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I am a caviar lover.
Does the consumption of caviar involve the harming of fish? I posed this question to myself upon visiting Chart House for mi hermano's birthday. I've off-handedly assumed "no" since ceasing the consumption of flesh, but was directly posed this question during my Chart House venture. I eat chicken eggs occasionally, free range and organic when it can be helped. After a bit of contemplation, I gave myself the go-ahead, eggs are eggs, are they not? Let's not discriminate (my thinking of the moment).
The salad bar is decent. Two items here make it worth several trips. Caviar, with water crackers, creme fraiche and capers. Goodness gracious, I was in heaven after a 2 year long separation. And fresh, homemade whipped cream to garnish fresh fruit, so simple yet rarely is it thought worth the preparation. So I sat, sipping on my pellegrino, savoring the little things and quite happy. These items totally made up for the state of the romaine (wilted and needing replacement) and ceasar salad (down to nothing, on both trips).
I didn't feel the need to get an entree once I partook of the salad bar. 15.99 for a meal at Chart House? Not bad. Let me add, even if I wanted to get an entree, it was damn near impossible judging from the menu- just about all items have meat or seafood.
Mi hermano got the lobster rolls and thought them delicious. He also got the prime rib. That sucker came out and I thought it was going to get up and start walking about. A good two inches thick of flesh, mate was in heaven. A loaded baked potato to top it off, I don't think I could have honored his birthday with a much more satisfactory meal. Dessert was godiva chocolate lava cake, topped with ice cream and crumbled heath chocolate. Deliciously sweet, chocolatey, and straight from the oven.
Service was awesome, accomodating and polite. We were sat right by the pier window, with a great view of the harbor. 1 appetizer, 2 non-alcoholic drinks, 1 salad bar entree, 1 steak entree and dessert came to 83 bucks. Not bad. I'm sure my DP would give this place 5 stars for that steak alone, but I'll give it three. I'd go there again but not before exploring other dining options.
Note: After researching the origins of caviar I've found that it harvested by killing the mama fish. Got damnnit.
What a nice night out in Alexandria! The Chart House pulled it off beautifully the other night with excellent service, good food and a view of the water that was really nice. Since it's a chain- I have been to other locations, but none have done as good of a job at getting it all to work together.
Our concierge at the hotel suggested that we go here for dinner. He called and got us a reservation for 8:30. We actually got there about an hour early and planned to sit in the bar for awhile knowing we would have to wait as the place was packed.
In the bar- the bartender, Will, was great and made a mean dirty martini. My friends were having some difficulty ordering a wine that they liked. Will gave them some tastes of various wines and then actually suggested a wine that was cheaper than what my friend's were going to order. Love it when taste is more important than the price tag! We had no sooner gotten our drinks when our "buzzer" went off indicating that our table was ready. Really? So soon?
We walked over to the hostess stand where she said our "VIP table" was ready. I was quite sure at this point that they had us confused with someone else but who I am to ruin a good thing?
We were seated at a great table overlooking the water.The moon had risen and if not for sitting with colleagues- I might have called it romantic. We were handed our menus where we got another surprise- my name had been printed on the menu welcoming me and my party. Nice touch!
The menu has a wide range- seafood, steaks, chicken, and all the sides and appetizers that you could want. There was also a "specials of the day" menu that listed some great sounding items like a poached pear salad and a short rib.
I started with some oysters (so fresh!) and my dining companions all had the special salad of the day. For entrees- I had the NY strip (it was good but not great- should have gone with my second choice of fish) served with mashed potatoes and some sauteed mushrooms on the side. Other entrees included prime rib, mahi-mahi and ahi tuna. The prime rib and the fish entrees were the winners of the night and the service was great including the manager who came over no less than three times to make sure we had everything we needed.
On his last visit to the table - he then tells us that our hotel concierge bought dessert for us and that it would be out in a minute. Really? How wonderful. And how wonderful was this dessert!
It was the specialty of the house- their molten lava cake. Gooey, soft chocolate with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and some type of crunch over the top. Decadent, indulgent and worth every calorie!
Dinner for 4 with drinks, and wine came to about $220 which was reasonable for the quality and the large amount of food that we received.
Next time you are looking for some good seafood or steaks with a view that is second to none in the area- check out the Chart House at the Alexandria City Marina. You can bet on a good night out!
my duck was dried out.
her sea bass tasted like crap.
it all cost too much.
