Blackfinn Ameripub
2750 Gallows Rd, Merrifield, VA, 22180
Blackfinn Ameripub Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Merrifield for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Merrifield for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Merrifield for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
2750 Gallows Rd
Merrifield, VA, 22180 - Phone (703) 207-0100
- Website https://blackfinnameripub.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Garage
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Music : Background
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Brian D.
Parking was super bad on a Saturday. Expect to stalk for parking or park at the metro parking garage and pay. The wait was at least 30 minutes. We went because of a birthday celebration and reserved a table for at least 10. They were nice about reserving a big table for us at least and we add more people at nearby table. There's a tower of beer (60 liters) which our table shared. I record the jambalaya pasta with 3 different kind if meat sausage, shrimp and chicken. Yum!
(3)Tyler M.
My wife and I stopped here last night for a late dinner and were extremely impressed. The menu was huge our waiter told us over 100 items amd the food we ordered was great! My wife had the chicken tacos and I had the queen city chicken both meals were delicious. We sat on the bar side which is open seating and there was plenty of room. Awesome beer selection and they have growlers and beer tubes they can bring to your table. The staff was very helpful and friendly. We will definitely come back, we saw the brunch menu and want to try it out.
(5)Karisa D.
If you ever want to host an event, I highly recommend Blackfinn. I hosted my fiance's birthday and everyone at Blackfinn was amazing! Michelle and her team were very helpful and accommodating of everything. Service was great and they were able to handle separate checks for us (and with about 25 people that's pretty great in my opinion).
(5)Meredith B.
I have been here tons of times for happy hours, meeting friends for dinner, dates, brunch, and to watch games. They have a fantastic beer selection however sometimes the seasonals are out (happens to me quite a lot actually). Their food has quite a variety from steaks to shrimp and grits to Asian stir fry. The flatbreads are a great starter or meal! and if ordering the shrimp tacos, def go with grilled over fried. Also, their brussel spouts are great!
(4)AMY F.
SO good. Food is delicious, service is top notch and personable.
(5)Ryan F.
So this is a nice large restaurant/bar with 47 beers on tap. The place is clean and really a great atmosphere. That said, the service was pretty terrible. We had a young and forgetful server who tried hard but it was pretty hopeless. The food came cold and took a really long time on what seemed like a slower Sunday night. The ribs were pretty good but all of the pizza and vegetables was cold. Then they forgot our to go food. That said, for $5 you can get a kids drink, side "entree" and dessert. I paid for it in beer but that was great for kids. Long story short, great and large bar. Food - Meh'
(3)Paul K.
Bartenders are cool.. Lots of beer on tap... Mood and decor is nice... Big screens for games and ESPN. Just wish they were closer. In the words of my old physics teacher... That shit is bomb. :D
(4)Kevin R.
I just had one if the best omelettes I've had in a long time, the service was nice, and I can't wait to come back and try more of their menu.
(5)Nikki C.
This place is okay. It's good for the bar and drinks, but there food is mediocre. French fries are very soggy. Chicken tenders are okay. Good service. Clean place. It can be crowded on the weekends.
(3)Matt D.
This is a perfect, neighborhood watering hole. The place is clean, has a great beer selection, great food, awesome service. The bartenders are always seem to be in a good mood. We love to grab dinner and a beer (or 4) at BlackFinn. (Fish Tacos are awesome, wife loves the Turkey Burger).
(5)Michael B.
One of the best new bars in the new Halsted area of Merrifield. Have been there several times now for brunch, lunch, and happy hour. I highly recommend for brunch and would go with the Balboa. A large toasted sub roll with a layer of hashbrowns, layer of prime rib, laywer of cheese, topped with 2 eggs and au jus! Bloody Mary's are my favourite brunch drink and most places can't make one good and spicy, but they passed the test, plus the other Bloody Mary options look great too. Beer selection is solid and is a great atmosphere for happy hour with friends or to go to watch sporting events. Will definitely go back many times.
(4)Joseph R.
I'm not sure what time you have to go to get the experience like a lot of the Yelps I'm reading, but I've been twice as it's right next to my house. The first time I left after waiting 10 minutes at the bar to be greeted. The second time I was starving so I gave it a second shot. Steak (Ribeye) was ordered med rare, came out well done. Bartenders checked back, I was sure to let them both know. They literally both had the same reaction, shrugged and walked away. Next time I saw them was when the check was dropped, it was not busy either time I was there. Never saw a Manager. Full Price. Thanks but no thanks. Don't go late.
(1)Jennifer M.
The food is decent, but I like to frequent this place because it's close (walkable) and has good happy hour specials. For HH I recommend the flatbreads or wings. And their fries are super good. Overall servers are friendly, food isn't bad, and happy hour specials are good. If you're in the area stop by.
(3)Stefan S.
Excellent place to go for Happy Hour or lunch or dinner. Fairly loud atmosphere both in bar and dining room, but never had a bad meal there and have visited about a dozen times. Great service, even when crowded. Great waitstaff, honest when you ask for a recommendation between dishes you are ordering. They have gluten free menu if anyone in your party needs to eat gluten free. Great specials during happy hour, both food and drink. I have only been to this Blackfinn location, so I cannot judge any of the other locations in the metro area. Highly recommend a visit to Blackfinn and their Lemon Chicken is one of my favorite dishes!!!
(5)Xuan-Lise C.
Had lunch with friends we all ordered from the lunch special menu, which had very acceptable prices and portion sizes. I had the fish tacos (crispy) and my boyfriend had the crab cake sliders. I think the tacos were better than the sliders. Very good good however. Our lunch buddies ordered the philly steak and a salad, and they were all happy with their meals. Definitely a neat place and it's open pretty late.
(4)Albert L.
Had good experiences here so far. This is a typical American-style pub, as evidenced by their name. The bacon-wrapped meatloaf is a standout here - it's got that rich ketchupy-spiced flavor, and the meatloaf is not dried out. I'd avoid the poke ahi tuna tacos, as they were fishy-smelling when I tried them. They do have a lunch menu that is well-priced, and I can definitely recommend the lemon chicken with capers. Cooked well with lots of flavor, and a nice healthy side of rice and veg. Oh they also do beer towers for anyone who wants to do that. You know you want to.
(4)C. B.
We have been going to Blackfinn on a regular basis for the last several months. I'd say this is the best sports pub in the area. The food is excellent and most importantly, the service is top notch. Peter, the manager, is very friendly and helpful. John,the bar manager, does everything possible to accomodate any requests. We recently were given two beers that were a little flat. When I mentioned this to John he immediately took care of us, and personally delivered fresh beer that he had poured.
(5)Rajh C.
We went there on A Friday night we were was unable to find seating at the bar or at the tables.It was incredibly rowdy and packed so we sauntered over to Ovvio Osteria which I already reviewed. Intrigued with their menu we went back the next night and still the wait was over 1 hour. We secured 2 seats at the bar. I have to say that the food was a huge surprise for pub type setting with football screens in every room. We had the salmon over spinach salad, the tuna Tartar and the hummus platter. Everything was spectacular and unexpected!. It will be on my list upon my return to that part of town.
(5)Bobby A.
Good selection of beers, wine, and liquor. They seem to have newer good high-quality HD TV's and their staff is very nice and open with requesting channels. Great place to come on a game night, however, be aware because on nights that there are absolutely no sporting events or anything on TV the place is still packed, on like a Tuesday night... The bar food is served quickly and the bartenders always have an eye out and refill your drinks quickly. It's a place I have gone back to twice and will surely go back a third time.
(4)Nicole M.
When I think of Blackfinn, I have trouble doing so because my thoughts are drowned out by all the noise. This place was so loud that I lost my voice after eating there from the strain of trying to talk with the people at my table. If you're looking for somewhere to catch up with an old friend or go on a date, I would not recommend this location. Service was decent; not overly friendly, but very efficient. I was impressed by the alcohol selection and the menu is expansive. After having a few drinks, we ordered the calamari as an appetizer. It was utterly flavorless, even after we drenched it in the marinara that came with it. Meh. Luckily, the main courses that we all ordered were okay. I had the salmon and others at the table ordered the grouper sandwich and some chicken dish. We all thought that the food was okay, but nothing special. We all ate without complaints, but no one seemed to really enjoy it. There is plenty of parking in the area and the restaurant itself is very modern. I'd go back to Blackfinn for drinks, but would not choose to dine there again.
(3)Pamela H.
This was my second time here. It's a bar - not a restaurant. If you go there expecting a bar with some good bar food, you will not be disappointed. We ordered shrimp with grits and shrimp with pasta. The shrimp with grits was one of the worst meals I've ever ordered. The grits were tasteless, the sauce was lumpy flour. Yuk! The waiter noticed I'd barely touched it and told me next time to order it with a spicy Thai cake. There won't be a next time. The pasta was ok. They should just expand the bar. Clean up the menu and do what works. It's a great sports bar. Lively bar with good bar tenders. Good bar type food. Avoid the restaurant and the dinners. Not sure I would ever go back. As my husband said in the way home " that was not worth leaving the house for ".
(3)Food Love R.
It's a perfect local bar if you love watching football games and celebrate with other crowds with a good selection of beer. They are perfect sports bar for you! Their weekend brunch is pretty good too. If you are not a big fan of heavily salted food, I recommend to stick with their sea bass with snow peas and coconut rice and their salads. The most of their staff is friendly and good. Their regular fries are also very good!
(3)Anton E.
This is review is for Thursday night. If you are looking for a Sports Bar to watch the game in Merrifield, don't bother going to Blackfinn. They have a cover singer who is average. Nothing against the singer but it's just not the night to be performing when there's a Caps or NFL game. Over 50% of the bar is empty and the patrons present are in anticipation for the game sound. The management has no way of reading their customers. So I'll be going to World of Beer in Reston or drive out to DC because my own neighborhood spots are boring!
(2)C.M B.
Tried Blackfinn on a Monday night. While on the bar side, it's obviously more sports oriented and can get a little loud. The dining room area was fine. The food was great, a little of what you would expect in pub food. Appetizer was tuna tartare, and it was amazing, my husband and I were fighting over the last piece. I ordered the crab cakes, which Chris politely pointed out they had corn in them, which to me was fine. My husband ordered the meatloaf, which I don't know why he did, (meant loaf can be so filling) but he said it was good. Our meal came out within a reasonable time. Our server, Chris, was very attentive without being over attentive, you know how sometimes you can tell when a server just wants to make sure every detail is ok. Chris realized we were celebrating a birthday and provided just the right level of service. The kids menu is impressive, it's a little beyond your chicken nuggets and pizza. The best part for my kids, there's ice cream. We will certainly be back! Great first experience!
(4)Walter M.
I had the chicken quesadilla and it's rich and creamy with the jack cheese and special sauce. Also, the black bean burger is a must for vegans. As my girl recommends it. She's tried them everywhere, and this is the place to get a great tasting black bean burger.
(5)Ben I.
I came to Blackfinn with some friends for Happy Hour on a Thursday night, which just so happened to be the opening day of the World Cup. This place has a very comfortable and lively atmosphere, whether you are enjoying a meal or just grabbing a couple drinks. My group got a beer tower delivered to our table, which was a great Happy Hour special. I ordered the chicken tenders as an appetizer to go along with my drinks. I definitely will try to come out again for another Happy Hour, since I would like to try the Finn fries and yummy desserts that everyone else on here keeps talking about!
(4)Leah D.
Great food and great service! Happy hour price on appetizers and flat bread are good. Roasted Vegetable Flat Bread Pizza, Nachos, and Chicken Tenders are the best I have ever had and all of my friends think the same.
(5)Nayne M.
I was here last night with my gf. We were seated pretty quick and service was pretty good. We ordered some drinks but out drinks didn't come together, 2 minutes or so apart from each other. We were checked upon by several servers which was nice but got use confused at the beginning to who is really waiting on us Now to the food part - I order the tuna poke; to my taste I think I needs a little bit more lime and some heat. We also ordered the spring rolls. Not the typical spring rolls Buy they were pretty good. The Mac n cheese was great. I'll probably order it again and the Chilean sea bass according to my gf was good too. Atmosphere was nice and prices were reasonable. I don't see any reason why seine would give it less than 5 stars as I would say it's pretty typical for a pub. I'll be back again to try out different entrees and starters as I'm pretty impressed
(5)Lisa N.
**2.5 stars** Just got back from a huge group (20+ people) celebration at Blackfinn. I'm finally done with grad school classes (yay)! The inside is super roomy/new/nice. We got there right when it opened so we were the only people there. Although the food took a while, it was awesome that they could get everyone's out at the same time. I ordered the Goat Cheese, Strawberry, and Pecan salad that was a "Lunch Special" for $10. It was not much bigger than the side salad portion (which are only about half the price) and was too drenched in the strawberry vinegarette. Also, instead of pieces of goat cheese throughout the salad, it was just 1 big chunk of cheese in the middle... weird. I didn't really enjoy it, but oh well. I was excited that they had Crispin (hard apple cider), my favorite beer on tap! However, it came out tasting watered down and as if there wasn't enough carbonation in it. I was disappointed again. Luckily, the staff was very friendly and accommodating to our big group. Since I live less than 2 minutes away, I will definitely be back to try other things such as their HH and other food, but as of now, this will have to remain a 2.5 star. *Wednesdays is half off wine night!
(3)Katie L.
Nothing special about their food, but a fun place to hang out at. It's really great that they opened in the Merrifield area because the ambiance, the bar area, and the service are all great. Its nice and spacious, and an entertaining place all in all. I honestly think it would be so much better though if they updated their menu, do something to set them apart from being just another higher end Fridays. If I was judging based solely on food, I'd rather go to one of the Great American Restaurants chains though.
(3)LG G.
Had dinner with a couple friends Saturday, October 5. It was pretty easy to grab a table We ordered buffalo wings extra crispy however they were not prepared the way we requested. Also, the ribs were a bit chewy which had to be returned. I applaud the manager for fixing our order. We chose not to have the wings and ribs remade, however we had fantastic entrees. The burgers were amazing. Hand made perfectly prepared. And the bacon Mac and cheese was sinfully delicious. The manager not only credited our bill but also sent us a round of home made Icecream sandwiches! Dedelicious!!
(4)Kevin G.
This place has great happy hour specials on food and drinks. Whatever problems they were having when they first opened seem to have been fixed, so good work by management. In my opinion, the menu is too large, but what I've had has been pretty good. Very large beer selection which is nice though. Definitely good for group happy hour or sit-down dining. Solid 4 stars.
(4)Jon B.
I live upstairs in the Halstead so I have frequented Blackfinn many times. I like the selection of beers, happy hours pretty good and a good group at the bar. If you are looking for more of a sit down restaurant, this probably isn't the place. The buffalo chicken flatbread is to die for and that is why I am giving it a 5!
(5)Amanda M.
Went for the grand opening on 4/25/13 and what a disappointment! We went at 6pm and apparently they do not take reservations from 6pm-8pm which was fine because there wasn't a wait. The hostess stand was confusing because there were so many people crammed behind the stand and it was taking forever to get seated. I must've said "2 people for a table" to at least 4 different people. We were finally seated and a server greeted us fairly quickly and brought us water and said our server would be with us shortly. 10 minutes later... she appeared at the table next to us that was just seated to take their order. I got the attention of a manager and asked to take our order for us. The waitress came by later after we ordered and I told her promptly that we already ordered with the manager because I didn't want to wait for her to take our order since she went to a table that was just sat and we'd been waiting a long time. She left and never came back. In fact, the table next to us complained to a manager and another server had to take care of that table because she was so incompetent. There was a party of 6 that sat down in her section and they were making fun of her because she came back several times to double check their orders. It's not rocket science - how does Blackfinn hire someone that doesn't know how to serve tables? Sorry for the rant but you're a new restaurant in the area - why would you give someone so inexperienced so many tables on the first day? On top of it all, there was no consistency in terms of what people wear so it was incredibly difficult to figure out who worked there and who was a patron. All the tables in my area were complaining about the girl and another server was taking over her tables. We ordered the Mac 'N Cheese and Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf. The pulled pork on the Mac 'N cheese was tender and flavorful but the mac 'n cheese wasn't great - very soupy not gooey and cheesy. The bacon on the meatloaf was overcooked and burnt tasting. The meatloaf itself was moist but lacked any flavor. It came with ketchup on the side but I think a more acidic or spicy sauce would've been a better accompaniment. I wanted to order something else but since we didn't have a server that was a difficult task. After we received our food, we didn't receive any service. No refills, no checking on our food, nothing. In fact, we were forced to skip dessert and additional alcoholic beverages because no one waited on us. The manager didn't come back to check on us. I asked for our check at 6:50pm and we received it at 7:10pm and then we had to wait for change and so we didn't actually leave until 7:25pm. Are you serious? It took me 35 minutes to leave this F%^*ING restaurant? Totally unacceptable! This is the first time I've ever considered walking out on a check because it was just taking too long to pay the check! On top of it all, I was charged for the wrong beer which cost more than the beer I ordered which also meant I drank something I didn't want. But considering the amount of time we'd been waiting already, it just wasn't worth waiting longer to resolve. Service is nonexistent. Food is blah. Would I come back? NEVER! You couldn't even pay me to ever come back.
(1)Anh C.
I came in for a late lunch/early dinner yesterday. We were craving steak thinking this would be a nice place to go judging from the outside. When we entered, we were greeted by a hostess whom had a toothpick in her mouth as if she was P Diddy or the toothpick is the new grillz; that aside, she was nice. Our server was OK. Our food came out, my plate was dirty so I asked for a new one, the server left and decided to take a table's order before returning with yet another dirty plate. It was probably the same one... We ordered wings which were average; you can't go wrong w/ buffalo and the garlic and parmesan was bland and the 12 oz steak for our entree. We had a few bites of the steak and quickly realized it was in our best interest not to continue with the meal. The "meat" was extremely bland and I'm really wondering if it was even meat for $22-26. Also, we overheard a server speaking to whom appeared to be the manager informing him that the phone was ringing, he asked her if she picked it up and her response was no, because she didn't know what to say. (eyes wide from me like I stepped into Bizzaro world). We will definitely not be back. Overall experience was everyone there was there to collect money and couldn't care less about anything else.
(2)Paula P.
I can forgive the service (which was terrible) because it was their first night. Though I like the decor, it's loud and the food I had wasn't special. Definite meh. Oh, and, though the bathroom sinks look cool, they are totally not environmentally friendly. They put out A LOT of water and you have no control over the amount you use since they are on a sensor. (and the towel dispensers are much too high for children to reach.)
(2)Rob E.
I reeeeeally wanted to love this place and I hate only giving it 2 stars. I live 30 seconds away walking and was hoping this place would be great and go there regularly for lunch/dinner. Today is their grand opening for the public and decided to give it a try as i had been waiting to eat here. I did not have time to eat in so i ordered carry-out. I went with the Jambalaya since its a "blackfinn Favorite" and also the Fish tacos. While taking my order the lady on the phone was very polite and friendly, when i got there i was greeted and everyone was friendly. Now onto the food.. I tried the ying yang shrimp, guess i was hoping for a "bang bang shrimp" type of appitizer but they are not similar, the memu said they were " crispy shrimp tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce", they were not cripsy, they were not fried, they had just been tossed with some type of "crunch" on them. The sauce on the side was decent though. So the Jambalaya was a complete mess, Maybe it was just not what i was expecting. I am used to eating the Jambalaya at Mikes american grill and the taste was nothing like it, the spices just did not taste right, it tasted like a burnt flavor and i could not finish it, i ate about 4 bites because i was hungry and to the trash it went. My friend got the fish tacos, It said it had "avocado crema" on top, we could not find the sauce, on the second one we saw it and it was such a small little squeeze of a bottle we could barely see it. Because of the lack of sauce the tacos tasted dry and although they werent completely bad, they did not taste good either. With the right amount of cause they were of been fine. Prices are decent, $10 lunch portions. Maybe the food was bad because its their first day and grand opening, the kitchen staff is still learning. I will probably give them another try again in a couple weeks but for now i will have to wait.
