Reston Town Center Merchants Are Still Getting Crushed By Paid Parking: Claim

Revenue Still down @ RTC

Also - try Chase the Submarine in Vienna - not your traditional Banh Mi, but a good twist on it:  belly banh mi – virginia ham, braised pork belly, daikon and carrots, cilantro, jalapeno oil, banh mi 

Chase the Banh Mi

Happened upon the newest food, grocery, condo block or two in Sterling, Virginia recently - had been to the CAVA there several times, but missed this place as it was not open.  Lunch was not particularly busy but the way this complex is set up a block off Leesburg Pike (Route 7) it is a destination.  There is a Harris Teeter and several other restaurants (Chuy's) in the immediate area.  I saw signs for a Coal fired pizza coming soon as well. 

Miller's Ale House is tucked in the middle so if you blink you could miss it.  There is green space in front with some kids games and benches so it appears to be used regularly.  Lunch was great.  Have a decent mix of salads and sandwiches, I opted for a burger as their description sounded pretty good and it was.  Service was spot on and drinks refilled promptly.  Atmosphere is more of the contemporary bar/restaurant feel with high exposed vents and gray ceiling acoustic tiles.  The booths and bar area were nicely spaced and they had plenty of seating.  I am sure the place will fill up and get busier as the condos there sell and the immediate population increases.  They have outdoor seating as well, but due to the heat, I think everyone preferred the AC.

After you enjoy a meal there walk out the front door directly across the courtyard to Colada Shop for a great coffee.  Heard their Cuban sandwiches are great, but have not been back to try one yet. Anyplace that has Cafe con Leche and Cuban coffee is worth a stop.

Instigated by convenience, ate there again last night with friends - service faltered a little as our server was training a new employee, but everyone's dinners from pizzas to jumbo lump crabmeat and avocado salad to Gyro platter were great and delivered without issue.  Their featured specials which include apps/salads/entrees always look enticing and so far I have been 2 for 2 with the entree specials.   Friends commented how they were impressed with the food - for a low-key meal on a Monday evening, they were reasonably busy.  

Situated on Lake Anne in Reston, Kalypso's Sports Tavern, with expansive outdoor seating across from the dock area and water.  Plaza is dated due to the concrete theme of 1970s construction, but there are several recent additions to the area which all appear to be fairing well.

Had not been here in some time but found ourselves there Sunday and decided to give it another shot.  Outdoor seating area was nice, umbrellas are a little worn and could use a cleaning, but the open-air area was nice.  They have improved their ordering system so it is automated and very efficient.  From Humus appetizer to dinner salads, entrees and kids meals, everything was fresh, and nicely prepared.  Service was efficient, and food came out quickly and hot.  Lucky for us they had live music Saturday evening starting at 5:30 PM, which was great for atmosphere.  Place was decently busy and when we departed around 7, there were people waiting to be seated.

ParkRTC Kiosks Overhauled At Reston Town Center

According to article, 200,000 people have downloaded the ParkRTC app.  This # appears to be pretty high given the controversy surrounding the roll-out and opposition to initial release.

...and now Reston Association is weighing in.  

RA Board to Discuss Reston Town Center Parking at Meeting This Week

"Reston Town Center Restaurants: Business Is Improving after Parking Change" by Dan Taylor on patch.com

PR Firm that handled Paid Parking has stepped aside.

Don't forget Greek (great lunch, if you do not have a reservation eat in the bar - Nostos

Thai - Busara - decent, been there a long time and does solid business.

Pizza - Crust

Harth (McLean Hilton) - yea, I know a hotel restaurant, but it is locally-sourced, bee-hive on the roof kind of place.  You can get in/out in 60 minutes.

Lost Dog - says McLean, but it is 1/2 mile from Tysons just off Rt 123. Not as good as the original Arlington location, but decent subs and individual, unique pizzas.

Alborz - another kabob place, I heard is very good, however I have not been here yet - but it is across the alley from Crust pizza noted above.

Chef Geoff's - menu is always interesting, and changes seasonally.

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Clarity (dcs)

PassionFish Reston Is Helping Customers Evade ParkRTC, Too 

They join Mon Ami Gabi in a quest to reignite business at RTC.

Reston PassionFish Helping with Parking at RTC

Next trip, try (in no particular order) - having been to Key West many, many times, these are tried and true, consistent places where the locals tend to eat.  The first 3 have excellent food and cool atmosphere. The last is more for area/view as it is right off the water, but food is decent too - Ricky's Blue Heaven is a great way to start the day with "breakfast with the roosters."

7 Fish

Great Italian - Fresh Pasta

Blue Heaven

Pepe's Cafe

Turtle Kraals

Easily accessed for both MD and VA hikers, is Scott's Run about 1/4 mile of 495 on Georgetown Pike.  Parking lot(s) are small and often fill up early on weekends as it is a popular destination.  Several moderately challenging trails to hike on and good for adults and kids too.

4 hours ago, DonRocks said:

If you're out on that little patio, it seems like it's very easy to be forgotten down there.

