We have been to shades 8 or 10 times....for a casual dinner, the food is fine and has at times been really good-the only thing that bothers me is that the wait staff has been sketchy at best...maybe it's because Shades is still in a relatively slow traffic area(thank goodness) and the better waiters/waitresses are farther West on 30-a.....it is so close to us we just tolerate it.....things could be worse that an empty water glass.....
We also hope all turns out well for the new Shades. We also like that we can get the Taco Mac wings if we get homesick !. We eat almost every Friday night at Va Highlands location.