too! A treat.
(4)
Hartley R.
Excellent in every way! Our group split an app, a side and 3 entrees. The waiter added his two cents when we were trying to decide. He steered us in the right direction. Food was amazing. Waiter also suggested an excellent bottle of wine. Service was fantastic.
(5)
Astha G.
I went there for lunch with a colleague recently. She ordered their Grilled Cheese Panino and really enjoyed it. I ordered the House Smoked Salmon Sandwich and it was just okay, nothing special. I wasn't too excited about their lunch menu options. The server was attentive and I will probably give them a try for dinner in the future.
(3)
Nicole C.
All I had was wine, gazpacho, and the cheese plate but it was as good as wine, gazpacho, and cheese gets. it's also great because I'm dating a picky eater who isn't into wine and cheese type establishments, but he was more than pleased with his burger. so it was a win for all.
(5)
M H.
I would give the lunch sandwich I ate here 4 stars and the brunch buffet 2 stars so I averaged at 3. I got a really good chicken sandwich and fries for lunch one afternoon. There was nothing too tasty on the brunch spread. The yogurt was the worst thing, it was warm and had horrible flavor. The best thing was the french toast but it was nothing too impressive. Service was decent, but the area around the buffet is crowded and chaotic.
(3)
TJ B.
Cocktails were great. Perfectly made. Food was solid, but for the price not good enough to pull me to Liberty from trying other area restaurants. The mussel appetizer was very good and it was nice to see a different twist on a common dish. They were served with a unique smokey red sauce. The waiter said it is made with smoked tomatoes and bacon. Good stuff. The Fish Soup ($26) was good but again not standout for the price. Lobster was a bit tough. Clams and mussels were fine. Vegetables were fine. I think there was other seafood in there but it did not stand out. Broth was fine, but didn't standout. Selection of bread brought to the table prior to ordering was nice. Service as friendly and not rushed. I think this is a fantastic place to sit at the bar and enjoy some appetizers and great cocktails. They had a very full cheese selection and you could order whatever variety interested you. Bathroom was a "two holer" which made for unexpected lines in the men's room on a normal night. (full restaurant, but not overflowing)
(3)
Isaiah F.
Wow. Everyone is so nice here. The service is great for a packed weekend. The bathrooms remained pretty clean thru out the night. Had a couple beers on draft and a pizza for dinner. Couldn't finish the pizza, so unless you're starving I'd recommend sharing one. We stayed for Jeyone after. He killed it. Make sure to check him out. Great vibes all night.
(5)
Quijana B.
One of the best meals of my life. I have to say that it was partly my dinner companions, as it was a table filled with people who have shared more than one of my top 10 meals in life. But it was much more than just the company. Liberty Tavern is a true winner. Location is perfect, decor is just right, service was friendly and attentive. And then the food! I had the least exciting dish at our table. A simple baked ravioli, perfectly sauced and seasoned. The others at my table had everything from simple baked chicken to pizza to steak. Every dish was exactly the right temperature and was cooked to perfection. We had 6 at our table, and every seat in the restaurant was filled. I was truly impressed with the timing of the dishes and with the lack of complaints at our table. Even the house made cheese was delicious, and I don't like cheese. I hope to return some day.
(5)
Food L.
I've been here several times for happy hour and dinner. Dinner was actually really appetizing. They have an upstairs dining area which separates it from the madness that the bar can attract at times which is nice. The food for all parties was delicious. That being said, I came here for happy hour and tried to get their burger special which is something like $14 including a tap beer. The host directed me to the seats by the bar and said I was good to go. I ordered the special and when the bill came the server charged me $13 for the burger and $6 for a draft. I told her it mentions the special right on the menu and she goes no that ends at 2pm. It said till 7pm on the menu. just weird. The bar area can be a bit rowdy not in a good way. crowded, hard to move through, and fratty.
(3)
Josh S.
One of the better Clarendon bars. Liberty is a rare gem in Clarendon where you won't stand out if you're over age 23. The food is solid as well, although I far prefer the lunch to dinners there. They make a great burger and the fries are delicious. If burgers were on the dinner menu I would come far more often. I give only three stars because of the layout. That long table down the middle of the bar makes it impossible to move and makes sure there is piss poor flow through the bar. Remove that table at night, add burgers to the dinner menu and it would be an easy 5-star rating.
(3)
Nidhi T.
Loved the DJ last night. The best music I've heard in years. Drinks are delish, food is superb, what more can you ask for? If I lived in DC this is where I'd go every Saturday night.
(5)
Whitney G.
Love the Liberty Tavern atmosphere for happy hour and dates. Food is great!
(4)
Angela E.
I've been there a couple of times for happy hour. It was so crowded when I first got there that my party had to wait about 15 minutes for someplace to sit. The food and prices are okay. It is in a good location, but I'm not overly impressed.
(2)
Hong K.
2nd best steak I've had next to Ruth Chris. The side I had with my steak was also delicious. My only complaint is that the tables are uncomfortably close together (we sat upstairs). I would like to go back, if not for the awkwardness of being literally less than a foot away from the stranger sitting next to you.
(4)
Samantha A.
I've come here for lunch, dinner, happy hour, and late-night, and always have a good experience. They have a great beer selection, and even late on Saturday night I've never had too much of an issue getting my drinks (especially when compared with other Clarendon spots). Also, the music they play at night is GREAT. Trust me. I love coming for happy hour/casual drinks, especially once it gets dark. The lights are low, and the high-top bar tables make for a great place for some good conversation over drinks. The food is always great! Their Vermont pizza is one of my go-to's--white cheddar, caramelized onions, prosciutto, and granny smith apples. It's wonderful. Additionally, they had a Summer pizza that was also a favorite, and you can't go wrong with the basic classico. The crust is always nice and crispy, and the toppings of high-quality. The tri-tip steak salad is delicious as well, with the steak cooked to a perfect medium-rare, and goat cheese that our server told us was made in house! The service is always friendly, attentive, and good for suggestions or questions regarding the menu. I've heard amazing things about their brunch, and can't wait to try it!
(4)
FU Y.
I would judge Liberty Tavern as A-OK, as it goes, but the food is a little better than that, so I think it deserves higher marks. In Clarendon, I still think this is bar that holds the crown. For what made Clarendon "Clarendon", Liberty seems to have been the one to set the mark, along with Whitlow's...
(4)
CC C.
I took my friend out here because I saw many reviews online good and bad. We sat at the bar and ordered drinks and food. The atmosphere is 4 stars, good for dating, meeting with others, watching a game. Food is really greasy and didn't taste good. We were really hungry but left both plates without finishing half. They need to do something about the kitchen otherwise they won't have any repeat customers for food. 2 stars. Clarendon area has a lot to offer so I will only consider them for drinks. Drinks deserve 4 stars, bartender provided good service. Decent price, I moved to DC area from NY, maybe everything is decently priced :) Overall 3 stars I think is generous to give.
(3)
Kris V.
Went here for dinner and had a very knowledgable waiter who recommended some great cheeses and gave great service. Also had a delicious white pizza. I will be back again very soon!
(5)
Eric O.
Amazing food. The halibut was delicious, the beer selection was interesting, and the outdoor seating was great!
(4)
Mirela T.
Went out for a doubles date here and thought it was just an average restaurant. The atmosphere was on the darker side, but i guess that makes sense for a tavern. Our waiter was a nice guy, but slightly strange. No big deal as the food and drinks were served efficiently. I haven't returned for a second time to be able to judge if the experience would be any different. Food was average, nothing spectacular. It was certainly a busy place to that must mean something.
(3)
Esq. H.
Came here for a work happy hour. Down stairs they have a 'cove' type area set off from the rest of the dinning/bar area, that can accommodate a decent amount of people. I don't think we had to reserve it or pay for it I think we just took it over, but for the more fancy and exclusive people out there I believe there is a private dining area upstairs that I assume can be reserved or rented out. As it relates to happy hour long story short the happy hour is just beer and supposedly wine..... the website speaks of a 'legendary happy hour' not sure that legendary needs to be associated with it and it also references a 'bar menu' yet one isn't online or available in person. Regardless I had several of the "pursuit or happiness." The drink was great and gone in all of one sip so keep that in mind. 6 of those little drinks later and I felt 1/18 of a buzz so if I ever go back I will ask for an extra shot of whatever they put in there. We attempted to order from the appetizer section of the menu to make up for the lack of happy hour food specials and once I looked at the appetizer section it all made sense....this place doesn't have your typical bar menu or items available.....oh but they do have roasted beets, cheese plates, salads, octopus ceviche, tomato & piquillo gazpacho, and lamb ribs......um not really ideal for walking around and chatting/nibbling with coworkers or any humans for that matter. Whatever we ordered a couple a pizzas and discovered we could order bowls of fries and called it a night. It's nice, the bathroom was clean and it has a bunch of good reviews so maybe I'd come back for 'fine dining' or brunch. Good luck.
(3)
Paul S.
I've been to the dining room and downstairs bar multiple times. This review is combined for both. Downstairs bar is busy every time I go there. The crowd seems mostly local, early 30s, but It doesn't feel like a frat bar, as opposed to some of the neighboring hang-outs. Upstairs has a pleasant, warm feel to it, and it's quiet enough to carry a conversation. However, others may hear your conversation too, since the tables seem a bit too close together. The staff is present and helpful, but not the most knowledgeable. More than once I witnessed the waiter/waitress come back to let me know that an item I just ordered wasn't available. The food upstairs is delicious and the menu variety is great. I ordered a steak here once (it wasn't on the menu) and it was cooked to perfection. The menu seems to have all the classics and a few more interesting things too. The cheese plate was a miss, but I picked the wrong ones, I suppose. They make their own cheese but I don't see it making it big anytime soon. I'm not a huge fan of pizza, and I felt like it was the only thing on the menu downstairs, but I tried it and liked it. They also offer their share of regular bar food. I would come here for dinner more often but I do think it is a tad overpriced. However, I still think Liberty Tavern is the best local choice in Clarendon.
(4)
Daniel N.
Liberty Tavern always has great food with a interesting twist. Their old fashioned cocktails are also worth making the trip. All together, a great dining experience.
(5)
Pete R.
Met a colleague here to have a quick work meeting. Great locale And ambiance as an inside/outside bar. Food was delish - the appetizers. Get the duck fat onion rings. Trust me. The waiter was amazing. He was just all over it and wanted to be as accommodating to is since we were having a working meeting. I should have told his boss how great he was. I can see it makes a good happy hour spot and I hear brunch is bueno.
(4)
Chitra P.
I have had one of the best dining experiences I've ever had at Liberty Tavern and I eat out A LOT. Our server was attentive and helpful despite the fact that it was very busy and our food was delicious. We ordered a lot of different things on the menu, but were more than satisfied with all of them. The duck fat fried onion rings are a must try, as is the skirt steak with the bacon mashed potatoes. The skirt steak had great flavor, and the bacon mashed potatoes were so incredibly indulgent in the best possible way. The short ribs were so juicy and tender, they just kind of melted in your mouth. AMAZEBALLS. When our entrees came out, the skirt steak I had ordered was still a little too rare for my liking - I had ordered it medium rare - and I asked to have it sent back to be cooked a little longer. Not only did the manager come over and apologize for the undercooked steak, he topped up my wine and brought out a small salad to eat while waiting for my steak. That is some amazing service! This is my third time having dinner here, and it still continues to be an enjoyable experience, I would definitely recommend it.
(5)
Rebecca R.
The brunch is a buffet here and it's definitely worth it but bring your appetite! The spread is vast and includes breakfast staples like eggs, bacon, pancakes and then not so regular items like breakfast pizza. Yum! On a separate note, this place also has a great happy hour and late night vibe with good music.
(4)
Sadia S.
I love the Liberty Tavern! It's our favorite place to go to in a Arlington. Having just moved here 6 weeks ago, my husband and I were looking for a restaurant that we would frequent often and sure enough, we have found it! The service is exceptional and the food is awesome. On our two dinners there less than ten days apart, we have eaten the scallops, short ribs, and the Amish pan roasted chicken, which were great selections. If I had to pick a negative, it has got to be the chocolate tart on the dessert menu, which is gross! Other than that, this place is awesome and our go to place for dinner.
(5)
Sara R.
2.5 stars for brunch only - very limited menu, unless you are doing the buffet. Omelette only came with fruit in a wobbly bowl and strawberries that were definitely not fresh (appeared to have been de-frosted). High prices for average food, I can't understand why it's so busy for brunch. This place is no whitlows (the gold standard for brunch in clarendon).
(3)
Vicky S.
Excellent brunch! So much to choose from with extra touches! Caramelized onion, pear and ham pizza-yum! Quiche, prime rib, salads, French toast with warm maple rum sauce, bacon, sausage and fresh pastries! All very good!
(5)
Chana M.
Always delivers unique delicious and seasonal vegetarian options. Also, If your work crew is looking for an early happy hour Liberty offers a comfortable lounge area for groups.
(4)
Squi L.
OMG another amazing time at The Liberty Tavern! The staff is great, service amazing, and AWESOME FOOD! I love the handout fries, you can taste the freshness! I also am in Love with the wings, the reason I ordered them was bc I could smell the amazing sauce on them so I had to try them! I also LOVE the Grapefruit BUCK its one of the most balanced cocktails I have ever had in my life! Keep up the hard work!
(5)
Dave H.
Thanks to the efficient ministrations of the lovely Robin and Catherine[1], I remained nicely buzzed that evening, from start to finish. They sure can handle a crowd. Liberty is a good-sized venue, with conservative stylings. We mobbed the rear lounge area, taking advantage of their couches and low tables. There was room for our party, our drinks, and our plates, and then some. Try their classic wood oven fired pizza: tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and EVOO. Next time I'm in Arlington, I'll stop in. [1] If you're curious, Robin was our prime server; I approached Catherine for a separate order and check. (Get your mind out of the gutter!)
(4)
John B.
We've had lunch here a couple of times, so thought we'd try dinner for my wife's birthday. An Open Table reservation through Yelp was nice and easy...even got an email reminder. The menus is rather limited for such a highly-rated restaurant. I had scallops, my wife had a steak. OK, but not 'knock your socks off' good. The waiter was a bit more 'in your face' than we care for, and the noise level is rather high. A nice touch...I mentioned my wife's birthday to the hostess on the way in and at the end of the meal, they comped is two dessert wines and a very tasty tiramisu. All in all, we might return for lunch, but not for dinner. BTW, for those not familiar with the Clarendon scene, parking is very tight on Friday and Saturday evenings.
(3)
Jon P.
We have been twice for Thanksgiving brunch/dinner and both times were fantastic. Great breakfast dishes and terrific Thanksgiving dishes. i wish Liberty Tavern was closer to our house!
(5)
John B.
I have only been to Liberty on a Friday/Saturday night. It is usually packed with little room to move. The beer selection is good. I have issues with being in super crowded places and it just makes me feel uncomfortable.
(3)
Monica H.
I'm just going to go ahead and say it: I don't think their brunch is that fantastic. Maybe I'd like it more if I felt like I was getting my money's worth, but I just can't eat enough in one sitting to make that happen. I think it's over-hyped and overpriced. Certainly not the worst food you could have for brunch, but probably not the best, either.
(3)
Jesse K.
Went here late at night with my old roomie and her friend. I hooked up with this girl I met who was there with her sister. We're still friends. That's all I remember.
(4)
Dan H.
We've been trying to dine here with our friends for a long time and finally had the foresight to actually make a reservation. It was a good night and I definitely like this place. The dining options are made even more appealing by the vivid and thorough descriptions, some of which are beyond comprehension...what the hell is a 'sea bean'? Or 'nage' anyone? Anyway, our server was awesome and successfully answered all our questions. We ended up ordering 3 of the 4 "Liberty Tavern Classics": Amish Chicken, Skirt Steak, and Branzino & Grilled Octopus as well as the Haddock and a 1/2 order of the gnocchi to share. Chicken: well cooked, tender and juicy and the mash potatoes were delicious; would definitely recommend. The Skirt Steak was delicious as well and came with a mini-cast iron pot of some kind of tasty potatoe mash-up. Branzino and Octopus was mearly 'good' - the octopus piece was 4 tiny legs, a little over-cooked - would have preferred a single larger leg piece. The Branzino wasn't so much bad or good. It did, however, come with these tasty little black things called "fregola nera" - we asked about them but it was loud and I couldn't quite here the answer...I seem to think they are little pasta-like pieces cooked or finished in a tasty sauce which incorporates squid ink to give it a brinyness...I could be way off. I think we made a good choice having the gnocchi as a small dish to share. It was good but a whole meal made up of that would have gotten old fast. BTW the gnocchi's are the tiniest I've ever seen! They looked like big teeth!
(4)
Kevin C.
Good food, good beer, great happy hour specials. Fun place to go and have some food and drinks. Their prices have gone up, but so have everyone's. I love their lunchtime burger deals: burger, fries, and a beer for $14 ($12 without the beer). Always consistent and friendly staff. A little loud at times, but it is Clarendon. Much better than many of the other places on the 'strip'.
(4)
Jackie N.
Love love lover their brunch! My girlfriend and I frequently come here and anyone who lives in or around Arlington has to come here for brunch! They offer an a la carte menu, but we always do the Breakfast Table buffet. The buffet is $19 and a great value. They have a delicious spread including eggs, French toast, hand carved roast beef with horseradish sauce, pizza, quiche, pasta, unique salads, biscuits and gravy, and a whole smoked salmon! I love the breakfast table because it's small, but that means the food is so fresh. They put a small amount out at a time, which means you never get that last bit of cold scrambled egg or wilted salad. It feels like eating brunch at home because of the cozy atmosphere. They have a separate dessert table too, complete with pastries from Northside Social Cafe (the red brick house across the street). They have nutella pop tarts, scones, mini cookies, parfaits, and chocolate mousse. The mimosas are also a must! They also have a Man-mosa for the boyfriends/husbands. Just make sure to come early or late, as the wait can be a bit long. However, they do take your phone number so you can walk around during your wait.
(5)
Chris S.
Breakfast review Firs time venturing out into Arlington for breakfast. Great reviews mean that this place has to be the best right? We walked in less than five minutes after the opening of the doors, and were asked if we had a reservation. For Saturday breakfast? Nope. Unfortunately for us the upstairs was full and we were offered a seat at the bar on the first level. No problem. I got pancakes, my wife got omelet and both of us thought they were delicious, but for the price, I would have liked to have tried the buffet, but the fat kid in me won't let me have to walk up and down a flight of stairs with buffet food. Over-all, I would like to try the breakfast buffet, so I'll have to make reservations. The food was good, but the price was a little high for what you get.
(3)
Armond B.
Pretty good spot for brunch. Decent value if you choose the buffet. No mimosa deals, probably best for an older crowd or family.
(4)
A M.
Twice I have tried Liberty and both times I was underwhelmed by the fries. I don't know what the problem is with their fryer, but I think they need to change the oil or get a better quality potato.
(2)
Jason S.
This place is incredibly consistent. I don't think I've ever ordered anything there where I wasn't happy with it. Highlights are the pork chop, the flank steak, and the amish chicken. Yes, they even manage to make chicken worth ordering in a restaurant. The service upstairs can be slow at times but the staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. Their breadbasket is amazing. The brunch is also amazing and quite dangerous.
(4)
TheTruthTeller CheeseEater D.
Delicious brunch. It's been awhile but I remember the mimosas vividly.
(5)
Ann T.
Came in for an early breakfast. They were serving their brunch menu which is known for their buffet table - $20/person, a bit pricey, especially since my friend and I weren't that hungry so we ordered a la carte. there were slim pickins...but we'd already settled in. Although the food was good and farm fresh, I had two gripes: 1) They don't have cups of coffee. You can order either a french press for $7 or espresso drinks. Since their espresso machine was down, we got a french press, which although nice (I prefer my coffees to be french pressed), ended up being lukewarm after 30 minutes and we were only half-way through. Not ideal for 2 ppl. 2) Don't expect to sit and talk for hours. Because this place is fairly busy in the mornings, they want to turn their tables quickly, which means they want to get you in and out so they can fill it up for the next hungry patron. As a former server, I completely understand. Had I known, I probably wouldn't have come here with this particular friend because we generally have 2 hour long conversations every time we meet up. We must have had a busser come by our table 4-5 times after we'd finished to see if there was anything else. I definitely felt rushed which ruined my experience. Although I love the decor of Liberty Tavern and the food is good, I simply wasn't a fan of the service.
(3)
Michael S.
Came for lunch and the food was decent but I was disappointed with a couple of things. 1) The busser, while clearing my plate, spilled mussel juice all over me. He failed to apologize or even provide me with any napkins. Instead he just looked at the spill and then at me, paused and walked away. 2) Had to wait for my food to be made while the rest of my party had their food due to a kitchen mistake.
(2)
Bri G.
I'm not a huge fan of buffets EVER but, this far exceeded my expectation and was absolutely delic! Sunday brunch 5 STARS! We left FULL and totally impressed! When I want grits, this place makes them exactly how I want 'em! Options, food, presentation was perfect! I like the bar scene at this place as well. Doesn't seem to bring in the college kids which is great for me! Hate the college bar scene... I'm really not that old just like to be around people with real life problems (inside joke). ;)
(5)
Nicole O.
The bread basket we had for dinner on a Tuesday was so horrible, we sent it back. It was gratis and we sent it back. I honestly think the sandwich bread in my kitchen is better. We also asked for fries and they up-sold us on "bar fries w/ 3 sauces"-we bit. 1) ketchup doesn't count as a sauce. that's a free condiment everyone gets. 2) watered down A-1 ("steak sauce") doesn't count as a sauce 3) the last one was an "aioli", which was just watered down mayo. I wish it would have been great or even good since I've heard some okay things about it and I live right next to it...
(2)
Ruth C.
Props to our server Daniel for exceeding patience and almost perfect billing. A shame that they'd run out of the shortrib and one of the tastier pizzas that night. Hemingway daiquiri was tasty, and the masonic was as nicely mellow as I remembered. We were sad that they ran out of Patron Cafe XO after one round of shots, but the other end of the table made do with the suggested alternative, and our end got up to no damn good with whiskey. Sampled the Vermont pizza and found the onions acceptably caramelized. The Granny Smith apple was sliced thin and paired well with both the Cabot white cheddar and prosciutto, but I found the dough itself a tad underdone. Hue recovered from the sloppy slice of Classico with a second helping of the nice table bread. I opted for the restaurant week deal, which was your pick of app, entree, and dessert. Grilled octopus was what managed to kick my opinion of this place up a notch; most tender octopus I've had in years, coupled with two gently grilled clams upon a bed of fennel. The blood orange sections were the perfect balancing note, and I loved the natural briny flavors with the hint of citrus. I'd get that again in a heartbeat. Crispy pork belly and beer/cheddar sausage came out before I was done with my last course, but I hurried to accomodate. Had my first taste of scrapple, and wished it was cut a bit thinner so that there would be a higher crisp ratio. Pearl barley was al dente enough for me to leave some on my plate. Kale was cooked until just done, and was elevated from my usual disinterest by the cider jus and picked apples. Sausage congealed once it hit room temperature, and was difficult to cut with the table knife beyond the diagonal slicing. Pork belly wasn't crispy, but still delicious; I'll let false advertising slide, I suppose, and opt for the pork chop next time. Finished my meal with a scoop of pistachio ice cream, plus scoops of coconut and mango sorbets. Coconut won out in flavor and texture just a nose ahead of pistachio; mango was tart and as thick as the Haagen-Dazs equivalent. High side of three and a half stars, since the food tends to be severely hit or miss. It was nice finally checking out the mellow dining scene upstairs, though I definitely miss the rowdy casual vibe of the lounge area downstairs. Not to mention the whole downer part about having a last call upstairs. Brunch update: Thanks to Cliff W for leading these BEC expeditions. Buffet is where it's at, considering the a la carte menu is only has one or two especially appealing items. Be sure to browse the list to see if the proteins of the day are worthwhile to you. I preferred my bellini over the mimosa, but you can't really argue with a $4 price point on the latter. Skip the bloody marys, even the Brooklyn lager chaser can't save you from that gritty boredom. Fried chicken went like hotcakes, but honestly there's no shame in creamy eggs (surprising that I enjoyed it more than the baconized version), maple sausage, and silky beef stroganoff. Not a fan of the scalloped potatoes, which were a touch underdone. I skipped the classico pizza, but was happy to see it replaced with the Vermont. French toast was decadent, as was the lox station. No old fruit here! Second brunch visit yielded happiness in the form of skirt steak and eggs, which were cooked to order. The gently seasoned potatoes were improved vastly by the tomato hollandaise.
(4)
J-nine D.
Met up some of my BF's family while on the East Coast. This place was very busy, but we were able to sit down in the lunge area. Our waitress was VERY unhappy at first.. possibly b/c the place was packed and she seemed like she was the only waitress. I just remember her asking for our drink orders and then arguing with my BF about getting his drink in a regular glass instead of a martini glass. She also replied rudely "what i can't hear you" when my BF's cousin-in-law was ordering cheese... (the cousin-in-law knew it was loud and was pointing at the item on the menu as she said the order to help out the server) Our food came out delicious so I guess it is just one of those places with great food and shitty service. Would I go back? Possibly, but there must be other great things out there. Try: Chicken, Pork Chops, Greyson Cheese.
(3)
Kevin M.
LT...Eh..it's decent. If you want a pretty good date spot, or very very chill HH, this is probably for you. I think the food is pretty expensive for what you get, but it's one of the better looking bar's in the Clarendon area. Brunch on the weekends are pretty good. They have an all you can eat part upstairs, but aside from that, very meh.
(3)
P L.
I've gone to Liberty Tavern a few times and it's a good place... I like their burger and a beer deal and their brunch on Sundays is great, but priced a little high. The reason why I only gave them three stars is that there isn't much parking around. There's a few paid lots and the metro is close (Clarendon - Orange line). The last time I went, I got the Fake Primanti Bros sandwich - a dish with sausage and fries, just like the real thing. The negative was that my sausage was a little too pink for me in the middle. I was a little frightened to eat it, but I continued to do it. I decided to stop eating midway through and just bring it home to reheat and recook later. It was fine at home, but I was just a little weary about it that day in the restaurant.
(3)
Megan A.
Liberty Tavern is a great neighborhood bar and one of my favorite places for happy hour. There is a cozy atmosphere to the place and you always feel like everyone there has been there before, but not like you're intruding on the regulars. On top of that - they have a great selection of wines, a decent selection of beers, and excellent pizza (the Vermont is my favorite). Also, if you've got a group coming, you can reserve a section on the couches toward the back. I've never had a proper meal at this place, but judging by the happy faces descending the staircase from the dining room and the number of people there for brunch, I'd guess that's pretty stellar too.
(4)
Lesley G.
Some good and some bad. I really liked their french fries and different dipping sauces, but the earthly burger was a no-go.
(3)
Valerie N.
Restaurant Week heaven! I had a to-die-for steak and I'd pay money for someone to tell me what amazing cheese I had. Oh well - fantastic dining experience in a large group! Loved it!
(4)
Anna S.
One of my favorite brunches in the area. All-you-can-eat smorgasboard of lovingly crafted meats, salads, fruit, frittatas, and my favorite: vintage candies, including Dots. Nice staff, too: come more than 2-3 times and they'll remember you. I used to come all the time with a friend of mine from England (who was here for six months on a research trip and so utterly entranced with Lib Tav that he came to brunch nearly every week); the owner asked about him whenever he saw me for almost a year after that. Lib Tav is always hideously crowded and loud, whether you're there for bunch, happy hour, or late-night drinks, but at least the quality lives up to what the crowds would suggest.
(4)
Wesley C.
Wow. So stuffed. Their veal was Delish and we thoroughly enjoyed their brunch buffet. Unfortunately some parts of the stone ground grits and were on the hard side, and their biscuits were too dry. But their home fries, French toast, potato salad and the majority of everything else was fantastic. Although we had reservations and came early, we ended up not getting seated until maybe 10-15 min after our reservation time. But it was worth the wait.
(4)
Dennis S.
Good place to drink, nothing special. Limited beer selection. Excellent service. Good energy. Marginal pizza (by Chicago standards.) I enjoyed a very late evening here with business friends. Nothing was outstanding, but we weren't there to be entertained. I wouldn't hesitate to go back, as long as it's with people I want to visit with for an evening.
(3)
Jim C.
Great food and a stellar brunch.
(4)
Lauren H.
Always amazing food and great service.
(5)
Regina H.
Why did I end up here? The Liberty Tavern is close to the Clarendon metro station and happy hour starts early on Fridays at 2 pm! They also have some food specials - select sandwiches and a pint of beer for around $15 until 5 pm. Draft beers are $3.5 until 7 pm. They have some good beers too, such as Brooklyn Lager, Stella Artois, etc. Wines are also half off. Our server was really friendly and came back often to make sure we were doing okay. I didn't try any of their food, but it looked pretty good especially since I was hungry. Too bad I was saving my appetite for a big dinner. There are a few tables outdoors if you want to dine/drink al fresco. I'd come back if in need of an early happy hour!
(3)
Tisha B.
Drink specials are really cool. Went here with a group of 10 co-workers and had a blast. I see what all the hype was about! Definitely keeping this on my roster for when we make the big move to Arlington!!!
(4)
Samantha B.
I am giving this restaurant three stars because of the service that I received. The service was sub par for such a raved about restaurant. My friend and I sat outside because it was open and it was a decent day. Our waiter, whose name I know but will not say, was not very attentive at all. Our water cups sat empty, did not ask us if we wanted refills, messed up my order and seemed like he could care less. Our waiter pretty much had the "whatever, I don't care" attitude and at one point asked us if we were ready to order and we said a few more minutes and before we could finish saying that he was gone. I ordered the omelet and asked for no mushrooms, I got mushrooms. I barely at my food because of it. In turn, I feel like I wasted my money. The part of the omelet that I did eat was decent, but was egg and cheese and some spinach--so nothing spectacular. Also the fruit I had seemed like it was not fresh at all. The apples were browning and the fruit was warm (fruit temperature is just a preference thing though). My friend asked for a take home box for her home fries (there were a lot of them) and she had to ask twice and ask someone else because our waiter did not bring it to her. The take home box was actually plastic, not cardboard, so there is a plus. As a result our waiter got a bad tip. I am not a bad tipper. I would definitely come here again to try the other food options and I really do feel like the service will be better next time. The brunch a la carte menu can be improved though--nothing unique about it. I would be interested in getting the buffet. Like many other Yelpers, definitely make a reservation or get there early. My wait was about 20 minutes, which was not bad at all considering how busy the place was on a Sunday.
(3)
ThekwiniBabe X.
Tiz too crowded.. It's ait tho
(3)
Denisse R.
I came here with a friend tonight and my experience was fantastic. Our hostess was friendly, our server Shawn was extremely attentive and knowledgeable. It has been a while since I'd experienced such a high level of customer service. The food was great. I had the linguine and we shared the Gray ladies goat's milk for dessert - fantastic! Wonderful dinner experience! I'll make sure to come again soon to try one of their pizzas.
(5)
Christine C.
Service was fast, they gave us complimentary homemade ice cream, the bread was amazing. The inside was different and very interesting. Downstairs is a bar atmosphere, upstairs is perfect for a date. Would go back again.
(5)
Lor B.
Yelping for brunch. 2 things to order: French Press & The Buffet. Great little spot right in the heart of Clarendon. We had a large party of 17 and they were able to accomodate us at such short notice! Definitely a great place to bring families for a fun brunch experience. Kids are just $9. I'm a fan - you'll be one too!
(4)
John K.
I thought the Liberty Tavern was a solid restaurant. I would give it about 3.5 stars I guess. The drink menu is good, I thought their beer selection was above average. Service was great, I loved our waiter. A little surprised it gets two dollar signs instead of three, but maybe lots of people who visit only the bar are voting on the price range. We got the salmon carpaccio for an appetizer, which was excellent. The garlic bread app was mediocre - wouldn't recommend it. I got the pork chop on the recommendation from the waiter and I thought it was quite good. It wasn't perfectly cooked - medium rare in most parts, but too rare in others. A little bit fatty, but I would still recommend it and maybe suggest ordering it medium or just hoping I got unlucky the first time. The greens it was served with (I forget if they were mustard or kale) were great, as was the spaetzle and scrapple. For dessert I got the rosemary tart, which I thought was very good. I tasted the chocolate pot do creme which was pretty good but some of the accompanying items (like the poached pear) weren't that fabulous.
(3)
Spencer C.
This is probably my favorite restaurant in Arlington. I have been here for many different occasions: brunches, dinners, happy hour, and lunch. I've never been disappointed. The food is delicious. I enjoy their homemade cheeses. The brunch buffet is amazing and almost too decadent. Happy hour is affordable. The staff, bartenders, waitresses, hosts, are all friendly. I highly recommend this place for a nice neighborhood dinner. In the warmer months, their patio is lovely, too.
(5)
Justin I.
We heard about this place and how good the brunch buffet is. They were spot on. We made an open table reservation via Yelp because we heard it is always packed. I'm glad we did. The place was rockin'. Started with a mimosa, then hit the buffet line...hard! They have a really good spread. Something for everyone. You can't go wrong. We had a feast. The service was amazing. All in all the Liberty Tavern is as good as it gets when it comes to quality brunch spots. We'll have to go back the next time we are in Arlington to check out dinner or even just stop for a drink. Seems like it would be a cool place to hang out at night.
(5)
Jesse C.
I received a gift certificate from a friend for a present, enough for several meals there, so I have gotten a great feel for The Liberty Tavern. From their amazing hand made cheese to a perfect Lobster Risotto, it's a treat to eat here. They do things right with amazing ambiance and great style. I could gush endlessly about my love for the Tavern's food but it wouldn't do it justice. I can't wait for my next reason to have dinner there. I'll be back!
(5)
Kristen R.
Their sunday brunch buffet is the best deal in town. It might be a tad crowded, but it is well worth it. They offer a lot of options that should please a normal person. The buffet kills whitlow's crap down the street for basically the same price.
(4)
Audrey M.
Easily one of my favorite places in Clarendon. It's almost always crowded, but worth any short wait you might endure. The clientele is "older" i.e. late 20's early 30s, and more upwardly-mobile feeling than surrounding places. Nothing against Spyder's, but sometimes you just don't have the energy to push through throngs of NOVA d-bags...enter Liberty Tavern. Our group of 4 was seated at one of the high-tops near the front window, and my only complaint is that it was way too small to hold menus, multiple drink glasses and food plates. We had to do a lot of shuffling, and at one point a tiny sauce bowl shattered after I knocked it off the table....womp. Food was delicious though. 2 of us did the Foggiana pizza and a half serving of the gnocchi, and left perfectly satisfied. A guy in our group ordered the veal carpaccio which appeared miniscule, but he said it was great. My bf and I stopped in again several Saturdays ago to grab after dinner drinks. It was crowded, but we were able to snag bar seats after another couple departed. I ordered the Pursuit of Happiness, a concoction of vodka, strawberries, pineapple and basil....a perfect fruity marriage. Our bartender was friendly and chatty, but not intrusive. He even offered the bar people a random pizza that was brought out....an unexpected and delicious surprise! Downstairs does get borderline claustrophobic on the weekend, so I'd recommend making a reservation or coming earlier and grabbing bar seats before the crowds descend. Brunch is amazing. Both times we've sat upstairs, which puts you a stone's throw from the buffet....dangerous. Love, love the variety of food that you can pile your plate with including meat from the small carving station. The dessert table is ok but kind of bland...mini cakes, shortbreads, etc. but nothing really stood out. The french press is a must, though. My return is imminent.
(4)
Irene C.
Very crowded on a Tuesday night. The bar was PACKED and it was so loud that I couldn't hear myself talk. Luckily, my group was seated upstairs. The classic and american pizza were good, the crust was thin and had a great crunch, but nothing about it impressed me too much. CPK pizza is comparable to this and the prices here are steeper and the portions are small if not smaller than CPK pizza. Judging by the amount of people surrounding the bar, i bet they have great happy hour specials so I would check it out!
(3)
Brent A.
Went here for a nightcap several times while attending classes at Mason at the bottom of the hill. It's good for just that, a night cap. Obama did go here to eat (for some reason - maybe the NAME). You will stick to the floor and it doesn't smell good in here.
(3)
David H.
Everything I've tried on the menu is pretty good, like the restaurant, just can be a little pricey but what's new in Clarendon
(4)
Katie L.
I've had my eye on Liberty Tavern for a while, and finally after several months of curiosity, I stopped in with a few friends for Sunday brunch. While I enjoyed the company on my recent visit, I found the food to be just OK. The buffet had all the brunch standbys: French toast, bacon, sausage, biscuits, fruit, salads, carved meats and a dessert table. It even had pretty good prices compared to some of my DC brunch buffet favorites. However, despite having all that I wanted, none of the individual dishes were particularly memorable. I tried most of the above and was particularly excited to try the fried chicken. It was so-so. I don't know if it makes me horrifically unclassy or what, but I would have preferred Popeye's. The dessert table was a little weak as well. All in all, I'd say the food was average. I wish there was more of a lunch part of brunch selection (like potato salad or mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, pasta salad) and that the restaurant had more room for people to maneuver around the buffet line. If I make it to Liberty Tavern again, I'd like to go for dinner or I would perhaps go to brunch and order off the menu. I tried the French press coffee, which was pretty solid, but next time I plan to indulge in some mimosas. Brunch buffets are tricky to master. To me, Beacon Hotel and Georgia Brown's brunch buffets (both in DC) are still the class of the area.
(3)
S. Paul L.
I wanted to give it a bump in stars, but I just don't think that it is a true 5-star place. The food is good, but I think the food at Tallula or even Lyon Hall (which is owned by the same folks who own Liberty) is a notch above Liberty's food. I love their cheese selection. The Bourbon Chevre is fantastic and the Sweet Grass is also really tasty on bread. If you love brie, then get the Sweet Grass. One tip with the cheese apps though: wait for the house made bread. It's better than the bread that comes with the actual cheese dish(es). The service here is always great and they definitely do a nice job of describing different drinks & menu items if you're not sure. My wife had their branzino and grilled octopus dish and the octopus was incredible, but the branzino was really lackluster. It wasn't really seasoned at all and if you're going to leave the skin of a fish on then it should be really nice and crispy and this wasn't at all. My order was the fillet mingon and at first glance this is a really imrpessive portion for a fillet and it was cooked beautifully. My problem with this dish was it was screaming for a starch or something. The swiss chard that came with the dish was very acidic, which was nice and paired with the steak, but I almost think like a sweet potato mash would have paired a lot better with the dish than the soggy piece of brioche bread on the bottom of the plate. I'm sorry, but I really 100% feel that putting a piece of bread on the bottom of a dish that isn't a crustini or sandwich of some sort is a HUGE COP OUT. Come on Liberty Tavern. You're better than that. For the price of a dinner there, it needs to be better than that.
(4)
Morgan V.
Excellent menu with an attentive and knowledgable waitstaff. The specialties cocktails are wonderful. I recommend "Bobbie Jean" and the "Grapefruit Buck" for unique cocktail choices. Can't wait to go back for drinks downstairs on a Friday or Saturday evening and brunch on a Sunday.
(4)
Hyunoo P.
Liberty Tavern's buffet spread was pretty large, however, I only remember piling on lox, pizzas, and homestyle butternut squash. All of which I found to be the most delicious. The lox came with an assortment of toppings and toast. I helped myself to generous amounts of caviar and creme fresh (to justify the $18 price!). This alone would have sufficed had I not seen the most edible of geometries appearing on the table. Pizza was appearing on one small part of the buffet table... which I appropriately began to camp. I recall the style being Neapolitan. There were Caprese, chicken, and cheese pizzas. While I don't know if I would have ordered them normally, I still devoured the crispy-thin triangles unabashedly. So what if they came out 1 at a time and I would eat 3 of the available 9 slices? Buffet is cutthroat stuff baby. I think the only truly brunch-ish item I could not turn down were the homestyle butternut squash. There wasn't anything about the butternut aspect that captivated me, but the crispiness on those little cubes was pretty near perfect. Each forkful delivered a satisfying crunch which immediately gave way to tender-potato like softness. Mix that with a little ketchup, damn. (I ate here 2 months ago and i'm sure I omitted details. Clearing up the backlog!)
(4)
Todd V.
Havent eaten here. Only done the bar. I saw guys wearing visors. Where am I? Bartender charged me $32 for 3 baby patron shots. Not believing that it was correct, I diabolically asked if they really cost $11 a shot. He said yes. Based on the tab, thats not even possible for that many shots. What an asshole. He was then too busy to fix the tab. I bemoan going to NoVA a lot, and this place gave me one more reason to feel justified in doing so.
(1)
Jon K.
Best food in Clarendon. We have visited most of the spots along Wilson and the food at Liberty is hard to beat. I'm not a cheese connoisseur but apparently these guys spend a lot of time thinking about it. Great date night
(4)
Jacqui B.
So much fun! One of the things I love best about Liberty Tavern is that everyone in the dining room seems to be having a terrific time -- from first drink to dessert. This was our sixth or seventh visit, and it did not disappoint at all. We ordered the pizzas this time, and WOW! Amazing! We also really enjoyed the apple/endive salad. I never flip out over a salad, but this one was outstanding. Absolutely what I expected from Liberty Tavern's kitchen. We were still raving about our meal hours later. As we stumbled through the area late-night spots, we kept hearing about Liberty Tavern's brunch. I hate brunch, but there were so many people telling me so many great things about Liberty Tavern's brunch that I may rethink my position. I do have to say, though, sometimes I feel as though I'm dining right on top of complete strangers. Try to get a table away from the wall if you can.
(3)
Carole W.
Perfect date night. Great bar downstairs to have a drink while you wait for your table. Excellent service and food: rustic casual with hints of urban culinary tricks. Very dependable classics: husband got the skirt steak and I got the gnocci- LOVE that you can order half portions on the pastas- perfect for an almost full appetite after an irresistable starter. Will be back.
(5)
Barrie C.
I've been here three times, once for brunch and twice on a Saturday night. First, the restaurant. It's actually a pretty nice place, and I really liked the upstairs space. The decor isn't too tacky or loud. As for the food, the brunch was forgettable. I ordered the French toast and found it wholly mediocre and a bit on the small side (I was pretty hungry). The server was slow and inattentive, even after we told him that I had a flight to catch, so Liberty loses points for that. I'm not sure if that's an anomaly or an endemic problem though. I'll have to go for lunch and dinner to be sure, but so far I'm skeptical about the food. Second, a weekend night. Liberty is an interesting complement to the Clarendon Ballroom, which is right next door. Both times I've been there it's been a slightly older crowd. I'd say early 30's, which is actually a nice break from the college atmosphere of the other places in Clarendon. It was still a yuppie meat market though. And it's loud, so be prepared to yell. They had a decent selection of beer and mixed drinks, but it was overpriced. Overall I would have given it two stars, but I had to give it one more for having a different crowd than the other Clarendon bars. It's worth checking out, but I don't see myself hanging out here a lot.
(3)
Danielle L.
started with the crispy shrimp and clams (there were only 4 clams). the dipping sauce was tasty. pizza was ok - better then frozen but not amazing. happy hour drinks were great- got a fantastic glass of Riesling for 4$! was there for a work thing - prob would not go back
(3)
Tom G.
Incredible brick oven pizza and great fries. So close to Metro. The chicken pizza with arugula is divine.
(5)
Ned F.
For drinks, it's crowded, crowded, and crowded. For the number of people in there, there are what, two bartenders? It takes a while to get a drink, your tab after the fact, and then when you get back to your friends, people are swarming all over you for personal space. If you like confined spaces, this is your spot.
(2)
Inga S.
I've now had three meals at this restaurant, and all three were disappointing. The first two meals were dinners and both were underwhelming. The last meal was a weekend lunch. I ordered a lobster roll for $16. It was a joke! Not only was the roll over-toasted, but more importantly, instead of the signature lobster meat chunks that one would expect in a lobster roll what I got was lobster mush with too much mayo and too much salt. It frankly tasted like a tuna fish sandwich. I am not wasting my money coming to this place again.
(2)
David M.
Always a good place to meet up with friends. Too small to stay all night. Pricey drinks for Arlington, and no real Happy Hour to speak of.
(3)
Mike F.
I remember it in slow motion. I'm enjoying a cold domestic beer with my friends, laughing about monkeys or something trivial, when suddenly a patron pulls out a cigarette at point blank range. We're caught off-guard, no cover in sight. Immediately, the staff swarms and disarms the would-be assassin, securing the weapon and instructing him to take it outside. Victory, snatched from the jaws of defeat! From this experience, I knew this place was a keeper. This place quickly established itself as a good neighborhood bar rivaling Whitlows, RiRa, and other contenders. A wonderful beer selection and friendly bartenders and denizens make this a place to return to. Recommend snatching table space adjacent to the bar before the locusts descend.
(4)
Corbin T.
I've dined a Liberty Tavern a few times and each time is better than the previous. The downstairs bar is a little dark and crowded, but if you can grab a high top table you'll be set. The upstairs restaurant area is larger but some of the tables are a little cramped. The bread basket was a welcomed surprise and was filled with home-made rolls and butter. My date and I ordered the brick oven pizza and the mussels, both very tasty. I also ordered one of their specialty drinks- I don't remember the name, but it included lemon vodka, strawberries, and mint. Very refreshing for a cold day in Arlington. On another night I chose the Artic Char as my entree- a filet of Artic Char on a bed of spaetzle and topped with cranberries, accompanied with brazed fennel. Complex tastes and great texture. I can't wait to go again!
(4)
TX in D.
Meat market staffed by liars. I have given this place a lot of chances and are disappointed every time. The food is okay, but not worth putting up with all the poor customer service at this place. On a recent visit to the absolutely jam-packed, poorly designed and staffed bar, we decided to give the upstairs dining room a try. My husband put our name and were told there was a 30 minute wait. At thirty minutes, I went to check on out status - and was told that the we had to wait 20 more minutes. When I told them that we'd been told 30 minutes, and I was informed that that couldn't possibly have been the case. I then took the opportunity to point out that my husband's name was on their list with a "30" next to it. The rude hostess when tried to tell us that it was written relevant to someone else, but it was clear that the wait was just longer than they'd predicted - which would have been fine and understandable if they hadn't LIED about it.
(1)
Carly T.
This is a go-to lunch spot, especially on Friday's- you can't beat a burger and a pint for $10. And to top it off, it's really good! They have a good selection of beer and lots of tasty sides so you're not stuck eating fries if you're not into that. Overall, pretty good, low key place to enjoy a bite.
(4)
Ellen F.
As much as I love liberty tav, there a couple things that stick in my craw. 1) the horrible monsterfest dance party that goes on downstairs. It's such a weird contrast with the lovely dining room upstairs and the thoughtful, tasty menu. I'm talking about meat from Polyface Farms people, not Girls Just Wanna Have Fun wafting up the stairs. Just making your way to the bathroom is like crossing through a herd of Wildbeest on safari. Terrifying. 2) My experience last night, which was pretty strange. I was going with a group of five people + one tiny adorable puppy dog with resos for 9 pm. We requested patio with our reservations so puppyface could hang out in her little bag, but when we got to the restaurant, the sky opened up and everyone was scrambling to stay dry. No big deal, we were told the dog couldn't eat inside (duh) so we put her in the car and I told them we'd eat inside instead. Hostess guy said sure, not a table available now but they'd let us know. We were cool with that so we got a drink at the bar and stood around, within CLEAR SIGHT of the hostess stand. It'd been a few minutes and we were hungry so I went to check and he was like "OH I called you like four times!!!". This kiiinda pissed me off since we were STANDING RIGHT THERE and no one ever mentioned they were going to *call* me...I guess he had my number from my opentable res. Anyway, he did call me, but only twice and only 10 minutes ago. and almost 40 minutes past our reservation time. AAAAAnyway, we are finally led upstairs and sat. There are several tables up there but not a whole lot going on (read: not too busy to seat us). A frenetic looking man accosts us immediately and says something along the lines of "you're the people with the dog right?" uhhh...yeah? it's not here? "you're gonna need to order immediately or the kitchen is going to close" EXCUSE ME WHAT?! I can't really see how any of this is our fault at this point! We immediately took doggie out the equation and stood around waiting. WHAT MORE CAN WE DO HERE!?! Anyway this made me black out with indignation. When our nice waiter came by, I inquired who that man in the white shirt was...he's the MANAGER!!! Are you kidding me?!?! The waiter apologized knowingly, as if this probably happened a lot and assured us that they do usually serve way past 10 pm, and proceeded to feed us a delicious meal. So basically I'm updating this review because I go there a lot and I don't want to be harassed about it!
(3)
Keith R.
This was a really excellent dining experience. You use the word "Primanti" on a menu, and I'm putting you to a high-standards test; pleased to say it's passable! A little more slaw would help proportionally. My wife ordered the spaghetti - which is really more of a seafood pasta at LT - and it was pretty good, but oversalted. A manager stopped by doing his rounds, and at the slightest mention, it was nearly immediately replaced with a corrected rendition. We appreciate that kind of attention to detail and customer service. The bar, legendary in competency amongst our circles, did a stand-up job. The peanut soup with candied bacon was really, really interesting and I enjoyed it a lot, though I wouldn't eat more than the small cup... it's rich! All in all a really nice place, good atmosphere, friendly service. We will absolutely be returning.
(4)
Dian C.
I've been here a couple of months ago on a Friday night and found it to be unbearably loud and crowded, and not at all tavern-like. I see people eating there all the time on weekdays and decided to give it another try, this time for dinner. We sat upstairs and the crowd was definitely older than the bar scene downstairs. The service was very attentive and friendly. I got the hangar steak, one of their most popular dishes and it was absolutely delicious. Not only was the steak itself perfect, but the sides were also so good that I could have been content just eating a whole meal of those, especially the potato gratin. The tagliatelle was also very tasty. I'm glad I decided to give it a second try and highly recommend this place for dinner. I had such a good experience that I went back for brunch a couple of days later. They have this great buffet that they are still experimenting with, but you can't beat the price. $15 buffet and $3 mimosas and bloody marys! They had a fresh fruit salad, french toast, and a great variety of egg-based dishes. Everything was fresh and hot. By the time I looked at the dessert table, I was completely stuffed. I did take a few bites of the pecan pie (pretty good!) though and the Jolly Ranchers were a nice throwback. I've been looking for a decent brunch place in Arlington (the brunch at Whitlow's was cold and bland) and I think I've found it!
(4)
Andy K.
We order several items, nothing stood out. First time I ever had a pizza with apples on it
(2)
Erin O.
Packed happy hour! Good manhattan
(3)
Colleen G.
The brunch here is absolutely 100% amazing. Apart from the fact that you will probably gain five pounds by eating it (but I guess that is more of a self control issue!). This is definitely the best brunch I have had in a long time. Happy hour is also predictably great with a busy, fun crowd but not overly packed where you can't breathe. Dinner is fantastic too and the desserts are just soo delicious. Honestly, there is nothing wrong with this place at all and every experience I have had has been excellent. The service has also been wonderful.
(5)
Robin F.
Alright well it's been almost a year and we finally made it back to Liberty Tavern for food. During the Blizzard of 2010 we decided to walk over to Liberty Tavern for lunch and have their burger and a pint. And it was really tasty - perfect size burger, white cheddar, crispy bacon, and a great bun. I had the side salad which was good and my boyfriend got the fries and it was all good!! What a great deal for $10 each!!
(3)
Phil B.
This place is consistently listed with other high end restaurants but the food has left me disappointed on several occasions. Their menu is seasonal and I can't really say anything too bad about it just have never been impressed for the price. The pizza has been my favorite entree if that's any indication. Between that and the place being packed to capacity on weekend nights I'd say there's almost always a better alternative.
(2)
Jim A.
Finally a cool, urban place to hang in Clarendon. The Liberty Tavern has a NYC or SF feeling to it - professionally run with the owners that care. They are trying to create a neighborhood hang-out and are well on their way to success. Smartly chosen wine list, inventive menu, fun cocktails and management that understands hospitality - Liberty Tavern runs circles around other choices in Clarendon. The menu changes fairly often and is full of good choices - from bruschetta to pasta to steak and always good seafood entrees. Have always had good service with the floor manager taking an active interest in the tables rather than hanging out in the back gabbing, like at so many other establishments in the area. Can't wait until the change Saturday brunch to Saturday Lunch! JcA
(5)
Henry G.
I have been once with my Georgetown University's program classmates. The place was crowded, and the drinks were great. The best part was not expensive. I'll definitely go back to this place if I decide to get drunk after the class one day. :)
(4)
Jo M.
i've been here a few times. a couple of times for happy hour and once for brunch. the service was great each time. the beer is great. the food i had has been quite good. the brunch buffet was $19 and offres tons of choices... hot apple cider, some sort of roast, spiced shrimp, fried chicken, french toast and on and on. the happy hour specials are great. and til 5 pm you can get a juicy gourmet burger + a pint of beer for $11!
(4)
Harold M.
Had a pizza with eggs on it which was great. Nice place. Will go there again.
(4)
molly c.
hi dc yelp! i'm molly c, and i live in new york...we cool? so, i made a flash decision last wednesday to go down to VA over the memorial day weekend. i used to roll deep in NoVa, but lately, not so much. and since just hanging out with dan is not enough for me and because i am a yelp addict, i PMed tina r. about meeting up for some foodz. so, dan and i roll in from chantilly and get a sweet parking spot. meet up with tina and got ourselves seated. so. they have a buffet. i know! it's huge. i didn't partake, but per dan the au gratin potatoes were "fucking amazing." i had the burger. it was decent. the bun was way too big. so, yes. we had a great time, the service was great and they had a whole table of CANDY. i know! candy! good place to go.
(4)
Juan D.
I have eaten here 5 times and used to just get the pizza. It was ok. However, hands down the best deal and item I have had on their menu is the grilled cheese from the bar menu. It's $7 and comes with a bowl of creamy tomato. It's made with mozerella and vermont white cheddar on sourdough. You cannot beat it. I would rate this place 5 stars if they just served the grilled cheese.
(3)
Cadence R.
I don't hand out five stars easily. Nor do I give them to places until I have tried it multiple times. Today is an exception to my general rule. There was absolutely nothing I can complain about with my meal, the meals of my family's and I only have glowing things to say about the service. We arrived at Liberty Tavern around 6 for an early dinner. My mom, my grandma and I were immediately seated in the lovely upstairs area. Tons of natural light was coming in and the space was just perfect. Our waiter, Tom (or Tim... I'm not sure and this is my biggest regret) came over and gave great drink recommendations for all of us based on our personal preferences. I got the pomegranate drink, my grandmother had the bourbon and mint drink that was served in a jar, and my mom got a beer that she had never had (I'm absolutely terrible at remembering names of these things). All drinks were fabulous and I could easily see myself ordering anything off that menu again. My grandma is not the easiest person to take out. She says she likes almost anywhere and enjoys trying new things, but that's not -really- true. If she doesn't know just one ingredient in a meal she won't order it and it really limits what on a menu she'll eat. She settled on pizza, but was going to just stick with cheese since she wasn't sure what toppings were on the others, but Tom walked her through exactly what was going to be on other pizzas without being exasperated. She ended up branching out and trying the Italian sausage pizza. My mom got the branzino and I ordered the Sheppard's Pie. Rather than going off and putting that in, Tom made sure that I knew it was a different interpretation of that dish and was completely vegetarian. I really appreciated his honesty and making sure that I was getting what I ordered and wanted rather than just have me be surprised by the lack of meat when it arrived. Of course there was pre dinner bread and one of the types was heavenly and was made with molasses. My grandmother just loves molasses. She proceeded to tell us the entire story of when they would make molasses as kids (no, not fun at all... Thank God my parents didn't use me as farm labor). When Tom came back we asked for another piece and he was happy to oblige. Once the food arrived he recommended a different beer that would go well with my mother's fish and it did perfectly. We all cleaned our plates and even split a carrot cake desert! When the bill arrived so did a brown bag for my grandma with half a loaf of the molasses bread. If that isn't impeccable service then I'm not sure what is! Everything about this experience was amazing and I seriously left there and wanted to email the manager to tell him that Tom (or Tim or something with a T I think) was absolutely amazing. I would recommend this place to anyone. Well, I can't recommend the bar area, when I went down there to use the restroom it was definitely too loud to even hear yourself think, but upstairs was idyllic. Sorry, this is super long, but I just can't rave enough!
(5)
Will Y.
A pretty cool spot. Food and drinks are good and service is great. They have a nice area for grabbing a beer downstairs. The staff are cool and seem to enjoy being there. LT draws decent crowds and is a neighborhood favorite. I hear the buttermilk dressing is hit or miss.
(3)
Derrick L.
This is the type of restaurant we love. A tasty, creative menu, a thoughtful wine/beer selection, and a relaxed all-comer's atmosphere. We ate off the early summer menu, had the lobster egg noodle pasta dish and the Amish chicken. Both very good. If we lived closer, we'd probably take advantage of the take-out window.
(4)
Lori W.
First time Sunday brunch visit with gf. Made a 10:15 early reservation, glad. Was very excited to meet Michael, who took reservation-talk about pleasant, friendly, excited to see me on 1/10-very impressed with how the reservations were taken. I arrived at 10:15, met Michael Scruggs, who was even more impressive in person - he seems to run the show. Asked the all important brunch question: is the Bloody Mary mix homemade or out of the (dreaded) bottle? He confirmed, " all homemade, fresh, no cans or bottles here". Sold me there. Had the bloody, fabulous, asked for extra olives and a little more spice, so got a trio of olives and a little ramekin of tabasco, which came in very handy! My gf loved the buffet. I ordered from the menu- I ate every bite of the great mushroom/cheese omelette and also ordered the side of home fries with fresh thyme. $3 - and the bowl was huge-no way could I eat all of that...ate all of it. Unreal creative dessert display: candies, retro items, carrot cake, Mary Janes(took 2 for the road) - had a great server: Elliott - have gone for dinner a couple times but absolutely love the brunch. Recommend going early; the buffet line was packed by the time we left, which means I would have probably elbowed someone to get to the french toast, which my gf said was great, as was her frittata.
(4)
Valerie D.
To me Liberty Tavern seems very out of place when I think of Clarendon. While there are some perks to the area, it has not been my general opinion that Clarendon is a place to relax "in style" on weekends. In any event, Liberty Tavern is overall a wonderful addition to the area. Id agree with most of the reviews already posted. The restaurant is nicely decorated and uses space well. There is outdoor seating, a long wooden bar with an island in the middle, and a posh corner decorated with light leather seating and candles. The drink menu was superb and the food was also excellent. My friend and I enjoyed some beer and pizza, the way it ought to be done...magic hat and a white pizza with porscuitto, apples, sage, and white cheddar. YUM! My only complaint and reason for 4 stars is that I didn't love our service. Perhaps they are still working out the kinks and they are currently hiring more staff....so maybe a bit understaffed. Either way I would recommend checking it out on a summer evening!
(4)
Ross R.
Their menu is really nice and very well executed. It changes often, but always mantains its quality. Their Sunday brunch is a tad pricy, but its still quite good. Their bar scene is pretty much the place to be in N Arlington and sometimes you'll find the Nats Ryan Zimmerman there.
(4)
Dhaval P.
Spent last St. Patty's at this pub/tavern. The bartender was legit with what seemed to be an Irish accent. Great selection of beers, and a cougar aged crowd make this the spot to finish off your bar hopping night. Haven't really tried the food. My cousin gave me a bite of his pizza topped with arugula and it was delicious. Either that or I was super hungry? Worth a try!
(4)
EM S.
Not in love with the craziness of the pre-dinner drink in the downstairs bar, but can't say enough about the atmosphere upstairs. The food was great, and I loved getting to try something just a little bit different without going out of my comfort zone. Try the Blue Collar (Virgina's Gentleman with a PBR chaser) and the scallops. I'll definitely go back, but I'd recommend 3 Bar & Grill over this place in a heartbeat.
(3)
Jess R.
Every time I go here - it's GREAT! I really don't get what all the complaints are about.... just a bunch of LAME haters I guess. I definitely don't think this is only a place for twenty-somethings - it's just a cool trendy place (in a good way) and I've seen the business crowd power-lunching here as well. Plus, don't judge a restaurant by how the clientle are dressed. The inside is incredible with a huge wooden staircase and lovely window decor with vaulted ceilings. Don't be fooled by the outside because usually people are waiting to go to Clarendon Ballroom. I have never seen people here looking trashy or snobby. The food is spectacular - the menu changes a lot but I have had the Vermont Pizza, the Fritto Misto, the Bruschetta, the Mussels, and the Papardelle pasta - all were fabulous and worth the price! The drink menu is good too if you want REAL beer and REAL wine and REAL cocktails. (HINT: Ask for the Pinapple Basil Sorbet! It is FANTASTIC - so crisp and sweet and refreshing after a great meal!) On a final note - the wait staff here has ALWAYS been great EVERY times I have been here - very professional and on-the-ball. Plus, it's right by the metro so you won't have to worry about parking.
(5)
Tia K.
Very nice space; the interior feel is a well-blended modern and elegant mix. Good beer selection! I'm going to hold off on rating the food- this place needs to find its groove in the kitchen. Overall -Nice addition to Clarendon.
(4)
SC O.
Stop the madness! A dessert bar full of Whoppers, Jujube's, M&M's, Maryjanes, Tootsie Rolls are more? Sign me up! Met a friend for Sunday brunch and not being a big buffet fan, I checked out the menu first. I then decided to take a walk around the buffet table and realized I'd be a moron to pass on this delicious goodness. Made the wise choice and enjoyed everything from scrambled eggs with bacon/onions/cream, mini pizzas, quiche, awesome hash browns, fruit salad, etc. It was terrific. Now I'm just looking for an excuse to head back for Sunday brunch with someone, anyone!
(4)
J C.
I knew I was in for a less than optimal experience when my inner dialogue sounded just like Ray Liotta. That's never happened before. "Hi, can I get a table for two please?" "Sure, do you have reservations?" Cue inner monologue: "Reservations? [right here is where the frame freezes like in a Scorsese movie and you get a close up of my head in 3/4 profile]. It's a fucking tavern for chrissakes. Whadda mean 'do you have a reservation?' Listen to this guy!" The host grabs two menus and proceeds to take longer than I'd like to consult the seating layout (mostly because now I'm certain he's trying to find the table closest to the bathroom). Fortunately that was not the case. We're led upstairs to a sleek looking dining room and seated in what is my least-favorite dining arrangement: the long booth running the length of the wall with tables placed every few feet accordingly. I know it's to pack in more people, but I don't like it. Especially when the place is trying to sell itself as (somewhat) upscale, I appreciate a modicum of privacy, or at least being able to raise my elbows without having to worry about banging the person next to me. If you've ever been to the Arlington IHOP, you know how tight they pack the tables. Only I expect this at IHOP. The only available free-standing tables were four-tops, so there was really no use in trying to request one of these for a party of two. So as I start to peruse the menu, I realize that nothing on it looks like tavern fare at all. No problem. Mikkela T. and I were here for the burger special that I saw on a window ad here while I was walking by about a month ago. Burger and a pint for $10. That gets my vote. Unfortunately that vote turned out to be a hanging chad, as it's a lunchtime special (I scrutinized that ad pretty damn carefully, and while it's been a month, I'm fairly certain I don't recall any "lunchtime" caveat). The table next to me (who I was able to eavesdrop on since they were almost on top of me) had a similar issue ordering from the bar menu (apparently the "bar menu" isn't named because it offers bar-style food. Rather, it's because you can only order such food at the bar). But okay, maybe I was wrong, and I won't hold it against them. And hey, we're here, so we might as well eat. Unfortunately, after scoping out the menu, neither Mikkela nor I could find much that sounded tempting. There really weren't a whole lot of choices, and a lot of the entrees seemed to consist of a hodgepodge of ingredients that gave the appearance that the goal was to be overly fancy at the expense of being coherent. Napa Valley meets flyover country. The beer list was equally weak, with a fairly limited range for a place that bills itself a tavern (though I must commend them for nodding to the local post-college crowd by offering Pabst, even if there were no ironic t-shirts in sight). I eventually settled on the skirt steak with potato champ, while Mikkela had the duck with cabbage and fingerling potatoes. Neither of us was particularly impressed with our meals. I've made skirt steak and potatoes numerous times before, and while my food here was good, it wasn't "better than you'd make it." This isn't to say how wonderful my cooking is, but my benchmark as far as dining out goes is to make food better than I'd make at home (otherwise, why bother, right?). To finish the meal, I opted for a French press of a particularly weak coffee whose name I don't recall. The service was quite good, and honestly is the only reason Liberty Tavern gets a third star. Our server (Randy, I think) was very attentive without being clingy or intrusive, and at the end of the meal, we were left to linger unhurriedly. She also had the menu down pat. Definitely some of the better service I've received in the DC area. The verdict: Don't be like Custer. Deploy some recon first by taking a look at the menu on their website (splitting up your forces and neglecting to bring a Gatling gun is your call, though). It might be right up your alley, but if you're going in thinking its traditional tavern fare, you're wrong. By the way, the looks I saw while gazing over at several other tables who were reviewing their menus indicated that we weren't the only ones who made this mistake. However, I'm not judging this restaurant based on misplaced assumptions. While I think it's perfectly okay to question the establishment for calling themselves a tavern when they're honestly purveyors of "haute" cuisine, to use this as a basis for awarding stars would be unfair. If the food was good enough to back it up, to "do the dew," I'd heartily recommend this place. However, the food was at best adequate, and really doesn't merit a repeat visit.
(3)
Jessica L.
Wow! The food at the Liberty Tavern is AMAZING. I had the Vermont pizza, which was either $14 or $15. It had Vermont cheddar, granny smith apples, caramelized onions, and ham on it. For dessert, I ordered the Lemon White Chocolate Gingerbread Mousse, which was also delicious. The only thing I ordered, which I didn't like was the pear salad. But everything else was SO good that I thought the restaurant deserved 5 stars. My husband had peanut soup and the Pineland Farms Skirt Steak. I tried both and they too were out of this world! We'll definitely be back :)
(5)
Nick E.
I am not a fan of overpriced drinks in a location that is trying too hard to be an upscale joint for yuppies. To feel like you fit in you might want to wear your D&G specs at night with the Ralph Lauren collar flipped up. I would like to come back during lunch or dinner to try a meal. But after dinner, it is too small, too crowded and again to overpriced on the few occasions that I had to visit to meet a group of friends.
(3)
pete s.
Jump back a few years this was a new and top notch joint. consistent great food, great beer, laid back environment, and smoke free before most of arlington. It is a 20 minute walk from my place and was far and away my go to local bar. Now the past year or so. I wanted to bring a friend that came into town here for dinner unexpectedly: i call at 1 o'clock looking for 9 PM saturday reservation. response - sorry we're all booked tonight, if you want a saturday reservation try calling on wednesday or thursday. It's bar food, fancier bar food, but still pub eats. not worth that kind of hassle. the bar is always packed to the point of not being able to walk or hear. which leads to slow service. I have found the food recently inconsistent, and heavy on the salt regularly. Beer and drink selection is still good, and priced the same as any bar in Clarendon. Bottom line is Liberty has fallen victim to it's own success. 2.5 stars. If they enforced a head count for the bar, or eliminated the bar and make it solely a restaurant, i think it could make it back to the top of my local favorites list. as it stands now i only go there if I wasn't involved in selecting the place. But, the french press coffee is still the best I've found on the west side of the Potomac.
(2)
Joanna C.
*** 3 stars... with potential *** It's hard not to get overly excited about a new hangout in Arlington, especially if it's got major curb appeal and a warm, cozy interior. However, after my first experience, I had a hard time determining the Liberty's personality. Is it a fancy pub (tap selections range from Pabst Blue Ribbon for $3 a pint to Belgium's Stella for $5) or a new-age, modern eatery (with a creative menu that reads like a fancy NY or LA restaurant). I must admit I was hoping for the former as the name and interior suggests more comfort food than gourmet pizza with fig and apple toppings (which they currently serve). Don't expect burgers or fries at this place! Still, the food was good... but for $35 a person, I wasn't blown away... Especially with other good dining options in the area. The salmon was salty and I didn't even clean my plate (which I ALWAYS do). But I must say that the service was fantastic. Overall, I liked the vibe at the bar and I would maybe go back for a quick happy hour. The crowd consisted of professionals in their 20's and 30's, but again, the lack of personality from the Tavern itself makes it hard to gage whether it would really be a fun place. It's echo-ey and the soundtrack didn't lend a hand... played faintly over the voices of people slowly getting drunk, the only song I could distinguish was a top-50 radio hit... again, clashing with the old school, oaky, speak-easy-esque interior. I went in not knowing what to expect, and left unsure of what I thought.
(3)
Mickey C.
Great meat market...especially on Friday afternoon. My questions are: Why do the Metrosexual/Homosexual men NOT shave or get a haircut and wear clothes they just popped out of their dirty laundry bag? Do they expect a decent girl to think that is "cool"? OR....are they looking to date the girl who doesn't shave her legs or armpits, doesn't brush her teeth and wears old underwear? Touche!
(4)
Ashley A.
Very good! We sat downstairs, had a bottle of wine, and great food. The service was attentive and nice. We ordered mushroom gnocchi, the beet and arugula salad, and a pizza and shared everything. Everything tasted great and I would definitely come back.
(4)
Super H.
OK, I hate to be the umpteenth person to write a review for a restaurant but I gotta give props to Liberty Tavern. They seduced me with their simple yet delicious happy hour burgers and classico pizza, but it was the handcrafted gnocchi that produced at least three OMG's during the course of one dinner. Holy crap! It was so good I almost considered ordering one to go. As much as I hate the idea that this is one of Arlington's "it" places, they really do everything first class. The fact that I live about 300 feet from their door doesn't hurt either. Maybe I'll build a tunnel directly from my apartment into their kitchen but until then I will continue to go back for more. Yelpers, do yourselves a favor and sell out to the Liberty Tavern.
(5)
Stephanie H.
Dinner review Our dining experience at Liberty Tavern was one of the best I have had. The reason I signed up for Yelp was just to review this restaurant. Atmosphere: The vibe upstairs is comfortable and elegant - a posh setting with a rustic, cabin feel. Service: Brian, our super-knowledgeable waiter, was incredibly willing to discuss menu options and combinations and made several on-point recommendations. Food: Liberty Tavern menus are crafted to fit the seasons (always a good sign!). Everything looked so delicious, we ordered all of our food based solely on our waiter's recommendations. The mussels were nothing like I've ever tasted - a surprising smokey flavor from the tomato sauce gave them such a unique and complex flavor. But the pork chops stole the show: perfectly cooked with a beautiful crust served with a rich spicy mustard, cheese souffle, scrapple and a bed of fall veggies. Amazing. I highly recommend Liberty Tavern for a dinner with a 1-2 friends or for a romantic evening in Clarendon.
(5)
Kristal V.
Brunch is my favorite meal, and I am always on the hunt for restaurants that do it right. Way too many places in DC that do buffets for brunch charge $35+ for glorified versions of what my family used to get at Old Country Buffet back in the day. Liberty Tavern only charges $17 for its "breakfast table", and has a great variety of options, although it is lacks an omelet or waffle station like its expensive brunch cousins. I also enjoyed a tasty french press of coffee, which I wish more places offered.
(4)
Blaine B.
yucky yucky poo poo. The first time we tried to go, we were asked: "What is the reservation under?" "oh, we didn't make one" Closes her eyes, laughs a little "oh, that means you'll have to sit in the bar, its open seating" As if! The three times I have been forced to return after that: My hambuger had a huge chunk of gristle in it...I almost barfed. another time my amish chicken was slighlty undercooked...i wasn't impressed. And yet another time my rabbit confit should have been called "lumps of fat confit" I'm not sure where that rabbit was.... he must be a wiley little beast.... I will concede that the vermont cheddar/apple pizza was delicious. I still wouldn't recommend this place, waaaaay to much hype for not that great of food, service or atmosphere.
(1)
Janet C.
i forget what i got here the first time around, but it must not have been horrible, or else i would have remembered. then again, it must not have been spectacular either, or else i would have remembered. i think i had a side of fries (which i think were good) and something else. anyway, this time around, i asked the waiter whether i should get the risotto or the amish chicken, and he said definitely the risotto (they were same price). welps, the risotto was pretty damn salty. so salty, in fact, i didnt finish about 2/3 of it, i was so parched and full of bread that i had to eat to counteract the saltiness. on a good note, the bread was delicious. i was too apathetic to complain, so i just told the waiter i didnt want it packed up in a doggie bag. an acquaintance said when she ordered the risotto a while ago, it was good, so maybe i was just unlucky. boo.
(3)
Mike J.
4/2/2010 Fri evening Came here with some friends on a recommendation. They had no seats except in the bar area. Very loud, but expected for a Fri eve. The pizza was really good, but small for the price.. $14 for a 10" pizza. There's something wrong with the service here. The attitude is very poor. We asked for our check and waited 15 minutes for it--watching the waitress bring water to a new table, walking around the bar a few times, etc. When I flagged her down, she brought it, threw it on the table, and went around serving other people again. Another 10 minutes and I stood up to flag her down to take our credit cards. So, if a place has good food and lousy service, I always go elsewhere.
(2)
Josh H.
I have only been upstairs here (the restaurant part) but they have some great food. All of their thin crust pizzas are amazing and not too pricey. They have some nice beers on tap. I'd suggest a Brooklyn Lager being a New Yorker. Making reservations is very easy to do on their website (through opentable.com ). The place looks somewhat upscale at first glance but it's not pretentious. For someone who doesn't dress up just to go eat it's a good fit for me.
(5)
Sharon C.
A perfectly balanced meal - flavor-wise that is. When it comes to matchmaking flavors and ingredients. This kitchen gets it right! Started my meal sharing the Housesmoked Char, which is a bite to remember! Set atop "johnnycakes" (cornmeal pancakes) with creme fraiche and pickled shallots... This is a welcome and harmonious explosion of flavor that you'll not want to miss. Accompanied with a glass of crisp and every so slightly effervescent Muscadet, this was a winner! I also ordered two of the pizzas - Vermont, and Mussel Pie. I really loved the Vermont Pie. The crisp yet chewy crust (no 2amys but still good flavor), crunchy granny smiths, the sage, the sharp white cheddar and thick bubbling slices of prosciutto created a complete flavor profile.... I carefully laid out each bite so I would have a little bit of each of the ingredients every time. My friend in observing lent - could not eat the prosciutto.. tragic because without it - the balance was off - and wasn't a complete dish. On the other hand the mussel pie was a little tooo savory and salty for me, although my friend seemed to love it as a welcome contrast to the Vermont. We closed out the meal with molten devil's food cake accompanied by a house-made mint choc chip ice cream. And WOW. What a way to end the night! Yet another dish of perfectly matched flavors. Matchmaking sometimes unusual flavors and textures is is definitely this chef's art and he should stick to it!
(4)
Sean C.
Two friends and I met up for an impromptu lunch here today. It was late in the service but our waitress was still attentive and offered great suggestions. We did not do the "famous" cheese combo plates that seemed to be a great option but I took our waitress' advice and ordered the famous pizza's. This because of finding out they had a real wood fired oven and that is always a good sign' One got the "Vermont" which had, get this, Granny Smith apples on it. It was universally deemed "delicious" and was big enough for two! I had the "Primanti Brothers" sandwich with Pastrami and I have to say it was one of the better sandwiches I have had in a long time. Fresh bread, good quality tomatoes and the pastrami was made in house and melted in my mouth. I had them put the fries on the side but normally they are put in the sandwich thus making it a "Primanti Brother famous" as this is the tradition evidently. The other pizza ordered was the Classico and was equally as good and very fresh.... atmosphere is nice as well in a classic Arlington store front with and inviting bar and cocktail seating on the first floor and the upstairs is dining exclusively. If you like fresh pizza and meats this is your place!
(4)
Bro H.
Went for brunch. It's better than Whitlow's, but 18 bucks?! Not quite. I'm assuming "Dave's Fluffy Biscuits" are some kind of joke, as the biscuits look like sugar cookies and taste like dry sugar cookies without the sugar. Some things were damn good (shepherd's pie) and some things were bad (I couldn't cut into my French toast with a fork because it was so damn dry), as with most buffets, but this wasn't most buffets. This was the price of two brunches. The food's not good enough to make you want to eat your money's worth. Doubt I'll be back to Liberty Tavern in any capacity.
(2)
Pam J.
Not bad on the beer front. I do love that you can't smoke here. Haven't eatten here and should probably check it out.
(3)
Sarah S.
I went there last Thursday for a sorority happy hour and was incredibly impressed with the happy hour prices. Half off their glasses of wine is a fantastic deal. I had two glasses of a decent Chardonnay (with tip) for around $8. My friends and I sat in the back on these comfortable couches with low tables and padded ottomans for more seating. The waitress was polite and quick with our drink and food orders and constantly refilled our water. Next time I would like to sit in their outdoor seating (small but it's right on Wilson). The tavern is very open and airy making the space seem larger than it actually is. I would recommend this place for a fun happy hour alternative in Arlington as it's right next to the metro and the Ballroom.
(4)
alene w.
We had a lovely meal for 5 of us. I reserved for 6, but they easily changed it for us when one person could not make it. The food was excellent. We actually think it has improved over time. This was our best meal yet. Great, unusual salads, creative main dishes, and desserts to die for. I ordered a bourbon Manhattan on the rocks, and the waiter advised me that they made a special version of it. I got it straight up, and it just seemed like a Manhattan to me. And I'm sure it was more money. That was the only thing that bothered me. Great great dinner!
(4)
Bob O.
Went here for the first time in early November with some friends. Liberty had a great Happy Hour and the draft beers on the hh list were very good. Had a small pizza and was surprised that it was actually very tasty. I think this was some of the best service I have gotten in a crowded bar during happy hour in a long time. Will definitely go there again next time I'm in Arlington, Va,
(4)
Leah B.
Great for brunch or dinner. They have really good pizza and great brunch. The brunch menu is very limited however. If you don't get the buffet then your only option is an omelet and a few sides. But the omelet was great and the home fries were awesome! I also really liked that we got a large french press for our coffee. It was good coffee and we could refill it ourselves. Happy hour is good here too, but it gets a little crowded. No smoking in the bar, you have to go outside.
(4)
Ryan C.
Ugh..not very good. They put bacon in too many dishes, and just in general not ver ygood or imaginative (but overpriced) food. Also the bar crowd can be so loud and the sound just travels up into the dining room, which they intended to be nice but you can't get over the screams from sports fans to enjoy your macaroni covered in bacon while eating a salad covered in bacon...
(2)
new p.
I'd give a better score but they really screw over the locals with a bogus extra charge called "locals tax."
(1)
Imo J.
Delicious! We had the pork belly, vegetable/favabean pot pie, and scallops w-tarragon sauce. The flavors were wonderful for everything but the star of the meal was those succulent scallops, big and meaty and expertly prepared. Would eat there again.
(3)
chu p.
keep in mind, I never venture to any clarendon bar on friday or saturday night, just because it's too crowded. I usually come here Monday-Wendesday and of course Sunday brunch. The food is very "bistro" and very tasty, the beers are the best and the bartenders are awesome. Sunday brunch is another animal...trust me, just go on a random sunday...you'll be amazed!
(4)
Josh B.
Burger and beer is a great deal for ten bucks. Beers on tap are pretty good too. Overall, very fine place. Would highly recommend!
(5)
M D.
I've given this place three tries--I'm just not feeling it. The drinks and food are just okay, but what will keep me from ever going back to this place is the NOISE LEVEL! It sounds like everyone is hanging out IN MY HEAD! It's too bad too, it's really a nice, lovely little bar.
(2)
Kenneth L.
Good things about their brunch, but having been to both Whitlow's and Liberty Tavern for brunch, I'm not really sure how they could beat them both. The restaurant has a good selection of drinks and food, it also serves a buffet during Sunday brunch.
(3)
Karen A.
Not bad food, good wines, service just so-so. Weird mix of packed bar downstairs (mid-30s set) and seated dining upstairs.
(3)
Jamie C.
This place is alright. If you are looking for something decent in Clarendon that isn't bar food I would suggest it, but only if you don't have time to go into DC or another area of VA. I had one of their pizzas with shrimp and it was very good, but nothing impressive. The downstairs area is too loud and the upstairs can be cramped. Server was attentive, but not fabulous. I'd like to try their brunch in the future.
(3)
Bridgette H.
The food is AMAZING! The drinks are expensive - but overall a great dining experience.
(5)
David T.
I came here once with a foreign co-worker. The bartender served him his 4th and final beer at 1:55 am. At 2:00 am they flipped on all the lights and told everyone to leave. At 2:03 the bouncer told my cowrker to finish his beer or he would be 'removed'. My coworker drank half in one chug, the bouncer smiled and head-butted him in the face. Horrible experience. Will never go back for any reason, not even if they paid me. Classless
(1)
emily h.
I went on a saturday night with two of my male friends and literally, we were by FAR the youngest people there (we are 22-24). i would say the average age was around 32, with lots of FAR older people in their late thirties, maybe early forties, and they were ALL awkwardly flirting with each other. I especially liked the women in their late thirties wearing outfits that I wouldn't wear because i'd be afraid of looking slutty, and i'm no prude. good beer/wine/drink selection. I didn't eat there but would like to. I had fun because I enjoyed telling single ladies at the bar that my young male friends thought they were attractive and wanted to speak to them. sadly, my male friends did not find this as fun, and made us leave
Don't want to hang out with the 21 year olds drinking SoCo & Lime out of plastic cups but, not yet to the point in your life where you're ready to join the retirement crew at Restaurant 3 and Harry's Tap Room? Then Liberty is the place for you. Liberty is more upscale than Ballroom, Whitlows, & the Grill (although not noticably more expensive). Yet Liberty is not as stuffy and over-priced as Restaurant 3 and Harry's Tap Room. Being one of the few fully smoke-free bars in the neighborhood Liberty had already scored a special place in my heart. However, over the last year plus, it's the bar staff that keeps me coming back time and again. Few faces have changed since the first few days and those faces have always been smiling, friendly, cheerful, fun faces. The fact that Liberty is locally owned also goes a long way for me. The owners and managers take a lot of pride in what Liberty Tavern brings to the Clarendon neighborhood because it's home for them too. If you're hungry at the bar there are two things I highly recommend: * The pizzas are great. The Vermont is by far my favorite. * The cheeses. That's right, Liberty has an almost secret great selection of cheeses. You'll just have to ask for the cheese menu which I believe they are hiding on the dessert menu these days.
(4)
Vicki M.
I was disappointed because I heard great things about this place. My waitress can best be described as awkward. She tended to lurk and failed to check up on us throughout the meal, which was during a weekday and the restaurant was not busy. She gave me attitude when I returned a disgustingly dirty glass. I usually don't complain about that kind of stuff but it grossed me out. On top of it, I didn't have a fork and had to flag down a different waitress to get me a fork so I could eat my tiny order of gnocchi. There were 2 sizes listed on the menu and i chose the larger one . I'm not sure what the small one would have been- a thimble? It didn't come with anything, and was $17. Not worth it at all. My friend liked her pizza, which had a cracker-thin crust and tasty apples. I did enjoy the coffee, which is from a local coffee shop and served with a french press, and the creme brulee was delicious. The zeppole was strange, as the marshmellows seemed stale, like the ones in Lucky Charms cereal.
(2)
Patrick M.
Nice bar atmosphere and a classy place. The ownership is local and friendly. Menu is seasonal and thoughtful. The Sunday "table" (that's Libertese for buffet) is the best deal in town in my opinion. The Vermont Pizza is fantastic as well. I'm still trying to figure out how you make a pizza with crisp granny smith apples on it taste so good. Great place...can't wait to see what these guys do next.
(5)
Alex B.
I do not understand WHY this place is so crowded all the time. The drinks are good(but so they are everywhere else), service is OK. Major disappointment was their pizza. Go for any frozen brand to get a better pizza...
(3)
Lindsey G.
The 5 stars is mainly for the brunch. Probably the best brunch buffet I have ever had. Some buffets are just a lot of food with no real character. This buffet is delicious and fresh, and the offerings vary week to week. The carbonara is unbelievable, I have had it as an entree at dinner and as part of the buffet and it is always a highlight for me. The carving station usually has turkey and lamb, sometimes pork as well. The baked goods are delicious as are the cheesy potatoes. This morning they had a duck shepherd's pie that was unreal. We go nearly every week and now the host recognizes us and is always really friendly and accommodating. We always take our friends and family to brunch because we know they won't be disappointed. It is also a great choice for dinner, they do a good job of getting foods locally. A few months ago they had polyface chicken as a special and it was easily the best tasting chicken I have ever had. I also highly recommend their pizza!
(5)
Melaine P.
I like the farm fresh concept, including the Polyface products. The food was, in a word, decadent. Seriously, my artic char was melting in my mouth. The three types of fresh baked breads, house whipped butter, and lemon tea cookies (at the end of the night) were small but effective touches that didn't go unnoticed. The wine list is eclectic without trying too hard. The wait staff was exceptional, knowledgeable, and passionate about the food they were serving. We went with another couple, but I could see larger and smaller parties having a great time here as well. I went the last day of their "late-summer" menu, so I'll be headed back later this fall for another round.
(4)
Perry H.
I am going to have to go with 4-stars. The bar staff is on top of their game when it is crowded. I good group of people come here, very social.
(4)
Glaciala A.
The pizza I had was pretty good, it had granny apples as a topping. I asked if chicken could be substituted instead of the proscuito, but wasn't told I'd be charged extra. I thought the waiter would have informed me, if a substitution of the meats was performed. The martini was most excellent.
(3)
Lisa K.
We've been to Liberty Tavern a couple of times now, including the opening night party, and I can't say enough about the staff and the food. Yeah, it gets crowded and loud, but this is Clarendon and anything good is going to be popular. If you don't like the noise, try the Sunday afternoon / evening dinner special - 3 courses for $25. It's a bargain - and get the roast chicken. I know, it seems plain, but you can really tell a kitchen by their roast chicken and this is excellent, plus it comes with green and white asparagus and buttermilk mashed potatoes. The staff is always incredibly welcoming, whether you're with a group or on your own waiting for your friends to arrive - and it's nice when a single woman can be made to feel welcome in a crowded bar. We're already making Liberty Tavern one of our favorite places. Haven't been to brunch yet, but that's definitely next.
(4)
Elissa O.
I really wanted to like this place. I went for restaurant week Jan 2011 and was so impressed that they opened up the whole menu. The food looked amazing, but for some reason, does not taste as good as it looks. We split the Norcia pizza as an appetizer. I thought it was ok, but had an strange off putting smell. My friend hated it. The veggie sandwich was decent but nothing spectacular. My friend had the trout. He said it was very bland and it was quite small. Then we had the lemon mousse dome (awesome) and the warm chocolate caramel cake (barely edible) for dessert. The chocolate cake came out the first time not warmed at all so the caramel was hard as a rock. The second time it was partly melted so what we didn't eat in about two minutes was totally solid. The real kicker was they charged us for each glass of iced tea. Kind of a shocker considering there was nothing special about it. The staff was very nice but based on the food I will not be returning. Too many other great spots in the neighborhood.
(1)
Joseph C.
Excellent choice for general dining. The menu is diverse (as is the beer list), the food is delicious and fresh-tasting. It's a smidge pricey, but the expense is somewhat offset by the complimentary homemade bread, which is freakin fantastic. Parking in this part of Clarendon is also somewhat difficult; that and the price are really the only things which make this a four rather than a five.
(4)
Mike M.
I'm only reviewing the bar, as I have not had the chance to dine here yet. My only problem with Liberty Tavern and the reason for my 2-star rating is the poor design. I don't understand why they put that big table directly in the middle of the space on the first floor making it absolutely impossible to get to the bar for a drink. Everyone is forced to crowd around the end of the bar for a chance to get the bartender's attention. I did like the crowd, but the bar design angered me and left a bad taste in my mouth.
(2)
Roger S.
A very pleasant surprise and another addition to thriving Clarendon. Liberty is a bar downstairs and a full fledged sit down white table cloth restaurant upstairs. I was there for dinner and we ate upstairs. They obviously take food seriously here and do a great job. I had an apple-endive salad as a starter which was a nice variation on an old standard. The ingredients were totally fresh, the dressing was delicious, and the accompanying cheese and spiced pecans were excellent. My main dish was the skate (a fish) with lemon brown butter and black rice. Another winner. The skate was perfectly cooked, the butter had a great citrus tang without being overpowering, and the rice was nutty and crunchy, a great contrast to the buttery skate. My friends had the Branzino (fish) and the Amish Chicken and both said that they enjoyed their food. I was too busy scarfing down my entree to even taste theirs! Our server was a delight. Knowledgable, good sense of humor, around when we needed him, but not trying to join in on our conversation. The only downside is that the place is very noisy. Wood floors, bare walls, and the din from the bar downstairs make conversation a bit difficult. I actually left a little bit hoarse! The noise level is why I withhold the coveted 5th star. I will definitely return (perhaps on a slower night or at an off hour when it may be quieter).
(4)
Ryan H.
Kind of expensive for me, but I would pay anything for THE INDUSTRIAL, a wonderful margarita filled with sweet NECTAR of the Agave. Delightful waiting staff including one chick we liked to refer to as the "power ass," trust me, i mean this as a complete compliment. That saw horse of a bottom half would destroy any thigh machine Susan Summers tried to let her use. Back to the review.. Pizza's are rather delicious and fresh tasting as well. The Sweet Nectar of the Gods drink (Industrial) is on happy hour pretty much all the time that I go there anyways so that's all I need. Good beers on tap as well. Send.
(5)
Jane D.
This place is great for a happy hour, but make sure you get there early. It gets packed quickly, and then it becomes time consuming to get a drink from the bar. I've also had dinner there on one occasion. The food was very good, but a little expensive for my taste. The upstairs restaurant provides a cozy atmosphere which is great for a date.
(3)
i w.
A nice place inside and the bar food was good. The place is stiff as a steel rod though so i usually dont stay long. Quality arlington crowd, eveyone there is probably worth a million bucks. Not diverse. might work for a date with high maintenance chick. Oh, i heard they have good martinins...
(3)
kate s.
Just went here for drinks, al fresco. Was impressed because even though the bar was packed, we got our drinks and appetizers in no time at all. Great atmosphere and great food. The only negative point: the "s'mores" pot du creme was underwhelming....no real graham cracker taste.
(4)
Michael H.
Nice Place. Bartender, Javiera, was very hospitable and attentive. Had the three meatball sandwich with a salad. Very good. I am not a wine drinker but it looked like very diverse selection.
(5)
KP M.
This was, with out a doubt the WORST meal I've had in years. We went on a Tuesday night to check this place out since we drive by it frequently. Set up a reservation ahead of time using opentable.com (we eat out A LOT!!). We were promptly seated, only to watch our would be waiter, hanging out at the table next to us chatting. Ok, so the service is a little slow, it happens when you are busy, right? So, he comes to great us after we have studied the menu for quite some time. To me, nothing looks all that great, so I ask for his opinion & accept his suggestion as something that is excellent on the menu. We start out with two Tavern Salads. The idea is good, fresh field greens with sliced cherry tomatoes... but your dressing has all the taste of cardboard. If you are going to use an Oil/Vinegar mix, you have to add some spices to it to give it flavor. Perhaps atleast the offer of fresh ground pepper could have made this better? Ok, so the salad is bland, but let's move on. Our entre's arrive. I've ordered the Brook Trout while my GF tries something simple like the Classico Pizza. Remember what I was saying about bland? Yeah, let's take this one step further. Her pizza, was basically a can of crushed tomato's poured onto some flavorless dough (your dinner bread was good, why can't anything else have a decent flavor?) with a couple of nearly dissolved pieces of cheese on top and a basil leaf. Was the spice guy just out for the day? Ok, so the pizza is bland, let's move on. The brook trout had hope. The texture was nice, it was browned and cooked properly with an attractive plating. The combination of vegetables that it was sitting on was enough to make me a little nauseous! On the menu, you think this could be an eclectic mix. The flavors come out similar to the leftover crap from Chinese take out, you know the stuff where the bottom has all those veggies and crap you don't want and end up tossing? Yeah, that's the stuff. I was starving, so I ate the trout and moved the veggies around my plate. Ok, so, let's recap thus far... Service is SLOW, & the food is bland or nasty. Believe it or not, these two I could forgive. I've spent almost 15 years in food service, I know it's a hard place to survive so I try to be a little more forgiving. The following is what sealed this establishments 1 star for me. Now, I'm usually pretty reserved with my comments, but the server asked the right thing at the right time when clearing our plates. How was it? I told him that I only ate it b/c I was famished, true, and it the vegetables were some of the worst things I'd ever eaten, also true. This is not his fault. He goes to tell his manager who is circulating around the room talking to EVERY table except ours. What does the manager do? NOTHING! effing nothing! He drops off our check, and then runs the credit card for me. Thanks! I want to take a minute to point out that I was not looking for a free meal here, I ate therefore I should pay. That's the way it works. As a floor manager, it is your job to check on tables that have not enjoyed their meal. I even witnessed our server telling the manager of our concerns. Offer a coffee or an after dinner drink or something. Or just say, Hi! I'm sorry our food sucked. SOMETHING!! Maybe he perceived me as the type looking for a free hand out, or maybe he was just sick of dealing with people telling him how terrible the food was. I wasn't privileged to that information. Either way, you have let a table that clearly had a poor experience out the door with a sour taste in their mouth when you had the knowledge, ability, and man power at your finger tips to prevent it. This place seems to me like it's trying entirely too hard to be Carlyle in Shirlington, yet failing miserably. There are too many good places to eat in Arlington for me to fight for street parking to come to this place ever again.
(1)
Rachel S.
Went after work on a Wed. for happy hour - there was plenty of room to sit on couches for our group of 5. We got a couple of pizzas - they were good but not spectacular. Wish there was a veggie option besides the cheese. My friends liked the Vermont. The wine selection for the happy hour specials was good - and out waiter was esp. helpful in making sure we got a new glass before the special ended at 7! Overall, nothing spectacular but a good place for a happy hour in Clarendon.
(4)
Eric H.
What to say that hasn't already been said? Being a Clarendon resident, LT is pretty much a go-to by default, but fortunately it's a circumstance I'll gladly appreciate and continue to indulge. I've been for lunch, happy hours and a weekend night or two. The pizzas are great and unique, so my recommendation is a weekend outing just before the dinner crowd. Share a pizza (or get your own) and enjoy a few pints of the respectable beer selection. Happy hours are fun, but get VERY crowded, so if you don't have a table or spot along the bar or center table-thingy then good luck. Weekend nights you might chance a local celebrity sighting (think Nationals, but I won't blow up his spot too much) but expect the same crowds. The demographics are typically more middle aged (high 20s to 30s) than you would expect in Arlington, but don't expect pinkie lifting martini sippers, it's still a good time. Liberty Tavern, won't you be my neighbor?
(5)
Meredith C.
I had to go to Liberty for a business dinner and when I called to make the reservation early in the week, I explained that I had some dietary restrictions. They said that would be no problem to accomodate me and said they wrote it down in the book. When I called to confirm the reservation the day of the dinner, they had us down for the wrong time and didn't have a note in their book about my request. The waiter told me that there were only two dishes that would suit what I needed a garden salad or the gnocchi with all of the veggies (that came on the regular gnocchi dish) and tomato sauce (which they have on hand for the kids menu), which sounded great. However, he brought over my dish- a plate of crappy gnocchi (I usually love gnocchi but this was pretty flavorless) and red sauce that tasted like it came out of a can. It was very dissapointing that they made no effort to be accomodating. I would understand if I came in the night of and made these requests, but because I called twice in advance, I figured it wouldn't be a problem. The waiter left for about 10 min after dropping our food off and when he came back to check on us, I asked where the veggies were and he said that "Chef" couldn't put them on because they were already cooked in cream sauce. He completely mislead me by saying they could make the dish one way and then not even coming back to tell me that wouldn't be the case. The worst part was they charged the same price for that dish that they did for the "good" gnocchi. I am usually very easy to please but was just so frustrated by this experience that I wanted to pass it on. Bottom line- if you have any special dietary needs, don't go to Liberty! Oh yeah, and one of my colleagues asked if she could substitute one vegetable for another and they said no.
