4. Restaurants

Vinifera Wine Bar & Bistro

The Westin Reston Heights,11750 Sunrise Valley Dr, Reston, VA, 20190
  • (703) 234-3550
  • Store is closed

Vinifera Wine Bar & Bistro Menu

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  • Hannah T.

    Prices are reasonable, but I ordered the duck and it came out tough and burnt. Service is slow. Totally disappointing - I could see why the venue was empty, even on a weekend. Skip it

    (3)

  • Kate H.

    We were looking for some place quiet to have a glass of wine and Yelp helped us find this excellent wine bar/restaurant. We were greeted with "are you here for the half price bottles" and answered "of course"! Mel, our waitress, was very knowledgeable and helped us pick out a great bottle of wine. We also enjoyed the cheese and meat plates (very well put together) and the roasted red pepper hummus was great. Gluten smart and friendly also. There was a peach jam that was included in the cheese platter that was absolutely amazing. We will definitely be back while staying in the area. Thank you!!

    (5)

  • Sheela V.

    I was staying in the Westin, so Vinifera was right downstairs, and thus, super convenient. I came here for dinner, and I had there Garganelli Pasta (/ Wild Mushroom / French Beans / Tomato / Spinach / White Wine / Parmesan / Lemon). The pasta was good, and I liked that everything here is freshly made. The waitress highly recommended it, and she even said they took some of the ingredients from the trees near us. I wouldn't say the pasta is the best I've ever had, but it's still very good! For breakfast, I had the egg white, broccoli and cheddar omelette (comes with a side hasbrown and toast). The omelette was great---the cheese was freshly melted and the omelette had a great consistency)! However, the morning I was here, the wait staff forgot to give me my order, and then they gave me the wrong check (even though it wasn't very crowded). However, the waitstaff was great a couple of days before, so i'm sure there was just some confusion/misunderstanding in the morning. During summer, I would recommend eating outside. The table and lounge area is very nice and they even have a fire pit going, which creates a very nice atmosphere. The inside is great as well, but tends to get noisy since there are both families and business conversation around. Overall, this a very nice and classy hotel restaurant, and I recommend it, especially if you're staying at the Westin!

    (4)

  • Rob B.

    I've been going to Vinifera for quite a while and this place is great. My first question when someone invited me here was "Why are we going to a place in a hotel?". I mean seriously - how often do you go out of your way to eat in a hotel where you live? They even have nice lounge seating outside where you can enjoy food and wine while putting your feet up. It can be hard to get one of these areas, but well worth it in the summer. If you love wine and great food, then this is a must visit restaurant.

    (4)

  • SARA M.

    We've been here a few times and the food is pretty good. My only complaint is that it's mostly seafood. If you don't eat seafood, you're limited to salad and cheese plates and one chicken dish. I wish they had more options for people who don't eat seafood. However, the atmosphere is super chill and nice, and they have an outdoor patio with seating. There is a fire pit with seating for the fall too, we will definitely be back to enjoy that!

    (5)

  • Lily H.

    Always amazing food here! It's surprising as a hotel restaurant but Vinifera really operates on its own. With hundreds of wines to choose from, delicious food, and consistently great service it's hard not to come back time and time again as a local. If you don't want to have the full courses, their small plates ranging from lobster rolls to ahi tuna tacos to risotto balls to mini crab cakes are delicious. They also make their own ice cream for dessert! They will point out the fresh herbs and veggies growing out on the patio they use in their cooking. Must try for anyone!

    (5)

  • C C.

    If you are a sea bass fan, definitely check out this place. We stayed at the Westin and were reluctant to eat at the in-house restaurant, but were pleasantly surprised! Food was great and our waitress was delightful. I will definitely be making a return visit.

    (5)

  • Maria-Elena T.

    I attended a private Yelp wine tasting event in the back room. They offer over 200 wines and over 20 by the glass. Walking through the restaurant I was surprised to see the elegance of both the place and people out here in Reston. I could have been downtown on DC. We sat in a back room that was nearly all windows with views of the tomato plants, pepper plants and figs growing outside. Our party of over 20 started with a sweet muscat and 3 appetizers: an awesome crabcake with hunks of crab served with a horseradish mustard seed sauce, a delicious potato croquette with a sour cream dip, and a shrimp ettoffee dish served in a sauce with pasta pearls- very very good but not so New Orleans authentic. Next we had a Chardonnay which was served with an appetizer called the Lobster Cohiba (lobster and cream cheese wrapped in a wonton and fried) served on a sweet chili sauce. I loved the dramatic presentation in a small wine glass. For the main entrees, we had a Halibut which was in a delicious sauce although a tad cooked more than I prefer, an awesome Duck (the best dish) and steak which was cooked to perfection but a little cold. Side dishes were smooth all carrot purée , fennel and asparagus and small buttery while potatoes. We were also served a a light red wine and a Cabernet. We ended with a frozen banana pudding cone and a pear ravioli made with phyllo. Yummy!!

    (4)

  • Sarah C.

    I actually ate here a while ago, but the experience was so bad that I have been putting off writing about it for a long time. Vinifera is located inside a Westin hotel near Reston. I decided to head out there for some wine and tapas before picking my husband up at the airport, and it ended up being a huge mistake. I sat out on the patio, which was totally gorgeous, but it took 20 minutes before I could flag down a waiter to take my order. I put in an order for a whole bunch of tapas at once, and also some wine. The wine arrived pretty quickly, but the food didn't even start arriving until 40 minutes later. 40 minutes!!! And then it was only the little one bite skewers; the rest of the food took even longer. That is totally unacceptable. And the food wasn't even that good. Less than average, I would say, and I tried a whole range of things. I won't even break down for you what I ordered, because it was all so forgettable. The $1-2 "pintxos" seemed like a great bargain, but they are literally tiny toothpick bites like you would find passed around at a party. Tiny, not that good, not worth $1-2 each, and definitely not worth a 40 minute wait. I would maybe, MAYBE, say that it would be a nice place to grab a glass of wine on the patio, but not if you are on any kind of a timeline.

    (1)

  • Rafael S.

    We're guests in the Westin and tried today the breakfast. My wife and I were disappointed by the food. The food is just tasteless and it takes for ever do get it. We'll not going to have another breakfast here.

    (1)

  • Lance H.

    My girlfriend and I went to Vinifera for our anniversary dinner on Friday, and the wait staff treated us as if it were our wedding dinner! They brought us each a glass of champaigne, and then a cocktail for us to try. They also printed our names on the menus and gave us a secluded outdoor table by a firpit, which was the perfect romantic setting for our dinner. The food and drinks were all fantastic. We tried several of the small plates, including the lobster cohibas, diver sea scallop "sandwiches", vennison, and seared chilean seabass for the main course. I would call out the cocktails we tried, but I can't remember their names and it will suffice to say they were terrific! Vinifera is an amazing place to celebrate a special occasion, and I've also been to their bar several times for happy hour events... The outcome is always the same, a great experience!

    (5)

  • Faith C.

    Wow, what a hidden gem. I arrived yesterday in the 6:00pm hour, used the Vinifera door (in the Westin), and immediately heard the lovely music, along with calming chatter in the dim-lit mood lighting dining room. I made myself comfortable at the bar (also mood lighting), and sat in a comfortable stool. Within seconds someone came over to drop off a dinner and wine menu. My bartender, Andrew, a well-informed friendly team player was guiding light for the evening. I sipped on three different reds before making the choice to having the Bran Caia Tre. This wine is aged 12 months in French barrels, BRAN CAIA TRE is a medium bodied blend of 80% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Well structured, the oak aging presents oak spice on the nose, red cherry and raspberry. You will be rewarded with easily detectable flavors of chocolate and berries, hints of liquorice and smoke. I started off with the Falafel Balls w/ Cucumber, Dill Yogurt, Crispy Goat Cheese in Parsley Oil, and Loaded Baked Potato Nuggets in Fresh Herb Sour Cream, Bacon Bread Crumbs. As the evening went on, many out of town folks poured in, golfing gals and guys, and a few couples. I then walked around to see what this place had to offer, already making up my mind to return and maybe sit at one of the fire pits. The outside sitting area was open, lovely, quiet, with a good number of fire pits to sit in front of. Space for gathering or parties along the side of the restaurant as well. Parking is easy--anywhere out front, and getting to the Westin is just as easy. Happy sipping!

    (5)

  • Todd S.

    David R. did you seriously compare this place to Chili's, you do realize that there is 100% markup on wine at any hotel restaurant right? I did not eat an entree when I stopped in at Vinifera. Why? Because the small plate appetizer offerings may have been the best I have ever had at a hotel restaurant. I made a meal out of the Big Eye Tuna Tartar, Crab Cake, Sea Scallop (so delicious I ordered two!), and Roasted Garlic Hummus Dip. Each small plate was out of this world! They also carry Chimay on Draft, and pints of Sam Seasonal were reasonably priced at $4.25 when I stopped in. I would highly recommend Vinifera!

    (5)

  • Veggie L.

    All foods we tried are delicious. We ordered plenty and they are really good, from wine, small plates, to main courses. However, the portions are skimpy, glad we ordered plenty beforehand, otherwise, we had to order again I guess. My daughter particularly likes the small plates. Some reviewers commented their small plates are like tapa. Indeed, but there are only a few kinds. However, the waitress is below par. She upon our arrival at the table immediately took away the wine glasses right in front of me, keeping only the one for my husband. Before I ever gave it a thought, she then only brought one wine menu to my husband, and only spoke to my husband about ordering wine. honestly I was offended. Once we started ordering, the waitress realized she made mistakes and did try to make up by patiently explaining to me many items in the wine menu. Well, I was really upset at the beginning but we managed to ignore it and we had a nice meal on a nice evening. In term of quality, all foods we tried are good, made more delicate than those in a large crowded restaurant like coastal flat. But I think you get more bang for the buck at the Great American local chain. We'll come back, but only for special occasions as they are quite pricy.

    (3)

  • Kent B.

    It's a hotel restaurant. Every so often a person has to realize that even the best food can be in a hotel, but being overpriced doesn't win any awards (at least with me). As I stated the food was really good, but small in portions. I like peasant food which is a lot of good food at a decent price. The atmosphere is quiet and relaxed (for a hotel). I wish I had the strength to get past the hotel part because I would have given it a 4 star rating. The Sea Bass was excellent. The wine overpriced especially if one knows the same wine can be purchased at a local grocery store for $24 (the bottle in question was over $200 - I don't care what the year is - that's a LOT for wine at least get better wine and let them be pricey). I digress, Vinafera was very good. If you want to impress a date take them to another restaurant that isn't in a hotel. Sorry a little mean but so true.

    (3)

  • Ranson B.

    5 star rating for a 5 star establishment. Chefs John-Michael and Jason are in a class of their own. The masters of culinary perfection were at the top of their game during dinner service last night sending out expertly crafted dishes that were simply incredible. The service staff was attentive, responsive and took excellent care to ensure we enjoyed our meal. I highly recommend those in and out of the area to come into this outstanding food Mecca and enjoy what great food is all about.

    (5)

  • Meg S.

    Really enjoyed a fine dining experience at Vinifera this evening. Shawna and Dave took great care to make sure my party had everything we needed. Never waited for service, refills, anything! They were extremely polished and personable. I was impressed by the decor, cleanliness, and efficiency, of the restaurant and the variety of the menu. Everything that I tasted (even had some bites of other's dishes!) was to die for! I can't wait to come back soon and bring more friends to show off my new favorite dining spot!

    (5)

  • Daniel M.

