Flower Child - McLean

I used to love Flower Child and frequented it at least once or twice a week over the past few months. However, I've noticed a decline in the quality of the food... read more I used to love Flower Child and frequented it at least once or twice a week over the past few months. However, I've noticed a decline in the quality of the food lately. I've frequently received burnt sweet potatoes in my Mother Earth bowl, which aren't healthy and should really be discarded rather than served to customers. Additionally, the portion sizes have been inconsistent; during my last visit, I only received two pieces of sweet potato. This time, my Mother Earth bowl (which is my usual order) was missing the sauce and had barely any cucumbers, which was disappointing. I hope they can address these issues, but I may have to look for a new go-to spot since the food isn't as good as it once was. What a letdown!

The food here look and taste healthy, but not always delicious. Flavor is mostly bland. I guess you really can't have it both ways. read more The food here look and taste healthy, but not always delicious. Flavor is mostly bland. I guess you really can't have it both ways.

From my one visit, it seems that Flower Child shines with its more creative and adventurous dishes, while the more traditional options could use some improvemen... read more From my one visit, it seems that Flower Child shines with its more creative and adventurous dishes, while the more traditional options could use some improvement. For example, both the chicken and mac and cheese tasted rather bland to me. The chicken was also slightly dry. On the other hand, the BBQ heirloom carrots were the highlight of the meal. I’d never encountered fried carrots like that before, and the avocado ranch sauce was fantastic. Thankfully, there was plenty of that delicious sauce to go around, which helped enhance the flavor of the chicken. I do think it's possible to have a good meal here, but unfortunately, you can't just randomly pick something off the menu and expect it to be satisfying.

I love that this place exists. It feels like it is trying to be very earth friendly with a lot of vegetarian options. I ordered 3 sides: the sweet potatoes, the... read more I love that this place exists. It feels like it is trying to be very earth friendly with a lot of vegetarian options. I ordered 3 sides: the sweet potatoes, the Mac and cheese and the cauliflower risotto. Then I also tried the chocolate pudding. I reallyliked the cauliflower dish?nice flavoring, was probably my favorite that I ordered.

Realistically I'd give this restaurant a 3.5 but that isn't an option and 4 stars is too high. I had the chicken entree with BBQ heirloom carrots and the gluten... read more Realistically I'd give this restaurant a 3.5 but that isn't an option and 4 stars is too high. I had the chicken entree with BBQ heirloom carrots and the gluten free mac and cheese for context, if you order an entree you get to pick a base proteinand two sides (or you can order three vegetarian sides as an entree). Although I only ate here once and I'm making anassumption, the takeaway from my meal is that Flower Child excels at the more creative, adventurous dishes on their menu and notso much with the more run of the mill plates. Case in point: the chicken and mac and cheese were both bland in my opinion. Thechicken was a bit dry as well. The BBQ heirloom carrots, however, were the standout of the meal. I'd never seen carrots friedlike that, and the avocado ranch was delicious. Luckily, there was plenty of the wonderful sauce to go around, which helpedremedy the flavor of the chicken. I think it's possible to have a good meal at this place, but unfortunately you can't justthrow a dart at the menu and expect to land on something satisfying.