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50 Best Restaurants 2012
Restaurant Eve is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

1. Restaurant Eve

110 S Pitt St (King St), Alexandria, VA
New American Restaurant · Old Town · 53 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "Eve will be the first time you see beauty in a turnip and will continue to win your reservation for that coveted night out." - November 2012 Issue

Vermilion is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

2. Vermilion

8.1
1120 King St, Alexandria, VA
New American Restaurant · Old Town · 70 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "Like the swinging hips of Elvis, the tenderness with which the kitchen treats ingredients arises instinctually." - November 2012 Issue

The Ashby Inn & Restaurant is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

3. The Ashby Inn & Restaurant

8.5
692 Federal St, Paris, VA
Restaurant · 20 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "A pale pink soup tastes more like watermelon than the watery fruit itself, and wows with its subtlety." - November 2012 Issue

2941 Restaurant is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

4. 2941 Restaurant

7.9
2941 Fairview Park Dr, Falls Church, VA
New American Restaurant · 36 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "At the beginning of this year, 2941 transformed from a special occasions French prix fixe to a more casual, French and Mediterranean restaurant. Its rebirth should be commended." - Nov. 2012 Issue

BRABO Restaurant by Robert Wiedmaier is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

5. BRABO Restaurant by Robert Wiedmaier

7.5
1600 King St, Alexandria, VA
New American Restaurant · Old Town · 33 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "Slit horizontally, thin scallops buoy in a salty, airy broth radiating the nuttiness of Parmesan." - November 2012 Issue

Maple Ave Restaurant is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

6. Maple Ave Restaurant

8.7
147 Maple Ave W, Vienna, VA
Asian Restaurant · 36 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "Firey, little wings... bathe in creme fraiche and chili paste for a bar snack that belongs nowhere near unappreciative drunkards." - November 2012 Issue

The Curious Grape is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

7. The Curious Grape

2900 S Quincy St, Arlington, VA
Wine Bar · Fairlington - Shirlington · 26 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "Most plates are available in full or half portions, with the latter generous enough for a meal. The waitstaff is sweet, quick with wine knowledge and happy to serve you." - November 2012 Issue

Lyon Hall is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

8. Lyon Hall

8.7
3100 Washington Blvd (at N Highland St.), Arlington, VA
French Restaurant · Clarendon - Courthouse · 93 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "Hot dogs that would make a stadium’s version blush, come mini-sized, but still produce meaty bites." - November 2012 Issue

Nostos is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

9. Nostos

8.2
8100 Boone Blvd, Vienna, VA
Greek Restaurant · 34 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "When the whole fish arrives, crisp with blackened skin contrasting against the pliable whiteness of meaty flesh, dollar signs disappear..." - November 2012 Issue

La Bergerie is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

10. La Bergerie

218 N Lee St, Alexandria, VA
French Restaurant · Old Town · 18 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "...a waiter in black tie buttered and warmed crepes suzette for us, tableside. Soft, sweet, tinge of citrus, a way for flat circles of flour to showcase the beauty of butter." - November 2012 Issue

Farrah Olivia by Morou is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

11. Farrah Olivia by Morou

2250 Crystal Dr Ste B (inside Kora), Arlington, VA
New American Restaurant · 3 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "The drab room (more suited for a corporate conference than an inventive meal) diverts from sparks on the plate, but when the kitchen is on, Farrah Olivia borders on stunning." - November 2012 Issue

Tallula is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

12. Tallula

2761 Washington Blvd, Arlington, VA
American Restaurant · Lyon Park · 17 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "The kitchen keeps a hearty lamb ragout light, but still indulgent, with smooth and soft house-made fettuccine, weaving through chunks of tender lamb..." - November 2012 Issue

Bastille is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

13. Bastille

8.4
606 N Fayette St (N Fayette St and Pendleton St), Alexandria, VA
French Restaurant · Braddock Road Metro · 23 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "On Sundays, a mandatory three-course prix fixe for an easy $29, can start with deeply flavorful cream of onion soup that vanquishes thoughts of the more pedestrian French onion soup." - Nov '12 Issue

