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Categories: American (New), Breakfast & Brunch [Edit]
4000 Campbell AveJoin us for Valentine's Day - Sunday 2/14!
Announced 6 days agoMon. 11:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Tue-Thu. 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Fri. 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Sun. 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
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Oh god, how I love the Carlyle. When my parents would take me out for my birthday I would ask to come here every time. I still try to make a trip when I'm in town. Oh, the desserts are my favorite. Everything and anything made by whomever is creating the desserts is worth every huge calorie-laden bite.
The place is usually pretty crowded, so make a reservation. You'll probably still have to wait.
Mm Mmm good...
A friend of mine enjoys the Great American Restaurant chain so this was yet another one of the fabulous eateries (previously eaten at SweetWater.) We checked out this particular restaurant convienently located close to where I was staying. I got together with the man's friends for a late (3:45pm) lunch.
It was Thursday so I got the soup of the day: Crab&Corn Chowder. Yummmmy! Well, not to mention that I already like corn chowder so I figured adding the crab would enhance the flavor....and it did!
My burger was done just right, not so juicy that it made a mess but not too dry that it tasted bad. I also really enjoyed the fries which are cut super skinny, kind of like Steak&Shake if you are familiar with that. My boyfriend even commented that he liked the fries and didn't keep any to bring home with his uneaten half of the grilled chicken sandwich...which I did not get a chance to try.
Too stuffed for dessert but I hope to come back for the creme brulee....
I'll start with my favorite thing about Carlyle...the bread pudding...whoa baby that's some good bread pudding! Next time I'm there I just may have dessert first.
The food is good also. I've had several entrees at Carlyle including the jambalaya pasta and herb crusted trout, both were very good.
A couple of negatives about this restaurant are there is usually a long wait to get a table and the wait staff isn't very friendly. Regardless of those, did I mention the bread pudding??
Oh how I love Carlyle. We used to live minutes away and now I realize how lucky we were. We've tried most of the menu and always had a treat.
You start with beignets at brunch or sliced bread at dinner. Fresh bread from Best Buns Bakery. So good.
If you're greedy like me, you then order the calamari. Ah - buttery corn sauce on one side of the plate and savory tomato on the other side. Always perfectly fried. When we first started going there, it was just calamari; now they mix in fried onions which I'm sure saves them money. It's not a big deal. I prefer the calamari but I basically lick the plate regardless.
The small salads. Depends what you're in the mood for. The mixed greens salad is nice and clean. The warm goat cheese and pecan salad is scrumptious - not very virtuous but hey there are greens under that fried cheese. The field greens and Bibb - also very nice greens.
Entree salads: we have a friend who will only order the roast chicken salad; he swears by it. The crispy two noodle shrimp salad is yes fried shrimp with yes fried noodles but there are veggies in there - I get the dressing on the side. It's good but a little too much for me. The short smoked grilled salmon is delicious - I think I prefer the salad over the entree b/c it's rich. Gf prefers the seared tuna entree over the salad but it looks like you can only get the salad now.
Entrees. Crab cakes come with sweet buttery biscuits at brunch (and eggs) or good fries and coleslaw at dinner. The flounder and trout entrees are fine, I just tend to go for a salad to try to balance the fact that I must have the calamari and a dessert. My parents like the ribs or a burger. Oh - and the grilled fish is PERFECT. So hard to find. Thank you Carlyle - my only bone to pick (no pun) is that I'd love them to pair the fish with a small salad as the side, instead of polenta or sweet potatoes. But that's minor. I can order a salad.
Desserts. The chocolate waffle. Warm chocolate waffle with ice cream and chocolate sauce. OMG. Or the banana pudding with homemade crumbled vanilla wafers, and chocolate and caramel sauces. It is a really hard decision, but I usually go with the waffle. I've tried the apple pie twice and both times it was way too sweet.
It's a beautiful restaurant. We've sat outside, downstairs, upstairs, by the windows, in the back. It doesn't matter. The service is impeccable and the food is wonderful. At one point, we were going weekly.
We park in the new lot a few blocks away and call on your way there to get on the list so that you don't have to wait so long.
Enjoy!!!!
