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2941 Restaurant
Categories: Restaurants American (New) Restaurants French American (New), French [Edit]
2941 Fairview Park DrFalls Church, VA 22042
(703) 270-1500
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Valet
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Classy, Upscale
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
About This Business:
At Walker's Grille, we are committed to protecting the environment. Not only have we used recycled materials in the design and construction of our… read more »
201 reviews for 2941 Restaurant
Review Highlights
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"With high ceiling + floor-to-ceiling windows, it's pretty..." In 9 reviews -
"Amuse Bouche --- A tuna tartare with blood orange and." In 13 reviews -
"the cotton candy was such a surprise to me." In 15 reviews
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201 reviews in English
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Review from Linh P.
Annandale, VA
5/15/2012
The service at the beginning was not so great, the host thought we were lost as we were wandering around looking for 2941. I wore a tshirt and jeans, as i peeked in everyone was overly dressed, suits, fur coat, business casual.... but the host insisted we should stay and try it out. The service was very friendly. At first I was uncomfortable because everyone around me wore nice clothes, but our server made us feel we're alright. *****
We each had a 5 course meal, each dish was tiny, but it was very tasty.... It was our first time and did not know what to get, so I asked our server what does he recommend and he picked out for us a 5 course meal each.. of course he had to choose the most expensive thing but hey what the heck.. if its good lets have it a go.
I really liked the salmon tartare. I had the beef trio or something with like 2 different meats and something... the meat was so soft.... anywase... really great experience, I will be taking my mother there ...for mothers day... -
Review from Josh S.
Alexandria, VA
5/12/2012
2941 -- a hidden gem.
Can't believe this is in the middle of the DC Metro area, let alone a stones throw from the Beltway!
Ambiance & Setting -- 9.5
The skyscraper-like tall windows/ceilings and beautiful landscaping/waterfalls make this a perfect getaway from the urban jungle. Previous review about the oddly-peculiar front desk decoration is the only thing keeping this section from being a perfect ten. But we're splitting hairs here. Much nicer as a light, airy lunch place.
Food -- 9.0
The menu changes frequently so the menu rarely gets stale. Food is very good...lots of small plates but if you play your cards right, you will leave very satisfied! My wife and I special ordered a lobster risotto once for our anniversary (days in advance) and the chef was very nice/accommodating. One of the best things on the menu? Their fries that accompany their high end burgers or lunch sandwiches. The simplest thing but they are so good! The deserts are superb as well.
Service -- 7.5
Nothing over the top here but still above average. Valets are nice as well and will also take a photo of you in front of the landscape if you ask nicely.
Hint -- Ask for a table by the window. And lastly, enjoy!!!
We love 2941 ! -
Review from Linda S.
Martinez, CA
4/23/2012
Really wanted to like this place, and indeed it's a beautiful space and the food is tasty, but I left disappointed by the poor value and uneven service.
FOOD: The ingredients here are pristine and cooked properly, but there was something lacking that made each dish seem just average. I was hoping for a "wow" or a unique take somewhere during the meal, but it never happened. Also, every dish (we ordered about a third of each menu category) was an appetizer-size serving. There are no entrees, even though the prices in the "Need" category suggest otherwise. Across the board, the quality and quantity of food provided simply didn't justify the prices.
WINE: The by-the-glass wine selection was decent and the prices seemed reasonable, until our server poured our glasses. The pours were shockingly small: 4 ounces, max, the smallest I've seen anywhere except in a wine flight.
SERVICE: It was adequate, but should have been better: our server was cold and distracted, didn't ask questions or offer suggestions, and didn't smile once, despite our efforts to kindly greet him and engage in basic pleasantries. Our cocktail glasses stood empty on our table from the first course until dessert nearly an hour later. Despite offering a menu that seems designed for sharing, no share plates were provided. We used our bread plates to share dishes, but they were not cleared or replaced unless we asked. There was plenty of service and management staff milling about, but they couldn't seem to keep up with the little things.
And finally, what's with the tray of reading glasses displayed so prominently at the host stand? Yes, it's a thoughtful gesture, and all decent restaurants provide them these days, but why make them the first thing you see when you walk in and approach the host stand? It's like showcasing spare umbrellas and lint rollers that decent restaurants also keep on hands for their guests. Glad they're there, but they don't need to play a starring role in the first impression. -
Review from Yelper O.
Fairfax, VA
4/22/2012
The service was far above expectations and the six course meal was just perfect.
I have nothing to complain about but it was a bit hard to find... -
Review from Mikey W.
Fairfax, VA
4/6/2012
I came here on 2/10, but left slightly disappointed. I had been here for a wedding a few years ago and remember the view was awesome. However, when we came to eat that Friday night, it was dark so you couldn't see much outside the windows.
I knew they recently had gone through a renovation, so I was definitely excited to try it out.
For apps my gf and I got the labneh, wagyu sliders, and black forest delicacy. The bread and dip were good, but it's bread and dip. The wagyu slider was dissapointing, as the burger is too small to really enjoy "ground wagyu" and it wasn't dressed with anything. The pasta was good, but dissapointing that it was just a free form sheet of pasta. At $14, it was also only a few bites.
I had the tuna loin and my date had the scallops as entrees. Her scallop entree was good, with tons of day boat scallops and a good citrus emulsion. My tuna was slightly disappointing. The ginger sauce was weak leaving the overall dish too dry. I loved the chive potato cake under the tuna, but you can get something similar at arbys.
For dessert my date loved her layered chocolate cake, and I thought it was good too. The pistachio milkshake was interesting. The pistachio baklava was delicious, and its sweetness helped balance the greek yogurt panna cotta. The milkshake was airy and light, which contrasted well with the rose water granita.
