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Acre 121
Categories: Restaurants Southern Nightlife Bars Restaurants Barbeque Southern, Bars, Barbeque [Edit]
1400 Irving St NW(between N 14th St & N Hiatt Pl)
Washington, DC 20010
Neighborhood: Columbia Heights
(202) 328-0121
- Nearest Transit:
-
Columbia Heights Metro Station (Green, Yellow)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 5 pm - 1 am
Fri 5 pm - 2 am
Sat 11 am - 2 am
Sun 10 am - 11 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Sun, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- Yes
71 reviews for Acre 121
Review Highlights
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"The fried green tomatoes - where to begin." In 11 reviews -
"plus some great FREE live music." In 9 reviews -
"Dessert was peanut butter pie and icebox lemon pie." In 2 reviews
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71 reviews in English
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Review from Maggie Q.
Washington, DC
4/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
So basically, the food was wonderful but the staff (host and server) were incompetent. We came in on a rainy Saturday night. We were told by the host that there would be a 5-10 minute wait for a table for 2. We said OK, he wrote down our name, and we said we would wait (5 steps away) at the bar until our table was ready. We ordered beers (that were all about $1-2 too expensive). They were out of two beers on tap we wanted, but the beer selection was still good. The bartenders were fine.
Now we've been waiting at the bar for 15+ minutes. Meanwhile, groups of two are walking in and getting seated. I walked back to the host and said, "Hi, I wanted to check in about our table." He said, "A table for 5?" I said, "No, a table for 2..." He had COMPLETELY forgotten about us. The list is a sham! You're a host - seating people is just about your only job. I mean, really.
OK, so it wasn't that big of a deal because we can entertain ourselves for a while. We got seated. The waitress recommended the shrimp and grits and some BBQ. I got the shrimp and grits and my hub got the BBQ platter, and asked to sub cheddar grits for cole slaw. The waitress said, "The chef doesn't do substitutions." Are you KIDDING me?! It comes in a ramekin on the side. It's not mixed into the entree! Total B.S.
The food was really good, but maybe a little overpriced. As a Southern girl, I have high standards for shrimp and grits, and was very impressed. I'm told the BBQ platter was awesome too.
The live music was nice, but it was hard to have a conversation. The waitress didn't understand that we asked for the check while eating dessert (didn't bring it) and was surprised when we wanted to pay when we finished dessert. These are the basics, people.
We might come back to try trivia, but it sounds like brunch is expensive so we might as well go to our old standby, The Heights. -
Review from Larry G.
Mt Rainier, MD
4/2/2012
I went here a few months ago after an Improv show at nearby school and I was surprised at how good the food was because I didnt know it was a BBQ Place, and it certainly didn't seem like one; meaning that it didnt have that standard BBQ Joint feel to it (i.e. checkered cloth tables, BBQ smell filling the block, etc.) . However my pulled chicken platter was GREAT! I had a side of beans and mac-n-cheese and everything was terrific. My long island that I ordered was kind of weak but some bartenders aren't great at making them, so no biggie.
I was with a fairly large party of about 13 people and the waitstaff was adequately attentive, although I had to chase one down to actually pay to leave as I got the bill and then she disappeared on me. Overall the food was great, which is teh main thing, and the servoce could be tightened up a little bit. -
Review from Linda S.
Washington D.C., DC
3/27/2012
I haven't Yelped in awhile but my brunch experience here the other day has made me have to Yelp out to help out. The one star is solely for the bartender - (we sat at the bar) he was very charming and personable and turned me on to my new fave brunch drink - a mimosa with Jameson's, who knew?
Anyway, I took my little cousin here who was visiting from SC and we were really excited to see our home food on the menu -- we were ready to chow down on some collards and shrimp and grits. We were looking at some of the egg dishes on the menu as well but I simply detest poached eggs and wanted to see if the chef/cook/whatevs would cook the egg over medium instead. Now, I understand this ain't IHOP, but this didn't seem like a huge request to me or some type of insult of the menu as it was, but I was told that the chef never substitutes anything, ever. My cousin was allergic to something on the dish she wanted to order and wanted one ingredient omitted and we were told that she should order something else because the chef wouldn't do it - period. (And this last request we actually saw the chef tell the bartender to tell us to suck it up!)
I am sorry, I just find this ridiculous. We weren't asking for chicken instead of beef -- we were just asking for a different type of preparation of the eggs! And my cousin just wanted one thing left off her plate! What exactly is the problem? I was in F&B for a long time, and my boyfriend owned several restaurants, this is no way to run a business. At least not a business you want anyone to come back to...
The food we had to order "as is" was mediocre at best. Hangtown Fry was tasteless. My cousin's chicken was overcooked and dry and the waffle kind of bland. There is no way in the world I was going to see what she would have done to shrimp and grits.
I won't be back unless they get rid of that "iron box" chef. Sad, because it's in my 'hood, and serves my food...sniff... -
Review from Phil E.