Understood, however it was not busy when we arrived in the main restaurant nor in the Brasserie.  Two other parties arrived about 15 minutes after we got seated (2-top and 3-top), and their food came out before our's despite the orders being placed after ours.  It was unfortunate, but I will give them another shot - we have been there before, but it was average at best and figured after a year perhaps things had improved.

I should have read this prior to, I would have dressed like I had been hiking and then sat on the patio to see if the service were quicker....

Having dined there in their Brasserie last week, it was very nice as far as atmosphere.  The outdoor patio overlooks their garden areas and is somewhat shaded so that is nice.

Service....after being greeted promptly and being seated slightly before our reservation, we got water and drinks quickly.  Bread and butter = fine.  

Food....we ordered within the first 10 minutes of being seated, but waited for almost an hour for our appetizers, which were not overly complicated - braised Wagyu beef cheeks and a salad.  We ate efficiently as we had allocated about 2 hours for a lunch and planned to have dessert.  Our main courses came about 30 minutes after our apps (my wife actually asked if they would check on them since we were a little surprised the main course did not come out quicker after the delayed apps) which left us a little rushed to make an appt at 2 PM.  We ate, requested the bill and skipped dessert due to the extended prep times, which left us short on time.  Maybe an off day, not sure as we don't go there enough to know - however with such a nice atmosphere and talented kitchen, the service needs to step up a little.  Funny thing was we picked the Brasserie since we figured the service would be faster in a smaller venue.  The restaurant was empty when we arrived and when we left, but do not know if it was because they had better service and turned the tables quicker or it was not busy for lunch.

I think the rents commanded there dictate "chains" simply due to affordability and tolerance.  You have regionally-owned chains, like Clydes, Ted's and Jackson's, but it is hard to imagine a local one or two location restaurant faring well with the charges for commercial retail there.  This will likely become more apparent once the new retail starts coming in to replace stores as they turnover; whereas the regionals may even give up space to national chains.  il Fornio's venture East of the Mississippi worked for 10 years here, perhaps longer if they didn't have lease issues. 

il Fornio vacating Reston Town Center Arrivederci il Fornio

Sadly it appears to be confirmed.

Glad to hear it Don - I have seen them make it, and it is quite a production.  Honestly do not know what the binder is, but they form it and slice it thin once cooked.  I usually have it with yogurt sauce over rice, but if you order it like that they will think I told you to do it. 

You should have referenced you were a "friend" they would have rolled out the deserts and apps in gracious fashion.

Anyone?
Anyone?

Bueller?

Bueller?

So iL Fornio is done on June 30th at RTC...pretty sure this is solid info....and ________is taking its place.  What don't we need in RTC, how about Capital Grille?  

Truly too bad to see places like that fail - a UK based chain that has done extremely well in the UK.  Perhaps it is as noted, and the failure accompanies other restaurants who have occupied similar spaces.  Oh well, if in the UK and you happen upon a Carluccios - they are typically packed for bfast, lunch or dinner.

Decided to venture out to RTC and grab a quick bite at Uncle Julio's before a meeting this evening.  On both the way in, parking by the Orange Garage, and on the way out I encountered several people walking around aimlessly trying to figure out how the download the "ParkRTC" app and pay for parking.  Since it was 6 PM when we arrived and 7:15 PM when we left I simply mentioned to them parking was free after 5 PM.  People were obviously relieved - new signage for the FREE after 5 PM may be in the works, but as currently posted it is not nearly enough.  In any case, the RTC was pretty busy for a Summer Tuesday and Jackson's, Mon Ami, Uncle Julio's and The Counter were all decently busy...the busiest I have noticed in months.

Using a coarser grind will make the filtration process easier and your coffee taste far less bitter. Grinding too fine can heat up the grounds, which can negatively affect your cup.

Should  you ever want a true jolt, try this...Deathwish - the difference is hyper.

So I drink a lot of espresso - love a good cup vs an average cup.  The cold-brew process (lengthy) helps remove a lot of the acidity and as funkyfood noted creates a sweeter brew, I believe the caffeine concentration increases as much as twofold.  There is a big push in the cold brew process, with Nitro-brew which infuses cold brew with Nitrogen - the result is almost a Guiness-like coffee.  If you are so inclined to try, it is worth it.  

Oct 13, 2016 - "Nitro Cold-Brew Coffee Is Suddenly Everywhere" by Jessica Sidman on washingtonian.com

Trader Joe's offers a cold brew concentrate that is pretty good in a pinch.  When our espresso machine went in for repairs I supplemented with the TJ's Cold Brew - it was decent.

Check out....Osteria Basilico

It is in the Notting Hill area (which is pretty cool as well).  It is some of the best Italian food we have ever had and kid-accommodating as well.  The challenge?  Getting a table no matter what day or time.  I would advise you just show up, even if you call to make a reservation, and they are booked, they will try to fit you in.  Have them recommend wine to pair with your meal, you will be VERY pleased.  Owners are very gracious and accommodating - I think we ate there 4 times in 14 days.

Awesome Italian food in London

Also - a chain-type restaurant in the UK, but very good and consistent for breakfast, lunch or dinner - ironically they opened a location or two in the US recently Carlucci's.  

Carlucci's (if you need a fall back)

Have fun.