I really liked this restaurant. I came here in a group and we were seated by the windows with a beautiful view of the water. Excellent service the entire night. I had the snapper and it was absolutely wonderful - melts in your mouth. The wine list wasn't much to write home about but our server had a great recommendation that went perfectly with the meal. The atmosphere was a little droll - kind of an older country club/yacht club/sport coat crowd, but I guess that's Alexandria for you. if you're looking for a place to have a nice date or take your parents out for dinner, this is definitely a great bet.
We came here because we were given a gift certificate by our hotel to use while in vacation in DC. Apparently the hotel has a great relationship with the restaurant as we were given personalized menu's, had the manager check on us, and later one of the chefs. The food was fairly good, I had the whole lobster, my friend had the fillet Mingon. Both were good... but not quite great. Drinks were fairly good, and strong, and the wait staff was also quite attentive.
For good food, and a great view... this is a good place. If you're looking for a fantastic foodie restaurant... this isn't it.
I decided to go the Chart House for Happy Hour. It was a great time. The mango mojito was great! Only $5 You can't beat that. The firecracker shrimp & the brushetta was good too. This is one of my new happy hour spots. Service was a 9.5.
An Old Town classic and tradition.
Ambiance:
The restaurant chain has a fantastic view of the Potomac River. The place is dimly lit and the noise level is good enough so that you don't have to yell to be heard yet don't have to speak in your "quiet" voice so that the table next to you won't hear what you're saying.
The place is a "classic." Meaning, when mentioning or recommending of restaurants in the Old Town Alexandria area, Chart House almost always seems to be recognized and visited by the locals.
Food:
It's a restaurant chain. Don't go in expecting something spectacular or exotic. Their menu is similar to that of any other restaurant chain on the same level as them -mediocre.
For appetizers we ordered the calamari, crab stuffed mushrooms, and threw in a bowl of the cream of crab soup. Of the three dishes, the stuffed mushrooms stood out the most. The stuffing was seasoned well and tender. Again, nothing spectacular but acceptable.
I had the snapper hemingway as my main. The fish was on a bit of the dry side but the crab meat on top made up for the fish. The portion was more than expected and the entire dish couldn't be finished.
We were advised to order the hot chocolate lava cake in the beginning of our meal, if dessert was to be a part of the meal. The description of the dessert sounded delicious, so we opted for the lava cake and an order of the raspberry creme brulee.
Though the lava cake was delicious, as promised, it was too much chocolate after an extremely filling meal. The creme brulee had great texture but not enough raspberry to taste.
Service:
Our waiter was attentive as he could be for a full house, on a Saturday evening. Although, when asked for recommendations on wines, he couldn't come through and didn't seem too familiar with the menu.
Overall:
If you go here, you're almost undoubtedly going for the view, not the food. The portions are on the heavier side, for a restaurant of their level. My stomach left happy and full but I can't say the same for my taste buds.
This is a great sea food restaurant right on the river. Gets pretty packed for dinner, but the food is well worth it in my opinion. I've never had a bad meal here. Went here tonight with my parents and some family friends...I had the Costa Rican Mahi Mahi...the only thing I would have changed would be the seasonal vegetables. They should have just said broccoli.
What happened? 20 years ago this place was THE place for fine dining in Old Town. It appears to have gone the way of trapping tourists who want to see the Potomac. The signature prime rib is dry and overcooked (repeatedly) and salad bar appears under-attended. All this at a high price. Plenty of great choices in Old Town by restauranteurs who care about what they are serving their customers.
The location of the Chart House itself makes it a great destination for a dinner date or a place to take tourists. The view is outstanding! We were lucky enough to be there on the night of a fireworks show and could not have asked for a better ambiance.
I had the filet mignon with the Oscar topping. It was a great steak and the crab meat was delicious (like I would expect anything less in DC!) We also had the lobster spring rolls as the appetizer; they were good, but I don't think I would order them again. My date mentioned that the coconut shrimp are awesome - so perhaps try those if you want a starter?
Our waiter was not that great, hence the three stars. We assumed the side dishes were a la carte, and that nothing came alongside your steak. With that assumption, we ordered a side of potatoes to share - we were very surprised when both our steaks also came with potatoes! It would have been nice to be told this by our server, but the thought did not seem to cross his mind. Too bad - if this place had better service, it would be at least 4 star.
Well, after reading some of the reviews here I set my expectations kind of low. I had an American Express promotional offers for a three-course meal for $30, so I went ahead with coming here for a date. I know it seems kind of tacky, but oh well. This wasn't my first time here, but it's been a few years. It was very packed and busy, but without reservations, we were still able to get a seat in about twenty minutes.
