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Mon-Thu. 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Mon-Thu. 5:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 5:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Sun. 1:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
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This was attempt 2 of getting on the PX list via a sister restaurant. We figured we'd come in for a few drinks and hope for the best. The bar was crowded so we got a booth in the dining area. Our server, Michael, was attentive and friendly without crossing that line of too much. We asked him about getting reservations for PX in the next 45 min - an hour.
Ordered a bottle of wine and I got the key lime pie. WOW, it was tart (which I love!!!) and slightly sweet. Delicious, I ate every bite!
Michael did get us into PX, so we paid up and left.
The Majestic looks nicer inside (upscale diner/casual American) than it does on the outside.
Headed to Old Town to see a friend play at 219 and decided to stop here first for dinner. I've heard good things about this place so let me dive in:
1) Service: I must have had the same waitress as Mike M. because I actually hated this girl by the end of the meal. She was a total scatter-brain. We waited so long for her to introduce herself to our table that we we ready to place our order the first time she stopped by. She kept apologizing throughout our dinner for both her slow service and the kitchens, yet the restaurant was not full and had no wait at the door.
2) Food: Both appetizers were excellent, but the winner goes to the chicken liver mousse. Absolutely heavenly spread on crispy olive-oil soaked bread. The fried local oysters were good as well, definitely fresh and prepared with their home made tartar.
Main course was a hit and a miss. I had the Coq au Vin, which was prepared with the usual lardons, onion, mushrooms, etc - but they added their spin with cocoa. Nice touch, very tasty. Fun to eat.
She had the crusted hake. Major failure here. It's already a flaky, no-taste fish. They didn't add anything to it. The breadcrumbs were, well, tasteless and the fish too dry. Not even the celery confit or tapanade could save it. Could not even finish it (why bother) and the waitress did not seem to care that we were not interested in taking it home (another strike).
Could not try dessert, as by this time we were late, friends set had already started. I have to blame the waitress and the kitchen on this one as we were seated promptly upon our arrival.
Well, Old Town is a tourist spot, so I'm not expecting top notch meals, so this first attempt was a pleasant surprise, although the poor service might keep me from going back right away. And I can't do 3 stars with 1 out of 2 main courses that totally sucked. That liver mouse WAS really good though.
I am a big fan of Restaurant Eve so when I heard that The Majestic was part of the family I couldn't wait to go. I headed there one night around 930, it closes at 1000 and I was worried about limited menu, or the possibility of poor service, but that was not the case.
We were seated right away there were only 3 other tables there so we had a nice private booth to ourselves. our drink order was taken right away, our drinks were served and we were offer there Bottled Water for the table. The server went over the specials and pointed out a few favorites on the menu. He stepped away and we discussed our option and made our choices. As soon as we gave the universal sign we were ready (we closed and put our menus down) our server was there immediately we order the Onion rings as a starter and they were amazing. I had the Seafood stew and my GF had the Short ribs. The Stew was flavorful and extremely hearty, it had big chunks of White Fish, clams, muscles and a great cream based broth. The short ribs were cooked to perfection the meat falling off the bone.
We were pretty full but asked to see a dessert menu anyways, and both of us gasped! We ordered the Red Velvet Cake with bacon essence, topped with Cheddar Cream Cheese Frosting. OK I know "Bacon cake WTF?!" but that wasn't the case, it was amazingly moist and incredible you couldn't taste bacon or cheddar at all. the Bacon fat made the cake just really moist.
In summary great service and great food. atmosphere was perfect for a date quiet enough for conversation, but not boring I would recommend to anyone that is headed through old town to try it at least once.
AWESOME. My favorite is the fried green tomato appetizer.
Everything is made from scratch.. even the ketchup! All rolls, pickles, relishes, mustards are made on site. Use of local and seasonal ingredients shine through in the entrees. Reasonable priced, and has a great sense of history attached with the ambiance. Definitely a favorite of mine.
Loved this place. I sat at the bar and the bartender was very friendly and puts care into making her cocktails. Prices were a bit high for lunch, but I give it a pass because they make just about everything in-house (soda, potato chips, pasta, bread).
I had the oyster po'boy special. The oysters were tender and you could taste the the oysterness; these definitely weren't the previously-frozen and re-fried types you'd get at other places.
Chik, chik, chik, chik.
You know the sound when you go up a roller coaster and you get excited as you go farther and farther up only to drop down really fast? That was my dining experience at the Majestic but without any of the fun or enthusiasm.
Mi madre was visiting for the weekend and we went out with some family friends to feed our faces. At first I was pumped. Giddy even. My first time in Alexandria and after walking around, looking at all the precious shops (and not having anything to eat all day except a single piece of chocolate) I couldn't wait to eat.
Initially I thought I was going to pee my pants. They have my Founders Breakfast Stout! Finally!! So good. So lovely. So little to eat, half glass gave me a bit of a buzz!
Then the buzz gets carried over an amazing salad with pomegranate seeds, candied pecans and caramelized onion. I was at the top of the hill on the roller coaster, peering over what I thought would be an exhilarating ride.