Came here for dinner Saturday night. All these places within Great American Restaurants are pretty much just that. They keep to their standard menu items and execute them very well. If you are someone who is looking for the chef to get creative and mix up the menu once in awhile, this isn't the place. They have a strict formula and follow it to the note. But you can expect getting the same item on the menu just as you did the last time. Ordered short smoked salmon filet and it was seriously one of the best pieces of salmon i've had. Wife ordered the Chicken Paillard...again, done very well at all their restaurants. My wife also raved about their flourless chocolate waffle. very very good, not too sweet.
I've only been once, and I ordered the grilled trout with brown butter sauce. It was delicious. The brown butter sauce was a perfect complement to the nice grilled smoke flavor of the trout. The side of potatoes was meh but that fish was fantastic. My wife had the eggs Benedict which has a nice twist. Instead of the usual English muffin base, they use a small piece of filet mignon. She loved it. Also, the croissants are delivered from the bakery, right next door, and they were quite good as well.
A buddy of mine raved about this place, and I trust her recommendations, so I wanted to give this place a try. I went yesterday for Sunday brunch. I have now found one of my favorite brunch spots in the metropolitan area! While it was pretty packed, I called ahead and that shortened my wait. The entire staff was ultra friendly and very customer service oriented.
The ambiance is nice. It was a little loud, but it's happy banter noise rather than irritating. Great for special occasions or just because! The complimentary yummy sweet rolls and carrot cake slices were AWESOME and the food was SPECTACULAR!!!
I had the french toast (which came highly recommended by my friend) and OMG - THE BEST french toast I've ever had! My eggs were fluffy, the bacon and fried potatoes (which came with the dish) couldn't have been more perfect! I didn't have to season ANYTHING on my plate (which is unheard of for me). From the first to last bite, it shows just how much pride and care the chef takes with each plate.
I would suggest that they began carrying grits as a brunch side item, as well as turkey sausage/bacon (opposed to only pork bacon to choose from) on the menu. If I had five hands, I'd give this place a glowing 5 thumbs up!
Came here for Sunday brunch and I had a great time. Their bread basket served bread (carrot cake and donuts) from the bakery next door and they are yummy.
The main menu looks yummy but I personally think they lack in the Brunch menu. Nevertheless, I got the scrambled eggs with bacon, fried potatoes and cheddar cheese. They were all mixed in the eggs so it looks more like a scrambled omelet (does it even make sense?)
My boyfriend got the French Toast with Bacon, potatoes and eggs and they were so delicious too, especially the French Toast. We were done by 1 but we were stuffed and didn't eat until 11PM!
I am deducting one star because of the system for getting a table. We received the buzzer thing for when our table was ready which was ok, but the downside was after the buzzer thing lit up, the hostess gave us some printed out piece of paper that we were to present in the restaurant upstairs. It just seemd too 'corporate' for my taste. I like being greeted by a hostess who will walk me to my table after the buzzer goes off.
The food was excellent, and the wine list also has affordable bottles that are quite good. Our waiter however, did not refill our bread basket, and they were out of our first choice of dessert. The waiter said their bread pudding was excellent and if we did not think it was the best bread pudding ever he would comp it. Well.....sorry to say it was not the best bread pudding ever. We received a comp for it. The bread pudding was all crust, and far too stiff and dry. Otherwise the meal was excellent as we had filet and they were done perfectly.
Carlyle is the can't miss choice for my wife and I. We have celebrated many occasions at this place including birthdays, anniversaries, and "just another Tuesday."
By far, this is one of the better Great American Restaurants group's bets locations. Carlyle has the most diverse offerings of drinks, appetizers, entrees, and desserts. The beer and wine selection is good, but my personal favorite is their Caipirinha.
The blue crab fritters are a maintstay at most GAR locations, and so are the Tex Mex eggrolls, and they're usually my top choices at Carlyle. Don't go too overboard with the appetizers though because the complimentary bread from Best Buns Bread Co. right next door is delicious.
When it comes to the entrees, the one staple item that keeps us coming back is the BBQ beef ribs. Tender, juicy, and delicious...you just can't go wrong (unless you don't like BBQ, beef, or ribs). GAR's other location Artie's also has beef ribs also, but you have to catch them on a Monday or Tuesday, and that's only while they last. Now, I'm not saying the beef ribs here compare to an Iron Works (Austin, TX), or Levis' (Oxon Hill, MD), but Carlyle's beef ribs are excellent and you don't have to fly to Texas or worry about getting shanked in the parking lot.
Other items that are delicious are the pecan-crusted trout, steak, chicken paillard, and most of their sandwich offerings.
