dgreen

Where are you lunching Thursday or Friday and watching some hoops?

I was just being sarcastic. The demo showed drawings with very few cars parked on the street as if that's a reality anywhere in the city. I just thought it was funny. I will use Metro for every game I go to.

No pizza?

I heard Stan Kasten last week on the radio and he said he hoped to announce all their stadium vendors this week. He also said there will be several local guys.

Impossible.

We went for an early dinner (4:30) Saturday. Other than 3 people in the bar and whoever may have been on the 3rd floor, we were the only people there at that time. Yet, there were probably at least 20 vehicles in the Self Park spots. Are the employees taking the good parking spaces? We walk in and ask for a table for 5 and we're told they'll have our table ready in five minutes. That's a little odd considering the place is completely empty. We get upstairs and they have the table ready for too many people and then take the tables back apart for us. I noticed later another attempt to set up a table for a larger party. For some reason, this caused them difficulty. Now, I'm not is the business, but it seems pretty easy to me: slide the tables together and put the chairs around. I watched as two people talked it over and spent a good 5 minutes setting up a table for 6. Then they proceeded to take it back apart as nobody came to sit there. Maybe just practicing? They had a lot of staff just walking around, doing "something". I found that odd with so few customers. The kids shared the Chicken Quesadilla appetizer. It was plenty for both of them; 4 large slices. I had a bite and it was good. The tortilla was just a tad crispy, just the way I like it. My wife had the Cuban sandwich. I don't remember what all was on it, and their web page still isn't up to find out, but it was pretty good. No wow factor or anything, but it was good. I had the tacos al something. They were simple steak tacos with grilled peppers and rice, black beans, and pico de gallo on the side. The meat was cooked as I asked (medium) and all our food came out hot. The staff was certainly nice and helpful. Our waitress mentioned the 3rd level, but we didn't get the tour like Don. They also mentioned to us that they have a large banquet hall. I think she said it can seat up to 150-200. By the time we left, there were maybe 30 or so people on the second level and I saw two couples at tables on the first level. For their sake, I hope they can attract more people. All in all, everything went as expected. Nothing bad, but nothing great either. We'll probably go back, but we certainly didn't leave thinking we needed to tell all our friends about it. In an area like Centreville, I certainly welcome Alto Plaza. It's just nice to have another option.

Sweet, look at all that available on-street parking! Looks like it will be soooooo easy to park. Why would I use Metro?

It appeared to be open this weekend. I didn't stop by, though. Anyone try it yet?

Just found this article: The same sign that mentioned Mamma Lucia's also mentioned Austin Grill, Foster's, and some coffee joint. The above article also mentions "an upscale restaurant."

I was in Old Town Fairfax last night. After dinner, we took a walk around the block because I wanted to look at the new construction along North Street. One building said that a Mamma Lucia's was coming. (But, now that I read this thread, I can't be certain it had two "m"s.)

Thanks for the info. Glad to see they're apparently as slow with launching a web page as they are with building their actual restaurant. The balconies will offer a nice view of the Blue Ridge Mountains on a clear day. Too bad it's opening in winter.

For those of you who drive through the 28/29 area, you know what I'm talking about. They've literally been constructing at that site for years. The only signs say "Cooley Electric." My wife called the Cooley phone number and they said it will be a mexican restaurant. I've heard a rumor that each level will be progressively higher scale than the one below (there are three levels). It's built to have views of the mountains in the far distance with balconies on level two and three on the west side. Is any of this even true? Any idea when it will open, what it will be called, if it's local or a chain, or anything at all about it?

They usually do pretty well. We received good advice from a stranger once. When our daughter (first born) just a few weeks old, we were in a restaurant and some parents at the table next to us said, "That's the way to do it. Start taking your kids out to eat as early as possible so they'll learn how to behave in those situations." We are quickly moving towards the time when one kids meal will no longer be enough. To be honest, we may already be there, but two kids meals is too much. Usually they'll eat a few things off our plates. The girl doesn't eat too much. The oldest boy (2 year old) may eat more than her. The newborn boy will soon start to challenge his big brother. It may get ugly then. We eat out less and less as time passes.

An experience I had last week reminded me of your post. I was at Mama Dip's in Chapel Hill, NC. While looking over the menu, I noticed it had certain drinks with an *. They were the ones with free refills. Sure enough, milk did not have an *. However, what actually happened wass more important than what's on the menu, IMO. My kids split a kids meal and both had milk. Technically, I think one milk came with the meal and the other was in addition to the meal. At one point, the waitress noticed my daughter's cup was empty and asked my daughter if she wanted more milk. She, of course, said, "Yes." I went ahead and handed the waitress my son's cup, too, since it was nearly empty. My assumption was that if the waitress was going to ask a 4-year old if they wanted something, then there wouldn't be a $ cost associated with it. When the bill came, we were not charged for refills. At a restaurant in SC, we just ordered my daughter a lemonade and no food because she had already eaten and was just going to have some fries off our plates. When the bill arrived, we weren't charged for her lemonade. It was probably just fountain lemonade, so not a big cost anyways. Not sure what to say. Maybe I'm just lucky. Although, I like to think it has something to do with how dang cute my kids are.

I've only been once and it was probably 10 years ago. It was definitely better than Olive Garden or Macaroni Grill or Joe's Place. They do family style, too, so that could help cut down on costs if that's a concern.

That's Amore in Vienna isn't too far away.

Great Country Farms has peanuts for u-pick this week! I'm looking forward to it.

No, the 4 year old had the milk refill. One milk came with the kids meal and we ordered a 2nd milk separately since two kids would be eating. The 4 year old then asked for a milk refill.

Update... So, we were at Eggspectation in Chantilly, VA, Friday night. We ordered a kids meal for our 4 and 2 year old to share, which comes with milk, and ordered another milk for child #2. They had no problem providing free refills on the kids' milks. They were in what I'd guess were 12 oz. cups. The kids milk was $1.50. It probably wasn't organic, though, like at AF.

That's basically how we do our corn. Put it in the water, turn on the heat, and when the water boils it's done.

My wife and I are on our third or fourth year with Great Country Farms. We've loved all the peaches and nectarines. It's been a lot but I'm not sure I can get sick of them. Then again, we also have three kids, so it's spread out more than it would be for you and your boyfriend. How's your corn been? We've had to throw out about half of ours. The U-pick here is awesome. It really makes this CSA worth the price if you can do the U-pick, especially towards the end of the year when they pretty much let their members take whatever is left. Since my wife stays home with our kids, we get out to the farm almost every week. Although, it does cost us about $12 in gas for a round trip. I've heard they have Christmas trees, too. With our usual spot to cut down a tree closing, we'll have to check it out this winter. They are very customer service oriented. In year's past, we've paid monthly. One year, they kindly let us know that we missed a month. They didn't even say anything until several months later. When we called them to pay with a card over the phone, they kept telling us it was no big deal. This year we just paid the full amount up front. They've added a winery and they have more changes planned for upcoming years. Apparently, the country store is going to be turned into a restaurant and one of the other barns/buildings will become the country store. I think that's only in the planning stages, though. If you and your boyfriend are having a half share delivered, I'd suggest finding someone to split a full share with. It will really cut down on costs.

Okay, I'm hungry.

I don't remember what sandwich I ordered (roast beef, maybe), but it wasn't anything memorable...obviously. The sides were good, though. Honestly, my wife and I liked our kids' chicken fingers better than our sandwiches. They were really good. I'll have to try the pulled pork next time. It's a nice addition to Middleburg.

I had one of the AF frozen flatbreads from Whole Foods. It was pretty good. Definitely better than any other frozen pizza. Kind of small, though.