Shutters on King — Restaurant in Leesburg

Still working out some kinks, but the atmosphere is lovely from the start. We had the charcuterie board as a starter. The Humboldt cheese was too much, but the manchego was classically delicious. I'd go with 2 less-funky cheeses on a board that only has 2 cheeses. One of the meats was simply too salty on its own, much less to pair with a cheese. There were only three baguette pieces, which is disproportionate to how much salty meat there was. And there was no mustard or jam on the board. The pickled veggies (separate from the charcuterie) were on point ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. I ate so many, I almost turned into a pickle myself. The butternut squash soup (which was more like puree) was 🔥🔥🔥. It was such a good soup. I felt like I was eating something I'd have to come back for at least once more this fall. Very seasonal, very yummy. I did take some of the bacon crumbles from the deviled eggs, which were also yummy, and sprinkle those on a couple bites of soup. I think bacon crumbles should be an optional addition for it. My husband had the halibut, subbing the fennel for sun choke puree. The fish was cooked perfectly, but it wasn't a knock-your-socks-off dish. We asked if we could have a couple affogatos (not listed on the dessert menu) after dinner, after confirming they had both espresso and ice cream. The server returned and said he was told we couldn't "customize" desserts. So he put in 2 ice creams and 2 espressos and brought them out that way. 🤷‍♀️ We had the distinct advantage of having had an affogato at Tuskie's the night before. Theirs is currently better. Shutter's espresso was a little more watery. The vanilla ice cream was a good one, though.

The table in the side library room that we were in was a little too cozy, both in size for just the two of us and in that we were basically inches away from the couple next to us, and the room could use a rug on the floor to soften some of the noise. But I could stare at that bookshelf all day long.

The server was helpful and kind. The bartender was very backed up, though there is a plentiful...

Food and Service were excellent, however it was a chore to hear people at my own table. Maybe because I was seated next to the bar, but they pack tables pretty tight and rooms are constructed in a way where it's very open so sound doesn't have a lot of places to go. This is not a place for people that want to have a quiet dinner in a group. Maybe if they add some sound absorbing items will help out. To avoid the noise, i recommend trying off-peak times and days. maybe it was packed because it just opened and will settle down in a few months, but i have a feeling dinner time will always be loud. The 2nd floor was closed due to a private event. Perhaps that is a quieter space - especially if there are not tables next to the bar - which is typically a spot where it's loud.

For 4 people with two orders of drinks each the final bill was $330ish. Pretty expensive price point for that sort type of place where you want to hear the people at your table. Overall the menu isn't built for just coming in for a drink and appetizers and bar food. It's a menu for more fine dinning, but the atmosphere is more bar-like.

In sum, it's not a great place for a quiet dinner, but would be a fantastic place if the menu was less fine dinning and prices were lower where people could casually come in for a quick bite and not have to spend $75+ a person. They need to solve the way they want to go and what type of crowd they want to attract - if they don't i'm not sure if either type of crowd will be happy in the long run. Maybe two sets of menus - finer dinning on second floor and quieter and 1st floor is for the bar areas where people don't mind it being loud and don't want to...

Where do we start...

The ambiance? Spot on. They’ve done a beautiful job with the interior—warm lighting, a sleek bar, and a vibe that feels like Leesburg just leveled up. Unfortunately, the kitchen and service didn’t keep pace with the décor.

The menu is tiny, and the execution even smaller. My scallops entrée looked more like an appetizer—delicious, yes, but portioned like they were rationing seafood. The truffle fries? Imagine McDonald’s fries wearing a truffle costume. Tasty enough, but when you advertise truffle fries, people expect hand-cut, crispy, and indulgent—not fast food vibes with a fancy label.

Then the mahi-mahi promised a summer vegetable salad. You know, zucchini, tomatoes, asparagus—basically a farmers market in a bowl. What showed up? A mountain of plain lettuce. That’s not a summer vegetable salad—that’s your fridge saying, “Congrats, you forgot to buy groceries.” The mahi itself was thin, dry, flavorless, and gave off strong Ruby Tuesday’s 'Tuesday special’ energy.

Service was the bigger letdown. Nobody seemed happy to be there. Bartenders, servers, host—everyone wore the same blank expression. It’s a new place, so maybe they’re still finding their rhythm, but hospitality should be the first thing you nail, not the last.

Bottom line: gorgeous space, disappointing food, and uninspired service. I’ll keep an open mind and maybe give them another shot once they iron out the kinks—but for now, Black Shutters is more...