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The 5 most popular food stories of 2020

Openings, closings and our critic’s favorite restaurants had you clicking this year.

By Alice Levitt December 30, 2020 at 7:00 am

The countdown to midnight is the only one we’re thinking about right now. To look back on the year that was, we’re counting down NoVA’s 5 most delicious stories of the year.

mokomandy dumplings

5. Sterling’s Mokomandy has closed permanently due to the pandemic

In perhaps the toughest year ever for restaurants, we lost 2019’s best restaurant. RIP Mokomandy. We can’t wait to see what’s next for chef-owner Thaddeus Kim.

the ashby inn smoked rohan duck4. The 10 best restaurants in Northern Virginia of 2020

In new critic Alice Levitt’s 10 favorite restaurants of 2020, the stellar spots ranged from country inns to reimagined Latin American fare.

blend 111 marquesa3. The 11 best restaurants in Fairfax County

A third of the restaurants on the best list happen to be in Fairfax County. Did your favorite make the cut?

2. Where to dine outdoors in Northern Virginia right now

We listed restaurants as they reopened for outdoor dining in phase one. From Afghan Bistro to Wild Wood Pizza, diners were eager to get back out there. Heaters and igloos have kept the fun going into the cold months.

Han Palace Tysons1.Han Palace will serve all-day dim sum in Tysons Corner

Our most popular story of the year was the first post announcing the upcoming dim sum spot. Look for a review in Northern Virginia Magazine’s February print edition soon.

For more edible coverage, subscribe to our Food newsletter.

Alice Levitt

Alice Levitt

Contributing Food Critic/Editor

Alice Levitt has been writing for Northern Virginia Magazine since 2020. She began her restaurant critic journey at Seven Days in Vermont in 2007 before moving on to Houstonia Magazine in Texas. Her food, travel, and health innovation stories have appeared in Vox, EatingWell, Simply Recipes, Allrecipes, and many other national publications.

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