4. Restaurants

The Majestic Cafe

911 King St, Alexandria, VA, 22314
  • (703) 837-9117
  • Store is closed

The Majestic Cafe Menu

  • The Royal Fixe
  • Seasonal Appetizers
  • Classic Appetizers
  • Seasonal Main Courses
  • Classic Main Courses
  • For The Table
  • Sweets
  • Cheese

Healthy Meal suggestions for The Majestic Cafe

  • The Royal Fixe
  • Seasonal Appetizers
  • Classic Appetizers
  • Seasonal Main Courses
  • Classic Main Courses
  • For The Table
  • Sweets
  • Cheese

  • Philip G.

    I've been a fan of the Majestic ever since Greg Matsumoto and Carol West formerly of the Alexandria Happy Hour meetup brought me here after one of the meetups they had organized. Tonight had the amazing cocktail called the Twelve Mile Limit. Also had the mushroom and wild rice soup/stew which like most mirepoix cream and thyme combos is of course delicious. Then the Amish poussin (quail) While Im not a big gnocchi fan, the sauce that accompanies it is good.

    (4)

  • Mike K.

    Not bad but not amazing. Their fried green tomatoes were delicious. However my order of hanger steak was decent but nothing I would rave about. I would give this place another shot.

    (3)

  • Lyn L.

    Had dinner on a week night. The place was full for a mid week dinner. Try and request a booth, it's cozier. We did not have one but our center aisle table was fine. The service was impeccable, the servers were great. The Daquiri was a good drink for a girlie drink and they make them strong($10). The Caesar salad was tossed at your table even if only one person orders it. It was the best I've had in a long time. Our table varied main entrees from scallops to the braised pork. Onion rings were a side dish we shared and it was so good and a good value($6). We all had dessert which is not published on their website but they did have quite a selection. All in all, definitely a favorite.

    (4)

  • Paul W.

    I give this place a solid 3.5. The first thing you'll notice is the old school marquee style sign outside which is kinda cool. However, when you go inside, you have completely different decor inside. The inside is nice and decorated contemporary; lots of natural light inside as well. The food compliments the interior quite well... the menu is unique and the food is good. Definitely stands out compared to the rest of the competition on King Street.

    (3)

  • Byron K.

    went their with my boys for a birthday celebration for Pete. We all ordered NY strip. delicious. MMike at bar will set you up

    (4)

  • caesar j.

    This is the review of the new Majestic under the new management. While the food is not bad, it is indeed not the same. Service was good, but the food quality was simply not on par with the previous restaurant. Just to give you an idea, loved the Burger Royale so much that I've insisted the my dinner party to have Oysters at Hanks and then Burger/Entree at the Majestic. Very sad and begin my search for the best burger in oldtown..

    (2)

  • Jim W.

    This is an excellent restaurant in Old Town Alexandria, The entrees are tasty and flavorful. The service is attentive. A gem. A must try.

    (5)

  • Rich V.

    I tried this place for lunch last week and it was excellent in all categories.

    (4)

  • Marissa C.

    I've dined here a few times but mostly I come here for mojitos! The bartenders are super friendly. I like the modern decor of the restaurant, the lighting is dimmed which sets a romantic feel. This is a perfect place to bring a date to. Be sure to make a reservation!

    (4)

  • Sig E.

    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.

    (3)

  • Sarah B.

    I'll echo the applause for Fried Green Tomatoes. Gotta try them! Best I've found since leaving Austin (Threadgills, anyone?). And my salmon was perfectly cooked. But my main reason for leaving a review is to let other parents know that, despite it's "not good for kids" label here, we found them to be very accommodating with our young two (one in a highchair). Mind you, both are pretty quiet & well behaved at restaurants, and we were seated early -- before 6... but the staff was very friendly, and the kids were given crayons & paper and curly straws for their milk. So if the kiddo has got to tag along on date night and you're wanting something a little bit fancy, just make sure they've had their nap and show up early. Then treat yourself to a mint julep as a reward for your parental prowess!

    (4)

  • brooke j.

    Sunday night, around 8h00, and there's a slight wait for dinner, so my friend and i decided to eat at the bar. it was a school night, so I started with the house made sodas - mint-clementine and then tried the apple pie one. I loved them, and will definitely come back to try more flavors. I ordered from the small plates side of the menu - onion rings, pappardelle and rabini. The onion rings were delicious - really light and not too greasy. The dips were aioli (not great, but i dislike mayo), and standard ranch and ketchup. The pappardelle was earthy, but too salty. The mushrooms served with it were chewy and good, but could have been pieced a little smaller. The rabini was terrible. My friend said it reminded her of bitters from jewish holidays when she was a kid, and she was eating it in some sort of penance! Maybe i wasnt expecting that taste, but it wasn't for me. Thank goodness they took it off our bill in the end, since it was virtually untouched. The service was good, attentive but not overbearing and the space was nice, but could have lowered the volume on the music. I'll try it again, but i'm not rushing back.

    (3)

  • Olivia L.

    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.

    (3)

  • PC W.

    I was at Restaurant Eve for their lunch special the other day when I saw that they were promoting a lunch special at The Majestic. It's called The Royal Pick menu - it's $12, in the bar only and available Tues-Fri 11:30-2:30. You can order anything off their regular lunch menu for only $12 and it includes a soda or unsweetened ice tea. I ordered a fresh lemonade and it was so good. The bartender muddled fresh lemons and added sugar, juices and club soda and threw it in a shaker. It doesn't take much to entertain me. I didn't expect it to be included but he didn't charge me. That was really nice because the deal only covers a soda or iced tea. I ordered the Chesapeake Bay-Style Seafood Stew. It was excellent. The broth was tomato-based with other assorted veggies and potatoes. The seafood was ample - oysters, clams, scallops, mussels, jumbo shrimp, fish, and squid. I could have done without the large dollop of Old Bay aioli. It was almost too much since the seafood is already in a stew and there was enough flavor. And once the aioli got mixed into the stew, it was floating around in chunks. It was still very good but I would ask they hold the aioli next time. The bartender was very friendly and attentive. I love the atmosphere here - upscale but casual. I want to return for Nana's Sunday Dinner. It's $78 for 4 people and the menu changes monthly. May's sunday dinner is Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Mac 'n Cheese, Corn on the Cob, Creamy Cole Slaw, and Dessert: Strawberry Shortcake. June's is Chesapeake Seafood Bake with Mussels, Clams, Crabs, Oysters, Shrimp, House Made Sausage, Potatoes, Corn on the Cob, Dessert: Seasonal Pie. I have found my new favorite place in Old Town.

    (4)

  • Frank C.

    After several attempts to get a table on a Friday night without waiting for 30 m, we ambushed the place on a Thursday. The meal was steak and fish, heralded by Fried Green tomatoes. The plus? Great plating. Really well executed. The decor was very elegant. The bar looked lively and sophisticated. The minus? Fairly bland food that left no impression other than We could have done better ourselves. The fried Green tomatoes are better elsewhere, the steak was 'thatched' correctly, but otherwise bland, the fries were below burger place quality. The local bluefish was forgettable with anonymous sides. So, much like a lot of politicians that have eaten here, it looks great, but has no substance worth speaking of.

    (2)

  • Kathryn W.

    This place would get 5 stars easily, if not for the disorganized service we encountered the last time we were there. We have been to The Majestic for dinner twice. The first time we did the $35 special and it was amazing. We both loved our meals, the service was spot-on and we had a terrific time. The next time we went, it was for Nana's Sunday Dinner. We were seated and ordered cocktails (the bar was practically empty, it should be noted). A few minutes later, the waiter came back and said our cocktails should be right out, so we ordered a bottle of wine to have with dinner and confirmed our order (which they ask about when you make a Sunday reservation, so he already knew that we were having the dinner). A few minutes later, the food was brought to our table and neither the cocktails nor the wine had arrived.... we served ourselves because we didn't want it to get cold and asked the waiter once again about the cocktails, which at this point we were tempted to un-order. They came out a minute or two later, followed immediately by the bottle of wine. Um, okay. We decided to just set the cocktails aside and enjoy them after the meal, and that worked out fine. The main course was really good, although the dessert (apple pie and vanilla ice cream) was mediocre. Next time we'll just skip the cocktails and not order any food until they bring the wine. Sloppy service at a pricey restaurant is annoying, and I expected better. Luckily the food was still amazing, so we will definitely be going back!

    (4)

  • Julian M.

    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.

    (4)

  • Mac O.

    I *heart* The Majestic. I'm sorry to see other Yelpers have had poor experiences or poor food here, because I've had neither and have dined here many, many times. It's a small place. It's intimate. If you're seated at the banquette that runs along the entire left wall, you will be dining with the table next to you. But diners here are pretty deft at keeping their noses out of your business. Or at least pretending to. I happen to really love the dim, relaxed but subtly elegant atmosphere of this dining room. And when you approach from the street, the original turquoise and flamingo pink neon Majestic sign shines like a welcoming beacon. Agreed agreed agreed that the cocktails at Majestic are [pinches all fingers together in a teepee, brings point to mouth, closes eyes, kisses point with a loud smack, lets the teepee explode] magnifique. This ain't your typical boring Cosmo bar. The drinks are way more inventive than that. And they're strong. And clean tasting. I once sampled a martini -- can't remember which exactly -- but it was outstanding and had an edible flower in it. Precious. I'm a girl, you got me. The seasonal Cider Car is a play on the classic Side Car and has the smooth addition of Calvados. Service? Typically great. From the friendly, open greeting you receive at the hostess stand, to the coat check provided in cold weather, to your attentive and helpful yet not overbearing waitperson. We've had servers who were better than others, but never a poor one. And as if ALL that goodness weren't enough, the Majestic went ahead and decided to knock the food out of the park as well. I have really enjoyed everything I've tried here -- and the best part is, the menu changes seasonally depending on what ingredients are the freshest and taste the best. I'd say the style of cuisine is....new American with a southern twist? Fried green tomatoes show up a lot, and they're gooood. Majestic does seafood really well, too. It's always fresh and prepared right: plump, juicy mussels, golden crusted sea scallops, whole fried fish. The meat gets equal attention -- I dine with some picky meat-eaters (not being one myself), and they hate nothing more than asking for meat to be prepared a certain way and having it come out cooked like shoe leather. Never a problem at the Majestic. Steaks come out impeccably cooked with a caramelized sear on the buttery tender meat. Side dishes aren't an afterthought here, either. Some of the best mac 'n' cheese in the DMV. It's a bit pricey, is one of the only drawbacks of the restaurant. We can't eat here as often as I'd like, but every few months we find an excuse to head over for a Majestic fix.

    (5)

  • J S.

    Had a wonderful experience at The Majestic tonight for my wife's birthday. The food was very good- great presentation and tasted great (the meatloaf was the best I've ever had). The service was equally as good. The hostess and the waiter recognized my wife's birthday and also later made sure to quickly correct when the dessert didn't come out with a candle it. It was our first time at The Majestic and we've already figured out when we'll be going back.

    (5)

  • Wilt C.

    We recently dined at the Majestic on a Saturday evening. What a DISASTER. Our visit last winter was great, but the service during our most recent visit was so glaringly horrible that it basically killed the evening. The staff that greet you at the door remain very nice but we cannot risk dining here again due to the dreadful lack of customer attentiveness.

    (1)

  • Ruth N.

    Not so great. The first time I went was for lunch and there were few vegetarian options. The service was slow and food was good but not great. I just went for my second time to share a quick tea and desert with a friend. This is a fancy place, so I certainly did not expect a deal. But $4.50 for a cup of Earl Grey tea with a little Splenda?! That's ridiculous. Plus it had been steeped far too long before it reached the table as was nearly as black as coffee. We had to ask for more water to thin it out. We ordered the donuts and they took quite a while to arrive, then tasted thick as though whole wheat flower was used in the mix although I'm sure it wasn't. I ate one bite and pushed it away and my friend didn't even try them. The manager came to ask if they could get us something else and we explained that we didn't have to time to wait as we had to get back to work. They comped the donuts, but left us waiting a long time to pay in spite of knowing we had to run. Meanwhile the manager chatted away in front of us instead of ringing us up. So we paid $4.50 for tea that was barely touched and a bad bite of donut, all "enjoyed" at the bar since they don't seat between lunch and dinner. I won't be giving this place a third try, in spite of the cute interior and nice location.

    (2)

  • Jon R.

    My next door neighbor is a bit of a food snob. I mean that in the nicest way possible because it means that if she recommends a place, then you KNOW it is good. She has been telling me about The Majestic for a while now. She has always told me about the fried chicken and the wonderful food they get on Sundays. It is called Nana's Sunday Supper or something like that. They usually go with someone else but the friends backed out so she invited me and my husband. He had to work but I am not one to turn down food. So I went along and had a lovely time. Not only was the food good but it was excellent. The waitress was ready for us, we we were served in a timely matter and all of the food tasted wonderful. The skin on the chicken was crispy and salty. The meat was tender and juicy. The macaroni and cheese was heavenly (and I know alot about Mac and Cheese). The coleslaw was creamy, tangy and fresh and the Strawberry Shortcake was divine. The only complaint is that I do not like Spinach and I did not eat it so I do not know how it tasted (Also -- it would have been nice if they offered something else... IMHO) I cannot wait to go again. I will be there. I love this place!

    (4)

  • Bo P.

    Everything here is fresh and homemade (except for cheese and I think butter, which are made by the Amish)---this is not an American diner! Portions are generous (each enough for 2), all full-bodied, and very very satisfying. Bread basket, cabbage salad, meatloaf, green beans, sweet potato fries, fried green tomato, mac and cheese.. not to forget the terrific stouts (check out the Duck Rabbit beers)....all delicious, nothing greasy, nothing overcooked, and all served by friendly and attentive staff who are enthusiastic about their product.

    (5)

  • Jeff S.

    Really cool place. Went there on a Wednesday, no wait at all and very prompt service. Attentive wait staff as well. Good experience overall!

    (4)

  • Tom D.

    Chef Cathal Armstrong is not all about Eve or the Chipper -- The Majestic might be my favorite in Old Town. Service is attentive and very friendly -- there may not be a lot of cooks in the kitchen (it is TINY) -- but there are a lot of staff that do their best to ensure you are well taken care of.....ambience -- a little hip, a little funk -- some history and lots of character make for a great space. The food is wonderful -- fried green tomatoes were delicious (if a slight twist on what you might expect), succatash was outstanding, gnocchi were very good. Entrees -- the scallops in oyster sauce were cooked and seasoned to perfection -- the sauce included actual oysters that were perfectly cooked as well. Rockfish was outstanding. Cocktails shine. Wine list is decent -- extra mark for having a Pink wine on the list -- and another mark for selecting BDV Vin Gris as the leader of the Pink wine world. Will return. May 2008 Update Went for Nanna's dinner. Fried chicken, mac & cheese, cole slaw and corn on the cob -- and strawberry shortcake for dessert. Again, a great value at $78 for 4 -- and a really nice format to share a nice meal with friends. The fried chicken was delicious -- everything was delicious for that matter -- probably the best meal to date at the Majestic. Selection of wines by the glass seems to get worse with each visit. March 2008 Update I have returned a number of times, twice for Nanna's dinner on Sunday nights -- really a lot of fun. This month it is leg of lamb with a salad, two sides and dessert -- $78 for 4 -- a great deal and a wonderful meal. Their wine list is ok by the bottle -- though I really have a hard time with prices at some restaurants -- Torbreck Woodcutters for over $50? I pay about $15 retail. Also, their wines by the glass is dominated by Chile and Argentina -- some great wines coming out of Argentina, but how about some more interesting and higher quality choices......VA bubbles for how much a glass? But those are minor details, overall a really charming place that I really enjoy.

    (4)

  • annettka p.

    I think the food has gotten even better since the switch. The menu has something for everyone. I enjoyed a great New York steak that was prepared perfectly and accompanied with some delightful fresh greens and classic whipped potatoes. The rest of my party enjoyed their dishes. The squash filled ravioli was a hit too. I would advise you to make reservations for dinner. We were walk-ins and they did accommodate us but it felt as if we were putting them through the greatest inconvenience. The bartender is also very slow and it took a long time for our drinks to arrive. Dirty martini was good; sidecars are very popular here. The wait staff is very knowledgable and the menu changes with the seasons. This place is also known for giant cake slices and ice cream sundaes. I can not wait to go back.

    (4)

  • Kenny G.

    Fantastico! From the minute we sat down... the biscuits had us, like crack cocaine grabs a junkee. MMMMMMMM... Service was perfect. Ambience nice and mellow. Very cool surroundings. I had the Caesar salad prepared tableside... one of the best I've had in years! Followed that with the lamb/pork/beef meatloaf... out of this world! Loved this place. Will definitely hit it up again...

    (5)

  • George P.

    I've visited this joint about four times now and planning on visiting again this weekend. One of the best thing about the Majestic is not in their close location to everything, is not in their contemporary design with a 1950s outer facade, nor their clever cocktail glasses. I think the best thing about the Majestic is sitting at the bar and enjoying a beautifully mixed cocktail by real mixologists. I've tasted one of the best Mint juleps here, the best original cocktails, and the most calmed and enjoyable atmosphere in Old Town. If you enjoy good cocktails, the art of witnessing a decadent cocktail's life cycle, and a great conversation, the Majestic is a great starting point to your night.

    (4)

  • Angelique P.

    My boyfriend and I ate here and loved it! The food was delicious and the combination of flavors were very well put together. The service was amazing! My boyfriend and I like to sit next to each other but we were sat at a 2 top on a banquet so we had to sit across from each other. While waiting to give our order, he sat next to me and was going to move to his seat once the food came. The hostess noticed where he was sitting and offered to move us to a 4 top so that we could sit next to each other. The staff was just very accommodating, observant and friendly. We will definately be returning!

    (4)

  • R K.

    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.

    (5)

  • AJ G.

    Just went for coffee and dessert for Valentines Day and sat at the bar. I had an Irish coffee and the Red velvet cake. The bartenders really out care into making the drinks and good ingredients were used. The cake was amazing and I wish I could get the recipe for it. Great service, fun atmosphere, and yummy food and drinks.

    (4)

  • Julie G.

    Varied lunch menu. Good service. Don't judge this place by its outside appearance. The inside is smart and comfortable.

    (4)

  • Melinda C.

    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!

    (4)

  • Matthew B.

    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.

    (5)

  • Melissa P.

    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.

    (3)

  • Lydia M.

    It is my understanding that the bartenders were also serving the dining patrons. This system does not work. After waiting 20+ minutes to get a drink, I had to bounce. The Mint Julep looked good, though.

    (1)

  • Ed Y.

    Great atmosphere, great service, delicious cocktails, american comfort food with a twist. I would go back regularly if I didn't have to cross a river to get there, but if you in the area, check it out. I enjoyed my time there.

    (4)

  • Tina C.

    Great place to go to for fresh food and great service. The lamb dish stuffed with sausage and served on some kind of bean stew was very well made. It's a definite recommendation. The steak and fries dish was not special. Their fried green tomatoes was amazing. I loved the idea of topping them with fried eggs. For a semi upscaled place, their portion was impressively generous. For dessert, we loved the key lime pie, yummmmmm.

    (3)

  • Landon C.

    Under new management so the menu has changed a bit. The blue cheese and bacon mussels were good. The themed cocktail menu is gone and so is the dirty dishwater smell that lingered in the bar area. Still a King St. staple.

    (4)

  • Joe W.

    Poor experience with the wait staff. Back of the house was fine, but waited almost an hour for a burger and two salads. Waiter claimed he came by three times for our order which was untrue. If he forgot to put in our order, that's fine- it happens-but don't lie to the manager and blame the table.

    (2)

  • Aundrea V.

    Just an excellent restaurant. We walked in expecting an average meal but what we got was incredible. I got the pan seared scallops and all I can say is they were perfect. I have never had better scallops. My husband had the roasted chicken. It was delicious as well. The crab and pink grapefruit salad was amazing. The service is top notch as well. Overall, a wonderful restaurant.

    (5)

  • Mark S.

    I've worked down the street from this place for the past 2 1/2 years but have failed to go here until today. I have a co-worker who raves about the steak tacos, so today I had a craving and decided to give it a go. Being a single party, I decided to sit at the bar. Melissa was a top notch bar tender, and if I had a restaurant and was scouting employees, she would be on the top of my list. She was not only super attentive to me, but was also on top of the tables she had in the dining room. The steak taco's were magnificent, I wanted to order more, but the logical me told the fat kid me to go home, so I didn't. There were many things on the menu that I want to go back and try including the shrimp hushpuppies and the crab topped fried green tomatoes. The burger also sounds delicious. In fact, I think I could eat most of the menu. So why only 3 stars you ask? Good question, and here's the answer. The manager on duty seemed incredibly rude. At one point while eating I was having a brief conversation with the bartender and without any apology she butted into our conversation and commanded that individual to check on her tables. 1). That's rude, we were talking and you barged in with your bitchy British accent and totally interrupted us without any apology. 2). This individual was on top of their tables, not everyone is a camel and some people don't want refills (I'm often in this grouping), so you don't have to micro-manage everyone like you seemed to be doing while I was in the restaurant. I definitely plan on going back here, but hope this person isn't working because I found those actions to be off-putting, especially for a patron who has come in for their first time.

    (3)

  • Rachel N.

    So this place was a big disappointment. I should have known from it being literally empty during Happy Hour. While running errands in Old Town we saw their Happy Hour specials sign ($7 cocktails) so we decided to grab Happy Hour drinks and two appetizers. It's really cute inside and the hostess was very friendly. However, the bartender was not friendly at all. I don't want you to have a conversation with me but it would be nice if you smiled or maybe checked on us to see if our food was tasty? Or if we wanted something else? I really like when bartenders - especially during Happy Hour- present the specials to you before you have to ask. Instead we were handed regular menus and had to ask for the Happy Hour menu or if there were any other specials that night. He handed me a cocktail list that said they were $12 except for Mondays (this was a Tuesday). This is where I made the mistake of assuming these were the Happy Hour cocktails that the sign mentioned out front. When we were about to leave (after I paid $12 for one) I asked which cocktails were on Happy Hour since the list he gave me clearly wasn't and he said 'Just your regular vodka and gin martinis'. That info would have been helpful when we first asked. We ordered the shrimp hush puppies and the calamari. The hush puppies were delicious and we got more of them than I expected we would. The calamari was decent but they aren't very generous with it. They were both served with an aoli sauce that was pretty good. The bartender never checked to see if the food was good and pretty much acted like we were invisible the whole time. He was also eating so maybe we were interrupting him.

    (2)

  • Ashley M.

    I used to absolutely love this place, in fact, it was my favorite restaurant in Alexandria. I loved the culinary creativity, the uniqueness, quality and seasonality of the food and cocktails, and the bread used to be phenomenal (my key 1st signal of whether or not a restaurant is worth its salt - if you don't get this, read no further). The past four times I've been to Majestic however, it has been very disappointing. On numerous occasions, they have "86'd" the menu items I wanted to order, and then, the items I've selected as a second (or third) choice, have been...edible...I suppose, but definitely not great, or at all memorable...by any stretch of the imagination. Also, the bread tasted stale (day-old, at least), and the service was sub-par, at best. *note: In fairness to the servers/bartenders: speed and friendliness have generally not been an issue (except on one occasion a few months ago) - as a pattern, it seems like the front of house associates are trying to make up for/keep up with, the mistakes of the Kitchen/HoH/management teams. That's my take - but whatever the reason, something isn't working, and unfortunately it seems as though they are going downhill fast. New owners or management perhaps? It's a shame, because not only did the food used to be excellent, but the establishment also has a rich and unique history. To sum it up, based on my past few experiences, the food (or often lack thereof) is definitely not worth the time or money, especially with so many other great restaurants nearby.

    (2)

  • Alice W.

    This used to be one of my go-to restaurants, especially in Old Town Alexandria. However, ever since I went MLK Day 2014 for lunch and had a less-than-stellar experience, I have felt it's gone downhill and the news of Eat Good Food Group having severed ties with the Majestic made it worse. The previous chef, Chef Shannon Overmiller, has officially left the restaurant. We used to know most of the servers and the hostess, which made eating here a relaxing, enjoyable, and easy experience. Their attitudes were always so pleasant and service was always excellent. However, the last time we came here, we didn't recognize any of the servers and the reception we received from the new ones was less than enthused, a great departure from the Majestic service we've grown accustomed to in the past. Since Chef Overmiller left, the menu has changed. No more Amish chicken breast and home-style meat loaf, which were some of their most signature, delicious entrees. They've replaced those with bacon-wrapped meatloaf, house smoked pork chop, and roasted chicken instead. Like I mentioned, the lunch I had was not that great. Food was definitely off, flavors were more of a miss than hit, and I didn't leave feeling the usual satisfaction. In January 2015, the partners of Eat Good Food Group (which manages Restaurant Eve, Society Fair, PX, etc.) severed ties with the Majestic. In fact, one of the partners stated, "We're done with [the Majestic]." And since then, it's taken quite a hit. The decline has been steady but perceptible. With the departures of the chef who made the historic Majestic the way it was and the Group who turned the former sports bar into the restaurant it is today, I may be forever bidding my adieu to Majestic as well.

    (3)

  • Pegah Y.

    My boyfriend and I dined at The Majestic in Old Town Alexandria for New Year's Eve dinner a few weeks ago and really enjoyed our experience. The place was pretty busy for NYE and the decor was subtle and classy. Service was friendly and attentive throughout too. We ordered: -Drinks - wine and beer to go with our meal. -Lobster bisque (very creamy and it just melts in your mouth) -Octopus appetizer (not sure what sauce they used, but it was very delicious) -Scallops (Not at all light or a small portion; the sauce and greens cooked with this dish were perfect) -Meatloaf with mashed potatoes and green beans (very filling indeed! We had leftovers!) Very delicious meal throughout! I loved their fusion of sauces, seafoods, and meats. I would definitely recommend this place. Elegant (but not trying too hard), reasonably priced, and fun all around.

    (4)

  • Nina B.

    I never tried the food, but their cocktails are Spectacular! Best bartenders around know how to mix their drinks and make a truly authentic Mint Julip. You would think you were in the Kentucky Derby the way they carefully shave the ice in front of you, and serve it up in a real stainless steel tumbler. Delicious! It's a bit pricey, running you about $10-$12 per cocktail, but it's definitely worth it. Because that cocktail isn't only paying for the ambience, but also a really great drink!

    (4)

  • TartanZia ..

    This is a pretty decent upscale diner. It has some updates of traditional classics. The bacon wrapped meatloaf was quite good and the horseradish potatoes were excellent. The chicken and vegetables were OK. The beef stew was more gristle than good beef. The staff was efficient and helpful and we did not wait long for meals. I will come back here again.

    (3)

  • Maria-Elena T.

    Stopped on for a quick drink before dinner. Service terrific. Brad our bartender hand stuffed our olives with blue cheese for our martinis. Having the bar seats looking out to the street is cool. We didn't eat. Locals were friendly and gave tips on other places to stop.

    (4)

  • Alexis K.

    3.5/5 stars...rounding down because the lukewarm corn chowder made me sad I had high hopes for Majestic Cafe - I mean, with a name like that it's hard not to. Dinner was by no means bad, but it wasn't anything all that special either. Will C. and I had a 6pm reservation, and because there is rather limited seating, I suggest other prospective diners to do the same. The ambiance is quite nice; I would describe it as being a great place to have a casual (but not too casual) date night. Our server greeted us promptly and handed us our menus. Complimentary bread and butter came out from the kitchen, but unfortunately the bread was stale. Chewing the crust was equivalent to snacking on a piece of tough beef jerky. The dinner menu selection is limited, but there were a number of tempting options like a duck salad (appetizer), pommes frites (appetizer), and scallops (main entree). I have a soft spot for corn chowder, so when our server told us that was the soup of the day, I just had to order some for the table. The corn chowder was delicious - super chunky and creamy. However, the soup was on the tepid side...and when I say tepid, it was closer to room temperature than being warm. I didn't feel like asking the server to take it back to the kitchen because I was starving, but the soup would have gotten a thumbs-up from me if it was served hot. My boyfriend ordered their meat loaf, which comes with green beans and horseradish-y mashed potatoes and I got their fettuccine with mussels. I had a few bites of my boyfriend's food, and I thought it was pretty good. The meatloaf was wrapped in two large slices of applewood bacon and I enjoyed the kick the mashed potatoes had from the horseradish. Will C. wasn't a fan, so I ended up stealing a good 40% of his mashed potatoes. The green beans also had an interesting smoky flavor that I appreciated as well. I also thought my dish was good. I preferred it to my boyfriend's. The pasta was housemade and the sauce was rich and creamy, but not overwhelming. I have pretty low tolerance for very creamy foods, so I was surprised that I was able to finish the entire dish without feeling all gross inside. Service was good even though our food took forever to come out of the kitchen. Our server was apologetic and took special care to make sure our food came out as fast as possible. All in all, the meal was pleasant, but it didn't leave any kind of lasting impression on me. After reading a few recent Yelp reviews, it seems as though this establishment has been running under new management for the past few months. Perhaps that accounts for my so-so experience?

    (3)

  • Ashley A.

    Went here for the first time tonight and was hesitant because recent reviews were tepid. The food and service were great, and I think I discovered a new solid restaurant recommendation on King Street. The cocktail I had was a disappointment, but dinner and dessert was excellent. Definitely try the fried chicken with homemade biscuits. The best I've had anywhere - the table next to us called the chef out to tell her exactly that also.

    (5)

  • Katie S.

    The Majestic Cafe is another Alexandria institution that has been on my list of places to try for quite some time. I have to say, I'm glad we tried it, but I wish I had been 5 months sooner since they have now changed ownership and seem to be in bit of a transitional period. The best part of our evening was interacting with our server who was freakin awesome! I've really got to get better at writing people's names down so I can give them the proper shout outs later on... total fail on my part. Seriously though, she was so cool we high-fived that she was able to snag us the last piece of cheesecake for the night. As for dinner, the person at the hostess stand must have been confused by my last name or something, since it took a while to find our reservation. Now, my last name isn't particularly common, and I made the reservation on Open Table, so I'm not sure how it was hard to find... but whatever. She found us eventually and seated us. We ordered drinks, our server helped us pick out a bottle of wine to split and we ordered a couple of aps, also with her help. The calamari we split was very delicately breaded and perfectly fried, so it was crisp but still tender. But it was also pretty bland. The risotto our friends ordered ended up being a little too al dente for my taste, and it was sweet! After seasoning with salt and pepper it ended up being a little more palatable, but man, was that a weird flavor at first. Then the duck confit salad they split was just OK. In all honesty, it seemed to be a little skimpy on duck. As for mains, I ordered a burger since the several I saw go by looked fantastic, and I ended up being very happy with that decision (minus the almost inedible fries). The burger was perfect, great sear, great flavor, great everything! But the fries were so covered in salt and I just couldn't eat more than a few. My husband's bacon wrapped meatloaf was OK. We traded bites and I would say I was the winner here (even despite the fries). I thought his mashed potatoes tasted like they were boxed, and he argued they were just really whipped, but I'm not so sure. But his green beans were really good. Our server actually teased me a little because she caught me stealing his green beans instead of eating my fries. As for dessert, we didn't even get a menu since the specials were cheesecake (woo we got the last one!) and bread pudding which is my best friend's favorite thing in the whole world. My cheesecake was heaven! The oreo crust was fan-freaking-tastic and very seriously needs to go on TMC's permanent menu. I also really liked their bread pudding, although my gf didn't, since it was little crispier than she is used to. It was kind of like eating french toast. Seriously, I don't even like bread pudding and I liked it a lot. I am pretty indifferent to the idea of returning to the Majestic Cafe. There are so many great options in the area at that price point and nothing (besides the service and the cheescake) really wowed me. Also, the bathrooms are downstairs in a narrow hallway and you have to trek back out through the bar/hostess stand to get there. So that is a hassle and not friendly anyone with mobility issues (I didn't see an elevator either).

    (3)

  • Prairie S.

    Look, go sit at the bar and enjoy the unmatched selection of inventive and masterfully concocted craft cocktails. Just reading the cocktail descriptions will make you feel elegant. Then, order some fabulous appetizers like mussels (topped with bacon) and charred octopus. Slop them up with the old world white bread and whipped butter that they offer. When you are done swooning over the perfectly-blended flavors in your cocktail, make sure to order some more to continue the party in your mouth. Finally, avail yourself of desserts like churros con chocolate which I swear is better than anything I had in Seville Spain. Or the banana maple pecan caramel pie or the Apple crumble. All hot, melting and decadent. Just want to go back because the cocktail menu is unmatched in the area. Its a Todd Thrasher concept and staff....why would you not take advantage of that!!

    (4)

  • sandy b.

    We went for a pick me up, had iced coffee and coconut cake. The crust of the key lime pie was tasty. It looks like a diner inside. Really liked the music playing the whole time we were there.

    (3)

  • Richard C.

    The Majestic....what an appropriate name for the restaurant. I recently came here on a whim with another couple and was veryyyy satisfied. Let me tell you about their Fried Green Tomatoes. I am a huge fan of them and try to get some FGT whenever I can. The FGT here at Majestic was cooked perfectly. The tomatoes themselves had an amazing crunch to them, but what was awesome was the fried egg they put on top. WHAT?! Oh yes they did. The melted onions were a great touch also. We also ordered the Chargrilled Octopus....to be frank this was also grilled PERFECTLY. Eating it with the yukon gold potatoes...awesome. Now to my main course....Pork Belly Confit. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!!? The biggest piece of pork belly I've ever had in my life. You would think bc of the sheer size of it that it wouldn't be cooked well...but au contraire (thank you hs french teacher)...IT WAS AMAZING! Just melted in my mouth. The caramelized brussels sprouts...great as well. Just thinking bout the pork belly is making salivate in my mouth right now...what an amazing dish. They also have a great selection of craft beers...love the ones from Michigan (as I'm a michigander myself). I will need to come back as I've heard the Sunday Night Family Style dinner is awesome!

    (4)

  • Will C.

    Alexis K and I have been on a bad streak for eating at underwhelming restaurants but luckily Majestic Cafe was acceptable. We made a reservation via OpenTable for 6 P.M. on a Saturday evening. I really liked the ambiance of this restaurant, we sat on the left side of the restaurant and there was natural light coming down from the sky roofs above. Ambiance aside upon taking a look at the menu I noticed it was a bit limited (9 entree options). It wasn't too big of a deal since I saw something I wanted to try. We started off with a bowl of their special soup of the day, corn chowder, the gf had the fettuccine and garlic mussels and I went with the chef's bacon wrapped meatloaf. The corn chowder was delicious dipped with the complimentary bread. However I want to note the bread was cold and the soup was lukewarm. Typically at other restaurants I visit the bread is always served warm so this was a bit odd to me. I will say I usually prefer my food to be warm but I will let the corn chowder slide since it was delicious. Between the two main entrees I preferred the fettuccine, the pasta was handmade, there was an ample amount of mussels and the sauce was just the perfect consistency not too creamy. My meatloaf and the green beans was decent. The mashed potatoes included horseradish which I thought I would like but it ended up too overwhelming. My gf enjoyed the mashed potatoes so it was just personally not for me. I am sure there are plenty of other people who would enjoy it as well. Mid-way through our meal we were greeted by the manager and I appreciate his effort to communicate with us. One of my biggest pet-peeves includes eating at a restaurant and for the managers to greet everyone else and ignore the "younger looking audience." Both my gf and I look way younger then our actual age but that shouldn't matter. We pay the same amount as everyone else so we should get the same respect. With that being said the service was good, our waters were filled quickly by our waitress and she checked up on us often. My recommendation is to definitely get the corn chowder if they have it the day you dine in. Next time I dine there both my gf and I will be each getting a bowl to ourselves. Trust me that soup was the best part of my meal here.

    (3)

  • Winston W.

    Excellent service. Best shrimp and grits in town. Definitely grab a meal here. This place has great personality and I highly recommend it.

    (5)

  • Mary Kate M.

    The Majestic is not so majestic anymore. A couple of weeks ago they changed owners, management, and pretty much whipped out the entirety of the staff it previously employed minus a few. With the 'cleaning', they also cleaned off the entire menu of what it previously was. Granted I never went before the 'cleansing', but what I understand from people who had been that their experience was much better than mine. The experience I had the two times I went - 1. for a preview before my birthday and 2. for my actual birthday dinner -- it has changed for the worst. I would say this was far from a negative experience, but it definitely wasn't the strongest. When a restaurant is in a transitional period; things are always going to take a bit of time to get back on track, especially when it is like new. I guess my expectations were for that of the previous restaurant. This is an expectation I held, and should have lowered the standard. Through talks with previous diners of the old establishment, and through a conversation I held with our server who was part of the old restaurant -- it seems the 'new Majestic' is lowering the standards for the type of clientele they are trying to reach for. The previous establishment was more high class with more elaborate and expensive dishes. This time around, dishes are still moderately pricey, but the demographic is different. The atmosphere didn't match the menu, the music didn't match the atmosphere. The attitude as a whole didn't seem that of a moderate scale restaurant, but more of a casual like diner feel with elegant decor and upscale menu. It is misleading. The food on the menu is easily forgettable, and not something I would return for when there are so many better options in Old Town to dine at with more quality and bang for your buck. I shouldn't leave a restaurant hungry if I just spent $20+ on a meal that was supposed to be fulfilling as a main entree. The first visit I tried the Restaurant Week menu with a pre fixe meal. I had the beet salad, meat loaf, and key lime pie. Beet salad was good. The meatloaf was forgettable and not worth ordering for the price. The key lime pie was pleasant. Second visit I ordered the pork belly sans appetizer and had birthday cake provided by my friend for dessert. The pork belly was good, but the portion is far from substantial nor is a memorable dish that I would come pay and pay for. This is NOT a tapas type restaurant. Don't charge tons of money for tapas size portions when it is meant for an entree serving size. The first week we went - my friend and I had a server who was from the previous establishment. I wish I could say the service was immaculate, but it was not. He was nice when he came around, but he tended more to other tables than ours for some reason. The second week for my birthday where I had 12 people dining at The Majestic was much better. Our server Nicole was AMAZING. She had a sweet and funny demeanour and didn't skip a beat. She checked in when we needed something, she handled my group like a champ, and you could tell she had some serious server experience handling the entire group the way she did. IF you do go here for dining, make a point to ask for her. She makes you feel at home and comfortable. What I truly appreciated about the Majestic is that it does handle groups well. They do split checks, and for my birthday cake -- they did not charge a cake cutting fee. They brought it out with my candles, then after making my birthday wishes, they returned with fresh plates, forks, and with it cut ready to be served. I truly appreciated this quality of the restaurant. Many restaurants will nickel and dime people to cut their cake, and I actually ran into that a few times when trying to find the right place to hold my birthday. I didn't want to pay for my cake to be cut! I don't know what it is going to take to make The Majestic majestic again, but with this restaurant being around since 1949, I do hold out hope that it will improve for the better once it gets the swing of things. Being around that long -- I am sure this isn't the first time it has changed hands.

    (3)

  • Ryan Z.

    Really disappointing. Ownership and the menu have changed so most of the reviews on here are no longer relevant. Service is great, and the dining room is beautiful. The food, however, was meagerly portioned and way overpriced. We all left hungry. The entrees are basically a protein on a plate with little else. The $22 smoked pork chop is served with a small smear of squash puree, but it's just an average size pork chop on a plate. It was also out-of-season with corn and pickled onions that would have been much nicer on a warm summer night than a frigid winter evening. The mussels pasta was served with very small baby mussels. The chicken dinner comes only with mushrooms. Want to pay extra for a starch? The only option on the menu is french fries. I'm a dessert guy, so I was hoping to fill-up on something sweet, but the only options were chocolate cake and key lime pie. Boring, and too summer-like. Come hungry, leave hungry.

    (2)

  • Mike S.