    We decided to try Vinifera based on 'best of' lists for NoVa found on the internet. Otherwise we'd probably have never known it was there, tucked under the Westin in an odd cluster of buildings with strange parking and few other attractions. As others have mentioned, the place was completely empty when we arrived just after 5, and the employees were huddled in conversation. When the next party arrived, 6 with 3 small children, they sat them immediately next to us in an empty restaurant so our conversations competed. It was nice to see the staff make accommadations for the children by cooking fries and chicken tenders not on the menu, along with providing starbucks coffee cups with lids and straws as improvised child-safe drinkware.There was a TV over the bar with the volume too loud for the atmosphere and no patrons. The employees did occasionally watch, but also had prolonged conversations at a certain spot too near to us. With that said, we were pleased with our server. As others have mentioned, the food does take a bit longer than expected to arrive, even in an empty restaurant, but it did not feel exceedingly long. We ordered a 4oz flight of wines along with squash soup, scallop sandwich and lobster gnocchi small plates, two complete sets of the pintxos (bites), and the sea bass entree. The flight comes with printed paper slips to remind you what is in each glass. The soup was creamy and good, though simple. The small plates had more complex flavour profiles, but perhaps the least value. The scallop sandwich for example was a single, relatively small sea scallop. The pintxos were also simple, even bland or drab, but felt like more of a value and provided variety. The entree however was a disappointment. The Chilean sea bass was seemingly undercooked, with a greasy wetness and slimy texture. Ironically, the manager walked by and asked 'How was the sea bass? Was it great?' and I stated that unfortunately no, it was not great, and he simply walked away frowning without any question or comment. When we passed him on the way out, having been there quite a while and only 1 additional couple having arrived and seated at the bar, he still said nothing about it and frowned again while thanking us for coming. Overall, the experience was simply underwhelming, at any price. While the menu includes delicacies and enticing ingredients, the flavor profiles were unremarkable or even 'off', and the entree unenjoyable as prepared. I have to say: in service, atmosphere, and food, it unfortunately felt like a 'hotel restaurant' to me.

    (2)

  • Jenn K.

    I can't believe I am just now discovering this place after 6 years of living only 5 minutes from it. Wine Bar review: Tapas soo good, price good, wine good! Best part of all...warm, freshly baked, complementary raisin bread...great! 5 star quality, good service, and relaxing yet lively, romantic or business conducive ambiance. Totally underrated. Better than RTC. Will be back!!

    (5)

  • Jim M.

    Great restaurant and bar in the Westin Hotel that I frequent on trips to Reston, as we own a company in the area. The restaurant and bar are gems. The people are extremely friendly and the food consistently excellent. I enjoy sitting at the bar with Young, who has been the bartender since the hotel opened. If you need a recommendation on food, good wine or single malt whiskeys, he is the best. Since I started staying here, many others from our company now either stay at the Reston or frequent the bar for dinner. Also, Young got me into the "small plates" on the menu. They are a must to try and can be combined to make a gourmet dinner.

    (5)

  • Eric E.

    TL;DR- Inconsistent food, excellent waitstaff and alcohol selection. There are a lot of positive things I can say about this restaurant. The waitstaff and bartenders are excellent. I can't say enough good things about them. They're friendly, knowledgeable about the menu, and really make the experience wholly positive. Shawna in particular is an excellent bartender, and they just brought on Dave, who knows his way around a cocktail. The wine and beer selection is also really good. I'd expect that at a wine bar you'd have an excellent selection of wines (they have a Sommelier on site, and she clearly knows what she's doing) and they do. What's surprising is how robust and well rounded their beer selection is. Something like 20 bottles and 6 taps with a wide variety of craft beers and only a few macros. Definitely a pleasant surprise. Impressive amount and variety of spirits as well. Where this place falls on its face is with the food. I've had the opportunity to sample a wide variety of things off their menu and the best word I can use to describe it is inconsistent. Their happy hour menu has a few good choices. My personal favorite is their $6 surf sliders, which is an excellent value. Their $4 turf sliders are mediocre, but not terrible for the price. The rest of it is passable. Wings, short ribs, and falafel balls that are good if you want to eat on the cheap, but really not particularly appetizing. Outside of that they have a few small plate options and some salads, but their dinner menu really lacks substance unless you want to move to their entree section. $30 a plate on average, seasonal vegetables with various proteins as dictated by their on-site chef. The Paella and Chilean Sea Bass are excellent, and I can't recommend them enough even at this price point. The rest of the menu... is less impressive. Black cod is ok, as is the duck breast. And then we get to the steak. 14 oz new York strip. I don't know what the problem is but they cannot serve the same steak twice. I've had the following occur to my steak: - Medium rare, delicious, if anything a little overdone - Medium-Medium rare, overdone for my taste, chalked up to the thickness of the cut - Ordered rare to see if that might alleviate the issue, fat strip wasn't properly rendered and left inedible. OK, I won't make that mistake again. - Medium rare, perfectly done - Weird cut that appears to be the end of the slab of beef, half of it was done medium, the other half was totally inedible (nerve endings or fat or something?). I had to send it back, which I hate doing. - Replacement was a perfect med-rare - Ordered medium-rare, showed up tough and medium Due to the nature of the cut it is rather tough when overcooked even slightly, and the kitchen doesn't appear to be able to consistently cook to temperature. If it was consistently bad I would just stay away from it, but the fact that they are capable of serving an excellent strip keeps tricking me into coming back. That, along with the fact that the rest of their menu is similarly priced, unless you want to order off their lunch menu ($10 burger isn't bad, nothing to write home about. Chicken panini is probably the best bet off that menu). Couple that with their lackluster fries and no other 'bar food' options and I feel constrained by the menu rather than wanting to explore it.

    (3)

  • Joann B.

    ***4 Stars for the Sommelier*** I was here for a Yelp event and the staff (including the chef) at Vinifera were wonderful. If you had a question, they were willing to help. The pairings for each course worked out really well. The wines were: Foris Muscat, Uva Mira Chardonnay, Brezo Mencia, and Shinas The Verdict Cabernet. The food: shrimp etouffee a la cous cous, potato croquette, crab cake, Cohiba Lobster (Muscat), Beef (Cabernet), Duck (Mencia), Halibut (Chardonnay). There was also shrimp and house made sausage, baked golden potatoes, asparagus, sweet potato puree, and grilled onions. Dessert was a banana ice cream cone (bite sized), and a pear ravioli in phyllo. I like cous cous and shrimp, but thought the croquette and crab cake were much better. The croquette was crispy on the outside and soft and hot on the inside, as was the crab cake. The Cohiba Lobster is like a crab rangoon but with lobster and in the shape of a cigar. The cream cheese was a little herb-y and came with a spicy sweet/sour sauce. I'm not a big fan of lobster, so this app went unappreciated by me. The sauce that came with the beef was really good and complemented the meat, but I thought the beef was chewy. The duck was my favorite. It was encrusted in fennel seed. I strongly dislike fennel, so I was super surprised that I loved this dish. The duck looked overcooked, but it was tender and delicious. The shrimp was a little overcooked and the texture of the sausage was soft and not what I expected. I had a bit piece of the halibut and tried to add extra sauce to it, but my serving was very bland. The vegetables were good, simply made. I love banana type desserts, but this one was ok. I liked the pear ravioli more - it was almost like a bite sized pear pie, but in phyllo dough, shaped like a ravioli. The Muscat, Mencia, and Cabernet were my favorite wines and the duck my favorite dish. Since this was a Yelp event, I can not describe what regular service would be like at Vinifera, but if it's anything like we received for a private event, you won't be disappointed.

    (3)

  • Wendy W.

    Walked in and saw only two tables with no one at the front, nor a server. Was alittle worried that we'll be disappointed. Finally the only server came out to seat us. Love the decor. A table for 2 and here's what we ordered: Risotto Balls. Not as good as I hoped for. Wild Mushroom Soup. Not bad. Sea Bass. REALLY good. Paella. Some of my rice grains weren't cooked thoroughly. Ice Cream/Sorbet sampler. Love the ice cream. Creme Brulee sampler. Couldn't tell the difference between the regular or the pumpkin flavor. Will go back again, if am around the area.

    (4)

  • Ed C.

    Awesome Martini's and the tuna tacos are awesome. Friendly wait staff and great atmosphere. Highly recommend it after a tough day of travel.

    (5)

  • Via T.

    We brought a big group here for dinner. They accommodated us even though we were 9 people. Great wine recommendation! Great food! But with a large group, the service can get slow and they can easily mix up your order, especially when you're ordering pintxos and small plates. We will still come back though.

    (4)

  • Cat P.

    My girlfriends and I came for Restaurant Week. I had my heart set on the red snapper option on the Restaurant Week menu, but they were out (surprising since the restaurant was pretty empty when we came, maybe the ran out from the night before???) so I decided to go with their brunch offering, the jack pancakes, instead. I sampled my friend's sea bass (also not part of the Restaurant Week lineup), and it was very good, crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. The tarragon butter sauce was perfect. My pancakes were fluffy and not overly sweet. They came with bacon or sausage, but I of course opted out. I got a mound of fresh berries on top instead. Berries and all, thirteen bucks felt a bit steep despite the above-average breakfast meal. Then again, the luxurious setting combined with the reputation of its executive chef might have made the price easily justifiable in their eyes. The plating is gorgeous, as can be expected from a Culinary Institute of America graduate. The setting is elegant, sleek, modern. I was reminded of Chef Geoff, the Tysons Corner location, when I stepped inside. Perhaps it had to do with the layout, the arrangement of the tables, and the colors utilized (darker wood, as I recall and lots of more abstract patterns). It's pretty luxe (fitting since it's housed inside a ritzy Westin). Classy as Vinefera is, we did notice a few things that need attention. My friends saw some stains on their water glasses, including a lipstick stain, which may have detracted from their experience a bit. It happens, but I'm sure other customers may not be as dismissive about the whole situation. Service was very polite but a bit on the slower side. It took a while for us to get our orders despite the fact that the majority ordered from the breakfast/brunch menu. Maybe my friend's sea bass took a while and they were waiting to bring everything out at once... Overall, it was still a nice little outing with friends and the environment is tranquil enough to help you have great conservations without shouting to one another and to eat without feeling hurried. This restaurant has more of a business lunch/dinner vibe, though, so it's probably not the greatest location for romance, though the outdoor seating might provide a different experience.

    (4)

  • Chris M.

    Food was good but imo it's too slow and little expensive for hotel restaurant. Will not go again.

    (1)

  • Amanda B.

    Excellent food! The Pintxos are reasonablely priced at just a $1 or $2 and just full of fantastic flavors that belnd together perfectly in a succulent taste explosion. You might as well try one of each and just sip on a glass of wine while enjoying a cool summer night on their patio surrounded by flowers bursting with color. Atmosphere is trendy and upscale yet laid-back and casual. I would highly recommend this place as a first date where one can impress and be impressed all in one evening as you dine as a 5-star guest but don't have to pay the 5-star prices (if you do the wine and the pintxos) and can actually hear your own conversation instead of everyone else's talking.

    (4)

  • Angel W.

    Came to Vinifera on a Thursday evening for dinner with friends. This restaurant/bar was chosen based on its location which was a mid-point for everyone to drive to. Unless you know its located inside the Westin, this place is really easy to miss. We sat in the bar first before moving over to the dining area. The restaurant was relatively slow for a Thursday evening with only several tables occupied, so we were quickly seated and served. Since none of us were too hungry, we decided to order bunch of tapa dishes for sharing. Based on our server's suggestion of 3-4 plates per person, we basically ordered one of almost everything on the tapas menu as well as a cheeseboard. That was actually alot more food than anticipated. Some dishes were hits while others were eh. I particularly liked the pork habana and the crispy calamari. All in all, my friends and I had an enjoyable time catching up, and went home with a happy belly.

    (3)

  • Rob H.

    We stayed at the Westin, because you can't find a better pet friendly hotel! As always, the Westin doesn't disappoint. Service and quality are the best. We decided to have a bottle of wine and sit by the fire, because we could see it from our room and it looked like fun. Boy did we have fun! Our waiter Rob, made the night. He was extremely knowledgeable about the menu and very attentive. Our service, food and wine selection were excellent! We'll be back for sure, thanks to such exceptional service by Rob, needless to say, you know who to ask for to serve you!!!!

