El Manatial is a family operated restaurant, featuring European Fusion Cuisine. We offer Italian, French and Spanish specialties, including a Tapas bar.
"El Manantial is a totally unexpected delight. Located in a sad little half-leased strip mall in Reston, there's never any trouble with free parking. It's superb food and friendly, expert service make it a neighborhood gem. For Mother's Day, it was crowded and lively, a little higher noise level than usual, but that was ameliorated by two flamenco guitarists playing some lovely music. Wine list features Spanish wines, several of which we have enjoyed enough to search out in wine stores later. We have taken friends there several times, and they have always been delighted by the experience. We highly recommend it."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion, great for lunch
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"I had been to El Manantial a few times before for dinner only, always leaving thinking to come back. I was unsure how it would be for brunch, on Mother's Day no less. Well, my family and I were happily surprise by the service, ambiance and food. I had the soft shell crab special, others had pasta, salmon, lamb, and even chicken. All of our plates were cleaned out! Delicious food, warm greetings from the moment you walk in, attentive service- overall wonderful experience. Will definitely be going back."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: good for groups, great for brunch, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion, kid-friendly
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"Which is unfortunate because they never disappoint. My wife and I had the sea bass and it was wonderful. The calamari appetizer was cooked to perfection and we love the eclectic wine list - the Primitivo Puglia is our favorite."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, notable wine list, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"we love this restaurant. At lunch, She had the soft shell crabs, I had the steak. great food as usual. The Fuentes family treat all their customers as family. truly a neighborhood gem"
Dined on 5/06/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"This restaurant is always a pleasant experience. The warm greeting makes you feel at home, the food is good, and they are always willing to cater to special needs--with a smile! It is an inviting upscale decor, while at the same time feeling like you are with family!"
Dined on 04/27/2013
2004
Special Features: neighborhood gem, romantic
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"We enjoy going to this restaurant with friends or just the two of us.... you can have a conversation and hear each other, you feel welcome every time you visit and they value you as a customer. The food is consistently good. You know you will have an enjoyable evening every visit."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2010
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"Went with a friend for lunch, that has been gone for awhile; not only was the food good, but we were not pressured for our table (although they were very busy.) My husband and I have been for dinner and have been pleased with the food always. It is a wonderful place for food, wine, and conversation."
Dined on 04/17/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, great for lunch
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"The reviews were pretty high for this place and I think we were just a bit let down. For food the mussels were pretty good, the sea bass was pretty good but had several bones, and the osso bucco was just ok. The restaurant's ambiance was just ok. It says coat preferred, but I think 50+ year olds and untucked polos is more like it. We thought we had a romantic gem in our back yard but I think we are just labeling this one as a good family restaurant and nothing more."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2008
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"El Mantanial is definitely a neighborhood gem. I've had two lunches and one dinner there; all have been first rate. The staff is professional and knowledgeable. El Mantanial is a little pricy, but definitely worth it."
Dined on 04/01/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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"El Manantial is a terrific family run restaurant in Reston, Virginia. It's great for lunch or dinner. Would be a sensational place for business lunch, because it's quiet. You can talk to one another in a normal voice, and hear the other person! Additionally, Humberto or Mario can seat groups where they can have private conversations.
The Fuentes family goes out of their way to make sure you have a pleasant dining experience. Humberto has constructed a superb wine list, at reasonable prices, representing many different countries and styles of wine. Chef Enrique presents a fine plate of food that is perfectly proportioned. You may be full after a meal, but you always feel the tasting desire for more. Please, don't forget desert."
Dined on 03/31/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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It's in a secluded part of Reston, so no parking issues to deal with like at the town center. The space is large enough to enable conversations to remain private. The food is consistently good, and the service is excellent.
I've only ever eaten lunch there, but it hits all the right notes for refined business lunches."
Dined on 03/26/2013
2011
Special Features: great for lunch
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"LOVE the oysters! This is one of our favorite restaurants, unfortunately stuck in one of the worst excuses for a shopping center in all of northern VA. On the bright side, there's always plenty of parking! Enjoy the food! It's always wonderful."