(1)
Tom S.
Tasty menu for the fall. Looking forward to Winter. First time here for dinner and will plan to go back.
(4)
Alp A.
good food, good atmosphere, one of my favorite bars in arlington. they could work on specials or happy hour to be more inviting to those that dont wish to pay retail every visit
(4)
They Call Me L.
I can only comment on brunch, but it was fabulous, and the price is attractive as well. The French press coffee container brought to your table is a nice touch.
(4)
mariam o.
i came here for happy hour on columbus day. since i didn't have to work for once, and since their happy hour starts at 4pm, AND since i'm an alcoholic, i grabbed a friend and came to check this place out. we sat outside for about 4 1/2 hours drinking wine and cocktails and shared the "staten island pizza". the pizza was great, in my opinion. the crust was thinnish, but not like a crackery wafer - sick. the toppings on the staten were san marzano tomatoes, cows milk mozzarella, provolone and basil. this resulted in a salty union of deliciousness with a little bit of acidity from the fresh tomato sauce. god bless 'em. having said that, i highly recommend this place for happy hour. our server, jimmy, was super nice and attentive without being overbearing. the drinks were actually cheap. i had the "industrial" which is the LT's not-grossly-sweet version of a margarita for only $5 as opposed to the usual $8. all wines were half off, and draft beer was $3. great deals, nice outdoor seating area, good pizza - it's a must.
(4)
Jennifer C.
Have been to LT many, many times. I am a HUGE fan of their mussels - the smoked tomato/fennel pollen broth is so unique and tasty - it's the main reason I go back. Their pizza's are also really good - thin crust and quality ingredients are apparent. Wine specials during HH are also really reasonable. Great selection at 1/2 the price. I would definitely recommend this restaurant and if you go and are a fan of seafood, you won't be disappointed w/ their mussels (you can get them for 1 or 2 people)!
(4)
Sally W.
We called twice to let the restaurant know we were running late for a 6pm reservation due to a traffic jam. The host held our table and, when we finally arrived (somewhat frazzled), they treated us like A-listers. The food and the service were outstanding and the server made sure that we were on our way in time for an 8pm show at the Kennedy Center. I can't say enough about the wonderful hospitality at The Liberty Tavern. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!
(5)
richard s.
Twenty-something crowd in the bar, Outstanding bartenders. Knowledgable and friendly. Excellent Mojitas! Good wine by the glass list. Very good appetizer selection. Fun place for viewing the locals, clevage and all! ;-)
(4)
Paul J.
Go for the brunch, but go early! Good bar too, but I can't vouch for the "late-night" atmosphere.
(5)
Marie A.
Went here after the line to the ballroom was too long. It was cute, I guess, but way too small. It was so freaking crowded, impossible to order a drink, impossible to sit anywhere. We had to stand by the door which sucked bc it was cold, and we couldn't hear each other talk. This place might have been ok if we could have sat down, but i was not impressed.
(2)
Christopher M.
Okay, so just an update to one of the two places I have been to in VA for drinks. The smell is gone, all is well within the Tavern, YAY! So many reviews have noted it, I've been back twice since my last and it's no more. Second, the home made macchieroni is AWESOME. I've had the Pennsylvania Dutch Style Egg Noodles and the Fettuccine Alla Carbonara with Lobster and Sweet Corn. I love both. This is probably some of the best pasta I've had in my life, and the good Lord above knows I've probably eaten my body weight in pasta....at least thrice...thist year....and its only mid Septmber. that's more than a hundred pounds each season. We won't go into how much more than 100, but see my review of Vida Fitness in Chinatown- they're awesome! I can't press enter without complimenting the drinks here, they are excellent as well. These folks know what they are doing, definitely stop in and check them out. So what it's in Clarendon, get your rear there at happy and you'll be done by the time the last train leaves, 2 of 3 puns intended; I cannot guarantee your skills, you're on your own with the last.
(4)
F A.
Overall have not had a bad meal here! Dinner and brunch are both very nice. What makes this place special, and most other places in the area can learn from this, is their service. Really fantastic!
(4)
kris w.
went there last week for my company's Christmas dinner. the place was really crowed , but the costumer services was excellent! the server was really at tentative.
(4)
Maria D.
Really really good high caliber food in a wonderful casual gastropub environment. Even the soups in this place are to die for. And where else in Arlington can you find Polyface farms ingredients. Well worth the trek from DC to check it out. This is a neighborhood gem.
(4)
Katie R.
My husband and I had an absolutely wonderful meal tonight. We had a reservation and were sat right away. I had the skirt steak, my husband had the shortrib, and we shared a side of the spinach. The skirt steak came with a wonderful mashed potato/bacon/cheese casserole dish that was really good. Even the bread basket was great! We also shared the chocolate caramel cake and it was outstanding. It's one of the best meals I've had since living here! The service was also really good. I will definitely eat here again.
(5)
Lindsay H.
Meh. I don't get it. I have a couple of friends who have been raving about this place for ages. The crowd is good and the place is gorgeous, but it's impossible to get anyone to wait on you during happy hour.
(2)
C K.
I like many things about this place. The food can be inconsistent but is usually great, the beer and wine lists are interesting and have some great options. But at the risk of sounding like I'm in my 90s, this is not the place to go if you want to have a conversation, ever. I don't know if they need to do something to the acoustics, but the noise level makes having social experiences here far less fun. The downstairs area is bar-like, brimming with people so the volume rises, but upstairs where there is dining only sounds just as much like a crowded bar. I have gone several times with friends and on any night, nobody can hear the person sitting across the small table from them, which makes for a whole table of conversing dyads. This problem also leads to really mixed service. The last several times I've gone, the servers have mis-heard at least one person's order and brought out the wrong dishes. On one occasion, the server misheard a food allergy that would have ended with a trip to the ER had the orderer not checked again with the server before taking a bite. This place is perhaps a great place to grab a beer, but terrible for dates or catching up with friends.
(3)
Brian L.
nice place...clean. I had the steak and cheese and it was ok...just ok.
(3)
Marisa P.
I went for dinner with 4 friends, and I was underwhelmed. The Vermont pizza was quite good, as were the salads (although the Tavern salad, which the waiter recommended, was nothing but a bed of greens--not worth bothering with). However, the pastas, despite being made in-house, were not particularly good. The presentation for the tortellini was horrible: it looked like a trail of cat throw-up on the plate, and the flavor was lacking. The gnocchi were light, but the sauce was way too sweet and needed something to balance it out. Overall, for the price it was disappointing.
(2)
Chich S.
liberty tavern has great food, especially their sunday brunch! it's a nice atmosphere and has good drinks. for the several times i have been, the service has been pretty good (Tony has been the best by far). i would definitely recommend this place, at least so that you can formulate your own opinion!
I came here with a few colleagues after dinner in the Court House area. All of us were from out of town. This place was loud and crowded, even on a Wednesday night. I had a bad experience with the wait staff, hence the low rating. The waitress brought me the beer I ordered. After I found out the price of my beer ($6.50) I gave her a $10 bill, figuring that she would come back with my change. She never did. I did not give her the impression that the change was tip. It's borderline thievery to pretend that the customer did not want change.
(1)
stella b.
as in, 4 stars b/c you have delicious thin crust pizza with tight toppings and spunky wines and a gracious staff. not 4 stars because you are always for the love of g_d jam packed and you are one overanxious polo shirt waiting to mate with a lily pulitzer dress. no, not because of that, although you are that, too. but that is not your fault, that is because you are situated in the greater washington dc area. you will hear more "like, and then i said, like" from your co-patrons than believed grammatically possible. but wait patiently, smile at the nice staff, sit at the bar or on the patio and have a nice meal. because it is a restaurant, after all. and that it does 4 stars worth, easy. .
(4)
Suzanne M.
First Time at Liberty Tavern was wonderful. Only thing that was very weird was that we sat outside because they didn't have any indoor seating. They walked us all the way down the street and we were seating almost a block away from the restaurant. We had some wine and coffee to start us off and the coffee was just great. I had the lobster ravioli which was wonderful. They are true to their portion size which I really appreciate. I ordered the small ravioli thinking it would be a large portion. Don't make my mistake because it is wonderful. The dessert was really good as well. Ha I forgot exactly what it was called that I ordered for dessert but it was great! Our waiter was a great guy. He wasn't afraid to tell us the truth about what we ordered. I am one of those people who has a hard time making a decision on what I like. So he told me honestly about each one. The alcohol was on the expensive side compared to other arlington area drink prices. The person I went with had pizza and the other steak tried both and enjoyed them very much!
(4)
Yee W.
food is pretty good but bar is way too crowded! highly recommend mac and cheese. drinks are ok.
(3)
Kristy K.
Liberty Tavern is refreshing because it is a nice pub-type bar where you can sit & talk to friends w/out a loud band or crowd of just-out-of-college kids bumping up against you. There might be people bumping up against you, but at least they are a little bit older! The bartenders are very attentive & don't leave you hanging. I usually grab a spot at one of the tables downstairs & try the late-night bar menu which is actually really good. I like their pizza. But I almost don't want to leave too good of a review.... if too many people discover it I won't get a spot at a table anymore!
(4)
Winnifer G.
We typically don't go to the same restaurant twice, but this is one of our exceptions! We've been for lunch and dinner, and another time we brought three friends visiting from out of town. The atmosphere in the second floor seating area is classy yet comfy, the waiters are incredibly efficient and very friendly (in a cool way, not an annoying way), and the complimentary bread is outstanding -- we always request a second basket! As for the food: big portions and flavor. The lunch sandwiches can be a bit greasy, but they are yummy and fill you up. Our dinner plates were excellent. Our white wine was so-so. All in all, we like Liberty very much.
(4)
Amit S.
always too crowded and the food is pretty average
(2)
Lori S.
I had pizza to start off with and then the filet. I thought it was very good and I also had some new wine that disappeared almost instantly. The place was pretty crowded and while coming in, I noticed the downstairs was absolutely packed and very loud. If you are going for dinner, I would recommend the upstairs unless you want someone to get a free grab.
(3)
LR I.
My wife and I ate here a Sunday night, and were quite pleased with the friendly staff, the atmosphere and food. The selection of cheeses for the appetizers was great. They had a nice selection of wine, full and half bottles as well as by the glass. We've been putting this place off because it always looks crowded, but when we were seated, it was fine.
(4)
Joe C.
i don't know about their bar scene, but I really like their buffet brunch on Sunday mornings.
(4)
Donna C.
I had a drink here on the 4th of July. It wasn't very packed. I like the "newness" of the place, though the decor was a bit drab and hollow. The one thing I did enjoy was my drink, whiich I forget the name of. It had muddles strawberries, vodka, and a sprig of basil. Delish!
(3)
M P.
I was walking around with some people looking for a good brunch place and someone said "how about Liberty Tavern?" I didn't know they served breakfast or anything even close to it. I thought it was just a bar and dinner place. Much to my surprise they had a pretty good spread for the brunch buffet. Basically your normal fare, with some interesting takes on a few items. For instance, they had scrambled eggs with sausage and vegetables mixed in, but they also had frittata. Instead of a roast beef carving station there was roast leg of lamb. The deserts, although nostalgic and well displayed, could been better. I like the presentation of a table full of candy, but for desert it doesn't really suit me. The lounge area seating is also really nice if you can snag one of the 5-6 tables there. Someone at my table got a Bloody Mary and said it was great. It comes with a shot of beer that she poured into the drink and it was surprisingly good.
(4)
paul l.
fun upscale sports bar, also had their pizza, which was a thin crust great brick oven style. go!
(5)
Claire S.
This is the best place for brunch buffet in Arlington. Somehow, I keep tricking myself in to trying Whitlows every once and a while and immediately after I think to myself that we should have gone to Liberty Tavern. Great staff, awesome and fresh brunch buffet, and their bloody Mary's are great too. This is also a great place to catch college football at the bar.
(5)
Tigerlilly Z.
I am baffled by their average rating on Yelp. This place is AMAZING! The food here is out of this world for being a tavern/bar in the party central of NOVA. The wait staff and bartenders are friendly and extremely prompt with their service. There is a great variety of drinks, cocktails, wines, beers and ciders on tap. The seating and bar area are tastefully decorated. What's not to love about this place!? It's easily my favorite restaurant in Virginia. I read some of the other reviews on this page by food snobs, people who visited Liberty Tavern ONCE on a MONDAY!? Going to any restaurant on a Monday is a BAD IDEA. People who go there at 6pm on a weekend night and are surprised that it's crowded? DUH! What did you expect, it's located in the heart of Clarendon! Those people are giving Liberty Tavern a bad rap.
(5)
Amber G.
I'm a huge Liberty Tavern fan. American food done right in a cozy corner restaurant on the main Clarendon drag. The all-you-can-eat brunch for $30 is probably one of the best AYCE brunches in Arlington! (Tip: Ask to be seated upstairs for the AYCE brunch, otherwise you'll be running up and down the stairs for food!) Great variety of brunch options and all delicious (think smoked salmon, steamed mussels, scrambled eggs, fruit, bacon, waffles, sometimes steak!). Liberty's pizza game is also on point, with gourmet style pizzas (my favorite is the Vermont: cheddar, proscuitto, caramelized onions, apple slices, and sage!!). They change their dinner menu seasonally, but always come through with tasty entree options that range from steak to lamb burgers to great house made pastas. The food, while not exactly innovative or adventurous, hardly ever disappoints and whenever I have someone in town who wants to go out in the Clarendon area, I know I can count on Liberty Tavern to deliver a trendy ambiance and good food. Definitely make a reservation, as it gets pretty crowded, particularly on the weekends. The bar area can get super packed on Friday and Saturday nights, with a DJ playing top 40 songs. I generally don't come to Liberty for the nightlife, but I have been on occasion and it's usually a fun 20-something crowd, but be prepared to be packed in like sardines. While it can be packed, the bar vibe is definitely classier and less rowdy than many of the other bars in Clarendon like Whitlows, Ballroom, or Spider Kellys.
(4)
Nicky S.
The best brunch buffet that I have been to in a long time. The service is very quick, friendly & they even gave us a table even though we didn't have a reservation for the buffet. The food is amazing and the variety is on point from the salmon, scrambled eggs, grits, mac & cheese, salads, homemade sausage, roast beef, lox etc, & not to forget to mention the desserts are amazing. Bookmarked and ready to stop by again once we are in town, this place hits the spot!
(5)
Jenny L.
The brunch buffet is pricey but well worth it. You get a lot of delicious and high-quality variety -- fried chicken, smoked salmon, and grits in addition to classics like eggs, waffles, and bacon. I've been to the brunch buffet for a bridal/bachelorette brunch as well as my own birthday brunch and would definitely recommend it for brunch if you're in the area.
(4)
Bob T.
It was like walking into Cheers if Cheers served really good food for brunch. This is my second time at LT's. The first time was a while ago on a Monday night. I don't recall enough of that visit to write a review other than o mention the Fried Chicken was awesome and enough for two. I got there today, Sunday, at a little past their 9 am opening. They had a full brunch buffet upstairs and I decided to sit at the bar and order a la carte (because it sounds classy). Funny thing about the bar at LT's (that's what us regulars call it) at 9 am on a Sunday morning... many of the regulars are using it as a bar. I'm not a fan of beer or non-breakfasty mixed drinks before noon and I'm not going to judge either. Food selection also was very lunch-like even at this hour. More on all that in a bit. I had the French Toast (in keeping with the a la carte theme) that came with a couple strips of bacon and real maple syrup. The French Toast had a nice cinnamony flavor (OK, enough with the ...y noun to adjectives) and the bacon was meaty (sorry) and had a note of smokey (please make it stop) goodness. All in all, it was delicious and I will order it again. About the rest of the crowd at the bar, they seemed to be regulars. Jackie, the bartendress, knew everyone there by name and the customers seemed to know each other as well. One of the very popular lunch-for-breakfast orders was the crispy chicken sandwich with a side order of potato salad. It is only served for lunch (and brunch) and is the goto item for regulars and staff alike. I'm going to make a point of going there for lunch someday soon to give it a try. A final surprise was the restaurant provided a Brunch Pizza, breakfast sausage, bacon, fried eggs tomatoes, cheddar & sage, for everyone at the bar to share. It was delicious and a great choice if you're a savory-in-the-morning kind of person.
(5)
Mike B.
Stopped in for a cocktail and snack. 3 of us split the lamb ribs appetizer and a Summer Pizza. Having never had lamb ribs before they are excellent for 3 folks to split. A great char on the outside while leaving the inside moist & tender. The Summer pizza had an outstanding crust for a base and toppings included prosciutto, figs, arugula and mozzarella. Proper amount of each topping to compliment each other without any overwhelming the other. If you enjoy a Manhattan up, well worth the try.
(4)
Ben S.
I've been here a couple of times for drunks, though I've never had the food. Overall it has a classy feel to it, though at heart it is still an Arlington bar with a lot of frat boys. They have an ok beer selection and not as many tv's as some of the places around it. A little bit pricy, but not horrible. My one complaint was that it was a little bit loud and hard to talk even on the outside of the bar by the window. They have sofas inside that look comfortable and might have been a good option.
This was the best brunch spot I've been to in D.C. We had a reservation, but it was really nice to go somewhere that wasn't overly crowded and loud. The service was great, and so was the food. They have a buffet during brunch, but also a la carte options. I highly, highly recommend the smoked salmon pizza. I'm already craving it again!
(5)
Helen Z.
Liberty tavern offers an extensive menu of appetizers, cheeses, pizzas, pastas, and entrees. While I enjoyed the selection opportunities, I think my experience there reflected a quote I once heard about how restaurants with too many things on the menu aren't great because they can't actually execute on so many dishes. Appetizers; -Smoked lamb ribs: disappointing. The meat to bone ratio was abysmal and of the part that was actually edible, most was pure fat. The sauce was also much too salty and had soaked the cabbage so even that couldn't be used to balance out the overseasoning. -Arancini: the arancini itself was good - covered in some Parmesan cheese. The sauce though was again, way too salty. -Octopus salad: by far the tastiest thing we ordered. The octopus was very tender and delicious. I was less a fan of the fennel bedding, but oh well. Entree: -Gnocchi with pork shoulder and tomato sauce: a poorly made tomato sauce tries to balance out acidity with lots of salt and this definitely fell into that category. The gnocchi itself was good - but I quickly ran out and ended up with just a lot of sauce with too much sodium to eat on its own. Side: -Brussel sprouts: delicious but how can any vegetable doused in butter not be? Overall, unlikely I would choose to come back. Too many other places to try with more things on the menu to draw me in.
(3)
Natasha S.
The review is solely for drinks and the bar. Not food. We ended up here on Friday night because all the surrounding bars were busy because of hockey finals. So we strolled into the least busiest establishment with no line. Liberty was the winner. We walked into a dark bar and lounge playing an interesting variation of music. It was everything from pop to rock to old school hip hop. We had a large group probably of 12 or so and had no trouble finding seating. We were able to get the back part of the lounge in the right side of the establishment. The server took our orders and had our drinks out in no time. The service is really good here. On point. I'd like to come back and try out the food.
(4)
Sungmin S.
Conveniently located outside of Clarendon metro station, the Liberty Tavern is on the main street alongside with bunch of bars in the area where yuppies and only yuppies hang out. Downstairs of the restaurant seems to be more dedicated for happy hour/bar, where it was almost too crowded with everyone standing around talking very loudly (I thought I was going to get killed on my way to the bathroom), but the actual seating area upstairs is quite nice. The menu is extensive but not overwhelming, including salmon salad, pizzas, pasta and some entree selections. After debating between pork chop and the lobster pasta, I chose the latter -- the spaghetti noodles seemed house-made as it was quite soft and thicker than the store-bought kind I am used to, the sauce was slightly spicy and the half-shell lobster was well-cooked (but a little difficult to eat with fork and knife). I thought the dish was decent, well-seasoned and exactly what you'd expect but nothing to rave home about. I had a chance to try my date's gnocchi and while I'm usually not a fan of gnocchi, his dish was very good -- creamy, slightly sweet sauce with a generous amount of corn. I've heard good things about their vermont pizza, I may be back when I'm in the area.
(3)
Susan A.
Man, this place sure gets busy. At least it's a notch up from Clarendon Ballroom. Pros - Large space: two floors, couches and small bar tables on the first floor, and dining tables on the second floor Cons - Ridiculously loud at 6pm. You'll have to yell as if you were in a club at midnight. - Not enough seating for such a big crowd - Uninteresting people frequent this place. What I got An "industrial", which is a house specialty margarita type of drink. $5 during HH. What I thought My drink was too sour and did not have enough tequila for balance. I haven't eaten here; I only came for drinks during happy hour. However, I won't be coming back for dinner; the first floor bar gets so loud and the sound travels to the second floor. The crowd that comes to Liberty Tavern is the usual Clarendon night crowd - young, rambunctious and slightly annoying northern Virginia 20-somethings. All in all, I'm not impressed. Next!
(2)
Ayana P.
Had dinner here last night with my boyfriend's brother. It was a nice and surprising change for me because I was expecting the typical Clarendon crowd - young and loud with nasally voices. To my surprise it was a pretty mixed-age crowd with mostly 30-somethings. I've only ever been to LT for brunch and it's been a while since I've even been in for that. The brunch is good so I expected good dinner. I wasn't sure what to expect service wise. We sat at the bar and were served by Bobbi who was excellent. She made us feel right at home. She was also pretty knowledgeable about the wines. The food didn't disappoint either. I had scallops with risotto. It was very good. My only complaint is the small portion size. We've lived around here for a couple years and I've never had a go-to bar in Clarendon (yes, our home base bar is in DC) but I think I may have found it. Yay!
(5)
Pegah Y.
I visited the Liberty Tavern with one of my good friends a few weeks ago. We didn't have reservations, but were able to get a table at 6:30pm on a Monday evening without much of a wait. My friend had been there before and she had nothing but great things to say about it, so I figured we'd give it a try. I ordered the Garganelli con Burratta (walnut kale pesto, winter squash) and it was the perfect seasonal pasta. I ordered the half portion and it was plenty filling! I actually couldn't finish all of it and it made for a very nice leftover for lunch the next day. Our waiter was nice, but he really tried to keep pushing us to order drinks or something besides 2 entrees, which was a little bit annoying. I really like the vibe - classy and catering to young professionals in the Northern Virginia area. I would certainly return.
(4)
Jeff K.
Liberty definitely has a good brunch. $30 all you can eat with a large variety of food.
(4)
JOHN C.
First time there. Dined with a friend last Sunday evening. Excellent service; decent food (had a lamb burger; friend had sea scallops. neither anything special) : a bit pricey IMO but typical of the area. The reasons I won't go back: (1) even upstairs, the noise level made it very difficult to converse directly acroos the table. (The din in the bar area when i entered should have warned me.) (2) I know both parents and many restaurants now consider it acceptable to bring infants and small children with them when dining. I don't. It RUINS the occasion for me.
(2)
Jesse F.
Everything about my experience was quite solid. The food was good, our server did a very good job making sure we were taken care of, and the atmosphere was inviting. I went here for lunch and had the hangar steak salad. The meat was tender and cooked to my specification, and the truffle oil really added to the dish. And while it was just a salad, it was hearty enough to fill me up. My wife also had the tuscan white bean and chicken soup which was also flavored very well with pesto. The beer selection is also pretty good. Our server was pleasant, fast, knew the menu, and got the substitutions right that I asked for. Parking can get difficult, so I would definitely recommend walking or taking the metro or an UberX.
(4)
Emily H.
Went all the way to Virginia to check this off my list (as it's my new goal to visit all "100 best restaurants" on the Washingtonian's list), and it ended up being a complete waste of time (save the company). Steph and I got here at 6 on a Monday, and I was surprised at how empty it was. I asked our waitress for a recommendation for a beer, and ordered the one she mentioned only for her to come back two mins later and say they were sold out of it. Not a big deal, but it ended up being the first of many things gone wrong... For food, Steph got the white bean soup and I ordered a red pizza and fries. A few bites in, Steph uncovered something hard and that pretty much killed her appetite. As for me, I was already bummed that EACH individual topping was like $2-3 per and that they didn't have combos available as a choice like most other places do. My pizza arrived looking beautiful, but the taste was quite the opposite. The carmelized onions (the only kind available as a topping) tasted particularly goopy and turned several spots into a mushy mess. Our waitress forgot the fries, and didn't end up bringing them until we were both pretty much ready to go. They also looked (falsely) good, but ended up being odd tasting and mushy as well. Despite the fact that we didn't eat more than one fry each, our waitress didn't inquire how our food was at all or ask if I wanted to take them to go. How this meal ended up still being pretty pricey, I have no idea. Definitely steer clear of this place!
(1)
NotaFoodSnob H.
One of my girlfriends and I went to The Liberty Tavern on a Sunday afternoon. We decided to go with the brunch buffet after checking out the items. PROS -Good selections -Serves brunch Sat/Sun until 3pm -Reasonable price $24/person CONS -UNSANITARY...this was the part that made me really uneasy. We found the plates to still have food stuck to the bottom. My glass of water HAD A PIECE OF FOOD in it. -BLAND food...truly unimpressive The manager did come by to apologize, as well as knocking off 1/2 of the bill. UNFORTUNATELY, there are TOO MANY OTHER great brunch places in the area so I will think twice before returning. (Darn, we were REALLY looking forward to having a great experience at Liberty Tavern, but it didn't happen.)
(1)
paul g.
I have been here twice. Once with lads for pizza and beet salad and beer. All 3 options were great and although it was a Monday it was busy and still we received good service. The second time I went with the family in tow. We sat outside for happy hour. Again great beer, this time with wine and again the food was delicious; a cheese plate and also octopus. We have only just moved here and are still exploring the neighbourhood's numerous excellent places to eat and drink. The Liberty Tavern is definitely one of them.
(4)
Jess S.
All you can eat brunch buffet review :) Liberty Tavern is the go to place for all you can eat brunch for under $30.00 (drinks not included) in the Arlington area. The seating is plentiful upstairs, downstairs, and outside. Although keep in mind if you sit anywhere but upstairs and then choose the buffet option you'll have to walk up and down two flights of stairs for each plate! The buffet spread is classic and only missing an actual omelette station. There's scrambled eggs, scrambled eggs country style, bacon, coin sausage, beef, ham, biscuits, french toast, pizza, fruit, salads, salmon, dessert table, and a few more I'm sure I normally avoid so I missed. We used to have an excellent experience with a manager who left in 2015. We miss him a lot! He was energetic, service oriented, had a great memory, and wanted to make your time at LT an experience. In stark contrast when we returned this past weekend we were told we could not sit upstairs unless we had a reservation and that NO we could NOT make a reservation for later in the day. "Old policy newly enforced" happening here I guess, they don't accept same day reservations. What a joke. Although there was plenty of upstairs, "reservation only" seating next to the buffet tables we settled for sitting downstairs inside at a high table in the bar area. It was a little disappointing especially considering the lack of flexibility at 9 AM on a Sunday when it's not busy. Then to drive home the point of a changing atmosphere a manger came around complete with suit and tie to ask how our food was- without any genuine care in his demeanor. This place is very casual, trendy, great food, good price, convenient (as long as you don't mind walking a couple stairs to a buffet). Highly recommend.
(4)
Valentina D.
I've run by this place at least 50 times and never noticed it. I guess I'm too busy making sure I don't get run over at the many intersections, or looking at the Irish pub right next to it. Turns out I wasn't missing much. Most of my friends ordered the bottomless brunch, which got squarely mediocre reviews. Contrary to the "bottomless" connotation of all-you-can drink, you only get 1 mimosa (which is very watered down). One person kept raving about the biscuits, another said the soggy gravy was unsuccessfully trying to hide that the biscuits were dried out. They had other mediocre and unhealthy items at the buffet like a chocolate pie (literally just melted chocolate poured into a pre-packaged pie crust). There was some fruit but not a whole lot. And the pizza crust looked crispy and thin, so that looked decent. But as I sat across from my friends, I was glad I didn't get the buffet brunch because most of it looked like baby food smeared on people's plates. I personally ordered the fried chicken sandwich with fries which kept me stuffed until 9PM that night. And that's saying a lot, since I work out twice a day and therefore am constantly eating. I'm not sure what was in that sandwich (I'd guess a lot of mayo, fried batter, and bacon), but I can tell you it was a lot of calories. Sorry Liberty Tavern, you're pretty looking but I won't be back.
(3)
Kristina V.
THE best brunch I've ever been too. They have everything from pizza to grits (which are amazing by the way!) It gets pretty packed and sometimes or most times there's a wait. I would recommend getting a reservation or just trying to get there early.
(5)
Zach H.
I've been here once for drinks, but I finally checked out this place for dinner with a colleague and found the set up interesting. It reminded me of someone wearing a tuxedo t-shirt... classy but always ready to party. The downstairs area was a classic bar vibe with the chatter of the local professionals and upstairs was much, much quieter with a fine dining feel to it. I started my meal with the Octopus Ceviche which was an orchestra of grapefruit, cucumber, smoked jalapeno, and cilantro with perfectly cooked octopus that was incredibly tender. In my attempt to stay healthy, and keeping with the seafood theme, my entree was an artfully prepared Olive-crusted King Salmon that was served over a caponata of squash, eggplant, tomato and pine nuts. I finished my meal with a refreshing and palette cleansing trio of house-made sorbets - Coconut Curry, Strawberry/Earl Grey Tea, Rhubarb. The curry was definitely the most unique of the three, but all were pretty darn tasty. Overall, the food and service were excellent. "Tavern" is usually indicative of a casual, laid-back watering hole but don't let it fool you. They're churning out some incredibly classy food definitely worth returning for. This place would be great for date-night or some other special occasion. If you'd rather hang out with a cold brew, casual eats while making new friends, the downstairs area is great for that.
(4)
Marla M.
My boyfriend and I went here for DC's Restaurant Week, it is a good deal here because they offer their entire menu. Servicei was great - attentive and helpful wait staff, friendly! All of the food was delicious, including the bread they give you before your meal. My favorite item that I ordered was the Heirloom Tomato Salad, really fresh and satisfying yet not too filling. Their drink and food menu were great, I had a tough time choosing one option for everything. Thanks for a great dining experience!
(5)
Jessica K.
um hello! happy hour at 2 pm. I'm totally there! I got the steak salad and it was fantastic! I recommend everyone trying it!!
(5)
Azadeh A.
Hands down the best coffee you will ever have! Thinking back I can still taste and smell the coffee. This place is super cute and artsy. You feel you have entered a bookstore with delicious food and amazing coffee. It has a culturally diverse menu with Arabic, French, Mexican and American dishes. We ordered the Brie Panini, French toast, and a Arabic dish. The Arabic dish was the best and very filling too. The French fries weren't the best I've had they were little too soggy. The Brie Panini had caramelized onions that were too sweet for my taste. I usually love caramelized onions but this one was way to sweet. However, the French toast with warm syrup was delicious. If I ever go back to Arlingotn I will definitely go back and try their other dishes.
(4)
Simay O.
I came here during Thursday night of restaurant week with few girlfriends. We had reservations and we arrived few minutes early. We had a unpleasant experience with waiting to be seated. I know that this place is always crowded, especially during peak hours, which is why I made reservations. We still waited for about 20 minutes to be seated. I understand that there was not much the hostess or managers could do because the people sitting at the table they had reserved for us had paid but would not leave, however, if that's going to be an issue at your restaurant then making reservations should not be an option. After I talked to the hostess about how displeased I was about this, we were offered drinks on the house so this undeniably helped us forget our agitation about waiting. We appreciated that. We did eventually get seated and our service was great! Tony, our server, was really quick and kind. He was also very informative about the menu and wine selection. The food was truly delicious. It was restaurant week so we each selected a different dish for each course and tried each other's meals. This was a few weeks ago so I unfortunately do not remember the names of the dishes but I can truly say that I felt like anything from that menu would taste good. The restaurant is set up much like the cozy intimate ones downtown DC. The upstairs is for dining only, I believe, and it is tiny but cute. In the downstairs there are high tables, the bar, small tables and a lounge area as well. The place gets packed fast by young professionals in the area! Overall, even with the reservation issue I was really pleased with the service and the food after we were seated; I would definitely come back here!
(4)
Brian Michael H.
Incredible brunch with absolutely amazing food. I can only speak to the buffet, as that is what everyone in my party got, but oh my gosh, was it amazing. I didn't have one single thing that I didn't get seconds of. The $30 (with coffee and tip) price point is a little expensive, but if I'm going to splurge, this would definitely be the place to do it. The service is terrific and there is clearly a high, homemade quality to each item on the buffet. Nice work, folks!
(5)
Jennifer N.
This was the perfect brunch spot. At the recommendation of a friend, I ordered the breakfast pizza. Well. Good on me. First of all, it was huge; I easily could have split it with the friend I ate with had I known how substantial it was going to be. Our waiter was attentive and made recommendations since it was our first time dining there. I would definitely return; we already decided that next time, we'll order the breakfast pizza to share, and a side of french fries. I am looking forward to round 2 already.
(4)
Nisht G.
I attended my company's holiday party at Liberty Tavern, and everyone had a wonderful time. During the planning process, Liberty Tavern was very responsive, easy to coordinate with, and had treated us wonderfully. The evening started with a cocktail hour downstairs, where everyone had the chance to try their awesome selection of drinks and cocktails. Afterwards, there was a three course meal. I got the carrots and beets, pork, and cornmeal dessert. It was all fantastic. Though, I tried my colleague's apple dumplings, and it is definitely the star of the desserts.
(5)
Carly C.
***3.50 Stars*** I normally choose to hang out at Lyon Hall (the sister restaurant of The Liberty Tavern) when I'm in the Clarendon area, but this past Easter my friends/clients and a few of their friends chose this spot to lounge after brunch. Being that they designate about 1/4 of the restaurant's floor space to couches, we felt pretty happy upon our entrance of this choice. Because we were filled up to our eyeballs with pancakes, eggs, and fruit salad, we began with drinks; a Purple Rain for me(beautiful color from the creme de violette, but very floral in smell and taste from it as well), Blanton's on the rocks for the men, and a bottle of red for the ladies. I really appreciated the service never requiring glass of wine to be refilled by us. The wait staff would always swoop in and pour for us. Some places leave you to do the pouring after they open the bottle, which is something I never understand. At the very least, it would help the staff know when a dark bottle is close to finishing, and they should offer to bring another. The staff at The Liberty Tavern seems to have this knowledge, thankfully. After the bottle hit the bottom, we were ready for bottle 2, and some appetizers. I was almost at the word slurring point by the time the plates came out, but I think I remember arancini, brussel sprouts, and a five piece cheese plate. The arancini were 2-bite size, a little on the cool side, but the sauce they birched on was pretty tasty. I sadly didn't get a taste of the brussel sprouts. My clients have a gift of making brussel sprouts disappear before your eyes, so they bowl was clean before I could get my paws on it. The cheese plate was pretty good, but I feel it lacked an aged hard cheese. All the choices were soft or semi-soft on the menu, a lot of them goat. I have nothing against soft cheeses, but one or two hard cheeses would have been nice to nibble. I also would have liked to see more than just coulis on the plate. The classic dried fruit and roasted nuts are a must in my book. The coulis may have provided some fun flavors to play with, but didn't provide any texture or nutty flavors. Yes, the crustini did have fruit and nuts in it, but didn't allow me to make different combinations of flavors, as the addition of dried fruit and nuts would. Ok, ok. Super fussy, but I thought it was worth mentioning... On a very positive note, own of the bartenders, Bobbi, helped open Rose's Luxury with Aaron Silverman, and some of her cocktails are even still featured on the menu there. Take this a hint that the talent behind the bar at The Liberty Tavern is pretty solid. The cocktails are on point, and the bartenders know their stuff, so don't be afraid to converse with them about libations. They'll be able to help you out. The Liberty Tavern is a nice place to lounge an afternoon away. Drinks are tasty and abundant, service is super friendly, and the food is worthy of consumption. Come, hang out, drink, and tell Bobbi that CeCe said "hi".
(3)
Andie C.
Sorry, but I went here for brunch and I do not get why LT has such high reviews. Maybe it's better if you are hungover. French toast was dry and bland- pretty much just lightly browned toast. The apple compote was good so they just need to fix the bread. I enjoy that they have lots of options on the buffet but everything was just okay- no standouts. Also, no one was closing the lids so the food was getting cold.
(3)
Lena P.
This place is all right; it has a nice atmosphere but the food/drink is not impressive. I've been here a couple times for happy hour and twice for dinner. The first time I went I had a steak dinner (can't recall exactly what was in it as the dinner menu is seasonal and what I had is no longer on the menu) and brussel sprouts with garlic aioli. The second time I went I had one of the supposedly acclaimed pizzas (red pie with chicken addition) and a mezcal mule. Positives: The bread/butter that came with food was great. I also really loved the brussel sprouts with garlic aioli side- if you get anything on the menu do get this! The not so positives: While the steak was cooked well with good flavor, it came with a weird corn/grits thing and some greens which I don't think matched well. The mezcal mule was decent but probably not something I would get again. And the pizza...well I will not be getting their pizza again. It was totally mediocre. I'd come again, maybe to try out brunch but Liberty Tavern isn't my favorite haunt in the neighborhood, so to speak.
(3)
Jill W.
I popped in here when out and about in Clarendon. I liked how it was intimate and dark but the drinks were weak. We ordered a pizza and it was just okay.
(2)
Kelly K.
Liberty Tavern's brunch buffet is a must-try. There's a huge variety of items and everything is fresh and flavorful. A sister restaurant of Northside Social and Lyon Hall, Liberty Tavern brews Counter Culture beans and presents the same quality of food. The staff is friendly and went out of their way to get us whatever we needed.
(4)
Preet B.
If you want to talk to friends, make sure to sit outside. Our waiter was attentive and stayed cool even when we said we were there only for dessert. The olive oil chocolate cake hit the spot!
(4)
Gregg M.
My girlfriend and I went for their Sunday brunch. I'm not usually a big brunch fan, but there were some nice touches which made this one pretty good in my book. First, though, the service was good. Water glasses never came close to being empty. Plates were removed quickly. Notable items from the brunch menu: smoked salmon sliced thickly, a surprisingly tasty jicama salad, and a very tender, flavorful roast lamb. However, the two nice touches that really raised the brunch was the fresh-squeezed orange juice and the dark roast coffee served in a french press carafe. The juice was truly refreshing and the coffee's taste and aroma were eye-openers. Bottom-line: It was a good brunch with a varied selection of food choices and at a fairly reasonable price for the quality of food.
(4)
Richard A.
Something is fundamentally wrong with this restaurant, and it was evident within two minutes of arriving at noon for lunch with a friend. Two people had arrived before me, and another six or so within the next two minutes after me. All of us were left standing at an empty hostess station. When one of the waiting customers asked the bartendress for assistance he was brusquely waived back to the foyer with a dismissive gesture. Finally one of the hostesses showed up, unsmiling and without apology, to seat the waiting throng, all of whom apparently had noon reservations like I did. Then we start with the waiters, of which we had at least three, with a plate server and water server rounding the team out to at least five. One of them, a woman, was good; the rest gave the appearance that we were butting in on their privacy or their cool. Some were just incompetent: there was the forgotten beer order, then there was the one waiter who when asked for ground pepper acknowledge that they had such and then disappeared, without returning with any. This was followed up by glacial service with the check and payment--in a 3/4 empty room by this point. About midway through lunch my guest, who had suggested the Tavern in the first instance, recalled that it was because of the service that he hadn't been there in a long time. Now he tells me. In fairness, the food was ok. My hamburger was fresh and properly prepared, if a little greasy, and my friend's white pizza was very tasty. Regrettably, the negative experience outweighed any value or novelty the food had to offer. I will not be eating there again, nor would I recommend it to anyone. They would do well to get their act together.
(1)
Laura M.
I used to live around the corner from Liberty Tavern and was here a lot. They have good food, drink specials, and a great modern space. The owners are very responsive if you even have a minor delay getting your food or drinks (which I've seen, not experienced). They ask about your experience, what they can do better or change, and do everything possible to make your time there nice. At least as I've known it, Liberty Tavern is a well-run, modern, delicious place to eat, meet and drink.
(4)
Trisha B.
Great service and accommodation at my sister's engagement party.
(5)
Liz P.
Some of the best food in the DC area. Service is always top notch, and the restaurant itself is beautiful. I've been here too many times to count and never had a bad meal.
(5)
Suzie R.
Liberty Tavern is fantastic at different times for different reasons. You cannot go once and get the full experience. You must go once during the week for lunch, once on the weekend for brunch and once on a Friday night for drinks. I suppose you could do dinner too but who eats dinner anymore? The weekday lunch: The restaurant is never overcrowded during this hour. You can walk in and get a table right away. I suggest sitting downstairs by the window if possible or at the community table in the middle, directly in front of the bar. Order the skirt steak salad or the vermont pizza. Get the chocolate caramel s'more tart for dessert but only if you're prepared to share it with two to three people. If you don't you'll be in a food coma the rest of the day. The weekend brunch: This is trickier because Clarendon LOVES brunch so there is a slim chance you'll have to wait but while you wait, you can drink an irish coffee (they do it right: Jameson AND Baileys) or if you are having a particularly rough morning, order a Port City Porter, it is the perfect breakfast beer. Ask for Matthew to be your server even if it means you have to wait. I prefer, again, to sit downstairs even though the brunch buffet is upstairs. I feel better going back for seconds when I have to climb the stairs. The buffet is only a couple bucks more than Whitlows and it is OUTSTANDING. The food is just phenomenal. Make sure you save room for one of the homemade pop tarts. The Friday night drinks: Most Clarendon douchbags under the age of 26 hate Liberty Tavern. They think that it is boring because there isn't live music or slutty girls falling all over themselves and vomiting in the bathroom and they don't think they can get laid there. Smart people recognize this and avoid the Clarendon Grill crowd by going to Liberty Tavern. It's an older crowd with better taste in beer and it's not so loud that you can't have a conversation. It gets pretty packed on Friday/Saturday nights but it's a good option if you want to feel like you're in a DC bar without heading into the city. Plus, once you are drunk enough, you can walk down to RiRa for live music. To sum this all up: go to Liberty Tavern if you are not a douchebag and you like delicious food and quality service.
(5)
Maggie H.
I ate here for brunch in March with several friends. It was delicious, though none of us had the buffet. We thought we'd try dinner. Unfortunately, it was a huge disappointment. The pizza was nothing you couldn't get for less money at Rustico or a similar restaurant. I had the mussels and the broth lacked flavor. The gnocchi was bland as were the salmon cakes. Not to mention, everything was overpriced for what is was. By the time the dessert menu came we were ready to head out (with our wallets significantly lighter). In terms of service, we had a reservation and were seated immediately during peak time. However, our waitress lacked interest and never asked us what we thought of the meal. Overall the experience was sub-par. I'd consider returning for brunch, but after my dinner experience there was other good brunch places in D.C. for less money and equally good food.
(2)
Tony P.
Modern and contemporary decor for a gastropub/wine bar concept. The pizzas are very good. Lots of great flavors in the ingredients and they have a good variety of craft beers and wine selections by the glass. A nice layout with couch seating for some cozy snuggling and good happy hour fares.
(4)
Christina L.
I love this place and it is pretty close to my work so it is convenient. Came here for lunch with a group of coworkers and again a few weeks later for dinner. For lunch we started with a couple of pizzas to split, I think one was a 4 cheese or something and it was delicious. I had tomato bisque and the apple/endive salad, both of which were excellent. After we split a couple of french presses and a couple of desserts - coca cola cake and another raspberry dessert that came with thyme ice cream. For dinner we were both pretty hungry. Had a couple of beers and split the duck fat onion rings(awesome!) and I had the fennel/blackberry/goat cheese salad. I had a prosciutto/goat cheese ravioli dish and he had the filet mignon. Split the coca cola cake for dessert. I made a reservation and we had to wait about 10 minutes so they gave us the starters for free which was nice and unexpected! I think I had the same waiter both times I was there and he was also great, very attentive but not over the top. Also very knowledgeable about the menu. I will definitely come back...I plan to try the early happy hour on friday at some point.
(5)
Mark A.
This is just a review of the bar downstairs. Cool place with 4 different types of seating just in the bar area: high-top tables with four seats near the window, long wooden bar (where we sat) in the center of the place, lounge area with couches and low tables in the back, and actual bar. Place was packed with people standing everywhere at 8 on a Thursday, but still managed to grab a couple chairs. The wait staff and bartenders are very helpful and really nice. I imagine service upstairs (in the restaurant) is even better. Solid beer list of things on tap, with different glasses for different beers (very appreciated), and a good cocktail and wine list as well. Also, very reasonable prices (well, cocktails are a little pricey). Great place to grab a drink and chill. Added bonus: a waitress was walking around with fresh (and delicious!) pizza and giving out slices. Does this happen anywhere besides Costco? Yes, here!
(4)
Ferdinand H.
Went here with a couple of friends for dinner, had their Masonic and a half portion of Raviolini and their Gnocchi. Order of the Mussels and Octopus in their upstairs dining area. The decor was definitely tavern-ish, but very warm and with a definite colonial era charm. The menus were seasonal, and the fare tasty. The flavours were delicate - much more so than typical pub food, but I wasn't as keen on the slightly sweet accent on the Raviolini. Wine list wasn't extensive - but they do offer a pairing with their tasting menu. Overall, 3.5, rounding up... but it might have been the company that tipped it up over the edge...
(4)
Kaitlin C.
Was here last week for drinks and a little bite. Service and happy hour prices were great! Also had the mussels, FANTASTIC! A little more than I would spend for dinner, but if drinks and that little app I had were that tasty, I MUST go back and try dinner one night...
(5)
Melanie S.
Met some friends at Liberty Tavern during a business trip to DC. This was their pick and they love this place so we happily agreed to join them here. We walked in and this place was hoppin'! We arrived before our friends and went to the host stand to give them the name our reservation was under but they had no such reservation. We were confused; our friends emailed us that they made the reservation so we knew one had been made. We tried giving them the wife's maiden name. Nope, no res. The husband's first name. No dice. We gave up and went to the bar and waited for our friends. They arrived and it turns out that Liberty Tavern had made a mistake and had our reservation for the following week. The host was very apologetic and said he'd get us a table as soon as he could and he comped our drinks while we waited, which was a nice gesture. A short while later, we were shown to our table upstairs. It was still pretty noisy but not nearly as deafening as the downstairs level. As long as we could converse without screaming at each other, I was happy. We were greeted by our server, Anne Marie, a lovely Salma Hayek lookalike which made the men in our party happy. A bottle of Muscadet was ordered as was an apple endive salad, fried squash blossoms and gnocchi. I didn't try any of the salad, but I was told it was good. The squash blossoms were proof that anything fried is bound to be good. They were sort of delicate tasting and stuffed with ricotta. Super yummy and unique starter. My gnocchi was superb. It was served in a brown butter thyme sauce with spring vegetables, ramps, and some goat cheese. I only ordered a half-portion as it was a starter, but if I'd known it was that good, I'd have ordered the full size instead. It was that good. For the rest of my meal I ordered the NY strip and the rest of my party ordered a vegetable pot pie and the bluefish special. We ended up sharing the steak and bluefish, making our own version of surf and turf. The steak was pretty standard, but that bluefish? I'd never eaten it before and I loved it. It was a strong-flavored fish, but not overpowering, and it was fresh. Another bottle of wine was ordered before we moved on to desserts. We ordered three for the table and shared them (well, I TRIED to share). One was a peach pie, another was a blueberry cake, and the the last was a panna cotta. While all of the desserts were good, that panna cotta was simply not shareable. I was keeping it all to myself. It was covered with chopped strawberries and lemon balm. Someone wrestled it away from me and managed one spoonful before I stabbed them with my fork. Liberty Tavern is a great place for after-work cocktails or dinner with friends. I hope to return on my next trip to DC.
(4)
Kelly G.
I have been here twice for dinner and had a great meal and a below-average meal. Positives: - Service- the wait staff is very nice and chatty here. Both times they have made me feel like I was at home, have given good recommendations, and have been very accommodating - Portions- I love the fact that you can order a half-plate of pasta - Fresh- very "farm to table" place Negatives: - Seafood- my friend and I both ordered seafood and it was pretty bland and tasted a bit old. Watch out- some of the fish is served with the skin still on so if that grosses you out, you may want to inquire before ordering Experience: This is a nice place with an interesting assortment of food. There's everything from pizza and pasta to duck and oysters. The menu changes but I was very impressed with the gnocchi! My friend ordered a pizza and said that was great as well. Next time I will stick with the pastas and pizza instead of ordering fish or anything too upscale.
(3)
Betsy S.
Brought a recent Ohio transplant here to show her how delightfully yuppie Clarendon is. While she wasn't impressed with the happy hour specials (as they don't hold a candle to the Midwest), we each had a Stella, which our flirtatious waiter brought gladly. He compared my friend's 'accent' to Sookie whatever from True Blood. We were both confused. Neither of us are into the vampire thing. Zombies, yes. Anyhow... We split the Vermonter pizza, which was covered in apple slices and prosciutto. It was the perfect meal for an evening of wine and jack and cokes. Those are two separate drinks, thank God. So...Liberty Tavern was fun. And our water glasses were always full. Can't argue with that!
(4)
Aubrey C.
we've been going here for the last 2 yrs. we have always enjoyed the staff and food. def a must for Sunday Funday. Brunches are delish esp the bacon and fried chicken. It does get crowded and waits can be long so make RSVP's or go early for dinners. We almost always sit at the bar. The bartenders are all friendly and have always taken care of us.
(4)
Sean C.
My wife and I cannot recommend Liberty Tavern to enough people. It's a fantastic local spot to get wonderful service, a great meal and unique drinks. We had the pleasure of celebrating a special event last night there with our families and had Andy as our server. He was the best-of-the-best - attentive, but not pushy - knowledgeable, but not up-selling the most $$$$ item on the menu which we appreciated. Most of us had the special (friend chicken) and it was the best friend chicken we've ever had. It's obvious - but we will be back and hopefully get Andy again. - the Cranfords
(5)
Lee N.
Brought to you by the same people who own a couple other North Arlington favorites, Liberty Tavern might be my favorite restaurant in Arlington. There are a number of 3-star reviews on Yelp, but read them carefully: most of the low reviews are for the bar on the main floor - not the wonderful restaurant upstairs. Yes, the bar is very bar-like: crowded and loud. I would still rate it higher than most bars, though. The restaurant is lovely. They try to get fresh, organic, local food whenever possible. The menu changes with the season and includes things I've never heard of (squid-dyed couscous!) It's inventive, creative, thoughtful, and overall very, very good. I usually try to recommend a couple favorites and something to stay away from even in a positive restaurant review. At Liberty Tavern, my friends and I have tried something from every food category - beef, pork, fish, etc. - and it has all been excellent. Go here. Eat upstairs. You'll love it.
(5)
William S.
Ordered burgers. Food was hot and prepared correctly. Service was very friendly. Prices were reasonable. Nice time sitting at the bar.
(4)
Aaron C.
Not impressed and their brunch was a huge disappointment. Needless to say, I won't be going back.
(2)
Jenna L.
Disclaimer-We go Sun through Wed and avoid Thurs-Sat because we're there to eat and enjoy the evening and not drink like we're 21 again. If eating and enjoying a great evening out in Clarendon is your goal then I recommend doing the same. Also, we make reservations - you don't have to but it makes it so there is no waiting for a table. Love the Liberty Tavern! The beer selection is always good and the 5-7pm happy hour is quite a deal. Sitting outside and enjoying a few amazing apps and a few beers makes for a wonderful evening. The menu changes seasonally otherwise I'd recommend some dishes, but that said we have not had anything even slightly mediocre. The cheese selection is great and super yummy and the mussels are too yummy. We've also been there for the Sunday brunch. We didn't get the buffet although it looked amazing and instead opted for the steak and eggs off the ala carte menu and OMG it was good. I honestly cannot wait to go back and get it again, perhaps with a blood mary cause they do that well too (if you like horseradish). When they have someone over from Northside Social making lattes make sure you treat yourself to one! As for the staff, super friendly, super awesome and very accommodating. They know the menu front and back and are great for recommendations. Five star service without a doubt. Again, if its Sun-Wed, you've made a reservation and ideally it's nice and you're sitting outside... you're going to have a great night.
(5)
Julia M.
My friends brought me here because they know I don't like fratty bars. This place was perfect on a Friday night. No one was trying too hard, no one was wearing a vineyard vines polo, no one was talking about protein shakes/quinoa/paleo/crossfit. Amazing.
(5)
Valencia W.
My fiance and I went came to The Liberty Tavern during the Winter Restaurant Week. Our first time sitting down to dine. I enjoyed that the entire menu was opened up for the Restaurant Week because I wanted to have the Amish Chicken. We were seated within 5 minutes and the waitress that we had was very friendly and helpful in answering any questions we had. I started out with the Tavern Salad which was a simple salad but very good. The SO had the ravioli and he really liked the way his ravioli turned out. It looked so good that I was trying to eat a little bit off his plate. I ordered the Amish Chicken and he ordered the NY Strip Steak. He was happy with the way the chef cooked them and I was very pleased with how the chicken was presented and of course--it was quite tasty! The Chocolate Caramel cake was an excellent was way to end the meal and yes, it tasted soooo good. It was a little rich but, I loved it. I will come here in the future for a nice place to eat if I'm in the nearby area. Loved it and will be back again.
(4)
Loren B.
With over 400 reviews, I can't believe I went to this place on the whim. I went with one of my guy friends and had an amazing time. Long story short, the guy next to us offered to buy us a bottle of champagne....so we were winning the entire night. The people here are fun and friendly and everyone just wants to have a good time.
(4)
Thomas O.
Been there a couple of times, really liked it. Nice atmosphere. Good service. Food, while not exceptional, is solid. Great blueberry cobbler.
(4)
Carol W.
Went to Brunch with my boyfriend so everything he said in his review I second - especially the coffee and OJ. I'll add a few things: Though the smoked salmon was very good - they obvfiously smoked it themselves it was a little heavy on the salt (at least the one that we had was). Toward the end of the meal they brought out some pancakes for the table. I love pancakes and these were really good - light and fluffy. Unfortunately I was already too full; sure wished they would have brought them out earlier. Also - they had a good selection of chocolate deserts (and a few nonchocolate as well). I made sure to save a little room for some. All in all - I would definitely go back again.
(4)
Wayne L.
I have no clue how to rate Liberty Tavern as a restaurant, for I have yet to try. However, I have been here for happy hour and had a good time here. One interesting fact: happy hour starts at 2 on Fridays! During happy hour, their beers are $3.50, which is a bit pricey compared to some other happy hour locations that have $1.50 or $2.00 beers. However, the $3.50 isn't limited to just cheap macrobrews. All of their tap beer can be had for this price. I had the Lost Rhino Face Plant IPA as my first drink - not a big fan of this beer, however. Liberty Tavern also has half off glasses of wine, and $5 margaritas as well. They even have a rooftop; I was here one time on a Friday night, and the rooftop environment was very chill. The Liberty Tavern is a fine location in Clarendon for those looking for a place to go. Their happy hour prices can err on the high side, but you aren't treated to a sports bar-like environment. Can't seem to find any major complaints about this place.
(3)
Derek H.
(3.5 stars) - I've lived in Arlington for awhile but never really gotten into Liberty Tavern for more than a drink or two. The busy bar and pretty intimate dining room always meant that I wasn't going to eat there casually -- date spot, yeah, but not random bite -- and I wasn't going to drink there if I had to fight to get to the bar. That blended cocktail just kept it off my radar. But! I finally had a reason to hit up Liberty for a normal evening meal, taking advantage of the new summer menu. I would say that The LT (is it like Ohio State where you always need to say The Liberty Tavern?) is an all around good spot; it tries to do some interesting culinary things, but much like its rival Eventide on the other side of the block, I wish it weren't trying SO hard. Dishes feel overly complicated for what is actually being offered -- I don't need a two sentence description of a scallop course that is basically "Pan Roasted Scallops with greens." That all said, food is consistent -- nothing that blows me away but nothing that is really bad either. Skirt Steak was probably the best thing I sampled; the Endive Salad was also really strong. And really, when you're talking about an mid-upper scale local restaurant, consistent is the best criteria. Service is good, atmosphere is nice, it does everything a restaurant SHOULD do. And if they add a few killer bites (or I discover one), I'd boost this up to 4 stars easy. Bonus tip: the maple apple pie ice cream is terrific; skip the other options and just get three scoops of this for dessert.
(4)
Evan P.
5 star brunch, 1 star drinks. 3 star rating is the compromise. Really good selection of foods for brunch. $9 man-mosa mix drinks had almost zero alcohol.
(3)
Tim W.
This is a well deserved 5-star rating... I went on a Thursday night date, with a reso at 7:30p. We were seated immediately, and our table was situated in a comfortable area. The upstairs dining space is inviting and reasonably sized. The restaurant was full but we never felt rushed or overwhelmed by the noise. Very well designed. Here is a quick breakdown: Waiter - Todd L. was AMAZING. The guy is really good at his job. He was prompt, polite and patient. His recommendations were spot-on and he was not trying to sell the most expensive items on the menu either. He definitely made our date even more enjoyable due to his accommodating service. Thanks Todd L.! Food - We didn't eat a lot but all items were delicious. - Tavern Salad: Field greens, watermelon radish, red wine vinaigrette - Snap Pea Salad: Fennel, strawberry, radish with smoked whipped chevre, goat milk/pink pepper corn dressing - Classico Pizza: San Marzano tomatoes, bufala mozzarella, basil, extra-virgin olive oil I hope everyone will be able to enjoy a dinner at Liberty Tavern as much as I did.
(5)
Nat N.
Went for the buffet, there were lots of great selection of food, i dont think you'd be disappointed. However, when it comes to coffee, they were being "cheap" it was a small cup, americano which doesnt mean anything to me, coffee is just coffee, no refills, n it costs 4 dollars. Agreed with my friend that at least they should include the non-alcoholic beverage in the price for the buffet, at least for the coffee since i could use coffee in the morning :)
(3)
Krista B.
I went here on a late Sunday afternoon to meet up with out of town friends. We were right in the middle of the menu switching-time between lunch and dinner menu, and seeing as we were hungry for dinner we held out. Both the lunch and dinner menus were limited and offered little for a health-conscious eater like myself. I ordered the Housemade "Scamorza" Cheese appetizer and it was crazy small. The cheese was really good and the added honey unique, but it left a lot to be desired. My friend ordered a side of asparagus and huge bowl of fries. Both were really good. The cheese and drink selection looked extensive, and our waiter was very patient and attentive. It was an ok experience, but I dont think I would go here often for food. Or maybe it was an off-day and I should try their brunch?
(2)
Katharine G.
I Liberty Tavern and have been going there pretty much since it first opened. I always order the mussels appetizer. It is still great but not as good as it used to be. The delicious sauce used to taste more seafood-y which I assumed was because the mussels were actually steamed in it. Now it seems the mussels are cooked separately and added to the sauce--not as good! Please go back to your old ways. I will always love LT, but if the sauce doesn't taste mussle-y anymore, I will order something else instead. BTW, your spaghetti with pork ragu was awesome!
(4)
James D.
This place has good service, good brunch, and good dinners. It's a bit upscale and the price reflects that. I've never been disappointed with a meal here.
(4)
Jessica H.
Dinner (3 stars), see earlier review. Bar (3 stars) and brunch (4 stars), see this review. This is the bar for single people looking to get tipsy without a club atmosphere (see Spider Kelly's, next door). Kind of preppy atmosphere, lots of young government types. Long communal table in the middle, with some smaller tables on the sides. Packed from happy hour onwards most evenings. Brunch here has an all-you-can-eat buffet for about $19. It's great. It has everything. Ham, lamb, frittata, salmon with creme fraiche and capers and onions, chimichangas, flatbread pizza thing, home fries, biscuits... they go all out. Make reservations, because it's always packed. Therefore the buffet food turns over rapidly; no worries about stale buffet.
(3)
Andrea C.
wear your eatin' pants is all i have to say. was in dc for a wedding and met up with a few friends on sunday morning for the all you can eat brunch at liberty tavern. boy did i get my money's worth! i cannot speak for dinner here, but the brunch sure was tasty. every kind of sweet and savory brunch product you'd expect, with some fresh new additions. i ate some waffles, i ate some bacon, i had some fruit salad and pancakes for fun...i had it ALL. and i have to say, the food was really good. no greasy/cold/icky buffet food. they keep it fresh and keep it tight, just like my pants when i left. and it was worth every penny.
(4)
Patrick G.
Good brunch - steak, mussels and fried chicken on the buffet. Pretty deserts also (tarts etc).
(3)
Lindsey W.
Liberty Tavern is consistently good and they have great portion sizes. They take reservations, which I really appreciate.
(4)
Norman H.
Came here for Easter brunch, and it was good! The buffet food was pretty good. It was my first time there, so I don't know how different it was from their normal brunch. Had everything from salads, fruits, eggs, lamb, pork, asparagus, bacon, ham, grits, parfait, and different baked deserts (cookies, mini cupcakes...) The atmosphere was nice. Sat upstairs - it had open tables, and a lot of sunlight. Our waiter was very nice and prompt. I'm not sure if he was in a rush, but right after we paid, he cleaned up our table even though we were all still chatting (it wasn't even 5 minutes after he picked up our check).
(4)
Amy M.
My bf and I went to Liberty Tavern for the first time yesterday at almost 7pm which is the end of Happy Hour. We were seated immediately outside and our server Bobbi ran right over to make sure she could get a drink order in before Happy Hour was over. Points for Bobbi! She was fun, funny and and excellent server. We would go back just to see her! 5 Stars for the mussels in smoked tomato sauce 3.5 Stars for the overcooked steak, but a good enough steak that he didn't send it back 4 for the Georges Bank Haddock I had. It was excellent, unique and full of flavor 5 Stars for Bobbi We will be back. Loved sitting outside!
(4)
Emily S.
Liberty Tavern makes everything too complicated. My friend and I were out around 8:30 PM looking for a place to have dinner in Clarendon that neither of us had tried yet. We weren't looking for something super swanky - perhaps less expensive than Circa - but still something that was a step up from Hard Times, the diner, or your regular sports bar. A gastropub, maybe something akin to Audubon Circle back in Boston. We thought we'd found it when we stumbled upon Liberty Tavern and we were disappointed. Maybe it's that we walked in expecting it to be one thing and got another, but the menu outside boasted a "burger and a pint" option, which really gave us that impression. We sat downstairs in the bar and expected an upscale bar experience. Maybe we would have known what was up if we'd dined upstairs, but we never saw the upstairs. Everything from the moment we walked in was confusion. When we first encountered the hostess we indicated a desire to sit in the bar. She grabbed two menus and began to seat us at a center table but I thought I saw open seats at the bar and said we'd like to sit there. The hostess said there were menus at the bar and walked away. Then I realized that one of the open seats actually had someone's coat on it, so I went back to the hostess to retrieve the menus. She just kept repeating that there were menus at the bar and I had to repeat twice that there wasn't space at the bar so we needed menus from her. I just wanted to grab them and go sit down where she had initially led us; She insisted on going with us. Whatever. We sit down, I see the menu, and it is devoid of the upscale bar food we were seeking. Expensive pastas, steaks, seafood...But we'd seen "burger and a pint" advertised outside, as well as a few other yummy options I would have liked, and none were on the menu. Fearing I had seen a lunch menu I asked the guy who brought us our water if they still had burgers. He seemed rather un-thrilled that we were talking to him and also confused by our question, so he said he'd get a waiter. Our waitress eventually explained that they don't serve burgers after 5. My friend and I looked at each other. What kind of bar - or any place that has burgers - refuses to serve them after 5? Every upscale meat place has a burger on the menu. McCormick & Schmick does and a number of smaller places do. So we needed time to rethink our entrees. But we did decide we wanted some sweet potato fries. The waitress then had to explain that they're not actually fries - it's 4 wedges of potato with something something something. For the price of a large serving of fries. We passed. Good, she explained, they're out of them anyway. o_O I don't eat pork. 75% of the menu involved pork. Eventually I settled on the hangar steak with potato "champ," which came w/ bacon, scallion butter & cheese so I figured I'd get it w/out bacon. I was sad for lack of green vegetable and considered a veggie side (add another $5 please). When the waitress came she explained that the bacon can't be removed from the champ because it's pre-mixed or pre-baked or something, and that they'd have to sub mashed potatoes. I was like, "What's the difference?" She said none. I said, "Do I still get scallion butter and cheese?" No. The waitress started making all these porky recommendations. I explained I don't eat pork. She suggested the autumn pizza without ham. I didn't really want anything on their menu but I was fed up so I said fine. Some regular fries went by and they looked amazing, so we added fries to our order. The waitress made a point of calling them "bar fries." Apparently they're "special." Well, what we got was floppy, overcooked and flavorless. Plus most of what we got were little burned ends. They probably scraped the bottom of the barrel. Not remotely fresh. They also came with 3 dipping sauces, one of which was ketchup. The "cheesy" looking one tasted like flavorless cream even though it was orange. I was just about to try the third when the waitress came to warn me it had BACON in it. Friend seemed happy with her pasta. My pizza was large, but without the ham it was flavorless. It had squash - each slice had one piece of squash the size of maybe a silver dollar, and like one leaf of arrugula. The menu also said this pizza came with egg - I was expecting scrambled or hard boiled bits. These were sunny side up eggs, the kind with breakable, runny yokes. I can frequently enjoy a fried egg in bibimbap or on a sandwich, but with an already bland pizza the yokes just added more bland, neutralizing flavor and ruined the texture by making the dough soggy. Come to think of it...I don't actually remember there being cheese. Nor was the wine list particularly overwhelming. My malbec was fine, I guess. The ambiance was OK except for the short-lived bro invasion that occurred in the middle of our meal. In summary: Underwhelming, overpriced.
(2)
Anne C.
it's not the BESt place for a HH, but it's okay. There are definitely better places to eat or to go to for HH. I came here once for a company gathering--they had reserved off many of the couches. This experience was okay and I just had a few beers. One thing I do remember is that it is PACKED. I went back again with a few of my gfs and again, it was utterly packed and by the time I left, it was soooooooo loud I could not hear myself. I ordered a chardonnay (it was 1/2 price wine by the glass hh) and that was delicious and we ordered a winter pizza (with clams and arugula). The clams were saltier than expected, but overall the pizza was good. The only thing is that the server barely stopped by and they do not have any hh specials on food. They have a "bar menu" but it is the same prices as the regular menu. Otherwise, the drinks specials are okay. The price for the food is high considering what you get is average. I definitely do not plan on coming back if I'm planning the event, but won't be 100% against it if someone else does. maybe it's better for regular meals/brunch!?! may try that!
(2)
Morgan P.
Go for the unlimited brunch. $20 for all-you-can-eat, with high-quality ingredients.
(5)
Katie C.
Much as I love my neighborhood, the restaurants do sometimes run towards the generic, and I had (mistakenly) lumped Liberty Tavern in with interchangeable "American Wilson Tavern Tap Rooms" that seem to proliferate around here. Really pleased to find how wrong I was at a recent brunch. Their offerings are much more creative than standard brunch buffet fare (mussels! pizza! homemade pop-tarts!), and while it's a disappointment that they don't serve drip coffee, the french press really was superlative and well worth the extra couple bucks. The only off-note was desserts, which come from Northside Social... I usually love NoSo's bakery, but the pastries we tried were pretty gummy and flavorless. On the bright side, skipping dessert is an excuse to eat more of the delicious Anadama French Toast.
(4)
Keon D.
Yummy brunch, cozy clean interior. I came here for a sunday brunch outing with fellow yelpers and I was pleasantly surprised by how nice it was inside and the nice selection of tasty brunch items. When I heard the words tavern I expected some place with dark wood and dirty floors sticky with beer. I was pleasantly surprised to walk in and find a modern looking place that was quite spacious. The buffet was great. I was impressed by the wide selection although I was saddened that some of the things ran out like french toast (I was a bit late though). Things that stood out were the apple pancakes, the pasta carbonara, and the glazed sausage. All in all a good place, I look forward to trying their other selections!
(4)
Cory R.
The Liberty Tavern is awesome. Before anyone continues reading, I should say that I am basing my review on just drinks, staff, and overall atmosphere and NOT on food (only because I have never eaten here). I have been here too many times to count and it is always a great time. The staff is extremely friendly and I've never had an experience where I had trouble getting a drink or had to wait a long time for a drink. They always have a great selection of beers on tap, as well. I will continue to come here because of the selection of beer, friendly staff, and good overall atmosphere.
I went to Liberty Tavern to celebrate my birthday and it was fabulous! Todd, our server, was absolutely wonderful. I've only been here a handful of times, but every time I think 'why don't I come here more often?!'. I will try to return more frequently! Thanks Liberty for a great birthday!
(5)
Jessica B.
The brunch buffet spread looked pretty nice but I was in the mood for a burger. It was decent - I've had better and worse. Service was mediocre...my burger arrived before my cappuccino. I'll come back another time see what their dinner service is like
(3)
Katie G.
Have had dinner here a few times since my last review (2 years ago? where does the time go?). Very good food, wonderful atmosphere, and yes--um, "efficient" service. Is the kitchen/management pressuring the wait staff to keep people moving? This was yesterday--just after a big snow storm. What's the rush? p.s. overpouring of the wine is a no-no (yes, I've been in the biz). Went downstairs to the bar for a drink and the server was visibly antsy and told us she wanted to get out of there because she lives way the hell out in Gainesville.
(4)
Jonathan G.
The brunch is probably the best in Clarendon, just make sure to make reservations a week or two in advance! The bar scene at night is full but not overly crowded to where you cannot get a drink. Every time we end up in Clarendon at night this is where we end up.
(4)
Allison R.
So I figured I'd give this place a review after being here close to 10 times now. I have literally never been disappointed by The Liberty Tavern. Rarely do I like going back to the same places when there's such a wealth of options in the area, but I just can't get over how much I enjoy this place. Food: I've had quite a few different dishes and I've yet to have something bad. Everything is always cooked perfect, and some of the tastiest meals I've had. Dessert: Delicious. We always try to get something different each time. They're always just the right size, and very flavorful. Drinks: Good, but small beer selection. Larger wine selection. Also has a full bar on the lower level. Their Mojitos are to die for. My boyfriend also really enjoys their Old Fashioned. Cheeses: Always presented nicely, always tastes fresh, and very flavorful. The Bourbon Chevre goat cheese is our favorite. Service: They're some of the most attentive and knowledgeable servers I've ever had. You have a question? They don't even need to see the menu and can answer it. Not sure about what cheeses you want? Some of the servers are *very* skilled at recommending some that you may like. Want to know what a meal tastes like? They can give you a very good idea to help you make a decision. Basically my experience has been 10/10. Would recommend to all my friends.
(5)
Michael R.
5:21. The bar is completely full. Why, Arlington, why? Anyway, pizza wasn't bad on a previous occasion, and they have beer.
(3)
William W.
The Liberty Tavern is a nice, contemporary bar/restaurant located in Clarendon. A great place to grab a glass of wine with a friend after work. I also held my birthday brunch here and most of my party seemed very satisfied with their meals and venue choice. The bar area can get a little too crowded during peak hours, but what else can you expect.
(4)
R. T. M.
Went for a brunch with the boyfriend on a recent sunday, we weren't really feeling the buffet (mostly because it was a little too early) although it looked fantastic. We ordered the a la carte items, pancakes for me and omelette for him with a side of breakfast potatoes. Everything was delicious and cooked well. Pancakes fresh and fluffy, real maple syrup, potatoes seasoned well and slightly crispy (perfect!). French press blend was nice and strong and more than enough for two people to split. The service was noticeably good. Genuine smiles greeted us at the door, waiters introduced themselves and everything was executed in a timely manner. I don't think I would go back for brunch unless I was ready to try the buffet. The breakfast items were good but nothing special. I found the drink and dinner menu to be much more interesting so I plan on coming back, but for dinner not brunch.
(4)
Gio D.
Overall a nice place with some good food. The pizza is surprisingly good for a bar and the beer selection isn't bad. The only reason I'm not giving this place 4 stars is because its simply too loud too early. They start blasting music at 5pm as in 5pm EST. Who does that???????? I felt like I was in a night club and it was still sunny outside. If you're planning on going here for a happy hour, prepare yourself for it to be VERY VERY LOUD!!!!!!
(3)
J T.
I love the Liberty Tavern. It has a lot going for it but one downside. - The food is delicious. We usually go for brunch: wonderful, with a superb buffet that generally strikes me as freshly prepared - salmon, muffins, eggs, sausage or other breakfast meats, cornbread, sweets, fruits, you name it. - Evening - dinner and drinks: nice; try the bellinis, although it can be unfortunately challenging to get waitstaff's attention if you're at the couches by the bar. - The downside: one of my close relatives saw a roach there and was freaked out, so we can never go there when we're with them. I think they are an unfortunate part of the restaurant business. However, they must be controlled (with professionals and bait), and clearly this place hadn't done that on the day she saw it. Again - we go here occasionally; there was only the one time, and I think it was a fluke. Liberty Tavern is still a super place, in my book. But if you can't stand this idea, try a different place.
(4)
Jake K.
I came here for a work happy hour and didn't think it was too bad. Granted, it was quite a packed night (Thursday) but since the food and booze were free, I figured what the hell. The servers were great - I can't remember the one who actually hugged me in apology when she got my beer wrong but I'll take it (now if I could just remember her name, I'd mess with her mind and make her think she got other things wrong on subsequent orders). The food wasn't bad either - but nothing to sing about. We had a lot of the margherita pizza with basil. Always a good choice but hard to screw up. I'm not in the Clarendon area much since I'm no longer in my 20s but hey - if I had to come back, I guess this place wouldn't be bad to visit again.
(3)
Vishal S.
This review is for just the Happy Hour @ Liberty Tavern. I work around the corner from this place and have never been here for lunch or dinner. So I welcomed the chance to try this place out for a company sponsored HH. We got there at 5:30 and the place was already packed - memories of overpacked metro trains of my hometown Bombay, India came flooding back to me. Except these were smartly dressed, young (of all ages) men and women in front of me @ LT. We had couple of sofas and tables reserved for us all the way in the back but even there it was impossible to hear my colleagues in all the noise! I could still feel my ears ringing while walking back home after the event! Service was surprisingly good given the crowd which is the reason for 1 of the 3 stars. Drinks are pricey even for HH rates and wines were a disappointment. We tried all the red wines amongst our group and even though we are not wine connoisseurs, we were not impressed by the quality of wines being offered, esp considering a glass of Pinot Noir costs $14 here! A few of my colleagues ordered martinis and house special beer and they were satisfied with their drinks. So avoid the wine and go for beer and martinis! We also ordered a bunch of appetizers and they all were good except they had a tad bit too much salt for my liking. Among the appetizers that stood out were the fries and sausage pizza! The decor is modern and as mentioned earlier - service was good. Can't do much about the noise...rather be at a busy bar for HH than be one of 5 guys at a lame bar :) Will have to come back here for lunch/ dinner soon...
(3)
Rachel N.
The brunch buffet at Liberty Tavern is a crowd pleaser. It doesn't matter what you're in the mood for, they have something for everyone. Highlights are definitely the hot roast (protein varies), french toast, the pastry cart, fresh fruit, whole smoked salmon, and the artery-clogging amounts of crispy bacon and sausages. The price for the buffet is a bit high, and mimosas/bloody marys run around $7, but if you have time for a long leisurely brunch you will definitely get your money's worth, thankfully without any hurrying along by the very courteous staff. The ala carte options are also more fairly priced. Additionally, the Tavern has their kitchen open relatively late at night so it's a good spot to grab something to eat after having a few at any of the nearby watering holes. Take note- it is a verrry popular brunch spot in the busy Clarendon area, so calling ahead for a reservation is recommended.
(4)
Lauren S.
I have been to Liberty Tavern for several special occasion dinners and it has always been excellent. Each time, my party was seated very promptly (we had reservations), the food was delicious, and for our anniversary dinner we were given complimentary champagne! Their menu changes seasonally so there are always new things to try. i have also been here for Restaurant Week and found that they offer decent options and good portion sizes for their RW menu, which is appreciated.
(4)
Alla G.
I came here for lunch on a weekday during restaurant week 2010 and this place absolutely exceeded my expectations in every way. Every member of my group ordered the requisite appetizer, entree, and desserts - and I can honestly say not a single one of us was the least bit disappointed with out choices. The pizza is really unique and incredibly delicious (my recommendation: The Vermont pizza). Granted the pizza's aren't huge enough to slit between two people as an entree - but they are definitely great to split between 3 people for an appetizer. I ordered the fried shrimp for my appetizer, scallops for an entree, and the fruit crisp for dessert - and I can honestly say that they were all delicious and I would certainly order them again when coming back to the Liberty Tavern. Overall, the waitstaff is courteous and helpful, the service is generally incredibly fast, and the dining area is well lit and nicely decorated. The service throughout our entire meal was great - and when one member of my party found a piece of plastic in his ice cream - the restaurant manager came by and personally apologized.
(5)
Katie B.
I am def. a fan of their brunch spread, and they have good bloody marys as well. On a weekday night, its a nice place to sit down and hang out with friends, but its way too crowded on the weekends. The bar staff is not always the most attentive- but I can't blame them when they're only two of them and the bar is 2 deep.
(4)
C Q.
We stopped by around 10 AM on Saturday for brunch. The restaurant didn't appear to be busy at that time. We were seated upstairs. The food looked really good, so we all went for the buffet. The buffet had really good selection. Between four of us, we tried all the food (not the desserts) there. The food was good, especially by buffet standard. I liked the fried chicken, but I didn't think it was exceptional. We didn't try all the desserts because we were so full already. But the ones we tried were good. This is a great place to be able to eat different type of food all at once. And there is something for everyone. But with $30 (including tax and tips) per person, I feel like we could have better food at some of the other restaurants in the area.
(4)
Paul M.
Fantastic, Chris our waiter did an excellent job of recommending starters, entrees and rich beefy red wines. Food was exceptional. $80 for 2 cocktails, 2 glasses of wine, 2 great salads, and 2 half size entrees. Would definitely go there again. Seemed like a great pub atmosphere.
(5)
Ron U.
I can't speak for the restaurant side of everything, so we'll have to keep it to the "Tavern" portion. This is definitely my top three in the Clarendon area for drinking establishments. The initial hype has calmed down, but the place remains busy enough to where it's not awkward or anything. The barkeeps have always taken care of my boys and I in a quick manner, and good about remembering what we've ordered. The inside is laid out as best as it can be given the space, but the real gem is the outside tables. If you're a people watcher, these are front row seats. When the weather breaks, these spots are highly recommended given the location of the restaurant.
(4)
Kelly L.
This is one of my favorite places in Clarendon. It is consistent, the food is always good and the service is reliable and friendly. I do wish I didn't have to make a reservation to get a table, it can be difficult to make an impulsive decision to go on Saturday night, but most places in the neighborhood are the same. It is one of the places I take out of town guests for a great meal.
(4)
M M.
Decent bar with a good crowd, especially on a weekend night. Fairly loud though so not the place to go if you actually want to talk. However for drinks, it's a great place. The bar has a small seating area to the side/back that can be reserved.
(4)
Sallie L.
The food was good. I went for restaurant week and had a appetizer (mussels), entree (short ribs) and dessert (almond cake) and a drink (grapefruit gingerbeer cocktail?). The best thing out of the four was the cocktail. The food was good -- nothing extraordinary but decent for a Friday night dinner. It was busy busy and I was a bit too close to my tables but overall it was a good atmosphere and our server was fantastic.
(4)
Alyssa K.
I love the pizzas, the smoked tomato soup, the gnocchi, fish sandwich. Everything is good here. My only complaint is that the house salad is heavy on the yukky frisee and too light on the watery dressing. Servers are great. Deep fried shrimp and fennel - yum.
(4)
Holly C.
Update - The place is a hit so that's great. They seem to be struggling with the crowd situation in the bar. I was getting bumped into by other patrons, busboys, managers and waitstaff constantly the other night so I had to leave. It's so busy there is no where to put down food :( They like to reserve the tables in the bar area for their dinner reservations. Look no one wants to come for a nice dinner and get shoved in a crowded bar with people bumping into their table.
(3)
David A.
Good food...great burgers. They use very high quality meat here, with just the right amount of fat. The burgers are juicy and dripping with flavor! Prices are excellent. A great local gem.
(4)
J L.
If you come here for brunch, get the Breakfast Table (i.e. the buffet). Also, make sure you have reservations, otherwise you might be seated downstairs and have to schlep plates of food down the stairs. Logistics aside, I love having a variety of foods to sample. They make very creamy grits and there's steamed shrimp and biscuits aplenty. Make sure to keep an eye out for the bacon/apple pizza -- they don't have it all the time and it gets swooped up quickly. If they have the mixed berry buckle/bread, make sure to grab it from the dessert table. It is scrumptious. I tried their mini cupcakes -- the frosting was delicious (and I normally don't like frosting -- too sweet) but the cake was rather pedestrian. The first time I went to Liberty Tavern, I got the Grapefruit Buck cocktail (grapefruit vodka + ginger beer = amazing) but the second time I got it, it wasn't fresh and the ginger beer was stale. So it was a miss for me the second time.
(4)
Sacha C.
Fabulous roast chicken, rich short ribs, well-cooked fish. Overall one of our favorites in Clarendon. Very popular and a bit noisy, so recommend going Sunday evenings.
(4)
Erin W.
Amazing food, perfectly prepared. Upscale but comfy ambiance. A true neighborhood gem.
(5)
Janiece W.
I went to The Liberty Tavern on Sunday for brunch with a group of girls. We made a reservation in advance. They called twice to confirm, but I understand they don't want any "no-shows" on a busy weekend. The service was slow and the waiter never brought a hot tea we ordered. We chose to get the buffet and the food was decent, but it was laid out awkwardly in the middle of the upstairs room. They did have a small dessert table and the lavender-something cookie and red velvet mini cupcakes were the best part of the meal! Additionally, judging by the awkward treks up and down the stairs, the only buffet table was upstairs, so you might want to skip sitting on the patio for the convenience if you're opting for the buffet. Summary: Food was okay, but I will try out a few other buffet options before coming back here.
(3)
Shannon W.
I ate here for my graduation dinner with my family and I was extremely happy with the service and the food. Our table got the cheese plate and mussels for appetizers and both were delicious. I don't remember which cheese we got but one of them was their housemade cheese. The cheese plate also came with palate cleansers which I thought was a nice touch. The mussels were in an amazing tomato broth that I could have just eaten by dipping bread in it (which I did after I finished the mussels). The service was also excellent. It was clear our server was willing to spend as much time answering our questions about the different cheese options (there's a ton) and other menu items as we needed. For the entree, I got the pot roast and another member of my family got the fish. Both were excellent but I have to say the pot roast was amazing and probably the best I've ever had. The only downside to the plate was the pasta gratin that it was served with. It was too rich and simply one note. However the pot roast more than enough made up for this and it's a huge portion so I got to take some home too! For dessert we had the trio of sorbets and the cheesecake. This cheesecake was amazing - extremely light and airy like I've never had before. The sorbets were also great and creamy yet icy - the texture was great. I can't wait to go back and experience the bar scene more but the food was above and beyond my expectations.
(5)
Sue S.
My daughter's bridal shower was held this past Saturday during their fabulous brunch. The service was superior, food choices amazing, and parking no problem. The staff was attentive and delivered to our party of 24! Thanks for our wonderful event! Sue, mother of the bride
(5)
Kacey C.
I've had dinner twice upstairs, and the second time I forewarned my parents, "the wait staff likes to talk about the food. a lot. so don't ask too many questions." I'm already there eating, I know the food is good, I don't need to know every single detail about the food or its prep. While certainly nice to receive a knowledgable answer, It starts to sound a little pretentious if the server isn't humorous. The food is good, very good (this is based on the winter menu, don't ask, the wait staff will tell you the menu changes seasonally and launch into a story about that). I've ordered a pizza and the Vegetable Shepherd's Pie, both delicious. My parents more recently had the Diver Scallops which Mom said was very good - a rarity coming from her, and Dad had the skirt steak - also very good and ten dollars less than the last skirt steak he ordered out. Previously, two co-workers ordered the pork chop and said it was to die for. I've ordered the Opera Cake for dessert twice and found it to be different the second time. My parents after-dinner cappuccinos were served well before my dessert when they should have been served simultaneously. The upstairs dining is warmly lit, not too loud, but the tables that share a booth style bench lining the wall can be a bit close together. I have not eaten downstairs, but there are high tops in the front and couches (almost a lounge like setting) in the back. The downstairs can be awfully packed on a weekend night with an older crowd (mid to late 20's, early 30's).
We have been wanting to try this place for a while now, and I have to say my first experience here was pretty good. The bad news before the first: LONG wait. We were quoted an hour and a half to an hour 45, and we waited over 2 hours. BUT: they take your cell phone number, so you are free to kill time around the area. We went to Northside Social for a drink. Anyway, at the 1.5 hour mark, we asked where we stood, and the hostess told us we were next. We then watched about 5 other parties get seated, and we saw another guy go ask "I thought you said we were next?" Seems like a weird tactic to tell everybody they are next, but I digress. Next time I'll make a reservation. Our server was great. Impressive that they bring out the whole bottle to let you taste even when you order by the glass. THE FOOD! Actually, we all got pizza. I'd like to go back and try other things, but I was surprised at how much I loved the Classico pizza. It was essentially a margherita pizza - just the basics - and I was obsessed. I've been on the hunt for good pizza since moving out here, and I was surprised to find it here. My friends got one pizza that was similar to mine + sausage, and one with pork and pineapple. Everyone was happy that night and when eating the leftovers cold for breakfast. Delish. So good job Liberty Tavern. Now I want to come back and drop 20 bucks for the brunch buffet (...with a reservation).
(4)
Mark A.
To be one of the gems in Arlington, Liberty disappoints in a big way. If you are going for drinks this might be the place for you as it is cramped and loud. Perfect if you like that atmosphere. If you are going for dinner like I did, prepare for the hit or miss mentioned in others reviews. I got the 'miss' night. I had the mussels and the flank steak. The flavor was OK, but compared with other restaurants in the area/DC, I've had better. I would also not have had the heavy greens served with the steak, but again just a personal preference. The cast iron potatoes were a highlight as they were very good. The wait service was good and upstairs atmosphere were a lot quieter but still above average on the noise scale. If you have another dining choice, you might want to reconsider.
(2)
Meagan B.
I can only speak on their brunch, but it was pretty good. Minus a star because they were not very good at keeping the food warm for the breakfast table read:buffet. They last items in a dish tended to onthe chilly side. So the details, tasty and plentiful, fruit, pastries, eggs, sausage,bacon,veal, fried chicken, salads, GRITS, and French toast. For twenty dollars you will not walk away hungry. Obviously the grits were my favorite with the sausage (honestly I'm normally a health nut, but needed some grease in my life this Sunday). Everything I tried had a good flavor and the fried chicken was crisp. I will say a let down was the quiche, the eggs were just too mushy and had a pudding texture, not a fan. So minus another star. In terms of seating and space, we went on a Sunday at 10:30am and were presented with the option of a 40minute wait or snag a seat at the bar. We chose the bar and had no problems there. As a final thought, having eaten there, I am not sure if in the future I would wait 40 minutes to eat here though. It is an abundance of good food, but nothing I cannot get elsewhere. I will probably be back either having made a reservation or sit at the bar.
(3)
J S.
I had the tasting menu and was pleased with everything. It was a little loud, but other than that I really enjoyed the Liberty Tavern.
(4)
Sam J.
This place has an identity crisis. On the weekends the downstairs is a packed bar filled with drunken idiots, but the upstairs is a classy restaurant (food also available if you're dining outdoors). I'm reviewing the upstairs... Trout w/ lamb sausage & sweet potato hash. This was really good, but it was only on the menu for a little while. Great balance of flavors and textures. Manhattan: perfectly balanced! It looks like they used homemade Maraschino cherries (they had the color of real cherries, not the neon red of the store bought variety)! Pear tart w/ sage. The sage leaf was candied and was busting w/ flavor; I had no idea it could be so intense & delicious! Very helpful & knowledgeable waitstaff.
(5)
Daniel B.
Brunch!!! While I definitely like dinner that Liberty Tavern offers, the gem of this place is the brunch. Everything on it was delicious, it was definitely a great way to consume some copious calories on a Sunday. Make sure you save room for the dessert section, there always seem to be some tasty treats there.
(4)
Jamil B.
No clue why I waited so long to try this place.....well actually I do have a clue...from the outside, it appeared to be just another trendy overpriced yet underwhelming bar/"restaurant" in Clarendon full of yuppies and annoying "bro's" in flip flops. I was wrong..... partially wrong anyway... The young yuppies and Bro's are isolated to the bar area on the ground level. Upstairs is where the adults and regular folks play :) This is actually one of the things I found most enjoyable at Liberty Tavern; the bar area is totally separate from the main dining area!! You can eat in peace, enjoy an intimate dinner for two or for your family without worrying about someone bumping into you and spilling PBR on your "going out" clothes. There is limited outdoor seating. The menu changes with the seasons in order to always serve "local" and fresh ingredients. I personally think this is a SUPERB way to run a kitchen. It keeps the chef fresh and on their toes experimenting and trying new ingredients and dishes, and you know that you're getting healthy and fresh ingredients in your meal. Everything is made in house from the breads down to the desserts. My swordfish was grilled to perfection and the entire dish was just the right portion size. I was satisfied with enough room to try desert. The menu had something for all tastes. Decent draft beer and wine selection. Not a ton of beer variety, but enough. They should take that Pabst off and replace it with something more enjoyable. They are a tad on the pricey side, cheapest dish was around $17 or so i believe. But it was quality food and the prices were very reasonable for the dishes offered IMO. Happy hour specials are only offered in the bar area downstairs. Kind of a bummer but this seems to be the trend that new local restaurants are going towards.... The waiter was pleasant and very knowledgeable about the menu and drink selection. It says a lot when the waiter can describe every dish on the menu based on their own experience with tasting it.
(4)
Kevin R.
Liberty Tavern has great food, decent beer selection, and good bartenders. I've been for lunch, brunch, dinner, and drinks and have never been disappointed. Their perfect cube ice somehow makes drinks on the rocks taste better. It can get very crowded and noisy during happy hour, but the service is good. The only problem I run into is trying to decide whether to get the Vermont pizza (awesome) or to try something new (stroganoff, gnocchi, and burger are great, too).
(5)
Bryan A.
Great food, love the bar as well. Can be a tad pricey. Good bartenders though, they seem to recognize those of us whom are regulars. I haven't eaten the upstairs food that man times. Definitely requires a reservation on the weekends.
(4)
Suzanne W.
It doesn't get any better than liberty tavern! The French fries, the Vermont pizza, the burgers. Their menu changes often which I like. Hands down they have the best service in the Arlington/DC area! I highly recommend this everyone.
(5)
Louis K.
A go to place when I want to eat out, I have never been disappointed with the food. The service is most of the time exceptional, but sometimes it falls short of our usual expectations. Even with that slight drop that may occur based on your server, it's still miles ahead of everyone else in Clarendon. I like the seasonality of the menu, I've eaten there for Lunch and Dinner, and I think it's just fantastic. If you want to have dinner here on the weekends be sure to make a reservation. When the Skirt Steak Salad with Arugula is available, it's worth shiving someone in the shower to eat.
(5)
Paul W.
Bar and Brunch, thumbs up. Bar: They have a pretty good beer/drink selection, and we enjoy the lounging on the couches in the back. For all of those new parents out there, it is a good place to let an infant rest while you enjoy your evening together! (ok, well its good for at least 60-90 minutes :). The bar food is good, but won't knock your socks off. I guess there are just too many options in Clarendon... Brunch: Fantastic. The buffet has multiple options in terms of veggie, meat, seafood, sweets. Most importantly, the seafood options are not dry like you have most likely experienced in many other brunch buffets.
(4)
David G.
Took family of 4 there for Sunday brunch. Nice selection. Well prepared and presented. Staff courteous and did not feel rushed. Only complaint was that they couldn't find our Open Table reservation made about a month prior. But we were seated at a totally acceptable table since we arrived early in the day.
(4)
Aaron H.
Excellent food and a good vibe. I sat downstairs at the table just beyond the bar where people sort of separate themselves. The bar is all dark rich wood and seemed like a good place to be on a friday or saturday night. It was a monday when I went but still a very solid crowd. I had the mussels in a tomato broth to start. They were excellent and served with two pieces of toasted bread which was handy for dipping in the extra broth. As a mussels fan I would recommend these. For dinner i had a pizza which was your typical fresh mozzarella, fontina, and basil. It was also good and had excellent wood fire oven flavors. I will absolutely be back. We had a very personable waiter who did an exceptional job. The kitchen was a tad slow but I hate being rushed more than I do having to wait a few extra minutes; this is never a problem for me. With tip my dinner of a mussels, pizza, and a stella was $34 which is incredibly reasonable for such excellent tasting food.
(4)
Mikkela T.
Well, dear reader, if you've read my "in search of" then you know that I will travel far for a good piece of meat. I will even climb out of my pajamas for a burger described, by a man who has had most of the animal kingdom, as "the best burger in DC -- it was more like chopped steak." Dear friend! I was already climbing into socks at "best burger" for who can not take up arms at a rally such as that? ********** An aside: Until the Industrial Age and the switch from kitchen navvy elbow grease to widgets and cogs, chopped meat, or, if you had a really good arm, GROUND meat, was a LUXURY, because it took so long to make and required more of the household resources. Hence I prefer to call certain small ovoid balls of meat -- rissoles! Voila indeed! ********** So, reader dear, imagine my joy when, upon query about the "best burger" at Liberty Tavern, Jason C. came forth with the knowledge of $10 pint and burger. We set a plan. I rallied my tastebuds and prepared my arms for a phalanx attack. To the mound of meat! To victory! SPLAT! Despite the name, this place reminds me of Cheesecake Factory (without the namesake and without the encyclopedia sized menu). Sure, the staff are friendly. Randy did know the menu. The cheeses she recommended were nice (but for that, I'd go to EatBar where the rest of the experience has flavor to match my $3.50 inch of brie). My duck was not crisp. And the prices were normal ($21 for steak dinner although the serving is not large) for Nouveau Clarendon. It is so "dark and atmospheric" in the upstairs that you can't see your food but you can feel the next tables whispers in your lungs. Also, it's almost impossible to navigate between the tables if your "carriage" is wider than a sixth grader. Feeling fat (even if one is) is not the best feeling for a customer to have as they leave your establishment. But Liberty Tavern clearly isn't going for heavy-eating-good-deal-seeking folks. Clearly this is where the pert joggers of Arlington water when they hydrate. Alas, there was no burger on the dinner menu. Now I'll have to go back for lunch just to test out this meat. Oh, fey, loyal reader, to imagine returning to this site of mediocrity. Where have all the flavors gone?
(3)
Carly S.
The happy hour is the best part. Half off wine and $3.00 beer. The pizza is also fantastic. (The Americano pizza was killer). We also got a yummy cheese plate and a load of red wine. Was surprised how cheap it all was for such a nice establishment. I ate upstairs once two years ago and kept wishing I was back down on the first floor. There is something both fun and also elegant about the downstairs area and I much prefer it. Our server in the bar was super nice.
(4)
Daniel A.
I usually see Liberty Tavern from a distance late night on weekends and have never been too incline to go. However, after trying Lyon Hall and finding out Liberty Tavern is run by the same people, I thought I would give their dinner a try. A good choice. I got the mussels dish that was preceded with a dozen different adjectives. Basically mussels, garlic, cheese. A good combo. They also came with duck-fat fried onion rings, which sounds arbitrary, but turns out to be great. I finished off with the banana pudding which was the right choice. The services was overall very good with just a minor lapse near the end of the meal. The restaurant was a little loud; I occasionally had to repeat myself to those I was with. Still, great for dinner.
