The Early Word on Union Social, the NoMa Restaurant with a Metro Theme

Red line riders have been passing the bright yellow Union Social sign near the NoMa-Gallaudet metro stop since last year. Now the restaurant with a D.C. metro theme is finally open. It comes from the team behind Copperwood Tavern in Arlington.

Union Social is specializing in beer, cocktails and dishes meant to serve groups like mussels, deviled eggs and truffled mac & cheese. It's been open for less than three weeks and has 18 Yelp reviews with an overall rating of four stars. Read on for the early word:

The Kitschy Theme News: Washington City Paper describes the interior: "Every detail of the restaurant draws inspiration from the District’s transportation system: From the white and yellow subway tiles that line the walls to the train-themed cocktails on the menu." Yet Twitter user @Caro130 points out that tiles do not actually appear anywhere in the D.C. Metro. DCist also asks "Surely this proves we are at the bottom of the barrel of kitschy restaurant themes?" [WCP, Twitter, DCist]

The Out of Stuff News: An Eater reader recently made a brunch reservation after checking the menu online. They write, "we arrived only to find: no brunch menu, no eggs, no Bloody Mary mix and NO COFFEE...Of 3 types of drinks ordered one was out and another was clearly the wrong tap." Yelper DC R. writes, "Tonight, we ordered the oysters and they freaking ran out." [Eater, Yelp]

The Intense Price Debate News:  There's a huge debate raging in the comments section of PoPville over what some perceive as high prices. Many of them haven't even eaten at Union Social yet, but commenter NoMa says after a recent dinner, "Anyone who says this place is worth the money they are charging is crazy!!" Facebook user Mary Beth Hart was "Shocked at the prices of beer and a cheeseburger." [PoPville, Facebook]

The Beer Pitchers Are a Steal News: Many diners agree that ordering beer pitches is the best way to save money. PoPville commenter John S. writes, "the pitcher prices, assuming the pitchers fill four beers (14-16 oz, depending on where you are in DC), are a steal." Blogger Bad Sentences says, "The pitchers are HUGE! While it was definitely more beer than we needed, we probably got around 2.5 beers each. This is a fantastic deal for groups, or really thirsty duos." [PoPville, Bad Sentences]

The Cold Food News: A few diners have complained of cold food. Foursquare user DC20002 writes, "Second time I've been here, second time I've been served cold food. I anticipate this being the last time I eat here." Yelper Er P. says, "This is my second time here and the first time we ordered flatbread for $18 it was cold!" [FS, Yelp]

The Amazing Longbreads News: One of Union Social's signature items are longbreads (really long flatbreads) with a variety of toppings. When they're served warm, diners seem to like them. Foursquare user Chimdi Nwoko writes, "The flat breads are amazing. This is definitely an untapped hot spot." Yelper Nadia J. says, "Starting with the long bread was fun and tasty." [FS, Yelp]

The Round Fried Pickles Are Better News: Yelper Heather S. writes of the fried pickles, "I don't know what they do to those, but they were incredibly delicious." Blogger Bad Sentences says they were "delicious" and writes, "The breading was nice and light and infused with dill." Some PoPville commenters point out that the pickles are less expensive at other local restaurants, but an anonymous commenter explains, "But the fried pickles at Union Social are round so they’re much better than Boundary Stone." [Yelp, Bad Sentences, PoPville]

The Dreamy Brussels Sprouts News: Foursquare user Rosie H. urges diners to try the fried brussels sprouts and Yelper Robert F. says the dish was the highlight of the meal. Yelper Stephanie C. says she's still dreaming of them. [FS, Yelp]

The Only Two Desserts News: The restaurant has only two desserts on the menu. Yelper Jamille P. writes of the pot de creme with graham cracker streusel, "This was really good and was reminiscent of a s'more" but Facebook user Don Owens writes of the pumpkin roulade with cream cheese icing, "Dessert? The pumpkin thing? (It's okay...)." [Yelp, Facebook]

The Super Friendly Staff News: The staff is friendly, friendly, friendly according to diners. It's definitely the most popular way they describe the service. Instagram user @professorhorse writes, "Food was pretty good, service was slow but staff was very friendly." Facebook user Stephanie Cramer says, "The staff was beyond friendly" and Yelper Melanie V. reiterates, "service was friendly."  [Instagram, Facebook, Yelp]