Draper's Steak and Seafood

I never heard much buzz around Draper's but the building looked nice so wanted to check it out after seeing they were serving brunch. Walking inside I was kindly greeted by a host. There are large windows that give the place a lot of natural light which makes you feel a little more energetic. The service was great. The waitress was kind and gave us good recommendations. Also she checked up on us in reasonable intervals. For me the most important question is if the food is good. I was pleasantly surprised about the brunch. I wouldn't say it'll have any Michelin stars any time soon but still solidly delicious. I ordered the French toast and English Breakfast. The French toast was definitely elevated since it was made with a house made brioche. It also had a delectable outer shell protecting the custardy innards. Just having English breakfast in the menu was a plus. Every element tasted great! If you never had an English breakfast you should definitely try it. It's like having a mini buffet on your plate. The sausages were cooked perfectly. The mushrooms were seasoned very well, so savory. The one element that was subpar was the ham. Also, I usually don't complain about having too much food but the proportions of the mushrooms were a bit much compared to everything else. Overall the experience along with the quality of the brunch was good and I would highly recommend it. I'll be coming back for certain whenever I would like to eat a nice brunch on the weekends!

I don't know where to begin. Easy parking and free! I walked in at 2:58pm, brunch is over at 3pm and I was waiting for a friend, so I hit the bar to wait. I was immediately greeted by the bartender who told me I had a minute to ordee from Brunch menu, I ordered a French Toast to go since I knew my friend would want it. She showed we got seated and Lilly took great care of us. We started with crab dip which has actual lump crab and warm Baguette. It was insane. We also got calamari and the sauce was a bit spicy but flavorful and NOT burn your mouth spicy and fried to perfection. Lobster roll and chicken marsala next on the table. The lobster roll was so good, my friend said the only issue was it was too small. And she told Lilly to tell the chef she ain't like the meal. It was a joke but Chef Omar came out to figure out our non issues. He shared with us how everything was made in house daily and fresh. Some items only on weekends! And then he sent out a bread pudding...and it was the most delicious caramel sauce I have ever eaten, it was light but also rich and it flowed it didn't get thick and unpourable. Oh wait I forgot to mention the fresh hot Baguette and butter that was delivered when we sat down. And my chicken my marsala was good and filling. I am going to try the surf and turf eggs Benedict with a crab cake and a filet! I love this place. Worth every cent. Oh yeah I had the Chef Margirita...and hands down best Margirita I have ever drank. Drapers I will be back!!! Again and again!

We spent New Year’s Day at Drapers and had a wonderful time! The food was absolutely delicious, with the crab dip being a standout favorite. Our waiter was incredibly attentive, checking in with us multiple times to ensure we had everything we needed. It was the perfect way to start the year - great food, excellent service, and a lovely atmosphere. Highly recommend!

Personally, I think that Draper’s makes one of the best Aperol Spritz far and wide! With the temperatures getting warmer, we stopped by for a casual lunch this week and decided to sit on their patio. As always, the service was kind and knowledgeable, and even though we sat outside our waiter checked on us regularly. We had the pasta with mushrooms and the chicken masala, along with the burrata and Parma ham as starter to share this time. It was delightful! Why would you go to a chain restaurant if you have such a gem in your community! Of course, their steaks and seafoods are outstanding as well. Draper’s is our favorite local restaurant, give it a try! Maybe it will be yours soon as well ;)

Service was amazing! Ellie was our waitress and she was so fun and attentive. The roasted chicken with potatoes and roasted brussel sprouts was delicious! Wow! I love that they use olive oil for cooking. Others at the table had the fish and chips and deluxe hamburger. They were equally impressed! The fish and chips were perfectly seasoned, batter cooked to a flaky crust, and the fries were amazing. We definitely recommend this restaurant!

