By Warren Rojas / Photography by Anastasia Chernyavsky
Dining Tip #42: A good meal need not require a Cayman Islands wire transfer.
Sure, it’s occasionally fun to splurge for a multicourse extravaganza or to snag a private audience with the latest “it” chef. But, like most people, our everyday dining habits tend to steer us toward familiar sit-down spots that dazzle us for not too much dinero.
In the pages that follow you’ll find 50 great bargain dishes—all under $15 and all consistently satisfying—many of which feature exotic ingredients, picture-perfect presentations and tantalizing flavors.
So break out the double sawbucks. Because you’ve got some serious eating to do.
Tara Thai
Multiple NoVa locations
Average entree: under $12 ($). Open for lunch and dinner daily.
Celebrate the best from above and below with a portion of goong phu-ket—an air-sea marriage of jumbo shrimp, shredded jumbo lump crab, crumbled chicken and mixed peppers, all soaked through in a tangy, Thai barbecue sauce.
Sette Bello
Clarendon; 703-351-1004; www.settebellorestaurant.com
Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch, dinner and late-night dining daily.
For a dinner so sweet, dessert becomes unnecessary, sample the mezzelune—a bowlful of bulbous, half-moon ravioli filled with creamy pumpkin and amaretti (almond-paste cookies), all swimming in a perfumed cream sauce punctuated by minty-fresh sage.
Okra’s Louisiana Bistro
Manassas; 703-330-2729; www.okras.com
Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch and dinner daily.
The superbly spicy red beans and rice—bearing cubes of fiery andouille sausage mixed with rice, beans, scallions and a searing Cajun sauce, all crowned with a bonus grilled sausage link—should sate any ragin’ Cajuns until their next trip home.
Anita’s
Multiple NoVa locations; www.anitascorp.com
Average entree: under $12 ($). Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.
For a New Mexican-style pick-me-up, rustle up a plate of carne adovada ($9.95)—red chile-soaked pork medallions flanked by gooey refried beans covered in melted cheese, Spanish rice and four flour tortillas.
Duangrat’s
Falls Church; 703-820-5775; www.duangrats.com
Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch and dinner daily.
A work of edible art, the golden quail platter summons a trio of delicately seasoned game birds (dusted with white pepper) formed into a pyramid of crackling skin and perfumed meat, all surrounded by a ring of sweet soy jelly.
Sakura Japanese Steakhouse
Multiple NoVa locations; www.sakurasteakhouse.com
Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch and dinner daily.
A raw fish buffet for one, the tuna five ways platter ($12.95) serves up the sushi staple in various fashions—including traditional raw, grilled, fatty, spicy and the prized albacore—that are alternately chewy, smoky, briny, zesty and silky.
Espresso Cafe and Restaurant
Manassas; 703-361-8244; www.portuguesegrill.com
Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch and dinner daily.
This neighborhood charmer remains a well-guarded secret among the Portuguese. So don’t tell them we breathed a word about the amazing bacalhau a braz ($13.75)—grilled codfish folded into scrambled eggs decorated with caramelized onions, black olives and tomato wedges—lest they lock us out.
Dolce Vita
Fairfax; 703-385-1530; www.dolcevitafairfax.com
Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch, Monday through Saturday, dinner daily.
If all pizza tastes the same to you, broaden your horizons with the trailblazing Cristoforo Colombo pie—a symphony of lean turkey, razor-thin potato slices and blue-green bubbles of melted Gorgonzola (the fragrant cheese is absolutely breathtaking).
Charlie Chiang’s
Multiple NoVa locations; www.charliechiangs.com
Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch and dinner daily.
Though Americanized Chinese often lacks oomph, the crispy hot beef ($12.95) delivers zesty strands of shredded beef, brushed with a tangy sweet-and-sour sauce and bolstered by minced chili pods, julienned peppers and onions.
Extra Virgin
Shirlington; 703-998-8474; www.extravirginva.com
Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch and dinner daily; Sunday brunch.
A popular destination for traditional Italian with modern flourishes, the kitchen scores again with its orecchiette “cima di mola”—buttressing the tiny, ear-shaped noodles with sultry broccoli rabe, ground Italian sausage and shaved strings of creamy ricotta.
Hama Sushi
Herndon; 703-713-0088; www.hama-sushi.com
Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch and dinner daily.