Yea, not for me.
The skirt steak was tough, even at a medium-rare. The seafood stew was fine, but tasted a bit fishy to me. There was something off with it that I couldn't put my taste bud on. Plus the chunks of butter floating around that I accidentally scooped up thinking it was a piece of fish didn't really help in the stew's favor. The fried sweet potato was good but way too much salt. And the mashed potatoes were so creamy they were like uber buttered boxed potats.
Faster and faster the roller coaster was dropping. No fun in sight until the last hill and the only other bit of excitement since the beginning was the dessert. At first I was sad because what I thought was a ginormous piece of cheese cake was in actuality not on the menu, but they did have face sized coconut cake and chocolate drenched bread pudding to help me get over that sadness.
This may be the best place/meal for some people, but I am with the others in saying it is a no go for me. I felt like like there was a new kid in the kitchen who was trying really hard but missing key steps along the way that would've made this meal good instead of bland.
i've been wanting to try the majestic for a couple months now. since november, i've been working in old town so as i'm becoming more acclimated with my surroundings, i'm discovering more dining options. the modern diner concept may seem over done, but it was exactly what i was looking for.
first the so-so, the waitress was rather scatter brained. she was perfectly nice and accommodating, but she seemed a little out there. the bread was a typical grain bread that more or less tastes like whole foods and the butter was of no consequence. i can understand other's gripes about the prices, but that's not much of a deterrence to me. lastly, they served my house-made soda with a swirly straw. funny, at first glance, but annoying, through the course of the meal.
for $16, i started with the foie gras terrine. it was a well portioned piece offset by a tart jam, spicy mustard, and salad with cranberries. the terrine was ducky, meaty, and tasty. for $25, i had the whole grilled orata with a shaved fennel and orange salad. for me, this is a steal. the fish was huge and they served it on the bone with the head intact. they would debone and dehead the fish for you, but what kind of fish eater would you be if you allowed them to do that??? the fish had a great moist texture and excellent flavor from the fennel tops and almonds strewn about. for dessert, i had some dolcezza gelato. it was rather disappointing, but i chalk it up to the available, bland flavors rather than the quality of the gelato.
not a cheap dinner by any means, but it was certainly worth it in my mind. i would definitely return again as their menu evolves.
Normally I check Yelp before dining out, but tonight we found ourselves hungry in Old Town and went into The Majestic because it seemed to have more people in it than most of the surrounding restaurants.
I regret this choice. I would have been happy with the quality of the food at half the price. In fact, the same can be said for every restaurant I have tried in Old Town. Downtown DC has Old Town beat by a long shot.
The service was ok (although having three of four people waiting on me was very confusing and a bit intrusive), and the seafood dishes were good. In particular, the Scallop entrée was excellent, and the Mussel and Clam appetizer was very nice. (The clams were actually Quahogs -- yum). The seafood dishes saved this rating from being one star instead of two. The drinks were a wash, one good and one bad -- the Bee's Knees was excellent, but the Mint Julep was too watery.
However, the fried green tomatoes were terrible, because the poached egg was not poached but was terribly hard boiled. The Coq Au Vin was also very overcooked and uninspired -- my mother made much better Coq Au Vin. Anything a normal person can make better at home is not worth $22 a plate. The complementary bread also took ages to arrive at the table, and the server claimed that was because it was fresh from the oven (even though it was cold).
Finally, the desserts were also uninspired. We tried the pear tart and the so-called key lime pie. The pie's crust was unappealing since it was much too thick, and the pie itself did not taste like the real Key Lime Pies I have had. The pear tart was also baked too long, and the ratio of pear to crust was off.
The worst thing about this restaurant was the frightening bathroom. The trash had no lid, the "Employees Must Wash Hands" sign was haphazardly lying almost in the sink, and the overall sink area was dingy and a bit dirty. I've seen cleaner bathrooms in venue restaurants.
The entire experience was very much a "we can't be bothered" vibe, which means I can't be bothered to patronize them again.
My first trip to Old Town included a visit to The Majestic for Nana's Sunday Dinner. For the month of October, the menu includes roast pork leg, applesauce, roasted potatoes, braised cabbage with bacon, and apple pie for dessert. I don't know about your Nana but my Nana never made dinners like this. Then again, my nana is 4'10, doesn't eat pork, and lives in India.
The food was really great and the portions were generous. There were 6 of us for dinner and there were plenty of leftovers after we stuffed our faces. The complimentary bread was warm, chewy, and served with Amish butter. Although the image of Amish children churning butter makes me feel bad, it didn't stop me from slathering it on my slice. The pork leg came with a delicious sauce that really enhanced the meat. Although I really like bacon, I've never understood this recent trend in pork until now. The meat was tender, well seasoned and did not taste as fatty as I thought it would. The potatoes were nothing special but my favorite part of the meal was the cabbage. Cabbage usually sucks and smells funny. But this cabbage was so flavorful and savory. I could eat that for days. The apple pie was more like an apple crumble with a very sweet brown sugar topping.