I knew it was expensive, but when I saw the menu I realized this place was more expensive than I anticipated and the American Express promotion was an excellent deal. We ordered a house salad, ribeye, and mud pie for $30 along with Alaskan Halibut and Coconut Shrimp and King Crab Legs. I also ordered a martini while my date had some sort of blue mojito.
So the service... It was good enough. I felt kind of dumb and low class, though, as the waiter asked me several questions about how I wanted my martini (which I had no idea how to answer) and how I wanted my fish cooked (which I also had no idea how to answer). Oh well.
The food. The House Salad was what you'd expect. The Coconut Shrimp... Presentation was fancy but I didn't really find it particularly delicious. Just decent. Now, considering that we were using a promotion that was saving us some money, I expected the chef or restaurant to skimp on the food but... The Ribeye was huge and came with a heaping side of Mashed Potatoes. Was marinated very nicely and tasted excellent. The Alaskan Halibut? Also a huge portion along with Wild Rice and also tasted excellent. The King Crab Legs... Well it wasn't a heaping portion but it also tasted good. I've had better, though. Mud Pie was also a nice finishing touch.
The drinks. I enjoyed my Martini but my date's unnamed Blue Mojito... Tasted like Gatorade.
Overall, I went in with low expectations but came out pleasantly surprised. Some of the food and drinks are good, and some of the food and drinks are not, but we have no complaints. The portions were massive and we came out very full. And on the final plus side, thanks to the AmEx promo, the final bill came out to just $125.
First. The crab dip. To die for.
Really, you must order it.
Second. Sunday brunch. Awesome.
I got the Eggs Maryland (think eggs benedict... swap the canadian bacon for baller crab cakes) and it was so insanely good. For $25 or 26 you get access to the "salad bar" -- which has lox, bagels, cream cheese, pastries, salad, fruits, and more -- an entree of your choice, and endless champagne or mimosas. Now, that's my kind of breakfast.
I've only ever been for dinner once, and I ordered the Coconut Shrimp with Ginger Rice - the rice was a bit dry, and the shrimp (being breaded and friend) followed suit. There was a great dipping sauce, but I've gotta say that for $20-something, I was expecting something moist and juicy and delectable, and I was a wee bit disappointed.
Their molten lava cake, however, is the bomb (yes, I just said that). You have to order it 30 minutes before wanting to eat it (like, when you order your dinner) because they make them to order, and they are to die for. Heath bar chunks, hot chocolate sauce, gooey chocolate cake, and ice cream? Sold.
Service is pretty great. View is even better. Parking kinda sucks... but I guess that comes with dining at the waterfront, so I'm not complaining.
The end.
Aside from the gorgeous location (perfect for tourists...GROAN), Chart House was lackluster.
I came here with a friend who lives in the area because I craved seafood; however, I walked away still unsatisfied. The inside of this restaurant is huge, but the decor is kind of cheesy. It reminded me of an 80s movie in which Steve Guttenberg trips over his feet and sends servers crashing into one another while trying to woo Andie McDowell away from the suave yuppie who drives a Ferrari...ya know, for example.
My friend and I split a dozen oysters which, as raw oysters go, you can't really mess up--although these varieties were much less flavorful than any I've had at Blacksalt and Old Ebbitt's. They also didn't seem very fresh, which is not the first thing you want to think when eating raw fish! For my entree, I had the stuffed flounder with a side of rice pilaf, which I thought HAD to be better than the oysters. Unfortunately, I was wrong. The fish was watery and flavorless, despite the mounds of crab. The rice pilaf was the best thing I had--which, with Chart House being a seafood restaurant, is a sad thing to say.
Moreover, our server seemed less than enthused to be waiting on two twenty-something girls in a room filled with a much older, stuffier crowd. Perhaps it was a bad day for her, or perhaps she thought that we wouldn't leave a big tip, but we were not treated very well in what was supposed to be a classy restaurant.
I might return to Chart House on a lazy Saturday afternoon to boat watch...but not for anything else. Look elsewhere!
The salad bar is pretty money. I am extremely indecisive, especially with a waiter breathing down your neck as you try to select one specific plate that encompasses exactly what you are craving at that specific point in time. I enjoy a myriad of different types of food on my plate at once, so as to pick and choose what flavors to combine with each bite. The salad bar frees me from my decision prison and I am able to mix and match on a whim, and wistfully wander amongst the food without ever having to permanently select anything. I am ashamed to say it, but deep down I am buffet girl.
Alas, a salad bar cannot save a restaurant that charges an arm and a leg for the food. I finally manned up and ordered Steak and Eggs for brunch. The steak was unseasoned, and both the meat and eggs (scrambled despite my requesting fried eggs twice) were over cooked. The first experience with Steak and Eggs was the worst experience with Steak and Eggs. Now I am scarred for life; destined to spend the remainder of my breakfasts and brunches like a dainty chick and not the meat eating cowboy I wanted so badly to be.
