South Riding's Ruby Tuesday's

So we piled everyone in the car and headed off to Ruby Tuesday's, to see if the standard menu, salad bar and service was similar to every other Tuesday's (including a particular favorite in St. Mary's) - and were really surprised. The decor and furniture were very upscale, and very not typical Ruby Tuesday's - what a great look. We ordered the typical salad bar, which was actually missing a few items that others (for example on Wisconsin Ave., DC) have - like jalapenos - my personal favorite. The kids meals were predictably reasonable, and the mini-turkey burgers were predictably tasty (not quite like White Castle's ratburgers, but OK). The service was pleasant, though predictably erratic, as you usually find in newer restaurants. An excellent selection of beers, though (predictably), the best on-tap option (Dogfish Ale 60%) was out - so had to settle for a Pale Ale. This was on a mid-winter Saturday night at around 5PM, and we were seated quickly and easily with no waiting.

Altogether, a reasonably comfortable and tasty outing for a big family, easy to get in, and easy to find good things to eat.

Vintage 50 Leesburg - Beers and Kids for Dinner

Probably now our second favorite restaurant for both adults and family (!) in our area is now officially Leesburg's Vintage 50.

Having, in three days, experienced both the Adults side (a Modern Moms Magazine outing on Thursday night) and Family side (with the kids at 5PM on a Sunday), there's truly nothing to disappoint. Here's the rundown:

- Darn good beers, made onsite - simply walking through the restaurant's malt and hops-laced air was reward enough - after the sampler, our favorite's the "point of rocks pale ale", followed closely by a not-too-bitter "E.S.B. Extra Special Bitter" and an extra-alcoholic "Angels Share". Worth the trip, by themselves, solidly taking the top positions in the ongoing Loudoun's Best Beers survey.

- Appetizers - very tasty, well presented (though perhaps a bit conservative in volume, for a microbrewery) - Crispy Chili Pepper Shrimp, Sausage stuffed Calamari and a really good Tuna Tartar set the stage.

- We only had one entree (just the beers and appetizers were so good), the Asiago Stuffed Baby Tortellini - very well done, not too heavy with cream, and with lightly-cooked roasted peppers and squashes.

- Kid's menu, typical chicken tenders, waffle fries and honey mustard sauce, plus a kids cheese pizza (which was, though delicious to me, a bit exotic to our kid's sensitive palates, with the plump tomatoes and all)

- Kid's drinks and entertainment - this is where few adult-family crossover restaurants get it right - drinks with lids and straws (saving the close-call spills), and the highlight of the night...."super doodlers" (plastic drawing pads with instant erase, far less messy and more entertaining than typical crayons and paper). We actually got to sample 5 different beers while the kids entertained themselves

- Dessert - the "Winter Sundae" - warm, chocolate truffle brownies with select Giffords ice cream and fruit sauces - 4 chunks for 4 kids and lots of finger-licking goodness

- Very nice, attentive, polite and knowledgeable waitress plus Anthony, the owner, never out of eyesight with lots of extra help as needed.

- French-press coffee (after the last drop of beer was put away) - nice touch.

Altogether a very satisfying outing with lots of return visits to come.

"Good" beer prices to rise - due to hops shortage

Thanks to this posting at the Brambletonian, we've been alerted to the dire Hops shortage across the globe, especially in Europe. According to the source news story, the "The price of a six-pack of beer from a microbrewer or craft beer maker likely will go up at least a $1 to a $1.50".

That's not good - note that prices likely won't rise much for domestic beers..."most domestic beer prices should reflect a more modest increase because the majority of those beers are lagers that use less hops in their production" (read....disgusting, watery domestic beers aren't affected).

Stock up, find the good beers at the Dulles South and Loudoun Beer page!

Loudoun Moms Restaurant Reviews

Reviews from our friends over at Modern Mom Magazine.

