This Bar is great. the guys who own and run it are awesome, friendly guys with just the right amount of sarcasm to make it interesting. I was in town by myself, and they really helped make my night. The bartender , after i blatantly pronounced my hatred for scotch, took that as a personal challenge and made me a drink that i enjoyed. I was flabbergasted.
Review Source:I LOVE this place. Â Very much a neighborhood bar! Â I love the food and always get to have a good conversation with the people around me. Â My favorite is the hot dog that I seem to order way too often. Â It is always consistently well done. Â I will try other foods, I guess as there seem to be some other favorites.
Review Source:I'm raising a star. Â Been here quite a bit in the last few weeks to watch the end of the hockey season and the start of the playoffs. Â A few things I've noticed from sitting at the bar (in front of the giant tv). Â First, very friendly crowd at the bar. Â Second, very friendly bar staff. Â Third, prices aren't that bad. Â Yes, the beer costs a bit more because its dc and not md, but the appetizers are actually pretty cheap (even when its not happy hour). Â And this place has been great about playing the sports games I like to watch.
Review Source:I went here for a girls' night happy hour. Â There were a creative selection of cocktails, though the happy hour prices were on the high end. Â The tapas were great! Â We all got different dishes and shared. Â It is very cute, but we went kind of early so not many people were there. Â It's a bit cramped due to the small size, but I would go again to do their beer roulette. Â Apparently you get like 4 beers for $20 or something and they have a good selection.
Review Source:A neighborhood mainstay for a group of us living in Takoma, DC. Cedar Crossing is a classy spot for a drink or two, a snack (love the samosa!) or a nice dinner. I've had both the Indian food and the American offerings, and there's a lot to like on both parts of the menu! That said, the 'value' (i.e. the amount of food you get for the money) can vary a lot - the chicken tikka masala on naan is definitely not a lot of food (it's billed as a small plate), while the butter chicken entree (side of naan) is more than enough for a few dollars more. The service tends to be friendly, although slow at times, and they're happy to walk you through the wine and beer selections if you'd like advice.
Review Source:I'm more than happy to pick up Ms. Classy from the Takoma Metro Station; whether she's returning home from work or a night out doing classy things with her classy friends. Â She thinks I'm just a step away from sainthood because of my willingness to pick her up from the Takoma Metro Station whenever she requests. Â I do this not because I'm such a great guy, it's just that I'm hungry. Â You see, immediately around the corner from the station's main entrance is Cedar Crossing Tavern and Wine Bar. Â The burgers are tasty and the extra cost for a slice of pork belly is worth it.
      On a non-descript Wednesday night, I arrived at the Takoma Metro Station long before Ms. Classy was due to arrive, so I happily whiled away the time at Cedar Crossing.  I've read many reviews touting the burgers, but noted that they are only available Mondays and Tuesdays.  I ordered a New Holland Full Circle Kolsch to consider my menu options...until I saw a server emerge from the kitchen with a reputedly tasty burger and place it in front of a customer.  I asked if I could also get a burger, he nodded, and asked if I'd like to add a side item.  My beer was my side item, so I declined.
      "Would you like a slice of pork belly on your burger?" He asked.  Now, I have a strict policy when asked if I want a slice of pork belly: regardless of where I am, who I'm with, or what I'm doing I always answer yes - no exceptions.  The upcharge for the savory sizzling piece of pork belly was $1.50 and it was worth every penny.  The burger patty was juicy and the thick slab of pork belly was the perfect topping.  To give the burger a little bite, I sauced it up with mayo mixed with horseradish.
      Will I go back?  Yup.  I will call ahead to see if those delicious burgers are availabe.  As long as they're being served up, I'll happily wait as long as needed for Ms. Classy to return from a fancy gals' night out.
I pop into this place two  times a week for a drink and a small bite after my evening commute.  The menu is great, especailly if your just looking for a small plate of something to tide you over until dinner.  They always have a happy hour special during the week and their beer/wine list is great.  In fact, I have noticed they go out of their way to stock local beers.  For DC, drink prices are about average with happy hour drinks in the $4 range.  The staff has always been exceptionally nice to me, they remember me when I come in, and on more than one occasion the owner has offered me a free glass of wine or beer so I can try some of their newer offerings.