    (5)

  • Stephanie C.

    We love popping over to Vinifera for a drink (or two) and some light fare! The bar has a great selection, and we like that the menu changes. The staff is pretty good, especially Shawna who always recognizes us and chats with us while we are there (we usually just sit at the bar). I have always enjoyed their seasonal soup (this last time it was some sort of creamed corn), and love the red beet carpaccio! Looking forward to our next visit to see what's new to the menu!

    (4)

  • David R.

    After two years, I decided to give Vinifera another try. It's official - they suck. Because this hotel is not in walking distance to other restaurants (compared to the Hyatt in the Reston Town Center), they charge as much as they can. (OK, Chili's is up the hill, about 5 minutes away by foot, but try bringing an entire group of clients staying at the Westin there). What killed the experience more than anything were the prices. $95 for a bottle of Barboursville Octagon, when Clyde's in the Town Center charges $43 for the same bottle? Really? The place was dullsville when we visited, no atmosphere, bored looking staff.. Never again. We'll jump in a cab to another restaurant if our clients stay here again. Even the Popeye's down the road will be an improvement.

    (1)

  • Tino D.

    My wife and I went here a few weeks ago. I was apprehensive to go at first because the restaurant is at the bottom of a hotel in the middle of nowhere, so it didn't seem too appealing. However, they had a booth at the Taste of Reston, which we tried and liked, so we figured we would give it a shot. The service was great. Our waitress was friendly and knowledgable. The food came promptly without any problems. The food itself was pretty good as well. I had the paella and my wife just had some appetizers.

    (3)

  • Xfit J.

    Hands down, best service I've ever received in any customer service establishment. I made reservations for my sister's 30th bday dinner. The group was greeted with a complimentary bottle of wine along with the delicious bread! The waiter was very patient dealing with a group of loud and indecisive women helping us guide our way through the menu (we ended up getting a bunch of small plates and sharing). The food was good, highly recommend the crab cake and pork belly! We were looking at the dessert menu, and the waiter said that the bday girls dessert is on the house. The flourless waffle and ice cream sampler is amazing! Before we left, the waiter came by and greeted us one last time and wished my sister a happy 30th from Vinifera, with a scented candle with a "Happy 30th birthday" card enclosed. Their service is above and beyond my expectations, and would highly recommend them to anyone.

    (5)

  • Ruth C.

    Came across a dozen or so parking spots out front convenient to Vinifera. For whatever reason, the main entrance was locked during business hours so we had to go through the Westin Hotel's entrance since the hostess podium wasn't manned consistently. *cough*Fire hazard*cough*. Limited but nice cheese selection from the deli counter on the left. Nice array of lounge seating available. Despite our response that we weren't interested in food, the girl who seated us was kind enough to mention that they were doing a world tour special menu, geared at Australia and New Zealand. Wine pairing recommendations only included for entrees, not small plates. Bartender serviced us throughout the evening and was reasonably attentive given that there didn't seem to be many staff on duty. One or two tykes running about pell-mell that seemed to belong to kitchen staff. Certainly friendly, if a bit discombobulated despite the low customer traffic. After perusing the wines (2.5-star list) we settled on the Chateau Ste Michelle riesling. Bottle markup was on the higher end for the Reston area. Wine was not chilled, and the ice bucket really didn't do its job until the last glass. We also decided to split two small plates-- ironically some of the least thematic on the menu: "BBQ jumbo shrimp on ginger glass noodles" and "fresh berry pavlova." The two shrimp were forgettable, a touch overdone and crying for acidity. Garnish baked dry with purpose. When I see glass noodles on a restaurant menu, I expect lush cellophane noodles, not thin rice vermicelli. A few bits of julienned carrot and mung bean. Without the surrounding drizzle of soy sauce, the dish would've been bland; I love ginger and tasted none of it on the plate. Pavlova came out structured like a sandwich, which we ultimately flipped open for easy eating. Cream holding the berries in place wasn't flavored. The meringue-ish parts had some flavor and the somewhat crispy shell as expected, but they were so thin that the moist interior we anticipated was nonexistent. This resulted in a gummy texture with every chew. The vanilla ice cream saved this plate more than the soy sauce saved the noodles. B+ ambiance & service, B- cheese counter, C- wine list, D+ food.

    (2)

  • Lina T.

    I had a going away happy hour and decided to pick Vinifera. I wanted to go some place different rather than a typical crowded bar. Me and my co workers got there around 4:30 and I liked that it wasn't crazy busy. The place is nice and service was good (we mostly ordered from the bar). I was not a fan of the food...we ordered the turf sliders (chicken, lamb, and beef), smoked bourbon bbq chicken wings, and loaded baked potato nuggets. The buns are everything when eating sliders/burgers and they were HARD. The wings were just mediocre and the potato nuggets were bland (even with the sauce). I only drank beer there and my co workers got wine. Some of them were disappointed with how much wine was poured in their glass (it wasn't much). Overall, the environment is pretty chill but the food could use some work.

    (3)

  • Jeanie M.

    This might be my new favorite place to go in Reston. Even though we've been meaning to go for years, we didn't get around to it until Friday night for Restaurant Week. I loved it so much that I went back for lunch on Sunday with another friend and ate leftovers from both experiences for dinner Sunday night. Yep. I'm a fan. :) I am in love with their Pintxos. We each tried 3 of them before our dinner and each one was delicious. I would go back just to order a bunch of those and have a couple glasses of wine. Some of the highlights from our meal were the Grilled Ribeye with Zinfindel sauce, the Mushroom Bisque, and the Arincini. I would eat all of those things again in a heartbeat but I can't wait to try other things. We'll be back for sure. And soon. Maybe even tonight. :D

    (4)

  • Julie G.

    Went to Vinifera for an after-work happy hour and won't be doing that again. The wine choices are fine, but not as extensive as I thought for a glass by glass menu which I understand, but seriously, the wine was all that was good about this place. Well.. that and the waitstaff. The appetizer list was interesting so we decided to get a few different things! Unfortunately, they all left a bit to be desired. The three dip appetizer was bland. No flavor at all in any one of the three. Nothing stood out and they pretty much went uneaten after a few tries. The one-serving appetizers a fun idea but the flavors didn't mesh at all. One of my co-workers was presented with "two dates and a boar" as announced by the server (which my friend described as the story of his life.) He said the flavors were just weird. The artichoke was ok, as were the fingerling potatoes from what I heard. I was finished tasting by the time we got around to them. The ambiance was that of a hotel bar. Nothing more. Nothing less. Not a wine bar atmosphere that I was expecting. Sorry, but won't be back again. Nice to see that meals were rated better by some of the diners and I hope management will rethink the happy hour foods based on this review so that others will be satisfied.

    (1)

  • River L.

    I came in with a friend to catch up and have a bite. We ordered a bottle of wine and a few apps. The bartender had very little knowledge of the wines and their wine list. The bartender (Young) was incredibly inattentive. We had to ask him over and over to pour another glass from our bottle that he kept in the cooler. He let us sit for way too long with dirty dishes in front of us. When some of his friends came in and sat next to us at the bar he perked up with them. The scallop appetizer was WAY too salty. The cheese board was underwhelming and skimpy. We won't be coming back.

    (1)

  • Michelle I.

    Service - 4 stars Food - 3.5 stars I came here for restaurant week with a group of friends. We ended up here because PassionFish didn't have any reservations available. The hostess sat us in one of their private rooms in the back. We felt like VIPs since we were the only ones dining in there. Melissa was our server, and she did a great job the entire night. She even gave us separate checks at the end of the night. The food was good, but nothing really impressed me. If you live in Reston or staying in a nearby hotel, Vinifera is a good backup for RTC restaurants. As for my meal.. First Course: Hawaiian Ahi Tuna Tartar with Lemon Oil, Toasted Pine Nuts & Lemon Oil This wasn't bad, I just wish there had been more of it! They only gave me two little bites (see picture). Second Course: Seared 1855 All Natural Angus Strip Loin Steak with Onion Marmalade & Zinfandel sauce) I enjoyed this dish. The marmalade and zin sauce were pretty tasty and went well with the steak. Only complaint is that I asked for medium-rare, but it seemed a little closer to medium. One of our friends had to return her steak because she ordered medium and got medium-rare. In hindsight, we probably should have just switched dishes. The dish also came with mashed potatoes. They were delicious - smooth and creamy, just the way I like it! Third Course: Chocolate Opus One with Pistachio Ice Cream & Berries I originally ordered the Creme Brulee, but they were out of Vanilla Bean and only had Blueberry. So I ended up switching to the Opus One, which was basically a chocolate cake. It was a miss. The cake seemed to be frozen, because it was hard to cut into. The cake was also not very moist. The ice cream and the bruleed bananas were the best thing on the plate.

    (3)

  • Becky C.

    Maybe 2.5 stars, but I couldn't give it a 3. The ambiance and service that I experienced were very good. Our waitress was friendly and knowledgeable about both the menu and the wine. The restaurant and bar are very pretty and the outside patio looked nice. It even had a fire pit! That being said, the food was so disappointing. I got three small plates. The scallop was good, but as another reviewer said, it was kind of salty. The Falafal was so dry and hard I could barely cut it. The Lamb Kafkta was completely bland. There was no seasoning on it whatsoever. I dined with a large group and no one seemed overwhelmed by their dish. I think it's a little pricey for the quality. I might go back for drinks, but not dinner.

    (2)

  • Lloyd W.

    Visited the restaurant for dinner with business associates and we had an excellent experience. Steak and seafood (Sea Bass) were both well prepared and served with tasty sides. Staff was attentive, knowledgeable and had personality...nice combination! Hotel restaurants get a bad rap but this one is a great option especially if you're staying at the Westin or Sheraton next door...why fight miserable traffic in an area you don't know? Next time I'm in the area I'll definitely return to the restaurant.

    (4)

  • Lee M.

    This review is for breakfast only. Unlike the hotel where this restaurant sits, my experience was subpar at best. It is my hunch that the executive chef of Vinifera has nothing to do with breakfast here and rather it is run by the Westin - since there is no mention of the breakfast menu on the Vinifera website. The menu looked pretty standard for a Westin restaurant. I went with the egg white omelette preparation except that I asked them to add ham to the omelette. This was noted as a healthy option on the menu - see below. My coffee came out in a dirty mug - took my server several minutes to come back to check on me - I got a clean mug this time and no milk/cream. It took another 5 minutes to get cream for my coffee. Since I was in a relative hurry, I asked the server to bring my check with my omelette. The omelette came out swimming in grease - I went through two cloth napkins in an attempt to rid my plate of the copious amounts of the oil/butter on my food. The ham, which was supposed to be in the omelette, was glistening on the side of my plate. Despite all of the culinary surgery I had to perform, it was barely edible. I didn't have time to wait for another entrée to be delivered, so I picked at it and paid for it later when my stomach was writhing about 90 minutes later. It took the server at least 15 minutes to come back and check on me and to take my credit card. Overall - greasy spoon quality food/service at highbrow prices. Not a fan.

    (2)

  • A. S.

    Had a pretty good dinner here Friday night. The restaurant is attached to a hotel and does have a bit of that 'hotel feel,' but for a quiet evening I prefer it to the craziness of the town center. The crab cake appetizer was awesome. The goat cheese and artichoke ravioli were also awesome, although I really couldn't taste the artichoke at all. My dessert sounded awesome--chocolate cake with caramelized bananas and pistachio ice cream--but was something of a disappointment. The ice cream was delicious, but the cake was flat and not very rich, and the banana was not as caramelized as I would have liked. My husband got the lamb, which was good, but his dessert was also a dud. He got the creme brulee, which was described by our waiter as having hints of tea and orange, but it tasted overwhelmingly of bitter orange rind, and neither of us liked it. So forget dessert here and instead just get your drink on. I got some sort of citrus martini, which was generously portioned and very well made, as well as two glasses of wine (steel-tank chardonnay with dinner and a moscato with dessert). My husband got a red wine flight. Service was great and overall I'd say this is a good place to go for a special occasion or date night. We'll probably go back sometime when the weather's nice to check out the outdoor seating.