(2)Theresa C.
This is my now favorite place in Merrifield. We've been here a few dozen times so I'd say we are regulars. The food is really good and the prices are pretty decent for the area. I really like the variety of choices and my favorites are the shrimp and grits, and the carrots. My son really likes the kids meals. My favorite thing is also that they remember us and feel like our business is appreciated. The managers definitely care about customer service and the team is well trained. We've had great service each and every time we've visited. It does get a little noisy during big sports events but its a fun place to hang out and enjoy a drink or to have a nice dinner.
(5)BJ G.
First time I came here I had a mediocre experience with the food so I came back to try it again, this time ordering 1 item for takeout. I ordered a buffalo chicken sandwich which was supposed to have buffalo sauce and ranch n had neither. It tasted like it had jamaican jerk seasoning or something to that effect. It wasn't bad, but it was certainly no buffalo chicken sandwich.
(1)Brandon F.
Blackfinn is a business casual version of Fridays. The food quality and atmosphere were elevated and the prices were pretty comparable. Great happy hour prices from 4-7. The waitress said there were 47 beers on tap. Unfortunately, I didn't have the time to try them all out. The domestic beers were running $3, a lot of local beers were going for $4 and some mixed drinks went for $5. The wait staff was friendly. Our waitress was very personable, kept a smile on her face and checked on us often. If a beer was not delivered, she caught it and corrected it quickly. A decent amount of the appetizers were on sale for $6 during happy hour. Our table ordered just about every appetizer on the happy hour menu. Fried calamari was cooked well. The color on the calamari was very light because the oil was new. Hopefully that quality is kept when the restaurant has been open for a while. Cheese sticks were mozzarella cheese wrapped in spring roll wrappers and deep fried. I welcomed the change to the average bar mozzarella sticks. Chicken wings were cooked properly. The waitress recommended the buffalo over the garlic parmesan and teriyaki. The women at the table raved about the BBQ chicken flatbread. I took a bite and it seemed pretty comparable to California Pizza Kitchen. Soft parmesan pretzels with queso dip were pretty average. At least they were not dry. Mediterranean platter was better than expected. The hummus was above Sabre quality, and the roasted tomato and feta dip was quite good too. The dips came with seasoned flatbread, olives, artichoke hearts and cherry peppers. The amount of flatbread is not enough to finish the dip, or at least it was not for us. I will definitely come back for another happy hour and venture onto their dinner menu.
(3)WILL A.
This is my favorite lunch spot! I love everything I've tried so far on the lunch menu.
(5)Brett L.
I really wanted to love Blackfinn. It's one of the new hip restaurants that have opened in the Merrifield/Mosaic area. The menu is large and diverse with too many dishes that I want to try. Our first visit was pretty much a disaster. We did the call ahead and were seated immediately. That was about as good as the service would get. The food took forever to come. Our waiter, the manager and general manager kept apologizing, but still the food was nowhere to be seen. We had to ask five times for an extra napkin. I've read a few reviews that commented on the service. When the food finally did arrive after 1+ hour, it was cold. The restaurant has been open now for three weeks, so they are obviously still working out some major issues. The apologies from the management were definitely appreciated. They knew they had some serious issues. But they did not seem to be able to push the food out of the kitchen any quicker. I will give kudos to them for at least trying to make up for the bad experience. They comped our meal and also gave us a gift card for a future visit. I'm glad they did that. Besides being a good customer service move, it will give us a reason to give Blackfinn another try. I'm not sure we would be going back otherwise. I do want to say that when we did finally get hot food, we really enjoyed the meals. The sautéed spinach was delicious as was the salmon, NY Strip Steak, calamari and mac and cheese.
(2)Michelle D.
What a great place to watch Football! The energy is great. Flatbreads are amazing with great beer to top it off. If you come here, sit in Jose's section. What a sweet, smart, and attentive waitress. I'm a bartender and so appreciate great service. Thanks Josie:-)
(4)David H.
Large and varied menu and above average chain restaurant food with very friendly service. The Philly cheesesteak was a little soggy but had lots of peppers and a little more heat than at most places. The fries were okay but nothing special. I'll be back here and am impressed with their tap selection for happy hour. I want to check that out next visit.
(3)Xinyi T.
I came here for happy hour with my friends and I had a great time. Like mentioned in the tip, not all of their beers are happy hour price, you should ask for the ones that are. Their appetizers are decent. I liked the chicken tender. But I didn't have anything spectacular. The waitress was very nice and fun. She got my drink wrong at one point when I switched from beer to wine, she gave us the beer free of charge. We didn't have to wait anything. The space is big enough that we didn't have problem getting seated. There are tv everywhere. Great for a game night. I definitely will come back here! And I think this is the best happy hour location in the area.
(4)Britni E.
This is an update to my previous review. A couple hours later my boyfriend (who had given his number to the restaurant so they could text us when a table was ready) received a call from the General Manager apologizing for our experience. I also received a reply today to my early post from the Manager. I appreciate that we were actually heard and I hope that they will learn from this experience. The fact that they are taking the time to reach out to us is why I have updated their rating to 3 stars. Any place that is willing to go above and beyond to make a bad situation better is okay in my book. We just moved to this area and are still interested in eating here one day. We will give it another try.
(3)Melissa M.
I love this place! We celebrated our friend's birthday and we had a super time. We shared our dinners...ginger tuna (med rare...perfect), queencity chicken (I think that was the name...this was AMAZING...sausage in a chicken wrapped in bacon...fantastic!...on a giant bed of sweet potatos that were also yummy), and hubby had a burger which was cooked to perfection, juicy and delicious. We all agreed that the star was the side of roasted brussel sprouts (with bacon!). I could eat these all day long. Also got a side of spinach which was great, broccoli and their fries were crispy and tasty. I like the energy in the bar (we had dinner in the bar,...much funner than the diningroom). Our service was wonderful too. What a great night of fun and excellent food. We will be back!
(5)May P.
I went back for the lunch special about a month later. The food was delicious at a great price, the ambiance was perfectly fun yet relaxed and the overall service was good. My only qualm was my server's incredibly excessive peppiness. I feel this must be noted because of how obnoxious the server was, but I do not want to let it weigh on my overall rating because it is an opinion-sensitive matter and they otherwise executed their role flawlessly.
(5)Wallace A.
Good food and locations. I ate here twice on a recent trip. Burger and fish tacos - both delicious.
(4)Abigail T.
Had a great experience at Blackfinn this past Friday night. I lived in Florida last year and a Blackfinn there was our go-to place for a good happy hour and appetizers. We ended our night here and got some appetizers and a few drinks. They have yards of beer (100 oz to share) and some good bar food. We got the mozzarella sticks (in egg rolls!) and really yummy fries. It wasn't overly expensive and pretty much everyone there was a 20-30 something. Will definitely go back!
(5)Melissa K.
My friends and I went to Blackfinn last week for dinner and drinks. The atmosphere was very modern, the bar area is really nice and full of big screen TVs where you cant miss any game going on. We were greeted by the hostess and did not have to wait too long even though it seemed really crowded. The beer selection was awesome but the mojitos were not made very well. The food was good--had a ton of different options. We had the nachos as an appetizer which was not your average nachos from every other restaurant. Sliders and pasta were really good according to my friends. Our server was Stephanie who was cool and really knowledgeable. Really great service and will definitely come back again soon!
(4)Michael M.
Blackfinn, you are my new go-to place after a tough day at work. Great happy hour specials, great beer, solid food, and outstanding service. I highly recommend the beltway brew specials ($4 local craft beers) and the flatbreads. Love the DC Brau Corruption on tap. On Thursdays they have $12 craft beer and burger specials. Awesome! I've had the buffalo chicken and the roasted vegetable flatbreads. The buffalo chicken flatbread is just that.... chunks of buffalo chicken with melted blue cheese. The roasted vegetable flatbread was a nice surprise. It was the perfect balance of soft and crispy with sesame seeds which add a tasty touch. The burgers are huge, and juicy. The wings were done right as well. While I don't think anything was over the top special, everything I've eaten has been tasty and consistently done well.
(4)Melissa M.
We have been here a few times and enjoyed ourselves. The only issue is parking for us. When we go we tend to stay for a good amount of time, while the boys watch sports. The parking garages say that parking is only for 4 hours. On top of which we often drive there, cab home and leave our car over night. The only way we have figured out how to do this is by parking in a Mosaic parking lot and walking over, which is pretty far. Would probably come more often if it wasnt for the hassle of parking. Maybe there is a better option that we aren't aware of. As far as the bar/restaurant goes, we almost always have great service. Good cocktails and great beer selection. We tried the food for the first time and it was pretty decent, as well.
(4)Keisha W.
Great food! Great service!! We were looking for a place close to home and boy am I glad we found one! I pass this place everyday going to and from work and decided to try it. We were not disappointed! Everything was great from the appetizer (fried calamari) to the entrees (shrimp & garlic pasta and chopped seafood salad). Make sure you get the backyard sangria!!!
(5)Brandie D.
I love this blackfinn location! Very convenient, American food (Finn fries in particular) are worth going for. Great place to watch football and it has decent outdoor lighting so you never feel like you're in a dive bar. Also, great beer specials and selection.
(4)Cletus V.
They go above and beyond everytime I go there! Blackfinn is classy and moderately priced for the younger but not so old demographic, they are nice for a date, or for a night out. Very nice place to go and eat/drink!
(5)John C.
I live nearby this Blackfinn and have dined at the restaurant around 5 or 6 times. The food is good for a casual dining restaurant. The service is overall good as well. What frustrates me is the time management for food. My wife and I really enjoy the soft pretzels for an appetizer and more often than not, they arrive inexplicably within minutes of the entrée. What is the point of ordering an appetizer if it arrives at nearly the same time as your entrée? Last Friday, we delayed ordering the entrée by nearly twenty minutes in attempt to space out the time. After over 45 minutes of waiting, the appetizer came.......after the entrée. We sent it back and, noticing our displeasure, management took the initiative to comp our meal. I appreciated the gesture, but still left dinner frustrated. In a city full of top-notch restaurants, I don't want to roll the dice on the enjoyment of my dining experience.
(3)Jackson C.
*Best place to catch the game IMHO. Lots of TV's well placed and I've never felt rushed out - staff is friendly. The food is great for any type of restaurant, but exceptional for a sports/family bar/restaurant. Comparable to BJ's. Love the Saloon Burger. The Jambalaya was great too. Really huge fan of the Spring Rolls. "Hot Chocolate" dessert is not for the faint of heart. :)
(5)Diego E.
The service was fantastic despite the amount of people at this place. The beer selection is great! Mainly the seasonal beer list. The food is very well prepared. Cant say anything bad about this place. You have to go!
(4)C C.
I have come several times after the initial visits and love the food. Service could really improve but overall it's a good place to go for drinks, dinner, or even just apps and drinks. The greyhound is my personal favorite with the fresh squeezed grapefruit juice :(
(4)Cameron F.
Moved to Fairfax recently and I have been looking for a good go to bar/restaurant. Parking was easy to find, sat down at the bar and found out they have trivia(for which I am a sucker for). Ordered a growler, or as they call it a "Big Boy" of Hooegarden with my friends and had a wonderful time. Ordered a basket of fries to snack on as we drank which were possibly the best fries I have had in a while. I highly recommend this place to anyone in the area.
(5)Leslie S.
I've been here several times for lunch with my mom. Both of us have enjoyed the food we have chosen and our servers have been great. Maybe I just got lucky! I've also have several co-workers who have stopped in here and they all loved it. The fries are really good and the portions always leave me full and satisfied. Can't wait to try some more things there!
(4)Kun K.
If you're looking for a good American style food, then I would definitely recommend going to Blackfinn. They have the usual dishes like burgers, steaks, etc. but with many of them they do something unique to them such is the case with their Iron skillet mac n' cheese where they put pulled BBQ pork over it.. They also have some really good bloody mary's as well. Ask for the candy bacon blood mary. trust me, you'll like it...
(4)Maggie F.
I live near by so the SO and I decided to try it out. Nice decor, very comfortable and open in the dining room. We ordered for apps the Spring Rolls and the Calamari. The Spring Rolls were okay, very pretty and fresh and the sauce very tasty. The Calamari was very tender - definitely delicious. He had the Blackened Chicken Alfredo, which we were informed by our waiter was spicy, which he loves, and informed the waiter it was okay to make the chicken as spicy as possible. I had the Shrimp and Grits and was delighted with the dish, though the two decorative shrimp (cooked to perfection) on top were very spicy (too spicy for me) and gave them to the SO who wished his chicken had that much kick. The only negatives we had was we're not big fans of when Wait staff kneels when talking or taking an order. Taking a knee is for sports, not dining in our opinion, as it makes us feel like when grown ups talk to children. That's just our preference; some people may enjoy that. It's not a deal breaker by any means though. The other aspect that surprised us was that our waiter was not informed about which drinks were on draft which is surprising considering the drink menu. The other negative is that we only had one beer each the entire dinner, and our only beverage. We were never approached about asking us if we wanted another drink as our pint glasses were getting emptier, though he did more or less give a visual check on our table a few times. Asking us if we wanted another drink would have been a good up-sell as we probably would have gotten more beer or beverages if asked. Other wait staff would walk by and even if making eye contact with them as to indicate you had a question, they would continue to walk by. So overall, it was a nice dinner out, I think with a bit more tweaking on the service this place will be more enjoyable as the food was pretty good and the decor very 'smart casual' and comfortable.
(3)Barry A.
Terrible, bar staff was excellent, waited for 2 hours to be seated, once seated we waited for 2 more hours for our food. Crab cakes soggy and tasted frozen. Shrimp and grits were a joke. The sad thing was we were with some good friends that own three very good restaurants and they apologized more than the staff. Guess it could be start up issues but this was not acceptable.
(1)Siyoung L.
My experience there with my wife and friends was one of the worst I've ever had. It started out okay with a some good nachos and a good selection of beers, the issues started when we ordered our main courses. I got the fish and chips, which was oily and soggy. My wife's order didn't even arrive and when we asked about it, there was a mistake by the server. This wasn't that big of an issue since the manager stated that they would rush the order, but after another 30 min. and still no food, I doubt there was any rush. We eventually asked to have the order cancelled. The server after taking our order didn't even check on us, we had to flag them down just to get their attention. I don't think that we would ever go back for a sit-down meal, probably just get an appetizer and some beer.
(2)Paddie C.
We had several discrepancies on our check with our server, Erika, who was attentive until check time. Luckily Kayla came by and took care of it for us. Hope you get Kayla as a server! Other than that we had a good experience, great beers on draft.
(3)Armando G.
This placed sounded promising because my roommates had gone an gave it a favorable review. I was there sat night. The wait was about 30 mins they kept seating parties of 2 before seating our party of 3. We would have fit in the seating where the parties of 2 were sat. After we sat down the waiter told us how tired he was and how overworked he was, this should've been a warning sign. We ordered our appetizers and drinks than waited 42 mins until the waiter returned to take our orders. The food tasted ok nothin out of this world. The manager Luis was running around not really helping talking to tables that had just been say down instead if those waiting a longer time. After getting our food we ate, than waited another 30 mins to get our check. I say pass this place up. Not worth the time.
(1)Lauren D.
Solid burger, excellent sausage and pepperoni flatbread. Went at 5pm on a Sunday, so service was good since it was so empty. Overall good experience.
(4)Jeff W.
We went there to watch the nfl playoffs and had a great time. The food came quickly and was well prepared. The atmosphere was great, the staff was nice and attentive even thou it was very busy. We will definitely be back.
(5)Joshua S.
Had the wings which were ok, needed to be crispier. The Steakhouse salad was so so, lettuce tasted like dirt. Service was great and very friendly. Probably will not be back unless I am in the area but would not make a separate trip for it.
(2)Amanda W.
Decided to head in on a recommendation from a colleague and in anticipation of our work holiday party being here. Although the bar was packed with an Auburn viewing party and it was a general busy Saturday night we were seated in about 30 minutes (I was told 30-35 upon checking in). We had been able to get up to the bar to get drinks while we waited. The atmosphere was nice. Although it did get loud when Auburn scored, I wasn't turned off by it. Once we were seated the wait service was very attentive. We had the cheese sticks for an appetizer. Disappointed in the amount of sweet chili sauce inside the wrapping, didn't appear to be any. But overall they were good. I liked the spring roll wrapping rather than breading! Our actual meal was out super fast! Both our meals were good....bacon wrapped meatloaf and the Mediterranean pasta. Nothing to complain about. I expected it to be pricier than it was. Especially seeing some other dishes go by and the large portions! Certainly on our list of places to come back to! Can't wait for the holiday party!
(4)Karen B.
The place has potential. Good location, very nice wait staff, a 9 oz beer option, and pretty darn good food. I think they have worked out the opening kinks. My husband and I went there before going to the Angelika to see a movie. The staff was nice and our server knew beers-always a plus in a pub! As a flyweight drinker I was able to get a 9 oz beer to go with my dinner. The right amount for a not so big person. My fish tacos were good but I do wish the rice with beans had had more beans than rice. Having said that, my husband's bacon-wrapped meatloaf was delightful. I am already formulating a copycat recipe! And though we did not bring the kids, there were many families there. So it appears kid friendly.
(4)Sabra D.
Had a girls night out with 5 other women ages 45-50 and we had a GREAT TIME!! Food was fresh and excellent. Wine list was fun (1/2 price wine on WEDNESDAYS!!); Booth was comfortable and the service outstanding! I had one of the flatbreads and it was thin and crispy the way I like it with roasted vegetables with a side salad and a glass of Dark Horse Chardonnay - bill was about $18.36 - anything under $20 is awesome in my book! Friends had a Jalapeno Burger, Ginger Tuna, Salmon Salad and a greek salad with chicken - all were delicious. It was noisy but not too bad - they did have a garage door looking thing that cut the bar noise down from the dining area and they lowered it while we were there and it cut the bar noise in 1/2. Had a great vibe and the staff worked like a well oiled machine. Will definately be back! Thanks Blackfinn for a great time!
(4)Claudia E.
Please note that I am only rating the bar area as I've never been to the dining area...In my quest to find decent bars in suburbs that stay open past 9 p.m. and also serve food, I came across Blackfinn during their grand-opening. We liked it so much for the first time that we go back often. There are plenty of TVs to watch whatever sport you're into, the staff is usually attentive and the food is pretty good considering it's bar food. They have a great selection of beer and wine so you can literally pick your poison. It can get a bit crowded but we've never waited longer than 10 minutes for a table near the bar. The later you arrive, the less crowded it is so it's a great place for night owls. Overall, it's a pretty relaxed place to hang out, have a drink, pig out and watch some sports.
(4)Leanoah M.
Good food & drinks. Good service. Good entertainment. Pretty much a really cozy place to just hangout. Must try!!!
(5)Cheryl H.
We ate lunch there yesterday and were quite impressed with the variety and uniqueness of the food. The service was exceptional and bathrooms were spotless. Will definitely make a return visit.
(5)Mike L.
Blaclfinn is now a well known and reputable location. The staff is friendly and gets their job done right. The menu is full of options and delicious appetizers but the presentation of the actual plates were good. Be aware of the hostess's though, they are not customer friendly and will not make a positive entry atmosphere.
(3)Phil J.
