In the tradition of Italy ‘s trattorias, the sights, sounds and aromas of authentic Italian cuisine are recreated fresh everyday at Il Fornaio Cucina Italiana. The restaurant has a modern yet warm ambiance with towering mirrors and a beautiful white marble bar. The main dining area and kitchen utilize open design to bring the patrons and chefs together. I highly recommend the Cappellacci Di Zucca for a main course. The unique combination of walnuts and butternut squash gently packaged in ravioli made from scratch is fantastic.

Be sure to enjoy the crisp crusted bread before your main meal. The prices are moderate to high. Service is good. Il Fornaio has plenty of outdoor seating overlooking one of the new common areas in the Reston Town Center. Be sure to stop by for a late morning coffee or a cocktail in the evening.

www.ilfornaio.com
Reston Town Center
11990 Market Street, Suite 106 Reston
Phone: 703-437-5544
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

As you read this you’re probably asking yourself, “Wegmans in the restaurant review section?” Well, that’s a valid question. We decided to include them for their lunchtime options, and Wegmans hits all the marks. There are many options; it’s convenient, reasonably priced, quick and good. There is something there for any taste. You can grab a custom European sandwich with mozzarella, prosciutto and tomatoes, or a slice of pepperoni pizza for your children. If you have a bigger appetite there’s always the Chinese food bar - a little bland for our taste, but a favorite with the kids. Don’t forget about the deli; Wegmans has some of the best deli salad selections around. Another favorite of ours is the Maryland Crab Cake sandwiches that are usually prepared to order on the weekends.There is plenty of seating in the upstairs balcony on weekends, and the self-playing white piano is a favorite with our children. Seating is harder to come by at lunch hour during the week, so plan to get there early or arrive after the rush. We know there are plenty of lunch options around the Dulles area these days, but Wegmans continues to provide high quality food options for us. The prices are generally reasonable and you can get in and out very quickly.

45131 Columbia Place Sterling, VA 20166
Phone : 703.421.2400
www.wegmans.com

Co-owners and brothers Kevin and Shawn Malone are part of the new generation of environmentally conscious restaurateurs. They turned a historic freight depot into a family oriented neighborhood pizzeria that serves delicious eats with mostly local, organically grown ingredients and great tasting microbrews.

The old entrance of the freight depot has been turned into an outside seating area, with enough tables to double the capacity of the somewhat cramped main restaurant floor. Inside is the restaurant is the famously hot wood oven (at 750 degrees) that gives the pizzas, calzones, appetizers and some deserts an advantage against most of the competitors. The day we ate there, the place was bustling with families and young singles.

For an appetizer, we ordered the Bubbly Spinach and Cheese Dip with toasted flatbread points.What made this dish original for us was the way it was flash cooked in the hot wood oven, which formed a tasty crust, yet left the inside creamy and runny. That is the way we like our dips. We also tried the refreshing Caesar Salad (our own personal taste runs to more dressing, which we felt the salad could have used). For the main course we sampled two pizzas, a large Smokey Blue and a kid’s size “nitrate free” Pepperoni. We always like it when institutions care about the health and well being of our families and children, so we applaud the Malone brothers.

At Sweetwater Tavern, you are instantly transported to the old west as soon as you walk through the front doors. From the hearty timber beams to the old tombstone mural, you know you have arrived at Sweetwater Tavern. The seasonal menu is based on American favorites incorporating flavors of the West with a variety of hickory-fired Certified Angus Beef, fresh seafood and poultry. For starters, don’t miss the blue crab fritters!

 The Dock at Lansdowne is the culmination of over 20 years of food industry experience of owners Scott and Rick. They have created a warm and inviting neighborhood restaurant that is perfect for a refreshing drink on the patio, a quick bite to eat while on the go or full dinner faire. Rick, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, demands only the freshest ingredients for the menu.

From the Hickory Smoked Filet Mignon to the Pecan Crusted Alaskan Halibut, you can’t go wrong at the Dock. The key to their culinary creations is the wood burning grill which burns only the finest hickory. The restaurant has plenty of outdoor seating at either the front or back patio.

The Dock is also one of the few establishments in the area that offers a vibrant night life. Thursday’s entertainment is a local acoustic guitarist while Friday night is set for a DJ and dancing from 10 PM – 2 AM. Even all you Karaoke fans can indulge on Saturday nights! If you’re looking for a casual, friendly and reasonably priced neighborhood restaurant, then you don’t want to miss The Dock at Lansdowne.