Attention, Fairfax County residents: You don’t have to travel far to find great food. These 17 Fairfax County restaurants, chosen by our critics as some of the 50 Best Restaurants of 2023, offer the best of the best of the county, from casual pho in Falls Church to upscale French cuisine in Great Falls.
By Olga Boikess, Dawn Klavon, Alyssa Langer, Alice Levitt, and Renee Sklarew
Editor’s note: Jiwa Singapura is now closed as of Monday, December 4.
Price Key: Entrées = $ 15 and under | $$ 16–25 | $$$ 26–40 | $$$$ 41 and over | * = prix fixe only
2941 (No. 1)
Falls Church | Modern American | $$$$
The 2941 odyssey — a delicious marriage of nature and art — begins on a winding, tree-lined road that leads to a modern building with a sculptured view of a koi pond and an artificial lake. Inside the soaring space, a talented contemporary American kitchen staff transforms top-flight ingredients into culinary art.
The five-course tasting menu shows off that kitchen in top form. A dramatic presentation makes the fish course a standout. Pearly white sea bass is presented in a black pottery bowl with a vivid red yuzu kosho sauce that provides a subtly spicy contrast. A surf-and-turf course of filet mignon and braised monkfish likewise offers a sophisticated, yet hearty, spin on tradition.
There is a vegetarian option for each course. So while one diner savors foie gras with roasted cherries, their partner finds ricotta gnocchi with crisped summer truffles, hazelnuts, and goat cheese a happy choice. Both find common ground in the baba au rhum.
À la carte options such as grilled rib-eye with crisped potatoes or wild black cod with clams and Australian prawns can be just as captivating. A three-course prix fixe menu ($65) with a fish, a meat, or vegetarian choice offers an accessible taste of this dining destination’s artful luxury.
See This: A dramatic space with wraparound windows showcases parkland while the inside provides a cosmopolitan vibe.
Eat This: Five-course tasting or three-course prix fixe menus — or à la carte choices like rib-eye, pastas, cod, and duck
Service: Well-drilled servers are professional and knowledgeable.
When to Dine Here: Your party is looking for a thoughtful meal in one-of-a-kind surroundings.
Agora
Tysons | Mediterranean | $$
There is so much more to Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine than pita and hummus, as Agora demonstrates.
The menu is ideal for sharing, so come with friends and order several different dishes. Between the spreads and unlimited pita, tableside flambéed saganaki, hot and cold mezzes, and pide flatbread, one can easily fill up before even reaching the second page of the menu.
The menu appeals to omnivores. The köfte — tender, juicy patties of ground lamb and New York strip steak — are highlights, but vegetables take center stage in the form of dolmades and falafel.
For a decadent ending, order the künefe, crispy shredded phyllo surrounding a sweet cheese center, saturated in simple syrup and served warm with fragrant Turkish rose ice cream and crushed pistachios.
Yes, you can order the hummus, but at Agora, guests get to experience an array of dishes that goes beyond the familiar.
See This: The open kitchen gives diners the opportunity to see the action as they’re escorted to their table.
Eat This: Htipiti spread, pide flatbread, künefe
Service: The kitchen is speedy getting dishes out to diners; waitstaff gets the job done but doesn’t offer much in the way of menu guidance
When to Dine Here: Your group of adventurous eaters is eager to share a large variety of smaller plates.
Aracosia McLean
McLean | Afghan | $$
For both connoisseurs and newcomers to Afghan cuisine, there’s something for everyone at this well-appointed restaurant. The feast of flavors begins with warm flatbread accompanied by three tempting sauces: mango chutney, cilantro yogurt, and chatni, with mouth-puckering heat and garlic-cilantro freshness.
To sample a variety of Afghan cuisine, and get the best bang for your buck, order the Taste of Aracosia at $50 per person, opening the floodgates for a mountain of traditional food. First on deck is a dumpling assortment, offering spicy beef, pumpkin, and leek-scallion versions. Drizzled with tangy yogurt and herbs, the appetizers awaken diners’ palates for the extravaganza that follows.
Delight in perfectly grilled beef tenderloin and lamb chops, succulent Lamb Shank Moghuli, Rumi’s Veal, and chicken sabzi lawaan. Each flavor-packed meat is a testament to the culinary traditions of the region. Aracosia doesn’t skimp on sides — enjoy tasty stewed chickpeas, herb-forward sabzi greens, kadoo butternut squash, or eggplant, as well as two versions of basmati rice.
