Location: McLean
Top Restaurants in McLean
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Top 4 Bar food in McLean, Virginia, United States
Find out what Bar restaurants to try in McLean. McLean (/məˈkleɪn/ mə-KLAYN) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Fairfax County in Northern Virginia. McLean is home to many diplomats, businessmen, members of Congress, and high-ranking government officials partially due to its proximity to Washington, D.C. and the Central Intelligence Agency. It is the location of Hickory Hill, the former home of Ethel Kennedy, the widow of Robert F. Kennedy. It is also the location of Salona, the former home of Light-Horse Harry Lee, the Revolutionary War hero. The community had an estimated total population of 53,673 in 2015, according to estimates prepared by the United States Census Bureau. It is located between the Potomac River and the town of Vienna. McLean is known for its luxury homes and its nearby high-end shopping destinations: the Tysons Corner Center and the Tysons Galleria. The two McLean zip codes - 22101 and 22102 - are among the most expensive ZIP Codes in Virginia and the United States. In 2018, data from the American Community Survey revealed that McLean was the 3rd wealthiest city in the United States, based on its poverty rate of 2.6% and its median household income of $190,258.
Things to do in McLean
1. J.Gilbert's Wood-Fired Steaks & Seafood
Overall Ratings
4 based on 472 reviews
J. Gilbert's is an "upscale casual" steakhouse serving prime-aged beef cooked over a mesquite wood-fired grill. Guests enjoy various cuts of steak, fresh seafood (including award-winning crab cakes) & other house made favorites like the Maytag Bleu potato
Reviewed By 542lori
I went in for happy hour last week to see if they improved anything in the last 6 months. Unfortunately they did not. My order was wrong. The bartender really didn't want to hear it. Then he kept trying to take my plate before I finished. It was so bad the ladies next to me started laughing and said they don't come in often because the customer service is poor.Sad because it is close to my office and home...
2. Founding Farmers Tysons
Overall Ratings
4 based on 895 reviews
Founding Farmers Tysons offers our classic farm-inspired dishes infused with the culinary traditions of Virginia, as well as seasonal fruits and vegetables straight from Virginia farms, whenever possible. Bar highlights include our exclusive, Virginia-bre
Reviewed By From_the_Southeast
BEWARE! My husband and I were staying in the Tyson's area on business. We were looking for a healthy and upbeat restaurant to have an early dinner, around 5 PM. What we found was contrary to their description. In summary, the food was expensive, unhealthy, greasy and dangerously salty. Our service was dirty and broken. The staff were rude and off-putting. Also, Founding Fathers is not easy to find. We were inside the adjacent mall, using a map to locate it. You have to walk through or around the parking deck next door, across the concrete plaza, down the stairs outside, and around the side of the building. There were absolutely no signs. The parking attendant had no idea there was even a restaurant nearby. I will begin with a small positive - We liked that we had our own water decanter on our table, and the silverware had heft. Now, the vast negatives - The young, 20-something hostess with the upper lip piercing was extremely rude and unfriendly, and did not smile or say hello. Why is she the first face you see? This is clearly not her calling. She also wrote down a time on a piece of cardstock which indicated how long we were apparently allowed to stay. Really? Is this how you want repeat business? Our server very quickly looked at the time and grabbed the paper away when he introduced himself, making us feel immediately unwelcome. The aforementioned decanter had a very large crack running most of the way through it. If our server would have taken greater care, he would have absolutely noticed it, and given us a new one right away, without us pointing it out. Our table was dirty, with the crusted remains of something green on the top. One of our napkins had old food on it. It wasn't a stain. It was an unwashed napkin, folded, ready for service. Every one of the wait staff was curt and looked like they were merely tolerating their customers. I watched three grown adult servers stand in a corner and gossip about patrons. Our own server felt like he was putting on an act to be pleasant. We ordered the country fried steak and donut w/ mac and cheese and green beans, and a prime rib/steak sandwich with fries. The country fried steak was very tough, like leather. The donut was heavy and greasy, and the mac and cheese was very bland. The steak sandwich and the fries were very, very heavy handed in the salt department, so much so, that my lips burned. When I politely told my server after he asked how things were, he feigned a fake "oh no" and walked away very quickly. No offer to exchange or address my meal whatsoever. Also, when my plate was served, there was a large piece of cooked egg clinging to the side (which was not part of my meal.) Our server didn't even see it, or remove it. In fact, he left my dirty napkin on our table until he took the money for our bill. The bathroom situation was ridiculous. They were out of order, so we had to walk down a long hallway, take an elevator to