Willow Restaurant - ArlingtonGreat Outdoor LunchHad a ladies' lunch here and sat on the patio. Despite the fact that the patio faces Fairfax Drive, it is very pretty and pleasant. Lots of plants and flowers, comfortable seats, and a cozy feel. The menu was interesting, with some creative and refreshing items. We had a lovely time.6/14/2013 12:00:00 AMHad an excellent lunch atHad an excellent lunch at Willow, as always. The signature flatbread, the halibut with fava beans, and the salmon/eggplant shishkebab were all top-notch, and are kept interesting by the various little garnishes of each dish. A nice choice of wines and Willow's reputation for knowledgeable and accommodating servers complete the picture.6/14/2013 12:00:00 AMyummmmmm the soup is fantastic.yummmmmm the soup is fantastic. Weird that we are in June and I am raving about the tomato/roasted pepper bisque, but trust me - YUMMY.6/10/2013 12:00:00 AMEating at Willow is the totalEating at Willow is the total experience. Ambiance, exceptional food, friendly staff, good pricing and ease of access. Without question Willow will be visited frequently by us.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMJust a great restaurant.Three of us had dinner on Saturday, June 8th - main courses of scallops, soft shell crabs, and lamb. As the out-of-town guest said, "This is really good food!" and service matches.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMSaturday night at WillowWe had reservations at 7pm. Arrived early and were promptly seated. The wait staff is excellent, attentive without overbearing. The food is excellent and ample. The food was served in a reasonable amount of time considering the restaurant was almost full. Parking is also easy since you can park in a Parking Garage below the restaurant and get to the restaurant without going outside....
I recommend the restaurant for any occasion where a fine meal is desired.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMWillow Does It Again!The food and ambience never disappoint, and, if I could, I would give our server six plus stars. He was very helpful in assisting us in our wine and food selections, and the seared scallops, unique crab cakes and peanut butter dessert were outstanding! Thank you, Willow, and, most especially James M:)6/6/2013 12:00:00 AMFantastic dinnerWe ate outdoors on a hot evening and were very comfortable on the shaded front patio 2 blocks from the Ballston Metro.. Outdoor seating allowed the full menu and the excellent bar menu. Lots of seafood superbly cooked on both menus.
Happy hour prices were unexpected in this upscale restaurant but there was a great mix of ages ( mainly late 30's to 50's) at bar and almost everyone was eating.
Can't wait to return!5/30/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was excellent. TheThe food was excellent. The lobster ravioli , the mussels and salmon were delicious.
The atmosphere was quiet and inviting. We were able to carry on a conversation.
I would definitely recommend this restaurant.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMAnother amazing meal!The amazing thing about Willow is how the steaks are always cooked perfectly. The Chef must have a sixth sense. I got the filets and both were perfectly medium. The flatbreads are a real treat and I can understand why they won the Arlington Restaurant Weeks’ award with them. This has become one of our favorite restaurants.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMAwesome place!Food was outstanding and service great as well! We will definitely be going back!5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMSmall but funny flawWhen they brought one diner's ceasar's salad out - she had asked to have some chicken on it - and they put an entire chicken leg right on top of the salad!.. Which looked really bad and not in kind with what Willow usually produces. When she asked if they could cut it up.. they took it away and brought it back without the leg bone but with giant chucks of chicken again layed on top..so cutting it on top of a salad in a small bowl was difficult. She gave up at that point.. Thought the resturant should know this -- since asking for some chicken on top of a salad seemed like an easy thing to present since the the asparagus salad which was clearly done with great attention and care.5/23/2013 12:00:00 AMYummy for a tired traveler!After a delayed flight (3 hours) with an interview first thing the next day, all I wanted was a yummy meal, glass of wine, good service, and a moment to breathe. Willow provided just that. The other guests were very animated but entertaining. My service was lovely (thank you Russel). I had good wine (yummy CA wine that I actually buy at home in CA) and a killer dessert. All my needs were met.5/21/2013 12:00:00 AMOne of my favorite restaurantsOne of my favorite restaurants in Northern Virginia. Perfect place for meeting colleagues and friends especially for lunch. Has just the right measure of creativity. Service is always excellent.5/20/2013 12:00:00 AMVery good dinner.Very good experience although I wish they had soft shell crab. Glad to know that they preferred not to serve them rather than serving an inferior quality, some restaurants especially in DC should learn about that quality. I will be back. Thank you.5/20/2013 12:00:00 AMOutstanding as alwaysThe food never disappoints and the service was excellent as always. As one of the few places that does an excellent job catering to those of us required to follow a gluten free diet, I appreciate the small touches: gluten free bread, menu items clearly marked etc. The waitstaff is always caring and knowledgeable and is a major reason why willow is one of our favorite restaurants.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMQuality and diet considerationWe've been periodically visiting Willows ever since it opened but the last visit has demonstrated a wonderful evolution. The menu now hosts many entrees that are glutton free without any sacrifice of flavor or texture. Check out the "Wheatless at Willows" menu. The flatbreads for which Willows is widely noted still occupy page one of the menu with a wonderful mixing of ingredients that keeps the options fresh. The yellowfin tuna wrapped in prosciutto and grilled with a bed of cauliflower was so good. Server was attentive but not overbearing.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMWorth A DriveI work nearby so lunch or dinner at Willow was a wonderful discovery. However, the quality and creativity of the food and the beautiful décor has also put it on top of my recommend list. Worth a drive if you aren't near by. I don't know of any better place for a special occasion or romantic evening. Every time I have visited, the food and service have been exemplary.5/15/2013 12:00:00 AMClearly a FavoriteI have been a restaurant goer in the DC area for almost 20 years and have never found a better place to dine. The courteous and refined staff, the owner's cordiality, the kitchen's superb preperation, the outstanding wine list and the staff's knowledge of the wines, etc. all make me keep coming back.
