Ariana Kabob House, web site, 9738 Fairfax Boulevard, Fairfax, VA, Rt. 50, just west of Fairfax Circle703-865-7610 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window)
It’s a delight to have this place so close to my house. Real Afghan food, excellent all around and yes they have kadu and aushak and the like. Get the Mantu.
It’s not quite as good as Star Restaurant Banquet, on Rt. 236, but it is well above average.
Sangam, Johnson Center Food Court (GMU map | Google map), GMU, Fairfax, VA
That's the new Indian food place in the Food Court, at the Johnson Center at George Mason University. It's excellent, at least so far, thereby making it the first good food at GMU, ever. I'd put it in the top quarter of local Indian restaurants, though I expect time and the crowds to take its toll. The vegetarian sampler is the best dish and they serve Halal food as well. The samosas look overfried. The analytical question is why this took so long to happen, or alternatively why it has happened at all. I have read there is also a wave of innovation in hospital food as well.
[Run by the folks who own Sangam Restaurant, web site, 1211 N Glebe Road, Arlington, VA (in the Comfort Inn), 703-524-2728 [Yelp]]
Desi's Chicken and Steak, web site, 10801 Fairfax Blvd., Fairfax, VA, 703-865-8150 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window)
Right now this is the best Peruvian place around. It looks terrible, as if it’s trying to cater to the worst sort of American diner. But the chef can’t help himself. The Lomo Saltado is first-rate, the soups excellent. The chicken is pretty good, though not #1. The rice and seafood dishes are quite good. Go, and go now. Many other restaurants in this space have gone under, it has not been a stable space since the old days of Pars.
Cee Fine Thai Dining, web site, 9901 Fairfax Blvd., Fairfax, VA, 703-293-9898 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | Yelp | Gayot]
Above average Thai, good mee krob, more whitebread atmosphere than most, slightly more expensive than average. This is a good place to bring people who expect the restaurant to be “nice,” although it can’t compare to Thai Square, much less Thai X-Ing.
Wild Chicken, web site, 11039 Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA, West Fair Shopping Center, in the rear, this is the hardest place to find in this whole guide, it is simply behind the big buildings facing the main street, 703-383-0266 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Yelp]
They have Peruvian chicken, a 7 on a scale of one to ten. On Monday there is Lomo Saltado, Tuesday has Aji de Gallina, and Friday has Seco de Carne (beef stew with cilantro). Those dishes are quite good, and occasionally on offer other days as well. An intriguing mom n’ pop, and certainly worth trying at least once. They also offer unusual (and tasty) Latino ice creams, seasonally.
La Rue 123, web site (music), 4023 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA, 703-691-2266 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo]
Near Le Tire Bouchon and in the old Bailiwick Inn.
Classic French, they go out of their way to be boring but the quality is high. I tried the beef tenderloin, the shrimp, and the sea bass. All were excellent, I liked the sea bass best. A good place to take clients or job market candidates, especially if others are paying. Not my kind of thing, but some people will love this place.
Merrifield Kabob, web site, 8428 Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA, 703-204-4400 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | Yelp | zabihah]
More of a dump than you would expect, given the location. The core influence here is Pakistani, and shady characters smoke hooka during the off-hours. This kind of food is almost always good enough to enjoy, but so far this place doesn’t compete with Ravi or Food Factory or my other favorites of similar ilk. Go for locational reasons, that makes sense, a special trip not.
Tian Chinese Restaurant, inside Lotte Plaza, 3250 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax Circle, Fairfax, VA, Closed Mondays, 703-246-9198
This is in the same place as Cheogajip Chicken.
Cheogajip Chicken, Lotte Plaza, near the deli in the supermarket, 3250 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax Circle, Fairfax, VA, 703-273-4499, usually open. (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo also see this | Washington Area Korean Restaurant Guide]
This in the same place as Tian Chinese Restaurant.
See also "Koreans Share Their Secret for Chicken With a Crunch," by Julia Moskin, The New York Times, February 7, 2007
Other locations: in the Korean Mini Mall at 13814 Braddock Rd, Centreville, VA; and 4300 Evergreen Lane Suite 102, Annandale, VA.
Korean fried chicken comes to this area, finally. Very moist and juicy and they cook it fresh, that means a 15-minute wait. This isn’t the very best Korean fried chicken I’ve had, but the idea is a phenomenon and if you haven’t had it before, do give it a try. It comes in regular, sweet, spicy, and herb, so far I’ve only tried the sweet.