The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

14. The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm

7.9
42461 Lovettsville Rd, Lovettsville, VA
American Restaurant · 9 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "The kitchen takes cues from nature. A potato gnocchi in a broth reared from smoked potato skins tastes like a campfire cocktail, in the best way possible." - November 2012 Issue

The Majestic is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

15. The Majestic

8.4
911 King St, Alexandria, VA
American Restaurant · Old Town · 65 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "One night The Majestic can blacken a local catfish with aplomb and another night can barely pep it up with an Asian-leaning vinegary sauce." - November 2012

Evening Star Cafe is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

16. Evening Star Cafe

8.2
2000 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA
New American Restaurant · Del Ray · 51 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "A Southern-bred chef with a gourmet flair lets a solid plate of fried chicken stand true to its origins (red eye gravy, collards)..." - November 2012 Issue

Pizzeria Orso is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

17. Pizzeria Orso

8.1
400 S Maple Ave, Falls Church, VA
Pizzeria · 65 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "Gnocchi nestles with a smoky (a la bacon) cream sauce. Giant meatballs sink into the rich polenta below." - November 2012 Issue

Girasole is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

18. Girasole

7.6
4244 Loudoun Ave, The Plains, VA
Italian Restaurant · 5 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "Pudding-smooth butternut squash fills house-made ravioli in a light cream sauce." - November 2012 Issue

Market Table Bistro is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

19. Market Table Bistro

8.5
13 E Broad Way, Lovettsville, VA
New American Restaurant · 22 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "The house-like restaurant, complete with backyard tables, and a roaming cat, feels like dinner at an inventive and culinarily minded friend’s home." - November 2012 Issue

La Strada is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

20. La Strada

1905 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA
Italian Restaurant · Del Ray · 4 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "La Strada manages to up the bacon-on-everything status quo with a dreamy chocolate fettuccine licked in a creamy sauce, punctuated with pancetta." - November 2012 Issue

Green Pig Bistro is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

21. Green Pig Bistro

8.6
1025 N Fillmore St (at 11th St N), Arlington, VA
Bistro · Clarendon - Courthouse · 72 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "Crunchy strips of ear, mixed with additional, softer pig parts, combine in a miniature-sized tortilla for the ideal way to start a night of adventurous dining." - November 2012 Issue

Trummer's is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

22. Trummer's

8.5
7134 Main St, Clifton, VA
American Restaurant · 45 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "Chunks of cucumbers, more like artful rods, stack on top of each other in a tall glass usually reserved for a Tom Collins." - November 2012 Issue

The Goodstone Inn & Estate is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

23. The Goodstone Inn & Estate

8.9
36205 Snake Hill Rd, Middleburg, VA
Bed and Breakfast · 15 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "Order the crab... It’s as big as a potpie with none of the filler. Pure, tender chunks of creamed meat, mounded on the center of the plate." - November 2012 Issue

The Wine Kitchen is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

24. The Wine Kitchen

8.5
7 S King St, Leesburg, VA
Wine Bar · 44 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "Pound cake feels fresh after it’s fried, and somehow manages to stay moist; a feat for pound cakes in any situation." - November 2012 Issue

Sea Pearl is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

25. Sea Pearl

8191 Strawberry Ln, Falls Church, VA
Seafood Restaurant · 36 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "Sea Pearl continues to amaze with its star dish of fish ribs. What is normally delicate fish meat amps up with a lacquer of thick, salty, sweet, smoky and soulful sauce." - November 2012 Issue

Willow is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

26. Willow

4301 Fairfax Dr (at N Utah), Arlington, VA
New American Restaurant · Ballston - Virginia Square · 33 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "...in-house pastry chef Kate Jansen showing up Resses’ with a peanut butter and chocolate tart sitting in a hard chocolate shell topped with sauces of vanilla and caramel..." - November 2012 Issue

