El Manantial Restaurant

This has closed but re-​opened as Euroopa Restaurant in Old Town Herndon.

This location in the Tall Oaks Shopping Ctr. of Reston is now closed. Lease was not renewed according to other tenants in the center.

I don’t know if we went on a bad day but the food was just ok just decent, nothing wowed me. Or maybe I was expecting too much, either way… I probably won’t go back. For me once was good enough experience from this place. Service was ok, a bit slow and didn’t pay attention to what customers need at their table, like water and what not.

Do the tapas!
Ask for the tapas menu!
Go with a group and taste all the different types of food!
We had a group of 6 and it felt like a delicious family meal. Friendly staff good menu and not much bad to say about the place. Just missing the wow factor

Its actually good this restaurant is planning a move to Herndon– the Tall Oaks shopping center is definitely dead. That said, they have done a really nice job inside– you hardly believe you are in a run down strip mall.
The service was reasonably friendly and attentive. I wasn’t sure how the food would be having read some mixed reviews, but it did not disappoint. The meat and cheese platter was a great appetizer, and I really enjoyed my venison entrée. Its not often you even find venison on the menu, and this was a good portion size and perfectly cooked. The gravy and mashed potatoes were a perfect compliment, although I would have liked to have a little more of the mashed potatoes.
Its definitely on the pricier side, but for a special occasion its a nice choice.

***Lunch Review Only***
My office loves to bring new hires here on their first day and as such I have been a few times. The restaurant is nestled in a strip mall in «old» Reston that looks like it has seen better days. But don’t let that fool you! Inside is a charming little European gem. This past visit, the maître d’ actually made sure we knew they were moving soon, so I am excited to see them in a new and more inviting space.
The service is on point and the food is very good. They are a Spanish/​Italian/​French fusion which sounds confusing, but actually works really well. So far my favorite thing is their top sirloin steak, with a cognac cream sauce that is to die for! Their pizza is also very very good, as are their various types of lasagna.

We went here on a Friday and seating was prompt. The restaurant wasn’t too crowded, and we were greeted by who I think was the owner. The server was attentive. We ordered the calamari and the fried oyster for appetizers and they were good. There were 5 of us so we each ordered a different entrée. I ordered the rack of lamb and it was well seasoned and meat was just perfect! The portion was perfect for me, but it might not be for others. The chicken parmesan entrée was huge. The mahi mahi was good and so was the crabcake. For desserts we ordered the Crème Brulee, Flan, and the banana cake. In my opinion the flan was just okay, it was small. The Crème Brulee was good, and I didn’t have a taste of the banana cake so can’t comment on that. I will definitely be back, but only for special occsasion due to the pricing.

Raul the server was very helpful. The lobster ravioli and lamb shank were both delicious!
I will be back. Why 4 stars? Don’t have a Wi-​Fi network with the restaurant name if no one knows the password.

I would have never guessed that this hidden strip mall had an «upscale» restaurant. They have a preferred dress code but it doesn’t seem to be enforced. (Don’t be that guy in the orange polo and jeans. Yeah, I saw you.) I was relieved to find that most patrons dressed accordingly.
We started with the calamari even though other people have stated it was defrosted, chewy and over breaded. Ours was just ok. Not over breaded or chewy. I’ve had worse. My entrée was the duck with (sweet) raspberry sauce which, disappointingly, almost muted the taste of the duck. She had the filet stroganoff and it was quite tasty.
The dessert tray looks amazing. Unfortunately, they may have been sitting in the refrigerator too long. I had the raspberry tart in which the berries were very soggy. She had a chilled crème brule that was made very well.
The restaurant is tastefully decorated and doesn’t try to cram as many tables as humanly possible into its space. Kudos for that. The service was quick (until the end) and kept my drink filled the entire night.
I’d go back and try something else.

