A really fantastic place. High quality experience, food, and atmosphere for the price. Not cheap, but not super expensive either. The Jambalaya pasta hit the spot!
(5)
Va Beach M.
Excellent onion soup! Flatbread was flat. Great local brew. Server was obnoxious, trying too hard, callimg customers honey and touching them.
(3)
Sam W.
This is a great restaurant if you want a nicer meal with an awesome ambiance. When you walk in your greeted by live piano entertainment and a friendly staff. The restaurant is sectioned between a full bar and entertainment corner and the rest is cushy leather seating at smaller intimate tables with a couple back sections that look like they could handle a larger party. The staff is professional and very friendly but loiter at times during the rush which is nice for attentiveness but takes away from the quiet private set-up they've got going. The food was overall very good and the plates were fresh and quite varied in style. We started the night with a bottle of Grüner Veltliner that was a fresh perfect wine for lighter proteins and fried goodies. We opted for their signature crab and shrimp fritters as a starter...which I loved. The trio of sauce that comes with them really bursts with flavor. We ordered the wiener schnitzel and pork ribeye with mac n cheese. The schnitzel was great and fit perfectly with the citrus flavors in the sauce/capers and wine. The ribeye was over cooked but well seasoned and was definitely shadowed by the awesome Gruyere mac n cheese with bacon and caramelized onions. Lastly, we had to try the creme brulee trio and ultimately decided that the vanilla was still the best. the grand marnier a close second...The chocolate was too thick and pasty. To surmise a great meal with just a slight room for improvement! Looking forward to trying more in the future. Lastly, I love their motto "Live Good, Eat Good, Maplewood" as its more or less my own!
(4)
Eric L.
Nothing spectacular about this place. The food is good and the price and quality is fair to what you get. I ordered a variety of things... cocktails, crab cake, popper and lobster ravoli. The cocktails were bad. Wouldn't recommend cocktails at this place. The food is good all around and everything I sampled was good. The reason this place gets two stars is the bad cocktail and they wouldn't give me more brown bread with nuts and rasins. They told me they were out and then I see them give the table beside me more brown bread. My tab is big enough where I think I should have as much da*n brown bread I want!
(2)
Toby D.
Went there with friends, all four of us going for first time. Got a variety of burgers, fish, and steaks, all well prepared and presented. Typically the word grill evokes an image of anything from casual bar food to artisan seafood dishes, this is more on the artisan spectrum. Good atmosphere for discussions etc, bright, not noisy, didn't see ANY sports TV screens. Recommended for food and ambiance, service very good.
(4)
LaTesha O.
The service is great the food is fabulous perfect place for date night The Pianist was awesome my boyfriend took me there for my birthday and we had a fabulous time.
(5)
Blaire S.
Came here for brunch on Sunday at a friend's recommendation. Overall, the experience was lovely with decent food. Here's the breakdown: Food: No real complaints here. The food was good, but nothing special at all. We ordered: Salmon platter- Pros: they gave me a ton of smoked salmon! No skimping here. Cons: Way too many onions! I was tasting and smelling of them for days afterwards. Love that the platter included a deviled egg and goat cheese toast, which was A-OK. French toast: Boyfriend said they were "okay." He wasn't impressed. Atmosphere: Adorable, but cluttered. It was really hard to figure out the theme this place is trying to go for. Some parts of the restaurant's decor were nice, like the large mirrors with gold frames, yet other parts screamed tacky and casual. I was and still am confused. Service: EXCELLENT! Our waiter and busboy were amazing. Super attentive, but didn't hover. Really top notch. Prices: Very, very fair. I was impressed that my salmon platter, which included lots of salmon, wasn't the price of an arm and a leg. All in all, a decent meal, at a good price, with great service; however, the experience was not memorable enough for me to want to return anytime soon.
(3)
Sumayra R.
We came here for a romantic night out and got exactly what we were looking for. Their calamari was absolutely delicious. It was probably the best calamari we had anywhere; their sauces are amazing. Their main entrees were delicious and plated beautifully! Their staff was very accommodating and pleasant.
(5)
Stephanie J.
We came for brunch on a Sunday morning and were the first patrons to arrive. Though located in a strip mall the restaurant is striving for an upscale feel. For brunch they offer a Bloody Mary bar that seems to have every ingredient you desire to customize a morning libation to kick start your day. They also offer other specialty cocktails such as screwdrivers with fresh squeezed OJ and espresso martinis. Their brunch menu includes a mix of favorites from their regular menu as well as breakfast fare such as eggs benedict, a breakfast platter, and brioche french toast. The complimentary bread they serve is delicious and included a mix of a cinnamon roll and banana bread. The bread was fresh and moist -- very good. We started with their crab and shrimp poppers which were absolutely perfection. I should have stopped there. Our breakfast dishes were good but not "rave worthy" and I thought the prices at Maplewood were too high for the food and setting. After all, tacking a high price onto items isn't what makes them a hit. Sadly, service was slow and for a while we were the only patrons so it's inexcusable. I gave up on having my water glass refilled and we had to flag the server down twice to get assistance and additional condiments. It seems they are going for an upscale market but given their location in the heart of Vienna, I would prefer a more homey and welcoming feel. So, overall the restaurant was good, I wouldn't balk at a return visit but I would rather forage new ground then revisit the Maplewood Grill.
(3)
Megs T.
Impressed! With everything! The freshness, the flavors, the service and the presentation. I think we can all agree this strip-mall restaurant must be a SPECIAL place when I promise you I fully intend to travel from Washington DC to Vienna to dine here again. I was initially lured here by photos a friend posted on social media after a company lunch here. It did not disappoint. The crab and shrimp popper appetizer is as good as everyone says. And, it tastes as good (or better) than it looks! The Seafood Bisque with lump crab meat special was SUPERB. The corn salsa: lovely fresh, citrusy and slightly spicy flavor. If you go, definitely try one of the day's specials, enjoy the lovely space and stand out experience! I must say I LOVE when restaurants aren't 'trying too hard' and totally OVERDELIVER!
(5)
Karla L.
Walked in for lunch on a whim. A hidden gem of a restaurant. Staff was very friendly and welcoming. Our waiter was most attentive and his food suggestions were on point! Food was delicious. Reasonable prices. Definitely will be a returning customer.
(5)
Alex B.
This is a local place. I am writing to express my disappointment as a wine and food expert. Bartender was very unfriendly and not proactive. Beef sliders were burned and overcooked. Wiener schnitzel was breaded long time before cooking. Not as the original, wchich is : Serve with parsley potatoes, rice, potato salad or mixed salad. The true origin of the Wiener Schnitzel has become a matter of vigorous debate between culinary historians in recent times again. One thing, however, is absolutely certain: the Wiener Schnitzel is truly cosmopolitan. The earliest trails lead to Spain, where the Moors were coating meat with breadcrumbs during the Middle Ages. The Jewish community in Constantinople is similarly reported to have known a dish similar to the Wiener Schnitzel, in the 12th century. So whether the legend surrounding the import of the "Costoletta Milanese" from Italy to Austria by Field Marshal Radetzky is true or merely a nice story makes very little difference, in actual fact. So long as the schnitzel is tender and crispy!
(1)
Thomas M.
Hidden gem. I don't get to Vienna often, but found this place because of the music. Love establishments that feature live music and this was great jazz. The menu looks extensive and everything we had was good even, suprisingly, the mussels. The bar is a feature with a TON of fresh microbrews on draft as a feature. Neighborhood, friendly feel.
(4)
Ron K.
The MAPLEWOOD GRILL is a great place ... casual, pleasant decor, friendly staff, great food, and wonderful music 4 or 5 evenings each week. The Hamburger is the BEST I have ever had ... gourmet bun with PERFECTLY cooked and extremely tasty burger. The Filet Mignon is also excellent. Co-owner and chef Paul always pleases with his cooking and presentation. I dine here and enjoy the ambiance, food, and music about 10 times each year ... and I live in Tampa, Florida!
(5)
Kevin C.
Stop in on week night. Not very crowded. I ate at the bar. The bartender was helpful and attentive to her customers. I had a bison burger with fries and cole slaw. The burger was great. I really enjoyed. The menu seemed a little pricey but I'll be back.
(4)
Megan B.
I came here for a Valentine's Day dinner with my S/O and left disappointed. The service seemed chaotic and although there was a surplus of staff, they became more of a nuisance than a good thing as they were constantly running into each other. The fist course came out after 20 minutes and it wasn't even our appetizer, the server apologized and took it over the the couple a few tables down from us. When we finally got ours, the food was mediocre at best. The bisque had a burnt flavor and a strange aftertaste. The shrimp and crap sliders were utterly tasteless--I am not even sure how that happens! The second course was not much better. We were again served the wrong food. His mixed meat platter was horrible. The lamb was not rare, it was raw. The tenderloin was well done (such a shame). The shrimp were the best thing on the plate, but that's not saying much. My meal, when it finally arrived (since they brought me out the wrong plate the first time), looked as if someone literally threw up on my plate. My tenderloins were supposed to be medium-rare but one was medium well and the other was medium-rare. How does this even happen? The presentation was atrocious. I can't imagine anyone looking at gray potatoes and think "oh that looks delicious!" Needless to say, I would have expected a much better meal for $70 per person. The meal I received was on par with Applebee's (puke). Not sure if it was due to the busy night, the pre-made dinner menu (got a nice look into the kitchen while waiting for the bathroom) or just a standard fare, but I will not be returning to find out l.
(1)
Casey Q.
It's not often that you wind up in a strip mall restaurant, and find yourself having an experience you're anxious to repeat. This place has become the go-to for get-togethers involving friends and family in NoVa. The food is always well above average, with touches to make any kind of foodie feel special. The service is terrific, and the bar is a place you can find yourself arriving early for a group gathering, just so you can bar-fly in style while waiting. If you're in Vienna, I highly recommend giving this place a shot.
(4)
Judith L.
Came here for brunch with my parents, uncle, and grandmother. The service was good. The bread they brought out was all sweet. Decent, but I am not a fan of sweets being the first thing I eat. I ended up getting the crab cake. It was okay, but tasted like it had more filler than I would prefer. The omelette and panini that were ordered looked really good, though. I'd try it again just to branch out and try more on the menu.
(3)
Tiffanie L.
First off, what a cute place. You wouldn't think by the outside that it would be a nice piano bar, where you can set up shop on the piano with your drink while listening to music. The bread is really good as is the lobster ravioli. I decided to try the lemon pie and was really impressed. The best part of it all was that I had an issue getting my opentable points when the hostess cancelled my reservation instead of accepting it and Noelle called me the next day and took care of everything, called opentable and got me my points. Awesome service, we will be back :)
(5)
Rachel P.
Came here on a Thursday night with a group of 11 people. All but one of us decided to go with the 3 courses for $30 dollar deal they are having for the month of April. Best decision ever if you want to get a little taste of different things on the menu when you are a first timer. But also just such a deal when their main entrees run close to the $30 price range anyway. I started off with the trio appetizer - it was soooooo good. Best thing on that trio was their infamous shrimp and crab poppers topped with a roasted corn salsa and red pepper sauce. I would definitely go back and order that as an appetizer in the future. My fiance got the corn and crab bisque. I got a little taste of it and it was good. For entrees I was torn between the pork schnitzel "cordon bleu" and the medallions. Since my fiance was getting the medallions it made my decision so much easier and I was able to try both. The schnitzel was great. It was stuffed with ham and cheese that was oozing out when I cut into it. Topped with a cranberry sauce and arugula with another sauce drizzled around the plate that was so yum. The spaetzle that came with it was made with bacon and peas. So much flavor and components on the plate. The medallions were cooked to perfection and came with a nice gravy, green beans and potato au-gratin that was delicious. The other thing on the 3 for 30 deal was the cod topped with a lemon caper sauce and came with asparagus and mashed potatoes. The others in our group that ordered it loved it. All plates were cleaned. For dessert we both opted for the warm brownie topped with a scoop of marshmallow ice cream and warm caramel sauce. What was happening in my mouth was not describable. I took a bite of my friends Southern Lemon Chess Pie and it was so light and lemony and delicious. Service was great. No one was in a rush. We all got our apps, entrees and desserts at the same time and there was time in between all courses so we didn't feel like we needed to inhale our food and go on to the next meal. The piano bar is so awesome if you are into that type of thing. The guy who was playing was amazing. All oldies songs. Such a great voice. you can tell there are regulars who go and he gets them in for a few songs and they all have great voices. The volume wasn't too loud so you were able to enjoy dinner and have this awesome live music in the background. Would definitely go again!
(5)
Mark W.
This was our 3rd visit. 1st two were better Meat was below average and not cooked correctly
(2)
Sara W.
Around the corner favorite from my office. It is a little hidden in the corner of the shopping center, but don't let that turn you off. The food is always good but make sure you have time to enjoy and relax your meal as service is pleasant but a little on the slow side. The food is always fresh and they have seasonal rotations and great specials depending on what is in season. I elected for the ahi tuna BLT with a basil aioli sauce. Our server recommended it without the bun, which I agreed to...it was brought with the bun anyway. That was alright since it was actually tastier and easier to eat with it. I did have to send the bacon back to have it cooked more since it was chewy and I like really crispy bacon. Our server was more than happy to do so and quickly returned it. The atmosphere is casual with lots of dark cherry wood and definitely a more mature crowd most of the time. Great for a lunch business meeting. I recommend reservations on a weekend but dinner during the week and lunch I don't think it is necessary. Be sure to try to grown up grilled cheese and tomato soup! If you are in Vienna, you can't go wrong here.
I am a huge fan of this restaurant. The staff is super friendly and is willing to work with food allergies, and the restaurant is cozy but elegant. They have a nice range of lunch and dinner foods that never fail to please us. I especially recommend any of their fish, it is just delightful. They frequently change the menu and offer new and exciting dishes. It is very family friendly and not overpriced. We love the Maplewood Grill.
(5)
Mike F.
I just had one of the best swordfish of my life. I'm not a huge seafood critic but I do love swordfish and they nailed it. Lemon caper butter as main white sauce with a aioli mix and fresh red roasted potatoes. Fantastic. Ivan the bartender very friendly as well as the other staff. I'd have give six stars if I could.