Dessert here is good, but my complaint is that they don't have more choices. Considering Best Buns is right next door, they should offer more than just a few items. Regardless, I usually end up partaking in my wife's choice of the white chocolate bread pudding, and I've never been disappointed.
The standard of service is high here, and after at least twenty visits, I can't share of a single negative experience. The decor is nice, and it is especially nice upstairs later in the evening when it's a bit more quiet.
A great place to celebrate, meet friends, go on a date, or just have a fantastic meal! Call ahead and put your name on the list, or avoid the crowds by going after 8:30 or 9:00 PM.
This is the best restaurant I've eaten at in Arlington / Alexandria. The brunch is fantastic, and includes fresh baked goods from the bakery next-door.
Also, this place is huge. There is sometimes a wait, but if you call ahead, they'll take your name and put it on the list. The drinks here are reasonably priced.
This review is for one food item that everyone must go eat:
Eggs Benedict on top of a crab cake on top of a biscuit.
you should have gone yesterday.
Love this place for a nice dinner in beautiful surroundings with excellent service. They have a very nice wine selection by the glass- I had an 08 Chardonnay. I also ordered the lobster bisque, which was delicious and had chunks of lobster, and the goat cheese/ cranberry/spiced pecan salad. All of it was amazing. The service was cheerful and attentive, and the raisin bread in the basket they brought was just the right thing for a cold December night. I love the interior design and their purple accents.
**Updated to clarify.
My one experience at Carlyle was for brunch on a Sunday with my roommate, so although I had an amazing experience, I can't claim to know about all of what this restaurant has to offer. Brunch, however, was amazing! I had steak and eggs with hollandaise sauce, asparagus, home fries, a slice of brioche, bread and Virginia cider. My roommate had an amazing looking omelet with biscuits and VA cider. Needless to say, we both went away feeling very happy.The atmosphere and wait staff were both superb.
We did not go upstairs or have drinks, so I'm not sure I'd recommend this place for big groups without trying it first. I do know from living nearby, though, that they are often very busy, so they must be doing something right.
Had a great dinner here the other night! They had a large selection of big and small salads, and also a good variety of entrees. In an attempt to save some $$ - I ordered the burger - which was really good! The side of shoestring fries were also good - not greasy! The wine selection and the ambiance was nice too! The service was GREAT - our server was very attentive and bubbly! I definitely want to try this place for brunch some weekend!
The Carlyle is the fanciest of the Great American Restaurants chain (Mike's American Grill, Coastal Flats, Sweetwater Tavern, etc.). It seems to be going for an elegant, old-style feel, and accomplishes it well. The décor is beautiful - dark woods, lots of mirrors and shiny metal, high ceilings, yellowed lamps, large windows letting in natural daylight or the lights of nighttime Shirlington, crisp white tablecloths... The food is excellent, although standard for the chain. (American food. Outstanding bread. Unique, outstanding appetizers that you could make a meal of. Large, filling entrees, excellently cooked from seafood to red meat. A wide variety of desserts . . . that I usually don't have room left for, but which has been great when I've been able to have it.) The bar is particularly good here - a bright, open area at the entrance to the restaurant where the bartenders are very friendly and welcoming, basically creating a Cheers-type atmosphere in that they try to learn your name and build ties among the customers; once you go a couple times they know your name and greet you like a friend, even more than just a warm welcome.
Sat: late night drinks at the bar. Dark and loud, but still romantic. Good selection of wines.
Sun: awesome brunch. Complimentary beignets and bread from best buns. Ahi tuna salad, a generous benedict and thick french toast.
We also asked to be seated upstairs, which is brighter and has great decor. But I recommend the patio on a beautiful day.
I'm a long-time patron of the Carlyle Restaurant nestled in the Village at Shirlington just off I-395 in Arlington. Over the past 15 years, it remains a personal favorite. Why? Because of the consistency in the quality of food, service and overall brand.
The Carlyle is an increasingly upscale and elegant Bistro and one of the flagships of the Great American Restaurants chain in the DC area. The craftsmanship throughout the interior is exceptional; the marble floors, the décor, the lighting, the intricate woodwork and vaulted ceilings, all blend perfectly to create a cozy environment that invites suit and t-shirt wearing clientele alike.