Ray’s Hell Burger is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

27. Ray’s Hell Burger

1650 Wilson Blvd (at N Quinn St), Arlington, VA
Burger Joint · 90 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "[Michael] Landrum’s flagship, Ray’s the Steaks, contributes to the menu with strips and filets, but here, offers a bonus discounted three-course option." - November 2012 Issue

Rustico is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

28. Rustico

4075 Wilson Blvd (btwn Randolph & Quincy St), Arlington, VA
American Restaurant · Ballston - Virginia Square · 122 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "A side of ultra creamy mac and cheese finds its matching top as ground salty pretzels skim the surface for bites that feel silky and snappy all at once." - November 2012 Issue

Curry Mantra is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

29. Curry Mantra

8.0
9984 Main St, Fairfax, VA
Indian Restaurant · 21 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "A vegetable Thali lets you travel around the menu with one order... saag paneer, spicy chickpeas, sweet and vinegary softened eggplant and a slightly chewy dal makhani." - November 2012 Issue

Mokomandy is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

30. Mokomandy

20789 Great Falls Plz, Sterling, VA
Korean Restaurant · 33 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "The fusion of Korean and Cajun feels confusing on some plates, but has much potential for excitement." - November 2012 Issue

Poppy Hill Tuscan Kitchen is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

31. Poppy Hill Tuscan Kitchen

1000 Charles St, Fredericksburg, VA
Italian Restaurant · Downtown Fredericksburg · 8 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "Bare bones, house-made fettuccine is submerged in pitch-perfect Alfredo." - November 2012 Issue

L'Auberge Chez Francois is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

32. L'Auberge Chez Francois

9.6
332 Springvale Rd, Great Falls, VA
French Restaurant · 37 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "Mussels, helpfully de-shelled, and delicately plated, glimmer in a garlicky butter sauce." - November 2012 Issue

Grandale Farm is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

33. Grandale Farm

7.6
14001 Harpers Ferry Rd, Purcellville, VA
American Restaurant · 11 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "Cream elevates a wickedly good gazpacho, balancing the gritty tomato texture and for $4, it works." - November 2012 Issue

Hank's Oyster Bar is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

34. Hank's Oyster Bar

8.9
1026 King St (Montgomery St), Alexandria, VA
Seafood Restaurant · Old Town North · 102 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "Hank’s Oyster Bar manages to maintain a buttery softness with its scallops, folded into a weekday (!) omelet, with equally cared for chunks of shrimp." - November 2012 Issue

Härth Restaurant is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

35. Härth Restaurant

7.8
7920 Jones Branch Dr (at Westpark Dr.), McLean, VA
American Restaurant · 23 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "View cocktail and wine options on an elaborate (search by region, vintage or grape) iPad app." - November 2012 Issue

Ford's Fish Shack is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

36. Ford's Fish Shack

8.9
44260 Ice Rink Plz #101 (West of Smith Switch Rd), Ashburn, VA
Seafood Restaurant · 116 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "Bits of cooked lobster fill in for ground beef in a play on nachos, as crispy and browned potato chips hold a tower of tomatoes, blue cheese and a snappy basil aioli." - November 2012 Issue

Society Fair is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

37. Society Fair

277 S Washington St (at Duke St.), Alexandria, VA
Gourmet Store · Old Town · 33 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "Society Fair is not a restaurant. It’s a bakery and a butcher, a cheese shop with desserts, a sandwich counter, a wine bar, and once a week, live theater." - November 2012 Issue

Tuscarora Mill is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

38. Tuscarora Mill

9.3
203 Harrison St SE, Leesburg, VA
American Restaurant · 44 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "...eggs Benedict on the menu midweek... the dish uses Irish-style bacon that’s smoky, salty and thinner (in a good way) than its Canadian counterpart." - Nov. '12 Issue