Had a wonderful time celebrating hubby's Birthday here. We have been wanting to try them since they opened earlier this year. The place has a nice modern twist on an old time favorite type vibe. Definitely coming back in the fall to sit on the covered porch with the fans. We started with the pork belly and it was fantastic! I could have made a meal out of it. It was sweet with a wonderful level of heat that I loved but I could see if some might think it too much. It set up the rest of the mean quite well! Unfortunately, I was unable to get a photo before we ate it all up...it smelled that good! Hubby ordered the Dry Aged Ribeye Steak, daughter ordered the Wild Beast burger and I had the Ahi Tuna Wellington. The ribeye steak had a fabulous seared crust and was cooked to perfection...a PERFECT medium! The potatoes were amazing...definitely worth giving a try. The burger was succulent, flavorful and quite literally a beast to get through but well worth it! The tuna was cooked to perfection but the risotto might have been a little heavy handed with the wasabi for some...I loved it, but not everyone will like that level of heat/spice. We finished up the night sharing 2 desserts..the Banana Bread Pudding and the Banana Cream Dream. Hands down the Banana Cream Dream was the winner! Fried banana cheesecake and vanilla ice cream...yes please! The bread pudding was a little dense for my tastes but still very flavorful. The coffee helped to cut all that sweet but I really would have enjoyed having an espresso better...maybe next time. We will certainly return, if only to have more Pork Belly appetizer!

We went here as a group for a work outing lunch, our waitress was very attentive and got our orders accurately. The wait time was very reasonable however the dessert I ordered which was the white chocolate bread could have been better, it was dry and didn’t have anything else to accompany it. A suggestion would be to include a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The restaurant was clean and is set up With tables keeping good distance. Will be back individually and try the bar.

For my wife’s birthday, we decided to celebrate at Draper’s in Fairfax, Virginia, and the experience was nothing short of exceptional. We started our evening with the mussels and prosciutto and burrata as appetizers I had the filet accompanied by Brussels sprouts and fingerling potatoes. The filet was cooked to perfection: tender, juicy, and richly flavored with just the right amount of seasoning. The Brussels sprouts, paired beautifully with the earthy, caramelized fingerling potatoes. My wife had the fish of the day, Chilean sea bass. This dish showcased a delicate, buttery texture and was seared flawlessly to preserve its moisture and subtle taste. The accompanying sauce was light and expertly balanced, elevating the sea bass without overpowering its natural essence. Beyond the remarkable dishes, Draper’s provided a warm and inviting ambiance that made the evening feel truly special. The attentive service and thoughtful touches—tailored to celebrate my wife’s birthday—added a personal flair to the night. From the personalized greetings to the expert wine pairing recommendations, every detail was meticulously handled, enhancing our overall dining experience. Draper’s in Fairfax proved to be the perfect venue for a milestone celebration. With top-notch cuisine, impeccable service, and an atmosphere that feels both refined and welcoming, it’s a dining destination I would recommend for any special occasion. We left with full hearts and eager anticipation of our next visit.

This was my 1st time but my dear friends 2nd time. I met her here but just missed brunch. She knows that I'm a sucker for good french toast, so she placed an order of it to go just before brunch ended. We were seated by Lily, who, by the way, was very pleasant, attentative, and a joy to be served by. I will make sure to ask for her on my next visit. Atmosphere: it wasn't crowded for a Saturday afternoon, but during our 3-hr dining experience, it started to fill up more with patrons. Very clean & nice restaurant, it has a seemingly great bar and the restrooms were really clean (things that I pay attention to). Parking can be a bit rough, not a very big lot but the way to enter into the parking lot because it's directly off of the main street, can be missed if you're not paying attention. Food & drinks: we ordered crab dip, calamari, sautéed mushrooms, lobster roll (comes with fries, chicken marsala (came with asparagus) with a couple of margaritas (because that's all you need:-) and a rose' sangria. Every single bite of all that we ordered was absolutely delish - not one disappointment! The lobster roll wasn't soggy & not over saturated with mayonnaise or whatever condiment they put on it, I only wished it was served on a bigger sized roll. I tasted my order of french toast & I very much enjoyed it. I enjoyed it even more the next morning when I put it on the stove for a couple of minutes just reheat it, oppose to reheating in the microwave & it was soooo good even with the sauce/syrup (blueberry, i think) it came with. And the bread pudding!... SMH, not too sweet not under sweet, just the right flavor with ice cream in the middle of it & the homemade caramel sauce... that was another highlight. So, Omar, the chef came out after we joked to Lily that our food wasn't good & he came out to check on us. By this time our (well, at least my plate) was cleaned off & he jokingly said, "it doesn't look like you didn't enjoy your food - what lobster roll". Omar sat with us & talked to us for a while & is very passionate about about his culinary skills, and I appreciated that. We enjoyed everything about this place & will be trying more from the menu...and will ask to be seated in Lily's section.

