Restaurant Week Review: My good friend and I decided to go to Vermilion for Restaurant Week. We ventured out and finally found the restaurant. Inside was very warm, red, and had a quiet cozy atmosphere that was comfortable and not stuffy. As my first course, I ordered the Strobe Ranch Waygu Carpiccio which was meltingly delicious. There was home made "gold fish" cheddar crackers - very good combo with the beef. The description says 'spicy' but it was exactly like goldfish crackers - simple which was good and did not take away from the beef. The caramelized onion aolii was amazing and was great with the way waygu, shitakes, and crackers. I left nothing on the plate. My second course, I ordered the Salmon. I don't know why I ordered fish two days in a row (first was Hook) but it was one of the best salmon dishes (beside my mother's asian style with oyster sauce) but it was NOT overcooked at all. Extremely moist and not dry at all! (salmon is easily overcooked and can be quite dry if so). I finished the entire thing. :) Dessert - ooommmggg. I LOVE LOVE exotic "different" desserts. Any place that can make the extra effort to make desserts amazing or even offer a different twist/take on it...they are great in my favor. I forget the name but it was basically orange and vanilla ice cream with small balls of melon and cantaloupe, a melon/cantaloupe soup, and delicious lemon meringue cookies - soo light yet crisp. The "melon soup" was different, I'm not a big fan of melon but with the lemon cookies and ice cream, it was a light and refreshing summer dessert. Simple yet the soup added the 'twist' that made it memorable for me. Service - awesome. No coldness, snootiness, or attitude. Very helpful, prompt, refilled our waters, and made sure we did not need anything. They also did not rush us which I find a plus especially during the typical RW. Portions were perfect - I was stuffed at the end. I forget what cocktail I ordered but it was a good recommendation from our server and went well with my salmon. Anthony Chittum did well on our visit. :)
(4)
Pamela P.
Went here to listen to a friend play sing with her band (she's awesome) and had a few cocktails (that were done very well) and some appetizers with friends. really notable were the sliders with pimiento cheese! Since then I've been putting pimiento cheese on all kinds of stuff lol. the frickles were interesting and surprisingly good (fried pickles slices) and we enjoyed the garlic and Parmesan fries. The ambiance here is quite lovely and its a cool place to go, the lounge area is fun but relaxing.
(4)
Michelle P.
The food on our plates looked everyday enough. Roast chicken. Pork loin. But the flavor! Mamma mia! I'll be back for more. The quality of the meat was amazing. I see they source their food from local, sustainable farms and that makes me happy. Service was perfect. Great drink menu too, but that will have to wait until after this baby gets here...looks like a fun bar area to hang out with friends.
(5)
Flippy F.
The espresso martini is to die for, and the bartenders are super friendly. It's one of the better "late night" (as late as Old Town gets, anyways) places to grab a drink in the area. The atmosphere is perfect-- relaxing and intimate.
(5)
Onawa C.
After being stood up by my birthday dinner party I called to cancel my reservations and Frank said no, no grab a friend and come on down. I will have a special table for you. One friend came through as she normally does and while waiting for her to come, they were fantastic!! This is perfect for an intimate group or for just two!! There are two levels and the second level is even more intimate. The interior is warm, candles everywhere, reds, browns and warm. There is a back couch area is better than waiting at the bar or for drinks and starters only..or for those long nights for two. I will be back to try their wines and The Farm table..that just sounds like a fantastic time!! Parking on King Street is free after 7pm = PERFECT!! and so many shops to pass them time and not too crowded for window shopping. The staff brought me roasted olives (castelvetrano, picholine & niçoise with herbs & garlic ) who knew warm olives could be that amazing, amazing!! The pear clove drink was the perfect start to a fantastic night!! I had porcini crusted scallops braised savoy cabbage, chestnut puree & house made pancetta = SPECTACULAR!! My friend had the smoked polenta agnolotti trumpet mushrooms, poached south mountain egg & our pancettathe. The chef sent their house pickle in roasted tomato sause and it was spectacular. Dessert was good and one free birthday sweet potato fritters and chocolate bombe that we ordered to share you can't go wrong with any of it. Outside of the amazing food the service was even better..after friends cancelled on a day I needed friends I was surround by that one perfect friend, a welcoming and warm staff, a perfect and light fare, a thank you note for joining them for dinner I then went around the corner and discovered I love Karaoke..with more friends!! Thanks to the staff and Fran!! Best birthday dinner ever.
(5)
Meredith R.
My husband and I have gone for every meal here, several times. I do enjoy coming here, there's not a menu item that makes me say "OMG the ____" (okay maybe the hushpuppies). Probably our favorite time of day to eat there is lunch. Their menu changes regularly, so I'm going to keep the comments a little more general. Brunch: *Went with another couple and my girlfriend and I split an omelet and some special pancakes, also got bacon - all pretty good *Bacon was thick and salty *Good mimosas and coffee *My hubby and I walked away thinking that the food felt/tasted a little on the greasy side - which was suprising to us *Definitely a nice atmosphere - a good place to take someone special who's in town, like the parents *Note, not a ton of options, so don't take a picky eater Lunch: *Love getting the hushpuppies with the various dipping sauces *All the sandwiches (po boy) are very good *I've had salads and soups there as well *Lunch is nice and relaxing there, and probably the most bang for the buck Dinner: *We finally sampled one of their house cocktails (I had something involving blackberries and gin and it was YUMMY - I drank it in maybe 5 minutes) *We love doing tasting menus and had a gift card to help us out (however, I think the tasting menu is a pretty reasonable price for a tasting menu) *All the items were very good and we added the wine pairings which was a ton of fun! HIGHLY recommend doing this for a special occasion Tips: *This is also a great place to come for cocktails, we've celebrated plenty of friends birthdays in the back bar area, I love the lounge seats *Brunch - request to sit upstairs, the downstairs is so dark that it's not nearly the same experience to brunch downstairs Always a good bet!
(4)
Hana K.
Actual date visited: August 15, 2009 After reading many, many Yelp reviews I decided to give Vermilion a chance. It was the boyfriend's birthday and an ideal place to start off what would be a long night of wild celebrations. Ambiance: The dress attire looks to be business casual. I wouldn't walk in with my ripped jeans and old t-shirt but jeans with a blazer on top of a casual shirt would suffice. I called in ahead and requested for a corner table, upstairs, next to the windows. There are three tables with next to window seatings, as there are three windows overlooking King Street. Kudos to the hostess for being able to accommodate my request. The upstairs is definitely more of a dining area versus the downstairs, where the bar is located. They have brick walls, giving off an intimate dining feel and one side of the wall devoted to wines. Food: For starters we ordered the boudin sausage and the half rack of crispy dragon creek oysters. Why does the half rack only consist of five oysters? Although tasty, I admit I was a bit disappointed at the quantity, thinking I'd be getting six oysters. I didn't care too much for the sausage either, as it seemed a bit salty for my taste. For my main, I ordered the barbecued spring chicken and him the pork chop milanese. I had been craving for a juicy tender chicken and the dish was 100% on target. I wish the mashed potatoes was more potatoes and less all the other ingredients. There was too much flavor and texture going on, taking the mashed potatoes concept away. The boyfriends pork chop was a bit under cooked, showing a little pink in the meat. I'm not a fan of partially cooked pork, so I didn't think to delve into it. We ordered a bottle of rose, which was light enough and a good pairing for both our dishes. Service: Our waiter was attentive and not pushy. I noticed, from the corner of my eye, he tried to come over a few times but backed away when he saw we were in midst a conversation. He did bring out the wrong bottle of wine but that was easily forgiven. I did overhear him recommend to the table next to us some of his favorites, which he lacked to do for us. Overall: The portions to price ratio is right on target, for the class of restaurants Vermilion would fall under. I was completely full and wasn't able to try their dessert selection. Vermilion gets three stars because the menu isn't very diverse and a bit bland. Although I was satisfied with my main dish, the other three dishes seemed a bit boring and lacking the flavor I was anticipating. Overall, the restaurant is a mediocre Old-Town establishment.
(3)
Jennie L.
Cute decor, so-so food/drinks, spotty service Came here for brunch on Sunday, 8/7 and had a thoroughly mediocre brunch My friend and I both ordered grapefruit juice, which was served to us at room temperature (~73*). We were both a bit taken aback at how warm it was and asked for cups of ice. The waitress did bring us ice, but walked away before we could ask for straws. Annoying! We had a caprese salad to start and I know burrata is expensive, but at $12 we expected more than a 2" diameter coin of cheese. Also, there were exactly 2 basil leaves on the plate (left whole), which made the salad cumbersome to eat. Lovely ingredients but illogical presentation and poor attention to ratios and details. We also shared the: - garganelli pasta (delicious), - rock shrimp po-boy (the fried shrimp were sadly soggy, and there was twice as much tomato as shrimp), and - baked farm eggs (average brunch fare) I would never make the trek to Old Town for this, there are way better brunches everywhere else. However, if you're already in Old Town, this would be a cute neighborhood spot.
(3)
Valentino Z.
I was invited here by a friend to celebrate my birthday. I suggested this place as I wanted to try it, as it was recommended to me by a co-worker. Apparently, it was also the restaurant of choice by the Obamas for their 2012 Valentine's day dinner. It is located in old town Alexandria, which is very nice, except for parking. Luckily, having just bought a brand new Fiat 500, and being an excellent driver ;), I was able to park right in front of the restaurant in a tiny spot for which I received the applause of a few people walking by. A good way to start the evening! The place is nice and we got the choice of a boot or window seats. I chose the boot as it seemed more romantic. They offer a reasonably priced tasting menu, but we opted to skip it as we were not so hungry. Since my friend is allergic to gluten, they were very helpful and worked with us to offer alternatives. To start I ordered the shellfish soup, and my friend ordered the roasted olives. They were both okay. The soup was slightly too salted, and lacked subtlety, in my opinion, and the olives were very simple. As our main course I ordered the grass-fed lamb, while my friend ordered the rockfish. They were both good (I actually liked the rockfish better), but neither was exceptional. The wine list is varied and not overwhelming, which is good. Too many restaurants like to offer hundreds of wines, and I am not a fan of it. Stick to what is good with your menu. However, I would select a few different wines from what it is offered there. I ordered, to start with, a glass of grechetto, from Umbria, Italy, which was very good, and I would recommend it, and then a glass of Lagrein from Northern Italy, which was a great accompaniment to the lamb (my friend, alas, does not drink). We decided to skip dessert as we were both satiated after our meal. All in all it is a good place, maybe I should give it 3.5 stars if I could, but perhaps because of the high expectations I had going there, I am not inclined to give it 4 stars.
(3)
Jennifer L.
Review is for BRUNCH: Food was very good and service was excellent. We had 4 in our party, 2 got the chef's burger, 1 got the buckwheat banana foster pancakes and I had the shrimp salad sandwich. Pancakes were yummy and both burgers were good, 1 subed greens for fries without a problem. The shrimp salad sandwich was a little bit of a disappointment due to the roll it came on. I partyly ordered this b/c it came on a brioche roll which was toasted to the point that I could not bite into it. I simply ate the shrimp salad with a fork and enjoyed my fries instead. It also came with a pickle salad that was really tasty. 2 in our party had bloody marys and they were very well done, 1 had the king lemonage which was good and I had a reisling. Decor: the setting was impressive, dark wood and reds throughout. I'd love to check this place out for Happy Hour. Service: One word - Amazing. We never wanted for drinks and plates were picked up promptly when we were finished.
(3)
Holly P.
LOVED this place. Our group of four hit up this place before a show at the Kennedy Center and it was the perfect start to our evening. Wait staff great, atmosphere beautiful/romantic/creative, food OUTSTANDING! We had a smattering of many things, dips, buffalo steaks, seafood...it was all great!
(5)
Demetrios G.
I love this place! The food is wonderful and the lunch special is one of the best around. They've raised the prices on their weekday lunch but $6 glasses of any wine or dessert is a steal (even if it used to be $5). The waiter service is usually superb but the front desk staff can be very off-putting (more so at night than lunch). The first time we tried to go here we waited for 20 minutes only to be told that they had taken our name off the list and that we'd have to wait another 20 minutes. I'm glad we made our way back here despite this experience. Nate's burger was hands down the best burger to be had in the DC Metro area. I was very dismayed when they pulled it off their lunch menu but luckily they recently replaced it with the double cheeseburger. The ground beef they use for their burgers is coarsely ground and has a wonderful texture and flavor. The potato salad tastes different every time but it's almost always worth ordering. I usually stick with the burger but the loukaniko, some keftedes style mushroom dish (I can't remember the name), and Chicken have been quite good. From the dessert perspective I would advocate getting the confectioner's platter. It's homemade versions of a Snickers bar, Little Debbie, Doughnut, and Mint Ice Cream. Lunch is the best deal but it's a great dinner place also.
(4)
Sarah J.
After an amazing winter brunch, I am bumping you up a star, Vermillion! You are constantly warm, inviting, and delicious. Not once has your food disappointed me. And hey-your brunch is actually reasonably priced! Whaddu you know...I'm officially in love. Delicious coffee, mimosas, ricotta pancakes with apple compote, sweet potato hash, oyster benedict...oh I could go on and on! Your food is just that delicious, Vermillion. The scrumptiousness (yes, I made up a word for it) of your food will allow me to overlook the fact that when you walk into brunch without a reservation, the host looks at you like you have 4 heads. I will even overlook walking into the restaurant at the start of brunch, with the entire restaurant EMPTY, and pretentiously being told to sit in the bar section because I didn't make a res. Because you're worth it, Vermillion. You. Are. Food. Heaven.
(5)
Greg O.
I used to go to Vermillion all the time back when I lived in Alexandria during college. But we always went to the bar area, and usually didn't have anything more than spirits and the occasional appetizer. This weekend I actually ate there for the first time for Sunday Brunch. And it was delicious. We started with the heirloom tomato salad, which they were kind enough to split between the two of us. The tomatoes were very fresh and the salad dressing was perfect. Then I had the 3 egg omelet with bacon. The omelet was pretty good, but the stars were the potato hash browns and the perfectly cooked bacon- nice and crispy and oh so good. The service was friendly and attentive the whole time- now I want to go back and try their dinner menu!
(4)
Scott C.
Vermilion is a fantastic dinner destination in Alexandria. The local flavors and modern touches to the presentation and flavors of each dish are worth experiencing. The restaurant itself is very cozy, with soft lighting and intimate booths and tables both upstairs and downstairs. The bar/lounge area is a great place to hang out for a drink and good conversation. We had the Vermilion tasting menu which included a lobster tortoloni, rockfish, steak and creamcheese dessert courses. The lobster tortoloni was accompanied by blood oranges and a taragon emulsion (foam) - absolutely delicious combination of flavors in this course that accentuated the lobster flavor. The rockfish with fried oyster was accompanied by another emulsion with vegetables. The fish really took in the spices and emulsion flavor for a savory taste in this course. The steak was served on a hash-brown type potatoe with a rich sauce - all flavors complimented each other very nicely and was a nice cap to the dinner courses of the menu. The dessert of a chocolate / coffee flavored cheesecake was very nice after the varied flavors of the previous courses. It was a great cap to the meal. The beer and wine list is good - it is easy to find a good pairing for whatever dish you have ordered on the menu. The beer list is fairly robust offering several different beer choices that really add to the meal. Vermilion is quickly becoming a mainstay on my DC area dining list each time I visit.
(5)
Philip Y.
A-OK. Food was decent for the price. Nothing notable, really. We sat upstairs and thought it was a bit loud.
(3)
Charolastra M.
Went there for dinner on a Wednesday night. Surprisingly, reservations were needed a few days in advance. This place is popular. Bar: Excellent selection of bourbons. Helpful, attentive bar staff. The night got off to a great start. (5/5). Ambience: Very classy, quiet, and well decorated. Excellent ambience for a date. Given that I was there on a date, this got high marks from me. (5/5). Appetizers: I started with the Crispy Dragon Creek Oysters. Great flavor, very fresh oysters, but the oysters were a bit small. 5 oysters for $14. Excellent fennel slaw though. (4/5). Entree: I had the Maryland All Natural Beef Duo. Excellent dish. Decent portion size (not too big, not too small). The baked crespelle on the side was perfect. One complaint: I ordered my meat cooked medium rare, and it came out medium, almost medium well. Had it been cooked as I asked, this dish would've gotten perfect marks. (4.5/5). Dessert: Mini Apple Pie. The bacon caramel crust was interesting; not enough 'baconness' to it, but tasty nevertheless. The rest of the dessert, including the bourbon ice cream, was excellent. (4.5/5). Wine: Excellent selection, and great value wines. We had a mid-ranged Malbec that was quite nice. (5/5). All in all, this restaurant is arguably the best in Old Town, and one of the best in DC. Highly recommended. Just please don't bring your kids and spoil the ambience for all those that are there on dates.
(5)
Amy L.
I love coming to Vermillion for Sunday brunch. The food is excellent and the service has been consistently good. I love the seasonal pancakes and the muffins they bring out as an appetizer. It's a bit pricey, but the food is worth it. I always take out of town guests here to make a good impression.
(5)
Jenny H.
Love Vermillion. LOVE IT. The service is probably the best in Old Town. For instance - we recently checked out the lounge for the first time and told the bartender (who we'd never met) that my husband had a big talk for his PhD program the next day. Two weeks later we came to the lounge again, and he REMEMBERED our offhand comment about this talk. That is seriously awesome customer recall right there. Everyone But it doesn't stop there - the drinks are the shit. They do different cocktails every month depending on what's in season; this month it's pears and you need, yes, need to try the pear and cloves cocktail. YUM. The food is amazing (and we are both crazy picky eaters, so while there aren't a lot of options, there does tend to be a good variety). Current favorite is the yogurt at brunch. I cannot stop thinking about it. If Daphne's your waitress, have her make you a latte - there are few things in this world more civilized than a lunchday latte at Vermillion. Vermillion, I am never going to quit you...
(5)
Kim S.
I'm pretty sure I need revisit Vermilion to get a proper experience. I'm giving it an A-OK because the bartender was lovely, chatty and was able to mix the perfect treats for my friend and I to get in the Christmas shopping mood. Now, you can't really blame an establishment for the behavior of it's patrons, but damn...other than my friend and I there was one other couple at the other end of the bar and they were TANKED. It was 2pm. They kept interrupting our conversation and when we didn't respond they would just stare at us and try again after a minute or so. I felt horribly rude trying to ignore them, my brain just wasn't drunk enough to engage with them. Would have loved to try another drink here since the falcon punch was off the hook. However, I simply couldn't handle the company. I'll definitely be back, but if I find out they're regulars, I'll pass in the future!
(3)
R M.
Nice decor, fresh pasta, average pork, and delicious dessert were overshadowed by a rude waitress (very cold, encouraging more drinks when I was the DD, a full look up and down while leaving the table, etc.). Our water glasses were empty while finishing dessert. While a decent meal, I would not go back. For the same money, try a fantastic staff like Brabo.
(2)
Thommee H.
We arrived before 5 p.m. so we could only order off of the lounge menu. That said, everyone in our group loved what we had or shared (risotto fritters, artichoke dip, hangar steak, and the crispy oysters). Everything was perfectly prepared, well executed, interesting and balanced, and tasted great. The beer and the wine were good too!
(4)
Chrystina Z.
Rather happy with this one. Only been for lunch, but it's never crowded despite its charming romantic decor. Service is prompt and reliable (though today she forgot the straws): they know the specials/explain in detail; never pushy; right pacing for a meal. Ordered the grilled summer squash sandwich (fresh goat cheese, drenched in olive oil the way I like it). Comes with a healthy side of greens.
(3)
Nina B.
I'm completely confused by this place. First time I went for dinner, and was completely displeased with the dirty look I got from the Hostess. Sure, I was wearing jeans, but I don't think your place is fancy enough and full enough to warrant it. The service for the rest of the night was sub-par, and the food was just OK. For some reason, i was dragged back for the Sunday brunch. COMPLETELY different experience. The food was excellent. The service was sooo nice. Unfortunately, they made a mistake on the menu, and my eggs benedict came without the smoked salmon. I pointed it out, and got a plateful of cod (due to chef error on the menu), and a free breakfast out of it. So, assuming they get their behind the scenes act together, it might be a pleasant place to have brunch again. Third time, decided to explore the lounge/bar in the back to watch the Redskins game. Not exactly the best place for a sports bar, but you could tell there were a bunch of regulars who hang out there, and it's really a neighborhood bar. Which I appreciated, especially now that Bistro Europa is closed down.
(3)
Michelle R.
Let's start with the most important part, which is the food. It is exceptional. I have had very memorable meals here during different seasons. I appreciate their commitment to local ingredients, creativity, and unique food. Most recently I had the rockfish with basmati rice, shrimp, and sundried tomato pesto. The fish was perfectly cooked and who knew rice could be so wonderful?! After having eaten here when we first met, my boyfriend made reservations for the night he would propose, and it was a PERFECT spot to celebrate our engagement. The staff, usually very good in every way, was so great. They had flowers and champagne waiting, as requested, and also gave us complimentary (favorite) dessert and a congratulations card. Special touches that were appreciated, but not as much as the attentiveness, unobtrusiveness, and extensive understanding of the food and menu at hand. I hope to celebrate more special occasions here and other happy meals!
Menu was pretty limited and nothing stood out. They had the usual burger, chicken sandwich, fish sandwich, three salads, and maybe five entrees - salmon, chicken, hangar steak and something else. I had the hangar steak entree that came with fries and salad. The salad was too salty, fries were good, steak was just ok. My dining companion had the fish sandwich and he felt it had too much sauce and slaw on it, very bready. With so many other places around, there is no need to try this place again. Service was fine, decor was nice.
(2)
Heather F.
We went there on St. Patty's day for my bf's bday. Our server was attentive & knowledgable, the wine & food was delish. Atmosphere was great, desserts were slightly disappointing by comparison though :/
(4)
Shabab G.
Great lounge in back and good beef tartare.
(4)
Rachel P.
I have rarely had such a tasty meal in the DC area. The chef's technical ability really showed, the meal we had (Berkshire pork) was balanced, wholesome, and the pork was so succulent and perfectly medium rare. The King Street Lemonade was refreshing and the wine list fairly good, especially in terms of pairings. The potato croquettes did not impress, but the desserts were fun and correctly sized. I had the lemon merengue with pomegranate molasses and pistachio rose ice cream. That molasses.. great touch. The cookies and treats plate was a bit hit or miss, but the patent high quality of food and pitch perfect service made for a real 5 star experience.
(5)
Katie C.
Went to Vermilion for restaurant week. I was really excited as I have only heard great things about the place. The atmosphere was lovely and the staff was great, but we weren't impressed with the food. The shrimp and chorizo (grits) app and ricotta fritter dessert were very good - I most certainly can't complain about that! But I had the sirloin and it was very chewy - it had a lot of fat and seemed like a poorly cooked cheap cut of meat. My bf had the salmon and it was extremely salty. He also had the gazpacho which was good but not great. The s'more sundae was his dessert - it was tasty, but nothing special. Considering the price points at the restaurant (and the restaurant week is supposed to lure you in with a cross-section of their menu), my bf and I were pretty disappointed.
(2)
John K.
Went here for restaurant week, and I"m not sure I would have given it 5 stars if I paid full price. The food is GREAT, so I'll probably return, but the value gets sucked away a little bit by the higher-than-necessary prices. Everything I ordered here I loved, especially the fresh goat cheese tortelloni. The pork keftedes made for a great and filling starter, and although I've had better ricotta fritters, the other elements on this dessert plate (such as the raspberry sorbet) really made the dish. I tried my friend's chocolate cheescake 2 ways, and I was pretty much in love with that. She also had the Beef duo, which I wasn't crazy about. She also mentioned it was a little heavy on the meat and kind of one-note (although there were other things on the plate, such as the bed of swiss chard I think). Easily the best restaurant I've come across in Alexandria, and the space is pretty nice. The service was really good, but dammit their drinks are expensive.
(5)
Gio D.
Not a bad little place. Overall the food is good, but priced a little too high for my comfort for what you get. If I'm spending $125 for a dinner for two, it needs to hold up with restaurants in the DC area like the Atlas Room or Corduroy (both solid 4 star places in the $125 range for a dinner for two). I had the tortelloni and my wife had the lamb. Both dishes were good and presented well. However when compared to the above mentioned - taking into account price, service and overall dining experience it simply falls short of a 4 star rating.
(3)
Adrienne M.
I've been to Vermilion twice and enjoyed it both times. My first visit was in October and I was impressed. We had the tasting menu with wine pairings. The food was fantastic but our server lacked any type of personality. The ambiance is wonderfully intimate and relaxing. On my second visit with my sister we just had drinks in the bar area.. I could have stayed all night watching the bartender make drinks and chatting with him. I will definitely be going back!
(4)
Trabbit L.
Stopped here for lunch. "The Intern" meal was great. A little bit of everything: salad, soup, and half a sandwich on one plate for only $12! Husband had a burger which he enjoyed. Food was well prepared, tasty, and fast; waitress efficient and friendly. Bonus point: perfect spot by the window to relax and romantically watch the rain :)
Went here with my husband for dinner on Saturday night and although we read the reviews of the restaurant before we went and knew to expect great food, we were still surprised at how great the food and service were. We had the pork cheek as an appetizer with wines a couple different glasses of wine which were each refreshing and delicious. The pork cheek should be an entree because it's a good portion and it's amazingly tasty. My husband had the grouper, prepared perfectly and I had the giant pasta tagliatelle - came with lamb meatballs, spiced and tasty, creamy ricotta cheese and crisp veggies. We didn't have dessert since we had a reservation at PX (another great review to follow). Service was on point, not disruptive, profesional and knowledgeable. I wish I could go there right now and have lunch.
(5)
Sal P.
WHY I WENT THERE: - Great lunch menu WHAT I LIKED: - Awesome variety of fresh, seasonal veggie & locally sourced-meat dishes - Exemplary service with great ambiance - especially on the second floor, sitting up in the trees overlooking King St. - Real variety of dishes and price ranges DO NOT MISS: - CONFECTIONERS DESSERT OMG. Don't even question it. Trust me. Homemade snicker's bar......among other delights...::melt:: - Double cheeseburger. I was sad when they took Nate's burger off the menu, but WOW - completely blown away. BEST BURGER ON KING ST. - Gazpacho is very tasty especially as light summer fare WHAT I LEARNED THE HARD WAY: - Um, lunch special that makes all wines $6 and all desserts $6...recipe for DANGER, my friends! - Sad to see them raise the special prices slightly...but everything's going up right now, so I suppose it's understandable ((grumblegrumble))
(5)
Hilary G.
I went here for restaurant week and enjoyed the atmosphere, food, and drinks. I am still not sure I would pay full price for the dishes, but I appreciate their effort to serve local food. I was especially happy to see Carolina shrimp on the menu instead of shrimp farmed in Asia. The locally source and made on site chorizo was delicious as well. The Skuna Bay salmon came from Canada and was delicious and cooked perfectly (not overdone like many restaurants). My husband enjoyed his sirloin but found the vegetables to be too salty. Both the s'mores dessert and the fritters were good but I wasn't as impressed with the fritters. The lemon curd was a good companion to the fritters though. Vermilion has a great whiskey selection which stands out and some are reasonably priced. Their pimms drink was around $12 which I thought was a bit steep. Ask for an upstairs table by the window if you want a romantic location. If I come back, it will definitely be more the salmon. Service was good as well.
(4)
Ashley P.
Not bad, not bad. We came here for brunch on our 1 year wedding anniversary. We did not have reservations, and just walked right in. The front dining room only had one table seated. The hostess was like, "oh man, I don't know if we'll be able to seat you." Seriously? You can't be holding all six of these tables for reservations that aren't here yet. That's a bad business model. She acted like she was doing us a favor by seating us. We are forever greatful to have been awarded one of those coveted tables. Especially, because said hostess turned away three other parties of four that came in after us, since they didn't have reservations. However, only one reservation came in for one of said coveted tables the entire time we were there. Epic fail. I opted for the Buckwheat Buttermilk Pankcakes with spiced apples cooked right in. It came with sorghum butter, and a side of bacon. It was different, yet tasty. Although, after about 4-5 bites of the pancakes, I had had enough. The hubs ordered the chef's burger, and absolutely loved it. He also said the bloody mary was super tasty. It's a solid brunch spot, that we will definitely consider again in the future.
(3)
Sarah K.
Two people recommended that I go to Vermilion for happy hour. I had a friend in town and the weather was crappy so we decided to go close to home. We got there at about 7:30 and they said it was at least an hour wait. We stalked some seats at the bar and were able to enjoy a few drinks--they were fabulous! I loved the atmosphere here. We ended up sitting upstairs for dinner and the service was perfect. My dish was wonderful and I have no complaints. Wonderful.
(4)
Susan E.
Our first time going to Vermillion was Valentine's Day and it was truly a disappointment. The hostesses were unaccommodating and clearly inexperienced, the bartender cool and distant with an attitude that felt like she was really trying not to roll her eyes. The night before we'd been to the Columbia Firehouse, owned by the same restaurant group, and found the manager and server warm and welcoming and the food fantastic. While waiting for our table we sat at the bar and ordered cocktails and wanted to share a reasonably healthy appetizer. Almost every item was deep fried. We resorted to ordering the chicken egg rolls, which were very ordinary, not even a cut above what you'd get at any chain sports bar. My husband and I are fairly sophisticated diners who travel frequently and eat at fine restaurants throughout the world. Valentine's dinner was a prix fixe menu consisting of 5 courses of ridiculously overwrought foods that were heavily salted, some so much that we couldn't eat them. When we mentioned it to our server, she replied, "Yes, our chef does like to season his food and likes to use his salt." She did offer to have the dishes remade but at that point we didn't want to wait the additional 20 min and had lost confidence. I understand that this was a tasting menu but even so, Vermillion offers cuisine I would describe as very salty, fussy and overly complicated but nothing that I would describe as satisfying, delicious food. Lastly, there was absolutely no effort made by the restaurant to create anything special or romantic for Valentine's Day. We didn't expect a strolling violinist or heart confetti sprinkled on the table but except for their prix fixe meal in recognition of the holiday, not even the hostesses wished us a Happy Valentine's Day. It was like any other evening. I left feeling queasy from the food and we were both irritated from having spent $250 on a meal and an experience we didn't enjoy.
(1)
Timothy U.
Had brunch on a Sunday afternoon around 2pm. Greeted by both the hostess and server with a smile :-) Made reservations on OpenTable and I was seated with a quickness. Great atmoshpere and decor. After watching Gordon Ramsey on Kitchen Nightmares the previous night (that show is freakin' awesome by the way), I couldn't resist the urge to wipe my finger across the trim on the wall. Finger was covered in dust/dirt! Can tell they don't dust often. I'm borderline OCD LOL. That's my ONLY complaint. Other than that, the food was amazing! Started off with the sheeps yogurt with sliced grapes, granola and drizzled with honey. Finished with the ricotta pumpkin pancakes with spiced apples. Everything was great and I will definetely be back.
(4)
Lisa K.
Several people recommended it for brunch. UGH! Heavy, "pork slab" dishes. NO fruit selection. Little muffins were gummy...my friend laughed and said it reminded her of playing at "baking" once when she was very little. Inside is dark and depressing at bunch. Very heavy, gloppy food. I'm sure it's lovely at dinner...I won't be back.
(1)
Terri F.
Went for Easter brunch. Short but very interesting menu. Can't wait to go back and try dinner. Quaint old bldg. great wine list. Service excellent. First time in old town. How pleasant.
(4)
Vince M.
So I came here for lunch with my girlfriend. It was pretty impromptu, we were hungry, wandering down King Street and stopped in as we've heard good things. The set up is pretty nice, it seems like a great potential place to bring someone on an actual date. It's a smaller place, but open given its size, with a lot of comfortable booth seating. Likewise, the service was really good. For the food, they had a reasonably priced lunch special (the CEO-an entree and a salad.) However, the sale options weren't particularly enticing (there were only three) so we decided to skip the special and just get a single entree each. I had the pan roasted chicken, and she had the hanger steak. I loved my entree, the chicken was cooked perfectly. It was moist, and had a ton of flavor. The potato puree and vegetable bed were also great; I would definitely recommend the dish. My girlfriends hanger steak was less exciting. It was cooked unevenly (she wanted medium rare, part came out more medium-medium well). It seems like they had given us parts of a different steak as well (there were more than just two "end" pieces). It also lacked much flavor, as did the spinach that came with it. That said, it overall was still a good meal. From looking at the menu, and taking in the atmosphere, it seems like a nice place to go for a date for a reasonable price. However, it isn't the most impressive place. It didn't live up to the expectations I had.
(3)
Sasha B.
My hubby took me out for date night here on a Friday night and we had a great time. The food was unreal and the service is what really made our evening. There was a slight issue with one of our dishes and while for us it wasn't a big deal (b.c. the food was so damn good) the restaurant made sure to "right the wrong" immediately. Here's what we tried: Apps - seared scallops: yum! Melts in your mouth. Apps - octopus salad: this was the best octopus I've ever had. It so melts in your mouth and has zero rubbery-chewy texture. Zero. Entree - lamb: everything on the plate was delicious. The plate was cleaned by my man. Entree - pasta with peas and hazelnuts: the pasta was so gentle and fresh and the peas inside were good. I will say, even as a lover of hazelnuts, the hazelnuts were overpowering and slightly a few too many on the plate. But the star of the dish, the pasta, was yumz. Dessert - fried dough-y balls: I think these might be their specialty - they were tasty. Dessert - the variety plate: the great thing about this plate of goodness is not only the amount of chocolate but also the fact that the chocolate was not too sweet, so you didn't feel like you just gobbled up a plate full of sugar. It's clearly quality chocolate :) Lots of things impressed me on the menu but I will definitely be back for the octopus salad and the fantastic service. And the bar seemed like a great place to hang out.
(4)
Tyler B.
-- review pertains only to drinks -- Stopped in Vermillon last Friday night around 10:30 for a few drinks with friends. It was hot outside, and somehow hotter inside. We all ordered Moscow Mules to cool down, only to find they weren't served in their sign
(3)
Courtney R.
Stopped in for brunch last Sunday. I've been here for dinner as well a few years ago. I ordered the egg sandwich on their house-made biali. Biali is probably the worst kind of bread for a b'fast sandwich--think bagel but way more tough. You have to fight with it to eat it. The potato latkes that accompanied the sandwich where basically Mickey Ds hash browns. Not bad, but waaaay cheaper in the drive through, you know? One friend ordered steak and it came out cold and bleeding, leaving us in the super-awkward position of her having to send it back, us not wanting our eggs to go cold and eating in front of someone without her meal, then us waiting for her to finish hers because somehow it took them 15 minutes to get the steak to medium. They did comp the steak, so kudos. The Virginia Benedict (poached eggs over fried oysters) is a rare find, and my friend seemed to enjoy it. Servers were friendly, but the food fell flat, particularly for the higher price ($13-$16 a dish). One could dine cheaper--and better--elsewhere.
(2)
ChefClaire D.
I was in Alexandria for business and went to Vermilion for dinner---A-MAZING. The food is so carefully prepared and absolutely stunning on the plate. The service was exceptional---authentic people who really love food and love to share it with you. We had appetizers of white shrimp, artichoke dip, and carpaccio---all beautifully prepared and exceptionally tasting. The endive salad came with a poached egg, just delicious and beautifully plated. I ordered the duck but mistakenly received a pork dish. They happily exchanged it. When the duck arrived it was it was rare when I ordered medium rare---no problem. They took the charge off the bill and added a complimentary dessert. All just fabulously tasting, beautifully presented, and exceptional service. I am not one to give 5 stars. Vermilion deserves it.
(5)
Tracy L.
Whenever I asked people around me about Vermilion, it was always about the glorious happy hour deal. I didn't hear too much about the food itself. I was like, what's up with that? When I came here for a business lunch during restaurant week, I realized that this place served awesome food! (And I'm usually not that excited about new American food.) I had a nice squash soup, shrimp salad on a toasted French roll and a fabulously chocolatey chocolate mousse cake. Everything was very tasty. I thought to myself, "I seriously need to talk about the delic food here more!" One more thing: the decor here is quite "girly" and romantic. Me like it.
(4)
Adrienne A.
Vermillion is getting a lot of buzz as one of the newer darlings in Old Town, and does have a vibe that is hip and comfortable at the same time. The seating in the back bar has got a little bit of the inside of Jeannie's Bottle going on, which was cute EXCEPT for some rather annoying lights that hang too low smack in the center of the seating areas making conversation slightly difficult and picture taking impossible! Wait staff: sweet and efficient Food: v. good Drinks: also v. good Price: I would say a little spendy, but it's Old Town, so comparatively, the prices are the norm. All in all a snappy little place. We're looking forward to going back again, this time for brunch, one of their offerings that is getting some pretty high acclaim.
(3)
Stanley S.
This place gets worse every time I come here. Came here with the GF and she got the veggie tasting menu, while I got their spring veggie salad and the wild nettle ricotta tortellini. The salad was really good, especially for someone who enjoys pickled vegetables. The tortellini, however, was no good. My first bite was a shock because it was WAY too salty. The saltiness came from a combo of the parmesan cheese cracker like things and the tortellini themselves (both filling and pasta itself). If I were judging this place based soley on that dish it would've gotten 2 stars. BUT! I must say that the hush puppies I ordered at the bar were AMAZING!!! Three kinds of dipping sauce and all of them were stellar. Maybe this place is better for just drinks and bar food/small plates?
(3)
Jodi M.
Love this place! The ambiance and delicious food makes Vermillion one of my new go to spots for dinner/drinks. LOVE the Risotto Fritters and mini burgers!
(5)
Dez R.
I saw that it was consistently rated as one of the best restaurants in the DC Metro area, and that people thought highly of their wine selection, so I absolutely had to check it out. Vermilion totally exceeded my expectations. Making a reservation was a breeze. There was a very short wait once we arrived, and the service was exquisite. The food was delicious, and wasn't at all expensive in comparison to restaurants of the same level of quality and sophistication. I had the 4-course tasting with wine pairing. Every course was executed amazingly, and I loved how the waitress explained why each wine was chosen for each dish. I was very impressed. If you're in the area, make a reservation and fully take in Vermilion. I highly doubt that you'll be disappointed.
(5)
Michael D.
Always wonderful, rich with new experiences of local flavor combined with exotic twists. Eat here often and have never been let down. Great place to take special dates and special business clients as service and atmosphere match the food experience. Only draw back is that the desert portions could be bigger :-)
(4)
lauren s.
Had restaurant week dinner here earlier this week and had a great experience. The place is cozy, but not small and the staff was really warm and welcoming. Our group was seated at a comfortable booth. There were four in our group, and between us, we had every item on the prix fixe Restaurant Week menu, and only one thing was disappointing. While I typically love gazpacho, the watermelon one they served was too vinegary and tangy for my taste and I really could only eat a few bites. It was an interesting dish, but not my favorite. The rest of my meal was delicious and my friends loved what they were served. Our server was fine and we had a really nice evening.
(4)
Erica H.
This place is awesome! I've never been let down by Vermillion. The bar food is good. A little pricey, but definitely tastier than nachos and chicken wings. The entrees are fantastic and executed very well. I'm a big fan of their seafood dishes. The fish always tastes fresh and the sides are paired nicely. If you go, try the cheese plate. It's listed on the dessert menu, but we always order it for an appetizer. Everything is seasonal. The first time we had it, the cheese plate came with a clementine marmalade. Second time it came with pickled fennel. It's always an adventure!
(4)
Marian K.
We've been 4-5 times over the last few years, and have always been happy. The tasting menu with the wine pairings is always an excellent choice. Only thing that lowered the review to 4 stars is that this last time, the waitperson knew nothing about the wines, other than name and country. "What kind of grapes? Uh...I'll have to get back to you on that..." Since we were asking about the wines that came with the tasting menu, it seems reasonable that the wait staff would be more familiar with them than that.
(4)
Valarie G.
Nice food and good atmosphere. A little pricier than the rest of the restaurant group's places, but not too bad. Service is really great and the ambiance is top notch. I love the squash soup here and great wine selection.
(4)
sophia e.
3.5 stars, after a lot of back and fourth between 3 and 4. And here's why: Pros: Good food, fresh ingredients, excellent service, one of the few good restaurants in old town, veg. options Cons: The froth.. hasn't this trend died already? expensive; the toilets could use some help First let me be clear, Vermilion is the best restaurant on King street (along with Hank's). Unfortunately there isn't much competition for that title, and you thoroughly pay for said quality. The food: I've had brunch and dinner here numerous times. The food is made of good quality ingredients, the portions are good sized, overall satisfying and tasty. Highlights were the gazpacho (last yr they made it with watermelon and feta, and that was probably the best gazpacho I've ever had, including the ones I had in Spain; this yr they use peaches instead and olives. Good but not daydream-about-it good like last yr's). The veggies they use are fresh and seasonal. They have some really strong veggie dishes; they could use a tad less oil, but they are by no means greasy. I've also had fish dishes here. The salmon was ok, nothing special, I wouldn't order it again. The halibut was good, a good sized piece of fresh fish, but it better be at $30. It was served over okra, which for me is a very homey taste and I liked that. I wasn't sure about the overall combination though (it was accompanied by basmati rice), solid taste but something was missing to give that extra haute cuisine feel to the dish. Their brunch is very good, with many options, even vegetarian ones. They use greek yogurt which is much appreciated, and actually the brunch prices are not bad. Their cappuccino is the best you can get in old town, but again unfortunately this doesn't say much. I should also mention that Laura who works there really adds a star to this place. She's attentive, sweet, friendly, without overdoing it. And finally, PLEASE Vermilion change your toilet seats. You can get new ones for like $20 each. Seriously.
(3)
C K.
Really nice food - tasty and very delicious specials. The ambiance is great and would be perfect for a romantic night out. The lighting is dim (which makes everyone look good) with the tables lit so you can actually see your food.
Seriously, I'm giving this 2 stars for the rich decor in a cool building in Old Town, and those nice inviting curtains downstairs. That is about it. Because the food, for what it pretends to be, is nothing short of embarrassing. Such airs, and this is what they serve? Beet salad: we got four quarter size prisms of beet - for what was it, $14 - with a bland drizzle of what I assume was balsamic, and yes,the beets had left the ground 24 h prior to us consuming them, but could I tell? No. Hardly any flavor - we ordered two of these, and mostly laughed in awe of what they could charge for this paltry, unflavored dish. Garlic soup: So this was OK - but once you got past the nice roasted garlic, it was, shall we say "one note." We had a couple other appetizers that I can't even remember.Lamb: Short of being refrigerated, they could not have managed to get a more cold piece of meat to me. I ordered medium rare, and I got two tiny, very cold, very raw slabs of meat - no seasoning at all --I could tell it was a nice pair of medallions, but with no seasoning, no flavor profile, and at that temperature.... such a disappointment. Salmon: It was salmon, with a sprinkling of salt and just about nothing else. Extremely boring. Uninspired. Dull. The person who had the pasta was pleased with fresh peas in her dish, but I am damned if I am going to pay almost $300 for pleasure over a few fresh peas that can be had at many other establishments that serve food with FLAVOR. Overrated and highly disappointing, will never go back.
(2)
Samantha S.
Vermillion is my favorite restaurant in Old Town Alexandria. The lush red atmosphere is inviting, cozy, and seductive. The food equals the restaurant's aesthetic. The pillow-lined lounge area feels like a harem in the best sense of the term. Sexy, relaxing and red, the lounge is a great way to wind down the evening. Appetizers: The Cornmeal Hushpuppies with bread & butter pickles & 3 dipping sauces was good. Although I've had better, crispier hush puppies at BBQ places in the boondocks, the white cream and mustard sauces were great. I won't hold the use of inferior bread & butter pickles garnish against them, although regular pickles would have been just fine. The risotto balls were even better. We ordered a cheese plate with four cheeses of the season, and all four were great. Although the bar doesn't normally serve a bread basket, we asked for one and they brought a great selection of homemade onion bread and Hawaiian rolls. The onion bread was dangerously delicious. On my first trip two years ago, I enjoyed a glass of wine and a taste of Basil Hayden's, which was the first bourbon I've ever liked. I enjoyed my bourbon with one of their exquisite desserts. Any of their desserts are not to be missed.
(5)
Meg H.
Hello Sexy! About a month ago...( I know don't judge me for procrastinating this review) Boyfriend and I went to Vermilion for a romantic dinner to celebrate a couple awesome things in our lives. I have heard a lot of people say- Vermilion is the coolest place to get drinks, and the closest cool place to King Street metro. Or at least the first place you wouldn't mind being "seen" at along King Street. We made a reservation and they accommodated us the day of pushing back the time, because it was great to show up and be whisked into a tall backed red velvet booth. The ambiance here is very sexy, but uninviting. Sat down, Boyfriend ordered some riesling and I had the Starry Starry night, which I tried and didn't like....(i'm not a whiskey girl) and the waitress was so sweet she changed it out for me free of charge with a glass of wine. We ordered the pan fried veal sweetbreads to start, which were....in a word amazing. LOOOOVED them. Then we both ( I know original) ordered the lamb stew. It was lamb, and cauliflower, and veggies, and and and and it was just so amazing. We both LOVE lamb and this was literally the best stew we've ever had, it was hearty, sophisticated, and just amazing. I cannot say enough good things about the Lamb Stew we had...I'm not sure if it is seasonal or what but if you can afford it...you should go to Vermilion and eat this stew!!! Yes it was somewhat pricey, but for a special occasion or a romantic date night this is a great place in the heart of Old Town to dine. They also have a pretty sexy bar area that a lot of people love to just go to for a drink. A win win!
(5)
Lauren C.
Service: 5 stars. Our waitress was very attentive and friendly. Menu selection: 3 stars. There were only a few options for vegetarians, aside from salads. Otherwise, delicious. I ordered the "intern" lunch which was composed of butternut squash soup (delish), a greens salad with a simple vinaigrette and the chef was kind enough to switch the turkey salad sandwich for a vegetarian option. The vegetarian option had falafel and spices served up in pita. The portions were decent sized and the price was a steal- $10. I would definitely come back for lunch. Also, I think it would be fun to check out this place during the night time.
(4)
Marisa F.
Popped in for happy hour before dinner at Medieval Madness. The inside is dark and loungey and was quite crowded. My friends and I were lucky to grab a table from a couple that was leaving shortly after arriving. I love the hooks on the stairs which make for a great purse/coat hook. There are some food deals during happy hour and we ordered the garlic rosemary fries, which smelled and tasted divine. I tried one of their cocktail specials, the King Street Lemonade (absolut citron, muddled mint, lemon, sugar & soda) it was really good, but beware it goes down like juice....or lemonade. ;) Next up, I went rouge off of the hh menu and tried the Pumpkin Patch (grey goose la poire, pumpkin puree, cinnamon, ginger & cream). It was a bit too gingery for me or something, I would have liked a stronger pumpkin flavor. This was my first visit and I'll have to plan to have dinner here in the future!
(4)
Alan K.
We went here for Sunday brunch and had a very good experience. Although the booth we were seated in was kind of uncomfortable, the food was delicious and our waiter, Chad, was very pleasant and helpful. We started with an order of the hush puppies with dipping sauce, and they were out-of-this-world good. For my main course, I had the corn beef hash, which I thought was just alright--the seasoning of the meat overpowered the other flavors, and there weren't enough potatoes for my liking. My dining partner ordered the fried oyster po boy, which was really great as well, and served with a big pile of old bay fries. Our drinks were just okay; my bloody mary needed more heat (which I added with some tabasco), and the Singapore slider had a sort of odd taste to it. We ordered the nutella cheesecake for dessert, which was just about the right size, since we were so stuffed, but it was more than I'd like to pay for that size portion. As I stated earlier, what made this a truly great experience was our waiter. We asked questions about the dining room hours and happy hour, and he was extremely polite and helpful throughout the experience.
(4)
Michele D.
I love it here. I've been to Vermillion on two occasions and they never disappoint. From the minute you walk through the door the staff is welcoming and attentive. The menu is a little small but what it lacks in quantity it makes up in quality. As someone who is highly allergic to nuts, I appreciate that every item on the menu lists the ingredients. I felt confident that what I was ordering would not send me straight to the hospital. The chef took special care to make sure that even the amuse they sent out before the appetizer was nut free as well. My husband and I shared the sweetbreads which were amazing. Even he loved it and he's a very picky eater. The beef duo was mouthwatering, and the chocolate brulee was awesome. I love the atmosphere, I love the food, and we will definitely be back again and again Michele
(4)
Kalie B.
Great for drinks/late night. Loungy atmosphere, good music, nice low lighting and they make very stiff, good drinks. They do have food until 2am, but honestly its not great. It sounds great on the menu, it could be great, but the actual product just somehow isn't. It always makes me want to leave in search of something satisfying.
HH only! Great location to meet friends for a HH! $5 wines and a nice array of food choices. There are comfortable lounge areas and the decor is pretty nice!
(4)
Roxie G.
Decided to try this adorable French restaurant even though the reviews were not great. What drew us in was the quaint vibe and the fact that we could sit by the window and enjoy the passerby's on King street. Ordered a bottle of white wine and some appetizers. Decided on their mussels and their pimiento dip. Both were outstanding. The broth the mussels were in was delicious and was served with pieces of chorizo. The dip was served with plenty of warm pita bread. We were going to order an entree to split but we got full on the mussels and the dip. Definitely good size appetizer portions. Based on starters alone I would not hesitate to come back for a full meal. Service was great.
(4)
Steve K.
All the food I had was a pork belly while sitting at the cool bar and then a band started playing. Enjoyed the Experience, I notice lots of couples starting "Date night" at the bar and some friends meeting to celebrate someone's birthday. I think this is definitely a place to come back to or frequent when in Alexandria. As for the Pork belly appetizer was pretty cool!
(4)
Victor R.
Stopped in hoping for dinner, but settled for the bar during happy hour. Drinks were good and cheap, but dinner was WAY overpriced. Ended up splitting the difference for some generic fried finger foods, which you can't screw up. Bar scene was...lively.
(2)
Ed M.
Had drinks and snacks at the bar. Nice place. I will be back for dinner.
(4)
Cyndy K.
Cyndy's BOTTOM LINE: Great place to get high calibre, locally sourced food with a Southern twist in a relaxing setting. Chehalem Inox Chardonnay - pure, no oak, stainless steel drums. Polenta agnolitti with an egg on top Oysters Rockfish special Pork Nutella cheesecake
(4)
Rick P.
The food just keeps getting better and better (which seems impossible)...
(5)
kathleen M.
husband and i had lunch- he was ok with his butternut squash soup and cubano but ...oddest thing-when he sent the soup spoon back because it was dirty, the waiter came and questioned him as to where the spot was! we're enough to be that waiter's parents and that was very very inappropriate behavior. To question a customer about where the spot was on a spoon? I had the trout which while well cooked was visually unappealing- it was a plate of brown. Seriously needed a handful of parsley to perk up both the taste and the look.
(2)
laura g.
a fun, cozy, intimate restaurant in Old Town. Some of the food is hit or miss. Garlic soup was amazing-never tasted anything like it and its unique. the lamb was well cooked and seasoned well, but as others have said there is an issue with food coming out slightly on the cold side. Some of the garnish that came with the lamb seemed out of place and unneeded. The eggplant puree was A) taste-less and offered little to the dish and B) was visually unappealing. The dish would have been improved by some more satisfying veggie sides. shared a bite of the gnocchi app and the pasta entree which were tasty but since this was not an Italian restaurant i am not holding them to any really standard. wine was reasonably priced and offered interesting elections. Price is on the high side for the neighborhood but not for DC. I would go back but it could use some tweaking on the entree portion of the menu
(4)
Indian American Mom S.
Where do I begin with this disappointment? Poor (racist?) seating and mediocre food for over $80 per person. My husband and I had reservations to celebrate a special occasion. We arrived and were seated upstairs at a cramped table for two, which was pushed up against the back of a booth. A rowdy group of four were seated at the booth and throughout the dinner, one diner's elbow was inches from my husband's face. As wee had already started our meal, we did not want to ask to be moved. Halfway through our dinner, another party of color (mind you, we were the only two groups of color in the entire upstairs) was about to be seated right next to us at another cramped table. However, one of them spoke up and asked to be seated at an open table next to a window. A restaurant of this price range should 1) be proactively seating its diners at their best available tables and 2) should not have tables that can cause patrons to be elbowed by other patrons! We ordered the vegetarian tasting menu, which was meh. A roasted beet salad (been there, done that) and pasta (serving pasta to a vegetarian...how original), with some other forgettable courses. All in all, an overpriced waste of an evening. After hearing other folks rave about this place and splurging for a special night, I expected better!
(1)
Tamara N.
My husband chose Vermillion for our Boxing Day lunch. I had only been there for happy hours and not for a whole meal before. I was impressed overall. For an appetizer, we ordered cornmeal hushpuppies that came with bread & butter pickles and three dipping sauces, all very tasty. I loved the garlic soup most of all. We still enjoyed the entrees, but the first two courses were hard to top. Service was prompt and courteous. The decor is lush, dark red velvet, very lovely. We'll definitely be back!
(4)
Erica Y.
The rating here at yelp is very accurate-3 1/2 stars. It's a little better than a-ok, but I am not exactly a fan yet. Two of us went Saturday night for dinner at 8. We tried eastern shore scallops and heirloom tomatoes for appetizers. Scallops were delicious, but for $13 you get two pretty small scallops. It's no where near the size of the scallops dish at Zaytinya which only cost $8.50. Honestly I don't think it tasted any better, except with a prettier presentation, which I can't eat. Bf's heirloom tomatoes looked ok, he said it was alright. For entrees I got the ny striploin which was good, decent portion size too, but it was not anything spectacular or memorable. BF got open ravioli which was tasty, a bit on the saltier size, but overall pretty good. It's cheaper than most entrees, but it's not a lot of food so if you are looking for a light entree this is a good option. Dessert menu did not look that attractive, so we headed out for ice cream in old town. Overall it's not bad, but I think there are so many options in old town I probably won't be back anytime soon.
(3)
Maria T.
Went for brunch at 1pm today, a Saturday, we were a party of 3. The restaurant was half empty but we were told by the hostess that it will be around 25 minute wait. No problem, we sat at one of the bar area tables and ordered drinks. Almost an hour later the hostess came back and said five more minutes and the table should be ready. Restaurant still appeared half full...25 minutes later our table was ready.. All together the wait was about an 1 hour and 20 minutes before we were seated. Had we known it will be that long , we would have ordered at the bar area which was totally empty and would have had brunch there. When we got the table upstairs, several tables were empty so not sure what took 3 times longer on a Saturday at 1 pm to seat us. The hostess was completely oblivious to the 3 times longer wait, never apologized or explained why it took so long. Completely unprofessional. The food was good. It was my first time..and I was not even concerned with the food because I was super annoyed by the hostess' behavior..
(2)
Kara W.
Very good food and great atmosphere. I went with a group of 5. The bar service was a little snooty, but wait staff was attentive and informed. I got the butternut squash sandwich and it was awesome. I love the seasonal drinks. Definitely worth a visit.
(4)
Ken R.
After my first visit about a year ago, Vermilion was a rock solid 4, teetering on 5 stars. The chicken sandwich I had for lunch was just that good. I still remember how good it was. However, after my second visit, while not a bad meal, I have to draw back to 3 stars. I asked for the chicken sandwich but, alas it was no longer on the menu. Had it been, this rating would be 5 stars. My friend enjoyed his meal quite a bit but mine was just okay.
(3)
Sara W.
I've mainly had lunches at Vermillion--and I love how their menu changes almost every month to accommodate in-season fruits and veggies. I've had the hanger steak, the amish chicken, the po'boy, and several of their fantastic soups. Also of note--their King Street Lemonade is delicious, if potent!
(5)
Michelle B.
Give Vermilion a second chance. I think they've gotten it together (or we got really lucky). I ate there once, a few months after they first opened, and it was all-around bad (the food, service, everything). It seemed like they were trying way too hard. We never went back. Why would we when we can walk to Evening Star? So, we got a gift certificate from a golf tournament of all things and decided that free food and second chances are what make this country great. I wanted to sit at the bar because I'd heard from a few friends that the dining room service was still lackluster. It was Friday night and no dice on getting into the bar. It was slammed. I noticed throughout our meal a lot of people walking in and walking out because it was wall to wall packed. The seating in the front of the house is a little odd. There was only one other table of diners in the room and the hostess sat us in the table closest to them. It's a very off-putting location. You're there as everybody walks in and you could lend a hand at the hostess stand if they were busy. Anyway, I ordered a fantastic scarlet margarita to help me forget about where I was sitting. Our server was informative, friendly, prompt and professional. I wish I'd gotten his name, but he's a brunette with medium-length curly brown hair. If I had a restaurant, that's who I'd want interacting with my customers. All of the food was excellent. Then again, did I just have low expectations? No, no, it was very good. I had the scallop special with a creamy squash sauce mixed with pumpkin seeds, pomegranate and honey glaze. It was exquisite. It also was a good portion size. My apple cobbler with custard from the Dairy Godmother was also delicious. I have to say that now I'd go again, but request better seating. I hope that dinner wasn't an anomaly.
(4)
Tyrone W.
Vermilion is a classy King Street restaurant. It's interior is a sultry red and finished in hardwoods and soft lighting. It's def. a little pricey for the amount of food you get but I left here satisfied. The service was good if just a tad pretentious, though they warmed up a bit after I told them I was a visiting employee from another restaurant owned by the same company :-) Too bad that was at the end of our meal. Overall though I'd DEF. come back especially if I wasn't footing the bill. Excellent wine selection as is the forte of the Neighborhood Restaurant Group.
(4)
Jennifer I.
The food was awesome here! Felt like a nice change of pace from other places on King Street I've been to for lunch so far (granted I've mostly been to delis...but still paying $8-$12). I was proud to spend $10 on a delicious portobello mushroom sandwich with goat cheese and pesto sauce on ciabatta bread...it melted in my mouth! Came with a side of fries, which were good as well and the waitstaff treated us as though we were at a four star restaurant (even though the sign on the wall outside said The Washington Post gave them 2.5 stars--I didn't really think that sounded like much to brag about...also, they didn't say 2.5 out of what?! If it was 2.5 out of 5, ok...but if it was out of...20, well, then I'm not wasting my time). Annywaaayyy, the service was great but I couldn't help feeling like it was forced--and really, I think it had to do mostly with the decor. Maybe in the evening hours, it looks better in there but the red velvet was a bit overkill and a little too vampire in the 90s for me (sidebar: I've worked for interior design magazines my entire life so I am usually a bit snobby about decor--I think it says (sometimes) a lot about the quality of the restaurant). To me it sort of felt like having Champagne and caviar at an Irish Pub...but alas the food was so delicious, I'll get over my aversion to velvet and return to try some other things on the menu. It also looked as if they had a pretty good wine/beer list so I'd def like to come back and check that out! I would def recommend you check this place out--by the sound of the other reviews, I should def go back after 5pm!
(3)
Diana W.
A just ok meal for an awful lot of money! I had eaten there 2 years ago during restaurant week, and it was terrific, but last night was just so-so. Appetizers were better than entrees. I had a wild mushroom-stuffed ravioli and the dough was tough. The wine list is expensive: there are very few modestly-priced bottles. The water alternated between being inattentive and overly attentive. I would not return--not for that price!
(3)
nate s.
I had my new years dinner here and enjoyed every last morsel. I'm not much of a wine drinker so I asked the waiter if they could just pair a beer with each of the 5 courses that I had, definitely something to think about if you either don't like wine or you'd like to shave about half off the price of the wine accompaniment. Though not all of them matched perfectly there were some that came up being spot on. Their bar was enabled for a pretty relaxing wait despite it being filled to the gills. Nothing really relaxes you as well as a double gin and tonic. The seats I had at the restaurant were especially nice because they were in front of the window enabling my family and me the opportunity to people watch when there was a break in the conversation.
(5)
J P.
My favorite DC restaurant. A great memory for a fair price in a romantic concept right off King Street in Old Town Alexandria. If you are visiting DC and want a good place to eat in Alexandria - skip commercial chains like Charthouse and spend a night at Vermilion.
(5)
Amber W.
This cozy restaurant is fine for old town but isn't up to DC standards. Although the lounge area would be a nice place to grab a drink, the restaurant menu felt incomplete. First of all, the restaurant was short on the featured desserts. Although our server adeptly found some of the goat's milk cheesecake "hidden" in the back, there was no such luck with the pecan pie. The scallop appetizer was nice but the "filet" arrived charred and clearly was not the "filet" cut that we anticipated. After asking the server, we found out that the cut was actually "next to the filet." I felt bamboozled. I was glad we came during restaurant week to try this out of the way neighborhood gem that turned out to be more of a cubic zirconia.
(2)
Eric G.
For happy hour in Old Town, it doesn't get much better. A good mix of relaxed and fun. Bar menu is great and the fries are DC's best kept secret.
(4)
Jo M.
I went for dinner on a saturday night. i was not impressed much by the place. the food was just ok. the steak was ordered medium, came cooked medium well. their half portion of the rockfish was ridiculously tiny. it was insulting. their scallops appaetizer - priced at $14 came with two sea scallops and two potato scallops. so that's $7/real scallop? come on now. i have been to their family restaurant tallula and the experience there was nothing like this place their goat cheese cheesecake was good though.
(2)
Jill H.
IF a food critic was writing a review for their food, it wouldn't be a high score. Some of the dishes had great aspects to them and others were just down right bad for food in that price range.
(3)
sarah s.
I've gone from loving Vermilion to hating it. When it first opened, I was so excited to have a new and "nice" place to eat in Old Town. I loved the birthday cake martini, and the food was great. My one complaint was that the ventilation system is horrible there-it always smells like cigarette smoke no matter where you are in the restaurant, and you need a shower when you get home (why won't you outlaw smoking, Virginia?!). A year or two later, the food has gone downhill to just average, the birthday cake martini no longer exists, and I still smell like I've been to a bar instead of a nice dinner when I get home. I'll never be back.
(1)
Beth B.
How I love this place - let me count the ways. Cool, eclectic menu. Awesome bar and the best bartenders in Old Town. Try the fried oyster salad - yum. Tons of beers to choose from - I always feel at home here.It may seem a little too chic, but we are not chic and we love it. If you are in Old Town and debating where to grab a beer and a bite - try Vermillion. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Good E.
Nice atmosphere for a date, however.... 5 entrees, 2 appetizers, no alchohol, no dessert, and tip - total $222 which included the tip. June 2009 We all ordered either the skirt steak or halibut. I forgot what the appetizers were. Service was attentive. Crowd was mixed - mid 20's to early 40's with kids. Everything was your typical fare at any restaurant. Not a memorable dining experience. Would I return - NO.
(3)
G. B.
We went for dinner. Nothing to brag about. OK food, but sounds better on the menu than it tastes. We ordered "heritage breed chicken 2 ways", and "jurgielewicz farm pekin duck". The stuff tasted like it had been hanging around for a while. Service was good though.
(2)
B K.
My mom said the hanger steak was the best steak she has ever eaten. Take note: She is a fifth generation Texan.
(5)
Richard Z.
Fabulous. Pricey but everything we ordered was great, particularly the duck confit.
(4)
R. S.
Great food and great service and very cute decor. It was a much needed respite from the hideous restaurant and chain offerings we were subjected to on the other side of the river in National Harbor, MD as we were there for a conference.
(4)
Heather L.
It wasn't bad...it just wasn't great. I went last night for dinner with my husband & a friend. It was completely empty @ 6:30 on a Sunday. We started out with drinks. They were not very good, but passable. We sat upstairs & our server was great. She was friendly & on top of everything. We ordered and were brought an amuse from the chef. Nice touch. It was a salmon dish served w/ home made potato chips that were quite tasty. The appetizers were good. We had the scallops, pea soup, & boudin sausage. However like the rest of the food, it seemed over done, over worked, & trying too hard. I had the soft shell crab BLT for dinner. The crabs were a little too soft, but the fried green tomatoes were good. The hanger steak was good as was the salmon my friend had. We ordered dessert. It wasn't really worth it. The chocolate cake tasted like something I could easily have made @ home, but the chocolate pretzels gave it a quirky twist. The french toast cubes were mushy, but they were tasty. I don't think I would go back. It was quite expensive & like I said the food was really fussy. The portions were a little small & nothing was truly great, just OK.
(3)
J P.
Everyone can read the dozens of reviews and conclude that Vermilion is a wonderful restaurant. The food is creative and delicious. Unfortunately, this is no longer adequate criteria to justify a return visit for me. My fiancee and I go out to eat once or twice per week, but otherwise eat very healthy. Oatmeal, low-fat dairy, fruit, veggies, grilled chicken, etc. We also exercise 3-4 times per week. That being said, many of the incredibly rich, high-fat dishes served at top restaurants tend to not agree with our fragile stomachs. My fiancee almost crapped her pants on the way home from Vermilion and I spent most of the following day on the toilet. If you are like us, and attempt to eat healthy on a daily basis, I would highly advise against dining here. There are plenty of excellent restaurants in the city that won't cause near catastrophies. The problem is Vermilion attempts to use only local organic products in its dishes. While this may taste amazing, it has the potential to cause food poisoning if the products aren't stored or prepared properly.
(3)
Claire T.
I highly recommend getting brunch here. Their menu changes regularly, and everything I've ever had has been memorable. They do creative takes on classics--rather than a boring eggs benedict, for instance, they do a southern benedict with fried oysters (that somehow manage to stay crispy even with the sauce), and with cornbread. I just adored it. And their cocktails are refreshing and unique. A great place for weekend brunch with friends and family. The late night/bar menu is more interesting than it is tasty, but again, it's a great place for cocktails, and has a nice atmosphere in the evenings. It's not too loud or crazy but feels lively.
(5)
Lindsey P.
I've been here for brunch (deeelicious) and after dinner drinks (somuchfunyay). Here's my review of both of these, in chronological order: Brunch. The sheep's milk yogurt is crazy good. It comes with crispy granola and grape halves and is drizzled with seriously good honey- not your average out-of-the-plastic-bear kind. And this isn't your average yogurt either. It's just better. The eggs Benedict was classic and delicious- enough said. The menus also change with the seasons, which I really appreciate, since the chefs are only cooking with seriously fresh ingredients. After dinner drinks. This is such a fun place to go for a laid back night out! The bartenders make some great drinks- and the prices are reasonable, especially for the DC area ($7 to $9 for most of their cocktails). They have this great section in the back with 3 separate little loungy areas that are perfect for groups of friends to hang out and talk. This is NOT the kind of bar that one finds in oh...Arlington...so don't go here if you're looking for that "super loud music, so crowded you can't move" experience. It's a great place to chill with some friends. Overall- very good restaurant with a unique, seasonal menu and a fun bar.
(4)
PAJ J.
Sunday brunch: Seating was prompt but left us no options. Service was friendly but a bit slow, salads and entrees were copious and enjoyable but consistently overly salty. Good draft beer selection but a brief description of the rare brews in the list would help (the wait staff did assist with the choice). 3.5
(3)
Varun M.
Excellent wine (try the Mendocino Zinfandel) and Food (try the Amish Chicken).
(5)
Bill V.
Great American dining. Great specials and local ingredients. Good for an after dinner drink or an expense account dinner. The place does not disappoint.
(5)
Jennifer F.
My husband and I visited Vermilion during RW and were completely underwhelmed. Ultimately it comes down to the fact that during RW some restaurants pull out all the stops in the hopes of getting many loyal customers who will revisit after RW. Others simply mass-produce the food so it ends up coming out tasting like bad cafeteria food. Unfortunately, I found that Vermilion falls into the latter. First, they only offered three entree options which I was disappointed with. Second, nothing we had was anything to write home about. To be honest, I can't even remember what we had, it was that forgettable. The only reason I gave it 2 stars is because the service was good and the ambiance was nice. But the food was awful and I will never go back.
(2)
PC W.
I recommend brunch w/ mimosa :) I want to return for dinner sometime because I had a great brunch experience. I love the walls of wines they have one the first floor.
(4)
mariam o.
gorgeous mellowed out spot to get drinks and chill with friends. servers are super friendly without being pushy or up-selly. brunch food (and bloody mary bar) and the bar bite menu is solid - never been for dinner myself. i come at least once a month to try the new cocktails with themed ingredients. love!
(4)
chancy l.
I do not care for the new menu all that much. The place is visually appealing and is one of our best places to grab a drink with friends. The staff is phenomenal. Smoking allowed after 10PM. Good date place.
(3)
Leigh K.
It was surprising to read the negative reviews of Vermilion after my third great dinner there last night. We had a very friendly black woman as our server. She gave us the perfect amount of time to order, opened the wine skillfully, and seemed to really know the menu with a passion that so many servers don't. All restaurants should have wait staff that truly appreciate food. The only complaint that I have is that there is not enough choice for someone like me who only eats poultry but not other meat or seafood. The pan-roasted chicken is the only one entree out of 10 entrees that was not meat or seafood. If you're veg, you could definitely make a meal out of one of their delicious salads and sides, but make sure you ask about sauces since so many places sneak in unwanted animal fat. I made my meal out of a salad, an appetizer, and a side and I was full at the end of my meal. I started with the Duck Confit Salad, which is the most gourmet item I've had here. The confit and potato cake hide underneath the arugula so you don't know what you're going to get until you lift it up. There is a nice amount of the duck in the salad and the flavors compliment oneanother perfectly. Next came the Portobello Gratin, which was one of the more interesting portobello dishes I've tried. The meatiness of the bella went surprisingly well with the creamy goat cheese. I finished with the House-cut Fries which are presented on cone-shaped paper in a stand. These are the best fries I have had in the DC area. They're crispy and not over-salted or oily. They're served with a horseradish mayo and ketchup. The other Yelp reviews were written over a year ago. Clearly, it took some time, but Vermilion has clearly shed its' cocoon and emerged into one of Old Town's greatest restaurants.
(4)
D S.
for the bar only. came here late on a sunday. place still had people milling around. had a few drinks, sat in the window. nice atmosphere, but a little too red. can't say much about the conversation - wasn't too into it, which colors my review. file this as incomplete. i'll have to update this review after a real dining experience there.
(4)
Marie D.
Outstanding food & excellent service in a lovely, stylish, cozy setting. Ate there last night with a friend during Restaurant Week, which made the experience a bargain. The food is gourmet quality, yet still comfortable and recognizable. It doesn't sacrifice satisfaction and enjoyment for the sake of trying too hard to be trendy, yet the dishes are interesting and delicious. For example, our excellent dishes included starters of incredibly thin, tender, and flavorful beef carpaccio and spicy shrimp over creamy polenta, impressive entrees of pork loin with red cabbage and spaetzle and flounder with leeks, and desserts of poached pear with maple ice cream, granola, and cranberry and a chocolate bombe, which was a rich and creamy chocolate indulgence. Our service was pleasant, attentive, and efficient. The restaurant also provides a versatile atmosphere that would be good for small group gatherings, romantic dates, girls' nights, etc. Picture exposed brick walls, hardwood floors, gas lamp wall sconces, a wall covered in wine bottles, and thick deep-red velvet curtains. Fit for a special occasion or just a nice dinner out, and a worthy destination for foodies. It's pricey, but given the location and the quality, the prices are reasonable and to be expected.
(5)
Dana L.
Not too good. The fish taco was only fair. Definitely not worth going to. The pasta was pretty horrid.
(2)
Pink I.
I had a hard time with this review. I've dined at Vermilion several times recently, both at brunch and at dinner, and while I never had a bad meal, I haven't had a very good one either. I think part of the problem is that this place is definitely bringing "the fancy." For example, the menu descriptions are sparse, and often do not speak to the preparation of the primary protein, resulting in a lengthy recitation by the waiter/waitress. "The rabbit is prepared 6 ways, first the legs are seared in a Croatian grape seed oil and pressed in a terrine of blown Oaxacan glass. In the second way, we hydroponically...." In fact, I can't remember having to consistently ask so many questions just to find out what I might be eating. For a place on King Street, it seemed a bit pretentious and seems to unnecessarily complicate dishes. For the food, the primary palate is sweet. Lots of dried fruits, balsamic reductions, etc., seem to dominate. There is very little balance. While some critics complain about a heavy hand with the salt shaker, I would argue that a similar sin is the propensity of many chefs to add sugar to food, to compensate for inadequacies (i.e., using hidden sugars like balsamic, dried fruit, etc). The wine list was ok. We had a southern Rhone/CdP for a fair price (2x markup). But certainly the list is nothing special. Like the food, the wine was fruit-forward, lacking structure, sweet, and quite unremarkable. Maybe I'm too picky, but I felt that there was a certain inauthentic and corporate vibe to this place. Again, there was nothing poor about any of the meals, but I just didn't think there was anything good either, especially for the price.
(3)
Wilt C.
We have always enjoyed Vermillion in the past and looked forward to our recent visit. We were somewhat dismayed by the grouchy demeanor of the surly hostess. She barely acknowledged our presence and seemed to feel as if she was doing us a huge favor in allowing us to enter the restaurant. The food itself was quite good and the service was fine. Front of the house management is important in a service industry and Vermillion seems to have dropped the ball in this respect. It is not that difficult to make someone feel welcome.
(2)
Graham O.
My wife and I came here for my birthday and elected to have the tasting menu and wine pairings. The wines were paired very well but the most incredible part of the meal was how refined and elevated the food was. The small portions were very well constructed and just enough to fill us up.
(5)
Josh G.
The first feeling I get from sitting down at my table is that this restaurant is trying to cut corners. Whether it be the laziness of the waiters putting a bottle of water on your table instead of refilling your glasses or the fact that when the bread comes each diner only gets one piece. At this place your dining experience seems to partially hinge on what waiter you get, the table next to us had a cheerful waiter and we were stuck with someone who appeared to hate life.The tables can be a bit too close together and a little cramped. I had the rockfish and it was nice but not worthy of the price. We then tried dessert and really shouldn't have. We got kind of a chocolate brulee with churros and banana. Everything and I mean everything on that plate tasted like something else. The Chocolate had chili in it, the churros tastes like lemon rind, etc. it was bizarre. The bottom line is if you are going to be spending this much money go to a great restaurant like Brabo for roughly the same price.
(3)
Keith K.
Went here 1-ce a while back on a lark while in Alexandria visiting friends. Vermilion has the dark red / curtains / low light atmosphere down cold; and seems to cater to White Folk who think they're higher class then they actually are - basically, Me. I enjoyed the rather fascinating sausage stuffed Calamari with broth and garlic foam, and remember it fondly, along with the carrot and ginger soup - quite rich and gingery / satisfying - and finished it all off with the tiramisu. Which was good, but raise your hand if you've ever choked down objectively terrible tiramisu. Anyone? Naw. The service was slightly above average and cool, the beer selection should have been better, but on the whole Vermilion provided a comfortable and enjoyable time. The prices are admittedly a tad high, but given the city I would say pretty par for the course. I'd happily go again, but not go especially out of my way. If you're in the area and like this sort of thing, pop on by.
(4)
Laura G.
Oh-so-charming and delightful could be said for both the restaurant and my date. But this review will focus on the former. Decor and service immediately set the stage that you are in for a lovely treat. And the menu is focused on inventive 'mid-atlantic fare' filled with locally-sourced ingredients. Their summer options include a delish, flavor-packed chilled cucumber soup to freshly made burrata with tomatoes and basil to maryland blue crab done 2 ways. As the menu is clearly seasonal, this calls for repeat visits to see what the chef whips up as the weather changes! Hopefully, Mr Charming will be more than a summer-fling and will accompany me on these future outings.
(4)
Bryan P.
I'm certainly a fan of Vermillion. The seasonal menu in October was less appealing to me than was the one this summer during our first visit - moreso personal preference than anything. Went with the rock fish special, over a bed of basmati, with shrimp, various legumes, and a rather tasty sun-dried tomato pesto. Decent enough house salad, all washed down with Bell's Two Hearted. Again, I enjoyed the summer menu over the autumn edition, but this is a place we will be back for - when someone else picks up the bill, mind you...
(4)
Laura C.
Went for lunch and had a meal close to perfection in terms is the dishes, service and ambience. And recommend to sit upstairs.
(5)
Ash R.
We were here for dinner recently and i did the tasting menu. I have to say - overall i was not super impressed. The place has a wonderful ambiance - very inviting and cozy decor. The service was great. The presentation of the food was excellent - as in, picture perfect. But i guess i was not that impressed by the food itself. For one thing, i was still hungry after the tasting menu and found myself eating a lot more of the bread rolls than i normally do. I have done the tasting menus at other restaurants and usually totally love it, but never felt hungry still at the end, so this was a big surprise .The monkfish here looked beautiful but was a little bland in taste - i like foods with more flavor i guess. We had a reservation at 6 pm and did not leave till 9 pm - not because we were too busy talking per se, but partly because there was such a long gap between serving each round. My bill came to about $80 - way too much for the quality and quantity, IMHO. Try the seafood tasting menu at Tosca or or chef's menu Graffiato, both are phenomenal and cheaper with faster and almost perfect service!
(3)
Jamie C.