Based on its old reputation, I was expecting more and left disappointed. I know the economy is changing, but i wish they would still offer a tasting menu so I could fully experience chef chemels cooking. -
Review from Norry H.
3/31/2012 16 photos
9 of us UNITÉ GOURMANDS members had a wonderful dinner here last night. In spite of the past Sunday's WP SUNDAY MAGAZINE article by Tom Sietzema, the place was filled with many patrons. (well, it's a Friday evening, anyway.)
As this was my very first time, I was really impressed with the spaciousness of this place as I walked in, especially with the 3 story high ceiling!
From the NOSH & NEXT selections, we ordered the following:
Black Truffle Mac & Cheese - Excellent!
Tuna Tartar - Excellent! (Not too salty at all unlike Tom Sietzema's review.)
Crispy Calamari
Wagyu Beef Sliders
Pear & Endive Salad - Very Good!
Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes - No Jumbo. :(
Hudson Valley Foie Gras - Very Good!
Black Truffle Mac & Cheese was made into bite size croquettes and they were very enjoyable. I particularly enjoyed the smell and taste of truffle as I bit the crunchy shell.
Tuna Tartar was perfectly prepared. I am glad I did not avoid it just because Tom Sietzema said it was too salty in the WP Sunday Magazine.
We enjoyed the complimentary basket of various kinds of bread with the appetizers. It was excellent.
Before the Entrée came, we ordered another bottle of Sonoma Zinfandel which was the least priced bottle at $60. Yikes! (Some were drinking other stuff. That's why this was only the second bottle although there were 9 of us.)
From NEED selections, we ordered the following:
Meat & Potato (Ribeye)
Alaskan Halibut
Amish Chicken Breast
Roasted Duck aL'Orange
Grilled Tuna Loin
The ribeye was pretty good and the duck with orange was fun but the chicken breast was a little dry, and nothing special about the fish either. I would pair Yuzu marmalade with the roasted duck to enhance the flavor with some sweetness I thought.
I think enjoyed the NOSH and NEXT more than NEED.
Next time, I will go for the beautiful bar instead of the dining room so I can enjoy the grand view of the lake outside more easily.
Overall, very nice interior, grand view of outside with huge windows, good food, good service, lots of parking in the back for self parking lovers like myself. -
Review from MARIA G.
Fairfax, VA
3/24/2012
I went here for HH. Draft beers were $4. Apps were expensive and the portions were tiny. The mac & cheese fritters were good, but there were only 6 for $6! Don't get me started on the labneh...3 teeny weeny pieces of pita. It tasted great but I wish there was more of it for $5.
The atmosphere was pretty swanky but I liked it. It's in the bottom of a corporate building, so we were hanging with the suits. If you are trying to swoon a client, bring them here. But if you are wanting to hang with your bestie, find another spot. -
Review from Amy R.
Fairfax, VA
5/2/2012
Meh.
I've been hearing about this place for ages, but never managed to make time to go when we lived in the neighborhood. We decided to check it out for an anniversary dinner.
The grounds are absolutely beautiful. I was enchanted by the landscaping (I'm an avid gardener) and water-features. Unfortunately, we were seated in the middle of the main dining room, away from the best views. The primary art piece hanging above the reception desk is horribly ugly. It was as if someone snagged a trippy velvet painting from a Dead show and recreated it in flat glass. I found the interplay between the landscaping and that art jarring.
The wine list was impressive, but a number of the selections seemed truly overpriced. The service was good, but the waiter was a bit over-eager. Don't hand me a 16 page wine list and expect me to pick a bottle before I've seen the menu.
The honey wheat bread is fantastic. They should ditch the other two breads in the basket and stick with that masterpiece.
We each got seafood appetizers. My lobster salad was good but small. His tuna tartare was decent, but under-seasoned and small.
His smoked chicken entree was very good. My duck breast, which was supposed to be seared, was not at all crispy and was rather cold. All of the portions were small--again, I expected that, but it can be irksome.
We each ordered dessert, and then the restaurant gave us a complimentary third dessert plus a pair of fantastic little donuts. I appreciated their generosity, but would have cut one of the desserts out rather than have three for the two of us. -
Review from Bob D.
Rockville, MD
5/4/2012
I was so worried about the changes that I did not dine here after the closure. Was tempted by the recent lunch offer and was glad I did.
Food
Scallop ceviche - 5 stars
Halibut - 4.5 stars
Service - 4 stars
Not as polished as it was. No one checked on me after entree was served until the meal was complete,
Ambience - 4 stars
The room was prettier before the addition of the gigantic host desk and I miss the Jellyfish chandelier but it is still a great room.
Glad to see that the place is still great! -
Review from Charles R.
Conshohocken, PA
5/13/2012
Very nice view for a restaurant located amidst a corporate office center.
Large, very high ceilings, and more modern inside than i thought, but the food is what counts and it didn't disappoint.
The tempura calamari were light, not greasy and came with a nice sauce. I would of preferred the sauce have a little kick to it, but I like a little spice. The small plate of pasta with peas was ok, not great. They do offer all pasta dishes as a small or entree size. The pasta pillows were a little dried out and didn't have a smooth quality to them.
However, the pasta with Short Rib ragu was perfect'y cooked and had great taste.
Would order than again, and again, and again. The crispy duck breast was also another very good dish. I did order it medium, and it was cooked more on the rare side, but the duck was juicy and had wonderful taste. Interesting part was I got 3 pieces that were rare and a couple pieces that were like a confit that were outstanding.
The waiter said the cooked pineapple with vanilla ice cream/cannoli was great, BUT wait til they bring you complimentary "donuts". These lemony, fluffy, warm mounds were outstanding. Why they aren't on the menu I have no idea because I've had similar dishes all over this country and these were by far the best.
