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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

8.0
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

8.3
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 Restaurant is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

9. Nostos Restaurant

8.3
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

8.5
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

8.4
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

8.6
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

8.5
2900 Wilson Blvd (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 Restaurant is one of 50 Best Restaurants 2012.

22. Trummer's Restaurant

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

8.7
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 · 121 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

9.5
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 (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

9.2
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

8.7
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

8.1
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

8.6
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