Sometimes a flagship has to stand out from the pack. Along Old Town, there is restaurant after restaurant that tries to appeal to diners that crave for that colonial feel and fine dining taste. However, the Chart House, situated on docks at the end of King Street, show diners that seafood can be just as good. With stunning views of the Potomac River, and some of the freshest seafood around, The Chart House offers an experience that not only offers some of the finest seafood cuisine of Old Town, but some of the charm of more southern, Floridian type restaurants.
First thing to note is that this restaurant is indeed a chain. There's a good half dozen Chart Houses in Florida, and it is from these restaurants that the Chart House in Alexandria is inspired. Therefore, there is no deep Old Town History, no pictures of fox hunts on the walls, or more traditional Old Town fare. It offers the same menu as it does in its other restaurants. But that by no means takes away from its quality of environment or cuisine.
Outstretched along the Potomac, the Chart House of Alexandria features a huge restaurant on two levels, each seat featuring excellent views. The decor is reminiscent of The Old Floridian, and of warmer climates, and quieter decadent sunsets to gaze on Florida's horizons (it may be the Potomac, but it doesn't hurt to use your imagination). Regardless, of the size, the Chart House is a very popular restaurant, so be sure to set a reservation or you could be waiting for as long as an hour. Another unique feature of all the Chart Houses is the salad bar. While some reviewer give the restuarant some hard knocks for this, I really can't complain because the salad bar has some excellent features (most of which you can't find at a Ruby Tuesday's, ahem), such as chilled plates and some of the freshest strawberries in the area. Well worth the trip, and the price.
The Chart House is known for offering some of the freshest seafood in the area, and the restaurant really strives to maintain that reputation by offering not only fresh options, but a wide variety of dishes to please any seafood fan. For some great starts, I reccomend the Blue Crab Dip that pairs perfectly with a glass of chardonnay, and a treat that can be shared with the entire table.
As for entrees, the Chart House offers a variety of fresh fish that are cooked to order and pairs well with provided sides. I also recommend the crab cakes, which feature huge pieces of lump crab meat and seasoned to perfection. Recently, I tasted the coconut shrimp for an entree as well, which featured nearly 20 butterflied shrimp prepared decadently.
Dessert is also a treat. I strongly recommend the Godiva Chocolate Cake, a dessert that rivals some of the finest restaurants (it beats my pick of the chocolate souffle from the Four Season's The Fountain). Featuring Godiva chocolate liqueur, a molten chocolate center, and Dreyers Ice Cream, the cake is crisp with a slight crunch and perfect for the end of the meal. Even better if you share with a friend. Its a dessert that is worthy of any sweet tooth.
Finally, the service was excellent. Glasses were always full and the waitress was attentive to every request. She knew the best dishes, what was really in season, and good wine pairings. Everyone also said goodbye when I left, which is something that gets missed at even the best restaurants.
As a feature restaurant that stands alone on Alexandria's waterfront, the Chart House is a restaurant that needs to deliver in both environment and cuisine, and has most certainly done so. In the midst of other great restaurants in the area, seafood is certainly not a missed concept in Old Town Alexandria, and the Chart House meets that challenge with a barrage of options. My only criticism is that the restaurant is so big that the experience is not nearly as personal, and the cuisine is not enough to offer the feel that your food has truly been touched by culinary genius. The chart house is simply a great seafood restaurant that offers the best view that Alexandria diners can find. Four Chocolate Cakes for trip to Florida's culinary charm.
First thing to note
I've been to the chart house about 4 times in the past 2 years. While the food is a bit pricey is it ALWAYS good (one time my tuna was cooked well even though I asked for medium rare, so be careful when ordering food with a temperature). The lobster is GREAT and a guy comes out and cracks it for you at your table, which is fun to watch. The Crab legs are also FANTASIC.
Another plus about this place is the wait-staff. They are always on top of things and very helpful with the menu. Also when you call and make a reservation they keep your contact information in their computer. So whenever I call they say "do you have someone in your party with a fish allergy" because my sister in law is allergic and every time they remember. Which brings me to another interesting point. This is a seafood place, but my sister in law always finds plenty of good things to eat on the menu and she has NEVER has a reaction. Kudos to them for that!
SO... dIne at the Chart House but take plenty of $$$ with you.