    (4)

  • Beverly W.

    Waited a long time to try this place, only thing positive was the bartender at happy hour. I wondered why there was nobody in the Restaurant, then I knew after I ate there. I ordered the veal it was so overdone and set on top of beef stew (is what it tasted like). The salad tasted like it wasn't fresh at all and the balsamic dressing was so thick it was impossible. The waitress kept taking my full plates and never asked what was wrong. So on to desert, figuring you can't mess up desert, WRONG . The fresh berries tasted like they had been in the cooler uncovered for a week. I see the reviews that are posted and would have like to have the food experience that everyone else had.

    (1)

  • Glenn C.

    I've been hearing tons about Vinifera for several years now, but earlier tonight I finally got a chance to try it out personally. We went for Mother's Day and I'm happy to report that we'll be coming back many times in the future. Vinifera is essentially a refined tapas restaurant that places special emphasis on vino, and while that may seem like an odd combination, it works very well. Tucked away in the Westin Hotel right off Sunrise Valley, Vinifera completely belies it's "hotel restaurant" moniker, and is easily one of the best kept secrets in the Reston dining scene. The menu is split into two halves: the small plate selection and standard entrée list. The small plates are moderately priced, which allows any size group at any budget to order a few to share and experiment with dishes you might not otherwise. The main courses are few in number but all very well done (all three of ours were outstanding from first bite to last). I ordered the lamb chops and was completely blown away: a dish which I find that most restaurants don't get right, my three chops here were perfectly cooked and paired with an incredible burgundy sauce. The wine list is diverse and accessible- you won't find anything truly unique there, but what is present is more than capable of complementing your dinner. We ordered a rose and chardonnay, both of which were priced lower than I've seen in other local restaurants. Sufficed to say, we enjoyed both. Dessert was a joy, as well. I'm usually not that big on chocolate cakes and other like-minded confections, but Vinifera's "chocolate decadence" plate was delicious. Most of my ire when it comes to chocolate desserts is due to their overwhelming sweetness, but that was not an issue here: the dark chocolate fudge cake was perfectly rich and (not over-) sweet. While not the very best restaurant of it's class in the Reston/Fairfax area, Vinifera is absolutely worth a visit. As my family did this evening, you'll come to the conclusion that it will from now on be part of your regular dining rotation.

    (4)

  • Jennifer M.

    I was expecting a nice high-end place with food Gordon Ramsay-style if you know what I'm talking about. Vinifera is located on the first floor of the Westin hotel. Didn't know that and had to look for it by winding through the various buildings. Food was good, but not amazing. Wine was good, but not the best. Service was nice, but you could tell they were more into hanging out than remaining attentive while folks were wining and dining. Saw two couples and two businessmen. This place is more of an attempt to be high-end dining. Although it was rather fresh, my seafood paella didn't wow me. Sea bass was impressive looking, but I didn't try it.

    (3)

  • Sar Z.

    Tasty food, excellent birthday location! Helpful waitress amd prompt service. Very friendly.

    (4)

  • Robin F.

    After living in Reston for almost 9 years, my husband and I finally went to vinifera. There was a wedding reception the same night and even though we had a reservation we waited at least 20 minutes for our table. While waiting at the bar, as a consolation, the host offered us an appetizer on the house. It didn't arrive until after we sat down at our table. Service was slow but we did enjoy the food and wine. The kicker is, just as we were accepting the disappointment of the poor service and unfriendly waiter, our check arrived with the appetizer charge on it.....ugh. On our way out, we let the host know but he was too busy to do anything and we had a movie to catch.

    (2)

  • Bj L.

    I've been here several times now, having booked through Open Table. If you're budget conscious, try 'em during Restaurant Week--they have much of their menu accessible for that! They also have themed dinners where the cuisine is inspired by a locale (France, California, Australia, etc.) Quiet place, a little cool in temperature, maybe because ceilings are very high. Reeks of class and relaxation. In a dozen or so visits, have never seen kids, and it is always quiet and intimate, which can be a rarity. Staff to customer ratio is great and there are often more than one managers available. We went in early, ordered a fairly huge meal--6 drinks between 3 adults, 2 small plates as appetizers, one of our party ordered 4 small plates as her main, the other two diners had their main courses. Then came dessert, coffee and wine. There was a *very* small snafu. They had one order left of the veal, and my husband ordered it. However, another diner, for various reasons really wanted the veal. The waiter (Rob, who was WONDERFUL) asked if my husband might accept a substitution and in the same breath said he'd buy my husband his entree. No worries! Husband will have the veal next visit (TRUST ME there will be more visits!). At the end of the dinner, Rob informed us that they'd taken care of our entire meal. That is *unheard* of. Bar menu and all. I cannot tell you how impressed I am. Food wise...here are some impressions. I love that they have Pinxtos--basically amuse bouches. For a foodie like me, it encourages sampling. I've had the Harrisa Dusted Shrimp, Olive & Preserved Lemon, which was so smoky and tasty! Warm Fontina Brioche, Oven Dried Tomato & Chestnut Honey is creamy and the honey just makes everything melt together. The wild mushroom soup is so creamy and rich, Tuna tartare appetizer with lemon creme freche is AMAZING! It is served on little crusts of bread (think melba toast). I have this every time I can. As for mains, I've tried the paella. Now, I had some reservations about paella, as sometimes you get it with oodles of rice and a little meat, but this was the opposite, 2 shrimp, 2 huge scallops, chorizo all over the plate, two mussels, and a HUGE chicken breast. It was phenomenal. Minimal rice, but be aware this is a deconstructed version of a favorite and cooked to order. Seared Duck Breast wasn't to my taste to begin with, but oh, it perked up when microwaved the next day. Lamb chops remain my favorite entrée. They serve it with a potato stuffed with goat cheese, and a pomegranate sauce and fig reduction. The sweet and tart just work perfectly for me! Desserts can be a little hit or miss--their crème brulee is average, which, when the food is this high, is a little disappointing. If you order dessert--heck, whenever you order--ask them to suggest wine pairings. Two times now I've been recommended amazing choices--a Hungarian dessert wine and a chocolate merlot. They serve wine in two different sizes (4 and 6 oz I think) and have selections by the glass and an extensive by the bottle winelist. Service has been incredible. These folks are right there at your elbow before you even realize you're out of a drink. This is a fantastic, ideal place for a quiet night out, or for a special event. And foodies? You will be in your element here! I'll be back!

    (5)

  • Rebecca M.

    Exquisite food, beautiful wine list, in a beautiful setting--in RESTON! wow! Praises to the heirloom tomato salad and the lovely hawaiin tuna tartare!! I admit I'm a oenophile and the winelist drew me here. I had been a number of times before with a friend and ordered a huge Chateauneuf-du-Pape, which the staff kindly decanted until we could swirl and smell the complex yet focused spice pot that is the Southern Rhone Valley! OMG, I love Syrah alone, but temper it with Mouvedre, Grenache and Cinsault and it dances across your palate. To a non-wine lover, saying that the nose has a beautiful pepper pot mixed with a forest floor after a rain, and old leather would sound atrocious, but to those Rhone Rangers who love the lovely bouquet of layered aroma you get when you swirl and sniff and sip slowly, it really is divine. I'd also had a Left Bank Bordeau (love the Cab Sauv!) and a couple California varietals, all of which the staff served respectfully in decanter and proper bowled stems. I remember getting a few small noshes, but honestly cannot tell you what they were. Only that we ordered bits to highlight the beautiful full body (think heavy cream texture) and a couple fatty meats (lamb, duck, charcuterie) to complement the tannins which painted the inside of our mouths in lovely suede and velvet. Then I tried Sunday Brunch--Hallelujah! Nothing comes to mind that I really love more the fat, ripe heirloom tomatoes in July and August. When the weather is hot, I dream of Mr. Stripey, Zebra, Golden Beauties, and Purple Cherokees. They are a beautiful treat and the chef here uses local sustainable produce. The rich, full flavor, the juciness that just begs to be eaten over the sink, and the lovely acidity which makes these beauties the perfect food with almost any wine. Vinifera has a wide enough selection which I'm sure will delight anyone's tastebuds! I chose a light Sauvignon Blanc, but you wouldn't go wrong with any sparkler , Pinot Gris, or Riesling--pick the texture and fruit range you like. Just like any other great wine menu, you'll do better going with a friend (or two) and ordering a bottle. Wines by the glass are available but they are not the calibur you'll receive when you order a bottle. If you're looking for a bargain, try the Pintxos and pick a highly acidic white which will pair well across the board. But if you're looking for adventure, try dinner or Sunday brunch! Yummy!

    (5)

  • Claudia C.

    We loved the restaurant, the ambiance it's great and classy, bartender was awesome and the waiter was amazing and very knowledgeable of the menu. Kudos to the restaurant general manager for his great service and attention to details, we did note at the time if our reservation that it was our friend's birthday and they did had it in mind T the end of dinner. Btw.. Appetizers are to die for :)

    (5)

  • Selwa M.

    Awesome place... Great wine, delicious tapas! Good for business meetings or just gathering between friends. Give it a try !

    (5)

  • Fiona O.

    This review is predominantly inspired by the guy in charge of the wine. He's so friendly and helpful, even if you're a person (like me) who doesn't know much about wine and just likes trying flights that don't cost too much. I usually try not to eat in hotel restaurants, considering them a little unoriginal and overpriced, but after driving around all day, the idea of venturing back out into the sprawl of Reston seemed pretty unappealing, so I tried this place. While quite pricey, it's not unoriginal. They have a huge selection of small plates, including delicious venison and a flavorful watermelon salad. The risotto balls are also of course delicious and very cheap at $4. My heavy meal for two people with wine and dessert was $100 before tip.

    (4)

  • Lindagrace D.

    It's only a matter of time before this place blows up! The food is FANTASTIC, but whenever I go, the restaurant is always just half-full, if that. Located in the Westin Reston Heights, it's kind of tucked away, and doesn't probably get that much play because of where it is, not clearly visible from the main road. But trust, people, it is deeeee-licious. They have a concept kind of similar to tapas, where you get small plates of delicious goodness that only take two bites to eat. They are priced at $1 or $2 per plate. The risotto balls are delicious, crunchy and cheesy, served in fresh tomato sauce. As far as entrees are concerned, they have that too. My absolute favorite is the Paella, served with mussels, scallops, chorizo, and chicken. It is not like the stuff I had when I used to live in Espana, but it is delicious nonetheless! And I would order it again and again. This place is perfect for date night or a calm outing with friends. Every time I've been there, it's been quiet, low key, chill. I feel like I should be a little dressed up when I go, just because the restaurant looks very modern and upscale. All in all, it's definitely a hidden gem with fantastic fare!!

    (4)

  • K. K.

    So, this was a bit of a so-so experience. Honestly, I was expecting better. We both enjoyed a generously-poured wine flight and had some small plates and pintxos to start. The seared venison was great and the sardines were also good. The duck wontons were OK, but the sauce served with them was really salty. The calamari was also salty, though fresh. For entrees, my husband enjoyed his lamb chops, but my "medium" pork came out dry and overdone. And it was a HUGE hunk of meat wrapped in prosciutto. Just tough and terrible. Such a shame to waste a big cut like that. I sent it back, but given how large the cut was, it was going to take at least 10-15 minutes for another one to come out - and my husband's lamb was quickly going to room temperature. Instead, I asked for two small plates in lieu of my entree, hoping they'd come out quicker and we could actually eat together. The scallop was great. The pheasant cassoulet wasn't. We had the chocolate dessert, which was so-so. The best part was the pistachio ice cream served on the side. The check came, and the waitress declared "I went ahead and took the pork off the bill for you." Which I found super curious, since I sent it back after one bite - was there really an expectation that I was going to pay for something I didn't eat? No one came over to apologize for the error, and there was no offer to comp the small plates I ate in lieu of the massacred pork (those apps totaled $10). I think this place has the potential to be good, but honestly, they didn't do right by us.

