I have eaten brunch at Tallula Restaurant in Arlington twice recently. Their Brunch Menu includes ten items, ranging from $8 or $9 (French toast, biscuits and gravy, or Taylor Ham and egg sandwich) to $12 (for a burger). Additional sides are $4 and include applewood smoked bacon, buttermilk biscuits with gravy, home fries, toasted brioche bread, creamy cheddar grits, and French fries.
The service was good but a little too attentive on our first visit (2 weeks ago), and rushed and slightly inattentive last weekend, when we think they were really busy and understaffed. Both our waiter and the manager (JB) were very nice, and I enjoyed talking to them when they happened to be at our table.
The space is really nice, and there are stools and a kitchen side counter (although nobody was eating there). Last weekend they tried to seat us in the other room (Eatbar) but they were not offering us an appropriate table for a group of 6, so we waited for a table for 6 to become available in the main room.
The standout of the dishes I sampled was the sour dough french toast
Summerdean apple butter & Vermont maple syrup. The French toast was sweet and fluffy, the apple butter was good, and the three of us who tried the dish, raved about it. The side of applewood smoked bacon was tasty and crispy (stiff), and while it was not hot when served (we ordered it on our first visit when it was not as busy), it was still really enjoyable.
The Taylor Ham egg sandwich includes Taylor Ham, fried egg, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, and comes with home fries. It was tasty. It fell apart while I ate it, but for that, I can take some of the blame. I need to practice eating gooey sandwiches stuff with fillings of a variety of textures. I don’t feel like I have to run back for another order, like I do with the French toast, but it is still worth ordering. The description of the sandwich in the menu doesn’t include ham, which is a humorous oversight.
The Biscuits and Gravy were buttermilk biscuits with smoked bacon & black pepper gravy. It would have been nice it there were chunks of sausage in the gravy, but it was still enjoyable.
The side of grits was a problem since they tasted burned. The kitchen must have burned the pot of grits. The Manager did remove the grits from the menu when we informed him.
They gave us some banana bread on both visits and it is really good, with good flavor and texture. This is another standout.
I definitely want to get back there soon for more French toast, bacon, and banana bread. Oh, and I’d like to try their buttermilk pancake. I realize that last weekend they were really busy, so I won’t hold it against them, especially since some of their food is excellent. You are eating in a pricey restaurant but getting a great value by ordering off of the brunch menu.
Tallulah Restaurant
2761 Washington Boulevard, Arlington
(703) 778-5051