ScubaKay's Profile
Inox in McLean?
We ate there last night (week 3 or 4 since their grand opening). Here's my brief review:
- Drinks: Menu (by the glass) has about 6-8 to choose from in each category (red, white, beer, cocktails). House cocktail menu caters to a much older crowd/tastes (mostly gin-based cocktails, and a campara cocktail). We ordered wine and mixed drinks. ($10-$20/glass). The wine pour was exact, or just slightly under. Selection of by-the-glass was okay (1 of each grape varietal)
- We did not order an appetizer (were not hungry enough), though it looked okay. The bread was fantastic (Rye, olive, french, country/rustic I think) and the butter was the perfect temperature (spreadable but not over-soft).
- Dinner: Pork Belly and Duck entrees. Very nicely prepared; perfectly cooked and perfectly seasoned. Fantastic. The Pork Belly seemed a little over-proportioned (I guess it was 8 oz, served with just a couple brussel sprouts) -- would have been better with less meat and more vegetables. But other than that - both were fantastic.
- Overall Menu: Personally, I'd like to see more vegetables and vegetarian options (the only vegetarian option was the standard pasta + roasted vegetables -- very typical). I'd also like to see more use of organic, locally grown, ethically/sustainable options (perhaps they are there -- but not advertised). Also, we saw other bar patrons eating items that were not on the menu -- I suspect there may be a 2nd menu for the bar-only, but this was not offered to us as a choice.
- Service: very friendly. But very new. I sensed a lack of confidence and inexperience; but otherwise very very friendly and professional.
- Decor/Atmosphere: The dining area felt so corporate - bright, starch white tables, starch white chairs - not intimate. So we ate in the bar/lounge, which is airy yet cozy, dimly lit, stylish, comfortable - fantastic.
- Parking: fyi, parking is valet only (free + tip). Strange because most of the parking garage in the area are open/free after business hours except their's. Not a big deal since there is no fee; but not everyone is comfortable/secure with using valet.
- Crowd: We went on a Wednesday night; no reservations. Crowd was older (40's+), well-dressed, corporate (post work/happy hour-ish). The bar/lounge was completely full early on; while the dining area had only a handful of tables used. We left by 8:30 and both were nearly empty.
Overall: It defintely felt new. (shaky wait staff; limited menu choices). But I have no doubt they'll work out these typical post-opening kinks and be a fantastic and much-needed new upscale option in the Tyson's area. I just hope that they make some modifications to attract the non-corporate-account crowd.
We will be back...many times I'm sure!