Review Source:I like this place so much I now meet here every Friday after work with a friend. The food is amazingly well prepared for such a small kitchen, and the wine selection is thoughtfully curated. I have had the charcuterie plate, fish tacos (both baked and fried), the steak sandwich on focaccia (a favorite), the pork belly BLT (pretty damn good), the Mac n Cheese (share it, very rich) and tasted many more.
Quibbles -- burger all the time please, and maybe not on the challah or brioche or whatever. The wine menu/happy hour offerings negotiation is reminiscent of Fawlty Towers (though the staff are great) simply due to it changing all the time. Finally, not sure how to fix this, the place smells delicious, but when I leave my clothes and hair smell really greasy, like I have been hanging out in some diner in the 1930s...
So. On the night of Obama's second debate, I locked my keys in my car. Not to worry. I called for help and sashayed my forgetful ass right into this place because they had a sign outside that said what? "Second Debate Happy Hour All Night Long." Hello. Yep, I parked at the bar and ordered up a plate of Chicken Samosas and shiraz. The samosas were so cute and tiny and the dipping sauce was amazing. It was so delicious. Oh it was good. The wine, though was waaaaay too warm for me. Ice cube to the rescue.
I'd love to go back to Cedar Crossing Tavern and Wine Bar because I'm a fan!
Long day? Getting off at the Takoma Metro? In the mood for a drink and food?
Be daring and take a right after exiting the Metro. There, just a few feet away, you will find Cedar Crossing, a friendly neighborhood bistro with a full bar and an ever-changing menu.
I have been a patron there since they opened three years ago, and while there have been changes to the staff and the menu (as every restaurant has) it is a warm and inviting place that has a stellar art collection, and an even better scotch collection.
I recommend the chicken tika, chili and the mac and cheese.
Really enjoyed this neighborhood pub. Â A really cozy, inviting atmosphere with unexpectedly good food and a great drink selection. Â The samosas were a surprising standout on the menu. Â I went with a large group of about 8 people and they accommodated us very graciously, arranging some tables to make room, and providing spot on service. I would definitely be a regular if I lived in TP!
Review Source:Like others, I really want to like this place. Â It's great to have a place like this in Takoma Park. Â
I went recently in the evening and here's what happened:
- a friend ordered Syrah. When ordering a second, the waiter said he'd served it accidentally by the glass; it was only available by the bottle. He did, however, Â bring the second glass.
- the were out of mashed potatoes and mac & cheese. There aren't that many sides to begin with but to be out of these basic items? Fail.
- I ordered the fish tacos. The whole dish was watery: the tortillas were wet-ish and the fish was bland. Â For $10, I'd expect, at the very least, edible. Â It tasted and appeared to be microwaved. Fail.
I happened to speak to the owner about this and he asked the chef to come out. Â
The chef was very defensive, insisted his tacos were flavorful, and had some explanation about why the tacos were a wet mess. Â He chose to argue with me instead of thanking me for my feedback. Fail.
I'd love to see this place work but if you don't have what you promise on the menu, the servers are inexperienced or poorly trained, and the chef doesn't want to hear any feedback from customers, I'm not optimistic.
I tipped big.
Three strikes and you're out. I've tried to like this place, but the consistently terrible service makes it a real dud. I'm surprised by the positive reviews, but perhaps I've been unlucky.
On my first visit, our food was rather bland and the waitress couldn't seem to figure out how to get us a second drink before the food was gone. We asked twice.
The second visit was uneventful but I was dining alone at the bar and felt really unwelcome. The entire time as the two servers gossiped just a few feet away.
The third time I really hesitated, but the place is near my house and I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt. I was greeted with a growl by the woman behind the bar, then ignored for ten minutes. There were only three other patrons and two servers. That's only two customers per server! They didn't even look my direction, let alone offer a menu.
I left and will not be back.
This bar is right by the Takoma Metro station, and, as a Takoma resident, there are far, far too many times I pop in on my way home for one happy hour beer and end up staying for hours. It is, by far, the best place in all of Takoma, and it has a very friendly, comfortable, adult feel to it.
Cedar Crossing is a bar with food, but the small plates are well done, tasty, and varied. It's not a place to go for dinner, unless you have a very small appetite. Excellent and rotating selection of wines, beers, and Scotches.
