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  • Vermilion - Alexandria

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Vermilion - Alexandria
Vermilion - Alexandria

Vermilion - Alexandria Details

  • Dining Style: Casual Elegant
  • Website: http://www.vermilionrestaurant.com
  • Email: jhammes@vermilionrestaurant.com
  • Phone: (703) 684-9669
  • Hours of Operation: Lunch: Monday, Wednesday - Friday: 11:30am - 3:00pm (closed for lunch on Tuesdays);
    Dinner: Monday- Thursday: 5:30pm - 10:00pm; Friday & Saturday: 5:30pm - 11:00pm; Sunday 5:30pm-9:00pm;
    Brunch: Saturday & Sunday: 11:00am - 2:30pm
  • Payment Options: AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
  • Cuisine: Contemporary American, American
  • Executive Chef: William Morris
  • Dress Code: Business Casual
  • Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
  • Additional Details: Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Entertainment, Farm to Table, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Weekend Brunch, Wine
  • Affiliations: Dine Originals - Member Restaurants
  • Private Party Facilities: Please call for details.
  • Entertainment: Live music every Tuesday and Wednesday night starting around 10:00pm in the Lounge at Vermilion.

Getting there

  • Cross Street: Fayette St.
  • Public Transit: King St. Metro Station
    Using the King Street Trolley, get off at the Fayette St. Stop coming in either direction.
  • Parking: Street Parking
A word from Vermilion - Alexandria
Vermilion features Chef William Morris' menu of Contemporary American cuisine. Complimenting Chef Morris' menu is Vermilion's wine list, named one of the top wine lists in the country by Restaurant Hospitality Magazine. Combining a charming location in Old town Alexandria with stylized design and… atmosphere, Vermilion represents a bit of downtown sophistication: from the exposed brick in the upstairs dining room to the overstuffed pillows in the lounge downstairs, Vermilion holds something for all tastes.Continued
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Awards voted by OpenTable diners
  • Diners' Choice WinnerFit for Foodies
Diner Reviews
  • "Tried the tasting menu. The food was fresh, interesting combinations, and excellent portion sizes. The service didn't disappoint. Love Vermillion and have an excellent time every time I stop in."
    Dined on 3/7/2014
  • "The food is decent, but 'decent' should be less expensive. Service was spotty; either there were three servers hanging about or no one at all for stretches. My guest liked her soup (butternut squash) and her salmon. My hanger steak was cooked properly, but it came out the wrong side of lukewarm. Disappointing. The cauliflower that came with it was unseasoned and bland. Just sat there, uninspired. Some better options for less in the neighborhood. Might be back if prices come down a bit and reviews improve."
    Dined on 3/5/2014
  • "Great place to celebrate a special occasion for a small to medium size group. Wonderful food with excellent service. Though very busy in the evenings, you never feel rushed."
    Dined on 2/28/2014
  • "I came in for brunch with my family on a Sunday. It wasn't too busy which I really liked because I felt like we could take our time and enjoy ourselves without being rushed. Our server was nice, the food was great and I'd definitely come back for brunch and maybe even try dinner there as well"
    Dined on 3/2/2014
  • "Twelve years ago I enjoyed a wonderful meal in Budapest, Hungary at a Restaurant that I don't even remember the name of...but I have always referred to that meal as "the best food I have ever eaten." That was until a few nights ago, when I had the pleasure of dining at Vermilion in Alexandria, VA. The food was superb! And, the atmosphere was very relaxing and enjoyable. Quite often on facebook someone will post a comment asking for a recommendation of a restaurant that they can go to while they are visiting the DC area...and most assuredly I will highly recommend they visit Vermilion!!"
    Dined on 3/1/2014
  • "This was the 4th time I have eaten at Vermillion. The food was incredible. We both had the steak and it was done to perfection. I loved the beet and radish salad. The bread is delicious too. Everything is fresh. The wait staff is helpful and professional without being intrusive. I have had dinners for two as well as for six at the chef's table. I'm never disappointed."
    Dined on 3/1/2014
  • "My wife had the Salmon and I had the Rockfish. She thought it was pretty good but mine was just OK. We had a pork cheek appetizer that was quite good. The setting was very nice...and the wine was quite good too. We also had a nutella cheesecake that was very tasty. The setting was very inviting but the service was C work at best. All and all it was enjoyable...more for the ambience than anything else."
    Dined on 3/1/2014
  • "I made this reservation on line and asked for a good table as it was our anniversary. They gave us a great window seat for 2 overlooking King Street and welcomed us with a complimentary glass of champagne. Overall the food was very good. The duck breast was amazing. The octopus appetizer was not very warm but it was still good. The wine list consists of a lot of lesser known vineyards but they did carry "The Prisoner" which is a wonderful red blend. The wine director and servers were excellent. It is expensive but based on our visit we would highly recommend it.."
    Dined on 3/1/2014
  • "Vermilion has an excellent brunch menu and was the perfect place to bring family and friends visiting from out of town. The manager and host-staff were very accommodating with our changing party size, and the waitstaff was nice as well. Will definitely recommend to our friends and neighbors in Old Town!"