    (2)

  • Kristin S.

    Vinifera Wine Bar and Bistro is the place I am always sure to visit while in Reston traveling for work! I have been dining at Vinifera since 2010 and always look forward to my meals and drinks, which are always enjoyed at the bar of the restaurant. The small plates are great and change on occasion. The Sea Bass is stellar and always a home-run dish. But outside of the great food, is the bartender Young who is the best of the best. Young is one of the best bartenders I have encountered throughout my business travels and it is always a pleasure to see him when in town! His service is top notch and his attention to me, my dining companions, and others at the bar is always on point and memorable. Speaking of- I am on my way to Reston today and excited to visit Vinifera and Young!

    (5)

  • Chris J.

    We ate here a few times over the course of a stay at the Westin and weren't impressed. The first morning, we walked in and the waitress told us the dining room was full, so seated us at a coffee table with a couch on either side. Not the easiest place to eat breakfast, but we dealt with it. We ordered and something as simple as blueberry smoothies took so long that she brought a strawberry smoothie out as an offering "on them." Not really sure why blueberry takes longer than strawberry, but whatever. I had granola and yogurt that was verygood. My friend had the oatmeal/banana brulee which was also good. My son ordered a bagel with butter - it came out with cream cheese and jelly, but no butter - so we had to ask for that. My other son ordered pancakes and the fruit plate, but instead of the fruits listed on the menu, he got a small bowl of berries - which he liked just fine. After we ordered, it took 45 minutes to get breakfast. While we sat at there at our coffee table, another family came in and were brought to a row of empty (real) tables we hadn't seen when we came in. I'm still not sure why they were able to sit there and we weren't, but despite coming in after we'd ordered, they were eating before we got our food. That night we ordered room service in my friends room while the kids watched a movie. Again, the food took 45 minutes to arrive. 2 cheeseburgers were fine. I got a charcuterie plate that was pretty good, except for the bread, which was toasted to the consistency of pumice. My friend ordered mushroom ravioli for his son - we should have suspected something was up from the low price, but what he got was a single ravioli. I realize now that Vinifera is a tapas bar, but nothing in the in-room dining menu indicates that. My friend got a bowl of mushroom soup and a chicken ceasar, but the chicken appeared to be breaded and fried chicken tenders. After dinner we ordered 3 bowls of ice cream for the kids. After clearing up some confusion caused by a comma missing between the names of the flavors as they were listed in the menu (it's Cherry Biscotti COMMA chocolate chip, not "Cherry Biscotti Chocolate Chip) the order was in - two chocolate, one chocolate chip. Forty five minutes later, we called down to find out what was up and were told that they were out out of cookie dough - which was kind of odd because we didn't order any. We cleared that up and they said they'd call back - and when they did they apologized that our order had been entirely overlooked. I told them to just forget the order but they said it would be on the house and up within 5 minutes. So, good. ok then. Now we're back on track. 4 minutes later there was a knock at the door and a man delivered 3 bowls each containing a scoop of ice cream roughly the size of a golf ball. I should stop here and again point out that we didn't realize that this is a "small plates" type of restaurant - because there's nothing anywhere that seems to indicate that. Sure, when you first look at the prices you might think "WOW! This is the most reasonable room service menu I've ever seen!". . . but there's a reason the prices are so low, I guess. I've never heard of ice cream coming in a "tapas" sized portion, but then, I've never been to Spain, so what do I know. The next morning we headed back down there for breakfast and this time the place was empty. We sat outside and a woman who appeared to be a manager or hostess was very attentive. I really enjoyed the granola and yogurt I'd had the previous morning so I ordered it again. My friend liked his oatmeal banana creme brulee, so he asked for that again but she told him they were out of bananas and offered raspberries instead. Good enough. The kids each got a bagel with fruit, but this time, when they ordered she asked if they wanted "a fruit plate or a bowl of berries." Ah. . .so it's a choice. When I got my breakfast, it was *entirely* different from the one I'd had the previous morning. Different yogurt. Different granola. Even a different bowl. When he got his "brulee," it was simply a bowl of oatmeal with 4 raspberries on top. No brulee. Even the kids pointed out that along with their bagels, the bowl of berries was different. . .even the little cup the butter was different. Not a big deal, but it shows there's a distinct lack of any well-established standards going on in the kitchen. But, oddly - through it all, while we were marvelling at how long things took and how everything was different day to day, there was a woman in chef's whites walking around the patio clipping herbs and trimming tomato plants and doing what seemed to be some planting of tomato trimmings. That's all well & good, but there are obviously some timing and quality issues that need to be worked out on the line before anyone is worried about trimming the basil out on the patio. It seems they're not seeing the forest for the trees.

    (2)

  • Christina J.

    Great location. Excellent wine selections. Great sommelier. Great food. We love this place.

    (5)

  • Niti C.

    Good ambience. Average food. We went during the restaurant week just to find that the menu except the entrées was average. I'm not coming back for dinner. Maybe to the bar for tapas.

    (3)

  • Keith W.

    I stay at the Westin in Reston on a regular cadence. I often grab dinner and drinks at the bar. I entertain customers, co-workers or just watch a game on the TV. The service is outstanding. The bartender named Young is extremely engaging and fun. He is quick and responsive. He also knows his sports - give him a Super Bowl Number and he will give you the teams and score. I also noticed that about half of the customers on any given night are not staying at the Westin. Young has built a following due to his great service and also includes great food and drinks! I highly recommend Vinifera on your next stay in Reston. Find Young and quiz him on Super Bowls to make sure he's not slipping.

    (5)

  • Patrick C.

    Went on a date here and the food and service were great. It says the restaurant closes at 10 but we had an 8pm reservation and had no problem staying until after 11. People are reasonably dressed up (blazer + nice jeans, nice dress) but the atmosphere is reasonably casual. Modern design gives the place a young vibe. I'll definitely go back.

    (4)

  • Lisa N.

    Vinifera (located in the Westin) was a little difficult to find because it is hidden from the main street. However, the interior is designed very nicely and comfortably. The food was good, but had nothing exceptionally special. It boasts all organic food, which is a plus. Only one server was working and there were about 7 tables on a Monday night, so service was pretty slow. It was a nice experience, but I will probably not return...

    (3)

  • Todd B.

    Went for a birthday dinner for 3 and were not disappointed. Ate about 2/3 of the left side of the menu. All the Pintxos (one bites) were great way to start dinner. We did a snake draft to make our choices among 3 of us. We moved to blending menu (small plates) and had a diverse selection. Two standouts were Arancini Risotto Balls and steamed littleneck clams. We also split the dip, one of the salads and even a ravioli main course which was perfect. We also liked that they had small desserts as well as regular desserts so we were able to sample three things without feeling too full. One big plus was that the menu gave us options to try different things and be adventurous without risking an unliked meal. Escargot, wild boar sausage, venison sausage, stuffed dates. Who knew that anyone at our table like them. One a final note, our server Melissa Y was awesome, She helped us manage the menu, took our orders in stages, and ensured that the food came out in stages so the table was never too full. big smile all night too. Will be back again. Brunch menu has us intrigued now as well.

    (5)

  • Yin X.

    Went there last Friday mainly because of restaurant week. There aren't that many places in Reston that participate in DC restaurant week but this is one of them! It is in the 1st floor of the Westin hotel so just look for the hotel as the restaurant itself is very hard to spot from the road. The inside of the restaurant is decorated very nicely and would be a great place to have a business lunch. Now getting to the food, I started off with a roasted beet salad with passion fruit vinaigrette. I usually don't like beets but this was fairly tasty, the sweetness and sourness of the passion fruit went very well with the greens and beets. Next was the main entree which was the pan seared Sea Bass. The fish is quite thick and literally melts in your mouth. The thing only was it was a little too salty on the bottom. Lastly was dessert (apple crisp), which I didn't care too much for. Overall, the meal was very good, the Sea Bass by itself is worth checking the place out. We did the restaurant week menu so the entire bill was only $20 per person. The Sea Bass by itself is usually $24 and I would definitely pay that for such a delicious piece of fish. One thing we didn't try though was the wine selection. I'll be sure to try the wines my next trip.

    (4)

  • Dawn A.

    Went there for a company social event. I was excited that the bartender was able to get me some hot tea. More importantly, the tea was loose leaf - score 3 for the wine bar and bistro. We only had finger foods and I can't really provide a good rating on this as most were meat and I don't eat meat. I was only able to taste the cheese and fruit and why provide details on that - as who can go wrong. I will say that while eating, I saw something on my plate which caused me to HALT all consumption of EVERYTHING. Parking is plentiful and the workers are all gems.

    (3)

  • Sarah S.

    The atmosphere is inviting and modern. Not so impressed with the food or service, though. The appetizers were good, but the entrees; not so much. The Artichoke and Goat Cheese Ravioli was dry and overly salty; the Red Snapper over cooked and dry; the paella salty. After dinner, everyone ordered dessert, of which some arrived 20 minutes later (ice cream-nothing that needed to be cooked), only after we asked about the orders. The dessert items that did have to be cooked arrived 5-10 minutes after the ice cream. After a not so great experience, and mentioning it directly to the maitre'de, it stung all the more to have an 18% gratuity automatically added to our bill. Really?!?

    (2)

  • Dane C.

    Had lunch here during Restaurant Week. The servers were fine but never smiled. Only a few tables were occupied allowing us to converse without the deafening sound of Fri lunch crowds. Mushroom Bisque: I started my meal with something savory which the alternative salad wasn't. The soup was creamy, warm, and well seasoned but started congealing towards the last bites. Barramundi with rice. The fish had a perfectly lightly seared crust, flaky, & paired well with the red & green chili sauce. Apple Crisp: 2 baked apples stuffed with sauteed apples? It required a knife to cut each bite making it messy & hard to eat. The dessert was also extremely sweet & caked with cinnamon. The vanilla ice cream accompanying it tasted better. Will go again.

    (4)

  • Ji Y.

    I usually go here for breakfast when I'm staying at the Westin. It is a nice restaurant and the breakfast food is very fresh. I usually end up getting their all american breakfast. Smoothies are good as well and their fruit plates are very fresh. Overall, this restaurant is excellent to go grab a bite if you're staying at the Westin Hotel.

    (4)

  • Lynn S.

    Although the dining room was rather cold and businesslike we were undetered. We wanted to try this restaurant in the newest hotel in Reston, barely 15 minutes from Dulles Airport. For people who enjoy socializing after work, it does have a substantial bar which looks like a good place with the potential to be a major gathering spot. The restaurant gradually filled with a variety of hotel guests, but we did not have to wait at all, arriving just after noon. We tried the wild mushroom soup appetizer and rockfish entree, both of which were beautifully served and prepared. I would recommend both. Now the sad news: The colorful Mediterranean Salad arrived bathed in the oil/vinegar/wine dressing and tasted excessively salty. (Inexplicably, it was served with salted pita chips). I gave it a try, doubting my tastebuds could be accurate. Eventually, there was enough salt to initiate a headache. I could not finish it. To the credit of the maitre d' I was offered a replacement, but did not want to start over. He removed it from our bill, appropriately. My assessment is that this restaurant has potential, but needs fine tuning. Their primary parking area, which is under the entrance to the restaurant and hotel could use some signage. Obviously, this time the chef wasn't monitoring everything that came out of his kitchen. The lesson is, never hesitate to send something questionable back to the kitchen... Still, I couldn't help wondering: What would Chef Ramsey say?

    (3)

  • Maggie E.