Pub food. Boring. Don't bother unless you're a beer connoisseur.
(3)Glenn W.
"Upscale bar food" if I had to give it a classification. Within that category it is good. The bar area is spacious, the staff is friendly, and the food is pretty decent though quite heavy.
(3)Jean S.
Overall solid -- decent pricing for the quality of food. Their iron skillet mac n cheese was delicious! They have a very extensive menu for not just food but also for beers. Great casual hangout place for groups and service was amazing.
(4)Y G.
Decided to check this place out as I've been hearing about a new restaurant opening in the Merrifield area. My boyfriend works in the restaurant business and gets home late and he was hungry when he got off at 11pm. I remembered that Blackfinn was open late everyday. I called to ask when the kitchen closed and was told 2am. We arrive and are seated in the booths in the bar area. First impression was that this would be a great place to come and watch fights and football games since the bar area was separated from the dining room and there were alot of TVs. The waitress was nice and took our orders only to return a few minutes later telling us that the kitchen was only doing fried appetizers. We ended up leaving because we wanted a meal and not just fried food. We were disappointed since we had called ahead and spoke to someone about what time their kitchen closed. Maybe I should've been more clear when i called? We'll give it a few more weeks and possibly return for a visit again.
(2)Kaitlin C.
Okay, so since the last time I review I have been back several times. I have always had good service, food, and drinks. Never an issue! I think they have resolved those issues they had in the beginning. Also, the bar side seems to be where it's happening most nights AND it is usually easier to find seats there.
(5)Heather S.
My guest and I had a fantastic visit at Black Finn on October 5, 2013. We could not complain about our entrees at all. I had the Blackened Chicken Alfredo -VERY tasty. My guest had the Parmesan Crusted Swordfish and he raved about it. We started with the famous appetizer at most restaurants - the Spinach & Artichoke dip. If you are concerned about your heart arteries - be warned!! Though it was a guilty pleasure dish for me and my guest, we would not order it again. A ton of cheese and very little spinach or artichoke to be found. The flatbread compliments the dip well. I recommend trying this dip once and chalk it up as one of those things that tastes good but not good for your health - at all. We also had a few rounds of drinks. No complaints there. We tried the Sexy Grandma. I would recommend Black Finn for the large menu choices, we had great servers Chris and Chris, (one in training), nice bar.
(5)Debbie F.
Good place for happy hour. Our server was great and kept all the different tabs straight. The parking can be challenging. I went back yesterday for a second visit and the service was excellent. We had different samplings from the appetizer menu which were all tasty, especially the calamari. The wine list is good too.
(4)Liz L.
They don't accept reservations, but you can "call ahead" ... but don't expect the hostesses to actually reserve a table for you, don't expect the hostesses to be friendly or intelligent, and don't expect to be seated within 45 minutes of the time that you called ahead for. Needless to say, we left before being seated.
(1)Christine B.
Good kids menu with about ten options and comes with side, drink, and dessert. Lots of salad options, flatbreads, burgers, etc. Great beer selection. I ordered a margarita which was gross, too sugary/syrupy. The food is good but not amazing. Meeting go for the variety of options and the many TVs for watching live sports.
(4)L. A.
I have taken a large group from work here for lunch and happy hour several times. I always coordinate it with their Events Manager (formerly Brittany B., now Michelle R.), and they ALWAYS do a phenomenal job. I'll use our most recent lunch visit as an example. We were celebrating two birthdays. I worked with Michelle to put all 14 of our orders in ahead of time. Our table was set for all 14 of us when we got there. Within probably five minutes of our arrival, our food started coming out. NINETY SECONDS LATER WE WERE ALL SERVED. I wasn't the only one who was impressed, several in my party noticed, too. I think they must have had 6 servers running food to us. Despite several special requests, every order was correct. Drinks were kept full. The icing on the cake for this visit was the two Blackfinn Hot Chocolate Cups that were brought out to the birthday people. The name is misleading; these are not beverages, they are more like sundaes, but 100 times better. They are just sinful! Warm fallen chocolate, peanut butter soufflé, ice cream, whipped cream, and caramel sauce. What else could you want in a dessert?? They have a whole page of lunch features offering generously portioned dishes for $9.99, and the food there is always good. I have had the jambalaya, and it's very tasty, but I usually go with the delicious fish and chips. I usually steer clear of fried food because I almost always get tired of the fried batter after a few bites, but Blackfinn is the exception. Rather than several small pieces of fish, you get one GIANT piece perfectly fried in a delicious, non-greasy batter. Like I said, yummy! Several of my friends have other favorites, including the crab cake sliders, chicken wrap, and fish tacos (available grilled or fried). If pressed for one item of constructive criticism, I would recommend skipping the salads. It's not that they are bad, I just thought the one I had there was slightly boring (but show me a salad that's not), and my friends have agreed. There are just so many other more exciting options. Free garage parking is just a short walk away. Outdoor seating is available, but unfortunately at the present time, there's a lot of construction going on directly across the street it. Not Blackfinn's fault! But if the construction is going to bother you, just check with them to be sure that it's done before heading over there to eat outside. Inside, the bar area gets pretty packed during happy hour. That is probably a testament to the fact that they are doing a great job here! (If this raises your concerns about the environment, please know that when you walk in to Blackfinn, you'll notice that it is almost like two separate places. The large bar area, with flatscreen tvs of course, is on your left, and a large (quieter) dining area is on the right. Smart layout.) Check with them for weekday events and specials, such as trivia, live acoustic music, half-price wine, and $9.99 Burger, Fries and Beer combos! The bottom line is that I highly recommend this place. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Thomas J.
BlackFinn is simply awesome. You have got to try the soft pretzel appetizer the sauce is REALLY good. I ordered the ultimate bacon burger and it was cooked to perfection. I also recommend the chocolate chip cookie sliders for dessert. The cookies are made in-house and melt in your mouth.
(5)Bill Y.
Went there for our anniversary dinner and decided it would be fun to sit in the bar area - since we never do that due to the kids. The atmosphere was awesome... We the sat and waited. Soccer had started when we got in - which is how I know that it took 20 minutes to get a server. I actually had to stop one and ask how we get service here. The area wasn't packed, it just seems like a combination of poorly trained staff and staff that like to chat up their friends. We started with the blackened Brie - which was really good. I ordered the ribs, which I'd give a passable rating - lots of sauce. Our server knew next to nothing about beer and asked me why I was ordering certain beers... Really confused why he was asking me about his product. We must have also been on tap rotation since 2 of their beers were not available and had been replaced by new brews. I'll likely check this place out again - with a seat at the bar- since its a good bar, good appetizer, but I'll think twice about dinner due to slow performance.
(3)Rhonda T.
The folks that run this place knows what they are doing. They know it isn't about just serving food and beer that keeps you coming back. The dining room is fine - very clean, comfy booths and big tables that can easily fit many adults, several lcd screens around the perimeter, (but not so many that it screams sports bar). Lots of young, extremely attractive people to greet you at the door. You get the sense that adults can enjoy this place, but families ans children are welcome, too. Friday and Saturday nights it gets pretty packed with even more pretty people. Love the food. Lots of options for all sorts of diets, and all well prepared and served quickly. I've never had a meal that wasn't perfect - even when I've ordered takeout. The Queen city chicken is so flippin good, the steak salad is amazing, burgers, fish, very unique side dishes. The garlic-parm wings are one of my favorite things there. I was skeptical that I was going to get bar food, given the "Ameripub" in the name, but the quality is exceptional and the portions-perfect. What is really outstanding about this place is the service. The wait staff is so incredibly well trained and friendly. They've tried everything on the menu, so when they make a recommendation, it is because they really have eaten that meal. They work as a team, making sure the whole dining room is covered, they never make you feel rushed or unwelcome, and if you frequent the place, they remember where you like to sit and what you like to drink. And, if even if they don't happen to have your table, they stop by to say hello. The managers have visited by my table on multiple occasions to check on things and get my opinion of the food and service. Josh, Cory, and Jermain are three of my favorite waiters there and they always take great care of me. Love the food and the staff at the Blackfinn.
(5)Wayne S.
Had a little set back here today. I ordered the Ultimate Bacon Burger. This comes with double Bacon. Who could not like this? The server we had was pretty inattentive so when my burger showed up with only two pieces of wilted Bacon I knew I might not get f ar with her. We never saw her again until we were basically done eating. When I brought up the Bacon she said normally a burger gets one piece of Bacon so my two pieces with a double Bacon. I think she could tell by the look on my face that I didn't believe a word she said. Point here is to not order this burger. I should add that no Bacon should be placed on a sandwich or burger if the cook or management wouldn't eat it. This was some pretty undercooked bacon.
(2)Liz H.
We loved our dinner here last night!!! Food was amazing and our server Daniel was fantastic. Most places it's a trade off of big portions of rewarmed, blech food or tiny servings of really yummy food. This place hit both! We will definitely be coming back to try some of the other menu choices that sounded good. Only complaint was the wine pours seemed really skimpy. When our server first brought it out I honestly thought he was giving us a small amount to taste to make sure we liked it. But no, that was the actual $10 glass of wine! They use big glasses so I wouldn't expect it to be filled to the top, but this seemed like it barely covered the bottom. I guess we'll stick to beer and cocktails in the future.
(4)Jim M.
Went last night for dinner, 3 adults and 2 kids. This was our first time at Blackfinn, and we had a great experience. The dining room was loud, which I prefer when we go out with the kids, but not so loud that I couldn't hear table conversation. Our service was excellent. Our waiter, Nick, was very attentive, and had great recommendations for both food and beer selections. He made sure the kids food came out as soon as possible too, which may not seem like much, but for a parent to already have the kid situated so they can eat their meal while it's still hot is a nice touch. We had the shrimp spring roll as an appetizer. Not amazing, but still very good. Our main dishes were the shrimp and grits, a NY strip steak, and the ribeye steak. The shrimp and grits were amazing, though be warned, the cajun shrimp were very, very spicy. Both steaks were ordered medium, and came out medium. Both steaks were very flavorful, and I added the hotel butter to mine, which I would recommend. Our sides were the asparagus, garlic mashed potatoes, and sauteed spinach. The sauteed spinach was our favorite, but all were very good. We also had a small greek salad that was delicious. For dessert we tried the Blackfinn hot chocolate and the pineapple upside down carrot cake. The pineapple/carrot cake was awesome. I couldn't tell you about the hot chocolate, as my wife guarded it greedily. From the quickly emptied bowl, I gather it was quite good!! The kids menu was normal fare, our 4 year old had pasta with marinara sauce and steamed broccoli, milk, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert. She loved it. Only comment hear was that the portion was huge, not a bad thing if you have a kid(s) that eat a lot :) We will definitely be back.
(4)Matt T.
Wow, try this place. Staff is great, food is delicious and they have a killer selection of microbrews.
(5)Melody D.
I love the bar. Lots of windows and light and has a great crowd. Decent happy hour specials and the food is decent for bar food. The chicken tenders, tuna poke and flat breads are all really good. I'd avoid the hummus if you are at all picky about your hummus. Overall great addition to the Merrifield area.
(4)Ben K.
I have been there MANY times since opening day. This is what I see and feel when I am there. First, I always sit at the bar so my review is for that side only. Bartenders are keen to empty drinks but that is basic. I enjoy that several of the guys behind the bar are beer experts. I can walk in, explain the taste and texture I am in the mood for and 99.9% of the time it is SPOT on. As for the food, I have only had a few items *Philly Cheesesteak sub; Good, not the best, and quite salty *Flatbread pizza; Good, great size, but it seems to taste stale on the late night menu. I take it that the dough has been out and isnt as fresh, or they precook the the dough a little earlier in the day. *Finn Fires; Great sauces but extremely salty *Nachos; Incredible...Love the BBQ on top!! Great atmosphere, lots of TV's, nice crowd! Only CONS are as follows; NO Pay Per View events!! Big downfall for being so close to home :( No events as of yet, like a beer/wine tasting or singles night. (Of course I could have missed it due to marketing as mentioned below) Seems most of their advertising and marketing is aimed at Halstead, The Lotus, and Mosaic and they forget about the condos that flank the metro
(4)Andy M.
We decided to try the new Blackfinn pub tonight despite some tepid reviews on Yelp. I can't say a negative word about it. The hostess and manager both greeted us when we entered and we were seated promptly. Our waiter Peter was great. He offered up his own recommendations from the menu as well as "what others seem to like" and we were not disappointed. The dining room is vary spacious and comfortable and the bar is roomy as well with plenty of seating and a good selection of adult beverages. The menu has a great variety including a dozen+ appetizers (we had the queso and chips and really liked them), salads, flatbread pizzas, burgers, pastas, etc. I had a pasta dish and my wife had the pulled pork, both were very good. The dining room has several TV's, but not too many TV's. Parking is free in the adjacent garage below, can't beat that. Keep in mind, they have only been open for a week, they may be still working out some of the kinks, but our experience was excellent from start to finish.
(4)Hai S.
I've been here a couple of times now and have had a good experiance each time. The weekend evenings seem to be crowded and I did have a longer wait than was told. No wait with the lunchtime visit. The location is great for this up and coming area and I'm glad to see a few new restaurants around here. The bar is great with a knowledgeable bar staff and a good place to meet up after work. However, I do prefer the Washington location
(4)W C.
I love their happy hour dishes and the great selection of beers. I've been here twice for happy hours, once for dinner, and once for brunch. Service was excellent, except this past Sunday for brunch. Totally no service. Waited forever for everything. Had to ask another server for a coffee refill. Our waitress never checked on us, and despite staring at my empty cup, never offered a refill, never even gave us water. The brunch was awful. French toast was not done well. Batter was not soaked through so it was like eating a cold loaf of dry bread. My girlfriend's crab cake Benedict had so much tartar sauce, it was sour and not savory. I left a 10% tip, and my girlfriend thought it was way too generous for the service we got. I'll stick to the happy hours here.
(2)Mai T.
I went there on a Wednesday night. It was quite packed but for a party of 9 we were able to get a table in about 20 minutes. There is a large selection of items. The calamari appetizer was a smaller portion than most places and was lightly breaded but tastes just like any other calamari. I had the chopped seafood salad. It looks just like the entree description. It was fresh and light but did not have a lot of flavor even with the Buttermilk Ranch dressing. Others at the table complained that some of their food was too salty, such as the asparagus (why would that require more than a pinch of salt?) and the black bean burger. However the flatbreads and the kids fried chicken slider was good. The kids mac and cheese was not made from Krafts but was made with real cheese. Overall, I would return to this place to try the burgers and steaks and just to have a decent meal but do not think this is a place that would be worth any wait over 30 minutes.
(3)Kelly M.
Went to Blackfinn for dinner with a party of 8. Our server, Peter, was awesome and had a terrific personality. We had a variety of orders at the table from flatbread, chicken tenders, steak, turkey burger, salad, and sandwiches. I ordered the Balboa prime rib sandwich and it was delicious, and the fries were good too. Everyone at the table enjoyed their meals. There was a mishap with my friend's salad--it was supposed to be Caesar, but there were no croutons--and no cheese he later discovered. Peter brought out croutons immediately and comped the cost of the salad, which I think was a very good business practice in this case. They were busy and initially it took a little time to get my first beverage, but overall, staff were pleasant and trying to be accommodating. I would go back for sure.
(4)Ciarra N.
The Saloon and Classic burgers are great. The food itself is decent. My only complaint is even after I ordered burgers for pick up on a regular basis my order is still mistaken or taken incorrectly. On more than one occasion, I've had to wait approximately 15 minutes or more due to the mistakes. An example would be the other day, my bf and I ordered Saloon Burgers one medium rare and one medium well. 20 minutes after making the order we come in to the bar being mistaken for ordering "Classic burgers." We were then made to wait 15+ minutes while standing in the bar during a full house in the restaurant. A downfall of this order was that due to the rush and full house, I didn't get a money's worth of food than I usually do. I got a small amount of fries than usual and the pickle was nonexistent. Even my bf agreed that portions were small. He was fortunate enough to get pickles but ones that are sliced and dainty. This incident is not the first but rather repetitive. We are willing to give BlackFinn another try in the offset chance the staff will be more attentive to orders. Essentially, the food is decent. However, the service/staff is lacking.
(2)Tosha B.
I came here on Friday for lunch with my husband and some of his co-workers. It wasn't too crowded and the 7 of us were seated immediately at a high top table in the bar area. Our server seemed nice and was willing to split our checks. We ordered once he brought out drinks out. But after that we didn't see our server until our food game out which was a bit annoying since several of us had empty glasses that we would have liked refills on. For lunch I went with the chicken and avocado chopped salad and it was amazing! Lots of chicken and veggies and the dressing was tasty, but not too sweet. I would definitely order it again. The rest of their menu had a lot of good options and I'd definitely like to go back to try some of their other stuff and their beers.
(4)Christine U.
Blackfinn has a great happy hour. The atmosphere here has a positive vibe. As for the food they have some good dishes and some that are "interesting"? That being said; do pass on the blackened Brie. That appetizer is odd. Don't get me wrong I love baked Brie, but Brie blackened is an odd concept to me.
(3)Jane P.
An average American restaurant & bar, good for groups & happy hour or after work drinks. I've only sat at the bar & bar side when I've dined here, always had a pretty good experience. I've had the Soft Pretzels, Ying-Yang Shrimp, Finn Fries, Lime Seared Salmon, Blackfinn Hot chocolate dessert, & 14 oz Ribeye. Everything I've tried is okay, nothing really stands out or is so great to rave about. Better food quality & service than TGIFriday's but not as great as a Great American Restaurant. They have a pretty extensive menu with a lot of options to choose from. Prices are a bit pricey, I would even say a bit overpriced. There is a wide variety of beers on tap with several different options in size even 100 oz beer towers. Great variety of wines & cocktails also. Tons of TVs in the bar area, would be a great place to watch big sports games with friends. Service is good, just average which isn't a bad thing. I feel as though the bartenders were more attentive when I sat at the bar in comparison to the servers when sitting at the tables or booths, but isn't a big deal. The only complaint I would have was the music was too loud once on a Sunday night when sitting at the bar, to the point where I felt like I had to yell for the person right next to me to hear me. I can tolerate loud music at bars, but not to the point where I can barely hear myself speak. Overall, I would come back again but I wouldn't go out of my way to come here unless the other option is TGIFriday's or another awful American restaurant. Definitely will try it out for happy hour with some friends if I get the chance or come for a major sports game.
(3)Scott M.
One of my favorite places to visit in Merrifield. Bar area has open seating and a lot of big tables and booths to hold large groups. Wait staff is great. Parking outside can get crazy but there is free valet parking
(4)Jina Y.
I come here pretty often with friends mostly for happy hours. I do go here sometimes to eat as well. They have a very wide variety of items on their menu. My favorite is the ying yang shrimp which is on the appetizer menu. The portion is pretty big though so I usually get it as a meal. The last time I went it was a Wednesday for half off wine night and I also got the Blackfinn chicken wrap. It was pretty big and flavorful. I really really like how their fries are super crispy. My favorite way of eating fries. Our waiter that night was great. Very nice and checked back often enough, but not being annoying. They do well with big groups too. They can accommodate to all your needs.
(4)Glenn P.
Very good tavern food, cool vibe, nice rectangular bar setup, large screen TVs...and excellent Blackfinn Merrifield team.
(5)Chris L.
Visited Merrifield for a wedding and decided to check something familiar; Blackfinn! I work at the North Carolina Park West Village: Moorisville Location and this place was awesome! I loved it. Blackfinn is a true family from state to state and will make sure you are taken care of. My best friend and I ordered the calamari which was delicious. I ordered the nacho burger and my girl friend had the Queen City chicken. Both were prepared perfectly. Everyone was friendly and great! Thank you guys for everything!
