My parents were in town visiting. They've been to DC countless times and done most of the standard tourist crap, but we had never made it to Mount Vernon. I had heard good things and my mom loves history and museums, so it seemed like a good option. I didn't really want to eat AT the Mount Vernon restaurant. I figured it'd be another overpriced tourist trap tacked on just to squeeze a bit more money out of visitors before they leave. You even have to walk through the gift shop to get here! I thought for sure it would basically be Guy Fieri's Presidential Kitchen and Bar. But when Pat Sajak endorsed the Mount Vernon Inn during the intro video, it was game over and my parents were determined to eat here. I was sure it was going to be like eating in a Washington-themed Applebees, but I was relieved to be proven wrong! Everything was pretty reasonably priced and tasty. The cornbread appetizer with vanilla bean butter was probably the highlight. My parents of course had to try the peanut soup (Pat Sajak approved!). My club sandwich was good and the accompanying house made chips were delicious. One of the best features of this restaurant is actually what it lacks--screaming tourist kids! The food court makes sure of that. It's nice to have a quiet, relaxing, grown-up place to refuel after a couple hours walking around in the Virginia humidity. Everyone left full and satisfied. Thanks Pat Sajak!
(3)
Justin C.
Food here was good. Service was good as well. It seemed a little scattered but my drinks were always full. It just seems like so many people are running in a million different directions to get things done. We were one of the first people in line when they opened but still had to wait "30-35" minutes which turned into 45 minutes. They seemed to let large parties in first which filled the small room up. They aren't willing to take names before 12:00 when they opened which was frustrating. Having two private parties also contributed to longer wait times. The waiting and what I see as a lack of organization is why I didn't give a higher rating.
(3)
Dianna L.
Good food, beautiful place. Try the bread pudding! You won't be disappointed!
(4)
Kasandra Z.
very disappointed for the reviews this place received. some of the worst service I've ever received. EXTREMELY rude host. waiters not very attendant. the food was mediocre, honestly.
(1)
Tunisia S.
This place was recommended to me by a client so I figured I'd give it a try. The staff were very friendly. The ambience was nice. The restaurant is clean and dimly lit. My waiter's name was Will and I pretty much let him decide on everything for me. To my surprise, his selections were delicious. I had the Spinach and Strawberry Salad with grilled salmon and Bleu cheese. Yum!! I also tried the corn bread bc why not?! Will recommended the Lambrusco which is a sparkling red wine and I fell in love with it. I'm not a fan of red wine but this wine was amazing. It was a bit on the sweet side and not dry at all. I'll definitely look for this wine everywhere I go. I ended my meal with the famous Martha Washington bread pudding and it was good also but it had raisins which I'm not a fan of. My overall experience was great and I would highly recommend visiting this place when you're in town. Next time I'll definitely try the shrimp and grits.
(4)
Kristopher George L.
Fantastic service and quality of food is great. We had the corn bread and fried green tomatoes for appetizer and crab cake sandwhich and Cobb salad for our meal. Great historical type atmosphere would recommend to anyone who comes here.
(5)
Mach S.
When Pat Sajak recommended eating at the Mount Vernon Inn during the orientation film they showed at historic Mount Vernon, I thought it was a shameless plug. Boy, could I had been more wrong. Pat was right! We visited Mount Vernon, which is an amazing place in itself. We laughed when decided to eat lunch at the Inn based on Pat Sajak's recommendation. During the orientation film, Pat recommended the Peanut soup and bread pudding. How could the "Wheel of Fortune" guy be wrong? We walked by the crowded Food Court and headed straight for the Inn. We had an appetizer of cornbread in the smallest skillet I've ever seen. It was good and only $3, but I wished that skillet had been bigger. Next we all shared a bowl of their Virginia Peanut & Chestnut Soup for $7. Holy cow! It was good. I hadn't had a bowl of Peanut soup since The Surry Inn closed down years ago. I had the Tavern Cobb Salad for $10. It was very good. My wife had Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf for $15, which I had a few bites and enjoyed. My daughter had the Colonial Turkey Pye for $12. It was better than Marie Callender's! We wrapped up our meal with the Bread Pudding. It was as good as Pat suggested.
it a tourist trap..... mediocre food ( at best) and so-so service. it's popular because it's the only restaurant on site.
(2)
Karisa D.
I wonder what our first President, Mr. George Washington, would think about his home becoming a tourist spot. Not only can people tour his estate, but people can also dine at Mr. Washington's residence. Mount Vernon Inn is located right on the Mount Vernon property (conveniently located by the gift shop. Inside, you will find staff somewhat dressed in period outfits, serving up some surprisingly tasty food. My friend and I went to Mount Vernon Inn for happy hour (who knew they had a happy hour). We were greeted and seated immediately. It wasn't busy when yet when we arrived and so we chose to sit in the bar area. I will say, we were probably the youngest people in the restaurant by at least 10 years, but that's not to say that it was at all quiet. It was actually quiet lively in the bar area. They have a list of beers, wine, and some cocktails that are on happy hour price. They also have some food specials as well. My friend and decided on wine and split the following appetizers: crab cake sliders, baked brie, and mussels. Our choices were spot on. The crab cakes were tasty and full of crab meat, which is always a plus for me. The baked brie with jam was delicious and was perfect with the fresh bread they brought out. The mussels had just the right amount of flavor and were well seasoned and prepared. The service was really good throughout the night. Our waiter was friendly and attentive. The manager even came over to make sure we had what we needed. A surprising find for happy hour but a unique place to go.
(4)
Anna L.
The great food and interiors were matched with the outstanding service and friendliness of the host Will go back to explore more of the food and wine on offer
(5)
Diane C.
First Barry B--"a slave vibe but not in a bad way"--really? Come to NY. We had hoped for a place ala Williamsburgh or Sturbridge but were disappointed--food seemed too 21st Century. The atmosphere seemed "off". Not sure why. The silverware on the table was mismatched (and I'm not talking about why the forks had only 3 tines--some had one pattern of silverware and some others) When I asked the server if the Maryland Crab soup was spicy she hadn't tried it but didn't think so--it was VERY spicy, even those at the table who liked spicy said that it was good but spicy. Peanut Chestnut soup was "eh". The only thing that was worth the meal was the bread pudding for dessert. Our final assessment was that we would have been better off eating at the food court, that we would have gotten more of a value for our money (and we had such high hopes and were willing to pay for a nice experience)
(2)
Victoria Z.
Pros: -Nice ambiance with the historical building, historical clothes and big fireplaces. -Great menu, it was hard to decide what to eat. -Amazing food, I wish I did not fill up so fast so I could try what everyone else ordered! -Good prices for the quality and quantity of food Con: -Your boyfriend playing with all the noisy kids' toys at the gift shop.
(4)
Marina V.
I've been to Mt Vernon twice within last 2 years, and have eaten at their restaurant twice as well. Their bread pudding is fabulous. Had a bourbon/fresh mint/sweet water drink (Mint Julip I think it was called) - it was yummy. And the fried green tomatoes appetizer - just like mama used to make (if I had a mama who cooked southern food, that is). :) Really great place!! Love it!! Hope to be back for the 3rd time!
(5)
Kathleen M.
Historical Costumes? Great food near a wonderful Historical Site? Yes please! I had visited Mount Vernon as a child and loved it so I brought my own children there. This visit was just for adults and it was the best one yet. The new Visitors' Center and this restaurant made for a magnificent day. Plus, in full disclosure mode, I do like to pretend I actually lived in colonial times, it's my Williamsburg fantasy, and this restaurant satisfied this illusion perfectly. I wouldn't have even cared about the food, they had me at historical costumes. All of us tried different entrees, all delicious, the service was superb and the fantasy? Priceless. If you go to visit Mt. Vernon this completes a perfect day. (Well this and the cute Cherry themed tea set but that's a different review.) I cannot tell a lie, you will love it.
(5)
Jill C.
Nice ambiance! We have always had good meals here!
(4)
April J.
i went for lunch not knowing what to expect since it is an Inn attached to the gift shop. Service was prompt and the turkey sandwich was great. A generous portion of fresh hot sliced turkey with bacon, swiss, lettuce and tomato on a toasted ciabatta roll with secret sauce (russian dressing) served with homemade chips for about $10. Definitely better than the last turkey sandwich i had at another restaurant. Will check this place out for dinner and hope it's as good as lunch. And since it will be after 5pm, I will try the pumpkin martini too.
(5)
Joni H.
We're going to have our wedding here, so we came here yesterday with some of our friends to try some of the food that we're going to have at the wedding. Everything was delicious! Loved the homemade colonial crackers and the Mount Vernon Harvest Ale. The entrees that we had were grilled salmon with a side of sambal sauce and hollandaise sauce, filet mignon with mushroom demi glace, seared crab cakes, and sliced duck breast with garlic shrimp. Everything was excellent! If you're looking for a venue for your wedding, I highly recommend this place. So far, our experience with this place has been wonderful. I'm sure I'll be back on here to write another glowing review after our wedding.
(5)
Chris D.
The service here is top notch. The food can be hit or miss. I went here for lunch, I got a chicken salad sandwich and was not disappointed. My coworker got a ham sandwich and was not impressed. The atmosphere here truly makes the meal worth it. I have been told the turkey pye is worth a few trips.
(4)
Wendy H.
After walking all over the estate, my host and I were starving. At his suggestion I had the peanut soup, which was unique and yummy. I picked up a dish towel with the recipe on it from the giftshop so I can try it out at home. I had the special microbrewed rootbeer which was delicious, and for dessert I had bread pudding, which was amazing! Our server was enthusiastic and attentive. All in all, it was a great way to top off our visit to Mt Vernon.
(5)
Angel T.
My husband and I were very pleased with the service that the Mt. Vernon Inn provided on our wedding day on the 24 August 2012. It was a short notice for a venue but we were really lucky for Mariita and Matt to allow us to hold our ceremony and reception at the Inn. The food was awesome. Majority of our guests ordered the filet mignon with the crab cake. They all raved about it. Our young guests enjoyed the chicken nugget menu. I'm still craving the awesome raspberry sorbet! If you haven't eaten here, it's worth it. I will definitely go back for more. A week before our wedding, we ate there as regular guests. I loved the colonial bread pudding too.
(5)
Jessica L.
The wait staff was outrageously friendly. We were there just after the lunch rush, and our waitress was still in a delightful mood. The food was good too. I had the "Colonial Turkey Pye" which was good, but not out of the ordinary. The bread pudding was delicious however. Very tasty.
(4)
Chris F.
Went here for dinner as my visiting parents wanted some good old fashioned American food. MVI did not disappoint, and quite frankly surprised me. This was my first visit to MVI and was afraid it would be a disappointment like Gadsby's Tavern. I ordered the Rib eye and the rest of the group had the scallops and shrimp. The steak was excellent.....great seasoning, perfectly cooked, nice flavor. The seafood garnered similar accolades. The only aspect of dining here that could be better is the noise. Given the fact that it is a tourist destination, early diners will most likely have to tolerate unruly kids and screaming babies. The workaround is to reserve your table after 7:30. Perhaps management would consider designating one of the rooms a "quite room?"
(5)
Joe A.
Food was excellent, service was excellent and the environment was excellent too. Had the roasted duck and blueberry tart. Best duck I have ever had. Portion sizes were generous for a high end place. You will definitely get your money's worth in food. Our server's name was Louis and he did a great job as did the server assistant, Ian. Will come back and bring friends.
(5)
Alan M.
We went here for Labor Day weekend as I am GWU affiliated. I wanted to learn more about Washington's history and home. The first thing we wanted to do was dine at his restaurant of course and taste what he tasted. But to our dissatisfaction the server was not attentive to us, nor did he bring us our drinks, appetizers or entrees in a timely manner. However, he did rush and constantly bring ice teas, and other items to the older couple next to us. As they sat down a good 10-15 minutes after us they left 15-20 minutes before us. There is some discrimination as far as service is concerned. The food was served warm for the most part except for one dish. The soup was warm as well. The root beer was not home brewed as the server confirmed when asked, but it was good. The dessert was probably the fastest item to reach us but that was due to the fact another server came to assist. I really wanted to experience Mount Vernon's Inn but unfortunately the service left us thinking we were not welcome for whatever reason. Therefore, I recommend visiting Mount Vernon, but perhaps dining at the Food Court is the best avenue. The Food Court has a variety of excellent quick dining choices. Our meal at the Inn was an hour, and it wasn't that busy, with half of it waiting on the server.
(3)
Casey K.
My boyfriend surprised me one night and took me here during Christmas. We were both pleasantly surprised with how good our meal was, how WONDERFUL our service was, and how relatively inexpensive it all was. We started off with the fried brie (how could you not?) and the hoe cakes with cornmeal, crabmeat, and ham - both were fantastic. Our waitress recommended a good bottle of wine (only $38) and I had the turkey dinner - which was just average, but the peanut stuffing was very tastey and the bf got the steak, which he said was fantastic! For dessert we split the peppermint ice cream/ chocolate cake roll up which was also delicious! Great date spot!
(4)
M S.
Saturday evening my girlfriend Nancy whom I had known since the seventh grade picked me up from my parents' house and we came here for a special dinner and to catch up. As many know, the first U.S. President George Washington's estate is the Potomac River front's Mount Vernon mansion. While long famous as a historical attraction, it recently underwent extensive renovations and garnered even more fame when it was a setting for the fictitious U.S. President's birthday celebration in the National Treasure 2 movie in which Nicholas cage briefly kidnaps the President. The Inn is a colonial-style restaurant in architecture, interior design, and in dining. In fact everything about it reminds me of my college days when a special night out was going to the Christiana Campbells' Tavern in Colonial Williamsburg for a game pie dinner. On a more personal level, being a Virginian, and having attended the College of William and Mary, which is also the alma mater to George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, Mount Vernon does hold a bit of a special place in my heart. So coming here for dinner did tug a bit at my heart strings. We were seated at a nice corner table. First we vassilated between ordering a bottle of the Sterling Vintner's Collection Merlot or ordering a couple of glasses of wine. Eventually we went with the Merlot. Nancy had the rockfish, which looked really good. I had the three-course dinner special which consisted of a bowl of the peanut soup, London broil with mashed potatoes, baby string beans and baby carrots, and German chocolate cake. Portions were large, though I found the soup and London broil a bit on the salty side but none-the-less tasty. Nancy also had some vanilla ice cream and coffee as I ate my cake. When we received our bill we were a bit surprised to see that the charge for the bottle of Merlot was $10 more than it had been listed on the wine list. When we asked our server Elsie about the difference, she admitted she noticed that too, and would send the manager over. He corrected it, providing the excuse that an incorrect key had been entered. Right! After settling our bill we thought we'd finish our wine and coffee, we were even more surprised (especially when several other tables were available) when the manager asked us to leave as another party was waiting for our table. Although he did offer to bring our glasses of wine and coffee into the sitting room across the hall, both Nancy and I found his behavior very unprofessional and quite disappointing. Indeed, I have never been asked to leave a restaurant for behaving well (or poorly)! Up until receiving the bill, I would have rated our experience with five stars. Following receiving the bill, and being asked to leave, I must rate my experience as one star.
(1)
Brian F.
George Washington's Mount Vernon is a terrific place. I stayed there about 6 hours, and could have stayed longer. The Mount Vernon Inn is a sub-par place to eat, and I would never recommend that anyone eat there. I ordered the cornbread and the turkey pie. The cornbread was served in a small skillet, which it was obviously not cooked in. They just wanted to provide that look. It was cold, and somehow rubbery? The honey-vanilla-bean butter on it was ice cold, and boring. The turkey pie was very sub-par. I do not exaggerate - this tasted like a frozen Hungry-Man turkey pot pie. And it was a very small portion. My sister-in-law got the roasted chicken with veggies. The chicken was WAY overcooked, dry, and flavorless, and the vegetables were flavorless, and barely cooked. Again, this is a review of the Mount Vernon Inn, not Mount Vernon (which is an amazing place). But if you go, do yourself a favor and just eat Pizza Hut or a burger in the Mount Vernon food court. It will be cheaper, and I guarantee it will taste better.
(2)
Megan M.