Nice wines by the glass, valet service and views of the water.
Would absolutely go back again. -
Review from Collin F.
Oakton, VA
3/19/2012
Not only is 2941's beef burger one of the best we've ever eaten -period- but we think the duck burger could be even better.
The execution of the beef burger was damn near perfect as it surpassed every flavor expectation we had. And the aesthetics of this thing are downright picturesque- it's beautiful in its simplicity.
The beef is absolutely blanketed in completely melted cheddar cheese that continues its drizzly path past the meat overflowing to the bun below. And speaking of bun, there's no excess meat or bread in this burger equation. The toasted and buttered olive oil brioche is the ideal size for the six-and-a-half ounce patty.
Our burgers -on each visit- were expertly cooked to the perfect temperature. And that's no hyperbole. With a red, warm inside that ran from edges through the center, they were the definition of medium rare. The meat itself was a coarse ground and the patty was loosely packed with each bite resulting in a mouthful of straight juicy burger nirvana. The mellow, beefy flavor hits you in the mouth like a freight train with no breaks and packs an amazing luscious richness thanks to the flavorful, fat-heavy 70-30 mix of short ribs, chuck and brisket. Running the risk of sounding like a pretentious asshole, I'm going to bust out the word "umami" here, because, goddamn, the umami of this burger was off the charts. Some may find the patty not as firm as they'd like, as the fatty mix lends to a softer, mushier composition to the meat, but we didn't mind in the slightest.
And Chef Bertrand Chemel's duck burger, The Daffy, is pure burgery bliss.
He takes fresh ground duck breast and leg and mixes in a little Hudson Valley foie gras to form the patty which is then topped with thin slices of cured foie gras. And if it was left at that, this thing would be a winner, but what sends this burger into all sorts of ridiculousness is the onion agrodolce- a gooey, gelatinous mix of thinly sliced onions, Banyuls vinegar (a really fancy French vinegar), glucose, sugar and Espelette pepper. The result is wonderfully sweet and sour amalgamation with just a touch of heat, making for a dynamite complement to the savory duck. In some respects, it's a lot like the beef burger- both have strong, bold and rich flavors anchored by the fat content of the meat. The main difference with the duck is the agrodolce cutting through all that savoriness.
Much much more on 2941's burgers, including some drop dead gorgeous photos at: http://burgerdays.com/... -
Review from Jon K.
2/14/2012
Two stars, I've had better is right........
Took my wife here last night for Valentine's day last night. I arrived a bit early and was very impressed with the atmosphere and service of the place. The valet parking was a nice touch. I sat at the bar and had one and a half beers (brought the rest to table) because I got off early and the wife was a bit late. I wasn't impressed with the bartender filling the glass 3/4 full though? If he was in Europe he could get his ass kicked for that.
We both ordered off of the Valentines menu and my wife got a bottle of wine (most of which was drank by her). Let me tell you the appetizer was the best part of the meal. I had the Maine Lobster Risotto (Hudson valley foie gras, Parmesan cheese, chive) and my wife had the Grilled Octopus Salad (fingerling potatoes, pimentón de la Vera, cranberry beans). This was the best part of the meal by far. If the rest of the meal was this good this place would be getting five stars.
It gets worse from here on out. I had the Braised Beef Short Ribs (cabernet sauce, onion rings, olive oil crushed potato, roasted sun choke). I could have sworn that the cabernet sauce mixed with the crushed potato and roasted sun choke was something I had before? Oh yeah, it was that one time in college when I mixed up some sort of concoction and left the crock pot on too long. Not too mention the fact that it gave me a bad stomach ache for the rest of the night.
My wife had the Grilled Branzino (sautéed shrimp, cilantro persillade, zucchini spaghetti). She said it was fishy. Need I say more?
My dessert I felt was ok but nothing special. I had the Hazelnut Semifreddo (chocolate bread pudding, caramelized banana, stracciatella gelato). The presentation was nice, but it lacked sugar and had too much cocoa. My wife being a diabetic had a fresh fruit plate which she enjoyed.
I must say that I can think of close to a half dozen places I have been to before which I would have rather went to (i.e. Bastille, Chart House, Kellarni Taverna, CityZen, Vidalia, Komi, etc) for spending this kind of scratch. I want them to "WOW" me, they didn't. We spent about $250 and there are much better places than this to go to for under a $100.
We won't be returning.....Listed in: Avoid at all…
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Review from Brian S.
Fairfax, VA
4/10/2012
I finally booked a reservation at 2941 for brunch on Easter Sunday; having heard the rave and reading the reviews surrounding this place.
After being greeted by the valet (complimentary valet parking) and while walking up to the restaurant; the surreal landscaping completely takes hold of your sight with its array of colors, the sound of the stream/pond, and the accent features. For a slight moment, I thought I had slipped away from the city chaos of Northern VA. But I digress....
Upon entering the restaurant, the Easter-themed (colorful) artwork helped to liven up the elegant, albeit typical fine-dining restaurant decor. For those who have yet to dine at 2941 and wish to do so during the day/brunch, I recommend asking for a table next to the set of glass-windows overlooking scenic landscaping.
On to the food...The Easter brunch the menu was a 'three-course prixe fix' for $60-per guest. For my appetizer course, I choose the 'Maine Lobster' petite salad paired with avocado, and mango vinaigrette. The lobster was succulent and buttery, which coupled with the richness of the avocado and sweetness of the mango dressing was a very pleasant surprise and very delicious. My guest ordered the 'House Made Salmon Gravlox' which was paired with deviled quail eggs. If you're a fan of deviled eggs, this is the appetizer for you. Overall, it too was a delicious appetizer course.
