Mimi's Cafe (Dulles Town Center)

Has this place been really crowded when you all have been there? What was the wait time like, if any? I'm anxious to give it a try.

 

We went there Saturday night. The service was outstanding but I thought the food was very mediocre. I'd be willing to give it another shot though.

BTW, they take reservations. We were seated within 5 minutes of our arrival. The walk-in wait time was 50 minutes.

 

We've eaten there twice for breakfast and have had a great experience both times.

 

I just tried making reservations and was told they don't take them.

 

They do Call-ahead seating

 

Thanks! You'd think the guy who answered the phone would mention that...

 

Call ahead is basically you call them about 10 to 30 minutes before you plan to arrive and they put you on a list that puts you ahead of the walk ins at the time you call. The trick is you can't call too far ahead of time. I heard the the ideal is 10 minutes to 30 minutes before you arrive. If you call in too early and try to trick them and don't get there in time there is a good chance you will be treated like all the others that just walked in and will wait just like anyone else. Another words it is all about timing.

Lee j

 

Maybe they have changed their policy. I called around 3:00 for a 6:00 reservation.

 

Well all I know, is what I was told from the manager there. Perhaps they are still working out the details how they eventually will handle reservations or call in's

Lee j

 

Ok I just called for reservations for tonight and Talked to Sergio and he said they do not take reservations it is only call ins and how that works is call 20 minutes before and you are put on the list just like you are there. If you are going to be later call back because they will take you off the list once your name is called and you don't respond.

Oh well having dinner there with friends this evening in any case

On a different note we are going to try supposed to be this fabulous french restaurant in old town fairfax city for lunch on monday . It is owned by some new friends of ours and will give you a honest review after. It is supposed to be a very romantic place even for lunch.

Lee j

 

Tried to eat here recently with my little ones in tow. The wait was ridiculous so we scrapped it.

 

That is why the Call Ahead about 20 to 30 minutes ahead works like a charm. Dalyn and I ate there with friends on a very crowded Sat night recently I called ahead about 25 minutes before we arrived and we walked in and they seated us immediately. It was wonderful

Lee j

 

went there last night, got seated as soon as I we hit the door. We went about 630 or so .

 

for those that go during lunch time - if you go between 1145 - 12 you can get seated right away (though closer to 1145 the better) but the bar usually has something open. if you lunch 12:01 - 1 - forget bout getting seated quickly.

 

Don't try to eat lunch there when it's a school day off. My colleague and I met there for lunch last week right at noon, and waited ~30 minutes to get seated. I guess all the moms and/or dads decided to take their kids there for lunch. I barely made it back to work for my 1:30 meeting.

 

We were there 2 nights ago. I had the jambalaya, which wasnt bad at all! Wife had short ribs, which tasted like a really good pot roast.

Service was horrible!

 

Too bad, I 've never had a problem there. I like the jambalaya, it is good. Never tried the ribs, but I do like the pot roast.

 

We had a good looking young man ~18, who took almost 15 minutes to notice our credit card, sticking out of our check holder which was upright. That is not the time to mess up. A waiter can make up for early errors, but that is your last impression as a diner.

His tip went from my normal 20% to less than 15%. (I frequently tip up to 30% for excellent service).

 

maybe he's just working to support his modeling career... lol

in case anyone wants to know... my policy is two chances on service- especially if the food and the rest of the experience was good. anyone can have an off night- as an ex waitress myself, i'm sensitive to that. there's a difference between poor service and RUDE service- rude i report to management, the level of "poor" would determine if it's worthy of either never going again or giving it one more shot.

 

My wife and I ate there recently and it just seemed like a slightly upscale Denny's to us. The food and service was quite mediocre. We won't be going back. There are plenty of other decent places around to go back to Mimi's.