(5)
Susan B.
Food, service and setting all very good. Perfect for that "special" couples evening or dinner out with friends.
(4)
Marie M.
Ambience - reminds me of a funky TGIF restaurant but in a nice way. Service- super hot waiter who was attentive but not quite ready for high end dining. Could not describe the specials but found a typed up memo listing them. He had a very cute personality so all was forgiven. Food- the poppers were meh. Artie's down the street has a more refined version. I had a seared scallop salad that was super greasy and unpleasant. My companion had pork schnitzel which was tasty but not as refined for the price. There was a large portion but it was presented like a Bob Evans entree. We shared the flour less chocolate cake which was presented well but tasted no differently than any other flour less cake anywhere else. The wine list was very good and the live music was awesome. Overall it was a pleasant but expensive night with a lackluster meal. It's like Maplewood grill doesn't know what it is...upscale Applebys or high end wanna be. And it's neither. There are some really strong elements but in the end the price points did not match the quality.
(2)
Charlie T.
On the major plus side we came in at 6:30 and left close to Midnight. This was due in large part to the entertainment. Not a real minus but one that needs to improve is the service. Perhaps a little conversation with the waiters that they play a role equal to the entertainment would help. Another and not either a minus but also not a plus is watch the salt content in the food. Having said all that we will be back.
(4)
Dana K.
Food was fine. The waitress seemed irritated that I asked for a substitute vegetable instead is mashed potatoes. I asked if she could just bring a plain baked potato as I am unable to tolerate lactose which started this request. She said this restaurant does not have potatoes except mashed. She could not bring additional greens but could bring corn salsa. That was fine. What was silly was the $2 that was added to our $80 check for the substitute corn. She reminded me I substituted the side dish. We paid the bill and I sent a note to the owner of the restaurant to let him know of the snooty service and the irritating $2 add. Not one word back. Needless to say we will not return. Bazins and Sea Pearl treat you like a welcome guest and don't bit pick you for avoiding your food allergies!
(1)
bryan i.
Been here twice for brunch. 1st time I'd give it a 4 star; 2nd time 1 star. Rounding down to 2 stars. The first time the food and service was pretty good; I remember the chicken and gravy being very good. Also the bloody marry bar was good. That bacon bloody marry - yum. The second time the food was not very good and the service very poor. The store opened 15 minutes late and customers were waiting outside. I think the staff was all hungover, haha. I remember that they did not have the fried chicken and gravy for some reason. The food wasn't very good this time around. It came our warm instead of hot..... either the cooks messing up or the server taking too long. Either way, it was a bad experience.
(2)
Thomas S.
I would give this restaurant 3.5 stars. It is good food and nice atmosphere. Wait staff is excellent. I have been here twice. Once for dinner and once for Sunday Brunch. They have a make your own Bloody Mary bar and very affordable brunch selections. I had the fried chicken biscuits and sausage gravy with fried eggs. A good combination and very filling. The biscuits were the only real down fall of the dish, felt like they were cooked in the morning and been sitting around in a hot box or under lamp for a while. The chicken was lightly fried and sausage gravy was tasty. The fried egg was a bit over cooked, but I enjoy runny eggs so will leave that up to personal preference. I enjoyed my meals both times but not blown away. I would recommend it for taking your grandparents to and everyone can find something to eat and enjoy the meal. It is on open table and very easy to make a reservation directly from YELP. Kudos for that MG. Like most places in the area it is in a strip mall. This makes it a little hard to find from the main road as it is tucked back in a corner between a wine/beer shop and a dollar store with no real signage other than the strips marque.
(3)
Mike N.
I went here for brunch on Mother's Day. The food was good but not great. I got the Eggs Benedict and thought they were good. There was five of us total and everyone had a good meal and the portions were large. My 3 start review isn't because the restaurant did anything wrong but more that it wasn't anything special. We went here once for drinks and I think we were the only people that weren't regulars at the bar so it defiantly has a loyal following. I would probably go back again.
(3)
Jason A.
For background, we made a diner reservation for Valentine's Day. We're two men together for over 20 years. While we don't expect roses where we go, it's good business sense (and common courtesy) for the owner of an establishment sitting at the hostess desk to receive customers professionally - "hello and welcome" is enough - especially when: a) they're obviously celebrating b) most people don't respond well to grunting c) they've given you a deposit to hold a table in a half full restaurant d) the menu only offers a prix fixe dinner at $70 per person. As for the food, his salad and my lobster bisque first course was interesting and gave us hope. Plus the couple next to us were a little chatty and it broke the ice in an otherwise slightly awkward atmosphere. Unfortunately, our main course was a confused concoction under the very loose heading of "surf and turf." Mystery crab and reasonably good beef, though spoiled by a heavy sauce over a bed of mushroomy potatoy goo. The Chocolate cake dessert, similar to what you'd find at the bakery counter of a Harris Teetor grocery store, to finish was tasty and helped redeem the meal. Oddly, we passed on the included champagne only to be charged five bucks for soda water. That sort of petty gouging really made me wonder if they believed the dinner package was somehow undervalued. Our server tried hard and was genuinely sweet, but the busers were bad. I don't hold them at fault, but rather think they've never been properly instructed on how or when to clear dishes from a table with customers. Ironically, for as often as they tried to grab our plates, the table next to us remained uncleared long after the couple had gone. This lent a certain Fresh Choice ambiance to our area of the restaurant. It was an unfortunate evening for us; maybe your luck will be better.
(2)
Chris J.
I took my family here for an early dinner following my Son's High School Graduation. Our server was excellent.... attentive, responsive and even witty. The food was pretty good but was lacking a little flavor. My family and guests enjoyed it and many said they would come back again.
(3)
Jason V.
I got to say,ive eaten here several times throughout the years, every time I am very satisfied with the food. The only downfall is it is a bit pricey for some of their entrees. Great staff, and love the live music as well.
(4)
Karl F.
I enjoyed a fine martini and a crab cake salad at the Maplewood Grill last weekend. Service was pleasant and efficient, and gave us time to relax and talk after eating.
(4)
Petra E.
This restaurant has been around forever (used to be Le Canard) and we have been here often enough for the host/owner to at least recognize our faces. However, although he is always very formal and polite, there never has been a warm welcoming us back like at other long established restaurants in Vienna (Bonaroti and Cafe Renaissance for example). The food is good, though I ordered the liver one night recently and was seriously underwhelmed. The guys usually love their schnitzels, though, and the appetizers are usually very good. You probably will have an enjoyable meal here but I hope they can make it with so many other great restaurants nearby. Still not impressed by this restaurant.
The food is very weird; the exact phrase I told the waitress when I finished my meal. The dishes just have to much going on and the sauces are very heavy and rich. My boyfriend and I shared a flatbread pizza with way to much cheese and mediocre meatballs. He got a tuna salad which had a strange assortment of veggies and a dressing that did not complement his stomach. I got this seafood trio without mashed potatoes for $28. Half of my plate was covered in this bland, tasteless heavy cream sauce sprinkled with a sort of Mexican style corn and relish mixture (utterly confusing). The other half included a very very small wedge of salmon (cooked nicely), the weirdest tasting crab cake I have ever had, and a whopping TWO pieces of grilled shrimp that were absolutely tasteless. I seriously thought they forgot to season them. $28. Along with the confused food (and confusing decor...), the staff also seemed to be completely confused as well. Disorganization. My boyfriend and I cracked jokes while we watched one of the servers try to figure out where our table was to give us our coffee. It was clearly a lack of communication and not her fault but it was quite amusing watching her do a full lap around the restaurant before finding out table. The food took way to long to get to our table and our first waiter (yes first...because he left in the middle of his shift) was not so great. The food is shit, the service sucks, but the bread pudding we had for dessert was fantastic.
(1)
Benjy E.
We came here for the first time to celebrate my sons birthday. The food was great. The French onion soup was fantastic. My daughter's filet was excellent. I had the mahi mahi and it was excellent. The only negative is that singer in the bar area was so fricking loud! We couldn't hear each other. Unfortunately the second half of our meal almost ruined first since it was so loud.
(4)
Frank H.
Somewhat pricey but very good food. We visit at least once a month. I highly recommend. Bring an extra coaster as often the tables are tippy and need to be leveled.
(4)
Debbie D.
We had a lovely dinner. I had the flat iron steak...with a multitude of sauces. I couldnt make up my mind so they let me try all. My husband the weiner schnitzle. Both were great. The chopped salad was good too. The place is small...but it is a nice local place. Not too crowded...didnt wait at all.
(4)
Luvto E.
Extremely disappointing, would not return. They were out of so many things on their menu, it was ridiculous. We actually decided to come to the restaurant based on their online menu, I wanted liver and my husband short ribs. Guess what, on a Thursday night, they were out of both. Then my husband order a pasta dish that had black pepper fettucini and guess what they had to substitute for plain linguine because they were out of their pasta. Then when the dessert menu came they said the were out of carrot cake. When we pushed our server for an answer as to whether being out of items on the menu was normal, we got some excuse about how the owner was on vacation and could not make the carrot cake. We asked why all the other items were out too, and got some excuse about how if it were a seasonal item and not good they might not serve it. Really? When did beef become a seasonal item. The crab and shrimp poppers were not poppers, rather a formed ball with a crispy top. There were tasty sauces served with them but overall they were just ok. They were just warm, not hot enough at all. The surf and turf pasta, served with the substitute pasta, was so so. The tips were over cooked and bland, with too many items thrown in the pasta. The schnitzel, was not pounded thin enough, so it was a little tough and rubbery, and not seasoned enough. The sauce that came with it was ok. The service was mixed, our server and several others were very friendly. However, we noticed several of the servers and bus persons who never smiled once. Our bus boy, when removing the appetizer dishes, tried to take a knife off my husband plate that was dirty and he had used to eat the appetizer and put it back on the table so it would have to be used for the entree. My husband had to tell him he to take it and bring a new knife. Very tacky. Will not be back.
(1)
Jill C.
I recently discovered this little gem, hidden in the corner of a strip mall off Maple Ave. I first went for dinner with a friend, and was pleasantly surprised. Cute little bistro style, separate bar area, and extensive wine list. Service was great, the food was wonderful, and had a wide variety of things for just about anyone's dietary restrictions and preferences. Great place for foodies and traditionalists alike. About a month later, I came again for a Sunday brunch after a morning spa treatment with another friend. It was another pleasurable experience. We were seated right away, and service was excellent. We first received a basket of complimentary breads featuring handmade cinnamon bread, banana bread, and shortbread/madelines. I had fresh squeezed OJ and coffee, which were refreshing and well-brewed. I ordered something of a twist on Eggs Benedict with crabmeat on top, homefried potatoes, and grilled asparagus - all very, very good. My friend and I also split the salad with goat cheese, sun dried tomatoes, pine nuts and artichokes which is a favorite for me. I see they're doing an Octoberfest night too with authentic German cuisine; we may have to come back to check that out too!
(4)
Suzie D.
Kind of mixed... Went there for brunch Sunday. Called ahead since it was a surprise birthday (I asked to have the check handed to me and not the gentleman and asked for 2 desserts with candles....SO accomodating and friendly and helpful!!!) very nice owner. food - Appetizers (poppers with shrimp - not pieces but shrimp and crab; calamari; and salmon quesadillas) were the best I've had in a VERY long time. Eggs benedict was just okay (overdone eggs, cold ham, horrible potatoes) but everyone else's was fine. so - mixed. Staff - was very friendly....but took a long time to get food and also to get the check and to get dessert menus...and not busy. But they were so nice so - mixed.
(3)
PJ G.
Holy ticklish ivories, a Piano Par! Where's my martini? The first visit that the would-be missus and I made to the Maple Wood Grill was not all that exciting. It was a Saturday and we caught them between shifts. The place was empty, with the exception of us and few employees. And, while we weren't particularly thrilled with our late lunch that day (I ordered the wrong things), we were very impressed by the discussion we had with Owner/Chef Paul Kuchler, and his enthusiasm for food and his pride in the menu. So, as we were also curious about the piano bar, we decided to return for dinner. I am glad we did. The Maple Wood has become a regular stop for us. The food is excellent. I like to go with the specials, but the Roasted Pork Chop with Apple Peppercorn Sauce and Gruyere Mac & Cheese is my favorite menu item. The would-be missus travels the menu a little more than I do, and has tried a greater variety of dishes. She often orders one of the fresh fish selections, as I don't like to cook fish at home. Last night she had the Surf & Turf, selecting the Crab Cake for the "Turf" portion. Being from Maryland, I refuse to suggest that it was the best crab cake I ever tasted. That said; it was pretty darn good. The Piano Bar is its own experience, and a lot of fun. Think Dino, Frank and Sammy (Not Joey Bishop though. I could never figure out why they kept that guy around), Rosemary Clooney, and Dinah Shore. It definitely draws a seasoned crowd, with years and years and years of experience. But these folks go to the Maple Wood to have a good time, and do so with a certain sense of style that helped define a past era. The casual observer may hear arcane phrases like "Thank you" and "You're welcome". And don't be afraid to sing along. It's not karaoke, but there are plenty of volunteers who aren't afraid to stand up and share a tune. Many of them are surprisingly good. Many of them are not. It's all part of the adventure So, if you're in Rat-Pack state of mind, put on your favorite blazer/turtleneck combo, splash on some Old Spice, and head up to the Maple Wood for a martini, a nice steak dinner and little "Fly me to the Moon".
(4)
Thomas O.
Maplewood Grill is a hidden gem in Vienna. I've been to this establishment repeatedly and have really enjoyed their cuisine. Try the crab and shrimp popper appetizer, so good I made a meal of it once. The ingredients are fresh and the sauce is zesty, complex and very flavorful. The Schnitzel Cordon Bleu rivals any I've had in Germany and the portions are very generous. Overall, there are a multitude of delicious freshly prepared choices on the menu and I look forward to trying them all. Trust me on this one because like the profile states "believe me, I know".
(5)
Christina O.
Surprisingly nice on the inside. I went here for dinner with a large group and we were served promptly. Everyone enjoyed their meal. My only complaint is that the servers were slow to remove the dishes from the table and our waiter was not very attentive.