Hunger is the best spice. Even so, I think the food at Mount Vernon Inn would be pretty darn tasty without the nine mile bike ride up from Alexandria. As it was, we were ravenous, and just weren't feeling "food court food". So in we walked for lunch one particularly beautiful Saturday. Though MV proper was a mob scene of field trips, the restaurant was pleasantly busy without being packed. The Hubs started off with a few beers, Mount Vernon Harvest Ale's to be exact, which were smooth and had a nice roasted flavor. I sized up the Mint Julep's; but ultimately decided on seltzer. Heat + Exercise+ Libations + National Monument = I shudder to think. We started with friend green tomato's, which were served with (I'm told) homemade tomato sauce and herbs from the garden. Charming, whether or not its true. (I like to think it is, and I did visit lettuce and basil growing right outside later that day. ) They were awesome, and came with house made rye bread crackers that I've been dreaming about. I may have to write in, old school Gourmet Reader's Request style, to see if they'll share. (Ruth, I miss you!) I had a Tavern salad which was a crispy and filling version of a chef's salad; supposedly with more garden greens. Came with amazing corn muffins. DH had a turkey club and the house made chips. They went dangerously well with his ale, and I may have snagged a few for myself. I'll second the reviewer that said it felt a lot like the William Penn Inn. Sure, there were kids drinking Coke, and the menu isn't exactly authentic, but I wasn't complaining about that or the anachronistic air conditioning. The view of the property was fantastic, the food was tasty; and we enjoyed ourselves immensely. Refreshed and renewed for the rest of our visit at Mount Vernon.
(4)
Jessica P.
The good: The service is extremely attentive and friendly. Food comes out piping hot. The restaurant itself is delightfully built and decorated. We wanted just one meal to share and our server made sure we had big portions (which I didn't actually want, but assume most people would). The bad: The food is just not THAT good, for a fancy restaurant. We had the fried chicken which wasn't that moist, the corn biscuit was also fairly dry, the beans looked like they came from the freezer and weren't seasoned much (squash was okay). The highly recommended bread pudding was boring, not tasty, and most of it stayed on our plate. Compared to the food court, I would still eat here...but don't let your expectations get ahead of you :)
(3)
Christie P.
Mount Vernon on a chilly holiday weekend is a busy place, and the Inn was packed with fellow tourists seeing a good meal and respite from the cold. My husband and I tried the fried green tomato parmesan and it was delicious! We both had the meat and vegetable pye. The pye was piping hot and well-seasoned, and the vegetables that came with it were a perfectly cooked blend of cabbage, carrots, and broccoli. I had a glass of Virginia wine, and he had a local craft beer with his meal. Overall, the Inn is a good alternative to the Food Court, and I would gladly return.
(3)
Damon B.
I've eaten at the restaurant once. It was okay, not great. I was especially unhappy with the peanut soup which tasted like watery peanut butter. While I'm concerned that my expectations were out of line with the soup, the other food we had was actually pretty good. I also thought the service was excellent. If you are in the area, it's a fine place to grab a bit to eat.
(3)
Joe B.
Came here for my birthday and restaurant week. Wife Had the filet and I had the New York strip. The food was amazing and our server Elsie was fantastic. The manager Fabiano came to our table several times to check in us and even gave me a free pass for the estate.
(5)
Mary K.
Everything was good till we heard the background music of 20th century smooth jazz. Jazz? What on earth is going on? Who goes to Mount Vernon Inn for such out of place atmosphere...no one! Why are there electric candles, a big TV at the bar? This is just awful. once the Inn strived for a 18th century atmosphere and now it's being spoiled by these terrible 20th/21st century intrusions. Go back to the way it was, perhaps you should take a lesson the way Colonial Williamsburg handles their restaurants. They keep to the correct time, that's why people go there. Please do something about this. You're spoiling the feel of the estate.
(3)
Jason K.
The food was ok but it took FOREVER to get it. Service was agonizingly slow.
(2)
Jessenia G.
I had my wedding here almost two years ago and I was extremely pleased with the service, the food, the price, and how wonderful they were to me. I had met with Matthew Heis and also with Lene Stauffer and both were able to answer my questions and help me throughout the wedding preparation (deciding on the best sauce for the food, the right vegetable to go with the course, ways to save on the alcohol, food for my vegetarian friends, etc). Matt was also there on the day of the wedding and was attentive and helpful. He introduced himself to my parents, godparents, and let me know it was time for the pictures. As far as the food, I couldn't be more pleased with the food I ordered. I had my hubby pick the Grilled Salmon with a sauce recommended by Matt (can not remember what it was but it was sort of a tangy taste), and I chose the Petite Filet Mignon with Crab Cake so we could both share the two different plates we ordered (yes, I couldn't decide which one to go to, so we shared!). They were both delicious! I hardly ever post on yelp but I am planning a trip to Mount Vernon and remembered how wonderful they were to me. I give them five stars because they, along with all the waiters and staff made my wedding be so memorable. So if you are looking for a place to get married, I definitely recommend this place! The food, the service, and the ambiance made it so memorable. I still have friends coming to me and tell me how much they enjoyed the wedding and how much they loved the waiters in their colonial uniform. :-)
(5)
Will C.
Nice ambiance with very friendly and efficient service. Good for a romantic quiet dinner. For the price the food is just okay. The steaks are cooked to order perfect but the sauces they use are not that good. I would recommend getting the steak without the sauce (which is how you should eat a steak anyway). I would also recommend calling for a reservation, most of the time they are not that busy but if they had a lot of people visiting the estate that day it could get crowded. If you factor everything in, overall it's a good place to eat if you are looking for a little nicer restaurant with a great atmosphere.
(4)
Caitlin C.
Like many reviewers recently, I bought a deal off of Living Social and redeemed it the other day ($20 for $40 to spend on food). When we walked in for lunch, my boyfriend and I were delighted to see the historic restaurant theme the waiters wearing colonial outfits. I felt like I was at the American Adventure in Epcot again...until we were sat right next to the kitchen entrance where we could hear the staff bicker about random crap. And unfortunately right across from us they had this tacky room separator (think 1970's elementary school gym partition) that kept us from looking outside at the beautiful spring view. Sigh. The drinks were overpriced...$2.75 for a tiny champagne glass full of sparkling cider (not anything made special, just the grocery store kind), $3.00 for hot tea (it says they have "Specialty Teas" to choose from but I just got some off-brand crappy tea), etc. The pecan pie dessert looked and tasted like it was off the grocery store shelf. It's really strange because they sell so many specialty food and drink items in their gift shop, so why not offer them in the restaurant? I think the only things on the menu that were made at Mt Vernon were root beer and regular beer. The meal itself was pretty good -- they offer huge portions for a decent price. I got the salmon cakes, which were packed full of real salmon. It came with huge helpings of veggies and sweet potatoes, and cornbread. The veggies were a bit mushy and flavorless but the sweet potatoes rocked. My boyfriend got the shrimp and scallops which he said were good as well. I saw some other tables get the ham sandwich and dang did it look good (and I don't even like ham!). So overall, I think it would be a neat place to eat lunch if you're visiting the estate to get the whole experience -- but I definitely wouldn't go out of my way to eat here normally.
(3)
Laura D.
The food is reasonably priced but not great. Our potatoes and vegetables came out cold, so we returned them. In return, we got some luke-warm potatoes and vegetables. Yum? For a family of 5, our bill was less than $60, before tip. I thought that was good for the atmosphere and great server. Don't go for the food, unless bland and under seasoned is your preference. But, do go if you're already visiting Mount Vernon.
(3)
Whitney H.
I went here a few days ago for a friend's birthday, and we had a fabulous experience! We got the most Colonial things on the menu, and we were amazed at how wonderful everything was! The hoecakes appetizer was my favorite. =) The duck was phenomenal, and the dessert selection was wonderful--something for every tastebud! Our waiter was a delight--very accommodating and eager to please, and he had the greatest accent! I will definitely recommend this place to friends, and I'll likely be back!
(5)
Jeff S.
Was hoping for so much more from this place, based on the reviews. While it was doubtless better than the adjacent food court, it suffered from several issues. Peanut soup: To be honest, I don't know what this is supposed to be like, but I found it oversalted. Duck cassoulet: Again, overly salty. Also the duck was overcooked (dry, as if it had been put under the broiler to reheat).
(3)
Paul B.
I love this place! The food and service is amazing. I recently had my wedding there and it was great. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone.
(5)
DM J.
I should have written this review ages ago. We had our wedding reception at the Mount Vernon Inn restaurant way back in July 05. I wasn't a bridezilla and let my mom do all the planning. When she told me this was the best deal in the Northern Virginia area, I believed her. My only issue, when I met with the catering manager, was the colonial garb. I grew up in the Alexandria area and am not unfamiliar with the colonial fascination, but I wanted no part of it. I asked if the servers could wear alternate attire but was told we'd have to pay for it. I decided to suck it up, provided that the host on duty that day, were he to be a server at my wedding reception, remove his eyepatch. The whole colonial pirate thing really didn't work well. The catering manager promised me I wouldn't even notice it on my wedding day. Well, I noticed the garb, but what I didn't even take into consideration was how friendly the staff is. They did an amazing job. The restaurant is a unique space for weddings because it has multiple rooms, not one big place. But that made it feel homey and fun and my friends all said the food was the best wedding food they'd ever had. The pictures turned out especially well because of all the beautiful colors and paintings on the wall--no need for special lighting. And of course it was the best wedding I've ever been to. Bottom line: this place has really good food, and if you're thinking about having a wedding reception in Northern Virginia, you really should consider it. The drive down the GW Parkway is an added bonus. And the staff/manager really know what they're doing. If I could give it 4.5 stars I would. The .5 star deduction is only because of the colonial garb and of course I realize it's a theme. Thanks, Mt Vernon Inn, four years later!
(4)
Mike C.
We were initially interested in the food court, but it was packed with school groups, so we tried this restaurant on the property of George Washington's home. The food is pricey for the quality you get, but you're paying for the period setting. Staff our dressed in period clothing, but they must be hot, as I saw our waiter wipe his brow with his sleeve several times. Service was pretty good. There were limited vegetarian choices. I started with fried green tomatoes** which had unpleasant textures including tough tomatoes and a gritty shake-and-bake coating. The tomato sauce seemed generic. I then had a good and buttery kids' grilled cheese*** (as did my kids). They were served with oily and soft homemade chips***. My wife thought her vege lasagna*** was well made, but she didn't like the peppers in it. This restaurant also had one of my pet peeves: refilling soda from pitchers that are just sitting there on a mantle. Of course they were flat. This is a pretty good choice if you're in a historical spirit.
(3)
Go K.
Date Attended: Wednesday, 12/09/09 Came here for a company holiday party. Started off having some muchroom, crabmeat, and cracker hors d'oeuvres. Not bad. For lunch I had a biscuit, salad, petite filet mignon, and bread pudding. Everything tasted good, although I wasn't a big fan of the bread pudding. Didn't taste bad, just not my cup of tea. All in all, what wins it for me was the service. The servers were really attentive and nice. Presentation and decor were good too.
(4)
Theresa C.
Back in the day, I had a thing for George Washington. No, it wasn't like that. He has always been one of my favorite US Presidents. So what better way to celebrate the man than a trip to Mount Vernon. After touring the grounds, my tummy was ready for dinner. Instead of grabbing the regular cafeteria style garbage, I decided to try something a little more authentic (or as "authentic" as it can be because we know 18th century America did not accept American Express). And thus, I entered the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant. My inner history nerd was excited by the colonial interior and the waitstaff in period clothing. I ordered the Chicken with Dumplings, along with the peanut soup. I must say, it was delicious! And I'm coming out and saying it: It ranks up there as one of the best meals I have ever had. Every now and then, I still dream of that soup. So good, so creamy and so tempting to take a plane from Chicago to DC just to eat some more.
(5)
Joseph S.
Good place to go after spending the afternoon at Mount Vernon. It is located right at the entrance to Mount Vernon. Waiters dress in period clothes and the restaurant has an old musty smell and decor to it to put you back in time. Food was okay. Nothing spectacular but nothing disappointing. Prices were a little expensive, like what you would pay at a big hotel restaurant. Good idea to make reservations in advance. Mount Vernon closes at 5:00, so a 5:30 or 6 PM reservation would be just perfect.
(3)
Michelle O.
I heartily recommend the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant for any special event you might have. We recently used the beautiful light and airy VERANDA ROOM for a recent April Bridal Shower. Out of town guests were so impressed by the House Tour and the Boat Ride from George Washington's Wharf on the Potomac River -- these items are easily provided as a part of the Bride's special day by contacting the Mount Vernon Group Tour Office. Older guests could take the Shuttle Bus to the Wharf and it ran on time! Meanwhile the Mount Vernon Inn provided excellent service in setting up the room, serving the luncheon at the perfect time in between gifts and games and the food was wonderful!! The Bride chose a "cherry blossom" theme which worked perrctly with Mount Vernon and George Washington! A great time was had by all, and the Bridal Shower will be remembered for a long time. Michelle
(5)
RD P.
Food was great! Atmosphere was just what you would expect being at George Washington's home. We ate there for lunch and it was really good. Our entire family loved it. I would give it 4.5 stars if I could on yelp. Dessert was also very good.
(4)
Carly C.
We had our wedding here in October and the staff and service was amazing. Matt and Mariita did a wonderful job helping us prepare and the day of the wedding helped with everything. Everybody raved about the food and the service!
(5)
Jason B.
visited for lunch on a sunday. perhaps expectations should have been lower but 4* on yelp had me thinking the food would be good, not just passable and bland. costumes were cute, service was good, and prices were reasonable . but the food? meh
(2)
Yimei W.
I was here for a friend's wedding; for the most part, the venue itself was beautiful and you could get a decent meal. The ceremony room was adjacent to the reception room, which was very convenient. I felt there was something up with the waitstaff that day. I counted about 3 times where either a waitress nearly slipped and spilled water on a patron and 2 times there was a loud bang of plates dropping or something. That's not really pleasant during a wedding reception. Plus, it didn't help that one of the violinists tripped coming out from the reception room, adding to the spate of mishaps. I felt the waitstaff should've been here long enough to know their uneven flooring so that things could be smoother during an occasion like a wedding. Unless they were contractors..which could explain why it took awhile for the food to be served--maybe they couldn't figure out the kitchen or something. I would say it's a nice venue for a wedding or formal occasion and my friend's wedding turned out so pretty with the rain in the backdrop. It was a "cozy" atmosphere. But the place should be a bit more careful about noises and pacing of service.
(3)
Phil L.
If you're at Mount Vernon it's a must to have the Peanut Soup. I've never had it before so I have nothing to compare it to but it was good.
(4)
Mary Kate M.
For what its worth, this place was 'ok' good, not super good, or good good. We got here around 11:30am on Sunday morning to have a bite before finishing up our visit at Mount Vernon. We were greeted by a Chinese man dressed in period Colonial garb, soon followed by our Indian server dressed in her period garb as well. I liked the diversity to the place. This was definitely not your typical Colonial clan serving up your grub. We grazed the menu before we decided on splitting on a couple of items. I did get the peanut and chestnut soup. I really think it is seriously over-hyped because it wasn't that particularly good. My boyfriend and I ended up getting a bowl of it, and we just didn't want to finish it. I love peanuts... but I hardly loved... even liked this soup. As far as our sandwich goes, it was really nice. They were kind enough to split the sandwich and chips for us and bring them out on two separate plates saving us the trouble of taking care of this ourselves. All of it was just enough for us to eat. We really liked the honey mustard and used that as dipping sauce for our thin potato chips which are made in house. They were really good and tasty as well. Service was a bit lacking. We didn't see our server but maybe twice through the whole visit. That was when she got our orders and then when she brought the bill. Even after that, she was not the one to return the receipt for me to sign. I ended up giving myself a refill of water one time, and the other by flagging down a passerby server. The place wasn't that busy, so I am not sure why she never got back to us. The place is really cute itself. It seemed like a clean atmosphere and Colonial era-like. I would come back if I am at Mount Vernon. I definitely would recommend this place if you've got time to sit down and enjoy a meal because you certainly are going to get your money's worth here. More so than if you eat at the Mount Vernon food court. We stopped by in there, and some things were more expensive than the actual menu items that they had at the Mount Vernon Inn. Go figure. Enjoy your visit!
(3)
Andy C.
Need a quick bite before, during, or after your Mt Vernon visit? Check out the Inn! We had great food and great service all at a reasonable price. It can get crazy busy here, so try to avoid lunchtime. We've eaten here at 11:30 and 1:30, which was much more reasonable. Best food experience I've had at a tourist attraction!
(5)
TravelPro P.
