Category Archives: VA

Kabob Palace, Crystal City

Posted on December 18, 2016 by Don

I have decided that Kabob PalaceÂ in Crystal City hasÂ better food than Ravi Kabob. Whether I’m right is open to debate, but that has become my opinion. I’ve been to both restaurants over a dozen times each, and Kabob Palace has … Continue reading →

Posted in Restaurants, VA | Tagged Arlington, Crystal City, Daily Specials, Kabobs, Karahi, Open 24/7, Pakistani | Comments Off

Essy’s Carriage House, North Arlington

Posted on December 8, 2016 by Don

I finally made it back into Essy’s Carriage House today after probably close to twenty years. Nearing the 1 PM lunch hour, there were about five other tables in the restaurant, and mine was the only one that didn’t contain … Continue reading →

Posted in Restaurants, VA | Tagged American, Arlington, North Arlington, Senior Citizens | Comments Off

Smokin’ Jarhead – Former Marine Ron Johnson’s Smoked Meats for Catering, Parties, and General Delivery in the DMV

Posted on May 4, 2016 by Don

Ron Johnson, aka “Smokin’ Jarhead”Â is a former marine, now offering some of the best barbecue I’ve ever eaten, and absolutely some of the very best barbecue you can find in the Washington, DC area. A couple months ago, I bought … Continue reading →

Posted in DC, MD, VA | Tagged Barbecue, Brisket, Catering, Custom Meats, DC, Delivery, DMV, Former Marine, MD, Parties, Pickup (Waldorf), Pulled Pork, Ribs, VA, Vegetarian | Comments Off

Grandale Vintner’s Table, Neersville, VA

Posted on April 18, 2016 by Don

A friend of mine and I went out for a beautiful driveÂ Sunday afternoon on this splendid 80-degree day, touring the mansions ofÂ PotomacÂ (we decided *not* to go downtown to DC during thisÂ Cherry Blossom FestivalÂ weekend), and ended up over atÂ White’s Ferry. She’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Restaurants, VA | Tagged American, Free Dessert, Local and Seasonal, Loudoun County, Neersville, Winery | Comments Off

Trummer’s on Main, Clifton

Posted on April 5, 2016 by Don

(Click hereÂ for the Jun 5, 2011 Review) Trummer’s on Main is still the beautiful building it was, and the last few miles of the drive down Chapel Road are as nice as any in the area. The bar itself remains … Continue reading →

Posted in Restaurants, VA | Tagged Architecture, Beverage Program, Clifton, Modern American | Comments Off

Requin, Pop-Up, Mosaic District

Posted on March 30, 2016 by Don

This is the first time, and perhaps the last time, I review a pop-up restaurant – there are just too many variables at play that I’m unfamiliar with. The dinnerware, for example. How am I supposed to evaluate this? I … Continue reading →

Posted in Restaurants, VA | Tagged French-Mediterranean, Merrifield, Mosaic District, Pop-Up | Comments Off

Takumi, Falls Church

Posted on March 25, 2016 by Don

(Click here for the Dec 17, 2015 Review) I sat at the bar for lunch a week ago and, in effect, had an omakase: Â We told Chef Yu two or three things we wanted, and asked him to supplement with … Continue reading →

Posted in Restaurants, VA | Tagged Falls Church, Japanese, Sushi | Comments Off

ABC Canteen, Fairfax

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Don

(For the Dec 4, 2015 Review, click here.) Having had such wonderful tamales on my previous visit to ABC Canteen, I made a return visit for lunch to explore in more depth. At the very top of their menu is … Continue reading →

Posted in Restaurants, VA | Tagged Fairfax, Fairfax Circle, Fish and Chips, Fresh Tamales, Open 7 Days 11AM-9PM, Taqueria | Comments Off

Simply Fresh, McLean

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Don

This is an interesting situation for me as moderator, and if we had an existing thread for Boss Hogs (we don’t), I’d probably mark that as closed and give Simply Fresh a clean slate. Chef Rana (Rana is her first … Continue reading →

Posted in Restaurants, VA | Tagged BBQ, Breakfast, Coffee, Gelato, Greek, McLean, Middle Eastern, Open 7 Days, Pastries, Patio | Comments Off

Hula Girl, Shirlington