1st time here and it was great! Food was delicious! Atmosphere was nice! Definitely one of the better steaks I've had in Fairfax! A good date night spot!

Draper's just reopened Summer 2022 and what a lovely restaurant. Big bar, seating inside and outside... the food was delicious and the service was outstanding!!! The banana wrapped in a tortilla shell fried with cinnamon sugar and vanilla icecream is NOT to be missed 😋

It was a warm Friday afternoon. We had a work meeting and wanted to go to a nice casual lunch spot. Came across this gem. Upon entry we were greeted and sat immediately. Very great service from beginning to end. They had a great selection and upon getting the food, a huge portion. The fries, crab sandwich, salad, burgers all great. The place reminds me if john taffer rescued a bar and made a classic after work happy hour and good dinner spot. I recommend this spot for sure.

We went to Drapers on Sunday, March 16 for an early birthday celebration for my lovely wife. Those in attendance were our 15 year old son, our 8 year old daughter, and my dad and stepmother. Absent was our 18 year old daughter who is at the USCGA. Anyway, we gathered to celebrate my wife's 25 birthday, and if you are mathematically inclined you know that's not possible, but if you have been married for 20 years, you understand that revealing your wife's true age is a one way ticket to the dog house. Anyway, our evening started by pulling into the ample parking lot. Around Fairfax City now, that is very important. When we entered, it was obvious that Drapers was walking the line between a fine dining restaurant and an upscale casual hangout. Somehow, they pulled it off beautifully! It's not everywhere where you can enjoy exquisite food while listening to Duran Duran and Bush! We started with appetizers ,of course, and they were universally loved. Our son got the crab dip and devoured it, I got the tuna tartare, which was amazing, my wife got a salad , which she split with my daughter, and my dad got grilled oysters. As previously mentioned, all were great and set the tone for things to come. The dinners were excellent running the gamut between lobster poboys, sea bass, and cioppino. I have to say that while my son loved the cioppino, I wasn't as fond. The chef, who is excellent no doubt, had his or her own take on cioppino which was more like a seafood pasta than the soupy dish I was expecting. The menu clearly explained the dish, but I went for it anyway as it is usually my favorite. It just wasn't for me, though I did devour the shellfish. Even though the mistake was mine, Drapers took the dish off of our check! I couldn't believe it and really didn't deserve it, but they did it anyway. After dinner, the key lime pie earned absolutely rave reviews from the table, while I just had a cup of coffee accompanied by a complimentary shot of Baileys! Our server, Maurice (pictured), was absolutely amazing. He was personable, professional, and deftly balanced his astute knowledge of the menu with his affable, delightful personality. He even brought my wife's key lime pie out with a candle on it. Maurice was like the embodiment of what I feel the restaurant is trying to accomplish. There is no doubt he could handle a Michelin place, but his personality fits perfectly with the upscale casual vibe of the joint. He literally couldn't have done a better job. The manager, George, also came by and he was personable as well. We will be returning to Drapers for sure. Even though my dish fell a bit short of my expectations, again due to my own mistake, everyone else loved their meals and the chef is obviously immensely talented. Thank you, Drapers, for making out evening extra special.

