vvill

My wife and I moved into the area about 16 months ago and a relative of ours local to area had us over for dinner, and served us takeout from Moby Dick! We were a little surprised but boy was it good! It happened to be the McLean branch, and we've been back at least 10 times (tho only had the swordfish once and it wasn't so good). It's nearly always crowded too.

We've also been to the Bethesda branch once but none of the others yet. I've been tempted to try the Dupont Circle one for lunch since that's in range of my office but there are so many choices around there and reading the reviews in this thread is discouraging me from doing that.

Of all those mentioned so far I've only tried Crisp 'n' Juicy (on Route 7). It was tasty but not so exceptional that I've ever had the sudden urge to go back. I think I'll try the one mentioned in the Willston Center next time I'm around Seven Corners (the "Peruvian Chicken and Steak place").

Yeah I think there is a place called... "Brick Lane Curry House" funnily enough in NYC that will do you a phall. I wanted to try it (the place, not the phall in particular) last time I was there but didn't end up having the time to do so.

Some varied opinions on Vapiano on 18th St I see and it's still not that consistent as far as I'm concerned. My manager and colleague went on a Thursday and gave such rave reviews we all went back the very next day for our Friday lunch... it was very busy and my pasta dish was somewhat bland and slightly undercooked (I thought they timed those - so maybe the pasta itself was too cold or something?). The bar service also left something to be desired. It's a novel experience tho, I'll grant them that, and nicely decorated and presented. I would try the pizza next time as I heard from those that ordered it that it was good. I still have their menu brochure pinned on my office wall.

On some level you gotta love it though, don't you? I've had that dish, and the chicken Kadai at Bombay Curry Company does the same thing-- adrenalin rush I guess.

Yeah I love vindaloo tho I haven't tried it at Haandi Falls Church. I've been there once and had a good meal so maybe next time I will order it.

Anyone tried "phaal" before? It's hotter than vindaloo - I tried it once based on reputation when I lived in London. Now THAT was masochism... even tho it was tasty. I quickly ordered a lassi...

Interesting. I live in walking distance of this place and have seen it a few times - never stopped in tho. Might give it a try sometime, a respectable local place is always welcome.

My favorite was Pho Ha Tay - but last time we tried to go it looked like it had closed for good.

My former second favorite (now the first string choice by default) is Pho Vinh Loi, a couple of doors down from Full Key in the Best Buy shopping center at Bailey's Crossroads.

I'd appreciate any other suggestions in the Arlington/Falls Church area.

I thought I'd post here first since this is where I found this messageboard (via Google). My pho experiences so far

-Pho 75 (on Wilson) - I've tried it once, it was pretty good but I didn't think it was amazing.

-Pho 88 (West Broad St, Falls Church) - I had this last night for dinner. Tasty, large serving sizes, and very friendly service. My wife enjoyed it a lot. We will go back.

-Eden Center - I forget which place it was but it wasn't the one listed in this thread. It wasn't a specialty pho place. Very ordinary.

-Froggy Bottom - I can't believe someone mentioned this place for pho! I haven't actually tried it tho I've had several of their menu items and their "salad + pizza bar" many times. We go there for cheap beer (at the expense of a good meal) for Friday work lunches when we're not organized.