Sorry...this review is quite late. This is actually the 3rd time I've eaten at Vermillion in the past 6 months. The boyfriend and I went on 11 Feb 2012 for dinner as our Valentine's Day because I had school on the 14th. We were looking online the whole time before we went, trying to decide between the prix fixe or just ordering off the menu. Looked at all the drinks... we were excited! This restaurant has never disappointed! (The other two times I've been here was for brunch, and he went with me once.) We arrived about 45 minute early because when we rode into the metro at 6p in 25 degree weather, the King Street Trolley was ACTUALLY there for once!!! We spent our 45 minutes at the bar, where I enjoyed my Singapore Sling and this amazing, February-only, little libation they called 'Love Me Do.' Let me just start off by saying these are some of the most professional, while still being amiable, bartenders in Old Towne. So, that being said, the Singapore Slings were just pristine and the black cherries speared over the top were delicious! But the 'Love Me Do'... do you know they made rosemary simple syrup? Who does that??? Ohmigod - they do! It was awesome! It was blood orange juice, rosemary simple syrup, bitters and sparkling white wine, in a champagne flute. It was yummy! On to dinner...We actually got sat at the farmer's table!!! I was so excited!! Surrounded by all those bottles, and personally I liked being close to the kitchen. I doubt Anthony Chittum was really there, but if he was, I was dead set on getting a peak at him. (I never did tho ) To me, he's one of the GCR's Chef Royalty! So I already knew I wanted to eat the Jerusalem Artichoke soup, and mostly because I've never had a Jerusalem Artichoke but the description sounded amazing. Nothing against the chefs, as it in no way was meant to overshadow the rest of my meal, but OMFG - it did! I loved it! If I had not of eaten that soup, this would have been a 4 star rating. That soup is worth a star all in and of itself. It was so smooth, so velvety, so rich, so savory, with amazing hints of nuttiness! No joke - That soup made me run out to Home Depot and get supplies to get my little spit of a backyard converted to grow Jerusalem Artichokes! They're my new super food! The rest of dinner was also great! I have to say, nothing I've had before or since was as amazing as that soup, though. The boyfriend had the lobster ravioli for a starter. It was, in his words, the most perfect bite of lobster he's ever had. And it was! It just melted on your tongue, after it registered its' subtle texture. He had the ribeye, which I thought was pretty delicious, but was very parsley-heavy. Personally, him nor I minded that as I cook with fresh parsley as much as I can (it grows faster than I can use it in a flower pot by the window), but it had that perfect medium-rare beef taste... It's hard to describe, but it's when the blood and the fat mix into a perfect harmony. I had the pork chop porterhouse, and we couldn't believe it was a pork chop cut! So thick! So good! I think it's the juiciest pork chop ever! It is huge, though, ladies, so don't think you can finish it, no matter how bad you want to. And for dessert, we had the figgy toffee pudding with sour cream ice cream. Wow... it was just perfect. They made figgy pudding light!! Who knew? Somebody needs to tell the British... The boyfriend and I hate sweets, but thought we'd try this. Oh it had pecans in there too. Amazing. Nothing overly sweet about it. Just perfection. This was truly a romantic and memorable Valentine's dinner!
(5)
Hilary T.
I'd say 3.5 stars - just not enough to round up to 4. My boyfriend and I came here on a quiet Sunday evening with a friend of mine from college while he was here on business (AKA could expense our dinner with him :) The atmosphere, I loved. Quiet, cozy, modern, classy, and red. All I see is red when I think of this place. Red hues, red furniture, red lighting. But nice red, not fire-engine red, or an emergency red, or a stressful red. Just cool red. We each opted for the tasting menu, which was accompanied by 3 smaller glasses of wine, one for each course. The food was pretty good, but I just don't feel like I had enough of it to really judge the quality. I mean, it was all delicious, but definitely not enough of each portion to form a firm opinion. Also, the "starter salad" was a joke. Apparently it was compliments of the chef, but it was LITERALLY smaller than the palm of my hand (and I have small hands). They should have referred to it as "a starter bite." The rest of the courses, like I said, were good, but I think I'd need to go back to really get a feel for the place. The service was definitely adequate, and our server was very attentive and informative when it came to what we were eating. Even though I'm not loving on the food, I am diggin' the vibes! (And not having to pay for my own meal!)
(3)
Corinna S.
Recommended by a bartender at another establishment in DC, we arrived fully expecting higher price points but delicious food. We found the prices to be no more than many other restaurants within that next eschelon of services and flavors, but far below that which you would expect to pay in a restaurant with a top notch chef actually in the kitchen, amazingly attentive waitstaff, and samplers arriving at the table from "the chef." As an appetizer, the beef tartar was amazing. Under ordinary circumstances it might be difficult to get excited about eating a lump of raw meat. But this...was divine. My entree was the mushroom ravioli and my husband splurged on the ribeye. Both were more than expected in flavor and size. The diner quickly experiences that each item on the plate plays an important role in the dining experience. For dessert we shared the chocolate hazelnut gateau. One word - Wow. Ok, that's really an expression not a word...but truly, mere words cannot adequately capture how satisfied we were with this experience. Including 2 delicious drinks each, we paid no more for this meal than we might have paid for an "upgraded" restaurant in our home town of Boise, ID. And in comparison, Vermilion was worth every penny.
(5)
Jim K.
Vermilion was a pleasant surprise in the heart of Alexandria on King Street. It was a quiet location. The food was innovative, fresh and well prepared. The party of three started with the chef's take on asparagus and hollandaise sauce - with a cracked quail egg in lieu of the traditional sauce. It was quite good even though we approached it with furrowed brow. The cured olive app was huge and the olives were the largest I have ever seen in a Tapas restaurant or otherwise. Two of us had the Black Grouper which I thought was fantastic. My boss had the sword fish which looked ok - I'm not a fan of sword fish. His reaction was "meh" when I asked how it was...Wine list is good and they make a great dirty martini. Enjoy.
(4)
Nanette D.
Quaint with pleasant casual ambiance (exposed brick interior type of decor). I've done brunch there twice and I really enjoyed the experience. They change the menu every couple of weeks to utilize in season and local ingredients which is a nice touch.
(4)
Anne C.
I think I can safely say that I will not be participating in Restaurant Week anymore. My experience at Rasika, as well as here made me cancel 3 other dinner reservations I had during the RW! We came here for brunch and my expectations were already low because of my average experience at Rasika. My coworker had just gone to Vermillion the night before and she said it was "amazing" but again, many times, the lunch experience is completely different from the dinner experience. Their restaurant week menu is EXTREMELY limited. They only offered a beef burger, catfish burger, and eggs benedict for entrees. I personally was planning on just getting the duck confit from the regular menu, but my friend wanted both the eggs benedict and the catfish burger so i figured, eh I'll come back another time!! Thus, we ordered from the RW menu and got the butternut squash soup---this WAS really good...really heavy, really buttery, but good. I really loved the milk yogurt with raisins, granola, etc. Refreshing and tasty appetizers. Moving onto the entrees, multiple waitresses recommended the catfish burger and even the guy sitting at the next table was RAVING about it to his date. This sandwich was a complete disappointment. The amount of catfish in the sandwich was very minimal and I'm not sure if we just got unlucky or not, but the piece of fish was so tiny I felt like i was eating bread, the radish sauce and some fried "something"! The entrees were a major disappointment, but in addition to that, they were only offering two types of dessert so naturally we got both to try. Both were very average. There was a ricotta pound cake as well as a chocolate bar. The chocolate bar was average, looked dry, but tasted better than it looked. The pound cake was okay, although the cream they provided with it was heavenly. To top things off of a very lackluster meal, our service was HORRENDOUS!!! Our waitress just seemed bored and absolutely did not want to be there. we rarely saw her and the food took forever to come out even though the place was not full (which i REALLY should have taken as a sign, b/c I had 1pm reservations, but called and they said they had room for a 1:45pm reservation). The only thing that was making the whole situation a little more bearable were the mimosas that we ordered! I had had a disappointing meal at rasika the night before and after this absolutely sad experience here, it cinched the deal of me canceling my reservations at Hook that evening as well as my reservations at Cafe Atlantico for brunch the next day. :( I officially pronounce you dead R.W. No more!
(2)
Don M.
The service was excellent, food fab. I had a wonderful butternut squash soup, topped with shortbread cookies, pumpkin see oil, and pine nuts. My thin skin fish was also wonderful. I highly recomment Vermilion. The staff was extra kind - and as for attire - it is nice, but casual attire is still appropriate.
(5)
Joe C.
Have always enjoyed happy hour here and boozy lunches. Reasonable wine list, solid food.
(4)
Chris K.
Clock Out! This is unfortunately a place where I've witnessed devolution. It was great the first four or five times, but the last two have been awful. They still have great revolving beers on tap and a decent wine list, but ...judging the kitchen by things I've already had and liked, and those same things served to me more recently (the biggest test)... Fail!
(2)
Melissa M.
Came here for brunch and was not disappointed. We had a reservation, but when we got there the hostess explained the party seated at the table that was reserved for us had just paid their check but hadn't left yet. They offered us another table, but this one was by the window upstairs so we figured it was worth waiting for. We went to the bar to wait and after awhile I went back to the hostess to check. She explained the party still hadn't left! We waited it out though and were seated at last! The table was definitely worth waiting for. We loved the dining area upstairs. Our waiter was really nice and apologized for our wait, which was totally fine and not their fault, but the waiter still offered us a free app! We had the hush puppies and they were delicious! So soft! For our meal I had the omelette and my friend got the cheeseburger. My friend raved about her cheeseburger and marveled at the fried (yes fried!) bacon on her sandwich! Very cool and different. Mine was really good too. Afterwards the waiter brought us the dessert menu and offered a free dessert too!! We got the Nutella cheesecake and it was really tasty! Overall great experience and the staff and service was very nice as other reviewers have stated. Would definitely like to go back to try dinner!
(4)
Michael Z.
I can only comment on the atmosphere and the bar, both of which were above average. The space works with the Old Town vibe and definitely draws a better-heeled crowd. Price points are average and the bar offers a number of specialty drinks. From the sights and smells, I would come back to sample the fare.
(4)
Rachael H.
Only poked in once for Happy Hour, but was pretty impressed. The pom-molitan was tasty and I highly rec the risotto fritters. We sat at the bar and had excellent service, the bartenders are personable and seem to really know their drinks. We definitely go back.
(4)
Jaime B.
My husband and I were in town and decided to try this place for a date night. We loved the ambiance as soon as we walked in; the restaurant is beautifully decorated. We decided to start by sharing the lobster tortellini. The server warned us that there were only two tortellini in this starter, but we decided to try it anyway because we weren't super hungry and because I love anything to do with lobster. Unfortunately, this dish didn't wow me. For $14 and a small size, I expect the dish to pack great flavor to make it worthwhile. It disappointed. At least the bread they served was really good. I ordered the rockfish for dinner. I'd had rockfish before but didn't love it; I wanted to try it again. I'm glad I did! The rockfish was excellent, prepared with a poached egg, potatoes, and bacon. Best preparation of this particular fish that I've had. I could eat it every day. My husband had the lamb and seemed to like it. For dessert, we had figgy toffee pudding. It was a nice finish, but the scoops of ice cream were so tiny you couldn't have ice cream for each bite. Our server was knowledgeable and friendly. Our water glasses were never empty. Overall it was a pretty good experience, but it's not a restaurant I'll be rushing back to when I'm in town again.
(4)
Lea C.
This might be my new favorite place in Alexandria. I had to stop myself from going 2 days in a row. Some of the girls and I came in for HH after a particularly heinous start to 2012, for which the only remedy was drinking and venting. Seriously, this Neptune in Pisces shit better be legit, cause the Universe needs to chill the fuck out. We literally ordered one of everything on the HH menu, including 2 of every drink. And dessert. Without exception, everything was good. The fries were perfect. The hushpuppies were AMAZING--not too dense, great dipping sauces. Spot on. The pimento cheese was a great idea, and I don't know why I don't see it on menus very often. It could have used twice as much bread, but we were stuffed at the end anyway. The catfish nuggets were so good that I forgot that I don't like catfish! They were not fishy at all, and light. The hot-pocket-like item was my least fav, with the ham & cheese, but it was a neat concept. The desserts were beautifully plated. I had the chocolate hazelnut cake, which was rich but not overly sweet, with yummy salted caramel ice cream. The drinks were also good, though I like the pomegranate martini more than the lemonade, which was a bit sour for my tastes. To top it off, everything was dirt cheap. For all that, we paid something like $25/person, which is pretty outstanding given that we all left drunk and full. The ambiance was good, the location is good, the service was pretty good. Win. We will most definitely be back. Probably this week, as I have no willpower.
(4)
Stephanie M.
We decided to try Vermilion for a late-ish dinner last night and it did not disappoint (we chose it because it was on the top 50 restaurants in NoVa). We had a short wait for our table so we headed to the bar for a quick drink. I'm fairly picky when it comes to trying new drinks & pretty much stay with vodka so I tried their seasonal Silver Bells which is vanilla vodka, ginger, lime & cava. It was very good, a perfect blend of tart & sweet. We are seated in the quaint downstairs room right in the front window which is great for people watching. The Christmas lights outside added to the festive atmosphere. Inside the restaurant is very nice, I especially liked the gas lamps giving most of the lighting needed. On to the meal... I ordered the cauliflower soup with octopus. I do like calamari but wasn't sure about octopus so I almost told them to leave it out & I'm so glad I didn't. It was very tasty & cooked perfectly. My husband got the oysters which he said were good & I'll take his word, I'm not a fan of oysters. For entrees we ordered the garlic crusted grouper & beef two ways. My grouper was delicious. Again seasoned and cooked perfectly, atop some kind of yummy slaw with bacon (warm). His was good, not great. It was NY strip (sliced) which was the "good" and beef tip which was too fatty for my taste. I honestly can't remember what else was served with his entree, too focused on mine. For dessert we ordered the Nutella cheesecake. Just ok... Flavor was good but so very dry that if it wasn't served with 2 little melon ball scoops of blood orange sorbet I might not have been able to eat it. The sorbet gave it the moisture & tang it needed. To note, if you like huge portion sizes, i.e. Cheesecake Factory, you will be disappointed. I thought the portions were great, just enough to share a bite or two & still be able to order dessert. Also, accidentally left my phone in the car so didn't get any photos. We will definitely go back to try other things! Oh, I almost forgot... They also gave us a nice little amuse bouche of butternut squash soup topped with cinnamon, nutmeg & some kind of crumbles of something yummy.
(4)
Victor H.
I think Vermillion probably deserves four stars, but I have to give it three. This is a restaurant that has all the right stuff, but just doesn't quite execute at the level it should. If you put a Corpse Reviver #2 on your menu, you should darn well serve it properly, or call it something else. Mine was served on ice, in a Collins glass, and had not even a tiny hint of Absinthe. Fail. If you offer roasted olives as an appetizer, I think they should be roasted, not infused. Don't get me wrong... they were good olives. Decent flavor. I ate many. Just not really rrroasted, if you get what I mean. The Belgian Endive Waldorf was excellent. Really. Excellent. The duck was full of potential, but a little lacking. The seasoning is really well done; savory, peppery, salty, nice. The sweet preserves are a perfect foil. But I like my duck breast sliced properly, not just bisected, and neatly plated. Sorry, I know that's a prejudice, but I think it's important. So, high marks for almost everything, but still this restaurant aspires to be really great. I have no doubt that it will be.
(3)
Dexter F.
Underwhelmed. To start, we ordered the roasted olives and a fig salad. I have no real complaint about the olives, but the fig salad was...blah. This was particularly annoying because I don't like paying $14 for blah. I received two, sad little figs, a small handful of greens dressed in nothing more than some olive oil, and a single, thin slice of slimy, house made pancetta. These ingredients had then been placed upon a rice cracker which did nothing for the salad besides make it more awkward to eat. Blahhhh. For my entree I settled on the pork "porterhouse" with braised curly kale, honey crisp apples two ways, and a cider gastrique. Flavor-wise, this dish was spot on - the crisp, vinegary apples complimented the braised kale beautifully. However, the pork itself was not what I was hoping for. After my first bite, I immediately regretted my decision to order it cooked "medium". I'm not scared of pink pork and it wouldn't have ended up so dry. Oh well. The kale and apples made up for it. Sorta. I had barely made a dent in my dish, when I noticed that my boyfriend was just a few bites away from finishing his hanger steak (which was pretty good, but lacking the promised blue cheese - another bummer). And while there's no doubt that I'm the slower eater, we both usually finish our meals at the same time. My dish was just that much larger than his was. So, instead of making him wait around for me to finish, I asked a busboy if I could have the rest packaged up for me to take home. He seemed to understand what I meant, and quickly whisked away my plate. After waiting around for 20 minutes or so, we realized that my pork was not coming back and had probably wound up in a trashcan. Biggest bummer of them all.
(2)
Molly L.
We went to this restaurant because friends of ours wanted to try it. After reading the menu, I wasn't that excited about going. But I was pleasantly surprised. The waitress described some of the entrees for us, and her descriptions were much better than what was written on the menu (ie, she made the food sound much more appealing than the menu did). I ended up ordering the pork and loved it. We all really enjoyed our dinners and will definitely go back.
(4)
Pete A.
Completely could be 5 stars but a few small items knocked it down. Service was slowwwwww! We were there for Sunday brunch but it wasn't busy enough to warrant the time we had to wait. Probably 15 minutes before anyone took our order, drinks took about 10 to 15 minutes each. Food was delicious! Oyster po-boy tasted incredible (even though it was somewhat tiny and only seemed to have 2 oysters). Hush puppies are delicious as well, but come on, $6 for six small balls of fried dough??? I'm not a cheap a$$ at all but a buck for a hush puppy, come on now...And now for my biggest complaint...iced tea sans ice. My first glass was 3/4 full, still warm, and the few cubes of ice it contained were gone within seconds. I was polite and didn't say anything hoping my refill would be better, nope. The waitress came around with the tea pitcher, and filled me up with another delicious glass of lukewarmish tea...Complaints aside, we will certainly return because the food truly is awesome.
(3)
Robert G.
Great spot on King Street! A perfect location for weekend brunch. We loved the butternut squash sandwich and the grilled ham steak benedict!
(5)
Brian J.
My wife picked Vermilion for her birthday dinner. The service was great and the staff knew all the details of the menu and assisted in helping me pick a wine to go with my dinner. My meal, pork four ways, was really good. My wife's rockfish was fair but the shrimp was not as fresh as we would have expected (our fault for not sending it back). Dessert was a total letdown. My wife's nutella cheesecake tasted bland and a total waste. I don't remember what I had for dessert, but I guess that says something. To sum up, for a high end, high price restaurant I would have expected better.
(2)
Ryan R.
My second 5-star review since moving to DC! We made a res via Open Table (gotta collect my points) for 8pm on a Saturday since they had nothing open any earlier. We wound up showing up at just after 7pm in hopes of being sat in a timely manner. Much to our surprise, they had an open table right in the front window! I love showcasing my food especially to passerbys and this was a great opportunity to show off what I'm eating and they're not :) Our server was great! She provided some recommendations and went into detail on the fresh atlantic fish of day ... snapper. I was sold! Since I can never pass up olives of any type and vino, we went with a glass of merlot and glass of tempranillo and opted for the roasted olives ... castelvetrano, picholine & niçoise with herbs & garlic. We decided to share the local beet variations salad ... pipe dreams farm chèvre, toasted pistachios & balsamic reduction ... the olives were warm and flavorful and the beet salad was amazingly fresh, sweet, and had an array of flavors one would not expect with a simple beet salad ... but this was far from simple and a fantastic addition to our meal! I had the Atlantic fish special of snapper in a lemon butter glaze ... the fish was perfectly cooked, moist all the way through with a broiled outer shell that gave it a crunchy texture with every few bites. It was amazing! My GF had the sweet & sour eggplant cappellacci consisting of shaved rappahannock zucchini, pine nuts & mediterranean flavors. This was also an amazing dish full of flavor that we both really enjoyed. Our dining experience came complete with herb-butter and fresh bread, both delectable and satisfyingly filling ... as what always happens when someone puts bread of any kind in front of me ... I have to give in! I LOVE Vermilion and can't wait to go back. Next time, brunch!
(5)
Stephanie M.
We had friends in town from Florida and at the last minute changed our minds and decided to go to Old Town for dinner. I decided to give Vermillion a try based on the reviews and the menu and I'm so glad I did. The decor and ambience was nice. We sat upstairs where it was quieter. I love the brick walls with the lanterns-added a nice touch to dining in Old Town. I ordered the garllic crusted grouper and it was so delish! The filet was coated in panko bread crumbs and it was perfectly seasoned and cooked. The fish was accompanied with a shaved brussels sprouts, smoked bacon, and mushroom "slaw". Oh my it was so good. The creaminess of the dish and the bacon helped me finish every bite and want to lick my plate it was so good. I honestly could have done without the chanterelle mushrooms, but I'm not a huge fan of mushrooms. But I say that knowing I ate the entire dish. The men ordered the berkshire pork four ways and both raved about their dish and ate every bite. We all ordered dessert. Two out of three were very good. The peanut butter cheesecake was just okay. It was more like two pieces of peanut butter fudge and it came with a side of grape ice cream. The dessert stated "autumn grapes two ways" which equated to grape ice cream. It was awful. Paired together the dish was tolerable. My husband and I ordered the cookies and confections and really enjoyed the dish. Every item on the plate was whimsical and good. I especially enjoyed the popcorn ice cream and cashew snickers. Lastly, we ordered the ancho chocolate brulee. The chocolate brulee was perfect and as I took each bite the heat from the ancho would slowly linger in my mouth. I think that is a dish that you either love or hate. We'll be back for sure!
(5)
Kevin K.
I love the throwbacks of classic americana...pimento chees spread, green goddess sauce on the sliders? Gotta love the thought into these dishes. I enjoyed this place after I downed some drinks at PX and wanted to have a few more drinks and some food to soak up all of the additional alcohol that I put into my stomach. Now I am writing this review solely on the lounge and the downstairs bar. The bartenders were accommodating and willing to turn down the thermostat because it felt like a sweltering 80+ degrees in the bar...bad combination for booze and heat. Regardless the cocktails were stiff, and quickly served. The bar food was more than enough to share...the seasoning was a little assertive and would have been a little better without so much salt. But its bar food...right? I would definitely check this place out again, it's just that Old Town is so hard on parking and just generally out of the way. That's just my opinion though. Cheers and happy eats!
(3)
William M.
Ok...nothing out of this world but decent food but very expensive. Very small portions.
(3)
Michael W.
Ok. Staff nice and friendly. Food pricey. Happy hour by far not the best in old town. Decor good for a date I guess - couch space in the bar area very cool and comfortable.
(3)
Angela G.
In my quest to frequent places more in and around Alexandria, I stopped in Vermilion early on a Wed evening to check out their 4 to 7 happy hour (actually got out of the office early that day...so was already kinda of happy). Really nice atmosphere in the bar/lounge area with a friendly and accommodating bartender. I recommend the King Street Lemonade cocktail, but was considering one of their wine choices of the day--both were only $5 for hh. Played it safe with the house-cut fries with garlic & parmesan, but were tasty (however they are the same price as if it was not hh, so not much of a special, but some of their other bar food hh options are a few dollars less). Not too loud considering, patrons ranged from a few individuals sitting at the bar like me, to a group at one of the nice lounge area tables, to a few pairs interspersed. A TV at either end of the bar. Would definitely stop by for a happy hour bite to eat and drinks again, either on my own or with others. It's been a while since I ate there...think it was brunch a few years back...so must also make it a point to enjoy a meal soon.
(4)
Helen V.
I've been twice for the Restaurant Week dinner menu. (Winter and Fall '11) Earlier this year, RW was AMAZING. We had great dishes and a great waiter. He was so attentive and he definitely is my standard for all good service now. Vermilion generally has great menus and drinks. If I were rich, I would definitely go more than the semi-annual restaurant week. However, fall's RW (August 2011) was just a tad different. The service was great and the menu seemed just as appetizing. I unfortunately ordered the wrong entree for me...The description seemed to have persuaded me, but I had no idea what I was in store for. Pulled pork was accompanied by the words 'Carolina' BBQ. Me not being a BBQ person, I assumed it would be a slight, tasteful BBQ flavor. Nope. Carolina BBQ is more vinegar-y, as a fellow friend told me. It was unbearably vinegar-y to me! I could only finish half of my plate...I was really ashamed (I don't like to waste food). The waiter offered to have something else sent out, which I really appreciated, but I declined. The overwhelming vinegar-y taste took away my appetite. (Strange, because I like Salt N' Vinegar chips!) Despite the mishap, I like Vermilion a lot. The service is reputable and the food is definitely worth what it costs. Hope to be back soon!
(4)
Gina F.
Went for brunch today.The food was pretty good. I can't speak for the bread basket since our server never bothered to bring us any. The service is TERRIBLE. Once seated, we waited at least 12 minutes for a server to greet us and take a drink order. After she took not only our drink order but food order as well (I mean, we'd clearly had enough time to decide on our meal choices. I was also able to plan a week's worth of dinner menus in my head), it took another 10+ minutes to bring the drinks (Diet Coke and coffee...no mixology involved). When the food finally arrived, it was tasty. I sat for most of the meal needing a drink refill, which came with the check...thanks. It's a shame that service can ruin a dining experience. We won't be back.
(2)
Julie R.
Our food selections (including just about every one of the appetizers) didn't disappoint but they also didn't knock anyone's socks off. The wine selection was great and our choices were paired very nicely with our meals. Service was great once we were at our table but the hostess was quite a negative Nancy! Even with reservations she was having issues recognizing that we were in fact ready to be seated. When we suggested the possibility of adding another guest to our party, she told us the chef would have a fit. Not exactly what you want to hear when you're hosting a business dinner somewhere. I would try it again for a more low-key evening but will not be taking any clients there again. Summary: socks intact, grumpy welcoming committee, might be nice for a date night.
(3)
Morgan T.
Our first time at Vermilion and we enjoyed it. We had a late brunch and my dish was so savory. I had the grilled ham steak benedict which was to die for. It wasn't your typical skinny ham and cornbread but thick ham sliced on top of flavorful moist cornbread with perfectly poached eggs and sauce. The latkes were good too. My bf had the tomato stewed eggs and he said they were good. It was a little salty for my taste and he wished that there was more of it. All in all we enjoyed and recommend for brunch. Next up is dinner.
(5)
Lois A.
We've eaten here twice now and both times the food, service, drinks and atmosphere have been fantastic. Their seasonal cocktails are always festive and tasty--the perfect way to start a great meal. Both times I had the Waldorf arugula salad to start. Perfect size and combination. We were also served a taster from the chef both times we went, which made us feel welcome and allowed us to taste some of the chef's handiwork. For dinner, I had the fish special and was really impressed. Perfectly flavored & cooked. So far, this is my favorite restaurant in Old Town. Upstairs is perfect for a date or a dinner with friends, while the bar downstairs is a cool place to hang out and grab drinks. The wait staff is always friendly and knowledgeable without being snooty. Overall, just a great place!
(5)
Jeannette B.
I live in Alexandria, but had somehow overlooked Vermillion until just recently. Excellent venue for happy hour. $28 bottles of bubbly and an array of deliciously seasoned house-made french fries -- what more could one ask for? Service is attentive and the menu is chock-a-block with fresh and tantalizing options. Nice ambiance, as well. I'm a fan.
(4)
vanessa g.
I went here last night with my husband for our anniversary dinner and were promptly greeted. The decor and ambiance is lovely with splashes of red and a lovely brick throughout. Our waiter was friendly but was not as attentive as I would have expected as we had to wait for a while before ordering and our drinks were not filled enough. The food was good though. I tried the steak tartare which didn't suit my taste but nevertheless was interesting to try. For mains I tried their lamb which was wonderfully presented and cooked to perfection. The dish was accompanied by artichoke hearts and pomegranate seeds, weird but good. For dessert I had their goat cheesecake served with Pistachio ice cream, very tasty and not overly sweet. My husband and I also shared a 4 cheese selection, ranging from goat cheese to blue, all were fun to try. Overall I had a good experience but feel the service and the food selections could have been better,
(3)
Stephanie A.
Went for restaurant week winter 2012 and it was amazing- i went to a few other RW dinners in old town also but this was the best! The calamari appetizer wasnt the best- i was expecting more (when compared with the rest of the meal) but the coleslaw under was nice and made for a nice combo with the calamari. My main course of fish was nicely cooked and tasty. My friend had the bison with polenta and it was a pretty plate and tasted like someone put a lot of thought into this dish. Dessert was heavenly! Sorbet with a cookie at the bottom. Perfect romantic spot and great service. Would recommend for a special occasion and one of the best I've tasted in old town. Am def going back and you should try it too!
(5)
Debra H.
Absolutely fantastic evening at Vermillon in Alexandria. We didn't have reservations, the place was packed but they found a table for us. I love the decor and setting in this restaurant. We were greeted immediately with menus and offered cocktails. We ordered one with cloves, another with ginger, and one with pear. They were perfect for this rainy fall evening. Our party started with salads and the bean/kale soup. The soup was the standout. We ordered two of the specials, lamb three ways and the cod and lentils. Absolutely delicious. The other item ordered was off the menu...butter nut squash with Brussels sprouts. Service was exceptional! Dessert was delicious. Pumpkin pie ice cream and the apple beignets were memorable. Highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Catherine T.
I took my boyfriend for his birthday here and we did the four course tasting menu and wine pairing. The food was delicious, the service was OUTSTANDING, and we had a great time. More recently, we went to CityZen and spent over 100 more for the same thing and it wasn't nearly as good as the food at Vermillion.
(5)
Customer C.
I went there for my anniversary dinner with my husband and I simply LOVED it. We've had the BEEEST food that we ever had and we did not want to leave .The service was GREAT. But what I loved the most about this restaurant is that I got a very good tasting tea from france and I expected it to be around 4-5 dollars because it's an expensive restaurant, but my tea was only 2.25! I just respect them so much more--they are not trying to make a buck from tea and just charging regular price for it even though it's a really good tea. It's just so nice. I'm definitely planning on returning and maybe having a Thanksgiving dinner there. They also make all their ice cream in house, so it tasted great.
(5)
Gregory A.
There hamburger is amazing. I loved the atmosphere; whether its lunch or dinner time.
(5)
Mara G.
I was extremely impressed by Vermillion. I was there for lunch on a weekday, and the food was excellent, especially the butternut squash soup. The chicken sandwich also had a great flavor. The English toffee pudding was better even than the versions I tried in London. The service was also excellent, and they made a lovely fuss out of the fact that it was my birthday. It was nice without being over-the-top or cheesy. I also concur with the posts complimenting the funky red decor, which felt very old-world comfy chic meets modern hip. I look forward to going back for brunch.
(5)
Joanna S.
Gross. I literally was sick after going to this restaurant. The pasta was bland and way too oily. I actually dumped over a cup of oil onto another plate from my linguine.
(1)
RonAnderson ..
My girlfriend and I recently came here for dinner on a Saturday night to celebrate our 1 year-of-dating anniversary. It was a great choice! The place looks and feels upscale and classy, but without being stuffy or too formal. You could dress up and not feel out of place, or you could come in off the street wearing jeans and you would also be okay. (The interior looks a bit like a nice wine bar/restaurant like Sonoma on Capitol Hill). We were seated upstairs at a small, intimate table for two people, in the corner right next to the windows facing King Street. The place was not too loud and we could easily carry on a conversation. The service was outstanding-- our waitress was super helpful and friendly in suggesting main courses and wines. Our appetizers were very good (baby beets, and an arugula salad with summer melons and feta cheese), but the entrees were even better (she got the vegetarian "open" ravioli and I got the striploin). Dessert was fantastic (my nutella panna cotta was delicious, but wow, my girlfriend's key lime pie was really really tasty...). We definitely hope to come back for another dinner or to try their brunch. For a nice place to eat in Old Town, the prices were about right-- we paid about $65 per person total for the three course meal plus wine and tea/coffee. Note: We drove to the restaurant and had no problem finding nearby street parking on a Saturday night for a 7 pm reservation.
(4)
Mindy M.
Out on Sunday looking for an inexpensive place to take my daughter and her boyfriend for brunch/lunch-- so we wandered up and down King St. in pursuit. It was a beautiful day and the walk was great--- We ended up at Vermilon and what a treat--- A very small menu that was inexpensive by any standards yet alone Old Town. I had the blackened blue cheese burger that was served with a large portion of vinegar-y potato salad- homeade and delicious- the burger was perfectly prepared- came on a lovely not overpowering bun and dressed with the blue cheese and thinly sliced red onions--- My daughter had the hunter steak also done perfectly and served with hand cut french fries and a baby green salad and light vinegrette- Philip had the chocolate chip pancakes with marscapone and homemade sausage--- We had coffee, but not drinks-- Total bill $41.70-- for the three of us-- We loved it-- the service was perfect and we had a great time-- A little background music would have made it a perfect meal, as it is a little noisy upstairs where we sat, but all in all as nice a brunch as I've had since Rampart's of the late 1970's used to be----- and so affordable
(5)
Jennifer S.
The owners of Vermilion also brought us Evening Star Cafe, Planet Wines, Tallula, et al. So the previous reviews are somewhat surprising. Reading, you might suspect that they serve puppy chow here. I can't say for sure, because I've never stayed for dinner, but there have been plenty of nights I have noshed on the bar menu (without getting sick and actually enjoying what I ate). My guy friends consistently order the mini bison burgers and LOVE them. I am a fan of the crab cigars. I also sampled a mini risotto cake that was also rather good. Maybe they succeed here and fail miserably at the main dish? I don't know. So maybe don't come for the food, but if you are looking for a cool place (with great ambiance - vermilion everywhere) to meet up with friends for 'tails, this is the place. Whether sitting at the bar or in the little loungy area with cushion seating, you are guaranteed to see lots of attractive people...if you like that sort of thing.
(3)
M C.
I don't know how to rate this place because the food is so inconsistent. The our scallop appetizer was awesome while my lamb was terrible. Lamb at 38 bucks was so small and it came with Azuki beans which I am used to eating in desserts; it was too heavy to pair with lamb. Cocktails were great especially the drink called the Uptown. I've been to Vermillion about 5 times and I will say the quality of the food is pretty good so I tend to eat here a lot but I wish the food was more consistent.
(3)
Susan M.
Very good food. Excellent service. Nice window table. The acoustics could have been better as we heard quite a few other conversations going on. A little expensive. But the food was delicious.
(5)
Christine P.
This restaurant had been on my radar since we moved into the area, and naturally I jumped at the chance to reserve a spot for dinner during Restaurant Week! The dining experience at this place totally surpassed my expectations, and the food was superb! This was one of those not so frequent gastronomic occasions where I enjoyed every item (including the specialty cocktail) that I ordered. Now on to the awesome stuff. While waiting for our dinner, I got one of their specialty cocktails named Matt's Mistress. This drink contained bacon bourbon, ginger, and brown sugar. The taste is refreshingly unique for a hot summer day, and I appreciated that the bourbon was present without being overpowering. The pork rillette was the bomb! This appetizer had a pulled pork texture on the inside and was deliciously crunchy on the outside. The accompanying grits and greens did a wonderful job at making this dish the perfect appetizer. For my entree, I ordered the seared salmon, and this one was well cooked and flavorful. The side vegetables tasted delightfully fresh as if the Vermillion folks had plucked them from a lush garden nearby. For dessert, we got the PB&J terrine, a whimsical and decadent take on the classic comfort snack. Our server was very attentive and friendly, and appreciate the fact that we did not sense any bias from her for ordering from the less expensive Restaurant Week menu. The ambiance of the restaurant is perfect for a laid-back but romantic dinner date. I love the tavern feel with a cool twist. On the downside, this place probably cannot accommodate groups larger than 4 (as most of the tables were for parties of 2-4 people). I had a wonderful experience at Vermillion and would definitely recommend this place.
(5)
Travis H.
My family and I went here for brunch. Cute little place, I'd probably rather go here to try the dinner menu- the brunch menu was good, but nothing to write home about. We had good service, nice and friendly people.
(3)
Christine C.
If it weren't for restaurant week I probably wouldn't have gone here. Ordered the grilled sirloin and my friend got the seated salmon. Both really good choices and $34 each. The gem salad appetizer was also yummy. For dessert we got the pb and j which was really sweet and rich. We didn't order any cocktails but everyone around us was ordering them and wine. A really small place that's perfect for a date. Our server was very attentive and friendly. Would recommend reserving a spot on open table as there is limited seating. You'll have to pay for street parking since it is in old town Alexandria.
(5)
Masha T.
I rarely venture out of DC, but my friends took me to Vermilion for my birthday dinner the other night as they love that place. The service was impeccable and the food was amazing. Everything we tried was prepared to perfection: house cut tagliatelle, gnocchi and cod. Octopus (appetizer) was probably the best I've had in a while! I wanted to finish everything it was so good but I physically already couldn't eat more. :) The place itself is very beautiful. I especially liked the second floor - it's nicely lit and intimate. It's a great place for a date...or a proposal, which we witnessed during our dinner. So cute! I'll definitely go back again!
(5)
Jeff C.
I have been coming to Vermilion on and off for years now; in fact, at one time I was so regular that I was one of only two customers invited to a private employee shindig. Without a doubt, this is still one of the best restaurants in Alexandria. Hey, if it is good enough for the Bush Twins or President Obama, it is good enough for the rest of us. Of course, the closest thing that I have ever come to V.I.P. seating was standing near the bar's glass washer. It was packed that night and the ladies behind the bar were kind enough to let me hangout in a little alcove designated for cleanup, wine and coffee. Hey, it was near the wine, so it wasn't a total loss. For the most part, I have only dined downstairs in Vermilion's very cool and hip bar and cocktail lounge, the perfect place for a date or happy hour, for it is relaxed and inviting. Besides having a nice selection of premium liqueurs and high end scotches and bourbons, Vermilion provides a perfect selection of appetizers to keep your experience light and lively. I'm very partial to the pimento dip and the mussels, but on our last outing, we opted for the cornmeal hushpuppies. Those little morsels brought back memories of my days spent down in Calabash, N.C...Yum, deep fried goodness. As I have said before, this is the place where you take someone when you want to impress them. Perhaps, it is why it is always booked solid for Valentine's Day. The whole place is adorned in rich woods and romantic red tones that just exudes comfortable elegance. I really don't feel that you can go wrong with a trip to Vermilion, and if your adventurous, just ask one of the bartenders(Courtney and Asling) to make you a specialty cocktail. They're mixologist here, so you will be in good .
(5)
Alice W.
I've been to Vermilion on two separate occasions, once for dinner and once for brunch, and I loved both experiences. This is a great little restaurant in Old Town. For dinner, I ordered the North Carolina Berkshire pork with farro salad and buttermilk blue, blackberries, and pickled mustard seeds. The pork was so tender and juicy and the salad, blackberries, and mustard seeds rounded out with savory and sweet flavors inherent to pork. For brunch, my boyfriend and I shared a plate of cornmeal hush puppies. It came with bread and three different types of sauces. Very good, especially with the various sauces. I ordered a three egg omelette with sauteed spinach, feta and red pepper with toast. Vermilion features egg and dairy products from South Mountain Creamery in Middletown, MD. Omelette was good too. Favorite part of brunch was easily the hush puppies though. Interior is cozy and service is very pleasant. Would definitely come back.
(4)
Ric A.
This place is fine. Not great, just... fine. I've been here ten times or so. Sometimes upstairs, sometimes at the bar. The food is fine. Slightly overpriced, but good. Not great, but good. An average restaurant/bar trapped in fancy trappings. Place looks like a DC club in a way. Not in a bad way.
(3)
Suzy D.
Brunch was about 3.5 stars. Vermilion isn't the most happening place for brunch. In fact, only two other tables upstairs were even occupied on a Saturday morning. Old Town in general isn't that poppin on Saturdays; the few times we went to brunch while I lived there were on Sundays and there are even some restaurants in the neighborhood that do not serve Saturday brunch. The brunch food was mostly average. The standout dish was the baked eggs, served atop creamy grits with diced chorizo and mushrooms. The eggs and dairy are from South Mountain creamery, with the eggs delivered about five days after being laid. The freshness definitely came through on this dish. The pancakes with berry compote left a lot to be desired. The pancakes weren't fluffy and the compote was very one note -- I actually think they would have been better with just the compound butter and the syrup. The mimosas were better than your average DC brunch mimosas since you pay individually. The cappuccino was made with illy. There's a full bar downstairs and I suspect that dinner and drinks would be a much better opportunity to fully appreciate this kitchen and drink program. Really, the highlight of the day was the company and catching up with my visiting ohana. But when you have a little group of goofy people partially speaking in pigeon, it is worth noting just how amenable the service was. The gentleman who explained the dishes as they arrived was a nice touch and the girl serving us played along with Ed and Larry's jokes. The remainder of the service (refilling water, taking away glasses) was flawless and non-distracting, so much so that Larry got blamed for not having drank any water. Definitely a nice spot but somewhere that would be better for a date night dinner. Overall, the brunch was just somewhat uninspired.
(3)
Rose W.
The food and wine were both fantastic; now I really appreciate the importance and pairing. I had the four course tasting menu, highly recommended.
(4)
Robb M.
Best place for brunch in Old Town. Corn soup appetizer not to be missed. Ham or salmon bene also outstanding. Service was exceptional.
(5)
James N.
Tie for best chowder in DC with Black Salt. The service is attentive but not cloying. They made an off entree right by comping us. (that is the right thing to do restaurants! as is tipping that money back +) Also, their prices seem very reasonable.
(4)
Cristina F.
Amazing! A friend and I went here a few days ago, after I made a reservation through yelp. As I waited for her, I ordered a gentlemen's bet, which was interesting and delicious. I ordered the steak tartar, charred octopus, and the gnocchi (I'm a fan of appetizers) and she ordered the risotto. Everything was fantastic! I've never had such 'pillowy' gnocchi, the sauce with the octopus was out of this world, and the steak tartar was great with the capers mixed in. The staff was great, and we loved the atmosphere. Can't wait to come back and try something else!
(5)
DaJuan P.
Great Brunch! My girlfriend and I went randomly it was such a great choice. The hush puppies were great and also the service was great. I got salmon which was really fresh. I would recommend this place to anyone!!
(5)
Alison C.
Wow. I was so impressed with how excellent the customer service was. Completely pampered and satisfied !! About 5-6 months ago, my boyfriend and I came in accidentally. We waited 20 minutes for another couple to join us, and in that time the General Manager came and offered a seat as we waited and came back later with a glass of champagne knowing that we had been waiting for a while. The brief interaction with the staff then was so great, that we knew we had to come back. For our 2 year anniversary, I decided this was the place to go for our special night given the treatment before and how romantic the setting looked. When I reserved through open table, I added a quick side note saying that it was a 2 year anniversary dinner. They seated us immediately when we got in, and escorted us to the only table that had fresh flowers waiting for us along with the window view!! The hostess offered to switch out my white napkin with a black napkin to avoid white lint on my black dress. Soon thereafter, the waiter greeted us with a congratulations and champagne. The waiter was very reliable and knowledgeable of the menu -- was able to explain all of the dishes in detail. We got a 3 course meal, and of course my favorite was the chocolate caramel with white mint chocolate chip ice cream. The poppyseed fritters were also excellent. Lastly, when we were paying for our bill, the General Manager Spenser came to greet us and give us a personable congratulations on our 2 year, along with a hand written note!! I explained to the GM how we stumbled accidentally about 5-6 months ago, he remembered us and even mentioned correctly the other restaurant we were supposed to have gone to initially. There was 100% attention to detail throughout our entire visit. It truly was a special night where both my boyfriend and I felt completely pampered. Highly recommend. Tid bit received is that they have a late night menu until 1 am at the bar downstairs. You can bet I will be trying it out soon.
(5)
Katie C.
Great food, great service, great atmosphere. It's my go to for all special occasions!
(5)
Elgin M.
Highly recommend the Tagliatelle, and then the Apple turnover with candied bacon for dessert!!! This place is amazing. Excellent service!!!!
(5)
Taylor E.
Had a nice birthday dinner here with my husband. The service was solid and we enjoyed our meals. We started with the steak tartare and roasted potato gnocchi which were both yummy. I had the duck which was cooked perfectly and just the right portion. My husband had the lamb which was medium rare in the center but a little too well done on the ends...not sure if there's a way to avoid that though. It was a nice dinner experience for a special occasion and I would certainly recommend it to others. We probably won't return just because we can only afford to go to restaurants at this price point a few times a year and prefer to try new places.
(4)
Stacy S.
Very good dinner. They strive to have unusual ingredients. We had to goggle items from the menu, even the main dishes. Fluke, anyone? We got the favored window seat and enjoyed people and dog watching. Service was friendly and quick. Bread, grouper, salmon, and goat cheese salad all delicious. Seemed to be made with an eye toward flavor and health. Recommend!
(4)
Dani P.
It's at a prime location in Old Town on King Street just off of rt. 1. I was worried I may not find parking due to its location, but after rush hour I was able to find ample parking on Lafayette. I went in a party of 5 for my cousin's birthday dinner. They were incredibly accommodating, as 3 of the 5 were late to the reservation, but they still had a seat ready for us. Since it was her birthday, they gave us complimentary champagne to celebrate, which was so sweet. All 5 of us ordered a different entree, and during meal time we were all passing bites to each other. I personally ordered the House Cut Tagliatelle, which I thought was the best of all the dishes. The noodles were cut wide and very long, so it was a little funny having to slurp up a really long noodle. The peas, asparagus, squash and ricotta all went amazingly together. I also had spicy lamb meatballs in my dish, which were also good, though I think my experience would have been just as good without it.The second best in my opinion was the Florida Grouper, which had the best taste, and the texture of the fish just melted in your mouth. Among the other guests' entrees I had bites of the Grouper, Pork Loin, Lamb, and Sirloin. Every single one of them tasted great, so you can't go wrong with choosing any of the dinner entrees. We finished dinner by sharing nutella cheesecake, lemon merengue, and a sort of beinget. My favorite was the pistachio ice cream that accompanied the merengue. It's a very pricey restaurant, but you get what you paid for. It's a great location for special occasions and celebrations when you have the funds to splurge.
(5)
Kenneth L.
If you're in a rush or on a time schedule do jot go here. I came here to catch a quick bite, but apparently my server was doing the same thing. He couldn't even give me the correct check nor did he even give me any utensils for my takeout. The food there was decent, the chef did a very good job. Everything tasted very good and the BBQ pork was amazing, too bad the server killed the experience.
(1)
Vincent S.
Took my girlfriend here a few months ago for our first anniversary. She claims they make the best steak she's ever had. The atmosphere is beautiful, the staff courteous and helpful, and the presentation of each dish was a thing of beauty. The prices are fair, and our experience was sublime. This is an excellent restaurant and neither of us can wait to go back.
(5)
I C.
I can't say enough good things about Vermillion. The food and service are wonderful. I had gone there for a business lunch years ago and wasn't impressed, but then returned for an early dinner recently and am so glad I did. The tasting menu was fantastic. The wine pairings were perfect. The service was stellar - knowledgable, professional, friendly. Totally worth it!
(5)
Tracy O.
Took my husband here for his birthday dinner. They asked if we were celebrating anything, and really went out of their way to make it special. The staff was super attentive and the food was excellent. I like my cocktails strong, and the signature cocktails were not, so I will stick with wine next time. Definitely will be back, highly recommend.
(4)
Laurie W.
Fantastic experience. This was my second time eating dinner at Vermilion (the first was when Tony Chittum was still leading the kitchen) and my husband and I were intrigued by last night's tasting menu and wanted to see if the new Chef, William Morris, was upholding the high standards of the restaurant. We were not disappointed on either front. As I mentioned, we chose the tasting menu with the wine pairings. The wait staff & Sommelier were incredibly flexible, too, when my husband noted that he wasn't a fan of dessert wine - no problem, they just gave my husband a little more wine for all the other pairings and just a taste of the dessert wine at the end (I opted for regular pours of the pairings, about a 1/2 glass of wine each, and the pours were generous). They brought out bread and an amuse bouche, which was a salmon with dill. Yum! The bread was also delicious - I picked up one piece and thought to myself "this looks like a potato chip baked on top" and I was right - it was a potato bread. Very cool. For our first course, we had the Path Valley Beet & Apple Salad, paired with a 2012 Blanc de Cabernet. The salad was incredibly fresh, and the apples, ricotta, & beets were incredibly flavorful and seasonal. The wine was terrific. We'd never had a Cabernet Blanc before and we'll definitely be looking for it in the store. Second course was a roasted monkfish with a potato chive broth and a surprising wine pairing - a Cotes du Rhone. I was surprised, but this was actually a great pairing because the fish was so meaty. I wanted to lick the bowl and lap up every last bit of the potato-chive broth. Third course was a center-cut striploin cooked to a beautiful medium rare (they asked how we wanted it prepared) paired with one of the best red wines I've had in a long time - an Austin Hope Troublemaker blend from Paso Robles. This was the first time I'd ever had this wine but the 2nd time I'd heard about it and it definitely lived up to the hype - another wine I'll be looking for in the store. The squash puree that accompanied the steak was delicious. For dessert, they served a ricotta-poppy seed fritter with buttermilk sorbet paired with a Moscato from Italy. The fritter was fried to a gorgeous golden brown and the sorbet had a slight lemon hint to it. Refreshing but yet filling at the same time. Service was excellent throughout the night - each server and the Sommelier described each course and each wine as they were brought to us, but the service was never hovering or overbearing. Overall, a great experience, and I'll be keeping Vermillion in my rotation for fine dining! So glad that the new Chef seems to be as great as the last.
(5)
Patti W.
This was a wonderful experience! The service was great, food amazing and we were seated next to the window and could watch the people go by in beautiful historic Old Town. I'll be back
(5)
Kathy M.
This is my third time here.... Twice for dinner and it was great, no complaints!! But today's Brunch, not sure if it's because of restaurant week...Food was good but the service was horrible, the waiter sat us and never came back! We had flag her down, coffee no spoon, no cream, iced tea no lemon no sugar!! Had a 1:15 reservation its 2:38 and we r just getting dessert!! Not good
(3)
Philippe O.
Food was excellent and the service was really Good. went their for graduation dinner and as the server found out he ended up giving us a desert on the house and gave a handwritten card
I came here for the 2.14 menu. The food was fine, but I wouldn't say excellent or worth the price. Our server was professional, but not friendly and seemed fake. The bread and chocolate ganache were good. The bathroom was shoddy- loose screws in the stall door, holes in the ceiling, and the toilet seat was askew. If you are charging nearly $100 for dinner pre-tax, couldn't you at least maintain your bathroom?
(2)
brooke j.
I went here for my birthday dinner on Wednesday. All the waitstaff was amazing, we sat by the window, and we had some amazing food! Started with an outstanding peach and tomato salad, followed with the potato gnocchi (tried my friends mushroom risotto which was also very good, but not as good), and had the chocolate ganache for dessert, along with the recommended port, Yum! I also had one of the many drinks with ridiculous (but awesome) names. I had Warm, Fuzzy Place, which had a cherry heering in it. I misheard and kept talking about cheery herrings, obviously a type of happy fish. We were a little drunk by the time we left, but you know a place is classy when you never feel like they're looking at you saying "you're shitfaced, just leave already". Definitely will come back.
(5)
Mary H.
My husband and I celebrated our anniversary at Vermilion and it was one of the best dinning experiences I have had in a year. The food is seasonal and local - I ordered the soup and ask for the chicken liver mousse on the side, the waiter inspired my to try the mousse chicken liver and it was wonderful. Save room for dessert it's worth it!! The bar downstairs looks fun and is a great stop for a cocktail. A nice touch was a note by the staff wishing us a happy anniversary- we will be back
(5)
Jamie P.
DEAD for brunch at 11am on a Saturday.. so weird, which made the atmosphere not that great but this place is really nice and the food was amazing. I think I had eggs with polenta and great bacon. I'd come back if I was in alexandria again!
(3)
Jean S.
I had been looking forward to trying Vermilion for a long time. I was kind of disappointed when I finally got to dine there. There was nothing wrong with the restaurant and its food, but there was nothing exceptional about my meal there, either. I guess nothing wow'ed me - for the price, I expected something I ate there to make a marked impression. Plus, it was sooooo dim, I felt like I was dining in the dark... as you can see from the picture of my braised pork belly.
(3)
Bonnie L.
Great happy hour specials - delicious wine! I went for my birthday and thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere and service, however, the food was okay. I had read and heard their hush puppies were amazing and while they tasted good, there was nothing that made them stand out. We ordered octopus and lamb gnocchi for appetizer and it was pretty bland - I wanted bold robust flavor for the lamb, which was severely lacking.For dinner I ordered the beef sirloin with braised kale - the kale was awesome and the meat was cooked perfect, but again had little flavor. My husband ordered the pork and felt the same way - his accompanying side was better than the meat. My favorite food was the dessert! We had a few desserts and the best was the PB&J one - my husband like the lemon meringue pie best. I would definitely revisit for Happy Hour, but would need some convincing or a menu change to stay for more....
(3)
Jana K.
After reading the good reviews of this place, someone in my party suggested we check it out, so we came in for a late lunch. The service was good and very prompt, however the food was really "eh". We had gotten a couple of small plates to share, an heirloom carrot salad, the calamari, and some fried oysters. The carrot salad was mediocre, it was basically just small boiled carrots on a minuscule bed of arugula with sheets of cheese over it. The calamari was in these very tiny ringlets, suggesting baby squid, but the toughness soon revealed that it was shrinking from being overdone. The oysters were pretty good, and has a fair amount of slaw underneath, amazingly not mixed in with a glob of mayo. Next up, we got some larger dishes, a ricotta pasta, a pulled pork sandwich, and fries. The ricotta pasta was sort of unappetizing, as it was drowning in butter which left half a plate of liquid at the bottom, accented with tiny leaves of spinach. The pulled pork was unsatisfactory, as the meat was dry and the cole slaw was swimming in mayonnaise. The fries were these thin cuts of what felt like eating pure potato skins. Next up came the desserts, we had picked up the fried ricotta poppyseed donuts, they were very airy (from using the yeast technique vs cake), and the sauce they came in was a nice reduction made of what I recall to be oranges and raisins. Overall, the meal was just okay, if this were in a smaller district, it would probably be a go to location, but this is old town Alexandria where there are better food options.
(3)
Tahirah W.
Went here for our recent one year wedding anniversary and couldn't have been more pleased. Our waitress was great and made some great recommendations. The food was excellent, as well were the drinks. We had the octopus app with groper and duck as our mains. Each was prepared exquisitely, and oh-did I mention the fresh baked rolls that we requested an additional basket of?! Wonderful time and great ambiance when seated up front in front of the window for people-watching. Or-for people who are actually weird enough to approach the window and stare at you while you eat! Lol They even gave us some complimentary champagne and a nice card! Great place!
(5)
Kelly R.
Went here during a weekend away in Alexandria. The reviews were pretty great, but I think I was a little underwhelmed. Wine was good, and had a good selection. Got the octopus appetizer, and it was ok. But it didn't really melt in your mouth - it was a tad bit rubbery. For the entrees, ordered the squash and tagliatelle with cream and sausage. It was pretty bland. The sausage bits were good, full of flavor, but there weren't very many of them. The rest just tasted like some heavy cream was poured on top of some pasta. Not so great. I couldn't even taste any of the squash. Also got the steak, and that was the real star of the meal. Cooked medium rare perfectly, with a good slightly charred outside. Really good kale and potato accompaniment. Would definitely order that dish again. The ambiance was nice, as was the service. But for the amount you pay for the food (over $30 per entree and $15 per glass of wine), I was expecting a lot more. Probably won't be back.
(2)
Paul S.
Looked at several reviews online and decided to give it a go. Sat at the bar and got to know Chris and Laura - the bartenders for night. I drank bourbon and Vermillion has a good selection. Tried Taylor 100 proof, 12yr Pappy Van Winkle (yeah, they had some) and Corsair Triple Smoke - all were good and Chris was very knowledgeable about the bourbons that Vermillion stocks. Got the hushpuppies based on reviews. With the three dipping sauces, they were excellent and light in texture - the best hushpuppies I have ever had. On Laura's recommendation, I got the Hanger Steak which comes with fries and greens. Ordered it meduim and came out medium rare - as expected. The greens were excellent and how can you go wrong with fries. Finished the night off with a drink called Wait, Wait. For you bourbon drinkers, this was the bomb! Great food, great atmosphere! Note: The bar has a limited menu, but still plenty to choose from.
(5)
Ashley A.
Good food, good service, good ambience. The tasting menu with wine pairings is s great choice for a special occasion dinner. When we did this we were astounded by how much our server knew about our food and its origins. Ambience at night is great for a date night. Good value for cost. Highly recommend for a dependency good dinner experience
(5)
Hannah H.
About a 2-2.5: I was very excited to finally try this restaurant out, as it has been on my list for years! We came here for a brunch reservation. Our server was Melissa, and she was very sweet. We were seated upstairs, and although it was a tight squeeze, I did like the decor of the wall with the pickled jars as well as the wine bottles lining the walls. We started off with the Roasted Winter Squash Soup (chicken crackling, stayman apple, and clobbered cream) and the cornmeal Hushpuppies (bread & butter pickles and 3 dipping sauces - garlic aioli, roumelade, and chipotle mayo). The soup was warm and thick, kind of had a consistency of mango mousse - I liked the bitterness of the sunflower sprouts and the clobbered cream for extra creaminess. The hushpuppies were okay, and I wasn't a fan of the trio of the sauces - I think I would have preferred just a butter spread. We were also given a basket of chocolate chip pecan muffins, and they had a slightly crispy exterior and melting chocolate chips inside - not too sweet, but it was good. For the entrees, we ordered the Baked Eggs (which came with cheddar grits, roasted mushroom, chorizo and fresno pepper), and Buttermilk Pancakes (with spiced apples, whipped sorghum butter and a choice of pork - we went with the housemade sausage). The baked eggs were fine - I like it when the yolk has that slight jelly consistency; the cubed chorizo were very 'crunchy' and hard, and seemed like 'bacon bits' in chorizo form. My favorite out of the whole meal were the pancakes - it had a slight crispy exterior and the flavors were quite nice! It wasn't overly sweet at all, with the right amount of cinnamon and spices; the apples were also complementary, and the combination of the creamy sorghum butter and the nice syrup made the dish quite nice. I would definitely come back here for the pancakes, as they were quite delicious, and I would love to try out their dinner tasting menu sometime in the future. +Roasted Winter Squash Soup +chocolate chip pecan muffins +Buttermilk Pancakes +ask for Melissa :D
(3)
Andrea P.
Loved the beet/goat cheese sandwich. Service was excellent. Dining room was charming and cozy.
(5)
Katie H.
Two stars because food and ambiance were that good. Truly unique and delicious pairings. Service was disgusting. A rude and condescending server (Anthony) who made it clear we were a bother. "Snooty" is how I'd best describe him. We were finished our meal before he came to check on us and our waters were empty. That's just one example. Made small talk as we asked for check...felt like that was due to seeing me posting on Yelp? So disappointed. Ruined our experience. Sadly. No food or ambiance can be overcome by bad service. $133 tab... feel like if Anthony doesn't want to be here, not my fault. This is how we choose to spend our money, on our vacation. Sadly, we must go elsewhere next time.
(2)
Christa F.
You really can't go wrong with Vermilion. You are never going to get a 'bad' meal here and you'll never get 'bad' service either. The food is actually quite good and often clever, if sometimes less than memorable. The ambience is perfect for a date night. I recommend making a reservation because this place is regularly packed. I put it in rotation for restaurant weeks during the year because I can't really afford it otherwise, but even so it is worth a splurge for a romantic evening or to celebrate a special event. So, when I say romantic, I mean this is straight out of a movie or off the pages of a romance novel romantic. I came here with a girlfriend and felt a little awkward actually. Not that anyone treated us strangely, but all the dim lighting and red plush, dark wood paneled interior really does create the atmospherics perfect for hearts and flowers and whatnot, as opposed to catching up with an old friend. People get engaged here. Get it? Now, don't go taking that friend-zone friend here if you want him/her to stay in the friend-zone. Could make for a very confusing evening. All I'm going to say about that.
(4)
William R.
Our food was amazing- we were able to sample half the menu. Our service was timely, kind, and professional. Will certainly return.
(5)
Ann W.
My husband and I came here for brunch last Sunday. We had no reservations, but were immediately seated. Nice ambiance. Perfect for dates! We had the restaurant week menu and a pulled pork sandwich to share (had to leave space for a special dinner!) We had the crispy pork rilette on grits (the best grits i've had!) blistered tomato and salsa verde to start, grilled hanger steak (perfectly cooked medium rare) with fries and house made steak sauce for the main entree and of course, who could say no to PB&J Terrine? It was the perfect layer of chocolate and peanut butter, paired with triple berry sorbet. Overall, food is great. No doubts on coming back. Service was excellent.
(4)
Scott B.
Service was classical, atmosphere was small and romantic. Foods was impressive especially with the compliments for the chef coming out every so often.
(5)
Alan J.
I dined here by myself and perched by the front windows. I watched the street scene change from light to dark and the many beautiful lights of King Street cast their spell. The low level hum of patrons in the restaurant, the warm wooden floors, dancing gas lights on the walls, and very pleasant well spoken staff complimented the scene. Food was excellent. What more could I have wanted?
(5)
Quanda A.
Vermillion was my choice for my first anniversary dinner. The ambience is gorgeous. I was immediately impressed by the decor which was dark, moody and sophisticated. The service was impeccable. Because it was our anniversary, we were seated right in front of the window - very romantic. While the chef was flexible with us and customized my husband's meal, the menu itself felt like it was trying to over impress. There was something a little exotic and unexpected in most dishes. It made it tough to find a simple dish with delicious ingredients that were easily discernible. All said, the food itself was very good (once we figured out what it order). We shared the warm goat cheese salad (which isn't clearly a salad on the menu). It was perfect. I ordered the flounder which was light and flaky. The veggie accompaniment was delicious. My husband ordered the salmon with braised kale and potatoes. He was pleased. Our pb&j mousse and blueberry tart were a sweet ending to a really solid meal.
(4)
Tompy F.
Good service, food nah. Too expensive for being overly seasoned, the filet was cold and too tough, too much honeyly sweetness, and the salad the opposite of firm. Maybe it's Alexandria maybe the chef, luckily I am only passing through.
(3)
David C.
Excellent food, wonderful service and a pretty environment. Had brunch here with the family. Everyone had a great time.
(4)
Jeremy C.
This place is great. I can't imagine why anyone wouldn't give it 5 stars. The atmosphere is perfect for any occasion. The bar food and the normal menu are both solid. The bar is always open until last call. 5 STARS!!!
We had a very nice experience here taking a friend to brunch. Service was attentive and pleasant from all concerned; table was well set out and clean, right by the window. The food was good, if not absolutely astounding. I had the brioche french toast: very pleasant, except the too-sweet cream on the side. Coffe refills kept flowing. The only minor quibble was the complimentary mini poppyseed muffins, which were tasteless. On the whole, an excellent old town brunch spot.
(4)
Adrienne L.
Boy, this was pretty disappointing after all of the reviews. We brought my father-in-law here for dinner, with the disclaimer that we'd never been. Thank goodness for that. The best part of the meal for me was the bread at the beginning -- clearly made in-house and flavorful. What followed was disappointing and a trend for Old Town. My striploin came to me cold, and of course, it was not medium well. It was dancing a line of medium and medium rare. I know it is "bad" that I get steaks medium well, but that's how I like it. Our waitress was kind of spacey/a little rude, so that didn't help. Two stars may seem low, but we had such high expectations for something with such high prices.
(2)
Anjali K.
The hubby and I decided to check out Vermillion during restaurant week 2013. I must say I thought the service was absolutely excellent, portions were sizable, food was fresh, and prepared well. My only "gripe" was that the flavors used just didn't suit me, or my hubby apparently, and for that reason I give Vermillion an A-OK. See more below: 1 - Fantastic service. Upon arrival, we were immediately seated for our reservation at a table upstairs overlooking King Street (romantic!) Our server was very nice and brought us a complimentary soup shooter at the onset of our meal. It was served in a tiny jug, and was probably my favorite part of the entire meal. A little spicy, a little salty, all amazing. Wish we had more of it. 2 - The food. This is unfortunately where my review goes down. Hubby and I decided to both partake in restaurant week. I had the artichoke soup, fluke with potato conf't, and poppyseed fritters. As stated above, I thought all the ingredients were really fresh and prepared properly. I just didn't get 'into' the flavors. The dishes were a little on the bland side for me. Hubby had the oysters, Maryland flat-iron, and the Nutella cheesecake. He thought the oysters were the best out of his three courses. Having just been in Florida the prior week, I thought they oysters were well-done and a little on the over-breaded side. They were tasty, though. We both agreed that the complimentary soup was our favorite dish, we just wish we had more of it. For their normal menu prices and the flavors served, we probably will not be heading back.
(3)
Natalia G.
I keep going between 3 and 4 stars for this one, but settled on 4 because of the staff and service. We came here as a group of 3 on a Monday night. The atmosphere was great - dim lit, music just loud enough, extremely attentive service (especially the hostess and at the bar - ladies, you are phenomenal). The table upstairs was absolutely worth waiting for - if you can, request a table by the window. We ordered the octopus (perfectly cooked and a good amount of it) and steak tartar (delish, but a tiny amount). For entres we ordered the pork loin (dry and not impressive at all), gnocchi (nice sauce!) and salmon (cooked perfectly, the only highlight of the entres). We did not order anything for the dessert, but got the ganache on the house due to us celebrating a birthday - not bad! All of this, with a bottle of wine, cost us $165+tip.
(4)
M L.
Happy Hour Review -- Note: Learn from our mistake. Do not go up the stairs. The entrance is through the door directly in front of you. The entrance is kind of inconspicuous and confusing. My two girlfriends and I arrived around 6:30 for Thirsty Thursday, and ordered pomegranate martinis and king street lemonades. I would go back just for the king street lemonade: absolut citron, muddled mint, lemon, sugar & soda. I am not a fan of martinis as they're too strong for me, but Vermilion's martini was easy for me to drink. Both $5 during HH. We also ordered the pimento dip and croquettes -- I was indifferent to both lounge dishes. The bar area was full, but not overcrowded. There was a bar with big comfy swivel chairs, large tables in front of the bar, and a lounge area with velvety seating. It was very dim, but the atmosphere was nice. The servers were nice, but slow in between drink orders, food orders, and when it came time to pay.
(3)
Monica H.
How does this place not have 5 stars?! What a cute little restaurant with Old Town charm and lots of treasures inside. Every bit of food was amazing. I am not exaggerating here. The amuse-bouche was quite amuse-ing, the garlic soup was smack-your-neighbor good (is that a thing? I'm making it a thing), the pork belly appetizer was flavorful and textural and interesting, the athenry lamb was like a fun flavor adventure, the potato-wrapped monkfish was bright and somehow still perfect for fall. The desserts, oh my goodness, I can't even begin to tell you how disappointed I was that I couldn't finish my s'mores creation. I don't know what cherry lambic is, but I know that I like it. To top it all off, the staff was friendly and thoughtful. I'd mentioned in my OpenTable reservation that this was a celebration, and they marked the occasion appropriately without making us feel awkward. I loved loved loved this meal. I will be back.
(5)
Josh V.
Solid spot with decent happy hour. The tasting menu is great, especially with wine pairings.
(4)
Erica W.
Unfortunately, I can only give a 3, maybe 3.5 stars because the prices are just too ridiculous for the quality and quantity of the food (though presentation is excellent). Service was just okay. The waiter was a bit odd, to be quite honest. Didn't have much to say, but didn't smile at all the entire dinner. The server was friendly though. The Pork Belly appetizer was less than 2" x 2"...it was tasty, as all Pork Belly is, but not for $14. The bread basket gets a 4 because it was full of WARM tiny sweet rolls and focaccia. Don't order the Tempranillo - yuck. I should have sent it back. It didn't taste as smooth as it should have with Pork Belly and the Lamb, which with a pink interior was still kind of tasteless and dry. The Rockfish was tender, and the veggies underneath were delicious. Again, a bit bland and more salt to taste than any other flavors... With so many other restaurants to try, I'm not sure that I will be back.
(3)
Sherri M.
We dined here following our afternoon "courthouse" wedding in Arlington. It was a perfect choice! Both the food and the service were wonderful. We started with champagne flutes, then split a spring salad, and followed that by ordering Pan-Fried Trout (me) and Scottish Salmon (husband). We knew we were off to a great start when the bread offered in the bread basket, and the black bean amuse-bouche, were both delicious. Ditto for the entrees. We chose a cheese course instead of dessert, and the Dante served with warm fig bread was memorable. We enjoyed the extremely attentive, but never intrusive, service. Looking forward to a return visit!
(5)
E F.
Wowzer! This restaurant is THE best in the DC area. Period. I took a friend out for a birthday dinner recently and we had a superb experience at Vermillion on every level. First, the service is over the top excellent. Our server was Eric (Erik?) took care of us like we were baby chicks (you know, the chicken kind.) He didn't miss a thing and seemed to appear out of nowhere when the slightest thing was needed. His wine recommendation was excellent as were all of his recommendations. The food? Well, the word "heaven" comes to mind. Just perfect. Everything. I will definitely be returning!
(5)
Zee S.
This place is CONFUSED as hell, no clue what they want to be. NYC/DC prices without the "wow factor". To me it's smart casual, nothing fancy. Nasty bathroom- dirty tables, dirty sofa.........I was left wondering if kitchen was good enough to pass inspection. \ By using opentable link via YELP I made an online reservation for 8:00 PM. I left a note requesting them to call me and switch it to early time on SUNDAY evening but no one called. I had to call a couple of days later. Over the phone I asked if jeans were okay- host replied: we expect you to wear business cloths but we won't really turn you down if someone walks in with jeans but we don't suggest you wear jeans. As soon as I walked in I noticed the gentleman who answered the phone was our on-duty host..but he wasn't even wearing proper business cloths! lol We sat at the bar for a drink.... getto/limited Cognac selection. ONLY 3?!! Limited selection of Scotch as well....that's when I gave up and went to the table. Room was very nice/warm rich colors... pretty dark (good way), more on the romantic side. As I sat down my side of the sofa was covered with bread crumbs...few crumbs were also found on the table. Later I noticed my sofa was SUPER dirty- I took pictures and posted on the yelp. Seat was uncomfortable...am about 146lbs yet springs were trying to enter where sun doesn't shine! Requested Chef's Tasting menu...... I also added lamb and one more dessert so we could actually taste dishes. Beet Salad was good- and white cab was a nice touch. Lamb was cooked PERFECTLY but the sauce was missing "WOW" factor. Glass of Trouble maker wasn't a bad deal. (wine is very fruit forward). We had Rockfish and Salmon......fish was over cooked. Again, it was good but I have had better. Beef dish was missing good sauce..... for me best part was when a manager offered me a blind taste. Very nice touch. Desserts were okay--- asked my server what was her favorite item- she suggested cheese cake. Hands on she described it perfectly. Her selection of wine was very nice........but it was bit late to do damage control. Will I try this place again, yes. I plan to update my reviews after a couple of visits. Lets see how much they care;)
(2)
Nicole F.
Went to brunch at Vermilion on Saturday with a co-worker and her boyfriend. We had a reservation, but when I got inside it was pretty dead. I had never been to the restaraunt before so I was a little surprised by the dark romantic decor (for a brunch setting at least). My two friends ordered egg dishes and I got the pancakes. We all agreed the highlight of the meal was the breakfast sausage! SO flavorful!
(3)
Clinton R.
If you live in Alexandria and have not tried this place, your missing out. The food is extraordinarily good. The service is excellent and the staff is happy to see you. Everything is phenomenal!!!!
(5)
Jorge T.
Nice atmosphere. Great location. If you get a table by the window, I can't think of a better place in Alexandria to people watch while eating. The food was nice. Had the penne in vodka sauce with Italian sausage and broccoli rabe and it was good. I prefer my dishes a little more flavorful, and after adding a pinch of salt, it was excellent. I must say that I had the best screwdriver ever at this place. I figured that vodka and orange juice is a pretty straightforward drink with little opportunity for variation. I must have had thousands of screwdrivers in my life without any fanfare, but this one was truly special.
(3)
Jesssie M.
I hit up Vermilion for a HH on a Tuesday, and it was very nice. Vermilion is located on King Street in Alexandria, which is a really cute area of town. The inside is dark and reminds me of a lodge. We sat at the bar to enjoy some wine and snacks. My co-worker and I split some pork belly and "frickles" (fried pickles). Both were exceptionally tasty. The pork belly was prepared very nicely, and was balanced with some littleneck clams and asparagus. I love pickles, so I thought the frickles were awesome. They came with some tasty dipping sauce. I liked that the frickles were disks of pickles (as opposed to spears) so you get more bites of fried, salty goodness than eating a long log of fried pickle. The rest of the menu looks really nice but also expensive. I think for the price you are getting a good deal but it's no cheap night out. Our bartender was great. She was attentive without hovering, and chatted us up just the right amount - friendly without being overbearing. She enhanced the whole experience. Vermilion was a nice place, not cheap, but a good one to try if you are in Alexandria.
(4)
Matt R.
While the ambiance, location and service were fantastic, we were a bit disappointed by the tasting menu. If the tasting menu is supposed to showcase the chef's best expression and capabilities, I would hope he/she would offer things they don't cook day in day out. This is my 2nd time dining @ Vermillion, and while it's a very solid option for Alexandria, I don't feel the $ is justified and I don't think the tasting menu is the best option in the area for a special occasion. At some other places we have been, the tasting menu contains appetizers/entrees/etc that are NOT on the regular menu. At Vermillion, you get 4 smaller portioned courses paired with a an optional very healthy pour of wine that should complement each dish. The dishes can be found on the regular menu as well. Not so exotic. The dishes were very very good and everything was cooked to perfection, however the Pork was a bit tough. Very juicy and flavorful, but tougher than expected. Is it worth the $60 to get a small extra entree portion vs just ordering an appetizer, entree and desert yourself? In my opinion no. The option to add the wine pairings is one I always jump at. It will show if the restaurant/chef/sommelier really knows what is going with the food flavors, or they just want to make $. I will say the Vermilion had 2 very nice wines paired for us, but 2 that weren't so hot. They had Linden Vineyards Claret paired with the pork. This one was disappointing. I've had copious amounts of VA wine and this was definitely not the best to choose for that pairing if they were trying to stay local. The upcharge for the wine was well worth it as the pours are healthy, and have some wines not featured on the regular list. For around $100 per person after tax/tip, sadly, I don't feel the food at Vermillion is worth quite that much.
(3)
Ryan H.
I'm never been let down with this place for the most part. Not over the top. A bit pricy for what you're actually getting. However it's always pretty consistent. Decent food with sufficient service. Made it out for restaurant week and asked the server to pair some wines with our selections. All and all we got what we expected. A adequate meal. I'll be back. More so to see what new craft beers or local distilled spirits they might have down at the bar. Worth a try for anyone wondering.
(3)
Todd D.
Probably much better for dinner than for brunch. Called to reserve a table for 6 & after getting manager approval was told that we could be accommodated. That lead me to believe that it would be a crowded with a lively atmosphere. It was neither. 20 min after being seated we were the only 6 people on the 2nd floor w/ no music in a rather dark (albeit comfortable) corner of the room. Aside from one mistake with our order the food & service was very good. I don't expect house music & glow sticks for brunch but when seeking a good start to your Sunday Fun-day (I hate that term), seek the fun part somewhere else. Go for dinner, go for drinks at the cool looking bar, go elsewhere for brunch.
(3)
Bryce A.
Vermilion has been on my want-to-try-it list for ages, and I finally got to check it out for a Sunday brunch. We had a reservation right at 11 when they opened and were promptly seated. The restaurant was pretty empty (so I'm not sure if the reservations were necessary) and I liked it that way - it made it feel like we had the place to ourselves. Vermillion definitely gets some extra points for ambiance. We ate on the second floor, surrounded by bottles of wine and gas lamps. I had the Cornmeal Hushpuppies, Grilled Ham Steak Benedict, and finished it off with a Key Lime Parfait. The hushpuppies were fried perfectly and came with several different dipping sauces. The eggs benedict were poached just right, came with a ham steak so thick that it was actually a slight challenge to eat and was served over cornbread. I've never had eggs benedict made this way before and using cornbread made it slightly sweet which is something you don't normally get with eggs benedict, but it was delicious. I also tried some of the Baked Eggs - a tomato based stew topped with eggs and avocado - and would probably recommend it if you're in the mood for something savory. The Key Lime Parfait was a great way to end the meal - key lime with strawberries and candied ginger, paired with a strawberry sorbet. Service was excellent. Waters were topped off quickly and the waitstaff were able to explain details about the menu and happy to make recommendations. Overall, a great brunch experience that I would definitely recommend.
(5)
Lynne V.
Stopped in for brunch and ate at the bar since I was alone. The corned beef hash was kind of sweet - not salty like I expected, but still tasty. I had a special request for how my eggs were cooked, and they came out perfectly done. Dessert was good too. I had a passion fruit bar, which was actually kind of like a custard or flan. The bartender, Megan, was great. She introduced herself when I sat down, provided helpful recommendations, and was attentive and friendly without being annoying. She and the other staff really made me feel welcome.
(4)
Scott S.
Treat yourself to some of the best food in DC in a unique setting and surprisingly inexpensive menu relative to quality of offerings. We had our engagement dinner here. I called and spoke to the manager the morning of our reservation and mentioned our pending engagement...we arrived to find complimentary glasses of champagne, a beautiful assortment of flowers on our table and the best seat in the house. We cannot thank the manager and staff enough! The food itself qualifies Vermillion as one of my top 5 restaurants in the DC area, and that is coming from a foodie who has lived in DC for a decade. Unique cocktail menu that will excite your palate.
(5)
Mattie C.
*This is a review of their lounge/happy hour only* I really don't understand why people would be recommending this place as a "great happy hour spot" as I saw on the description at the top of the yelp page. It really is not, and I was somewhat disappointed. Here is why: 1. Only three beers have discounted happy hour prices: Miller, Yuengling and I think Sierra Nevada. It's a shame because they had some decent beers on tap but didn't discount them at all. One thing that makes a good happy hour is getting quality beer for a cheaper price and this didn't deliver. 2. This bar is known for its whiskey and has a pretty bar area with tons of different types of whiskey on display. If this is their specialty, how come there was not a discounted whiskey on the happy hour menu? That would have been nice. The happy hour choices were just boring. 3. The happy hour menu was not cheap - the french fries are $5 and that was the least expensive item on the menu. Most of the bar snacks hovered around $10. 4. Service was pretty indifferent. We sat there with empty drinks for a long time and the bar area was pretty empty so you would think they saw us. We actually would have gotten more drinks if someone had come up to us but instead sat with empty glasses for a while and then finally had to flag someone down for the check. The bar staff mostly stood around chatting among themselves. So, the "happy hour" experience was pretty underwhelming for me as I wasn't impressed with the options or the prices. I think my favorite happy hour in Old Town is Columbia Firehouse's. I will update my review one day when I eat in the restaurant itself, though from my "happy hour" experience I am guessing that it will be expensive.
(2)
Blanche N.