(4)
Katherine S.
I hosted a bachelorette party that started with dinner at Liberty Tavern. It was embarrassing. Our table was not ready until an hour after our reservation so we had to stand in the over packed bar area. We sat for a long time(maybe 20 minutes) before our waiter came to take drink orders. At this point we were starving and thirsty. When he did come, he kept offering to "explain the menu" which wasn't all that confusing and then walking away before we could order. We just wanted some food. The cocktails and bread basket were the only highlights of the place. One of us had the fish soup, which she had to sent back because it was way too salty. It took so long to do that, she just went without an entree. All of the other food was meh but very pricey.
(1)
Laura G.
Restaurants worthy of a metro ride out of the District are few ... Liberty Tavern is a gem worthy of the effort for this downtown girl. Gorgeous bar area - think lots of polished wood and gleaming stemware. The upstairs dining room is well-appointed, upscale 'tavern'. The service - delightful, the waitstaff know their way around the wine list and are happy to provide tastings. Ah, the star of Liberty Tavern - the food. My hat's off to the chef for making local, regional fare so tasty and inventive. The crispy homemade burratta with pickled cauliflower - says "welcome to autumn. A much done, but this time sooo right - the roasted beet and arugula salad. Both appetizers were perfect. Mains include a little of everything from pizzas to homemade pastas to lots of fresh fish options. My dinner mate and I choose the scallops with ham and the most fantastic vanilla-giner sauce with pears and potatoes. We had to resist licking our plates clean. And to finish out the meal, highly recommend getting either the 3 or 5 piece artisan cheese plate with a final half glass of wine. Some of the cheeses they make in-house like the delish bourbon chevre! I might have to expand my circle of friends in the Commonwealth of Virginia and visit Liberty Tavern often!
(5)
Molly L.
I have no idea why this place only has 3.5 stars on Yelp. I've eaten off of the bar menu and also have gone upstairs for entrees, though have never done the buffet brunch. The food is excellent and the menu has a lot of unique options. I think is it reasonably priced for the neighborhood and type of food. My only complaint is that their signature cocktails aren't that great.
(5)
Carolyn B.
The Lunch buffet was out of this world!! Since many people have written about the dazzling buffet then I'll make it short. Bloody marys aren't anything to write home about but the olives are fresh and unique. Mimosa hits the spot at brunch. French toast unbelievable. Not a fan of the lamb. Fresh fruit makes me want a lovely smoothie. Overall, I rate it orgasmic and on top of that the waiter was pretty cool. He had a bad day but completely loved us. Very personal and hoping to see him again. I just wish i could remember his name. Let's name him free mimosa guy. Side note: If you sit upstairs next to the railing, be careful as to not drop your knife. Move the knife to the other side of the table. Possibility of injury is high. Also, it's to easy to accidentally knock it off the table...
(5)
Eric S.
Upon walking into Liberty Tavern, I was immediately disappointed in the lack of rouges, wizards, drunkards and hooligans one expects to find in a typical tavern. I did not see a stable to rest my horse, as one would expect a tavern to accommodate. I was on foot at the time, so I may have missed a stable in the back. If you bring a horse, you may have trouble finding a place to rest your horse. The atmosphere was well lit, which eliminated any shady corners, so colluding with rift-raft about back door dealings was impossible. There was no festive music, or roaring fire and the bar maids were very well behaved, unlike the trampy wenches I had expected in a tavern. The food was on par with what I had expected for a tavern. Our party was immediately welcomed with typical tavern "luxuries": water, a tray of numerous cheeses and stale bread (they called them croutons). Such amenities are expected in a tavern and were a welcomed reminded me of my younger, poorer days. My roast was marinated in a fine wine, but they oddly placed the meat between two slices of bread. I believe they called it a Hamburger. Upon inspecting my roast, and bread, I noticed the lack of traditional mustard. In typical tavern fashion, I offered the barmaid a quest to fetch some mustard for my roast. She shortly returned with a cup of "fancy" mustard; however, my quest had originally stated the need for regular mustard. The barmaid informed me that the establishment was too good for regular yellow mustard, so I offered the barmaid 5 gold to journey to market and return with regular mustard. My quest was declined and I was left with a mustardless roast. A life time of traveling from tavern to tavern has left me expecting such disappointing events, so my mood was not dampened for long. I suggest you bring your own mustard. I would also advise against using this tavern if you're thinking of using it as a place to meet heroes or journeymen to complete quests as either no quests are accepted, or they require more gold.
(3)
Dana Z.
The name dropping review: I went here with Dave H. I got here about 10pm and the entire bar area was packed. This place isn't that big to begin with. So I managed to squeeze to the back in search of my friends, whom I could not find. I texted Dietrick H. No reply. Must be drunk already. I texted Sank G. Called me back to say they are upstairs! Yay I don't have to look like a lost puppy anymore! Go upstairs and see my friends. I see Sank G. first and thank him for rescuing me from the crowded downstairs. I say hi to Ruth C and Hue K looking as smiley and happy as ever. I give Dietrick H. a birthday hug. I give Dave H. a high five as he is trapped on the other side of the table. We talked about Philadelphia all night. I found out he loooooves when people name drop in reviews. He and Valentine started talking to each other in French. Showoffs. Dietrick starts talking in sign language followed by full on pantomime. One of the waiters dropped a big box of trays. It made a big BOOM. Speaking of BooM, the waiter thought he had dined and dashed. Also said hi to Scott at the end of the night. Tried to explain which Scott he is on yelp. I still don't know. He will be called "Tall Blonde Scott." Did I mention I went here with Dave H? Now give this "useful" votes. Start clicking!
(3)
Margaret M.
I just can't say enough about this place. My husband, who is a trained chef with a passion for food tells anyone who will listen that it is the best 'bang for buck' restaurant in the D.C. area. The food is just incredible and sophisticated for a fun neighborhood bar setting. There are so many great hits on the menu and we enjoy going back again and again. The pork chops, the Vermont pizza, the Tavern Salad, the brunch-- all are amazing. The menu is ever-changing and seasonal-- a sign of a chef who takes food and ingredients seriously. The beer list is thoughtful and fun to experiment with. The atmosphere is fun and the outdoor seating is great. If you have a problem with Liberty Tavern, you have a problem with great food, reasonable prices and fun, and you probably shouldn't go to restaurants.
(5)
Green G.
I really wanted to like this place; but I've tried enough times now to say it's just simply disappointing. Had dinner there recently. The beer I ordered was skunked. The food I ordered had a delicious description on the menu, but didn't taste good - at all. Thankfully my friend gave me some of her dish (the only one happy with her meal at a table of 4). Our waiter, although very knowledgeable about the ingredients & wine list, was a poor server. It took forever to even place an order, never got drink refills, and we waited around too long for the check to be dropped off & then processed. There are so many other fabulous places in Clarendon to bother with Liberty Tavern. Save your time & your taste buds.
(2)
Jin N.
Okay food, but a decent place for happy hour. Place is a bit crowded though.
(3)
Michele S.
A group of 7 went here for Sunday brunch. Thankfully, I made reservations earlier in the week because it was very crowded. Who knows how long we would have had to wait for a table!? We all ordered the buffet. At first $21 seemed like a lot, but in the end it was well worth it. The food was amazing! There was a wonderful variety, including salads, breakfast pizzas, French toast, grits, beef tenderloin, mulled cider, and much more. The Bloody Marys and mimosas were good, but nothing exceptional. All-in-all, a great experience. I will definitely recommend Liberty Tavern.
(4)
Matteo P.
Don't get cute with it. Go here for the brunch buffet. Period. If you're not that hungry or you want egg whites and a fruit cup, then go elsewhere. There was a comment that stated, "very limited menu, unless you are doing the buffet." This is such a stupid comment. The brunch buffet is absolutely ridiculous and takes up the majority of the upstairs section of the tavern. Everything from Lox, pizza, prime rib carving station, shrimp, grits (if you're smart you'll combine the shrimp with to grits), fresh fruit, pastry table, bacon/sausage, french toast, etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. Grab a french press and a bloody, and you're looking at one of the best brunches in the DC area. Hands down.
(5)
Eriko I.
I went to here at night time only me. Noise level was very loud. But food and drink is good taste. I like here.
(4)
Ryan R.
Ahhh Liberty Tavern ... you never disappoint! I've been here twice before this review and I can say that it is pretty damn good! I have only been here for lunch thus far, but can say that the staff were very welcoming and the lunch options were great! I had the steak and cheese sandwich with bell peppers and onions with a side salad instead of fries. It was awesome! I really do need to try other things, but when you know something is good it makes you want to get it every time. The place is clean, inviting, lots of seating upstairs and down and the bathrooms are particularly clean ... which is always a plus in any restaurant. I'll be back soon to check out the bar and dinner scene, but am sure it will still fit the bill for a great place to go in Clarendon.
(4)
Bonnie P.
I should have written this review right after we went here, because I've forgotten a lot of the details. In a word: fantastic! We had the three-course prix-fixe menu with the wine pairings and it was delicious. The price was right, too - I think the food was $45pp and the wine was $27pp. They had no problem adjusting the menu for my vegetarian palate. The waiter was friendly and knew his menu and ingredients - a refreshing change from so many places these days. The sommelier was funny and eager for feedback about his pairing choices. The dining room is upscale and lovely without being pretentious. We'll definitely go back. The only reason I didn't give this place 5 stars was because it wasn't quite up to par with Restaurant Eve or Cityzen. That's not a bad thing; we weren't looking for that kind of evening.
(4)
Eddie G.
I'm a huge fan of LT. Shawn and the rest of the staff are awesome. I bring a new group of friends everytime I visit and they all love the Tavern. Been there for dinner a number of times and highly recommend the Mussels as an appetizer. They're prepped in a smoked tomato broth which is awesome! You can't go wrong with any of their entrees be it chicken, beef, or pasta. The ambience is yuppiesh for my taste, but I go there more for the great service and food.
(5)
Tung L.
Can't speak to the service downstairs. We went to the more formal area upstairs. Was not worth it. Expensive skirt steak was stringy and the sauce was too sweet and sour for my taste for $22. We also got the risotto. Not very impressive neither and fairly small for $27. Overprice for the quality. I think high reviews are for the drinks and cheaper food only available in the downstairs area.
(2)
David K.
Liberty Tavern is fine. It tries to get an upscale lounge feel with some of the furniture downstairs, but this fails when the place fills up and it is standing room only. It certainly is crowded on weekends, and seems to attract a reasonably diverse crowd. Unfortunately, the crowd is very "just in from Reston for a night on the town". I like the variety of beers here, although prices are a bit high. The food is good, much better than the average bar. The amish chicken is good. The salads are good as well. The outdoor seating is appreciated as well. I've heard bad things about the buttermilk dressing from many people, so please avoid. Stick to the chicken.
(3)
Lefteris H.
Liberty Tavern has one of the best brunches in Arlington. Dining there is very nice too if you don't mind the high noise level at the bar. It's usually crowded enough to warrant a reservation. The service and the food have remained consistent over my several visits over the years. The cheese selections are among the best I've had and are always paired nicely.
(4)
Jennifer I.
How can you get better than being on the same block as the metro?! Location=wonderful. The crowd was not mixed at all which was a little disappointing but it was still a fun time. The fries looked really good but due to my "no French fries" resolution, I just stared and watched others enjoy them. My group was lucky to get a table on a Friday night but it got pretty crowded around 6. I liked the ambiance--not a dive bar, not a lounge..just a nice pub great for an after-work happy hour. I'd like to go back and try this place out again.
(3)
Ian F.
Our family of three were on the hunt for AYCE buffets. We decided to give the liberty tavern a go. Sure, the staples are there: crispy bacon, sausage, carving station beef, cocktail peel and eat shrimp, and some breakfast favorites alongside a few surprises like crispy fried chicken; All done nicely. Even the desert station is nice and coffee is PERFECT. This was satisfying, but I truly felt wanting for some of the prepared dishes to have more interest to them. My 7 year old describes it as tasting funny. Searching my culinary vocabulary, I decided I couldn't have described the prepared dishes better. Most everything that deviated much beyond the realm of breakfast brunch staples...well, they tasted funny. Cuban pulled pork, the house Mac and cheese, or even the house sausage. Funny. Funny. Funny. All nice staff and attentive service. They said they do rotate dishes each week, so maybe worth rolling the dice another time.
(3)
Michael F.
Fun place to go for happy hour. They have good cheeses appetizers. I had the rockfish the other night with collards. Highly recommend it!
(4)
Cj W.
Meh! It's been a couple of years since I've eaten here and probably the last. Waitress was lame, food was amateurish: SPAGHETTI ALLA CHITTARRA was gritty (soak your clams in cornmeal or pepper so your customers don't get a mouth full of sand!), SKIRT STEAK was not cooked to order and the veg was cold. The MUSSELS were good, but served with a side of body odor! The burly long haired runner forgot to apply his deodorant. Sorry guys.
(1)
Kristi F.
We recently visited Liberty Tavern for the first time. We found the food to be delicious and the service excellent. We tried the Fennel/Radicchio salad after we had originally ordered the Apple/Endive only to be told that it was not available. We also tried the Vermont Pizza and the Duroc pork chop. The pizza was very good but probably not something I'd order again just because I didn't find the taste to be better than pizza I've had elsewhere. The Duroc pork was excellent with very tasty sauces and sides. The service is definitely top notch. They would frequently clear our table of any extra dishes and refill our water. We also were given extra bread after we finished our first basket. We will definitely be back but not right away.
(4)
Adam D.
Went here for dinner with a party of four on a Friday night (3/1). The downstairs bar area was packed when we arrived. Comfy, leather couches and TV in the corners were taken, but looked like a nice place to reserve in advance. Beer selection was so-so and the cocktails were tasty, albeit pricy for the actual size of the drink. Dinner upstairs was chattery (in a good way), and I liked that you can see into the kitchen. My party and I ordered the cheese plate (amazing!), and had rockfish, skirt steak, arctic char and small versions of the pincianelle and gnocchi. All dishes were tasty and the perfect portion size...neither too big or small. The only negative was we were served the pincianelle (by accident) instead of the spaghetti alla chittarra. Nonetheless, the servers were slammed and the dish was tasty, so it was OK. If you're coming to Clarendon, make a reservation and come here. Worth every penny!
(4)
Jenny P.
A large group of us showed up for brunch and left with a much more full belly than we had thought. Never thought that a beer drinking and buffet eating challenge would take place for free. We owe all of this to our bad ass server. So we showed up and ordered some bloody mary's, bellinis, and brunch. NBD. Well the bloody mary's come with a shot of a beer chaser. Once you finish your beer chaser, Matt brings you a bigger glass of beer chaser to go with your blood mary. Finish that and then a bigger glass. You get the point. Eventually we end up with full pints of beer to chase our blood with. Let's just say the blood mary drinkers were definitely drunk by the end of brunch. And all those chasers challenge beers were on the house. AWESOME! He even kept bringing the leftovers from the brunch buffet and offering them to our table. Free french toast and bacon? I'll take it! Overall the food and drinks were great, but our service and fun spirit of our server made the experience for us. Go there for some good brunch, ask for Matt, and have some fun!
(4)
Seema G.
I've been wanting to try this restaurant out for brunch but still have not had the opportunity. I did come here for dinner with friends on a Friday night and am so glad I made a reservation. Definitely make a reservation to this place or you will not get a spot. The bottom floor is for the happy hour so while I was waiting for friends, it was definitely tight and I did not have much room to stand. Two of my friends were late but the staff was really nice in that they held our reservation for 30 minutes past my reservation time. We ordered a 3 cheese sample with the help of our waiter who was extremely nice in suggesting good cheeses for us. I ordered one of the salads and the raviolini which were both good. The raviolini was more like desert but still good. However, it is a tiny amount so don't expect to be full on just that. With the salad, cheeses, and raviolini, I was more than full! Dinner patrons be warned that you will not be able to get anything other than wine on the top floor. Parking is definitely not easy in this area so if you are metro accessible, take the metro to save you the headache of trying to find parking.
(4)
James B.
Had the Sunday brunch. Delicious buffet items, great selection, service was excellent. Would go back.
(4)
Kara M.
I'm in the hospitality industry, so if the service sucks - my experience sucks. I went here on New Year's Eve (sober) with two friends for one drink. The female bartender was busy flirting with some drunk guy, while he proceeded to (accidentally) spit in our drinks. The bartender still tried handing the drinks to us, while my friend says "No no we don't want those- we need new drinks." She screams in his face "I heard you" and immediately throws a tantrum that he "needs to stop freaking out". I don't know if she had a rough night, but to be an employee and literally go off on the only sober people in the bar for no reason? It was pretty off-putting. I doubt any of us will be back.
(1)
Rachel G.
I would give them 3.5 if I could. I've been here a bunch of times just for the bar scene and usually have an ok time. It's generally pretty crowded but the people are ok and I'm with a big group of friends. This past weekend my friend and I made 7:45 reservations for dinner. I got there before she did and they said they needed to wait for a table to leave which was fine since she was running late. When my friend did arrive (approx 15 mins later) we were still told we needed to wait but this time it was for a 16 person party that they were waiting on. All I have to say is it's a good thing I wasn't that hungry or I would have been making the biggest scene about being made to wait. I honestly didn't mind waiting and passing the time catching up with my friend. We weren't seated until 8:30 and we definitely weren't sat where this huge party had been sitting. The host brought us champagne and we were given free dessert as well. It definitely made our night a little more enjoyable. We each got the beet and goat cheese salad, which I loved, and we shared the vermont pizza. The pizza was great and our server was very apologetic about us having to wait. I must say, they definitely knew they made a mistake and they made every effort to remedy the problem for us. I live in DC so I don't know how often I'll be back but more likely for the bar than the food. It's definitely worth a try if you live in the area and haven't been before, maybe just opt for an earlier reservation :)
(3)
Nicole L.
I am not into the arlington scene, but a friend returned from Atlanta and it was walking distance to Liberty Tavern. When I walked to the door I was told there was a wait - the bar was packed to full capacity! It's such a popular bar last time I had dinner upstairs and was spared from the madness at the downstairs bar. One thing for sure was it's 90% men 10% women, so ladies this would make it a great place for meeting guys haha! We had a few scotches, comparing the speyside to islay some with a strong peaty flavor. They carried a good single malt selection.
(4)
Jessica H.
Solid Clarendon selection. The fried chicken special on Mondays and the weekend brunch are magical!! Wear your stretchy pants!! The everyday menu is somewhat limited and nothing extraordinary. The brunch and chicken are really the standouts and are the driving force in this four star rating.
(4)
Melissa B.
I decided to search far & wide for an affordable and yummy brunch buffet for my hubby's 30th birthday. He LOVES brunch. And, alas, so do I. After reading several reviews from fellow Yelpers, I made a reservation for the brunch. We arrived about 10 minutes early and we seated 15 minutes later. We were seated on the second floor and a few steps away from the brunch goodies galore so we were both happy. And salivating. Don't ask me to name exactly everything I ate. I just ate and ate and ate. I do remember the salmon and the potato frittata were both delish. We were both satisfied with the quality, flavor, and variety of the foods. We both ordered fruit juices (orange & pineapple juice) and the glasses were so slender & small that we finished them in two sips. They were sweet enough and were smooth - no fruit pulps or grainyness. We plan to come back. I would *highly* recommend you make an reservation for brunch via open table so that you don't salivate for an hour before you are seated. Cheers!
(4)
Sherri D.
Spent a few nights here with friends for happy hour and late night outtings in Clarendon. I liked how they had some couches in the corner and the ambient lighting... but, it did get really crowded! Getting from the bar to the bathroom was treacherous. Pretty decent place though and the night I went -- they had some good music. They even played reggae! lol
(3)
Willy Y.
Went here for an anniversary dinner and I definitely won major points. It's a very classy restaurant right smack in the heart of Clarendon with wonderful food, amazing ambiance, and a good crowd of people. The bar and seating area downstairs is a good place to find the best people that Arlington has to offer. It's a bit pricer than the other establishments in the immediate vicinity, and as a result you have a bit of the older more refined crowd. In fact it's been rumored that a lot of the Washington Nationals, including Ryan Zimmerman, have been known to hang out in the bar area. The upstairs seating area is a great place to dine. Great mood lighting and even better food and service. I wouldn't call it the best deal in Arlington, the prices are high but understandably so. But it's def. a great place for an celebration of some sort or a big date.
(4)
G U.
4 stars for the food, 5 for the service. Was here w parents and boyfriend a few weekends ago on a Saturday at lunch. We all ordered the burger and beer lunch special, which we've had before and is an excellent deal. Anyways, we waited... and waited... the tables around us ordered, ate, and left. Clearly, someone in the kitchen lost or forgotten about the order. When the burgers finally came, they were overcooked. We had ordered medium or medium rare and ended up w well done. We'd NEVER had a problem here before, and have always received food quickly. It was disappointing... BUT, when we told the waiter that the burgers weren't right, he not only apologized profusely, and very quickly brought out whole new meals, sides and all, but he also told us that all of our lunches would be ON THE HOUSE. That's right- when the bill came, we just paid tax. When the new burgers came, they were delicious, as were the sides. They also have a great draft beer selection. Nobody's perfect all the time, and this is a fantastic example of how a restaurant should handle the occasional order that falls through the cracks. Excellent customer service, and great food. We will certainly be back.
(5)
David L.
I've only been for the bar, and its food. The low-light aesthetic is cool but a bit ubiquitous in Clarendon. Also, it's terribly loud, mostly from the number of voices and the acoustics, so minus points for being a conversation killer. We tried their drinks, pizza, and fries. They were good but nothing to write home about.
(3)
Jzargo V.
Friendly bartenders (especially liked the blonde/Dutch bartender), (i think we ordered fries that came with 3 sauces, all of which tasted kind of nasty to me, so I just asked for some mayo which our Euro bartender knew was the right way to go.. .although she said most like the strange bbq/mustard sauces) good happy hour beers, tasty pizza with arugala, = i'll be back soon! it can get crazy loud and packed here Friday&Saturday, but i was there early enough on a weekday that it wasn't bad at all and i had space to sit at the bar.
(4)
Anna P.
The bar is CROWDED!!!!!! You're lucky if you can snag one of the bar tables. It's super popular, so they must be doing something right. If you want to go out on a nice dinner date, try upstairs. Their food is fantastic, and different/exotic--I think I had rabbit the last time I was there.
(4)
Mark L.
I just left "brunch" at the liberty tavern, if you can call it that. In a word, the experienced "sucked." Where do I begin? First, they seated us outside in the sun. When we asked for an umbrella, none came. Then I checked out the brunch, which looked unappetizing, at best. Let me be specific: French toast was dry and tasteless. Bacon was pretty much all fat. Even scrambled eggs were bad--dry and lumpy. My son ordered pancakes and it was cooked on the outside and raw inside. Yuck. I brought this to the attention of the manager who was appropriately apologetic. He should have comped the mean, but instead took off half. I wasn't gonna argue about it. When I told all this to the waitress it was quite obvious that she agreed the cooking sucked but she was clearly fine serving it to us to collect a paycheck. When I told her about the food, she said "yeah, yeah, I know. I agree." I could tell she wasn't just placating a guest, but really meant it. Either the folks at liberty tavern don't know what good food is, or don't really care. Either way, these guys won't be around for long serving this kind of trash.
(1)
Athena C.
Absolutely fabulous! Usually when I think of bar or tavern food, I think of fried wings, burgers, and some nasty fattening fries. This place offers a surprisingly healthified menu with traditional sandwiches and burgers as well as pasta. However, the ingredients here are mostly local sourced and fresh. We ordered 3 sandwiches and tasted everyone's dish and we were all happy with the portion as well as the flavor. The price was good for its quality too. I am happy to say i finally found a decent restaurant in D.C. area!
(4)
S K.
Been here a few times for dinner and their pizza is amazing. If you are looking for something outside of traditional this is the place. Fresh, quality toppings, good sauce and crust. Taste great as leftovers too.
(4)
Lexie D.
As a bar on a Saturday night, I was unimpressed by Liberty. I crawled through throngs of see-and-be-seen DCers to throw myself at the bar, only to haplessly flag down one of the two bartenders working a huge room. My friends ordered from their cocktail menu, and found the drinks to be hit-or-miss. I stuck with the tap and was pleased to find Brooklyn available. Prices were fine, place was overcrowded, service was nonexistent, and my drinks-only experience leaves me little desire to ever return.
(2)
Ben E.
The restaurant upstairs is impeccable. Service is super attentive and the waiters are professional, and the seafood is out of this world. We ordered the mussels as an appetizer. They're bathed in a smoky, tomato-based sauce. For the main course, you can pair half-portions of any two pasta dishes. I had the gnocchi with the spaghetti, would probably recommend the gnocchi over the latter. We asked our waiter for a good wine to pair with the seafood and he brought out an excellent red.
(5)
Rachel P.
Overall Liberty Tavern is decent, but definitely not worth the hype. Food is pretty good, especially if you get some of their classics (the mussels appetizer, the skirt steak, the pizza, etc.). The beer/wine selection is good, but not great. The service, however, leaves a lot to be desired. I have dined at Liberty Tavern at least 3-4 times in the last year and every time the service is super slow. As an example, I was there last night and we were sitting at our table for at least 5-10 minutes before the waitress first checked on us. In sum, if you are looking for a moderately priced restaurant in the Clarendon area, there are better choices.
(3)
Heather H.
I wasn't too impressed with Liberty Tavern. Maybe I didn't appreciate it because I'm not a foodie and I was a little bitter since they ran out of the dish I wanted. I really wanted the seafood orchiette and saw a diner eating it while I was waiting for my table and it looked so good. Unfortunately, when I placed my order I found out they were out :( I ordered a special linguine with mussels and clams instead and it wasn't that great. It definitely wasn't worth $19. The rest of my party seemed to enjoy their meals though. My fiance ordered the mountain trout and said it was one of the best meals he had in a long time. The atmosphere and decor is nice. The downstairs is the bar area with small tables and a lounge area with couches. Upstairs is where the table seating is. I liked that the dining area was separated from the bar area. I was here on a Friday night and the bar area was packed. Overall, the food here is a little too fancy and pricey for my taste. I doubt I would eat here again but would probably return for drinks.
(2)
Tom B.
Food is good but not great. Service is terrible. Waiters flail about. Activity does not equal service. Drink orders come very slow, bar apparently overwhelmed. Ordered starters and waiter said we needed to order entries at same time, refused his offer once and he came Back and insisted again and said if he did not get orders her needed to take away menus, so he got them. This place is all about turning tables not service.
(1)
Paul W.
Although this place claims to offer fine dining American cuisine, I walked in for lunch with the expectation I'd be enduring another subpar North Arlington dining experience the likes of Mister Days. However, upon entering, I was immediately suprised by the relatively ornate dining space, as well as their menu. We ordered the grilled octopus for appetizer, the skirt steak salad and the beef stroganoff. Nothing remotely stood out as fine dining, but I have to admit that I appreciated the effort. Again, relatively speaking, the food was decent and considering the low prices, I'll certainly give them another try. A quick note about the interior; based on the layout of tables and seats, this place doesn't offer any privacy. That said, I wouldn't recommend coming when it's busy.
(3)
Foodie C.
This place is amazing. More like 4.5 stars I will keep it simple.... Great food Great service Great ambience
(4)
Anthony I.
A great place, great drink menu, great beers and a real farm to table kitchen that gets it right. I have been here a few times now, I'll admit at first I wrote it off as a high end applebees, but then I tried it and was so pleasantly surprised. The wait staff really knows their stuff, from drink parings to recommended the best cheese of the day, I have never been let down by this place. To top it off I went during restaurant week, not on purpose, but was in the area meeting some friends for drinks, we ended up getting a great outside table, with no wait, at 7PM. i try and shy away from places during restaurant week since, generally, I have found the menu and service to be limited due to the price. Not Liberty Tavern, full menu, you select three, even the pizza and they throw in a $5 gift card, although I never received mine.
(4)
Sheri G.
Things Liberty Tavern does well: Brunch: I'm not usually into buffets, but they have a great looking one. It includes typical brunch fare as well as some more contemporary options and candy! The french press coffee is a must. The Vermont Pizza: It's sort of my personal rule not to have the same thing twice off a menu unless it's truly spectacular. I've had this pizza almost every time I've come here. Prosciutto, caramelized onions, apples and sage. It is mouth-watering. Happy hour: It's packed and their specials are decent. Half price wines, $3 drafts and discounted food.
(4)
Dana G.
Went there for the Sunday Brunch for $20. Not worth it at all.. it is like cafeteria quality food without any flavor what so ever. Waited a while to be seated when we arrived at 1:00 PM. Your desserts are cookies and your drinks were just pink (artificial) lemonade.
(1)
bill b.
Surprisingly decent music (at least when I've been there during dining hours). It's like early 90s 120 minutes with some good hip hop blended in. Best (only?) brunch buffet I've had in years. The first floor gets too shouty/fratty for me, but that's Clarendon. The waitstaff here is personable and sometimes downright commendable. Specialty cocktails are thoughtful and not a list of dessert-tinis. Food has been phenomenal to so-so, but never poor. Loved the panna cotta with lavender macaroons and am bummed they retired it. Wish there were more vegetarian options, but still a go-to for me.
(4)
Garrick M.
I can't help but give The Liberty Tavern 5 stars: - it is a GREAT local restaurant in the DC area - the dark wood and bright windows are right up my alley - the managers and staff are incredible - the food is consistent and delicious - the bar is extensive I first went to Liberty Tavern at the recommendation of my fiance's classmate who has similar tastes to my own. That first time we went I could tell it would be a place we would frequent often- and we do for all the reasons above and more. Overall I have found professional, efficient, and friendly service at Liberty Tavern. They go out of their way to create a great culture to suit their customer relations. Happy hour specials are great at Liberty and the pizzas are definitely some of the best in the DC area. Try the Vermont pizza it is OUTSTANDING. Whether you're looking for a place to take a date and dine upstairs, a great Sunday brunch place, or somewhere to hang out and have a drink Liberty Tavern is definitely worth it. Several times over.
(5)
Ana V.
The brunch buffet is a great spread, though pricy, so come only if you're hungry. I've been once before for the a la carte brunch and that time, as well as this, the service was sub-par. In the earlier instance, our hostess assumed that by sitting at the bar we had given up our table, and this second time our waitress rushed us away from the brunch table, bringing us the check without us asking. Great food, disappointing service.
(4)
Josh A.
I went to this place for a company party. Not being one to drink, I cannot comment on their drinks other than to say that they have a pretty limited soft drink selection. The food wasn't very good. The meat was pretty bland and the vegetables were bitter. The lighting was darker than I like for socialising with people. The food was displayed well on the plate but that didn't make up for the poor flavour. Save your money and go across the street to the Silver Diner.
(1)
Amanda S.
We visited the Liberty Tavern on Easter and decided to have their brunch. For $18 a person, it was fantastic. We had called around to other restaurants offering brunch and places were charging as much as $45 a person which was absurd. The buffet had many items all though some things were missing, like bacon and pancakes would have been nice. The salmon was delicious and my favorite thing on the buffet. We haven't had the opportunity to try lunch or dinner there but we will one day.
(4)
Heather R.
The cocktails and atmosphere at Liberty Tavern are great, and I've had several tasty brunches (and brunch cocktails!) here. I just think their dinners never measure up. They're either under-seasoned or over-salted. I would go here for happy hour and apps any day of the week, but would be hard pressed to go back for dinner after several disappointing meals.
(3)
Christopher M.
Always have great service, some of the portions are a little small for the price but its a great atmosphere and a nice break from the normal Clarendon frat boy scene
(3)
Sondra L.
This restaurant serves one of the best grilled octopus appetizers I've ever had! it's amazingly tender and flavorful. Sean, the knowledgeable and cordial manager, explained how the octopus is marinated for 24 hours with wine corks and spices. Fantastic! The skirt steak entry just melted in my mouth, and their in-house made artisan cheeses were excellent. I wanted to go back again the very next night to try other courses. We didn't, but we will be bringing family and friends here really soon! The only peculiar thing about this place is its decor. The main floor\bar looks and feels like a local pub and hang-out, but the upstairs and outside dining areas are more refined and complimentary to the cuisine. But don't let the first floor bar area fool you or deter you from dining here. If you are a real foodie, Liberty Tavern is a must-try!
(5)
Barry S.
Best meal I have had in a long time. The short ribs were amazing! Will go back any time I am in the area. Great service and they accommodated my family of 5 last minute after traveling from Boston all day. Kudos.
(5)
Thomas F.
I agree nearly completely with Mike R. on his assessment. I arrived a little early for a 6:00 PM dinner reservation with a large party. The crowd at the happy hour was about what you'd expect for a high-endish place in a suburb of Washington - pretentious, pretentious, pretentious. And it was so packed that I was turned off - it was hard to squeeze to the bar and too loud to have a conversation. But dinner upstairs was absolutely fabulous. I had a salad (forget which one now) and then the gnocchi with rabbit. Fantastic. The chef pays a lot of attention to the ingredients and that was clear in the dishes. I'm a big fan and hope I can return soon to try other dishes. I was also impressed with the service - we had a table of 15 people, but everything arrived quickly, we weren't rushed, our waiter was very friendly and he even let us split the check up 15 ways. Impressive. Altogether, I look forward to returning, just not for drinks downstairs! I would also add that Northside Social, a coffee shop that will be opening its own place where Mocha Cafe used to be, is serving coffee in the mornings before Liberty opens for lunch. The coffee is great!
(4)
Greg O.
The tavern is rather nondescript on the outside, not very tavern-like in my opinion. The inside doesn't have a great "tavern" feel either. But that ends up being beside the point, as the food was delicious. The apple endive salad was well done, and a big enough portion to split between two diners. My pork chop was cooked perfectly, with a delicious side of potatoes. My girlfriend's pizza was equally as good, with just the right amount of toppings and a crispy crust. The cobbler for dessert was excellent. The wait staff was fairly friendly and reasonably quick- nothing spectacular. But the food really was quite good.
(4)
Kealan C.
Though I no longer live in the DC area, I thought I'd review this place because I'm feeling saucy. Someone below wrote that there should be two reviews for Liberty Tavern - one for the restaurant and one for the bar. Totes agree, so here it goes. The restaurant is actually very nice and very anti-Arlington: mature, sophisticated, but still relaxed and a bit playful. Love the lobster mac as well as the seasonal cheese plate and wine selection. The bar is Arlington at its worst: over-grown frat boys. You might think that the regular frat boy scene is the worst, but ohhh no, when they're in their late 20s, 30s and are still stuck there? Eek. And it's packed full of them quite tightly. The last time I went there, the bartender gave my credit card to someone else. I was sort of pissed, obviously, but let it slide because everyone is allowed a mistake here and there. I just put my card on hold and hoped the person with the similar last name as mine would return it to the bar. Luckily Clancy did, and the next morning I went over to retrieve it. I talked to the bartender and he called over the manager, telling him that "this girl left her card behind last night". I corrected him saying, "actually, I didn't forget it, the bartender gave it to the wrong person", because I am responsible, dammit! His response? Not "I'm sorry about that" not "I'm so glad it was returned" but . . . "(snort) semantics". SEMANTICS! I won't be going there again. Not semantics. I can get good food elsewhere.
(2)
Tim M.
The Vermont pizza w/ apple, a couple different cheeses, and prosciutto is absurdly tasty along with all of the other pies. I had an awesome lamb burger with goat cheese and tapenade recently too. Great brunch where they even serve this pizza at brunch it's so popular. Really can't go wrong with most items here but stay away from the pasta dishes. Good lamb dishes, cheese plates, and appetizers. A great brunch spot but you already knew that. A little pricey but mostly worth it.
(4)
Emma Y.
Service is always on par here, never any complaints. The brunch buffet is probably the best in Arlington, no lie. The grits are to die for, and the dessert table-WOW. Dinner and late night bar menu are just as stellar-you have to try to duck pizza if you go. It's got that upscale tavern feel, but with much better food than you'd expect. Absolutely in love with this place!
(5)
lillian H.
We went for Sunday Brunch and will definitely go back. The selection was somewhat limited but everything was excellent. I found every dish exceptional in quality and seasoning. The place is not huge and is tucked in the back of the building but the ambience was relaxing and quiet enough to converse.
(4)
Alli B.
Great after work Happy Hour I hear. Excellent food and inventive drink menu. It was pretty crowded, but we didn't wait long and the decor gives a cozy and intimate feel. Definitely recommend and love the neighborhood. Has been a 30 something young professional crowd when I have been there.
(4)
Sarah S.
Blah, blah, blah... Just simply overrated in my book, and I gave this place 2 tries! The first was better than the second, so I will probably never see the inside of that place again unless it's for a meal other than brunch. The brunch, in my opinion, is overpriced for the quality of the food and for the amount of offerings. I have had better and paid less or equal. ($18 for the buffet and $6 for a mimosa) Whenever I go to brunch I always venture towards the meat and sides first since I'm not big on pancakes/french toast/waffles, etc. I breezed past the ham and pork tenderloin carving station because they both looked too dried out. I went for the smoked salmon with capers (a favorite at every brunch), a piece of broiled salmon, the seared trout with a lemon-butter sauce, some potatoes au gratin, eggs frittata, a link of sausage, and I went out on a limb and grabbed a piece of french toast. Yes, I can eat quite a bit of food. Thoughts on the above-mentioned items: Smoked salmon with capers - delicious, but how hard is it to mess that up? Broiled salmon - awfully overcooked and under-seasoned. The seared, lemon-butter trout - descent, but nothing to write home about. The potatoes au gratin - my favorite part of the meal besides the smoked salmon. They were really cheesy, creamy, and full of flavor. Yum. The eggs frittata - dried out, overcooked, and they tasted like plastic. Tabasco sauce didn't even help. Just gross. The sausage - eh, too much maple flavor for my liking. Finally, the french toast - way too dry and stale-tasting. No syrup or jam could mask that awful piece of bread. So, all in all I was not really impressed. Smoked salmon, potatoes au gratin, and a mimosa does not really constitute an $18 brunch. I guess the only thing that made me smile when I left Liberty Tavern - besides actually leaving that place - were the cranberry, blueberry, and lemon scones and the chocolate lemon cookies. If you are in the market for a great brunch place that is off-the-map a bit, try Whitlow's in Arlington or one of many great brunch destinations in the district.
(2)
Trisha S.
The boyfriend and I needed a good place to have lunch that would allow us to also enjoy the sun's rare winter appearance. With it's large front windows and interesting lunch menu, Liberty Tavern seemed like the perfect place. I ordered the the "Primanti Brothers" Style Sandwich with the fried egg of course. How can I complain about having all my favorite things squeezed between two slices of bread. Needless to say I left my plate clean. The boyfriend ordered the Reuben and said that he has had nothing better. The service was fantastic. Our waiter/bartender was extremely friendly and personable. Service was quick and our glasses and bread baskets were never left empty.
(4)
David R.
On a good day, there will be a few people at the bar, attentive, friendly bar tenders (who may even comp a beer or two), and terrific comfort food. On a bad day, there will be an overflow of oversexed alpha males who feel the need to scream at the tops of their lungs in order to be heard (something like "HEY BARTENDER! I GOT A BIG ORDER FOR YA!" True story). And then continue to scream even though they're two feet away from their buds. In other words, the place turns into a sausage convention. Not as obnoxious as Mister Days or Whitlow's, but close enough. There is an outdoor seating area, but it's so close to Wilson Boulevard that you may be risking life and limb sitting out there (especially after a certain hour on Friday or Saturday nights). In a nutshell, Liberty Tavern is hit or miss. Get there early enough, and you'll do fine. Once the sharks are out, watch out.
(3)
Miss C.
Having only been here once before for a birthday drink, we decided to take the plunge into food. I will forever thank myself and my dinner companion for deciding on LT for dinner. He started out with the endive and apple salad which I, being allergic to apples cannot comment on but it looked delicious and several affirmative nods between bites on behalf of my friend confirmed my suspicions. I ordered the smoked mussels. Bursting with a rich smoky flavor and just enough salt to make you want to keep eating. We loved them so much that we asked for extra bread to finish the sauce. The tomato was just sweet enough to balance the minor heat applied. I could have had hotter and our server claimed it was too spicy for her so I am thinking that it is just perfect for the everyday person. Dinner arrived to our visual delight. I dove into my Amish Chicken with aplomb. The tower of slightly crisp and butter tender chicken protected the buttermilk mashed potatoes that had a crown on lemon marmalade??? How oddly perfect- the last thing I would have expected but it was a great marriage. Even the kale I substituted for the mustard greens was divinely cooked and presented as if dipping its toes in the shore of gravy that was on the plate's perimeter. My friend's duck breast over cannelini beans with a sidecar of beet gel was like a tastebud orgasm. The duck was so tender and melt worthy I actually confused it with beef and accused him of changing his order behind my back. Duck to me is normally a bit greasy and can be chewy. This however reminded me of a perfectly cooked sirloin with a crusty coat and the most gorgeous color of berry on the core- the cooking of it lending to an ombre appearance of the meat. The service was outstanding and she showed up at precisely the right moments without hovering. As other reviewers have mentioned, the bar section does tend to get noisy and crowded. But that is to be expected at a bar on a Saturday night between the hours of 7:30pm and 9:30pm. We chose to sit there and eat so the noise and crowds didn't bother us in the slight. The same menu is served upstairs away from the bevy of 20-30 somethings clutching their Absolut and tonics. The best part?? Dinner with drinks (5 total) came to roughly $120. Which considering the quality of everything is surprisingly cheap. I highly recommend LT. It is great to bring out of town guests as well when looking for inexpensive eats with very expensive flavors.
(5)
Cup Of T.
I'm honestly not sure why this place is so popular. The food the several times that I've had is mediocre at best. If you can get to a bar table, the service is pretty good, but that said, it get's pretty packed during weeknights and especially on weekends to the point where you can't even move. If you want to have dinner, I'd recommend going upstairs. The only thing that I'd eat there again is their cheese platter (you choose a few from a pretty generous list). Overall - I've experienced better. Stick to Liberty for happy hour (if you can get there early) or light fare. Much better places in Clarendon food wise.
(3)
Charlie A.
Came here both for dinner and then drinks. Dinner upstairs was really good. I enjoy the concept of the rotating seasonal menu based on what is fresh and makes sense for the weather. I had the amish chicken which was really well done, tasty and well presented. Desserts were a bit more mediocre. If you're a big dessert fan, I'd suggest skipping it here and going somewhere else. The bar downstairs is very comfortable, although it seems to fill up fast. If you have a group, I'd suggest someone going 15-20 mins early and trying to snag a spot as someone leaves. Service was fast and friendly, drinks seem a bit high-priced but then that may be normal from D.C. (I'm from Seattle myself). Bar menu is different than upstairs dinner menu. Pizzas were good but unremarkable, I had a chicken sandwich that was really good.
(4)
Emily E.
The brunch here is awesome - can't say enough good things about it. The wait staff is really friendly and involved, and the overall brunch is a great experience. The price is also very reasonable for all of the options and quality of the food. Thumbs up :)
(5)
Ju L.
Pros: Attentive wait staff. Aura. Metro accessible. Cons: Prepare to pay European prices for European portions.
(3)
Amelia P.
This used to be a phenomenal bar that was a hugely welcome change from Clarendon Ballroom and some of the other trashy bars in the neighborhood. Then the owners realized that they could make more money serving Miller Lite to the overflow crowd from the Ballroom than they were making on good booze for those of us who like a quieter atmosphere, so they cranked up the bad music, and the place became impossible to enjoy. Sunday brunch and lunchtime are still pretty good, but do not go here at night unless you want to be surrounded by people who are trashed and barely legal.
(2)
Kristina C.
Just hosted an even here on a Saturday. The place is lovely! A lot of natural light (my favorite), awesome music playing all the time and the staff...let me just say this about the staff, they are all amazing. Very attentive, polite, knowledgeable and overall kind. You don't encounter that much these days. Our drink orders were quickly taken and the same were brought back. We had people coming in and out constantly, yet our waiter Matthew kept everything in order. I had the mushroom pizza...if you like mushrooms at all, please order this pizza. It is delicious. To be exact, it is called the Forest Mushroom pizza. I came down this way for an occasion, but I would gladly make the trip again. Minus the fact that parking is sparse, it IS right next to the metro. Can't ask for much more :)
(5)
Clarence J.
Overall I think Liberty Tavern is a great neighborhood location. The atmosphere is nice and the service friendly. It's a little pricey, but not too bad for the DC area. However, I agree with all the mixed reviews here that the bar and restaurant deserve separate ratings... I would give the bar a 4-4.5. It's a nice, warm, intimate-yet-open atmosphere. (The latter confusion in terms mostly because there's lots of space to stand and sit, some areas giving a quiet aura and others putting you in the center of the action, making it simple to meet and greet others.) The bartenders are excellent - friendly, entertaining, knowledgeable, and patient. It also has a good selection of beers (several out-of-area microbrews) and cocktails. The wine list isn't bad either, but it covers an entertaining range of quality. Oh, and the background music selection is outstanding! I intend to visit here many more times, despite the crowds that are sometimes to be found. The restaurant I would put at 3-3.5. I enjoyed the food and will most likely be back (because of friends who love the place) to try more of their unique items . . . but the food did not make a return a necessity to me. The service is very good. The atmosphere I found much brighter (despite the prevalent red paint and dark woods) and louder than the bar (the latter may have been my imagination because I can't see how this would be the case, but there you have it...), but still nice. The "new" - according to the waitress and a fellow diner - dessert menu looked excellent. We had the "zeppole with carnival sugar and lemon zabaglione," which was incredible; it was essentially several very light 'donuts' in the flavor realm of a malasada or beignet, with colored sugar and a lemon cream for dipping. I'd heard some poor reviews of the desserts previously, but if the new menu is up to the level of the zeppole..s (?), I look forward to trying more.
(4)
Peter K.
definitely the place to go in clarendon. great atmosphere, great food. and it's right off the metro. recommend about getting a reservation.
(5)
Jennifer P.
This was my first visit - the service was great, loved the decor and there were some good wine options. The food, however, was not my favorite. Everything (and I do mean down to the butter) was way too salty - almost to the point of being inedible. The only thing that wasn't salty were the mashed potatoes - unfortunately, they had no flavor whatsoever. I would go back but not for dinnner - drinks or happy hour would be ideal as they have a nice bar area.
(3)
Jen K.
I still kinda hate this place as a restaurant. But for my knitting group, it's a win. Lots of comfy places to sit near the bar, and the beer and cider selection is adequate. Give the brunch a miss, but hanging out in the bar (while knitting) gets a thumbs up.
(4)
Melissa C.
This place exceeded my expectations; the service was great, the drinks were great, I loved the cheeses we chose as an appetizer, and the entrees (okay, maybe with the exception of what I ordered) were pretty damn good. I went for the NY strip, cooked rare, and rare it was indeed, but the cut of meat just seemed a little on the "meh" side. The brussel sprouts and sweet potato batter fries (think thick wedges of tempura battered sweet potato) served alongside were pretty damn phenomenal, however, and almost made up for what the steak lacked. My date went for the Crispy Pork Belly and Beer Cheddar Sausage, and holy hell was it amazing--fatty, juicy and full of flavor. Needless to say, I made him share. For dessert we ordered the banana bread pudding, which was good, but perhaps a bit too cloyingly sweet. As for the cocktails, I tried the "Blushing Bride" (tequila and grapefruit juice) and "The Perez" (gin martini with house made pickled onions)--both were superb. I'd love to come back just for drinks and bar food, so I think another trip to the Tavern is in order for sometime in the near future.
(4)
Reshma B.
Went here for brunch yesterday and my stomach is still feeling the effects of it. My friend suggested this place and we were sold immediately after checking out the menu. Although the menu changes weekly, we were pleased that some of the entrees that caught our eyes were available including the vegetarian frittata, the french toast (though not brioche), the broccoli and potato gratin, home fries and country egg scramble, all which were excellent. The French press coffee for two was the perfect amount for us to share. The dining area was bright and open and even after a massive crowd entered post-race, there were still empty tables for late-arrivals. Seemed to be a good spot for large groups as well and I saw a family with kids who could not get enough of the candy bar. I was especially pleased with the service -- wait staff was friendly and attentive, clearing our plates and folding our napkins when we got up for seconds (and thirds...and fourths). The only negative, also mentioned in other reviews, is the dessert and candy bar, which wasn't a big deal for me considering I had my fill of sweets at the main buffet (French toast and coffee cake). There were two unidentifiable fruit-cake looking things for dessert and the candy was a table full of dental-work nightmares -- Dots, Tootsie Rolls and malt balls...nothing that really excited me, though I did snag a couple of Pixy Sticks for my bus ride back to NY. :)
(4)
Frank W.
Excellent food and beverage selection! Everything had a great flavor and portion size. Service was excellent as well. The only problem is that the place is extremly noisy! Make sure you leave room for dessert! Get some of their homemade ice cream selections. Try the "Pineapple basil" ice cream!
(4)
Jesse S.
I love this restaurant. Absolutely love it. Fantastic food, seasonal menu, wonderful wines, calm and relaxing dining room, and really accomplished chef. I have two favorite restaurants in Washington DC, and this is one of them. (The other is Blue Duck Tavern.) On the current (autumn) menu, there's a terrific venison pot pie that was the highlight of everybody's meals. On the previous menu, LT had an incredible salty chocolate cake that sadly did not survive the changing of the seasons.
(5)
E E.
Liberty Tavern sounds delicious on paper. I ordered the Grilled Octopus grilled clams, grapefruit, fennel, Castelvetrano olives, mint followed by the Crispy Pork Belly and Beer Cheddar Sausage scrapple, peach mustard, grilled sweet corn and cherry tomato succotash, creamed leek potato puree, crispy leeks. Doesn't that sound absolutely marvelous? Octopus: Texture like rubber with fennel sliced so thick that it overpowered all the other flavors Pork belly: First, and foremost, it was not crispy. If pork belly can be transformed into baby food, Liberty Tavern would be a very successful business. The beer cheddar sausage had absolutely no flavor whatsoever and almost tasted as if it were made with veal that had no place to roam coupled with a very poor diet. The succotash texture almost resembled mashed potatoes too. I see a theme here... I flagged down the server and asked him to recook my pork belly... and they actually recooked the exact piece that I butchered trying to find an edible portion rather serving me a brand new, properly cooked pork belly. And my last complaint.. why is the beer always so WARM here. Liberty Tavern must envision that Clarendon is turning into a retirement haven serving food so soft you don't need your teeth to enjoy the food.
(2)
Clara L.
Liberty Tavern is a pretty fun place for Happy Hour. They have specials lasting till 7pm on weeknights, being $3 drafts and 1/2 off wine by the glass (usually around $3 or $4). The tap selection consists of many beers I can really appreciate. And I hear their cocktails are good too. If you can grab a spot at a table, couch or bar... you're pretty much set. But it can get crowded, depending what night of the week. I have tried a couple of their pizzas and they were good. Especially the one with apples on it... who knew apples on a pizza would taste so delicious?!? Unfortunately, when it's not happy hour time, this place isn't as fun (in my opinion) to drink at. Beers are pretty typical at $6, but it's such a small space (at least around the bar area), it's hard to claim a table or bar stool. Therefore, many times on friday or saturday nights, I've found myself standing just outside the hallway that goes into the bathroom area, just cause that was the only place I could get some breathing space. I'm not claustrophobic, but I like my personal space :P I've heard the brunch there is worth checking out, so that gives me reason to have an updated review in the future.
(4)
Glenn B.
I've not eaten in, but I used the side take-out entrance for a Pizza-to-go. The pizza was excellent, the service was fast, conveneince factor is high and the people were nice. But for a $17 pizza, it was skimpy, thus the three stars. I'll eat in again, but if I want a pizza to go, I'll get the $20 20" NY pizza from Goodies and feed 3 people.
(3)
Tabitha S.
What a divine dinner I just had at Liberty Tavern. I had the fennel salad that blew my mind, the swordfish which gave me chills, and strawberry cobbler with coconut sorbet which made me want to do bad things. Lol The service from Will, by far the best since I moved to DC a year ago. Everything he suggested was great and he was kinda cute. I can't wait to come back and try the brunch. :)
On a Saturday evening the bar inside was a typical scene with nervous-looking guys in button-down shirts and slutty-looking girls with a lot of makeup on, yelling at each other. But sitting outside with a couple friends, we actually enjoyed the food that was pretty decent. We enjoyed the short ribs and grilled octopus from the appetizer menu. The desert was pretty interesting and original-- their ice cream was more like mouse, and they have many flavors you can choose three out of. The creme brulee was good, one cup with regular and the other with chocolate. I can be easily convinced to go back. Our servers gave us a decent amount of attention as well, considering the craziness inside, and they brought out an umbrella as soon as a couple raindrops started to come down.
(4)
Michael W.
4-4.5 stars. I ordered a Gourmet pizza, and old fashioned with Jack Daniels (very good) and several beers. Definitely dining like Obama.
(4)
Craig O.
Nice place but not really my scene. Upscale place so everyone is pretty dressed up. It was absolutely packed so moving around was difficult. Didn't order food so no comment there.
(3)
Taylor G.
I like this place. I have been twice, once for happy hour, and another time for dinner. It was slammed when I was there for dinner, but they got us right in. The food is good and service is great.
(4)
Kathy D.
I'm still a huge fan of Liberty Tavern based on their service alone. Well the $9 mojito too (it's totally worth it). I was here with a large group of friends to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday this past weekend. There was 12 of us so we weren't going to be seated until 9:15pm, which was totally fine because we were coming from everywhere and the bar is great! So around 9pm I checked in with the hostess and she said that our table was going to be ready at 9:15pm on time. At 9:15 our table wasn't ready yet - with 11 people standing around the front we waited, and waited. Fifteen minutes later the manager came down and started to apologize profusely about the party ahead of us (the jerks - yes they were jerks - didn't start ordering their food until they were seated for an hour and a half. They management explained to them that they were ruining their system - gave them the stink eye, etc still wouldn't leave). To make it up to us they gave us a round of expensive shots and a pizza as an appetizer. We were very impressed by this, most restaurants would just say f-you and get on with their night. Once we were seated (40 minutes after our reservation) we had impeccable service. The waiter was knowledgeable and funny. We all had tremendous meals - even though we make fun of the menu each time (what is a polyface rabbit anyway?). I had the Amish Chicken which is divine each time I have it. The food here is so great - you can't go wrong with anything you order in the restaurant (the bar menu is a different story). Great drinks. Good Food. Phenomenal Service. All reasons to keep coming back to Liberty Tavern
(4)
Andie B.
OK, this review is only for lunch. Just based on the neighborhood, I can only imagine what this place is like after 10 PM on a weekend. *shudders* But the food is quite good. A co-worker and I have made our way up the hill for lunch a couple of times, and we were both impressed with the food and the service. And they can easily get you in and out in an hour if you're on a tight schedule. On my first visit, I had the pizza with blue cheese, apples and bacon. The crust could have been crispier, but the flavor was there. My friend got the lunch special, which is a burger, fries and a pint (I think there are about 5 beers you can choose from for this special) and was really pleased. A good deal for $10. On visit 2, I had the Maine lobster roll. A little heavy-handed on the mayo, but the lobster was fresh and sweet, and the fries were nice and crisp. My friend had the scallops, which were served over a summer succotash, and she raved about it. I'd like to try it out for dinner soon, but I'll be sure to do so on a weeknight.
(4)
Hilary J. A.
I really enjoy the liberty tavern! It has a great drink selection and awesome bartenders!! The atmosphere is loud, fun and sometimes a little crowded--the lounge area is great if you can find a seat there.... there's a little outside area with a couple of tables, but I suggest the bar room for the best time! It's mostly young professionals and a lot of people with common interests... ;) I'm editing this after some time--but I do need to mention in the time since the original review--we've eaten upstairs and I have to say, it's one of the best restaurants in Clarendon. The waiter was amazing and helped us pair wine with our delicious entrees. A++
(5)
kat c.
After learning that an acquaintance knew one of the owners of the LIberty Tavern, one of my favorite restaurants in the DC area, I couldn't help but jump at the chance to thank them for operating one of the few beacons of light in the bourgeois nouveau-riche white suburban all-buzzword-no-substance hell that generally is the restaurant scene in NoVa. It pretty much sums up why this is hands down the best option you could choose for pretty much any occasion. Dear xxx, I'm xxx. We've never met, but I was just chatting with xxx and xxx, and I was recommending to them one of my very favorite restaurants in the entire city, Liberty Tavern. xxx told me that you own Liberty. I just had to e-mail you and let you know what an absolutely fantastic place I think Liberty Tavern is. I am no expert, but am definitely a food, wine and cocktail lover. My boyfriend and I love to go out to eat and we're VERY picky regarding all aspects of a restaurant experience. As such, we've grown to appreciate the very subtle art of running a restaurant that balances innovative and knowledgably designed menus with a thought towards seasonality and local sourcing, scrumptious execution of that menu, and sophisticated and exciting drink menus with the neighborhood feel imparted by affordable prices, a great happy hour, and committed (and obviously carefully chosen) staff. When I recently began contemplating moving from the District to Arlington, I despaired of ever finding a "go-to" restaurant that met my high standards for delicious food ranging a wide expanse of tastes and made with local/seasonal ingredients, a respectable wine list and cutting-edge cocktails also made with decent quality ingredients at a price I can afford. I'd been away from the area for quite a while and the Arlington I remembered was about as undynamic as it gets: filled with restaurants serving mediocre chain-restaurant-worthy food and rail drinks at offensively metropolitan prices. Truth be told, this is still the case for most Clarendon restaurants. However, from the very first time I visited Liberty Tavern I've had nothing but experiences that were superb in every aspect. Liberty's menu is refreshing, the food and drinks are always well-executed, and, consequently, DELICIOUS. The happy hour specials are very respectable, given the quality of drinks offered. But what really puts Liberty over the top for me is the service. Host staff is always much more than cordial. They are exceedingly friendly, going out of their way to help you and treat you like they know you, whether it be over the phone or in person. The waitstaff are friendly, laidback and unpretentious but knowledgeable and informative, attentive without being overbearing, and display one of the qualities I'm coming to value more and more in a dining experience these days, i.e., intuitiveness. On several occasions, I've had waitstaff make recommendations based on things I've ordered earlier or comments I've made throughout the night. It's such a pleasure to be served by people who take their jobs so seriously. It's wonderful to be remembered by those who may have only waited on me once or twice before (and, often, to have them remember what I liked or did not like on a previous visit). Your staff, and whoever hires and trains them, are to be commended. I'm sorry to effuse so indulgently, and I'm sorry I haven't yet put all of this into a review on Yelp or Google (I've just wanted to wait until the perfect time to sit down and say all that I want to say). But I just wanted to let you know that the Liberty Tavern is truly one of the best restaurants in the city. I visit there frequently and am so grateful that it's around. Have a great day!
(5)
Azher S.
The Sunday brunch is great. Make a reservation otherwise you will be waiting awhile.
(3)
Shaun C.
A top notch place. Other than griping about prices when they are off specials, I can't really think of much I would care to change about this place. Pros: Non-smoking. Great food. Excellent drinks (good beer/wine selection, good cocktails). Happy Hours are packed here (goes till 7) and generally always worth it. They keep the place immaculately clean and I've always left satisfied. With the added patio for the summer on Wilson, and the restaurant upstairs, there is a lot to like about this place. I'm generally only there for after work drinks, but I've done full meals there and been equally pleased by an attentive waitstaff and great food. Cons: Certainly gets very loud and crowded, but those go hand and hand. I've never had a hard time finding a corner to lean on though. In summary, the perfect neighborhood place that you can really come in straight from work in a suit, or shorts and a tshirt.
(5)
Kelly H.
This place has some of the best pizza and cheese plates I have ever tasted. Their servers are extremely knowledgable and friendly, and make sure you feel well taken care of. I was here only once, on a Wednesday night. But I will definitely be back.
(5)
Sam R.
IF you like granny smith apples and pizza, you'll enjoy their white cheddar pie. They throw in some prosciutto for good measure. Tasty. IF you like a variety of beers on tap, you'll like Liberty. No, I'm not talking Bud, Coors Light and Mickey's. I'm a closet beer snob - shoot me. IF you like a somewhat older crowd, you'll like it here. If you don't, Ballroom is right next door. IF you like good bartenders, you've found your happy place to plant your ass for drinks. Even though they were SLAMMED Friday night, drinks flowed without effort. IF you don't like crowded spaces on the weekends, Liberty isn't for you. It's crowded. It's a meet market. It's Arlington. IF you're heading out there and are buying rounds, let me know!
(4)
Jacob B.
I loved their cheese selection, the staff was helpful at pairing it with right wine. Food was good, but not great. Happy hour wine list is amazing.
(4)
Brian R.
The first few times at Liberty Tavern, I just had beers and looked at the menu. My initial take was I was impressed by the look of the place, but I developed a block against the place b/c the menu made had pizza on it, despite it not being an Italian place/typical pizza place. Usually, when I see an "American food" restaurant trying to do pizza I think it's trying to hard to have food everyone likes, instead of specialties. Anyway, after happy hour at Liberty, my wife and I went to O'Sullivan's and sat at the bar. I proceeded to have to drink too much Harp and started ripping on the fact Liberty had pizza on the menu. The guy next to us was eavesdropping, and asks what we were talking about. I went into my anti-Liberty/pizza rant. He then gets a biz card, and writes something on it. It turns out, he owns Liberty Tavern and challenged me to go try the pizza (I was drunk enough to not feel TOO stupid). A few weeks later, I went back to Liberty and had the pizza, and it was actually pretty good. Went back again and had the skirt steak, which was even better. I'm glad I gave the menu a chance and I highly recommend you do to.
(4)
Sara S.
Four stars for trying and delivering. The menu changes with the seasons and has some tasty items: pizzas, salads, fried oysters, sandwiches, lobster mac and hangar steak. Not a fan of their micro portion appetizers though. The bar area is good for dining and people watching, although there's not much variation in the crowd. It's Arlington.
(4)
Chris B.
One of the best places to eat in all of Clarendon. Outstanding summer menu featuring fresh, local produce. Smoked spare ribs were the best you will find. Friendly service and extremely kid friendly, serving our daughter right away each time. In house made ice cream is fantastic. I save the 5th star for the best of the best but the Liberty is every bit 4 stars.
(4)
al k.
I'd actually give it 3.5 stars but I'm low-balling it. Pros: Interesting selection of food. From Fries and Quasi-gourmet pizza to Scallops with Squash wrapped around it. Beer is on tap and servers and waitstaff are prompt and polite. Upstairs atmosphere is classy and kinda like a colonial bar. Cons: I thought it was a little on the high side for appetizer, salads, and entrees. Not too pricey, just a couple of bucks more than you'd want to pay (maybe $3-5 more). What my group had, Fries: Standard, sprinkled with either chives or parsley, it was your standard basket of fries. It was good. Scallops with Squash: Presentation was good, my buddy said it was alright. Pork chops: they recommended medium rare but they cooked it medium. The sauce was good, the pork chops were good but the waitress touted that they were the best ever. I thought they were good not great. The side was corn and potatoes in cream. They were good a little on the heavy side but no surprise there. Pizza with Sausage Topping: I didn't taste it but my friend didn't really state it was good or bad. Hence I put it at average. Overall it was a good experience and I would probably go back here if I didn't have an idea of where else to go. It's a safe bet for food and atmosphere but it wasn't definitely a 4 or 5 star rating.
(3)
Jim M.
I came up here last weekend with the lady and some friends. The breakfast buffet is pretty amazing--except it was a little annoying going upstairs getting the food. I've had pizza here before-pretty good for bar pizza. The waiter (I think her name was Shawn) was very good and attentive. I highly recommend this place.
(4)
Rachel A.
4.5 stars Ive been here 3-4 times for food and drinks. If you come for restaurant week, I would definitely think twice about the pizza, its very average and you would be missing out on one of the many delicious entrees. We had the pork belly for an appetizer, which was small, but yummy! The steak is awesome, tender and flavorful. The specialty drinks are good, too. Oh and they have a cheese appetizer where you select amongst specialty cheeses....mmmm with wine! Great for Happy Hour, a date, or a night out for cocktails (it gets crowded, so get there early to grab a table! For Happy Hour, I arrived at 5:30 and had no problem grabbing a table.)
(4)
Emily H.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE Liberty Tavern. This has become my neighborhood go-to. It doesn't hurt that it is within walking distance of our house, the food is delicious and the wine list is well edited--in fact, so well edited that it has my all-time favorite wine which is no small feat to find! The first time I ate at Liberty was my last night of freedom--the night before I became a practicing attorney. I was in desperate need of some serious comfort food and I found it at Liberty. My BF and I were seated upstairs at a four-top on the banquette. We love sitting side-by-side so that worked out well. I never order chicken--ever--but I ordered the roast chicken that night and it was amazing. The best chicken I have had in a long time--it reminded me that the bird isn't always bland and dry. There was a little snafu in the timing of our entrees so the manager, Mark, came to apologize and brought over two bowls of the house made gnocchi to tide us over. We left stuffed but loved it! I love the apple and endive salad although I liked it better when they first added it to the menu because it was just a huge pile of shredded apple and endive, tossed in buttermilk dressing with blue cheese and, of course, bacon. The last few times they have added frisee to it which is like eating weeds from the garden if you ask me. I think they did because people didn't understand the apple/endive concept and were like "where's the salad?" But I liked it better the old way. We have been back numerous times and every time, Mark the manager, remembers who we are and comes to shake hands and say hello. He has gone out of his way to make us feel welcome, to take care of anything that goes wrong. I credit him and the delicious food/wine for making this our favorite neighborhood restaurant. We took my BF's business partner and wife for dinner one night. Our table was not ready when we arrived for our reservation. Mark saw us waiting and brought the girls complimentary glasses of champagne and cocktails for the boys. When my BF and I come to dinner alone, even late on a Friday night, Mark tries his best to seat us at a four-top on the banquette just the way we like. I went today for brunch for the first time. We had the "Breakfast Table" and it was delicious! The house-smoked lox was amazing and included all the classic accompaniments. Mimosas were delicious and a bargain $3! The chocolate bread pudding chunks were rich and chocolatey--perfect with their strong french press coffee. Mark, the manager, was floating around the dining room serving freshly made pizzas. The biscuits and bacon were fabulous. The only thing that fell short was the french toast. I expected it to be rich, eggy, and moist but it was fairly dry and not too warm. I only wish that the bar were not quite such a young-20s meat market. It would be nice to be able to have a glass (or bottle) of wine while waiting for a dinner table without having guys in visors hitting on you. Full disclosure: There is a little improvement to be had in the service. Getting a glass of water can sometimes be tricky. The servers take the drink order but then pass the water pouring job to the busboys/back waiters and sometimes the hand off does not go smoothly. Sometimes the waitstaff seems a bit inattentive but not as lackadaisical as most DC waitstaff. A little more attention to detail would create a fully polished experience. All in all, this is a local favorite. The Liberty Tavern also has "Liberty To Go" which has a separate entrance on the side of the building.
(5)
Gabriel M.
Great happy hour, descent food, good crowd, and it's not like there are a million places around for drinks in the neighbourhood.
(4)
Brian E.
Food-wise, it may be a 4. Bar-wise, perhaps a 2 (they've been demoted). Everything else confuses the hell out of me. I have a love-hate relationship with Liberty Tavern. I go when I don't have anything better planned for the night. . .which can be once every other week (sometimes once a week). It appears to be a somewhat nice place. . .until you're there a night when guys are dancing around on spilled beer twirling their shirt in the air like they're stripping, friends giving high-fives, and yelling "woohoooo". Then you realize you're still in Clarendon, and things aren't always what it seems. When it opened up, it was great. . . seemed like Clarendon was growing up a bit. A wine-bar. . . how nice. . . upstairs in the restaurant it ISstill nice. But in the bar area. . . I don't know why it draws the crowd it does some days. But it's sometimes painful for me to be in there for more than 10 minutes. If it weren't for the nonsmoking policy, I might give it up for good. Seriously, chewing gum, and drinking wine don't go together. You're killing me. :-(. . . The bar area is trying to be a bar. . . understandable, but trying to crank up the elevator quality speakers for music that nobody can hear. . . pointless. The acoustics suck in the place. Get different speakers, or just forget about trying to turn the music up over the people. I give the bartenders credit. . . they remember me, and remember my drink. Looks like they now have some a/c units in the bar area. . . in the summer it can totally suck at how hot/humid it gets in there. This may help with the fruit-fly infestation the comes late summer. I refuse to have any drinks that come with fruit because of it. . . I'd say it was a 4 star place, but it's heading down the 3 star route as of late. It can be entertaining sometimes with cougars trying to pick me up, or whatever other random crap that goes on. . . But, I may be moving down to Eventide as a backup "adult" bar for now. (My update is to demote the bar. . . just not as great as it used to be. . .. maybe it was never great. The food, that's still a 4, but the bar is now a 2 . . . more annoying than "fun")
(3)
PC W.
The "Sunday Breakfast Table" is a solid option for buffet brunch in Clarendon. $17 for the buffet and $3 mimosas, $5 bellinis. The stand-outs for me included the smoked salmon, the brioche french toast, applewood smoked bacon, the haddock with lemon butter, and the homemade coffee cake. I was so excited that they had mulled cider. It was nice to have on a chilly morning. The dessert table had lots of candy, the kind of candy that brings you back to your childhood. Candy like Pixy Stix, the powdered candy in a straw. For novelty's sake, I had an orange Pixy Stick. It's like eating pure sugar and I couldn't get through all of it. I can't believe I was allowed to have that as a kid {shudder}. All the candy is totally random but it adds a nice touch. Table service was severely lacking. It was a struggle to flag down the waiter for drinks, milk and sugar, the bill, etc. I guess he was busy not serving food since it was a buffet!
(3)
Reid D.
I went with a couple of friends for a late dinner. The food is actually quite good. I had the Lobster Fisherman's Pie (which, if you were wondering along the same lines as us, has lobster meat, not lobster fisherman meat) and it was really tasty. Another friend had the linguica sausage pizza which was great. Service was good, atmosphere was nice, and the only real complaint was that they sat three of us at a table for 6, which was a little awkward. But...it just seems like one of those places where they came up with the prices first and the dishes second. For a place that seems to want to be a neighborhood hangout, it was pretty expensive. Again, the food was really good, but they could use a little more price variety. I certainly don't mind putting down some money for a good meal, but when you go into a place for a casual beer and a bite, it's a little bit of a shock to find very little on the menu below $18.
(3)
Laura V.
Recently some girlfriends and I stopped by the Liberty Tavern to watch the Greenbay/Giants game. This review is solely on the bar area and service. I hope to get back to try the food. It was colder than heck outside when we walked in. The bar was packed! First thing I noticed is that the way the entrance was set up allowed tons of cold air to blow in throughout the bar. BRRRR. We found one seat and some space at the corner of the bar and took up residence for the next few hours. GREAT bar service. Our bartender took really good care of us, was very attentive and told us a little about the food offerings in case we were interested. Liberty Tavern is in a great location and I really think that the area needs a few more bar/tavern places like this one. Prices were a little on the high side, but the decor and the ambiance were cozy and welcoming. I really liked it there. The food that we saw being brought out to other patrons looked yummy and smelled fantastic. The downside was the bathroom situation. Behind a door in a hallway that they decided not to heat. At all. Do you know what it's like for women to use the facilities at 28 degrees? NOT FUN. Please warm it up in there Liberty Tavern. Overall, it was a nice experience. I'd give this place another shot for dinner or brunch or something just to see if the food is decent. It's a fun bar though, so I'd come back just to drink at the very least. But probably only in the summer since they don't heat those bathrooms!
(3)
Lauren R.
Any time I am looking for a reliable meal with friends, I always think of "Lib Tavern." All of the food I have had here is amazing. The gnocchi, the beef stroganoff, the french fry app, their squid/lamb sausage app...its all fabulous. Now, it can be a little pricy so make sure you know what your looking to spend before you head out. The only reason I am not giving 5 stars is due to the crazy crowds that are almost always there. Even when making reservations, expect to not be seated on time. If you go with an open mind and not on a rigid schedule, you will have a great time.
(4)
Meg T.
I just returned from a celebratory dinner (yay promotion!) at Liberty Tavern. After the slightly mixed reviews I've ready here, and a few less than stellar recent experiences at other restaurants, I didn't dare get my hopes up about this place. But my meal and the service far exceeded my expectations. My boyfriend and I walked in without a reservation, and after seeing the crowded bar, expected to wait a bit for a table. We had a drink in the bar while we waited, and were shown to our table after about 20 minutes. Our server, Ellen, was friendly without being overbearing, and attentive without rushing us in the least - a combination I appreciate after making my living as a server for several years. My boyfriend is vegetarian, and they have a small but respectable selection of veggie dishes. We each had a salad and he had the veggie pot pie, and I had the arctic char. The pot pie was rich and delicious without losing the taste of the veggies with a crispy and tender puff pastry on top, and the arctic char (a fish you don't see too much of around these parts), was perfectly cooked and had a nice crispy skin. All was accompanied by a nice, reasonably priced bottle of CA chardonnay (light on the oak thankyouverymuch). We finished with a pineapple orange tart, and I had a glass of port. In summary: service: excellent food: delicious booze: tasty and effective I'm planning on taking my dad to Liberty next time he comes to visit. Hopeuflly we'll have the same stellar experience as I did tonight.
(5)
Chris V.
My opinion of the LT can be summed up in one brief phrase: Excellent food and service upstairs nearly ruined by the bar downstairs. I've been here for dinner twice now. It's always a zoo, but if you have a reservation and aren't a large group you shouldn't have much problem getting seated on time. The food selections are imaginative, properly cooked, and delicious. They also have a surprisingly good selection of microbrews. The servers have been outstanding on both of my visits. Entrees are not inexpensive, but this isn't a "bargain eats" type of place. Now for the downside. The bar downstairs is one of the loudest and most obnoxious in Arlington, and that's saying something. Before you think I'm a prude or something, trust me when I say I'm a veteran bargoer. I spent my share of time at the Clarendon Grille, Whitlow's, Mr. Days etc. in my mid-20's before I came to my senses and started hanging out at less pose-y places. Anyway, I won't bother describing the LT bar's clientele - "typical Arlington douchebag" describes it well enough - it's the noise volume that amazes me the most. If the bar wasn't connected to the restaurant, I wouldn't care. Unfortunately, though, it is right downstairs. This means the noise travels freely up the staircase to the restaurant. Forget having a romantic dinner. Forget even having a conversation at normal speaking volume. You'll need to essentially shout if you want your dinner partner to hear you. This is no exaggeration - you will hear people sitting around their tables literally yelling at each other. Near fatal flaw in my opinion. Nutshell: If you're looking for excellent food and good service while feeling like you're part of a big, boisterous crowd, this place will be a great fit. If you're looking for a calm, laid-back, or romantic experience, this is definitely not your place.
(3)
gwen o.
The food here is excellent. HOWEVER. OMG. My friend and I picked this place to have dinner around the holidays while I was visiting my hometown. We don't see each other often, so we picked a place that we could have a leisurely and wonderful meal, where we could catch up, enjoy a few courses and drinks, and treat ourselves to an evening of good food and company. Good food, yes. Company, absolutely. Service. Wow. I've never been shocked by a server like this in my life. She started off great - very welcoming, giving us suggestions, even pouring my friend a taste of an open bottle of red wine since she wanted to recommend it to go with my friend's meal. Our starters came out - I had a watercress salad (quite good) and my friend ordered the duck confit (also good). I finished my salad quicker than my friend finished her duck. She was telling a story at the same time so she was eating slower than I was. Our server came by once and asked her if she was still working on it and my friend said yes. Two minutes later, my friend had the fork with food on it in one hand and a piece of roll in her other hand and the server comes back and says something like "I apologize but your entrees are ready" and removes the plate from my friend, who still had the fork in her hand, and whisks it away. We both sat their stunned. I've NEVER seen anything like that before. As quickly as the one plate was removed, the next one swooped in. We assume she had the kitchen fire the entrees too quickly and they didn't want to waste them, so starters be damned! We sat there stunned for a while, looking at the entrees, which were delicious - she got the gnocchi and I got the vegetarian shepherds pie (which has crusted purreed butternut squash instead of potatoes and was full of a wonderful flavor). We worked on dinner for a little bit and then next thing we knew our server was back, semi-hovering, obviously wanting to turn the table over. It should never be like this. I repeat, never. As we finished our entrees we contemplated dessert. But we had no chance - next thing we knew our check was plopped down on the table. Not even a question of whether we were interested in dessert or coffee. Just plop, here, PAY NOW! We opened the check and started figuring out the math to divide it - but apparently we weren't doing it fast enough because she came by and said she'd do it, took our credit cards and returned with the receipts like her ass was on fire. Now, before you say we sat there too long, let me tell you this. Our reservation was at 6:30, we each had 2 cocktails, each had a starter and we each ordered an entree. We were pushed out the door just before 8. It's not like we were parked there all night. I think an hour and a half for a starter and an entree is standard, and I think we should have at least been afforded the opportunity to order dessert if we had so desired. We still left her a 20% tip, because that's the kind of people we are, but I really doubt I'll go back, even though the food was excellent. That was pretty crappy of her. She took the plate while my friend was mid-bite. That is wholly unacceptable.
(3)
Krissy R.
Why is it that everyone always wants to go here? I have been three times; each time I went it was because I thought I would give the place another chance. The service has been horrible each time, the food has been overpriced and flavorless, and the noise level in this place is insane. I think people go here just because they think it's "the place to go." I honestly don't get it. I always feel like I've wasted money when I walk out of this place.
(1)
Jennifer K.
After a few heavy-on-the-drinking-light-on-the-eating-happy-Âhours here with coworkers, I finally got around to having a sitdown meal in the upstairs dining room. I was impressed at how well Liberty Tavern managed to balance the two. Downstairs is a loud bar room and lounge with a pretty heavy pickup scene; upstairs, while not sedate, was calmer and more grown up. In short, we had a great, enjoyable meal. I was the only member of our party of four who had sampled anything from the menu so when no one ordered an appetizer, I suggested that we share a pizza Classico. Very successful. For my entree, I enjoyed the hangar steak (ordered medium rare, received a bit closer to medium) with a gratin of white beans and guanciale and a large portion of the daily green (escarole? I'm blanking.). My friends had the sea bream, vegetable pot pie and chicken and around the table, everyone was very happy with their choices. I can rarely say no to dessert, particularly when so many choices appealed. The group shared the crullers and the red velvet/devils food cake. The crullers were slightly dry, but when eaten with a spoonful of amaretto brown butter ice cream (which one friend pronounced "weird"), they were great. I enjoy rich foods, but just a bite or two of the cake with its cream cheese frosting was enough for me. Tasty, but RICH. The tab for the four of us (with four glasses of wine, one cocktail and everything described above) was just under $50 per person. One bit of minor oddness: the waiter unfailing called me and one other [female] member of our party "babe" and "hon". Personally it made me laugh and I wasn't offended, but one of my friends found it annoying. YMMV. A word about the bar itself: popular! It gets very crowded. There are about ten wines by the glass (50/50 red white) and I find them to be rather thoughtfully chosen. No beringer or white zin in the bunch. Not the place for a quiet catch-up though.
(3)
Arin C.
Had a wonderful time with an amazing server. He asked good questions and then gave appropriate suggestions. The food and atmosphere was great and I can't wait to go back again!
(5)
Somer P.
My birthday dinner here was great! They were very accommodating of our large group. As before, I was impressed by their service even when the restaurant/bar were so crowded! It was a busy night, but they didn't try to force or pressure us to leave 1 or 2 hours (like other restaurants I've been to). And the food was great!! Highly recommended, even if you have to deal with some crowds.
(4)
Kimberly W.
Trendy, good food with a seasonal menu that keeps things fresh. I've eaten dinner here several times and the food has always been great. Bar area can get VERY loud and busy. But it is a very trendy bar. The dining atmosphere upstairs is quaint and quiet. Is a bit expensive, but worth it.
(4)
Alex S.
Food was overly salty. Like licking the bag of microwave popcorn salty. 4 of the 5 people at the table agreed. Had high hopes when it opened, but after one meal, won't be back. Nice decor though, that gets a couple points.
(2)
Mike P.
Been here twice now, both times were fantastic. Lunch - Just me and the lady. Our server was very knowledgeable about the menu and gave us a few suggestions. Started with coffee, a nice Sumatra pressed at our table. We both ordered the Primanti bros sammy. Well made, greasy enough but not oozing out of the bread (such good bread!). Pretty reasonable priced too. Brunch - 5 people. Made a reservation but showed up 1/2 hour early. The host was as accommodation as he could be but we ended up waiting for our other two people to show up. The staff is all very funny, but respectful. I cant really say enough about the brunch. Bacon and eggs (not powdered), turkey, pizza, ham, homefries, french toast. Just amazing and delicious and a bit cheaper than other brunches (Front Page). 5 stars for sure.
(5)
Mary L.
Super meal, super service - overall wonderful experience. My husband and I had the chance for a "mini" date while the kids were at birthday parties so we booked a last-minute reservation on Open Table the morning of our dinner. Got there for our 5.30 reservation - but the hostess invited us to take advantage of the bar happy hour (which only applies at the bar, not upstairs in the restaurant) before dinner. We had a wine and beer (great selection - great happy prices) and headed up to our table just shy of 6PM. Our waiter, Brian, was gracious, fun, proper, knowledgeable (he does the wine list, and his roommate is the mixologist), and laid back, all rolled into one. We ordered the cheese course (got one each in the sheep, cow and goat categories) which was just super - a really nice variety with different tastes and textures - great way to kick off the meal. Then had the LT sausage app - homemade in house with heirloom tomatoes and sweet corn relish - truly delish! Main courses: Virginia Bluefish for my husband - YUM!, and Gnocchi for me (1/2 order) - which was rich, decadent and delicious - I could have EASILY eaten a whole order, but since it's served in brown butter, decided to be cardio/fat reasonable and went with the half-order. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Andrew E.
Great place overall. Not the absolute best food I've had, but we like the area and the atmosphere, so we'll come back again when we're on that side of town.
(4)
annettka p.
I love dirty martinis and nice weather. On one October night my roommate and I decided to enjoy the freakishly warm weather and have cocktails outside. There is plethora of outside seating. Our waiter was beyond attentive; we never waited for our next drink. The dirty martinis were excellent but on the smaller side. They start you off with a bread basket that features three varieties. We also ordered a pizza with Portuguese sausage and fresh mozzarella cheese that was light and delicious. The inside is nice, although it does get a bit crowded and loud. The happy hour is only from 5:30-6:30, half off glasses of wine and $5 margaritas. The food is also on the pricier side. Now I didn't have a full out entre, but I had a lovely experience and would recommend this place if you're looking to grab a drink in Clarendon.
(4)
Christian S.
Delicious, creative food - plus it's affordable and boasts great service. I went for lunch on a Saturday and had the "Adam's Linguica" pizza --- crushed tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, house-made linguica sausage, and fresh oregano. Everything was incredibly fresh, and the dough found the perfect balance of light, crispy, and chewy. For dessert, we had the Cinnamon and Sugar Krullers, freshly fried and served with amaretto and brown butter ice cream. A little on the sweet side, perhaps, but wow... If you're the kind of person who likes to drink coffee after your meal / with dessert, come here. They have teamed up with local coffee shop Murky Coffee to offer multiple selections of organic Counter Culture coffee in individual press pots. They even give you a timer and you get to press the coffee yourself. Just another indication of their customer-focused service. Literally less than a block away from the Clarendon metro stop on the Orange Line, this is a great selection, if only for food alone. Downstairs has a modern sports bar feel, the upstairs dining room slightly more formal, but still with a casual feel. I've heard it gets loud and crowded in the bar area at night, especially the weekends, so I can't attest to that aspect of the atmosphere, but the food, service, and atmosphere upstairs was great when I was there. If you're in to Sunday brunch, go here and go hungry. One of the most expansive brunch menus I've tried, including both breakfast and lunch dishes (I guess the way it's supposed to be?). Some highlights include a smoked salmon plate, homemade cinnamon apple muffins, trout with pineapple salsa, quiche of the day, etc. Check out the menu here: thelibertytavern.com/foo…
(4)
Colleen M.
This review is strictly for brunch - I've never dined here otherwise. I read several good reviews about the brunch here, so I finally checked it out. My dad and I opted for the buffet. In my opinion, it was extremely over priced. The brunch spread was really small and only about half of the options were actually breakfast foods. The rest were pretty heavy lunch/dinner foods. Of the breakfast foods, most of the food was less than warm, if not cold. We were seated upstairs right by the buffet, and the space was really small and really crowded. With the people filtering through the buffet and the staff refilling the portions, it was rather hectic. The best thing on the brunch buffet, in my opinion, was the dessert bar, which isn't even that much of a brunch. The biscuits were also good and unique (had a sugar / salt topping), but they were room temperature. I don't think I will be going back for brunch unless they drop the prices in half! If you're looking for a delicious brunch, head to Carlyle in Shirlington. They have the best brunch in town by far!
(2)
Matt T.
I stopped in here last week for a drink with a buddy. I live in DC and don't spend much time in Virginia, so I did not really know what to expect. There is nothing really wrong with this place, but it was one of the weirdest weeknight crowds I've seen and not in a fun, eclectic way. It was more like an awkward family-reunion type of crowd with a few young republican types with popped collars spitting game in one corner of the place, a few couples in formal evening wear at tables in another corner, and a couple of drunk old dudes with flat top haircuts sitting at the bar watching hockey. Some things don't mix well.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch, Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Music : Background 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
Bobby A.
An amazing atmosphere accompanied by exceptional service. When this place is not packed you have the option of sitting at the bar, at your own table, or sitting back and relaxing in the lounge section. After seeing that there was a lounge area with couches we did not hesitate to sit back and order our first beer off their happy hour menu. There were half off wines, six dollar margaritas, and half of beers wines, which included local, domestic, and imported beers. Initially i was inclined on trying their burger off the dinner menu, however, I was talked into ordering the pizza off the happy hour menu. My waiter indicated that they have one of the best pizzas in town, so then I was eager to take a shot at their red pizza. Their dough is made fresh in-house everyday and the pizza is cooked in a brick oven. The finished product did not disappoint. The crust was tasty, the sauce was robust, and the cheese was cheesy. (I couldn't come up with cheesier way to describe their cheese) I've had a yelp account for a long time now and have never written a review. The waiter we had and the service we received yesterday was too good to pass up the opportunity to write my first glowing review for any establishment. Our waiter was friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. He is the reason this place gets that one extra star to receive a 5-star review. I'm going to put this out there and say I've never given an individual a bigger tip than I did to my waiter at The Liberty Tavern. I enjoyed it so much and I will defiantly be back to try that burger and receive the outstanding service I received last time. One word of advice, I'd make a reservation next time before going there. Seating is fairly limited, getting there at the beginning of happy hour will ensure you a seat anywhere you choose. Getting there two hours after happy hour or anytime after you will have trouble finding a place to sit.
(5)Darcey K.
Social and Deeelicious are the two things that come to mind when thinking of The Liberty Tavern. A neighborhood gem which can suit just about anyones palate they serve up a great happy hour, budget friendly fine dining experience, and the brunch isn't bad either. If cocktails with your colleagues or friends after work is what you enjoy be sure to join the crowd between 4:00-7:00pm for their wonderful Happy Hour drink/food specials. Their wine list is varied and cocktails oh so creative. Wood fired pizza is a must otherwise you'll find yourself drooling over your neighbors. My all time favorite food they serve is their grilled octopus appetizer from last years fall menu. I can't tell you how many people turned their nose until I forced them to try mine and now they can't stop talking about it. Chef Liam LaCivita, PLEASE BRING BACK THE OLD GRILLED OCTOPUS!!! Service has always been great, make sure you ask for Nick the bartender and tell him Darcey sent you. HE ROCKS!!! I've also had the pleasure of meeting the owner Brian Normile who's such a great guy. If you hangout long enough I'm sure you'll find him chatting it up with you at the bar as well. Atmosphere : Social and inviting Service: Very good Food: Twenty times better than any other popular wine bar/tavern you've ever been to. Price: Definitely budget friendly with GREAT food Overall experience: Definitely recommend to anyone in the area.... I'm a regular for a reason.
(5)John A.
Had dinner with friends here during restaurant week and I can't really remember the food. And by that I mean nothing stood out; nothing overly great, nothing noticeably bad. Service was okay, but our waiter seemed distracted (I think he had a lot of tables). We had drinks while waiting for our friends (our waitress in the bar area was fantastic, by the way), and when we got the receipt I noticed that there was a $1.50 up-charge for ordering a Manhattan (it said $13.00 for "Blantons," and $1.50 for "Manhattan." WTF is that all about? It wasn't even all that good a Manhattan.
(3)FunnyGirl Z.
LOVE the food here! They have a rotating menu, which is great to be able to try something fresh and new, but on the flip side, sucks b/c an item you love may not be there waiting for you the next time around. I'm not a fan of how dark it is nor that the restaurant is above a crazy loud bar, nor that it's often crowded, but I return for the food, so I can't deduct for the other things; plus, it is a "tavern" after all, so it's not falsely advertising anything. Haven't tried the other mealtimes others have mentioned, so this review is just for the weekend dinner menu and ambiance. If you're in it for the food, bottom line, this should be a good experience!
(4)Kunal M.
Best bar on that street Lot of annoying people crowding the bar. $9 for a drink Good for a late evening bar Hop in Arlington. More polished and groomed Crowd who live nearby and think It's cool to pay 2500 in rent for an apartment.
(5)Darjeeling T.
Went here last night with two friends. Made reservations with no problem, seated promptly, atmosphere is generally excellent--lively but I can still hear my dining companions perfectly well. I had one of the "Classics" on the menu, the skirt steak with potato and rainbow carrots. The meal was absolutely fantastic. It did come out a little cold for my liking, but I asked for it to be heated up a little, and the manager delivered it back to me personally. I really wasn't irate about the food or anything, so it was all good--and absolutely delicious once at the right temperature. Also, I wasn't particularly into the cocktails on their menu (all seemed perfectly fine, I just wanted something more familiar and less complicated, but didn't want to go for wine or beer). I asked if they could make me a Dark and Stormy, and of course they did. And again, it was perfect. I ended up having two with dinner, and I almost never have more than one drink at dinner (if at all). So, with all the excellent food, why only a four-star review? The service felt a little haphazard. We'd wait 15-20 minutes for our waiter to come back to do things like check on us and our food and drink situation, and then suddenly there would be like four or five people all over us asking if we were okay, are we done with our meal (one almost tried to take a half full plate away from my friend) etc. The hot and cold service was a little strange and inconvenient. Everyone was always 100% polite, but sometimes just disappeared for a bit. All totaled, it was a wonderful meal. I felt great about the food prices, the quality I got, the nuances in the food, and the fact that my cocktails were delicious. I'd happily go back here, but I'll just cross my fingers that the service is a little more consistent.
(4)Windi L.
**Nightlife Review** Even though I failed at my dream of meeting my future vanilla ex-husband here this past Saturday night, I still really enjoyed my time at Liberty Tavern. If it weren't for the fact Clarendon was such a small neighborhood, I'd frequent this place more often (I don't want to be tagged "a regular" at any one location). The bartenders here are fun, friendly and quick. Even though there's no real line to order your drinks, they seem to be fair in plucking people out of the crowd to get a drink. The crowd here is diverse, but I'd say the median age here is 31 which is good. I don't like drinking with bratty 21 year old college interns. No thanks. Liberty Tavern also had some good music playing. I heard everything that night from Journey, to Warren G. "Regulate", and current hits from Beyonce. And the music wasn't too loud, either, so you could easily pick up your next booty call for the night. Overall, not a bad place to start your bar trolling out in Clarendon.
(4)Brent W.
I sat outside and the atmosphere was pub- ish and pleasant for people watching. I expected pub-ish food, and instead was surprised by a very good side of chicken with nice presentation. Beer selection is on the hoppy side.
(4)Dawn M.
I'm writing this review because of the amazing service ! I don't go to bars a lot, but when I do I am used to fighting my way through crowds and waiting for quite a long time before I can get a bartender to look at me. We let the bartender know that I still hadn't eaten dinner, and he told me to pull up a seat, set a place for me, grabbed menus...I just felt spoiled. We had a group of maybe 8 women, and he was super-attentive: always making sure we had drinks, getting my food out quickly (Vermont pizza-AMAZING), and even creating a signature cocktail for a friend when the one she ordered wasn't available. The only reason I didn't give LT 5 stars is because the prices are a bit steep. I'll try to stick to happy hours from now on, because I really do love this place.
(4)Wendy C.
Who doesn't like a buffet brunch!? The selection is pretty extensive and while some of the items are nothing special, some really stood out in looks and tastes! My favorites were the smoked salmon, pizza, home fries and biscuits! Yumm. The size for the biscuit, muffins, pizza,etc weren't too large so it gives you a chance to try a little bit of everything available. The dessert/candy table was super cute. There were bite sized triple lemon cupcakes (amazing), chocolate crinkle cookies (best i've tried) and assorted candies all around the table. Came out to about $21 per person. Suggestion- make a reservation since the place is pretty popular!
(4)Dynise B.
I met a friend there for brunch, both with laptops to get some work done, and have a couple adult beverages. Our server was attentive without being intrusive, accommodating and informative. As the restaurant emptied out she scooted a table over for us to make room for computers, food and beverage containers. The brunch buffet was fairly good, but I would definitely like to return for dinner to get a broader sampling of the dishes...especially the pork belly that I read about. I will definitely go back...making sure that you allow time/quarters for parking is something to be aware of... Damn fine bloody mary as well;)
(4)S. D.
Try their Amish Chicken, absolutely delicious! Wine list & service, very good.
(4)Oxana P.
Awesome pizza, great DJ on thursday nights, but gets too packed on weekend nights.
(4)Hannah B.
Still waiting for my brunch reservation to open up....but dinner was awesome! The service was excellent. I wish I could remember the waiter's name but he works the brunch crowd too. We started with the cheddar steak fries. Not your typical fry, more of a thin potato skin...without the skin. The entrees we chose were varied from strip steak to haddock to calamari. Cooked to perfection. Great meal, hope to try the brunch menu soon without the hour long wait.
(4)L G.
I heard about this place from my best friend who read on the Washington Post about this place. I invited some friends there for a late dinner but was very disappointed in the food and the drink menu. The drink menu was very lackluster and so was the food. For the price of the food, I don't think I will come back to this place again.
(3)Thrifty DC Cook B.
Brunch Review Liberty Tavern has a buffet brunch that I would consider better than most buffets I have seen in the DC area. The scrambled eggs seemed to be made of fresh eggs and were not left in the chaffing dish long enough to get that yellow-crusted look that eggs get when left in heat for too long. The bacon was applewood bacon and tasted good. You have a choice of ordering from the buffet or ordering items a la carte. The buffet is $18 and all you can eat. Here are some of the highlights: -Smoked salmon - they had a great platter that included crème fraise, red onions, capers, and crostinis. I could have made a delightful plate full of smoked salmon and would have been happy. It was good quality smoked salmon. This was worth the $18 alone. -Roasted meats - They had roast lamb, roast pork and roast turkey with accompanying gravies and au jus. The lamb was moist and delicious. -Potato Cauliflower Gratin - Simply delicious. -Dessert table - They had a simple but satisfying dessert table with dark chocolate and white chocolate bark, macrons, chocolate chip cookies, and a variety of other candies. The main buffet table also had cranberry scones. -Good Coffee - My date ordered coffee and got a big French Press full of good coffee that he shared with me. It is my opinion that coffee should always be included in the price of a brunch buffet but this coffee was very good and so I didn't mind it that much. -Hot Apple Cider - The hot apple cider was sweet and tasted like Fall. A nice touch to this brunch in the month of October. Disappointments: -Biscuits and Gravy - The biscuits were described as fluffy on the menu. They were not fluffy. They were dense and not enjoyable to eat. The gravy was the biggest disappointment. It basically tasted like cream and flour mixed together with absolutely no seasoning. It was such a disappointment. -Caesar Salad - I think the general rule for buffets should be that the salad should never be pre-mixed. No one wants to eat a soggy salad. Simply place the dressing and croutons on the side of the salad and allow the diner to assemble it themselves and we all will be happy. Please note that the brunch menu on the website is not exactly what you will get at the restaurant. It is only a sample of the menu. It was an enjoyable brunch over all. The service was attentive and good. The food on the buffet table was regularly replenished. For any buffet, this is probably one of the most important part of the service.