The biggest downside to the place is that to get their liquor license, our annoying Advisory Neighborhood Commission has made them close at an impossibly early hour. I think they lose a lot of business because we locals can't pop in for a nightcap on our way home from an evening event. The other problem is that the wait staff for the tables tends to be constantly changing and not well trained; as a result, my friends and I always try to sit at the bar. The "good" bartender is an owner/manager, and he does a great job, gives lots of samples, and is very friendly.
Three times charmed!
Okay, I'm twisting the phrase, but each time I've been here -- all in the last 5 months -- have really been a treat. Â Rosalyn S' 1-star rating is really unfair, given her comments seem to warrant at least 2 stars.
COMING SOON: Burger Night with draught/draft microbrewed root beer/floats! Â The waitress told me about this... and I am pumped-stoked.
THE DRINK: Â A Scotch connoisseur friend of mine recommended this place so that I might expand my whiskey knowledge beyond the Irish and Bourbons. Â The wonderfully attentive and informative bartender came through for me, even on a very busy holiday night (Mardi Gras) whilst they were being inundated by the local bar hop.
They have a small, but very well-chosen, rotating draught (draft) beer selection! Â Excellent 312 Ale from Chicago, great (nonalcoholic) Rhino Root Beer on draft.
Excellent Bloody Mary  (named after one of the regulars)
THE FOOD: Â Some portions are small for the price (samosas, fish, others), yet some are more than filling at a great value (shrimp & grits w/cheese, steamed mussels).
I have tasted six dishes here and they have all been very consistent in terms of freshness, flavor, temperature, and presentation. Â Hot, crunchy, flavorful samosas with a well-balanced green chutney and really spicy steamed mussels are highlights. Â The way-undersalted (no salt?) shrimp and grits had an out-of-this-world texture and consistency. Â The shrimp were small, but not lacking in number.
THE SERVICE: Â Really hit or miss. Â I can see why the service ratings tend to warrant the most complaints. Â My experience is that one of the servers tends to be too nervous, reticent, mousy, timid. Â Ordering from her was often a chore because she tends to stop at the table for a split second, often without asking if anything else is needed. Â We went there for dinner, she cleared away the appetizer, filled water, yet didn't ask if we would like to order dinner/entree/additional food. Â A server should attempt to sell some food, as long as they're not pushy, right? Â All the staff is really friendly, despite the young lady's inhibitions.
I'll be back with friends!
I want to write a good review for Cedar Crossing, I really do. Â It's a great bar, with nice ambiance. Â But the real standout point is that their food is great! Â They have a really interesting selection of tapas-like small plates. Â We've eaten here a couple of times and all the food's been lovely.
BUT, the service is so bad it's comical. Â Our waitress the last time might be the worst waitress I have ever had, and that's really saying something. Â I don't know where to begin listing all the things that were wrong, but one highlight is that our glasses of water came as we were paying the bill (we'd asked for them 4 or 5 times). Â And she had the memory of a fruit fly.
Owners of Cedar Crossing, PLEASE do your customers a favor and get some real waitstaff.
My bf and I tried this place out last night because he received a gift certificate- we weren't greeted at all when we came in- so after standing in the doorway for a minute we decided just to grab a table. Â It was our first time dining here so we weren't miffed by that at all, we thought that might just be the way things are done here. Â
However, 10 minutes later- we still hadn't been greeted, despite the fact that the place is pretty tiny and there were two employees behind the bar that knew we'd been waiting. Â I finally got up and asked them for some menus. Â At this point my bf was getting annoyed and wanted to leave, but I talked him into staying since we had free money to spend and I was hoping the food would help redeem our downward-spiraling impression.
Another 10 minutes goes by before the waitress makes her way over to us to take our order and mumbles an apology about something being wrong with the computers, which is apparently why we were ignored for the first 20 minutes. Â Fast-forward to the food; the jerk wings were great, but the dressing on my bibb salad was heavy on the vinegar and my bf's burger was mediocre at best. Â
I really wanted to love this place since it's locally owned and I drive past it quite often, but the service was really bad. Â I won't be coming back anytime soon.
The nearby Liquor store was closed and I had to have a drink..... The atmosphere and service turned that into 5 drinks :) The bartender was great, very attentive and had lots of pizzazz. He was also a heavy pourer. What else could a girl ask for? Decent prices you say? Done.
