chaofun
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Everything posted by chaofun
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Along route 7 in Sterling right over the border of Fairfax into Loudoun there is a BBQ stand that sets up shop in a Shell station. The first thing I noticed was their gigantic rig. They are only open on weekends which is typical for most BBQ stands around Loudoun it seems. The BBQ is good, but not great. I tried the spare ribs, beef short ribs, and brisket. Spare ribs were well smoked but tougher than they should have been. The short ribs were excellent. Tender enough and beautifully smoked. The brisket was served in small cubed up pieces, which was a little different but I didn't care for it. I think my biggest bone to pick is that I wish they would leave the meat on smoker for a longer. There is a very prominent smoke ring on all their meats, its just way chewier than it should be in general. Could have been a bad day, which with BBQ can happen. It was all served dry rub style, with sauce on the side. I really did not like the sauce, it was too out there to me with a taste of raspberry or something. All in all good, and clear they know a bit about BBQ, but not quite my cup of tea at least the first time out. I'd like to give them more chances, try the pork and chicken out. Their Facebook page has much more info about them if you want to know more. -
FYI, the Bon Chon in Centreville sells really really solid pork buns. Talked to the owner for a bit and it seems that they allow the franchises quite a bit of leeway. The buns are directly inspired by Momofuku in NY and I would say it is comparable. Really good. The chicken of course is great as well as is always from this chain but the buns set it apart from the other locations (they are also available for carry out). Sounds like he did ramen a while back but it was too hard to maintain in the small kitchen they have. The other bon chons do not have the buns, only the one in Centreville, though it sounds like he may be expanding soon (to Arlington).
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You know, when I missed them the last time, they said folks started stopping by for chopped pork at 8am(!) on the weekend. Noon you should be safe though. After 2 I would think is pushing it. Today they were saying they rarely make it past 3, though they are working on it. This is on the weekend though, I'm sure Friday, especially since they just started, is a different story.
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Home Gardens - Tips, Tricks, Methods, and the Bounty
chaofun replied to ScotteeM's topic in Farms and Farmers' Markets
May or may not be on topic, but the 22nd annual Leesburg Flower and Garden festival will be on April 21st and 22nd: http://www.flowerandgarden.org/ Seems like its a big deal from what most of the locals say, they close up a bunch of streets, and there are a lot of mostly local vendors selling garden wares. Its the big spring event in Loudoun. -
Finally after 3 months of living in Loudoun I was able to sync up with The Pit Stop at lunch today. It is as advertised, fabulous. Personally I find two things excellent, the chopped pork and the sauce. Holy cow. The mild sauce is great. Very good are the spareribs. It's a little more "toothy" than my personal preference, but it is a personal preference. The sauce is put on after the fact, and you can request the ribs dry. Definitely pay attention to facebook, and if you are travelling from far away call ahead. They had sold out on two separate occasions that I wanted to try it. They run Fridays now in addition to the weekends.
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In Leesburg, Fireworks is far and away the best pizza. Not that there is a lot of competition.... They have a couple things I do really like, one, they do an awful lot of local sourcing, which gets a thumbs up from me. They also have a solid beer tap of good brews (usually in teens on tap). Try the meatball, sausage and mushroom calzone, its pretty good.
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As gigantic as the primo size may be it is worth it. The bread on the small is not as good IMHO. It's not sesame seeded and to me seems less sturdy. Also don't be afraid to stray away from the regular hoagies. The Bada Bing, (crispy chicken cutlet with rabe) is really really good. Oh and if you need a hoagie to last you a couple days, just be sure to not have lettuce and tomato on it and you'll be good to go. The lettuce and tomato do not do well in the fridge on the sandwich.
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Someone who seems to avoid threads like these is Bryan Voltaggio, who certainly gained a significant amount of fame with Top Chef. Granted, Volt was getting press prior to being on Top Chef, Bryan is focused on Frederick instead of DC (which is great for Frederick), local sourcing, etc. Has he done it the right way, does he just have the right chops, or is it something else that keeps him from being in such discussions?
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Ecofriendly, at the Arlington and Dupont farmers market has it, though you most likely will have to special request it. Cody at the Westover Market butcher should be able to get you some too. Both would be local.
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I have been to The BBQ Exchange in Gordonsville and that I can say is darn good bbq.
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I've heard a lot of good things about Barboursville Winery but I've never been personally, so I can't tell you from experience.
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Home Gardens - Tips, Tricks, Methods, and the Bounty
chaofun replied to ScotteeM's topic in Farms and Farmers' Markets
I am going to have multiple plots this year, one in a community plot in Arlington, which I will give up as soon as I can harvest the giant investment I have there with onions and garlic, one in Leesburg, and all around the new yard. At home I've set up 4 blueberry bushes, and I'm going to put some asparagus and rhubarb roots in tomorrow I hope. I just finished round one of seed starting, a flat of various tomatoes, peppers and eggplants. I need to buy another flat to round out my seed starting. I'm ready for Spring! In my Arlington plot I have 100+ cloves in the ground and at least 25 potato(multiplying) onions so I will have a giant surplus of that come summer. It's going to be a good year. -
Pho 75 has been Jenna and I's standard Saturday breakfast for the last year. We coupled it with a visit to the Arlington Farmers Market, every weekend. Breakfast pho to me is much more enjoyable, no crowds, all the veggie additions are cut fresh. Plus it is supposed to be breakfast! The iced coffee is pretty darn good too. A big loss was losing this weekend tradition when we moved out to Leesburg, but luckily there is a Pho 75 relatively close in Herndon. We can pair this with a trip to MOM's Organic Market which is in the same plaza, so it's pretty much the same experience, exccept now we go on Sunday mornings most days. Thank goodness.