The food was okay and service just okay too. We thought the waitress was new as she couldn't answer any of our questions about the menu and had to keep running to the kitchen, but then she said she had worked there for 3 years! The menu has some "authentic" to the era items mixed with the usual. The food sounded better than it tasted, though the cornbread was yummy.
(3)
Kellie W.
Excellent food, outstanding service from Robert, and even the manger goes around the tables to check on guests. Plus, the ambiance sets you back to the colonial area. A must try when visiting Mount Vernon.
(5)
Brian H.
Just wanted to say thank you Mt Vernon Inn for an amazing night. The food and service was great.
(5)
Barry B.
Food schmood...it's all about the "atmosphere" at this wonderful little place. Don't get me wrong the food is very well done, a few good "period type" options. I went safe and got a club sandwich and a fried tomato appetizer that was very well prepared. My lovely dining partner got a "traditional" beef pie that was really well executed. What set this place apart for me was the wait staff in period clothing. We had a delightful young West Indian girl (kind of a slave vibe-after looking at all the history displays in the museum-but not at all in a bad way- it worked). This is a destination restaurant, don't drive out here just to eat, but as part of the broader experience of Mount Vernon do eat here. If you go to the Food Court (why the hell is there even one here- truly ought to rethink that) I hope you choke on your pan pizza.... okay that's mean, but seriously; go to the Inn.
(3)
Jackie M.
I hate to write a bad review, but my husband and I celebrated out 17th anniversary there last night. They sat us in the red room. We were surrounded by other noisy guests. I had to ask my waitress for a refill for my soda every time. The food was good, but very expensive for what we got. Overall we were let down by our experience. The people were nice and friendly, but I felt like we were unexpected guests or something... Sitting in the middle of the room. Btw we did have a reservation so they were expecting us. We probably won't go back. When we spend $100 for dinner we expect to have a lovely time.
Don't miss out on the Peanut & Chestnut soup - it is excellent! This is a very nice restaurant. As it is attached to Mount Vernon, attire can range from casual to formal. Serving lunch, and then dinner. The menu is not for those on an economy travel budget, but the food is well worth the money spent. Reservations are not required, but definitely recommended.
(5)
Dave S.
Very reasonable and a good value. A little noisy and as a tourist place there can be disruptive children. Sunday meal of a Cobb salad and a Caeser salad with chicken were good. The chips are made on site and came out hot - great!
(3)
Andrew L.
The Mount Vernon Inn restaurant, on the property of George Washington's Mount Vernon, offers lunch and dinner served in a Colonial atmosphere. Costumed waitstaff, wooden furnishings, paneled walls, a large fireplace and candles in the evening contribute to the ambiance. It's a great place to have lunch when visiting George Washington's Mount Vernon. (Much better than the food court alternative!) We especially like to dine here during the holiday season. At lunch, dishes range from hearty fare like Colonial Turkey Pye to soups, salads, and sandwiches to burgers. I like the Pulled Pork Barbeque Sandwich and the Smoked Turkey Club Sandwich. (Sandwiches are served with tasty Tavern Chips.) On our most recent visit, I had the Duck and Sausage Cassoulet. My wife likes the Tavern Salad. Be sure to try the signature Peanut and Chestnut Soup!
(5)
Wesley H.
excellent meal after a long day touring Mount Vernon! The wait staff was great and the meal was very good. highly recommend the pork chop and the shrimp and grits
(5)
John D.
We had their cornbread with vanilla bean honey butter, duck and sausage cassoulet, and blackened Mahi Mahi Sandwich. While the cornbread was good, the duck and sausage was flavorless, and the Mahi Mahi was so overcooked it was like rubber. The server forgot to bring out cups into which we could actually dispense the tea, too, and we just sat there staring at if for a while until we saw him again. If they're trying to recreate flavorless food that our forefathers ate, they nailed it. They should put a disclaimer on the menu saying that, though. Unbeknownst to them, I was evaluating the place for a potential wedding reception spot. needless to say, this won't be our venue.
(2)
Emily A.
While our waitress was very nice, the service was not the best. To start off, 2/3 of us ordered unsweetened iced tea. With no sweetener on the table, we asked if she could bring some around when she had a chance. Well she never came back and I got up from the table and asked another waiter who then handed me some. I think all of our meals were mediocre however the mozzarella that was supposed to be on the grilled chicken sandwich was left off..not detrimental but disappointing..
(3)
Dan D.
We had the Fried Chicken and the peanut soup. I was very pleasantly surprised how good the food was at a "tourist" location. Definately do not pass on the peanut soup! The service was very friendly and efficient for such a busy place. Probably expect a 20-45 minute wait but, you can put your name in and peruse the gift shop.
(4)
Mason S.
Nothing can ever replace the garlic steak and cheese sandwiches but they have a new grilled chicken sandwich which is awesome for lunch. Their dinners are super nice if you are looking for a finer dining experience. Happy hour is decent too compared to other places in the area.
(4)
Rachelle M.
This place is amazing!!! The prices are very reasonable, the portions large, and the service is impeccable. Deborah was the most amazing waitress and made my first time here so much fun! I can't wait to come back!
(5)
Rey W.
Food was delicious!!! Prices vary depending on meal but for the average joe this place is awesome! Food always tastes the same and is always neatly served!
(5)
R. C.
Delicious and elegant. A useful tip is that, if you have not made a reservation in advance for a table, the restaurant may be able to seat you at the bar -- and the food is the same. Rather than wait two hours for a table, we chose this approach and really enjoy it. The food was decadent, and the bartender was super friendly. We had both the spinach and artichoke dip and the crab cake from the appetizer menu, as well as some house bread and home made root bear from Mount Vernon -- and this amount of food was plenty filling for two people. The food was delicious, and the ambience was uniquely elegant. Great for both out-of-town guests and locals.
(5)
Sara W.
If I had left a review a couple of years ago it would have been 4 stars. The last couple of years hasn't treated the Inn well. I used to take friends and family there and I would enjoy a nice dinner there as well, but the quality isn't the same. I will still go on occasion and it has the same feel and still looks the same. The peanut soup is still oh so delicious and the new cornbread addition is nice. There was a menu change more than a year ago and I haven't had much success ordering the new items. Either over cooked or just severe lack of flavor. Fish and veggies don't need to be bland. I used to really enjoy this place.
(3)
Mike B.
Really enjoyed this restaurant on a recent trip to Mt. Vernon. We stopped in for lunch and had a great meal. Never had hoecakes before, but had to try one since they were a favorite of George Washington. Have to say...they were great. The club sandwich I had was one of the best I've ever had, and the parmesan french fries were outstanding. My wife also loved her peanut soup. Our server, Robert, was great. Highly recommend taking the time to hit this place if you visit.
(5)
Patrick Gabriel L.
Colonial style eating. Talk about old school dining. Old Virginia ham. Vintage Root Beer. Exceptional bread pudding using day old dinner rolls. You can't get more authentic with colonial style eating then this spot. If you're in Northern Virginia enjoy the history at Mt. Vernon then get your tasty provisions at this spot. You won't be disappointed if you have both appreciation and respect for culinary history.
(5)
D M.
We have been going to the Mount Vernon Inn for decades. We use do go here are a destination in itself, or when visiting other attractions nearby (like Pope Leighy House). We are disappointed that lately, it seems the quality and service are going downhill. It used to be quite upscale and of the highest quality, but in the past year or so, it seems to be resting on laurels earned in the past. The last few times we have eaten there have been plagued by cold, poor ingredient food, in different service, and unclean tableware & tables. We ordered a chicken & cornbread dish where the chicken was very tough & unevenly cooked (frozen?), and the waiter seemed irritated by our request for another... Our peanut soup was not hot, and our glasses/forks were dirty. My wife's dish came with a different side then stated. The dessert (pecan pie) seemed to be a low quality grocery store pie. One recent visit, we were told (by a manager) that most of the restaurant was reserved for a large party, and offered a seat at the bar. Reluctantly we accepted, and ate an uncomfortable meal in an otherwise empty restaurant. By the time we left, the restaurant was still largely empty save for a few tourist couples at the bar and a few tables. Questionable decision in my opinion. Perhaps catering to tourists they do not worry about gaining repeat customers, but the low quality will not bring us back.
(2)
Galina G.
Peanut chestnut soup, cornbread, crab cake, turkey potpie were all good. Bread pudding real good! It was good for a tourist restaurant. Great service.
(4)
Krista R.
Exceptional service! Love the waitstaff and the manager who even took the time to thank each table for coming in! Everyone was very nice and helpful! We tried the peanut and chestnut soup, very good if you love peanuts! For lunch we had the loui shrimp salad, coronal turkey pye and the blackened mahi mahi sandwich, all very well cooked! For the dessert we tried the bread pudding which was very yummy! Definitely would eat here again and the prices are reasonable :)
(5)
Rob M.
After and outstanding tour of Mount Vernon, me and my friends are at the Restaurant and Inn at Mount Vernon. I can't say enough about how great the food and service is. The God was terrific from the appetizers to the soups and the entree's.
(5)
Jeff C.
I stopped in here on a whim and discovered a dining time warp into 1776 that has to be seen to be believed. The menu is loaded with dishes that good old George himself would appreciate. However, what trumps it all, my fellow patriot, is the Peanut Soup! Let me say it again: The Peanut Soup! (Big sound stage echo here). A bowl of what is arguable the best soup that I have ever had is so rich, so creamy and peanutty that it could suffice as a meal in itself. They do a wonderful job of decorating the restaurant for the holidays with traditional holiday decor that really captures the mood, a beautiful setting that is perfect for any occasion. The employees are all garbed in traditional colonial dress which certainly adds to the experience. My bartender Harry suggested several traditional toddies that George Washington himself might have enjoyed. And of course, I have him to thank for the discover of Mount Vernon Inn's fantastic soup. I will definitely return for the excellent fare and charming decor of this somewhat overlooked gem. Hey, let's face it, when you say Mount Vernon, most people think of Washington's home and not restaurant. However, this colonial wonder is worth the trip in itself.
(5)
Leo M.
Surprisingly good for a 'captive audience' restaurant This is the kind of restaurant we ordinarily try to avoid - charming decor with a captive audience of museum goers to ensure a constant flow of patrons no matter how good or bad the food. But we were very pleasantly surprised. Three of us ordered salads and they were without exception spectacular. My wife's steak salad - quotidian choice that it is - was simply the best she had ever tasted. Perfectly cooked and seasoned beef on a bed of arugula with feta, truffle oil, and parsnip 'chips' to add a bit of crunch - she just couldn't get over how well they had elevated this dish. And both my ahi salad and my daughter's Brussels sprout salad were not far behind. My son's salmon pasta was perfection of a different sort - creamy and rich and flavorful. However, his ahi flatbread was not as good - the ahi was a cut below that offered in my salad and they compensated by covering the fish in far too much sauce. Now for a word about the Virginia peanut and chestnut soup. A specialty of the house it is unlike anything you can get almost anywhere else - at least one person in your party must order it. At first it is a little off-putting then the umami builds and you find yourself spooning mouthful after mouthful until the richness forces you to stop. I recommend sharing. Lastly, the service was excellent except for one odd twist. Our kids ordered root beer - which for some reason comes from the bar - but we ordered iced tea. And apparently the bartender was far too busy serving beer, wine, and mixed drinks to reach around and pick up two bottles. Three times our server went back to try to get our root beer and failed. It was only on the fourth try - in the middle of our second course - that he finally brought our kids their drinks.
(5)
Gina D.
Stopped for a late lunch after a day of walking around George Washington's Mount Vernon with the family. The food was very fresh and tasty. I'm personally not a peanut fan, however I tried my husbands soup and it tasted good. The warm goat cheese salad was amazing! I'd go back for that salad next time I'm in town.
(4)
Jennifer V.
Went there for Happy Hour. Great deals from 5 - 8 M-F. After a suggestion from the bartender, ended up eating dinner at the bar. Alexandria Restaurant week just started and most places have a fixed $35 special. Mount Vernon Inn has $35 special for 2! My husband had crab soup to start - tomato based, fresh and spicy. Not a lot of crab, but good flavor. I had the Scallops Wellington. Very tasty. My entree was leg of lamb with rosemary gravy and husband had grilled trout. We enjoyed them both. There were three dessert choices - Tres Leches cake, flourless chocolate cake and peach amaretto ice cream. We boxed up the two cakes and took it home to the kids. I may have snuck a bite or two and they were both delicious. The staff is really sweet too. What could be a tourist trap is really a nice local joint.
(4)
Ted P.
Excellent food and service. Worth the price and I feel it was reasonable. Will look forward to returning whenever I'm in the neighborhood .
(5)
Carl M.
We had lunch on a cold Saturday sitting by the fireplace. The food, service and atmosphere could not have been better. Wished we lived closer so we could frequent the Inn more often.
(5)
Angela G.
Am only reviewing this establishment in its role as a venue for my cousin's wedding last Saturday with lunch/reception following. Beautiful outdoor setting for the small late morning wedding ceremony under a tent. Literally steps away was a private indoor dining area where the lunch reception was held. Choice of three main entrees for lunch. Food was good. Drinks were plentiful. The staff, dressed in period colonial costumes, did a great job of keeping our wine glasses filled! Could walk a few steps across the hallway to the Mt. Vernon Gift Shops and surrounded by the Washington's estate. Nice. (But I was only a guest, and don't know how the experience was arranging/setting everything up). Interesting colonial-themed menu items when looked normal menu at reasonable prices for type of venue.
(4)
Cathy P.
I haved lived in the Mount Vernon area most of my life and USED to enjoy taking visitors to this Inn as well as just enjoyingit myself regularly. So i was extremely disappointed and embarrassed when - after hyping the period authenticity of the food and staff - I had dinner there during the Christmas season with first time visitors from California. I had made reservations for a tour and also for dinner. The tour was wonderful. When our reservation was call for dinner though, they tried to place us in the bar area....which was filled with rowdy and loud customers. The host was extremely rude when we requested placement within the restaurant and not the bar, especially as we had reservations. We were informed that unless you specifically asked NOT to be placed in the bar you had no choice. After finally being able to speak with the 'manager' we were placed in one of the dining rooms. Although you could still hear the cheering, cup breaking (twice) and raucous behavior from the bar area. The staff were not dressed in period attire and the dinner menu was definitely not period era. The entrees were served lukewarm and were not especially good. I found myself apologizing to my guests. What used to be a wonderful experience....well, i definitely willl not take visitors there again and will not frequent the restaurant other than for lunch. Hopefully, that still remains the same as the past.
(1)
Nathan R.
My girlfriend and I went there for lunch this past Saturday and were utterly disappointed with both our meal and the service at Mount Vernon Inn. We were impressed with the overall decor and ambience of the establishment, but our meal was extremely bland and gave us stomach aches. I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich which didn't have much taste to it at all, while she ordered the pulled pork sandwich. Hers had a weird taste to it, and gave us both somewhat of a stomach bug hours later. Service wasn't good and I felt we weren't really being attended to despite the amount of servers/workers there. After we left, I checked my credit card statement and we were charged TWICE for the meal. We still haven't been reimbursed. I will not be going back. This being said, I never write bad reviews about restaurants. I feel this is warranted and serves to warn others about dining here. For such a famous American establishment, the food and service should be much better than what we experienced.
(1)
Kelly B.
Our family enjoyed the pork chop, roast turkey, chicken fingers, and catch of the day(Rockfish). The portions were large and generally well prepared. The kids items were not listed on the dinner menu but they offered grilled cheese, turkey, chicken fingers and hamburgers. The dining room was Colonial in decor and quiet despite being full. A calm and relaxing experience after a full day of hiking around Mt Vernon.
(4)
Melinda T.
Great food served quickly. One of the best parts of our trip to Mt Vernon was our friendly waitress, Brenda. She was attentive, courteous, and funny.
(5)
Jason G.
Way better food than you might expect from a place that mainly caters to tourists. The peanut soup is quite tasty, like a thinner version of a Thai peanut sauce. The hoecake appetizer is delicious, but you'll want more than you get. The grilled fish was extremely well-prepared, as were all the sides. Overall, quite a good meal. Just make sure to get your reservations early so you don't have to wait for a late lunch.
(4)
S P.
Food is so/so... The blacked mahi-mahi sandwich was GREAT! However, everything else was just okay. Not bad, but not great. Still a fun restaurant to visit, if nothing else for the historical significance. The service... Well, that's the issue. We've been here two times and both times the same: unfriendly, not a smile in the room of servers and hostesses. Food does come out pretty quickly which is great, but once the food is delivered the server completely ignores you for a significant period of time. I ended up having to take a place setting from a nearby table! I suppose the morale of the employees must be low as the associates in the gift shop are unhelpful and unfriendly as well.
