By Andrew Clary
The Angie, a new French-inspired restaurant in Ballston, offers a polished take on the neighborhood bistro experience, with an attractive dining room, classic dishes, and attentive service. My wife and I recently stopped in for dinner and left with a positive overall impression, though the high prices are worth keeping in mind.
The restaurant itself makes a strong first impression as you walk in. The space has a modern French bistro feel without leaning too heavily into traditional décor. It is bright, stylish, and very clean, with enough personality to make dinner feel like an occasion while still being comfortable for a casual night out. The atmosphere struck a nice balance between upscale and approachable.
We started with the tuna carpaccio, which ended up being one of the highlights of the meal. The thinly sliced tuna was fresh and tender, and the dish packed plenty of flavor. It was a light way to begin dinner but still felt satisfying.
For our entrées, my wife ordered the Duck au Poivre. The duck was cooked very well, with a nicely prepared exterior while remaining tender inside. She thoroughly enjoyed it, and the fries that came alongside it were a nice touch. I went with the Dover sole, another one of the more classic French offerings on the menu. The fish was delicate and flaky, with a rich, buttery sauce that complemented it nicely. Dover sole can be a relatively simple dish, so execution matters, and The Angie did a very good job.
We added the mashed potatoes and green beans to share. Unfortunately, these were probably the weakest part of dinner. Both were perfectly fine from a preparation standpoint, but we found them surprisingly bland compared with the rest of the meal. Given the quality and flavor of the main dishes, we were hoping for sides with a little more seasoning and personality, but were underwhelmed.
Dessert helped finish things on a stronger note. We ordered the crème brûlée, which had the classic combination you want: a crisp caramelized top over a smooth, creamy custard. It was simple but well executed.
Service throughout the evening was also very good. Everything moved at an appropriate pace, and the staff was attentive. The timing between the appetizers, entrées, and dessert was spaced appropriately. We had no complaints.
Overall, The Angie delivered a good dining experience, particularly with the tuna carpaccio, duck, and Dover sole. The atmosphere and service make it an appealing addition to Ballston’s restaurant scene. The biggest caveat is price: dinner here can become expensive fairly quickly, especially once sides and drinks are added. Still, if you’re looking for a polished French-inspired dinner in Arlington and don’t mind spending a little more, The Angie is worth considering.).
The Angie (3901 Fairfax Dr.): Hours of operation: Sun-Thur 7:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m.; Fri-Sat 7:00 a.m.–1:00 a.m. Phone number: 703-263-8501. Visit https://www.theangieva.com/ for additional information.