Our server was very attentive and had an excellent knowledge of the menu and the wine list. The restaurant is attractive and having a partial view of the kitchen is an added bonus. Although I can't speak for the normal lunch or dinner menu, it was a nice to share a meal family style. Don't worry grandma... I still love your chicken curry, samosas, and rice.
Nope, this place is not for me.
It's a cute little space and the service was fine, but the food was very disappointing. I was with a party of four. We had a steak, the whole fish, meatloaf and I forget the 4th dish.
The steak and fish were pricey and overcooked. I remember the meatloaf being pretty good and wishing I would have ordered that. It was a Sunday night and many tables were doing the Nana's Dinner. Maybe that's the way to go...
The little bar in the front is cute.
It's been a while since I've hooked a review up with 5-stars. But the Majestic certainly deserved it.
My husband was post call and for whatever reason had a lot of energy, so he decided we were taking a field trip later that afternoon. Since I didn't feel like going to National Harbor, we decided on Old Town Alexandria. Fantastic choice. After walking around for a few hours, we couldn't settle on where to eat - we even contemplated Chipotle, but then we figured we should do a food crawl, sort of.
We went to The Majestic, and seriously from the outside, it's something else, looks like a diner, really loud neon signs, etc. But when you step inside, it's completely different, very clean lined, muted colors, clean, etc.
We sit down and argue about the menu for a few moments and settle on:
-Ricotta Gnocchi, very good, just needed a little salt
-Fried green tomatoes, OUT OF THIS WORLD!
-Lagunitas beer / 21st amendment watermelon beer - both fantastic
We were truly happy with our dishes, too bad we ate too much at the tapas place and didn't have room for the cream corn ravoli which I hear is to die for!
We'll be hitting up The Majestic again, very soon.
One of the best meals. My husband and I finally got to have dinner here shortly after we came back from our wedding and shortly before I moved to SATX for the year.
We had cocktails at the bar because our table wasn't ready when we arrived. My hubby ordered a mint julep which was the real deal -- tons of fresh mint that the bartender muddled by handed with cubed sugar, served icy cold in a tin cup. It was awesome. And potent.
For dinner we did the fried oysters -- we always get them at every restaurant. These were superlative. Crunchy coating but not too heavy and the piquancy of the preserved lemon with them was great. We decided that the apps sounded so amazing that we wanted to order a bunch of those rather than doing huge entrees. So we got crab cakes, the summer succotash (super fresh and delicious), mussels marniere, and fried green tomatoes. Everything was excellent.
The wine list was really good too and we had a lovely bottle of Iron Horse Champagne -- one of my favorites. Plus at the end of the meal, they sent us home with little homemade brownie squares because it came up in conversation with our waitress that we had just gotten married. How cute! Can't wait to go back!
***3.5 stars***
While his fame has not reached the levels enjoyed by other local chefs/restaurateurs such as Michael Landrum, Jose Andres, or Michel Richard, Dublin born Cathal Armstrong has quietly been building a culinary empire centered in Old Town Alexandria with his restaurants Restaurant Eve, Eamonn's, ultra swank bar/lounge PX, and The Majestic.
The service at The Majestic is top-notch. At the time I made reservations, the hostess asked if there was a special occasion for our visit and I explained that this was a celebratory dinner for my sister's upcoming wedding . When our dinner party arrived on a busy Friday night, the hostess as well as our server thanked us for choosing The Majestic for this event and gave my sister a gold embossed "Congratulations" card along with a complimentary piece of chocolate. Our server was also very attentive, but never obtrusive and kept our water glasses filled with the in-house filtered Natura Water.
I would characterize the design aesthetic of The Majestic as "Classic Modernity". The place was renovated in 2007 once Armstrong's restaurant group assumed ownership but retained links to the past such as the original 1932 neon sign which hangs in the window, the art deco facade, and a very cool retro phone booth complete with working pay phone which still only charges $.25 for local calls. Sitting in the spacious dining room, we all commented upon the neatly patterned tin ceiling which apparently is a reproduction of the original Majestic ceiling. And while we were sitting in the bar area sipping on some tasty libations when we first arrived, the bartender informed us that many of the kitschy light fixtures were also from the original restaurant.
We started with an appetizer of fried green tomatoes which has been appearing on menus all around the city; could it be that fried green tomatoes will be the new garlic mashed potatoes of the day? The tomatoes were a bit over breaded but I thought the presentation was nice and I did like the cream sauced drizzled on top. The mixed green salad received equally mixed reviews from our table. The salad contained fresh baby greens but the dressing had an usual spice to it which some didn't like; I'm not sure but it tasted like there was nutmeg/cinnamon/and cumin in the mix. I ordered the meatloaf and I really enjoyed the texture of the meat since it was very tender. My dining companions mostly enjoyed our meal, but I would have to say that the food was a bit uneven.
The tag-line from the Majestic's website is: "Pure and simple - This is our food. Rustic American - This is our style". This is a very apropos description of a solid but not outstanding eatery, but a place that I would return to again for a special occasion or to try their much raved about Royal Pick lunch.