Hyattsville, MD
5/20/2012 1 Check-in Here
Came for lunch, ordered two salads and we drank water. It took an hour, I had to refill my own glass. Apart from taking our order and bringing our check, our server (Ryan) did not come to our table. Salads were delicious. Main restaurant was not full. The patio looked reasonably busy. Really not sure why we were neglected. It's a shame. Good food. The stars are just for the salad
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Review from K. R.
Washington, DC
4/23/2012
My friends and I are trivia regulars, so I am drawing on a pretty big sample size for this review. Generally, the food is pretty decent. I definitely think that the the quality of meals has improved since we first started coming here about a year ago. Personal favorites are the gumbo, fish and chips, BBQ chicken, and the veggie mac. There are some misses on the menu, though (looking at you, beer battered pickles). They have a very good beer selection, not only in drafts but also in cans and bottles. The cocktails are also pretty good.
Trivia is on Tuesday nights, and is always a lot of fun. It's free, and there are plenty of drink specials that go with it throughout the night. I've also been here on the weekends and the live bands they bring in have been really good. If you want to have a conversation, though, I'd recommend getting a table outside because the inside becomes pretty noisy.
The big down-side is the service can be spotty at times. Once in a while we'll get a server who just is not attentive to the table. The staff is overall pretty awesome and friendly, they just have a few slow-pokes on the waitstaff. On the flip side, the staff and bartenders always seem cheerful and that certainly adds to the enjoyment of a meal.
So I was wavering between a 3 and a 4, and I decided to go with the 4. I have definitely seen an improvement in quality at this establishment over the last few months, and I have had many a fun night out at this restaurant. -
Review from Sandi V.
Washington, DC
4/24/2012
Super cheap Happy Hour. I like the vibe -- nice but relaxed.
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Review from Natalie F.
Washington, DC
1/27/2012
Let me start by saying that considering the poor quality of food we received on our visit here, even 1 star is generous. I am going to try to make this as constructive as possible, because I feel that this could be a fantastic neighborhood staple if these people actually gave a damn about what they were serving.
For the sake of organization, let's use bullet points:
Veggie Chili Mac ($9): Mediocre vegetarian chili (I don't understand why anyone would add squash and carrots and eggplant and things that in no way enhance the flavor of the chili -- ever tried veggie chili made with lentils?) topped with penne noodles that are covered in a Velveeta-type sauce that was thin and rather weak in flavor. Even as is, you could seriously cover the dish with a layer of cheddar and pop it in the broiler, serve with fresh, sliced japapenos, and it would be at least 5 times better than what I was served. Also, the consistency of the dish was too soupy overall. For $9, it should have been spot on.
Eastern Shore Hash ($14): The presentation of this dish is so unappealing that it's difficult to move it from plate to mouth. It is served to you literally as a heap of mixed up slop, it lacks color and it's difficult to determine which form of protein is which (aside from the poached eggs). It was also difficult to differentiate the separate tastes within the mixture, leading me to believe that it was cooked far prior to my visit and simply reheated. It is not a complicated dish to prepare, so that was really disappointing.
BBQ Rib Platter ($17): I have had better ribs from roadside BBQ pits. Now these were definitely pre-cooked and reheated. The meat arrived absolutely steaming as though it had spent two and a half weeks in the microwave. It wasn't tender, and as I took my first couple of bites, I realized the tell-tale sign that should have sent us running from the time we stepped through the door: the restaurant doesn't smell like BBQ inside. Hell, it doesn't smell like food period. I don't know about any of you reading this, but as far as legitimate BBQ restaurants go, I can't think of a single one that doesn't have the scent of BBQ'd meats wafting through the establishment, through the parking lot or down the block or both.
For the record, I want Acre 121 to succeed. I live in the neighborhood and want to have as many dining options as possible because I love food. But for the prices they charge, I feel that what was served to us that day was absolutely offensive.
Anyway, this place has a long way to go as far as becoming a true BBQ restaurant. Until they improve their act dramatically, I simply won't refer to them as one. -
Review from A N N A J.
Washington, DC
Updated - 1/9/2012
This is a response to Terry C., lest you believe his consummately inaccurate reply to me;
1) The employee who snottily ignored my patient, polite attempts to connect was not waiting on a table. He was not part of your wait staff, judging by his outfit and his luxurious, personal conversation with a patron.
2) I am neither blind nor mentally-challenged. If the rules had been posted, I wouldn't have tried, in desperation, to learn more.
3) There was no "trivia host table"; see my second point. Your rules weren't anywhere. I looked.
I've worked in retail, hospitality and customer service. It saddens me that instead of taking the opportunity to rectify an unfortunate situation or be the "bigger person" (which any wise business would have done) Terry C. chose to be reactive, defensive and dishonest in a poor attempt to discredit me and deflect my admittedly scathing but honest review. I think his reaction tells you everything you need to know about this business and how it operates. Avoid, avoid, avoid.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/19/2011
What. A. Shit show.
