Republic Kitchen & Bar
801 N Quincy St, Arlington, VA, 22203
Republic Kitchen & Bar Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Arlington for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Arlington for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Arlington for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
801 N Quincy St
Arlington, VA, 22203 - Phone (703) 556-8500
- Website https://republicarlington.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :6:30 am - 10:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Accepts Bitcoin : No
Good For : Brunch, Late Night, Dessert
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Average
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Paul N.
This places rocks for happy hour, take note half price bottles of wine on Tuesday until 9pm Everyday HH is until 8pm, $4 wines and great food specials Stopped by here during a run to seek shelter when it was pouring rain out and found out they did a Taco Thursday...so $2 dollar chicken or beef tacos which were really good. There menu is small but they do everything right, from the drunken beef cubes, to the macaroni side dish, to the bread budding dessert...great spot!
(4)Will N.
Been here a couple times. It seems to have gone steadily downhill since it opened. The service is painfully slow. Last night I saw two tables get up before they ordered. After our app arrived the server started to walk away and I had I had to ask her if we could order our main courses. I only got to have 2 drinks because she rarely came to the table to check on us. Also, the menus looked kind of dirty. When our waters came out, one of them had old fruit stuck to the outside. Clearly not fully cleaned. The tilapia tacos were ok, but had a little bit of a funny aftertaste. I know this sounds weird but I caught a little taste of something else in my whisky diet. Wonder if the glass was clean. Probably not going to be back.
(2)Eva E.
Food was ok, but I'm confused by this place. Am I supposed to watch the game here or come here for a late night hook up. Not a great atmosphere for either. No thanks.
(2)Moe M.
I underestimated this place nice atmosphere and good service the food was all good BETTER THAN KAPNOS. FOR SURE
(4)Jaimie B.
We have been meaning to try this place for quite a while. We drive by it often and it's usually pretty busy in the evenings. We came for brunch on Saturday. Mimosas are $3 and they have the option (if you ask) to get a bottle of champagne and some OJ with two glasses for $15 so we did that. Ordered the chicken and waffles and fried chicken biscuits and gravy and split both meals. The chicken and waffles were delicious and came with a bacon lollipop on top. The sausage gravy had some red peppers and other spices in it to give it a lot of flavor. Fried chicken had a nice kick to it (paired well with the sweet syrup). I was surprised it wasn't more crowded for brunch! Will definitely be back
(5)Maria-Elena T.
I went with two friends on a Sunday night and we sat at the bar. Our bartender Freddy was great. He knew the menu, the biz, and was friendly. He pointed out the owner who we chatted with as well. The food was delicious. Two of is started with a Caesar with no croutons. Two thumbs up! One friend had the salmon which was excellent. I will go back for that. I had the fish tacos and a side of Mac and cheese. Tacos were good. Mac and cheese ok. Other friend had the chicken and waffles and they were amazing. The atmosphere is very inviting. I loved the three TVs with three different programs. This is a cool hangout place.
(4)Michael V.
The chicken and waffles are delicious. Fast and friendly service. Lots of tvs to watch games. Beers are cold. Outdoor table service available.
(4)Mari A.
WELCOME TO BALLSTON Republic Kitchen and Bar! Glad to see that you've updated your sign as I was getting a little worried that you'd be closed before I even got a chance to check you out. Inside ambiance is definitely a cool vibe. TV's, music, small bar, and décor definitely gives a trendy feel to this new place. I agree with some of the reviews though, the paper menus do not give the restaurant the justice it deserves. At least use nicer paper guys. But on the bright side, I had nothing bad to say about the food that we had. I enjoyed almost all of them. I met a co-worker who was in town that generally works remote to catch up and get in some good eats and drinks. We ordered three plates along side a few glasses of wine and beer. They've got a full bar here but it was one of those low key though looking for a good time type of nights for me. The plates we ordered were: - Beef Cubes Appetizer: would definitely get this again. I think they were going for a Vietnamese Shaken Beef type of dish. It was definitely Americanized but none the less bursting with flavor and very tender. - Tilapia Tacos: I think of the three, this was my least favorite but still a good dish to order. I remember the plate being a little messy even before I dug right into it so it just appeared like a big open faced torta vs. actual tacos. But again, very good flavor. - Shrimp and Grits: Definitely got to give it to them. My loyalty for shrimp and grits still lie with Green Pig Bistro and then Carlyle, but this place cuts it pretty close. Very good flavor. I'd probably prefer the grits to be cooked a little differently, I remember them being less grits and more mash potato like. (I know, I know, very similar but hey- you're looking for a genuine review are you not?!) Overall- would most definitely come back to try some of the other dishes and order the Beef Cubes again. Compared to some of the other restaurants in the area, I think this is a good add to the area. Welcome!
(4)Marjorie M.
This is a great place for brunch. I've gone here on two separate occasions and the food was superb. There are plenty of tables and bar seating to choose from. The decor of the place is classy and trendy, but it is very relaxed as well. When you first walk in, it might be hard to get someone's attention to seat us because both times, there wasn't a dedicated person at the door. We had to wait for one of the servers to greet us. The place wasn't especially busy, so it didn't take very long, but that is something I noticed on both times. The food was very good. I have tried the Eggs Benedict and it was delicious. I also recently tried the Hangover burger which is a burger with canadian bacon (I opted for bacon instead) and a poached egg. I ordered the burger as Medium Rare and while the burger was more Medium Well than Rare it was still delicious. The poached egg was cooked to perfection with just enough runny yolk which I loved. Also, the fries that came with it were seasoned well and I couldn't get enough of them. Both times that I have been here, the food and service has been quite enjoyable. The Chicken and Waffles with BACON LOLLIPOPS were also a big hit with our table. I tried the chicken off of a friend's plate and the chicken was so tasty that I wanted a plate of my own to go! I am from Baltimore so the only time we would come here is when we are in the area to visit my cousin, but I will gladly spread the word that this is a fantastic brunch spot to happily fill your bellies.
(4)Meredith V.
So this seemed like a cool, trendy place to try out. Casual ambiance with upscale food. They have a fun cocktail menu and nice wine list. We ordered the buffalo lollis to start with because they sounded like...LOLLIS. What came out was wings. Just wings. Our server was less than helpful and was working a relationship with some guy who was buying drinks to talk to her all night. No insight on the menu, very icy. It would have been nice if she could have mentioned they were basically wings we ordered (or if that was noted on the menu); not exactly date food. From there it started looking up, as I ordered the salmon and my date ordered the fish tacos. My salmon was in a lobster-ginger reduction and served with sauteed spinach and mashed potatoes. Everything was prepared perfectly and delicious. The tacos were pretty good too. I am not counting this place out, the chef clearly knows what he's doing. Service needs to be worked on but the ambiance is fun and trendy and is my kind of place.
(3)Tiffany C.
We were greeted and seated right away. Nice decor and ambiance. After reading other reviews, I decided to try the chicken and waffles...delish! Everyone enjoyed their food. The waitress is the only reason why I did not give this restaurant a 5 star. She was just plain lazy. We asked for certain drinks (ice tea) apparently they do not serve that. We asked for a flying dog raging botch beer, she brought a PBR....asked for key lime pie...she said they do not have any desserts. She rarely came by the table to check on us. Yet she can stand at the front door and text.
(4)Jen F.
I wanted to like Republic, but unfortunately, that was not the case. The service was so extremely slow, we came to the point where we almost left because we had waited an hour in a semi-empty restaurant for a simple omelette and scrambled eggs. I now understand why this restaurant was empty during prime time brunch hours on a Saturday. Don't waste your time here.
(2)aj g.
Great place for brunch. Never crowded and the food is always excellent. A little bit of a hidden gem in the Ballston area.
(5)Sylvie S.
Stopped by Republic for a World Cup Game. The interior is clean and modern looking with a lot of natural light from the windows. The venue is mainly a bar/sports bar with a lot of TVs. Since the place was so packed, my friends and I sat communally at the end of a table with another group. Our server was very nice and for it being so packed I thought she was very attentive. Happy hour was running until 7 with some $2.50 Miller Lites and half price wine bottles which actually become a steal at $14 a bottle. We shared two plates of beef cubes and a ceviche. The beef cubes were really awesome. They were like a teriyaki-ish meat on a stick but without the stick type of meat. Juicy, well marinated, and very tender. I would definitely recommend this. The ceviche was a total flop though. It was nowhere even near what ceviche is supposed to be. There was not enough lime juice so it tasted bland and the shrimps were EXTRA well done. The place was not bad as far as sports bars go. It is a bit more upscale than most of the offerings in the Arlington area. I'd return for some beef cubes and to try to chicken and waffles.
(4)Louie L.
We came here for a late brunch on Sunday. The food and service here was great. I had crusted chicken over biscuits with sausage gravy and it was very delicious. Would like to try them out for dinner sometime.
(4)Liz C.