(4)
Norman S.
Just had dinner here. We were a party of eight . Our waiter forgot our appetizer, and seemed annoyed when after the entrees came out I told him I don't want it anymore. Of the eight main courses, half were wrong. My dinner was completely wrong and I had to wait an additional 15 minutes for my meal. Never once were our waters or soft drinks refilled . The only explanation was sorry the waiter is new. Well, my answer to that is , not my problem, train him better, start him off at lunch, don't give him a table of eight. Could you imagine if that excuse was used for everything? Also, if you screw up so bad, offer me dessert, a drink, an apology, not an excuse
(1)
Sarah W.
fantastic food, would never have thought of this restaurant but met a bunhc of ppl here. caters to an older crowd. fabulous menu - good music :) great ambiance
(4)
Bill M.
Marcel's platter can't be beat for Brunch it had a nice assortment and I think the Home fries were excellent.Table seemed a little small I can see it could be a little tight when they are busy, very nice decor. I would like to come when someone is playing music on the piano. I do agree with Jason A on the bussing of the dishes. I find it a little annoying that the place was not that busy , but they are right there getting there plates?
(4)
Joe H.
I have been to the Maplewood Grill a number of times. My office is located walking distance from the restaurant, so I often take people there. The food is good and the atmosphere is nice. The piano bar is nice at night. My only complaint is that the service can be a little slow during the day.
(4)
Mercedes B.
Stopped in by change and was pleasantly surprised. It is a small place but very comfortable. The waitress was so pleasant! My friend ordered the soup of the day and I had a spoonful, wish I had ordered it! Crab and corn chowder SO GOOD! I had a Cobb salad which I would say was elevated a bit with arugula and corn , very tasty! I cant believe I have walked by this restaurant so many times and not stopped by. I love finding a restaurant ideal for lunch and catching up with friends. Definitely will go back soon!
(4)
Lexus K.
I headed to meet with a friend of mine in Vienna but the location we were going to was closed. We saw that Maplewood Grill was open and decided to try it out. From the beginning, our server was so know knowledgable of the menu and respectful. The food came out in timely manner and it was "excellent". I gotta say that with great service, great food, after eating here I did the rest of my errands of the day with a smile. Excellent I say, Excellent!
(5)
Kacey C.
I met my family there around 7 on a Tuesday night. The place was pretty near empty, and the other diners were very casual in jeans. Call me old fashioned, but if I'm going to dinner somewhere relatively nice I'm going to put a decent outfit together and maybe you should too! Regardless, the service left a lot to be desired. We were not asked about drinks in a timely manner, and actually it wasn't until we were asked if we were ready to order that the waiter noticed we were still drinkless. eep. My martini, when it finally arrived, was good. Our apps and entrees were tasty. My sister and I particularly liked the spinach and artichoke dip, the toasted bread and browned cheese on the dip.. mmm it was quite nice! No complaints about their entrees, except for the wrong salad being delivered to my mom (eep again). Maybe on a weekend night the place is more lively and the staff is more attentive.. NIce little place, poor location in a run-down shopping center on the border of Vienna and Tysons.
(2)
Jeff T.
Ever since this restaurant opened I have wanted to try it. Today, driving around at lunch, looking for something "new" I decided to give it a try. I walked in and was greeted by the owner who sat me down. I had someone come up right away to give me bread and water and soon my waiter came to take my order. I ordered a tea to drink and it took them 10 minutes to bring me my tea. At the time I ordered my drink I also ordered my entree, Buffalo burger. The waiter did not ask me how i wanted it cooked. You have to be careful how much you cook buffalo so I thought I would leave it in the hands of the cooks to cook it the proper way. It took about 20 minutes for me to get my burger, seemed a little long, since the place was not that busy, but once I got my food, any doubt about the service went out the window. The burger was cooked perfectly, had a nice crust on it, could see juices oozing out of it, which told me the burger was not overcooked. It had cubes of blue cheese on it and two strips of bacon. I took a bit and my taste buds went on a flavor journey. The buffalo had the most incredible taste, not too gamey. The flavors burst into your mouth, it was cooked medium, and was very juicy. The fries were great as well. Now, as I said it took 20 minutes for my burger, but taking in the fact it probably took close to 10 minutes to cook the burger, it was super thick, it has been rested and the juices were through the burger and I was in heaven. This is my first time here, will go again and try other things on the menu. My rating really is a 4.25-4.5 only because of the service, it could have been a little faster, especially when it came to the drink. But once I was done, the waiter came right over, gave me my check, and quickly had it back to me after running my credit card and I was out of there. I highly recommend this place.
(5)
Anna P.
Had lunch here last week, ordered the Scallop salad, which was so delicious! I'll be going back very soon.
(5)
Kate A.
This is by far my favorite restaurant. The ambiance is cozy and the food is always awesome. I love the piano bar and the fact that people actually sit right at the piano. We could hear the bar singing along to Christmas carols & other classics during dinner. I'd eat at Maplewood for every meal if I could :)
(5)
Jon T.
Its piano bar has good entertainment, but the price of $10.- for a glass of beer is incredibly expensive. If their is a cover charge it should be advertised and not kept as a secret!
(2)
Christine H.
What a cozy, upscale neighborhood restaurant! Came in with the BF for a belated heart's day dinner. I wanted a non-chainy restaurant with personality and this was just the ticket. Live piano music was playing when we came in, we were greeted and seated warmly. Water and bread were provided and our server came within a minute of the bread. She proceeded to tell us the specials, after taking our bar order and I went with her suggestions of the lobster bisque and scallops for my entree. He started with the crab/shrimp poppers and shrimp po boy for his entree. The bread, was just ok...but I wasn't there for that. My bisque was pretty good, but I had one of the poppers, OMG...so good! My scallops were prepared with mushrooms, bacon, asparagus, and mashed potatoes...wonderful. The po boy was good, not amazing, but good. I had no room for dessert, but will definitely be back. Thanks for the warm friendly service and yummy food!
(4)
Jesse H.
Dinner is expensive, ~ $20+ a plate? The food is good, served by friendly staff and I've had my beef dishes cooked perfectly to order. Great fries by the way. It's a cozy place tucked away in the corner of the parking lot across the street to the Vienna Giant.
First, we walked in at 9:15pm the hostess sat us down and there was a very soothing piano playing. A man was singing...very soothing... sat down and when the waitress approached, that's when the experience took a turn. She looked at her watch, what seemed to be 30sec then looked up. She had a sour puss look on her face. Basically, she was telling me that it's late, and why are you sitting down. She was abrupt and unkind. I wish people would just quit their jobs if they are not happy. Everytime, I asked for somethin, I felt like it was a huge inconvenience for her. The young bus boy was so kind and nice. Wish he would have taken our order. The food was mediocre, service horrible.
(1)
Lala R.
I gave this place yet another chance and it sucks. You can tell the chef has no formal training and the dishes are out of the 1970s. The waiters walk around loudly snapping their fingers, which is so rude and discourteous. I will not be visiting this place again.
(1)
Erik M.
I drove 12 miles in the pouring rain to check out Maplewood Grill based solely on it's Yelpitude, and was not disappointed. However, be forewarned that the dinner menu is a fair bit pricier than the average price here indicates. All but a few entrees are over $20, so by the time you throw in a bowl of soup or a salad and something to drink, you're at $40 per adult pretty quickly. This is not to say Maplewood is not worth it, nor is it something I would balk at were it not that I was on per diem for my visit and I easily overran my dinner allowance. But, as I said, Maplewood was worth it. I was pleasantly surprised by the cozy yet classy decor tucked away in a strip mall next door to a liquor store. A piano player serenaded the handful of tables seated on the dreary Wednesday evening with a mix of standards and holiday music, giving it a loungy ambiance. People came and went unobtrusively around the bar, alternately chatting with the piano player and bartender, or watching the Wizards game on the muted TV behind the bar. It was a laid back yet upscale atmosphere that was exactly what I was in the mood for. I started with a bowl of the soup du jour, a minestrone finished with some kind of delicate white cheese and pesto, and my flat iron steak entree was prepared perfectly (although a bit tough in spots), accompanied by a flavorful but not overpowering peppercorn sauce, a slab of au gratin potatoes, and two fat spears of grilled asparagus. Everything was delicious, and the pacing of each course's arrival was timed perfectly to not make me feel rushed, but certainly not neglected. Maplewood would be a great option for a nice date or business dinner, of which I saw both during my visit. My only complaint is that the draft beers were incredibly pricey. $6 for a 14oz (it may have even been 12oz) Dogfish Head 60min IPA seems to me a little out of line, even for a place of this calibre. But that's a pretty minor gripe - it's not like you're going to be drinking like a fish there. Or if you are, the beer prices are clearly the least of your worries.
(4)
Jacquelyn K.
I've been looking forward to getting over to Maplewood Grill, ever since my Dad came home one day and told me Le Canard was no more! Vienna is known for it's ethnic food, but not so much for it's more traditional American options, with the exception of Bazin's on Church, which is a whole other review. I stopped by at lunch with a coworker. The place looked like a great spot to bring a family for dinner, lots of good dark wood and a cozy little bar area. I ordered the Lobster Bisque/Lobster Roll lunch combo. The bisque was less creamy than what you would normally expect, but that wasn't a bad thing. It was just as savory. The lobster roll, was GREAT, however, it was the perfect combination of lobster, mayo, seasoning, and a sturdy, yet unobtrusive roll. My coworker was under a time constraint and our service was perfectly attuned to our needs. I am definitely looking forward to getting back to Maplewood Grill when I can enjoy a leisurely meal and further sample what the menu has to offer!
(4)
Elizabeth M.
This place provides a classic lesson of not judging a book by its cover - it's located in the corner of a random strip mall in Vienna and is not particularly impressive on the outside all. However, the food has always been good. I've had various assortments of seafood dishes here that have been tasty, and my husband enjoyed his dishes as well. Another plus is that it's usually not too crowded. For some reason, most of the crowd seems to be above 50, which doesn't bother me... I just find it to be interesting. Some of the food might be a little overpriced, but as long as they keep makin' it tasty, I'll keep payin'.
(4)
Hyunoo P.
Finally got around to checking out this "looks-more-expensive-than-it-is" French/American restaurant next to Norm's (awesome brewstop, fyi). One of the guys at Norm's actually recommended I come here and get the Bacon & Cheddar Angus burger for $9. He said this with two thumbs up, so that is exactly what I did. Wednesday lunch hour was no rush. Just a couple of old gal's in there, the kind who talk for a while before they actually order food. Service was decent, I think I waited about 15-20 minutes. They have a detailed menu online so no need to dispense detail. My burger came with a nice portion of cucumber salad (red onions and yogurt), and snoozestring fries. Salad was pretty cold and the fries were serviceable. Nothing to write home about there. They didn't ask me how I wanted my burger done, but it came out medium so I was quite pleased. This burger was definitely one of those juicy affairs that take some careful maneuvering. But not like one of those greasy train wrecks at 5 napkin burger. The bun was proportionate to the patty, and the toppings all made sense- lettuce, red onions, ketchup-mustard-mayo in dip-friendly cups. I didn't imbibe since I had to go back to work. The draft beers were decently priced at $5-6 for a small but excellent selection. 90 minute ipa, Two hearted ale, Delirium Nocturnum, that's a long enough list for my satisfaction. I should also mention the decor here. It's kind of... tuscan? You know, dark wood trimmings with lighter beige wall colors. The ceiling tiles have a nice faux-wood carved pattern going on. Everything was pretty tasteful, even the bird-houses over the door. One odd thing was their napkins are very thick. Think boyscout handkerchief meets Brawny man paper towel x12. When you unfold it you will find a spoon, 2 forks, a butter knife, and a regular knife. Why not just set the table for all that?
(3)
Andrea C.
Well that was a disappointment. We frequent Sweet Ginger in the same strip mall, so we've seen the location and wanted to go for a while. We went for dinner about 615p on a Saturday with our two kids. (We called ahead to make sure they were kid friendly and were told, "Absolutely!") We were seated promptly, and indeed there were at least three other tables with smaller kids than ours. Our waitress seemed to be annoyed that she had to help us, walking away from the table at least 3 times while my husband and I were still talking. Knowing it was a "throwback American" menu I ordered the Wiener Schnitzel. It was tough, but edible, but the buttery sauce overshadowed the meat. And the accompanying mashed potatoes tasted like glue. No where near worth the $21 price tag. My husband had the Fried Shrimp Po Boy and said it was good enough. The highlight of the meal was my son's chicken dish. The chicken was cooked perfectly, and as most kids do, he loved the large pile of super crispy frites. The worst part of the evening? The muzak. I swear to you we listened to over an hour of Lionel Richie. Seriously??? Every lame song he ever sang at least twice. Painful, though we had a good laugh as to how much of the lyrics we remembered. I'd consider giving it another shot, if only to order something with frites! But doubtfully anytime soon.
(2)
Robyn F.
Amazing food at a great price. Good wine list and cocktails. Great atmosphere both weekend and weeknight. Great local find! We love this place!
(4)
Jim M.
Tried this place on a whim. It was the wife and I and our 2 year old. Not really a kids place, but they did their best to find a good place for us. The food was wonderful. My wife had the pork chop and I had one of the seafood specials. Both meals were delicious. I did find a rather large bone in my fish, which the waitress noticed on my plate. She apologized and actually took the bone to the Chef. He then had the Manager come over and apologize and offered us free dessert or coffee. This was all unnecessary as I still enjoyed the dish very much, but it shows the standards they are striving to attain here. We will definitely go back soon.
(4)
jenny h.
There was something a bit off about everything I ordered. I had the lobster duet for appetizer, which came with a small lobster roll and a lobster bisque. The lobster roll was very good, but the bisque had small clumps of flour in it. I also had the beef shortribs special. The meat was cooked well but the sauce was too salty. Then I ended with the chocolate cake. It was delicious until I got to my last couple of bites, which were dry. The cake also came with strawberry ice cream, which was also delicious, but it was a little frozen, with bits of ice in it. In conclusion, this is an ambitious menu, but the overall experience fell short of my expectations. For this price, I would definitely expect better. I have to add however, that my husband loved his meal. He had the shrimp po' boy. Service was excellent.