I'm a researcher by profession, so I had already checked out The Majestic's menu well in advance of my trip. Comforting traditional Southern food in a sophisticated style? That sounds brilliant...or disastrous. Thankfully The Majestic was absolutely the former.
We came as a party of two, but were seated at a table for four. The waiters had wisely put his place setting adjacent, rather than opposite me. All restaurants should do that, really, yet you almost never see it by default. Our whole evening was filled with little considerate touches like that that made a great time into something...well, almost magical.
Bread: warm and pleasant, always a good sign. Bottles of wine were reasonably priced, as far as that goes. We had a very nice Malbec. Our main server was probably still in high school, but he (and everyone else) was incredibly professional. Water glasses were filled and refilled before they could even get 3/4s of the way down. My gnocchi was warm, rich, and yet somehow lighter than air; the fried green tomatoes made me want to call my parents and explain that we'd been doing it wrong all this time. The goat cheese was just outstanding even by itself, but in combination with the tomatoes it was absolutely delightful. His butternut squash ravioli could have been dessert, and when he asked me if I wanted a second bite I gladly accepted (something I never do out of basic politeness and feminine vanity). The desserts? Oh, my goodness. His pumpkin gelato could've been spread over toast, while the chocolate bourbon bread pudding---with bananas, why isn't every bread pudding with bananas? it's so brilliant!---conquered me. After getting through about halfway I had to rest my silverware on the plate in glorious defeat.
I will be honest, I had a fabulous time restaurant notwithstanding, but The Majestic really does excel. At 7:30 on a Friday the service was so prompt and smooth you'd think it was the beginning of the night. We felt completely comfortable lingering over the wine, the food, and even just the water once we were done. Yet around us there were families and friends having just as nice a time as we were. This place isn't Just For Dates or Just For Adults or Just For Groups; it seems to serve everyone equally and make everyone feel comfortable. In the end that's what Southern hospitality is all about.
I have to upgrade my experience here. Went again for dinner, and was struck immediately by the enhanced service. Very accommodating, your-wish-is-my-command-esque, but not in an annoying way. The sound volume was much, much lower than my first visit, and the restaurant was visibly full. I was also impressed by how much the menu changed. The overall quality and freshness of everything presented was remarkable. So a definite upgrade. One of the best dining experiences I've had in Old Town.
I guess I have to go for brunch, this review is based on dinner only. Had a variety of apps, and… Read more »
The meatloaf in this place was out of this world. The service was excellent. Someone in our party ordered a cesar salad and a friendly salvadorian guy brought out the greens and ingredients and prepared it right in front of us. That was cool.
I know they 're proud of the fact that their water comes straight from the potomac and that it is filtered on their premises and whatnot. That may make a lot of sense, but I wish they would explain it a little better --kinda sounded like a gimmick.
I recently tried this place for the first time for lunch. Overall, I thought the ambiance of the place was nice. Seems nice a cozy however, if the place is packed, don't expect any private conversations since there is row seating in this place.
The lunch menu was a bit lacking. A majority of the items weren't entree worthy and more like appetizers. The service here was very nice and everyone seemed helpful. Considering the menu selection wasn't that great, I'd like the place better if more options were available.
Although this isn't one of the more expensive places around this area, it also isn't one of the cheaper ones either. I can't fathom paying $20 for a steak and cheese sandwich. My normal lunch of an appetizer (tomato soup) with a pulled pork sandwich was over $30. Not exactly a bargain and the taste was so so. While this place wasn't horrible, I don't think I'll ever be coming back here again in the near future.
4.5 Stars
Simple but well done, tasty american food.
I found this place searching yelp for where to eat my birthday dinner in Old Town. Having already thoroughly celebrated my birthday all weekend (and having spent a decent amount of $$$), I wanted a place with great food that wouldn't break the bank. This place delivered.
What is impressive about this place is that they have simple everyday american food prepared very well. Normally I'm not the biggest fan of 'american' because usually i find the food lacks taste/spice but I was impressed at how tasty the food was here. I got the peppercorn steak and it arrived sliced for me and it was bursting with flavor. It was incredibly juicy and left me feeling very satisfied. My friends both got the meatloaf and they said it was amongst some of the best meatloaf they've eaten... period. (Even better than their italian grandma's meatloaf) I took a taste of it and it was very moist and flavorful. The thing that made me the happiest was when they said they ended up eating there the next day with their parents since they didnt know where to go.
yum, yum, yum
We were defeated by the cheese plate. Let me reiterate. Me and Katie were -both- defeated by the cheese plate. This is the Katie F who basically has fromage running through her bloodstream. Not that it was enormous, by any means, but it's just so rich and decadent that one can only consume so much of it.
I still hold to the $12 Proof lunch being the best deal around town for high end cuisine at an affordable price. But The Majestic sure is some tough competition.
Although the quantity of food offered is just slightly less than Eve's Lickety-Split Lunch at $12 for one entree and a beverage, it's much more efficient time-wise... in the sense that it's feasible to get in and out of here in under an hour and a half.