(5)LanChi N.
Came for lunch with my dad and brother were seated immediately for lunch partially because today is a holiday. Host was pleasant and friendly. We ordered the Finn Fries which came with a BBQ sauce and ranch. Fries were crispy and had a nice crunch but still had a nice soft center. Seasoning was good also almost BBQ like. The ranch was definitely fresh none of that bottled stuff. For entrées my dad ordered the jambalaya pasta which he said was better then CPK's. My brother ordered the buffalo chicken sandwich grilled. He said it was okay nothing special. However the side of mac and cheese he ordered was really good.He I had a bite and it was with those cavatappi noodle or curly noodle either way the sauce was creamy and had a nice kick. I decided on the soup of the day and half a flatbread. Soup of the day was a turkey veggie chili and I ordered the buffalo chicken flatbread. The turkey veggie chili was eh... it lacked a bit of seasoning. I mean it was good just needed more umph. The buffalo chicken flatbread was good nice kick and a good crunch all around with a good chicken and cheese ratio. Although I did have to add the ranch left over from the fries to even out the flavor. Perhaps it's just me but buffalo chicken just screams ranch even though most people like bleu cheese dressing but since the flatbread already has bleu cheese it doesn't need it. We also ordered the funnel fries...I could've sworn I've had this exact dessert some where but its not ringing a bell. But these were okay I do wish it was a bit crispier it was a bit doughy.. the sauces were good but the seemed a bit generic. Overall..service was good food was fresh and tasty. Lunch menu had a decent selection of items.I will definitely be returning for happy hour or dinner.
(4)Ed D.
A Fairly decent hidden gem! I didn't expect to see the place and certainly didn't expect the type of atmosphere to begin with. To start - the parking situation is just plain awful The valet is not doing its job and the parking is just awful. I actually spent 15 minutes looking for a space and almost drove off and just by sheer coincidence a space opened up. The bar area is huge and has a mix of high tops, bar seating, and booths. We did a few happy hour's at the location and opted to try it on for size. The atmosphere in the booths is very intimate and provides a nice closed environment for your family and friends. Moreover, it provides a strong sense of fun and calming atmosphere in which you can have a nice calm evening to reminisce about work. The high tops and bar area did prove a challenge. The loud noise along with the constant barrage of people and drinkers knocked you a bit all over the place. Conversation was not easy here and did prove a challenge worth making a fun drinking game out of. The drinks at HH are decently priced. They offer a large selection and provide a strong variety to the Happy hour crowd. Moreover, it provides a decent choice for those who are even picky. The HH Menu was lacking however. The food was stale and luke-warm at best. The portions are decent, however the plate is generally left somewhat full due to its lackluster taste and not to stellar cooking. It almost equates to microwave food. Overall, the place is an A+ for Happy Hour. Based on the appetizers and HH food, I can't say im excited to try dinner anytime soon.
(4)Alex H.
Ambience. Parking is in garage and limited. We got lucky and found parking, otherwise will have to park at Dunn Loring Metro and walk--and parking at metro is not free. Inside, the rooms are split between the bar area and dining to accommodate families with kids. Nice ambience with a look of upscale, but open for all. Quality of Service. Place was busy but not crazy busy to be waited. We seated ourselves at the booth on the bar side. Service was immediate and fast. Server was very pleasant and quick to get our orders and deliver food. Also stopped by once to see how everything was going. Overall, good service! Food. We ordered calamari for appetizer and it was the best so far. It came with fried jalapeño which made it unique and scrumptously amazing, and it was a lot! Off to a good start. Also ordered beer for happy hour, only those on the list. Nothing to get excited about. For meal, we ordered fish and chips and split for two. Server brought it on two separate plates-- very nice and considerate. It was good like all other fish and chips from places like this. Overall, this is a very nice place to hangout for happy hour or nice casual dining with outstanding service and very good food.
(5)Devin P.
Pubs are great because you have a relaxed atmosphere and a concentration on simple, delicious fare. Sometimes, the crutch of intoxication allows a pub or ameripub to continue with lackluster and unmemorable food. What was memorable is that the bathroom sink is a sluicing trough. There are no pictures since I don't want to steal their schweppervescence, but it's true. Washing your hands on a sacrificial altar is kind of weird. And I applaud trying to make people of all religions feel welcome. Other reviewers have lamented the parking, however, parking shouldn't be a major consideration as most restaurants have little control, and it varies by time. Plus, Yelp lets you review a guy selling hot dogs out of his coat, and I doubt he will validate. So unless you are in a hover-round, a little walking shouldn't matter. What does matter is the food, which at Blackfinn's I found to be either bland or salty. The problem to me is that the preparation didn't seem to emphasize the item ordered. From broccoli to salmon to potatoes to burger, the major taste was either salt or nothing and no seasoning effectively complemented the items. Granted, the selections were interesting -- which makes ordering fun. But when the best part of the meal is the hummus, handing over $20 per person feels painful. Pros: Good beer and wine selection Decent atmosphere with division of dining and barroom area Interesting menu selection Cons: Bland or overseasoned food Service was sporadic or absent-minded, at times Restaurant felt overpriced and lacking soul ...probably because of the sinks.
(2)g c.
Great drinks, but the food that we ordered was disappointing. The service was good. The bacon in the Bloody Mary was amazing
(3)Katie S.
After our first visit and subsequent discussion with the manager, I finally got a chance to go back to Blackfinn and I am very pleased with the experience. Our server was charming and the food was delish!!! My hubs and I were super hungry, so very indecisive and our server recommended a few things that were on point! Our starter, the tuna poke, was to die for!!!! I will probably have this every time we go back. It was that good! The wasabi cream it comes with is the perfect kick to a very delicate flavor and the wonton crisps add a wonderful crunch. I decided to go lighter on dinner and ordered a small salad and a flat bread. The hubs got a small salad and the bacon covered meatloaf. The flat bread was yummy and with the salad was a perfect dinner. Pete's meatloaf was phenomenal and I don't really like meatloaf, so that is saying something! After dinner, our server recommended a dessert that she called crack and I call heaven, although if you want to be technical it's called "Blackfinn hot chocolate". OMG YUM! It's warm chocolate cake, warm peanut butter, ice cream and a drizzle of caramel. It was so good I actually jokingly asked our server if I could hug her for her recommendation. Next visit is going to have to be for HH, looks like they have great specials!
(4)Stephanie F.
So, first wine Wednesday in awhile. Again, usually great service, but have to say I was extremely disappointed tonight. Our waitress brought refills about 45 minutes after requested, even if it was just for a soda, and we were sitting right next to the bar. Then we asked for the check, and instead of bringing it to us she spoke to her coworkers and other male patrons. 35 min later we asked someone else to get us a check, he brought our waitress and she asked us what we wanted, totally forgetting we requested the check. And even after that she forgot what we all ordered, and the process took another twenty minutes. Needless to say, we definitely paid half the price for wine night than we would have if she had been even slightly more attentive.
(2)Faith C.
A friend and I came in yesterday, Rob was working. We sat at the bar, both had CHICKEN QUESADILLA - amazing! It's juicy roasted chicken, real bacon, cheddar jack, red onions and cilantro in a flour tortilla, served with chipotle aioli and coleslaw 10.29. Go, go right now...it's nice, clean, affordable, and of course great service! Rob is great! We had the devils backbone beer - also tasty!
(5)Casey M.
I have been here for brunch, lunch, dinner, and happy hour. I have yet to find something I don't like. Also, whether I want a burger, salad, French toast, wine, beer, cocktails, flat breads... Blackfinn is able to deliver. Some of my favorite items: tuna poke (raw tuna and spicy, delicious!), cheeseburger flatbread (taste of a burger without actually eating a whole burger), and any salmon entree. Side note: Wednesday is half off glasses and bottles of wine... Just saying. ;)
(4)ChickPea S.
Black Finn claims to be a "sports bar," but they blast obnoxious pop music instead of playing the audio for important games they are broadcasting. I went to Black Finn to watch the World Series, and initially the audio was set to the game, but the audio was haphazardly changed so many times I couldn't concentrate on or enjoy the game. After I repeatedly requested that the audio be restored to the game I was in the middle of watching the manager eventually came out and explained that other customers were complaining that they didn't want to listen to the World Series, and that he couldn't please everyone. It came across as a rather weak excuse since the audio was originally set to the World Series to begin with. Although the food and beer selection was decent and there was nice selection of large screens, the customer service was disappointing, and as a result, the ambiance was unwelcoming and unpleasant. I was looking forward to becoming a regular, but I don't plan on returning or recommending the place to any friends or family.
(1)Mitch C.
Excellent beer selection. Massive menu full of items. Service was very, very good. The food was quite good. The noise in the restaurant was actually severe - quite unpleasant. While everything was very good, the disappointment is that the restaurant is so loud, you will find it difficult to have a conversation. So ... Take someone you don't like to dinner there ... and you won't have to converse (you'll have a nice meal with excellent service though!).
(3)Jamie B.
My boyfriend and I were staying at the Marriott across the street since we were visiting family out of town. We decided to try this place because of how close it was to the hotel and I'm so glad we did. Great selection of beer and delicious food! The Mac and cheese was soo good! Our server was Robert and he was a really helpful server! We are definitely going to make this our go to spot from now on when we come into town!
(5)Brandon G.
We ate here because it was right down the street from our hotel in Fairfax. After a long day of sightseeing in DC, we wanted to unwind with a few beers and dinner. We got the bbq pork nachos, which, though a little small for the price (around $9), were outstanding! They had Sam Adams Oktoberfest on special at $3 a pint so after a plate of nachos and 3 beers, we were pretty stuffed. We ended up ordering burgers anyway, resigned to taking leftovers back to the hotel. The burgers were huge, perfectly cooked, and the fries were awesome as well. I would definitely return for a beer and a burger if in the area!
(4)Juliette S.
After my previous post, I had a manager reach out to me. This was very much appreciated and shows they care about their customer service. My fiance and I went back to Blackfinn during Happy Hour. We sat at the bar this time and had a good experience. Seems they ironed out a lot of their issues and are getting into the swing of things! There were plenty of bartenders on staff, so getting food and drinks was super quick. Our bartender was great and very personable. The happy hour prices are overall good and a lot more options than a normal happy hour menu. We got a pizza and nachos. I really like their pizzas. The food came out super fast. Only a few minutes after we ordered, one of the bar-backs noticed that we had place settings for food and he smiled at us and said "I will go check to see if your food is up!" and we had to tell him not to worry because we had just ordered. Very good experience, I think other posters should give it another chance now that they've been open for a bit.
(4)David K.
Hey folks! I think some training is in order. After a martini and a glass of wine and once the meal is served, is NOT the time to ignore your customer sitting next to the register at the bar. Sorry it didn't seem necessary to you to deliver the Sprite that was ordered, and that you didn't think it may be important to the customer to order dessert. There were a number of things I still was inte...rested in ordering, but alas, you were NOT too busy to notice the empty glasses, or the empty plate that you removed ... but you did seem to not have time to deliver all that was asked for, and never was concerned about asking if anything else was of interest to the customer. Enjoy the note. Sorry for the 10% tip, but even that was something I had to struggle with. Having worked in and managed high end restaurants and bars in and around the Chicago area, it was difficult for me to consider tipping any less. Understanding that 10% is the bare minimum ... TO INSURE PROMPT SERVICE. Mind you ... that I did not recieve tonight.
(1)Judy B.
We came on a Monday to eat with friends. The places is very nice. Are server jermaine was very nice and gave the run down of the menu and all the special during the week. He was trained very well and know everything on the menu and answered all the questions. The best server he had ever! The food was awesome and the suggestion jermaine made was on point. Are party of 7 guest was happy. We all will be back to see him.
(4)Jim J.
I was headed to Lost Dog Cafe on a Tuesday night for a quick dinner with the family when we realized that Blackfinn wasn't too busy and thought we would check it out. We got sat right away (WARNING!! - they only take reservations for parties of 8 or more and otherwise accept call ahead - I would strongly suggest that they add at least a handful of tables to OpenTable for those of us that use that service). The service was attentive and we even had the GM stop by to check on us during our meal. The food was very good - and don't just assume I am pandering here - I eat out a lot (at least 4 days a week) and this was very good. We started with drinks - they have an incredible beer list on tap (I'd say at least 50 beers, including some seasonal varieties). I ordered the Steak and Cheese, which was wonderful (I will warn you though that it is a bit spicy). My beautiful wife ordered the Goat Cheese, Strawberry and Pecan salad and thought it was very good. We ordered a side of the brussel sprouts and they were amazing (perfectly cooked/charred, and bacon to boot). My oldest son (12) ordered the ahi tuna salad (rare) and ate every last bite, including several mouthfulls of the brussel sprouts. My youngest son (10) ordered the NY Strip, which he said was good, but I could tell was broiled instead of cooked over a fire (they might want to consider adding a fired grill to their kitchen). My youngest son also had the mac and cheese, which has ample amounts of bacon, which makes it worth ordering. The fries are also very good. We had a great dinner and I would highly recommend. My only concern at this point is the availability of tables given that they do not take reservations (again, OPEN TABLE!!!) and I doubt I would get to go there on a prime night (Thu, Fri, Sat) unless I had 7 other people with me.
(4)P. S.
Visited on Sunday for dinner with a couple of friends. Love the giant booths! Our server was inexperienced but did a fine job. I had the baked haddock, which I really enjoyed, and the goat cheese grits, which were a hit with everyone at our table. They have a great draft beer selection. Next time I'll try out the bar area, which looked lively and quite large.
(4)Evan M.
After making a few more trips to Blackfinn, I feel inclined change my review. During my first trip I was really pleased with the wings. They were crispy without being overdone and the sauce was good. The blue cheese dip was also good. However, I've been back two or three times since and the wings have not been as good as the first time. When I went the other night, my wing order did not include a single drummette; it was all mid sections, which are the less desirable pieces that resemble a clothespin. Obviously if they had given me a plate full of drumettes I would have been a happy camper, but anybody who enjoys wings knows that you get a little of both. The fact that I didn't get a single drummette suggests to me that they are either saving the good pieces for some reason or they are buying their wings on the cheap from suppliers that sell the mid sections on the cheap and sell the drummettes at a premium. It's hard for me to believe that my order was a statistical anomaly in that I got all of one cut despite the fact that the anatomy of a chicken suggests that there should be equal amounts of both. The blue cheese dip was also very watery. I still think that this is a good spot, but I am not as big a fan as I was after my first trip. However, the one thing that has improved since my first visit is the service. Not sure if this is just luck of the draw or if they were still learning the ropes during my first visit, which was shortly after they opened. Whatever the reason, the service has been much better. Here is my original review: My family and I recently went to Blackfinn for lunch. We were very pleased with our meals. We ordered the Buffalo wings and they were among the best that I have had in this area. I ordered the cheesesteak as an entrée and it was good. I didn't realize how hot the peppers were going to be though, but that was my own fault. I would recommend asking for it without those because they overwhelm the sandwich. My wife had the wedge salad and the pulled pork sandwich, both of which were good. My only complaint would be that the waitress wasn't very good. She was pleasant, but she went AWOL for a while. Anyway, we will definitely be going here again and would recommend Blackfinn.
(3)Leigh S.
Fantastic! Great happy hour specials-both food and drink. Wednesday is Wined Up Wednesday and it's half price bottles and glasses (and then of course the other drink specials). We got the Mediterranean Platter and Pulled Pork Quesadilla (per the direction of our fantasssssssssstic waiter Nick) and it was grand! This place is easy to get to/park and has plenty of seating. Go to happy hour and ask for Nick-he provides great service; along with a great performance!
(5)Karl H.
great place to take the kids. slightly jealous of their cinnamon apples with peanut butter. high quality food and plenty of local beers on tap. cheaper than dogfish head ale house and it has a much bigger bar.
(5)Lydia R.
I went here with a group of girls for Happy Hour and appetizers. The pizza appetizers were really tasty! The Happy Hour deals are definitely worth it! This is such a great location, and there are so many television sets here, this is the perfect place to catch a sporting event or catch up with a group of friends. However, it does get very crowded and it's already very popular!
(4)Rami B.
By far one of the best restaurants to hit the new merrifield area. Great to watch any game, even soccer favorites. Food is outstanding, dinner always hits the spot and their brunch is superb. No complaints at all, food and service speak for themselves.
(5)Derick K.
Great place to catch the NCAA Men's Final, even though the team I wanted to win lost, that didn't stop the beer from flowing or the appetizers from being masticated. It was a crowded bar during the basketball game, which was good, but I'm not sure of how busy it would normally be on a Monday night. The parking was pretty easy, especially since I had the VIP space open up right in front of the door as I pulled up, there is also a parking garage that is a short walk away. The whole area is under construction, so it was a little hard to find. There were tons of beers on tap, but I had the Shock Top, since that was the special on the night. The wings were very tasty, but so was the BBQ mac & cheese. If you go into this place, you must try the BBQ mac & cheese, it's so good that you're ordered to eat it.
(4)Brad S.
I was recently in the area on business for about a week and I ate here every night. Not because I had to but because I wanted to. Everything I had here was great, from the cheese sticks (AWESOME), Saloon burger, cheesecake, funnel cake fries, fish n chips, cheesesteak were all great. The service was awesome and the environment was electric. I highly recommend eating a meal or two or three here.
(5)Eomf D.
Good selection of beer and good burgers. This place is over in the quickly developing Merrifield area, but not in the mosaic district. There is garage parking and very close metro stop. The burgers are great and the service is always very good. The main restaurant is very kid friendly, and there is a separate large bar area in case you don't want to hear the lil ones crying and screaming. Mac and cheese with pulled pork is very good. Only giving three stars since everything here is pretty generic. But don't take that to mean chain restaurant. It's just nothing to get too excited about. This is in a new building so really nice facilities. Recommend stopping by here for a burger and beer.
(3)K E.
Stopped for dinner after son's soccer game and it was such a bad experience that I'm taking the time to write this review. We were seated outside at a table that leaned downhill so severely that kids' crayons rolled off and drinks would barely stay upright. We asked if another table was available but they were full (at 6:30 on a Saturday night). Waiter came by and took drink orders. We ordered 2 beers and 2 kids' drinks. He pointed out that it was a game day and there was a special price on a certain beer. We said "no thanks". He then brought kids drinks and not our beers as he wasn't sure if we wanted the special. I reminded him what I had already ordered. Our beers finally arrive. Then we order food. I had a question about the ahi tuna (yes - I should have known better than to order this here). Waiter didn't know the menu. Food arrives but we have no silverware or napkins. We wait while food grows cold and napkins / silver finally arrive. Kids have ordered cheeseburger and grilled cheese. My kids aren't picky eaters and both said that the food tasted horrible. My ahi tuna was burned (how do you burn ahi!?) and tasted burned. Husband said small greek salad wasn't good either. So, terrible service, lack of knowledge and horrific food. I'd come for a beer and sit at the bar but I'd never eat here. Don't say you weren't warned.
(2)Jean S.
Three words: Wined Up Wednesday. On top of their great happy hour food and drink specials, every wine (glass or bottle) is half price until 9:00pm. I really enjoyed sampling the different red wines they offered by the glass, and I know I will be a repeat customer for happy hour or watching games in the bar. Another plus is that you can partake in the happy hour offerings from the dining room, as well as the bar area. A friend of mine is six months pregnant with twins, so we opted to sit in the dining room so she would be comfortable and the rest of us could enjoy the happy hour deals. Our large group enjoyed the Margherita flatbread, crispy calamari, chicken wings, soft pretzels and Mediterranean platter. The service was extra friendly. Funny story of the night: I asked for my wings to be served well done (as in, extra crispy). The waiter chuckled and said, "It's chicken, so it's always well done." Because the restaurant gets busy, we did have to wait on drinks or search for the waiter a few times (had to flag down other servers). Also, note that the free valet parking does not start until 6:00pm, and the restaurant is kind of hidden by the construction going on.