Truly a great place to kick back and unwind in DC.
I had the strangest experience at Cedar Crossing! Not bad, but mos def weird. This was our first visit and I was wearing jeans, I immediately felt out of place. The customers here seem to be very mature/white collar types so we kind of stuck out from the get-go. I sat at the bar and again, felt very uncomfortable. The bartender (who every female knew by name) was not very engaging and we weren't at this point even sure if we would stay past our first beer and eat like we had originally intended.
We decided to order drinks and an app, our thought process was: if the food was good we would stay and endure the awkwardness. We had spinach and cheese samosas (they were very good) so we decided to stick it out and order a full dinner.
In the end we tried another kind of samosa and the grits. Everything we ate was tasty and other than being a little over-priced the beer selection was respectable. If we go again we would do "beer roulette" (6 bottles for $20) that is by far the best deal for beer drinkers.
As we were finishing our meal and getting ready to settle up we were engaged by one of the regulars sitting at the bar. Having been engaged it was like a switch flipped. Suddenly the bartender whom we assumed introverted and disinterested showed himself to be hilarious with a quiet and dry sense of humor. A dialogue opened up at the bar and we suddenly felt very comfortable.
We left feeling happy, buzzed and full. :)
I'm going to be honest. I've lived in Takoma for a year and a half and barely noticed this place existed. Had it not been for the fact that the coffee shop was closed when I had scheduled a business meeting there and needed an immediate and nearby venue, I probably wouldn't have ever visited the place. But, I'm glad I did.
It was 4pm on a Saturday, so my boss and I decided to treat ourselves and order some wine and a trio of cheeses off the menu. The first wine I ordered and two of the three cheeses were out of stock, so I had to go with second choices, but the ones we ended up with were delicious so it made little matter. Â Our server was friendly, and someone (I can't remember if it was the chef or the owner) chatted with us at our table.
The place wasn't busy; there were perhaps two other patrons, but a small group of 20/30-something ladies came in as we were exiting, so maybe it livens up on weekend evenings. Â I appreciated being able to have a quiet conversation, and also liked the warm, inviting atmosphere. Â
I didn't notice any smell, or any offensive staff or management, but I will say that the reviewer who mentioned the flies is correct: that was definitely an annoyance while we were eating. Â But, it was only one or two flies, so it's not like there was a swarm of them. Â I'd be willing to come back, at least during happy hour when the prices are reasonable.
I met up here with a friend who's been in bumf*ck, Montana for the last 3 years. Her assessment upon seeing the menu? "YES, this is perfect! So D.C.!" Why? Because they have a hint of EVERYTHING--including Indian (samosas), Greek (dolmades), Mexican (fish tacos), and good ol' Washington, D.C. (wings with "special sauce"...I asked, "Mumbo sauce?"...chef: "Yeah! You from D.C.??").
Now, was everything authentic? No. But, that didn't mean it wasn't still hella good. I liked everything we ordered, which included stuffed grape leaves, potato samosas, and jamaican jerk chicken wings (<a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/DuLlNiQSyDowBeGxPa8jRw?userid=Oe4LLtN1tn46sDUM-BSX_A">http://www.yelp.com/biz_…</a>). Everything ranged from about $5-$7 and from tasty to delicious. Alongside the half-priced glasses of wine (which came down to about $5), this was a happy hour well worth revisiting.
Cedar Crossing fits many occasions since it's not particularly fancy but is definitely fancier than any other place I've ever frequented in Takoma Park, food-wise it has something for everybody, and it's RIGHT by the metro! Like, you can literally see the metro station from the door. Plus the chef will come out and chat with you and appreciate that you know what mumbo sauce is. So add it to the list, folks--it's a solid, metro-accessible, people-pleasin' fallback for happy hour or dinner. And if you lose interest, you can pop into any of the other delightful little businesses nearby--like the CVS, the 7-11, and the organic dog food store. Takoma Park is full of wonders.
3.5 Stars
Great location on the DC side of the tracks, good food, great selection of draft beers and wines, so why isn't it more popular? Â As other have hinted at, Cedar Crossing might be a little too upscale for Takoma.
