What are your absolute "must-eats" in NOVA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh for sure sandwiches at Italian Store in Arlington

Nooo...

Agreed. Blech! I never understood all of the fuss about this place (And I am Italian). The bread they use is tasteless and soggy and the meats are no better than what you buy at a grocery store deli counter. Then, they slap on some onions, oil, and peppers and call it an Italian sub. And they charge you $10.00 for a small sandwich. They have no competition though, and this is probably the only reason for the hype.

If you're from Italy and expecting it to replicate something from home, you've missed the point of Italian Store. It has a title competition now, but it is one of only a few non-big chain sandwich shops.

NP. I don't think Italians eat Italian subs like this, moron.

Another NP. Then maybe the Italian Store isn't the right place for someone looking for authentic food??

As an Italian American who grew up in an area with many great Italian restaurants/delis, the Italian Store isn't perfect, but it's the best nearby in this area.

That it might be. It needs competition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The French dip at Jackson's in Reston. Or the brunch there--that French toast is ridiculous.

It's a chain restaurant and the servers give you 30 seconds to order. Ok grub, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh for sure sandwiches at Italian Store in Arlington

Nooo...

Agreed. Blech! I never understood all of the fuss about this place (And I am Italian). The bread they use is tasteless and soggy and the meats are no better than what you buy at a grocery store deli counter. Then, they slap on some onions, oil, and peppers and call it an Italian sub. And they charge you $10.00 for a small sandwich. They have no competition though, and this is probably the only reason for the hype.

If you're from Italy and expecting it to replicate something from home, you've missed the point of Italian Store. It has a title competition now, but it is one of only a few non-big chain sandwich shops.

NP. I don't think Italians eat Italian subs like this, moron.

Another NP. Then maybe the Italian Store isn't the right place for someone looking for authentic food??

As an Italian American who grew up in an area with many great Italian restaurants/delis, the Italian Store isn't perfect, but it's the best nearby in this area.

That it might be. It needs competition.

Wouldn't complain about that!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The French dip at Jackson's in Reston. Or the brunch there--that French toast is ridiculous.

I don't think the food in NOVA is that great, but Jackson's is a gem. It's a little overpriced, but good quality and portion sizes.

Your credibility is lost.

It may be a chain, but the food is better than most of the crap in NOVA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The French dip at Jackson's in Reston. Or the brunch there--that French toast is ridiculous.

I don't think the food in NOVA is that great, but Jackson's is a gem. It's a little overpriced, but good quality and portion sizes.

Your credibility is lost.

NP.

Don't be a snob. Yes, it's a chain and not likely to receive any Michelin stars but Great American Restaurants (Jackson's, Sweetwater, Artie's, etc) are consistently pretty darn good for the price range and casual environment. Head and shoulders above most other area chains, without question.

[Anonymous]

I hate how these conversations always devolve.

A: Where should I eat in NOVA?
B: I like X place for Y cuisine.
C: UM YEAH RIGHT. EVERYONE KNOWS YOU GO TO Y COUNTRY FOR Y CUISINE IF YOU WANT IT DONE RIGHT.

Nobody is suggesting that the "must eats" in NOVA represent the very pinnacle of what food of that nature can be. We know pho is better in Vietnam and French fod happens to be great in France. Just that, for here, it's good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The French dip at Jackson's in Reston. Or the brunch there--that French toast is ridiculous.

I don't think the food in NOVA is that great, but Jackson's is a gem. It's a little overpriced, but good quality and portion sizes.

Your credibility is lost.

NP.

Don't be a snob. Yes, it's a chain and not likely to receive any Michelin stars but Great American Restaurants (Jackson's, Sweetwater, Artie's, etc) are consistently pretty darn good for the price range and casual environment. Head and shoulders above most other area chains, without question.

I agree. Not sure what happened to Clyde's...way overpriced and boring menu.

[Anonymous]

In Vienna -- Clarity is a nice addition to the restaurant scene, Bonaroti's is pretty good (though the Italian food police on this thread will likely flame me for suggesting it), and Anita's is an old friend (love the green chile pork burrito).

