Clyde's at Mark Center — Restaurant in Alexandria

I came here with a friend yesterday on 11/23 (Saturday) & we got sat at 5:30 PM and we’re baffled by the type of service we received by both the SERVER and the MANAGER!!! Our server KENNEDY (slim brown skin girl) first of all never even introduced herself by name she just jumped straight to what can I get for yall? Which we didn’t have a problem with since this a pretty casual place and we were polite with her but me & my friend are both in the service industry and we know how all of this is supposed to go. I know how well Clyde’s training programs are cuz I used to be part of Clyde’s & it’s crazy how downhill the service quality & standards went down! They really out here hiring just about ANYBODY and it’s SAD. Must be desperate cuz do they not still offer those 3-5 days of training classes in person in the Georgetown location with Allison before hiring people? Old Ebitt or the Hamilton would never. SHE NEVER EVEN ID’D US FOR DRINKS & now that’s rule 101 everyone knows this. & when she didn’t hear my friend’s lemon drop order but only brought the 2 shots we asked for she tried to put it back on us saying “you didn’t even say that” instead of just finessing it and saying “I’ll go and get that started right away my apologies for the miscommunication”. I could also tell she didn’t put our calamari order right away cuz why did it take 25 minutes for that? & she never came back for 30 min after dropping off the first shots to take more orders or to see if we needed anything? Like why she abandon her customers like that & when I look near the service station she always standing there laughing and talking to other servers. When I kept looking at her that’s when she FINALLY came back to say “ I see you looking did you want something?” Obviously I do & I shouldn’t even have to keep breaking my neck to call my server. We ordered more food & ordered 2 ESPOLON REP SHOTS. NOT DON JULIO. ESPOLON. So How exactly do you hear Don Julio when someone says Espolon? But this isn’t the first time she’s misheard or not heard anything at all from us so at this point we’re a little heated but still keeping it classy. She decided for us what she wanted us to drink and thats disrespectful and it’s not even about the price as it’s only $3-4 more for that shot but it's the principle. I’m entitled to receive what I asked. So we asked her to change the bill to the espolon cuz didn’t nobody order no Don Julio ever. She played in our face all night & not to mention how I asked for a dessert menu & I had to keep reminding her for her to finally bring it to me like lord can I just get what I asked the first time I asked for it & actually get exactly what I asked for? Jesus. & now the best part was how the manager decided to approach us & come play in our face too since we’re young & a little tipsy & also people of color as well. The white manager (a mid age lady w dirty blonde ponytail & I think she had glasses on) decided to greet us & say “the server is certain she repeated the order back to you, but we fixed the check for you anyway” she might as well just say since you insist on saving $7-8 by lying here’s your lil $7-8 that you wanna save so bad as if 2 of us didn’t just spend over $150+????? It took everything in me to keep it classy and quiet and just walk out because what kind of management is this and where did you even find her? I’m telling you Clyde’s has officially set their bar in hell and they’re absolutely beyond desperate to have hired a sorry excuse of a “manager” like that. Like I said, old ebbitt & the Hamilton would NEVER! I will be finding the manager’s name & will file a complaint through corporate cuz I’m extremely offended & she could’ve easily finessed this & articulated her words better instead of making it clear as day what she thinks of people of color like us & just disrespected us straight to our face. The “manager” definitely felt entitled to treat us like whatever and it was 100% discrimination. I wouldn’t wish this type of experience on anybody. Clyde’s is definitely failing their sister restaurants...

Update 12.11.24: Raymond is a fantastic bartender! He is quick, great recommendations, patient, and friendly! He is an incredible asset to the team. Meatloaf was fantastic and oysters great as always, cant wait to be back to see Raymond!

Update: I came back to bring a couple friends for dinner and Jeremiah was an excellent host, and Justin was a wonderful server. This time we got fast and professional table service and Justin seemed knowledgeable about providing a fine dinning experience. Our food arrived quickly and our drinks were delicious, I am still unimpressed with the flavor and quality of the food items but maybe that will change, I really enjoyed the food quality at other Clydes locations. Hoping Mark Center Clydes can catch up.

I came to this location because it is local to me, its in a unique area away from any other restaurant or bar which really caught my attention. I always love the energy and decor of other Clydes locations and this one was fine looking as well. The hostess greeted me with a big smile and directed me to the bar area. The bartenders were welcoming and friendly but the SERVICE IS EXCEPTIONALLY SLOW considering the bar was not even half full. I think the bartenders were attentive but the bar-backs could have done more to provide water and check on dishes that could be bussed. The cocktails are good but not sure if they are $15 worth, the clam chowder was phenomenal as always, I wanted the cod fish and potatoes entree as well but since service was so slow and no one came to check on me, I decided to leave instead. The tab was pricey but that is what you expect for an upscale restaurant.

UPDATE: Back again for some more slow service, expensive and tasteless food, very disappointed in this location. Not sure what...

The review that Sharon Brown recently left is highly inaccurate!! I was there enjoying my food and a few drinks when she comes in approaches the bar and demands they put on the inauguration, the bartender explained that by policy they're not allowed to show political stuff on TV. Sharon began getting agitated so the bartender decided to change the channel to please this customer. A few minutes later I hear the manager speaking to the bartender telling her again they are not allowed to show Politics on their TVS, after which the bartender switched it back to sports Sharon immediately became agitated again complained about the fact she made a phone call and somebody told her it would be on TV. As for the child being at the bar area the child was off by himself entertaining himself not bothering any patrons or customers I was also there when Sharon misgendered the bartender multiple times after being corrected each time. By this time Sharon was NOT getting her way. So she let everybody know in the bar area how agitated she was, she grabbed her things and with a smart remark said keep an eye on your Google reviews and left the business. The atmosphere was so much better after her and her party left. The food was great the service was amazing I've never had any issues at this restaurant or with any employees. I am a regular patreon of this establishment.

For Sharon to go out of her way and bring up a child out of pure spite in a Google review is highly inappropriate and disgusting. Sometimes in life people have a curveball once in awhile and may have to bring their child to work due to unforeseen circumstances for Sharon to make a public note of this because she did not get her way at this establishment is very disgusting and...