| Address | 2800 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Mon-Thur, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Sat, 10 a.m.-11 p.m, Sun, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. |
| Phone | (703) 778-7788 |
| Fax | (703) 778-8888 |
| Website | http://www.harrystaproom.com |
A really great dining experience. Went to Harry's Taproom before a show at the Kennedy Center so we were there before the Saturday night dinner crowds. The service was quick and attentive and the wine list was impressive, although they were out of our first choice selection. All were very happy with our meals (ahi tuna tempura rolls and twin filets) but the hit of the meal was the vanilla dressing on the endive salad - incredible! and the mouth watering mushrooms, squash and asapragus that we chose for the veggie sampler.
Good solid American food. Interesting people watching in the heart of the nouveau riche Clarendon.
Half hipster lounge, half avant garde chophouse, Harry's Tap Room is clearly where all the pretty people in Arlington flock to see and be seen. The wide open cocktail bar features comfy sofas and a roaring fireplace sure to draw singles on the prowl, while dinner patrons are welcome to knock back any of their wide selection of specialty beers in the either the downstairs casual set or the more formal upstairs dining room. It took a while for our waiter to materialize, but he worked his way back into our good graces by bribing us with the twin delights that were the homemade jalapeno (spicetacular, I tell you) and orange-infused rolls. A baked brie was equally enticing and played nicely with both the butter-rich muffins and the seedless grapes that adorned this platter. Simplicity carried the day again when our entrees arrived, as the missus was decidely underwhlemed by a sirloin tip special -- she loved the fresh goat cheese but said an apple-walnut blend drizzle killed the whole meal -- while I was floored by the plump oysters and intoxicating cajun remoulade gracing my $9 Oyster PoBoy.
Washingtonian Magazine said this place consistently serves the best burger in the area. HA!!! Here's the text of my e-mail to the food editor:
The “Where to Find a Great Hamburger” article (July ’04 Washingtonian) merits a public apology. I know of three different people (including me) who visited Harry’s Tap Room [on different occasions] in reliance on that article to sample what Mr. Shoffner characterizes as “the burger that sets the local benchmark.” Each was overcooked, dry and relatively tasteless—except for the exterior charring. We all found Harry’s service to be lacking as well. It’s difficult to imagine more dissimilarity from the author’s description and ostensibly numerous experiences. I’d suggest visits to Firefly, Palena and Colorado Kitchen—none of which warranted a mention, apparently—to experience truly well-executed examples of the “high-end” burgers Mr. Shoffner seems to prefer. Shame on him and on Washingtonian Magazine!
Even though we were there, well really in between lunch and dinner, and the place was not that busy, the food takes a while to emerge from the kitchen. Our waitress was aware and accomodated us with a bread basket of their mini-baked-on-premise muffins. Have noticed the length of time between ordering and eating on previous visits. Not a big problem unless your pressed for time.
Worth noting excellent wine selection at fair prices.
I had only great things to say about Harry's Tap Room until last week when I went to indulge in the brunch that I recommend to everyone. I can't help but order the Steak Benedict every time I go. It includes all of my favorites: soft breakfast potatoes, plump English muffins, perfectly poached eggs and tender filet mignon. I ordered the steak medium rare and was told that they tend to undercook, which was perfect to me. After feasting on the buttery scone-like mini muffins, we were presented with our meals. My knife didn't slide through the filet this time - it was very well done. I sent it back even though it pained me to do so, because it meant sipping water while the smell of my friends' food wafted over. It was cooked correctly the second time and I accepted it although the sauce wasn't on the side as I had requested. I thought there would be an apology, or free coffee as some sort of compensation, but there was nothing. I told my waitress it wasn't her fault and she responded, "I know." It summed up the place that day. It was like they had told me 'We don't need to treat you that well, we know you'll come back anyway.'
Nice atmosphere and beautiful dining room (upstairs). Our waiter was great. I ordered a tuna burger medium rare and it came out mostly raw. Everyone else's meals were great though.
I made a reservation and our name was not on the list. This was very disappointing to me because our reservation was for a very busy graduation weekend. Also, we ordered a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice for $7 which I thought was absolutely absurd. Of course we were not aware of the price until the bill came and because it was supposedly a double order, it was double the price of a regular glass. The glass was of a typical size and no drink that does not contain alchol should ever cost $7.
I do like the choice of eggs benedict though.
