what happened?
I live close to Silverado's and have enjoyed their Happy Hour's. The $3.00 burger was a real deal. Last night I visited, only to find they have taken the burgers off the Happy Hour. I asked to talk to Jamie, the manager. He was too busy to take the time to talk to me. He didn't acknowlege me or ask another manager to talk to me. I have been in the restaurant business for years, this is no way to run a business. Diane Morris    [05 Apr 2002 08:57:12]

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Recommended Dishes: SOUPS AND SALADS AND RIBS

     ­DIANE MORRIS   DIMO61 at AOL dot COM

exceedingly unacceptable dinner at Silverado
I am writing this message after an exceedingly unacceptable dinner at Silverado in Annandale, Virginia.

Under my recommendation, I met with 6 friends for dinner there this evening. I had recommended the restaurant because of the menu selection and previously excellent service. Luckily, they are good friends and will not hold me accountable for such appalling food service and mediocre food. True, the seven of us will make sure that our other friends hear about the evening and know to never waste their time or money at Silverado.

First, we had to wait an hour and half at the bar after calling ahead and being told to expect a 10-minute wait. When we did sit down, there were no ribs, prime rib, or salmon — the three items my friends wanted. When we did place our order, 6 of the 7 dishes were correct. Our plates were cold/room temperature by the time they were served.

The most memorable part of the evening was when our waiter proceeded to knock over a full glass of water and a full beer glass in my friend’s lap. She was left to sit with wet clothes all evening. Especially bad because 3 of us had put our coats back on because the booth was being blown with cold air from the vent. Not only were we charged for the beer, no one came and apologized. We were offered a dry cleaning ticket, but that is not close to an appropriate response.

Never did a manager come up with apologies. We were charged for the beer the waiter spilled. We ordered 2 desserts and coffees — a very easy thing to comp for a bad experience. Not only did this not happen, we were charged the 18% tip for a party of seven. Most of us at the table did not want to leave a tip at all, but one friend was embarrassed and uncomfortable at the idea of not paying it since it was on the printed receipt. We cared more about our friend’s feelings than the waiter so he did receive his tip for incompetent service and cold, mediocre food.

I do not have the time to go into how horrible our service and meal was. I am embarrassed and appalled. I would say that I eat and bring people to one of their establishments (Carlye Grand, Sweetwater Tavern, Silverado, Mikes American Grill) at least twice a month. I can now say that I will be recommending to anyone who will listen that they should stay away from them until they have improved their standards of customer service and food preparation (or are are out of busines    [12 Jan 2003 00:56:47]

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     ­Anonymous   

I have ALWAYS had good food and GREAT service at all of these restaurants
I visited this site last night to find the telephone number for the Silverado in Annandale and stopped to read the reviews. I'm sure these things can happen at any restaurant. I have never been to a restaurant with such consistancy for quality food and service than Siverado. I would recommend this restaurant to a friend. The food is always great especially any of the fish dishes. I had the shrimp wrapped in bacon last night for the first time and it was wonderful. When I was at Silverado last night the manager made a point to come by our table to find out if everything was to our liking and went the extra mile to meet my parents and chat for a bit like he has always done in the past. Come to find out it was the same manager, Jamie, in response one. I've been there on more than one occasion and have seen Jamie making his rounds in the restaurant speaking with customers. I bring my friends and family there all the time because the atmosphere is grea    [27 Aug 2003 09:17:00]

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     ­Cara Stilling   cstillin2000 at yahoo dot com

I LOVE SILVERADO IN ANNANDALE
THE FOOD IS ALWAYS GREAT THE SERVICE TOO. ESPECIALLY THE BARTENDERS MIKE AND DAN. I ALWAYS GO THERE WITH MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY.    [23 Dec 2003 12:35:11]

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Recommended Dishes: JAMBALAYA

     ­Anonymous   

If You're Heavy, Go to the Back of the Room
Living about two miles away, we used to go to Silverado in Annandale a lot, but haven't since July 4, 2002, because I began to notice that overweight diners were routinely escorted to the back rooms of the restaurant, even when it was close to empty.