For my entree, I choose the 'Grilled Filet Mignon' paired with creamed spinach, rustic potatoes, and Parmesan crusted tomato. Unfortunately, this is where I elected to take a star away (but you'll see later their exceptional customer service regained the fourth star) as I ask the waiter for the recommended temperature which we agreed to order as med-rare (as you would at any steakhouse or fine-dining establishment). However, my steak arrived as med-well done, despite being a nice cut of meat (insert: "That's what she said" or "Giggity" joke reference). The waiter kindly acknowledged the mistake, before I even had to say a word and returned it to the kitchen. A few minutes later, my new steak arrived and was still a solid 'medium' opposed to my order of 'medium-rare', but I elected to be a team player and dived in as I was extremely hungry at this point. All of the paired sides were decent and cooked nicely. My guest ordered the 'Roasted Amish Chicken Breast' paired lemon herb sabayon, bacon wrapped- asparagus, Yukon gold potatoes and it was absolutely amazing. The chicken was extremely tender, the herb sabayon sauce was rich and buttery, and the crunch of the asparagus combined with the savory of the bacon was divine (although I admit it's hard to go wrong with anything + bacon).
The final course, dessert, was rich, delicious, and playful. I ordered the 'Easter Basket' which consisted of a dark chocolate cake, chocolate mousse, raspberry sherbet, and white chocolate eggs. The cake was a tad bit dry, but the sherbet more than redeemed the overall taste of the dish. My guest ordered the 'Carrot Cake cream cheese mousse, pineapple sherbet, and white chocolate. The cake was probably one of the best carrot cakes I've had (certainly give's Wegman's carrot cake a run for its money) and was playfully shaped into an oval and dressed to resemble a white egg. -
Review from Terri E.
Fairfax, VA
1/22/2012
I would give it a 4 and half stars overall. I was here about 2 years ago give or take for a wedding reception. The place is hidden and hard to find but, once you find it , it was quite impressive. We were in one of the rooms reserved for private parties. We were served 3 courses, appetizers, dinner and dessert. The food was very good in my opinion definitely not a 5 star but, close. They had a open bar which was nice. Afterward they had a DJ and we danced all night. It was really fun and I would definitely go there again for a nice quiet dinner.
The dress code there is dressy and upscale and not casual. -
Review from Kvatch K.
Washington, DC
2/19/2012
The food was uniformly delicious--the service was rushed and somewhat intrusive.
Now I'm a newbie to 2941, but it still irks me that our party was dumped at perhaps the least desirable table in the restaurant despite the fact that there were two open 4-top booths available, filled not 10 minutes after we arrived, after we asked if we could be moved...and were refused. [sigh] I suppose these tables are reserved for regulars.
Our server checked in on us way, *way* too often, and being that we were smack dab in the middle of the traffic path from the kitchen, getting her attention would have presented no problem. Our entrees were served hot, straight from the kitchen (a good sign in the DC Area where one of the biggest issues I've discovered is entrees arriving cold), but then...to achieve this... 2941 brought the main course to the table just moments after our appetizers were whisked away. In other words, we didn't get even a moment to digest or converse.
As for the restaurant, controlled mayhem might be the best way to describe 2941 on a Saturday. With a loud wedding in the banquet room, a half-dozen parties standing around the entry, high ceilings, and noise, Noise, NOISE! I think my next trip will be on a weeknight. -
Review from D. P.
Arlington, VA
4/11/2012 Seated via OpenTable
Despite being in the most random location (in the first floor of an office park) this restaurant is a great place to meet up if you happen to be in the Fall Church area and a perfect meeting spot between DC and Herndon. Valet service is free, and bar right when you walk in. Tables are nice and have nice window view of forested area around building. Service was great and friendly. Food definitely makes this place though. While it's a bit pricey everything way amazing and satisfying portions without feeling too full. The Mac & Cheese squares were great and all the seafood dishes were awesome too. Great place to go if you know someone else is buying and a solid date spot if you've gotten to the expensive part of the relationship ha. Enjoy!
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Review from Randy M.
Falls Church, VA
2/15/2012 Seated via OpenTable
Really enjoyed our dinner at 2941. Was our first visit and once you get past the fact that it's located in the General Dynamics building, the atmosphere is great.
We arrived a few minutes early for our reservation and had drinks at the bar. We were seated right at our reservation time, no wait.
The service was very good and recommended certain things from the menu. The food was delicious. I had a medium rare steak, and my date had the tuna. Both came with a potato side that was very good.
Only reason I'm not giving 5 stars is because I wasnt impressed at all with the desert menu. We actually skipped desert, which we rarely do. They did bring 2 lime glazed pastries with the check that we both enjoyed. -
Review from Meron B.
Springfield, VA
3/29/2012 Seated via OpenTable
The ambiance is more wow than the food. The tuna tartar is really good and the beignets they bring at the end were also delish.
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Review from Rachelle E.
Stafford, VA
3/26/2012
Favorite restaurant.. If you go here you might as well do the tasting menu.. I never understood why rich people payed so much for food. Now I do. Its very expensive but so worth it. Go for a special http://occassion.be prepared the tasting is $100 each..
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Review from Nancy L.
Baltimore, MD
12/11/2011
My husband and I went to 2941 to celebrate our 7th wedding anniversary. We decided to drive down from Baltimore as we once lived in Arlington and would go to the restaurant from time to time for special occasions.
The service at this restaurant is what you pay for. It is amazing. We called as we were going to be 20 minutes late. We were stuck in traffic due to an accident on 495. The restaurant graciously accommodated us. The waiter and the runners were fabulous. They always made sure we had water and anything we needed. I can't speak highly enough to the service at this restaurant. I have had family go on a few occasions and were not as lucky with a particular server, but we've always been lucky.