(3)Valarie G.
Tony was an amazing server and the skirt steak was amazing. Also impressed with the lamb they had as a special last night. Great place to avoid the snow with an Old Fashioned and a cheese plate
(5)Stephanie W.
I ended up at Liberty Tavern when I spent the evening with a good friend I haven't seen in 5 years. It was a warm evening and we were able to find one outdoor table for dinner and drinks. Liberty was very crowded on a Thursday night with a sexy dark wood interior, and we were lucky to find a table outside. I ordered an exceptionally well made sidecar and the pistachio crusted arctic char at the recommendation of the server. The char had a perfect texture but the chef was quite heavy handed with the wasabi so the subtleties of the fish and nuts was enveloped. Everything about Liberty Tavern -- the food, atmosphere, service made for a fantastic evening. The flavors meshed well together even if the wasabi was a bit overwhelming, and the presentation was absolutely perfect. I would certainly return if I lived in the area.
(4)Melody C.
Went here for brunch with a friend from out of town - met her boyfriend for the first time. It was a nice place to meet for Sunday brunch. And their buffet was choc full of goodies - smoked salmon, hot apple cider, tons and tons of bacon, which i like, roasted lamb, chimichangas, taquitos, scrambled eggs, french toast, waffles, pancakes, the works!!!! and the drip coffee is excellent and the waitstaff are very knowledgeable about their coffees. we had an indonesian and another type that i can't remember now. only thing is that brunch is SUPER expensive - with buffet and two drip coffee pots, each person paid over $30 - that blows. i haven't been here for happy hour but it looks like a good place for it.
(3)Allison A.
After reading some of the reviews I wasn't too sure about this place, but I'm so glad we gave it a shot. Everything was tasty, and man did we eat it! The beet salad was excellent, the pizza crust was tasty (and I hate crust), the desserts were excellent, and then there was my entree. All I have to say is: bacon wrapped haddock. Read it slower. Bacon. Wrapped. Haddock. With creamy polenta, chestnuts, and Brussels sprouts. I ate the whole damn thing. Although, I don't feel horrible about it because portion sizes are normal human portions, not super-sized. Helen was excellent. She was good about getting us to order and stop talking, and she was very attentive. I never had to ask for anything, she just knew.
(4)Taylor W.
Overall a good experience. The dishes we had (gnocchi-appetizer 1/2, Duck confit, pork belly) were all cooked very well and showed a well thought out dish. The service was good and the dinning process was well timed for all courses. Pros: Food, service, menu Cons: crowded upstairs seating. Inside tip: If it's just two of you eating request a table upstairs next to the railing. These seats offer a bit more privacy and you don't feel like you're eating family style. (You'll see, the booth seating around the perimeter is a bit tight) I recommend this restaurant.
(4)BJ K.
We came in for a late dinner on Tuesday night. We were seated immediately and I ordered the skirt steak. It came out perfectly. So GOOD!! The service was excellent as well. Probably the friendliest hostess/waitress group I've ever seen. I really can't find anything wrong with this place other than this place gets really loud around the bar area, but luckily we got a table outside. I would definitely come here again.
(5)Amy T.
Went to this place for brunch on Easter Sunday and it was really awesome. Boyfriend loves brunch buffets and finding a good buffet at a decent price is difficult (its either super expensive with great food or decent prices but bad food) and this hit the perfect spot. It's not the biggest buffet of course but there was so much quality foods and the pans are never empty. There was like 3 different kinds of salmon, plenty of bread, french toast, meats, potatoes, and of course fruit, eggs, etc. Service was great - always ready for the refills and attentive even if it's only to pick up your finished/empty plates. Boyfriend doesn't really like to go anywhere else for brunch now. :)
(5)Dan M.
Pizza is stellar, good beer selection
(4)Oscar M.
Don't let the three star rating fool you, Liberty Tavern is definitely a place worth visiting. Their effort to serve quality food beckons a more stringent eye! I was here for dinner with my parents. I was slightly nervous about the noise inside on a Friday evening being too much, but luckily a table outside was free. I was immediately impressed by the menu they offered, a mix of traditional appetizers, wood fired pizzas, pastas, and meats and seafood either pan roasted or wood oven fired. I ordered the Handcrafted Saffron Orechiette with braised lamb neck. The presentation was beautiful, with a perfectly cooked sunny side egg on top of hand made pasta. Unfortunately, it's presentation was slightly better than it's taste. I appreciated the subtle qualities of the lamb neck, but it felt too muted in terms of flavor. A dash of salt was all it needed however, and in the end I enjoyed it thoroughly. Afterwards, I had a bite of my mom's Spaghetti Nero and was overwhelmed by the burst of flavor. it was delicious, this time it looked as good as it tasted with thick black pasta drizzled with a seafood broth of mussels, clams, shrimp and scallions. Just the right balance of flavors. Afterwards, I ate the broth with the amazing bread they provide! On to my dad's Summer pizza, consisting of country ham, figs, arugula and caramelized onions. Perhaps I am too accustomed to Neapolitan style pizza, but I found this pizza to be on the heavy side. The effort to create a unique pizza is definitely there, but i feel there's room for refinement. Each bite was a mixture of the sweetness of the onions and vinaigrette dressing, combined with the sour of the country ham and fontana cheese. Not bad, tasty even, but in the end too much of a commotion in terms of flavor and weight. All in all, I was very pleased with what Liberty Tavern has to offer. I agree with what their webpage states, "smart and unexpected." The best way to experience what they have to offer is probably at the bar with a sassy lady friend and and a glass of one of their wines they have to offer. Go there, NOW!
(3)Courtney R.
Tina R. took me here for brunch this past Sunday, totally getting me stoked on brunch while at the same time derailing my brunch experimentation 2010 project. This joint is top-notch for brunch. For $18 you can indulge in the buffet, which on this particular Sunday consisted of two types of scrambled eggs, a carving station, fresh fruit and salads, biscuits and gravy, pasta, pizza, hash browns, salmon (smoked and broiled), bacon, sausage, ham, french toast and pancakes to name a few. Most of the food is organic, locally sourced and the meats as well as dairy products are free-range and/or grass-fed. There's also a dessert table loaded with candy--they had my fave ever DOTS! Mimosas, bloody marys and a third cocktail--vodka and grapefruit I believe--are only $5 a pop. And the BMs come with a Brooklyn lager shot. The service is impeccable, particularly for a buffet setting. We never wanted for refilled drinks (or anything else) and our server knew the score of his establishment inside and out. My belly was full, the company was great and the cheap booze had me feeling fine. While I planned on filling my 2010 weekends with different brunch spots, LT will make this hard to do because it's an amazing deal and the food is scrumptious. -1 star for the slippery floor--not a good match for my traction-less flats (especially when I have a plate piled high). Note to self: next time, wear soccer cleats.
(4)Kay S.
We need to be Free of Liberty Tavern. Showed up for a power lunch and ended up with a weak meal. Their description of the Reuben Sandwich was mouthwatering maybe that's why the meal was so disappointing. Naw, it sucked and in every way imaginable. Liberty stated on the menu that they made their own corned beef and perhaps that's the reason they were so stingy with it. They're in the back hoarding it like buried treasure. I'm sure it's somewhere in a cave because it was definitely not in my sandwich. The corned beef was pathetically pinched in the middle with TWO inches of bread on both sides. I know, hard to believe but true. I'm kicking myself for not taking pics but try to explain that in a power lunch. The fries were unmemorable. Seriously, I can't remember them they were so unmemorable. So let's move on to the coleslaw. I just want to know how you can make coleslaw look like it's slathered in mayonnaise and yet still taste like wet cabbage. It's a magical trick that only Liberty Tavern has conquered. Does a really bad sandwich define a restaurant as so bad they can't make a good sandwich or so arrogant they can't be bothered with making a good sandwich?
(1)William B.
Yet another loud, crowded bar with an obnoxious clientele-- and you have to go all the way to Virginia for it too.
(1)Jenelle O.
This is my first experience with Liberty Tavern but it will not be my last. My company held a happy hour for our project team here this past week and the management and staff were extremely helpful and accommodating in answering questions, providing attentic service, and catering to all of our whims - Tod was especially helpful. The food was exceptional and there was plenty of it - we actually had to ask them to stop sending us so much food (which is always a good problem to have). We were fans especially of the mushroom pizza, filet mignon sliders, and crabcake sliders. Even better they boxed up the leftovers from the party and let us take it all home. If there are any future parties my company is thinking of having, Liberty Tavern will be at the top of our list.
(4)Michele G.
I had dinner here with a few friends the day after running the Marine Corps Marathon this past October. I appreciated their selection of local beers, and they had some awesome descriptions of them (even if they did make fun of our overly hopped IPAs in San Diego). I ordered a salad that involved grilled octopus. That was the reason I ordered the dish and I recall it being quite yummy. Our server was also really nice, and she brought by a few samples of beer for tasting purposes as well. Were I a resident of Arlington, I would definitely frequent Liberty Tavern on a regular basis.
(4)Shenan C.
This place blew me away. I recently held a charity event here and the servers were patient as we had reserved an entire section. Half of our guests didn't show, but our server Matthew did not bat an eyelash - he was happy to wait on us and hold our section and was fast as ever! Let me also say - this is a busy restaurant - I was very suprised how quickly it filled up, both upstairs and downstairs. The menu was fantastic with so many options. But I decided to have a bloody mary for lunch and it exceeded my expectations. Thank you Liberty Tavern. I had a really nice time and appreicate your help with this event.
(3)Bhumika K.
Seriously WTF? Scenario #1: Bar bitch: "Call that woman who just walked away for me!" Woman: "yes?" Bar bitch: "Where's my tip?" Scenario #2: Friend: "2 Amstel Lights please" BB: "Keep tab open" Friend: "No" (shaking head no) **Beer is served, awaiting bill** BB: "What do you want?" (to my friend in an unfriendly tone) Friend: "My bill" BB: "you want to close out? Once you close out, i won't open another tab for you! Are you sure you want to close? You only want one round of drinks?" Friend: "Yes" BB: "Next time you need to tell me you want to close out!" Friend: [thinking in his head] are you f'ing kidding me?! Best part, you work at LIBERTY TAVERN not some high upscale Vegas or NYC or better yet DC bar, so drop the attitude, because you're not that cute either. I seriously wanted to throw my empty beer bottle at her. Rude, crude and snooty for no reason at all. I'll never go back here, even though my husband swears they have good pizza.
(1)Cliff W.
Have I really not written a review for Liberty Tavern? How can that be? Liberty Tavern has the best brunch in Arlington, without a doubt. Their Farm Table, which is a buffet, is full of items that will have you make at least 2 trips, if not 3. On holidays that fall on a Monday their brunch is usually open as well. If you have a group of two you can usually just show up and sneak in somewhere, but I highly recommend reservations if your party is 3 or more. Make them in advance as well because this place is no secret.
(5)Jen M.
One of my go-to favorite places for HH, apps and dinner. But tonight, they hit it out of the park. The service, fun and atmosphere was fantastic. Thank you Gillian for the hospitality and thank you Liberty for a wonderful night! Points to note: Great brunch and HH specials Unique menu that is seasonal. There is something for everyone. If you're visiting, try to get a seat by the window and a pub table. Eat, visit and people watch! Try the pizza!
(4)Alex W.
This place was amazing. I had the salmon special with squash risotto and spinach. Absolutely delicious. Perfectly cooked salmon. Risotto was tender, creamy, and had a nice combo of savory and sweet. It tried my friends white pizza which had a perfectly crisp crust. Also had a very good Moscow mule. Plus reasonable prices ! Must try
(5)Amanda K.
My hubby and I came here for my birthday celebration and also it was restaurant week. During restaurant week The Liberty Tavern offered their whole menu which allowed my husband and I a lot things to taste. I ordered the grilled octopus "en purgatorio" as my appetizer which was just okay. The grilled octopus was purplish color with tentacles. My husband's appetizer was fritto mistro. I would recommend getting this because you get fried clams, squid and shrimp and even fried lemon and zucchini. The breading was crispy and really allowed you still to be able to taste the meat. My husband ordered the foggiana pizza and is definitely an entree for 2-3 people. I loved the taste of this pizza even when it was cold (late night snack!). I think they offer pizza deals during the week. Anyway, I ordered the pineland farms skirt steak and I would like to say the steak was very good and cooked to my liking. However the sauces that is used- per website, smoked bacon steak sauce- just didn't do it for me. We took our leftovers and desserts home with us. For dessert I ordered the waffles which came with fudge sauce and berries. I swear it is the best way to eat waffles. My husband got the chocolate olive oil cake which came with ice cream and black and blueberries. The cake slice was a sliver and didn't taste that good. I wouldn't recommend either one of these desserts since they are nothing special but if I had to pick I would choose the waffles. Be aware they serve Lost rhino on draft. Yum!
(3)Lee N.
Phenomenal place. Hand crafted cocktails, top notch food- not just what you'd expect as standard pub fare. I had lamb ribs as a starter (great value at $11) that fell off the bone. The bartenders here make for a fun evening- they are engaging, witty, and hilariously swarthy. Get to know Bobby. I'll be back for sure.
(5)Ryan Z.
Food is delicious, but the portions in my order were very small. Perhaps I ordered the wrong things. I absolutely loved my halibut, but for $25, it couldn't have been much bigger than 0.3 oz and thus not particularly filling for supper. Half orders of pasta are a terrific idea in theory, but for tortelloni, that means you'll be getting a mere three pieces of pasta; I guess that means that a whole order is six pieces (or six bites)? I'm not looking to pig out, but come one, there's no reason to be that stingy with something that is so inexpensive to make. Service was terrific, and the cheerful hostesses made me feel so welcomed and set a very positive tone. The waiter did a great job, and the busboys were borderline aggressive with their water refill duties.
(3)Hilary C.
I had such an amazing experience her last week. We wanted cheese for An appetizer and the kind server suggested 2 for us, both incredible. Next i for the lamb burger and my friend got the scallops, both were just exquisite. It was a few days before my birthday and while I was in the bathroom, my friend told the server it was my birthday. She promptly brought us a dessert sampler plate with a candle. So amazing Just amazing all around! Just one word of advice make a reservation!
(5)Andrew S.
We stopped in for dinner the other night, one of the best burgers I have had. It gets very crowded especially on the weekends so be forewarned. The Brunch is also awesome!
(5)Alex T.
Stopped by there a few weeks ago and looked like a pretty upbeat and fun bar. Heard they had brunch and decided to try it with a few friends last Sunday. I expected it to be a pretty standard brunch, but still fun and relaxing. To my surprise, Liberty Tavern surpassed all my expectations. The upstairs dining area is bright and tastefully decorated, the service was great, and the food is beyond what I've come to find around the Clarendon area. Everything from standard breakfast fair of omelets, bacon, sausage, and biscuits, to fried chicken, pulled pork, and ginger bread. Definitely a place I'll be returning to.
(5)Nat L.
I had a surprisingly good time for brunch. Now, maybe I'll get some hate for this, but I feel like Brunch in the DC area is super overrated. Brunches in DC are okay on average - not great, not even "good". just "okay". This city doesn't eat brunch for the taste, it eats it for the status. It eats brunch because they like to say "I went out to brunch". As a result, I feel like the food and service in most places suffers. This place, however, was pretty darn good. I liked the decor - modern but classy. Lots of wood, the music wasn't too loud, nothing tacky on the walls or anything like that, and huge windows because the restaurant is on the corner. The cocktails were delicious and the beer selection was good. But the highlight of the brunch was easily the buffet. Oneof the better breakfast buffets i've seen in the area. I wished I wasn't trying to lose weight because I would have made 3 trips there without even thinking about it. the fried chicken and french toast is the closest you'll get to good chicken and waffles in this city, and the desserts were just amazing. I don't go to clarendon often, but if someone told me i had to schedule another brunch out there, I'd schedule i'd choose this place no problem.
(4)Raquel M.
I came here the other night with a coworker for dinner and some drinks. Not knowing what to expect since it was a tavern but we had heard good things so we decided to check it out. We ordered a plate of cheese to start the meal, it was a great way to try new kinds of cheeses and man, they were so good!! Talk about quality cheese! I am also a sucker for bread, they make their own bread there by the way. They serve these cracker like things with cheese toasted onto the top I couldn't stop eating them! For dinner I ordered the prosciutto and goat cheese salad. This had to be one of the best salads I have ever had, the figs were sweet and rich. For dressing they just drizzle a little olive oil on top complimenting the salad perfectly! We ended the meal with these dessert apple dumplings al la mode! These too to die for! My recommendation get a table instead of the lounge area, it was slightly uncomfortable to sit here for dinner. One last thing, we came during happy hour which means wine was 50% off! Talk about a steal!! I would totally come here again if I ever find myself in the area again!
(4)Rachel P.
Came in for Sunday brunch and it's as good as it gets. Food and service were excellent. Will be back again!
(5)Marc L.
Ate here for a business/social dinner. Outstanding imaginative food, elegant yet casual atmosphere, outstanding service. A bit pricey. I would return for business, too expensive for frequent dining.
(5)Ev K.
Good draft beer selection for happy hour (weekdays, ends at 7pm) but I wish they had a porter or stout included in the draft list.. It was Monday so got the fried chicken special - plenty of chicken for 2 people to have a good time with it, the biscuit was great, the "two seasonal sides" are of such a small portion you really get only a couple bites of each - a slaw and some mashed potatoes. I would branch out for something else, even if I was back on a Monday. I think there's better stuff on the menu. And I suggest you make a reservation! Every table on the ground floor and every seat at the bar seemed full at 6:30pm.
(4)Greg P.
Beet Tartare Salad was innovative and the Brussels Sprouts were perfect. Scallops were tender and cooked well. Chocolate Mousse cake dessert was underwhelming and chalky. Waiter had clear knowledge of Gluten-Free items, but there was not a separate GF menu, which was key for our party.
(4)David T.
Pretty nice place. I like the lounge and bar set up. Had the duck confit pizza which was pretty good, hella flavor! The drinks were decent and the prices were average (like any other DC metro yuppie bar). I have to say that the service was really good, our server was really nice and he took really good care of us.
(3)Debi N.
Still one of my favorite restaurants in Clarendon and my previous review still stands. If you are lucky enough to try their brunch buffet (reservations recommended) you are in for a treat. They have a wonderful selection of breakfast and lunch options and a dessert table. It's never too hectic. I believe they change their buffet options often. My last visit some notable items were: salmon lox with all the fixings, eggs scrambled two ways, french toast, quiche, roast beef, bacon, biscuits and gravy, pork belly and risotto, potatoes, grits, mussels in a tomato broth, fruit, and a whole bunch of other stuff. The dessert table had an assortment of chocolate pudding with crumble and various cookies and turnovers. So Lyon Hall is their sister restaurant and I recently raved about Lyon Hall's man-mosa (which is a mimosa with vodka and triple sec). I was pleasantly surprised when they had a man-mosa here at Liberty Tavern, except this version did not come with vodka and only triple sec. I guess they don't want their guest getting too sloppy. Which is nice because it keeps the upstairs dining area very pleasant.
(4)Emily W.
I'm a big fan of Northside Social and finally made it over to sister restaurant Liberty Tavern for a Sunday night dinner. To start, my group of three split the crispy Brussels sprouts, which were excellent and came with a great garlic aoli sauce. The restaurant also serves a complimentary bread basket with a variety of different options, which was nice. For dinner, I got the shrimp pizza, which was delicious and big enough for two meals. The only issue I had with the restaurant was the service. Drinks took forever (even water), and our waiter rarely came over to check on us, even though the restaurant wasn't that busy and our group was very friendly. Overall, solid experience, but I'm personally a bigger fan of Northside. I've heard the brunch here is great, though, so I'll definitely need to come back for that.
(3)Zack B.
I went here for brunch and for dinner within a two week span and both times were excellent! Pros: Amazing brunch with high quality servings and ingredients for a very reasonable price ($21.95 all you can eat). Dinner was excellent and some of the best in the area. Very nice, somewhat higher end atmosphere yet allows you to come as you are. The wait staff is professional, knowledgeable and friendly. Cons: Outdoor seating is on the sidewalk and very far from the Sunday brunch buffet.
(5)M A.
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!! YOU WILL EAT HERE! I have been going here for years. Way before Mr. President and long before reservations were necessary to get a table. That will not deter me though. This place is delicious! All of the waiters are amazing and knowledgeable about the menu. The menu changes seasonally. No matter what the season You cannot go wrong here with anything you order. The fish dishes are always amazing. The short ribs will change your outlook on the world. I can no longer order short ribs anywhere but here because I will always compare it to Liberty Taverns. The recipe changes every season but each time I like the dish better than the last one. The deserts are good, but you should definitively try the cheeses. Most are made in house. If you are a cheese freak (like me) be prepared to fall i love. The cheese portions are generous and good for sharing. Don't forget about brunch either. Everything is homemade. The french press coffee i superb. My husband and I had our rehearsal dinner here and go every year for our anniversary. The waiters and staff always make it a great experience. Even on a random week night this place is completely wonderful. Stop reading and go!
(5)Patrick G.
I have been wanting to try this place for a long time now as I have heard nothing but great things. Maybe my expectations were a little high, but my experience was very average. I ordered the scallops and short ribs. The short ribs were great, but the scallops were way overly salty. My girlfriend ordered a steak based off of our waiters suggestion of how tender it was. I tried her steak and it was pretty tough and she didn't enjoy it all that much. Out of our group the only entrée that was raved about was the lamb burger. I will return based on reputation even though this experience wasn't the greatest.
(3)Feven A.
PROS: Good food. Try the pizza CONS: The place not to modern for me and dont have a good happy hour drinks
(3)Esther L.
A couple girlfriends and I went for a Valentine's Day brunch on Saturday. Their brunch buffet is fantastic and as a southern girl, their creamy grits are FANTASTIC! I think we had a reservation so the wait wasn't long, and the service was perfectly fine. I'm not sure if their brunch items change regularly but we literally ate every single thing that the brunch table had to offer.
(4)Eileen D.
It might sound dramatic, but this review makes me question all the other five-star reviews I've given. Their brunch is that good. First, our table wasn't quite ready yet after 15 minutes, so they asked us if we would mind sitting downstairs, and (with some mild cajoling from a friend in my party) offered us a round of mini-Mimosas to make up for it. Turns out the joke was on them, downstairs is beautiful with lovely light coming in from the street, whereas upstairs has the shades drawn and isn't all that enjoyable. WIN. Brunch had EVERYTHING you could want: biscuits and gravy, grits, two kinds of eggs, bacon, sausage, tiny little parfaits, smoked salmon (smoked in-house!?), French toast, ham, quiche, fresh fruit, shrimp, hash browns... I could go on. And then a whole table of dessert, including tiny mousse cups. And hot apple cider. Amazing. Oh and fried chicken. Everyone that tried it raved about it. And breakfast pizza. Man. I feel full again just thinking about it. Not everything was out of the park fantastic, but my experience with buffets is that everything is generally meh - not bad, but not memorable either. So the fact that five-six things on the buffet completely nailed it - I was impressed. Mimosas are only $5 and perfectly made, the coffee was French-press and delicious and our waitress was incredibly accommodating without being overbearing. Definitely check this brunch out - I got major props from all my friends for finding this place (this could be you).
(5)Rebecca Y.
I've only been to the liberty tavern for brunch and it reminds me a little bit of the brunch at four seasons. its buffet style, but elegantly done. Everything is delicious. We had hot cider with Makers Mark. It was the perfect drink to warm your insides. You have to call early in advance for brunch reservations though.
(5)Mary Kate M.
I came here with one expectation and left with another. I guess that's my first mistake. I showed up for Sunday brunch. The menu is sorted where you can order entrees or from the buffet. The buffet had a $20 price tag on it that I just didn't want to pay. I opted for the limited entree menu to save $5. There was no way I could have ate $20 worth of food anyway. For my order I decided to go with the steak and eggs. I had asked for medium and it came out closer to red raw than medium. Getting a hold of my server was a chore and she bypassed me putting more emphasis on the other tables since they had more people. Picking favorites doesn't work well for me at any time. Service was lame and so was the overall quality of food and experience. I was very disappointed since my friend gave it such a glowing review of her time here. I guess we just have different expectations. I expect to have a refill being before finishing my meal or you know, have my food cooked properly so I won't get food poisoning...
(1)Tony T.
Have never been disappointed with this place. Had only been for HH and loved their Tizers. Recently went there for a Sunday Holiday brunch with a group of 11. We made a reservation but we delayed from our scheduled time for almost 20 mins. But to make up for us, they brought the entire group champagne while waiting in the downstairs bar. Hey! Give me alcohol and you can take all the time you need. GREAT brunch buffet. The brisket was off the chain as was all the other food. They keep all the dishes fresh and full. Very attentive service staff and never had to wait long for any attention. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Jazmine P.
We were originally going to the diner across the street - but on a Sunday it was super packed as you can imagine! The line was out the door. We noticed this cute little spot across the street and looked it up on Yelp and saw the good reviews so we headed on over. $21 dollar buffet brunch was DELICIOUS! My friend and I didn't even make it back up for a second plate! $6 mimosas were good! Nice staff. Server Shawn was the sweetest. My friend held the napkin against her shirt as she was taking out her silver ware and he offered her his personal lint roller because it got all over her shirt. Also we sat outside and one of the staff members adjusted the umbrellas because the sun was beaming on my friend for a few minutes after we say down and she didn't even say anything. They pay attention which is great. Definitely coming back and bringing friends!
(5)Anna Laura B.
I love Lib Tav as my friends and I call it. This spot is excellent for a first date or just to meet up with friends. It can get pretty loud even on weeknights so if you're looking for a more quiet spot I'd go elsewhere. Its casual-nice and the food is excellent. They do fill up for dinner, so reservations are always recommended here!
(4)Jeremy C.
Meh...I've tried giving Liberty Tavern opportunities over the years despite my thoughts each time. I think it's only solid if you go there on like a weeknight for dinner and drinks. A date would be reasonable. Every time I've gone on a weekend it always felt a bit off and not that great. Ive also heard a ton of hype about their brunch over the years and I'm sad to say I was very disappointed. It's just like a decent hotels brunch but not nearly as epic as everyone has made it seem.
(3)Anh N.
Made reservations for Sunday Brunch here during the holiday season. We sat upstairs which was nice. Cute and cozy atmosphere with Christmas lights and all. $22/pp all you can eat Brunch. Well worth it. They had a good variety to choose from with salads, biscuits and gravy, waffles, desserts, etc. I would definitely go here again!
(4)Philip L.
Great spot. Always busy, but that goes to show how good it is. Service is on point and friendly. Their pizzas are great as well. Really good food.
(5)Thomas M.
I definitely recommend Liberty Tavern. Pros: - incredibly comfortable wrap around couches in the back (perfect for two, but could fit approx group of 15-20 around couches) - my roommate ordered a rare burger and I ordered med-rare; they were cooked to perfection - Paleo friendly: allowed us to swap out the IPA roll (burger buns) for a side salad (we couldn't say no to the deliciously crispy fries though) - huge fan of the Knob Creek cocktail and the Watermelon infused vodka cocktail (cannot remember the names) Cons: - little pricy, but not terrible: $75 for 4 drinks and 2 entrées
(5)Christopher W.
Came in for a late night meal.... And surprised by the awesome pizza special. Got two of the prosciutto and apple one. Delicious. Cara knows how to make a great cocktail and Will the sommelier was very helpful... Highly recommend.
(5)Pablo R.
Easily one of my favorite places in the area. Always high quality food, drink, and service with the right level of atmosphere. The pizza is always solid, Brussel sprouts are amazing, salads are always good, I am partial to the cheddar when looking at he cheese plate options. The Arancini (rice balls with a meat bolognese) is ridiculously good, and FFS I would mortgage the house I don't own to be able to eat all the pumpkin tiramisu when its on the menu (its not right now, but like everything else they make their other deserts are good as well). O yea probably the best brunch in Arlington!
(5)Cece C.
Hey Arlingtonians! Does Liberty Tavern REALLY need yet another review? .....No!! Am I gonna write one anyway? ......Yes!! We went here for Christmas Eve brunch with a group of 13 people. About $25 per person for all-you-can-eat brunch including, oh man here we go: various salads, fruit, eggs, yogurt, lox, turkey, ham, bacon and sausage, french toast, pizza, oysters (yes oysters), au gratin potatoes, quiche, hot apple cider, and a delicious dessert table. The weird variety of food was very good and everyone was happy. Hooray! I do believe you can, in fact, get a cheaper buffet brunch at other places. And this is not a 5-star restaurant by any means, but it's still good food and a very nice inviting atmosphere. We even got some complimentary pizzas for our group. Drinks are also quite good. As for coffee, they only offer french press coffee at $7/pot but it is definitely worth trying! I think I drank a whole pot by myself actually. So there you have it. An Arlington staple. Go there, enjoy, write another review :P
(4)Jake T.
If you actually want to eat or be able to talk and hear your friends/date do not bother going between 4-10pm Mon-Thursday, anytime after 6pm on a weekend...
(2)Ben S.
Be very careful tonight, had the salmon appetizer and barely made it home before getting sick. Cross them off the list.
(1)Fabian L.
It was a really a good moment. The food was great, I took a sirloin with mushed broccoli (entree of the day), cooked perfectly. The server is pleasant. But the place is a little bit noisy and it's hard to find a parking.
(4)Christine M.
This place is good but overrated- I wouldn't say the dining experience is very memorable.
(3)Michael P.
A party of four, for a "get-to-know-you" mid-week business lunch, we were immediately seated upstairs. Our server knew the menu well, answered questions fully, and our orders were placed smoothly and quickly. All of us had sandwiches of some form. All of the main dishes were well prepared. The bread and sides are great. All of the food was served promptly. While I've used the word "quickly" a lot, we were never rushed. I'd say the Liberty Tavern knows what it wants to be, and they do really well to do just that. Good food, good value, good service. I'll go back when next in Arlington. The décor is nice. I can't speak to parking, but it's just steps away from the Clarendon Metro stop.
(3)Mark W.
I had a great time on my first visit. Tony was especially amiable, and made me feel very welcome. He was just leaving after I got there, and made sure to introduce me to who would be coming on shift next. Those little things count. This spot is part of the same family as Northside and Lyon Hall, and I really must commend the upper management on the caliber of service demonstrated by their employees. The real thanks goes to the staff. From someone who's seen the spectrum of service, you guys rock. Of course, the food is amazing too, and tasty drinks as well.
(5)Paola A.
LOVED this brunch. It's a buffet-style and they offer a ton of different lunch, brunch, and breakfast options. Everything I had was fresh, delicious, and tasted home-made. From the mushroom and goat cheese quiche, to the smoked thick-cut bacon, to the carved roast beef which mushroom au jus... Everything was absolutely awesome. Highly recommended!!
(5)Keith O.
It was recommended by a friend to meet up after work. Overall clean. Bathrooms seemed to have been maintained well. Service was fairly quick, with one of the waiters checking on me within 5 min after i joined my group. I guess as expected of most taverns, it was very noisy. We could barely hear each other. Proper acoustics certainly missing. Although, it was a bit crowded being it was a Friday night on a pay day weekend. Decently mixed crowd, whom I found to be quite friendly. Selection of beers limited. Did not try the food. I would go back.
(3)Jennifer B.
They have a great brunch here. My #2 in Clarendon. Good selection Been here drunk before late at night and they had good pizza and friendly service Happy hours and weekend are nice if not too crowded.
(4)Kelly N.
Went here for a business lunch - good atmosphere in that respect as I've also been here on a date and it was not good (the atmosphere, not the date...) because it was incredibly loud. My favorite thing here is the bread and butter - great, fresh bread and amazing butter with course sea salt in it. Super tasty. The potato salad side was also very nice. I ate the lobster roll for my main entree and I would not recommend it - the lobster was somehow rubbery and flavorless. I'm not sure how they did that, but it was very disappointing. Overall, pretty good place for lunch in some respects, not so great for dinner if you want to be able to converse with those you're with (but if you don't like the people you're with, I'd go for it), and hit or miss on the food.
(3)Lolie M.
My mom and I had just completed 2700 miles of driving over the past week-i moved from L.A.- and were in need of a good drink and meal to celebrate our final day of road tripping. this place was fantastic, fun, yummy and made my first official nite in dc a smashing evening! thank you to the staff for taking care of us!
(5)Nikki J.
Be sure to get the brunch buffet! There are so many things to choose from. The smoked salmon is to die for.
(5)Will N.
The food is outstanding. The brunch pizza is out of control. Their brunch buffet might be the best in Clarendon. A very good happy hour spot, tends to be a little bit more mature crowd than Whitlows or Spiders. I see it as a good starting off point if you're going to hit a few bars in Arlington. Friendly and attentive bartenders/waitstaff, good beer selection. Also the upstairs is more of a restaurant atmosphere and is great for dinner. Great spot
(4)Arlene T.
Love this place! I love the atmosphere and great food. It is a smaller menu, but the food is superb. Different variety of not your run of the mill pub food. I love the salmon sandwich and the lobster roll is refreshing. You need to treat your palette!
(5)April H.
Nothing but good things to say about Liberty Tavern. We had a reservation, and our party of 4 was sat at our favorite table even though we were early. A manager came out to greet us personally (one of our party is a VIP regular via Opentable), and water was brought immediately. The downstairs area of this establishment is a vibrant bar scene with crowds of twenty something's, but upstairs is a fine dining experience complete with viewable kitchen and plenty of help bustling about. Throughout the evening, any and all questions about various beers, wines, and menu items were described completely and accurately, and the server was able to make suggestions based on something I liked that they did NOT have, which was quite helpful. Our appetizers included the squid, roasted oysters, beet salad, and lobster marscapone torteloni, all delicious and beautiful. For dinner we enjoyed the sirloin steak which was a tad too rare, but quickly remedied. We also had the stuffed trout, delectable, the roasted chicken which was juicy and wonderful. The last entree was the line caught halibut, with polenta substituted for the risotto (no problem), and we ordered a side of roasted Brussels sprouts to share. The sprouts got lost on the way to table, but were quickly re-ordered, and taken off the check. For dessert, we shared the toasted rye creme brûlée and also the "hot chocolate" pudding, both fantastic. The check was presented promptly but not rushed at us, and was accurate. We would definitely be regulars here if we lived in the area, but alas, we are only visiting.
(5)Nicole M.
I have been here for both brunch and a quick late night drink. Overall, I like the ambiance and the atmosphere- it is very casual without being dirty or divey. I have heard that the brunch buffet is amazing, but I ordered a la carte when I went so I am unable to say for sure. Brunch: The food was midgrade (very fresh but not overly delicious) and the waitress was extremely nice but very slow and forgetful. I enjoyed the cappuccino that I had (authentic espresso machine) but had to wait because they were out of milk and had to go to the store. Late Night: Quick bartenders that seemed to hate their job. Drinks were nothing special (I am not aware of any specialty cocktails or craft beer selection). Very loud/rowdy crowd, just like everywhere else in Clarendon circa 2am on a weekend. A fine place to meet up and pregame, in my opinion.
(3)Yuchen Z.
I can only speak about the Brunch Buffet.... IT WAS AWESOME. I have never seen such an amazing selection of food for a brunch buffet! They had just about everything you can ever want for breakfast! They had: potatoes, ham, steak, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, grits, salads, muffins and bagels.... so many different things. I can't even remember but it was just soo very good. They also had a dessert table, including cupcakes and mousse, tarts and so many others. I was thoroughly impressed with all the selections. Maybe some people say the food gets cold when it's left out... I didn't notice much though. Most things are covered and all hot things have the burners under them and whenever I lifted the lids, the hot steam would come out. I was still satisfied with the temperature. I do recommend eating your money's worth. It is about $20 so if you're not super hungry, maybe the buffet is not the best for you. But if you don't have your eye on anything in particular and you're ready to eat, I recommend the buffet. =)
(4)Jonathan K.
I've been to The Liberty Tavern twice now, once for happy hour/dinner and once for brunch. Its a great place in Clarendon, not too big so it has a warmer feeling than the bigger bars in the area. Its got a nice selection of beers and we munched on their pizzas during happy hour. The pizzas are very tasty, thin crust with fresh ingredients. Can't remember how much they cost, but they do have happy hour deals. Experienced the brunch last weekend and was again very happy with the experience. This place was busy, so I ended up sitting at the bar. If you have a larger group, you definitely need to make reservations for Sunday brunch. I ordered their french toast and was very pleased. Good sized portion and the bacon was thick and flavorful. My friend got the breakfast pizza, and I was a little disappointed with it; it just simply was not nearly as good as their lunch/dinner pizzas for some reason. If you are really hungry, they have a huge brunch buffet upstairs, but I didn't want to pay $21 for it, that is pretty steep. In general, this is a good place to go for drinks/lunch/dinner/brunch. I was not blown away by the food or the service, but it was still a good experience and I will be going back.
(4)Colli M.
This review is only for happy hour. Looking for a central venue to catch up with a friend and knock out some volunteer group-related discussions in a single evening; after perusing Yelp for a bar convenient to both of our offices, we settled on Liberty and its self-proclaimed 'legendary' happy hour. Arriving at 5:30, we were able to secure a space within the lounge around a low table. The waitress was friendly, coming by to take our drink orders relatively quickly after we were seated; it's unfortunately, however, that the only things on special during happy hour are beer and wine (with a single cocktail available -- unfortunately, as a non-tequila drinker, I was limited to wine). The Riesling I chose was fine, however. The major driver for my three-star rating is the noise level within Liberty's bar area -- okay, yes, I know that I'm in a bar and that people want to get a little rowdy after work. But, my goodness, it was LOUD; as the night went on, my friend and I had to practically yell to hear each other across the foot-wide table. If I were to close my eyes and estimate the number of individuals in that somewhat small space, I would have guessed it were packed. By 6:45, when we left, I had a slight headache and a sore throat. I'll definitely consider returning to the Liberty Tavern for a happy hour in the future, though only if I'm not interested in having any substantive conversation with my friends.
(3)Caroline K.
The food here is quite good, but the service is meh. Our server was extremely socially awkward. Is that even allowed when you work in the service industry? Every time she stopped by our table she kind of just lurked there and waited for us to make the first move. Not unlike the frustratingly hot guy across the bar who you keep making eye contact with but who refuses to come and talk. The mussels appetizer for one person was easily enough for two people. So don't bother ordering the larger size. Is it just me or do restaurants always do that? It seems like a better deal but in the end the smaller plate would have been more than sufficient? My friend and I were feeling especially gluttonous so we shared an order of fries and the Prosciutto pizza. The pizza was pretty good, a little too hammy if I even dare to say. The fries were delish. Thin cut, very crispy without being too crunchy. We got to the restaurant way before our reservation so we waited and had a drink at the downstairs bar first. The bartenders were nice, but it definitely had a Clarendon vibe, aka people are not the most friendly. Oh well. In the future I would skip the bar and come straight for the food.
(4)Nikki B.
The brunch is the best in arlington - breakfast buffet is everything! Get the french press coffee - it has hints of chocolate! Get there early - place gets packed on Sunday brunch. Good happy hour spot too. Downstairs couch area is a fun spot to reserve for parties.
(5)Claire T.
Went there for brunch this past weekend. Good young professional atmosphere as is the area. This was my second time here. First time we did the brunch buffet option which was a little over $20. So many different tasty breakfast foods. Second time we just did the a la carte menu. Wasn't really feeling my meal this time around. The mimosas were small in my opinion and my bf thought his Bloody Mary was too spicy. Waiter was attentive especially when we were sitting outside and he asked if we wanted to pull one of the umbrellas for shade.
(4)M. Kelley S.
I've had a few dinners here and cannot speak highly enough of it. The Liberty Tavern is a terrific local restaurant. Highs: -The service is excellent. We have, on a number of occasions, asked for wine or food recommendations - easy opportunities for the wait-staff to try and sell us more expensive glasses or entrees. They don't up-sell us or push expensive bottles. To me, that says volumes. -The food is consistently very good. The salmon and halibut we had last night were delicious - both fish cooked flawlessly: seared lightly with the meat left flakey and moist. The gazpacho with crab was refreshing, with just a little peppery flavor to make the dish sing. Lows: -It can be a bit loud (there's a bar downstairs and the noise travels).
(5)David M.
This place has been on the top of my list for years, for their regular menu. They have great food, at very reasonable prices. However, I just recently went to brunch here for the first time, and now I have a whole new appreciation for Liberty Tavern! The buffet table has tons of great options, including your typical breakfast foods (eggs of all sorts, french toast, sausages, etc), as well as more heartier fare like fried chicken, BBQ pork, pizza, and steak. There's also a smaller table w dessert options. The kicker is that you get all this for just over $20! I ate so much, I wasn't hungry again until 24hrs later.
(4)James F.
Liberty Tavern is a generic American food joint in Arlington. It's a safe bet. Fairly loud, always crowded, and a little bit overpriced. Food was uninspiring and not very imaginative.
(3)Susan H.
We were in Clarendon today to buy some cupcakes (review to follow later). I poked around Yelp and came up with a small list of possible places for dinner, then told my husband that it was his choice. He surprised me by saying he wanted to eat at The Liberty Tavern. "Why?", I asked. His answer---they have Duroc pork on the menu". He had had Duroc pork at the Peacock Cafe in Georgetown and raved about it. We had talked about going back there but never got around to it. You know---so many restaurants, so little time. From reading the Yelp reviews, I learned that it was a good idea to make a reservation here. It was so easy to do using Yelp. I clicked the tab that linked me to Open Table. Right away, my name came up as did my email address---very nice! All I had to add was a phone number. I made a reservation for 5 p.m. on a Saturday. Then Yelp started nagging me to write my next review. Geez, Yelp! Give me a chance to go there first! We got here a few minutes before 5. The hostess told us to take a seat at the bar and that she would seat us "about 3 minutes after 5" because the staff was in a meeting. There was no pressure at the bar area to buy a drink---we were even offered a glass of water. Sometimes you wait at the bar for your table to be ready and the pressure is there to order a drink, so I appreciated that there was none of that here. The bar is downstairs while the dining room is up one flight. We were the first customers of the evening and got seated at a table for two right next to the stairwell railing. I kept telling myself to be careful not to drop anything because it would go down the stairs. Our waiter brought us some water while we looked over the menu. To drink, I ordered a cocktail named "The Lawnmower". It consisted of (straight from the drink menu) "spiced rum, Drambouie, Rishi organic blueberry iced tea". My husband got a Stella Artois which was on tap. My drink was good---a little sweet but it did pack a bit of a punch. For an appetizer, we chose "Italian feather loaf garlic bread". Before ordering it, I asked the waiter if it would be too much for 2 people. He said that it consisted of 5 small slices of bread and that it would be just right for 2 but too much for 1. He was correct. It came out piping hot but the crust was a bit charred in some spots. Nevertheless, it was very tasty--- crusty on the outside but a light, airy bread on the inside. The garlic flavoring was strong enough that it didn't overwhelm the bread but yet gave excellent flavoring. For my main course, I had Georges Bank Haddock. This dish consisted of (again, straight from the menu) "Jonah crab, house bacon with semolina gnocchi, spring peas, rainbow carrots, buttermilk/brown butter froth". The crab meat was placed in the center of a small haddock filet, then rolled up and bacon was wrapped around it. It was a very mildly flavored entree. I expected that the bacon would have had more flavor but instead, the flavor was faint. There was some semolina in the dish but it wasn't gnocchi-shaped. Rather it was in a patty form. The rainbow carrots were interesting---large thick slices of regular carrots that were lightly cooked and strips of a red carrot that was sweet and tart. My husband, of course, had his pork --- Duroc Pork "Milanese". This dish consisted of (once again, straight from the menu) "brown butter/lemon marmalade vinaigrette, grilled fingerling potatoes, dandelion salad with housemade pancetta, egg". The pork chop was butterflied and flattened plus it appeared to have a panko crust on it. A fried egg was on top. I tasted a bite---it was very well prepared. The pork was not overdone and was very juicy and flavorful. While my husband did enjoy his dish---and found it filling, he said that he would have preferred a more conventionally prepared pork chop. Overall, we enjoyed the dining experience. Service was excellent---very prompt and attentive. Before the tip, dinner cost $74 plus change. We would consider going again sometime.
(4)Tu-van L.
Definitely a better lunch buffet option than Whitlows and for a better price too. Most a la carte dishes are about $15-20 while the buffet is $21. Pretty solid offerings in the buffet where you can sample a little bit of everything they offer, including the roast beef/ham carving station. I especially liked the fried chicken, jalapeño biscuit (tasty but on the dry side), scrambled eggs, and the French toast with banana fosters syrup. Heck even the salads they offer on the buffet was delicious. While the ambiance is energetic the buffet line is actually free flowing and not crowded with too many people.
(4)Sydney L.
A very good selection for the brunch buffet, but nothing blew me away. The bacon was way overcooked to the point that it would crumble when you tried to pick it up. The quiche was served cold...is that a thing now?! Ham had a very odd taste--not quite brown sugar, but something sweet. Scrambled eggs were very good as was french toast. $21 per person for buffet; add a drink to that you're spending $30 on brunch. For $30 I expect better quality and consistency.
(3)Brian P.
I highly recommend this place for brunch. The food is exceptional with many options. The restaurant can get very busy, so I suggest making a reservation.
(5)Veronica Y.
One of my favorite go to spots, for a romantic or celebratory dinner and brunch. The food is exceptional and the service is quite attentive. The Potato and Pecorino gnocchi is perhaps my favorite dish there. It's a ragu-based dish with braised pork shoulder, kale, elegantly crafted gnocchi topped with robiola. The robiola just melts into creamy goodness. There is a hint of citrus favors in the dish that I'm a big fan of. This dish warms my heart and soul. For drinks, they have a nice selection of wine and cocktails. For brunch, I suggest the grapefruit buck. It's fruity, not to complicated and easy to drink. It's oh-so-delicious. The restaurant is located in a busy part of Arlington so parking is a bit difficult to find. For the chronically late, make sure you leave a bit early if you are making a reservation!
(4)Ela P.
We came here with an inaccurate reservation, yet they were still able to accommodate us and seat us almost immediately. You can't go wrong with the brussell sprouts and fries.. I got a pepperoni and carmelized onion pizza, and it was delicious. Will definitely be back soon!
(4)Sean G.
Like everything else in Clarendon, it gets crowded. Tell me something else reviewers. This place has good food and a nice variety for American style pub food, which tries to fancify it with beet salad or something like that. It has burgers, pizza, beet salad...oh and we can't forget salmon because that makes a place wicked cool. Happy hour prices are fine. After happy hour, it is way over priced. Oh wait, its a bar in Clarendon...
(4)Juliana P.
Came into town to visit friends, and our group of five came here for dinner. We opted to sit in the lounge area, as the restaurant was pretty packed, and they have casual seating with tvs set up. Their happy hour deals are great! Half off wine and drafts made us all pretty happy. They offer a nice mixed bread basket with some crispy thin crust garlic bread which was delicious. We tried the cheese plate with beet and I think carrot? purree which paired will with the different breads. Myself and another opted for the fig and proscuitto salad which was delicious! It is a little small for a main, and was, to be fair, on the appetizer list, so if you order it, I suggest getting another app as well. The others ordered the brussell sprouts, gnocci, spaghetti and meatballs, and a pizza. Everyone was super satisfied. The pizza and spaghetti and meatballs were big enough for them to have a decent amount left over to take home. The rest of us licked our plates clean (not really). We also tried the apple a la mode for dessert which was really tasty, and a nice end to the meal for us all to split. Special shout out to Tony for great attentive and prompt service!
(5)Cat P.
Good drinks, great cheese, tasty bread, and uneven dishes--this sums up my experience at Liberty Tavern. Things I liked: Upstairs seating, away from bar madness Helpful and knowledgeable server Good wine and beer selection ranging from Oktoberfest to whites from Spain Delicious homemade breads Awesome cheese platter options What left more to be desired: I ordered the squid fettuccine with crab, shrimp, mussels, and sea urchin, and wasn't as satisfied with my dish. One: Where was the sea urchin? Sure, I got plenty of crab meat, and mussels, and shrimp, but the yummy sea urchin? Barely detectable in this dish. Maybe it was mostly melted into the sauce, but I couldn't really taste it. Also, the sauce was a bit too thin, watery. A thicker sauce, a sauce that coats each strand instead of sliding off of it, would have been more ideal. My dining companions seemed overall happy with their dishes, though. The pork shank looked juicy and flavorful, and the diners who ordered it confirmed that was the case. Oh, and another thing: My hubby asked for no pancetta on his pizza, but it came out with pancetta anyway. Hmmm... The Liberty Tavern is getting 3.5 stars for being a good but could-be-better dining option in Clarendon. If you're only interested in nibbles and drinks, then The Liberty Tavern would be a good choice.
(4)Tamara Y. W.
Chad is the BEST server/waiter ! Honest, checked on allergy interactions with the kitchen, first, before answering, water stayed full, etc. Now to the food. I didn't anything wheat based on the buffet, but the salmon was moist, eggs were not dry, fruit was fresh, bacon was all over (some crisp, some soggy) and the grits......... stopping to have a moment of silence ...those stone ground cheese grits are the HOLY GRAIL OF GRITS! They were sooo good! Would I go back, yeah. If you can have wheat items, double score for you!
(4)Jamie G.
Had dinner on a Friday night. Downstairs bar area was energetic and loud. We opted to eat dinner upstairs. Had to wait a few extra minutes for our table, but the manager offered us sparkling wine while we waited. Had the scallops and cous cous for my entree and it was delicious!
(5)Frank H.
A couple of my friends and I ventured here to eat our sorrows away on a chilly Valentine's Day (I rhymed! yay me!). What better way to do so than with the all-you-can-eat brunch buffet at Liberty Tavern for only $22 a person (Note: this is not a boozy brunch, so if you're trying to get unlimited mimosas/bloody marys, you're going to the wrong place)! The fact that it's served between 9:00am and 3:00pm on Saturday and Sunday makes it that much better. Lazy morning fix anyone? This being my second time at the brunch feast, I already knew what to expect and had my plan of attack. The buffet centers around a long dining room table essentially, where you grab a plate at one end and make your rounds, circling and picking at all of the deliciousness that you want. I loaded up my first plate up with delectable deviled eggs, heaping mounds of the house-smoked salmon (which is the perfect balance of salt and smoke), some french toast with a walnut maple syrup, country style scrambled eggs with some peppers, onions, and tomatoes, some apple-wood smoked bacon, homemade breakfast sausage, rare slices of carved beef brisket, and a buttermilk biscuit with some red eye gravy. Talk about an amazing plate full of food! I devoured every single item, and washed it all down with the hot mulled apple cider that is also found on the buffet line. On my second go, I grabbed some of the stoneground grits with cheddar, and then a heaping serving of mussels, cooked in a coconut and basil broth that was simply to die for. Highlight of the meal for sure. To round off my brunch, I grabbed a plate of some fresh fruit and then headed for the dessert table, located only a few steps away. Be sure to grab the brownie bites, they're chewy, chocolaty, and just amazingness personified. My friends and I left Liberty Tavern happily bloated and content with our singlehood. Our eating habits may or may not contribute to the fact, but I'm perfectly okay with that. (Oh, and also, definitely make reservations if you plan on going to avoid any potential wait time! It can get pretty crowded)
(4)John B.
Went during price fixe dinner week thing. Pretty solid food with solid servings. Waiter was solid all around. Bar feeling downstairs, nice sit down thing upstairs. All around solid.
(4)Mike S.
Great high quality American food. The lamb ribs appetizer is huge (for an app) and awesome! The pizzas, scallops, short ribs are also highly recommended. Burger and beer lunch special is a good bet. Weekend buffet is pretty extensive and great quality, though you should reserve ahead if you don't want to wait an hour.
(5)Heather R.
The decor is simple and updated, I like that there is a dining room upstairs which is separate from the loud bar on the first floor. They do have limited outdoor seating where you may enjoy dining with your dog! Our server was nice and professional. When I asked the food runner about the nuts in the bread served with the cheese plate he didn't know what they were. It took a few minutes for him to return so I had to wait to begin eating. Glad I did, they were walnuts! I started with three cheeses. They were so yummy. It was my favorite part of the meal. If you like cheeses they have a nice selection, not big but good. My husband had the lobster gazpacho and said it was very tasty. He liked that the lobster didn't over power the dish. For my entree I had the scallops and braised short ribs. Overall the dish was too salty for me, however, the scallops and meat were cooked perfectly. The short rib meat was so tender and fell apart with my fork.
(3)Megan C.
Surprisingly good find for those seeking an under-$25 breakfast buffet in a convenient location that also accepts reservations (you'll need one). I was previously naive to the excellent brunch at Liberty; having only known them in the past (pre-Yelp days) as a happy hour/pizza spot. Brunch is totally different, but you still get the same atmosphere and the too-cool-for-school Arlington crowd. The service we received on a busy Sunday was quite good, and I love that a huge pot of French Press coffee only set us back $3. Mimosas and Bloodys are reasonably-priced, but I didn't imbibe, so I can't comment on their quality. For only $20.95, you buy yourself access to an impressive smorgasbord of brunchy and breakfasty treats, plus a delighfully-appointed pastry and cookie table. I was pleased with the selection of bacon, sausage, Southern biscuits, gravy, cheesy grits, fresh fruit, and even LT's well-known pizza. There was also a delicious goat cheese and squash quiche, a soup, some kick-a$$ French toast, fried chicken, and two varieties of scrambled eggs. Would I have enjoyed some cinnamon rolls or some cheese blintzes? Sure, and if you know of a buffet where I can still get these items, LMK! However, Liberty really didn't leave anything to be desired. Food looked and tasted fresh, and was nicely merchandised and displayed, and clearly-labelled. Buffet table was also refreshed regularly with fresh abundant food, so no standing around waiting for more French toast. Our waiter and a busser cleared our table quickly, and water refills were frequent. The homemade "pop tarts" and toffee brownies at the pastry/dessert table were great notes on which to end my decadent brunch. Noise level was energetic, but not frenetic. Still easy enough to converse. My only wish would be for a less-cramped food service area. There's no clear direction of travel for filling one's plate, and it grows quite crowded with the kitchen/plating window parallel to one of the sections of the buffet table.
(4)Flo S.
Came on Saturday afternoon and sat at the bar and ordered Lobster Roll and a side salad. It was pretty good. The bread was nice and grilled and had a hint of butter. The inside was full of lobster with the right amount of dressing and flavor. The perfect combo for a Saturday lunch at the bar. Oh, let me not forget the the salad that accompanied the roll which consisted fresh mixed greens with a light dressing. I love this place for its casual, but upscale wooden look and feel. The host, bartender and even the patrons were all just full of smiles that day and ready to celebrate the Christmas Holiday. The guy next to me got the brunch buffet and I could hardly peel my eyes away from his plate. It looked so inviting and I noticed some eggs, some fabulous-looking fried chicken and salad. The two men that sat to my left had great stories to tell about their dog, their gambling the night before etc. They even offered me a drink, but I declined because I didn't want to dehydrate in the Bikram yoga class I was heading to after leaving the place. I've tried other food in the past such as calamari, flatbread, burger, etc. and they were pretty good too. I also came on late on a Saturday evening and they had a DJ and people crowded around the first floor and got to dance for a little bit. They played top 40 music and little bit of old school. Not a bad place to hang out on a Saturday nite as well. Overall, fast service, good food and a friendly staff. I definitely be back to try out their brunch one day.
(4)Matt S.
Went here for an impromptu late night dinner. Had been about 2 years ago and remember it being a good bit better. The cucumber G&T that I started out with was quite good. Simple yet a step above a normal gin and tonic with the quality ingredients that were utilized. We started out with the octopus ceviche. After spending time in Brooklyn and NYC, and experiencing some highly creative uses of octopus, this dish was a bit of a disappointment. It was heavy on the basil to the point of overwhelming any of the ingredients that should have been more of the focus like the octopus. I went with the salmon as my entree. The dish was tasty but was a bit overdone and on the dry side. Ultimately, the meal was better than most others you'd have in Arlington, but not great.
(3)Arya S.
Had dinner and drinks here on a Thursday night with a couple friends and we were thoroughly impressed. Everything from the bread&butter to the main course was served with great attention to detail. We started with the Arancini and it was absolutely superb. They are fried rice balls stuffed w/smoked mozzarella and peas, and sitting in a lamb&pork bolognese. We basically fought over the last bite (I won). Next we shared the Campanello pasta. This was the star of the show for all of us. We haven't been able stop thinking about it. Even typing this review right now makes me want to go straight there and have it again. Our main entrees were the roasted half chicken and the grilled hanger steak. Both were great, but I particularly enjoyed the hanger steak. We also got the crispy brussel sprouts which were fantastic. We will definitely be back.
(5)Tara C.
I've never had a bad meal here. Period. Lunch is great, salads are always good, dinner is awesome. Also the Brussels sprouts are on point!
(5)Jackie B.
Wow, I'm impressed by their weekend brunch! I haven't tried their buffet, but everything we ordered on their breakfast and lunch a la carte menu - from the Maine lobster roll to the breakfast bloody mary's - was excellent! - Breakfast bloody mary: I love that they serve it with a beer chaser. You don't see that too often! I like it because it helps with the spiciness of the bloody mary, but also, it's that added step they take to make the drink extra special that I really appreciate. - Buttermilk pancakes: Is it too soon to say these are the best pancakes I've ever had? They are melt-in-your-mouth good. Served with caramelized bananas and your choice of sausage or bacon. - Maine lobster roll: I'm a huge fan of Luke's Lobster. Luke's rolls are very simple with little to no mayo on a very delicate buttery bun. The lobster rolls here are dressed in a cucumber mayo and on a heartier bun BUT it is still really good. The lobster chunks are not big, but they give you a ton of sweet lobster meat in the roll *see pic*. I was very satisfied. - Fish and Chips: Typically, my taste buds quickly get tired of a fish and chip entree but the fish was really tasty and crunchy here. And the fries were addicting. It's been only a day since I was here and I could already go for another round of everything I listed. It was that good. Can't wait to come back!
(4)Mari A.
#83 The Liberty Tavern has a special place in my heart. It was my first foodie restaurant experience that my cousin took me to when I first moved out here from San Diego. Immediately it was obvious how popular this place is... a bustling bar, a lounge area next to the bar and behind the host stand that you first see when you walk in, and a dining area up the stairs that is just ALWAYS full. I warn you now... MAKE RESERVATIONS. I've never had a bad experience and if anything keeps getting better and better. My last experience, we ended up being seated a little late. As a consolation, they offered us some glasses of champagne. SCORE! Some of the delicious food that I've had? - The Short Ribs- always my fave dish to order. - Their Scallops are cooked deliciously. - The duck macaroni seemed more like a pasta entrée than a mac and cheese BUT was SOO GOOD. - All SALADS I've had so far are WINNERS. - All FLATBREADS I've had as well haven't been disappointing. The assortment of drinks they have as well have been great and a good way to start the night of barhopping in the Arlington area! :)
(4)Anthony N.
I so wish this place existed closer to home. Buffets tend to be quantity over quality. That is not the case at The Liberty Tavern -their brunch buffet is insanely good! If you are in/near the DC area then you need to check this place out. It is well worth it.
(5)Pegah A.
I had several dishes there during restaurant week but my favorite was the lamb short ribs. It was crispy on top but tender underneath and perfectly cooked and seasoned. The octopus ceviche was not good though. Much too acidic and the octopus was over cooked. The line caught halibut was also delicious and flakey.
(4)Jessica A.
Arrived around 12:30pm on a Sunday for brunch and was told about a 45 minute wait, within 25 minutes, I received a text message that my table was ready. The hostess was extremely friendly and offered us the choice of a high top or outdoor seating. Now for brunch you have the option of choosing the buffet or whatever you want off the menu. I went for the Steak & Eggs, and it was delicious! It is severed to order and comes with home potatoes. So good! I was more than satisfied with my choice! My friend choose the buffet route and for $21 he got more than he bargained for. The selection is huge! Fried chicken, scrambled eggs, french toast, grits, salmon, and so much more. Definitely worth every penny! Our waitress was extremely attentive and friendly throughout the entire meal. For a place to busy on a Sunday, the service was excellent! Definitely coming back again the next time I'm in town!
(4)Katherine S.
Nice little spot in Arlington. Nice variety of choices on the menu- I wanted to try everything. Seems to be a good spot for happy hours. Worth trying it once kind of place. Not sure I would put it on my list to go back to. Tasty pork, collared greens and sweet potatoes!
(3)He H.
The brunch buffet is very good. People recommend me the smoked salmon but I like the scramble eggs and potato salad the most. The bacon is good too. In general, you need to prepare yourself for lots of sodium.
(4)Nino S.
Tagliatelle with lamb was absolutely tasteless. No seasoning, no effort. Halibut was bland and mostly tasted of corn. So $90 later we are thinking any random chain restaurant would have been better.
(2)Katelynn W.
I went to Liberty Tavern for Brunch and Lunch good burgers! The buns are fantastic better than your average American burger **aahemm MCDONALD'S yucko. Don't go on Fridays or Saturdays unless you have a reservation. Happy Eating!
(5)Jared C.
Descent food and reasonable drink prices. A good starting/meeting point for a night out.
(3)Kimberly S.
Liberty Tavern in an Arlington staple and for good reason too. I've been here for brunch happy hour and dinner and have never left wanting for more. The boy recently planned a pre Captain American brunch party for a couple of friends and we arrived a few minutes late per usual. When we arrived, we saw all of our friends around the buffet table with their eyes about a dollar piece wide. I've never seen them look so happy in their life. It was an eclectic group and there was something for everyone: housemade lox with all the fixings, skillet fried chicken, yogurt and granola parfaits, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, quiche, grits, sausage gravy, biscuits, french toast with banana walnut maple syrup, fresh fruit, an array of salads, sliced roast beef, home fries...it was like Disney World for fat kids. They even had a "Filipino rice noodle dish" aka: pancit which was surprising to see as well. Not as good as my mama's but definitely a buffet bonus. The clear winners of the day were the fried chicken and the cheddar sausage gravy and biscuit. The dessert table had some mightly fine looking cakes, brownies, turnovers and other pastries but I only had enough room for a few bites of my dining mates chocolate pistachio pudding. My friends really enjoyed their Bloody Marys which had a great spicy, bold flavor. I prefer my drinks on the sweeter side so I was happy with my bellini with fresh fruit puree. Definitely a crowd pleaser!
(4)Mojdeh S.
How I heard of this place: An establishment in the heart of Clarendon village, amidst a block of establishments all owned by the same people is hard to miss. The Liberty Tavern is no exception. My husband and I made the assumption, on all of our walks past this joint that it was just like most other Arlington restaurants: lacking creativity and afraid to take risks with cuisine. It wasn't until I read about Liberty Tavern in the Arlington Magazine's Best Of issue that we decided to give it whirl. Type of cuisine: "The Liberty Tavern features modern American cuisine in its upstairs dining room and downstairs bar, along with a diverse wine list, creative specialty cocktails and a great selection of premium draft and bottled beer." Ambiance: "Located in a historic building in the heart of Clarendon...Our comfortable ambiance is enhanced by warm, hospitable service, and whether you're joining us for a round of drinks in the bar, a casual midweek supper with your children, or a special evening with friends and family, you're sure to feel at home. OUR NAME It's really not easy to choose a name for a restaurant. When we were about to get desperate, "The Liberty Tavern" was proposed, and we knew we had the right fit. The name is, in part, a tribute to Dominick Calabro, Stephen and Mark Fedorchak's beloved maternal grandfather, who owned and operated The Liberty Hotel and Bar in Northeastern Pennsylvania for nearly fifty years. Additionally, we feel the name "The Liberty Tavern" has a warm, timeless ring to it that reflects our aspirations of becoming a longstanding Clarendon destination." What I ordered: My husband was immediately intrigued by the stainless steel french press ($7), holding four cups of coffee, and placed an order for our table. After perusing the menu, we both decided to participate in the Brunch Buffet ($20.95 each), and were joined by our dining companion in time for all three of us to dig in. We ate everything from eggs scrambled with cream to country-style eggs, a bleu cheese, pear & prosciutto breakfast pizza, North Country applewood smoked bacon and breakfast sausage links to baked spiral ham, home fries with mixed peppers and country ham with red eye gravy and homemade biscuits, miniature yogurt & granola parfaits with a marionberry fruit compote, French toast, butternut squash & goat cheese quiche, house-smoked salmon with creme fraiche, Baked Mountain trout Almondine, marinated hangar steak, braised pork curry, fried chicken and a bacon-kale soup of the day. As if that weren't enough, we had our choice of several salads, including a spinach & red onion salad with goat cheese & toasted pine nuts in a red wine vinaigrette, a spinach, bacon & bleu cheese salad, traditional potato salad as well as mulled apple cider, a mixed bean cassoulet, chilled muscles in EVOO and lemon, cheesy stone ground grits and roasted carrots in orange butter. For dessert - yes, our buffet included a plethora of desserts - citrus poppyseed pound cake, chocolate pudding, blueberry buckle, double chocolate cupcakes, chocolate orange tarts, chocolate brownie bites, Noso pop tarts and white chocolate chip chocolate cookies. What I loved: From the dessert table: chocolate cookies with white chocolate chips. Of the main dishes, one of us most enjoyed the homefries, another loved the scrambled eggs, and I really (surprisingly) enjoyed the French toast. (I would have preferred real maple syrup, rather than maple-flavored corn syrup, but the thick-cut French toast was quite tasty on this Sunday afternoon.) Why I loved it: A ninety minute wait would have been too long to truly get a sense of enjoyment out of Liberty Tavern. I did love the cornucopia of options available to us - for breakfast, brunch and lunch at the buffet. I loved that the venue was bustling enough that the food was consistently fresh, being rotated every 10-20 minutes. It was perfect, too, sitting directly across from the buffet, as we could keep an eye out for the freshest options, and jump up when they were replenished. My favorite part: not feeling rushed! We sat for 90 minutes, and thoroughly got our money's worth as well as satisfied our hungry tummies. Cost: Average to high ($20.95 per brunch buffet)
(3)Darren N.
Thoroughly enjoyed my grilled octopus salad for lunch. The rapini was cooked long enough to reduce some of the bitterness, yet not too long as to lose the nice crunch of the stalk. Accompanied by a good assortment of pickled vegetables (carrots, onions, red bell peppers) and firm yet soft potatoes. Topped with several pieces of grilled octopus seasoned rather generously which balanced nicely when eaten with the rest of the dish. I was completely surprised to find such a well thought out and executed dish such as this here! Fairly priced at $11.95, I'm eager to try the rest of their menu!
(4)Cindy L.
Brunch is always, always good here. Great selection. Iced coffee sucks. I try not to think about how douchey it gets at night. Tried it once, never again. Brunch and brunch ONLY.
(4)Phoenix Simone W.
Came here for happy hour. The bartenders were really friendly and seemed to be well known by many people. Service was quick and they seemed very knowledgeable about the menu. I got a cheese plate because it's pretty rare to see them offered in a bar! Wasn't the greatest presentation, and the bread choice was interesting but it was good overall.
(4)Yassi K.
I always like to ask the waiter what they recommend particularly because they should have extensive knowledge of the menu. I was not disappointed at Liberty Tavern! I asked for a sour and slightly sweetened cocktail: Hennessey Daquiri...it's fan-freaking-tastic.
(5)Donna H.
Since words had it that President Barak Obama ate there, I assumed the place was delicious. I would say their appetizers were delicious, however, their entrees was disappointing. You can order appetizers and that should be enough. The appetizers were filling. It was a nice location considering it was in Clarendon, theres plenty of bars that you can jump to for after parties. Over all I would have to say the service was good and the appetizers definitely balanced out the menu.
(3)Ando M.
We'll probably be back to try their brunch but their dinner was slightly underwhelming. It got off to an outstanding start. We got the lamb ribs and arancini. The arancini was good but the tomato sauce that came with it was a little salty and overwhelmed the more delicate taste of the arancini. But whatever, the real hero here was the lamb ribs. I've never had lamb ribs before but from what I can tell it's basically crispy lamb flavored pork belly. It was crunchy, it was meaty and it was filled with a layer of amazingly near liquid fat. On it's own it would have been too much but it comes on a bed of yogurt sauce that really helps cut the fat and balance out the richness. The rest of the meal was sadly forgettable. The gnocchi was very average, the scallops were good but not amazing. The worst part of the meal though was the onion rings. Now I love onion rings, even crappy ones but these rings were overly battered just... bland and slightly doughy. I'd honestly rather have that onion ring tower at Red Robin and that's a pretty low bar if you think about it.
(3)Meredith V.
I had only been to Liberty Tavern until recently to drink and was pleasantly surprised to see it was more than just a bar. The food is excellent, which is to be expected since it is from the same owners as Lyon Hall. It has a nice, laid-back, gastro-pubby feel. Upscale food in a casual environment (I love places like this). I had the hangar steak salad, cooked to perfection (MR). The service was on point as well. This isn't just another rando restaurant to it, it's probably where the more mature (not Clarendon Ballroom crowd) would go for dinner and drinks.
(4)Sarah M.
Typically when people hear "brunch buffet" they generally think of overpriced and bland food that has been dried out sitting on hot plates all morning. As for Liberty Tavern in Clarendon this is certainly not the case. For $21 (*only on Sundays) you can select from a bountiful offering of fresh food both hot and cold. All the dishes are made with high quality ingredients and include interesting flavor combinations. In addition to the food, the restaurant also comes through in calling the buffet, "The Breakfast Table." My mom and I came here following mass down the street on a beautiful Sunday in May. We arrived without a reservation and were seated right away in the upstairs dining area. Other Yelpers highly recommend making reservations for brunch at LT but I think it depends upon the number in your party and timing. We lucked out it being just the two of us and 10AM. The upstairs offers an open-feel with high ceilings and plenty of light. Downstairs is more bar-like with lots of wood accents and high top tables. I spotted a swanky lounge area next to the bar that looks perfect for a night out with friends! There is a great deal of outdoor seating for when the weather is nice. We were seated by our delightful server, Sarah, who explained the buffet offering which we (obviously) opted to do. After she promptly poured our first cups of coffee (which she refilled regularly), we scouted out the buffet. There is something for everyone with the breakfast buffet: quiche, french toast with banana walnut maple syrup, homemade lox with all the fixings, yogurt and granola, scrambled eggs with or without apple smoked bacon, grits, home fries, skillet fried chicken, biscuits, breakfast pizza, sausage & bacon, a number of green and fruit salads, and so on. After enjoying one round of a little bit of this and a little bit of that, we went back for more. My favorite menu items were the quiche and the cheese and chive biscuits. One fantastic draw of the buffet option is the beautifully displayed table of sweet treats which includes cookies, brownies, muffins, scones, pudding cups, and even homemade pop tarts. My mom and I treated ourselves to the delicious lemon lavender cookies. LT is part of a restaurant family that includes Northside Social and Lyon Hall. Northside Social, diagonal from LT, is where a number of the sweet treats came from. All items are baked fresh daily. Overall LT had fast and friendly service, good food, and all at a great price. I look forward to coming here for drinks sometime soon.
(4)Ahran J.
4.5 I am posting just on the pizza and the bar. Man, i was lucky i was just in time for the happy hour without even knowing. I ordered hemington daiquari, which has grapefruit and lime and maraschino liquor and rum, and the combos were amazing. I wondered if lime and grapefruit would work together, and thet did. Similar but opposite citruses blend in to give this indepth flavor. I ordered prawn arugula pizza. Prawns were cooked perfectly but i wish the pizza had a bold ingredient. Needed salt and pepper too. Overall very good
(4)Ruth G.
I've had dinner here twice now, and both times I've been impressed with the food, service and ambiance. Portions are large, fresh bread is offered free of charge, and prices are really reasonable for such tasty food. My only small gripe is that both times I've found the ice cream to be lacking in flavor.
(5)Tyler R.
I've been here several times for brunch with my girlfriend and each time its been awesome. We sit upstairs and usually get their brunch buffet. A lot of the food items have been different every time we've gone but everything they make is really good and usually unique in some way. Only complaint I really have is that seating is kinda cramped. Last time I was there it seemed they've tried to space it out slightly but it's still fairly tight. One day I'm gonna try dinner here and based on what I've experienced so far I'm sure it won't be anything less than fantastic.
(4)Richard F.
It is in Arlington, so prices are a little high, but the food and service were up to snuff and we had a nice meal here.
(4)Drew S.
I'm here every couple of months for brunch or dinner and I am baffled as to why it doesn't have four stars or more. I've never had a bad experience and the food is always top notch.
(5)Elizabeth R.
I love going for brunch/summer lunch at Liberty Tavern and sitting outdoors - they have a nice selection of pizzas and items to share as well as individual platings - and some great appetizers. I love the octopus here - it comes in a really tasty dressing. The mac & cheese is VERY heavy - a small appetizer portion goes a long way.
(4)Hue K.
Good deli can get you big sandwich filled with quality meat and whatever you want. Liberty Tavern get you tasty sandwich with good beer and wine selections. Portion was pretty big. I had to take half of my sandwich to-go because I had a basket of fresh bread before my sandwich came out. Peanut soup reminded me of liquid peanut butter. if you are peanut butter maniac, you should try this. If I'm in Clarendon area and want to have good sandwich or pizza for casual lunch in high-end restaurant ambiance, I will definitely consider LT. PS: Don't miss out their bread. It's complimentary and awesome!
(4)Patrick O.
wonderful brunch Buffet love this place.
(5)Hudson L.
Best brunch in all of Clarendon! Maybe even all of DC. Kim usually serves the downstairs area and she's one of the best around. Make sure you ask for a manmosa (or 2) while you're there... basically a higher octane mimosa served in a pint glass instead of those tiny champagne flutes they have. Just don't go between 11-12 on Sunday mornings because that's when I usually go... and the wait's already long enough!
(5)Michelle G.
This is my husbands and my go to spot. Amazing brunch, especially if you sit at the bar with Jackie and the dinner will never let you down. Everything on the menu is good and the staff is friendly. An Arlington must!
(5)Kevin K.
Now in my more formidable years and straight through fatherhood, I would imbibe in a great cocktail a few too many, far too often with too much frequency. Since then the closest thing to a late weekday night would be carrying my child over to her room to ours because of a bad dream. Now I come to a classic watering hole in Arlington....I would say I rank Liberty at the top of the list for bars and food. The brunch is phenomenal it's an all you eat smorgasbord of great eats. The take out is fantastic and would recommend anything on the menus. The bar can get busy if you like crowds go during happy hours and the weekends, if you like quiet time where you can talk to one another at a low decibel then check out early week and late night during Mon, Tues, or Wed. Cheers and happy eats!
(4)Josh F.
I wish I could give 4-5 stars. The food was excellent -- skirt steak with bacon potato mix was delicious. The problem: had my parents visiting, made reservations for 8:15 PM (only time I could get them). We waited as our "table was being set" for 50 minutes or so. The hosts were apologetic. We were promised a complimentary toast and free appetizers for our wait. Those never came. So, we waited for 50 minutes after my reserved time and never received the promised incentive to stay. The food was great but that kind of service is too lackluster for the price we paid. Bar is generally pretty cool, albeit pricey for the area.
(2)Jenna L.
This review is for the brunch buffet. It was MLK day and I hit up this place because it was one of the few actually serving brunch. I'd never been here for anything prior, and I was pleasantly suprised, and now I'm excited to go back for happy hour or drinks. We didn't have reservations, but the hostess was able to find us a spot at the bar. The environment is really nice and chill. Lots of wood paneling, comfy bar stools, ect. Since getting the buffet was only a few dollars more than most of the entres, a friend and I went that route. There were so many options - pizzas with crazy topings, smoked bacon, eggs, pastries, hash, even steak and chicken wings. Some of the food was better than others, but on the whole, I really liked everthing I ate. Particularly the pizzas and the steak. My only complaint is that by noon (when we got it) most of the food was kind of cold and had clearly been sitting out a while. Still, I was really impressed with the service. Every time we got up to go the buffet, we came back to a refreshed cup of coffee and water (never even had to ask).
(4)Paula B.
The make the best manhattans in the area. The food is pretty good too. I don't come here too too often though, because the drinks are a bit pricey (although tasty).
(4)Karisa D.
Upstanding establishment in Clarendon. I like coming here for drinks. The bartenders are friendly and know how to create a delicious cocktail. It's always busy when I come, which to me is a good thing. I haven't yet had to wait too long for a table (no more than 5 minutes) and hopefully it stays that way. I really like the atmosphere; it's modern looking on the inside and the lounge/bar area is mixed with couches and high top tables. The middle high top table is fun to sit at because you get to mingle with the guests of the Tavern. I've yet to come here for food but it's on the list...
(4)Emily V.
This place was a treat! Great atmosphere, wonderful wine and really, really great food. Inventive choices with interesting sides. I had the asparagus and pea risotto and it was so flavorful. My party also sampled the skirt steak and pork chops and they said those were winners as well. Great staff and dessert and cheese course was to die for as well. I'll definitely be back.
(4)M M.
I love their fresh and seasonal dishes. Very good service, great wine. I've enjoyed their risotto and always order one of the (few) vegetarian dishes they have on the menu. So far, I haven't gone wrong. It is hard to find anything vegan though, so as much as I love the place, it might not be a great selection for vegans. Meat eaters have enjoyed their duck dishes as well as their calamari appetizer (the fried lemons are a treat). The brunch buffet seems to provide something for everyone. I loved it and like tasting a little bit here and there. I'm not sure I ate enough to justify the price, but it was worth the splurge. And you can always order from the menu for some great dishes.
(4)Sam S.
This is the only relatively normal bar in the Clarendon area, i.e. not blindingly filled with televisions for fratish sports fans. Moving here recently from New York City, I had high hopes that this would be one bar I could go to in the neighborhood that was something of a refuge from the trash that is Arlington. Sadly, it is not. You are better off taking a taxi to innumerable places in DC that are far more civilized, and much cheaper. This places is an average bar with astronomical prices bordering on robbery. The interior finish is relatively normal by world standards, but unique in a trashy place like Arlington. It feels like a normal bar, not a Disneyesque frathouse for children. The service is variable and inconsistent, but generally friendly. Patrons are late 20s to 40s, few under 25. There are a few televisions behind the bar. What is incredibly outrageous is the pricing and pretentiousness of what in most places would be an average establishment. I'm a fan of Hudson whiskey, which is slightly premium compared to other brands - usually $70 a fifth at nearly every liquor store in Manhattan. This particular whiskey is common in New York, not so in DC. Went on a date to this place, and got us this beverage. Got the check for a simple night out - $240. They charged me $30 a glass, with the weakest pours one can possibly imagine. The 1/2 fifth bottle, which retails for $35, was hardly finished. I paid $240 for about $20-25 worth of alcohol at the RETAIL price. That is an OUTRAGEOUS markup - easily almost 1000%. I've never paid more than $18 for this whiskey at very exclusive establishments in Manhattan. The staff couldn't have cared less. Suffice it to say, I will never be back.
(1)Bee C.
This place is crowded and trendy with really good food. The Vermont pizza and the duck pizza were amazing! I was pretty excited we had leftovers. We also got the beet salad that was really good.
(4)Elana G.
Trying to decide between 3 and 4 stars, so giving them the benefit of the doubt and going with 4. I've been here twice. The first time was for dinner. A friend and I split some mussels and fries and they were both good. I'd go back for the mussels, for sure. They were in some sort of delicious marinara sauce. There's not really much else to say about dinner, because that's all I had. The second time was for brunch. I'll give a list of what I tried: "cheesy" grits - Whatever this was, it was NOT grits. It was more like a risotto. It tasted ok but it was in no way, shape, or form, actual grits. curried cauliflower - couldn't taste the curried element but otherwise fine Biscuit - gross, probably the worst thing I had and only thing I didn't finish. Carved steak - Really freakin delicious - probably my favorite item on the buffet. I only took one small little piece, and then I went back for seconds because it was really good. Bacon - fine but not super crispy. Home fries - good, got a kick of spice to them. French toast - I've had better, but otherwise ok. Smoked salmon - it's smoked salmon so it's hard to mess up. mussels - I would have preferred if they were served hot Fruits - they cut their fruits really close to the rind (watermelon, canteloupe, honeydew) and some were not quite ripe. Fruit salads - good. I really liked the pineapple mint except it seemed they added some salt to it, which was weird. Pudding - too sweet, otherwise ok I didn't really delve into any of the other desserts, but they looked ok. I thought $20 was a fair price but it should have included at the very least a non-alcoholic beverage (coffee/tea/juice). I'm not really a brunch person, and I guess I'd have preferred to go to a place that served strictly breakfast items, but overall the brunch buffet was ok. So I'd certainly go back for dinner. I'd go back for brunch if others were going but I dunno if I'd make a trip there again of my own accord.
(4)Gabrielle M.
Ive been here at least a dozen times for drinks and the occasional pizza or snack, always pretty consistent. Definitely a busy spot on the weekends and difficult to find parking, but what do you expect for a great location like theirs in the heart of Clarendon? I enjoyed their brunch for the first time today and its definitely not the last time! $20 for the huge buffet with a huge variety of options & everything is kept fresh on the buffet. Went with a group of 7 girls for a birthday brunch (make reservations well in advance if you've got a large group) and it was a great atmosphere on the 2nd floor. My suggestions for improvement would be to offer a bottomless mimosa or bloody option (currently $5 a pop) and consider adding more egg options (only plain scramble or peppers & onion scramble available today)
(4)Gus M.
Food is VERY good but $$$$. I was shocked at the size if my Cuban sandwich in ratio to the cost. I'm hoping the pork was some exotic rare pig they found in the Andes. The beer tap selection is short but decent. Service is friendly ... The guys bartending are a bit too friendly ... And I noticed a lot of "grab ass" in public in-between shifts with the staff. Bartenders are almost slimy. Almost. Wait staff is fast. Hostess' are really really bad. No greeting and they bordered on smug ... AND at 5pm this place turns into a friggin' club. Lights dim and the music cranks up to 11. Crazy amount of noise. You can't even think much less talk to anyone.
(3)Courtney D.
I'm new to the area and have so far been terribly disappointed with Arlington restaurants - all form and no function in the food area, nothing on either count in service. But Liberty Tavern was a great surprise! Husband & I came for dinner at the end of an exasperating day of errand running. Service was warm & attentive, from the host to the server to the cocktail waitress. The place was hopping on a Saturday night, but they still managed to find us a sidewalk table within 10 minutes of arriving. Portions were reasonable - not overloaded like in my Midwestern home, and not insultingly puny like in the tapas & mezze joints that line Wilson & Clarendon. Prices were fair, quality of food was excellent, my drink (Hemingway Daiquiri) was strong & tasty (in dangerously right proportions) and the beer selection was exciting. I made a satisfying dinner of mussels (my favorite in town so far!) and pommes frites. Husband had the spaghetti alla chittarra with seafood and a spicy tomato sauce. Thank you for the half/full portion option! Half with a salad was perfect for him. So far, this is my favorite spot in the neighborhood.
(4)CitySmurf C.
We decided to give Liberty Tavern a try for our anniversary and it was excellent! We had a fantastic server (Sheryl) and really enjoyed the atmosphere of the dining room. We tried the arancini (good!), a small cheese plate (amazing!), the gnocchi (cooked just right and the ragu had a great sauce), and the skirt steak (perfect medium cook as requested)- everything was wonderful! The wine selection was quite nice too! We will definitely be going back here!
(4)zubin l.
I went with my cousins on a Saturday night and its definitely above a typical bar in terms of cocktails they serve. It's very rare to find ginger beer based drinks anywhere in US and they serve almost all of them. Dark N story, Moscow mule, etc were the drinks we tried and it was good. Its more of a bar/lounge than a night club and the service can be little spotty in terms of getting the servers attention. We had to go to the bar to inform that we needed a service of an attendant. In their defense, I would say that they were pretty busy that night.
(4)Bob W.
Consistently good. For me, this is a warm place to come with friendly staff. I have not had a bad meal here. When they first opened, they provided a remarkable bread basket that, with their well-flavored butter, was almost a meal in itself. I wish they would bring that back, or make it available as an entree. Yeah, I know, "Bread as an entree?" But yes, it was that good.
(4)K K.
TERRIBLE customer service. The woman "serving" us at the bar made us her last priority and was super SLOW. Awful. Their selection on weekends is really limited and generic (chicken reuben, etc.). I assume this is because they want you to buy their overpriced ($21) brunch of bacon and pastries (no alcohol included).
(1)Kelsey I.
Liberty's breakfast sandwiches are amazing. Their pizzas are also pretty good. In general, the place is full but not too crowded. It's nice to have a neighborhood place where you can grab a beer at 3pm on a Saturday and know that you weren't the only one with that idea.
(5)Iris T.
I think, if I could, I'd give The Liberty Tavern 3.5 stars. Unfortunately, Yelp doesn't allow half stars so I think I'd round down. Why? Ah, let me count the ways. 1. The food was decent - but honestly, I can't remember much about it. I remember it was, as Yelp would classify 3 stars, "a-ok." Nothing stood out as disgusting or as delectable so you know, nothing lost, nothing gained. 2. Buffet had a decent selection of food. Again, decent but not amazing. 3. The price was also not terrible: $20.95/person. I'm not sure if I'd say it's a great deal but like the theme of this review, it was decent. But what I did like about this place: 1. Location! Clarendon is one my favorite areas ever. 2. Atmosphere - definitely a great place to brunch and tons of seating area. I had fun sitting around, noshing on applewood smoked bacon while catching up with a friend. 3. Reasonably priced drinks - $5 for a mimosa. Now that's what I'm talking about! I'm not sure if I'll be back here any time soon for brunch but if I'm in the area and am with a group of friends, I think this would be a great place to get a drink, nosh, and chat.
(3)Joe F.
This review is only for the brunch. I found the service to be totally annoying, and also indifferent at the same time. Good trick!!! The brunch food is uneven, toward mid-day they let it get dried out. Its ok, but nothing to write home about.
(2)Lu D.
Liberty Tavern is one of the top restaurants in Clarendon. A fail-proof restaurant that remains a top option for a delightful dinner with friends, business, or for out of town guests. The staff are always pleasant, the food cooked with technique, and the ambience typical Clarendon: mid career professionals. I highly recommend their fish options. Their brunch on Saturday and Sunday is absolutely phenomenal: various cold salads, eggs, waffles, fried chicken, roast beef, roasted potatoes, shrimp cocktail..the options go on and on and on. Plenty for vegetarians and carnivores which isn't common much these days. A must.
(4)Robert T.
Best brunch in the area, hands down. The thing that keeps me coming back is that while the brunch menu does not vary much, they still manage to surprise you with a few new additions while retaining all the favorites. Liberty Tavern is incredibly convienent and has a great location. I would recommend this to anyone in Clarendon who is looking to do something special on a Sunday morning. I will come back as long as they are open.
(5)John E.
Always busy, make reservations. Food is good, drinks are expensive. Good date place.
(3)Sara E.
Fun place to eat and drink. Good music, pool tables, shuffle board. Had a good time. Friendly Staff
(5)Tom F.
Really like the menu upstairs and the servers are friendly and helpful,
(4)Roll T.
I'm really beginning to question the whole Virginia sucks anthem that seems to revolve around in the heads of all people within the District. And by question, I actually mean I flat out disagree with the conclusion. Let's do a running tally, shall we? Pho? Arlington wins Burgers? Arlington wins Kabobs? Arlington wins Chinese Food? Arlington wins Korean Food? Annandale wins Indian Food? Fairfax wins What does this have to do with Liberty Tavern's bar? Just this: Girls? Arlington wins... and it's not even close. In fact, out of everything I listed above, probably the greatest disappointment in DC is just how much more attractive people are in Arlington as opposed to my neighborhood (Capitol Hill).* It isn't just a Hill thing either. I felt the same way when I lived on U Street and when I lived in Columbia Heights. Only Logan Circle and Foggy Bottom compare to Clarendon and Courthouse in this rather important category (or Eastern Market during lazy summer afternoons on the weekend, but I suspect that most of the people I see in my own neighborhood during that time are not from the Hill). Does this mean I'm just some yuppie asshole? Probably. It doesn't change the conclusion. There are other good things about Liberty Tavern. And by other good things I mean the beer list is pretty impressive. You'll find quite a few microbrews on draft, but some of the most interesting selections can be found on the bottle list. I can't really talk too much about the wine list but it appears to be quite popular here as well. Of course, Liberty Tavern is probably best known for their brunch. Probably the best treatment of the brunch at Liberty Tavern can be found in Hyunoo P.'s review, but I'll just say that Liberty's food is sinfully delicious for a tavern. It's actually worth a trek from DC simply to eat the brunch. With places like Ray's the Steaks, Kabob Palace, PX, Hell Burger, Rhodeside Grill, and Liberty Tavern, it can just be assured that I won't discount Virginia. It's okay to cross the river, folks. Virginia isn't as bad as you want it to be. * actually, the biggest disappointment is the District's crappy Indian food. Yes, I'm including your precious Rasika.
(4)Meagan F.
Pretty good. Love the space.
(4)Scott S.
Great food, amazing brunches, and great staff. Can be crowded and noisy in bar, and crowded upstairs for food, but still worth the experience.
(5)Karen V.
Do you like amazing DJ's? Are you tired of the frat house that is Clarendon? Do you like alcohol? If so, you might like The Liberty Tavern. The DJ on Friday nights, "Jay One" is pretty badass. The bar service is attentive, despite how crowded it gets. I have heard the brunch is good, and will be trying it out soon. However, since I have not had the food yet, the four stars are for the DJ! :D
(4)Karen L.
Really like this place. I've been as part of a large group and also a group of 2. Both times I enjoyed the food and thought the service was solid. I like how they offer half sizes of their entrees, and their salads are like a meal. The drink menu is great but the dessert menu leaves a lot to be desired. Rosemary Pine Nut Tart with Olive Oil Smoked Sea Salt Ice Cream? There's just too much going on with that one.
(4)Angel W.
The best part of Liberty Tavern is the ambience on the second level. This is definitely a nice, cozy place to meet friends for dinner and it usually trumps all other Clarendon restaurants when my group of friends is coming to a consensus on a restaurant. Some things to note: 1) It can be difficult to get a reservation. Liberty Tavern worked to accommodate us at a more reasonable dinner hour after a few phone calls throughout the day. 2) Despite having a reservation, plan to wait 20 minutes to be seated. This has been the case every time I have made a reservation. 3) Service is a bit slow. This is the type of restaurant where the server shows up immediately and takes your drink order and then disappears for long periods of time in between all of the other courses. We have never finished drinks, dinner and dessert in less than two hours. 4) The worst part about being on the second level is that the restrooms are located on the first level at the back of the restaurant which means you have to walk through the drunkards to get to the two-stall bathroom, which is always full. 5) Also, watch the staircase. Someone fell down them while we were there. The wood on the steps is a blonde color and the end of one stair blends into the next step so it's difficult to differentiate one step from the next. The food is just okay and can be hit or miss. Drinks: Grapefruit Savant - Smirnoff Citrus Vodka, St Germain, Galliano, Grapefruit, Sage. My friend said this drink was really good. It was in a really small glass. Stella - was not very cold. The glasses/mugs could stand to be chilled. Entrees and Salads: Apple/Endive Salad - Great Hill blue, spicy pecans, buttermilk dressing, smoked bacon, tarragon. Two of us ordered the same salad. My friend had ordered this before and really enjoyed it but this time both of us thought it was too bitter. Tavern Salad field greens - breakfast radish, red wine vinaigrette. Just your ordinary salad. Housemade Gnocchi - Gnocchi with meadow mushrooms, Umbrian black truffle, sage, arugula, LT Ricotta Salata. I thought this was too rich. Pineland Farms Skirt Steak* potato champ, scallion butter, Dubliner cheese, house bacon, Guinness steak sauce. My friend wanted to come back to Liberty Tavern because the skirt steak was so memorable from our last dining experience at Liberty Tavern; however, this time she thought it was just okay. Buttermilk mashed potatoes. Your typical mashed potatoes. Potato champ, house bacon - a potato cooked and served in a skillet. This is another example of a dish that was well liked during our last visit but did not hit the mark this time. Desserts: Banana Anadama Bread Pudding - Roasted Banana Ice Cream, Toffee Sauce. This is the one dish that was raved about. My friend wished she ordered this as the main course. Housemade Ice Cream/Housemade Sorbet. I had a scoop of peanut butter ice cream (a little too icy and not enough peanut butter) a scoop of apricot sorbet (tangy) and a scoop of pear sorbet (which tasted just like a pear, it was uncanny!). Again, nice ambience, food is okay.
(3)Yan W.
An absolutely amazing all you can eat brunch. I loved the variety of the dishes and the dessert was phenomenal. True, the roast beef could be a little salty, but the other staples - eggs, bacon, and so forth are perfect. The staff continuously brings out more goodies, so the supply levels always meet demand. I highly recommend getting a reservation, since the wait can be ridiculous. Parking can also be hard to find. Would definitely recommend metroing in, if convenient.
(4)Mia N.
I trusted Yelpers yet again as well as Washingtonian magazine. This brunch had a lot of nice selections, but unless you get the food as soon as the servers bring it out then the food is going to be very cold. I couldn't eat after one plate, but since it cost $20 per head I forced myself to get another plate to get my money's worth. The fried chicken was cold and hard. The pork was tasteless. The only thing that was good was the eggs and grits, but I can eat that at home, and it will be HOT! The restaurant set-up is not built for a traditional buffet with built in hot steam heating food constantly so this food tasted like leftovers. The desserts tasted like they were old cut up pieces of packaged and processed poppy lemon pound cake or pumpkin/ginger bread [like from the Giant bakery]. I am sure the regular entrees served during lunch and dinner may be good, but when Washingtonian magazine proclaims this place as having one of the best brunches in town, then you expect it....I will never return and waste my money on this brunch. Plus it was so noisy. I never heard so many excited Yuppies in one place eating such cold and tasteless food. This place is for the chi chi set of young people who like to waste their hard earned money on drinks and wanting to be seen in what they deem as a cool bar.
(2)Dominic Y.
I went to this place for dinner last night. It was my first time there. I have to say I was impressed. The menus was great and the wine list was also. It had a very nice atmosphere.
(4)Mai T.
Have been here before for brunch which was a pleasant surprise. The coffee is a french press but the beans they use have great dark flavor. Good variety of entrees and pastries for brunch. Today we went for lunch. The grilled octopus salad consisted of pickled vegetables and large tentacles of grilled octopus. I thought the grilled flavor was good but the octopus seemed to be overdone. The pickled onions and broccolini was a good complement to the charred and somewhat bland octopus. One of the kids had the cooked salmon entree which was nothing special. Another had the pasta with red sauce but did not like it as the sauce was kind of bland. My kids love flavor and love my cooking since I use a lot of garlic. So Liberty Tavern, please note that there are kids that are discernible eaters. A plus was a kid's order of Fried Shrimp which had just the right amount of coating. Surprisingly, there was more than enough shrimps for a kid the size of an Oompa Loompa. The mussels were good in a tomato based broth with a tad of spiciness. Service was great and place is kid friendly. Highly recommend it.
(4)J K.