(2)
Anne G.
Maplewood Grill is located on the 70s strip mall next to Blockbusters in Vienna. The plaza is long overdo in terms of a makeover and, more importantly, modernization. The restaurant is, however, a great place for foodies. Usually I like to start with the positives, but with a place like Maple Grill, I think you have to get the negatives out of the way. 1. The decor inside the restaurant leaves a lot to be desired. It's a hodge podge of items collected over the years, including one of those 1970s, several piece paintings. It's a shame, because if the restaurant were stripped down and painted a nice beige gray, had some modern lighting and took some truly special features like a very cute little row of old fashioned bird houses and made them a focal point, the restaurant would be a much more inviting place. 2. The furniture is staid, staid, staid and the 'guard'/presumably the owner at the front door are unwelcoming (he even, as only a French person can do, ended up insulting my friend!). The average age of the clientelle is 75....in general the restaurant lacks youth. Hire a competent young hostess and breathe some life into this place! The family claims to have a family night-but unless your children grew up in Europe, I cannot see this being an option for the famille americane. 3. I don't know why, but both Cafe Renaissaince (also in Vienna) and the MG insist that their wait staff wear overdone uniforms for this level of restaurant. Again, the restauarant is out of touch with the 21st century and should buy their staff sleek, simple black uniforms with a modern logo, instead of the ridiculous uniforms-women wearing ties. Here's the good news-the food is fabulous and our server was very friendly and unobtrusive. We both had Ceasar salads that were great. My "Sally-like" requests (anchoives on and crotons on the side) were met with a smile. The salads were well prepared, not too big and the dressing and generous serving of parmesan cheese were divine. For the main course, I had rockfish that was prepared a bit like a ratatouille. It was scrumptious and this was one of those rare occassions that I made it through such a generous entree in one go. My friend had crab cakes and they were plump, well browned and seasoned. The crab cakes came with golden, crisp fries and and slaw-perfect for the person who loves good taste and could give a toss about the calories. All in all, the food was a delight. Call in the calvary to bring the restaurant decor, staff and 'welcome' desk rolling into this century.
(4)
The I.
Today (Valentine's Day) my wife and I had lunch here. I started with an excellent gin martini. For appetizers, she had the shrimp and crab popovers, which was fantastic. I had a ceasar salad, which was very good. She then had the shrimp po boy while I had the pecan trusted trout. Both were very good. The service was just average. The only major negative is the poor quality bread that they bring in a basket. It is way below the quallity of this restaurant.
(4)
G G.
Nice restaurant with piano bar and live music in the evenings. My wife and I are vegan and tried the restaurant for the first time after noticing that vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options are available upon request on the online menu. We had a great salad and fantastic vegetable plate. The plate consisted of several small dishes ... an avocado-based soup, traditional salad, corn-based salad, and two or three other items. All very good! Two vegan dessert options -- both consisting of sorbets. Coconut was our favorite. All told, very nice. Service was efficient and good, too. We'll go back. Price-wise, it is a little on the pricey side but the food is commensurate with the prices.
(4)
Ross M.
Uninspiring. This place is for old people. I love supporting the local businesses in Vienna, and there are a lot of really great places - Plaka Grill, Rose Kabob, Cenan's, Silva's, Nielsen's, Sushi Yoshi, etc. The type of environment they created and the uninspiring obviously frozen (so much of it is just heavy and fried) food just makes for a forgettable experience. They specialize in nothing. The soups are all kind of bleh and thickeners are added. The salads are lame and bare bones. They were out of just as many things as they had specials for! WTF? Inventory management much? Come on....The 2 sandwiches I had there were really just okay. Nothing you couldn't get for half the price and tastes a lot better from other joint. I just don't see a place like this surviving. There's no nightlife in Vienna, so maybe this becomes the hot spot with the piano bar. I seriously doubt it though. RIP Maplewood Grill/Bistro/Piano Bar/Identity Crisis. Why are you even here??? Old people.
(2)
Al J.
Slow ok food. Scallops had 'gravy' like substance on them. Not a great experience.
(2)
Emily A.
I just got take out lunch from here, the beef tenderloin sandwich with onion rings and potato salad. It was tough, stringy, pot roast with BBQ sauce on it. Not what I expected and not what I wanted. Plus, the roll was stale. The onion rings were ok, pretty much fast food onion rings. Potato salad was room temperature and I didn't eat it. I guess for $9 I got my money's worth but I won't go back.
(2)
Greg K.
Took wife there last PM for Valentines Day...not a pleasant experience. First Courses were good but after 45-50min wait between we notice others around us getting their 2nd courses,,,finally able to flag down our waiter (who never offered to refill my ice tea so you can see how non-attentive he was) who agreed to go check on our meal. We were only told that the kitchen "lost" our ticket...no sorry.no nothing. I asked to speak to Mgr. and let him know what was upsetting us. He HAD to speak to chef/owner who said "sorry..and offered a $25 gift certificate for future meal. Since my wife's "turf" part of her Surf and turf was clearly a tenderloin roast that was PRE-SLICED and sitting under a heat lamp, I told MGR the can make an adjustment to bill as I will not be back. A decent place would have comp'd a meal and the owner would have dropped by.
(1)
Stephen D.
Full disclosure: I am close friends with the co-owner and head chef Paul Kuchler. My review is from the soft opening. Maplewood Grill opens on March 2. The Kuchlers closed Le Canard on the first of the year after decades of serving excellent traditional french cuisine. My mom and I were excited to be invited to the soft opening of Maplewood Grill, a modern American restaurant with a new menu full of Chef Paul's favorite dishes as well as few nostalgic nods to Le Canard (escargots, steak frites, moules, duck breast). We were seated right away by Marcel (Paul's father and co-owner) and our server Diana came right away to get our drink orders. Maplewood has an extensive offering of bottled and draft beer (though the taps weren't working properly that night). There are lots of German beers, but a good selection of domestics and at least one excellent regional (Dogfish Head 90min IPA). It was unseasonably warm for February so I went with the Hofbrau Hefeweisen and it was great. My mom had a glass of something white (pinot?), but I don't know much about wine so I can't comment on that. On to the food! There is a ton of seafood on this Grill menu; I was a little surprised by this. We started with the crab and shrimp poppers, which were fantastic!! Each of the three poppers are kind of like a crab cake with shrimp chunks wrapped in a kind of fried crispy stringy nest, drizzled with three sauces: roasted red pepper, a spicy cream, and an herb puree. I realize this description is full of generalized adjectives... all I can say is ORDER IT! My mom ordered the seared scallops entree and I was surprised because we both believe that scallops are usually hit-or-miss in most restaurants. These were definitely a hit... I mean out of the park home run! Crispy on the outside and not the least bit rubbery through the center, Chef Paul proves he has supreme ability with shellfish. The dish comes with a cream sauce that complimented the meat and vegetables (though I don't remember the veggie details). Maplewood offers several cuts of steak, including a filet mignon, Parisian style steak frites, and a rib-eye with choice of sauce. I like the idea of choosing the sauce so I went with the Bearnaise, which I thought would go well with the accompaniment of asparagus and mashed potatoes. My steak was prepared exactly as I ordered it (medium), though a friend who was also there said his was over-cooked. Maplewood's rib-eye is very large, but a little thin, which would make it a little harder to get the temp exactly correct. The vegetables were fine and there was just the right amount. Dessert! I'm not big on sweets, but Diana recommended the Bailey's and Cream bread pudding, which piqued my interest. The ice cream had started to melt by the time it arrived at our table, but I don't know anyone who won't lick their bowl clean at home? I liked that the dish had the ice cream, but the bread pudding itself wasn't overly sweet. It's hard to compare the new Maplewood Grill with the old Le Canard because the cuisine is completely different. But the quality of the food is still top-notch and the staff is still very friendly and knowledgeable. Stay tuned for a followup as they have a different lunch menu with lots of sandwich and salad entrees that look outstanding!
(5)
Raquel G.
my roommate raves about this place, so we went out last night to check it out! had a few appetizers (scallops with mushrooms and baked brie); everything was excellent- although not traditional french cuisine anymore, there are still some parts that remain very french-- the sauces are lighter and less creamy than traditional american or italian and some of the food is saltier (although not too salty). it was hard to decide what to eat--everything looked great. i had the lobster ravoili with crab and asparagus- delicious! very different than i had expected it to be like. it was in a very light tomato sauce with roasted cherry tomatoes, peppers, and asparagus with large chunks of crab and lobster. excellent without being too "seafood-y." my roommate got the mahi special served spanish style. she thought it was excellent as well. as mentioned before, they do have some great beers in bottles and on tap. they had several interesting cocktails, as well. the waitstaff were very nice and not overbearing. the chef came out to see how we were enjoying ourselves. will defintiely be back!
(5)
Tom S.
Been here several times including tonight. Food and service always top notch. One of our favorite Vienna restaurants.
(4)
Susie S.
Unfortunately we were greeted by the smell of lysol when we came through the door. It set an uncomfortable tone throughout the evening. The server was adorable, the appetizers were wonderful, the meal a disappointment. The portions for the money were thin and the squash was bland. Its not that pricey I am unable to get the iPad to allow me to mark the correct $$$
(3)
Donna E.
The restaurant is really lovely with a classy bar featuring live piano Wed - Sat. I believe. You can sit around the grand piano and make requests while sampling their wines or sit at the bar. The music can be heard throughout the restaurant but it's subdued and not obtrusive at all. The service can be great or sloppy, depending on the server. But when your server is just out of high school and new, I tend to cut a bit of slack, so I won't mark the restaurant down for 1 bad experience. Other times I've gone I've been impressed. They have a great list of desserts and if you like chocolate, the "Candy Bar" is just addictive. It's small, order 2 :) They have 1-2 dishes for vegetarians but they have rich salads and will accommodate your requests. And did I mention desserts? It's great to find an upscale but comfortable non-chain restaurant away from the parking hassles of DC. Vienna is fortunate to have lots of great restaurants, (Bazins, Cafe Rennaisance etc etc) but the combination of a quiet atmosphere, live piano, great food, service and a cozy feel puts Maplewood Grill at the top of my list in Vienna.
(5)
Yvette B.
I thought the atmosphere was great. The service was fantastic. The food good but was a little too bit salty for my taste. I may have fulfilled my salt intake for the whole week.
(3)
Karen D.
As a patron of Le Canard (same owner, chef, location), I held my breath for the changeover to Maplewood Grill. I always appreciated the fine cuisine and staff of Le Canard, and truly miss several of their magnificent duck entrees. I needn't have been so anxious, though. Maplewood Grill retained the staff, food quality, and location while diversifying the menu to focus on American fare. I had the top-notch crab cakes...really outstanding, and that's a rare compliment from a crab cake snob like me. There was no need to use tartar sauce; the seasonings were perfect as the chef prepared them. My fellow diners had the Angus burger and raved about the flavor & quality of the beef. The French fries were delicious shoestrings--light and crisp with no oiliness. The cucumber salad was yummy and like a raita. Dessert was a trio of creme brulees--chocolate, "plain," and Grand Marnier flavors. MmmmMmmmm! As early diners with things to do, we didn't try any of the many beers or wines available, but we'll definitely do that next time. The music track was some of my favorite tunes. The staff was attentive and professional--not hovering, but there when wanted. They kept the water glasses filled and cleared at an appropriate interval. We didn't feel at all rushed, and we still were in and out in a little over an hour. If you're not familiar with the area: the restaurant is in a simple, much loved shopping center on the north end of Vienna. The shopping center includes Norm's beer & wine shop, Cenan's fantastic bakery, a good Asian fusion restaurant and a local barbecue place, plus Aditi Indian restaurant and grocery. There's also Ketterman's jewelers, a Blockbuster, a paint store, and a classic barber shop. If you walk out Maplewood's front door, you're looking across the parking lot at the side of the Giant Food building. There's plenty of free parking. The restaurant is fully handicapped accessible. Definitely a place to appeal to a lot of people who want something more interesting and distinctive than the glut of chain restaurants...Maplewood blends excellent food and neighborhood appeal!
(4)
Janet E.
I originally posted a review on Friday that has disappeared. One of the worst meals we have ever paid for: zero stars. My dish looked like someone had vomited (sorry) on the plate. Disgusting, expensive and totally not worth it. The place was busy, so there must be something on the menu worth having, but we have not figured out what it is, even after three visits over five years. It gets worse each time.
(1)
Donnia C.
On a torrential raining evening, at 10 pm. after attending an event that went passed the time we thought it would end. my friend and I saw this restaurant was open. We took a chance since we had been turned away from more than 5 places. they too closed at 10 pm however the owner said to us "Come in, we will serve you, my son will make whatever you want." Wow! how kind. Atmosphere was soothing, the place was immaculate and the wait staff didn't make us feel as if we were taking from their leaving time. The food was awesome. My shrimp dish with cherry tomatoes, polenta and other vegetables was so fresh and flavorful. My friend gushed over her burger. I had such a hard time choosing and if my dish was an indication then I couldn't have gone wrong. Some patrons were singing with the piano but it did not take from the meal matter of fact it was enjoyable. I am raving to all I know about this place and the kindness extended to drenched travelers
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Music : Live Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat Coat Check : Yes Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Patrick O.
A really fantastic place. High quality experience, food, and atmosphere for the price. Not cheap, but not super expensive either. The Jambalaya pasta hit the spot!
(5)Va Beach M.
Excellent onion soup! Flatbread was flat. Great local brew. Server was obnoxious, trying too hard, callimg customers honey and touching them.
(3)Sam W.