    First visited this place on a whim after haphazardly running into a good friend in Old Town a few years back. I thought the drinks at the bar were absolutely great so the more we talked the more it seemed like dinner was imminent. Dinner was epic... I still remember the meatloaf (of all things... me trying and loving meatloaf!) and the cioppino stew... Dropped by one rainy Wednesday in mid October last year on my way out of the DMV...near perfect lunch. Tagged a midday table again about a month ago and I've been reluctant to write this and it's so bandwagon that I feel like I'm playing Oregon Trail again but... things have indeed changed here and not for the best. In fact, I feel more like I've just got to get it out of my system and try again because The Majestic has been one of the spots I look forward to visiting anytime I'm in the area. I'll update soon enough.

    (3)

  • Deborah O.

    the food at Majestic is excellent: interesting as well as tasty. I'm giving them a top score for niceness -- i took several family members there right after Christmas, place was busy. One of our group is a vegetarian who has to have a low sodium diet -- which turned out to be harder than I'd have thought. Our waiter went back to the chef several times to discuss what would & wouldn't work, and the chef went out of her way to be helpful -- was very specific about how she'd cooked everything & then made something special for my guest -- there was fried fish and seasoned spinach on the menu and the chef steamed a fish and cooked spinach without salt -- it was incredibly nice of them. I don't want to flood them with special requests! but i also want to make sure that they get credit for caring about their customers. Thanks.

    (5)

  • Craig F.

    Knives and forks aren't the only things that are sharp at this Old Town gem. I was very impressed at our server's extensive knowledge of every item's ingredients and flavors, from the types of tomatoes used to the ideal pairing of wines. My friend and I were able to tailor the meal to meet our preferences and dietary restrictions. Barely a minute into our interaction with our server, we already felt like friends. Everything we ate was delicious, especially the tomato ravioli. Rarely do I have a meal with flawless service and food, especially at prices that don't require waiting for a special occasion. Look no further than The Majestic for a great night out. You won't regret it.

    (5)

  • Pete W.

    Great ambiance and atmosphere, without "tourist trap" food. We were impressed and had a wonderful dinner after a long flight. The only off-note: thumping techno - music when John Mayer and Brandi Carlyle would be a better fit.

    (4)

  • John K.

    After reading the reviews I was really excited to try The Majestic. I think it warrants 3.5 stars, but I'm rounding down for the prices for what is ultimately pretty simple fare. The simplicity is not a bad thing, everything we tried was very good. I can recommend the Amish Chicken, and the Meatloaf is good, but I'd probably try something else if I go back. For dessert, I had the bread pudding which was fine, but not really worth it. If you're looking for good restaurants in Alexandria, you have to go here at least once, but I'm not in a big hurry to head back.

    (3)

  • Alex R.

    The menu uses limited list of local ingredients and proves that they excel at their dishes. The reason 5 stars were given was due to their level of service and perfection in quality. We will return and recommend to others.

    (5)

  • Carol W.

    This is a drink review only, even though I've been here and had the food before. Big kudo's to Mike who was working the magic behind the bar. My first drink was the Maple Sangare - this may evoke visions of sugary, syrupy maple concoctions...get that out of your head now! The alcohol base on this was Captain Morgans Spiced Rum, with a touch of this and that which gave a final drink that was extremely well balanced with the flavors of maple and spice (kind of like sugar and spice and everything nice). This is a great drink and it was NOT overly sweet. My second drink was a classic Mint Julep. It Mint Julep's at the Majestic are the BEST I've ever had. If you down in Alexandria and are hankering for a good cocktail - this is a good place to come to (don't let the neon blue signage put you off!).

    (4)

  • David B.

    We have eaten at the Majestic Cafe many times since it opened and have noticed that both the food and service have been going steadily downhill this past year. This is the second time this year that we found the food overly salted and dried out (Ceasar Salad and pulled pork sandwich) including horrible bar service in a bar that prides itself on its cocktail menu. Our bartender/waiter was occupied with his 4 friends at the bar, didn't give us sliver ware and took over 15 minutes to make 1 cocktail and pour 1 glass of wine. He left dirty dishes sitting next to us during our entire lunch even though he had no other patrons other than his friends. Will not be returning soon and highly recommend Virtue Feed and Grain at the other end of King St. for a good lunch.

    (1)

  • Kay G.

    Not the crown jewel of this restaurant group -although I wanted it to be. The food was mostly fine, although I had higher hopes for the onion rings (bland, tasted like they had been sitting). During our most recent visit we watched the server do side work for probably 10 minutes before attending to our group table. The Sunday evening dinners are a neat concept and have been enjoyable a few times, but seriously! The waitstaff!

    (3)

  • Lukas W.

    I love the majestic. I have always had excellent service and friendly waiters/waitresses, and the food is just excellent. Nicely portioned dishes in a good variety. I highly recommend the guacamole (the only guac I've ever had better was at Oyamel: yelp.com/biz/oyamel-wash… ) and the big bowl of mussels does not disappoint (it is indeed a big bowl of delicious mussels). I think the interior decor could do for some sprucing up. It's nice, but somewhat generic. Still, very nice. The best thing about Majestic is the WATER! I am a die-hard tap water drinker, never buy bottled water EVER as I can't taste the difference. Except for at Majestic. There's something insanely smooth and delicious about it. I suspect magic.

    (5)

  • Carrie G.

    This is hands down one of the best restaurants in Old Town. The service is excellent and the menu changes by season. They make Caesar salads and guacamole table side and offer a price fixe menu Monday-Thursday. Get the fried green tomatoes and you won't be disappointed!!

    (5)

  • Yaima R.

    Food is very good, I would say a bit pricy but it's in line with similar quality prices in the DC area. Their churros for dessert are amazing.

    (4)

  • Alexandra L.

    Let me first start off by saying the 2 star rating has nothing to do with the taste and preparation of the food. Actually, the food I ordered was wonderful. I ordered the fried oysters and the pate, both of which met or exceeded expectations. However, it is not just about the food - rather the entire dining experience. So here's where it went downhill. I went with a few friends before noon on a Saturday and come to find out there is no brunch menu. Ok, no bother, I can order something lunch-ish (although brunches in general and Saturday brunch are gaining in popularity so why no brunch menu on Saturday?). I asked for coffee only to be told they were out of coffee. Hold on a minute, it's not even noon on a weekend and you don't have coffee? I was informed that they locally source their beans (ok who doesn't nowadays) but this was not a good start to the meal. I understand normally they have locally sourced beans or whatnot but make an exception and have some emergency coffee as backup on hand. What next? Oh we were offered bread about 15 minutes later even though the table seated next to us sat down after we did and already received their bread. Yes, the bread was delicious but read on. Next we order some belinis only to be told they make their juices in house and cannot make a bellini. Ok strike two or three at this point. It's one thing to have high standards with making things in house and locally sourcing ingredients but quite another to not even accommodate your guest in the slightest. I'm sure any bartender could come up with a bellini-like drink with what was on hand, put some peach schnapps in there or something! Ok so no coffee, no bellinis... So we order some mimosas which came in suspiciously tiny flutes. The orange juice is made in house but that doesn't impress me anymore, it's commonplace and standard practice in the area. What I was NOT expecting was to pay $11 for a mimosa. We would have ordered many more had we not been gouged by the hefty price tag. Let's be honest, it's not like there was expensive champagne or Prosecco in there....$11 probably covered the entire wholesale cost of the bottle of champagne that was poured into it. Lesson learned, although the food was wonderful that just isn't enough anymore when there are so many choices in D.C. It's about the entire experience and this time around at majestic was underwhelming and disappointing.

    (2)

  • Danielle C.

    Great place to get a cocktail before dinner on a date. Great fries! Not much more food choices for wheat and dairy free diets.

    (3)

  • Mike C.

    Aloha! Man, oh man it kills me, but... As a tiki drink aficionado from Hawaii, I have to admit, the finest zombie I have ever had was last week at the Majestic, in Virginia of all places! They used some sort of homemade syrup which was slightly cinnamony. I assume the food was good, the zombies had done their job by that point, but now I am forever scarred by the experience. If I could get that Majestic zombie served to me at my favorite tiki bar here in Hawaii, my life would be much more enjoyable...

    (5)

  • Johanna L.

    Fried Green tomatoes are really yummy served with burratta and sliced tomatoes. yum!

    (4)

  • Jon M.

    My lasagna and sides was very forgettable. My wife's stuffed pork chop was way undercooked and the sausage stuffing was uncooked.

    (1)

  • Abbi M.

    Normally, I really enjoy the Majestic, however, I was so disappointed with our server at our last dining that I think I'll take a long break. At least until that server has had time to move on. To begin, she seemed to have no knowledge about the menu and when asked about a few dishes she simply read the menu description back to us. Great. The food was good, as usual but we were looking for a relaxing evening to talk, unwind, eat, and drink. The older women serving us wouldn't put in our appetizer until we ordered our whole meal, told us to make a decision, and as a result we were rushed through our meal and out the door. If I'd known she was simply trying to turn tables I would have left immediately. I wish I had.

    (3)

  • Kurt D.

    This place is all about the chef. And boy does she deliver! Chef Shannon Overmiller you are the queen of Old Town.

    (5)

  • anil b.

    This review isnt based on their food, rather their service. After calling and emailing for 3 weeks and being told repeatedly that I should be directing my inquiries to a particular person, I finally found out 3 weeks later that this particular individual left a week ago. Then after calling/emailing the other managers, I discovered that they do not take reservations on friday/saturdays. In trying to plan this private event, I have lost 3 weeks of planning time with this restaurant. Three weeks I could have spent trying to find another restaurant. Now I have only 4 days to scramble and find a different location.

    (1)

  • Marivic L.

    The Majestic is a great little place in Old Town. Though it's small, they make the most of their space and it has a nice warm feel to it. The bartender and waitstaff are very welcoming, as well. The food has been consistently good every time I've gone. The last time I went for dinner, I had the ravioli. My companions had another pasta dish and the steak. The one that got the steak could NOT stop raving about it. If you're in the mood for some good ol' American food done extremely well, this is the place for you. It's definitely better food-wise and much more wallet friendly than it's "sister" restaurant, Restaurant Eve.

    (4)

  • Keila B.

    I'm new to the DC/NoVa dining scene as my new beau lives in Old Town. He took me to The Majestic after I spent an entire day sleeping off a terrible cold. We were supposed to stay in and cook, but I felt like a cloistered nun and so out we went! We managed to get same day reservations on a Saturday night...yay! Service was very good right off the bat. Our waitress was very friendly and engaging. I ordered a Mint Julep because what better way to kill the cold germs than with bourbon? The Mint Julep was very good. Well balanced. My fella and I split an order of onion rings. They were delicious but wish the poration had been more generous. I ordered the meat loaf and he had the Amish chicken. Both were delicious. I really liked the mashed potatoes. The biggest disappointment was dessert. We ordered some sort of pecan pie permutation and it was terrible. The beau and I could not even finish it. The crust was tasteless and had terrible texture. The filling was hard and also tasteless. And it was paired with a caramel fleur de sel ice cream and it was way too salty. **DISCLAIMER** I know that it's supposed to be slightly salty. This was just plain old salty/savory. As if the pastry chef grabbed the salt instead of the sugar. Yuck!

    (3)

  • Chris A.

    For a higher end dining experience, it seemed to be lacking in areas and mighty pretentious in others. The atmosphere is great and the waitress came with a lot of attitude. I'm not sure why after the bread/apps, and dinner, with minimal waste on the table, they have to clear out all the clutter and wipe it down. It's intrusive and bothersome especially when there are many wine glasses and other items on the table. The interior is great, but whenever a dish is ready, if you're near the open kitchen, which is great feature, you hear, I think it's the chef or person running the pass, UP!!!!!!!!!!! which after the 20th time having conversation with the table can become annoying. The waitress had an excessive amount of attitude. Questions about the menu were met with a sign, like I'm sorry I have to explain it. We requested we keep side sauces from an appetizer for our main dish french fries and met with a disgusting "Are you serious?" I guess the customer isn't always right, she took them away from us anyway, because I guess we were joking. Didn't need that homemade ketchup afterall. Which I feel is wasteful since we had to ask for more, so much for sustainability. The food was at least a redeeming feature of the restaurant. Started with the five onion soup which was great. Much like a french onion but not as rich with all the cheese on top. Not sure if it's worth $10 but it's good. Had the Virginia NY Strip which was alright, the butter pattie on top could have been more generous, the steak was overcooked to what I asked for and the seasoning was alright. For a basic steak with butter I've had far better. Save your $27. The Meatloaf however, was great. Another member of our party had it. What I was struck by, other than it being delicious, and better than the steak. What I've experienced with most meatloaf is they are more "airy" and loosely packed, however this meatloaf was dense and delicious. Had I known that I would have gone with that. The food was alright, the service came with too much lip and no respect. If I had to spend that much money on a meal, I would go somewhere else personally. If I wanted to be treated that way, I can always have dinner with my family and get flack from them!

    (2)

  • Nina U.

    Majestic just earned an upgrade from a 4 star to a 5 star review. I had lunch here and was pleased. They distill their own water and make everything fresh except their cheese which they buy fresh from the Amish. Winner in my books. Even the ketchup is homemade. Water is delicious. I don't even need to go further except I should share more on why I gave them 5 stars. Simple decor. Fried Green Tomato was great. Too bad we didn't discover the goat cheese on top until later in the game. FRIED OYSTERS. Heavenly-melt-in-your-mouth with the perfect tarter type sauce. GET IT. Salad of the day was duck confit. Sandwich of the day was a pulled pork. Both awesome and both about $13. After I paid the tab I still felt blissful. That's a good lunch. Next time I'm going back for dessert.

    (5)

  • Kate F.

    Nice atmosphere. Went only for drinks and appetizers. Wine pours are not very generous but the wine is good. Guacamole is homemade and delicious. Bottom line it's a date place and if you sit at the bar without a male companion don't except to get much attention from the servers.

    (2)

  • Nancy W.

    While vacationing in Alexandria my husband and I were lucky enough to experience the Nana's Sunday Dinner Special. This is a fixed meal that comes with entre, sides and dessert for an amazing price.The pork roast was cooked with just a slight pink so as not to be dry. The sauce served on the side was a perfect compliment. It was served with roasted potatoes and cabbage cooked with bacon, both delicious. On the side was warm home made apple sauce. For dessert was apple pie with perfectly cooked apples. This meal stands out as one of our best meals from our trip. The ambiance of the restaurant is relaxing. Olga was our server and she was personable and efficient. All the serving staff worked together well. All in all a very enjoyable experience. I would be a regular at this place if I lived there.

    (5)

  • Michael B.

    Perfect restaurant. My favorite cuisine is gourmet southern food and The Majestic pulls it off seamlessly. Year after year they continue to offer wonderful food. On a recent visit the skate wing was lightly fired to perfection and on another the soft shells. Sunday dinner is one of the best deals around and more people should really take advantage of it. If you haven't been yet go! If you have you know why you keep coming back.

    (5)

  • J L.

    Came here for a birthday dinner with a bunch of friends. The food was delicious - we split the fried green tomatoes and mussels for appetizers. Both were solid and impeccably cooked. For mains, among other things, we ordered lamb shank, scallops, seafood stew, branzino and the homemade pasta, garlicky spinach, and mushrooms/ramps sides. People raved about their dishes. We split the coconut cake, strawberry tart, and the carrot cakes for dessert. The cakes were very dense (some people really liked this, and some people didn't) but the flavour was great. The tart had oatmeal topping and was a warm tasty lovely thing. Finally, the service was impeccable. Our server Murphy was awesome.

    (5)

  • Betty L.

    We came at on the last week before the Majestic would be closed for renovations and new management so I can't say that my review will be as relevant if they change the staff, but the experience that we had was fantastic. The servers and hostess really brought their A game as it was their last week and everything we tried was pretty good. I took Kimberly S (Yelp's own CMOTUS) and tried the pork belly which was excellent. the Cesar salad which was made tableside was overly dressed in lemon juice and not enough cheese. The chicken mouse was also excellent, and the Majestic cocktail was refined, tarte, and delicious (II tasted picked lemons). My husband and I both agreed that this was the best meal we've had in downtown Alexandria, so you do get what you pay for. The decor is also quite interesting and very 50's- including the basement bathroom which still had a phone booth.

    (4)

  • Sharon L.

    Came here on a Tuesday night for my dad's birthday + parents anniversary dinner! Ambience/decor: - the restaurant front and bar area looks a bit tacky but luckily there's a heavy curtain that separates it from the main dining room, which is nice enough - open kitchen which I liked but my parents found a bit distracting/loud (we were the table right next to it) Service: - food took really long to come out...at least 30min but the waitress warned us as we ordered that there would be a delay - waitress brought out the wrong size soup (we didn't even notice), but she corrected it herself without any prompting so that was definitely honest/professional of her - when I told the waitress it was my dads birthday while he wasn't at the table, she made every effort to keep it a surprise until the end! Gave me winks so that I'd meet her in the bathroom so she could ask me what dessert I wanted! Food: - I love when places do good bread. This place has good bread - interesting beer/wine selections - they didn't have anything on tap but they had more than your typical beers - Basil/sweet potato soup: good but a bit too watery for me - Spinach Couscous: awesome - Pan Roasted Salmon: so delicious! And perfectly cooked (they also ask you how rare you want it) - Steak Frites: loved it! I asked for rare and they actually gave me super rare (not medium rare like most places do...). The herb butter it came with was amazing as well. Fries were crunchy and Parmesan-y - Fettuccine and Garlic Mussels: good sauce and fresh house made noodles but some of the mussels didn't have any meat in them... - Free chocolate/some sort of alcohol cheesecake at the end which was delicious and creamy but not too heavy tasting. Perfect ending to the meal! Overall, had a great time and would definitely come back! Total came out to be -$145 including tax/tip, which was reasonable considering we ordered 1 beer + 1 glass of wine too

    (4)

  • Claire M.

    Southern food, brought to you by a bunch of Irish people, in Alexandria Virginia's Old Town? Yes, I say, this restaurant makes perfect sense to me. It was a miserable rainy weekday at lunch when I found myself in Old Town for the first time. I had no tips on where to go, and (gasp) no Yelp access, so I had to go old school and just sniff out my options. Like a Dickensian hobo, as I shuffled down rainy King Street I looked into empty restaurants that were not one bit friendly. Then, what's this? A gleaming art deco neon sign beckoning me in ... "Majestic" it says. And sure enough as I pause to look at the menu, the door opens and voices, laughing, happy & satisfied spill forth. I ordered the fried oysters and brussel sprouts and within a matter of minutes a perfect, tiny loaf of brown bread appeared with a glass of IPA. Wow, I like this place a whole lot and I wish there were more unpretentious, reasonably priced, interesting restaurants in DC, just like this. Every bite was tasty, the service was friendly and professional, and even more importantly the lovely server did not look askance at my hobo get-up, nor my sad-sack single dining.

    (4)

  • Chris F.

    One of the best restaurants on King Street, and there's a ton of competition. We ate a late lunch here on a busy weekend afternoon and they got us seated right away without a reservation. The service was very professional, and the fried green tomatoes, served with goat cheese, were awesome. Not the best I've ever had, but excellent. We also had the Chesapeake Bay Stew and the gnocci, both of which were delicious. The Chesapeake Bay Stew is way overpriced at $30 though, and the gnocci weren't exactly reasonable either.

    (4)

  • Jaq N.

    This restaurant was absolutely fabulous. The staff was very kind and accommodating to my vegan diet. I had the spinach side, and the guacamole which was heaven. They also make it by your table so you know every ingredient going into it! My boyfriend who is not vegan enjoyed the Amish chicken, Caesar salad, and Chocolate cheesecake and was melting into each dish. You do need to make a reservation to guarantee a table, but it is well worth the seat!

    (5)

  • My Pet Yeti R.

    Meatloaf can be a tricky thing... it can be overcooked with guitar licks like the "Bat out of Hell" album or it can be served with the right amount of sauce coupled with whipped potatoes and green beans. If you feel inclined, add a Bells Brewery "Batch 10,000" draft to sip on (highly recommended!). I will say, this is a fancy take on southern cuisine... and the servers are probably take their tea "hot with milk" rather than "dixie-sweet" but the food and service are both great! This was my first experience... and I got enough meatloaf to make a sammie the next day! AH-YEE! I hear they do a granny-style dinner on Sundays... I will have to try it and report back

    (4)

  • Dominique H.

    The only reason they got 3 stars is because the food was phenomenal but my best friend and I came here on Valentine's day and received the worst service possible. We were willing to accept that it was busy but they were treating the table next to us like they at like existed. We ordered a glass of wine yet after we completed it, it took 30 minutes later they still had not asked us if we wanted a refill. Any time the server would come to our table he would leave before we could even ask him a question. Furthermore, the server did not come by once and ask us if we needed anything or sought our opinion about the food or service. It is really unfortunate because the food was to die for, but the service would almost make me not want to return. Luckily the manager was at least willing to accept the complaint and make an effort to offer us a deal.

    (3)

  • Peter H.

    5 stars because the food, service, location, and atmosphere were great. The Majestic is located at the center of the strip on king st in old town alexandria and has some nice neon lighting on the outside. It made me think of silver diner and from the outside it does have a diner look to it. but once you get inside it is a nice place. All the waiters are wearing formal waiting attire and are all top notch and really know the menu. I like how the waiter described the drink menu, "it's all new world", which means that all the drinks are prepared with ingredients from north america, south america, australia, and new zealand, and I think africa. anyways, I had a manhattan and my girlfriend had a martini with an american vodka which was actually quite good. the vodka had a slight cucumber flavor to it, very refreshing. We shared a couple appetizers and the entree. The fried green tomatos were amazing. Topped with Burrata cheese which is an even creamier version of fresh buffalo mozzarella, heirloom tomatoes, sliced cherry tomatoes, and a basil pesto...delicious. We also got the pesto gnocchi as an appetizer, but it could easily be a main dish. We had the veal chop as the main dish and it was excellent. We ordered it medium-medium/well and it was cooked perfectly, very tender. It had some sort of mushroom topping and gravy that was very good. On the side, It came with a zucchini sort of lasagna and was delicious. For desert we had the coconut cake and some assorted sorbet. I wasn't totally thrilled by the cake but the sorbet was great. Overall, good food, good people, good times. Keep it up.

    (5)

  • C K.

    I'l preface this by saying that I was in a bad mood the day I went, but the food seemed just OK, especially for the price. The ambiance was nice and the wait staff were really nice through. Just seems overpriced. My boyfriend really liked his chicken dish.

    (3)

  • Olive O.

    have been here a couple more times since. continue to love this place. the scallops are amazing as is the seafood stew. fried green tomatoes continue to be delicious. i think my favorite place in old town

    (5)

  • Kate D.

    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.

    (2)

  • Dennis J.

    Bottom line: this is an excellent restaurant. Food is good. Service was excellent and prices were reasonable. The menu here is American (with a "flair" according to my wife). I ate here with a party of 8 and the server did an outstanding job the entire night. Definately recommend the fried green tomatoes. They were delicious and I could have eaten 3 orders of them. About half the table got the NY Strip which was $26 and included vegetables and choice of potato. It wasn't the best steak I've ever had but was one of the best for the overall cost. Drinks here are very cool and one of the things that made it stand out in my mind. For desert I had the chocolate gelato in b/w two chocolate cookies covered with chocolate chips. This was surprising large and well worth it. Everyone liked their deserts but the French press coffee was the biggest hit. The waitress said the coffee blend was specially made for the restaurant which is too bad b/c it was some of the best coffee I've ever had and I was hoping to get it somewhere myself. Overall a great experience. I would go back again.

    (4)

  • Angela L.

    Love The Majestic. Consistently good seasonal food. Wines unique and fun. Cocktails with REAL ingredients, not something from a mix. I usually sit at the bar, have lunch and a glass of wine. Always comfortable. Love the Chef!!

    (5)

  • Kalie B.

    First of all, if you like really creative and yet classic American cocktails, this is a great place with a cool, not so busy bar that would be a great happy hour date place. I would give the bar atmosphere/drinks/prices/service a 5. They do a lot of little extras that make the place cool and the food is good. Not amazing, but really good. The items on the menu make your mouth water thinking its going to be a really creative interesting new American recipe that turns a boring old dish into something fun and artisanal. (Like their Meatloaf) The end product, though, is just a little bit better than the classic American version. Still a little bit boring, too covered in dark brown sauces and without the flare you thought the entree would come with.

    (3)

  • J E.

    Great drinks! A little pricey for the appetizers but the bartenders make up for it.

    (3)

  • Kim N.

    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.

    (4)

  • Sophie S.

    excellent service and food. got there on Friday nite, the place was busy but not overcrowded staff is superfriendly got us seated seated rite away high recommend the miso glad himachi...amish chicken.. the burger looks good too. worth every single penny spent

    (5)

  • Roxanna L.

    Some iPhone research on Yelp during our visit to the DC area helped us decide on The Majestic...thank goodness! It was packed on a Saturday night around 8pm...and we probably should've called for reservations - but we were kind of on the fly during our trip. Sure enough - they couldn't seat us right away but had a spot in about an hour. We put our names down and took a walk. It was a chilly evening the first week of March, and we ordered some specialty cocktails to get our blood flowing again. I had an Old Fashioned (Grandma's recipe I think it said on the menu) and it was delicious. I knew with one sip that there was someone with serious flair mixing drinks behind the bar. This was confirmed when i tasted hubby's Mint Julep...that will inspire a trip to the Kentucky Derby for sure. We started with the Fried Green Tomatoes with a Poached egg, Hollandaise sauce, and green chili relish. The egg and Hollandaise were to die for...the fried green tomato itself was good, but I've had many better homemade. My husband ordered the Ribeye medium-rare with baked heirloom potatoes, Majestic butter, red wine sauce. He enjoyed his dish and ate it all (minus the bite offered to me for taste testing). However, we both agreed that the quality and seasoning of the steak wasn't quite up to the standard that we are used to (perhaps coming from Texas). The steak was a bit lean and not as marbled as we like for ribeye. Also, it seemed to be missing that savory and slightly salty caramelization that makes that tasty charred crust. I had the "COCO'A VIN" - Coq au Vin, lardons, onions, mushrooms, lentils, cocoa. I must confess I RARELY order chicken in a restaurant. However, I had read this was well worth trying through other reviews, and it did not disappoint. The chicken was heavenly moist and succulent, and the flavors and the sauce (now in love with lardons...should get a t-shirt that says that) were unique and downright decadent. This is like home cooking taken over the top with a delectable result. Speaking of delectable results...our eyes had spied towering slices of coconut cake being delivered around us along with French press coffee. I can honestly say this dynamic desert duo (I'm promise I'm not really trying that hard to alliterate with D...it just keeps happening) stole the whole show. WOW a million stars for the coconut cake and coffee. The cake itself was rich and light at the same time! Moist cake with tasty coconut layered and iced with a very flavorful and light whipped creamy perfection - none of that heavy goopy cream cheese icing or cool whip. I can't put my finger on why exactly, but my cup of coffee was the best I've ever had. It has such a heavenly flavor and was not too weak (nor too strong). This portion of the meal is absolutely cravabale - if we lived in the DC area we'd probably stop in for desert and coffee on the regular. The story of the Old and New Majestic, the rumors of celebrity sightings, the friendly and efficient service, the glimpse of the line working their butts of in the kitchen, the yummy food...all these things combine to create a buzz and an energy at the Majestic that communicates their desire to execute some typically simple American dishes to their greatest level. When you throw in that final touch of being set in Old Town - you realize you're leaving with a warm glow...almost like a special dinner at home with friends.

    (4)

  • Janet M.

    Food was pretty good, but waiter was pretentious.

    (4)

  • Chandana K.

    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.

    (4)

  • Michael H.

    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.

    (4)

  • Grace R.

    I really wanted to like this place - but didn't. I love the philosophy, but the execution failed miserably. Ok, so the bartender was slow on his game - my friend waited quite awhile before we finally decided she would just get her drink at the table. The servers then came out with a bang - stellar attention - along with the GM. But ... our food then came - First, I got the soup - with no spoon. Ok, no big deal. Then, my friend gets the veggie plate - which the GM had specifically promised her would be done with no mushrooms - and there they were on the plate. And my pasta main course? Stone cold. No wonder it took so long for our entrees. They'd been sitting forever before anyone remembered to get them for us. And no apology or follow up... A disappointing bust.

    (1)

  • Francisbro S.

    The food was great, but the service was not. I had the Tomatoes & Potatoes to start with which was a Fried green tomato with a, potato croquette, fried egg, melted onions and lemon-parsley emulsion on top. As a main course I had the Miso Glazed Hamachi which came with, steamed baby bok choy, watercress and a ginger-soy-yuzu vinaigrette that was splashed on the side of the plate to dip into. I split the Celery Root Raviolini which was stuffed with Parmesan, thyme and was covered in a Bordelaise sauce with my girlfriend. She had the Amish Chicken Breast which was stuffed with mushroom duxelle, creamy mushroom wild rice, and covered in a rosemary jus. The food was great, my favorite dishes were the Tomatoes & Potatoes and the Ravioli, which were both fantastic. Another thing which I really enjoyed was the bread, which was some sort of wheat/whole grain loaf. They served to you hot with butter, probably some of the best restaurant bread I have had in the area. Where this restaurant is lacking is the service. Our waitress was very difficult to understand and misrepresented the Hamachi, which she told me was like a tuna, which it was not, and created an expectation that was not met and lead to disappointment. We were also there for 2 hours because it took a long time to be seated and it took a long time for the food to come out. Despite the service short comings the food was great.

    (4)

  • Louis P.

    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.

    (2)

  • Helene H.

    My bf and I randomly went to The Majestic and was suprised we could sit at the bar without any wait on New Years Eve. We had no idea what to expect. We were happily greeted by our bartender Amy. Then the fun drinks and food began...Sazerac took 5 minutes to prepare starting with torching brown sugar; it was an awesome show and well worth it!...our bartender Amy was amazing! Every cocktail we ordered was absolutely mind blowing. We ordered froie grois two ways, tourchon and grilled, to die for! Our bartender recommended the celery root raviolini which was again amazing! What was even more amazing was the price of the food and drinks. Any where else would probably charge 2-3 times more than what Magestic did. The biggest highlight of the night was meeting chef Shannon Overmiller. Eventhough the restaurant was really busy as it was New Years Eve, Chef Overmiller welcomed us taking pictures and chatting with us. She was friendly and enthusiastic about her food. After cocktails and dinner at The Majestic, we walked down the water to watch fireworks. It was truly a spectacular New Years Eve, thanks to The Majestic.

    (5)

  • Rosario G.

    Loved it.. loved it.. loved it! Made reservations for lunch there (had to call in because something was wrong with opentable) they called back same day to confirm my reservation (oh lala) and when we arrived they seated us promptly. Had my first fried green tomato (with bacon and poached egg) and I think both my companion and I were sorry we decided to share that dish.. was SOO good. I had the chesapeake bay stew which was filling and very delicious.. my friend had the special sandwich of the day... oyster po'boy which she enjoyed. For dessert we ordered some beignets that were out of this world.. deliciously fried without the heaviness of fried food and the sauces were both yummy. The service was great and our waitress came to check on us often and refilled our water glasses eventhough the filtered water bottle remained at the table at all times. Will definitely be back for more!

    (5)

  • Gayle G.

    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.

    (4)

  • Gwen B.

    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).

    (5)

  • Leah B.

    I adore this place. For the price, the food and service couldn't be better. The regular menu is amazing but I also love Mama's Sunday dinner. Also for an amazing price. Every time my parents are in town we stop here and my Mom loved it. I like the Caesar salad that they make right in front of you and the seafood is always fresh and very tasty. I've had to wait a little while for a table but always enjoyed a glass of wine in the bar, even though it is a little crowded. If you haven't been, check it out.

    (5)

  • IH K.

    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.

    (4)

  • Hyunoo P.

    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.

    (4)

  • T G.

    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.

    (2)

  • Drew S.

    Definitely a place not to bring the baby (alright, maybe lunch, only cause it's less formal and they do have a kids menu, but still). Because it's very cozy inside, and you want to have a great dining experience and this place delivers it. The drinks here are perfect, as good as PXs I would say, so pick one of their specialties. The only thing that left my wife a little disappointed was they changed the menu a bit. The Peas and Carrots she ordered is prepared different and she liked the older version. But the Fried Oysters were amazing, their Caesar is always a good choice, and my Chicken was very flavorful. Finished off with some Key Lime Pie, good tartness to it and a good way to clear up the spicy flavors. The interior is beautiful and gives a nice warmth, a great setting for you and your significant other. Just make sure you lined up the baby sitter ahead of time so you can truly enjoy yourself ; )

    (4)

  • Emily H.

    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!

    (5)

  • Bhumika K.

    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.

    (5)

  • Jeffrey F.

    I came here for lunch with a co-worker. It was an underwhelming experience, but I can see the potential. For the lunch specials, which were $12, you had to sit in the bar area. No problem there, except the bartender was incredibly distracted despite it not being an entirely full place. He made drinks nonstop and for whatever reason didn't seem to have the wherewithal to multitask -- that is pour the drinks and say, "can I get you something" at the same time, despite us sitting right smack in the middle of the bar. It took a good 5 minutes for him to acknowledge us and and another 5 minutes for him to take our drink orders and another 5-7 minutes to take our lunch orders. I settled on wanting seafood and asked which he preferred, the "big bowl of mussels" or the Chesapeake Bay Seafood Stew. I got that oh so useless restaurant response, "they're both good" with no further explanation. I got the mussels. My colleague got the Royale with Cheese (burger -- score Pulp Fiction). The mussels were just okay. The problem was they were lukewarm and bit rubbery. I suspect they make a huge lunch batch and just keep it warm for 2 hours. My colleague asked for mustard for his burger and it took a good 5 minutes and another reminder for the bartender to comply. I was halfway finished by the time he got started. I never got any ketchup or mayonnaise for my fries. I had a Bourbon Swizzle for the drink and the director of beverages hovered around and engaged us in conversation, telling us that the Swizzle was the most popular drink.That was nice if odd. It was very good. No extra points for, a very well made, but expensive cocktail. That's the way it should be. My pet peeve is DC establishments that charge $12-15 for a cocktail thinking (rightly so in the case of DC denizens) that they can just pour anything in a glass because people think the price makes it "trendy" or "classy." At that price point I expect hand chipped ice and delicate crafting. The space is small and New Yorky because it's in a space on King St. It has a nice big window with bar seats facing the street. That's all a charming plus. I will come back because I see potential, but I'll be very exacting in what I want and vocal if I don't get it. This is really a 2.5 star review.

    (3)

  • Nick P.

    In the past, I have paid much more for much less. By far the best dining experience to be found in Old Town. I've been to the Majestic on three occasions, the first only for drinks and small bites. The Fried Green Tomatoes were quite tasty and their cocktails are well mixed, a bit on the expensive side but rightly so. The rest of my ventures to the Majestic were for dinner. The staff are friendly, the decor is warm, and the food is exciting. This is a welcome change to the rest of the lackluster places in the area. Word of advice: start with a Mint Julep. For dinner try the calves' liver, by far my favorite menu item and all for $21.

    (5)

  • Manolo E.

    I don't give five stars that easily but I have to say that this place had a terrific combination of elements that were appropriate in interrelation to each other: 1. AWESOME service. I think our server was Danny and I seldom notice a professional server, and he was one. He went missing on me a couple of times but that's okay. 2. TERRIFIC wine list. They even had South African on there which is my new covetous choice on wine, but I betrayed that and went for a fantastic Virginian. I am really liking Virginia wine. 3. GREAT menu. My dinner guest had the coq au vin and I had the braised short ribs. Normally I would not go for either of these as Coq au Vin is a trite "French" addition to menus and short ribs, well, "ribs" are for BBQ joints, but both changed my opinion as we enjoyed them here. We also had dessert which is unusual for me and both were good. 4. EASY atmosphere. This is a place where you can have great food, reasonable price tag in an atmosphere that is not overwhelming.

    (5)

  • Sallie K.

    My boyfriend and I went there for dinner a couple of months ago. We ordered fried green tomatoes (crispy to perfection and served with Parmesan) for appetizer, seafood gumbo and shrimp and grits for our entrees. The gumbo was good but was a bit too rich for my taste, I could only eat a third of the portion. The shrimp and grits: there were like three tablespoon-fulls of grits under a number of huge shrimps, but the thing about this dish was that it lacked an identity. It was a blah, at best. My favorite parts of the meal were the fried green tomatoes and the bread with Amish butter.

    (3)

  • Meaghan D.

    Short version: DELISH WITH GREAT SERVICE! Long version: My husband and I went to the Majestic for our anniversary which was during the week, so we didn't want to have a raucous celebration, just something relaxed and delicious, which was exactly what we got. While making reservations I was asked if we were celebrating anything so I said "Yes, our anniversary" and thought nothing of the exchange. When we arrived for our reservation I was shocked when the hostess smiled and wished us happy anniversary, as did our waiter, who did a wonderful job, he was present and helpful without being overbearing. We ordered three courses, first the steak tartare and the chicken liver mousse. The steak tartare was good, very fresh, but the truth is that it was overshadowed by the mousse, which was so amazing that my husband dreamed about it! We heard that the meat loaf was good and ordered that plus the Amish chicken, featured twice on the menu. The freshly made pasta that came with the chicken was delightful as was the chicken itself. The meatloaf was also really good, so were the sides it came with, potatoes and green beans with bits of thick bacon. Finally we a slice of key lime pie which was also lovely and came with a think chocolate disk, on which "Happy anniversary" had been written. It was a nice surprise. We went home with loads of leftovers and a warm fuzzy feeling, which could be owed, in part, to very full stomachs. Thanks, Majestic!

    (5)

  • Brianne C.

    3.75 stars. We ventured to the Majestic for a birthday celebration, disappointed that our large party had not been able to procure a reservation at PX, but encouraged when we saw the bartender crushing ice in a large hand-cranked bucket. We soon took over most of the bar space, ogling the drink list and speculating about the ingredients used in the Plight of the Honeybee drink. This exquisite elixir, blended from a perfect balance of vodka, bourbon, milk, eggs, orange juice, orange blossom honey, and honey vinegar and finished with sprays of licorice that create honeybee stripes in the glass, was like an orange creamsicle with bright caramel undertones, the vinegar finish a whisper of spicy sourness in your throat. It was easily the strongest drink of the night, both in execution and in potency. After a couple of hours, our party was ushered into the dining room, a spare, comfortable space with nicely dimmed lighting. Sprawled along one wall of the restaurant, we commenced ordering bottles of Malbec and Riesling, the chicken liver pate, mussels in coconut milk with lemongrass, fried green tomatoes, and the stinging nettle soup. Soon, warm hunks of ciabatta were placed on our table with bowls of Amish whipped butter (the menu proudly proclaims that everything is made in-house except the butter) and we tucked into the first courses. The stinging nettle soup was beautiful, a velvety, lightly salted delight redolent of dark greens. The chicken pate proved irresistible to most of our party, though it was much lighter in offal flavor than I expected. Still, its consistency was flawlessly smooth, and the accompanying cornichons and toast points nicely cut its richness. I will likely be craving this pate for weeks to come. The mussels, though small, easily matched their rich broth in flavor, a briny, creamy, citrusy delight. Overall, we were very pleased with our first plates. My perception of the hours that passed as we lingered is unreliable, as I enjoyed a couple of martinis and a bottle of wine in addition to my beloved Honeybee, but I believe the meal was nicely paced. Our palates and bellies were just beginning to crave additional sustenance when the main courses arrived at the table, a collection of seared salmon, Chesapeake seafood stew, whole fish with a fennel and olive salad, gourmet meatloaf, steaks, and the roasted game hen. My steaming bowl of stew brimmed with tomatoes, white fish, shrimp, mussels, clams, onions, and potatoes, a delicately spiced, cleanly flavored, fresh dish nicely accented with Old Bay aioli. Sampling other dishes, I discovered that the seared salmon had slightly translucent flesh and was luxuriously moist, while the whole fish was a touch lacking in flavor. The gnocchi with peas and pancetta was excellent, the slightly dense gnocchi absorbing the saltiness of the bacon while the peas provided a delicate sweetness. I was not able to taste the other dishes, but one of our companions was particularly pleased with the meatloaf. Chef Shannon visited our table during the main course, providing a nice tie to the kitchen. The meal was capped by hunks of a housemade dark chocolate bar loaded with toasted almonds. Savory, sweet, boozy, and decadent had all been satisfied. The Majestic easily accommodated our loud party, and our tall waitress was energetic and unflappable. A truly enjoyable evening.

