Lyon Hall — Restaurant in Arlington

I'm confused by this restaurant. The menu is upscale but not too fancy, the pricing matches that, the ambiance does not. It's like they are trying to cheapen the experience at every corner. The waiters wear jeans and can't pronounce the names of the dishes. There are large TVs that you cannot escape and our table for 2 was immediately crowded with a total of 6 separate menus. 2 wine books, 2 main menus, 1 list of specials, and finally a dessert menu (brought out before we had even ordered.) If there had been a happy hour going on we would have needed another place setting just for the menus. The waiter also didn't even put in our first course until we decided on our entire meal. I think this was probably because of restaurant week and how the deal is set up in the pos but it was annoying.

The building is accessible, but I'd caution fellow disabled patrons that it's clearly not a priority. I can't use stairs, but I was looked at like I had 6 heads when I tried to use the elevator to visit the restroom. Bafflingly, they are storing a spare table in the elevator (making it too cramped for a power wheelchair user to enter) and in the basement the elevator practically opens into the kitchen, a crowded narrow passage of an expo window leads to the restroom. The sink in the restroom is also set up in such a way that if a woman and a man need to wash their hands at the same time they will be forced to either stare deeply into one another's eyes or awkwardly become very interested in their own hands.

The food was delightful. The escargot was classically prepared but the addition of pistachio was really nice. Tuna tartare was well balanced. And the butter served with the bread was good quality; I wouldn't be surprised if they make it in house. I had the crab "crusted" halibut for my entree. The omission of an item I'm allergic to was easy. It was delicious but the topping was completely soft so I don't know who named it that. My partner noted some of their asparagus was a bit undercooked but still tasty. And the dessert was also enjoyable. Thanks to the restaurant week menu we had two desserts, a chocolate creme and a bread pudding. Both were quite sweet, I like sweet so I enjoyed them.

The experience was VERY casual. Overall, I don't think I will be back. But if you want good food, are willing to pay for it, and are an unfussy person this could be the...

Lyon's Hall is a pinnacle of Brunch meets breakfast with the right amount of Steak Frites. This establishment gives a 1950's retro-vibe, while meeting the needs of the young and in sync crowds of Clarendon. From down the street you can see the blue sign in the distance, it provides a welcoming yet historic energy. From the the German pub feel with streamlined French bistro décor, this restaurant is both welcoming for families and single socialites. When I first stepped through the door I was greeted by a hostess with bright blue eyes and a smile that gives you a feeling of positive work culture. The hostess gives you the option to be seated, or you can mosey on over to the bar. The reserved spots have clear "Reserved" signs, so you don't have to guess where you can, and cannot sit based on the day or night. Once seated order Lyons signature Manmosa mixed with 1/2 Tito's vodka, 1/4 pineapple juice, 1/4 sprite and crushed mint leaves (No it's not a mojito, there's lychee in those, but this one is vodka and premium flavor).

After you've ordered your drink to start your laissez faire of the food menu, I recommend ordering the French Onion Soup as a starter, follow this delicious soup with a shot of chilled bourbon, and move onto the Roasted Red and Golden Beats. Trust this gastronomical combo, the chilled Bourbon will act as a pallet cleanser, and then the beats and flavor of citrusy balsamic vinegar will set your foodie mood just right. Take a few minutes and let the citrus settle in.....because when you switch back to the bubbly of your Manmosa or other assorted cocktail of the hour, the mood will be set right for the main course.

The main course should be none other than the Fillet Mignon coupled with spinach, hollandaise, croissant, and nice I salad garnish. The dish is light, worth the price, beautifully set, and makes the entire Lyons Hall experience hit just right. If you're in the area on a Sunday, this spot is truly an Arlington Capitol...

Considering that I wasn’t even able to try the food. My neighborhood restaurant, Lyon Hall, gets a 1 star from me.

Explanation:

My two friends and I approach the hostess 5 minutes before our outdoor reservation slot at 7.30, the hostess walks us ALL the way towards the back where we are seated at a dark table with NO heat lamp or surrounding heat lamps. We kindly ask the hostess if they are able to roll over a heat lamp to our table and the hostess goes back into the restaurant to find out if that is acceptable. They later come out with seat covers and responds by telling us that there are no more available heat lamps at the moment and that under VA restaurant rules/regulations that they are restricted from moving heat lamps around(along with whatever other BS they have to say). Note: It was 7.30 on a windy day in March with temperatures in the mid-40’s.

SO, We look around to find another EMPTY table towards the front surrounded by other heat-lamps and suggest that we be seated at that table. The hostess then responds by telling us that the EMPTY table has already been reserved...mind you that we ALSO had an outdoor reservation and arrived EARLY for ours. After being denied a resolution a second time we stood around trying to make another plan for the night as this one was ruined. While standing around for another 5 minutes to check open-table for other neighboring restaurants, the EMPTY table still stood EMPTY and we were NOT given any other explanation and simply forced to turn away from eating at this establishment.

All this to say that we were very disappointed in the service and felt nothing more than discriminated against for not being seated WITH a reservation at a well lit and warm table that wasn’t in the far back of the street outdoors. We are three beautiful brown women who will NOT be retuning to this establishment. I will happily take my...