We returned to Republic after they settled into the neighborhood and I think they've made leaps in progress. We were seated right away outside. The service was impeccable! The waiter recommended the chicken flautas to me, which came with a cilantro sauce. It was perfectly crunchy, cheesy, and warm. I didn't feel pushed to order anything in addition, which I appreciate. My husband ordered the cheese burger which was also good and could come with a salad if asked. For dessert we ordered the bread pudding - we were the first to try it so they let us review it for free. We ate very well for the price and had a great experience. A great bar/casual dining option in Arlington. We will definitely be back.
(5)Bryant R.
So I live right around the corner from this place and thought I should try it out. I went there yesterday to watch the Giants game but to my disappointment, they didn't have the NFL package, so this is not the best place to go to on Sundays for football. I was waiting on a friend and was really hungry so I decided to stay, eat and watch Redzone for the first half. I initially ordered the Crepes since I wanted something new and special. However, to my disappointment again, the bartender told me it was not really good and recommended something else. I got the fried chicken, biscuits and gravy. It came out and looked delicious. The gravy had some spices in it and I dug in. But before I did, I asked for a better knife and once again to my disappointment, the bartender said he didn't have one. Pretty sure he could have just walked into the kitchen, but whatever. However, he did offer me the knife that he said he was using all morning to cut fruit but I politely declined. I fried chicken was extra crispy, just the way I like it, and I had no real complaints about the food. My plate was $12 and I throughly enjoyed it and at that moment thought I would definitely get it again. NOW here is where it gets really interesting. Another bartender walks in and starts to talk to the one that was serving me. He asked him how the morning was and the bartender response was something like this, "It has been a mess. I walked into the kitchen this morning and the gravy was just sitting out." Did this guy forget that i just ordered a meal with that gravy????? I was disgusted and once again disappointed. I have one word to describe this place and that word is disappointing. I do not think I will ever go here again.
(2)Kayla R.
Second time here. First time I really enjoyed the shrimp and grits and they took out the pork for me. Second time I had the huevos rancheros, it was okay for a Sunday brunch. The water, however, is very unpleasant. It should be filtered.
(3)Zhuozhen L.
Service is mediocre but their food for the most part is on. Point. Got the sliders and it was perfect. Not dry and cooked perfectly. Shrimp n grits were good too but wasn't gritty enough for me. Shrimp was amazing though. But all pricey ): Would probably come back if around the area.
(3)Kelsey I.
I have been eagerly awaiting Republic's opening. Leek was a disaster, so Rustico was really the only decent "smart casual" option in the area. To echo the other reviews, Republic looks amazing. The decor is really nice but still inviting and comfortable. The tables and bar are well laid out too. Moderate noise level, comfortable seats, etc. Upon arrival at 6:30PM, we were seated and then greeted with those awful paper, stapled menus that another reviewer mentioned. Not like a high end restaurant paper menu because the food changes every day. More like a re-used 3-page paper menu that your fourth grader typed up on Word for you. Still promoting the soft opening? C'mon.... I was surprised that we weren't presented with a cocktail menu. When the waitress told us about the beer and wine happy hour specials, I was wondering if the famous grapefruit martini would be featured as well. But alas, no drink list. My friend and I each ordered wine for $5 or $6, which is typical for the area. For food, we tried the mussels, the chopped salad, and the mac and cheese. Everything was okay but not particularly inventive or well-seasoned. The mussels portion was large, but they were pretty small and dry. The chopped salad resembled something I'd make at home, but the house-made vinaigrette was excellent. The mac and cheese was good but pretty bland. I will say that the entrees looked more promising (chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits), so I'll have to try those next time. Overall, I have faith that this place will thrive. The service was friendly, our fellow patrons seemed like young(ish) professionals, and the decor is great. With a solid drink list and with more interesting food options, I'd be here twice a week. Hope to write an updated review soon!
(3)Foodie C.
Great food great Service Tried most of the dishes and was very happy. The version of chicken and waffles was a hit with our group Nicely decorated place with nice atmosphere Music is a bit loud at times to enjoy dinner but manageable
(4)Malcolm J.
This place is great! The people/service: everything you look for in a restaurant. Friendly, attentive, competent. Great service The food is ridiculous. I've never had a bad meal here, and I have had just about everything on the menu. My favorite has to be the chicken and waffles, a real must-do, but everything is good.
(4)Lauren S.
I want to love this place (as I live a block away), but I have yet to enjoy an experience here. I will say the decor is pretty cool and the staff is friendly, but the prices (especially food) are not competitive at all. Also, they seem to constantly have issues with the restaurant itself. One time we went and the draft beer was warm... and they were attempting to fix that issue. Another time, we went for dinner and the grill didn't work, so they told us about 3 items on the menu that we could order. I want to see this place do well, but it needs improvements. It also seems to be pretty empty most of the time, so I would suggest that they do a groupon or living social to get some people in there! They might also want to consider having specials and advertising them better. Maybe a trivia night too? Anything to draw in some patrons!
(2)Lauren R.
The food here is amazing, but the service is so so. I live right around the corner and have seen this place turn over like 3 times now, but I hope Republic sticks! First of all, GET THE BEEF TIPS!!! They are the most heavenly piece of steak I think I've ever had. I would honestly order them as an entree if everything else weren't so good. We came here for dinner on a Tuesday and the World Cup was on, so obviously it was extremely crowded for about the first 30 mins we were there, and then it settled down. They have half price bottles of wine on Tuesdays, which is an amazing deal. We sat at the bar and ordered the beef tips (do ittttt), the shrimp and grits, and the chicken and waffles. The shrimp and grits were fantastic, but as a southern girl I have to say I wouldn't call them real grits... they were more similar in consistency to cream of wheat. Still delicious and I enjoyed it, but definitely not traditional. The chicken and waffles however, were AMAZING. I kept stealing off my friend's plate. The chicken was perfectly fried and the waffles were great and just the right consistency. I think they've ironed out a lot of the kinks from the soft opening, but I have to say the service still wasn't great at the bar even after the World Cup crowd emptied out. It was difficult to get our bartender's attention to order more food and it appeared he wasn't thrilled we were eating at the bar. As for ambiance, it does feel more like a bar than a restaurant, which I was not expecting. It's an interesting mix, but when you go in expecting a restaurant and there's no hostess stand and seating is up for grabs, it's a little confusing. I'd like to come back and try sitting at one of the regular tables for dinner and see what happens. Bottom line, food is amazing, would come back, service needs a bit of work.
(3)Ananya M.
Went with a couple of friends to check out this new restaurant that had opened up down the block from me - was a great first experience! The restaurant is definitely still in its opening stages since our menus were printed on paper. I had the beef cubes, which were absolutely delicious. The meat was tender and juicy, and the salad + vinaigrette added a nice complement to the flavor. The chicken and waffles my friend ordered looked equally delicious - complete with maple syrup bacon. Great experience overall, and I'd definitely go back.
(5)Mike G.
Always leave here hungry and confused. Extremely expensive. Service is okay. Nice environment.
(2)J E.
Way too loud (i.e. Eastern European loud) and super cold. The food and service was just ok. I did like their drink and taco specials. Turn up the heat, turn down the music and you might be on to something.
(2)Sophie L.
The shrimp and grits are amazing! The brunch menu has so many good options and the waiter gave great recommendations. The huevos rancheros was unique with a to crispy tortilla and was really great. Awesome deals for mimosas and bloody marys! Definitely recommend!
(5)Adam D.
Walked into this place on a recent Saturday night (6 p.m.) for a drink at the bar before dinner across the street at another restaurant. If the owner wants to know why their establishment is empty on a Saturday night (and they should), these are the reasons: 1. The staff - some were eating food in plain sight of customers, others were shouting across the bar to each other, and a few kept running to the DJ booth to switch the songs - which were a loud mix of techno and hip/hop. Did I mention it was 6 p.m.? 2. The music - again, on this particular night, there were two tables with small children eating dinner. A few of the bartenders were crowded at the DJ booth and at one point decided to play a popular hip/hop song which includes multiple f-bombs. Eventually, the owner (or general manager?) ran out and told them to change it. 3. Cocktails - my $8 cocktail was made in a glass a little bigger than a shot glass and tasted like juice. Poorly executed and not worth the price. This is D.C - cocktails at that price should (and do at other places) taste a lot better. With "kitchen" in its name, this place clearly wants to be known for a restaurant as much as a bar/club. That will never be the case if chicken and waffles (on the menu) come with a side of douche bartenders and techno music. Where's John Taffer when you need him?
(1)Jenna L.