Great food made more enjoyable by a very helpful and knowledgeable wait staff. If you're not sure about a wine or a beer they'll happily take the time to provide you with a sample. We ate upstairs late on a Friday night. Only distraction was the decibel level downstairs in the bar made it hard to hold a conversation. Would definitely return.
(4)Erik F.
I've been here for multiple dinners and brunches and this place continues to deliver the goods. Most recently I went for brunch and Liberty did not disappoint again! The house-smoked salmon, trout almandine, shrimp cocktail, marinated flank steak, cheese grits, eggs, biscuits & gravy, quiche and fried chicken were fantastic. The fried chicken was crispy on the outside, moist on the inside and full of good flavor. The quiche was creamy with gruyere and a nice salty counterbalance of soppressata. The flank steak was super flavorful and cooked perfectly. The service was attentive and thorough--given our group of 10, including four children, this was greatly appreciated. Timing was attentive without being disruptive. Another visit and another killer meal!
(4)David G.
LT is yet another "Modern American Cuisine" restaurant in Clarendon. And never mind a dead cat, you can't swing a dead FLEA without hitting one of those in the Clarendon-Courthouse-Roslyn corridor. (Wonder where that saying about swinging dead cats came from?) I'm fairly convinced that "Modern American Cuisine" means putting 30 or 40 slips of paper in a hat, each with a ingredient written on it, and pulling out 4 maybe 5 for a dish. The chef here does this schtick better than most, but I stick to the bar area and stick to the pizzas. A lovely crust with nicely thought-out toppings. Some of his pasta creations work well, too. The best is on Monday nights, when they offer a great fried chicken dinner "while supplies last". The meaty juicy chicken parts are lightly coated and delicately fried. It comes with a rotation of sides, which I mostly ignore, and a true buttermilk biscuit. I find the upstairs too cramped and crowded, trying to put too many tables in too small a space. As I said, I stick to the bar, where I find some great workerbees. Always engaging, when they're not overwhelmed. The place does get busy and does it get loud! With all the hard surfaces and nothing to absorb the noise, it almost has to, and that's just when the place is only 1/3rd full. Good place, not a great place, and certainly nothing unique going on here. If you like their particular staff members, its a fun joint.
(3)Mrs J.
Good food, great service, and a short walk from the office make The Liberty Tavern my new favorite upscale lunch spot. Can't wait to try them for dinner.
(4)Lizette A.
This is a great place to meet people for brunch. The brunch buffet is EXCELLENT, but make sure you make a reservation no matter what size your party is. The place gets packed around 11am-2pm. The buffet has a great variety of brunch and lunch entrees: mussels, eggs, sausages, smoked salmon, baked sweets, grits, french toast- don't forget to try the mulled cider!
(4)Brooke S.
Love the staff super friendly and smart with great stories. Pizza is on point and other dishes looked great. Fun crowd that is not too young as Clarendon can tend to be.
(4)Stephanie M.
YUM. I went for dinner during restaurant week a month or two ago. And it was DELICIOUS. Originally, we were waiting on the third member of our party before they would seat us upstairs, since we had reservations. But the hostess was accommodating and finally sat us. The waiter was AWESOME. He was knowledgeable and attentive, without feeling like he was hanging over us or just working for a tip. We asked him about various beers and wines, and he was great with suggestions that were paired with our foods. When we asked suggestions on food, he explained each of them thoughtfully, how they were made, and what all went into each dish. And his suggestions were right on! We all LOVED our meals, and for three courses on restaurant week, the price was good. One night when I want a little fancier meal I will be back.
(5)CC L.
One of the best meals I have had in a very long time. Service was perfect. That is all.
(5)Helen U.
First time patron at the Liberty Tavern and was not disappointed. Staff did a great job taking care of our table. Food was well-presented, served hot and promptly. Food quality was fine for this type of restaurant - kind of a creative mix of American and Continental fare. We lingered over our beers after eating and did not feel rushed. We made reservations and asked to eat upstairs, which I recommend due to the noise decibel coming from the bar area downstairs. They put on a thriving happy hour! Another plus is the location...a short walk from the Clarendon metro.
(3)Jack S.
I went back today. The lobster roll was tasty and priced well. Service was slow as hell though... up to two stars in my book. Oh, and the hosts don't have their crap together. When we called on monday, they said reservations weren't needed and not recommended for friday lunches. When we got there today, we were told they were recommended but they would fill us in.
(2)Tony M.
this place is just wrong. nasty manager almost got me arrested. the workers there they got physical and stole my cell phone. very disappointing.
(1)Beautiful D.
Came here after getting some recommendations for anniversary dinner. I was hoping to be wow'ed but this was just ok. Were hoping for lively atmosphere but the place was dead the evening we came. The waiter was very cocky - i thought it was high and he made me very uncomfortable. The food was ok - nothing to write home about but not bad. I won't come back.
(3)Gregg B.
Best comment is we are coming back in a month for our youngest son's birthday. Good advice -- if noise bothers you, make reservations so you can get upstairs. Much more "food friendly". And the food is worth enjoying. Two can get out for under $100. We split an appetizer & didn't have any room for desert. Looking forward to the summer menu. We started with the Frito Misto -- lots of food! The fried lemons were fantastic. Oysters were good as well. My wife had the veal, again very good, The 'less great' item was I had the Shortrib which was good, not great, but it 3 - 4 star level. Waiter was friendly, good suggestions, attentive. All in all, very good -- we'll be back.
(4)Christina H.
Brunch buffet was amazing. Immediately, I was presented with a choice: go for standard fare or literally fill my plate with delicious but new-to-me items? Choice #2: strawberry, goat cheese, and arugula salad, jalapeno cheddar biscuits covered with addicting gravy of some kind, etc etc. Then, there was a dessert table. For breakfast. Then, they added candy bowls to the dessert table. Drinks are separate and not included in breakfast, price for kids is terrific (there was bacon, eggs, french toast, and brownies, what's not to love?). Only problem was tight tables made it difficult to get up and down to go to buffet. Go. It's amazing.
(4)jenny m.
Great spot for brunch (I've not been for lunch/dinner or just drinks yet). I was here with a friend on Sunday around noon. Luckily we'd made reservations because the place was packed and a bunch of people were waiting. I love that they even take brunch reservations - very few brunch places in Chicago ever did and you always had to wait. Which is why I rarely went for brunch when I lived there! We sat upstairs right by the buffet. And while I was soooo incredibly tempted by it, I resisted the urge to overeat this time and ordered a la carte. I had a white cheddar, spinach, and wild mushroom omelet that was fantastic. Seriously one of the better omelets I've had in recent memory (they had me at the mushrooms though, I love em). That and a side of their crispy & delicious home fries and I was sufficiently stuffed. My dining companion did the buffet though and her plate was chock full of goodies. The selection on the buffet is pretty amazing - everything from your typical breakfast foods, to mussels, shrimp, pizza, salad, you name it and I think it was offered. And they have a separate table for all the sweet goodies - it looked deadly (as in I gained a lb just eyeing it up). Service was good and the water boys were on point. Man I like a place that knows when you are drinking coffee/tea and/or bloodies/mimosas, you need to keep us hydrated. Kudos for never letting my glass be half full for long! I for sure will be back for brunch. And I'll make sure next time I don't eat much the day before so I can indulge in the buffet and not feel guilty!
(4)Kristine B.
Made reservations from brunch and after waiting 15mins for our table, we decided to sit downstairs in the bar area. Food was good, but not worth the wait or the poor management of reservations. Not sure if I would go back or recommend it. There are a lot of other good brunch places in the area.
(3)Michelle M.
Yummy salads and drinks. The perfect spot to catch up with friends for dinner.
(4)Nicole R.
I absolutely LOVE Liberty Tavern. The weekend brunch table here can't be beat. Yes, it's pricey (I think it's $19) but Liberty goes so above and beyond typical brunch fare that it really is worth it. We've come here often for dinner as well and love indulging in their cheese plate and amazing wine selection and their fresh, inspired specials. One of my favorites was a mouthwatering cioppino that was chock full of perfectly spiced, fresh seafood in a herby-tomato broth. Just incredible! Service is always great but consider yourself warned: Liberty is usually packed, so you'll want to make reservations for sure!
(4)Gina K.
Reservations were made for 10:30 on Sunday. It may look empty when you first walk in at that time but crowds will soon follow. If you're looking for quiet, sit downstairs away from the buffet spread as long as you don't mind trekking upstairs to get your refills of what tickles your fancy. I was really impressed with the offering they had. They had a carving station with a choice of roast or ham, pizza, pasta, shrimp cocktails, an assortment of breakfast pastries, grits, biscuits and gravy, quiches, caesar and a lovely strawberry spinach salad with walnuts. There's quite a lot of variety that should please even the pickiest of eaters. French press was wonderful. The roast was good. I only wish they took their time in reloading the press so the grinds wouldn't escape into my cup. But rich and deeply enjoyable nonetheless. Solid!
(4)Juliet K.
delishhhh... came here with a reservation which i'm glad we had one because it was quite busy. we were in a group of 6 and did family style on pretty much everything. Food: Duck Smorgasbord - most of the stuff on here i liked. foie gras was just ok. Skillet Roasted PEI Mussels - freaking delicious!!! and it was yummy dipping the bread in the sauce. Crisp Polyface Pork Belly - yummy. but i really love pork belly so maybe i am biased. Dry Rubbed Filet Mignon - it was good and cooked well, but i liked the fish dishes a lot more. Bluefish - a little bit overcooked in my opinion but still very tasty. Salmon - very yummy. Autumn Squash Risotto - a bit overloaded on the butter, but other than that the flavor was awesome. loved the squash, and i loved how they cooked the risotto. most places keep It way too aldente for me, but this was perfect. great wine selection!! would definitely come back.
(4)Stephanie R.
Always good. Great services and tasty food. Great cocktails, beer and wine selection. Mildly obsessed wi the Vermont pizza. Warm and inviting.
(4)Elizabeth C.
Love this place. The food is good and happy hour is fun. My husband and I have had multiple parties there. The staff were really great about being flexible with the timing, even when we asked to push our party start time back by an hour 3 days before an event. It can get pretty crowded in there, but you know what you are getting yourself into when you walk in the door.
(5)Michi R.
Bartenders are great. They don't need to ask your name, see your cc & immediately refer to you by your name. Great service. Even when totally packed.
(4)Jelli F.
The whole menu is good, but go for brunch. (And sit upstairs if you want to actually hold a conversation with your party)
(4)J G.
Everyone should experience the brunch buffet here at least once in their lifetime. I haven't had this good a brunch in... well, ever! The coffee here is to die for. Servers were very attentive too. Hope to come back soon!
(5)Natalie K.
I'm not going to lie, I was nervous when a friend said they wanted to go to dinner at Liberty Tavern. My only experience was with the absurdly crowded bar on several different occasions. I would struggle to get to the bar, order a drink, pay and get away from the bar without being smushed and being wholly uncomfortable. Not a relaxing bar experience. That being said, who knew there was an elegant and spacious upstairs? We got an early dinner and sat upstairs at a booth to accommodate the six of us. Our waiter was attentive and knowledgeable of the menu. We all ordered drinks (good cosmo!) and our meals. My friends ordered different kinds of steak which they all could not speak highly enough about. I ordered the gnocchi (being a vegetarian) and I was ecstatic that they could accommodate my dietary restrictions. The full order of gnocchi was a great dinner portion and the dish including butternut squash, brussel sprouts, mushrooms, brown butter and house ricotta was fresh and delicious. We were celebrating two birthdays and not only were they treated to dessert, but we were not rushed through our dinner at all and were allowed to stay and enjoy the ambiance. After we all saw that the birthday boys got the Housemade Ice Cream & Sorbet for dessert almost all of us ordered the same thing. A friend also ordered the Triple Chocolate Tart and loved it. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and would absolutely go back for dinner... probably not for drinks at the bar though. I enjoy my personal space.
(4)J P.
I went here for brunch and it was just meh. Mediocre food, not great service. Wouldn't really recommend. There are plenty if other places in the area for a better brunch.
(2)Trisha H.
Everything we ordered here was great. I got the apple cider cocktail with whiskey which was delicious for the wintery time of year. We also ordered a couple of cheeses, and we were happy with the waitress's descriptions and their tastes once we tried them. I ordered one of their pastas, the tagliatelle, which was just slightly spicy but very creamy. We also ordered the duck smorgasbord which was a thrill for the tastebuds. Lastly, we got two desserts, the Liberty candy bar, which was amazing and actually tasted like a homemade caramelly candy bar, and the pumpkin coconut ice cream sandwich, where the ice cream was the star. All in all a surprisingly delicious experience was had at Liberty Tavern and I would definitely recommend my friends to go there soon!
(4)Alexandra H.
The mushroom pizza was AMAZING! A great little spot.
(4)Lia M.
My first brunch in the area - yay! The Liberty Tavern does a nice brunch with a strong mimosa. Strong mimosas are key - nothing like a little "hair of the dog." Service was outstanding - extremely friendly, professional, and the right amount of attentiveness. I feel that they truly appreciated my patronage. Food was good, though not fabulous. I chose the buffet option, which had a nice variety. The smoked salmon was my favorite part - it was a whole salmon, and you cut your piece from it. Absolutely delicious, along with the crostini and capers. I also liked the French toast, and was sad I did not get to try the fried chicken. But I will be back for brunch, and will be sure to try it then.
(3)Sonya M.
I can't speak enough good things about this place. I've been on a couple dates there, and although the guys are no longer around, my love for this place persists. First, the beer and wine selection is awesome, and feature some great local brews. I've never been disappointed. The food is mighty tasty and I'm a fan of their pizzas, which are big enough to feed two people. My dates' usually ordered pasta (ironically) and their risotto is delicious, but a bit creamy for my taste. I love roasted brussels sprouts (very underrated vegetable) as a side, and I was so happy that it was on their menu. My only gripe with LT is the seating. They really try to squeeze you in. I was on a date and I thought that if the next table was any closer, they might as well join our conversation/first date awkwardness.
(4)Billy P.
Interesting food, a bit noisy, but great energy. If you find yourself in Clarendon, do yourself a favor and stop by for dinner.
(4)Nick H.
Early this year, I went to the Liberty Tavern's sister restaurant Lyon Hall in Arlington. Since that dining experience, I had been dying to go back to Lyon Hall but also to try the Liberty Tavern. This past weekend, I had the luxury of finally visiting the Tavern, and it was equally amazing. The Tavern differs from the Hall and other fine dining establishments in Arlington in that it acts as both a regular casual drinking hole as well as a formal dining locale. On the first floor, you can watch sports on the big screen tvs while drinking beer, wine, or whatever liquor tickles your fancy. And if you're there to dine, then you can head upstairs to the second floor (after making reservations because the restaurant is so popular) to eat at a very finely decorated dining room. As for the food itself, it was so incredibly delicious. I tried the fried shrimp and clams as an appetizer and the pork belly and beer cheddar sausages as my entree. Both were incredible, with the pork belly being the best pork belly I've ever eaten. The texture and combination of flavors on the plate burst in my mouth the entire meal and I was astounded by the taste of the food. As with Lyon Hall, I simply cannot wait until the next time I get an opportunity to dine at either of these fine Arlington restaurants!
(5)Kirt K.
After grueling Marine corp Marathon..10k. Bunch of us came here for the breakfast buffet and was not disappointed. The natives were becoming restless bc we had to hike additional 1.5 miles from the finish line to get here but I can say with certainty that we gained more calories than we burnt from race and everyone left satisfied. For around $25 the selection is vast and delicious. You have your standard eggs, good quality bacon and smoked salmon but you also get breakfast pizza with over easy eggs on top and steamed mussels. I highly recommend reservations or take your chances at the bar.
(4)Alan W.
Been here once for a friend's birthday. The dishes I had was well made. Service was okay. I will go back when I get a chance. Overall 4 stars.
(4)art f.
Great Restaurant week dinner - choice of any 3 courses. I went with the grilled octopus (no one does it better), rock fish (neglected regional specialty), and a cheese course. Service was excellent. The wine list offered an very good Alborino at a very good price. One place in VA where it's worth coming out of DC for the meal. Excellent service - prompt, sound advice, engaging but professional.
(5)Lauren S.
We've enjoyed Liberty Tavern for a while, but it has jumped to the top of our dining list now that I have had to go dairy-free. We've been in twice in the past couple months and had great service both times. I'm embarrassed to say that I've forgotten our male server's name, but I think it may have been Neil. On our second visit, he remembered me and that I needed dairy-free options. He worked with the chefs to present me with what options were available to me as-is, and what substitutions could be made. The first time, we also had the pleasure of help from Catherine, who herself has a dairy allergy and was incredibly attentive to our table and my meal (including giving additional directions when my order was put in and dropping by the table to let me know what I could eat from the bread basket before I had a chance to ask). Catherine wasn't even our primary server! I love that I can come to Liberty Tavern, have a choice of tasty meals (still went with spaghettis both times - one with lamb and a goat ricotta and one with a variety of seafood), and get careful, attentive service. What a relief!
(4)Alli F.
Nice place to go to brunch. Nothing out of this world on the menu or on the buffet but if you are with a group and do not want the hassle of everyone taking forever to order this is a good place to go. The buffet will have something that everyone will like even if it is not the best food in Arlington.
(3)Madelyn C.
I've been here a few times. Really good food. Nice Sunday brunch. Really nice - and you can order a la carte or choose the brunch buffet.
(4)Alex L.
This is by far my favorite restaurants in the Clarendon area. The food has always been great, the beer selection is amazing, and I've been able to hear the person I'm dining with. It can be pricey but the food is always high quality and the local ingredients are worth it. The pizzas are always a good choice for happy hour, but if Branzino is on the menu that is always my go to. There is usually at least on great vegetarian option, in the spring they have an amazing pea risotto. The staff are a friendly as it gets, something most places in the area can't say. It's my go to place for a great meal and excellent services.
(4)Anpan W.
Apparently everyone loves this place at lunch. We were seated after, with, and before several groups of 10. The noise got to me, so I asked to be moved downstairs. Then a family with a young boy and a baby was sat near us and I asked for the check. Why do people bring babies to bars? Our drinks and app arrived timely and were good. Liberty Tavern has a decent preppy business guys staring at women vibe, maybe popular with UVa grad ex-sorors. The Maitre d' and the host were lovely.
(3)Saangiit S.
Have tried the weekend bottomless brunch here which is just superb! Everything is good and there are plethora of options. Make sure you reserve beforehand as it is difficult to find a place even a day or two earlier.
(4)Emily H.
I stopped by for some drinks on a Sunday evening before heading over to a friends house for dinner. I was impressed with the hostesses and the our waiter was just as welcoming. We ordered drinks from their cocktail menu and they were a good sized for the right price - I ordered the Manhattan and my husband ordered The Pursuit of Happiness. The drinks were true to their descriptions. When I was ready to move on to the next beverage, our waiter gave me some recommendations but I had to say true to my summer drink, Stoli Razz vodka and soda water. Granted it is tough to mess up the vodka and soda drink but it was made perfectly: a light background raspberry flavor with a slight fizz. We ordered some fries from the bar. The dish came with three dipping sauces - ketchup, a creole tasting creamy dip and then an asian style dip. I wasn't a huge fan of the asian dip because it was too thin and runny. As I mentioned here earlier, our waiter was great! He was talkative but not in an intrusive way. He was just being friendly. I think next trip would be to eat brunch at Liberty Tavern....
(4)Jaye V.
Stay clear of the menu outside of normal lunch and dinner hours. For Saturday late lunch eats, I give LT 2 stars, when typically I would give it 4.5 stars. The menu is limited off hours, and there must be someone different cooking in the back than normal. The only issue typically I have with LT's food is that sometimes a dish can be way overly salted. This time the food we ordered completely *lacked* salt. So, from the limited menu, we ordered the fried Gulf shrimp and Ipswitch clams small plate. I've had this dish before at dinner and once it was perfect and the other time too salty. This time, like I said, no salt at all. And fried smelts (small fish) were substituted for the clams. And fried celery root was added. Um. Yeah. Without even letting us know - they just were set down on our table, no explanation. As if it was expected it'd be okay. [I just checked their lunch and dinner menus online, and the lunch one says shrimp, smelts, celery root, and calamari...and the dinner one says shrimp and clams. Either way, we got jacked.] We also ordered the Sardinian pizza, which was supposed to have smoked lamb on it. The lamb was really pork. There was supposed to be chilies on it. Nope. Again, no explanation. [Online lunch menu doesn't include this pizza btw.]
(3)Hope H.
This was a great choice. The server went above the call of duty and food was mostly excellent. A little disappointed with the tasso hushpuppies, didn't taste the tasso at all and dry. Amish chicken was delish.
(4)Jesse P.
Everything a tavern experience should be. I suggest you order as many of their appetizers as possible. Pros: local beer on tap, seasonal ingredients, great pizzas, servers, value Cons: bar downstairs is very loud I'm not the kind of guy who wants to go out for one radish and a single scallop in celery root puree with snooty servers, but I also don't want an enormous plate of food with so many bites that all thought is lost. Liberty finds that happy medium and meets my tastes on all counts. My first visit, a few months ago, was so good I have thought about it since. We started out with grilled octopus with pomegranate salad and venison pot pie. The octopus was tender, charred, the best I've had (admittedly, it was the third time I've had it but I"m a huge fan). The venison pie was salty and full of flavor, VERY heavy for an appetizer. You might want to split it between four. Our second visit, tonight, in the depths of winter the night before valentines day, was not spectacular but solid. To my disappointment, the kitchen was out of "salmon lasagne" but we had the special which was a salad with goat cheese, beets, arugula, and smoked macadamia nuts, and for appetizers crispy fried shrimp and Ipswich clams with aioli, a peanut soup with wild boar sausage and some sort of pickled vegetable (it was delicious, tomato?) and croutons, and we split the fried chicken entree which came with a small biscuit, mashed potatoes, and chard sauteed in lots of butter and salt. The shrimp and clams tasted very fresh and were very crispy, but with the mild chili infused aioli were good but not great. Although lemons were sent out, they were also fried. Why fry the lemons, am I missing something? I guess it was meant to be cool and look great but if I were to order it again, I would get the lemons raw and squeeze over the seafood. The beet goat cheese orange arugula salad was nice, and the flavors worked really well together. The macadamia nuts (there were about 6) did not have any smoked flavor, but were clearly roasted. But we couldn't help but feel it could be easily made in the home kitchen with no cooking, combining good ingredients from a supermarket. We felt like we had to order the peanut soup since we live in Virginia and my wife is from Georgia- it came with two slices of wild boar sausages that had a really interesting spice profile with perhaps juniper and cinnamon? I felt it worked really well but my wife found it odd. The fried chicken had very, very delicious texture and flavor to the crust, but was absolutely overcooked. Strangely, the breast was served boneless and was very dry. I wonder if it is possible to fry a boneless chicken breast perfectly juicy? The dish was served with a gravy which was heavily tasting of onions and VERY sweet. It helped the chicken breast portion, but was just too sweet for us.
(4)Chrystina Z.
Went here for Sunday brunch. Good place for picky eaters. Both the scrambled eggs with cream and eggs with veggies were good. I also sampled "the meats" (bacon, sausage, ham, and turkey). Enjoyed the assortment of grains from french toast, pancakes, muffins, breads, etc. They had smoked salmon, which I don't eat, but looked pretty with capers and other garnishes on the side. Ordered some mimosa-type drink, but instead of OJ it was grapefruit. Tasty. Definitely a good deal for the $18 brunch. And the buffet presentation gave me new ideas for using my Le Creuset pots :)
(4)Kristin H.
I LOVE going to Sunday brunch at Liberty. It is reasonably priced at 17 or it might be 18 now for what they call their Breakfast Table. They have your breakfast essentials like eggs, bacon, french toast, smoked salmon, sausage, potatoes, as well as pizza and savories like fillet of beef or pork loin, depending on the Sunday. It gets pretty busy though so you have to get there early if you want a good table. Went there for dinner for the first time last night and will definitely be returning. I discovered there half price wine till 7, which is a great deal My husband had their mojito which had cucumber in it and he is still talking about it the next day! To start we had the Crispy Shrimp/Ipswich Clams, fennel, lemon, smoked Spanish paprika-lemon aioli ......................... 9, which I am sad to say was kind of a disappointment. Wouldn't recommend it. Main course made up for it 10 fold though. I had the *Duroc Pork Chop, teardrop tomato/LT bacon confit, local squash with creamy goat cheese potato soufflé, smoked ham hock-mustard seed jus ..................................................Â................... 22 and it was amazing. Sooo good. Perfect portion as well. I would highly recommend this dish.
(4)Clare C.
My husband and I went here during Winter 2011 Restaurant Week. It was our first visit. We went for lunch. First of all, they open up the entire menu for RW, so we didn't long for something on the menu that wasn't included in the $20.11 price. We both got the cheese assortment for the starter. This is the only part of the meal I regret. It's not that the cheese wasn't tasty, it was just slightly underwhelming (two pieces for $7). I wish we had tried something else. The gratis bread was fresh and enjoyable. For the entree, I ordered the trout while my husband ordered the beer sausage stuffed with cheese. My husband loves sausage, and he proclaimed this was one of the best sausages he had ever had. The trout was also good. For dessert, we ordered the chocolate caramel lava cake with ice cream and the white chocolate lemon mousse dome. The cake was good, the ice cream being the highlight, which really shouldn't happen. BUT, oh oh but, the mousse was divine. What texture! What taste! A great ending to an overall enjoyable meal. The service was also very good. Fresh silverware for each course; prompt beverage refills; and a post-course table brush off (which in my home town we would deem as fancypants). Great atmosphere (judging from the layout, there seemed to be a lot of power lunches when we went), inventive menu, fresh food, reasonable prices. We'll be back, maybe next time for brunch!
(4)Kim H.
One of my favorite bars in Arlington. LT has a bit of an older crowd which is good if you want to get away from the frat boy scene that spews next door at the Ballroom. On a busy weekend, LT is usually packed to capacity making it hard to get a drink. There is one long communal table in the middle of the bar which makes for fun random conversation with strangers. On the 1s and 2s you will hear everything from Biggie to Billy Joel. They have outdoor seating, so in the Summer, it's fun to sit outside and watch the crazy Clarendon scene unfold. Good times.
(4)Erin K.
I love Liberty Tavern. I have been here for dinner, brunch, and happy hour numerous times. In addition, I am a huge fan of Liberty To-Go. Keep in mind that the menu is seasonal so things may change a few times a year. For dinner, one of my recent favorites was the rabbit gnocchi. I noticed the last time I was there that is was different (pork now; seasonal I assume) and I haven't tried that yet. But, my go-to is the pizza. I've tried every kind (including seasonal) and my ultimate favorite continues to be the Vermont. The combination of prosciutto, apple and caramelized onions is to die for. I often get the Tavern salad to share as a starter (it's quite large for a side salad). LT's Sunday brunch is my favorite brunch anywhere. The buffet is worth the price. The bacon, french toast and various egg options are always fabulous. Plus they always have different pizzas and homemade breads and muffins. I enjoy the seasonal touches (such as hot cider in the winter). Plus LT's french press coffee is great. Happy hour can get crowded but it's always half price glasses of wine among other things (I generally stick to the wine during HH). But, their seasonal cocktails and seasonal beers are always a good way to mix it up. It can get crowded quickly so I always recommend a reservation. If I'm craving the wonderful pizza but don't feel like waiting, I just called Liberty To-Go and my pizza will be ready in 15 minutes!
(5)Jason B.
Liberty Tavern is my go-to place in Arlington Everytime I have dinner at Liberty, I am impressed on a number of levels. 1. The depth of menu. If you're not looking for the whole nine yards, there's flatbread pizzas and a couple of good sandwich choices. If you are having the works, the choices for first courses and entrees is consistently strong. Don't get me wrong, it isn't Cheesecake Factory...with pages and pages of mediocrity. But the choices Liberty seem to all sound good. And the ones I've had were very good. 2. The setting. If I were younger, downstairs would be very appealing. Always full. Always buzzing. Lots of energy. Upstairs is just so simple and well-done. The interior design compliments the architecture. The seating is intimate without being crowded (for the most part, thought the end overlooking the stairs can get a bit tight). 3. The wait-staff. Always top-notch. Bottom line: I think the combination of a strong menu that is extremely reasonable along with a sophisticated atmosphere make Liberty one of my favorite Arlington haunts.
(4)Conor Q.
Pizza is very tasty, but unfortunately there is not much to it, one pie will not be enough for 2 ppl. All pizzas run about $12, they have some interesting combinations not fund in other restaurants and are very creative with their presentation. They also offer several specialty mixed drinks if thats your thing, and have a solid happy hour until 7pm that has most of their draft beers for $3. Atmosphere is pretty quiet during the day but heats up at night and is a good place to have a good time, mostly 30 and under crowd but with out a lot of the meatheads and douchebags populating many other Arlington area bars. Drinks can get pricey but not outrageous for the area.
(4)Yizhou E.
This review is only for the upstairs dining room. I've been here a bunch of times for dinner and it's always decent. The pizzas are great and inventive. Toppings like green apple or clams make them stand out in the menu. They have a wood oven so the crust comes out thin and crispy. Appetizers are a nice nosh too. You must get the grilled octopus because it's the most tender thing you've ever had. Our party got them, ate them in 2 minutes, and ordered them again. Other goodies are the clams which come in an aromatic tomato broth, and the seafood fritto misto-type dish. Other than that the other dinner items I've ever had were good as well. I mean, any time there's veal paired with pork belly and slab bacon, there's a party right? Just a few things that keep this place from getting more stars. The non-pizza dishes that I've ever had have been over salted. Maybe my palate is just lighter but I always suck down the waters when I eat there. Also the bar downstairs is notoriously packed with drunken people on any given weekend with sometimes disastrous consequences. Two times, I couldn't eat there because of the overwhelming smell of vomit as I walked in the door. I kid you not.
(3)Paul R.
Absolutely fantastic food and service!! I went with my wife for an extended Friday lunch (2+ hours). The grilled octopus appetizer was perfectly done, as was the Arctic char. Pizzas use really fresh ingredients and that makes all the difference. Mixed drinks are well done and the wine list has some nice selections. Be sure to have their French press coffee; it's the best in town.
(5)Mary D.
Brunch here is the best, they can get very busy. I've done buffet and off the menu, all is fresh and delicious! Staff is helpful.
(4)Brian K.
There really wasn't anything to not like about this place, my parents were meeting us for dinner so naturally we went to the bar in the downstairs area to have a Brooklyn lager. I read some reviews where people complained the bartenders were rude, ridiculous. I know most bartenders introduce themselves, but not many extend their hand immediately after a warm greeting and PROPERLY introduce themselves like the ones at Liberty Tavern. So already, top marks from me. The food is very well presented, and delicious... our waiter was knowledgeable and very attentive. My Mother ordered sausage and fennel Pizza, I had their pork chops Medium Rare which the waiter suggested. My girlfriend ordered the Scallops and my Father orders anything that has lamb. I sampled their fare a bit, the pizza was excellent but I was more into my Porkchops which were like butter they were so tender. The lighting was very dim so I couldn't make out the inside color but when I got home and ate the rest (portions are huge) they were most definitely medium rare. Liberty loves to tout their wood burning hickory grill and with every bite I could taste it among the honey mustard glaze. Oh yeah, you must order the French press coffee, the desserts are also pretty to look at and delicious. Overall, 4.5 stars but 5 just for yelp.
(5)Vonetta Y.
2.5 stars -- Review of bar/lounge only After leaving Spider Kelly's without having participated in their sham of a happy hour, we went to Liberty Tavern, hoping for something other than $2 pisswater one consumes at frat parties. Upon entering Liberty, a peculiar scent rose to our noses. "Does it smell like beer and vomit in here to you?" My coworker asked me. "Yep," I said. But for some reason, we plopped down on the sectional sofa in the lounge area anyway. We got used to the smell after a while, and soon enough it reminded me of those horrible Georgetown parties of my youth, making me all nostalgic. Sigh. Anyways, they at least had half-price wine and a couple of discounted beers, which was sufficient. I got what I call the syrah surprise, this blend of three wines, that was actually really really flavorful, with a nice medium-full body and smooth finish. My coworkers got the pinot noir, which they quite liked, and for $3.50-$4 a glass, we weren't going to complain. Foodwise, I got the classico pizza, which is essentially a pizza margherita with thicker crust. It was good, but not worth the epistle I would normally write about pizza. My coworkers split the french fries, which came with 3 dipping sauces, one of them being ketchup, but really? Would you really call ketchup a dipping sauce? I found that terribly anti-climatic. I shaved off the .5 star if not for the smell, for the service. Our waitress was attentive in the beginning, quickly collecting our drink orders and coming back to soon after to see if we wanted food, but she disappeared after that, and we had to flag her down for the fries and second round of drinks. BUT what was really annoying -- and I might not go back to Liberty for happy hour because of this -- the busboys were INSISTENT upon taking my pizza plate and wine glass away, BEFORE I WAS DONE! I swear, if he'd put his hand on my plate one more time, while I still had crust in my mouth, I was going to flip. It was more than annoying, actually, it was almost disrespectful, like they were trying to push me out of the place. But given that I was paying for pizza and two glasses of wine, and I was hungry on top of it, I was going to finish THE WHOLE DAMN THING. Perhaps they're not used to skinny girls scarfing down whole pizzas by themselves in NoVA, but hell, I live in the District. I eats. So. Since I've heard so much about the great food in the dining room (my coworker told me the same thing the other yelpers have said--she had a great dining room experience), I'd like to try it, but I'm very hesitant to come back to Liberty for happy hour.
(3)Elisa H.
Best happy hour wines around! Reasonable and not overpriced. Wood fired pizzas are very Italian style (Italy, not NY!) and simply fantastic! I enjoy the open area at the bar too because it makes it feel more open no matter how crowded it gets.
(4)Haley G.
Probably one of my favorite places in Arlington for a casual (but super yummy) bite to eat and a great meeting place for HH. Loooove the Vermont pizza, desserts, cheese selection and bar fries.
(4)kaie c.
this place has made some very positive changes with a great wait staff. The last two times I have been there after 9pm for some drinks, there were multiple waitresses wondering around getting drinks for all of us, and opening individuals tabs for us. I was extremely impressed, and happy to not have to fight to get the bartenders attention.
(5)Pat G.
This visit was a good month ago, but I meant to write the review. The menu changes often (and probably doesn't match my review anymore), so try everything from the local farms they feature. I tasted a few things on this visit! We sat at the bar, not wanting the wait for upstairs. Busy local scene feel to the bar with lots watching the game. Friendly attentive service with good knowledge of the menu and wine list. Delicious Hemingway daiquiri and overall, what a surprise and value! Two people for $100, three courses, with cocktails and wine. The smoky sauced mussels enraptured this nonseafood eater. I got the American charcuterie spread with some smoky blue cheese and a very smooth Barbera. I was especially fond of the light crispiness to the scrapple, and the pickled vegetables that would do my grandmother proud. I wonder if they'd let me take home a jar of pickles, hrmmm. The perfectly cooked meats on the beef trio with tangy mostarda, especially the beef cheeks which literally melt in the mouth. I was afraid to order the heritage pork, since I don't like pink pork, but I might make a special request next visit considering how talented the chefs make everything. Too full for dessert, as I had far too many servings of the soft anadama bread with the sweet butter and sea salt.
(5)Kristen W.
4.5 stars. I came here last night with some friends for dinner - we ate upstairs and it was fabulous. First of all, we got seated right away - awesome. It was crowded for a Tuesday night but they clearly have an efficient system for turning tables over and getting people in. Next, in spite of the close proximity to other diners, it wasn't obnoxiously loud and you were in no way involved in the conversations at other tables. Although our waiter was kind of the spitting image of the Geico caveman, he was enthusiastic, knowledgeable about both the wine list and the menu, and was attentive without being annoying. I can't find a single thing to nitpick about the ambiance or the service - it was great. Now, the food. The menu was simple yet extensive and very unique. All of the dishes we tried had rich, complex flavors in combinations that I would never think to put together. For example, I had the diver scallops - first of all, they were enormous. Second of all, they came with scarda, which is some kind of jumbo cous cous and it was absolutely delicious. It was all served in this hazelnut and grapefruit butter, which is what I'm talking with the flavor combinations - grapefruit? But it was delicious. I wanted to eat it again today for breakfast, lunch and dinner. My friends got the Arctic char, the gnocchi, and the apple/endive salad (which be aware, is a massive pile of apples and endives). I tried bites of both and they were also really tasty. All in all, highly recommend. -.5 stars because I almost slipped and fell while trying to navigate through the meat market happening in the bar downstairs.
(4)Dan B.
Neat atmosphere, good wait service. Good pizzas and sandwiches. Fantastic happy hour crowd. Seating upstairs is tight and loud, so difficult to have a conversation. And for crissakes, stop putting dill on things.
(3)Rocky A.
The Liberty Tavern is in its soft open in the heart of Clarendon. The bar/restaurant is a trendy, moderately priced addition to the Clarendon restaurant scene. Liberty has a warm, inviting space with an elegant wooden bar and vaulted ceilings. A large communal table spans virtually the length of the first floor. Picture windows look out onto Wilson Boulevard. Outdoor seating is planned. The dinner menu is still in flux, with the current menu offering a fraction of what is planned as the kitchen eases in. A selection of individual-sized pizzas is available. Although not as good as Two Amy's, the pizza is cheap, quick and good. Liberty has 14 wines by the glass, 10 beers on tap and three specialty drinks. The specialty drinks feature fresh fruit. Bartenders Meg and Shannon were very friendly during my short visit. Just don't trash talk the Yankees in front of Meg. During the soft open, Liberty is open for dinner beginning at 5 p.m. A small bar menu is available beginning at 4. The place is closed on Sunday. No date has yet been set for the grand opening.
(4)Bob L.
Washingtonian top 100, with high expectations that fell flat. The two salads were ok but nothing I couldn't get at a chain restaurant. The Gnochii did not resemble anything I had ever seen for the dish and was really a bland dish of steamed vegetables. The Scallops were nice and fresh but nothing special. The desert was perhaps one of the worst presentations of a desert at a restaurant that I have seen in some time, a warm muffin, some ice cream in a bar glass, and some filbert brittle. The decor was dated. A kid with a baseball cap kept listening in on my conversation with my date while eating his pizza. 2/3rds of the restaurant was empty but everyone was seated right next to each other. Nothing went wrong, it just isn't that good.
(2)Jason K.
Just what I needed. Parking was a little dicey being in Clarendon, but that's the only negative. The place had a nice decor with a big bar area. There is patio seating, but we just stood in the bar area. The bar was 2-3 deep and the service staff was on the ball. We had drinks in our hands the whole time, with very little wait time. The patrons were a mix of 30-somethings with the small pockets of kids in their 20s. Great experience, would highly recommend the face plant, but just 1. Great place to start the night off.
(4)Shawn M.
We save Liberty Tavern for special events. Their food is outstanding. When the event calls for it, and we have the appetite, my husband and I will indulge in the chiefs tasting. They pick your food and wines and they are always excellent. If I had one complaint, it would be that they are so popular that the restaurant is noisy and crowded.
(5)C J.
I like hitting this place during the week for Happy Hour. They have 1/2 priced glasses of wine and I think 1/2 priced beer as well (not sure cuz I go for the wine). Otherwise I think they are a bit on the pricey side. Their food is excellent however (not 1/2 price but worth it). I have had several of their pasta dishes and pizzas - never been disappointed. I won't touch this place on the weekends as it gets ridiculously packed and that just isn't my thing. But during the week (not Thur) I would highly recommend it for Happy Hour. PS - Nick is an awesome bartender!
(4)Candace C.
My update is for brunch only---I'm still not a fan of dinner. Brunch, however, might as well be considered a whole other restaurant---a golden one at that--in my eyes. Brunch was gooooood. The breakfast table doesn't seem very big, but my eyes are always bigger than my stomach. i set out to taste a small spoonful of everything and barely made to to dessert. The smoked salmon with creme fraiche, egg, capers, and onion was good, the leg of lamb was nice as well. I was thrilled to get french toast with a nice strawberry compote and be able to eat other things as well. I missed out on the pancakes cuz everyone else beat me to them. We LOVED the shortrib shepherd's pie and with a small scoop of cheese grits, I was in heaven. The pasta salad was also very tasty. The only sad part was dessert. I thought the assortment of American candies was interesting, but there were only two real desserts--brownies and a black forest cake. On the sample menu there was a much larger selection of pastries/cookies/cakes, so I'm sad there were only two this past Sunday. Maybe next time they'll at least have some cookies or even better---more cake. I'm almost sad that the menu changes every week because I'd certainly love to have more lamb and french toast. But unlike my dinner experience, everything was pretty good, so I'm willing to take the risk. At 18/pp it's a pretty good deal--it would be even better if coffee or tea were included--but for leg of lamb's sake, I'm not complaining. I'll be back--maybe even next week :)
(5)Chris K.
Loved the Vermont pizza...topped with apples and cheddar cheese. It sounded strange but tasted delicious.
(4)Porshca E.
Although we waited for over an hour after the hostess told us it would be 25minutes the service was great, the food was amazing and our waiter Todd was the best! We walked in the restaurant on a Tuesday night and you would have thought it was a Friday night. It was completely crowded, which was a good sign bc none of the people in my party had visited before and we took this as a sign that the food was good. The hostess told us it would be a 20-25minute wait, we said ok and ordered cocktails. Fast forward 1 hour and we are still waiting...I can't lie, I was getting very annoyed but my boss told me this place was amazing so we waited. Once we were finally escorted to our table upstairs, Todd our amazing waiter came to greet us and from there the night took a great turn for the better. We were given wine and an appetizer for the wait, which we appreciated, we quickly ordered our main dish and Todd was great as he told us from the beginning that the Amish chicken would take 30minutes to cook and he was right on point! It took 30minutes BUT it was so worth every bite. No dessert, we were a little tipsy and full but I'm told that the dessert is amazing as well. Overall great atmosphere and amazing full. The service, especially Todd, was excellent! Thanks for redeeming yourself bc if it wasn't for the food and service the wait for a table would have caused me to never come back here again.
(4)Elizabeth W.
From the other reviews, looks like I should have gone upstairs to their dining area... maybe next time. I had a drink in the bar, and it reminded me of college. People were dressed like they were going to the night club, but there was no dancing going on. Perhaps that's what the kids are wearing these days. And they did look like kids.
(1)Mark P.
I can't believe it, but I think Arlington has better restaurants than DC. Exhibit 1: Liberty Tavern I started with a Masonic, which is basically a mojito with bourbon. Great drink for summer. The pours on the wine were generous, and they even had a non-alcoholic beer for my dad. We shared a bunch of dishes, all of which were good: Branzini fish with this tremendous spinach spaetzle, a half portion of gnochi which was very different from others I've had, a half portion of an ear-shaped pasta with peperoni, the pork belly, and a pizza with prosciutto and apple. Closed it all out with a dessert of profiteroles. It was all very nice.
(4)Jim G.
After a lot of recent hype about the place as a meet-market for prepsters, I finally went around 6pm on a Saturday, and we ate in the upstairs dining room. It was surprisingly not busy when we arrived but by the time we left a little after 7pm, it was packed. It is an attractive and convivial atmosphere, which seems to whet the appetite, so I can see the appeal for that. It definitely captures the 'Arlington' zeitgeist in terms of its clientele (upper middle-class, pseudo-urban, WASP-ish). My 2 friends both commented that it had a very 'Pottery Barn' feel. However, because of the earlier time-slot, there more older folks in the mix, but still filling that feel I just mentioned. The food was quite tasty for the most part. It was considerably more upscale than I had anticipated, but the good preparation of the food made it worth it. My raviolini with snails, artisan cheese and garlic was delicious, as was the cheese sampler we ordered. I was disappointed by the cobbler served in a skillet. After a few bites, I realized that I could taste the rust and iron of the skillet, and getting disgusted, I let go of what is typically my favorite dessert. Fortunately, the waiter was gracious to take it off the tab. If you are looking for a place that is inexpensive and will fill you up, this is not the place for you. It is also not a place for adventurous foodies, but the selection is still interesting enough to enjoy. It seems to fit that tight niche of business casual - perhaps like a slightly more upscale version Houstons. I will probably go again sometime and sample their pizzas.
(3)G. H.
Liberty Tavern is one of my favorite restaurants in Arlington. I've eaten here at least 10 times and always go back on special occasions or when I have out-of-towners visiting. Their mussels are the best I've had, no joke. And their service is pretty great too -- wait staff is always very friendly. They used to have a charcuterie option on their menu comprised of some very special tidbits, such as rabbit pate (I think), beet-juice soaked egg, prosciutto, and pickled veggies. It was one of my favorite things to order, but it's no longer offered (sad face). However, there are plenty of other seasonal dishes that are really good. I really like their pastas too. If you can get a table upstairs, you should -- it's got much more of an ambiance than the bar area downstairs. Reservations are essential, especially on holidays/weekends/graduation season.
(4)Alex F.
Great meal! The Burger I had was mind blowingly good. The desserts were great too. Our server did a great job when making suggestions.
(4)Jason D.
Their brunch buffet is great because they have a good selection, but don't let the quality of the food slip. I probably ate 3 plates of their house-smoked salmon (I heard that occassionally they smoke a different fish instead of salmon). For $20, you can't beat it. The weakest point was probably the dessert table which had treats like lavender cookies and Bailey's marshmallows. Interesting, but not my thing. Another time, I came here with my girlfriend for drinks and dessert, except my fat ass got french fries for dessert. Best decision of my life. The huge basket of french fries comes with an aioli, ketchup, and some sort of jus. All the sauces were so delicious I just didn't know where to dip next. For $5 it's a damn good bar snack, side dish, or "dessert." I also had a drink that was their version of a mint julep. It had a good amount of bourbon and wasn't too sweet like most juleps and mojitos.
(4)Matt B.
I don't think this is the place for me. Beer choices were okay and well priced, maybe I should give it a 3 for that. Food left me unimpressed. Lobster ravioli is lobster meat on top of plain ricotta ravioli in a strange watery sauce, it was somewhere between sour and bitter. Fries were good, but they didn't have any ranch dressing in the place (I use ranch, not ketchup, sue me). They did bring out a bit of their buttermilk dressing, it was tart and very watery. When cleaning our plates away they took the half full basket of fries that we were still eating from. I'd try it again, but I really don't know what I'd get next time around. I guess I'm a simple man with simple tastes.
(2)Michelle P.
What a lovely neighborhood spot. I was at the bar for drinks that turned into a meal on Saturday, and I couldn't have been happier. The service was excellent, and even though we showed up at 4:30 and the kitchen didn't open til 5 pm, our server went out of her way to make us comfortable. The atmosphere was relaxed, welcoming and unpretentious--not something I always find at restaurants in this area. The food: Yes on the pizzas--wood-fired, not overdone on the toppings, just really nice. The mussels--I really liked the fennel tomato broth, but there was something weird going on with the mussels themselves. Maybe they were overcooked because they were kind of mushy. And the charcuterie board--perfect perfect perfect. The chicken liver pate was excellent, as were the pickled vegetables. The breads were quite fresh. I would come back here just for this charcuterie board. I just think everything--food and service-- here is really nicely executed, and I can't wait to come back and try more, as this place screams 5-star potential.
(4)Pheniece J.
So I think there should be 2 different listings for Liberty: Liberty Tavern: The Restaurant (4 stars); and Liberty Tavern: The Scene (3 stars).* *Trademarked by moi. Liberty Tavern: The Restaurant - The food is really damn good. Creative, fresh, Italian-inspired entrees, apps, and brunch. The mussels are delicioso, the classico and sausage pizzas are the bomb, and their wine selection is great. For dinner, go early and sit upstairs or outside or come on a Monday and sit in the lounge-y area. The brunch was really good but there is never enough seating and always a long wait on the times I have been. Liberty Tavern: The Scene - The first floor is my go to place if I want to have drinks in Arlington and be somewhat low-key (definitely attracts an older crowd from the mid-20s up). The place starts to get packed around 10pm and it does get unbearable crowded and with the island in the center, getting to the bar can be hard. The drinks are overpriced in my opinion ($16 for a glass of mediocre wine???) but I keep coming back. If I had to choose a neighborhood bar it would be Liberty Tavern: The Scene.
(4)Danny Boy K.
Pros: Service was friendly/bubbly/attentive. Happy hour specials were great. The clams in the fried clams/shrimps/fennel dish were damn good. Nice people all around. Cons: They didn't have the first 2 pizzas we ordered and the pizza we did get was not special. The shrimps and fennel in that fried appetizer were not very good. Overall: good spot in Arlington, will be back.
(3)Chris F.
I've heard good things about the brunch here. I can't confirm that, because I have only been here "twice" and both for the bar. Most recently last night, where I stood in the cold just waiting to get in. After 15 minutes of standing in line, I decided it wasn't worth it based on my previous experience at the Liberty Tavern. The staff is cold and short, like they're really too busy to talk to you, or have normal human communication. Ironically, they also have a sticker on the window that says they're loved on Yelp, which I find strange. I never got my food ordered the first time, but I didn't get billed for it either. The atmosphere is loud, crowded, it takes forever to get your drinks. I will go back: for breakfast sometime. I will never go back for the bar at 11:30 PM.
(2)Katie F.
The unfortunate thing about eating at liberty tavern is that you have to encounter the breeders in the bar level down below before you make it upstairs to your meal, or again if you have to go downstairs for the restroom. However, when you do make it upstairs you find yourself in a nice dining room, with good service and good food. I had the lamb chop/confit shoulder dish. The confit shoulder was amazing, I have never had lamb quite like it. Some others at their table were not equally impressed with their meals, and there was a slight foul when one member of our party didn't get the dish she ordered. However, overall a nice dinner option in Clarendon--
(4)Keri M.
Fantastic Sunday Brunch Buffet here. For $17-18, they offer a selection of at least two different types of eggs (i.e. scrambled with cheese and frittata), brioche french toast, smoked salmon, creamy grits, freshly cut meat, pizza, salad, sausage, bacon, et al. The interior upstairs is classy and modern and the brunch has a relaxed pace. You may find some families here, but they are pretty well behaved. Officially my favorite brunch-buffet-under-$20 place in the area! Note: I believe the brunch buffet is only served on Sundays.
(4)Elena P.
I can definitely agree that this place highlights how popular Alrington restaurants are found by style over substance. I took my roommate here as a treat before he left for Afghanistan. The food was so terrible (and I felt so bad for taking him to such an icky place!) that I offered to take him elsewhere before he left. The menu is very exotic and the meal did not deliver the flavors or quality execution that it implied. I can't remember what I got, but I didn't eat much of it (which is crazy for the animal eater that I am). My roommate had to ask me if I was feeling alright. He ordered a fish of sorts and didn't think it was cooked very good - and he'll pretty much eat anything. The bar scene is pretty popular here but nothing spectacular. It also gets very crowded. It's not to bad if this is your jumping off point for the rest of the night but I would most certainly not make it a final destination nor can I say it will be the highlight of your evening. Clarendon is pretty big and has lots of places and flavors. I can think of at least 3 others I'd recommend over this and can't really understand how anyone stumbles into this place anyway outside of curiosity.
(2)Carolina V.
Wow! I tend to expect very little from bars that serve food. The Liberty Tavern proved me wrong. We came here with a group of 6 and most of us ordered different foods- everything was very good and some of the dishes were fantastic. Particularly worth a try: the fillet mignon, the apple salad, and the pizza with sausage. The best thing, however, was the chocolate pot smores- I have never had such an amazing dessert! The service was great! We were seated immediately as we arrived although we were a bit early our table was ready. The waiter was helpful, friendly and on top. The bar has a fun atmosphere which just made the night even better. Will definitely go back.
(4)Rebecca R.
The Monday night fried chicken dinner was awesome! For $15, I had a great meal of crispy chicken, mashed potatoes, and brussel sprouts...and I came home with plenty of leftovers. Our group had a comfy booth upstairs and attentive service. Overall, I was impressed! I'll definitely be back...I'd really like to try the pizzas next time...
(4)martha s.
Unexpectedly, the best pizza I've ever had. Also excellent environment and great service.
(5)Truthful Y.
Liberty Tavern is a great place for happy hour or late night drink. Pizza pies are half price after a certain time, so a good spot if you are getting a late start. The scene is late 20s and 30/40 somethings mostly professionals. It's kind of an upscale relaxed dressed bar scene. It's a little better if you are looking for a more mature crowd compared to the local "just turned 21 spots and going to wait in a ridiculously long line" in Clarendon places nearby. Music is also good. It can get loud and packed Thursday-Saturday.
(4)Mike R.
Ok, so I read all the reviews before going and was kind of expecting horrible service and not my kind of crowd. I can see crowd criticism for the bar area, but I had good service all night. I arrived a little early for my reservation and my wife was still on the way so I grabbed a beer (or three) and people watched a bit in the bar. It was a Friday and packed with people that I would normally not hang out with. There was a lot of pretension in that bar. While waiting I think I saw a drug deal as some man dressed like a homeless man walked in and did the handshake with cash in his hand to the guy behind the hostess stand. Perhaps he was a delivery guy, but the interchange was really suspicious...and kinda funny. At any rate, my wife showed and we were seated right away upstairs. The people here were much more my crowd, but honestly I couldn't care less about that anyway, how is the food. We were there during restaurant week so we did the 3 course tasting. Foie gras and short ribs for our apps...both very good. Pork chop and Bolito Misto (plate o meat) for our mains. The meat plate was great with veal cheeks, homemade bacon, homemade sausage, another veal preparation, and some root veggies for good measure. The pork chop was cooked perfectly...very tender. For dessert there was a german chocolate cake which was good and ??? I forget. I'm not a dessert person and this was over a week ago. Don't read into this. I remember it being good whatever it was. The meal was quick, but I didn't feel rushed. Obviously they are moving a lot of people through in an evening and you have some servers that handle that appropriately and others that don't. Our guy was good. I was surprised to see what time it was when we got out of there. If you like to graze this might not be the place for you. Overall, the bar really isn't my scene, but I would definitely go back for the dining room. The food really was good and surpassed my expectations.
(4)K S.
I've eaten at Liberty Tavern once, and that single experience left me with absolutely no desire to return. It was so bad (food - oversalted to the point of being inedible, service - totally absent, cleanliness - non-existant, etc.) that I actually wrote to the manager, who responded with an apology and a gift certificate for dinner for two on the house, and now almost eighteen months later I have yet to take him up on the offer because my first experience was just. that. bad. That being said, I will admit to having been to a few happy hours at the bar. Nothing special there...the place is loud and crowded with your standard insufferable Arlington yuppies. The specialty drinks...well, I am a lightweight (or just out of practice, depending on how you look at it), and even I didn't think the "blair drink project" packed much of a punch. I've occasionally revisted the menu online, and while sometimes there are some interesting additions, I guess I just don't trust the kitchen to execute. I hate to admit it, but this is the type of place that gives substance to the arguement that popular restaurants in Arlington are all about style over quality.
(2)Josh F.
A great brunch. We were very lucky and were able to walk in and get two seats at the bar. Jimmy, who was working the bar, was very friendly and attentive. I didn't notice any of the attitude problems noted in previous reviews at all. The food was fantastic. I especially enjoyed the strawberry pancakes and the cranberry muffins. The French press coffee tasted what other coffee wished it could be. Two things of note here that we did not realize...First, make reservations as we were VERY lucky to get seated right away at 11:45 on a Sunday morning. Secondly, the dress says casual but the crowd wasn't dressed as what I consider casual (tshirt, jeans). I would say that a decent polo shirt and jeans will suffice at the minimum. The buffet was $18 but for what you get, its a good value. A little too expensive to do every week ($50 including tip for the total between my wife and I) but we look forward to going back again in the near future.
(4)Artur K.
Couple of negatives before I get to the rest: The brunch is a bit overrated; it's a buffet, with a very limited a la carte selection. Yes, it's extensive, but nothing in the selection really stands out. Another thing thats mediocre is the pizzas, but that seems to be a trend at most DC area restaurants. The pizzas are placed as an afterthought to give the budget conscious an excuse to spend more money on beer. Now for the good stuff. The grilled octopus is the best I've had in the city. The beef strogonov is also great. I've had almost all of the main dishes and appetizers and can recommend all of them wholeheartedly. Nothing, other then the brunch, is all that expensive, either. One of the the best places to eat in Arlington.
(4)Andrea S.
The brunch was great. There were a multitude of options (including for dessert)! The only downside was children sitting next to us that were kicking the connected bench seating with parents who didn't care. Not Liberty Tavern's fault at all.
(4)Todd P.
We've gone to The Liberty Tavern twice. The first time we had an awesome meal of some of the best fish and chips with fried clam strips I've ever had. The next time we went, it was Restaurant Week and I took my parents (who are not adventurous dinners) and none of us could find anything on the menu (which they hadn't published on their web page) we would want, so we ended up leaving. I kind of felt like they were overreaching and getting too "cute" with unusual combinations just to be different. Some times simple and straightforward with good ingredients is all you need, which is what we got the first time we dined here, but not when we tried to return.
(3)Tony J.
We opted for inside seating in July. My party of 6 for lunch were seated at the corner round table with a great view of the restaurant action. The three men enjoyed the "Brew & Burger" clasic lunch special, which is made from skirt steak, was cooked to order and tasted great. My wife enjoyed her salad also with skirt steak. Service was very good and we enjoyed a variety of micro brews.
(4)Richard Z.
Generic Arlington. Bland bar filled with bland clientele. The manager is a miniature guido, which was funny for a bit but got old. The waitress was incredibly slow but friendly. Oh, and they don't know the difference between a tripel and a lambic. Just go to Galaxy Hut instead - at least they know something about beer!
(2)S R.
Great happy hour specials and very good wine for those prices! I tend to go before it gets super busy and not on Friday or Saturday nights when it's the typical Clarendon popped collar crowd. It's usually a sausage fest on those nights, which works out great if you're single! Food is good and service is great.
(4)Remy M.
I feel like two reviews are in order for this place...one for the bar and one for the restaurant. Oh well, here we go... I checked out the bar here with a couple friends...really nice atmosphere, attentive bar staff...quality. It was busy the evening we went, so I suspect they generally get a healthy crowd on the weekends. While at the bar, we saw some food being served to various tables. It looked delicious. So I came back on another occasion for dinner. I dined upstairs--away from the bar crowd, but still a nice atmosphere. The food wasn't as great as I thought it would be, but still okay. Quality service too. In sum, a nice place!
(4)Stephen S.
Our first time here for dinner. Tasty grilled octopus appetizer very tender with good salad combination. Good sweet breads, although a little too crispy for my taste. Excellent veal breast and leak sauce. The filet migon ragout included a generous portion of tender beef, and had good flavors. The yorkshire pudding was different than what I have had in the past, but was also good. Good wine list at reasonable prices. Good service. Inovative menu and excellent execution. Hopping Friday night bar scene.
(4)Chuck W.
I've been here for happy hour, dinner, brunch, and late-night, and am really a fan of this place. They have good happy hour drink specials - lots of different wine to try if that is your thing. Dinner was great - they are a locally owned restaurant and they try to buy fresh and seasonal ingredients and that is reflected in their food. I've been here several times for dinner, and their Amish chicken is always a classic. Service has also always been tremendous. Wait staff is on top of things without being too obtrusive. The piece de resistance (god I hope that's how you're supposed to say it) is the brunch. I believe it's 19 dollars, and what a spread! The scrambled eggs are my favorite, they do something to the eggs that make them absolutely divine. Plus there's just about 30 different types of foods, ranging from homemade breads and muffins, all the breakfast foods like bacon, sausage, gravy, smoked salmon, and lunch items like roasted lamb, pork, fish, and I particularly enjoy their fritatta. There's also a dessert table as well with great pastries and candies that you can take home. My friends who are coffee lovers also enjoy the French pressed coffee that you press at your table. Late-night is very crowded - a yuppie type place, but then again, that's pretty much what Clarendon is these days. But, good atmosphere and lots of fun.
(5)Jonathan S.
Ok, I know this place gets some mixed reviews. I've been here for happy hour, dinner, mid-evening and brunch (not in succession - although that does sound like a challenge I'd be inclined to take up) Happy Hour - Solid beer specials and on-the-ball bartenders. This place get's packed, so I don't know how they do it. They have a long table in the center of the bar area that runs most of the length of the room. There's seating all along that, as well as along the windows (tall bar tables) and small lounge area toward the back. Really good people-flow which is hard to pull off. Even on more crowded mid-evening visits, it's still possible to grab yourself a drink and return to whichever table, couch or stretch of floor you've claimed as your own. Dinner - Amish chicken is pretty good. It's fresh and tasty and the skin is crispy. I've also had the Branzino which was flaky and delicious. Give the hangar steak a shot too. Brunch - Oh man. I can't overstate the otherworldly goodness that is Liberty Tavern's brunch-table. Rather than list off what you'll find, let's just say that it takes brunch-buffet to a level that I haven't seen outside of 5 star hotels. I will, however, note a few of my favorites: Smoked Salmon (smoked in-house - unbelievable), homefries mixed with chunks of roasted corned beef (what hash outside-the-can looks like), biscuits w/ sausage gravy, seasonal breakfast pizza, mesculun salad w/ goat cheese, and the list goes on. I'm stopping myself right there because I'm hungry now. If you go for nothing else, go for brunch! *note - the building used to be a masonic temple (you'll see their seal on cement blocks on the upper facade of the building). The brunch-table itself is the old altar, repurposed to delicious effect. Sort of creepy, but an undeniably cool feature.
(4)Lisa D.
I don't go to LT for the crowded bar or the buffet brunch. I go for their creative, consistent, outstanding food in the upstairs dining room. They're religious about fresh, local, seasonal ingredients and they prepare them with care. The service is outstanding - perfectly attentive, knowledgeable about the food and the wine, times the meal perfectly - FAR better service than I expect in a neighborhood restaurant and comparable to pretentious DC restaurants. Their menu changes per season and the best available ingredients but consistent favorites of mine are the octopus and any iteration of steak with potato champ. I've taken foodie friends there and I've taken out-of-town guests there who are most accustomed to Chili's food - all were delighted and impressed and left stuffed and happy. A bar is a bar - get upstairs and eat their food.
(5)Rebecca S.
This review is just for the bar - I didn't even see a food menu, much less eat, and I'm not even sure how much drinks cost because I wasn't paying. I normally wouldn't write this review right now. However, I needed to throw props to the bartenders. Night before Thanksgiving, a bunch of boyfriend's coworkers wanted to get together to celebrate a VERY crazy week in which most of the management team was out for a wedding. We showed up a little before 10, I guess, and it was already pretty busy. Fairly typical Clarendon crowd - young, yuppie-ish, most of the girls WAY to overdressed to be in a bar on Thanksgiving Eve, you know. I'd say less than an hour after we got there, there was a line outside the door - they were to capacity. Which kinda surprised me, because it didn't seem THAT packed. Which is reason 1 for the 4 stars - capacity meant you could still move around. And, primary reason for the 4 stars, it also meant you could still make your way to the bar and get a drink in a reasonable amount of time. The one time I walked up, the bartender at that end of the bar (and I'm pretty sure there were at least 3 maybe 4 bartenders - nice work, considering most places have 2, even on busy nights) the guy acknowledged my presence two or three times just to let me know he hadn't forgotten that I was there before he made it to me - and I think I waited maybe 4 or 5 minutes, tops. Boyfriend had similar experiences when he was at the bar. So nice work planning ahead and keeping your bar running smoothly, Liberty Tavern. I'm looking forward to coming back and trying this brunch I hear so much about, and if I had to pick a bar in Clarendon for some reason in the future, it will be on my short list.
(4)Zak S.
:::Happy Hour Review::: Get there early. Good selection of wine that is half off from 4-7 Had one of the pizza's which was excellent. Staff was friendly but very busy. I would definitely go back for happy hour, but will bring ear plugs next time.
(4)Marcus D.
Not my sort of place, a bit too yuppie for me - we sat outside at a table along the sidewalk, so we could be as loud as we wanted. Our waiter was accommodating, not douchy. The food appeared to be lackluster (I did not eat but others at the table did). Plenty of eye candy walking by late at night, on their way to the clubs. Not a complete waste but not my thing.
(2)Kristen R.
The food was "OK" Too expensive for just "OK" Great Service Nice Atmosphere!
(2)Jamie C.
I was looking for a good brunch spot to hit before I took my parents on to DC to go see the monuments and museums and came across Liberty Tavern. Apparently yesterday (26 March) was the first Saturday they started doing brunch. We were literally the first into the place at 9:30a, and were promptly seated and the staff was all really great. We sat in the downstairs area because my Mother has some issues getting up and down stairs, where the brunch spread is. After we were seated, our waiter promptly got our drink orders. My Mother is obsessed with very strong coffee, and Liberty Tavern brings out a French press for their carafe! She was so happy! And it was indeed very strong! My Daddy and I went up the stairs to get brunch and we were just amazed! There were so many options, it was just great! The scrambled eggs with chorizo was great, their bacon is probably THE BEST I've ever had in a restaurant (I'm a huge fan of bacon...), their salmon in a red pepper sauce was mouth watering and every little pastry was better than the last, with fresh fruit in all of them! I was just stunned! And chocolate in the morning? They make it impossible not to eat some! I am not usually a sweets person, but peanut brittle, except with pistachios, was the best sweet thing I've tasted in a long time! My Mother was in heaven with all the chocolate treats. Oh, and their basic mimosas were perfect! The wait staff was really great too. They didn't fawn all over you and interrupt your breakfast like most places. They actually watched until you were done eating, or you got up to get another plate, and then they took your plate. They didn't refill the water every time you took two sips. And when my Daddy got up to get another plate, the waiter folded his napkin all nicely and put it back in his chair before he took his plate. They were just really nice. And their bathrooms were spotless! We were just overall a big fan of this place. My parents made it a point to make sure when they came up again in the summer, I make reservations at this place for 9:30a on a Saturday. They were just really impressed with Liberty Tavern and if they're happy, I'm having a great day!
(4)Lisa C.
Great service...food is horrible. I don't know why people review this as a good restaurant. Not fit for foodies.
(1)Claire R.
Great ambiance, and the staff is friendly and attentive. However, the food is inconsistent with quality from dish to dish. At a table of four, 2 ordered pizzas, one a side of mashed potatoes, and another the steak. The steak was incredible. Perfectly cooked, seasoned, and the accompanying sides were delectable. However, the mashed potatoes were just "plain Jane" and the pizzas were nothing special. I personally would only come back for the steak and the environment.
(3)Brittany W.
I went here for brunch this past Sunday. I'm trying to find a really great brunch place in Arlington but it appears that this is allot harder than expected. Although, the service was great, very friendly and helpful. The $19 buffet brunch was really not worth it. They did send out some yummy strawberry pancakes as part of the buffet, but the actual buffet selection as far as breakfast food goes was not very good. I got the french toast and it was like cardboard and the scrambled eggs were really dry too. Although, I will say the french press coffee was by far the best coffee I have had in long time. Overall, if your going here just for breakfast food do not bother with the buffet.
(2)Jeremy R.
Well, I have been here twice, and both times the downsairs area seemed like a racous college party. Not bad if thats the kind of night you are looking for. The upstairs is a totally different vibe. The noise level is moderate and it's a good spot to grab a meal with your signifigant other or your family thats in town. The food I have always found to be excellent. I have never had a bad plate of food put in front of myself or my dining companions. However, the service had been hit or miss. The first time I went there everything was in front of us before we even knew that we needed it. The second time, not so much. Our server was overly pretentious. He kept leaning over the empty chair when he was at our table, referring to our table of men and women as,"you guys," and didn't place us with the proper silverware. At the end of our meal he said,"Oh and if you guys want any coffee drinks let me know. I used to be a barista so I can hook it up." Please. Five stars for the food, easily. The flank steak, bollito misto and duck are all outstanding. Two stars for the inconsistent service.
(3)Michele W.
If I could, I'd give it 3.5 stars. I come here occasionally for a weekday lunch. The dishes I've tried - salads, soups, sandwiches, and a couple of the more creative pizzas - have ranged from solid to stellar. For some reason, the service is often a bit strange - not bad, just strange, of the waiter-telling-lame-jokes variety. All in all, it's like, not love, but that's enough to keep me coming back.
(3)Steve R.
pretty standard tavern food, service was good
(3)Jax W.
I will admit, I don't understand why they only serve brunch on a Sunday? There was nothing on the menu that suited my diet needs so our waiter who was quite nice but hesitant went to the kitchen and asked if they would make me a dry omelette. Thankfully they did and gave me a side salad. My friends had the lobster roll, he didn't rave much about it and the the fish sandwich, which she didn't rave about.... It's a nice place, though if I'm VA again, I probably wouldn't run back just for lunch.
(4)Ken C.
First time here for Sunday bunch. Unless you are not hungry man, otherwise you shall take the brunch buffet. All staff are friendly, cutie and great : ) All the picture revealed their quality of food. Definitely a great place for family, friend and couple.
(4)Laura G.
Cute, cozy ambiance and environment. Food was average (I ordered a burger) but the service was fast and attentive. I would return again, but order something different.
(3)Richard S.
Had dinner Saturday night upstairs (downstairs is a very noisy bar.) Upstairs is loud but tolerable. Menu was very interesting, featuring pasta, pizzas and other entres. Four were at the meal and I shared the beet salad, regular salad and an excellent artichoke pizza (enough for two). Other couple shared a bunch of appetizers. Very generous portions and all were well prepared (try the roasted brusells sprouts). Service was fine though not exceptional. Ambience, I'd rate as fair, Pricing very reasonable. Parking very difficult in Clarendon area. I'll return.
(4)Suzanne W.
At The Liberty Tavern, what you get is good service and really good food. I appreciate their menu because it has variety, and they definitely kick things up a bit, but they don't try to pretend to be anything they are not. Upstairs is better for atmosphere because the downstairs bar area can be quite noisy. I live in Vienna, VA and I wish a restaurant of the caliber of Liberty would open here. We really need it.
(5)Laura S.
Bunch and booty shakin all in one place? Um, yes! Of course brunch in AM, shakin in the PM. This is one of my top 3 brunch places in Arlington b/c of the buffet brunch. If you're trying to eat gluten free or paleo then there are plenty of options when you get upstairs to the buffet section. Bacon, spinach salad, shrimp, smoked salmon, scrambled eggs and every once in a while (at least once a month) they'll have beef brisket. I wish they would serve it every other weekend. ***Did you hear that Liberty Taven? Pls serve the beef brisket every other weekend. Pretty please? If you like dessert, there's a dessert table w/ goodies like browine bites, cookies, coffee cake, fudge and popovers from Northside Social. Service is always consistently good wherever I sit...community table, anywhere upstairs or downstairs.
(5)Bill N.
A great place to eat. Their roasted chicken is the best and they do carry-out. Parking can be quite difficult, and unless you get a reservation it can be very difficult to get in. Often they will accompany their chicken with something, one night I had lemon curd which was wonderful
(4)Lendsey C.
"Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale a tale of a fateful trip, that started from this urban port, along this tiny strip" My reservation to Liberty Tavern was my reward for a hard work week. I had been looking forward to unwinding and enjoying some good food after seeing a play earlier in the evening. I arrived at the restaurant only to have to drive around the place 4 times before finding parking and even then, it was on a side street next to a building that was undergoing massive construction--sketchy. Once inside, I swore I had the wrong place because at 9:30pm it read like a nightclub, especially after having to show our IDs in the cold before being able to enter. There was VERY loud music, bumper to bumper dancing (or an attempt at such), televisions, and drinks being passed around. My date and I waited patiently at what appeared to be the desk for checking in and we waited and we waited, until after 5 minutes I walked up the stairs to what I hoped was the restaurant area. Thankfully it was. One of the managers sent to look for the host and when found they finally seated us. The decor was rather standard and a bit underwhelming if you ask me. Standard wooden chairs and wooden floor, no real art on the walls, full view of the expedition window, drawn curtains, etc. Which is why I was completely confused when we were handed a one page menu---with most entrees in the $21-25 range. Oh forgive me, there was a $15 burger that was conveniently the under my thumb where I was holding the menu. This wasn't their fault. It's something I wish were a little more streamlined. The $$ money sign is too large of a range in my opinion---for $11 three people can eat for the max of $30 which would be per person, that's a very large jump...but that's a rant for another day. Anyway I felt like the menu was a bit too upscale for what we experienced. The loud music changed to a DJ who was spinning what he deemed were his best hits and we could barely talk to each other across the table. Again it felt like I was in a dance club not a restaurant. The food and service up until this point in the evening had been great, despite the lackluster decor and the loud thumpa-thumpa making its way upstairs invading every conversation. Our waiter was knowledgeable and friendly, he had great suggestions and seemed to know his way around the menu and ingredients. We tried the octopus salad and handmade scrapple (what a treat!) When our food arrived, the stuffed trout and skirt steak, we were pleasantly pleased. It smelled delicious! The steak was cooked to perfection and melted in my mouth. It wasn't until after I started filling up that I realized I hadn't even seasoned one thing all night with salt or pepper. I was stuffed and asked for the rest of my steak and sides to go. We paid and made our way downstairs and looked for directions home before I realized "I forgot my leftovers on the table!" My date rushed back upstairs only to return empty-handed stated they had said they were thrown away. Thrown away?! After less than 5 minutes, I didn't buy this and went back upstairs myself when they told me the same thing, I told them I'd wait for my order to be re-cooked. The person in charge went in the back for a minute and magically produced my carryout container and we left not giving it a second thought. Fast forward to the next afternoon. I'm taking out my delicious steak from the previous night only to be crestfallen. It's gone. My beautiful $22 skirt steak that I only took three bites of WAS COMPLETELY GONE! Obviously when it went "missing", they meant in someone's stomach. I called up the restaurant immediately and demanded to speak with a manager. This is actually my first time encountering such bizarre behavior. I explained to him the situation and while Andrew really tried to offer me back at their expense, this was not acceptable. Mostly because I had already made the decision to not return for several reasons. Finally, he offered to refund me my meal. I assumed he meant just my steak but he was nice enough to refund the entire $75 check. I still wouldn't return to this restaurant but it's nice to know they admit to their mistakes. Which is a shame since the food gets four stars from me. Just know if you ask for a carryout container---cling to it for dear life or it just might be eaten from under you.
(2)Steph C.
Last month, I came to The Liberty Tavern on my only night in Arlington. I have a group of friends clustered in the DC area, and we needed a place that could accommodate a party of ten. This place fit the bill, and we had a nice long dinner in the upstairs dining room. I liked this place. It seemed to be centrally located in some kind of bustling downtown strip, and it had a lot of life to it. The atmosphere was casually upscale, befitting a rich man's tavern, and our big table was just one of many in a spacious dining room. We were comfortable, and the service was notably good. Our waiter Andy did a great job handling our large party, even splitting the check at the end by default. The alcohol selection was pretty good, and I had two beers that I ended up liking a lot, both Virginia-made and available on tap. The first was a brown ale by Legend Brewing, and the second was a Lost Rhino Face Plant IPA. The food was solid. I shared the grilled octopus "en purgatorio" to start, and it was tender and delicious, servasparagus asparagus, mushroom, radish, and a pickled ramp vinaigrette. The spaghetti alla chittarra was less tasty but still decent, the plump noodles swimming in a spicy tomato sauce with herbs and an assortment of seafood, all topped with a crumble of creamy cheese. I also had a slice of the prosciutto wood oven pizza, with Parma ham, mascarpone, parmesan, arugula, rosemary, and preserved lemon. The crust was thin and the prosciutto was lovely. My friends and I stayed for a while, and the dinner was fun and memorable. I'd recommend Liberty Tavern to anyone in need of a nice spot in Arlington. It served us very well.
(4)Charles H.
My 2012 Restaurant Week visit #3 involved dining at the Liberty Tavern for lunch. For starters the Crispy Shrimp/Ipswitch Clams was served after some deep friedness with fennel and lemon. The appetizer was plentiful and flavorful when dipped in the smoked paprika-lemon aioli. The main course involved a huge serving of Primanti Bros" Style Sandwich with fries. The sandwich comprised of house made bratwurst, provolone, coleslaw on Liberty Tavern's house made Italian bread. I ended up eating half of the sandwich normally and the other half protein style (minus the bread). The best was saved for last as I devoured a Coca-Cola Cupcake for desert! The cupcake was humongous and served with a shot glass of milk and scoop of Strawberry ice cream. The service was spectacular as Chris took care of my order and refills promptly while the runners delivered my 3 courses within 30 minutes. Take advantage of Restaurant Week as the servings are big enough for two people share!
(4)Aruna A.
Who doesn't love brunch? I mean really? WHO?!!?!?! I find brunch, while usually pretty hard to mess up - can be hit or miss in bars like Liberty Tavern. Fortunately, I found this location to be a hit. We opted out of the large, crazy but probably delicious breakfast buffet. I instead chose to order the omelette with cheddar, spinach, and mushrooms. It doesn't come with a side of fries or potatoes (which can be a blessing or a curse), but I got to try a friend's fries and I loved EVERYTHING I had. The omelette itself was GREAT. Well made, big and filling, and definitely tasted fresh. The mimosa was nothing special, but also nothing terrible. My friend's Moscow Mule was a fantastic drink. Service was quick. All in all, a good experience.
(4)Jac H.
When I used to work in Clarendon, I would go to liberty tavern more often. I unfortunately have never had the pleasure of having the brunch, but I've dined for both lunch and dinner. The menus do change by the season, but something that I've seen more constant are the pizza options. The pizzas are alright, really filling and full of cheese (which makes them greasier than pleasing). I really do enjoy the tavern salads, I always hear people complaining that they're too tart, but I personally think they're one of the best parts of the meals. I would normally get the steak salad for lunch, which was typically a little light so I would order the soup of the day. The soups are typically cream heavy and full of flavor. I also switch it up and get whatever the sandwich of the month or season is, those have always been really good, and the fries!!! they fries are so good! And the price is pretty reasonable too.
(4)Kelly P.
I LOVE Liberty, but the reason for the 3 stars is because of the music on Saturday night. The DJ feels he needs to play it so loud that it makes the speakers sound like crap. You have to scream to talk that you wake up in the morning with no voice and ringing ears. I'm all for loud music, but there is a point when it is so loud it sounds like shit and that is what happens on Saturday night with the DJ at liberty. He clearly can't hear, so he's torturing the paying customers. Dude, just two clicks lower and it would be 1,000x better!
(3)Sami M.
Ya'll aren't nice.
(1)SD H.
This place hits the nail on the head with all the right buzz words. You read over the menu selections and everything sounds amazing. The only problem is... they just don't deliver on taste. The pork belly entree which sounds incredible was a giant tough, rubbery piece of fat. That's not how good pork belly should be. I actually left the entire piece of meat on my plate. But the grits that came with it were tasty. The greens on the plate were unbelievably salty and overpowering... Some kind of fruit on the scallop plate was actually spit out by one person at the table. "A mouthful of vinegar" as he described it. The scallops were great though. The duck confit pizzette was dry but I feel like they had the right direction, the taste just wasn't there. I feel like everything is so incredibly rich it almost makes you feel ill. salt, salt, fat, fat, cheese, cheese, its so over the top its almost a turnoff. Let some of the food's natural flavors show through - that's the sign of a really good chef. I think they're just trying a little too hard. The wait staff was incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. The service was really great... I want to like this place but the food just kinda sucks. Downstairs is about at a roar all night, but its slightly quieter (thank god) upstairs.
(2)Dagny T.
This is a brunch review only. I was dragged to the place, against my better judgment. $20 for all you can eat brunch just sounds suspect to me. I'm a food monger, but I would still rather spend $20 on 1 good entree than an unlimited array of bad food. I had a sampling of a bunch of stuff, and it was all pretty tasteless - mussels - meh - french toast - meh. It looked kinda pathetic in its little warming tray, and it was not good. - bacon - tasteless - sausage - meh - ham - tasteless - fried chicken - dry - every other thing I got that I can't remember - none of it was good - pastries - not worth the calories Well... the only thing I kinda liked was the carved flank steak. I got 2 pieces - one on the rarer side. The piece that was on the rarer side was edible. Oh and I seem to remember some sort of smoked bluefish pate. That was decent, but the toasted bread it came with was not good... And I can't eat large quantities of that for brunch. They also had something that resembled pizza but I didn't try it. The $7 pot of French roast wasn't great either. It wasn't terrible, but I wouldn't have it again. The 2 stars is for the bar service - it was decent. bottom line -- take your $20 and spend it at Boulevard Grill for brunch. Their (a la carte) brunch is delicious.
(2)Molly S.
The food here is pretty good. My main problems with this place are the noise level and the price. I'd like it a lot more if the prices were a little more in line with what you are actually getting in terms of ambiance, which is definitely kind of a "scene" especially if you go here on a weekend or after 6pm. The brunch here was pretty good, but not as good as I'd heard it was. My biggest gripe is how crowded and noisy it gets though, and I just ultimately would rather go elsewhere in the area if given the choice.
(3)Joann B.
We are definite fans of this restaurant. Reservations is a good idea for this place as I've always seen it packed. The atmosphere is very lively and pretty loud. Servers are frequently walking around, so if you don't see your specific server, you can find help regardless. I know it defeats the purpose of having a designated server, but this place can get crazy and if you want something right away, it can be done. On this particular night, three of us decided to share the hush puppies, onion rings, the small order of mussels and the skirt steak. The hush puppies came with a couple of popovers and the popovers won out. They were perfectly made. The hush puppies tasted like any others, so nothing special. The same went for the onion rings. It fed our onion ring craving and that was it. Our friend really loved the mussels. I was hoping for a more garlicky type of sauce, but this one was more tomato. They had a hint of spiciness and a little bit of brine to them. We would order them again. We ordered the steak at medium and it came more medium rare - no biggie to us as it was tender and very good. The side of potato champ with scallions was really good. We love potato dishes and could eat this by itself - it was creamy and flavorful. YUM. As usual, we could not fit dessert in. Maybe we'll make it to dessert our next go around.
(4)Serena B.
I was disappointed with brunch at Liberty Tavern, the quality of the buffet food has deteriorated since my last visit. There were a few yummy items like the smoked salmon, granola yogurt parfait, and the potato salad, none of which were particularly remarkable. Half the French toast was burnt, the eggs looked all nasty and were swimming in oil. The carved ham was very dry. The dessert table was disappointing, it was mostly dried-out looking pastries and a plate of sugar cookies. I had a dry mini cake and some macadamia nut brittle. As for the service, we had to flag down someone for refills on our coffee. Overall the service was rather indifferent. The tables also seemed a little too close together. I don't think I'll return for brunch though it used to be one of my favorites.
(2)Alan M.
Nice bar with section for groups. Pizzas different and appetizing. Eclectic bar menu for food and drink. Good food, almost cooked to appropriate temperature. Service is a bit slow. Good happy hour spot.
(4)Rob P.
Love the food. Love the service. Even on busy nights our wait staff is always attentive and awesome. Great spot to eat with our dog during the warmer months.
(5)Christine T.
Finding good brunch can be a challenge in the DC area. I had been here before for happy hour and found the food to be ok. However, the brunch is EXCELLENT! Its not a huge buffet, but they still have a good enough variety of both breakfast and lunch items and what they do have is quite yummy!! It was quite crowded so I would certainly recommend reservations. The coffee was excellent it is french pressed and it comes in a super cute pot. Also I loved the french toast. I like french toast at most places on the whole but theirs was at a much higher calliber. I was so full I didn't need to eat anything else the rest of the day.
(5)Blanche N.
I went with a group of friends for brunch on a Sunday. The buffet was impressive. We loved how everything tasted gourmet and fresh. I would defintely go again. Yet, this might not be the best place for a long boozy brunch. We felt a bit rushed at the end and we were too focused on the food to order drinks.
(4)Jen T.
Wait for Saturday brunch was 45 minutes which we were quoted 20 minutes. Sat at the corner table in the bar area which was too bad since I wanted to try their brunch buffet upstairs in the main dining area. So I opted for the Cuban pork sandwich with a side of green salad. I devoured it all. The combination of ham and just enough pork with the mustard mayo sauce and melted cheese. BF got the burger and he couldn't even finish it since he got too full midway through. Even though it was busy, the wait staff was attentive and kept our water glasses full. Next time I am making reservations to try their great deal brunch buffet.
(4)Matt D.
Everything about this place was good except the beer selection which is very limited. The lamb burger was unreal and my girl got the hanger steak salad which I finished for her because it was to much but it was on point
(4)Alexis V.
One of the bartenders, Bobbi, made me the best drink I can remember having! She asked me what my favorite flavors are, made up a drink on the spot, and it was amazing - light and refreshing, with every flavor I love perfectly combined. She is also just a really likable human being, and a very gracious host/bartender. I will be going back for more drinks soon!
(5)Anita T.
I was brought here by my friend who is a big fan of the weekend brunch. It certainly has everything bad for you under the sun on one big banquet table... sausage, bacon, mussels in a saffron cream sauce, creamy mushroom pasta, french toast, carved steak and horseradish sauce, and a few fruit salads. But I love breakfast food so this was like food heaven to me. Only complaints are how the buffet is located on the upstairs level so if you're seated downstairs you now have to keep running up and down (I guess it's their way to get you to burn some calories if you're signed up for the buffet), and there was an exceptionally loud baby shower going on right next to me and the way the place is structured just somehow amps up the noise. Best part -- dessert bar included lemon lavender cookies that were AMAZING. Love anything flower flavored. They accidentally took my half-finished latte while I went up to get dessert so they kindly apologized and made me a brand new one. Aww.
(4)Joanna M.
I've been to Liberty Tavern a few times. Happy Hours, dinner, brunch! Happy Hour crowd in arlington at liberty tavern is pretty good: nice mix of young professionals and older, more established patrons. Decent happy hour specials on beer and wines. Their pizzas aren't bad. Took mom here for brunch here once which was pretty good. We chose the buffet option and took advantage of the big spread upstairs (lots of fruits, fish, eggs, quiches, omelet station, etc.) She loved it! Had one of the WORST dark 'n stormy cocktails of my life here. bleh bad decision and never again order that.
(3)Kate M.
Love this place. Have been here for lunch, dinner and drinks; service is always quick, food is always delicious, drinks are always well made and they have a great selection of beers on tap. Does tend to be on the loud side if you eat downstairs, but they also offer outside and upstairs seating. I go here all the time and it is my go-to place for meetups or casual meals with out of town guests.
(5)Gina H.
My husband and i went here for Sunday brunch this past weekend while visiting my bro and bestie in DC. My biggest complaint about this place is regarding our waiter. I'm not sure who he was but he was not attentive at all. Awful in fact. I understand it's "self-service" since it's a buffet but if we are ordering drinks, need water, condiments, etc...those are things a waiter is suppose to keep up with. Considering it wasn't very busy when we were seated (wait time was almost an hour and by then a majority of the "brunch crowd" had dispersed), it was annoying to have to search for someone to get us the basics. Going upstairs for brunch is a pain, especially when you have to walk by people crowding around the entrance with plates of food in your hand, and the brunch area in general is just way too crowded for what it is. My brother says there are MULTIPLE all you can eat brunch places in DC so we'll have to try a different place next time (we are in DC at least once a month). Chances of us going back are very slim.
(3)Howie O.
Perfect brunch spot but come early because there is always a waitlist. Tons of higher end options that will keep you going back for mre.
(4)Tara S.
Sat at the bar for over five minutes and was ignored by all three bartenders that were working. They weren't even busy just standing and bullshitting. Sucks to have such a bad experience at a place that I frequent.
(2)Amy S.
My grilled cheese & tomato soup could have used more flavor. Lobster roll was delicious, according to dinner companion. Our drinks SUCKED. How do u mess up a dirty martini? Twice. I tried cocktails from their menu, assuming they'd have that down pat. First I ordered a cocktail with grapefruit juice that came in a high ball glass for $10. Less than mediocre. So then I ordered "pursuit of happiness", which came in a smaller glass and was even more disappointing. Our server was very kind to recognize I wasn't drinking mine and had it remade for me. A little better. But I'm not one to complain for discounts. My advice would be to take the fancy cocktails off your menu or hire a bartender who knows how to make them. If you're going to charge Manhattan prices, you''ve got to provide Manhattan quality.
(3)Amy L.
I he been here for brunch several times always a great place to have weekend brunch . Plenty of choices and the omelette are wonderful.
(5)Meagan M.
After several visits to Liberty Tavern I've become a big fan. The place is always packed, whether you're there for brunch on the weekend, just drinks or for dinner. I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone looking for a quiet place to sit and talk. The sound from the bar (which is always full of young professionals) carries up to the dining room. But the lively atmosphere is always fun. They have a fantastic brunch buffet on the weekends (and an a la carte menu if you're not a fan of buffets) Their dinner selection is excellent (they have a whole "macaroni" section on their menu) And their beer selection is great.
(5)Amanda B.
The brunch buffet is great if you feel like over-indulging...it's worth it every now and then. I like the buffet because it solves the sweet or savory choice I seem to face at every traditional brunch...I can just eat everything! I'm giving LT one star because we probably used to order the Apple Frisee Salad from Liberty to Go at least 3-4 times a month...and they took it off the menu! I order the beet salad now, but it's really no replacement for the bacon, blue cheese, apple, and frisee. If Liberty ever brings it back, I would put them back to four stars. Also-- it gets wayyyy too loud (both upstairs and downstairs) after 9 pm Thursday-Saturday night. If I wanted the crap, I would go to basically every other bar in Clarendon.
(1)Bethany H.
This place use to be good. You kind of see the same people though as you would at circa. The menu should change a bit.
(2)Sharon X C.
Let me just start by saying that I love buffets in general (no shame) and Liberty Tavern goes that extra mile by providing mass quantities of food that actually tastes delicious. I have been there two times now and each time have felt like I needed to be hospitalized for fullness afterwards. Both times we were unable to get a reservation upstairs so we were seated downstairs by the bar - this is probably the better option since at least you get to walk off the calories in like half a biscuit or something by going up and down the stairs (okay fine I may have taken the elevator once or twice...) and there's not really a wait. Both times I was able to gorge myself on some breakfast foods as well as lunch foods. I started with eggs, biscuits with country ham gravy, their very own lox, home fries, bacon, french toast, and pastries-- the typical spread of classic breakfast foods. The breakfasty stuff tasted good, but nothing really blew my taste buds away. However, both times I was very impressed with the lunchy foods for ex. tender cuban roast pork, creamy mac & cheese, fried chicken, etc. The service was just service, although the first time I went the waitress was lovely. Our friend had reluctantly joined us for brunch after a long night out and spent the majority of the time trying not to throw up on her food. She ended up just leaving half way through and the waitress didn't charge us for her meal since she didn't eat much of it!!! Extra credit: The music that they play here at night is great (early 2000s rap anyone??)
(5)Brian K.
Decent food and a great atmosphere
(4)Steph S.
I've had several delicious dinners here. Most recently on Valentine's day. I can't wait to go back for their brunch buffet! I recommend the lamb rib appetizer ... So good!
(5)Paul L.
went here for the brunch buffet...and definitely going back. this wasn't your average breakfast/brunch buffet where the food looked or tasted watered down. the entrees were savory and of a good variety. the dessert area was meh, but, if ya did the rest of the buffet right, it's an afterthought. top items on the line were the brisket, salmon, and fried chicken. the buffet runners were always in and out of the kitchen replenishing the stations because the food goes fast!
(4)John L.
This review applies to the brunch only. I give it 1 stars because I ordered a lobster roll and the amount of lobster that came in the role was minuscule. There was not even 2 ounces in the whole roll. Although they replaced my order with the full buffet, my experience with the situation was not the best.
(1)Xarhya W.
Brunch is excellent but unless you make reservations, you're going to end up waiting for a longggggggg time. I've eaten here a couple of times during brunch, for lunch, and dinner. I wasn't very impressed with their Turkey lunch sandwich (Which is what the one star was for) but their dinner and brunch meals more than make up for it. Service is also usually on point. Great place to hang out with friends and catch a couple of drinks and also a trendy spot to catch a meal before heading next door to the Clarendon Ballroom (to work off the food) :)
(4)Rory J.
A beacon of warmth in the cold Arlington streets. So I went on a Monday night at 6pm and the bar area was packed, there was only one stool available. I was pretty surprised for a Monday night, but I can kind of see why. I had a drink while waiting for the rest of my party to arrive for dinner. Chris, the bartender was super friendly and helpful with the wine list. When we were seated the waiter greeted us right away and was friendly and helpful with telling us the specials and making recommendations. This place is slightly pretentious for the price, normally I would not have minded that, but the group I was with really didn't care about where their cheese came from and if it was loved. We started with a three cheese plate, the derby cheese (cows milk), a goat cheese made in house and another less memorable cows milk cheese. All really good, but the derby cheese was excellent, like a cheddarish taste and texture. For entrees we had the skirt steak, friend chicken special and Shepherd's pie. The skirt steak was really well cooked (mid rare). The sauce was a bit much, and I didn't get any bacon from it, but it didn't take away from the steak, so not subtracting points for that. The fried chicken was also good, with a nice, lite crust. I didn't try the shepherds pie, but it looked good and there was nothing left at the end of the meal. I'd definitely come back, and order the skirt steak.
(4)Christie E.
GENERAL: Came here for a later dinner Thursday around 9:30-9:45pm. The restaurant was still busy at this time and the hostess was very nice giving a brief overview of the menus. The server was awesome taking the time to explain items on the menu and describe cocktails and beers for us even though we were his last table and here on the later side. We appreciated his knowledge of the menu. FOOD: Grilled Octopus Salad - delish! The octopus was nicely charred and tendered. The salad was bright and light adding enough citrus to meld it all together. Diver Sea Scallops - yummy! I wouldn't think to put beets and scallops together, but it worked for me! I am also partial to beets, though. Short Ribs and Stroganoff - satisfying. Again, i wouldn't think to pair braised short ribs with a stroganoff or any creamy sauce for that matter, but it worked and it was comfortingly satisfying. Overall, the experience was great and the food was good! There were a few other items on the dinner menu I will definitely be back to try and their brunch buffet offerings look good as well. Looking forward to next time!
(4)Carey A.
Liberty Tavern is like our restaurant 6th man...not a starter, but a consistent contributor. We have dined here several times now and have always had an enjoyable experience. They have a pretty spacious bar area downstairs where you can grab some drinks before they lead you upstairs to their main dining room. Their dining room is a bit cramped and crowded, but they make it work. We have enjoyed the skillet roasted PEI mussels for a starter. For entrees, the standouts have to be the Amish chicken and the pineland farms skirt steak. The pizzas look and sound amazing and I'm really interested in trying the New England Style Fish Soup next time. I really can't recall anything that we've had here that we didn't like. Service has always been exceptional all the way down to the bartenders. While not exceptional at any one thing, they are consistently good at everything.
(4)P E.
Went to Brunch here on a whim. The food is presented in the most appealing, decorative manner ever. The platters are smaller than most buffets, but that's a PLUS because the friendly and efficient staff are at the ready to replenish so things are always hot and fresh. Definitely a favorite!
(5)Meghan J.
The food and drinks were delicious! Definitely a cool bar spot in Clarendon. Would definitely recommend for a night out with friends or a girls night. The servers were friendly and made it fun!
(5)Frank M.
Had a great meal and was treated very well by the staff and hostess. Menu had a good selection and the pizza's are wonderful. Pricing is high, but it's typical for the area
(4)Emily S.
I'm on the fence about the Liberty Tavern. When I've been out for drinks here, this place usually has plenty of people and it's generally a good time. However it is always SO loud. I think the place is just small and has poor acoustics or something, but I can never hear a word anyone is saying in here. I've been to dinner here and it was fine - mostly bar fare, but overall a decent experience for what it was. I consider this a place that is consistently dependable for a decent place to grab a drink or two, but not to spend your evening. I probably won't do dinner here again due to the noise level thing, or perhaps I would try to go earlier before too many people get there.
(3)Melissa C.