    (4)

  • Maya U.

    I'm really confused about this place, because I've had two very inconsistent experiences. I went in June for a post law school finals calorie splurge, and everything was amazing, including the service. I got the peas & carrots ravioli, my boyfriend got the mussels, and we split the fried green tomatoes and the bread pudding dessert (I LOOOVE bread pudding and this was out-of-control delicious, it was a sampler of three different types). I got the mint julep which was really refreshing and well done. ALL the food was fantastic, we had no complaints whatsoever. Even the butter that was served with the bread was uncommonly great. And, I have to add that our server was perfect - he was there when we needed him but never interrupted our conversation or hovered. Then we went again in August, and I got the pesto gnocchi (flavorless) and Chesapeake Bay stew which was also flavorless and kind of a mess. I can't remember exactly what the bf had but he was also less than impressed. I really want to go back and see if the second time there was some kind of fluke. We also did a really early dinner the first time, so we were one of the first tables and maybe got more attention than the second time. Who knows! I'm giving it four stars just because my first experience was so good.

    (4)

  • Rebecca D.

    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!

    (4)

  • TJ J.

    Could not have had a better experience. Food was amazing. Cocktails amazing. Great service and a very friendly staff. Unfortunately I no longer live in the area but next time I'm back I will certainly be stopping in!

    (5)

  • Justin S.

    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.

    (4)

  • Courtney R.

    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.

    (1)

  • Jennifer L.

    I generally have a good meal here. The house salad and the Caesar are both delicious, but the Caesar is prepared tableside and has FRESH anchovies. Yum! The veggie plate I had was very tasty, but VERY salty. I had to drink about 2 glasses of water after I ate it. Their clams or mussels with andouille sausage is REALLY delicious and my friend ordered it as her meal. The bread is incredibly tasty as well. The desserts are always good. The Nana's dinner feels like a deal- I had the southern BBQ once last year. It's not cheap- about $50/person with tax and tip, but is reliable for a nice dinner for you and your friends. The drinks look tasty too. I would advise that you make reservations ahead of time and if you are by yourself or just with a friend, you can sit at the bar and order from the full menu.

    (4)

  • Jesse B.

    UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT! These guys have a top notch establishment under their direction. The manager Luke is very knowledgeable and personable. He pulled us in off the street and it was the best decision we made that day. The food was incredible from their chef Steven, who had an incredible passion for his art. His scallops and risotto were some of the best we have had. The port wine cheesecake was a perfect finish. We sat at the bar and Dametreus, the bartender, is on his way to mastering his craft. He has a knowledge for spirits that any fine establishment needs running their bar. His old fashioned was one of the only cocktails I have had in my travels that was actually made correctly. Less is more and this place embodies that in a big way with bold flavors and the desire to provide you with one of the best dining experiences do your life. We will be back.

    (5)

  • RL C.

    This place is outstanding. It's very popular so make a reservation early. And in the center of upscale Old Town, I would dress up. All the appetizers are good, especially the fried green tomatoes. I recommend getting multiple appetizers and then one entree, though the entrees are excellent as well. Every Sunday they have a fixed price dinner, which looks great. The drinks were good too!

    (5)

  • Feri W.

    Wow! What a fantastically pleasant surprise. Excellent food, excellent service, excellent ambiance. I will definitely be back....very soon I hope.

    (5)

  • John C.

    With great anticipation, I walked into The Majestic thinking, "I finally get to eat here." Ahhh, the moment arrives... After traveling to the mothership in Alexandria numerous times in the last year, I was getting a chance at last to eat at a place about which I had heard many great comments. I'd visited and seen firsthand this quaint bistro style restaurant which is well designed and decorated, spotlessly clean and staffed with friendly inviting people. I'd reviewed the menu and thought how everything sounded delicious. And most importantly, I'd waited until I was with the right group of people to suggest we eat at this restaurant. So, you ask? What happened? The food was blah. Turns out the planning and marketing of the food at this place exceed the execution from the kitchen. Overcooked? - Nope. Undercooked? - Nope. Cold? - Nope. Bland and tasteless? - Yes. At the end of the day, I will always judge a restaurant by its food. And sadly on the night I visited, theirs was dull.

    (2)

  • G S.

    I was traveling on business in the vicinity and found this place by chance. I had a terrific lunch here. The wait staff were pleasant and attentive. I wished I had come here for dinner also as during our convention we ate in some very expensive places that had low quality food and service.

    (4)

  • Liam D.

    Hold up a sec... Cathal Armstrong, an Irishman, owns multiple restaurants in Alexandria, VA? I could barely believe that an Irishman owned the impossible-to-get-into Restaurant Eve, let alone all the others this lad has his chef hands into... I mean really, with all the "perfect Irish meal is 6 guinness and a potato" jokes and whatnot, you'd never really expect an Irish chef to be so damned talented or popular! Restaurant Eve was booked for Valentine's weekend more than a month out, so I figured i'd have to try Armstrong's stuff another time. Not correct. As it turns out, this neat little place called The Majestic is also owned by Chef Armstrong, although I'm told he's not really responsible for much of the cooking done there. It's retro 1920s with a casual, Southern feel to the place - "Casual Swank" they call it, and it's aptly named for sure. We sipped on some signature cocktails (she had the Athall something or other) and I had a bourbon concoction in a copper cup that provided insulation. I must find me some copper cups such as this one. I felt like a miner out west, only in Alexandria in preppy clothes... ugh, I sound like a yuppie. ANYwho... we were just there for a little post-theater bite and we shared a delicious caesar salad made before our eyes table side (it was delicious), some of the more delicious fried green tomaters I've eaten, and a heaping helpin' of mussels and clams that were pretty damn good, although there wasn't enough white wine & butter sauce because the bowl was so damn deep. Service was attentive and bill wasn't extraordinarily high. Didn't try dessert but would have liked to - they appear to have a red velvet cake that looks stellar. Entrees didn't really jump out at me, but their apps and cocktails do! When you visit the place, you'll know exactly why it's called The Majestic, and rightfully so. I'd say it's a great date spot too!

    (4)

  • Sonya C.

    Over priced. A $10 salad should knock my socks off and the Majestic Salad was ok. Best part of the meal was the bread. I won't be going back.

    (1)

  • Michele P.

    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.

    (4)

  • Dan G.

    More like 2.5, but I wouldn't call it A-OK. I was really looking forward to this place. It was recommenced by a few local friends are pretty good at these things. Nice space, good looking bar. Service was great. Food Fried Oysters - Great Gnocchi - I thought it was OK, my wife didn't like it. Seafood stew - Pretty Good Pate - Excellent Scallops - OK Children s Fish and Chips - Awful. Really. They were awful. Batter, dreadful. Fish - limp and flavorless. Coconut Cake - Excellent I think I would have given them a bit of slack had the fish and chips been OK. We mentioned this to the servers, but it was kind of shrugged off. I probably would go back to see if I hit it on a bad night, but there is no rush.

    (2)

  • Cara K.

    I've been meaning to write a review here for awhile. The food and drinks here are tasty, but the service is atrocious. I came here for my birthday and it took FOREVER for the wait staff to even bring us water. I thought maybe it was a one-off, until I tried it again several months later. We were sitting for 15 minutes before we saw our waiter. She came by briefly and said she'd be back if we had any questions about the menu. Another 10 minutes went by and we hadn't seen her so we just got up and left. Like I said, the food is good, but not so good that it's worth the wait.

    (3)

  • Tom H.

    Admittedly, this may be a slightly biased review as I've come to know several people who work there (I'm a regular). But that said... its still great. The quality is outrageous. The water is specially filtered, the sodas are homemade, the drinks are intricate and unique. The food is done perfectly with interesting ingredients (I had a thick bone in veal chop last time!). I've also had their homemade gnocchi, their chicken confit salad, their fried oyster ceasar, and their bay stew. It's consistently exceeded my expectations. I only live a few blocks away so they've certainly won me over. I'm sure its been mentioned, but definitely go for lunch. Last time I went I think it was $13 for anything on the menu and a drink. $13 for that kind of quality is unheard of outside the Eve umbrella. Do beware though, this is in a historic building and looks a bit like a diner. I'm afraid some walk-ins don't realize that its actually a reasonably priced high-end experience, not an expensive diner.

    (4)

  • Alex W.

    This place could've gotten a 5 star rating from me if the waitress wasn't a snob. That said, the wine, taste and presentation of the food were all great. Cool spot!

    (4)

  • Sam R.

    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.

    (4)

  • Alexandra A.

    I don't mean to sound like a lush, but I like to go to the Majestic for their great drinks. I don't know a better place for cocktails in Alexandria. Danger, danger!

    (4)

  • Bill P.

    Well run place and though their food is American fare.....it just tastes better and better prepared. Had the mini burgers with very crisp french fries $13......the way they should be made. The burgers did not have cheese but a slice of cucumber on each and nice soft squarish buns. My very tall Asian lady barkeep made me a mean Kentucky Kernal $9 and I was good to go......dining area can get packed for dinner so sliding over to the bar area is a def. plus.

    (5)

  • Meredith V.

    We came here waaaay late night and loved it so much we were pissed we didn't come here for dinner and instead spent near $150 at stupid Farrah Oliviah. Sigh. In any event, this place KICKS. The ambiance is very nice, not like other reviewers who said it was a lame diner with subpar food. They have a pretty good wine/glass list (at least when you're lit) and the food is certainly NOT stupid diner food. I had the chesnut soup (SO good and was almost like a creamy puree) and my fiance had the calamari (of course). He said that he was impressed they included the weird tentacle things and that most American restaurants do NOT include them because patrons think they're icky (i do). BUT he said the nicer restaurants DO include them and for that he was impressed this was a high-end diner. Oh the bathrooms were cute too. In short, this is a NICE RESTAURANT, not a dingy diner like many have said. Give it a chance and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

    (5)

  • Tameika T.

    Went here to lunch. We sat at the bar, the bartender was friendly and the food was great. I ordered the BLT with avocado, it was GREAT! I would go here again.

    (4)

  • Chris R.

    Hmm...mixed feelings after going for lunch. Food was definitely good,/very good, though not amazing. Hard to put a finger on what was missing, but wasn't blown away, which after reading some of the reviews on here, I expected to be. Downside was that service was very slow. Lunch took nearly 3 hours, and there was a particularly very long gap between appetizers and main courses. We weren't in a hurry, but sitting around with no food for 20 minutes isn't fun either. The place is worth trying for a meal, though I'm not positive I'll be back for a second meal.

    (4)

  • Joseph M.

    I was really looking forward to eating here since I had heard and read such good things about it. I took a group of 4 with me. The place is really warm and inviting when we walked in. Our hostess was nice. The evening began to get a little patchy after we met our waiter. To his credit, he was nice, but the lengthily conversation over water selection just seemed odd after minute 3... Since the place is coined as being a cafe, we didn't think to make a reservation for the Sunday family dinner. The prices were a bit surprising to be honest.. I was also thrown off by the first and main course layout of the menu. It leads you to believe that you should order both for a full meal. That might have just been me, We asked our waiter and he clarified for us. Had you ordered both it would've crested 45 a person minus drinks and apps... Glad I asked. Apps and sides were also very pricey. I ended up ordering the meatloaf, and onion rings. My friends ordered a few fish dishes, soup, side of potatoes and cream spinach. To Majestics credit, the food was awesome. Unfortunately, for the price, portions were very, very small. About halfway through our main course another waiter started taking care of us?? Didn't introduce himself, nada. We were a little put off and confused. We asked our new waiter who he was, where are other waiter was, and basically what the hell is going on?? :) He said that he had been on break for a few hours, servers pool there tips and walked away? Ok, whatever, kinda rude. We ended up ordering coffee and dessert. Both were great! Unfortunately, our desserts came out a good 15 minutes after our coffee. So we were left with no drinks during dessert and our waiter never came back around to check on us. Additionally, there was at least another round of coffee in the press and he just took it away after pouring. Seemed a little wasteful as well as the fact that we wanted more with our desserts. I didn't feel like waiting another 15 minutes for coffee. Ok, blah, blah, blah sorry for the long review. I was just really let down by this place. This isn't the sort of place for a quick dinner or bang for your buck. It's not a really a gem when you're paying for the whole jewelry store if you know what I mean. I'm sure lunch is great here but I'd be a little uneasy to see the prices if this is how dinner service is. In my opinion, if you want to go out and spend this kind of money, there are plenty of other places.

    (2)

  • Mike C.

    Can I just say THANK YOU? Fried greens rock and bar keep has a great attitude (and skills). Great casual night, thank you.

    (5)

  • HanaDC T.

    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.

    (4)

  • Melanie K.

    They have a decent lunch special if you sit at the bar. One drink (soda or ice tea) plus lunch entree for less than $15. They claim it is speedy, but I didn't find it to be at all, and wouldn't go here if I needed to eat a quick lunch. I had the sandwich special of the day which was a turkey club. It consisted of chunks of turkey (much nicer than deli meat), avocado, bacon, mayo, lettuce and tomato. It was served with thick potato chips. However, I found the sandwich to be somewhat bland, and had to load it up with salt and pepper, as well as put my potato chips on it to get enough flavor. My friends had a seafood stew that they all said was good. They have an interesting list of classic cocktails such as gin fizz, black and stormy, and mint julep. Although they were a little pricey, I do plan to go back for a drink sometime. I doubt I will be food there again.

    (3)

  • Judy Y.

    the good: Great staff, delicious bread. the bad: too much sauce on everything! i want to taste the food Went for dinner but lacked casualness and private-feeling since the dining space was one long room. Also, a lot of blazers, but maybe that's because it's in Alexandria Old town. OK place to impress a first date or for something formal. Would not go with friends for a night out. Also didn't like how everything was drenched in sauce.

    (3)

  • Roll T.

    4.75 stars. The Majestic is simply about the Royal Pick, the $12 lunch special at the bar only that is offered Monday-Friday. The only bad item I have ever had at this restaurant is no longer on the menu, and everything else I have tried has ranged from very good to outstanding. In short, unless you are headed to Restaurant Eve, there is no reason to not stop by this lovely restaurant if you are lunching in Old Town. Here are some of the best items they are currently offering: 1) Seared Salmon Salad: Wow. This item was on par with any of the excellent salads offered at their parent restaurant (Restaurant Eve), and I was thoroughly impressed with the perfect balance of almond, beet, salmon, and goat cheese in this delightful paragon for salad creativity. This is a new menu item, and I would strongly recommend it. 2) Fried Oyster Salad: Hopefully, this isn't gone with the summer. I haven't seen it in the last two weeks, so I'm getting a bit antsy. This true Caesar salad (see my previous review on this restaurant) combined with light, fresh oysters makes for a mind-bendingly superb experience. Understand that all salads at Majestic (and Restaurant Eve for that matter) are going to be "overdressed"; they use a liberal hand when it comes to dressing their food. If this is the salad special, get it (unless you have an issue with the extraordinary use of dressing in salad). 3) Chesapeake Seafood Stew: The menu item combines a decadent array of seafood (mussels, scallops, shrimp, etc), potatoes, and vegetables in a flavorful tomato broth combined with the tiniest dollop of Old Bay aioli. It's very good, but I have preferred the salads that I have ordered here. Also, I'd suggest asking whether they will give you extra bread to dip in the sauce. You will want to do that. 4) Bratwurst: It's actually very good, but it is hard to justify when compared to other menu items that provide more taste and an eclectic mix of flavors when compared to the solid brat. If you aren't feeling too adventurous, or if you just find exotic takes on traditional American cuisine to be boring, you'll thoroughly enjoy this high-end take on the humble bratwurst. 5) Tomato Bisque: This isn't your typical tomato bisque. Although it seems like such a simple addition, the fried goat cheese takes this soup from the range of excellent to subliminal. If you want to experience more than the $12 royal pick, this isn't such a bad idea. Also, save room for dessert if you don't mind spending a bit more time and money on your lunch (although honestly, if you have a little bit more of both, I'd have to suggest that you take your business over to Restaurant Eve). The desserts here are excellent, and I order them when I happen to finish my lunch in less than 30 minutes (I mean, who wants to wolf down their lunch anyway? It's a lunch hour, folks!). Ask your wonderful servers, and they will be happy to give you excellent selections to suit your particular palate.

    (5)

  • Food E.

    Excellent from start to finish. The Majestic is a smallish restaurant in Old Town which serves carefully-prepared "rustic American" fare impeccably. The pate' and celery root soup for starters, steak and monkfish for the main and pot creme to finish, combined with a reasonable (and locally slanted) wine list combine to make for a dining experience to rival anything in the District. The back-of-house is clearly what is driving this place, evident in the regular patrols which the chef made through the dining room, and the food covers for what is spotty service. Some of the waiters were excellent while others were clearly learning while they were doing, but still not enough to drop a star. This was great and I'll be going back.

    (5)

  • wu m.

    I went here twice for dinner in rapid succession (within a couple weeks) and ended-up having pretty negative experiences both times. Luckily, the highlight of this place is good quality food. But the prices and the service leave a bit to be desired. On the food side, what you've heard about the butter is true. It is difficult to stop eating the loaves of bread they place in front of you without slathering on heaping amounts. For their appetizers, the calamari is exceptional, mostly because of the hot serrano peppers tossed alongside. The batter is also not overly-heavy. For entrees, I've tried their lamb shank, which had a very good polenta base and was very satisfying for the people who like that sort of thing. Their meatloaf comes in a couple slices and is pan-seared but has a strange texture that is almost too rubbery. It also has a bit too much sweetness for my tastes. Their chicken dish is surprisingly filling and reminds me of the Ruth Chris's chicken dish that includes a cheese stuffing and is flattened, but still includes some of the bones. Overall, I enjoyed the entrees, but felt they were all about $5 overpriced. The drink menu is extensive, borrowing heavily from some of the drinks at PX. Their gin fizz and daiquiri are both decent in flavor and strength. The drinks on the list all cost about $10. If you plan on having the Sunday dinner, make sure they know its part of your reservation. Our last snafu occurred when after repeated attempts to secure a reservation for dinner on Sunday, we finally sat down only to be told that they had not reserved a family dinner for us and therefore were forced to order from the standard menu. This only resulted in pure rage as I literally watched every other table being served their family-style pot roast. Obviously the only reason we were so intent on eating there on a Sunday was for the freakin' Sunday family dinner. Luckily the hostess was helpful and did all she could to accommodate us, but if the Sunday dinner wasn't an option in the first place, we wouldn't have made her go through all the trouble. The other occasion I ate here was with another couple who had their entire drink spilled on them by the waitress. Not too big of a deal, but nothing was really offered (dry-cleaning for my friend's jacket, comp'd dessert, etc.), just another drink and a bunch of apologies. I don't necessarily fault the waitress, but the manager should have offered a bit more to rectify the situation. Overall, the food is above-average for Old Town, but I had to knock a star off for price and another for service.

    (3)

  • Jaakko H.

    I actually haven't tried the 'proper seating' eating at The Majestic (even though I've heard many praise that, too). But the lunch at the bar is clearly the best lunch _and_ the best bargain lunch of Old Town (in the top price/deliciousness ranking). Check it out. Lunch can't really get much better with $12 (or so).

    (5)

  • Brendan J.

    A high three overall. Individual dishes achieved four stardom. Nana's Supper menu for August was the Buttermilk Fried Chicken Dinner. I'm related to a fried chicken maniac so we had to check out the Nana's Supper dinner. The place is a lot smaller than I imagined, but has a really nice interior. There were a lot of families with young kids and strollers dining, so I imagine they must be kid friendly. I'm glad we made reservations (they ask you to do so for Nana's Supper anyway) since it turns out the place was completely booked for the night and they had to turn away a few walk-in families. We ended up having to wait about 10 minutes past our reservation time, but no biggie. Our server was really nice and attentive during our meal. A lot of other tables were having the Nana's supper and it looked great, so we were pretty excited. The food: Biscuit and bread - The biscuit was delicious. Warm, buttery, flaky, mmm. The bread was aight too, but the biscuit was delicious. Creamy Cole Slaw - Pretty good. The cabbage still had a good crunch to it. Very creamy. I prefer when they drain the coleslaw a bit more so it isn't sitting in soup. Butter Poached Corn - Sweet, very buttery. Buttermilk Fried Chicken - Awesome and delicious. Crispy, flavorful crust, juicy chicken. Served with homemade ranch sauce that went really well with the chicken. Mac 'n Cheese - Fancy pants mac 'n cheese. Extremely rich and creamy. I think someone mentioned Gorgonzola cheese or something. Crumb Topped Peach Pie - The pie crust was nice and flaky and the crumb topping was pleasant, but the filling was so disappointing. It lacked a strong peach flavor and tasted a bit muted. With it being local peach season and all, I expected this to be amazing. Individually, each dish was very good. Except maybe the pie...that was just aight. As a whole though, this was too creamy/rich. Buttery biscuit + butter poached corn + fried chicken + creamy coleslaw + ranch sauce + super rich mac 'n cheese = overload for this Yelper. It seems like the menu planner might want to change things around the next time they do a fried chicken supper to give your taste buds and stomach a break. At least one dish without creamy, fried, or butter in the description perhaps, other than dessert? At the end of the meal I was really full and also a little dazed from all the richness. Definitely needed to eat many green things the next day. Good thing it is in Old Town so you have to walk back to your car or the metro once you're done. I would go back for another Nana's Supper as it changes monthly, but make sure that the dishes for that are balanced a bit more.

    (3)

  • Karman L.

    Came here for the Royal Pick lunch ($12 on any one item on the lunch menu - plus a soda / ice tea). Bar only. I had the fried soft-shelled crab sandwich!!! TO DIE FOR!!! This is the first time I had soft-shelled crab on a sandwich. It was so tasty I wish I can eat a second one!!!

    (4)

  • Angelique A.

    The food has always been good when I've eaten here, but I stopped in yesterday afternoon with a girlfriend for a cocktail (we were celebrating her engagement) and had the displeasure of experiencing an extremely rude bartender. Someone with that kind of attitude shouldn't be working in the service industry. I won't be going back.

    (2)

  • Timothy G.

    While I love the food here, I tend to be spending the majority of my visits at the bar sampling the excellent classic cocktails that the Majestic has become known for in Old Town. My most recent visit was to celebrate one of my last nights in Old Town with a number of close friends. The current cocktail menu sports a Tiki theme and are all amazing. I started with the Molokai Mule, an adaptation of the Moscow Mule and an excellent concoction. The evening was finished with a gigantic concoction that was split between the group. An amazing evening with amazing bar service. I recommend this place to anyone that is looking to have a great night with some great people and drinks in Old Town. I will be back here when I move back to Alexandria.

    (5)

  • Peter R.

    Nice place to go out to if you're looking for something more chill... Definitely ask for a booth, you'll have more space. Great restaurant overall, not cheap, but appropriate given the level of ingredients, service and care that goes into everything. The cocktails are really great here. My wife wanted something with vodka, and the bartender whipped up something pretty awesome. All the food is great, desserts homemade, can't go wrong!

    (5)

  • Em P.

    If you're interested in Majestic, I would suggest doing so on a Sunday evening for Nana's Sunday Dinner Feast for Four. 78 dollars total for the group of four and 25 dollars extra for additional people. However, you would need to make a reservation for the dinner by the Friday before. Nana's Dinner is worth putting off the spontaneous dinner plans. I was there just last night for Nana's and the menu from last month for the dinner changed as it does every month. The month of March consists of Roasted Lamb (my favorite of all time), potatos that seem to be scallopped, a salad and veggies. The dessert is included in the meal, this months dessert was AWESOME, Irish Rice Pudding...mmm. The staff is pretty friendly. The place was a fairly loud last night and it was hard to hear our soft spoken waitress. Overall, Sunday evening dinner for four is the only day of the month I go to Majestic. I wouldn't eat there any other time. I am hearing that the lunch menu is great though.

    (3)

  • Arlie H.

    Was there a few days ago with friends. While I've been to Majestic quite a few times the last time was a major disappointment. The food was very salty and the new menu items like the vegetarian lasagna wasn't all that good. Had some sort of chocolate cheesecake for desert it must have been at least three days old. Had better from the frozen section of Giant. And to the hipster and her friend with the baby, STAY HOME. I'm not coming to the Majestic to hear your baby cry.

    (2)

  • NEHA M.

    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)

    (3)

  • Ken R.

    The shrimp & grits were the definition of over-the-top, too much frou-frou. Completely over powered the basic flavors of the shrimp and grits... you know, the 2 main things that make up the dish. And my fruity drink was like syrup. I have no desire to go back.

    (2)

  • Dan P.

    First time we went since under the new management. The service was fine but the food was sub par and nothing like the food under the old chef. For example, the old majestic would give you fresh warm bread, the new- stale and dry bread that saw its better time in an earlier day. The seafood stew (ciopino) was blah compared to the old Chesapeake stew now with burnt toast of he same stale bread and no aioli. The Calamari was greasy and overly salty. This used to be our favorite place to eat in the area but we won't be back I'd rather just get a pizza and call it a night, it was that disappointing.

    (2)

  • A K.

    I was pretty disappointed with the slow and inattentive service. The staff doesn't make eye contact unless you're a regular or look super wealthy. It took very long to get drinks and the atmosphere felt forced. I asked to speak to a manager and was told it would be a while, so I laughed and left. There are plenty of new and similar alternatives down and up a few blocks.

    (1)

  • C P.

    We were aware of the new ownership and menu, decided to give it a try for Valentine's Day. Gio was our waiter- he was wonderful. Very nice and attentive. I think the menu is on the simple side- we both ordered Rosemary french fries to start and scallops for dinner. I really enjoyed both, scallops were delish. Too full for desert, so I can't comment on that. Overall- service was great, and fast. Food was good, the only complaint was the seating was tight, but a lot of restaurants in old town have that tight seating feel.

    (4)

  • Chris W.

    Great modern bar and restaraunt in Old Town in close proximity to the water! Some great Mezcal drinks! The bar tender had some great suggestions to start with. Good prices and quality drinks and food!

    (4)

  • Julie L.

    We stopped at the Majestic based on Yelp information. Menu is not current. We were set on oysters which they didn't have. Ordered their clams. .....YUM! Decided to find oysters elsewhere. Waitress and chef both were very helpful steering us towards other restraunts in the area that served them. Lots of class ladies!

    (4)

  • Thomas C.

    .....Table of 3 turned into a table of 5, they managed it well .......new manager less than 45 days came out to assist us while we waited, intros etc...v nice He returned 15 minutes later said table wrapping up their check so our table w/b available soon.... again 15 minutes later I re-checked with hostess and learned that desserts were being delivered not to much longer...25 minutes later and no comp for delay or apologizes....hmmm. Overall service fair though waiter had a less than warm grateful after a long wait he should of been informed of the delay....nope. Service and presentation okay. I informed waiter of the check split (two ways 3 and 2) prior to eating....once dinner done one check was presented, again I repeated the break out ...again no apologizes. Overall....find another place that appreciates you.......

    (2)

  • Cat P.

    I'm so sad :( so so so SAD! The magestic was my go to spot. My cozy and delicious getaway where I could sip amazingly delicious and fancy cocktails that I didn't mind spending 12+ bucks on because I couldn't get them anywhere else. The pommes frites were tasty but nothing special. The scallops were huge but the butternut squash was so sweet and overpowering that I couldn't enjoy the scallops. The steak was cooked perfectly but the slabs of butter were huge and made the meat was 6oz and 26 bucks. The steak sandwich barely had any meat in it. Tasty but not worth they money. No longer a classy, tiki, special experience that it once was. I don't know the drama behind the new ownership but the magestic is not magestic anymore :( The waiter and manager were very nice. I wish them well but they need to change the name because it's a completely different place.

    (2)

  • Patrick M.

    Stopped by for brunch on Sunday. Restaurant was busy, staff was AWESOME, food was DELICIOUS!

    (5)

  • Mary M.

    Had a great dinner at Majestic, yet again. Tonight, enjoyed the meatloaf at the bar with some good friends. The service and meal were perfect. I think the new management has gotten the formula just right for Old Town - kind of a gourmet diner slant on the menu at the perfect price point. Really fun Tuesday night.

    (5)

  • Vincent B.

    Pot Roast sandwich was delicious! Highly recommend. Duck confit..salad was tasty. Matthew B.= fantastic waiter Luke is the manager and checked on out table Great service

    (5)

  • Sean R.

    Visited the Majestic this week for the first time since the change in ownership/management -- and we were pleasantly surprised. The menu has changed quite a bit from the old menu, but I can say that the changes seem for the better. The pork chop was wonderful and full of flavor -- loved the combo of the spicy peppers in the butternut squash, really wonderful! The cocktail menu was updated and had several very interesting and tasty cocktails to choose from. They have kept the best dessert that was served under the previous management, the coconut cake, which is still the best I've ever had! Gemma was our server and she was absolutely excellent! Luke, the manager stopped by as well to make sure everything was to our liking. There are very few restaurants in this area where the staff go so out of their way to make sure that customers are happy. They seem to have taken the approach of serving interesting, high-quality food, but without the pretense that can be so common with dining establishments in Old Town. They seem to understand that the demographics of Old Town are quickly changing and becoming younger -- and the Majestic is doing a great job of adjusting for this. Keep it up, we will be back!

    (5)

  • Brittany H.

    As a recent transplant to the DC area from New Orleans, I have been complaining to friends back home that I have yet to have a truly impressive meal in DC. That complaint ended as of Saturday night with my husband and I's experience at The Majestic. The atmosphere was relaxed, but formal enough to justify the upscale menu options. We both chose The Royal Fixe, which included an appetizer, entree and dessert. I ordered the Cauliflour Veloute, Rockfish, and Churros. My husband ordered the Potatoes and Tomatoes, Chowder, and Bread Pudding. The Veloute was near perfection -- I was dangerously close to licking the bottom of the bowl. The Rockfish was amazing and flavorful and the churros were also delicious. My husband's tomatoes and potatoes was one of the most complex and intriguing dishes I have ever tasted with delightful caramelized onions. His Chowder came with a large portion of seafood, including mussels, clams and shrimp. We both marveled at how large the portions were for a Prix Fixe meal. The other aspect to be commended was the attentive service. Though the dished did not come out "quickly" by American standards, my water glass was never slightly empty and the wait staff visited the table on quite a few occasions to ensure that everything was to our expectations. You could also tell that those who worked there took pride in what the restaurant served. All in all, if you are even considering eating in this area, look no further than The Majestic Cafe. You will not be disappointed.

    (5)

  • James B.

    I ate lunch at the bar, weekday. Service was excellent. Busy, but not crowded. I had a seafood medley/stew/soup recommended by the bartender - excellent. Will go back.

    (5)

  • Keith K.

    Three words: good food, pricey Frequency: once Overall the Majestic was a good dining experience. The clam appetizer was good and also tried the curry spinach. Not sure how I feel about the spinach. You could definitely taste the curry, but I think the idea of combing the two was more interesting the tasty. The main course of scallops was great. Five fresh cooked scallops came out on a rectangular plate, resting on a salad. Both the scallops and the salad were excellent. Had a good beer selection as well and I elected to try the 'Punkin ale' from Dogfish. Is it manly to enjoy pumpkin flavored beer? Doesn't matter, I like it regardless. My only knock is the place is a bit pricey for what you get. If you have not tried the place out you should give it a chance. Personally, I it was good but not good enough for me to become a regular patron for the price.

    (3)

  • Carolyn S.

    Saw this was related to Restaurant Eve (of which we are a big fan), and tried this place out for their lunch special. Don't know why we hadn't tried it sooner! Food was amazing. The bread brought out before the meal was hot, fresh, and simply marvelous. My husband ordered a Seafood Stew and raved about the flavors. I ordered the Curry Chicken Salad Sandwich - loved the pulled chicken (not chunks) and great curry flavor. The house-made Apple Pie soda drink tasted like apple pie in a cup. We'll be frequenting this place!

    (5)

  • Mike C.

    First of all, the food was excellent! An eclectic menu obviously prepared with skill and craftsmanship. I met my niece and a girlfriend of hers at the bar. The bartender, Oscar, was overly friendly to the young ladies in a flirtatious way more closely resembling a drunken bar patron, than a bartender who should be representing the owners of the bar in a competent, professional manner. He would also completely forget that you had ordered drinks from him.....TWICE! I waited 20 minutes between emptying my first drink, and him finally making me another. He did have time, however, to antagonize an obviously over-served bar patron who thought he had given Oscar his credit card. (Turns out it had fallen on the floor). Instead of tactfully informing the customer he hadn't given it to him, he kept saying, quite rudely, "I can't process what I don't have. Maybe your friends who were sitting next to you made off with it." When the patron got ruffled and asked him to "step outside" Oscar's response was "I would, but I can't afford all the medical bills you would incur." And so forth. Typical macho bullshit when he should have been defusing the situation. When the customer realized his mistake and that the card was on the floor, he immediately apologized. But Oscar wouldn't let it go. He said, "well at least you know you were wrong, and don't be bringing this shit into MY bar again! If this is Oscar's bar, I think I'll have to pass...

    (2)

  • David R.

    My vote for the second best place along King Street (after O'Connell's at the lower end of Old Town). Upscale and comfortable and not pretentious. A killer micro brew menu (I think we tried half of them on the menu). These are not micro brews you find in other spots - in fact the bar tender told us they go out of their way to find microbrews you can't find in other DC-area restaurants, including Rustico. I am reserving a star because I didn't dine here. Truth to be told, nothing on the menu looked appetizing to me--The Ugly American in me strikes again. Shoot me, I love sports bar food. But I hate most sports bars. (And since we're on the topic, when oh when did Rustico decide to become a sports bar???) The Majestic gets huge kudos for not having damn TVs over the bar. And the XM station was pumping out new wave hits from 1979 to 1990. What's not to love? At this point, I'm willing to give a bar two extra stars for NOT having a freaking TV blasting the games. Not everyone in this area is a sports nut. The afternoon turned out to be decadent - the prices are a little higher here vs. 3 in Clarendon, my Arlington favorite. IMHO, no better way to cap off a chaotic holiday weekend.

    (4)

  • Julien W.

    Delicious food and friendly staff. My girl and I went there to have a casually nice meal for her birthday. She had the asparagus ravioli and I had the grilled whole fish. We shared our plates, and two bottles of wine later, had to sit still for a few moments to not pass out. The staff is pretty friendly and works as a team (I'd bet they pool tips), which means they're all together or they all hate each other (I'd lean toward believing the former).

    (4)

  • Pink I.

    Many other reviews here - but the bottom line is that this place has really hit its stride and may currently be the best restaurant in OT. It really hits a sweet spot of reasonably priced fantastic and honest food with little pretension. I've visited off and on over since the Majestic opened and was never that impressed. But in the last year, the restaurant has really transformed (IMO). Everything is fresh, home made, and with true attention to detail. I particularly appreciate the drink menu and the meticulous preparation of same. Really fantastic seasonal selections and a very professional and friendly staff. For me, the truly sweet spot is Saturday lunch, when prices are a bit lower but the service and quality are not. Highly recommended. 4.5 stars

    (4)

  • rebecca b.

    Awesome bartender who knew about the best olives in the world was totally cool with my allergies and being vegan. Awesome bartender made the best martinis I've ever had, and awesome bartender told me that the vegetable plate has been available since I ordered it the first time, over a year ago, because of deliciousness. It's a very good vegan selection without any allergens added. I have to will myself to slow down when I'm eating it because I might miss the deliciousness of each bite. The service is impeccable. It's a good place to bring people you want to treat to a good meal.

    (5)

  • Erin C.

    Had a great time here and ate some really nice food. The house-made ravioli was excellently flavored but oddly sticky and heavy. It stuck in my teeth and the sauce was a bit pasty, like it had been made with too much flour or the butter in it was cooling perhaps. By the end of the meal I knew that my leftovers wouldn't be ANY good later when they were reheated so I left them, though I had plenty left over and would have enjoyed the flavor of the dish quite a lot. Service was fabulous, the cocktails were amazing.

    (4)

  • Kimberly S.

    Their slow roasted pork belly is MELT IN YOUR MOUTH DELICIOUS. I actually drooled a little bit writing that.

    (4)

  • Mookie R.

    We had another great dinner at The Majestic. We didn't have reservations but there were some open spots just off the bar area at the window facing the street. Nonetheless, we received above average service. We said we wanted to share a side of gnocchi as a first course and they gave us separate bowls without our asking. The gnocchi was great and the sauce was creamy but light and worthy of sopping up with the bread. My husband was given add'l bread to eat with his seafood stew. My steak was delicious and cooked properly. The Majestic is one of my favorite places for good American comfort food.

    (4)

  • Gerald M.

    Great food, interesting drinks, nice atmosphere. You feel like you stepped into the 1940s. One of the best places in Old Town.

    (5)

  • Leigh S.

    We arrived a bit early for our Thursday evening reservation, so we sat at the bar. While we waited for the bartender, we noticed all of the flavorings, bitters, juices, etc lining the bar, that were clearly homemade. This is obviously a sign that I should order a cocktail... buuut instead ordered a glass of champagne. The water, as mentioned before, is delicious. It really does taste better here! At our appointed reservation time, we grabbed our drinks and we got seated... and then waited. There were about 3-4 other tables in the house, but no server made eye contact with us. Since we were in no rush, and we still had drinks, I was not too concerned... but then my old server habits came rearing (and my drink was running out), and I was getting ticked that no one had greeted us at the table after 10-15 minutes. This may have been the host's fault for not telling the server, or because it was exactly 6pm and early in the server's shift. We flagged down a server, who ended up waiting on us all night. She was very friendly and knowledgeable, but didn't give her name. I asked for her recommendation on a drink based on what I liked, and she recommended the French Gimlet. **ORDER THIS**. I read a review below that described it (gin, lime juice, St Germaine) as well, and it's one of the best drinks I've ever had. Simple, good ingredients really make the difference. Husband stayed strong with a Bulleit Manhattan all night, and can attest his drinks were delicious. For apps, we got the Fried Green Tomato Caprese - delicious, although it really doesn't need the pesto. The reduced balsamic is great on its own. Also got the onion rings - good, not great, but the dipping sauces were on point. Entrees, I got the Raviolini, which was homemade pasta with tomato stuffing and a pesto sauce. I think I just didn't like the pesto, because the flavors were just too overwhelming, and the pasta was really chewy - not al dente, just under cooked. Husband got the filet, and that was cooked just right and I had order envy for the rest of the evening. The arugala side salad on the filet was reeeeally vinegary, but I ate all of it for him because it blasted out the taste/texture of the pasta. All in all, we had a good night there, and I'd go back... just probably not get the pasta next time.

    (3)

  • Gregg B.

    1st a warning -- If you make reservations, do NOT use OPENTABLE to go here. Reason is you can't! There are so many Majestics, apparently they gave up with all the confusion. Now, the waitstaff, it is sometimes a hit or miss, as the other reviews show, but we've been about 10 times and only had one bad experience and one so-so. The rest have been very good -- reasonable amount of time to get the food out, great suggestions. This time was for Nana's lunch. I'm from the south & paying more than $7 for fried chicken seemed just wrong -- until we ate here. It is fried & seasoned to perfection. The sides are done very, very well. Close to the southern roots, but the ingredients are fresh and perfectly seasoned. Make sure you save room for desert -- which is included -- and is also fantastic. It would be a crime if you filled up on the main course and not have room for the strawberry shortcake -- fresh strawberries, real cream that is whipped, and the shortcakes prepared there.

