Restaurants near John Ewald Park

Four of us met to celebrate a retirement at Ada's and the evening couldn't have been more perfect. We were greeted warmly, and the hostess accommodated our request for a comfortable table where the noise level wouldn't be overwhelming for my 90 YO mother. We were seated at a booth with a gorgeous view of the river, where the noise level was lively but not too much. Our server was friendly and professional, just the right amount of attentive. I had taken a fall on the ice leaving my home, and he kindly had a bag of ice sealed in a take-home bag for me to keep on my injured knee. So off to a great start, and everything just got better from there. The food was delicious. We had the swordfish, crab-stuffed trout, large crab cake with carrots and sweet potatoes as sides. We shared a soufflé for dessert--it was large enough for the four of us. All the portions were generous--two of us ate our fill and left with enough for dinner the next day. I've been to Ada's many times and my guests, none of whom had been before, now have it on their list of Old Town favorites.

My husband and I were there to celebrate his birthday. This was not our first time here, however this time we got to sit inside! The food and our server were amazing and she even surprised my husband with a dessert. This is a restaurant we’ll definitely continue coming to.

We were seated upstairs for a quiet dinner to celebrate a special anniversary. Our server, Syreeta, was excellent at answering our questions and meeting our needs. The food was reminiscent of a fine French cuisine…. Delicious.

Once again, Ruthie's All-Day made a terrific impression on our out-of-town guests - who wish they had a similar restaurant in their own neighborhood. Our group of four sampled regular menu favorites (smoked duck, roast chicken, healthy grain salad with grilled salmon) as well as one of the daily specials - grilled rockfish. We encouraged our guests to save room for dessert, and they enjoyed the campfire cookies, in-house ice cream and butterscotch pudding. Our friends now wish they lived in South Arlington!

My team and I ended our team-building off-site day at Matt and Tony’s, and it turned out to be an excellent choice. The experience was stellar from start to finish. The ambiance was inviting and well-suited for both casual dining and special occasions. The staff were incredibly accommodating, seating us promptly and ensuring our orders were taken and served quickly. Our group of seven was pleasantly surprised when all the dishes arrived together—and in record time! Everyone in our party loved their meals and drinks. We dined in the middle of the day, and the steady flow of customers reassured us that we had chosen a great spot. The portions were generous, the prices were reasonable, and the quality of the food exceeded our expectations. Several of my colleagues had the steak, and some went so far as to say it was the best steak they’d ever had. Our server was attentive throughout the meal, and I made a point to thank the manager on our way out. I appreciated how accommodating they were when I called earlier to adjust our reservation time. Despite arriving early, they welcomed us without hesitation, which set the tone for the rest of our experience. I would definitely return to Matt and Tony’s with friends, family, or for a personal event. This restaurant is a true gem in Alexandria, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️