Elaine's — Restaurant in Alexandria

Located in Old Town Alexandria, Elaine's offers a cozy ambiance and introduces you to middle eastern cuisine with a flair of European influences.

First things first, the thing always on my mind...parking! There is a little across the street that is a $10 flat rate- a convenient option. If you don't mind parallel parking and some walking, there are some 2 hour street parking zones--but this was hard to find on a friday evening. There are some 3 hour free parking zones a bit further away, that were still available.

Re: Food. I think the appetizers hit the ball out of the park. We ordered the halloumi goulash (per owner's recs), calamari, and hummus. All delicious! My friends got the koshari and I got the scallops (may not have been the best scallops I've had but the fava bean puree was the highlight and really brought the dish together). I heard the koshari was good- I had a bite, and it was good but I was glad I ordered something else. The popular dishes seem to be the halloumi goulash, steak, koshari, and branzino. My pistachio martini was interesting and different; next time, I'd like to try their espresso martini. My friends got the baklava and the phyllo- wrapped brownie, and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Service was good, our waiter was mostly attentive and would frequently check in. We did; however, flag people down for refills of water and drinks. I was a bit disappointed when we weren't notified that there would be an extra cost for additional pita bread. One of our members asked for a little more pita bread to finish off the hummus...which after looking at the receipt that I texted to myself, I noticed we were charged an extra cost. I'm not complaining of the cost, but I feel like we should've been told this.

I think it was a nice touch that the owner and the chef were making rounds and checking in with the tables. The chef was very kind/ personable; he knew exactly what we had ordered (despite plates being cleared) and notified us that they have brunch on the weekends and have seasonal menus. The owner had checked in and offered suggestions at the beginning of our dinner, and told us that she names the restaurant after her grandmother. This is probably just my subjective feeling, but I felt like she was just speaking to my tablemates with body turned toward them (it had me wondering if it was because I was the only non-caucasian member of the trio).

I had also made the reservation and asked for a nice table, away from the hustle and bustle as some coworkers and I were celebrating International Women's Day. Our table was okay, but it was right in line to the door and kind of got cold. The upstairs appeared to have a nicer ambiance with a "library" type of feel.

TLDR; cozy ambiance, good service,...

In the beautifully renovated space last occupied by Bilbo Baggins is Elaine's. The modern vibe is laid-back quiet elegance. Named after the owners grandmother Elaine...the menu is inspired by the owners early years growing up in Egypt and includes influences from around the globe.

The owners are lovely, warm and are genuinely delighted you came.

We were seated upstairs in a spacious dining room that I had a feeling was not fully decorated. If I'm incorrect in that assumption, something needs to be done.

Our server was energetic and attentive. It became clear he may have been over seated as he had us and a huge table of 8-10 people, perhaps more.

I ordered a dirty Titos Martini. It may be the best Martini I've ever had. Shaken so cold the ice crystals survived the trip upstairs and thru a couple sips. Perfectly dirty and smooth. My companion enjoyed a tasty Vino Verde.

The Meze & appetizers were a bit of a conundrum. They were priced similarly and having ordered from both sections our 5 shared choices were portion sized generally the same. This felt more Tapas to me and should just be featured and priced as such.

Highlights were the Grilled Halloumi and Egyptian Stuffed Cabbage. Disappointment was the Egyptian Pickled Veggies. Portion was too small for the price and was 80% beets and 20% unrecognizable veggies that looked and tasted like the uber flavorful beets they were pickled with.

Our entree choices were the Zucchini & Squash Mousaka. It was beautifully plated, creamy, rich and slow cooked with Grandma style flavor. The other was the Koshari. Stacked in layers this dish looked inspired and tasted delicious offering a unique combination of Ingredients. The problem here was again the portion sizes. These dishes were appetizer size in most other restaurants and were unfortunately not priced accordingly.

Elaine's is a lovely restaurant. The owners are delightful. Their intentions are good. They are so close to being fantastic. This ship can be righted. They need some guidance.

We're rooting for them. I can't wait to come back to see the...

From the moment we met Jeff and Cynthia, we knew Elaine’s was the perfect place for our wedding reception. Planning a wedding can be incredibly stressful, but Jeff, Cynthia and their team made the entire process seamless and enjoyable. They were genuinely kind, incredibly accommodating, and went above and beyond to meet every single one of our needs.

We had a very specific vision for our reception, and they listened attentively, offering helpful suggestions and working with us to create a truly personalized experience. They were so easy to communicate with, always responsive to our questions and concerns, and their warm, welcoming demeanor immediately put us at ease. It felt like we were working with friends, not just a venue.

And let's talk about the food! The chef at Elaine’s is incredible. Our guests raved about every dish, from the Halloumi Goulash (my absolute favorite appetizer) to the Braised Lamb Shoulder. The quality and presentation were exceptional! The food truly elevated our reception and left a lasting impression on everyone.

The atmosphere at Elaine’s was also perfect for our celebration. The moment my husband and I stepped into the restaurant, I was captivated. The atmosphere was precisely what I envisioned – a classic and classy elegance that resonated with me instantly. Even the Frank Sinatra playing in the background perfectly matched the vibe I wanted! The beautifully and uniquely decorated rooms created a romantic and intimate setting that our guests, and we, absolutely adored. The staff was attentive and professional, ensuring that everything ran smoothly throughout the evening.

We couldn't have asked for a more perfect wedding reception. Elaine’s exceeded all of our expectations. The kindness and dedication of the owners, the exceptional food, and the beautiful ambiance made our special day truly unforgettable. If you're looking for an intimate wedding reception venue that combines outstanding service with delicious food and a warm, inviting atmosphere, look no further than Elaine’s. We wholeheartedly...