The Commentary

Our food was delayed only by a few minutes and Jose P. offered us free drinks to make up for it. The berry delicious cocktail was delicious!! I also got the cauliflower mushroom pizza and it was full of flavor. Jose P was very kind and his service was phenomenal.

We had our wedding at the Commentary on 5/31/25 and we could not be more thrilled with our experience. Olivia Martel and Chef Fran were PHENOMENAL to work with. Anything we wanted, we got. We wanted a low key, chill wedding, and decided on stations and the pasta bar with a plethora of appetizers and the execution was a 10/10. We loved having the whole bar and restaurant to ourselves in Ballston and welcoming guests from across the country and being in the Commentary’s/Westin’s care. They took really great care of us and we couldn’t be more grateful for the most beautiful day of our lives.

I’ve had a few friends mention having a great date night at a fun pizza making class, which also had a cocktail making component. So, once I was able to confirm that they were ALL talking about the same venue, The Commentary - I knew it was going to have to be a ‘must visit’ for my husband and I. Everything about the hands on ‘Artisan Pizza and Craft Cocktail’ class was fun and engaging from start to finish. The chef that guided us through the various steps and techniques to create our version of the perfect pizza (and crust), was very upbeat and encouraging. There were loads of opportunities to ask questions, and when it came to choosing your pizza toppings we were all spoiled for choice. Whether you’re vegetarian, pescatarian or an absolute omnivore - there were multiple toppings for everyone & enough to go around the entire group. I decided to lean into my creative side, and I made my pizza in the shape of a heart - which actually ended up looking and tasting great!! While the pizzas are baking, we went ahead and got started with the craft cocktail portion of the class, there were several cocktails to choose between… I went with the Paloma, and my hubby chose the Manhattan - both of which tasted divine. Overall 10/10 experience! Great for a date night, girls night, quality time with family and friends, a birthday celebration or solo night out.

The Commentary cooking event was an unforgettable experience. I chose this event for my husband and I wedding anniversary. It was equal part fun, inspiring, and delicious. The chef and bartender were engaging and funny. My husband and I are foodiies. We love great food, conversation, and company. The pizza and cocktail was delicious. We plan to attend other cooking events at The Commentary.

Recently visited for one of their cocktail making classes. Priced at $55 you had the fun experience of creating 4 cocktails and enjoying some small bites to go along with it. The experience takes about 2 hours and is well worth the price. Most cocktails boiled down to pour, pour, shake, serve. However it was great to see how quickly and easily you can make some great drinks on your own. Additionally it was fun to be able to taste and explore a few different drinks. Everything tasted amazing and the staff was phenomenal! Already booked a few more.

The Commentary, a pizza and cocktails-making class nestled within the Westin hotel in Arlington, Virginia, offers an unforgettable experience for couples or a unique gathering with friends. Our experience at The Commentary was nothing short of memorable and incredibly enjoyable. The instructors for both segments were exceptional, their humor adding an extra layer of fun to the learning process. The highlight of the class was the opportunity to savor the creations we had made. The pizzas and cocktails were absolutely delicious, and the Truffle Fries, crispy and bursting with flavor, left my taste buds dancing. The wings were equally impressive. The ambiance at The Commentary was simply fantastic. The garage parking provided easy access to the hotel, making it a convenient option for those who prefer to drive. As a friendly reminder, classes are open to individuals aged 21 and above, and ID verification is mandatory. #pickyeaterapproved #datenightideas #pickyfoodieapproved #arlingtonva #dmv #pizzamaking #cocktails #class

Had a girls day out that I set up for Pizza & Cocktail making class on 9/7/25, what an excellent experience! Both instructors were so personable and fun that all had a great time! My friends kept thanking me for setting this up and everyone said they were coming back with others as well. THANK YOU for a GREAT experience and atmosphere!! See you again soon!!

The pizza and drink making class was awesome; both tasted great. The instructors were friendly and very helpful. My husband and I will be back.

Such a beautiful place, wonderful experience! We went there for the cocktail making class. Jose was very engaging and each drink brought it's own flavor! We learned about the tequilas we drank, and a tasty starter matched to each drink, which the chef also described in detail. Our waitress Nishant was the best! My nephews came with us and chilled in the lounge area. After we took them food, she then went over and checked if they like their food! She was very helpful, and super attentive. Such a great time!