While the bar and downstairs dining area could be considered more of a café/bistro, follow the beautiful marble staircase to the second floor where a large and more elegant dining area can be found. The restaurant is remarkably clean. The staff is friendly, inviting and knowledgeable. The Carlyle also offers an interesting methodology with their "team service". Their servers work as a team, meaning you may have several servers throughout your dining experience. One server may greet you, while another may take your order, and another may ring up your final bill. It's very different than any restaurant I've ever been to. I have to admit that it works, and surprisingly well. No longer do I have to track down a specific person to refill a beverage, deliver the check or take a dessert order. With the team service, you can basically ask any of the staff and they will gladly help.
I sat outside on the sidewalk patio a beautiful night last week for dinner with a co-worker and his wife. Our server immediately greets us, delivers the nightly specials and takes our drink order. He returns promptly with our drinks and a variety of [complimentary] fresh baked bread at the restaurant's Best Buns Bread Company next door.
For an appetizer, we shared the Tex Mex Eggrolls; smoked chicken, corn & black beans wrapped in a cheddar tortilla served with avocado dipping sauce. It was very good and a fine beginning to the meal ahead.
Undoubtedly, my favorite item on the menu is the Jambalaya Pasta with sauteed shrimp, chicken, andouille sausage & penne pasta in a spicy creole sauce. I've had this dish and have craved this dish a countless number of times over the years. This visit was no exception. It was as delicious and flavorful as the times before. The sauce used for the Jambalaya is a chicken/seafood base with a hint of cream and tomato. It has more on an "Old Bay Seasoning" flavor than a "spicy hot" flavor. It's absolutely wonderful! And to quote an episode of The Simpsons, "There's a party in your mouth and everyone's invited."
I have to mention, however, that one of our three entrees was delivered late. Our server somehow forgot to submit the third entrée in our food order. He apologized as soon as he realized the error. He explained that the kitchen was quickly preparing the meal but it would be a short wait. He offered a complimentary bowl of their homemade Rustic Cream of Mushroom soup or another cocktail but my understanding co-worker simply decided to wait. A short time later, a manager returned and again apologized for their error. She also offered a complimentary cocktail or dessert. This time around, my co-worker obliged and ordered the warm flourless chocolate macadamia nut waffle with vanilla ice cream.
It arrived, shortly after finishing our meal. It was devoured in a matter of minutes and ended our dining experience on a sweet note.
You know how some movies are "date movies" because they've got the right balance of laughs, romance, boy-gets-girl-loses-girl-gets-girl-again-and-forev er?
The Carlyle Grand Cafe is like that only as a restaurant. It's a little flashy but not over the top. It can be a little foo-foo-ey, but when you think it's going to be too much, it eases back. So it'll impress the woman, but keep the atmosphere light enough that you won't screw it up. And while it's not cheap, it won't permanently dent your wallet.
I've always loved their Sesame Crusted Seared Rare Tuna Salad, which comes with a scoop of rice that makes me wish I was asian... the whole effect is so good!
I've also had some great soups there. Recently, it was Rustic Mushroom, which was full of chunks of mushroom and herbs. I also love (but am not supposed to have) their lobster bisque. It's too good to pass up!
The last time I was in was just for dessert. Unfortunately, they were out of the first two we ordered. I guess that's what happens when you get popular, huh?
Oh, and they have an unusual "non-reservations" policy. You can't get reservations, but you can call ahead and tell them you are coming and then get in "line" over the phone. Weird, huh?
Street parking sucks, but there's a lovely free garage just half a block down. I highly recommend you park there... as opposed to driving around for half an hour while the hostess wonders if you're really coming...
Another restaurant from the GAR, Carlyle has amazing food, seriously everything tastes amazing. The only tihng I didn't like is the jambalaya pasta. But aside from that the salmon melts in the mouth, sweet potato fries are delicious and the beef ribs are TO DIE FOR!! Beef ribs are hard to come across and these are cooked so well, they fall right off the bone and tastes absolutely wonderful. Can't wait to try the bread pudding and crab fritters next time, as I've heard alot of good things about it. My only wish is that they bring this restaurant down to Florida!
Always a great place to eat/drink. The place is very classy but not uptight. I've gone in there wearing my shorts and flip flops and also wearing a nice dress.
The bartenders were always super friendly. After a few visits they even remembered me by name and what my fave drink was.
The bread they initially bring out is fresh and delicious (from the Best Buns bakery next door). The Tex Mex eggrolls, chicken tortilla soup, and Bread Pudding are extremely tasty.