(2)
F M.
We had dinner here for New Year's Eve and had yet another phenomenal experience here. The food and ambiance are first rate, and we were quickly seated upon arrival. If you're in the area, and wish to experience a unique and memorable culinary experience, check Mount Vernon Inn out.
(5)
Liz S.
Had lunch here after touring Mount Vernon. Salads and burgers that we had were great! Kids loved their big pulled pork sandwiches from the kids menu. They have something for everyone!
(4)
Robin D.
My husband and I were in town and decided to explore Mount Vernon for the day. At the end of Mt.Vernon hours, we were famished, so we decided to eat at the Mount Vernon Inn. I was pleasantly surprised to see that this restaurant was not just a "place to eat at a tourist attraction". The ambiance was very homey and seemed authentic enough for the time period that Mount Vernon celebrates. My husband ordered the Roast Duck and said that it was one of the best he ever tasted! I ordered the Shellfish Duo which was cooked perfectly! Yummy! Our friendly waitress went out of her way to make our night extra special. When we were looking at the dessert menu, my husband was disappointed to not see bread pudding on the list. He casually mentioned that to our waitress, and she told us that she could make bread pudding happen for us! And she did, and it was especially tasty! We were really impressed with this restaurant and will make time to stop by again next time we are in town!
(5)
Lori C.
I love this place and eat here quite a bit. The pulled pork sandwich is my favorite. The soups are pretty good and considering this is such a major tourist attraction the food quality is satisfying. This is not a cheap place but it isn't expensive. It is a nice place to sit and relax a bit while having a bite to eat.
(4)
Jonathan J.
What a great, unexpected gem! I stumbled upon it expecting it to be much more pricey given the location. The seafood was amazing as were all the other items. We'd return in a heartbeat.
(4)
Amy D.
We ended up eating here after the long, long day touring all of the interesting exhibits at Mt. Vernon. Initially, we were going to have a glass of wine and an appetizer, then head back into DC for dinner somewhere. Once we sat down and I got off my aching feet, though, I was down for the count. It happened to be my birthday, so I looked at my hubby and said, "Can we just eat dinner here?" Of course he said yes -- it was my b-day, after all! We enjoyed our meal and had very attentive service from our waiter Jorge. It probably helped that it was a Wednesday night, and we were among the first tables seated after the restaurant opened. I had the turkey dinner, and my husband had the duck with George Washington's favorite apricot sauce. Both entrees were delicious. I agree that it's a little pricey for what it is, but you have to put that aside and take a moment to reflect on the fact that you are dining on George Washington's estate. After spending six hours learning what an incredible person he was, it was nice being able to end the day with a meal he would have enjoyed himself.
(4)
jon C.
I'm giving the Mount Vernon Inn three stars for one very important reason that has nothing to do with the food or the service, but rather the facility. We were in the first dining room, when you walk in the front door, by the windows. During our meal, every time someone would open the main entrance, it would SLAM shut with a loud bang! Wood on wood bang! So the entire evening: BANG! BANG! BANG! Every time it made my colleague and I jump out of our chairs. A guy at the next table apparently tried to talk to the manager about it. The manger appeared sympathetic but did nothing to try and rectify the problem, so everyone in the room was treated to this frightful banging the whole time. Otherwise it's a nice place. The food was very good, though the prices were a bit high. I assume the high prices are to the fact that it's a tourist destination and so they tack on a tourist surcharge. I didn't feel we got our value for the prices paid. I had the steak and my colleague at the chicken fracases. Both were very delicious, our server was nice, and the general layout and ambiance of the place was good. All except that banging. If the door had not been banging the whole meal, and maybe if the prices were a bit less, I would give this place 5 stars.
(3)
Sarah C.
My husband and I got married at Mount Vernon Inn, and we couldn't have chosen a better venue. It is a beautiful, historic venue on the outskirts of the Mount Vernon Estate in Virginia, about 20-25 minutes to DC. All of our out of town guests enjoyed exploring George Washington's estate, especially our visitors from overseas. The restaurant is wonderful. I ate here several times beforehand "to check it out" (it was all research, I swear) and everything was delicious and all of the servers were always attentive and gracious. And the food was divine every time! It is such a neat restaurant we couldn't believe we could actually get married and have our reception here. (Our favorite was the hoe cake -- a must!!!!) What surprised us most was how reasonable it was as a wedding location. After looking into several DC area venues (and even some farms that were a 2-3 hour drive from DC), it was clear to me that the wedding industry is truly a business. All the prices for wedding events were INSANE. Not so at the Mount Vernon Inn. Their prices were truly fair for everything we got. As some previous reviewers mentioned, all of our guests we talked to couldn't believe how tasty the food was. We had around 125 guests, and everyone could pick from three or four entrees after they were seated. MVI also provided bottles of cold (Mount Vernon!) water bottles to our guests in the outside garden area where we were married! A special thanks to Mariita Campos. She worked with me in the months and weeks ahead of the ceremony over email to make sure everything was perfect. She was responsive and, as others have said, worked within our budget to make things perfect. She also was attentive to all sorts of details and questions ahead of time, and helped our "big day" go off without a hitch. She is truly a gem and goes above and beyond to make things as easy as they can be on a day always filled with nerves and high emotions!
(5)
Glenn D.
Salad had a tiny dollop of dressing. "Gravy" on ham was insanely sweet. Mashed potatoes were ok. Tea was not very good. There was nothing 4 star I could find here. Very disappointed. Given the price, I'd rather go to Ray's the Steaks...
(2)
Fred D.
We are visiting from California and hoped that everything would be good, but it was FABULOUS!! Our waitress was Sharon who was absolutely FANTASTIC and made a good time GREAT! If you go ask for Sharon and try her recommended Shrimp and Grits and you will go home happy.
(5)
Nerusia B.
Sunday Brunch at the Mount Vernon Inn was absolutely brilliant. I had been visiting my girlfriend in DC for Halloween weekend, and decided that on our way to Richmond we'd stop to see Washington's casa. We casually walked into the beautiful inn and decided to have brunch. There was no wait, and the gift shop next to it is amazing. The food,I kid you not to this day, we still talk about the B.E.L.T Sandwich we had. Delish and highly recommended! Service was attentive, and really, a surprisingly affordable place for being a tourist attraction. I hope you enjoy your day at Mount Vernon as much as we did!
(5)
Cullen M.
The Mount Vernon Inn is conveniently located next to the gift shops for Mount Vernon. There are no reservations (except for special holiday events like Thanksgiving), so its first come first serve. On busy days, you may wait a while, so plan ahead. The restaurant itself is cozy and resembles an 18th century tavern, with open fireplaces and decor to match. All the wait staff are also dressed as they stepped out of the 1780s. The menu has a wide selection of sandwiches, entrees, salads and appetizers, all with a mid-Atlantic flair. Some of the highlights include open-faced turkey sandwich, hot-brown, turkey pot pie, and other such dishes. There are daily specials; on the day we were there, the meat and potato pie was on the list and it was delicious. Apparently, it was the same recipe that George Washington himself considered to be his favorite meal. There is a wide selection of beverages and desserts as well; be sure to try the desserts, they are worth it. The wait staff are friendly and will meet your needs, sometimes without you needing to ask, such as bringing you a refill on your drink or extra napkins. The cost is reasonable and probably not more than what you would pay at a pub in Old Town. Like I said though, plan ahead, especially on busy days. You can, however, put your name in and then browse the gift shops; they will come find you if you are in the immediate area.
(5)
Amanda T.
We went for lunch and while the food was good the service was terrible. Our waiter was less than pleasant and slow as molasses. He would leave the table and be gone for long periods of time leaving us without drink refills and unable to ask about our appetizer order. We ordered the corn bread that everyone raves about because we wanted to try it and because we were starving and knew it would hold us off until our food came; however, it never came out. When the waiter brought out our food, he said, "oh, you still need the cornbread". I told him I no longer wanted the cornbread since our food had arrived and he said, "so you don't want the cornbread now?". It was ridiculous of him to even question my response. Who wants an appetizer with their meal? Lastly, we were done and ready for the check but our waiter was nowhere to be found. After 10-15 minutes, we finally just left our table and headed to the hostess booth to have the hostess track him down. After picking the Inn over the food court, we unfortunately left feeling very disappointed.
(2)
Lyn P.
We visited here during Alexandria's restaurant week - not sure what was regularly on the menu or what but we had a decent meal overall. They start you off with homemade bread and crackers. The bread was okay but the crackers were fantastic. I could definitely go to town on those if there was cheese involved! We ordered a hoecake as an extra appetizer to share because, come on, it's hoecake! It was topped with Smithfield ham along with crab and a hollandaise like sauce. I really enjoyed it but my friend thought that the ham was too salty. We both had the fried green tomato for our main appetizer. It was okay - I though there was too much breading and it didn't really let the flavor of the tomato shine through. Our main courses were the best part of the meal and both were fabulous. My friend had the pan seared duck breast and I had the ribeye steak - both of which were perfectly cooked and flavorful. The garlic mash and veggies that came as the sides to both our meals were great. Dessert was a bit of a disappointment because they were out of bread pudding so I had to settle for the (just ok) carrot cake. My friend had the lemon chess pie which was much better. So a bit of hit and miss but they get a pass because nothing was horrible and it was a good experience as far as atmosphere and service.
(3)
Tiffany Y.
Only leaving 1 star because I don't have the option of leaving 0. We chose to eat here based on the menu having Gluten Free items clearly marked, as I have Celiac so that is quite important. I ordered a clearly marked Gluten Free salad and when it was brought out it was missing the dressing. The waitress then brought me oil & vinegar. Telling me that they couldn't guarantee the dressing was Gluten Free. I spoke with a Manager and asked why if they were unsure why would they have the item clearly marked on the menu as Gluten Free then? To which he of course didn't have an answer for. He asked if I wanted to order something else, but at this point I don't trust anything marked on the menu as being accurate. On top of this our server was rude, forgot my husband's soup and treated us as if we were an inconvenience to her day.
(1)
Kaitlin H.
We went during Restaurant Week. We had a group of 4 adults & 2 kids. I got the garden salad, which unfortunately had egg on it, so I did not like it or eat it. My meal was apricot glazed duck leg confit and mac & cheese. The duck was good--I have never had it before so had nothing to compare it to. The mac & cheese was also good, but nothing truly special. Dessert was white chocolate bread pudding which was again, good but nothing special. A little too sweet. Our server was OK--at times she was pretty cold, but at the end she was very friendly. We sat in a room with a fireplace--I loved the atmosphere. We will come back one night when we can sample the full menu. I did appreciate getting a phone call to confirm our reservation, because the woman told me it was Restaurant Week & a limited menu, which I did not know. So on that end, service was very good & polite.
(4)
Liz C.
Our friends and I went to eat lunch here after touring Mt Vernon. The staff are dressed in time period clothing and the service is very good. The atmosphere is casual and family friendly. We ordered the grits (apparently made at the Gristmill down the street), the rosemary chicken, the veggie lasagna, and the pulled pork. I was really impressed with the grits and pulled pork. They were incredibly flavorful and delicious. I am so glad we went here instead of the food court! And the food is totally affordable (everything is priced around $13). The only downside was the amount of screaming/crying kids that you will probably find at any tourist attraction, on the other hand, they are kid friendly.
(3)
Alejandra A.
Too bad the service was a little on the slow side...otherwise this place would have taken all 5 stars. I had the ham and cheese sandwich, simple but very flavorful. That ham was killer! I also had to try the bread pudding...of heavenly piece of yummy goodness. Love that the place mats show different things related to GW and love that the staff is in full plantation gear. Not bad for what usual museum food places offer.
(4)
Brian C.
Had dinner here twice during vacation. Meals were prepared as ordered, staff was attentive without being over the top, and the atmosphere was friendly and comfortable.
(4)
Ellen K.
I went here for the first time when touring Mount Vernon. The thing I liked the most about this place is how KID FRIENDLY they were. I have a toddler and my waiter was AWESOME with him. He brought all of our food and drinks out fast - which is important with small kids. I got the pulled pork sandwich and it was very good. My boyfriend got the turkey pot pie - which did not look appetizing - but he literally licked the bowl clean it was so good. SWEET TEA IS THE BOMB!! Perfectly mix of tea and sugar. Definitely order it. And the prices for lunch were very reasonable for a sit down meal at a huge tourist attraction.
(5)
Kent W.
We spent the day visiting Mount Vernon and had a late lunch here of the Peanut chestnut soup, pumpkin soup, cornbread and fried green tomatoes. How Virginia! Excellent, graceful service.
(4)
Ashby C.
We enjoy visiting Mount Vernon, the inn is beautiful and the new bar tender is awesome! We look forward to going to the inn whenever we can, it's always pleasurable!
(5)
Reni M.
Excellent service and quality food. I really liked the cornbread. Love this place and I would definitely come back again.
(5)
Trika R.
After spending a couple hours out in the freezing cold exploring the grounds my family and I had a late lunch here. I wanted to try the lasagna but they told me after 10 mins they were out, I went for the chicken and it was great! The French fries were awesome! This is a great place eat at after spending the day here, the food is delicious and my entire family would give this restaurant five stars.
(5)
Joshua M.
Great location and ambiance. Peanut and chestnut soup was like a peanut butter soup, and good. Salmon cakes were fresh and tasty. The meat pye was excellent, but a bit salty! Recommended!
(4)
Trishia P.
Out of all the choices on the property (the food court), I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to eat at the Mt. Vernon Inn. The food here is the typical American comfort food. I had the Root Beer, it was a little flat. But for lunch I had the grilled salmon, veggies, mashed potatos and crabcakes. The crabcakes were really good. Lightly fried with a nice crunch exterior. The wait was a little long that day since there was a wedding party in the other dining room but the staff was really courteous. The inn itself is modelled after an old inn, with china pattern print wall paper and George Washington era furniture. Its nice and has that American charm. If I ever get a chance to visit again, I hear breakfast is nice.
(3)
Ben B.
Food was pretty good. I had the Chef's special which was fried jumbo shrimp and fries for $16 at lunch. It was about what I expected. The root beer was pretty good as well.
(4)
Thomas S.
We were really pleased with this place. We were there on a Friday at an off time for Lunch/Dinner (about 3PM). We were seated right away and the food was served fast as well. The food was great and the experience was great. The prices were only a bit higher than places like the Smithsonian food court, possibly Mount Vernon's own food court, but the experience was much better and I am sure the food was better. If you go to Mt. Vernon, don't shy away from this place because you think it will cost a lot more than the food court.
(4)
Tina G.
I really love this restaurant, the restaurant's decoration and the waitress' dress are all telling you the history about Mount Vernon. Food here is also delicious and their menu is changed routine, so check before you go!
(5)
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Address :Historic Mount Vernon,3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy
Mount Vernon, VA, 22309
Alan K.
My parents were in town visiting. They've been to DC countless times and done most of the standard tourist crap, but we had never made it to Mount Vernon. I had heard good things and my mom loves history and museums, so it seemed like a good option. I didn't really want to eat AT the Mount Vernon restaurant. I figured it'd be another overpriced tourist trap tacked on just to squeeze a bit more money out of visitors before they leave. You even have to walk through the gift shop to get here! I thought for sure it would basically be Guy Fieri's Presidential Kitchen and Bar. But when Pat Sajak endorsed the Mount Vernon Inn during the intro video, it was game over and my parents were determined to eat here. I was sure it was going to be like eating in a Washington-themed Applebees, but I was relieved to be proven wrong! Everything was pretty reasonably priced and tasty. The cornbread appetizer with vanilla bean butter was probably the highlight. My parents of course had to try the peanut soup (Pat Sajak approved!). My club sandwich was good and the accompanying house made chips were delicious. One of the best features of this restaurant is actually what it lacks--screaming tourist kids! The food court makes sure of that. It's nice to have a quiet, relaxing, grown-up place to refuel after a couple hours walking around in the Virginia humidity. Everyone left full and satisfied. Thanks Pat Sajak!
(3)Justin C.
