Elaine's

Review summary

1. A

   Adrienne

   Washington DC

   14 reviews

   vip
   4.0

   14 reviews

   Dined on 15 November 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 5

   Service was a little slow, but food was amazing. Really enjoyed the atmosphere.
   

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2. R

   Ross

   Washington DC

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on 9 November 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Quaint setting. Delicious food, excellent service.
   

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3. M

   Mary Ellen

   Washington DC

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on 8 November 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   This restaurant is a gem in Old Town Alexandria. Elaine’s also hosts ‘book talks’ and has a lovely space upstairs with a library feel. Jeffrey was kind enough to let the 4 of us sit in that beautiful upstairs space….even though we were the only ones there. The ambiance was exquisite…with beautiful soft music in the background and excellent service…even though our server had to come upstairs to tend just us. The food and cocktails were delicious! It’s a little on the pricey side…but well worth it! Will definitely be back!!
   

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4. K

   Kathy

   Philadelphia

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on 6 November 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Upscale yet cozy feel to the restaurant. Wait staff and owner care, pay attention - top notch service. Interesting mezza plates - the two we ordered - crispy Brussels and baba ghanoush, were amazing. Best pita bread I’ve ever had! Our entrees from the grill - a salmon dish and branzino were also delicious. And…they host free literary events in their upstairs venue! We’ll be back!
   

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5. A

   Anne

   Washington DC

   22 reviews

   5.0

   22 reviews

   Dined on 2 November 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We dined at Elaine’s for the first time last night. It was terrific - definitely a hidden gem in the neighborhood. The food was impeccably presented and delicious. The service was warm and appropriately attentive. The ambiance reminded me of cozy restaurants I’ve walked past in urban residential neighborhoods in Berlin and Bogota. We expect to be back often.
   

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6. C

   Courtney

   Washington DC

   8 reviews

   5.0

   8 reviews

   Dined on 1 November 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Cynthia (owner) and Nicolas (our waiter) were very welcoming and hospitable! The food and beverages were top tier. I will be back!!!
   

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7. R

   Rachel

   Washington DC

   7 reviews

   4.0

   7 reviews

   Dined on 26 October 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   Tasty Egyptian inspired food. Enjoyed walking around old town afterwards!
   

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8. L

   Lisa

   Washington DC

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined on 20 October 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 5

   This restaurant is tastefully decorated and the wait staff was very good, but the timing on the food delivery was a problem. We were the one of only two tables so they were not busy, but we each received our entree's about five minutes apart, so that the first ad second diners food was cold before the third person was served. Hopefully this was not the norm.
   

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9. B

   Brian

   Memphis/West TN

   3 reviews

   2.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on 19 October 2024

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 5

   I was with a small group that had just flown in and looking for a new place to try. I chose Elaine’s because the photos of the menu items looked amazing, and the reviews seemed favorable. We were seated right away and met the owner, who seemed very nice. During a brief conversation with the owner, I mentioned that I have a tree nut allergy. She assured me that I would be fine. The server came out and took orders for shared appetizers. Three appetizers arrived, everyone shared them, and they were small but tasted great. However, I started having an allergic reaction after just a couple of bites. I did not eat any more of the appetizers and let the server know about the allergic reaction the next time he came to the table. We ordered the main course, and the server assured me what I ordered had no tree nuts. However, again I had a mild allergic reaction to what I was eating. I don’t think there were tree nuts in the dish, but there was definitely some kind of significant cross contamination. The restaurant decor and the food presentation are very nice. All of the staff seemed very attentive. Compared to other restaurants in the area, I think this one is probably overpriced. The portions and prices are similar to fine dining, but I wouldn’t categorize Elaine’s as fine dining.
   

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10. P

    Pamela

    Washington DC

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on 16 October 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    Lovely ambience, friendly atmosphere and tasty salad, baba ganoush and moussaka. Interesting Egyptian twist on some familiar dishes. Will return to try the dinner menu.
    

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