I love their brunch (brioche french toast or the steak/eggs benedict are my favorite!!) but highly suggest using their call-ahead-seating option as it gets very busy.
A few times we took their online survey on their receipt and got a coupon for a free desert too!
Great service, very professional, good food!!!
Excellent food, superb service, always better than expected everytime.
After living in Alexandria and then pretty near NYC, I have realized that Carlyle stays on the top of my list. This food was better than most of what is offered in DC.
This is really great food that is provided in an atmosphere that isn't stuffy with service that you would except from a fancy restaurant.
My favorites are the Seared Tuna dishes (salad/entree). For starters, we tried the crab fritters. It was so good. We had just come from the Baltimore area after having some pretty good crab dishes, but this one was better. The crab was enncrusted in this fried noodle-like goodness sitting on a bed of corn..succotash? and paired with a roasted red pepper sauce - SO good.
The drinks were amazing. It was some blackberry lemonade spiked with stoli vodka (MUST try).
I have never been disappointed in my many, many trips to Caryles..
The street (in Shirlington) that it is located on makes it worth dining al fresco.
How fortuitous that this would be the big dos ciento. That's right, I finally hit the 200th review mark and I can't think of a better review to have it for than this place. This also hit another milestone in my life. This dinner also marked the longest I've ever celebrated my birthday. Sunday marked my celebration at 2 months long, give or take a day. My bestliest friend Stacy treated me to this place for my bday after raving about it time and time again. I was tired and weak from hunger, so I couldn't make up my mind where to go, so she chose this place since she loved the brunch here, plus she wanted my opinion of it. Mere words cannot describe the sheer joy that was happening in my mouth. It was an orgy of flavor that would put Caligula to shame. D'Angelo has a song entitled "Shit, Damn, Motherfucker" that sums it up nicely. The food is so good it just makes you mad at all the lesser food you've been eating up until then. Stae and I tried the same things but with different sides. We had the Crab and Corn Chowder for a starter. Delicious! It wasn't a lot, but it did its job. Plenty of crab and it tasted wonderful. For our entrees, we got the special filet mignon with a crabcake. Hot damn!!!! The steak melted in my mouth, while the crab cake had no filler whatsoever. Hell, you could barely tell it was fried because the breading was so lightly coated. Believe me, this is a good thing. The sides were cauliflower mash, parmesan potatoes, sticky rice and grilled corn on the cob. They were all delicious....especially the cauliflower and sticky rice. We washed this delightful meal down with a Key Lime Martini for the lady and a pomegranate margarita for me. The Key Lime Martini was fantastic, and the graham cracker crumbs on the rim of the glass are a nice touch. My pomegranate margarita (Sauza and Cointreau) was perfect. So after consuming our fabulous dinners, we came to the major decision of what to do for dessert. They had a bread pudding that sounded good, until I noticed they had banana pudding on there as well. Now, I don't know about any of you, but I take my banana pudding very seriously. I asked Dante, our server, if it was any good, because if it wasn't I might end up in the news. He told me that it was pretty good, so I gave him the benefit of the doubt. When they brought the banana pudding out, it definitely did not look like any banana pudding I've ever had before. I went in with an open mind and tried it, and it was delicious! I also tried some of Stae's bread pudding, and it was also pretty damn good. Now, on to the service, since that seemed to be a major bone of contention for other Yelpers. Let me see...how can I put this....well....I'm a rather distinctive looking colored gentleman. With my long flowing locs whipping everywhere and my no-holds-barred tongue, I'm usually the last person that would expect to be treated with kindness and respect in a place that's supposed to be "snooty" and "pretentious". And yet, there we were...receiving the best service ever, from start to finish. The greeters downstairs had a huge smile for us and directed us upstairs. The hostess upstairs got us seated right away. Our server, Dante, did everything perfectly and checked on us constantly. Not only did Dante see to our needs, but every single waiter that passed by asked if we needed anything. Even the guy that filled up the water asked us if we needed anything! And these weren't just random "let me look busy and try to make the restaurant look good" type of inquiries. They all actually stopped for a brief moment to converse with us like they actually CARED and asked how we liked the place and the food and the service and if we needed anything all we had to do was ask and they'd get right on it! Maybe the people with bad service just had a bad day with a bad server....this place is definitely worth trying again, for the food 's sake. Think of the children!!!!! I give this place 200 stars: a star for each review up until this one to count how this place trumps any restaurant I've ever been to. Carlyle...remain consistent, PLEASE!!!!! If you do, you'll have a fan for life. I'll name my first-born child Carlyle!
