Willow Restaurant - ArlingtonWorth 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 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