I took my girlfriend here for a surprise date night and it was amazing!!! Our server CJ was super knowledgeable about the menu and recommended a few things:) we ended up starting with the CRAB DIP and it was incredible! We had the salmon and crab cake sandwich which CJ recommended for entrees and he did not disappoint, both were beyond extraordinary! We didn’t really have room for dessert but then we saw the white chocolate bread pudding and just had to have it:) everything from the service to the food was flawless! Thank you CJ!!!!!!!

We have been going for all day happy hour on Monday evenings. Lately. The bartender is very friendly and the food is excellent. It's fun to hang out at the bar and Converse with friends. The various tacos and sliders they offer on the happy hour menu are excellent.

Food was delicious! Went here for a date night/birthday celebration and it was amazing. Atmosphere was perfect for what we were going for. For food we got the crab dip, tuna tartar for starters. Roasted herb chicken and the drapers burger for our entrees and the fairfax mule and the Metropolitan for drinks. As well as the bread budding for dessert. Everything was delicious especially the dessert, if you love bread budding I believe they make it very well. Our server Adrianna was very kind and attentive and gave good recommendations.

We went to celebrate our anniversary and had such a great time! Kate was our waitress and she had great recommendations and took wonderful care of us. Our food was amazing! A definite must go to place!

Received great service at this steakhouse. Our server, Katie Henry, was very attentive throughout our tenure and was able to manage the workload of multiple tables with efficiency. Her professionalism is a testament to the restaurant’s experience. This is a must visit in FairFax.

We had a wonderful dining experience at Draper’s Steak & Seafood, and a big part of that was thanks to our waitress, Ellie. From the moment we were seated, she was warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. Ellie knew the menu inside and out—she gave great recommendations and made sure everything was cooked perfectly and arrived right on time. She checked in regularly without ever being intrusive, and her friendly personality made the evening even more enjoyable. It’s clear she takes pride in her work and truly cares about her guests. Exceptional service like Ellie’s is what keeps us coming back. We’ll definitely be asking for her again on our next visit!

Every visit to Drapers is consistently exceptional. Whether it’s a busy Friday night or a quiet weekday afternoon, the staff treats us — and our child — with such dignity, kindness, and genuine attentiveness. Their attention to detail is unmatched, and it’s the reason we keep coming back again and again. We’ve become absolutely addicted to their Caesar salads, and their Friday and Saturday prime rib is simply unbeatable — especially with that incredible horseradish sauce they add. It’s perfection every single time. They also have the best happy hour in the city. The drinks are phenomenal, the specials are generous, and the atmosphere feels both elevated and welcoming. Drapers has become one of our family’s favorite places, and every visit reminds us why.

Our first visit! Edwin, our server made us feel right at home. He also is the bartender and knew exactly which drink would be perfect for our Aunt. We ordered Grilled caesar with shrimp (my husband said was the Best he's had before), fish and chips (huge beautiful portion which blew my English Aunt away), and rockfish for me (very delicios with excellent mashed potatoes, roasted veggies and a pomodoro type sauce under the fish). Such comfortable cushy leather booth and seats, too. We will definitely be back!

Tate made our experience at Draper Steal & Seafood truly exceptional. From the moment we were seated, his service was warm, attentive, and genuinely hospitable. His recommendations were absolutely phenomenal, every dish he suggested was perfectly on point and elevated our entire meal. Tate went above and beyond to ensure we felt taken care of without ever being intrusive, striking the perfect balance of professionalism and personality. He is a true asset to the establishment and absolutely deserves recognition for his outstanding service. We will be returning and requesting Tate without hesitation.

Can't go wrong here. Good menu options and specials. Service was perfect. Our meals were delicious. The wine was good. Reservations recommended at night by they take walk-ins. Free parking lot and nearby street parking. Really nice place. Had a good time.