Cheogajip Chicken is one of Korea's largest chicken franchise with 1,200 franchises in Korea.
Cheogajip Chicken has been loved by everyone for its classic, mouthwatering taste, which was developed through 17 years of experience.
Cheogajip USA was established in March of 2005 and opened its first restaurant in Annandale, Virginia in October 2005.
Soon after, in March 2006, a second restaurant was opened in Centreville, Virginia, followed by a third in Flushing, New York in April 2006.
In order to reach more customers, we are planning to expand with more restaurants throughout the East Coast this year and in the earlier part of 2007, we will spread out to the West Coast starting with Los Angeles.
Grill Kabob Express, 11213-J Lee Highway, off Rt.29, Fairfax, VA, 703-569-7259 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Yelp | Yahoo]
I like their buffet better than their kabobs. Good chick peas, spinach, bread, tasty rice, fresher vegetables than found on the other Afghan buffets. Not a perfect restaurant, but worth visiting if you live or work in the area. The kabobs are “good enough,” but not competitive with my two or three favorites.
Update June 22, 2007: The hamburger meat with the lentils, on the buffet, is my favorite.
Saravana Palace, web site, 11725 Lee Highway, #A15, Fairfax, VA, 703-218-4182, one light west of Fairfax Wegman’s, turn into the strip mall, directions on web site (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | MenuPages | Happy Cow | Don Rockwell]
Go for the weekend lunch buffet, which has both better items and a broader selection. Right now this is the best southern Indian, or Indian vegetarian place around. The largest selection of dosas and related items, such as Pesarat. Great okra. Yogurt rice. Carrot dishes. Every vegetable dish is first-rate. Raises the bar for all other Indian vegetarian places. Go, go, go. Excellent for people-watching as well.
Bombay Garden, 4008 University Drive, Fairfax, VA, 703-383-1553 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Yahoo]
It takes stones to open an Indian place right next to Connaught's. Do I ever go here? Yes. It has different dishes and consistently offers chicken tikka on the buffet. Very good all around, and a bit cheaper. Recommended.
Coastal Flats, 11901Grand Commons Avenue, Fairfax, VA, 571-522-6300, there is one in the new Tysons Corner extension as well. (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Gayot]
A chain-looking seafood place, but it is packing them in regularly. Probably an OK alternative if you have to go bland and mainstream.
Pupuseria El Buen Gusto, 10012 Main Street, Fairfax, VA, 703-218-3489 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Yelp]
Surprisingly good, their tacos are excellent and fairly authentic. No one there speaks English. Limited menu. Very good chicharron (fried pork) with yucca. Worth a visit. N.B.: Restaurants in this locale tend to be yummy but don’t usually last long.
Blue Ocean, 9440 Main Street, at Pickett Road, Fairfax, VA, 703-425-7555 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [City Paper | Yelp]
Excellent, and attracts a largely Japanese clientele. More than just the usual teriyaki dishes, also. Worth having in the repertoire.
Connaught's, University Ave., Fairfax, at Main St., Rt.236.
Good Indian food - this restaurant revolutionized the Fairfax dining scene. The lunch buffets are good, especially if you arrive early. Probably the best place in downtown Fairfax.
But note: as of November 1, 2005, it was closed, forced to shut by the evils of eminent domain. I’ll keep this review on the web site for a few years, just so you know how Fairfax City handled this matter, they didn’t even give much notice…
Many of the staff relocated to Infusion Restaurant.
Viet House, 9966 Main Street, Fairfax, VA, 703-691-0090, in the Fairfax Circle Shopping Center (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Yelp]
I don’t list most of the soup places, which are uniformly good, this one has lunch dishes too, a good place especially for Fairfax.
Simit & Kabob, 9558 Main Street, Fairfax, VA, Turnpike Shopping Center, 703-426-1901 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [zabihah | Don Rockwell | Yelp]
They haven’t learned how to treat customers like customers. And they seem more comfortable serving boxed crackers from Turkey, or canned olives, than warm food. Nor are portions huge. That being said, they get the essentials of the taste right, and that is exactly what most other restaurants fail to do. So it’s worth going, at least if you have your priorities straight.