If you're looking for a place with a great location on the water, then this is it. Chart House is located right on the water in Old town Alexandria. What you are really paying for here is the location so you'd better request a nice window seat! We were seated upstairs by the window.
The food and the service were pretty good but the place specializes in seafood so don't get sticker shock. Bottom line: It is going to be a pricey meal no matter how you look at it.
So I went all out. We had a couple glasses of the Coppola merlot and started with the steamed mussels. So far so good. The cream of crab soup is pretty good also. I opted for the Maine lobster, which is supposedly shipped from Maine still alive!! It is also 1 lb as well. If you're into presentation, then this is the one to get. They chop, crack, and serve all right in front of you. I have to admit that I'm a sucker for presentation so I enjoyed that part. My friend got the Ahi which was decent but I preferred the lobster. Their apple cherry crisp is basically a fancy name for pie a la mode so it comes with a scoop of ice cream. We had dessert with coffee and green tea respectively.
All in all, I dropped some serious coin on this meal but I rationalized that you're paying for location, name, and service. The service, I might add, was very attentive so I tipped well. The seafood was good but it was still pricey I thought.
The first time I came and looked at the brunch menu of Chart House, the $25/person set menu for threw me off. However, we decided to go for my birthday and I am glad we did! What looked to be expensive ended up being a great deal after you factor in the delicious free salad bar, steak and eggs, and bottomless champagne and coffee. We had Bloody Mary's at the bar while waiting for a table that were expertly made as well.
The key is to make a reservation well ahead of time and request (though there is no guarantee) a window seat (a sunny day helps as well of course!). Good range of standard brunch options, nothing very inventive, but that's not what was expected.
Attire is a very strange range from Adidas warm-up suits to gold jewelry and white dresses.
Chart House has amazing views with its large windows overlook the water. The bright interior and location make you feel like you are on a New England coastal vacation , but that's where the positive ends. I don't have any complaints about the service. I am pretty low key, as long as water is refilled and food is served in a timely fashion, I am a happy camper.
The food here was boring, maybe that's just a symptom of chain restaurants, wanting to appeal to the mass and avoid being too adventurous or exotic. I was disappointed at their oyster selections. Being a seafood restaurant, their only selection was blue pointe, a very mild, beginner variety oyster. The shucking was not done perfectly, as a result the oyster was a little gritty. There were also no mignonette, which is a much better condiment than the overpowering cocktail sauce. Other seafood selections were also very conservative. There were salmon, tuna, snapper, shrimp, etc. The seasoning and sauce here incorporated some Asian fusion influence such as coconut, soy, and ginger, but I consider that more trendy than tasty. I am ok with boring selection if the seafood was impeccably fresh that its impossible for me to purchase it without actually being in the restaurant business, as in, it was still alive this morning and I am eating it right now for dinner. Chart House's seafood didn't appear to be anymore fresh than what you can get at Wholefoods or H mart.
Let me tell you something. For the first 39 years of my life, I did not eat seafood. The Chart House changed my life! Not only do I now eat seafood, I love it, and The Chart House is my favorite seafood restaurant. I think I have dined here about a dozen or more times over the past couple of years. My favorite dishes appetizers are the raw oysters and seared tuna. I've had raw oysters everywhere since my first sampling here, and I still think The Chart House does the best presentation and presents the most succulent ones.
The fish and shrimp dishes I have tried have been excellent (really loved the shrimp trio), as was an entree of pork chops. Creme brulee with raspberries was just heavenly, and for lighter, try the raspberry sorbet. I like the key lime tart but it is so rich, I usually don't order it after dinner.
The standout at Sunday brunch is caviar on the salad bar. You don't see that everywhere.
Now to the drinks. You know I am going to talk about the drinks! The Chart House bar concocts an excellent martini. They also have this lovely yellow drink called a Fleur de Lis. It is one of their house drinks. Try it -- I think you'll like it.
I have taken my fidgety son to the deck for dinner and he was happy watching the boats on the water. One test of a restaurant for me is how nice they are to my kid. Chart House passes the test! Always enjoy the excellent service here. It is worth it for me to pay more (than say the sub-par Fish Market down the street) for the great, friendly service.
But the real reason I go to the Chart House (besides the amazing oysters) is the view of the Alexandria waterfront, making this restaurant one of the most romantic settings in the DC area. THE date restaurant!
5 stars for the brunch and the view. Everything on the brunch menu is indulgent and everyone in my group was quite pleased with their options. Most importantly, the salad bar was exquisite. With salmon, bagels, cavier, and capers...not to mention fruit and various salads, one has to wonder why they ordered an entree at all!
Very good, especially when you have guests.