Aracosia enchants while it preserves the culinary heritage of Afghanistan, evident in every marvelous dish.
See This: Gorgeous multicolored glass lighting fixtures enhance the elegant dining room.
Eat This: Taste of Aracosia sampler platter
Service: Helpful and efficient
When to Dine Here: Your adventurous group is hungry to try many dishes.
Honest Grill
Centreville | Korean | $$$$
It’s a carnivore’s carnival at this upscale bistro that elevates the Korean barbecue tradition with top-grade meats. Both dry- and wet-aged flesh is complemented by thoughtful presentation.
The show is staged at well-padded booths in the charcoal-toned dining room. A waiter covers half the table with a cavalcade of well-curated banchan, including a fiery scallion salad. On the other side of the centerpiece tabletop grill, he lines up prime meats, and the show begins. As the cuts sizzle on the grill, a parade of appetizers and side dishes appears. Among them is a notable kimchi pancake — untraditionally topped with cheese. The meal focuses on a merry-go-round of succulent meats, notably bulgogi, tender skirt steak, and flavorful pork with contrasting soupy stews.
The restaurant is a three-ring circus with a marquee roster of starters. At a midday visit, the kitchen performs something like a high-wire act balancing tradition with modern flavors and trends. A parade of preparations, many starring kimchi, set the stage. The main act is a meal pairing grilled, marinated brisket with soybean and kimchi stews. Pickled vegetables are cast as supporting sides. All the world’s a stage, but especially tables at Honest Grill.
See This: The cosmopolitan setting of cushy booths with embedded tabletop grills is well-suited to convivial get-togethers with friends or family.
Eat This: Brisket, kimchi pancakes, kimchi and soybean stews
Service: Servers here know what they are doing and do it well. It may take a few minutes for them to respond to special requests when the place fills up, but it all gets done.
When to Dine Here: You and meat-loving companions are looking for a little theater.
Incheon
Annandale | Modern Korean | $$$$*
Are you glued to social media? TikTok videos of this Korean restaurant’s edible works of art draw food lovers to its unassuming storefront in Annandale. Executive chef-owner Justin Ahn offers a fixed-price, book-online, five-course dinner that lends Thai and Japanese touches to Korean-inspired dishes. The menu changes several times a year.
The shareable dishes brought to the table on one visit include a colorful noodle dish with fresh clams perched on greens and a nest of udon. Brick-red, pickled Fresno peppers lend a spicy accent to a lush green curry. Another subtle and distinctive course features pleasantly chewy slices of melt-in-mouth beef bavette flanked by crispy cucumber and a Korean sweet potato cream.
It’s followed by a clever Asian play on fish and chips. Crispy, panko-breaded cod is paired with bok choy and green radish in a sweet-and-spicy glaze. Ahn’s penultimate salvo is a knockout, solidly Korean pork dish. Perfectly cooked, moist, flavor-packed pork belly slices are layered atop pickled cabbage and accented with a walnut bean paste and scallion salad. The dish leaves diners humming with contentment.
Although traditional Korean meals usually do not end with a dessert, Ahn indulges his guests. The perfect finish to an adventuresome meal? Fresh berries and crunchy macadamia nuts atop rich, not-too-sweet mascarpone, punctuated with mint.
Ahn also accommodates walk-ins with a casual wine bar menu that is hot on Instagram. Those diners can snap pics of shrimp toast, beet tartar, and kimchi beef ragú with cocktails, wine, and beer sure to light up their social media feeds.
See this: Colorful plates set off against gray-green walls and minimalist décor
Eat this: The five courses of riffs on classic Korean dishes change, so be prepared for a surprise.
Service: The welcoming and helpful staff take evident pride in the kitchen’s work.
When to dine here: Come with a group of food-loving friends for a repast worthy of enshrining online.
Editor’s note: After we went to press, Incheon started serving an à la carte menu.
Ingle Korean Steakhouse
Vienna | Korean | $$$$
Interactive restaurants — hibachi, hot pot, and Korean steakhouses — incorporate diners into the preparation of their own food at their table. But there can be drawbacks to these restaurants (think smoke, lack of clear cooking instructions, and noisy grills) that can cloud anyone’s enjoyment. Ingle Korean Steakhouse manages to avoid every potential pitfall.
Upon entering Ingle, diners would never guess there are grills at each table; they are small and discreet, and the chic, modern décor grabs your attention instead. Servers carefully tend to their tables’ grills, ensuring each cut of meat is cooked properly and then cut into smaller pieces to be shared by chopstick-wielding guests. Diners can sit back, relax, and enjoy their hands-off meal without worrying about under- or overcooking their meat. After all, nobody wants to ruin a $60+ piece of wagyu.
