Grab a Whole Bird for Dinner at Waku Chicken

Though Waku Chicken does have a few non-chicken items on the menu, you should probably stick with the chicken dishes for the full Waku experience. The Peruvian-inspired menu offers a full range of chicken dishes, including quarter, half, and whole chickens, the latter option being a great option if you have a family to feed. Popular menu items include the chicken souvlaki platter, the pan con pescado, and the half-chicken with chaufa rice and plantains, while the fried yucca, the fried plantains, and the chaufa rice represent Waku's most popular sides.

Delivery is available for orders that cost more than $20. Speak to management about getting Waku Chicken to cater your next meeting or event. The employees are enthusiastic about their work, and it shows in the quality of the food, regulars say.

Waku Chicken
458 Elden Street
Herndon, VA 20170
(703) 870-7448
www.wakuchicken.com
www.yelp.com/biz/waku-chicken-herndon

Enjoy the Little Things at Frying Pan Park

After a long work week, take a load off and enjoy some time in nature at Frying Pan Park. This Herndon favorite is unique from most community parks because it operates a bit more like a farm, complete with cows, pigs, horses, and many other animals. Take a hay ride with the little ones to get a full look at the park’s scenic grounds, and then stop in for a visit with the newborn calves or their much larger parents.

Frying Pan Park contains a large playground with colorful sliding boards, swing sets, and jungle gyms for the kids to climb on, and adults will enjoy relaxing nearby on a bench under a shady tree. There is even a carousel that visitors of all ages love.

Before visiting, check the Frying Pan Park website to see what types of events are coming up; the bustling park often hosts puppet shows, concert series, and other free events for Herndon area residents.

Frying Pan Park
2709 W Ox Road
Herndon, VA 20171
(703) 437-9101
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/fpp

Where to Eat Pancakes 24/7 Near BLVD l Loudoun Station: Amphora Diner Deluxe in Herndon

Amphora Diner Deluxe is a 24-hour eatery in Herndon that fills a much-needed gap in the area’s restaurant scene. Whether you’re looking for a great place for breakfast with the family or a slice of pie at 2 a.m., this friendly, welcoming eatery is always open to meet your cravings.

Inside, the restaurant is furnished with bright blue leather booths, retro light fixtures, and a glass bakery case that’s always filled with sweet treats. The menu at Amphora Diner includes classic American breakfast platters filled with French toast, eggs Benedict, and custom omelets, and once the clock strikes noon (or somewhere around then), it switches over to include hearty sandwiches, salads, and homestyle dinner entrees. There are always fresh-baked pies and breads from the bakery, and the bottomless cups of coffee make this a great place to chat with friends until the wee hours of the morning.

Amphora Diner Deluxe
1151 Elden St
Herndon, VA 20170
(703) 925-0900
www.amphoragroup.com

Elegant Appetizer Recipes for Your Holiday Party

Just because you’re throwing a holiday party at home doesn’t mean that it has to be plain and casual. Add a bit of class to this year’s soiree by serving elegant appetizers that are just as artistic as they are tasty. Here are three great ideas that are so delicious, your guests will think you had the party catered.

Baked Prosciutto and Brie with Apple Butter [Cooking Channel TV]
The salty taste of prosciutto, the gooey texture of brie, and the sweet tang of apple butter all mingle seamlessly in these appetizer toasts. Best of all, there’s no cooking involved in the preparation, so you can throw these together right before your guests arrive.

Spinach and Goat Cheese Tartlets [Food Network]
Phyllo dough is a very popular base for many types of appetizers because it’s so versatile and easy to work with, and these tartlets are a great example. The dough forms a small cup that’s filled with goat cheese, spinach, and a number of herbs and spices that’s perfectly light and cheesy.

Mexican Shrimp Cocktail [My Recipes]
Instead of the usual creamy shrimp dip, make this cool, refreshing alternative with an adventurous Mexican fare flavor. Serve it with tortilla chips and a freshly ground pepper garnish.

Bagel Cafe: Enjoy Authentic New York Bagels Without Leaving Virginia

At Bagel Cafe, the friendly owners bring the taste of authentic New York City bagels right to Herndon, saving you the trip and the Big Apple’s crowds. This light-filled shop features a spacious outdoor patio and a prime location right on the corner of Dulles Corridor, and it’s been voted one of the very best bagel shops in all of northern Virginia.

Bagel Cafe serves numerous types of bagels and cream cheeses galore, as well as breakfast sandwiches made on—you guessed it—thick, freshly baked bagels. The menu also includes lunchtime specialty sandwiches, salads, and housemade soups just like you would find in an Upper West Side bodega. In addition to the breakfast and lunch items, Bagel Cafe caters events, like office meetings or family breakfasts.

Bagel Cafe gets quite crowded during the morning and lunchtime rush, so be sure to arrive early in order to get a table. The shop is open from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

Bagel Cafe
300 Elden Street
Herndon, VA 20170
(703) 318-7555
www.bagelcafe.com
www.yelp.com/biz/bagel-cafe-herndon

Tips for a Dinner Party Your Guests Won’t Soon Forget

Dinner parties are fun ways to get all of your friends together to bond over tasty foods, but it can be a bit difficult to plan a menu for that many people. Whether you’re hosting a formal sit-down dinner or a casual taco night, these simple tips will show you how to plan a dinner party that no one will forget.