This place was decent. The service, wine, and presentation of food was great! My lamb was pretty boring; I wouldn't order it again. My husband loved the pork cheek appetizer and his fluke fish. The salad appetizer was kinda boring. The key lime curd dessert was pretty good. My mixed drink had too much ice in it. Overall, I would look around first before coming again given the price. Also, the women's restroom was kinda gross and hot.
(3)
Jason G.
Good, but just didn't wow us. We'd heard raves about Vermilion, so we stopped in for dinner with friends. All four of us ordered a three-course prix fixe. Service was solid, and we each enjoyed our meals. But, when we were done, none of us felt wowed by the food. Considering all the great dining options in Alexandria, let alone the DC metro area, its hard to see us going back to this one.
(3)
Sultan S.
You can tell a lot of how the food and service is going to be like by how welcoming the hostess is,,, awful spirit and awful greeting.
(1)
ML V.
Vermillion is a very cute, hipster restaurant. I absolutely love the location and feel of the place. I've been here twice, both during different meal times. My first experience was great. I ordered the eggs Benedict, which was absolutely delicious. I definitely recommend it. To top it off, we were served homemade, warm complimentary bread/muffins. It is probably one of the best I've had. The second time, I went during dinner. I was not impressed at all. The food was over priced, especially for the small portions. I ordered a duck dish, which was mediocre. Fortunately, I was able to get my bread. I recommend going during brunch. Metered parking is available on the street.
(4)
Gregg M.
My previous trips to Vermilion were inexplicable misfires. The service was good, but the food and drink were always surprisingly off target given the amount of praise heaped upon the place and Chef Chittum by the local food media. After my last poor experience, I vowed "Never again!" However, Chef Chittum left Vermilion this past winter. The gf and I met the new chef, Will Morris, at this year's Cochon 555, who assured us that changes had been made. As a result, I decided to break my vow and take the gf to Vermilion for dinner. From an aesthetics standpoint, Vermilion is one of the nicer looking restaurants in Old Town, an area with plenty of beautiful, well-appointed dining rooms. We arrived about 15 minutes early for our 5:30 reservation. They weren't quite ready to seat us since dinner service starts at 5:30, so we went to the bar for a drink. I had the classic Mint Julep ($12). Despite the changes in the kitchen, Vermilion's cocktails are unchanged and are still pricey for what you get. While it possessed the requisite bourbony goodness, sugary sweetness, and mintiness, the mint julep didn't quite measure up in taste, presentation, and value compared to the superior one found at a lesser price at the nearby Majestic. We checked in for our reservation, were led upstairs and seated promptly at 5:30. We looked over the standard menu, but decided to go with the daily changing, 4-course Chef's Tasting Menu ($60). We received the Baby Beet Variations. yelp.com/biz_photos/verm… As a kid, I hated beets since they were the canned beets served by my grade school cafeteria. These were not those! Next, we had Seared Maryland Fluke. yelp.com/biz_photos/verm… It was perfectly seared leaving the interior moist, and flaky. The roasted eggplant, spinach and housemade dill yogurt that accompanied the fluke elevated the dish to my favorite of the night. Our third course was the Seared Beef Sirloin. yelp.com/biz_photos/verm… My sirloin was cooked precisely to my requested medium-rare. However, the gf and I both agreed that the meat had been oversalted prior to it being cooked leaving it saltier than I'd prefer, but still edible. This was also the one dish that we both thought the amount of steak received was a bit skimpy. Our meal closed with the Ricotta-Poppy Seed Fritters. yelp.com/biz_photos/verm… It was an exceedingly well executed dessert. Not too sweet, but lots of contrasting flavors presented in a pleasing way. Never let it be said, that I didn't give Vermilion a second or, in this case, a third chance to make a good impression. Service continues to be a strength. Finally, Vermilion's food lived up to its lofty press. The only difference (and it's a biggie) between my previous visits and this one was the change in chefs. It was a much-needed change for the better...way better! Now, if only the cocktail program could be similarly energized like the food, then it would have the potential to be worthy of 5 stars. Right now, however, it's 4-stars. I'm sure the gf and I will be back.
(4)
Allison M.
Absolutely amazing. The food here so delicious and the staff is incredible. They go out of their way to ensure you leave 100% satisfied. Low key and relaxing. Not a good place if you are in a hurry or looking for a real quick bite. You must have the hush puppies if you go!!!!
(5)
Mark S.
Well, another stinker of a "excellent" restaurant in Old Town--I think they should just turn all of it into a parking lot. This overpriced dive of a dump caters to the great unwashed American Gourmet hoards who wouldn't know a good, let only great meal, if it bit them in their rear parts (and given the size of most American ones that's a pretty big target). But now to the gag me with a spoon meal. The potato soup with Crème fraîche was so salty that it would make water from the Dead Sea taste like Vichy water, which admittedly has no taste but then neither did the soup. Learning by past mistakes at other troughs in the area, I opted for the Hamburger which was overcooked and featured a onion compote resembling an English Marmalade--no wonder their teeth all fall out. My companion in misery also made a "safe" choice of a grilled piece of Salmon. But to our complete and utter shock it was (besides being overcooked--he thought it was fine but you should see the things he puts in his mouth) accompanied by dollops of a lemon curd resembling pigeon droppings but much much sweeter--at least they were yellow. And guess what? This being a typical "NEW AMERICAN" grease pit specializing in farm to table cuisine (which part of the barnyard I'll leave up to your imagination) the chef decided that throwing fistfuls of weeds on the plate elevated the meal into the heavenly paradise of haute cuisine. Wrong again you weed wacker. The less said about the decor and cliental the better. But sagging red fake velour curtains the result of missing drapery hooks; sagging ladies who lunch (La Cote Basque this ain't) and finishing it off by wolfing down too much dessert--masticating the mess with open mouths and then actually licking the plates clean with bovine tongues (this is a real observation not some fevered dream from Dante's hell); and bouncy too too friendly waitresses with their Disneyland pasted on happy faces and too familiar jargon all of which bear a creepy resemblance to female pedophiles; do not lead to happy cuisine memories but rather signal the onset of a raging case of Mal de Mer au jus.
(1)
Merin R.
My boyfriend and I came to Vermilion tonight - we had a reservation for 7:15 and were asked to have a drink at the bar as our table wasn't ready. Forty minutes, one awful glass of wine, and a 3/4 full Manhattan later, we were brought to our seats by a drafty window upstairs. The waitress brought us waters and never asked if we wanted to order drinks. Our appetizers came - mine was completely wrong, so my boyfriend sat with his in front of him while we waited 15 more minutes for my correct order to arrive. My main course tasted like air drowned in oil - nobody ever asked how it was. Dessert was awful - the cheese plate tasted like dried shampoo. Perhaps our standards are too high, coming from NYC - but for a $200 meal, no matter where you live - not worth it.
(1)
Meredith M.
Went here for dinner with friends and would definitely revisit. Pricey, but well worth it. Would probably do the tasting menu next time to save money!
(4)
Lance M.
Overrated. Entrees were bland and unflavorful. Service was poor and food came out slow. Not only did we have to wait a while for our food, the roasted lamb loin came with beans that were so undercooked they were cruchy. It almost made me gag. I did not finish my dish. Furthermore, the servers just came, dropped off the food, and left without giving much explanation of the dish. And on top of that, there were multiple times throughout my meal where I was waiting on refills. Maybe this restaurant has had better days, but for all the accolades this restaurant receives and the price of food, I thought it is way overrated. I do not see what distinguishes it from other restaurants in the area that can more consistently cook better food, deliver better service, and are actually worth the price.
(1)
Sonia P.
Absolutely LOVE this place! I've been here for brunch and happy hour and we decided to take advantage of Restaurant Week for their dinner menu. Started off with an amuse-bouche of shrimp bisque which was a great way to start the meal. I ordered the artichoke soup for the appetizer, an amazing fish dish for the entree, and poppyseed fritters for dessert; he ordered fried oysters, flank steak (perfect medium rare), and Nutella cheesecake (respectively). There were not a ton of choices for their RW menu but we immensely enjoyed each of our dishes and everything was very fresh and the presentation was lovely. Service was great (server was attentive but not overkill) and the ambiance is very romantic and intimate. The bartenders make amazing cocktails and they have a nice wine list. Bottom line, Vermilion is definitely one of my favorite spots in Old Town and I can't wait to see its continued success!
(5)
Susan S.
Delicious food. Excellent service. Would definitely go back to try more of the menu - we had the fried oysters (starter), duck and steak (main) and lemon meringue (dessert). Espresso was a little bitter.
(4)
Samantha C.
Just went here last night with my family. Overall, we loved it! The restaurant is cozy and welcoming with many touches of, you guessed it, vermillion. The waitstaff is professional and our waitress was lovely! My family tried a variety of dishes -- all of which we devoured. From the potato gnocchi, garlic soup, beet/apple salad for appetizers to the striploin, pork and tagliatelle for main courses, each plate was beautifully presented and offered an array of full flavors. I'm giving four stars instead of five because the prices are high for the somewhat small portions than one would expect to receive.
(4)
Emily M.
Likely one of my favorites in Old Town, Vermillion has aesthetically pleasing dining room and some wonderful menu options. The flavor combination's are simple but pleasing in completion. They use local and farm raised products as much as possible. The weight staff is attentive and hospitable. Vermillion is great for a casual meal with friends or a special occasion destination.
The Good: The food was nicely presented and tasted OK. When someone realized how badly they were falling behind on service, they comp'd us champagne, drinks, and desserts. Overall, the food was well-presented and was well prepared, albeit a little rare to the spec. Presentation was good and the flavor combinations were decent. The bad: The service, due to no fault of the server, it was the back line who was weeded. It was 100 minutes for the whole dinner experience. A bit too long IMO. But they did comp a bunch of stuff. The Ugly: I have what I am guessing is norovirus today. Sucks to be me.
(3)
Anissa J.
This place is quaint and cozy, perfect for a Date Night. The food was prepared well, just okay I wasn't wowed by the flavors but I wasn't disappointed either. The cocktails were great and we we're definitely wowed by the bartender and his delicious mixes. The drink menu is creative, the presentation of both food and drinks were great and the food fresh.
(4)
Neen J.
The great service and attention from the team at this restaurant makes it even better. I chose this based on Yelp reviews for lunch to meet someone and I thoroughly enjoyed my endive and arugla salad with the hanger steak. It was a great place to meet a colleague who thoroughly enjoyed it and he was keen to go back as he had dined there before and knew of their famous burboun selection. Great spot, delish food and worth a visit.
(4)
C K.
My boyfriend and I went here for a late night dinner and were pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, the food is amazing, and the customer service is top notch. My only complaint is the seating. There were quite a few empty tables and they still seated a couple on the bench seat next to us, so it wasn't as private as I would have preferred.
(4)
Chanel D.
Alas, I should have known better than to just look at the overall rating of the restaurant. I also blindly followed the accolades of the Washingtonian, which listed this as one of the 100 Best Restaurants. False. The less than favorable reviews were, in my opinion, spot on. The place is way overpriced for the culinary experience. Next time I feel like dropping serious cash on dinner, I will definitely go elsewhere. As always, I like to start out with the good: 1) The interior of the restaurant is gorgeous. 2) Service was excellent. My cup definitely ran over, unlike some other restaurants where you're sad eyed and begging for water. 3) Beautiful presentation. 4) Dessert! We shared the S'more Brownie Sundae. My compliments to whoever dreamt that delight up. This was something to dance in my seat about. It was annihilated. May it rest in peace. Now, for the not so good: 1) For starters, I ordered the Roasted Garlic Soup......... For the good of the group, I will recall the experience, but I hope to erase it from my mind during sleep tonight. First, it was room temperature. I was looking forward to something hot and filling and this was not what I expected. They bring out a bowl with just the cured egg yolk, the potatoes and crutons. You're looking at it wondering if you're missing something and if this is a new, deconstructed version of soup. Thankfully, the waiter then pours a creamy broth from a little teapot, short and stout. Now, there was a strange confluence of textures. You've got the creamy broth, an egg yolk that is neither hard boiled nor raw, undercook potatoes, and croutons. Needless to say, I did not finish it. 2) For my main course, I had the Fields of Athenry Lamb. It was also room temperature. (Why is everything cold?) And, consisted of more mediocrity. I had a bite of my sister's duck and that was more flavorful than my dish. Food envy anyone? Please watch this video representation of how I felt about my meal. youtube.com/watch?v=_O1h…
(2)
Josh F.
I love Vermillion. Easily, without doubt, one of the most fun and rewarding restaurants in the OT area. I've been for cocktails, brunch, and dinner......every time the service, food, and drinks exceeded my expectations. New American/French food here is prepared expertly and served fancy pants style. Small portions, but clearly locally sourced food that's prepared to perfection and plated elegantly. If you're looking to jump start your drool reflex, flick through the pictures on their website; everything looks as good as it tastes, and it all looks top-chef ready. The menu changes rapidly, but i've tried items like the garlic crusted maryland fluke (with confit'd potatoes) and the maryland all natural beef duo, which expertly paired tenderloin slices in a rich brown truffle sauce and swiss chard. Mind-blowingly tasty. The beer selection here is also very complete and diverse, rotating seasonally and priced reasonably.....exceptionally reasonably if you stop by for happy hour. The lounge (hidden back end of the restaurant) stays open late and has a good selection of whiskey, bourbons, and scotch to enjoy slowly on the couches. Bar staff is exceptionally friendly and prompt. Bar type food is served later than anywhere else in town, sans Virtue. I have to talk myself OUT of going here as often as I'd like to, which is a tribute to the changing menu/drink items and the fact that Vermillion never disappoints.
(5)
Anna L.
I read many good things about this restaurant and was curious to try it out The place was empty and the server kept checking on us excessively ( he had some trainee in tow which added to the interruption) The food was another fail - we did not enjoy our visit to Vermilion
(3)
Becca Y.
This place is great! This isn't quite a casual atmosphere but it definitely isn't too stuffy either. Our waiter was very attentive and knows his stuff! Very professional service. It's a bit on the pricey end but the quality of the food is unbeatable. If anything, you will be paying for the quality, creativity and uniqueness of the ingredients. The upstairs is quaint and downstairs has an intimate bar where you can pay a crap ton for alcohol. We got the Salmon, Trout and Pork Loin and they were all excellent and extremely creative. Naturally it's one of those restaurants where it's so dark you can hardly see your food but it's great for dates. Lots of couples! If you want to feel like a 3rd wheel, you should eat here but you can also be like us and go with your group of single friends. That will balance out the couple-y vibe going on there =) Happy Grazing!
(5)
Jano K.
Yum! The menu items were creative and delicious! Beef tartar was buttery, soup was outstanding, mains lived up to the hype of earlier courses. Certainly pricy, but worth it, especially for a special occasion.
I had been to vermillion years ago and found it kind of overpriced and meh. I heard the chef changed and saw some good reviews, as well as restaurant week happened to be this weekend. The service was extremely good by the waiter with beer and wine pairings as well as just overall friendliness. Other friendly folks would bring over food as well. The bread that comes with was super tasty as was the butter. We all had the shrimp and grits appetizer which was heavy and a bit big for an app but really good. It had a marinara type sauce I wasn't sure I would like but turned out to go well with the shrimp. For entrees we all had the filet which was cooked perfectly medium rare or medium depending on how ordered. There was a garlic butter on top that I which was more plentiful because it was so tasty. The veggies and sauce added to it but nothing too special. For dessert the fritters were really good, just warm donuts with some good sauce and ice cream. The chocolate cake dense thing was real rich and good. Overall experience and ambience is great. Nothing blew me away but all really solid and not a single misstep all night.
(4)
Judson W.
Having recently moved to Old Town, my husband and I were looking for a special place to have our first meal out as residents. I am so happy we chose Vermilion. This place seems tailor made for us, what with the inventive food options, fantastic ambiance, and great service. That's not even to mention the perfect location (very close to King Street Metro). We were seated in their upstairs dining area right next to a front window. It was the perfect spot that allowed for a view of sprawling King Street. The dining area upstairs is very nice with beautiful brick walls, lanterns, and bottles of wine on display near the stairwell. The bar and lounge downstairs seems very inviting as well, with low lighting and a lot of seating options. We can't wait to return for a drink or two there. To start, we had the corn soup and roasted potato gnocchi. While the soup was tasty, the gnocchi was unreal in its deliciousness. The complimentary bread and butter was also a standout. For our meals, I ordered the Berkshire Pork Loin and my husband had the Shenandoah Beef Bistro Filet. The pork loin was served over a yummy pea puree that really hit the spot. The filet was so tender it seemed to melt in my mouth. The artichoke and carrot puree was the perfect side to go with it. The only downside to our meal at Vermilion is that it set the bar so high for eating out in Old Town. We may end up being slightly disappointed with each future visit to other area restaurants because it'll be hard to beat Vermilion on almost every level.
(5)
Jennifer C.
This is a really nice happy hour spot. The food is hotel food, so just be prepared for that. It's nothing to write home about. But the ambiance and the bar service keep me coming back. It's a beautiful little place to get a drink!
(4)
Andrew R.
Exceeded expectations, and it was great. Delicious meal, both food and drinks. Beautiful classy rustic American space on a charming street. Service was pretty good, which was fine. I'd definitely go back.
(5)
Brandi H.
Finally got the chance to try Vermillion at the invite of a sweet sweet friend. I had heard good things about this place but hadnt yet found an occasion special enough to have dinner here. The quaint restaurant and bar are set nicely from the moment you walk into the front foyer. We ordered a beer and a cocktail called "A Father's First Spring", which was strong and delicious. A good start! We then decided on the charred octopus to start and the wild mushroom risotto, and bistro filet for entrees. The octopus, risotto, and steak were perfect and I could see how the restaurant earned its good reputation. My disappointment lied with the sides that came with the steak... "potato cake", soft cabbage, and roasted carrots. The potato cake was nothing more than a glob of fries shredded hashbrowns with no seasoning, the cabbage was also not seasoned, and the carrots were charred beyond recognition. I couldn't believe a restaurant of this quality would serve sides so thoughtless. Would I give the restaurant a second try?? Probably... but not anytime soon. Hopefully they will reconsider a couple things in the meantime.
(3)
Bethany W.
I had higher hopes for this place. Place was tiny and we had a table by the front window. Instead of a main entree I went with the steak tartare, beet salad, and the octopus off the small/app menu. Bert salad was good. Not much to it but it was flavorful and plating was pretty. It was the best of all three. Steak tartare and octopus were each ok but nothing great. Tartare was mixed in some cream sauce that just took away from the beef. Plus, it came with two potato chips and that's it. Octopus again was ok. Texture was good so it wasn't over cooked and rubbery. However, there was no char on it.
This place is amazing! Everything we tried was excellent. Even a simple Cesar salad tasted better than anywhere else's. I don't think you will go wrong with anything on the menu. Price for lunch is very reasonable, definitely recommend this place if you are in Alexandria.
(5)
Rebecca F.
First time diners. One had the burger, which was very good. Other had pulled pork which was okay. If you've had southern pulled pork, you'll be disappointed. Potato salad was tasty but some hard potatos. Pickles terrible, limp and soft. Highlight was the poppy seed muffins and ambiance. Would try it again but would go for breakfast items, which everyone was raving about. Staff is very friendly and pleasant.
(3)
Kirk S.
Vermillion is a solid, very Alexandrian restaurant that gets a lot of things right but doesn't blow my socks off in any particular way. Vermillion is a high-end restaurant located in what is effectively a row home on King Street. It's very nice and spacious inside, and very nicely decorated. Prices are fairly high, but not exorbitantly so, and service is great. The food here is decent but not the best. The steak tartare appetizer was good, but far from the best I've had, and a bit heavy on the wasabi (or horseradish?). The lamb loin was superbly cooked, but was a bit anemic in terms of portion size. The beans were also nice, though they dominated the dish a bit. The pineapple tart(?) I had for dessert was actually the best I had - genuinely enjoyed it. There's definitely a lot of skill that the cooks have, I'd just have hoped for a slightly better set of dishes. I'll definitely go back, though - you can tell that, with the right dish, this place would rock your socks off.
(4)
Scott M.
This is a fancy restaurant and knowing your food is "farm to table" and extra fresh makes you feel even better about yourself. We were seated upstairs and had a nice window seat overlooking King st. The ambiance was fantastic and very romantic. I really liked how the staff was not pushy and they would wait for each course to be finished with a few minutes in between before bringing out anything else. The chestnut soup was fantastic and full of flavor (highly recommend). I couldn't get enough. The meat on the other hand was pretty tough to cut and my jaw was sore from all the chewing (I ordered it medium), the chickpeas that came with it were pretty good. I noticed in some other pictures the smear affect they put on each plate, it must be their signature move. I also ordered some chocolate dessert, the ice cream was probably the best part. The chocolate part was pretty much just a solid bar of chocolate with some caramel swirled on top. I dont think I would eat here again but I would probably come back for drinks. Looks like they have a nice lounge area on the first floor. Beer on tap ranged from $4.50-$8 and a huge wine selection.
(3)
Susan M.
Bloody Marys are exceptional here - so much flavor and spice. The pickled beet garnish was delightful - so pretty. The lemon poppyseed biscuits were also amazing! Mixed feelings about our brunch meals (Eggs Benedict w/ Ham, Duck Fat Fried Corned Beef & Grits)- overall we enjoyed our meals but weren't blown away by anything. They served my husband expired orange juice but quickly replaced it with a fresh glass and didn't charge us for it. Prompt, courteous service. I would definitely go back for a Bloody Mary and some of those delicious biscuits :-)
(3)
T M.
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE! You will not be disappointed when you dine here. The service is great, servers are very knowledgeable on all menu items, and best of all, they always ask of any food allergies. I find that to be very pleasant and considerate gesture. I would eat here everyday if I could.
(5)
Valencia W.
Love Vermilion. I really enjoy coming to this place when I can or when I am in town because I am always treated well and the love is shown with the food. The ambiance of the restaurant is a wee bit romantic BUT it is a great place to catch up with old friends or family members as well as it has a nice calm about the restaurant. The service I have received from Vermilion has been top notch and I have yet to be disappointed. I always recommend the filet but on some occasions I will get down with the salmon as it is pretty good as well. Chances are you'll may end up getting some complimentary appetizers from the chef and every time that has happened I ask every, single time why these aren't part of the full menu. I guess it just keeps me coming back. Great place. Oh, just like at every place in Old Town - parking blows, so pray that you see that brakelight or blinker before you pass someone. 5 stars no doubt.
(5)
Domi B.
Vermilion was too good. Our waiter, Anthony, was great. He made several suggestions that were great. First of all, the Charred Octopus was excellent. I definitely recommend that. I had a glass of Pinot Noir from Sicily that was very good. For dinner, the Pork Loin was good. I really liked the peas and mushrooms that accompanied it in a delicious sauce. Desert was the Chocolate Ganache. If you love chocolate, it is a must. The restaurant is very aesthetically pleasing from outside in. The bar is beautiful and the seating area reminds me of my favorite bar in Santa Cruz where you can have an intimate conversation with your libations. If you're in the area of DC or Alexandria, it would be fair to say that you should definitely try Vermilion.
(5)
Lex L.
This is now my fav OT restaurant hands down. The Executive Chef, William Morris is super talented. The flavors without over salting the food is tough to do and he has succeeded to do that! I luv this restaurant!!! Bosko, our waiter is also fab with excellent service. We had another waiter assigned to our table but Bosko from Serbia ended up taking over. He is great! Me: Seared East Coast Halibut Fava beans, breakfast radish, picked ramps and lavender jus Bf: Roasted Lamb Loin Caramelized onions, Azuki beans, parsley salad, and peanut vinaigrette Shared dessert: Dark chocolate grenache My halibut was fresh & delish!!! Oh yum!!! The flavors were off the meat rack. Skin was extra crispy with the meat being super moist and flaky. I really enjoyed this dish. Picked ramps were yummy. Jus was perfect and not too salty. Bf lamb which he thoroughly enjoyed was in 2 sections: loin and leg prepared medium. Not a big fan of lamb but this was good. Bf didn't like the Azuki beans and would have preferred a mash of some sort or some starch. Parsley salad was good and small. Caramelized onions were yummo! Bf liked the dessert more than me. Not a huge fan of dark chocolate like my bf. This was too soft and rich for me. Not too bad but could be only eat 2 forkfuls.
(5)
Ben T.
It is no secret that I am a huge fan of Vermillion. My first review was based off their farm table dinner. After returning for a normal evening service this past Friday and being blown away once again I felt I had to share what I now consider one of my top favorite dining experiences. Before going into the meal itself I feel it more important to describe a new appreciation I gained that night for Vermillion. The night was way more than about the taste of what we were eating. Of course the atmosphere and hospitality were outstanding, this is a given here. After meeting and discussing some dishes with Chef Morris it became obvious how much compassion he has for his craft. Like any other profession this is a deciding characteristic. This to me is a forefront importance because it leads and develops into creativity, curiosity and exploration. He says every ingredient has a purpose and our meal was the perfect example of this. Not many chefs I have met can discuss tomato quality with genuine earnest. As usual our palates were treated as the flavors of summer in Virginia came out in every presentation. The greens in the corn soup balanced the sweetness and on the steak tartare they brought an earthiness to the party. They have fun with food here, trying new ingredients and combinations without reserve and knowing everything may not always work is a good way to cook and live your life in my opinion. One of the best in NOVA/DC. Thanks again!
(5)
Raivis G.
I went here a little bit ago after putting it off for quite a bit, since I looked over the menu and wasn't really intrigued. However, I saw steak tartare added on the menu one afternoon, and since I'd already been walking up and down King Street looking for something I was in the mood for, I decided to give it a try. First off, the interior and ambiance-- it's really nice. Situated inside what looks like it may have been a former row home, it's just as charming in the inside as it is on the outside, and the upstairs, where I seated, was perhaps even more so. The noise level was quiet, although perhaps it just wasn't a very busy day. There was only one other party there at the time. The service was as I'd expect, prompt and courteous. Moving onto the food, I had, as I mentioned, the steak tartare. It was also my first steak tartare, which was a real shame, because now I've got to compare every steak tartare I have afterwards to Vermilion's, and it's a high standard to live up to. All I had was that steak tartare, though, so I can't say with certainty that the quality is consistent with the rest; but even if the other dishes were only 75% as tasty, I'd still consider it well worth the try.
(4)
Jenna D.
Enjoyed a nice brunch here this morning. The ambiance was lovely, especially upstairs away which was quieter. Everyone was exceedingly polite and called me by name each time. My friend an I each enjoyed the three egg option and each came properly prepared with our own specifications. I'm only giving it a four because I feel like we didn't try enough of the food to fully form an opinion, but what we had was great! Very welcoming and pleasant visit.
(4)
Ryan K.
We came here for restaurant week 2015 summer. For the restaurant week price, its worth coming, but debatable for the regular price. The food is not bad, but not enough to win me over to dine on normal days.
(3)
Michele B.
Sublime! There's no other word for a meal here! Add in the prix fixe Alexandria Restaurant Week, and you have a combination no one should miss. And unlike some high end restaurants during Restaurant Week who give poor offerings, everything was delicious from the homemade rolls, amazing shrimp and grits appetizer (this will convert even the most ardent grits hater, Cousin Vinny!), to an incredible salmon dish (my friend had an issue amazing steak) to desserts that were transcendent. Even the adorable little "amuse-bouche" was delightful, which in this case was a single, bite-sized hors d'Å“uvre of hummus and bacon on a pita that somehow was greater than the sum of its parts. I had never been to Vermilion before, but will add this to my must-do "splurge" restaurants (it is a bit pricey for me for everyday). I can see why Washingtonian magazine rates it one of the Top 100 Very Best Restaurants in the DMV area. Bon apetit, y'all!
(5)
Angel W.
Great service from Laura! Vermillion is an enjoyable place to spend an evening. I've been here a handful of times and never had any issues. The service is always great! I've never had a bad cocktail at Vermillion. I requested that they make my favorite cocktail - equal parts St. Germaine, gin, and lemon juice. It turned out nicely. Seems like a simple drink, but other venues have not succeeded in making it properly. My friend ordered the Southern Hospitality with eagle rare bourbon, lairds, honey vinaigrette & ginger beer. It was also well crafted. As a second drink, my friend wanted a simple whiskey and ginger mix; however, Vermillion was out of Seagram's 7 so it was substituted with Blanton, which she enjoyed. We tried a cheese plate with a few substitutions since they were out of some of the advertised cheeses. I wish I could remember the name of the nasty cheese we tried so I could warn everyone against it. I finally met a cheese I did not like. Laura was kind enough to replace the cheese with a goat cheese that was more palatable. I wanted to try their amazing array of desserts, but alas, many of them contained gluten. I decided on a couple of scoops of rose ice cream, which was pretty tasty and probably had less calories that the other desserts I left my credit card behind and did not discover the mistake until 24 hours later. Laura and the manager were nice enough to lock my credit card in a safe place in the office and assisted me in retrieving it. Thanks!!
(4)
Alan V.
The bar at Vermilion is in a small, cozy back room with some silk-covered seats and pillows. It's a bit dark inside but, on the plus side, people do look a bit better than the usual Old Town crowd. The hanger steak from the bar/lounge menu was excellent. I'm a big fan of good food and big portions. This $15 hanger steak fits the bill perfectly. You can eat it as a main dish and be sufficiently full. The $8 rare roast beef slider (2 of them) is the next best dish and was very tasty. I thought the balsamic was a bit overpowering in the $8 mini burgers. The hush puppies were not bad but not extraordinary. The service was superb as the bartender, who is also the waiter, was very attentive yet not overly eager. Overall a great place to grab a drink and a bite to eat during happy hour.
(4)
George S.
Tasting menu was excellent. Very good food, catch it before their chef leaves. Highly reommend!
(4)
Angelique A.
Everytime I go to Vermilion I leave happy! They have the most delicious cocktails on a rotating menu that they change every month. Yesterday I had something with hibiscus and tequila that was incredibly yummy and their food is great too. We just got munchies yesterday, but the potato croquettes were so sinfully delicious that they literally made me go "mmmmmmmm" and my friend's response was "WOW" Service is wonderful! Absolutely the nicest people in Old Towne.
(5)
Keith M.
Recently out in the DC area on business and Vermillion was recommended by the Hotel staff. Love the prime rib sliders and the chicken titans. They take buffalo wings, shred them and make egg rolls out of the meat, celery and blue cheese. Top Notch place. Great Food, Great Beer, Live Music. Just a ton of fun.
(5)
Shawn B.
Ordered to go... bacon wrapped swordfish and scallops. Good. Wife ordered a beef dish which was also tasty. interesting decor and ambience would be nice to eat in. Very fresh produce.
(4)
Nuno R.
Took some friends from out of town there. The steak was cooked as requested (medium rare) and the wine suggestion was good. Our waiter was fantastic, just the right amount of attention. Not too much, not too little.
(4)
Kristen B.
BRUNCH ONLY Great cocktail (King Street Lemonade), strong coffee, Eggs Benedict with perfect proportions of sauce-bread-Atlantic char, with crispy capers on top...what's not to like? Their ice-creamed interpretation of tira misu more than made up for the conspicuously bare walls upstairs. They make their ice creams and lady fingers in-house, then pour espresso over it all. And it's huge. My friend got the "Cookies and Confections" dessert, which looked like big fun--their spin on all kinds of lunch-box favorites, from a wee Snickers bar to a little Hostess-like cupcake, complete with the little loop-de-loop white frosting. Brunch prices are very reasonable--my share weighed in at about thirty bucks. Too much for brunch? Not if you've ever spent much time in New Orleans and/or appreciate brunch as an occasion. It's not the same experience as falling out of bed, hungover and disheveled, and stumbling into a grill for a hubcap-sized plate of fat, fluffy pancakes. As much as I love that kind of brunch, it's a different experience. Apples and transmissions.
(4)
Lindsay R.
This is hands down my favorite restaurant in Old Town. I've been to a number of others, but no where else can you get this level of quality and value for money, all provided with the friendliest possible service. I highly recommend this restaurant for smaller groups or dates, they have some lovely private booths, or for a relaxing morning brunch. The first time I came here was for restaurant week a year ago with a friend. These days, I generally consider restaurant week to be a sham characterized by small portions and half-hearted attempts at standard quality. This was definitely not the case here. We had the most delicious calamari started, followed by a tender beef tenderloin and dessert. I could not have been happier. A couple of weeks ago, I finally made it back for a Sunday brunch. They have a great menu, and my experience was even better than I could have imagined. My boyfriend and I were seated at a table upstairs next to window overlooking the street and some lovely trees with fall foliage. The waitress was extremely friendly and attentive without being overbearing. She brought us some delicious walnut raisin muffins, and then some extra after my boyfriend scarfed down the first bunch. I had the sweet potato has with "dippy" eggs. The hash had lovely pieces of caramelized sweet potato and tender chunks of beef that were slightly crispy around the edges. The eggs were cooked perfectly, and the hollandaise with tarragon spooned over top was absolutely divine. My boyfriend thought his pumpkin pancakes were better, and while I disagree, they were tasty. They were full of wonderful winter spices and not too heavy. Over the top, there were delicious roasted apples that supplanted the need for syrup. I can't wait to head back!
(5)
Melissa E.
My boyfriend took me here last night for my birthday dinner. I had a wonderful experience. From the moment we walked in, it had a cozy yet modern feel. We walked upstairs to the dining room and had a nice table by the windows which overlook the street. Our waiter, Anthony was wonderful. He was attentive yet not overbearing, knowledgeable about the wine menu and preparation of each dish, and had impeccable taste in his recommendations and suggestions. He truly is an asset to this place! For starters, we had: 1) Tomato Gazpacho: the bits of peach and kalamata tapenade were wonderful. 2) Heirloom Tomatoes: couldn't have been fresher. It tasted as though it came right off the vine. For dinner: 1) Garlic Crusted Halibut: The variety of flavors including the red apron linguica and basmati rice with homemade basil oil. Enough said. 2) Pineland Farms Beef Striploin. The bed of spinach greens the beef was served on with truffle- Delicious Delicious Delicious. On a side note, the bread is amazing (perhaps sea salt flakes included?) The staff was wonderful. After dinner, a few staff members came by to wish me a happy birthday. It was nice and showed they really had a staff that cared about making the experience as enjoyable as possible. I would also like to mention, Chuck the bartender, he was awesome! He told us about the live music, Shane (who was also wonderful), and was knowledgeable about the art of mixology, was personable, interactive, and told us a little bit about Old Town (we are Marylanders).. The only cons: It seemed as thought there was a little too much salt in a few things (for one, the Halibut dish) and I agree about the toilet seats in the Women's bathroom. All and all, this is a very nice place for wonderful food and a romantic special occasion.
(5)
Victoria S.
I rarely venture to Old Town, Alexandria but it seems that when I do I have eaten at Vermillion. I can see why...it has a great space and great food. The space is very luxurious with lots of draping and dark red accents. I met my friend here for drinks one evening a long time ago, it's been a year or so. The bar was empty and we ordered apps and mojitos. The second time I ate here was this week when I met up with a friend who happens to live right around the corner. The only complaint I have is that the vegetarian options leave something to be desired but since I do eat fish when I dine out I ordered the Shrimp and Crabcake 'Wich. It came on a brioche bun with great crispy french fries. It was very messy but very good. My friend also mentioned that Vermillion has a new chef so the menu may have changed since my first experience here. Regardless, either way it was a pleasure.
(4)
Taylor D.
This place came recommended to me and did not disappoint in any way, shape, or form. While the food was outstanding, the service was the really impressive part. I called earlier in the week to explain that we were coming to Vermillion to celebrate my Mom's birthday and to get recommendations for a nearby bakery. They pointed me to their sister bakery, Buzz Bakery, and took care of the delivery and everything. The cake came out after our meal and Mom was very pleasantly surprised! Mom was as delighted with the food as I was. I am usually not a huge fan of gnocchi, but I decided to order it anyways, and I am very glad I did. I will say that I could not have afforded to dine at Vermillion if my mom had not been there. While the food is excellent, it is also very expensive!
(4)
Kate P.
Beware anyone with a dairy allergy or are lactose intolerant! Having a good restriction can be very annoying, and I completely understand that. But I came here for brunch and checked everything with the waiter who checked with the chef but still felt very ill after the meal. Whatever I ate 100% had dairy in it. In addition, one of our meals arrived with a hair in the fruit, the waiter took it away and replaced it. After finishing the meal we noticed another hair of a different color, neither of our hair color. Previous meals here have been great. But this one dropped the ball 100%. Left sick and unhappy.
(2)
Alison B.
Cute place (like everything on King street). Quiet. My roasted chicken, with split pea puree and ragout was delicious, but the chicken was a smidge undercooked. (Should have sent it back but I was in a rush) Otherwise it was perfectly crispy on outside and juicy on the inside. I asked for no onion so not sure if the dish was already made without it or they made a fresh batch for me. In either case since I have an onion "intolerance" I was a HAPPY lady. (Every restraunt messes this up. Most always.) The dish was delicious and zucchini was cooked perfectly. Black iced tea was above average. Only 3 stars because the service. Maybe others are better but our guy was a little abrasive and ignored me three times when I called for him to bring the check. However speed of service throughout was good.
(3)
Robyn B.
Amazing happy hour! The cornbread hushpuppies and sliders are my favorite. The King Street lemonade is always my drink of choice - like a mojito, except better. I have yet to try any of the real food.... but the happy hour is the best
(5)
Magic Mark L.
This place is okay. In my opinion - not great, just okay. The high ratings for this place kind of puzzle me. I have been here approximately 7 times. One of those times included dinner upstairs. The other times have been at the bar, with and without appetizers, with a date, alone, or with business colleagues. The food is fine. Overpriced, but tasty. And as far as the bar goes, the bartenders make a decent drink. I usually have a martini when I'm here. But I have never felt "love" for the place. I think it's because the whole place has a strange vibe. The feng shui is completely off. Small tables when you first come in, which are before the hostess table, then a really odd velour-ish bar area, with stand-up tables and sit down couches behind, with a stair case leading to an upstairs dining area that all just seems thrown together from a meth-induced dream state... Of course, I'm probably being dramatic. I just can't find the love here... but the place is basically okay...
(3)
Jason W.
Gotta get that Boom boom boom ! This was a great spot to grab dinner with my boo the other night. We sat upstairs over looking the uber cute king street. Service was on it like me on Justin Bieber. And the food was so well seasoned and prepared with such a gentle touch it was like Wolfgang puck and a ballerina had a love child and she was on iron chef. We left super happy. Totally checking out the bar this weekend. Thirsty and thrilled !
(5)
M R.
Vermillion was new to us - and I am glad we tried it. Our waitress was exceptional. The food was delectable. We enjoyed the complimentary appetizers from the chef. I felt comfortable, well taken care of and happy the entire time. It was our anniversary and the whole entire experience was fantastic. We sat upstairs and it was quiet and perfect. Since it was our anniversary, they gave us two free drinks. It was really nice of them and we will definitely go back. I had the filet (amazing) and my husband had the salmon (delicious). Honestly, if you have not tried this place, TRY IT. I am already trying to pick another day to go back!!!!!
(5)
Pegah Y.
We went to Vermilion in Old Town Alexandria for a date night a few weeks ago and absolutely LOVED it. This is hands down my favorite restaurant in the Northern Virginia area, if not all of the DC metro area! The food was delicious, the ambiance of the restaurant was romantic (perfect for date night), the service was very friendly and professional, and the experience was great. We ordered the pan roasted scallops (with pickled enoki mushroom, broccoli & toasted benne consomme) to start. We also started with some of the freshest restaurant bread & butter I'd ever had! For drinks, I ordered a glass of delicious red wine and the boy ordered a mint julep (perfect summery drink). For entrees, we ordered: Pan Seared Salmon (roasted prawn, path valley vegetable ragout & watercress bouillon) and Local Beef Sirloin (spinach & walnut puree, roasted cauliflower, chorizo & red wine sauce). It was all very good. We ended up getting dessert on the house because the service was slightly slow that night. The mixed berry crumb cake I got was ambrosial and baked perfectly. It was a perfect date night in romantic Old Town Alexandria, and afterwards we walked down King Street and sat by the harbor at night. Very beautiful. I will certainly visit Vermilion again in the future.
(5)
Max T.
Did the tasting menu with wine pairings for dinner. Amazing food, wine, and superb service. Wait staff explained just enough about what we were eating and drinking without overdoing it. Very much enjoyed the wine selections too - good depth and variety that paired well with each course. Look forward to returning very soon.
(5)
Chelsey R.
Great for a drink the food left me wanting more. I haven't done an extensive review of their menu but the calamari and their fries were "meh" at best. Bummer because it's a cute layout inside.
(3)
J.M. O.
At first we got a weird vibe from this restaurant.It was a mixture of casual and hip with patrons wearing suits as well as shorts. The staff was pleasant enough and the overall service was fine. You go here for the food. The bread basket is lovely.The Potato Gnocchi is light and ethereal.The octopus with Chorizo was simply put the best ever and a reason in itself to come here.Terrific entrees included Tagliatelle with bacon and a beautiful vegetable plate. The salmon was also a hit.Desserts were not up to the level of the other courses but worthwhile including a Zeppole like deep fried dough with a green bitter ice cream. It's overall a foodie place and we will likely go back.
(4)
Crystal R.
One of my favorite restaurants in Old Town. Love the decor - very romantic. It's dark and candles create a nice ambiance for date night. I've also been here for dinner with the girls. Perfect for enjoying great drinks and a delicious meal. Some of my favorites: Calamari - light and crispy. Very good, definitely something to try. Fritters - I can't remember what it's called, it's a dessert. I think they change it up. I've had the peach one and it was awesome!
(5)
Evan F.
This was the best dining experience we've ever had, and our best anniversary dinner yet. The food was phenomenal, the service was wonderful, the pacing of the meal was perfect, and everything tasted delicious. We told them it was our anniversary and first time visiting D.C., and they really went above and beyond to make our night a special one. We went at 6:30 on a Thursday and, in addition to a glass of champagne on the house, they included multiple appetizers, starters, and deserts all complements of the chef and a handwritten card wishing us a happy anniversary. The masterful mixes of textures and tastes for some dishes speak to the skill of the chefs. Notably, the risotto was the best I've ever had. The potato gnocchi was remarkable as well. The chocolate ganache was absolutely incredible. If you like chocolate, you will fall in love with this. As far as the atmosphere, while we were dining there was a very classy, quiet, romantic vibe upstairs with a more energetic, exuberant feel downstairs, especially by the bar. I'm writing this review days after I ate there, and I'm still in awe of the dining experience. I've already recommended this to friends and family, and I strongly recommend Vermilion to anyone reading this.
(5)
Lindsay W.
Sat in the lounge with colleagues. We had just went to px so I think coming from there set the bar high for cocktails. Mine wasn't great and normally I love any cocktail with st. Germaine but my friend said it seemed like the grapefruit juice was going sour. Whatever it was, didn't enjoy it. Shared calamari and pimento cheese with pita to start which was good. I order the pasta off the lounge menu and shared scallops. The scallops we're very salty. Too salty. Pasta was good. Service was fine. Atmosphere is dark and classic.
(3)
Eric T.
We ordered the paired wine tasting. The food and wine pairing are spot on. I recommend ordering "a one up" on how the steak is prepared. Overall, the service, atmosphere, and food was really good! We will definitely visit this place again.
(4)
Cindy C.
Really enjoyed my lunch today. I had the "intern" with potato soup, green and half of a beet and goat cheese sandwich. My partner enjoyed a fish sandwich. Our server was gracious and was helpful with a substitution of a salad for their house potato salad. If you like Dijon mustard and bacon you will love the potato salad.
(4)
Laura W.
Enjoyed dinner here with a couple of friends. They gave us a table upstairs, which was very nice. I really like the interior design of the whole restaurant (old meets new vibe); bar area in back is gorgeous. Food and service were excellent. I had the tuna (rare) and it was delish', good portion size, with yummy potato galette and fennel sides. Friend had steak and she loved it too. Server was very attentive and ambience is elegant, hip but casual enough. For dessert we had fried apple pie with bacon ice cream. Pie was to die for but we found the bacon ice cream a bit weird for our taste buds. Also had the raspberry panna cotta, which was good but I'd try the fritters next time. My friends also brought their 5 year old kid. While this restaurant isn't really for kids, the server was very accommodating in doing a special (simple) pasta order for the little guest, who gobbled it up. Said it was really tasty. I recommend this restaurant for a date night, business meal or nice dinner out with family or friends. Very relaxing and good food.
(4)
Alison C.
Went to brunch here with my mom one Sunday, and we loved it! The food was fresh and as good as I've ever had. Our service was efficient and friendly, and we both left ready to come back as soon as possible.
(5)
Drew S.
Went there this past weekend and I ordered off of the tasting menu with pairing of wines. Like everyone mentions, the fried oysters were teriffic. The chef prepares the items medium rare but I'm sure you can ask for medium, which I'm sure my wife would have prefered because the steak was definitely on the rare side for her liking but I didn't mind. Salmon was also medium rare but the steak was more memorable for me. Her desert, the PB&J I thought was super delicious. Overall, it was a very good experience and would go back to try the chicken. I'd also want to eat upstairs nexttime, just had a nicer atmosphere.
(4)
Jennifer P.
One of my favorite places in Old Town--I've always had good service, the food is good and priced fairly, and the ambiance is cozy. Love it!
(5)
Mary H.
Outstanding and creative food and drink. Top notch service as well. We look forward to dining at Vermilion again soon.
(5)
Emma W.
Ah-mazing! I consider myself a tough critic, but this place gets five stars in my book! Went there for Saturday morning brunch, and all four of us cleaned our plates. The Benedict was fabulous. We will return!!
(5)
Isabel B.
Being the pricey, fancy restaurant on King Street that it is, Vermillion only managed to add one vegetarian dish to their selection: The wild nettle and ricotta tortelloni ($23). I'm not a huge pasta fan so I thought: "no problem, I'll go with one of the three vegetarian salads listed (for about $11 - $12). But no, "Our salads are really small, hardly entree size", our server tells us. *sigh* After a brief consultation with my friend, we were about to finish our $9 glasses of chardonnay and leave to find a restaurant with better options when the server comes back to suggest that I let the chef prepare me a vegetarian dish of his liking: "are there any vegetables you don't eat?", she asks. "Nope, but I looove mushrooms", I reply. She then makes a note on her little notepad, takes my friend's order of the "Chicken 2 ways", a $27 dish of "grilled breast & crispy thigh with pecan dirty rice" and off she goes. When she comes back with the plates, I am plesantly surprised to find before me a delicious-looking combination plate of vegetables and wild mushrooms covered in a delicate parmesan foam. I wondered for a second if it would taste as good as it looked... but only for a second because I immediatly found out that yes, it did! After our great main course dishes (my friend also loved his chicken), we still had some room for desert, so we opted for the rhubarb upside-down cake, which came with candied marcona almonds & mascarpone ice cream ($9). It was a great ending to the meal. Five stars for Vermillion are well-deserved being so accomodating to my vegetarian palate as well as for two additional reasons: 1) I've visited Vermillion's bar section before and have enjoyed the house cut Porcini fries (for $5) from the lounge menu and they were great. 2) Lounge mixed drinks (as in rum/cokes, not cocktails) are decently priced, about five dollars. Plus the bartenders are super friendly and the atmosphere is chic as well as relaxed. Good combination :)
(5)
James P.
I just got back from a big brunch here. It was a shock to me, but the dessert (mis-?)labeled ricotta pound cake was one of the best desserts I've had in a long time--anywhere. I actually had to order a second one. It's not really a pound cake, though--seemed more like a soft biscuit, with blood orange infused mascarpone and various other citrus treats that I can't do justice to on here. The fritto misto was very nicely prepared. The portobello sandwich had great flavor, but the ciabatta was a bit too tough. The coffee was good, and I had plenty of it. Service was very friendly, quick, and competent. Parking hint: it's almost always very easy to park on Prince St a block or two away (south and west) and walk up.
(4)
Sara H.
We went to Vermilion today for brunch. Totally impressed! We will definitely be back to check out the tasting menu (which they can do totally vegetarian!) I got the squash sandwich which I was a bit wary of. It was a perfect blend of textures and tastes and was one of the best sandwiches I have ever had, paired with a nice side salad and fresh squeezed orange juice. I also had a coffee that tasted perfect (I have been to plenty of restaurants that have great food and terrible coffee so I really appreciate this.) The waiter was attentive and knowledgeable. They were out of the bourbon the boy ordered, and so the waiter offered a more expensive type for the same price as the one they were out of. (He loved it.) I left feeling pleasantly full and fully satisfied.
(5)
Krystyn P.
So I was visiting a friend in Alexandria, and her dinner recommendations were two places - a sports bar, and a really fine dining experience. I didn't bring the proper clothing for fine dining, and honestly sports bars aren't my thing so I started doing my own research on Yelp and we decided on Vermilion. I am so grateful that we ate here. You could definitely dress up here, but you can also go to on the better end of casual. We both ended up getting the four course tasting menu, which was reasonably priced and gave a great overview of the entire menu. The tastes were varied and quite spectacular. The service was great as well. I highly recommend having a wonderful night out and trying this restaurant... would be perfect for a date night.
(4)
Roll T.
I have already recommended this place as a higher end lunch option in Old Town. It doubles as a fine happy hour location. The happy hour prices for the house red was a marginal $4, and while it certainly shall not evoke nostalgic memories of cobblestone lined streets in San Sebastian, it is an acceptable complement for the purpose of bestowing full attention upon the subtle lighting, interesting artwork, and thoughtful color combinations that adorn this space. We also sampled a number of the happy hour appetizers. Although I was not necessarily enamored by any of these items, I would say that the garlic parmesan fries and hush puppies served here are above average. Yet, despite these minor flaws, I would certainly come back largely based on enjoying the lovely atmosphere at fiscally responsible prices. *** This review cannot be complete without at least one mention of a particular couple. The dude was a trend setter for douchebag-like demeanor and the girl was wearing a belt buckle that prominently displayed the word "ENVY". I absolutely could not stop making fun of them. It was one of those odd situations that is best encapsulated by the trite phrase, "I did not know whether to laugh or to cry." Thank you, you awesome couple for giving us an unwilling target for our probably less than witty banter at your expense...
(4)
Brittany W.
Nice and small, good service, brunch was pretty good, would like to see what dinner is like
(3)
Carey A.
This place is very cute! I made a dinner reservation here for the hubby's bday and it turned out to be a good pick. Parking can be somewhat of a pain because it is in Oldtown Alexandria, but once you find the place its worth it. Its also very close to the metro! We both chose the tasting menu with wine pairing. They were a bit skimpy on the wine pairing, but we did come thirsty. Things that stuck at to me were the rockfish and the apple done 3 ways for dessert! Our table was on the upper floor and was very private...I felt like we had our own little corner of the restaurant...nice touch! After dinner you can walk downtown and hit up some of the bars...just make sure to bring your flats!
(4)
Carly S.
I've always loved this place, however, it is definitely catching on that Happy Hour here is the best deal in town. Need to get there by 5pm or no chance of getting a spot. The bar menu is delicious (the old bay french fries and a skirt steak yum). Sometimes I think the portion sizes are too small for a $30 entree but then again Americans could shed a few lbs.
(4)
M B.
I went to Vermillion for DC restaurant week on a Tuesday with 2 friends. Our reservation was for 7:45pm and we were seated right away. The food was incredible, but our service was very, very slow and sporadic. Our server was weirdly unattentative, and it was a Tuesday night. It look about 15 min. to get our drinks, 20 min. in between all the courses. We got out of there at about 10:15. BUT - the food was perfect. I got the oysters to start, which were on a bed of creamy, tangy slaw, and were perfectly battered and fried, hot from the pan. The steak entree was perfectly cooked, on a bed of creamy polenta with baby vegetables and blue cheese. The chocolate cake dessert was multi-layered and so, so rich, with house-made ice cream. A totally wonderful experience, besides the service.
(4)
Cla B.
I've been to Vermilion 4 times now and I'm not sure why I keep going back. I guess it's the hit or miss aspect: in my experience food here is either super delicious or kind of bleh. So unfortunate because I really, really want to like this place on a more consistent basis. Take my most recent meal - the vegetarian tasting menu, consisting of chilled pea soup, an array of beets and goat cheese, the delicious *sounding* wild nettle and ricotta tortelloni and finally, dessert. The pea soup was OK, but I was kind of overwhelmed by the amount of it and since I hate wasting food I dutifully finished it but felt VERY full after the fact. Beets + goat cheese = tasty, always. There were little snippets of chive on the plate that made a surprisingly big impact nudging it just a bit further into tastyland. Sounds pretty good so far; HOWEVER, the tortelloni (for which I was most excited) was disappointing. Everything else on the plate was fantastic - peas, broad beans, little pickled root vegetables, the Parmesan lemon foam- but the tortelloni were SO much saltier than they needed to be. They were sort of balanced out when I ate them with the aforementioned accompaniments, but it wasn't as enjoyable as it should've been (It's worth mentioning that I was last here a few months ago the wild mushroom ravioli suffered a similar ailment. I'm sensing an unwelcome trend...) It ended on a good note, the lemon ricotta poppy seed fritters were certified nom-worthy. Having taken my last few visits into consideration I think I'm going to switch gears and avoid elaborate dinners (or do as another yelper suggested and ask for an alternative vegetarian entree). My next visit will probably consist of small plates, salads and desserts, all of which have been really phenomenal so far. Bonus: they have a sweet looking late-night spread, which can't be said for a lot of places in ye olde towne.
(3)
Amanda B.
I am a great follower and lover of all things foodie, so after reading the reviews on Yelp and in Washingtonian Magazine I decided that it was time to try Vermilion. The hubs, in-laws, and I traipsed over for Restaurant Week lunch today, and were sorely disappointed. First of all, what's with the severely limited RW menu? I know a lot of restaurants don't give diners access to their entire menus during RW, but three choices, for real?! And what crappy choices they were! Disappointed, I ventured off into the brunch/lunch menu and settled on a burger. Is it that difficult to make a burger tasty? I think not. At the very least, the combo of bread, cheese, and meat alone makes for a delightful meal. Not at Vermilion! I will give them points for the bread, but the meat was way over salted and the fries were cold. My husband ordered off the RW menu - crispy oysters, portabello sandwich, and some sort of cookie-esque dessert with a scoop of ice cream. The oysters and accompanying slaw were good, but the sandwich was dry and the dessert was just weird and unbalanced, as the berry ice cream didn't go with the cookie-esque portion of the dessert at all. Vermilion - take a page from DC Coast or Ten Penh and actually offer diners a sampling of your menu. You'll have them coming back for more. If you had followed that rule, my first trip to your establishment would not have been my last.
(2)
Robbie M.
Outstanding food consistently.
(4)
Iz A.
I love Vermillion! I've been there a bunch of times for happy hour, late night and once for a fabulous dinner. The menu is excellent, the food is delicious and the atmosphere is cozy yet sexy. My only complaint is that the lounge server who is always there never remembers patrons. My friends and I have been there three times in one week and she acts like she has never seen us before in her life. Does she have terrible short term memory or is she just too busy to remember the people who sat in her section the night before? I was a server once and I always remembered regulars. Apart from that, she is very knowledgeable and offers excellent recommendations on the wine list and menu. So, we'll forgive her inability to remember faces. I highly recommend Vermillion for business lunches/dinners, romantic meals, family gatherings, and happy hour. The happy hour specials are great but stay away from the Malbec special - there is nothing sexy about purple teeth!
(4)
Susan B.
Guy: You wanna get together? Girl: No. Guy: Got it. Girl: If by got it you mean you know that I know that you know that you slept with my friend after I passed out, then ya you've got it. Conversation after second date, and sub-sequential end of short lived romance. First date was Vermillion.
(4)
Frank W.
Good breakfast and service ... I will be back!
(4)
John C.
Dining in Alexandria's King Street has become a more refined experience, with some of DC's finest restaurants along its picturesque Old Town walk. Featuring American Cuisine, Chef The Vermillion attempts to meet this high standard of fine dining, but falls flat in flavor and inspiration. Beginning with the atmosphere itself, the dining room features around 10 to 12 tables, situated close to the establishment's only window that looks out onto the street. A full bar is also situated in the back, but this hosts a more casual crowd. Typically, this layout works quite well, but in the instance of the Vermillion it does not. The fun time at the bar, and more serious dining experience do not bode well together. Even worse is that the restaurant tries to hide the bar at the hosts desk by draping what looks like a bed sheet. Some people may not notice, but that seemed like a cheap and embarassing quality. However, the food is even more displeasing. Anthony Chittum has the ability to plate food beautifully, but it is not as good as it looks. First courses offer a butternut squash soup with apple. While a pretty dish, the apple slices do not blend well with the rest of the soup, and present a tartness that simply does not match with the flavor of the dish. I also ordered the scallop dish as an appetizer, which is one of the more expensive appetizers. The scallops were the size of quarters and were a major dissapointment. For an entree, I tasted the beef tenderloin, which was perhaps one of the best dishes in the restaurant. Placed on a bed of red cabbage and spitzel, the flavors paired well together on the plate. However, the dish did not wow me with flavor, and didn't leave me with an impact in which I was begging for more. The biggest and most major disappointment was dessert. I was able to taste both the buttermilk chess pie and the chocolate cream pie. Both were poor examples of dessert and looked as if they came out of a supermarket refrigerator. They both totally lacked imagination and inspiration. Presented in both deserts was what seemed like store bought crusts filled with store bought pudding. To accent it, the chocolate creme pie was topped with a caramelized banana, but in this case the flavors did not even match. While their ingredients may have been fresh, the presentation told me that I could have easily made the same thing at home, and probably could have done it better. A creme pie!? Where's the dessert?? Save your dollars and buy a better desert somewhere else. You'll probably find a better dessert at Applebees for half the price. Finally, the service was attentive. Our waitress was well informed on all the dishes, and offered good wine pairings with our dishes. And to that, really nothing more can be said. As I look back at Vermillion, this was a restaurant that I was really looking forward to. However, Anthony Chittum's cuisine hardly marked the expectation. The food was terribly over priced for items that hardly wowed or lacked inspiration. The desserts almost wanted me to push this back another star because I was being robbed. Finally, if I had to go back into the kitchen, I would tell Chef Chittum that while how you plate a dish is important in cuisine, it is certainly not the priority. In the end, Anthony Chittum's The Vermillion is definitely a restaurant that boldly states that it can talk the Old Town talk, but its cuisine tells its diners that it can hardly walk the Old Town walk. Two Stars . . . at best.
(2)
Keri M.
This review is for the happy hour. I came here on a Monday and was excited to find an open lounge area to sit in by the bar. The drink specials are good, but the service is not great. We were served by the bartender, who not only had to keep up with the bar, but serve three big tables near the bar. I have to compliment him on being available when I made eye contact with him. I did not have to stare him down for 10 minutes to get a drink - it was more like a 2 minute stare necessity with a required yell of "excuse me!" But it gets tiring to have to chase down your server every time you want something. I got the King St. Lemonade, which was good, but not very strong. My friend and I shared the french fries and the crab dip appetizer. The fries were only slightly warm and the crab dip was mostly cream cheese. So, why three stars? Because I love the atmosphere in the Vermilion bar. The exposed brick, the loungey couches, the modern, low lighting. It has a classy feel.
(3)
Kevin E.
Fantastic meal, warm atmosphere and exceptional service. A truly memorable dining experience. Great beer, wine and whiskey selection. Portions sensible so you could really enjoy a four course meal.
(5)
Bill P.
Killer spot !!!!!!! Love how the plush cushions hangings soak the sound from the walls and ceilings.... Janell nice mellow server..... 3 egg omelette goat cheese large tasty hand cut hash browns and thick bacon......large glass of grapefruit and coffee and I was good to go. $18.80 for all.....will be back soon.
(5)
E S.
We go to this place for brunch and it does not fail to impress the out of town visitors. I like the stress on local/seasonal ingredients and I am a fan of the burger although they do switch up the cheese/bacon on it a couple of times a year. Most recent rendition is a sausage/hamburger mix that I didn't think was a hit so I am looking forward for it to change off to something more to my taste. We have been to dinner a couple of times as well. I have to admit that if I have a choice between any other place in Alexandria, I most often pick Vermillion just because I know the food is going to be good and the service is going to be attentive. Did I mention spicy Bloody Mary's at brunch??? Oh yes, I am a fan!
(4)
Anna K.
This restaurant provided one of the better meals I've had in the D.C. area. Our waiter perfectly paired wines with our meal, everything tasted great, and the timing of the courses was spot on. I would recommend this place to any foodie.
(4)
Steve R.
Stopped here Saturday for lunch as we were walking by. Great choice. Menu seems to adapt to the season. We enjoyed the pumpkin spice pancakes (bacon done just right), catfish sandwich (great potato salad), and cheeseburger. The restaurant wasn't too busy, and service was very good. The brick 19th century building with wood floors is in excellent condition--very warm and inviting. We'd love to go back for more!
(5)
Anthony L.
Had a wonderful tasting menu at Vermilion last night. Food was outstanding and the service even better. Our server, Stenise was amazing and even hand wrote us a anniversary card. Outstanding customer care & service. Highly recommend the tasting menu paired with the wine. The pairing was well matched. We will be back!!
(5)
HanaDC T.
We went to have a dinner on Friday night without reservation. They said that the waiting time was 45 minutes. We put our name in a waiting list and waited at the bar. When I looked around, some of people dressed up some were casual. So the dress code does not matter. We sat at the booth. It was very comfortable to sit. I loved it. I had a cup of White Riesling. It was okay. It did not have much taste in a wine. When we were having a drink, we ordered Fried oysters. I liked that it had mint in it. It was a great combination of fried and mint. When we got a table, I ordered Halibut as a main dish. The fish was very thick and saltiness. I enjoyed the food. The presentation was great. I loved the portion of the food. My BF ordered short rib steak. It has nice fat and saltiness. We both enjoyed the food over there. The menu is not a extensive. If they have the same menu all the time, I do not know if we go back there to eat the food. All the food that we had was great but it was not so special. So let's see
(3)
Bridget K.
I had much higher expectations going into my "surprise" brunch this morning. I think it's safe to say both my date and I were quickly disenfranchised from the start. He picked Vermillion based on previous Yelp reviews labeling the restaurant as the perfect date location and extremely romantic. In person, the decor is extremely kitsch-y and it looks as if the decorator couldn't figure out what they were going for. For whatever reason, all of the patrons and the servers acted like characters straight out of Portlandia. I kept expecting our waitress to tell me about our Chicken, Colin, and his organically corn-fed life. The service was extremely slow - it wasn't uncommon to go 15-20 minutes without follow-up - and they really lost an opportunity to up-sell us on the brunch drinks. The food was OK, but extremely salty. My only regret is not sitting in the bar, instead, as it looks like it belongs to a much better restaurant.
(2)
Shalini P.
Vermillion, what can I say but yummy! It has fairly generic (but stylish) decor and their menu, at first glance, doesn't seem very exotic or adventurous, but I have never had a bad meal here...I mean, never...ever. It's especially my go to place for brunch! Can't beat the extremely reasonable prices for locally grown fare. Just went there for brunch again and brought an out of town guest who is from San Francisco (foodie heaven), she was impressed as well. If you're looking for a good meal in Old Town, you'll never go wrong at Vermillion.
(4)
Valerie D.
Excellent food, drinks and outstanding service. Our server, Adrian, was fantastic - perfect amount of attentiveness and even suggested a wonderful wine pairing with dessert. Best pairing I've had in a while! Will DEFINITELY return!! Everything was outstanding but particularly memorable: the tartare, bison hanger steak and a panna cotta w/ citrus notes (that paired wonderfully with a dessert wine).
(5)
Kelly G.
Dawn H. was in DC for a conference. Lino J., me, and Kelty A. had happy hour drinks at a tall table at the bar. The pomolitan was soooooo delicious! So pretty! So tasty! So tart! Yet so sweet! We slurped down two each. With a happy hour price of $5 each, we should have stayed there and had more! But we ordered frickles, hush puppies, and fries to coat the gullet. Tasty again! I'd happy hour here again anyday! I wanted to stay for dinner but...we'd decided on pizza. See the yelp on that...
(3)
Amanda E.
I've always been a fan of the dark and inviting decor. Settling in to a back table in the lounge can is perfect for a gathering of friends of intimate date. Never been for dinner, although that will happen in the near future. Had a few reds by the glass - always intrigued by their wine list. I dig how they pull varietals that are not run of the mill - great place to discover new pours. Appetizers are great - we probably ordered the full offering of bar appetizers. Roasted olives are perfect to snack on, the mixed fried veggies were great but felt they could have done something a little more, I don't know, creative than Thousand Islands dressing. Fries are delish (none of our selections were healthy, clearly). Great part of Alexandria - far enough from the waterfront where you can enjoy some serenity. Three stars that I suspect will be revised after making it here for dinner.
(3)
Joseph M.
I used to come in here a lot back in 2005-2008. I've since moved on and i'm in less frequently. I had a friend that used to play acoustic music in this place on weekends. The food is really good, but a little pricey. Brunch is fantastic here on a sunday. The late night eclectic crowd is hit and miss. A mix of young and older professionals, frat boys, service industry people and the odd. Hard to put my finger on it. It's actually a decent place to grab a drink. Not sure if Harry(from Portners) works there anymore, but he's hands down the best bartender in Old Town.
(3)
Laura S.
I went to Vermilion for my birthday while I was visiting DC. We all really liked our food. I particularly liked my appetizer, which was salmon served two ways with pickled onions and capers. My boyfriend wasn't thrilled by his entree, pork four ways, but everyone else really liked their meals. The ambiance was warm. I particularly liked the old-fashioned lanterns on the exposed brick walls upstairs. At the end of the meal, the waiter brought me a gratis dessert with a little note thanking me for celebrating my birthday at their restaurant. I would definitely recommend this restaurant.
(4)
Laz S.
WIth the new chef, the food was surprisingly good. Much better than the old chef. Service was excellent. Deserts were good. If I could give them 4.5 stars I would. I like the atmosphere a lot too. I live in OT and I will be going there a lot more often.
(4)
Owen P.
After a recent visit for my fiance's birthday I gotta update to 5 stars. I requested a specific table in my OpenTable reservation and said it was my fiance's birthday. Not only did they give us the table, they also gave us a dessert on the house (with birthday candles!) and a card in the check. They really went out of their way. The food, atmosphere, and service were still all awesome too!
(5)
Shoshana g.
So firstly, let me say my review is on THE BAR AND HAPPY HOUR. I took a friend here for drinks after work and neither one of us had time for dinner. I do have to say, however, that as we walked out through the main dining room, I could smell a guest eating a fish dish from 15 feet away, which makes me wary of their seafood. But, on to the night. SERVICE: I honestly believe that service in this city blows. There was one cocktail waitress for the entire bar area, which made service a bit slower than I would have liked. To her credit, if you made eye contact, she was there right away. The set up was kinda weird though, because it seemed like she was mixing drinks also... DECOR: The place is really gorgeous, although I wish there were more places to sit in the bar area. Wish I could have seen the upstairs. DRINKS: Their happy hour was great, with $4 cocktails and wine, $3 beer, and $4 appetizers. The house red was really nice (I forget the grape), and the King Street Lemonade (sort of like a mojito, but with vodka) was tasty, but a bit too sweet and weak for my taste. my friend liked his 'classic' mojito, but also found it a bit too weak. That might have been a function of the fact that they were happy hour priced drinks--I had one of their cocktails, a Gin Sin with Hendricks Gin and cucumber which was amazingly tasty and just strong and balanced enough. (Note that the prices here are great! The full priced cocktails ranged from $8-$10, which coming from NY where drinks hit $18 easily, was quite refreshing) FOOD: I confess, we only split one appetizer, their artichoke dip, It was made with cheddar and smoked bacon, and served with what seemed like freshly baked whole-wheat nan. it was WONDERFUL, although a bit more cheesy than I hoped. The hush puppies and french fries looked great. Plus, all three were $4 on happy hour, which CONCLUSION:Great happy hour, especially for the area. Service was decent, but somewhat slow. Drinks were good but a bit weak. Appetizers seemed fabulous. Just go....it's totally worth it.
(4)
Ali H.
not much selection of food, but very tasty, love the beer selection , good place for happy hour :)
(3)
Suzie Z.
We ate here for dinner on a weeknight. When I made the reservation though open table, I put in the notes that we were celebrating a special occasion. When we sat down at our table, we were greeted with complimentary champagne! What a nice, thoughtful touch. The food was extraordinary. I would say this is the best meal I've ever had at a restaurant in Old Town. The service was outstanding. The host was very welcoming when we arrived, made sure we were happy with the table. The waiter was attentive and friendly, but not overbearing. We sat upstairs. The ambiance is wonderful, and I love the gas lamps! Can't wait to try this place again.
(5)
Caroline V.
I had a really great birthday meal here. The whole experience was warm, relaxed, and jovial. The service was attentive and professional, as it should be (but so often isn't). I had the roast chicken, which I love, and it was as juicy and satisfying as I hoped it would be. Wine was lovely. The other dishes at the table were very good, although I don't remember them, which might sound like a bad thing but really, the whole experience just blended together into a long, unhurried, glass after glass meal. I really enjoyed it and would like to try brunch here.
(4)
Shaun C.
Top notch meal. I would rate this higher, but because I was there for restaurant and only had the selected menu I'm not sure I had the full experience. Overall thoughts: The place is very nice and classy without the staff being pretentious or anything like that. The bar and lounge area on the first floor is very nice and if I lived closer to Alexandria I'd stop by for a drink. Wine selection was quite good and compared to the food prices quite affordable. The meal: Three courses that I originally thought might be a little too average for a RW when they are trying to show off that they are high cuisine. I was thankfully proven quite wrong. Scallop appetizer featured some well done scallops with a veggie accompaniment - nothing to wild here. The main course though was unbelievable. By far the best piece of salmon I've ever had. I can't really describe it much more than that. Dessert was a cheesecake/strawberry sherbet creation that was quite good, while small. Without the salmon I think I would have been disappointed, but that one dish was more than enough to get me to come back for a proper dinner.
(4)
Jordana T.
RW Review: I have been wanting to try this place out for a while and I love RW since it gives you a chance to check out the food without worrying about a crappy food experience + a huge bill. I went with my two friends last night and the entire experience was lovely. We went to the bar first since we were waiting to be seated and for the last one in our party to arrive. Bar area was nice, looked spacious. The bartender was great and was very attentive considering we were at a bar top and were not even considering having a drink but we were waiting so we went for it. I had the Silver Bells, which had stoli vanil, ginger, lime & sparkling wine. So good, totally girly drink. I would have drank that drink in a bucket. Ok, dinner time. First course for me was the Duck Confit. The portion was incredible. I could have had that for a main course. It was cooked so well---crispy skin, tender juicy inside. The pomegranate and cabbage that came with it was such a good compliment to this appetizer. I recommend getting this for an app if you ever go there. Main course was the grilled bistro filet. It was a little meh-pic. The best part was the fried goat cheese ball that came with it. The filet was nice, but it wasn't anything that I thought was especially unique to this place. I could have had that filet at a million other places in the area. But man, I would have eaten a plate of that goat cheese.... Dessert was ok. I had the ricotta pound cake. I wish I had gotten the chocolate bar instead (I stole a few bites from one of my dinner mates). The poundcake was a tad dry, but the mascarpone was lovely and the ice cream was a treat. Our server was great and the food came out perfectly timed. We had an overall great experience and I definitely want to come back again and try it out again, rw or not.
(3)
Sean R.
Great atmosphere! My girlfriend and I went in without reservation on a saturday night and grabbed two seats at the bar. Good decision. Alex, bartender, took care of us and was very attentive. Despite being only our first time there, we were treated like a regulars. This is the kind of place you want to go back to time and again. Great prices on good whiskey too. Bison steak was great!
(5)
David T.
One of our favorites. We've been several times. The wait staff is knowlegeable. Their recommendations are on point, and the food is first-rate.
(5)
John C.
Underwhelmed. Walking into Vermilion, one is greeted by the all too familiar wall of restaurant awards and newspaper articles. After hearing great reviews from local friends, I was jazzed to enjoy a great dinner. My high hopes were dashed by easily the worst high end cocktail which I sent back twice before I gave up. Kept thinking that this has to get better, but it just kept being mediocre. Service? Our waitress worked her butt off but just was not someone who is blessed with the ability to talk smoothly with her clients. She'd listen to our questions and interrupt. We'd stop talking so we could listen to her despite the fact that she had interrupted us. She'd realize her mistake....stop talking and listen. Awkward pause. Then we'd start talking again and milliseconds later, so would she. Maybe an off night (we all have 'em) but she was not a 'natural' waitress. Meant well, but ... Food? The scallop appetizer was tremendous. They were juicy and perfectly cooked. The filet medallions / pork 'duo' was different but not that exciting. A couple people in our party had the same dish and we all decided that it is was tasty, but we only gave it a grade of 'B'. Would I return here again? Sure, but I'd probably look around at other options. Solid restaurant, but not a must have experience. P.S. - Someone else commented in their review how great it was/is to have smoking after 10pm? Good reason to leave. Smoking and dinner do not mix. It was 1950s disgusting.
(3)
Heather R.
I love Vermillion. I think their staff is incredibly friendly - they're always smiling when you walk in, and very attentive throughout your meal. The staff knows the menu, and helps make great recommendations if you can't decide between a few things. They're very well versed in flavors and textures, so that they can adequately describe how each dish will taste, which I think is a sign of a great restaurant. Secondly, the decor is just beautiful - very modern, but warm. The dining area is not too loud, and is very cozy - it makes you want to linger over a dinner, and it's very romantic. The bar is comfy and inviting - the perfect place to catch up with a few friends or grab a post dinner drink with a date. It is one of the most well designed restaurants I've been in. Finally, THE FOOD. Oh my gosh it's so good. I love that they incorporate so many seasonal ideas, and that those seasonal influences are seen in everything from the cocktails to the entrees and desserts. Every time you go, there are new options and flavors to try out. The food is inventive, but not snobby. I think there's nothing worse than dropping a good amount of money on a nice steak or fish dish, and the plate comes out like some abstract painting that I can't figure out. The dishes are plated beautifully, but still have a warm and comforting presentation. Their cocktails are also just delicious. Not too sweet, very inventive and delicious. I definitely recommend Vermillion!
(5)
Kevin S.
Someone who works in Old Town recommended this place to me noting the great wine selection and atmosphere. I have to agree with her and have made reservations here several times even though I live about half an hour away. It's fun to get out of DC for a bit and explore one of the best spots that Alexandria has to offer. The food is excellent and the service was the best I can think of in recent memory.
(5)
A C.
Brunch was absolutely fantastic! Our waiter was excellent and extremely attentive. Kudos to the chef for the awesome sweet potato pancakes.
(5)
Chris Y.
We ended up here in late April after touring Alexandria and having quite a hard time deciding on where to go (every restaurant seemed deceptively cute). Maybe it was just dumb luck that we wandered in, but I'm certainly glad I did so. The service and food were great- it sincerely pains me that we can't make it there on a regular basis. The Hanger steak was perfect and my girlfriend still remembers the Scallops like it was yesterday. Everyone was friendly and the atmosphere was spot on. Let's put it this way- I've carried a Vermilion business card in my wallet for the last three months because I'm really hoping to run into someone out here who needs a solid recommendation. Does that not say it all?
(5)
Some D.
It was good. The bartenders wre nice. Try the soft shell crab "Blt" and the buffalo chicken
(4)
Quinn A.
Great food and selection of cocktails! We took my father for his birthday and we all enjoyed our meals and the atmosphere.
(4)
Danielle T.
I went for happy hour so I can't comment too much on food. The lounge area is nice and relaxing and not too loud, at least on a Tuesday night. The speciality drink, King Street Lemonade, was excellent. Refreshing, minty, and not too sweet. The pimento cheese dip was a good snack. I'd definitely recommend this for happy hour, and I'd like to try it for dinner as well.
(4)
Jim C.
I recently had the pleasure of eating lunch and brunch here with a group of family members. It was great. The food all around the table got raves, from the crab cakes to the chicken, provolone and house made dried tomatoe sandwhich to the pasta. We enjoyed eating here so much, we came the next day for brunch and were wowed once again by their pancakes. simply amazing. Not only is the food great, but the staff are all wonderfully accommodating as well. Can't wait to come back.
(4)
Pierce H.
This place has a great atmosphere, a mix of rustic Americana, trendy barroom, and chic upscale restaurant... you can choose your flavor. Food-wise, the bar food is okay but the dinner fare is superb. I highly recommend the butter lettuce salad (with delicious charred octopus), or the petite filet if you're in the mood. They have a decent selection of beers, expanding well beyond the same-old same-old options at most restaurants. Overall, a convenient and comfortable place for dinner or drinks in the heart of Old Town.
(4)
M. C.
Vermilion is amongst our favorite places for food and drink in Old Town. Good cocktails, good wine and beer selection, fast, friendly service, consistently good food, and a vibe that is upscale enough for guests or date night, but casual enough that you could arrive in a t-shirt and jeans and not feel completely out of place. Interestingly, it is also one of the few places open after 9:00 or 9:30 pm in the area during the week. Far enough west on King Street that it does not attract much of a tourist crowd. There is also sometimes live music in the lounge, and the lounge has two TVs, which is beneficial if you or your companions want to keep an eye on a game.
(4)
J F.
We went for brunch on a Sunday. The restaurant itself is very pleasant. The upstairs got a little loud once all the tables were filled but we could still hear each other at the table. The server was great but the service ran a little slow. Highlight of the meals was the corned beef hash. The meat and potatoes were both cooked crispy. The eggs were done perfectly. Really delicious. The buckwheat pancakes were great also and the syrup and mascarpone cheese with them was a nice addition. We split the granola and yogurt. The yogurt was fantastic -- tart and smooth. Granola was good too (although I could have done without the pineapple). All in all, a great meal and we'll be back for dinner at some point.
(4)
Brady S.
Great happy hour spot, tasty cocktails and appetizers. Staff is friendly and quick to recommend their favorite libations.
(4)
Tatyana V.
Really great atmosphere, cozy but upscale. The food was also unique and presented in a beautiful way. The upstairs is just as gorgeous as the downstairs and the service was great. Very nice drinks and again, I loved the food. Really great place in Old Town.
(4)
Karena Q.