I've been to Acre 121 thrice at this point and I won't be returning, which is… Read more »
Comment from Terry C. of Acre 121 1/9/2012
I am not interested enough to find a FOURTH employee to find… More » -
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Review from Phoenix R.
San Francisco, CA
1/6/2012
Acre 121 was our (party of 6) destination for New Years Eve. Each couple's ticket included a 3 course meal, including a bottle of champagne, and entertainment by a lovely bluegrass band, The Family Hammer. It was a swinging sensation. NYE is a tough one to pull off when it comes to good service and good food. There are too many jovial fools who just had a few two many drinks. But, Acre 121 pulled it off with glitter and grace. Their staff is personable and attentive, even when having to shout over the crowd and the band.
The fixed menu included red meat, something one of our party doesn't eat. Our waitress brought over their regular menu & my friend picked out a different dish. The manager even popped by to doublecheck the order, just to solidify that we had a great night. It's that attention to customers & details that makes Acre 121 a hot spot.
We went back for drinks another night & the place was not roaring, just a relaxed friendly atmosphere. It was good to see the grand spectrum of personalities that Acre 121 can pull. I was incredibly pleased with the service, the ambiance and most importantly, the food and drink. I would most certainly go back -- you know, when I visit DC again. -
Review from Jim D.
Washington, DC
2/15/2012
Went for brunch on a Sunday. We enjoyed the make-your-own bloody mary bar. The food was pretty good.
One of our table mates ordered the chicken and waffle ad the chicken was so undercooked. Kinda scary any cook would serve that!
The server was very nice, although the device was a bit slow (I think just under staffed).
Might go back, but won't be a top a choice. -
Review from Andy G.
12/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
I would go 4.5 stars because some of the details were missing, but all in all, it was a hit.
My girlfriend and I decided that a bagel was insufficient brunch material, so we decided to try Acre 121, mainly because we have walked by dozens of times but never actually stepped in.
The interior is pretty cool. I don't know what, if anything, they changed after Commonwealth shut down, but the rough wood interior is warm and inviting. The downside was that the interior was freezing. They put out space heaters, indicating that perhaps something was wrong with the HVAC, but the temperature was noticeable.
I honed in on the Shrimp and Grits because a Southern friend of mine made it once and it was incredible. Nothing is quite as good as home cooking, but the rich gravy atop the creamy grits was incredible. The four prawns were perhaps a touch overcooked, but not by much, and they were still very enjoyable. BTW, these must have been 5-10ct praws. I will not call them shrimp because they were anything but shrimpy in size.
To the reviewer who said it was "too rich." I'm scratching my head on that one. Low country cooking can, and should be, incredibly rich. The french influence in the south has destroyed any subtlety, so just know what you are getting into.
My girlfriend had the Eastern Shore hash, which I am pretty sure is subsidized by Pfizer. Again, if you like rich, this won't be for you, but I wouldn't suggest it if you have a cholesterol problem. The dish had an unexpected spice that added a nice kick.
As far as missed details: Our waitress was a touch slow, and there was no water at the table. Brunch is for the recovering drunkards, so water is a must.
The slow service gave us time to speak with the owner. He told me how they smoke their BBQ, so I am interested in trying this place again. I asked if it was parboiled, and he was almost insulted. Good. Anyone that serves parboiled BBQ is insulting diners. His chef is a legit low country chef, and he is hoping to bring up the quality at the restaurant next door, Lou's.
All in all, I'd go back. This place is solid. -
Review from Ali B.
Washington, DC
3/17/2012
here are my feelings on Acre 121:
1. it is super chintzy that they're using the free version of Pandora radio. don't get me wrong, I'm in no way too proud for free music, but it's jarring as hell when ads come blaring over the loudspeaker right after a nice Etta James jam. every time an ad came screeching on, my dining partner and I jumped.
2. "cheddar grits"? they didn't look or taste cheesy, and our waitress informed us that the chefs told her they only use a tiny bit of cheddar cheese. they were pretty good for plain grits, but we didn't want plain grits, we wanted cheesy grits. #firstworldproblems
3. all this said, our waitress was delightful. she was completely on the ball and professional, made good (and extensive, and detailed) recommendations, and handled our minor complaints like a total boss. I wish I knew her name so I could recommend her as a human being.
4. my pulled pork was quite tasty, though I'm not the barbecue expert that many of these other reviewers seem to be. the angel biscuits were light and buttery, the blue cheese cole slaw was pretty good, the fried green tomatoes were tucked away in an intense armature of batter (but the batter tasted fine, I guess), the beans were excellent, and the grits were not nearly as cheesy as I'd want. so overall, I'd give the food a B- or a C+.