Speaking of the luxe beef, steak is the star of the show at Ingle. If you want to splurge, the wagyu strip loin is a great choice. For a more budget-friendly cut, try the outside skirt (tender and flavorful, despite minimal marbling) or marinated galbi (more marbling and very tender).
The supporting cast — the starters and sides — are just as important to round out the meal. Don’t miss the japchae: The thin glass noodles are tossed with an umami sauce and an abundance of mushrooms and vegetables. The scallion pancake is a greasy treat featuring crispy scallions and shrimp. Ingle even manages to transform basic fried rice into an elevated experience. This version is topped with a generous scoop of roe and filled with an indulgent amount of lump crab.
If interactive restaurants aren’t usually your cup of tea, give Ingle Korean Steakhouse a chance; the high-quality meats, satisfying starters and sides, and attentive service may change your mind.
See This: Your own steak grills to perfection (and your preferred temperature) in front of your eyes, at your table.
Eat This: Japchae, wagyu strip loin, crab fried rice
Service: Friendly, polite, attentive to grills, and willing to guide customers with recommendations
When to Dine Here: You want an upscale, fuss-free, interactive dining experience and are willing to splurge on high-quality meat.
Editor’s note: Jiwa Singapura is now closed as of Monday, December 4.
Jiwa Singapura
McLean | Singaporean | $$$
There is “mall food,” and then there’s Jiwa Singapura, which happens to be located in Tysons Galleria. The restaurant highlights the flavors of Singapore with modern flair.
To start, order the popiah, chilled spring rolls that are perfect for sharing. The curry puffs and sweet-and-sour pork are also noteworthy.
Although noodle dishes only comprise a small fraction of the menu, they are a highlight. The mushroom noodle dish is a savory powerhouse with wok-fried egg noodles that are made in-house. Char kway teow is another winner — this slightly spicy bowl of wok-fried flat rice noodles is tossed with squid, shrimp, and Chinese sausage.
Don’t dismiss dessert. The ice cream loti offers a Singaporean spin on an ice cream sandwich, with vibrant green pandan ice cream served between slices of toasted pandan brioche. Chocoholics must order the Milo chocolate sundae.
Jiwa Singapura’s modern, stylish dining room and patio — combined with top-notch service — effortlessly transports diners from the stresses of mall errands to a luxurious Singaporean oasis.
See This: The restaurant showcases a sizable, impressively quiet open kitchen.
Eat This: Popiah, mushroom noodles, ice cream loti
Service: Waitstaff is willing to offer guidance and recommendations, and courses are paced well.
When to Dine Here: You have errands to run at the mall but the food court is hardly your scene.
Kirby Club
Fairfax | Lebanese | $$
All too often, restaurants forget that dining out should be fun. Not here. Diners new to Lebanese cuisine can relax and enjoy an odyssey of outstanding kebabs, hummus, and pita.
Shareable dips and apps start things off right, with fried Brussels sprouts sizzling in an impressive pomegranate glaze. In a crowded field of the brassica, these are some of the best around. Our favorite dip — the muhammara — surpasses all others with its mesmerizing blend of walnuts, peppers, and pomegranate.
This is the place to bring a group and sample a little of this, a little of that among the alluring offerings. The $75 Kebab Shindig brings the best to one platter. Sample chicken shish taouk, lamb shish kebab, Aleppo-spiced steak, dukka shrimp, oyster mushrooms, and beef-lamb blended kofta, proudly displayed on a mountain of golden turmeric rice. Signature “sauce buddies” accompany the meal and helpful staff recommend how to coordinate with meats, but there’s no wrong answer.
The fun of Kirby Club is creating your own favorites, trying some dips, some meat, some rice — it’s your choice. You’re all but guaranteed to have fun and walk away inspired after one of your most memorable meals on record.
See This: A wall of family photos makes you feel right at home.
Eat This: Muhammara, fried Brussels sprouts, lamb shish kebab
Service: Plentiful staff really go the extra mile.
When to Dine Here: You’re part of a group ready for a feast.
L’Auberge Chez François (No. 8)
Great Falls | French | $$$$*
When it comes to bucket-list dining in NoVA, this idyllic French country escape is a stalwart. Diners here savor masterful cuisine and enjoy exquisite service. Every detail is meticulously curated, from superb bread service to sommelier-paired wine to stunning presentation.