I would rate this place a 4.5 stars. They have a great Hemingway daiquiri which is hard to find made that good anywhere else in the area. If you haven't had one before I highly recommend. As for dinner I love the steak entrée. The side of potatoes are delish and served in a cast iron pan. Their pizzas are very good as well. It's a happening spot at night time but I prefer to go when a little bit quieter. Also like that they have outdoor seating when the weathers nice. Almost forgot to mention that they have a really good brunch on Sunday as well
(4)Rafael B.
Good food, good service and a great ambiance. Well done!
(4)Adam P.
Great food and service! A friend asked for peanut butter and the manager ran down to CVS to buy some!
(5)Turid D.
My first visit to this fabulous brunch treat! . Absolutely gorgeous and delicious brunch buffet including lox, sirloin steak and locally grown organic ham and pork. An entire table of scones and other pastries. I didn't try them but they looked great. Would definitely come back. Great atmosphere also.
(4)Rachel H.
Don't let the name fool you, the food is great! The downstairs is more of the "tavern" environment and the upstairs boasts a warm dining room that has the sophistication for a date or work dinner, but will easily accommodate your child without making you feel like a pariah. The menu is seasonal and changes regularly. Features some local items (like locally raised meats) and always features a viable vegetarian option--not something hastily thrown together. Staff is friendly, prices are reasonable for the area. All in all a great option for dining or happy hour in Clarendon.
(5)Hayes W.
We love Liberty Tavern. It is always packed for a reason, that's for sure. Besides having one of my favorite beers on the list, Heavy Seas Loose Cannon (if you don't know it, you should), their food is to die for. We rant and rave to our friends endlessly about the brussel sprouts, and usually that is not a conversation piece (unless you're a Raiders fan, then you just have nothing else to talk about). Their veggies are on point! I would drive out of my way for a side dish here. Head here for a date night or a happy hour, but get their before 5, because it fills up quickly!
(4)Adam T.
I only stopped in for a drink, so I can't comment on the food. This is a nice, friendly pub with a good selection of local craft beers on tap and excellent happy hour prices ($3.50 for a pint of draft beer). The bartender was quick and attentive, which was a nice change. I am usually invisible to bartenders.
(4)Charles S.
Joe and DeAnn had the genius idea of Liberty Tavern on a Sunday night and even found a parking space out front. Good food, excellent service, lots of fun upstairs in the restaurant.. LT is named for the tavern the owner's grandfather had in NJ. Every neighborhood should have a place like this. I wish mine did.
(4)Jay S.
Came here during restaurant week. The menu was no different than usual, but that was fine with me. If I had one complaint, it would be that it got a bit loud (especially since the only seating available was next to the bar) but that doesn't take anything away from it. It definitely had a nice atmosphere. The server was very attentive and made great recommendations for food. I had the chorizo pizza which was delicious and the banana bread pudding was great too! I think it would be a fun place to try for happy hour but it was enjoyable for dinner too. Definitely would recommend coming here!
(5)Angela G.
Greeted by really sweet folks at the front desk who were so patient as we sorted out a difficult parking situation. (Call and ask for advice or take Metro to Clarendon.) Super nice wait staff gives great advice on beers and entrees. No specials as menu changes every six weeks. Really creative dishes such as fresh homemade pasta with grilled cauliflower and egg. Nice bread basket too! A treat.
(4)Hartley R.
Excellent in every way! Our group split an app, a side and 3 entrees. The waiter added his two cents when we were trying to decide. He steered us in the right direction. Food was amazing. Waiter also suggested an excellent bottle of wine. Service was fantastic.
(5)Astha G.
I went there for lunch with a colleague recently. She ordered their Grilled Cheese Panino and really enjoyed it. I ordered the House Smoked Salmon Sandwich and it was just okay, nothing special. I wasn't too excited about their lunch menu options. The server was attentive and I will probably give them a try for dinner in the future.
(3)Nicole C.
All I had was wine, gazpacho, and the cheese plate but it was as good as wine, gazpacho, and cheese gets. it's also great because I'm dating a picky eater who isn't into wine and cheese type establishments, but he was more than pleased with his burger. so it was a win for all.
(5)M H.
I would give the lunch sandwich I ate here 4 stars and the brunch buffet 2 stars so I averaged at 3. I got a really good chicken sandwich and fries for lunch one afternoon. There was nothing too tasty on the brunch spread. The yogurt was the worst thing, it was warm and had horrible flavor. The best thing was the french toast but it was nothing too impressive. Service was decent, but the area around the buffet is crowded and chaotic.
(3)TJ B.
Cocktails were great. Perfectly made. Food was solid, but for the price not good enough to pull me to Liberty from trying other area restaurants. The mussel appetizer was very good and it was nice to see a different twist on a common dish. They were served with a unique smokey red sauce. The waiter said it is made with smoked tomatoes and bacon. Good stuff. The Fish Soup ($26) was good but again not standout for the price. Lobster was a bit tough. Clams and mussels were fine. Vegetables were fine. I think there was other seafood in there but it did not stand out. Broth was fine, but didn't standout. Selection of bread brought to the table prior to ordering was nice. Service as friendly and not rushed. I think this is a fantastic place to sit at the bar and enjoy some appetizers and great cocktails. They had a very full cheese selection and you could order whatever variety interested you. Bathroom was a "two holer" which made for unexpected lines in the men's room on a normal night. (full restaurant, but not overflowing)
(3)Isaiah F.
Wow. Everyone is so nice here. The service is great for a packed weekend. The bathrooms remained pretty clean thru out the night. Had a couple beers on draft and a pizza for dinner. Couldn't finish the pizza, so unless you're starving I'd recommend sharing one. We stayed for Jeyone after. He killed it. Make sure to check him out. Great vibes all night.
(5)Quijana B.
One of the best meals of my life. I have to say that it was partly my dinner companions, as it was a table filled with people who have shared more than one of my top 10 meals in life. But it was much more than just the company. Liberty Tavern is a true winner. Location is perfect, decor is just right, service was friendly and attentive. And then the food! I had the least exciting dish at our table. A simple baked ravioli, perfectly sauced and seasoned. The others at my table had everything from simple baked chicken to pizza to steak. Every dish was exactly the right temperature and was cooked to perfection. We had 6 at our table, and every seat in the restaurant was filled. I was truly impressed with the timing of the dishes and with the lack of complaints at our table. Even the house made cheese was delicious, and I don't like cheese. I hope to return some day.
(5)Food L.
I've been here several times for happy hour and dinner. Dinner was actually really appetizing. They have an upstairs dining area which separates it from the madness that the bar can attract at times which is nice. The food for all parties was delicious. That being said, I came here for happy hour and tried to get their burger special which is something like $14 including a tap beer. The host directed me to the seats by the bar and said I was good to go. I ordered the special and when the bill came the server charged me $13 for the burger and $6 for a draft. I told her it mentions the special right on the menu and she goes no that ends at 2pm. It said till 7pm on the menu. just weird. The bar area can be a bit rowdy not in a good way. crowded, hard to move through, and fratty.
(3)Josh S.
One of the better Clarendon bars. Liberty is a rare gem in Clarendon where you won't stand out if you're over age 23. The food is solid as well, although I far prefer the lunch to dinners there. They make a great burger and the fries are delicious. If burgers were on the dinner menu I would come far more often. I give only three stars because of the layout. That long table down the middle of the bar makes it impossible to move and makes sure there is piss poor flow through the bar. Remove that table at night, add burgers to the dinner menu and it would be an easy 5-star rating.
(3)Nidhi T.
Loved the DJ last night. The best music I've heard in years. Drinks are delish, food is superb, what more can you ask for? If I lived in DC this is where I'd go every Saturday night.
(5)Whitney G.
Love the Liberty Tavern atmosphere for happy hour and dates. Food is great!
(4)Angela E.
I've been there a couple of times for happy hour. It was so crowded when I first got there that my party had to wait about 15 minutes for someplace to sit. The food and prices are okay. It is in a good location, but I'm not overly impressed.
(2)Hong K.
2nd best steak I've had next to Ruth Chris. The side I had with my steak was also delicious. My only complaint is that the tables are uncomfortably close together (we sat upstairs). I would like to go back, if not for the awkwardness of being literally less than a foot away from the stranger sitting next to you.
(4)Samantha A.
I've come here for lunch, dinner, happy hour, and late-night, and always have a good experience. They have a great beer selection, and even late on Saturday night I've never had too much of an issue getting my drinks (especially when compared with other Clarendon spots). Also, the music they play at night is GREAT. Trust me. I love coming for happy hour/casual drinks, especially once it gets dark. The lights are low, and the high-top bar tables make for a great place for some good conversation over drinks. The food is always great! Their Vermont pizza is one of my go-to's--white cheddar, caramelized onions, prosciutto, and granny smith apples. It's wonderful. Additionally, they had a Summer pizza that was also a favorite, and you can't go wrong with the basic classico. The crust is always nice and crispy, and the toppings of high-quality. The tri-tip steak salad is delicious as well, with the steak cooked to a perfect medium-rare, and goat cheese that our server told us was made in house! The service is always friendly, attentive, and good for suggestions or questions regarding the menu. I've heard amazing things about their brunch, and can't wait to try it!
(4)FU Y.
I would judge Liberty Tavern as A-OK, as it goes, but the food is a little better than that, so I think it deserves higher marks. In Clarendon, I still think this is bar that holds the crown. For what made Clarendon "Clarendon", Liberty seems to have been the one to set the mark, along with Whitlow's...
(4)CC C.
I took my friend out here because I saw many reviews online good and bad. We sat at the bar and ordered drinks and food. The atmosphere is 4 stars, good for dating, meeting with others, watching a game. Food is really greasy and didn't taste good. We were really hungry but left both plates without finishing half. They need to do something about the kitchen otherwise they won't have any repeat customers for food. 2 stars. Clarendon area has a lot to offer so I will only consider them for drinks. Drinks deserve 4 stars, bartender provided good service. Decent price, I moved to DC area from NY, maybe everything is decently priced :) Overall 3 stars I think is generous to give.
(3)Kris V.
Went here for dinner and had a very knowledgable waiter who recommended some great cheeses and gave great service. Also had a delicious white pizza. I will be back again very soon!
(5)Eric O.
Amazing food. The halibut was delicious, the beer selection was interesting, and the outdoor seating was great!
(4)Mirela T.
Went out for a doubles date here and thought it was just an average restaurant. The atmosphere was on the darker side, but i guess that makes sense for a tavern. Our waiter was a nice guy, but slightly strange. No big deal as the food and drinks were served efficiently. I haven't returned for a second time to be able to judge if the experience would be any different. Food was average, nothing spectacular. It was certainly a busy place to that must mean something.
(3)Esq. H.
Came here for a work happy hour. Down stairs they have a 'cove' type area set off from the rest of the dinning/bar area, that can accommodate a decent amount of people. I don't think we had to reserve it or pay for it I think we just took it over, but for the more fancy and exclusive people out there I believe there is a private dining area upstairs that I assume can be reserved or rented out. As it relates to happy hour long story short the happy hour is just beer and supposedly wine..... the website speaks of a 'legendary happy hour' not sure that legendary needs to be associated with it and it also references a 'bar menu' yet one isn't online or available in person. Regardless I had several of the "pursuit or happiness." The drink was great and gone in all of one sip so keep that in mind. 6 of those little drinks later and I felt 1/18 of a buzz so if I ever go back I will ask for an extra shot of whatever they put in there. We attempted to order from the appetizer section of the menu to make up for the lack of happy hour food specials and once I looked at the appetizer section it all made sense....this place doesn't have your typical bar menu or items available.....oh but they do have roasted beets, cheese plates, salads, octopus ceviche, tomato & piquillo gazpacho, and lamb ribs......um not really ideal for walking around and chatting/nibbling with coworkers or any humans for that matter. Whatever we ordered a couple a pizzas and discovered we could order bowls of fries and called it a night. It's nice, the bathroom was clean and it has a bunch of good reviews so maybe I'd come back for 'fine dining' or brunch. Good luck.
(3)Paul S.
I've been to the dining room and downstairs bar multiple times. This review is combined for both. Downstairs bar is busy every time I go there. The crowd seems mostly local, early 30s, but It doesn't feel like a frat bar, as opposed to some of the neighboring hang-outs. Upstairs has a pleasant, warm feel to it, and it's quiet enough to carry a conversation. However, others may hear your conversation too, since the tables seem a bit too close together. The staff is present and helpful, but not the most knowledgeable. More than once I witnessed the waiter/waitress come back to let me know that an item I just ordered wasn't available. The food upstairs is delicious and the menu variety is great. I ordered a steak here once (it wasn't on the menu) and it was cooked to perfection. The menu seems to have all the classics and a few more interesting things too. The cheese plate was a miss, but I picked the wrong ones, I suppose. They make their own cheese but I don't see it making it big anytime soon. I'm not a huge fan of pizza, and I felt like it was the only thing on the menu downstairs, but I tried it and liked it. They also offer their share of regular bar food. I would come here for dinner more often but I do think it is a tad overpriced. However, I still think Liberty Tavern is the best local choice in Clarendon.
(4)Daniel N.
Liberty Tavern always has great food with a interesting twist. Their old fashioned cocktails are also worth making the trip. All together, a great dining experience.
(5)Pete R.
Met a colleague here to have a quick work meeting. Great locale And ambiance as an inside/outside bar. Food was delish - the appetizers. Get the duck fat onion rings. Trust me. The waiter was amazing. He was just all over it and wanted to be as accommodating to is since we were having a working meeting. I should have told his boss how great he was. I can see it makes a good happy hour spot and I hear brunch is bueno.
(4)Chitra P.
I have had one of the best dining experiences I've ever had at Liberty Tavern and I eat out A LOT. Our server was attentive and helpful despite the fact that it was very busy and our food was delicious. We ordered a lot of different things on the menu, but were more than satisfied with all of them. The duck fat fried onion rings are a must try, as is the skirt steak with the bacon mashed potatoes. The skirt steak had great flavor, and the bacon mashed potatoes were so incredibly indulgent in the best possible way. The short ribs were so juicy and tender, they just kind of melted in your mouth. AMAZEBALLS. When our entrees came out, the skirt steak I had ordered was still a little too rare for my liking - I had ordered it medium rare - and I asked to have it sent back to be cooked a little longer. Not only did the manager come over and apologize for the undercooked steak, he topped up my wine and brought out a small salad to eat while waiting for my steak. That is some amazing service! This is my third time having dinner here, and it still continues to be an enjoyable experience, I would definitely recommend it.
(5)Rebecca R.
The brunch is a buffet here and it's definitely worth it but bring your appetite! The spread is vast and includes breakfast staples like eggs, bacon, pancakes and then not so regular items like breakfast pizza. Yum! On a separate note, this place also has a great happy hour and late night vibe with good music.
(4)Sadia S.
I love the Liberty Tavern! It's our favorite place to go to in a Arlington. Having just moved here 6 weeks ago, my husband and I were looking for a restaurant that we would frequent often and sure enough, we have found it! The service is exceptional and the food is awesome. On our two dinners there less than ten days apart, we have eaten the scallops, short ribs, and the Amish pan roasted chicken, which were great selections. If I had to pick a negative, it has got to be the chocolate tart on the dessert menu, which is gross! Other than that, this place is awesome and our go to place for dinner.
(5)Sara R.
2.5 stars for brunch only - very limited menu, unless you are doing the buffet. Omelette only came with fruit in a wobbly bowl and strawberries that were definitely not fresh (appeared to have been de-frosted). High prices for average food, I can't understand why it's so busy for brunch. This place is no whitlows (the gold standard for brunch in clarendon).
(3)Vicky S.
Excellent brunch! So much to choose from with extra touches! Caramelized onion, pear and ham pizza-yum! Quiche, prime rib, salads, French toast with warm maple rum sauce, bacon, sausage and fresh pastries! All very good!
(5)Chana M.
Always delivers unique delicious and seasonal vegetarian options. Also, If your work crew is looking for an early happy hour Liberty offers a comfortable lounge area for groups.
(4)Squi L.
OMG another amazing time at The Liberty Tavern! The staff is great, service amazing, and AWESOME FOOD! I love the handout fries, you can taste the freshness! I also am in Love with the wings, the reason I ordered them was bc I could smell the amazing sauce on them so I had to try them! I also LOVE the Grapefruit BUCK its one of the most balanced cocktails I have ever had in my life! Keep up the hard work!
(5)Dave H.
Thanks to the efficient ministrations of the lovely Robin and Catherine[1], I remained nicely buzzed that evening, from start to finish. They sure can handle a crowd. Liberty is a good-sized venue, with conservative stylings. We mobbed the rear lounge area, taking advantage of their couches and low tables. There was room for our party, our drinks, and our plates, and then some. Try their classic wood oven fired pizza: tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and EVOO. Next time I'm in Arlington, I'll stop in. [1] If you're curious, Robin was our prime server; I approached Catherine for a separate order and check. (Get your mind out of the gutter!)
(4)John B.
We've had lunch here a couple of times, so thought we'd try dinner for my wife's birthday. An Open Table reservation through Yelp was nice and easy...even got an email reminder. The menus is rather limited for such a highly-rated restaurant. I had scallops, my wife had a steak. OK, but not 'knock your socks off' good. The waiter was a bit more 'in your face' than we care for, and the noise level is rather high. A nice touch...I mentioned my wife's birthday to the hostess on the way in and at the end of the meal, they comped is two dessert wines and a very tasty tiramisu. All in all, we might return for lunch, but not for dinner. BTW, for those not familiar with the Clarendon scene, parking is very tight on Friday and Saturday evenings.
(3)Jon P.
We have been twice for Thanksgiving brunch/dinner and both times were fantastic. Great breakfast dishes and terrific Thanksgiving dishes. i wish Liberty Tavern was closer to our house!
(5)John B.
I have only been to Liberty on a Friday/Saturday night. It is usually packed with little room to move. The beer selection is good. I have issues with being in super crowded places and it just makes me feel uncomfortable.
(3)Monica H.
I'm just going to go ahead and say it: I don't think their brunch is that fantastic. Maybe I'd like it more if I felt like I was getting my money's worth, but I just can't eat enough in one sitting to make that happen. I think it's over-hyped and overpriced. Certainly not the worst food you could have for brunch, but probably not the best, either.
(3)Jesse K.
Went here late at night with my old roomie and her friend. I hooked up with this girl I met who was there with her sister. We're still friends. That's all I remember.
(4)Dan H.
We've been trying to dine here with our friends for a long time and finally had the foresight to actually make a reservation. It was a good night and I definitely like this place. The dining options are made even more appealing by the vivid and thorough descriptions, some of which are beyond comprehension...what the hell is a 'sea bean'? Or 'nage' anyone? Anyway, our server was awesome and successfully answered all our questions. We ended up ordering 3 of the 4 "Liberty Tavern Classics": Amish Chicken, Skirt Steak, and Branzino & Grilled Octopus as well as the Haddock and a 1/2 order of the gnocchi to share. Chicken: well cooked, tender and juicy and the mash potatoes were delicious; would definitely recommend. The Skirt Steak was delicious as well and came with a mini-cast iron pot of some kind of tasty potatoe mash-up. Branzino and Octopus was mearly 'good' - the octopus piece was 4 tiny legs, a little over-cooked - would have preferred a single larger leg piece. The Branzino wasn't so much bad or good. It did, however, come with these tasty little black things called "fregola nera" - we asked about them but it was loud and I couldn't quite here the answer...I seem to think they are little pasta-like pieces cooked or finished in a tasty sauce which incorporates squid ink to give it a brinyness...I could be way off. I think we made a good choice having the gnocchi as a small dish to share. It was good but a whole meal made up of that would have gotten old fast. BTW the gnocchi's are the tiniest I've ever seen! They looked like big teeth!
(4)Kevin C.
Good food, good beer, great happy hour specials. Fun place to go and have some food and drinks. Their prices have gone up, but so have everyone's. I love their lunchtime burger deals: burger, fries, and a beer for $14 ($12 without the beer). Always consistent and friendly staff. A little loud at times, but it is Clarendon. Much better than many of the other places on the 'strip'.
(4)Jackie N.
Love love lover their brunch! My girlfriend and I frequently come here and anyone who lives in or around Arlington has to come here for brunch! They offer an a la carte menu, but we always do the Breakfast Table buffet. The buffet is $19 and a great value. They have a delicious spread including eggs, French toast, hand carved roast beef with horseradish sauce, pizza, quiche, pasta, unique salads, biscuits and gravy, and a whole smoked salmon! I love the breakfast table because it's small, but that means the food is so fresh. They put a small amount out at a time, which means you never get that last bit of cold scrambled egg or wilted salad. It feels like eating brunch at home because of the cozy atmosphere. They have a separate dessert table too, complete with pastries from Northside Social Cafe (the red brick house across the street). They have nutella pop tarts, scones, mini cookies, parfaits, and chocolate mousse. The mimosas are also a must! They also have a Man-mosa for the boyfriends/husbands. Just make sure to come early or late, as the wait can be a bit long. However, they do take your phone number so you can walk around during your wait.
(5)Chris S.
Breakfast review Firs time venturing out into Arlington for breakfast. Great reviews mean that this place has to be the best right? We walked in less than five minutes after the opening of the doors, and were asked if we had a reservation. For Saturday breakfast? Nope. Unfortunately for us the upstairs was full and we were offered a seat at the bar on the first level. No problem. I got pancakes, my wife got omelet and both of us thought they were delicious, but for the price, I would have liked to have tried the buffet, but the fat kid in me won't let me have to walk up and down a flight of stairs with buffet food. Over-all, I would like to try the breakfast buffet, so I'll have to make reservations. The food was good, but the price was a little high for what you get.
(3)Armond B.
Pretty good spot for brunch. Decent value if you choose the buffet. No mimosa deals, probably best for an older crowd or family.
(4)A M.
Twice I have tried Liberty and both times I was underwhelmed by the fries. I don't know what the problem is with their fryer, but I think they need to change the oil or get a better quality potato.
(2)Jason S.
This place is incredibly consistent. I don't think I've ever ordered anything there where I wasn't happy with it. Highlights are the pork chop, the flank steak, and the amish chicken. Yes, they even manage to make chicken worth ordering in a restaurant. The service upstairs can be slow at times but the staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. Their breadbasket is amazing. The brunch is also amazing and quite dangerous.
(4)TheTruthTeller CheeseEater D.
Delicious brunch. It's been awhile but I remember the mimosas vividly.
(5)Ann T.
Came in for an early breakfast. They were serving their brunch menu which is known for their buffet table - $20/person, a bit pricey, especially since my friend and I weren't that hungry so we ordered a la carte. there were slim pickins...but we'd already settled in. Although the food was good and farm fresh, I had two gripes: 1) They don't have cups of coffee. You can order either a french press for $7 or espresso drinks. Since their espresso machine was down, we got a french press, which although nice (I prefer my coffees to be french pressed), ended up being lukewarm after 30 minutes and we were only half-way through. Not ideal for 2 ppl. 2) Don't expect to sit and talk for hours. Because this place is fairly busy in the mornings, they want to turn their tables quickly, which means they want to get you in and out so they can fill it up for the next hungry patron. As a former server, I completely understand. Had I known, I probably wouldn't have come here with this particular friend because we generally have 2 hour long conversations every time we meet up. We must have had a busser come by our table 4-5 times after we'd finished to see if there was anything else. I definitely felt rushed which ruined my experience. Although I love the decor of Liberty Tavern and the food is good, I simply wasn't a fan of the service.
(3)Michael S.
Came for lunch and the food was decent but I was disappointed with a couple of things. 1) The busser, while clearing my plate, spilled mussel juice all over me. He failed to apologize or even provide me with any napkins. Instead he just looked at the spill and then at me, paused and walked away. 2) Had to wait for my food to be made while the rest of my party had their food due to a kitchen mistake.
(2)Bri G.
I'm not a huge fan of buffets EVER but, this far exceeded my expectation and was absolutely delic! Sunday brunch 5 STARS! We left FULL and totally impressed! When I want grits, this place makes them exactly how I want 'em! Options, food, presentation was perfect! I like the bar scene at this place as well. Doesn't seem to bring in the college kids which is great for me! Hate the college bar scene... I'm really not that old just like to be around people with real life problems (inside joke). ;)
(5)Nicole O.
The bread basket we had for dinner on a Tuesday was so horrible, we sent it back. It was gratis and we sent it back. I honestly think the sandwich bread in my kitchen is better. We also asked for fries and they up-sold us on "bar fries w/ 3 sauces"-we bit. 1) ketchup doesn't count as a sauce. that's a free condiment everyone gets. 2) watered down A-1 ("steak sauce") doesn't count as a sauce 3) the last one was an "aioli", which was just watered down mayo. I wish it would have been great or even good since I've heard some okay things about it and I live right next to it...
(2)Ruth C.
Props to our server Daniel for exceeding patience and almost perfect billing. A shame that they'd run out of the shortrib and one of the tastier pizzas that night. Hemingway daiquiri was tasty, and the masonic was as nicely mellow as I remembered. We were sad that they ran out of Patron Cafe XO after one round of shots, but the other end of the table made do with the suggested alternative, and our end got up to no damn good with whiskey. Sampled the Vermont pizza and found the onions acceptably caramelized. The Granny Smith apple was sliced thin and paired well with both the Cabot white cheddar and prosciutto, but I found the dough itself a tad underdone. Hue recovered from the sloppy slice of Classico with a second helping of the nice table bread. I opted for the restaurant week deal, which was your pick of app, entree, and dessert. Grilled octopus was what managed to kick my opinion of this place up a notch; most tender octopus I've had in years, coupled with two gently grilled clams upon a bed of fennel. The blood orange sections were the perfect balancing note, and I loved the natural briny flavors with the hint of citrus. I'd get that again in a heartbeat. Crispy pork belly and beer/cheddar sausage came out before I was done with my last course, but I hurried to accomodate. Had my first taste of scrapple, and wished it was cut a bit thinner so that there would be a higher crisp ratio. Pearl barley was al dente enough for me to leave some on my plate. Kale was cooked until just done, and was elevated from my usual disinterest by the cider jus and picked apples. Sausage congealed once it hit room temperature, and was difficult to cut with the table knife beyond the diagonal slicing. Pork belly wasn't crispy, but still delicious; I'll let false advertising slide, I suppose, and opt for the pork chop next time. Finished my meal with a scoop of pistachio ice cream, plus scoops of coconut and mango sorbets. Coconut won out in flavor and texture just a nose ahead of pistachio; mango was tart and as thick as the Haagen-Dazs equivalent. High side of three and a half stars, since the food tends to be severely hit or miss. It was nice finally checking out the mellow dining scene upstairs, though I definitely miss the rowdy casual vibe of the lounge area downstairs. Not to mention the whole downer part about having a last call upstairs. Brunch update: Thanks to Cliff W for leading these BEC expeditions. Buffet is where it's at, considering the a la carte menu is only has one or two especially appealing items. Be sure to browse the list to see if the proteins of the day are worthwhile to you. I preferred my bellini over the mimosa, but you can't really argue with a $4 price point on the latter. Skip the bloody marys, even the Brooklyn lager chaser can't save you from that gritty boredom. Fried chicken went like hotcakes, but honestly there's no shame in creamy eggs (surprising that I enjoyed it more than the baconized version), maple sausage, and silky beef stroganoff. Not a fan of the scalloped potatoes, which were a touch underdone. I skipped the classico pizza, but was happy to see it replaced with the Vermont. French toast was decadent, as was the lox station. No old fruit here! Second brunch visit yielded happiness in the form of skirt steak and eggs, which were cooked to order. The gently seasoned potatoes were improved vastly by the tomato hollandaise.
(4)J-nine D.
Met up some of my BF's family while on the East Coast. This place was very busy, but we were able to sit down in the lunge area. Our waitress was VERY unhappy at first.. possibly b/c the place was packed and she seemed like she was the only waitress. I just remember her asking for our drink orders and then arguing with my BF about getting his drink in a regular glass instead of a martini glass. She also replied rudely "what i can't hear you" when my BF's cousin-in-law was ordering cheese... (the cousin-in-law knew it was loud and was pointing at the item on the menu as she said the order to help out the server) Our food came out delicious so I guess it is just one of those places with great food and shitty service. Would I go back? Possibly, but there must be other great things out there. Try: Chicken, Pork Chops, Greyson Cheese.
(3)Kevin M.
LT...Eh..it's decent. If you want a pretty good date spot, or very very chill HH, this is probably for you. I think the food is pretty expensive for what you get, but it's one of the better looking bar's in the Clarendon area. Brunch on the weekends are pretty good. They have an all you can eat part upstairs, but aside from that, very meh.
(3)P L.
I've gone to Liberty Tavern a few times and it's a good place... I like their burger and a beer deal and their brunch on Sundays is great, but priced a little high. The reason why I only gave them three stars is that there isn't much parking around. There's a few paid lots and the metro is close (Clarendon - Orange line). The last time I went, I got the Fake Primanti Bros sandwich - a dish with sausage and fries, just like the real thing. The negative was that my sausage was a little too pink for me in the middle. I was a little frightened to eat it, but I continued to do it. I decided to stop eating midway through and just bring it home to reheat and recook later. It was fine at home, but I was just a little weary about it that day in the restaurant.
(3)Megan A.
Liberty Tavern is a great neighborhood bar and one of my favorite places for happy hour. There is a cozy atmosphere to the place and you always feel like everyone there has been there before, but not like you're intruding on the regulars. On top of that - they have a great selection of wines, a decent selection of beers, and excellent pizza (the Vermont is my favorite). Also, if you've got a group coming, you can reserve a section on the couches toward the back. I've never had a proper meal at this place, but judging by the happy faces descending the staircase from the dining room and the number of people there for brunch, I'd guess that's pretty stellar too.
(4)Lesley G.
Some good and some bad. I really liked their french fries and different dipping sauces, but the earthly burger was a no-go.
(3)Valerie N.
Restaurant Week heaven! I had a to-die-for steak and I'd pay money for someone to tell me what amazing cheese I had. Oh well - fantastic dining experience in a large group! Loved it!
(4)Anna S.
One of my favorite brunches in the area. All-you-can-eat smorgasboard of lovingly crafted meats, salads, fruit, frittatas, and my favorite: vintage candies, including Dots. Nice staff, too: come more than 2-3 times and they'll remember you. I used to come all the time with a friend of mine from England (who was here for six months on a research trip and so utterly entranced with Lib Tav that he came to brunch nearly every week); the owner asked about him whenever he saw me for almost a year after that. Lib Tav is always hideously crowded and loud, whether you're there for bunch, happy hour, or late-night drinks, but at least the quality lives up to what the crowds would suggest.
(4)Wesley C.
Wow. So stuffed. Their veal was Delish and we thoroughly enjoyed their brunch buffet. Unfortunately some parts of the stone ground grits and were on the hard side, and their biscuits were too dry. But their home fries, French toast, potato salad and the majority of everything else was fantastic. Although we had reservations and came early, we ended up not getting seated until maybe 10-15 min after our reservation time. But it was worth the wait.
(4)Dennis S.
Good place to drink, nothing special. Limited beer selection. Excellent service. Good energy. Marginal pizza (by Chicago standards.) I enjoyed a very late evening here with business friends. Nothing was outstanding, but we weren't there to be entertained. I wouldn't hesitate to go back, as long as it's with people I want to visit with for an evening.
(3)Jim C.
Great food and a stellar brunch.
(4)Lauren H.
Always amazing food and great service.
(5)Regina H.
Why did I end up here? The Liberty Tavern is close to the Clarendon metro station and happy hour starts early on Fridays at 2 pm! They also have some food specials - select sandwiches and a pint of beer for around $15 until 5 pm. Draft beers are $3.5 until 7 pm. They have some good beers too, such as Brooklyn Lager, Stella Artois, etc. Wines are also half off. Our server was really friendly and came back often to make sure we were doing okay. I didn't try any of their food, but it looked pretty good especially since I was hungry. Too bad I was saving my appetite for a big dinner. There are a few tables outdoors if you want to dine/drink al fresco. I'd come back if in need of an early happy hour!
(3)Tisha B.
Drink specials are really cool. Went here with a group of 10 co-workers and had a blast. I see what all the hype was about! Definitely keeping this on my roster for when we make the big move to Arlington!!!
(4)Samantha B.
I am giving this restaurant three stars because of the service that I received. The service was sub par for such a raved about restaurant. My friend and I sat outside because it was open and it was a decent day. Our waiter, whose name I know but will not say, was not very attentive at all. Our water cups sat empty, did not ask us if we wanted refills, messed up my order and seemed like he could care less. Our waiter pretty much had the "whatever, I don't care" attitude and at one point asked us if we were ready to order and we said a few more minutes and before we could finish saying that he was gone. I ordered the omelet and asked for no mushrooms, I got mushrooms. I barely at my food because of it. In turn, I feel like I wasted my money. The part of the omelet that I did eat was decent, but was egg and cheese and some spinach--so nothing spectacular. Also the fruit I had seemed like it was not fresh at all. The apples were browning and the fruit was warm (fruit temperature is just a preference thing though). My friend asked for a take home box for her home fries (there were a lot of them) and she had to ask twice and ask someone else because our waiter did not bring it to her. The take home box was actually plastic, not cardboard, so there is a plus. As a result our waiter got a bad tip. I am not a bad tipper. I would definitely come here again to try the other food options and I really do feel like the service will be better next time. The brunch a la carte menu can be improved though--nothing unique about it. I would be interested in getting the buffet. Like many other Yelpers, definitely make a reservation or get there early. My wait was about 20 minutes, which was not bad at all considering how busy the place was on a Sunday.
(3)ThekwiniBabe X.
Tiz too crowded.. It's ait tho
(3)Denisse R.
I came here with a friend tonight and my experience was fantastic. Our hostess was friendly, our server Shawn was extremely attentive and knowledgeable. It has been a while since I'd experienced such a high level of customer service. The food was great. I had the linguine and we shared the Gray ladies goat's milk for dessert - fantastic! Wonderful dinner experience! I'll make sure to come again soon to try one of their pizzas.
(5)Christine C.
Service was fast, they gave us complimentary homemade ice cream, the bread was amazing. The inside was different and very interesting. Downstairs is a bar atmosphere, upstairs is perfect for a date. Would go back again.
(5)Lor B.
Yelping for brunch. 2 things to order: French Press & The Buffet. Great little spot right in the heart of Clarendon. We had a large party of 17 and they were able to accomodate us at such short notice! Definitely a great place to bring families for a fun brunch experience. Kids are just $9. I'm a fan - you'll be one too!
(4)John K.
I thought the Liberty Tavern was a solid restaurant. I would give it about 3.5 stars I guess. The drink menu is good, I thought their beer selection was above average. Service was great, I loved our waiter. A little surprised it gets two dollar signs instead of three, but maybe lots of people who visit only the bar are voting on the price range. We got the salmon carpaccio for an appetizer, which was excellent. The garlic bread app was mediocre - wouldn't recommend it. I got the pork chop on the recommendation from the waiter and I thought it was quite good. It wasn't perfectly cooked - medium rare in most parts, but too rare in others. A little bit fatty, but I would still recommend it and maybe suggest ordering it medium or just hoping I got unlucky the first time. The greens it was served with (I forget if they were mustard or kale) were great, as was the spaetzle and scrapple. For dessert I got the rosemary tart, which I thought was very good. I tasted the chocolate pot do creme which was pretty good but some of the accompanying items (like the poached pear) weren't that fabulous.
(3)Spencer C.
This is probably my favorite restaurant in Arlington. I have been here for many different occasions: brunches, dinners, happy hour, and lunch. I've never been disappointed. The food is delicious. I enjoy their homemade cheeses. The brunch buffet is amazing and almost too decadent. Happy hour is affordable. The staff, bartenders, waitresses, hosts, are all friendly. I highly recommend this place for a nice neighborhood dinner. In the warmer months, their patio is lovely, too.
(5)Justin I.
We heard about this place and how good the brunch buffet is. They were spot on. We made an open table reservation via Yelp because we heard it is always packed. I'm glad we did. The place was rockin'. Started with a mimosa, then hit the buffet line...hard! They have a really good spread. Something for everyone. You can't go wrong. We had a feast. The service was amazing. All in all the Liberty Tavern is as good as it gets when it comes to quality brunch spots. We'll have to go back the next time we are in Arlington to check out dinner or even just stop for a drink. Seems like it would be a cool place to hang out at night.
(5)Jesse C.
I received a gift certificate from a friend for a present, enough for several meals there, so I have gotten a great feel for The Liberty Tavern. From their amazing hand made cheese to a perfect Lobster Risotto, it's a treat to eat here. They do things right with amazing ambiance and great style. I could gush endlessly about my love for the Tavern's food but it wouldn't do it justice. I can't wait for my next reason to have dinner there. I'll be back!
(5)Kristen R.
Their sunday brunch buffet is the best deal in town. It might be a tad crowded, but it is well worth it. They offer a lot of options that should please a normal person. The buffet kills whitlow's crap down the street for basically the same price.
(4)Audrey M.
Easily one of my favorite places in Clarendon. It's almost always crowded, but worth any short wait you might endure. The clientele is "older" i.e. late 20's early 30s, and more upwardly-mobile feeling than surrounding places. Nothing against Spyder's, but sometimes you just don't have the energy to push through throngs of NOVA d-bags...enter Liberty Tavern. Our group of 4 was seated at one of the high-tops near the front window, and my only complaint is that it was way too small to hold menus, multiple drink glasses and food plates. We had to do a lot of shuffling, and at one point a tiny sauce bowl shattered after I knocked it off the table....womp. Food was delicious though. 2 of us did the Foggiana pizza and a half serving of the gnocchi, and left perfectly satisfied. A guy in our group ordered the veal carpaccio which appeared miniscule, but he said it was great. My bf and I stopped in again several Saturdays ago to grab after dinner drinks. It was crowded, but we were able to snag bar seats after another couple departed. I ordered the Pursuit of Happiness, a concoction of vodka, strawberries, pineapple and basil....a perfect fruity marriage. Our bartender was friendly and chatty, but not intrusive. He even offered the bar people a random pizza that was brought out....an unexpected and delicious surprise! Downstairs does get borderline claustrophobic on the weekend, so I'd recommend making a reservation or coming earlier and grabbing bar seats before the crowds descend. Brunch is amazing. Both times we've sat upstairs, which puts you a stone's throw from the buffet....dangerous. Love, love the variety of food that you can pile your plate with including meat from the small carving station. The dessert table is ok but kind of bland...mini cakes, shortbreads, etc. but nothing really stood out. The french press is a must, though. My return is imminent.
(4)Irene C.
Very crowded on a Tuesday night. The bar was PACKED and it was so loud that I couldn't hear myself talk. Luckily, my group was seated upstairs. The classic and american pizza were good, the crust was thin and had a great crunch, but nothing about it impressed me too much. CPK pizza is comparable to this and the prices here are steeper and the portions are small if not smaller than CPK pizza. Judging by the amount of people surrounding the bar, i bet they have great happy hour specials so I would check it out!
(3)Brent A.
Went here for a nightcap several times while attending classes at Mason at the bottom of the hill. It's good for just that, a night cap. Obama did go here to eat (for some reason - maybe the NAME). You will stick to the floor and it doesn't smell good in here.
(3)David H.
Everything I've tried on the menu is pretty good, like the restaurant, just can be a little pricey but what's new in Clarendon
(4)Katie L.
I've had my eye on Liberty Tavern for a while, and finally after several months of curiosity, I stopped in with a few friends for Sunday brunch. While I enjoyed the company on my recent visit, I found the food to be just OK. The buffet had all the brunch standbys: French toast, bacon, sausage, biscuits, fruit, salads, carved meats and a dessert table. It even had pretty good prices compared to some of my DC brunch buffet favorites. However, despite having all that I wanted, none of the individual dishes were particularly memorable. I tried most of the above and was particularly excited to try the fried chicken. It was so-so. I don't know if it makes me horrifically unclassy or what, but I would have preferred Popeye's. The dessert table was a little weak as well. All in all, I'd say the food was average. I wish there was more of a lunch part of brunch selection (like potato salad or mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, pasta salad) and that the restaurant had more room for people to maneuver around the buffet line. If I make it to Liberty Tavern again, I'd like to go for dinner or I would perhaps go to brunch and order off the menu. I tried the French press coffee, which was pretty solid, but next time I plan to indulge in some mimosas. Brunch buffets are tricky to master. To me, Beacon Hotel and Georgia Brown's brunch buffets (both in DC) are still the class of the area.
(3)S. Paul L.
I wanted to give it a bump in stars, but I just don't think that it is a true 5-star place. The food is good, but I think the food at Tallula or even Lyon Hall (which is owned by the same folks who own Liberty) is a notch above Liberty's food. I love their cheese selection. The Bourbon Chevre is fantastic and the Sweet Grass is also really tasty on bread. If you love brie, then get the Sweet Grass. One tip with the cheese apps though: wait for the house made bread. It's better than the bread that comes with the actual cheese dish(es). The service here is always great and they definitely do a nice job of describing different drinks & menu items if you're not sure. My wife had their branzino and grilled octopus dish and the octopus was incredible, but the branzino was really lackluster. It wasn't really seasoned at all and if you're going to leave the skin of a fish on then it should be really nice and crispy and this wasn't at all. My order was the fillet mingon and at first glance this is a really imrpessive portion for a fillet and it was cooked beautifully. My problem with this dish was it was screaming for a starch or something. The swiss chard that came with the dish was very acidic, which was nice and paired with the steak, but I almost think like a sweet potato mash would have paired a lot better with the dish than the soggy piece of brioche bread on the bottom of the plate. I'm sorry, but I really 100% feel that putting a piece of bread on the bottom of a dish that isn't a crustini or sandwich of some sort is a HUGE COP OUT. Come on Liberty Tavern. You're better than that. For the price of a dinner there, it needs to be better than that.
(4)Morgan V.
Excellent menu with an attentive and knowledgable waitstaff. The specialties cocktails are wonderful. I recommend "Bobbie Jean" and the "Grapefruit Buck" for unique cocktail choices. Can't wait to go back for drinks downstairs on a Friday or Saturday evening and brunch on a Sunday.
(4)Hyunoo P.
Liberty Tavern's buffet spread was pretty large, however, I only remember piling on lox, pizzas, and homestyle butternut squash. All of which I found to be the most delicious. The lox came with an assortment of toppings and toast. I helped myself to generous amounts of caviar and creme fresh (to justify the $18 price!). This alone would have sufficed had I not seen the most edible of geometries appearing on the table. Pizza was appearing on one small part of the buffet table... which I appropriately began to camp. I recall the style being Neapolitan. There were Caprese, chicken, and cheese pizzas. While I don't know if I would have ordered them normally, I still devoured the crispy-thin triangles unabashedly. So what if they came out 1 at a time and I would eat 3 of the available 9 slices? Buffet is cutthroat stuff baby. I think the only truly brunch-ish item I could not turn down were the homestyle butternut squash. There wasn't anything about the butternut aspect that captivated me, but the crispiness on those little cubes was pretty near perfect. Each forkful delivered a satisfying crunch which immediately gave way to tender-potato like softness. Mix that with a little ketchup, damn. (I ate here 2 months ago and i'm sure I omitted details. Clearing up the backlog!)
(4)Todd V.
Havent eaten here. Only done the bar. I saw guys wearing visors. Where am I? Bartender charged me $32 for 3 baby patron shots. Not believing that it was correct, I diabolically asked if they really cost $11 a shot. He said yes. Based on the tab, thats not even possible for that many shots. What an asshole. He was then too busy to fix the tab. I bemoan going to NoVA a lot, and this place gave me one more reason to feel justified in doing so.
(1)Jon K.
Best food in Clarendon. We have visited most of the spots along Wilson and the food at Liberty is hard to beat. I'm not a cheese connoisseur but apparently these guys spend a lot of time thinking about it. Great date night
(4)Jacqui B.
So much fun! One of the things I love best about Liberty Tavern is that everyone in the dining room seems to be having a terrific time -- from first drink to dessert. This was our sixth or seventh visit, and it did not disappoint at all. We ordered the pizzas this time, and WOW! Amazing! We also really enjoyed the apple/endive salad. I never flip out over a salad, but this one was outstanding. Absolutely what I expected from Liberty Tavern's kitchen. We were still raving about our meal hours later. As we stumbled through the area late-night spots, we kept hearing about Liberty Tavern's brunch. I hate brunch, but there were so many people telling me so many great things about Liberty Tavern's brunch that I may rethink my position. I do have to say, though, sometimes I feel as though I'm dining right on top of complete strangers. Try to get a table away from the wall if you can.
(3)Carole W.
Perfect date night. Great bar downstairs to have a drink while you wait for your table. Excellent service and food: rustic casual with hints of urban culinary tricks. Very dependable classics: husband got the skirt steak and I got the gnocci- LOVE that you can order half portions on the pastas- perfect for an almost full appetite after an irresistable starter. Will be back.
(5)Barrie C.
I've been here three times, once for brunch and twice on a Saturday night. First, the restaurant. It's actually a pretty nice place, and I really liked the upstairs space. The decor isn't too tacky or loud. As for the food, the brunch was forgettable. I ordered the French toast and found it wholly mediocre and a bit on the small side (I was pretty hungry). The server was slow and inattentive, even after we told him that I had a flight to catch, so Liberty loses points for that. I'm not sure if that's an anomaly or an endemic problem though. I'll have to go for lunch and dinner to be sure, but so far I'm skeptical about the food. Second, a weekend night. Liberty is an interesting complement to the Clarendon Ballroom, which is right next door. Both times I've been there it's been a slightly older crowd. I'd say early 30's, which is actually a nice break from the college atmosphere of the other places in Clarendon. It was still a yuppie meat market though. And it's loud, so be prepared to yell. They had a decent selection of beer and mixed drinks, but it was overpriced. Overall I would have given it two stars, but I had to give it one more for having a different crowd than the other Clarendon bars. It's worth checking out, but I don't see myself hanging out here a lot.
(3)Danielle L.
started with the crispy shrimp and clams (there were only 4 clams). the dipping sauce was tasty. pizza was ok - better then frozen but not amazing. happy hour drinks were great- got a fantastic glass of Riesling for 4$! was there for a work thing - prob would not go back
(3)Tom G.
Incredible brick oven pizza and great fries. So close to Metro. The chicken pizza with arugula is divine.
(5)Ned F.
For drinks, it's crowded, crowded, and crowded. For the number of people in there, there are what, two bartenders? It takes a while to get a drink, your tab after the fact, and then when you get back to your friends, people are swarming all over you for personal space. If you like confined spaces, this is your spot.
(2)Inga S.
I've now had three meals at this restaurant, and all three were disappointing. The first two meals were dinners and both were underwhelming. The last meal was a weekend lunch. I ordered a lobster roll for $16. It was a joke! Not only was the roll over-toasted, but more importantly, instead of the signature lobster meat chunks that one would expect in a lobster roll what I got was lobster mush with too much mayo and too much salt. It frankly tasted like a tuna fish sandwich. I am not wasting my money coming to this place again.
(2)David M.
Always a good place to meet up with friends. Too small to stay all night. Pricey drinks for Arlington, and no real Happy Hour to speak of.
(3)Mike F.
I remember it in slow motion. I'm enjoying a cold domestic beer with my friends, laughing about monkeys or something trivial, when suddenly a patron pulls out a cigarette at point blank range. We're caught off-guard, no cover in sight. Immediately, the staff swarms and disarms the would-be assassin, securing the weapon and instructing him to take it outside. Victory, snatched from the jaws of defeat! From this experience, I knew this place was a keeper. This place quickly established itself as a good neighborhood bar rivaling Whitlows, RiRa, and other contenders. A wonderful beer selection and friendly bartenders and denizens make this a place to return to. Recommend snatching table space adjacent to the bar before the locusts descend.
(4)Corbin T.
I've dined a Liberty Tavern a few times and each time is better than the previous. The downstairs bar is a little dark and crowded, but if you can grab a high top table you'll be set. The upstairs restaurant area is larger but some of the tables are a little cramped. The bread basket was a welcomed surprise and was filled with home-made rolls and butter. My date and I ordered the brick oven pizza and the mussels, both very tasty. I also ordered one of their specialty drinks- I don't remember the name, but it included lemon vodka, strawberries, and mint. Very refreshing for a cold day in Arlington. On another night I chose the Artic Char as my entree- a filet of Artic Char on a bed of spaetzle and topped with cranberries, accompanied with brazed fennel. Complex tastes and great texture. I can't wait to go again!
(4)TX in D.
Meat market staffed by liars. I have given this place a lot of chances and are disappointed every time. The food is okay, but not worth putting up with all the poor customer service at this place. On a recent visit to the absolutely jam-packed, poorly designed and staffed bar, we decided to give the upstairs dining room a try. My husband put our name and were told there was a 30 minute wait. At thirty minutes, I went to check on out status - and was told that the we had to wait 20 more minutes. When I told them that we'd been told 30 minutes, and I was informed that that couldn't possibly have been the case. I then took the opportunity to point out that my husband's name was on their list with a "30" next to it. The rude hostess when tried to tell us that it was written relevant to someone else, but it was clear that the wait was just longer than they'd predicted - which would have been fine and understandable if they hadn't LIED about it.
(1)Carly T.
This is a go-to lunch spot, especially on Friday's- you can't beat a burger and a pint for $10. And to top it off, it's really good! They have a good selection of beer and lots of tasty sides so you're not stuck eating fries if you're not into that. Overall, pretty good, low key place to enjoy a bite.
(4)Ellen F.
As much as I love liberty tav, there a couple things that stick in my craw. 1) the horrible monsterfest dance party that goes on downstairs. It's such a weird contrast with the lovely dining room upstairs and the thoughtful, tasty menu. I'm talking about meat from Polyface Farms people, not Girls Just Wanna Have Fun wafting up the stairs. Just making your way to the bathroom is like crossing through a herd of Wildbeest on safari. Terrifying. 2) My experience last night, which was pretty strange. I was going with a group of five people + one tiny adorable puppy dog with resos for 9 pm. We requested patio with our reservations so puppyface could hang out in her little bag, but when we got to the restaurant, the sky opened up and everyone was scrambling to stay dry. No big deal, we were told the dog couldn't eat inside (duh) so we put her in the car and I told them we'd eat inside instead. Hostess guy said sure, not a table available now but they'd let us know. We were cool with that so we got a drink at the bar and stood around, within CLEAR SIGHT of the hostess stand. It'd been a few minutes and we were hungry so I went to check and he was like "OH I called you like four times!!!". This kiiinda pissed me off since we were STANDING RIGHT THERE and no one ever mentioned they were going to *call* me...I guess he had my number from my opentable res. Anyway, he did call me, but only twice and only 10 minutes ago. and almost 40 minutes past our reservation time. AAAAAnyway, we are finally led upstairs and sat. There are several tables up there but not a whole lot going on (read: not too busy to seat us). A frenetic looking man accosts us immediately and says something along the lines of "you're the people with the dog right?" uhhh...yeah? it's not here? "you're gonna need to order immediately or the kitchen is going to close" EXCUSE ME WHAT?! I can't really see how any of this is our fault at this point! We immediately took doggie out the equation and stood around waiting. WHAT MORE CAN WE DO HERE!?! Anyway this made me black out with indignation. When our nice waiter came by, I inquired who that man in the white shirt was...he's the MANAGER!!! Are you kidding me?!?! The waiter apologized knowingly, as if this probably happened a lot and assured us that they do usually serve way past 10 pm, and proceeded to feed us a delicious meal. So basically I'm updating this review because I go there a lot and I don't want to be harassed about it!
(3)Keith R.
This was a really excellent dining experience. You use the word "Primanti" on a menu, and I'm putting you to a high-standards test; pleased to say it's passable! A little more slaw would help proportionally. My wife ordered the spaghetti - which is really more of a seafood pasta at LT - and it was pretty good, but oversalted. A manager stopped by doing his rounds, and at the slightest mention, it was nearly immediately replaced with a corrected rendition. We appreciate that kind of attention to detail and customer service. The bar, legendary in competency amongst our circles, did a stand-up job. The peanut soup with candied bacon was really, really interesting and I enjoyed it a lot, though I wouldn't eat more than the small cup... it's rich! All in all a really nice place, good atmosphere, friendly service. We will absolutely be returning.
(4)Dian C.
I've been here a couple of months ago on a Friday night and found it to be unbearably loud and crowded, and not at all tavern-like. I see people eating there all the time on weekdays and decided to give it another try, this time for dinner. We sat upstairs and the crowd was definitely older than the bar scene downstairs. The service was very attentive and friendly. I got the hangar steak, one of their most popular dishes and it was absolutely delicious. Not only was the steak itself perfect, but the sides were also so good that I could have been content just eating a whole meal of those, especially the potato gratin. The tagliatelle was also very tasty. I'm glad I decided to give it a second try and highly recommend this place for dinner. I had such a good experience that I went back for brunch a couple of days later. They have this great buffet that they are still experimenting with, but you can't beat the price. $15 buffet and $3 mimosas and bloody marys! They had a fresh fruit salad, french toast, and a great variety of egg-based dishes. Everything was fresh and hot. By the time I looked at the dessert table, I was completely stuffed. I did take a few bites of the pecan pie (pretty good!) though and the Jolly Ranchers were a nice throwback. I've been looking for a decent brunch place in Arlington (the brunch at Whitlow's was cold and bland) and I think I've found it!
(4)Andy K.
We order several items, nothing stood out. First time I ever had a pizza with apples on it
(2)Erin O.
Packed happy hour! Good manhattan
(3)Colleen G.
The brunch here is absolutely 100% amazing. Apart from the fact that you will probably gain five pounds by eating it (but I guess that is more of a self control issue!). This is definitely the best brunch I have had in a long time. Happy hour is also predictably great with a busy, fun crowd but not overly packed where you can't breathe. Dinner is fantastic too and the desserts are just soo delicious. Honestly, there is nothing wrong with this place at all and every experience I have had has been excellent. The service has also been wonderful.
(5)Robin F.
Alright well it's been almost a year and we finally made it back to Liberty Tavern for food. During the Blizzard of 2010 we decided to walk over to Liberty Tavern for lunch and have their burger and a pint. And it was really tasty - perfect size burger, white cheddar, crispy bacon, and a great bun. I had the side salad which was good and my boyfriend got the fries and it was all good!! What a great deal for $10 each!!
(3)Phil B.
This place is consistently listed with other high end restaurants but the food has left me disappointed on several occasions. Their menu is seasonal and I can't really say anything too bad about it just have never been impressed for the price. The pizza has been my favorite entree if that's any indication. Between that and the place being packed to capacity on weekend nights I'd say there's almost always a better alternative.
(2)Jim A.
Finally a cool, urban place to hang in Clarendon. The Liberty Tavern has a NYC or SF feeling to it - professionally run with the owners that care. They are trying to create a neighborhood hang-out and are well on their way to success. Smartly chosen wine list, inventive menu, fun cocktails and management that understands hospitality - Liberty Tavern runs circles around other choices in Clarendon. The menu changes fairly often and is full of good choices - from bruschetta to pasta to steak and always good seafood entrees. Have always had good service with the floor manager taking an active interest in the tables rather than hanging out in the back gabbing, like at so many other establishments in the area. Can't wait until the change Saturday brunch to Saturday Lunch! JcA
(5)Henry G.
I have been once with my Georgetown University's program classmates. The place was crowded, and the drinks were great. The best part was not expensive. I'll definitely go back to this place if I decide to get drunk after the class one day. :)
(4)Jo M.
i've been here a few times. a couple of times for happy hour and once for brunch. the service was great each time. the beer is great. the food i had has been quite good. the brunch buffet was $19 and offres tons of choices... hot apple cider, some sort of roast, spiced shrimp, fried chicken, french toast and on and on. the happy hour specials are great. and til 5 pm you can get a juicy gourmet burger + a pint of beer for $11!
(4)Harold M.
Had a pizza with eggs on it which was great. Nice place. Will go there again.
(4)molly c.
hi dc yelp! i'm molly c, and i live in new york...we cool? so, i made a flash decision last wednesday to go down to VA over the memorial day weekend. i used to roll deep in NoVa, but lately, not so much. and since just hanging out with dan is not enough for me and because i am a yelp addict, i PMed tina r. about meeting up for some foodz. so, dan and i roll in from chantilly and get a sweet parking spot. meet up with tina and got ourselves seated. so. they have a buffet. i know! it's huge. i didn't partake, but per dan the au gratin potatoes were "fucking amazing." i had the burger. it was decent. the bun was way too big. so, yes. we had a great time, the service was great and they had a whole table of CANDY. i know! candy! good place to go.
(4)Juan D.
I have eaten here 5 times and used to just get the pizza. It was ok. However, hands down the best deal and item I have had on their menu is the grilled cheese from the bar menu. It's $7 and comes with a bowl of creamy tomato. It's made with mozerella and vermont white cheddar on sourdough. You cannot beat it. I would rate this place 5 stars if they just served the grilled cheese.
(3)Cadence R.
I don't hand out five stars easily. Nor do I give them to places until I have tried it multiple times. Today is an exception to my general rule. There was absolutely nothing I can complain about with my meal, the meals of my family's and I only have glowing things to say about the service. We arrived at Liberty Tavern around 6 for an early dinner. My mom, my grandma and I were immediately seated in the lovely upstairs area. Tons of natural light was coming in and the space was just perfect. Our waiter, Tom (or Tim... I'm not sure and this is my biggest regret) came over and gave great drink recommendations for all of us based on our personal preferences. I got the pomegranate drink, my grandmother had the bourbon and mint drink that was served in a jar, and my mom got a beer that she had never had (I'm absolutely terrible at remembering names of these things). All drinks were fabulous and I could easily see myself ordering anything off that menu again. My grandma is not the easiest person to take out. She says she likes almost anywhere and enjoys trying new things, but that's not -really- true. If she doesn't know just one ingredient in a meal she won't order it and it really limits what on a menu she'll eat. She settled on pizza, but was going to just stick with cheese since she wasn't sure what toppings were on the others, but Tom walked her through exactly what was going to be on other pizzas without being exasperated. She ended up branching out and trying the Italian sausage pizza. My mom got the branzino and I ordered the Sheppard's Pie. Rather than going off and putting that in, Tom made sure that I knew it was a different interpretation of that dish and was completely vegetarian. I really appreciated his honesty and making sure that I was getting what I ordered and wanted rather than just have me be surprised by the lack of meat when it arrived. Of course there was pre dinner bread and one of the types was heavenly and was made with molasses. My grandmother just loves molasses. She proceeded to tell us the entire story of when they would make molasses as kids (no, not fun at all... Thank God my parents didn't use me as farm labor). When Tom came back we asked for another piece and he was happy to oblige. Once the food arrived he recommended a different beer that would go well with my mother's fish and it did perfectly. We all cleaned our plates and even split a carrot cake desert! When the bill arrived so did a brown bag for my grandma with half a loaf of the molasses bread. If that isn't impeccable service then I'm not sure what is! Everything about this experience was amazing and I seriously left there and wanted to email the manager to tell him that Tom (or Tim or something with a T I think) was absolutely amazing. I would recommend this place to anyone. Well, I can't recommend the bar area, when I went down there to use the restroom it was definitely too loud to even hear yourself think, but upstairs was idyllic. Sorry, this is super long, but I just can't rave enough!
(5)Will Y.
A pretty cool spot. Food and drinks are good and service is great. They have a nice area for grabbing a beer downstairs. The staff are cool and seem to enjoy being there. LT draws decent crowds and is a neighborhood favorite. I hear the buttermilk dressing is hit or miss.
(3)Derrick L.
This is the type of restaurant we love. A tasty, creative menu, a thoughtful wine/beer selection, and a relaxed all-comer's atmosphere. We ate off the early summer menu, had the lobster egg noodle pasta dish and the Amish chicken. Both very good. If we lived closer, we'd probably take advantage of the take-out window.
(4)Lori W.
First time Sunday brunch visit with gf. Made a 10:15 early reservation, glad. Was very excited to meet Michael, who took reservation-talk about pleasant, friendly, excited to see me on 1/10-very impressed with how the reservations were taken. I arrived at 10:15, met Michael Scruggs, who was even more impressive in person - he seems to run the show. Asked the all important brunch question: is the Bloody Mary mix homemade or out of the (dreaded) bottle? He confirmed, " all homemade, fresh, no cans or bottles here". Sold me there. Had the bloody, fabulous, asked for extra olives and a little more spice, so got a trio of olives and a little ramekin of tabasco, which came in very handy! My gf loved the buffet. I ordered from the menu- I ate every bite of the great mushroom/cheese omelette and also ordered the side of home fries with fresh thyme. $3 - and the bowl was huge-no way could I eat all of that...ate all of it. Unreal creative dessert display: candies, retro items, carrot cake, Mary Janes(took 2 for the road) - had a great server: Elliott - have gone for dinner a couple times but absolutely love the brunch. Recommend going early; the buffet line was packed by the time we left, which means I would have probably elbowed someone to get to the french toast, which my gf said was great, as was her frittata.
(4)Valerie D.
To me Liberty Tavern seems very out of place when I think of Clarendon. While there are some perks to the area, it has not been my general opinion that Clarendon is a place to relax "in style" on weekends. In any event, Liberty Tavern is overall a wonderful addition to the area. Id agree with most of the reviews already posted. The restaurant is nicely decorated and uses space well. There is outdoor seating, a long wooden bar with an island in the middle, and a posh corner decorated with light leather seating and candles. The drink menu was superb and the food was also excellent. My friend and I enjoyed some beer and pizza, the way it ought to be done...magic hat and a white pizza with porscuitto, apples, sage, and white cheddar. YUM! My only complaint and reason for 4 stars is that I didn't love our service. Perhaps they are still working out the kinks and they are currently hiring more staff....so maybe a bit understaffed. Either way I would recommend checking it out on a summer evening!
(4)Ross R.
Their menu is really nice and very well executed. It changes often, but always mantains its quality. Their Sunday brunch is a tad pricy, but its still quite good. Their bar scene is pretty much the place to be in N Arlington and sometimes you'll find the Nats Ryan Zimmerman there.
(4)Dhaval P.
Spent last St. Patty's at this pub/tavern. The bartender was legit with what seemed to be an Irish accent. Great selection of beers, and a cougar aged crowd make this the spot to finish off your bar hopping night. Haven't really tried the food. My cousin gave me a bite of his pizza topped with arugula and it was delicious. Either that or I was super hungry? Worth a try!
(4)EM S.
Not in love with the craziness of the pre-dinner drink in the downstairs bar, but can't say enough about the atmosphere upstairs. The food was great, and I loved getting to try something just a little bit different without going out of my comfort zone. Try the Blue Collar (Virgina's Gentleman with a PBR chaser) and the scallops. I'll definitely go back, but I'd recommend 3 Bar & Grill over this place in a heartbeat.
(3)Jess R.
Every time I go here - it's GREAT! I really don't get what all the complaints are about.... just a bunch of LAME haters I guess. I definitely don't think this is only a place for twenty-somethings - it's just a cool trendy place (in a good way) and I've seen the business crowd power-lunching here as well. Plus, don't judge a restaurant by how the clientle are dressed. The inside is incredible with a huge wooden staircase and lovely window decor with vaulted ceilings. Don't be fooled by the outside because usually people are waiting to go to Clarendon Ballroom. I have never seen people here looking trashy or snobby. The food is spectacular - the menu changes a lot but I have had the Vermont Pizza, the Fritto Misto, the Bruschetta, the Mussels, and the Papardelle pasta - all were fabulous and worth the price! The drink menu is good too if you want REAL beer and REAL wine and REAL cocktails. (HINT: Ask for the Pinapple Basil Sorbet! It is FANTASTIC - so crisp and sweet and refreshing after a great meal!) On a final note - the wait staff here has ALWAYS been great EVERY times I have been here - very professional and on-the-ball. Plus, it's right by the metro so you won't have to worry about parking.
(5)Tia K.
Very nice space; the interior feel is a well-blended modern and elegant mix. Good beer selection! I'm going to hold off on rating the food- this place needs to find its groove in the kitchen. Overall -Nice addition to Clarendon.
(4)SC O.
Stop the madness! A dessert bar full of Whoppers, Jujube's, M&M's, Maryjanes, Tootsie Rolls are more? Sign me up! Met a friend for Sunday brunch and not being a big buffet fan, I checked out the menu first. I then decided to take a walk around the buffet table and realized I'd be a moron to pass on this delicious goodness. Made the wise choice and enjoyed everything from scrambled eggs with bacon/onions/cream, mini pizzas, quiche, awesome hash browns, fruit salad, etc. It was terrific. Now I'm just looking for an excuse to head back for Sunday brunch with someone, anyone!
(4)J C.
I knew I was in for a less than optimal experience when my inner dialogue sounded just like Ray Liotta. That's never happened before. "Hi, can I get a table for two please?" "Sure, do you have reservations?" Cue inner monologue: "Reservations? [right here is where the frame freezes like in a Scorsese movie and you get a close up of my head in 3/4 profile]. It's a fucking tavern for chrissakes. Whadda mean 'do you have a reservation?' Listen to this guy!" The host grabs two menus and proceeds to take longer than I'd like to consult the seating layout (mostly because now I'm certain he's trying to find the table closest to the bathroom). Fortunately that was not the case. We're led upstairs to a sleek looking dining room and seated in what is my least-favorite dining arrangement: the long booth running the length of the wall with tables placed every few feet accordingly. I know it's to pack in more people, but I don't like it. Especially when the place is trying to sell itself as (somewhat) upscale, I appreciate a modicum of privacy, or at least being able to raise my elbows without having to worry about banging the person next to me. If you've ever been to the Arlington IHOP, you know how tight they pack the tables. Only I expect this at IHOP. The only available free-standing tables were four-tops, so there was really no use in trying to request one of these for a party of two. So as I start to peruse the menu, I realize that nothing on it looks like tavern fare at all. No problem. Mikkela T. and I were here for the burger special that I saw on a window ad here while I was walking by about a month ago. Burger and a pint for $10. That gets my vote. Unfortunately that vote turned out to be a hanging chad, as it's a lunchtime special (I scrutinized that ad pretty damn carefully, and while it's been a month, I'm fairly certain I don't recall any "lunchtime" caveat). The table next to me (who I was able to eavesdrop on since they were almost on top of me) had a similar issue ordering from the bar menu (apparently the "bar menu" isn't named because it offers bar-style food. Rather, it's because you can only order such food at the bar). But okay, maybe I was wrong, and I won't hold it against them. And hey, we're here, so we might as well eat. Unfortunately, after scoping out the menu, neither Mikkela nor I could find much that sounded tempting. There really weren't a whole lot of choices, and a lot of the entrees seemed to consist of a hodgepodge of ingredients that gave the appearance that the goal was to be overly fancy at the expense of being coherent. Napa Valley meets flyover country. The beer list was equally weak, with a fairly limited range for a place that bills itself a tavern (though I must commend them for nodding to the local post-college crowd by offering Pabst, even if there were no ironic t-shirts in sight). I eventually settled on the skirt steak with potato champ, while Mikkela had the duck with cabbage and fingerling potatoes. Neither of us was particularly impressed with our meals. I've made skirt steak and potatoes numerous times before, and while my food here was good, it wasn't "better than you'd make it." This isn't to say how wonderful my cooking is, but my benchmark as far as dining out goes is to make food better than I'd make at home (otherwise, why bother, right?). To finish the meal, I opted for a French press of a particularly weak coffee whose name I don't recall. The service was quite good, and honestly is the only reason Liberty Tavern gets a third star. Our server (Randy, I think) was very attentive without being clingy or intrusive, and at the end of the meal, we were left to linger unhurriedly. She also had the menu down pat. Definitely some of the better service I've received in the DC area. The verdict: Don't be like Custer. Deploy some recon first by taking a look at the menu on their website (splitting up your forces and neglecting to bring a Gatling gun is your call, though). It might be right up your alley, but if you're going in thinking its traditional tavern fare, you're wrong. By the way, the looks I saw while gazing over at several other tables who were reviewing their menus indicated that we weren't the only ones who made this mistake. However, I'm not judging this restaurant based on misplaced assumptions. While I think it's perfectly okay to question the establishment for calling themselves a tavern when they're honestly purveyors of "haute" cuisine, to use this as a basis for awarding stars would be unfair. If the food was good enough to back it up, to "do the dew," I'd heartily recommend this place. However, the food was at best adequate, and really doesn't merit a repeat visit.
(3)Jessica L.
Wow! The food at the Liberty Tavern is AMAZING. I had the Vermont pizza, which was either $14 or $15. It had Vermont cheddar, granny smith apples, caramelized onions, and ham on it. For dessert, I ordered the Lemon White Chocolate Gingerbread Mousse, which was also delicious. The only thing I ordered, which I didn't like was the pear salad. But everything else was SO good that I thought the restaurant deserved 5 stars. My husband had peanut soup and the Pineland Farms Skirt Steak. I tried both and they too were out of this world! We'll definitely be back :)
(5)Nick E.
I am not a fan of overpriced drinks in a location that is trying too hard to be an upscale joint for yuppies. To feel like you fit in you might want to wear your D&G specs at night with the Ralph Lauren collar flipped up. I would like to come back during lunch or dinner to try a meal. But after dinner, it is too small, too crowded and again to overpriced on the few occasions that I had to visit to meet a group of friends.
(3)pete s.
Jump back a few years this was a new and top notch joint. consistent great food, great beer, laid back environment, and smoke free before most of arlington. It is a 20 minute walk from my place and was far and away my go to local bar. Now the past year or so. I wanted to bring a friend that came into town here for dinner unexpectedly: i call at 1 o'clock looking for 9 PM saturday reservation. response - sorry we're all booked tonight, if you want a saturday reservation try calling on wednesday or thursday. It's bar food, fancier bar food, but still pub eats. not worth that kind of hassle. the bar is always packed to the point of not being able to walk or hear. which leads to slow service. I have found the food recently inconsistent, and heavy on the salt regularly. Beer and drink selection is still good, and priced the same as any bar in Clarendon. Bottom line is Liberty has fallen victim to it's own success. 2.5 stars. If they enforced a head count for the bar, or eliminated the bar and make it solely a restaurant, i think it could make it back to the top of my local favorites list. as it stands now i only go there if I wasn't involved in selecting the place. But, the french press coffee is still the best I've found on the west side of the Potomac.
(2)Joanna C.
*** 3 stars... with potential *** It's hard not to get overly excited about a new hangout in Arlington, especially if it's got major curb appeal and a warm, cozy interior. However, after my first experience, I had a hard time determining the Liberty's personality. Is it a fancy pub (tap selections range from Pabst Blue Ribbon for $3 a pint to Belgium's Stella for $5) or a new-age, modern eatery (with a creative menu that reads like a fancy NY or LA restaurant). I must admit I was hoping for the former as the name and interior suggests more comfort food than gourmet pizza with fig and apple toppings (which they currently serve). Don't expect burgers or fries at this place! Still, the food was good... but for $35 a person, I wasn't blown away... Especially with other good dining options in the area. The salmon was salty and I didn't even clean my plate (which I ALWAYS do). But I must say that the service was fantastic. Overall, I liked the vibe at the bar and I would maybe go back for a quick happy hour. The crowd consisted of professionals in their 20's and 30's, but again, the lack of personality from the Tavern itself makes it hard to gage whether it would really be a fun place. It's echo-ey and the soundtrack didn't lend a hand... played faintly over the voices of people slowly getting drunk, the only song I could distinguish was a top-50 radio hit... again, clashing with the old school, oaky, speak-easy-esque interior. I went in not knowing what to expect, and left unsure of what I thought.
(3)Mickey C.
Great meat market...especially on Friday afternoon. My questions are: Why do the Metrosexual/Homosexual men NOT shave or get a haircut and wear clothes they just popped out of their dirty laundry bag? Do they expect a decent girl to think that is "cool"? OR....are they looking to date the girl who doesn't shave her legs or armpits, doesn't brush her teeth and wears old underwear? Touche!
(4)Ashley A.
Very good! We sat downstairs, had a bottle of wine, and great food. The service was attentive and nice. We ordered mushroom gnocchi, the beet and arugula salad, and a pizza and shared everything. Everything tasted great and I would definitely come back.
(4)Super H.
OK, I hate to be the umpteenth person to write a review for a restaurant but I gotta give props to Liberty Tavern. They seduced me with their simple yet delicious happy hour burgers and classico pizza, but it was the handcrafted gnocchi that produced at least three OMG's during the course of one dinner. Holy crap! It was so good I almost considered ordering one to go. As much as I hate the idea that this is one of Arlington's "it" places, they really do everything first class. The fact that I live about 300 feet from their door doesn't hurt either. Maybe I'll build a tunnel directly from my apartment into their kitchen but until then I will continue to go back for more. Yelpers, do yourselves a favor and sell out to the Liberty Tavern.
(5)Stephanie H.
Dinner review Our dining experience at Liberty Tavern was one of the best I have had. The reason I signed up for Yelp was just to review this restaurant. Atmosphere: The vibe upstairs is comfortable and elegant - a posh setting with a rustic, cabin feel. Service: Brian, our super-knowledgeable waiter, was incredibly willing to discuss menu options and combinations and made several on-point recommendations. Food: Liberty Tavern menus are crafted to fit the seasons (always a good sign!). Everything looked so delicious, we ordered all of our food based solely on our waiter's recommendations. The mussels were nothing like I've ever tasted - a surprising smokey flavor from the tomato sauce gave them such a unique and complex flavor. But the pork chops stole the show: perfectly cooked with a beautiful crust served with a rich spicy mustard, cheese souffle, scrapple and a bed of fall veggies. Amazing. I highly recommend Liberty Tavern for a dinner with a 1-2 friends or for a romantic evening in Clarendon.
(5)Kristal V.
Brunch is my favorite meal, and I am always on the hunt for restaurants that do it right. Way too many places in DC that do buffets for brunch charge $35+ for glorified versions of what my family used to get at Old Country Buffet back in the day. Liberty Tavern only charges $17 for its "breakfast table", and has a great variety of options, although it is lacks an omelet or waffle station like its expensive brunch cousins. I also enjoyed a tasty french press of coffee, which I wish more places offered.
(4)Blaine B.
yucky yucky poo poo. The first time we tried to go, we were asked: "What is the reservation under?" "oh, we didn't make one" Closes her eyes, laughs a little "oh, that means you'll have to sit in the bar, its open seating" As if! The three times I have been forced to return after that: My hambuger had a huge chunk of gristle in it...I almost barfed. another time my amish chicken was slighlty undercooked...i wasn't impressed. And yet another time my rabbit confit should have been called "lumps of fat confit" I'm not sure where that rabbit was.... he must be a wiley little beast.... I will concede that the vermont cheddar/apple pizza was delicious. I still wouldn't recommend this place, waaaaay to much hype for not that great of food, service or atmosphere.
(1)Janet C.
i forget what i got here the first time around, but it must not have been horrible, or else i would have remembered. then again, it must not have been spectacular either, or else i would have remembered. i think i had a side of fries (which i think were good) and something else. anyway, this time around, i asked the waiter whether i should get the risotto or the amish chicken, and he said definitely the risotto (they were same price). welps, the risotto was pretty damn salty. so salty, in fact, i didnt finish about 2/3 of it, i was so parched and full of bread that i had to eat to counteract the saltiness. on a good note, the bread was delicious. i was too apathetic to complain, so i just told the waiter i didnt want it packed up in a doggie bag. an acquaintance said when she ordered the risotto a while ago, it was good, so maybe i was just unlucky. boo.
(3)Mike J.
4/2/2010 Fri evening Came here with some friends on a recommendation. They had no seats except in the bar area. Very loud, but expected for a Fri eve. The pizza was really good, but small for the price.. $14 for a 10" pizza. There's something wrong with the service here. The attitude is very poor. We asked for our check and waited 15 minutes for it--watching the waitress bring water to a new table, walking around the bar a few times, etc. When I flagged her down, she brought it, threw it on the table, and went around serving other people again. Another 10 minutes and I stood up to flag her down to take our credit cards. So, if a place has good food and lousy service, I always go elsewhere.
(2)Josh H.
I have only been upstairs here (the restaurant part) but they have some great food. All of their thin crust pizzas are amazing and not too pricey. They have some nice beers on tap. I'd suggest a Brooklyn Lager being a New Yorker. Making reservations is very easy to do on their website (through opentable.com ). The place looks somewhat upscale at first glance but it's not pretentious. For someone who doesn't dress up just to go eat it's a good fit for me.
(5)Sharon C.
A perfectly balanced meal - flavor-wise that is. When it comes to matchmaking flavors and ingredients. This kitchen gets it right! Started my meal sharing the Housesmoked Char, which is a bite to remember! Set atop "johnnycakes" (cornmeal pancakes) with creme fraiche and pickled shallots... This is a welcome and harmonious explosion of flavor that you'll not want to miss. Accompanied with a glass of crisp and every so slightly effervescent Muscadet, this was a winner! I also ordered two of the pizzas - Vermont, and Mussel Pie. I really loved the Vermont Pie. The crisp yet chewy crust (no 2amys but still good flavor), crunchy granny smiths, the sage, the sharp white cheddar and thick bubbling slices of prosciutto created a complete flavor profile.... I carefully laid out each bite so I would have a little bit of each of the ingredients every time. My friend in observing lent - could not eat the prosciutto.. tragic because without it - the balance was off - and wasn't a complete dish. On the other hand the mussel pie was a little tooo savory and salty for me, although my friend seemed to love it as a welcome contrast to the Vermont. We closed out the meal with molten devil's food cake accompanied by a house-made mint choc chip ice cream. And WOW. What a way to end the night! Yet another dish of perfectly matched flavors. Matchmaking sometimes unusual flavors and textures is is definitely this chef's art and he should stick to it!
(4)Sean C.
Two friends and I met up for an impromptu lunch here today. It was late in the service but our waitress was still attentive and offered great suggestions. We did not do the "famous" cheese combo plates that seemed to be a great option but I took our waitress' advice and ordered the famous pizza's. This because of finding out they had a real wood fired oven and that is always a good sign' One got the "Vermont" which had, get this, Granny Smith apples on it. It was universally deemed "delicious" and was big enough for two! I had the "Primanti Brothers" sandwich with Pastrami and I have to say it was one of the better sandwiches I have had in a long time. Fresh bread, good quality tomatoes and the pastrami was made in house and melted in my mouth. I had them put the fries on the side but normally they are put in the sandwich thus making it a "Primanti Brother famous" as this is the tradition evidently. The other pizza ordered was the Classico and was equally as good and very fresh.... atmosphere is nice as well in a classic Arlington store front with and inviting bar and cocktail seating on the first floor and the upstairs is dining exclusively. If you like fresh pizza and meats this is your place!
(4)Bro H.
Went for brunch. It's better than Whitlow's, but 18 bucks?! Not quite. I'm assuming "Dave's Fluffy Biscuits" are some kind of joke, as the biscuits look like sugar cookies and taste like dry sugar cookies without the sugar. Some things were damn good (shepherd's pie) and some things were bad (I couldn't cut into my French toast with a fork because it was so damn dry), as with most buffets, but this wasn't most buffets. This was the price of two brunches. The food's not good enough to make you want to eat your money's worth. Doubt I'll be back to Liberty Tavern in any capacity.
(2)Pam J.
Not bad on the beer front. I do love that you can't smoke here. Haven't eatten here and should probably check it out.
(3)Sarah S.
I went there last Thursday for a sorority happy hour and was incredibly impressed with the happy hour prices. Half off their glasses of wine is a fantastic deal. I had two glasses of a decent Chardonnay (with tip) for around $8. My friends and I sat in the back on these comfortable couches with low tables and padded ottomans for more seating. The waitress was polite and quick with our drink and food orders and constantly refilled our water. Next time I would like to sit in their outdoor seating (small but it's right on Wilson). The tavern is very open and airy making the space seem larger than it actually is. I would recommend this place for a fun happy hour alternative in Arlington as it's right next to the metro and the Ballroom.
(4)alene w.
We had a lovely meal for 5 of us. I reserved for 6, but they easily changed it for us when one person could not make it. The food was excellent. We actually think it has improved over time. This was our best meal yet. Great, unusual salads, creative main dishes, and desserts to die for. I ordered a bourbon Manhattan on the rocks, and the waiter advised me that they made a special version of it. I got it straight up, and it just seemed like a Manhattan to me. And I'm sure it was more money. That was the only thing that bothered me. Great great dinner!
(4)Bob O.
Went here for the first time in early November with some friends. Liberty had a great Happy Hour and the draft beers on the hh list were very good. Had a small pizza and was surprised that it was actually very tasty. I think this was some of the best service I have gotten in a crowded bar during happy hour in a long time. Will definitely go there again next time I'm in Arlington, Va,
(4)Leah B.
Great for brunch or dinner. They have really good pizza and great brunch. The brunch menu is very limited however. If you don't get the buffet then your only option is an omelet and a few sides. But the omelet was great and the home fries were awesome! I also really liked that we got a large french press for our coffee. It was good coffee and we could refill it ourselves. Happy hour is good here too, but it gets a little crowded. No smoking in the bar, you have to go outside.
(4)Ryan C.
Ugh..not very good. They put bacon in too many dishes, and just in general not ver ygood or imaginative (but overpriced) food. Also the bar crowd can be so loud and the sound just travels up into the dining room, which they intended to be nice but you can't get over the screams from sports fans to enjoy your macaroni covered in bacon while eating a salad covered in bacon...
(2)new p.
I'd give a better score but they really screw over the locals with a bogus extra charge called "locals tax."
(1)Imo J.
Delicious! We had the pork belly, vegetable/favabean pot pie, and scallops w-tarragon sauce. The flavors were wonderful for everything but the star of the meal was those succulent scallops, big and meaty and expertly prepared. Would eat there again.
(3)chu p.
keep in mind, I never venture to any clarendon bar on friday or saturday night, just because it's too crowded. I usually come here Monday-Wendesday and of course Sunday brunch. The food is very "bistro" and very tasty, the beers are the best and the bartenders are awesome. Sunday brunch is another animal...trust me, just go on a random sunday...you'll be amazed!
(4)Josh B.
Burger and beer is a great deal for ten bucks. Beers on tap are pretty good too. Overall, very fine place. Would highly recommend!
(5)M D.
I've given this place three tries--I'm just not feeling it. The drinks and food are just okay, but what will keep me from ever going back to this place is the NOISE LEVEL! It sounds like everyone is hanging out IN MY HEAD! It's too bad too, it's really a nice, lovely little bar.
(2)Kenneth L.
Good things about their brunch, but having been to both Whitlow's and Liberty Tavern for brunch, I'm not really sure how they could beat them both. The restaurant has a good selection of drinks and food, it also serves a buffet during Sunday brunch.
(3)Karen A.
Not bad food, good wines, service just so-so. Weird mix of packed bar downstairs (mid-30s set) and seated dining upstairs.
(3)Jamie C.
This place is alright. If you are looking for something decent in Clarendon that isn't bar food I would suggest it, but only if you don't have time to go into DC or another area of VA. I had one of their pizzas with shrimp and it was very good, but nothing impressive. The downstairs area is too loud and the upstairs can be cramped. Server was attentive, but not fabulous. I'd like to try their brunch in the future.
(3)Bridgette H.
The food is AMAZING! The drinks are expensive - but overall a great dining experience.
(5)David T.
I came here once with a foreign co-worker. The bartender served him his 4th and final beer at 1:55 am. At 2:00 am they flipped on all the lights and told everyone to leave. At 2:03 the bouncer told my cowrker to finish his beer or he would be 'removed'. My coworker drank half in one chug, the bouncer smiled and head-butted him in the face. Horrible experience. Will never go back for any reason, not even if they paid me. Classless
(1)emily h.
I went on a saturday night with two of my male friends and literally, we were by FAR the youngest people there (we are 22-24). i would say the average age was around 32, with lots of FAR older people in their late thirties, maybe early forties, and they were ALL awkwardly flirting with each other. I especially liked the women in their late thirties wearing outfits that I wouldn't wear because i'd be afraid of looking slutty, and i'm no prude. good beer/wine/drink selection. I didn't eat there but would like to. I had fun because I enjoyed telling single ladies at the bar that my young male friends thought they were attractive and wanted to speak to them. sadly, my male friends did not find this as fun, and made us leave
(2)Rod C.
Attentive bartenders, comfortable bar/drinking venue, limited draft beer selection.
(3)Kristy M.
Don't want to hang out with the 21 year olds drinking SoCo & Lime out of plastic cups but, not yet to the point in your life where you're ready to join the retirement crew at Restaurant 3 and Harry's Tap Room? Then Liberty is the place for you. Liberty is more upscale than Ballroom, Whitlows, & the Grill (although not noticably more expensive). Yet Liberty is not as stuffy and over-priced as Restaurant 3 and Harry's Tap Room. Being one of the few fully smoke-free bars in the neighborhood Liberty had already scored a special place in my heart. However, over the last year plus, it's the bar staff that keeps me coming back time and again. Few faces have changed since the first few days and those faces have always been smiling, friendly, cheerful, fun faces. The fact that Liberty is locally owned also goes a long way for me. The owners and managers take a lot of pride in what Liberty Tavern brings to the Clarendon neighborhood because it's home for them too. If you're hungry at the bar there are two things I highly recommend: * The pizzas are great. The Vermont is by far my favorite. * The cheeses. That's right, Liberty has an almost secret great selection of cheeses. You'll just have to ask for the cheese menu which I believe they are hiding on the dessert menu these days.
(4)Vicki M.
I was disappointed because I heard great things about this place. My waitress can best be described as awkward. She tended to lurk and failed to check up on us throughout the meal, which was during a weekday and the restaurant was not busy. She gave me attitude when I returned a disgustingly dirty glass. I usually don't complain about that kind of stuff but it grossed me out. On top of it, I didn't have a fork and had to flag down a different waitress to get me a fork so I could eat my tiny order of gnocchi. There were 2 sizes listed on the menu and i chose the larger one . I'm not sure what the small one would have been- a thimble? It didn't come with anything, and was $17. Not worth it at all. My friend liked her pizza, which had a cracker-thin crust and tasty apples. I did enjoy the coffee, which is from a local coffee shop and served with a french press, and the creme brulee was delicious. The zeppole was strange, as the marshmellows seemed stale, like the ones in Lucky Charms cereal.
(2)Patrick M.
Nice bar atmosphere and a classy place. The ownership is local and friendly. Menu is seasonal and thoughtful. The Sunday "table" (that's Libertese for buffet) is the best deal in town in my opinion. The Vermont Pizza is fantastic as well. I'm still trying to figure out how you make a pizza with crisp granny smith apples on it taste so good. Great place...can't wait to see what these guys do next.
(5)Alex B.
I do not understand WHY this place is so crowded all the time. The drinks are good(but so they are everywhere else), service is OK. Major disappointment was their pizza. Go for any frozen brand to get a better pizza...
(3)Lindsey G.
The 5 stars is mainly for the brunch. Probably the best brunch buffet I have ever had. Some buffets are just a lot of food with no real character. This buffet is delicious and fresh, and the offerings vary week to week. The carbonara is unbelievable, I have had it as an entree at dinner and as part of the buffet and it is always a highlight for me. The carving station usually has turkey and lamb, sometimes pork as well. The baked goods are delicious as are the cheesy potatoes. This morning they had a duck shepherd's pie that was unreal. We go nearly every week and now the host recognizes us and is always really friendly and accommodating. We always take our friends and family to brunch because we know they won't be disappointed. It is also a great choice for dinner, they do a good job of getting foods locally. A few months ago they had polyface chicken as a special and it was easily the best tasting chicken I have ever had. I also highly recommend their pizza!
(5)Melaine P.
I like the farm fresh concept, including the Polyface products. The food was, in a word, decadent. Seriously, my artic char was melting in my mouth. The three types of fresh baked breads, house whipped butter, and lemon tea cookies (at the end of the night) were small but effective touches that didn't go unnoticed. The wine list is eclectic without trying too hard. The wait staff was exceptional, knowledgeable, and passionate about the food they were serving. We went with another couple, but I could see larger and smaller parties having a great time here as well. I went the last day of their "late-summer" menu, so I'll be headed back later this fall for another round.
(4)Perry H.
I am going to have to go with 4-stars. The bar staff is on top of their game when it is crowded. I good group of people come here, very social.
(4)Glaciala A.
The pizza I had was pretty good, it had granny apples as a topping. I asked if chicken could be substituted instead of the proscuito, but wasn't told I'd be charged extra. I thought the waiter would have informed me, if a substitution of the meats was performed. The martini was most excellent.
(3)Lisa K.
We've been to Liberty Tavern a couple of times now, including the opening night party, and I can't say enough about the staff and the food. Yeah, it gets crowded and loud, but this is Clarendon and anything good is going to be popular. If you don't like the noise, try the Sunday afternoon / evening dinner special - 3 courses for $25. It's a bargain - and get the roast chicken. I know, it seems plain, but you can really tell a kitchen by their roast chicken and this is excellent, plus it comes with green and white asparagus and buttermilk mashed potatoes. The staff is always incredibly welcoming, whether you're with a group or on your own waiting for your friends to arrive - and it's nice when a single woman can be made to feel welcome in a crowded bar. We're already making Liberty Tavern one of our favorite places. Haven't been to brunch yet, but that's definitely next.
(4)Elissa O.
I really wanted to like this place. I went for restaurant week Jan 2011 and was so impressed that they opened up the whole menu. The food looked amazing, but for some reason, does not taste as good as it looks. We split the Norcia pizza as an appetizer. I thought it was ok, but had an strange off putting smell. My friend hated it. The veggie sandwich was decent but nothing spectacular. My friend had the trout. He said it was very bland and it was quite small. Then we had the lemon mousse dome (awesome) and the warm chocolate caramel cake (barely edible) for dessert. The chocolate cake came out the first time not warmed at all so the caramel was hard as a rock. The second time it was partly melted so what we didn't eat in about two minutes was totally solid. The real kicker was they charged us for each glass of iced tea. Kind of a shocker considering there was nothing special about it. The staff was very nice but based on the food I will not be returning. Too many other great spots in the neighborhood.
(1)Joseph C.
Excellent choice for general dining. The menu is diverse (as is the beer list), the food is delicious and fresh-tasting. It's a smidge pricey, but the expense is somewhat offset by the complimentary homemade bread, which is freakin fantastic. Parking in this part of Clarendon is also somewhat difficult; that and the price are really the only things which make this a four rather than a five.
(4)Mike M.
I'm only reviewing the bar, as I have not had the chance to dine here yet. My only problem with Liberty Tavern and the reason for my 2-star rating is the poor design. I don't understand why they put that big table directly in the middle of the space on the first floor making it absolutely impossible to get to the bar for a drink. Everyone is forced to crowd around the end of the bar for a chance to get the bartender's attention. I did like the crowd, but the bar design angered me and left a bad taste in my mouth.
(2)Roger S.
A very pleasant surprise and another addition to thriving Clarendon. Liberty is a bar downstairs and a full fledged sit down white table cloth restaurant upstairs. I was there for dinner and we ate upstairs. They obviously take food seriously here and do a great job. I had an apple-endive salad as a starter which was a nice variation on an old standard. The ingredients were totally fresh, the dressing was delicious, and the accompanying cheese and spiced pecans were excellent. My main dish was the skate (a fish) with lemon brown butter and black rice. Another winner. The skate was perfectly cooked, the butter had a great citrus tang without being overpowering, and the rice was nutty and crunchy, a great contrast to the buttery skate. My friends had the Branzino (fish) and the Amish Chicken and both said that they enjoyed their food. I was too busy scarfing down my entree to even taste theirs! Our server was a delight. Knowledgable, good sense of humor, around when we needed him, but not trying to join in on our conversation. The only downside is that the place is very noisy. Wood floors, bare walls, and the din from the bar downstairs make conversation a bit difficult. I actually left a little bit hoarse! The noise level is why I withhold the coveted 5th star. I will definitely return (perhaps on a slower night or at an off hour when it may be quieter).
(4)Ryan H.
Kind of expensive for me, but I would pay anything for THE INDUSTRIAL, a wonderful margarita filled with sweet NECTAR of the Agave. Delightful waiting staff including one chick we liked to refer to as the "power ass," trust me, i mean this as a complete compliment. That saw horse of a bottom half would destroy any thigh machine Susan Summers tried to let her use. Back to the review.. Pizza's are rather delicious and fresh tasting as well. The Sweet Nectar of the Gods drink (Industrial) is on happy hour pretty much all the time that I go there anyways so that's all I need. Good beers on tap as well. Send.
(5)Jane D.
This place is great for a happy hour, but make sure you get there early. It gets packed quickly, and then it becomes time consuming to get a drink from the bar. I've also had dinner there on one occasion. The food was very good, but a little expensive for my taste. The upstairs restaurant provides a cozy atmosphere which is great for a date.
(3)i w.
A nice place inside and the bar food was good. The place is stiff as a steel rod though so i usually dont stay long. Quality arlington crowd, eveyone there is probably worth a million bucks. Not diverse. might work for a date with high maintenance chick. Oh, i heard they have good martinins...
(3)kate s.
Just went here for drinks, al fresco. Was impressed because even though the bar was packed, we got our drinks and appetizers in no time at all. Great atmosphere and great food. The only negative point: the "s'mores" pot du creme was underwhelming....no real graham cracker taste.
(4)Michael H.
Nice Place. Bartender, Javiera, was very hospitable and attentive. Had the three meatball sandwich with a salad. Very good. I am not a wine drinker but it looked like very diverse selection.
(5)KP M.
This was, with out a doubt the WORST meal I've had in years. We went on a Tuesday night to check this place out since we drive by it frequently. Set up a reservation ahead of time using opentable.com (we eat out A LOT!!). We were promptly seated, only to watch our would be waiter, hanging out at the table next to us chatting. Ok, so the service is a little slow, it happens when you are busy, right? So, he comes to great us after we have studied the menu for quite some time. To me, nothing looks all that great, so I ask for his opinion & accept his suggestion as something that is excellent on the menu. We start out with two Tavern Salads. The idea is good, fresh field greens with sliced cherry tomatoes... but your dressing has all the taste of cardboard. If you are going to use an Oil/Vinegar mix, you have to add some spices to it to give it flavor. Perhaps atleast the offer of fresh ground pepper could have made this better? Ok, so the salad is bland, but let's move on. Our entre's arrive. I've ordered the Brook Trout while my GF tries something simple like the Classico Pizza. Remember what I was saying about bland? Yeah, let's take this one step further. Her pizza, was basically a can of crushed tomato's poured onto some flavorless dough (your dinner bread was good, why can't anything else have a decent flavor?) with a couple of nearly dissolved pieces of cheese on top and a basil leaf. Was the spice guy just out for the day? Ok, so the pizza is bland, let's move on. The brook trout had hope. The texture was nice, it was browned and cooked properly with an attractive plating. The combination of vegetables that it was sitting on was enough to make me a little nauseous! On the menu, you think this could be an eclectic mix. The flavors come out similar to the leftover crap from Chinese take out, you know the stuff where the bottom has all those veggies and crap you don't want and end up tossing? Yeah, that's the stuff. I was starving, so I ate the trout and moved the veggies around my plate. Ok, so, let's recap thus far... Service is SLOW, & the food is bland or nasty. Believe it or not, these two I could forgive. I've spent almost 15 years in food service, I know it's a hard place to survive so I try to be a little more forgiving. The following is what sealed this establishments 1 star for me. Now, I'm usually pretty reserved with my comments, but the server asked the right thing at the right time when clearing our plates. How was it? I told him that I only ate it b/c I was famished, true, and it the vegetables were some of the worst things I'd ever eaten, also true. This is not his fault. He goes to tell his manager who is circulating around the room talking to EVERY table except ours. What does the manager do? NOTHING! effing nothing! He drops off our check, and then runs the credit card for me. Thanks! I want to take a minute to point out that I was not looking for a free meal here, I ate therefore I should pay. That's the way it works. As a floor manager, it is your job to check on tables that have not enjoyed their meal. I even witnessed our server telling the manager of our concerns. Offer a coffee or an after dinner drink or something. Or just say, Hi! I'm sorry our food sucked. SOMETHING!! Maybe he perceived me as the type looking for a free hand out, or maybe he was just sick of dealing with people telling him how terrible the food was. I wasn't privileged to that information. Either way, you have let a table that clearly had a poor experience out the door with a sour taste in their mouth when you had the knowledge, ability, and man power at your finger tips to prevent it. This place seems to me like it's trying entirely too hard to be Carlyle in Shirlington, yet failing miserably. There are too many good places to eat in Arlington for me to fight for street parking to come to this place ever again.