Great wine list and happy hour deals! Draft beers (for the non-wine lover) are $2.50 and they change up the happy hour red and white wines daily. This time I sipped on a very tasty malbec for $5! The bartenders are pleasant and VERY generous pourers. I will definitely return to explore the tasty snacks on their bar menu!
(4)
Lindsey F.
Top notch , creative chefs, menu always changing, lovely ambience- the right mix of casual and classy without feeling stuffy. Staff is incredibly friendly, sincere and helpful. Great switch-over to a bar environment at night. All around great place to go for a nice dinner or a fun night out.
(5)
K. J.
I reserved the entire second floor for a corporate dinner. There's a fairly steep food and beverage minimum, but the pre-event coordination, space, service, and food makes it ideal for a dinner of this type. Dave, the GM was very responsive as I was planning - much better than some of the other restaurants I was considering. We had 30-60 minutes of cocktails before our group of 22 sat down to dinner. We had two dedicated wait staff the entire evening. I pre-selected the menu and we offered wine pairings to all of our guests. The evening went off without a hitch! Thank you Vermillion.
(5)
Allison K.
Really nice brunch place that serves good coffee, mimosas and pretty tasty dishes. My mother enjoyed her hanger steak and fries and I had the sweetpotato biscuit breakfast sandwich with a (very crispy) potato latke. My mum loved her meal and mine was decent (maple sausage was pretty gristly). Overall, very cute place with a nice bar area and cozy decor. I hope to go back for dinner and see what it's like.
(4)
Jenn K.
Enjoyable experience, although slightly underwhelmed. We enjoyed the tasting menu with wine pairing, which was good, not great. Wine pairing was spot on, however, and service was very good. We had an awkward table in the front -- would have preferred something more restaurant-y in the back. Great location on King Street.
(3)
Ryan E.
Although we ended up going here for RW, it had been on the radar for quite some time. Located right in the heart of Old Town on King street, it has a great looking bar area that would host well to some pre-dinner drinks or a post-work happy hour. Although we didn't get any bar food or drinks, we passed by it on the way out and saw enough charm that we will definitely come back. Oh, and they've got live music a couple nights a week in the lounge, which is super trendy and charming. The interior is dark and cozy with brick walls, exposed beams, and actual gas lanterns for lighting. TABLE BREAD = DELISH. One of our favorites for sure. Obviously not a big deal to some people, but it's like making a good first impression. When you sit down for a nice meal and they have plain bread, I find myself already starting off on the wrong foot. I feel that table bread is so underrated. Why not have something that wows right off the bat that builds an anticipation for your meal? Bonus points for sure. The tasting menu here is a fantastic value, even outside of RW (which is what I had). 4 courses plus wine pairings with each for $65. They were as follows: soft shell crab BLT w/fried green tomatoes to start, garlic crusted halibut, petite filet, and finish with a gianduja terrine w/raspberries 2-ways. Highlights were definitely large on the crab BLT and the terrine. The BLT used the fried tomatoes as the "bread" laid on it's side and a perfectly cooked piece of bacon on top. Tasted very fresh and all came together nicely with the avocado sauce drizzled on the plate, just wish there was more of that. The gianduja (chocolate) terrine was AWESOME paired with the raspberry sorbet. My girlfriend wasn't the biggest fan of this dessert, but I absolutely loved it because chocolate and raspberry is my favorite combination. As far as the main dishes, the halibut made it's mark based on the crust alone. Seared absolutely perfectly, the golden garlic crust was light and soaked up some of that great olive oil flavor. My girlfriend had the heirloom tomatoes with creamy burrata cheese and garlic breadcrumbs. A light, summery salad - she loved it. She also had the red Angus steak tartare, which she felt was decent. Personally, I did not like it, but I'd tried it at the same time I was eating my petite filet which was cooked medium-rare, and maybe it was just the contrast in raw to cooked flavors that left a bad taste in my mouth. The service was fantastic and we were even served a couple of plates by executive chef Anthony Chittum. He was so warm and friendly, and looked genuinely happy to have us there. Vermillion is a must stop in Old Town. Hybrid old-world charm with a modern dining experience of local and fresh ingredients.
(4)
A. H.
My boyfriend took me to Vermillion for my birthday. What a treat! Each dish we had was delicious. We started with the eggplant involtini and the squid ink fettucine, and for mains, he had the pork and I had grouper, which was the fish of the day. Both preparations were so tasty. We ordered the fritters for dessert, which were just perfect. The staff must have caught wind that it was my birthday, so they also brought out a slice of a rich chocolate cake with a candle on the side. So tasty and so sweet of them. It was a great night - highly recommend a visit.
(5)
Humphrey J.
The bar scene here is nice and we ate dinner here and it was exceptional. The service and the food were fantastic. I gave it 4 stars because it felt a LITTLE impersonal to me.
(4)
Brian G.
Again another amazing time! I have Never been let down, not even a whisper of a doubt when I make my way to Vermilion. It was a special night and we were treated to the tasting menu with the wine paring. Absolutely amazing! All 5 of us had a Great time. It was everything I had hoped and dreamed for and then some! We ate upstairs this time agains the wall of wine (which I took some really cook artsy photographs of that will be posted on my blog at a later point in time ( briangresham.blogspot.com ). Service was great as always! Hit all my requirements! My water glass is always full, the recommendations were good, check ins were not over done, and the silverware was continually replaced for every course. Just awesome! We always start off at the bar, and the bar keep Laura is always amazing with our drinks and fun to talk to. She makes the experience just all kinds of groovy!! Her personality really brings the place to life and has me coming back all the time. If I have someone I want to show a good time to, I make sure she is there first and them I know service will be impeccable. Cheers Laura ;)
(5)
Ervin A.
Gotta come here for the happy hour. First date place to eat and drink a must. Service is great its dark, but cozy. Try the king street lemonade cheers!
We went to Vermilion last Sunday for brunch. Food was good- but hard to believe at 11:30 am they ran out of corned beer hash! My husband had the eggs Benedict w/salmon-- it came minus the holland arise sauce...others had oyster sandwich and pasta. The pasta dish was good, but pretty skimpy. We asked for 2 separate checks--but that was not doable...huh? I could underhand if the party was 6-10... But 4 people? Service was OK...we may or may not return.
(3)
Geoff P.
Some restaurants make you rush to Yelp to give a favorable review to make sure they are still around the next time you are in town. I visit DC frequently and often stay in Old Town Alexandria just to sample the restaurants. I've tried many, but find myself returning to Vermillion when I want the right balance of excellence and sufficient affordability. Vermillion has that sweet spot down. They care about presentation of the dishes, which goes a long way once you eat at enough restaurants charging 25$+ a plate. And the quality of the dish and the matching of flavors exceed the presentation. Service and atmosphere are a notch below (comparable to typical casual fine dining). But I'm here for the culinary reasons. Corn chowder is a must. The Bison was perfectly prepared. I wholeheartedly recommend them. If I had a client to impress or a hot date, I'd probably go to Eve. But if I was there to enjoy an awesome meal and relax, this is the place.
(5)
Kadian F.
A friend and I tried the tasting menu without the wine paring and it was excellent. The squid and sausage dish was superb and it just kept getting better. The halibut dish had the perfect crispy buttery crust. Towards the end of the meal we were both very full and very happy.
(4)
Maria S.
So far my only experience at Vermilion has been limited to the bar. However, it isn't often that you are moved to review a restaurant solely from a bar experience. My friend and I happened to order dessert on a busy Saturday night. It wasn't looking extremely likely that we would be served because of the sheer amount of people at the bar. But no less than five minutes after we placed our order we were delivered with coffee, dessert, and water. The waiter was extremely attentive which was a pleasant surprise. I have found that it is hard to find decent service around here without ordering at least bottle of wine and an entree. As others have noted, the bar is very cozy and well designed. There is ample seating provided by the bar, a large community table, and several lounge chairs. It is a very mellow atmosphere that allows you to carry on a conversation without having to compete with obnoxious bar music. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(4)
Sara H.
I loved the concept of this restuarant-fresh local ingredients in a seasonal menu. Everything was delicious. I found the staff to be very nice and passionate about the mission of the chef. . I did not find the prices to be too high at all and the amount of food was just right. if I were in the area, I would be ta Vermilion all of the time.
(5)
Daniel B.
This was one of the best dining experiences I've ever had. Get the tasting menu, it's pricey, $80 per person, but worth it. Also, request a table on the second floor if you are looking for a quiter ambiance, as the bar is on the first floor.
(5)
Michael C.
The service, food and ambiance were excellent. A great location for date night.
(5)
Christy C.
Went for brunch and really enjoyed it. Agree with other reviewers about the butternut squash soup. It was delicious. Also had an order of pumpkin-ricotta pancakes with maple butter and caramelized apples. Yum! We split the pancakes and they were nice enough to divide it in the kitchen for us (at no extra charge). Husband ordered the hanger steak and fries, which was good too. Excellent service; very attentive.
(4)
CYNTHIA C.
I went during happy hour. Great drink and appetizer specials at the bar. I enjoyed a delicious dinner afterward. I ordered from the tasting menu. Everything was delicious. Very nicely decorated. I felt like I was in Miami's South Beach area with its contemporary design. The service was good. The bartenders were great. The only thing not great was the dinner bill. Whoa! For its small portions, they sure go big with their prices.
(4)
Michael W.
This place was nice. We went there for brunch and had a good time. Maybe dinner would be more fun, but sitting by the window lookin outside is always good. The staff is nice. The food is good.
(3)
James D.
Loved the food, and the scallop appetizer were amazing. The atmosphere was very charming. I would definitely come back.
(4)
Aric A.
I just had a horrible experience here. We walked in at 10pm on a Friday night. The dining area was almost completely empty so we asked if we could sit up front at a table. We were told "no" and told we could only go into the bar area if weren't having a full dinner. I had to awkwardly clarify it with the hostess since I was shocked that a customer was actually told no. And the reason? She said it was so that those remaining tables who paid for a full dinner didn't see us sitting down have only having drinks and appetizers. Then we finally sat (but not in the place we liked) and looked at the menu. SO WEAK!! It just looked totally unappeasing. We actually walked out and went down the street to the Flying Fish. Read my review about it since that place was actually nice and had a hostess who was willing to break rules in order to satisfy customers.
(1)
David K.
This was our fourth time at Vermillion and we were once again not disappointed that we returned. The food is always excellent. Very simple preparations of very inventive ideas and twists on old favorites. The food is not particularly flashy, but it is done very well. The service has been hit or miss in the past but when they are good, like this time, they are very good. Unfortunately, we have found that this has to do less with how busy they are and more with the person that you get as your waiter. Vermillion is becoming a regular go-to place for us whenever we are in Old Town.
(4)
Lisa M.
Vermillion is one of my favorite places for weekend brunch. I prefer a table next to the windows on the second floor, where you can watch Old Town wake up. The space is handsome and the dcor (in varying shades of red) are calming and pleasant to look at. Vermillion is pricey for dinner but brunch is very reasonable, given the atmosphere. The dishes start at $8, with the most expensive dish - scallops dusted with porcini - clocking in at $16. The bread basket is filled with thick slices of dark raisin bread studded with yellow and dark raisins. Delicious! Part of me wishes I could have this every morning for breakfast. I had the three farm eggs cooked any way with choice of pork and bread. I choose scrambled eggs with sausage, which comes with a potato latke, a welcome twist on the typical hash browns. For $8, the dish is filling and cooked just the way I like it. Vermillion also does its own take on Eggs Benedict with thick slices of tomato (although I expect this dish to be offered differently during the winter season). My friend loved the dish, saying the eggs were perfectly poached and the tomato thick and juicy. The entire thing came on brioche. Add to the mix a glass of Reisling (my wine of choice), and you have a very pleasant beginning to your weekend.
(4)
An T.
Great happy hour if you can get a seat. Laura is a fantastic bartender as well as the other staff, very good service in the bar area. Love the revolving drink menu, great affordable wines too. They put a lot of thought into their menu. Lunch and Brunch options are rich, I feel like it's all drenched in butter and it can take awhile to get your food. Dinner is delicious, any fish dish is a winner, Chef Chittum's solid use of local and sustainable goods is top notch. I love the seasonal menus, they may need a little help in the cheese board selections, but overall a great neighborhood pick that I love returning to (frequently.)
(4)
Amy N.
Wow wat a disappointment. The bf and i went to vermillion for dinner i think it was a wednesday. they werent very busy... after reading reviews it was a place i definitely wanted to try out.... our waitress was nice nothing out of the norm... for starters i had the fried oysters and the bf had the sea scallops. I heard all the hype about those oysters and i was really unimpressed.... for dinner i ordered it was lik a vegetarian pasta luna... i think they accidently poured an entire bottle of salt in that pasta... it was very uneatable. We had dessert as well it was like this cantelope soup... i wasnt crazy about it but it wasnt horrible... overall i expected soo much more and left still hungry
(2)
Heather D.
Vermillion is a great place to go for a relaxed happy hour. The bar is never very busy during the week, which allows you to snag one of the posh tables in the back that include benches with overflowing pillows and muted light. They have decent happy hour specials, which includes a few cocktails, beers and wine, and a couple bar snacks that sound sophisticated. This place is great if you want to go somewhere with friends or co-workers where you can actually have a conversation. The tables are circular and can fit a pretty large group of people. They have nice music, but it is not too loud where you can't talk to the person across the table from you. The staff is very nice, although take caution if they are busy. I was overcharged by $20 on a busy evening once. Still, I would definitely recommend Vermillion as a great happy hour spot in Old Town.
(4)
Mara H.
Awesome, wonderful, extremely satisfying and splendid bday dining experience with the future hubs. They were accommodating and friendly even though we changed the reservation 3 times, knowledgeable of the details of our impending meals and spot on with suggestions. And good lord was the food spectacular (the pork was literally an experience). Maybe I'm just not use to this level of service and deliciousness but we had a great time. The experience really turned the day around after a horrible work day!
(5)
Kelly Elaine G.
This restaurant is a keeper. The food is wonderful and the service is always great. The atmosphere is relaxing and allows for one to spend time leisurely embibing and dining.
(5)
Jim A.
Went to stop for a late lunch at Majestic on Saturday with the family only to find they weren't open for lunch! We went to Vermilion instead. They had a brunch menu, but had lots of lunch type items on as well, so everybody was pleased with the choices. Since we were late, it wasn't too crowded. Service as good - ordered a glass of wine to go with lunch, it was corked and the server handled it well, bringing a fresh, 100% OK glass with no problem. Good: seafood fritto misto with anchovy dipping sauce, grilled chicken breast with polenta and jus, scrambled eggs with bacon Great: seared diver scallops with "drop biscuit panzetta"; grilled veggie sandwich (which we ate open face - the other piece of bread used to sop up the jus from the chicken); chocolate bourbon cake Weird: summer fruit with rhubarb water and funnel cake pieces - which tasted OK (too sweet) but looked like something left behind by a late-night reveler on the London tube after too many pints!
(4)
Krissy R.
A lot of people love this place, but I don't understand why. The food is good but it's not amazing in any way. The menu is pretty small and there are tons of drink options, but I'm not a huge drinker and am not swayed by the drink menus at restaurants. I remember feeling like the food wasn't worth the money, but decided to go back for brunch one weekend with family to give it another shot. The brunch menu was very typical. Nothing made it stand out and the entire time I couldn't concentrate on having a conversation because it was SO COLD in the place... I was shivering and everyone else was freezing. Aside from the termperature issues, I just don't think this place is worth a trip to Alexandria for a meal. After two tries, nothing is telling me to go back.
(2)
caroline k.
Popular venue in quaint Old Town/Alexandria, good fare and service but nothing particularly remarkable. Dark and intimate interior is decorated a deep red on both floors. Our group of 4 was seated at a small table beyond the bar on the 2nd floor which was quite empty on a weekday night at 7:30pm. The fritto misto appetizer was nicely fried and seasoned, and the seasoned olives and pita bread were warm and overflowing. One of my fellow diners ordered a glass of pinot which never showed. Also had the brandade-crusted halibut, which was well prepared but piled on top of bland pea shoots. Service was attentive and friendly, but next time I'm likely to check out one of the many other inviting restaurants on King St.
(3)
Pj F.
Went in for happy hour. The food was adequate bit the drinks were pricey. I will not make this a regular happy hour venue.
(3)
Lyndsey T.
Vermillion is great for a delicious and reasonable Sunday brunch. We were seated upstairs by the windows overlooking King Street, which was a nice touch. They have several different flavors of mimosas - I went with raspberry which I would definitely recommend. My boyfriend said his Bloody Mary had a nice kick, which is always a good thing. They bring out mini-muffins to every table - ours were cranberry chocolate chip and I could've eaten an entire basket of them. Unfortunately they only bring one per person but hey it was free. Although I normally order breakfast food for brunch, I couldn't resist the soft shell crab sandwich. It was a little bit small, I stayed full pretty much all day so I can't complain. My boyfriend had the 3-egg omelette which came with potato pancakes, toast and "pork of your choice" - he got bacon. The prices were right for brunch, despite the upscale atmosphere of the restaurant and prime Old Town location. I assume dinner would be a little more upscale (read - expensive) but weekend brunch was perfect for us.
(4)
Meredith R.
A comfy place to meet for drinks after work... either at the bar, or in the nice red banquettes. They have recently revamped their menu - I enjoyed the parmesan and garlic fries. Very tasty with a beer! I haven't actually had dinner there, but I'd like to (so many places to go! so little time.) Went by for dessert the other evening after dinner elsewhere, there were several tempting offers on the menu, but I just opted for a glass of wine. (My belly was full!) My apologies to the waitress, Julie, who was very nice - my companion was a bit on the obnoxious side. I think that she'll be nice to me when I go again... I hope!
(4)
Chloe F.
Vermillion is a really cute place. The interior is very intimate and cozy, while being spacious enough not to feel overwhelmed. The soft reds of the decor are very fitting for a place that offers a great deal of wine. I didn't venture upstairs to view the entire dining area, but comfy bar seats, friendly bartender and relaxed but sophisticated atmosphere were enough to keep me happy. I didn't try any of the food, though I've been told it is good. I didn't try any of the wine either (gasp!). Our drinks were good, then again, its difficult to mess up a voda and cran, no? Fellas, if you need a place to take a gal on a date, suggest Vermillion. She'll like it. I did! tee hee! Its location on King Street is nice because its not in the thick of it all, however, it is central enough for Vermillion to be one of many destinations for the evening or day. Also, about a 10 minute walk from the Metro (granted I was running late, so walking very very fast!).
(4)
Justin S.
I had about given up on Old Town as a potential neighborhood for good happy hours when I ended up at Vermilion with a selection of Old Town's greatest yelpers. I owe Heather D. a nod for the suggestion, it was a winning pick for sure. The bartender (whose name shamefully eludes me) was competent and talkative. She skillfully wove the bar's requirements (going over drink details, menu rotations, etc) with her own bartenderly chatter while maintaining several patrons needs all at once. Such skill is hard to come by, easy to miss, and worth a fortune to any good bar owner. I hope her boss can see her talent. Anyway, I got there early and ended up with an hour's down time before my friends arrived. The environment was friendly and inviting. The bar was comfortable and well lit. The patrons were very friendly in a community-bar sort of way. Striking up a conversation wasn't hard, nor was sequestering one's self away. Vermilion has a great vibe for a full gamut of lone bar-goers. When my friends arrived we moved over to the lounge area. The circular setup allowed for easy conversational seating. The central low table didn't impede on intimacy but provided just enough space for our food and drinks. Our good service continued even as the bar got crowded later in the evening. The happy hour prices were no bargain, but not wallet-breakers either. I'd say I'm pretty happy with the pricing... about $4 each for fries, drinks, and other light appetizers. Considering the location, quality, and ambiance, asking for much better might be a bit out of touch. On a very basic level, Vermilion's happy hour scene is commendable. A warm atmosphere, friendly mixed-aged crowd, conversation-friendly seating, a competent staff, and decent prices are a lot to ask for all at the same time. Vermilion nailed all these things. I'll be back again for sure.
(4)
Aline K.
First of all, we love Vermillion, but for God's sake Pastry chef lose the ego. We love your "cookies and confections" dessert but you wouldn't let us substitute for an extra donut. My wife and I had the dessert a week ago and loved the dessert but especially enjoyed the chocolate donut. So tonight we asked if we could substitute one of the other desserts included in the confection for another donut so we could both have one. We were told no because there was only a limited amount of batter... Seriously? One donut was going to run you out of batter? We opted for Oreos at home, thanks anyway...
(4)
Kate S.
I have dined here a few times and have enjoyed it each time. The meal has been excellent and the service attentive. I'll be back again soon.
(4)
Ford P.
I've been to Vermilion a few times in the last six months or so, I've been there for Sunday brunch, late night drinks, and most recently I stopped in during their off peak hours for some "lounge" food and beer. If you go to Vermilion during the day it can seem a bit intimidating and cave like at first. The first floor area is pretty dark and dimly lit, although the skylight at the bar is a nice feature. Ask for a table upstairs if you want to be able to read the menu during the day. At night its a nice loungy spot to grab a beer or cocktail and its got a good vibe. I found the food to be generally tasty, presentation was good (as has been noted by others), and there was some creative experimentation in the dishes (porcini dusted fries?). Some of the dishes though were a little too salty for my taste. They've also got a decent beer menu that provides some variety apart from the usual fare. I'd recommend the hangar steak and definitely their french fries. I'd also rate their service as pretty good. They've got friendly knowledgeable wait staff that aren't too intrusive but know when to make a good suggestion. All in all, I'd give it 3 and a half stars. Good, but not great.
(4)
Graeme H.
Great chilling area, and even better place to relax and eat dinner upstairs. A quiet gem in Old Town! Hopefully, it will stay a small town secret!
(4)
Ruth R.
I went to Vermilion with a friend for drinks and dinner. If I was rating Vermilion for just the bar experience, the rating would be a 4 or even 5. Great ambience, genuinely friendly bartender with personality, a good pour on the wine, and a very reasonable price at happy hour. Unfortunately, I am rating the whole experience, and that includes dinner. Since we spent a lot more on dinner (well over $100 for two people) than we did at the bar, and a lot more time in the dining room than at the bar, I have to weight this review more toward the dining experience than to the bar. I ordered the Mushroom Ravioli. My advice: skip it. Bland, tasteless, undercooked pasta - very chewy - no character at all and the presence of mushrooms was evidenced only by sight and not by taste. My friend ordered the rabbit and I know he didn't like it because he didn't finish it either. Both of us were too polite to complain in front of one another. The server, a young woman, acted is if we were taking up her time - I find this is often the case these days. No smile, no warmth, and we had to actually get up and find her once because she hadn't been back to the table for over twenty minutes and we wanted to refresh our drinks. And then she looked as if we were bothering her! Won't recommend this one, and won't go back, except to the bar. Alexandria has lots of other options for dinner.
(2)
jesse l.
Our sever, Heather, was top notch. Our food was middle of the road. While each plate was mildly creative and well-intentioned, each had a serious flaw. The fluke was over-salted and served with salty pork-belly. The Winter salad was all Vinegar, The Chocolate bomb was too heavily garnished with coffee which took over the plate. The pastrami was an epic FAIL and did not belong on the plate with my striploin. The mushroom ravioli was really a cheese ravioli with no mushroom flavor, but still a good dish (the pomegranite was a nice touch). The food was good, not great and far from perfect. Not worth the price or the hype.
(2)
Giancarlo B.
Likely one of the best restaurants in Old Town thanks to Chef Tony Chittum. Tony can cook,and he's damn good at it. He has the training and the experience and the creative talent to make absolutely delicious food. I tease that he travels to Italy and steals recipes from little old ladies but his food is so tasty and so flavorful you would think he really does. He has what I like to cal culinary intelligence and is one hell of a fine cook. He can make everything from a barbeque sandwich to a beautiful bisque. He does special wine dinners at Vermillion too that I think are the best menus that Tony does. I am not crazy about the ambiance of the restaurant, sort of a cross between the frame isle at Michaels and G-Street Fabrics. But go anyway, the food will make it all special.
(4)
Emily B.
I've eaten dinner at Vermilion three times in the last year, and I consistently have a fantastic experience. This place never fails to impress out of town guests. I think they run a seasonal menu, so I would imagine it varies, but I really enjoyed the crispy dragon creek oysters - battered, fried, and served on a creamy fennel slaw. My companion had a fabulous butternut soup. I also liked the beets prepared four ways (roasted, pickled, and two other tasty methods obscured by the cocktails I enjoyed). Five stars for fresh, delicious food, friendly and accommodating servers, well-prepared old fashioned cocktails, and Ella/Louis duets and gas lamp enhanced atmosphere.
(5)
Jeremy L.
So I'd heard so many great things about Vermillion that when a friend suggested it for lunch, I was very excited and jumped at the chance to grab a bite there. We arrived a little late, but they were more than accommodating! The servers and the host were all super pleasant and friendly and the manager was attentive as well; delivering our entrees. For starters; the menu is fun and interesting. During lunch its mostly soup, salad, and sandwiches...but everything we tried was very tasty, with the exception of the lemonade. The first one I received was more like water with a hint of lemon, I think squeezing a wedge of lemon would have provided the same effect. The lame attempt at a refill wasn't much better; much closer to a real lemonade, but still no good. The food was excellent though; a delicious arugula salad with whipped goat cheese and a red onion marmalade, the most amazing butternut squash soup I've ever tasted with pumpkin seeds and a drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette. As for entrees - I had the roast beef sandwich, which was great! I wish that it was warm, but it was yummy nonetheless; on a sweet onion roll with a creamy mayo as well as red onions. My friend had the Florida Shrimp Roll, which was tasty, but needed a little more acid, and the roll was a little crispy - definietly not the soft rolls of a Maine Lobster Roll. We really wanted to have some desert (as they looked delicious), but we were just too stuffed. Both of our plates had huge piles of french fries, nice and crispy, but not the best I've ever had. The decor is cute and charming, a definite recommend! BC- Probably the most disappointing part of the whole lunch. While clean, very boring and standard. Unimpressive for such a nice restaurant.
(4)
Chase H.
If you're looking for a "upper" scale restaurant in Old Town Alexandria this is a Bingo! I great cozy space with friendly attentive staff without being stuffy. The food is seasonable and the menu changes often. The butternut squash soup with toasted sunflower seeds and almond cookie was so light, silky smooth and delicious it could have been served for dessert, (which would have been better then their actual dessert list). A good wine list-- something for every taste and price point. Plus they remembered that we were there to celebrate a birthday and sent out candles and a card with dessert. I know that may sound like a no-brainer small thing, but lately we've been to several restaurants that managed to screw that detail up! I would have given it a higher rating, but as I mention the desserts failed to excite.
(4)
Miji C.
Vermillion used to be our hot spot...i was in love with the tuna tartare there and those of you who have had it? know what I'm talking about..well, and my hubby's friend used to be the sous chef there so we loved it... i say all this in past tense and i hate to go there but I'm sorry but I think it's because the chef changed... I absolutely agree with John C. when he says while it's important to plate the food beautifully, that should not be the priority... i have to say the food is not nearly at the same level as it used to be...won't be back here now...it's a shame...we went down to Alexandria to go to Vermillion and now our trips to Alexandria have diminished...
(2)
Terry C.
Last evening my wife had a couple of drinks at the bar with a friend. My wife wanted some fun so she had one of their signature drinks, the Pomolitan. It was quite weak. She figured that was an anomaly and ordered a second one. It, too, was quite weak. But not cheap. My wife is not the sort to speak up in such situations.
(2)
Ruth A.
Be sure to make a reservation with a request for seating upstairs where the dining is separated from the bar experience. It was our wedding anniversary and it did feel like a celebration when the waitress brought us complementary champagne with dessert. I ordered the four course tasting menu that was reasonably priced and absolutely delicious. We were impressed that the manager came by our table to inquire if we were enjoying our meals. All of the portions were generous and we enthusiastically recommend Vermilion to our friends. In fact, I have been thinking about going back there this week for lunch (without telling my husband) so that I can have another portion of that incredible beef or pocono trout!
(4)
Kelly M.
We just celebrated our first wedding anniversary there and it was delicious! The servers we attentive and the manager comped us a round of drinks for the special occasion. I would recommend this place to anyone. From Appitizers to Entrees we both were delighted. Not one complaint except being very full. Can't wait to go back again.
(5)
Lowell N.
Brunch review. Pretty good food, nice atmosphere, and attentive service. The cornmeal hushpuppies were outstanding, the roasted garlic soup a bit thin. The baked eggs and the hanger steak were OK, just nothing special.
Two of us came in for lunch here and each of us ordered the chef's cheeseburger -- *medium*. Both of our burgers came out well-done (cooked thoroughly, no pink in sight), and both of our fries were equally well-done (left in the fryer way too long? drying out under a heat lamp somewhere? stale? who knows...). It felt as if the chef/cook just threw all the food on a heat source and stepped out for a smoke. Not a horrible meal, but not what anyone should expect from a $14 burger. Service was attentive / fine.
(3)
Ursula V.
Had the BEST meal here last night. Everything was wonderful, from the rolls to the wine to the delicious dessert. I had the salmon with veggie ragout. Extremely tasty. But, the lemon pie was to die for. Do not miss this place.
(5)
Joe S.
Great location, right on King Street near lots of shops and retail. Lively bar with a wide selection of wine and beer. Several meals there, all excellent. You won't regreet checking it out.
(4)
Nick N.
High dollar hype Backround: my wife and I are doing the Northern Virginia Magazines "TOP 50" restaurants and this is on the list. Ok first off....service= 5 stars....but you better get 5 star service when you are in the $100 to $200 range for a dinner for 2. High marks for: quality of food, wine selection, knowledge of pairings by wait staff and friendly atmosphere. This is a place you brag about to your neighbors in the trailer next door. "Yessss,....we didn't have anything to cook so we ran down to the vuhmilllllionnnn for some Chilean sea bass and dry Pinot" . Low mark for: Only the "lounge menu" items are available in the lounge. Apparently walking a small dish of Artichoke dip upstairs to the dining room might offend some snooty poops that have a rare artichoke allergy and could suffer anaphylaxis after smelling it. Reservations are a must. Walking in without one gets you into the penalty box. Basically you have to share a large table with another couple. We sat with a pair of medical doctors that were talking about some sort of pelvic organ prolapse condition a patient had contracted from eating Puffer Fish in Malaysia. Every time we talked about normal stuff like, "gee hun....I saw that Wal-Mart has gazing balls on sale in the garden section....maybe we should jump on that".....the one doctor lady would conspicuously lean over and listen in. Not cool. I wouldn't listen in on someone else's private conversation. Just saying. Understand this is a class joint and the food is the focus. Presentation is impeccable and downright artistic. If you are a tapas lover this is your bag. Portions are small but each bite is memorable. You will likely leave hungry so bring some extra duckets for the Wendy's drive thru on the way home. Our dinner/ drinks / apps and a shared dessert +tip was $200. Be ready for the sticker shock. Bottom line: Just like when you impulsively bought that juicer on QVC...be ready to pay.
(3)
Betty C.
Had brunch here with friends and it was super tasty. Ordered the oyster sandwich with home made chips, and the bacon mushroom salad with frisee. The oyster sandwhich was amazingly good and the chips were fresh and tasty. The oysters were fried to perfection, moist and not too much breading. The salad was very flavorful, although a tad too salty with curls of parmesan and bacon. But I think I like my food less salty. The service was very nice as well. The waiter was attentive, but not overly so and had a good sense of humor.
(4)
Michael M.
This is my wife's and my favorite restaurant in Old Town. The staff knows how to make you feel special. We just went there to celebrate our anniversary, and they made some very nice touches to make it a special night. The food is spectacular, though the portions a little small for my taste. The bar service is great; the bar staff seems to know their mixology, and the bar has a nice classy ambience - though having the lounge face directly upon the restroom doors is less than ideal. Overall, though, a thoroughly enjoyable place that we highly recommend.
(5)
Sara L.
Last weekend, I took my husband here for his birthday dinner, and I was not expecting how AMAZING that it would be! I simply wrote on my OpenTable reservation: "Could we get a table where we can sit on the same side of the table? It's my husband's birthday... he loves that. :)" I was pleased to see that they directed us to a VERY romantic table with placements set up for seating on the same side of the table. The food was INCREDIBLE, as I expected, because this restaurant is rated so highly on every restaurant-critiquing website that I could find. But they also brought out the most beautiful complimentary birthday desert with a candle for my husband, which I did not request! It was such a pleasant surprise! I will definitely be returning to this restaurant as often as possible! LOVED IT!
(5)
Benjamin M.
Vermilion was a dark and chill spot to spend Happy Hour and grab an appetizer. Good thing too because the meal prices were a a bit higher than my hunger. So, I decided to order their oh-so-creatively named "Frickles" aka deep fried pickles, which were sliced and stacked on a small plate with a tasty dipping sauce on the side. They were really good and I had no issue finishing the entire batch. Service at the comfortable, yet small bar was decent and although the beer selection was somewhat limited, I found a decent oatmeal stout on tap.
(3)
Ginger H.
Came here on a week night with a friend with high expectations and was expecting to be wow'd. Price points - Pricey but on par for the area Service - Excellent! Food - Did not wow me... had the lamb and it just okay.... my friend had something that was over the top too salty. The flavors in my dish were not balanced and just didn't grab me. The salad appetizer (brussel sprouts) was good but again, nothing that made me say, "oh my"! For the prices and the reputation, I expected much better so manage those expectations. Frankly, for much less, head to Atlas Room on H-street if you want to excite your taste buds and spend less money Cheers!
(2)
Grant W.
Wandered in here from king st and had a great dinner. My friend and I ordered two appetizers and two entrees and shared everything and were far from disappointed. The service was wonderful but not overbearing and the food was superb. Planning on returning soon.
(5)
jim w.
Horrible, horrible, horrible, its one more horrible than the stars I've given. Whoever thought that soggy kale should be placed over a crispy potato pancake should not be creating a menu. The entire meal was a disappointment. We all left wanting our money back
(2)
Rachel P.
First of all, the octopus starter is amazing. It's tender and the tentacle ends are crispy. The bits with the suckers are my favorite parts, so that was nice. My vegetarian pasta dish was good, although a little salty. I'd guess that was to counteract the bitterness of the broccoli raab. Didn't really work. But that octopus was amazing.
(4)
Mimi K.
Waited almost an hour for our food. Barely saw our server. Almost walked out because the service was so ridiculously bad. Food was decent (brunch) but we would never come here again.
(2)
Jennifer D.
There are not enough words to describe really how amazing this restaurant is. Upon arriving, we were a bit early and were pleasantly taken to the bar area until the restaurant opened. We were greeted immediately by the most professional staff and asked about cocktails and appetizers. Vermillion had an assortment of cocktails and I ordered the King Street Lemonade. It was delicious! It was similar to a mojito, but absolutely fresh and one of the most delightful drinks I've ever had. Once our table was ready, we were taken to the table and greeted by yet another lovely staff member. Since it was restaurant week, we were shown the menu (which looked delicious) and the regular menu. Since I have a gluten allergy, I asked the server what she recommended and I was very impressed by her knowledge and courtesy when explaining the food items that I was able to eat. I ended up starting out with the Roasted Winter Squash Soup. I do not normally eat soup for a starter, but when in Rome...or Alexandria when it is freezing outside, I decided to try it. My tastebuds were overjoyed with the delectable flavors. It was one of the best soups I've ever eaten. I really want to recreate it or come back (probably the latter). For dinner, I had the medium-rare Spice Rubbed Duck Breast. I wish I could describe exactly how amazing it tasted....mind-blowing is one of the best words that comes to mind. The sauce that was prepared with it was the icing on the cake. My friend had the Pan Seared Salmon and it was cooked perfectly and it was also divine (mine was better though). For dessert, we decided to try the Cinnamon Fritters and a pistachio ice cream. The ice cream was glorious. All the flavors were exactly blended together to form an amazing ending to a great dinner. The cinnamon fritter were like small funnel cake balls that were served with a gingersnap ice cream. I wasn't able to eat the actual fritters, but I did try the ice cream and it was to die for. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone in the area. If I lived closer I would be a regular. I would have to say in my life this is one of my top three places that I have ever eaten. I cannot wait to come back and try more exquisite tasting.
(5)
Doo P.
The pros: Nice buttery bread Locally source ingredients Free parking on Sundays, found parking right away The Cons: Each dish was salty, the main ingredient was good, but the Vegetables were too salt. Wines recommended were not that great. Small restaurant where the dinning area is upstairs. I don't mind that but, felt like whenever I needed something I couldn't find the wait staff. Since it is small, it can get loud & hard to talk to the person you are with. Dessert was nothing special. It seems like there are more cons than pro. But, I might give it another try. The food & sauces were flavorful, & we did get a seat next to the window which has a nice view.
(2)
Peter C.
My wife and I just celebrated our 32 anniversary there. We live in Potomac Md but well worth the hike. Really don't understand the negative comments about the employees. Everyone was nice. They really went all out for our anniversary. Chef tastings, eliminated an appetizer charge from the bill, and a great card from the staff. They even served us complimentary champagne . Our meal was great especially the grilled octopus.
(5)
Tyler R.
I've been here a few times w/ my girlfriend for dinner and brunch. Trust me, chef Tony Chittum's menu will not disappoint! At brunch I had their burger with pimento cheese and it has taken the top spot for any gourmet burger I've had. Our dinner was probably one of the most memorable I've had in terms of the food and service. To start I had the lobster tortelloni and the g/f had Jerusalem artichoke soup and both were absolutely amazing. For our mains we had the rib eye and the pork "porterhouse". It was one of the most flawlessly cooked and seasoned steaks I've had at any restaurant and the salsa verde that came with it paired perfectly. Her pork was essentially the most flavorful, tender pork chop that either of us had every tasted. I generally don't eat desserts, but we ended up getting a figgy toffee pudding with sour cream ice cream. The ice cream may sound a bit strange but it was ridiculous. If I was forced to eat one dessert for the rest of my life I wouldn't complain if it was that. On top of all of this they have some of the best bartenders and drinks in the area and a great whiskey selection. So if you're around Old Town, do yourself a favor and check this place out.
(5)
Bryan W.
Delicious brunch! My wife and I both enjoyed the food and the service was impeccable. We started with the Cornmeal Hushpuppies. They were savory and heavenly little pillows of cornmeal. I'm typically not a hushpuppy fan because I find them pretty bland, but these were about as tasty as fried batter can get. They are served with a trio of sauces (honey mustard, thousand island, emulsified buttermilk) and bread and butter pickles on the side. The pickles are made in-house and I proceeded to destroy every last one of them. My wife ordered the Crispy Chicken Sandwich. It was well seasoned and not greasy. The bun was soft and fresh. I ordered the Baked Eggs. It's a bowl of cheddar grits mixed with chorizo, roasted mushrooms, and some mild fresno peppers with a few sunny-side up eggs on top. The grits were perfectly cooked and had great flavor. The mushrooms added a bit of earthiness, and the eggs were perfectly runny, which created a great sauce when you mixed it all together. I'm a sucker for chorizo, and the chorizo in the dish was satisfyingly crispy, but I was left wanting a bit more. Overall, the dish was pretty good, but portion size was slightly small and lacked enough chorizo for me. The waitress was very friendly and attentive throughout the meal. She made good recommendations, kept our glasses full, and even brought me hot sauce for my eggs without having to ask (bonus points!). I will definitely go back when I'm in Old Town again.
(4)
art f.
Glad to return after over 4 years. The restaurant's reputation has soared. Mr. & Mrs. President went here for V-Day. I was much more impressed. The downstairs bar area is vibrant (noisy). Upstairs is much quieter. The most interesting starter was crispy oysters with bacon, celery, and apple. It sounded a little better than they tasted but there were 5 oysters. Main dishes were stellar: rockfish with leeks, bacon, and a poached egg; and lamb with white bean raviolini, lamb sausage, root vegetables & fried bread. The lamb dish came together perfectly. It's one of the best dishes I've had in years. A malbec went perfectly with it. The rockfish was excellent: ample, perfectly cooked, and nicely balanced with the accompaniments.
(5)
Nadine F.
I've been to Vermillion for brunch and happy hour, and both experiences were enjoyable. Service was impeccable both times, and I really love the setup of the restaurant. Unfortunately, the food was kind of hit or miss. I'll list the items I tried from most to least enjoyable: --Oyster po' boy - Heavenly! They were the best fried oysters I've ever had. They were perfectly seasoned and not too salty, and the bread was soft like a pillow, just the way I like it. --Hush puppies - Amazing! Easily the best hush puppies I've ever had, and all their dipping sauces were very flavorful and interesting. --Happy hour drink specials - Good selection of wines and beers at a great price. I didn't try the mixed drinks due to my experience with their Singapore Sling (see below). --Risotto balls - These had a really good texture and creaminess, but they were a tad bland and really felt like they were missing something. I feel like they needed either a better sauce or some kind of herb inside. --Buffalo Chicken eggroll things - Not bad, but I wouldn't get them again. --Parmesan garlic fries - Eh, not bad, but nothing special. --Old Bay Fries - Good enough. --Corn beef hash - I normally love corn beef hash, but Vermillion's is overly salty and doesn't have enough potatoes, so all you taste is the strong flavor of a massive pile of meat. I definitely would not order this again. --Singapore Sling - I've drank a lot of Singapore Slings in my life, and this was by far the worst. Granted, all the other ones I had were in Singapore, so maybe my standards are too high. Firstly, the Singapore Sling is like the tropical version of a Long Island Iced Tea and should be served in a tall glass. The one at Vermillion was tiny, maybe half the size or less than half the size of all the other ones I've tried. Secondly, and more importantly, Singapore Slings are supposed to be delicious, but the one at Vermillion tasted like bubble gum. Maybe they used a bunch of artificial syrups or something, but it didn't taste good and it didn't taste like real fruit at all. If anyone working at Vermillion is reading this, there are a lot of websites and YouTube videos that show how the Raffles Hotel in Singapore (where the drink was invented) mixes a Singapore Sling. It's not a secret. I strongly suggest someone at the bar look that up and try to make yours more like that. And if you can't, you should seriously just take it off the menu. With the terrible taste of the drink at Vermillion, I feel like it's only on the menu to have something exotic in hopes that nobody will know what it's really supposed to taste like. I would easily give the restaurant four stars if the Singapore Sling weren't so terrible as to ruin my otherwise good experience.
(3)
Dan P.
I've been three times now and I will simply say: 1. Food is fabulous! 2. Drinks are fantastic! 3. Service is perfect!
(5)
Angela R.
We decided to eat here during restaurant week and it was wonderful! We both ate off the tasting menu. Both dished were wonderful. My friend had the pork and I had the fluke...aka flounder. Very tasty. I absolutely recommend it. The ambiance is great too. Our waiter was very nice, the Chef was doing a compliment dish to try, and the assistant GM stopped by the table to see how the food was. I recommend reservations but they also hold tables back for the walk-ins. This will be kept on the list with Charlie Palmers.
(5)
Kate P.
Cozy atmosphere, excellent service, amazing food--overall experience was great. Had the rock shrimp, maryland flounder and cider roasted pear...already looking forward to next visit.
(4)
Doug P.
I was embarrassed with friends and family by service and food here on New Year's Eve. Seated almost 45 minutes late (with reservations later for a fireworks viewing) with only an offer of buying what amounted to 3 drinks. Seated, ordered and waited. And waited. And waited. ONE HOUR for first course. Nothing great on what was a prix fixe menu and unbelievable waits. Realized we were not going to make fireworks. Our entrees arrived about 11:30 and 3 of 6 were cold. Sent back, returned about 5 degrees warmer. They sent a bottle of cheap champagne "on the house" but at that point it was insulting. Almost $1000 bill and we will never return and work to tell everyone we know. The disregard of the staff was awful. No concern. Sorry, there are better places to eat.
(1)
Charles R.
Second time to Vermillion and each time the food and service was very good. The squash soup was hot , creamy and had good flavor. The pork belly was good, but I like the skin crisper than they way it came out. Monkfish with a mild cabbage was excellent. Unique pairing but it worked. Very good wines by the glass and the bar downstairs is always packed , so it must be a good place for drinks.
(4)
K E.
Review #100!! 4.5 stars. I am a firm believer that good food should be the main star of a restaurant. However, I am also a firm believer that service can make or break a dining experience. It is clear that the team at Vermilion believes these two things, as well. From the moment my husband and I walked into Vermilion, things were fantastic. We arrived about 20 minutes early for our reservations, but instead of making us wait around until 9pm (...or later like many spots in the DC area do), they sat us right away. The hostess made it a point to wish me a happy birthday on our way to the table. Nice touch. We were seated at a nice table in the upstairs dining area. The setup is really lovely...exposed brick walls, candlelight, dark woods. A perfect setting for a romantic birthday dinner. Our server was really fantastic. She also wished me a happy birthday upon arrival, and she answered all of our questions about the wine and dinner menus very knowledgeably. She didn't miss a beat. We ordered a bottle of chenin blanc (at a fairly reasonable $30) to start. My husband decided to get the special which was a grilled swordfish with homemade sausage and a mushroom sauce. I ordered the veal entree on the standard menu. Everything was presented beautifully on our plates. Both meals were delicious, however, I will say that I had ordering envy. My husband's meal was much more to my liking, and I immediately regretted not ordering it. Luckily, my hubs was willing to share. We both thoroughly enjoyed our meals, but we both agreed that the potion size could have stood to be a bit larger for the $30+ price tag per entree. We decided to get two desserts for the celebratory dinner. We ordered the apple "beignet" (which is a piece of apple in the shape of a donut that is dipped in beignet batter and fried) and the sticky toffee pudding. Upon delivery of our desserts, our server placed not two, but three of them on our table. She said "Happy Birthday" and placed the sweet potato fritters (with a birthday candle) in front of me. Very nice! Three desserts. Two people. We had our work cut out for us, and we did a pretty good job of (almost) polishing off all of them. They were all delicious, but the "beignet" was the star. Overall, the team at Vermilion made my birthday dinner one to remember. I would go back here in a heartbeat. Everything was fantastic!
(4)
Pam S.
I've been to Vermillion a couple of times now- once for drinks and once for food. The first time was last Monday night with a "date" (I'm still not sure what it was). We settled onto one of the back comfy benches to continue our conversation about the joys of living in the Bay Area. Well, he was joyful. I was over it. Being the gourdy gal that I am, I got the Pumpkin Patch. It was DAMN GOOD. Charlie Brown would search for this great pumpkin. The "date" got a beer. The place was rather empty, but the service was spectacular. The second time was Friday night because I fell in love Monday night (with Vermillion, not my "date") and wanted to try their food. Again, the service was spectacular. I got the hanger steak with the porcini fries and mixed greens, and it was heaven. Cherry bacon vinaigrette on the salad? UM...HEAVEN. I then proceeded to stuff myself more with the apple beignet...and it was damn good. Vermillion is definitely a must-try in Old Town- whether you're out with a "date," a date, or yourself.
(5)
Kathy L.
Not bad. I had the 3 South Mountain Eggs which was HUGE - there must have been more than 3 eggs. Aside from the eggs being extra fluffy - there was nothing special. I preferred the Garganelli which isn't your traditional brunch dish but sooo good and the pancakes with spiced apples were the table favorite We also tried the burger and the catfish sandwich which were good but not memorable. Def go with the Garganelli or pancakes!
(3)
Anna P.
My girlfriend took me here for my birthday dinner, we ordered a nice glass or wine and had a wonderful fish dinner that was delicious! Would suggest for a romantic dinner, the ambiance is perfect for it. Service was very nice, and location is perfect! Definitely go when the weather is nice and walk around after dinner!
(5)
Claire B.
Summary: Exceptional food and experience as long as you're prepared for the prices! Great date place. I had a ridiculously delicious dinner here a few weeks ago. We had a 7:30pm reservation - which is usually a little early for me - but this place draws a slightly older (but not old!) crowd, so this landed up being the perfect time to eat. It's a great environment - cozy but elegant. No need to be dressed up - but it's a good place to look nice and presentable. Only complaint here is that you don't get to enjoy the summer weather at all because it's a bit dark and closed off inside. but this was really no big deal since walking down King Street is a great post dinner activity. Now for the food - grilled octopus to start was amazing! We both loved it and would definitely recommend it. For the main course, we ordered the lamp and sirloin - both dishes were superb. The lamb dish was actually life changing, I must admit. Perfectly executed. All of these dishes were pricey - but we knew what we were getting into. The wine list was VERY pricey though - which is my only minor complaint. There weren't many decent options under $40. But this became a minor detail in comparison to everything else being so wonderful. Also - great service all around. Didn't rush us, but constantly checked in. We were way too full for dessert, but everything around us looked wonderful. I 100% recommend this restaurant for a date, group date, or special occasion. If you do in knowing it's pricey, then you'll enjoy everything else!
(4)
Anne R.
Brilliant service and atmosphere as well as an interesting menu. Food was excellent.
(4)
Karen M.
I hate to even post this "review" but it seems only the owner can change the "objective attributes" of the business according to the Yelp FAQs. I apologize in advance as this doesn't apply to most people. When I looked into visiting this restaurant, it is noted as "wheelchair accessible." When I saw the pictures, it appears there is a step at the front door. I called the restaurant to see if there was a back entrance without the step. The guy that answered the phone said there wasn't a back entrance but there is "only a 6 inch step at the front door." I explained that a 6" step is NOT wheelchair accessible. I mean, a 6" step might as well be trying to leap the Grand Canyon. It isn't going to happen. He kind of snorted out a response that its not their problem, they didn't post the information on Yelp. The second place I called, Columbia Firehouse I do have to give a positive mention to. When I called to see if their barroom was accessible in addition to their dining area, the lady put me on hold to check. She came back and said it wasn't. And neither were their bathrooms, so they would promptly make the change on Yelp so it didn't show as accessible. This is how it should be done. Soooo....I'm posting this so hopefully: #1 Vermillion makes the change and #2, someone who needs an accessible restaurant doesn't make the mistake of trying to go here.
(1)
Hue K.
This is for brunch. - Service: Very good. friendly. - Food: 1. complimentary white chocolate-banana muffin: OK.. but I didn't need to ask for more.. 2. Ricotta pancake with caramelized apple and potato latke (instead of pork): Not recommended. Ricotta cheese made the traditional pancake texure different but not enhanced... It should be fluffier.. but it wasn't ..it was rather feel grainy-kind texture? Very white-cute looking butter:) Potato latke was crispy outside. Good, especially with apple. 3. Breakfast sandwich: 2 Egg (asked paoched ones) in sweet potato biscuit: paoched eggs were good but not the best I've ever had.. Sweet potato biscuits were OK but If I was taking blindfold test.., I wouldn't know if it had any sweet potato.. so a bit disappointing.. Overall food experience: I don't think I will come back for brunch but maybe for dinner or desserts
(3)
Ashley W.
Wow food was great! The bread basket, yum. Had the veal sweet breads for an app, yum. I had the duck with risotto, amazing! Luis had the sirloin which was awesome but the duck was better. Desert was yummy too. Thoroughly impressed and worth the $$. Staff was great.
(5)
Jackie L.
I've been here twice for brunch both before the Alexandria St. Patrick's day parade. I'll review this year's brunch, but last year's brunch was just as delicous (I still remember exactly what I got). The service here is very good. We had made a reservation for 4, but came in and said, we actually will need a table for 9, or some combination to accomade 9 people. The hostess and manager came up with two different combinations that worked well for us and were very nice about. The server was very knowledgeable about the menu and also offered good suggestions. I ordered the biscuits and gravy with two eggs and potato latkes. The biscuits were sweet potato, but didn't taste like it and were perfect. The gravy had a wonderful peppery taste. I ordered my eggs poached per the server's suggestion and the runny yolk worked perfectly with the gravy, the biscuits and the crispy latkes. It was a fantastic meal and very satisfying! Everyone at the table enjoyed their food and no one had anything negative to say. The experience was delightful and it's a very cozy and warm yet open restaurant. It's really just a great food experience if you enjoy great local cuisine. This is a superb brunch restaurant and I can only imagine how the dinners are!
(4)
Rachel R.
After reading other reviews I figured this restaurant did best with breakfast. I was a little disappointed in the minimal selections on the menu but the Bloody Mary was fantastic and the hushpuppies were delicious. I gave it only three stars because it was a bit too pretentious for the quality of food and service. The hushpuppies, which were so yummy, came with three dipping sauces in which one was actually ranch and the other thousand island and they were trying to pass it off as a "sweet and sour buttermilk" and "remoulade" .... I was only visiting for the weekend but if I ever come back to Alexandria and in need of a brunch spot I'll check it out!
(3)
Ryan S.
We have had some amazing dinners at Vermillion. Really really excellent place. Excellent staff and the food was very good. Love it!
(5)
Thomas E.
Much as Anjali K. mentions, Vermillion offered good service, but with food that just did not hit the mark with our table of four. I'm not a local, but am in Alexandria often. One of the other members of our business group was a local who had wanted to eat here. She ended up being disappointed and would likely not go back. Ambience is nice, particular at the bar. I could see having apps and tasting wine there, but IMHO there are better options in Alexandria including Brabo and (especially) Eve.
(3)
Lila M.
We had a very pleasant experience! The waitress was fabulous and gave us great drink recommendations. The crispy pork rillette was to die for...unfortunately it wasn't on their regular menu...I guess it was just available for Restaurant Week. We got there at 11:30am on Friday, and it was empty which I loved. We had window seats as well. I would definitely go back but only for lunch. The lunch portion sizes were large for us, but we are small people.
(5)
Abi a.
I went here for branch last Saturday... And I'll never go back. The waiter service was none to zero, never offered us more coffee or seemed to care if we needed anything, we had to call her several time to get what we needed. The food was disgusting, we were a party of 3 adults and one of us returned her order and I did not but I should have. I got pancakes with apple and bacon. The pancakes were soggy, and soaked in a disgusting sauce... I mean, seriously other than butter don't put anything on top of them, I'll decide what I want to put on them... Put the sauce on the side... Really disappointed, and I'm not even a person that complains about food at restaurants. It really has to be bad for me to complain.
(2)
Moe L.
We have experienced much better and expected a lot more. Mediocre to poor food with prices that are ridiculous for the quality and quantity of food on the plate. The highs were the service, the bread, and the goat cheese cheesecake with figs. The medium item was the pumpkin soup sampler offered by the Sunday night chef. The lows included the appetizers such as the flavorless uninteresting sweat breads, the generous portion of shrimp and grits which was low on character, and the pathetic seared center cut striploin with aligot potatoes, local brussel sprouts, salsify and cardamom red wine sauce. The sirloin lacked any flavor or spices, the brussel spouts consisted of the stalks and a few leaves, and the sauce was tasteless.
(2)
Mike C.
I was eagerly anticipating a fine meal at Vermillion, since it has been a regular on the "100 Best Restaurants" list for several years. What I got was far below my expectations. Nothing about the meal was worthy of the praise heaped upon this restaurant. The starter course; shrimp and grits, was pedestrian at best. It was gummy and the shrimp looked and tasted like last years' catch. I ordered a meal that included andouille sausage and the sausage pieces were the consistency of manhole covers and tasted like Jimmy Dean's left in the sun too long. Maybe it's just Old Town, but I'm having a hard time finding a truly outstanding restaurant since moving here. Bethesda, Arlington, and the District all have fabulous places to eat. Still searching in OT.
(2)
Reviewer R.
We went in for a Sunday brunch. Service was prompt and professional. I had the salmon over rice, sauteed beet greens, and a swipe of mashed beets. The salmon was billed as "medium-rare", but it was definitely more on the "raw" side, although the skin was nice and crispy. Flavor profile of the dish was simple: salt, pepper, and butter. Hubby had the baked eggs over cheese grits and sauteed mushrooms and chorizo. Basic comfort food for a cold day.
(3)
Tim R.
Great option for nice dinner out in old town. Food is always impressive and service is excellent. Well managed restaurant with a great vibe. They also have a cool bar scene with great beer and whiskey collection.
(5)
Keith Z.
Had heard mixed reviews about this place, so figured we'd try it out for dinner and see what happened. Was for my gf's b-day, called ahead to inform them when making the reservation and they went above and beyond in taking care of us. We were seated in a nice, cozy booth, so we felt like we had good privacy to talk. We started with a bottle of savignon blanc. We only saw one bottle on the menu, the waitress pointed out a couple others we had overlooked, and she offered a great selection. Appetizers: the lady ordered the sweet breads. I am not a fan of sweetbreads but she loved them. I went with the charred octopus. The pieces were charred perfectly and came with a broth that gave a little bit of a kick to the dish. Bonus: The chef sent out an order of the shrimp and grits. The prawns still had their heads on, which I don't mind, but just giving you a "heads" up about that, no pun intended. The grits were buttery and the slices of chorizo added more flavor to the dish. Entree: Rockfish and Striploin. The rockfish was moist, seasoned nicely, and accompanied by a carrot puree. The striploin came over a potato puree with chopped Brussels sprouts. The steak was a decent size and cooked perfectly. It comes presliced, so there's no doubt that it was cooked mid-rare when it got to the table. Dessert: Blueberry crumb cake. Came with a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream. Perfect ending to the dinner. Service: I was a bit concerned about what our service was going to be like given previous reviews. But everyone was extremely friendly, our waitress helped us with making choices, and they even had a birthday card expressing their gratitude for us Celebrating a birthday at their establishment. Just the icing on the cake! Overall: this was an extremely enjoyable experience. The price, without wine, was about $110.00, after looking back on everything I think it was well worth it for what we got. We recommend Vermilion and look forward to going back!
(5)
J P.
Very expensive for what you get. The New American trend is entrenched at this place, but not necessarily in a good way. With several area restaurants closing, there is more demand than ever for dining options in Old Town. Vermillion definitely does not cater to tourists (although some will be there), but seems to not be much interested in regular locals either. I found the menu very overpriced and overly pretentious. Vermillion is small enough but it definitely caters to an elite crowd. Expect a bill in the range of $50/person (with drinks and possibly dessert). In fact, the desserts are as high priced as entrees at other places. No thanks. Some of the items on the lunch menu should find their way onto the dinner menu. That would make this a little bit more reasonable. Other posters like this, and I guess that's fine. But I won't be back.
(2)
Dan H.
A place like this in Houston would easily charge double for the quality of food that Vermilion is serving up.. At the time they had a chilled cucumber and beet soup and hanger steak on the menu.. I'll always remember that hanger steak for the rest of my life, I've NEVER EVER had such a perfect sear and crust on a cut of beef.. How is it the best restaurants in Houston cant do a steak as well as one in Virginia? Bravo Chef, Bravo!!
(5)
Todd B.
Returned a 2nd time on my visit to town. It was even better than the first time. The service was splendid, the bacon wrapped turkey with rice stuffing was off the hook, the coffee was excellent and the wine was outstanding. Everything is right about this place.
(5)
Fred M.
Vermillion is tied for 1st place amongst all of the Evening Star restaurant group's restaurants. I went today for RW and impressed as always of their food. I've been in the past for RW, for dinner, and to get slammed at the bar with friends. (bar/lounge area is nice!) Had the hush puppies, garganelli pasta, and the chocolate bombe. The hush puppies were easily my favorite during a previous visit and are SO good. Hot, soft, and tasty. The thousand islandish sauce was my fav but the butter milk ranch? and mustard were also delish. Pasta was good and the mushrooms inside were very tender! Sauce was perfect and flavorful. I am also not usually not a fan of mushrooms and I ate it all up. I was annoyed with one thing however. The turkey "salad" looked so much better! Its really a sandwich with a little mixed greens salad on the side. I was irritated since the waiter didn't really spend time to describe it otherwise I would have ordered that instead. Dessert was the perfect end to a lunch meal. I like desserts that aren't overly sweet and this dessert hit the nail on the head with my preference. Creamy and just the right amount of sweet. During previous visits to drink and/or eat, the wait staff has been nothing but attentive. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Crista C.
We met up here for drinks last week and fell in love with Vermillion. We were greeted warmly, and our server was also effective and friendly. The ambiance is sheik, yet cozy - nice background music that wasn't overpowering. As for the food - delish! The fries were perfectly seasoned and tasted great with blue cheese topping. I skeptically ordered the barley risotto and lamb sausage special, which sounded too fancy to be good - but I was wrong. It was very tasty. My husband ordered the mini-burgers and enjoyed them very much. I'm 7 months pregnant, and the bartender was kind enough to make me virgin mojitos. We find most DC area restaurants to be overpriced and stuffy - Vermilion is truly an exception. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Nancy W.
My husband and I were traveling for business and fun. We took a walk down historic King Street. We love to go to non chain restaurants. We picked this place. Our waitress was amazing when I asked her to tell me what her favorites were. Describing in great detail. Great service. But the food. OMG deli-sh! We ordered the rib eye with fresh herbs and the pork with honey crisp apples. Yummy with flavors that just enhanced each other. We also had the roasted olives appetizers and the beet salad. The chef gave us a complimentary aperitif that was also very good. Menu is said to use local farm produce and meats. If you are in the area you must give this place a try. We got there early, 5:00...by the time were left they were filling up.
(5)
Michelle W.
Vermilion provides a comfortable atmosphere for a variety of occasions- couch areas for cozy dates, spacious bar and high top tables for social drinks and tables for dining customers. Interesting exposed brick and great lighting. Loved the atmosphere. The staff is very attentive, great service and wonderfully crafted cocktails. While the menu is not extensive, there is variety and the wine list was intriguing. Great spot. Will return.
(4)
Rosa E.
On a whim, my husband and I decided to head out to Old Town for dinner with our neighbors. We decided to try Vermillion for dinner. I had been there previously with a group of girlfriends for an after-work drink and really loved the ambience of the bar. So, let's start with that. When you walk in, you get the impression that you are walking into a trendy DC lounge and bar. On a Friday night, the downstairs bar and lounge area is full enough to create a great vibe, but not so full that you have to elbow people out of the bar area to get a drink. It was just right. At the far back end of the locale, there are comfy couches for lounging where you can order bar food. This place definitely gets 5 stars for service. The host who greeted us at the door kept coming back to our table to check on us. He was so friendly and welcoming that we immediately felt pretty good about our dinner choice. When I lost my knife during dinner he happened to be walking by, swooped down to scoop it up and before I could blink, there was another server right by my table with a knife handed to me on literally a silver platter. Thank you! Now, both my neighbors and my husband really enjoyed dinner. I tend to be a bit pickier about my food, so I'll run down my impressions on each dish of the tasting menu. The tasting menu is a five-course meal that you can get for $50. It's $70 if you ask for the wine pairings. We decided to skip the wine pairings and just get a bottle of wine for $57. I dont remember the names of all the dishes. Our first dish was compliments of the chef. It was a tiny tuna piece with olive tapenade. That was very good! The second dish was a seafood dish with scallops, shrimp and oysters? That was really good too. It was fantastic except for some tiny things that were on top that were a little hard to chew on. The third course was the Rockfish. Amazing! Light and flavorful. The fourth dish was the lamb 3 ways. Everyone at my table loved it...but I really have a hard time eating meat that looks a little red...so I have to say that I did taste the parts that looked well cooked, but but really could not eat the rest. I love lamb..but I dont eat beef at all and so I just tend to be picky about meat. The Key lime parfait was sublime and really rounded out the meal. Overall, it was a good experience. I would highly recommend this place to foodies who really want a different dining experience and really do not feel like driving all the way to DC for it.
(4)
Jennifer D.
Food was delicious, if conservatively innovative. The Sweet Corn Fritters with blueberry sauce reminded me of funnel cake at a county fair. There was something special about the slightly spicy Squid Ink Tagliarini with red pepper froth, too. Service was a superb with just the right amount of attentiveness and interaction. The atmosphere/decor was naturally intimate and stylish. It was a perfect Restaurant Week experience.
(4)
Teresa D.
Great spot for happy hour since my office is very close by. I really enjoy the cozy atmosphere, happy hour specials and the great service. The food at the bar is good and cheap, the rosemary garlic fries, sliders, spinach dip and the cheese plate are great. I have had a couple of meals there too, it's a seasonal southern food menu. Some things there are a hit or miss. I had the hush puppies once and they are pathetic compared the real ones you can get in the south, I do not recommend on getting them. I had a really good plated seafood soup once that was delish! I had a fried green tomato appetizer there that really good. Overall I really like this place and will frequent for a there for a drink after a rough day at work.
(4)
Amanda C.
Some of the best food I have ever eaten!! My husband and I visited for our 2 year anniversary and loved every bit of our experience here. We got a nice table in the corner upstairs by a window, were treated to champagne to celebrate with, received a "compliments of the chef!" steak tar tar tasting, and even got a lovely thank you card w/congrats written in it at the end of our meal! The service was spot-on attentive, knowledgeable, and very friendly. I tried the May Chef's Tasting menu with wine pairing, and every course that came out I was floored by the presentation, the quality of the food, and again - the TASTE! I have not shut up about how wonderful our meal was for days now, and I am excited to go back to try a happy hour or brunch here.
(5)
Truly I.
I ate here with the bf twice - once a few months ago upstairs (review below) and then again last night at the bar (it was 9:30 pm; we had wanted to go to Hank's Oyster Bar, but the kitchen had closed). Review of bar: I was hoping to have the Relativity cabernet again, but it's not on the menu. The very busy but nice bartender had me taste the Malbec and the Ynot cab - the Ynot is lush and rich. Bf had a Sierra Nevada on tap. The summer squash flatbread was soul-fillingly good - smoked mozzarella, fried squash blossom, grilled squash slices and grilled tomato. Bf had the steak frites - the steak was so incredibly tender I had a hard time believing we were sitting at a bar. Review of restaurant: The food was fresh and good, but the portions are quite small. I wish I had skipped the mixed vegetable salad with burrata - the veggies were very vinegary and the burrata was covered in breadcrumbs. The mixed greens were very fresh, and the bf liked the carrot-ginger soup. He also very much enjoyed his pork and mashed potatoes. I was kind of bored by the halibut, but appreciated the freshness. The Relativity cabernet was delicious. Nice service. Average age of diners seemed to be 65ish.
(4)
Jon M.
I found Vermillion long on style but shorter on service and food. The menu was only marginally creative and didn't stray too far from being just dressed up versions of everyday far. Though, I must point out, they do have a monte cristo on the menu which while artery-stretching is a solid treat. It was a really nice place to refresh with a drink before lunch on a hot and slow summer afternoon. Would I come back? Only for drinks.
(3)
Elizabeth O.
Vermillion was great! Went for brunch this past Sunday with my family. There was great service and no one was disappointed. Our food took a little while to come out, and without complaining we were given fruit plates to eat while waiting for our food. I ordered the eggs Benedict and was very satisfied, it was a good portion and used good ingredients. The potato pancake was better than my Jewish mother makes, it nearly melted in my mouth. Also tried the nutella pancakes. They were nothing to write home about, but they were a good sweet dish. The bananas on top had a tapioca-like flavor, I would've preferred if they were just caramelized. I wish we weren't so full after our brunch that we could order dessert--the menu looked fantastic and the Neighborhood Restaurant group usually does pretty well with desserts. So tips to new Vermillion visitors--save room!
(4)
Feri W.
Starting with the not so great stuff.... Our server was mediocre and not too friendly, and the silverware was very annoying and kept slipping off the plates into the dish or on the floor.... Good luck setting them down to chew and savor your food. Now with the wonderful stuff... The food was excellent! We came here for restaurant week. The starters "Rock shrimp" and butternut squash soup were a feast for the taste buds. The main course "Md fluke" ( not salty at all) and "mushroom ravioli" ( lots of mushrooms" were also outstanding and exquisite. The dessert "chocolate bombe with coffee ice cream was to die for! Compliments to the chef. The only other negative thing is that we really wanted to try the hush puppies and they refused to bring us some because "it was not good for the ambiance upstairs"!!!! We really did not get that! Last but not least we had the best busboy. In fact the busboy should have the server and the server should have been a busboy.
(4)
Courtney H.
Restaurant Week Review I decided to have a last minute girls night and boy did we pick the right place! I LOVE LOVE LOVED it!!! The atmosphere was warm and inviting, classy but not pretentious, the food was amazing, and the service was some of the best I've experienced. While my two friends ordered from the RW menu, I decided to give the Tasting menu a try (what can I say? I was really hungry and thought I deserved an extra course). The sommelier just happened to be in that evening and she was FANTASTIC. Thanks to the best server this side of the Potomac "Steve" for all of his recommendations and attentive service. I had the Lobster Tortolloni, Grilled Rockfish, Sirloin, and the Cider Roaster Pear. YUM YUM YUM! We also grabbed a pre-dinner drink at the bar/lounge. The bartender was a sweetheart and the posh libations were scrumptious! Everyone enjoyed their meals and the wine was divine. We could have stayed all night (I think we clocked in somewhere around 3 hours!). Vermilion really knows how to impress and I will be going back much sooner than I ever anticipated. Cheers!
(5)
Hollie C.
Let me start off by saying I am not a 'foodie.' My boyfriend and I stopped here on our way back from Mount Vernon after I had 'googled' Alexandria restaurants in my phone. This one came up as the most highly rated. I can see why. We walked in sometime before 6:00 pm, and it was not super crowded on a Saturday. Although we didn't have a reservation, they were able to find us a table. We ordered the tasting menu with pairings. While it was $70 a person, we found it to be worth the price. The service was impeccable. The wine and food was amazing. We were not over-full. While we were under-dressed for the evening, everyone was friendly and inviting. I would recommend to people who are looking for variations on an American theme with fresh, local ingredients.
(4)
Marie P.
I grabbed a drink for happy hour at the bar and really enjoyed this place! The atmosphere is romantic and sophisticated with deep rich red tapestries, exposed brick and candlelight. The service was fantastic. The bartender (I think her name was Laura) was really warm, welcoming and attentive. The happy hour deals are $5 wine (choice of one red/one white) and several appetizers. Not a bad deal for this place. It seemed that there were quite a few regulars there which leant itself to a friendly, neighborhood vibe. This would be a great place for a date!
(4)
Pheniece J.
I dined here last night for Restaurant Week and had a very solid meal. I started at the bar with a happy hour drink special called the King Street Lemonade - kind of like a more lemon-y mojito and very good. Ordered the hush puppies and even though I appreciated the lighter batter, it paled in comparison to real comfort food style hush puppies. For dinner I started with the gazpacho with peaches, olives and cheese. Very good and nice flavor. My friends had the squid two ways and the stuffed tomato w/sausage. Both were good but I give the slight edge to my gazpacho :). We all had the bistro filet as an entree and I really enjoyed the tenderness of the beef and the salsa verde. The vanilla buttermilk sorbet with blueberries was sort of a miss for me, but my friend's panna cotta was delish. Overall, the service was good and a great deal for Restaurant Week, but I don't think it's going on my must-do list.
(3)
Aesah L.
My boyfriend and I went here for our first date so we returned this year to celebrate it. It's a cute little restaurant, great ambiance....unless they give you a crappy table next to the wall in perfect view of the better booths and lounge area. The servers were very thoughtful and attentive, and i went with the 4 course tasting menu with wine. Every single dish was amazing and delicious and the wine pairings were perfect. My favorite was the halibut and steak. Using local ingredients really do make a big difference. In short, I would have given Vermilion four stars if they had better seating. Oh and the bathrooms looked like they belonged in a dive bar. Very surprising.
(3)
Alex F.
I took my girlfriend here to celebrate her birthday and a new job. The food here was phenomenal (which I think has been explained sufficiently by everyone else), but the service really took it over the top! Our extremely friendly and professional waiter took great care of us, offering extras for the celebration and even providing a handwritten card (this I've never seen before). It's these simple touches that will keep us coming back for more!
(5)
Soosh L.
Great food!
(5)
Sarah S.
I'm a total fan of this cozy, gem-of-a-spot in Alexandria. The happy hour - M-F, 4-7 - is one of the best around. The bartenders are uncommonly friendly and accommodating, the bar menu is overflowing with tasty options (the portions are generous too), the lounge is spacious and inviting, and the drinks are uber cheap ($2.75 beers, $5 wines/cocktails). For noshing, I recommend the hush puppies with buttermilk dipping sauce, pimento dip and flatbread, or the hanger steak and frites combo. Go and enjoy.
(5)
Jim S.
Great food, knowledgeable and attentive staff. Features local foods and wines. Very nice wine list and well-stocked bar. Only down-side, if you can call it one, was that the desert menu (and there is a named pastry chef) was just too far out there... None sounded good. So I had some artisanal cheese and a glass of vintage port, and my wife had some delicious sorbets.
(4)
Gregory A.
There hamburger is amazing. I loved the atmosphere; whether its lunch or dinner time.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Amy T.
Restaurant Week Review: My good friend and I decided to go to Vermilion for Restaurant Week. We ventured out and finally found the restaurant. Inside was very warm, red, and had a quiet cozy atmosphere that was comfortable and not stuffy. As my first course, I ordered the Strobe Ranch Waygu Carpiccio which was meltingly delicious. There was home made "gold fish" cheddar crackers - very good combo with the beef. The description says 'spicy' but it was exactly like goldfish crackers - simple which was good and did not take away from the beef. The caramelized onion aolii was amazing and was great with the way waygu, shitakes, and crackers. I left nothing on the plate. My second course, I ordered the Salmon. I don't know why I ordered fish two days in a row (first was Hook) but it was one of the best salmon dishes (beside my mother's asian style with oyster sauce) but it was NOT overcooked at all. Extremely moist and not dry at all! (salmon is easily overcooked and can be quite dry if so). I finished the entire thing. :) Dessert - ooommmggg. I LOVE LOVE exotic "different" desserts. Any place that can make the extra effort to make desserts amazing or even offer a different twist/take on it...they are great in my favor. I forget the name but it was basically orange and vanilla ice cream with small balls of melon and cantaloupe, a melon/cantaloupe soup, and delicious lemon meringue cookies - soo light yet crisp. The "melon soup" was different, I'm not a big fan of melon but with the lemon cookies and ice cream, it was a light and refreshing summer dessert. Simple yet the soup added the 'twist' that made it memorable for me. Service - awesome. No coldness, snootiness, or attitude. Very helpful, prompt, refilled our waters, and made sure we did not need anything. They also did not rush us which I find a plus especially during the typical RW. Portions were perfect - I was stuffed at the end. I forget what cocktail I ordered but it was a good recommendation from our server and went well with my salmon. Anthony Chittum did well on our visit. :)
(4)Pamela P.
Went here to listen to a friend play sing with her band (she's awesome) and had a few cocktails (that were done very well) and some appetizers with friends. really notable were the sliders with pimiento cheese! Since then I've been putting pimiento cheese on all kinds of stuff lol. the frickles were interesting and surprisingly good (fried pickles slices) and we enjoyed the garlic and Parmesan fries. The ambiance here is quite lovely and its a cool place to go, the lounge area is fun but relaxing.
(4)Michelle P.
The food on our plates looked everyday enough. Roast chicken. Pork loin. But the flavor! Mamma mia! I'll be back for more. The quality of the meat was amazing. I see they source their food from local, sustainable farms and that makes me happy. Service was perfect. Great drink menu too, but that will have to wait until after this baby gets here...looks like a fun bar area to hang out with friends.
(5)Flippy F.
The espresso martini is to die for, and the bartenders are super friendly. It's one of the better "late night" (as late as Old Town gets, anyways) places to grab a drink in the area. The atmosphere is perfect-- relaxing and intimate.
(5)Onawa C.
After being stood up by my birthday dinner party I called to cancel my reservations and Frank said no, no grab a friend and come on down. I will have a special table for you. One friend came through as she normally does and while waiting for her to come, they were fantastic!! This is perfect for an intimate group or for just two!! There are two levels and the second level is even more intimate. The interior is warm, candles everywhere, reds, browns and warm. There is a back couch area is better than waiting at the bar or for drinks and starters only..or for those long nights for two. I will be back to try their wines and The Farm table..that just sounds like a fantastic time!! Parking on King Street is free after 7pm = PERFECT!! and so many shops to pass them time and not too crowded for window shopping. The staff brought me roasted olives (castelvetrano, picholine & niçoise with herbs & garlic ) who knew warm olives could be that amazing, amazing!! The pear clove drink was the perfect start to a fantastic night!! I had porcini crusted scallops braised savoy cabbage, chestnut puree & house made pancetta = SPECTACULAR!! My friend had the smoked polenta agnolotti trumpet mushrooms, poached south mountain egg & our pancettathe. The chef sent their house pickle in roasted tomato sause and it was spectacular. Dessert was good and one free birthday sweet potato fritters and chocolate bombe that we ordered to share you can't go wrong with any of it. Outside of the amazing food the service was even better..after friends cancelled on a day I needed friends I was surround by that one perfect friend, a welcoming and warm staff, a perfect and light fare, a thank you note for joining them for dinner I then went around the corner and discovered I love Karaoke..with more friends!! Thanks to the staff and Fran!! Best birthday dinner ever.
(5)Meredith R.
My husband and I have gone for every meal here, several times. I do enjoy coming here, there's not a menu item that makes me say "OMG the ____" (okay maybe the hushpuppies). Probably our favorite time of day to eat there is lunch. Their menu changes regularly, so I'm going to keep the comments a little more general. Brunch: *Went with another couple and my girlfriend and I split an omelet and some special pancakes, also got bacon - all pretty good *Bacon was thick and salty *Good mimosas and coffee *My hubby and I walked away thinking that the food felt/tasted a little on the greasy side - which was suprising to us *Definitely a nice atmosphere - a good place to take someone special who's in town, like the parents *Note, not a ton of options, so don't take a picky eater Lunch: *Love getting the hushpuppies with the various dipping sauces *All the sandwiches (po boy) are very good *I've had salads and soups there as well *Lunch is nice and relaxing there, and probably the most bang for the buck Dinner: *We finally sampled one of their house cocktails (I had something involving blackberries and gin and it was YUMMY - I drank it in maybe 5 minutes) *We love doing tasting menus and had a gift card to help us out (however, I think the tasting menu is a pretty reasonable price for a tasting menu) *All the items were very good and we added the wine pairings which was a ton of fun! HIGHLY recommend doing this for a special occasion Tips: *This is also a great place to come for cocktails, we've celebrated plenty of friends birthdays in the back bar area, I love the lounge seats *Brunch - request to sit upstairs, the downstairs is so dark that it's not nearly the same experience to brunch downstairs Always a good bet!