Personally, I think it makes for a great neighborhood bar, and if I lived in Takoma, I'd be here all the time. Â It shares space with the Culture Shop gift store, with a small L-shaped bar that seats 11 with a large flat-screen perched above it. Â Eight beers on tap, including Delerium Tremins, Duck Rabbit Milk Stout, and AleWerks Tavern Ale (only place I've seen this Williamsburg brewery's beer on tap in DC). Â The latter two are a steal at $4 a pint during happy hour, 4-7pm (incidently, the beer is served out of those tin/pewter mugs with the see-through bottoms). Â The owner owns the liquor store across the street, which makes for some great synergy. Â The "beer roulette" is a $20 bucket of six beers, all micros, left over from broken six-packs. Â You never know what you're going to get, but it's probably going to be good stuff.
The food is necessarily on the less complicated side since there's not much of a kitchen; think cheese, charcuterie, sandwiches and the like. Â The deviled eggs were merely OK. Â Everybody's doing those these days and there a lot better versions out there (2 Amys, Acadiana, Meridian Pint). Â If I had a complaint, I would say the portions are a little on the skimpy side for what you pay. Â 22 wines by the glass. Â Service is a bit hit or miss too. Â The bartender was good, but the floor staff could probably use a bit more training. Â Also, as a rule of thumb, it's never good if you can hear the kitchen workers smokin' and jokin' from the dining room.
If you like great food, this is the place!  It's almost always better than most  places downtown and on Capitol Hill ...  and less expensive, too.  The two  possible exceptions where the food is usually as good are Cafe Atlantico or maybe Zaytina.  But they're a lot pricier, and Zaytina is impossibly noisy.  At Cedar Crossing, you can actually carry on a conversation  without shouting! Â
My daughter and her fiance tell me that the beers are great -- and they live in Ashville, North Carolina which is beer country. Â Find a favorite wine, and you're set. Â
Cedar Crossing has a new chef, who clearly knows her way around food. Â I stopped by the other day when it was really cold out and ordered tomato bisque. Â I just wanted something hot, but didn't have high expectations because restaurants don't seem to pay a lot of attention to soups. Â This was delicious! -- the best tomato soup I have ever had anywhere, bar none!
So much about it is just right, from my perspective: Â It's small. Â it's clean. Here, you eat with real china, glassware and attractive utensils. Â It has a short menu that changes periodically. Â The owner often stops by and chats with customers -- many of whom he knows. Â It's in my neighborhood -- Takoma, just a few steps away from the Takoma Metro Station -- perfect for an after work stop. Â The portions are fine. Â (I really appreciate NOT having a mountain of food heaped on my plate.) Â The decor is inviting, with tables (easily moved to accommodate a larger party) and a bar of richly grained, dark wood. Â Deep, rich colors -- welcoming and not intrusive. Â Windows overlooking Cedar Street -- and in May, it will probably boast a view of our spectacular Sam Gilliam mural under the Takoma Metro Station Underpass! Â
Ah yes... Â one more important feature: Â Clean, comfortable bathrooms. Â
As a bonus, you can step over to the nook where the Culture Shop sells its fair trade wares from around the world. Â
New management.
It's my favorite place. Â And I expect a lot in a restaurant. Â From my point of view, Cedar Crossing is edging toward 5 stars. Â If it didn't have stiff competition from downtown, Cedar Crossing would merit 5 stars.. and probably would be the ONLY restaurant that I'd give it to.
Honestly, I want to like this place so much more... it's on the DC side of Takoma, walking distance to my house, and I love the Culture Shop (the gift shop that used to take up the entire space but now has about a quarter of the footprint). Â
On the positive side, it has a decent wine & beer list, though I've never tried the mixed drinks. Â The food, while reasonably tasty, is a little too pricey. Â Two of the three times I've eaten here, the service was slow and slightly inept. Â As a couple other reviewers have noted, the kitchen must need better ducts or something, because the fried-food-smell will certainly cling to your clothes. Â Make sure you air out the day after!
So, with a few changes, I hope this wine bar will develop into a real option for the neighborhood.
I've been to this place twice. Â It's a combination tavern / restaurant / gift shop. It's small (about 11 tables) but elegant. It has a pleasant decor. This is the kind of neighborhood place you want to like. The problem is, they keep missing the boat in some way that makes a big different. The servers are friendly but the service needs work. We had to ask to see the drink menu. One of the water glasses had something floating in it. There was only two desserts to choose from (bread pudding and chocolate pudding). The AC was turned up so it was a little cold.