Round up 3.5 stars to 4! Stepping into Draper’s Steak & Seafood in Old Town Fairfax, one is greeted with the promise of classic steakhouse warmth and an ambitious seafood program. The space strikes a cozy, date-night cordially vibe, bolstered by attentive service that many locals appreciate. The calamari arrives tender and reasonably well-executed, paired with a medley of crisp vegetables; however, its sauce leans conspicuously toward heat over nuance, leaving the dish enjoyable but not memorable. The clam chowder, by contrast, is genuinely noteworthy: creamy, rich, and evoking the heritage of New England’s best—comforting and well-balanced. As for rockfish, while competently grilled, lacked that distinctive spark that would elevate it beyond an everyday entrée. The cioppino follows a similar theme: shrimp impress with their freshness and delicate texture, while squid and the broth itself settle into the realm of satisfactory rather than standout. In sum, Draper’s offers moments of genuine pleasure—most notably with its chowder and the freshness of its seafood—set within an inviting setting. Yet a few of the plates hover at “pleasantly average,”

My wife and I went to Draper's Steak & Seafood for Valtine's Day and really enjoyed our dinner. We shared the flash fried shishito peppers to start and found them to be light and flavorful. I'm usually not a fan of aioli but the aioli that came with the peppers wasn't overpowering (warning: the aioli comes on top of the peppers rather than on the side like we expected). They also bring out freshly baked bread and whipped butter if you ask! We both ordered the sea bass which was cooked to perfection with a crispy outside and fork tender inside. Our server was attentive and prompt throughout the evening. They do a nice job of separating the dining area from the bar, creating unique but equally inviting atmospheres. Will definitely be going back!

We came here on a Saturday night for supper and really enjoyed our time here. We ordered an old fashioned, espresso martini, calamari, tuna tartar, cream of spinach, dry aged ribeye with a crab cake add on. They brought out fresh complimentary bread with butter, both of which were awesome. The drinks were just okay. The espresso martini had a burnt taste to it. The calamari were cooked perfectly. They were not rubbery at all. I didn't think the sauce paired well with it and asked for a lemon. The tuna tartar sat on top of avocado and had a sauce on top. The tuna tasted very fresh. Something about this dish was very salty though. The cream of spinach was delicious. Ordered the dry aged ribeye rare, and it came out rare. Their steaks are very good and worth the price, especially because it comes out with 2 sides. The mashed potatoes and asparagus were a great accompaniment to the steak. The crab cake was a great add on too. The chimichurri sauce we got was way too salty so we didn't really use it. Overall we had a great night and plan to come back and try other items. Reservations are recommended.

Entreé (NY strip) was excellent, ambience & bartender great; ran out of dessert twice after ordered; floor around kitchen and bathroom very slippery/greasy, no soap in bathroom day we went; house salad could use a little more dressing and flavor but leaves/veggies crisp and fresh

I came here for a happy hour and dinner after having a meeting nearby. Since I frequent Morton's steakhouse for their happy hours, I came to Draper's expecting a similar level of steakhouse HH experience. When their host took me to the bar to be seated, I wasn't too thrilled with the bartender asking "What can I do for you?": not exactly what I'd expect from a restaurant of this caliber. I was also surprised that he didn't know how to make a Manhattan properly either (not pictured). My main purpose for coming here was to fulfill my pork chop craving and they delivered: it was pretty delish! So was their New England clam chowder. Their happy hour bruschetta and cheeseburger slider, not so much. The bartender's overall service was pretty attentive and I appreciated that he offered me a complimentary dessert after confirming that it was my first time dining there. Overall, not sure that I would rush to return there any time soon when I have other options closer to me.

Lovely restaurant, nice and intimate vibe for date night. Service was wonderful, and food was pretty good although a little undercooked. Our server was very accommodating and had it cooked more for us, no questions asked. We had a nice time and will probably back!