5. I did not participate in the Bloody Mary bar, but uh...it seems like the sort of thing that's a better idea in the planning process than in execution. I mean, there's a reason none of us are bartenders: we do not know how to make drinks. that's your job, slugger. that's the only reason I'd ever pay $11 for a cocktail. -
Review from J M.
Columbus, OH
5/9/2012
I agree w. most of the brunch reviews... the fried oyster omelet was pathetic, just a slab of eggs with three dinky fried oysters on top... probably cost them about $2 to make and it cost $12 on the menu. Though the bloody mary bar was cool (I was there at 11:30 so it was still pretty well kept), this was a $7 bloody mary and they barely put any vodka in the glass. The waitress knew nothing about the menu and had to check three times to answer our questions. Avoid.
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Review from Nicola P.
Washington, DC
3/27/2012
Very nice spot for studying. Unlimited coffee refills and quite tasty food. Reasonable price. Fast internet wireless!!
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Review from Dan W.
San Francisco, CA
1/16/2012
People really seem to be trippin' over the trivia night fiasco here.... I don't know anything about it. But, I do know that my experience here was great [shameless plug: it helped to get 50% off via scoutmob]. The live music on Saturday night provided a great ambiance towards the end of our meal when the place transitions from restaurant to bar. Warning; it does get pretty loud with the music, but you should be expecting it when you eat at a bar&grill on a weekend night.
My biggest complaint: Price. This place is just too expensive for what you get, but maybe I'm just not their market (they seem to be going for the yuppies in thier mid-30s who don't mind overpriced beers during their hunt for cougars & southern nostalgia)
The pulled pork platter was above my expectations and the portions were pretty large, almost justifying the price. However, my dining partner said the shrimp & grits were just average. Also, they seemed to have a good beer selection, but after the meal I was too full to justify a $7+ beer. -
Review from Jennifer R.
Washington, DC
1/31/2012 1 Check-in Here
I visited Acre 121 for the first time a couple of weeks ago - it sits across the street from the Panera, IHOP and all things commercial by the Columbia Heights metro. A friend and I went on a Monday night.
The place was pretty empty, but I would still say service was somewhat erratic - our waitress looked to be a trainee, but the other waitress on duty seemed to do a good job of picking up the slack when it came to getting things done.
Music they play is ok - some nice blues. The vibe in there is dark and mellow (could be because it was Monday).
Food wise - I had the BBQ chicken, which I would rate as passable. I liked the sauce that came on it, it had a nice little kick to it. But I wouldn't at all say this is comparable to the quality I have seen in BBQ in other parts of the country. The bun the sandwich came on was ok.
The sides I would rate so-so. I had a biscuit which was somewhat cold and lacked any true flavor. The flavored butter on the side didn't impress me either. The blue cheese coleslaw didn't have enough blue cheese in it to really taste that flavor.
The apple cobbler (or deep dish pie - I can't remember) was the best part of the meal, warm had nice ice cream on the side, and good apple flavor.
I think this place is just overall eh - it will likely get foot traffic just because of location. -
Review from Katie Y.
10/20/2011
What I loved about Acre 121 was that they have maintained the warm atmosphere that Commonwealth had (I think I was one of the few neighborhood folks who liked Commonwealth). I also love that they support local arts via music and local indie movie showings as well as other random events. It's a nice little space to host something different than what other area bars offer.
What I liked about Acre 121 was the three appetizer deal. The food isn't stellar, but it's good bar food, and on a recent trip I enjoyed the mac n cheese and the fried green tomatoes in particular.
What I didn't like about Acre 121 is that they don't have any solid happy hour specials. Instead, they kind of do that rotating specials crap (you know, like half-priced bottles on Wednesdays). I'd much rather prefer a normal happy hour that highlights some cocktails (which they have their own cocktail menu to choose from) and some beers on tap rather than having to know what's up before you go. I'm way more likely to just stop by a place if I know I can hit up a solid happy hour.
What I thought was weird about Acre 121 was this: I know this sounds rather shallow, but I'm going to put it out there anyway. Don't come looking for eye candy among any of the staff and bartenders (this includes both genders). -
Review from Maki P.
Updated - 10/17/2011
What's with all the negative brunch reviews here? I feel obligated to check in and put in a good word, because my brunch experience, like my recent dinner experience, was a flavorful success. The menu is inventive without being overly ambitious, and all of the dishes I tried (in particular their twist on the eggs benedict with fried green tomato and pork belly (pork belly!!!) in place of the traditional canadian bacon) were well-prepared and delicious. The plating did leave something to be desired, and I think that as a result, the portions looked a little smaller than they were-- and for the type of food it is, the portions really are controlled, which I actually appreciated. Once again, I rolled out of Acre 121 feeling pleasantly satiated instead of disgustingly bloated which had been my prediction when I first scanned the menu.
The service was polite, the bloody mary bar was well-stocked (the advantage of this is that you get as many olives as you want!), and I'd definitely swing back this way for brunch again.Listed in: Best of Columbia Heights and…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/26/2011
How surprised was I to like this place as much as I did? The outside of Acre 121 looks so sterile… Read more »
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Review from R F.