I'm giving Republic a 4 star rating at the urging of my friend, because she loved it. I was less sure and would lean closer to 3-3.5 stars. How a restaurant can still be in a soft opening, months after it soft opened, is a bit perplexing to me. Anyway, to the review. My friend and I walked in and just stood there while the guys behind the counter stared at us. Neither said a thing until we asked "should we seat ourselves?" "Ohh, uhm, yeah. There are menus on that stool, grab one." So, we grabbed some paper menus from the stool and sat outside. Bonus points for the ridiculously comfortable chairs outside. Eventually a waitress came to take our drink order. I was in a cocktail kinda mood, but unfortunately, there was no cocktail list. Just beer and wine. We ordered the calamari with two sauces to start. It was average fried calamari with decent sauce. My friend got the shrimp and grits and I got a burger. Oddly, fries do not come with the burger, so I had to order the $4 fries on the side - bringing the total for my burger to around $17. Not worth it. Burger was fine, fries seemed like they were bought from costco. My friend loved her shrimp and grits though and wouldn't stop raving.
(4)Nassrin B.
This place has a really funky fun atmosphere to it. They've got some of the best food I've tried in the area. I ordered the steak tacos with rice and tried the candied bacon, all of which were delicious! The service here was really friendly and quick. I'll definitely be back whenever I'm in town.
(5)Christopher P.
Disappointing. This place needs to figure out what it wants to be when it grows up. The vibe is all over the place. It's basically a crappy sports bar dumped into a trendy restaurant space. The menu is incoherent: "International, Asian, Southern/Soul"?? What the heck is that? The bar has eight drafts, maybe two are real beers for serious beer aficionados (no serious DC bar still has Bud Light on draft anymore, c'mon!). But, I judge a bar by its whisky selection, and they had a small, mediocre collection at best. Maybe five scotches, topping out at Macallen 12. Maybe six bourbons, with a couple Bulleits and a Basil Hayden. Don't think of asking for Ardbeg or Blanton's. Not gonna happen. The decor is modern, clean, and bright. The floor to ceiling windows allow for ample natural light, providing a fresh feel. Too bad they do nothing with this ambiance. I went there at 7 pm on a Friday, but it was empty. Dead. I sat at the bar. They have the heaviest bar stools I've ever encountered. That's neither here nor there, but it struck me as memorable. However, the bartender was friendly and attentive without hovering. He was a pro. The menu is plastic laminated - always a bad sign (it screams cheap). It listed a small selection of items that lacked any kind of theme. Bad for vegetarians. Few options. I chose the chopped salad and seasoned fries. Not bad, but hardly a meal. There were four or five servers inside but they had nothing to do and they were clearly going a bit stir crazy. They were antsy and joking with each other. A bit unprofessional (not the bartender; again, he was a pro). They had lots of big TVs, but they didn't flow with the decor. They were also playing a bunch of one-hit-wonders from the 1980s, a bit too loud. WTF? This place literally does not know what it wants to be when it grows up. It's like the owners want this place to be all things to all people. This could be a great space, but someone needs to pull the owners by the ear and teach them a thing or two about creating a coherent experience for customers.
(2)Olivia M.
Been to Republic 3 times now because I live close by and was happy to have something new to try in the area. With that said, each time I have gone to Republic it seems to go downhill more and more from it's grand opening. The first two times I visited, the service was good. Waiters attentive and friendly. The third (and probably last time I will go) the waiter was terrible. Placed a group of 4 of us in the very back of the patio and seemed to forget we were there. A family of 6 that came in 20 minutes after us had ordered and were eating before our waiter came back around. He forgot our drink orders and then brought us the incorrect beers. It took an hour to get our food. From my point of view the service is going downhill based on my first trip to the restaurant. The food is decent but again seems to be going downhill after their grand opening. I asked for no avocados on my salad and there were avocados throughout. Small things but when paired with the service we got, it was enough to deter me from going back in the future. However my friends did enjoy their shrimp and grits and burger after the long wait.
(3)Steven B.
Ughhh..... This place. After going once, will never return. I could write a dissertation about why not to visit, but I'll spare your time. So many great places in Arlington. Do yourself a favor, follow my advice, and check out the other hot spots! Cheers! Keep Eating!
(1)Vlad F.
I came here one night with my local wolf pack and entered this new establishment with an open mind like a college girl ready to experiment. The first impression of the outdoor area was outstanding. It was filled with high end casual seating in a primo area with a young and handsome clientele that made me feel right at home. The wolf pack anchored down at an outdoor table with an insatiable thirst for a cold drink. Unfortunately, this is where the story takes a turn for the worst. The experience was all down hill from here. Republic earned one big star for location and minus four stars for the entirety of the experience. Let me break out my rationale for this poor rating: 1) Drink menu: Last time I checked the name of this restaurant had "bar" in their title. The name of this restaurant is quite deceiving. The beer menu was extremely lacking in quality options. Maybe I've been spoiled by the extensive beer selection at Rustico right next door but the options were disappointingly limited and the ones available would be best described as average. 2) Service: The guy serving us was the epitome of a slug. I would understand if it was busy but in his defense, it wasn't. Don't get me wrong, he was a nice, cordial guy, but quick and efficient service was not one of his top qualities. He was like the girl with a "great personality" that lacks severely in what's most important. The 15% tip left was a charity case for the service received. 3) Food: Saved the worst for last. I had the displeasure of ordering the "Certified Angus Burger." I think a more accurate title for this meal would be "Certified Anus Burger." The flavor was OK but grossly overpriced for the tiny portion they serve you. The beef patty was about half the size by restaurant burger standards and I think they gave me like three fries. I understand fat America (not myself included) needs portion control but don't charge for a fat American meal and give a meal fit for a child. I entered this joint looking to go six to midnight but it left me hanging at six. If you're looking for high end prices for a low end experience this is the place for you.
(1)Lauren B.
Thank goodness a good restaurant has finally taken this space! After the disaster of Leek before, the republic is a welcome breath of fresh air. The vibe is classy but laid back with funky green wall paper, chandlers and multiple flat screens for sports. The service has always been phenomenal (a point leek was lacking that was a key contributor to it's demise). Food is an eclectic bunch on the menu but all equally delicious! The calamari is to die for with addictive dipping sauces that will leave you search for more items to use it on. Also equally good are the sliders, buffalo chicken "Lollypops" and salads. Excited to go back and try the drunken beef cubes everyone raves about. It's a great place to go and get a bunch of appetizers and beers to share as a group, very doable as a whole meal. I look forward to many more meals right across the street, please stay for a whole Republic!
(5)Maggie D.
Came here for the soft opening. We were so excited to see this place crowded on opening weekend and we welcome the new addition to the neighborhood. We shared the delicious beef cubes to start, then tried the chicken and waffles and shrimp and grits---yum. All were very good and pricing was competitive and welcome for this area. The food was on par with other more pricey Clarendon-ballston restaurants. The service was a little bumpy, but nothing that can't be smoothed out with a bit of time. And, odd as it sounds, the table we sat at (booth with a grey couch) was the most distracting part of the night. The couch side was so low to the ground that my tall BF looked like a little kid and couldn't easily reach his food! I noticed other diners were equally puzzled by the couch seating. And the chairs just need rubber tips so they don't slide all over the floor. Again- simple fixes can make this place great. In all, we enjoyed our meal and the friendly service and will be coming back to republic! Happy to have you guys in ballston.
(3)Samantha J.
My previous review was based more on table seating, but it seems the particular wait staff I had experienced (with the slower service) is no longer there, so I wanted to give an update. This has turned into my regular spot. Sit at the bar and you'll be treated like family, complete with entertaining banter with the bartenders. There aren't a lot of bars around where a girl feels comfortable going solo, but this is definitely one of them. Jacob makes a delicious grapefruit martini... I'm just going to let him choose my drinks from now on. Hector and Mel are great as well. Stop in any day of the week and you'll soon become a regular.
(4)Joanna M.
While bar hopping with my girlfriend, she RAVED about Republic since it's opening and I was intrigued and wanted to check out this upscale restaurant and bar in Ballston. There's an outside patio with cute white and citrus colored padded furniture and inside is just STUNNING. Creams, silver and neutral tones really bring out this intimate space and make it look classy and inviting. I loved their chairs: silver, wood with their initial "R"...I want one with my intials on it! Lots tvs along the bar so great place for guys and girls alike to catch a game while checking each other out because there are lots of pretty people here. Anyway, we were immediately greeted by the hostess and sat at the bar where we met Hans, the bartender who we were fortunate enough to take care of us and checked on by Anthony, the manager who's swagger and hospitality is hard to beat. The rest of the staff also came by and greeted us and all seemed really nice, upbeat and happy to work which is always a great sign. They are having their grand opening tonight so that should be HUGE. Familiar more with the DC bar and club scene, Republic's prices are a steal! They told us about their happy hour specials and I'd recommend you come join because I'd definitely go back for happy hour. I did not get to taste their food but everything that came out of that kitchen smelled and looked so good. Next time, I'll have to try their food and report back but for now, I am a fan of Republic. Republic Kitchen and Bar: A great escape from the frathouse bro bars all over Arlington.
(4)Valerie D.