(4)Lendsey C.
Even though this restaurant is a chain, it lacks that big generic feel (which isn't a bad thing in my book!). The staff at this particular location was friendly and attentive from the time I entered the cool revolving doors until the time I left. When service doesn't skip a beat like this I more inclined to rave about it to friends and come back often. I'm a huge visual person so when a place has an interesting setup and or decor it draws me in and Blackfinn didn't disappoint. Their chalkboard specials board had just the touch of modern fun that I like to see. The bar is situated smack in the middle of the place instead of in the back or right at the door like some places. So it feels like you're enjoying the establishment without being sequestered away. When I went for the lunch I was surprised by how many items were on the menu and how accommodating the pricing seemed to be so I ordered a little of everything. The calamari: 5/5 Perfectly crispy while being soft on the inside. The sauce that came with it was heavenly. I intended to share this but then found myself being stingy when it came time to do so. It was a big portion that could easily be an entree with a salad. The pizza: 5/5 Had i realized their flatbread was going to be enough for two I wouldn't have ordered two pizzas but I was happy to try a slice from each. Sausage and pepperoni was yum-tastic and the margherita had the freshest of ingredients. My only gripe is the parking right in front of the place is a one way street that is extremely narrow but I understand that it's only two blocks from the Dunn Loring metro stop so location, location, location. It definitely won't stop me from returning!
(4)James C.
Great place for a Friday Happy Hour. Easily Metro accessible for whatever the start of your weekend has in store! The specialty drinks were well made, bourbon/whiskey selection was above average, and the waitstaff VERY hospitable. Highly recommended for the over 35 professional crowd.
(4)Chris S.
The bar area appeared to be the real place to be during my visit. It was Friday and the bar area was filled with people of various races and ages. I ended up in the dining room as I was there for more of a casual night out dining. Service was good, the waiter was friendly. He made several recommendations and had a generally overall nice vibe to him. He was very excited to let us know all the food was fresh and none of it was frozen, he also made a point to let us know the fries are specially made for Blackfinn. I had the lime seared salmon for my entree. The salmon was nicely prepared, moist throughout and well seasoned. I didn't get any real lime flavor but it had a nice tang to it. The accompanying asparagus was grilled and cooked well. Rice was also well cooked and put together well. Overall I can't complain at all for the food. All in all decent, place, I think I would rather come back to the bar area to watch a game and have a beer or two as while the dining experience was decent I feel the bar is the place to be.
(3)Mary H.
I gave the extra star because it's a late night spot where you can still get food on a week night. The place is lively, service is friendly and the food was ok. Nothing spectacular. I'm still in search of the perfect wings... And it's not here. But their burgers are solid. So if your looking to grab a late night meal and don't want to hit Taco Bell... Try this place. Parking can be tight and prices are on the higher side, you make up for in the atmosphere.
(4)Dave H.
Friendly staff with some good attention to detail and at times a complete lack of it. The table next to us was done for a good amount of time before staff asked if they needed anything else (they were just waiting to get the check). We tried the Southern Nachos and the wings. The nachos were very disappointing. They looked like about $2 worth of ingredients for almost $10. The wings were a bit better, very meaty but we did not care much for the sauce and like our wings a bit crispy and these are definitely not crispy. They served the wings without extra napkins so we had to ask for extras which seemed to throw them off a bit. We did enjoy the pan fried chicken we got on an earlier visit and will come back to have that dish but won't venture out into the starters again. One of the worst parking garages ever. Very tight spaces and corners. I won't drive there again. Nice that Blackfinn has valet parking but I don't even want my car going into that garage no matter who is driving it. We took Metro and walked which worked out okay.
(2)Leslie F.
The service was really lacking this time and was not busy at all. I would cut our waiter / waitress some slack if they were training nope just not rude not awful by any means but not very attentive. Our food was great again, I tried the shrimp spring rolls after I was told that that they couldn't make flat bread pizza.Our waiter waited for me to give him my order until I had to shoo him away so I had a chance to look at our menu Hubby got the buffalo chicken wrap again he wanted grilled came out fried but for the other tweaks he had in the order everything else came out on point. I should note we will go back.
(3)Smoke H.
Service is really slow. Several waiters and waitress standing in the corner talking.
(3)Amanda K.
Blackfinn sent my me a gift certificate to give their place another shot based upon my review of this place. I decided to take up their offer and my husband and I stopped in here for an early dinner on a Saturday evening. We sat in the bar area and had a very tentative server. I order the salmon spinach salad and my husband ordered the stir fry. My husband was completely happy that they had a decent gluten free menu since he has to eat gluten free now per dr orders. Both of our meals were good but nothing outstanding. I would eat here again as I felt the service improved and I would like to try something else on the menu. I love the variety of beer available on tap because tap beer is better than bottle. I love the fact they are located near the metro and the area is slowly building up.
(4)Jennifer D.
I went with 7 other women for a moms night out this week. I was very grateful that they allowed us to reserve a table, though they don't normally do reservations. Most places I called in Merrifield wanted us to call 30-60 minutes ahead and just hope there was availability but with women coming from as far as Lorton, that did not make sense. The parking was horrific. By the time most of us arrived (I was 15 minutes late and others were even more late) we were super stressed by the lack of parking. It was ridiculous. One mom parked over at the Home Depot. In the rain. Absurd. Another big thing that bothered me is I was clear that it was a group of 8 and they sat us at a table for 6 and eventually they dragged over 2 chairs to the end which made everything super cramped. This became very clear as food and wine arrived. We ordered two plates of calamari, two plates of pretzels, and three bottles of wine. Wednesday is half priced wine, so that was nice. The table was really full at that point. When the apps arrived it was mentioned to us that our food would be coming out in 5-8 minutes, which did not give us a whole lot of time. Sure enough, the entrees came out shortly thereafter and when one of the moms mentioned how were we supposed to fit all the dinner plates when the apps were still on the table there was no response and the dinner plates were basically shoved into whatever small spaces could be found. I was very appreciative that my special order was accommodated - the buffalo chicken sandwich came on some sort of roll but I asked for a wrap and without tomato. In fact, with the orders this is where the restaurant shined - 8 people and only one small error - one woman ordered her dinner with rice instead of fries and when it came with fries it was quickly fixed. My sangria was delicious, the pretzels were good. I never got to try the calamari because there was no way to reach it. My wrap was okay but not anything extraordinary. Would I go back? Probably not mostly because of that crazy parking. The food was okay and the service was pretty good.
(3)Marvin G.
I'm a fan of craft beer and blackfinn has a whole lot to choose from. The food is awesome from the apps to the dinner plates, all great quality. The staff is very friendly and always make it a pleasant visit. Defiantly recommend.
(5)Stephanie J.
I went to Blackfinn Ameripub without expectation and was pleasantly surprised. The BA is beautifully appointed and roomy. The bar area is expansive and seems to invite conversation and camaraderie. Our server was welcoming and attentive, he did a great job and we had a fairly large group (about 12) who were all order different things... some just drinks, some appetizers, desserts etc. The Chicken Cuban sandwich was delicious. The chicken was moist and succulent and well seasoned. The server accommodated my request to substitute a Caesar salad for the fries which I completely appreciated. The salad was well prepared with fresh lettuce and a delicious Cesar dressing and good croutons (croutons are important). Our drinks were well prepared and the bar is well stocked with a variety of premium liquors. BA was even able to deliver a Snakebite (Guinness and cider combination). I was impresssed. BUT, the highlight of the meal, was dessert. We ordered the Funnel Cake Fries that came with a caramel, chocolate and rasberry dipping sauces and house made Key Lime Pie. The Funnel Cake Fries were good but the Key Lime Pie stole the show, the crust was well prepared, ever so slightly sweet and crumbly, the pie was tart and creamy and it was topped off by a dollop of whipped cream. I am definitely returning to BA. If you are a Key Lime Pie Lover then this is a must try restaurant.
(3)Lisette D.
Went here for happy hour with friends. Great service! Good beer list, though the beer I wanted didn't have a special. The fries are great and they serve them with some delicious ranch dressing and BBQ sauce. Southern nachos were great too! And there was free parking!
(5)Chey N.
We decided to make the trip in from Herndon for brunch after hearing great things from friends that have eaten or been to Happy Hour at this location. I had high expectations for our visit but in the end the best part about it was the manager. We ordered our food and drinks right away. Having said that - the bartender never checked back on us nor did he refill our drinks. It seemed he was too busy with the service bar and the tables surrounding the bar rather than his primary customers sitting at the bar. After waiting to finish eating my food because I wanted more to drink, the manager came over, refilled our drinks and apologized for the slow service. She went on to say that she understands there are many choices for brunch, and she appreciated that we came to her restaurant. We asked her if she could bring us our check and she did so, she also comped my meal and apologized again. I was blown away by this. She did not have to do that, but in the end this took my review from 2 stars to 3 and we will be back to give it another shot because of her.
(3)Sarina P.
Great place for a work function! They have an extensive lunch menu and you can start off with flatbread, soda, coffee, or tea and a lunch entree for $15 if you order as a group. The margherita and Hawaiian flatbreads were nice and crisp, not too heavy on the toppings. I had the classic burger, and it was cooked perfectly. The accompanying fries were crisp and salty, exactly how you want fries to be. The meal ended with platters of warm chocolate chip cookies--2 apiece--most of which came back to the office with us because we were so stuffed. Parking was a breeze with 3 garages. I'm looking forward to getting back and trying more menu items!
(4)Flo S.
I've pretty much frequented the DC bar more than this one, since this is a recent addition to the chain's location. Lots of TV, bigger menu, nice bathrooms, etc. On to the food..the calamari was nice and crispy, the chicken tenders were really good and even the flatbread pizza didn't disappoint. The waitresses were really friendly and they took care of my friends who were celebrating their birthdays by suggesting two desserts w/ candles so we could sing to them. Thank you for the the delicious sundae with some yummy peanut butter. They loved it! Overall a great establishment, only wish there was a dance floor like the one in DC. Me and my friends always enjoy dancing the night away and watching the latest videos.
(4)Charry L.
I like their atmosphere. We grabbed a late night dinner at around 9:30 p.m. I like how they have their steaks available. You choose from three meat choices (Rib Eye, New York Strip/steak, or Sirloin) then a butter then two sides. We chose the 14 oz Rib Eye (medium rare) with garlic butter. The two sides we chose were sauteed spinach and asparagus. It was delicious. We also had the Mango Avocado Shrimp salad. I think this is one of their seasonal menu. Also, very delicious - generous amount of shrimp and mango (I could have had more avocado). Very fresh and worth the price (14.95) There are also 20+ TVs all around the room. A hockey game was on and the atmosphere was very lively. Would definitely visit again for happy hour. The location is great - right by the metro and if you're driving, parking is also very convenient with a huge retail parking lot available. Huge plus! Yay, I'm a fan!
(4)Bob T.
We have nothing but great service, food and overall atmosphere when here. Truly enjoy the happy hours and the flatbread pizzas! Check out the sausage and pepperoni one! Fresh and tasty!
(5)Mischita H.
Ok...it had only been 2 days since the CMYE event here and I went back. I just had to have some more of that buffalo chicken flat bread and crab cakes! Maybe it is just me but I think they were even better tonight. I also stole a sample of the cheese sticks from my friend's plate - it was like an all mozzarella egg roll with a sweet and spicy sauce. VERY DELISH! Also, I sampled the angry orchard beer and that was good as well...I'm usually appalled by the taste of beer but I could probably finish a whole glass of this one. Our server (Alex) was awesome and he gets bonus points for changing the tv to the game that we wanted to watch. This place has definitely made my list of places to frequent.
(4)YaZhen C.
I LOVE THIS PLACE! We came at an odd time so I wasn't expecting the best but I was wrong. Our server was quite the charmer and very nice. Our drinks were never empty and we were never missing anything. I ordered the crab cake sandwich and it was one of the best crab cake sandwiches I've ever had. The ingredients tasted fresh and crisp and they were very well seasoned. Their fries were hot and crispy just the way fries should be. The portion was worth the price in my opinion. I would come back here in a heart beat.
(5)Annie K.
I've become such a fan of Blackfinn, I came here 3 times within the week. Yes, THREE times -- twice to pregame and once for happy hour. When it comes to drinks, this place earns 5 stars. They have a variety of different beers on tap, which come in 3 sizes -- the mini, a pint, and a Big Boy. For the Big Boy, you have to pay $16 for the actual container and $17.95++ for the beer -- but you can bring the container back to refill whenever you want to! As for mixed drinks, they have a variety of different drinks, but my personal favorite is the Blackfinn Iced Tea -- it's basically an Arnold Palmer with alcohol... Yum. On the other hand, the food earns 3 stars. I must be ordering the wrong things because I thought the food was mediocre and nothing really memorable both times I've dined here. (FYI, I've ordered: bacon cheeseburger, loaded nachos, buffalo flatbread, pretzels, spinach and artichoke dip, calamari, cookie sandwiches) The service has been a hit/miss. Although the service all three times was friendly for the most part, we felt rushed to order each time and were barely checked on. I'll definitely be back to drink and give it another chance for food since it's closeby to work and a great spot to pregame before heading downtown.
(4)Natasha G.
While I think this location is a little odd for the typical Blackfinn clientele, I enjoyed my time here on a Saturday night! The music was good (and videos are played on screens everywhere). The service was pretty decent considering they had a shift change. The waiters were all bubbly and nice, and helped me choose my drink for the night. The menu is pretty large if you're looking for food. We ordered the fries, and they came with two dipping sauces. THEY WERE UTTERLY AMAZING. We could not get enough of them; I would go back only for these fries. They were quite memorable. The place had a decent crowd, but it quickly dissipated by midnight or so. The age range was probably mid-20s to mid-30s. There was a large party celebrating a birthday, and they seemed to be enjoying themselves. Bottom line: I will probably be back. I really just want those fries.
(4)E R.
Good food and drinks. The bartenders, wait staff, and management are consistently way above average. Everyone one working here wants you to enjoy yourself. And, if by some chance, they don't meet your expectations, tell them. Ask for a manager if you need to. They will do just about anything, within reason, to make your visit a pleasant one.
(5)S6 5.
been here a few times since they opened in merrifield to my surprise, the food here is actually pretty decent; im used to bars having pretty horrible food; but no complaints here the dining room is a bit odd; since the spot is on the lower level of an apartment complex, i guess they didnt have much of a choice the bar is very large; they also have some outdoor seating lining the bar area of the restaurant service seems to be hit or miss; bartenders are average. if you're looking for a good happy hour spot in merrifield/mosaic, this isnt a bad choice FYI - parking can be a nightmare at times..............
(3)Brittany L.
Large selection of draft beer, including seasonals and even a few legit craft beers (not just "crafty" i.e. Blue Moon). Service was fine, although only one of the bartenders knew anything about the beer. Park in the free garage behind it or on the street. Comfortable seating, purse hooks present under the bar. We didn't have any food so I can't comment on that or give any higher of a rating. Open until 2am and serving a late-night menu until 2am.
(3)Aditya P.
amazing beer towers buffalo chicken flatbread is awesome Tried the Steak and it was made perfectly medium rare just the way I like it They have a great happy hour ! Went back there twice last week just cause I loved it so much
(5)Christina D.
The food here isn't that great, not that big of a selection. They have nice champagnes and good drinks. Service is not bad but it's very noisy on weekends.
(2)Mari A.
#60 Great vibe for the Halstead area. Ladies.. there are guys everywhere... definite man fest. Our waitress was definitely friendly and offered her tips on food and drinks. Went here after eating at Lost Dogs Café for dinner. We wanted the night to keep going so my friends and I stopped by here for a drink and an app. Yes- to ALSO eat more. I think the number one bonus about this place is it's convenience. My friend lives in the Halstead apartments and so it's so easy to just come downstairs and stop by this place. It is also off the Dunn Loring metro (about a block). So for those not wanting to hit the bustling streets of Clarendon or downtown DC, I would think would opt to come to this area. Mosaic District happens to be about 2 blocks away as well. CONVENIENT! I would say the food and drinks were A-OK! We got the appetizer platter which had fried shrimp, chicken tenders, chicken wings, and calamari. My mistake was getting this hunk o' junk thinking my friends would help out. But nope! The health nerds took like a bite and were done! Im not even a huge fan of fried foods! I took it like a champ and ate like 60% of it. Overall I wasnt a big fan but would consider coming back to try other foods. For drinks, I got a Martini, and my friends opted for a Manhattan and a beer. I'm sorry I dont know what kinds but I remember enjoying mine. :) I'll be here for a yelp event in a few weeks. Hoping for a great experience and to up this rating!
(3)Elina Y.
1st Visit: Right as you enter their establishment, to the left is a busy bar area and to the right is a quieter sit-down dining area. This review is strictly for the dining experience. Our waiter seemed a little frazzled but his efforts to be accommodating was duly noted. They've only been opened for about 2-weeks so I'm sure things were hectic. Appetizer: Shrimp Rolls Good portion, and all the veggies were fresh. Shrimp was sliced in halves. Your Americanized version of Vietnamese summer rolls. Entree: Salmon Spinach Salad Again, good overall portion. Spinach was very fresh. Comes with a balsamic vinaigrette dressing that is not overwhelming. Bf fully enjoyed his naked (bun-less) turkey Hangover hamburger. 2nd Visit: Came on a Wednesday night for half-off wine bottles (until 9pm). Service was still excellent except my friend wanted a lighter and they didn't carry any BUT the server did ask his other co-workers and found one for my friend. Definitely will be making my rounds here.
(4)Kelly C.
I was not expecting to have such a fantastic meal at what I presumed to be a pub. Just delicious! I had the ying yang shrimp as an appetizer and the sea bass for my entree. The flavors were phenomenal. The shrimp had siracha sauce on the side and really punched it up a notch. The sea bass was perfectly cooked and sitting on top of teriyaki snow peas and coconut curry rice cakes. Sweet...savory...just fantastic! The atmosphere was bustling and the waitstaff was attentive. Would definitely recommend this place!
(5)Karen H.
We love this place and are sorry we haven't written about it sooner. For a sit down meal, you can't beat this place. They allow you to do anything in terms of substitution.Don't want the fries that come with your sandwich - no problem - order any salad or any other side dish. We've never had a bad meal and we've been there a dozen times. The service can be spotty but having been a server before i get that - sometimes you need to be in two places at one time. If anything at all goes wrong, they are so quick to come over and fix things - when a steak was undercooked they brought a salad while we were waiting for it to go back on the grill and brought us a dessert at the end, gratis. My husband likes the steak and cheese, i like the 2 item lunch offerings. We live close by and will be back soon.
(5)Ju L.
Pros: Excellent drinks, food, and service. Variety of ambiances. Cons: N/A
(5)Kim H.