This is a great restaurant if you want a nicer meal with an awesome ambiance. When you walk in your greeted by live piano entertainment and a friendly staff. The restaurant is sectioned between a full bar and entertainment corner and the rest is cushy leather seating at smaller intimate tables with a couple back sections that look like they could handle a larger party. The staff is professional and very friendly but loiter at times during the rush which is nice for attentiveness but takes away from the quiet private set-up they've got going. The food was overall very good and the plates were fresh and quite varied in style. We started the night with a bottle of Grüner Veltliner that was a fresh perfect wine for lighter proteins and fried goodies. We opted for their signature crab and shrimp fritters as a starter...which I loved. The trio of sauce that comes with them really bursts with flavor. We ordered the wiener schnitzel and pork ribeye with mac n cheese. The schnitzel was great and fit perfectly with the citrus flavors in the sauce/capers and wine. The ribeye was over cooked but well seasoned and was definitely shadowed by the awesome Gruyere mac n cheese with bacon and caramelized onions. Lastly, we had to try the creme brulee trio and ultimately decided that the vanilla was still the best. the grand marnier a close second...The chocolate was too thick and pasty. To surmise a great meal with just a slight room for improvement! Looking forward to trying more in the future. Lastly, I love their motto "Live Good, Eat Good, Maplewood" as its more or less my own!
(4)Eric L.
Nothing spectacular about this place. The food is good and the price and quality is fair to what you get. I ordered a variety of things... cocktails, crab cake, popper and lobster ravoli. The cocktails were bad. Wouldn't recommend cocktails at this place. The food is good all around and everything I sampled was good. The reason this place gets two stars is the bad cocktail and they wouldn't give me more brown bread with nuts and rasins. They told me they were out and then I see them give the table beside me more brown bread. My tab is big enough where I think I should have as much da*n brown bread I want!
(2)Toby D.
Went there with friends, all four of us going for first time. Got a variety of burgers, fish, and steaks, all well prepared and presented. Typically the word grill evokes an image of anything from casual bar food to artisan seafood dishes, this is more on the artisan spectrum. Good atmosphere for discussions etc, bright, not noisy, didn't see ANY sports TV screens. Recommended for food and ambiance, service very good.
(4)LaTesha O.
The service is great the food is fabulous perfect place for date night The Pianist was awesome my boyfriend took me there for my birthday and we had a fabulous time.
(5)Blaire S.
Came here for brunch on Sunday at a friend's recommendation. Overall, the experience was lovely with decent food. Here's the breakdown: Food: No real complaints here. The food was good, but nothing special at all. We ordered: Salmon platter- Pros: they gave me a ton of smoked salmon! No skimping here. Cons: Way too many onions! I was tasting and smelling of them for days afterwards. Love that the platter included a deviled egg and goat cheese toast, which was A-OK. French toast: Boyfriend said they were "okay." He wasn't impressed. Atmosphere: Adorable, but cluttered. It was really hard to figure out the theme this place is trying to go for. Some parts of the restaurant's decor were nice, like the large mirrors with gold frames, yet other parts screamed tacky and casual. I was and still am confused. Service: EXCELLENT! Our waiter and busboy were amazing. Super attentive, but didn't hover. Really top notch. Prices: Very, very fair. I was impressed that my salmon platter, which included lots of salmon, wasn't the price of an arm and a leg. All in all, a decent meal, at a good price, with great service; however, the experience was not memorable enough for me to want to return anytime soon.
(3)Sumayra R.
We came here for a romantic night out and got exactly what we were looking for. Their calamari was absolutely delicious. It was probably the best calamari we had anywhere; their sauces are amazing. Their main entrees were delicious and plated beautifully! Their staff was very accommodating and pleasant.
(5)Stephanie J.
We came for brunch on a Sunday morning and were the first patrons to arrive. Though located in a strip mall the restaurant is striving for an upscale feel. For brunch they offer a Bloody Mary bar that seems to have every ingredient you desire to customize a morning libation to kick start your day. They also offer other specialty cocktails such as screwdrivers with fresh squeezed OJ and espresso martinis. Their brunch menu includes a mix of favorites from their regular menu as well as breakfast fare such as eggs benedict, a breakfast platter, and brioche french toast. The complimentary bread they serve is delicious and included a mix of a cinnamon roll and banana bread. The bread was fresh and moist -- very good. We started with their crab and shrimp poppers which were absolutely perfection. I should have stopped there. Our breakfast dishes were good but not "rave worthy" and I thought the prices at Maplewood were too high for the food and setting. After all, tacking a high price onto items isn't what makes them a hit. Sadly, service was slow and for a while we were the only patrons so it's inexcusable. I gave up on having my water glass refilled and we had to flag the server down twice to get assistance and additional condiments. It seems they are going for an upscale market but given their location in the heart of Vienna, I would prefer a more homey and welcoming feel. So, overall the restaurant was good, I wouldn't balk at a return visit but I would rather forage new ground then revisit the Maplewood Grill.
(3)Megs T.
Impressed! With everything! The freshness, the flavors, the service and the presentation. I think we can all agree this strip-mall restaurant must be a SPECIAL place when I promise you I fully intend to travel from Washington DC to Vienna to dine here again. I was initially lured here by photos a friend posted on social media after a company lunch here. It did not disappoint. The crab and shrimp popper appetizer is as good as everyone says. And, it tastes as good (or better) than it looks! The Seafood Bisque with lump crab meat special was SUPERB. The corn salsa: lovely fresh, citrusy and slightly spicy flavor. If you go, definitely try one of the day's specials, enjoy the lovely space and stand out experience! I must say I LOVE when restaurants aren't 'trying too hard' and totally OVERDELIVER!
(5)Karla L.
Walked in for lunch on a whim. A hidden gem of a restaurant. Staff was very friendly and welcoming. Our waiter was most attentive and his food suggestions were on point! Food was delicious. Reasonable prices. Definitely will be a returning customer.
(5)Alex B.
This is a local place. I am writing to express my disappointment as a wine and food expert. Bartender was very unfriendly and not proactive. Beef sliders were burned and overcooked. Wiener schnitzel was breaded long time before cooking. Not as the original, wchich is : Serve with parsley potatoes, rice, potato salad or mixed salad. The true origin of the Wiener Schnitzel has become a matter of vigorous debate between culinary historians in recent times again. One thing, however, is absolutely certain: the Wiener Schnitzel is truly cosmopolitan. The earliest trails lead to Spain, where the Moors were coating meat with breadcrumbs during the Middle Ages. The Jewish community in Constantinople is similarly reported to have known a dish similar to the Wiener Schnitzel, in the 12th century. So whether the legend surrounding the import of the "Costoletta Milanese" from Italy to Austria by Field Marshal Radetzky is true or merely a nice story makes very little difference, in actual fact. So long as the schnitzel is tender and crispy!
(1)Thomas M.
Hidden gem. I don't get to Vienna often, but found this place because of the music. Love establishments that feature live music and this was great jazz. The menu looks extensive and everything we had was good even, suprisingly, the mussels. The bar is a feature with a TON of fresh microbrews on draft as a feature. Neighborhood, friendly feel.
(4)Ron K.
The MAPLEWOOD GRILL is a great place ... casual, pleasant decor, friendly staff, great food, and wonderful music 4 or 5 evenings each week. The Hamburger is the BEST I have ever had ... gourmet bun with PERFECTLY cooked and extremely tasty burger. The Filet Mignon is also excellent. Co-owner and chef Paul always pleases with his cooking and presentation. I dine here and enjoy the ambiance, food, and music about 10 times each year ... and I live in Tampa, Florida!
(5)Kevin C.
Stop in on week night. Not very crowded. I ate at the bar. The bartender was helpful and attentive to her customers. I had a bison burger with fries and cole slaw. The burger was great. I really enjoyed. The menu seemed a little pricey but I'll be back.
(4)Megan B.
I came here for a Valentine's Day dinner with my S/O and left disappointed. The service seemed chaotic and although there was a surplus of staff, they became more of a nuisance than a good thing as they were constantly running into each other. The fist course came out after 20 minutes and it wasn't even our appetizer, the server apologized and took it over the the couple a few tables down from us. When we finally got ours, the food was mediocre at best. The bisque had a burnt flavor and a strange aftertaste. The shrimp and crap sliders were utterly tasteless--I am not even sure how that happens! The second course was not much better. We were again served the wrong food. His mixed meat platter was horrible. The lamb was not rare, it was raw. The tenderloin was well done (such a shame). The shrimp were the best thing on the plate, but that's not saying much. My meal, when it finally arrived (since they brought me out the wrong plate the first time), looked as if someone literally threw up on my plate. My tenderloins were supposed to be medium-rare but one was medium well and the other was medium-rare. How does this even happen? The presentation was atrocious. I can't imagine anyone looking at gray potatoes and think "oh that looks delicious!" Needless to say, I would have expected a much better meal for $70 per person. The meal I received was on par with Applebee's (puke). Not sure if it was due to the busy night, the pre-made dinner menu (got a nice look into the kitchen while waiting for the bathroom) or just a standard fare, but I will not be returning to find out l.
(1)Casey Q.
It's not often that you wind up in a strip mall restaurant, and find yourself having an experience you're anxious to repeat. This place has become the go-to for get-togethers involving friends and family in NoVa. The food is always well above average, with touches to make any kind of foodie feel special. The service is terrific, and the bar is a place you can find yourself arriving early for a group gathering, just so you can bar-fly in style while waiting. If you're in Vienna, I highly recommend giving this place a shot.
(4)Judith L.
Came here for brunch with my parents, uncle, and grandmother. The service was good. The bread they brought out was all sweet. Decent, but I am not a fan of sweets being the first thing I eat. I ended up getting the crab cake. It was okay, but tasted like it had more filler than I would prefer. The omelette and panini that were ordered looked really good, though. I'd try it again just to branch out and try more on the menu.
(3)Tiffanie L.
First off, what a cute place. You wouldn't think by the outside that it would be a nice piano bar, where you can set up shop on the piano with your drink while listening to music. The bread is really good as is the lobster ravioli. I decided to try the lemon pie and was really impressed. The best part of it all was that I had an issue getting my opentable points when the hostess cancelled my reservation instead of accepting it and Noelle called me the next day and took care of everything, called opentable and got me my points. Awesome service, we will be back :)
(5)Rachel P.
Came here on a Thursday night with a group of 11 people. All but one of us decided to go with the 3 courses for $30 dollar deal they are having for the month of April. Best decision ever if you want to get a little taste of different things on the menu when you are a first timer. But also just such a deal when their main entrees run close to the $30 price range anyway. I started off with the trio appetizer - it was soooooo good. Best thing on that trio was their infamous shrimp and crab poppers topped with a roasted corn salsa and red pepper sauce. I would definitely go back and order that as an appetizer in the future. My fiance got the corn and crab bisque. I got a little taste of it and it was good. For entrees I was torn between the pork schnitzel "cordon bleu" and the medallions. Since my fiance was getting the medallions it made my decision so much easier and I was able to try both. The schnitzel was great. It was stuffed with ham and cheese that was oozing out when I cut into it. Topped with a cranberry sauce and arugula with another sauce drizzled around the plate that was so yum. The spaetzle that came with it was made with bacon and peas. So much flavor and components on the plate. The medallions were cooked to perfection and came with a nice gravy, green beans and potato au-gratin that was delicious. The other thing on the 3 for 30 deal was the cod topped with a lemon caper sauce and came with asparagus and mashed potatoes. The others in our group that ordered it loved it. All plates were cleaned. For dessert we both opted for the warm brownie topped with a scoop of marshmallow ice cream and warm caramel sauce. What was happening in my mouth was not describable. I took a bite of my friends Southern Lemon Chess Pie and it was so light and lemony and delicious. Service was great. No one was in a rush. We all got our apps, entrees and desserts at the same time and there was time in between all courses so we didn't feel like we needed to inhale our food and go on to the next meal. The piano bar is so awesome if you are into that type of thing. The guy who was playing was amazing. All oldies songs. Such a great voice. you can tell there are regulars who go and he gets them in for a few songs and they all have great voices. The volume wasn't too loud so you were able to enjoy dinner and have this awesome live music in the background. Would definitely go again!
(5)Mark W.
This was our 3rd visit. 1st two were better Meat was below average and not cooked correctly
(2)Sara W.
Around the corner favorite from my office. It is a little hidden in the corner of the shopping center, but don't let that turn you off. The food is always good but make sure you have time to enjoy and relax your meal as service is pleasant but a little on the slow side. The food is always fresh and they have seasonal rotations and great specials depending on what is in season. I elected for the ahi tuna BLT with a basil aioli sauce. Our server recommended it without the bun, which I agreed to...it was brought with the bun anyway. That was alright since it was actually tastier and easier to eat with it. I did have to send the bacon back to have it cooked more since it was chewy and I like really crispy bacon. Our server was more than happy to do so and quickly returned it. The atmosphere is casual with lots of dark cherry wood and definitely a more mature crowd most of the time. Great for a lunch business meeting. I recommend reservations on a weekend but dinner during the week and lunch I don't think it is necessary. Be sure to try to grown up grilled cheese and tomato soup! If you are in Vienna, you can't go wrong here.
(4)Dale H.
Maplewood Grill is tucked away in an unassuming strip mall in Vienna next to Elevation Burger. It's an upscale restaurant with great food. We usually go there for special occasions. Last time we went, however, things seemed they were just running on auto-pilot. They food was good thus time but not $30 entrée good, and we came for an early dinner. The sauce was salty and the service was OK. We are usually one of the younger couples eating there and it looked like we we were ignored while the old money was attended to. Usually the manager or one of the owners comes and checks on diners but skipped us. One came to two table right next to us a few times each. It was just weird. This rating is based 9 our last experience, normally I'd give it a 4. We'll see how they are next time. Compare MG to Bazins on Church Street.
(3)Lila R.
I am a huge fan of this restaurant. The staff is super friendly and is willing to work with food allergies, and the restaurant is cozy but elegant. They have a nice range of lunch and dinner foods that never fail to please us. I especially recommend any of their fish, it is just delightful. They frequently change the menu and offer new and exciting dishes. It is very family friendly and not overpriced. We love the Maplewood Grill.
(5)Mike F.
I just had one of the best swordfish of my life. I'm not a huge seafood critic but I do love swordfish and they nailed it. Lemon caper butter as main white sauce with a aioli mix and fresh red roasted potatoes. Fantastic. Ivan the bartender very friendly as well as the other staff. I'd have give six stars if I could.
(5)Susan B.
Food, service and setting all very good. Perfect for that "special" couples evening or dinner out with friends.
(4)Marie M.