When another order of regular sushi just won’t do, consider the always rousing spicy tuna don ($14)—a hot-cold combination platter featuring a zesty mound of tuna tartare, drifts of steamed sushi rice, a nest of chilled noodles and tangy seaweed salad.
Villa Bella
Burke; 703-239-3580
Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch and dinner daily.
For those constantly torn between ordering sandwiches or pizza, behold the schiacciata salsiccia ($10.99)—a double-decker pie stuffed with ground sausage, tangy marinara, molten mozzarella, diced peppers and onions, and double the crust for easy handling.
Gamasot
Springfield; 703-256-0780; www.gamasotrestaurant.com
Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.
The warming young yang sul leung tang reveals a milky-white, bone marrow broth stocked with alternately lean and fatty slices of beef, spring onions, mushrooms, noodles and dates, along with a buffet of traditional Korean side dishes (banchan) including blood sausage and assorted pickled vegetables.
Foxfire Grill
Alexandria; 703-914-9280; www.foxfire-grill.com
Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch and dinner daily.
This neighborhood gem is home to the aptly titled “not your usual” mac-n-cheese—a lip-smacking serving of tri-color rotini coated in a signature Asiago-white cheddar-fontina-Parmesan cheese blend, which is then augmented with pulverized “bacon crumbs,” plus whole pieces of smoky bacon. A side salad offers some much-needed roughage.
Celebrity Delly
Falls Church; 703-573-9002; www.thecelebritydely.com
Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Monday through Saturday; breakfast and lunch Sunday.
Indecisive salad lovers, rejoice! The Linden ($10.99) summons healthy scoops of fresh tuna (delicious), minced chicken (filling) and homemade pasta salad (sprinkled with grated cheese and chopped vegetables), accompanied by a mound of understated coleslaw (more cabbage than mayonnaise) and four, thick-as-can-be toast slices.
Hard Times Cafe
Multiple NoVa locations; www.hardtimes.com
Average entree: under $12 ($). Open for lunch, dinner and late-night dining daily.
Chili lovers prone to crumbling crackers into their brew will appreciate the salty snap of the Frito chili pie ($7.89), heaping your choice of chili (color mine Terlingua red), diced tomatoes, shredded cheddar and a dapper dab of cool sour cream atop a nest of the familiar baked corn curls.
Rosemary’s Thyme Bistro
Clifton; 703-502-1084; www.rosemarysthyme.com
Open for lunch and dinner daily; brunch on weekends.
For folded flatbread with a kick, tear into the sujuk and cheese pide—a baked marvel layered with a mozzarella-provolone-feta blend and zesty Turkish sausage.
Lighthouse Tofu and BBQ
Annandale; 703-333-3436
Average entree: under $12 ($). Open for lunch and dinner daily.
Basic mushroom tofu soup submerges tender mushrooms, bean sprouts and soft-boiled tofu nuggets in an ocean of secret spices (fills the belly with a welcoming heat). Served with all the traditional banchan.
Aburi Gardens
Woodbridge; 703-490-1100
Average entree: under $12 ($). Open for lunch and dinner daily.
A Ghanaian staple, waakye and shitto offers rice mixed with black-eyed peas, herb-infused goat (amongst other choices) and a stinging ground seafood paste. A hail of cassava crumbs adds crunch.
Hong Kong Palace
Falls Church; 703-532-0940
Average entree: under $12 ($). Open for lunch and dinner daily.
Although Szechuan gems like cold jellyfish and fried bullfrog abound, the sinus-clearing flounder and bean curd stew—stocked with silky bean curd blocks and minced peppers—keeps calling us back.
Silk Road
Leesburg; 571-333-4930/4931
Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$).Open for lunch and dinner daily.
Flavor complements form in the eye-catching karahi lunch plate, interweaving char-grilled lamb with fried eggs and a bounty of sauteed onions, tomatoes, red/green/yellow peppers and jalapenos.
Jaipur
Fairfax; 703-766-1111; www.jaipurcuisine.com
Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch and dinner daily.
Though curry is always nice, cinnamon gets the nod in the murg-e-maharaja, pairing dry-rubbed chicken with a medley of gorgeous peppers, all swimming in a spicy-sweet sauce.
Fire Works Pizza
Leesburg; 703-779-8400; www.fireworkspizza.com
Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$).Open for lunch and dinner daily.
