Courthaus Social — Restaurant in Virginia

This review is a bit late, as the experience that motivated me to finally write a review for this place happened around a month ago when they were hosting a special summer event.

First thing's first: I really like this place and if I wasn't trying to do better about eating out too much, then I would definitely come here more often. The food is great - everything that I've tried here has tasted absolutely delicious, and for the most part, the portions you get for the price are pretty spot on, if not generous, for the area! However, there's been a few times we've come during the weeknights and my girlfriend has tried ordering a frozen drink only to be told that it's not available for one reason or another.

Now, what actually motivated me to write this review was our server Jordan. In the past when we've come, the staff have always been nice, and the service has been fine, but it's a little more hit or miss with some people in terms of how well they know the menu and how often they come check up on you. But Jordan.... oh Jordan... Have you ever worked in an environment and people just naturally gravitate towards a specific person, just because they're so good at what they do? That's the feeling I got, not just in terms of how well he took care of us, but also in just observing how the other staff members responded to him.

As mentioned above, the day we went was a special day, because they were doing a special summer happy hour where they brought in a bunch of different beers, had a live performer, and also had special mixed drinks with Maker's Mark, which in itself is another plus in my book. But as such, the place was starting to get packed and it'd be easy to forgive Jordan if the level of service dropped a bit. Well, it'd be easy if it actually happened. From the very beginning, the level of service we received was impeccable. He offered us tastings of the special beers (as well as making some very good recommendations), but was also on point in keeping us informed about our food. I forget the exact item I ordered at this point, but while the rest of the food had already come out, this one item had not, and before I could ask Jordan about it the next time he swung back around, he already gave me an updated status about it as he approached our table. It sounds like it's not a big deal, but just the attention to detail in our order, and the follow up to make sure we knew things hadn't been forgotten was a refreshing feeling.

Also, I (believe) the owner or manager is very active, which is great! He usually will stop by the tables asking how everyone is enjoying the food or if anybody needs anything, as well as make small chit chat/jokes, which is very nice.

Overall, if you're in the Courthouse Plaza area, Courthaus Social is definitely a very good place to grab a bite to eat, a drink, and/or chill...

My recent excursion to Courthaus Social in Arlington unfolded as a dining experience marked by a confluence of disappointments, ranging from subpar culinary offerings to concerns about cleanliness. Situated in the lively neighborhood of Arlington, Courthaus Social positions itself as a venue for social gatherings, but my visit raised questions about the fulfillment of these promises.

Commencing with the culinary aspect, the food at Courthaus Social left much to be desired. Despite an ambitious menu, the execution of the dishes fell into the realm of below-average. The flavors lacked the depth and finesse that one might expect from a venue that positions itself as a social hub. The discrepancy between the menu's promises and the actual delivery on the plate created a sense of culinary letdown.

Adding to the sense of disappointment was the pricing, which leaned toward the expensive side. The cost of the dining experience, when juxtaposed with the perceived quality of the food, raised concerns about the value proposition for patrons. A premium pricing structure is justifiable when it aligns with an exceptional dining experience, but in this instance, it seemed disconnected from the culinary reality.

The dining environment also presented challenges, with tables that, regrettably, exhibited a sticky quality. This aspect contributed to a less-than-ideal dining ambiance, detracting from the comfort and overall satisfaction of the patrons. The cleanliness of the tables left room for improvement, and addressing this aspect would be instrumental in enhancing the overall dining experience.

A significant drawback emerged when considering the state of the restroom facilities. Cleanliness in this area is paramount for a satisfactory dining experience, and the conditions I encountered were far from acceptable. The unclean toilets were a notable hygiene concern and contributed substantially to a sense of discomfort and displeasure.

On a more positive note, the service at Courthaus Social was generally courteous and attentive. The staff's efforts to accommodate requests and provide a pleasant interaction added a layer of positivity to an otherwise disappointing dining experience.

In conclusion, Courthaus Social in Arlington, despite its aspirations as a social hub, fell short of expectations on various fronts. From below-average food and high pricing to concerns about cleanliness and sticky tables, the visit presented an array of challenges. Addressing these issues comprehensively would be crucial for Courthaus Social to live up to its potential and offer a truly enjoyable and satisfying social dining experience for...

Don’t let the size of this restaurant fool you, I highly do not recommend making reservations for large parties! I made a reservation with Courthaus Social two weeks in advance to celebrate a special occasion, and we were essentially forced to leave. I made the reservation in person to make sure it was secured, and I called 3-4 days in advance to edit the number of people. I was always assured that this reservation was good and the staff were friendly. The day before, I called to make one final adjustment and I was told that no reservations were allowed due to an event. I was never told that there was going to be an event. They recognized their mistake for allowing me to make and edit the reservation, but the manager was clearly unhappy to have us and made that clear through the phone as we were told we wouldn’t get our table if we didn’t all arrive on time. We abided by their rules and all arrived on time. The waiters took our drink orders and then waited until we received the drinks to tell us we could not order food in the next 30 minutes. We were understanding that they were busy, so we waited. After 30 minutes, we were told that it will be another hour before they can take our order but hinted that we cannot get food at all. I never experienced something like this, and we should’ve been told the moment we arrived, but I guess they wanted to make sure we ordered drinks and spent some money with them. They had a two week notice that a party of 10-12 people were going. Like any restaurant, they should have planned to have enough food for us if they were accepting our reservation request. This was also after the Marine Corps Marathon, which we were celebrating, so all restaurants were full and our marathoner was too fatigued to travel far for food. Luckily, Four Courts did a last-minute accommodation for us, despite being just as busy as Courthaus Social. The service there was friendly and fast, despite us not having a reservation for a large party. I hate to leave bad reviews, but this was genuinely one of the most shockingly bad experiences I’ve had with...