Ambience - reminds me of a funky TGIF restaurant but in a nice way. Service- super hot waiter who was attentive but not quite ready for high end dining. Could not describe the specials but found a typed up memo listing them. He had a very cute personality so all was forgiven. Food- the poppers were meh. Artie's down the street has a more refined version. I had a seared scallop salad that was super greasy and unpleasant. My companion had pork schnitzel which was tasty but not as refined for the price. There was a large portion but it was presented like a Bob Evans entree. We shared the flour less chocolate cake which was presented well but tasted no differently than any other flour less cake anywhere else. The wine list was very good and the live music was awesome. Overall it was a pleasant but expensive night with a lackluster meal. It's like Maplewood grill doesn't know what it is...upscale Applebys or high end wanna be. And it's neither. There are some really strong elements but in the end the price points did not match the quality.
(2)Charlie T.
On the major plus side we came in at 6:30 and left close to Midnight. This was due in large part to the entertainment. Not a real minus but one that needs to improve is the service. Perhaps a little conversation with the waiters that they play a role equal to the entertainment would help. Another and not either a minus but also not a plus is watch the salt content in the food. Having said all that we will be back.
(4)Dana K.
Food was fine. The waitress seemed irritated that I asked for a substitute vegetable instead is mashed potatoes. I asked if she could just bring a plain baked potato as I am unable to tolerate lactose which started this request. She said this restaurant does not have potatoes except mashed. She could not bring additional greens but could bring corn salsa. That was fine. What was silly was the $2 that was added to our $80 check for the substitute corn. She reminded me I substituted the side dish. We paid the bill and I sent a note to the owner of the restaurant to let him know of the snooty service and the irritating $2 add. Not one word back. Needless to say we will not return. Bazins and Sea Pearl treat you like a welcome guest and don't bit pick you for avoiding your food allergies!
(1)bryan i.
Been here twice for brunch. 1st time I'd give it a 4 star; 2nd time 1 star. Rounding down to 2 stars. The first time the food and service was pretty good; I remember the chicken and gravy being very good. Also the bloody marry bar was good. That bacon bloody marry - yum. The second time the food was not very good and the service very poor. The store opened 15 minutes late and customers were waiting outside. I think the staff was all hungover, haha. I remember that they did not have the fried chicken and gravy for some reason. The food wasn't very good this time around. It came our warm instead of hot..... either the cooks messing up or the server taking too long. Either way, it was a bad experience.
(2)Thomas S.
I would give this restaurant 3.5 stars. It is good food and nice atmosphere. Wait staff is excellent. I have been here twice. Once for dinner and once for Sunday Brunch. They have a make your own Bloody Mary bar and very affordable brunch selections. I had the fried chicken biscuits and sausage gravy with fried eggs. A good combination and very filling. The biscuits were the only real down fall of the dish, felt like they were cooked in the morning and been sitting around in a hot box or under lamp for a while. The chicken was lightly fried and sausage gravy was tasty. The fried egg was a bit over cooked, but I enjoy runny eggs so will leave that up to personal preference. I enjoyed my meals both times but not blown away. I would recommend it for taking your grandparents to and everyone can find something to eat and enjoy the meal. It is on open table and very easy to make a reservation directly from YELP. Kudos for that MG. Like most places in the area it is in a strip mall. This makes it a little hard to find from the main road as it is tucked back in a corner between a wine/beer shop and a dollar store with no real signage other than the strips marque.
(3)Mike N.
I went here for brunch on Mother's Day. The food was good but not great. I got the Eggs Benedict and thought they were good. There was five of us total and everyone had a good meal and the portions were large. My 3 start review isn't because the restaurant did anything wrong but more that it wasn't anything special. We went here once for drinks and I think we were the only people that weren't regulars at the bar so it defiantly has a loyal following. I would probably go back again.
(3)Jason A.
For background, we made a diner reservation for Valentine's Day. We're two men together for over 20 years. While we don't expect roses where we go, it's good business sense (and common courtesy) for the owner of an establishment sitting at the hostess desk to receive customers professionally - "hello and welcome" is enough - especially when: a) they're obviously celebrating b) most people don't respond well to grunting c) they've given you a deposit to hold a table in a half full restaurant d) the menu only offers a prix fixe dinner at $70 per person. As for the food, his salad and my lobster bisque first course was interesting and gave us hope. Plus the couple next to us were a little chatty and it broke the ice in an otherwise slightly awkward atmosphere. Unfortunately, our main course was a confused concoction under the very loose heading of "surf and turf." Mystery crab and reasonably good beef, though spoiled by a heavy sauce over a bed of mushroomy potatoy goo. The Chocolate cake dessert, similar to what you'd find at the bakery counter of a Harris Teetor grocery store, to finish was tasty and helped redeem the meal. Oddly, we passed on the included champagne only to be charged five bucks for soda water. That sort of petty gouging really made me wonder if they believed the dinner package was somehow undervalued. Our server tried hard and was genuinely sweet, but the busers were bad. I don't hold them at fault, but rather think they've never been properly instructed on how or when to clear dishes from a table with customers. Ironically, for as often as they tried to grab our plates, the table next to us remained uncleared long after the couple had gone. This lent a certain Fresh Choice ambiance to our area of the restaurant. It was an unfortunate evening for us; maybe your luck will be better.
(2)Chris J.
I took my family here for an early dinner following my Son's High School Graduation. Our server was excellent.... attentive, responsive and even witty. The food was pretty good but was lacking a little flavor. My family and guests enjoyed it and many said they would come back again.
(3)Jason V.
I got to say,ive eaten here several times throughout the years, every time I am very satisfied with the food. The only downfall is it is a bit pricey for some of their entrees. Great staff, and love the live music as well.
(4)Karl F.
I enjoyed a fine martini and a crab cake salad at the Maplewood Grill last weekend. Service was pleasant and efficient, and gave us time to relax and talk after eating.
(4)Petra E.
This restaurant has been around forever (used to be Le Canard) and we have been here often enough for the host/owner to at least recognize our faces. However, although he is always very formal and polite, there never has been a warm welcoming us back like at other long established restaurants in Vienna (Bonaroti and Cafe Renaissance for example). The food is good, though I ordered the liver one night recently and was seriously underwhelmed. The guys usually love their schnitzels, though, and the appetizers are usually very good. You probably will have an enjoyable meal here but I hope they can make it with so many other great restaurants nearby. Still not impressed by this restaurant.
(2)Kathleen K.
Went there for dinner on a cold Friday night and had a lovely time. The piano bar (really, a piano that was a bar) player did a nice job and really made for the festive atmosphere. We ordered the Mexican flatbread appetizer - I probably wouldn't order it again. It tasted good enough, but really seemed like a pizza crust they purchased and loaded up with some typical "Mexican" toppings. I had the steak salad for a entrée and it was actually really good. Tender steak and a light vinaigrette dressing. I wouldn't have thought they would go together, but it was good.
(4)Jasmine E.
The food is very weird; the exact phrase I told the waitress when I finished my meal. The dishes just have to much going on and the sauces are very heavy and rich. My boyfriend and I shared a flatbread pizza with way to much cheese and mediocre meatballs. He got a tuna salad which had a strange assortment of veggies and a dressing that did not complement his stomach. I got this seafood trio without mashed potatoes for $28. Half of my plate was covered in this bland, tasteless heavy cream sauce sprinkled with a sort of Mexican style corn and relish mixture (utterly confusing). The other half included a very very small wedge of salmon (cooked nicely), the weirdest tasting crab cake I have ever had, and a whopping TWO pieces of grilled shrimp that were absolutely tasteless. I seriously thought they forgot to season them. $28. Along with the confused food (and confusing decor...), the staff also seemed to be completely confused as well. Disorganization. My boyfriend and I cracked jokes while we watched one of the servers try to figure out where our table was to give us our coffee. It was clearly a lack of communication and not her fault but it was quite amusing watching her do a full lap around the restaurant before finding out table. The food took way to long to get to our table and our first waiter (yes first...because he left in the middle of his shift) was not so great. The food is shit, the service sucks, but the bread pudding we had for dessert was fantastic.
(1)Benjy E.
We came here for the first time to celebrate my sons birthday. The food was great. The French onion soup was fantastic. My daughter's filet was excellent. I had the mahi mahi and it was excellent. The only negative is that singer in the bar area was so fricking loud! We couldn't hear each other. Unfortunately the second half of our meal almost ruined first since it was so loud.
(4)Frank H.
Somewhat pricey but very good food. We visit at least once a month. I highly recommend. Bring an extra coaster as often the tables are tippy and need to be leveled.
(4)Debbie D.
We had a lovely dinner. I had the flat iron steak...with a multitude of sauces. I couldnt make up my mind so they let me try all. My husband the weiner schnitzle. Both were great. The chopped salad was good too. The place is small...but it is a nice local place. Not too crowded...didnt wait at all.
(4)Luvto E.
Extremely disappointing, would not return. They were out of so many things on their menu, it was ridiculous. We actually decided to come to the restaurant based on their online menu, I wanted liver and my husband short ribs. Guess what, on a Thursday night, they were out of both. Then my husband order a pasta dish that had black pepper fettucini and guess what they had to substitute for plain linguine because they were out of their pasta. Then when the dessert menu came they said the were out of carrot cake. When we pushed our server for an answer as to whether being out of items on the menu was normal, we got some excuse about how the owner was on vacation and could not make the carrot cake. We asked why all the other items were out too, and got some excuse about how if it were a seasonal item and not good they might not serve it. Really? When did beef become a seasonal item. The crab and shrimp poppers were not poppers, rather a formed ball with a crispy top. There were tasty sauces served with them but overall they were just ok. They were just warm, not hot enough at all. The surf and turf pasta, served with the substitute pasta, was so so. The tips were over cooked and bland, with too many items thrown in the pasta. The schnitzel, was not pounded thin enough, so it was a little tough and rubbery, and not seasoned enough. The sauce that came with it was ok. The service was mixed, our server and several others were very friendly. However, we noticed several of the servers and bus persons who never smiled once. Our bus boy, when removing the appetizer dishes, tried to take a knife off my husband plate that was dirty and he had used to eat the appetizer and put it back on the table so it would have to be used for the entree. My husband had to tell him he to take it and bring a new knife. Very tacky. Will not be back.
(1)Jill C.
I recently discovered this little gem, hidden in the corner of a strip mall off Maple Ave. I first went for dinner with a friend, and was pleasantly surprised. Cute little bistro style, separate bar area, and extensive wine list. Service was great, the food was wonderful, and had a wide variety of things for just about anyone's dietary restrictions and preferences. Great place for foodies and traditionalists alike. About a month later, I came again for a Sunday brunch after a morning spa treatment with another friend. It was another pleasurable experience. We were seated right away, and service was excellent. We first received a basket of complimentary breads featuring handmade cinnamon bread, banana bread, and shortbread/madelines. I had fresh squeezed OJ and coffee, which were refreshing and well-brewed. I ordered something of a twist on Eggs Benedict with crabmeat on top, homefried potatoes, and grilled asparagus - all very, very good. My friend and I also split the salad with goat cheese, sun dried tomatoes, pine nuts and artichokes which is a favorite for me. I see they're doing an Octoberfest night too with authentic German cuisine; we may have to come back to check that out too!
(4)Suzie D.
Kind of mixed... Went there for brunch Sunday. Called ahead since it was a surprise birthday (I asked to have the check handed to me and not the gentleman and asked for 2 desserts with candles....SO accomodating and friendly and helpful!!!) very nice owner. food - Appetizers (poppers with shrimp - not pieces but shrimp and crab; calamari; and salmon quesadillas) were the best I've had in a VERY long time. Eggs benedict was just okay (overdone eggs, cold ham, horrible potatoes) but everyone else's was fine. so - mixed. Staff - was very friendly....but took a long time to get food and also to get the check and to get dessert menus...and not busy. But they were so nice so - mixed.
(3)PJ G.
Holy ticklish ivories, a Piano Par! Where's my martini? The first visit that the would-be missus and I made to the Maple Wood Grill was not all that exciting. It was a Saturday and we caught them between shifts. The place was empty, with the exception of us and few employees. And, while we weren't particularly thrilled with our late lunch that day (I ordered the wrong things), we were very impressed by the discussion we had with Owner/Chef Paul Kuchler, and his enthusiasm for food and his pride in the menu. So, as we were also curious about the piano bar, we decided to return for dinner. I am glad we did. The Maple Wood has become a regular stop for us. The food is excellent. I like to go with the specials, but the Roasted Pork Chop with Apple Peppercorn Sauce and Gruyere Mac & Cheese is my favorite menu item. The would-be missus travels the menu a little more than I do, and has tried a greater variety of dishes. She often orders one of the fresh fish selections, as I don't like to cook fish at home. Last night she had the Surf & Turf, selecting the Crab Cake for the "Turf" portion. Being from Maryland, I refuse to suggest that it was the best crab cake I ever tasted. That said; it was pretty darn good. The Piano Bar is its own experience, and a lot of fun. Think Dino, Frank and Sammy (Not Joey Bishop though. I could never figure out why they kept that guy around), Rosemary Clooney, and Dinah Shore. It definitely draws a seasoned crowd, with years and years and years of experience. But these folks go to the Maple Wood to have a good time, and do so with a certain sense of style that helped define a past era. The casual observer may hear arcane phrases like "Thank you" and "You're welcome". And don't be afraid to sing along. It's not karaoke, but there are plenty of volunteers who aren't afraid to stand up and share a tune. Many of them are surprisingly good. Many of them are not. It's all part of the adventure So, if you're in Rat-Pack state of mind, put on your favorite blazer/turtleneck combo, splash on some Old Spice, and head up to the Maple Wood for a martini, a nice steak dinner and little "Fly me to the Moon".
(4)Thomas O.
Maplewood Grill is a hidden gem in Vienna. I've been to this establishment repeatedly and have really enjoyed their cuisine. Try the crab and shrimp popper appetizer, so good I made a meal of it once. The ingredients are fresh and the sauce is zesty, complex and very flavorful. The Schnitzel Cordon Bleu rivals any I've had in Germany and the portions are very generous. Overall, there are a multitude of delicious freshly prepared choices on the menu and I look forward to trying them all. Trust me on this one because like the profile states "believe me, I know".