We live right across the street from Republic and it's hard to not go daily. If you want to perfect dinner for two, one of you should order the Chicken & Waffles and the other the Shrimp & Grits - eat half the plate and switch. It is the PERFECT combination of savory and sweet. You really can't go wrong here. The salads are huge, the tacos delicious, the Lollypops yummy...the only thing that disappointed me was the Salmon while they were still on the soft opening, but it looks like it's got a new sauce now. I think the one thing we haven't tried on the menu is the beef cubes and brunch...so that's next. They have frequent food specials (on Mondays you can get their burger and a Miller for $9.99, they half half-price bottles of wine on Tuesdays, etc.). The happy hour is okay...not hugely discounted and the happy hour app portions are too small...so go somewhere else for your cheap drinks and come here for dinner. We've loved all of our servers here. The chef/owner hand-delivered our meal the other night, one waitress came and gave us extra candied bacon (the wonderful piece de resistance on the chicken and waffles) as dessert after we raved about how they needed to add it to their menu as its own item, another got the kitchen to split a burger into thirds for us, and when we went on the half-price wine day, the server was very attentive in ensuring our glasses were always filled, like you'd expect at a very fancy restaurant, but the culture of this place is much more casual. The restaurant is comfortable inside and out and though some on Yelp seem to find it incoherent, we must be their target market, cause we love it. They have big family style tables, lower comfortable chair tables for four, a fabulous bar, and lots of comfy outdoor seating in conversation-style arrangements. We were dancing in our seats the last time we came - and I think they've finally honed in on their music selection, which is never too loud for conversation. It's a youngish crowd (I'd say the average age is 30-35), but doesn't feel too yuppy. The food prices have gone up from when we first came for the soft opening and I would love it if, either they lowered their prices back to where they were, or started up a frequent deal card, so people like me who live in the area can come more often and not break the bank. I sincerely hope this place stays around for a long time.
(5)Ashley N.
My husband and I went here for brunch this past Sunday. We elected to sit outside and were greeted by our friendly waitress to take our drink order. When she returned with our waters, she recommended that we try either the huevos ranchos or chicken and waffles. Whenever we go to a new restaurant, we always go for the chicken and waffles. I tried the waffle first, and it left a horrible charred-like aftertaste. I am not sure if it was cinnamon or another ingredient, but it was very strong. My husband tasted his waffles and said he got a pungent fishy aftertaste. I could not eat the rest of the waffles, but thankfully the chicken was cooked well. We were disappointed because we like to support new restaurants, but it's tough to return after one of our favorite dishes was butchered so badly.
(3)Jelli F.
The food is consistently good, and now that Republic has been open a while, it's a bit easier to get seated quickly. Try the beef cubes and salmon, but really anything I've had there is really good.
(4)Jenny R.
Went for a run last night but instead ran into the bar at Republic...whoops..Felt a little under dressed because the place has a super chic decor mix of industrial meets plush lounge. But it's soft opening week and girl was thirsty. The mixologist Les and owner are super friendly, very welcoming and I'm rooting for them to keep it up n make Republic the new "IT" place in ballston. Make way college brostyle bar scene (eh hem, Carpool, eh hem A-Town) this place says I'm a goddamn grown up and can wear strappy heals here, what? Recommend the HH mussels, fresh, delish over a creamy sauce. umm umm goodness. You must must try the grapefruit martini or 2 or 3 like I did... it's Les's specialty. Not only did he use all fresh ingredients where he mixed citrus juices, peeled some fruit, added alchy, but he swirled in magic into a pretty glass, delicately rested a little orange peel on the rim AND handed it to me with a smile.. I took a sip, and oh my sweet, what kinda heaven is happening in my mouth sense took over..ahh hello new addiction. I like, I like.
(4)Laura M.
I'm giving Republic 4 stars because I have been there 5+ times and feel that they overall they deserve this. The reason I say over all is because they are a new establishment, and my experiences with them have just been getting better and better. I mean you have to give them a break they are brand new and working the kinks out. So let's start with different aspects of what makes a great restaurant... 1) The food: everything else can be bad, but if the food is good people will come back. So the good and the bad on the noms... The good: The chicken and waffles are AMAZING, AND it comes with candied bacon on top. CANDIED BACON. Anything that comes with bacon makes me happy. Beyond that the shrimp and grits, drunken steak cubes, sliders, and caesar salad are also worth mentioning. Now i bring up the caesar salad because while a salad is a salad maybe it was that it was loaded with cheese (I hate it when places go light on cheese) it was the best I think I've ever had. On to dessert..three worlds KEY LIME PIE. I don't even like key lime pie, and I ordered a whole pit to go it's that good. The bad..it's hard to say anything is really "bad" here, but I feel like if you are going to serve Mac and cheese make it something I can't make at home. I mean Velveeta?? Meh. 2) Cocktails: Creative cocktail. My favorite the Republic Mule. LOVE IT! I do feel like if you are going to make a classic drink you need to keep the "classic" elements such as the copper cup. To me a mule is not a mule unless in comes in the proper container. 3) Ambience: I've read some reviews that the seating is "cheap". I wouldn't say that I feel like they are going for a modern minimalist look, and I think it's really cute. I love the TV's so if you go for happy hour you don't miss anything on PTI or Around the horn which while not important to me gets my boyfriend out of the house for happy hour. I love the out door seating, and that they are "dog friendly". Not just you can bring your dog, dog friendly, but like "can I get your pup a bowl for water?" dog friendly. Big plus for someone like me who likes to include my dog as much as possible when the weather permits. Sure, in the beginning I walked out thinking "hmmmmm" on the service, but every time I go back my experience is better then the last time so for a new place working out the "kinks" I think they are doing really well and I am really looking forward to the new brunch menu. If you like my review follow me on Facebook and instagram: NomNoms4Foodies.
(4)Melis S.
Ahh so many good things to say! FIRST OFF Republic is so visually stunning that I guarantee you'll get drawn in right when you walk through the doors. I've been to many nice restaurants in Miami, LA, NYC, etc and I'm so excited to say that we finally have an equally as fabulous place right here in Arlington!! Love the furniture/interior design and overall energy inside the place. Now for the important stuff........the food was beyond amazing. Went here with 2 girlfriends and we decided to share a bunch of plates since we couldn't decide on what we wanted (everything sounded delicious) between the 3 of us we had the lollipop chicken wings, beef cubes, chicken & waffles, mussels, and shrimp and grits. EVERYTHING was worth raving about the chicken wings were crispy and flavorful, the beef cubes were so tender they literally melted in my mouth and the chicken and waffles were so juicy and sweet that I had to ask them what their secret was (apparently everything's made from scratch) I'm usually a little hesitant when it comes to trying out new restaurants when they first open up but you can really tell management has done a fantastic job in making sure everything was perfect. Waiters are very sweet and attentive which is a hugeee plus in my book NOTHING I can't stand more than bad service at a restaurant. Highly recommend this place for all occasions and I'm SO pleased to say we finally have somewhere like this in Arlington.
(5)Minger M.
All these four and five star reviews are highly suspect. The decor and furniture is modern on the cheap side, reminiscent of a Top Chef pop up restaurant without the production value. We sat in plastic chairs outside. The service is earnest, though perhaps suffering from launch jitters. The steak salad felt like everything was put on the plate by the numbers. The flavors were bland and lacked cohesion. The only flavor i can recall was the Tabasco i had to apply half way through to liven the dish. With a menu so basic, the basics have to be done well. The drinks are overpriced.
(2)Amir Z.
Staff makes the difference. I went in there with one of my 'difficult' friends who never knows what they want, the bartender took his time and really went over the menu to find the perfect drink for her. It's refreshing, especially in Ballston, to have that type of service, where they actually are more about the customer having a good time then just trying to get a good tip. That experience really stood out. Moving on, it's a great date spot, it's got that trendy experience which makes a hit with the female demographic and great TVs for me to catch the game. The food? I only tried the beef cubes. Get the beef cubes. No, really.... stop whatever you are doing right now, drop everything and get those beef cubes hahaha. Needless to say, I liked it. Place is great, staff is great, food is great. It's a no brainer, I'll be back.
(5)Kate M.
The food was decent but the service and ambience was the down grade here. The waitress asked if we would like more water and then placed a bottle of water in front of me and said "here." The food that we received was not what was described in the menu. We were missing bacon on our salad (huge bacon fan, whole reason I ordered it), a dipping sauce for the calamari (it's supposed to come with two) and when we asked the waitress for the second sauce she said it only came with one. The "maple bourbon syrup" with the chicken and waffles was not anything more than store bought generic syrup (not pure maple like advertised). This was truly a disappointing visit as the menu and website looked so promising. I would not come here again unless hey properly trained their wait staff on the menu and actual serving skills.
(2)Jocelyn H.
Overpriced drinks!! After 10 pm or so servers and hostess leave so you have to seat yourself and order at the bar...it was a Friday night.won't visit this place again!!
(1)Andrew S.