Food was good. We got the lamb and the filet mignon. The filet was like butter, and the lamb was probably the best I’ve ever had. Sometimes lamb can taste gamey, but this had no gaminess at all. We ordered two glasses of wine off the wine list, both kinds we’d never tried before, and both were delicious.
I found the menu confusing. I know from their website that they offer tapas and pizza, but neither of those were listed on the menu I received. Maybe I’d need to go at lunch time for the other stuff?
Service and ambiance were both good. We went shortly after Christmas and the dining room was still lit up and decorated for the holidays. Would go again, especially if I figured out how the menu works.

This is a hidden gem. Living in Reston for 5 yrs and we never ventured here to this amazing restaurant. It sits in an unassuming strip mall that has had its share of troubles keeping clients. So we never really thought much to go here.
The food was spectacular, had the jambalaya and wife has the blackened tilapia, but prepared exquisitely. Easily the best jambalaya I’ve had so far. Wine selection and recommendation was on the spot, service was excellent and ambience perfect for a date night.

Not much from the outside, easy to miss since its in a bare strip mall. Anyway
Went for Saturday dinner. Decided to order from the tapas menu. I got the seafood paella, scallops, and calamari. The paella was spectacular to say the least, Scallops were nice and tender, calamari was pretty good not the best I’ve had. Tried a friend’s frog legs which were tinder but the sauce made it even better. Will definitely get those when I go back again. For dessert I ordered the tres leches, it was moist and flavorful. Loved ordering from the tapas menu because we were able to try several entrees. Will definitely have to go back and this time try a full entrée.

I had been looking forward to trying El Manantial after reading/​hearing rave reviews not just through Unilocal,but also via WoM from FFX county long-​timers. I was glad that I found and purchased a Specialicious voucher for $ 65 worth of food for only $ 29, so I had a great excuse to make an Open Table rez and surprise the hubby with a romantic dinner date!
First things first — dilapidated shopping center to some, but not to me. This is Reston («Old Reston,» if you will), so you don’t have anything to worry about. Sure, there’s an empty anchor spot in the shopping center just dying to be filled by a Fresh Market or Safeway, but El Manantial more than holds its own in the expanse. I promise, there’s no need to be put off by the location. Parking is ample, and once you step inside the doors of the restaurant, you are transported to an ambiance of true beauty, splendor, and substance. The mood is instantly set by soft, well-​placed lighting, beautiful piano music, and the ambient sound of a semi-​open kitchen.
I love also that this restaurant is owned by the members of the Fuentes family, who came together after working at several restaurants in the DMV to open their dream restaurant, and the pride shows from the moment you are greeted by one of the owners until the time your vest-​and-​bowtie-​clad waiter drops your check at your candle-​lit, white tablecloth table.
The food selection is a magical variety of specialties from Spain and Italy, but you don’t need to necessarily be familiar with Paella or Veal Osso Bucco to enjoy dining here. You’ll find a wonderful Rockfish filet — which is what I ordered, perfectly cooked and tender, and a huge portion to boot. Hubby opted for the seafood Paella, and while I found that every bite seemed to contain tender calamari, tasty grilled shrimp, clams, mussels, or fish, hubby found the rice to be a little less «paella-​like» than traditionally so (it was more tomato-​y than saffron-​y).
We also were extremely pleased with our starters: for me, the Paradise salad with avocado, hearts of palm, tomato, and a delightful vinaigrette tossed with mixed greens. For the mister, lentil soup: thick, lentil-​y, and perfectly savory and delicious.
Overall, we were very happy with the service, the ambiance, the quality and portion sizes of the food, and it was a very romantic dinner. Great spot for a special evening as a couple or a small family gathering.
Disregard the shopping center!

We got there before the dinner rush 6 pm. From the outside it doesn’t look like much. We went there during Christmas time. It was chrismassy decorated very well I must say. We received royal treatment. The service staff was amazing. Great ambiance, romantic, cozy. Love the white table cloths and the murals on the walls colorful and unique
Appetizers
Frogs legs on a bed of mash potatoes sauteed olive oil with garlic and lemon juice sauce. They were meaty, juicy, very clean and well presented. Great portion size.
Mushroom stuffed ravioli on a bed of mashed potatoes with a brown sauce delicious.
Entrees
Seafood Paella it had shrimp, mussels, clams, squids, white fish, green peas peppers, rice with saffron. Well seasoned if you love rice its must!!!
Sea Bass Chilean sea bass served with a lobster creamy sauce. Not too shabby
Dessert
Tres Leches the best my sisters ever tasted !
The white wine selection was not too impressive.
Great experience!