(4)Hana K.
Actual date visited: August 15, 2009 After reading many, many Yelp reviews I decided to give Vermilion a chance. It was the boyfriend's birthday and an ideal place to start off what would be a long night of wild celebrations. Ambiance: The dress attire looks to be business casual. I wouldn't walk in with my ripped jeans and old t-shirt but jeans with a blazer on top of a casual shirt would suffice. I called in ahead and requested for a corner table, upstairs, next to the windows. There are three tables with next to window seatings, as there are three windows overlooking King Street. Kudos to the hostess for being able to accommodate my request. The upstairs is definitely more of a dining area versus the downstairs, where the bar is located. They have brick walls, giving off an intimate dining feel and one side of the wall devoted to wines. Food: For starters we ordered the boudin sausage and the half rack of crispy dragon creek oysters. Why does the half rack only consist of five oysters? Although tasty, I admit I was a bit disappointed at the quantity, thinking I'd be getting six oysters. I didn't care too much for the sausage either, as it seemed a bit salty for my taste. For my main, I ordered the barbecued spring chicken and him the pork chop milanese. I had been craving for a juicy tender chicken and the dish was 100% on target. I wish the mashed potatoes was more potatoes and less all the other ingredients. There was too much flavor and texture going on, taking the mashed potatoes concept away. The boyfriends pork chop was a bit under cooked, showing a little pink in the meat. I'm not a fan of partially cooked pork, so I didn't think to delve into it. We ordered a bottle of rose, which was light enough and a good pairing for both our dishes. Service: Our waiter was attentive and not pushy. I noticed, from the corner of my eye, he tried to come over a few times but backed away when he saw we were in midst a conversation. He did bring out the wrong bottle of wine but that was easily forgiven. I did overhear him recommend to the table next to us some of his favorites, which he lacked to do for us. Overall: The portions to price ratio is right on target, for the class of restaurants Vermilion would fall under. I was completely full and wasn't able to try their dessert selection. Vermilion gets three stars because the menu isn't very diverse and a bit bland. Although I was satisfied with my main dish, the other three dishes seemed a bit boring and lacking the flavor I was anticipating. Overall, the restaurant is a mediocre Old-Town establishment.
(3)Jennie L.
Cute decor, so-so food/drinks, spotty service Came here for brunch on Sunday, 8/7 and had a thoroughly mediocre brunch My friend and I both ordered grapefruit juice, which was served to us at room temperature (~73*). We were both a bit taken aback at how warm it was and asked for cups of ice. The waitress did bring us ice, but walked away before we could ask for straws. Annoying! We had a caprese salad to start and I know burrata is expensive, but at $12 we expected more than a 2" diameter coin of cheese. Also, there were exactly 2 basil leaves on the plate (left whole), which made the salad cumbersome to eat. Lovely ingredients but illogical presentation and poor attention to ratios and details. We also shared the: - garganelli pasta (delicious), - rock shrimp po-boy (the fried shrimp were sadly soggy, and there was twice as much tomato as shrimp), and - baked farm eggs (average brunch fare) I would never make the trek to Old Town for this, there are way better brunches everywhere else. However, if you're already in Old Town, this would be a cute neighborhood spot.
(3)Valentino Z.
I was invited here by a friend to celebrate my birthday. I suggested this place as I wanted to try it, as it was recommended to me by a co-worker. Apparently, it was also the restaurant of choice by the Obamas for their 2012 Valentine's day dinner. It is located in old town Alexandria, which is very nice, except for parking. Luckily, having just bought a brand new Fiat 500, and being an excellent driver ;), I was able to park right in front of the restaurant in a tiny spot for which I received the applause of a few people walking by. A good way to start the evening! The place is nice and we got the choice of a boot or window seats. I chose the boot as it seemed more romantic. They offer a reasonably priced tasting menu, but we opted to skip it as we were not so hungry. Since my friend is allergic to gluten, they were very helpful and worked with us to offer alternatives. To start I ordered the shellfish soup, and my friend ordered the roasted olives. They were both okay. The soup was slightly too salted, and lacked subtlety, in my opinion, and the olives were very simple. As our main course I ordered the grass-fed lamb, while my friend ordered the rockfish. They were both good (I actually liked the rockfish better), but neither was exceptional. The wine list is varied and not overwhelming, which is good. Too many restaurants like to offer hundreds of wines, and I am not a fan of it. Stick to what is good with your menu. However, I would select a few different wines from what it is offered there. I ordered, to start with, a glass of grechetto, from Umbria, Italy, which was very good, and I would recommend it, and then a glass of Lagrein from Northern Italy, which was a great accompaniment to the lamb (my friend, alas, does not drink). We decided to skip dessert as we were both satiated after our meal. All in all it is a good place, maybe I should give it 3.5 stars if I could, but perhaps because of the high expectations I had going there, I am not inclined to give it 4 stars.
(3)Jennifer L.
Review is for BRUNCH: Food was very good and service was excellent. We had 4 in our party, 2 got the chef's burger, 1 got the buckwheat banana foster pancakes and I had the shrimp salad sandwich. Pancakes were yummy and both burgers were good, 1 subed greens for fries without a problem. The shrimp salad sandwich was a little bit of a disappointment due to the roll it came on. I partyly ordered this b/c it came on a brioche roll which was toasted to the point that I could not bite into it. I simply ate the shrimp salad with a fork and enjoyed my fries instead. It also came with a pickle salad that was really tasty. 2 in our party had bloody marys and they were very well done, 1 had the king lemonage which was good and I had a reisling. Decor: the setting was impressive, dark wood and reds throughout. I'd love to check this place out for Happy Hour. Service: One word - Amazing. We never wanted for drinks and plates were picked up promptly when we were finished.
(3)Holly P.
LOVED this place. Our group of four hit up this place before a show at the Kennedy Center and it was the perfect start to our evening. Wait staff great, atmosphere beautiful/romantic/creative, food OUTSTANDING! We had a smattering of many things, dips, buffalo steaks, seafood...it was all great!
(5)Demetrios G.
I love this place! The food is wonderful and the lunch special is one of the best around. They've raised the prices on their weekday lunch but $6 glasses of any wine or dessert is a steal (even if it used to be $5). The waiter service is usually superb but the front desk staff can be very off-putting (more so at night than lunch). The first time we tried to go here we waited for 20 minutes only to be told that they had taken our name off the list and that we'd have to wait another 20 minutes. I'm glad we made our way back here despite this experience. Nate's burger was hands down the best burger to be had in the DC Metro area. I was very dismayed when they pulled it off their lunch menu but luckily they recently replaced it with the double cheeseburger. The ground beef they use for their burgers is coarsely ground and has a wonderful texture and flavor. The potato salad tastes different every time but it's almost always worth ordering. I usually stick with the burger but the loukaniko, some keftedes style mushroom dish (I can't remember the name), and Chicken have been quite good. From the dessert perspective I would advocate getting the confectioner's platter. It's homemade versions of a Snickers bar, Little Debbie, Doughnut, and Mint Ice Cream. Lunch is the best deal but it's a great dinner place also.
(4)Sarah J.
After an amazing winter brunch, I am bumping you up a star, Vermillion! You are constantly warm, inviting, and delicious. Not once has your food disappointed me. And hey-your brunch is actually reasonably priced! Whaddu you know...I'm officially in love. Delicious coffee, mimosas, ricotta pancakes with apple compote, sweet potato hash, oyster benedict...oh I could go on and on! Your food is just that delicious, Vermillion. The scrumptiousness (yes, I made up a word for it) of your food will allow me to overlook the fact that when you walk into brunch without a reservation, the host looks at you like you have 4 heads. I will even overlook walking into the restaurant at the start of brunch, with the entire restaurant EMPTY, and pretentiously being told to sit in the bar section because I didn't make a res. Because you're worth it, Vermillion. You. Are. Food. Heaven.
(5)Greg O.
I used to go to Vermillion all the time back when I lived in Alexandria during college. But we always went to the bar area, and usually didn't have anything more than spirits and the occasional appetizer. This weekend I actually ate there for the first time for Sunday Brunch. And it was delicious. We started with the heirloom tomato salad, which they were kind enough to split between the two of us. The tomatoes were very fresh and the salad dressing was perfect. Then I had the 3 egg omelet with bacon. The omelet was pretty good, but the stars were the potato hash browns and the perfectly cooked bacon- nice and crispy and oh so good. The service was friendly and attentive the whole time- now I want to go back and try their dinner menu!
(4)Scott C.
Vermilion is a fantastic dinner destination in Alexandria. The local flavors and modern touches to the presentation and flavors of each dish are worth experiencing. The restaurant itself is very cozy, with soft lighting and intimate booths and tables both upstairs and downstairs. The bar/lounge area is a great place to hang out for a drink and good conversation. We had the Vermilion tasting menu which included a lobster tortoloni, rockfish, steak and creamcheese dessert courses. The lobster tortoloni was accompanied by blood oranges and a taragon emulsion (foam) - absolutely delicious combination of flavors in this course that accentuated the lobster flavor. The rockfish with fried oyster was accompanied by another emulsion with vegetables. The fish really took in the spices and emulsion flavor for a savory taste in this course. The steak was served on a hash-brown type potatoe with a rich sauce - all flavors complimented each other very nicely and was a nice cap to the dinner courses of the menu. The dessert of a chocolate / coffee flavored cheesecake was very nice after the varied flavors of the previous courses. It was a great cap to the meal. The beer and wine list is good - it is easy to find a good pairing for whatever dish you have ordered on the menu. The beer list is fairly robust offering several different beer choices that really add to the meal. Vermilion is quickly becoming a mainstay on my DC area dining list each time I visit.
(5)Philip Y.
A-OK. Food was decent for the price. Nothing notable, really. We sat upstairs and thought it was a bit loud.
(3)Charolastra M.
Went there for dinner on a Wednesday night. Surprisingly, reservations were needed a few days in advance. This place is popular. Bar: Excellent selection of bourbons. Helpful, attentive bar staff. The night got off to a great start. (5/5). Ambience: Very classy, quiet, and well decorated. Excellent ambience for a date. Given that I was there on a date, this got high marks from me. (5/5). Appetizers: I started with the Crispy Dragon Creek Oysters. Great flavor, very fresh oysters, but the oysters were a bit small. 5 oysters for $14. Excellent fennel slaw though. (4/5). Entree: I had the Maryland All Natural Beef Duo. Excellent dish. Decent portion size (not too big, not too small). The baked crespelle on the side was perfect. One complaint: I ordered my meat cooked medium rare, and it came out medium, almost medium well. Had it been cooked as I asked, this dish would've gotten perfect marks. (4.5/5). Dessert: Mini Apple Pie. The bacon caramel crust was interesting; not enough 'baconness' to it, but tasty nevertheless. The rest of the dessert, including the bourbon ice cream, was excellent. (4.5/5). Wine: Excellent selection, and great value wines. We had a mid-ranged Malbec that was quite nice. (5/5). All in all, this restaurant is arguably the best in Old Town, and one of the best in DC. Highly recommended. Just please don't bring your kids and spoil the ambience for all those that are there on dates.
(5)Amy L.
I love coming to Vermillion for Sunday brunch. The food is excellent and the service has been consistently good. I love the seasonal pancakes and the muffins they bring out as an appetizer. It's a bit pricey, but the food is worth it. I always take out of town guests here to make a good impression.
(5)Jenny H.
Love Vermillion. LOVE IT. The service is probably the best in Old Town. For instance - we recently checked out the lounge for the first time and told the bartender (who we'd never met) that my husband had a big talk for his PhD program the next day. Two weeks later we came to the lounge again, and he REMEMBERED our offhand comment about this talk. That is seriously awesome customer recall right there. Everyone But it doesn't stop there - the drinks are the shit. They do different cocktails every month depending on what's in season; this month it's pears and you need, yes, need to try the pear and cloves cocktail. YUM. The food is amazing (and we are both crazy picky eaters, so while there aren't a lot of options, there does tend to be a good variety). Current favorite is the yogurt at brunch. I cannot stop thinking about it. If Daphne's your waitress, have her make you a latte - there are few things in this world more civilized than a lunchday latte at Vermillion. Vermillion, I am never going to quit you...
(5)Kim S.
I'm pretty sure I need revisit Vermilion to get a proper experience. I'm giving it an A-OK because the bartender was lovely, chatty and was able to mix the perfect treats for my friend and I to get in the Christmas shopping mood. Now, you can't really blame an establishment for the behavior of it's patrons, but damn...other than my friend and I there was one other couple at the other end of the bar and they were TANKED. It was 2pm. They kept interrupting our conversation and when we didn't respond they would just stare at us and try again after a minute or so. I felt horribly rude trying to ignore them, my brain just wasn't drunk enough to engage with them. Would have loved to try another drink here since the falcon punch was off the hook. However, I simply couldn't handle the company. I'll definitely be back, but if I find out they're regulars, I'll pass in the future!
(3)R M.
Nice decor, fresh pasta, average pork, and delicious dessert were overshadowed by a rude waitress (very cold, encouraging more drinks when I was the DD, a full look up and down while leaving the table, etc.). Our water glasses were empty while finishing dessert. While a decent meal, I would not go back. For the same money, try a fantastic staff like Brabo.
(2)Thommee H.
We arrived before 5 p.m. so we could only order off of the lounge menu. That said, everyone in our group loved what we had or shared (risotto fritters, artichoke dip, hangar steak, and the crispy oysters). Everything was perfectly prepared, well executed, interesting and balanced, and tasted great. The beer and the wine were good too!
(4)Chrystina Z.
Rather happy with this one. Only been for lunch, but it's never crowded despite its charming romantic decor. Service is prompt and reliable (though today she forgot the straws): they know the specials/explain in detail; never pushy; right pacing for a meal. Ordered the grilled summer squash sandwich (fresh goat cheese, drenched in olive oil the way I like it). Comes with a healthy side of greens.
(3)Nina B.
I'm completely confused by this place. First time I went for dinner, and was completely displeased with the dirty look I got from the Hostess. Sure, I was wearing jeans, but I don't think your place is fancy enough and full enough to warrant it. The service for the rest of the night was sub-par, and the food was just OK. For some reason, i was dragged back for the Sunday brunch. COMPLETELY different experience. The food was excellent. The service was sooo nice. Unfortunately, they made a mistake on the menu, and my eggs benedict came without the smoked salmon. I pointed it out, and got a plateful of cod (due to chef error on the menu), and a free breakfast out of it. So, assuming they get their behind the scenes act together, it might be a pleasant place to have brunch again. Third time, decided to explore the lounge/bar in the back to watch the Redskins game. Not exactly the best place for a sports bar, but you could tell there were a bunch of regulars who hang out there, and it's really a neighborhood bar. Which I appreciated, especially now that Bistro Europa is closed down.
(3)Michelle R.
Let's start with the most important part, which is the food. It is exceptional. I have had very memorable meals here during different seasons. I appreciate their commitment to local ingredients, creativity, and unique food. Most recently I had the rockfish with basmati rice, shrimp, and sundried tomato pesto. The fish was perfectly cooked and who knew rice could be so wonderful?! After having eaten here when we first met, my boyfriend made reservations for the night he would propose, and it was a PERFECT spot to celebrate our engagement. The staff, usually very good in every way, was so great. They had flowers and champagne waiting, as requested, and also gave us complimentary (favorite) dessert and a congratulations card. Special touches that were appreciated, but not as much as the attentiveness, unobtrusiveness, and extensive understanding of the food and menu at hand. I hope to celebrate more special occasions here and other happy meals!
(5)Mim L.
My boyfriend and I were excited to visit Vermillion over the weekend and were delighted that it lived up to our expectations. The ambiance was wonderfully warm for a date night. We made reservations for 8:30pm and were seated right away. Our waiter was friendly and knowledgeable about the food. My boyfriend started with a whiskey neat and I ordered their specialty drink, the Home Sweet Home (which was a little too heavy on the syrup for my taste but I'm sure it would have suited most others. I don't have much of a sweet tooth.). The drinks came almost immediately which was wonderful. For our appetizer we shared the Steak Tartare, which was wonderfully light and was garnished with crisp slices of radishes. Between our tartare and their delicious dinner breads, we had high hopes for our dinner course. For dinner I ordered the Lamb and my boyfriend was torn by the risotto and tuna, he went with the Tuna and was very happy. Both the tuna and lamb were cooked perfectly; their accommodements were also cooked very well. We appreciated that the food was not over seasoned and gave us an opportunity to enjoy the delicate flavors of each featured ingredient. We both paired our dinner with wine. I had the Chilean Carménère (one of my favorite varieties). Speaking to the execution from service to flavors, Vermillion is a standout. If you're looking for very spicey flavors or a more bustling environment, this place may not be on par for you. If you come with the right expectations, I think you will be very happy with quality of detail in ingredients and seamlessness of service. The only two things I would ask the chef, is first about his vision in pairing Tuna with Fried potato cakes. I thought the Tuna could have used more acidity to brighten it's delicate flavor. And secondly I thought the menu could be improved with more springlike options. Overall we loved it and are looking forward to enjoying another course their soon.
(4)Sacha C.
Menu was pretty limited and nothing stood out. They had the usual burger, chicken sandwich, fish sandwich, three salads, and maybe five entrees - salmon, chicken, hangar steak and something else. I had the hangar steak entree that came with fries and salad. The salad was too salty, fries were good, steak was just ok. My dining companion had the fish sandwich and he felt it had too much sauce and slaw on it, very bready. With so many other places around, there is no need to try this place again. Service was fine, decor was nice.
(2)Heather F.
We went there on St. Patty's day for my bf's bday. Our server was attentive & knowledgable, the wine & food was delish. Atmosphere was great, desserts were slightly disappointing by comparison though :/
(4)Shabab G.
Great lounge in back and good beef tartare.
(4)Rachel P.
I have rarely had such a tasty meal in the DC area. The chef's technical ability really showed, the meal we had (Berkshire pork) was balanced, wholesome, and the pork was so succulent and perfectly medium rare. The King Street Lemonade was refreshing and the wine list fairly good, especially in terms of pairings. The potato croquettes did not impress, but the desserts were fun and correctly sized. I had the lemon merengue with pomegranate molasses and pistachio rose ice cream. That molasses.. great touch. The cookies and treats plate was a bit hit or miss, but the patent high quality of food and pitch perfect service made for a real 5 star experience.
(5)Katie C.
Went to Vermilion for restaurant week. I was really excited as I have only heard great things about the place. The atmosphere was lovely and the staff was great, but we weren't impressed with the food. The shrimp and chorizo (grits) app and ricotta fritter dessert were very good - I most certainly can't complain about that! But I had the sirloin and it was very chewy - it had a lot of fat and seemed like a poorly cooked cheap cut of meat. My bf had the salmon and it was extremely salty. He also had the gazpacho which was good but not great. The s'more sundae was his dessert - it was tasty, but nothing special. Considering the price points at the restaurant (and the restaurant week is supposed to lure you in with a cross-section of their menu), my bf and I were pretty disappointed.
(2)John K.
Went here for restaurant week, and I"m not sure I would have given it 5 stars if I paid full price. The food is GREAT, so I'll probably return, but the value gets sucked away a little bit by the higher-than-necessary prices. Everything I ordered here I loved, especially the fresh goat cheese tortelloni. The pork keftedes made for a great and filling starter, and although I've had better ricotta fritters, the other elements on this dessert plate (such as the raspberry sorbet) really made the dish. I tried my friend's chocolate cheescake 2 ways, and I was pretty much in love with that. She also had the Beef duo, which I wasn't crazy about. She also mentioned it was a little heavy on the meat and kind of one-note (although there were other things on the plate, such as the bed of swiss chard I think). Easily the best restaurant I've come across in Alexandria, and the space is pretty nice. The service was really good, but dammit their drinks are expensive.
(5)Gio D.
Not a bad little place. Overall the food is good, but priced a little too high for my comfort for what you get. If I'm spending $125 for a dinner for two, it needs to hold up with restaurants in the DC area like the Atlas Room or Corduroy (both solid 4 star places in the $125 range for a dinner for two). I had the tortelloni and my wife had the lamb. Both dishes were good and presented well. However when compared to the above mentioned - taking into account price, service and overall dining experience it simply falls short of a 4 star rating.
(3)Adrienne M.
I've been to Vermilion twice and enjoyed it both times. My first visit was in October and I was impressed. We had the tasting menu with wine pairings. The food was fantastic but our server lacked any type of personality. The ambiance is wonderfully intimate and relaxing. On my second visit with my sister we just had drinks in the bar area.. I could have stayed all night watching the bartender make drinks and chatting with him. I will definitely be going back!
(4)Trabbit L.
Stopped here for lunch. "The Intern" meal was great. A little bit of everything: salad, soup, and half a sandwich on one plate for only $12! Husband had a burger which he enjoyed. Food was well prepared, tasty, and fast; waitress efficient and friendly. Bonus point: perfect spot by the window to relax and romantically watch the rain :)
(5)Lia M.
Vermilion is one of my favorite places in Old Town. I love everything about it - the décor, the food, the drinks, and the service. I've visited alone for happy hour or with a girlfriend for dinner or just drinks and appetizers. I have never been upstairs only downstairs in the bar/lounge and in the dining section. The dark wood and low-lighting provides Vermilion with an intimate, yet welcoming, feel. They have one of the best happy hours - discounted wine, beer, cocktails, and appetizers. I've sat at the bar or on the couches in the lounge area, which I love. The bar is small, but there are high tables, plus the couches. The bartender, whose name I do not remember, is awesome. He is friendly and the seasonal cocktails he makes are delicious. This season, I am enjoying the elderflower one. The bar menu is different from the restaurant menu. From the bar menu, I've had the roasted olives (though those are also on the restaurant menu), the buffalo chicken titans, and the hush puppies. The olives are great and served warm with pita bread, which is good for dipping in the oil. The chicken titans are my favorite though - spicy chicken in a crisp shell, like a spring roll. I've only had hush puppies here, and found them addictively crisp outside, yet soft inside. I've eaten dinner here once, and the service is what you would expect of a high-end restaurant, which I find rare, unless dining at such a place. Extremely professional, knowledgeable about the menu, and proper setting, placement, and clearing of dinnerware and dishes, along with just the right amount of attentiveness. Dinner was chilled English pea soup with wild nettle and ricotta tortelloni, shared between two people. Our amuse-bouche was a roasted red pepper wrapped around goat cheese, and it was just as good as it sounds. I am not a fan of pea soup, though this was good, but I only had a few bites (my friend insisted on sharing). The shrimp and peas in the middle added a nice texture to the vibrant green starter. The wild nettle and ricotta tortelloni came with three or four tortellonis, well-filled with the flavorful, creamy ricotta. This dish included parmesan crisps and pea shoots, two of my favorite accompaniments ever, and they proved just as tasty as always. The lemon parmesan foam was frothy and creamy enough that I thought it might be butter, but very mild to the taste. Bread served before the meal was good, though not outstanding, and I preferred the crescent rolls to the focaccia. Vermilion is definitely a restaurant that I will continue to frequent.
(4)Grace P.
Went here with my husband for dinner on Saturday night and although we read the reviews of the restaurant before we went and knew to expect great food, we were still surprised at how great the food and service were. We had the pork cheek as an appetizer with wines a couple different glasses of wine which were each refreshing and delicious. The pork cheek should be an entree because it's a good portion and it's amazingly tasty. My husband had the grouper, prepared perfectly and I had the giant pasta tagliatelle - came with lamb meatballs, spiced and tasty, creamy ricotta cheese and crisp veggies. We didn't have dessert since we had a reservation at PX (another great review to follow). Service was on point, not disruptive, profesional and knowledgeable. I wish I could go there right now and have lunch.
(5)Sal P.
WHY I WENT THERE: - Great lunch menu WHAT I LIKED: - Awesome variety of fresh, seasonal veggie & locally sourced-meat dishes - Exemplary service with great ambiance - especially on the second floor, sitting up in the trees overlooking King St. - Real variety of dishes and price ranges DO NOT MISS: - CONFECTIONERS DESSERT OMG. Don't even question it. Trust me. Homemade snicker's bar......among other delights...::melt:: - Double cheeseburger. I was sad when they took Nate's burger off the menu, but WOW - completely blown away. BEST BURGER ON KING ST. - Gazpacho is very tasty especially as light summer fare WHAT I LEARNED THE HARD WAY: - Um, lunch special that makes all wines $6 and all desserts $6...recipe for DANGER, my friends! - Sad to see them raise the special prices slightly...but everything's going up right now, so I suppose it's understandable ((grumblegrumble))
(5)Hilary G.
I went here for restaurant week and enjoyed the atmosphere, food, and drinks. I am still not sure I would pay full price for the dishes, but I appreciate their effort to serve local food. I was especially happy to see Carolina shrimp on the menu instead of shrimp farmed in Asia. The locally source and made on site chorizo was delicious as well. The Skuna Bay salmon came from Canada and was delicious and cooked perfectly (not overdone like many restaurants). My husband enjoyed his sirloin but found the vegetables to be too salty. Both the s'mores dessert and the fritters were good but I wasn't as impressed with the fritters. The lemon curd was a good companion to the fritters though. Vermilion has a great whiskey selection which stands out and some are reasonably priced. Their pimms drink was around $12 which I thought was a bit steep. Ask for an upstairs table by the window if you want a romantic location. If I come back, it will definitely be more the salmon. Service was good as well.
(4)Ashley P.
Not bad, not bad. We came here for brunch on our 1 year wedding anniversary. We did not have reservations, and just walked right in. The front dining room only had one table seated. The hostess was like, "oh man, I don't know if we'll be able to seat you." Seriously? You can't be holding all six of these tables for reservations that aren't here yet. That's a bad business model. She acted like she was doing us a favor by seating us. We are forever greatful to have been awarded one of those coveted tables. Especially, because said hostess turned away three other parties of four that came in after us, since they didn't have reservations. However, only one reservation came in for one of said coveted tables the entire time we were there. Epic fail. I opted for the Buckwheat Buttermilk Pankcakes with spiced apples cooked right in. It came with sorghum butter, and a side of bacon. It was different, yet tasty. Although, after about 4-5 bites of the pancakes, I had had enough. The hubs ordered the chef's burger, and absolutely loved it. He also said the bloody mary was super tasty. It's a solid brunch spot, that we will definitely consider again in the future.
(3)Sarah K.
Two people recommended that I go to Vermilion for happy hour. I had a friend in town and the weather was crappy so we decided to go close to home. We got there at about 7:30 and they said it was at least an hour wait. We stalked some seats at the bar and were able to enjoy a few drinks--they were fabulous! I loved the atmosphere here. We ended up sitting upstairs for dinner and the service was perfect. My dish was wonderful and I have no complaints. Wonderful.
(4)Susan E.
Our first time going to Vermillion was Valentine's Day and it was truly a disappointment. The hostesses were unaccommodating and clearly inexperienced, the bartender cool and distant with an attitude that felt like she was really trying not to roll her eyes. The night before we'd been to the Columbia Firehouse, owned by the same restaurant group, and found the manager and server warm and welcoming and the food fantastic. While waiting for our table we sat at the bar and ordered cocktails and wanted to share a reasonably healthy appetizer. Almost every item was deep fried. We resorted to ordering the chicken egg rolls, which were very ordinary, not even a cut above what you'd get at any chain sports bar. My husband and I are fairly sophisticated diners who travel frequently and eat at fine restaurants throughout the world. Valentine's dinner was a prix fixe menu consisting of 5 courses of ridiculously overwrought foods that were heavily salted, some so much that we couldn't eat them. When we mentioned it to our server, she replied, "Yes, our chef does like to season his food and likes to use his salt." She did offer to have the dishes remade but at that point we didn't want to wait the additional 20 min and had lost confidence. I understand that this was a tasting menu but even so, Vermillion offers cuisine I would describe as very salty, fussy and overly complicated but nothing that I would describe as satisfying, delicious food. Lastly, there was absolutely no effort made by the restaurant to create anything special or romantic for Valentine's Day. We didn't expect a strolling violinist or heart confetti sprinkled on the table but except for their prix fixe meal in recognition of the holiday, not even the hostesses wished us a Happy Valentine's Day. It was like any other evening. I left feeling queasy from the food and we were both irritated from having spent $250 on a meal and an experience we didn't enjoy.
(1)Timothy U.
Had brunch on a Sunday afternoon around 2pm. Greeted by both the hostess and server with a smile :-) Made reservations on OpenTable and I was seated with a quickness. Great atmoshpere and decor. After watching Gordon Ramsey on Kitchen Nightmares the previous night (that show is freakin' awesome by the way), I couldn't resist the urge to wipe my finger across the trim on the wall. Finger was covered in dust/dirt! Can tell they don't dust often. I'm borderline OCD LOL. That's my ONLY complaint. Other than that, the food was amazing! Started off with the sheeps yogurt with sliced grapes, granola and drizzled with honey. Finished with the ricotta pumpkin pancakes with spiced apples. Everything was great and I will definetely be back.
(4)Lisa K.
Several people recommended it for brunch. UGH! Heavy, "pork slab" dishes. NO fruit selection. Little muffins were gummy...my friend laughed and said it reminded her of playing at "baking" once when she was very little. Inside is dark and depressing at bunch. Very heavy, gloppy food. I'm sure it's lovely at dinner...I won't be back.
(1)Terri F.
Went for Easter brunch. Short but very interesting menu. Can't wait to go back and try dinner. Quaint old bldg. great wine list. Service excellent. First time in old town. How pleasant.
(4)Vince M.
So I came here for lunch with my girlfriend. It was pretty impromptu, we were hungry, wandering down King Street and stopped in as we've heard good things. The set up is pretty nice, it seems like a great potential place to bring someone on an actual date. It's a smaller place, but open given its size, with a lot of comfortable booth seating. Likewise, the service was really good. For the food, they had a reasonably priced lunch special (the CEO-an entree and a salad.) However, the sale options weren't particularly enticing (there were only three) so we decided to skip the special and just get a single entree each. I had the pan roasted chicken, and she had the hanger steak. I loved my entree, the chicken was cooked perfectly. It was moist, and had a ton of flavor. The potato puree and vegetable bed were also great; I would definitely recommend the dish. My girlfriends hanger steak was less exciting. It was cooked unevenly (she wanted medium rare, part came out more medium-medium well). It seems like they had given us parts of a different steak as well (there were more than just two "end" pieces). It also lacked much flavor, as did the spinach that came with it. That said, it overall was still a good meal. From looking at the menu, and taking in the atmosphere, it seems like a nice place to go for a date for a reasonable price. However, it isn't the most impressive place. It didn't live up to the expectations I had.
(3)Sasha B.
My hubby took me out for date night here on a Friday night and we had a great time. The food was unreal and the service is what really made our evening. There was a slight issue with one of our dishes and while for us it wasn't a big deal (b.c. the food was so damn good) the restaurant made sure to "right the wrong" immediately. Here's what we tried: Apps - seared scallops: yum! Melts in your mouth. Apps - octopus salad: this was the best octopus I've ever had. It so melts in your mouth and has zero rubbery-chewy texture. Zero. Entree - lamb: everything on the plate was delicious. The plate was cleaned by my man. Entree - pasta with peas and hazelnuts: the pasta was so gentle and fresh and the peas inside were good. I will say, even as a lover of hazelnuts, the hazelnuts were overpowering and slightly a few too many on the plate. But the star of the dish, the pasta, was yumz. Dessert - fried dough-y balls: I think these might be their specialty - they were tasty. Dessert - the variety plate: the great thing about this plate of goodness is not only the amount of chocolate but also the fact that the chocolate was not too sweet, so you didn't feel like you just gobbled up a plate full of sugar. It's clearly quality chocolate :) Lots of things impressed me on the menu but I will definitely be back for the octopus salad and the fantastic service. And the bar seemed like a great place to hang out.
(4)Tyler B.
-- review pertains only to drinks -- Stopped in Vermillon last Friday night around 10:30 for a few drinks with friends. It was hot outside, and somehow hotter inside. We all ordered Moscow Mules to cool down, only to find they weren't served in their sign
(3)Courtney R.
Stopped in for brunch last Sunday. I've been here for dinner as well a few years ago. I ordered the egg sandwich on their house-made biali. Biali is probably the worst kind of bread for a b'fast sandwich--think bagel but way more tough. You have to fight with it to eat it. The potato latkes that accompanied the sandwich where basically Mickey Ds hash browns. Not bad, but waaaay cheaper in the drive through, you know? One friend ordered steak and it came out cold and bleeding, leaving us in the super-awkward position of her having to send it back, us not wanting our eggs to go cold and eating in front of someone without her meal, then us waiting for her to finish hers because somehow it took them 15 minutes to get the steak to medium. They did comp the steak, so kudos. The Virginia Benedict (poached eggs over fried oysters) is a rare find, and my friend seemed to enjoy it. Servers were friendly, but the food fell flat, particularly for the higher price ($13-$16 a dish). One could dine cheaper--and better--elsewhere.
(2)ChefClaire D.
I was in Alexandria for business and went to Vermilion for dinner---A-MAZING. The food is so carefully prepared and absolutely stunning on the plate. The service was exceptional---authentic people who really love food and love to share it with you. We had appetizers of white shrimp, artichoke dip, and carpaccio---all beautifully prepared and exceptionally tasting. The endive salad came with a poached egg, just delicious and beautifully plated. I ordered the duck but mistakenly received a pork dish. They happily exchanged it. When the duck arrived it was it was rare when I ordered medium rare---no problem. They took the charge off the bill and added a complimentary dessert. All just fabulously tasting, beautifully presented, and exceptional service. I am not one to give 5 stars. Vermilion deserves it.
(5)Tracy L.
Whenever I asked people around me about Vermilion, it was always about the glorious happy hour deal. I didn't hear too much about the food itself. I was like, what's up with that? When I came here for a business lunch during restaurant week, I realized that this place served awesome food! (And I'm usually not that excited about new American food.) I had a nice squash soup, shrimp salad on a toasted French roll and a fabulously chocolatey chocolate mousse cake. Everything was very tasty. I thought to myself, "I seriously need to talk about the delic food here more!" One more thing: the decor here is quite "girly" and romantic. Me like it.
(4)Adrienne A.
Vermillion is getting a lot of buzz as one of the newer darlings in Old Town, and does have a vibe that is hip and comfortable at the same time. The seating in the back bar has got a little bit of the inside of Jeannie's Bottle going on, which was cute EXCEPT for some rather annoying lights that hang too low smack in the center of the seating areas making conversation slightly difficult and picture taking impossible! Wait staff: sweet and efficient Food: v. good Drinks: also v. good Price: I would say a little spendy, but it's Old Town, so comparatively, the prices are the norm. All in all a snappy little place. We're looking forward to going back again, this time for brunch, one of their offerings that is getting some pretty high acclaim.
(3)Stanley S.
This place gets worse every time I come here. Came here with the GF and she got the veggie tasting menu, while I got their spring veggie salad and the wild nettle ricotta tortellini. The salad was really good, especially for someone who enjoys pickled vegetables. The tortellini, however, was no good. My first bite was a shock because it was WAY too salty. The saltiness came from a combo of the parmesan cheese cracker like things and the tortellini themselves (both filling and pasta itself). If I were judging this place based soley on that dish it would've gotten 2 stars. BUT! I must say that the hush puppies I ordered at the bar were AMAZING!!! Three kinds of dipping sauce and all of them were stellar. Maybe this place is better for just drinks and bar food/small plates?
(3)Jodi M.
Love this place! The ambiance and delicious food makes Vermillion one of my new go to spots for dinner/drinks. LOVE the Risotto Fritters and mini burgers!
(5)Dez R.
I saw that it was consistently rated as one of the best restaurants in the DC Metro area, and that people thought highly of their wine selection, so I absolutely had to check it out. Vermilion totally exceeded my expectations. Making a reservation was a breeze. There was a very short wait once we arrived, and the service was exquisite. The food was delicious, and wasn't at all expensive in comparison to restaurants of the same level of quality and sophistication. I had the 4-course tasting with wine pairing. Every course was executed amazingly, and I loved how the waitress explained why each wine was chosen for each dish. I was very impressed. If you're in the area, make a reservation and fully take in Vermilion. I highly doubt that you'll be disappointed.
(5)Michael D.
Always wonderful, rich with new experiences of local flavor combined with exotic twists. Eat here often and have never been let down. Great place to take special dates and special business clients as service and atmosphere match the food experience. Only draw back is that the desert portions could be bigger :-)
(4)lauren s.
Had restaurant week dinner here earlier this week and had a great experience. The place is cozy, but not small and the staff was really warm and welcoming. Our group was seated at a comfortable booth. There were four in our group, and between us, we had every item on the prix fixe Restaurant Week menu, and only one thing was disappointing. While I typically love gazpacho, the watermelon one they served was too vinegary and tangy for my taste and I really could only eat a few bites. It was an interesting dish, but not my favorite. The rest of my meal was delicious and my friends loved what they were served. Our server was fine and we had a really nice evening.
(4)Erica H.
This place is awesome! I've never been let down by Vermillion. The bar food is good. A little pricey, but definitely tastier than nachos and chicken wings. The entrees are fantastic and executed very well. I'm a big fan of their seafood dishes. The fish always tastes fresh and the sides are paired nicely. If you go, try the cheese plate. It's listed on the dessert menu, but we always order it for an appetizer. Everything is seasonal. The first time we had it, the cheese plate came with a clementine marmalade. Second time it came with pickled fennel. It's always an adventure!
(4)Marian K.
We've been 4-5 times over the last few years, and have always been happy. The tasting menu with the wine pairings is always an excellent choice. Only thing that lowered the review to 4 stars is that this last time, the waitperson knew nothing about the wines, other than name and country. "What kind of grapes? Uh...I'll have to get back to you on that..." Since we were asking about the wines that came with the tasting menu, it seems reasonable that the wait staff would be more familiar with them than that.
(4)Valarie G.
Nice food and good atmosphere. A little pricier than the rest of the restaurant group's places, but not too bad. Service is really great and the ambiance is top notch. I love the squash soup here and great wine selection.
(4)sophia e.
3.5 stars, after a lot of back and fourth between 3 and 4. And here's why: Pros: Good food, fresh ingredients, excellent service, one of the few good restaurants in old town, veg. options Cons: The froth.. hasn't this trend died already? expensive; the toilets could use some help First let me be clear, Vermilion is the best restaurant on King street (along with Hank's). Unfortunately there isn't much competition for that title, and you thoroughly pay for said quality. The food: I've had brunch and dinner here numerous times. The food is made of good quality ingredients, the portions are good sized, overall satisfying and tasty. Highlights were the gazpacho (last yr they made it with watermelon and feta, and that was probably the best gazpacho I've ever had, including the ones I had in Spain; this yr they use peaches instead and olives. Good but not daydream-about-it good like last yr's). The veggies they use are fresh and seasonal. They have some really strong veggie dishes; they could use a tad less oil, but they are by no means greasy. I've also had fish dishes here. The salmon was ok, nothing special, I wouldn't order it again. The halibut was good, a good sized piece of fresh fish, but it better be at $30. It was served over okra, which for me is a very homey taste and I liked that. I wasn't sure about the overall combination though (it was accompanied by basmati rice), solid taste but something was missing to give that extra haute cuisine feel to the dish. Their brunch is very good, with many options, even vegetarian ones. They use greek yogurt which is much appreciated, and actually the brunch prices are not bad. Their cappuccino is the best you can get in old town, but again unfortunately this doesn't say much. I should also mention that Laura who works there really adds a star to this place. She's attentive, sweet, friendly, without overdoing it. And finally, PLEASE Vermilion change your toilet seats. You can get new ones for like $20 each. Seriously.
(3)C K.
Really nice food - tasty and very delicious specials. The ambiance is great and would be perfect for a romantic night out. The lighting is dim (which makes everyone look good) with the tables lit so you can actually see your food.
(4)Clarence J.
Warm, comfortable atmosphere, friendly staff, and excellent food. This is now one of my favorite places in the area for special meals. I'd give it a 4.5 if I could. The flavors of the food were outstanding across the board, the presentations were beautiful, and the menu is full of a variety of wonderful things. The atmosphere is of a cozy, dark basement bar/restaurant (and I mean that in a complimentary way!), from exposed brick walls to décor heavy on dark leather and wood and including beautiful gaslamps. The large windows let in the light and give good views of King St., but the inside of Vermillion still feels like its own comfortable world. I look forward to visiting many more times!
(4)Matars Z.
Seriously, I'm giving this 2 stars for the rich decor in a cool building in Old Town, and those nice inviting curtains downstairs. That is about it. Because the food, for what it pretends to be, is nothing short of embarrassing. Such airs, and this is what they serve? Beet salad: we got four quarter size prisms of beet - for what was it, $14 - with a bland drizzle of what I assume was balsamic, and yes,the beets had left the ground 24 h prior to us consuming them, but could I tell? No. Hardly any flavor - we ordered two of these, and mostly laughed in awe of what they could charge for this paltry, unflavored dish. Garlic soup: So this was OK - but once you got past the nice roasted garlic, it was, shall we say "one note." We had a couple other appetizers that I can't even remember.Lamb: Short of being refrigerated, they could not have managed to get a more cold piece of meat to me. I ordered medium rare, and I got two tiny, very cold, very raw slabs of meat - no seasoning at all --I could tell it was a nice pair of medallions, but with no seasoning, no flavor profile, and at that temperature.... such a disappointment. Salmon: It was salmon, with a sprinkling of salt and just about nothing else. Extremely boring. Uninspired. Dull. The person who had the pasta was pleased with fresh peas in her dish, but I am damned if I am going to pay almost $300 for pleasure over a few fresh peas that can be had at many other establishments that serve food with FLAVOR. Overrated and highly disappointing, will never go back.
(2)Samantha S.
Vermillion is my favorite restaurant in Old Town Alexandria. The lush red atmosphere is inviting, cozy, and seductive. The food equals the restaurant's aesthetic. The pillow-lined lounge area feels like a harem in the best sense of the term. Sexy, relaxing and red, the lounge is a great way to wind down the evening. Appetizers: The Cornmeal Hushpuppies with bread & butter pickles & 3 dipping sauces was good. Although I've had better, crispier hush puppies at BBQ places in the boondocks, the white cream and mustard sauces were great. I won't hold the use of inferior bread & butter pickles garnish against them, although regular pickles would have been just fine. The risotto balls were even better. We ordered a cheese plate with four cheeses of the season, and all four were great. Although the bar doesn't normally serve a bread basket, we asked for one and they brought a great selection of homemade onion bread and Hawaiian rolls. The onion bread was dangerously delicious. On my first trip two years ago, I enjoyed a glass of wine and a taste of Basil Hayden's, which was the first bourbon I've ever liked. I enjoyed my bourbon with one of their exquisite desserts. Any of their desserts are not to be missed.
(5)Meg H.
Hello Sexy! About a month ago...( I know don't judge me for procrastinating this review) Boyfriend and I went to Vermilion for a romantic dinner to celebrate a couple awesome things in our lives. I have heard a lot of people say- Vermilion is the coolest place to get drinks, and the closest cool place to King Street metro. Or at least the first place you wouldn't mind being "seen" at along King Street. We made a reservation and they accommodated us the day of pushing back the time, because it was great to show up and be whisked into a tall backed red velvet booth. The ambiance here is very sexy, but uninviting. Sat down, Boyfriend ordered some riesling and I had the Starry Starry night, which I tried and didn't like....(i'm not a whiskey girl) and the waitress was so sweet she changed it out for me free of charge with a glass of wine. We ordered the pan fried veal sweetbreads to start, which were....in a word amazing. LOOOOVED them. Then we both ( I know original) ordered the lamb stew. It was lamb, and cauliflower, and veggies, and and and and it was just so amazing. We both LOVE lamb and this was literally the best stew we've ever had, it was hearty, sophisticated, and just amazing. I cannot say enough good things about the Lamb Stew we had...I'm not sure if it is seasonal or what but if you can afford it...you should go to Vermilion and eat this stew!!! Yes it was somewhat pricey, but for a special occasion or a romantic date night this is a great place in the heart of Old Town to dine. They also have a pretty sexy bar area that a lot of people love to just go to for a drink. A win win!
(5)Lauren C.
Service: 5 stars. Our waitress was very attentive and friendly. Menu selection: 3 stars. There were only a few options for vegetarians, aside from salads. Otherwise, delicious. I ordered the "intern" lunch which was composed of butternut squash soup (delish), a greens salad with a simple vinaigrette and the chef was kind enough to switch the turkey salad sandwich for a vegetarian option. The vegetarian option had falafel and spices served up in pita. The portions were decent sized and the price was a steal- $10. I would definitely come back for lunch. Also, I think it would be fun to check out this place during the night time.
(4)Marisa F.
Popped in for happy hour before dinner at Medieval Madness. The inside is dark and loungey and was quite crowded. My friends and I were lucky to grab a table from a couple that was leaving shortly after arriving. I love the hooks on the stairs which make for a great purse/coat hook. There are some food deals during happy hour and we ordered the garlic rosemary fries, which smelled and tasted divine. I tried one of their cocktail specials, the King Street Lemonade (absolut citron, muddled mint, lemon, sugar & soda) it was really good, but beware it goes down like juice....or lemonade. ;) Next up, I went rouge off of the hh menu and tried the Pumpkin Patch (grey goose la poire, pumpkin puree, cinnamon, ginger & cream). It was a bit too gingery for me or something, I would have liked a stronger pumpkin flavor. This was my first visit and I'll have to plan to have dinner here in the future!
(4)Alan K.
We went here for Sunday brunch and had a very good experience. Although the booth we were seated in was kind of uncomfortable, the food was delicious and our waiter, Chad, was very pleasant and helpful. We started with an order of the hush puppies with dipping sauce, and they were out-of-this-world good. For my main course, I had the corn beef hash, which I thought was just alright--the seasoning of the meat overpowered the other flavors, and there weren't enough potatoes for my liking. My dining partner ordered the fried oyster po boy, which was really great as well, and served with a big pile of old bay fries. Our drinks were just okay; my bloody mary needed more heat (which I added with some tabasco), and the Singapore slider had a sort of odd taste to it. We ordered the nutella cheesecake for dessert, which was just about the right size, since we were so stuffed, but it was more than I'd like to pay for that size portion. As I stated earlier, what made this a truly great experience was our waiter. We asked questions about the dining room hours and happy hour, and he was extremely polite and helpful throughout the experience.
(4)Michele D.
I love it here. I've been to Vermillion on two occasions and they never disappoint. From the minute you walk through the door the staff is welcoming and attentive. The menu is a little small but what it lacks in quantity it makes up in quality. As someone who is highly allergic to nuts, I appreciate that every item on the menu lists the ingredients. I felt confident that what I was ordering would not send me straight to the hospital. The chef took special care to make sure that even the amuse they sent out before the appetizer was nut free as well. My husband and I shared the sweetbreads which were amazing. Even he loved it and he's a very picky eater. The beef duo was mouthwatering, and the chocolate brulee was awesome. I love the atmosphere, I love the food, and we will definitely be back again and again Michele
(4)Kalie B.
Great for drinks/late night. Loungy atmosphere, good music, nice low lighting and they make very stiff, good drinks. They do have food until 2am, but honestly its not great. It sounds great on the menu, it could be great, but the actual product just somehow isn't. It always makes me want to leave in search of something satisfying.
(3)SharOn H.
NOT Impressed! This place is gorgeous and the plate come out looking outstanding, but sadly there is no real flavor:( We had the octopus, which was okay but it taste like imitation crab:( and the fried oysters really needed a sauce because without it was basically could have been fish and chips without chips:( you have to eat every bite with the spicy cold slaw to give it flavor:( for the entrée we have the sirloin...VERY SAD.... not juicy and definitely not tender... it was just a bad saltless small steak...ive had several amazing $30-$50.... this by far was the worst.... the chocolate dessert was just sad to say the least.... and our service was not friendly... Beautiful place but the food just sucks....not horrible but for those prices i expect a lot more.
(1)E. K.
HH only! Great location to meet friends for a HH! $5 wines and a nice array of food choices. There are comfortable lounge areas and the decor is pretty nice!
(4)Roxie G.
Decided to try this adorable French restaurant even though the reviews were not great. What drew us in was the quaint vibe and the fact that we could sit by the window and enjoy the passerby's on King street. Ordered a bottle of white wine and some appetizers. Decided on their mussels and their pimiento dip. Both were outstanding. The broth the mussels were in was delicious and was served with pieces of chorizo. The dip was served with plenty of warm pita bread. We were going to order an entree to split but we got full on the mussels and the dip. Definitely good size appetizer portions. Based on starters alone I would not hesitate to come back for a full meal. Service was great.
(4)Steve K.
All the food I had was a pork belly while sitting at the cool bar and then a band started playing. Enjoyed the Experience, I notice lots of couples starting "Date night" at the bar and some friends meeting to celebrate someone's birthday. I think this is definitely a place to come back to or frequent when in Alexandria. As for the Pork belly appetizer was pretty cool!
(4)Victor R.
Stopped in hoping for dinner, but settled for the bar during happy hour. Drinks were good and cheap, but dinner was WAY overpriced. Ended up splitting the difference for some generic fried finger foods, which you can't screw up. Bar scene was...lively.
(2)Ed M.
Had drinks and snacks at the bar. Nice place. I will be back for dinner.
(4)Cyndy K.
Cyndy's BOTTOM LINE: Great place to get high calibre, locally sourced food with a Southern twist in a relaxing setting. Chehalem Inox Chardonnay - pure, no oak, stainless steel drums. Polenta agnolitti with an egg on top Oysters Rockfish special Pork Nutella cheesecake
(4)Rick P.
The food just keeps getting better and better (which seems impossible)...
(5)kathleen M.
husband and i had lunch- he was ok with his butternut squash soup and cubano but ...oddest thing-when he sent the soup spoon back because it was dirty, the waiter came and questioned him as to where the spot was! we're enough to be that waiter's parents and that was very very inappropriate behavior. To question a customer about where the spot was on a spoon? I had the trout which while well cooked was visually unappealing- it was a plate of brown. Seriously needed a handful of parsley to perk up both the taste and the look.
(2)laura g.
a fun, cozy, intimate restaurant in Old Town. Some of the food is hit or miss. Garlic soup was amazing-never tasted anything like it and its unique. the lamb was well cooked and seasoned well, but as others have said there is an issue with food coming out slightly on the cold side. Some of the garnish that came with the lamb seemed out of place and unneeded. The eggplant puree was A) taste-less and offered little to the dish and B) was visually unappealing. The dish would have been improved by some more satisfying veggie sides. shared a bite of the gnocchi app and the pasta entree which were tasty but since this was not an Italian restaurant i am not holding them to any really standard. wine was reasonably priced and offered interesting elections. Price is on the high side for the neighborhood but not for DC. I would go back but it could use some tweaking on the entree portion of the menu
(4)Indian American Mom S.
Where do I begin with this disappointment? Poor (racist?) seating and mediocre food for over $80 per person. My husband and I had reservations to celebrate a special occasion. We arrived and were seated upstairs at a cramped table for two, which was pushed up against the back of a booth. A rowdy group of four were seated at the booth and throughout the dinner, one diner's elbow was inches from my husband's face. As wee had already started our meal, we did not want to ask to be moved. Halfway through our dinner, another party of color (mind you, we were the only two groups of color in the entire upstairs) was about to be seated right next to us at another cramped table. However, one of them spoke up and asked to be seated at an open table next to a window. A restaurant of this price range should 1) be proactively seating its diners at their best available tables and 2) should not have tables that can cause patrons to be elbowed by other patrons! We ordered the vegetarian tasting menu, which was meh. A roasted beet salad (been there, done that) and pasta (serving pasta to a vegetarian...how original), with some other forgettable courses. All in all, an overpriced waste of an evening. After hearing other folks rave about this place and splurging for a special night, I expected better!
(1)Tamara N.
My husband chose Vermillion for our Boxing Day lunch. I had only been there for happy hours and not for a whole meal before. I was impressed overall. For an appetizer, we ordered cornmeal hushpuppies that came with bread & butter pickles and three dipping sauces, all very tasty. I loved the garlic soup most of all. We still enjoyed the entrees, but the first two courses were hard to top. Service was prompt and courteous. The decor is lush, dark red velvet, very lovely. We'll definitely be back!
(4)Erica Y.
The rating here at yelp is very accurate-3 1/2 stars. It's a little better than a-ok, but I am not exactly a fan yet. Two of us went Saturday night for dinner at 8. We tried eastern shore scallops and heirloom tomatoes for appetizers. Scallops were delicious, but for $13 you get two pretty small scallops. It's no where near the size of the scallops dish at Zaytinya which only cost $8.50. Honestly I don't think it tasted any better, except with a prettier presentation, which I can't eat. Bf's heirloom tomatoes looked ok, he said it was alright. For entrees I got the ny striploin which was good, decent portion size too, but it was not anything spectacular or memorable. BF got open ravioli which was tasty, a bit on the saltier size, but overall pretty good. It's cheaper than most entrees, but it's not a lot of food so if you are looking for a light entree this is a good option. Dessert menu did not look that attractive, so we headed out for ice cream in old town. Overall it's not bad, but I think there are so many options in old town I probably won't be back anytime soon.
(3)Maria T.
Went for brunch at 1pm today, a Saturday, we were a party of 3. The restaurant was half empty but we were told by the hostess that it will be around 25 minute wait. No problem, we sat at one of the bar area tables and ordered drinks. Almost an hour later the hostess came back and said five more minutes and the table should be ready. Restaurant still appeared half full...25 minutes later our table was ready.. All together the wait was about an 1 hour and 20 minutes before we were seated. Had we known it will be that long , we would have ordered at the bar area which was totally empty and would have had brunch there. When we got the table upstairs, several tables were empty so not sure what took 3 times longer on a Saturday at 1 pm to seat us. The hostess was completely oblivious to the 3 times longer wait, never apologized or explained why it took so long. Completely unprofessional. The food was good. It was my first time..and I was not even concerned with the food because I was super annoyed by the hostess' behavior..
(2)Kara W.
Very good food and great atmosphere. I went with a group of 5. The bar service was a little snooty, but wait staff was attentive and informed. I got the butternut squash sandwich and it was awesome. I love the seasonal drinks. Definitely worth a visit.
(4)Ken R.
After my first visit about a year ago, Vermilion was a rock solid 4, teetering on 5 stars. The chicken sandwich I had for lunch was just that good. I still remember how good it was. However, after my second visit, while not a bad meal, I have to draw back to 3 stars. I asked for the chicken sandwich but, alas it was no longer on the menu. Had it been, this rating would be 5 stars. My friend enjoyed his meal quite a bit but mine was just okay.
(3)Sara W.
I've mainly had lunches at Vermillion--and I love how their menu changes almost every month to accommodate in-season fruits and veggies. I've had the hanger steak, the amish chicken, the po'boy, and several of their fantastic soups. Also of note--their King Street Lemonade is delicious, if potent!
(5)Michelle B.
Give Vermilion a second chance. I think they've gotten it together (or we got really lucky). I ate there once, a few months after they first opened, and it was all-around bad (the food, service, everything). It seemed like they were trying way too hard. We never went back. Why would we when we can walk to Evening Star? So, we got a gift certificate from a golf tournament of all things and decided that free food and second chances are what make this country great. I wanted to sit at the bar because I'd heard from a few friends that the dining room service was still lackluster. It was Friday night and no dice on getting into the bar. It was slammed. I noticed throughout our meal a lot of people walking in and walking out because it was wall to wall packed. The seating in the front of the house is a little odd. There was only one other table of diners in the room and the hostess sat us in the table closest to them. It's a very off-putting location. You're there as everybody walks in and you could lend a hand at the hostess stand if they were busy. Anyway, I ordered a fantastic scarlet margarita to help me forget about where I was sitting. Our server was informative, friendly, prompt and professional. I wish I'd gotten his name, but he's a brunette with medium-length curly brown hair. If I had a restaurant, that's who I'd want interacting with my customers. All of the food was excellent. Then again, did I just have low expectations? No, no, it was very good. I had the scallop special with a creamy squash sauce mixed with pumpkin seeds, pomegranate and honey glaze. It was exquisite. It also was a good portion size. My apple cobbler with custard from the Dairy Godmother was also delicious. I have to say that now I'd go again, but request better seating. I hope that dinner wasn't an anomaly.
(4)Tyrone W.
Vermilion is a classy King Street restaurant. It's interior is a sultry red and finished in hardwoods and soft lighting. It's def. a little pricey for the amount of food you get but I left here satisfied. The service was good if just a tad pretentious, though they warmed up a bit after I told them I was a visiting employee from another restaurant owned by the same company :-) Too bad that was at the end of our meal. Overall though I'd DEF. come back especially if I wasn't footing the bill. Excellent wine selection as is the forte of the Neighborhood Restaurant Group.
(4)Jennifer I.
The food was awesome here! Felt like a nice change of pace from other places on King Street I've been to for lunch so far (granted I've mostly been to delis...but still paying $8-$12). I was proud to spend $10 on a delicious portobello mushroom sandwich with goat cheese and pesto sauce on ciabatta bread...it melted in my mouth! Came with a side of fries, which were good as well and the waitstaff treated us as though we were at a four star restaurant (even though the sign on the wall outside said The Washington Post gave them 2.5 stars--I didn't really think that sounded like much to brag about...also, they didn't say 2.5 out of what?! If it was 2.5 out of 5, ok...but if it was out of...20, well, then I'm not wasting my time). Annywaaayyy, the service was great but I couldn't help feeling like it was forced--and really, I think it had to do mostly with the decor. Maybe in the evening hours, it looks better in there but the red velvet was a bit overkill and a little too vampire in the 90s for me (sidebar: I've worked for interior design magazines my entire life so I am usually a bit snobby about decor--I think it says (sometimes) a lot about the quality of the restaurant). To me it sort of felt like having Champagne and caviar at an Irish Pub...but alas the food was so delicious, I'll get over my aversion to velvet and return to try some other things on the menu. It also looked as if they had a pretty good wine/beer list so I'd def like to come back and check that out! I would def recommend you check this place out--by the sound of the other reviews, I should def go back after 5pm!
(3)Diana W.
A just ok meal for an awful lot of money! I had eaten there 2 years ago during restaurant week, and it was terrific, but last night was just so-so. Appetizers were better than entrees. I had a wild mushroom-stuffed ravioli and the dough was tough. The wine list is expensive: there are very few modestly-priced bottles. The water alternated between being inattentive and overly attentive. I would not return--not for that price!
(3)nate s.
I had my new years dinner here and enjoyed every last morsel. I'm not much of a wine drinker so I asked the waiter if they could just pair a beer with each of the 5 courses that I had, definitely something to think about if you either don't like wine or you'd like to shave about half off the price of the wine accompaniment. Though not all of them matched perfectly there were some that came up being spot on. Their bar was enabled for a pretty relaxing wait despite it being filled to the gills. Nothing really relaxes you as well as a double gin and tonic. The seats I had at the restaurant were especially nice because they were in front of the window enabling my family and me the opportunity to people watch when there was a break in the conversation.
(5)J P.
My favorite DC restaurant. A great memory for a fair price in a romantic concept right off King Street in Old Town Alexandria. If you are visiting DC and want a good place to eat in Alexandria - skip commercial chains like Charthouse and spend a night at Vermilion.
(5)Amber W.
This cozy restaurant is fine for old town but isn't up to DC standards. Although the lounge area would be a nice place to grab a drink, the restaurant menu felt incomplete. First of all, the restaurant was short on the featured desserts. Although our server adeptly found some of the goat's milk cheesecake "hidden" in the back, there was no such luck with the pecan pie. The scallop appetizer was nice but the "filet" arrived charred and clearly was not the "filet" cut that we anticipated. After asking the server, we found out that the cut was actually "next to the filet." I felt bamboozled. I was glad we came during restaurant week to try this out of the way neighborhood gem that turned out to be more of a cubic zirconia.
(2)Eric G.
For happy hour in Old Town, it doesn't get much better. A good mix of relaxed and fun. Bar menu is great and the fries are DC's best kept secret.
(4)Jo M.
I went for dinner on a saturday night. i was not impressed much by the place. the food was just ok. the steak was ordered medium, came cooked medium well. their half portion of the rockfish was ridiculously tiny. it was insulting. their scallops appaetizer - priced at $14 came with two sea scallops and two potato scallops. so that's $7/real scallop? come on now. i have been to their family restaurant tallula and the experience there was nothing like this place their goat cheese cheesecake was good though.
(2)Jill H.
IF a food critic was writing a review for their food, it wouldn't be a high score. Some of the dishes had great aspects to them and others were just down right bad for food in that price range.
(3)sarah s.
I've gone from loving Vermilion to hating it. When it first opened, I was so excited to have a new and "nice" place to eat in Old Town. I loved the birthday cake martini, and the food was great. My one complaint was that the ventilation system is horrible there-it always smells like cigarette smoke no matter where you are in the restaurant, and you need a shower when you get home (why won't you outlaw smoking, Virginia?!). A year or two later, the food has gone downhill to just average, the birthday cake martini no longer exists, and I still smell like I've been to a bar instead of a nice dinner when I get home. I'll never be back.
(1)Beth B.
How I love this place - let me count the ways. Cool, eclectic menu. Awesome bar and the best bartenders in Old Town. Try the fried oyster salad - yum. Tons of beers to choose from - I always feel at home here.It may seem a little too chic, but we are not chic and we love it. If you are in Old Town and debating where to grab a beer and a bite - try Vermillion. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Good E.
Nice atmosphere for a date, however.... 5 entrees, 2 appetizers, no alchohol, no dessert, and tip - total $222 which included the tip. June 2009 We all ordered either the skirt steak or halibut. I forgot what the appetizers were. Service was attentive. Crowd was mixed - mid 20's to early 40's with kids. Everything was your typical fare at any restaurant. Not a memorable dining experience. Would I return - NO.
(3)G. B.
We went for dinner. Nothing to brag about. OK food, but sounds better on the menu than it tastes. We ordered "heritage breed chicken 2 ways", and "jurgielewicz farm pekin duck". The stuff tasted like it had been hanging around for a while. Service was good though.
(2)B K.
My mom said the hanger steak was the best steak she has ever eaten. Take note: She is a fifth generation Texan.
(5)Richard Z.
Fabulous. Pricey but everything we ordered was great, particularly the duck confit.
(4)R. S.
Great food and great service and very cute decor. It was a much needed respite from the hideous restaurant and chain offerings we were subjected to on the other side of the river in National Harbor, MD as we were there for a conference.
(4)Heather L.
It wasn't bad...it just wasn't great. I went last night for dinner with my husband & a friend. It was completely empty @ 6:30 on a Sunday. We started out with drinks. They were not very good, but passable. We sat upstairs & our server was great. She was friendly & on top of everything. We ordered and were brought an amuse from the chef. Nice touch. It was a salmon dish served w/ home made potato chips that were quite tasty. The appetizers were good. We had the scallops, pea soup, & boudin sausage. However like the rest of the food, it seemed over done, over worked, & trying too hard. I had the soft shell crab BLT for dinner. The crabs were a little too soft, but the fried green tomatoes were good. The hanger steak was good as was the salmon my friend had. We ordered dessert. It wasn't really worth it. The chocolate cake tasted like something I could easily have made @ home, but the chocolate pretzels gave it a quirky twist. The french toast cubes were mushy, but they were tasty. I don't think I would go back. It was quite expensive & like I said the food was really fussy. The portions were a little small & nothing was truly great, just OK.
(3)J P.
Everyone can read the dozens of reviews and conclude that Vermilion is a wonderful restaurant. The food is creative and delicious. Unfortunately, this is no longer adequate criteria to justify a return visit for me. My fiancee and I go out to eat once or twice per week, but otherwise eat very healthy. Oatmeal, low-fat dairy, fruit, veggies, grilled chicken, etc. We also exercise 3-4 times per week. That being said, many of the incredibly rich, high-fat dishes served at top restaurants tend to not agree with our fragile stomachs. My fiancee almost crapped her pants on the way home from Vermilion and I spent most of the following day on the toilet. If you are like us, and attempt to eat healthy on a daily basis, I would highly advise against dining here. There are plenty of excellent restaurants in the city that won't cause near catastrophies. The problem is Vermilion attempts to use only local organic products in its dishes. While this may taste amazing, it has the potential to cause food poisoning if the products aren't stored or prepared properly.
(3)Claire T.
I highly recommend getting brunch here. Their menu changes regularly, and everything I've ever had has been memorable. They do creative takes on classics--rather than a boring eggs benedict, for instance, they do a southern benedict with fried oysters (that somehow manage to stay crispy even with the sauce), and with cornbread. I just adored it. And their cocktails are refreshing and unique. A great place for weekend brunch with friends and family. The late night/bar menu is more interesting than it is tasty, but again, it's a great place for cocktails, and has a nice atmosphere in the evenings. It's not too loud or crazy but feels lively.
(5)Lindsey P.
I've been here for brunch (deeelicious) and after dinner drinks (somuchfunyay). Here's my review of both of these, in chronological order: Brunch. The sheep's milk yogurt is crazy good. It comes with crispy granola and grape halves and is drizzled with seriously good honey- not your average out-of-the-plastic-bear kind. And this isn't your average yogurt either. It's just better. The eggs Benedict was classic and delicious- enough said. The menus also change with the seasons, which I really appreciate, since the chefs are only cooking with seriously fresh ingredients. After dinner drinks. This is such a fun place to go for a laid back night out! The bartenders make some great drinks- and the prices are reasonable, especially for the DC area ($7 to $9 for most of their cocktails). They have this great section in the back with 3 separate little loungy areas that are perfect for groups of friends to hang out and talk. This is NOT the kind of bar that one finds in oh...Arlington...so don't go here if you're looking for that "super loud music, so crowded you can't move" experience. It's a great place to chill with some friends. Overall- very good restaurant with a unique, seasonal menu and a fun bar.
(4)PAJ J.
Sunday brunch: Seating was prompt but left us no options. Service was friendly but a bit slow, salads and entrees were copious and enjoyable but consistently overly salty. Good draft beer selection but a brief description of the rare brews in the list would help (the wait staff did assist with the choice). 3.5
(3)Varun M.
Excellent wine (try the Mendocino Zinfandel) and Food (try the Amish Chicken).
(5)Bill V.
Great American dining. Great specials and local ingredients. Good for an after dinner drink or an expense account dinner. The place does not disappoint.
(5)Jennifer F.
My husband and I visited Vermilion during RW and were completely underwhelmed. Ultimately it comes down to the fact that during RW some restaurants pull out all the stops in the hopes of getting many loyal customers who will revisit after RW. Others simply mass-produce the food so it ends up coming out tasting like bad cafeteria food. Unfortunately, I found that Vermilion falls into the latter. First, they only offered three entree options which I was disappointed with. Second, nothing we had was anything to write home about. To be honest, I can't even remember what we had, it was that forgettable. The only reason I gave it 2 stars is because the service was good and the ambiance was nice. But the food was awful and I will never go back.
(2)PC W.
I recommend brunch w/ mimosa :) I want to return for dinner sometime because I had a great brunch experience. I love the walls of wines they have one the first floor.
(4)mariam o.
gorgeous mellowed out spot to get drinks and chill with friends. servers are super friendly without being pushy or up-selly. brunch food (and bloody mary bar) and the bar bite menu is solid - never been for dinner myself. i come at least once a month to try the new cocktails with themed ingredients. love!
(4)chancy l.
I do not care for the new menu all that much. The place is visually appealing and is one of our best places to grab a drink with friends. The staff is phenomenal. Smoking allowed after 10PM. Good date place.
(3)Leigh K.
It was surprising to read the negative reviews of Vermilion after my third great dinner there last night. We had a very friendly black woman as our server. She gave us the perfect amount of time to order, opened the wine skillfully, and seemed to really know the menu with a passion that so many servers don't. All restaurants should have wait staff that truly appreciate food. The only complaint that I have is that there is not enough choice for someone like me who only eats poultry but not other meat or seafood. The pan-roasted chicken is the only one entree out of 10 entrees that was not meat or seafood. If you're veg, you could definitely make a meal out of one of their delicious salads and sides, but make sure you ask about sauces since so many places sneak in unwanted animal fat. I made my meal out of a salad, an appetizer, and a side and I was full at the end of my meal. I started with the Duck Confit Salad, which is the most gourmet item I've had here. The confit and potato cake hide underneath the arugula so you don't know what you're going to get until you lift it up. There is a nice amount of the duck in the salad and the flavors compliment oneanother perfectly. Next came the Portobello Gratin, which was one of the more interesting portobello dishes I've tried. The meatiness of the bella went surprisingly well with the creamy goat cheese. I finished with the House-cut Fries which are presented on cone-shaped paper in a stand. These are the best fries I have had in the DC area. They're crispy and not over-salted or oily. They're served with a horseradish mayo and ketchup. The other Yelp reviews were written over a year ago. Clearly, it took some time, but Vermilion has clearly shed its' cocoon and emerged into one of Old Town's greatest restaurants.
(4)D S.
for the bar only. came here late on a sunday. place still had people milling around. had a few drinks, sat in the window. nice atmosphere, but a little too red. can't say much about the conversation - wasn't too into it, which colors my review. file this as incomplete. i'll have to update this review after a real dining experience there.
(4)Marie D.
Outstanding food & excellent service in a lovely, stylish, cozy setting. Ate there last night with a friend during Restaurant Week, which made the experience a bargain. The food is gourmet quality, yet still comfortable and recognizable. It doesn't sacrifice satisfaction and enjoyment for the sake of trying too hard to be trendy, yet the dishes are interesting and delicious. For example, our excellent dishes included starters of incredibly thin, tender, and flavorful beef carpaccio and spicy shrimp over creamy polenta, impressive entrees of pork loin with red cabbage and spaetzle and flounder with leeks, and desserts of poached pear with maple ice cream, granola, and cranberry and a chocolate bombe, which was a rich and creamy chocolate indulgence. Our service was pleasant, attentive, and efficient. The restaurant also provides a versatile atmosphere that would be good for small group gatherings, romantic dates, girls' nights, etc. Picture exposed brick walls, hardwood floors, gas lamp wall sconces, a wall covered in wine bottles, and thick deep-red velvet curtains. Fit for a special occasion or just a nice dinner out, and a worthy destination for foodies. It's pricey, but given the location and the quality, the prices are reasonable and to be expected.
(5)Dana L.
Not too good. The fish taco was only fair. Definitely not worth going to. The pasta was pretty horrid.
(2)Pink I.
I had a hard time with this review. I've dined at Vermilion several times recently, both at brunch and at dinner, and while I never had a bad meal, I haven't had a very good one either. I think part of the problem is that this place is definitely bringing "the fancy." For example, the menu descriptions are sparse, and often do not speak to the preparation of the primary protein, resulting in a lengthy recitation by the waiter/waitress. "The rabbit is prepared 6 ways, first the legs are seared in a Croatian grape seed oil and pressed in a terrine of blown Oaxacan glass. In the second way, we hydroponically...." In fact, I can't remember having to consistently ask so many questions just to find out what I might be eating. For a place on King Street, it seemed a bit pretentious and seems to unnecessarily complicate dishes. For the food, the primary palate is sweet. Lots of dried fruits, balsamic reductions, etc., seem to dominate. There is very little balance. While some critics complain about a heavy hand with the salt shaker, I would argue that a similar sin is the propensity of many chefs to add sugar to food, to compensate for inadequacies (i.e., using hidden sugars like balsamic, dried fruit, etc). The wine list was ok. We had a southern Rhone/CdP for a fair price (2x markup). But certainly the list is nothing special. Like the food, the wine was fruit-forward, lacking structure, sweet, and quite unremarkable. Maybe I'm too picky, but I felt that there was a certain inauthentic and corporate vibe to this place. Again, there was nothing poor about any of the meals, but I just didn't think there was anything good either, especially for the price.
(3)Wilt C.
We have always enjoyed Vermillion in the past and looked forward to our recent visit. We were somewhat dismayed by the grouchy demeanor of the surly hostess. She barely acknowledged our presence and seemed to feel as if she was doing us a huge favor in allowing us to enter the restaurant. The food itself was quite good and the service was fine. Front of the house management is important in a service industry and Vermillion seems to have dropped the ball in this respect. It is not that difficult to make someone feel welcome.
(2)Graham O.
My wife and I came here for my birthday and elected to have the tasting menu and wine pairings. The wines were paired very well but the most incredible part of the meal was how refined and elevated the food was. The small portions were very well constructed and just enough to fill us up.
(5)Josh G.
The first feeling I get from sitting down at my table is that this restaurant is trying to cut corners. Whether it be the laziness of the waiters putting a bottle of water on your table instead of refilling your glasses or the fact that when the bread comes each diner only gets one piece. At this place your dining experience seems to partially hinge on what waiter you get, the table next to us had a cheerful waiter and we were stuck with someone who appeared to hate life.The tables can be a bit too close together and a little cramped. I had the rockfish and it was nice but not worthy of the price. We then tried dessert and really shouldn't have. We got kind of a chocolate brulee with churros and banana. Everything and I mean everything on that plate tasted like something else. The Chocolate had chili in it, the churros tastes like lemon rind, etc. it was bizarre. The bottom line is if you are going to be spending this much money go to a great restaurant like Brabo for roughly the same price.
(3)Keith K.
Went here 1-ce a while back on a lark while in Alexandria visiting friends. Vermilion has the dark red / curtains / low light atmosphere down cold; and seems to cater to White Folk who think they're higher class then they actually are - basically, Me. I enjoyed the rather fascinating sausage stuffed Calamari with broth and garlic foam, and remember it fondly, along with the carrot and ginger soup - quite rich and gingery / satisfying - and finished it all off with the tiramisu. Which was good, but raise your hand if you've ever choked down objectively terrible tiramisu. Anyone? Naw. The service was slightly above average and cool, the beer selection should have been better, but on the whole Vermilion provided a comfortable and enjoyable time. The prices are admittedly a tad high, but given the city I would say pretty par for the course. I'd happily go again, but not go especially out of my way. If you're in the area and like this sort of thing, pop on by.
(4)Laura G.
Oh-so-charming and delightful could be said for both the restaurant and my date. But this review will focus on the former. Decor and service immediately set the stage that you are in for a lovely treat. And the menu is focused on inventive 'mid-atlantic fare' filled with locally-sourced ingredients. Their summer options include a delish, flavor-packed chilled cucumber soup to freshly made burrata with tomatoes and basil to maryland blue crab done 2 ways. As the menu is clearly seasonal, this calls for repeat visits to see what the chef whips up as the weather changes! Hopefully, Mr Charming will be more than a summer-fling and will accompany me on these future outings.
(4)Bryan P.
I'm certainly a fan of Vermillion. The seasonal menu in October was less appealing to me than was the one this summer during our first visit - moreso personal preference than anything. Went with the rock fish special, over a bed of basmati, with shrimp, various legumes, and a rather tasty sun-dried tomato pesto. Decent enough house salad, all washed down with Bell's Two Hearted. Again, I enjoyed the summer menu over the autumn edition, but this is a place we will be back for - when someone else picks up the bill, mind you...
(4)Laura C.
Went for lunch and had a meal close to perfection in terms is the dishes, service and ambience. And recommend to sit upstairs.
(5)Ash R.
We were here for dinner recently and i did the tasting menu. I have to say - overall i was not super impressed. The place has a wonderful ambiance - very inviting and cozy decor. The service was great. The presentation of the food was excellent - as in, picture perfect. But i guess i was not that impressed by the food itself. For one thing, i was still hungry after the tasting menu and found myself eating a lot more of the bread rolls than i normally do. I have done the tasting menus at other restaurants and usually totally love it, but never felt hungry still at the end, so this was a big surprise .The monkfish here looked beautiful but was a little bland in taste - i like foods with more flavor i guess. We had a reservation at 6 pm and did not leave till 9 pm - not because we were too busy talking per se, but partly because there was such a long gap between serving each round. My bill came to about $80 - way too much for the quality and quantity, IMHO. Try the seafood tasting menu at Tosca or or chef's menu Graffiato, both are phenomenal and cheaper with faster and almost perfect service!
(3)Jamie C.
Sorry...this review is quite late. This is actually the 3rd time I've eaten at Vermillion in the past 6 months. The boyfriend and I went on 11 Feb 2012 for dinner as our Valentine's Day because I had school on the 14th. We were looking online the whole time before we went, trying to decide between the prix fixe or just ordering off the menu. Looked at all the drinks... we were excited! This restaurant has never disappointed! (The other two times I've been here was for brunch, and he went with me once.) We arrived about 45 minute early because when we rode into the metro at 6p in 25 degree weather, the King Street Trolley was ACTUALLY there for once!!! We spent our 45 minutes at the bar, where I enjoyed my Singapore Sling and this amazing, February-only, little libation they called 'Love Me Do.' Let me just start off by saying these are some of the most professional, while still being amiable, bartenders in Old Towne. So, that being said, the Singapore Slings were just pristine and the black cherries speared over the top were delicious! But the 'Love Me Do'... do you know they made rosemary simple syrup? Who does that??? Ohmigod - they do! It was awesome! It was blood orange juice, rosemary simple syrup, bitters and sparkling white wine, in a champagne flute. It was yummy! On to dinner...We actually got sat at the farmer's table!!! I was so excited!! Surrounded by all those bottles, and personally I liked being close to the kitchen. I doubt Anthony Chittum was really there, but if he was, I was dead set on getting a peak at him. (I never did tho ) To me, he's one of the GCR's Chef Royalty! So I already knew I wanted to eat the Jerusalem Artichoke soup, and mostly because I've never had a Jerusalem Artichoke but the description sounded amazing. Nothing against the chefs, as it in no way was meant to overshadow the rest of my meal, but OMFG - it did! I loved it! If I had not of eaten that soup, this would have been a 4 star rating. That soup is worth a star all in and of itself. It was so smooth, so velvety, so rich, so savory, with amazing hints of nuttiness! No joke - That soup made me run out to Home Depot and get supplies to get my little spit of a backyard converted to grow Jerusalem Artichokes! They're my new super food! The rest of dinner was also great! I have to say, nothing I've had before or since was as amazing as that soup, though. The boyfriend had the lobster ravioli for a starter. It was, in his words, the most perfect bite of lobster he's ever had. And it was! It just melted on your tongue, after it registered its' subtle texture. He had the ribeye, which I thought was pretty delicious, but was very parsley-heavy. Personally, him nor I minded that as I cook with fresh parsley as much as I can (it grows faster than I can use it in a flower pot by the window), but it had that perfect medium-rare beef taste... It's hard to describe, but it's when the blood and the fat mix into a perfect harmony. I had the pork chop porterhouse, and we couldn't believe it was a pork chop cut! So thick! So good! I think it's the juiciest pork chop ever! It is huge, though, ladies, so don't think you can finish it, no matter how bad you want to. And for dessert, we had the figgy toffee pudding with sour cream ice cream. Wow... it was just perfect. They made figgy pudding light!! Who knew? Somebody needs to tell the British... The boyfriend and I hate sweets, but thought we'd try this. Oh it had pecans in there too. Amazing. Nothing overly sweet about it. Just perfection. This was truly a romantic and memorable Valentine's dinner!