This budding pizzeria breathes new life into old world flavors with its Barcelona pie, a 10-inch stunner topped with coins of thinly sliced chorizo, chewy mahon cheese, a lively diced olive spread and a bouquet of tomatoes and peppers.
Coyote Grille & Cantina
Fairfax; 703-591-0006; www.coyotegrille.com
Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch and dinner daily; Sunday brunch.
Surf and turf heads south of the border in a terrific steak and shrimp tostada—a flavorful medley of marinated steak, zesty shrimp, seasoned rice, tomatoes, black beans and onions, smothered beneath a cheese-covered tortilla, with plenty of guacamole and sour cream to boot.
Il Radicchio
Clarendon; 703-276-2627
Average entree: under $12 ($). Open for lunch, Monday through Saturday, dinner daily.
A true pasta lover’s paradise, the stage is always set with all-you-can-eat spaghetti ($6.50). For an encore-worthy performance, bask in the glory of the ragu di agnello ($4.50 per 8-ounce serving)—a sumptuous blend of lamb, rosemary, pancetta and white wine.
Cafe Asia
Rosslyn; 703-741-0870; www.cafeasia.com
Average entree: under $12 ($). Open for lunch, dinner and late-night dining daily.
Halt hunger with a stop light roll ($5.50)—spicy green and red roe split by a bright yellow quail egg (chilled yolk provides an unexpected jolt)—and a vegetable-laden portion (brimming with bean sprouts, broccoli and baby corn) of Singapore-style fried rice ($8).
Fish Market
Old Town Alexandria; 703-836-5676; www.fishmarketoldtown.com
Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch, dinner and late-night dining daily.
The mysterious crested treasure chest reveals a triple threat of homemade shrimp salad (chock-full of jumbo shrimp and chopped celery) shoveled into a hollowed out cantaloupe—or pineapple, but the crisp melon is better—and surrounded by carefully arranged cantaloupe spears protruding from a bed of mixed greens.
Taqueria Poblano
Multiple NoVa locations; www.taqueriapoblano.com
Average entree: under $12 ($). Check locations for times.
For a killer build-your-own seafood combo, pair a Baja fish taco ($3.95)—beer-battered mahi mahi surrounded by pico de gallo and a savory slaw—with a spicetacular shrimp taco ($4.95)—filled with zesty grilled shrimp, shredded cheese, red onions and a squiggle of homemade avocado dressing.
Union Street
Old Town Alexandria; 703-548-1785; www.usphalexandria.com
Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch and dinner daily.
A steaming bowl of East Coast chowda ($13.95) is no mere soup-and-sandwich sideshow attraction. The potent stew is brimming with so many oysters, bay scallops, chunks of select fish (typically cod), potatoes, red onions, celery and corn, staff members insist, “it’s a meal.” Amen to that.
Zaaza
Sterling; 703-404-5950
Average entree: under $12 ($). Open for dinner and late-night dining daily.
Although primarily an exurban nightclub, Zaaza manages to put together an array of surprisingly tasty crepes. The lemongrass shrimp variety ($8.50) summons a not-at-all-insignificant amount of savory shrimp, onions and mushrooms folded into a sweet flour crepe drizzled with a tangy Thai-style lemongrass sauce.
Eat Bar
Ballston; 703-778-9951; www.tallularestaurant.com/barandlounge.htm
Average entree: under $12 ($). Open for lunch and dinner daily.
The gourmet hot dog plate produces a meaty maverick that puts standard ballpark snacks to shame. Succulent frank is a good two inches around with slightly blistered skin, and is accompanied by homemade ketchup and mustard (scorching) and twice-cooked fries (fantastic).
Shamshiry
Vienna; 703-448-8883; www.shamshiry.com
Average entree: under $12 ($). Open for lunch and dinner daily.
The chelo kabob kubideh with egg ($8.74) is a multisensory affair bolstered by juicy strips of char-grilled ground beef, a brassy shingle of burnt rice (provides a pleasing crunch) and the searing bliss of a homemade green chili sauce.
Paolo’s Ristorante
Reston; 703-318-8920; www.paolosristorante.com
Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch and dinner daily.
If your diet could use more fiber but you can’t bear to cede any protein, the espresso-rubbed steak salad ($14.95) tosses grilled-to-order flank steak with crumbled goat cheese, mixed greens, crispy carrot curls, green beans and crunchy new potatoes.