    Dined on 3/2/2014
  • "Vermilion is a breath of fresh air after a busy day in the Capitol region. The upstairs dining room has a quiet ambience. I loved sitting next to the window, watching snow fall silently onto King Street below. The service was attentive, the wine list extensive, and the food excellent. After complimentary morsels of dainty Virginia ham and cheese fritters, my dinner partner and I shared a starter of veal sweetbreads. Both were cooked to crispy perfection. My lamb entree appeared to be on the small side at first , but turned out to be just enough to leave room for dessert. The Lemon Meringue Pie w/pomegranate molasses, micro basil & pistachio-rose ice cream was heavenly and the perfect foil for a rich dinner. I will definitely return!"
    Dined on 2/26/2014
  • "Vermillion seems to get a lot of good reviews, so we decided to go there. (We'd been there before, but it was years ago.) Such a disappointment! There was hardly anyone there (on a Sunday night at 7) - which was worrying, and rightly so. Our party of four had 4 appetizers, 4 entrees, and 3 desserts between us. There were a couple of good dishes, but the majority were so-so at best and one was affirmatively unpleasant. The service was ok, but the waitress was not especially attentive (despite the few patrons she was responsible for) and seemed to be "going through the motions". We've subsequently spoken to others with the same experience, that the food is overpriced and mediocre."
    Dined on 2/23/2014
  • "Service was good, food was inventive and the wine pairining was tastefull. Make sure to reservé in advance."
    Dined on 2/22/2014
  • "Went there for Valentin'es, actually the day after Valentine's (Saturday). Was pricey, but had high hopes. Every dish had an issue. From dry wipes of purple paste on the plate, to chewy calamari, to totally chewy beef, the food disappointed. Felt like I had been herded in and drained of money as opposed to being treated to an experience where the quality of the food would excite. Perhaps this is the reality of a Valentine's tasting menu, i.e., fancy description, low quality. I don't think so though. I think this place put quantity ahead of quality. I'd actually like to go again just to try the regular menu and see it it's better."
    Dined on 2/15/2014
  • "Overall, the ambiance and food were excellent. Duck was exceptional. I did not order from the restaurant week menu selections....nothing appealed to me nor my dinner companion....Hope to see the full menu for future Restaurant Weeks..... Here's hoping!"
    Dined on 1/16/2014
  • "We actually went on Saturday, the 15th. It was a bit noisy and difficult to hear each other talking because the tables are quite large creating distance; however, we loved the food, and we loved our server. A window seat would be perfect. Thanks!!!!"
    Dined on 2/15/2014
  • "Very active bar downstairs, but upstairs is fairly quiet and the food is always good."
    Dined on 1/31/2014
  • "We went there to celebrate my wife's birthday on a Sunday so the restaurant was nearly empty except for a few small groups. We had heard such good things about Vermilion in the past and were excited to try it but we were not very pleased overall, especially for the price. The beer and wine selection is fantastic but everything we ordered off the menu was mediocre. I wouldn't say we had a bad meal or that there was anything wrong with our meals it was just that we expected exceptional food for those prices. Also, our waitress seemed bored as if she was just counting the minutes until her shift was over. I don't think we'll be going back as there are other options for better prices."
    Dined on 1/19/2014
  • "Excellent innovative cuisine using quality ingrediants and offering consistently high quality food and drink in a very elegant setting."
    Dined on 2/15/2014
  • "beautiful presentation to delight the eye before you tickle the palate"
    Dined on 2/14/2014
  • "I took my fiancé there as she is a self-described foodie with a gluten allergy. We've been at least five other times and had stopped going for a while because we were afraid we were boxing oursleves in. The fact is, if by some horrible magic we had to decide only on restaurant in the DMV to stay open, Vermillion would be it. Amazingly bold and intriguing textures and flavors beautifully presented. Culinary techniques perfectly executed to present dishes of exquisite refinement for the smell, touch, and taste. Amazing!"
    Dined on 2/13/2014
  • "This was my third visit to Vermilion and another home run. I always choose the tasting menu with the wine pairings, even if there's something I'm not crazy about on the list for that evening. My waiter, Patrick, was knowledgeable and personable without being pushy or overbearing. He guided me towards excellent choices. I began with one of Vermilion's signature cocktails, the Twelfth Night, which was perfectly mixed and satisfied my desire for a Pimm's Cup with a little added twist. All of the wines matched their respective dishes perfectly and I was particularly impressed with the pairing for the monkfish (well seasoned and cooked exactly the way I prefer it) and Troublemaker, the blended red paired with the sirloin."
    Dined on 2/11/2014
  • "Took my mom here for her birthday. Not only was the food great, but they took extra great care of her. When they confirmed the reservation, they told me we would have a complimentary dessert--but then they also gave us complimentary champagne! Both graciously delivered with excellent service. It was everything I hoped for and more."
    Dined on 2/10/2014