I opted for the sandwich of the day, which happened to be a pulled barbecue pork sandwich with slaw on it. Served on ciabatta-like bread, it was juicy, messy, goodness.
And speaking of the bread - brilliant. Anything less substantial would have soggified and fallen apart. This stuff nicely soaked up the scrumptious meat juice with the soft innards, while retaining semblance and form with the crusty outside.
Solid deal, another win for the Alexandria lunch scene.
Upscale yet casual. Reminds me of a number of restaurants in Marin in Northern California.
The food was pretty solid; we started with a Caesar and mussels, both of which were fantastic. This may be the best Caesar in the DMV; white anchovies, lots of garlic and a great lemon flavor. The mussels were extremely well-flavored, fresh and perfectly cooked. The bread that came with it was WONDERFUL - the perfect crust, warm from the oven and whipped butter. The seafood stew was delicious and, although I really didn't like the duck, my girlfriend really did. (-1 because I'm the one writing the review.)
The cocktails were unbelievable - so well-crafted, well presented and well thought through. Very solid wine list as well. The bartender, Sydney, was friendly, attentive and hard-working. We'll definitely sit at the bar if she's working.
This will be a regular spot for us.
Likes:
1. Caesar salad - they make it in front of you
2. Process of making and serving mint julep
3. Friendly staff
4. Delicious Corn Ravioli and Tomato Soup
Dislikes:
1. Not a fan of their desserts
2. A bit noisy (mostly because its packed on weekends)
I am so glad to find this restaurant. I have been refusing to go there because of the entrance. I just do not like colorful lights on the front of the restaurant. When I entered the restaurant, I like the way they set up.
It is a small and cozy looking restaurant. There was a bar up front and there are tables on the back.
The waitress that served us was very friendly.
We had Big Bowl of Mussels as an appetizer. I had Seared Duck Brest as a main dish. I do not remember what my BF had but he had a fish dish. The sauce was very good. I am sure they spent a lot time to make that. It was very juicy.
I love the portion of each food. Main dish is $20 something. So it is not super expensive.
This place is the restaurant that you can go casually but still get something special treatment from the restaurant.
I will come back to eat here again.
Seriously, I can't say enough good things about the Majestic. It's quickly becoming my crew's go-to place in Old Town. We were there last night celebrating a birthday with Nana's Sunday night dinner. The fried chicken was perfect, as were the mac n' cheese, potato salad, and peach pie. Our server was attentive and helpful with drink suggestions.
We usually just eat at the bar where the bartenders are quick with suggestions for drinks, wine, and food, as well as being very knowledgeable about the DC food-scene in general.
From previous visits, the prawns and corn ravioli (on the summer food menu) are both excellent choices, as is the menu staple meatloaf (with the meatloaf, be prepared for a HUGE serving).
FML
I did not realize they served fried green tomatoes until I left.
After KotRP:2, we headed into Old Town to find some Karaoke. We stopped by this posh spot to meet Aarta and Mike who were already enjoying a nameless red wine and some bread pudding. I stole a bite; rich, warm, bread-puddingly good. I couldn't imagine eating the whole brick without feeling dizzy. The group of us went over the cocktail menu and, after much deliberation, ordered 5 mint juleps. Now, the first and only time I have had a mint julep was in college when I tried to make it with my roommates. Sugar, water, whiskey, and good intentions a mint julep does not make.
The Majestic's mint julep is as delicious as it is an appreciation for aesthetics. The whole process was very entertaining to watch; the bartender pressing the mint with her wooden stock, grinding ice with a hand mill, and producing frosty steel cups and saucers from nowhere. If one was sitting on the bayou watching the catfish and crocodiles do their thing, this is what would be sitting next to you on the dock. I was charmed before it even touched my lips.
The drink was a smooth blend of bourbon and fresh mint. The color itself being a wheat-juice green. You could tell it was strong, but you didn't want to stop either. $10 seemed pretty pricey to me at first, but it was definitely worth it.
The best place for a classy but laid-back lunch in Old Town. I like this place so much that I went here for lunch on my birthday. Elena, the wonderful bartender/server, gave me a take-home packet of freshly made fudge for the occasion.
I've tried a couple different lunch items here, but still wholeheartedly recommend the seafood stew. A hearty amount of food, and an absolute delicious flavor. If you like variety, try this.
Their drinks and desserts are also fantastic, but a bit on the expensive side. I can't recommend the coconut cake enough. Had the molten chocolate cake with cherry sauce, which was also good, but a bit dry in the center. The coconut cake is pure heaven.
If you haven't been, go. I'll live vicariously through you since I'm no longer in the area.
I will start my love confession with these facts:
I've only been to The Majestic twice for lunch. IN…
Read more »
Kevin L and I went here today and enjoyed the Royal Pick lunch deal at the bar. For 12 dollars you get an entree and either ice tea or a soda. I had the ice tea which was nice and tea-y. I also had the sea-food stew which was SO delicious and it couldn't believe I was only paying 12 dollars for it. There were plenty of mussel, clams, shrimp, pieces of fish, and nice toast to sop up all the liquid with. If your in old town, skip over here for lunch.