(1)Rachel S.
Went after work on a Wed. for happy hour - there was plenty of room to sit on couches for our group of 5. We got a couple of pizzas - they were good but not spectacular. Wish there was a veggie option besides the cheese. My friends liked the Vermont. The wine selection for the happy hour specials was good - and out waiter was esp. helpful in making sure we got a new glass before the special ended at 7! Overall, nothing spectacular but a good place for a happy hour in Clarendon.
(4)Eric H.
What to say that hasn't already been said? Being a Clarendon resident, LT is pretty much a go-to by default, but fortunately it's a circumstance I'll gladly appreciate and continue to indulge. I've been for lunch, happy hours and a weekend night or two. The pizzas are great and unique, so my recommendation is a weekend outing just before the dinner crowd. Share a pizza (or get your own) and enjoy a few pints of the respectable beer selection. Happy hours are fun, but get VERY crowded, so if you don't have a table or spot along the bar or center table-thingy then good luck. Weekend nights you might chance a local celebrity sighting (think Nationals, but I won't blow up his spot too much) but expect the same crowds. The demographics are typically more middle aged (high 20s to 30s) than you would expect in Arlington, but don't expect pinkie lifting martini sippers, it's still a good time. Liberty Tavern, won't you be my neighbor?
(5)Meredith C.
I had to go to Liberty for a business dinner and when I called to make the reservation early in the week, I explained that I had some dietary restrictions. They said that would be no problem to accomodate me and said they wrote it down in the book. When I called to confirm the reservation the day of the dinner, they had us down for the wrong time and didn't have a note in their book about my request. The waiter told me that there were only two dishes that would suit what I needed a garden salad or the gnocchi with all of the veggies (that came on the regular gnocchi dish) and tomato sauce (which they have on hand for the kids menu), which sounded great. However, he brought over my dish- a plate of crappy gnocchi (I usually love gnocchi but this was pretty flavorless) and red sauce that tasted like it came out of a can. It was very dissapointing that they made no effort to be accomodating. I would understand if I came in the night of and made these requests, but because I called twice in advance, I figured it wouldn't be a problem. The waiter left for about 10 min after dropping our food off and when he came back to check on us, I asked where the veggies were and he said that "Chef" couldn't put them on because they were already cooked in cream sauce. He completely mislead me by saying they could make the dish one way and then not even coming back to tell me that wouldn't be the case. The worst part was they charged the same price for that dish that they did for the "good" gnocchi. I am usually very easy to please but was just so frustrated by this experience that I wanted to pass it on. Bottom line- if you have any special dietary needs, don't go to Liberty! Oh yeah, and one of my colleagues asked if she could substitute one vegetable for another and they said no.
(1)Tom S.
Tasty menu for the fall. Looking forward to Winter. First time here for dinner and will plan to go back.
(4)Alp A.
good food, good atmosphere, one of my favorite bars in arlington. they could work on specials or happy hour to be more inviting to those that dont wish to pay retail every visit
(4)They Call Me L.
I can only comment on brunch, but it was fabulous, and the price is attractive as well. The French press coffee container brought to your table is a nice touch.
(4)mariam o.
i came here for happy hour on columbus day. since i didn't have to work for once, and since their happy hour starts at 4pm, AND since i'm an alcoholic, i grabbed a friend and came to check this place out. we sat outside for about 4 1/2 hours drinking wine and cocktails and shared the "staten island pizza". the pizza was great, in my opinion. the crust was thinnish, but not like a crackery wafer - sick. the toppings on the staten were san marzano tomatoes, cows milk mozzarella, provolone and basil. this resulted in a salty union of deliciousness with a little bit of acidity from the fresh tomato sauce. god bless 'em. having said that, i highly recommend this place for happy hour. our server, jimmy, was super nice and attentive without being overbearing. the drinks were actually cheap. i had the "industrial" which is the LT's not-grossly-sweet version of a margarita for only $5 as opposed to the usual $8. all wines were half off, and draft beer was $3. great deals, nice outdoor seating area, good pizza - it's a must.
(4)Jennifer C.
Have been to LT many, many times. I am a HUGE fan of their mussels - the smoked tomato/fennel pollen broth is so unique and tasty - it's the main reason I go back. Their pizza's are also really good - thin crust and quality ingredients are apparent. Wine specials during HH are also really reasonable. Great selection at 1/2 the price. I would definitely recommend this restaurant and if you go and are a fan of seafood, you won't be disappointed w/ their mussels (you can get them for 1 or 2 people)!
(4)Sally W.
We called twice to let the restaurant know we were running late for a 6pm reservation due to a traffic jam. The host held our table and, when we finally arrived (somewhat frazzled), they treated us like A-listers. The food and the service were outstanding and the server made sure that we were on our way in time for an 8pm show at the Kennedy Center. I can't say enough about the wonderful hospitality at The Liberty Tavern. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!
(5)richard s.
Twenty-something crowd in the bar, Outstanding bartenders. Knowledgable and friendly. Excellent Mojitas! Good wine by the glass list. Very good appetizer selection. Fun place for viewing the locals, clevage and all! ;-)
(4)Paul J.
Go for the brunch, but go early! Good bar too, but I can't vouch for the "late-night" atmosphere.
(5)Marie A.
Went here after the line to the ballroom was too long. It was cute, I guess, but way too small. It was so freaking crowded, impossible to order a drink, impossible to sit anywhere. We had to stand by the door which sucked bc it was cold, and we couldn't hear each other talk. This place might have been ok if we could have sat down, but i was not impressed.
(2)Christopher M.
Okay, so just an update to one of the two places I have been to in VA for drinks. The smell is gone, all is well within the Tavern, YAY! So many reviews have noted it, I've been back twice since my last and it's no more. Second, the home made macchieroni is AWESOME. I've had the Pennsylvania Dutch Style Egg Noodles and the Fettuccine Alla Carbonara with Lobster and Sweet Corn. I love both. This is probably some of the best pasta I've had in my life, and the good Lord above knows I've probably eaten my body weight in pasta....at least thrice...thist year....and its only mid Septmber. that's more than a hundred pounds each season. We won't go into how much more than 100, but see my review of Vida Fitness in Chinatown- they're awesome! I can't press enter without complimenting the drinks here, they are excellent as well. These folks know what they are doing, definitely stop in and check them out. So what it's in Clarendon, get your rear there at happy and you'll be done by the time the last train leaves, 2 of 3 puns intended; I cannot guarantee your skills, you're on your own with the last.
(4)F A.
Overall have not had a bad meal here! Dinner and brunch are both very nice. What makes this place special, and most other places in the area can learn from this, is their service. Really fantastic!
(4)kris w.
went there last week for my company's Christmas dinner. the place was really crowed , but the costumer services was excellent! the server was really at tentative.
(4)Maria D.
Really really good high caliber food in a wonderful casual gastropub environment. Even the soups in this place are to die for. And where else in Arlington can you find Polyface farms ingredients. Well worth the trek from DC to check it out. This is a neighborhood gem.
(4)Katie R.
My husband and I had an absolutely wonderful meal tonight. We had a reservation and were sat right away. I had the skirt steak, my husband had the shortrib, and we shared a side of the spinach. The skirt steak came with a wonderful mashed potato/bacon/cheese casserole dish that was really good. Even the bread basket was great! We also shared the chocolate caramel cake and it was outstanding. It's one of the best meals I've had since living here! The service was also really good. I will definitely eat here again.
(5)Lindsay H.
Meh. I don't get it. I have a couple of friends who have been raving about this place for ages. The crowd is good and the place is gorgeous, but it's impossible to get anyone to wait on you during happy hour.
(2)C K.
I like many things about this place. The food can be inconsistent but is usually great, the beer and wine lists are interesting and have some great options. But at the risk of sounding like I'm in my 90s, this is not the place to go if you want to have a conversation, ever. I don't know if they need to do something to the acoustics, but the noise level makes having social experiences here far less fun. The downstairs area is bar-like, brimming with people so the volume rises, but upstairs where there is dining only sounds just as much like a crowded bar. I have gone several times with friends and on any night, nobody can hear the person sitting across the small table from them, which makes for a whole table of conversing dyads. This problem also leads to really mixed service. The last several times I've gone, the servers have mis-heard at least one person's order and brought out the wrong dishes. On one occasion, the server misheard a food allergy that would have ended with a trip to the ER had the orderer not checked again with the server before taking a bite. This place is perhaps a great place to grab a beer, but terrible for dates or catching up with friends.
(3)Brian L.
nice place...clean. I had the steak and cheese and it was ok...just ok.
(3)Marisa P.
I went for dinner with 4 friends, and I was underwhelmed. The Vermont pizza was quite good, as were the salads (although the Tavern salad, which the waiter recommended, was nothing but a bed of greens--not worth bothering with). However, the pastas, despite being made in-house, were not particularly good. The presentation for the tortellini was horrible: it looked like a trail of cat throw-up on the plate, and the flavor was lacking. The gnocchi were light, but the sauce was way too sweet and needed something to balance it out. Overall, for the price it was disappointing.
(2)Chich S.
liberty tavern has great food, especially their sunday brunch! it's a nice atmosphere and has good drinks. for the several times i have been, the service has been pretty good (Tony has been the best by far). i would definitely recommend this place, at least so that you can formulate your own opinion!
(4)David T.
Went there for dinner and drinks on a Sunday night. Good selection of beer. Didn't know what to order so the server recommended that I get the Duroc Pork chop with a side of goat- cheese soufflé. The meal was really good. I highly recommend getting that dish.
(4)Michael K.
Fun place for a happy hour
(4)James C.
I came here with a few colleagues after dinner in the Court House area. All of us were from out of town. This place was loud and crowded, even on a Wednesday night. I had a bad experience with the wait staff, hence the low rating. The waitress brought me the beer I ordered. After I found out the price of my beer ($6.50) I gave her a $10 bill, figuring that she would come back with my change. She never did. I did not give her the impression that the change was tip. It's borderline thievery to pretend that the customer did not want change.
(1)stella b.
as in, 4 stars b/c you have delicious thin crust pizza with tight toppings and spunky wines and a gracious staff. not 4 stars because you are always for the love of g_d jam packed and you are one overanxious polo shirt waiting to mate with a lily pulitzer dress. no, not because of that, although you are that, too. but that is not your fault, that is because you are situated in the greater washington dc area. you will hear more "like, and then i said, like" from your co-patrons than believed grammatically possible. but wait patiently, smile at the nice staff, sit at the bar or on the patio and have a nice meal. because it is a restaurant, after all. and that it does 4 stars worth, easy. .
(4)Suzanne M.
First Time at Liberty Tavern was wonderful. Only thing that was very weird was that we sat outside because they didn't have any indoor seating. They walked us all the way down the street and we were seating almost a block away from the restaurant. We had some wine and coffee to start us off and the coffee was just great. I had the lobster ravioli which was wonderful. They are true to their portion size which I really appreciate. I ordered the small ravioli thinking it would be a large portion. Don't make my mistake because it is wonderful. The dessert was really good as well. Ha I forgot exactly what it was called that I ordered for dessert but it was great! Our waiter was a great guy. He wasn't afraid to tell us the truth about what we ordered. I am one of those people who has a hard time making a decision on what I like. So he told me honestly about each one. The alcohol was on the expensive side compared to other arlington area drink prices. The person I went with had pizza and the other steak tried both and enjoyed them very much!
(4)Yee W.
food is pretty good but bar is way too crowded! highly recommend mac and cheese. drinks are ok.
(3)Kristy K.
Liberty Tavern is refreshing because it is a nice pub-type bar where you can sit & talk to friends w/out a loud band or crowd of just-out-of-college kids bumping up against you. There might be people bumping up against you, but at least they are a little bit older! The bartenders are very attentive & don't leave you hanging. I usually grab a spot at one of the tables downstairs & try the late-night bar menu which is actually really good. I like their pizza. But I almost don't want to leave too good of a review.... if too many people discover it I won't get a spot at a table anymore!
(4)Winnifer G.
We typically don't go to the same restaurant twice, but this is one of our exceptions! We've been for lunch and dinner, and another time we brought three friends visiting from out of town. The atmosphere in the second floor seating area is classy yet comfy, the waiters are incredibly efficient and very friendly (in a cool way, not an annoying way), and the complimentary bread is outstanding -- we always request a second basket! As for the food: big portions and flavor. The lunch sandwiches can be a bit greasy, but they are yummy and fill you up. Our dinner plates were excellent. Our white wine was so-so. All in all, we like Liberty very much.
(4)Amit S.
always too crowded and the food is pretty average
(2)Lori S.
I had pizza to start off with and then the filet. I thought it was very good and I also had some new wine that disappeared almost instantly. The place was pretty crowded and while coming in, I noticed the downstairs was absolutely packed and very loud. If you are going for dinner, I would recommend the upstairs unless you want someone to get a free grab.
(3)LR I.
My wife and I ate here a Sunday night, and were quite pleased with the friendly staff, the atmosphere and food. The selection of cheeses for the appetizers was great. They had a nice selection of wine, full and half bottles as well as by the glass. We've been putting this place off because it always looks crowded, but when we were seated, it was fine.
(4)Joe C.
i don't know about their bar scene, but I really like their buffet brunch on Sunday mornings.
(4)Donna C.
I had a drink here on the 4th of July. It wasn't very packed. I like the "newness" of the place, though the decor was a bit drab and hollow. The one thing I did enjoy was my drink, whiich I forget the name of. It had muddles strawberries, vodka, and a sprig of basil. Delish!
(3)M P.
I was walking around with some people looking for a good brunch place and someone said "how about Liberty Tavern?" I didn't know they served breakfast or anything even close to it. I thought it was just a bar and dinner place. Much to my surprise they had a pretty good spread for the brunch buffet. Basically your normal fare, with some interesting takes on a few items. For instance, they had scrambled eggs with sausage and vegetables mixed in, but they also had frittata. Instead of a roast beef carving station there was roast leg of lamb. The deserts, although nostalgic and well displayed, could been better. I like the presentation of a table full of candy, but for desert it doesn't really suit me. The lounge area seating is also really nice if you can snag one of the 5-6 tables there. Someone at my table got a Bloody Mary and said it was great. It comes with a shot of beer that she poured into the drink and it was surprisingly good.
(4)paul l.
fun upscale sports bar, also had their pizza, which was a thin crust great brick oven style. go!
(5)Claire S.
This is the best place for brunch buffet in Arlington. Somehow, I keep tricking myself in to trying Whitlows every once and a while and immediately after I think to myself that we should have gone to Liberty Tavern. Great staff, awesome and fresh brunch buffet, and their bloody Mary's are great too. This is also a great place to catch college football at the bar.
(5)Tigerlilly Z.
I am baffled by their average rating on Yelp. This place is AMAZING! The food here is out of this world for being a tavern/bar in the party central of NOVA. The wait staff and bartenders are friendly and extremely prompt with their service. There is a great variety of drinks, cocktails, wines, beers and ciders on tap. The seating and bar area are tastefully decorated. What's not to love about this place!? It's easily my favorite restaurant in Virginia. I read some of the other reviews on this page by food snobs, people who visited Liberty Tavern ONCE on a MONDAY!? Going to any restaurant on a Monday is a BAD IDEA. People who go there at 6pm on a weekend night and are surprised that it's crowded? DUH! What did you expect, it's located in the heart of Clarendon! Those people are giving Liberty Tavern a bad rap.
(5)Amber G.
I'm a huge Liberty Tavern fan. American food done right in a cozy corner restaurant on the main Clarendon drag. The all-you-can-eat brunch for $30 is probably one of the best AYCE brunches in Arlington! (Tip: Ask to be seated upstairs for the AYCE brunch, otherwise you'll be running up and down the stairs for food!) Great variety of brunch options and all delicious (think smoked salmon, steamed mussels, scrambled eggs, fruit, bacon, waffles, sometimes steak!). Liberty's pizza game is also on point, with gourmet style pizzas (my favorite is the Vermont: cheddar, proscuitto, caramelized onions, apple slices, and sage!!). They change their dinner menu seasonally, but always come through with tasty entree options that range from steak to lamb burgers to great house made pastas. The food, while not exactly innovative or adventurous, hardly ever disappoints and whenever I have someone in town who wants to go out in the Clarendon area, I know I can count on Liberty Tavern to deliver a trendy ambiance and good food. Definitely make a reservation, as it gets pretty crowded, particularly on the weekends. The bar area can get super packed on Friday and Saturday nights, with a DJ playing top 40 songs. I generally don't come to Liberty for the nightlife, but I have been on occasion and it's usually a fun 20-something crowd, but be prepared to be packed in like sardines. While it can be packed, the bar vibe is definitely classier and less rowdy than many of the other bars in Clarendon like Whitlows, Ballroom, or Spider Kellys.
(4)Nicky S.
The best brunch buffet that I have been to in a long time. The service is very quick, friendly & they even gave us a table even though we didn't have a reservation for the buffet. The food is amazing and the variety is on point from the salmon, scrambled eggs, grits, mac & cheese, salads, homemade sausage, roast beef, lox etc, & not to forget to mention the desserts are amazing. Bookmarked and ready to stop by again once we are in town, this place hits the spot!
(5)Jenny L.
The brunch buffet is pricey but well worth it. You get a lot of delicious and high-quality variety -- fried chicken, smoked salmon, and grits in addition to classics like eggs, waffles, and bacon. I've been to the brunch buffet for a bridal/bachelorette brunch as well as my own birthday brunch and would definitely recommend it for brunch if you're in the area.
(4)Bob T.
It was like walking into Cheers if Cheers served really good food for brunch. This is my second time at LT's. The first time was a while ago on a Monday night. I don't recall enough of that visit to write a review other than o mention the Fried Chicken was awesome and enough for two. I got there today, Sunday, at a little past their 9 am opening. They had a full brunch buffet upstairs and I decided to sit at the bar and order a la carte (because it sounds classy). Funny thing about the bar at LT's (that's what us regulars call it) at 9 am on a Sunday morning... many of the regulars are using it as a bar. I'm not a fan of beer or non-breakfasty mixed drinks before noon and I'm not going to judge either. Food selection also was very lunch-like even at this hour. More on all that in a bit. I had the French Toast (in keeping with the a la carte theme) that came with a couple strips of bacon and real maple syrup. The French Toast had a nice cinnamony flavor (OK, enough with the ...y noun to adjectives) and the bacon was meaty (sorry) and had a note of smokey (please make it stop) goodness. All in all, it was delicious and I will order it again. About the rest of the crowd at the bar, they seemed to be regulars. Jackie, the bartendress, knew everyone there by name and the customers seemed to know each other as well. One of the very popular lunch-for-breakfast orders was the crispy chicken sandwich with a side order of potato salad. It is only served for lunch (and brunch) and is the goto item for regulars and staff alike. I'm going to make a point of going there for lunch someday soon to give it a try. A final surprise was the restaurant provided a Brunch Pizza, breakfast sausage, bacon, fried eggs tomatoes, cheddar & sage, for everyone at the bar to share. It was delicious and a great choice if you're a savory-in-the-morning kind of person.
(5)Mike B.
Stopped in for a cocktail and snack. 3 of us split the lamb ribs appetizer and a Summer Pizza. Having never had lamb ribs before they are excellent for 3 folks to split. A great char on the outside while leaving the inside moist & tender. The Summer pizza had an outstanding crust for a base and toppings included prosciutto, figs, arugula and mozzarella. Proper amount of each topping to compliment each other without any overwhelming the other. If you enjoy a Manhattan up, well worth the try.
(4)Ben S.
I've been here a couple of times for drunks, though I've never had the food. Overall it has a classy feel to it, though at heart it is still an Arlington bar with a lot of frat boys. They have an ok beer selection and not as many tv's as some of the places around it. A little bit pricy, but not horrible. My one complaint was that it was a little bit loud and hard to talk even on the outside of the bar by the window. They have sofas inside that look comfortable and might have been a good option.
(3)Michael K.
This business will get 3.5 stars from me. Unfortunately, until Yelp gives us this option, it will only show 3, but it deserves 3.5, in my book. I first heard that the Liberty Tavern is very famous for their in house meat program. My companion was a vegetarian who only ate poultry, and certain types of fish. Perhaps next time, I will be able to enjoy their swine products. So, we stuck to some items that would accommodate their preferences. The bottom of the restaurant holds the rowdy, energetic, bar patrons, while the upstairs area is for the guests who want to enjoy their meal in a more traditional dining sense. I would recommend procuring a reservation, especially during the weekends, because in a short time, it was a packed house. Knowing that we won't be eating any meats for our evening, we decided on a bottle of white wine to accompany our meal. After looking through the list, the Portuguese Conde Villar Vinho Verde jumped out, as one of the wine director's picks. This proved to be an excellent choice, with the crisp, refreshing flavors enhancing our meal. After a quick perusing of the menu, the choices were made, and the anticipation rose. The first little snack that was ordered were the side of hand cut fries with sage. The fries were the rustic style, freshly cut, and warm and crispy. The sage added a nice touch to them. A small grin came to my face when I saw the side of mayonnaise, giving the dish a European feel to it. They were seasoned nicely. My only concern would be the consistency. About 50% of the fries were long, thick pieces. But underneath them, the other 50% were little 1/2in. pieces of chubs of potato skins. I do not know if this is intentional, but I did not find them to be very enjoyable. The first entrée arrived, which was the baked rigatoni. The in-house made rigatoni were very good, cooked to a perfect al dente. The flavor of the sauce was incredibly fresh, you could tell that it was made from scratch. The one thing that did catch me off guard was that the dish itself was dry. I understand that it is a baked pasta dish, but still the interior was rather parch. Flavor-wise though, it was excellent. Our last entrée arrived, the Roasted Sea Scallops. They were nestled on top of a toasted barley risotto, that had basil, Swiss chard, and Parmagiano-Reggiano mixed in as well. This was my favorite dish of the night. The scallops were big, and they were cooked perfectly. The barley risotto was very earthy with all the herbs mixed in, and complimented the simplicity of the scallops. The only thing that I would say that could be improved on was that I thought that the risotto could have been seasoned just a bit more. The service here was amazing. Our server made sure that our wine was full, as well as our water glasses. He also came around just enough, but not too much as to smother us. He knew when we needed him, and when we did not. The service was definitely top notch, considering the dining room was jam-packed. I do not know when I'll be back in the area, but if I do, I will come back again and check out the Liberty Tavern. This time, I would say that I would make it a priority to check out their meat program, specifically their pork products.
(3)Juhi T.
This was the best brunch spot I've been to in D.C. We had a reservation, but it was really nice to go somewhere that wasn't overly crowded and loud. The service was great, and so was the food. They have a buffet during brunch, but also a la carte options. I highly, highly recommend the smoked salmon pizza. I'm already craving it again!
(5)Helen Z.
Liberty tavern offers an extensive menu of appetizers, cheeses, pizzas, pastas, and entrees. While I enjoyed the selection opportunities, I think my experience there reflected a quote I once heard about how restaurants with too many things on the menu aren't great because they can't actually execute on so many dishes. Appetizers; -Smoked lamb ribs: disappointing. The meat to bone ratio was abysmal and of the part that was actually edible, most was pure fat. The sauce was also much too salty and had soaked the cabbage so even that couldn't be used to balance out the overseasoning. -Arancini: the arancini itself was good - covered in some Parmesan cheese. The sauce though was again, way too salty. -Octopus salad: by far the tastiest thing we ordered. The octopus was very tender and delicious. I was less a fan of the fennel bedding, but oh well. Entree: -Gnocchi with pork shoulder and tomato sauce: a poorly made tomato sauce tries to balance out acidity with lots of salt and this definitely fell into that category. The gnocchi itself was good - but I quickly ran out and ended up with just a lot of sauce with too much sodium to eat on its own. Side: -Brussel sprouts: delicious but how can any vegetable doused in butter not be? Overall, unlikely I would choose to come back. Too many other places to try with more things on the menu to draw me in.
(3)Natasha S.
The review is solely for drinks and the bar. Not food. We ended up here on Friday night because all the surrounding bars were busy because of hockey finals. So we strolled into the least busiest establishment with no line. Liberty was the winner. We walked into a dark bar and lounge playing an interesting variation of music. It was everything from pop to rock to old school hip hop. We had a large group probably of 12 or so and had no trouble finding seating. We were able to get the back part of the lounge in the right side of the establishment. The server took our orders and had our drinks out in no time. The service is really good here. On point. I'd like to come back and try out the food.
(4)Sungmin S.
Conveniently located outside of Clarendon metro station, the Liberty Tavern is on the main street alongside with bunch of bars in the area where yuppies and only yuppies hang out. Downstairs of the restaurant seems to be more dedicated for happy hour/bar, where it was almost too crowded with everyone standing around talking very loudly (I thought I was going to get killed on my way to the bathroom), but the actual seating area upstairs is quite nice. The menu is extensive but not overwhelming, including salmon salad, pizzas, pasta and some entree selections. After debating between pork chop and the lobster pasta, I chose the latter -- the spaghetti noodles seemed house-made as it was quite soft and thicker than the store-bought kind I am used to, the sauce was slightly spicy and the half-shell lobster was well-cooked (but a little difficult to eat with fork and knife). I thought the dish was decent, well-seasoned and exactly what you'd expect but nothing to rave home about. I had a chance to try my date's gnocchi and while I'm usually not a fan of gnocchi, his dish was very good -- creamy, slightly sweet sauce with a generous amount of corn. I've heard good things about their vermont pizza, I may be back when I'm in the area.
(3)Susan A.
Man, this place sure gets busy. At least it's a notch up from Clarendon Ballroom. Pros - Large space: two floors, couches and small bar tables on the first floor, and dining tables on the second floor Cons - Ridiculously loud at 6pm. You'll have to yell as if you were in a club at midnight. - Not enough seating for such a big crowd - Uninteresting people frequent this place. What I got An "industrial", which is a house specialty margarita type of drink. $5 during HH. What I thought My drink was too sour and did not have enough tequila for balance. I haven't eaten here; I only came for drinks during happy hour. However, I won't be coming back for dinner; the first floor bar gets so loud and the sound travels to the second floor. The crowd that comes to Liberty Tavern is the usual Clarendon night crowd - young, rambunctious and slightly annoying northern Virginia 20-somethings. All in all, I'm not impressed. Next!
(2)Ayana P.
Had dinner here last night with my boyfriend's brother. It was a nice and surprising change for me because I was expecting the typical Clarendon crowd - young and loud with nasally voices. To my surprise it was a pretty mixed-age crowd with mostly 30-somethings. I've only ever been to LT for brunch and it's been a while since I've even been in for that. The brunch is good so I expected good dinner. I wasn't sure what to expect service wise. We sat at the bar and were served by Bobbi who was excellent. She made us feel right at home. She was also pretty knowledgeable about the wines. The food didn't disappoint either. I had scallops with risotto. It was very good. My only complaint is the small portion size. We've lived around here for a couple years and I've never had a go-to bar in Clarendon (yes, our home base bar is in DC) but I think I may have found it. Yay!
(5)Pegah Y.
I visited the Liberty Tavern with one of my good friends a few weeks ago. We didn't have reservations, but were able to get a table at 6:30pm on a Monday evening without much of a wait. My friend had been there before and she had nothing but great things to say about it, so I figured we'd give it a try. I ordered the Garganelli con Burratta (walnut kale pesto, winter squash) and it was the perfect seasonal pasta. I ordered the half portion and it was plenty filling! I actually couldn't finish all of it and it made for a very nice leftover for lunch the next day. Our waiter was nice, but he really tried to keep pushing us to order drinks or something besides 2 entrees, which was a little bit annoying. I really like the vibe - classy and catering to young professionals in the Northern Virginia area. I would certainly return.
(4)Jeff K.
Liberty definitely has a good brunch. $30 all you can eat with a large variety of food.
(4)JOHN C.
First time there. Dined with a friend last Sunday evening. Excellent service; decent food (had a lamb burger; friend had sea scallops. neither anything special) : a bit pricey IMO but typical of the area. The reasons I won't go back: (1) even upstairs, the noise level made it very difficult to converse directly acroos the table. (The din in the bar area when i entered should have warned me.) (2) I know both parents and many restaurants now consider it acceptable to bring infants and small children with them when dining. I don't. It RUINS the occasion for me.
(2)Jesse F.
Everything about my experience was quite solid. The food was good, our server did a very good job making sure we were taken care of, and the atmosphere was inviting. I went here for lunch and had the hangar steak salad. The meat was tender and cooked to my specification, and the truffle oil really added to the dish. And while it was just a salad, it was hearty enough to fill me up. My wife also had the tuscan white bean and chicken soup which was also flavored very well with pesto. The beer selection is also pretty good. Our server was pleasant, fast, knew the menu, and got the substitutions right that I asked for. Parking can get difficult, so I would definitely recommend walking or taking the metro or an UberX.
(4)Emily H.
Went all the way to Virginia to check this off my list (as it's my new goal to visit all "100 best restaurants" on the Washingtonian's list), and it ended up being a complete waste of time (save the company). Steph and I got here at 6 on a Monday, and I was surprised at how empty it was. I asked our waitress for a recommendation for a beer, and ordered the one she mentioned only for her to come back two mins later and say they were sold out of it. Not a big deal, but it ended up being the first of many things gone wrong... For food, Steph got the white bean soup and I ordered a red pizza and fries. A few bites in, Steph uncovered something hard and that pretty much killed her appetite. As for me, I was already bummed that EACH individual topping was like $2-3 per and that they didn't have combos available as a choice like most other places do. My pizza arrived looking beautiful, but the taste was quite the opposite. The carmelized onions (the only kind available as a topping) tasted particularly goopy and turned several spots into a mushy mess. Our waitress forgot the fries, and didn't end up bringing them until we were both pretty much ready to go. They also looked (falsely) good, but ended up being odd tasting and mushy as well. Despite the fact that we didn't eat more than one fry each, our waitress didn't inquire how our food was at all or ask if I wanted to take them to go. How this meal ended up still being pretty pricey, I have no idea. Definitely steer clear of this place!
(1)NotaFoodSnob H.
One of my girlfriends and I went to The Liberty Tavern on a Sunday afternoon. We decided to go with the brunch buffet after checking out the items. PROS -Good selections -Serves brunch Sat/Sun until 3pm -Reasonable price $24/person CONS -UNSANITARY...this was the part that made me really uneasy. We found the plates to still have food stuck to the bottom. My glass of water HAD A PIECE OF FOOD in it. -BLAND food...truly unimpressive The manager did come by to apologize, as well as knocking off 1/2 of the bill. UNFORTUNATELY, there are TOO MANY OTHER great brunch places in the area so I will think twice before returning. (Darn, we were REALLY looking forward to having a great experience at Liberty Tavern, but it didn't happen.)
(1)paul g.
I have been here twice. Once with lads for pizza and beet salad and beer. All 3 options were great and although it was a Monday it was busy and still we received good service. The second time I went with the family in tow. We sat outside for happy hour. Again great beer, this time with wine and again the food was delicious; a cheese plate and also octopus. We have only just moved here and are still exploring the neighbourhood's numerous excellent places to eat and drink. The Liberty Tavern is definitely one of them.
(4)Jess S.
All you can eat brunch buffet review :) Liberty Tavern is the go to place for all you can eat brunch for under $30.00 (drinks not included) in the Arlington area. The seating is plentiful upstairs, downstairs, and outside. Although keep in mind if you sit anywhere but upstairs and then choose the buffet option you'll have to walk up and down two flights of stairs for each plate! The buffet spread is classic and only missing an actual omelette station. There's scrambled eggs, scrambled eggs country style, bacon, coin sausage, beef, ham, biscuits, french toast, pizza, fruit, salads, salmon, dessert table, and a few more I'm sure I normally avoid so I missed. We used to have an excellent experience with a manager who left in 2015. We miss him a lot! He was energetic, service oriented, had a great memory, and wanted to make your time at LT an experience. In stark contrast when we returned this past weekend we were told we could not sit upstairs unless we had a reservation and that NO we could NOT make a reservation for later in the day. "Old policy newly enforced" happening here I guess, they don't accept same day reservations. What a joke. Although there was plenty of upstairs, "reservation only" seating next to the buffet tables we settled for sitting downstairs inside at a high table in the bar area. It was a little disappointing especially considering the lack of flexibility at 9 AM on a Sunday when it's not busy. Then to drive home the point of a changing atmosphere a manger came around complete with suit and tie to ask how our food was- without any genuine care in his demeanor. This place is very casual, trendy, great food, good price, convenient (as long as you don't mind walking a couple stairs to a buffet). Highly recommend.
(4)Valentina D.
I've run by this place at least 50 times and never noticed it. I guess I'm too busy making sure I don't get run over at the many intersections, or looking at the Irish pub right next to it. Turns out I wasn't missing much. Most of my friends ordered the bottomless brunch, which got squarely mediocre reviews. Contrary to the "bottomless" connotation of all-you-can drink, you only get 1 mimosa (which is very watered down). One person kept raving about the biscuits, another said the soggy gravy was unsuccessfully trying to hide that the biscuits were dried out. They had other mediocre and unhealthy items at the buffet like a chocolate pie (literally just melted chocolate poured into a pre-packaged pie crust). There was some fruit but not a whole lot. And the pizza crust looked crispy and thin, so that looked decent. But as I sat across from my friends, I was glad I didn't get the buffet brunch because most of it looked like baby food smeared on people's plates. I personally ordered the fried chicken sandwich with fries which kept me stuffed until 9PM that night. And that's saying a lot, since I work out twice a day and therefore am constantly eating. I'm not sure what was in that sandwich (I'd guess a lot of mayo, fried batter, and bacon), but I can tell you it was a lot of calories. Sorry Liberty Tavern, you're pretty looking but I won't be back.
(3)Kristina V.
THE best brunch I've ever been too. They have everything from pizza to grits (which are amazing by the way!) It gets pretty packed and sometimes or most times there's a wait. I would recommend getting a reservation or just trying to get there early.
(5)Zach H.
I've been here once for drinks, but I finally checked out this place for dinner with a colleague and found the set up interesting. It reminded me of someone wearing a tuxedo t-shirt... classy but always ready to party. The downstairs area was a classic bar vibe with the chatter of the local professionals and upstairs was much, much quieter with a fine dining feel to it. I started my meal with the Octopus Ceviche which was an orchestra of grapefruit, cucumber, smoked jalapeno, and cilantro with perfectly cooked octopus that was incredibly tender. In my attempt to stay healthy, and keeping with the seafood theme, my entree was an artfully prepared Olive-crusted King Salmon that was served over a caponata of squash, eggplant, tomato and pine nuts. I finished my meal with a refreshing and palette cleansing trio of house-made sorbets - Coconut Curry, Strawberry/Earl Grey Tea, Rhubarb. The curry was definitely the most unique of the three, but all were pretty darn tasty. Overall, the food and service were excellent. "Tavern" is usually indicative of a casual, laid-back watering hole but don't let it fool you. They're churning out some incredibly classy food definitely worth returning for. This place would be great for date-night or some other special occasion. If you'd rather hang out with a cold brew, casual eats while making new friends, the downstairs area is great for that.
(4)Marla M.
My boyfriend and I went here for DC's Restaurant Week, it is a good deal here because they offer their entire menu. Servicei was great - attentive and helpful wait staff, friendly! All of the food was delicious, including the bread they give you before your meal. My favorite item that I ordered was the Heirloom Tomato Salad, really fresh and satisfying yet not too filling. Their drink and food menu were great, I had a tough time choosing one option for everything. Thanks for a great dining experience!
(5)Jessica K.
um hello! happy hour at 2 pm. I'm totally there! I got the steak salad and it was fantastic! I recommend everyone trying it!!
(5)Azadeh A.
Hands down the best coffee you will ever have! Thinking back I can still taste and smell the coffee. This place is super cute and artsy. You feel you have entered a bookstore with delicious food and amazing coffee. It has a culturally diverse menu with Arabic, French, Mexican and American dishes. We ordered the Brie Panini, French toast, and a Arabic dish. The Arabic dish was the best and very filling too. The French fries weren't the best I've had they were little too soggy. The Brie Panini had caramelized onions that were too sweet for my taste. I usually love caramelized onions but this one was way to sweet. However, the French toast with warm syrup was delicious. If I ever go back to Arlingotn I will definitely go back and try their other dishes.
(4)Simay O.
I came here during Thursday night of restaurant week with few girlfriends. We had reservations and we arrived few minutes early. We had a unpleasant experience with waiting to be seated. I know that this place is always crowded, especially during peak hours, which is why I made reservations. We still waited for about 20 minutes to be seated. I understand that there was not much the hostess or managers could do because the people sitting at the table they had reserved for us had paid but would not leave, however, if that's going to be an issue at your restaurant then making reservations should not be an option. After I talked to the hostess about how displeased I was about this, we were offered drinks on the house so this undeniably helped us forget our agitation about waiting. We appreciated that. We did eventually get seated and our service was great! Tony, our server, was really quick and kind. He was also very informative about the menu and wine selection. The food was truly delicious. It was restaurant week so we each selected a different dish for each course and tried each other's meals. This was a few weeks ago so I unfortunately do not remember the names of the dishes but I can truly say that I felt like anything from that menu would taste good. The restaurant is set up much like the cozy intimate ones downtown DC. The upstairs is for dining only, I believe, and it is tiny but cute. In the downstairs there are high tables, the bar, small tables and a lounge area as well. The place gets packed fast by young professionals in the area! Overall, even with the reservation issue I was really pleased with the service and the food after we were seated; I would definitely come back here!
(4)Brian Michael H.
Incredible brunch with absolutely amazing food. I can only speak to the buffet, as that is what everyone in my party got, but oh my gosh, was it amazing. I didn't have one single thing that I didn't get seconds of. The $30 (with coffee and tip) price point is a little expensive, but if I'm going to splurge, this would definitely be the place to do it. The service is terrific and there is clearly a high, homemade quality to each item on the buffet. Nice work, folks!
(5)Jennifer N.
This was the perfect brunch spot. At the recommendation of a friend, I ordered the breakfast pizza. Well. Good on me. First of all, it was huge; I easily could have split it with the friend I ate with had I known how substantial it was going to be. Our waiter was attentive and made recommendations since it was our first time dining there. I would definitely return; we already decided that next time, we'll order the breakfast pizza to share, and a side of french fries. I am looking forward to round 2 already.
(4)Nisht G.
I attended my company's holiday party at Liberty Tavern, and everyone had a wonderful time. During the planning process, Liberty Tavern was very responsive, easy to coordinate with, and had treated us wonderfully. The evening started with a cocktail hour downstairs, where everyone had the chance to try their awesome selection of drinks and cocktails. Afterwards, there was a three course meal. I got the carrots and beets, pork, and cornmeal dessert. It was all fantastic. Though, I tried my colleague's apple dumplings, and it is definitely the star of the desserts.
(5)Carly C.
***3.50 Stars*** I normally choose to hang out at Lyon Hall (the sister restaurant of The Liberty Tavern) when I'm in the Clarendon area, but this past Easter my friends/clients and a few of their friends chose this spot to lounge after brunch. Being that they designate about 1/4 of the restaurant's floor space to couches, we felt pretty happy upon our entrance of this choice. Because we were filled up to our eyeballs with pancakes, eggs, and fruit salad, we began with drinks; a Purple Rain for me(beautiful color from the creme de violette, but very floral in smell and taste from it as well), Blanton's on the rocks for the men, and a bottle of red for the ladies. I really appreciated the service never requiring glass of wine to be refilled by us. The wait staff would always swoop in and pour for us. Some places leave you to do the pouring after they open the bottle, which is something I never understand. At the very least, it would help the staff know when a dark bottle is close to finishing, and they should offer to bring another. The staff at The Liberty Tavern seems to have this knowledge, thankfully. After the bottle hit the bottom, we were ready for bottle 2, and some appetizers. I was almost at the word slurring point by the time the plates came out, but I think I remember arancini, brussel sprouts, and a five piece cheese plate. The arancini were 2-bite size, a little on the cool side, but the sauce they birched on was pretty tasty. I sadly didn't get a taste of the brussel sprouts. My clients have a gift of making brussel sprouts disappear before your eyes, so they bowl was clean before I could get my paws on it. The cheese plate was pretty good, but I feel it lacked an aged hard cheese. All the choices were soft or semi-soft on the menu, a lot of them goat. I have nothing against soft cheeses, but one or two hard cheeses would have been nice to nibble. I also would have liked to see more than just coulis on the plate. The classic dried fruit and roasted nuts are a must in my book. The coulis may have provided some fun flavors to play with, but didn't provide any texture or nutty flavors. Yes, the crustini did have fruit and nuts in it, but didn't allow me to make different combinations of flavors, as the addition of dried fruit and nuts would. Ok, ok. Super fussy, but I thought it was worth mentioning... On a very positive note, own of the bartenders, Bobbi, helped open Rose's Luxury with Aaron Silverman, and some of her cocktails are even still featured on the menu there. Take this a hint that the talent behind the bar at The Liberty Tavern is pretty solid. The cocktails are on point, and the bartenders know their stuff, so don't be afraid to converse with them about libations. They'll be able to help you out. The Liberty Tavern is a nice place to lounge an afternoon away. Drinks are tasty and abundant, service is super friendly, and the food is worthy of consumption. Come, hang out, drink, and tell Bobbi that CeCe said "hi".
(3)Andie C.
Sorry, but I went here for brunch and I do not get why LT has such high reviews. Maybe it's better if you are hungover. French toast was dry and bland- pretty much just lightly browned toast. The apple compote was good so they just need to fix the bread. I enjoy that they have lots of options on the buffet but everything was just okay- no standouts. Also, no one was closing the lids so the food was getting cold.
(3)Lena P.
This place is all right; it has a nice atmosphere but the food/drink is not impressive. I've been here a couple times for happy hour and twice for dinner. The first time I went I had a steak dinner (can't recall exactly what was in it as the dinner menu is seasonal and what I had is no longer on the menu) and brussel sprouts with garlic aioli. The second time I went I had one of the supposedly acclaimed pizzas (red pie with chicken addition) and a mezcal mule. Positives: The bread/butter that came with food was great. I also really loved the brussel sprouts with garlic aioli side- if you get anything on the menu do get this! The not so positives: While the steak was cooked well with good flavor, it came with a weird corn/grits thing and some greens which I don't think matched well. The mezcal mule was decent but probably not something I would get again. And the pizza...well I will not be getting their pizza again. It was totally mediocre. I'd come again, maybe to try out brunch but Liberty Tavern isn't my favorite haunt in the neighborhood, so to speak.
(3)Jill W.
I popped in here when out and about in Clarendon. I liked how it was intimate and dark but the drinks were weak. We ordered a pizza and it was just okay.
(2)Kelly K.
Liberty Tavern's brunch buffet is a must-try. There's a huge variety of items and everything is fresh and flavorful. A sister restaurant of Northside Social and Lyon Hall, Liberty Tavern brews Counter Culture beans and presents the same quality of food. The staff is friendly and went out of their way to get us whatever we needed.
(4)Preet B.
If you want to talk to friends, make sure to sit outside. Our waiter was attentive and stayed cool even when we said we were there only for dessert. The olive oil chocolate cake hit the spot!
(4)Gregg M.
My girlfriend and I went for their Sunday brunch. I'm not usually a big brunch fan, but there were some nice touches which made this one pretty good in my book. First, though, the service was good. Water glasses never came close to being empty. Plates were removed quickly. Notable items from the brunch menu: smoked salmon sliced thickly, a surprisingly tasty jicama salad, and a very tender, flavorful roast lamb. However, the two nice touches that really raised the brunch was the fresh-squeezed orange juice and the dark roast coffee served in a french press carafe. The juice was truly refreshing and the coffee's taste and aroma were eye-openers. Bottom-line: It was a good brunch with a varied selection of food choices and at a fairly reasonable price for the quality of food.
(4)Richard A.
Something is fundamentally wrong with this restaurant, and it was evident within two minutes of arriving at noon for lunch with a friend. Two people had arrived before me, and another six or so within the next two minutes after me. All of us were left standing at an empty hostess station. When one of the waiting customers asked the bartendress for assistance he was brusquely waived back to the foyer with a dismissive gesture. Finally one of the hostesses showed up, unsmiling and without apology, to seat the waiting throng, all of whom apparently had noon reservations like I did. Then we start with the waiters, of which we had at least three, with a plate server and water server rounding the team out to at least five. One of them, a woman, was good; the rest gave the appearance that we were butting in on their privacy or their cool. Some were just incompetent: there was the forgotten beer order, then there was the one waiter who when asked for ground pepper acknowledge that they had such and then disappeared, without returning with any. This was followed up by glacial service with the check and payment--in a 3/4 empty room by this point. About midway through lunch my guest, who had suggested the Tavern in the first instance, recalled that it was because of the service that he hadn't been there in a long time. Now he tells me. In fairness, the food was ok. My hamburger was fresh and properly prepared, if a little greasy, and my friend's white pizza was very tasty. Regrettably, the negative experience outweighed any value or novelty the food had to offer. I will not be eating there again, nor would I recommend it to anyone. They would do well to get their act together.
(1)Laura M.
I used to live around the corner from Liberty Tavern and was here a lot. They have good food, drink specials, and a great modern space. The owners are very responsive if you even have a minor delay getting your food or drinks (which I've seen, not experienced). They ask about your experience, what they can do better or change, and do everything possible to make your time there nice. At least as I've known it, Liberty Tavern is a well-run, modern, delicious place to eat, meet and drink.
(4)Trisha B.
Great service and accommodation at my sister's engagement party.
(5)Liz P.
Some of the best food in the DC area. Service is always top notch, and the restaurant itself is beautiful. I've been here too many times to count and never had a bad meal.
(5)Suzie R.
Liberty Tavern is fantastic at different times for different reasons. You cannot go once and get the full experience. You must go once during the week for lunch, once on the weekend for brunch and once on a Friday night for drinks. I suppose you could do dinner too but who eats dinner anymore? The weekday lunch: The restaurant is never overcrowded during this hour. You can walk in and get a table right away. I suggest sitting downstairs by the window if possible or at the community table in the middle, directly in front of the bar. Order the skirt steak salad or the vermont pizza. Get the chocolate caramel s'more tart for dessert but only if you're prepared to share it with two to three people. If you don't you'll be in a food coma the rest of the day. The weekend brunch: This is trickier because Clarendon LOVES brunch so there is a slim chance you'll have to wait but while you wait, you can drink an irish coffee (they do it right: Jameson AND Baileys) or if you are having a particularly rough morning, order a Port City Porter, it is the perfect breakfast beer. Ask for Matthew to be your server even if it means you have to wait. I prefer, again, to sit downstairs even though the brunch buffet is upstairs. I feel better going back for seconds when I have to climb the stairs. The buffet is only a couple bucks more than Whitlows and it is OUTSTANDING. The food is just phenomenal. Make sure you save room for one of the homemade pop tarts. The Friday night drinks: Most Clarendon douchbags under the age of 26 hate Liberty Tavern. They think that it is boring because there isn't live music or slutty girls falling all over themselves and vomiting in the bathroom and they don't think they can get laid there. Smart people recognize this and avoid the Clarendon Grill crowd by going to Liberty Tavern. It's an older crowd with better taste in beer and it's not so loud that you can't have a conversation. It gets pretty packed on Friday/Saturday nights but it's a good option if you want to feel like you're in a DC bar without heading into the city. Plus, once you are drunk enough, you can walk down to RiRa for live music. To sum this all up: go to Liberty Tavern if you are not a douchebag and you like delicious food and quality service.
(5)Maggie H.
I ate here for brunch in March with several friends. It was delicious, though none of us had the buffet. We thought we'd try dinner. Unfortunately, it was a huge disappointment. The pizza was nothing you couldn't get for less money at Rustico or a similar restaurant. I had the mussels and the broth lacked flavor. The gnocchi was bland as were the salmon cakes. Not to mention, everything was overpriced for what is was. By the time the dessert menu came we were ready to head out (with our wallets significantly lighter). In terms of service, we had a reservation and were seated immediately during peak time. However, our waitress lacked interest and never asked us what we thought of the meal. Overall the experience was sub-par. I'd consider returning for brunch, but after my dinner experience there was other good brunch places in D.C. for less money and equally good food.
(2)Tony P.
Modern and contemporary decor for a gastropub/wine bar concept. The pizzas are very good. Lots of great flavors in the ingredients and they have a good variety of craft beers and wine selections by the glass. A nice layout with couch seating for some cozy snuggling and good happy hour fares.
(4)Christina L.
I love this place and it is pretty close to my work so it is convenient. Came here for lunch with a group of coworkers and again a few weeks later for dinner. For lunch we started with a couple of pizzas to split, I think one was a 4 cheese or something and it was delicious. I had tomato bisque and the apple/endive salad, both of which were excellent. After we split a couple of french presses and a couple of desserts - coca cola cake and another raspberry dessert that came with thyme ice cream. For dinner we were both pretty hungry. Had a couple of beers and split the duck fat onion rings(awesome!) and I had the fennel/blackberry/goat cheese salad. I had a prosciutto/goat cheese ravioli dish and he had the filet mignon. Split the coca cola cake for dessert. I made a reservation and we had to wait about 10 minutes so they gave us the starters for free which was nice and unexpected! I think I had the same waiter both times I was there and he was also great, very attentive but not over the top. Also very knowledgeable about the menu. I will definitely come back...I plan to try the early happy hour on friday at some point.
(5)Mark A.
This is just a review of the bar downstairs. Cool place with 4 different types of seating just in the bar area: high-top tables with four seats near the window, long wooden bar (where we sat) in the center of the place, lounge area with couches and low tables in the back, and actual bar. Place was packed with people standing everywhere at 8 on a Thursday, but still managed to grab a couple chairs. The wait staff and bartenders are very helpful and really nice. I imagine service upstairs (in the restaurant) is even better. Solid beer list of things on tap, with different glasses for different beers (very appreciated), and a good cocktail and wine list as well. Also, very reasonable prices (well, cocktails are a little pricey). Great place to grab a drink and chill. Added bonus: a waitress was walking around with fresh (and delicious!) pizza and giving out slices. Does this happen anywhere besides Costco? Yes, here!
(4)Ferdinand H.
Went here with a couple of friends for dinner, had their Masonic and a half portion of Raviolini and their Gnocchi. Order of the Mussels and Octopus in their upstairs dining area. The decor was definitely tavern-ish, but very warm and with a definite colonial era charm. The menus were seasonal, and the fare tasty. The flavours were delicate - much more so than typical pub food, but I wasn't as keen on the slightly sweet accent on the Raviolini. Wine list wasn't extensive - but they do offer a pairing with their tasting menu. Overall, 3.5, rounding up... but it might have been the company that tipped it up over the edge...
(4)Kaitlin C.
Was here last week for drinks and a little bite. Service and happy hour prices were great! Also had the mussels, FANTASTIC! A little more than I would spend for dinner, but if drinks and that little app I had were that tasty, I MUST go back and try dinner one night...
(5)Melanie S.
Met some friends at Liberty Tavern during a business trip to DC. This was their pick and they love this place so we happily agreed to join them here. We walked in and this place was hoppin'! We arrived before our friends and went to the host stand to give them the name our reservation was under but they had no such reservation. We were confused; our friends emailed us that they made the reservation so we knew one had been made. We tried giving them the wife's maiden name. Nope, no res. The husband's first name. No dice. We gave up and went to the bar and waited for our friends. They arrived and it turns out that Liberty Tavern had made a mistake and had our reservation for the following week. The host was very apologetic and said he'd get us a table as soon as he could and he comped our drinks while we waited, which was a nice gesture. A short while later, we were shown to our table upstairs. It was still pretty noisy but not nearly as deafening as the downstairs level. As long as we could converse without screaming at each other, I was happy. We were greeted by our server, Anne Marie, a lovely Salma Hayek lookalike which made the men in our party happy. A bottle of Muscadet was ordered as was an apple endive salad, fried squash blossoms and gnocchi. I didn't try any of the salad, but I was told it was good. The squash blossoms were proof that anything fried is bound to be good. They were sort of delicate tasting and stuffed with ricotta. Super yummy and unique starter. My gnocchi was superb. It was served in a brown butter thyme sauce with spring vegetables, ramps, and some goat cheese. I only ordered a half-portion as it was a starter, but if I'd known it was that good, I'd have ordered the full size instead. It was that good. For the rest of my meal I ordered the NY strip and the rest of my party ordered a vegetable pot pie and the bluefish special. We ended up sharing the steak and bluefish, making our own version of surf and turf. The steak was pretty standard, but that bluefish? I'd never eaten it before and I loved it. It was a strong-flavored fish, but not overpowering, and it was fresh. Another bottle of wine was ordered before we moved on to desserts. We ordered three for the table and shared them (well, I TRIED to share). One was a peach pie, another was a blueberry cake, and the the last was a panna cotta. While all of the desserts were good, that panna cotta was simply not shareable. I was keeping it all to myself. It was covered with chopped strawberries and lemon balm. Someone wrestled it away from me and managed one spoonful before I stabbed them with my fork. Liberty Tavern is a great place for after-work cocktails or dinner with friends. I hope to return on my next trip to DC.
(4)Kelly G.
I have been here twice for dinner and had a great meal and a below-average meal. Positives: - Service- the wait staff is very nice and chatty here. Both times they have made me feel like I was at home, have given good recommendations, and have been very accommodating - Portions- I love the fact that you can order a half-plate of pasta - Fresh- very "farm to table" place Negatives: - Seafood- my friend and I both ordered seafood and it was pretty bland and tasted a bit old. Watch out- some of the fish is served with the skin still on so if that grosses you out, you may want to inquire before ordering Experience: This is a nice place with an interesting assortment of food. There's everything from pizza and pasta to duck and oysters. The menu changes but I was very impressed with the gnocchi! My friend ordered a pizza and said that was great as well. Next time I will stick with the pastas and pizza instead of ordering fish or anything too upscale.
(3)Betsy S.
Brought a recent Ohio transplant here to show her how delightfully yuppie Clarendon is. While she wasn't impressed with the happy hour specials (as they don't hold a candle to the Midwest), we each had a Stella, which our flirtatious waiter brought gladly. He compared my friend's 'accent' to Sookie whatever from True Blood. We were both confused. Neither of us are into the vampire thing. Zombies, yes. Anyhow... We split the Vermonter pizza, which was covered in apple slices and prosciutto. It was the perfect meal for an evening of wine and jack and cokes. Those are two separate drinks, thank God. So...Liberty Tavern was fun. And our water glasses were always full. Can't argue with that!
(4)Aubrey C.
we've been going here for the last 2 yrs. we have always enjoyed the staff and food. def a must for Sunday Funday. Brunches are delish esp the bacon and fried chicken. It does get crowded and waits can be long so make RSVP's or go early for dinners. We almost always sit at the bar. The bartenders are all friendly and have always taken care of us.
(4)Sean C.
My wife and I cannot recommend Liberty Tavern to enough people. It's a fantastic local spot to get wonderful service, a great meal and unique drinks. We had the pleasure of celebrating a special event last night there with our families and had Andy as our server. He was the best-of-the-best - attentive, but not pushy - knowledgeable, but not up-selling the most $$$$ item on the menu which we appreciated. Most of us had the special (friend chicken) and it was the best friend chicken we've ever had. It's obvious - but we will be back and hopefully get Andy again. - the Cranfords
(5)Lee N.
Brought to you by the same people who own a couple other North Arlington favorites, Liberty Tavern might be my favorite restaurant in Arlington. There are a number of 3-star reviews on Yelp, but read them carefully: most of the low reviews are for the bar on the main floor - not the wonderful restaurant upstairs. Yes, the bar is very bar-like: crowded and loud. I would still rate it higher than most bars, though. The restaurant is lovely. They try to get fresh, organic, local food whenever possible. The menu changes with the season and includes things I've never heard of (squid-dyed couscous!) It's inventive, creative, thoughtful, and overall very, very good. I usually try to recommend a couple favorites and something to stay away from even in a positive restaurant review. At Liberty Tavern, my friends and I have tried something from every food category - beef, pork, fish, etc. - and it has all been excellent. Go here. Eat upstairs. You'll love it.
(5)William S.
Ordered burgers. Food was hot and prepared correctly. Service was very friendly. Prices were reasonable. Nice time sitting at the bar.
(4)Aaron C.
Not impressed and their brunch was a huge disappointment. Needless to say, I won't be going back.
(2)Jenna L.
Disclaimer-We go Sun through Wed and avoid Thurs-Sat because we're there to eat and enjoy the evening and not drink like we're 21 again. If eating and enjoying a great evening out in Clarendon is your goal then I recommend doing the same. Also, we make reservations - you don't have to but it makes it so there is no waiting for a table. Love the Liberty Tavern! The beer selection is always good and the 5-7pm happy hour is quite a deal. Sitting outside and enjoying a few amazing apps and a few beers makes for a wonderful evening. The menu changes seasonally otherwise I'd recommend some dishes, but that said we have not had anything even slightly mediocre. The cheese selection is great and super yummy and the mussels are too yummy. We've also been there for the Sunday brunch. We didn't get the buffet although it looked amazing and instead opted for the steak and eggs off the ala carte menu and OMG it was good. I honestly cannot wait to go back and get it again, perhaps with a blood mary cause they do that well too (if you like horseradish). When they have someone over from Northside Social making lattes make sure you treat yourself to one! As for the staff, super friendly, super awesome and very accommodating. They know the menu front and back and are great for recommendations. Five star service without a doubt. Again, if its Sun-Wed, you've made a reservation and ideally it's nice and you're sitting outside... you're going to have a great night.
(5)Julia M.
My friends brought me here because they know I don't like fratty bars. This place was perfect on a Friday night. No one was trying too hard, no one was wearing a vineyard vines polo, no one was talking about protein shakes/quinoa/paleo/crossfit. Amazing.
(5)Valencia W.
My fiance and I went came to The Liberty Tavern during the Winter Restaurant Week. Our first time sitting down to dine. I enjoyed that the entire menu was opened up for the Restaurant Week because I wanted to have the Amish Chicken. We were seated within 5 minutes and the waitress that we had was very friendly and helpful in answering any questions we had. I started out with the Tavern Salad which was a simple salad but very good. The SO had the ravioli and he really liked the way his ravioli turned out. It looked so good that I was trying to eat a little bit off his plate. I ordered the Amish Chicken and he ordered the NY Strip Steak. He was happy with the way the chef cooked them and I was very pleased with how the chicken was presented and of course--it was quite tasty! The Chocolate Caramel cake was an excellent was way to end the meal and yes, it tasted soooo good. It was a little rich but, I loved it. I will come here in the future for a nice place to eat if I'm in the nearby area. Loved it and will be back again.
(4)Loren B.
With over 400 reviews, I can't believe I went to this place on the whim. I went with one of my guy friends and had an amazing time. Long story short, the guy next to us offered to buy us a bottle of champagne....so we were winning the entire night. The people here are fun and friendly and everyone just wants to have a good time.
(4)Thomas O.
Been there a couple of times, really liked it. Nice atmosphere. Good service. Food, while not exceptional, is solid. Great blueberry cobbler.
(4)Carol W.
Went to Brunch with my boyfriend so everything he said in his review I second - especially the coffee and OJ. I'll add a few things: Though the smoked salmon was very good - they obvfiously smoked it themselves it was a little heavy on the salt (at least the one that we had was). Toward the end of the meal they brought out some pancakes for the table. I love pancakes and these were really good - light and fluffy. Unfortunately I was already too full; sure wished they would have brought them out earlier. Also - they had a good selection of chocolate deserts (and a few nonchocolate as well). I made sure to save a little room for some. All in all - I would definitely go back again.
(4)Wayne L.
I have no clue how to rate Liberty Tavern as a restaurant, for I have yet to try. However, I have been here for happy hour and had a good time here. One interesting fact: happy hour starts at 2 on Fridays! During happy hour, their beers are $3.50, which is a bit pricey compared to some other happy hour locations that have $1.50 or $2.00 beers. However, the $3.50 isn't limited to just cheap macrobrews. All of their tap beer can be had for this price. I had the Lost Rhino Face Plant IPA as my first drink - not a big fan of this beer, however. Liberty Tavern also has half off glasses of wine, and $5 margaritas as well. They even have a rooftop; I was here one time on a Friday night, and the rooftop environment was very chill. The Liberty Tavern is a fine location in Clarendon for those looking for a place to go. Their happy hour prices can err on the high side, but you aren't treated to a sports bar-like environment. Can't seem to find any major complaints about this place.
(3)Derek H.
(3.5 stars) - I've lived in Arlington for awhile but never really gotten into Liberty Tavern for more than a drink or two. The busy bar and pretty intimate dining room always meant that I wasn't going to eat there casually -- date spot, yeah, but not random bite -- and I wasn't going to drink there if I had to fight to get to the bar. That blended cocktail just kept it off my radar. But! I finally had a reason to hit up Liberty for a normal evening meal, taking advantage of the new summer menu. I would say that The LT (is it like Ohio State where you always need to say The Liberty Tavern?) is an all around good spot; it tries to do some interesting culinary things, but much like its rival Eventide on the other side of the block, I wish it weren't trying SO hard. Dishes feel overly complicated for what is actually being offered -- I don't need a two sentence description of a scallop course that is basically "Pan Roasted Scallops with greens." That all said, food is consistent -- nothing that blows me away but nothing that is really bad either. Skirt Steak was probably the best thing I sampled; the Endive Salad was also really strong. And really, when you're talking about an mid-upper scale local restaurant, consistent is the best criteria. Service is good, atmosphere is nice, it does everything a restaurant SHOULD do. And if they add a few killer bites (or I discover one), I'd boost this up to 4 stars easy. Bonus tip: the maple apple pie ice cream is terrific; skip the other options and just get three scoops of this for dessert.
(4)Evan P.
5 star brunch, 1 star drinks. 3 star rating is the compromise. Really good selection of foods for brunch. $9 man-mosa mix drinks had almost zero alcohol.
(3)Tim W.
This is a well deserved 5-star rating... I went on a Thursday night date, with a reso at 7:30p. We were seated immediately, and our table was situated in a comfortable area. The upstairs dining space is inviting and reasonably sized. The restaurant was full but we never felt rushed or overwhelmed by the noise. Very well designed. Here is a quick breakdown: Waiter - Todd L. was AMAZING. The guy is really good at his job. He was prompt, polite and patient. His recommendations were spot-on and he was not trying to sell the most expensive items on the menu either. He definitely made our date even more enjoyable due to his accommodating service. Thanks Todd L.! Food - We didn't eat a lot but all items were delicious. - Tavern Salad: Field greens, watermelon radish, red wine vinaigrette - Snap Pea Salad: Fennel, strawberry, radish with smoked whipped chevre, goat milk/pink pepper corn dressing - Classico Pizza: San Marzano tomatoes, bufala mozzarella, basil, extra-virgin olive oil I hope everyone will be able to enjoy a dinner at Liberty Tavern as much as I did.
(5)Nat N.
Went for the buffet, there were lots of great selection of food, i dont think you'd be disappointed. However, when it comes to coffee, they were being "cheap" it was a small cup, americano which doesnt mean anything to me, coffee is just coffee, no refills, n it costs 4 dollars. Agreed with my friend that at least they should include the non-alcoholic beverage in the price for the buffet, at least for the coffee since i could use coffee in the morning :)
(3)Krista B.
I went here on a late Sunday afternoon to meet up with out of town friends. We were right in the middle of the menu switching-time between lunch and dinner menu, and seeing as we were hungry for dinner we held out. Both the lunch and dinner menus were limited and offered little for a health-conscious eater like myself. I ordered the Housemade "Scamorza" Cheese appetizer and it was crazy small. The cheese was really good and the added honey unique, but it left a lot to be desired. My friend ordered a side of asparagus and huge bowl of fries. Both were really good. The cheese and drink selection looked extensive, and our waiter was very patient and attentive. It was an ok experience, but I dont think I would go here often for food. Or maybe it was an off-day and I should try their brunch?
(2)Katharine G.
I Liberty Tavern and have been going there pretty much since it first opened. I always order the mussels appetizer. It is still great but not as good as it used to be. The delicious sauce used to taste more seafood-y which I assumed was because the mussels were actually steamed in it. Now it seems the mussels are cooked separately and added to the sauce--not as good! Please go back to your old ways. I will always love LT, but if the sauce doesn't taste mussle-y anymore, I will order something else instead. BTW, your spaghetti with pork ragu was awesome!
(4)James D.
This place has good service, good brunch, and good dinners. It's a bit upscale and the price reflects that. I've never been disappointed with a meal here.
(4)Jessica H.
Dinner (3 stars), see earlier review. Bar (3 stars) and brunch (4 stars), see this review. This is the bar for single people looking to get tipsy without a club atmosphere (see Spider Kelly's, next door). Kind of preppy atmosphere, lots of young government types. Long communal table in the middle, with some smaller tables on the sides. Packed from happy hour onwards most evenings. Brunch here has an all-you-can-eat buffet for about $19. It's great. It has everything. Ham, lamb, frittata, salmon with creme fraiche and capers and onions, chimichangas, flatbread pizza thing, home fries, biscuits... they go all out. Make reservations, because it's always packed. Therefore the buffet food turns over rapidly; no worries about stale buffet.
(3)Andrea C.
wear your eatin' pants is all i have to say. was in dc for a wedding and met up with a few friends on sunday morning for the all you can eat brunch at liberty tavern. boy did i get my money's worth! i cannot speak for dinner here, but the brunch sure was tasty. every kind of sweet and savory brunch product you'd expect, with some fresh new additions. i ate some waffles, i ate some bacon, i had some fruit salad and pancakes for fun...i had it ALL. and i have to say, the food was really good. no greasy/cold/icky buffet food. they keep it fresh and keep it tight, just like my pants when i left. and it was worth every penny.
(4)Patrick G.
Good brunch - steak, mussels and fried chicken on the buffet. Pretty deserts also (tarts etc).
(3)Lindsey W.
Liberty Tavern is consistently good and they have great portion sizes. They take reservations, which I really appreciate.
(4)Norman H.
Came here for Easter brunch, and it was good! The buffet food was pretty good. It was my first time there, so I don't know how different it was from their normal brunch. Had everything from salads, fruits, eggs, lamb, pork, asparagus, bacon, ham, grits, parfait, and different baked deserts (cookies, mini cupcakes...) The atmosphere was nice. Sat upstairs - it had open tables, and a lot of sunlight. Our waiter was very nice and prompt. I'm not sure if he was in a rush, but right after we paid, he cleaned up our table even though we were all still chatting (it wasn't even 5 minutes after he picked up our check).
(4)Amy M.
My bf and I went to Liberty Tavern for the first time yesterday at almost 7pm which is the end of Happy Hour. We were seated immediately outside and our server Bobbi ran right over to make sure she could get a drink order in before Happy Hour was over. Points for Bobbi! She was fun, funny and and excellent server. We would go back just to see her! 5 Stars for the mussels in smoked tomato sauce 3.5 Stars for the overcooked steak, but a good enough steak that he didn't send it back 4 for the Georges Bank Haddock I had. It was excellent, unique and full of flavor 5 Stars for Bobbi We will be back. Loved sitting outside!
(4)Emily S.
Liberty Tavern makes everything too complicated. My friend and I were out around 8:30 PM looking for a place to have dinner in Clarendon that neither of us had tried yet. We weren't looking for something super swanky - perhaps less expensive than Circa - but still something that was a step up from Hard Times, the diner, or your regular sports bar. A gastropub, maybe something akin to Audubon Circle back in Boston. We thought we'd found it when we stumbled upon Liberty Tavern and we were disappointed. Maybe it's that we walked in expecting it to be one thing and got another, but the menu outside boasted a "burger and a pint" option, which really gave us that impression. We sat downstairs in the bar and expected an upscale bar experience. Maybe we would have known what was up if we'd dined upstairs, but we never saw the upstairs. Everything from the moment we walked in was confusion. When we first encountered the hostess we indicated a desire to sit in the bar. She grabbed two menus and began to seat us at a center table but I thought I saw open seats at the bar and said we'd like to sit there. The hostess said there were menus at the bar and walked away. Then I realized that one of the open seats actually had someone's coat on it, so I went back to the hostess to retrieve the menus. She just kept repeating that there were menus at the bar and I had to repeat twice that there wasn't space at the bar so we needed menus from her. I just wanted to grab them and go sit down where she had initially led us; She insisted on going with us. Whatever. We sit down, I see the menu, and it is devoid of the upscale bar food we were seeking. Expensive pastas, steaks, seafood...But we'd seen "burger and a pint" advertised outside, as well as a few other yummy options I would have liked, and none were on the menu. Fearing I had seen a lunch menu I asked the guy who brought us our water if they still had burgers. He seemed rather un-thrilled that we were talking to him and also confused by our question, so he said he'd get a waiter. Our waitress eventually explained that they don't serve burgers after 5. My friend and I looked at each other. What kind of bar - or any place that has burgers - refuses to serve them after 5? Every upscale meat place has a burger on the menu. McCormick & Schmick does and a number of smaller places do. So we needed time to rethink our entrees. But we did decide we wanted some sweet potato fries. The waitress then had to explain that they're not actually fries - it's 4 wedges of potato with something something something. For the price of a large serving of fries. We passed. Good, she explained, they're out of them anyway. o_O I don't eat pork. 75% of the menu involved pork. Eventually I settled on the hangar steak with potato "champ," which came w/ bacon, scallion butter & cheese so I figured I'd get it w/out bacon. I was sad for lack of green vegetable and considered a veggie side (add another $5 please). When the waitress came she explained that the bacon can't be removed from the champ because it's pre-mixed or pre-baked or something, and that they'd have to sub mashed potatoes. I was like, "What's the difference?" She said none. I said, "Do I still get scallion butter and cheese?" No. The waitress started making all these porky recommendations. I explained I don't eat pork. She suggested the autumn pizza without ham. I didn't really want anything on their menu but I was fed up so I said fine. Some regular fries went by and they looked amazing, so we added fries to our order. The waitress made a point of calling them "bar fries." Apparently they're "special." Well, what we got was floppy, overcooked and flavorless. Plus most of what we got were little burned ends. They probably scraped the bottom of the barrel. Not remotely fresh. They also came with 3 dipping sauces, one of which was ketchup. The "cheesy" looking one tasted like flavorless cream even though it was orange. I was just about to try the third when the waitress came to warn me it had BACON in it. Friend seemed happy with her pasta. My pizza was large, but without the ham it was flavorless. It had squash - each slice had one piece of squash the size of maybe a silver dollar, and like one leaf of arrugula. The menu also said this pizza came with egg - I was expecting scrambled or hard boiled bits. These were sunny side up eggs, the kind with breakable, runny yokes. I can frequently enjoy a fried egg in bibimbap or on a sandwich, but with an already bland pizza the yokes just added more bland, neutralizing flavor and ruined the texture by making the dough soggy. Come to think of it...I don't actually remember there being cheese. Nor was the wine list particularly overwhelming. My malbec was fine, I guess. The ambiance was OK except for the short-lived bro invasion that occurred in the middle of our meal. In summary: Underwhelming, overpriced.
(2)Anne C.
it's not the BESt place for a HH, but it's okay. There are definitely better places to eat or to go to for HH. I came here once for a company gathering--they had reserved off many of the couches. This experience was okay and I just had a few beers. One thing I do remember is that it is PACKED. I went back again with a few of my gfs and again, it was utterly packed and by the time I left, it was soooooooo loud I could not hear myself. I ordered a chardonnay (it was 1/2 price wine by the glass hh) and that was delicious and we ordered a winter pizza (with clams and arugula). The clams were saltier than expected, but overall the pizza was good. The only thing is that the server barely stopped by and they do not have any hh specials on food. They have a "bar menu" but it is the same prices as the regular menu. Otherwise, the drinks specials are okay. The price for the food is high considering what you get is average. I definitely do not plan on coming back if I'm planning the event, but won't be 100% against it if someone else does. maybe it's better for regular meals/brunch!?! may try that!
(2)Morgan P.
Go for the unlimited brunch. $20 for all-you-can-eat, with high-quality ingredients.
(5)Katie C.
Much as I love my neighborhood, the restaurants do sometimes run towards the generic, and I had (mistakenly) lumped Liberty Tavern in with interchangeable "American Wilson Tavern Tap Rooms" that seem to proliferate around here. Really pleased to find how wrong I was at a recent brunch. Their offerings are much more creative than standard brunch buffet fare (mussels! pizza! homemade pop-tarts!), and while it's a disappointment that they don't serve drip coffee, the french press really was superlative and well worth the extra couple bucks. The only off-note was desserts, which come from Northside Social... I usually love NoSo's bakery, but the pastries we tried were pretty gummy and flavorless. On the bright side, skipping dessert is an excuse to eat more of the delicious Anadama French Toast.
(4)Keon D.
Yummy brunch, cozy clean interior. I came here for a sunday brunch outing with fellow yelpers and I was pleasantly surprised by how nice it was inside and the nice selection of tasty brunch items. When I heard the words tavern I expected some place with dark wood and dirty floors sticky with beer. I was pleasantly surprised to walk in and find a modern looking place that was quite spacious. The buffet was great. I was impressed by the wide selection although I was saddened that some of the things ran out like french toast (I was a bit late though). Things that stood out were the apple pancakes, the pasta carbonara, and the glazed sausage. All in all a good place, I look forward to trying their other selections!
(4)Cory R.
The Liberty Tavern is awesome. Before anyone continues reading, I should say that I am basing my review on just drinks, staff, and overall atmosphere and NOT on food (only because I have never eaten here). I have been here too many times to count and it is always a great time. The staff is extremely friendly and I've never had an experience where I had trouble getting a drink or had to wait a long time for a drink. They always have a great selection of beers on tap, as well. I will continue to come here because of the selection of beer, friendly staff, and good overall atmosphere.
(5)Jesse C.
Every time my team gets a new employee, we always go out to lunch. We also let the new employees choose the restaurant. For this trip Liberty Tavern was chosen. We had a party of 11. I arrived a little late, but when I walked into the restaurant the host took me to our table upstairs after I told him which party I was with. As I was glancing over the menu the waiter came over and took our drink orders. The drinks soon came out. The place was pretty packed during the lunch rush. I expected to see a typical bar menu layout, but when I looked over it, it has more than just burgers and so one. I decided I'd eat on the healthier side and order the artic char. The rest of the party ordered things from salad to burgers. Our food all came out in a reasonable time and everybody's order was right. My artic char had good flavor, but it was a little on the dry side and it looked like a very small portion, but maybe that's what a normal lunch size is. I'm a fatass, I like to eat a lot, what can I say. The prices seem high, but that seems normal for the Arlington area. The décor inside is nothing fancy, it's clean, and the staff is nice. Parking is a pain. I'm not sure if there is a parking garage near by, but I was lucky enough to find meter parking behind the restaurant. Overall, it was pretty good. Nothing too exciting, but a decent meal. I'd go on my own dime if the gang wants to go again.
(3)Megan A.
I went to Liberty Tavern to celebrate my birthday and it was fabulous! Todd, our server, was absolutely wonderful. I've only been here a handful of times, but every time I think 'why don't I come here more often?!'. I will try to return more frequently! Thanks Liberty for a great birthday!
(5)Jessica B.
The brunch buffet spread looked pretty nice but I was in the mood for a burger. It was decent - I've had better and worse. Service was mediocre...my burger arrived before my cappuccino. I'll come back another time see what their dinner service is like
(3)Katie G.
Have had dinner here a few times since my last review (2 years ago? where does the time go?). Very good food, wonderful atmosphere, and yes--um, "efficient" service. Is the kitchen/management pressuring the wait staff to keep people moving? This was yesterday--just after a big snow storm. What's the rush? p.s. overpouring of the wine is a no-no (yes, I've been in the biz). Went downstairs to the bar for a drink and the server was visibly antsy and told us she wanted to get out of there because she lives way the hell out in Gainesville.
(4)Jonathan G.
The brunch is probably the best in Clarendon, just make sure to make reservations a week or two in advance! The bar scene at night is full but not overly crowded to where you cannot get a drink. Every time we end up in Clarendon at night this is where we end up.
(4)Allison R.
So I figured I'd give this place a review after being here close to 10 times now. I have literally never been disappointed by The Liberty Tavern. Rarely do I like going back to the same places when there's such a wealth of options in the area, but I just can't get over how much I enjoy this place. Food: I've had quite a few different dishes and I've yet to have something bad. Everything is always cooked perfect, and some of the tastiest meals I've had. Dessert: Delicious. We always try to get something different each time. They're always just the right size, and very flavorful. Drinks: Good, but small beer selection. Larger wine selection. Also has a full bar on the lower level. Their Mojitos are to die for. My boyfriend also really enjoys their Old Fashioned. Cheeses: Always presented nicely, always tastes fresh, and very flavorful. The Bourbon Chevre goat cheese is our favorite. Service: They're some of the most attentive and knowledgeable servers I've ever had. You have a question? They don't even need to see the menu and can answer it. Not sure about what cheeses you want? Some of the servers are *very* skilled at recommending some that you may like. Want to know what a meal tastes like? They can give you a very good idea to help you make a decision. Basically my experience has been 10/10. Would recommend to all my friends.
(5)Michael R.
5:21. The bar is completely full. Why, Arlington, why? Anyway, pizza wasn't bad on a previous occasion, and they have beer.
(3)William W.
The Liberty Tavern is a nice, contemporary bar/restaurant located in Clarendon. A great place to grab a glass of wine with a friend after work. I also held my birthday brunch here and most of my party seemed very satisfied with their meals and venue choice. The bar area can get a little too crowded during peak hours, but what else can you expect.
(4)R. T. M.
Went for a brunch with the boyfriend on a recent sunday, we weren't really feeling the buffet (mostly because it was a little too early) although it looked fantastic. We ordered the a la carte items, pancakes for me and omelette for him with a side of breakfast potatoes. Everything was delicious and cooked well. Pancakes fresh and fluffy, real maple syrup, potatoes seasoned well and slightly crispy (perfect!). French press blend was nice and strong and more than enough for two people to split. The service was noticeably good. Genuine smiles greeted us at the door, waiters introduced themselves and everything was executed in a timely manner. I don't think I would go back for brunch unless I was ready to try the buffet. The breakfast items were good but nothing special. I found the drink and dinner menu to be much more interesting so I plan on coming back, but for dinner not brunch.
(4)Gio D.
Overall a nice place with some good food. The pizza is surprisingly good for a bar and the beer selection isn't bad. The only reason I'm not giving this place 4 stars is because its simply too loud too early. They start blasting music at 5pm as in 5pm EST. Who does that???????? I felt like I was in a night club and it was still sunny outside. If you're planning on going here for a happy hour, prepare yourself for it to be VERY VERY LOUD!!!!!!
(3)J T.
I love the Liberty Tavern. It has a lot going for it but one downside. - The food is delicious. We usually go for brunch: wonderful, with a superb buffet that generally strikes me as freshly prepared - salmon, muffins, eggs, sausage or other breakfast meats, cornbread, sweets, fruits, you name it. - Evening - dinner and drinks: nice; try the bellinis, although it can be unfortunately challenging to get waitstaff's attention if you're at the couches by the bar. - The downside: one of my close relatives saw a roach there and was freaked out, so we can never go there when we're with them. I think they are an unfortunate part of the restaurant business. However, they must be controlled (with professionals and bait), and clearly this place hadn't done that on the day she saw it. Again - we go here occasionally; there was only the one time, and I think it was a fluke. Liberty Tavern is still a super place, in my book. But if you can't stand this idea, try a different place.
(4)Jake K.
I came here for a work happy hour and didn't think it was too bad. Granted, it was quite a packed night (Thursday) but since the food and booze were free, I figured what the hell. The servers were great - I can't remember the one who actually hugged me in apology when she got my beer wrong but I'll take it (now if I could just remember her name, I'd mess with her mind and make her think she got other things wrong on subsequent orders). The food wasn't bad either - but nothing to sing about. We had a lot of the margherita pizza with basil. Always a good choice but hard to screw up. I'm not in the Clarendon area much since I'm no longer in my 20s but hey - if I had to come back, I guess this place wouldn't be bad to visit again.
(3)Vishal S.
This review is for just the Happy Hour @ Liberty Tavern. I work around the corner from this place and have never been here for lunch or dinner. So I welcomed the chance to try this place out for a company sponsored HH. We got there at 5:30 and the place was already packed - memories of overpacked metro trains of my hometown Bombay, India came flooding back to me. Except these were smartly dressed, young (of all ages) men and women in front of me @ LT. We had couple of sofas and tables reserved for us all the way in the back but even there it was impossible to hear my colleagues in all the noise! I could still feel my ears ringing while walking back home after the event! Service was surprisingly good given the crowd which is the reason for 1 of the 3 stars. Drinks are pricey even for HH rates and wines were a disappointment. We tried all the red wines amongst our group and even though we are not wine connoisseurs, we were not impressed by the quality of wines being offered, esp considering a glass of Pinot Noir costs $14 here! A few of my colleagues ordered martinis and house special beer and they were satisfied with their drinks. So avoid the wine and go for beer and martinis! We also ordered a bunch of appetizers and they all were good except they had a tad bit too much salt for my liking. Among the appetizers that stood out were the fries and sausage pizza! The decor is modern and as mentioned earlier - service was good. Can't do much about the noise...rather be at a busy bar for HH than be one of 5 guys at a lame bar :) Will have to come back here for lunch/ dinner soon...
(3)Rachel N.
The brunch buffet at Liberty Tavern is a crowd pleaser. It doesn't matter what you're in the mood for, they have something for everyone. Highlights are definitely the hot roast (protein varies), french toast, the pastry cart, fresh fruit, whole smoked salmon, and the artery-clogging amounts of crispy bacon and sausages. The price for the buffet is a bit high, and mimosas/bloody marys run around $7, but if you have time for a long leisurely brunch you will definitely get your money's worth, thankfully without any hurrying along by the very courteous staff. The ala carte options are also more fairly priced. Additionally, the Tavern has their kitchen open relatively late at night so it's a good spot to grab something to eat after having a few at any of the nearby watering holes. Take note- it is a verrry popular brunch spot in the busy Clarendon area, so calling ahead for a reservation is recommended.
(4)Lauren S.
I have been to Liberty Tavern for several special occasion dinners and it has always been excellent. Each time, my party was seated very promptly (we had reservations), the food was delicious, and for our anniversary dinner we were given complimentary champagne! Their menu changes seasonally so there are always new things to try. i have also been here for Restaurant Week and found that they offer decent options and good portion sizes for their RW menu, which is appreciated.
(4)Alla G.
I came here for lunch on a weekday during restaurant week 2010 and this place absolutely exceeded my expectations in every way. Every member of my group ordered the requisite appetizer, entree, and desserts - and I can honestly say not a single one of us was the least bit disappointed with out choices. The pizza is really unique and incredibly delicious (my recommendation: The Vermont pizza). Granted the pizza's aren't huge enough to slit between two people as an entree - but they are definitely great to split between 3 people for an appetizer. I ordered the fried shrimp for my appetizer, scallops for an entree, and the fruit crisp for dessert - and I can honestly say that they were all delicious and I would certainly order them again when coming back to the Liberty Tavern. Overall, the waitstaff is courteous and helpful, the service is generally incredibly fast, and the dining area is well lit and nicely decorated. The service throughout our entire meal was great - and when one member of my party found a piece of plastic in his ice cream - the restaurant manager came by and personally apologized.
(5)Katie B.
I am def. a fan of their brunch spread, and they have good bloody marys as well. On a weekday night, its a nice place to sit down and hang out with friends, but its way too crowded on the weekends. The bar staff is not always the most attentive- but I can't blame them when they're only two of them and the bar is 2 deep.
(4)C Q.
We stopped by around 10 AM on Saturday for brunch. The restaurant didn't appear to be busy at that time. We were seated upstairs. The food looked really good, so we all went for the buffet. The buffet had really good selection. Between four of us, we tried all the food (not the desserts) there. The food was good, especially by buffet standard. I liked the fried chicken, but I didn't think it was exceptional. We didn't try all the desserts because we were so full already. But the ones we tried were good. This is a great place to be able to eat different type of food all at once. And there is something for everyone. But with $30 (including tax and tips) per person, I feel like we could have better food at some of the other restaurants in the area.
(4)Paul M.
Fantastic, Chris our waiter did an excellent job of recommending starters, entrees and rich beefy red wines. Food was exceptional. $80 for 2 cocktails, 2 glasses of wine, 2 great salads, and 2 half size entrees. Would definitely go there again. Seemed like a great pub atmosphere.
(5)Ron U.
I can't speak for the restaurant side of everything, so we'll have to keep it to the "Tavern" portion. This is definitely my top three in the Clarendon area for drinking establishments. The initial hype has calmed down, but the place remains busy enough to where it's not awkward or anything. The barkeeps have always taken care of my boys and I in a quick manner, and good about remembering what we've ordered. The inside is laid out as best as it can be given the space, but the real gem is the outside tables. If you're a people watcher, these are front row seats. When the weather breaks, these spots are highly recommended given the location of the restaurant.
(4)Kelly L.
This is one of my favorite places in Clarendon. It is consistent, the food is always good and the service is reliable and friendly. I do wish I didn't have to make a reservation to get a table, it can be difficult to make an impulsive decision to go on Saturday night, but most places in the neighborhood are the same. It is one of the places I take out of town guests for a great meal.
(4)M M.
Decent bar with a good crowd, especially on a weekend night. Fairly loud though so not the place to go if you actually want to talk. However for drinks, it's a great place. The bar has a small seating area to the side/back that can be reserved.
(4)Sallie L.
The food was good. I went for restaurant week and had a appetizer (mussels), entree (short ribs) and dessert (almond cake) and a drink (grapefruit gingerbeer cocktail?). The best thing out of the four was the cocktail. The food was good -- nothing extraordinary but decent for a Friday night dinner. It was busy busy and I was a bit too close to my tables but overall it was a good atmosphere and our server was fantastic.
(4)Alyssa K.
I love the pizzas, the smoked tomato soup, the gnocchi, fish sandwich. Everything is good here. My only complaint is that the house salad is heavy on the yukky frisee and too light on the watery dressing. Servers are great. Deep fried shrimp and fennel - yum.
(4)Holly C.
Update - The place is a hit so that's great. They seem to be struggling with the crowd situation in the bar. I was getting bumped into by other patrons, busboys, managers and waitstaff constantly the other night so I had to leave. It's so busy there is no where to put down food :( They like to reserve the tables in the bar area for their dinner reservations. Look no one wants to come for a nice dinner and get shoved in a crowded bar with people bumping into their table.
(3)David A.
Good food...great burgers. They use very high quality meat here, with just the right amount of fat. The burgers are juicy and dripping with flavor! Prices are excellent. A great local gem.
(4)J L.
If you come here for brunch, get the Breakfast Table (i.e. the buffet). Also, make sure you have reservations, otherwise you might be seated downstairs and have to schlep plates of food down the stairs. Logistics aside, I love having a variety of foods to sample. They make very creamy grits and there's steamed shrimp and biscuits aplenty. Make sure to keep an eye out for the bacon/apple pizza -- they don't have it all the time and it gets swooped up quickly. If they have the mixed berry buckle/bread, make sure to grab it from the dessert table. It is scrumptious. I tried their mini cupcakes -- the frosting was delicious (and I normally don't like frosting -- too sweet) but the cake was rather pedestrian. The first time I went to Liberty Tavern, I got the Grapefruit Buck cocktail (grapefruit vodka + ginger beer = amazing) but the second time I got it, it wasn't fresh and the ginger beer was stale. So it was a miss for me the second time.
(4)Sacha C.
Fabulous roast chicken, rich short ribs, well-cooked fish. Overall one of our favorites in Clarendon. Very popular and a bit noisy, so recommend going Sunday evenings.
(4)Erin W.
Amazing food, perfectly prepared. Upscale but comfy ambiance. A true neighborhood gem.
(5)Janiece W.
I went to The Liberty Tavern on Sunday for brunch with a group of girls. We made a reservation in advance. They called twice to confirm, but I understand they don't want any "no-shows" on a busy weekend. The service was slow and the waiter never brought a hot tea we ordered. We chose to get the buffet and the food was decent, but it was laid out awkwardly in the middle of the upstairs room. They did have a small dessert table and the lavender-something cookie and red velvet mini cupcakes were the best part of the meal! Additionally, judging by the awkward treks up and down the stairs, the only buffet table was upstairs, so you might want to skip sitting on the patio for the convenience if you're opting for the buffet. Summary: Food was okay, but I will try out a few other buffet options before coming back here.
(3)Shannon W.
I ate here for my graduation dinner with my family and I was extremely happy with the service and the food. Our table got the cheese plate and mussels for appetizers and both were delicious. I don't remember which cheese we got but one of them was their housemade cheese. The cheese plate also came with palate cleansers which I thought was a nice touch. The mussels were in an amazing tomato broth that I could have just eaten by dipping bread in it (which I did after I finished the mussels). The service was also excellent. It was clear our server was willing to spend as much time answering our questions about the different cheese options (there's a ton) and other menu items as we needed. For the entree, I got the pot roast and another member of my family got the fish. Both were excellent but I have to say the pot roast was amazing and probably the best I've ever had. The only downside to the plate was the pasta gratin that it was served with. It was too rich and simply one note. However the pot roast more than enough made up for this and it's a huge portion so I got to take some home too! For dessert we had the trio of sorbets and the cheesecake. This cheesecake was amazing - extremely light and airy like I've never had before. The sorbets were also great and creamy yet icy - the texture was great. I can't wait to go back and experience the bar scene more but the food was above and beyond my expectations.
(5)Sue S.
My daughter's bridal shower was held this past Saturday during their fabulous brunch. The service was superior, food choices amazing, and parking no problem. The staff was attentive and delivered to our party of 24! Thanks for our wonderful event! Sue, mother of the bride
(5)Kacey C.
I've had dinner twice upstairs, and the second time I forewarned my parents, "the wait staff likes to talk about the food. a lot. so don't ask too many questions." I'm already there eating, I know the food is good, I don't need to know every single detail about the food or its prep. While certainly nice to receive a knowledgable answer, It starts to sound a little pretentious if the server isn't humorous. The food is good, very good (this is based on the winter menu, don't ask, the wait staff will tell you the menu changes seasonally and launch into a story about that). I've ordered a pizza and the Vegetable Shepherd's Pie, both delicious. My parents more recently had the Diver Scallops which Mom said was very good - a rarity coming from her, and Dad had the skirt steak - also very good and ten dollars less than the last skirt steak he ordered out. Previously, two co-workers ordered the pork chop and said it was to die for. I've ordered the Opera Cake for dessert twice and found it to be different the second time. My parents after-dinner cappuccinos were served well before my dessert when they should have been served simultaneously. The upstairs dining is warmly lit, not too loud, but the tables that share a booth style bench lining the wall can be a bit close together. I have not eaten downstairs, but there are high tops in the front and couches (almost a lounge like setting) in the back. The downstairs can be awfully packed on a weekend night with an older crowd (mid to late 20's, early 30's).
(4)Mac O.
Happy Hour/Bar Review (woot!): Ahhh, quittin' time. When that whistle blows, and no one owns a piece of your time. The happiest hour of the day. And while there are a ton of nice options for getting happy in our area, I recently discovered that Liberty Tavern offers up one of the better ones, with unusually deep discounts on a good number of high-quality bevs. If they'd only consider bargain-basement pricing a few bar bites, I might go so far as to say LT's HH could be ideal. Yes, I'm one of those people who prefers -- nay, loves -- to nosh with afternoon booze. It's not quite happy hour without something crispy, cheesy, or fried...at a discount. As it stands, LT is a solid four-star HH joint. Which, by the way, runs from 4 - 7 Monday through Thursday, but starts at *2:00 PM* on Friday -- for those of us who knock off work before 4:00 and are usually just watching the minutes tick by 'til then, this is most welcome news. All draught beers (Magic Hat #9, Brooklyn Lager, and Weihenstephaner hefe to name a few) are $3.50. All wines-by-the-glass are half off. And two of the house cocktails (the Industrial Margarita and the Violet Towne) are $5 each. No to mention the service here is the crown jewel in the Liberty Tavern-Northside Social-Lyon Hall trifecta, beating the other two by a country mile in terms of professionalism, attentiveness, and efficiency. Of course, I *will* pay full-price for food if I must, and LT rewarded me digging deep in the old pocketbook. Grilled octopus had tender flesh ensconced in crisp, charred skin served alongside grilled clams, fennel, microgreens (woefully overdressed), grapefruit supremes, herbacious Castelvetrano olives, and mint. "French fries" were four huge slabs of soft potato, deep-fried to a crusty golden and dusted with morel powder. Husband likened them to Burger King's delightful French toast sticks, but savory and with parmesan butter for dipping instead of processed syrup substitute. The cheeseboard was the only (small) disappointment. LT offers dozens of excellent cheeses from which to choose, including an option of a three-cheese board composed entirely of house-made cheeses. We went with the five-cheese, compose-your-own option, selecting the three homemade cheeses (Bourbon Chèvre, Grey Lady, and Ricotto al Tartufo) and two others (La Mancha and Grayson). The LT cheeses were a bit bland, and the Ricotto had a grainy, off-putting texture...like solidified ricotta (go figure). The Grey Lady, La Mancha, and Grayson were delicious, although portions were skimpy, and the sides consisted of pineapple, apple, and some other fruit (pear?) purée which had all the interest and consistency of baby food. No olives, no cornichons, no mustard, nothin' else. And instead of bread, LT served baked pita, which were chewy and stale-ish; so we used the *uhh-may-zing* bread from the complimentary bread basket instead. Beautiful brioche, fluffy challah, and toothsome wheat. I love a good happy hour, and the pricing at LT makes it that much more appealing. Yes, there sure is a 5 o'clock (3:30) me inside my clothes, thinkin' that the world looks fine. [15 Minutes of Fame: "Meat & Potatoes: Pigging Out"]
(4)Kristin T.
We have been wanting to try this place for a while now, and I have to say my first experience here was pretty good. The bad news before the first: LONG wait. We were quoted an hour and a half to an hour 45, and we waited over 2 hours. BUT: they take your cell phone number, so you are free to kill time around the area. We went to Northside Social for a drink. Anyway, at the 1.5 hour mark, we asked where we stood, and the hostess told us we were next. We then watched about 5 other parties get seated, and we saw another guy go ask "I thought you said we were next?" Seems like a weird tactic to tell everybody they are next, but I digress. Next time I'll make a reservation. Our server was great. Impressive that they bring out the whole bottle to let you taste even when you order by the glass. THE FOOD! Actually, we all got pizza. I'd like to go back and try other things, but I was surprised at how much I loved the Classico pizza. It was essentially a margherita pizza - just the basics - and I was obsessed. I've been on the hunt for good pizza since moving out here, and I was surprised to find it here. My friends got one pizza that was similar to mine + sausage, and one with pork and pineapple. Everyone was happy that night and when eating the leftovers cold for breakfast. Delish. So good job Liberty Tavern. Now I want to come back and drop 20 bucks for the brunch buffet (...with a reservation).
(4)Mark A.
To be one of the gems in Arlington, Liberty disappoints in a big way. If you are going for drinks this might be the place for you as it is cramped and loud. Perfect if you like that atmosphere. If you are going for dinner like I did, prepare for the hit or miss mentioned in others reviews. I got the 'miss' night. I had the mussels and the flank steak. The flavor was OK, but compared with other restaurants in the area/DC, I've had better. I would also not have had the heavy greens served with the steak, but again just a personal preference. The cast iron potatoes were a highlight as they were very good. The wait service was good and upstairs atmosphere were a lot quieter but still above average on the noise scale. If you have another dining choice, you might want to reconsider.
