Trummer's Restaurant — Restaurant in Clifton

I visited early on a Saturday evening to cap the week at a place I had enjoyed a year earlier for brunch. The 19th history connections and relaxing drive into Clifton served as welcome aperitifs for the meal ahead. The bar staff and managers lending their support convey an engaging, good-natured energy and converse equally with regulars and first-timers. The first floor interior looks well arranged and maintained. (The second floor where I went before has an airy feel with plenty of natural light and adequate table spacing.) Service was responsive considering the time and day of the week, and dishes arrived mostly within expected waits.

I ordered a few dishes over the two hours I was seated: duck sliders from the tiki (bar) menu, salmon tartare, roast chicken, coconut crème brûlée and the krapfen doughnuts about which I heard among bar patrons. The sliders were a good portion and had well cooked duck that was neither dry nor gamey in taste. I did not see the pineapple salsa but rather a few dices of fruit in each sandwich which was disappointing and left the taste feeling more ordinary without a true salsa or sauce of some kind. The salmon tartare had a reasonable texture and went well with the ever-so-lightly fried blue potato chips. A certain brininess in the tartare rendered the capers redundant for my taste and left me searching for the fatty fish flavor of the salmon just a little more than what I would have ideally liked. Both appetizers were enjoyable overall. The chicken came with a nicely crisped skin and a generous portion (a half chicken complete with one part each wing, breast, thigh, drumstick). The root vegetables had a firm texture but seemed under-seasoned, perhaps needing the gravy for this purpose. The cornbread dressing appeared as a square and seemed to have a dense texture that required some pressure from my fork to break and eat. The gravy tasted to me as though it had over reduced by a minute or two, so a salty taste took over when I dipped my chicken pieces. The chicken itself remained the star of the plate with good moisture and again crispy skin with no unrendered fat. A little more color on the chicken skin would have made the plate more visually attractive from my perspective.

The crème brûlée had the right burnt sugar flavor and the jam with the biscotti had a bright apricot flavor that would have been welcome on its own. The custard had much too subtle a coconut flavor for me, as I had trouble tasting coconut as much as I had no trouble tasting apricot in the jam. The doughnuts had a similarly flavorful blueberry jam that I could have eaten with its apricot cousin and some house-made shortbread and walked away happy. The doughnuts themselves seemed to have instead of a soft, fluffy feel a dense almost cake-like texture even for this style of doughnut. The white chocolate cheesecake seemed somewhat superfluous to me, although I could see how any blueberry jam spilling out of the doughnuts could combine to make a creative accompaniment.

The total for this meal including a glass of Prosecco totaled just about $110 excluding tax and tip. On reflection I found my food to be well cooked if also somewhat straightforward in the taste and presentations. Maybe trying some other dishes might give me another experience more similar to my memorable past brunch. I could return in the future for a special occasion. ...

Expectations were high....Like many, my family and I have been eyeing this restaurant for quite some time. What was there not to look forward to? The restaurant sits in Clifton, a quaint small town and the reviews of Trummer's are mostly full of praise and stars, including flowery reviews by critics. The owner is a self-made immigrant from Austria, a country known for music, scenery, wine and excellent culinary institutions rivaling the best in the world. What could go wrong?

The building did not disappoint. It is beautiful and charming, but unfortunately it went downhill from there. I could at this point apologize for my forthcoming review, but that would be a lie.

We had reservations and were promptly seated in the main dining area. The room was very nice, but for my personal taste a bit bare, with no true identity to represent. I immediately saw the huge vent cover about 10-12 feet above the floor, which was quite dirty and full of dust.

I understand that Trummer's recently re-invented itself as a "New American Cuisine" restaurant, which I could not identify by the menu, nor the décor and so my issues began. I am not a professional reviewer, but I do have my own categories that I use when stepping out of the house and not eating a home-cooked meal. Based on the restaurants identity what do I expect (?); owner's / chef philosophy and background and training; quality, taste, preparation and complexity of food, service and of course cleanliness. The last two I include, because they also represent the attentiveness and pride of the owners to provide food and an experience that will want you to come back.

Staff: Trummer's was understaffed for the amount of people in the restaurant. This was clear by the lack of attentiveness, the amount of time it took to receive even the smallest dishes such as bread or refills of water and wine. One waitress was dressed like she could work in a bar, another at point ignored me when I signaled him. He was attempting to satisfy three tables at the time, so I knew that he was overwhelmed. However, the bus boy attempted to pick up the slack and went out of his way to assist patrons without guidance. I found that impressive and recommend he'd be trained and promoted to waiter.

Food: Appetizers were merely morsels, the food in this case (Salmon, Korean Short Ribs & Children's Burger) were extremely small portions, dry or over seasoned, the bread loaf cut lazily into four big chunks and neither by look or taste could identify certain ingredients promised in the dishes. The best of the meals provided were unfortunately only the fries cooked in duck fat.

In conclusion, the meals did not live up to expectations, the service extremely underwhelming and the experience as a whole embarrassed me, because I promised my family something special. Shame on me for that. Trummer's issues don't lie with the staff, but ownership and management and while I do not understand where all those raving reviews came from, I do understand that Mr. Trummer is selling something that he cannot deliver. A trained Austrian chef or individual working in related culinary arts would not knowingly serve the food provided and would take pride in his profession. We had better in mom-pop establishments and I assess that this restaurant would not make it...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Trummer's Restaurant in Centreville, Virginia, and I must say that it was an outstanding culinary experience. From the moment I stepped through the door, I was greeted by a warm and friendly staff, creating a welcoming atmosphere that set the tone for an exceptional dining experience.

The staff at Trummer's Restaurant deserves special mention for their professionalism and attentiveness. From the host to the servers, everyone was knowledgeable about the menu, attentive to our needs, and went above and beyond to ensure our dining experience was nothing short of excellent. Their friendly and personable nature added a personal touch to the overall experience, making us feel like valued guests.

Now, let's talk about the food at Trummer's Restaurant - it was truly delicious. The menu showcased a variety of creative and thoughtfully crafted dishes, each one bursting with flavor and made with the finest ingredients. From the appetizers to the desserts, every dish was a delightful combination of textures and tastes, showcasing the culinary expertise of the chefs. The presentation of each plate was also impeccable, with careful attention paid to detail.

One standout dish that left a lasting impression was the pasta, which was an explosion of flavors on the palate. The blend of ingredients was perfectly balanced, creating a harmonious and memorable taste. The quality and freshness of the ingredients were evident in every bite, demonstrating the restaurant's commitment to delivering an exceptional dining experience.

Furthermore, Trummer's Restaurant boasts an inviting and elegant ambiance. The interior design is tasteful and sophisticated, providing a comfortable and relaxed setting for a memorable meal. The attention to detail in the decor, lighting, and overall atmosphere adds to the overall dining experience, making it a perfect place for a special occasion or a memorable night out.

Additionally, the drink menu at Trummer's Restaurant offers a diverse selection of wines, cocktails, and other beverages, complementing the flavors of the dishes perfectly. The knowledgeable staff is always ready to provide recommendations and guide guests through the extensive drink menu to enhance their dining experience.

In conclusion, Trummer's Restaurant in Centreville, Virginia, is an exceptional culinary destination. The combination of a friendly and attentive staff, delicious and thoughtfully crafted dishes, and a charming ambiance creates an unforgettable dining experience. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply looking for a memorable meal, Trummer's Restaurant is the perfect choice. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who appreciates great food and...