Food here was good. Service was good as well. It seemed a little scattered but my drinks were always full. It just seems like so many people are running in a million different directions to get things done. We were one of the first people in line when they opened but still had to wait "30-35" minutes which turned into 45 minutes. They seemed to let large parties in first which filled the small room up. They aren't willing to take names before 12:00 when they opened which was frustrating. Having two private parties also contributed to longer wait times. The waiting and what I see as a lack of organization is why I didn't give a higher rating.
(3)Dianna L.
Good food, beautiful place. Try the bread pudding! You won't be disappointed!
(4)Kasandra Z.
very disappointed for the reviews this place received. some of the worst service I've ever received. EXTREMELY rude host. waiters not very attendant. the food was mediocre, honestly.
(1)Tunisia S.
This place was recommended to me by a client so I figured I'd give it a try. The staff were very friendly. The ambience was nice. The restaurant is clean and dimly lit. My waiter's name was Will and I pretty much let him decide on everything for me. To my surprise, his selections were delicious. I had the Spinach and Strawberry Salad with grilled salmon and Bleu cheese. Yum!! I also tried the corn bread bc why not?! Will recommended the Lambrusco which is a sparkling red wine and I fell in love with it. I'm not a fan of red wine but this wine was amazing. It was a bit on the sweet side and not dry at all. I'll definitely look for this wine everywhere I go. I ended my meal with the famous Martha Washington bread pudding and it was good also but it had raisins which I'm not a fan of. My overall experience was great and I would highly recommend visiting this place when you're in town. Next time I'll definitely try the shrimp and grits.
(4)Kristopher George L.
Fantastic service and quality of food is great. We had the corn bread and fried green tomatoes for appetizer and crab cake sandwhich and Cobb salad for our meal. Great historical type atmosphere would recommend to anyone who comes here.
(5)Mach S.
When Pat Sajak recommended eating at the Mount Vernon Inn during the orientation film they showed at historic Mount Vernon, I thought it was a shameless plug. Boy, could I had been more wrong. Pat was right! We visited Mount Vernon, which is an amazing place in itself. We laughed when decided to eat lunch at the Inn based on Pat Sajak's recommendation. During the orientation film, Pat recommended the Peanut soup and bread pudding. How could the "Wheel of Fortune" guy be wrong? We walked by the crowded Food Court and headed straight for the Inn. We had an appetizer of cornbread in the smallest skillet I've ever seen. It was good and only $3, but I wished that skillet had been bigger. Next we all shared a bowl of their Virginia Peanut & Chestnut Soup for $7. Holy cow! It was good. I hadn't had a bowl of Peanut soup since The Surry Inn closed down years ago. I had the Tavern Cobb Salad for $10. It was very good. My wife had Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf for $15, which I had a few bites and enjoyed. My daughter had the Colonial Turkey Pye for $12. It was better than Marie Callender's! We wrapped up our meal with the Bread Pudding. It was as good as Pat suggested.
(5)Toshi I.
I liked the décor and ambiance here. I had the shrimp and grits. Yum! I tried some of the peanut soup people were talking about which didn't disappoint. Recommend if you've been walking all day.
(5)paul v.
it a tourist trap..... mediocre food ( at best) and so-so service. it's popular because it's the only restaurant on site.
(2)Karisa D.
I wonder what our first President, Mr. George Washington, would think about his home becoming a tourist spot. Not only can people tour his estate, but people can also dine at Mr. Washington's residence. Mount Vernon Inn is located right on the Mount Vernon property (conveniently located by the gift shop. Inside, you will find staff somewhat dressed in period outfits, serving up some surprisingly tasty food. My friend and I went to Mount Vernon Inn for happy hour (who knew they had a happy hour). We were greeted and seated immediately. It wasn't busy when yet when we arrived and so we chose to sit in the bar area. I will say, we were probably the youngest people in the restaurant by at least 10 years, but that's not to say that it was at all quiet. It was actually quiet lively in the bar area. They have a list of beers, wine, and some cocktails that are on happy hour price. They also have some food specials as well. My friend and decided on wine and split the following appetizers: crab cake sliders, baked brie, and mussels. Our choices were spot on. The crab cakes were tasty and full of crab meat, which is always a plus for me. The baked brie with jam was delicious and was perfect with the fresh bread they brought out. The mussels had just the right amount of flavor and were well seasoned and prepared. The service was really good throughout the night. Our waiter was friendly and attentive. The manager even came over to make sure we had what we needed. A surprising find for happy hour but a unique place to go.
(4)Anna L.
The great food and interiors were matched with the outstanding service and friendliness of the host Will go back to explore more of the food and wine on offer
(5)Diane C.
First Barry B--"a slave vibe but not in a bad way"--really? Come to NY. We had hoped for a place ala Williamsburgh or Sturbridge but were disappointed--food seemed too 21st Century. The atmosphere seemed "off". Not sure why. The silverware on the table was mismatched (and I'm not talking about why the forks had only 3 tines--some had one pattern of silverware and some others) When I asked the server if the Maryland Crab soup was spicy she hadn't tried it but didn't think so--it was VERY spicy, even those at the table who liked spicy said that it was good but spicy. Peanut Chestnut soup was "eh". The only thing that was worth the meal was the bread pudding for dessert. Our final assessment was that we would have been better off eating at the food court, that we would have gotten more of a value for our money (and we had such high hopes and were willing to pay for a nice experience)
(2)Victoria Z.
Pros: -Nice ambiance with the historical building, historical clothes and big fireplaces. -Great menu, it was hard to decide what to eat. -Amazing food, I wish I did not fill up so fast so I could try what everyone else ordered! -Good prices for the quality and quantity of food Con: -Your boyfriend playing with all the noisy kids' toys at the gift shop.
(4)Marina V.
I've been to Mt Vernon twice within last 2 years, and have eaten at their restaurant twice as well. Their bread pudding is fabulous. Had a bourbon/fresh mint/sweet water drink (Mint Julip I think it was called) - it was yummy. And the fried green tomatoes appetizer - just like mama used to make (if I had a mama who cooked southern food, that is). :) Really great place!! Love it!! Hope to be back for the 3rd time!
(5)Kathleen M.
Historical Costumes? Great food near a wonderful Historical Site? Yes please! I had visited Mount Vernon as a child and loved it so I brought my own children there. This visit was just for adults and it was the best one yet. The new Visitors' Center and this restaurant made for a magnificent day. Plus, in full disclosure mode, I do like to pretend I actually lived in colonial times, it's my Williamsburg fantasy, and this restaurant satisfied this illusion perfectly. I wouldn't have even cared about the food, they had me at historical costumes. All of us tried different entrees, all delicious, the service was superb and the fantasy? Priceless. If you go to visit Mt. Vernon this completes a perfect day. (Well this and the cute Cherry themed tea set but that's a different review.) I cannot tell a lie, you will love it.
(5)Jill C.
Nice ambiance! We have always had good meals here!
(4)April J.
i went for lunch not knowing what to expect since it is an Inn attached to the gift shop. Service was prompt and the turkey sandwich was great. A generous portion of fresh hot sliced turkey with bacon, swiss, lettuce and tomato on a toasted ciabatta roll with secret sauce (russian dressing) served with homemade chips for about $10. Definitely better than the last turkey sandwich i had at another restaurant. Will check this place out for dinner and hope it's as good as lunch. And since it will be after 5pm, I will try the pumpkin martini too.
(5)Joni H.
We're going to have our wedding here, so we came here yesterday with some of our friends to try some of the food that we're going to have at the wedding. Everything was delicious! Loved the homemade colonial crackers and the Mount Vernon Harvest Ale. The entrees that we had were grilled salmon with a side of sambal sauce and hollandaise sauce, filet mignon with mushroom demi glace, seared crab cakes, and sliced duck breast with garlic shrimp. Everything was excellent! If you're looking for a venue for your wedding, I highly recommend this place. So far, our experience with this place has been wonderful. I'm sure I'll be back on here to write another glowing review after our wedding.
(5)Chris D.
The service here is top notch. The food can be hit or miss. I went here for lunch, I got a chicken salad sandwich and was not disappointed. My coworker got a ham sandwich and was not impressed. The atmosphere here truly makes the meal worth it. I have been told the turkey pye is worth a few trips.
(4)Wendy H.
After walking all over the estate, my host and I were starving. At his suggestion I had the peanut soup, which was unique and yummy. I picked up a dish towel with the recipe on it from the giftshop so I can try it out at home. I had the special microbrewed rootbeer which was delicious, and for dessert I had bread pudding, which was amazing! Our server was enthusiastic and attentive. All in all, it was a great way to top off our visit to Mt Vernon.
(5)Angel T.
My husband and I were very pleased with the service that the Mt. Vernon Inn provided on our wedding day on the 24 August 2012. It was a short notice for a venue but we were really lucky for Mariita and Matt to allow us to hold our ceremony and reception at the Inn. The food was awesome. Majority of our guests ordered the filet mignon with the crab cake. They all raved about it. Our young guests enjoyed the chicken nugget menu. I'm still craving the awesome raspberry sorbet! If you haven't eaten here, it's worth it. I will definitely go back for more. A week before our wedding, we ate there as regular guests. I loved the colonial bread pudding too.
(5)Jessica L.
The wait staff was outrageously friendly. We were there just after the lunch rush, and our waitress was still in a delightful mood. The food was good too. I had the "Colonial Turkey Pye" which was good, but not out of the ordinary. The bread pudding was delicious however. Very tasty.
(4)Chris F.
Went here for dinner as my visiting parents wanted some good old fashioned American food. MVI did not disappoint, and quite frankly surprised me. This was my first visit to MVI and was afraid it would be a disappointment like Gadsby's Tavern. I ordered the Rib eye and the rest of the group had the scallops and shrimp. The steak was excellent.....great seasoning, perfectly cooked, nice flavor. The seafood garnered similar accolades. The only aspect of dining here that could be better is the noise. Given the fact that it is a tourist destination, early diners will most likely have to tolerate unruly kids and screaming babies. The workaround is to reserve your table after 7:30. Perhaps management would consider designating one of the rooms a "quite room?"
(5)Joe A.
Food was excellent, service was excellent and the environment was excellent too. Had the roasted duck and blueberry tart. Best duck I have ever had. Portion sizes were generous for a high end place. You will definitely get your money's worth in food. Our server's name was Louis and he did a great job as did the server assistant, Ian. Will come back and bring friends.
(5)Alan M.
We went here for Labor Day weekend as I am GWU affiliated. I wanted to learn more about Washington's history and home. The first thing we wanted to do was dine at his restaurant of course and taste what he tasted. But to our dissatisfaction the server was not attentive to us, nor did he bring us our drinks, appetizers or entrees in a timely manner. However, he did rush and constantly bring ice teas, and other items to the older couple next to us. As they sat down a good 10-15 minutes after us they left 15-20 minutes before us. There is some discrimination as far as service is concerned. The food was served warm for the most part except for one dish. The soup was warm as well. The root beer was not home brewed as the server confirmed when asked, but it was good. The dessert was probably the fastest item to reach us but that was due to the fact another server came to assist. I really wanted to experience Mount Vernon's Inn but unfortunately the service left us thinking we were not welcome for whatever reason. Therefore, I recommend visiting Mount Vernon, but perhaps dining at the Food Court is the best avenue. The Food Court has a variety of excellent quick dining choices. Our meal at the Inn was an hour, and it wasn't that busy, with half of it waiting on the server.
(3)Casey K.
My boyfriend surprised me one night and took me here during Christmas. We were both pleasantly surprised with how good our meal was, how WONDERFUL our service was, and how relatively inexpensive it all was. We started off with the fried brie (how could you not?) and the hoe cakes with cornmeal, crabmeat, and ham - both were fantastic. Our waitress recommended a good bottle of wine (only $38) and I had the turkey dinner - which was just average, but the peanut stuffing was very tastey and the bf got the steak, which he said was fantastic! For dessert we split the peppermint ice cream/ chocolate cake roll up which was also delicious! Great date spot!
(4)M S.
Saturday evening my girlfriend Nancy whom I had known since the seventh grade picked me up from my parents' house and we came here for a special dinner and to catch up. As many know, the first U.S. President George Washington's estate is the Potomac River front's Mount Vernon mansion. While long famous as a historical attraction, it recently underwent extensive renovations and garnered even more fame when it was a setting for the fictitious U.S. President's birthday celebration in the National Treasure 2 movie in which Nicholas cage briefly kidnaps the President. The Inn is a colonial-style restaurant in architecture, interior design, and in dining. In fact everything about it reminds me of my college days when a special night out was going to the Christiana Campbells' Tavern in Colonial Williamsburg for a game pie dinner. On a more personal level, being a Virginian, and having attended the College of William and Mary, which is also the alma mater to George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, Mount Vernon does hold a bit of a special place in my heart. So coming here for dinner did tug a bit at my heart strings. We were seated at a nice corner table. First we vassilated between ordering a bottle of the Sterling Vintner's Collection Merlot or ordering a couple of glasses of wine. Eventually we went with the Merlot. Nancy had the rockfish, which looked really good. I had the three-course dinner special which consisted of a bowl of the peanut soup, London broil with mashed potatoes, baby string beans and baby carrots, and German chocolate cake. Portions were large, though I found the soup and London broil a bit on the salty side but none-the-less tasty. Nancy also had some vanilla ice cream and coffee as I ate my cake. When we received our bill we were a bit surprised to see that the charge for the bottle of Merlot was $10 more than it had been listed on the wine list. When we asked our server Elsie about the difference, she admitted she noticed that too, and would send the manager over. He corrected it, providing the excuse that an incorrect key had been entered. Right! After settling our bill we thought we'd finish our wine and coffee, we were even more surprised (especially when several other tables were available) when the manager asked us to leave as another party was waiting for our table. Although he did offer to bring our glasses of wine and coffee into the sitting room across the hall, both Nancy and I found his behavior very unprofessional and quite disappointing. Indeed, I have never been asked to leave a restaurant for behaving well (or poorly)! Up until receiving the bill, I would have rated our experience with five stars. Following receiving the bill, and being asked to leave, I must rate my experience as one star.
(1)Brian F.
George Washington's Mount Vernon is a terrific place. I stayed there about 6 hours, and could have stayed longer. The Mount Vernon Inn is a sub-par place to eat, and I would never recommend that anyone eat there. I ordered the cornbread and the turkey pie. The cornbread was served in a small skillet, which it was obviously not cooked in. They just wanted to provide that look. It was cold, and somehow rubbery? The honey-vanilla-bean butter on it was ice cold, and boring. The turkey pie was very sub-par. I do not exaggerate - this tasted like a frozen Hungry-Man turkey pot pie. And it was a very small portion. My sister-in-law got the roasted chicken with veggies. The chicken was WAY overcooked, dry, and flavorless, and the vegetables were flavorless, and barely cooked. Again, this is a review of the Mount Vernon Inn, not Mount Vernon (which is an amazing place). But if you go, do yourself a favor and just eat Pizza Hut or a burger in the Mount Vernon food court. It will be cheaper, and I guarantee it will taste better.
(2)Megan M.
Hunger is the best spice. Even so, I think the food at Mount Vernon Inn would be pretty darn tasty without the nine mile bike ride up from Alexandria. As it was, we were ravenous, and just weren't feeling "food court food". So in we walked for lunch one particularly beautiful Saturday. Though MV proper was a mob scene of field trips, the restaurant was pleasantly busy without being packed. The Hubs started off with a few beers, Mount Vernon Harvest Ale's to be exact, which were smooth and had a nice roasted flavor. I sized up the Mint Julep's; but ultimately decided on seltzer. Heat + Exercise+ Libations + National Monument = I shudder to think. We started with friend green tomato's, which were served with (I'm told) homemade tomato sauce and herbs from the garden. Charming, whether or not its true. (I like to think it is, and I did visit lettuce and basil growing right outside later that day. ) They were awesome, and came with house made rye bread crackers that I've been dreaming about. I may have to write in, old school Gourmet Reader's Request style, to see if they'll share. (Ruth, I miss you!) I had a Tavern salad which was a crispy and filling version of a chef's salad; supposedly with more garden greens. Came with amazing corn muffins. DH had a turkey club and the house made chips. They went dangerously well with his ale, and I may have snagged a few for myself. I'll second the reviewer that said it felt a lot like the William Penn Inn. Sure, there were kids drinking Coke, and the menu isn't exactly authentic, but I wasn't complaining about that or the anachronistic air conditioning. The view of the property was fantastic, the food was tasty; and we enjoyed ourselves immensely. Refreshed and renewed for the rest of our visit at Mount Vernon.