Who likes sand/grit in your food? If you don't mind, then go to the Chart House. We went for Thanksgiving dinner. Yes, that was probably our first downfall, but wanted to take the family to a nice restaurant with a pretty view. We all decided to treat ourselves to the appetizers, but this was a big mistake. This was the first time ever that I didn't enjoy oysters. There was sand all over them and the cocktail sauce/horseradish was awful, lacking in taste. We also ordered the shrimp cocktail, which looked quite impressive with massize size prawns, but again the cocktail sauce was bland and too oniony, overpowering the whole dish. The seared tuna appetizer was the most boring thing put together, with the crappiest excuse of a watery wasabi sauce. The clam chowder also had grit sending chills up my mother's spine.
The entrees got better, but nothing to get excited about. The mahi mahi with peanut sauce was OK, but it was served with lukewarm rice pilaf. The crab stuffed flounder was a bit more appetizing. There was also an order of prime rib, but my father noted that he had better. We ordered the lava cake special that supposedly takes 30 minutes to prepare? I don't get it, to us, it was a warm goey brownie with vanilla ice cream. Am I missing something here? At the end of the night, we raked in a $200 bill that left us feeling disappointed and unfulfilled.
I recently went to the Chart House for my second visit on Valentine's Day. My fiancé and I ordered the special bone in filet mignon. My brother had the prime rib and his girlfriend ordered the rockfish without the Cajun seasoning. My steak came out well-done instead of medium rare and the rockfish had Cajun seasoning on it. We sent both orders back and they were replaced quickly. I was very pleased with my second steak. In addition, the manager came by our table every five minutes to check on us and see if we need anything. He also removed both entrees and our desserts from the bill (about $100). Although there were some setbacks, I had a wonderful time that evening. The staff did a good job resolving our issues. The waiters are very friendly and offer to take pictures without being asked.
Overall, the food is pretty good, especially in comparison to what you get and pay for at other well-known steakhouses. My filet wasn't the best I've had but it was well seasoned and very tasty.
The crab dip, clam chowder and oysters are excellent starters. You can't go wrong with the Godiva chocolate lava cake at the end of your meal.
I was very disappointed at the location for the Chart House, the food was nothing like what I had in Annapolis. The crab dip tasted like cream cheese dip due to the lack of crab in the crab dip. The toast that you put the dip on almost cut my mouth while chewing because is was super crispy. My husband order swordfish just like he did at the Chart House in Annapolis and his fish was half the size. I ordered the shrimp trio, and my Grilled Shrimp was almost burnt. My advice is that you never go on a Saturday night, way too busy because the cooks don't pay attention to the food with that many people. The ambiance is nice though. They gave my dad a free slice of cake for his birthday so that was nice. I will try again on another day.
My boyfriend and I went here for an Anniversary dinner last night and I was fairly disappointed (but tried not to let it show). This was my second time to the Chart House. I remembered it being much better the last time.
It was our waitress' second day on the job and it seemed that she was already done with training. There was no one helping her out and she felt confident enough to make recommendations. If I had known when ordering that it was only her second day, I probably would have just gone with my own instinct on the menu.
We started off with the mussels as an appetizer - which were very good! I thought that we were off to a good start.
Then the bread that we asked for twice came and my roll was burnt.
My crab legs were not as fresh as I would have liked. I have a sneaky suspicion that they were frozen.
We had a nice window seat and the ambience was nice. I'd stop in again, but just for a drink and some of those yummy mussels up at the bar.
I have been here twice and would say that I thoroughly enjoyed my meal both times. The food is not cheap, but it's not what I would consider really expensive (20-25 gets you most dishes). I like the ambiance and the location. Nice and classy feel.
Try to get a window seat if possible as you'll be able to see the water (quite romantic if you're on a date).
Pros: decent service, tasty food. I would try the blue crab dip appetizer, its absolutely delicious. It's in a good price range where the things are tasty and well presented... but not at that point where you get a plate that is all dressed up and fancy looking but barely has any food on it...
Cons: Not much, parking is a pain in the area... The menu is mainly seafood, so if you can't eat it... you're kind of out of luck. I think there is only one or two non seafood things.
I have been here on multiple occasions with friends, family, and just a nice dinner out with my husband. I have yet to be disappointed with the bar, food, service or ambiance.
We always make reservations and show up a bit early so we can hit up the bar area. Yeah the Potomac is not the prettiest of water views, but it is a water view nonetheless, so it is always great to sit in the outside or inside bar area and enjoy the scenery.
Be sure to ask for a window seat when you get there and put your name in. It is great to watch all the boats come and go while eating dinner. On really clear nights, you can see the Memorials just up the river.