TLDR: slow service. Friendly staff and solid food. Nice decor. Came here for brunch with a few friends. It is located in the same building as a hotel, but also has its own entrance. Hours are a bit odd and the website vs yelp vs Instagram vs google posted hours are all a bit different. The commentary burger was excellent and cooked medium as I asked. The French toast was solid, but nothing special. Unfortunately it took a while, but in the least the food was really good.

I happened to stumble to find The Commentary, since it was located in the Westin in Arlington, VA. I ordered the crab pizza and it was very tasty. The crust was perfectly baked and there was a lot of crab meat. The service was quick for lunch, but there were no other diners. Even the dining area is rather large, modern, and clean. Great ambiance.

The Sunday Manager Lady and our bartender Roy helped us have an enjoyable end of the weekend. Watch out Monday here we come!

The Commentary is as good as many other hotel bars. It's comfy and the service is generally A-OK. There aren't too many seats around the actual bar itself, but there is a lot of seating in the large space; sofas, tables, etc etc. They have a full bar with a number of their own cocktail suggestions as well. As a beer fan, I believe they only have 4 on tap, but a good mix for 4 taps. As far as hotel bars go, this gets the job done.

The ambiance was very nice. The aesthetics are beautiful and modern. Definitely an upscale restaurant. The service was wonderful. They were late bringing out one of our orders and gave us a drink on the house! The food was good. It was well cooked. My burger was huge and filling. The waiters were professional and checked on us often.

An absolute gem that promises an unforgettable dining experience. From the moment I stepped through the doors, I was warmly welcomed by the friendly staff, and it only got better from there. The restaurant's ambiance exudes a charming and inviting atmosphere, perfect for a special occasion or a casual get-together with friends. The attention to detail in the decor and ambiance sets the stage for a truly delightful meal. Now, let's talk about the food. My taste buds were taken on a thrilling journey with each dish I savored, but one dish, in particular, stood out: the salad. It's not often that a salad leaves such a lasting impression, but this one did just that. Bursting with freshness and flavor, every bite was a symphony of textures and tastes. The blend of crisp greens, vibrant vegetables, and the most delectable dressing elevated this salad to culinary perfection. It was a true celebration of farm-to-table goodness. Beyond the sensational dishes, what truly made the experience exceptional was the impeccable service. The staff was attentive, knowledgeable, and incredibly accommodating. Every aspect of the dining experience was well thought out, and they went above and beyond to ensure our every need was met. The genuine warmth and professionalism of the staff added an extra layer of comfort and joy to the meal. The menu offers a wide array of options, catering to diverse palates and dietary preferences. Whether you're a carnivore, vegetarian, or vegan, you'll find something to tantalize your taste buds. To top it all off, the dessert selection was equally impressive. A sweet indulgence that left me in awe of the culinary skills of Chef Fran

Nice, simple buffet for the price. Pleasant wait staff. Not terribly busy. Give it a try.

Love coming here on business travel. Quiet, nice chill vibe and great food. It never disappoints. Tonight I tried the steak with vegetables. Delicious!

Came here for dinner on a work trip. I got the pork belly pizza and wow. It was soooo good. The service was excellent and it was super nice inside.

The food was amazing we had avocado and crab toast, the mimosas flights and so much more. It was nine of us and all of us agreed the food was delicious! Our server was amazing as well. She made sure we all were good. Also, the manager wand another worker we're both great and helpful as well. The inside of the restaurant was beautiful and it is located inside of the Westin hotel. I'm going to definitely try this spot out again. I give it a 5 star.

Great food and service, hopefully it gets more popular since it was kind of dead. Overall I'd definitely go back

The drink selection is good and a wonderful atmosphere. Food is normal for a hotel bar/restaurant.

Hotel Bar and Restaurant in The Westin. Decent selection of Tap Craft Beer. Mixed review on the food. A reasonably priced personal pizza ("Margarita") combined fresh Mozzarella, with a too sweet sauce (yes on a Margarita, I know), and an under salted but still toothy crust. Looking at ( and smelling)the giant, breaded seasoned wings a fellow bar patron ordered made me envoys.