    (5)

  • Sam E.

    I wish I could give this 4.5 but I'm a strict grader and I can't give it a 5 on one criteria and one criteria only- price (but more on that later). That aside, this was good. I mean damn good in almost every aspect of the meal from ambiance, service, drinks, wine selection, down to the coconut, chocolate truffle the house gave us after the meal. Almost slap your mama good... and I was there with mine. On the delivery of honest good food that lived up to their motto of "pure & simple" this was a straight up 5. I started off with the a Gin Sling starring their amazing house made ginger beer. I thoroughly enjoyed the fried green tomatoes especially the cheese grits/ polenta that accompanied it. My main, the braised pork cheeks with brussel sprouts was fork tender and perfectly seasoned. The key lime pie was a wonderful blend of sweet and tart while not being too heavy. Thanks to the rest of my table, I was also able to try: -the side version of the brussel sprouts were amazingly seasoned with house cured bacon... really, need I say more? -the mussels in cider, bacon, and black pepper sour cream were done perfectly -the butternut squash gnocchi was probably the favorite dish of the night As a topper the service was impeccable. So by now you're probably asking yourself "why isn't this a 5, again?" and again I'll say price. Now, this isn't sock you in the gut, mortgage the kids expensive. Also, I realize that if this were a french restaurant, I would have thought the food was well priced. But here is where restaurants serving Americana get a raw deal: When you serve fancy versions of comfort food people can't help of think about the $5 version of the original dish. I'm not saying this amazing experience should be dirt cheap and I certainly understand how pricing works on food and wine. In all honesty, I found every dish to be about $4 more than they should be. The wine was overpriced too, pretty much $2-3 on overage by the glass and $6-9 on the bottle. All that said, the pricing just means that this is a special occasion venue for me and not a regular haunt.

    (4)

  • Carly S.

    Really loved the Majestic. The specialty cocktails (you have to try the Hemingway) were delish. Our Strawberry Shortcake dessert knocked me off my feet. Also the service was very very good. We sat at the bar and the bartender was super nice. I have to say it, much better than PX. PX is too pretentious and is missing something (the customer service- we don't need you attitude, yuck!.) Anyway, this is the spot in Old Town and we will be back a million times!

    (5)

  • Kelly G.

    NO BEER ON TAP... proclaimed by the mohawked bar tender. When asked about Corona, he replied...NO, AND NO BUD LIGHT EITHER. We stayed so as not to make a scene in front of our out of town guest who was here due to a family medical tragedy. IF we go back it won't be to the bar, as the dining was closed for the afternoon while we were there.

    (2)

  • Jodi M.

    Yummy! I came here on a Saturday night with a group of friends and was very impressed. The food was delicious and the staff was very friendly. The chef puts a great spin on southern cuisine and definitely knows how to please a crowd. We were all impressed and enjoyed our experience. The fried green tomatoes and dark chocolate creme brulee were my favorite items! Looking forward to my next visit.

    (5)

  • Michelle I.

    My cousin was in town visiting and we decided to meet up for lunch near his hotel in Old Town. Out of all the restaurants I've been to in Old Town, I decided to take him to the Majestic. I've dined here a couple times before and really enjoyed the food. I remembered the place being pretty busy, so I tried to get a reservation on Open Table. There were none available for the time we wanted, however, I noticed on their website that you can also call and make a reservation. So I did, and they had a reservation available for 12:15. When we got there, the hostess seated us right away. Our server was very nice and attentive. When my cousin went to the restroom, she even folded up his napkin. During lunch, they have a salad and sandwich special. I didn't get either, but it was a chicken caesar and pulled pork sandwich. For our first course, I got the house salad (Mixed greens, pears, endive, radicchio, Gorgonzola, pecans, sherry vinaigrette) and my cousin got the Tomatoes and Potatoes (Fried green tomato, potato croquette, fried egg, melted onions, lemon-parsley emulsion). The Tomatoes and Potatoes dish was beautifully arranged. I tried some of croquette and melted onions, and they were delicious. I was kind of bummed that I didn't order it! For main course, I got the Big Bowl of Mussels. The mussels were cooked with chorizo, roasted red peppers, soffrito, smoked paprika aïoli, and came with a side of frites. The portion was perfect and the flavors were delicious! I The chorizo and broth were my favorite parts of the dish. Bread would have been perfect to soak it all up. I would definitely get this dish again. My cousin got the Royale with Cheese and he enjoyed. They even cooked his burger the way he likes it, which is rare. Great service and great food, can't get any better than this!

    (5)

  • Ben S.

    I was super excited to try the majestic and we went here to celebrate. My quick take - I hated the decor. Just kind of a hodge podge of stuff, didn't like it. The food was hit or miss. Some was excellent, some was kind of so-so. The final total was expensive, but not outrageous. I will probably come back to try Sunday dinner sometime, but really, I was left underwhelmed and don't really feel the urge to go back.

    (3)

  • Tom S.

    Went here for lunch two weeks ago. Wait staff were friendly and helpful, if a bit slow, particularly given that it was not busy. Got fried oyster salad. Oysters were delicious, but the salad was too salty. Fries were fine, but nothing to write home about. Given the other reviews, I'll gladly give the place another try. My disappointment was partly because my expectations were so high.

    (3)

  • Scott H.

    I took my wife here for her birthday the other night. We had reservations for 7:30, but decided to get there around 6 to enjoy ourselves at the bar first. We were able to get bar seats right in front of the window and do some people watching. We had a nice dinner, and really enjoyed ourselves. I can see us going back often.

    (4)

  • Sam F.

    Went here for the first time recently and had an OK experience. When we walked in, there was the smell of sewage in the hostess area (and even more when traveled downstairs to use restroom). So that was obviously off-putting but I didn't write it off yet. We ordered the made-by-your-table guacamole which was delicious. However, for the amount of guacamole and the price, I would have assumed they would give you more homemade (corn?) tortillas. They gave you 4, which were delicious, but not nearly enough to enjoy more than half the guacamole. When I asked if we could have more I was told it would be $1 per additional. WTF. So we left about half the guac on the table and used our leftover bread to try to salvage the rest. I had the vegetable lasagna which was beautiful and tasty. Boyfriend had the meatloaf which he gave a thumbs up. This place has highs and lows, which, with the amount of 'highs' in Old Town, I dunno if it's worth venturing in again..

    (3)

  • Robert M.

    Food was tasty and very elegantly displayed, like artwork on a plate. The upscale and small menu has anything but simple American food on it. Very expensive, look to spend at least $30-60 per person for a full meal. Uncomfortably quiet and way too fancy with a stuck-up snobby feel. Somewhere to take your date for an anniversary maybe, if she/he likes this type of thing. Not really kid friendly for the reasons above.

    (2)

  • Glennis R.

    This was my first experience at The Majestic and I was blown away! It's so refreshing to go to a restaurant that actually has attentive service to stand up to an awesome menu. I met "Mike with the glasses" at the bar (apparently there's like 5 Mike's working there), and he was patient with my questions, had extensive beverage and food knowledge, and was so welcoming. It seems like bartenders lately can have such bad attitudes, but Mike created a warm ambiance with his passion and enthusiasm behind the bar. He suggested a couple of great recipes for cocktails and they were amazing; it's cool to sit at the bar and watch them make handcrafted drinks with unique ingredients. Fried green tomatoes are banging, and the mac and cheese is better than I can remember from childhood. Next time, I'll have to save more room for dessert. If I could give it more than 5 stars I would, and make sure to ask for "Mike with the glasses"!

    (5)

  • Katherine W.

    Soy free. Amazing food. LOVED the watermelon beer! Plan on making this place a regular dinning spot.

    (5)

  • Jon L.

    No hesitation to offer a Five star lunch review. Call ahead and make a reservation for a Saturday afternoon. They will call you back to confirm. That will give you an idea of the popularity of this Old Town Alexandria restaurant. They have a great selection of hot tea's by the pot. Try the Jasmine Pearl and you won't be disappointed, especially on a chilly winters day. The grilled oyster appetizer was delicious, fresh chesapeake bay oysters! My lunch companion had the steak tartar and was very impressed and remarked about how unusual it is to find a dish like that around DC. The Seafood stew was remarkable. Fresh shrimp, scallops, mussells and cod in a delicious rich and creamy stew...with toast points! The service was excellent, Rachelle was very attentive, professional and cheerful. The dining room is somewhat small. They don't have any two tops. If you go with a group of four, request a booth. Built in 1932 the building and decor has an art deco charm about it. There's a small bar so if you happen to be in Old Town shopping and flying solo, you can get lunch served at the bar as well. I will highly recommend this place and will be planning a return trip very soon.

    (5)

  • Sheri Y.

    Well, we found this restaurant on Yelp. We ordered the salad and the sandwich of the day, fried green tomato, onion ring, and a side portion of creamy fettuccine. Overall, I enjoy their food and atmosphere. Also, they serve great bread with Amish Butter and filtered water~~

    (4)

  • Logan D.

    Hey, you. You there, reading Yelp reviews about The Majestic. I bet you're reading Yelp reviews about The Majestic because you're thinking about eating at The Majestic, aren't you? You should eat at The Majestic. Eat there for lunch. You can get the cheesesteak, which is delicious. Make sure if you don't like mushrooms, you ask for no mushrooms. But it's so good. So, so good. Eat there for dinner. Get the guacamole. It's fantastic. Get anything off the menu for your entree. I've had the meatloaf. It tastes like your grandma made it. No, not that one, the one that you like and that makes really good meatloaf. For dessert, get the churros. Trust me on this one. Is it pricey? It is indeed. I don't eat here super often for that reason. Check the menu before you go in, and make sure you know what to expect. But you should expect amazing food. Go eat here.

    (5)

  • Daniel P.

    Like most have mentioned, I struggled to find a reservation on a Friday or Saturday night. Rather than taking a risk and trying the bar, we decided to make a reservation for a late dinner (9:30 PM) on a Saturday night. This worked out well! We walked in the door at about 9:29 PM and our table was ready. The hostess was great and made a great first impression for us. It was pretty cold outside, so it was nice that they had a coat check. Regardless we were sat towards the back of the restaurant, which wasn't a problem because watching the kitchen work was fairly entertaining. Not to mention the place seemed a little cramped, so it was nice to be towards the back where we had a little more space. The menu was small and simple and our waiter's personality added to the unique feel of the place. He was a little quirky, but great at his job. As an appetizer, my wife and I ordered the Guacamole, which came with arepas as opposed to tortilla chips. We really liked our appetizer! We then decided on the meatloaf and a chicken dish for our main courses. Sadly, this was the worst part of our evening. Although the food was not bad by any means, it wasn't great either. It was just... OK. We did not order any dessert due to how full we were, but the desserts looked promising! Overall, I would say that the atmosphere and the service were the best parts of the Majestic. The location right on King St. is great, but the main courses left me wanting something different. Because the experience overall was so good, I think I will go back despite that. I would also like to mention that the food was a tad bit overpriced. With one alcoholic beverage per person, splitting an appetizer, one entree per person, including tip and tax, it came out to about $50 per person.

    (3)

  • Matt D.

    The food here is always amazing. I am docking two stars on this review because during our last visit none of our dishes were brought out together. The last dessert was completely forgotten about. The dessert was finally delivered once we reminded the server of what was ordered. I will definitely go back and bring others because the food is his too good to pass up.

    (3)

  • Keon D.

    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

    (5)

  • Kevin L.

    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.

    (4)

  • Mike R.

    I live a couple of blocks from here so I eat here every so often. I really want to like it more. I don't think I've ever had a meal here that I didn't like, but at the same time I've never had a meal that has made me think 'WOW'. With that in mind I think the prices warrant an occasional 'WOW'. Yesterday we did lunch for 3 with 1 app, 3 sandwiches, 2 desserts and a round of beers and the tab was 120...for sandwiches. Don't get me wrong, they were good, but not that good. At their price point I just expect a little more. Good food but just not worth it. There are plenty of other King street options that make it hard to justify trips to the Majestic.

    (3)

  • Christopher G.

    I'm from NYC so am very picky about restaurants. This place serves top notch food at a reasonable price. Interesting wine, beer, and liquor selection. Focused on local and seasonal. I highly recommend.

    (5)

  • Margaux H.

    I was feeling adventurous and not really in the mood for meat, so I decided to try the vegetarian sampler dish, which is made up of "surprise" components. Really. The servers won't even tell you if you ask. Basically, it ended up being a bunch of the veg sides they normally serve, plopped into individual mounds on a plate. Although not really appealing to look at, most of it was absolutely delicious. I'm sure it helped that it was cooked with generous helpings of butter and/or heavy cream, but it's okay because it was vegetables, right? :) In any even, the Brussels sprouts were fabulous, and I even finished the creamed corn. The rapini was a bit bitter, and I left the mashed potatoes untouched (they were basically flavorless), but I have to say, for a random plate of sides, I was pleasantly impressed. P got a bouillabaisse that was pretty tasty, and I sampled some of another dining companion's fried green tomatoes, which were a-ma-zing. The bread at the table was also yummy and plentiful, kind of a fluffy soda bread. Unfortunately, the service apparently was also Southern-themed and was slooooooow. I seriously think we were at dinner for 3 hours. It's hard to properly enjoy such tasty food when you're so ravenous by the time it gets to you that you wolf it down. (portions x-posted to my blog)

    (4)

  • Dave S.

    Went on a Sunday at 3 pm, and decided to try the 3 course royal prix fix. The restaurant features an open kitchen. There are times when this feature works against a restaurant, and our visit was one of those occasions. We were seated at our reservation time, and a knowledgeable server explained the menu and took our order. Water was brought promptly, but then we waited 25 minutes for bread and around 50 minutes for our first course. During this time, absolutely nothing left the kitchen as, to our amazement, the chef decided that although the restaurant was half full, it would be a great time to teach the kitchen staff the new winter menu that will be substituted in a couple of weeks. Finally, at around 40 minutes, one of our first courses - mussels - was placed atop the service area. After around 6 more minutes, one of the cooks placed the bowl of mussels back under the broiler to reheat them. At 50 minutes, I finally asked when we might expect our food, at which point our appetizers arrived in shifts. The aforementioned mussels featured a too sweet sauce, and were lukewarm. My wife's mushroom soup was average at best, and my daughter's tomato and potato plate was greasy. Had the meal ended at this point, an even lower rating would have been appropriate. However, the entrees, meatloaf and Amish chicken were Borg good, as we're the coconut cake. The key lime pie was average and the double chocolate brownie was unsuccessful. I would not return.

    (2)

  • Amanda S.

    Drinks are unique with bourbon and whiskey, the food is rich but you can eat healthy as they will take out what you don't want in the dish, ex. Brussels sprouts made without the pork. Service is great! Need reservations!

    (4)

  • Monica D.

    Celebrated a dear friend's birthday here with a phenomenal dinner! We did not have reservations and since it happened to be Restaurant Week they could not seat us fortunately for us we found two perfect seats at the bar. It was fate! The bartender Trevor was the most attentive, kind and skilled bartender I have ever met. He and his counterpart Courtney worked very well together. In fact all of the staff seemed to get along very well and moved gracefully through the sometimes crowded bar area. I noticed two ladies sharing a plate and I'd definitely do that next time as the portions were HUGE. The food was impeccable, I had the lobster entree and the birthday girl had a steak which was cooked to perfection. I definitely plan to visit again, so don't let the neon family diner style light fool you, this place is more than fine dining!

    (4)

  • Katie F.

    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.

    (4)

  • Victor H.

    I really enjoy coming to Alexandria. It's a great place to wander around, do photography, shop, and especially eat. I came for a long weekend this time, instead of for work. The Majestic was the third dinner, and definitely the best. I suppose it's what one would call trendy. The idea seems to be Diner slash Bistro, and it delivers that ambiance; however, I'm not really impressed by any of that. Good food, good spirits, and good service are more important than anything. These days, one can expect a little more of a bar than a few years ago. The Majestic will not disappoint. I had as good an Old Fashion as I've ever had. Well crafted, and served in the proper glass with the proper ice. The bitters are from nearby PX... Enough said. The meal was diner-liscious. Brussels sprouts with Lardons as an appetizer. Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans as the entree. A nice, well recommended glass of Merlot topped it off. My only complaint is a minor one with the service. I came early (5 pm on a Sunday afternoon) and was seated at a center-aisle four-top, instead of a booth or banquette. I accepted the spot, though I really dislike being in the middle. My server was initially good and quite present. However, as the restaurant filled, I was left in the hands of runners, and other servers. I ended up feeling like I was left stranded, holding up a four-top. I got a little irritated, and need to apologize to the server I vented at. Overall, I highly recommend The Majestic. But perhaps go on a weeknight, unless you like the crowds.

    (4)

  • Russell S.

    What a great restaurant! There are so many reviews, from Zagat to Washingtonian to your mom... there really isn't much to be said by me about the quality of the food, etc that is new or exculpatory. It's a great place to enjoy a nice evening with a date or with friends. That said, The Majestic is overpriced for what they offer. Service is great, but not over the top perfect... and just my opinion, but sometimes restaurants can charge more when they become popular or trendy; when the owner of Restaurant Eve (aka bring your paycheck to sign over) buys you and repackages (nicely, I might add) the venue, you become hip and new and can draw a crowd with food that is great but not "exorbitant prices" great. That's where Majestic is now. For your money, consider the Sunday Dinner special - $22 per person, 3 courses. The catch - they want a week's notice and reservation, so they can plan for it (understandable - but not spontaneous). If you want value for your money, consider a place that is at or slightly below Majestic's price-point and with a water view (think The Wharf). Great restaurant with good food and service; 4.5 or 5 stars if their prices were more reasonable for their location.

    (4)

  • Gemini M.

    I called my mother while traveling. She knew I was in DC and we wanted to catch up. (Stay with me, this is important....) I started raving about the meal I had the night before, how she had to check this place out if she ever came back this way. She was quiet, letting me go on and on for at least five minutes. Then she asked, "How did you like the Majestic?" My jaw dropped. I hadn't named the restaurant. I never even said I was in Alexandria that night. I talked only about the food, the atmosphere, and the service. But she was right. I had dined at the Majestic and had what was easily one of the most amazing meals of my life. My death row meal needs to include one of their Caesar salads. Made for me table side, there was nothing pre-made or pre-mixed about this salad. It was the crispest, tangiest Caesar I have ever had. The depth of flavor surprised me for the ingredients being so fresh and so immediately put together before being placed in front of me. I have had table side Caesar... this was something all its own. The process and presentation were visually stunning as well and only helped to elevate the experience. I followed the Caesar with a steamed mussels dish that compared to none I have had before. So fresh that I would not be surprised if they were taken from the bay and brought into the kitchen just for me. The mussels were melt-in-your-mouth tender, the butter was light, the herbs fragrant, and the wine just this side of crisp to bring it all together. An appetizer portion on the menu, it was in fact a large bowl that I treated as my entree. The ambiance and atmosphere were perfect. Intimate, quiet, and casually classy. It is a small space, elegantly simple and inviting. Light decor popped with dark woods make it feel more open and bigger than it is. The service was nothing less than five-star. It seemed a bit pricey for some of the dishes and wines (hence, four stars instead of 5), but overall we found it to be a meal and experience worthy of returning... repeatedly.

    (4)

  • Jordan C.

    I love this restaurant, for its food, drinks and overall neighborhood feel. The ambiance is masterful here. Nice enough for a big night out, yet casual and comforting enough for a quite and easy dinner. I'd recommend coming early, enjoying a drink at the bar. And, speaking of the bar. Try lunch at the bar. It's perfect for people watching. That said, if dining room is in your cards, I'd highly recommend the Chicken Liver Mousse. I have, on occasion, solely ordered this delicacy. Super rich, incredibly delicious. Can't go wrong with the classic caesar either. If it's your first time, you must try the Home Style Meatloaf. This place is all about comfort, and there's no greater comfort meal than meatloaf. Comes with whipped potatoes and a pan gravy. You may not be able to imagine yourself eating another bite by this point, but I implore you to try the Majestic Coconut Cake. The word majestic is in there for a reason, and it's not due to the restaurant name. This collosal piece of layered coconut cake is pure heaven (PS, it freezes well too!) Overall, The Majestic is a great all purpose spot. Cozy enough for a date, easy enough for a family night out.

    (4)

  • Will A.

    I cam here with a group of four at 8:00pm after trying to get a table at almost every other Old Town restaurant on a Saturday night, which is not an easy feat! It was a thirty minute wait, but we sat by the bar to fill the time. When we were seated our waiter seemed nice... but slightly fake, like he didn't actually listen to what we were saying and just nodded his head. The bartender also seemed like he was coming on to my mom's friend and was constantly coming to our table acting flirty. The man who made our guacamole at our table was really nice, though, and we talked to him for a while in Spanish. Everyone's food was excellent, and I'm sure mine was, too, but I didn't like it very much. I had the lamb shank, which was prepared excellently and was very high quality, was not my kind of food. I blame that on ordering wrong rather than it being bad. I had a few bites from my mom's veggie plate which was absolutely excellent and an interesting way to try a lot of things at once. Overall, excellent dinner and great ambience.

    (4)

  • Tina L.

    Never fails to be great. So consistently good. Just wished they had more veg/fish options.

    (5)

  • Vilay S.

    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.

    (4)

  • Katie Y.

    This is a great place for families, for groups, for solo diners, or couples. It's extremely versatile, feels neither upscale nor shabby, and has an atmosphere that puts anyone at ease. You can come here dressed up for an event, or come in shorts and a t-shirt and feel equally as comfortable in the environs. Service was attentive and friendly, from the hostess to the waitress. Food comes out in a timely manner, neither rushed nor leaving guests ready to gnaw off their fingers with hunger. Plus, a bowl of soft whipped butter to accompany the delicious house-made warm bread will not only stave off the hunger, but might actually cause you to overindulge! So good! The Bay Stew is a five star dish, hands down. I also tried the fried tomatoes (worth it). No room for dessert after all of this, which is a shame because the menu definitely had some tempting offerings. Come hungry, leave happy. And make sure you stop by the basement to check out the old-school phone booth (with working phone) and exhaust fan for those days of old when someone would sit in there, chainsmoking away and talking to a far away lover.

    (4)

  • Elizabeth K.

    I was really disappointed. I went with my husband and a friend and we each had a SANDWHICH. I had the NY steak & Cheese and I have to say it was totally overpriced for what it was. I mean, I couldnt even order the temperature on my steak (I was informed they were pre-cooked) which is fine if I'm not paying somewhere in the 17$ ballpark for said sandwhich. My husband got the Big Brat sandwhich. He reported that the roll was very dry and overall it was not very good. It didnt look too appetizing, quite frankly. The chicken Liver Mousse that we had for an appetizer was yummy so I have no complaints there-though I have never encountered a pate or mousse I didn't like. The bread that was served before the meal was very dry, almost stale tasting. 150$ for lunch with a couple of drinks and three crappy SANDWHICHES (not entrees)? NO THANKS!

    (2)

  • Cheryl T.

    The exterior of the establishment does not do the place justice! Went for dinner on Sat... strolled in and they were fully booked but it was quite early in the evening so they let us have a table with the condition that we could finish in an hour and a half (totally reasonable). The hostesses and servers were all wonderful. Very attentive, pleasant and knowledgeable. The food was really good. I had the fried green tomatoes and oh man..... did it make my night. Also had the shrimp bisque.... really flavorful and rich... a tad bit on the salty side but it was still so yummy. A side of onion rings that comes with three homemade sauces.... decent. The sauces were very good though. Husband had the bluefish. Meh. The sides it came with were very good but it wasn't a great pairing..... the wilted spinach and the the texture of the bluefish (which is a softer fish, not firm and flaky) just didn't go. I think I'll definitely be back.... I was beaming from the tomatoes and bisque :)

    (4)

  • Elena E.

    I really don't understand why this place got so many good reviews... Went there last night, left almost $200 and now wish we went else where. The stars are for good service, bread and pisco sour. Caesar salad and mussels were ok. Flank steak and sword fish are indelible. We hardly touched our entrees. My teenage son that mows through everything, refused to eat what we brought home. You can't serve meat that chewy and fish that mushy. And by "chewy" I mean a shoe sole. I really wanted to like this place, and might come back for a drink, but definitely not eating there again.

    (2)

  • Gio D.

    When you take into consideration price, service and overall dining experience, I believe Majestic to be one of the better restaurants in NOVA. Can you get a better meal in the DC area, sure, but you'll be paying a lot more and the differences are truly negligible when it comes to the quality and taste of the food. This is hands down one of my favorite "value" restaurants and do highly recommend it for a nice evening out.

    (4)

  • Sam A.

    The Majestic is an An Old Town classic and I hadn't been since it's latest reincarnation. I walked through the curtain and plopped down at the bar. The bar is fantastic as it looks right out onto the hustle and bustle of King Street. Just judging from the clientele I can safely say this is definitely a wrong side of 30-40 something Old Town money kind of place. One of the Mikes was behind the bar and as of right now, if it is a male bartender working his name is Mike. While Mike was busy hand crafting his mixed drink ingredients I looked over the mixed drink menu. The various concoctions looked legit so I ordered a Sankaty Lager (I'm an unashamed binge drinker but I don't do it before I eat). The Sankaty is definitely a summer beer and quite good with no offensive aftertaste, I suppose someone has finally figured out how to brew a beer on Nantucket. After eavesdropping on the other conversations at the bar (wow, I am super normal), I looked over the new American menu and picked out the seared scallops entry. This dish came out on time and looked great so I immediately tucked in. The scallops were seared perfectly... Oh how I love you little ocean bottom feeders. The combined tastes of the shitake mushrooms, scallops, sliced fingerling potatoes, shallots, some kind of greens and some kind of sauce was delicious. I tried one of the poached oysters embedded in the dish and it really wasn't my thing. I pushed the oysters around my plate like a 4 year old so it looked like I ate more of them then I did. It was still a yum dish and I really enjoyed my dinner. I will be back. On the way out be sure to catch the photos of the Majestic as a diner in the 30's and 40's. Also I have to disagree with the $$ rating, this place is spendy $$$.

    (3)

  • Jose A.

    It's seems to be a very popular place. Nevertheless they were very kind, service was great and the food was simply amazing. You would say lunch is lunch, but this one deserved an extra star!

    (5)

  • Harris W.

    I'd really like to give this place a 4.5 star review. I've been twice now and I'd highly recommend it. It is slightly on the pricey but everything is so tasty you won't get any complaints from me. The fried green tomatoes are delicious. You get a delicious seasoned heirloom tomato in the middle. I got the Chesapeake seafood stew which was unbelievable rich and decadent. The service is great. They are quick to refill drinks and are constantly cleaning your eating area which is a really nice touch. I'll be going back again.

    (4)

  • Amy J.

    There has to be something going on with Yelp here. I'm pretty sure someone is making up different profiles just to get this place some business. The waitstaff was TERRIBLE. We walked in and there were multiple tables open. The host was eager to seat us, but a man (who I can only assume was some sort of manager) stopped him, saying that we would have to wait about five minutes. Confused and very hungry we waited thinking, "Five minutes- no big deal". Fifteen minutes later, right as we were about to walk out the door, the man comes up and offers to seat us. Fine. We get to our table and a young man promptly asks us what we would like to drink. We need a few more minutes. He is back approximately 30 seconds later asking if we had made a decision. He then proceeds to come back to the table every minute or so until we just blurt out the first thing that catches our eyes. The process then begins all over again with our food selection... with a little twist. We decided to get the tableside caesar salad. The man that we think is our waiter informs us that we need to order our entrees with our appetizer because if we don't, we "will have to wait a long time- at least 45 minutes to an hour" after our starters to get our entrees. I have worked in restaurants for years- everything about this scenario is an abomination. I'll summarize the rest because I want to get to bed. -Our drinks took 25 minutes to get to the table. -Our food took even longer.... AND -There were tables open and stools open at the bar. -The food was greasy and overcooked. -EVERYTHING was overpriced. -About 4 people interacted with us. The only ones who didn't have an attitude were the original host and the guy who made the caeser. So, please, if you're in Old Town and looking for a nice evening, don't go to the Majestic. Save yourself a lot of heartache... there are so many better options.

    (1)

  • John M.

    Ask for Eden to serve you. The fried oyster sandwich is amazing. Green beans as a side.

    (5)

  • Stanley S.

    I have only gone here once for just food, but I used to love going here for drinks! They had really friendly bartenders who always seemed to know exactly what you wanted. They have a pretty good selection of beers including some local brews and their cocktail list is always full of interesting mixtures. If its not on the list, you can usually talk to the bartender and they'll be happy to help you out. Now that our favorite bartender has left, we'll probably be going to Virtue.

    (5)

  • Jacqui M.

    Like my headline says, I'm a fan of cheap food and if the food isn't going to be cheap than it sure as heck better be good. I was doing a show in the area and my parents had come into town to see it so we all went out to dinner before the show. We went to The Majestic based on a suggestion from a castmate. The menu is very small and expensive. Compared to a lot of other area restaurants it is average but I'm still saying it's expensive. I ordered a pasta dish because when I go to a restaurant for the first time I like to order something that is hard to mess up, plus it was pretty much the only thing on the menu that I would consider putting in my mouth. Somehow The Majestic managed to screw up my easy pasta dish however. It was very bland, hardly any seasoning at all. My mother ordered a fish dish that was not cooked properly therefore making it rubbery. She did not want to finish it. Needless to say I was very dissapointed and I will not be going back.

    (1)

  • Heather D.

    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.

    (5)

  • Kevin H.

    Great food. Service was incredible. If nothing else, try the meatloaf.

    (5)

  • Diane R.

    Had a very disappointing experience at Majestic. We, my husband, son, and in-laws found ourselves in Old Town with about 40 minutes to kill. So, we decided to grab a cocktail at the bar at Majestic, since I had eaten there when it first opened, and the food and ambience were memorable. Unfortunately, the bartendress was very unpleasant. My mother in law, not a big drinker, ordered a Brandy Alexander, and got a half filled cockail glass. My father in law's martini was forgotten. But, mostly, the bartendress was very unwelcoming. There was somebody else behind the bar who was trying to make us feel welcome. But, the experience was a real drag. Then to top it off, when my father in law received his credit card statement, he was charged for our cocktails, PLUS another charge for $450. Seemed like somebody was trying to get one over on us. We won't be going back. and I hope that bartendress is no longer there.

    (1)

  • Alysha A.

    Went for lunch and had amazing cheese burger and chicken salad sandwiches!!

    (5)

  • Cathy H.

    Great food in just the right proportions to save room for dessert, great upscale diner atmosphere, excellent servers. What more can you ask for?

    (5)

  • Tim H.

    Food was excellent. Every course was rich and flavorful. The $35 royal fixe is a pretty good deal for the quantity and quality you get. Service was excellent. Had the calamari, Amish chicken, and coconut cake. My wife had the tomatoes and potatoes, meatloaf, and pecan pie. Not a single complaint.

    (5)

  • Carrie G.

    Make a reservation in advance, because when the desire to eat here strikes, and it will, after you have been once, it is hard to get in. The menu changes, but it is always great. The wine list is complete and varied.

    (4)

  • CB R.

    I had a love/hate relationship with The Majestic. My negative experience was when I made a reservation for what I thought was Nana's Sunday Dinner (fried chicken) when my in-laws were in town. My excitement for the Nana's dinner turned quickly into embarrassment when the server informed me that while, yes, I made a reservation, it was not for the Sunday dinner; and, no, we were not getting any fried chicken that Sunday. I didn't realize that they had two different kinds of reservations for that day, and I didn't think their website was clear on that issue. I didn't appreciate the manner in which the message was delivered either, snooty. So we ate from the regular menu, which I don't remember specifically, as I was distracted by the welling anger inside me and the odor of fried chicken wafting all around me. In any event, I swore not to go back there even though we live only a couple of blocks away and the Majestic could easily be our go-to restaurant. But, the forgiving sort I am, I have been back recently and the love is slowly returning. They are winning me over with their freakin' tasty whole fish. I go there with every intention of ordering something else, but I always ended up with the whole fish. Perfectly grilled. Recently, they have been serving it with two side sauces (chili-oil based and soy sauce-based) and maybe udon noodles? The sides and condiments change ever so often though. Just be careful with the fishbones. The fish on its own pushes my rating to a 4.

    (4)

  • J D.

    We had occasion to dine here again on a couple of recent occasions, sampling the Salad of the Day, fried oysters, sautéed spinach, the Amish chicken, the Caesar salad, the homemade meatloaf. As with previous experiences here, all the dishes were good served with crisp efficiency by the wait staff. The salad of the day, a lunch offering, was chicken confit. The salad was nicely portioned - the chicken moist and succulent (well, it was confit) The fried oysters were a slight little nuggets of seasoned and juicy oysters fried in a light batter: outstanding! There is something about watching a Caesar salad being made that is satisfying. The mixing of the ingredients (use anchovies, please) in front of you enriches the dining experience in a way that a salad prepared in the kitchen simply does not. The sautéed spinach ordered as an accompaniment to the meatloaf and chicken was well seasoned and good. The two entrees were very filling and very good. These are two dishes that scratch the itch of comfort food. Majestic cafe is a reliable and comforting place to enjoy a meal. The restaurant offers nice touches such as house made/filtered sparkling water. I enjoy water with bubbles at times but the typical restaurant pricing for bottled water often borders on outrageous. Not here: it is a choice the restaurant offers. It is these little things that urge me to go back.

    (4)

  • Jasmine T.

    Took my family here for Mother's Day because it was close to the movie theater and it was one of the places still accepting reservations that Sunday. Our original plans fell through, so in a way it was a blessing we found The Majestic. The hostess that helped me make my reservation was super sweet and accommodating - so kudos to her! They were running a pretty good promo for the holiday called "Nana's Sunday Dinner" which consisted of a family style meal of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, macaroni & cheese and strawberry shortcake for dessert. I ordered this for myself, but my father (who had recently started a new health kick that day) and my mother (who doesn't eat fried food) ordered from the regular menu - which was an interesting experience to say the least. The menu is...how do I put this...weird? My parents had a hard time selecting something to eat, but that was more of my fault -- I should have reviewed the menu more closely before we arrived. They really aren't even picky eaters, but there weren't many traditional options. The only fish they had if I remember correctly was tuna...and the other chicken dish they had came in a rich butter sauce...which sounds good...but didn't work with my mother's digestive tract. She ordered the seafood stew, which was great (I tasted it) but was just really random in terms of what was offered. I think our waiter left a little to be desired in the service department -- but we can understand it was a busy day with many parties bigger than ours. They did give my mother a little card with a packet of seeds as a Mother's Day gift though. I thought that was cute. All in all - I would say if you're a foodie, then try The Majestic. Just don't go here if you are expecting pork chops, barbeque or catfish. Its not that kind of "American" dining experience! OH and I forgot to mention. With the exception of Nana's Sunday Dinner; very expensive and tiny portions!

    (3)

  • Nicole D.

    Not impressed in the slightest. Save your money- and head to a speak easy on King Street steps away. Stopped in for a round of cocktails based on previous Yelp reviews. Cramped, tiny bar area in the foyer of the restaurant; seats 8 people at best with very small space to hover behind. I felt like I was in everyone's way. As I am a bartender myself, I was excited to check out their "Craft Cocktails" only to be greatly disappointed with their limited 7 or 8 options, a Melon Ball being one of their most intricate drinks. OooooK. My friend had the Melon Ball and I stuck with a Tito's vodka soda. Mellon ball was OK, and my vodka soda was extremely weak. I had witnessed the bartender only putting about 1oz of liquor in my cocktail & when I politely questioned him, he became quite defensive. Oh, & that'll be $9. This is Alexandria, not NY. AND you used a jigger. See ya never!

    (1)

  • Rebecca E.

    So I have been to the Majestic several times and enjoyed it. I have to say that I was recently really dissapoainted after my last few trips. For the price you pay, I just expect more. The food, excellent. Always. Which is why I go back. The only reason at this point. The cocktails, mediocre at best lately, unless sugary juice was what you are after. Stick with the wine menu. Go with the pino. The service, worse. Waited 10 minutes for anyone to ask if I even wanted a well sugared juice. After my last two trips, it may be time for another fall back restaurant when people come into town.

    (2)

  • Peter M.

    The set up: Friends from out of town arriving, they love drinks and mixology, wanted something fun, wife suggests Majestic, I say "Never been, wanted to go, let's try them out." Arrive on time, promptly seated at a nice table, with decent view of the kitchen and the (King) street in front, and could watch passers by. The Meal: Service was impeccable. Offered filtered water or sparkling mineral (both local) and served bread with Amish made butter. Bread was warm and crusty, and welcoming. Friends arrive order their drinks, I order the local Ginger Beer (nicely done) and spouse receives merlot with daughter getting white milk. Everyone orders, I get the Red Vegetable plate, friend get seafood (Says the muscle are very good in a light curry sauce) and spouse gets Butternut Squash raviolli. I was impressed, spouse said the pasta was a bit too aldente, but daughter enjoyed her promptly served grilled cheese. The kid's menu was a nice offering with even a kid sized menu. The two items that I have to complement the chef were the Grilled Brussel Sprouts (which I loathe when they are blanche boiled and steamed to death) which were great in both texture and flavor. The seasoning of onions and garlic with the grill roasting was expertly accomplished. Second, the chef came out on a regular basis to ask diners how the food was, and was quite warm and personable. That alone made me want to return, so "Bravo!" I say, and I will be looking forward to an encore dining pleasure. As we left, I even had to notice the bar-woman smiling in an engaging conversation with the patrons. Bottom line: Great dining experiences like this are seldom found, and the mix of fine food with great personality is unique, the drinks are very lush, and the setting a unique dining experience with a very fresh fare. I will happily look forward to returning, and seeing the new menu items available. Caveat: And I would be very tempted to give the fifth star, but one thing was a bit "off" for me. The dining experience was relaxed, but it was a bit "casual." The waiters in all black uniforms seemed odd, the room "darkish" even in mid-day (no windows and a bit of a narrow feel to the dining room) and the noise level at times was pedestrian. Family events, this would be fine, as were the many casual dining patrons... perhaps, for me, just that bit too casual for that extra star. But regardless, this brother of Restaurant Eve and Enamons has every right to be proud of their chef and staff. And you should go there, even alone, at the bar... because I think you'd also want to return, regularly.

    (4)

  • Lauren H.

    This is a hard review for me to write...and actually the first yelp review I have ever written. We have been very big fans of The Majestic for over 8 years. It has been our #1 recommendation to anyone looking for an Old Town restaurant. Our patronage and recommendations will stop as of tonight. We live on King Street and walked down to Old Town for dinner. We did not have reservations, but thought we might see what The Majestic had available. They did not have a table in the dining room, so we decided to grab seats at the bar and eat dinner there. A female bartender greeted us and took our drink order. We were both in the mood for margaritas, so that is what we ordered. We have always loved that The Majestic hand crafts each drink, so we knew we would get a quality margarita that didn't involve any kind of mix. After the female bartender rolled her eyes at our order and huffed and puffed about while she made the drinks, the patrons seated directly next to us asked her what she was making. The female bartender said and I quote "Margaritas, but this is the worst thing you can ever do to tequila". We obviously heard this and were taken aback. It was a bit awkward because she was obviously making fun of us within earshot to other patrons. What to do at this point as the cocktails are now in front of us?! We sipped our cocktails quietly, but then she came over to ask how they were. We expressed our disappointment with her comments and asked for the check. She said that the drinks were on her since she "hurt our feelings or whatever", but she "hoped next time we would actually try a craft cocktail". We insisted that we would pay for the drinks and expressed our hope that she wouldn't treat customers this way in the future. We paid our bill and left immediately without ordering dinner and nor will we ever frequent there again. It is a shame that her bad attitude towards guests of the restaurant has caused this negative review and loss of patronage and revenue for The Majestic. I hope others have a different experience, but it was enough of a jarring situation that i felt I must write this.

    (1)

  • Robert V.