(5)Christina O.
Surprisingly nice on the inside. I went here for dinner with a large group and we were served promptly. Everyone enjoyed their meal. My only complaint is that the servers were slow to remove the dishes from the table and our waiter was not very attentive.
(4)Norman S.
Just had dinner here. We were a party of eight . Our waiter forgot our appetizer, and seemed annoyed when after the entrees came out I told him I don't want it anymore. Of the eight main courses, half were wrong. My dinner was completely wrong and I had to wait an additional 15 minutes for my meal. Never once were our waters or soft drinks refilled . The only explanation was sorry the waiter is new. Well, my answer to that is , not my problem, train him better, start him off at lunch, don't give him a table of eight. Could you imagine if that excuse was used for everything? Also, if you screw up so bad, offer me dessert, a drink, an apology, not an excuse
(1)Sarah W.
fantastic food, would never have thought of this restaurant but met a bunhc of ppl here. caters to an older crowd. fabulous menu - good music :) great ambiance
(4)Bill M.
Marcel's platter can't be beat for Brunch it had a nice assortment and I think the Home fries were excellent.Table seemed a little small I can see it could be a little tight when they are busy, very nice decor. I would like to come when someone is playing music on the piano. I do agree with Jason A on the bussing of the dishes. I find it a little annoying that the place was not that busy , but they are right there getting there plates?
(4)Joe H.
I have been to the Maplewood Grill a number of times. My office is located walking distance from the restaurant, so I often take people there. The food is good and the atmosphere is nice. The piano bar is nice at night. My only complaint is that the service can be a little slow during the day.
(4)Mercedes B.
Stopped in by change and was pleasantly surprised. It is a small place but very comfortable. The waitress was so pleasant! My friend ordered the soup of the day and I had a spoonful, wish I had ordered it! Crab and corn chowder SO GOOD! I had a Cobb salad which I would say was elevated a bit with arugula and corn , very tasty! I cant believe I have walked by this restaurant so many times and not stopped by. I love finding a restaurant ideal for lunch and catching up with friends. Definitely will go back soon!
(4)Lexus K.
I headed to meet with a friend of mine in Vienna but the location we were going to was closed. We saw that Maplewood Grill was open and decided to try it out. From the beginning, our server was so know knowledgable of the menu and respectful. The food came out in timely manner and it was "excellent". I gotta say that with great service, great food, after eating here I did the rest of my errands of the day with a smile. Excellent I say, Excellent!
(5)Kacey C.
I met my family there around 7 on a Tuesday night. The place was pretty near empty, and the other diners were very casual in jeans. Call me old fashioned, but if I'm going to dinner somewhere relatively nice I'm going to put a decent outfit together and maybe you should too! Regardless, the service left a lot to be desired. We were not asked about drinks in a timely manner, and actually it wasn't until we were asked if we were ready to order that the waiter noticed we were still drinkless. eep. My martini, when it finally arrived, was good. Our apps and entrees were tasty. My sister and I particularly liked the spinach and artichoke dip, the toasted bread and browned cheese on the dip.. mmm it was quite nice! No complaints about their entrees, except for the wrong salad being delivered to my mom (eep again). Maybe on a weekend night the place is more lively and the staff is more attentive.. NIce little place, poor location in a run-down shopping center on the border of Vienna and Tysons.
(2)Jeff T.
Ever since this restaurant opened I have wanted to try it. Today, driving around at lunch, looking for something "new" I decided to give it a try. I walked in and was greeted by the owner who sat me down. I had someone come up right away to give me bread and water and soon my waiter came to take my order. I ordered a tea to drink and it took them 10 minutes to bring me my tea. At the time I ordered my drink I also ordered my entree, Buffalo burger. The waiter did not ask me how i wanted it cooked. You have to be careful how much you cook buffalo so I thought I would leave it in the hands of the cooks to cook it the proper way. It took about 20 minutes for me to get my burger, seemed a little long, since the place was not that busy, but once I got my food, any doubt about the service went out the window. The burger was cooked perfectly, had a nice crust on it, could see juices oozing out of it, which told me the burger was not overcooked. It had cubes of blue cheese on it and two strips of bacon. I took a bit and my taste buds went on a flavor journey. The buffalo had the most incredible taste, not too gamey. The flavors burst into your mouth, it was cooked medium, and was very juicy. The fries were great as well. Now, as I said it took 20 minutes for my burger, but taking in the fact it probably took close to 10 minutes to cook the burger, it was super thick, it has been rested and the juices were through the burger and I was in heaven. This is my first time here, will go again and try other things on the menu. My rating really is a 4.25-4.5 only because of the service, it could have been a little faster, especially when it came to the drink. But once I was done, the waiter came right over, gave me my check, and quickly had it back to me after running my credit card and I was out of there. I highly recommend this place.
(5)Anna P.
Had lunch here last week, ordered the Scallop salad, which was so delicious! I'll be going back very soon.
(5)Kate A.
This is by far my favorite restaurant. The ambiance is cozy and the food is always awesome. I love the piano bar and the fact that people actually sit right at the piano. We could hear the bar singing along to Christmas carols & other classics during dinner. I'd eat at Maplewood for every meal if I could :)
(5)Jon T.
Its piano bar has good entertainment, but the price of $10.- for a glass of beer is incredibly expensive. If their is a cover charge it should be advertised and not kept as a secret!
(2)Christine H.
What a cozy, upscale neighborhood restaurant! Came in with the BF for a belated heart's day dinner. I wanted a non-chainy restaurant with personality and this was just the ticket. Live piano music was playing when we came in, we were greeted and seated warmly. Water and bread were provided and our server came within a minute of the bread. She proceeded to tell us the specials, after taking our bar order and I went with her suggestions of the lobster bisque and scallops for my entree. He started with the crab/shrimp poppers and shrimp po boy for his entree. The bread, was just ok...but I wasn't there for that. My bisque was pretty good, but I had one of the poppers, OMG...so good! My scallops were prepared with mushrooms, bacon, asparagus, and mashed potatoes...wonderful. The po boy was good, not amazing, but good. I had no room for dessert, but will definitely be back. Thanks for the warm friendly service and yummy food!
(4)Jesse H.
Dinner is expensive, ~ $20+ a plate? The food is good, served by friendly staff and I've had my beef dishes cooked perfectly to order. Great fries by the way. It's a cozy place tucked away in the corner of the parking lot across the street to the Vienna Giant.
(4)Jeffrey S.
I just went there for the first time this weekend with my family. My parents enjoy this restaurant, I cannot really see why. While there we experienced the following: Ordered an appetizer while waiting for the rest of our party to arrive. The wait staff thought it better to not put the order in. That dish was eventually cancelled. Ordered the onion soup. In all the years I have eaten French onion soup, I have never found a bay leaf in my bowl. In fact all recipes say, "discard bay leaf'. The wiener schnitzel was the fattiest and most bland that I have ever encountered. When our entrées arrived, my nephew's child portion of angel hair pasta and meatballs was clearly forgotten. That dish was obviously hastily prepared to the point where it was obvious the meatballs were deep fried. So between the wait staff and the kitchen, this place is not worth the hype and the quality is not worth your cash. I would avoid if possible. I will not return.
(2)Erika A.
First, we walked in at 9:15pm the hostess sat us down and there was a very soothing piano playing. A man was singing...very soothing... sat down and when the waitress approached, that's when the experience took a turn. She looked at her watch, what seemed to be 30sec then looked up. She had a sour puss look on her face. Basically, she was telling me that it's late, and why are you sitting down. She was abrupt and unkind. I wish people would just quit their jobs if they are not happy. Everytime, I asked for somethin, I felt like it was a huge inconvenience for her. The young bus boy was so kind and nice. Wish he would have taken our order. The food was mediocre, service horrible.
(1)Lala R.
I gave this place yet another chance and it sucks. You can tell the chef has no formal training and the dishes are out of the 1970s. The waiters walk around loudly snapping their fingers, which is so rude and discourteous. I will not be visiting this place again.
(1)Erik M.
I drove 12 miles in the pouring rain to check out Maplewood Grill based solely on it's Yelpitude, and was not disappointed. However, be forewarned that the dinner menu is a fair bit pricier than the average price here indicates. All but a few entrees are over $20, so by the time you throw in a bowl of soup or a salad and something to drink, you're at $40 per adult pretty quickly. This is not to say Maplewood is not worth it, nor is it something I would balk at were it not that I was on per diem for my visit and I easily overran my dinner allowance. But, as I said, Maplewood was worth it. I was pleasantly surprised by the cozy yet classy decor tucked away in a strip mall next door to a liquor store. A piano player serenaded the handful of tables seated on the dreary Wednesday evening with a mix of standards and holiday music, giving it a loungy ambiance. People came and went unobtrusively around the bar, alternately chatting with the piano player and bartender, or watching the Wizards game on the muted TV behind the bar. It was a laid back yet upscale atmosphere that was exactly what I was in the mood for. I started with a bowl of the soup du jour, a minestrone finished with some kind of delicate white cheese and pesto, and my flat iron steak entree was prepared perfectly (although a bit tough in spots), accompanied by a flavorful but not overpowering peppercorn sauce, a slab of au gratin potatoes, and two fat spears of grilled asparagus. Everything was delicious, and the pacing of each course's arrival was timed perfectly to not make me feel rushed, but certainly not neglected. Maplewood would be a great option for a nice date or business dinner, of which I saw both during my visit. My only complaint is that the draft beers were incredibly pricey. $6 for a 14oz (it may have even been 12oz) Dogfish Head 60min IPA seems to me a little out of line, even for a place of this calibre. But that's a pretty minor gripe - it's not like you're going to be drinking like a fish there. Or if you are, the beer prices are clearly the least of your worries.
(4)Jacquelyn K.
I've been looking forward to getting over to Maplewood Grill, ever since my Dad came home one day and told me Le Canard was no more! Vienna is known for it's ethnic food, but not so much for it's more traditional American options, with the exception of Bazin's on Church, which is a whole other review. I stopped by at lunch with a coworker. The place looked like a great spot to bring a family for dinner, lots of good dark wood and a cozy little bar area. I ordered the Lobster Bisque/Lobster Roll lunch combo. The bisque was less creamy than what you would normally expect, but that wasn't a bad thing. It was just as savory. The lobster roll, was GREAT, however, it was the perfect combination of lobster, mayo, seasoning, and a sturdy, yet unobtrusive roll. My coworker was under a time constraint and our service was perfectly attuned to our needs. I am definitely looking forward to getting back to Maplewood Grill when I can enjoy a leisurely meal and further sample what the menu has to offer!
(4)Elizabeth M.
This place provides a classic lesson of not judging a book by its cover - it's located in the corner of a random strip mall in Vienna and is not particularly impressive on the outside all. However, the food has always been good. I've had various assortments of seafood dishes here that have been tasty, and my husband enjoyed his dishes as well. Another plus is that it's usually not too crowded. For some reason, most of the crowd seems to be above 50, which doesn't bother me... I just find it to be interesting. Some of the food might be a little overpriced, but as long as they keep makin' it tasty, I'll keep payin'.
(4)Hyunoo P.
Finally got around to checking out this "looks-more-expensive-than-it-is" French/American restaurant next to Norm's (awesome brewstop, fyi). One of the guys at Norm's actually recommended I come here and get the Bacon & Cheddar Angus burger for $9. He said this with two thumbs up, so that is exactly what I did. Wednesday lunch hour was no rush. Just a couple of old gal's in there, the kind who talk for a while before they actually order food. Service was decent, I think I waited about 15-20 minutes. They have a detailed menu online so no need to dispense detail. My burger came with a nice portion of cucumber salad (red onions and yogurt), and snoozestring fries. Salad was pretty cold and the fries were serviceable. Nothing to write home about there. They didn't ask me how I wanted my burger done, but it came out medium so I was quite pleased. This burger was definitely one of those juicy affairs that take some careful maneuvering. But not like one of those greasy train wrecks at 5 napkin burger. The bun was proportionate to the patty, and the toppings all made sense- lettuce, red onions, ketchup-mustard-mayo in dip-friendly cups. I didn't imbibe since I had to go back to work. The draft beers were decently priced at $5-6 for a small but excellent selection. 90 minute ipa, Two hearted ale, Delirium Nocturnum, that's a long enough list for my satisfaction. I should also mention the decor here. It's kind of... tuscan? You know, dark wood trimmings with lighter beige wall colors. The ceiling tiles have a nice faux-wood carved pattern going on. Everything was pretty tasteful, even the bird-houses over the door. One odd thing was their napkins are very thick. Think boyscout handkerchief meets Brawny man paper towel x12. When you unfold it you will find a spoon, 2 forks, a butter knife, and a regular knife. Why not just set the table for all that?
(3)Andrea C.
Well that was a disappointment. We frequent Sweet Ginger in the same strip mall, so we've seen the location and wanted to go for a while. We went for dinner about 615p on a Saturday with our two kids. (We called ahead to make sure they were kid friendly and were told, "Absolutely!") We were seated promptly, and indeed there were at least three other tables with smaller kids than ours. Our waitress seemed to be annoyed that she had to help us, walking away from the table at least 3 times while my husband and I were still talking. Knowing it was a "throwback American" menu I ordered the Wiener Schnitzel. It was tough, but edible, but the buttery sauce overshadowed the meat. And the accompanying mashed potatoes tasted like glue. No where near worth the $21 price tag. My husband had the Fried Shrimp Po Boy and said it was good enough. The highlight of the meal was my son's chicken dish. The chicken was cooked perfectly, and as most kids do, he loved the large pile of super crispy frites. The worst part of the evening? The muzak. I swear to you we listened to over an hour of Lionel Richie. Seriously??? Every lame song he ever sang at least twice. Painful, though we had a good laugh as to how much of the lyrics we remembered. I'd consider giving it another shot, if only to order something with frites! But doubtfully anytime soon.
(2)Robyn F.
Amazing food at a great price. Good wine list and cocktails. Great atmosphere both weekend and weeknight. Great local find! We love this place!
(4)Jim M.