I will not be coming back to this place and do not recommend it. Three of us walked in on a Friday am evening and asked to sit outside. There were two open tables but they said they can not sit us because the staff could not handle anymore tables. I said we were not in a rush and we are ok of its slow... Still a "no". They offered us a table in the bar area that had people standing over the current people there... No thanks. Sat at the bar instead. Bartender handed us paper menus and a drink special list in a plastic holster. The girls ordered mixed drinks. Two prices on the bored. Common sense would say short/tall glass option. Nope, happy hr va regular hour. Stupid. Bartenders kept spilling the liquor everytime they started and ended the pour into a glass, wasting lots of liquor. Their drinks could be cheaper if their bartenders knew what to do. The place needs to be finished in terms of construction. Looks like they ran out of money halfway through and just opened the doors. 2x4's behind the tvs on the walls.. Unpainted. You can see the raw wood. Some electric is hidden, some exposed. Very unprofessional. Color scheme of the furniture looks like they got samples of whatever other people didn't want. Ugly. I'll take my money and time and enjoy it somewhere else. Two mixed drinks and a tap beer. $31. This is NOT NYC!! Save your money. Food options were interesting but over priced so we didn't bother.
(1)Kimberly S.
First time trying Republic last night and had a great dining experience!! We were sat immediately and the waiter was super friendly. I ordered the chicken and waffles and it was amazing. The chicken was crispy yet tender and the waffles were light and fluffy.The maple bacon syrup on top really made it a winning combo. The other two diners in our party had the Republic Drunken Beef Cubes. As much as I enjoyed the Chicken and waffles, they might have enjoyed their dish more. They were also able to substitute their sides for no additional cost. I can definitely see myself making Republic one of my regular go-to places since i"ll be working in the area until the end of the year!
(5)R P.
It's great food but I just wanted to warn others to be prepared to wait to be waited-on by their staff! Their extremely delicious entrées and appetizers do not make-up for the less-than-stellar service. It seems that they were understaffed last Friday. The restaurant-bar seemed to be busy at 9:00pm but after waiting at the door to be greeted/acknowledged and sat for almost 10 minutes, our party of 3 made ourselves at home and sat ourselves. This seemed to annoy the wait staff since a manager was never seen during our 2 hour stay. We flagged down a server who was also annoyed and told us the table was dirty so she grabbed glass cleaner and sprayed it indiscriminately without warning to where we quickly grabbed our phones from the table. There appeared to be only 2 servers and one busboy facilitating service. So we had to flag them down each time to get attention.
(3)Brad D.
Recently returned for $2 dollar taco night. After ordering a few steak tacos our waitress returned with the bill. $2 taco night has become $3.50 for steak and $2 for chicken. Very Disappointing after I have eaten this special multiple times all of a sudden the price for steak goes up a buck fifty! What gives! I still like this place alot. Good beer selection great atmosphere. I just want my $2 dollar steak tacos back.
(3)Shaunna H.
We never got a chance to try Leeks so we made it a point to go here. Calamari w/ two sauces (good; the sweet chili sauce was the better sauce but it has cilantro in it which my taste buds seem to have a sensitivity) Drunken Beef Cubes (great!; Cooked perfectly and the cucumber is a yummy addition) Shrimp and Grits (Delicious!; My shrimp were a little overcooked and slightly dry. Nothing bad enough to deter me from eating them but they weren't juicy or succulent enough for my liking. The grits were perfectly creamy and I would say a little under-seasoned...if it weren't for the white wine sauce. The sauce really pulls the entire dish together. I scraped the plate.) Chicken and Waffles (Good!; Belgian waggle, chicken breast, candied bacon, bacon syrup, you can't go wrong.) Great tap selection. I also ordered a Grapefruit Gimlet at our server's recommendation. Quite tasty. The service was excellent. The staff were friendly, made great recommendations, and were attentive without constantly interrupting. I didn't mind the paper menus so much. True the don't fit with the posh ultra bar Miami vibe but you don't go to a restaurant for the menus. The price is pretty typical of, if not a few dollars less than, most restaurants around the area. I will definitely be back. Especially since I didn't get to try the Key Lime Pie.
(4)John R.
Went there for brunch this past Sunday and had an exceptional time. Highly recommend the chicken and waffles. Great neighborhood vibe, live acoustic music on Sunday's during brunch. No doubt I'll be back soon.
(5)Nasim N.
This place is straight-up awesome!! The location is fantastic, the décor is trendy yet classy, the food is outstanding, and the owners and staff are courteous and super friendly! I've had several dishes on my many visits there and would highly recommend each and every one I devoured: the beef cubes are mouth-wateringly good, the chicken & waffles are to die for, the sliders and burger are the juiciest I've ever had, the chicken lollies are full of spicy goodness, and save room for dessert as the key lime pie is homemade and just delectable! The bar is amazing as well and the layout is very inviting. Very NYC/LA-esque. I'm looking forward to many more nights at Republic!! Arlington just gained a true gem of a place and the hard work and high quality is evident as soon as you step foot through the door. Can't wait to go back!!
(5)Christie E.
Went here two months ago or so for their soft opening. Nothing interesting recalled from their initial menu, but tried the mussels and grilled ceasar offering. Mussels came in a good portion, but the quality of mussels could've been better. The bodies were small and dry. I don't recall anything grilled with my grilled ceaser so that was a bust. Mediocre food offerings. Most of the staff was nice enough. Hostess and waitress were pleasant. The manager/owner was busying himself with his table of friends. Since we were right next to them, this was quite distracting. He looked over at our table a few times, but not even a wink, nod or courtesy smile for our paying table. That was offsetting. Even still, I want this place to do well. I live here and have a vested interest in the community development overall. This is the third establishment to take over this spot since i moved here, so maybe third time's the charm. I will give this place another shot in the near future in hopes that the growing pains subside. Here's hoping!
(2)Aylin S.
I had heard through the Arlington grapevine that there was a gorgeous new restaurant/ bar in town so when my girlfriend from Texas was coming to DC for her birthday we decided to try this place out. I went there for dinner prior to see it for myself and just from walking in we immediately knew that we wanted to take her to Republic. First off the interior of the restaurant is gorgeoussss. The ambience is stunning and very trendy, which is so nice because we usually have to Uber it to DC to go anywhere this attractive. The Dinner: A place this nice the food could have been mediocre and I would have still left a happy camper but everything we ordered was really good! We started with the chicken lollipops and beef cubes as an appetizer, both very flavorful! My friend liked the beef cubes so much she ordered the entrée version as her meal! I got the chicken and waffles and honestly won't be able to try anything else on the menu for a while since they were really gooooood. The birthday: We invited a bunch of friends (40+) the night of and had an amazing time! At night they play house/clubby music and dim the lights so it was perfectttttt! They even asked for the birthday girls name and dedicated a drink of the night named after her which I thought was so awesome!! TWO thumbs up to republic for showing my girl that not everything's bigger in Texas, including the parties.
(5)Liz G.
Chef was missing for some reason. Guy in kitchen didn't know how to cook what we wanted so forced to order something else.
(1)Michele B.
We really wanted to love this place, but it is just ok. We live just around the corner, so we have stopped by plenty of times.There are some pretty good items on the menu, for example, the beef cubes and huevos rancheros. Also, it is a laid-back atmosphere and is a good place to catch a game. The above reasons are why I did not give this place 2 stars. The service is horrendous, but that is not because their servers don't try really, really hard. They just always seem to be understaffed. On a beautiful summer evening, sometimes we only see one or two servers scrambling to cover tables both indoors and outdoors. Looking at the other reviews, it seems Republic is really popular, so I wonder why management hasn't invested in more staff.
(3)Nikki B.
I've been here once - and while I wasn't blown away, I would definitely go back. Patio seating is great and my meal was good. Seated almost immediately...and enjoyed the inside decor - very clean and modern.
(3)Kevin M.
mediocrity run amok. the last three businesses in this space have failed; i had high hopes for this one. dashed. stopped in last night 8:30. two-thirds empty. theme is incoherent and generally lacking. 90-lb barstools, 18 flat screens, chairs custom carved with "Republic." all fine, its an attractive space. what about food, drink and service? there is a short selection of eight uninspired drafts, short list of the usual liquor, and a short food menu, all printed on a plastic card. we tried the burger and the sliders. the sliders are micro and were gone in one (yes one) bite. the burger is simply the cheap rubber-meat stuff they sell at a grocery store. sorry to owners comment about "top quality" or whatever. this stuff is not grass fed, high-grade, or sourced whatsoever. portion is decidedly small (maybe four ounces) -- about half what you will get elsewhere. a few mediocre fries. what will this cost you? $14. the sliders come with a tiny scoop of fried....something, all for $9. if you want to charge these prices sir, here's some good news: YOU CAN! but you have to DELIVER something. the food is not a good value. try $8 for this burger and i'll be happy to give a couple stars. three male bartenders were on duty, and service was adequate but lacking in warmth or enthusiasm. most all of the chat was among themselves. my glass was empty for a time. and already you can hear the excuses beginning. this a friday night, and i ask how the business is doing. response: "well...you know.... summer is always a slow time...." oh, i see (um, they have been open three months now). i always tip well regardless, but this one was handout. there is ok canned music over the tv, and then we hear....commercials? seriously? (again, small thing but...what are you thinking?). its a business, people. and then the bathrooms -- the bathrooms! ooohh, don't get me started, but suffice to say, its the details that give away a poorly run business. and one thing is clear here at republic: no one is watching the details. i believe there is a tide of business owners who think in arlington you can just show up -- and "the people" will throw money at you. i see the owner is interested in responding to reviews. good for him. but let me ask him one thing -- your business is within just a few months of failure, is anyone listening? its COMPETITIVE out there. too may other options. perhaps this location is hexed. WILL NOT be back.