(5)Hilary T.
I'd say 3.5 stars - just not enough to round up to 4. My boyfriend and I came here on a quiet Sunday evening with a friend of mine from college while he was here on business (AKA could expense our dinner with him :) The atmosphere, I loved. Quiet, cozy, modern, classy, and red. All I see is red when I think of this place. Red hues, red furniture, red lighting. But nice red, not fire-engine red, or an emergency red, or a stressful red. Just cool red. We each opted for the tasting menu, which was accompanied by 3 smaller glasses of wine, one for each course. The food was pretty good, but I just don't feel like I had enough of it to really judge the quality. I mean, it was all delicious, but definitely not enough of each portion to form a firm opinion. Also, the "starter salad" was a joke. Apparently it was compliments of the chef, but it was LITERALLY smaller than the palm of my hand (and I have small hands). They should have referred to it as "a starter bite." The rest of the courses, like I said, were good, but I think I'd need to go back to really get a feel for the place. The service was definitely adequate, and our server was very attentive and informative when it came to what we were eating. Even though I'm not loving on the food, I am diggin' the vibes! (And not having to pay for my own meal!)
(3)Corinna S.
Recommended by a bartender at another establishment in DC, we arrived fully expecting higher price points but delicious food. We found the prices to be no more than many other restaurants within that next eschelon of services and flavors, but far below that which you would expect to pay in a restaurant with a top notch chef actually in the kitchen, amazingly attentive waitstaff, and samplers arriving at the table from "the chef." As an appetizer, the beef tartar was amazing. Under ordinary circumstances it might be difficult to get excited about eating a lump of raw meat. But this...was divine. My entree was the mushroom ravioli and my husband splurged on the ribeye. Both were more than expected in flavor and size. The diner quickly experiences that each item on the plate plays an important role in the dining experience. For dessert we shared the chocolate hazelnut gateau. One word - Wow. Ok, that's really an expression not a word...but truly, mere words cannot adequately capture how satisfied we were with this experience. Including 2 delicious drinks each, we paid no more for this meal than we might have paid for an "upgraded" restaurant in our home town of Boise, ID. And in comparison, Vermilion was worth every penny.
(5)Jim K.
Vermilion was a pleasant surprise in the heart of Alexandria on King Street. It was a quiet location. The food was innovative, fresh and well prepared. The party of three started with the chef's take on asparagus and hollandaise sauce - with a cracked quail egg in lieu of the traditional sauce. It was quite good even though we approached it with furrowed brow. The cured olive app was huge and the olives were the largest I have ever seen in a Tapas restaurant or otherwise. Two of us had the Black Grouper which I thought was fantastic. My boss had the sword fish which looked ok - I'm not a fan of sword fish. His reaction was "meh" when I asked how it was...Wine list is good and they make a great dirty martini. Enjoy.
(4)Nanette D.
Quaint with pleasant casual ambiance (exposed brick interior type of decor). I've done brunch there twice and I really enjoyed the experience. They change the menu every couple of weeks to utilize in season and local ingredients which is a nice touch.
(4)Anne C.
I think I can safely say that I will not be participating in Restaurant Week anymore. My experience at Rasika, as well as here made me cancel 3 other dinner reservations I had during the RW! We came here for brunch and my expectations were already low because of my average experience at Rasika. My coworker had just gone to Vermillion the night before and she said it was "amazing" but again, many times, the lunch experience is completely different from the dinner experience. Their restaurant week menu is EXTREMELY limited. They only offered a beef burger, catfish burger, and eggs benedict for entrees. I personally was planning on just getting the duck confit from the regular menu, but my friend wanted both the eggs benedict and the catfish burger so i figured, eh I'll come back another time!! Thus, we ordered from the RW menu and got the butternut squash soup---this WAS really good...really heavy, really buttery, but good. I really loved the milk yogurt with raisins, granola, etc. Refreshing and tasty appetizers. Moving onto the entrees, multiple waitresses recommended the catfish burger and even the guy sitting at the next table was RAVING about it to his date. This sandwich was a complete disappointment. The amount of catfish in the sandwich was very minimal and I'm not sure if we just got unlucky or not, but the piece of fish was so tiny I felt like i was eating bread, the radish sauce and some fried "something"! The entrees were a major disappointment, but in addition to that, they were only offering two types of dessert so naturally we got both to try. Both were very average. There was a ricotta pound cake as well as a chocolate bar. The chocolate bar was average, looked dry, but tasted better than it looked. The pound cake was okay, although the cream they provided with it was heavenly. To top things off of a very lackluster meal, our service was HORRENDOUS!!! Our waitress just seemed bored and absolutely did not want to be there. we rarely saw her and the food took forever to come out even though the place was not full (which i REALLY should have taken as a sign, b/c I had 1pm reservations, but called and they said they had room for a 1:45pm reservation). The only thing that was making the whole situation a little more bearable were the mimosas that we ordered! I had had a disappointing meal at rasika the night before and after this absolutely sad experience here, it cinched the deal of me canceling my reservations at Hook that evening as well as my reservations at Cafe Atlantico for brunch the next day. :( I officially pronounce you dead R.W. No more!
(2)Don M.
The service was excellent, food fab. I had a wonderful butternut squash soup, topped with shortbread cookies, pumpkin see oil, and pine nuts. My thin skin fish was also wonderful. I highly recomment Vermilion. The staff was extra kind - and as for attire - it is nice, but casual attire is still appropriate.
(5)Joe C.
Have always enjoyed happy hour here and boozy lunches. Reasonable wine list, solid food.
(4)Chris K.
Clock Out! This is unfortunately a place where I've witnessed devolution. It was great the first four or five times, but the last two have been awful. They still have great revolving beers on tap and a decent wine list, but ...judging the kitchen by things I've already had and liked, and those same things served to me more recently (the biggest test)... Fail!
(2)Melissa M.
Came here for brunch and was not disappointed. We had a reservation, but when we got there the hostess explained the party seated at the table that was reserved for us had just paid their check but hadn't left yet. They offered us another table, but this one was by the window upstairs so we figured it was worth waiting for. We went to the bar to wait and after awhile I went back to the hostess to check. She explained the party still hadn't left! We waited it out though and were seated at last! The table was definitely worth waiting for. We loved the dining area upstairs. Our waiter was really nice and apologized for our wait, which was totally fine and not their fault, but the waiter still offered us a free app! We had the hush puppies and they were delicious! So soft! For our meal I had the omelette and my friend got the cheeseburger. My friend raved about her cheeseburger and marveled at the fried (yes fried!) bacon on her sandwich! Very cool and different. Mine was really good too. Afterwards the waiter brought us the dessert menu and offered a free dessert too!! We got the Nutella cheesecake and it was really tasty! Overall great experience and the staff and service was very nice as other reviewers have stated. Would definitely like to go back to try dinner!
(4)Michael Z.
I can only comment on the atmosphere and the bar, both of which were above average. The space works with the Old Town vibe and definitely draws a better-heeled crowd. Price points are average and the bar offers a number of specialty drinks. From the sights and smells, I would come back to sample the fare.
(4)Rachael H.
Only poked in once for Happy Hour, but was pretty impressed. The pom-molitan was tasty and I highly rec the risotto fritters. We sat at the bar and had excellent service, the bartenders are personable and seem to really know their drinks. We definitely go back.
(4)Jaime B.
My husband and I were in town and decided to try this place for a date night. We loved the ambiance as soon as we walked in; the restaurant is beautifully decorated. We decided to start by sharing the lobster tortellini. The server warned us that there were only two tortellini in this starter, but we decided to try it anyway because we weren't super hungry and because I love anything to do with lobster. Unfortunately, this dish didn't wow me. For $14 and a small size, I expect the dish to pack great flavor to make it worthwhile. It disappointed. At least the bread they served was really good. I ordered the rockfish for dinner. I'd had rockfish before but didn't love it; I wanted to try it again. I'm glad I did! The rockfish was excellent, prepared with a poached egg, potatoes, and bacon. Best preparation of this particular fish that I've had. I could eat it every day. My husband had the lamb and seemed to like it. For dessert, we had figgy toffee pudding. It was a nice finish, but the scoops of ice cream were so tiny you couldn't have ice cream for each bite. Our server was knowledgeable and friendly. Our water glasses were never empty. Overall it was a pretty good experience, but it's not a restaurant I'll be rushing back to when I'm in town again.
(4)Lea C.
This might be my new favorite place in Alexandria. I had to stop myself from going 2 days in a row. Some of the girls and I came in for HH after a particularly heinous start to 2012, for which the only remedy was drinking and venting. Seriously, this Neptune in Pisces shit better be legit, cause the Universe needs to chill the fuck out. We literally ordered one of everything on the HH menu, including 2 of every drink. And dessert. Without exception, everything was good. The fries were perfect. The hushpuppies were AMAZING--not too dense, great dipping sauces. Spot on. The pimento cheese was a great idea, and I don't know why I don't see it on menus very often. It could have used twice as much bread, but we were stuffed at the end anyway. The catfish nuggets were so good that I forgot that I don't like catfish! They were not fishy at all, and light. The hot-pocket-like item was my least fav, with the ham & cheese, but it was a neat concept. The desserts were beautifully plated. I had the chocolate hazelnut cake, which was rich but not overly sweet, with yummy salted caramel ice cream. The drinks were also good, though I like the pomegranate martini more than the lemonade, which was a bit sour for my tastes. To top it off, everything was dirt cheap. For all that, we paid something like $25/person, which is pretty outstanding given that we all left drunk and full. The ambiance was good, the location is good, the service was pretty good. Win. We will most definitely be back. Probably this week, as I have no willpower.
(4)Stephanie M.
We decided to try Vermilion for a late-ish dinner last night and it did not disappoint (we chose it because it was on the top 50 restaurants in NoVa). We had a short wait for our table so we headed to the bar for a quick drink. I'm fairly picky when it comes to trying new drinks & pretty much stay with vodka so I tried their seasonal Silver Bells which is vanilla vodka, ginger, lime & cava. It was very good, a perfect blend of tart & sweet. We are seated in the quaint downstairs room right in the front window which is great for people watching. The Christmas lights outside added to the festive atmosphere. Inside the restaurant is very nice, I especially liked the gas lamps giving most of the lighting needed. On to the meal... I ordered the cauliflower soup with octopus. I do like calamari but wasn't sure about octopus so I almost told them to leave it out & I'm so glad I didn't. It was very tasty & cooked perfectly. My husband got the oysters which he said were good & I'll take his word, I'm not a fan of oysters. For entrees we ordered the garlic crusted grouper & beef two ways. My grouper was delicious. Again seasoned and cooked perfectly, atop some kind of yummy slaw with bacon (warm). His was good, not great. It was NY strip (sliced) which was the "good" and beef tip which was too fatty for my taste. I honestly can't remember what else was served with his entree, too focused on mine. For dessert we ordered the Nutella cheesecake. Just ok... Flavor was good but so very dry that if it wasn't served with 2 little melon ball scoops of blood orange sorbet I might not have been able to eat it. The sorbet gave it the moisture & tang it needed. To note, if you like huge portion sizes, i.e. Cheesecake Factory, you will be disappointed. I thought the portions were great, just enough to share a bite or two & still be able to order dessert. Also, accidentally left my phone in the car so didn't get any photos. We will definitely go back to try other things! Oh, I almost forgot... They also gave us a nice little amuse bouche of butternut squash soup topped with cinnamon, nutmeg & some kind of crumbles of something yummy.
(4)Victor H.
I think Vermillion probably deserves four stars, but I have to give it three. This is a restaurant that has all the right stuff, but just doesn't quite execute at the level it should. If you put a Corpse Reviver #2 on your menu, you should darn well serve it properly, or call it something else. Mine was served on ice, in a Collins glass, and had not even a tiny hint of Absinthe. Fail. If you offer roasted olives as an appetizer, I think they should be roasted, not infused. Don't get me wrong... they were good olives. Decent flavor. I ate many. Just not really rrroasted, if you get what I mean. The Belgian Endive Waldorf was excellent. Really. Excellent. The duck was full of potential, but a little lacking. The seasoning is really well done; savory, peppery, salty, nice. The sweet preserves are a perfect foil. But I like my duck breast sliced properly, not just bisected, and neatly plated. Sorry, I know that's a prejudice, but I think it's important. So, high marks for almost everything, but still this restaurant aspires to be really great. I have no doubt that it will be.
(3)Dexter F.
Underwhelmed. To start, we ordered the roasted olives and a fig salad. I have no real complaint about the olives, but the fig salad was...blah. This was particularly annoying because I don't like paying $14 for blah. I received two, sad little figs, a small handful of greens dressed in nothing more than some olive oil, and a single, thin slice of slimy, house made pancetta. These ingredients had then been placed upon a rice cracker which did nothing for the salad besides make it more awkward to eat. Blahhhh. For my entree I settled on the pork "porterhouse" with braised curly kale, honey crisp apples two ways, and a cider gastrique. Flavor-wise, this dish was spot on - the crisp, vinegary apples complimented the braised kale beautifully. However, the pork itself was not what I was hoping for. After my first bite, I immediately regretted my decision to order it cooked "medium". I'm not scared of pink pork and it wouldn't have ended up so dry. Oh well. The kale and apples made up for it. Sorta. I had barely made a dent in my dish, when I noticed that my boyfriend was just a few bites away from finishing his hanger steak (which was pretty good, but lacking the promised blue cheese - another bummer). And while there's no doubt that I'm the slower eater, we both usually finish our meals at the same time. My dish was just that much larger than his was. So, instead of making him wait around for me to finish, I asked a busboy if I could have the rest packaged up for me to take home. He seemed to understand what I meant, and quickly whisked away my plate. After waiting around for 20 minutes or so, we realized that my pork was not coming back and had probably wound up in a trashcan. Biggest bummer of them all.
(2)Molly L.
We went to this restaurant because friends of ours wanted to try it. After reading the menu, I wasn't that excited about going. But I was pleasantly surprised. The waitress described some of the entrees for us, and her descriptions were much better than what was written on the menu (ie, she made the food sound much more appealing than the menu did). I ended up ordering the pork and loved it. We all really enjoyed our dinners and will definitely go back.
(4)Pete A.
Completely could be 5 stars but a few small items knocked it down. Service was slowwwwww! We were there for Sunday brunch but it wasn't busy enough to warrant the time we had to wait. Probably 15 minutes before anyone took our order, drinks took about 10 to 15 minutes each. Food was delicious! Oyster po-boy tasted incredible (even though it was somewhat tiny and only seemed to have 2 oysters). Hush puppies are delicious as well, but come on, $6 for six small balls of fried dough??? I'm not a cheap a$$ at all but a buck for a hush puppy, come on now...And now for my biggest complaint...iced tea sans ice. My first glass was 3/4 full, still warm, and the few cubes of ice it contained were gone within seconds. I was polite and didn't say anything hoping my refill would be better, nope. The waitress came around with the tea pitcher, and filled me up with another delicious glass of lukewarmish tea...Complaints aside, we will certainly return because the food truly is awesome.
(3)Robert G.
Great spot on King Street! A perfect location for weekend brunch. We loved the butternut squash sandwich and the grilled ham steak benedict!
(5)Brian J.
My wife picked Vermilion for her birthday dinner. The service was great and the staff knew all the details of the menu and assisted in helping me pick a wine to go with my dinner. My meal, pork four ways, was really good. My wife's rockfish was fair but the shrimp was not as fresh as we would have expected (our fault for not sending it back). Dessert was a total letdown. My wife's nutella cheesecake tasted bland and a total waste. I don't remember what I had for dessert, but I guess that says something. To sum up, for a high end, high price restaurant I would have expected better.
(2)Ryan R.
My second 5-star review since moving to DC! We made a res via Open Table (gotta collect my points) for 8pm on a Saturday since they had nothing open any earlier. We wound up showing up at just after 7pm in hopes of being sat in a timely manner. Much to our surprise, they had an open table right in the front window! I love showcasing my food especially to passerbys and this was a great opportunity to show off what I'm eating and they're not :) Our server was great! She provided some recommendations and went into detail on the fresh atlantic fish of day ... snapper. I was sold! Since I can never pass up olives of any type and vino, we went with a glass of merlot and glass of tempranillo and opted for the roasted olives ... castelvetrano, picholine & niçoise with herbs & garlic. We decided to share the local beet variations salad ... pipe dreams farm chèvre, toasted pistachios & balsamic reduction ... the olives were warm and flavorful and the beet salad was amazingly fresh, sweet, and had an array of flavors one would not expect with a simple beet salad ... but this was far from simple and a fantastic addition to our meal! I had the Atlantic fish special of snapper in a lemon butter glaze ... the fish was perfectly cooked, moist all the way through with a broiled outer shell that gave it a crunchy texture with every few bites. It was amazing! My GF had the sweet & sour eggplant cappellacci consisting of shaved rappahannock zucchini, pine nuts & mediterranean flavors. This was also an amazing dish full of flavor that we both really enjoyed. Our dining experience came complete with herb-butter and fresh bread, both delectable and satisfyingly filling ... as what always happens when someone puts bread of any kind in front of me ... I have to give in! I LOVE Vermilion and can't wait to go back. Next time, brunch!
(5)Stephanie M.
We had friends in town from Florida and at the last minute changed our minds and decided to go to Old Town for dinner. I decided to give Vermillion a try based on the reviews and the menu and I'm so glad I did. The decor and ambience was nice. We sat upstairs where it was quieter. I love the brick walls with the lanterns-added a nice touch to dining in Old Town. I ordered the garllic crusted grouper and it was so delish! The filet was coated in panko bread crumbs and it was perfectly seasoned and cooked. The fish was accompanied with a shaved brussels sprouts, smoked bacon, and mushroom "slaw". Oh my it was so good. The creaminess of the dish and the bacon helped me finish every bite and want to lick my plate it was so good. I honestly could have done without the chanterelle mushrooms, but I'm not a huge fan of mushrooms. But I say that knowing I ate the entire dish. The men ordered the berkshire pork four ways and both raved about their dish and ate every bite. We all ordered dessert. Two out of three were very good. The peanut butter cheesecake was just okay. It was more like two pieces of peanut butter fudge and it came with a side of grape ice cream. The dessert stated "autumn grapes two ways" which equated to grape ice cream. It was awful. Paired together the dish was tolerable. My husband and I ordered the cookies and confections and really enjoyed the dish. Every item on the plate was whimsical and good. I especially enjoyed the popcorn ice cream and cashew snickers. Lastly, we ordered the ancho chocolate brulee. The chocolate brulee was perfect and as I took each bite the heat from the ancho would slowly linger in my mouth. I think that is a dish that you either love or hate. We'll be back for sure!
(5)Kevin K.
I love the throwbacks of classic americana...pimento chees spread, green goddess sauce on the sliders? Gotta love the thought into these dishes. I enjoyed this place after I downed some drinks at PX and wanted to have a few more drinks and some food to soak up all of the additional alcohol that I put into my stomach. Now I am writing this review solely on the lounge and the downstairs bar. The bartenders were accommodating and willing to turn down the thermostat because it felt like a sweltering 80+ degrees in the bar...bad combination for booze and heat. Regardless the cocktails were stiff, and quickly served. The bar food was more than enough to share...the seasoning was a little assertive and would have been a little better without so much salt. But its bar food...right? I would definitely check this place out again, it's just that Old Town is so hard on parking and just generally out of the way. That's just my opinion though. Cheers and happy eats!
(3)William M.
Ok...nothing out of this world but decent food but very expensive. Very small portions.
(3)Michael W.
Ok. Staff nice and friendly. Food pricey. Happy hour by far not the best in old town. Decor good for a date I guess - couch space in the bar area very cool and comfortable.
(3)Angela G.
In my quest to frequent places more in and around Alexandria, I stopped in Vermilion early on a Wed evening to check out their 4 to 7 happy hour (actually got out of the office early that day...so was already kinda of happy). Really nice atmosphere in the bar/lounge area with a friendly and accommodating bartender. I recommend the King Street Lemonade cocktail, but was considering one of their wine choices of the day--both were only $5 for hh. Played it safe with the house-cut fries with garlic & parmesan, but were tasty (however they are the same price as if it was not hh, so not much of a special, but some of their other bar food hh options are a few dollars less). Not too loud considering, patrons ranged from a few individuals sitting at the bar like me, to a group at one of the nice lounge area tables, to a few pairs interspersed. A TV at either end of the bar. Would definitely stop by for a happy hour bite to eat and drinks again, either on my own or with others. It's been a while since I ate there...think it was brunch a few years back...so must also make it a point to enjoy a meal soon.
(4)Helen V.
I've been twice for the Restaurant Week dinner menu. (Winter and Fall '11) Earlier this year, RW was AMAZING. We had great dishes and a great waiter. He was so attentive and he definitely is my standard for all good service now. Vermilion generally has great menus and drinks. If I were rich, I would definitely go more than the semi-annual restaurant week. However, fall's RW (August 2011) was just a tad different. The service was great and the menu seemed just as appetizing. I unfortunately ordered the wrong entree for me...The description seemed to have persuaded me, but I had no idea what I was in store for. Pulled pork was accompanied by the words 'Carolina' BBQ. Me not being a BBQ person, I assumed it would be a slight, tasteful BBQ flavor. Nope. Carolina BBQ is more vinegar-y, as a fellow friend told me. It was unbearably vinegar-y to me! I could only finish half of my plate...I was really ashamed (I don't like to waste food). The waiter offered to have something else sent out, which I really appreciated, but I declined. The overwhelming vinegar-y taste took away my appetite. (Strange, because I like Salt N' Vinegar chips!) Despite the mishap, I like Vermilion a lot. The service is reputable and the food is definitely worth what it costs. Hope to be back soon!
(4)Gina F.
Went for brunch today.The food was pretty good. I can't speak for the bread basket since our server never bothered to bring us any. The service is TERRIBLE. Once seated, we waited at least 12 minutes for a server to greet us and take a drink order. After she took not only our drink order but food order as well (I mean, we'd clearly had enough time to decide on our meal choices. I was also able to plan a week's worth of dinner menus in my head), it took another 10+ minutes to bring the drinks (Diet Coke and coffee...no mixology involved). When the food finally arrived, it was tasty. I sat for most of the meal needing a drink refill, which came with the check...thanks. It's a shame that service can ruin a dining experience. We won't be back.
(2)Julie R.
Our food selections (including just about every one of the appetizers) didn't disappoint but they also didn't knock anyone's socks off. The wine selection was great and our choices were paired very nicely with our meals. Service was great once we were at our table but the hostess was quite a negative Nancy! Even with reservations she was having issues recognizing that we were in fact ready to be seated. When we suggested the possibility of adding another guest to our party, she told us the chef would have a fit. Not exactly what you want to hear when you're hosting a business dinner somewhere. I would try it again for a more low-key evening but will not be taking any clients there again. Summary: socks intact, grumpy welcoming committee, might be nice for a date night.
(3)Morgan T.
Our first time at Vermilion and we enjoyed it. We had a late brunch and my dish was so savory. I had the grilled ham steak benedict which was to die for. It wasn't your typical skinny ham and cornbread but thick ham sliced on top of flavorful moist cornbread with perfectly poached eggs and sauce. The latkes were good too. My bf had the tomato stewed eggs and he said they were good. It was a little salty for my taste and he wished that there was more of it. All in all we enjoyed and recommend for brunch. Next up is dinner.
(5)Lois A.
We've eaten here twice now and both times the food, service, drinks and atmosphere have been fantastic. Their seasonal cocktails are always festive and tasty--the perfect way to start a great meal. Both times I had the Waldorf arugula salad to start. Perfect size and combination. We were also served a taster from the chef both times we went, which made us feel welcome and allowed us to taste some of the chef's handiwork. For dinner, I had the fish special and was really impressed. Perfectly flavored & cooked. So far, this is my favorite restaurant in Old Town. Upstairs is perfect for a date or a dinner with friends, while the bar downstairs is a cool place to hang out and grab drinks. The wait staff is always friendly and knowledgeable without being snooty. Overall, just a great place!
(5)Jeannette B.
I live in Alexandria, but had somehow overlooked Vermillion until just recently. Excellent venue for happy hour. $28 bottles of bubbly and an array of deliciously seasoned house-made french fries -- what more could one ask for? Service is attentive and the menu is chock-a-block with fresh and tantalizing options. Nice ambiance, as well. I'm a fan.
(4)vanessa g.
I went here last night with my husband for our anniversary dinner and were promptly greeted. The decor and ambiance is lovely with splashes of red and a lovely brick throughout. Our waiter was friendly but was not as attentive as I would have expected as we had to wait for a while before ordering and our drinks were not filled enough. The food was good though. I tried the steak tartare which didn't suit my taste but nevertheless was interesting to try. For mains I tried their lamb which was wonderfully presented and cooked to perfection. The dish was accompanied by artichoke hearts and pomegranate seeds, weird but good. For dessert I had their goat cheesecake served with Pistachio ice cream, very tasty and not overly sweet. My husband and I also shared a 4 cheese selection, ranging from goat cheese to blue, all were fun to try. Overall I had a good experience but feel the service and the food selections could have been better,
(3)Stephanie A.
Went for restaurant week winter 2012 and it was amazing- i went to a few other RW dinners in old town also but this was the best! The calamari appetizer wasnt the best- i was expecting more (when compared with the rest of the meal) but the coleslaw under was nice and made for a nice combo with the calamari. My main course of fish was nicely cooked and tasty. My friend had the bison with polenta and it was a pretty plate and tasted like someone put a lot of thought into this dish. Dessert was heavenly! Sorbet with a cookie at the bottom. Perfect romantic spot and great service. Would recommend for a special occasion and one of the best I've tasted in old town. Am def going back and you should try it too!
(5)Debra H.
Absolutely fantastic evening at Vermillon in Alexandria. We didn't have reservations, the place was packed but they found a table for us. I love the decor and setting in this restaurant. We were greeted immediately with menus and offered cocktails. We ordered one with cloves, another with ginger, and one with pear. They were perfect for this rainy fall evening. Our party started with salads and the bean/kale soup. The soup was the standout. We ordered two of the specials, lamb three ways and the cod and lentils. Absolutely delicious. The other item ordered was off the menu...butter nut squash with Brussels sprouts. Service was exceptional! Dessert was delicious. Pumpkin pie ice cream and the apple beignets were memorable. Highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Catherine T.
I took my boyfriend for his birthday here and we did the four course tasting menu and wine pairing. The food was delicious, the service was OUTSTANDING, and we had a great time. More recently, we went to CityZen and spent over 100 more for the same thing and it wasn't nearly as good as the food at Vermillion.
(5)Customer C.
I went there for my anniversary dinner with my husband and I simply LOVED it. We've had the BEEEST food that we ever had and we did not want to leave .The service was GREAT. But what I loved the most about this restaurant is that I got a very good tasting tea from france and I expected it to be around 4-5 dollars because it's an expensive restaurant, but my tea was only 2.25! I just respect them so much more--they are not trying to make a buck from tea and just charging regular price for it even though it's a really good tea. It's just so nice. I'm definitely planning on returning and maybe having a Thanksgiving dinner there. They also make all their ice cream in house, so it tasted great.
(5)Gregory A.
There hamburger is amazing. I loved the atmosphere; whether its lunch or dinner time.
(5)Mara G.
I was extremely impressed by Vermillion. I was there for lunch on a weekday, and the food was excellent, especially the butternut squash soup. The chicken sandwich also had a great flavor. The English toffee pudding was better even than the versions I tried in London. The service was also excellent, and they made a lovely fuss out of the fact that it was my birthday. It was nice without being over-the-top or cheesy. I also concur with the posts complimenting the funky red decor, which felt very old-world comfy chic meets modern hip. I look forward to going back for brunch.
(5)Joanna S.
Gross. I literally was sick after going to this restaurant. The pasta was bland and way too oily. I actually dumped over a cup of oil onto another plate from my linguine.
(1)RonAnderson ..
My girlfriend and I recently came here for dinner on a Saturday night to celebrate our 1 year-of-dating anniversary. It was a great choice! The place looks and feels upscale and classy, but without being stuffy or too formal. You could dress up and not feel out of place, or you could come in off the street wearing jeans and you would also be okay. (The interior looks a bit like a nice wine bar/restaurant like Sonoma on Capitol Hill). We were seated upstairs at a small, intimate table for two people, in the corner right next to the windows facing King Street. The place was not too loud and we could easily carry on a conversation. The service was outstanding-- our waitress was super helpful and friendly in suggesting main courses and wines. Our appetizers were very good (baby beets, and an arugula salad with summer melons and feta cheese), but the entrees were even better (she got the vegetarian "open" ravioli and I got the striploin). Dessert was fantastic (my nutella panna cotta was delicious, but wow, my girlfriend's key lime pie was really really tasty...). We definitely hope to come back for another dinner or to try their brunch. For a nice place to eat in Old Town, the prices were about right-- we paid about $65 per person total for the three course meal plus wine and tea/coffee. Note: We drove to the restaurant and had no problem finding nearby street parking on a Saturday night for a 7 pm reservation.
(4)Mindy M.
Out on Sunday looking for an inexpensive place to take my daughter and her boyfriend for brunch/lunch-- so we wandered up and down King St. in pursuit. It was a beautiful day and the walk was great--- We ended up at Vermilon and what a treat--- A very small menu that was inexpensive by any standards yet alone Old Town. I had the blackened blue cheese burger that was served with a large portion of vinegar-y potato salad- homeade and delicious- the burger was perfectly prepared- came on a lovely not overpowering bun and dressed with the blue cheese and thinly sliced red onions--- My daughter had the hunter steak also done perfectly and served with hand cut french fries and a baby green salad and light vinegrette- Philip had the chocolate chip pancakes with marscapone and homemade sausage--- We had coffee, but not drinks-- Total bill $41.70-- for the three of us-- We loved it-- the service was perfect and we had a great time-- A little background music would have made it a perfect meal, as it is a little noisy upstairs where we sat, but all in all as nice a brunch as I've had since Rampart's of the late 1970's used to be----- and so affordable
(5)Jennifer S.
The owners of Vermilion also brought us Evening Star Cafe, Planet Wines, Tallula, et al. So the previous reviews are somewhat surprising. Reading, you might suspect that they serve puppy chow here. I can't say for sure, because I've never stayed for dinner, but there have been plenty of nights I have noshed on the bar menu (without getting sick and actually enjoying what I ate). My guy friends consistently order the mini bison burgers and LOVE them. I am a fan of the crab cigars. I also sampled a mini risotto cake that was also rather good. Maybe they succeed here and fail miserably at the main dish? I don't know. So maybe don't come for the food, but if you are looking for a cool place (with great ambiance - vermilion everywhere) to meet up with friends for 'tails, this is the place. Whether sitting at the bar or in the little loungy area with cushion seating, you are guaranteed to see lots of attractive people...if you like that sort of thing.
(3)M C.
I don't know how to rate this place because the food is so inconsistent. The our scallop appetizer was awesome while my lamb was terrible. Lamb at 38 bucks was so small and it came with Azuki beans which I am used to eating in desserts; it was too heavy to pair with lamb. Cocktails were great especially the drink called the Uptown. I've been to Vermillion about 5 times and I will say the quality of the food is pretty good so I tend to eat here a lot but I wish the food was more consistent.
(3)Susan M.
Very good food. Excellent service. Nice window table. The acoustics could have been better as we heard quite a few other conversations going on. A little expensive. But the food was delicious.
(5)Christine P.
This restaurant had been on my radar since we moved into the area, and naturally I jumped at the chance to reserve a spot for dinner during Restaurant Week! The dining experience at this place totally surpassed my expectations, and the food was superb! This was one of those not so frequent gastronomic occasions where I enjoyed every item (including the specialty cocktail) that I ordered. Now on to the awesome stuff. While waiting for our dinner, I got one of their specialty cocktails named Matt's Mistress. This drink contained bacon bourbon, ginger, and brown sugar. The taste is refreshingly unique for a hot summer day, and I appreciated that the bourbon was present without being overpowering. The pork rillette was the bomb! This appetizer had a pulled pork texture on the inside and was deliciously crunchy on the outside. The accompanying grits and greens did a wonderful job at making this dish the perfect appetizer. For my entree, I ordered the seared salmon, and this one was well cooked and flavorful. The side vegetables tasted delightfully fresh as if the Vermillion folks had plucked them from a lush garden nearby. For dessert, we got the PB&J terrine, a whimsical and decadent take on the classic comfort snack. Our server was very attentive and friendly, and appreciate the fact that we did not sense any bias from her for ordering from the less expensive Restaurant Week menu. The ambiance of the restaurant is perfect for a laid-back but romantic dinner date. I love the tavern feel with a cool twist. On the downside, this place probably cannot accommodate groups larger than 4 (as most of the tables were for parties of 2-4 people). I had a wonderful experience at Vermillion and would definitely recommend this place.
(5)Travis H.
My family and I went here for brunch. Cute little place, I'd probably rather go here to try the dinner menu- the brunch menu was good, but nothing to write home about. We had good service, nice and friendly people.
(3)Christine C.
If it weren't for restaurant week I probably wouldn't have gone here. Ordered the grilled sirloin and my friend got the seated salmon. Both really good choices and $34 each. The gem salad appetizer was also yummy. For dessert we got the pb and j which was really sweet and rich. We didn't order any cocktails but everyone around us was ordering them and wine. A really small place that's perfect for a date. Our server was very attentive and friendly. Would recommend reserving a spot on open table as there is limited seating. You'll have to pay for street parking since it is in old town Alexandria.
(5)Masha T.
I rarely venture out of DC, but my friends took me to Vermilion for my birthday dinner the other night as they love that place. The service was impeccable and the food was amazing. Everything we tried was prepared to perfection: house cut tagliatelle, gnocchi and cod. Octopus (appetizer) was probably the best I've had in a while! I wanted to finish everything it was so good but I physically already couldn't eat more. :) The place itself is very beautiful. I especially liked the second floor - it's nicely lit and intimate. It's a great place for a date...or a proposal, which we witnessed during our dinner. So cute! I'll definitely go back again!
(5)Jeff C.
I have been coming to Vermilion on and off for years now; in fact, at one time I was so regular that I was one of only two customers invited to a private employee shindig. Without a doubt, this is still one of the best restaurants in Alexandria. Hey, if it is good enough for the Bush Twins or President Obama, it is good enough for the rest of us. Of course, the closest thing that I have ever come to V.I.P. seating was standing near the bar's glass washer. It was packed that night and the ladies behind the bar were kind enough to let me hangout in a little alcove designated for cleanup, wine and coffee. Hey, it was near the wine, so it wasn't a total loss. For the most part, I have only dined downstairs in Vermilion's very cool and hip bar and cocktail lounge, the perfect place for a date or happy hour, for it is relaxed and inviting. Besides having a nice selection of premium liqueurs and high end scotches and bourbons, Vermilion provides a perfect selection of appetizers to keep your experience light and lively. I'm very partial to the pimento dip and the mussels, but on our last outing, we opted for the cornmeal hushpuppies. Those little morsels brought back memories of my days spent down in Calabash, N.C...Yum, deep fried goodness. As I have said before, this is the place where you take someone when you want to impress them. Perhaps, it is why it is always booked solid for Valentine's Day. The whole place is adorned in rich woods and romantic red tones that just exudes comfortable elegance. I really don't feel that you can go wrong with a trip to Vermilion, and if your adventurous, just ask one of the bartenders(Courtney and Asling) to make you a specialty cocktail. They're mixologist here, so you will be in good .
(5)Alice W.
I've been to Vermilion on two separate occasions, once for dinner and once for brunch, and I loved both experiences. This is a great little restaurant in Old Town. For dinner, I ordered the North Carolina Berkshire pork with farro salad and buttermilk blue, blackberries, and pickled mustard seeds. The pork was so tender and juicy and the salad, blackberries, and mustard seeds rounded out with savory and sweet flavors inherent to pork. For brunch, my boyfriend and I shared a plate of cornmeal hush puppies. It came with bread and three different types of sauces. Very good, especially with the various sauces. I ordered a three egg omelette with sauteed spinach, feta and red pepper with toast. Vermilion features egg and dairy products from South Mountain Creamery in Middletown, MD. Omelette was good too. Favorite part of brunch was easily the hush puppies though. Interior is cozy and service is very pleasant. Would definitely come back.
(4)Ric A.
This place is fine. Not great, just... fine. I've been here ten times or so. Sometimes upstairs, sometimes at the bar. The food is fine. Slightly overpriced, but good. Not great, but good. An average restaurant/bar trapped in fancy trappings. Place looks like a DC club in a way. Not in a bad way.
(3)Suzy D.
Brunch was about 3.5 stars. Vermilion isn't the most happening place for brunch. In fact, only two other tables upstairs were even occupied on a Saturday morning. Old Town in general isn't that poppin on Saturdays; the few times we went to brunch while I lived there were on Sundays and there are even some restaurants in the neighborhood that do not serve Saturday brunch. The brunch food was mostly average. The standout dish was the baked eggs, served atop creamy grits with diced chorizo and mushrooms. The eggs and dairy are from South Mountain creamery, with the eggs delivered about five days after being laid. The freshness definitely came through on this dish. The pancakes with berry compote left a lot to be desired. The pancakes weren't fluffy and the compote was very one note -- I actually think they would have been better with just the compound butter and the syrup. The mimosas were better than your average DC brunch mimosas since you pay individually. The cappuccino was made with illy. There's a full bar downstairs and I suspect that dinner and drinks would be a much better opportunity to fully appreciate this kitchen and drink program. Really, the highlight of the day was the company and catching up with my visiting ohana. But when you have a little group of goofy people partially speaking in pigeon, it is worth noting just how amenable the service was. The gentleman who explained the dishes as they arrived was a nice touch and the girl serving us played along with Ed and Larry's jokes. The remainder of the service (refilling water, taking away glasses) was flawless and non-distracting, so much so that Larry got blamed for not having drank any water. Definitely a nice spot but somewhere that would be better for a date night dinner. Overall, the brunch was just somewhat uninspired.
(3)Rose W.
The food and wine were both fantastic; now I really appreciate the importance and pairing. I had the four course tasting menu, highly recommended.
(4)Robb M.
Best place for brunch in Old Town. Corn soup appetizer not to be missed. Ham or salmon bene also outstanding. Service was exceptional.
(5)James N.
Tie for best chowder in DC with Black Salt. The service is attentive but not cloying. They made an off entree right by comping us. (that is the right thing to do restaurants! as is tipping that money back +) Also, their prices seem very reasonable.
(4)Cristina F.
Amazing! A friend and I went here a few days ago, after I made a reservation through yelp. As I waited for her, I ordered a gentlemen's bet, which was interesting and delicious. I ordered the steak tartar, charred octopus, and the gnocchi (I'm a fan of appetizers) and she ordered the risotto. Everything was fantastic! I've never had such 'pillowy' gnocchi, the sauce with the octopus was out of this world, and the steak tartar was great with the capers mixed in. The staff was great, and we loved the atmosphere. Can't wait to come back and try something else!
(5)DaJuan P.
Great Brunch! My girlfriend and I went randomly it was such a great choice. The hush puppies were great and also the service was great. I got salmon which was really fresh. I would recommend this place to anyone!!
(5)Alison C.
Wow. I was so impressed with how excellent the customer service was. Completely pampered and satisfied !! About 5-6 months ago, my boyfriend and I came in accidentally. We waited 20 minutes for another couple to join us, and in that time the General Manager came and offered a seat as we waited and came back later with a glass of champagne knowing that we had been waiting for a while. The brief interaction with the staff then was so great, that we knew we had to come back. For our 2 year anniversary, I decided this was the place to go for our special night given the treatment before and how romantic the setting looked. When I reserved through open table, I added a quick side note saying that it was a 2 year anniversary dinner. They seated us immediately when we got in, and escorted us to the only table that had fresh flowers waiting for us along with the window view!! The hostess offered to switch out my white napkin with a black napkin to avoid white lint on my black dress. Soon thereafter, the waiter greeted us with a congratulations and champagne. The waiter was very reliable and knowledgeable of the menu -- was able to explain all of the dishes in detail. We got a 3 course meal, and of course my favorite was the chocolate caramel with white mint chocolate chip ice cream. The poppyseed fritters were also excellent. Lastly, when we were paying for our bill, the General Manager Spenser came to greet us and give us a personable congratulations on our 2 year, along with a hand written note!! I explained to the GM how we stumbled accidentally about 5-6 months ago, he remembered us and even mentioned correctly the other restaurant we were supposed to have gone to initially. There was 100% attention to detail throughout our entire visit. It truly was a special night where both my boyfriend and I felt completely pampered. Highly recommend. Tid bit received is that they have a late night menu until 1 am at the bar downstairs. You can bet I will be trying it out soon.
(5)Katie C.
Great food, great service, great atmosphere. It's my go to for all special occasions!
(5)Elgin M.
Highly recommend the Tagliatelle, and then the Apple turnover with candied bacon for dessert!!! This place is amazing. Excellent service!!!!
(5)Taylor E.
Had a nice birthday dinner here with my husband. The service was solid and we enjoyed our meals. We started with the steak tartare and roasted potato gnocchi which were both yummy. I had the duck which was cooked perfectly and just the right portion. My husband had the lamb which was medium rare in the center but a little too well done on the ends...not sure if there's a way to avoid that though. It was a nice dinner experience for a special occasion and I would certainly recommend it to others. We probably won't return just because we can only afford to go to restaurants at this price point a few times a year and prefer to try new places.
(4)Stacy S.
Very good dinner. They strive to have unusual ingredients. We had to goggle items from the menu, even the main dishes. Fluke, anyone? We got the favored window seat and enjoyed people and dog watching. Service was friendly and quick. Bread, grouper, salmon, and goat cheese salad all delicious. Seemed to be made with an eye toward flavor and health. Recommend!
(4)Dani P.
It's at a prime location in Old Town on King Street just off of rt. 1. I was worried I may not find parking due to its location, but after rush hour I was able to find ample parking on Lafayette. I went in a party of 5 for my cousin's birthday dinner. They were incredibly accommodating, as 3 of the 5 were late to the reservation, but they still had a seat ready for us. Since it was her birthday, they gave us complimentary champagne to celebrate, which was so sweet. All 5 of us ordered a different entree, and during meal time we were all passing bites to each other. I personally ordered the House Cut Tagliatelle, which I thought was the best of all the dishes. The noodles were cut wide and very long, so it was a little funny having to slurp up a really long noodle. The peas, asparagus, squash and ricotta all went amazingly together. I also had spicy lamb meatballs in my dish, which were also good, though I think my experience would have been just as good without it.The second best in my opinion was the Florida Grouper, which had the best taste, and the texture of the fish just melted in your mouth. Among the other guests' entrees I had bites of the Grouper, Pork Loin, Lamb, and Sirloin. Every single one of them tasted great, so you can't go wrong with choosing any of the dinner entrees. We finished dinner by sharing nutella cheesecake, lemon merengue, and a sort of beinget. My favorite was the pistachio ice cream that accompanied the merengue. It's a very pricey restaurant, but you get what you paid for. It's a great location for special occasions and celebrations when you have the funds to splurge.
(5)Kenneth L.
If you're in a rush or on a time schedule do jot go here. I came here to catch a quick bite, but apparently my server was doing the same thing. He couldn't even give me the correct check nor did he even give me any utensils for my takeout. The food there was decent, the chef did a very good job. Everything tasted very good and the BBQ pork was amazing, too bad the server killed the experience.
(1)Vincent S.
Took my girlfriend here a few months ago for our first anniversary. She claims they make the best steak she's ever had. The atmosphere is beautiful, the staff courteous and helpful, and the presentation of each dish was a thing of beauty. The prices are fair, and our experience was sublime. This is an excellent restaurant and neither of us can wait to go back.
(5)I C.
I can't say enough good things about Vermillion. The food and service are wonderful. I had gone there for a business lunch years ago and wasn't impressed, but then returned for an early dinner recently and am so glad I did. The tasting menu was fantastic. The wine pairings were perfect. The service was stellar - knowledgable, professional, friendly. Totally worth it!
(5)Tracy O.
Took my husband here for his birthday dinner. They asked if we were celebrating anything, and really went out of their way to make it special. The staff was super attentive and the food was excellent. I like my cocktails strong, and the signature cocktails were not, so I will stick with wine next time. Definitely will be back, highly recommend.
(4)Laurie W.
Fantastic experience. This was my second time eating dinner at Vermilion (the first was when Tony Chittum was still leading the kitchen) and my husband and I were intrigued by last night's tasting menu and wanted to see if the new Chef, William Morris, was upholding the high standards of the restaurant. We were not disappointed on either front. As I mentioned, we chose the tasting menu with the wine pairings. The wait staff & Sommelier were incredibly flexible, too, when my husband noted that he wasn't a fan of dessert wine - no problem, they just gave my husband a little more wine for all the other pairings and just a taste of the dessert wine at the end (I opted for regular pours of the pairings, about a 1/2 glass of wine each, and the pours were generous). They brought out bread and an amuse bouche, which was a salmon with dill. Yum! The bread was also delicious - I picked up one piece and thought to myself "this looks like a potato chip baked on top" and I was right - it was a potato bread. Very cool. For our first course, we had the Path Valley Beet & Apple Salad, paired with a 2012 Blanc de Cabernet. The salad was incredibly fresh, and the apples, ricotta, & beets were incredibly flavorful and seasonal. The wine was terrific. We'd never had a Cabernet Blanc before and we'll definitely be looking for it in the store. Second course was a roasted monkfish with a potato chive broth and a surprising wine pairing - a Cotes du Rhone. I was surprised, but this was actually a great pairing because the fish was so meaty. I wanted to lick the bowl and lap up every last bit of the potato-chive broth. Third course was a center-cut striploin cooked to a beautiful medium rare (they asked how we wanted it prepared) paired with one of the best red wines I've had in a long time - an Austin Hope Troublemaker blend from Paso Robles. This was the first time I'd ever had this wine but the 2nd time I'd heard about it and it definitely lived up to the hype - another wine I'll be looking for in the store. The squash puree that accompanied the steak was delicious. For dessert, they served a ricotta-poppy seed fritter with buttermilk sorbet paired with a Moscato from Italy. The fritter was fried to a gorgeous golden brown and the sorbet had a slight lemon hint to it. Refreshing but yet filling at the same time. Service was excellent throughout the night - each server and the Sommelier described each course and each wine as they were brought to us, but the service was never hovering or overbearing. Overall, a great experience, and I'll be keeping Vermillion in my rotation for fine dining! So glad that the new Chef seems to be as great as the last.
(5)Patti W.
This was a wonderful experience! The service was great, food amazing and we were seated next to the window and could watch the people go by in beautiful historic Old Town. I'll be back
(5)Kathy M.
This is my third time here.... Twice for dinner and it was great, no complaints!! But today's Brunch, not sure if it's because of restaurant week...Food was good but the service was horrible, the waiter sat us and never came back! We had flag her down, coffee no spoon, no cream, iced tea no lemon no sugar!! Had a 1:15 reservation its 2:38 and we r just getting dessert!! Not good
(3)Philippe O.
Food was excellent and the service was really Good. went their for graduation dinner and as the server found out he ended up giving us a desert on the house and gave a handwritten card
(5)Anna L.
What a perfect date night restaurant in the heart of Old Town. From the brick walls and burgundy accents to the dimmed lighting and cozy tables, the atmosphere is definitely romantic in this little spot. We had an absolutely wonderful experience from start to finish. We had a 7:00 reservation, but arrived a bit early. We were warmly greeted and told that our table was ready. We were seated at a comfortable spot between the front of the restaurant and the lounge. I loved that we had somewhat of a corner bench loaded with throw pillows and a couple of chairs at the table - plenty of comfortable seating for the four of us. Our server did a wonderful job of timing the meal. We never felt rushed or ignored. Water and wine glasses were kept full. Dishes were cleaned from the table timely. She knew the menu well and was able to answer any questions we had. The menu is not huge, but had a nice diverse selection of starters, entrees and desserts. I got the impression selections were seasonal. I liked that they use locally sourced ingredients in preparation of their meals where possible. The wine list was fairly extensive as was the whiskey list. I don't drink whiskey, but with the selection they offer, if I did I think this would be the place to come. The bar/lounge area looked very comfortable. This would be a really nice spot for drinks with friends. I understand they offer live music on Tuesday and Wednesday. Now I always knew I liked pork belly (who doesn't?), but the braised pork belly served with three littleneck clams, fennel puree and an absolutely wonderful pan jus made me fall in love. The flavors of this dish were so good and all came together perfectly. Everyone agreed that was the best appetizer choice although my dining companions enjoyed both the winter squash soup and steak tartare. For an entrée I debated between the Maryland rockfish and seared striploin. Since these were the same dishes my husband had in mind, I got to try both. Our friends ordered the pan seared salmon and spice rubbed duck breast. The meats were cooked exactly as requested. The striploin was tender and flavorful served atop of potato puree with roasted Brussels sprouts. My husband's rockfish was moist and flaky although after tasting the salmon, he was sorry he did not order that. The duck was pronounced delicious as well. The presentation of these dishes was quite nice - beautifully arranged plates! I knew before I set foot in this restaurant I would have to have dessert, no matter how full I was. Two words - Nutella cheesecake! We ordered a serving to share. Two small slices of creamy cheesecake served with candied hazelnuts, espresso fudge ripple ice cream and caramelized bananas. Simply delicious. I will say the entrees in particular could be considered smaller - we each had an appetizer, entrée and were still able to share dessert with no left overs to speak of. However, the quality and flavors of the food were such that I will be returning. I can't wait to see what the spring and summer menus offer.
(5)Nikki N.
I came here for the 2.14 menu. The food was fine, but I wouldn't say excellent or worth the price. Our server was professional, but not friendly and seemed fake. The bread and chocolate ganache were good. The bathroom was shoddy- loose screws in the stall door, holes in the ceiling, and the toilet seat was askew. If you are charging nearly $100 for dinner pre-tax, couldn't you at least maintain your bathroom?
(2)brooke j.
I went here for my birthday dinner on Wednesday. All the waitstaff was amazing, we sat by the window, and we had some amazing food! Started with an outstanding peach and tomato salad, followed with the potato gnocchi (tried my friends mushroom risotto which was also very good, but not as good), and had the chocolate ganache for dessert, along with the recommended port, Yum! I also had one of the many drinks with ridiculous (but awesome) names. I had Warm, Fuzzy Place, which had a cherry heering in it. I misheard and kept talking about cheery herrings, obviously a type of happy fish. We were a little drunk by the time we left, but you know a place is classy when you never feel like they're looking at you saying "you're shitfaced, just leave already". Definitely will come back.
(5)Mary H.
My husband and I celebrated our anniversary at Vermilion and it was one of the best dinning experiences I have had in a year. The food is seasonal and local - I ordered the soup and ask for the chicken liver mousse on the side, the waiter inspired my to try the mousse chicken liver and it was wonderful. Save room for dessert it's worth it!! The bar downstairs looks fun and is a great stop for a cocktail. A nice touch was a note by the staff wishing us a happy anniversary- we will be back
(5)Jamie P.
DEAD for brunch at 11am on a Saturday.. so weird, which made the atmosphere not that great but this place is really nice and the food was amazing. I think I had eggs with polenta and great bacon. I'd come back if I was in alexandria again!
(3)Jean S.
I had been looking forward to trying Vermilion for a long time. I was kind of disappointed when I finally got to dine there. There was nothing wrong with the restaurant and its food, but there was nothing exceptional about my meal there, either. I guess nothing wow'ed me - for the price, I expected something I ate there to make a marked impression. Plus, it was sooooo dim, I felt like I was dining in the dark... as you can see from the picture of my braised pork belly.
(3)Bonnie L.
Great happy hour specials - delicious wine! I went for my birthday and thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere and service, however, the food was okay. I had read and heard their hush puppies were amazing and while they tasted good, there was nothing that made them stand out. We ordered octopus and lamb gnocchi for appetizer and it was pretty bland - I wanted bold robust flavor for the lamb, which was severely lacking.For dinner I ordered the beef sirloin with braised kale - the kale was awesome and the meat was cooked perfect, but again had little flavor. My husband ordered the pork and felt the same way - his accompanying side was better than the meat. My favorite food was the dessert! We had a few desserts and the best was the PB&J one - my husband like the lemon meringue pie best. I would definitely revisit for Happy Hour, but would need some convincing or a menu change to stay for more....
(3)Jana K.
After reading the good reviews of this place, someone in my party suggested we check it out, so we came in for a late lunch. The service was good and very prompt, however the food was really "eh". We had gotten a couple of small plates to share, an heirloom carrot salad, the calamari, and some fried oysters. The carrot salad was mediocre, it was basically just small boiled carrots on a minuscule bed of arugula with sheets of cheese over it. The calamari was in these very tiny ringlets, suggesting baby squid, but the toughness soon revealed that it was shrinking from being overdone. The oysters were pretty good, and has a fair amount of slaw underneath, amazingly not mixed in with a glob of mayo. Next up, we got some larger dishes, a ricotta pasta, a pulled pork sandwich, and fries. The ricotta pasta was sort of unappetizing, as it was drowning in butter which left half a plate of liquid at the bottom, accented with tiny leaves of spinach. The pulled pork was unsatisfactory, as the meat was dry and the cole slaw was swimming in mayonnaise. The fries were these thin cuts of what felt like eating pure potato skins. Next up came the desserts, we had picked up the fried ricotta poppyseed donuts, they were very airy (from using the yeast technique vs cake), and the sauce they came in was a nice reduction made of what I recall to be oranges and raisins. Overall, the meal was just okay, if this were in a smaller district, it would probably be a go to location, but this is old town Alexandria where there are better food options.
(3)Tahirah W.
Went here for our recent one year wedding anniversary and couldn't have been more pleased. Our waitress was great and made some great recommendations. The food was excellent, as well were the drinks. We had the octopus app with groper and duck as our mains. Each was prepared exquisitely, and oh-did I mention the fresh baked rolls that we requested an additional basket of?! Wonderful time and great ambiance when seated up front in front of the window for people-watching. Or-for people who are actually weird enough to approach the window and stare at you while you eat! Lol They even gave us some complimentary champagne and a nice card! Great place!
(5)Kelly R.
Went here during a weekend away in Alexandria. The reviews were pretty great, but I think I was a little underwhelmed. Wine was good, and had a good selection. Got the octopus appetizer, and it was ok. But it didn't really melt in your mouth - it was a tad bit rubbery. For the entrees, ordered the squash and tagliatelle with cream and sausage. It was pretty bland. The sausage bits were good, full of flavor, but there weren't very many of them. The rest just tasted like some heavy cream was poured on top of some pasta. Not so great. I couldn't even taste any of the squash. Also got the steak, and that was the real star of the meal. Cooked medium rare perfectly, with a good slightly charred outside. Really good kale and potato accompaniment. Would definitely order that dish again. The ambiance was nice, as was the service. But for the amount you pay for the food (over $30 per entree and $15 per glass of wine), I was expecting a lot more. Probably won't be back.
(2)Paul S.
Looked at several reviews online and decided to give it a go. Sat at the bar and got to know Chris and Laura - the bartenders for night. I drank bourbon and Vermillion has a good selection. Tried Taylor 100 proof, 12yr Pappy Van Winkle (yeah, they had some) and Corsair Triple Smoke - all were good and Chris was very knowledgeable about the bourbons that Vermillion stocks. Got the hushpuppies based on reviews. With the three dipping sauces, they were excellent and light in texture - the best hushpuppies I have ever had. On Laura's recommendation, I got the Hanger Steak which comes with fries and greens. Ordered it meduim and came out medium rare - as expected. The greens were excellent and how can you go wrong with fries. Finished the night off with a drink called Wait, Wait. For you bourbon drinkers, this was the bomb! Great food, great atmosphere! Note: The bar has a limited menu, but still plenty to choose from.
(5)Ashley A.
Good food, good service, good ambience. The tasting menu with wine pairings is s great choice for a special occasion dinner. When we did this we were astounded by how much our server knew about our food and its origins. Ambience at night is great for a date night. Good value for cost. Highly recommend for a dependency good dinner experience
(5)Hannah H.
About a 2-2.5: I was very excited to finally try this restaurant out, as it has been on my list for years! We came here for a brunch reservation. Our server was Melissa, and she was very sweet. We were seated upstairs, and although it was a tight squeeze, I did like the decor of the wall with the pickled jars as well as the wine bottles lining the walls. We started off with the Roasted Winter Squash Soup (chicken crackling, stayman apple, and clobbered cream) and the cornmeal Hushpuppies (bread & butter pickles and 3 dipping sauces - garlic aioli, roumelade, and chipotle mayo). The soup was warm and thick, kind of had a consistency of mango mousse - I liked the bitterness of the sunflower sprouts and the clobbered cream for extra creaminess. The hushpuppies were okay, and I wasn't a fan of the trio of the sauces - I think I would have preferred just a butter spread. We were also given a basket of chocolate chip pecan muffins, and they had a slightly crispy exterior and melting chocolate chips inside - not too sweet, but it was good. For the entrees, we ordered the Baked Eggs (which came with cheddar grits, roasted mushroom, chorizo and fresno pepper), and Buttermilk Pancakes (with spiced apples, whipped sorghum butter and a choice of pork - we went with the housemade sausage). The baked eggs were fine - I like it when the yolk has that slight jelly consistency; the cubed chorizo were very 'crunchy' and hard, and seemed like 'bacon bits' in chorizo form. My favorite out of the whole meal were the pancakes - it had a slight crispy exterior and the flavors were quite nice! It wasn't overly sweet at all, with the right amount of cinnamon and spices; the apples were also complementary, and the combination of the creamy sorghum butter and the nice syrup made the dish quite nice. I would definitely come back here for the pancakes, as they were quite delicious, and I would love to try out their dinner tasting menu sometime in the future. +Roasted Winter Squash Soup +chocolate chip pecan muffins +Buttermilk Pancakes +ask for Melissa :D
(3)Andrea P.
Loved the beet/goat cheese sandwich. Service was excellent. Dining room was charming and cozy.
(5)Katie H.
Two stars because food and ambiance were that good. Truly unique and delicious pairings. Service was disgusting. A rude and condescending server (Anthony) who made it clear we were a bother. "Snooty" is how I'd best describe him. We were finished our meal before he came to check on us and our waters were empty. That's just one example. Made small talk as we asked for check...felt like that was due to seeing me posting on Yelp? So disappointed. Ruined our experience. Sadly. No food or ambiance can be overcome by bad service. $133 tab... feel like if Anthony doesn't want to be here, not my fault. This is how we choose to spend our money, on our vacation. Sadly, we must go elsewhere next time.
(2)Christa F.
You really can't go wrong with Vermilion. You are never going to get a 'bad' meal here and you'll never get 'bad' service either. The food is actually quite good and often clever, if sometimes less than memorable. The ambience is perfect for a date night. I recommend making a reservation because this place is regularly packed. I put it in rotation for restaurant weeks during the year because I can't really afford it otherwise, but even so it is worth a splurge for a romantic evening or to celebrate a special event. So, when I say romantic, I mean this is straight out of a movie or off the pages of a romance novel romantic. I came here with a girlfriend and felt a little awkward actually. Not that anyone treated us strangely, but all the dim lighting and red plush, dark wood paneled interior really does create the atmospherics perfect for hearts and flowers and whatnot, as opposed to catching up with an old friend. People get engaged here. Get it? Now, don't go taking that friend-zone friend here if you want him/her to stay in the friend-zone. Could make for a very confusing evening. All I'm going to say about that.
(4)William R.
Our food was amazing- we were able to sample half the menu. Our service was timely, kind, and professional. Will certainly return.
(5)Ann W.
My husband and I came here for brunch last Sunday. We had no reservations, but were immediately seated. Nice ambiance. Perfect for dates! We had the restaurant week menu and a pulled pork sandwich to share (had to leave space for a special dinner!) We had the crispy pork rilette on grits (the best grits i've had!) blistered tomato and salsa verde to start, grilled hanger steak (perfectly cooked medium rare) with fries and house made steak sauce for the main entree and of course, who could say no to PB&J Terrine? It was the perfect layer of chocolate and peanut butter, paired with triple berry sorbet. Overall, food is great. No doubts on coming back. Service was excellent.
(4)Scott B.
Service was classical, atmosphere was small and romantic. Foods was impressive especially with the compliments for the chef coming out every so often.
(5)Alan J.
I dined here by myself and perched by the front windows. I watched the street scene change from light to dark and the many beautiful lights of King Street cast their spell. The low level hum of patrons in the restaurant, the warm wooden floors, dancing gas lights on the walls, and very pleasant well spoken staff complimented the scene. Food was excellent. What more could I have wanted?
(5)Quanda A.
Vermillion was my choice for my first anniversary dinner. The ambience is gorgeous. I was immediately impressed by the decor which was dark, moody and sophisticated. The service was impeccable. Because it was our anniversary, we were seated right in front of the window - very romantic. While the chef was flexible with us and customized my husband's meal, the menu itself felt like it was trying to over impress. There was something a little exotic and unexpected in most dishes. It made it tough to find a simple dish with delicious ingredients that were easily discernible. All said, the food itself was very good (once we figured out what it order). We shared the warm goat cheese salad (which isn't clearly a salad on the menu). It was perfect. I ordered the flounder which was light and flaky. The veggie accompaniment was delicious. My husband ordered the salmon with braised kale and potatoes. He was pleased. Our pb&j mousse and blueberry tart were a sweet ending to a really solid meal.
(4)Tompy F.
Good service, food nah. Too expensive for being overly seasoned, the filet was cold and too tough, too much honeyly sweetness, and the salad the opposite of firm. Maybe it's Alexandria maybe the chef, luckily I am only passing through.
(3)David C.
Excellent food, wonderful service and a pretty environment. Had brunch here with the family. Everyone had a great time.
(4)Jeremy C.
This place is great. I can't imagine why anyone wouldn't give it 5 stars. The atmosphere is perfect for any occasion. The bar food and the normal menu are both solid. The bar is always open until last call. 5 STARS!!!
(5)Sara J.
Old town gem that I revisited with friends after nearly ten years and it's making a comeback. Good for groups of friends or a romantic dinner. Each dish was delicious and lovingly presented. I recommend the Beet salad, Gnocchi with pancetta, Pork belly spinach green purée. Wine selection was terrific and waiter helpful and attentive. Don't miss the S'mores dessert and Lemon fritters!
(4)Amber L.
We had a very nice experience here taking a friend to brunch. Service was attentive and pleasant from all concerned; table was well set out and clean, right by the window. The food was good, if not absolutely astounding. I had the brioche french toast: very pleasant, except the too-sweet cream on the side. Coffe refills kept flowing. The only minor quibble was the complimentary mini poppyseed muffins, which were tasteless. On the whole, an excellent old town brunch spot.
(4)Adrienne L.
Boy, this was pretty disappointing after all of the reviews. We brought my father-in-law here for dinner, with the disclaimer that we'd never been. Thank goodness for that. The best part of the meal for me was the bread at the beginning -- clearly made in-house and flavorful. What followed was disappointing and a trend for Old Town. My striploin came to me cold, and of course, it was not medium well. It was dancing a line of medium and medium rare. I know it is "bad" that I get steaks medium well, but that's how I like it. Our waitress was kind of spacey/a little rude, so that didn't help. Two stars may seem low, but we had such high expectations for something with such high prices.
(2)Anjali K.
The hubby and I decided to check out Vermillion during restaurant week 2013. I must say I thought the service was absolutely excellent, portions were sizable, food was fresh, and prepared well. My only "gripe" was that the flavors used just didn't suit me, or my hubby apparently, and for that reason I give Vermillion an A-OK. See more below: 1 - Fantastic service. Upon arrival, we were immediately seated for our reservation at a table upstairs overlooking King Street (romantic!) Our server was very nice and brought us a complimentary soup shooter at the onset of our meal. It was served in a tiny jug, and was probably my favorite part of the entire meal. A little spicy, a little salty, all amazing. Wish we had more of it. 2 - The food. This is unfortunately where my review goes down. Hubby and I decided to both partake in restaurant week. I had the artichoke soup, fluke with potato conf't, and poppyseed fritters. As stated above, I thought all the ingredients were really fresh and prepared properly. I just didn't get 'into' the flavors. The dishes were a little on the bland side for me. Hubby had the oysters, Maryland flat-iron, and the Nutella cheesecake. He thought the oysters were the best out of his three courses. Having just been in Florida the prior week, I thought they oysters were well-done and a little on the over-breaded side. They were tasty, though. We both agreed that the complimentary soup was our favorite dish, we just wish we had more of it. For their normal menu prices and the flavors served, we probably will not be heading back.
(3)Natalia G.
I keep going between 3 and 4 stars for this one, but settled on 4 because of the staff and service. We came here as a group of 3 on a Monday night. The atmosphere was great - dim lit, music just loud enough, extremely attentive service (especially the hostess and at the bar - ladies, you are phenomenal). The table upstairs was absolutely worth waiting for - if you can, request a table by the window. We ordered the octopus (perfectly cooked and a good amount of it) and steak tartar (delish, but a tiny amount). For entres we ordered the pork loin (dry and not impressive at all), gnocchi (nice sauce!) and salmon (cooked perfectly, the only highlight of the entres). We did not order anything for the dessert, but got the ganache on the house due to us celebrating a birthday - not bad! All of this, with a bottle of wine, cost us $165+tip.
(4)M L.
Happy Hour Review -- Note: Learn from our mistake. Do not go up the stairs. The entrance is through the door directly in front of you. The entrance is kind of inconspicuous and confusing. My two girlfriends and I arrived around 6:30 for Thirsty Thursday, and ordered pomegranate martinis and king street lemonades. I would go back just for the king street lemonade: absolut citron, muddled mint, lemon, sugar & soda. I am not a fan of martinis as they're too strong for me, but Vermilion's martini was easy for me to drink. Both $5 during HH. We also ordered the pimento dip and croquettes -- I was indifferent to both lounge dishes. The bar area was full, but not overcrowded. There was a bar with big comfy swivel chairs, large tables in front of the bar, and a lounge area with velvety seating. It was very dim, but the atmosphere was nice. The servers were nice, but slow in between drink orders, food orders, and when it came time to pay.
(3)Monica H.
How does this place not have 5 stars?! What a cute little restaurant with Old Town charm and lots of treasures inside. Every bit of food was amazing. I am not exaggerating here. The amuse-bouche was quite amuse-ing, the garlic soup was smack-your-neighbor good (is that a thing? I'm making it a thing), the pork belly appetizer was flavorful and textural and interesting, the athenry lamb was like a fun flavor adventure, the potato-wrapped monkfish was bright and somehow still perfect for fall. The desserts, oh my goodness, I can't even begin to tell you how disappointed I was that I couldn't finish my s'mores creation. I don't know what cherry lambic is, but I know that I like it. To top it all off, the staff was friendly and thoughtful. I'd mentioned in my OpenTable reservation that this was a celebration, and they marked the occasion appropriately without making us feel awkward. I loved loved loved this meal. I will be back.
(5)Josh V.
Solid spot with decent happy hour. The tasting menu is great, especially with wine pairings.
(4)Erica W.
Unfortunately, I can only give a 3, maybe 3.5 stars because the prices are just too ridiculous for the quality and quantity of the food (though presentation is excellent). Service was just okay. The waiter was a bit odd, to be quite honest. Didn't have much to say, but didn't smile at all the entire dinner. The server was friendly though. The Pork Belly appetizer was less than 2" x 2"...it was tasty, as all Pork Belly is, but not for $14. The bread basket gets a 4 because it was full of WARM tiny sweet rolls and focaccia. Don't order the Tempranillo - yuck. I should have sent it back. It didn't taste as smooth as it should have with Pork Belly and the Lamb, which with a pink interior was still kind of tasteless and dry. The Rockfish was tender, and the veggies underneath were delicious. Again, a bit bland and more salt to taste than any other flavors... With so many other restaurants to try, I'm not sure that I will be back.
(3)Sherri M.
We dined here following our afternoon "courthouse" wedding in Arlington. It was a perfect choice! Both the food and the service were wonderful. We started with champagne flutes, then split a spring salad, and followed that by ordering Pan-Fried Trout (me) and Scottish Salmon (husband). We knew we were off to a great start when the bread offered in the bread basket, and the black bean amuse-bouche, were both delicious. Ditto for the entrees. We chose a cheese course instead of dessert, and the Dante served with warm fig bread was memorable. We enjoyed the extremely attentive, but never intrusive, service. Looking forward to a return visit!
(5)E F.
Wowzer! This restaurant is THE best in the DC area. Period. I took a friend out for a birthday dinner recently and we had a superb experience at Vermillion on every level. First, the service is over the top excellent. Our server was Eric (Erik?) took care of us like we were baby chicks (you know, the chicken kind.) He didn't miss a thing and seemed to appear out of nowhere when the slightest thing was needed. His wine recommendation was excellent as were all of his recommendations. The food? Well, the word "heaven" comes to mind. Just perfect. Everything. I will definitely be returning!
(5)Zee S.
This place is CONFUSED as hell, no clue what they want to be. NYC/DC prices without the "wow factor". To me it's smart casual, nothing fancy. Nasty bathroom- dirty tables, dirty sofa.........I was left wondering if kitchen was good enough to pass inspection. \ By using opentable link via YELP I made an online reservation for 8:00 PM. I left a note requesting them to call me and switch it to early time on SUNDAY evening but no one called. I had to call a couple of days later. Over the phone I asked if jeans were okay- host replied: we expect you to wear business cloths but we won't really turn you down if someone walks in with jeans but we don't suggest you wear jeans. As soon as I walked in I noticed the gentleman who answered the phone was our on-duty host..but he wasn't even wearing proper business cloths! lol We sat at the bar for a drink.... getto/limited Cognac selection. ONLY 3?!! Limited selection of Scotch as well....that's when I gave up and went to the table. Room was very nice/warm rich colors... pretty dark (good way), more on the romantic side. As I sat down my side of the sofa was covered with bread crumbs...few crumbs were also found on the table. Later I noticed my sofa was SUPER dirty- I took pictures and posted on the yelp. Seat was uncomfortable...am about 146lbs yet springs were trying to enter where sun doesn't shine! Requested Chef's Tasting menu...... I also added lamb and one more dessert so we could actually taste dishes. Beet Salad was good- and white cab was a nice touch. Lamb was cooked PERFECTLY but the sauce was missing "WOW" factor. Glass of Trouble maker wasn't a bad deal. (wine is very fruit forward). We had Rockfish and Salmon......fish was over cooked. Again, it was good but I have had better. Beef dish was missing good sauce..... for me best part was when a manager offered me a blind taste. Very nice touch. Desserts were okay--- asked my server what was her favorite item- she suggested cheese cake. Hands on she described it perfectly. Her selection of wine was very nice........but it was bit late to do damage control. Will I try this place again, yes. I plan to update my reviews after a couple of visits. Lets see how much they care;)
(2)Nicole F.
Went to brunch at Vermilion on Saturday with a co-worker and her boyfriend. We had a reservation, but when I got inside it was pretty dead. I had never been to the restaraunt before so I was a little surprised by the dark romantic decor (for a brunch setting at least). My two friends ordered egg dishes and I got the pancakes. We all agreed the highlight of the meal was the breakfast sausage! SO flavorful!
(3)Clinton R.
If you live in Alexandria and have not tried this place, your missing out. The food is extraordinarily good. The service is excellent and the staff is happy to see you. Everything is phenomenal!!!!
(5)Jorge T.
Nice atmosphere. Great location. If you get a table by the window, I can't think of a better place in Alexandria to people watch while eating. The food was nice. Had the penne in vodka sauce with Italian sausage and broccoli rabe and it was good. I prefer my dishes a little more flavorful, and after adding a pinch of salt, it was excellent. I must say that I had the best screwdriver ever at this place. I figured that vodka and orange juice is a pretty straightforward drink with little opportunity for variation. I must have had thousands of screwdrivers in my life without any fanfare, but this one was truly special.
(3)Jesssie M.
I hit up Vermilion for a HH on a Tuesday, and it was very nice. Vermilion is located on King Street in Alexandria, which is a really cute area of town. The inside is dark and reminds me of a lodge. We sat at the bar to enjoy some wine and snacks. My co-worker and I split some pork belly and "frickles" (fried pickles). Both were exceptionally tasty. The pork belly was prepared very nicely, and was balanced with some littleneck clams and asparagus. I love pickles, so I thought the frickles were awesome. They came with some tasty dipping sauce. I liked that the frickles were disks of pickles (as opposed to spears) so you get more bites of fried, salty goodness than eating a long log of fried pickle. The rest of the menu looks really nice but also expensive. I think for the price you are getting a good deal but it's no cheap night out. Our bartender was great. She was attentive without hovering, and chatted us up just the right amount - friendly without being overbearing. She enhanced the whole experience. Vermilion was a nice place, not cheap, but a good one to try if you are in Alexandria.
(4)Matt R.
While the ambiance, location and service were fantastic, we were a bit disappointed by the tasting menu. If the tasting menu is supposed to showcase the chef's best expression and capabilities, I would hope he/she would offer things they don't cook day in day out. This is my 2nd time dining @ Vermillion, and while it's a very solid option for Alexandria, I don't feel the $ is justified and I don't think the tasting menu is the best option in the area for a special occasion. At some other places we have been, the tasting menu contains appetizers/entrees/etc that are NOT on the regular menu. At Vermillion, you get 4 smaller portioned courses paired with a an optional very healthy pour of wine that should complement each dish. The dishes can be found on the regular menu as well. Not so exotic. The dishes were very very good and everything was cooked to perfection, however the Pork was a bit tough. Very juicy and flavorful, but tougher than expected. Is it worth the $60 to get a small extra entree portion vs just ordering an appetizer, entree and desert yourself? In my opinion no. The option to add the wine pairings is one I always jump at. It will show if the restaurant/chef/sommelier really knows what is going with the food flavors, or they just want to make $. I will say the Vermilion had 2 very nice wines paired for us, but 2 that weren't so hot. They had Linden Vineyards Claret paired with the pork. This one was disappointing. I've had copious amounts of VA wine and this was definitely not the best to choose for that pairing if they were trying to stay local. The upcharge for the wine was well worth it as the pours are healthy, and have some wines not featured on the regular list. For around $100 per person after tax/tip, sadly, I don't feel the food at Vermillion is worth quite that much.
(3)Ryan H.
I'm never been let down with this place for the most part. Not over the top. A bit pricy for what you're actually getting. However it's always pretty consistent. Decent food with sufficient service. Made it out for restaurant week and asked the server to pair some wines with our selections. All and all we got what we expected. A adequate meal. I'll be back. More so to see what new craft beers or local distilled spirits they might have down at the bar. Worth a try for anyone wondering.
(3)Todd D.
Probably much better for dinner than for brunch. Called to reserve a table for 6 & after getting manager approval was told that we could be accommodated. That lead me to believe that it would be a crowded with a lively atmosphere. It was neither. 20 min after being seated we were the only 6 people on the 2nd floor w/ no music in a rather dark (albeit comfortable) corner of the room. Aside from one mistake with our order the food & service was very good. I don't expect house music & glow sticks for brunch but when seeking a good start to your Sunday Fun-day (I hate that term), seek the fun part somewhere else. Go for dinner, go for drinks at the cool looking bar, go elsewhere for brunch.
(3)Bryce A.
Vermilion has been on my want-to-try-it list for ages, and I finally got to check it out for a Sunday brunch. We had a reservation right at 11 when they opened and were promptly seated. The restaurant was pretty empty (so I'm not sure if the reservations were necessary) and I liked it that way - it made it feel like we had the place to ourselves. Vermillion definitely gets some extra points for ambiance. We ate on the second floor, surrounded by bottles of wine and gas lamps. I had the Cornmeal Hushpuppies, Grilled Ham Steak Benedict, and finished it off with a Key Lime Parfait. The hushpuppies were fried perfectly and came with several different dipping sauces. The eggs benedict were poached just right, came with a ham steak so thick that it was actually a slight challenge to eat and was served over cornbread. I've never had eggs benedict made this way before and using cornbread made it slightly sweet which is something you don't normally get with eggs benedict, but it was delicious. I also tried some of the Baked Eggs - a tomato based stew topped with eggs and avocado - and would probably recommend it if you're in the mood for something savory. The Key Lime Parfait was a great way to end the meal - key lime with strawberries and candied ginger, paired with a strawberry sorbet. Service was excellent. Waters were topped off quickly and the waitstaff were able to explain details about the menu and happy to make recommendations. Overall, a great brunch experience that I would definitely recommend.
(5)Lynne V.
Stopped in for brunch and ate at the bar since I was alone. The corned beef hash was kind of sweet - not salty like I expected, but still tasty. I had a special request for how my eggs were cooked, and they came out perfectly done. Dessert was good too. I had a passion fruit bar, which was actually kind of like a custard or flan. The bartender, Megan, was great. She introduced herself when I sat down, provided helpful recommendations, and was attentive and friendly without being annoying. She and the other staff really made me feel welcome.
(4)Scott S.
Treat yourself to some of the best food in DC in a unique setting and surprisingly inexpensive menu relative to quality of offerings. We had our engagement dinner here. I called and spoke to the manager the morning of our reservation and mentioned our pending engagement...we arrived to find complimentary glasses of champagne, a beautiful assortment of flowers on our table and the best seat in the house. We cannot thank the manager and staff enough! The food itself qualifies Vermillion as one of my top 5 restaurants in the DC area, and that is coming from a foodie who has lived in DC for a decade. Unique cocktail menu that will excite your palate.