The five-course prix fixe menu includes chef Jacques Haeringer’s amuse-bouche, which might be an elegant sampling of creamy leek soup, sprinkled with fresh herbs. Maine rope mussels and a chive crêpe that encases wild mushrooms are two of many delectable appetizers, each portioned to satisfy without filling up.
Fresh salad options all originate from the vibrant onsite garden and choosing one main course proves to be a challenge since every entrée sounds exceptional. Whether a diner orders veal scallopini, grilled duck breast, rainbow trout, or rack of lamb, the 48-year-old landmark consistently offers timeless classics.
Chateaubriand arrives with a perfect pink hue, tender and tastefully enhanced with a tiny pot of Béarnaise. Lobster appears out-of-shell, accompanied by jumbo lump crabmeat, all bathed in a dynamic citrus wine sauce.
Soufflés impress here, and each dessert tastes as good as it looks. L’Auberge Chez François lives up to its reputation, making every visit worthy of your bucket list.
See This: A gazebo offers deluxe outdoor dining with a view of the garden.
Eat This: Homard du Maine, chateaubriand, tarte au chocolat
Service: The flawless service sets the gold standard.
When to Dine Here: Visit this captivating destination for celebrating life’s special moments.
Mama Chang
Fairfax | Chinese | $$$
It’s a family affair at Mama Chang. Both large and small groups gather around tables happily sharing dishes that can feed up to four people for under $120. No wonder guests return time and again.
To foodies in the DMV, chef Peter Chang is a beloved institution. But at Mama Chang, diners are treated to the dishes the chef enjoys at home. Peter’s wife, Lisa, is the “Mama” in Mama Chang. The Changs are from the Hubei province of China, and recipes reflect a taste of their homeland. Daughter Lydia Chang runs the show.
You can find the patriarch’s tantalizing hot and numbing dishes here, but most of the menu is composed of subtle flavors. Dishes such as pork and shrimp dumplings in paper-thin wrappers are free of heavy sauces. Heads of baby bok choy in garlic sauce are delicate and fresh, and the vegetable’s essence is the star.
There are bold flavors, too. Lychee chicken is a revelation with its crispy, sweet, caramelized coating. A seductive rendition of tender baby eggplant tangoes with undertones of plum and green chiles. Travelers to China attest to authenticity with dishes such as tofu skin salad. Platters come out fast, and no one leaves hungry.
While China is not famous for desserts, Mama Chang has a few up her sleeve, and her specials are inspired by the season. At this spacious restaurant, every night feels like family dinner with the Chang clan.
See This: The dining room hosts touches like white leather banquettes and oak tables with wall tiles from Hubei province.
Eat This: Lychee pepper chicken, green beans with pickled cabbage, eggplant in garlic sauce
Service: Fast, friendly, and attentive, but casual
When to Dine Here: Bring a group for dinner and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
Nostos (No. 6)
Vienna | Greek | $$$
The white tablecloths are a good indicator — this is not the place for a gyro. Nostos proves that there is so much more to Greek cuisine.
To start, you can’t go wrong with spanakopita; two large, perfectly crisped phyllo triangles are stuffed with spinach, feta, and scallions. The dips with pita are made to be shared, so opt for the combination of three, including tzatziki, tyrokafteri, and taramosalata, and spread the love.
You’d be remiss to not experience the arni youvetsi, a generous, fall-off-the-bone-tender portion of lamb shank that’s braised in a wine-tomato sauce and served with orzo. Meat lovers also will appreciate the moussaka, a rich, layered dish of baby eggplant, potatoes, ground beef, and béchamel.
Seafood’s key role in Greek fare isn’t overlooked here. The garides saganaki — sautéed shrimp served in a tomato-based sauce with feta, onions, and raisins — and lavraki (branzino) are both winners.
It will be a challenge to save room for dessert, but three different baklava variations beckon. These interpretations are the kind of upscale sweet you’d have to go to a fine restaurant to try, even in Greece.
See This: The subtle nods to Cycladic architecture, such as curved, white-washed walls, are an ideal backdrop to saganaki flamed tableside.
Eat This: Combination of dips, arni youvetsi, traditional baklava
Service: Knowledgeable, welcoming, and attentive
When to Dine Here: You want a traditional-yet-elevated meal that will show you the finer things in Greek life.
Pho 75
Falls Church | Vietnamese | $
Attention diehard pho lovers: This casual location in a busy strip mall draws hungry folks for a quick — and we mean really quick — bowl of fresh, flavorful pho for a low cost.