It was mid-afternoon on the 4th of July, and the restaurant was almost empty. We were taken to the room to the left of the bar. No one else was there. When I complained that it was too far away, we were taken to the back of the room to the right of the bar on the slightly elevated level. There were only a few tables occupied back there and most of the people were heavy.

Much to the consternation of the hostess, who, like the others, looked too young to be working in an establishment serving liquor, I insisted on being seated at one of the empty window booths up front. I did this because the last time we visited, I noticed that all but one table in the back room, where we were seated, was occupied by overweight customers. There were no overweight customers in the more prominent window seats or the bar area. So my spouse, who is not overweight, is penalized by Silverado because I am.

I am not sure if this is the policy of only the Silverado or of its parent company, Great American Restaurants, since I've stopped patronizing all their estabishments, but I wonder if they would treat the Zagats, who are not exactly a svelt couple, so poorly? I guess if they want to alienate ample people with ample incomes who prefer dining out to cooking at home, that's their loss! Why restaurants would want to treat people who like to eat as if they were second class citizens, give them back of the bus treatment, is beyond me!

As for the food, it's been some time since we've eaten there. At the time, it was the only nice eating establishment in the area, so anything was better than fried chicken, pizza, or chow mein. My spouse prefers their cuts of beef while I'm partial to the crab cakes, when available, salmon when not. But the sides of rice, pasta, or potatoes were often oddly seasoned in some sort of nouveau Tex-Mex fashion and easy to leave behind. Same with the oddly flavored breads, tiny little pieces, sometimes incongruously sweetened.

I have to say that when crab is in season, the crab cakes I tried at several Great American Restaurants were the best I've ever had. Out of season, the crab cakes became miniscule and filled with extra ingredients. Regardless of their quality, I will not spend my time and money eating at a place which treats me so badly I develop indigestion!

I know many restaurants engage in discrimination based on appearance, which is supposed to be an indicator of class and wealth (how little they know!), however, why any eating establishment would alienate people who relish food remains a mystery    [01 Jan 2004 17:16:45]

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Recommended Dishes: Crab cakes, in season

     ­Anonymous   

Overpriced 'trendy' place with OK food
I've been to Sweetwater Tavern many times. Almost always the same thing - long lines, very bad service and OK food. The waiters always had an 'attitude' that I was there for them, not them there for me, and I had better leave a good tip - or else. The worst was when I went with a bible study group of seven people. We waited more than fourty minutes for a table, then two hours for food. When the food did come three of the meals were wrong (another table got our food) and we had to wait even longer for that to be corrected. We asked twice for a manager, but in the end, we never did see anyone, and walked out very mad. Prices were outrageous - $26 for a filet mignon, and $6 for chips and salsa. Don't think I'll be back for quite a whi    [15 Jan 2004 15:52:27]

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Recommended Dishes: Pork Chops, Filet Mignon

     ­Mark Grant   

Pretty Good
On the weekends this place is packed... I would go during the week sometime and enjoy the good service and OK food.    [07 Apr 2004 14:52:26]

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Recommended Dishes: Lobster Bisque Soup and Pork Tenderloin!

     ­Tara   

My Review
I love this place, Very Very Good ribs, and steaks, YUMMMMMMMMM. I aslo love that chocolate waffle, SO SO GOOD. Only once i had some bad ribs, but it was taken care of right away, so no prolbems. A liitle pricy, could lower the prices, But other wise ALL GOOD.    [29 May 2004 12:41:13]

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Recommended Dishes: RIBS, and The Filet, and the chocolate waffle

     ­Jon   

Review it.
I've been going to Silverado for awhile now and I love it. the food is great and the atmosphere is awesome. The ribs and the chocolate waffle is the best I've ever had! I truly recommend this place!    [06 Nov 2004 18:02:19]

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Recommended Dishes: ribs

     ­Anonymous   

Great local restaurant
We love Silverado! The fajitas are great, the service is consistently good, and the atmosphere during the week is particularly enjoyable (less busy than the weekends). Definitely check it out!    [10 Jan 2005 16:25:36]

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     ­Anonymous