Fish Tales: a review of Passionfish

by Phantom Foodie

Bar fare at Passionfish. Photo by Phantom Foodie

Continuing my recent autumn happy hour tour around Reston Town Center, this month I opted for the happy hour bar experience at Passionfish. Having dined here in the past, the restaurant often delights seafood lovers.

The expanded bar area features a curved bar seating 10 to 12 and four high-top tables. The décor is welcoming and upscale, with a beautiful bounty of fresh seafood displayed over ice to the left. Yet, the entry and ambiance didn’t quite match expectations.

With the high-top tables occupied, I took a spot in the middle of the bar. Three bartenders were busy wiping down glassware rather than greeting guests or attending the bar. The staff’s lack of engagement made me feel more like an intruder than a guest—no greeting, no recommendations, no conversation. I’ve had warmer welcomes at the joints in Dulles Airport Terminal C. Learning a point-of-sale system on the fly is probably not something patrons need to know either.

Moving on to the food—remember, we’re talking bar bites, not the full entrée menu. The roasted beet salad is a favorite. Black Angus cheeseburger sliders were a bit overcooked, but the sweet-and-salty bacon jam brought excitement to each bite. Two blackened fish tacos with pickled slaw were tasty, but not unforgettable; perhaps my palate prefers a hint of lime crema or sriracha aioli. The standout, however, was the spicy salmon maki roll. This six-piece roll impressed both in taste and value. All dishes arrived quickly, thanks to pleasant food runners, showing that the new order ticket system works well.

Photo by Phantom Foodie

One notable drawback: local, vocal regulars and their fur babies. While I’m dog-friendly, a small canine cameo at the bar was inappropriate and distracting while eating sushi. According to Passionfish policy, non-service dogs should be leashed on the outdoor patio. This awkward situation could have been easily avoided with staff intervention.

What could have been a fun, random evening happy hour instead became a distraction, overshadowing an otherwise enjoyable meal. Bar service, aside from the food runners, was lackluster.

Still, if you’re up for a drink, bar bites, quiet staff, and maybe a random dog tail with your cocktail, Passionfish’s happy hour is worth a try. Dining in offers a wider menu of options.

Kids’ plates and family meals are available, as well as private events and online ordering. Loyalty club members enjoy exclusive privileges, and Thanksgiving To-Go options are currently available.

11960 Democracy Drive

Daily Happy hour 2:30-6:30 p.m. Sunday to Friday; 4-6:30 p.m. Saturday

Reservations via OpenTable or 703-230-3474

The Reston Letter and its staff do not receive solicitation, compensation, or special endorsement from any restaurant or culinary establishment. Our reviewer dines unannounced to make the experience genuine. Our mission is to provide our readers with an accurate representation of our reviewer's experience so they may make their own informed decisions. Taste, service, and culinary preferences vary.