Bottle Stop Wine Bar — Restaurant in Occoquan

I've been here a few times and it's a nice little local spot. However, last night was not a very pleasant experience. My brother and I stopped by for dinner and our experience was less than stellar. Everything started fine with a beer and a glass of wine for us and 3 appetizers which were very good, but that's when the attitude changed. My brother ordered the crab cake platter and I asked if I could put a hamburger patty on the grilled cheese sandwich on the menu. There appeared to be discontent with the question bur the sever went over to the service station (probably 10 feet from us) and checked the price ($8). Server came back over and I said I would take the combination. While waiting for our food I also ordered a lamb ragu to go for my wife. Noticing the shift in mood I even said something to the affect of " you seem a little annoyed ". I was then told well the chef isn't happy because he has to make two different meals and put them together for your sandwich. Okay, I wouldn't think a grilled cheese snd cheeseburger are that far off. So okay let's move on. Next trip over I asked the server what I was getting with the sandwich because the menu says fries or salad and I was told "you're getting fries " . Okay I don't mind fries, let's see how it goes. Food comes out and when I ask for ketchup I'm given it but asked "anything else" with clear disdain. So the food is great except for the fries. I've never had worse fries. The fries were a darker shade of brown and collapsed in your hand. I snapped a few in half and the center was hollow, similar to veggie straws. I had my brother taste a few fries and he even agreed they were pretty bad. So of course the server doesn't come over and ask how our food is until we're ready to go, because I'm assuming she had enough of us for the night. I tell her all of the food was great, especially the patty melt, but the fries were off. I asked what they were made of because I saw the menu had Yuka fries as well. With an attitude she says, "Potatoes". I of course pick one up and explain how poor they are. Instead of considering the fries could be off, old, wrong, etc. She jumps right to, " I watched the chef cut the potatoes by hand". Well ma'am I've worked at 4 restaurants in my lifetime and they all had fries, and I cook almost all of my families meals. So there stands a chance I have an idea what a decent french fry is. Zero accountability taken, just attitude. So of course I told her about my prior experience and she stormed off back into the kitchen. We waited another 20 minutes or so for our meal to go and I tipped just over 20% and we left.

This server from what I've heard this server has a tendency to be short tempered and a little moody. I'm not sure if this is a one off for them but that is definitely not ideal customer service.

If you throw a burger patty down as you are making a grilled cheese, how much more time or degree of difficulty can that add to the meal?

Now if substitutions or additions aren't allowed than I apologize and that should have been...

Very friendly, but horrible portions! There was no one in there but a few people sitting in the bar area together. We stopped in for a quick wine tasting. The wine flight they advertised was actually out of one of them and was only 2:00 when we came in! The bartender was very friendly and attentive and gave us the two wines for 8$ instead of 10$. We wanted a little something to snack on, so we ordered the "charcuterie plate." Again, they were out of half the items listed on the menu, so we got the proscuitto , brie, and some sort of cheddar. Well let me tell you! I wish I had taken a picture and posted it because this plate had one piece of prosciutto torn and crumbled into a pile, and the cheeses were no more than two bits each, with accompaniments consisting of two small pieces of pickled asparagus, three blueberry sized mini peppers, two thin crispbread crackers, and a little dollop of quince paste. As a culinary student and chef myself, I was appalled and wondering how the lady in the Chef's coat could actually present this with a straight face and not feel awkward! We quickly at the little that was there, finished our wine, and asked for the bill. To end this great service, the bartender charges me for the other groups tab. Considering it was only us and this other group, how do you do that? So she changed the bill and was polite about it at least, and we quickly left. If you feel like getting ripped off in a friendly manner and not being able to order most things on the menu, feel free to...

I really enjoy Bottle Stop! I've been here a couple of times before pandemic protocols were put in place. The food was absolutely delish and the service was awesome. I realized I left my credit card there when I got home. I called and they held it for me and checked my identity before releasing it to me when I came to pick it up the next day. I appreciated that!!

The last two times I've been there, I ate outside at the small bistro tables and on the couch and cocktail poufs. They offer an umbrella to block the sun, but we kept it closed and enjoyed our outdoor dining experience and attentive service. They follow good pandemic safety protocols, wear masks and require patrons to wear masks when walking about and when not eating and drinking.

Their version of spinach salad includes 'unseasoned' potato chunks and I don't particularly care for that. However, just about everything else on the menu I've tried is really good. The mac n cheese is really yummy! They also have several vegan options and alternatives for food sensitive patrons. Bring your mobile to scan the food and drink menu!! Great wine...