    On a Friday night in a nearly empty restaurant we waited 5 minutes before anyone even came to the hostess stand. Then we waited roughly another 10 minutes to be greeted by the waitress. She was nice but obviously not the speediest. Another 10 minutes for the overpriced wine after we ordered it. We chose a multitude of small plates: duck wontons, lamb kafta, risotto balls, tuna tartare..all were just OK. 10-15 more minutes of waiting for the waitress to return so we could order round two (as we let her know we would be doing): butternut squash soup, eggplant dip, and finally poached pear (dessert) were the highlights. Another highlight was the bartender (who we could hear on the opposite side of the restaurant) shouting expletives at the football game. We live less than 10 minutes away and will NOT be back.

    (2)

  • Shannon P.

    If you're planning to go to Reston Town Center, come here instead!! Situated in the Westin Hotel, Vinifera is truly a gem of a place nicely located near Reston Town Center but without the hustle and bustle of Town Center. It may seem odd to choose to go to a hotel for dinner when there are so many other choices nearby. Let that thought go my friend, you will not regret choosing this establishment! This upscale restaurant is beautifully decorated with modern decor, which fits right in with what you've come to expect for a Westin Hotel. Vinifera has recently changed to new management and what a difference that has made! We went a year ago and it was good but not great and we thought overpriced for what you got. Our most recent experience last week was the complete opposite, however. Everything was wonderful!! We were fortunate enough to sit outside on a lovely evening and actually had the whole patio to ourselves. Our server, Dawn was spectacular and incredibly attentive and on top of everything that our large party requested. I was impressed yet a tad overwhelmed with their extensive wine list, so Ryan, the new manager and sommelier was eager to help us make some selections. He was quite knowlegeable about each of the wines, making our decision making a bit easier. I love that they offer 4oz or 6oz pours, so you can try a few more things! The food menu is exquisite. Our large party varied from carnivores to pescatarians and the menu did not disappoint! For apps we all shared the risotto balls (I have to admit, I wanted for the name alone, but they were super good!), cheese board with fresh fruit, crab cakes served over butternut squash puree (yum), gazpacho, watermelon salad with both red and yellow watermelon, and their special flatbread - hawaiian peach. Every appetizer was absolutely delicious! With semi full bellys, we were all a little unsure as to how we could possibly eat entrees....however once they arrived, this was no longer an issue. Everything was so good and going down very easily! For entrees, everyone in our party had something different so we really got to see and try many choices. I had the sesame seared ahi tuna served with passion fruit rice cake and bok choy. It was superb! Others got the seabass, grilled shrimp & scallops, seared maple leaf duck breast, and grilled lamb chops. One small attention to detail that I happen to love is that with each entree choice, there's a suggested wine pairing that they offer by the glass. This really takes the stress out of deciding what to order to pair perfectly. Certainly other options work too, but this is a fun way to try something that you might not otherwise... We could not have been happier with our food and wine nirvana evening. I'd highly recommend it if you're in the Reson area!

    (5)

  • Simplehiccup D.

    We enjoyed the experience. We took our mom there for her birthday and had the best time! The food was fun and different. Something for everyone. We like their $1 bites. Mom and I had the 'shroom ravioli with the friend sage leaf on top-delicious! Hubby had the lamb and declared it: "tasty!" Excellent sommelier service on wine pairings and let us taste whatever we wanted before deciding on the bottle for the table. It was slightly noisy in there, but that could be because a group of gals in the corner were way past their two-drink minimum and were really enjoying themselves at high volumes. It's all good, I guess. Kind of on the expensive side for a full-blown celebratory meal (apps, wine and dessert), but hubby and I enjoy coming in here after work for a glass of wine and some of the dollar bites.

    (4)

  • Annie N.

    Went for a drink with a friend. Best part of the evening was the bartender, Young. He knew his wines and was wonderful with his recommendations. He recommended the appetizers and the wines that would best complement the food. Would totally return for the great customer service and friendly bartender.

    (5)

  • MATTHEW E.

    I went to Vinifera for a Christmas party in December. Food and service were both top notch, and the wine selection was outstanding. Like others have said, it's a bit pricey but nothing worse than you'd find in Downtown DC. The New York Strip I had came with crisped scallions, which added great texture to the meat 'n' taters . . . such an easy thing to do, frying scallions - don't understand why I rarely see it done. Staff was great - as my dinner table got a bit rowdier as the evening went on, they remained unruffled and friendly.

    (4)

  • Tom M.

    Just had dinner here and it all makes sense now. The only reason to be here or in at the Westin in Reston, VA is for business (expense account) and the only nearby dining options are vending machines (captive clientele) the food sucks. Had paella yesterday -- salty. Had the NY steak tonight -- salty and tough with flavorless sides. I cannot believe I ate here twice in two days. On the upside, the drinks are good and large - my gin Gibson was 8 ounces. Too bad it didn't help make the food more palatable.

    (1)

  • Dean L.

    I would have given a 0 but it won't let me we were the first people to be seated then 7 other tables were seated. All got bread appetizers wine and orders taken we got nothing but waited 40 min for tap water

    (1)

  • Kristin D.

    For the price of this place, I would have expected better quality food. We came here for date night. It seemed like everything we chose to eat was filled with butter or cream, but not what we intended. We ordered the lobster spring roll, which I think was the best item of the evening. Also got the crab brulee, which tasted like mayonnaise with small pieces of shredded crab. Couldn't even finish it as I wanted to save room for the meal. I ended up getting the sea bass with risotto. The sea bass was cooked perfectly, but flavorless. The risotto was full of cream and butter. I was hoping that they'd use more fresh ingredients and retain the integrity of them rather than coat them with something. I would go back only for an appetizer and a glass of wine. Definitely not a meal.

    (1)

  • Joseph D.

    I visited Vinifera with my best friend, his parents and sister for his 30th birthday dinner on Friday 6/15. The staff at Vinifera was extremely accomodating when it came to organizing our unique experiene. I had purchased a bottle of Bordeaux wine from my friend's birth year (1982) from Chateau Gruaud Larose and was interested in having the bottle opened and poured by an experienced sommelier so we would get the most out of this very special bottle of wine. Ryan, a sommelier and manager at Vinifera, and Mel, our server, went above and beyond when it came to facilitating our request. Our party had an 8:00 dinner reservation on the back patio underneath the trellis. When we arrived, Ryan and our server Mel had our table set for us and ready for us to begin our experience. Ryan had set up a side table next to our main table as a staging area for opening and prepping the wine we brought. He showed such great care and expertise while opening and pouring the 30 year old Bordeaux. Our party ordered the cheese board appetizer to enjoy before and during our tasting of the Bordeaux. After about 5 minutes of pulling out the cork and decanting the wine over candlelight to ensure minimal sediment made its way into our glasses, Ryan began to give us a mini crash course on the Bordeaux wine region in general, it was very educational and made us appreciate the wine we had brought even more. Ryan went on to explain the year, 1982 was one of the best vintages from Bordeaux in the 20th century. He guided us through a proper tasting of the wine where we examined the color of the wine first, then the nose/aroma, and finally tasting the wine where we all contributed feedback about the different qualities we tasted in the wine. Overall the wine was a fantastic choice to celebrate my best friend's birthday, even though the wine very well could have aged for another 10-20 years easily. Ryan was also able to recommend a second bottle of wine for us to enjoy during the rest of our meal, a very nice bottle of Zinfandel from California. Mel was an excellent server and was very attentive to our needs during our dining experience. She was very professional, but had a refreshing/fun/friendly demeanor. Overall she did an excellent job as well. My paella was very good and from what I heard everyone elses entrees were very nicely prepared. I was going to choose a more expensive, restaurant with an excellent reputation in Old Town Alexandria for this special evening, but I decided to give Vinifera a chance and I'm glad I did. Every member of the staff we dealt with, especially Ryan, made this a wonderful night to remember. I would highly recommend Vinifera to anyone who is curious about dining here. I will definitely be back! Thank you for a very special evening Ryan and Mel!

    (5)

  • My-phuong N.

    Delicious small plates and wine parings. Great service as well.

    (5)

  • Stephanie H.

    Kudos to the staff ! Our waitress was accommodating... This little boy sitting next to my table was telling our waitress how he loved the hotel and didn't want to leave. That made my day! BF and I were here for a quick Sunday Brunch before some afternoon activity at the hotel ... its a perfect setting to chillax. I was going to sit at the patio to soak up the sun but weather was a little too hot out. Food was good - I had smoked salmon on bagel crisps while BF had a full breakkie (eggs, toast, hash, sausages, grilled tomatoes). The portions were extremely generous ( I literally had 10 pieces of beautifully smoked salmon on my plate)... Prices very reasonable.

    (4)

  • Betsy G.

    Great Sunday brunch - yummy food, service, comfortable furniture, and lovely surroundings! I found this spot via OpenTable.com while looking for a nice Sunday brunch location at the last minute. I wasn't familiar with the area and it turns out, if you aren't staying at the Westin, it's pretty challenging to find. On the plus side, the hotel wasn't very crowded so the restaurant was pretty empty! The generous platter of breakfast breads for the table was fresh and fantastic. The coffee (as reported by my coffee-drinking companions) was surprisingly good. The tasty blueberry and honey shooter was in a martini sized V-bowl sitting on ice - unusual, sweet, and delish. For the entrees, the Huevos Rancheros was spicy, yummy, and my eggs were cooked exactly as ordered. Jack Stack Pancakes turned out to be both crispy and moist with savory breakfast meats. The soft roll omelet was perfectly cooked, even though they didn't have all the listed ingredients available that morning. Overall, the meal was lovely, unhurried, and delicious. We had time to linger after the meal and saw many of our favorite wines in the display cases. Although it's not very convenient to where I live, we will probably make the trip to try dinner since the menu looks interesting and I already know how much I like the place in general. Extra thumbs up! New info 7/6/2010 - I returned for a second visit on a holiday (Monday 7/5) and found that the regular breakfast is NOTHING like the yummy Sunday brunch menu. The regular eggs and toast menu is run of the mill expensive unremarkable hotel food.

    (4)

  • Kaitlin P.

    We left here and were WOWed! We walked out the door and said wow over and over again. It was our anniversary which they knew and they treated us to a nice dinner with champagne and desert which was truly a treat. We both got wine by the glass and enjoyed what we bought. The tapas style appetizers were fun and reasonably priced so you could order a few without feeling like you were paying an arm and a leg. I got the artichoke ravioli for dinner and loved it. It really was delicious. My husband got the new your strip and was pleasantly surprised. We both got desserts and loved them. The mini ice cream cones were a nice touch and my dark chocolate was great. Although I could have used a little more cake. We would have given 5 stars except for the fact that services seemed slightly disorganized. Everyone was friendly and helpful, but not always attentive and seemed confused about attending to our table. We will definitely make a return!

    (4)

  • Beth N.

    An oasis of savory quietude in a sea of otherwise noisy options offered in the Reston Town Center area..Vinifera is tucked away in the Westin about a mile away. We didn't find it right away, but when we did, it was a gem. The menu of small plates is extensive and well priced from $1-7per plate, most averaging around $2-3. Great for sharing. My colleague and I chose the chilled pea soup, calamari, spanish tortilla, watermelon salad, lamb pinxto, scallop pinxto ( Pinxto is the basque word for tapas) and a bunch of other tasty morsels, all lovely. She had a flight of reds and did a flight of whites. We shared everything and even though the portions were small, we had no room for dessert. My only tiny critique is that they could have slowed the service a tad so that we didn't have so many plates on the small table at once.. that said, it was really fun and the service staff was great. The ambience is adult, chill and understated, allowing the food to be the focus.They also have a menu of regular entree sized portions if you want a regular dinner. Highly recommended.

    (5)

  • Gil N.