Don't get me wrong. The food was great! We ordered drinks from the drink menu that were very good. I even picked up a bar of Mexican Chocolate Soap from the gift shop. I'm looking forward to trying it! I can see us going back ... especially if the soap is good.
Overpriced.....
Yes it's one of the few options in the area, and yes they have some hard to find beers but overall Overpriced. However it is super close to the metro which makes it easy to get a drink before heading home. Trust me the owner knows this and is making it work for him!
Beware the flies. Every time I've been in there there were just enough flies to notice, but not enough to make you leave.
Having already eaten, we stopped in on a Saturday evening for drinks. Though we weren't there to eat, I still had to take a peek at the menu, and was disappointed to see nothing vegan except for...dunh dunh dunh...LETTUCE. Okay, so we were there for the bar anyway. My cocktail came in a large glass and was prepared properly. My other half ordered a martini with a twist and was given three olives instead. But it was busy, I understand. His second martini had a full shot of vermouth because the bartender, though very nice, was distracted by saying goodbye to another customer while mixing the martini.
My guess is much of his distraction came from the manager/owner/whomever, who created a hostile environment behind the bar with the staff and was extremely rude to the bartender. And to top it off--he made an extremely sexist comment THREE TIMES in full earshot of the bar patrons. I retorted, but really wish I'd said more than I did. He was completely inappropriate, disrespectful of the staff and guests, all the while pouring himself a drink behind the bar. It was also so unbelievably hot inside, and very cramped and uncomfortable in a tight corner of the bar near the kitchen door. Primarily because of the rude and tacky and sexist owner/manager/whomever, we won't be returning, even just for drinks.
You know, I really wanted to like this place. The location is great, it fills a niche, and it's just plain pretty.
But... I finally got a chance to go, and saw that there were finally seats - the seating situation leaves a lot to be desired. Right away you could definitely feel the ventilation issues. The smells were so strong - everything was mixing together. The menu was very small and was lacking a lot of variety. No vegetarian options that looked any good! Our server was OK. He brought our food out at different times, and hovered a lot. I was seated with my back to the windows and I could see him just standing about 3 feet from our table, checking on us without checking on us.
And in the end, for the quantity and quality of the food, it's overpriced. My sandwich was small (about half the size I expected, almost as small as a slider), my salad consisted of only greens - no dressing or toppings at all, and I think it was over $9.
Probably the only thing positive about it, was that it had wine and was walking distance from my apartment - but then again, so are Mark's and Roscoe's, and now they both have booze...
I was so disappointed. I hope to see some more positive reviews in the future so that I can go back.
So, now with plates and a menu, love this place and want to give it 5 stars. Â Still, not quite there.
I do wish they wouldn't rotate the foods so much. Â Sometimes they'll have their awesome hummus, and sometimes alas no. Â I really wish the menu were a little bigger and more consistent. Â The sliders and the cheese and meat plates are still there thankfully. Â Never disappointed with those.
My only other complaint is the ventilation in the restaurant. Â My eyes burn and water like crazy when I'm there and your clothes pick up the scents too. Â I really wish they would work on the fumes from the kitchen.
What a great addition to the neighborhood! Â We loved it so much the first time we went (last week) that my b.f. and I went there again last night. Â The bartender, manager and chef warmly greeted us by name, definitely appreciative of our business.
The food is, as other reviewers noted, outstanding. Â While it is true that the portions are small, the emphasis is clearly on quality over quantity. Â This was evidenced in the charcuterie plate, which offered a choice of outstanding meats & cheeses. Â $15 for a selection of meats and cheeses is not cheap, but you get what you pay for in this case. Â On both visits I had the outstanding soup - a lentil soup with tiny meatballs that makes my mouth water as I type this, and a light, nuanced onion soup redolent of bay leaf and Reisling. Â My only quibble about the menu is that it would benefit from a few vegan-friendly options. (Vegetarians and pescatarians have good choices, though.)
Happy hour prices for drinks were reasonable: $5 for a good selection of wine and $6 for a Stella. There's an excellent selection of craft beers, both on tap & in bottles. Â The 6 beers/$20 happy hour "potluck" is an amazing deal and a great way to try quality brews.