Great food, great service and not deathly overpriced. Carlyle is exactly what you would expect from the guys in charge of Great American, which has yet to disappoint me in any of its restaurants.
We had the best waiter the other night who never seemed annoyed that we took about 30 minutes to finally look at the menu after my friend and I were chatting over our drinks. After an order of the crab fritters (amazing, I could eat about 10 of them) we got the halibut and sword fish. We liked them both so much that we kept trying to steal each others! By the time we were done there was literally NOTHING left on the plate. The bread pudding desert was insane. Get it. Now.
Overall, a great experience. I think we were the last ones to leave the place at 10:45 and nobody ever gave the impression that we were holding them up. I'll definitely be going back.
i love the location, but of all the great american restaraunts this is my least favorite. This one felt more, i don't know how to describe it - contrived? The people and waiters were a bit snooty, and having been to the other great american restaurants i didn't find anything unique about this one. I could be wrong, but i think the food was actually a dollar or so more at this location than others (i.e. coastal flats). The food tasted no different than mikes/sweetwater/etc. and i like those atmospheres better (more laid back, relaxed, and generally younger crowds). I also asked for all ausi rolls (i know the spelling is wrong here) and got zero... we also got a tiny pad of butter instead of the whipped butter i've had at every other GAR. also... every other great american restaraunt gladly fulfills this request, but this one totally ignored it. It's right next to best buns, i know they have the ausi rolls.
if i have a craving for the food and don't feel like going to far i'll eat here, and i'd get the food to go (but they don't allow it), but i've got to do my best to ignore the pretentious customers and wait staff.
My all time favorite DC standby. Started going here in 2000, and for better or worse, the food has changed very little. (aka some of the concepts, dishes and presentation is a bit dated, but the flavors, quality and construction is out of this world).
Wine selection is not the best, but the VERY reasonable prices make up for it. (bottles on the menu for under $20, and others with minimal markup).
In some ways I want them to update the menu- stop serving calamari and other items popular at the turn of the century- just so I can see what new flavors they can wow me with. But on the other hand, I love the same dishes I have been ordering for the past 10 years and would be so sad to see them vanish...
Chain restaurants aren't really a bad thing, especially if they're local. GAR is local. Yay!
Carlye is pretty close to the epitome of consistency in its food and its service. The menu is carefully crafted to have items that are complex enough that you or I wouldn't care to attempt, but 'simplified' so that their kitchen can pump them out efficiently and consistently. Very well thought out. Not much to add with all the other reviews here.
My favorite is the short smoke salmon, which I believe appears on some of the other GAR restaurants' menus. For good reason, it's dam good!
I think if I lived anywhere near Shirlington, or for that matter if it was even remotely accessible, I would be at Carlyle all the time. It is such a hip, happenin' place. But that being said, it's in Shirlington. I could stop there for most of my District-siders. It's like another planet.
But location aside, the food is consistently very good. Sometimes their dishes have this strange all-American Applebee'sy feel to them. Like they are a little too picture perfect, straight out of a test kitchen in Topeka. It works most of the time though. The parmesan flounder is a personal favorite. Large portion and extremely well seasonsed. My ex and I would make trips there just for the Tex-Mex eggrolls too. They are a little freezer section chic, but damn they taste good.
The servers I have had have all been spot on. Granted when you are seated it's hard to tell who your actual server is, b/c they tag team everything and you might have upwards of 4-5 people help you over the duration of your meal.
All in all if you find yourself on that main drag in Shirlington and your tummy beckons, Carlyle is a definite winner.
Professional service. Good cappuccino. Excellent baked goods from the bakery next door (Best Buns Baking Co.?) Filet mignon Benedict is where it's at. Exxxcellent homefries -- thinly sliced and fried, they're almost like potato chips. Think dark & hearty tater chips with sauteed onions mixed in...
Spacious outdoor seating. Calm street makes for a soothing brunch.
They screwed up my order and I'm giving them a four?
Yep. We popped in after a trip to the dog park for a late lunch. We split the crab fritters (a must have...they're awesome!) and my wife ordered a grilled chicken Sandwich, while I opted for the cheeseburger, done medium, minus ketchup, dijon mustard and pickles. FWIW, the smell or sight of ketchup makes me want to vomit...yeah I've got issues.