I've been to Blackfinn about 4 times and I can't find one bad thing to say. All of my experiences have been in the bar area so I cannot speak to the horrible service that has been noted in a lot of these reviews in the dining area. If you can snag a booth in the bar area, you are golden! The service, at least in my experience, has always exceeded expectations. We have never had an empty drink and the servers come by to check on you often.... always with a smile on their faces. As for food goes, I've tried the following: T-Bird - blackfinn secret recipe turkey burger, chive aioli, bacon bits; Very good burger with nice seasoning. I'm always looking for the healthier options so this was perfect for me. BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza - chicken, bacon, caramelized onions, bbq sauce, cheddar jack, parmesan and green onions; We actually ordered Buffalo Chicken but they brought this out instead. It was so busy and we didn't want to throw away a perfectly good pizza so we didn't complain. It was just ok because it loses it' crispiness pretty fast. Salmon Spinach Salad - apple bbq glazed salmon, baby spinach, carrots, red peppers, red onions, chopped egg and balsamic vinaigrette; The salmon is quite thin. We ordered medium rare and because it was so thin, it came out more medium well. The pieces of spinach are huge and everything mixed together was very flavorful, delicious, and healthy. Hong Kong Style Chilean Sea Bass - broiled and served with coconut curry rice cake, citrus ginger soy and snow peas; My FAVORITE!!!! Saw John D's review so I figured I'd try his recommendation. SO SO good! The crispy rice cake was such a nice pairing and the fish was very flavorful. Hot Chocolate Dessert - fallen chocolate and peanut butter souffl éserved warm with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and a caramel drizzle; oh good lord Jesus this was so damn good! Large portion and very heavy so make sure you share. Cookie Sandwich - Skip it. Happy Hour is from 4-7 and on Thursday nights they offer a burger and craft beer for $10. For you health nuts, the menu is coded by Blackfinn Specialty, Gluten Free, Available as Gluten Free, Vegetarian and Lighter Side. There are a lot of NICE TV's so I would definitely recommend it for watching the game. I can't wait for football season! I think a lot of the bad reviews are from opening night/week. They seemed to have worked out a lot of the kinks.
(4)Ross M.
DRINKS 4/5 Great place to grab drinks, but skip the food. The convenient location, atmosphere and wide selection of beers on draft keep be coming back. Most of the staff is cool and provides great service. FOOD 2/5 The only safe option I would recommend is the flat-bread pizzas. Food is average and usually disappointing. The burger - nothing special. Brunch - There is absolutely no reason to come here for brunch when you have Matchbox, Cyclone, (Ted's coming soon!) and Artie's just down the street. You'd think the chicken fingers would be a safe option here. They usually make my stomach upset, and one time gave me an emergency run to the bano! Whoa! Drinks only. Go eat at Lost Dog if you want food too.
(3)Annie Z.
I give Blackfinn Ameripub 3.5 stars. This was one of those decent-enough-but-better-give-it-another-shot experiences. My boyfriend and I went here 2 weekends ago on a Saturday night to grab dinner for a casual date night. It was pouring rain when we exited the parking garage and from the short distance we had to run to the restaurant from the garage, we managed to get COMPLETELY soaked. Aka dress was sopping wet, hair a mess, etc. We literally ran into Blackfinn and the (young) hostesses both just stared at us, rudely; bad first impression of the place. We had used the 'call ahead seating' so we were thankfully shown to our table in the back corner (ha!) of the downstairs dining area to the right- to the left was the bar and an Auburn (I think) football party that was going on. I asked the hostess who showed us to our table for some napkins for us to dry off with and she obliged. I had been a little sick that day so I passed on my usual glass of wine/cocktail and ordered chamomile tea; my boyfriend ordered a beer on tap (some sort of golden wheat beer that I had a sip of; it was good!) Their cocktail list and beer/wine menu was INSANE! I said to him, "we need to go back when I am feeling better!" (And we plan to). He ordered ribs, I ordered a steak salad w/ blue cheese and a side of the garlic mashed potatoes. The food showed up in a reasonable amount of time but the mashed potatoes were a little cold (which was fine because I ended up warming them up for lunch the next day!) and the salad was delicious, however, when it first came out, the meat was borderline raw. The waitress ended up bringing the manager over, which I was not thrilled about because I hate making a scene; the manager graciously took it back for me and brought me out a new salad. I was hesitant at first because I didn't want them to waste the food but everyone insisted. The salad and steak was DELICIOUS, so I was very appreciative that they were able to cook the meat a bit more! Bottom line: while our experience was a little rocky at first, we enjoyed the food, the ambiance, the customer service, and we will have to go back so I can order one of their cocktails! :)
(3)E. L.
Went there around 11pm to grab some food and drinks. 1) the $14.99 steak salad was the worst salad I've had (how can you messed up a salad? It was too much dressing and the meat was rough though I ordered it medium rare. 2) they ran out of an ingredient for a dish but didn't tell us until all the dishes were delivered to our table. My friend who ordered that dish had to wait longer to order something different. If they can't make a dish, they should inform the customer ASAP. 3) the music was cheesy pop and way too loud. Not a good place to chat at all.
(1)sara r.
Went with friends and was impressed by the beer menu and the variety of food. You can come here with a number of people and I am sure everyone will find something to eat: - Soft pretzels are a must. Parmesany, garlicky goodness and the mustard cheese sauce was a nice touch. - Blackened brie sounded interesting to us and it was good too. - Had the Heater burger and when I told the waitress I was eyeing the turkey burger too, she said I could have the Heater as a turkey burger which is exactly what I ended up doing. Instead of the fries, I got the brussels sprouts with bacon. The burger was juicy and the sprouts were pretty amazing. Even better than the food was the fact that they were playing music videos on their flat screens. I mean MTV doesn't even play these anymore. It was a mix of Kanye and Rihanna at first but then it turned to the wonderful 80s/90s with Michael Jackson, Fresh Prince, Notorious BIG, New Edition, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar. It really made the dinner that much more enjoyable and probably could have stayed there a few more songs. Hostesses and our waitress were very nice. Maybe it was because it was a Sunday, but I didn't have trouble parking at all. I found street parking right in front and there were a couple other spots available.
(4)David M.
Multiple visits on Sunday afternoons confirm that this is my favorite Bloody Mary and Nacho's digs. The rest of the menu which includes several pasta's and traditional american/italian dishes prove to be above average with some inconsistencies in salt/flavoring but appeasing all the same. The management and staff are a friendly bunch. Mind you when it gets busy you can't expect anything better then "get what you need and go" but I don't blame them with the amount of traffic that goes in and out of the place. Out of all the standard ameripub places i recommend this place to go eat, socialize and enjoy a nice evening out.
(4)R K.
Exceptional food and service! Walked in with a group of 8 on a Friday night on a whim... The restaurant seemed packed but the host graciously directed us toward the bar area while they readied a table. We were waiting maybe 2 minutes when an extremely nice manager (blonde hair) came by to make sure we were being taken care of. She had us sat immediately and even took care of my girlfriend's drink order from the bar. I ordered the sea bass which was cooked perfectly, a few of my friends opted for the steaks, which looked equally delicious. Service- 5, Food- 4, Value- 5... I will definitely be back!
(5)Eric S.
I really like this bar. The bartenders are awesome. They have a cool atmosphere with about as many TVs as you could ask for. A pretty extensive beer menu. The food is pretty good too. I like that they specify which of their meals is gluten free.
(5)Mark R.
Packed bar area but a bit empty seating area. Great crab cakes with broccoli, garlic parmesan wings and hangover burger (yes, it has ham and fried egg on the top). Awesome bartenders and good crowd. I like the big screen TVs and just the easy going atmosphere. I normally stay at the hotel right across and walk over. I shall return soon.
(4)Victoria L.
So my plans backfired on me last night when my boyfriend and I wanted to go to Matchbox but the line was soooo long. We decided to come to Blackfinn down the street at Halstead Square. Parking wasn't too bad, we got lucky right in the front of the garage but I can tell that parking would be a pain especially on a Friday night. The garages are tight and going downstairs in the garage the spaces are small. It gaves me anxiety just thinking about scraping my car with another's just trying to pass by. It was also my luck that there were TV's everywhere. I think my boyfriend does this on purpose, everytime we go out to new places there are always tvs...playing ESPN. I cannot get away from ESPN, it follows me!!! So we watch basketball at home and basketball when we go out. The things I do. We arrived around 8:30 pm and it wasn't busy at all. We waited about 2 minutes because they had to clean off the table we were going to sit at. James, our kind waiter came over to our table immediately and asked for our drinks after suggesting a few things. I decided on the S'mores martini which had 3 olives s'mores, baileys, whip cream, and graham cracker on the rim. It was OK, it was actually a bit sour and left a weird aftertaste. My bf got the dark and stormy which is meyer's dark rum, ginger beer and pineapple. Delicious, the ginger beer tasted great with the rum. The menu is huge, so many options we had such a hard time not getting 5 appetizers and 4 entrees. It took us a while to figure out what we wanted. For the appetizer we ordered the nachos which had pulled pork, chipotle queso and sour cream. When it came out I was disappointed because there were barely any queso or pulled pork on top but when we looked on the bottom, it was all there! It was bursting with flavor, I love the queso and pulled pork combo. We killed it in 5 minutes. For the entrees, my bf got the bacon meatloaf which had so much flavor, seasoned perfectly and the bacon was crispy. The portion size of the meatloaf was huge, it looked like a mini football. I ordered the queen city chicken which is bacon wrapped chicken stuffed with sweet sausage. It was savory with a hint of sweetness. The chicken was juicy and delish. Both of us had sweet potatoes for sides and it was really good. James was as helpful as can be. He was attentive and came by frequently to check on us. The ambiance is not too loud as you would think for a sports bar, the bar area and dining room are seperate. Prices are affordable, especially for the quality and portion size of the food. Will be coming back very soon to try more things on their extensive menu.
(5)JJ K.
Wait staff service terrible. Had 8 wait staff but we had to order through the bar tender, the only one seemed to be working. Food was below par, we'll not be going here again.
(1)Anh N.
This sports bar is a good option because they stay open till 2am. Fun bar area where there's booths if you just want to sit, talk, and grab drinks. Food is not bad but not great. I'd recommend this place more so for happy hour, drinks and munchies.
(3)Christina W.
Get the black bean burger "naked" with the lettuce and fries... You will not regret it! Even if you're not vegetarian! I think they have the best fries I have ever tasted!
(5)Kristin L.
I used to think it was a great place with a great staff, but not anymore. I was there this past weekend celebrating my boyfriend's birthday with a bunch of his friends. We got there around midnight and stayed till they closed at 2am. There were about 6-7 of us. As normal standard bar procedure, they turned on the lights at 2am because they were closing up. We had paid before 2am, and were finishing up our last beers and getting ready to head out within a few minutes. At 2:02am (I looked at my phone as this started to happen), a bouncer came around and started taking our beers off the table - the ones we were still drinking. I had a half full beer literally right in front of me that I was finishing, and in between sips, the bouncer took away from me. We got a beer tower earlier in the night and it still had some beer left, and I wanted to finish the drink that the bouncer had taken away, so I took an empty glass that was on the table and filled it up about half way. A minute later the same bouncer came back over as I was drinking - my boyfriend was finishing up his drink too - and said, in an angry tone to both of us - that he needed our drinks because he was cleaning up (it was probably about 2:04 at this point). I said back to him, "please let me finish my drink," to which he replied also in an angry tone, "NO, I need it NOW," and let out a big huff. I finished it anyway, and he immediately took my glass and stormed off. I understand that yes, Blackfinn closes at 2am, and the employees want to go home. However-- a) we had already paid our bill of over $100 at about 1:45am, so we weren't hanging around racking up the bill more, b) we literally just wanted to finish our beers before leaving, c) there were still about 4 tables of people throughout the restaurant when we left (rather basically forced out) around 2:08, and it was not evident that the bouncers were trying to get them out of the bar d) I can understand if they were trying to force us out if we were drunk and sloppy, but NONE of us were drunk or sloppy by any means, we each had about 2-3 beers over the course of 2ish hours. The only exception was my boyfriend, we ordered a few shots of fireball for him because it was his birthday, but by the time we left (and throughout the course of the night) he was only slightly tipsy - but definitely not anything more than that. The way they basically forced us out as soon as it was 2am was definitely a huge turn off for me. We were PAYING customers. I understand that it closes at 2am, but I've been to numerous other bars until closing time and have never been forced out like that before so quickly after 2am, and never have experienced such a rude bouncer, taking drinks away from us as we were still drinking them. We all understood Blackfinn was closing - we were not planning on hanging out there forever, we had already paid and literally just wanted to finish our drinks. I definitely will not be going back there anymore due to my experience with the rude bouncer.
(1)Justin R.
Great brewpub with excellent service and really good food. Pretty noisy sports bar atmosphere in the bar area, but nice and laid back quiet area separate.great place to watch a game or grab happy hour after work.
(4)S M.
This place is a great place to go for sports games or happy hour. Not much of a late night spot. Food is decent for bar food. The cleaning staff cleans a bit too soon (I had a full drink, stepped away, and when I came back it was gone). But overall, the staff is really nice too.
(3)Taylor E.
So it may be pointless for me to update my review with the same star rating but I'll explain why I'm doing it. After attending a Yelp Elite event here I was really impressed by the food and attentiveness of the staff. They gave us a coupon for a complimentary flatbread so we had incentive to return. My husband and I probably made the mistake of coming on Friday night at dinnertime. We had to wait 20 minutes--which was totally understandable. I liked that they just offered to text us when our table was ready so that we could leave and walk around a little. Our second experience was A-OK. We shared the buffalo chicken flatbread which was as yummy as I remember it being from the Yelp event. He got the ahi tuna sandwich and I got the ahi tuna salad. We both thought that our meals were OK--maybe not quite worth the $15 each price tag. Our waitress was good about taking our orders, checking on our food, and refilling drinks. But, overall, we thought things felt super rushed and could have been a tad friendlier. I totally get that it was a busy night and that almost all of the tables were full, so maybe we just keep coming at bad times of the day. Overall, I'd still come back for drinks and the flatbread. I keep forgetting about that $10 beer and burger deals sign that I mentioned in my previous review. We'll probably come back for that. Anyways, since my first review was really closer to 2.5 stars, I'm giving them the full 3 stars this time and saying they are A-OK.
(3)Mina C.
I've been here several times now. This place is always a hit or miss. Sometimes the servers are attentive, sometimes they really aren't. That Black Finn hot chocolate dessert is NASTY. Everyone is recommending it left and right but it's DISGUSTING. The beer/alcohol selection is great. I always have Ciroc or Grey Goose on the rocks, most places don't carry plain Ciroc, but they always seem to have it here :)
(3)Phillip G.
Their food is solid, and the environment they've created is pretty great as well. The only reason I hesitate to give them 5 stars is because I can't say it's the best restaurant I've ever been to, it's not specifically unique, and it's just a bit pricey for what you're getting.
(4)Tara H.
My friends and I have been to Blackfinn before and have always enjoyed the food & drink specials. We went yesterday to enjoy the snow day and we did not have a good experience. The server we had was not attentive at all, and at one point did not even visit our table for a good 30 minutes, but would visit the other tables around us (we had to go up to the bar and get drinks). I would give a lower rating but I know that there are also excellent servers and bartenders at Blackfinn; and let's be honest: a 3-7pm happy hour with great drink and food specials is worth returning for.
(3)Dragos C.
Really good burgers and brews to go around. Their weekly specials keep people coming back for more.
(4)Cat P.
I was mistaken and thought this chain was somehow related to the Blacksalt folks, so I expected a strong emphasis on seafood. That is clearly not what they're known for; the focus is more on classic American cuisine, or what has become very American over the last two decades (ahi tuna, fish tacos, etc.). While the grilled fish tacos were saltier than desired, the black bean burger was good, if not wow. I think this is a dependable choice for what it means to deliver: "community gathering spot, serving quality food and drink in a comfortable, hospitable environment." I don't think the food is meant to knock your socks off but to be better quality than your average American restaurant (and there are a slew of mediocre ones closer to home for me....). I'm bringing my rating up slightly because I think the strong points might be the meat dishes and the brew. I'll come back to try one of their signature dishes someday and let you know how that goes. The key is to not expect anything fancy or very creative. Think of Blackfinn as that comfy flannel shirt in the back of your closet: classic and comforting. Also, I think it's commendable that they don't serve gargantuan plates, as America obviously has a weight problem, and people with unhealthy habits shouldn't be encouraged.
(4)Greg V.
Pretty good for Happy Hour. The chicken quesadillas and flatbreads are really good. Also, make sure you get the Finn fries as opposed to regular fries. I think this one gets 4 stars based mostly on location, walkable from where we live. We enjoy it each time we go here, service is pretty good as well.
(4)Stacie B.
We visited this location again on a Saturday afternoon. First off, I was a little annoyed that it seemed to take a little longer than usual to be greeted at the host stand. Although in their defense, the girl could have been in the back, bathroom, seating someone, etc. Tip, if you are not a sports fan do not go here on a game day. It was VERY loud between the bar/restaurant patrons and TV's. Also loud to the point where the waitress literally had to wait until the bar crowd stopped making noise. My husband ordered the half rack of ribs and I had one of their big salads. Nothing was wrong with either of our meals, but the food was just okay. Not bad, but nothing overly exciting either. This place has a decent bar with a lot of TV's. I don't think I would go out of my way to recommend this place, but there's nothing wrong with the restaurant on the other hand. Decent selection of beers, food is okay.
(3)Dan D.
According to foursquare I have come here 20 times with a coworker for lunch. The menu is extensive, the lunch specials a deal, the food good to great and the service on point. I haven't been in the evening but parking in the garage hasn't been a challenge during lunch. My favorite lunch menu items are the cheese-steak, buffalo chicken and the fish and chips. There are plenty of large TVs for watching the game and a large number of beers on tap. The manager Lewis and whole staff have been attentive and friendly at each visit and we will keep coming back for a weekly lunch for the foreseeable future.
(5)Bonnie R.
Check your bill closely. The last two times they tried to put things I hadn't ordered on the tab. They corrected it but it seems like something they try to do if they think you won't notice. Really annoying!
(2)Carly C.
I was a little hesitant to come here when I got asked by a friend. I'm really not a huge fan of sports bars. My theory is that the more televisions in the bar, the lower the quality of drinks it will have. For the most part this is true...it's also true to the quality of people. Blackfinn really isn't the exception to this rule either. The herd of frat boys clogging up a good portion of the bar, sporting neon pink wife beaters and chugging Buds fit my expectation of the place pretty perfectly. Thank goodness for the segregated dining room is all I can say! Because I refuse to waste money on cocktails at sports bars, I opted for beer. Although the selection at Blackfinn presents itself at first glance as very substantial, it will transform quickly to beyond limited if you're like me and love wheat beers. There are only about 5 peppered among the huge list of hoppy beers. Sad...kind of a fail. At least they have my faithful backups: Blue Moon and Shocktop. They never fail to please. :) The food menu is very VERY large. Scary large. Like Cheesecake Factory had a baby with Outback and they gave that baby to Olive Garden. Nuts. Surprisingly, however, from the things I had, the kitchen knows how to pull it off. For an appetizer my guest and I order the blacked brie. It sounded so interesting that we just couldn't pass it up. Honestly, it was great. It could have been a little warmer, so it would have stayed runny a lot longer than 5 minutes. Beside that, the flavor was pleasing. Creamy brie, bitter blackening seasoning, buttery crustini (which didn't break my teeth!), and sweet cranberry "chutney". For a sports bar, that appetizer lands high on my list of favorites. The entrees were also very well prepared and flavorful. My haddock was flaky but not dry, and I really enjoyed the sweet and peppery apple glaze that accompanied it. My side of mashed sweet potato was also pretty good. For my preference I would have pressed it through a fine mesh strainer just to smooth it out a little more, but other than that I was happy with it. My guest really enjoyed the meatloaf, and the taste I had of it was really good. Even though it was wrapped in bacon and looked like it was around 3/4lb of ground beef, the loaf was actually quite light. I imagine it had a lot of eggs beaten into it and was a bit over mixed, two supposed meatloaf no-nos, but I really liked what it did to it. It was like a meat souffle. Blackfinn was a nice surprise. If I ever need to compromise with a friend who insists on having a television in front of them while they drink, this will be my go to. At the very least I'll have a decent meal.