You need to call ahead to see if they are open, because they close early a lot these days.
Also, it seems like you won’t always get pizza, so you have to call ahead for that too.

I read the rave reviews of El Manantial with some skepticism. It’s located in an old, dilapidated shopping center in Old Reston where the parking lot is poorly paved and uneven and the street lights are shoddy.
I’m so happy I put aside my doubts and gave this place a try! Walking through the front door, you realize that this little family-​owned restaurant attempts to bring a bit of Old World charm and flavors to the Lake Ann neighborhood. White tablecloths, wall murals, and a lovely, smiling Salvadoran gentleman reveal a warm – if dated – atmosphere sharply contrasting the Tall Oaks center strip mall where half the storefronts are vacant. I’m so reminded of European establishments where fine dining means formal, yet warmly attentive service from people who actually attend school to master hospitality. Think a less-​stuffy, but similarly priced, «Russia House» with a lighter ambience and more variety of continental food.
Service is excellent here and very accommodating. If you have a craving for a different preparation than what’s on the menu, they will likely offer to make it for you. There is a tapas menu which features garlicky frogs legs, escargot and a few overpriced (IMO) options such as the $ 10 Spanish Manchego (much better from Wegmans) and pricey prosciutto. Many menu items are a bit dated and quite rich– flounder imperial, petit château… but all are well executed and served with a charm and flourish of family-​owned pride that adds an extra special flavor to everything. The wine list is quite nice and well-​suited to the menu offerings. My only real complaint is that most menu items are a bit heavy and bring on the proverbial «food coma» in the spring and summer. However, rich and savory meat dishes and creamy sauces hit the spot in late Autumn and Winter. I love the hearty and flavorful cassoulet, the filet stroganoff, and the venison on a chilly day! It sticks to your ribs and warms your heart when the weather turns cold. Paella and jambalaya are big hits with my friends as well.
All in all, I give the ambience a 3, the food a 4, and service a full 5 stars! Although El Manantial isn’t perfect, it offers family-​owned and operated charm and classical pan-​European cuisine on white tablecloth with great wine choices in a sleepy little strip mall with warmth and gracious hospitality. For that, I’ll return again and again.

French Onion soup very tasty! The rest of our food was good and the drinks were delightful. I had the stroganoff which was outstanding. We were a group of four and everything was perfect. The service was good and attentive. If in the Reston area they are worth a try as I am sure you won’t be disappointed…

The calamari was mostly chewy; the crab salad didn’t have much flavor (most of it was masked in all the white stuff).

Feeling a little deceived. The coupon on their website that said $ 20 for $ 80 meant $ 20 OFF, not $ 20 for $ 80 worth of food as I previously had thought. I discovered this the hard way, with the big bill. The time before, I hadnt paid the bill so I didnt realize…
Sure enough, they’ve revised their coupon recently and now it more specifically does say «$ 20 Off» in the coupon language… Guess I wasnt the only one duped. Sigh. I knew it was too good to be true! Still, for an fancy, high quality meal for two with a full bottle of wine, this isnt totally outlandish price-​wise. Maybe, say, $ 20 overpriced. Heh.
Side note: order the sea bass, its great!

My second lunch visit to El Manantial and I still don’t understand why it is billed as a Spanish restaruant. Maybe at dinner?!
I had the chicken sandwich with fries. The sandwich was okay but I was overwhelmed by the mayonaisse. My friend had the crab salad which came with fresh lettuce but the crab did not look appealing.
I’ll give them a third chance at dinner but it isn’t on my list for lunch venues.