One can never go wrong - a place that will receive your guest's compliments - guaranteed.5/13/2013 12:00:00 AMSpecial MealBrought an out of town guest to a late lunch on Mothers Day. Food and service were outstanding as was the staff. Asparagus bisque and gazpacho were the best soups I ever tasted. Salads had flavors that were deliciously different and wonderful. This is definitely a place for foodies to enjoy.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMMade Mother's Day really special!I took my mother to brunch for Mother's Day. The menu was terrific and got some good advice on wine from our waiter, John.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways greatWe like to celebrate at Willow and we are never disappointed. We did not give 5 stars because the wine list could be greatly improved, but the food is always terrific.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent as alwaysWillow has yet to fall short of the high expectations I keep for them. The Food and Service are nothing short of Excellent. My wife and I keep coming back and each time and as or more spectacular than the last.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AM3rd time to Willow. We enjoy3rd time to Willow. We enjoy the atmosphere there. The 3 of us ordered salmon, lamb, & top sirloin. The lamb was the best; the waiter told us that it recently earned an award ---deservedly so. The salmon & sirloin were good, nice presentation & vegetables, but were less flavoriable than the fall-off-the-bone lamb. We ashared the calamari appetizer -- very tasty. The batter was crispy & light like tempura. The fennel & basil in the calamari added nice favors. The Moscow Mule drink was really good, I enjoyed the ginger in it, but the strawberry drink was so-so. The Bourbon Chocolate Pudding cake was a great choice. Our waiter was excellent, anticipating our needs, not intrusive, and very polite. We'll continue to patron's Willow.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways a great place for dinnerThis was our third visit in a year to Willow. The service was very good and Dante was very patient with our group as we changed our selections a few times. The flatbread is our favorite as either an appetizer or as a main course. The beet salad was delicious and the chef accommodated by preference for feta vice goat cheese. The tuna was exceptional and my ravioli was cooked to perfection.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMOutstandingWillow consistently meets or exceeds our expectations. Out latest visit was no exception.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMFive for FiveMy fifth dining experience at Willow is as wonderful as my first. The salmon appetizer was a lovely presentation with savory herbs atop smoked salmon. The entre'e: lobster tail with lobster ravioli and asparagus was a simple delight to the senses; a marriage of delicate flavors and textures for the eyes, palate and nose. While the dining area is busy, it is not too loud to have a conversation in normal speaking voices and there are few distractions to cause interruption. The professional wait staff makes the experience even more memorable.5/1/2013 12:00:00 AMWe regularly come to WillowWe regularly come to Willow when we are in Arlington. The restaurant is slightly formal without being stuffy. Our server was very helpful and knowledgeable without being overbearing. We began with a flatbread (like pizza, only better) which we all shared. All of the entrees were perfectly cooked and delicious. Be sure to leave room for dessert - the pastry chef is first-rate.4/29/2013 12:00:00 AMBest of BallstonIf you're looking for a place in Ballston with good service, great food and an elegant atmosphere, you can't do better than Willow. We've eaten there many times and have hosted our company Christmas party there for years. Top notch.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was very good, butThe food was very good, but it took a long time for it to come from the kitchen. Our waiter was very apologetic and offered us free dessert because of the long wait. Besides the food being delicious with inventive combinations, the presentation was very well done. Willow has become one of my favorite restaurants. Also, the desserts were creative and delicious, unlike many restaurants who serve the same desserts time and time again. I would definitely recommend Willow for a delightful meal.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMConsistently OutstandingWillow is a gem - inspired food, convenient location, thoughtful service. Don't forget to leave room for dessert from the talented pastry chef!4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMHaven't been there for a fewHaven't been there for a few years but was pleasantly surprised by the great menu. Food and service were both excellent. Will be back again.4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMWe have a new find in Arlington.We have a new find in Arlington. Overall every aspect of this visit was very good. the service was great and the food very good. We feel there is a great shortage of good food restaurants in the DC area and Willow is proving us wrong. We plan to return!4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was exceptional andThe food was exceptional and beautifully presented. I particularly enjoyed the flatbread appetizer and the lobster tail. The wine list was extensive and the wine we chose, two bottles of reasonably priced Pinot Noir was delicious. Our waiter, Dante, was friendly, helpful but not intrusive.