When our food came, the the burger was delivered without the extra condiments as promised. After taking a few bites, I realized the burger was less done than medium. I'm not normally one to complain, but if I can have it my way at BK, why not at Carlyle?
I asked our few more minutes on the grill. Our server was apologetic and happily sent it back. A few minutes later, the burger returns, with fresh french fries...but wait...ketchup and pickles...ack! The manager come by to check up on us and make sure it's OK. In the mean time, I've eaten half of the chicken sandwich (which was excellent by the way) and I'm not real hungry.
So I told the manager that the condiments sneaked back on the burger.
"Wow, we really screwed up!" was his response, shaking his head in shame. He offered to have them make a new one, but I declined. In the end, he took the burger off the bill and gave us a $20 gift card. Considering our whole bill would have only been about $30, I thought that was a sufficiently generous offer.
We've eaten at Carlyle plent of times, and we have always been very satisified with the service and the quality of our meal. Even when they screwed up the food, their service helped to pull off a positive dining experience. We'll be back to use that card.
Yea, I hit up the chain restaurants on the regular. So what?
The wait for this joint can be pretty lengthy, the dreaded buzzers of boredom are handed out and you wait for the surprising quivering in your pocket to let you know a spot has opened up. It was a shorter wait that what they had originally told us, so it wasn't a horrible wait.
For starters, we ordered the Deviled Eggs with Spiced Pecans and Sugar Cured Bacon. Yes, I hail from humble Midwestern roots and deviled eggs were a staple in the summer time picnic/bbq/potluck scene. They hold a dear spot in my heart. So to add bacon to the situation was a delicious addition...because everything is better with bacon right?
I had a mixed green salad that was pretty good, but nothing that would cause me to pull a Tom Cruise on Oprah and jump up and down on couches about.
Continuing with the slightly Southern menu I had the New Orleans Shrimp and Creamy Grit Cakes. Oh-so-good. Any southern food aficionado know that shrimp and grits is the measuring stick of comforting southern food. Carlyle's take on it is two Grit Cakes that are toasted golden brown on the outside with a creamy middle thats amazing when you sop up the sauce that the shrimp is cooked in. I inhaled this meal in no time and has me wondering if I can pull off the same thing with home cooked grits in a panini maker. The possibilities!!
Probably the most popular place in Shirlington--a member of the Great American chain (Sweetwater, Coastal Flats, Arties, etc).
Food is similar to Coastal Flats--lots of seafood options, and some good meat dishes. Smoke-free at the bar and the TV volume is turned down completely (supposedly because the Managers want to make sure customers can hear the music piped in). I've had some drinks comped here, and that's always a plus. A good option, but get there early for a spot at the bar.
**3.5 stars**
Good, simplistic, modern American cuisine... part of Great American restaurants, sister company with the likes of Artie's, Coastal Flats & Sweetwater; Carlyle supposedly falls under the "creme de la creme" crop of the chains. Having been to all restaurants, I examined the menus ... and notably not much of a difference between all four! In fact, I'd say there are very similar cross-overs.... and luckily, not much variance in pricing. If there is any further notable distinct differences, it would be the ambiance for sure. In that case, Carlye's got that one in the bag....
With that being said, the top two things I enjoy most in chronological order... seared tuna salad & bread pudding dessert. While their entrees are good, I don't stray (like a little, weepy, lost kitten) from things I strongly and particularly like...and that is my habitual tendency to order the same damn thing over time. I know I will be disappointed otherwise....so let's stick to what we know SATISFIES. I am all for being adventurous, but absolutely NOT with American cuisine.
Always wonderful food. The Carlyle Lager is one of the best Beers I have ever had! Always call ahead, or you either wait a long time, or give up and have to settle for one of the surrounding places nearby which are not as good! And yes, the bread pudding is a treat! But I like everything there!
I actually find Carlyle to be the weakest of the Great American fleet, which is ironic because I think it is the restaurant that started it all (I think). It isn't as perfectly designed, the service is a little bit less refined, and the food never tastes quite right. Considering all of these places share certain dishes on their menus (Jambalaya being my favorite), it is easy to pick out the differences when you've been to so many GA restaurants.
Despite that, you still get a great dining experience for your dollar at Carlyle. It's surprising that this is the closest of the GA Restaurants to the city -- but I'm sure that is something they're working on changing. The decor is pretty good; nice and contemporary so it doesn't bother you. The bar is good -- they have a full rectangle bar and it gets pretty crowded during weekend nights.