(5)Mattie C.
*This is a review of their lounge/happy hour only* I really don't understand why people would be recommending this place as a "great happy hour spot" as I saw on the description at the top of the yelp page. It really is not, and I was somewhat disappointed. Here is why: 1. Only three beers have discounted happy hour prices: Miller, Yuengling and I think Sierra Nevada. It's a shame because they had some decent beers on tap but didn't discount them at all. One thing that makes a good happy hour is getting quality beer for a cheaper price and this didn't deliver. 2. This bar is known for its whiskey and has a pretty bar area with tons of different types of whiskey on display. If this is their specialty, how come there was not a discounted whiskey on the happy hour menu? That would have been nice. The happy hour choices were just boring. 3. The happy hour menu was not cheap - the french fries are $5 and that was the least expensive item on the menu. Most of the bar snacks hovered around $10. 4. Service was pretty indifferent. We sat there with empty drinks for a long time and the bar area was pretty empty so you would think they saw us. We actually would have gotten more drinks if someone had come up to us but instead sat with empty glasses for a while and then finally had to flag someone down for the check. The bar staff mostly stood around chatting among themselves. So, the "happy hour" experience was pretty underwhelming for me as I wasn't impressed with the options or the prices. I think my favorite happy hour in Old Town is Columbia Firehouse's. I will update my review one day when I eat in the restaurant itself, though from my "happy hour" experience I am guessing that it will be expensive.
(2)Blanche N.
This place was decent. The service, wine, and presentation of food was great! My lamb was pretty boring; I wouldn't order it again. My husband loved the pork cheek appetizer and his fluke fish. The salad appetizer was kinda boring. The key lime curd dessert was pretty good. My mixed drink had too much ice in it. Overall, I would look around first before coming again given the price. Also, the women's restroom was kinda gross and hot.
(3)Jason G.
Good, but just didn't wow us. We'd heard raves about Vermilion, so we stopped in for dinner with friends. All four of us ordered a three-course prix fixe. Service was solid, and we each enjoyed our meals. But, when we were done, none of us felt wowed by the food. Considering all the great dining options in Alexandria, let alone the DC metro area, its hard to see us going back to this one.
(3)Sultan S.
You can tell a lot of how the food and service is going to be like by how welcoming the hostess is,,, awful spirit and awful greeting.
(1)ML V.
Vermillion is a very cute, hipster restaurant. I absolutely love the location and feel of the place. I've been here twice, both during different meal times. My first experience was great. I ordered the eggs Benedict, which was absolutely delicious. I definitely recommend it. To top it off, we were served homemade, warm complimentary bread/muffins. It is probably one of the best I've had. The second time, I went during dinner. I was not impressed at all. The food was over priced, especially for the small portions. I ordered a duck dish, which was mediocre. Fortunately, I was able to get my bread. I recommend going during brunch. Metered parking is available on the street.
(4)Gregg M.
My previous trips to Vermilion were inexplicable misfires. The service was good, but the food and drink were always surprisingly off target given the amount of praise heaped upon the place and Chef Chittum by the local food media. After my last poor experience, I vowed "Never again!" However, Chef Chittum left Vermilion this past winter. The gf and I met the new chef, Will Morris, at this year's Cochon 555, who assured us that changes had been made. As a result, I decided to break my vow and take the gf to Vermilion for dinner. From an aesthetics standpoint, Vermilion is one of the nicer looking restaurants in Old Town, an area with plenty of beautiful, well-appointed dining rooms. We arrived about 15 minutes early for our 5:30 reservation. They weren't quite ready to seat us since dinner service starts at 5:30, so we went to the bar for a drink. I had the classic Mint Julep ($12). Despite the changes in the kitchen, Vermilion's cocktails are unchanged and are still pricey for what you get. While it possessed the requisite bourbony goodness, sugary sweetness, and mintiness, the mint julep didn't quite measure up in taste, presentation, and value compared to the superior one found at a lesser price at the nearby Majestic. We checked in for our reservation, were led upstairs and seated promptly at 5:30. We looked over the standard menu, but decided to go with the daily changing, 4-course Chef's Tasting Menu ($60). We received the Baby Beet Variations. yelp.com/biz_photos/verm… As a kid, I hated beets since they were the canned beets served by my grade school cafeteria. These were not those! Next, we had Seared Maryland Fluke. yelp.com/biz_photos/verm… It was perfectly seared leaving the interior moist, and flaky. The roasted eggplant, spinach and housemade dill yogurt that accompanied the fluke elevated the dish to my favorite of the night. Our third course was the Seared Beef Sirloin. yelp.com/biz_photos/verm… My sirloin was cooked precisely to my requested medium-rare. However, the gf and I both agreed that the meat had been oversalted prior to it being cooked leaving it saltier than I'd prefer, but still edible. This was also the one dish that we both thought the amount of steak received was a bit skimpy. Our meal closed with the Ricotta-Poppy Seed Fritters. yelp.com/biz_photos/verm… It was an exceedingly well executed dessert. Not too sweet, but lots of contrasting flavors presented in a pleasing way. Never let it be said, that I didn't give Vermilion a second or, in this case, a third chance to make a good impression. Service continues to be a strength. Finally, Vermilion's food lived up to its lofty press. The only difference (and it's a biggie) between my previous visits and this one was the change in chefs. It was a much-needed change for the better...way better! Now, if only the cocktail program could be similarly energized like the food, then it would have the potential to be worthy of 5 stars. Right now, however, it's 4-stars. I'm sure the gf and I will be back.
(4)Allison M.
Absolutely amazing. The food here so delicious and the staff is incredible. They go out of their way to ensure you leave 100% satisfied. Low key and relaxing. Not a good place if you are in a hurry or looking for a real quick bite. You must have the hush puppies if you go!!!!
(5)Mark S.
Well, another stinker of a "excellent" restaurant in Old Town--I think they should just turn all of it into a parking lot. This overpriced dive of a dump caters to the great unwashed American Gourmet hoards who wouldn't know a good, let only great meal, if it bit them in their rear parts (and given the size of most American ones that's a pretty big target). But now to the gag me with a spoon meal. The potato soup with Crème fraîche was so salty that it would make water from the Dead Sea taste like Vichy water, which admittedly has no taste but then neither did the soup. Learning by past mistakes at other troughs in the area, I opted for the Hamburger which was overcooked and featured a onion compote resembling an English Marmalade--no wonder their teeth all fall out. My companion in misery also made a "safe" choice of a grilled piece of Salmon. But to our complete and utter shock it was (besides being overcooked--he thought it was fine but you should see the things he puts in his mouth) accompanied by dollops of a lemon curd resembling pigeon droppings but much much sweeter--at least they were yellow. And guess what? This being a typical "NEW AMERICAN" grease pit specializing in farm to table cuisine (which part of the barnyard I'll leave up to your imagination) the chef decided that throwing fistfuls of weeds on the plate elevated the meal into the heavenly paradise of haute cuisine. Wrong again you weed wacker. The less said about the decor and cliental the better. But sagging red fake velour curtains the result of missing drapery hooks; sagging ladies who lunch (La Cote Basque this ain't) and finishing it off by wolfing down too much dessert--masticating the mess with open mouths and then actually licking the plates clean with bovine tongues (this is a real observation not some fevered dream from Dante's hell); and bouncy too too friendly waitresses with their Disneyland pasted on happy faces and too familiar jargon all of which bear a creepy resemblance to female pedophiles; do not lead to happy cuisine memories but rather signal the onset of a raging case of Mal de Mer au jus.
(1)Merin R.
My boyfriend and I came to Vermilion tonight - we had a reservation for 7:15 and were asked to have a drink at the bar as our table wasn't ready. Forty minutes, one awful glass of wine, and a 3/4 full Manhattan later, we were brought to our seats by a drafty window upstairs. The waitress brought us waters and never asked if we wanted to order drinks. Our appetizers came - mine was completely wrong, so my boyfriend sat with his in front of him while we waited 15 more minutes for my correct order to arrive. My main course tasted like air drowned in oil - nobody ever asked how it was. Dessert was awful - the cheese plate tasted like dried shampoo. Perhaps our standards are too high, coming from NYC - but for a $200 meal, no matter where you live - not worth it.
(1)Meredith M.
Went here for dinner with friends and would definitely revisit. Pricey, but well worth it. Would probably do the tasting menu next time to save money!
(4)Lance M.
Overrated. Entrees were bland and unflavorful. Service was poor and food came out slow. Not only did we have to wait a while for our food, the roasted lamb loin came with beans that were so undercooked they were cruchy. It almost made me gag. I did not finish my dish. Furthermore, the servers just came, dropped off the food, and left without giving much explanation of the dish. And on top of that, there were multiple times throughout my meal where I was waiting on refills. Maybe this restaurant has had better days, but for all the accolades this restaurant receives and the price of food, I thought it is way overrated. I do not see what distinguishes it from other restaurants in the area that can more consistently cook better food, deliver better service, and are actually worth the price.
(1)Sonia P.
Absolutely LOVE this place! I've been here for brunch and happy hour and we decided to take advantage of Restaurant Week for their dinner menu. Started off with an amuse-bouche of shrimp bisque which was a great way to start the meal. I ordered the artichoke soup for the appetizer, an amazing fish dish for the entree, and poppyseed fritters for dessert; he ordered fried oysters, flank steak (perfect medium rare), and Nutella cheesecake (respectively). There were not a ton of choices for their RW menu but we immensely enjoyed each of our dishes and everything was very fresh and the presentation was lovely. Service was great (server was attentive but not overkill) and the ambiance is very romantic and intimate. The bartenders make amazing cocktails and they have a nice wine list. Bottom line, Vermilion is definitely one of my favorite spots in Old Town and I can't wait to see its continued success!
(5)Susan S.
Delicious food. Excellent service. Would definitely go back to try more of the menu - we had the fried oysters (starter), duck and steak (main) and lemon meringue (dessert). Espresso was a little bitter.
(4)Samantha C.
Just went here last night with my family. Overall, we loved it! The restaurant is cozy and welcoming with many touches of, you guessed it, vermillion. The waitstaff is professional and our waitress was lovely! My family tried a variety of dishes -- all of which we devoured. From the potato gnocchi, garlic soup, beet/apple salad for appetizers to the striploin, pork and tagliatelle for main courses, each plate was beautifully presented and offered an array of full flavors. I'm giving four stars instead of five because the prices are high for the somewhat small portions than one would expect to receive.
(4)Emily M.
Likely one of my favorites in Old Town, Vermillion has aesthetically pleasing dining room and some wonderful menu options. The flavor combination's are simple but pleasing in completion. They use local and farm raised products as much as possible. The weight staff is attentive and hospitable. Vermillion is great for a casual meal with friends or a special occasion destination.
(3)Samantha W.
This restaurant is tres chic and romantique! I absolutely loved the red, velour décor and the cozy lounge on the bottom floor. I came here during restaurant week and was impressed by the simple, yet delicious menu. For my entrée, I had the beet salad, which was absolutely delicious! The crunchy parsnips and light, slightly zesty dressing was a perfect balance to a more mild beet. I also sampled my boyfriends tuna tartare, which was filled with yummy, fatty tuna. For our entrees, the steak was the hit of the night. It was prepared just as I like it ... not drowned in a pool of sauce, but allowing the natural flavors of the meet to come out. It was also cooked perfectly. For dessert, I chose a lemon dessert with rosewater infused ice cream. yumm-o! The wait staff was extremely courteous (our hostess even carried our drinks up the stairs for us) and our party was extremely pleased with everything. After dinner, we visited the bar downstairs for a few more rounds - their cocktail menu does not disappoint. It has several staples, such as the Manhattan and a Mule, but also a good variety of imported beers. I will definitely keep this restaurant in my rotation!
(4)Blair F.
The Good: The food was nicely presented and tasted OK. When someone realized how badly they were falling behind on service, they comp'd us champagne, drinks, and desserts. Overall, the food was well-presented and was well prepared, albeit a little rare to the spec. Presentation was good and the flavor combinations were decent. The bad: The service, due to no fault of the server, it was the back line who was weeded. It was 100 minutes for the whole dinner experience. A bit too long IMO. But they did comp a bunch of stuff. The Ugly: I have what I am guessing is norovirus today. Sucks to be me.
(3)Anissa J.
This place is quaint and cozy, perfect for a Date Night. The food was prepared well, just okay I wasn't wowed by the flavors but I wasn't disappointed either. The cocktails were great and we we're definitely wowed by the bartender and his delicious mixes. The drink menu is creative, the presentation of both food and drinks were great and the food fresh.
(4)Neen J.
The great service and attention from the team at this restaurant makes it even better. I chose this based on Yelp reviews for lunch to meet someone and I thoroughly enjoyed my endive and arugla salad with the hanger steak. It was a great place to meet a colleague who thoroughly enjoyed it and he was keen to go back as he had dined there before and knew of their famous burboun selection. Great spot, delish food and worth a visit.
(4)C K.
My boyfriend and I went here for a late night dinner and were pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, the food is amazing, and the customer service is top notch. My only complaint is the seating. There were quite a few empty tables and they still seated a couple on the bench seat next to us, so it wasn't as private as I would have preferred.
(4)Chanel D.
Alas, I should have known better than to just look at the overall rating of the restaurant. I also blindly followed the accolades of the Washingtonian, which listed this as one of the 100 Best Restaurants. False. The less than favorable reviews were, in my opinion, spot on. The place is way overpriced for the culinary experience. Next time I feel like dropping serious cash on dinner, I will definitely go elsewhere. As always, I like to start out with the good: 1) The interior of the restaurant is gorgeous. 2) Service was excellent. My cup definitely ran over, unlike some other restaurants where you're sad eyed and begging for water. 3) Beautiful presentation. 4) Dessert! We shared the S'more Brownie Sundae. My compliments to whoever dreamt that delight up. This was something to dance in my seat about. It was annihilated. May it rest in peace. Now, for the not so good: 1) For starters, I ordered the Roasted Garlic Soup......... For the good of the group, I will recall the experience, but I hope to erase it from my mind during sleep tonight. First, it was room temperature. I was looking forward to something hot and filling and this was not what I expected. They bring out a bowl with just the cured egg yolk, the potatoes and crutons. You're looking at it wondering if you're missing something and if this is a new, deconstructed version of soup. Thankfully, the waiter then pours a creamy broth from a little teapot, short and stout. Now, there was a strange confluence of textures. You've got the creamy broth, an egg yolk that is neither hard boiled nor raw, undercook potatoes, and croutons. Needless to say, I did not finish it. 2) For my main course, I had the Fields of Athenry Lamb. It was also room temperature. (Why is everything cold?) And, consisted of more mediocrity. I had a bite of my sister's duck and that was more flavorful than my dish. Food envy anyone? Please watch this video representation of how I felt about my meal. youtube.com/watch?v=_O1h…
(2)Josh F.
I love Vermillion. Easily, without doubt, one of the most fun and rewarding restaurants in the OT area. I've been for cocktails, brunch, and dinner......every time the service, food, and drinks exceeded my expectations. New American/French food here is prepared expertly and served fancy pants style. Small portions, but clearly locally sourced food that's prepared to perfection and plated elegantly. If you're looking to jump start your drool reflex, flick through the pictures on their website; everything looks as good as it tastes, and it all looks top-chef ready. The menu changes rapidly, but i've tried items like the garlic crusted maryland fluke (with confit'd potatoes) and the maryland all natural beef duo, which expertly paired tenderloin slices in a rich brown truffle sauce and swiss chard. Mind-blowingly tasty. The beer selection here is also very complete and diverse, rotating seasonally and priced reasonably.....exceptionally reasonably if you stop by for happy hour. The lounge (hidden back end of the restaurant) stays open late and has a good selection of whiskey, bourbons, and scotch to enjoy slowly on the couches. Bar staff is exceptionally friendly and prompt. Bar type food is served later than anywhere else in town, sans Virtue. I have to talk myself OUT of going here as often as I'd like to, which is a tribute to the changing menu/drink items and the fact that Vermillion never disappoints.
(5)Anna L.
I read many good things about this restaurant and was curious to try it out The place was empty and the server kept checking on us excessively ( he had some trainee in tow which added to the interruption) The food was another fail - we did not enjoy our visit to Vermilion
(3)Becca Y.
This place is great! This isn't quite a casual atmosphere but it definitely isn't too stuffy either. Our waiter was very attentive and knows his stuff! Very professional service. It's a bit on the pricey end but the quality of the food is unbeatable. If anything, you will be paying for the quality, creativity and uniqueness of the ingredients. The upstairs is quaint and downstairs has an intimate bar where you can pay a crap ton for alcohol. We got the Salmon, Trout and Pork Loin and they were all excellent and extremely creative. Naturally it's one of those restaurants where it's so dark you can hardly see your food but it's great for dates. Lots of couples! If you want to feel like a 3rd wheel, you should eat here but you can also be like us and go with your group of single friends. That will balance out the couple-y vibe going on there =) Happy Grazing!
(5)Jano K.
Yum! The menu items were creative and delicious! Beef tartar was buttery, soup was outstanding, mains lived up to the hype of earlier courses. Certainly pricy, but worth it, especially for a special occasion.
(5)A L.
First time at this establishment and was pleasantly surprised. I was only there for happy hour so I personally can't comment on the food, but my friends say its pretty good. The décor of the downstairs bar area is very nice, with a lounge area off to the side for happy hour and talking with friends. The bar itself is tastefully decorated. The bartenders were welcoming and took your orders quickly. I definitely will go back as it has a more sophisticated atmosphere than say Murphys.
(4)Colin C.
I had been to vermillion years ago and found it kind of overpriced and meh. I heard the chef changed and saw some good reviews, as well as restaurant week happened to be this weekend. The service was extremely good by the waiter with beer and wine pairings as well as just overall friendliness. Other friendly folks would bring over food as well. The bread that comes with was super tasty as was the butter. We all had the shrimp and grits appetizer which was heavy and a bit big for an app but really good. It had a marinara type sauce I wasn't sure I would like but turned out to go well with the shrimp. For entrees we all had the filet which was cooked perfectly medium rare or medium depending on how ordered. There was a garlic butter on top that I which was more plentiful because it was so tasty. The veggies and sauce added to it but nothing too special. For dessert the fritters were really good, just warm donuts with some good sauce and ice cream. The chocolate cake dense thing was real rich and good. Overall experience and ambience is great. Nothing blew me away but all really solid and not a single misstep all night.
(4)Judson W.
Having recently moved to Old Town, my husband and I were looking for a special place to have our first meal out as residents. I am so happy we chose Vermilion. This place seems tailor made for us, what with the inventive food options, fantastic ambiance, and great service. That's not even to mention the perfect location (very close to King Street Metro). We were seated in their upstairs dining area right next to a front window. It was the perfect spot that allowed for a view of sprawling King Street. The dining area upstairs is very nice with beautiful brick walls, lanterns, and bottles of wine on display near the stairwell. The bar and lounge downstairs seems very inviting as well, with low lighting and a lot of seating options. We can't wait to return for a drink or two there. To start, we had the corn soup and roasted potato gnocchi. While the soup was tasty, the gnocchi was unreal in its deliciousness. The complimentary bread and butter was also a standout. For our meals, I ordered the Berkshire Pork Loin and my husband had the Shenandoah Beef Bistro Filet. The pork loin was served over a yummy pea puree that really hit the spot. The filet was so tender it seemed to melt in my mouth. The artichoke and carrot puree was the perfect side to go with it. The only downside to our meal at Vermilion is that it set the bar so high for eating out in Old Town. We may end up being slightly disappointed with each future visit to other area restaurants because it'll be hard to beat Vermilion on almost every level.
(5)Jennifer C.
This is a really nice happy hour spot. The food is hotel food, so just be prepared for that. It's nothing to write home about. But the ambiance and the bar service keep me coming back. It's a beautiful little place to get a drink!
(4)Andrew R.
Exceeded expectations, and it was great. Delicious meal, both food and drinks. Beautiful classy rustic American space on a charming street. Service was pretty good, which was fine. I'd definitely go back.
(5)Brandi H.
Finally got the chance to try Vermillion at the invite of a sweet sweet friend. I had heard good things about this place but hadnt yet found an occasion special enough to have dinner here. The quaint restaurant and bar are set nicely from the moment you walk into the front foyer. We ordered a beer and a cocktail called "A Father's First Spring", which was strong and delicious. A good start! We then decided on the charred octopus to start and the wild mushroom risotto, and bistro filet for entrees. The octopus, risotto, and steak were perfect and I could see how the restaurant earned its good reputation. My disappointment lied with the sides that came with the steak... "potato cake", soft cabbage, and roasted carrots. The potato cake was nothing more than a glob of fries shredded hashbrowns with no seasoning, the cabbage was also not seasoned, and the carrots were charred beyond recognition. I couldn't believe a restaurant of this quality would serve sides so thoughtless. Would I give the restaurant a second try?? Probably... but not anytime soon. Hopefully they will reconsider a couple things in the meantime.
(3)Bethany W.
I had higher hopes for this place. Place was tiny and we had a table by the front window. Instead of a main entree I went with the steak tartare, beet salad, and the octopus off the small/app menu. Bert salad was good. Not much to it but it was flavorful and plating was pretty. It was the best of all three. Steak tartare and octopus were each ok but nothing great. Tartare was mixed in some cream sauce that just took away from the beef. Plus, it came with two potato chips and that's it. Octopus again was ok. Texture was good so it wasn't over cooked and rubbery. However, there was no char on it.
(3)Karen B.
My husband and I dined at Vermillion for our first wedding anniversary. We could not have dreamed of a more perfect dinner to celebrate this special day. The seared scallops starter was perfectly cooked, accompanied by confited potatoes and artichoke hearts. We both enjoyed a perfectly cooked bistro fillet with a carrot purée, roasted carrots and artichokes atop a bed of smoked farro grains. Our server explained that the restaurant's wine director specifically chooses wines that embody what a wine should be. The Malbec that we chose was just that, the perfect Argentinean Red. Service was top notch! Attentive and engaging. When our server said goodnight and we hope to see you again next year, my husband said "you bet, even sooner."
(5)Carrie L.
This place is amazing! Everything we tried was excellent. Even a simple Cesar salad tasted better than anywhere else's. I don't think you will go wrong with anything on the menu. Price for lunch is very reasonable, definitely recommend this place if you are in Alexandria.
(5)Rebecca F.
First time diners. One had the burger, which was very good. Other had pulled pork which was okay. If you've had southern pulled pork, you'll be disappointed. Potato salad was tasty but some hard potatos. Pickles terrible, limp and soft. Highlight was the poppy seed muffins and ambiance. Would try it again but would go for breakfast items, which everyone was raving about. Staff is very friendly and pleasant.
(3)Kirk S.
Vermillion is a solid, very Alexandrian restaurant that gets a lot of things right but doesn't blow my socks off in any particular way. Vermillion is a high-end restaurant located in what is effectively a row home on King Street. It's very nice and spacious inside, and very nicely decorated. Prices are fairly high, but not exorbitantly so, and service is great. The food here is decent but not the best. The steak tartare appetizer was good, but far from the best I've had, and a bit heavy on the wasabi (or horseradish?). The lamb loin was superbly cooked, but was a bit anemic in terms of portion size. The beans were also nice, though they dominated the dish a bit. The pineapple tart(?) I had for dessert was actually the best I had - genuinely enjoyed it. There's definitely a lot of skill that the cooks have, I'd just have hoped for a slightly better set of dishes. I'll definitely go back, though - you can tell that, with the right dish, this place would rock your socks off.
(4)Scott M.
This is a fancy restaurant and knowing your food is "farm to table" and extra fresh makes you feel even better about yourself. We were seated upstairs and had a nice window seat overlooking King st. The ambiance was fantastic and very romantic. I really liked how the staff was not pushy and they would wait for each course to be finished with a few minutes in between before bringing out anything else. The chestnut soup was fantastic and full of flavor (highly recommend). I couldn't get enough. The meat on the other hand was pretty tough to cut and my jaw was sore from all the chewing (I ordered it medium), the chickpeas that came with it were pretty good. I noticed in some other pictures the smear affect they put on each plate, it must be their signature move. I also ordered some chocolate dessert, the ice cream was probably the best part. The chocolate part was pretty much just a solid bar of chocolate with some caramel swirled on top. I dont think I would eat here again but I would probably come back for drinks. Looks like they have a nice lounge area on the first floor. Beer on tap ranged from $4.50-$8 and a huge wine selection.
(3)Susan M.
Bloody Marys are exceptional here - so much flavor and spice. The pickled beet garnish was delightful - so pretty. The lemon poppyseed biscuits were also amazing! Mixed feelings about our brunch meals (Eggs Benedict w/ Ham, Duck Fat Fried Corned Beef & Grits)- overall we enjoyed our meals but weren't blown away by anything. They served my husband expired orange juice but quickly replaced it with a fresh glass and didn't charge us for it. Prompt, courteous service. I would definitely go back for a Bloody Mary and some of those delicious biscuits :-)
(3)T M.
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE! You will not be disappointed when you dine here. The service is great, servers are very knowledgeable on all menu items, and best of all, they always ask of any food allergies. I find that to be very pleasant and considerate gesture. I would eat here everyday if I could.
(5)Valencia W.
Love Vermilion. I really enjoy coming to this place when I can or when I am in town because I am always treated well and the love is shown with the food. The ambiance of the restaurant is a wee bit romantic BUT it is a great place to catch up with old friends or family members as well as it has a nice calm about the restaurant. The service I have received from Vermilion has been top notch and I have yet to be disappointed. I always recommend the filet but on some occasions I will get down with the salmon as it is pretty good as well. Chances are you'll may end up getting some complimentary appetizers from the chef and every time that has happened I ask every, single time why these aren't part of the full menu. I guess it just keeps me coming back. Great place. Oh, just like at every place in Old Town - parking blows, so pray that you see that brakelight or blinker before you pass someone. 5 stars no doubt.
(5)Domi B.
Vermilion was too good. Our waiter, Anthony, was great. He made several suggestions that were great. First of all, the Charred Octopus was excellent. I definitely recommend that. I had a glass of Pinot Noir from Sicily that was very good. For dinner, the Pork Loin was good. I really liked the peas and mushrooms that accompanied it in a delicious sauce. Desert was the Chocolate Ganache. If you love chocolate, it is a must. The restaurant is very aesthetically pleasing from outside in. The bar is beautiful and the seating area reminds me of my favorite bar in Santa Cruz where you can have an intimate conversation with your libations. If you're in the area of DC or Alexandria, it would be fair to say that you should definitely try Vermilion.
(5)Lex L.
This is now my fav OT restaurant hands down. The Executive Chef, William Morris is super talented. The flavors without over salting the food is tough to do and he has succeeded to do that! I luv this restaurant!!! Bosko, our waiter is also fab with excellent service. We had another waiter assigned to our table but Bosko from Serbia ended up taking over. He is great! Me: Seared East Coast Halibut Fava beans, breakfast radish, picked ramps and lavender jus Bf: Roasted Lamb Loin Caramelized onions, Azuki beans, parsley salad, and peanut vinaigrette Shared dessert: Dark chocolate grenache My halibut was fresh & delish!!! Oh yum!!! The flavors were off the meat rack. Skin was extra crispy with the meat being super moist and flaky. I really enjoyed this dish. Picked ramps were yummy. Jus was perfect and not too salty. Bf lamb which he thoroughly enjoyed was in 2 sections: loin and leg prepared medium. Not a big fan of lamb but this was good. Bf didn't like the Azuki beans and would have preferred a mash of some sort or some starch. Parsley salad was good and small. Caramelized onions were yummo! Bf liked the dessert more than me. Not a huge fan of dark chocolate like my bf. This was too soft and rich for me. Not too bad but could be only eat 2 forkfuls.
(5)Ben T.
It is no secret that I am a huge fan of Vermillion. My first review was based off their farm table dinner. After returning for a normal evening service this past Friday and being blown away once again I felt I had to share what I now consider one of my top favorite dining experiences. Before going into the meal itself I feel it more important to describe a new appreciation I gained that night for Vermillion. The night was way more than about the taste of what we were eating. Of course the atmosphere and hospitality were outstanding, this is a given here. After meeting and discussing some dishes with Chef Morris it became obvious how much compassion he has for his craft. Like any other profession this is a deciding characteristic. This to me is a forefront importance because it leads and develops into creativity, curiosity and exploration. He says every ingredient has a purpose and our meal was the perfect example of this. Not many chefs I have met can discuss tomato quality with genuine earnest. As usual our palates were treated as the flavors of summer in Virginia came out in every presentation. The greens in the corn soup balanced the sweetness and on the steak tartare they brought an earthiness to the party. They have fun with food here, trying new ingredients and combinations without reserve and knowing everything may not always work is a good way to cook and live your life in my opinion. One of the best in NOVA/DC. Thanks again!
(5)Raivis G.
I went here a little bit ago after putting it off for quite a bit, since I looked over the menu and wasn't really intrigued. However, I saw steak tartare added on the menu one afternoon, and since I'd already been walking up and down King Street looking for something I was in the mood for, I decided to give it a try. First off, the interior and ambiance-- it's really nice. Situated inside what looks like it may have been a former row home, it's just as charming in the inside as it is on the outside, and the upstairs, where I seated, was perhaps even more so. The noise level was quiet, although perhaps it just wasn't a very busy day. There was only one other party there at the time. The service was as I'd expect, prompt and courteous. Moving onto the food, I had, as I mentioned, the steak tartare. It was also my first steak tartare, which was a real shame, because now I've got to compare every steak tartare I have afterwards to Vermilion's, and it's a high standard to live up to. All I had was that steak tartare, though, so I can't say with certainty that the quality is consistent with the rest; but even if the other dishes were only 75% as tasty, I'd still consider it well worth the try.
(4)Jenna D.
Enjoyed a nice brunch here this morning. The ambiance was lovely, especially upstairs away which was quieter. Everyone was exceedingly polite and called me by name each time. My friend an I each enjoyed the three egg option and each came properly prepared with our own specifications. I'm only giving it a four because I feel like we didn't try enough of the food to fully form an opinion, but what we had was great! Very welcoming and pleasant visit.
(4)Ryan K.
We came here for restaurant week 2015 summer. For the restaurant week price, its worth coming, but debatable for the regular price. The food is not bad, but not enough to win me over to dine on normal days.
(3)Michele B.
Sublime! There's no other word for a meal here! Add in the prix fixe Alexandria Restaurant Week, and you have a combination no one should miss. And unlike some high end restaurants during Restaurant Week who give poor offerings, everything was delicious from the homemade rolls, amazing shrimp and grits appetizer (this will convert even the most ardent grits hater, Cousin Vinny!), to an incredible salmon dish (my friend had an issue amazing steak) to desserts that were transcendent. Even the adorable little "amuse-bouche" was delightful, which in this case was a single, bite-sized hors d'Å“uvre of hummus and bacon on a pita that somehow was greater than the sum of its parts. I had never been to Vermilion before, but will add this to my must-do "splurge" restaurants (it is a bit pricey for me for everyday). I can see why Washingtonian magazine rates it one of the Top 100 Very Best Restaurants in the DMV area. Bon apetit, y'all!
(5)Angel W.
Great service from Laura! Vermillion is an enjoyable place to spend an evening. I've been here a handful of times and never had any issues. The service is always great! I've never had a bad cocktail at Vermillion. I requested that they make my favorite cocktail - equal parts St. Germaine, gin, and lemon juice. It turned out nicely. Seems like a simple drink, but other venues have not succeeded in making it properly. My friend ordered the Southern Hospitality with eagle rare bourbon, lairds, honey vinaigrette & ginger beer. It was also well crafted. As a second drink, my friend wanted a simple whiskey and ginger mix; however, Vermillion was out of Seagram's 7 so it was substituted with Blanton, which she enjoyed. We tried a cheese plate with a few substitutions since they were out of some of the advertised cheeses. I wish I could remember the name of the nasty cheese we tried so I could warn everyone against it. I finally met a cheese I did not like. Laura was kind enough to replace the cheese with a goat cheese that was more palatable. I wanted to try their amazing array of desserts, but alas, many of them contained gluten. I decided on a couple of scoops of rose ice cream, which was pretty tasty and probably had less calories that the other desserts I left my credit card behind and did not discover the mistake until 24 hours later. Laura and the manager were nice enough to lock my credit card in a safe place in the office and assisted me in retrieving it. Thanks!!
(4)Alan V.
The bar at Vermilion is in a small, cozy back room with some silk-covered seats and pillows. It's a bit dark inside but, on the plus side, people do look a bit better than the usual Old Town crowd. The hanger steak from the bar/lounge menu was excellent. I'm a big fan of good food and big portions. This $15 hanger steak fits the bill perfectly. You can eat it as a main dish and be sufficiently full. The $8 rare roast beef slider (2 of them) is the next best dish and was very tasty. I thought the balsamic was a bit overpowering in the $8 mini burgers. The hush puppies were not bad but not extraordinary. The service was superb as the bartender, who is also the waiter, was very attentive yet not overly eager. Overall a great place to grab a drink and a bite to eat during happy hour.
(4)George S.
Tasting menu was excellent. Very good food, catch it before their chef leaves. Highly reommend!
(4)Angelique A.
Everytime I go to Vermilion I leave happy! They have the most delicious cocktails on a rotating menu that they change every month. Yesterday I had something with hibiscus and tequila that was incredibly yummy and their food is great too. We just got munchies yesterday, but the potato croquettes were so sinfully delicious that they literally made me go "mmmmmmmm" and my friend's response was "WOW" Service is wonderful! Absolutely the nicest people in Old Towne.
(5)Keith M.
Recently out in the DC area on business and Vermillion was recommended by the Hotel staff. Love the prime rib sliders and the chicken titans. They take buffalo wings, shred them and make egg rolls out of the meat, celery and blue cheese. Top Notch place. Great Food, Great Beer, Live Music. Just a ton of fun.
(5)Shawn B.
Ordered to go... bacon wrapped swordfish and scallops. Good. Wife ordered a beef dish which was also tasty. interesting decor and ambience would be nice to eat in. Very fresh produce.
(4)Nuno R.
Took some friends from out of town there. The steak was cooked as requested (medium rare) and the wine suggestion was good. Our waiter was fantastic, just the right amount of attention. Not too much, not too little.
(4)Kristen B.
BRUNCH ONLY Great cocktail (King Street Lemonade), strong coffee, Eggs Benedict with perfect proportions of sauce-bread-Atlantic char, with crispy capers on top...what's not to like? Their ice-creamed interpretation of tira misu more than made up for the conspicuously bare walls upstairs. They make their ice creams and lady fingers in-house, then pour espresso over it all. And it's huge. My friend got the "Cookies and Confections" dessert, which looked like big fun--their spin on all kinds of lunch-box favorites, from a wee Snickers bar to a little Hostess-like cupcake, complete with the little loop-de-loop white frosting. Brunch prices are very reasonable--my share weighed in at about thirty bucks. Too much for brunch? Not if you've ever spent much time in New Orleans and/or appreciate brunch as an occasion. It's not the same experience as falling out of bed, hungover and disheveled, and stumbling into a grill for a hubcap-sized plate of fat, fluffy pancakes. As much as I love that kind of brunch, it's a different experience. Apples and transmissions.
(4)Lindsay R.
This is hands down my favorite restaurant in Old Town. I've been to a number of others, but no where else can you get this level of quality and value for money, all provided with the friendliest possible service. I highly recommend this restaurant for smaller groups or dates, they have some lovely private booths, or for a relaxing morning brunch. The first time I came here was for restaurant week a year ago with a friend. These days, I generally consider restaurant week to be a sham characterized by small portions and half-hearted attempts at standard quality. This was definitely not the case here. We had the most delicious calamari started, followed by a tender beef tenderloin and dessert. I could not have been happier. A couple of weeks ago, I finally made it back for a Sunday brunch. They have a great menu, and my experience was even better than I could have imagined. My boyfriend and I were seated at a table upstairs next to window overlooking the street and some lovely trees with fall foliage. The waitress was extremely friendly and attentive without being overbearing. She brought us some delicious walnut raisin muffins, and then some extra after my boyfriend scarfed down the first bunch. I had the sweet potato has with "dippy" eggs. The hash had lovely pieces of caramelized sweet potato and tender chunks of beef that were slightly crispy around the edges. The eggs were cooked perfectly, and the hollandaise with tarragon spooned over top was absolutely divine. My boyfriend thought his pumpkin pancakes were better, and while I disagree, they were tasty. They were full of wonderful winter spices and not too heavy. Over the top, there were delicious roasted apples that supplanted the need for syrup. I can't wait to head back!
(5)Melissa E.
My boyfriend took me here last night for my birthday dinner. I had a wonderful experience. From the moment we walked in, it had a cozy yet modern feel. We walked upstairs to the dining room and had a nice table by the windows which overlook the street. Our waiter, Anthony was wonderful. He was attentive yet not overbearing, knowledgeable about the wine menu and preparation of each dish, and had impeccable taste in his recommendations and suggestions. He truly is an asset to this place! For starters, we had: 1) Tomato Gazpacho: the bits of peach and kalamata tapenade were wonderful. 2) Heirloom Tomatoes: couldn't have been fresher. It tasted as though it came right off the vine. For dinner: 1) Garlic Crusted Halibut: The variety of flavors including the red apron linguica and basmati rice with homemade basil oil. Enough said. 2) Pineland Farms Beef Striploin. The bed of spinach greens the beef was served on with truffle- Delicious Delicious Delicious. On a side note, the bread is amazing (perhaps sea salt flakes included?) The staff was wonderful. After dinner, a few staff members came by to wish me a happy birthday. It was nice and showed they really had a staff that cared about making the experience as enjoyable as possible. I would also like to mention, Chuck the bartender, he was awesome! He told us about the live music, Shane (who was also wonderful), and was knowledgeable about the art of mixology, was personable, interactive, and told us a little bit about Old Town (we are Marylanders).. The only cons: It seemed as thought there was a little too much salt in a few things (for one, the Halibut dish) and I agree about the toilet seats in the Women's bathroom. All and all, this is a very nice place for wonderful food and a romantic special occasion.
(5)Victoria S.
I rarely venture to Old Town, Alexandria but it seems that when I do I have eaten at Vermillion. I can see why...it has a great space and great food. The space is very luxurious with lots of draping and dark red accents. I met my friend here for drinks one evening a long time ago, it's been a year or so. The bar was empty and we ordered apps and mojitos. The second time I ate here was this week when I met up with a friend who happens to live right around the corner. The only complaint I have is that the vegetarian options leave something to be desired but since I do eat fish when I dine out I ordered the Shrimp and Crabcake 'Wich. It came on a brioche bun with great crispy french fries. It was very messy but very good. My friend also mentioned that Vermillion has a new chef so the menu may have changed since my first experience here. Regardless, either way it was a pleasure.
(4)Taylor D.
This place came recommended to me and did not disappoint in any way, shape, or form. While the food was outstanding, the service was the really impressive part. I called earlier in the week to explain that we were coming to Vermillion to celebrate my Mom's birthday and to get recommendations for a nearby bakery. They pointed me to their sister bakery, Buzz Bakery, and took care of the delivery and everything. The cake came out after our meal and Mom was very pleasantly surprised! Mom was as delighted with the food as I was. I am usually not a huge fan of gnocchi, but I decided to order it anyways, and I am very glad I did. I will say that I could not have afforded to dine at Vermillion if my mom had not been there. While the food is excellent, it is also very expensive!
(4)Kate P.
Beware anyone with a dairy allergy or are lactose intolerant! Having a good restriction can be very annoying, and I completely understand that. But I came here for brunch and checked everything with the waiter who checked with the chef but still felt very ill after the meal. Whatever I ate 100% had dairy in it. In addition, one of our meals arrived with a hair in the fruit, the waiter took it away and replaced it. After finishing the meal we noticed another hair of a different color, neither of our hair color. Previous meals here have been great. But this one dropped the ball 100%. Left sick and unhappy.
(2)Alison B.
Cute place (like everything on King street). Quiet. My roasted chicken, with split pea puree and ragout was delicious, but the chicken was a smidge undercooked. (Should have sent it back but I was in a rush) Otherwise it was perfectly crispy on outside and juicy on the inside. I asked for no onion so not sure if the dish was already made without it or they made a fresh batch for me. In either case since I have an onion "intolerance" I was a HAPPY lady. (Every restraunt messes this up. Most always.) The dish was delicious and zucchini was cooked perfectly. Black iced tea was above average. Only 3 stars because the service. Maybe others are better but our guy was a little abrasive and ignored me three times when I called for him to bring the check. However speed of service throughout was good.
(3)Robyn B.
Amazing happy hour! The cornbread hushpuppies and sliders are my favorite. The King Street lemonade is always my drink of choice - like a mojito, except better. I have yet to try any of the real food.... but the happy hour is the best
(5)Magic Mark L.
This place is okay. In my opinion - not great, just okay. The high ratings for this place kind of puzzle me. I have been here approximately 7 times. One of those times included dinner upstairs. The other times have been at the bar, with and without appetizers, with a date, alone, or with business colleagues. The food is fine. Overpriced, but tasty. And as far as the bar goes, the bartenders make a decent drink. I usually have a martini when I'm here. But I have never felt "love" for the place. I think it's because the whole place has a strange vibe. The feng shui is completely off. Small tables when you first come in, which are before the hostess table, then a really odd velour-ish bar area, with stand-up tables and sit down couches behind, with a stair case leading to an upstairs dining area that all just seems thrown together from a meth-induced dream state... Of course, I'm probably being dramatic. I just can't find the love here... but the place is basically okay...
(3)Jason W.
Gotta get that Boom boom boom ! This was a great spot to grab dinner with my boo the other night. We sat upstairs over looking the uber cute king street. Service was on it like me on Justin Bieber. And the food was so well seasoned and prepared with such a gentle touch it was like Wolfgang puck and a ballerina had a love child and she was on iron chef. We left super happy. Totally checking out the bar this weekend. Thirsty and thrilled !
(5)M R.
Vermillion was new to us - and I am glad we tried it. Our waitress was exceptional. The food was delectable. We enjoyed the complimentary appetizers from the chef. I felt comfortable, well taken care of and happy the entire time. It was our anniversary and the whole entire experience was fantastic. We sat upstairs and it was quiet and perfect. Since it was our anniversary, they gave us two free drinks. It was really nice of them and we will definitely go back. I had the filet (amazing) and my husband had the salmon (delicious). Honestly, if you have not tried this place, TRY IT. I am already trying to pick another day to go back!!!!!
(5)Pegah Y.
We went to Vermilion in Old Town Alexandria for a date night a few weeks ago and absolutely LOVED it. This is hands down my favorite restaurant in the Northern Virginia area, if not all of the DC metro area! The food was delicious, the ambiance of the restaurant was romantic (perfect for date night), the service was very friendly and professional, and the experience was great. We ordered the pan roasted scallops (with pickled enoki mushroom, broccoli & toasted benne consomme) to start. We also started with some of the freshest restaurant bread & butter I'd ever had! For drinks, I ordered a glass of delicious red wine and the boy ordered a mint julep (perfect summery drink). For entrees, we ordered: Pan Seared Salmon (roasted prawn, path valley vegetable ragout & watercress bouillon) and Local Beef Sirloin (spinach & walnut puree, roasted cauliflower, chorizo & red wine sauce). It was all very good. We ended up getting dessert on the house because the service was slightly slow that night. The mixed berry crumb cake I got was ambrosial and baked perfectly. It was a perfect date night in romantic Old Town Alexandria, and afterwards we walked down King Street and sat by the harbor at night. Very beautiful. I will certainly visit Vermilion again in the future.
(5)Max T.
Did the tasting menu with wine pairings for dinner. Amazing food, wine, and superb service. Wait staff explained just enough about what we were eating and drinking without overdoing it. Very much enjoyed the wine selections too - good depth and variety that paired well with each course. Look forward to returning very soon.
(5)Chelsey R.
Great for a drink the food left me wanting more. I haven't done an extensive review of their menu but the calamari and their fries were "meh" at best. Bummer because it's a cute layout inside.
(3)J.M. O.
At first we got a weird vibe from this restaurant.It was a mixture of casual and hip with patrons wearing suits as well as shorts. The staff was pleasant enough and the overall service was fine. You go here for the food. The bread basket is lovely.The Potato Gnocchi is light and ethereal.The octopus with Chorizo was simply put the best ever and a reason in itself to come here.Terrific entrees included Tagliatelle with bacon and a beautiful vegetable plate. The salmon was also a hit.Desserts were not up to the level of the other courses but worthwhile including a Zeppole like deep fried dough with a green bitter ice cream. It's overall a foodie place and we will likely go back.
(4)Crystal R.
One of my favorite restaurants in Old Town. Love the decor - very romantic. It's dark and candles create a nice ambiance for date night. I've also been here for dinner with the girls. Perfect for enjoying great drinks and a delicious meal. Some of my favorites: Calamari - light and crispy. Very good, definitely something to try. Fritters - I can't remember what it's called, it's a dessert. I think they change it up. I've had the peach one and it was awesome!
(5)Evan F.
This was the best dining experience we've ever had, and our best anniversary dinner yet. The food was phenomenal, the service was wonderful, the pacing of the meal was perfect, and everything tasted delicious. We told them it was our anniversary and first time visiting D.C., and they really went above and beyond to make our night a special one. We went at 6:30 on a Thursday and, in addition to a glass of champagne on the house, they included multiple appetizers, starters, and deserts all complements of the chef and a handwritten card wishing us a happy anniversary. The masterful mixes of textures and tastes for some dishes speak to the skill of the chefs. Notably, the risotto was the best I've ever had. The potato gnocchi was remarkable as well. The chocolate ganache was absolutely incredible. If you like chocolate, you will fall in love with this. As far as the atmosphere, while we were dining there was a very classy, quiet, romantic vibe upstairs with a more energetic, exuberant feel downstairs, especially by the bar. I'm writing this review days after I ate there, and I'm still in awe of the dining experience. I've already recommended this to friends and family, and I strongly recommend Vermilion to anyone reading this.
(5)Lindsay W.
Sat in the lounge with colleagues. We had just went to px so I think coming from there set the bar high for cocktails. Mine wasn't great and normally I love any cocktail with st. Germaine but my friend said it seemed like the grapefruit juice was going sour. Whatever it was, didn't enjoy it. Shared calamari and pimento cheese with pita to start which was good. I order the pasta off the lounge menu and shared scallops. The scallops we're very salty. Too salty. Pasta was good. Service was fine. Atmosphere is dark and classic.
(3)Eric T.
We ordered the paired wine tasting. The food and wine pairing are spot on. I recommend ordering "a one up" on how the steak is prepared. Overall, the service, atmosphere, and food was really good! We will definitely visit this place again.
(4)Cindy C.
Really enjoyed my lunch today. I had the "intern" with potato soup, green and half of a beet and goat cheese sandwich. My partner enjoyed a fish sandwich. Our server was gracious and was helpful with a substitution of a salad for their house potato salad. If you like Dijon mustard and bacon you will love the potato salad.
(4)Laura W.
Enjoyed dinner here with a couple of friends. They gave us a table upstairs, which was very nice. I really like the interior design of the whole restaurant (old meets new vibe); bar area in back is gorgeous. Food and service were excellent. I had the tuna (rare) and it was delish', good portion size, with yummy potato galette and fennel sides. Friend had steak and she loved it too. Server was very attentive and ambience is elegant, hip but casual enough. For dessert we had fried apple pie with bacon ice cream. Pie was to die for but we found the bacon ice cream a bit weird for our taste buds. Also had the raspberry panna cotta, which was good but I'd try the fritters next time. My friends also brought their 5 year old kid. While this restaurant isn't really for kids, the server was very accommodating in doing a special (simple) pasta order for the little guest, who gobbled it up. Said it was really tasty. I recommend this restaurant for a date night, business meal or nice dinner out with family or friends. Very relaxing and good food.
(4)Alison C.
Went to brunch here with my mom one Sunday, and we loved it! The food was fresh and as good as I've ever had. Our service was efficient and friendly, and we both left ready to come back as soon as possible.
(5)Drew S.
Went there this past weekend and I ordered off of the tasting menu with pairing of wines. Like everyone mentions, the fried oysters were teriffic. The chef prepares the items medium rare but I'm sure you can ask for medium, which I'm sure my wife would have prefered because the steak was definitely on the rare side for her liking but I didn't mind. Salmon was also medium rare but the steak was more memorable for me. Her desert, the PB&J I thought was super delicious. Overall, it was a very good experience and would go back to try the chicken. I'd also want to eat upstairs nexttime, just had a nicer atmosphere.
(4)Jennifer P.
One of my favorite places in Old Town--I've always had good service, the food is good and priced fairly, and the ambiance is cozy. Love it!
(5)Mary H.
Outstanding and creative food and drink. Top notch service as well. We look forward to dining at Vermilion again soon.
(5)Emma W.
Ah-mazing! I consider myself a tough critic, but this place gets five stars in my book! Went there for Saturday morning brunch, and all four of us cleaned our plates. The Benedict was fabulous. We will return!!
(5)Isabel B.
Being the pricey, fancy restaurant on King Street that it is, Vermillion only managed to add one vegetarian dish to their selection: The wild nettle and ricotta tortelloni ($23). I'm not a huge pasta fan so I thought: "no problem, I'll go with one of the three vegetarian salads listed (for about $11 - $12). But no, "Our salads are really small, hardly entree size", our server tells us. *sigh* After a brief consultation with my friend, we were about to finish our $9 glasses of chardonnay and leave to find a restaurant with better options when the server comes back to suggest that I let the chef prepare me a vegetarian dish of his liking: "are there any vegetables you don't eat?", she asks. "Nope, but I looove mushrooms", I reply. She then makes a note on her little notepad, takes my friend's order of the "Chicken 2 ways", a $27 dish of "grilled breast & crispy thigh with pecan dirty rice" and off she goes. When she comes back with the plates, I am plesantly surprised to find before me a delicious-looking combination plate of vegetables and wild mushrooms covered in a delicate parmesan foam. I wondered for a second if it would taste as good as it looked... but only for a second because I immediatly found out that yes, it did! After our great main course dishes (my friend also loved his chicken), we still had some room for desert, so we opted for the rhubarb upside-down cake, which came with candied marcona almonds & mascarpone ice cream ($9). It was a great ending to the meal. Five stars for Vermillion are well-deserved being so accomodating to my vegetarian palate as well as for two additional reasons: 1) I've visited Vermillion's bar section before and have enjoyed the house cut Porcini fries (for $5) from the lounge menu and they were great. 2) Lounge mixed drinks (as in rum/cokes, not cocktails) are decently priced, about five dollars. Plus the bartenders are super friendly and the atmosphere is chic as well as relaxed. Good combination :)
(5)James P.
I just got back from a big brunch here. It was a shock to me, but the dessert (mis-?)labeled ricotta pound cake was one of the best desserts I've had in a long time--anywhere. I actually had to order a second one. It's not really a pound cake, though--seemed more like a soft biscuit, with blood orange infused mascarpone and various other citrus treats that I can't do justice to on here. The fritto misto was very nicely prepared. The portobello sandwich had great flavor, but the ciabatta was a bit too tough. The coffee was good, and I had plenty of it. Service was very friendly, quick, and competent. Parking hint: it's almost always very easy to park on Prince St a block or two away (south and west) and walk up.
(4)Sara H.
We went to Vermilion today for brunch. Totally impressed! We will definitely be back to check out the tasting menu (which they can do totally vegetarian!) I got the squash sandwich which I was a bit wary of. It was a perfect blend of textures and tastes and was one of the best sandwiches I have ever had, paired with a nice side salad and fresh squeezed orange juice. I also had a coffee that tasted perfect (I have been to plenty of restaurants that have great food and terrible coffee so I really appreciate this.) The waiter was attentive and knowledgeable. They were out of the bourbon the boy ordered, and so the waiter offered a more expensive type for the same price as the one they were out of. (He loved it.) I left feeling pleasantly full and fully satisfied.
(5)Krystyn P.
So I was visiting a friend in Alexandria, and her dinner recommendations were two places - a sports bar, and a really fine dining experience. I didn't bring the proper clothing for fine dining, and honestly sports bars aren't my thing so I started doing my own research on Yelp and we decided on Vermilion. I am so grateful that we ate here. You could definitely dress up here, but you can also go to on the better end of casual. We both ended up getting the four course tasting menu, which was reasonably priced and gave a great overview of the entire menu. The tastes were varied and quite spectacular. The service was great as well. I highly recommend having a wonderful night out and trying this restaurant... would be perfect for a date night.
(4)Roll T.
I have already recommended this place as a higher end lunch option in Old Town. It doubles as a fine happy hour location. The happy hour prices for the house red was a marginal $4, and while it certainly shall not evoke nostalgic memories of cobblestone lined streets in San Sebastian, it is an acceptable complement for the purpose of bestowing full attention upon the subtle lighting, interesting artwork, and thoughtful color combinations that adorn this space. We also sampled a number of the happy hour appetizers. Although I was not necessarily enamored by any of these items, I would say that the garlic parmesan fries and hush puppies served here are above average. Yet, despite these minor flaws, I would certainly come back largely based on enjoying the lovely atmosphere at fiscally responsible prices. *** This review cannot be complete without at least one mention of a particular couple. The dude was a trend setter for douchebag-like demeanor and the girl was wearing a belt buckle that prominently displayed the word "ENVY". I absolutely could not stop making fun of them. It was one of those odd situations that is best encapsulated by the trite phrase, "I did not know whether to laugh or to cry." Thank you, you awesome couple for giving us an unwilling target for our probably less than witty banter at your expense...
(4)Brittany W.
Nice and small, good service, brunch was pretty good, would like to see what dinner is like
(3)Carey A.
This place is very cute! I made a dinner reservation here for the hubby's bday and it turned out to be a good pick. Parking can be somewhat of a pain because it is in Oldtown Alexandria, but once you find the place its worth it. Its also very close to the metro! We both chose the tasting menu with wine pairing. They were a bit skimpy on the wine pairing, but we did come thirsty. Things that stuck at to me were the rockfish and the apple done 3 ways for dessert! Our table was on the upper floor and was very private...I felt like we had our own little corner of the restaurant...nice touch! After dinner you can walk downtown and hit up some of the bars...just make sure to bring your flats!
(4)Carly S.
I've always loved this place, however, it is definitely catching on that Happy Hour here is the best deal in town. Need to get there by 5pm or no chance of getting a spot. The bar menu is delicious (the old bay french fries and a skirt steak yum). Sometimes I think the portion sizes are too small for a $30 entree but then again Americans could shed a few lbs.
(4)M B.
I went to Vermillion for DC restaurant week on a Tuesday with 2 friends. Our reservation was for 7:45pm and we were seated right away. The food was incredible, but our service was very, very slow and sporadic. Our server was weirdly unattentative, and it was a Tuesday night. It look about 15 min. to get our drinks, 20 min. in between all the courses. We got out of there at about 10:15. BUT - the food was perfect. I got the oysters to start, which were on a bed of creamy, tangy slaw, and were perfectly battered and fried, hot from the pan. The steak entree was perfectly cooked, on a bed of creamy polenta with baby vegetables and blue cheese. The chocolate cake dessert was multi-layered and so, so rich, with house-made ice cream. A totally wonderful experience, besides the service.
(4)Cla B.
I've been to Vermilion 4 times now and I'm not sure why I keep going back. I guess it's the hit or miss aspect: in my experience food here is either super delicious or kind of bleh. So unfortunate because I really, really want to like this place on a more consistent basis. Take my most recent meal - the vegetarian tasting menu, consisting of chilled pea soup, an array of beets and goat cheese, the delicious *sounding* wild nettle and ricotta tortelloni and finally, dessert. The pea soup was OK, but I was kind of overwhelmed by the amount of it and since I hate wasting food I dutifully finished it but felt VERY full after the fact. Beets + goat cheese = tasty, always. There were little snippets of chive on the plate that made a surprisingly big impact nudging it just a bit further into tastyland. Sounds pretty good so far; HOWEVER, the tortelloni (for which I was most excited) was disappointing. Everything else on the plate was fantastic - peas, broad beans, little pickled root vegetables, the Parmesan lemon foam- but the tortelloni were SO much saltier than they needed to be. They were sort of balanced out when I ate them with the aforementioned accompaniments, but it wasn't as enjoyable as it should've been (It's worth mentioning that I was last here a few months ago the wild mushroom ravioli suffered a similar ailment. I'm sensing an unwelcome trend...) It ended on a good note, the lemon ricotta poppy seed fritters were certified nom-worthy. Having taken my last few visits into consideration I think I'm going to switch gears and avoid elaborate dinners (or do as another yelper suggested and ask for an alternative vegetarian entree). My next visit will probably consist of small plates, salads and desserts, all of which have been really phenomenal so far. Bonus: they have a sweet looking late-night spread, which can't be said for a lot of places in ye olde towne.
(3)Amanda B.
I am a great follower and lover of all things foodie, so after reading the reviews on Yelp and in Washingtonian Magazine I decided that it was time to try Vermilion. The hubs, in-laws, and I traipsed over for Restaurant Week lunch today, and were sorely disappointed. First of all, what's with the severely limited RW menu? I know a lot of restaurants don't give diners access to their entire menus during RW, but three choices, for real?! And what crappy choices they were! Disappointed, I ventured off into the brunch/lunch menu and settled on a burger. Is it that difficult to make a burger tasty? I think not. At the very least, the combo of bread, cheese, and meat alone makes for a delightful meal. Not at Vermilion! I will give them points for the bread, but the meat was way over salted and the fries were cold. My husband ordered off the RW menu - crispy oysters, portabello sandwich, and some sort of cookie-esque dessert with a scoop of ice cream. The oysters and accompanying slaw were good, but the sandwich was dry and the dessert was just weird and unbalanced, as the berry ice cream didn't go with the cookie-esque portion of the dessert at all. Vermilion - take a page from DC Coast or Ten Penh and actually offer diners a sampling of your menu. You'll have them coming back for more. If you had followed that rule, my first trip to your establishment would not have been my last.
(2)Robbie M.
Outstanding food consistently.
(4)Iz A.
I love Vermillion! I've been there a bunch of times for happy hour, late night and once for a fabulous dinner. The menu is excellent, the food is delicious and the atmosphere is cozy yet sexy. My only complaint is that the lounge server who is always there never remembers patrons. My friends and I have been there three times in one week and she acts like she has never seen us before in her life. Does she have terrible short term memory or is she just too busy to remember the people who sat in her section the night before? I was a server once and I always remembered regulars. Apart from that, she is very knowledgeable and offers excellent recommendations on the wine list and menu. So, we'll forgive her inability to remember faces. I highly recommend Vermillion for business lunches/dinners, romantic meals, family gatherings, and happy hour. The happy hour specials are great but stay away from the Malbec special - there is nothing sexy about purple teeth!
(4)Susan B.
Guy: You wanna get together? Girl: No. Guy: Got it. Girl: If by got it you mean you know that I know that you know that you slept with my friend after I passed out, then ya you've got it. Conversation after second date, and sub-sequential end of short lived romance. First date was Vermillion.
(4)Frank W.
Good breakfast and service ... I will be back!
(4)John C.
Dining in Alexandria's King Street has become a more refined experience, with some of DC's finest restaurants along its picturesque Old Town walk. Featuring American Cuisine, Chef The Vermillion attempts to meet this high standard of fine dining, but falls flat in flavor and inspiration. Beginning with the atmosphere itself, the dining room features around 10 to 12 tables, situated close to the establishment's only window that looks out onto the street. A full bar is also situated in the back, but this hosts a more casual crowd. Typically, this layout works quite well, but in the instance of the Vermillion it does not. The fun time at the bar, and more serious dining experience do not bode well together. Even worse is that the restaurant tries to hide the bar at the hosts desk by draping what looks like a bed sheet. Some people may not notice, but that seemed like a cheap and embarassing quality. However, the food is even more displeasing. Anthony Chittum has the ability to plate food beautifully, but it is not as good as it looks. First courses offer a butternut squash soup with apple. While a pretty dish, the apple slices do not blend well with the rest of the soup, and present a tartness that simply does not match with the flavor of the dish. I also ordered the scallop dish as an appetizer, which is one of the more expensive appetizers. The scallops were the size of quarters and were a major dissapointment. For an entree, I tasted the beef tenderloin, which was perhaps one of the best dishes in the restaurant. Placed on a bed of red cabbage and spitzel, the flavors paired well together on the plate. However, the dish did not wow me with flavor, and didn't leave me with an impact in which I was begging for more. The biggest and most major disappointment was dessert. I was able to taste both the buttermilk chess pie and the chocolate cream pie. Both were poor examples of dessert and looked as if they came out of a supermarket refrigerator. They both totally lacked imagination and inspiration. Presented in both deserts was what seemed like store bought crusts filled with store bought pudding. To accent it, the chocolate creme pie was topped with a caramelized banana, but in this case the flavors did not even match. While their ingredients may have been fresh, the presentation told me that I could have easily made the same thing at home, and probably could have done it better. A creme pie!? Where's the dessert?? Save your dollars and buy a better desert somewhere else. You'll probably find a better dessert at Applebees for half the price. Finally, the service was attentive. Our waitress was well informed on all the dishes, and offered good wine pairings with our dishes. And to that, really nothing more can be said. As I look back at Vermillion, this was a restaurant that I was really looking forward to. However, Anthony Chittum's cuisine hardly marked the expectation. The food was terribly over priced for items that hardly wowed or lacked inspiration. The desserts almost wanted me to push this back another star because I was being robbed. Finally, if I had to go back into the kitchen, I would tell Chef Chittum that while how you plate a dish is important in cuisine, it is certainly not the priority. In the end, Anthony Chittum's The Vermillion is definitely a restaurant that boldly states that it can talk the Old Town talk, but its cuisine tells its diners that it can hardly walk the Old Town walk. Two Stars . . . at best.
(2)Keri M.
This review is for the happy hour. I came here on a Monday and was excited to find an open lounge area to sit in by the bar. The drink specials are good, but the service is not great. We were served by the bartender, who not only had to keep up with the bar, but serve three big tables near the bar. I have to compliment him on being available when I made eye contact with him. I did not have to stare him down for 10 minutes to get a drink - it was more like a 2 minute stare necessity with a required yell of "excuse me!" But it gets tiring to have to chase down your server every time you want something. I got the King St. Lemonade, which was good, but not very strong. My friend and I shared the french fries and the crab dip appetizer. The fries were only slightly warm and the crab dip was mostly cream cheese. So, why three stars? Because I love the atmosphere in the Vermilion bar. The exposed brick, the loungey couches, the modern, low lighting. It has a classy feel.
(3)Kevin E.
Fantastic meal, warm atmosphere and exceptional service. A truly memorable dining experience. Great beer, wine and whiskey selection. Portions sensible so you could really enjoy a four course meal.
(5)Bill P.
Killer spot !!!!!!! Love how the plush cushions hangings soak the sound from the walls and ceilings.... Janell nice mellow server..... 3 egg omelette goat cheese large tasty hand cut hash browns and thick bacon......large glass of grapefruit and coffee and I was good to go. $18.80 for all.....will be back soon.
(5)E S.
We go to this place for brunch and it does not fail to impress the out of town visitors. I like the stress on local/seasonal ingredients and I am a fan of the burger although they do switch up the cheese/bacon on it a couple of times a year. Most recent rendition is a sausage/hamburger mix that I didn't think was a hit so I am looking forward for it to change off to something more to my taste. We have been to dinner a couple of times as well. I have to admit that if I have a choice between any other place in Alexandria, I most often pick Vermillion just because I know the food is going to be good and the service is going to be attentive. Did I mention spicy Bloody Mary's at brunch??? Oh yes, I am a fan!
(4)Anna K.
This restaurant provided one of the better meals I've had in the D.C. area. Our waiter perfectly paired wines with our meal, everything tasted great, and the timing of the courses was spot on. I would recommend this place to any foodie.
(4)Steve R.
Stopped here Saturday for lunch as we were walking by. Great choice. Menu seems to adapt to the season. We enjoyed the pumpkin spice pancakes (bacon done just right), catfish sandwich (great potato salad), and cheeseburger. The restaurant wasn't too busy, and service was very good. The brick 19th century building with wood floors is in excellent condition--very warm and inviting. We'd love to go back for more!
(5)Anthony L.
Had a wonderful tasting menu at Vermilion last night. Food was outstanding and the service even better. Our server, Stenise was amazing and even hand wrote us a anniversary card. Outstanding customer care & service. Highly recommend the tasting menu paired with the wine. The pairing was well matched. We will be back!!
(5)HanaDC T.
We went to have a dinner on Friday night without reservation. They said that the waiting time was 45 minutes. We put our name in a waiting list and waited at the bar. When I looked around, some of people dressed up some were casual. So the dress code does not matter. We sat at the booth. It was very comfortable to sit. I loved it. I had a cup of White Riesling. It was okay. It did not have much taste in a wine. When we were having a drink, we ordered Fried oysters. I liked that it had mint in it. It was a great combination of fried and mint. When we got a table, I ordered Halibut as a main dish. The fish was very thick and saltiness. I enjoyed the food. The presentation was great. I loved the portion of the food. My BF ordered short rib steak. It has nice fat and saltiness. We both enjoyed the food over there. The menu is not a extensive. If they have the same menu all the time, I do not know if we go back there to eat the food. All the food that we had was great but it was not so special. So let's see
(3)Bridget K.
I had much higher expectations going into my "surprise" brunch this morning. I think it's safe to say both my date and I were quickly disenfranchised from the start. He picked Vermillion based on previous Yelp reviews labeling the restaurant as the perfect date location and extremely romantic. In person, the decor is extremely kitsch-y and it looks as if the decorator couldn't figure out what they were going for. For whatever reason, all of the patrons and the servers acted like characters straight out of Portlandia. I kept expecting our waitress to tell me about our Chicken, Colin, and his organically corn-fed life. The service was extremely slow - it wasn't uncommon to go 15-20 minutes without follow-up - and they really lost an opportunity to up-sell us on the brunch drinks. The food was OK, but extremely salty. My only regret is not sitting in the bar, instead, as it looks like it belongs to a much better restaurant.
(2)Shalini P.
Vermillion, what can I say but yummy! It has fairly generic (but stylish) decor and their menu, at first glance, doesn't seem very exotic or adventurous, but I have never had a bad meal here...I mean, never...ever. It's especially my go to place for brunch! Can't beat the extremely reasonable prices for locally grown fare. Just went there for brunch again and brought an out of town guest who is from San Francisco (foodie heaven), she was impressed as well. If you're looking for a good meal in Old Town, you'll never go wrong at Vermillion.
(4)Valerie D.
Excellent food, drinks and outstanding service. Our server, Adrian, was fantastic - perfect amount of attentiveness and even suggested a wonderful wine pairing with dessert. Best pairing I've had in a while! Will DEFINITELY return!! Everything was outstanding but particularly memorable: the tartare, bison hanger steak and a panna cotta w/ citrus notes (that paired wonderfully with a dessert wine).
(5)Kelly G.
Dawn H. was in DC for a conference. Lino J., me, and Kelty A. had happy hour drinks at a tall table at the bar. The pomolitan was soooooo delicious! So pretty! So tasty! So tart! Yet so sweet! We slurped down two each. With a happy hour price of $5 each, we should have stayed there and had more! But we ordered frickles, hush puppies, and fries to coat the gullet. Tasty again! I'd happy hour here again anyday! I wanted to stay for dinner but...we'd decided on pizza. See the yelp on that...
(3)Amanda E.
I've always been a fan of the dark and inviting decor. Settling in to a back table in the lounge can is perfect for a gathering of friends of intimate date. Never been for dinner, although that will happen in the near future. Had a few reds by the glass - always intrigued by their wine list. I dig how they pull varietals that are not run of the mill - great place to discover new pours. Appetizers are great - we probably ordered the full offering of bar appetizers. Roasted olives are perfect to snack on, the mixed fried veggies were great but felt they could have done something a little more, I don't know, creative than Thousand Islands dressing. Fries are delish (none of our selections were healthy, clearly). Great part of Alexandria - far enough from the waterfront where you can enjoy some serenity. Three stars that I suspect will be revised after making it here for dinner.
(3)Joseph M.
I used to come in here a lot back in 2005-2008. I've since moved on and i'm in less frequently. I had a friend that used to play acoustic music in this place on weekends. The food is really good, but a little pricey. Brunch is fantastic here on a sunday. The late night eclectic crowd is hit and miss. A mix of young and older professionals, frat boys, service industry people and the odd. Hard to put my finger on it. It's actually a decent place to grab a drink. Not sure if Harry(from Portners) works there anymore, but he's hands down the best bartender in Old Town.
(3)Laura S.
I went to Vermilion for my birthday while I was visiting DC. We all really liked our food. I particularly liked my appetizer, which was salmon served two ways with pickled onions and capers. My boyfriend wasn't thrilled by his entree, pork four ways, but everyone else really liked their meals. The ambiance was warm. I particularly liked the old-fashioned lanterns on the exposed brick walls upstairs. At the end of the meal, the waiter brought me a gratis dessert with a little note thanking me for celebrating my birthday at their restaurant. I would definitely recommend this restaurant.
(4)Laz S.
WIth the new chef, the food was surprisingly good. Much better than the old chef. Service was excellent. Deserts were good. If I could give them 4.5 stars I would. I like the atmosphere a lot too. I live in OT and I will be going there a lot more often.
(4)Owen P.
After a recent visit for my fiance's birthday I gotta update to 5 stars. I requested a specific table in my OpenTable reservation and said it was my fiance's birthday. Not only did they give us the table, they also gave us a dessert on the house (with birthday candles!) and a card in the check. They really went out of their way. The food, atmosphere, and service were still all awesome too!
(5)Shoshana g.
So firstly, let me say my review is on THE BAR AND HAPPY HOUR. I took a friend here for drinks after work and neither one of us had time for dinner. I do have to say, however, that as we walked out through the main dining room, I could smell a guest eating a fish dish from 15 feet away, which makes me wary of their seafood. But, on to the night. SERVICE: I honestly believe that service in this city blows. There was one cocktail waitress for the entire bar area, which made service a bit slower than I would have liked. To her credit, if you made eye contact, she was there right away. The set up was kinda weird though, because it seemed like she was mixing drinks also... DECOR: The place is really gorgeous, although I wish there were more places to sit in the bar area. Wish I could have seen the upstairs. DRINKS: Their happy hour was great, with $4 cocktails and wine, $3 beer, and $4 appetizers. The house red was really nice (I forget the grape), and the King Street Lemonade (sort of like a mojito, but with vodka) was tasty, but a bit too sweet and weak for my taste. my friend liked his 'classic' mojito, but also found it a bit too weak. That might have been a function of the fact that they were happy hour priced drinks--I had one of their cocktails, a Gin Sin with Hendricks Gin and cucumber which was amazingly tasty and just strong and balanced enough. (Note that the prices here are great! The full priced cocktails ranged from $8-$10, which coming from NY where drinks hit $18 easily, was quite refreshing) FOOD: I confess, we only split one appetizer, their artichoke dip, It was made with cheddar and smoked bacon, and served with what seemed like freshly baked whole-wheat nan. it was WONDERFUL, although a bit more cheesy than I hoped. The hush puppies and french fries looked great. Plus, all three were $4 on happy hour, which CONCLUSION:Great happy hour, especially for the area. Service was decent, but somewhat slow. Drinks were good but a bit weak. Appetizers seemed fabulous. Just go....it's totally worth it.
(4)Ali H.
not much selection of food, but very tasty, love the beer selection , good place for happy hour :)
(3)Suzie Z.
We ate here for dinner on a weeknight. When I made the reservation though open table, I put in the notes that we were celebrating a special occasion. When we sat down at our table, we were greeted with complimentary champagne! What a nice, thoughtful touch. The food was extraordinary. I would say this is the best meal I've ever had at a restaurant in Old Town. The service was outstanding. The host was very welcoming when we arrived, made sure we were happy with the table. The waiter was attentive and friendly, but not overbearing. We sat upstairs. The ambiance is wonderful, and I love the gas lamps! Can't wait to try this place again.
(5)Caroline V.
I had a really great birthday meal here. The whole experience was warm, relaxed, and jovial. The service was attentive and professional, as it should be (but so often isn't). I had the roast chicken, which I love, and it was as juicy and satisfying as I hoped it would be. Wine was lovely. The other dishes at the table were very good, although I don't remember them, which might sound like a bad thing but really, the whole experience just blended together into a long, unhurried, glass after glass meal. I really enjoyed it and would like to try brunch here.
(4)Shaun C.
Top notch meal. I would rate this higher, but because I was there for restaurant and only had the selected menu I'm not sure I had the full experience. Overall thoughts: The place is very nice and classy without the staff being pretentious or anything like that. The bar and lounge area on the first floor is very nice and if I lived closer to Alexandria I'd stop by for a drink. Wine selection was quite good and compared to the food prices quite affordable. The meal: Three courses that I originally thought might be a little too average for a RW when they are trying to show off that they are high cuisine. I was thankfully proven quite wrong. Scallop appetizer featured some well done scallops with a veggie accompaniment - nothing to wild here. The main course though was unbelievable. By far the best piece of salmon I've ever had. I can't really describe it much more than that. Dessert was a cheesecake/strawberry sherbet creation that was quite good, while small. Without the salmon I think I would have been disappointed, but that one dish was more than enough to get me to come back for a proper dinner.
(4)Jordana T.
RW Review: I have been wanting to try this place out for a while and I love RW since it gives you a chance to check out the food without worrying about a crappy food experience + a huge bill. I went with my two friends last night and the entire experience was lovely. We went to the bar first since we were waiting to be seated and for the last one in our party to arrive. Bar area was nice, looked spacious. The bartender was great and was very attentive considering we were at a bar top and were not even considering having a drink but we were waiting so we went for it. I had the Silver Bells, which had stoli vanil, ginger, lime & sparkling wine. So good, totally girly drink. I would have drank that drink in a bucket. Ok, dinner time. First course for me was the Duck Confit. The portion was incredible. I could have had that for a main course. It was cooked so well---crispy skin, tender juicy inside. The pomegranate and cabbage that came with it was such a good compliment to this appetizer. I recommend getting this for an app if you ever go there. Main course was the grilled bistro filet. It was a little meh-pic. The best part was the fried goat cheese ball that came with it. The filet was nice, but it wasn't anything that I thought was especially unique to this place. I could have had that filet at a million other places in the area. But man, I would have eaten a plate of that goat cheese.... Dessert was ok. I had the ricotta pound cake. I wish I had gotten the chocolate bar instead (I stole a few bites from one of my dinner mates). The poundcake was a tad dry, but the mascarpone was lovely and the ice cream was a treat. Our server was great and the food came out perfectly timed. We had an overall great experience and I definitely want to come back again and try it out again, rw or not.
(3)Sean R.
Great atmosphere! My girlfriend and I went in without reservation on a saturday night and grabbed two seats at the bar. Good decision. Alex, bartender, took care of us and was very attentive. Despite being only our first time there, we were treated like a regulars. This is the kind of place you want to go back to time and again. Great prices on good whiskey too. Bison steak was great!
(5)David T.
One of our favorites. We've been several times. The wait staff is knowlegeable. Their recommendations are on point, and the food is first-rate.
(5)John C.
Underwhelmed. Walking into Vermilion, one is greeted by the all too familiar wall of restaurant awards and newspaper articles. After hearing great reviews from local friends, I was jazzed to enjoy a great dinner. My high hopes were dashed by easily the worst high end cocktail which I sent back twice before I gave up. Kept thinking that this has to get better, but it just kept being mediocre. Service? Our waitress worked her butt off but just was not someone who is blessed with the ability to talk smoothly with her clients. She'd listen to our questions and interrupt. We'd stop talking so we could listen to her despite the fact that she had interrupted us. She'd realize her mistake....stop talking and listen. Awkward pause. Then we'd start talking again and milliseconds later, so would she. Maybe an off night (we all have 'em) but she was not a 'natural' waitress. Meant well, but ... Food? The scallop appetizer was tremendous. They were juicy and perfectly cooked. The filet medallions / pork 'duo' was different but not that exciting. A couple people in our party had the same dish and we all decided that it is was tasty, but we only gave it a grade of 'B'. Would I return here again? Sure, but I'd probably look around at other options. Solid restaurant, but not a must have experience. P.S. - Someone else commented in their review how great it was/is to have smoking after 10pm? Good reason to leave. Smoking and dinner do not mix. It was 1950s disgusting.
(3)Heather R.
I love Vermillion. I think their staff is incredibly friendly - they're always smiling when you walk in, and very attentive throughout your meal. The staff knows the menu, and helps make great recommendations if you can't decide between a few things. They're very well versed in flavors and textures, so that they can adequately describe how each dish will taste, which I think is a sign of a great restaurant. Secondly, the decor is just beautiful - very modern, but warm. The dining area is not too loud, and is very cozy - it makes you want to linger over a dinner, and it's very romantic. The bar is comfy and inviting - the perfect place to catch up with a few friends or grab a post dinner drink with a date. It is one of the most well designed restaurants I've been in. Finally, THE FOOD. Oh my gosh it's so good. I love that they incorporate so many seasonal ideas, and that those seasonal influences are seen in everything from the cocktails to the entrees and desserts. Every time you go, there are new options and flavors to try out. The food is inventive, but not snobby. I think there's nothing worse than dropping a good amount of money on a nice steak or fish dish, and the plate comes out like some abstract painting that I can't figure out. The dishes are plated beautifully, but still have a warm and comforting presentation. Their cocktails are also just delicious. Not too sweet, very inventive and delicious. I definitely recommend Vermillion!
(5)Kevin S.
Someone who works in Old Town recommended this place to me noting the great wine selection and atmosphere. I have to agree with her and have made reservations here several times even though I live about half an hour away. It's fun to get out of DC for a bit and explore one of the best spots that Alexandria has to offer. The food is excellent and the service was the best I can think of in recent memory.
(5)A C.
Brunch was absolutely fantastic! Our waiter was excellent and extremely attentive. Kudos to the chef for the awesome sweet potato pancakes.
(5)Chris Y.