Washington, DC
10/24/2011
Had brunch at Acre 121 yesterday. It was only OK and was expensive. $50 for two people for brunch. That was $50 with no alcohol involved. We both had coffee. The barbeque sauce on the ribs I ordered was so vinegary that it took my breath away. $3 for two tiny pieces of crumbly cornbread. Really. $4 for a tiny cup of cheese grits.
I won't be back. -
Review from Kati R.
Washington, DC
2/21/2012
Great shrimp roll, great beer list, good amount of space and live music! A great addition to the CH scene.
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Review from Patrick G.
Washington, DC
12/12/2011
Well, I wasn't that impressed. Like I always say, "You have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find a good restaurant in DC." We went to brunch on 12/11/11. I decided to try the self-serve Bloody Mary Bar. Perhaps it was because we were later in the brunch hour (1:45) but the table of condiments and various hot sauces was "unclean." If there's anything that turns me off it's all of the "gunk" accummulated around the caps of the bottles.... the result of strangers using the bottles. No one was tending to them. I'm glad I tried it. I will never partake of a self-service bar again.
My entree.... "shrimp and grits" was overwhelmingly "too rich."
It's a good place for young families to go because you can let your toddlers roam and know one seems to mind. -
Review from Allyson P.
Washington, DC
9/20/2011
I was a little nervous after reading some of the negative reviews, but I actually had a really good experience here. I went to have dinner at the bar while reading/people watching, and thought the bartenders did a great job of being just attentive enough. They were friendly and seemed to have an uncanny ability to be nearby when I needed something, but I never felt bothered by them either.
They happened to have half-price glasses of wine when I went, and they have a better than necessary wine by the glass selection. Bartenders were knowledgeable about the wines, and were happy to offer tastes before I picked one.
As for food, I went with the pulled pork platter with grits and fried green tomatoes. The pork was the best I've had at any of the trendy new barbecue places that have popped up in NW DC, but that's not saying much. It's not nearly as good as barbecue in my hometown, but I'm not in the midwest anymore, so I'll take it. Their sides though, were absolutely amazing. Their grits were easily the best I've had, and I get grits just about anywhere that has them. The fried green tomatoes were also really good, though I have less basis for comparison there. -
Review from Eugene A.
Washington, DC
4/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
Food was pretty good, BBQ pulled pork was just a little dry. Service was good, music was all mid 90's (a plus for me). Atmosphere was nice and relaxing. Decent beer selection though a little pricy.
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Review from Ruth C.
9/12/2011 8 photos
Bouncer went from guarding by the door to perching near the gate to the patio area. Hostess was friendly and prepared to accommodate our incoming party despite opening night jitters. They've now added wine pairing recommendations exclusively to their BBQ and entree selections. At the time of our visit, they hadn't released a mixed drinks menu yet so we stuck to their short tap list. Their signature drink list has since added on classic cocktails, pretty basic options, which reflects their effort at being a venue in the same vein as Virginia's State Theatre. The live music made it nigh impossible to converse at a regular volume, though admittedly we were seated uncomfortably close to the staging area by the entrance.
Hilton Head Cobb salad was huge, very fair in pricing. I'm not a fan of compartmentalized toppings, which is a less dirty sounding way of saying that I prefer not to completely toss my own salad. Greens and chopped tomatoes were fresh, only half a deviled egg was included, and I wish the pork belly had been crispier skin-side. If anyone were to tell me the corn had come out of a can, I wouldn't think twice to protest. The tails of my grilled shrimp were the only crunchy textural contrast on the plate. Grilled chicken was fine, cut into more manageable strips. They mixed up my dressing order but ever-trusting, I gave their unappealing BBQ ranch a shot. Protip: cider vinaigrette has gotta be better.
I soothed our nervous server when alcohol led to Hannah's short-term amnesia about requesting gruyere on her burger. House-made ketchup was unimpressive, any attempt that might've been made to roast the tomatoes didn't emerge in the flavor. Sweet potato fries started going limp minutes after hitting the table. In their stale condition, I marginally preferred the overly starchy wedge fries. Pulled pork in the platter was run of the mill, pretty much the favorite of the evening. The skillful execution of the proteins' fry jobs in the fish & chips and the carpetbagger po'boy were close runners-up. Fried green tomatoes were forgettable, with the light batter coating sloughing off at the touch of a knife. Coleslaw substituted as lettuce in the shrimp "BLT," and the crustaceans were a touch overcooked.
I'm a picky peanut butter eater. I'll eat it on toast or a spoon, but I don't like Reese's cups. Leave a chewy pb cookie unattended around me for a day and it'll likely seduce me with its aromatic siren's song. The peanut butter pie was a turnoff, the taste and texture made me think of a grocery store brand of Snickers ice cream cake. Perhaps the icebox lemon pie is better, or "Today's Indiscretion."