They have an extensive wine list, but incredibly expensive with glasses averaging at $14. We had planned to get a half bottle, but our waiter recommended two glasses of a "better wine" as the price was the same as getting the half, but the wine was just okay.
Onto food, I have to admit, for the price I was a bit disappointed. I had a pheasant foie gras that was pretty good. My husband had crab balls that were just okay, however he had an amazing bass that tasted as if it had just been caught. I opted for the rib-eye which was unimaginative and had little flavor. We ended up each getting dessert which was pretty good, but again, not out of this world given the price. My favorite thing was the decaf cappuccino with a heart in the foam which was amazing. And they gave us an on the house selection of sorbets that was wonderful.
I don't think we'll be back as we can do a lot better up in Baltimore for a lot less money, but we still enjoyed the impeccable service from our visit. -
Review from apple p.
Herndon, VA
Updated - 12/29/2011
[Update]
We went to 2941 for dinner our 1 year anniversary and had a great meal. I had actually emailed Michelle, our previous wedding coordinator, to see if we could get a small version of our wedding cake to eat for dessert and she was able to put the order through. We went on a Saturday and sat near the window, where we were able to watch a small intimate wedding occur outside on the patio. The meal was fantastic - although I had ordered the wrong entree (it had ginger in it and I do NOT like ginger -- I ended up switching with my hubby). The service was impeccable and our waiter seemed to know our names (I guess thru our online booking?) as he greeted us and wished us "Happy Anniversary" and noted that we had been married here last year as soon as we sat down. They also gave us complementary champagne at the end of the meal. Pretty nice evening overall. =)
Note: Valet is complementary and probably preferred as the garage is a ways out and can be confusing to navigate thru (you have to park at 2nd floor of garage, walk through the walkway and then take the elevator DOWN 1 floor and enter through the side entrance of the restaurant).1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/22/2010
WEDDING REVIEW
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My husband and I ended up choosing 2941 for our wedding even though we… Read more »
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Review from Tracey W.
Fairfax, VA
Updated - 2/19/2012 13 photos
Definitely still one of the better restaurants in this area! Returned to see if the new menu was as good as the tasting menu and see the new decor. Very modern look, with a spacious air. Tables are not on top of one another so you really feel like you can have an intimate dinner. Started off with drinks at the bar because we were waiting for a table. When the table was ready, they brought the drinks over for us. Service from start to finish was superb! Felt like we were well taken care of. Started off with the black truffle mac and cheese and the crispy calamari. The black truffle taste lingered in your mouth. The little cubes of mac and cheese were the perfect size to pop into your mouth. If you're not used to black truffle it may taste a little strange. Overall it could have used a little more flavor (s&p?). The crispy calamari had a light coating similar to a fish fry and the calamari were tender. Honestly, I was expecting a little more from the noshes.
Next up were the Lamb and Tuna entrees. The lamb was out of this world, perfectly cooked, tender and juicy. As a non meat lover, I was impressed and could help but want more. The flavors of the lamb and the eggplant caviar blended well and the seasonings were not overdone. The tuna was more medium rare than rare, which is what I asked for. I have to say I was a little disappointed with this dish, as I love tuna and this one was chewy and had no flavor. I dredged it generously in the sauce that came with the dish and that helped. The fried potato underneath was done well and seasoned well.
The server apologized and said he would fix it but I didn't want the chef to go through the hassle of cooking another dish for me. The manager came over as well to see if we were okay and apologized. It seemed like they really cared how their diners enjoyed their dinner and that makes this restaurant one of the better ones for me.
We finished up with the Pineapple-caramel eclair. How can you go wrong with that combination? Apparently you can't. It was a wonderful combination of sweet, cream and sour pineapple.
The check comes with two donut holes. A nice little treat.
The new menu has some major hits and some disappointing misses but hopefully with a little more time they will improve.Listed in: Virginia
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/21/2010
2941 is located in the middle of fairview park drive and it's easy to miss the little sign directing… Read more »
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Review from An T.
10/7/2011
Romantic and inviting, 2941 made for a truly tranquil and unique dining experience. I was brought here on an anniversary outing, and as cheesy and corny as it may sound, I kinda... just might have... felt like a princess.
Go ahead, giggle.
This place is fine dining at it's best. It is equipped with charming and attentive service, a dramatically, illustrious interior AND exterior design, a perfectly portioned tasting menu, and food that simply just melts in your mouth.
As noted by other reviewers, leave a bit early for your dining experience at 2941. My date and I found it extra challenging to find the restaurant, as we battled through a mean storm on that particular Friday night.
I would recommend it to everyone I know, and then a few more, especially if you're really trying to impress a special someone! -
Review from Catherine G.
Chantilly, VA
12/20/2011
I've been here once before the first Valentine's day after we got married. We didn't remember our experience here, so we just went back the other night.
Well....what can I say? I wish I had gone to the Dining room at the Morrison House instead. The meal was uninspired, and oddly I found a lot of the meal, from the bread to the steak - salty. Maybe it was the chef's bad night, or his night off altogether. I don't know what the deal was, but I don't believe that for the price we paid that night, I would rather have paid a little extra to get better food at Morrison House.
The service was excellent. That is the positive, but the rest of the food....I just can't rave about any of it... -
Review from Tu-van L.
9/18/2011
One of the better Restaurant Week experiences I've been to.
Located in the same office building as General Dynamics in the Falls Church/Merrifield area, the restaurant is an elegant, corporate expense appropriate vibe. Beautiful space with the tall ceilings with 2/4 walls of floor-to-ceiling windows. Both made for a spacious space with great views of the lake and the torrential downpour at the time we were there. Beautiful view one way and another.