[Anonymous]

Mokomandy in Sterling and Wine Kitchen in Leesburg are my top choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh for sure sandwiches at Italian Store in Arlington

Nooo...

Agreed. Blech! I never understood all of the fuss about this place (And I am Italian). The bread they use is tasteless and soggy and the meats are no better than what you buy at a grocery store deli counter. Then, they slap on some onions, oil, and peppers and call it an Italian sub. And they charge you $10.00 for a small sandwich. They have no competition though, and this is probably the only reason for the hype.

If you're from Italy and expecting it to replicate something from home, you've missed the point of Italian Store. It has a title competition now, but it is one of only a few non-big chain sandwich shops.

NP. I don't think Italians eat Italian subs like this, moron.

Aren't you the cutest little button!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh for sure sandwiches at Italian Store in Arlington

Nooo...

Agreed. Blech! I never understood all of the fuss about this place (And I am Italian). The bread they use is tasteless and soggy and the meats are no better than what you buy at a grocery store deli counter. Then, they slap on some onions, oil, and peppers and call it an Italian sub. And they charge you $10.00 for a small sandwich. They have no competition though, and this is probably the only reason for the hype.

If you're from Italy and expecting it to replicate something from home, you've missed the point of Italian Store. It has a title competition now, but it is one of only a few non-big chain sandwich shops.

NP. I don't think Italians eat Italian subs like this, moron.

Another NP. Then maybe the Italian Store isn't the right place for someone looking for authentic food??

As an Italian American who grew up in an area with many great Italian restaurants/delis, the Italian Store isn't perfect, but it's the best nearby in this area.

Italian American and Italian are two different cuisines. Totally different. My mother cried when we found out we were moving to Italy because she didn't like American Italian.....she loves Northern Italian (regional) food. That said, when I saw some place called "the Italian Store", I thought it was an import shop and got excited. When I saw what it was I turned around and left. There is a little place called "The deli" in the K-Mart Shopping plaza in Herndon has really good Italian subs!!

We tried The Deli and were terribly underwhelmed. The search continues!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mokomandy in Sterling and Wine Kitchen in Leesburg are my top choices.

Second Mokomandy. You wouldn't think Korean Cajan would work. And yet. Korean roast sliders, bison dumplings, and their warm buttermilk pie. Yummy.

Marks duck house for dim sum

Founding Farmers for brunch

Willards barbeque in Chantilly.

Sushi Yama in Vienna

[Anonymous]

Duck Donuts - try the cinnamon sugar, eat it warm
Tony's NY Pizza in Fair Lakes for pizza
Shroom taco and corn on the cob at Taco Bamba
Matzo ball soup at DGS
Potato salad at Celebrity Delly
Wings at ABC Canteen
Mozzarella sticks at Kilroy's
Dark chocolate mocha at Swiss Bakery
Yechon
Burger at Red Apron

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mokomandy in Sterling and Wine Kitchen in Leesburg are my top choices.

Second Mokomandy. You wouldn't think Korean Cajan would work. And yet. Korean roast sliders, bison dumplings, and their warm buttermilk pie. Yummy.

Marks duck house for dim sum

Founding Farmers for brunch

Willards barbeque in Chantilly.

Sushi Yama in Vienna

Mokomandy has great cocktails

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Duck Donuts - try the cinnamon sugar, eat it warm
Tony's NY Pizza in Fair Lakes for pizza
Shroom taco and corn on the cob at Taco Bamba
Matzo ball soup at DGS
Potato salad at Celebrity Delly
Wings at ABC Canteen
Mozzarella sticks at Kilroy's
Dark chocolate mocha at Swiss Bakery
Yechon
Burger at Red Apron

Yes to Duck Donuts! So glad we have one in NOVA now.

And yes to lots of Swiss bakery, including their sandwiches. . But hands down, the best thing they do is the homemade Valentines chocolates they make on site. Best chocolate on the planet.