Where were you eating this year? Whether you were ordering takeout or taking the risk of dining out, the pandemic has done little to dim the ardor for our local restaurants. Here, in descending order, are the 10 reviews that had readers drooling in 2020. If you haven’t visited any yet, perhaps a resolution is in order?
10. Alice’s Latest Obsession: Château de Chantilly
Real hot chocolate and airy cakes attract a crowd to this hip café. Our food editor/critic Alice Levitt is especially fond of the chocolate cream cake filled with fresh strawberries.
9. Alice’s Latest Obsession: Buford’s Biscuits
News of this Leesburg cathead specialist hit hard. Y’all were eager to know if the biscuits lived up to the hype. They do.
8. Online Exclusive Review: Good Eats Emporium
Get the bacon cheeseburger and buttermilk fried chicken, forget the brisket when dining at Great American Restaurants’ latest Sterling endeavor.
7. Alice’s Latest Obsession: Crust Pizzeria Napoletana
On her hunt for the best Neapolitan pizza in the region, Alice came across the quirky Pizza Alla Crust. Half calzone and half Margherita, it’s 100-percent worth your money.
6. Casual Friday: Pizza 360
In a year when comfort food took the driver’s seat, pizza was king. Our critic’s favorite? The spicy butter chicken pie from this Ashburn Indian pizzeria.
5. Alice’s Latest Obsession: ChicKing
Alice’s longstanding dream of a bulgogi hoagie came true when she encountered the Ribeye Bulgogi Supreme Sub at this fried chicken stand inside the Chantilly Lotte Plaza.
4. Chef Fabio Trabocchi’s Virginia debut proves a success with Sfoglina
Back in January, writer Nevin Martell called the food at the Rosslyn restaurant “highly polished and expertly executed.”
3. Whole Foods in McLean is not your average grocery store. Here’s a look inside.
In February, writer Rina Rapuano reviewed the 70,000 square foot supermarket’s prepared food offerings, from oysters to doughnuts.
2. The Black Sheep Restaurant is an unexpected beauty in Manassas
Alice was impressed by the soaring ceilings and chandeliers in the converted barn, but still called the restaurant “more than a pretty face.”
1.Alice’s Latest Obsession: Two Hands Seoul Fresh Corn Dogs
Our readers went gaga over the sweet-and-spicy batter-dipped hot dogs and cheese sticks at this stand inside Centreville’s Siroo & Juk Story.