    Food: Good, tasted chicken salad and burger Service: Slow to start, overall good. Cost: somewhat expensive for food and service provided. Overall: recommended (but not highly)

    (3)

  • Jennifer H.

    We came on for lunch around 1:00 on a Saturday afternoon and there was no trouble getting a table. We had had told our waitress we would be sharing our entree, and to our delight they split up the entree and appetizer into completely separate plates! As for the food. The catfish was delicious! It has sort of an Asian flair to it, slightly spicy, and the chives and scallions where amazing on top! The heirloom fried green tomatoes were my favorite. They were perfectly cornmeal breaded, not greasy at all. It was a hearty lunch portion too! The other thing we got was the gnocchi and that wasn't anything to write home about. Try one of their drinks. My mint julep was strong!

    (5)

  • Ashley C.

    Limeade was delicious. We had meatloaf, Caesar salad made table side, and gnocchi. Service was good. Dessert of coconut cake was highlight. Be sure to ask for a booth.

    (4)

  • Louis O.

    Food was great and pretty reasonably priced. Service was a little iffy. I think we had four different servers throughout the night. Not sure if that was on purpose or not. All in all, Majestic was great.

    (4)

  • Leslie R.

    I had meant to try Majestic for some time. Although the food was good, the service was poor. My server was absent when I was ready for the next course and check but tried to take my salad plate while I was still eating. I heard the server at the next table recite the specials but my server never mentioned them. The manager apologized, asking me how the food tasted. That wasn't the point. It's a shame a decent restaurant can't recover better from poor service, but there are many excellent restaurants in this area. I am on to try the others. I want a good dining experience not just the taste of good food.

    (1)

  • Emily M.

    This was by far the best meal I've had since I moved to DC a few months ago. Everything from the freshly squeezed lemonade, the mixed greens salad, whole wheat gnocchi (with spinach, walnuts and gorgonzola) and coconut cake for dessert, there wasn't a single bite I regretted. Even the bread and butter we ate while waiting was delicious! Add this to the charm of Old Town Alexandria and you've got yourself a pretty nice little night out.

    (5)

  • Marianne S.

    I've been twice, once for lunch and once for dinner, and had a great experience both times. Both times were with work, and I probably wouldn't go otherwise because it's a bit out of my price range. Maybe for a special occasion. I had some delicious butternut squash ravioli for dinner, and even their caesar salad is unforgettable. Great wine selection too, and very professional, friendly staff. Everyone should check it out!

    (4)

  • Cote D.

    after over a year hiatus, I returned to the Majestic for their Nana's Sunday Dinner. herb roasted ribs, cream of corn, potato salad, red cabbage-apple and raisin slaw, and peach pie were on the menu. the waitress was pleasant enough but she seemed to have short term memory loss the entire evening. first, my friend and i ordered 22 oz. bottles of beer, and she came back with only one and said "these are the bottles - are you SURE you both want one of each?" yes, we're sure? it was weird. after she took our orders, she asked if we wanted bread. everyone at the table agreed that we did, and she disappeared. fast forward 10 minutes when the food arrives. the ribs were definitely under a hot lamp for quite some time, as the glaze had that sort of dullness to it. the "warm" potato salad was in fact just cold potato salad, but i did enjoy it very much. the corn was fine, and we actually got baked beans (very good) instead of the slaw. the overall theme to the dinner, however, was that everything was luke-warm. the ribs were pretty cold, and while they were fall-off-the-bone tender and pretty juicy, they were...cold! i eat cold ribs when i have leftovers from a cookout the following day, but not in restaurants. anyway, the waitress came 5 minutes later, and someone at the table asked for the bread. she basically slapped her forehead and said "omigosh you know i think the bread's still in the oven lemme go grab it for you!" it was a strange reaction, but we did get bread a few minutes later. in my quest for stuffing myself, i also ordered the seafood stew, which was delicious. all of the seafood was very fresh and very tasty. the pie came and we were kind of surprised that she didn't offer any of us coffee. one of us piped up and requested it, but then it took until everyone was done with dessert for her to bring it to us. the funny thing is that they will fast brew coffee and espresso in the back of the dining room, so we could see when she actually started to do it (and it was at least 10 minutes after the pie came). my friend ordered an espresso and she acknowledged him, but then somehow forgot that and instead brought the check 5 minutes later. at that point i was just ready to get out of there so we paid and left. the food was okay, and i didn't expect it to be WOW AWESOME since it was a high volume Nana's dinner night, but still, i expected it to be hot, and i expected my waitress to, you know, do the bare minimum (bring bread, bring coffee) while food bussers brought everything else. i keep telling myself that she didn't really care about our table because we were "just" sunday dinner folks and not the higher revenue, higher tipper people (even though we spent ~$40 on booze and i ordered a separate $27 entree in addition to the sunday dinner!). oh well! it only slightly ruined my overall opinion of the place. perhaps they have their reserve wait staff on sundays.

    (3)

  • Melissa C.

    Went for lunch today. The ambience was good, however food and service were both mediocre. My caesar salad was very overdressed. The pulled pork sandwich was not that good and really greasy. We had fries with two sandwiches and had to ask twice for ketchup. They thought they were out I guess... We also had to wait a while for our drinks and I noticed the next table did too. The fresh bread and butter was really great though and the calamari was good. I thought this was supposed to be Average Food done really well, but it was just Average.

    (2)

  • Bill M.

    I never went to Majestic before the owner switch/renovation or whatever happened, so I cannot compare the new to the old. But the new is good. I dug pretty much everything about it. Their food was above average. The calamari was tasty, but too heavy on the cornmeal and spices, which hid the squid flavor inside. The french fries were average. But the gnocchi was good, and their pate was off the chizzle (I am sure I'm not the first person to describe great pate that way, right?). For entrees, my meatloaf was great, as were the rockfish and the scallops. Everything else was more than good. Their beer selection was nice, offering some Dogfish, some Victory, some light, some dark. All fairly priced. And the service was great. Our guy really put himself into it and earned his tip. Very friendly, engaging, open but not pushy. Really added positively to the meal. Friday at 8:30 and he took his time to make sure we were having a great experience, which we did.

    (4)

  • Krissy R.

    I went here for a family dinner celebration and it was really great. The food was priced a little bit high, but given the location and the type of options on the menu, it was expected. The quality of the food was high and the service was great. I ordered the lamb and it was tender and very yummy. I will definitely be going back, but will probably save The Majestic for special occasions.

    (4)

  • SC O.

    I've battled my inner being on how to "yelp" this spot. Food? Pretty, darn good. Drinks? Decent. Service? Just plain rude. Who exactly do you think you are, Majestic? Granted, this isn't to say every, single employee there falls under this category but sadly, the majority does. The bartender? Ouch. It's as though this spot wants to be a little bit more glitzy than it's actually meant to be, as though having a bartender that can only appreciate those that are going to spend a boat load of money and compliment him/her left and right about their drink making skills is going to make that happen. I can appreciate that but you're not ,so just stop. I beg you. Why? Because aside from this I'd likely give you 3, maybe 4, stars. Your food deserves to be tasted and your atmosphere to be tried. Unfortunately; each time I've given you a whirl, myself and whomever is with me walks out with that look on our faces that says - "ugh, that wasn't very good."

    (2)

  • J T.

    Lots of hype on this place did not help the fact that they reversed our orders and tried to tell me I was WRONG about THAT. Pardon? I got to cut into my steak to prove it to them. Food was pretty good - had the steak with their signature butter, some succotash on the side. Service was funky from the get go - ending with no refill offered on the meal-ending coffee. PASS on this one....there are better choices at this price.

    (2)

  • Susan T.

    I've been here twice, and the food was phenomenal each time. The service is great, and although I'm slightly weirded out that they "bottle their own water", the food is always nicely presented and top notch.

    (5)

  • Carole M.

    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.

    (2)

  • James S.

    Great food. The tomato and potato appetizer and the meatloaf were awesome. Service was excellent.

    (5)

  • Mark B.

    The Majestic is a good place for lunch. The quality of the food is great. The lunch menu is good. That they make so much of their servings on site is terrific! The prices are a little high for lunch, but it is certainly a good place to eat.

    (3)

  • Paul B.

    Fantastic addition to the Eve Empire

    (4)

  • Maureen P.

    Great spot in Old Town. A good traditional menu with some great southern accents. King street restaurants are notorious for catering to tourists -- i.e. inconsistent service and inflated prices...The Majestic is the complete opposite. It is a stylish but comfortable atmosphere with original meals and excellent service. I learned on Saturday night that the bartenders are top knotch -- try the Pisco Sour. The bread pudding was also fantastic!

    (5)

  • Jay-Anne C.

    I'll admit it. I wasn't expecting much from this restaurant when I first heard about it; and my expectations fell even lower when I saw the huge diner-like neon signs of its name hanging outside.(I have since learned that the Majestic's exterior is a homage to its history.) My initial reservations were for naught, though. This place was AMAZING. I only wish I had discovered it sooner. First off, the interior, although a bit small, was beautiful, modern and classy. Second, the cockails were incredible (the "French Winemaker" and "Sweet Tart" martinis are absolute musts!) and definitely worth their prices (which is more than I can say about the drinks served at some other establishments in the D.C. area). Third, the food was divine. Not every restaurant can combine down-home southern comfort food with sophistication and international inventiveness, but the Majestic Cafe succeeds...well...majestically. The flavor of a relatively standard baked sweet potato was delicously transformed with the addition of a creamy, citrus-infused orange-hazlenut butter. A perfectly baked macadamia nut crusted mahi mahi (crunchy on the outside, tender and moist on the inside) was accented by shitake cream, baby bok choy and gingered jasmine rice. My personal favorite? A butternut squash filled with a heavenly cornbread stuffing and topped with apple sauce. Yummm. The Majestic chocolate smore tart was an excellent way to end the meal. (Note to the wise: Avoid the coffee nut cake. Its strange lemon-flavored icing was kind of freaky.) Be warned, however, that the menu at the Majestic changes every few weeks. So these dishes might be rotated out before too long.

    (5)

  • Danielle M.

    My friend and I ate at The Majestic for Restaurant Week 2012. Good food, but the service was, in a word, annoying. The waitress seemed bothered that we were taking our time to make our selections. Although we told her we wanted to order take-out later, she kept taking the menu away whenever we got one back from the hostess. We were there in the late afternoon and the shifts must have changed because a new waitress brought us our wine selection and we never saw the first waitress again. The second waitress was borderline condescending and I especially didn't appreciate it when she saw me refilling my own wine glass and snatched the bottle from me without comment to pour (as if I did something wrong). Other than the rubbery bread served with the seafood chowder, everything tasted great and the presentation was lovely. My friend and I seldom indulge in dessert and we both have zero regret over splitting a piece of coconut cake. Scrumptious.

    (3)

  • Ben W.

    Went here with three other friends. The atmosphere is noisy and crowded on a Saturday. Our food was excellent. The fried green tomatoes were an interesting surprise; not what you would expect. My friend's chicken was some of the best he had ever had. Very much recommend coming here to eat. We look forward to trying the Sunday dinner deal.

    (4)

  • Katie M.

    Along with the food, I love the sense of history and the ultra cool atmosphere that Majestic has created. I have been here time and time again and I can't get enough of it! Lunch is highly recommended here if you don't want to spend too much money but still want fabulous food options. I recently had the chicken salad pita with squash salad- it was amazing.

    (4)

  • Thad Z.

    We managed to snag a walk-in table on a Sunday evening -- what a surprise! The service was excellent and if you've never been here the ambiance is comfortable but understated...just fine since this place about food. Their style of "Rustic American" and Pure and Simple" is pretty much spot on. No fancy dishes which can't be pronounced or identified... just down home comfort food executed usually very well. Last night they offered shad roe as an appetizer and I jumped all over it -- the roe was excellent and the garnishes were very nice, but there was a sharp pungent overtone in the sauce which distracted from the overall dish - it could have been the capers but I couldn't isolate the source. My wife's onion soup was excellent. For our main courses she had the meatloaf which is consistently amazing...better than Mama ever made!! I had the seafood stew hoping for something lighter after the substantial shad roe. While the flavors were wonderful, this was a very rich dish, the liquid being mostly cream. I really wish the waiter had said something about how rich this stew is. I did eat most of it because of the great flavors, but half an hour later the rock in my belly suggested that I should have sent it back and opted for something else. Finally, the bar is usally vibrant and a great place to stop for interesting cocktails; the wine list needs a few less expensive options, and the deserts are usually very good. In summary: the total bill was $85 with tax/tip but no alcohol or desserts - a little high considering the alternatives withing walking distance.

    (3)

  • Ivette L.

    Ummm, yes, yes and yes! I was there in the Fall of 07 for the Marine Corps Marathon and dined here with my colleague and client. We each had a separate dish, mine was a vegetarian wheat pasta, perfectly cooked al dente. I can't for the life of me recall the other dishes, but we were all in dinner heaven. This is the type of place the updates their menu pretty frequently (should there be any other type of place?) so clearly, during the Fall, pumpkin it is! We had an amazing pumpkin pie/cake - delicious. Great wine too - this place had been featured in one of the national food pubs for its Chef - and rightfully so!

    (5)

  • R T.

    Went to the Majestic for business lunch recently and have to say the Chesapeake Bay Stew was truly outstanding. My first meal here, but I hope to be back soon. The problem may be getting myself to try anything other than the stew. Service was efficient, and non-obtrusive as they could tell it was a business lunch.

    (4)

  • Heather L.

    We ate at The Majestic last night for the 1st time. I must say the service is impeccable! The servers are very friendly & polite. The food was OK. It was well executed, but very overpriced. We began w/ the gnocchi carbonara & fried green tomatoes. Both were yummy & creatively plated. We moved on to the caesar salad & chicken pate. The salad was made table side & was very flavorful. For dinner we enjoyed the strip steak & scallops. The steak was a little over cooked & not really worth $26. The scallops were well cooked & nicely accompanied. We will probably go back, but not for the steak. For my money I would rather go to Morton's or Fleming's. But it is probably the best service I have had in the DC area. Overall good but not amazing!

    (3)

  • Kadian F.

    Great food (especially the meatloaf). Service is good. Nothing really unique about it other than the meatloaf.

    (4)

  • Molly S.

    OH MY GOD SEAFOOD STEW! I love stew so much, and The Majestic has crafted an exuberantly tasty medley that went above and beyond in meeting my high stew expectations.Trust me, I've experienced some delectable stews in my 19 years, and The Majestic's was the BOMB. After eating my body weight in fried green tomatoes and an oyster/clam extravaganza (both were DELICIOUS, by the way), I somehow found it in my Nouveau-American-loving soul to kill that entire bowl of stew heaven. But anyway. Enough of that. The Majestic transforms hearty, American goodness into slightly more interesting and exceedingly more memorable dishes. Our table also had meatloaf, red snapper, and duck foie gras as main courses. All dishes were damn tasty. Really excellent homemade bread and butter. Interesting, seasonal drinks. Delicious deserts and of generous proportion! Supposedly one is advised to order the Coconut Cake but we were MORE than pleased with the key lime pie and a brownie sundae the size of a castle. Great service. Beautiful and simple restaurant. Nice wooden floors. I gotta say, Virginia is pretty lame, but Alexandria is adorable and cuteytown, and The Majestic fits right in. AMAZING neon sign outside the restaurant. Love me some old American signage.

    (5)

  • Karen C.

    This place is always good. I've had fish and pasta. They have some down home type food but also, elegant meals. The menu changes seasonally so things are fresh and new. Be sure to get a piece of cake- their cakes are fantastic. You also might see a Washington celeb type here- famous journalist, political pundit, etc.. We have seen a few.

    (4)

  • Nicole Y.

    Despite being overpriced, I love The Majestic Cafe. I've gotten so used to eating bland food these days that even the real European butter accompanying the gratis bread tastes exceptional. This small, seemingly inconsequential experience sets the tone for the rest of your meal. The menu is small, but well done on every point. For example, their Steak Salad, which is on their dinner menu (but I request for lunch all the time), starts off with fresh rocket arugula, sliced radishes and shaved parmesan cheese gently tossed in vinaigrette under sliced steak done to order. It may sound unimpressive, but the execution of such simple ingredients is unparalleled. God, I'm starting to salivate... Other worthwhile menu items: their BLT showcasing house-cured bacon and the Big Brat, home-made bratwurst served with a plethora of condiments.

    (4)

  • K S.

    Brought my mom for lunch this Saturday - we weren't too adventurous with our food choices (fried green tomatoes to start, the curried chicken salad sandwhich for me and the cheeseburger for her, with coconut cake for dessert), but everything we had was well prepared and of generous portions (especially the cake!). Service was prompt and attentive, if a little pushy on the alcohol (she gave us two separate occasions to look over the drink menu, even after we ordered only water). Coffee is French-press, which is a nice touch. I'll definitely come back to try the family-style "Nana's Sunday Dinner" (ok, and a drink) in this classic, cozy space.

    (4)

  • Kelly K.

    Going on all the postive review here on Yelp, I sought out this restaurant. I was disappointed. I liked the interior dining space and the wait staff was competent...the food...well that was another story. I had the Majestic chicken for $21. The presentation of the food was very good, however, the chicken was way over seasoned...salty! The roasted potatoes were oozing oil upon impact with my fork-which was gross...and the little salad on the side was very vinegary. Oh, and the serving size was very small...I wouldn't have cared about the small portion that much if the taste had been better...I wonder if the chef is a smoker, which sometimes explains overseasoning of food because smokers palates can be dulled somewhat...Whatever it was, I contemplated sending my food back...I hate doing this though and so I picked at my food and left without finishing it all. The saltiness of the chicken stayed with me as my mouth felt chapped from the salt...I found relieve with an iced coffee. I will not be returning to this restaurant.

    (2)

  • Chris B.

    Wow. We've been meaning to go to this place for a few years, and I'm glad we finally made it. It's the best meal I've had in recent memory, and easily the best meal I've ever had in Old Town. I started with a caesar salad, prepared right beside the table. It was pretty much as good as caesar salads get--just simple, high-quality ingredients. My wife had the tomato soup, which was also pretty good, and was served with these little bits of fried mozzarella that I didn't try, but our friends at the table raved over. For our meals, my wife and I both had the hanger steak, which was perfectly cooked and absolutely delicious. Everyone at the table enjoyed their meals, and every single thing I tasted was just surprisingly good. We got a side of grilled squash which I expected to be kinda lame, but even that was great. Drinks were good, too. I wasn't a huge fan of the mint julep, but it seemed well-prepared and came in a cool metal glass. Their beer list is small but interesting. I had Oskar Blues' Little Yella Pils. I think my only complaint is that no one seemed to like their coffee. Little bit on the bitter side, but no big deal. Everyone was distracted by the ridiculous portions of cake that two of us got, anyway. This place is a bit expensive, but you certainly get what you pay for. Nothing was fancy, exactly, but I think that's a good thing. The food isn't pretentious or weird, just good.

    (5)

  • J B.

    Sorry, I think this place is overrated? Maybe my experiences here have been bad. I ordered the vaunted meatloaf once (the number 2 version), and it was overcharred and dry. Blah. For 10 bucks you can go to Whole Foods and get a prepared whole meatloaf (you cook yourself) that is 3 times better. The second time I ordered a scallops dish and I was also unimpressed. Ray's the Steaks continues to hold the record for best preparation of scallops for me. The Chesapeake stew was good, but not rave-worthy. Their mussels are quite good, though they did serve them with bacon when we asked for them without. The bread is tasty, but man cannot live on bread alone. Since this is basic, simple, unexperimental food, there's no excuse for it to not taste exceptional -- especially with the markup in price. For me, the food does not justify the cost, sorry.

    (3)

  • marian g.

    Have always heard that The Majestic was one of the top 100 restuarants in the area, so I was thrilled to get a reservations for Sat. nite. Came in and the hostess sat us almost immediately. Happen to notice that there was a large party waiting to be seated, but there seemed to be tables available. We started w/ drinks, I had the Hemingway Daiquiri and my friend had a Primm's cup, the guys ordered interesting beers. Unfortunately, both of our specialty drinks were lacking in flavor. Mine didn't even have any ice or crushed ice and really lacked any distinguished flavor. In fact it was boring probably should have sent it back for wine. We also ordered the fried green tomatoes and a bowl of mussels. Not sure why everyone thinks the fried green tomatoes are so special. The breading was more like buying store bought breaded chicken breast. The crust was heavy, not light at all and rather tasteless. Thank goodness for the salad that accompanied it (that was delicious and very flavorful.) We did enjoy the mussels, the sauce was great and we wanted more bread to soak it up to the last drop. The main courses, the pork ribs, small and boring. The Chesapeake Stew full potatoes, spices along w/ a few clams,scallops, halibut. Generally good, but definitely not over the top. The special whole fish that was perfectly prepared was tasty and basic. We ordered a key lime pie and coffee both of which were tasty. Probably wouldn't make a special trip to return. In fact I mentioned going to Majestic to several friends who had apparently tried the place several years ago, and had the same reaction as me...just medicore.

    (2)

  • Michael H.

    Solid choice in Old Town, and probably my favorite Cathal Armstrong restaurant. Calf's liver was cooked to perfection - they nailed a excellent medium rare. The wife's scallops were good size and very flavorful. The fried green tomato caprese-like salad like app was memorable. I'd like to use that breading/ fry from those tomatoes at home. Only complaint was the steak tartar - would have been perfect without the heavy lemon flavor. All in all, Majestic delivers a great meal.

    (4)

  • J M.

    Had dinner and drinks with some friends here. Food was tasty, but didn't wow me, especially for the price. Wine was FAR too expensive (avg. $10 / glass for some not-so-notable wines, and a tiny pour to boot). Ambiance was nice, and the staff was friendly. In general, I just think that it's way over priced.

    (3)

  • April C.

    okay, back in town for work, we finally had the food. oh, the food....! well, oh, the bread, first of all - it's served warm. it's served with fresh, local butter. it has this amazing, oatmealy texture. it's....HEAVEN. if you ask nicely, they'll bring you seconds. seriously i could have just sat there and eaten bread all night.... encouraged to consume more than just carbs, the rest of the food (a lovely salad then perfectly-executed scallop dish) was amazing as well, as was the service - the first night, that is. we went back the next (ah, expense account living) and the server was a bit of a snot. the food was still outstanding - the bread still magical - but we could have lived without the heaping side of 'tude. also, the coconut cake was a bit of a disappointment after such a great dinner; i appreciated that it wasn't sickeningly sweet, but it was served cold and rather 'meh', when i'd had huge expectations based upon everything else served. my group did seem terrifically impressed with the coffee served with desert, but given jetlag, it seemed like a bad idea at 9p. ...bread and cocktails, however, yes please!

    (5)

  • Nicolas D.

    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.

    (2)

  • Meghan M.

    Hmm...this place was good, but I definitely didn't find much of it remarkable. We'll break it down bit by bit. Atmosphere- Cute and neat old building, but this also translates to a tight space. So prepared for noise and coziness with your neighbors. As someone else said, the bar space is small, and felt like a place to get one drink or wait for your table...not a place to hang out a while. Although it's a tight place, I did see a lot of families so I would guess it's a family friendly joint. Service- Our service was nice and explained A LOT. She was quick too. However, everything on the menu was "the best" which seems unlikely. She also seemed less interested in serving us once we turned down the higher ticket items, and she made our bread basket disappear before the meal. What, no sopping of sauce? :( Food- The food is good, not great, not bad, just okay to good. The prices on entrees were okay, but some of the apps just seemed ridiculous. Hand hacked guac at the table? Big deal, kind of dated if you ask me, but you want $14 for it?! Now you really got to be kidding me...it better have some mighty special seasonings! I had the meatloaf which is apparently a favorite. It was just plain old meatloaf. Nothing crazy. The other entrees of seafood stew and Amish chicken were also just good to okay. The only stand out was the beet ravioli. The drink menu was not very interesting and a little pricey, so I didn't order anything. Perhaps they could've proven me wrong, but I wasn't enticed enough to take that step. They do offer a great prix fixe menu option of an app, entree, and dessert for $40...HOWEVER--and this is a big HOWEVER-- everyone at the table HAS to order this option. I'm guessing it's to prevent sharing and control costs, but come on, that sucks! I would have ordered that option, but no one else at my table wanted it so it was not an option for me. It seems a shame for them because that would've been at least another $20 in patronage. Overall, it was fine to good, but I probably wouldn't go again, unless I was with a group willing to try the prix fixe option.

    (3)

  • Mark W.

    I loved the Majestic under the previous ownership. The new management ruined a very good restaurant. Now that they have gone through a number of chefs, they have finally found themselves a winner and finally a new and interesting menu. The service was great from the hostess to the waiter to the assistant manager to the manager. All of them paid a lot of attention to all the tables. The food was very tasty. We had the crab appetizer, the arancini appetizer, the pot roast, and the fish of the day. All were very good and I would recommend to anyone. What a difference 6 months make in this place getting back on track.

    (4)

  • Latrice L.

    Had dinner with friends here. The menu is a little all over the place but everything we had was pretty good. Overall we had the Bronzino, Amish chicken, gnocchi, scallops, and beet ravioli. They also mixed the Caesar dressing table side. ...again very random but we enjoyed it. Finished off with the coconut cake and chocolate creme brûlée. Service felt a bit rushed but good overall. Small but nice ambience.

    (4)

  • Laura G.

    I relied on this restaurant to have professional, experienced servers and we did not have this during our last visit. It was very disappointing. The restaurant wasn't very busy but we were seen by 3 different servers and they were not on the same page (asking to take our order when another already had, etc.). My husband ordered a steak and was given a different meal. He told them about the mistake and his correct dish came out about 25 minutes later (when I was nearly finished my meal). I understand mistakes happen, but usually a restaurant of this caliber should take the entree off the check, offer a discount, perhaps even apologize?? but we received nothing. No discount and we paid full price for the steak he received 25 minutes late. I know they recently renovated this restaurant/revamped the menu but I'm not sure if we will be trying it anytime soon.

    (3)

  • Michelle Z.

    Love love loved this place! Me and a girlfriend took a trip to DC and spent our last day in Alexandria. Although the weather was horrendous we stumbled upon the Majestic. Very lovely décor and the nicest bartender we experienced the whole time we were away. Thanks, Brandon! He even suggested places to go and see and offered to be a tour guide! I had the Salmon BALT which was to die for. And there was some kind of lemony dressing on their salad that I am still dreaming about. If they had a better beer selection I would have given it 5 stars ;) The menu was very good though. I mean come on...duck meatloaf?!?!? DROOL.....Also, the cocktail list looked amazing! We went around Happy Hour and lots of people were getting these fancy champagne cocktails which looked yummy. I would definitely go back there if I am in Alexandria again.

    (4)

  • Lisa B.

    Good food at the price of an occasion restaurant. The food and service never live up to the cost. I go often for lunch since colleagues have heard good things and want to try it but we always leave unimpressed. Never had a bad meal, never had an exceptional meal. IF someone I am with wants to go I rarely insist otherwise, but it is never my first choice.

    (3)

  • Kimmy N.

    Great place to meet up for lunch! We were here back in December and our waitress was wonderful! The bouillabaisse was fantastic, so we ordered another bowl. Be forewarn, I was expecting a small bowl, and the size was much unexpected!

    (5)

  • Charlie S.

    Great service from Paula and good food. I enjoyed the pork belly. Small but sufficient portions, no need for doggy bag. I'll be back.

    (4)

  • Elaine C.

    Cute restaurant in Old Town. The food was tasty, but the staff looked like they could care less. The first waiter I had actually disappeared, with a new waiter in place, with no explanation. The next was nice, but seemed preoccupied. He didn't really seem interested in talking, other than taking my order. And it wasn't busy. Good thing the food made up for the service! I had the sandwich of the day, which was barbecued pork with homemade coleslaw on top. Amazing! I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. I would come back on my next visit, but hope the staff is more hospitable.

    (3)

  • Jenn M.

    Don't let the neon lights sign outside of the restaurant fool you. We had family from out of town and decided to take them to Alexandria to venture and see the beauty of what Virginia has to offer. I was in search of a good place for dinner and The Majestic came up. At first the signage outside immediately made me believe this was a fast food/diner style place but as soon as you walk in, it's actually nice and modern, dimly lit, and definitely not like a diner. We didn't have to wait too long for a Friday night, without a reservation, AND a party of 6. I ordered the mushroom ravioli and it was good! Full of flavor and just the right amount of seasoning. It only comes in about 8-10 ravioli pieces. I'm a petite person so it was just the right amount to satisfy my hunger but I think I could have ate more. The grilled whole fish looked amazing though! They do a side table presentation of it and take out the bones right at your table. It was quite an art! It looked delicious but I didn't get to try it. Service was friendly and prompt. All but one of our dishes came at the same time and of course, not to be rude, we didn't want to start eating without the last dish coming out. I'm guessing the kitchen couldn't help it because maybe that dish takes longer to prepare. The still water they serve was refreshing and tasted clean! (but that's because they bottle their own, none of that tap water business!) After dinner, they served these coconut truffles that were amazing! Overall, we had a good time. It was a nice first experience. It was pretty pricey here though but worth the price for the quality of food.

    (4)

  • Jessica K.

    Quite yummy! Service was knowledgeable, took us without a reservation rather quickly. Bartended was somewhat friendly, but, made great drinks!

    (4)

  • Luis M.

    While in town on business I met up with a friend who lives in the area. We were debating about where to have dinner, when I looked outside the trolley and saw the sign--so off we went. We were greeted at a hostess station by a friendly face, who offered to store my carry-on bag. A heavy, suede-like curtain divided the entryway from the dining area. When we passed through we were seated at a good-sized booth near the front of the restaurant. Though not terribly big, the room seemed spacious, which is probably attributable to the minimalist design and the mirrors that flanked both walls, at an angle, which made the space seem larger. The space was well-lit without being blindingly bright, creating a great, cozy-chic vibe. Our server, Ben, immediately greeted us after we were seated and provided us water as we looked over the menu. I selected a pear-flavored martini and a goat cheese-red pepper dip with crustini to kick-off the meal, one of the evening's specials. For the main course I selected a duck meatloaf, served with emulsified sweet potatoes and grilled asparagus. My dinner companion had a glass of wine and a scallop dish. We were provided bread as we waited and our water glasses were never empty, as the service was very good. The only thing that rivaled the attentive service was the taste of the food. The dip was amazing--packed with flavor, savory, and smoky. When the main course arrived, the presentation was impressive as the duck and potatoes were very well-plated. The sweetness of the potatoes paired well with the duck, and worked to temper its boldness. My friend loved the scallops, and was equally satisfied with her choice. Overall, the service, ambiance, and food were REALLY good and a wonderful mix of elevated cuisine in a welcoming, friendly atmosphere. Though the prices were a tad high, the quality of the food and service were priceless.

    (5)

  • Geoff And Jenni G.

    The Majestic is (apparently) an institution in Alexandria. How it got this reputation is baffling to us! From the moment we walked in we felt everything was a rush and they wanted us in and out so they could get someone else into our seats (we were sat at the bar). Also - they had run out of 3 main courses (we arrived at 7:30pm!!!) - 2 out of 3 were fish dishes and we don't eat meat - great start to the evening guys! We ordered appetizers which literally arrived within 3 minutes. The guacamole was very good (but HUGELY overpriced at $14) and the tortilla's that came with it were thick and stodgy. My wife ordered the caesar salad, which was completely average. The fried green tomatoes tasted of old oil. The ginger and lemon grass creme brûlée was really good, however the chocolate lava cake was completely dry and there was no chocolate lava to be seen anywhere... it also said it took 20 minutes to prepare and as with everything we were served, it came out within 2 to 3 minutes of being ordered... so not really a surprise... We found out after we had eaten that there were specials, that the server had not told us about. Overall, we thought it was overpriced, with poor service and over-priced average food... we would not recommend the Majestic Cafe, nor would we return, despite it's reputation...

    (1)

  • Paul A.

    Unhelpful and surly staff, poor service, food mediocre at best so basically your typical Old Town Restaurant. When will these guys learn? That said, it seems to be populated with "regulars" which if their sense of style is anything to go by explains why they put up with this. The Bacon and Blue Cheese Mussels managed to overcook the mussels and undercook the bacon and the broth was overly acidic - if I had one recommendation it would be that the kitchen actually taste the food they put out!

    (1)

  • Ruth C.

    Food rating based on limited sampling: 3 stars. Bar rating based on repeated sampling: 4.5 stars. The Majestic, a multi-part story. Un: Ian. Julia A and I have an undeniable chemistry. It starts with secret looks through lidded lashes, whispers and giggles, light brushes here and there. And suddenly we fall into place and explode in an unstoppable feeding frenzy. We wanted nosh and sippies, stat. Bellied up at the bar and ordered away: fried green tomatoes, beignets, a Delicious Sour, and a "I Cut The Fucking Tree Down and I'd Do It Again." Yes, I ordered it so I could say the name without censorship, but it was an excellent choice: the bourbon, madeira, and cherry bitters melded wonderfully across my tongue. Julia's Delicious Sour lived up to half its name since the tartness was played way down. Pretty bar, clean modern finish. Fried green tomatoes were layered with herbed goat cheese, mounded with julienned ramps, and laid across a bed of diced beets. Mushroom and red wine reduction dressed the dish lightly. Not my favorite version of FGTs, but it has its own merits as a salad. Beignets were piping hot in their half-sack, tossed thoroughly in powdered sugar and ready to dip in chocolate and/or bourbon sauces. That bourbon icing had me fingering the bowl, but the beignets themselves still didn't measure up to my baseline at the Kennedy Center Rooftop Restaurant. As the last stop in the night, I filed away the Between The Sheets for another day. Deux: Ana & Ian. Ana, I want to write you a lascivious love letter, expressing my readiness to white-knight to anyone who dares question your Ruby Tuesday pedigree. I want to snap secret photographs of you hunched over my cocktails, driving you to contemplate filing the newest in a line of restraining orders against me. ...Oh wait, that's been done. Back to the drawing board. Rocked an Oriental, as it was fitting and turned out to be serious business. Tasted from the guava-tastic Zombie/Volcano bowl, successfully recommended the ICTFTDAIDIA, mocked the iconic but tasty pina colada complete with coconut, and passed around a Bobby Brown. Last call yielded a Blood and Sand request from me, which was a revelation. This was a successful WWCGD expedition. Trois: Ana & Ian. In which I am recognized in connection to aforementioned antics, and we threaten to kidnap Ian's beloved blonde. As a result, I find myself bringing an endless parade of unusual characters who will soon become believers in The Majestic by last call. Stories are exchanged about feckless youth. Also, the managerial looking fellow unleashes newly acquired trivia regarding Tiki-related history. You weren't supposed to hear my comment about how you make the best Blood & Sand I've tasted, but I guess you would've found out either way since I'd already planned on singing Ana praises on this point. That and the predictable drink order I'm developing. Color me appreciative for continuing to make me ICTFTDAIDIA's and B&S's long after they've disappeared from the print menu; the devotion to American classics and Todd Thrasher's elixirs is admirable. P.S. Eternal thanks to Ana and Ian, my Majestic yin and yang bartenders. I'm a tasting adventurer at heart but it speaks volumes that I keep gravitating back towards certain drinks. That and I've seen so many tasty items cross the seasonal food menu that I'm determined to have a proper meal here. I'm always a bit bummed by how early closing time is.

    (4)

  • Anna L.

    Wonderful experience - great food, great service and great atmosphere! We had reservations for Saturday night at 9:15. We arrived early and decided to have a drink at the bar. The bartenders here are amazing - very knowledgeable about the drinks, wine and liquors the restaurant serves. It was fun watching them work so we decided to just eat dinner at the bar. Lauren took fantastic care of us even recommending a wine with our dinner that worked out very well. We started out with a cocktail - I tried a bourbon drink with Berentzen Apple Liqueur. I am not a fan of bourbon or overly sweet drinks. This drink was served in a martini glass and quite tasty. We had the tomatoes and potatoes appetizer next - it was delicious. So many flavors and they melded together perfectly. I highly recommend getting this appetizer. For dinner, I had the braised lamb shank and my husband had the meat loaf. Again both wonderfully prepared - delicious and full of flavor. Portions were huge - neither of us finished our meal, but we wanted to try the churros for dessert. They were served hot with chocolate and Kahlua dipping sauce. Delicious! If you plan to come, make your reservations far enough in advance. We made the reservations for Saturday 3 weeks ago and the earliest availability was 9:15. Slots fill up quickly! However, surprisingly the bar was not that busy when we went in and was a nice place to enjoy a meal as well. A touch pricey, but a great restaurant to celebrate a special occasion. We'll be back!

    (5)

  • Candice M.

    Loved this swank restaurant! Need reservations; even on a weekday. Our waiter was awesome and made great suggestions. The menu changes with seasonal, local produce. We enjoyed the fried green tomato plate as a starter paired with a bold Malbec. Progressed to the meatloaf, whipped potatoes and green beans. The beans were divine! We then finished the evening with the Majestic coconut cake. Definitely will return!

    (5)

  • Christine C.

    I was really looking forward to dining here, but my experience was a royal disappointment. My parents visited for my birthday, and I chose to celebrate at The Majestic. The bread and butter were good, but that's where the enjoyment ended. Presentation fell extremely flat. Every entree (monkfish, meatloaf, seafood stew, and liver & onions) came out looking like a grey/brown pile of mush with a taste to match. To make things worse, a female expediter standing on the dining room side of the open kitchen was yelling at the chefs to hurry up. My mom commented about how distracting and inappropriate that was. I will not be returning to this establishment.

    (2)

  • Victor R.

    Visiting from out of town, so admittedly already smiten with Old Town Alexandria. I've eaten at a lot of nice restaurants, but this one was fantastic. Strolled in for an early dinner looking like tourists and were treated like royalty. That's the one quality that surpassed the food. Only complaint was being nickel and dimed for extra tortillas to go with the tableside guac (which was quite good, by the way).

    (5)

  • Les B.

    My friends and I had been looking forward to a meal at the Majestic. Our first impression of the restaurant was when the host told us he could seat us at 5:30pm for our reservation, but that we would have to be done with our table by 7:15pm! This was rude and we should have walked out right then! Nothing like having a stopwatch ticking on your dinner! After waiting 15 minutes for our server to take our drink order, we were already worried about the time. Our drinks and appetizers were very good but the entrees were only average at best. Three out of four entrees were "Meh". Veggie lasagna was average, the catfish was completely overpowered by the astringent sauce, and the waitperson tried to convince us that the water chestnuts were squash blossoms!! Crazy! Only the softshells were good. NEVER once did they ask us if everything was OK. Once the food was served, that was the end of the service. When the meal was over, we told the waitperson that three meals were not good and one was good. Her reply was to laugh. She did not even ask us what was wrong with the food nor did she apologize to us. This was a completely disappointing dining experience. The restaurant Eve WAS on our list to try, but after this experience we will cross off both Society Faire AND Eve and try some other places in Old Town.

    (2)

  • Monica L.

    I'm not buying what you're putting down, Majestic. Those neon lights and weird-colored banquettes may evoke a diner, but you are no diner. Not even close. So this is another baby of Cathal Armstrong and Todd Thrasher. I guess there isn't very much more to be said about it. The food is seasonal and delicious, thoughtfully and appropriately presented, but without being pretentious. The wine list is very much focused on the New World (West Coast and Australia), so I was completely lost. Our server was very knowledgable, though, and helped us navigate. Very attentive service, although at times veering towards rushing. I normally abhor specialty cocktails, but the list here was outstanding. Neither of the cocktails we ordered were overly alcoholic or syrupy, just drinkable to the point of being dangerous... They do seem to use quite a bit of crushed ice, which may or may not be a dealbreaker for the drink purists. After two courses, I was too full for dessert (I know, when does THAT happen??!), but the boyfriend ordered beignets. The word that comes to mind to describe them is "whimsical," as they came in a tiny version of a brown paper lunch bag with two dipping sauces. Very thick and not as light as we expected them to be, they were a heavy and greasy end to a night that was otherwise downright swell.