And while the meal was plentiful, Kevin and I couldn't help but get the cheese board for some dessert. The proof is in the photo--just look at it and drool.
Went for lunch this afternoon with a woman who has known me since I was 2 years old. Brought the kids, but we will get to that later.
I ordered the sandwich of the day (basically their fried oysters on really yummy bread with a sweet pickle and homemade chips) and family friend got the salad of the day which was a few pieces of oven roasted chicken over greens.
We ordered my 3 year old a chocolate milkshake, which he loved. He was more interested in eating the bread from my sandwich than his pasta and cheese (fettaccine alfredo).
A guy at a table near us was not amused by my son giggling and basically being a toddler while we were leaving. The lunch portions were a bit small for the price (14 bucks for the salad or sandwich). Service was excellent.
I was wondering if anyone else found changes in the food since Chef Joe left (as well as Susan)?… Read more »
Staff has definitely been well trained. We ended up with a snobby waitress though, who cud not be bothered.
Restaurant layout is tough--my chair was continually being hit/knocked by passer by. Ask for a booth--don't sit in the middle row. Restaurant is too narrow-- there is congestion in the hostess area and bar area.
Food was well prepared but not a blow me away flavor. Portions were small. Fried green tomatoes were 2 small slices.
3.75 Starts.
After hearing some great things about The Majestic, the partner and I adventured here before heading over to their sister establishment, Px. I was a bit skeptical about the slightly cafeteria atmosphere of this place, but that never stopped a place like 2Amy's from delivering amazing goods.
First, the service was superb. After my recent experience with that awful waiter who was unable to distinguish between a salad and dinner fork, The Majestic's well-trained staff was well received. Everything from there flowed smoothly - the bread, water refills, the cocktails, our dishes, the dessert - all wonderful.
I'm not sure that I would say the food is outstanding, but it's definitely above par. The partner and shared some amazing lemongrass mussels that put all DC restaurants who claim good moules to shame. The partner had the ribs and I had the whole bronzino (which you should not order, if you're not confident about filleting your own fish). The mint julep is notably delicious. And though I'm not personally a fan of key lime pie, I was informed by the partner that The Majestic makes it the "real" way.
So, all in all - good experience and I'd love to go back for lunch. It seems they jack up their prices significantly for dinner, yet most of their best reviews have been for lunch items.
What a great experience! We did not have a reservation on a Saturday evening, so we had to wait. It certainly wouldn't hurt to plan ahead and make a reservation, but we were able to wander around charming Alexandria and spent the time well.
Our waiter Kevin was helpful, solicitous and charming. The food was also good. My friend had the tomato bisque soup, which was delightful. I had the fried green tomatoes, they were ok, but could have used a little zest or zing, maybe some mid jalapeno or other chili flavor. The prawns were delicious though.
The decor was 1920's art deco-ish, great tin ceiling tiles and a warm, but bright space. I really enjoyed myself and would go back again! It's also possible to walk off that yummy food by strolling around the charming neighborhood.
Visited The Majectic for the first time this weekend and the overall experience was great. The service was initially a bit rushed but our server picked up on our pace and the timing was fine thereafter. We had appetizers of brussels sprouts, fried oysters and gnocchi. All were hot and tasty. Entrees of meat loaf, scallops and whole grilled fish were perfectly prepared. This place makes a wickedly good Vespa martini. Not a child in sight added to the pleasure.
Took advantage of NaNa's dinner in mid-August ($22 per person rate) when it was chicken, mac'n'cheese, corn bread, corn on the cob and peach cobbler/pie. Unfortunately, I was slightly sick. So, I for-went any of the non-essential dishes... In short, I ate meat and cheese! Lol... Ok. So, the chicken was nice: crunchy, tender, and surprising fresh, considering the overwhelming amounts they must have had to of made. The mac'n'cheese was simple, but the bread crumbs enhanced an otherwise simple dish. Hey, it's NaNa's dinner.. Who's complaining?
I'd have gone back, but considering the fact I don't eat red meat or pork, my next chance to partake in NaNa's dinner will be in November. Ha Ha! This is quite sad for an area littered with pseudo-health nuts. I'm not quite ready to jump on the yelper's bandwagon and rave about this place, for what it was... A gussied up diner... It was OK.. Yes, O.K... Nothing to write home about, and definitely not a reason for me to venture out my cozy North East D.C. home to travel to again. Now, I'm not comparing this place to the Palm or 701's... Just to places like it... Cafe Asia for instance... Yeah... I'll pass on a second round. It was enjoyable, just not worth the trip again.
Not sure how i feel about this place.