Pop in for traditional Vietnamese beef noodle soup, and choose from myriad add-ons at this warhorse establishment. It’s nothing fancy; but once your pho arrives, the giant bowl of colorful nourishment brightens up the room.
Grab chopsticks and a soup spoon from the communal collection between tables and dig in. Sprigs of fresh basil, bean sprouts, sliced hot peppers, and lime wedges accompany your bowl, so the power to customize your meal is in your hands. Hoisin and Sriracha are standing by to kick taste buds into gear as plentiful rice noodles, cilantro, and scallions swim playfully in herb-infused broth. Choose meat toppings à la carte, or order one of the numbered chef recommendations that combines cuts. The well-done brisket delivers just-right-sized thin slices of tasty beef easily eaten in one bite.
Bring cash and pay at the counter at this no-frills spot. Your stomach — and your wallet — will appreciate a return trip anytime a pho craving hits.
See This: Massive bowls of soup with fresh basil, bean sprouts, and lime
Eat This: Pho with well-done brisket or flank steak
Service: Pho-nomenally fast
When to Dine Here: You know that you want pho and you want it now.
Roberto’s Ristorante Italiano
Vienna | Italian | $$$$
Comforting Italian cuisine goes upscale at this chef-owned haven. Step inside and embrace the warm ambience, where stunning Chihuly glass light fixtures add intrigue to the homey dining areas.
Begin your meal with tempting antipasti like aragosta e granchio — exquisite crab-and-lobster salad enhanced with buttery avocado and a Parmesan dressing. Or try the fiori di zucca — fried zucchini blossoms with ricotta, mint, and a hint of nutty cheese. Neither should be missed.
Entrées include ever-changing pasta dishes that showcase seasonal produce and the artistry of acclaimed chef Roberto Donna. Indulge in a bowl of velvety fettuccine alla Parmigiana, created tableside from a monstrous wheel of cheese. Or savor the richness of a perfectly balanced fettuccine con bolognese bianca, draped in a white bolognese sauce showcasing a 50-50 blend of veal and pork. Branzino al forno is accompanied by a dollop of fresh pesto, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors in every bite.
Donna’s tantalizing housemade desserts include a not-to-be-missed chocolate mousse tiramisu that delivers a creative take on the rich classic. For a gustatory adventure that goes far beyond spaghetti and meatballs, this new Vienna classic is a must.
See This: Multicolored Chihuly glass lighting fixtures set a tone of quiet opulence.
Eat This: Bread basket with pane sfogliato, aragosta e granchio, fettuccine alla Parmigiana
Service: Caring without being intrusive
When to Dine Here: You’re seeking an intimate Italian dinner with a touch of class.
Tachibana Japanese Restaurant
McLean | Japanese | $$$
Everyone needs a reliable, go-to neighborhood sushi spot, and Tachibana is that place. The menu is varied, offering a wide selection of classic sushi and Japanese specialties — making it a satisfying option for parties with a mix of sushi and non-sushi eaters.
For some crowd-pleasing appetizers, look no further than the fried shumai, gindara misoyaki (broiled black cod), and gyoza. Shrimp and vegetable tempura (offered in appetizer or entrée-size portions) is also a must — the shrimp are large and the portion is generous.
Beyond sushi, the vegetable sukiyaki is a favorite; boasting plenty of vegetables, tofu, a rich-yet-light broth, and thin glass noodles, this soup will keep you and your spoon coming back for more. For something a bit heavier, the chicken katsu is an excellent choice; the portion is sizable, it’s not overly greasy, and it arrives pre-sliced, making the dish simple to eat with chopsticks and ideal for sharing.
If you’re looking for a no-frills, classic, Japanese meal that will satisfy everyone’s cravings and preferences, make Tachibana your next sushi night spot.
See This: The décor is minimal and traditional with the centerpiece of a lengthy sushi bar.
Eat This: Gindara misoyaki, shrimp and vegetable tempura, vegetable sukiyaki
Service: Attentiveness is hit or miss depending on how busy the restaurant is, but service is friendly and polite.
When to Dine Here: You want a solid, no-frills meal and a variety of Japanese dishes beyond just sushi.
Trattoria Villagio
Clifton | Italian | $$$
Outstanding pasta reigns at this busy Clifton outpost. While the extensive Italian menu offers a smorgasbord of tempting starters and sumptuous salads easily combined to create a tasty meal, opt for superior entrées like the housemade crabmeat bucatini. The tube-like noodles envelop a zesty, creamy sauce mingled with flaky Maryland blue crab and sautéed cherry tomatoes.
