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Last time I read about Chutzpah (Tyson's location)they failed badly on the health department lists with things such as chicken stored above other items temperatures more than 5 degrees off the norm etc... I strongly advise checking your county (or the county you are going to dine in) health department before dining at a new place. Most fail for temperature of items such as tomatoes however if they are storing things incorrectly or at temperatures outside the norm you may want to think twice before going especially if they are repeat offenders. Just a bit of advice.

We went to the Tyson's location yesterday and opted for the valet parking (2.00 added to your ck at the end of the meal...) we waited about 5 to 10 minutes for a table after a bit I mentioned that we can do a half booth I just need the short chairs for my comfort, if we wanted the "high chairs" we could have sat right away. We were greeted cordially by what I may assume is the General Manager and the two ladies in charge of seating. We waited by the bar and 2 bar staff offered us assistance which we declined but accepted menus to browse while waiting... finally we were seated. We shared 3 appetizers since we couldn't make up our minds. The Truffle Parmesan popcorn (yes, it was popcorn!) it actually tasted very nice. Mini duck corn dogs (yummy and sort of hot-dog-type but a bit hard to eat on a stick) with a purple mustard (The mustard is VERY spicy - think chinese mustard or horseradish bumped up) it cleared my sinuses in mere seconds... and lastly the trio of hummus with pita and olives. The hummus with red peppers was very nicely made the rest were standard fare. Next we ordered our main courses. Hubby got the super tuscan burger ordered it medium well it came out medium rare. I got the chicken with goat cheese, red peppers and bacon with a side of sweet potato fries. Mine tasted pretty good but I could not tell if the chicken was a tiny bit "pink" or if it was the red peppers... I hoped for the best since it did look cooked to both of us. (yes, I got a bit ill in the wee hours but maybe the chicken WAS pink or maybe I wasn't used to all the rich food after dieting all week.) For dessert we shared since we couldn't make up our minds. We had their "in house home-made" well... according to our waiter/server Michael.. ice cream/sorbet trio - hubby got the blueberry sorbet, vanilla bean and also toasted almond ice creams and I opted for their lava cake with chocolate ice cream on the side of it. We shared it all and we both felt the ice creams were on par with Haagen Daz or better. They had bread with a pomegranate/red pepper spread that kept getting refilled. The service was very good and they kept my glass full which to me is always a plus, especially on a 90 degree day! I got my doggy bag from what was left of our meals and added some of the bread that was left to it and we trotted out the door on our merry way. We would definitely go here again!* There were really no major faux pas or negatives with the tiny exception of being a bit pricy... the location is lovely and easy to get to from Route 7 in the Tyson's corner area. (*and if I order chicken next time, I may re-check it in case it was the chicken that upset my tummy)

I hear that they have a red pepper hummus home made that is great, so that is next on our list...except they have one in Herndon too so that is much closer. - THANKS!

That is a good question and I will be sure to ask them next time I go. I just have been looking for a good middle-eastern restaurant that is not over-priced and has a nice variety and taste to their foods that they make available....

We just returned from a fantastic lunch at Mezza Grills. Mezza is located in Ashburn Virginia this is their website: http://www.mezzagrills.com/ Robert, the owner is the same owner of several other delicious restaurants in NOVA (aka Northern Virginia to you folks from outside this region) including Domani. For lunch hubby and I had some real delicious goodies and it was not a bad way to celebrate Valentine's Day either! We shared the Mezza Sampler which had Babaganouj, Hummus, a delicioius middle eastern style salad (fettoush?), falafel and dolmas. Hubby got the Kofte Kebab which was served with some Raita/Yogurt sauce, spinach, bread and more... I got the Mediterranean delight which was an error on my part... we had to share it, it was ALOT of delicious food more than I could finish alone. Mine had Kofte, sliced Gyro meat, Shish Tawouk (Finely marinated chicken - moist and juicy and flavored well) and more salad with some feta and tomato slices. We opted out of dessert being too full but I heard that the desserts were great so I got Baklava to go... something to nosh on for tonight. Robert who came over and greeted us, asked us what did we order... I had to point to the receipt because this was our first time there and I couldn't remember for the life of me the names of anything except the appetizer. He said he owned several places in the region from Springfield to Ashburn to Herndon/Reston area.... I mentioned he should open another Mezza closer to Reston, not that I would mind traveling the 15-20 minutes again for this place. The place was more than half full and it was around 1pm on a holiday Saturday and the service was good and attentive. I would highly recommend this place especially if you have a craving for hummus, middle eastern or greek food! Just GO!

We went to Old Europe today in NW DC and got easy parking it's across from Glover Park I think?! The lunch menu wasn't too diverse but the specials sounded awesome so we got 3 dishes and shared them, not making up our minds... it was a hard decision which sounded best. We got the veal with a raisin and brandy reduction, red cabbage and mashed potatoes, the goose croquettes with dumplings and the sausage selection with latke's and saukraut and carmelized onions on top. They had nice baskets of bread and the waitress was quite busy. There were about 12 tables full of folks there and for 130-230 pm it wasn't hopping but busy enough. We were going to opt for dessert but by the time we finished we couldn't eat another bite. The service was a bit off but the staff seemed pleasant. We would definitely consider going back again if we can get more great parking and delicious food!

I went to a restaurant in Boston in the "Italian section" long ago that had communal dining. I recall that in my late teens I found it charming to meet folks to the left and right and across from me. Looking back on that experience my fear now-a-days would be bothersome on several fronts. 1) Community food/basket such as shared corn, peas, appetizers - Pros: keep passing around the item and then Cons: having to share with others and not knowing how much they take, double dippers, people who just picked their nose (ewwww) and picked up a piece of bread and then decided it wasn't what they wanted and putting it back in.... 2) People who sit adjacent to you with poor hygiene or worse socialization skills (talkers vs folks who like to eat quietly) 3) Getting someone's whiny kid next to you 4) "elbow room" 5) If the dining room was half and half perhaps that would be better! That way those of us less "friendly" types can sit with their own group or by themselves. I know folks who are far less "yenta-y" or social than I am who prefer to just sit down, maybe text folks and eat. Well that is just my 2¢ worth.