The first time I went was on a Saturday for lunch with my parents and a friend I had in town. We got there about 5 minutes after it opened and there was not a single person in the place. I walked up to the hostess and asked for a table fo 4, she asked if I had a reservation, I said no then she asked for my full name and phone number. I'm thinking wtf...there is not a single person in here. Finally we were seated. I found the lunch menu really limited, I'm not a picky eater at all, just not a great selection. The best looking thing on the menu was the seafood stew but it was 11am so I was not in the mood for it. I ended up getting a turkey sandwhich for lack of a better option which was good, but I was disappointed that their menu left me ordering a turkey sandwhich. Luckily my dad ordered the seafood stew so I at least got to try it. It was DELICIOUS. Very flavorable and huge chunks of high quality seafood. We also did get the fried green tomatoes to start and those were very good as well.
Also, the waitress was freaking us all out a bit. All of the waitstaff wear the long white aprons which is fine but it appears as it they were all instructed to wear the apron as long as possible without tripping which made them appear as if they were floating. Our waitress also gave extremely intense descriptions of the specials (mind you, one of the specials was the turkey sandwhich) which were almost scary and my family and I felt a little scared not to order one of the specials. They also give a strang description of the water selection, if I could remember specifics I would repeat them. Apparently they are maniacal about the water, if we took so much as a sip the waitress was there to refill it and the water was carried to the table and poured in the same manner everytime. The waitress would float over with the water jug resting on one palm holding the bottle with the other. She would stop at the table but the bottom hand on the small of her back behind her and tip her whole body to pour the water. This happened at least 10-15 times during the meal and by the end it was extremely difficult to keep a straight face.
I went back a second time for Nana's Sunday dinner. We had fried chicken, mac n cheese, corn on the cob, cornbread, and peach pie. Everything was good, but nothing was great.
I'm not really sure what the hype is all about.
Ok I still love the seafood stew but it's too salty for me! It was last time too but the flavor is too outstanding. Next time I will venture into other territories - the duck confit salad looked/smelled amazing, as did the ravioli dish that I still cannot find on their menu, but 2 people next to me ate it. Still though, the bar menu (and the good $12 deal only works at the bar), but the bar has limited seating and they only give you 3-4 slices of tiny bread for 2 people. But this place is awesome, and when coupled with Eamonn and Eve (which I still have yet to try), that is quite the shiny stars on the belts of the owners!
I had always driven by this place and never knew if it was a movie theater or a restaurant or what.… Read more »
My contribution to The Majestic's Yelp article is the 45th entry. Most people seem to have the same impression, so I won't go into detail. The food is great. The bar is nice. The staff is well above average. This is a solid place to visit, especially for lunch.
I do have one little thing to add, though. The burger on the menu is made with a blend of beef, veal, and pork. I didn't know this until I asked about why it was so amazing. That info would have been nice to know BEFORE I'd eaten several of them. I don't personally mind eating pork or veal but plenty of people do mind. I don't think a lot of people stop to make sure every hamburger they eat is made with beef... that's sort of a default we take for granted. Anyway, it's an amazing burger. Order it, eat it, love it... just know what's in it.
Had a great meal with a relatively large group... more than reflecting all the fantastic reviews. Evidently we were the first group who took advantage of Nana's Sunday dinner on a per-head basis. (They just started this in August... previously you had to order in sets of four).
In any event I wanted to add two things that might not be evident from this group of reviews: the restaurant was GREAT for kids - we had a five-year-old with us who colored and chatted with the very friendly waitress. (The waitress knew what she was doing). And our five-year-old was able to share supper with her parents for no additional cost to the other diners.
Lastly, we went at 3pm on a Sunday, which I would highly recommend. A big Sunday dinner is an American institution that we would do well to reinstate!
Half star. After last night, one thing is clear. The Majestic shouldn't open for dinner.
When it comes to lunch, the food is great, at times even borderline ecstasy-inducing (the "big brat"). But all three times that I've been for dinner have not only left me unimpressed, but disgusted and, after last night, pissed off to the point where I'll never return for dinner again.
It was Welshman's first night back and he wanted to take me out, so we settled on the Majestic because it's close to our place, nut-safe and the menu wrongly reeks of classic dishes done right peppered with lofty ambition. I was wary after our last post-sundown dining experience there resulted in disappointment, and actually suggested hiking up to Vermillion, but we were starving and didn't feel like walking six blocks (lazy, maybe). Big mistake.
I ordered the dark and stormy cocktail--good, but not amazing. The mixologist (or whatever they call her) needs to look into evolution; that drink's (as well as the rest of the offerings) been on the cocktail menu for a good two years now. We both got the broccoli cream soup, a special of the night, and it was tasty, velvety, sweet, creamy with a hint of broccoli bitterness to offer a delightful contrasting bite--hence the half star.
Enter nosedive. I ordered the roast chicken, and Welshie got the meat loaf. The disparity in the size of the entrees was comical. I had what looked like 50 chickens on my plate compared to his two meager discs of meatloaf, plated as if you were eating foie gras, or dining at PS7. It was ridiculously small. It's one thing if that's par for the course of the restaurant, and the portions are what they are. But this stark contrast immediately made you start thinking of the value for your dollar. Not what you want your diners doing. And it's meatloaf, come on--it's supposed to be hearty. Especially when your roast chicken dinner is gargantuan.