Rice Paper is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

39. Rice Paper

7.6
6775 Wilson Blvd (Roosevelt Rd.), Falls Church, VA
Vietnamese Restaurant · 45 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "Whether you need the energy or not, take a straw to Vietnamese iced coffee, a revelation in the richness of caffeine." - November 2012 Issue

Jaleo is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

40. Jaleo

2250 Crystal Dr Ste A (at 23rd St.), Arlington, VA
Tapas Restaurant · 107 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "Pay the premium for the purest pigs on the planet: jamon de Ibérico... It’s an exquisite piece of meat, eaten with tomato-smushed bread and little else." - November 2012 Issue

Magnolias at the Mill is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

41. Magnolias at the Mill

8.8
198 N 21st St, Purcellville, VA
American Restaurant · 49 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "The restaurant may be housed in a former mill decades old, but the food here is still relevant, including a beer list ripe with choices both local and national." - November 2012 Issue

Hooked is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

42. Hooked

46240 Potomac Run Plz (Route 7 & Cascades Parkway), Sterling, VA
Seafood Restaurant · 44 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "Stick with the fun sushi rolls. Inner Harbor honors Md. with tempura shrimp tucked into a strip of seaweed with matchstick cucumbers and avocado, adorned with creamy Old Bay crab." - Nov. '12 Issue

Mala Tang is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

43. Mala Tang

7.6
3434 Washington Blvd, Arlington, VA
Chinese Restaurant · Ballston - Virginia Square · 42 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "Order the hot pot with mala broth and sort through the long ingredient list for a pick-your-own-(slurping)-adventure." - November 2012 Issue

Meaza Restaurant & Market is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

44. Meaza Restaurant & Market

7.8
5700 Columbia Pike, Falls Church, VA
Ethiopian Restaurant · 17 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "Order a full entree of the shiro (number nine on Meaza’s menu) and let well-cared for vegetables (number seven) surround the perimeter of the injera round." - November 2012 Issue

Present Vietnamese Restaurant is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

45. Present Vietnamese Restaurant

6.6
6678 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church, VA
Vietnamese Restaurant · 16 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "Beef liver jerky, bright red and sweet, shifts between pleasantly chewy and tender, and adding one more textural element to a bright, crunchy and fun salad of green papaya." - November 2012 Issue

Tachibana Japanese Restaurant is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

46. Tachibana Japanese Restaurant

8.4
6715 Lowell Ave (at Emerson Ave), McLean, VA
Sushi Restaurant · 56 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "Tachibana pulls across Japan’s culinary landscape." - November 2012 Issue

Vinifera Wine Bar & Bistro is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

47. Vinifera Wine Bar & Bistro

8.1
11750 Sunrise Valley Dr (btwn Reston Pkwy & Indian Ridge Rd), Reston, VA
Wine Bar · 30 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "A Chilean sea bass melts at the touch of a fork, flakes sliding off and into a comforter of cheesy, creamy risotto." - November 2012 Issue

PassionFish is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

48. PassionFish

8.5
11960 Democracy Dr (in Reston Town Center), Reston, VA
Seafood Restaurant · 75 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "The [crabcakes] rest on a chipotle-spiked slaw, crunchy and snappy and any extra dressing can be used for the basket of sweet potato fries served alongside." - November 2012 Issue

MeJana is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

49. MeJana

7.8
2300 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA
Lebanese Restaurant · Clarendon - Courthouse · 43 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "Beef morphs into the shape of a football, takes to the fryer and rumbles with the sour cream of the Middle East—labneh—for a meaty treat." - November 2012 Issue

The Iron Bridge is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

50. The Iron Bridge

29 Main St (btwn Culpeper St. & S. 2nd St.), Warrenton, VA
Wine Bar · 20 tips and reviews

Northern Virginia MagazineNorthern Virginia Magazine: "... the balcony makes the place sing. It’s cozy, decorated with greenery and confirms how lovely it is to dine—with a glass of wine—al fresco." - November 2012 Issue