Meat lovers: Embrace cavatelli arrabbiata, the tiny, hot dog bun-shaped pasta that cradles zesty tomato basil cream sauce, sautéed spinach, and savory Italian sausage. A touch of heat from Calabrian chile oil seals the deal.
Those not in a pasta mood applaud the flounder-and-crab duo, wrapped in crisp parchment paper. A flavorful blend of roasted peppers, ripe tomatoes, white wine, and finely chopped herbs enhances the delicate seafood.
Trattoria Villagio’s indoor areas are bustling and very loud — the main dining room is a thoroughfare between the adjoining pizza shop and restaurant kitchen, so employees zip back and forth. The relaxing patio, surrounded by leafy trees and tangerine-hued umbrellas is a different experience. Trattoria Villagio’s strength lies in its excellent pastas, so wherever you sit, savor those craveable offerings.
See This: The charming patio draws alfresco diners.
Eat This: Cavatelli arrabbiata, crabmeat bucatini, flounder-and-crab duo
Service: Sometimes slow
When to Dine Here: Dinner on the patio is calling to you, whether it’s with family or for a date night.
TRIO Grill (No. 10)
Falls Church | Modern American | $$$$
Diners peer across a white tablecloth, basking in the soft glow of golden lighting. They might be co-workers bonding over cocktails, folks treating themselves to a fancy (but not stuffy) dinner, or twosomes on a blind date. No matter the occasion, it’s easy to feel relaxed and pampered at this sophisticated restaurant.
TRIO Grill is a classic steak and seafood restaurant that sources from regional farms and purveyors. The extensive selection of wines and spirits is stocked in floor-to-ceiling glass cases.
Among the appetizers, housemade gnocchi is a standout. The pillowy potato puffs are sautéed in brown butter and piled atop a mélange of spinach, asparagus, and punchy sundried tomatoes. Also stellar: Oysters Rockefeller, featuring locally sourced bivalves topped with foamy hollandaise.
Omnivores will not be disappointed, especially with the bison New York strip from New Frontier Farms in Madison County, Virginia, with its bed of potato hash and drizzle of habanero mustard.
Whether diners choose a seat by the outdoor fireplace, banquette, or long maple bar, they’re in for a night of fine food and camaraderie.
See This: Architectural elements in shades of orange and brown, with bold fixtures casting pools of light onto white tablecloths
Eat This: Housemade gnocchi, Oysters Rockefeller, New Frontier bison
Service: Servers are well-informed, gracious, and responsive.
When to Dine Here: This neighborhood restaurant cultivates conversation and celebration.
Trummer’s (No. 9)
Clifton | Modern American | $$$
Trummer’s is a tale of two culinary traditions. The modern American bistro food nods to co-owner Stefan Trummer’s Austrian roots and chef Zack Ridenhour’s southern Virginia heritage. Farm-fresh ingredients are at the center of the plate. Austrian-inspired dishes get low country Southern twists. Exhibit A is a schnitzel where pork subs in for veal and the potato salad has a creamy base.
Moist, flaky halibut offers a foil for Southern-inspired sides. Flavor-packed Sea Island red peas and braised collard greens are bathed in a deeply flavored gravy. Heirloom Carolina rice anchors the entrée. Another night finds okra and succotash in the fish’s supporting cast. Rotisserie-roasted, succulent duck breast, a bit gamy in a good way, is accompanied by duck-fat-roasted potatoes. The dish bridges culinary traditions.
An apple strudel, based on cranberry apple cake, is burnished with caramelized apples, a toffee sauce, Chantilly cream, and candied walnuts. Succulent roasted peaches with just a hint of bourbon are bedded on homey pound cake, along with soft ice cream and the crunchy contrast of oat crumbles. It’s a sweet ending that tastes of home, no matter where you came from.
See This: A welcoming and graceful space encourages diners to dress up or come casual; you’ll see a variety of choices at the same table.
Eat This: Pork schnitzel, halibut with Southern sides, rotisserie-roasted duck breast
Service: Relaxed, yet attentive and professional; servers do a first-rate job in an unintimidating way.
When to Dine Here: Celebrate anything or nothing at all with skillful treatments that draw from Austrian and regional American traditions.
Feature image of L’Auberge Chez François by Rey Lopez
This story originally ran in our November issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.