Elliot in the Morning, Chad Dukes vs. The World and 1980s throwback cover band, The Reagan Years, all scored top honors for Best of NoVA 2020.
Morning DJ
Winner: Elliot Segal, Host of Elliot in the Morning on DC101
How would you spend a perfect day in Northern Virginia?
Depends on what I’m up for. You can spend hours in Old Town, hours in Clarendon. A motorcycle ride out to Mount Vernon. A perfect day for my family usually includes a couple of hockey games at MedStar Capitals Iceplex. Or Reston. Or Ashburn. Dinner out at some great restaurants … So many that I’m a “regular” at. We have great friends in Leesburg, so getting out there for an afternoon is always great.
We’ve all been in quarantine for a while. What’s something new you discovered that you love about NoVA during this time?
The Organic Butcher in McLean. I have my usual spots for food that have been doing a great job transitioning to takeout, but thanks to The Organic Butcher, we are doing a lot more cooking out and grilling. It is awesome.
What do you love about Northern Virginia?
It’s been a great place for my kids to grow up. Their schools are great. There is no shortage of things to do, no matter what you are into. It’s so close to the District and getting in and out for shows at the 9:30 Club or The Anthem is very easy. Same for Caps games. It’s the longest I’ve ever lived anywhere in my entire life, so it definitely feels like home.
Afternoon DJ
Winner: Chad Dukes, Host of Chad Dukes vs. The World on 106.7 The Fan
How long have you lived in NoVA?
My entire life.
How would you spend a perfect day in Northern Virginia?
I would start off with breakfast burritos from Anita’s New Mexico Style Mexican Food before playing a round of disc golf at Pohick Bay Regional Park. You could also catch me shopping for records at Mobius Records before finishing with beers at Patriots Pub in Fairfax.
We’ve all been in quarantine for a while, what’s something new you discovered that you love about NoVA during this time?
Outdoor dining in the city of Fairfax is a great way to get out and blow off some quarantine steam. I personally love the outdoor seating at Monk’s BBQ. You can get some good pastrami brisket there too.
Local Band
Winner: The Reagan Years
Tell us about the band’s NoVA connections.
We have been playing in the NoVA area for over 20 years, so it feels like we actually live there! We got our start playing Spanky’s, Ned Devines, Clarendon Grill and events like FNL, Fairfax’s Rock The Block and Taste of Reston before growing into larger events at One Loudoun, South Riding, Tarara and finally finding a home at Tally Ho Theater.
How would you spend a perfect day in Northern Virginia?
Wake up well-rested from a night at Salamander Resort & Spa! Get a gourmet breakfast there and head to the National Air and Space Museum in Chantilly to explore, travel to Friends of Frying Pan Farm to watch an equestrian event, then to 868 Estate Vineyards for a chardonnay and to bask in the scenery. Pop over to downtown Leesburg for dinner in the historic district (China King’s is the band’s favorite restaurant), then catch a show at Tally Ho Theater!
We’ve all been in quarantine for a while. What’s something new you discovered that you love about NoVA during this time?
We actually just learned about Friends of Frying Pan Farm. When we were locked down at home, we made a few music videos and bird-watched around our homes.
This post originally appeared in our September 2020 Best of NoVA print issue. For more like this, subscribe to our newsletters.