I really like this place now that it's been remodeled. The bar/lounge area is very comfy and cool. I live in the area and actually enjoy popping over just to have a drink at the bar... Lots of big TVs too. The food is surprisingly good! The burger is good, the salmon with sweet potato purée is good, the salads are good... I think it's a really decent little restaurant/bar with a great vibe. The only downside is the service is wonky... They are better staffed on the weekends, but during the week it can be a little hit or miss for food. The bar staff is always great! Always great and always super nice.

The food was okay, nothing to write home about but the food definitely wasn't bad. The restaurant itself is a nice atmosphere and I went with a group of around 10 people and they were easily able to accommodate us.

Very spacious dim casual modern lounge restaurant located inside The Westin. Dined for 2 around happy hour. Beyond Meat Burger$14 (plant-based patty, caramelized poblano peppers & onions, avocado slices, bibb lettuce, pico de gallo & pickle on a multigrain vegan bun) - delicious patty (not dry), used all the avocado slices. Towards the end of finishing my burger, the multigrain bun was a little too much (too multigrain lol). Seasonal Fruit $6 - the size/portion of this item was surprising. Literally smaller than a palm sized ramekin. Service - hostess and server were extremely friendly and patient! Parking - validated valet parking (valet parking is located on N. Vermont Street). I completely missed the hotel entrance/valet and parked on Fairfax Drive for $4 for 2 hrs. + artwork + lounge areas near the hotel/restaurant doors with couches and high back chairs

Used to be the Westin bar and they did totally revamp It. The drinks are pretty strong and the food is okay! I had a margherita flatbread which was decent. It is pretty quiet here but a good spot for drinks I think more so than food.

The service was really good and it clearly had low worker help. The guy managing did a great job. Food was very good and a great selection of items. Overall excellent for hotel restaurant

We were looking for a happy hour venue where we could hear each other w/o screaming and were able to keep socially-distant from other groups. This place is it! It's relatively quiet but comfortable. The pours are generous and the food is surprisingly good. We tried the margarita flatbread and the roasted veggie flatbread and both were good. Yes, it's a hotel bar but it is very cozy and the staff is nice and friendly. BTW, hours on Yelp and hotel website are wrong. These are the current hours as provided to me via email from the hotel: Breakfast Monday-Friday 6am-10:30am Breakfast Saturday-Sunday 7am-10:30am Brunch Saturday-Sunday 10:30am-1:30pm Dinner Daily 5pm-10pm. Happy Hour Monday-Friday 5pm-7pm

Great place for delicious brunch! The food was delicious and the mimosas were too, and there were enough options to choose from on the menu without being too overwhelming. The only downside is they don't have outdoor seating, so it lacks a little in the ~vibes~ department.

Staying at Westin and this is our breakfast place - we had a coupon. My review is based on a fact that I paid tips only, the rest was covered by the coupon, otherwise my review will be harshly different. It is a nice convenient place with good breakfast selection for those who can eat it all. Being allergic, I did not found a lot of vegan options for breakfast especially plant based items or similar; nor dairy free creamer, cheese or butter/spread. I thought that the crepes are dairy based so I didn't risk it. Instead, good choice of fruits/berries and porridge which in my case is fair play. If you're vegan / dairy free - you will be somewhat disappointed but still have some options. If you vegetarian- you have better choice. The price tag may be surprisingly high considered the choices (it is $$ per person). But the waitress was nice, the tea was quickly served and the used dishes were cleared quickly.

We're staying at the Westin Gateway Hotel and have eaten in their restaurant on two evenings. The menu is incredible. You can make a meal of the appetizers. I highly recommend the crab cakes, grilled artichoke and cheese & marinara! The brisket burger and the short ribs s are a must. The decor is soothing and the contemporary music doesn't drown out conversation. The bar area is a great place to hang out!

please please please order their Fall Violet. It is ridiculously delicious and I was super tipsy! I bring people here for that drink and the great appetizers.

