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Enat: Alexandria’s Destination for Ethiopian Cuisine

May 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Enat, which means “mother” in the native tongue of Ethiopia, is the place to go for authentic Ethiopian cuisine in Alexandria. A family business near the Landmark Plaza, Enat offers delicious food at reasonable prices. Whether you come in for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, the wonderful wait staff will help you with your menu choices. Start with Kinche with cracked wheat butter, or the combo platter of favorites. For lunch or dinner, there's Wat, a stew made with beef, chicken, or lamb. The fish special is complemented with vegetables and mita mita, an Ethiopian spice. If you're vegetarian, there’s still plenty to choose from! The Shiro, a puree of peas and chickpeas with spices gets high marks, as does the veggie sampler with Injera, diced tomatoes, onions, and hot green peppers. Don't forget to try an Ethiopian beer!

Enat
4709 N. Chambliss Street
Alexandria, VA 22312
(703) 642-3628
http://www.yelp.com/biz/enat-restaurant-alexandria

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Balkan Grill: Mediterranean Flair in Jefferson Manor

April 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Located in Alexandria's Jefferson Manor, the Balkan Grill serves traditional Bosnian favorites in a casual setting. Service is great at the Balkan, where the friendly and helpful wait staff is happy to help you with your menu choices. Start off your lunch or dinner with some Baba Ganoush, rich with roasted eggplant, or a filo-filled Burek with beef, cheese, spinach, or zucchini. The salads are fresh and flavorful, and don’t miss the specialties. Regulars rave over the Bosnia Burger and the homemade grilled sausage called Cevapcici. Both are served on homemade bread. Ask about the fish of the day or the mixed grill entrée with the excellent kebabs. Wrap up your meal with the Baklava and some great Turkish coffee! The Balkan Grill is open seven days a week for lunch, dinner, or takeout. And don’t forget to visit the bakery for some fresh bread!

Balkan Grill
5902 N. Kings Highway
Alexandria, VA 22303
(703) 329-3303
http://www.yelp.com/biz/balkan-grill-alexandria-2

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Taverna Cretekow: Tradition Greek Cuisine

March 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Taverna Cretekow is the place to go in Alexandria for traditional and regional Greek cuisine. Located in the middle of Old Town, Taverna Cretekow is a family restaurant with a casual, fun atmosphere. There are so many menu items for lunch and dinner you’ll want to come back again and again to try them all. Order an appetizer, with specialties like grilled baby octopus, traditional spanakotiropitam, dolmadakia, and imported caviar mousse. The entrées are just as appealing. Tmoussaka and pastitsio are delicious, and the rolled grape leaves with ground meat, rice, and mint are highly praised by customers. And you could spend a week just trying every lamb dish! Get the fresh fish of the day, prepared whole, cleaned, and presented at your table. After dinner, Taverna Cretekow sometimes features music and dancing!

Taverna Cretekow
818 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 548-8688
http://www.yelp.com/biz/taverna-cretekou-alexandria

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Rocklands Barbecue and Grilling Company: Grill And Chill

February 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The Rocklands Barbecue and Grilling Company's Alexandria location is a casual, dependable place to go with family or other large groups. The atmosphere lends itself well to a quick and casual place to stop for some ‘cue, but it's not the best place for a special Friday night date. It’s a little difficult to find, but well worth the hunt. Regulars swear by the macaroni and cheese, cucumber salad, and fried okra. The smoked chicken also tops the favorites, with the meat just falling off the bone. If you are looking for a bigger portion of meat, make sure to order the ribs, which are so big they are almost like something out of the Flintstones. The Memphis style pulled pork with a side of baked beans goes perfectly with the great local root beer. With reasonable prices that have locals returning again and again, Rocklands Barbecue is a nice dependable place for a quick, messy dinner.

Rocklands Barbecue and Grilling Company
25 S. Quaker Lane
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 778-9663

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Yamazato Sushi & Spice: The Intense Flavors Of Asia

January 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

This place certainly lives up to its name. With a large sushi menu and some tasty cooked dishes, fish fanatics and Thai food fans alike can all find something to order any day of the week. The ingredients are fresh, the portions are generous, and the service is prompt and reliable. The waitstaff is knowledgeable about their impressive selection of sake, too. Even when the restaurant gets super busy, the hosts make sure to take care of you. Try some hot green tea, move on to the curry puffs, and make sure to order rolls. The regulars swear by the spider roll, honey shrimp roll, and spicy tuna rolls, but everything is good. Order the drunken noodles off the Thai menu, but make sure that you are in the mood for a little heat. Yamazato is great if you are going to sit down or take out—word on the street is that meals come up really fast.

Yamazato Sushi & Spice
6303 Little River Turnpike
Suite 120
Alexandria, VA 22312
(703) 914-8877

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Sam Phao Thai Cusine: The Soul Of Thailand

December 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment

While the interior of Sam Phao Thai Cusine is nothing to write home about, the food most certainly is. Nestled in the busy Old Town area of Alexandria, it’s hard to avoid tourists but the menu is well worth the effort. The waitstaff is friendly, honest, and courteous. The portions are on the smaller side, but so packed with flavor that you won’t complain. Mussels in steamed basil broth, expertly seasoned pork skewers and the unique Thai dumplings are all spectacular ways to start your meal. The Pad Thai is perfect, the drunken noodles spicy and divine, and the crispy duck is not to be missed. Regulars can’t wait to order the Panang curry over and over again. For dessert, order the hot crispy banana or mango sticky rice if mango is in season. The takeout is dependable and affordable as well, making it a mainstay for locals craving convenience.

Sam Phao Thai Cuisine
1019 King St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 548-3736

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Monday got you down?

December 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Cheer up with this special deal from a local award winning French restaurant- La Bergerie. On Monday nights you can enjoy a delicious a whole lobster flambéed in cognac for the amazing price of just $19. While enjoying the lobster, treat yourself to a bottle of some of the best wines which can be up to 40% off! Click here to visit their website!

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Bistro Cacao: Upscale French Comfort Food

November 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Bistro Cacao offers a strong menu of fine French dishes in a romantic setting at neighborhood prices.  Here’s taste, pleasure, and refinement that doesn’t require a second mortgage. Bistro Cacao may also be soothing to diners who don’t want to eat raw ocean life or words they’ve never seen before.  Experimentation may only reach as far as frog legs and foie gras—but that doesn’t translate to dull. Food critics are quick to point out that chef Kemal Deger knows what he’s doing and executes his dishes to perfection.

Diners start to swoon over the pheasant pâté and lobster bisque. Scallops, mussels and salads are lovely; and favorite entrees include rack of lamb and hanger steak—if the French fried potatoes come with your meal, don’t turn them down. Good wines are reasonably priced and pair well with your meal, and desserts are probably worth the calories.  Weekday lunch and weekend brunch make Bistro Cacao a convenient culinary catch.

Bistro Cacao
320 Mass. Ave, NE
Union Station Metro Station
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 546-4737
www.bistrocacao.com

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Restaurant Reviews Are On The Way…

September 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Check back for full reviews of the best places to eat in your area. Thanks!

Filed Under: Dining