(4)Jessica P.
The good: The service is extremely attentive and friendly. Food comes out piping hot. The restaurant itself is delightfully built and decorated. We wanted just one meal to share and our server made sure we had big portions (which I didn't actually want, but assume most people would). The bad: The food is just not THAT good, for a fancy restaurant. We had the fried chicken which wasn't that moist, the corn biscuit was also fairly dry, the beans looked like they came from the freezer and weren't seasoned much (squash was okay). The highly recommended bread pudding was boring, not tasty, and most of it stayed on our plate. Compared to the food court, I would still eat here...but don't let your expectations get ahead of you :)
(3)Christie P.
Mount Vernon on a chilly holiday weekend is a busy place, and the Inn was packed with fellow tourists seeing a good meal and respite from the cold. My husband and I tried the fried green tomato parmesan and it was delicious! We both had the meat and vegetable pye. The pye was piping hot and well-seasoned, and the vegetables that came with it were a perfectly cooked blend of cabbage, carrots, and broccoli. I had a glass of Virginia wine, and he had a local craft beer with his meal. Overall, the Inn is a good alternative to the Food Court, and I would gladly return.
(3)Damon B.
I've eaten at the restaurant once. It was okay, not great. I was especially unhappy with the peanut soup which tasted like watery peanut butter. While I'm concerned that my expectations were out of line with the soup, the other food we had was actually pretty good. I also thought the service was excellent. If you are in the area, it's a fine place to grab a bit to eat.
(3)Joe B.
Came here for my birthday and restaurant week. Wife Had the filet and I had the New York strip. The food was amazing and our server Elsie was fantastic. The manager Fabiano came to our table several times to check in us and even gave me a free pass for the estate.
(5)Mary K.
Everything was good till we heard the background music of 20th century smooth jazz. Jazz? What on earth is going on? Who goes to Mount Vernon Inn for such out of place atmosphere...no one! Why are there electric candles, a big TV at the bar? This is just awful. once the Inn strived for a 18th century atmosphere and now it's being spoiled by these terrible 20th/21st century intrusions. Go back to the way it was, perhaps you should take a lesson the way Colonial Williamsburg handles their restaurants. They keep to the correct time, that's why people go there. Please do something about this. You're spoiling the feel of the estate.
(3)Jason K.
The food was ok but it took FOREVER to get it. Service was agonizingly slow.
(2)Jessenia G.
I had my wedding here almost two years ago and I was extremely pleased with the service, the food, the price, and how wonderful they were to me. I had met with Matthew Heis and also with Lene Stauffer and both were able to answer my questions and help me throughout the wedding preparation (deciding on the best sauce for the food, the right vegetable to go with the course, ways to save on the alcohol, food for my vegetarian friends, etc). Matt was also there on the day of the wedding and was attentive and helpful. He introduced himself to my parents, godparents, and let me know it was time for the pictures. As far as the food, I couldn't be more pleased with the food I ordered. I had my hubby pick the Grilled Salmon with a sauce recommended by Matt (can not remember what it was but it was sort of a tangy taste), and I chose the Petite Filet Mignon with Crab Cake so we could both share the two different plates we ordered (yes, I couldn't decide which one to go to, so we shared!). They were both delicious! I hardly ever post on yelp but I am planning a trip to Mount Vernon and remembered how wonderful they were to me. I give them five stars because they, along with all the waiters and staff made my wedding be so memorable. So if you are looking for a place to get married, I definitely recommend this place! The food, the service, and the ambiance made it so memorable. I still have friends coming to me and tell me how much they enjoyed the wedding and how much they loved the waiters in their colonial uniform. :-)
(5)Will C.
Nice ambiance with very friendly and efficient service. Good for a romantic quiet dinner. For the price the food is just okay. The steaks are cooked to order perfect but the sauces they use are not that good. I would recommend getting the steak without the sauce (which is how you should eat a steak anyway). I would also recommend calling for a reservation, most of the time they are not that busy but if they had a lot of people visiting the estate that day it could get crowded. If you factor everything in, overall it's a good place to eat if you are looking for a little nicer restaurant with a great atmosphere.
(4)Caitlin C.
Like many reviewers recently, I bought a deal off of Living Social and redeemed it the other day ($20 for $40 to spend on food). When we walked in for lunch, my boyfriend and I were delighted to see the historic restaurant theme the waiters wearing colonial outfits. I felt like I was at the American Adventure in Epcot again...until we were sat right next to the kitchen entrance where we could hear the staff bicker about random crap. And unfortunately right across from us they had this tacky room separator (think 1970's elementary school gym partition) that kept us from looking outside at the beautiful spring view. Sigh. The drinks were overpriced...$2.75 for a tiny champagne glass full of sparkling cider (not anything made special, just the grocery store kind), $3.00 for hot tea (it says they have "Specialty Teas" to choose from but I just got some off-brand crappy tea), etc. The pecan pie dessert looked and tasted like it was off the grocery store shelf. It's really strange because they sell so many specialty food and drink items in their gift shop, so why not offer them in the restaurant? I think the only things on the menu that were made at Mt Vernon were root beer and regular beer. The meal itself was pretty good -- they offer huge portions for a decent price. I got the salmon cakes, which were packed full of real salmon. It came with huge helpings of veggies and sweet potatoes, and cornbread. The veggies were a bit mushy and flavorless but the sweet potatoes rocked. My boyfriend got the shrimp and scallops which he said were good as well. I saw some other tables get the ham sandwich and dang did it look good (and I don't even like ham!). So overall, I think it would be a neat place to eat lunch if you're visiting the estate to get the whole experience -- but I definitely wouldn't go out of my way to eat here normally.
(3)Laura D.
The food is reasonably priced but not great. Our potatoes and vegetables came out cold, so we returned them. In return, we got some luke-warm potatoes and vegetables. Yum? For a family of 5, our bill was less than $60, before tip. I thought that was good for the atmosphere and great server. Don't go for the food, unless bland and under seasoned is your preference. But, do go if you're already visiting Mount Vernon.
(3)Whitney H.
I went here a few days ago for a friend's birthday, and we had a fabulous experience! We got the most Colonial things on the menu, and we were amazed at how wonderful everything was! The hoecakes appetizer was my favorite. =) The duck was phenomenal, and the dessert selection was wonderful--something for every tastebud! Our waiter was a delight--very accommodating and eager to please, and he had the greatest accent! I will definitely recommend this place to friends, and I'll likely be back!
(5)Jeff S.
Was hoping for so much more from this place, based on the reviews. While it was doubtless better than the adjacent food court, it suffered from several issues. Peanut soup: To be honest, I don't know what this is supposed to be like, but I found it oversalted. Duck cassoulet: Again, overly salty. Also the duck was overcooked (dry, as if it had been put under the broiler to reheat).
(3)Paul B.
I love this place! The food and service is amazing. I recently had my wedding there and it was great. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone.
(5)DM J.
I should have written this review ages ago. We had our wedding reception at the Mount Vernon Inn restaurant way back in July 05. I wasn't a bridezilla and let my mom do all the planning. When she told me this was the best deal in the Northern Virginia area, I believed her. My only issue, when I met with the catering manager, was the colonial garb. I grew up in the Alexandria area and am not unfamiliar with the colonial fascination, but I wanted no part of it. I asked if the servers could wear alternate attire but was told we'd have to pay for it. I decided to suck it up, provided that the host on duty that day, were he to be a server at my wedding reception, remove his eyepatch. The whole colonial pirate thing really didn't work well. The catering manager promised me I wouldn't even notice it on my wedding day. Well, I noticed the garb, but what I didn't even take into consideration was how friendly the staff is. They did an amazing job. The restaurant is a unique space for weddings because it has multiple rooms, not one big place. But that made it feel homey and fun and my friends all said the food was the best wedding food they'd ever had. The pictures turned out especially well because of all the beautiful colors and paintings on the wall--no need for special lighting. And of course it was the best wedding I've ever been to. Bottom line: this place has really good food, and if you're thinking about having a wedding reception in Northern Virginia, you really should consider it. The drive down the GW Parkway is an added bonus. And the staff/manager really know what they're doing. If I could give it 4.5 stars I would. The .5 star deduction is only because of the colonial garb and of course I realize it's a theme. Thanks, Mt Vernon Inn, four years later!
(4)Mike C.
We were initially interested in the food court, but it was packed with school groups, so we tried this restaurant on the property of George Washington's home. The food is pricey for the quality you get, but you're paying for the period setting. Staff our dressed in period clothing, but they must be hot, as I saw our waiter wipe his brow with his sleeve several times. Service was pretty good. There were limited vegetarian choices. I started with fried green tomatoes** which had unpleasant textures including tough tomatoes and a gritty shake-and-bake coating. The tomato sauce seemed generic. I then had a good and buttery kids' grilled cheese*** (as did my kids). They were served with oily and soft homemade chips***. My wife thought her vege lasagna*** was well made, but she didn't like the peppers in it. This restaurant also had one of my pet peeves: refilling soda from pitchers that are just sitting there on a mantle. Of course they were flat. This is a pretty good choice if you're in a historical spirit.
(3)Go K.
Date Attended: Wednesday, 12/09/09 Came here for a company holiday party. Started off having some muchroom, crabmeat, and cracker hors d'oeuvres. Not bad. For lunch I had a biscuit, salad, petite filet mignon, and bread pudding. Everything tasted good, although I wasn't a big fan of the bread pudding. Didn't taste bad, just not my cup of tea. All in all, what wins it for me was the service. The servers were really attentive and nice. Presentation and decor were good too.
(4)Theresa C.
Back in the day, I had a thing for George Washington. No, it wasn't like that. He has always been one of my favorite US Presidents. So what better way to celebrate the man than a trip to Mount Vernon. After touring the grounds, my tummy was ready for dinner. Instead of grabbing the regular cafeteria style garbage, I decided to try something a little more authentic (or as "authentic" as it can be because we know 18th century America did not accept American Express). And thus, I entered the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant. My inner history nerd was excited by the colonial interior and the waitstaff in period clothing. I ordered the Chicken with Dumplings, along with the peanut soup. I must say, it was delicious! And I'm coming out and saying it: It ranks up there as one of the best meals I have ever had. Every now and then, I still dream of that soup. So good, so creamy and so tempting to take a plane from Chicago to DC just to eat some more.
(5)Joseph S.
Good place to go after spending the afternoon at Mount Vernon. It is located right at the entrance to Mount Vernon. Waiters dress in period clothes and the restaurant has an old musty smell and decor to it to put you back in time. Food was okay. Nothing spectacular but nothing disappointing. Prices were a little expensive, like what you would pay at a big hotel restaurant. Good idea to make reservations in advance. Mount Vernon closes at 5:00, so a 5:30 or 6 PM reservation would be just perfect.
(3)Michelle O.
I heartily recommend the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant for any special event you might have. We recently used the beautiful light and airy VERANDA ROOM for a recent April Bridal Shower. Out of town guests were so impressed by the House Tour and the Boat Ride from George Washington's Wharf on the Potomac River -- these items are easily provided as a part of the Bride's special day by contacting the Mount Vernon Group Tour Office. Older guests could take the Shuttle Bus to the Wharf and it ran on time! Meanwhile the Mount Vernon Inn provided excellent service in setting up the room, serving the luncheon at the perfect time in between gifts and games and the food was wonderful!! The Bride chose a "cherry blossom" theme which worked perrctly with Mount Vernon and George Washington! A great time was had by all, and the Bridal Shower will be remembered for a long time. Michelle
(5)RD P.
Food was great! Atmosphere was just what you would expect being at George Washington's home. We ate there for lunch and it was really good. Our entire family loved it. I would give it 4.5 stars if I could on yelp. Dessert was also very good.
(4)Carly C.
We had our wedding here in October and the staff and service was amazing. Matt and Mariita did a wonderful job helping us prepare and the day of the wedding helped with everything. Everybody raved about the food and the service!
(5)Jason B.
visited for lunch on a sunday. perhaps expectations should have been lower but 4* on yelp had me thinking the food would be good, not just passable and bland. costumes were cute, service was good, and prices were reasonable . but the food? meh
(2)Yimei W.
I was here for a friend's wedding; for the most part, the venue itself was beautiful and you could get a decent meal. The ceremony room was adjacent to the reception room, which was very convenient. I felt there was something up with the waitstaff that day. I counted about 3 times where either a waitress nearly slipped and spilled water on a patron and 2 times there was a loud bang of plates dropping or something. That's not really pleasant during a wedding reception. Plus, it didn't help that one of the violinists tripped coming out from the reception room, adding to the spate of mishaps. I felt the waitstaff should've been here long enough to know their uneven flooring so that things could be smoother during an occasion like a wedding. Unless they were contractors..which could explain why it took awhile for the food to be served--maybe they couldn't figure out the kitchen or something. I would say it's a nice venue for a wedding or formal occasion and my friend's wedding turned out so pretty with the rain in the backdrop. It was a "cozy" atmosphere. But the place should be a bit more careful about noises and pacing of service.
(3)Phil L.
If you're at Mount Vernon it's a must to have the Peanut Soup. I've never had it before so I have nothing to compare it to but it was good.
(4)Mary Kate M.
For what its worth, this place was 'ok' good, not super good, or good good. We got here around 11:30am on Sunday morning to have a bite before finishing up our visit at Mount Vernon. We were greeted by a Chinese man dressed in period Colonial garb, soon followed by our Indian server dressed in her period garb as well. I liked the diversity to the place. This was definitely not your typical Colonial clan serving up your grub. We grazed the menu before we decided on splitting on a couple of items. I did get the peanut and chestnut soup. I really think it is seriously over-hyped because it wasn't that particularly good. My boyfriend and I ended up getting a bowl of it, and we just didn't want to finish it. I love peanuts... but I hardly loved... even liked this soup. As far as our sandwich goes, it was really nice. They were kind enough to split the sandwich and chips for us and bring them out on two separate plates saving us the trouble of taking care of this ourselves. All of it was just enough for us to eat. We really liked the honey mustard and used that as dipping sauce for our thin potato chips which are made in house. They were really good and tasty as well. Service was a bit lacking. We didn't see our server but maybe twice through the whole visit. That was when she got our orders and then when she brought the bill. Even after that, she was not the one to return the receipt for me to sign. I ended up giving myself a refill of water one time, and the other by flagging down a passerby server. The place wasn't that busy, so I am not sure why she never got back to us. The place is really cute itself. It seemed like a clean atmosphere and Colonial era-like. I would come back if I am at Mount Vernon. I definitely would recommend this place if you've got time to sit down and enjoy a meal because you certainly are going to get your money's worth here. More so than if you eat at the Mount Vernon food court. We stopped by in there, and some things were more expensive than the actual menu items that they had at the Mount Vernon Inn. Go figure. Enjoy your visit!
(3)Andy C.
Need a quick bite before, during, or after your Mt Vernon visit? Check out the Inn! We had great food and great service all at a reasonable price. It can get crazy busy here, so try to avoid lunchtime. We've eaten here at 11:30 and 1:30, which was much more reasonable. Best food experience I've had at a tourist attraction!
(5)TravelPro P.
The food was okay and service just okay too. We thought the waitress was new as she couldn't answer any of our questions about the menu and had to keep running to the kitchen, but then she said she had worked there for 3 years! The menu has some "authentic" to the era items mixed with the usual. The food sounded better than it tasted, though the cornbread was yummy.
(3)Kellie W.
Excellent food, outstanding service from Robert, and even the manger goes around the tables to check on guests. Plus, the ambiance sets you back to the colonial area. A must try when visiting Mount Vernon.
(5)Brian H.
Just wanted to say thank you Mt Vernon Inn for an amazing night. The food and service was great.
(5)Barry B.
Food schmood...it's all about the "atmosphere" at this wonderful little place. Don't get me wrong the food is very well done, a few good "period type" options. I went safe and got a club sandwich and a fried tomato appetizer that was very well prepared. My lovely dining partner got a "traditional" beef pie that was really well executed. What set this place apart for me was the wait staff in period clothing. We had a delightful young West Indian girl (kind of a slave vibe-after looking at all the history displays in the museum-but not at all in a bad way- it worked). This is a destination restaurant, don't drive out here just to eat, but as part of the broader experience of Mount Vernon do eat here. If you go to the Food Court (why the hell is there even one here- truly ought to rethink that) I hope you choke on your pan pizza.... okay that's mean, but seriously; go to the Inn.
(3)Jackie M.