Two and a half stars. I'm pretty sure I had the overall, least offensive dining experience of our table, and only because my order was the most difficult to botch. I may come back to try the grits, hanger steak, or smoked trout dip and see if they've worked out their kinks. Surely they've graduated to real bathroom signs instead of sharpied paper taped to the doors? It's so metro accessible... but so underwhelming too. -
Review from Candace A.
Arlington, VA
8/14/2011
This is the first review I've written in awhile, but I feel some wrongs need to be righted. I'm not sure who Acre 121 pissed off, but what I had was way better than I expected after reading the reviews. Sat at bar by myself, bartenders were great, had a REALLY great cocktail called The Presbyterian - bourbon, ginger ale, club soda and lemon. Not too sweet and def had a kick.
Torn between low country or bbq, the bartender highly recc'd the bbq. So I went pulled pork sandwich platter which is about 12 bucks and you get two sides. It had been a crap day, so I doubled up on sweet potato fries. Sandwich - awesome, smoky, and a yummy sauce. Sweet potato fries were crispy and yummy. Between drinks, service and food, this is a great place to have in the neighborhood, so GO so it can stick around for awhile. -
Review from Susan l.
San Francisco, CA
10/2/2011
Excellent Sunday brunch (they have a whole bloody mary bar which looked quite fun, if you're into that)! Even if not the best in the city.
I live a few blocks away and it's good to have a much more interesting brunch place than the others right in the area (the heights = ugh. ihop = hmm.) We didn't need to wait even at high brunchtime on the weekend and they sat the 5 of us immediately.
About the food I've had:
-pulled pork platter is a ton of food for your money and good but simple pork sandwich (just pork/bread)
-great fried tomatoes and dipping sauce
-decent mac and cheese, pretty regular
Also, CoHi really need a place with live music almost every single night so I'm happy about that! Who cares how great the music is (I think it's fine but I think hit or miss). -
Review from Sheila S.
10/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
The beer is the same price as the cocktails, and the food is alright.
The service has been excellent every time though, especially at the bar. -
Review from Kate R.
8/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
what is the problem here? i feel like the reviews here were written by the same people who put "first" in the comments section on a CNN article. Much like the foundation on a house, give it time to settle and then see what the problems are.
since i haven't eaten here yet i would normally give it 4 stars but b/c of all these negative reviews i'll up it to 5.
was NOT carded by the hostess, maybe that was a policy, but it doesn't seem to be true. they had an AMAZING selection of drinks, i mean come on there's an OLD FASHION on the menu, who puts that on a menu? they do and they made it well! great beer selection, decent prices and live music. i can see how it would be annoying during a dinner (pretty loud, but you don't hear people bitching about that at georgia browns....well people other than me anyways.) but it def set the mood for the night. cool seating areas and great staff.
i hope this lil gem makes it!Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from CHRISTOPHER F.
Arlington, VA
1/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
Solid BBQ esp for dc and live music
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Review from B C.
Washington, DC
8/13/2011
First impressions:
The pulled pork sandwich, blue cheese slaw, and homemade condiments (barbeque, hot sauce, ketchup) were good.
Good selection of draft beers.
Pleasantly designed interior, and lots of patio seating.
Our waitress was attentive and friendly.
Enjoyed the live music. -
Review from Nicole W.
8/15/2011
3.5 stars.
+ nice outdoor seating and an awesome bluegrass band playing live. (Loved them)
+ peachy shortcake was excellent.
Entrees were okay. Pulled chicken sandwich was good.. however meat a little dry. Fried green tomatoes were red, but tasty (dipping sauce was amazing) . Service was attentive and pleasant.
Things that need work: mediocre chicken quesadilla for $9, way over priced. Cocktails are also pricy, but reasonable per DC standards.
Please visit and enjoy a good dinner.. plus some great FREE live music. -
Review from Jason S.
Washington, DC
9/3/2011
A barbecue place should really know how to do at least one thing well - BBQ. Unfortunately, Acre 121 doesn't manage even that.
The first sign of trouble came when the waitress looked perplexed and uncomfortable when we asked her about the type of barbecue. To her credit, she did offer to have the cook come out and tell us what kind of sauce they used.
We ordered the BBQ chicken and pulled pork BBQ, which should have been well within the kitchen's wheelhouse. Both entrees came with two sides, which Acre 121 serves generously in tiny ramekins. Chicken was ordered with corn bread and fried green tomatoes. Pork was with collard greens and macaroni and cheese.
In general, all the food seemed to have been overcooked and over-sweetened well in advance of our visit, allowed to cool, reheated, and plated, halfheartedly, in cafeteria style.
The chicken was dry and seemed to have been unseasoned and left to languish under heating lamps, then doused with cloyingly sweet BBQ sauce.