Dined on 03/21/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"I've lived in Reston for many years, but only recently heard about this place. I heard it was real gem and it did turn out to have a great menu and extremely well prepared food. It's interesting because you find this place in a shopping center, but its probably one of Reston's closest approximations of a fine dining restaurant and its a refreshing change to the chain restaurants in the Town Center. The wait staff there also seem to adhere much more to the fine dining model than most places in Reston. I went there on a date and it was a good fit for a romantic evening. This place is also huge so it would be good for large groups. Before you go, check their website for $10 and $20 coupons. It made the bill a little more reasonable."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"The food was great and the service good. It was not crowded so the noise level was kept down. Wait staff were friendly and offered excellent choices from their menu. In addition to their regular menu, they had a 'special' menu that, for a fixed price, you had a choice of appetizer, entre and dessert. I chose that option and it was fantastic! The gazpacho was delicious as was the chicken scallopini. The only negative was the setting - in a small strip mall next to an empty grocery store."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2009
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"Ate lunch at El Manantial -- trout is one of my favorite fish dishes, but the piece I had was covered with an uninteresting and salty sauce. Blackened tilapia, my partner's choice, usually has some "bite" from the spices -- she liked it, but I thought it was very bland. Calamari appetizer was also dull. The flan dessert was very good. Waiter was supercilious. In the past this was one of our favorite restaurants in Reston -- we are rethinking that."
Dined on 03/08/2013
2010
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"El Manantial is a family run restaurant that is superb from reception to departure where you always feel welcome. They have a nice menu with a wide selection of items, and in my opinion, an excellent wine list that is reasonably priced. The waiters and waitresses are excellent. Chef Enrique does not disappoint in the creations that he makes. Humberto and Mario excel at accommodating requests and making you welcome."
Dined on 03/08/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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"I went here with a girlfriend for a weeknight dinner. We had a couple of small plates, and lingered for a long time talking. Since they weren't busy, it was nice that the server didnt rush us. I loved the olives and the wild mushrooms. They also had a Malbec by the glass that was very nice."
Dined on 02/07/2013
2008
Special Features: neighborhood gem, notable wine list
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"I want to likr this restaurant, as it is close by, attractive and family run However each time we decide to try once again, there is some major problem with someone's food. On the last meal tghe fish stuffed with crab--the fish was way overcooked and dried out, and tasted of freezer burn. The crab used mashed potatoes as a binder. My husband's steak was OK at best. My frog's legs were delicious and garlicky, the highlight. T prices are in th $20-30 range making it not worth the risk."
Dined on 03/01/2013
2006
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"Everything from our welcome to our table, food and service was outstanding! The staff is as charming as the food. Would definitely go back! We put our special request in the reservation and it was accommodated admirably. The host specifically noted that it was helpful to them so I highly recommend that if you want a special table or anything to be taken care of ahead of time, let them know in the reservation. It is much easier than trying to get it done once you arrive. Oh! We had the stuffed barramundi and the salmon... DELICIOUS!"
Dined on 02/28/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"I have never ever been disappointed whenever we visit this restaurant. Amongst the very very best in the Washington D.C. Metro area"
Dined on 02/22/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, kid-friendly, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"An exceptional find in our area. If it were in a more prominent location, it would certainly be too busy and crowded. That worked in our favor as we were able to enjoy a quiet dinner with friends. We were seated immediately, the menu was varied and interesting, and the service was prompt and friendly. The wine list carried some gems we will sample on future vists. We tried a Chilean Syrah which was elegant. We will be back!"
Dined on 02/23/2013
2010
Special Features: neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"Always a good choice, this time a late light dinner w salad and pizza with great crust!"
Dined on 02/23/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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"We had dinner recently at the restaurant with another couple and the service and food were excelent. I usually visit this restaurant for special occasions. I like the warm welcome and the nice ambiance."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2010
Special Features: romantic, special occasion
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"What a wonderful way to spend Valentines Day dinner with my husband. Food was excellent, the waiter Mario was just a delight, wine superb. We will return. Don't miss out on this hidden gem of a restaurant."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2006
Special Features: neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"We had some delicious tapas for dinner. We tried 6 different choices. Mussels, Shrimp, Scallops, Olives, Goat Cheese and Beef Medallions. They were all good. The service was great too."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"Always enjoy this place no matter what. It was good to see a healthy crowd, which did not affect out good service or experience!"
Dined on 02/14/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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"The food was just too salty, not just one dish, several of the dishes had so much salt we could not taste the food...
Service was OK given it was Valentine Day but was spotty at times....
Once advice to those Romeos out there (inlcuding myself): I know you love trying new places and new restaurant but its probaly best not to do it on special occasional...go with a sure bet. My wife is adorable and was reassuring me all the time that this was a good experience but I know better...I have seen better..."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies
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