Burapa Thai Classic 19326 Promenade Drive Lansdowne, VA 20176 571-333-9130	My Thai Place Restaurant 42385 Ryan Road, #104 Brambleton, VA 20148 703 327-5900
Anothai (I-Know-Thai) Restaurant 43170 Southern Walk Plaza, #108 Ashburn, VA 20148 571-223-0053	Bangrak Thai Cuisine 43540 Yukon Dr. Ashburn, VA   20147 703-726-5151
Naruto Japanese Restaurant 43490 Yukon Dr. Suite #101 Ashburn, VA 20165 703-723-5945	Dream Dinners 21430 Cedar Drive, #108 Sterling, VA 20164 571-323-5550
Dinner Zen 703.391.9361 11160 E. South Lakes Drive Reston, VA 20191	Entrée Vous 20937 Ashburn Road, Suite 140, Ashburn, VA 21047 703.723.4724
Let’s Dish, and why not? 44260 Ice Rink Plaza #122 (Next to Ashburn Ice House) Phone: (703) 858-7900	Not Your Average Joe’s Lansdowne, 19307 Promenade Drive Leesburg, VA 20176 (571) 333-5637
Callaloo Cuisine 43170 Southern Walk Plaza Ashburn, VA 20148 (571) 223-2330	Spicy Pickle 44650 Waxpool Road, Suite 125, Ashburn, VA 20147 (703) 723-9420
Sorrento Grill 44640 Waxpool Road, Suite 125, Ashburn, VA 20147 703) 729-6999	Foster’s Grille 43670 Greenway Corporate Dr. Suite 116 (703) 726-9199 Cuisine: American

Highs and Lows just east of Loudoun - Hard Times Chili and Coastal Flats

High -

Believe we've found the single best and most creative new menu that's popped up nearby in a while....at "Coastal Flats" in the Fairfax Corner Town Center (darn it, why can't this kind of restaurant open in Loudoun?). Amazing food, wonderful decor, friendly and helpful staff - almost like actually being on vacation somewhere between Florida and Cuba. When it says "spicy", it's spicy. Very complex and generous sauces. No chintzing on the seafood - plenty in the bisque, the various shrimp dishes and appetizers. Even the kid's fish fingers were like actual fish, vs. pre-processed, frozen typical fare.

This place is an absolute gem, beats Clyde's hands-down in the seafood department, and is worth every minute on Rt. 50 East to get there.

Low -

Our favorite haunt as a large family for the past years has been Hard Times Chili restaurant, ever since living in Clarendon and subsequently moving to the Herndon location. Great beer, family-friendly, great appetizers and wings, and of course, great chili. Last night was different - perhaps new management? (this is now an opposite review from the last, on Oct. 2).

- Out of the two very best beers and singular reasons for going on a Friday night - Tupper's Hop Pocket and Victory Hop-Devil Ale. Had to "settle" for a slightly flat Nevada Pale Ale.
- Wings - still pretty decent, but not nearly as hot as they used to be - plus the blue cheese dressing was kindof watery.
- Chili - my standby, 3-way Texas dry, was OK - didn't seem as flavorful or naturally juicy as it used to be...

We'll probably be thinking twice about going back, now.

Clyde's falls short

The new Clyde's in Brambleton is certainly a great looker, but not a great eater. Very attractive place and barn-like bar area, with lots of (and more now) regulars from AOL-land, but the food left lots to be desired - unlike the predictably good fare at Clyde's in Reston...

- too slow
- too cold
- not real tasty
- not enough

Basically doesn't deserve much more review...were your results similar? Probably just the help, since I can't imagine who they got to actually staff the place in this county - probably folks driving in from Winchester, or out from Seven Corners.

The best place for large families and a great meal...

...in our opinion is Herndon's "Hard Times Cafe". (Ok, so it's not in Loudoun, but it's pretty close!). Here's the benefits:

- loud and informal, perfect for absorbing you own children's noises
- large, 6-8 person high-backed booths (corrals)
- exceptional beer selection
- lots of free corn bread, crackers, crayons, i.e. stuff to keep the kids busy
- quick and delicious appetizers, including really good and spicy wings
- can pretty much always get a seat, no matter what day (turnover's pretty quick)
- great, friendly wait staff, nice to kids
- good kids menu, though order 1/2 as much for the little ones (i.e. 1 meal for 2 kids should be enough)
- Chili! (quick to make, deliver, eat and enjoy)