I hate to write a bad review, but my husband and I celebrated out 17th anniversary there last night. They sat us in the red room. We were surrounded by other noisy guests. I had to ask my waitress for a refill for my soda every time. The food was good, but very expensive for what we got. Overall we were let down by our experience. The people were nice and friendly, but I felt like we were unexpected guests or something... Sitting in the middle of the room. Btw we did have a reservation so they were expecting us. We probably won't go back. When we spend $100 for dinner we expect to have a lovely time.
(3)Michele R.
An evening and dinner at the Mount Vernon Inn was to be a very special event for my then fiancé and me. It turned out to be a disaster- from beginning to end! My then fiancé (now husband) is totally blind, so he called ahead to notify and leave instructions, etc. For example, he wanted arrangements to be made concerning the bill, tip, etc. he didn't want the server to present me with the bill. We arrived on time, dressed to the "t"s, smiling and happy, and were greeted with "Can he walk down the incline?" My fiancé replied that he was not deaf, stupid, or crippled. Of course he could walk down the incline. We were seated across the room from cackling women, much too loud and boisterous for such a place. We had to move our chairs closer together in order to hear one another over the ruckus. We were not going to let that spoil our evening, however. Our waitress, sloppily dressed in early American regalia, asked for our drink order. A bottle of wine was ordered. She came with two wine glasses and handed them to me! Still optimistic, I took them and placed one before fiancé and one by me. She came with the bottle a few minutes later- didn't offer to pour into my fiancé's glass to allow him to test it- just poured directly into our glasses. My fiancé, a bread fiend, requested bread after ten minutes or so. This was brought, but, again, it was handed directly to me to place on the table! Was this the early American custom? No. I looked around and the other servers were behaving properly. This continued on and on throughout the dinner. Our waitress would absolutely not place dishes for me. She placed them for my fiancé, for the most part, but never for me! When it was time to collect the finished plates, I was determined not to hand her mine. She stood for several seconds waiting for me to hand her my plate! After close to a minute with her arm outstretched to me, and not wanting to ruin it for my fiancé who wanted to create a perfect evening, I handed her my plate. I asked for coffee. I knew how it was going to be, so I just accepted it in the name of keeping the peace. I must admit, however, that I really became alarmed when she acted very properly with the table next to us, where an older gentleman and young woman were dining. My coffee came and, yes, you guessed correctly, she handed it to me. By this time, I was on the verge of tears and my fiancé could sense something wrong. I needed another cup of coffee as, obviously, I was driving and it was a long way home. When she was within earshot, I had my fiancé call out to her to gain her attention. When he requested another cup of coffee for me, she came over, looked at my empty cup, and said quite loudly, "You drank all of that already!" Everyone in our section of the restaurant looked up at us (me?). I had to excuse myself I was so mortified. When I returned, my fiancé had guessed what had been going on, more or less. He would have liked dessert, bit I asked him if we could please leave and get dessert elsewhere. He asked her for the check when she returned about 25 minutes later. She quietly arrived and held out the check holder to my blind fiancé. He is very sensitive and old fashioned about the lady not seeing or taking care of the bill in any way. She stood there, silent as a church mouse, with what seemed like eternity, with her hand outstretched holding the check holder within two feet of fiancé's face. When I saw this would continue indefinitely, I grabbed the check from her out reached hand while audibly gasping. From start to finish this experience was a disaster! This occurred more than one year ago, but I've only now been able to write about it. It was TRULY that painful.
(1)Kent M.
Don't miss out on the Peanut & Chestnut soup - it is excellent! This is a very nice restaurant. As it is attached to Mount Vernon, attire can range from casual to formal. Serving lunch, and then dinner. The menu is not for those on an economy travel budget, but the food is well worth the money spent. Reservations are not required, but definitely recommended.
(5)Dave S.
Very reasonable and a good value. A little noisy and as a tourist place there can be disruptive children. Sunday meal of a Cobb salad and a Caeser salad with chicken were good. The chips are made on site and came out hot - great!
(3)Andrew L.
The Mount Vernon Inn restaurant, on the property of George Washington's Mount Vernon, offers lunch and dinner served in a Colonial atmosphere. Costumed waitstaff, wooden furnishings, paneled walls, a large fireplace and candles in the evening contribute to the ambiance. It's a great place to have lunch when visiting George Washington's Mount Vernon. (Much better than the food court alternative!) We especially like to dine here during the holiday season. At lunch, dishes range from hearty fare like Colonial Turkey Pye to soups, salads, and sandwiches to burgers. I like the Pulled Pork Barbeque Sandwich and the Smoked Turkey Club Sandwich. (Sandwiches are served with tasty Tavern Chips.) On our most recent visit, I had the Duck and Sausage Cassoulet. My wife likes the Tavern Salad. Be sure to try the signature Peanut and Chestnut Soup!
(5)Wesley H.
excellent meal after a long day touring Mount Vernon! The wait staff was great and the meal was very good. highly recommend the pork chop and the shrimp and grits
(5)John D.
We had their cornbread with vanilla bean honey butter, duck and sausage cassoulet, and blackened Mahi Mahi Sandwich. While the cornbread was good, the duck and sausage was flavorless, and the Mahi Mahi was so overcooked it was like rubber. The server forgot to bring out cups into which we could actually dispense the tea, too, and we just sat there staring at if for a while until we saw him again. If they're trying to recreate flavorless food that our forefathers ate, they nailed it. They should put a disclaimer on the menu saying that, though. Unbeknownst to them, I was evaluating the place for a potential wedding reception spot. needless to say, this won't be our venue.
(2)Emily A.
While our waitress was very nice, the service was not the best. To start off, 2/3 of us ordered unsweetened iced tea. With no sweetener on the table, we asked if she could bring some around when she had a chance. Well she never came back and I got up from the table and asked another waiter who then handed me some. I think all of our meals were mediocre however the mozzarella that was supposed to be on the grilled chicken sandwich was left off..not detrimental but disappointing..
(3)Dan D.
We had the Fried Chicken and the peanut soup. I was very pleasantly surprised how good the food was at a "tourist" location. Definately do not pass on the peanut soup! The service was very friendly and efficient for such a busy place. Probably expect a 20-45 minute wait but, you can put your name in and peruse the gift shop.
(4)Mason S.
Nothing can ever replace the garlic steak and cheese sandwiches but they have a new grilled chicken sandwich which is awesome for lunch. Their dinners are super nice if you are looking for a finer dining experience. Happy hour is decent too compared to other places in the area.
(4)Rachelle M.
This place is amazing!!! The prices are very reasonable, the portions large, and the service is impeccable. Deborah was the most amazing waitress and made my first time here so much fun! I can't wait to come back!
(5)Rey W.
Food was delicious!!! Prices vary depending on meal but for the average joe this place is awesome! Food always tastes the same and is always neatly served!
(5)R. C.
Delicious and elegant. A useful tip is that, if you have not made a reservation in advance for a table, the restaurant may be able to seat you at the bar -- and the food is the same. Rather than wait two hours for a table, we chose this approach and really enjoy it. The food was decadent, and the bartender was super friendly. We had both the spinach and artichoke dip and the crab cake from the appetizer menu, as well as some house bread and home made root bear from Mount Vernon -- and this amount of food was plenty filling for two people. The food was delicious, and the ambience was uniquely elegant. Great for both out-of-town guests and locals.
(5)Sara W.
If I had left a review a couple of years ago it would have been 4 stars. The last couple of years hasn't treated the Inn well. I used to take friends and family there and I would enjoy a nice dinner there as well, but the quality isn't the same. I will still go on occasion and it has the same feel and still looks the same. The peanut soup is still oh so delicious and the new cornbread addition is nice. There was a menu change more than a year ago and I haven't had much success ordering the new items. Either over cooked or just severe lack of flavor. Fish and veggies don't need to be bland. I used to really enjoy this place.
(3)Mike B.
Really enjoyed this restaurant on a recent trip to Mt. Vernon. We stopped in for lunch and had a great meal. Never had hoecakes before, but had to try one since they were a favorite of George Washington. Have to say...they were great. The club sandwich I had was one of the best I've ever had, and the parmesan french fries were outstanding. My wife also loved her peanut soup. Our server, Robert, was great. Highly recommend taking the time to hit this place if you visit.
(5)Patrick Gabriel L.
Colonial style eating. Talk about old school dining. Old Virginia ham. Vintage Root Beer. Exceptional bread pudding using day old dinner rolls. You can't get more authentic with colonial style eating then this spot. If you're in Northern Virginia enjoy the history at Mt. Vernon then get your tasty provisions at this spot. You won't be disappointed if you have both appreciation and respect for culinary history.
(5)D M.
We have been going to the Mount Vernon Inn for decades. We use do go here are a destination in itself, or when visiting other attractions nearby (like Pope Leighy House). We are disappointed that lately, it seems the quality and service are going downhill. It used to be quite upscale and of the highest quality, but in the past year or so, it seems to be resting on laurels earned in the past. The last few times we have eaten there have been plagued by cold, poor ingredient food, in different service, and unclean tableware & tables. We ordered a chicken & cornbread dish where the chicken was very tough & unevenly cooked (frozen?), and the waiter seemed irritated by our request for another... Our peanut soup was not hot, and our glasses/forks were dirty. My wife's dish came with a different side then stated. The dessert (pecan pie) seemed to be a low quality grocery store pie. One recent visit, we were told (by a manager) that most of the restaurant was reserved for a large party, and offered a seat at the bar. Reluctantly we accepted, and ate an uncomfortable meal in an otherwise empty restaurant. By the time we left, the restaurant was still largely empty save for a few tourist couples at the bar and a few tables. Questionable decision in my opinion. Perhaps catering to tourists they do not worry about gaining repeat customers, but the low quality will not bring us back.
(2)Galina G.
Peanut chestnut soup, cornbread, crab cake, turkey potpie were all good. Bread pudding real good! It was good for a tourist restaurant. Great service.
(4)Krista R.
Exceptional service! Love the waitstaff and the manager who even took the time to thank each table for coming in! Everyone was very nice and helpful! We tried the peanut and chestnut soup, very good if you love peanuts! For lunch we had the loui shrimp salad, coronal turkey pye and the blackened mahi mahi sandwich, all very well cooked! For the dessert we tried the bread pudding which was very yummy! Definitely would eat here again and the prices are reasonable :)
(5)Rob M.
After and outstanding tour of Mount Vernon, me and my friends are at the Restaurant and Inn at Mount Vernon. I can't say enough about how great the food and service is. The God was terrific from the appetizers to the soups and the entree's.
(5)Jeff C.
I stopped in here on a whim and discovered a dining time warp into 1776 that has to be seen to be believed. The menu is loaded with dishes that good old George himself would appreciate. However, what trumps it all, my fellow patriot, is the Peanut Soup! Let me say it again: The Peanut Soup! (Big sound stage echo here). A bowl of what is arguable the best soup that I have ever had is so rich, so creamy and peanutty that it could suffice as a meal in itself. They do a wonderful job of decorating the restaurant for the holidays with traditional holiday decor that really captures the mood, a beautiful setting that is perfect for any occasion. The employees are all garbed in traditional colonial dress which certainly adds to the experience. My bartender Harry suggested several traditional toddies that George Washington himself might have enjoyed. And of course, I have him to thank for the discover of Mount Vernon Inn's fantastic soup. I will definitely return for the excellent fare and charming decor of this somewhat overlooked gem. Hey, let's face it, when you say Mount Vernon, most people think of Washington's home and not restaurant. However, this colonial wonder is worth the trip in itself.
(5)Leo M.
Surprisingly good for a 'captive audience' restaurant This is the kind of restaurant we ordinarily try to avoid - charming decor with a captive audience of museum goers to ensure a constant flow of patrons no matter how good or bad the food. But we were very pleasantly surprised. Three of us ordered salads and they were without exception spectacular. My wife's steak salad - quotidian choice that it is - was simply the best she had ever tasted. Perfectly cooked and seasoned beef on a bed of arugula with feta, truffle oil, and parsnip 'chips' to add a bit of crunch - she just couldn't get over how well they had elevated this dish. And both my ahi salad and my daughter's Brussels sprout salad were not far behind. My son's salmon pasta was perfection of a different sort - creamy and rich and flavorful. However, his ahi flatbread was not as good - the ahi was a cut below that offered in my salad and they compensated by covering the fish in far too much sauce. Now for a word about the Virginia peanut and chestnut soup. A specialty of the house it is unlike anything you can get almost anywhere else - at least one person in your party must order it. At first it is a little off-putting then the umami builds and you find yourself spooning mouthful after mouthful until the richness forces you to stop. I recommend sharing. Lastly, the service was excellent except for one odd twist. Our kids ordered root beer - which for some reason comes from the bar - but we ordered iced tea. And apparently the bartender was far too busy serving beer, wine, and mixed drinks to reach around and pick up two bottles. Three times our server went back to try to get our root beer and failed. It was only on the fourth try - in the middle of our second course - that he finally brought our kids their drinks.
(5)Gina D.
Stopped for a late lunch after a day of walking around George Washington's Mount Vernon with the family. The food was very fresh and tasty. I'm personally not a peanut fan, however I tried my husbands soup and it tasted good. The warm goat cheese salad was amazing! I'd go back for that salad next time I'm in town.
(4)Jennifer V.
Went there for Happy Hour. Great deals from 5 - 8 M-F. After a suggestion from the bartender, ended up eating dinner at the bar. Alexandria Restaurant week just started and most places have a fixed $35 special. Mount Vernon Inn has $35 special for 2! My husband had crab soup to start - tomato based, fresh and spicy. Not a lot of crab, but good flavor. I had the Scallops Wellington. Very tasty. My entree was leg of lamb with rosemary gravy and husband had grilled trout. We enjoyed them both. There were three dessert choices - Tres Leches cake, flourless chocolate cake and peach amaretto ice cream. We boxed up the two cakes and took it home to the kids. I may have snuck a bite or two and they were both delicious. The staff is really sweet too. What could be a tourist trap is really a nice local joint.
(4)Ted P.
Excellent food and service. Worth the price and I feel it was reasonable. Will look forward to returning whenever I'm in the neighborhood .
(5)Carl M.
We had lunch on a cold Saturday sitting by the fireplace. The food, service and atmosphere could not have been better. Wished we lived closer so we could frequent the Inn more often.
(5)Angela G.
Am only reviewing this establishment in its role as a venue for my cousin's wedding last Saturday with lunch/reception following. Beautiful outdoor setting for the small late morning wedding ceremony under a tent. Literally steps away was a private indoor dining area where the lunch reception was held. Choice of three main entrees for lunch. Food was good. Drinks were plentiful. The staff, dressed in period colonial costumes, did a great job of keeping our wine glasses filled! Could walk a few steps across the hallway to the Mt. Vernon Gift Shops and surrounded by the Washington's estate. Nice. (But I was only a guest, and don't know how the experience was arranging/setting everything up). Interesting colonial-themed menu items when looked normal menu at reasonable prices for type of venue.
(4)Cathy P.
I haved lived in the Mount Vernon area most of my life and USED to enjoy taking visitors to this Inn as well as just enjoyingit myself regularly. So i was extremely disappointed and embarrassed when - after hyping the period authenticity of the food and staff - I had dinner there during the Christmas season with first time visitors from California. I had made reservations for a tour and also for dinner. The tour was wonderful. When our reservation was call for dinner though, they tried to place us in the bar area....which was filled with rowdy and loud customers. The host was extremely rude when we requested placement within the restaurant and not the bar, especially as we had reservations. We were informed that unless you specifically asked NOT to be placed in the bar you had no choice. After finally being able to speak with the 'manager' we were placed in one of the dining rooms. Although you could still hear the cheering, cup breaking (twice) and raucous behavior from the bar area. The staff were not dressed in period attire and the dinner menu was definitely not period era. The entrees were served lukewarm and were not especially good. I found myself apologizing to my guests. What used to be a wonderful experience....well, i definitely willl not take visitors there again and will not frequent the restaurant other than for lunch. Hopefully, that still remains the same as the past.
(1)Nathan R.
My girlfriend and I went there for lunch this past Saturday and were utterly disappointed with both our meal and the service at Mount Vernon Inn. We were impressed with the overall decor and ambience of the establishment, but our meal was extremely bland and gave us stomach aches. I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich which didn't have much taste to it at all, while she ordered the pulled pork sandwich. Hers had a weird taste to it, and gave us both somewhat of a stomach bug hours later. Service wasn't good and I felt we weren't really being attended to despite the amount of servers/workers there. After we left, I checked my credit card statement and we were charged TWICE for the meal. We still haven't been reimbursed. I will not be going back. This being said, I never write bad reviews about restaurants. I feel this is warranted and serves to warn others about dining here. For such a famous American establishment, the food and service should be much better than what we experienced.