La Granja de Oro
Falls Church; 703-534-5511; www.granjadeoro.com
Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch and dinner daily.
A favorite of South American stir-fry fans, lomo saltado ($14.95) mixes sliced tenderloin, ripe tomatoes, fried potatoes and red onions into a savory mass flanked by white rice. Sprinkle on the house green chili sauce (divine) for an added boost.
Clyde’s
Multiple NoVa locations; www.clydes.com
Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch, dinner and late-night dining daily; Sunday brunch.
A go-to item prepared in various iterations (sometimes as a flaky napoleon, others as a wood-fired pizza), wild mushrooms work best here when intermingled with gnocchi ($14.95)—arranging a forest of seasonal funghi, asparagus and spinach amidst tender potato dumplings.
Rangoli
South Riding; 703-957-4900; www.rangolirestaurant.us
Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch and dinner daily.
The signature entrees and traditional Tandoori dishes are impressive. But we can’t get enough of beans foogath ($9.95)—a lunch buffet star interweaving steamed green beans, firm yellow lentils, piquant chili pods and shredded coconut.
Red Rocks Cafe & Tequila Bar
Centreville; 703-815-6900
Open for lunch, dinner and late night dining daily; Sunday brunch.
East meets zest in the Southwestern-style pasta picante ($12.99), a mouthwatering medley of al dente noodles tossed with savory chorizo slices, grilled chicken, and a corn–cilantro-onion blend, all covered in a zesty homemade cream sauce.
RT’s restaurant
Del Ray; 703-684-6010; www.rtsrestaurant.net
Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch, Monday through Saturday, dinner daily.
Those in search of a mid-day Mardi Gras can revel in a lunch of oysters Nezpique, combining deep-fried oysters, nuggets of pulled crab and matchsticks of smoked ham, all submerged in a fiery Cajun roux. C’est si bon!
Backyard Grill & Bar
Chantilly; 703-802-6400
Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch and dinner daily; Sunday brunch.
This whole Maine lobster deal ($10)—good only at the inside bar, from 4 p.m. till they run out on Tuesdays—summons a steamed, 1+ pound beauty with pre-split tail (for easy picking) and the legs and claws intact.
Dumfries Cafe
Dumfries; 703-441-1465
Average entree: under $12 ($).Open for breakfast and lunch daily.
If it’s Monday, get thee to Dumfries for a Salisbury steak special ($6.45) sporting an onion-laden, ground beef patty doused in home-style gravy, served with a pair of toasted dinner rolls and steamed vegetables on the side.
Euro Bistro
Herndon; 703-481-8158; www.euro-bistro.com
Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch, weekdays, dinner, Monday through Saturday; closed Sunday.
A semi-regular special at this Austro-Hungarian stronghold, the lunch portion of zegedine goulash ($9.95) summons tender pork stewed in a lush paprika sauce inundated with homemade sauerkraut, and a side of spaetzle (just itching to join all the action).
Blue Ocean
Fairfax; 703-425-7555
Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch and dinner daily.
Although fresh sushi is always on the menu here, the cut-rate chirashi sampler ($10.95)—revealing a rainbow of delicacies ranging from raw octopus to fried egg, all nestled atop a bed of sushi rice—is an absolute steal during lunch.
Giuseppe’s Ristorante Italiano
Haymarket; 703-753-1004
Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch and dinner daily.
Savor the homemade arancini ($7.95)—mountainous, fried starch bombs filled with seasoned ground beef, soupy rice, peas and diced prosciutto, all draped in streams of marinara and Alfredo.
Chutzpah
Multiple NoVa locations; www.chutzpahdeli.com
Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Monday through Saturday; breakfast and lunch Sunday.
Pair an authentic chocolate egg cream ($2.25)—bearing a chocolate syrup base, frothy milk up top and a sea of chocolate-infused seltzer in between—with a hunk of cinnamon-crusted, chocolate babka ($3.25).
Del Merei Grille
Alexandria; 703-739-4335; www.delmereigrille.com
Average entree: $21 to $30 ($$$). Open for lunch, Monday through Friday, dinner daily.
Sample a bit of everything on “The Plate” ($14)—including “frickles” (paper-thin, batter-fried pickle slices), homemade deviled eggs (mustardy mousse is sprinkled with paprika and studded with bacon) and beer-battered mozzarella.
(June/July 2007)