The fried green tomatoes - where to begin? Even this Yankee Jew could tell they were far from kosher. Tomatoes should be thinly sliced; batter should be light and mainly cornmeal. On these, the batter was like body armor and the end product was like a hockey puck.
The pulled pork was decent, but simply heaped onto a dry bun that was brioche in name only with the same uninspired candy sauce as the chicken. The macaroni and cheese was soupy and, where every other restaurant is taking Mac and cheese to ridiculous next levels, was not quite as good as Kraft.
In short, the food was not inedible, but this place needs to get it together or give up. -
Review from M. P.
Washington, DC
9/18/2011
I came to Acre 121 for brunch with my family knowing that it had mixed reviews. Big mistake.
The service was terrible. I worked as a waiter through college, so I'm usually sympathetic to service problems. Mistakes happen. But this was inexcusable. When our drink orders arrived, the waiter spilled orange juice all over the table. He didn't offer to clean it up. When I asked, he said he would clean it up right away, but he never did. Moreover, the waiter forget my father's drink order altogether. When I asked the waiter about it almost 10 minutes after the rest of our drinks were served, he said, "of course, I got it," as if this was normal.
Then our food came. My mom's crab cake sandwich looked OK (although she wasn't very impressed). The rest of us had ordered french toast, with came with a side of sausage. Once again, my dad's order was never served, but this time he was better off without it. The french toast and sausage were cold, and the sausage was undercooked. It looked as if the french toast had been precooked, and that they intended to heat it up later, but forgot. I told the waiter about the problems. He reacted with confusion and wandered off. He didn't get a manager or even take our food back. He just wandered off and started serving other tables.
A few minutes later, we just decided to leave (as did the table of girls next to us, who had just ordered drinks when they noticed our problems, and realized they should get out while they had the chance). My girlfriend and I found a manager (I think he may have been the owner) and told him about the problems. To his credit, he immediately offered to bring us hot food and comp our meal. But at this point, we just wanted the experience to be over, so we left.
I really wanted this place to be good, since it's so close to my apartment, but I don't think I'll be going back any time soon. -
Review from Kvatch K.
Washington, DC
10/7/2011
Used to go to Commonwealth Gastropub (former occupant of the space) for their very reliable banger's and mash. So I guess I've been meaning to try Acre 121 for a while...just never got around to it.
Let's start out with the good: The food is tasty and reasonably priced. The Frogette enjoyed her pulled chicken sandwich, and I had a hard time not eating her grits in addition to my own. My chicken and pork belly was delicious, and Acre 121 has a pretty decent beer selection. The shrimp that accompanied my chicken wasn't too great, but it didn't really flavor the dish. So I didn't complain. Finally the service is friendly, if not too knowledgeable about the menu.
But...there's something about Acre 121 that I find depressing. Maybe it's the schizo way that Acre 121 can't seem to decide if it want's to be a bar (you know stage, scarcity of tables in the center) or a restaurant. Maybe it's the fact that they didn't change Commonwealth's decor. If fact, Acre 121 looks like the "hollowed out" shell of Commonwealth. Maybe it's the fact that there were more wait staff milling around than customers.
I don't know. I hope Acre 121 makes it. The food's good, but I can't shake the, "...we're just going through the motions" vibe. -
Review from Travis S.
San Antonio, TX
4/26/2012
This place is ridiculous. My wife and our friend both ordered the fish and chips. They both asked to substitute their side of blue cheese cole slaw for grits(for her) and greens(for him). The waitress came back and said that the chef refused to substitute ANYTHING. A manager then came over, asked what the problem was, and then promptly told us there was nothing he could do because the plates came the way they came. He said that he didn't like the blue cheese slaw either, but he had learned not to eat it rather than ask for something different. I told him that I would trash them all over the internet if my wife couldn't get the side dish she wanted and he just shrugged. The chef then came out, stood in the doorway in her dirty whites, and proceeded to stare us down. I have worked in kitchens for years and would never tell a client that they couldn't change SIDE DISHES(?). What a ridiculously egotistical chef. When the sides came out on the plates they were in side cups, not even part of the plating presentation. The rest of the food was well prepared, but the refusal to make their clients happy by meeting one simple request ruined the entire experience. Then to top it all off, our bill was $80.19, and instead of bringing us our change, the server gave us a $20 bill. So now we are supposed to leave her a $20 on an $80 check for not providing us with an enjoyable experience? The place was amateur night brought and through. Do not stroke this chef's ego. SKIP Acre 121.
Comment from Terry C. of Acre 121 5/3/2012
I am sorry that I wasn't there to properly explain our… More » -
Review from Ruben G.
Washington, DC
7/7/2011
Maybe it was the blueberry vodka that has been home infusing in my refrigerator for the past two weeks that we enjoyed before dinner but my friends and I found Acre 121 to be quite yummy. Acre 121 earned an extra half star for proximity to my apt and my astonishment that two of my skinniest gays cleaned their plates. Impressive. At Commonwealth, I often settled for what I didn't want the least but here I found many things on the menu I was interested in trying. The sides felt somewhat overpriced but the staff was flexible in trading the sides listed with the menu items for something else.
