PassionFish Reston — Restaurant in Reston

Passion Fish Restaurant: A Detailed Review for Reston Town Center Passion Fish in Reston Town Center has established itself as a prominent seafood destination, and for good reason. My recent visit allowed me to delve into several key aspects of their menu, focusing specifically on their sushi, appetizers, oysters, and the highly anticipated NY Strip Steak. Here's a detailed breakdown of my experience: Ambiance and Service: Before diving into the food, it's worth noting the restaurant's atmosphere. Passion Fish boasts an airy, bi-level space with a sophisticated yet comfortable vibe. The decor hints at its seafood focus without being overly thematic. The service throughout the evening was attentive, friendly, and efficient. Our server was knowledgeable about the menu and offered helpful recommendations. Sushi: A Highlight Passion Fish truly shines when it comes to its sushi. The dedicated sushi bar is a testament to their commitment to this art form. Freshness and Quality: The fish was exceptionally fresh, with vibrant colors and a clean taste. You could tell that they source high-quality ingredients. Creativity and Presentation: The sushi rolls we sampled were both beautiful and creative. They offered a good mix of classic rolls and more innovative combinations. The presentation was meticulous, showcasing the chef's attention to detail. Variety: The menu offered a diverse selection of nigiri, sashimi, and specialty rolls, catering to various palates. From traditional tuna and salmon to more adventurous options, there was something for everyone. Overall Impression: The sushi at Passion Fish is undoubtedly a standout. It's clear that they prioritize quality and artistry, making it a must-try for any sushi lover visiting Reston Town Center. Appetizers: Promising Beginnings The appetizer selection at Passion Fish offered a tempting array of options beyond just seafood. Variety and Flavor Profiles: We sampled a couple of appetizers, and both were well-executed. They showcased a range of flavors and textures, from light and refreshing to richer and more indulgent. Presentation: Similar to the sushi, the appetizers were thoughtfully presented, adding to the overall dining experience. Standouts (Based on general reviews): While I didn't personally try it, the "baked cheese" appetizer (described in some online reviews as a tomato and cheese sauce for dipping bread) seems to be a popular and highly recommended choice. The fries also receive positive mentions. Oysters: A Fresh Catch For oyster aficionados, Passion Fish offers a raw bar that appears to be a significant draw. Freshness and Selection: While I didn't indulge in the oysters on this particular visit, the raw bar looked impressive, suggesting a commitment to fresh, seasonal selections. Presentation: The oysters on display were well-presented, nestled on ice, indicating proper handling and care. General Reputation: Reviews often highlight the freshness and quality of their raw bar offerings, including the oysters. Value: Passion Fish leans towards the higher end in terms of pricing, which is expected for a restaurant of this caliber in Reston Town Center. The quality of the ingredients, the skillful preparation, and the overall dining experience justify the cost for a special occasion or a treat. Conclusion: Passion Fish in Reston Town Center delivers a consistently high-quality dining experience, particularly excelling in its sushi and likely its oysters. The appetizers offer a good variety and are well-executed. While the NY Strip Steak is a respectable option, the restaurant's strength undeniably lies in its fresh and creative seafood offerings. If you're looking for a sophisticated seafood meal with excellent sushi in Reston Town Center, Passion Fish is definitely...

We visit PassionFish regularly. Their food is really good. Usually, we have a good experience including service. Tonight, not so much. We sat for an extended period of time. My husband went in to speak to the host about not receiving service. Even still, I took five to seven more minutes for our wait person to arrive at our table empty handed. She proceeded to say sorry about the wait with a smile twice. I stayed that we had been waiting for quite some time. She stated, sorry, I didn’t know you were my table. When I checked her on that statement, she reiterated it. It took me two attempts to get her to realize that she was not making a sincere effort.

About a month ago, a friend of ours and his wife had reservations at PF for their anniversary. We were shocked that they sat for a very long time and received no service. They sat so long, that they left and it was apparent to at least one staff that they were unhappy. Yet, NO ONE asked.

The same happened today. Our wait person made multiple trips to her tables near us. She did not stop and ask us, a different wait person didn’t ask, a runner didn’t ask, and it appears the host didn’t have a solid service conversation with our wait person which should have happened under the circumstances.

They all blamed it on the tablet. The host didn’t tap the icon on the tablet or some something. This is likely what happened to our friends who will never return.

I’m unhappy that we did not receive a simple apology. I’ve waited my fair share of tables in my life and I quickly learned that the best way to handle mistakes is to apologize without excuse and then work to make up for the mistake to the best of my ability.

Instead, little mistakes followed that didn’t help:

My martini came without olives, so I had to wait while my drink warmed. Finally, I went to the restroom and then swung by the bar where our wait person and a manager stood and asked for olives that usually come with a martini.

The oysters came without cocktail forks, so we had to wait.

The appetizer (oysters) came out after our salad and sashimi (our entree).

I can think of many reasons why things didn’t go well tonight. However, I think what’s most apparent is the staff fails to see the value of person to person communication. Why did we not have a visit from the manager, or why did the host not bring beverages and offer to bring their colleague up to speed? Why are guests required to educate staff on the basics of customer service?

Tonight unfortunately, we felt we had to send a message, therefore, the tip was commensurate with the service. As a former wait person, that makes me sad to have to do. The service industry is demanding.

Restaurant 101: communication and initiative will go a long way. Training. Regular training, including management. Train to address failures and your guest count will improve.

There are a lot of restaurants in the area. Someone chose to...

A profoundly disappointing birthday experience at this restaurant, especially considering a decade-long history with it, tracing back to when the same owner was the chef at the Bethesda location that might have been due to a loss of loyal customers, a sentiment that now resonates with my recent visit to the Reston location. For all my previous birthdays, this restaurant had been my chosen destination, with fond memories of being served by Nora or Vincent. However, yesterday's celebration was marred by a series of service failures. When the initial interaction with the waitress was awkward; she didn't introduce herself clearly, and her name was quickly forgotten due to her inattentive demeanor. My wife's request for a coffee was met with a significant delay and the eventual delivery of a cup with spilled coffee and no sugar caddy. Also, I had to actively ask for water, as it wasn't offered. Furthermore, the waitress failed to mention any specials when taking my order, treating us as if you we were first-time patrons despite our long history. After the food arrived, her attentiveness didn't improve. A cursory check-in was followed by her disappearance, making it impossible to request something as basic as mustard. When I finally managed to get her attention, her initial response was to claim they had no mustard, only to return with a seeded variety, unsuitable for fries. The lack of birthday acknowledgment was particularly upsetting. Expecting the customary small chocolate cake and candle, I was offered nothing. Upon inquiring, I was informed that the cake needed to be ordered separately, a change in practice that was never communicated. Even after paying the bill, I attempted to offer the waitress a further tip another $20 which she grabbed so quickly and I was about to provide her with some constructive feedback, assuming she might be new. However, she defensively claimed to have worked there for five years, indicating a lack of learning from past experiences. As we were leaving, I encountered the owner and tried to explain the litany of issues. Instead of addressing my concerns, he reportedly steered the conversation towards his family, failing to offer any meaningful resolution, such as the boxed cake you left behind or an invitation to stay for coffee and cake. This experience left me feeling humiliated and unappreciated on my birthday, so much so that I left without any celebration, a first for me ever. The significant cost of the hotel, incurred with the transportation from MD close to $ 300 specifically to dine at this restaurant, only compounded my disappointment. As a result, I've decided to take my business elsewhere, viewing this negative experience as a stark...