After reading several 5 Star Yelp reviews, my husband and I traveled to visit The Commentary for Breakfast. The Commentary is located inside of a Hotel. Therefore, upon entry the Hostess asked if we would be using Hotel Guest Meal Vouchers. We stated we would be ordering from the menu. We were seated and pleasantly greeted by the waiter. Our waiter insisted we use the bar rather than order from the menu but the bar did not have the Breakfast items we were interested in. We ordered the Rancheros and the Eggs Benedict. The food was decent but there was a lack of balance between rich, fat, salt, and freshness. If you live in the area, are in walking distance, or are staying in the hotel, the Commentary has friendly service and a breakfast bar. However, the Commentary's food quality and dining experience is not a breakfast/brunch location worth traveling down the highway for.

Stopped by this place after a basketball game in DC. Wow and wow! Even the pickiest of eaters in our clan of 5 found something to please them. For our apps we got the pretzel bites, teriyaki wings and loaded tots. The only negative thing I have to say is - GIVE US MORE! The wings were perfectly crisp and glazed with pineapple next to them, the tots were just loaded with goodness. Now, the main courses: grilled cheese perfection with soup and old bay chips! Our 13 year old finished it all up! Hubby has the fish tacos, two other littles had the club sandwich and the bread was so impressive. I splurged on the burger with the candid bacon Desserts were not a let down, if anything stop in for one of their larger then life milk shakes.

Good food and good drinks, but the service is off. The really cater to the hotel guests which is fine, but it may not be worth a visit if you are not staying at the hotel. The poor service started once they asked if we were guests in the hotel. Tried to place us in a really poor spot even though the restaurant was empty. You could see the focus was on the people staying there. The server was nice enough but the focus was elsewhere. At the price level that just doesn't work for me. The food is very good and the PBJ cocktail is great. We live in the area and probably will not return based on the service.

I recommend this venue, especially if you are looking for a place to relax and recharge.

Our commentary is not great for "The Commentary." Believe me I really wanted to like this place. We want to have a lot of favorite places within walking distance of our house however all three legs of our value stool fell short: food, service, price. For the positive, no one was rude and I believe everyone was relatively pleasant. Also, the interior is nicely refreshed from Pinzimini (the previous restaurant that occupied this space). Unfortunately, the service was just not up to par at this price point. Understandably, this is a new restaurant and maybe some kinks will be worked out. (1) We waited at the host station for too long wondering if anyone was even coming. A couple of servers walked past and lacked either the initiative or the training to let us know someone would be with us. (2) I didn't have any napkin or utensils. The host acknowledged this (to his credit) and said I would get some shortly. Unfortunately, "shortly" was not until my first order arrived, and would not have happened if I hadn't ask again. The server almost walked away after dropping off my food. (3) The wine we ordered did not arrive until the second course and ONLY after we prompted the server AGAIN. (4) Water glasses were rarely filled until I asked even after giving staff a couple of passes by our table (in fact one time someone was even carrying a water pitcher ?!?). The food was ok. I know this is listed as a casual eatery, so I think our expectations were in check. However, the menu looked like it had some interesting choices. We shared a prosciututto flatbread and spinach salad to start. For entrees, we had the pork chop and pan seared spiced chicken. The food was presented nicely, and I think there was real thought to the accompaniments with the hopes of enhancing taste. To be fair, we ate everything. However, both the meats and accompanying grains were too dry, and I think everything was over salted. I noticed it somewhat at the time, but I really noticed in the middle of the night with a salt mouth that I could not quench. For dessert, (I will have to pick on this too.), we shared a sorbet ($10), not exactly a casual price for a casual eatery, given the small size and tasted like supermarket quality. We've had much better quality and more quantity at a lower price at many other places. To recap, two starters, two entrees, two glasses of wine, and one dessert resulted in total price including tax and 15% tip (sorry this was not a 20% experience) was $132. We've had much better meals (accounting for food and service) at a much lower price point in this area. The Commentary is just not a good dinner value for us. We MIGHT try again. I will keep my eyes on the reviews, but based on our experience, the restaurant has numerous growing pains to reconcile at those prices. The location for us is very attractive and the restaurant has a nice appearance. If service and meal preparation improve, we'd love to return. Hopefully, it will.