(1)Steve H.
This is a new restaurant, and they're still working out minor kinks. That said, the food, bar selection, and personable service show a lot of promise; we'll be back. The menu is still a work in progress, and they promised changes and more options. We're largely vegetarians (we occasionally eat fish), and there were not many vegetarian options, other than salads--hold the bacon--and sides. I ordered the salmon, which came as ordered, and the lobster reduction sauce was delicious. Mac and cheese and mashed potatoes were all very tasty. For dessert, the homemade chocolate pie--more like a rich chocolate mousse with a chocolate crust in a glass cup--was delicious. They've got a well-stocked bar and decent varieties of beer. I'm a Racer 5 fan, which they have in bottles. The service was excellent. They were honest up front about still working out kinks. Our waitress was pleasant and well-versed on the menu items. My only real criticism is the lack of real vegetarian options, especially important with Arlington's demographics. They promised more choices on the final menu. I can't wait to see what they come up with!
(3)Sammy G.
Bacon doesn't need to be on all the things. Also ask for for salad dressing on the side, cause, whoa.
(2)Hollywood H.
Came here to watch the game and get some grub. Bartender was awesome and provided great service. Lots of TVs and good viewing. Got chili, chicken lolli's, and mac and cheese. The mac and cheese was meh, but really enjoyed the chicken lolli's and chili (as long as they don't add any more cinnamon to it- it was borderline too much). Comes fully loaded and with chips which was nice.
(5)Joel W.
Good place to burst your eardrums. Why music needs to be so loud is puzzling, since it detracts from conversation and creates an unpleasant tinnatus vibe that lasts the rest of the night and into the next day. How about turning it down a little bit!
(1)Dee F.
Really great happy hour/football game deals! They should advertise these more. Food is okay. Standard bar food. Lots of TVs for football on Sundays
(3)Chris D.
I went here last night for the soft opening. They have done a great job with the interior of this location. The food was good I had a Cesar salad and the beef cubes which I really liked. I'm glad their is finally a good restaurant in this location,seems as if this one is here to stay.
(4)Jim H.
The drinks, food, and atmosphere is great. Waiters are friendly and remember your name. Think of it like Cheers where your favorite drink is ready when you walk in. Food - I reccomend the tacos and beef cubes Drinks - Jack and cokes are always nice and strong :-) Tip - Ask Freddy about the watermelon beer
(5)Tina C.
Great service!! I ordered the chicken flautas and they were yummy... I will definitely go back again on a weekend!
(4)Rob E.
I haven't been to many places where both the service and food were awful. Walk-in tonight with a friend and the place was not busy. We were practically ignored to be seated. After we ordered our food, the waitress failed to provide utensils...we got up and got them ourselves. Service was slow and our waitress disappeared on us. The Calamari was overcooked, tasted like rubber and the Sliders were below average. $54 dollars later and I'm sorry I didn't go to Kapnos Taverna across the street.
(1)Mary Beth L.
The bartender never even talked to us. Looked at his phone the entire time, never checked on us. Hans was not attentive at all. Awful.
(1)Anne B.
Got there at 6 and sat at the bar with a fabulous bartender. Then moved to the table where it went downhill. Food was ok, The steak was good but everything else was ok. The waitress was slow, didn't offer drinks, and didn't do basic things like bring plates for apps, clear the table or offer us more drinks. She also Had trouble with the bill not impressed overall. We went to willow for Dessert where we had fabulous service and food. Republic won't be winning me back.
(2)Joseph B.
First visit since this place opened. Awesome atmosphere. Good food. Drinks were not that great. Beer was nice and cold. Met friends for happy hour and appetizers. Apps were great. Give it a try.
(4)Peter W.
A promising upstart in the location that hosted Leek for just a year. Republic offers a menu very similar to its predecessor, but will probably succeed where they failed because they plan to balance the dining crowd with a loud bass soundtrack and sports bar atmosphere to fill the after-dinner gap. They have also expanded outdoor dining area which is nice if you sit away from the buses and trucks on Wilson Blvd. I will dine there when the weather is moderate, so I can sit outside and not have my head rattled by the music. Fish tacos, salmon, shrimp & grits - all very pleasant.
(4)Alli F.
Stopped by this place with a friend to grab dinner... The best part of this was the limited menu. This should make it easy to make 5 or 6 dishes very well it is not the case here at all. I got the shrimp and grits, the shrimp had clearly been just sitting somewhere because they were dry and tasteless and the grits were also bland. The other dish I tried were the beef cubes which were much better but not note worthy at all
(2)Shannon D.
So folks are still friendly, but frustrated that last time I went into happy hour, they seem to be struggling with adequate stock. Sat down and ordered a wine offered on the happy hour menu - out of it. Okay, no big deal. Order the mussels - guess what? Out of that too. Never a good thing when i have to ask the staff what IS available to order. Ended up with the drunken beef cubes which is great, but for a restaurant with their price points being out of food at 6pm is really not great.
(3)Mark L.
Drinks are WAY too pricey for this area....$15 with tip for vodka soda. Food was average The design of the place is awful. Looks like a mix bt a bad Greek design and sports bar. Went there for USA gold cup game and they made us stand out front for 1 hour while they set up. Good customer service would have been to offer us water while we waited. Looks like they don't know what they're doing
(3)Ed S.
Arrived around noon Saturday for "brunch". Place was nearly empty, which was the first sign things were amiss. Music was too loud and it took 5 minutes before we got water and menus - even though we were one of only two seated tables. Hollandaise was a little curdled on the eggs Benedict, crepes were doughy, and "hash browns" were actually "tater tots". Wrote this while waiting for the check.
(1)Denise B.
The food is okay but way overpriced. Also, I've sat outside three times and the service was absolutely horrendous every time and the staff is totally unapologetic about the delays. I, too, cannot understand all the great reviews. I have kept going since it is so close to where i live hoping it will get better and it doesn't. I assume that management thinks location will be enough but I'm done.
(1)Julyn Z.
Good place to hang out
(4)Leah M.
Disappointed to have to change my five star rating to a two star rating. The first experience I had at Republic a couple months ago was GREAT. But the next two visits were very sub-par. The service? TERRIBLE. Last time we were there, we were told we could grab whatever seat we'd like outside. We grabbed one of the only open tables, a very uncomfortable high table, and sat there for about 10 minutes. We were never greeted by a server in that time. So when we saw a lower table open up, we quickly jumped tables. Well, the OWNER came over and basically tried to bully us out of our table, saying that there were a few women inside who had their eye on that table. He finally told us "It's fine, I guess you can stay there." Were we not just told outside seating was "grab a table anywhere"? On a busy stressful night, I wouldn't be so surprised to get a little attitude from a stressed waiter or hostess, but that kind of treatment from the OWNER? Also, it took us over 20 minutes to be acknowledged by a waiter, and that even took us waiving someone down so we could squeeze in a drink order before happy hour ended. They've raised their prices a couple times (as other yelpers have mentioned) and I have to agree that this whole "soft launch" thing sounds like bait a switch. "LOW PRICES! - Wait, just kidding." The food is good, but definitely not for the price they are now asking.... this isn't a fancy DC restaurant. Also, I was originally ecstatic that they had Bold Rock, a Virginia hard cider, on tap, but no more. Now it's Angry Orchard (ew) just like every body else.
(2)Tricia M.
We stopped by Republic for brunch on a Sunday afternoon and it was amazing. Our Server, Tim, was great! He was knowledgable and funny...he knew the food and made great recommendations. We had $3 mimosas and the Chicken & Waffles. The chicken was juicy (skinless/boneless) and had the best crunchy batter! The waffle was a traditional Belgium waffle, BUT the kicker was the candied bacon lollipops!! OMG, they were soooooo good!!
(5)Ss G.
Good service, great atmosphere. Enjoy watching games here and meeting friends for a drink. Wish they offered at least one vegetarian option for a meal.
(3)Finley A.