  1. Stick with the basics. While it may seem fun to experiment with a new recipe, this isn’t the best idea when you’re cooking for a group. Stick with something that you already know how to cook, or practice a new recipe at least once or twice beforehand.
  2. Choose a theme. If you’re unsure of what to make for dinner, choose a culinary theme, like Italian or childhood favorites. This will make it easier to choose dishes that go together.
  3. Don’t forget the appetizers. To buy yourself a bit of time in the kitchen, set out simple appetizers that guests can snack on while you put the finishing touches on the meal.
  4. Do some prep work. Prep as much of the food as possible the day before so that you’ll have ample time to visit with guests once the party begins.
  5. Consider seating. Most people don’t have a large, formal dining room, but you should still consider where your guests can sit comfortably.

Top 10 dinner party tips [Good Food]
25 Dinner Party Do's and Don'ts for a Host or Hostess [Bon Appetit]
The Dos and Don'ts of Hosting a Dinner Party [My Domaine]

Chefs Take Spice Seriously at Aangan Indian Restaurant

Locals call the entire dining experience at Aangan exquisite, thanks to the caliber of both the food and customer service. Customers appreciate the wide range of Indian regional dishes served at Aangan, something you won't necessarily find at most Indian restaurants.

Popular dishes at Aangan include the butter chicken curry, the scallop pulsa, the samosas, and the wings mango peri peri. Dining from the buffet is another popular choice, but portions are generous whether your order off of the main menu or serve yourself. Take note: Some of the dishes, like the chili chicken, can be very spicy. Keep in mind that the heat levels indicated on the menu are accurate—hot really means hot.

Most customers enjoy the decor and ambiance here, including the music videos from Indian pop musicians that play in the background. Come here on the weekends to participate in karaoke with a DJ.

Aangan
332 Elden Street
Herndon, VA 20170
(571) 297-2179
www.aanganva.com
www.yelp.com/biz/aangan-herndon

Four Fascinating Facts About Humans in Space

Are you fascinated by space exploration? Do you dream of joining the 12 people in history who've walked on the moon? Before you don your space suit, check out these interesting facts about humans in space!

1) Before you can even think about becoming an astronaut, you must log at least 1,000 hours of flying in a jet aircraft. This will prepare you, at least somewhat, to go from zero to 17,000 miles per hour in less than nine minutes on the Space Shuttle.

2) Once you've been launched into space, astronauts receive 3.8 pounds of food a day. Most of the food is precooked and processed so that it doesn't require refrigeration. Some fresh fruits and vegetables are on board, but they must be consumed within the first couple days. Astronauts can season their meals with ketchup, mustard, and taco sauce, among other condiments provided on the Space Shuttle.

3) The food consumed during Apollo 11 included bacon squares, sugar cookie cubes, beef stew, and fruit cake. The astronauts quenched their thirst with coffee, fruit juice, and orange drink.

4) On Earth, space suits weigh a whopping 280 pounds. It takes the better part of an hour to put on a space suit, and each astronaut wears special undergarments.

For more interesting space facts, check out NASA's website.

Angeethi: A World of Indian Cuisine

The assortment of regional Indian dishes available at Angeethi in Leesburg has kept many diners coming back to try new offerings. Known for having an extensive lunch buffet that includes vegetarian and meat dishes, Angeethi takes seriously the opportunity to share not only food, but also Indian culture and hospitality with its patrons. In addition to the buffet, which features popular items like samosas and butter chicken, the restaurant also offers dinner service. Angeethi tempts visitors with classic Indian preparations of tandoori meats, curries, biryani, and breads. Regulars know to expect a wait on busy Friday and Saturday nights, but point out that once you are seated, the service is excellent. Wait staff are known to be friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. Angeethi offers it all: expertly prepared food that is both adventurous and comforting, a casual, welcoming décor, and staff who will make you feel right at home.

Angeethi
1500 E. Market Street
Leesburg, VA 20176
(703) 777-6785

Down Dog Yoga: Empowerment, Inspiration and Community

One Yelp reviewer calls Herndon's Down Dog Yoga "life changing," while another promises that you will "literally feel like a new person" when you walk out of the studio after a yoga class. And they're not the only two who heap praise on this Herndon studio. Down Dog offers a wide range of classes to suit everyone's schedule and preferences.

Whether you decide to attend the sweat-inducing Power Hour at 6:30 a.m. before heading to the office or opt for a gentle Sunday afternoon all-levels practice, you'll find that the Down Dog instructors are patient, inspirational, and professional. You can sign up for individual classes or purchase a monthly pass, and Down Dog even offers a teacher training program for those who want to graduate from taking classes to leading them. Be aware that Down Dog is committed to hot practice, and the studio is heated between 90 and 95 degrees in order to encourage sweating that may help the body expel toxins.

Down Dog Yoga
12973 Highland Crossing Drive
Herndon, VA 20171
(703) 437-9042
downdogpoweryoga.com
www.yelp.com/biz/down-dog-yoga-herndon-2

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