(4)Lyn L.
First off, I love happy hours! The best part about a happy hour is the food and drink specials. We got here early, just prior to the Elite Yelp event. We grabbed a couple of bar seats. This new area is just across the street from the new Mosaic district. There is some street parking and nearby garages. They were all free parking. The bar has specials from 3-7pm daily. Food( several choices including flatbread pizzas) were $6. They have drink specials from $3 to $5. There's a huge draft beer selection! The bar servers were great, management was visible, and lots of tables in the bar. We got the pretzels and nachos and the portions were HUGE. My only issue was the 'cheese wiz' type cheese on the nachos. But it was still very yummy with the bbq pork topped on the nachos. Their house wine($5) was also very good. Would definitely come here again!
(4)Ron H.
Amazing and fantastic! Blackfinn is a superb new watering hole located inside the newly constructed Halstead Square commercial area near Dunn Loring Metro. Exclusively modern and exciting, it's but one of the many wonderful and trendy businesses emerging from all that construction that we endured and affectionately called the "Merrifield Mess". This is a classic bar with a familiar American feel - thus the title: AmeriPub. The bar area is separate from the restaurant seating and it basically splits the establishment into two parts. With that layout in mind, the ownership has obviously decided to make a large commitment to their bar patrons. It's somewhat unique to have such an extensive and high quality menu while still providing ample seating for those who enjoy drinks and the singles scene. The bar serves a great mixture of ales and lagers, IPA and local brews. They have an entire page of signature mixed drinks and wines of all shapes and colors. Multiple flat screens adorn the ceilings for viewing with something to watch for everybody. I sampled the "Dark Storm" and "Moscow Mule" drinks and they were excellent. Now the food. A full, deep menu with typical bar-snack appetizers, sandwiches, salads, burgers, steak and seafood. Each item served to order and delivered with presentation in mind. The kitchen chefs at Blackfinn provide the most delectable creations and everything is absolutely delicious. I personally went with the Ginger Tuna and was wowed with both the look and taste... Delicate little ahi tuna filets cooked just right and layered artistically over aromatic sticky rice, complimented by a medley of snap fresh vegetables and a dipping cup of citrus-infused soy sauce. What an amazing journey to happy belly land. The only blemish is the location. They do not have their own parking, so patrons must venture to the parking garage a couple blocks away. Even this could become an adventure as the garage design is not very straightforward and can become a little confusing. The price is just a tad high - but the quality of the food is fair to the numbers. All in all Blackfinn is a great addition to a much revitalized Merrifield neighborhood, and should be a popular hangout, especially among the young 20 somethings living around area. I can imagine that the traditional bars for the area (particularly Velocity 5 and Greveys) will suffer a loss of business due to this and the other new spots in Mosaic.
(5)Emari Y.
The food is absolutely amazing! I have been here several times and never been disappointed by the food! I highly recommend the mac and cheese with pulled pork, hot wings, and pretzel appetizer. I've eaten many more things, but those are by far the things I CRAVE! They also have amazing sangria! I do not however recommend their margarita. I had it at the bar and it probably was the worst I've ever had in my life. Maybe it was just a bad day?
(4)Rinata G.
Great place to go with family or friends! Amazing selection of beer and nice cocktail list!
(5)Craig Y.
Great place for families. Kids meals are a steal at $4.99. My daughter got chicken strips and the portion was as big as mine! Got the burger and it was delicious. Cassie got the chicken parm and it was good but not stellar. Great selection on the menu. Great service. Awesome dessert! Had the chocolate chip cookie sliders. OMG! All I can say.
(4)Bridgette R.
4.5 stars. Not a single complaint about the food. Fresh, flavorful, delicious. Loved my naked burger cooked perfectly. Hubby loved chicken tacos. Kids loved their kids meals. Flatbread pizza and apple blossom was a hit. My little one got fish "sticks" but they were more like planks. I was afraid she'd turn her nose up but she loved it. I ate a piece and it was so flaky and fresh. I'll be ordering the fish and chips next time. Their service was great. I only wish we had another refill of water and that he gave me a little more time when ordering the beer. I enjoyed a local porter though. We will be back when we visit the area again. Highly recommend. ***update: went back for supper 5:30 sat night. Food was good. Our server was fine but so lacking personality. Really makes a difference to have a waiter that likes where they work. Wings are baked not fired FYI. Overall a good deal for the nice ambiance and good portion size.
(4)Dr. Sygmund F.
My family and I stopped here for lunch while traveling. The food was delicious. All 4 of us were happy with their meals. The children's "fish sticks" were 3 large pieces of the best fried fish I've ever had. The breading was so light and crisp. My daughter protested that they were not fish sticks ate them all once we coaxed her to try one. The child's flat bread pizza looked great. Not a simple frozen pie. It looked more like a proper adult appetizer pizza. The side of Apple came sliced arranged in a dollop of peanut butter sprinkled in cinnamon. I was impressed with how much care and attention went into the kids meals. My wife enjoyed her open face burger. Black Finn happily exchanged the default turkey burger for a beef patty. I enjoyed the fried chicken tacos. The chicken was also lightly fried and diced into a soft flor tortilla. The amount and combination of the cheese, tomato, chipotle sauce, sour cream, and the rest was spot on. I can honestly say they were the best chicken tacos I've ever had. So yes, the best fired fish and the best chicken tacos were served to my family on the same day at the same place. This is not hyperbole. The restaurant itself looked fancy-casual. The tone was very nice. Wait staff was great, informed, friendly, and on the ball. We will not hesitate to stop here again. Maybe even again before we leave the DC area.
(5)Jon L.
I'm a fan of the Finn! It all starts with an understanding of what Americans like to eat...some call it 'comfort' food...I call it just good, fresh, healthy and delicious. From the appetizers to the salads, the 'handhelds' to the steaks, this place does it well. Not to mention the extensive selection of 40 + draught beers, including a selection of local craft beers with Heritage & Devils Backbone. The service, presentation and price is all on the mark. My first time at this location, joining up with the NoVa Panthers fans to gather for a pre-season Dolphins @ Panthers game. We had the Tuna Poke, BBQ & Buffalo flat breads for starters. We moved on to the grilled haddock tacos and a caesar salad. Everything was freshly fantastic! The staff took great care of us with a reserved table with great sight lines to the large HDTV's. They have free Wi-Fi accessible from Facebook log-in so it's very easy and the passwords never change. Panthers over the Dolphins and we scored at the Finn!
(4)Theresa K.
Me and my bf came here to watch a Caps game on a Wednesday night and it was PACKED!! We had to wait about 10-15 minutes to get a table on the dining side but we stood around at the bar watching the game since they literally have TVs in every corner so you don't miss a thing. Luckily their daily specials apply both to the bar and dining side so we still were able to enjoy our half price glasses of wine and the game because we sat right next to a tv! Before we ordered I noticed their 'Blackfinn perks' sign and decided to download the app because of the free appetizer you get when you sign up. Uh, hello? Yes, I love free stuff! We used the free app to order the crab cakes which were just okay but since they were the most expensive thing on the menu it just made sense to get it. We also ordered the Mac and cheese with a side of fries. It was pretty tasty and I loved the fact that it came out in a hot skillet and also the cavatappi noodles instead of the regular penne or Mac pasta most places use. The fries were crispy and freshly made and paired as a nice side to our 'healthy' post-gym meal. Ha ha. And my glass of cab sauvignon was refreshingly delicious and only $5. Our waitress was really nice and despite the busy-ness of the place we got everything fairly quick and then she left us alone to enjoy the game. Don't forget to dl the app and get ur free appetizer! You can also rack up points to dining dollars so that's also a nice little incentive. The bar gets pretty crowded but usually dining area always has tables open and their hh menu is pretty legit too!
(4)Gene K.
Have been on and off with visiting Blackfinn, usually with a few friends where we order the 'Tower,' a huge skyscraper of delicious beer contained within. Sometimes I just want to say, "release the kraken!" Before I realize, that would probably throw off some people, and it would be weird, but those are the things that pop through my head when I'm close to getting extremely tipsy/drunk. Ambiance is great, and as any good pub, the atmosphere has to be relaxed. Very nice decor, and just like every American pub, it has the key essentials for getting drunk, but eating food that soaks it all up. I tried their Buffalo flatbread, and a tad bit on the salty side, but really enjoyable nonethless. We got some IPA for our tower, but the server we had was very pleasant, and she recommended a lot of different beers for our choosing. I do recommend trying the Herb Crusted Halibut? (Not too sure?) I wish I took a picture, but my Asian glow started kicking in, and man I was way too turnt! It came with mac and cheese, aspargus, and man it was so good! I couldn't even finish it, but I was so tempted to take it home, until i told myself to stop being a wuss, and devour it! (I immediately regretted my decision as I got home after my stomach asked for more!) Come here for the ambiance, service is slow at times, but you can tell some people actually enjoy working there which in turn makes me feel good about giving them that good tip.
(4)Pegah Y.
I really wanted to like Blackfinn Ameripub, but I found it to be a rip-off overall. The only redeeming aspects of this place are the service (which was excellent) and the fact that the food was at least edible. Otherwise, I thought it was a waste of money for what they give you. I ordered the Ahi Tuna entree salad. I generally love entree salads, particularly when they contain seafood, but they TOTALLY SKIMPED on my salad... it felt like we were paying $15 just for lettuce with some vinaigrette sprinkled on top and a few small slivers of ahi tuna! SUCH A RIP-OFF. I was really upset by the portion and was by no means full. I've loved the entree salad at comparable restaurants and usually leave feeling full, but this was a really disappointing experience for me. The salad was supposed to come with: garlic and pepper-crusted sushi grade ahi, field greens, cucumbers, carrot, fried wontons, scallions, wasabi vinaigrette and thai peanut sauce. Each thing was very tiny in portion. It was pretty pathetic, actually. My fiance ordered the Saloon Burger (bacon, sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, swiss, lettuce, tomato and onion) and was also not impressed. He said it was definitely less than average on the burger scale. We really felt like they tried to skimp us. They didn't even bring out table bread, as most places do. We were still not full so we decided to order an appetizer. We ordered the Ying Yang shrimp, which was described as "fried shrimp tossed in a sweet and spicy asian sauce, garnished with sriracha." While it was tasty, once again they skimped on the portion. And it was $12.99 for an APPETIZER! Totally not worth it. It was comparable in taste to Bonefish Grill's Bang Bang Shrimp or American Tap Room's Tap Tap Shrimp, but definitely a smaller portion. And more expensive, to boot. We took advantage of a special they had where we could get the appetizer for free if we signed up for their phone app. It was quite a process to set up the app and get the code to get the appetizer for free... and the app stupidly wanted us to give it our location for it to process our code. Uh, we're dining at your restaurant and using the code here currently... you should know where we are... As I mentioned above, service was one of the only redeeming factors. Our server was very polite and also efficient about bringing out our food. He was also very attentive at answering our questions about the choices. We visited at around 5pm on a Friday and the place wasn't packed at all. In fact, we got a nice booth in the quieter (not the noisy bar area) room. Note that there is free parking right around the corner from the restaurant, as it's located in the little Halstead Town Square. It's apparently very close to the Dunn Loring/Merrifield metro station as well. If I had known that it was within walking distance ahead of time, I would have walked to the restaurant and met my fiance there instead of asking him to pick me up from the metro! Bottom Line: Close to the metro, but a total rip-off for what you're getting. If you absolutely must visit, go there just for the drinks.
(2)Andrew D.
I've been to the Blackfinn in the Bethesda a couple of times and I can't say that I've had any positive experience there , however the Blackfinn here has definitely win my approval. I've been here a few times now. Mostly to grab drinks and also an appetizer or two. The staff are always friendly on my visit there , no complains. They have a really big selection of draft beer here. It's always a plus to find a bar that not only have 2~3 beers on tap and it's a BIGGER plus when they have 20 and more of them on tap. I've tried a few food here, I have to admit since this place is rather close to my home I typically stop by for drinks and not a full dinner. I've tried a few things from the menu and was never disappointed. The pretzel and cheese appetizers is always a good thing to have when you are enjoying a nice dark beer. I really like the fries here ( Finn Fries I think it's what's they call it ). I almost always order it with my beer. The Mac and cheese pull pork dish is starting to become one of my favorites. I keep ordering it each time I've been back. Overall it's a nice place to hang out with some friends to kick back some beers and enjoy some food. Friendly staff is always a plus !
(4)Sarah S.
I have been to several happy hours at this location. The bar food is pretty good (current Americana cuisine). The happy hour wine prices are reasonable and I am considering venturing into the mixed drinks. The event organizers like the location and I can appreciate how important it is to have a management team with whom you can get along. I hope to try a sit down meal sometime soon, partly because I want to explore the menu and partly because I wondering if it less loud in the seating area.
(3)Tara C.
One of my favorite spots near my house. Awesome beer selection, great happy hour, huge food selection. I love the Ying Yang Shrimp app, to the people who said it was a skimpy amount for the price are either A) insane and unaware of food costs, or B) they took the advice an"upped" the amount because it's a totally appropriate, if not generous, amount. Turkey burger is delicious, salads are solid, I love the margarita flatbread! I've never had a bad experience!
(5)Varisara P.
We hosted my husband's 10 year high school reunion at Blackfinn last week and they did a fantastic job. They were very flexible and worked with us to figure out the best option for our event. We ended up having a smaller turnout than expected and they were very accommodating and did not make us pay for larger space. The food was excellent and the service was equally superb. The only downside is that the parking garage has a time limit (I think 2 hours) so you had to be careful about staying too long. Would highly recommend hosting an event here for anyone who is looking for a bar-like atmosphere.
(4)Thien L.
Came in for a late dinner with 3 others and the host said to seat ourselves. Once we sat we got our menus and sat there for a good 10 minutes. Not one person came to say they'd be with us shortly or to even say hi. Eventually we ordered our drinks and starters with a server named Kate and didn't see them for another 15 minutes. My boyfriend saw his beer just waiting at the bar to be picked up after we got the water and teas. When we asked her about it, she said the runner forgot to run the beer, which sounded like just a bad excuse. The food was good, that's the only reason for the 2 stars. Service was not. When we ran out of water and tea, we had to flag her down. Twice. Because she forgot about the refill we asked the first time. If she was busy, that would've been fine, everyone at the table is in the restaurant industry or was in the industry so we understand. But she checked up and paid attention to other tables while we were left watching her neglect us.
(2)Alan M.
Blackfinn located conveniently off Gallows rd was an excellent experience for my entourage. Easy parking on street and garage. This Blackfinn location is brand new with a really nice bar, big flat screen televisions all around, comfortable bar stools, really good food and great service. Stewart the bar manager and Stewart the server both took care of us with beer towers, flat bread pizzas, appetizers, and we ordered much more. The design was well architected (as was the mens room). Nothing was left unrefined. My favorite neighborhood bar and restaurant in Merrifield, VA.
(5)Tim D.
Went in at the end of August and was very pleased. It is mostly pub food but it's pretty really well done. I had one of the burgers and queso this time and loved it(going to continue staying away from the lasagna though).
(4)Megan C.
I had the opportunity to check out Blackfinn for the first time this past week, and tried several appetizers, and came away generally impressed with the food, location, service, and ease of parking. I hadn't really been to this part of Merrifield before, but I did find the free and plentiful parking to be a welcoming sign of things to come. The layout of the Ameripub itself is great because a large portion of the restaurant's space is devoted to the bar and high-top tables, which lends itself well to enjoying HH specials, and good times. The beer selection was great (I think better than their wine and cocktails), and the $4 "Beltway Brews" (local beers) at HH are great - a pint of Dogfish Head for $4, among others, is great, and a better deal than their "house wine" for $5 for a light pour. As for food, I tasted several items. Spice Fiend approves the Bacon-Wrapped Meatlosf Bites - there was an awesome bite to the chipotle ketchup and the perfectly crispy bacon was awesome. I also really enjoyed the Queen City Chicken Bites - a meaty trifecta of bacon, chicken, and sausage! The flatbreads were also quite good and neither too greasy nor too thick or filling. I felt the Margherita and the Roasted Vegetable were quite tasty, but I found the blue cheese on the Buffalo Chicken to be a bit strong - I know it's blue cheese and it's pungent by nature, but it came off as particularly overpowering. I also tried the Crab Cakes, which were good in the crab department, but I felt a little too heave on the mayo and should be served on something a little crustier than plain-jane white bread. Still tasty though! I also found some room for improvement in the Tuna Poke - I guess it just seems a bit odd to serve sushi-grade ahi tuna in an (upscale) sports bar. The tuna was a little too fishy for me to feel good about ordering it again. Overall, the service, atmosphere, menu variety and selections, plus parking, were all wins in my book. I would definitely be down for trying a full meal with entrees (and MORE of that amazing meatloaf app) again soon!
(4)Ella M.
Was visiting the DC area and stayed across the street from this place. The concierge at the hotel recommended it. It was ok...nothing special. I had a burger and fries. My mom had the fish tacos. The kids each had something on the kids menu. None of us really raved about our meal, but we didn't complain either. I was hoping for something more...considering it was pretty busy for a week night.
(3)Josh F.
Good food and great beer selection. blackfinn has become my favorite local spot to watch football and I'm never dossappointed with the quality of their food and service. The skillet Mac and cheese is delicious and so is their buffalo chicken wedge salad.
(4)Anna Laura B.
I came here the first time because they have a dog-friendly patio, but I keep coming back because their food is sooo good! They have a large menu with enough different types of food to suit any palate. I absolutely love any place that allows me to bring my dog. The staff members are always so sweet to my dog, petting her and bringing her water without me asking. I wish they had more space for a larger patio. I've never eaten inside so can't speak to that.
(4)Brittany M.
I've been here 5 times now and live right across the street, so it's time for a review. Time 1: Party of 5, in a nice comfy bar booth, on a weeknight, with billions of TV and projection screens playing sports. Crab cakes + Grit Cakes (I subbed for fries.) Both were incredibly delicious, and their tartar sauce is ON POINT. Great Sweet Tea + Lemonade cocktail on tap. Time 2: Party of 8, in dining room, with family, on a Saturday night. Long wait but great service. Ying-Yang Shrimp and Pulled Pork Quesadillas were both delicious apps. Ginger Tuna entree-- the rice cake was good and interesting, but all of it just felt straight up greasy. As you'll see repeatedly in my Yelp reviews, I can't stand grease. It makes me literally sick, and there was no reason for ahi tuna or rice and vegetables to be oil-laden. Time 3: Party of 3, bar booth, on a Friday night. BBQ Chicken Flatbread, free with coupon I signed up for before they opened. Way better than expected and not bad price wise. Skinny margarita was insanely nasty and like nothing I've ever had. The server kindly brought me a sangria instead, which tasted like Sprite. Sangria is not supposed to be carbonated. I just blame whoever the bartenders were that night. Hope I can avoid them in the future. Time 4: Party of 2 in the bar, 3:30 pm, on a Thursday, aka the $10 Beer + Burger + Fries day. What a freaking deal! It's also burger month (Jun 28-Jul 28) so we asked if we could upgrade from the classic burger in the deal to a specialty burger. The server informed us just to order the classic but then to add whatever ingredients from the classics we wanted, which was awesome, because for $10 I got a Craft Beer, Grit Cakes (again, subbed these for fries. freaking awesome), and a Burger with Bacon Jam and Cheddar Cheese on it. Time 5: Party of 4, 12 noon, Sunday morning, in the dining room. I was literally shocked to see maybe 3 tables in the entire restaurant with people at them. I figured those brunching people would be all over the Bacon Bloody Mary and assorted other brunch items. Looks like they may have some trouble competing with the $30 all you can drink Mimosa deals in DC. Crab Cakes Benedict + Hash Browns + Bacon Bloody Mary + Side of Bacon Jam BECAUSE I CAN. Stuffed, but the priciest time at Blackfinn yet, at $22 per person after our bill came. Ouch! Long story? Yes. Bottom line? Go. to. Blackfinn. now.