Party of four on Christmas Eve. Very open vibrant vibe in the bar area with open dining room seating around the bar. All of the staff were very friendly and accommodating. We share the fried oysters and the calamari which were good. They oysters were a bit heavy on the breading as it masked the flavor of the oyster. Side sauce vinaigrette with the oysters was light and complimented the dish. Calamari had a flaky breading and a nice Asian chili sauce. Delicious! One of us ordered the rib eye steak which was cooked to perfection (as ordered medium well/pink on inside), but lacked that grilled taste you come to expect from a $50 steak. Shrimp scallop risotto was delicious and a decent portion. The Caesar salad with a crab cake was a different presentation but edible once you “made the salad” yourself. The entire head of lettuce was plated, including the heart with a uncut bottom. As if it was pulled out of a garden without cutting the end clean. Crab cake was a good ratio of filler to meat and savory. Caesar dressing was mild and lacked that specific unique anchovies flavor. All in all the restaurant is a welcome addition to Fairfax City and I look forward to coming back. It was a busy holiday evening and the staff were all cheery and checked in on our table without being over bearing. Of note, all of the beverages had a nice pour and complimented the entire dinner. Cheers to seeing you in the New Year.

Had my birthday dinner here. It’s delicious. Both seafood dishes were cooked to perfection. Anyone who knows how to to keep scallops, lobster, shrimp, and rockfish juicy is a pro. Cocktails were well done and the service was good but new - still a bit of training needed. After such an excellent meal it was difficult for the dessert to top it. I think they need to find a pastry chef. Overall, despite the growing pains, I’d go there again. Also, they are open to feedback which means they know they have potential and are striving to be the best in the culinary scene.

At long last, my wife and I had an evening without the kids where we could literally go anywhere we wanted...anywhere in the whole wide world...anywhere as far away as we wanted...but we decided to go to Draper's. We used to live in the City of Fairfax and watched in interest as the city tore down the old snowboard shop that also definitely served as a weed dispensary and, in its place, put up an absolutely beautiful building that also might still be a weed dispensary. Many a night before it opened, my wife and I would walk up to the windows and look at the lovely interior and long for the day that we could finally visit. This week, we did. Upon walking inside we were immediately greeted by the hostess who led us to our outdoor, patio seating. As a side note, it was also just a pleasant, not-awkward interaction with another human being; which seems to be the exception to the rule for me lately....but that's probably more a reflection on me, I suppose. All the same, we sat at our table and our waiter almost immediately brought us our jug of water and was back just a few minutes later to grab our appetizers. They were out of calamari which was a shame, but if forced us to try the bruschetta which turned out to be a true blessing in disguise. Everything on the plate tasted fresh and delicious and we literally ate everything, including the arugula which my wife snapped up like a frog does a fly. Then, our waiter was back and took our orders. I ordered the grilled salmon and my wife ordered the seafood cioppino. Strangely enough, that's one of the last times that we saw our waiter the rest of the night, which was kind of a shame because he seemed like a really nice guy. It was even more of a shame because our water was quickly dwindling away and we realized the prosciutto was probably so good because it was really salty. About 15 minutes later, our food came out and I must say...every single bite of it was delicious. I devoured the salmon like a grizzly in a Alaska almost faster than I could enjoy it. The fish was perfectly cooked, sat on a bed of savory mashed potatoes and covered in a tangy sort of sauce, which was lovely. The cioppino was also a hit with my wife and there was a lot of it. The only thing that got her was the raw squid (which, isn't that just unfried calamari?). It was about at this point in our meal that I realized that I had forgotten my wallet and realized that I probably didn't have any way to pay for the meal that we had just ordered. I pulled aside a waiter (not our waiter, who we hadn't seen in a good while) and, fortunately, found out that they take Apple Pay which meant we wouldn't have to work in the kitchen for the next year to pay off our meals, which was an added bonus. To wrap up, we grabbed a few coffees and stayed on the patio to chat a little while longer. The appetizer, meals, coffees and tip cost us just over $100 which is pricy, but the quality of the meal was so good that I would consider the price well worth it, though probably not something we'll be able to do as often as I would like, unless I receive an unexpected windfall of money, which seems unlikely. All in all, I would highly recommend giving Draper's a try. The food and atmosphere is lovely, our service wasn't great but that could have just been our waiter. The other tables around us seemed to be serviced just fine by other folks. We'll definitely be coming back and, next time, with a wallet.

