Restaurant Reviews by I AM Modern Magazine
for Northern Virginia and Metro DC

Northern Virginia's best restaurant reviews compiled by our own "Eat Our Words" segment from each issue.

Nova's Best Wedding Cake

28 March 2012

KENDRA ALLANSON

Gone are the days when wedding cake selection was as simple as selecting the number of tiers, white or cream buttercream frosting, yellow or chocolate cake and what shade of pastel fl owers to adorn the cake with. In today’s world of wedding planning, wedding cake selection can sometimes be as diffi cult, if not more difficult, than choosing one’s wedding dress. Fortunately for brides and grooms-to-be in the Northern Virginia area, they’re surrounded by bakery professionals that can meet and exceed their wedding cake expectations. Brides and grooms are more involved than ever in the cake design process, and a good bakery can be found sketching their vision, and in the end, producing the confectionery masterpiece of their dreams.

Not Your Average Joe - Leesburg, VA | Reviews

01 December 2011

Murat Aksu

Section: Restaurant Reviews -

American

avjoe 19307 Promenade Drive
Lansdowne Town Center
571.333.5637

Intro:
If you find yourself in the Landsdowne Town Center anytime soon, makes sure to try Not You Average Joe’s restaurant for a casual family friendly night on the town.

Design:
Quirky, fun and colorful. The place just puts the diner in a good mood.

My Thai Palace Restaurant - Brambleton, VA | Reviews

01 December 2011

Murat Aksu

Section: Restaurant Reviews -

Asian

42385 Ryan Rd Unit 104
Ashburn VA 20148
703.327.5900
www.mythaipalace.com

Intro:
Brambleton is a fine suburb, with plenty of good places to eat, but one location in particular immediately stood out for me. Like many restaurants in the area, My Thai Palace is located in a mini mall, but its predictability ended there.

A Taste of Burma - Sterling, VA | Reviews

01 December 2011

Murat Aksu

Section: Restaurant Reviews -

Asian

126 Edds Lane Sterling, VA
Phone 703.444.8510
www.tasteofburma.com

According to Wikipedia “Burma, officially the Union of Myanmar, is the largest country by geographical area in mainland Southeast Asia.” Burma is bordered by countries with major culinary traditions, including India, China, and Thailand. I like Thai, Chinese and Indian foods so how could I have missed Burmese food? How come the only time I hear about Burma in the media, it is about Burmese military junta and not about their beautiful culture and food? I hope to change this as I just found out about this great Burmese restaurant called “A Taste of Burma” in Sterling.

Rangoli - South Riding, VA | Reviews

01 December 2011

Val Cavalheri

Section: Restaurant Reviews -

Asian

24995 Riding Plaza
South Riding
www.rangolirestaurant.com
703.957.4900

In Indian culture, Rangoli is a colorful decorative art form. Rangoli is also the name of this popular Loudoun Indian restaurant, which uses the art form as a theme. Opened in 2006, the restaurant quickly rose to critical acclaim from being Zagat Rated to finding itself on various favorite lists. For good reason—it has really great food.

Panache Restaurant - McLean, VA | Reviews

01 December 2011

Murat Aksu

Section: Restaurant Reviews -

Mediterranean

panache Pinnacle Towers South
1753 Pinnacle Drive, McLean
703.748.191
www.panacherestaurant.com

The times when you had to trek down to DC for a stylish restaurant with great food are finally over. Top of the line restaurants are doing the smart thing and coming to suburbs to find their customers. After years of serving discriminating DC clients, Panache Restaurant brought its great menu and beautiful décor to McLean.

Panache’s retro sleek interior is the brainchild of owner Aziz Safi with some help from a local boutique decorative painting company. Brown crocodile skin adorns the wall of the opening foyer and the main dining room is awash in cream leather with accents of dark red with crystal pendant chandeliers that add a glow to the space. The lounge and private dining rooms feature vintage 1940s-textile inspired, custom stenciled walls which evoke the look of silk wall coverings. All of this just a stone throw away from your house and with affordable prices.

Jackson's Mighty Fine Food & Lucky Lounge - Reston, VA | Reviews

01 December 2011

Murat Aksu, March, 2009

Section: Restaurant Reviews -

American

jacksons 11927 Democracy Drive Reston
703.437.0800

When Jackson’s came to The Reston Town Center a few years back, I avoided the beckoning glow of it's neon lights. Restaurant openings typically mean large crowds, long lines and two-hour waits, all of which I despise. And the busier the bar, the more crippling my anxiety...

Bazin' s - Vienna,VA | Reviews

01 December 2011

Murat Aksu

Section: Restaurant Reviews -

American

111 Church Street, NW Vienna
703.255.7212

For years, my impression of Vienna has been one of a “clique neighborhood” with an unchangeable pattern and landscape. It seemed as if established Vienna landmark restaurants like Nizam and others, tending to older couples with the men wearing sports jackets and ties, were going to remain unchecked. Couple of new construction projects on Church Street is changing the old façade of Vienna. It is slowly turning into a place you may want to visit even if you don’t live there. Bazin’s can be one of your starting points.

Dogfish Head Alehouse - Falls Church - Fairfax, VA | Reviews

01 December 2011

Murat Aksu

Section: Restaurant Reviews -

American

800 West Diamond Ave., Gaithersburg, MD
301.963.4847

13041 Lee Jackson Memorial Hwy., Fairfax, VA
703.961.1140

6220 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA
703.534.3342

Make Your Husband Happy Tonight: Take Him to Dogfish Head Alehouse

We actually think that we found a place that would please your entire family. It is Dogfish Head Alehouse, owned and operated by the same company that brews; you guessed it Dogfish Head beer. We recently visited the Falls Church location and we became extremely pleased with the quality of service, ambiance, food and of course the beer.