    (4)

  • Jaron H.

    Best meal I've had in recent memory. Everything was delicious, but I would especially recommend the fried green tomatoes.

    (5)

  • Barbra B.

    I was debating between 4 and 5 stars and decided to err on the generous side since I really enjoyed everything I ate and drank - and so did my friends. We ate there on a recent Friday night. Like others who already posted, I had the fried green tomato/potato/fried egg appetizer and it was quite tasty and satisfying. I found the portion to be on the generous side so am glad I split it with a friend. I had the Chesapeake seafood chowder and found it very flavorful and full of delicious seafood - mussels, clams, scallops, shrimp, etc. I shared the red velvet cake and it was very good and moist with yummy frosting - a HUGE piece - too much for two of us to finish. The cocktails were also a hit at our table - we were there for the first night of the spring cocktail menu so our waiter couldn't help us much with our choices unfortunately - I was a bit wary of all of the cocktails with egg white, but I went for it and ordered the White Lady and really enjoyed it (vodka, cointreau, egg white). They also provide free house still or sparkling water, which I always find to be a nice touch. Definitely get a reservation for dinner - especially on a weekend. Not cheap, but typical prices for Old Town/DC Metro.

    (5)

  • Eric J.

    We visited the Majestic for the first time in about 10 years (we have moved further away) and are glad we did. The food was excellent, including a spectacular corn velouté and fried green tomatoes as appetizers and a filet with great chimichurri sauce and a nice piece of fish with delicious vegetables as mains. Service was friendly and professional, and I enjoyed a rare cocktail -- a delightful mint julep. Only minor disappointment was dessert, which was good but not great.

    (5)

  • Jaye V.

    Go for the Royal Pick. If you are in the area or have the day off, go here during lunch. $12 for an entree (which includes most of the items on the dinner menu) and a non-alcoholic drink - is a steal. You have to eat at the bar. I've been twice and have already spotted who the regulars are. Like *every day* regulars. Try one of their homemade sodas (the watermelon mint & the spicy ginger are delicious); they'll even throw in some crazy straws. Just feel like water? They filter/purify/bottle it themselves in-house. If you order a drink, it's an awesome process to watch. Each cocktail takes about 6-8 minutes; considering the head bartender is Todd Thrasher (same for Restaurant Eve & PX - and an international bartending/mixology competition winner) - they are works of art. The best thing on the Royal Pick menu is the seafood stew. The seafood is so fresh and beautiful that it almost hurts to eat it. The broth is magnifique. The dollop of Old Bay saffron aioli on top is perfect. And it'll fill you up because they give you bread to dip in the broth. Mmmmmm. Last time I was there, I tried a dessert. They were a bit expensive, but I felt like trying the coconut cream cake. No wonder it was like $8 - it was a MASSIVE slice, and the two of us could only eat half of it. It didn't have the freshest taste/texture, though, so next time I'll try the dessert elsewhere.

    (5)

  • talia r.

    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.

    (2)

  • Peter W.

    Made the decision to try this place out based on the glowing yelp reviews. I'm glad I was paying attention. Busy but not uncomfortably so on a Sunday night, we were able to get seats at the bar and shortly after a table without reservations. The fried green tomatoes were excellent. I've had them several times from several places and these might be the best. The scallops were ok, but a little fishy tasting. Conventional wisdom about having seafood on Sunday may explain this. They weren't bad, just a little fishier than I would have liked. The Coco'a Vin was very good. The bird was a bit dry in places, but the cocoa preparation tasted delicious. I was very happy with it. After the appetizer and entrees, dessert seemed unlikely, but after seeing the Red's Velvet Cake on the menu, I had to try it. I'm sure, you've had red velvet cake before. It's become relatively ubiquitous, and for me, that's a good thing. On the other hand, have you ever had Red Velvet cake with Bacon shavings on it? I know the "bacon makes everything better" meme is pretty tired at this point, but in this case, it really was super tasty. The menu describes the cake as having essence of bacon. I don't know if this refers to only the shavings or if perhaps there is some bacon fat used in the cake or frosting. Regardless, despite being ready to burst, it was all I could do to stop eating this cake. I don't know if circumstances will put me in the Majestic's path any time soon, but if I find my way back there I'll certainly be happy about it.

    (4)

  • Mitzi G.

    What a shame! The Majestic USED TO BE a restaurant for locals with a palate, in search of an upscale, lively experience. The new management which took over a few months ago, destroyed the menu and the quality. They use cheaper ingredients, the "cooked to perfection" is now cooked by someone with seemingly no formal training, they think they can still call themselves "mixologists" but the cocktails are totally unbalanced, and the service is lacking at best. Let me give you examples: 1. an expensive martini should include a fresh olive, not some pruned dud out of a jar 2. medium rare steak shouldn't take a chainsaw to cut through. As an Old Town-Townie I am very hopeful someone else takes over this space. Alexandria has too much tourist food and low budget junk... We essentially comb the Old Town options for dinner as a last resort these days. (PS When I complained to the bartender, who identified himself as the head mixologist, about the utter transformation, he filled me in: the dimwits who own the building thought they could make more money than the previous chef/management team. So they didn't renew their contract and set out on this exercise in destruction.) Ugh. Such a pity. I hope this management group stops before they ruin any other dining destination.

    (1)

  • Jennifer C.

    Update on the Majestic. I've now eaten at the restaurant three times since it came under new management. I have to say - the service has improved quite a bit. No more weird attitude and you can now have a meal in under two hours, which is a plus in my book. I've sampled the pot roast, the burger, butternut squash risotto, and calamari as well as key lime pie. All were very good. I will keep eating here regularly!

    (4)

  • Natalie V.

    This place is rather like an upscale Ted's Bulletin. I originally was going to rate it 4 stars, but am writing this review a few months after I dined there and am realizing that, with one exception, the food wasn't memorable and I've not had a desire to return. So three stars it is. I came here with a friend for his birthday lunch. I got the burger and he ordered the cheesesteak, he thinks. He can't remember what he ordered, which is probably another sign that this place only deserves 3 stars. He loved his meal, I was a little underwhelmed by the burger, primarily because the meat wasn't seasoned all that well. It also didn't come with a pickle, which is strange, but didn't stop me from asking for one. Thank goodness I did because it was the best pickle I have ever had in my life. For reference, the former best pickles I have had were at The Bagel in Chicago, and Johnny's Luncheonette in Newton, MA. Those were great pickles, but the pickle at the Majestic made me want to drop all my hobbies and spend all my free time and money figuring out how to make a pickle just like this. This is a 5-star pickle. Service was ridiculously good. I remember the quality of service more than I remember my meal. Love the make-it-all-here philosophy behind the restaurant, and love the decor. This would be a good place to take older, out of town friends if you are looking for a cozy quiet place to catch up.

    (3)

  • Christopher P.

    The Majestic solved the eternal and ever-present quandary of where to take your parents while they're in town visiting. We'd been to steakhouses and a few other great area places (8407 Kitchen Bar in Silver Spring being one of my mother's favorites), but since she flew into Reagan National Airport in close proximity to Alexandria, I figured we'd stop in for lunch. The Majestic is an art deco styled cafe, built on the roots of the original 1949 restaurant "The Majestic Cafe," and it pairs well with high-end dining destination Restaurant Eve and craft-speakeasy bar PX, the other postings from Majestic partners Todd Thrasher and Cathal Armstrong. Based on that history, it is the only business in Old Town permitted to hang a neon sign. They feature sandwiches (BLT; 'Royale' with Cheese burger; Chicken Salad), salads, and soups (Classic Caesar; Raddiccio and Pear; Chesapeake Seafood Stew) alongside classically-inspired cocktails and craft beer. Price is a little high, but the quality of the food and drink is well worth the premium. The interior is spare in decoration but true to cafe-style roots, with vinyl booths and fresh bread brought to the table. The cocktails are stiff and classic - I enjoyed a 'The Last Ward,' which recalled both a 'Last Word' and a 'Ward 8' - but there were plenty of choices for good craft beer out of the bottle. This attention to preliminary detail almost made appetizers unnecessary, but my wife nonetheless enjoyed the fried oysters (huge!). The service was outstanding, as Kyle answered all our questions and managed the flow of the meal adeptly. Granted, it was fairly empty for an early Saturday afternoon, but he seemed comfortable with the menu and was clearly knowledgeable with it's entirety. Everyone enjoyed their main courses - my Banh Mi (a pork sandwich made with pickled vegetables in a Vietnamese style) was outstanding, especially with such fresh bread. I believe the bread gets delivered every morning from Society Fair. All in all, the Majestic is a gem of a place. Every time I've eaten here, I find something new to bring me back...and yet I've never had anything twice. I am lucky enough to have an excellent guide to the restaurants of Alexandria, but I nonetheless feel fortunate to have experienced the simplicity and focus that the Majestic brings forth. I will have to stop by on a Sunday for "Nana's Sunday Dinner." The Majestic is focused and pulled off extremely well, and in my opinion, they have made quite a mark on the dining scene (within my limited experience) in Alexandria.

    (5)

  • Karen B.

    This used to be my favorite restaurant for lunch in Old Town Alexandria. I always looked forward to my weekly visit there to indulge in the delicious bread, amazing lemonade and awesome Chicken Salad sandwich. I took a group of co-workers there for lunch this week (my first time going since the change in ownership) and was sooo disappointed. They were out of chicken (I mean, how can a restaurant be out of chicken???) and out of Rockfish. The lemonade was not nearly as good as it used to be (although the waitress assured me it was better than what had been previously served) and there was no bread. The place was empty for a lunch hour. I think maybe 5 tables were occupied at 12.45pm. Very different from the way it used to be. That was probably my last time going there.

    (1)

  • Megan H.

    After a dreadfully cold winter and a soggy mess of a spring, the weather was finally on it's best behavior on this Saturday night. We wandered down King Street, which was lined with festively lit trees, and landed at The Majestic in all its neon light glory. It was getting rather late in the evening so we quickly ordered our appetizers and entrees. Our first spread included Fried Green Tomatoes, which was generously covered in chunks of Pecorino cheese, and Sauteed Skate Wing. The skate could have easily been an entree on its own, but it was the perfect appetizer for 4 people. It had a really soft and tender flesh, that was not overly fishy in taste at all - don't be afraid to give it a try! The apps (both of which were recommended by the server) were a great start to the meal. Next up were the entrees, of which we ordered two of the Chesapeake Bay Seafood Stew and two of the Pan Roasted Salmon. Two is better than one, right? Both mains were pretty darn good and I'm having a hard time deciding which is the better of the two! Mushrooms are my jam, so the morels bathing around the creamed leeks were just wonderful with the medium-cooked salmon steak. But I'm also a sucker for a solid seafood broth and toasted bread to soak it all up. We were all stuffed to the maximum by the time the dessert menus came around, but the massive slices of cake and sweets that circulated around the restaurant seemed incredibly decadent. I'll have to save that for next time, when I come back to try out their Sunday dinner :) Service was impeccable. While making the reservation, I noted that we had a peanut allergy in our party and this was probably confirmed with us about 3 or 4 times at the beginning of our meal. I can't recall his name, but our (attractive :P) server was so pleasant and patient with us, even as we sat in the restaurant after closing to chatter away.

    (4)

  • Sahar N.

    Meh. 2.5 stars. Hate to say it but it just wasn't great. Everyone was friendly, though, which gave them a star. I got the fettuccine and mussels. The mussels tasted like mussels - not a bad thing necessarily but not good when they've been cooked in sauce (so should taste like said sauce). It's just that the sauce was really runny and, though the flavor was ok, none of that flavor actually got into the rest of the food. Since I didn't have a spoon, it's not like I could eat the sauce either. It simply rolled right off of the pasta and mussels, as if it had never been there. Speaking of the pasta - I'm all for al dente pasta but this was beyond al dente bordering on not quite done cooking. Also, it was really hard to actually eat the pasta because, despite sitting in that runny sauce, it was dry, so it wouldn't wrap around the fork. I ended up using the tiny fork they provided for the mussels to eat the pasta one by one until I decided to just finish off the mussels and forget the pasta altogether. The guys both got the duck meatloaf (tonight's special) and said they enjoyed that - which gave this review it's higher rating. My friend Z got the burger and she said it just wasn't that great. Despite liking the duck meatloaf, the guys both admitted they probably wouldn't recommend the restaurant to a friend. I guess cus us girls had such bad luck with our orders, it kind of left everyone feeling.... ... meh.

    (3)

  • Eric L.

    I'm not a fan of alot of the places in Old Town, mostly because I feel they are price gauging and I suppose it's understandable since the rent probably goes up higher all the time. There isn't anything majestic about Majestic burgers... I know that much. I ordered the burger for lunch and it was entirely unmemorable and I am not compelled to go back and try it again. I like to either taste a variety of flavor in my burger or be able to taste the beef of my burger and this... just tasted like a plain burger. I suppose this is my fault... if I wanted a burger I should have gone to a burger place. Anyway... the service was great and no complaints there. I would say that's why I gave 3 stars instead of 2. Majestic hamburger though is another example of why I tell people to avoid a majority of the places to eat in Old Town.

    (3)

  • Spike D.

    Wow! Appearances may be deceiving. Looks like a retro grill on the outside but inside it is top notch. Since I ate at the bar, I can't say much about the dining area but this place gets top marks for food, crafty cocktails and service. I really enjoyed the turf cocktail to start followed by stuffed soft shell crab entree. Time to go back for a more relaxed visit. Reservations are probably a must.

    (4)

  • Mike R.

    First stop back by since I have returned to the area and since they have come under new management. I am lowering my review to three stars...(which means it is perfectly acceptable in my book)...it is just that there was nothing outstanding, nor was there anything to significantly detract from my experience. I only drank, so I can't comment on the food. Bar staff does seem to be a little less knowledgeable than one would expect....especially when you consider the lineage of this establishment. All in all, I am not going to recommend against it and I am not going to advocate for it....it just is what it is. I will certainly go back, but I may not visit as often as I did when I previously lived in the area.

    (3)

  • Alvin B.

    Really disappointed in the Majestic after the change in management. It has gone substantially downhill. Tastes like Sysco/Aramark fare now, with about as much creativity in the kitchen. I had probably been 20 times before the change. I thought their bar staff was snooty and slow, but everything else was on point. I've been twice since the new management, but I won't go again. Really, really disappointing.

    (1)

  • Mattie C.

    This is my Mom's favorite place in Alexandria - if she were writing this review, she would tell you to get the fried green tomatoes!! I actually haven't tried them here, but I have been here twice and would say the food is quite delicious. I have had the extremely tasty She Crab Soup and last week I had their scallop dish - I wish I had written down the ingredients of it because I can't remember what made up the "bed" that the scallops were lying on, but it was delicious! I cleaned my plate. I don't remember what beers they have, which means they probably don't have much of a selection. There is a decent amount of wine choices though. The outside looks like a theater, and actually for a long time I walked right by mistaking it as one! But the inside is the decor of a normal fancy restaurant. The prices are those of a normal fancy restaurant in Alexandria as well, note - HIGH. This is why my impulse was to give it 3 stars and not something higher. My admittedly delicious scallop dish was $27, the cheapest wine was $9 a glass. The prices for appetizers and sides are sadly quite high as well which is why the only one I've tried so far is the She Crab Soup :(

    (3)

  • Brent W.

    This place rocks! A place where casual meets competence. If you are lucky enough to sit close to the kitchen, you can watch the mastery of expeditor chef Shannon work her magic. It's incredible to watch someone so good at what they do in action. I have never seen such a focused and tightly run kitchen crew. And the end user experience is nothing short of exceptional. I think the casual dress and laid back dining experience makes this place even more impressive. While you are already in a relaxed state of mind you only become more relaxed after you realize there is a such a great team taking care of you. With handmade guacamole and Cesar salad done right at your table (something I am used to seeing only at the expensive restaurants) you soon realize how heavenly this place is. The guy who was making these items was great, explaining the ingredients and teaching us along the way. The prix fixe menu was a good way to go. You get 3 courses for 1 value price-point. My main course choice of seafood chowder was incredible. It was served hot and with excellent flavors. By dessert time I was pretty full but the gelato was tasty and refreshing. This is one of my top dining experiences, thank you Majestic!

    (5)

  • Arthur R.

    In a short amount of time, I realized it had been too long since my last visit to The Majestic. During a very busy weekend in the DC area -- cherry blossoms, parades - I doubted that there would be a table available at The Majestic for me and my three friends. I was delighted that we could be accommodated right away (using OpenTable). We were greeted and seated promptly. Our server introduced herself and then set about to distribute menus and wine lists, and to answer our questions. Warm bread and butter appeared quickly. The entrees included scallops - a favorite of mine. Having had a terrible experience at McCormick and Schmick's where I paid a very high price for a tiny service, I inquired about the serving size and was assured it was generous. The wait time was appropriate for the dishes we had ordered. Our meals arrived hot and beautifully presented. And the scallops entree was indeed a very generous portion of four large scallops, cooked through, yet soft and juicy. The risotto was a perfect accompaniment. My side of french fries had been prepared specifically for my order -- hot and crispy. My friends' orders included the goat cheese salad with chicken added, and the house burger. We were having such a good time we decided to order desserts, including a special cherry soft cheesecake. Portions were large enough to share. The price is absolutely reasonable. We agreed that every dollar spent was well worth the excellence of the food and the total experience. As we left, I chatted with one of the owners who was staffing the front desk. I mentioned how happy we were and that only one thing could have made it better -- an array of cheeses brought to the table after dessert. He said he would look into it. Without breaking the bank, The Majestic certainly qualifies as a special occasion destination.

    (5)

  • Lindsy R.

    I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this restaurant when I first read the menu. Everything sounded great but a lot of times the follow through is inadequate. BUT: All four of us dining had very happy taste buds. Everything was delicious. Especially the steak, purple cabbage, and au gratin potatoes meal, the salmon with couscous and veggies, and the amazing coconut cake!!!! I wish we lived near Virginia to eat here again. Definitely recommend!

    (4)

  • John I.

    Been here three times....definitely try the seafood stew....sooooo flavorful and delicious ! The coconut cake is heaven! Yum! Friendly service, a tad pricey but worth it!

    (4)

  • Esther Z.

    I am ambivalent about the Majestic's rating. It is definitely not a 5. With the tip, our late lunch bill for 2 was $100, minus some change. Drinks (1 Gold Leaf beer, 1 excellent mixed drink and 1 glass of wine) were $28. The $15 Octopus appetizer, my main course, was OK but I wished afterward that I had ordered a sandwich. The meat was to tough. The flavors did not suit me. I was unimpressed so perhaps this dish is not quite OK, more on meh side (a 3). I tasted the pork belly confit, it was excellent even if I could feel my arteries clogging as I swallowed. This dish gets a 5. There were 4 of us total, 2 friends on another tab. One friend had the Fried 'Amish' Poussin (chicken). She ate a few bites then pushed the chicken around the plate a lot, saying disappointedly that she should have also ordered something else (a 2 rating). A $26 disappointment. I forget what my other friend had. She said her dish was good though. There were 2 meal disappointments and 1 solid hit and 1 OK. Two meals for $72, excludes $28 for drinks, should not disappoint anyone is my logic. If those same 2 meals (1 hit, 1 miss) cost $40-45, then I would cut the restaurant more slack in the rating. I am being magnanimous, perhaps to much so, with a 3 star rating. Besides, a southern restaurant should never mess up chicken even if you give the dish a fancy French name. Yep, I convinced myself. A 3 rating is fair. OBTW: Our server was nice. The kitchen staff prepared my octopus, which was supposed to come out with the others main course, to early but Mike's personality explaining the mixup was so genuine, it was not taken into consideration for this review nor when we tipped. NOTE: There is a full bar area with stools in front section of this restaurant. I can't remember if there is a TV for game watching though.

    (3)

  • Hadley T.

    This used to be one of the best restaurants in Old Town Alexandria prior to the recent management/chef/staff changes. Unfortunately, not anymore. I went there this past Sunday night and had what was, quite possibly the worst meal I've experienced in a long time. The menu has gone from innovative, to bland and boring. The person I was dining with ordered the meatloaf which was try, overly salty and covered in undercooked bacon. This was served with overcooked green beans and mashed potatoes that were mixed with what tasted like a horseradish cream. I had an overly salty hamburger (tasted like Lawry's seasoning salt had been added), topped with ice-cold, undercooked bacon slices. The burgers at BGR (just around the corner on Washington St. ) are MUCH better in addition to being more reasonably priced. I got the impression that there is no chef now, rather they simply operate with line cooks (something many average chain restaurants do) and a very basic menu. The wait staff is also inexperienced, and there seemed to be no manager on site. The drink menu now lacks the creativity that was present before. Such a shame that the owners of this restaurant chose to break away from the Eat Good Food Group - big mistake. If you want a great meal - head elsewhere.

    (1)

  • Cat P.

    Moderate to expensive restaurants sometimes smile upon the poorer folk who also happen to be foodies by offering lunch specials. The Majestic is one of them. For $12, you get your choice of drink (iced tea/soda) and entree. Certainly not Subway in terms of affordability, but hey, you're not here if you want Subway quality. The Majestic is an Old Town Alexandria institution. It constantly gets praise from food critics and locals alike for its Southern influenced fare. The setting is casual, but the prices are on par with other "nicer" places you'll encounter on King Street. The restaurants range from crowd-pleasing to downright awful. The Majestic is the cream of the crop, as far as Old Town and maybe even all of Alexandria. Anyway, if you're looking to try this famous restaurant but your wallet isn't too fat, go for their "Counter Menu," which features appealing options such as Chesapeake Bay seafood stew and chicken salad sandwich. I sampled the raviolini, which came in an olive oil, basil and garlic sauce. Yum! The sauce was exactly what I like-nutty, creamy and with real slivers of garlic on top. This dish would have been perfect...had the pasta not been shy of al dente (nice way of saying slightly undercooked). Nonetheless, I still am a fan. The portion was just right, too. I neglected to ask my friend how her Carolina pulled pork sandwich was, but she seemed pleased so I'm going to go ahead and give it a thumbs up. Oh yes, and she's a quite discerning critic, more so than me.

    (4)

  • Holly N.

    Post management change review. The food is still delicious! The menu has changed but old favorites like the whole fish and key lime pie are still on the menu. Both are still great. Service still wonderful but table side prep seems to be over which is sad. I hope they can keep the high standard that was set before the change. I recommend going and seeing if they can keep it up.

    (4)

  • Sabra R.

    SWOON!!! This place is simply wonderful! The seafood stew is the best I have EVER had! Rich, complex, and absolutely delicious! The fried green tomatoes will change your life. Just trust me on that one and order them. The pork shoulder was so tender that the server (who was wonderful--I hate that I forgot his name!) joked that he was going to take the knife because we wouldnt need it--and he was NOT exaggerating at all. My partner smiled the entire time she was eating it, saying that it was fork-tender and incredibly flavorful. We will be back again and again!

    (5)

  • Ryan E.

    Good take on Southern classics, but something was missing to put the flavors over the top.

    (3)

  • Christy C.

    Service is great. Menu changes seasonally. At last visit, I had the meatloaf and it was amazing!

    (4)

  • Greg G.

    I've been visiting The Majestic off and on for about a year for cocktails. Their bartenders are very professional and are very willing and able to prepare some pretty remarkable drinks -- true "mixologists". The Majestic certainly earns five stars for their drinks, but this review (and rating) is for a truly outstanding meal I had this past Friday evening. I started with their mushroom soup. Unlike most mushroom soups I've had, the Majestic's is not puréed or creamed. Instead, the soup reminded me of the broth from French Onion soup with an assortment of mushrooms instead of onions (it also did not have a crouton or cheese). It was served with nice "homemade" white bread and butter. The soup was wonderful -- hearty, but not heavy. For my entree I selected the pork confit with Brussels sprouts. The pork was served on a thin layer of butternut squash purée (at least that's what I think it was!). The Brussels sprouts were nicely cooked, but were otherwise unremarkable. However, the pork confit was well beyond "remarkable" -- it was one of the top dozen or so things I've ever had! I believe the pork began as a generously-sized thick-cut pork chop, then the chef performed the confit magic that transformed it into a succulent chunk of the most wonderful-tasting tenderest pork you could ever imagine! Bravo!

    (5)

  • M L.

    Our go-to restaurant in Old Town. The cocktails are very nice, and the food is always great. I finally pulled the trigger on the amish chicken and was not dissapointed. But no matter what, you have to get the Caesar salad. The best I have had in a long time. Great place!

    (5)

  • Shellene O.

    Stuffed pork chop was phenomenal, amazing pork stock and rosemary glaze with brussel sprouts on top of a hazelnut purée! Try some of the classy cocktails. Passion fruit sorbet and a wonderful gelato finished off out very pleasant meal.

    (5)

  • Roberta W.

    The food was terrific. Service was awkward and uncomfortable -- a very strange cross between obnoxious hovering and out and out neglect -- and this significantly detracted from our enjoyment of the evening.

    (3)

  • Rick P.

    This has become my new favorite place in Old Town.

    (5)

  • Noney A.

    I'm blown away by the service of this place. Our server meticulously executed a wonderful dinner from start to finish. Our utensils were replaced after each course and he even took the time to wipe the crumbs off the table. The food --- outstanding. Love the menu selection. I'll be back!

    (5)

  • Scott K.

    One of the best restaurants in Old Town. Shannon (Executive Chef) puts together a consistently superb menu with all original dishes. (You have to try the beet ravioli and the meatloaf.) Overall service is outstanding with the spit and polish performance behind the bar. Courtney (tonight's bartender) rocks!

    (5)

  • Michael S.

    Decided to stop at the Majestic Cafe while in town after reading some reviews online. We were able to find room for 12 without a reservation. Had the Chesapeake Bay Seafood Stew for dinner. Food was very good, but at $24 for a few pieces of seafood quite a bit overpriced. The same was true for the beverage selection.

    (4)

  • Berdi P.

    Wonderful food, and service attentive. Fried green tomatoes are a must! The specials are a treasure!

    (4)

  • Christopher T.

    I absolutely love old town Alexandria, this place fits in so well in the neighborhood. It has a diner feel, but upscale food and kind of unexpected. It has been awhile since i have been, but i remember that the food was very good and that it appeals to all audiences.

    (3)

  • AB S.

    I just visited for the first time since new management took over. I had the scallops with butternut squash and pancetta. The scallops were cooked to perfection, but we're very salty. Obviously pancetta is salty, but in this the actual scallops were so super salty. Other than that, everything was wonderful.

    (4)

  • A E.

    The thing I love most about this place is the Daily Layer Cake special--so save room for dessert!

    (4)

  • J G.

    Update: Was in a hurry the other day (Sunday brunch) and scored a parking space right in front so decided to give it another try. Was greeted by a smiling bartender, Mike, quite a refreshing difference from previous experiences. We sat at the bar and ordered a bloody mary and an excellent stout , recommended by Mike. Husband had the homemeade bratwurst which was excellent and I had the BLT-absolutely delicious. Overall a great experience. Now ready to see if the night time bartenders have lost the attitude, if so, it goes to 5 stars.

    (4)

  • Barbara H.

    The service is very attentive but not overly so, The menu inventive, sometimes too when it comes to sauces. All in all, a good but pricey place to eat lunch. Since the change of ownership, the noise volume is much lower, the bar is an excellent place to have an inexpensive but good lunch. My table had the special beet ravioli (*****), fried green tomatoes (****), chicken salad sandwich (the herb mentioned is tarragon (****), the BLT (like the chicken sandwich, messy to eat -- keep the waxed paper on (****), and the antipasto (***) - a sauce with it was sweet. The individual glasses of wine are at least $7.50 each. I will return and recommend to friends but will warn of prices.

    (4)

  • Jennifer N.

    Great bar, okay restaurant. Go early and grab a seat and experience some of the best cocktails on King Street with a nice, buzzing atmosphere. The restaurant is just average, and a little pricey for the quality of the food you get.

    (3)

  • Lindsay S.

    this place is yummy! took my parents here for sunday dinner and they loved it. they use very high quality, fresh ingredients and everything we had was very tasty. the meatloaf was awesome and the portion was huge. my parents had the nana's sunday dinner and the chicken was perfectly cooked. and their bread is great too. very clean place with very high quality food. we will def be going back!

    (5)

  • Gina F.

    One star for the mussels with chorizo, which were the saving grace of the meal. Boring and expensive sandwich. I tried ordering one of their housemade flavored sodas, but it was apparently sold out. At that point, there was way too much energy put into getting me to select a different drink...any drink...even though I said we were fine with water. Server was condescending and inattentive. I swear it's like she thought she saw two teenagers instead of a couple in their late twenties. After it became apparent that we were being ignored, the manager came to bus our table/refill drinks. After another long delay with our credit card on the table, the server came over to explain that after the manager voided her mistake, he would bring us our check. No apology for the wait, just TMI. As someone who has worked in several restaurants, I feel like there are times during a meal when a server can make up for the biggest mistakes with a little graciousness. If you're 'in the weeds' (which is MAYBE the explanation), there are plenty of ways to ensure that it doesn't affect your diners' meal. Luckily, this terrible experience was mitigated by a fantastic one at Misha's Coffee, which saved our Alexandria day-trip.

    (1)

  • Jennifer S.

    This is a place that took me a long time to get to (always meant to, just lazy), but it was well worth the wait. I first ate here a couple years ago after meeting Susan (the former head Chef) and Joe (the current head Chef) at a CIRA meeting. I was tempted by their personalities, but I have returned because of the food. First visit was for brunch. May I recommend the deep fried poached eggs with beluga lentils and tarragon-sun dried tomato butter sauce (enjoyed with a bellini of course). Another delish dish is the whole wheat buttermilk waffles with orange-pecan butter (for when you are watching the quality of your carbs). Garlic cheese grits and hushpuppies are a must to round it out (or just to be gluttonous like me). I love, love, love that they serve fresh oj. Second visit, third visit and fourth visit were also for brunch. I'm hooked (even with brunch options MUCH closer to me). The place is so charming and Joe is a darling! Now I must go for lunch and dinner...

    (4)

  • Ed C.

    Outstanding restaurant. Great food with very fresh ingredients. Service was friendly and attentive. We had mussels as appetizer, scallops and Chesapeake stew as entrees, while the vegetarian in our party had an assortment of side dishes, all of which exceeded our expectations. Portions were pretty big too so we had no room for desserts. We definitely felt the meticulous attention to detail as the bread served was warm and crunchy and the coffee that rounded out our meal was freshly brewed. Keep it up!

    (5)

  • Manning M.

    My wife and I ventured over the river last night to go out to dinner with friends in Old Towne. We constantly talk about spending more time in the area but always go for our stand-bys in DC when thinking about dining options. Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed The Majestic. From the decor to the service and food, everything was geared toward making you feel comfortable and at home. We each ordered a mix of starters and entrees and all were delicious. I ordered the meatloaf even though I'm not much of a meatloaf fan. Well I am now. This wasn't your typical heavy, ketchup covered slab of hamburger meat. While certainly not light, it was very approachable and I wasn't in a food coma after dinner. It had a wonderful mushroom gravy over top and chive mashed potatoes and carrots on the side. All of it said "Moms home cooking"...except much better (no offense Mom). This now goes on my list of stand-bys whenever I want some good, down home, comfort food in a relaxing and pleasant environment.

    (4)

  • D S.

    This is limited to lunch. Went with a coworker for the lunch deal at the bar. I had the seafood stew and loved it - good sized portion, rich buttery broth that begs for bread to sop it up in. It was pretty slow when I went - weekday at noon, and the way the dining room is laid out, I don't know that it would be conducive to privacy. But the bar lunch was great.

    (4)

  • Beth F.

    I'd be avoiding going back to the Majestic since it changed hands because I loved the old majestic so much. They always had a creative vegetarian entree and I loved brunch. But I went back to the Majestic on Saturday night and I think I liked it even better! The redone dining room is less noisy. The server we had was perfect. I ordered a sidecar and it was tasty. I ordered the fried green tomatoes and they were perfect. My boyfriend ordered the green salad and it was so hearty and delicious. For my main I ordered the vegetarian pasta which sounded so boring but I actually loved! It was homemade wheat fettuccine, very hearty, with tomatoes and cheese. I also got a class of pinot noir, which was actually one of the best pinots I've ever had. I briefly considered ordering another glass of the pinot and the pasta right then! But I restrained myself. For dessert we shared the icebox cake. It was chocolatey but light. All in all an absolutely perfect meal. In addition, I would be so happy to go back and just eat the vegetarian sides. They looked really good.

    (5)

  • Zsa Zsa D.

    I work in Old Town and picked this place to be treated to for lunch by my boss. I knew they had a new chef and wanted to check it out. We went on a Tuesday, and did not have a reservation, and were told they were COMPLETELY BOOKED for lunch! Seriously? In Old Town? On a Tuesday? Yup. So, we sat at the bar and ate there, and I began to see why it is so popular. The menu is tons of fun, and everything on it is house-made. The bartender serving us was great- when I ordered a limeade, I watched in awe as he squeezed limes by hand to make it for me. I ordered the salad of the day, which was mostly watercress- yum- topped with seared scallops and almonds, tossed in an orange vinaigrette. It was delightful- the scallops were huge and cooked perfectly. My boss had a chicken salad sandwich that also looked tempting. It was served with the thinnest, crispiest of homemade potato chips. The bread was also great- a nice chewy baguette still warm from the oven. By mid-way through our meal, the bar too was packed to capacity, so this is definitely not an easy place to land a table without a reservation. But, I really enjoyed my lunch and would like to go back for dinner sometime, and to try the much-hyped icebox cake dessert.

    (4)

  • RonAnderson ..

    I had a wonderful time here last night with my girlfriend and my parents. The waiter was friendly and attentive; the food was excellent (the summer corn chowder appetizer was particularly delicious, the seafood entrees were great--try the soft shell crabs or the sauteed salmon--and the key lime pie for dessert was oh-so-scrumptious). The restaurant has a pleasant, casual decor; a relaxed atmosphere with no sign of pretentiousness; not too fancy yet still looks classy. A quick glance around the dining room reveals the following interactions: people on a first date, a young couple with their baby, or parents meeting their son's girlfriend for the first time... :-) It's also not too loud, so you can carry on a conversation without shouting. The prices are about right for the quality and nice presentation of the food ($17-23 per entree). Tip: request a booth to sit in; they're larger tables than the tables in the center area. You'll probably be feeling really full after dinner (the portions are fairly generous), so if the weather outside is nice, take a long stroll down Duke Street to the waterfront. The restaurant's location is convenient-- close to the Old Town Theater and right in the middle of the shops/bars in the area.

    (4)

  • k w.

    One of my favorite restaurants. Classic American food cooked perfect. I've never had a single dish that wasn't good. I learned what it means when judges of top chef say, "proteins are cooked perfectly." The memorable plates were... Lettuce wedge salad, armish chicken, and coconut cream cake. Coconut cream cake!! It was so good we ate till the last bit, although I was full, and was a big slice. I usually just have wine, but their original drink looks interesting and good. Service is always wonderful.

    (5)

  • Sonny R.

    I'm a very nice and understanding person but I hate this restaurant. To be fair, the first time I tried this place was a few months ago when I flew out for a business trip. My experience was good. I decided to come back. But this time my experience was horrible. I called a few hours earlier to make a reservation and I specifically requested a booth. When we arrived, all the booths were full and they apologized for not noting that detail. We were offered the next booth available (which was god knows when), but at 7:15, I was just hungry. Our server was attentive and failed to mention the specials to us (had i known there was meatloaf, maybe things would have been very different). I had to ask for bread twice, and the server apologized for the delay because there were making 'fresh bread'. From my server friends and my experience as a waiter in high school, that means "I have more important things to do so i forgot". The bread came out and the bottom was burnt. We noticed that the table next to us got their food before us and so I pulled the manager aside to complain. She said that they ordered the food first and placed it on hold. It was a pretty elaborate lie so i accepted it. I knew for a fact that they ordered after us because the lady was reluctant to order meatloaf because 'she can make it at home'. Basically, she needs to learn new tricks. Sorry. When our pork loins came out, they were very dry (What's the point of even asking how i want it cooked?). When the manager came by to ask how everything was, I was honest and said it wasn't cooked properly. She signed as if a big burden has been placed on her and asked if i would like anything else. I said no granted it would take another century and that my dinner company would have already eaten. I decided or order coconut cake to go (granted it was good). But what really pissed me off, and warranted this review was the fact that I asked for a to-go fork and the manager replied that they don't have any to-go forks and that they usually don't take to-go orders. Like seriously??!! Who doesn't have to go silverware? I'm sorry, coming from San Francisco, even Tyler Florence's restaurant has silverware. Majestic is nowhere near its caliber nor does it live up to it's namesake. Ugh, no silverware. Literally, still irritated. Get off your high horse. Your service is subpar, your food needs TLC. Pass on this place and head to Peri Peri chicken or Vermillion instead. We have a team that comes out here a few times a year from California. No longer will this be a recommended location.

    (1)

  • Eleanor M.

    Really enjoyed. Every dish was beautifully presented and delicious. Had the soft shell crab and ate every bite. The food is so fresh. Truly a farm to table experience that is reasonably priced for this genre. Service was very nice as well. The place is on the smaller size, but seemed perfect. Street parking. Highly recommend!

    (5)

  • Wayne T.

    I am writing this review as we were invited back for another try and the Majestic showed its 5 stars with outstanding service and outstanding food. The Rib Eye was as good as any steak house and the pot roast was superb as well. This place has gone through some transition but they are serious about doing well and I highly recommend going there and experiencing their great food and hospitality. Thanks to all that took care of us!!!

    (5)

  • Pete V.

    The Majestic is possibly my favorite restaurant in Old Town. Consistently great food, locally sourced, excellent cocktails and superb service. If I'm going to throw down $50 per person on dinner and drinks in Old Town, this would likely be my choice. Dinner last night was excellent. We dropped in late around 9:00 pm on a Thursday and they were more than happy to seat us. For starters we ordered the gnocchi, which was delicious. I was shocked by how large the portion was just for an appetizer, but the pasta was cooked perfectly, with an amazing beef broth based sauce. I highly recommend this as a starter. We almost always order the Cowboy Cut Ribeye, which is a hefty cut of steak bone-in, always cooked precisely the way we order it, and accompanied by crispy fries. The steak is large enough for two to share. For $29 I think this is actually quite the bargain considering that you would likely get a lesser quality steak and pay much more at many of the steakhouses in D.C. I must add that the cocktails here are often some of the best you'll find. The menu changes frequently and they actually have a book of all the drinks they have created over the years. Even better, the bartenders are skilled enough to create drinks on the fly (or look up recipes in the book) to find a drink that will fit your palate. On our last visit I was looking for a bourbon based cocktail, not quite as heavy as a manhattan, and our bartender made a bourbon lancer, which was simple, but very tasty. Just bourbon and champagne, but mixed perfectly and quite delicious. The Majestic is at the very top of the best restaurants in Old Town and would definitely hold its own against DC's best, especially at the price point. Just go and enjoy!

    (5)

  • Michael P.

    As a party of three, we stopped in for an early lunch on a Wednesday. We were among the earliest arrivals. Several people were at the bar up front and only two tables seated in the back. Naturally, we were seated right away, given menus, and served water of our choice. Bear in mind our server was new, and her trainer was hovering in the background That'll explain the ever-so-slight nervousness, but does not cover why service was slow. It took a while to take our order, a while to receive bread, a while to be served. One order of pasta, which looked great, and two orders for the house burger, which were ok. The burgers served with a soupcon of ketchup on the side; one guest requested mustard. It took a while, but two different servers brought two styles of mustard. My order included a cup of coffee, requested to be served at the end of the meal. It took a while before I reminded the server. It's French Press, so it too took a while. While the coffee was good, the press yielded only 3/4 cup; I'm more accustomed to getting 5/4 cup, so there's a little bit for a self-poured refill. It took a while to get the check, and amazingly, that transaction was completed swiftly. I'll suppose this place is better than we'd experienced. The décor is nice, and one can carry a conversation. We walked in, so I've no knowledge of parking. I just don't understand why we'd waited so long, when we were the third table to be seated. The menu is modest, and while some lunch items are priced at $11-13, others jump to $24.