Service was inconsistent, almost on the ditsy side, but when they're focused you have their full attention. There were times it took a while for a waiter to serve us, but that wasn't throughout our dining experience and they were otherwise very attentive.
RW appetizer was a throwaway, meh at best. My husband's coconut and carrot gazpacho (I think?) appetizer was a weird combination of flavors and my pate appetizer didn't taste my different from the pate I can pull out of a Vietnamese banh mi.
Fortunately for us, the entrees turned around our expectations for our dinner. My beef three ways was perfectly portioned with perfectly cooked meats. The desserts were also excellent.
Some points can be done better, but overall my husband and I were very impressed with this restaurant. Meh appetizer aside, we'd really consider coming back here for a proper meal or one of their tastings menu. -
Review from HanaDC T.
Alexandria, VA
9/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is a beautiful place. The restaurant looks like inside a hotel because of high ceiling.
My husband and I came here for DC restaurant week. The waiter was unfriendly. He didn't even explain the menu or anything.
When he asked me what I wanted to order, I said, I am still wondering which,,,, then he immediately left. What was that!
I loved steak and pork that I had. But I need to come back for regular menu because everything was too small to taste what I was eating.
I can say that this is one of the nice restaurants. -
Review from Chris N.
Rockville, MD
11/7/2011
A special place for a special event. The food and the service are meticulous and no restaurant near tysons corner even comes close when it comes to fine dining.
The location of the restaurant is awkward but that is forgotten as soon as you drive up to the door. -
Review from Sandra K.
9/5/2011
I have had dinner here about 10 times total. I will caveat this review by saying that I do know the chef but I do not get special treatment.
This is FINE DINING...where they pour your wine seamlessly, your water glass stays full, your napkin is folded when your return to your seat...Elegant without the nonsense fine dining.
The food matches up with the atmosphere which will make your feel like a prince or princess. You are never rushed and given anything you want/need during the meal.
The food is ambitious, lovely and inventive. -
Review from Matt C.
Vienna, VA
9/7/2011
2.5 Stars.
I have eaten here twice, the first time was for lunch and the food and service was impeccable. I was also with someone who served there and was their sommelier, so take that for what it's worth. The lunch was fantastic, everything was great and we were a party of eight. One of the highlights was their beet salad, amazing.
So, the second time I went with my girl and was I ever disappointed. They had extended their restaurant menu into the week we went. I was not expecting that. So they had a limited menu and what they were offering was nothing I was hoping to get. Their beet salad was not on the menu. While I understand during a 'restaurant week' menu it's limited to help with food costs, trust me I completely understand.
Before I review the food form that evening there are a few things that need to be said. Upon making the reservation we should have been told it was a limited menu, if we had known we would have waited. They also didn't have basic things in stock. Anna wanted a martini with blue cheese stiffed olives; they failed to order blue cheese. The server came back and asked us if this was ok and if she still wanted the drink, that's a plus. They were also out of nutmeg. NUTMEG! We ordered Brandy Alexander's as our after dinner drink, no nutmeg but instead of asking us if we still wanted it he served it anyways. I asked him where the nutmeg was. He said they didn't order any. So I asked why you would serve us a drink with one of the four ingredients missing. Seriously, there are only four ingredients in this drink and nutmeg is a damn important one.
Enough of that. On to the food.
My appetizer was good, the heirloom tomato salad. Nothing to rave about but it was good. My entrée, a duo of duck left a lot to be desired. My breast was cooked to medium well when I asked for it medium rare. I couldn't send it back because the server didn't come back until fifteen minutes later (completely unacceptable for this type of establishment). The duck wontons were horrible; all I tasted was pepper, so very disappointing. I don't even remember dessert if that tells you anything, and I freaking love dessert.
I walked out of 2941 unhappy, unsatisfied and overall so very, very disappointed. I will give them one more shot for dinner outside of restaurant week because I feel they are better. Still, restaurant week or not is no excuse for poor service, poor food and failing to order staples. I hope my next time is up to the standard they seem to hold for themselves. -
Review from Craig D.
Wayne, PA
10/22/2011
(4) ~ Overall Food & Service
Our Menu:
* Blunderbuss Cocktail = (4) very good
* German Reisling Wine = (4) very good
* Water (tap) = (4) very good
* Endive Salad = (3.5) good
* Butternut Squash Ravioli = (4.5) Very good
* Duck Breast = (4) very good
* Chocolate Peanut Butter Dessert = (3.5) good
* French-Pressed Coffee = (4.5) Very good
NOTE: It's Expensive, so be prepared to pay $200+ for two people. Also Valet Parking ONLY. -
Review from Keith p.
Falls Church, VA
2/7/2012
Went for a birthday celebration and it was a lovely evening. New renovation and revamped menu were great. Opening Noshes (Tapas-like appetizers) were yummy ... Melt in your mouth calamari and mac&cheese croquettes. Among our party we tried just about everything. I thought the lamb was the best, but everything was great. The dishes are modest sized by typical American standards, but they were rich and filling. And we had room left for the spectacular deserts.
It is not an inexpensive place, but well worth it for a special occasion. -
Review from Arthur K.
6/28/2011
Awesome. Also expensive. But awesome. Something great is going on in this Falls Church business park of all places. The restaurant is randomly placed in this collection of high rise buildings occupied by the likes of General Dynamics and Noblis.
(Note on location: Some mapping sites places the restaurant south of US-50. It is north of 50.)
Service was excellent. Everything you'd expect at high-end dining. Our waiter was knowledgeable, friendly, and even fun. Despite our novice status as fancy food diners there were no upturned noses. No patronizing tones.