    My fiancee and I discovered Vinifera as we were looking at the Westin to accommodate our wedding guests. We were pleasantly surprised to find a somewhat upscale, relaxed and inviting atmosphere so close to our home. The bartenders here are very friendly, and the waitstaff are quite helpful with answers and suggestions. The wine selection is tremendous -- though we hope they'll offer more Italian reds by the glass. Above all, the food is wonderful -- we particularly enjoy: the cheese board (the fig jam is a nice, sweet touch); the Tapenade, Hummus, Avocado Mousse; and the Arancini Risotto Balls are nice and creamy. For main courses: the free range roasted chicken is tender and moist; and the pan roasted sea bass with wild mushroom risotto melts in your mouth. In any event, we have become "regulars" at Vinifera because the food and drinks are excellent, and above all, the atmosphere is much more relaxed than the loud chaos at similar restaurants in the Reston Town Center. If you're looking for a nice, quiet romantic evening for two (particularly on weekends), or a good dinner with friends along with decent wine and good beer... Vinifera is definitely worth checking out. We think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

    (4)

  • Dave K.

    I flew in last night, arriving around 9 PM and wanted a drink, some bar food, and to watch the US Open on TV. Vinifera appears to be the (as in, the only) hotel bar at the Westin, so I popped in. The decor is nice and very Westin (dark woods, low tables, chique, Euro). The bartender was nice enough. Overall, I'd have given it a four, except for a few problems. (1) The bar food isn't bar food. It's all gourmet-y type stuff from the adjacent restaurant. Fancy crab cakes and mushroom bisque and lamb chops and such. No burgers, fish and chips, sandwiches, etc. Nothing resembling bar food. (2) The mushroom bisque was very good but it was kinda cold and the person who designed the chique tiny spoons they use has most certainly never attempted to eat a bowl of soup with one. (3) The bar closes at 11 PM. Wow. Am I in Hicksville or suburban Washington? (4) They don't actually understand wine which, for a wine bar, is bad. The $18/glass Chorey-Les-Beaune was listed under "pinot noir" (OK, it is) simply under the producer's name Michel Gay & Fils. Had I not seen the bottle, I'd never have known it was there. And it was good, if pricey.

    (3)

  • Ami G.

    Amazing food! Consistently good and nice ambiance. Good for sitting outside in warmer months.

    (5)

  • Anthony M.

    Wow, finally a hotel restaurant that doesn't feel like a hotel restaurant. Great food, great ambiance, and friendly and attentive wait staff. Prices are a little expensive, with all main dishes from $20-$30. Wine around $10-15 a glass.

    (3)

  • Julia H.

    Located within the Westin Hotel in Reston, Vinifera was easy to find. The restaurant has a very chic decor. The lighting is soft and dim with a warm yet dark color scheme. We were seated toward the back of the restaurant, and I sat on the bench surrounded by pillows. This allowed a normally uncomfortable bench to be soft and cushioning my back. Upon arrival, we were greeted promptly. We sat down, and ordered a tasting of white wine with our appetizer. Our appetizer came out before the white wine unfortunately. After mentioning this to the waitress, and canceling our white wine flight, the filght was brought out on the house, in tandem with the red wine flight we ordered to taste before our main course. Our appetizers were fantastic. I ordered the sea scallops and my dining companion ordered the crab cake. We were both impressed, the scallops were perfectly seared - and the taste was amazing. slightly sweet from the sear, and the accompanying parsnip puree was light and complimented the scallop. The taste I had of the crab cake was also well done, with large amounts of lump crab meat and light seasoning. We were pleased with the white wines we tasted, and I did go on to pick a bottle of one of them up later. After trying the red wines, we allowed them to sit and tried them 20 minutes later. This proved a good decision, as the Malbec opened up perfectly (and I'm sorry to say, I forgot the name!). After tasting the reds, I opened up the wine menu and started to peruse. The 2005 Faust Cabernet Sauvignon caught my eye, and I was given the go-ahead by my dining companion to order the wine. I had tasted Faust before, and I adore this Cabernet. Within a minute of placing the order with our waitress, the General Manager of the restaurant (who is also the sommelier) visited our table to discuss our selection. He personally opened the bottle, and decanted the Cabernet for us. True to the wine, it was perfect. I had ordered the free range chicken breast, and was astounded by how much flavor a simple dish could provide. I loved it, from the crispy chicken skin to the very juicy meat. The wine paired perfectly with the chicken, surprising me. The wine enhanced my dining partners NY Strip as well. Unfortunately for me, he ate all of it before I was able to arrange a bite-for-bite-swap! I'd definitely recommend this wine bar, we were able to order a great bottle of wine (fantastic selection), we had a surprisingly good meal, and were able to catch up for two hours. What more could you want in a cozy-chic restaurant?

    (4)

  • Susan L.

    Excellent service, food, and pleasant atmosphere. Will definitely go back. The 2007 Patton Valley Pinot Noir was superb. I found it to be just as good an experience as Restaurant Eve and a lot less of a dent in our wallet.

    (5)

  • Sheila T.

    the food here was absolutely excellent and reasonably priced for the quality. They have about a dozen small plates - I had some of the best fried calamari I have ever had - and some fun "bites" most for a dollar, with unique combination. Artisan cheeses are featured on the menu as well. A roasted beet salad was fabulous. The goat cheese and artichoke ravioli in a lemony sauce was very good, but I was too full to eat. I would have given this 5 stars but the wine was over-priced for the quantity that was poured - really did not seem as if 6 ozs was served.

    (4)

  • Adam P.

    I had high expectations for Vinifera Wine Bar. I arrived about 30 minutes before my reservation and sat at the bar. The overall decor of the place is modern, but cold. After a glass of red wine my date (my wife) arrived and we were seated. For a Thursday night, you definitely don't need a reservation. We shared a salad, which was probably the highlight of the food. My main course was okay, it was rather salty. For a $28 entree I expected more flavor other than salt. The service wasn't that attentive. I sat a good 30 minutes without having my water filled. I looked for the waiter, but since the place was empty I didn't want to have to get out seat to track him down. Overall it's a decent spot. Wine selection is lengthy and expensive. Food was plain and not really impressive. I'd be curious to see this place Friday night if they had a happy hour. I don't plan on visiting Vinifera again any time soon. Stinks, I really did have high hopes.

    (2)

  • Amanda B.

    The husband and I stopped here on our way back from Dulles Airport one Friday night. He had been gone for work all week, so we wanted a place where we could talk, drink some wine, and eat some tasty food. We got two out of three, so I am calling this place A-OK. The location is not bad and is easy to get to. Parking is not bad. When we arrived around 9p, it was absolutely dead. There were maybe four other tables of people and it was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. Despite the lack of customers, it took our waitress almost twenty minutes to even ask us for a drink order. Since the husband and I had not seen each other in five days, we were more than happy to wait and just catch up. However, I can see how waiting twenty minutes for just a drink order could be annoying in other situations. We ordered a bottle of rose wine on the recommendation of the waitress and it was a good choice. Price was reasonable. Waitress was friendly when she was able to make it to our table. We ordered dinner and I have to say that I was really disappointed. One of the sauces that came with my meal had zero taste and my crab cake was...weird. Not bad, not good. Just weird. Husband ate all of his meal mostly because he was starving, but I do not think we would go back for food again. It was very pricy for Reston and the food was just not worth what we ended up paying for it. However, I can recommend this place for a quiet place to talk and to have a good bottle of wine.

    (3)

  • Daniel A.

    This is a great addition to the Reston area. It's nice b/c it' give you other options of lounging and relaxing instead of the usually crowded town center. Although I don't live in this area, I would definitely go again. Very good wine selection and good happy hour items (although i don't remember what they were). I was there in the winter but there appeared to be a really good outdoor seating area which I look forward to checking out.

    (4)

  • Jeff M.

    The food was average but expensive. The wine list was long but lacked choices from some excellent wine regions such as Paso Robles and Santa Barbara County. Wines by the glass were expensive. I live in wine country, that may have influenced my critique. I expected a bit more for the accolades it has received.

    (2)

  • Kenneth O.

    Did you know that every state in the U.S. produces wine? Yup, all 50 of them. Which probably means, all 50 states should also have at least one good wine bar. When you're lucky enough to live, shop and drink in California like me, you tend to forget that wine is growing in popularity outside of the state that boasts Napa, Sonoma, Santa Ynez and Paso Robles. So when I traveled to the D.C. area for Thanksgiving, I didn't have the highest expectations for one of the few authentic wine bars that I found. Especially one inside a Westin hotel, for that matter. But I was impressed by the coziness, cuisine, and collection of Vinifera Wine Bar in Reston, Virginia. If you're there to people-watch, you may be disappointed, but if you're looking to have a very peaceful conversation with a bit of a scene, then this is the right place. The place was so empty the night I took my date, it almost felt like we were sitting in the soft sofas of an upscale living room. We ordered the best gem-for-the-value that I spotted on the wine list...a Chateau Montalena Zinfandel (ahem...for you east coasters, that's a red wine here in California!). The late-night bar menu was much more gourmet and tasty than just the typical bar sampling of wings, sliders, and calamari. The service from start-to-finish was friendly and patient--in light of the fact that we were the last customers on a near-empty Black Friday of Thanksgiving weekend. Being somewhat familiar with retail wine prices, I would recommend a bottle over wines-by-the-glass; best deals are in Syrahs, Zinfandels, and non-Chardonnay whites. Yes, Virginia...there is a real wine bar to be found this holiday season. (And if you have any other wine bars in the area to recommend, let me know so I can try them on my next visit to DC/MD/VA.

    (4)

  • Alex Z.

    We come here monthly for business meetings. Usually good service and atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Robyn B.

    Enjoyed a wonderful evening on their outside patio during restaurant week - both the patio and the reduced prices made the evening a real treat! The selections of the menu were well thought out so there was a good variety. We each chose a different dish to try and overall they were good. The steak had a sauce that did not bring out the best flavors of the steak, but the meat was tender. They make their paella dish on order so they were able to remove the mussels from the dish for us and it was really good. The wine list is extensive but not overwhelming.

    (4)

  • Erin G.

    Of course since it is the Westin, the decor is nice, Euro-lounge type and the patio is nice. My friend and I have gone a few times and I have certainly seen some improvements. When we first started going there, it was hard to get any service. After working in the industry, I know that an empty restaurant=bored servers, which equals bad service. My friend and I always sat at the bar because you have a much better chance of getting a refill on whatever you are drinking. There are very few vegetarian options but the chef has always been nice enough to make up a vegetable risotto or a vegetable pasta dish for me. Also, their soups, as delicious as they sound, are all chicken broth based. The last time I was there, probably 2 months ago, we sat outside on the patio and our server was very attentive and we had extended conversations with her as well as the manager. I see that they are making progress and truly hope that they get more of a local crowd. However, they need more quality bar food other than a cheese platter!

    (3)

  • David W.

    A nice upscale addition to the Reston dining scene. Vinefera is located across the toll road from town center in the new Westin hotel. They have a shuttle van that will run you back and forth from town center. One upside to the location is that you do not have the town center mob scene and the attendant high volume dining experience. The architecture is very open and modern with huge glass walls and lots of medium dark wood complemented with nice lighting accents and comfortable chairs. One downside is that the view from the largest glass wall is the side of an adjacent condo tower. The wine list is good with an unusually large number of by the glass offerings. Be sure to ask if anything is open besides what is listed. Our waitress was very knowledgeable about the wines being served and suggested some reasonably priced wines that I would not have tried otherwise. All of these ended up being quite good and paired well with the food. Thankfully the menu is short with only 5 or 6 appetizers and entrees to choose from. The portions are reasonably sized, well prepared and fairly expensive. On Friday nights they have live music. In summary a nice relaxed place to have a glass of wine as well as a good place for an expensive meal.

    (4)

  • Mike M.

