R Bar and Grill at Hilton Arlington — Restaurant in Arlington

I ended up treating my wife, son, and me at the R Bar on Valentine's Day, during the Olympic Games, on a Wednesday. And to my surprise, the restaurant was packed. This combination of events also threw the restaurant into a frenzy as they seemed a bit short-staffed during the evening, and a few mistakes were made. But you know what? They did an awesome job addressing the issues we encountered. For us the R Bar is a special place, a hidden gem that continues to impress us each time we dine there.

That evening my wife and I each ordered the Valentine's Day Special, left completely stuffed, and below were highlights of the items we enjoyed:

Salads (Blood Orange and Spinach Salad): The cheese was soft and creamy and let us play a bit with how to mix it together with the spinach and orange dill slices. Put it all together and it was a nice blend of sweet and salty flavors.

Appetizer (Meat Lover's Pizza): This was the kiddo’s entrée which he thoroughly enjoyed and it kept him busy for the duration of our meal. We went with a full order and he spent the evening picking away at the toppings (pepperoni, bacon, ground beef). The wife and I each shared a slice, and it was good. Our only reservation was that the ground beef's seasoning was a little much for us so it wouldn't be something that we'd order for ourselves. Do ask for some shredded parmesan and BBQ sauce if that's your thing.

My Soup (Tomato Basil): The first round came out room temperature and without a spoon but was promptly corrected once the waiter was informed. Once corrected, it had an interesting smoky flavor. Ended up adding some of the shredded parmesan from the pizza and using the crust from the pizza here for some extra zing and WOW that combination turned out to be super awesome.

Her Soup (Lobster Bisque): Just like mine, hers came out room temperature and without a spoon but was promptly corrected once the waiter was informed. Once corrected, the soup had just a little bit of body to it that melted in your mouth quickly.

Her Drink (Margarita Farzia): This should be sold with a warning. Kidding, but seriously, you can barely taste the alcohol in it--but don't let that fool you because it is definitely there! It was very smooth though a little on the sweet side. If it were summer I could see us sitting outside drinking, many, many of, these to stay cool.

My entree (Duet of Lobster Tail): I loved lobster so opted for two. However, I felt a little let down compared to my wife's dish. Mine was simply mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus, and two lobsters served with butter. The mashed potatoes felt a bit bland but they perked right up with some additional salt and pepper. Likewise, the lobster by itself felt a little dry but this was quickly fixed by laying on the butter. The asparagus was perfectly juicy and had a soft crunch to it.

Her Entree (Surf & Turf): Consisted of a 6 oz. filet of beef, mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus. The presentation of it was just so much cooler than mine and after taking of a bite or two of the filet I really wish I had ordered what she had.

My Dessert (Red Velvet Cake): THIS WAS ENORMOUS. The waiter warned me by saying it would be a lot but no joke, this thing took up the half the plate. The serving was probably 3 or 4 slices piled onto the plate. Easily, 2 or 3 people could have a slice and be satisfied from this one serving. If you aren't a sweet tooth you may want to avoid this one.

Her Dessert (Red Velvet Cheesecake Swirl): A more modest serving and not as sweet as the red velvet cake. I tried to sneak in a few bites from the wife but she was very protective of it. The cute swirl on the top was...

Last weekend my husband surprised me by taking me, for the second time, to R Bar and it did not disappoint. We went out on a limb trying some items that were new and not yet added to the menu and may have ordered with our eyes that evening as we both had quite the well deserved food coma when we got home.

1st Appetizer: Jalapeno grits, scallops, and watercress. We got to admit it took a little while to figure out how to eat it--you have to mix it all together practically to bring out all the flavors.

2nd Appetizer: Mediterranean Pizza. It comes with black olives, feta cheese, tomato, oregano, capers, artichoke, and basil leaves. Friggin' delicious. We felt so fancy eating it that I kinda wanted to order some wine to go with all the gourmet food on it. If you like salty flavors on a pizza then check this one out.

His Entree: Chilean Sea Bass. This was my first time having sea bass and I realized I have been missing out! The sea bass was so white and juicy. And when you dip it in the buttery glaze that came with it, omg, so good. The sides of zucchini, squash, and onions were tasty too.

My Entree: Drunken Chicken. I allowed my husband to nibble on my chicken and we both agree it was good too. The chicken was so soft, that it was almost falling off the bone. The hicama on the plate is served so that it's almost a salad and there's quite a bit too.

My Dessert: Passion Fruit Brulee. The custard was sweet, fruity and the caramel layer on top was yummy.

His Dessert: Chili Peach Cobbler. Not the 'traditional' southern cobbler you'd imagine. The main difference here is the cobbler has a kick, either chili powder or a heap of cinnamon, and less crust / crumbs than a traditional cobbler. It was good, something different, but my husband ended up eating more of my dessert instead. :(

The service there is...

Misleading Information I recently stayed at the Hilton Arlington, Bar and Grill, and my experience was deeply disappointing. I had booked a King Bed Jr Suite, expecting a great view since I’m a Hilton Honors member. However, upon check-in, I was informed that all suites with a view were sold out. Instead, I was stuck with a view of the dirty pool and a motel across the parking lot. This seemed odd because the person checking in before me had just been upgraded to a Jr Suite and was told he had a great view.

When I politely asked about this, the front desk staff shrugged it off, saying, “It’s not guaranteed.” This dismissive response made me feel like loyalty meant nothing to them.

This was particularly disappointing because I had specifically chosen this hotel because of its promise that every Junior Suite offers a breathtaking view of the stadiums and the park. I attempted to explain my predicament to the front desk, highlighting that I had reserved that room months ago and should have received it instead of the upgrading that man’s room. However, instead of understanding my situation or providing assistance, I was met with vague responses and informed that there was nothing they could do. It felt as if they disregarded my loyalty and prioritized their own interests. I can spend my money at other...