I attended an event here on Sat. evening, and the food was atrocious--easily the worst pizza I have ever eaten. If you like sauce from a can of Chef Boyardee, then you might love this tasteless pizza. The drink was an apple pie bourbon drink for an outrageous $15 and no apple flavor whatsoever, just bourbon. The single giant ice cube does not work either as it did not keep the drink chilled. I realize this is a hotel bar, but I feel as though I wasted money for a truly terrible pizza and worthless drink. Try literally anywhere else in Arlington but The Commentary.

First of all, the food is sooo good. A good mix of healthy/light options, gluten free, vegan, and also dank comfort food so there is something for everyone if you have friends with food allergies. Beautifully decorated with interesting art, signs, neon lights, etc. I am so excited this is open for business in Arlington!

This is a pretty casual lounge in the Westin that is, admittedly, kinda hard to find despite being centrally located in Ballston. The food and drinks are good, but perhaps a bit safe and underwhelming - not unexpected for a hotel restaurant that has to serve a wide variety of folks. I find it somewhat hard to recommend this place given all of the other amazing places opening up nearby.

Ok so this is a restaurant in the Westin. That might normally limit the upside. These were the best Huevos Rancheros I have had. It was very light (if not nonexistent) on the cheese but was an excellent size, with fresh ingredients and perfectly cooked eggs. I would not hesitate to go back and take this down again.

I really want to rate this place higher but the food here is just disappointing. The highlight of this place is the bartender who is super attentive and friendly. Definitely come here for a happy hour drink or four! Grab a bit to eat somewhere else though. They have ceviche on the menu but both times I've been, it's not available and they haven't removed it from the menu yet. I got the steak tonight and it wasn't great. Came medium instead of medium rare and no seasoning - not even any salt or pepper on that hunk of meat. The biggest problem were the brussels sprouts - they were obviously from a bag of microwave frozen, steam-able brussels. Nobody wants unseasoned, boiled/steamed Brussels with an unappetizing sauce. I actually sent them back because I wasn't going to eat them. The highlight of the dish was the potatoes which were delicious, crispy, and well seasoned. Not sure how the potatoes were better seasoned than the steak! Anyway, bottom line is to definitely come here for a drink but dine elsewhere.

Super slow service. Unbelievably slow service. From sitting down to waiting to give our order to waiting to receive the food (1+ hour) and finally to waiting for our bill. Had to ask other severs for help. We were a party of two for lunch and it was NOT busy. Ordered the Beyond Burger and it wasn't cooked well. It was very hard, overcooked and cold, like it was forgotten in the kitchen, which seems to align with the slow service. Asked for a side salad with the burger and they had all animal products on it - cheese, egg, bacon. Not a big deal, asked if I could have another one without all that. Waited 20 mins for a small side salad. Waiter never checked on us and food was not good and overpriced.

I was excited to go here because it's listed as a Breakfast & Brunch place but the hours are wrong on Yelp. The place is open from 5-10pm Mon-Sat or something.

My first experience with The Commentary was during their first cooking class and it was exceptional. The customer service and atmosphere was amazing (shoutout to Eve, B Bee, Lorenzo, Chef Fran, and Chef Bobbie). The cocktails we had were excellent (the Strawberry Shortcake and the Espresso Martini) and so were the flatbreads. While I don't remember exactly what the flatbreads were called, I remember one had short rib on it and the other had cauliflower crust. Both were delicious! And they validate parking! So I'll surely be back.

Went for breakfast with a friend and it did not disappoint! Super cute spot with yummy breakfast food. They also had mimosas with different juice options and then mango was delish.

The honest truth is I came to the Commentary because it was giving out 1,000 Opentable points for a reservation. The menu didn't seem bad, and the Yelp pictures looked okay. I didn't realize until getting here that it's the Westin bar/restaurant though (should've read the Yelp reviews). I mean nothing against hotel bars/restaurants, but they tend to be overpriced (even by DC standards) and nothing to write home about. That's exactly the case with the Commentary. Our happy hour for two, where we got two draft beers, flatbread, spinach and artichoke dip, and loaded tater tots ran us about $50. Everything was fine. However, with so many other choices around in the same block, I probably won't be back (unless I'm looking for another boost in my Opentable account).