Loved Draper’s Steak & Seafood! 💕 The vibe is classy but cozy — perfect for date night or dinner with the girls. My steak was perfectly cooked, the crab cakes were so good, and the cocktails were on point. 🍸✨ Great service and such a nice atmosphere — can’t wait to come back! 🥩🦀💖

We came here for anniversary dinner, and to be honest we were not too impressed. The service was great, but the food felt like it was warmed up in the back. Also, parking was very hard to find. I think my drink was the best thing I had that night.

The atmosphere here is really lovely and a welcome breath of elegance in Old Towne Fairfax. The wait staff was very courteous and charming. Our server, Maddie, was new to food service and did a great job! She was just attentive enough. The food was just ok and very expensive. The buratta was wonderful and the flavors all combined together well. The wedge salad was executed nicely. Nothing was new but the old favorite flavors of vinaigrette in the buratta and the bacon and blue cheese on the wedge was of nice comfort today. The gnocchi and ahi-tuna wellington were big let downs. The sauce on the gnocchi tasted jarred and warmed over. The wellington dish has so many competing flavors it was impossible to taste the Wellington. The risotto was wasabi flavored which made the dish taste like little else. The key lime pie was a total let down. The crust to pie ratio is heavy crust. The key lime was overpowered by the evaporated milk (?). Too creamy and more lemon meringue than key lime. Anyway, we hope they take the feedback and do something with that.

So I have been wanting to try Draper's but have been very hesitant. Being a steakhouse and seafood spot is a huge on taking. I wanted them to knock it out of the park especially because the restaurant is so close to my home. I generally have to go to DC or Arlington to have a upscale meal. Well anywho let's get right into it. I went to make a reservation online and they didn't have anything available within 90 minutes of my arrival time. I pulled up and parking was easy. They were able to seat me right away. The inside of the restaurant was very nice and had a good ambience. Outside dining was very nice as well and where I ended up dining. I was greated by a server in training as well as being assigned a actual server. Maddy was her name, let me just speak on how amazing she was, very personable and honestly made my meal. I started off with scallops and 3 cheese scalloped potatoes. The scalloped potatoes were very cheesy and good. The scallops had a nice sear but honestly could have been hotter. I then wanted lobster risotto and a burger. Unfortunately they were unable to accommodate the lobster risotto as a side. Again seemed like a bad call from a management side but fine. So I ended up with a burger and side of mushrooms. Unfortunately the burger came out with lettuce, tomatoes and bacon on it. All of these items I asked to be held; again Maddy was amazing and asked if she could take it back I told her no worries. The burger was tasteless, the meat wasn't seasoned and the cheese was as if it wasn't there. The garlic aoli was the only thing that gave the burger some life and taste. The fries that came with the burger came out hot and fresh the mushrooms were good but not very hot. So this leads me to dessert... my mother ordered the key lime pie. The crust was so hard you needed a steak knife to cut into the pie. The filling was so sweet that you honestly thought you were eating pure sugar. I ordered the blue cream pie because it was suppose to be so delicious that you wouldn't want to share. It was ok, not bad but not great. Lastly I ordered the banana cheesecake dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The presentation was lovely but it should have been served warm as it was clearly fried. It came out room temperature and didn't really taste like cheesecake. Again it wasn't horrible but it was sub par at best. I like good food and a good dining experience. I received wonderful service from Maddy and from the young lady in training. The bartender who also made me a drink that wasn't on the menu was great as well. I do feel that a manager should have come to the table to check-in because the restaurant wasn't busy at all as well as they should have realized that so much food was left on a plate coming back to the kitchen. I didn't ask to speak to one for the simple fact that I hate hearing empty apologizes or when they want to remove items off a bill and that that makes up for horrible food. I am more interested in open dialog with managers and GM's that want to ensure that the next experience is 1000x better. Again I eat out a lot and have lots of friends in this industry and it showed that the management wasn't interested in a conversation. Restaurant is pretty aesthetically, service from Maddy is AMAZING but food mediocre at best. I would say to keep driving but if you go at least ask for Maddy bc the service will be great.