Tried this place on a whim. It was the wife and I and our 2 year old. Not really a kids place, but they did their best to find a good place for us. The food was wonderful. My wife had the pork chop and I had one of the seafood specials. Both meals were delicious. I did find a rather large bone in my fish, which the waitress noticed on my plate. She apologized and actually took the bone to the Chef. He then had the Manager come over and apologize and offered us free dessert or coffee. This was all unnecessary as I still enjoyed the dish very much, but it shows the standards they are striving to attain here. We will definitely go back soon.
(4)jenny h.
There was something a bit off about everything I ordered. I had the lobster duet for appetizer, which came with a small lobster roll and a lobster bisque. The lobster roll was very good, but the bisque had small clumps of flour in it. I also had the beef shortribs special. The meat was cooked well but the sauce was too salty. Then I ended with the chocolate cake. It was delicious until I got to my last couple of bites, which were dry. The cake also came with strawberry ice cream, which was also delicious, but it was a little frozen, with bits of ice in it. In conclusion, this is an ambitious menu, but the overall experience fell short of my expectations. For this price, I would definitely expect better. I have to add however, that my husband loved his meal. He had the shrimp po' boy. Service was excellent.
(2)Anne G.
Maplewood Grill is located on the 70s strip mall next to Blockbusters in Vienna. The plaza is long overdo in terms of a makeover and, more importantly, modernization. The restaurant is, however, a great place for foodies. Usually I like to start with the positives, but with a place like Maple Grill, I think you have to get the negatives out of the way. 1. The decor inside the restaurant leaves a lot to be desired. It's a hodge podge of items collected over the years, including one of those 1970s, several piece paintings. It's a shame, because if the restaurant were stripped down and painted a nice beige gray, had some modern lighting and took some truly special features like a very cute little row of old fashioned bird houses and made them a focal point, the restaurant would be a much more inviting place. 2. The furniture is staid, staid, staid and the 'guard'/presumably the owner at the front door are unwelcoming (he even, as only a French person can do, ended up insulting my friend!). The average age of the clientelle is 75....in general the restaurant lacks youth. Hire a competent young hostess and breathe some life into this place! The family claims to have a family night-but unless your children grew up in Europe, I cannot see this being an option for the famille americane. 3. I don't know why, but both Cafe Renaissaince (also in Vienna) and the MG insist that their wait staff wear overdone uniforms for this level of restaurant. Again, the restauarant is out of touch with the 21st century and should buy their staff sleek, simple black uniforms with a modern logo, instead of the ridiculous uniforms-women wearing ties. Here's the good news-the food is fabulous and our server was very friendly and unobtrusive. We both had Ceasar salads that were great. My "Sally-like" requests (anchoives on and crotons on the side) were met with a smile. The salads were well prepared, not too big and the dressing and generous serving of parmesan cheese were divine. For the main course, I had rockfish that was prepared a bit like a ratatouille. It was scrumptious and this was one of those rare occassions that I made it through such a generous entree in one go. My friend had crab cakes and they were plump, well browned and seasoned. The crab cakes came with golden, crisp fries and and slaw-perfect for the person who loves good taste and could give a toss about the calories. All in all, the food was a delight. Call in the calvary to bring the restaurant decor, staff and 'welcome' desk rolling into this century.
(4)The I.
Today (Valentine's Day) my wife and I had lunch here. I started with an excellent gin martini. For appetizers, she had the shrimp and crab popovers, which was fantastic. I had a ceasar salad, which was very good. She then had the shrimp po boy while I had the pecan trusted trout. Both were very good. The service was just average. The only major negative is the poor quality bread that they bring in a basket. It is way below the quallity of this restaurant.
(4)G G.
Nice restaurant with piano bar and live music in the evenings. My wife and I are vegan and tried the restaurant for the first time after noticing that vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options are available upon request on the online menu. We had a great salad and fantastic vegetable plate. The plate consisted of several small dishes ... an avocado-based soup, traditional salad, corn-based salad, and two or three other items. All very good! Two vegan dessert options -- both consisting of sorbets. Coconut was our favorite. All told, very nice. Service was efficient and good, too. We'll go back. Price-wise, it is a little on the pricey side but the food is commensurate with the prices.
(4)Ross M.
Uninspiring. This place is for old people. I love supporting the local businesses in Vienna, and there are a lot of really great places - Plaka Grill, Rose Kabob, Cenan's, Silva's, Nielsen's, Sushi Yoshi, etc. The type of environment they created and the uninspiring obviously frozen (so much of it is just heavy and fried) food just makes for a forgettable experience. They specialize in nothing. The soups are all kind of bleh and thickeners are added. The salads are lame and bare bones. They were out of just as many things as they had specials for! WTF? Inventory management much? Come on....The 2 sandwiches I had there were really just okay. Nothing you couldn't get for half the price and tastes a lot better from other joint. I just don't see a place like this surviving. There's no nightlife in Vienna, so maybe this becomes the hot spot with the piano bar. I seriously doubt it though. RIP Maplewood Grill/Bistro/Piano Bar/Identity Crisis. Why are you even here??? Old people.
(2)Al J.
Slow ok food. Scallops had 'gravy' like substance on them. Not a great experience.
(2)Emily A.
I just got take out lunch from here, the beef tenderloin sandwich with onion rings and potato salad. It was tough, stringy, pot roast with BBQ sauce on it. Not what I expected and not what I wanted. Plus, the roll was stale. The onion rings were ok, pretty much fast food onion rings. Potato salad was room temperature and I didn't eat it. I guess for $9 I got my money's worth but I won't go back.
(2)Greg K.
Took wife there last PM for Valentines Day...not a pleasant experience. First Courses were good but after 45-50min wait between we notice others around us getting their 2nd courses,,,finally able to flag down our waiter (who never offered to refill my ice tea so you can see how non-attentive he was) who agreed to go check on our meal. We were only told that the kitchen "lost" our ticket...no sorry.no nothing. I asked to speak to Mgr. and let him know what was upsetting us. He HAD to speak to chef/owner who said "sorry..and offered a $25 gift certificate for future meal. Since my wife's "turf" part of her Surf and turf was clearly a tenderloin roast that was PRE-SLICED and sitting under a heat lamp, I told MGR the can make an adjustment to bill as I will not be back. A decent place would have comp'd a meal and the owner would have dropped by.
(1)Stephen D.
Full disclosure: I am close friends with the co-owner and head chef Paul Kuchler. My review is from the soft opening. Maplewood Grill opens on March 2. The Kuchlers closed Le Canard on the first of the year after decades of serving excellent traditional french cuisine. My mom and I were excited to be invited to the soft opening of Maplewood Grill, a modern American restaurant with a new menu full of Chef Paul's favorite dishes as well as few nostalgic nods to Le Canard (escargots, steak frites, moules, duck breast). We were seated right away by Marcel (Paul's father and co-owner) and our server Diana came right away to get our drink orders. Maplewood has an extensive offering of bottled and draft beer (though the taps weren't working properly that night). There are lots of German beers, but a good selection of domestics and at least one excellent regional (Dogfish Head 90min IPA). It was unseasonably warm for February so I went with the Hofbrau Hefeweisen and it was great. My mom had a glass of something white (pinot?), but I don't know much about wine so I can't comment on that. On to the food! There is a ton of seafood on this Grill menu; I was a little surprised by this. We started with the crab and shrimp poppers, which were fantastic!! Each of the three poppers are kind of like a crab cake with shrimp chunks wrapped in a kind of fried crispy stringy nest, drizzled with three sauces: roasted red pepper, a spicy cream, and an herb puree. I realize this description is full of generalized adjectives... all I can say is ORDER IT! My mom ordered the seared scallops entree and I was surprised because we both believe that scallops are usually hit-or-miss in most restaurants. These were definitely a hit... I mean out of the park home run! Crispy on the outside and not the least bit rubbery through the center, Chef Paul proves he has supreme ability with shellfish. The dish comes with a cream sauce that complimented the meat and vegetables (though I don't remember the veggie details). Maplewood offers several cuts of steak, including a filet mignon, Parisian style steak frites, and a rib-eye with choice of sauce. I like the idea of choosing the sauce so I went with the Bearnaise, which I thought would go well with the accompaniment of asparagus and mashed potatoes. My steak was prepared exactly as I ordered it (medium), though a friend who was also there said his was over-cooked. Maplewood's rib-eye is very large, but a little thin, which would make it a little harder to get the temp exactly correct. The vegetables were fine and there was just the right amount. Dessert! I'm not big on sweets, but Diana recommended the Bailey's and Cream bread pudding, which piqued my interest. The ice cream had started to melt by the time it arrived at our table, but I don't know anyone who won't lick their bowl clean at home? I liked that the dish had the ice cream, but the bread pudding itself wasn't overly sweet. It's hard to compare the new Maplewood Grill with the old Le Canard because the cuisine is completely different. But the quality of the food is still top-notch and the staff is still very friendly and knowledgeable. Stay tuned for a followup as they have a different lunch menu with lots of sandwich and salad entrees that look outstanding!
(5)Raquel G.
my roommate raves about this place, so we went out last night to check it out! had a few appetizers (scallops with mushrooms and baked brie); everything was excellent- although not traditional french cuisine anymore, there are still some parts that remain very french-- the sauces are lighter and less creamy than traditional american or italian and some of the food is saltier (although not too salty). it was hard to decide what to eat--everything looked great. i had the lobster ravoili with crab and asparagus- delicious! very different than i had expected it to be like. it was in a very light tomato sauce with roasted cherry tomatoes, peppers, and asparagus with large chunks of crab and lobster. excellent without being too "seafood-y." my roommate got the mahi special served spanish style. she thought it was excellent as well. as mentioned before, they do have some great beers in bottles and on tap. they had several interesting cocktails, as well. the waitstaff were very nice and not overbearing. the chef came out to see how we were enjoying ourselves. will defintiely be back!
(5)Tom S.
Been here several times including tonight. Food and service always top notch. One of our favorite Vienna restaurants.
(4)Susie S.
Unfortunately we were greeted by the smell of lysol when we came through the door. It set an uncomfortable tone throughout the evening. The server was adorable, the appetizers were wonderful, the meal a disappointment. The portions for the money were thin and the squash was bland. Its not that pricey I am unable to get the iPad to allow me to mark the correct $$$
(3)Donna E.
The restaurant is really lovely with a classy bar featuring live piano Wed - Sat. I believe. You can sit around the grand piano and make requests while sampling their wines or sit at the bar. The music can be heard throughout the restaurant but it's subdued and not obtrusive at all. The service can be great or sloppy, depending on the server. But when your server is just out of high school and new, I tend to cut a bit of slack, so I won't mark the restaurant down for 1 bad experience. Other times I've gone I've been impressed. They have a great list of desserts and if you like chocolate, the "Candy Bar" is just addictive. It's small, order 2 :) They have 1-2 dishes for vegetarians but they have rich salads and will accommodate your requests. And did I mention desserts? It's great to find an upscale but comfortable non-chain restaurant away from the parking hassles of DC. Vienna is fortunate to have lots of great restaurants, (Bazins, Cafe Rennaisance etc etc) but the combination of a quiet atmosphere, live piano, great food, service and a cozy feel puts Maplewood Grill at the top of my list in Vienna.
(5)Yvette B.
I thought the atmosphere was great. The service was fantastic. The food good but was a little too bit salty for my taste. I may have fulfilled my salt intake for the whole week.
(3)Karen D.
As a patron of Le Canard (same owner, chef, location), I held my breath for the changeover to Maplewood Grill. I always appreciated the fine cuisine and staff of Le Canard, and truly miss several of their magnificent duck entrees. I needn't have been so anxious, though. Maplewood Grill retained the staff, food quality, and location while diversifying the menu to focus on American fare. I had the top-notch crab cakes...really outstanding, and that's a rare compliment from a crab cake snob like me. There was no need to use tartar sauce; the seasonings were perfect as the chef prepared them. My fellow diners had the Angus burger and raved about the flavor & quality of the beef. The French fries were delicious shoestrings--light and crisp with no oiliness. The cucumber salad was yummy and like a raita. Dessert was a trio of creme brulees--chocolate, "plain," and Grand Marnier flavors. MmmmMmmmm! As early diners with things to do, we didn't try any of the many beers or wines available, but we'll definitely do that next time. The music track was some of my favorite tunes. The staff was attentive and professional--not hovering, but there when wanted. They kept the water glasses filled and cleared at an appropriate interval. We didn't feel at all rushed, and we still were in and out in a little over an hour. If you're not familiar with the area: the restaurant is in a simple, much loved shopping center on the north end of Vienna. The shopping center includes Norm's beer & wine shop, Cenan's fantastic bakery, a good Asian fusion restaurant and a local barbecue place, plus Aditi Indian restaurant and grocery. There's also Ketterman's jewelers, a Blockbuster, a paint store, and a classic barber shop. If you walk out Maplewood's front door, you're looking across the parking lot at the side of the Giant Food building. There's plenty of free parking. The restaurant is fully handicapped accessible. Definitely a place to appeal to a lot of people who want something more interesting and distinctive than the glut of chain restaurants...Maplewood blends excellent food and neighborhood appeal!
(4)Janet E.
I originally posted a review on Friday that has disappeared. One of the worst meals we have ever paid for: zero stars. My dish looked like someone had vomited (sorry) on the plate. Disgusting, expensive and totally not worth it. The place was busy, so there must be something on the menu worth having, but we have not figured out what it is, even after three visits over five years. It gets worse each time.
(1)Donnia C.
On a torrential raining evening, at 10 pm. after attending an event that went passed the time we thought it would end. my friend and I saw this restaurant was open. We took a chance since we had been turned away from more than 5 places. they too closed at 10 pm however the owner said to us "Come in, we will serve you, my son will make whatever you want." Wow! how kind. Atmosphere was soothing, the place was immaculate and the wait staff didn't make us feel as if we were taking from their leaving time. The food was awesome. My shrimp dish with cherry tomatoes, polenta and other vegetables was so fresh and flavorful. My friend gushed over her burger. I had such a hard time choosing and if my dish was an indication then I couldn't have gone wrong. Some patrons were singing with the piano but it did not take from the meal matter of fact it was enjoyable. I am raving to all I know about this place and the kindness extended to drenched travelers
(5)