Talk about fabulous service!! This place went above and beyond I can't even begin to tell you but I will try to! I'm pretty sure the manager that we had was Lorenzo. He made us feel like royalty. We ate here for New Year's Eve and it was absolutely amazing the food was some of the best! The chef came out and talk to us after we had tried her amazing salmon with sweet potatoes and carrots and the short ribs with mashed potatoes... don't even get me started on the raw seafood bar that was to die for!! also the desserts were absolutely amazing. They had all their New Year's Eve decorations decked out and it made us feel like we were celebrating in style it was so much fun and everyone Loved it and wants to go back for happy hour as soon as we can. Thank you to everyone there that made us feel so welcome and like we were part of their family. It was also awesome to have the oyster Schuckers come around to the tables that was an experience that I had never had before. We will be back!

Really lovely renovated restaurant in the Westin hotel. This place has the potential to become a neighborhood hangout. Decorations are lovely, and the food is quite good - though I've only been once. They're working out the kinks. For example, friends and I arrived one Saturday night and went to the bar, as did most other patrons. Instead of moving servers to the bar high top area, they remained in their assigned restaurant area watching over empty tables. Meanwhile, the bartender was running around trying to manage many tables. They need to figure this out, and I am confident they will. Please give them a shot because they offer some pretty unique offerings. Try the goat cheese and veggie flatbread.

We sit at the bar when we come and AJ the bartender is amazing!!! Shrimp flatbread, spinach salad and the salmon are our favorites! Food and atmosphere is great... it is not what you think of when you of a hotel restaurant!

First time reviewer here but felt strongly enough to do so- this restaurant is the perfect spot for a casual date night! The service by AJ is efficient and friendly while Fran's food is impeccable! We had dietary restrictions because of allergies and Fran took fantastic care of our needs without sacrificing the quality! We will certainly be back!

Big fan of this place after only being there one time. Great food at a good price point. Brunch cocktails were cheap but also not mixed great hence the 4 stars. Incredible service.

We have eaten here a few times and have had wonderful experiences each time. The vibes and ambiance are awesome, the food is delicious and for being a hotel restaurant, it is not entirely over priced. It is definitely a change from the pinzimini that was in this location last year. I hope they can stick it out as a hotel restaurant because we really have enjoyed eating here on multiple occasions. I also really like how they do little parties that bring the Ballston community together. It's great to see a restaurant give back to its community and share its delicious food! Giving 4 stars because they list that they are open u til 2 am but twice we have tried to come in for a night cap around 11:00pm and the doors were locked, but people were still inside at the bar.

Went for first time, food was really good and the atmosphere was fun! Really solid menu from both a food and beverage standpoint. Would recommend!

Went here last Friday and it was GREAT. We sat at the bar and were served immediately. I got the tillo mary(their play on a bloody mary), the blood orange matcha fizz, the artichoke, spinach, and crab fondue, and the prosciutto flat bread. All of it was amazing and came out in a timely manner! The tillo mary is probably the best bloody mary I've ever had and the flat bread was great! Lots of prosciutto. The fondue had a great balance between the crab and spinach flavors and was overall a satisfying dish. Bartender's name I believe was AJ and he was great! 10/10 will come again

Not sure why the negative reviews, the service was prompt, great happy hour deals, food came out quick and tasted great! The wings and flat bread especially were tasty. Definitely recommend!

Decent food. Small menu and service was a little slow, but besides that pretty good for the price.

Three of us went to a Christmas Day movie and then stopped here for something to eat. Our idea was to get a sandwich or something light, but discovered they had a special 3-course Pre Fixe Christmas Day menu. We actually were pretty hungry, so decided to go for it. I'm glad we did. The food was exceptional. The scallops appetizer in a butternut squash puree may have been the best scallops I've ever tasted (please add to your regular dining menu and I will be back often!!). The main course was pistachio-crusted sea bass with polenta, asparagus and roasted tomatoes. Again, outstanding. The food in general was very clean and tasty. Not that over-salted, preservative taste that is so prevalent. The atmosphere was also very open and welcoming. This was such a pleasant surprise that I had to write a review.