Garden Bistro at Airlie Center

Garden Bistro at Airlie Center reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

1. A

   Andy

   Washington DC2 reviews

   4.0

   Dined on September 16, 2017

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Garden Bistro is one venue for dining while staying at the Airlie and it was certainly the most convenient one in that regard when we stayed there. The service was outstanding. The Red Snapper with potato and root vegetables was excellent. The chef used flowers and herbs from the gardens at Airlie, making the dishes fresh and vibrant. Coffee and Pecan Tart went together and both made for an excellent dessert. The ambiance enabled a quiet and intimate dinner in a beautiful location. The restaurant serves wine and beer, but if you want spirits or mixed drinks afterwards you have to take a short walk over to the Whistling Swan Pub, also located at Airlie.
   

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2. KC

   KarinC

   Raleigh3 reviews

   2.0

   Dined on August 20, 2017

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 3

   Breakfast Buffet - eggs were cold. Omelette station was messy and omelettes were not done well.
   

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3. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Washington DC1 review

   5.0

   Dined on August 18, 2017

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   My wife and I celebrated our anniversary at the Garden Bistro this past weekend and were very impressed. We were there on a Friday night and it was not busy at all. Our server (Jasmine) was very attentive and described several of the items to us. The bread plate with the local jams and honey was very good. The food was outstanding. The menu was slightly different from what we had looked at on the Open Table reservation e-mail I received (so be prepared for that). As it turned out, the dish that both she and I had decided on was not available that night. However, there were other good options on the menu. I got the filet mignon and it was very large and extremely tender....I would definitely order this again! My wife and I both got desserts and they were both delicious...we were stuffed when we left. Overall, it is a very nice place with excellent food and service. We will definitely be returning.
   

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4. LZ

   LarryZ

   Washington DC8 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on April 20, 2017

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Food was out standing and very good service. One other couple in the restaurant tonight so it was refreshingly quiet.
   

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5. r

   rgrantva

   Richmond30 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on February 26, 2017

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   My husband and I had a wonderful brunch Sunday and we look forward to our next visit. We loved it. The crab cake was delicious and presentation beautiful. Not to be outdone, the Rockfish certainly held it's own - spectacular!
   

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6. p

   paulm

   Washington DC3 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on February 18, 2017

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   This is a wonderful place. In terms of food, in the area only the Inn at Little Washington is better--but I think Airlie has better views--we looked out over ornamental gardens traced with light. The building is an old. beautiful mansion amid streams and a lake. I wish it were better known. I would recommend more advertising, and a name change. The name "Garden Bistro" for me conjures up, well, bistro. It is fine dining in a stunningly beautiful setting. Call it "The Garden Restaurant" or some such
   

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7. r

   redsun33

   Washington DC153 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on December 4, 2016

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 3

   The place has potential. That said there are limited offerings. A few tweaks and additions and it could be a neighborhood gem.
   

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8. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Philadelphia4 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on October 23, 2016

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Wow! We had brunch at The Garden Bistro at Airlie. You have proven that food can be both delectable and a work of art!
   

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9. DB

   DanB VIP

   Richmond51 reviews

   4.0

   Dined on May 8, 2016

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 5

   The Airlie Center Garden Bistro is a real gem. The grounds are spectacular--it has a real "Old Southern" charm and feel to it. The pavilion is an ideal setting to view the beautiful gardens in an airy and gorgeous space. I brought my mother and my fiance and her daughters along with my son to celebrate Mother's Day with a brunch in this outstanding place. My fiance and I are so partial to Airlie, that we've decided to have our wedding performed there in June of 2017. The food was delicious and we especially love the fact that a large portion of the vegetables are grown right on the grounds, and the meats are locally sourced for top freshness and quality. It is a real treat to be able to have such a fine meal in such lovely surroundings. It is apparent, however that Airlie is still working out a few bugs in their service. It was a windy and semi-brisk day, and the food was not nearly as warm as we would have liked. The transport from kitchen to outside buffet must have cooled the food to the point that the sterno heating elements couldn't keep up. The service staff was lovely and sweet and clearly wanted to put their best foot forward. I would have to say that they're not quite where they need to be yet. I think a little more contact is needed, even though it was a buffet and effort made to keep the water glasses full. I think that the Garden Bistro is on the verge of becoming a truly exceptional dining experience once a few of the service and food logistics issues are figured out. They already have a spectacular view and facilities--just need to tweak the service a little more to be out of this world.
   

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10. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC1 review

    4.0

    Dined on May 8, 2016

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 5

    I did not care to pay $55. per person when our hot food was cold (except the egg station). Also, our server did not seem warm, she simply did her job - ask if we needed anything. Maybe because she was focused on setting up and clearing other tables. Music could have been through speakers, not the little CD player. Live soft music would have been more preferred, to me. Note: I still would like to revisits, just not in the Pavilion at $55. per person.
    

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