    (2)

  • Emily S.

    I was really debating between 3 and 4 stars. It's a solid 3.5 imo. I booked this place because I was organizing a group outing for 10 people and this was the only highly rated place on Yelp that was on King St. and that could accommodate our party that evening. Nothing was actively wrong about it, and the people in my party seemed to enjoy it, but something about it just didn't land for me. I'm sure this was complicated by the fact that I only eat vegetables and fish, no land animals, and while it was possible to cobble together a decent vegetarian meal I had to do so by combining apps and side dishes. The people who ordered meaty entrees, many of which were $25+, were happy with their food. The seafood stew or whatever it was smelled and looked amazing. Someone else got a veal, pork and beef meatloaf with mashed potatoes that made her very happy. On the other hand, one of my vegetarian co-diners got the roasted vegetable entree and the portion size was very disappointing. A few others and I cobbled together the fried green tomato appetizer and the side of gnocchi with something else. I ordered a lobster bisque special for $10 something that was fantastic, but so rich I couldn't even finish half of it. I thought the fried green tomato app was overpriced for what it was and covered in too much gunk. Several different sauces AND a fried egg AND spices in the batter...just give me some delicious tomatoes, thanks. The side of gnocchi for $7 (I think) was a disappointment. Several of us had it and thought it was painfully bland and flavorless. The texture was OK but it was basically like biting into a lump of potato flour. Honestly the thing I liked most about my meal was my beer. Their beer menu was good. The service was acceptable, nothing wrong with it, and nothing to write home about. So for me it was just basically a non-experience. No complaints. If someone else really wanted to go there, sure, or if it was the only place we could get in I'd be fine with it. But I don't think I would ever rush to go back, personally. Maybe if I were a carnivore.

    (4)

  • Alex P.

    Chef Red and her team are amazing chefs. I highly recommend The Majestic for both lunch and dinner alike. The staff rotates through all of the tables so you always have a new smiling face greeting you, ready to provide top notch service. I cannot say enough good things about Red's She Crab Soup. It's literally one of the most delicious things I've ever tasted. They also make their own soda at the bar which is pretty cool. Highly recommended!

    (5)

  • D K.

    The Majestic Café, as is said elsewhere, looks the same but changed hands recently. I had the meatloaf which seemed to be as good as it was before. The menu is smaller. The big difference is the bar. It used to overseen/run by Todd Thrasher "Sommelier and Liquid Savant" and mixologist of Eve and PX. The cocktail menu changed every quarter, really spectacular drinks, unusual. Never made from mixes. Always all made with daily hand squeezed fruit juice. Precisely measured. my favorite DC bar. The only one worth the prices. I went in the new Majestic and asked for one of Thrashers Signature drinks the authentic Hemmingway Daiquiri, the way Papa Hemmingway made them, completely different from the standard Daiquiri. Made with Luxardo and grapefruit juice and lime, etc The bartender asked me if it was OK if he put canned grapefruit juice in it. I just shook my head and walked out. It's sad to see my favorite bar go down the tubes...i

    (2)

  • Ben T.

    Great date night establishment in Old Town. The Majestic scores in all four categories for me: drinks, food, service and ambiance. I had the table-side prepared whole grilled fish with a sauce that I am still attempting to replicate in my own kitchen. Green onions, lemon juice, sesame seed, olive oil and SOMETHING else (maybe poppy seeds). You will not be disappointed in this spot and I am looking forward to our next visit.

    (4)

  • Mia N.

    I have lived here my entire life, but rarely go to Olde Town and I live 10 minutes away, but we decided to take advantage of the free parking this weekend and peruse some of the stores. I have also wanted to check out this restaurant by Chef Cathal Armstrong since I am still chicken and too cheap to do Restaurant Eve. We went for lunch. Husband ordered the oyster po boy. He didn't like it that much. He said instead of individual fried oysters, it was like chopped up pieces of a patty made from oysters. Huh? My husband didn't complain because my son kept eating half the sandwich. My seafood stew was pretty good. The bread and hush puppies were good. My son's home made pasta was ok because he was eating it and for a 6 year old he's pretty picky. Even the lemonade was good! We are used to the sugary Minute Maid lemonade, and this seemed freshly squeezed and homemade. It was nice to get a booth. The service was excellent and it was a pretty leisurely decent lunch and not rushed. We were the first people there at 11:30 am and since we ordered the lava cake, which has a 20 minute wait, we left around 1:30 pm. It was nice to eat at a fancy place for once, instead of our usual McDonald's or bolgogi place. I would definitely come here again for dinner, but it is really hard and sucks to go to Old Towne where the parking is annoying or there is a 2 hour parking limit or whatever. This food is American comfort food, which would be good to eat this coming fall and winter. We paid about $90 for 3 of us, including a 20% tip, which I always do, so this is no Ruby Tuesday's. A lot of people ordered sandwiches so you can keep the prices lower by eating a sandwich, but why bother when you can order sandwiches at Denny's or IHOP.

    (4)

  • Angela P.

    Lately, I've been spending time in Alexandria, Virginia and have been trying to find suitable vegan options. Mostly, I've been disappointed with the lack of vegan food in the area around Old Town so someone I know recommended that I try The Majestic. Super excited -- I made lunch reservations to go there with a colleague. As soon as we pulled up though, I felt like this wasn't going to be as good as I thought. The outside reminded me of an old-style movie theater. The name of the restaurant was placed vertically towards the top of the building spelling out "Majestic" in bright neon. Inside, the tables were diner-style with big chromed feet and the seating had outdated upholstery. After reading the history on the website later on, I realized the first version of this cafe dates back to 1932 and through numerous iterations, they had attempted to preserve some of the original elements. Eh, I guess I'm just not a fan of the old-style stuff. I started with one of their house grapefruit juniper sodas. It was pretty good. When I called ahead, they had told me there was really only one entree I could have -- Red's Veggie Plate. I was fine with that. For $18.50 for a vegetable lunch plate, I figured it had to be really good. The server was not very knowledgeable about the items so we had to ask multiple times to get answers to our questions as he went back to confer with the chef on our questions. Finally, we placed our orders. In the end, the Red's Veggie Plate was a big disappointment. The presentation wasn't very nice. It was as if they just took random veggies and threw them on the plate. The spinach was just steamed, the squash was doused in oil, and the rapini was overcooked. The potatoes and green beans were fine, but nothing to write home about. I felt like we were completely ripped off at $18.50 for that plate. If this is some of the finest Alexandria has to offer, I dread my future restaurant visits here. For now, I can assure you that I will not be returning to The Majestic.

    (1)

  • Mary E.

    Great Happy Hour menu from 5-7 weekedays; try the martini or manhattan! Steak taco was flavorful with perfect condiments, although meat was a bit tough. Sweet potato fries are delish.

    (4)

  • Katrin B.

    The Majestic is an Amazing facility with great food and wonderful service we've been multiple times and intend to go back whenever possible.

    (5)

  • Sandy C.

    So delicious! On my last day visiting my brother, he took me to this fancy elegant place in the heart of old town Alexandria. It was so delicious. We started out with the free bread and butter, definitely the best bread I've had. And the butter... Don't get me started! I think if that's all I are the restaurant and had to pay for it, I would've. Upon the servers suggestion, we ordered the mushroom ravioli and chicken salad sandwich. The mushroom ravioli portion seemed a little small, but the flavor was so rich and dense. The chicken salad sandwich was quite possibly the best chicken salad I've ever had as well. You won't regret coming here! Wonderful service as well. I hope to have the chance to go back!

    (5)

  • Felicia N.

    The Majestic is one of my go to places in Old Town. I love it for lunch! I have gone with a group of female friends, my adult kids when they are town, and also my husband. Never a disappointment. The food is great. I normally get the salad of the day and the soup. The last time I was there, they had a celery root soup that was to die for. I could have climbed in the bowl. The waiter let us know it had a lobster stock base, which was a good thing, since the seafood flavor would have come as a surprise! It was really good! They offer you either sparkling or still water. The sparkling water is made on the premises, nice touch and re-usable bottles are a nice Eco friendly touch as well. We splurged and split a coconut cake between the 3 of us, good plan, way too much for one person! It was divine. I have eaten at the bar too, we arrived too late for the dining room lunch service one day. They kindly made me a salad. even though it was not on the bar menu. It was their chicken salad on top of a bed of greens, it was great! The bartender was very friendly. One of my friends had a bloody Mary and said it was the best one she has ever had. Great place. Service can be slow some days, but it is still very worth the visit.

    (5)

  • Thomas J.

    We go here once or twice a year. This place has a nice southern-fusion menu, a competent wine-list (and associated knowledgeable staff to help you choose) and a pleasant atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Gino K.

    Great service. Food was great. Love the pork belly and sea scallops. Tried the chicken liver mousse it was absolutely delicious. Finished off with the coconut cake and it wasn't too sweet like I would thought. Well balanced. Will return to try new dishes.

    (5)

  • Jill Z.

    The Bartender Mike is awesome! The Majestic has such a unique character. I went for the first time with a group of girlfriends for dinner and sat at the bar before getting a table while I waited for my friends to arrive. When they arrived we remained at the bar for one cocktail before proceeding to a table. The bartender Mike made drink recs for all 3 of us and did a wonderful job. The drinks don't just end up tasting great, but they also provide a show for the guest, as they are detailed in their construction of them. Needless to say, the end result is nearly perfect. The dinner was really exceptional as well. I highly recommend the fried green tomatoes...they were excellent. Anyway, I liked it so much that I decided to take a few friends in about a month later, which happened to be on the 4th of July. I thought we would maybe have a round or something and move on, but it turned out that Mike, the bartender was there again and my friends were so impressed and we were once again having such a good time that we ended up spending the remainder of the night there, leaving for the fireworks and returning again shortly there-after. This place really is my favorite bar in Old Town now. I think I will be heading over there again tonight. Oh, and if you're looking for an awesome, unique drink that's not on the menu ask Mike to make you a Portside!

    (5)

  • Li S.

    Went here for restaurant week. For appetizers we got the guacomole (not that great - chips looked like toasted pita) and the green tomatoes (excellent). For the entree I got the Tomato & Fennel Agnolotti which I thought was mediocre. The best part of the meal was dessert! The coconut cake and the lava cake were amazingly good. The ginger creme brulee was alright but more on the sweet side. Won't be going back for dinner but will definitely go back for dessert.

    (3)

  • Mona S.

    Contemporary decor and staff. The food was outstanding. I had the seafood stew and I could have had the broth alone and been in heaven. My date called it the most uniquely made BLT he's ever had. He inhaled it. They have the perfect date Menu. We had a lovely glass of wine with our meal. Everything was presented beautifully. The restaurant was pleasantly loud. Obviously busy, but no obnoxious TVS or too loud music to spoil the mood.

    (5)

  • Nevis W.

    Excellent service, average ambiance, and outstanding food. Even as leftovers the cuisine was head and tails above most on King

    (4)

  • John Q.

    Food is decent. I've been there for lunch and a couple dinners. The sandwiches and meatloaf are ok, freshly made. Some items like the brat are pretty bland though. The best thing we had was the Amish butter - the only thing not made in house. Overall the food is ok but nothing special. HOWEVER the service is terrible. Every time I've been there its a two hour plus affair. This is during a moderately busy dinner service, mostly full but a few empty tables. Our lunch outing was the worst. When we first arrived every table was full, but within half an hour the place was mostly empty. And there were still a dozen staff floating around the small dining room. Yet it took 20 minutes for anyone to take our order, 40 minutes just to get bread, and 75 minutes to get our food. We constantly had to flag down staff for the simplest things - more water, the check. Not nearly worth the time and hassle. Go elsewhere.

    (1)

  • Pete A.

    Meh. We came in on Sunday for "Nana's" Sunday dinner. We were so excited the week leading up to it, but were let down. We all ordered drinks ($10.25 each) and probably waited about 10-15 minutes for them. They were ok but not very strong at all. Then the family style dinner arrived. For 5 people it was a bowl of Mac and cheese just barely above Kraft boxed level, a bowl of coleslaw (pretty good), a bowl of mashed potatoes that had a little wang to them with some runny gravy, and a plate of maybe 10 to 12 wings legs and thighs. For $22 per person I was shocked there were no breasts. It was all ok but nothing to rave about. We all would have ordered another round of drinks but the server never offered. Dessert was included but it was a biscuit with what seemed liked packaged strawberries and a teeny squirt of whipped cream. Overall we were let down. I honestly think we won't be back after this experience.

    (2)

  • Michelle B.

    When I arrived at the Majestic, the wait time was almost 2 hours, so we decided to just get some drinks at the bar. Eventually somebody left so we sat down and watched the work of each mixologist. The drinks made you think about the work and skill each bartender has. The drinks are flavorful and some of them taste unique. We ordered food at the bar. The Tomatoes & Potatoes appetizer was good. We had the meatloaf and miso glazed cod. Both entrees were tasty and would recommend. The majestic has a trendy vibe to it. Its not the place I would go if I were starving though. The portions were great for me, but lacking for the person who likes to throw down when it comes to eating. The drinks are decently priced and worth a try. So if you are in the neighborhood, I would recommend you at least try one of their cocktails. I don't think they will disappoint.

    (4)

  • T L.

    The bar tender and the waiter were both really snooty, so if snoot is water off a ducks back to you then proceed. Other than that the food was absolutely divine. Me and my boyfriend had the stuffed pork chops. I've been dreaming about that pork chop ever since. So flavorful, not dry at all. I almost don't want to eat a pork chop if it's not that one. We also had the gnocci to start, also very flavorful. I think we had the banana pudding at the end and I remember enjoying that as well. One star left off for the snoot factor.

    (4)

  • Ritzie C.

    My review of The Majestic is actually a 4.5, but they deserve to get rounded up. I came here for dinner one evening with my sister and we simply had a great meal and experience, from start to finish. The "tomatoes and potatoes" appetizer is delicious - you get a thick-sliced, fried green tomato sitting between a potato croquette on bottom and a fried egg on top. The lemon sauce on top brings it together so well that I honestly wanted to pick up my plate and lick it (don't worry - I didn't). I also had the Chesapeake Bay Seafood Chowder and it was so incredibly delicious and swamped with seafood (mussels, shrimp, crab) and potatoes . Memorable! And worth ordering again. Since I was so impressed with my appetizer and entree, I couldn't resist ordering coconut cake. It was good, not the best ever, but ... come on, it's coconut cake! I don't frequent Old Town often but if I find myself here during dinner, I will most definitely return to The Majestic. When the highest priced entree is $27 and the food is delicious, I really can't find an excuse NOT to go. (Be forewarned, if you patronize this place in the winter, they do not have coat check).

    (5)

  • Devasis B.

    Had the table side spicy guacamole with the soft shell crab (usually, I go for the liver). Simply delicious! Service was notably good - the sommelier chilled the bottle of wine before decanting (it's been ~100 this week!) and our waiter was attentive and helpful.

    (5)

  • Em T.

    Dont even know where to start with this place. Decided to go here after reading all the good reviews on yelp. We ordered the duck salad for a starter which really had an awful taste. Our waiter was nice enough to exchange it for the mac n cheese but that even lacked in taste and the consistency was just off. I ordered the steak and frites, and for a hefty price of 22 dollars I got 5 small pieces of meat and the rest was french fries and uncooked string beans. It just looked like they wanted to make up for skimping me on the steak portion with toppling the plate with french fries and string beans, it was pretty ridiculous. The waiter then brought more meat, but I had to have that sent back because it was straight up raw and not properly cooked. We were later informed that the head chef had a meltdown and walked out on the kitchen, but seriously?? There has to be something else wrong if you cant cook a couple peices of steak. The manager and server were nice enough to comp my meal and offer a complimentary desert, but in the end it was a horrible experience.

    (2)

  • Sinni L.

    The line is crazy & wait is ridiculous but I will definitely venture back. Call and make reservations before going, they get packed quick.

    (4)

  • Charlie L.

    I do like how everything is made from scratch except their butter. The service was excellent and the food was good, not F'ING AMAZING, but good. I recommend the meatloaf dish...it comes with mashed potatoes and green beans...it's actually their signature dish and it's really good. I also tried the swordfish dish...it wasn't horrible but I wouldn't come back for it. I will come back for their meatloaf though! YUM! Overall, I will definitely come back and eat here!

    (4)

  • Sue K.

    Surprising, refreshing, unique, different. Not at all what I expected when we walked in...honestly I think I expected run of the mill upscale diner food; what I got was an eclectic, unique and delicious dinner venue. The blueberry lemongrass soda was a little sweet for me but very, very blueberry. The fried green tomato appetizer caught my attention and it was superb. My meal choice was the lasagna....which was made in-house, right down to the pasta, made with sweet pureed peppers and mushrooms. The carrot cake was a delight but a huge portion....more than I could consume (despite my best efforts). Our server was attentive, but not intrusive, happy to make suggestions without being pushy and generally polite and friendly. In fact, everyone on the staff that we interacted with was very pleasant and friendly. The manager stopped by our table on his rounds and chatted, and was even nice enough to do it between courses as to not interrupt our delicious meal. It seems no-one on the staff has ever attended the "talk to them when their mouth is full" training classes. This place is on the "I'll be back" list.

    (5)

  • Joy L.

    Meh. I really, really wanted to like this place, but I have to say I am disappointed by the food and the service (except the hostess- she was great). I moved to Old Town about two months ago, but I was in the middle of studying for the bar exam and literally have not had a chance to explore the area until now. I was so excited to finally check out a local restaurant and celebrate being done with the bar. I made reservations for two at 8pm. Got there a little early, our table wasn't ready yet, no big deal-- we got drinks at the bar, and the hostess was nice enough to keep us updated (table is being set up now, should be just a few more minutes, etc.). I found the guy bartender to be rude and a little pretentious when I asked him about a few wines, whatever shrugged it off. Got to our table, we both ordered the 3 course prix fixe meal. For the first course, we had the guacamole prepared table-side (pretty good, no real complaints) and the tomatoes and potatoes (decent but wish there was more tomato and there was a chunk of the potato croquette that was not cooked all the way through). There was also bread that came with the meal-- we later decided the complimentary bread was our favorite part of the meal. For our entrees, we had the lamb and the stuffed chicken. I asked our server whether the chicken would be moist, he ensured me it would be very moist. He was wrong. The lamb was fine. For our desserts, we had the lemon sorbet and the coconut cake. Both pretty good, no complaints, just nothing that blew me away. Our server was fine at the beginning, but he started disappearing for incredibly long periods of time toward the end. This was especially frustrating bc we could see him just chatting it up with the other servers and bartenders by the bar. I think the overall experience was fine, I just wanted more, and frankly, I expected more.

    (3)

  • Eric T.

    We were warmly greeted by the hostess staff and promptly seated. We were met by our waitress who did not introduce our party to the menu, rather her first question to us was "do you have any questions about the menu?" We first ordered appetizers. We ordered guacamole and the hush puppies, both were very fresh and served promptly. Prior to our main dishes being delivered the wait staff hastily removed our appetizers and haphazardly presented our food. The food was very fresh and was plentiful. The seafood stew was great! Other members of our party ordered the Jerk Chicken and the Whole Cooked Fish. Both looked great and from what I heard, both were tasty. In between serving our appetizers and main dishes our water glasses and other drinks were attended to with courtesy and speed. Overall we had a pretty good experience, but one method to improve is making the customer feel more welcome to the restaurant and not so much like a process within the dining experience. I will come back for the food more than the customer/restaurant interaction aspect.

    (3)

  • Holly M.

    This used to a standard of ours, but something has changed & it is no longer on our list of go to places.

    (2)

  • Tony P.

    This review is just for their cocktail drinks. Analise makes some really tasty cocktails. I had the Scofflaw cocktail from their winter cocktail menu and it was excellent and refreshing. The citrus flavors balanced well with the rye and vermouth. She had a very impressive presentation of a Sazerac that was delightful to watch her prepare as well as drink. FYI, they are changing to their spring cocktail offerings around next week.

    (4)

  • Michael M.

    Stop here for sure and ask for a cedar smoked Manhattan. My colleagues and I had impeccable service, some of the best drinks ever, and fantastic food. We shares the fried green tomatoes and pate as appetizers, i had the pork belly for dinner. Fantastic. Bravo.

    (5)

  • Kisko L.

    3 stars for the AMAZING FOOD. get the butter poached lobster and fried green tomatoes! Negative 2 stars for the pretentious waiters. My date and I look younger than our age but the waiters were - how can I put this - amused we were there? Kept asking if we needed things and were being obnoxious about it in a weirdly condescending polite way, as if two people in their twenties didn't know what pork confit was. Spoiler alert: we do. Not sure if is go back to eat anytime soon but the food was DEFINITELY good.

    (3)

  • Joe F.

    A very good menu and always cooked expertly. I am having the monkfish and would recommend it.

    (4)

  • Jack D.

    Gloomy atmosphere. Waiter was unhappy to be there. Food half decent. Scallops with frog leg risotto was an insult to my taste buds. Chicken was decent, hence the 2 stars.

    (2)

  • Kenny N.

    3.5 stars. The Majestic catches your eye with its old-timey vertical marquee. My friends and arrived early and scored bar seating. This was especially crucial since they were completely booked around that time. We were ready for drinking and eating. Cocktails first: I am pleased to note their cocktails are much cheaper than other King Street denizens. Clocking in at $10.25, except for the Honey Trap special order ($12), they beat the other $12-14 cocktails. My Rattlesnake was pleasing and so was the Honey Trap, a past seasonal cocktail still available if you ask. We decided to share plates for dinner, so we ordered guacamole, fried green tomatoes (oft recommended), and spring fettuccine carbonara. Note: guacamole that is advertised "made at the table" won't be if you're at the bar. We really enjoye dthe chunky guacamole and the fresh squeezed lime really made a difference. They also gave us small thick corn tortillas for scooping or spreading the guac onto. Next, the tomatoes and pasta carbonara arrived. The fried green tomatoes certainly had a great number of flavors and textures going on. It was a fun little dish with too much white sauce. Too much white sauce seemed to be a theme carried into the pasta carbonara. We tucked our raw quail egg into the dish (please cook!) and stirred. Quite frankly, the white sauce overwhelmed the entire dish. I would have appreciated something more minimalist in order to enjoy all the ingredients. Overall, we had a good enough time at Majestic and left relatively pleased, but I'm not quite a fan.

    (3)

  • Betty S.

    I was finally able to try this place after convincing my boyfriend (he's not too much of a fan of fancy-esque dinners without a week's notice). The ambience of this place is homey but modern. I know it sounds weird but the place has old decor that almost look like it's original to this place but the architecture is really modern which offsets the old-world charm. Basically, it was a lot nicer than I was expecting. I mean it's no suit and tie but it's not exactly the type of place where you'd bring a lot of kids to. Okay so to the part that actually matters... The service was great! Our waiter was very super attentive. I don't think we ever had an empty glass or ever had to wait that much for anything. We each had the 3 course meal so there was a lot of food to go around and really only a one thing stood out: FRIED GREEN TOMATOES. Everyone raves about it because it's freaking delicious. Even my boyfriend who absolutely hates tomatoes tried a bite and loved it. Other than that everything else was good and filling but it's nothing to write home about. That part was a bit dissapointing since I was expecting a lot of mouth-gasms. I think all the yelp-hype might have had my expectations a bit too high. Don't get me wrong though, I liked this place and everything about it but it wasn't the best food I've ever had. I would certainly come back if the mood strikes!

    (4)

  • Antonio C.

    I can only review the bar as i have not eaten at the restaurant. First off, I will say that the cocktails here are very good. However the service was incredibly slow, especially for such a small bar area. I won't be coming back here for a drink although I would like to try the food.

    (1)

  • Melissa B.

    Enjoyed the suggestions of our waiter - The mussels were fantastic! The vegetarian plate was excellent. I loved the variety and the coconut cake is the best!

    (4)

  • Melissa C.

    This is one of my favorite restaurants in the DC area right now. It's a neighborhood gem if you live in Old Town. If I lived there, I would probably live here. Let's start with the cocktails! The honey badger cocktail is a must! I don't even normally like the darker liquors but with the honey concoction I could easily down a few of these. Honey, you are driving. Unfortunately my honey likes to drink these as well so we had better get a cab. For those of you in walking distance in which I used to be, I am jealous.. Thanks to my friend who introduced me to this drink and reacquainted me with this restaurant. Their cocktail menu changes seasonally so get the honey badger while it is still cold. I think this should always be on the menu! Cocktails all have an interesting twist. The fried green tomato app with egg is super great and I highly recommend. Thumbs up on this flavor combo and presentation. After my first time having this, I was craving it the following week. All entrees and desserts I have had were a lovely combo of flavors and texture and presentation as well. First went back there after many years last winter for Nana's Dinner which is a family style served dinner only on Sundays with reservations required. Every month they change what they serve for this. We had pot roast in the winter. Super yummy and felt like I had a childhood home cooked meal (only much better since my family would normally cook the pot roast until it was a rock). Some great servers there as well. The one time glitch when we had a not so good server who seemed really green (on a very busy lunch day) was quickly remedied when we told the person who runs the place and he took over himself and gave us rock star service. Since the place is fairly small it is highly recommended to have reservations. We were really disappointed the last time we were in the area and stopped by on a Thursday night at 8:30 foolishly thinking they would be less busy by that time. 45 minute wait but our stomachs couldn't wait that long that day. That is what happens when you are good.

    (5)

  • Katie G.

    Cathal always seemed so low-key when we worked together at Vidalia, but clearly he was a man with a plan. While I was living overseas, he was creating a DC restaurant empire. The decor and ambiance at Majestic is great. Check out the old rotary dial payphone downstairs. I went for Nana's Pot Roast on a Sunday night. Everything was really delicious--great salad (little heavy on the dressing), polenta, roasted veg, and melt in your mouth pot roast. Wines by the glass are on the pricey side, and I thought that $3 for coffee was a bit rude (especially since I was never offered a re-fill). Apparently, the cocktails are fantastic. Will be back to check out the bar.

    (4)

  • Pam S.

    Since moving to DC, I have been searching through Alexandria for my new Sidebar. Sidebar was a yummy restaurant across Lake Merritt from my apartment in Oakland, and I'd stroll over there often to spend time with some of my favorite bartenders and get fed as well. The Majestic is a good place to go on a cold autumn night. Their menu has a decent variety (had the steak), but need to go back for the (if I remember correctly) squash ravioli. I did not see the fried green tomatoes and was a little disappointed. Their wine list gives a good variety and they seem to have gotten creative with their cocktails, although as someone who avoids gin and all whiskies, there wasn't anything for me. I will say that their manager takes an active role in customers' satisfaction. I wasn't thrilled with the pumpkin creme brulee, but he took the time to come over and ask me about it, even though it was fairly busy. I couldn't explain exactly why I didn't like it (still can't, other than it wasn't really custard-y, more just like spiced mush covered in burnt sugar), but he listened to me. That's a bonus. My only suggestion would be to add an extra bartender when you have that many creative cocktails. As someone who was a bartender for many, MANY years, I am pretty patient when it comes to other bartenders, but I also know what it takes to make a customer return to my bar. Don't get me wrong, the bartender was nice...just busy.

    (4)

  • Oliver J.

    We made a reservation. Table wasn't ready for 10+ minutes. No sincere apologies offered or anything given in consideration. We didn't ask for something extra, although we shouldn't have to at a good establishment. The ambiance was great. Not too loud. The service was attentive. The food was good in parts and bland/ mediocre in others. Starters: The Ceaser salad - love that they make it in front of you. It didn't have pop I expected though. It was good, however, nothing to special for price. The Carbonara pasta side was good. Slightly under salted, which is surprising since it has bacon in it... better over than too much I suppose. Entrees: The whole fish - fine, although could not have been more bland. The fried rice seemed like boiled rice with a couple egg pieces in it. The meatloaf was good, but didn't feel anything special. The mashed potatoes were good. Nice and creamy without feeling unhealthily buttery. The green beans were fine. The cocktail we shared was good! The overall experience was fine, we were just expecting a little more.

    (3)

  • Boon K.

    Amazing service every time I am here. They were so nice when I was hosting a work party for a group of 15 and the prices were reasonable. House made drinks were so good. The roasted chicken, juicy and full of favor. A big hit was chicken liver mousse and the tomatoes potatoes, it was so popular that I had to come back with my husband for it.. The grilled cuttlefish was really good too.

    (4)

  • Barbara H.

    Update 1/19/15: I just got an e-mail from the old management that the "Eat Good Food Group" is out. I have no idea what the new food will be like, but I'm certainly going to give it a try. I stopped going there last summer after they started cutting corners on things that I ordered, and a rude general manager. I will be back with a review once I've gotten a chance to taste the new fare. Update 8/6/14: Well, I hate to say it, but after a very long run I am done with this place. Came to eat there for dinner tonight and they refused to seat me. Walked up to the hostess and asked for a booth (two were free) and she said they were reserved, and in fact if I didn't have a reservation they were booked. No more than 20 percent of the tables were filled and I was sure they would accommodate a long standing customer so I asked to speak with the manager who knows me very well. She told me that she was expecting customers in 45 minutes and couldn't seat me despite the fact that almost all of the tables were free. At that point I told her that I wasn't eating there tonight, and that I wouldn't be coming back. I would have totally understood if the restaurant was slammed, but when the restaurant is all but empty? Really, really bad customer service Majestic. I expected more from you. PS: I am a good customer. Polite, tip well, and don't drink, so I could never be accused of being drunk. The reasons that a restaurant might not want to serve a particular customer don't exist here. Update 6/28/14: I'm till loving this place and am happy for a new ravioli dish to replace the spring "beet ravioli" on the menu. For some weird reason the restaurant has stopped serving unsweetened iced tea and is using Tetley tea with simple syrup. They say it's only a small amount of syrup, but to me it was so sweet I spit it out! Fortunately, they are willing to fresh brew you a pot with their much better tea that they use for making hot tea. I recommend that you order this instead of getting their downscale new iced tea, especially if you're not a sweet tea fan or a diabetic! Original review: This is one of my "go to" places for lunch and an occasional dinner. Favorites include the rockfish, Chesapeake Bay stew, and their table side Caesar salad. Service at the bar is very good, especially at lunch, but the table service is hit or miss -- everything from spectacular to completely atrocious. I haven't been going as much in the winter though because the menu gets too heavy for me. Everything is either fried, in milk or breaded. I'm looking for the change over in a few weeks when my favorites will be back! One note. Try to use the men's bathroom if you are female. They only accommodate one and have a lock, so a man won't be walking in on you. The woman's bathroom has this absolutely hideously dirty ottoman in there. It appeared from no where about a year ago. When I asked why it was there I was told it was to change babies. So that means the dirt on the ottoman is pee and poo, and since it's microfiber upholstery it can't be properly cleaned. Eww.

    (1)

  • Stephen F.

    This place is just too cute. Amazing good deals on the lunch special. I visited Majestic with a dear friend of mine and was blown away. The bratwurst I had was one of the best I've ever experience, along with the potato salad. I love that it was served with the toppings on the side. We sat at the bar and were waited on promptly and professionally by the very nice bartender, this Asian gentleman. It was my first visit and I can't wait to return! Thank you.

    (5)

  • Ina C.

    I can't think of a single place where you can get this kind of amazing, telepathic service with these entree prices and delicious food. I enjoyed The Majestic better than I did Restaurant Eve, probably because the value-to-quality ratio at Majestic blew Restaurant Eve out of the galaxy. The house-made sodas (pear!) were fabulous, the Amish butter (the "only thing not made in-house") is heavenly, which is not to say that the foods made in-house are to be missed. My butternut squash ravioli was supremely tasty, and my mushroom soup (not creamy!) was overflowing with that umami flava. It even stayed warm for a while - they must've warmed the bowl beforehand. It's that kind of attention to detail that makes this place stand head and shoulders above most restaurants at this price point. Really, really great.

    (4)

  • Andrew F.

    If you ate at The Majestic six months earlier, you will be terribly disappointed in the food. This is my fourth meal here in the past two months -- i was desperate for the restaurant's old glory -- and every time it failed to hit the mark. Tonight I tried the Fu Fu platter. (I know, the name alone should have scared me off.) I got maybe 1/3 through it before I stopped the $25 insanity. Honestly, what high school cafeteria did they rob? On the saving grace side, the ambiance is still great, and the cocktails are still first rate, although the tiki-style theme is getting a bit old.

    (1)

  • Kelly C.

    Overall, I was mostly confused by this place. The outside marquee suggests a retro feel, but when you step inside it's got a modern, upscale bar with fancy cocktails and a really friendly hostess to lead you into the dining room...the dining room that feels a little stodgy - I know the booths are meant to resemble the original restaurant but somehow doesn't feel retro or classic or modern. More like an updated Perkin's booth style vs. Art Deco. Then there's the menu: tableside guacamole, oysters rockefeller, mussels, ravioli, liver and onions, rockfish 'portuguese', amish chicken. A certainly majestic display of the most random items put together. Service was spotty and slow. I had to ask/explain several times to our waitress that I preferred to have a very small portion of mashed potatoes vs. fingerling potatoes on the side of my chicken. For $26 I figured this wouldn't be as big of an issue as it seemed and I didn't want an entire side of mash potatoes when a simple dollop would do. After several back and forth conversations, she said that the chef was able to accommodate my request. Again, really confused but whatever. At the last minute, the food saved dinner - as obvious and silly as that sounds - everything was fresh, well cooked, and each with great flavors - between the 4 of us we tried the Amish Chicken (huge portion, atop well seasoned root veggies), the Seafood Stew - again, great flavor to the broth and lots of fresh fish and seafood, the the Pork Shoulder Confit - nice combo of flavors between the squash puree, brussel sprouts, and slow-roasted pork. Maybe too pricey for me to rush back immediately, but I'd try again for the flavors, not necessarily to try and figure out anything beyond that.

    (3)

  • Jessica M.

    After exploring Old Town Alexandria with an out-of-town friend, we had dinner at the Majestic. The dining room was booked until 9:30pm, so we had to dine at the bar. The bar is small in size and seating, but had a nice mix old older and younger people sitting to eat and drink. My food and meal was excellent and worthy of 4-5 stars! My vegetarian foodie friend liked her meal as well! However, the service was horrible and worthy of 1-2 stars. I'm an easy-to-please customer and assume/expect the service at the bar to be less, but the female bartender working in our area was not attentive-at all. She seemed to have some type of "chip on her shoulder" and treated people eating at the bar as second class customers. Another (much nicer employee) delivered our bread and plates, so the rude bartender didn't even have to deal with our food or plates. Both of our drinks and waters sat empty for awhile, until the other male bartender noticed and refilled the drinks. The previously mentioned female bartender was not thrilled when we asked for 2 separate checks. Is it that difficult to split a bill when the 2 diners have the exact same meals and drinks?

    (3)

  • Chris R.

    The Majestic serves good American food. There was nothing that particularly stood out for us on this one except that the bread was very good, the service was on point, and we could easily hear each other speak in the restaurant. It felt cozy and Southern, but our menu items didn't really blow us away. They were fine. We had a gift certificate and that's why we chose this spot for our wedding anniversary. Probably wouldn't go out of our way to go back as we don't often go to Old Town Alexandria and we don't have another gift certificate.

    (3)

  • Cyndy K.

    Went to The Majestic with very high expectations since our last visit was great. We've been here several times bringing out of town guests and enjoyed it. So I enticed our friend to go for dinner at The Majestic feeling overly confident that he would enjoy the food and ambiance. We arrived on time with our reservations and it took some time to get seated. Not a problem. The hostess was nice to take our beverage orders especially good on a Friday when you are celebrating finally a Friday! The waiter finally came around to take our food order. He was clearly overwhelmed for the night and seem very impatient. The menu looked limited to me so I decided to go with the meatloaf which I had before but wanted a sure thing and something hearty. The meatloaf was good very flavorful. The string beans were tender and seasoned well. The mash potatoes were creamy and tasty too. All in all the food was good. The night did not end nicely with our waiter. We wanted to pay with two credit cards instead he ran off with the bill without acknowledging or asking the question for the two cards. He returned and my husband requested that if he had waited to ask we could have saved him the trip. I found the waiter to be very rude and tense with atrocious bad body language. At one point he was glaring at my husband. Bad behavior and bad service results in never going back again. Too many options in this town.

    (2)

  • Virginia G.

    This restaurant came highly recommended as a "quintessentially Old Town" place to eat. I treated my mother to dinner here when I was on a mini vacation. Very glad we stopped in! We ordered all appetizers.(We were in a tapas sort of mood). Where most places would roll their eyes at two cackling women ordering a half dozen small plates, our server was quite amused and kindly described each dish to us. The onion rings were exceptional, the cauliflower was surprisingly awesome, the chard and gnocchi was superb, and the drinks were strong. The ambiance was very hip, but still cozy. The open kitchen in the back is very intimate. We took our sweet time gossiping about neighbors and reaching across the table with our forks. I felt a little silly eating like a couple of cheap old ladies in such a nice place but again our server was amicable and kept the cocktails coming. We chatted him up and my mother let fly that I grow organic vegetables for a living. He immediately took me to introduce myself to the head chef and we exchanged business cards. Lovely! Such a treat!

    (5)

  • Todd B.

    I enjoyed a great experience overall tonight at The Majestic. I heard a lot of "not that great" reviews from friends, but I trusted The Washingtonian Top 100 review and went anyway. While I much preferred the experience at the owner's Vermillion, this was still a worthwhile experience. I had the award winning Chesapeake Bay Seafood Stew, and it was quite tasty with large chunks of fish, scallops, shrimp, mussels and oysters. I'm not much of a fan of mussels or oysters, so I might have reconsidered my choice had I known that they were quite abundant, but I realize many diners will love this. The seasoning was excellent, and it was served with garlic toast. But perhaps better than the stew was my dessert experience. I enjoyed a scoop of the salted caramel gelato -- OMG! And the coffee, french pressed served with hot cream, was amazing. My only complaint about my experience was the service. My waitress seemed more interested in cleaning the restaurant and finishing the night's duties than paying attention to me. There were several times when I was waiting for my order to be taken, bread to be brought to the table, etc., and she was nowhere to be seen. One of the hosts had to attend to me a couple of times, and kudos to him for noticing my body language. Other than this, it was a lovely evening.

    (4)

  • Soumeya B.

    I went to the Majestic today for lunch with my husband and his friend. We chose to do the Royal prix fixe for $35 each. We each had an appetizer, entree and desert. The service at the Majestic is excellent, our waiter Josh was helpful patient and telepathic :) I had the potatoes and tomatoes for an appetizer which was a lovely mixture of textures and tastes, substantial but not overbearing. My husband ordered the muscles and his friend ordered the guacamole. I tasted all of them and they are all good. The muscles could have done with a little more spice, I thought they were bland but some people like it that way. For the entree I had the whole fish, which I asked them to debone. It came with wild rice with almonds. That was so delicious, I loved every piece of it. It was fresh tasting, not fishy and juicy. The steak which my husband ordered was dry and overcooked, so he had some of my fish. The portions are big. For desert I had the churios, my husband had the brownie with ice cream and his friend had the coconut cake. Everyone at the table agreed that the churios were the best desert, followed by the coconut cake...the brownies were so-so. All in all, the space was clean, the service speedy and careful, and the food tasty. The perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

    (4)

  • Travis H.

    This place had been on our list to try for a while. So, we made reservations a few days prior and went for lunch a couple Saturdays ago. Lunch was a little better on the budget, and did not disappoint. I got the seafood stew, a white wine/cream based broth with outstanding flavor containing fish, shrimp, mussels, clams, and potatoes. I highly recommend that dish. My wife got the scallop salad, which was expertly seared on a nice fresh bed of arugula. It was a nice stylish cafe setting, with clean crisp presentation.