I appreciated that, although there is a TV over the bar, the sound is off & they were showing classic movies. Â (Although, at the request of a guest, the bartender did turn on the game.) Â At last - a bar that actually encourages *conversation*. Â This is an ideal spot for a date and couldn't be more Metro-accessible. It is about 50 yards from the Takoma station entrance. Â If you choose to drive and can't find parking in the immediate vicinity, parking in the Metro lot is free on weekends.
Cedar Crossing shares its space with the Culture Shop, a great fair-trade shop with tasteful and unique selections and outstanding customer service. Â This is a wonderful spot for gifts and home accessories.
I want to give this bar more stars, because it's in my neighborhood and because it has potential. But for now, definitely two stars.
The reviewer who notes that you leave here smelling of fried food is totally right - I had to run a load of clothes and febreze my jacket. They have a beer that apparently no other bar in the country has on draught - Brigand - and it's awesome.
Their happy hour specials ($5 on select wines, $4 on low-end beers like Bud Light and Newcastle) are fine, and they run from 4p-7p. Otherwise, the prices are somewhat steep for the area.
In addition to smelling of fried food, they have a total lighting problem. There is no wall/ceiling/whatever between the flourescent kitchen lighting and the bar/restaurant, so the awful, bright, flourescent lighting spills out onto diners and drinkers. This really ruins the vibe the bar is going for with its emphasis on wine and nice flatscreen TV. Also, they used to be a kind of fair trade gift shop, and the back third of the restaurant still is...there are crafts and clothes just hanging there. It messes with the bar vibe.
This place could certainly improve, though - and I hope it does.
my new little jem with shopping included! This is like a much smaller version of Busboys & Poets, but instead of just books, there's jewelry and all sorts of very Takoma Parky style things to buy. The small portions are great for a happy hour appetite. Â The wine was delicious and the Maryland Crab cakes were really REALLY good. Â I also sampled my friends meatball (no that's not supposed to sound sexual, get your mind out of the gutter). Â This is really awesome for me since it's only a few foot steps from my house! Â I'm really happy that Takoma Park is getting more and more unique small businesses that are bringing all types of people into this small city of ours.
Review Source:I have been eagerly awaiting the opening of Cedars Crossing and finally got a change to go in last night for dinner and drinks. Echoing everything everyone else has said, they have a nice happy hour drink special, a great wine by the glass list, a solid (but not clearly listed) beer variety with both draft and bottled imports and microbrews, and a very appealing small plates menu. The service was really great and the food was awesome. My table shared the meatballs, hummus, charcuterie plate, angus sliders, angus brochettes, and samosas. Every plate of the food was five stars hands down.
Getting to why they only get three from me... Â I will say they have a few kinks to work out. FIrst off for the size of the portions and location, they are pricing themselves out of the market a little for Takoma Park. I think they should maybe at least offer happy hour specials on their food, cause for 2-3 plates for a meal can add up to close to $30 a person, without booze, definitely downtown prices. My biggest complaint however is that their ventilation is definitely not great. After spending about 2 hours here I left stinking like a dirty fryer. I really hope they get that sorted out cause thats a huge negative point for me, cause i don't want my hair/clothes/coat to stink like grease. I live nearby so more than likely I will come here out of convenience, and hopefully can come back later and give them the 5 star update I think they are capable of.
I stopped in on Wednesday night, when they were doing a "dry run", so to speak...selections were limited and the shelves over the bar still half-bare. Â Still had an awesome experience! Â This is a small, elegant bar that this neighborhood sorely needs, right next to the Metro. Â I predict this will become a frequent post-work neighborhood hangout for many of us in Takoma who walk towards the DC side. Â The microbrew selection (not all were available when I went, but they definitely will be when they open for real) is incredible. Â Delirium Tremens beer? Â I used to go to Wonderland for that! Â The wine selection looked quite ample and well-chosen also.
I'm hoping there will be a small kitchen on-site. Â If I can pick up some good buffalo wings here I'm coming back and changing my rating to five stars! Â I wish I had been able to ask the staff and the owners questions, but I was having hearing aid difficulties that curtailed conversation. Â Suffice it to say I'm very enthusiastic about this place and really hope it takes off, although not so much that it's too crowded to grab a table after work.
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