(4)Lisa J.
Calamari was on the bad end of mediocre, nachos were OK. Shame on me for ordering Pad Thai at an American pub restaurant, but it was meh as well, extremely salty. Server was nice, but came by about two times throughout the entire night. We sat for about 20 minutes before getting any sort of attention from a server, we did not have enough silverware at the table which he didn't notice until we asked for extra, and the server never came around to refill drinks or ask how our orders were. Horrible hostess staff - didn't even get an acknowledgement going out the door. Unusual for a pretty nice restaurant like this one. If I were to visit again, it would be strictly for the rectangular bar - and nothing else.
(2)Meredith V.
This isn't exactly in the Merrifield proper area, but further along down the main road. A little inconvenient, parking is the pits. I came here with a friend for lunch and we sat at the bar. The menu is a wide mix, perhaps a little gastro-pubby; pub food with a bit of flair. I ordered the pork carnitas tacos and they had a good amount of meat with fresh toppings like cilantro, pico and cheese and seasoned rice. They were excellent. The drinks I was pretty impressed with, they had a large wine/glass selection, specifically a nice unoaked Chardonnay that I stuck with. Their beer selection is also pretty impressive. The service was excellent, albeit we were there in the late afternoon with not many other people, I would say the bartender was attentive and friendly. Overall, definitley a cool place for drinks and good food in the area. Will need to check out more of Merrifield to see what their competition is.
(4)Ben P.
Awesome atmosphere for a weekend night, especially when you can sit outside. We started with calimari and a beer tower and I ended up getting their awesome Mac n cheese with pulled pork on top. The service was good and entertaining as well.
(4)Tri T.
I first visited a Blackfinn in Richmond, Va and it appears that they not only got to DC but to the new and upcoming "Mosaic District" (I still call it Merrifield) as well. With outdoor seating and an extensive menu of food and beer, I see some staying power here. The beers are good and they do a great job of telling you what's a local brew. Fries are the crispy kind I like and you have your endless variety of bar food done at a better quality than most dives. This would've been 4-stars if it had better parking options. They have two garages for retail space only it probably fits 60 spots between the two and with Lost Dog, Dunkin Donuts and some other places, it's a challenge. DO NOT park in the gravel lots across Lost Dog for they tow. I'm a victim and Blackfinn should've put a nice big sign out front.
(3)Taylor M.
I've heard mixed reviews at other Blackfinn locations, but this place is a welcome addition in Merrifield. The other local boozers are lousy in unique ways. Blackfinn fills a niche missing from this up-and-coming suburb of DC. They have a stellar selection of beers, efficient bar staff, and a solid kitchen. Finally. A decent, upscale bar in Merrifield with great beers and good food.
(4)Ashley M.
I've been here about 5 times now and every time they never cease to amaze me with how accommodating they are and the food is GOOD! Though their menu is diverse, they strive to make the environment friendly to those with food allergies or specialty diets. Javier is a stellar server and Frank the bartender aims to please. I highly recommend this venue, And my boyfriend and I will be frequenting this establishment in the future! Outdoor patio is wonderful for beautiful days!
(5)Kelly C.
I had dinner here with family recently. We parked in a garage that was pretty close to the restaurant and the short walk was no problem. We were greeted and seated immediately after walking in. The dining area wasn't too empty, but the noise level in there was fairly quiet which was nice. Didn't have trouble hearing each other talk. The service throughout was great. I liked that the menu was large. I didn't find it overwhelming. It is hard to find a restaurant that everyone in my family will enjoy, and no one had any complaints. I got the Kickin Creole Catch which was seasoned haddock with apple glaze and mashed sweet potatoes and steamed broccoli as sides. The haddock was good - a mix of sweet and spicy. I was a little worried the apple glaze would be too sweet, but it was more like a hint of apple with emphasis on the spice. I think I enjoyed the broccoli more than the sweet potatoes but really they were both flavorful. Others in my family tried the pulled pork sandwich, Parmesan chicken, and meatloaf. They all said they enjoyed their meals. I definitely want to come back to try out the bar area and drinks. They seemed to have a pretty extensive drink menu. Seems promising for happy hour...I'll be back to find out.
(4)Valencia W.
Okay. I have seen this sign so many times for the past 5 months but had never stepped inside. What was I thinking? Why did it take me so long to get there? I went to this spot for a little celebration and when we got there it was packed but we wanted to go to the bar anyways. College football was on. We were told that any place is find is first come - first serve. Well, we saw an empty booth that could've seated 6 people and like a hawk I swooped in and got it. I started the night off with my standard drink and then looked at their menu. They have an EXTENSIVE menu for a pub and even better the food was REALLY good. REALLY good. I was shocked. We kept it up for the appetizers and then ordered the real food and it was damn good. I still wonder why it took me so long to come here. For the area, they also have the best prices on drinks so I will most definitely be coming back. Oh, the parking there is tight and sucks as they is also construction work going on. Just a heads up. 5 stars.
(5)John D.
Amazing food for a pub. We had the apps, parmesan crusted swordfish, and the sea bass. The sea bass was amazing, and paired so well with the rice cakes. The service both at the bar and with the wait staff was unreal, it seemed like I was at a five star restaurant. I hope that they can maintain this level once they open to the public. They had a ton of beers on tap, many of which I'm fond of. They didn't have a Belgian selection, but that was OK. The prices were great for the food that we got. The Sea Bass was $22, and the Swordfish was $20, so they're not gouging compared to other restaurants. Excited to go back!
(5)Broy K.
I order carry out for a work meeting and this is by far our favorite restaurant in the area. Bacon wrapped meatloaf is amazing. Sides are very unique and flavorful. Try the sun dried tomatoes (awesome). The bar (pick up for carry out) is consistently super busy. Not entirely my scene, but it's definitely worth the wait, price and visit.
(5)June F.
Food is good; good ambience; good friendly staff; good tv screens, extremely crowd in the weekend nights
(4)Gretchen P.
Came here last Wednesday to celebrate a friend's birthday, and I gotta say, whatever issues Blackfinn had that warranted so many low ratings seem to be gone. I had a great time - I thought the food was good, service was timely, and our server (I think his name was Robert?) was awesome! Our group started out by sharing the margherita flatbread and the spinach & artichoke dip. Both were great -- I really like their flatbreads! They're super crispy, as opposed to pizza-like, which made for a nice chance. They have a lot of fun-sounding flavors, so I'm excited to try out some of the other flatbreads on the menu. Speaking of the menu, it is GINORMOUS. Like, think Cheesecake Factory-style bound menu. Luckily, I was able to confine myself to just two of the pages before making my decision, but whoo-eee, there are a LOT of options here. I guess that's good if you have a big group with lots of varied tastes, but if you're a super indecisive diner like me, huge menus like this can be problematic, hahaha. Ultimately I decided on the strawberry, goat cheese, and pecan salad as my entree. I opted to add a protein for an upcharge, and tossed some shrimp into the mix. I was a little disappointed in the shrimp -- they were fine, but were just like, cold cocktail shrimp that were tossed in haphazardly. I know it's not part of the regular dish or anything, but a little salt & pepper might have been nice (especially in comparison to the rockin' looking shrimp in the shrimp & grits that someone else at the table ordered!). The salad itself really was tasty though. Lots of strawberries which were perfectly ripe, not too much dressing, and two little goat cheese medallions front and center. I think they were crusted in sesame seeds, but they were like white sesame seeds so they didn't really taste like anything? I thought visually it was a little unusual but the dish as a whole, like I said, was tasty. Our waiter also brought out a complementary dessert for the birthday gal -- a brownie sundae with literal GOBS of peanut butter hiding under the ice cream. It was a good thing there were so many of us to, ahem, help in eating it, cause this thing was a beast. A delicious, delicious beast. Wednesdays are half-price wine nights (woot!), so my inner lush enjoyed two glasses of Pinot Gris for the price of one! The bar area was definitely hopping, so if you're meeting friends for happy hour, you might consider calling ahead to try and reserve a bar table (I saw a bunch of tables with "reserved" signs on top). Oh, and I know it's a little awkward to discuss bathrooms, but the bathrooms at Blackfinn are actually really cool. So, there's that. Free parking on the street right outside the restaurant and also in the garage next door. 4 stars! I'll definitely be back!
(4)Yan W.
I've been here for happy hour and brunch and I enjoyed both of my trips. The food was not spectacular, but it was good. During the brunch, I tried the flatbread, which was good. During brunch, I tried a vegetarian omelet. Also, no complaints. However, I do have to say the bathrooms were impeccable. Every single detail was thought out. For instance, they had purse hangers in the ladies bathroom in front of the sinks, so you don't have to lean to the side to wash your hands without getting your purse wet.
(3)Shelly U.
Hidden treasure! My boyfriend and I were looking for a new, local spot to grab a quick bite and decided on Blackfinn. Not only is the interior beautifully designed (which ultimately, who cares if you're hungry and thirsty?!) but the food was awesome and the HH specials were pretty killer. We got there at 245. Each decided on draft beers that ultimately were on special at 3 and some awesome food (ton of HH specials, huge portions and so tasty! Get the cheeseburger flatbread and blackened Brie!!!) The food was beyond what we expected and the staff were super informative and friendly. We both bartend and generally get bored with bars and staff after an hour but this place deserves a fantastic review! After 4 hours!!!!!! of food, drinks and shots, we are definitely going to visit this bar again. Can't beat the HH specials and quality of food. Give Glo and Peter a high five.
(5)Anatoli L.
I was simply wowed by the food. We stopped by during happy hour on Wednesday, so most of the beers were half price, plus the wine is always half price on Wednesdays until 9 pm. There is a good selection of appetizers for happy hour at a fixed price too. But the point is not the prices. The food was delicious! We got fried calamari, which were served with small pieces of jalapeno and excellent sauces. Pulled pork quesadilla was delicious with and without the BBQ sauce. Sausage and pepperoni flatbreads were impeccable - thin crust, very tasty topping. Jambalaya was served over the angel hair pasta and had a perfect heat and balance of flavor. The restaurant offers 47 kinds of beer on top, many of which are local. The wine list is small, but reasonably priced. As a minor criticism, it would be great if wine list would include some of the local wines from Virginia. Service by Alex was excellent - prompt, courteous and helpful. All in all, I will gladly come back to Blackfinn again. Definitely highly recommended.
(5)Kevin K.
So it's a Friday night, understandably busy. We've had "reservations" but ended up waiting an hour and a half. The manager brought us something but we were starving. We finally got our table for this person's birthday and complimentary appetizers were brought out. When we sat down we noticed a table set for twice as many people as in our group just sitting empty... I ordered the buffalo chicken sandwich and it was the driest sandwich I've ever had. The manager tried but probably won't ever come back. Seemed to be the sentiment of the group (only had 9 people).
(2)Sarah W.
Great neighborhood hangout! They have a ridiculous number of beers on tap and an extensive food menu. Service is fantastic. Flatbread was delicious and light, which makes it a great appetizer so you're still hungry when your entree comes. Also recommend the funnel fries for a fun, quirky dessert. Will definitely be coming back here for March Madness!
(5)Cat P.
Everything I've ever had to eat here was fantastic! Blackfinn definitely cares about their guests and what they want and like. There's a great selection of gluten free and vegetarian items on the menu.
(5)Tucker H.
The reviews for Blackfinn seem to be all over the place, so I wasn't really sure what to expect; in the end I was very pleasantly surprised, and will absolutely be back to try more of the menu. Blackfinn was packed at 6:30, but we put our name on the list for a table and wandered the bar for a few minutes to see if we'd have any luck there, but every table and chair was taken. Luckily our table came up right about when we were told it would (25 minutes), and a text message to my phone let us know to make our way back to the (perfectly cheerful) hostesses. Once we got seated our waiter came by almost immediately to make sure that we could get our beer orders in before the end of happy hour, which was great. While a little over-eager, he was knowledgeable, friendly, and didn't abandon us at any point. In terms of food and drink; the beer selection was outstanding, and had plenty of good local(ish) beers at reasonable prices (the happy hour prices good until 7:00 were even better, but the regular prices weren't bad). Based on the reviews here on Yelp I had planned on getting the bacon-wrapped meatloaf, but on the spur of the moment I went for the Queen City Chicken (Bacon-wrapped chicken stuffed with sausage). I was a little nervous that I'd get a dried-out pounded-thin breast of chicken wrapped around a store-bought sausage link, surrounded by soggy bacon. Instead I was very pleasantly surprised to get a perfectly crispy bacon wrapping around still-juicy and flavorful thigh meat, with just enough crumbled sausage filling to give a touch of extra flavor. On top of that, the grilled asparagus was perfectly cooked (grilled but still a little crunchy), and the garlic mashed potatoes were fine if unremarkable. I also loved the chicken broth (or au jus if you want to be all fancy) that came on the side to pour over everything for a little extra flavor. I didn't try my companions' meatloaf or burger, but both looked good, and both got polished off with gusto, so I assume they were decent enough! My only complaint with Blackfinn is one that I have with a LOT of new restaurants: I know the sparse and bare theme looks good, but it gets a bit loud for my taste. A little bit of padding on the ceiling and maybe the walls here and there would probably go a long way towards muffling the sound enough to make conversations easier. Overall a much better meal than I was expecting, and a place I will certainly be back for...
(4)Fatma H.
I do not know from where I can start. I come here almost weekly. I tried all burger and chick sandwich. I tried also flat bread. I tried salad. All what I tried was amazing especially burger. The place is nice they have nice bar. And nice sitting place. Clean and all waiter were nice and friendly. High recommended. Keep up good work guys and special thanks to Mice.
(5)Tim H.
Beer and Sports ONLY... I have been here on a few occasions.. the pkace is nice looking, really good TVs and barteders have been good guys/girls. The only problem is the food sucks each time I have been here. For eample, two weeks ago I ordered chicken strips that ende up being soggy and I left half of the order. This time I ordered southern nachos which had cold cheese from a sysco can and were never heated. You can use a squeeze bottle with sour cream to dress it up but it is lipstick on a pig. It could be a great place if someone restarted the entire kitchen. Spotsbar and bartenders 4.25 stars.. food is 0.5 stars... and for the rent they pay and food prices they better get it straight.
(3)Howard C.
I came here with my wife and some friends a weekend or so ago and had a nice brunch. Some of my friends got lunch items, and we got brunch. The brunch options, while not extensive, had enough variety that most folks can find something to eat. My wife, who is Gluten Free, enjoyed her steak and eggs. I had some kind of breakfast sandwich monster that was very tasty (anytime you shove potatoes into a sandwich, you know you're getting ready to roll up your sleeves). The service was very good and, although I'm sure they don't like this, I loved the fact that the place was sparsely populated. Brunch crowds can be a pain, but this was Saturday around their opening time, so I guess we got lucky. Good spot!
(4)Barbie T.
Great food, great service, and a very clear menu. Lots of Gluten free options available which makes this place a great place for me! Food cooked well, and everything seemed fresh. I will be back.
(4)Jas M.
I've always wanted to stop by this place. So glad I did. The food here is way better than your average sports bar. Nice bartenders that are prompt. Food is really good As well.
(4)Dana L.
Food is hit or miss, and sometimes hairy (literally). Service is horrendous, aside from the hostess. I went to Blackfinn today for the first time. The hostess was great. Very friendly and professional. After that, all went downhill. My friend ordered the Blackfinn chicken wrap, I ordered the chicken and avocado salad, and we shared the Yin Yang shrimp appetizer. The shrimp was just an under seasoned wannabe Bang Bang shrimp from Bonefish. We even salted it and it was still under seasoned. Let's move on from that and get to the entrees. My salad, first off, looked unappetizing. Then the flavor matched the look of it. I know it's a chopped salad, but I'm thinking they had put it in a food processor. It was over chopped, again under seasoned, and also TINY. By tiny, I mean this $13 entree salad was the same size as your average appetizer salad anywhere else. Around six bites in, after already feeling like I'd ordered something beyond mediocre, I. found. A. HAIR. in. my. salad. Yep, a hair. For the record, I have long dark hair. This was a medium length blonde hair. Heinous. A man who I can only assume is the manager came over. He did not shake my hand, did not introduce himself, did not apologize. What he said was, "I heard you found a hair on your plate, and that's not good." Yeah. Thanks for that. I asked if I could just get the wrap my friend had, because she was enjoying it. The wrap actually was good. The one star is half for the wrap and half for the hostess. The real kicker is when the bill came that wrap was on it. I'm ashamed I paid it. What a joke.
(1)Erica T.
I love this place! I have eaten several of the menu items and they have all been super delicious. There has been one hiccup with bad service, however. My company from California ordered some dessert for pickup the other night. After being told it would be ready in 10 to 15 minutes, she walked over to pick it up only to find out they had run out the item. They did not apologize or offer her anything in its place. That was a bummer.
(4)Marc E.
I've visited this place on a number of occasions at this point. A couple of times for a brew, as they have a great selection with about 40 taps to include craft beers ,and their happy hour specials. I have also visit for lunch and dinner. There is nothing on the menu that really stands out but what they do serve is good quality and nice sized portions. The service is outstanding during lunch and dinner. At times I've experienced a slower service (nothing major) during the happy hours but this is to be expected. I have also attended a couple of corporate events here and the put on a good spread. I really enjoyed the hamburger and pork sliders and the flat bread. And, of course the selection of brews they have on tap. Overall a good local hangout, a neighborhood restaurant with many regulars and consistent servers and bartenders. I also really like the fact that management is out on the floor ensuring that their customers are receiving the attention they deserve.
(4)Rizza A.
Good hang out place. They claimed that their portions are as big as cheesecake factory- it isn't. But the menu is good and will cater to the variety of the group.
(3)Mary P.
Everyone enjoyed their food. The service was friendly, quick & easy. I'm so glad we got more new restaurants in this area it is well overdue. And we will be back to Blackfinn Ameripub! (Also: on Saturday nights they play amazing party/dance music and the atmosphere at the bar is positive.)
(4)Michelle W.
Loved this restaurant. The staff were friendly and efficient, the prices were great, and of course, the food was very tasty. Tried the bbq pulled pork nachos (loved it, cheese was plentiful but not too much, and it had a nice amuont of toppings), soft pretzel (soooo good!) with a cheesy/mustard sauce.
(4)Min Sae C.
What a pleasant surprise this place has turned out to be. First heard about this place from my wife, who's office has come here several times for happy hour. Held my fantasy football draft here back in August and I was blown away by how much these guys went out of their way to make sure we had everything we needed. They even had a power strip for us to use for all of our laptops. Our server James was a pro and did a great job of keeping our tables clean and our glasses full. To top it all of they gave me $100 worth of gift cards to pass out and use on our next visits!! Everyone was very happy with their food choices. I had the Buffalo Chicken sandwich which was one of the best I've had in years. Friends got various items such as burgers, steak & cheese and some crazy brunch items. All of our plates were licked clean. Have gone back several times including once for a fund raising happy hour that my wife threw and once again the staff couldn't have been more accommodating. They gave us special happy hour pricing for both food and bev. Overall, great service and better than expected food.
(5)