    (4)

  • Antony S.

    this place is mediocre at best. i sat at the bar for close to 5 minutes before i was greeted by anyone. the entire wait staff seemed fairly detached and aloof. i wasn't thrilled with the food menu. if you're easily impressed with mixology i guess this is a solid destination for you. i would prefer a smile and bartender that is at least adroit at pretending to care about me spending my money there.

    (3)

  • Evelyn K.

    I've noticed a trend when it comes to me rating restaurants, and I heavily rely upon the 4 stars. I think that's because it takes a perfect, or near perfect meal to warrant the 5 stars. The Majestic came close, but it just fell short of the elusive 5. The Chesapeake Bay style Seafood Stew was out of this world magnificent! It was full of lovely shrimp, shellfish, crabmeat, fish, plump tomato chunks, and potatoes. I savored every last drop of the slightly spicy broth. Mmmmmhmmmm....delish! I also ordered the succotash for some odd reason, mainly because it's fun to pronounce. It was a blend of corn, field beans, roasted onion, and thyme, with what was I'm sure a very generous dollop of butt-ah! It was rich and creamy...perhaps a little heavy on the thyme, but altogether a nice mix. I wasn't a big fan of the Mint Julip though...I should have known better. I think I was imagining more of a mojito drink, but it the whiskey was super strong, and was a bit overpowering for my tastes. My friend's pulled pork sandwich was hearty and tasty, but not all that memorable when it came down to it, especially compared to my heavenly seafood stew!

    (4)

  • Terry C.

    This seems to be a very good restaurant. The staff is engaging and pleasant. The service is exellent. I love the Deco design. The filtered water in a bottle, gratis, is a really nice touch. But we had some problems recently with the "comfort food" as it is styled. The side of onion rings looked like and tasted like a plate of doughnuts. We each had one bite and sent them back. They were hugely puffy with sweet dough that looked like foam insulation from a can. And the onion itself was mushy and lost on the inside. The onion should be the star attraction with a light supporting cast. The next problem was the main course, sauteed soft-shell crabs in a tomato-dominated succotash. Great idea. But they were salty, salty, salty. That might have been because they were heavily seasoned with Old Bay. So along with being too salty, they were over-seasoned. Old Bay is great for steamed crabs and I know that plenty of folks like to put a bit into soft-shell recipes, but the many extra shakes of the can here overwhelmed the delicacy of soft-shell crabs. I expect the meatloaf and the Sunday chicken dinner here are great. But do we gamble on it, having dropped $150 (with drinks etc.) for the disappointing first visit? Dunno. We certainly fear too much salt.

    (2)

  • Jina K.

    Bar Only--Cool place to relax and enjoy a couple glasses (or a bottle) of wine. The staff are all friendly and very helpful with wine selections. The food is also delicious. I had house cured salmon with capers, eggs, and lemon, fried oysters, ricotta gnocchi, french fries, and steamed mussels. They were all very good except for fried oysters--I couldn't taste the oysters. I asked the bartender for honey mustard sauce (for my fries) and she told me she will check in the kitchen. She comes back and says, it'll be ready in couple minutes. She brings back freshly made REAL honey mixed in with the mustard sauce. Though it wasn't the best, I was very impressed by the chef and the bartender to go out of their way and do anything possible to please their clients. Though their wine selection is limited compared to Restaurant Eve, I love sitting at their bar, relaxing with a glass of wine after a hard day of work.

    (4)

  • Susan L.

    We didn't have a reservation so we were surprised and grateful to get a table when we walked in. The service and food were good (my chicken was a tad dry but still good). The prices were very reasonable. It was pretty noisy but I guess that's to be expected when all the tables are occupied. I am definitely glad we went but I probably won't go back.

    (4)

  • Laura S.

    Stopped in for lunch with a friend for Saturday afternoon. The Majestic earned three stars for the food only: Fried oyster appetizer was crunchy with a zesty, light lemon sauce. I ordered a BLT and it was grilled instead of toasted, making the tomato on it more like a chunky sauce than a slice of tomato. Perhaps not for everyone, but for me, yum! My mimosa was made with homemade OJ---another star! Unfortunately, the service---from the moment we arrived---was lacking. The hostess when asked about a lunch menu (since the lunch menu wasn't posted outside) looked somewhat confused and reluctantly gave us one before trying to seat us at the bar. Our waitress was very slow and inattentive---another waiter quickly brought us water, but our waitress took a very long time to arrive for a drink order and almost ran away before we could add that we wanted to order an appetizer. When our waitress delivered our drinks, if I hadn't called after her, she would have left without taking our entree orders (and considering how long it took to get our drinks after we ordered, I was worried she might never resurface). She also didn't check to see if our food---both appetizer and entrees---were okay or if we wanted another drink after our glasses were sitting empty. All in all, with all the other great restaurants with comparable food in Old Town, I recommend looking for a place with better service.

    (3)

  • Vincent L.

    The fried green tomatoes were pretty good. I've never had them before and I recommend getting them here for a first try. I also had the home-style meatloaf. Overall this place had good food and a good ambiance. I would come back if I were in the area again.

    (4)

  • Scott B.

    I am in the restaurant at this time writing the review. The food and drinks look great and the drinks I have had (2) are very good. The bad thing - the entire bar 11 people are sitting without a drink - and not just for 5 mins, we are looking at 25 mins since my my drink was empty. No idea what the bartender is doing, but the bar guests should be his priority and it's not happening. There are a few ladies sitting at the bar that do not want drinks but the rest of the bar does. The couple next to me were offered water but nothing from the bar - they're sitting at the bar for a reason! To be fair the bartender is knowledgeable and can recommend drinks but he needs someone that can be an order taker or needs to learn how to handle a bar. This place could make a fortune if they had the right person. He's definitely showing favoritism towards certain groups. I finally ordered dinner and the food was served very quickly. The food was outstanding and I will definitely come back for the food, but I'm nit sure I would sit in the bar area. Or I would make sure I am more aggressive with flagging down the bartender.

    (3)

  • Belle B.

    Came for lunch on a Wednesday about 2 minutes after they opened for the day. We (2 of us) were seated promptly and attended to. We sampled one main course dish, Local Blue Catfish, as well as two first course dishes, Vitello Tonnato and Fried Local Oysters. Each of the dishes was delicious although the catfish, a recommendation from the server, was easily the best of the three. Combined with the delicious food, the wait staff was attentive and our server made accurate/great recommendations on food and beverages. From my experience, I would recommend trying this place out. I'll definitely be going back when I'm in Alexandria again.

    (5)

  • Gregg M.

    The Majestic is one of my favorite Old Town stops. From its art-deco façade and neon-lit signage, to its hip, modern, well-lit interior, the Majestic is easily the most distinct restaurant on King Street. Strangely enough, all of my recent visits have been for their exquisite hand-crafted cocktails and not their food. Intent on changing up on our usual routine, the GF, a friend of ours, and I decided to do the Majestic for a Tuesday night dinner. Every time I've been in the Majestic, Chef Overmiller, with her signature red bandana, has been at the helm keeping the kitchen running smoothly. This night was no different as she was again hard at work at her usual vantage point in the kitchen. Our meal started with an order of Fried Green Tomatoes, which were fried to perfection and topped with a fried ball of goat cheese, beets, ramps and a wine reduction. We also had an order of Mussels & Clams, which were steamed and bathed in a delicious broth with sausage, garlic purée, ramps, white wine, scallop velouté, and chives. Both apps were very satisfying in taste and execution, although some of the smaller-sized shellfish in the bowl may have been slightly overcooked since the others at the table noted that some of their clams and mussels were a bit tough. Nevertheless, I thought the broth for the shellfish was truly a revelation and put the dish over the top. Needless to say, we used the bread to sop up the juice long after the clams and mussels were gone. For our entrees, I had the Chesapeake Bay Seafood Stew, a tantalizing concoction of shellfish, red snapper, calamari, potatoes, fennel, celery, saffron broth, Old Bay aioli, and croutons. All of the seafood was cooked to the proper doneness; however, much like the Mussels & Clams, it was the broth that was the singular characteristic of the dish that took it from being a very good one to being a great one! In my mind, the Majestic's Seafood Stew has joined Hook's Cioppino as the area's best bowls of seafood. Damn, it was a satisfying, flavorful, dish! The GF had the Asparagus & Morel Ravioli. This was definitely not Chef Boyardee ravioli! As much as I liked her dish, my Seafood Stew was superior and that's not a criticism...the stew was just that good! To accompany my dinner, I had their Barnum (Was Right), a refreshing gin-based cocktail. This was a divergence from my usual whiskey-based cocktail, but it was made with care and precision by Sidney, one of the lovely and talented cocktail slingers behind the bar at the Majestic and equally satisfying to anything I've had at there. Our service from Ana, another of the lovely and talented Majestic barkeeps, but who was on the floor this night, was impeccable. Professional servers should know the food and drink menu and wine list. Ana had that information down cold and really provided us some amazingly friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive service. Note: When Ana's behind the bar, her drinks are outstanding, as well! Chef Overmiller succeeds in dispelling the myth that the best chefs in the world (or at least the DMV) are men. While Restaurant Eve may be Old Town's pinnacle for excellence, the Majestic upholds the family name as the cool, laid back child prodigy with its outstanding, accessible menu executed with precision and served by a spot-on professional staff. 4.5 stars for the food and drink, 5 stars for the service...call it 5 stars overall!

    (5)

  • Pamela H.

    average food and VERY slow service did not make for a great evening!

    (2)

  • Lindsay C.

    I received a gift certificate here as a birthday present. As a recently finished grad school student with a hopelessly low-paying job, I'm not sure I would have chosen to eat here had it not be essentially free to me, simply based on cost. I am frugal, to put it nicely. But since we had $80 to spend, my fiance and I chose to order the most expensive thing on the menu - The Royal-Fixe - which is an appetizer, entree, and dessert for $35 per person. He chose the Grilled Cuttlefish, Amish Chicken, and Double Chocolate Brownie Sundae. As a big eater, I was surprised at how full he was at the end of the meal. The chicken portion is quite large. He enjoyed the Squid ink risotto under the cuttlefish (surprising to me!), and said the chicken was incredibly moist and seasoned. I chose the Tomatoes and Potatoes, Pork Shoulder Confit, and Cheese Lover's Board. I was hesitant to order the Tomatoes and Potatoes given how basic and bland that sounds, but let me assure you that it was BEYOND DIVINE! Heaven in my mouth! The pork shoulder melted in my mouth along with the brussels sprouts and squash puree. You certainly can't get food this exquisite at any place this cheap girl usually frequents! I was quite impressed by the service as well. Not only did our own server make sure that we were always taken care of, but any server that went by would take an empty plate, fill our water glass, or answer a question. With my Cheese Lover's Board, a gentleman, perhaps the Sommelier?, came up to explain exactly what kind of cheese and accoutrements were on the board. Neither of us appears to be a yuppie, so I was impressed on how truly great the service was for us when the restaurant was filled with businessmen and socialites. Not for one moment did we feel neglected. I particularly enjoyed watching the head chef stand at the entry to the kitchen to make sure that each plate was perfect in timing and execution - wiping off any drips with a towel. The check topped $100, which was a shocker to a penny pincher like me, but I will have to admit that the food, service, and atmosphere was well worth the price at the Majestic!

    (5)

  • Brian L.

    This place makes a truly stunning bouillabaisse. I lived in Paris for half a year and have been to the south of France a couple times, and I'm always on the look out for a good shellfish soup. This is as good as any of those, if not considerably better. It was fresh, rich, spicy, offered an amazing variety of textures, exactly what the dish should be. What a delight! My girlfriend said her pork chop was also incredible. What can I say, they're great with traif. Fair warning, I think the prices are a little higher than was advertised in some of the other reviews, think 25 per entree rather than 20 for a meal like others seem to be saying. Still, totally worth it, if I could do it again I'd definitely have gone for the three course meal for 35. Also, ask for the bread, it's really fresh and tasty.

    (5)

  • Mitch K.

    The Majestic is. Right on King Street in Old Town Alexandria, this gem of a restaurant is popular and deserving of praise and patronage. You can take the Metro to the King Street stop on the Yellow or Blue lines and then use the free tourist trolley that runs back and forth on King Street to get there. Tell the driver and he will let you off at the right intersection. Specializing in comfort foods, the Majestic excels in preparation, portions, terrific and personable service and wonderful flavors. Yum, yum. You will have trouble choosing just what you want to eat from the menu. I had narrowed my choices down to no less than four items and had to waffle with the waiter to make a decision. Ditto my wife. I ordered the mussels as an appetizer. They were the best I have ever had and the portion, along with most of a loaf of wonderfully dense, fresh hot wheat bread stuffed me. Panicked, I called for the waiter and begged him to cancel the scallop main dish, which he did and I gratefully over-tipped him for his success. Beware of the large portions. A number of couples were splitting a main course after sharing a couple of appetizers. Good plan. The bar is talented, portions reasonable, service so cool and food so damn good that you will gleefully be telling your friends of your experience. Majestic it is. Go glut yourselves out! You will offend everyone on the trolley with your self-satisfied grins.

    (5)

  • Dave J.

    A group of 4 went to dinner at Majestic on Friday night. The waiter's service was top notch. The appetizers were outstanding try the onion rings. Negative. The server who delivers and presents the entrees (who is different than the waiter) seemed lost and clumsy. The entrees all arrived at different times and included a mistake (it took about 5 minutes to get them all on the table). The location and ambiance of the restaurant are not 5 star. It resembles a nice restaurant/bar but again...not a five star. The total price of dinner plus a couple bottle wine was approximately $400.00 which is too high considering the mistake on entrees and restaurant setting again..not worth five star pricing.

    (3)

  • Mark K.

    I'll give this four stars since most of our food was good. Had the mussels - this was absolutely delicious - my wife, who is afraid of ordering mussels in a restaurant because she always thinks they're gonna be bad or full of sand, she loved the mussels here. I was lucky to eat a handful since my wife and daughter ate the rest - they couldn't stop eating them!!! The rockfish was also good, as well as the green tomatoes appetizer. The only setback was the steak and cheese - not enough meat and the sandwich was overall kinda oily. Service was great and overall had a good time.

    (4)

  • Zeev W.

    Good food and great service would highly recommend. Try to go once a month and liked everything I tried there.

    (4)

  • Jennifer V.

    The food and atmosphere were fantastic. I had the guac and the veggie plate, both fabulous. The service was quite slow and messed up my check. Overall a great experience!

    (4)

  • Meg H.

    Do not let the front of this place confuse you or deter you! My good friend has always raved about Majestic and I just never got around to trying it because I thought it looked kinda diner dingy from the outside. Man I have been missing out! The reviews do not lie, this place is phenomenal. The bread they bring out is delish. Drank the port city brew, ate the mushroom ravioli, and the veggie plate, and the key lime pie. Our friends had meat loaf and mushroom ravioli as well, and churros. So my mother would be proud because I have never been a huge mushroom fan, BUT THIS MUSHROOM/truffle ravioli was insanely delish. Staff was pretty prompt and very helpful. We had a couple miscommunications between bartenders and servers, but it was still a great place for dinner and drinks with friends. All in our portion of the bill was about $100 for two people, with drinks,salad, entrees, and dessert. I'd suggest going for the Sunday night special that is a good deal. Bathroom is downstairs, and was pretty cold, but overall nice. I was really impressed, and happy to try it out with good friends.

    (5)

  • A Z.

    Same name, address and interior ... otherwise, it may as well be a different restaurant. I was a huge fan of this place - but what you see in the pictures and the reviews are from a time gone by. New management. New chef. :( Gone from the lunch menu is the delicious chicken salad sandwich. In fact, if you go for lunch, you won't find a single chicken option on the menu. Also gone: the unique and delicious homemade sodas and Nana's Sunday Dinner. I'll try it one more time in a couple months - maybe they just need time to work out the kinks.

    (2)

  • Sarah G.

    This would have been a four star review, had I reviewed my first visit in November. Unfortunately, my more recent visit was highly disappointing, due to the menu 'change.' By 'change' I mean, they removed dozens of items from their original menu. Many of their best items are now missing. And the remaining ones are sub par at best.

    (2)

  • Sean B.

    A quality, respectable restaurant in Old Town Alexandria. Big portions. I had the pork chops, my cousin had the jerk chicken. We were both quite happy. Service was efficient and friendly. The food isn't innovative, but it is done well. No complaints, would come back again.

    (4)

  • Erika P.

    Amazing food and service. A bit small and would be difficult to host large groups but great for friends or small work meetings.

    (5)

  • Morgan M.

    Great ambience, very good food. Skirt steak was delicious, Chesapeake bay stew seemed to be missing something. All of our order was out in less than 25 minutes--felt very rushed. Our waitress forgot to put in our appetizer; she, the manager, and even the chef personally apologized, and offered one on the house. Appreciate that they recognized the mistake and made up for it! Would come back!

    (4)

  • w w.

    Todd - your killing my liver with the awesome drinks ;) ....and the BLT is killer. Great fresh bread too.

    (5)

  • Jeremy C.

    Top 5 Old Town Alexandria restaurant!

    (5)

  • Cydney L.

    This review is really more an examination of principles than food- heads up. So, favorite friends from out of town ask to meet for dinner at a restaurant in Old Town- what's good? I dig around and land on The Majestic. Perfect! Something for everyone and great reviews. Now, when I say "something for everyone" I mean something for me. I don't eat cholesterol. No animals or animal excretions. (Well, occasional fish, but anyway...) On the menu at The Majestic is Red's Vegetable Plate, which I ordered with no cheese and no eggs. The server came back and said some of the vegetable are cooked with pig, is that ok? I love pigs. They are so smart. They know they're being fed for slaughter. Anyway. NO, it is not ok to offer a vegetable plate cooked with animals! That's just silly. Zagat reports that "plant-based cuisine is the food of the future." Get with it, Red. If you're going to offer a vegetable plate with your name on it, I think you should show you care about your diners and truly understand the value of the vegetable by presenting the vegetables sans animal. It's not hard and it can be totally delicious. I dare you.

    (2)

  • Andy L.

    My wife and I had been meaning to try this place for some time. We finally did last night to celebrate my birthday. Quite frankly one of the best dining experiences that I've had in some time. We didn't have a reservation but got seated quickly and the service was amazing. The food was fresh and tasty and they comped desert for the bday. We found a new local fav for sure, just hate we missed out for so long.

    (5)

  • Megan M.

    Made a reservation over the phone for New Years Eve at 8 PM and called again to confirm the reservation. Then showed up on New Years Eve about 10 minutes before 8 and they lost the reservation. It didn't end there though, the manager (I'm assuming) accused me of dialing another number and made me show my phone to him to prove that I called the right restaurant. They refused to accommodate us even though the restaurant was at most half full at that point and there were only two of us. Instead of admitting fault, the manager refused to give us a table and even blamed us rather than owning the mistake and apologizing. Obviously at 8 PM on New Years Eve it's not possible to get a table anywhere else so we just had to go home. The food itself is pretty good but until the service/management changes I would not encourage anyone to eat here.

    (1)

  • Ashley R.

    Not impressed. Thought with the 4 stars it would be a lot better. Had lunch here last Saturday. Ordered a steak salad. The steak was tasty however their was no salad. It was literally over a bed of lettuce. Didn't taste any dressing. My husband ordered the smoked brisket sandwich. The fries were good, however the sandwich was very plain with little flavor.

    (2)

  • Adam S.

    Okay I don't even go to restaurants without a minimum of four stars. This restaurant is a solid five stars. The quality of every dish my five-member party ordered including the house made ginger grapefruit soda was of the highest level. The coconut cake was on par with any bakery shop I've had in Hawaii. PS our server recommended an off menu dish-meatloaf. If you like meatloaf come here. No More questions...

    (5)

  • Karen C.

    I brought 2 clients here for lunch, today. I was a little nervous after reading the reviews since the reopening under new management. But I have to say, everything was delightful. We were greeted and served with a nice balance of professional, yet friendly, attention. The beetroot salad was beautiful and the flavors well-balanced. The pan roasted salmon was cooked to perfection. Fresh, moist and flavorful with a thin crispy layer of skin on top. The brisket sandwich looked good. My guest seemed pleased with it. The portions and prices were reasonable for such carefully prepared food. The coconut cake was much better than the old Majestic Cafe coconut cake. The coconut was finely grated and there was just the right amount of coconut without overpowering. I'm glad I decided to ignore the negative reviews.

    (4)

  • Tank N.

    Felt very rushed through dinner, and the food wasn't even warm. We had a booth that seats 4, and it was just me and my girlfriend, So I'm speculating that they needed the table for larger parties. The saving grace, bar and bartenders were awesome! Drinks were delicious, just wish it wasn't so damn expensive per cocktail... ahhh D.C. prices.

    (3)

  • Nelson C.

    Have been planning to come here for dinner, however, ended up coming here for lunch on Saturday. Food was good (big portion), service was OK. Still want to come back for dinner to try the pork belly.

    (4)

  • Colin C.

    Been wanting to try this for years because I love fancy southern type food and love restaurant eve under that ownership group. The service was excellent, we went for lunch and it wasn't too packed. Place is a bit small so I could see it being really busy at times. Food wise we had the soft shell crab sandwich and oyster Caesar salad. The chicken salad and veggie sampler as well as the fries were tried. All were cooked and seasoned very well. Prices were too high in my opinion especially for lunch and no sides included. Tons of excellent drink options as well as desserts. The different gelato flavors like maple and brown butter that come with the warm desserts were excellent. For a bday they have a candle and some chocolate they give you. Overall, minus the price a delicious restaurant with nice atmosphere and service.

    (4)

  • Ashley E.

    Atmosphere was nice but that is about all. The menu was VERY limited and the Sunday special ended up being the only option I thought I might like. I ordered the Sunday special for $25 which was BBQ chicken (super dry), creamed corn (that still had the corn strings mixed in, not flavorful) and a potato salad (red potatoes cut in half in a sauce - no flavoring). The dinner mate had a skirt steak (is this really the only cut of steak you serve?) that was served with French fries for $27. The steak was mediocre and the fries were overcooked. Meh. For the prices (which in my opinion should be $$$ for yelp) I would expect much more.

    (1)

  • Samantha S.

    Went for lunch just after the recent close for renovations. Mom and I ate an artichoke soup which was somewhat bland. The new lunch menu is very limited. I had the fish tacos, which while tasty, were three small circles of soft wheat tacos (about three inches diam) with tasty jicama slaw and fish, but expensive at $12. Mom had a duck salad with Brussels sprouts and pomegranate seeds, which was large, but short on duck for the price. The total was $50 with tax and tip, again high for two diners without drinks. The service was good a first, but a long wait and some confusion ensued when we eventually had finished our coffees and wanted to pay. Overall, we enjoyed our lunch, but couldn't see much difference after the menu and management changes.

    (3)

  • Betsy S.

    Totally thrilled when a "local" saw my friend and me looking up and down King Street for a good place for lunch. She suggested "The Magestic" and said we wouldn't be sorry. We weren't sorry. My friend had the Fried Green Tomatoes and I had the Chesapeake Chowder. Because there was a wait for a table, we opted to sit at the bar and discovered a $12 bar menu which included iced tea or coffee! Definitely recommending this restaurant to everyone!

    (4)

  • Baba Sam P.

    A very good dining experience. This was our second time at Majestic Cafe in a little over a year. The staff was as good to us our first time as they were this time. They took our reservations and then seated us without a problem. The food was excellent. The starters were a nice prelude to a delicious meal. We all enjoyed our meals. Nice selection of wines. Our waitress was quite attentive, and a manager stopped by a few times to check on us. Majestic Cafe has atmosphere. A perfect evening for my girlfriend and I and the couple that discovered Majestic Cafe for the first time.

    (4)

  • Steph G.

    As a new Alexandria-ite (is that a thing?), I'm trying to get the lay of the land and figure out what restaurants in Old Town are worth my while. I've been to the Majestic twice now (once for brunch and once for dinner), and I am officially sold. The food is yummy and dependable, if not life-changing, but the service is excellent and I love the cozy, slightly retro atmosphere. When we dined there this past weekend with friends, I was totally grooving to the music they had on in the background (Beatles, The Shins, assorted motown). It's just a happy place. Also, that bread they serve? DAAAAAAANG. It's hot and crusty and like heaven on a June day. They have a pretty fun, legit-seeming cocktail bar in the front, as well. As soon as I'm not pregnant anymore, I'll definitely check that out.

    (4)

  • Brittany B.

    I was not dressed up so the Bartender ignored me! In fact, he gave the empty seat to a couple and made me stand! With that being said, the drinks were great and the food delicious. The scallops were yummy. I would have liked a bit more of a crunchy sear on them though.

    (3)

  • David C.

    Excellent! My whole family enjoyed their meal and the fancy but not too fancy vibe. The service was excellent including the table side Caesar salad prep, as well as replacing serviette when a guest goes to the restroom. My son (12) and I both had the hanger steak, which again was excellent with frites and carmelized shallots. My wife had the "whole fish" which was indeed what arrived, grilled beautifully. My daughter had the gnocchi from the kids menu, as well as a side of Brussel sprouts, all well cooked and tasty. My wife and I also both had cocktails, and the beer selection was interesting and mostly local. I had an oak stout from Delaware. All in all a wonderful experience. My son said I needed to create a yelp account just to review this restaurant!!

    (5)

  • Michael G.

    Top Notch I had an OF, outstanding; with marinated cherries. Wife had a really tasty gin/tonic. Short pours and large ice cubes. Both were 14$. We had a Caesar Salad. It was made at the table. When have you seen that in the last 10 years? Anchovies were the white pickled type. Not my taste. They used a real egg. Outstanding. We had the liver/onions; great take on a old standard, and the Seafood Stew was just outstanding. Desert? Apple fritters to share and an Irish Coffee. You need to get both, especially the coffee. Great take and yes, it does look like a Guinness! Table service is great, and unique. The wait staff helps out at any table at any time. We were served and interacted by four different servers. We liked that. Majestic has it going.

    (5)

  • Lisa W.

    There was a small mix up in our Happy Hour plans at the No. 09 Lounge. The folks at the Majestic/Evening Star were incredibly nice to us and tried very hard to make us comfortable. The service is personable and genuine...not easy to find in a bar. I also wanted to mention. The fried chicken sliders on a sweet potato biscuit. Sweet. Baby. Jesus. These are a must have folks! Re-diculously good! Thanks to the staff at The Majestic...we had a great time and we will be back.

    (5)

  • Clarence J.

    This just didn't turn out to be my type of place -- I looked for / hoped for a little more character than I found from what I've regularly thought of as "the restaurant under the excellent neon sign" (which has always seemed like an exciting prospect). However, while I'm not fully a fan, it's alright. The soft colors and woods throughout are calming, but in general I was reminded of a hotel restaurant -- maybe in that it's nice but somewhat flat in atmosphere and décor. The food is good, especially the warm bread. The cocktails are excellent -- good flavor combinations and decently strong. There's a good selection of wines, bottled beer, and liquors. The highlight, though, is the staff -- they are so warm and welcoming, knowledgeable and efficient (and the reason for my giving The Majestic three stars instead of two) that if I return it'll be because of them.

    (3)

  • Caroline C.

    My prior review was for the Majestic Cafe under the old management. The new incarnation is such a disappointment. The menu is so limited now and just plain bad. Such a waste of prime real estate.

    (1)

  • C K.

    I really wanted to like The Majestic. We had dinner here while looking for a place in the area to host a large dinner party during the holidays. The location and interior was exactly what we were looking for. The service by the wait staff was good. The food was sub par and the attitude of the manager was downright obnoxious. We ordered the fried green tomatoes as an appetizer. They come with two small tomatoes and lots of extra toppings. Not bad, but as some other reviews mentioned, a bit over topped. Our entrees consisted of the fried Amish poussin - which was greasy on the outside and extremely dry on the inside - and the Chesapeake bay seafood stew. The stew had a good flavor, but the soup is loaded with onions and has a large scoop of garlic aioli in the middle. If you're not a mayo fan, this is extremely unappetizing. We will be looking to host our party elsewhere and will not return to the majestic.

    (2)

  • Bri N.

    Second day of my DC trip with another great experience!. Sat at the bar with a lovely bartender (I missed his name, but he has a goatee and glasses) and had the gnocchi, which was delicious. This restaurant group has a total of six locations and I can't wait to try another one of their concepts asap! Thanks for a wonderful evening!

    (5)

  • Bryce A.

    The Majestic has a cool deal Mon-Thurs where you can pick an appetizer, entree and dessert for $39 per person. The family was in town, so we headed over on a Thursday evening to check it out. 4 people x 3 courses = a whole lot of tasting. Appetizers: Ricotta Gnocchi (technically a side, but they let us substitute), Guacamole, Caesar Salad, Tomatoes and Potatoes. The portion sizes on all of these were huge. The gnocchi and the salad were big enough to have been entrees, and the guacamole was 1.5 avocados. The guac and salad were both prepared/mixed right next to the table, which was really cool. No disappointments here, but I thought that the gnocchi and guac were the standouts. Entrees: Grilled Whole Fish, Seafood Stew (x3). The grilled whole fish, which was an entire see bass, served with some grilled vegetables. The fish was moist and flaky. I was concerned about there being a lot of bones, but for the most part the fish slid right off of the bones. The Seafood Stew had plenty of seafood, was hearty and had a great taste. Would recommend both entrees. Desserts: Churros con Chocolate, Peanut Butter Chocolate Brownie, Key Lime Pie, Banana Nut Cake. I thought that the Churros con Chocolate was oily and the Peanut Butter Chocolate Brownie was on the dry side, though the gelato it came with was great. I enjoyed the Key Lime Pie, but the best dessert for me was definitely the Banana Nut Cake. It was chewy, with great banana and caramel flavors. Service was outstanding. Our server knew the menu well and took good care of us, and I enjoyed the tableside preparation. Prices are a bit high but alright for high-end food in Old Town.

    (4)

  • Shawn F.

    Went here over the weekend and got Nana's Sunday dinner -- tacos this week. Tacos are pretty simple, but they were well prepared and delicious. The Tres Leche cake for dessert was heavenly! That seems to be the theme for their menu. Simple American food, prepared perfectly. Their cocktail menu was a little skimpy. Pretty much every drink had OJ in it, so if you don't like orange juice, you're out of luck. The service was prompt and attentive. No complaints. All in all, a pretty good restaurant.

    (4)

  • Angel W.

    I have been meaning to visit the Majestic for a full fledge sit down dinner since I thoroughly enjoyed my impromptu experience at the bar this past summer. For dinner, the restaurant appears to offer staggered seating. They were booked at 5:30 pm but at 6:30 pm it was still not crowded. I assume that's their way of ensuring they can serve the food in a timely manner. Cocktails - I started out with my favorite cocktail which I finally discovered is 1 oz St. Germaine, 1 oz gin and 1 oz fresh lemon. It was just as tasty as I remembered. It tastes like how I imagine a lemon drop should taste, but for some reason never really does. Everyone else at the table drank beer or wine. Starters - My friend had a Caesar salad made table side with anchovy paste, red vinegar, garlic, parmesan, prepared dressing and real anchovies. This is apparently a popular choice, but we agreed that the red vinegar overwhelmed the salad. My other friend had the calamari as a starter and was happy with his choice. Main course - the main courses turned out well. My friends had the Amish chicken and the steak. I had the veggie plate with spinach, mushrooms, green beans, peas, carrots, and a fried green tomato. This was my first fried green tomato experience and I will definitely be back for more. It tasted like a fresh onion, instead of a tomato. Dessert - we had the key lime pie (not as tart as I would have expected), coconut cake (one slice is enough to feed several people) and my fave - the apple cider, cinnamon, and cranberry sorbet, which tasted exactly like Trader Joe's spiced cider - a winter must-have. They also gave me a little surprise packet of homemade fudge for my birthday - thanks! Service was satisfactory. The staff was not particularly friendly and appeared to be chuckling at our requests or questions.

    (4)

  • Cynthia P.

    I was a big fan until my visit a couple of weeks ago. Did not realize they had closed and opened under new management. Had out of town guests, and tried to reserve online, which showed no availability. Happened to drive by, and saw they were almost empty, so we went in. Some of the best things the Majestic,and what set it apart in this neighborhood - are no longer on the menu (e.g., table-side caesar salad). All of our food was, at best, mediocre. I just read that the group who took over mgt at Virtue is the group now behind this restaurant. Figures. Virtue is another disappointment - started with a lot of promise. It seems establishments close to the touristy end of Old Town don't think they have to try very hard - Guess they are not going for the repeat business of the local residents

    (1)

  • Ashley C.

    Highly recommend you try this! We went for my husband's birthday and everything was simply amazing! We started with the Local "Steamer" Clams and since mussels are still in season they asked if we wanted the dish to be half clams and half mussels. It was amazing and everything was very fresh! Then we ordered the Grilled Pork Chop and Chesapeake Bay Seafood Stew for dinner. Everything was cooked to perfection and was absolutely delicious!

    (5)

  • Jeff C.

    The Majestic's bar has a cool feel to it, and you can tell right away that you are in a real cocktail bar. Most of the bartenders have been trained well and know how to make some of the more trendy cocktails. My Bartender Linda D was fantastic and used her mixologistic skills to serve up a really tasty treat called a suffering bastard(gin, bourbon, and ginger beer). I ordered their fantastic chicken salad sandwich and had a very enjoyable lunch. Linda suggested few other cocktails which really underscores the fact that bartenders are not afraid to be creative which is a key factor in a good mixologist, The only reason I didn't give this place 5 stars is that it is really pricey for even Old Town and that is saying a lot. If would be very easy for a single person to walk out of The Majestic wondering what just happened to their wallet. It is not quite like a mugging but the pricing is a bit over the top. Still, if you don't mind spending a little extra, this is a great spot for lunch and an excellent spot for a special dinner. And if you're looking creative craft cocktail, Linda is one of the best guides you could ever have for the journey into mixology ;)

    (4)

  • Jane R.

    absolutely loved it great service great food I had the shrimp and grits and it was amazing service was excellent and will be returning

    (5)

  • Vinh N.

    Drank and ate at the bar. Good craft cocktail selection. Bartenders are patient and you have to be patient also as they meticulously make the cocktails for the entire restaurant. If I could remember the names or ingredients, I would tell you. Good selection of American craft beers also. I stuck with the 312 Goose Island. Had the butternut squash ravioli. It was fine, not outstanding. A lot of places overpower their squash or pumpkin raviolis with the butter sauce and thankfully this is not one of them. I will return to try some of the newer menu items and remember to write down the cocktails I partake.

    (3)

  • Cha L.

    They have a small menu but everything is so yummy! Hush puppies are the best I ever had! You have to try them. Must have and you will be surprised in a good way. Burgers are perfectly medium rare as we asked. Delicious! The service is awesome too! They will clean up your table surface after every course, and they make you feel like you are in a high end restaurant. Everyone is so friendly and nice! Lastly price is very reasonable and affordable!

    (5)

  • Alan W.

    This place was a bit over hyped. Decent food, but nothing great. The mussels were the frozen kind, not the fresh live ones. The portion of the mussels are very small for 15 dollars...like it only cost $4 for 3x the amount given for live ones, the frozen ones...maybe 1 dollar. The whole fish was a little over cooked. The NY Strip, wasn't cooked properly or seasoned well at all. The onion rings, complete rip off, 70 cents for a whole onion, at least give me more piece when each piece is under 5 cent. Overall, I think any chef can tell you this place is over rated. Considering the price that you pay for, you can get more food for the same amount at the DC over priced restaurants.

    (2)

  • Jean S.

    I brought my friends here for dinner this week, it was my first time there, and I was not disappointed. The service was amazing, they were quick with appetizers and main course, kept filling water glasses, surreptitiously cleaned the table frequently and were friendly and helpful - particularly when I chose my main course poorly (the food was fine, it turned out to be something I couldn't eat), they insisted on getting me something else which turned out to be perfect (the jerk chicken). All of the appetizers and main courses were excellent (my friends got the pork chop, jerk chicken and pasta), the beer and wine lists were quite good, the noise level not too loud...overall a great experience. I highly recommend The Majestic.

    (5)

  • Sherry L.

    A friend was visiting from out of town, so we decided to try out The Majestic for brunner (too late for brunch but way too early for dinner) - per a recommendation from our local friend. The restaurant is gorgeous inside and out. From the outside - it looks like an old theatre with a vintage marquee that makes the restaurant difficult to miss! I also loved the lofted ceiling and the large skylights within. Magestic's inviting atmosphere and relaxing decor definitely set the mood for our meal. (: As for the food: Do NOT miss out on the fried green tomatoes! Just don't. You will regret it. The combination of tomatoes + fried egg + potato croquettes may seem strange to you, but trust me, it is magical. My friend and I ordered the sandwich of the day (roast beef on that particular day) and the 'big brat' to split. So much food. So much sauerkraut. So much happiness in the belly. The roast beef was definitely the favorite of the two. I love that they offer complimentary house-bottled sparkling water. I think that little bit of carbonation really added to the meal - I am going to go ahead and say that it also helped with digestion. How true this is, I don't know. It may have all been in my head. To top it off, our server was a real sweetheart. He was humorous and attentive - even though he was waiting on several tables at once. Before we left, he gave us both pieces of fudge because it was "the first time [he'd] seen [us] there". Who knows if they actually give out pieces of fudge to every customer post-meal, I feel special anyway!! The sister is coming into town in a week and I'm already planning our trip there. I'm drooling just thinking about the menu. :9

    (5)

  • laur i.

    Brought our out of town guest because we know the service and food are always good. The New summer menu is delicious.

    (4)

  • Kristin D.

    While on a staycation in Alexandria, my husband and I walked here from the Kimpton hotel for a late lunch. Killer B.L.T. sandwich with homemade thin potato chips and high-end cocktail options. Would definitely come here again.

    (4)

  • Hugo R.

    I love this place. The staff is always cool, martinis cold, food great and a wine list that won't bankrupt you. For some reason I always feel like a rock star when I am there. Staff is attentive but not overwhelming. We just ate apps had a couple of drinks and a bottle of wine. I would highly recommend The Majestic for a fun night out. Cheers.

    (4)

  • Lisa P.

    I've visited several times under the new ownership and have found it doesn't live up to the hype. Food was always mediocre and the staff snobby. Not the friendly hip place it used to be.

    (2)

  • Ben Q.

    Just. Go. I'm not a review-writer. In fact, I registered with Yelp after dining here. Our party of 5 had Saturday night reservations. We showed up 15 minutes late, one person short, and the Majestic's hostess still seemed genuinely happy to see us. The service sustained at this high level the rest of the night. Highlights: - Interesting drinks. Strong and tasty. Maria margarita (spicy, with cukes!) and Test Pilot (strap in!) - Table-side prepared Caesar - raw egg and all. - Perfectly-prepared steaks - Crisp and delicious softshells - French press coffee - desserts we didnt have room for the sleeper highlight of the meal was the Lima Bean side - delicious. Just go!

    (4)

  • Zubin B.

    This place is awesome. We went with the $35.00 per person menu that provided a 3 course meal for each person. Each of the courses was fantastic. The service was top notch. While I would consider Majestic to be a fine dining restaurant, it did not present the stuffy feeling that other fine dining establishments come with. Our server told us he was new, but he was very familiar with the menu, and made excellent suggestions for food, as well as beer pairings. I wish I could remember our server's name as I would give him a shout out. Lastly, the play list this place had while we were there was awesome! We will be going back.

    (5)

  • Nick W.

    The location was neat, the food was good, the drinks were strong, but our server was, well, odd. She did her best, but I'm afraid it wasn't good enough and *IF* I ever go back, I'll be sure to avoid Carolyn.

    (2)

Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.

Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.

Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:30 am - 10

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : No
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Classy
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

The Majestic Cafe

Share with your social network

WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES

Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online

Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.

© 2024 Restaurant Listings. All rights reserved.