danajmu

Can't agree more. The plus 1 and I just came back from a trip to Philly (which we would do again just for the DiNic's roast pork sandwich) and we made the exact same comment at HB2 last week. Steak and cheese is so much more satisfying and throwing some of those onion fries on your sandwich makes it even better. I've been totally neglecting my burger needs lately because of how good it is.

I finally made my first trip to Orso. Yes, it's because DannyNoonan is my boss and sent our whole work group there, but that didn't make me any less excited to try them out. I wasn't sure they would live up to the hype coming from him for the last few months, but I was pleasantly surprised to see that they exceeded it. The entire trip was a success. The pies were delicious. I wasn't trying to suck up, but I did order the Margherita as well. I feel like that's the right choice the first time I'm trying out new pizza. It didn't disappoint. The crust had the perfect level of char and that pinch of salt gave it a great overall flavor. I thought the balance of sauce and cheese was perfect and it had enough basil to make me happy. Paired with a lovely glass of Gragnano it was simply delicious. We tried a wide variety of pizzas throughout the group and I really think all of them were well received. I hate to say it, but this reminds me of the level of pizza making that 2 Amys used to be at but has failed to achieve the last several times I have been there. So happy to have this kind of quality out in the 'burbs. I took the leftovers home to Mom and took my girlfriends back for a lunch date the following week. Think I made believers out of them as well.

I totally agree with the good words about Bernie's. My husband and I are addicted to this place because the sandwiches are the best you'll find in this area (yeah I know that's not saying much in Fairfax) and it's nice to find a non-chain sandwich shop these days. The staff at Bernie's are really friendly and accomodating even when this place is insanely packed on Saturday afternoons. The deli classics are really good and if you are seriously hungry the NY size is well worth it cause the sandwiches are hugely packed. Oh and if you need a last minute dinner then the beer can chicken makes for fantastic take-out. Just like Wayne said above it's not fine dining but well worth a trip if you're in the area.

I also spent time studying in Florence back in the late 90s and absolutely adored Acqua al Due. The five course sampler was amazing and always kept me wanting to go back and try new dishes. It was there that I was first introduced gnocchi and is probably the reason to this day that I'm a total snob about eating the dish in the U.S. :-) I totally agree with Bags that being in Florence can taint your opinions since everything is amazing and inspiring, but for now I'm going to hold out hope that the D.C. version can be just as fantastic.

I never thought Austin Grill was amazing, but I miss the days when I could at least count on the place for some decent fajitas out in the burbs. I actually have a friend who ordered fajita meat for takeout for a party recently and it was still pretty tasty. However they stopped making fresh tortillas at the restaurant. Even with the old machine right in the middle of the restaurant they give you sysco ones. That's just embarassing.

Flavors has never disappointed me when I'm in the mood for soul food. I stopped eating fried chicken unless I'm there....and I swear the mac n cheese gets better every time I go!!

Definitely Duck Chang's! Yes it's in Annandale in a little strip mall but their food is fantastic and the owners are just wonderful people. Peking Duck there is amazing. My parents have been living in Hong Kong for the last 3 years and whenever they come home to visit they insist on hitting Duck Chang's for Peking Duck.