I am looking for restaurants that are both mobility friendly (ramps/easy walk in no big stairs) and with valet parking or parking within a block or less. Not just for myself but also others who are using canes, wheel chairs, walkers or are unable due to temporary or permanent disabilities to dine in that is delicious yet is not a "Drive-thru" or diner or in a "bad area" for mobility/accessibility.

I have considered making the small trek to Ray's in Rosslyn or other location(s) however I am not extremely mobility friendly at this point. Is there a day/time that is slow enough that we can just stroll in and have a late lunch or early supper? I injured my back rather badly and am on crutches on occasion depending on how good the day is... Is there any Ray locations that have Valet or on-site parking. Everything sounds so good and tasty but I hate to be able to sit down and have dinner with pain.

My hubby and I ate at Thirsty Bernie's about 6 weeks ago. The parking was good as was the location relatively find-able. It is good for a sports fanatic I watched tennis over my husbands shoulder while we chatted but I'm not into sports however one of the Williams sisters were playing if I recall. We ordered the appetizer tray which was an interesting mix. I wish they had more of those little sausages available I liked them and the Pate alot. I'd even order up a lot to take home to nosh on! We both ordered the kielbasi and it was good however the bun was WAY too big to fit your mouth around that and the Kielbasi I opted to dice it up and munch on the roll. We shared the home-made Pierogi's OH MY GOD they were delicious... the sauce was different on them but I could live on them... I like my Pierogi's with butter and sauteed onions personally. Hubby and I found it hard to share the pierogi's as a sort of side-dish. ( we both wanted to eat them all! ) The onion rings were room temp at best and I wanted to play toss-em with them not finding them terribly edible. The service was pretty good but could be a bit better or more attentive. We were going to see if they had desserts to order but we were full by the time the waiter found our table again and opted to stop at Trader Joes for their famous cheesecake squares (Raspberry, plain and peanut butter) found in the frozen section of the store. I wonder if we can order up some of those finger sausages, kielbasi and pierogi's to go for like a small house party?! I'll have to ask them next time.

Today we went to Chak De India for lunch. They had an interesting selection of different chicken, vegetarian, very fresh soft bread, pakora and papad as well as perfectly made rice, crisp salad fixings and desserts. They didn't have as many items as Angeethi does on their Sunday Brunch with the omelettes made to order, pancakes and waffles but they are new... The owner/manager Robin was very nice and it shows in the decor, food, service and overall I was impressed. They kept the hot naan full as well as my soda glass so I was a happy camper. They have buffet every day for 9.95 m-f and 12.95 for sat/sun their ph# is 703 444 0381. They are located at the back of the plaza when you see chik-fil-a go straight back you'll see them next to that excellent little persian foodstuff shop. I assure you they spice everything nicely so go there and enjoy!

Are there any restaurants closer to Reston/Great Falls (not Alexandria/MD or DC please!) that are having something interesting for Thanksgiving - since this thread is open... I may as well ask! Thanks.

We have eaten at Mediterranee a handful of times for lunch once with our in-laws (who are very picky I may add) I always get the prix-fixe lunch for 16.95 where you get an appetizer an entree and dessert and so does hubby. Here is their info: 10123 Colvin Run Road, Great Falls, VA (703) 757-9300 (It runs right behind Route 7 about 2 miles or less from Wolf Trap) We went there on Friday and as usual the food was great! The service is usually fantastic but it was a bit uneven flowing... I'm used to the two women who work the dining room and there were two gentlemen but they did good enough. They brought out their usual freshly cut french bagette bread basket and butter and then we proceeded to order. I got the Country Pate with olives and gherkins and Hubby got the Grilled eggplant with cumin and oranges. For my main course I got the peppercorn hangar steak with frites (fries ;-) heh) which had a fantastic cream sauce not too heavy nor too light. Hubby ordered the Smoked pork loin in a coconut milk cilantro sauce with pineapple I really REALLY am not into pork or ham but I had a forkful and I wanted to steal his dish and run off and eat it too! It was so smoky and delicious and made really nicely. For dessert he got the Bread pudding with caramel sauce (the caramel sauce was DEFINITELY homemade a tiny bit over-cooked but not really noticable but nice texture and odor YUM) I got the Crepes stuffed with chestnut cream and it was yummy... next time I may get the Banana flambe with rum, served with vanilla Ice cream... I'm just not into Ice cream too much. Anyhow this is a great place for lunch and one day I hope to try it for supper if I ever have time. --- Happy New Year L'Shanah Tovah to everyone.... and beit avon'

They have a lot of specials tomorrow to celebrate their birthday I got a private email since I'm on their subscriber list. You can visit their websit but there are scads of give-aways tomorrow (wednesday).

Hubby and I went to Urban Bar-B-Que ( BBQ to us old Northern Folks ) and we decided that Red, Hot & Blue and also Famous Daves BBQ tasted much better. The staff were attentive and nice, the food was too "wet" and not moist per-se. The corn bread was "typical" nothing to write home about. We did like the shared appetizer of the brisket eggrolls those were delicious. The redneck fondue was the same sauce as they gave on the side of the brisket eggrolls only soupier... That being said, I'm glad we didnt venture into MD just to grab lunch up there and shop or this would have been a waste of time and tastebuds. Lastly, I prefer sit down service not "lunch room style". They should offer both options IMHO! Anyhow that's my 2 cents worth.