This is a really nice place for a dinner date, although the food lacks the premium price tag they placed on it. I ordered a NA beer and the waitress poured it away from the table and brought me a glass of beer. While I trust her it was NA, normally you would bring the bottle or can to the table so the customer can see what your pouring in their glass. One putoff was the bartender who's shift ended around 9pm. He had a disgusting mouth and was out front the restaurant as we left talking loudly using profanities and other vulgar language. The customers he was talking too were some sort of acquaintance that were obviously over served alcohol. They broke a glass at their table and were slurring their speech very badly. I don't support places that send people out of their establishment drunk to drive a vehicle away. They should of been cut off from service much sooner, but when the bartender is your buddy I guess it doesn't matter.

Would not return. Atmosphere was underwhelming and the 80s playlist was annoying. Margaritas were too sweet, but homemade which was nice. We ordered the calamari which was mostly tempura vegetables and the barbecue sauce did not pair well. Overall, all seafood was overcooked and chewy. The beet salad was underdressed. Garlic mashed potatoes were a hit. Overall experience was underwhelming and bland.

We came to Draper’s Fairfax for Valentine’s Day with a late-night reservation. To start the night off, we had drinks — a gin and Sprite for me and a Shirley Temple for my partner. For an appetizer, we ordered the crab dip, and I’ve got to say, the crab dip was amazing — easily 5 stars. The bread was a little hard, but the dip itself was full of flavor and definitely the highlight of the night. Unfortunately, the overall experience fell a bit short of what we expected. The drinks were fine, nothing special. That said, our waiter was great — very patient, attentive, and professional, which we really appreciated. The staff honestly helped make the experience better. Now for the cons: After being impressed by the crab dip, we were excited and both ordered steaks. I got the dry-aged steak, and my partner ordered the New York strip. She specifically asked for chimichurri, which was the main reason she chose that steak. After the food arrived, we were told they had run out of chimichurri — which was disappointing since that should’ve been communicated before the order was placed. On top of that, once we cut into our steaks, they were undercooked. Between the missing chimichurri and the undercooked steaks, it took away from what was supposed to be a special Valentine’s Day dinner. While I believe Draper’s Fairfax is a good restaurant overall, I’d recommend sticking to the seafood or appetizers. I regret ordering the steak — it wasn’t well seasoned and had a tough, rubbery texture. The service was great, but the kitchen execution didn’t match expectations for a night like that. also, I had a crabcake side. It was OK but really wasn’t what I was expecting.

For Valentine’s Day, me and my partner went to this establishment for a nice evening. We were seated on arrival. We were given the Valentine’s Day special menu and the regular menu. We were given a few minutes to look over it. We decided to order the crab dip at first as well as a gin and Sprite and a Shirley Temple with tequila from the bar. The crab dip on arrival was good. It gave a mac & cheese vibe with a mix of crab meat, but the bread was fresh a little hard to pull apart, but overall the appetizer was good. The drinks were very good no complaints there. After we received our drinks in our appetizer, we ordered our main course. I ordered the New York strip with chimichurri mashed potatoes and brussels sprouts. My partner ordered the dry aged ribeye with mashed potatoes, french fries, and a side crabcake. After a few minutes, our food arrived and I had left the way to know that I had asked for chimichurri with my steak. That was the reason why I wanted a steak and then he didn’t informed me that they were out of chimichurri, which was the reason why I wanted a steak, but they did not let me know that while they were cooking the steak they did didn’t tell me until after the food had already arrived to the table. I personally did not like either of the other options for sauces that they had so I just told them that I would just eat it as is. My steak was a little undercooked. I asked for medium well but it was still like red juices coming out of the steak. My brussels sprouts that I had ordered were hard, but the mashed potatoes were good. For my partners meal, his steak was also undercooked. The crabcake was good probably needed a little bit more breading and old bay seasoning, but had a good amount of crab meat in there, but for the price of the dry aged steak, it was just not worth it and it was very disappointing after having a good drink and a good appetizer that the entrée was just so disappointing for both of us. We had picked this restaurant because it had good reviews, but I believe that they can do seafood well but they cannot do a steak.