I enjoyed the frisee salad with bacon, and I dove into that first. The fingerling potatoes that came with my chicken consisted of--and no I'm not hoodwinking you--two 1/8" slices of potato. Not even enough to enjoy a few morsels of with your chicken. Which wasn't possible anyway, because the chicken was BLEEDING. I cut into it, and it wasn't that the juices just weren't running clear, it really looked like blood. The skin, which I endeavored to try, was bland and lacked any texture (as did the gelatinous meat). I can do better than this, and I have on many occasions. How can it be so wrong up at a place that religously touts the skills of one chef? Why are we paying $20+ for this again? Maybe Shannon "Red" Overmiller was off last night, but that's no excuse. It was nastily underdone.
The crowning jewel of offense was that the server never even asked if everything was OK after I tried the chicken, passed the plate to Welshie to try and was obviously left untouched when he came to take the plate.
Never again for dinner.
It hurts to do this, because I've always had great food at the Majestic--even last week when I… Read more »
Yum. Eating here is a joy. They aim for "pure and simple" American cuisine and they hit the mark. Since it is tough to get in on Friday or Saturday nights, lunch or a week night dinner seems to be the way to go. Whether lunch or dinner The Majestic rarely disappoints.
Last time for lunch, the gnocchi with potatoes and green beans in pesto was creamy , bright, and refreshing. Every flavor just pops. Although, a little pricey for a sandwich the steak and cheese is well worth it. The red wine reduction sauce and mushrooms were so good. Every bite was savored. The BLT was the best I've ever had and the pickle was great too!
I've always been intrigued to go on Sunday night for Nana's Dinner and now that they are offering it by the person instead of set for a group of four I think my husband and I will check it out. I can't wait.
3 and 1/3 stars. (really!)
I had the chicken pate to start, and it was really bland. It was closer to a chicken mousse, and lacked any offal taste. People who don't like pate will like this pate, but then why would you order pate?
I also tried the fried green tomato starter, and surprisingly, it was just ok. The cheese wasn't gooey when it hit the table, so this may have been the deciding factor...for why this was the case, skip to service.
At the waitresse's recommendation, I had the game hen, which was pretty good. It was juicy, tender, good skin, only a little bit of fat, and had been expertly roasted. It was good, but didn't rock my world and I don't know why. It did look a bit funny when it came out because it's this little tiny mini-chicken on a HUGE plate.
Other people at the table had the salmon with lots of changes to the preparation method, and the kitchen handled it quite well.
For dessert, I had the bread pudding which was the highlight of the meal (think of the interior of a krispy kreme with bourbon sauce), and the Keemun tea which is probably the strongest Chinese tea if I've ever had that was intended to be drunk straight. It comes in this fancy-schmancy pot which I think over-brewed the tea.
Now, normally, this would be a solid four star, maybe even 4.5 stars. But the our waitress (the only blonde, so you can ID her) was from a different planet. She forgot my wine. She forgot my tea, and then wouldn't let me pour it myself. She kept on offering a teensy weensy bucket of ice to the soda drinkers. She didn't bring out our food, the other servers had to step in and help her out. She would blast by our table at full speed, going no where in particular, and definitely not stopping to take a request. I felt like a flight traffic controller trying to flag her down. We had to ask her 3 times for the bill. She acted like she was talking to a bunch of 3 year olds (we had gone with his parents too).
The other servers were clearly professional, and really on the ball, but our particular server was not.
Scrambling to find a dinner date spot before a show playing at National Harbor ... Yelp to the rescue yet again. The Majestic was perfect. Good reviews, right across the river, and several notches above a #4 extra value meal!
Tried to book via Opentable - no dice. Sweating. Last ditch effort, I called directly. Score. Booked their earliest dinner reservation for Saturday (5:30 PM). Mentioned I had to be out by 7:00 to make the show on time. Not a problem.
Got there a few minutes early and waited at the bar with drinks. If you're a beer lover, the Majestic probably isn't on your short list. I ordered the Brother Thelonious Abbey Ale, which was a welcome, tasty surprise.
Promptly seated on time. Service was fantastic. Server even mentioned that she'd make sure to get us out by 7:00 so we didn't miss the show. Guess the reservation desk actually does deliver messages to the staff!
Started off with the mussels, which were delicious. We would have been happy just sopping up the cream sauce with the bread (ahem, we did). The salmon and seafood risotto was excellent. The pork chops were cooked perfectly - sadly, the sides were pretty flat. Luckily, we ordered an additional side of mushroom gnocchi to share... little fluffy pillows of tastiness.
No room for dessert - they don't skimp on the portions. Great service, good atmosphere, delicious food. Gonna have to try the Royal Pick sometime.
Alexandria, VA
Category: American (New)
Alexandria, VA
Category: Greek
Alexandria, VA
Category: American (New)
Alexandria, VA
Category: American (New)
Alexandria, VA
Category: American (New)
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