Our personal fav is their calamari appetizer, I usually get a steak, my mom said the salmon was the best she has ever tasted. My husband loves the muscles and their Prime Rib.
Pros: great view, esp on the deck, super waiter, friendly clientele, awesome wine list (we had 2 bottles of Charles Krug sav blanc - delightful)
Cons: not so much "something for everyone" here because, in fact, there is nothing vegetarian. So don't take a veg and certainly don't take someone with a shellfish allergy.
The rest of my party of 7 ate a few apps as we lingered on a relatively busy Thursday night over wine. Our waiter didn't rush us one bit and he did offer to put together a plate of asparagus for me, which I declined. He later brought out a bread basket and the pumpernickel roll was out.of.this.world. Okokok, I was tipsy and super hungry. Still - yum.
Great location but the praise ends there...the Chart House in Old Town is not worth the trip. It is a over-crowded, upscale Red Lobster with a great view. It was average at best and a few people in our party ended up with a sick feeling at the end of the night. The service was lacking and the meal was less than great.
I ordered the Ahi Tuna blackened rare and it came out almost well done and I didn't bother to send it back because the waiter already looked annoyed to be serving us. Plus, I don't like to send back food because let's just say I have worked in enough restaurants to know better.
The one in Annapolis is better and nicer. Go there!
Came here for brunch with the "girls" back in March. Was disappointed that there was no soup included in the brunch. SO...I tipped in here one night instead of doing my usual Balducci's take-out. The cream of crab soup here is thick, and rich. It comes in a silver crock to keep it warm. And it has a fair amount of crab in it. Something about it though. I needed salt, old bay, extra sherry, all of the above to really make it "good"... I had to doctor it too much to make it to my liking. I dunno. This one is good, but not "knock your socks off" great...I'm giving it three stars because the bathroom is nice and I'm sure the deck/outdoor seating will be jumpin' in the summertime.
The view was really nice, but the service left a fair bit to be desired. I've only been once, but that one time involved a lot of confusion over who was to wait the table AND the front desk seemed to hate their job. And the margarita I had seemed to cost $10 which I, of course, had no idea to expect. Fortunately I only had that one.
The food was pretty good, once it came. Decent bang-for-the-buck.
I'd normally only give it 3 stars, but the view can't really be beat.
This place is very good....I recommend the molten lava chocolate heath bar cake for dessert....
And everything on the menu is good....it also overlooks the water at the end of King Street, so on some nights you can see the fireworks...
Great for groups or date night!
Expensive but really good.
I biked here from DC and had oysters and a Lobster Brie grill cheese. Its pretty expensive but the food was real good.
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Time #2
Again biked here. They have a pretty extensive salad bar which I sprung for this time around. The cool thing is its got lots of fruit and cream so you can skip desert and go for a strawberrys and cream dish if you go salad bar.
$20 for 13 oysters. They were nice cold fresh and tasty
They even sat us in the main dining room even though we were in our biking gear ... "we get a lot of tourists" they said when i asked why we werent in a corner.
I hate to say this but the view was actually a lil better than the food. Ordered the spiced yellofin ahi which was...well it was alright. I know i may be asking for too much considering it is spinach, but dang! It was so soggy it might as well have been pureed. The wasabi cream was good though and so was the crab dip.
There are much better meals to be had in Old Town. The only plus, in my opinion, is the water view; however, the food is underwhelming. It seems and tastes like an overrated Red Lobster at twice the price. I am skeptical of any chain restaurant with an all-you-can-eat buffet (it immediately gives me flashbacks of Ruby Tuesdays) although admittedly the buffet does seem to have its fans as well. I must admit to price to quality comparison is the sticking point. My $30 piece of grilled mahi mahi came submerged in butter and with a wilted lemon. When the food does not look fresh, it is a challenge for you to feel it tastes fresh.
Food: It was pretty tasty
Service: Quick , but the host was a little bit*hy
Decor: Nothing special.... Great patio for the summer time.
Overall: i will go there if i m in the area
I admit, the ambiance of this place is what would get me back here. The lighting is romantic, and it has beautiful views of the river and the Capital in the distance.
However, I found myself pretty disappointed in the selection. I know that I'm a pain-in-the-ass vegetarian, and this IS a seafood restaurant, but usually restaurants have something, even if it's a grilled vegetable plate, in order to accommodate ALL customers. Not so with this place. There wasn't even an appetizer I could enjoy.