Him (paid the bill): So excited to see Leek replaced by something better. The decor is fresh and there are some interesting seating options that make it fun to watch the street goings-on. Service was stellar, as would be expected during a soft opening. The chicken and waffles were sweet and crunchy, while the shrimp n' grits had an amazingly smokey, complex, and rich taste. Loved both entrees! Good beer selection, too. Her: Awesome service, great location. Fun menu, although there were too many salads for my taste. The chicken and waffles arrived as viking ships; they were deliciously served with bacon maple syrup! I would rate the shrimp n' grits highly except that the grits weren't cooked correctly (I'm from the South) and they had a more potato-like consistency. I found the decor confusing. They tried too hard to be edgy and cute, and so the restaurant looks like a trendy salon. Why are there so many T.V.s? Is this a hip restaurant or a sports bar?
(4)Yesenia R.
Decided to have dinner here on our first night in Virginia. The food was amazing. Sliders melt in your mouth. The mac and cheese is a must (and I am not even a fan of mac and cheese). The beef tacos were amazing! Oh and can not forget the grits and shrimps. Not a good place for children but they made the best attempt to accommodate.
(5)Long S.
If you can't see how horrible (!!!) your service is, I cannot explain it to you. But I will give you some advice -- spend some time in the front of the house and open your eyes and observe the service for yourself. If you see customers waiting and waiting and waiting some more to get their drinks and food, voila crappy service!!!!! And if you see the waitstaff lounging around while customers are waiting and waiting for their food and drinks, then that is another sign that you are at Republic -- oops I mean that the service stinks!! Have you or any of the other manager/owners actually trained the staff? If you have then you or they are a big part of the problem and you should hire a professional manager!!
(1)Amanda J.
Loved the modern atmosphere, and the food was good. The menu is small, but covers all your basic wants in a bar food menu. Drinks are really expensive, but service is good.
(3)Kevin K.
The place looks nice and has potential with the nice patio but... Walked in midnight Friday and the place was dead and blasting terrible music. First thing bartender says is don't worry we're changing the music. To his credit they blasted slightly less terrible music the rest of the time. It was as if they believed blast 80's music and the party will come; but really it was just 6 people whose conversations were competing with obnoxious music. And then the $12 cocktails. I can do better at places that actually have a scene. As much as I'd like a place so close to my house succeed, I don't have any reason to want to go back nor can I recommend it. My advice, go to Rustico. But the place is new so in a month who knows... Oh and big pet peeve is a bar with no bar (foot) rail.
(2)Lauren Y.
The bartenders are super friendly and management always goes out of their way to stop by and great us. They know what I like and often make recommendations based off my previous orders- for both drinks and food. The food service is fast an the food is always delicious. I will for sure be back time and time again; the atmosphere always makes for a great experience!!
(5)Natasha D.
I absolutely loved this place! I wasn't the biggest fan of Ballston restaurants up to this point, both Big Buns and Rustico failed to impress. However, Republic was fantastic from the beef cubes (appetizer) to the steak salad and mussels (entrees). We also had the famous Key Lime pie which was creamy and delicious. I highly recommend this place - Sports lovers will also enjoy Republic as it has a ton of TVs lining the upper walls. Go there soon!
(5)Stephen D.
This place is amazing. Great decor and the food is incredible. Highly recommend the beef cubes, salmon and tacos. The late night scene is great. Go and have a great a time.
(5)S S.
I went here during the World Cup due to their sign advertising World Cup showings and because I wanted to check out a new place. The decor is great. I sat at the bar and the bartender was friendly and provided prompt service, and gave me a heads up that happy hour was ending. But I'm not sure what this place wants to be - a restaurant or a bar for happy hour or a bar for late-night? The cocktail I had was okay, the salad was good. Not original dishes, but the at least the salad ingredients were fresh. There are no vegetarian options besides side dishes and salads (most of which have bacon on them), which is disappointing. I might return here for a beer after work, but that's about it. Basically, it's another Arlington restaurant/bar where everything isn't bad, but it isn't great either. Since it's a local business, give it a shot.
(3)Vinay M.
Had a great time here tonight. Service was great and the Buffalo lollipops were excellent. We had a great server who knew her beers and set me up with a fantastic Belgian ale. I hope to go more frequently now. For fellow Arlingtonians this is finally a great place that hopefully lasts for a long time.
(5)Bryan G.
Went during their soft opening week for dinner. Was blown away by the quality of the food. Had the beef cubes for our appetizer, the sesame marinade on those are amazing, they melt in your mouth. I had the angus burger, medium. Needed no ketchup or any sauce, it was delicious. Girlfriend had the crispy chicken chopped salad and the chicken was fried and plentiful. The quality of every dish was very high and the prices very reasonable. We had the key lime pie for dessert, which they should add to their full time menu because it was the best we have ever had. It was obviously the soft opening, as the menu's were paper, staff were all over the place greeting people, the music was being played from a macbook, etc. None of which were negatives for us, just setting expectations for those who may go across the next few days. I highly suggest you check this place out, I know we will again.
(4)Alexandra B.
I went here last night intending to get drinks and dinner at the bar with my friends. After waiting almost 30 minutes and ordering the same drinks three separate times we decided to go somewhere else for dinner. The bartenders were nice. Don't get me wrong. The bar wasn't busy. I think they clearly still have a lot of kinks to work out. Also, it is sort of a weird scene with lots of families at dinner and then lots of Clarendon types.
(2)Marsha W.
My new favorite place to hang out... The food is hella good... Fresh everything... Great place for tasty food, original mixology drinks, good music, and adult mix and mingle crowd...
(5)Jen M.
Its a new place and they're still getting their act together, but this place has potential! The atmosphere is fun and the food good.
(3)Winston R.
As my rabid fan club knows, Big Win likes to enjoy the finer things in life, namely cheap booze and red carpet treatment. However, Republic Kitchen & Bar failed to roll out the red carpet for your boy and his posse of drunken no-do-gooders (to say nothing of the missing complementary bottle of champagne). There's only one possible result when this happens: many stern looks of disapproval were given to employees and patrons alike. After about fifteen minutes of grimacing and grunting at any unfortunate soul that happened to walk into our immediate vicinity, the gang happened to notice that their throats were parched and their mitts devoid of any kind of alcoholic beverage. Finally a young gentleman introduced himself as our waiter, and after verifying his credentials the boys allowed him to take the drink order with a warning. After roughly twenty minutes of vigorous and intellectual discussion among the gang ensued (our appetite for knowledge is only matched by our thirst for alcohol) our saintly patience was finally rewarded with various rail drinks and over-priced beers fit for a pauper. The fast food fare offered up to the braver members of the crew (official taste testers to ward off any attempts at sullying Big Win's kingly palate) only served to confirm our initial misgivings. Another round of drinks were promptly ordered in a vain attempt to forget how such a noble group of Yelp Gods had been severely mistreated. Sadly, it didn't work on account of the mandatory fifteen minute wait per drink order. Needless to say, it only took seconds for this roving wolfpack to hightail it out of there in search of boozier prospects.
(1)Kelly J.
They are still working on the menu (I hope). Food could have been better. Lindsey, the server was super and did well with our sassy group. The host was also pretty darn attractive which bumped this place from a 3.5 to a 4.
(4)Madhavi P.
The service was like the food; exemplary. It is quite obvious the staff and the chef have paid great attention to detail to the food they are serving. We had the Buffalo Chicken Lollipops, Beef Cubes, and Salmon all of which were delicious and just how the server described. The one must have item on the menu is Chef Allen's mother's Key Lime Pie, it is DIVINE! We will definitely go back again!
(4)Michelle M.
Anthony, I understand you're using Yelp as a marketing tool, but only the star count on my most recent update to my review counts towards your overall rating, so your comment that you find it "unnecessary" that I would leave another one star is not only unprofessional, it's misinformed about how yelp works. I won't be badgered on here by your business, but since you are implying that I did not in fact get a previous message from your staff, the one I mentioned was sent by "Sabin H" and I also got a message from a "Bandith" (the latter message I don't have an issue with). The entire takeaway here is that you all don't seem to understand you are in a service industry and that the general defensiveness needs to come down 10 notches. My personal recommendation would be to spend less time and energy on here making excuses thinly veiled as apologies, and more time and energy training your staff.
(1)Karen S.
They are still in their soft opening so there is room for improvement. The atmosphere is great, our server was very helpful. I was hoping that we would all order something different, but all except my mother got the chicken and waffles. One brother got the Mac and cheese in addition to his chicken and waffles and they tastes like Kraft made with penne pasta. The other brother ordered the crab cakes, they were good. The chicken had flavor and the waffles were good. They came with a bacon lolly, basically bacon cooked with brown sugar and maple syrup. My two biggest complaints is that the service could have been faster and the waffles should have been hot. All on all we enjoyed our meal.
(4)Kevin K.
Do you open at 4:30 like your website says, or at 11:00a like yelp says? I see posts about brunch but nothing about it on actual website... what gives?
(3)Nova C.