(1)Kelly B.
Our family enjoyed the pork chop, roast turkey, chicken fingers, and catch of the day(Rockfish). The portions were large and generally well prepared. The kids items were not listed on the dinner menu but they offered grilled cheese, turkey, chicken fingers and hamburgers. The dining room was Colonial in decor and quiet despite being full. A calm and relaxing experience after a full day of hiking around Mt Vernon.
(4)Melinda T.
Great food served quickly. One of the best parts of our trip to Mt Vernon was our friendly waitress, Brenda. She was attentive, courteous, and funny.
(5)Jason G.
Way better food than you might expect from a place that mainly caters to tourists. The peanut soup is quite tasty, like a thinner version of a Thai peanut sauce. The hoecake appetizer is delicious, but you'll want more than you get. The grilled fish was extremely well-prepared, as were all the sides. Overall, quite a good meal. Just make sure to get your reservations early so you don't have to wait for a late lunch.
(4)S P.
Food is so/so... The blacked mahi-mahi sandwich was GREAT! However, everything else was just okay. Not bad, but not great. Still a fun restaurant to visit, if nothing else for the historical significance. The service... Well, that's the issue. We've been here two times and both times the same: unfriendly, not a smile in the room of servers and hostesses. Food does come out pretty quickly which is great, but once the food is delivered the server completely ignores you for a significant period of time. I ended up having to take a place setting from a nearby table! I suppose the morale of the employees must be low as the associates in the gift shop are unhelpful and unfriendly as well.
(2)F M.
We had dinner here for New Year's Eve and had yet another phenomenal experience here. The food and ambiance are first rate, and we were quickly seated upon arrival. If you're in the area, and wish to experience a unique and memorable culinary experience, check Mount Vernon Inn out.
(5)Liz S.
Had lunch here after touring Mount Vernon. Salads and burgers that we had were great! Kids loved their big pulled pork sandwiches from the kids menu. They have something for everyone!
(4)Robin D.
My husband and I were in town and decided to explore Mount Vernon for the day. At the end of Mt.Vernon hours, we were famished, so we decided to eat at the Mount Vernon Inn. I was pleasantly surprised to see that this restaurant was not just a "place to eat at a tourist attraction". The ambiance was very homey and seemed authentic enough for the time period that Mount Vernon celebrates. My husband ordered the Roast Duck and said that it was one of the best he ever tasted! I ordered the Shellfish Duo which was cooked perfectly! Yummy! Our friendly waitress went out of her way to make our night extra special. When we were looking at the dessert menu, my husband was disappointed to not see bread pudding on the list. He casually mentioned that to our waitress, and she told us that she could make bread pudding happen for us! And she did, and it was especially tasty! We were really impressed with this restaurant and will make time to stop by again next time we are in town!
(5)Lori C.
I love this place and eat here quite a bit. The pulled pork sandwich is my favorite. The soups are pretty good and considering this is such a major tourist attraction the food quality is satisfying. This is not a cheap place but it isn't expensive. It is a nice place to sit and relax a bit while having a bite to eat.
(4)Jonathan J.
What a great, unexpected gem! I stumbled upon it expecting it to be much more pricey given the location. The seafood was amazing as were all the other items. We'd return in a heartbeat.
(4)Amy D.
We ended up eating here after the long, long day touring all of the interesting exhibits at Mt. Vernon. Initially, we were going to have a glass of wine and an appetizer, then head back into DC for dinner somewhere. Once we sat down and I got off my aching feet, though, I was down for the count. It happened to be my birthday, so I looked at my hubby and said, "Can we just eat dinner here?" Of course he said yes -- it was my b-day, after all! We enjoyed our meal and had very attentive service from our waiter Jorge. It probably helped that it was a Wednesday night, and we were among the first tables seated after the restaurant opened. I had the turkey dinner, and my husband had the duck with George Washington's favorite apricot sauce. Both entrees were delicious. I agree that it's a little pricey for what it is, but you have to put that aside and take a moment to reflect on the fact that you are dining on George Washington's estate. After spending six hours learning what an incredible person he was, it was nice being able to end the day with a meal he would have enjoyed himself.
(4)jon C.
I'm giving the Mount Vernon Inn three stars for one very important reason that has nothing to do with the food or the service, but rather the facility. We were in the first dining room, when you walk in the front door, by the windows. During our meal, every time someone would open the main entrance, it would SLAM shut with a loud bang! Wood on wood bang! So the entire evening: BANG! BANG! BANG! Every time it made my colleague and I jump out of our chairs. A guy at the next table apparently tried to talk to the manager about it. The manger appeared sympathetic but did nothing to try and rectify the problem, so everyone in the room was treated to this frightful banging the whole time. Otherwise it's a nice place. The food was very good, though the prices were a bit high. I assume the high prices are to the fact that it's a tourist destination and so they tack on a tourist surcharge. I didn't feel we got our value for the prices paid. I had the steak and my colleague at the chicken fracases. Both were very delicious, our server was nice, and the general layout and ambiance of the place was good. All except that banging. If the door had not been banging the whole meal, and maybe if the prices were a bit less, I would give this place 5 stars.
(3)Sarah C.
My husband and I got married at Mount Vernon Inn, and we couldn't have chosen a better venue. It is a beautiful, historic venue on the outskirts of the Mount Vernon Estate in Virginia, about 20-25 minutes to DC. All of our out of town guests enjoyed exploring George Washington's estate, especially our visitors from overseas. The restaurant is wonderful. I ate here several times beforehand "to check it out" (it was all research, I swear) and everything was delicious and all of the servers were always attentive and gracious. And the food was divine every time! It is such a neat restaurant we couldn't believe we could actually get married and have our reception here. (Our favorite was the hoe cake -- a must!!!!) What surprised us most was how reasonable it was as a wedding location. After looking into several DC area venues (and even some farms that were a 2-3 hour drive from DC), it was clear to me that the wedding industry is truly a business. All the prices for wedding events were INSANE. Not so at the Mount Vernon Inn. Their prices were truly fair for everything we got. As some previous reviewers mentioned, all of our guests we talked to couldn't believe how tasty the food was. We had around 125 guests, and everyone could pick from three or four entrees after they were seated. MVI also provided bottles of cold (Mount Vernon!) water bottles to our guests in the outside garden area where we were married! A special thanks to Mariita Campos. She worked with me in the months and weeks ahead of the ceremony over email to make sure everything was perfect. She was responsive and, as others have said, worked within our budget to make things perfect. She also was attentive to all sorts of details and questions ahead of time, and helped our "big day" go off without a hitch. She is truly a gem and goes above and beyond to make things as easy as they can be on a day always filled with nerves and high emotions!
(5)Glenn D.
Salad had a tiny dollop of dressing. "Gravy" on ham was insanely sweet. Mashed potatoes were ok. Tea was not very good. There was nothing 4 star I could find here. Very disappointed. Given the price, I'd rather go to Ray's the Steaks...
(2)Fred D.
We are visiting from California and hoped that everything would be good, but it was FABULOUS!! Our waitress was Sharon who was absolutely FANTASTIC and made a good time GREAT! If you go ask for Sharon and try her recommended Shrimp and Grits and you will go home happy.
(5)Nerusia B.
Sunday Brunch at the Mount Vernon Inn was absolutely brilliant. I had been visiting my girlfriend in DC for Halloween weekend, and decided that on our way to Richmond we'd stop to see Washington's casa. We casually walked into the beautiful inn and decided to have brunch. There was no wait, and the gift shop next to it is amazing. The food,I kid you not to this day, we still talk about the B.E.L.T Sandwich we had. Delish and highly recommended! Service was attentive, and really, a surprisingly affordable place for being a tourist attraction. I hope you enjoy your day at Mount Vernon as much as we did!
(5)Cullen M.
The Mount Vernon Inn is conveniently located next to the gift shops for Mount Vernon. There are no reservations (except for special holiday events like Thanksgiving), so its first come first serve. On busy days, you may wait a while, so plan ahead. The restaurant itself is cozy and resembles an 18th century tavern, with open fireplaces and decor to match. All the wait staff are also dressed as they stepped out of the 1780s. The menu has a wide selection of sandwiches, entrees, salads and appetizers, all with a mid-Atlantic flair. Some of the highlights include open-faced turkey sandwich, hot-brown, turkey pot pie, and other such dishes. There are daily specials; on the day we were there, the meat and potato pie was on the list and it was delicious. Apparently, it was the same recipe that George Washington himself considered to be his favorite meal. There is a wide selection of beverages and desserts as well; be sure to try the desserts, they are worth it. The wait staff are friendly and will meet your needs, sometimes without you needing to ask, such as bringing you a refill on your drink or extra napkins. The cost is reasonable and probably not more than what you would pay at a pub in Old Town. Like I said though, plan ahead, especially on busy days. You can, however, put your name in and then browse the gift shops; they will come find you if you are in the immediate area.
(5)Amanda T.
We went for lunch and while the food was good the service was terrible. Our waiter was less than pleasant and slow as molasses. He would leave the table and be gone for long periods of time leaving us without drink refills and unable to ask about our appetizer order. We ordered the corn bread that everyone raves about because we wanted to try it and because we were starving and knew it would hold us off until our food came; however, it never came out. When the waiter brought out our food, he said, "oh, you still need the cornbread". I told him I no longer wanted the cornbread since our food had arrived and he said, "so you don't want the cornbread now?". It was ridiculous of him to even question my response. Who wants an appetizer with their meal? Lastly, we were done and ready for the check but our waiter was nowhere to be found. After 10-15 minutes, we finally just left our table and headed to the hostess booth to have the hostess track him down. After picking the Inn over the food court, we unfortunately left feeling very disappointed.
(2)Lyn P.
We visited here during Alexandria's restaurant week - not sure what was regularly on the menu or what but we had a decent meal overall. They start you off with homemade bread and crackers. The bread was okay but the crackers were fantastic. I could definitely go to town on those if there was cheese involved! We ordered a hoecake as an extra appetizer to share because, come on, it's hoecake! It was topped with Smithfield ham along with crab and a hollandaise like sauce. I really enjoyed it but my friend thought that the ham was too salty. We both had the fried green tomato for our main appetizer. It was okay - I though there was too much breading and it didn't really let the flavor of the tomato shine through. Our main courses were the best part of the meal and both were fabulous. My friend had the pan seared duck breast and I had the ribeye steak - both of which were perfectly cooked and flavorful. The garlic mash and veggies that came as the sides to both our meals were great. Dessert was a bit of a disappointment because they were out of bread pudding so I had to settle for the (just ok) carrot cake. My friend had the lemon chess pie which was much better. So a bit of hit and miss but they get a pass because nothing was horrible and it was a good experience as far as atmosphere and service.
(3)Tiffany Y.
Only leaving 1 star because I don't have the option of leaving 0. We chose to eat here based on the menu having Gluten Free items clearly marked, as I have Celiac so that is quite important. I ordered a clearly marked Gluten Free salad and when it was brought out it was missing the dressing. The waitress then brought me oil & vinegar. Telling me that they couldn't guarantee the dressing was Gluten Free. I spoke with a Manager and asked why if they were unsure why would they have the item clearly marked on the menu as Gluten Free then? To which he of course didn't have an answer for. He asked if I wanted to order something else, but at this point I don't trust anything marked on the menu as being accurate. On top of this our server was rude, forgot my husband's soup and treated us as if we were an inconvenience to her day.
(1)Kaitlin H.
We went during Restaurant Week. We had a group of 4 adults & 2 kids. I got the garden salad, which unfortunately had egg on it, so I did not like it or eat it. My meal was apricot glazed duck leg confit and mac & cheese. The duck was good--I have never had it before so had nothing to compare it to. The mac & cheese was also good, but nothing truly special. Dessert was white chocolate bread pudding which was again, good but nothing special. A little too sweet. Our server was OK--at times she was pretty cold, but at the end she was very friendly. We sat in a room with a fireplace--I loved the atmosphere. We will come back one night when we can sample the full menu. I did appreciate getting a phone call to confirm our reservation, because the woman told me it was Restaurant Week & a limited menu, which I did not know. So on that end, service was very good & polite.
(4)Liz C.
Our friends and I went to eat lunch here after touring Mt Vernon. The staff are dressed in time period clothing and the service is very good. The atmosphere is casual and family friendly. We ordered the grits (apparently made at the Gristmill down the street), the rosemary chicken, the veggie lasagna, and the pulled pork. I was really impressed with the grits and pulled pork. They were incredibly flavorful and delicious. I am so glad we went here instead of the food court! And the food is totally affordable (everything is priced around $13). The only downside was the amount of screaming/crying kids that you will probably find at any tourist attraction, on the other hand, they are kid friendly.
(3)Alejandra A.
Too bad the service was a little on the slow side...otherwise this place would have taken all 5 stars. I had the ham and cheese sandwich, simple but very flavorful. That ham was killer! I also had to try the bread pudding...of heavenly piece of yummy goodness. Love that the place mats show different things related to GW and love that the staff is in full plantation gear. Not bad for what usual museum food places offer.
(4)Brian C.
Had dinner here twice during vacation. Meals were prepared as ordered, staff was attentive without being over the top, and the atmosphere was friendly and comfortable.
(4)Ellen K.
I went here for the first time when touring Mount Vernon. The thing I liked the most about this place is how KID FRIENDLY they were. I have a toddler and my waiter was AWESOME with him. He brought all of our food and drinks out fast - which is important with small kids. I got the pulled pork sandwich and it was very good. My boyfriend got the turkey pot pie - which did not look appetizing - but he literally licked the bowl clean it was so good. SWEET TEA IS THE BOMB!! Perfectly mix of tea and sugar. Definitely order it. And the prices for lunch were very reasonable for a sit down meal at a huge tourist attraction.
(5)Kent W.
We spent the day visiting Mount Vernon and had a late lunch here of the Peanut chestnut soup, pumpkin soup, cornbread and fried green tomatoes. How Virginia! Excellent, graceful service.
(4)Ashby C.
We enjoy visiting Mount Vernon, the inn is beautiful and the new bar tender is awesome! We look forward to going to the inn whenever we can, it's always pleasurable!
(5)Reni M.
Excellent service and quality food. I really liked the cornbread. Love this place and I would definitely come back again.
(5)Trika R.
After spending a couple hours out in the freezing cold exploring the grounds my family and I had a late lunch here. I wanted to try the lasagna but they told me after 10 mins they were out, I went for the chicken and it was great! The French fries were awesome! This is a great place eat at after spending the day here, the food is delicious and my entire family would give this restaurant five stars.
(5)Joshua M.
Great location and ambiance. Peanut and chestnut soup was like a peanut butter soup, and good. Salmon cakes were fresh and tasty. The meat pye was excellent, but a bit salty! Recommended!
(4)Trishia P.
Out of all the choices on the property (the food court), I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to eat at the Mt. Vernon Inn. The food here is the typical American comfort food. I had the Root Beer, it was a little flat. But for lunch I had the grilled salmon, veggies, mashed potatos and crabcakes. The crabcakes were really good. Lightly fried with a nice crunch exterior. The wait was a little long that day since there was a wedding party in the other dining room but the staff was really courteous. The inn itself is modelled after an old inn, with china pattern print wall paper and George Washington era furniture. Its nice and has that American charm. If I ever get a chance to visit again, I hear breakfast is nice.
(3)Ben B.
Food was pretty good. I had the Chef's special which was fried jumbo shrimp and fries for $16 at lunch. It was about what I expected. The root beer was pretty good as well.
(4)Thomas S.
We were really pleased with this place. We were there on a Friday at an off time for Lunch/Dinner (about 3PM). We were seated right away and the food was served fast as well. The food was great and the experience was great. The prices were only a bit higher than places like the Smithsonian food court, possibly Mount Vernon's own food court, but the experience was much better and I am sure the food was better. If you go to Mt. Vernon, don't shy away from this place because you think it will cost a lot more than the food court.
(4)Tina G.
I really love this restaurant, the restaurant's decoration and the waitress' dress are all telling you the history about Mount Vernon. Food here is also delicious and their menu is changed routine, so check before you go!
(5)