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Another great carryout joint, this time near the center or old part of Leesburg. Galletta's is a family owned place that serves killer sandwiches at lunch. They also serve Italian dinners Fridays and Saturdays, but I have not been there for that yet. The bread they use is ciabatta from South Street Under and it ends up working pretty well. They slice the meats for thier sandwiches to order which is good, it keeps the meat fresher this way, but expect to wait a few minutes for your sandwiches. The hours here are rough as well 11-6 except Friday and Sat where they are open till 8. Also closed Sunday and Monday. If I had to choose which had better meat, here or Primos, it's better here. That said they are very different experiences. Favorite sandwich here so far is the di Parma.
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I have good news for you doomed to make a run to the Leesburg Outlets. You are no longer relagated to the crap food court in the outlet, there is a really solid choice just across the street near Home Depot. Primo Hoagies just opened last week and I am happy to say, it is legit. First heard about it on Serious Eats and never got a chance to try it when I was in Philly. I've only been once but the the italian bread is crusty, and sesame seeded. The provolone was sharp and the sandwich busting out with meat. The medium size sandwich is pretty big, just to let you know. Seemed like 1.25 ft long (Edit: after getting it again, it's 1 ft). Very good, no frills choice if you happen to have to hit the outlets. Note: The meats are focused on domestic Thumannn's deli meat, but are still really good in the sandwich. Note 2: These sandwiches travel well.
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I am terribly biased about this place so take what I say with a grain of salt. Now that I live out here I go a little more frequently; but it remains as good as ever. In my humble opinion its always good to great. Especially with how affordably priced it is. I walked out of there with a meal, a bottle of wine, and a glass of wine for $60 with a good tip. They source locally. I have nothing but good things to say about this place. Only Radius Pizza can meet up with the price to quality and local sourcing in my mind (granted I am horribly biased about Radius as well). One tip for the anyone who can, sit at the bar. I prefer that experience but I can't as often anymore with the 5 month old we bring in with us. I have not yet been to the Frederick one, but the reviews are good. Looking forward to dragging the family up route 15 and trying it out.
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To continue the journey though Loudoun.... Carolina Brothers Pit Barbeque is a pretty solid rendition of Eastern North Carolina style barbeque. That is typically, whole hog, with a thin vinager-based sauce. I am not sure if it is whole hog, but it is definitely sauced with the vinager based sauce. In the past I remembered thinking it tasted watered down from being on the steam table too long. Today it seemed pretty fresh. In fact it was quite good, not as good as the better places in NC, but at least in the same ballpark. Super casual place good for lunch. I didn't try the ribs or beef bbq, but from past visits (granted 2 years ago) I think you would be best to stick to the pork. Sides, the baked beans and mac and cheese, were solid on this visit. This place is also right off the W&OD trail, for any bicyclists.
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jchao and I moved to Leesburg in the last couple weeks so most of my posts these days will be about Loudoun. A place it seems we will be visiting often is South Street Under. Thier hours kinda suck, they close at 6 on most days, and 4 on Sunday. They seem to be focused on lunch and breakfast. At first glance they look like a local type Panera, Au Bon Pain, etc, etc. Which really they kind of are. But their stuff is actually good, and the ciabatta is actually pretty freaking awesome. I usually don't care for ciabatta but it's darn good/addicting. To this point I've only had the breakfast sandwich, egg, sausage, and cheese on ciabatta, and a tarragon chicken salad on ciabatta for lunch. Both were very good. So if you are in Leesburg for a very casual meal, breakfast or lunch, check out South Street Under. Note 1: It seems to be a stop off the W&OD trail, there were a dozen bicyclists in there during breakfast. Note 2: Nice outdoor patio area, though not as usuful in the winter.
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$10 for $20 at Kaz Sushi Bistro (via BuyWithMe)
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I haven't been able to help out in the last year but I am still an unabashed fan of the stuff the stuff that Bruce and Cody are doing here. They won a Snail of Approval from SFDC this year and have consistently put out a great product. If you stop by might I suggest getting hanger steaks and the hanger burgers? The hangers are from Roseda and honestly I find them the best around. Plus it's pretty freaking hard to get your hands on hangers outside of restaurants. The hanger burgers made from the trim of hangers and other steak ends are really really good. These burgers are some of the best I have had/made good. Be sure they are the hanger burgers and not just the regular burgers (which are still good and ground in house from chuck and steak ends). Also it's time to order turkeys, and Bruce says the turkeys he's getting from Garden Path are the best he's ever had, and that's saying something.
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Looks like it will be a Northern Thai restaurant. From Metrocurean
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$9 for $20 at Viet Goel/Lighthouse Tofu (Specialicious)
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Free 50% off (max $40) Cashion's Eat Place at Scoutmob
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I gotta say I really enjoyed my burger and fries from BTS. Had the same burger as DaRiv18, and his description is spot on, except I love blue cheese. The fries were solid, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Same size fries as Five Guys for reference. They also have a large tap (20 beers), including Heavy Seas, Port City, and DC Brau.
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I've done also Pollo Rico and Moby Dick's more times than I can count for carry out.