The view is amazing. The restaurant is essentially 3 walls of glass attached to the bottom of a building. And I mean that in a good way. There is a well manicured garden outside overlooking a lake. The decor is modern, humble if I might say so. Nice, not cheap and not gaudy. Basically its everything you need to thoroughly impress the misses. And that's even before a single dish gets placed on your table.
The food was great. We went all in with the expertly prepared and planned tasting menu (with wine pairing!). It made my head hurt looking at the bill afterwards. But it was so good on the table and on my tongue. Each course was progressively better than the previous. Don't want to go through each delectable course here (5 in all not including an initial amuse-bouche and a palette cleanser before dessert).
The highligh was the soup. It was crazy. I have no idea what was in it. Well there was an egg, I recognized that, and I'm pretty sure beef. But there was also some sort of beef-looking thing that was vegetably and some mushrooms I think. What I'm trying to say is I didn't even know what I was eating, but it was amazing.
I hope to come back and try the a la carte menu - whose prices seemed fairly reasonable for the quality of the dishes. I've only had a few fine-dining/multi-course meals, but this one tops them all.Listed in: Best of 2011
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Review from Amit P.
Rockville, MD
7/30/2011
Bullet points make everything easier:
- Upon arrival, the hostesses looked at us like we were lost, and it felt like we were being profiled (young, non-white).
- Since it was a special occasion, we had made reservations well in advance. Despite this, we were seated in the middle of the empty dinning room with direct sunlight - while there were plenty of other empty tables next to the amazing view
- Waited 8 minutes after being seated to catch a random waiter's eye in order to see a menu
- after receiving menus the waiter came back within 30 seconds to ask whether we were ready to order - but really he was seeing whether we were going to leave after looking at the prices
- We kept our cool and politely told the waiter that we'll need a few minutes, but he didn't come back until we flagged him down, 11 minutes later.
- Once we ordered our meal, the waiter's demeanor completely changed, and our dining experience was everything you would expect from a restaurant of this caliber.
- On a final note, the valet driving my car was unreasonably fast and reckless as he pulled up to the restaurant at the end. This by itself would not have been worth mentioning, but this paints the complete picture.
Overall: if you are young, AVOID this place. The food was the only saving grace. -
Review from Pablo N.
Arlington, VA
4/1/2012
4 stars for food, 2 for service. Way too many tables in the restaurant and the service suffers as a result. We had the chefs menu and the timing for serving dishes and wine pairings was horrible. Took 20 minutes to get the first glass of champagne, and the wine pairings often came out 5-15 minutes after the dish. It's too bad because the food was exceptional for the DC area. The chefs deserve better.
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Review from Shawn M.
Washington, DC
6/15/2011
THIS IS THE BEST RESTAURANT IN THE DMV AREA.
Sure - it is pricey....but you're going to an upscale restaurant outside of dc...come on now, what do you expect?
Everything is perfect. Incredible location, caring and knowledgeable service (without being pretentious), and the give you a whole baguette as a parting gift..
I went on a trip to India not to long before I went to 2941. Their pea soup with saffron in it actually made me taste as if I was back there - outsanding.
Got a hot date? Thinking of a restaurant you would want to propose to someone? Are you a congressman trying to swoon the newest and cutest intern? Then 2941 is the place for you. -
Review from Mike T.
Burke, VA
2/14/2012
Everything about this restaurant was top notch! From the beginning there was free valet parking as you arrive. Upon entering they were very eager to take your coat and seat you. We chose a booth over the more romantic seats by the window and like the softness. The place was beautifully decorated with a large window overlooking the water. We went on Valentine's Day but opted not to get the prix fix menu. We chose the mac n cheese croquettes with black truffle oil and calamari as our appetizer. Both were great. The truffle taste came through strong but wasn't overpowering. The calamari was generous and crispy. For the main meal we had a duck burger with onions and raviolini and both were exceptional. We enjoyed glasses of Cru Beaujolais with the meal - a very good choice. For dessert it was cookies and milk, if you can believe it! I highly recommend this place.
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Review from Katharine G.
Arlington, VA
8/21/2011
I've wanted to come here for a long time but the prices and classiness intimidated me. Thank goodness for RW and our chance to try.
We don't like the bother of valet parking and wondering how much to tip and how to give them the car keys without the house keys, but luckily there was no valet parking. We just parked in the garage. BTW, the GPS steered us wrong at the end, so look at their website for directions on the turn into their restaurant.
The venue is absolutely stunning and definitely adds to the whole experience. It must look fantastic here in the fall with the autumn color. The couple next to us asked to be reseated to a window location and they were! Darn, wish I had done the same.
The wine list is long and expensive; I chose a "cheap" $45 wine. However, the sommelier treated it as if it were the priciest Chateauneuf du Pape, bless him. Overall, service was excellent.
Food: heirloom tomato salad was great with nice lemony dressing. Ribeye and short rib duo was wonderful. Best short rib I've ever eaten; I wish they gave us more than one stick. Bread, an assortment of olive bread and French bread, with some tasty butter was divine. Desserts were pretty good: molten chocolate cake and hazelnut paris-brest.
My husband thought, while the food was good, he couldn't see paying top-dollar for them on a non-RW occasion. I think, however, that their regular menu is probably even better and we should try them again. For a very special occasion, that is, as I still can't afford them otherwise. -
Review from Jim C.
Sea Girt, NJ
12/29/2011
Best Resturant in the DC Metro area. Went there for my B Day with a group of 8 and had the best meal of my life. Leave room for desert - they are very impressive.
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Review from Semra E.