  • "Stopped in at 8:30 on a Friday night for my wife's birthday. We had been to Vermilion for brunch in the past, but this was our first dinner experience. We were seated at a table by the window on the 2nd floor overlooking King Street, which was nice. Service was friendly and attentive, but also provided sufficient space to allow for conversation. The food was great (I had the pork belly starter and lamb main) to match the company. Overall, just a very pleasant experience. Will definitely return."
    Dined on 2/7/2014
  • "Sunday December 8th and it had started as rain that turned to sleet n' ice and we were out of Towners. We arrived at our appointed time of 19:00 and were warmly greeted. The weather outside had kept all but the bravest souls from venturing out. The service, food and wine were excellent and I can understand how popular Vermilion of Alexandria, is so popular."
    Dined on 12/8/2013
  • "Chose the restaurant from the Washingtonian top 100 for an anniversary dinner, Menu was limited and portions were small. Prices were high for the quality, My partner ordered Rockfish from the menu and was told minutes later that item was no longer available. my duck entre was cooked correctly but lacked presentation and was tough and cold but the sauce was good, Bread basket was excellent but when offered a refill, it never appeared. Restaurant did provide a gratis mini appetizer and glass of sparkling wine for the special occasion."
    Dined on 2/9/2014
  • "Delicious, beautiful food that was a symphony on the the plate. Loved the pig ears garnish. Told everyone this is "a must" adventure if you are in the D.C. area."
    Dined on 2/8/2014
  • "Can't really think of anything good to say except we were hungry and they fed us . . ."
    Dined on 1/1/2014
  • "Had dinner with friends last weekend and the tasting menu is superb! The beet salad was so good, the monkfish and filet were delicious! The wine pairing with each course was spot on - especially loved the Troublemaker (a red) with the beef. And the dessert of small doughnuts dusted with cinnamon sugar was superb! We had a small wait at the bar, and the server was delightful. So was the cocktail! After dinner we went back to the bar and had some red wine. All in all, a great place to have a very upscale dinner without the attendant pricing. And the staff is very friendly."
    Dined on 2/1/2014
  • "More a twenties hot spot than quiet dinner restaurant but service good and food good. Small and cozy."
    Dined on 1/31/2014
  • "Great service, great setting, but the food quality just doesn't match up to prices."
    Dined on 1/30/2014
  • "Had brunch here with a friend. It was our first visit and we were not disappointed. The service was great and I loved the look of the restaurant with the exposed brick and the wine bottle racks. The meal was also great. Those hush puppies are delicious!"
    Dined on 1/26/2014
  • "My husband son and I met my friend for Brunch. Great food, and good environment for catching up and enjoying a nice afternoon."
    Dined on 1/26/2014
  • "The food was good , not exceptional, but the restaurant looked a bit down at the heels. The brunch menu was limited and it would have been nice to have a few brunch type drinks mentioned on the menu."
    Dined on 1/26/2014
  • "This was the third time dining at Vermilion. I really enjoy the creativeness the entrees and desserts have with their different flavor combinations. The lamb, sirloin and desserts have been my favorites and have not let me down. Vermilion is a great place for brunch with many options to choose from and is relatively inexpensive despite dinner being on the pricier side, but worth it."
    Dined on 1/18/2014
  • "My mom came here for restaurant week on a Sat. I was expecting lunch but they had brunch... I can't turn that down. I had the fried oysters (delish) some egg thing with chorizo (ABSOLUTELY AMAZING) and the lemon meringue dessert (which was a little more tart like a key lime pie). my mom had the squash soup (i think it was squash) and the cinnamon dumpling thing (not a fan, it was just fried dough that wasn't even that delish). I have been there for late night drinks as well and that was just as wonderful"
    Dined on 1/18/2014
  • "We love this spot. We usually come late night to drink and chat. Finally made it out for Restaurant Week brunch and the food was pretty tasty. Also, the waiters and bartenders are always knowledgeable about the menu. Vermillion is a nice quiet low-key change from the over-the-top places in DC."
    Dined on 1/19/2014
  • "Good food (except the pasta entree), nice Old Town atmosphere, and great service. We will be back - and recommend to friends."
    Dined on 1/15/2014
  • "Grilled octopus was awesome. Mom's salmon was great. I don't remember too much because it was a while ago."
    Dined on 9/20/2013
  • "Four of us went during restaurant week for brunch. This was the first time any of us had eaten at the restaurant and we were all looking foward to it. The Restaurant Week menu was limited with only 3 choices for appetizers and entrees, and two for dessert. The appetizers were interesting and tasty. However, the soup was lukewarm. The entree choices were a pasta dish, an egg dish or a sandwich. We all ordered the pasta entree and it was very disappointing. It did not look appealing and it tasted just OK. It was mostly pasta in a broth with some over-cooked greens and cheese on top. The desserts were excellent. Overall, we were disappointed in our first visit, but will probably give it another try."
    Dined on 1/18/2014
  • "This was our second time eating here for restaurant week, and our experience was just as good this time around. The food was perfectly done, and the service was great. We'll definitely be back for a special occasion in the future."
    Dined on 1/17/2014
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