We frequent King street restaurants often and thought that we should give Michael's a try. I'm sorry to say but I don't think we'll be back. When you walk in the restaurant, it is nice and cozy but smells like cigarettes. The service was fast being that it was only one other family there other than us. The food was mostly bland, dry & had no presentation. They did have beautiful music playing in the background. They also overcharged my card the next day and haven't answered the phone when I've called to discuss it. I will be calling my bank to take matters further.
The food and service was excellent! They staff treats you like one our their own. They make sure you have everything you need. The food was above our expectations and will be returning soon!
FrequentDiner
Very welcoming from hostess to server. Attentive service. A solid local Italian restaurant. My husband loved his shrimp scampi and lasagna and my tortellini in panna was quite good. We would come back for a very enjoyable evening. Prices are very good and ambiance very comfortable.
Good food. My filet mignon was very tender and tasty. The service was excellent although I thought the server was a bit overworked as he seemed to have all the tables to himself. Overall it was a good experience.
Michael Wendell
Arrived at 8:20 on a Friday. They close at 10:00. I did not have a reservation and they told me it would be 30-30 minute wait dispute 1-2 tables being open. Hostess took my info and informed me they would message when the table is ready. We came back 25 minutes later and there was many open tables despite never receiving a notification. Ordered food and a bottle of wine. The sample of the wine was very rushed. The food took a fair amount of time to arrive and was mediocre. The waiter kept returning topping off the wine glasses but never asking how things were. About 5 minutes before 10 the waiter said they were closing soon but still didn’t ask how the service or food was. Right at 10 the waiter returned and said they are closed and need to finish up. At that time I informed him of the unnecessary wait and slow service.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Amy Botticello
Our first time at Michael's on King. We chose to have our family Christmas Eve dinner here because of the Feast of the 7 Fishes (not too easy to find!). First off, the restaurant was very accomodating with our modifying our reservation.Atmosphere: restaurant is very "Old Town charming" with booths and tables, like you are in a really nice house.Our waiter Felicitano (sp?) explained the food and drink menu and gave us wonderful service!Food: SUPERB all the way around! The Feast of the 7 Fishes was the best we had ever had (largest mussels ever, Atlantic cod, cockels, bay scallops, etc (with the tastiest seafood broth, perfect to dip the homemade bread in!), served with homemade wide egg noodles pasta and arancini (fried rice balls) over marinara sauce.Other entrees at the table: steak and fries, Atlantic cod with risotto (perfectly cooked cod with capers and butter), pasta with bolognese were all hits with our family.Desserts: The tiramisu lovers in the family are picky and they all said it was extra good. The cheesecake pleased 2 really picky cheesecake lovers (including me!). Cheesecake is my fav and this was even better than my top pick in NYC!Beverages: very reasonable glass of white merlot (first time having!), red wine and aperol spritz.We all agreed that we love Michael's on King and can't wait to return!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rosie HK
This was such a cute bistro for a Saturday night dinner. The patrons were older which was nice for us because we wanted to get away from noisy families. It was a very classy place playing great holiday music. The only issue we had was we were seated and then were sitting for about 20 min before we were helped. Apparently it was a hostess issue. But they were very apologetic and the food more than made up for it. The arancini with vodka sauce was perfect. And then my tortellini was fantastic. Their house made bread was also delicious, they gave us extra with our leftovers. Will definitely come back and try other menu items!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
DanaT
We love Michael's. The food is so good and reasonably priced. The location is awesome with lots to do in the area before/after eating. Service excellent too. We've been impressed with all their dishes. Very authentically Italian, but without being too heavy. Particularly love the eggplant parm and ravioli's. Steak perfectly cooked. Great weekend lunch menu, too. Highly recommend. We plan to check out their Sunday piano bar as well!
The dining experience was excellent with outstanding food and prompt service. Menu prices seemed reasonable, not very expensive. The food arrived at our table quickly after ordering.
D Arm
It’s rare I go somewhere and feel compelled to leave a bad review. Horrible service. The place smelled like an old bar with beer on the floor. Waited 20 minutes just to get a drink order put in and sat with empty water glasses for an additional 10 mins only to have the server return and ask to take our drink orders again. My bolognese which was supposedly “the best dish they made” came out dry and cold. I didn’t even come close to finishing it. Sat with the same empty water glasses for an additional 15 minutes along side our empty drink glasses only to have to walk into the back to ask to close my bill and leave. This may have been a one off experience but I will never go back. I hope the owner sees this so they can make some changes.
I would recommend people avoid this restaurant like the plague, I made a reservation and needed to cancel within 30 min of making it because of the sick relative and because it was less than 2 days they proceeded to charge me $140 and don’t even have the courtesy to speak with me over the phone about it or answer an email. If they’re this willing to scam money out of people online I can’t imagine what they’d do when you’re in the restaurant.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
From start to finish, I was beyond impressed with the food, service, interaction, and ambience. This underrated gem is a must try for anyone seeking authentic Italian cuisine in the Old Town//NOVA area.
Christopher Chewning
I wouldn’t recommend eating here, I made a reservation and needed to cancel within 30 min of making it because of the sick relative and because it was less than 2 days in advance they proceeded to charge me $140 and won’t even give me the courtesy of speaking with me over the phone about it or answering an email. If they’re this willing to scam money out of people online I can’t imagine what they’d do when you’re in the restaurant.
Michael Waskewich
A great cozy spot in Old Town. Put this place on your list, but make a reservation.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salad, Garlic Bread, Lasagna
Helen Jameson
Went with family for dinner after an event and had a great experience! Food was excellent and service was superb.