5/4/2011
I came here with a few friends one evening. We'd made reservations about a month in advance (not that you really have to do that), but you should because this place is packed and everyone wants to make a night of it there. The environment from when you step out of your car on the narrow pathway is really peaceful and much Japanese garden style. The windows inside are 20 feet of pure glass, so you have this very huge open feel when you're inside, which makes a huge difference. They work well with this concept. This place is extremely fancy, so dress the part guys, this is not your casual spot at all, it is a place to show off and be seen in VA.
We were a little bit late, so we sat at the bar and had a few drinks before being lead to our table, the service was quick there and they know what they're doing. Since they took awhile for us to sit at our table, they gave us some complimentary small apps which were really delicious. I wish I remembered what it was but I don't :-(
I had the DUNGENESS CRAB ROLL as my app (honey mussel velouté, mango, galangal). It was one of my favorites in all honesty. They have a little cup that you're supposed to drink out of after each bite you take of the roll and man-oh-man is it worth it. As my main course I had the GINGER STEAMED SEA BASS, which was really delicious!!! It's pretty salty in general (FYI, so if you're watching your sodium then you may want to ask the chef if they can cut some of it out when preparing it. Here's what it is though: scallion fried rice, lobster broth, shiitake mushroom, cardamom oil.
Overall the service was excellent, the waitress was very helpful with explaining each dish to us as our courses were being placed on the table. I will definitely come back again soon because it was such a great experience and you really can't beat the environment that they have provided. It has been there for almost 10 years (maybe it is 10 years by now I can't remember), but they haven't really had to advertise because they're so well known word of mouth wise that all they really do is keep up with their on-line page and the rest just happens for them :-) -
Review from Justin C.
Here we are at another century mark. Although it may take me longer to get around to places that were significant to me, I do it with no less zeal or enthusiasm than when I first began reviewing. For my 300th entry, the OCD-numbers-freak in me couldn't resist holding onto the destination of my 30th birthday dinner, which also happens to still be the best meal I've had in the DC area, from 2941 Restaurant. Save one minor hitch, which I anticipated up front, everything about the meal, service, and care was flawless. It may not be in the District, but it should be on your radar. Since I want to talk as much about the food as possible, I'll simply link to the photoset here, and you can enjoy the visual part on your own. It's well worth it, as the food becomes art at the hands of chefs Bertrand Chemel and Anthony Chavez [http://www.flickr.com/....
It may be tucked away in a remote business park owned by General Dynamics in the middle of Great Falls, but as soon as you pull onto the cobblestone driveway and are escorted out of your car it's apparent the subtleties end there. The landscaping, with the oversized koi pond and Japanese maples, is very zen-like, and offset by the accompanying sculptures and artwork, both inside and out, which bring a touch of modernity into the mix. It is no doubt a stage worthy of hosting a memorable evening. As mentioned, the only complaint I could possibly find here was that, like many restaurants who offer tasting menus, the entire table must partake of the same menu, or no one may at all. This always irks me, but it wound up allowing me to custom create 2 individual tasting menus, offering an even greater selection of dishes for myself and my dining companion to share.
The amuse bouche course presented to us was by far the most spectacular I've ever seen, offering a slither of yellowfin tuna over a Himalayan salt bed, a New Zealand mussel in a curry emulsion, a chestnut guimauve encasing a Burgundy truffle, and a potato croquette wrapped around beef tartare and topped with black garlic. Stunning, and delicious, and exactly what an amuse should be.
The first courses I selected were full of fresh and lively flavors. The hamachi with cucumber and tangerine in a meyer lemon base was as vibrant as any fish dish I've tasted, and got my taste buds going into full gear. It contrasted perfectly with the other dish, a combination of endive and figs, with a black mission fig gelee, bocconcini, and pecan oil. The sweetness in this dish was almost palpable, and the syrupy gelee begged for something to soak it up at the end.
Soup was the theme of the second course, as their offerings were extremely enticing, and one turned out being nearly my favorite dish of the night. I began with the lobster consommé, with Thai basil and butternut squash and a langoustine lollipop. Everything about this dish was exquisite, and the crustacean flavors were strong but appropriate. Choosing balance over indulgence, I again wanted to play with the flavors and paired it with a butternut squash veloute with almond and cilantro, that was poured over an apple compote. Mixing all the ingredients together was the only way to truly appreciate this dish, as the compote at the bottom really brought it to life...brilliant.
My hedonistic appreciation for extravagance caught up with me on course three, and I took advantage of the fact it was my birthday, by ordering sepia ink spaghetti, with shallots, vermouth and Parmesan, that was topped with generous amounts of shaved Alba white truffles. You would expect the truffles to dominate this dish, but they played nicely into it, adding their unmistakable umami characteristic without dwarfing the rest. Its companion dish was equally as rich, a chestnut ravioli with a robiola bosina fondue, Burgundy truffle, and meyer lemon and brown butter sauce. The chestnut and brown butter together were wonderful, and a perfect Autumn flavor.
Finally we got to the finale of the savory portion of dinner, and game was certainly afoot on our plates. I opted for the Cervena venison with a spiced Seckle pear, crispy Delicata squash, and spaetzle, as one course. The flavors and textures here were beyond harmonious; they were more along the lines of orchestral. I was blown away by the pear (rare for me), and the pairing of the squash and venison was magnificent. The other dish, a trio of duck, was equally fantastic, made as a truffled sausage atop savoy cabbage, leg confit and pomme Lyonaisse, and a roasted breast with an apricot glaze. For a duck lover this was simply Heaven.
I don't really have much space left, so I'll briefly mention the cappuccino before dessert was amazing, the mignardises were some of the best I've had, and the take-home baguette was gigantic. I do want to give a special nod to our 3 desserts, and note the "Eye Scream" was the best food presentation I've ever witnessed.Listed in: Simply The Best, Fancy Pants, DC Must Sees, Brain Free Food, The ROTD List
