SER Restaurant
Spanish restaurant · Bluemont ·
Authentic Spanish fare, tapas, paella & global wine list
Authentic Spanish fare, tapas, paella & global wine list
"A decade in, this Spanish destination in Arlington proves you don’t have to leave the suburbs for tradition, flair, and warm hospitality. Large-format dishes are theatrically presented, feed two to three, and are worth the splurge: servers even use plates to chop the $160 cochinillo asado tableside, with a new $20 small plate featuring the same meat for the budget-conscious. Paella ($60) shines in a seafood version dark with squid ink, while the meat rendition stuffed with chicken, duck, and rabbit is just as formidable. Vegetables arrive artfully in unusual combinations, like a seasonal salad that combined blackberries, blue cheese, watermelon radishes, fennel, and citrus. Classic tapas are textbook—creamy croquettes, robust tomato bread, and garlic shrimp bursting with umami—and for a simpler solo meal, the chilled half-lobster teeming with crab meat ($35) pairs nicely with a tapa or the creamy gazpacho. The vibe truly treats customers like family: guests who pass away are remembered with photos on the wall, owner Javier Candon greets regulars by name with a handshake or kisses, and general manager Dimitri Brinza might reference your last visit. For an insider touch, Candon infuses his own liqueurs—about half a dozen appear on the after-dinner menu (sample the cherry marcona almond one)—and some show up in cocktails like a gin and tonic heady with rosemary." - Missy Frederick
"Ten years in, Spanish stalwart Ser continues to shine in its evolving Ballston neighborhood. It’s hard to go wrong with any of the 12-plus tapas on the list, but the tomato bread, croquetas, and deep-fried eggplant are not to miss. Seafood, meat, or vegetable paella for two is another excellent choice, and for a dash of drama at the table, go big with a whole roast suckling pig. Other standouts include crab-topped lobster from the raw bar, gorgeous seasonal salads, and gazpacho when summer calls. Its Spanish co-owner Javier Candon infuses his own spirits, as seen in Ser’s superior gin and tonic. Joselito, its sister spot in Capitol Hill, recently closed — which means the team is all in on Ser now. Must-try dish: Gambas al ajillo" - Tierney Plumb
"Truly an Arlington gem, native Spaniard Javier Candon’s Ser is a great option for tapas, Spanish raw bar dishes, and even colorful salads. It also offers its share of theatrical dishes, from dramatically chopped suckling pig to large-format paellas. The restaurant exudes hospitality and has ambitious drinks as well. Ten years in, Ser has served 200,000 sangrias, shucked over 300,000 oysters, and hand-rolled more than 600,000 croquetas. A newly constructed covered patio for 100 debuts this spring. Ser’s Capitol Hill sibling Joselito recently closed, but the team hopes to open another Spanish spot in Arlington." - Tierney Plumb
"The program website describes this Ballston spot as a "family-owned, award-winning neighborhood restaurant" that serves "authentic comfort foods from Spain in a casual and friendly environment," and highlights a traditional, hearty tortilla de patatas — described as "filled with tender potatoes, poached onions, and fluffy eggs." - Stacey Leasca
"From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., the Ballston bar slings $8 Spanish tapas, wines, and cocktails. Available at the bar and patio only." - Missy Frederick