321 Ashland

Sorry to get off topic once again, but for a great 'home-cooked' breakfast I recommend Country Kitchen in Herndon. Great French Toast, Sausage Gravy & Biscuits, fresh squeezed OJ, etc. It's along Elden Street in the KMart shopping center.

It's about as Mom and Pop as you can get!

 

Thanks for the info! And now I'm going to go even further off topic... [:I] but if anyone likes middle eastern items and spices, the Medina market is in the same shopping center and is a great place to shop!

 

By the way...if you are thinking of going to 321 be sure and visit their web site first...there's a coupon you can print out for a free bananas foster dessert!

 

Sorry Carol but the "Jazz Brunch" at 321 Ashland will be on May 29. It will be a Buffet Brunch. We are trying to find what our guests want in a restaurant..Please let us know....Patio will be open as the weather permits...We will also have a Trio on the patio this week-end, Sat nite 7-11 and again next Wed. and Thur. from 7-11...Call for info

 

I believe that 321 has found the majority of what guests want in a fine neighborhood restaurant and hope that this does not change... 321 provides a warm and welcoming environment from the moment one is greeted as they come through the door. The wait staff are professional, courteous and attentive. Not only is the menu great but the actual presentation is a work of art. The additional touches of receiving a gratis taste of a new appetizer is an excellent touch as is the way that bread is individually served and offered. Noone should have to question or doubt the quality control that has gone into running 321.

One aspect which my spouse and I did not like during one of our last visits are that the tables in the back (enter restaurant and be seated in the back after heading right) are unusual; we felt that we were too far across from each other when sitting and that took away from the intimacy of the evening. However we were not shy and simply asked to be shifted to another table.

The addition of the trio is the highlight for me. I think this further enhances 321's uniqueness. We are looking forward to enjoying the music (and 321's excellent selection of fine wines).

And before anyone even tries to comment...NO NO NO...321 is not asking or requesting that I post this. This is solely my personal opinion based on my dining experiences at 321.

 

My wife and I just got back from 321 Ashland for our 3rd anniversary dinner. Expecting a formal dining experience we dressed up for the occasion.

We will never be going back to that place. Service was horrible. Food was horrible and the portions were painfully small.

When I am paying that much for a dinner I want my drink glass filled up when it gets low. I should never have an empty glass yet that's all I had tonight. I never got a refill. The utensils were dirty with spots and food particles all over them.

When I go to a place like this I want to feel like at least someone is taking care of me. Our waiter visited our table maybe 5 times total. We had long since finished our food before he came back after serving us. My wife had the tuna and I had the 3 crab favorites meal. My wife said the tuna was probably around a B. My crab was cold and tasted awful I would give it an F. We both give the service and F. We both even have indigestion from our dinner and I never get indigestion. We didn't even bother with the desert. After that dinner we just wanted to leave as fast as possible.

What a horrible, horrible experience and I was expecting so much better. It's not like there were a lot of people there. Only 2 other tables were taken up and we were our waiter's only table from what I could see. I have no clue where he went. We will never go back there.

If I'm going to spend that much money from now on I'm going to lightfoot or Dante's. Both are amazing and treat you like you should be treated as a customer.

 

We tried 321 Ashland once and were not that impressed. The snob factor was over the top. When we go out, my husband and I like to laugh and have fun. Our waiter was too snooty for our taste. He used the phrase "fine dining" in every other sentence. "You expect such and such from a fine dining restaurant", "you *don't* order chicken in a fine dining restaurant", etc. The guy who did the bananas foster was fun, though. He could tell that even though we were dropping $150 on dinner for two, we didn't want to feel like we were at a funeral.

We were the only diners there, besides a couple in the bar. A party of four came in and they were seated right next to us. We also had dirty utensils and water glasses that we had to send back.

The food was good, but not fabulous.

All in all, the next time we plan on spending that much on dinner, it will be at a different establishment.

 

To LostSoul and JLC
We are responding to your forum postings regarding your experience at 321 Ashland. We are very distressed to learn that it was less than anticipated. Our goal as a restaurant focused on the area neighborhoods is to provide excellent food and first rate service. Had we been alerted to the problems you encountered, we would have immediatley been able to make corrections and/or substitutions. There is always an owner on the premises which we consider one of our advantages.

If you will contact Terry Caugh at 321 Ashland, 703-723-0703, we will be happy to give you a complete refund or a gift certificate to reimburse your meal.

Terrance Caugh, Owner/Manager

 

Terrace, I like to make a suggestion. How about offering a restaurant week pricing with a limited menu down the road. This way, people can come check out the restaurant/food/service without risking too much money. You'll get exposure (with the right advertising) and hopefully show people the real 321 Ashland experience. It's only for a week and shouldn't hurt the bottom line. Dinner 3 course meal for $30 - app/main/dessert.

Unfortunately I have heard too many so-so or bad reviews to check out the restaurant. Maybe I'll stop in and make my own review.

-Teak

 

Anything new on 321 , its been a while since anyone posteda review?

jmb

 

Went to the HH on Friday. Service was good and so was the shrimp!

 

Was there last Wed. Service was good - food was okay. About the same quality as Bonefish. I prefer Lightfoot's much better.

 

I'm with you on Lightfoot!! That's a great restaurant. I'm not too fond of Bonefish - been there twice and it was twice too many times for me. Not impressed.

 

Bonefish is a thumbs up for me. Food was great, service was also very good. Overall a good dinner for the price. Bar experience was also great. People that ate with us wished 321 Ashlands to go away soon. They gave it a two thumbs down.

-Teak

 

been 3 times. nicoise salad is awesome, as are the patio menu items. have not been inside yet because the weather is too nice.
excellent service, nice having a local establishment around - and great happy hour from 5-7.

 

My two cents -- All these restaurants have their pluses and minuses and that is natural. I am just glad to have a decent choice, so close by. My wife and I have eaten at Bonefish, San Vito's and the Steakhouse, all a bunch of times and overall it has been a good experience. We've also ventured out to Lightfoot, Tuscarora and Blue Ridge Grille. We look forward to trying 321 Ashland in the near future.

Coming from Old Town Alexandria, I am relieved we have the choices we have and really appreciate it.

 

We have had quite a few really great experiences at 321 Ashland...the food and service have been far better than anywhere else that we have visited in the area.

Inside, the restaurant provides a beautiful decor with an intimate setting. I have had the scallops, the lamb and the filet. All were divine. The wine list is superb and the staff has always recommended a perfect choice to accompany my meal.

We've also dined outside on the weekend to enjoy the live jazz. The woman that I have seen singing there on two occasions has a very pleasant voice and a nice selection of music.

Brunch on Sunday has been an absolute delight. The buffet has a great selection....everything from eggs benedict to poached salmon and the deserts are wonderful. Here's to the mimosa as well.

All in all, I am a huge fan of 321 Ashland and will continue to visit there often. I look forward to bringing my friends and family from out of town to see this gem that we are so fortunate to have so close to home!

 

Is the name pronounced, "3-2-1 Ashland" or "Three twenty one Ashland"? Or does it not matter?

 

3-2-1 came from March 21 being the owner's wife's birthday.