another level, go through the foyer/waiting area of a business in the same building and try to see where the bathrooms were after that. NO signage after elevator. On top of that, the door handles to the bathrooms were stiff and did not move. In other words, it would appear to most that they were locked, because it was the style of door handle that does in fact turn. We had to tell several people to just push on the handle. One gentleman was desperate to use the bathroom and was having difficulty in figuring it out. Why didn't the restaurant provide adequate signage and a note about the handles? This is horrendous customer service. The booth seats looked worn. They were also very low, which was uncomfortable. The chairs were not much better. And my chair was cracked and was dirty, as well. We do a lot of business and personal trips to this area from out of state, but we will never return to this restaurant, nor can we recommend it to our colleagues or friends. We are well aware that the DC area isn't overly friendly, but to feel as though you are unwelcome is reprehensible. I don't know how Founding Farmers is still in business. I'd give it less than 1 star if I could. Feels like these issues are a top-down problem, and part of the Founding Fathers culture.Dear From_the_Southeast: Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed review with us about your recent experience to our Tysons' Founding Farmers. I am SUPER sorry for the many and vast negatives of your time with us. I feel terrible for the confusion you had with the location of our restaurant, the lacking & inconsiderate service form our staff, the disappointing food, the poor care of our restaurant amenities and of course, I sincerely apologize for the renovation work taking place to the building's restrooms- which sadly, has left our guests to use the secondary restrooms in the lobby of the building. With this all acknowledged, I would love the opportunity to touch base further and ask that you please email me a copy of your feedback and the date you joined at [email protected]. -Amy
3. Clare and Don's Beach Shack
Overall Ratings
4 based on 289 reviews
Reviewed By Ron G
My daughter and I came for lunch. Parking available in the back. She had the grilled shrimp wrap and I had the fried oyster po-boy. We both had onion rings. All very good. Key lime pie for dessert was delicious and the right size. Will try again with my wife.
Where to eat Middle Eastern food in McLean: The Best Restaurants and Bars
4. Chasin' Tails
Overall Ratings
4 based on 213 reviews
It's a new place that has just opened. I just got back from dinner and wanted to rave about what a great addition it is to our county.
Reviewed By constantgardener87
Sigh - Iâm underwhelmed and disappointed - but it wasnât bad to be clear. Is it a Nola food hangout? Not really. Is the food bad? Gumbo was not good (light colored roux was the first bad sign). Rest was fine - but not memorable. if you want a fish bowl sized drink and decent shellfish steamed in a bag - want to connect with friends and laugh - decent place. If you are pining for good authentic, good Nola food - I feel u will be disappointed. Iâd need to try a few more items to definitively say no - but I wonât be going back. Did not try the crawfish, etouffee, jambalaya (only had chix and sausage) or beignets (served with a strawberry sauce - what?). I know.....if those are outstanding - Iâd try it again but my spidey sense says nooooooReview gives pluses and minuses. Went on Mardi Gras as Bayou Bakery in Arlington closes after lunch and Acadiana in dc closed for food in November (whyyyy?). Had hoped for some related food and or bite of King Cake (none. Zippo. Sad face). Theyâve served in the past our server said so that was a puzzle. Place was packed. Upbeat atmosphere. Nice servers. You can talk at a normal volume which is great actually. Tables covered in paper. They provide - bibs - buckets for shells - tons of napkins and handi-wipes. Restaurant was Clean too which is not always the case in Nola. Ha. If you sit near the windows in the winter you will get cold - feel like a grandma saying that but it is true....folks were putting jackets back on...Beer selection is good - about 20 beers in bottles (lots of Abita) and two cheap beers on tap and one Abita which was fine. Some mixed âfish bowlâ-sized mixed drinks - sigh - thought about a margarita but I really donât need a fishbowl. Iâm guessing this might be a draw though for those reminiscing the seamier side of Bourbon street. Only non-fried vegetable is a side salad. Had gumbo (not special - do not order). Sigh. I ordered boiled shrimp - side of sauce, rice and sliced, grilled andouille. Three types of spices and you can order it mild - medium, etc. big shrimp. You can only order by the pound so I took half home. They were good. The shareable boiled shellfish options looked interesting and you can share. Five options where you can get 2-5 types of boiled seafood (not MD crabs to be clear) - but good choices. Option includes sides like corn- potatoes boiled in the bag. Started in the -$60 ish range for shellfish options and 3-4 sides (split). You can order with three different spice combos and mild to extra spicey. Nice. They offer crawfish, shrimp, two types of crab (king crab) and sausage. Hope next year theyâll add king cake at least. Sigh.
Most Popular Mediterranean food in McLean, Virginia, United States