We frequent King street restaurants often and thought that we should give Michael's a try. I'm sorry to say but I don't think we'll be back. When you walk in the restaurant, it is nice and cozy but smells like cigarettes. The service was fast being that it was only one other family there other than us. The food was mostly bland, dry & had no presentation. They did have beautiful music playing in the background. They also overcharged my card the next day and haven't answered the phone when I've called to discuss it. I will be calling my bank to take matters further.
The food and service was excellent! They staff treats you like one our their own. They make sure you have everything you need. The food was above our expectations and will be returning soon!
Very welcoming from hostess to server. Attentive service. A solid local Italian restaurant. My husband loved his shrimp scampi and lasagna and my tortellini in panna was quite good. We would come back for a very enjoyable evening. Prices are very good and ambiance very comfortable.
Good food. My filet mignon was very tender and tasty. The service was excellent although I thought the server was a bit overworked as he seemed to have all the tables to himself. Overall it was a good experience.
Arrived at 8:20 on a Friday. They close at 10:00. I did not have a reservation and they told me it would be 30-30 minute wait dispute 1-2 tables being open. Hostess took my info and informed me they would message when the table is ready. We came back 25 minutes later and there was many open tables despite never receiving a notification. Ordered food and a bottle of wine. The sample of the wine was very rushed. The food took a fair amount of time to arrive and was mediocre. The waiter kept returning topping off the wine glasses but never asking how things were. About 5 minutes before 10 the waiter said they were closing soon but still didn’t ask how the service or food was. Right at 10 the waiter returned and said they are closed and need to finish up. At that time I informed him of the unnecessary wait and slow service.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Our first time at Michael's on King. We chose to have our family Christmas Eve dinner here because of the Feast of the 7 Fishes (not too easy to find!). First off, the restaurant was very accomodating with our modifying our reservation.Atmosphere: restaurant is very "Old Town charming" with booths and tables, like you are in a really nice house.Our waiter Felicitano (sp?) explained the food and drink menu and gave us wonderful service!Food: SUPERB all the way around! The Feast of the 7 Fishes was the best we had ever had (largest mussels ever, Atlantic cod, cockels, bay scallops, etc (with the tastiest seafood broth, perfect to dip the homemade bread in!), served with homemade wide egg noodles pasta and arancini (fried rice balls) over marinara sauce.Other entrees at the table: steak and fries, Atlantic cod with risotto (perfectly cooked cod with capers and butter), pasta with bolognese were all hits with our family.Desserts: The tiramisu lovers in the family are picky and they all said it was extra good. The cheesecake pleased 2 really picky cheesecake lovers (including me!). Cheesecake is my fav and this was even better than my top pick in NYC!Beverages: very reasonable glass of white merlot (first time having!), red wine and aperol spritz.We all agreed that we love Michael's on King and can't wait to return!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This was such a cute bistro for a Saturday night dinner. The patrons were older which was nice for us because we wanted to get away from noisy families. It was a very classy place playing great holiday music. The only issue we had was we were seated and then were sitting for about 20 min before we were helped. Apparently it was a hostess issue. But they were very apologetic and the food more than made up for it. The arancini with vodka sauce was perfect. And then my tortellini was fantastic. Their house made bread was also delicious, they gave us extra with our leftovers. Will definitely come back and try other menu items!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
We love Michael's. The food is so good and reasonably priced. The location is awesome with lots to do in the area before/after eating. Service excellent too. We've been impressed with all their dishes. Very authentically Italian, but without being too heavy. Particularly love the eggplant parm and ravioli's. Steak perfectly cooked. Great weekend lunch menu, too. Highly recommend. We plan to check out their Sunday piano bar as well!
The dining experience was excellent with outstanding food and prompt service. Menu prices seemed reasonable, not very expensive. The food arrived at our table quickly after ordering.
It’s rare I go somewhere and feel compelled to leave a bad review. Horrible service. The place smelled like an old bar with beer on the floor. Waited 20 minutes just to get a drink order put in and sat with empty water glasses for an additional 10 mins only to have the server return and ask to take our drink orders again. My bolognese which was supposedly “the best dish they made” came out dry and cold. I didn’t even come close to finishing it. Sat with the same empty water glasses for an additional 15 minutes along side our empty drink glasses only to have to walk into the back to ask to close my bill and leave. This may have been a one off experience but I will never go back. I hope the owner sees this so they can make some changes.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
I would recommend people avoid this restaurant like the plague, I made a reservation and needed to cancel within 30 min of making it because of the sick relative and because it was less than 2 days they proceeded to charge me $140 and don’t even have the courtesy to speak with me over the phone about it or answer an email. If they’re this willing to scam money out of people online I can’t imagine what they’d do when you’re in the restaurant.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
From start to finish, I was beyond impressed with the food, service, interaction, and ambience. This underrated gem is a must try for anyone seeking authentic Italian cuisine in the Old Town//NOVA area.
I wouldn’t recommend eating here, I made a reservation and needed to cancel within 30 min of making it because of the sick relative and because it was less than 2 days in advance they proceeded to charge me $140 and won’t even give me the courtesy of speaking with me over the phone about it or answering an email. If they’re this willing to scam money out of people online I can’t imagine what they’d do when you’re in the restaurant.
A great cozy spot in Old Town. Put this place on your list, but make a reservation.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salad, Garlic Bread, Lasagna
Went with family for dinner after an event and had a great experience! Food was excellent and service was superb.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lasagna