(2)Meagan B.
I can only speak on their brunch, but it was pretty good. Minus a star because they were not very good at keeping the food warm for the breakfast table read:buffet. They last items in a dish tended to onthe chilly side. So the details, tasty and plentiful, fruit, pastries, eggs, sausage,bacon,veal, fried chicken, salads, GRITS, and French toast. For twenty dollars you will not walk away hungry. Obviously the grits were my favorite with the sausage (honestly I'm normally a health nut, but needed some grease in my life this Sunday). Everything I tried had a good flavor and the fried chicken was crisp. I will say a let down was the quiche, the eggs were just too mushy and had a pudding texture, not a fan. So minus another star. In terms of seating and space, we went on a Sunday at 10:30am and were presented with the option of a 40minute wait or snag a seat at the bar. We chose the bar and had no problems there. As a final thought, having eaten there, I am not sure if in the future I would wait 40 minutes to eat here though. It is an abundance of good food, but nothing I cannot get elsewhere. I will probably be back either having made a reservation or sit at the bar.
(3)J S.
I had the tasting menu and was pleased with everything. It was a little loud, but other than that I really enjoyed the Liberty Tavern.
(4)Sam J.
This place has an identity crisis. On the weekends the downstairs is a packed bar filled with drunken idiots, but the upstairs is a classy restaurant (food also available if you're dining outdoors). I'm reviewing the upstairs... Trout w/ lamb sausage & sweet potato hash. This was really good, but it was only on the menu for a little while. Great balance of flavors and textures. Manhattan: perfectly balanced! It looks like they used homemade Maraschino cherries (they had the color of real cherries, not the neon red of the store bought variety)! Pear tart w/ sage. The sage leaf was candied and was busting w/ flavor; I had no idea it could be so intense & delicious! Very helpful & knowledgeable waitstaff.
(5)Daniel B.
Brunch!!! While I definitely like dinner that Liberty Tavern offers, the gem of this place is the brunch. Everything on it was delicious, it was definitely a great way to consume some copious calories on a Sunday. Make sure you save room for the dessert section, there always seem to be some tasty treats there.
(4)Jamil B.
No clue why I waited so long to try this place.....well actually I do have a clue...from the outside, it appeared to be just another trendy overpriced yet underwhelming bar/"restaurant" in Clarendon full of yuppies and annoying "bro's" in flip flops. I was wrong..... partially wrong anyway... The young yuppies and Bro's are isolated to the bar area on the ground level. Upstairs is where the adults and regular folks play :) This is actually one of the things I found most enjoyable at Liberty Tavern; the bar area is totally separate from the main dining area!! You can eat in peace, enjoy an intimate dinner for two or for your family without worrying about someone bumping into you and spilling PBR on your "going out" clothes. There is limited outdoor seating. The menu changes with the seasons in order to always serve "local" and fresh ingredients. I personally think this is a SUPERB way to run a kitchen. It keeps the chef fresh and on their toes experimenting and trying new ingredients and dishes, and you know that you're getting healthy and fresh ingredients in your meal. Everything is made in house from the breads down to the desserts. My swordfish was grilled to perfection and the entire dish was just the right portion size. I was satisfied with enough room to try desert. The menu had something for all tastes. Decent draft beer and wine selection. Not a ton of beer variety, but enough. They should take that Pabst off and replace it with something more enjoyable. They are a tad on the pricey side, cheapest dish was around $17 or so i believe. But it was quality food and the prices were very reasonable for the dishes offered IMO. Happy hour specials are only offered in the bar area downstairs. Kind of a bummer but this seems to be the trend that new local restaurants are going towards.... The waiter was pleasant and very knowledgeable about the menu and drink selection. It says a lot when the waiter can describe every dish on the menu based on their own experience with tasting it.
(4)Kevin R.
Liberty Tavern has great food, decent beer selection, and good bartenders. I've been for lunch, brunch, dinner, and drinks and have never been disappointed. Their perfect cube ice somehow makes drinks on the rocks taste better. It can get very crowded and noisy during happy hour, but the service is good. The only problem I run into is trying to decide whether to get the Vermont pizza (awesome) or to try something new (stroganoff, gnocchi, and burger are great, too).
(5)Bryan A.
Great food, love the bar as well. Can be a tad pricey. Good bartenders though, they seem to recognize those of us whom are regulars. I haven't eaten the upstairs food that man times. Definitely requires a reservation on the weekends.
(4)Suzanne W.
It doesn't get any better than liberty tavern! The French fries, the Vermont pizza, the burgers. Their menu changes often which I like. Hands down they have the best service in the Arlington/DC area! I highly recommend this everyone.
(5)Louis K.
A go to place when I want to eat out, I have never been disappointed with the food. The service is most of the time exceptional, but sometimes it falls short of our usual expectations. Even with that slight drop that may occur based on your server, it's still miles ahead of everyone else in Clarendon. I like the seasonality of the menu, I've eaten there for Lunch and Dinner, and I think it's just fantastic. If you want to have dinner here on the weekends be sure to make a reservation. When the Skirt Steak Salad with Arugula is available, it's worth shiving someone in the shower to eat.
(5)Paul W.
Bar and Brunch, thumbs up. Bar: They have a pretty good beer/drink selection, and we enjoy the lounging on the couches in the back. For all of those new parents out there, it is a good place to let an infant rest while you enjoy your evening together! (ok, well its good for at least 60-90 minutes :). The bar food is good, but won't knock your socks off. I guess there are just too many options in Clarendon... Brunch: Fantastic. The buffet has multiple options in terms of veggie, meat, seafood, sweets. Most importantly, the seafood options are not dry like you have most likely experienced in many other brunch buffets.
(4)David G.
Took family of 4 there for Sunday brunch. Nice selection. Well prepared and presented. Staff courteous and did not feel rushed. Only complaint was that they couldn't find our Open Table reservation made about a month prior. But we were seated at a totally acceptable table since we arrived early in the day.
(4)Aaron H.
Excellent food and a good vibe. I sat downstairs at the table just beyond the bar where people sort of separate themselves. The bar is all dark rich wood and seemed like a good place to be on a friday or saturday night. It was a monday when I went but still a very solid crowd. I had the mussels in a tomato broth to start. They were excellent and served with two pieces of toasted bread which was handy for dipping in the extra broth. As a mussels fan I would recommend these. For dinner i had a pizza which was your typical fresh mozzarella, fontina, and basil. It was also good and had excellent wood fire oven flavors. I will absolutely be back. We had a very personable waiter who did an exceptional job. The kitchen was a tad slow but I hate being rushed more than I do having to wait a few extra minutes; this is never a problem for me. With tip my dinner of a mussels, pizza, and a stella was $34 which is incredibly reasonable for such excellent tasting food.
(4)Mikkela T.
Well, dear reader, if you've read my "in search of" then you know that I will travel far for a good piece of meat. I will even climb out of my pajamas for a burger described, by a man who has had most of the animal kingdom, as "the best burger in DC -- it was more like chopped steak." Dear friend! I was already climbing into socks at "best burger" for who can not take up arms at a rally such as that? ********** An aside: Until the Industrial Age and the switch from kitchen navvy elbow grease to widgets and cogs, chopped meat, or, if you had a really good arm, GROUND meat, was a LUXURY, because it took so long to make and required more of the household resources. Hence I prefer to call certain small ovoid balls of meat -- rissoles! Voila indeed! ********** So, reader dear, imagine my joy when, upon query about the "best burger" at Liberty Tavern, Jason C. came forth with the knowledge of $10 pint and burger. We set a plan. I rallied my tastebuds and prepared my arms for a phalanx attack. To the mound of meat! To victory! SPLAT! Despite the name, this place reminds me of Cheesecake Factory (without the namesake and without the encyclopedia sized menu). Sure, the staff are friendly. Randy did know the menu. The cheeses she recommended were nice (but for that, I'd go to EatBar where the rest of the experience has flavor to match my $3.50 inch of brie). My duck was not crisp. And the prices were normal ($21 for steak dinner although the serving is not large) for Nouveau Clarendon. It is so "dark and atmospheric" in the upstairs that you can't see your food but you can feel the next tables whispers in your lungs. Also, it's almost impossible to navigate between the tables if your "carriage" is wider than a sixth grader. Feeling fat (even if one is) is not the best feeling for a customer to have as they leave your establishment. But Liberty Tavern clearly isn't going for heavy-eating-good-deal-seeking folks. Clearly this is where the pert joggers of Arlington water when they hydrate. Alas, there was no burger on the dinner menu. Now I'll have to go back for lunch just to test out this meat. Oh, fey, loyal reader, to imagine returning to this site of mediocrity. Where have all the flavors gone?
(3)Carly S.
The happy hour is the best part. Half off wine and $3.00 beer. The pizza is also fantastic. (The Americano pizza was killer). We also got a yummy cheese plate and a load of red wine. Was surprised how cheap it all was for such a nice establishment. I ate upstairs once two years ago and kept wishing I was back down on the first floor. There is something both fun and also elegant about the downstairs area and I much prefer it. Our server in the bar was super nice.
(4)Daniel A.
I usually see Liberty Tavern from a distance late night on weekends and have never been too incline to go. However, after trying Lyon Hall and finding out Liberty Tavern is run by the same people, I thought I would give their dinner a try. A good choice. I got the mussels dish that was preceded with a dozen different adjectives. Basically mussels, garlic, cheese. A good combo. They also came with duck-fat fried onion rings, which sounds arbitrary, but turns out to be great. I finished off with the banana pudding which was the right choice. The services was overall very good with just a minor lapse near the end of the meal. The restaurant was a little loud; I occasionally had to repeat myself to those I was with. Still, great for dinner.
(4)Katherine S.
I hosted a bachelorette party that started with dinner at Liberty Tavern. It was embarrassing. Our table was not ready until an hour after our reservation so we had to stand in the over packed bar area. We sat for a long time(maybe 20 minutes) before our waiter came to take drink orders. At this point we were starving and thirsty. When he did come, he kept offering to "explain the menu" which wasn't all that confusing and then walking away before we could order. We just wanted some food. The cocktails and bread basket were the only highlights of the place. One of us had the fish soup, which she had to sent back because it was way too salty. It took so long to do that, she just went without an entree. All of the other food was meh but very pricey.
(1)Laura G.
Restaurants worthy of a metro ride out of the District are few ... Liberty Tavern is a gem worthy of the effort for this downtown girl. Gorgeous bar area - think lots of polished wood and gleaming stemware. The upstairs dining room is well-appointed, upscale 'tavern'. The service - delightful, the waitstaff know their way around the wine list and are happy to provide tastings. Ah, the star of Liberty Tavern - the food. My hat's off to the chef for making local, regional fare so tasty and inventive. The crispy homemade burratta with pickled cauliflower - says "welcome to autumn. A much done, but this time sooo right - the roasted beet and arugula salad. Both appetizers were perfect. Mains include a little of everything from pizzas to homemade pastas to lots of fresh fish options. My dinner mate and I choose the scallops with ham and the most fantastic vanilla-giner sauce with pears and potatoes. We had to resist licking our plates clean. And to finish out the meal, highly recommend getting either the 3 or 5 piece artisan cheese plate with a final half glass of wine. Some of the cheeses they make in-house like the delish bourbon chevre! I might have to expand my circle of friends in the Commonwealth of Virginia and visit Liberty Tavern often!
(5)Molly L.
I have no idea why this place only has 3.5 stars on Yelp. I've eaten off of the bar menu and also have gone upstairs for entrees, though have never done the buffet brunch. The food is excellent and the menu has a lot of unique options. I think is it reasonably priced for the neighborhood and type of food. My only complaint is that their signature cocktails aren't that great.
(5)Carolyn B.
The Lunch buffet was out of this world!! Since many people have written about the dazzling buffet then I'll make it short. Bloody marys aren't anything to write home about but the olives are fresh and unique. Mimosa hits the spot at brunch. French toast unbelievable. Not a fan of the lamb. Fresh fruit makes me want a lovely smoothie. Overall, I rate it orgasmic and on top of that the waiter was pretty cool. He had a bad day but completely loved us. Very personal and hoping to see him again. I just wish i could remember his name. Let's name him free mimosa guy. Side note: If you sit upstairs next to the railing, be careful as to not drop your knife. Move the knife to the other side of the table. Possibility of injury is high. Also, it's to easy to accidentally knock it off the table...
(5)Eric S.
Upon walking into Liberty Tavern, I was immediately disappointed in the lack of rouges, wizards, drunkards and hooligans one expects to find in a typical tavern. I did not see a stable to rest my horse, as one would expect a tavern to accommodate. I was on foot at the time, so I may have missed a stable in the back. If you bring a horse, you may have trouble finding a place to rest your horse. The atmosphere was well lit, which eliminated any shady corners, so colluding with rift-raft about back door dealings was impossible. There was no festive music, or roaring fire and the bar maids were very well behaved, unlike the trampy wenches I had expected in a tavern. The food was on par with what I had expected for a tavern. Our party was immediately welcomed with typical tavern "luxuries": water, a tray of numerous cheeses and stale bread (they called them croutons). Such amenities are expected in a tavern and were a welcomed reminded me of my younger, poorer days. My roast was marinated in a fine wine, but they oddly placed the meat between two slices of bread. I believe they called it a Hamburger. Upon inspecting my roast, and bread, I noticed the lack of traditional mustard. In typical tavern fashion, I offered the barmaid a quest to fetch some mustard for my roast. She shortly returned with a cup of "fancy" mustard; however, my quest had originally stated the need for regular mustard. The barmaid informed me that the establishment was too good for regular yellow mustard, so I offered the barmaid 5 gold to journey to market and return with regular mustard. My quest was declined and I was left with a mustardless roast. A life time of traveling from tavern to tavern has left me expecting such disappointing events, so my mood was not dampened for long. I suggest you bring your own mustard. I would also advise against using this tavern if you're thinking of using it as a place to meet heroes or journeymen to complete quests as either no quests are accepted, or they require more gold.
(3)Dana Z.
The name dropping review: I went here with Dave H. I got here about 10pm and the entire bar area was packed. This place isn't that big to begin with. So I managed to squeeze to the back in search of my friends, whom I could not find. I texted Dietrick H. No reply. Must be drunk already. I texted Sank G. Called me back to say they are upstairs! Yay I don't have to look like a lost puppy anymore! Go upstairs and see my friends. I see Sank G. first and thank him for rescuing me from the crowded downstairs. I say hi to Ruth C and Hue K looking as smiley and happy as ever. I give Dietrick H. a birthday hug. I give Dave H. a high five as he is trapped on the other side of the table. We talked about Philadelphia all night. I found out he loooooves when people name drop in reviews. He and Valentine started talking to each other in French. Showoffs. Dietrick starts talking in sign language followed by full on pantomime. One of the waiters dropped a big box of trays. It made a big BOOM. Speaking of BooM, the waiter thought he had dined and dashed. Also said hi to Scott at the end of the night. Tried to explain which Scott he is on yelp. I still don't know. He will be called "Tall Blonde Scott." Did I mention I went here with Dave H? Now give this "useful" votes. Start clicking!
(3)Margaret M.
I just can't say enough about this place. My husband, who is a trained chef with a passion for food tells anyone who will listen that it is the best 'bang for buck' restaurant in the D.C. area. The food is just incredible and sophisticated for a fun neighborhood bar setting. There are so many great hits on the menu and we enjoy going back again and again. The pork chops, the Vermont pizza, the Tavern Salad, the brunch-- all are amazing. The menu is ever-changing and seasonal-- a sign of a chef who takes food and ingredients seriously. The beer list is thoughtful and fun to experiment with. The atmosphere is fun and the outdoor seating is great. If you have a problem with Liberty Tavern, you have a problem with great food, reasonable prices and fun, and you probably shouldn't go to restaurants.
(5)Green G.
I really wanted to like this place; but I've tried enough times now to say it's just simply disappointing. Had dinner there recently. The beer I ordered was skunked. The food I ordered had a delicious description on the menu, but didn't taste good - at all. Thankfully my friend gave me some of her dish (the only one happy with her meal at a table of 4). Our waiter, although very knowledgeable about the ingredients & wine list, was a poor server. It took forever to even place an order, never got drink refills, and we waited around too long for the check to be dropped off & then processed. There are so many other fabulous places in Clarendon to bother with Liberty Tavern. Save your time & your taste buds.
(2)Jin N.
Okay food, but a decent place for happy hour. Place is a bit crowded though.
(3)Michele S.
A group of 7 went here for Sunday brunch. Thankfully, I made reservations earlier in the week because it was very crowded. Who knows how long we would have had to wait for a table!? We all ordered the buffet. At first $21 seemed like a lot, but in the end it was well worth it. The food was amazing! There was a wonderful variety, including salads, breakfast pizzas, French toast, grits, beef tenderloin, mulled cider, and much more. The Bloody Marys and mimosas were good, but nothing exceptional. All-in-all, a great experience. I will definitely recommend Liberty Tavern.
(4)Matteo P.
Don't get cute with it. Go here for the brunch buffet. Period. If you're not that hungry or you want egg whites and a fruit cup, then go elsewhere. There was a comment that stated, "very limited menu, unless you are doing the buffet." This is such a stupid comment. The brunch buffet is absolutely ridiculous and takes up the majority of the upstairs section of the tavern. Everything from Lox, pizza, prime rib carving station, shrimp, grits (if you're smart you'll combine the shrimp with to grits), fresh fruit, pastry table, bacon/sausage, french toast, etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. Grab a french press and a bloody, and you're looking at one of the best brunches in the DC area. Hands down.
(5)Eriko I.
I went to here at night time only me. Noise level was very loud. But food and drink is good taste. I like here.
(4)Ryan R.
Ahhh Liberty Tavern ... you never disappoint! I've been here twice before this review and I can say that it is pretty damn good! I have only been here for lunch thus far, but can say that the staff were very welcoming and the lunch options were great! I had the steak and cheese sandwich with bell peppers and onions with a side salad instead of fries. It was awesome! I really do need to try other things, but when you know something is good it makes you want to get it every time. The place is clean, inviting, lots of seating upstairs and down and the bathrooms are particularly clean ... which is always a plus in any restaurant. I'll be back soon to check out the bar and dinner scene, but am sure it will still fit the bill for a great place to go in Clarendon.
(4)Bonnie P.
I should have written this review right after we went here, because I've forgotten a lot of the details. In a word: fantastic! We had the three-course prix-fixe menu with the wine pairings and it was delicious. The price was right, too - I think the food was $45pp and the wine was $27pp. They had no problem adjusting the menu for my vegetarian palate. The waiter was friendly and knew his menu and ingredients - a refreshing change from so many places these days. The sommelier was funny and eager for feedback about his pairing choices. The dining room is upscale and lovely without being pretentious. We'll definitely go back. The only reason I didn't give this place 5 stars was because it wasn't quite up to par with Restaurant Eve or Cityzen. That's not a bad thing; we weren't looking for that kind of evening.
(4)Eddie G.
I'm a huge fan of LT. Shawn and the rest of the staff are awesome. I bring a new group of friends everytime I visit and they all love the Tavern. Been there for dinner a number of times and highly recommend the Mussels as an appetizer. They're prepped in a smoked tomato broth which is awesome! You can't go wrong with any of their entrees be it chicken, beef, or pasta. The ambience is yuppiesh for my taste, but I go there more for the great service and food.
(5)Tung L.
Can't speak to the service downstairs. We went to the more formal area upstairs. Was not worth it. Expensive skirt steak was stringy and the sauce was too sweet and sour for my taste for $22. We also got the risotto. Not very impressive neither and fairly small for $27. Overprice for the quality. I think high reviews are for the drinks and cheaper food only available in the downstairs area.
(2)David K.
Liberty Tavern is fine. It tries to get an upscale lounge feel with some of the furniture downstairs, but this fails when the place fills up and it is standing room only. It certainly is crowded on weekends, and seems to attract a reasonably diverse crowd. Unfortunately, the crowd is very "just in from Reston for a night on the town". I like the variety of beers here, although prices are a bit high. The food is good, much better than the average bar. The amish chicken is good. The salads are good as well. The outdoor seating is appreciated as well. I've heard bad things about the buttermilk dressing from many people, so please avoid. Stick to the chicken.
(3)Lefteris H.
Liberty Tavern has one of the best brunches in Arlington. Dining there is very nice too if you don't mind the high noise level at the bar. It's usually crowded enough to warrant a reservation. The service and the food have remained consistent over my several visits over the years. The cheese selections are among the best I've had and are always paired nicely.
(4)Jennifer I.
How can you get better than being on the same block as the metro?! Location=wonderful. The crowd was not mixed at all which was a little disappointing but it was still a fun time. The fries looked really good but due to my "no French fries" resolution, I just stared and watched others enjoy them. My group was lucky to get a table on a Friday night but it got pretty crowded around 6. I liked the ambiance--not a dive bar, not a lounge..just a nice pub great for an after-work happy hour. I'd like to go back and try this place out again.
(3)Ian F.
Our family of three were on the hunt for AYCE buffets. We decided to give the liberty tavern a go. Sure, the staples are there: crispy bacon, sausage, carving station beef, cocktail peel and eat shrimp, and some breakfast favorites alongside a few surprises like crispy fried chicken; All done nicely. Even the desert station is nice and coffee is PERFECT. This was satisfying, but I truly felt wanting for some of the prepared dishes to have more interest to them. My 7 year old describes it as tasting funny. Searching my culinary vocabulary, I decided I couldn't have described the prepared dishes better. Most everything that deviated much beyond the realm of breakfast brunch staples...well, they tasted funny. Cuban pulled pork, the house Mac and cheese, or even the house sausage. Funny. Funny. Funny. All nice staff and attentive service. They said they do rotate dishes each week, so maybe worth rolling the dice another time.
(3)Michael F.
Fun place to go for happy hour. They have good cheeses appetizers. I had the rockfish the other night with collards. Highly recommend it!
(4)Cj W.
Meh! It's been a couple of years since I've eaten here and probably the last. Waitress was lame, food was amateurish: SPAGHETTI ALLA CHITTARRA was gritty (soak your clams in cornmeal or pepper so your customers don't get a mouth full of sand!), SKIRT STEAK was not cooked to order and the veg was cold. The MUSSELS were good, but served with a side of body odor! The burly long haired runner forgot to apply his deodorant. Sorry guys.
(1)Kristi F.
We recently visited Liberty Tavern for the first time. We found the food to be delicious and the service excellent. We tried the Fennel/Radicchio salad after we had originally ordered the Apple/Endive only to be told that it was not available. We also tried the Vermont Pizza and the Duroc pork chop. The pizza was very good but probably not something I'd order again just because I didn't find the taste to be better than pizza I've had elsewhere. The Duroc pork was excellent with very tasty sauces and sides. The service is definitely top notch. They would frequently clear our table of any extra dishes and refill our water. We also were given extra bread after we finished our first basket. We will definitely be back but not right away.
(4)Adam D.
Went here for dinner with a party of four on a Friday night (3/1). The downstairs bar area was packed when we arrived. Comfy, leather couches and TV in the corners were taken, but looked like a nice place to reserve in advance. Beer selection was so-so and the cocktails were tasty, albeit pricy for the actual size of the drink. Dinner upstairs was chattery (in a good way), and I liked that you can see into the kitchen. My party and I ordered the cheese plate (amazing!), and had rockfish, skirt steak, arctic char and small versions of the pincianelle and gnocchi. All dishes were tasty and the perfect portion size...neither too big or small. The only negative was we were served the pincianelle (by accident) instead of the spaghetti alla chittarra. Nonetheless, the servers were slammed and the dish was tasty, so it was OK. If you're coming to Clarendon, make a reservation and come here. Worth every penny!
(4)Jenny P.
A large group of us showed up for brunch and left with a much more full belly than we had thought. Never thought that a beer drinking and buffet eating challenge would take place for free. We owe all of this to our bad ass server. So we showed up and ordered some bloody mary's, bellinis, and brunch. NBD. Well the bloody mary's come with a shot of a beer chaser. Once you finish your beer chaser, Matt brings you a bigger glass of beer chaser to go with your blood mary. Finish that and then a bigger glass. You get the point. Eventually we end up with full pints of beer to chase our blood with. Let's just say the blood mary drinkers were definitely drunk by the end of brunch. And all those chasers challenge beers were on the house. AWESOME! He even kept bringing the leftovers from the brunch buffet and offering them to our table. Free french toast and bacon? I'll take it! Overall the food and drinks were great, but our service and fun spirit of our server made the experience for us. Go there for some good brunch, ask for Matt, and have some fun!
(4)Seema G.
I've been wanting to try this restaurant out for brunch but still have not had the opportunity. I did come here for dinner with friends on a Friday night and am so glad I made a reservation. Definitely make a reservation to this place or you will not get a spot. The bottom floor is for the happy hour so while I was waiting for friends, it was definitely tight and I did not have much room to stand. Two of my friends were late but the staff was really nice in that they held our reservation for 30 minutes past my reservation time. We ordered a 3 cheese sample with the help of our waiter who was extremely nice in suggesting good cheeses for us. I ordered one of the salads and the raviolini which were both good. The raviolini was more like desert but still good. However, it is a tiny amount so don't expect to be full on just that. With the salad, cheeses, and raviolini, I was more than full! Dinner patrons be warned that you will not be able to get anything other than wine on the top floor. Parking is definitely not easy in this area so if you are metro accessible, take the metro to save you the headache of trying to find parking.
(4)James B.
Had the Sunday brunch. Delicious buffet items, great selection, service was excellent. Would go back.
(4)Kara M.
I'm in the hospitality industry, so if the service sucks - my experience sucks. I went here on New Year's Eve (sober) with two friends for one drink. The female bartender was busy flirting with some drunk guy, while he proceeded to (accidentally) spit in our drinks. The bartender still tried handing the drinks to us, while my friend says "No no we don't want those- we need new drinks." She screams in his face "I heard you" and immediately throws a tantrum that he "needs to stop freaking out". I don't know if she had a rough night, but to be an employee and literally go off on the only sober people in the bar for no reason? It was pretty off-putting. I doubt any of us will be back.
(1)Rachel G.
I would give them 3.5 if I could. I've been here a bunch of times just for the bar scene and usually have an ok time. It's generally pretty crowded but the people are ok and I'm with a big group of friends. This past weekend my friend and I made 7:45 reservations for dinner. I got there before she did and they said they needed to wait for a table to leave which was fine since she was running late. When my friend did arrive (approx 15 mins later) we were still told we needed to wait but this time it was for a 16 person party that they were waiting on. All I have to say is it's a good thing I wasn't that hungry or I would have been making the biggest scene about being made to wait. I honestly didn't mind waiting and passing the time catching up with my friend. We weren't seated until 8:30 and we definitely weren't sat where this huge party had been sitting. The host brought us champagne and we were given free dessert as well. It definitely made our night a little more enjoyable. We each got the beet and goat cheese salad, which I loved, and we shared the vermont pizza. The pizza was great and our server was very apologetic about us having to wait. I must say, they definitely knew they made a mistake and they made every effort to remedy the problem for us. I live in DC so I don't know how often I'll be back but more likely for the bar than the food. It's definitely worth a try if you live in the area and haven't been before, maybe just opt for an earlier reservation :)
(3)Nicole L.
I am not into the arlington scene, but a friend returned from Atlanta and it was walking distance to Liberty Tavern. When I walked to the door I was told there was a wait - the bar was packed to full capacity! It's such a popular bar last time I had dinner upstairs and was spared from the madness at the downstairs bar. One thing for sure was it's 90% men 10% women, so ladies this would make it a great place for meeting guys haha! We had a few scotches, comparing the speyside to islay some with a strong peaty flavor. They carried a good single malt selection.
(4)Jessica H.
Solid Clarendon selection. The fried chicken special on Mondays and the weekend brunch are magical!! Wear your stretchy pants!! The everyday menu is somewhat limited and nothing extraordinary. The brunch and chicken are really the standouts and are the driving force in this four star rating.
(4)Melissa B.
I decided to search far & wide for an affordable and yummy brunch buffet for my hubby's 30th birthday. He LOVES brunch. And, alas, so do I. After reading several reviews from fellow Yelpers, I made a reservation for the brunch. We arrived about 10 minutes early and we seated 15 minutes later. We were seated on the second floor and a few steps away from the brunch goodies galore so we were both happy. And salivating. Don't ask me to name exactly everything I ate. I just ate and ate and ate. I do remember the salmon and the potato frittata were both delish. We were both satisfied with the quality, flavor, and variety of the foods. We both ordered fruit juices (orange & pineapple juice) and the glasses were so slender & small that we finished them in two sips. They were sweet enough and were smooth - no fruit pulps or grainyness. We plan to come back. I would *highly* recommend you make an reservation for brunch via open table so that you don't salivate for an hour before you are seated. Cheers!
(4)Sherri D.
Spent a few nights here with friends for happy hour and late night outtings in Clarendon. I liked how they had some couches in the corner and the ambient lighting... but, it did get really crowded! Getting from the bar to the bathroom was treacherous. Pretty decent place though and the night I went -- they had some good music. They even played reggae! lol
(3)Willy Y.
Went here for an anniversary dinner and I definitely won major points. It's a very classy restaurant right smack in the heart of Clarendon with wonderful food, amazing ambiance, and a good crowd of people. The bar and seating area downstairs is a good place to find the best people that Arlington has to offer. It's a bit pricer than the other establishments in the immediate vicinity, and as a result you have a bit of the older more refined crowd. In fact it's been rumored that a lot of the Washington Nationals, including Ryan Zimmerman, have been known to hang out in the bar area. The upstairs seating area is a great place to dine. Great mood lighting and even better food and service. I wouldn't call it the best deal in Arlington, the prices are high but understandably so. But it's def. a great place for an celebration of some sort or a big date.
(4)G U.
4 stars for the food, 5 for the service. Was here w parents and boyfriend a few weekends ago on a Saturday at lunch. We all ordered the burger and beer lunch special, which we've had before and is an excellent deal. Anyways, we waited... and waited... the tables around us ordered, ate, and left. Clearly, someone in the kitchen lost or forgotten about the order. When the burgers finally came, they were overcooked. We had ordered medium or medium rare and ended up w well done. We'd NEVER had a problem here before, and have always received food quickly. It was disappointing... BUT, when we told the waiter that the burgers weren't right, he not only apologized profusely, and very quickly brought out whole new meals, sides and all, but he also told us that all of our lunches would be ON THE HOUSE. That's right- when the bill came, we just paid tax. When the new burgers came, they were delicious, as were the sides. They also have a great draft beer selection. Nobody's perfect all the time, and this is a fantastic example of how a restaurant should handle the occasional order that falls through the cracks. Excellent customer service, and great food. We will certainly be back.
(5)David L.
I've only been for the bar, and its food. The low-light aesthetic is cool but a bit ubiquitous in Clarendon. Also, it's terribly loud, mostly from the number of voices and the acoustics, so minus points for being a conversation killer. We tried their drinks, pizza, and fries. They were good but nothing to write home about.
(3)Jzargo V.
Friendly bartenders (especially liked the blonde/Dutch bartender), (i think we ordered fries that came with 3 sauces, all of which tasted kind of nasty to me, so I just asked for some mayo which our Euro bartender knew was the right way to go.. .although she said most like the strange bbq/mustard sauces) good happy hour beers, tasty pizza with arugala, = i'll be back soon! it can get crazy loud and packed here Friday&Saturday, but i was there early enough on a weekday that it wasn't bad at all and i had space to sit at the bar.
(4)Anna P.
The bar is CROWDED!!!!!! You're lucky if you can snag one of the bar tables. It's super popular, so they must be doing something right. If you want to go out on a nice dinner date, try upstairs. Their food is fantastic, and different/exotic--I think I had rabbit the last time I was there.
(4)Mark L.
I just left "brunch" at the liberty tavern, if you can call it that. In a word, the experienced "sucked." Where do I begin? First, they seated us outside in the sun. When we asked for an umbrella, none came. Then I checked out the brunch, which looked unappetizing, at best. Let me be specific: French toast was dry and tasteless. Bacon was pretty much all fat. Even scrambled eggs were bad--dry and lumpy. My son ordered pancakes and it was cooked on the outside and raw inside. Yuck. I brought this to the attention of the manager who was appropriately apologetic. He should have comped the mean, but instead took off half. I wasn't gonna argue about it. When I told all this to the waitress it was quite obvious that she agreed the cooking sucked but she was clearly fine serving it to us to collect a paycheck. When I told her about the food, she said "yeah, yeah, I know. I agree." I could tell she wasn't just placating a guest, but really meant it. Either the folks at liberty tavern don't know what good food is, or don't really care. Either way, these guys won't be around for long serving this kind of trash.
(1)Athena C.
Absolutely fabulous! Usually when I think of bar or tavern food, I think of fried wings, burgers, and some nasty fattening fries. This place offers a surprisingly healthified menu with traditional sandwiches and burgers as well as pasta. However, the ingredients here are mostly local sourced and fresh. We ordered 3 sandwiches and tasted everyone's dish and we were all happy with the portion as well as the flavor. The price was good for its quality too. I am happy to say i finally found a decent restaurant in D.C. area!
(4)S K.
Been here a few times for dinner and their pizza is amazing. If you are looking for something outside of traditional this is the place. Fresh, quality toppings, good sauce and crust. Taste great as leftovers too.
(4)Lexie D.
As a bar on a Saturday night, I was unimpressed by Liberty. I crawled through throngs of see-and-be-seen DCers to throw myself at the bar, only to haplessly flag down one of the two bartenders working a huge room. My friends ordered from their cocktail menu, and found the drinks to be hit-or-miss. I stuck with the tap and was pleased to find Brooklyn available. Prices were fine, place was overcrowded, service was nonexistent, and my drinks-only experience leaves me little desire to ever return.
(2)Ben E.
The restaurant upstairs is impeccable. Service is super attentive and the waiters are professional, and the seafood is out of this world. We ordered the mussels as an appetizer. They're bathed in a smoky, tomato-based sauce. For the main course, you can pair half-portions of any two pasta dishes. I had the gnocchi with the spaghetti, would probably recommend the gnocchi over the latter. We asked our waiter for a good wine to pair with the seafood and he brought out an excellent red.
(5)Rachel P.
Overall Liberty Tavern is decent, but definitely not worth the hype. Food is pretty good, especially if you get some of their classics (the mussels appetizer, the skirt steak, the pizza, etc.). The beer/wine selection is good, but not great. The service, however, leaves a lot to be desired. I have dined at Liberty Tavern at least 3-4 times in the last year and every time the service is super slow. As an example, I was there last night and we were sitting at our table for at least 5-10 minutes before the waitress first checked on us. In sum, if you are looking for a moderately priced restaurant in the Clarendon area, there are better choices.
(3)Heather H.
I wasn't too impressed with Liberty Tavern. Maybe I didn't appreciate it because I'm not a foodie and I was a little bitter since they ran out of the dish I wanted. I really wanted the seafood orchiette and saw a diner eating it while I was waiting for my table and it looked so good. Unfortunately, when I placed my order I found out they were out :( I ordered a special linguine with mussels and clams instead and it wasn't that great. It definitely wasn't worth $19. The rest of my party seemed to enjoy their meals though. My fiance ordered the mountain trout and said it was one of the best meals he had in a long time. The atmosphere and decor is nice. The downstairs is the bar area with small tables and a lounge area with couches. Upstairs is where the table seating is. I liked that the dining area was separated from the bar area. I was here on a Friday night and the bar area was packed. Overall, the food here is a little too fancy and pricey for my taste. I doubt I would eat here again but would probably return for drinks.
(2)Tom B.
Food is good but not great. Service is terrible. Waiters flail about. Activity does not equal service. Drink orders come very slow, bar apparently overwhelmed. Ordered starters and waiter said we needed to order entries at same time, refused his offer once and he came Back and insisted again and said if he did not get orders her needed to take away menus, so he got them. This place is all about turning tables not service.
(1)Paul W.
Although this place claims to offer fine dining American cuisine, I walked in for lunch with the expectation I'd be enduring another subpar North Arlington dining experience the likes of Mister Days. However, upon entering, I was immediately suprised by the relatively ornate dining space, as well as their menu. We ordered the grilled octopus for appetizer, the skirt steak salad and the beef stroganoff. Nothing remotely stood out as fine dining, but I have to admit that I appreciated the effort. Again, relatively speaking, the food was decent and considering the low prices, I'll certainly give them another try. A quick note about the interior; based on the layout of tables and seats, this place doesn't offer any privacy. That said, I wouldn't recommend coming when it's busy.
(3)Foodie C.
This place is amazing. More like 4.5 stars I will keep it simple.... Great food Great service Great ambience
(4)Anthony I.
A great place, great drink menu, great beers and a real farm to table kitchen that gets it right. I have been here a few times now, I'll admit at first I wrote it off as a high end applebees, but then I tried it and was so pleasantly surprised. The wait staff really knows their stuff, from drink parings to recommended the best cheese of the day, I have never been let down by this place. To top it off I went during restaurant week, not on purpose, but was in the area meeting some friends for drinks, we ended up getting a great outside table, with no wait, at 7PM. i try and shy away from places during restaurant week since, generally, I have found the menu and service to be limited due to the price. Not Liberty Tavern, full menu, you select three, even the pizza and they throw in a $5 gift card, although I never received mine.
(4)Sheri G.
Things Liberty Tavern does well: Brunch: I'm not usually into buffets, but they have a great looking one. It includes typical brunch fare as well as some more contemporary options and candy! The french press coffee is a must. The Vermont Pizza: It's sort of my personal rule not to have the same thing twice off a menu unless it's truly spectacular. I've had this pizza almost every time I've come here. Prosciutto, caramelized onions, apples and sage. It is mouth-watering. Happy hour: It's packed and their specials are decent. Half price wines, $3 drafts and discounted food.
(4)Dana G.
Went there for the Sunday Brunch for $20. Not worth it at all.. it is like cafeteria quality food without any flavor what so ever. Waited a while to be seated when we arrived at 1:00 PM. Your desserts are cookies and your drinks were just pink (artificial) lemonade.
(1)bill b.
Surprisingly decent music (at least when I've been there during dining hours). It's like early 90s 120 minutes with some good hip hop blended in. Best (only?) brunch buffet I've had in years. The first floor gets too shouty/fratty for me, but that's Clarendon. The waitstaff here is personable and sometimes downright commendable. Specialty cocktails are thoughtful and not a list of dessert-tinis. Food has been phenomenal to so-so, but never poor. Loved the panna cotta with lavender macaroons and am bummed they retired it. Wish there were more vegetarian options, but still a go-to for me.
(4)Garrick M.
I can't help but give The Liberty Tavern 5 stars: - it is a GREAT local restaurant in the DC area - the dark wood and bright windows are right up my alley - the managers and staff are incredible - the food is consistent and delicious - the bar is extensive I first went to Liberty Tavern at the recommendation of my fiance's classmate who has similar tastes to my own. That first time we went I could tell it would be a place we would frequent often- and we do for all the reasons above and more. Overall I have found professional, efficient, and friendly service at Liberty Tavern. They go out of their way to create a great culture to suit their customer relations. Happy hour specials are great at Liberty and the pizzas are definitely some of the best in the DC area. Try the Vermont pizza it is OUTSTANDING. Whether you're looking for a place to take a date and dine upstairs, a great Sunday brunch place, or somewhere to hang out and have a drink Liberty Tavern is definitely worth it. Several times over.
(5)Ana V.
The brunch buffet is a great spread, though pricy, so come only if you're hungry. I've been once before for the a la carte brunch and that time, as well as this, the service was sub-par. In the earlier instance, our hostess assumed that by sitting at the bar we had given up our table, and this second time our waitress rushed us away from the brunch table, bringing us the check without us asking. Great food, disappointing service.
(4)Josh A.
I went to this place for a company party. Not being one to drink, I cannot comment on their drinks other than to say that they have a pretty limited soft drink selection. The food wasn't very good. The meat was pretty bland and the vegetables were bitter. The lighting was darker than I like for socialising with people. The food was displayed well on the plate but that didn't make up for the poor flavour. Save your money and go across the street to the Silver Diner.
(1)Amanda S.
We visited the Liberty Tavern on Easter and decided to have their brunch. For $18 a person, it was fantastic. We had called around to other restaurants offering brunch and places were charging as much as $45 a person which was absurd. The buffet had many items all though some things were missing, like bacon and pancakes would have been nice. The salmon was delicious and my favorite thing on the buffet. We haven't had the opportunity to try lunch or dinner there but we will one day.
(4)Heather R.
The cocktails and atmosphere at Liberty Tavern are great, and I've had several tasty brunches (and brunch cocktails!) here. I just think their dinners never measure up. They're either under-seasoned or over-salted. I would go here for happy hour and apps any day of the week, but would be hard pressed to go back for dinner after several disappointing meals.
(3)Christopher M.
Always have great service, some of the portions are a little small for the price but its a great atmosphere and a nice break from the normal Clarendon frat boy scene
(3)Sondra L.
This restaurant serves one of the best grilled octopus appetizers I've ever had! it's amazingly tender and flavorful. Sean, the knowledgeable and cordial manager, explained how the octopus is marinated for 24 hours with wine corks and spices. Fantastic! The skirt steak entry just melted in my mouth, and their in-house made artisan cheeses were excellent. I wanted to go back again the very next night to try other courses. We didn't, but we will be bringing family and friends here really soon! The only peculiar thing about this place is its decor. The main floor\bar looks and feels like a local pub and hang-out, but the upstairs and outside dining areas are more refined and complimentary to the cuisine. But don't let the first floor bar area fool you or deter you from dining here. If you are a real foodie, Liberty Tavern is a must-try!
(5)Barry S.
Best meal I have had in a long time. The short ribs were amazing! Will go back any time I am in the area. Great service and they accommodated my family of 5 last minute after traveling from Boston all day. Kudos.
(5)Thomas F.
I agree nearly completely with Mike R. on his assessment. I arrived a little early for a 6:00 PM dinner reservation with a large party. The crowd at the happy hour was about what you'd expect for a high-endish place in a suburb of Washington - pretentious, pretentious, pretentious. And it was so packed that I was turned off - it was hard to squeeze to the bar and too loud to have a conversation. But dinner upstairs was absolutely fabulous. I had a salad (forget which one now) and then the gnocchi with rabbit. Fantastic. The chef pays a lot of attention to the ingredients and that was clear in the dishes. I'm a big fan and hope I can return soon to try other dishes. I was also impressed with the service - we had a table of 15 people, but everything arrived quickly, we weren't rushed, our waiter was very friendly and he even let us split the check up 15 ways. Impressive. Altogether, I look forward to returning, just not for drinks downstairs! I would also add that Northside Social, a coffee shop that will be opening its own place where Mocha Cafe used to be, is serving coffee in the mornings before Liberty opens for lunch. The coffee is great!
(4)Greg O.
The tavern is rather nondescript on the outside, not very tavern-like in my opinion. The inside doesn't have a great "tavern" feel either. But that ends up being beside the point, as the food was delicious. The apple endive salad was well done, and a big enough portion to split between two diners. My pork chop was cooked perfectly, with a delicious side of potatoes. My girlfriend's pizza was equally as good, with just the right amount of toppings and a crispy crust. The cobbler for dessert was excellent. The wait staff was fairly friendly and reasonably quick- nothing spectacular. But the food really was quite good.
(4)Kealan C.
Though I no longer live in the DC area, I thought I'd review this place because I'm feeling saucy. Someone below wrote that there should be two reviews for Liberty Tavern - one for the restaurant and one for the bar. Totes agree, so here it goes. The restaurant is actually very nice and very anti-Arlington: mature, sophisticated, but still relaxed and a bit playful. Love the lobster mac as well as the seasonal cheese plate and wine selection. The bar is Arlington at its worst: over-grown frat boys. You might think that the regular frat boy scene is the worst, but ohhh no, when they're in their late 20s, 30s and are still stuck there? Eek. And it's packed full of them quite tightly. The last time I went there, the bartender gave my credit card to someone else. I was sort of pissed, obviously, but let it slide because everyone is allowed a mistake here and there. I just put my card on hold and hoped the person with the similar last name as mine would return it to the bar. Luckily Clancy did, and the next morning I went over to retrieve it. I talked to the bartender and he called over the manager, telling him that "this girl left her card behind last night". I corrected him saying, "actually, I didn't forget it, the bartender gave it to the wrong person", because I am responsible, dammit! His response? Not "I'm sorry about that" not "I'm so glad it was returned" but . . . "(snort) semantics". SEMANTICS! I won't be going there again. Not semantics. I can get good food elsewhere.
(2)Tim M.
The Vermont pizza w/ apple, a couple different cheeses, and prosciutto is absurdly tasty along with all of the other pies. I had an awesome lamb burger with goat cheese and tapenade recently too. Great brunch where they even serve this pizza at brunch it's so popular. Really can't go wrong with most items here but stay away from the pasta dishes. Good lamb dishes, cheese plates, and appetizers. A great brunch spot but you already knew that. A little pricey but mostly worth it.
(4)Emma Y.
Service is always on par here, never any complaints. The brunch buffet is probably the best in Arlington, no lie. The grits are to die for, and the dessert table-WOW. Dinner and late night bar menu are just as stellar-you have to try to duck pizza if you go. It's got that upscale tavern feel, but with much better food than you'd expect. Absolutely in love with this place!
(5)lillian H.
We went for Sunday Brunch and will definitely go back. The selection was somewhat limited but everything was excellent. I found every dish exceptional in quality and seasoning. The place is not huge and is tucked in the back of the building but the ambience was relaxing and quiet enough to converse.
(4)Alli B.
Great after work Happy Hour I hear. Excellent food and inventive drink menu. It was pretty crowded, but we didn't wait long and the decor gives a cozy and intimate feel. Definitely recommend and love the neighborhood. Has been a 30 something young professional crowd when I have been there.
(4)Sarah S.
Blah, blah, blah... Just simply overrated in my book, and I gave this place 2 tries! The first was better than the second, so I will probably never see the inside of that place again unless it's for a meal other than brunch. The brunch, in my opinion, is overpriced for the quality of the food and for the amount of offerings. I have had better and paid less or equal. ($18 for the buffet and $6 for a mimosa) Whenever I go to brunch I always venture towards the meat and sides first since I'm not big on pancakes/french toast/waffles, etc. I breezed past the ham and pork tenderloin carving station because they both looked too dried out. I went for the smoked salmon with capers (a favorite at every brunch), a piece of broiled salmon, the seared trout with a lemon-butter sauce, some potatoes au gratin, eggs frittata, a link of sausage, and I went out on a limb and grabbed a piece of french toast. Yes, I can eat quite a bit of food. Thoughts on the above-mentioned items: Smoked salmon with capers - delicious, but how hard is it to mess that up? Broiled salmon - awfully overcooked and under-seasoned. The seared, lemon-butter trout - descent, but nothing to write home about. The potatoes au gratin - my favorite part of the meal besides the smoked salmon. They were really cheesy, creamy, and full of flavor. Yum. The eggs frittata - dried out, overcooked, and they tasted like plastic. Tabasco sauce didn't even help. Just gross. The sausage - eh, too much maple flavor for my liking. Finally, the french toast - way too dry and stale-tasting. No syrup or jam could mask that awful piece of bread. So, all in all I was not really impressed. Smoked salmon, potatoes au gratin, and a mimosa does not really constitute an $18 brunch. I guess the only thing that made me smile when I left Liberty Tavern - besides actually leaving that place - were the cranberry, blueberry, and lemon scones and the chocolate lemon cookies. If you are in the market for a great brunch place that is off-the-map a bit, try Whitlow's in Arlington or one of many great brunch destinations in the district.
(2)Trisha S.
The boyfriend and I needed a good place to have lunch that would allow us to also enjoy the sun's rare winter appearance. With it's large front windows and interesting lunch menu, Liberty Tavern seemed like the perfect place. I ordered the the "Primanti Brothers" Style Sandwich with the fried egg of course. How can I complain about having all my favorite things squeezed between two slices of bread. Needless to say I left my plate clean. The boyfriend ordered the Reuben and said that he has had nothing better. The service was fantastic. Our waiter/bartender was extremely friendly and personable. Service was quick and our glasses and bread baskets were never left empty.
(4)David R.
On a good day, there will be a few people at the bar, attentive, friendly bar tenders (who may even comp a beer or two), and terrific comfort food. On a bad day, there will be an overflow of oversexed alpha males who feel the need to scream at the tops of their lungs in order to be heard (something like "HEY BARTENDER! I GOT A BIG ORDER FOR YA!" True story). And then continue to scream even though they're two feet away from their buds. In other words, the place turns into a sausage convention. Not as obnoxious as Mister Days or Whitlow's, but close enough. There is an outdoor seating area, but it's so close to Wilson Boulevard that you may be risking life and limb sitting out there (especially after a certain hour on Friday or Saturday nights). In a nutshell, Liberty Tavern is hit or miss. Get there early enough, and you'll do fine. Once the sharks are out, watch out.
(3)Miss C.
Having only been here once before for a birthday drink, we decided to take the plunge into food. I will forever thank myself and my dinner companion for deciding on LT for dinner. He started out with the endive and apple salad which I, being allergic to apples cannot comment on but it looked delicious and several affirmative nods between bites on behalf of my friend confirmed my suspicions. I ordered the smoked mussels. Bursting with a rich smoky flavor and just enough salt to make you want to keep eating. We loved them so much that we asked for extra bread to finish the sauce. The tomato was just sweet enough to balance the minor heat applied. I could have had hotter and our server claimed it was too spicy for her so I am thinking that it is just perfect for the everyday person. Dinner arrived to our visual delight. I dove into my Amish Chicken with aplomb. The tower of slightly crisp and butter tender chicken protected the buttermilk mashed potatoes that had a crown on lemon marmalade??? How oddly perfect- the last thing I would have expected but it was a great marriage. Even the kale I substituted for the mustard greens was divinely cooked and presented as if dipping its toes in the shore of gravy that was on the plate's perimeter. My friend's duck breast over cannelini beans with a sidecar of beet gel was like a tastebud orgasm. The duck was so tender and melt worthy I actually confused it with beef and accused him of changing his order behind my back. Duck to me is normally a bit greasy and can be chewy. This however reminded me of a perfectly cooked sirloin with a crusty coat and the most gorgeous color of berry on the core- the cooking of it lending to an ombre appearance of the meat. The service was outstanding and she showed up at precisely the right moments without hovering. As other reviewers have mentioned, the bar section does tend to get noisy and crowded. But that is to be expected at a bar on a Saturday night between the hours of 7:30pm and 9:30pm. We chose to sit there and eat so the noise and crowds didn't bother us in the slight. The same menu is served upstairs away from the bevy of 20-30 somethings clutching their Absolut and tonics. The best part?? Dinner with drinks (5 total) came to roughly $120. Which considering the quality of everything is surprisingly cheap. I highly recommend LT. It is great to bring out of town guests as well when looking for inexpensive eats with very expensive flavors.
(5)Cup Of T.
I'm honestly not sure why this place is so popular. The food the several times that I've had is mediocre at best. If you can get to a bar table, the service is pretty good, but that said, it get's pretty packed during weeknights and especially on weekends to the point where you can't even move. If you want to have dinner, I'd recommend going upstairs. The only thing that I'd eat there again is their cheese platter (you choose a few from a pretty generous list). Overall - I've experienced better. Stick to Liberty for happy hour (if you can get there early) or light fare. Much better places in Clarendon food wise.
(3)Charlie A.
Came here both for dinner and then drinks. Dinner upstairs was really good. I enjoy the concept of the rotating seasonal menu based on what is fresh and makes sense for the weather. I had the amish chicken which was really well done, tasty and well presented. Desserts were a bit more mediocre. If you're a big dessert fan, I'd suggest skipping it here and going somewhere else. The bar downstairs is very comfortable, although it seems to fill up fast. If you have a group, I'd suggest someone going 15-20 mins early and trying to snag a spot as someone leaves. Service was fast and friendly, drinks seem a bit high-priced but then that may be normal from D.C. (I'm from Seattle myself). Bar menu is different than upstairs dinner menu. Pizzas were good but unremarkable, I had a chicken sandwich that was really good.
(4)Emily E.
The brunch here is awesome - can't say enough good things about it. The wait staff is really friendly and involved, and the overall brunch is a great experience. The price is also very reasonable for all of the options and quality of the food. Thumbs up :)
(5)Ju L.
Pros: Attentive wait staff. Aura. Metro accessible. Cons: Prepare to pay European prices for European portions.
(3)Amelia P.
This used to be a phenomenal bar that was a hugely welcome change from Clarendon Ballroom and some of the other trashy bars in the neighborhood. Then the owners realized that they could make more money serving Miller Lite to the overflow crowd from the Ballroom than they were making on good booze for those of us who like a quieter atmosphere, so they cranked up the bad music, and the place became impossible to enjoy. Sunday brunch and lunchtime are still pretty good, but do not go here at night unless you want to be surrounded by people who are trashed and barely legal.
(2)Kristina C.
Just hosted an even here on a Saturday. The place is lovely! A lot of natural light (my favorite), awesome music playing all the time and the staff...let me just say this about the staff, they are all amazing. Very attentive, polite, knowledgeable and overall kind. You don't encounter that much these days. Our drink orders were quickly taken and the same were brought back. We had people coming in and out constantly, yet our waiter Matthew kept everything in order. I had the mushroom pizza...if you like mushrooms at all, please order this pizza. It is delicious. To be exact, it is called the Forest Mushroom pizza. I came down this way for an occasion, but I would gladly make the trip again. Minus the fact that parking is sparse, it IS right next to the metro. Can't ask for much more :)
(5)Clarence J.
Overall I think Liberty Tavern is a great neighborhood location. The atmosphere is nice and the service friendly. It's a little pricey, but not too bad for the DC area. However, I agree with all the mixed reviews here that the bar and restaurant deserve separate ratings... I would give the bar a 4-4.5. It's a nice, warm, intimate-yet-open atmosphere. (The latter confusion in terms mostly because there's lots of space to stand and sit, some areas giving a quiet aura and others putting you in the center of the action, making it simple to meet and greet others.) The bartenders are excellent - friendly, entertaining, knowledgeable, and patient. It also has a good selection of beers (several out-of-area microbrews) and cocktails. The wine list isn't bad either, but it covers an entertaining range of quality. Oh, and the background music selection is outstanding! I intend to visit here many more times, despite the crowds that are sometimes to be found. The restaurant I would put at 3-3.5. I enjoyed the food and will most likely be back (because of friends who love the place) to try more of their unique items . . . but the food did not make a return a necessity to me. The service is very good. The atmosphere I found much brighter (despite the prevalent red paint and dark woods) and louder than the bar (the latter may have been my imagination because I can't see how this would be the case, but there you have it...), but still nice. The "new" - according to the waitress and a fellow diner - dessert menu looked excellent. We had the "zeppole with carnival sugar and lemon zabaglione," which was incredible; it was essentially several very light 'donuts' in the flavor realm of a malasada or beignet, with colored sugar and a lemon cream for dipping. I'd heard some poor reviews of the desserts previously, but if the new menu is up to the level of the zeppole..s (?), I look forward to trying more.
(4)Peter K.
definitely the place to go in clarendon. great atmosphere, great food. and it's right off the metro. recommend about getting a reservation.
(5)Jennifer P.
This was my first visit - the service was great, loved the decor and there were some good wine options. The food, however, was not my favorite. Everything (and I do mean down to the butter) was way too salty - almost to the point of being inedible. The only thing that wasn't salty were the mashed potatoes - unfortunately, they had no flavor whatsoever. I would go back but not for dinnner - drinks or happy hour would be ideal as they have a nice bar area.
(3)Jen K.
I still kinda hate this place as a restaurant. But for my knitting group, it's a win. Lots of comfy places to sit near the bar, and the beer and cider selection is adequate. Give the brunch a miss, but hanging out in the bar (while knitting) gets a thumbs up.
(4)Melissa C.
This place exceeded my expectations; the service was great, the drinks were great, I loved the cheeses we chose as an appetizer, and the entrees (okay, maybe with the exception of what I ordered) were pretty damn good. I went for the NY strip, cooked rare, and rare it was indeed, but the cut of meat just seemed a little on the "meh" side. The brussel sprouts and sweet potato batter fries (think thick wedges of tempura battered sweet potato) served alongside were pretty damn phenomenal, however, and almost made up for what the steak lacked. My date went for the Crispy Pork Belly and Beer Cheddar Sausage, and holy hell was it amazing--fatty, juicy and full of flavor. Needless to say, I made him share. For dessert we ordered the banana bread pudding, which was good, but perhaps a bit too cloyingly sweet. As for the cocktails, I tried the "Blushing Bride" (tequila and grapefruit juice) and "The Perez" (gin martini with house made pickled onions)--both were superb. I'd love to come back just for drinks and bar food, so I think another trip to the Tavern is in order for sometime in the near future.
(4)Reshma B.
Went here for brunch yesterday and my stomach is still feeling the effects of it. My friend suggested this place and we were sold immediately after checking out the menu. Although the menu changes weekly, we were pleased that some of the entrees that caught our eyes were available including the vegetarian frittata, the french toast (though not brioche), the broccoli and potato gratin, home fries and country egg scramble, all which were excellent. The French press coffee for two was the perfect amount for us to share. The dining area was bright and open and even after a massive crowd entered post-race, there were still empty tables for late-arrivals. Seemed to be a good spot for large groups as well and I saw a family with kids who could not get enough of the candy bar. I was especially pleased with the service -- wait staff was friendly and attentive, clearing our plates and folding our napkins when we got up for seconds (and thirds...and fourths). The only negative, also mentioned in other reviews, is the dessert and candy bar, which wasn't a big deal for me considering I had my fill of sweets at the main buffet (French toast and coffee cake). There were two unidentifiable fruit-cake looking things for dessert and the candy was a table full of dental-work nightmares -- Dots, Tootsie Rolls and malt balls...nothing that really excited me, though I did snag a couple of Pixy Sticks for my bus ride back to NY. :)
(4)Frank W.
Excellent food and beverage selection! Everything had a great flavor and portion size. Service was excellent as well. The only problem is that the place is extremly noisy! Make sure you leave room for dessert! Get some of their homemade ice cream selections. Try the "Pineapple basil" ice cream!
(4)Jesse S.
I love this restaurant. Absolutely love it. Fantastic food, seasonal menu, wonderful wines, calm and relaxing dining room, and really accomplished chef. I have two favorite restaurants in Washington DC, and this is one of them. (The other is Blue Duck Tavern.) On the current (autumn) menu, there's a terrific venison pot pie that was the highlight of everybody's meals. On the previous menu, LT had an incredible salty chocolate cake that sadly did not survive the changing of the seasons.
(5)E E.
Liberty Tavern sounds delicious on paper. I ordered the Grilled Octopus grilled clams, grapefruit, fennel, Castelvetrano olives, mint followed by the Crispy Pork Belly and Beer Cheddar Sausage scrapple, peach mustard, grilled sweet corn and cherry tomato succotash, creamed leek potato puree, crispy leeks. Doesn't that sound absolutely marvelous? Octopus: Texture like rubber with fennel sliced so thick that it overpowered all the other flavors Pork belly: First, and foremost, it was not crispy. If pork belly can be transformed into baby food, Liberty Tavern would be a very successful business. The beer cheddar sausage had absolutely no flavor whatsoever and almost tasted as if it were made with veal that had no place to roam coupled with a very poor diet. The succotash texture almost resembled mashed potatoes too. I see a theme here... I flagged down the server and asked him to recook my pork belly... and they actually recooked the exact piece that I butchered trying to find an edible portion rather serving me a brand new, properly cooked pork belly. And my last complaint.. why is the beer always so WARM here. Liberty Tavern must envision that Clarendon is turning into a retirement haven serving food so soft you don't need your teeth to enjoy the food.
(2)Clara L.
Liberty Tavern is a pretty fun place for Happy Hour. They have specials lasting till 7pm on weeknights, being $3 drafts and 1/2 off wine by the glass (usually around $3 or $4). The tap selection consists of many beers I can really appreciate. And I hear their cocktails are good too. If you can grab a spot at a table, couch or bar... you're pretty much set. But it can get crowded, depending what night of the week. I have tried a couple of their pizzas and they were good. Especially the one with apples on it... who knew apples on a pizza would taste so delicious?!? Unfortunately, when it's not happy hour time, this place isn't as fun (in my opinion) to drink at. Beers are pretty typical at $6, but it's such a small space (at least around the bar area), it's hard to claim a table or bar stool. Therefore, many times on friday or saturday nights, I've found myself standing just outside the hallway that goes into the bathroom area, just cause that was the only place I could get some breathing space. I'm not claustrophobic, but I like my personal space :P I've heard the brunch there is worth checking out, so that gives me reason to have an updated review in the future.
(4)Glenn B.
I've not eaten in, but I used the side take-out entrance for a Pizza-to-go. The pizza was excellent, the service was fast, conveneince factor is high and the people were nice. But for a $17 pizza, it was skimpy, thus the three stars. I'll eat in again, but if I want a pizza to go, I'll get the $20 20" NY pizza from Goodies and feed 3 people.
(3)Tabitha S.
What a divine dinner I just had at Liberty Tavern. I had the fennel salad that blew my mind, the swordfish which gave me chills, and strawberry cobbler with coconut sorbet which made me want to do bad things. Lol The service from Will, by far the best since I moved to DC a year ago. Everything he suggested was great and he was kinda cute. I can't wait to come back and try the brunch. :)
(5)Paige W.
Love Liberty! Went there last Saturday night with a 9:00 reservation. It was crazy crowded b/c of the Halloween party at Clarendon ballroom, so our table wasn't ready. It wouldn't have been a big deal except our 10-year-old son was exhausted from hiking all day. The hostess apologized repeatedly and even tried to get us a table at Lyon Hall. After about 20 minutes our table was available, and our server (Shawn?) also apologized for the wait. He could not have been more attentive or helpful. Water, appetizers, kid's food, and wine were dispatched forthwith, and we were then able to relax. The food was fantastic, as always. We got the country ham/foie gras terrine and a cheese plate to start - delicious. Kid had sliders with a side of sautéed greens and pronounced them "5 stars" (really appreciate the option of a healthy side instead of usual fries). I then had the "pork-chett-ya'll" - massive cut of pork with yummy accompaniments (fried green tomatoes, cheesy grits), and hubby had short ribs. Both were big portions and perfectly prepared. Needless to say, we had no room for dessert. To top off a fantastic meal, they cut us a break on the bill b/c of a mere 20-minute wait. We've always loved Liberty, but the extra attention on what was an insanely busy night just catapulted the place to the top of our favorites. Liberty really does have something for everyone - singles, couples, families - and we really appreciate that all are valued and taken care of.
(5)Takaki K.
On a Saturday evening the bar inside was a typical scene with nervous-looking guys in button-down shirts and slutty-looking girls with a lot of makeup on, yelling at each other. But sitting outside with a couple friends, we actually enjoyed the food that was pretty decent. We enjoyed the short ribs and grilled octopus from the appetizer menu. The desert was pretty interesting and original-- their ice cream was more like mouse, and they have many flavors you can choose three out of. The creme brulee was good, one cup with regular and the other with chocolate. I can be easily convinced to go back. Our servers gave us a decent amount of attention as well, considering the craziness inside, and they brought out an umbrella as soon as a couple raindrops started to come down.
(4)Michael W.
4-4.5 stars. I ordered a Gourmet pizza, and old fashioned with Jack Daniels (very good) and several beers. Definitely dining like Obama.
(4)Craig O.
Nice place but not really my scene. Upscale place so everyone is pretty dressed up. It was absolutely packed so moving around was difficult. Didn't order food so no comment there.
(3)Taylor G.
I like this place. I have been twice, once for happy hour, and another time for dinner. It was slammed when I was there for dinner, but they got us right in. The food is good and service is great.
(4)Kathy D.
I'm still a huge fan of Liberty Tavern based on their service alone. Well the $9 mojito too (it's totally worth it). I was here with a large group of friends to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday this past weekend. There was 12 of us so we weren't going to be seated until 9:15pm, which was totally fine because we were coming from everywhere and the bar is great! So around 9pm I checked in with the hostess and she said that our table was going to be ready at 9:15pm on time. At 9:15 our table wasn't ready yet - with 11 people standing around the front we waited, and waited. Fifteen minutes later the manager came down and started to apologize profusely about the party ahead of us (the jerks - yes they were jerks - didn't start ordering their food until they were seated for an hour and a half. They management explained to them that they were ruining their system - gave them the stink eye, etc still wouldn't leave). To make it up to us they gave us a round of expensive shots and a pizza as an appetizer. We were very impressed by this, most restaurants would just say f-you and get on with their night. Once we were seated (40 minutes after our reservation) we had impeccable service. The waiter was knowledgeable and funny. We all had tremendous meals - even though we make fun of the menu each time (what is a polyface rabbit anyway?). I had the Amish Chicken which is divine each time I have it. The food here is so great - you can't go wrong with anything you order in the restaurant (the bar menu is a different story). Great drinks. Good Food. Phenomenal Service. All reasons to keep coming back to Liberty Tavern
(4)Andie B.
OK, this review is only for lunch. Just based on the neighborhood, I can only imagine what this place is like after 10 PM on a weekend. *shudders* But the food is quite good. A co-worker and I have made our way up the hill for lunch a couple of times, and we were both impressed with the food and the service. And they can easily get you in and out in an hour if you're on a tight schedule. On my first visit, I had the pizza with blue cheese, apples and bacon. The crust could have been crispier, but the flavor was there. My friend got the lunch special, which is a burger, fries and a pint (I think there are about 5 beers you can choose from for this special) and was really pleased. A good deal for $10. On visit 2, I had the Maine lobster roll. A little heavy-handed on the mayo, but the lobster was fresh and sweet, and the fries were nice and crisp. My friend had the scallops, which were served over a summer succotash, and she raved about it. I'd like to try it out for dinner soon, but I'll be sure to do so on a weeknight.
(4)Hilary J. A.
I really enjoy the liberty tavern! It has a great drink selection and awesome bartenders!! The atmosphere is loud, fun and sometimes a little crowded--the lounge area is great if you can find a seat there.... there's a little outside area with a couple of tables, but I suggest the bar room for the best time! It's mostly young professionals and a lot of people with common interests... ;) I'm editing this after some time--but I do need to mention in the time since the original review--we've eaten upstairs and I have to say, it's one of the best restaurants in Clarendon. The waiter was amazing and helped us pair wine with our delicious entrees. A++
(5)kat c.
After learning that an acquaintance knew one of the owners of the LIberty Tavern, one of my favorite restaurants in the DC area, I couldn't help but jump at the chance to thank them for operating one of the few beacons of light in the bourgeois nouveau-riche white suburban all-buzzword-no-substance hell that generally is the restaurant scene in NoVa. It pretty much sums up why this is hands down the best option you could choose for pretty much any occasion. Dear xxx, I'm xxx. We've never met, but I was just chatting with xxx and xxx, and I was recommending to them one of my very favorite restaurants in the entire city, Liberty Tavern. xxx told me that you own Liberty. I just had to e-mail you and let you know what an absolutely fantastic place I think Liberty Tavern is. I am no expert, but am definitely a food, wine and cocktail lover. My boyfriend and I love to go out to eat and we're VERY picky regarding all aspects of a restaurant experience. As such, we've grown to appreciate the very subtle art of running a restaurant that balances innovative and knowledgably designed menus with a thought towards seasonality and local sourcing, scrumptious execution of that menu, and sophisticated and exciting drink menus with the neighborhood feel imparted by affordable prices, a great happy hour, and committed (and obviously carefully chosen) staff. When I recently began contemplating moving from the District to Arlington, I despaired of ever finding a "go-to" restaurant that met my high standards for delicious food ranging a wide expanse of tastes and made with local/seasonal ingredients, a respectable wine list and cutting-edge cocktails also made with decent quality ingredients at a price I can afford. I'd been away from the area for quite a while and the Arlington I remembered was about as undynamic as it gets: filled with restaurants serving mediocre chain-restaurant-worthy food and rail drinks at offensively metropolitan prices. Truth be told, this is still the case for most Clarendon restaurants. However, from the very first time I visited Liberty Tavern I've had nothing but experiences that were superb in every aspect. Liberty's menu is refreshing, the food and drinks are always well-executed, and, consequently, DELICIOUS. The happy hour specials are very respectable, given the quality of drinks offered. But what really puts Liberty over the top for me is the service. Host staff is always much more than cordial. They are exceedingly friendly, going out of their way to help you and treat you like they know you, whether it be over the phone or in person. The waitstaff are friendly, laidback and unpretentious but knowledgeable and informative, attentive without being overbearing, and display one of the qualities I'm coming to value more and more in a dining experience these days, i.e., intuitiveness. On several occasions, I've had waitstaff make recommendations based on things I've ordered earlier or comments I've made throughout the night. It's such a pleasure to be served by people who take their jobs so seriously. It's wonderful to be remembered by those who may have only waited on me once or twice before (and, often, to have them remember what I liked or did not like on a previous visit). Your staff, and whoever hires and trains them, are to be commended. I'm sorry to effuse so indulgently, and I'm sorry I haven't yet put all of this into a review on Yelp or Google (I've just wanted to wait until the perfect time to sit down and say all that I want to say). But I just wanted to let you know that the Liberty Tavern is truly one of the best restaurants in the city. I visit there frequently and am so grateful that it's around. Have a great day!
(5)Azher S.
The Sunday brunch is great. Make a reservation otherwise you will be waiting awhile.
(3)Shaun C.
A top notch place. Other than griping about prices when they are off specials, I can't really think of much I would care to change about this place. Pros: Non-smoking. Great food. Excellent drinks (good beer/wine selection, good cocktails). Happy Hours are packed here (goes till 7) and generally always worth it. They keep the place immaculately clean and I've always left satisfied. With the added patio for the summer on Wilson, and the restaurant upstairs, there is a lot to like about this place. I'm generally only there for after work drinks, but I've done full meals there and been equally pleased by an attentive waitstaff and great food. Cons: Certainly gets very loud and crowded, but those go hand and hand. I've never had a hard time finding a corner to lean on though. In summary, the perfect neighborhood place that you can really come in straight from work in a suit, or shorts and a tshirt.
(5)Kelly H.
This place has some of the best pizza and cheese plates I have ever tasted. Their servers are extremely knowledgable and friendly, and make sure you feel well taken care of. I was here only once, on a Wednesday night. But I will definitely be back.
(5)Sam R.
IF you like granny smith apples and pizza, you'll enjoy their white cheddar pie. They throw in some prosciutto for good measure. Tasty. IF you like a variety of beers on tap, you'll like Liberty. No, I'm not talking Bud, Coors Light and Mickey's. I'm a closet beer snob - shoot me. IF you like a somewhat older crowd, you'll like it here. If you don't, Ballroom is right next door. IF you like good bartenders, you've found your happy place to plant your ass for drinks. Even though they were SLAMMED Friday night, drinks flowed without effort. IF you don't like crowded spaces on the weekends, Liberty isn't for you. It's crowded. It's a meet market. It's Arlington. IF you're heading out there and are buying rounds, let me know!
(4)Jacob B.
I loved their cheese selection, the staff was helpful at pairing it with right wine. Food was good, but not great. Happy hour wine list is amazing.
(4)Brian R.
The first few times at Liberty Tavern, I just had beers and looked at the menu. My initial take was I was impressed by the look of the place, but I developed a block against the place b/c the menu made had pizza on it, despite it not being an Italian place/typical pizza place. Usually, when I see an "American food" restaurant trying to do pizza I think it's trying to hard to have food everyone likes, instead of specialties. Anyway, after happy hour at Liberty, my wife and I went to O'Sullivan's and sat at the bar. I proceeded to have to drink too much Harp and started ripping on the fact Liberty had pizza on the menu. The guy next to us was eavesdropping, and asks what we were talking about. I went into my anti-Liberty/pizza rant. He then gets a biz card, and writes something on it. It turns out, he owns Liberty Tavern and challenged me to go try the pizza (I was drunk enough to not feel TOO stupid). A few weeks later, I went back to Liberty and had the pizza, and it was actually pretty good. Went back again and had the skirt steak, which was even better. I'm glad I gave the menu a chance and I highly recommend you do to.
(4)Sara S.
Four stars for trying and delivering. The menu changes with the seasons and has some tasty items: pizzas, salads, fried oysters, sandwiches, lobster mac and hangar steak. Not a fan of their micro portion appetizers though. The bar area is good for dining and people watching, although there's not much variation in the crowd. It's Arlington.
(4)Chris B.
One of the best places to eat in all of Clarendon. Outstanding summer menu featuring fresh, local produce. Smoked spare ribs were the best you will find. Friendly service and extremely kid friendly, serving our daughter right away each time. In house made ice cream is fantastic. I save the 5th star for the best of the best but the Liberty is every bit 4 stars.
(4)al k.
I'd actually give it 3.5 stars but I'm low-balling it. Pros: Interesting selection of food. From Fries and Quasi-gourmet pizza to Scallops with Squash wrapped around it. Beer is on tap and servers and waitstaff are prompt and polite. Upstairs atmosphere is classy and kinda like a colonial bar. Cons: I thought it was a little on the high side for appetizer, salads, and entrees. Not too pricey, just a couple of bucks more than you'd want to pay (maybe $3-5 more). What my group had, Fries: Standard, sprinkled with either chives or parsley, it was your standard basket of fries. It was good. Scallops with Squash: Presentation was good, my buddy said it was alright. Pork chops: they recommended medium rare but they cooked it medium. The sauce was good, the pork chops were good but the waitress touted that they were the best ever. I thought they were good not great. The side was corn and potatoes in cream. They were good a little on the heavy side but no surprise there. Pizza with Sausage Topping: I didn't taste it but my friend didn't really state it was good or bad. Hence I put it at average. Overall it was a good experience and I would probably go back here if I didn't have an idea of where else to go. It's a safe bet for food and atmosphere but it wasn't definitely a 4 or 5 star rating.
(3)Jim M.
I came up here last weekend with the lady and some friends. The breakfast buffet is pretty amazing--except it was a little annoying going upstairs getting the food. I've had pizza here before-pretty good for bar pizza. The waiter (I think her name was Shawn) was very good and attentive. I highly recommend this place.
(4)Rachel A.
4.5 stars Ive been here 3-4 times for food and drinks. If you come for restaurant week, I would definitely think twice about the pizza, its very average and you would be missing out on one of the many delicious entrees. We had the pork belly for an appetizer, which was small, but yummy! The steak is awesome, tender and flavorful. The specialty drinks are good, too. Oh and they have a cheese appetizer where you select amongst specialty cheeses....mmmm with wine! Great for Happy Hour, a date, or a night out for cocktails (it gets crowded, so get there early to grab a table! For Happy Hour, I arrived at 5:30 and had no problem grabbing a table.)
(4)Emily H.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE Liberty Tavern. This has become my neighborhood go-to. It doesn't hurt that it is within walking distance of our house, the food is delicious and the wine list is well edited--in fact, so well edited that it has my all-time favorite wine which is no small feat to find! The first time I ate at Liberty was my last night of freedom--the night before I became a practicing attorney. I was in desperate need of some serious comfort food and I found it at Liberty. My BF and I were seated upstairs at a four-top on the banquette. We love sitting side-by-side so that worked out well. I never order chicken--ever--but I ordered the roast chicken that night and it was amazing. The best chicken I have had in a long time--it reminded me that the bird isn't always bland and dry. There was a little snafu in the timing of our entrees so the manager, Mark, came to apologize and brought over two bowls of the house made gnocchi to tide us over. We left stuffed but loved it! I love the apple and endive salad although I liked it better when they first added it to the menu because it was just a huge pile of shredded apple and endive, tossed in buttermilk dressing with blue cheese and, of course, bacon. The last few times they have added frisee to it which is like eating weeds from the garden if you ask me. I think they did because people didn't understand the apple/endive concept and were like "where's the salad?" But I liked it better the old way. We have been back numerous times and every time, Mark the manager, remembers who we are and comes to shake hands and say hello. He has gone out of his way to make us feel welcome, to take care of anything that goes wrong. I credit him and the delicious food/wine for making this our favorite neighborhood restaurant. We took my BF's business partner and wife for dinner one night. Our table was not ready when we arrived for our reservation. Mark saw us waiting and brought the girls complimentary glasses of champagne and cocktails for the boys. When my BF and I come to dinner alone, even late on a Friday night, Mark tries his best to seat us at a four-top on the banquette just the way we like. I went today for brunch for the first time. We had the "Breakfast Table" and it was delicious! The house-smoked lox was amazing and included all the classic accompaniments. Mimosas were delicious and a bargain $3! The chocolate bread pudding chunks were rich and chocolatey--perfect with their strong french press coffee. Mark, the manager, was floating around the dining room serving freshly made pizzas. The biscuits and bacon were fabulous. The only thing that fell short was the french toast. I expected it to be rich, eggy, and moist but it was fairly dry and not too warm. I only wish that the bar were not quite such a young-20s meat market. It would be nice to be able to have a glass (or bottle) of wine while waiting for a dinner table without having guys in visors hitting on you. Full disclosure: There is a little improvement to be had in the service. Getting a glass of water can sometimes be tricky. The servers take the drink order but then pass the water pouring job to the busboys/back waiters and sometimes the hand off does not go smoothly. Sometimes the waitstaff seems a bit inattentive but not as lackadaisical as most DC waitstaff. A little more attention to detail would create a fully polished experience. All in all, this is a local favorite. The Liberty Tavern also has "Liberty To Go" which has a separate entrance on the side of the building.
(5)Gabriel M.
Great happy hour, descent food, good crowd, and it's not like there are a million places around for drinks in the neighbourhood.
(4)Brian E.
Food-wise, it may be a 4. Bar-wise, perhaps a 2 (they've been demoted). Everything else confuses the hell out of me. I have a love-hate relationship with Liberty Tavern. I go when I don't have anything better planned for the night. . .which can be once every other week (sometimes once a week). It appears to be a somewhat nice place. . .until you're there a night when guys are dancing around on spilled beer twirling their shirt in the air like they're stripping, friends giving high-fives, and yelling "woohoooo". Then you realize you're still in Clarendon, and things aren't always what it seems. When it opened up, it was great. . . seemed like Clarendon was growing up a bit. A wine-bar. . . how nice. . . upstairs in the restaurant it ISstill nice. But in the bar area. . . I don't know why it draws the crowd it does some days. But it's sometimes painful for me to be in there for more than 10 minutes. If it weren't for the nonsmoking policy, I might give it up for good. Seriously, chewing gum, and drinking wine don't go together. You're killing me. :-(. . . The bar area is trying to be a bar. . . understandable, but trying to crank up the elevator quality speakers for music that nobody can hear. . . pointless. The acoustics suck in the place. Get different speakers, or just forget about trying to turn the music up over the people. I give the bartenders credit. . . they remember me, and remember my drink. Looks like they now have some a/c units in the bar area. . . in the summer it can totally suck at how hot/humid it gets in there. This may help with the fruit-fly infestation the comes late summer. I refuse to have any drinks that come with fruit because of it. . . I'd say it was a 4 star place, but it's heading down the 3 star route as of late. It can be entertaining sometimes with cougars trying to pick me up, or whatever other random crap that goes on. . . But, I may be moving down to Eventide as a backup "adult" bar for now. (My update is to demote the bar. . . just not as great as it used to be. . .. maybe it was never great. The food, that's still a 4, but the bar is now a 2 . . . more annoying than "fun")
(3)PC W.
The "Sunday Breakfast Table" is a solid option for buffet brunch in Clarendon. $17 for the buffet and $3 mimosas, $5 bellinis. The stand-outs for me included the smoked salmon, the brioche french toast, applewood smoked bacon, the haddock with lemon butter, and the homemade coffee cake. I was so excited that they had mulled cider. It was nice to have on a chilly morning. The dessert table had lots of candy, the kind of candy that brings you back to your childhood. Candy like Pixy Stix, the powdered candy in a straw. For novelty's sake, I had an orange Pixy Stick. It's like eating pure sugar and I couldn't get through all of it. I can't believe I was allowed to have that as a kid {shudder}. All the candy is totally random but it adds a nice touch. Table service was severely lacking. It was a struggle to flag down the waiter for drinks, milk and sugar, the bill, etc. I guess he was busy not serving food since it was a buffet!
(3)Reid D.
I went with a couple of friends for a late dinner. The food is actually quite good. I had the Lobster Fisherman's Pie (which, if you were wondering along the same lines as us, has lobster meat, not lobster fisherman meat) and it was really tasty. Another friend had the linguica sausage pizza which was great. Service was good, atmosphere was nice, and the only real complaint was that they sat three of us at a table for 6, which was a little awkward. But...it just seems like one of those places where they came up with the prices first and the dishes second. For a place that seems to want to be a neighborhood hangout, it was pretty expensive. Again, the food was really good, but they could use a little more price variety. I certainly don't mind putting down some money for a good meal, but when you go into a place for a casual beer and a bite, it's a little bit of a shock to find very little on the menu below $18.
(3)Laura V.
Recently some girlfriends and I stopped by the Liberty Tavern to watch the Greenbay/Giants game. This review is solely on the bar area and service. I hope to get back to try the food. It was colder than heck outside when we walked in. The bar was packed! First thing I noticed is that the way the entrance was set up allowed tons of cold air to blow in throughout the bar. BRRRR. We found one seat and some space at the corner of the bar and took up residence for the next few hours. GREAT bar service. Our bartender took really good care of us, was very attentive and told us a little about the food offerings in case we were interested. Liberty Tavern is in a great location and I really think that the area needs a few more bar/tavern places like this one. Prices were a little on the high side, but the decor and the ambiance were cozy and welcoming. I really liked it there. The food that we saw being brought out to other patrons looked yummy and smelled fantastic. The downside was the bathroom situation. Behind a door in a hallway that they decided not to heat. At all. Do you know what it's like for women to use the facilities at 28 degrees? NOT FUN. Please warm it up in there Liberty Tavern. Overall, it was a nice experience. I'd give this place another shot for dinner or brunch or something just to see if the food is decent. It's a fun bar though, so I'd come back just to drink at the very least. But probably only in the summer since they don't heat those bathrooms!
(3)Lauren R.
Any time I am looking for a reliable meal with friends, I always think of "Lib Tavern." All of the food I have had here is amazing. The gnocchi, the beef stroganoff, the french fry app, their squid/lamb sausage app...its all fabulous. Now, it can be a little pricy so make sure you know what your looking to spend before you head out. The only reason I am not giving 5 stars is due to the crazy crowds that are almost always there. Even when making reservations, expect to not be seated on time. If you go with an open mind and not on a rigid schedule, you will have a great time.
(4)Meg T.
I just returned from a celebratory dinner (yay promotion!) at Liberty Tavern. After the slightly mixed reviews I've ready here, and a few less than stellar recent experiences at other restaurants, I didn't dare get my hopes up about this place. But my meal and the service far exceeded my expectations. My boyfriend and I walked in without a reservation, and after seeing the crowded bar, expected to wait a bit for a table. We had a drink in the bar while we waited, and were shown to our table after about 20 minutes. Our server, Ellen, was friendly without being overbearing, and attentive without rushing us in the least - a combination I appreciate after making my living as a server for several years. My boyfriend is vegetarian, and they have a small but respectable selection of veggie dishes. We each had a salad and he had the veggie pot pie, and I had the arctic char. The pot pie was rich and delicious without losing the taste of the veggies with a crispy and tender puff pastry on top, and the arctic char (a fish you don't see too much of around these parts), was perfectly cooked and had a nice crispy skin. All was accompanied by a nice, reasonably priced bottle of CA chardonnay (light on the oak thankyouverymuch). We finished with a pineapple orange tart, and I had a glass of port. In summary: service: excellent food: delicious booze: tasty and effective I'm planning on taking my dad to Liberty next time he comes to visit. Hopeuflly we'll have the same stellar experience as I did tonight.
(5)Chris V.
My opinion of the LT can be summed up in one brief phrase: Excellent food and service upstairs nearly ruined by the bar downstairs. I've been here for dinner twice now. It's always a zoo, but if you have a reservation and aren't a large group you shouldn't have much problem getting seated on time. The food selections are imaginative, properly cooked, and delicious. They also have a surprisingly good selection of microbrews. The servers have been outstanding on both of my visits. Entrees are not inexpensive, but this isn't a "bargain eats" type of place. Now for the downside. The bar downstairs is one of the loudest and most obnoxious in Arlington, and that's saying something. Before you think I'm a prude or something, trust me when I say I'm a veteran bargoer. I spent my share of time at the Clarendon Grille, Whitlow's, Mr. Days etc. in my mid-20's before I came to my senses and started hanging out at less pose-y places. Anyway, I won't bother describing the LT bar's clientele - "typical Arlington douchebag" describes it well enough - it's the noise volume that amazes me the most. If the bar wasn't connected to the restaurant, I wouldn't care. Unfortunately, though, it is right downstairs. This means the noise travels freely up the staircase to the restaurant. Forget having a romantic dinner. Forget even having a conversation at normal speaking volume. You'll need to essentially shout if you want your dinner partner to hear you. This is no exaggeration - you will hear people sitting around their tables literally yelling at each other. Near fatal flaw in my opinion. Nutshell: If you're looking for excellent food and good service while feeling like you're part of a big, boisterous crowd, this place will be a great fit. If you're looking for a calm, laid-back, or romantic experience, this is definitely not your place.
(3)gwen o.
The food here is excellent. HOWEVER. OMG. My friend and I picked this place to have dinner around the holidays while I was visiting my hometown. We don't see each other often, so we picked a place that we could have a leisurely and wonderful meal, where we could catch up, enjoy a few courses and drinks, and treat ourselves to an evening of good food and company. Good food, yes. Company, absolutely. Service. Wow. I've never been shocked by a server like this in my life. She started off great - very welcoming, giving us suggestions, even pouring my friend a taste of an open bottle of red wine since she wanted to recommend it to go with my friend's meal. Our starters came out - I had a watercress salad (quite good) and my friend ordered the duck confit (also good). I finished my salad quicker than my friend finished her duck. She was telling a story at the same time so she was eating slower than I was. Our server came by once and asked her if she was still working on it and my friend said yes. Two minutes later, my friend had the fork with food on it in one hand and a piece of roll in her other hand and the server comes back and says something like "I apologize but your entrees are ready" and removes the plate from my friend, who still had the fork in her hand, and whisks it away. We both sat their stunned. I've NEVER seen anything like that before. As quickly as the one plate was removed, the next one swooped in. We assume she had the kitchen fire the entrees too quickly and they didn't want to waste them, so starters be damned! We sat there stunned for a while, looking at the entrees, which were delicious - she got the gnocchi and I got the vegetarian shepherds pie (which has crusted purreed butternut squash instead of potatoes and was full of a wonderful flavor). We worked on dinner for a little bit and then next thing we knew our server was back, semi-hovering, obviously wanting to turn the table over. It should never be like this. I repeat, never. As we finished our entrees we contemplated dessert. But we had no chance - next thing we knew our check was plopped down on the table. Not even a question of whether we were interested in dessert or coffee. Just plop, here, PAY NOW! We opened the check and started figuring out the math to divide it - but apparently we weren't doing it fast enough because she came by and said she'd do it, took our credit cards and returned with the receipts like her ass was on fire. Now, before you say we sat there too long, let me tell you this. Our reservation was at 6:30, we each had 2 cocktails, each had a starter and we each ordered an entree. We were pushed out the door just before 8. It's not like we were parked there all night. I think an hour and a half for a starter and an entree is standard, and I think we should have at least been afforded the opportunity to order dessert if we had so desired. We still left her a 20% tip, because that's the kind of people we are, but I really doubt I'll go back, even though the food was excellent. That was pretty crappy of her. She took the plate while my friend was mid-bite. That is wholly unacceptable.
(3)Krissy R.
Why is it that everyone always wants to go here? I have been three times; each time I went it was because I thought I would give the place another chance. The service has been horrible each time, the food has been overpriced and flavorless, and the noise level in this place is insane. I think people go here just because they think it's "the place to go." I honestly don't get it. I always feel like I've wasted money when I walk out of this place.
(1)Jennifer K.
After a few heavy-on-the-drinking-light-on-the-eating-happy-Âhours here with coworkers, I finally got around to having a sitdown meal in the upstairs dining room. I was impressed at how well Liberty Tavern managed to balance the two. Downstairs is a loud bar room and lounge with a pretty heavy pickup scene; upstairs, while not sedate, was calmer and more grown up. In short, we had a great, enjoyable meal. I was the only member of our party of four who had sampled anything from the menu so when no one ordered an appetizer, I suggested that we share a pizza Classico. Very successful. For my entree, I enjoyed the hangar steak (ordered medium rare, received a bit closer to medium) with a gratin of white beans and guanciale and a large portion of the daily green (escarole? I'm blanking.). My friends had the sea bream, vegetable pot pie and chicken and around the table, everyone was very happy with their choices. I can rarely say no to dessert, particularly when so many choices appealed. The group shared the crullers and the red velvet/devils food cake. The crullers were slightly dry, but when eaten with a spoonful of amaretto brown butter ice cream (which one friend pronounced "weird"), they were great. I enjoy rich foods, but just a bite or two of the cake with its cream cheese frosting was enough for me. Tasty, but RICH. The tab for the four of us (with four glasses of wine, one cocktail and everything described above) was just under $50 per person. One bit of minor oddness: the waiter unfailing called me and one other [female] member of our party "babe" and "hon". Personally it made me laugh and I wasn't offended, but one of my friends found it annoying. YMMV. A word about the bar itself: popular! It gets very crowded. There are about ten wines by the glass (50/50 red white) and I find them to be rather thoughtfully chosen. No beringer or white zin in the bunch. Not the place for a quiet catch-up though.
(3)Arin C.
Had a wonderful time with an amazing server. He asked good questions and then gave appropriate suggestions. The food and atmosphere was great and I can't wait to go back again!
(5)Somer P.
My birthday dinner here was great! They were very accommodating of our large group. As before, I was impressed by their service even when the restaurant/bar were so crowded! It was a busy night, but they didn't try to force or pressure us to leave 1 or 2 hours (like other restaurants I've been to). And the food was great!! Highly recommended, even if you have to deal with some crowds.
(4)Kimberly W.
Trendy, good food with a seasonal menu that keeps things fresh. I've eaten dinner here several times and the food has always been great. Bar area can get VERY loud and busy. But it is a very trendy bar. The dining atmosphere upstairs is quaint and quiet. Is a bit expensive, but worth it.
(4)Alex S.
Food was overly salty. Like licking the bag of microwave popcorn salty. 4 of the 5 people at the table agreed. Had high hopes when it opened, but after one meal, won't be back. Nice decor though, that gets a couple points.
(2)Mike P.
Been here twice now, both times were fantastic. Lunch - Just me and the lady. Our server was very knowledgeable about the menu and gave us a few suggestions. Started with coffee, a nice Sumatra pressed at our table. We both ordered the Primanti bros sammy. Well made, greasy enough but not oozing out of the bread (such good bread!). Pretty reasonable priced too. Brunch - 5 people. Made a reservation but showed up 1/2 hour early. The host was as accommodation as he could be but we ended up waiting for our other two people to show up. The staff is all very funny, but respectful. I cant really say enough about the brunch. Bacon and eggs (not powdered), turkey, pizza, ham, homefries, french toast. Just amazing and delicious and a bit cheaper than other brunches (Front Page). 5 stars for sure.
(5)Mary L.
Super meal, super service - overall wonderful experience. My husband and I had the chance for a "mini" date while the kids were at birthday parties so we booked a last-minute reservation on Open Table the morning of our dinner. Got there for our 5.30 reservation - but the hostess invited us to take advantage of the bar happy hour (which only applies at the bar, not upstairs in the restaurant) before dinner. We had a wine and beer (great selection - great happy prices) and headed up to our table just shy of 6PM. Our waiter, Brian, was gracious, fun, proper, knowledgeable (he does the wine list, and his roommate is the mixologist), and laid back, all rolled into one. We ordered the cheese course (got one each in the sheep, cow and goat categories) which was just super - a really nice variety with different tastes and textures - great way to kick off the meal. Then had the LT sausage app - homemade in house with heirloom tomatoes and sweet corn relish - truly delish! Main courses: Virginia Bluefish for my husband - YUM!, and Gnocchi for me (1/2 order) - which was rich, decadent and delicious - I could have EASILY eaten a whole order, but since it's served in brown butter, decided to be cardio/fat reasonable and went with the half-order. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Andrew E.
Great place overall. Not the absolute best food I've had, but we like the area and the atmosphere, so we'll come back again when we're on that side of town.
(4)annettka p.
I love dirty martinis and nice weather. On one October night my roommate and I decided to enjoy the freakishly warm weather and have cocktails outside. There is plethora of outside seating. Our waiter was beyond attentive; we never waited for our next drink. The dirty martinis were excellent but on the smaller side. They start you off with a bread basket that features three varieties. We also ordered a pizza with Portuguese sausage and fresh mozzarella cheese that was light and delicious. The inside is nice, although it does get a bit crowded and loud. The happy hour is only from 5:30-6:30, half off glasses of wine and $5 margaritas. The food is also on the pricier side. Now I didn't have a full out entre, but I had a lovely experience and would recommend this place if you're looking to grab a drink in Clarendon.
(4)Christian S.
Delicious, creative food - plus it's affordable and boasts great service. I went for lunch on a Saturday and had the "Adam's Linguica" pizza --- crushed tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, house-made linguica sausage, and fresh oregano. Everything was incredibly fresh, and the dough found the perfect balance of light, crispy, and chewy. For dessert, we had the Cinnamon and Sugar Krullers, freshly fried and served with amaretto and brown butter ice cream. A little on the sweet side, perhaps, but wow... If you're the kind of person who likes to drink coffee after your meal / with dessert, come here. They have teamed up with local coffee shop Murky Coffee to offer multiple selections of organic Counter Culture coffee in individual press pots. They even give you a timer and you get to press the coffee yourself. Just another indication of their customer-focused service. Literally less than a block away from the Clarendon metro stop on the Orange Line, this is a great selection, if only for food alone. Downstairs has a modern sports bar feel, the upstairs dining room slightly more formal, but still with a casual feel. I've heard it gets loud and crowded in the bar area at night, especially the weekends, so I can't attest to that aspect of the atmosphere, but the food, service, and atmosphere upstairs was great when I was there. If you're in to Sunday brunch, go here and go hungry. One of the most expansive brunch menus I've tried, including both breakfast and lunch dishes (I guess the way it's supposed to be?). Some highlights include a smoked salmon plate, homemade cinnamon apple muffins, trout with pineapple salsa, quiche of the day, etc. Check out the menu here: thelibertytavern.com/foo…
(4)Colleen M.
This review is strictly for brunch - I've never dined here otherwise. I read several good reviews about the brunch here, so I finally checked it out. My dad and I opted for the buffet. In my opinion, it was extremely over priced. The brunch spread was really small and only about half of the options were actually breakfast foods. The rest were pretty heavy lunch/dinner foods. Of the breakfast foods, most of the food was less than warm, if not cold. We were seated upstairs right by the buffet, and the space was really small and really crowded. With the people filtering through the buffet and the staff refilling the portions, it was rather hectic. The best thing on the brunch buffet, in my opinion, was the dessert bar, which isn't even that much of a brunch. The biscuits were also good and unique (had a sugar / salt topping), but they were room temperature. I don't think I will be going back for brunch unless they drop the prices in half! If you're looking for a delicious brunch, head to Carlyle in Shirlington. They have the best brunch in town by far!
(2)Matt T.
I stopped in here last week for a drink with a buddy. I live in DC and don't spend much time in Virginia, so I did not really know what to expect. There is nothing really wrong with this place, but it was one of the weirdest weeknight crowds I've seen and not in a fun, eclectic way. It was more like an awkward family-reunion type of crowd with a few young republican types with popped collars spitting game in one corner of the place, a few couples in formal evening wear at tables in another corner, and a couple of drunk old dudes with flat top haircuts sitting at the bar watching hockey. Some things don't mix well.
(3)