2941 Restaurant — Restaurant in Merrifield

I recently visited on a Wednesday evening to mark a special occasion (my third visit after equally memorable summer and pre-Christmas ones). Received excellent service at a bar table from Shashira and Adreese and a warm welcome from Nikki. On my pre-Christmas visit, Adreese proved himself to be a most gracious host who explained the menu in a way that invited me to a couple of dishes I had not considered, checked on my food allergies without me asking, guided me through each course, and cheerfully left me with his wishes for the holiday. On this visit, Shashira was attentive, friendly, and conscientious of where I was in my meal.

Options are plentiful from the weekday 3-course prix fixe menu, the 5-course tasting menu with two available selections per course, and the a la carte menu. On this visit I went with completely a la carte selections and found myself delighted with each and every offering in different ways. The tuna tartare portion was wonderfully generous with the right amount of spiciness to go with the delicate tasting tuna. The lamb was another highlight with fork tender lamb (off bone in this preparation) and complemented the cheesy fresh raviolini so well. I asked for a spoon to assure I left no sauce on the plate. The halibut again showcased the delicate textures I have grown to love when eating here, and the vegetables cooked to a welcome doneness and again a sauce that brought a brightness to a great spring dish. My duck was cooked as anticipated, but the millet proved to be a surprising co-star of this dish for me. My two desserts were as smooth and inviting as any I could ask. The chocolate flavors boldly came through in a deliciously dark way, and the combination of pineapple, coconut, and key lime showcased with an “al dente” feel for the pineapple, the cold sorbet texture of coconut, and a limey flavor from the foam thankfully used unsparingly and generously. A triumph of a meal if I ever had one.

On my pre-Christmas visit, I went with a 3-course menu with additions to accommodate my appetite. The textures are consistently smooth and silky for soups (e.g., veloute) and desserts (e.g., gelee, mousse, cream) with just enough bright accents for contrasts (e.g., apple, pineapple) to cut the richness. I enjoyed the duck main course which had both confit and tornedos combining with foie gras both on top of the duck and worked into the rich sauce. I would have appreciated a little more browning of the potato side and a tad less salt on the chard, but overall I am glad I chose duck for a main. The branzino again featured a smooth saffron-infused celeriac purée with a vegetable that combines cauliflower and broccoli. I could have done with more of the caulini instead of the micro root vegetables myself. Desserts provided a most smooth finish through the pastry cream, caramel mousse, passion fruit gelee. Pastry itself was flaky and on point as one would expect at a French-American restaurant.

The food rivals most anything to be offered in Northern Virginia for marking a special occasion of any variety. The service stands out even more for me on both this and my past visit. Costs will vary depending of course on the number of courses and the type of menu selected, do value should be in the eye of the beholder. This beholder experiences value each time I visit, so I would wholeheartedly look forward to another occasion for me to enjoy what...

Took my husband here for Father's Day lunch. He loved it. We are both very particular about food in terms of quality meeting expectations based on the restaurant (and my husband cooks at home in the French style), and 2941 delivered. My husband couldn't stop raving about it. From the service (Mike Z was fantastic as our server) to the food to the cocktails, there was nothing we didn't like. I had their take on a paloma, and it was so well balanced (which I don't get from most palomas I order anywhere else, which often are too heavy on the tequila or too heavy on the grapefruit). My husband orders the Old Fashioned at any new restaurant we go to, because he assesses the quality of their cocktails and skill of their bar staff by whether or not they can make a decent OF. Well, he loved it so much he ordered a second one rather than trying a different cocktail.

My husband ordered the lamb duo and I had the ribeye. The basil potato puree was a hit (even our 6 month old couldn't get enough from his dad's plate of the puree). I had asked for the ribeye as medium well and they cooked it to a true medium well (not well done). My husband is not one for dessert, but he loved their take on the smore.

Atmosphere-wise, the restaurant felt classy without being stuffy or pretentious. We brought our baby and they had a high chair for him (my only complaint was the safety harness was broken on the high chair; we always bring a high chair cover that has its own harness for clasping it to the chair that we can convert to a safety harness in a pinch, but it's unfortunate we had to do so). Our server Mike treated our son well and acknowledged him frequently, even playing with him a little bit (which we don't mind at all as we like our son to have a lot of exposure to different people). I think this positive attitude towards our son influenced the other customers and the staff as we got many compliments and positive interactions with our baby, and people who were patient with him when the occasion called for it.

I will add however for those allergic to shellfish to double check some things. The calamari unfortunately is fried in the same oil as the tempura crab, which we forgot to ask about a little too late. Thankfully we asked right as we took the first bite so the allergic reaction was mild enough to not need immediate attention. That's not the restaurant's fault as we should have asked, but just a tip for anyone in the same boat.

Both my husband and I felt the prices accurately reflected the experience, but definitely be aware this is easily a $50+/person meal (and that's if you're only ordering 1 drink and maybe the english pea pasta entree). We easily spent with tip over $300 for a very nice meal. However, I am very glad I found 2941 and we hope to come back for a date night sometime in the...

Premiere NoVA cuisine is an Art Form! As occasional regulars at 2941 we're consistently happy with their offerings. This time around, our appetizer consisted of: the Warm Crispy Crab with ginger beurre blac, petite salad which was fantastic. The Summer Bouquet of Bibb lettuce, cherry tomato, asparagus, avocado, white balsamic vinaigrette - fresh and mouthwatering! Our main courses were the: Pan Seared Chilean Bass with tomato compote, asparagus, shaved baby zucchini for my wife, and I had the Lobster: lobster sauce, baby turnips, sugar snap peas, heirloom potato, croustillant of which I could not have words to describe how delicious it was; Friends had the 10 oz Beef Filet with smoked pearl onion, herb pomme puree, oyster mushroom, fricassee of peas... and for dessert we shared: the Blueberry Cheesecake with lavender whipped cream, shredded phyllo, lemon cream; the Coconut Mousse with raspberry jam, coconut macaroon, rosemary; and last but not least, the Peach & Strawberry-Lemonade Sorbet with fresh fruit, Madeleine. Where the ideas come from for Executive Chef Bertrand Chemel and his team is impossible to fathom, but his culinary artistry is incredible and thoroughly enjoyable. There are few restaurants in our area that can boast the elegance, taste and utmost eye for detail to wow the palate - not to mention the atmosphere that makes all your senses enjoy the complete experience! And, one cannot forget Caitlin Dysart, 2941's incredible Pastry Chef. I, for one, don't fancy myself one with a sweet tooth, but I can never pass up her incredible offerings - simply put... delish! With various visits including my recent birthday and friends 40th Anniversary, the 2941 Team has our kudos and continued patronage. We're proud to have such an incredible culinary experience and masters of the art in our backyard. From the moment you arrive, the unique rock garden, fauna and pond with incredible fish gives you a taste of what awaits you inside. Chef Bertrand Chemel's superb menu shows off his culinary artistic abilities as does the restaurant's architectural and esthetic design style. Starting at the bar, they make the perfect Martini, 'nuff said. At the table, with an incredible selection of wines and superb personal attention, without being overbearing, is terrific. Whether you select the Pheasant & Foie Rillette (which was fantastique) or Grilled Tuna Loin (to die for), you're bound to be delighted. And there is no need to even discuss dessert... WOW! All enjoyed in modernistic but romantic ambience and sophisticated flair. You almost do not want to leave. For a perfect evening for two or even a large group, I highly recommend 2941 - we will be back! And, my birthday...