The Salt Line — Restaurant in Washington

Our niece brought us here for some afternoon cocktails and snacks.

ATMOSPHERE: Located right across the street from the Nationals Park and next to the Anacostia River, Salt Line has a big outdoor bar and seating area where we sat regardless of the scorching heatwave. Views of the river were second to none. Indoor seating wasn't available yet as we got there at opening time (around 3pm).

MENU: Soup, seafood apps & entrees, salads, pasta, steak, sandwiches, selection of oysters.

Daily happy hour is 3:00-6:00pm (Nationals home game days excluded) on beer, wine, draft cocktails and oysters only.

BEVERAGE: I was wanting to try the frozen shandy drinks but they weren't part of happy hour and I wasn't about to pay $13 for a drink!? Instead, I enjoyed some house pinot grigio for $5.00/glass at happy hour pricing.

FOOD: Cocktail Shrimp - $12.00, 3 pcs. My spouse's dish. While the shrimp were crunchy, they weren't cold enough like how cocktails should be. And at $4 a pop for medium-size, extremely overpriced. Had I seen the price, I would've pointed it out! LOL.

Fried Clam Bellies - $16.00 Pricey for the portion size received. The pieces were coated in a tasty, medium-thick batter, not overly oily, and came with tartar sauce for dipping.

Fries - $8.00 These were a little better on the portion-to-price ratio but still high for just fries. The thick-cut shoestrings were cooked well and came with tartar and ketchup for dipping.

SERVICE: They were still setting up the outdoor bar when we arrived, so my spouse inquired with the gal there if they were open. I'm not sure of what the conversation was but she let us in. The place slowly filled up as the afternoon progressed. We were assisted not only by her but two other bartenders, all helpful and friendly.

OVERALL: Very chill ambiance outdoors (add a star), but the stiff pricing is a deal...

Was able to grab a reservation for a high top outside on New Years Day. The weather was rainy, but parking was ample (never heard of last time I was in that area). There were several high tops tables around gas heated lamps and a partial tent. Closed to the backside and open towards the bar area. We were far enough away from neighbors and everyone was masked up when moving around. The service was really, let's say.... excellent. Our server was not pushy and super informative.

The TSL Toddy. Exactly what the doctor ordered. Bourbon, Tawny port, Farm Honey, Lemon (you know in case you have a non COVID cold - weird, but that still exists lol), and Gingersnap bitters. It was delicious, and the best tasting medicine I'd had all year. Okay, okay, so it's day one of the year. $13. I had two, and was not driving. Not heavy on the alcohol front, so like medicinal like and more soothing!

Started with some roasted Honeynut Squash that had a little kick to it. Spicy walnuts, goat cheese, and fried sage. Tasty portion. Squash cooked perfectly. Just had to scrape it out of its skin.

I was a lot less impressed with the lobster roll. I expected more (maybe it's the summertime me), but the hotdog bun was basic, and the meat looked previously frozen. Sort of a bit of shrinkage from the cold water (insert joke here). Not full and plump like I expect from the northeast. Came with a side salad or fries. I had salad.

Was great to be about to bring my dog, had her in her puffy jacket and she sat on my lap. The server even brought a second heater over to our table and shared with us a special batch shot they were making. Very kind sir he was. I would come...

Last night during a snowstorm with nobody on the road I went to eat at Salt Line. I wasn't acknowledged for 10 minutes while the caucasian female bartende serviced the same group of 3 caucasian patrons for the 19 minutes I sat there awaiting a menu or a simple acknowledgement. So happens another African American who was a female sitting next to me said to me " I know I fel it." I said to her I thought it was me but she is discriminating. I had to ask for a menu, water, just basic customer service. Once the white bartender acknowledged my presence she asked me "if there was a problem" she had the air of white entitlement and clearly was uncomfortable servicing an African American because she was so polite to the group of 3 white people sitting to my left. Places like Salt Line in Navy Yarf are dangerous for minorities to patronize because it reminds you of when we couldn't use water fountains or get a soda st the lunch counter. Unfortunately this bartenders parents lacked the ability to raise a productive citizen in society. The employees energy can cause problems fir patrons that we aren't looking for. If I could give this establishment a ZERO RATING I WOULD. Im aware it's hard to find talent these days to employ but clearly the GENERAL MANAzGER has created a disturbing racial bias energy towards black people. Sad you have to deal with these type of people in 2025. Hopefully this location closes its doors and is replaced with a staff that treats people like people and doesn't treat or nit service them because...