The service was generally quite good. The only difficulties were towards the end when we were a little rushed to free the table for the next wave of diners. The worst thing was that the server took away one of our tablemate's plate before he was completely finished with his meal.
Has a great variety of beers and ales.
It was windy when we were there and the doors to the outside seating kept coming opened and no one seemed to know how to keep them closed- so if it is windy you don't want to sit near the doors.
We love sitting at the bar at Harry's and having drinks or a meal. All three rooms--the bar area, the lower level dining room, and upstairs are absolutely lovely in a elegant non-hokey mid century way. Brunch is the best--especially the benedicts and the bananas foster waffles. Although the beef for the hamburgers and the beef wellington is supposed to be "Virginia kobe" I find it strangely tasteless. Great prices on small plates during happy hour. All in all a great addition to the neighborhood.
The food at Harry's is pretty good but considering it's right across the street from the Cheesecake Factory, I'd probably choose the Factory every time from now on. At Harry's the caesar salad is a good bet, along with the beef Wellington and the twin filet mignon. But steer clear of the baked halibut which costs the same as fine dining in DC but lacks any real taste or flavor.
I live close by to Harry's which is part of the reason we go there so often. Is the food fantastic...no. But it is convient, has a great wine list, fun people watching. we usually just sit at the bar to eat because every time we sit at a table the servers are terrible. Friends of ours have said the same about the service. Stick with the basics--not the tempura tuna! The fillet salad is the best thing I have eaten there along with the crab cakes.
The best place in Northern Virginia for breakfast or brunch. We have been here now six times and are never disappointed.
In this day of impersonal, unfriendly service, its refreshing to find a restaurant that's ready to bend over backwards to take care of your every need -- especially when it's a special occassion. First, try booking a birthday dinner for 12 when the birthday falls on Friday. I spent the best part of a week giving myself a headache as I tried to find a good place to accomodate our party. Finally, I called Harry's. Unlike so many of the restaurants I called, who simply didn't want to be bothered, Harry's found a way to accomodate us. But for the gentleman who handled my call, this wasn't an effort to "squeze us in somewhere." He was genuinely happy to have us.
When we arrived, we managed to enjoy a drink in the lounge amidst the Friday crowd. When the time came for our reservation, we were seated promptly. Our waitress, Tristan, proved to be a pro -- she knew her stuff, she was friendly and helpful. Traits that are all too unusual in today's restaurant world.
The food was solid, and despite the fact that Harry's is a steakhouse, our two vegetarians (including the guest of honor) found something tasty for dinner.
All in all, Harry gets two thumbs up, with a gold star for friendliness, willingness to bend over backwards, and a commitment to making even the mostly complicated party a simple, smashing success.
I've been to Harry's twice over several months and both times the food was quite good, but the service was just passable. I'm not sure whether the servers are too busy or just not attentive enough, but my party of 4 was almost the only table in the place at 6 pm and it took a very long time to get our order taken. The mussels are good, although some are way too large. My companion's fried seafood platter was great-very fresh shrimp in a light batter with a lemony tarter sauce and a remolaude. Excellent selection of beer and wines, although they are listed in a quirky organization. Decor is upscale and completely different from anything else on the Wilson/Clarendon Boulevard corridor. Overall the food, decor, clientele, and experience would bring me back again.
I am a big fan of Harry's Tap Room. I've been here four times since it opened, and enjoyed all of my meals immensely. I should note that I highly recommend this restaurant for group dinners. The restaurant is very accommodating, the menu is diverse enough to satisfy meat-eaters and vegetarians, and patrons can blow as much or as little on their meal as they want, as there is a big price range to choose from. The ambiance is notable in that one can enjoy a casual dinner in jeans and a polo shirt next to a table with people wearing full business gear without any appearance of strangeness. The downstairs contains a classy bar and fireplace, perfect for meeting for drinks or getting beer or wine while waiting for a table. The food mixes classic American dishes (steaks, fish filets, crab cakes, etc.) with slightly more modern and interesting dishes (amazing five-onion soup, an out-of-this-world portabella sandwich, ground turkey burger, Ahi tuna burger). I have a friend who swears by HTR's mussels. I love their bread-basket, as it contains a mix of whole wheat and white rolls, as well as fun mini-muffins (corn, fruit, and cheese). And the service is generally fast and friendly. Harry's Tap Room is a welcome addition to the Clarendon restaurant scene, and a restaurant worth traveling to from other areas.