Sakoontra, web site, 12300-C Price Club Plaza, Fairfax, VA, 703-818-8886 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]
I went here once, and enjoyed the fried watercress salad. The rest was fine but I thought only average. A number of readers have sent positive reports, but I don’t yet get it.
Pad Thai, 11199 Lee Highway, Unit E, Fairfax, VA, in front of Expo Design Center, 703-591-2525 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [City Paper | openlist | Yelp]
For the most part, I am bored with Thai food, except when I have the seafood at Duangrat’s. But this place is refreshing, nothing radical but everything tastes as if one is approaching Thai food anew. Recommended, especially for those stuck in Fairfax. Also very reasonably priced.
Cattleya Restaurant, web site, 3981 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA, 703-934-8880 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | City Paper | Yelp]
A good Thai restaurant, mom and pop in orientation, very friendly. I like best here the beef curries (not usually my favorite dish, I might add), I recommend a visit. We’re now at to the point where Fairfax proper has better dining than does Arlington!
Anita's, web site, several branches, the main one is on Rt. 123 in Vienna, often they are open quite late. 521 E. Maple Avenue, Vienna, VA, 703-255-1001 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]
10880 Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA, 703-385-2965
13921 Lee Jackson Memorial Hwy, Chantilly, VA, 703-378-1717
701 Elden Street, Herndon, VA, 703-481-1441
9278 Old Keene Mill Road, Burke, VA, 703-455-3466
Once an excellent restaurant, now merely a good restaurant, sometimes a mediocre one. An attempt to mimic the food from New Mexico. Go spicy here, if you can. I like the Mr. T's special, spicy pork with potatoes. Quick, convenient, and sometimes hits the spot. Still has a place in my repertoire, whether it deserves it or not. And the atmosphere is total, classic Vienna Virginia. A good hang-out. The breakfast specials look intriguing, but I have never tried them.
Moby Dick House of Kabob, web site, 6854 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, VA, 703-448-8448 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [zabihah | Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | Don Rockwell | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]
Multiple locations in DC, MD, and VA, including
Good kebabs, tasty food, and the best ethnic place in McLean. But simply not the best kabobs place, the meat here somehow has just a bit less taste. The bottom line is they manage to make it in McLean, ultimately not a good sign. Still, going here is better than eating American-style fast food.
Cho's Garden (Chowon Garden), 9940 Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA, 703-359-9801, half mile west on 50 from Fairfax Circle (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Korean DC | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Yelp]
The best Korean option in Fairfax proper, plus a pretty good buffet at lunch, including sushi.
Seoul House, 11272 James Swart Circle, Fairfax, VA, 703-934-8250 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | Citysearch]
Korean food is never bad, and they have a useful lunch buffet.
Lotte Plaza, web site, large Korean Mall in Fairfax. On Old Lee Highway, near Fairfax Circle, and next to Artie's, 3250 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA, 703-352-8989 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | Yelp]
The center of Korean life in Fairfax. A large Korean supermarket and a variety of small take-out Korean restaurants served by tables in a mall-like area. Great food, and definitely number one for atmosphere. A visit here is a must. I like the Bul-Gogi at the straight-up Korean restaurant, but there are many good dishes to have here.
Elena’s Oven, 9542-B Arlington Blvd., Fairfax Circle Plaza, Fairfax, VA, 703-352-0917, not always open for dinner. (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [barrio flores | Citysearch]
Mostly Bolivian, but the Italian dishes and pizza are above average. Good prices too.
Esposito’s, 9917 Lee Hwy, Fairfax, VA, 703-385-59, 12Rt. 50, just west of Fairfax Circle, on the south side of the street. (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [City Paper | openlist | Yelp]
The kind of Italian place you would expect in New Jersey. Indeed, the owners are from New Jersey. Some of the best pizza in the area, plus very good pasta. Exactly the sort of place you would think that northern Virginia shouldn’t have.
Bombay Cafe, 11213-E Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA, 703-352-8282, near Jermantown Road (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [openlist | Yelp | Gayot]
Mom and pop, where they cook for you or you grab from simmering trays on the counter. Not as good as my favorites, but still good enough that I look forward to eating here.
Jaipur, 9401 Lee Highway, Unit 105, Circle Towers, Fairfax, VA, 703-766-1111 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]
You would never expect to find a restaurant in this locale, attached to a condo building, but this place draws a surprisingly good crowd. They put real spices in the food too. Above average, and they offer a good buffet.