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMWe celebrated my wife's birthdayWe celebrated my wife's birthday at Willow. We received a special table for two and a special "Happy Birthday" menu. The wait staff was very attentive and provided excellent recommendations on food and wine. The food was superb! I highly recommend the mussels. The filet medallions were outstanding. For dessert, we split the chocolate mousse cake, which was really good. Willow went out of their way to make it a special evening for my wife's brithday, and they succeeded. We will definitely eat there again. I highly recommend it.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMCasually elegant; friendlyCasually elegant; friendly ambience; good food. The ragout of lamb, duck duo and roasted salmon were excellent, except for one small piece of lamb that was undercooked and one piece of the duck that was over-salted. Prices for wine by the glass were very reasonable and the wines themselves very good compared to those in some other restaurants. Not very noisy, even when the restaurant filled up. Now, if the Willow were on the top floor with a view, it would be perfect!4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMWe enoyed our evening at WillowWe enoyed our evening at Willow on Sat.---not as memorable as other visits---
Food excellent as usual---thought service fair---too many people attending our table--
not sure who we were leaving our gratuity to---4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMSo Much Yumminess!!My 3 friends & I had Easter Brunch here today, and our biggest problem was deciding what to eat!!! There were so many yummy choices, but we all decided to order something different so we could share. We started with mimosas, then a bottle of Bookwalter Notebook wine, which was fabulous. We had the salmon starter, followed by "Haystack" onions, both of which were unique in their own way. For entrees, we had the cod with mushroom ravioli (we all agreed that was the best of the 4, esp b/c it was the biggest piece of fish we'd ever seen in a restaurant!), yellowfin tuna nicoise salad, poached lobster with lobster ravioli, and grilled shrimp with crunch quinoa & goat cheese cakes. I've always loved Willow, and now my friends do, too!3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMWilow's food is always excellentWilow's food is always excellent and the reason we go. Ambiance and noise are not perfect, but both are tolerable.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMThere's one more Friday fishThere's one more Friday fish fry for the season -- you should go!3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMDelicious innovative food.Delicious innovative food. Lovely atmosphere. I was recently diagnosed as having celiac disease and I thought my dining out days were over. I found out that Willow -- which has been one of my fav restaurants for years -- offers many scrumptuous gluten-free appetizers, entrees, and desserts. Our excellent server Heather even provided me a special basket of wonderful gluten-free bread!! What a delight!3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMTDinner started off with a tiny glitch in the service which was immediately corrected. Service after that was impeccable. The food was excellent Nd the bread pudding dessert was the best we have had. We love coming to Willow and recommend it to all our friends.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMBest Restaurant!!This is our favorite restaurant! The food is always spectacular and the service impeccable. Tim was awesome!!3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat place for a celebration.I have celebrated my birthday here (dinner) and the birthday of a 92 year old friend of the family (lunch). Both times were extremely pleasant. Food presentation/flavors were excellent. Yummy tomato bisque soup and great tempura crab cakes. I have also been to the bar with a friend. I love the ambiance of the restaurant The rich wall colors (dark plum and red) are lovely in daylight (don't remember noticing them at night). For both birthday celebrations, we were presented with a small glass of cookies as a treat. At lunch it was quiet enough for our 92 year old friend to hear. Would definitely recommend.3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMThe chef at Willow is brilliant,The chef at Willow is brilliant, garnishing unconventional fare with flair.3/14/2013 12:00:00 AMBest Scallops I've Ever Had!My friend and I had drinks at the bar before dinner, so were able to take advantage of the Happy Hour pricing - very reasonable and not bad wine by the glass. For dinner we each ordered a salad (mixed greens and the beet salad) and both were excellent. Then we split three appetizers which were generously portioned and more than enough to sate our hunger. The scallops were the best I've ever had, the calamari came with a wonderful crunchy salsa topping and the Australian lamb ragout was tasty and tender. The service was good, we didn't feel rushed nor neglected, and the ambiance was lively yet not overly loud. I had lunch there the previous day and had similarly good food and service. Will be back soon!3/13/2013 12:00:00 AMI enjoyed the food tremendously.I enjoyed the food tremendously. They used some unique ingrediants and the presentation was excellent. My only critique was on the ambiance because it was drafty and the noise from a large group in the adjacent dining area was a little distracting. Otherwise, this was a truly enjoyable dining experience.1/1/0001 4:00:00 PM