But everything else is pretty much par. If you've been to Mikes or Sweetwater Tavern, you've probably had everything on the menu here, and vice versa. I'd love to see them add a few new twists befitting the flagship status this place should be. But it's probably that eternal dilemma of not alienating a tremendously loyal fanbase/elevating prices versus wanting to design a special menu.
The big positive here over the other GA Restaurants is that the best buns bakery is right next door. So the famous rolls you get here are always ultra-fresh -- I'm a big fan of the jalapeno cheddar roll.
If you come here between 6-7, expect to wait. They take call aheads but not reservations, so I recommend people take advantage of that.
Read previous reviews about calling ahead and putting your name on a list. Did that and had no trouble getting a table within 5 minutes after we arrived, so I'd absolutely do that.
Had seen great reviews about the mojito, so I had to try it. Was very pleasantly surprised! Truly delicious, and it even comes with a sugar cane stick. If I wasn't sick, I would have had another one, but it was very delicious and very reasonably priced.
The bread, which I believe they bake there (or next door at the bakery they own) was OK. My entree was the shrimp and grits, and I've really never had better. The grits were fried and in a cake form, and there were numerous shrimp, coming together in a cream sauce with asparagus, carrots, and corn. Really really great.
Girlfriend and I shared a dessert of apple pie and ice cream, which was also very good. Apple pie comes with pecans and is piping hot (which isn't always the case) and the ice cream and whipped cream are of course classic complements.
Good ambiance, good crowd, very fun - I'd do it again.
Went to dinner here after finding Carlyle listed under Gluten Free Restaurants. They do have a Gluten Free Menu, but your choices are very limited. Loved the Field Greens Salad, but my only real option for an entree was the fish of the day, since that is the only meat I eat (no vegetarian entrees or large meatless salads offered on the GF menu). The fish was Mahi Mahi, and was good; however, after waiting for our meal the manager came out and told us it would be a longer wait as someone had mistakenly brushed a sauce over my fish (which I am assuming contains gluten), so they had to prepare an entirely new entree for me. I do appreciate the fact that they caught the mistake before serving me! Wish they offered more choices for GF diners, and that they offered entree-sized salads for vegetarian customers. My husband had the steak, loved it; daughter had pork tenderloin, but was not impressed. She really did not like the cheesey potatoes they served, especially since she was under the impression they were going to be mashed potatoes. We really loved the fact that they have "take out" doggie biscuits--we bought two and brought them home to our pups!
Found myself here today with the parents for brunch, and realized I hadn't been here in almost 3 years. The quality of food is just as I remember though. I loved that they had sparkling apple cider on the menu---it is usually something I only drink at family holiday events, so it was nice to have it more than once a year.
I had the Short Smoked Salmon entree--which was cooked to perfection, and had perhaps a bit more mustard sauces on it than needed. The home fries sprinkled with caramelized onions were delicious.
It makes me want to go back for dinner again soon...
One of the better Great American Restaurant Group restaurants. Carlyle is also probably the best option for dining in Shirlington Village. Providing continental flair with a Southern twist, Carlyle is an attractive, large, spacious restaurant. It's generally fairly crowded, which isn't surprising considering their reasonable prices and above average food, which also carries with it the downside of being very loud.
The roast pork tenderloin was exceptional, especially for someone that doesn't usually enjoy pork tenderloin too much. The orange glaze was delightfully playful. My fiance enjoyed the Parmesan Crusted Flounder which was a different story. Horribly overcooked, the flounder was dry and the crust was too crispy. The mashed cauliflower, however, was a unique touch, one that we have attempted to duplicate at home with our trusty Cuisinart. The blue crab fritters were mediocre, and really didn't differ too much from the flavor of your average crab cakes. The white chocolate bread pudding was tasty, but not very memorable.
The service was slow due to a large group seated nearby us, and with many happy hour revelers still at the bar post-happy hour, it was difficult to engage in normal conversation due to the noise.
Carlyle was certainly tasty, but I don't think it is enough to entice me back to the overly crowded, lack of parking, Shirlington Village area. You can do better with other local options like Tallula.
Arlington, VA
Category: American (New)
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill/Southeast
Category: American (New)
Arlington, VA
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Adams Morgan
Category: Breakfast & Brunch
Arlington, VA
Category: Wine Bars
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