Woodlands, 8046 New Hampshire Avenue, at University Blvd., Hyattsville, MD, 301-434-4202 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Yelp | Gayot] also located in Fairfax, in the mall where Germantown Rd hits the K-Mart, just off of Rt. 29, 4078 Jermantown Road, Fairfax, VA, 703-385-1996 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Yelp]
Finally Fairfax has top-rate dosas. The Maryland branch has now overtaken Udupi with the Indian crowd, although the menus are almost the same. Fairfax branch not quite as good but still excellent. The kind of food is simply hard to beat. Be grateful that you can get it at all. There is one lentils dish, with vegetables, comes with a side order of yogurt, it is my favorite here.
Bombay Bistro, web site, 3570 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA, 703-359-5810, also at 98 W. Montgomery Avenue, Rockville, MD, 301-762-8798 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | Don Rockwell | openlist | Gayot]
A good restaurant with a wide-ranging menu. The Fairfax branch opened late in 1995, and rivals Connaught's as the best restaurant in Fairfax. They even have several kinds of dosas. The lunch buffets are good and fresh. There is also a main branch in Rockville, but I have never been there.
Le Tire Bouchon, web site, 4009 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA, at Main Street, 703-691-4747 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | openlist]
Update October 2007: CLOSED
Good French food, now the best place in Fairfax city. Cozy and comfortable atmosphere, not especially original but likely to prove a winner with most audiences. The lamb is my favorite here, plus get the apple tart and ice cream dessert.
China Gourmet (the new Chinese name may be Szechuan Boy), 9901 Lee Hwy, Fairfax, VA, 703-293-9898 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Chowhound | Washingtonian | WaPo | Don Rockwell]
Update August 13, 2006: China Gourmet is closed.
Update, May 15, 2006: Peter Chang has now left China Gourmet and his whole new Sichuan menu is gone...a new chef has some sichuan dishes, including good rabbit, but it is not the same restaurant.
Run by the prize-winning chef who used to run Tempt Asian and before that China Star.
Get the special Szechuan menu, twice cooked pork and #3 on the main dishes menu, fish and tofu.
A new favorite.
Chutzpah Real New York Deli, web site, 12214 Fairfax Towne Center, Fairfax, VA, 703-385-8883, closed Sunday dinner (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Yelp]
No, this isn’t New York City, or even New Jersey, but this place is better than you think.
Fairfax Crab House, 10195 Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA, 703-560-0060, just a bit east of University Drive. (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | Yelp | Gayot]
Formerly Captain Jack’s on Rt. 29, a longstanding Fairfax County institution that was forced out by gentrification of its neighborhood. How good is it? You’re asking the wrong person. The crab I love is Chili or Pepper Crab in Singapore.
(If you like Chili Crab, check out the Singapore Chili Crab Festival held in NYC each summer.)
Brasa Roja, aka Braza Roja, 9984 Main Street, Fairfax, VA, 703-385-8141, just east of downtown Fairfax, near Roberts Road, in the mall with Total Crafts. Another branch at 8215 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, 301-495-0092 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Yelp]
Excellent rotisserie chicken and steaks, especially for Fairfax. The best yucca of the chicken places. Plus they serve a variety of good Peruvian dishes. Mexican food here is better than in many places. It only pretends to be Colombian, more pan-Latin than anything. They have cute waitresses, and lots of cops come as customers.
La Choza Grill, web site, 8558 Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA, 1/2 mile west of Gallows Road, 703-560-1192 (also in the Ballston Commons Mall Food Court, 4238 Wilson Blvd., # 128, Arlington, VA, 703-243-5555) (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Yelp | Gayot]
I like the Seco (lamb stew with rice and potatoes). They've added some Mexican dishes to the menu since I was here last, which is probably a step backwards. But it is still the same owner, and if you live in the immediate area, you will find yourself coming back here.
Elena’s Oven, 9542-B Arlington Blvd., Fairfax Circle Plaza, Fairfax, VA, 703-352-0917 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Citysearch | barrio flores]
Best is the lunch buffet, some evenings they close or don’t have Bolivian food at all, moving to Italian offerings (the entire matter of their evening hours appears to be in flux). Definitely recommended, an amazing bargain plus they will have many Bolivian dishes that other places don’t. Put this place in your repertoire, plus your wimpy friends can get the pasta. The pizza is also decent.