Collectively we ordered the Po'Boy Sandwich, an order of fried green tomatoes, two barbecue plates and a crabcake sandwich. The french fries that accompanied the sandwiches were meh to me but the sandwiches themselves were very tasty. My man enjoyed his barbecue plate and it should be noted that just two days ago he ate what he calls the best pulled pork sandwich of his life in Charlotte, NC. I tasted a bit of my man's barbecued sausage and found it spicy and yummy.
We were outnumbered by the restaurant staff and it definitely feels like they are still getting their feet wet. You can almost still smell the fresh paint on the empty walls, but I lam hopeful that this restaurant will find itself and flourish. The staff were friendly and showed promise and the service was better than at Commonwealth or what I have experienced at next door neighbor, Lou's. Overall, the food was satisfying and we will absolutely return to explore more of the menu. We were told that Tuesdays will be trivia and live music will be mostly reserved for the weekends. Good luck, Acre 121 and welcome to the neighborhood! -
Review from Jenny K.
Washington, DC
8/1/2011
I'm not really understanding the lackluster reviews for Acre 121. I went for dinner on Saturday night and had a good experience with enjoyable food and cocktails. I am all about the cocktail menu, and I had a difficult time deciding which one to order. While the bourbon-based cocktails were very tempting, it was about a million degrees outside, which calls for a Dark and Stormy. I've had a better D&S, but this one was cold, lime-y, spicy and strong, so it gets my seal of approval.
My boyfriend is a big fan of the barbecue trend sweeping DC and ordered the big platter so he could try some of everything. Between the two of us we had pulled pork, chicken, hot sausage and ribs, which were all smokey and tender, and not overwhelmed by the slightly spicy sauce. We determined that the barbecue is vastly superior to the fatty, flavorless meat they give you at American Ice Company, and I thought it was better than Hill Country too, although he prefers the gigantic Hill Country portions to Acre 121's more reasonable amounts of food.
Of the sides, I enjoyed the sweet potato fries, and the blue cheese slaw, although the latter didn't have any blue cheese flavor at all. I thought the cornbread had a really nice, buttery flavor, but it was too crumbly to eat easily. BF liked the slightly sweet baked beans.
Dessert was peanut butter pie and icebox lemon pie. Neither was overwhelmingly good, and the lemon pie was weirdly salty. Next time I will skip dessert in favor of more food.
The service was friendly and efficient until the end. We waited a good long while for the check, and not only did the busser stop re-filling the water glasses while we waited, she just took BF's glass away while we sat for another 10 minutes. Not cool, but I'm not going to ding a place on minor service issues when they are just getting started. Hopefully stuff like this will get ironed out.
Overall, I think this is a great addition to Columbia Heights, and more exciting than Commonwealth. We will definitely be back. -
Review from Jen D.
Washington D.C., DC
1/22/2012
The food here is quite good. The mac and cheese was very rich and the fried green tomatoes came with a great sauce. The beer list is extensive and pretty delicious---definitely push yourself to check out the banana bread beer!
Live music a great touch but does make it difficult to talk to your tablemates. They also had a great event a few weeks ago where a quartet from the NSO played. Hopefully more of these unique events will continue.
I have been there several times and always satisfied except for last night. I went in for a quick drink and ordered a side of the tomatoes. Unlike usual, I only received 3 small slices with my order. That seems particularly ridiculous for a price of $5. I questioned the bartender about it and she said that is the normal portion. I was surprised by the response since I have ordered it previously and received at least double the number of slices. So I guess just be cautious and maybe ask in advance. It is certainly not worth the price if they have downsized the portions. -
Review from Johnny D.
Washington, DC
1/15/2012
Been to Acre 121 a number of times, great location. They have a decent beer and booze selection, but the prices are a tad on the high side.
Half price wine night is a good deal but I would steer away from the cheese plate. Really more like a lettuce and bread plate, the cheese seems an afterthought.
I want to like this place but it is hard, cloth napkins with paper plate service. The waitstaff a little unkempt and not fully knowledgeable of the food and drink offerings. -
Review from Bryan F.
Columbia Heights, Washington, DC
1/14/2012
What a stunningly surreal experience. While dining with new friends, that happened to leave before me, the host and general a manager appeared out of no where to inform us that we simply must leave the table because only the names of our new friends were on the wait list. My friend and I were astounded someone in the hospitality industry would, even for a second, think about demanding something like this from a patron. But ours did, and even vocalized it. When we overcame our shock, and told him we were just finishing our drinks, and would be leaving momentarily (and never coming back) he had the bus boy literally pull the table away from our chairs Enough said about this place...southern hospitality my a**.
Comment from Terry C. of Acre 121 1/16/2012
Stunning Surreal? Get over yourself. You jumped in an empty… More »