There is a salad bar, yay, and it costs $15! So that, with my $9 glass of wine (which by the way, I only wanted $6 glass of wine, but the waiter was like, "no, you'll regret it, I swear, get the $9) plus tax and tip. I some how ended up paying $31. Yes, $31 for a mini plate of lettuce, baby corn, some peppers, a few tomatoes and couple of artichokes and a side of mashed potatoes.
However, my meat eating friends LOVED their meals, of scallops and stuffed butterflied shrimp, so I don't want totally discount this place because some people might really enjoy it.
Huh, I didn't know Chart House has 25 locations throughout various waterfront locations around the US!
My family used to frequent the one in Annapolis, MD and it became such a traditional place for us that my brother had his wedding rehearsal dinner there. We're sailboat lovers! The view is great and it's convenient to the city harbor there.
Plus, the Chart House Original Mud Pie has been our family tradition on birthday's ever since the chef wrote it up on an index card for my mom, over two decades ago! She's been making it every year since I was in elementary school! We substitue Breyer's Mint Chocolate Chip in place of the Coffee ice cream that Chart House uses. YUM!! Simple but so delicious.
Here's a bit of their menu:
Dynamite Salmon
Crab crusted, chive oil drizzle, with coconut ginger rice
Macadamia Crusted Mahi Mahi
Warm peanut sauce with a hint of Frangelico, mango coulis, coconut ginger rice.
Spiced Yellowfin Ahi
Cajun spiced and grilled, ginger soy butter, wasabi cream, spinach & bok choy
Snapper Hemingway
Parmesan and cracker encrusted snapper sauteed and topped with jumbo lump crab and shallot butter, rice pilaf
Chilean Sea Bass
Buttery, white, flakey texture broiled and
slightly seasoned
Coconut Crunchy Shrimp
With a tangy mustard sauce & sweet plum sauce, ginger rice
Shrimp Fresca
Parmesan crusted jumbo shrimp with angel hair pomodoro, topped with jumbo lump crab
Shrimp Trio Platter
One dozen large shrimp prepared scampi, coconut and grilled, served with seasonal vegetables and rice pilaf
Chart House Mixed Grill
A jumbo lump crab cake, fresh grilled fish and grilled shrimp accompanied by seasonal vegetables and rice pilaf
Pan Seared Sea Scallops
In a soy-ginger broth with spinach & bok choy, coconut ginger rice
Baked Stuffed Shrimp
Six crab-stuffed shrimp served with seasonal vegetables and rice pilaf
The Chart House is RIGHT on the Potomac. When you go, ask the wait staff to seat you overlooking the river because I think that's one of the great things about this place: the view.
It's expensive for what you get, in my opinion. But a solid rule of eating at ANY restaurant that is on King Street or just off of it is: add $50 to the fair price of your food and that's your bill. You're just paying for location. But with that said, the Chart House is WELL WORTH IT. Actually, it's the ONLY restaurant on King Street that I would definitely recommend because of the beautiful views (over the river) and the good seafood selections. You don't get views of the monuments in DC or anything like that; It's a placid scene of the river. I just don't know of many restaurants (sans boat cruises) where you get that in Alexandria.
They do have turf selections as well, but the whole building is in the shape of a lighthouse and who eats steak in a lighthouse?!
The whole place is dimly lit so it's made for a romantic dinner...definitely not a place I'd go with a book by myself...unless you love reading and bring a pen light.
The wait staff I've always had are college student types who do an ok job.
If there is a long wait (which there will be on weekends), you can ask to be seated in the meantime at the bar and enjoy some raw oysters while you wait (if you like that sort of thing).
Great restaurant for a date and if you enjoy seafood.
I agree with the first reviewer- the best thing about this place is the view. I always take friends and family to this restaurant because it has so much character and it displays Old Town and DC so well. If you get a table in the far back by the window you can see the Washington Monument, the Mall and the Capitol Dome. Don't be surprised if you have to wait a little bit for a table, the Chart House is always busy whether you come for lunch or dinner. I suggest if you are there for dinner to wait in the bar-it has great views and their drink menu is fabulous.
Food is great. I always get the same thing-the Herb Crusted Salmon-its delicious. But please feel free to branch out from the Salmon, you really can't miss with anything on their menu.
I have to warn you that the Chart House is a little bit pricey. Dinner will run you about $40 a person- that is with a drink and without a dessert.
You Protect We Serve!
National Harbor, MD
Holiday Platter Special
Arlington, VA
Alexandria, VA
Category: Restaurants
Alexandria, VA
Category: American (New)
Alexandria, VA
Category: American (Traditional)
Alexandria, VA
Category: Seafood
Annapolis, MD
Category: Restaurants
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