Place is alright. I would like it more if the prices reflected the portion size for food. 14 for a regular burger is ridiculous. 17 or 18 for fish tacos is insane. Bartenders are friendly and will take time to answer questions. I'll go back because I live nearby, but just for a drink. Lots of TVs which is nice.
(3)Jennifer P.
Fantastic new spot! Food and the atmosphere is great! I had the Drunken Beef Cubes and loved them! I haven't had anything I don't like yet. Highly recommend this spot!
(5)Holly C.
Soft opening means working out the kinks and thats where Republic is right now. The staff were overwhelmed by the crowd on Friday night but they were hussling and giving it there all. Bartender was friendly, clearly experienced and knows how to handle a busy bar.We tried two of the signature drinks a bacon old fashioned and a grapefruit martini. Two thumbs up bacon drink....martini was just ok. Food was also so so. It is comfort food as advertised, prices reasonable, basic concepts, bland taste. The salmon was done nicely and was the highlight of our meal. The place has a great atmosphere, fun music, great decor and is fun. It will definately make a nice bar/louge spot for the young professional crowd.
(3)Andrew J.
I hesitate to write a good review because I don't want this place to get crowded, but it deserves one. I liked everything about this place, food, drinks, service, all great! Look forward to going again.
(4)Janis V.
Had the beef tips, and they were amazing!!!!! Kelly the bartender also did a great job, was really helpful and attentive. I will definitely come back. They are still working as a 'soft opening', but I wouldn't have known that if they hadn't said so. Definitely go here!!!
(5)Kevin H.
My wife and I are excited that we have a new neighborhood restaurant/bar. We stopped in a week after they opened. It was packed, the drinks were great and the wait staff was friendly.
(5)Maggie S.
Great addition to the neighborhood. Food was delicious and flavorful. Drinks were yummy and the service was impressive. Very fun/higher brow/lounge vibe.
(4)Lindsey L.
Superb food, atmosphere, and service! Reasonable prices as well! Much better than A-Town! We recommend the huevos rancheros and chicken and waffles!
(5)Elise L.
Very much enjoyed our dinner here. Good service, good food and good vibes. I had the steak tacos and my husband had the steak cubes. Both very delicious. Although we all agreed that the name "steak cubes" is misleading and it was actually way better than it sounded. This place is obviously new- the menus were just computer paper but still, we had a great meal, the prices were reasonable and I'd definitely go there again!!
(4)Maureen O.
My boyfriend and I went here last night for dinner. The food was great, we both found it hard to make a choice among the entrees. They all looked great. Two things stopped me from giving Republic 4 stars - the xerox paper menus and the wine selection. We will go back again and hope they improve their wine list in the future.
(3)S A.
We stopped by for dinner with our two kids. It was a little rainy so there was no outside seating. They don't have any high chairs or boosters so I can't the place is kid friendly. The menu is small. I had the chicken and waffles which was good. There was a one man band playing. He was fun to listen to and played a real melange of hits!
(3)A D.
Great food, great ambience, great location. The drunken beef cubes and ceviche were my favorite. Key lime pie was delicious. Great for date night or social gathering. Will return.
(5)Barry S.
Had dinner here last night. I think this place has a lot of potential, but, as others have said, still has a few kinks to work out. First, need to fix whatever issues are making it so hot / stuffy in there. I think there was something wrong with the door (they apparently were unable to close it, which probably let a lot of warm air in). I had a shirt sleeve shirt on and am pretty thin (vs. a 300 lb guy sweatin'), but was definitely close to the "uncomfortable" point. Maybe also b/c I was seated in the corner, but it was at least a stuffy 75 -78 degrees. Management was receptive to my inquiring about the A/C, though, and it did feel a bit cooler at various times throughout the night (though still not that cool) and even offered to take an item off the bill- nice gesture / customer service there. The physical menu was a bit underwhelming, as it is currently 2 sheets of paper stapled together. It says that it's their soft menu, but one of the employees told me that they've been open for 3 weeks. I'm not in the food biz and it's not a big deal, but I was just a little surprised that they were still going with paper menus. The space itself was quite nice. Actually didn't expect it to be that nice. Definitely has a new vibe / look. The only thing I couldn't quite figure out is why there are so many TVs, something that strikes me as more of a sports bar vibe (but this place definitely isn't going for that). I had never been in the space at all, but I got the feeling that there had been some re-modeling. Food - calamari was solid...but, I was given 2 slices of lemon - that's a first. As my date said, "good luck with that." It's impossible to squeeze a thin lemon slice; I tried and had lemon all over my fingers. I'm not sure why you wouldn't just serve with standard wedges. The portion size was spot on and the dish definitely wasn't too heavy, and was served with a chipotle type sauce and aieli / cream sauce. So fix the lemon issue and that dish is a winner. Beers - a bit disappointed that they were out of Pacifico AND either out of Guiness or the tap was broken (I can't remember what the waitress said) Gotta keep the Guinness flowing, guys. My burger with bacon and lettuce was solid. Fries were good as well. One thing we were wondering about is why none of the patio space was being used. We were thinking it may have to do with rent. If it wasn't for the kinks, especially the temperature issue, I'd give this place 4 stars. I'll be back and it will be interesting to see how this place does- I'm hoping that it does well....maybe give Rustico some competition!
(3)John P.
Went on Friday and Saturday nights. Everything is great - service, food, drinks and decor. Very impressive! I would like to see a few more beers on the menu but still a decent selection.
(5)Erika H.
I went here for brunch and it was great. The Brunch menu isn't online but they have about 10 items: omelet, breakfast burrito, chicken and waffles, huevos rancheros, etc. The food was good--it wasn't the best thing ever--but it was definitely good. The best part: you can get a bottle of champagne and OJ for $15 which is good for sharing mimosas (otherwise $3). At the end of the day, I had a solid brunch and mimosa and a half for about $12 after tax. I'm excited to keep going here.
(5)Meg M.
This. Place. Sucks. $19 for a steak salad and $14 for a burger, both of which were mediocre. Server was terrible--he served the wrong beers to our party of six at least 3 times. Loitered around the bar near our table telling dramatic stories to his coworkers. Didn't put in that I wanted dressing on the side of my salad, so it came out with dressing. Ate it anyway because I don't like to be a pain. The bacon bits were weirdly sugary and sweet. Our check came to nearly $90 with tip for beers and a casual meal with no appetizers and bad service. If you like hotel food that's not good and extremely overpriced, definitely go here. They're clearly trying to make back in their food margins what they spent on decor for the place. But the bathrooms were already ramshackle (broken dispensers, dirty, etc.) and the food just lacked authenticity. We felt like a part of someone's "brilliant" business plan, not like guests at a restaurant that's giving it an honest try. We will never go back.
(1)Lynn T.
I was so happy with this place. They are definitely still in their opening stages, so they are still working through a few kinks. However, the food was the best I've had in Arlington. The drinks and service were great. The wait time on food was long, but I think with time this will improve. Have patience if you come here during the soft opening and I'm sure you'll be impressed. Crab cakes were lump crab meat, beef cubes were tender and well seasoned, and the burger was tasty and well prepared. Key lime pie was amazing! If they keep up the quality we will return again and again.
(5)Becky H.
Have been here twice during the "soft opening" (the menus still say this). First time I just came for drinks and apps with my husband and the second time for dinner with a small group. The beef cubes and buffalo chicken lollies are delicious appetizers. The mussels left something to be desired. They weren't bad but were just kind of blah with not much flavor. You can get better mussels elsewhere. For dinner most of us had the chicken & waffles which were DELICIOUS. Served with bacon syrup, fried chicken breasts and bacon on sticks to top it all off. The syrup was almost too sweet for me to eat everything but I managed :) Other dishes ordered included the crispy chicken chopped salad, the drunken beef cubes entree, and the burger. Everything received rave reviews except the burger, which was over cooked (although the fries were really good). The service was pretty good - with a delicious chocolate mousse dessert brought out for birthdays - and I have faith that the mediocre dishes will continue to improve. One other negative - I don't think they take reservations. I tried calling a few times and no one ever picked up. Also, they cranked up the music to loud club music around 8:30 or so on a Monday night? It wasn't very crowded and this seemed a bit odd to me on a Monday night but either they turned it down or we eventually got used to it and it didn't impact our evening. I look forward to trying out some of the other options on the menu as well as some of the cocktails on future visits!
(4)Steve N.
The food, the atmosphere, and the service here is really great. The only knock on the place would be the price of some of the drinks. Though, I hear from the bartenders and restaurant manager that they're going through some sort of transformation where they're planning to include more specials on the menu. Taco Thursday is definitely the time to go. The tacos are really excellent and they're only two dollars, which is quite a steal. They also do $3 corona bottles on Thursdays. Not sure about specials on the other nights of the week since I mainly go on Thursday. The brunch food is REALLY good and somewhat inexpensive for the area, IMO.
(5)Bindesh S.
[+] - Location!! - Average bar/restaurant with average food and drink menu
(3)