    My wife and I stopped in there last night for some apps and wine. We were excited about trying this place mainly because we need a few good wine bars out here in the suburbs. What we experienced left us disappointed. While the space was attractive - nice textures and colors, cool lounge area, really nice looking bar - it seemed a little cold and uninviting. There was no "cozy" feel to it our table or the other areas around. Frankly, my chair was pretty uncomfortable, the table was wobbly, and the banquette seemed to lack that welcoming feel. The lighting was too bright to the point that it was almost harsh. Our server was nice enough, but not very polished. She didn't know the wine list very well, didn't know what the bar had and was pretty slow. It took over 10 minutes to get our drinks, and there wasn't nearly a full house. It could have been the bartenders fault, but there really was no good reason for it. We ordered two apps - a trio of spreads (hummus, tapenade, and an avocado mousse) and some risotto balls supposedly stuffed with goat cheese. Bleh! The hummus was very salty but had a nice nutty taste and texture. I usually like hummus smoother and creamier, but I liked this texture (not so much the salt). The tapenade was okay, again overly salted for an already salty food. The avocado mousse was awesome - hands down the best. What was a real bummer was the assortment of bread and pita we got; the pita was stale and the crostini was completely over-toasted. Both really took away from the tastes we were supposed to be enjoying. The risotto balls were very bland. The beet-balsamic reduction did nothing for them and even dried up after a few minutes. What a shame! The idea was good... Our drinks were better. My wife had a flight of "old world" reds. I didn't know Australia was old world. The selections were good, but I'd like to see more flights that show some creativity. My martini had bruised olives but was otherwise well put together. We then each had two really good glasses of wine - one pinot noir and a nice cab. I really liked the bottle selection here, but I'd like to see a better by the glass list. Bottom line: I'll try Vinifera again, maybe for HH, but I'd hesitate going back there to dine.

    (2)

  • Johnson H.

    Wonderful! Good food, service, decor and company. What else do you need from a dining experience? =)

    (4)

  • Robin T.

    I really enjoy this restaurant, despite my innate suspicion of hotel-based restaurants in the DC area. I have been there several times and the food is delicious and the staff is friendly. For starters, the tuna tartare with lemon oil and pine nuts is fresh and delicious. I get it every time and I am never disappointed. Every bite is heaven. The Pan Roasted Sea Bass with Lemon Olive Oil, Artichoke Risotto, Wilted Spinach and Micro Greens is incredible. Everything on the plate pairs well with each other. The sea bass is buttery and decadent. The portion size is generous but not ridiculously huge (in other words, perfect). The Grilled Lamb Chops with Pomegranate Sauce, Goat Cheese Roasted Potatoes and Fig Marmalade is also incredibly good. The lamb is juicy and flavorful and was made exactly to my order. The goat cheese in the potatoes is creamy and tart and not too overwhelming. The sauce is a great compliment. I love it! Can't wait to go back again.

    (5)

  • Chris T.

    I've only been to Vinifera twice, but both times were outstanding. We went for drinks and appetizers. The cocktails are top notch. But the small plates are what really sets Vinifera apart. You have to try the pintxos. These tiny single bite apps are delicious and creative and fun to experiment with. Also had a great Monocacy Ash cheese as part of a small cheese plate. Need to go back for a real dinner some time.

    (4)

  • Catherine B.

    WOW Reston has an alternative to Passion Fish. Went here this evening to celebrate b'day's and anniversaries and were not disappointed. We ordered a bottle of Dom and were served many complimentary appetizers/sliders/charcuterie plate. Then went into dinner. My sweetie had the paella, our dinner companions had the lamb rack and the ahi tuna while I had the crispy barramundi. Every meal was exceptional and the service was outstanding.

    (5)

  • Yvonne S.

    I was staying at the hotel so the first time I ate here was out of convenience. The next two times was out of choice! It has been my experience that hotel restaurants are never good because they don't have to be. I found Vinifera so good that if I lived in the area, I would come here for sure. It has a very modern, casual atmosphere with lots of comfy places to sit and relax. Sofas and overstuffed chairs, a bar and a dining area. There is even a nice outdoor area and one night we sat around a fire pit and drank some wine. They have a delicious wild mushroom soup that was crazy good and the small bites, which are served on bamboo skewers were all delicious. I tried five of those and they were cheap, $1-$2 each. For dessert, the apple crisp is wonderful, but the creme brulee was on the dry side and they burnt the sugar (I mean black) on top. Overall, good, fresh food and relaxing atmosphere. A great place to come for drinks and unwind.

    (4)

  • Tammy S.

    We met some business partners here for a basic happy hour gathering, and had a great time. The bartender was awesome, but I have to admit he was friends with my work colleague. We received tastings of both wine and food, and were well taken care of. Besides this, the atmosphere is modern and upscale, and the appetizers and wine we shared were fabulous. I would come here again, and next time I'll try a sit down dinner.

    (4)

  • Denise H.

    Saturday night: plenty of seating. And, more of a casual environment I thought. Could dress up or down though. Took one of the reviews on here as a guide for a drink - that was a mistake. The martini - FYI - is a regular sized martini. It's not a double sized glass. (I asked my 3 other girlfriends in the event I just prefer a giant glass and they assured me it was a regular sized glass). I guess since it's a wine bar you should order wine. You know what you are getting, BUT, some of that wasn't great and it's highly priced, or regularly priced for a higher priced hotel. Depends on your opinion. A martini with 2 (stoli and chambord) was $10. Get the drink in a regular glass (same amount of liquor) and it was $6. (I do this to see if they mark up for a glass). A nice glass of Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc ($11) was pretty refreshing. A few others had some reds... they weren't good, didn't even smell good. Appetizers... hmmm, tasty, but small. I get tired of restaurants like that though. Charge a lot, make a pretty plate, and get a small taco and olive on it. Anyway - got flatbread pizza - that was really good - but not a lot. We ordered two and the bartender was like - you want another? I'm like you gave us 3 pieces, there are 4 of us. Yes, we want another. There was a nacho appetizer - I thought it was gross, my friends liked it. I like a salty - something in it was very sweet, maybe the avocado. Oh, and don't expect conversation from the bartender. It was my first visit there, but my friends had a been a few times and kept telling me to stop trying to engage him (I don't why I do it, but I like a social bartender - perhaps 'cause the family had bars growing up). So now we get to the food. More appetizers: calamari and hummus (not together). Oh, and breads. I was not a fan of the bread because it all had either nuts and raisins, or was very sweet. I have allergies and don't like sweet bread. The other 3 said it was all very good bread. The squid (calamari) was pan seared or boiled and pan seared. The "legs" were good, the "body" or tube was rubbery and kind of nasty. So I stuck to the legs. I don't eat hummus so couldn't speak to it. It looked much runnier than I'm used to seeing, but not sure it makes a difference. Oh, and scallops. The scallops were wonderful, perfectly cooked - but could have done without the puree they were rested on when served. It looked like mashed potatos - but could have been a puree of turnip or something like that - was icky. But would order again and again for the scallops. A couple of sea bass, a chicken and a crab cake. I think the main meals were all pretty good. The sides they came with I was unimpressed with - but the main part of the meal was good. I did not try to the crab cake because it was covered in cornmeal and I prefer an unbreaded crabcake. The risotta for me was too starchy. The waiter said "it's starch" i said I know, but it's not really chewable. No comment no remedy so that was disappointing. Might be a place I'd go for an incognito meeting, or first date (blind date). Not sure why... quiet enough, not crowded, but nice ambience. For the price... would probably get appetizers and regular drinks (not martinis) and would go again if in the area. I'm a social diner - sometimes eating at the bar because I like the interaction. I don't like huge crowds, but do like some others in there. I would not go here for a social, interactive dining experience. For a quiet, good meal, I would go. The price was fair I thought overall. Again, like Jennifer wrote - good - but not amazing. I agree with David R.'s review - the sommelier was helpful with ordering, the staff was pleasant enough. Supposedly getting firepits outside.. that might be nice.

    (3)

  • H.A. T.

    This was so not expected! I went on 11/11 and felt as though I'd walked into any upscale restaurant you might find in DC. After having been to a few of the places in Reston Town Center, this was decidedly calm and enjoyable. The outdoor patio has 3 fire pits that were nice to huddle around in the evening chill. We were one of the first people in the place, having had the day off from work and we sat right in the middle of the bar and were served very nicely by the bartender who was helpful with describing some of the menu options we were interested in. Be prepared for rather expensive by-the-glass wine choices... I'm not sure the prices are justified in the suburbs, and really, they aren't, but we enjoyed what we picked regardless. After a couple glasses, we decided that we would get a few dishes to share. We shared and enjoyed every dish we got, 5 in all - from tuna tartar with a tangy Thai sauce to the duck entree. This was a pleasant find and look forward to a return visit.

    (4)

  • Chad B.

    Located in The Westin. Very nice place with a relaxed atmosphere. Very chill. Went on a Thursday night and it was dead. Majority of the people in there were guests at the hotel. Only went to drink wine; food looked good so I will definitely go back to try it. Parking garage is around back, or you can park in the front.

    (4)

  • Stacie V.

    contemporary atmosphere and menu . . .very nice wine selection with several impressive choices on tap

    (4)

  • Sara K.

    The food was really good - had the mushroom soup (could have been served a little hotter) and then shared the Mediterranean salad for two which was yummy. The wine selection is good - but when the waiter told me the wine I was drinking had 90% of its grapes from Napa and 10% from Samoa I knew I was in trouble. The by the glass menu could be better (and that is so easy to do) - it's too expensive as they offer B Side CabSav for $18 a glass when I can buy a bottle for $28. COME ON! The hostess new more about the wine then the waiter which for a wine bar is not good. It's a nice place but it definitely feels like a "hotel bar", there's just a vibe that's missing.

    (4)

  • Jen T.

    Once you get inside of this hotel restaurant, the atmosphere is very nice - chic and comfortable. The food is very well presented, but that's unfortunately the best thing it has going for it. I ordered the aroncini (risotto balls with goat cheese and beets) and the sea bass with wild mushroom risotto. The risotto balls were so bland and uninteresting that I only ate 1 (4 or 5 were served) and I am almost always a clean-your-plate sort of girl. I don't know how they could have goat cheese and still manage to taste and have the texture of plain oatmeal, but they did. When the sea bass arrived, my husband said "that looks like a diet dish". I still had high hopes, despite the paltry amount of mushroom risotto peaking out from underneath the fish. Unfortunately it tasted like a diet dish too. The fish was underseasoned and the risotto was about 3 or 4 spoonfuls, though halfway decent spoonfuls. I was too disheartened after this to order dessert, so I can't say how that was. Several guests ordered the paella and said it was good, and one ordered the short ribs which she said were pretty good but fattier than normal and with a sauce that was a bit too sweet. Finally, we had a great bottle of Rombauer chardonnay and when we ordered a second bottle to share with some additional guests that arrived, they told us that was their last bottle, so that was kind of a bummer too.

    (2)

  • Jarno M.

    First learned about Vinifera while searching for nearby restaurants participating the DC restaurant week. The place was quite busy so we waited 5 minutes in the bar. Service was excellent throughout the evening. The only bad news was that we got behind a large group with our orders, and therefore our main course took quite a while. However, we were informed frequently about our order status, and eventually they let us know that the whole dinner was on the house. Awesome. The food was very good (not excellent), and the wine selection was very nice too. Great to find a place like this in the neighborhood. We left a wholesome tip, and will be back again.

    (4)

  • Bee M.

    My husband, one of our friends and myself went here for the first time last October. Very nice place, very spacious, pretty decor, nice comfy couches and a small dining room. We decided to sit at the bar and were greeted by a friendly, overly hyper bartender. We quickly found out it was his last night of employment there and so he was being extra generous with the drinks. The wine selection was good and the food menu was decent, not a lot of variety. We ordered a couple of appetizers: a sampling of tapenade, hummus and avocado mousse and a scallop dish. Both were very good. My husband had a trio of mini burgers and my friend ordered a roast chicken dish. Both entrees were good as well. The prices were a bit high, but our bartender was also very selective with our bill... so that worked in our favor. Over all a good experience. I would definitely go back, even without the generous bartender, and would probably choose to sit in the dining room for a romantic dinner.

    (4)

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Opening Hours

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Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : No
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Garage, Private Lot
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Upscale
    Noise Level : Quiet
    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 : Free
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

Vinifera Wine Bar & Bistro

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