We ended up here in late April after touring Alexandria and having quite a hard time deciding on where to go (every restaurant seemed deceptively cute). Maybe it was just dumb luck that we wandered in, but I'm certainly glad I did so. The service and food were great- it sincerely pains me that we can't make it there on a regular basis. The Hanger steak was perfect and my girlfriend still remembers the Scallops like it was yesterday. Everyone was friendly and the atmosphere was spot on. Let's put it this way- I've carried a Vermilion business card in my wallet for the last three months because I'm really hoping to run into someone out here who needs a solid recommendation. Does that not say it all?
(5)Some D.
It was good. The bartenders wre nice. Try the soft shell crab "Blt" and the buffalo chicken
(4)Quinn A.
Great food and selection of cocktails! We took my father for his birthday and we all enjoyed our meals and the atmosphere.
(4)Danielle T.
I went for happy hour so I can't comment too much on food. The lounge area is nice and relaxing and not too loud, at least on a Tuesday night. The speciality drink, King Street Lemonade, was excellent. Refreshing, minty, and not too sweet. The pimento cheese dip was a good snack. I'd definitely recommend this for happy hour, and I'd like to try it for dinner as well.
(4)Jim C.
I recently had the pleasure of eating lunch and brunch here with a group of family members. It was great. The food all around the table got raves, from the crab cakes to the chicken, provolone and house made dried tomatoe sandwhich to the pasta. We enjoyed eating here so much, we came the next day for brunch and were wowed once again by their pancakes. simply amazing. Not only is the food great, but the staff are all wonderfully accommodating as well. Can't wait to come back.
(4)Pierce H.
This place has a great atmosphere, a mix of rustic Americana, trendy barroom, and chic upscale restaurant... you can choose your flavor. Food-wise, the bar food is okay but the dinner fare is superb. I highly recommend the butter lettuce salad (with delicious charred octopus), or the petite filet if you're in the mood. They have a decent selection of beers, expanding well beyond the same-old same-old options at most restaurants. Overall, a convenient and comfortable place for dinner or drinks in the heart of Old Town.
(4)M. C.
Vermilion is amongst our favorite places for food and drink in Old Town. Good cocktails, good wine and beer selection, fast, friendly service, consistently good food, and a vibe that is upscale enough for guests or date night, but casual enough that you could arrive in a t-shirt and jeans and not feel completely out of place. Interestingly, it is also one of the few places open after 9:00 or 9:30 pm in the area during the week. Far enough west on King Street that it does not attract much of a tourist crowd. There is also sometimes live music in the lounge, and the lounge has two TVs, which is beneficial if you or your companions want to keep an eye on a game.
(4)J F.
We went for brunch on a Sunday. The restaurant itself is very pleasant. The upstairs got a little loud once all the tables were filled but we could still hear each other at the table. The server was great but the service ran a little slow. Highlight of the meals was the corned beef hash. The meat and potatoes were both cooked crispy. The eggs were done perfectly. Really delicious. The buckwheat pancakes were great also and the syrup and mascarpone cheese with them was a nice addition. We split the granola and yogurt. The yogurt was fantastic -- tart and smooth. Granola was good too (although I could have done without the pineapple). All in all, a great meal and we'll be back for dinner at some point.
(4)Brady S.
Great happy hour spot, tasty cocktails and appetizers. Staff is friendly and quick to recommend their favorite libations.
(4)Tatyana V.
Really great atmosphere, cozy but upscale. The food was also unique and presented in a beautiful way. The upstairs is just as gorgeous as the downstairs and the service was great. Very nice drinks and again, I loved the food. Really great place in Old Town.
(4)Karena Q.
Great wine list and happy hour deals! Draft beers (for the non-wine lover) are $2.50 and they change up the happy hour red and white wines daily. This time I sipped on a very tasty malbec for $5! The bartenders are pleasant and VERY generous pourers. I will definitely return to explore the tasty snacks on their bar menu!
(4)Lindsey F.
Top notch , creative chefs, menu always changing, lovely ambience- the right mix of casual and classy without feeling stuffy. Staff is incredibly friendly, sincere and helpful. Great switch-over to a bar environment at night. All around great place to go for a nice dinner or a fun night out.
(5)K. J.
I reserved the entire second floor for a corporate dinner. There's a fairly steep food and beverage minimum, but the pre-event coordination, space, service, and food makes it ideal for a dinner of this type. Dave, the GM was very responsive as I was planning - much better than some of the other restaurants I was considering. We had 30-60 minutes of cocktails before our group of 22 sat down to dinner. We had two dedicated wait staff the entire evening. I pre-selected the menu and we offered wine pairings to all of our guests. The evening went off without a hitch! Thank you Vermillion.
(5)Allison K.
Really nice brunch place that serves good coffee, mimosas and pretty tasty dishes. My mother enjoyed her hanger steak and fries and I had the sweetpotato biscuit breakfast sandwich with a (very crispy) potato latke. My mum loved her meal and mine was decent (maple sausage was pretty gristly). Overall, very cute place with a nice bar area and cozy decor. I hope to go back for dinner and see what it's like.
(4)Jenn K.
Enjoyable experience, although slightly underwhelmed. We enjoyed the tasting menu with wine pairing, which was good, not great. Wine pairing was spot on, however, and service was very good. We had an awkward table in the front -- would have preferred something more restaurant-y in the back. Great location on King Street.
(3)Ryan E.
Although we ended up going here for RW, it had been on the radar for quite some time. Located right in the heart of Old Town on King street, it has a great looking bar area that would host well to some pre-dinner drinks or a post-work happy hour. Although we didn't get any bar food or drinks, we passed by it on the way out and saw enough charm that we will definitely come back. Oh, and they've got live music a couple nights a week in the lounge, which is super trendy and charming. The interior is dark and cozy with brick walls, exposed beams, and actual gas lanterns for lighting. TABLE BREAD = DELISH. One of our favorites for sure. Obviously not a big deal to some people, but it's like making a good first impression. When you sit down for a nice meal and they have plain bread, I find myself already starting off on the wrong foot. I feel that table bread is so underrated. Why not have something that wows right off the bat that builds an anticipation for your meal? Bonus points for sure. The tasting menu here is a fantastic value, even outside of RW (which is what I had). 4 courses plus wine pairings with each for $65. They were as follows: soft shell crab BLT w/fried green tomatoes to start, garlic crusted halibut, petite filet, and finish with a gianduja terrine w/raspberries 2-ways. Highlights were definitely large on the crab BLT and the terrine. The BLT used the fried tomatoes as the "bread" laid on it's side and a perfectly cooked piece of bacon on top. Tasted very fresh and all came together nicely with the avocado sauce drizzled on the plate, just wish there was more of that. The gianduja (chocolate) terrine was AWESOME paired with the raspberry sorbet. My girlfriend wasn't the biggest fan of this dessert, but I absolutely loved it because chocolate and raspberry is my favorite combination. As far as the main dishes, the halibut made it's mark based on the crust alone. Seared absolutely perfectly, the golden garlic crust was light and soaked up some of that great olive oil flavor. My girlfriend had the heirloom tomatoes with creamy burrata cheese and garlic breadcrumbs. A light, summery salad - she loved it. She also had the red Angus steak tartare, which she felt was decent. Personally, I did not like it, but I'd tried it at the same time I was eating my petite filet which was cooked medium-rare, and maybe it was just the contrast in raw to cooked flavors that left a bad taste in my mouth. The service was fantastic and we were even served a couple of plates by executive chef Anthony Chittum. He was so warm and friendly, and looked genuinely happy to have us there. Vermillion is a must stop in Old Town. Hybrid old-world charm with a modern dining experience of local and fresh ingredients.
(4)A. H.
My boyfriend took me to Vermillion for my birthday. What a treat! Each dish we had was delicious. We started with the eggplant involtini and the squid ink fettucine, and for mains, he had the pork and I had grouper, which was the fish of the day. Both preparations were so tasty. We ordered the fritters for dessert, which were just perfect. The staff must have caught wind that it was my birthday, so they also brought out a slice of a rich chocolate cake with a candle on the side. So tasty and so sweet of them. It was a great night - highly recommend a visit.
(5)Humphrey J.
The bar scene here is nice and we ate dinner here and it was exceptional. The service and the food were fantastic. I gave it 4 stars because it felt a LITTLE impersonal to me.
(4)Brian G.
Again another amazing time! I have Never been let down, not even a whisper of a doubt when I make my way to Vermilion. It was a special night and we were treated to the tasting menu with the wine paring. Absolutely amazing! All 5 of us had a Great time. It was everything I had hoped and dreamed for and then some! We ate upstairs this time agains the wall of wine (which I took some really cook artsy photographs of that will be posted on my blog at a later point in time ( briangresham.blogspot.com ). Service was great as always! Hit all my requirements! My water glass is always full, the recommendations were good, check ins were not over done, and the silverware was continually replaced for every course. Just awesome! We always start off at the bar, and the bar keep Laura is always amazing with our drinks and fun to talk to. She makes the experience just all kinds of groovy!! Her personality really brings the place to life and has me coming back all the time. If I have someone I want to show a good time to, I make sure she is there first and them I know service will be impeccable. Cheers Laura ;)
(5)Ervin A.
Gotta come here for the happy hour. First date place to eat and drink a must. Service is great its dark, but cozy. Try the king street lemonade cheers!
(4)Jimmo X.
Both of our plates had a wide variety of tastes and flavors. The food was fresh and cuisine took standard Americana to an original level. I felt this was comparable to Proof in DC. Pretty good place for a date but not to propose to your fiancé.
(4)K. C.
We went to Vermilion last Sunday for brunch. Food was good- but hard to believe at 11:30 am they ran out of corned beer hash! My husband had the eggs Benedict w/salmon-- it came minus the holland arise sauce...others had oyster sandwich and pasta. The pasta dish was good, but pretty skimpy. We asked for 2 separate checks--but that was not doable...huh? I could underhand if the party was 6-10... But 4 people? Service was OK...we may or may not return.
(3)Geoff P.
Some restaurants make you rush to Yelp to give a favorable review to make sure they are still around the next time you are in town. I visit DC frequently and often stay in Old Town Alexandria just to sample the restaurants. I've tried many, but find myself returning to Vermillion when I want the right balance of excellence and sufficient affordability. Vermillion has that sweet spot down. They care about presentation of the dishes, which goes a long way once you eat at enough restaurants charging 25$+ a plate. And the quality of the dish and the matching of flavors exceed the presentation. Service and atmosphere are a notch below (comparable to typical casual fine dining). But I'm here for the culinary reasons. Corn chowder is a must. The Bison was perfectly prepared. I wholeheartedly recommend them. If I had a client to impress or a hot date, I'd probably go to Eve. But if I was there to enjoy an awesome meal and relax, this is the place.
(5)Kadian F.
A friend and I tried the tasting menu without the wine paring and it was excellent. The squid and sausage dish was superb and it just kept getting better. The halibut dish had the perfect crispy buttery crust. Towards the end of the meal we were both very full and very happy.
(4)Maria S.
So far my only experience at Vermilion has been limited to the bar. However, it isn't often that you are moved to review a restaurant solely from a bar experience. My friend and I happened to order dessert on a busy Saturday night. It wasn't looking extremely likely that we would be served because of the sheer amount of people at the bar. But no less than five minutes after we placed our order we were delivered with coffee, dessert, and water. The waiter was extremely attentive which was a pleasant surprise. I have found that it is hard to find decent service around here without ordering at least bottle of wine and an entree. As others have noted, the bar is very cozy and well designed. There is ample seating provided by the bar, a large community table, and several lounge chairs. It is a very mellow atmosphere that allows you to carry on a conversation without having to compete with obnoxious bar music. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(4)Sara H.
I loved the concept of this restuarant-fresh local ingredients in a seasonal menu. Everything was delicious. I found the staff to be very nice and passionate about the mission of the chef. . I did not find the prices to be too high at all and the amount of food was just right. if I were in the area, I would be ta Vermilion all of the time.
(5)Daniel B.
This was one of the best dining experiences I've ever had. Get the tasting menu, it's pricey, $80 per person, but worth it. Also, request a table on the second floor if you are looking for a quiter ambiance, as the bar is on the first floor.
(5)Michael C.
The service, food and ambiance were excellent. A great location for date night.
(5)Christy C.
Went for brunch and really enjoyed it. Agree with other reviewers about the butternut squash soup. It was delicious. Also had an order of pumpkin-ricotta pancakes with maple butter and caramelized apples. Yum! We split the pancakes and they were nice enough to divide it in the kitchen for us (at no extra charge). Husband ordered the hanger steak and fries, which was good too. Excellent service; very attentive.
(4)CYNTHIA C.
I went during happy hour. Great drink and appetizer specials at the bar. I enjoyed a delicious dinner afterward. I ordered from the tasting menu. Everything was delicious. Very nicely decorated. I felt like I was in Miami's South Beach area with its contemporary design. The service was good. The bartenders were great. The only thing not great was the dinner bill. Whoa! For its small portions, they sure go big with their prices.
(4)Michael W.
This place was nice. We went there for brunch and had a good time. Maybe dinner would be more fun, but sitting by the window lookin outside is always good. The staff is nice. The food is good.
(3)James D.
Loved the food, and the scallop appetizer were amazing. The atmosphere was very charming. I would definitely come back.
(4)Aric A.
I just had a horrible experience here. We walked in at 10pm on a Friday night. The dining area was almost completely empty so we asked if we could sit up front at a table. We were told "no" and told we could only go into the bar area if weren't having a full dinner. I had to awkwardly clarify it with the hostess since I was shocked that a customer was actually told no. And the reason? She said it was so that those remaining tables who paid for a full dinner didn't see us sitting down have only having drinks and appetizers. Then we finally sat (but not in the place we liked) and looked at the menu. SO WEAK!! It just looked totally unappeasing. We actually walked out and went down the street to the Flying Fish. Read my review about it since that place was actually nice and had a hostess who was willing to break rules in order to satisfy customers.
(1)David K.
This was our fourth time at Vermillion and we were once again not disappointed that we returned. The food is always excellent. Very simple preparations of very inventive ideas and twists on old favorites. The food is not particularly flashy, but it is done very well. The service has been hit or miss in the past but when they are good, like this time, they are very good. Unfortunately, we have found that this has to do less with how busy they are and more with the person that you get as your waiter. Vermillion is becoming a regular go-to place for us whenever we are in Old Town.
(4)Lisa M.
Vermillion is one of my favorite places for weekend brunch. I prefer a table next to the windows on the second floor, where you can watch Old Town wake up. The space is handsome and the dcor (in varying shades of red) are calming and pleasant to look at. Vermillion is pricey for dinner but brunch is very reasonable, given the atmosphere. The dishes start at $8, with the most expensive dish - scallops dusted with porcini - clocking in at $16. The bread basket is filled with thick slices of dark raisin bread studded with yellow and dark raisins. Delicious! Part of me wishes I could have this every morning for breakfast. I had the three farm eggs cooked any way with choice of pork and bread. I choose scrambled eggs with sausage, which comes with a potato latke, a welcome twist on the typical hash browns. For $8, the dish is filling and cooked just the way I like it. Vermillion also does its own take on Eggs Benedict with thick slices of tomato (although I expect this dish to be offered differently during the winter season). My friend loved the dish, saying the eggs were perfectly poached and the tomato thick and juicy. The entire thing came on brioche. Add to the mix a glass of Reisling (my wine of choice), and you have a very pleasant beginning to your weekend.
(4)An T.
Great happy hour if you can get a seat. Laura is a fantastic bartender as well as the other staff, very good service in the bar area. Love the revolving drink menu, great affordable wines too. They put a lot of thought into their menu. Lunch and Brunch options are rich, I feel like it's all drenched in butter and it can take awhile to get your food. Dinner is delicious, any fish dish is a winner, Chef Chittum's solid use of local and sustainable goods is top notch. I love the seasonal menus, they may need a little help in the cheese board selections, but overall a great neighborhood pick that I love returning to (frequently.)
(4)Amy N.
Wow wat a disappointment. The bf and i went to vermillion for dinner i think it was a wednesday. they werent very busy... after reading reviews it was a place i definitely wanted to try out.... our waitress was nice nothing out of the norm... for starters i had the fried oysters and the bf had the sea scallops. I heard all the hype about those oysters and i was really unimpressed.... for dinner i ordered it was lik a vegetarian pasta luna... i think they accidently poured an entire bottle of salt in that pasta... it was very uneatable. We had dessert as well it was like this cantelope soup... i wasnt crazy about it but it wasnt horrible... overall i expected soo much more and left still hungry
(2)Heather D.
Vermillion is a great place to go for a relaxed happy hour. The bar is never very busy during the week, which allows you to snag one of the posh tables in the back that include benches with overflowing pillows and muted light. They have decent happy hour specials, which includes a few cocktails, beers and wine, and a couple bar snacks that sound sophisticated. This place is great if you want to go somewhere with friends or co-workers where you can actually have a conversation. The tables are circular and can fit a pretty large group of people. They have nice music, but it is not too loud where you can't talk to the person across the table from you. The staff is very nice, although take caution if they are busy. I was overcharged by $20 on a busy evening once. Still, I would definitely recommend Vermillion as a great happy hour spot in Old Town.
(4)Mara H.
Awesome, wonderful, extremely satisfying and splendid bday dining experience with the future hubs. They were accommodating and friendly even though we changed the reservation 3 times, knowledgeable of the details of our impending meals and spot on with suggestions. And good lord was the food spectacular (the pork was literally an experience). Maybe I'm just not use to this level of service and deliciousness but we had a great time. The experience really turned the day around after a horrible work day!
(5)Kelly Elaine G.
This restaurant is a keeper. The food is wonderful and the service is always great. The atmosphere is relaxing and allows for one to spend time leisurely embibing and dining.
(5)Jim A.
Went to stop for a late lunch at Majestic on Saturday with the family only to find they weren't open for lunch! We went to Vermilion instead. They had a brunch menu, but had lots of lunch type items on as well, so everybody was pleased with the choices. Since we were late, it wasn't too crowded. Service as good - ordered a glass of wine to go with lunch, it was corked and the server handled it well, bringing a fresh, 100% OK glass with no problem. Good: seafood fritto misto with anchovy dipping sauce, grilled chicken breast with polenta and jus, scrambled eggs with bacon Great: seared diver scallops with "drop biscuit panzetta"; grilled veggie sandwich (which we ate open face - the other piece of bread used to sop up the jus from the chicken); chocolate bourbon cake Weird: summer fruit with rhubarb water and funnel cake pieces - which tasted OK (too sweet) but looked like something left behind by a late-night reveler on the London tube after too many pints!
(4)Krissy R.
A lot of people love this place, but I don't understand why. The food is good but it's not amazing in any way. The menu is pretty small and there are tons of drink options, but I'm not a huge drinker and am not swayed by the drink menus at restaurants. I remember feeling like the food wasn't worth the money, but decided to go back for brunch one weekend with family to give it another shot. The brunch menu was very typical. Nothing made it stand out and the entire time I couldn't concentrate on having a conversation because it was SO COLD in the place... I was shivering and everyone else was freezing. Aside from the termperature issues, I just don't think this place is worth a trip to Alexandria for a meal. After two tries, nothing is telling me to go back.
(2)caroline k.
Popular venue in quaint Old Town/Alexandria, good fare and service but nothing particularly remarkable. Dark and intimate interior is decorated a deep red on both floors. Our group of 4 was seated at a small table beyond the bar on the 2nd floor which was quite empty on a weekday night at 7:30pm. The fritto misto appetizer was nicely fried and seasoned, and the seasoned olives and pita bread were warm and overflowing. One of my fellow diners ordered a glass of pinot which never showed. Also had the brandade-crusted halibut, which was well prepared but piled on top of bland pea shoots. Service was attentive and friendly, but next time I'm likely to check out one of the many other inviting restaurants on King St.
(3)Pj F.
Went in for happy hour. The food was adequate bit the drinks were pricey. I will not make this a regular happy hour venue.
(3)Lyndsey T.
Vermillion is great for a delicious and reasonable Sunday brunch. We were seated upstairs by the windows overlooking King Street, which was a nice touch. They have several different flavors of mimosas - I went with raspberry which I would definitely recommend. My boyfriend said his Bloody Mary had a nice kick, which is always a good thing. They bring out mini-muffins to every table - ours were cranberry chocolate chip and I could've eaten an entire basket of them. Unfortunately they only bring one per person but hey it was free. Although I normally order breakfast food for brunch, I couldn't resist the soft shell crab sandwich. It was a little bit small, I stayed full pretty much all day so I can't complain. My boyfriend had the 3-egg omelette which came with potato pancakes, toast and "pork of your choice" - he got bacon. The prices were right for brunch, despite the upscale atmosphere of the restaurant and prime Old Town location. I assume dinner would be a little more upscale (read - expensive) but weekend brunch was perfect for us.
(4)Meredith R.
A comfy place to meet for drinks after work... either at the bar, or in the nice red banquettes. They have recently revamped their menu - I enjoyed the parmesan and garlic fries. Very tasty with a beer! I haven't actually had dinner there, but I'd like to (so many places to go! so little time.) Went by for dessert the other evening after dinner elsewhere, there were several tempting offers on the menu, but I just opted for a glass of wine. (My belly was full!) My apologies to the waitress, Julie, who was very nice - my companion was a bit on the obnoxious side. I think that she'll be nice to me when I go again... I hope!
(4)Chloe F.
Vermillion is a really cute place. The interior is very intimate and cozy, while being spacious enough not to feel overwhelmed. The soft reds of the decor are very fitting for a place that offers a great deal of wine. I didn't venture upstairs to view the entire dining area, but comfy bar seats, friendly bartender and relaxed but sophisticated atmosphere were enough to keep me happy. I didn't try any of the food, though I've been told it is good. I didn't try any of the wine either (gasp!). Our drinks were good, then again, its difficult to mess up a voda and cran, no? Fellas, if you need a place to take a gal on a date, suggest Vermillion. She'll like it. I did! tee hee! Its location on King Street is nice because its not in the thick of it all, however, it is central enough for Vermillion to be one of many destinations for the evening or day. Also, about a 10 minute walk from the Metro (granted I was running late, so walking very very fast!).
(4)Justin S.
I had about given up on Old Town as a potential neighborhood for good happy hours when I ended up at Vermilion with a selection of Old Town's greatest yelpers. I owe Heather D. a nod for the suggestion, it was a winning pick for sure. The bartender (whose name shamefully eludes me) was competent and talkative. She skillfully wove the bar's requirements (going over drink details, menu rotations, etc) with her own bartenderly chatter while maintaining several patrons needs all at once. Such skill is hard to come by, easy to miss, and worth a fortune to any good bar owner. I hope her boss can see her talent. Anyway, I got there early and ended up with an hour's down time before my friends arrived. The environment was friendly and inviting. The bar was comfortable and well lit. The patrons were very friendly in a community-bar sort of way. Striking up a conversation wasn't hard, nor was sequestering one's self away. Vermilion has a great vibe for a full gamut of lone bar-goers. When my friends arrived we moved over to the lounge area. The circular setup allowed for easy conversational seating. The central low table didn't impede on intimacy but provided just enough space for our food and drinks. Our good service continued even as the bar got crowded later in the evening. The happy hour prices were no bargain, but not wallet-breakers either. I'd say I'm pretty happy with the pricing... about $4 each for fries, drinks, and other light appetizers. Considering the location, quality, and ambiance, asking for much better might be a bit out of touch. On a very basic level, Vermilion's happy hour scene is commendable. A warm atmosphere, friendly mixed-aged crowd, conversation-friendly seating, a competent staff, and decent prices are a lot to ask for all at the same time. Vermilion nailed all these things. I'll be back again for sure.
(4)Aline K.
First of all, we love Vermillion, but for God's sake Pastry chef lose the ego. We love your "cookies and confections" dessert but you wouldn't let us substitute for an extra donut. My wife and I had the dessert a week ago and loved the dessert but especially enjoyed the chocolate donut. So tonight we asked if we could substitute one of the other desserts included in the confection for another donut so we could both have one. We were told no because there was only a limited amount of batter... Seriously? One donut was going to run you out of batter? We opted for Oreos at home, thanks anyway...
(4)Kate S.
I have dined here a few times and have enjoyed it each time. The meal has been excellent and the service attentive. I'll be back again soon.
(4)Ford P.
I've been to Vermilion a few times in the last six months or so, I've been there for Sunday brunch, late night drinks, and most recently I stopped in during their off peak hours for some "lounge" food and beer. If you go to Vermilion during the day it can seem a bit intimidating and cave like at first. The first floor area is pretty dark and dimly lit, although the skylight at the bar is a nice feature. Ask for a table upstairs if you want to be able to read the menu during the day. At night its a nice loungy spot to grab a beer or cocktail and its got a good vibe. I found the food to be generally tasty, presentation was good (as has been noted by others), and there was some creative experimentation in the dishes (porcini dusted fries?). Some of the dishes though were a little too salty for my taste. They've also got a decent beer menu that provides some variety apart from the usual fare. I'd recommend the hangar steak and definitely their french fries. I'd also rate their service as pretty good. They've got friendly knowledgeable wait staff that aren't too intrusive but know when to make a good suggestion. All in all, I'd give it 3 and a half stars. Good, but not great.
(4)Graeme H.
Great chilling area, and even better place to relax and eat dinner upstairs. A quiet gem in Old Town! Hopefully, it will stay a small town secret!
(4)Ruth R.
I went to Vermilion with a friend for drinks and dinner. If I was rating Vermilion for just the bar experience, the rating would be a 4 or even 5. Great ambience, genuinely friendly bartender with personality, a good pour on the wine, and a very reasonable price at happy hour. Unfortunately, I am rating the whole experience, and that includes dinner. Since we spent a lot more on dinner (well over $100 for two people) than we did at the bar, and a lot more time in the dining room than at the bar, I have to weight this review more toward the dining experience than to the bar. I ordered the Mushroom Ravioli. My advice: skip it. Bland, tasteless, undercooked pasta - very chewy - no character at all and the presence of mushrooms was evidenced only by sight and not by taste. My friend ordered the rabbit and I know he didn't like it because he didn't finish it either. Both of us were too polite to complain in front of one another. The server, a young woman, acted is if we were taking up her time - I find this is often the case these days. No smile, no warmth, and we had to actually get up and find her once because she hadn't been back to the table for over twenty minutes and we wanted to refresh our drinks. And then she looked as if we were bothering her! Won't recommend this one, and won't go back, except to the bar. Alexandria has lots of other options for dinner.
(2)jesse l.
Our sever, Heather, was top notch. Our food was middle of the road. While each plate was mildly creative and well-intentioned, each had a serious flaw. The fluke was over-salted and served with salty pork-belly. The Winter salad was all Vinegar, The Chocolate bomb was too heavily garnished with coffee which took over the plate. The pastrami was an epic FAIL and did not belong on the plate with my striploin. The mushroom ravioli was really a cheese ravioli with no mushroom flavor, but still a good dish (the pomegranite was a nice touch). The food was good, not great and far from perfect. Not worth the price or the hype.
(2)Giancarlo B.
Likely one of the best restaurants in Old Town thanks to Chef Tony Chittum. Tony can cook,and he's damn good at it. He has the training and the experience and the creative talent to make absolutely delicious food. I tease that he travels to Italy and steals recipes from little old ladies but his food is so tasty and so flavorful you would think he really does. He has what I like to cal culinary intelligence and is one hell of a fine cook. He can make everything from a barbeque sandwich to a beautiful bisque. He does special wine dinners at Vermillion too that I think are the best menus that Tony does. I am not crazy about the ambiance of the restaurant, sort of a cross between the frame isle at Michaels and G-Street Fabrics. But go anyway, the food will make it all special.
(4)Emily B.
I've eaten dinner at Vermilion three times in the last year, and I consistently have a fantastic experience. This place never fails to impress out of town guests. I think they run a seasonal menu, so I would imagine it varies, but I really enjoyed the crispy dragon creek oysters - battered, fried, and served on a creamy fennel slaw. My companion had a fabulous butternut soup. I also liked the beets prepared four ways (roasted, pickled, and two other tasty methods obscured by the cocktails I enjoyed). Five stars for fresh, delicious food, friendly and accommodating servers, well-prepared old fashioned cocktails, and Ella/Louis duets and gas lamp enhanced atmosphere.
(5)Jeremy L.
So I'd heard so many great things about Vermillion that when a friend suggested it for lunch, I was very excited and jumped at the chance to grab a bite there. We arrived a little late, but they were more than accommodating! The servers and the host were all super pleasant and friendly and the manager was attentive as well; delivering our entrees. For starters; the menu is fun and interesting. During lunch its mostly soup, salad, and sandwiches...but everything we tried was very tasty, with the exception of the lemonade. The first one I received was more like water with a hint of lemon, I think squeezing a wedge of lemon would have provided the same effect. The lame attempt at a refill wasn't much better; much closer to a real lemonade, but still no good. The food was excellent though; a delicious arugula salad with whipped goat cheese and a red onion marmalade, the most amazing butternut squash soup I've ever tasted with pumpkin seeds and a drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette. As for entrees - I had the roast beef sandwich, which was great! I wish that it was warm, but it was yummy nonetheless; on a sweet onion roll with a creamy mayo as well as red onions. My friend had the Florida Shrimp Roll, which was tasty, but needed a little more acid, and the roll was a little crispy - definietly not the soft rolls of a Maine Lobster Roll. We really wanted to have some desert (as they looked delicious), but we were just too stuffed. Both of our plates had huge piles of french fries, nice and crispy, but not the best I've ever had. The decor is cute and charming, a definite recommend! BC- Probably the most disappointing part of the whole lunch. While clean, very boring and standard. Unimpressive for such a nice restaurant.
(4)Chase H.
If you're looking for a "upper" scale restaurant in Old Town Alexandria this is a Bingo! I great cozy space with friendly attentive staff without being stuffy. The food is seasonable and the menu changes often. The butternut squash soup with toasted sunflower seeds and almond cookie was so light, silky smooth and delicious it could have been served for dessert, (which would have been better then their actual dessert list). A good wine list-- something for every taste and price point. Plus they remembered that we were there to celebrate a birthday and sent out candles and a card with dessert. I know that may sound like a no-brainer small thing, but lately we've been to several restaurants that managed to screw that detail up! I would have given it a higher rating, but as I mention the desserts failed to excite.
(4)Miji C.
Vermillion used to be our hot spot...i was in love with the tuna tartare there and those of you who have had it? know what I'm talking about..well, and my hubby's friend used to be the sous chef there so we loved it... i say all this in past tense and i hate to go there but I'm sorry but I think it's because the chef changed... I absolutely agree with John C. when he says while it's important to plate the food beautifully, that should not be the priority... i have to say the food is not nearly at the same level as it used to be...won't be back here now...it's a shame...we went down to Alexandria to go to Vermillion and now our trips to Alexandria have diminished...
(2)Terry C.
Last evening my wife had a couple of drinks at the bar with a friend. My wife wanted some fun so she had one of their signature drinks, the Pomolitan. It was quite weak. She figured that was an anomaly and ordered a second one. It, too, was quite weak. But not cheap. My wife is not the sort to speak up in such situations.
(2)Ruth A.
Be sure to make a reservation with a request for seating upstairs where the dining is separated from the bar experience. It was our wedding anniversary and it did feel like a celebration when the waitress brought us complementary champagne with dessert. I ordered the four course tasting menu that was reasonably priced and absolutely delicious. We were impressed that the manager came by our table to inquire if we were enjoying our meals. All of the portions were generous and we enthusiastically recommend Vermilion to our friends. In fact, I have been thinking about going back there this week for lunch (without telling my husband) so that I can have another portion of that incredible beef or pocono trout!
(4)Kelly M.
We just celebrated our first wedding anniversary there and it was delicious! The servers we attentive and the manager comped us a round of drinks for the special occasion. I would recommend this place to anyone. From Appitizers to Entrees we both were delighted. Not one complaint except being very full. Can't wait to go back again.
(5)Lowell N.
Brunch review. Pretty good food, nice atmosphere, and attentive service. The cornmeal hushpuppies were outstanding, the roasted garlic soup a bit thin. The baked eggs and the hanger steak were OK, just nothing special.
(3)Sal W.
Fancy place. Nice interior with gas lamps. Table was huge (which could be a pro or a con). A little noisy. Food was high quality, but the price tag comes with it. Average entrée price is about $30, so expect about $50 a head if you go for apps and desserts. Food Quality/Taste = 4 Stars Portion Size Given Price = 3 Price = 2 Stars Service = 4 Stars Experience with Staff = 3 Stars Decor = 4 Stars
(3)Kat F.
I have wanted to dine at Vermilion for a while and made sure I had reservations during Restaurant Week. The building is great and so is the enterer. For a medium sized space, it's being utilized very well. We arrived a bit early and were escorted to the bar until we were ready to be seated. We sat upstairs and I really liked the space. The service was impeccable. The staff is friendly and professional; they must sample all the dishes because our server knew exactly what we would like and not like. She made excellent recommendations. Appetizer: I ordered the crispy pork keftedes with shaved zucchini "carpaccio," house made yogurt, almonds & torn spearmint. Wonderful is all I can say. A bit more salty than I thought it would be but it was really good. I could have eaten another plate full. I also sampled the squid ink fettuccini, I'm not a fan of squid ink but if you like squid ink then you will really like this dish. It wasn't overall powerful just a subtle flavor. Entrée: My entrée was the faroe island atlantic salmon with grilled butter crunch lettuce, local filet beans & everything "niçoise". I ordered the salmon medium instead of medium rare. Which may not be the chef's choice but I loved it. The enter entrée was wonderful. Loved it. I tried my friends fresh goat cheese tortelloni roasted baby beets & their greens, poppy seeds & toasted walnut froth. I'm not a goat cheese person or even a cheese person but I believe you should always try things from different restaurants. The chef's put their own spin on the food and you never know what you will enjoy. This was better than I had anticipated. This dish it was really rich and flavorful, I have to admit, I did like it. Dessert: I ordered the warm ricotta fritters with whipped vanilla pudding, pecans & raspberry sorbet. I'm a huge fan of fritters and anything raspberry, so I was thrilled with my dessert, very good. I also sampled the chocolate cheesecake - candied hazelnuts & sour cherries 2 ways. I have never liked cheesecake and usually I can't even handle the smell but this was wonderful. I couldn't stop eating it, thankfully my friend need assistance with her dessert! Overall, if you haven't been to Vermilion, I think you will really enjoy the food and the service.
(4)Victor C.
Two of us came in for lunch here and each of us ordered the chef's cheeseburger -- *medium*. Both of our burgers came out well-done (cooked thoroughly, no pink in sight), and both of our fries were equally well-done (left in the fryer way too long? drying out under a heat lamp somewhere? stale? who knows...). It felt as if the chef/cook just threw all the food on a heat source and stepped out for a smoke. Not a horrible meal, but not what anyone should expect from a $14 burger. Service was attentive / fine.
(3)Ursula V.
Had the BEST meal here last night. Everything was wonderful, from the rolls to the wine to the delicious dessert. I had the salmon with veggie ragout. Extremely tasty. But, the lemon pie was to die for. Do not miss this place.
(5)Joe S.
Great location, right on King Street near lots of shops and retail. Lively bar with a wide selection of wine and beer. Several meals there, all excellent. You won't regreet checking it out.
(4)Nick N.
High dollar hype Backround: my wife and I are doing the Northern Virginia Magazines "TOP 50" restaurants and this is on the list. Ok first off....service= 5 stars....but you better get 5 star service when you are in the $100 to $200 range for a dinner for 2. High marks for: quality of food, wine selection, knowledge of pairings by wait staff and friendly atmosphere. This is a place you brag about to your neighbors in the trailer next door. "Yessss,....we didn't have anything to cook so we ran down to the vuhmilllllionnnn for some Chilean sea bass and dry Pinot" . Low mark for: Only the "lounge menu" items are available in the lounge. Apparently walking a small dish of Artichoke dip upstairs to the dining room might offend some snooty poops that have a rare artichoke allergy and could suffer anaphylaxis after smelling it. Reservations are a must. Walking in without one gets you into the penalty box. Basically you have to share a large table with another couple. We sat with a pair of medical doctors that were talking about some sort of pelvic organ prolapse condition a patient had contracted from eating Puffer Fish in Malaysia. Every time we talked about normal stuff like, "gee hun....I saw that Wal-Mart has gazing balls on sale in the garden section....maybe we should jump on that".....the one doctor lady would conspicuously lean over and listen in. Not cool. I wouldn't listen in on someone else's private conversation. Just saying. Understand this is a class joint and the food is the focus. Presentation is impeccable and downright artistic. If you are a tapas lover this is your bag. Portions are small but each bite is memorable. You will likely leave hungry so bring some extra duckets for the Wendy's drive thru on the way home. Our dinner/ drinks / apps and a shared dessert +tip was $200. Be ready for the sticker shock. Bottom line: Just like when you impulsively bought that juicer on QVC...be ready to pay.
(3)Betty C.
Had brunch here with friends and it was super tasty. Ordered the oyster sandwich with home made chips, and the bacon mushroom salad with frisee. The oyster sandwhich was amazingly good and the chips were fresh and tasty. The oysters were fried to perfection, moist and not too much breading. The salad was very flavorful, although a tad too salty with curls of parmesan and bacon. But I think I like my food less salty. The service was very nice as well. The waiter was attentive, but not overly so and had a good sense of humor.
(4)Michael M.
This is my wife's and my favorite restaurant in Old Town. The staff knows how to make you feel special. We just went there to celebrate our anniversary, and they made some very nice touches to make it a special night. The food is spectacular, though the portions a little small for my taste. The bar service is great; the bar staff seems to know their mixology, and the bar has a nice classy ambience - though having the lounge face directly upon the restroom doors is less than ideal. Overall, though, a thoroughly enjoyable place that we highly recommend.
(5)Sara L.
Last weekend, I took my husband here for his birthday dinner, and I was not expecting how AMAZING that it would be! I simply wrote on my OpenTable reservation: "Could we get a table where we can sit on the same side of the table? It's my husband's birthday... he loves that. :)" I was pleased to see that they directed us to a VERY romantic table with placements set up for seating on the same side of the table. The food was INCREDIBLE, as I expected, because this restaurant is rated so highly on every restaurant-critiquing website that I could find. But they also brought out the most beautiful complimentary birthday desert with a candle for my husband, which I did not request! It was such a pleasant surprise! I will definitely be returning to this restaurant as often as possible! LOVED IT!
(5)Benjamin M.
Vermilion was a dark and chill spot to spend Happy Hour and grab an appetizer. Good thing too because the meal prices were a a bit higher than my hunger. So, I decided to order their oh-so-creatively named "Frickles" aka deep fried pickles, which were sliced and stacked on a small plate with a tasty dipping sauce on the side. They were really good and I had no issue finishing the entire batch. Service at the comfortable, yet small bar was decent and although the beer selection was somewhat limited, I found a decent oatmeal stout on tap.
(3)Ginger H.
Came here on a week night with a friend with high expectations and was expecting to be wow'd. Price points - Pricey but on par for the area Service - Excellent! Food - Did not wow me... had the lamb and it just okay.... my friend had something that was over the top too salty. The flavors in my dish were not balanced and just didn't grab me. The salad appetizer (brussel sprouts) was good but again, nothing that made me say, "oh my"! For the prices and the reputation, I expected much better so manage those expectations. Frankly, for much less, head to Atlas Room on H-street if you want to excite your taste buds and spend less money Cheers!
(2)Grant W.
Wandered in here from king st and had a great dinner. My friend and I ordered two appetizers and two entrees and shared everything and were far from disappointed. The service was wonderful but not overbearing and the food was superb. Planning on returning soon.
(5)jim w.
Horrible, horrible, horrible, its one more horrible than the stars I've given. Whoever thought that soggy kale should be placed over a crispy potato pancake should not be creating a menu. The entire meal was a disappointment. We all left wanting our money back
(2)Rachel P.
First of all, the octopus starter is amazing. It's tender and the tentacle ends are crispy. The bits with the suckers are my favorite parts, so that was nice. My vegetarian pasta dish was good, although a little salty. I'd guess that was to counteract the bitterness of the broccoli raab. Didn't really work. But that octopus was amazing.
(4)Mimi K.
Waited almost an hour for our food. Barely saw our server. Almost walked out because the service was so ridiculously bad. Food was decent (brunch) but we would never come here again.
(2)Jennifer D.
There are not enough words to describe really how amazing this restaurant is. Upon arriving, we were a bit early and were pleasantly taken to the bar area until the restaurant opened. We were greeted immediately by the most professional staff and asked about cocktails and appetizers. Vermillion had an assortment of cocktails and I ordered the King Street Lemonade. It was delicious! It was similar to a mojito, but absolutely fresh and one of the most delightful drinks I've ever had. Once our table was ready, we were taken to the table and greeted by yet another lovely staff member. Since it was restaurant week, we were shown the menu (which looked delicious) and the regular menu. Since I have a gluten allergy, I asked the server what she recommended and I was very impressed by her knowledge and courtesy when explaining the food items that I was able to eat. I ended up starting out with the Roasted Winter Squash Soup. I do not normally eat soup for a starter, but when in Rome...or Alexandria when it is freezing outside, I decided to try it. My tastebuds were overjoyed with the delectable flavors. It was one of the best soups I've ever eaten. I really want to recreate it or come back (probably the latter). For dinner, I had the medium-rare Spice Rubbed Duck Breast. I wish I could describe exactly how amazing it tasted....mind-blowing is one of the best words that comes to mind. The sauce that was prepared with it was the icing on the cake. My friend had the Pan Seared Salmon and it was cooked perfectly and it was also divine (mine was better though). For dessert, we decided to try the Cinnamon Fritters and a pistachio ice cream. The ice cream was glorious. All the flavors were exactly blended together to form an amazing ending to a great dinner. The cinnamon fritter were like small funnel cake balls that were served with a gingersnap ice cream. I wasn't able to eat the actual fritters, but I did try the ice cream and it was to die for. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone in the area. If I lived closer I would be a regular. I would have to say in my life this is one of my top three places that I have ever eaten. I cannot wait to come back and try more exquisite tasting.
(5)Doo P.
The pros: Nice buttery bread Locally source ingredients Free parking on Sundays, found parking right away The Cons: Each dish was salty, the main ingredient was good, but the Vegetables were too salt. Wines recommended were not that great. Small restaurant where the dinning area is upstairs. I don't mind that but, felt like whenever I needed something I couldn't find the wait staff. Since it is small, it can get loud & hard to talk to the person you are with. Dessert was nothing special. It seems like there are more cons than pro. But, I might give it another try. The food & sauces were flavorful, & we did get a seat next to the window which has a nice view.
(2)Peter C.
My wife and I just celebrated our 32 anniversary there. We live in Potomac Md but well worth the hike. Really don't understand the negative comments about the employees. Everyone was nice. They really went all out for our anniversary. Chef tastings, eliminated an appetizer charge from the bill, and a great card from the staff. They even served us complimentary champagne . Our meal was great especially the grilled octopus.
(5)Tyler R.
I've been here a few times w/ my girlfriend for dinner and brunch. Trust me, chef Tony Chittum's menu will not disappoint! At brunch I had their burger with pimento cheese and it has taken the top spot for any gourmet burger I've had. Our dinner was probably one of the most memorable I've had in terms of the food and service. To start I had the lobster tortelloni and the g/f had Jerusalem artichoke soup and both were absolutely amazing. For our mains we had the rib eye and the pork "porterhouse". It was one of the most flawlessly cooked and seasoned steaks I've had at any restaurant and the salsa verde that came with it paired perfectly. Her pork was essentially the most flavorful, tender pork chop that either of us had every tasted. I generally don't eat desserts, but we ended up getting a figgy toffee pudding with sour cream ice cream. The ice cream may sound a bit strange but it was ridiculous. If I was forced to eat one dessert for the rest of my life I wouldn't complain if it was that. On top of all of this they have some of the best bartenders and drinks in the area and a great whiskey selection. So if you're around Old Town, do yourself a favor and check this place out.
(5)Bryan W.
Delicious brunch! My wife and I both enjoyed the food and the service was impeccable. We started with the Cornmeal Hushpuppies. They were savory and heavenly little pillows of cornmeal. I'm typically not a hushpuppy fan because I find them pretty bland, but these were about as tasty as fried batter can get. They are served with a trio of sauces (honey mustard, thousand island, emulsified buttermilk) and bread and butter pickles on the side. The pickles are made in-house and I proceeded to destroy every last one of them. My wife ordered the Crispy Chicken Sandwich. It was well seasoned and not greasy. The bun was soft and fresh. I ordered the Baked Eggs. It's a bowl of cheddar grits mixed with chorizo, roasted mushrooms, and some mild fresno peppers with a few sunny-side up eggs on top. The grits were perfectly cooked and had great flavor. The mushrooms added a bit of earthiness, and the eggs were perfectly runny, which created a great sauce when you mixed it all together. I'm a sucker for chorizo, and the chorizo in the dish was satisfyingly crispy, but I was left wanting a bit more. Overall, the dish was pretty good, but portion size was slightly small and lacked enough chorizo for me. The waitress was very friendly and attentive throughout the meal. She made good recommendations, kept our glasses full, and even brought me hot sauce for my eggs without having to ask (bonus points!). I will definitely go back when I'm in Old Town again.
(4)art f.
Glad to return after over 4 years. The restaurant's reputation has soared. Mr. & Mrs. President went here for V-Day. I was much more impressed. The downstairs bar area is vibrant (noisy). Upstairs is much quieter. The most interesting starter was crispy oysters with bacon, celery, and apple. It sounded a little better than they tasted but there were 5 oysters. Main dishes were stellar: rockfish with leeks, bacon, and a poached egg; and lamb with white bean raviolini, lamb sausage, root vegetables & fried bread. The lamb dish came together perfectly. It's one of the best dishes I've had in years. A malbec went perfectly with it. The rockfish was excellent: ample, perfectly cooked, and nicely balanced with the accompaniments.
(5)Nadine F.
I've been to Vermillion for brunch and happy hour, and both experiences were enjoyable. Service was impeccable both times, and I really love the setup of the restaurant. Unfortunately, the food was kind of hit or miss. I'll list the items I tried from most to least enjoyable: --Oyster po' boy - Heavenly! They were the best fried oysters I've ever had. They were perfectly seasoned and not too salty, and the bread was soft like a pillow, just the way I like it. --Hush puppies - Amazing! Easily the best hush puppies I've ever had, and all their dipping sauces were very flavorful and interesting. --Happy hour drink specials - Good selection of wines and beers at a great price. I didn't try the mixed drinks due to my experience with their Singapore Sling (see below). --Risotto balls - These had a really good texture and creaminess, but they were a tad bland and really felt like they were missing something. I feel like they needed either a better sauce or some kind of herb inside. --Buffalo Chicken eggroll things - Not bad, but I wouldn't get them again. --Parmesan garlic fries - Eh, not bad, but nothing special. --Old Bay Fries - Good enough. --Corn beef hash - I normally love corn beef hash, but Vermillion's is overly salty and doesn't have enough potatoes, so all you taste is the strong flavor of a massive pile of meat. I definitely would not order this again. --Singapore Sling - I've drank a lot of Singapore Slings in my life, and this was by far the worst. Granted, all the other ones I had were in Singapore, so maybe my standards are too high. Firstly, the Singapore Sling is like the tropical version of a Long Island Iced Tea and should be served in a tall glass. The one at Vermillion was tiny, maybe half the size or less than half the size of all the other ones I've tried. Secondly, and more importantly, Singapore Slings are supposed to be delicious, but the one at Vermillion tasted like bubble gum. Maybe they used a bunch of artificial syrups or something, but it didn't taste good and it didn't taste like real fruit at all. If anyone working at Vermillion is reading this, there are a lot of websites and YouTube videos that show how the Raffles Hotel in Singapore (where the drink was invented) mixes a Singapore Sling. It's not a secret. I strongly suggest someone at the bar look that up and try to make yours more like that. And if you can't, you should seriously just take it off the menu. With the terrible taste of the drink at Vermillion, I feel like it's only on the menu to have something exotic in hopes that nobody will know what it's really supposed to taste like. I would easily give the restaurant four stars if the Singapore Sling weren't so terrible as to ruin my otherwise good experience.
(3)Dan P.
I've been three times now and I will simply say: 1. Food is fabulous! 2. Drinks are fantastic! 3. Service is perfect!
(5)Angela R.
We decided to eat here during restaurant week and it was wonderful! We both ate off the tasting menu. Both dished were wonderful. My friend had the pork and I had the fluke...aka flounder. Very tasty. I absolutely recommend it. The ambiance is great too. Our waiter was very nice, the Chef was doing a compliment dish to try, and the assistant GM stopped by the table to see how the food was. I recommend reservations but they also hold tables back for the walk-ins. This will be kept on the list with Charlie Palmers.
(5)Kate P.
Cozy atmosphere, excellent service, amazing food--overall experience was great. Had the rock shrimp, maryland flounder and cider roasted pear...already looking forward to next visit.
(4)Doug P.
I was embarrassed with friends and family by service and food here on New Year's Eve. Seated almost 45 minutes late (with reservations later for a fireworks viewing) with only an offer of buying what amounted to 3 drinks. Seated, ordered and waited. And waited. And waited. ONE HOUR for first course. Nothing great on what was a prix fixe menu and unbelievable waits. Realized we were not going to make fireworks. Our entrees arrived about 11:30 and 3 of 6 were cold. Sent back, returned about 5 degrees warmer. They sent a bottle of cheap champagne "on the house" but at that point it was insulting. Almost $1000 bill and we will never return and work to tell everyone we know. The disregard of the staff was awful. No concern. Sorry, there are better places to eat.
(1)Charles R.
Second time to Vermillion and each time the food and service was very good. The squash soup was hot , creamy and had good flavor. The pork belly was good, but I like the skin crisper than they way it came out. Monkfish with a mild cabbage was excellent. Unique pairing but it worked. Very good wines by the glass and the bar downstairs is always packed , so it must be a good place for drinks.
(4)K E.
Review #100!! 4.5 stars. I am a firm believer that good food should be the main star of a restaurant. However, I am also a firm believer that service can make or break a dining experience. It is clear that the team at Vermilion believes these two things, as well. From the moment my husband and I walked into Vermilion, things were fantastic. We arrived about 20 minutes early for our reservations, but instead of making us wait around until 9pm (...or later like many spots in the DC area do), they sat us right away. The hostess made it a point to wish me a happy birthday on our way to the table. Nice touch. We were seated at a nice table in the upstairs dining area. The setup is really lovely...exposed brick walls, candlelight, dark woods. A perfect setting for a romantic birthday dinner. Our server was really fantastic. She also wished me a happy birthday upon arrival, and she answered all of our questions about the wine and dinner menus very knowledgeably. She didn't miss a beat. We ordered a bottle of chenin blanc (at a fairly reasonable $30) to start. My husband decided to get the special which was a grilled swordfish with homemade sausage and a mushroom sauce. I ordered the veal entree on the standard menu. Everything was presented beautifully on our plates. Both meals were delicious, however, I will say that I had ordering envy. My husband's meal was much more to my liking, and I immediately regretted not ordering it. Luckily, my hubs was willing to share. We both thoroughly enjoyed our meals, but we both agreed that the potion size could have stood to be a bit larger for the $30+ price tag per entree. We decided to get two desserts for the celebratory dinner. We ordered the apple "beignet" (which is a piece of apple in the shape of a donut that is dipped in beignet batter and fried) and the sticky toffee pudding. Upon delivery of our desserts, our server placed not two, but three of them on our table. She said "Happy Birthday" and placed the sweet potato fritters (with a birthday candle) in front of me. Very nice! Three desserts. Two people. We had our work cut out for us, and we did a pretty good job of (almost) polishing off all of them. They were all delicious, but the "beignet" was the star. Overall, the team at Vermilion made my birthday dinner one to remember. I would go back here in a heartbeat. Everything was fantastic!
(4)Pam S.
I've been to Vermillion a couple of times now- once for drinks and once for food. The first time was last Monday night with a "date" (I'm still not sure what it was). We settled onto one of the back comfy benches to continue our conversation about the joys of living in the Bay Area. Well, he was joyful. I was over it. Being the gourdy gal that I am, I got the Pumpkin Patch. It was DAMN GOOD. Charlie Brown would search for this great pumpkin. The "date" got a beer. The place was rather empty, but the service was spectacular. The second time was Friday night because I fell in love Monday night (with Vermillion, not my "date") and wanted to try their food. Again, the service was spectacular. I got the hanger steak with the porcini fries and mixed greens, and it was heaven. Cherry bacon vinaigrette on the salad? UM...HEAVEN. I then proceeded to stuff myself more with the apple beignet...and it was damn good. Vermillion is definitely a must-try in Old Town- whether you're out with a "date," a date, or yourself.
(5)Kathy L.
Not bad. I had the 3 South Mountain Eggs which was HUGE - there must have been more than 3 eggs. Aside from the eggs being extra fluffy - there was nothing special. I preferred the Garganelli which isn't your traditional brunch dish but sooo good and the pancakes with spiced apples were the table favorite We also tried the burger and the catfish sandwich which were good but not memorable. Def go with the Garganelli or pancakes!
(3)Anna P.
My girlfriend took me here for my birthday dinner, we ordered a nice glass or wine and had a wonderful fish dinner that was delicious! Would suggest for a romantic dinner, the ambiance is perfect for it. Service was very nice, and location is perfect! Definitely go when the weather is nice and walk around after dinner!
(5)Claire B.
Summary: Exceptional food and experience as long as you're prepared for the prices! Great date place. I had a ridiculously delicious dinner here a few weeks ago. We had a 7:30pm reservation - which is usually a little early for me - but this place draws a slightly older (but not old!) crowd, so this landed up being the perfect time to eat. It's a great environment - cozy but elegant. No need to be dressed up - but it's a good place to look nice and presentable. Only complaint here is that you don't get to enjoy the summer weather at all because it's a bit dark and closed off inside. but this was really no big deal since walking down King Street is a great post dinner activity. Now for the food - grilled octopus to start was amazing! We both loved it and would definitely recommend it. For the main course, we ordered the lamp and sirloin - both dishes were superb. The lamb dish was actually life changing, I must admit. Perfectly executed. All of these dishes were pricey - but we knew what we were getting into. The wine list was VERY pricey though - which is my only minor complaint. There weren't many decent options under $40. But this became a minor detail in comparison to everything else being so wonderful. Also - great service all around. Didn't rush us, but constantly checked in. We were way too full for dessert, but everything around us looked wonderful. I 100% recommend this restaurant for a date, group date, or special occasion. If you do in knowing it's pricey, then you'll enjoy everything else!
(4)Anne R.
Brilliant service and atmosphere as well as an interesting menu. Food was excellent.
(4)Karen M.
I hate to even post this "review" but it seems only the owner can change the "objective attributes" of the business according to the Yelp FAQs. I apologize in advance as this doesn't apply to most people. When I looked into visiting this restaurant, it is noted as "wheelchair accessible." When I saw the pictures, it appears there is a step at the front door. I called the restaurant to see if there was a back entrance without the step. The guy that answered the phone said there wasn't a back entrance but there is "only a 6 inch step at the front door." I explained that a 6" step is NOT wheelchair accessible. I mean, a 6" step might as well be trying to leap the Grand Canyon. It isn't going to happen. He kind of snorted out a response that its not their problem, they didn't post the information on Yelp. The second place I called, Columbia Firehouse I do have to give a positive mention to. When I called to see if their barroom was accessible in addition to their dining area, the lady put me on hold to check. She came back and said it wasn't. And neither were their bathrooms, so they would promptly make the change on Yelp so it didn't show as accessible. This is how it should be done. Soooo....I'm posting this so hopefully: #1 Vermillion makes the change and #2, someone who needs an accessible restaurant doesn't make the mistake of trying to go here.
(1)Hue K.
This is for brunch. - Service: Very good. friendly. - Food: 1. complimentary white chocolate-banana muffin: OK.. but I didn't need to ask for more.. 2. Ricotta pancake with caramelized apple and potato latke (instead of pork): Not recommended. Ricotta cheese made the traditional pancake texure different but not enhanced... It should be fluffier.. but it wasn't ..it was rather feel grainy-kind texture? Very white-cute looking butter:) Potato latke was crispy outside. Good, especially with apple. 3. Breakfast sandwich: 2 Egg (asked paoched ones) in sweet potato biscuit: paoched eggs were good but not the best I've ever had.. Sweet potato biscuits were OK but If I was taking blindfold test.., I wouldn't know if it had any sweet potato.. so a bit disappointing.. Overall food experience: I don't think I will come back for brunch but maybe for dinner or desserts
(3)Ashley W.
Wow food was great! The bread basket, yum. Had the veal sweet breads for an app, yum. I had the duck with risotto, amazing! Luis had the sirloin which was awesome but the duck was better. Desert was yummy too. Thoroughly impressed and worth the $$. Staff was great.
(5)Jackie L.
I've been here twice for brunch both before the Alexandria St. Patrick's day parade. I'll review this year's brunch, but last year's brunch was just as delicous (I still remember exactly what I got). The service here is very good. We had made a reservation for 4, but came in and said, we actually will need a table for 9, or some combination to accomade 9 people. The hostess and manager came up with two different combinations that worked well for us and were very nice about. The server was very knowledgeable about the menu and also offered good suggestions. I ordered the biscuits and gravy with two eggs and potato latkes. The biscuits were sweet potato, but didn't taste like it and were perfect. The gravy had a wonderful peppery taste. I ordered my eggs poached per the server's suggestion and the runny yolk worked perfectly with the gravy, the biscuits and the crispy latkes. It was a fantastic meal and very satisfying! Everyone at the table enjoyed their food and no one had anything negative to say. The experience was delightful and it's a very cozy and warm yet open restaurant. It's really just a great food experience if you enjoy great local cuisine. This is a superb brunch restaurant and I can only imagine how the dinners are!
(4)Rachel R.
After reading other reviews I figured this restaurant did best with breakfast. I was a little disappointed in the minimal selections on the menu but the Bloody Mary was fantastic and the hushpuppies were delicious. I gave it only three stars because it was a bit too pretentious for the quality of food and service. The hushpuppies, which were so yummy, came with three dipping sauces in which one was actually ranch and the other thousand island and they were trying to pass it off as a "sweet and sour buttermilk" and "remoulade" .... I was only visiting for the weekend but if I ever come back to Alexandria and in need of a brunch spot I'll check it out!
(3)Ryan S.
We have had some amazing dinners at Vermillion. Really really excellent place. Excellent staff and the food was very good. Love it!
(5)Thomas E.
Much as Anjali K. mentions, Vermillion offered good service, but with food that just did not hit the mark with our table of four. I'm not a local, but am in Alexandria often. One of the other members of our business group was a local who had wanted to eat here. She ended up being disappointed and would likely not go back. Ambience is nice, particular at the bar. I could see having apps and tasting wine there, but IMHO there are better options in Alexandria including Brabo and (especially) Eve.
(3)Lila M.
We had a very pleasant experience! The waitress was fabulous and gave us great drink recommendations. The crispy pork rillette was to die for...unfortunately it wasn't on their regular menu...I guess it was just available for Restaurant Week. We got there at 11:30am on Friday, and it was empty which I loved. We had window seats as well. I would definitely go back but only for lunch. The lunch portion sizes were large for us, but we are small people.
(5)Abi a.
I went here for branch last Saturday... And I'll never go back. The waiter service was none to zero, never offered us more coffee or seemed to care if we needed anything, we had to call her several time to get what we needed. The food was disgusting, we were a party of 3 adults and one of us returned her order and I did not but I should have. I got pancakes with apple and bacon. The pancakes were soggy, and soaked in a disgusting sauce... I mean, seriously other than butter don't put anything on top of them, I'll decide what I want to put on them... Put the sauce on the side... Really disappointed, and I'm not even a person that complains about food at restaurants. It really has to be bad for me to complain.
(2)Moe L.
We have experienced much better and expected a lot more. Mediocre to poor food with prices that are ridiculous for the quality and quantity of food on the plate. The highs were the service, the bread, and the goat cheese cheesecake with figs. The medium item was the pumpkin soup sampler offered by the Sunday night chef. The lows included the appetizers such as the flavorless uninteresting sweat breads, the generous portion of shrimp and grits which was low on character, and the pathetic seared center cut striploin with aligot potatoes, local brussel sprouts, salsify and cardamom red wine sauce. The sirloin lacked any flavor or spices, the brussel spouts consisted of the stalks and a few leaves, and the sauce was tasteless.
(2)Mike C.
I was eagerly anticipating a fine meal at Vermillion, since it has been a regular on the "100 Best Restaurants" list for several years. What I got was far below my expectations. Nothing about the meal was worthy of the praise heaped upon this restaurant. The starter course; shrimp and grits, was pedestrian at best. It was gummy and the shrimp looked and tasted like last years' catch. I ordered a meal that included andouille sausage and the sausage pieces were the consistency of manhole covers and tasted like Jimmy Dean's left in the sun too long. Maybe it's just Old Town, but I'm having a hard time finding a truly outstanding restaurant since moving here. Bethesda, Arlington, and the District all have fabulous places to eat. Still searching in OT.
(2)Reviewer R.
We went in for a Sunday brunch. Service was prompt and professional. I had the salmon over rice, sauteed beet greens, and a swipe of mashed beets. The salmon was billed as "medium-rare", but it was definitely more on the "raw" side, although the skin was nice and crispy. Flavor profile of the dish was simple: salt, pepper, and butter. Hubby had the baked eggs over cheese grits and sauteed mushrooms and chorizo. Basic comfort food for a cold day.
(3)Tim R.
Great option for nice dinner out in old town. Food is always impressive and service is excellent. Well managed restaurant with a great vibe. They also have a cool bar scene with great beer and whiskey collection.
(5)Keith Z.
Had heard mixed reviews about this place, so figured we'd try it out for dinner and see what happened. Was for my gf's b-day, called ahead to inform them when making the reservation and they went above and beyond in taking care of us. We were seated in a nice, cozy booth, so we felt like we had good privacy to talk. We started with a bottle of savignon blanc. We only saw one bottle on the menu, the waitress pointed out a couple others we had overlooked, and she offered a great selection. Appetizers: the lady ordered the sweet breads. I am not a fan of sweetbreads but she loved them. I went with the charred octopus. The pieces were charred perfectly and came with a broth that gave a little bit of a kick to the dish. Bonus: The chef sent out an order of the shrimp and grits. The prawns still had their heads on, which I don't mind, but just giving you a "heads" up about that, no pun intended. The grits were buttery and the slices of chorizo added more flavor to the dish. Entree: Rockfish and Striploin. The rockfish was moist, seasoned nicely, and accompanied by a carrot puree. The striploin came over a potato puree with chopped Brussels sprouts. The steak was a decent size and cooked perfectly. It comes presliced, so there's no doubt that it was cooked mid-rare when it got to the table. Dessert: Blueberry crumb cake. Came with a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream. Perfect ending to the dinner. Service: I was a bit concerned about what our service was going to be like given previous reviews. But everyone was extremely friendly, our waitress helped us with making choices, and they even had a birthday card expressing their gratitude for us Celebrating a birthday at their establishment. Just the icing on the cake! Overall: this was an extremely enjoyable experience. The price, without wine, was about $110.00, after looking back on everything I think it was well worth it for what we got. We recommend Vermilion and look forward to going back!
(5)J P.
Very expensive for what you get. The New American trend is entrenched at this place, but not necessarily in a good way. With several area restaurants closing, there is more demand than ever for dining options in Old Town. Vermillion definitely does not cater to tourists (although some will be there), but seems to not be much interested in regular locals either. I found the menu very overpriced and overly pretentious. Vermillion is small enough but it definitely caters to an elite crowd. Expect a bill in the range of $50/person (with drinks and possibly dessert). In fact, the desserts are as high priced as entrees at other places. No thanks. Some of the items on the lunch menu should find their way onto the dinner menu. That would make this a little bit more reasonable. Other posters like this, and I guess that's fine. But I won't be back.
(2)Dan H.
A place like this in Houston would easily charge double for the quality of food that Vermilion is serving up.. At the time they had a chilled cucumber and beet soup and hanger steak on the menu.. I'll always remember that hanger steak for the rest of my life, I've NEVER EVER had such a perfect sear and crust on a cut of beef.. How is it the best restaurants in Houston cant do a steak as well as one in Virginia? Bravo Chef, Bravo!!
(5)Todd B.
Returned a 2nd time on my visit to town. It was even better than the first time. The service was splendid, the bacon wrapped turkey with rice stuffing was off the hook, the coffee was excellent and the wine was outstanding. Everything is right about this place.
(5)Fred M.
Vermillion is tied for 1st place amongst all of the Evening Star restaurant group's restaurants. I went today for RW and impressed as always of their food. I've been in the past for RW, for dinner, and to get slammed at the bar with friends. (bar/lounge area is nice!) Had the hush puppies, garganelli pasta, and the chocolate bombe. The hush puppies were easily my favorite during a previous visit and are SO good. Hot, soft, and tasty. The thousand islandish sauce was my fav but the butter milk ranch? and mustard were also delish. Pasta was good and the mushrooms inside were very tender! Sauce was perfect and flavorful. I am also not usually not a fan of mushrooms and I ate it all up. I was annoyed with one thing however. The turkey "salad" looked so much better! Its really a sandwich with a little mixed greens salad on the side. I was irritated since the waiter didn't really spend time to describe it otherwise I would have ordered that instead. Dessert was the perfect end to a lunch meal. I like desserts that aren't overly sweet and this dessert hit the nail on the head with my preference. Creamy and just the right amount of sweet. During previous visits to drink and/or eat, the wait staff has been nothing but attentive. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Crista C.
We met up here for drinks last week and fell in love with Vermillion. We were greeted warmly, and our server was also effective and friendly. The ambiance is sheik, yet cozy - nice background music that wasn't overpowering. As for the food - delish! The fries were perfectly seasoned and tasted great with blue cheese topping. I skeptically ordered the barley risotto and lamb sausage special, which sounded too fancy to be good - but I was wrong. It was very tasty. My husband ordered the mini-burgers and enjoyed them very much. I'm 7 months pregnant, and the bartender was kind enough to make me virgin mojitos. We find most DC area restaurants to be overpriced and stuffy - Vermilion is truly an exception. We will definitely be back!
(5)Nancy W.
My husband and I were traveling for business and fun. We took a walk down historic King Street. We love to go to non chain restaurants. We picked this place. Our waitress was amazing when I asked her to tell me what her favorites were. Describing in great detail. Great service. But the food. OMG deli-sh! We ordered the rib eye with fresh herbs and the pork with honey crisp apples. Yummy with flavors that just enhanced each other. We also had the roasted olives appetizers and the beet salad. The chef gave us a complimentary aperitif that was also very good. Menu is said to use local farm produce and meats. If you are in the area you must give this place a try. We got there early, 5:00...by the time were left they were filling up.
(5)Michelle W.
Vermilion provides a comfortable atmosphere for a variety of occasions- couch areas for cozy dates, spacious bar and high top tables for social drinks and tables for dining customers. Interesting exposed brick and great lighting. Loved the atmosphere. The staff is very attentive, great service and wonderfully crafted cocktails. While the menu is not extensive, there is variety and the wine list was intriguing. Great spot. Will return.
(4)Rosa E.
On a whim, my husband and I decided to head out to Old Town for dinner with our neighbors. We decided to try Vermillion for dinner. I had been there previously with a group of girlfriends for an after-work drink and really loved the ambience of the bar. So, let's start with that. When you walk in, you get the impression that you are walking into a trendy DC lounge and bar. On a Friday night, the downstairs bar and lounge area is full enough to create a great vibe, but not so full that you have to elbow people out of the bar area to get a drink. It was just right. At the far back end of the locale, there are comfy couches for lounging where you can order bar food. This place definitely gets 5 stars for service. The host who greeted us at the door kept coming back to our table to check on us. He was so friendly and welcoming that we immediately felt pretty good about our dinner choice. When I lost my knife during dinner he happened to be walking by, swooped down to scoop it up and before I could blink, there was another server right by my table with a knife handed to me on literally a silver platter. Thank you! Now, both my neighbors and my husband really enjoyed dinner. I tend to be a bit pickier about my food, so I'll run down my impressions on each dish of the tasting menu. The tasting menu is a five-course meal that you can get for $50. It's $70 if you ask for the wine pairings. We decided to skip the wine pairings and just get a bottle of wine for $57. I dont remember the names of all the dishes. Our first dish was compliments of the chef. It was a tiny tuna piece with olive tapenade. That was very good! The second dish was a seafood dish with scallops, shrimp and oysters? That was really good too. It was fantastic except for some tiny things that were on top that were a little hard to chew on. The third course was the Rockfish. Amazing! Light and flavorful. The fourth dish was the lamb 3 ways. Everyone at my table loved it...but I really have a hard time eating meat that looks a little red...so I have to say that I did taste the parts that looked well cooked, but but really could not eat the rest. I love lamb..but I dont eat beef at all and so I just tend to be picky about meat. The Key lime parfait was sublime and really rounded out the meal. Overall, it was a good experience. I would highly recommend this place to foodies who really want a different dining experience and really do not feel like driving all the way to DC for it.
(4)Jennifer D.
Food was delicious, if conservatively innovative. The Sweet Corn Fritters with blueberry sauce reminded me of funnel cake at a county fair. There was something special about the slightly spicy Squid Ink Tagliarini with red pepper froth, too. Service was a superb with just the right amount of attentiveness and interaction. The atmosphere/decor was naturally intimate and stylish. It was a perfect Restaurant Week experience.
(4)Teresa D.
Great spot for happy hour since my office is very close by. I really enjoy the cozy atmosphere, happy hour specials and the great service. The food at the bar is good and cheap, the rosemary garlic fries, sliders, spinach dip and the cheese plate are great. I have had a couple of meals there too, it's a seasonal southern food menu. Some things there are a hit or miss. I had the hush puppies once and they are pathetic compared the real ones you can get in the south, I do not recommend on getting them. I had a really good plated seafood soup once that was delish! I had a fried green tomato appetizer there that really good. Overall I really like this place and will frequent for a there for a drink after a rough day at work.
(4)Amanda C.
Some of the best food I have ever eaten!! My husband and I visited for our 2 year anniversary and loved every bit of our experience here. We got a nice table in the corner upstairs by a window, were treated to champagne to celebrate with, received a "compliments of the chef!" steak tar tar tasting, and even got a lovely thank you card w/congrats written in it at the end of our meal! The service was spot-on attentive, knowledgeable, and very friendly. I tried the May Chef's Tasting menu with wine pairing, and every course that came out I was floored by the presentation, the quality of the food, and again - the TASTE! I have not shut up about how wonderful our meal was for days now, and I am excited to go back to try a happy hour or brunch here.
(5)Truly I.
I ate here with the bf twice - once a few months ago upstairs (review below) and then again last night at the bar (it was 9:30 pm; we had wanted to go to Hank's Oyster Bar, but the kitchen had closed). Review of bar: I was hoping to have the Relativity cabernet again, but it's not on the menu. The very busy but nice bartender had me taste the Malbec and the Ynot cab - the Ynot is lush and rich. Bf had a Sierra Nevada on tap. The summer squash flatbread was soul-fillingly good - smoked mozzarella, fried squash blossom, grilled squash slices and grilled tomato. Bf had the steak frites - the steak was so incredibly tender I had a hard time believing we were sitting at a bar. Review of restaurant: The food was fresh and good, but the portions are quite small. I wish I had skipped the mixed vegetable salad with burrata - the veggies were very vinegary and the burrata was covered in breadcrumbs. The mixed greens were very fresh, and the bf liked the carrot-ginger soup. He also very much enjoyed his pork and mashed potatoes. I was kind of bored by the halibut, but appreciated the freshness. The Relativity cabernet was delicious. Nice service. Average age of diners seemed to be 65ish.
(4)Jon M.
I found Vermillion long on style but shorter on service and food. The menu was only marginally creative and didn't stray too far from being just dressed up versions of everyday far. Though, I must point out, they do have a monte cristo on the menu which while artery-stretching is a solid treat. It was a really nice place to refresh with a drink before lunch on a hot and slow summer afternoon. Would I come back? Only for drinks.
(3)Elizabeth O.
Vermillion was great! Went for brunch this past Sunday with my family. There was great service and no one was disappointed. Our food took a little while to come out, and without complaining we were given fruit plates to eat while waiting for our food. I ordered the eggs Benedict and was very satisfied, it was a good portion and used good ingredients. The potato pancake was better than my Jewish mother makes, it nearly melted in my mouth. Also tried the nutella pancakes. They were nothing to write home about, but they were a good sweet dish. The bananas on top had a tapioca-like flavor, I would've preferred if they were just caramelized. I wish we weren't so full after our brunch that we could order dessert--the menu looked fantastic and the Neighborhood Restaurant group usually does pretty well with desserts. So tips to new Vermillion visitors--save room!
(4)Feri W.
Starting with the not so great stuff.... Our server was mediocre and not too friendly, and the silverware was very annoying and kept slipping off the plates into the dish or on the floor.... Good luck setting them down to chew and savor your food. Now with the wonderful stuff... The food was excellent! We came here for restaurant week. The starters "Rock shrimp" and butternut squash soup were a feast for the taste buds. The main course "Md fluke" ( not salty at all) and "mushroom ravioli" ( lots of mushrooms" were also outstanding and exquisite. The dessert "chocolate bombe with coffee ice cream was to die for! Compliments to the chef. The only other negative thing is that we really wanted to try the hush puppies and they refused to bring us some because "it was not good for the ambiance upstairs"!!!! We really did not get that! Last but not least we had the best busboy. In fact the busboy should have the server and the server should have been a busboy.
(4)Courtney H.
Restaurant Week Review I decided to have a last minute girls night and boy did we pick the right place! I LOVE LOVE LOVED it!!! The atmosphere was warm and inviting, classy but not pretentious, the food was amazing, and the service was some of the best I've experienced. While my two friends ordered from the RW menu, I decided to give the Tasting menu a try (what can I say? I was really hungry and thought I deserved an extra course). The sommelier just happened to be in that evening and she was FANTASTIC. Thanks to the best server this side of the Potomac "Steve" for all of his recommendations and attentive service. I had the Lobster Tortolloni, Grilled Rockfish, Sirloin, and the Cider Roaster Pear. YUM YUM YUM! We also grabbed a pre-dinner drink at the bar/lounge. The bartender was a sweetheart and the posh libations were scrumptious! Everyone enjoyed their meals and the wine was divine. We could have stayed all night (I think we clocked in somewhere around 3 hours!). Vermilion really knows how to impress and I will be going back much sooner than I ever anticipated. Cheers!
(5)Hollie C.
Let me start off by saying I am not a 'foodie.' My boyfriend and I stopped here on our way back from Mount Vernon after I had 'googled' Alexandria restaurants in my phone. This one came up as the most highly rated. I can see why. We walked in sometime before 6:00 pm, and it was not super crowded on a Saturday. Although we didn't have a reservation, they were able to find us a table. We ordered the tasting menu with pairings. While it was $70 a person, we found it to be worth the price. The service was impeccable. The wine and food was amazing. We were not over-full. While we were under-dressed for the evening, everyone was friendly and inviting. I would recommend to people who are looking for variations on an American theme with fresh, local ingredients.
(4)Marie P.
I grabbed a drink for happy hour at the bar and really enjoyed this place! The atmosphere is romantic and sophisticated with deep rich red tapestries, exposed brick and candlelight. The service was fantastic. The bartender (I think her name was Laura) was really warm, welcoming and attentive. The happy hour deals are $5 wine (choice of one red/one white) and several appetizers. Not a bad deal for this place. It seemed that there were quite a few regulars there which leant itself to a friendly, neighborhood vibe. This would be a great place for a date!
(4)Pheniece J.
I dined here last night for Restaurant Week and had a very solid meal. I started at the bar with a happy hour drink special called the King Street Lemonade - kind of like a more lemon-y mojito and very good. Ordered the hush puppies and even though I appreciated the lighter batter, it paled in comparison to real comfort food style hush puppies. For dinner I started with the gazpacho with peaches, olives and cheese. Very good and nice flavor. My friends had the squid two ways and the stuffed tomato w/sausage. Both were good but I give the slight edge to my gazpacho :). We all had the bistro filet as an entree and I really enjoyed the tenderness of the beef and the salsa verde. The vanilla buttermilk sorbet with blueberries was sort of a miss for me, but my friend's panna cotta was delish. Overall, the service was good and a great deal for Restaurant Week, but I don't think it's going on my must-do list.
(3)Aesah L.
My boyfriend and I went here for our first date so we returned this year to celebrate it. It's a cute little restaurant, great ambiance....unless they give you a crappy table next to the wall in perfect view of the better booths and lounge area. The servers were very thoughtful and attentive, and i went with the 4 course tasting menu with wine. Every single dish was amazing and delicious and the wine pairings were perfect. My favorite was the halibut and steak. Using local ingredients really do make a big difference. In short, I would have given Vermilion four stars if they had better seating. Oh and the bathrooms looked like they belonged in a dive bar. Very surprising.
(3)Alex F.
I took my girlfriend here to celebrate her birthday and a new job. The food here was phenomenal (which I think has been explained sufficiently by everyone else), but the service really took it over the top! Our extremely friendly and professional waiter took great care of us, offering extras for the celebration and even providing a handwritten card (this I've never seen before). It's these simple touches that will keep us coming back for more!
(5)Soosh L.
Great food!
(5)Sarah S.
I'm a total fan of this cozy, gem-of-a-spot in Alexandria. The happy hour - M-F, 4-7 - is one of the best around. The bartenders are uncommonly friendly and accommodating, the bar menu is overflowing with tasty options (the portions are generous too), the lounge is spacious and inviting, and the drinks are uber cheap ($2.75 beers, $5 wines/cocktails). For noshing, I recommend the hush puppies with buttermilk dipping sauce, pimento dip and flatbread, or the hanger steak and frites combo. Go and enjoy.
(5)Jim S.
Great food, knowledgeable and attentive staff. Features local foods and wines. Very nice wine list and well-stocked bar. Only down-side, if you can call it one, was that the desert menu (and there is a named pastry chef) was just too far out there... None sounded good. So I had some artisanal cheese and a glass of vintage port, and my wife had some delicious sorbets.
(4)Gregory A.
There hamburger is amazing. I loved the atmosphere; whether its lunch or dinner time.
(5)