Plan a Romantic Night of Wine and Tapas at The Wine Kitchen in Leesburg

The next time you’re looking for a romantic date night spot in Leesburg, invite your significant other to meet you at The Wine Kitchen. This romantic wine bar and restaurant offers an extensive selection of premium wines from all over the world, and they taste even better when paired with the eatery’s exceptional tapas dishes.

From fall-off-the-bone lamb to rabbit ragout and coq au vin, this isn’t your typical American eatery. European countries like France and Italy inspire the menu, but it also features dishes like ham and cheddar biscuits that hit a bit closer to home. Sample a flight of premium wines or order the whole bottle to share alongside your meal at The Wine Kitchen.

With its modern yet comfortable interior, intimate dining tables, and wine bar where you can sit closet to the action, the ambiance is great for date nights out or other occasions.

The Wine Kitchen
7 S King St
Leesburg, VA 20175
(703) 777-9463
www.thewinekitchen.com

Fresh Seafood Awaits at Blue Ridge Grill

Michael Norton and John Carroccio have worked at eateries right in Northern Virginia, as well as restaurants as far away as South America, so together they have an unusually broad snapshot of the globe's eclectic cuisines. At their joint endeavor Blue Ridge Grill, however, the pair focuses mostly on fresh American seafood and steaks served in a casual, welcoming environment.

One of the most popular creations at Blue Ridge Grill is the Shady Side crab cake. Chefs craft each crab cake from seasoned lump crab meat, then sear the crab cakes to create a crispy, golden-brown shell. Remoulade sauce comes with each crab cake for dunking, as well as a side of your choice. If you're more interested in the beef, then you should try the prime rib sandwich, which showcases slow-roasted meat stuffed inside of a Lyon Bakery baguette, smothered with au jus and Monterey Jack cheese. The Brentwood salad is another favorite among regular customers, and it features fried chicken, avocado, bacon, and cheese dressed with ranch.

Blue Ridge Grill
955 Edwards Ferry Road NE
Leesburg, VA 20176
(703) 669-5505
brgrill.com
www.yelp.com/biz/blue-ridge-grill-leesburg

Leesburg Public House: Don’t Miss the Bacon Popcorn

If you're craving some good old fashioned American food, then Leesburg Public House isn't the place to look. Although it does dish out classic American comfort food, there's nothing old fashioned about it. Even the snacks showcase the chefs' contemporary flair, like the wildly popular bacon popcorn and the chicken wings brined in pale ale and glazed with calabrian chili sauce.

When ti comes to the main course, locals highly recommend the creative burgers, particularly the Southern Man. It's crowned with praline bacon, sweet onions, pimento cheese, red pepper mayo, and crisp lettuce. If you prefer seafood, opt for the equally beloved Baja shrimp tacos with guac, pico de gallo, cilantro slaw, and tortilla chips. Add sundried tomato polenta or roasted garlic whipped potatoes on the side.

Leesburg Public House
962 Edwards Ferry Road NE
Leesburg, VA 20176
(703) 777-6333
leesburgpublichouse.com
www.yelp.com/biz/leesburg-public-house-leesburg

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

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

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

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

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

South Street Under: A Modern Herndon Bakery Surrounded by Old Town Charm

Originally an extension of Leesburg staple Tuskies, South Street Under has come into its own as a popular casual eatery and top-notch bakery. Ideal for a quick lunch, this hidden Market Station gem has received attention for the bite of their airy, moist, yet crisp ciabatta, which accompanies an array of warm and cold sandwiches on the menu, including classics such as the rueben, BBBLT (triple the Bs, triple the bacon) or the popular chicken ciapini, topped with havarti cheese, spinach, tomato and zesty pepper mayo. Treat yourself to a hot cup of the soup du jour, including a mystery “Chef’s Surprise” selection on Thursdays, or warm up with one of their daily regulars, including hearty beef chili and vegetarian fan favorite potato-leek.

For early birds stopping in for a snack on the fly, consider pairing a jumbo éclair, moist blueberry muffin or any of their other tasty baked good offerings with a hot cup of coffee to go. Not stopping at handheld pastries, South Street Under is also known for their signature truffle cake, layering ribbons of chocolate truffle cream with dark chocolate ganache and your choice of fillings.

South Street Under
203 Harrison Street SE
Leesburg, VA 20175
(703) 771-9610
http://www.southstreetunder.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/south-street-under-leesburg

The Ice House Cafe: A Cool Place for Seafood

There are few dining experiences more enjoyable than listening to live jazz while having a seafood dinner, and that’s just what you’ll find at The Ice House Cafe. This seafood restaurant and oyster bar offers a large menu of inventive dishes for lunch and dinner, and its historic Herndon location makes it a great place for a special occasion.

The ambiance in the Ice House Cafe is equally charming, from its dark wooden walls and eclectic artwork to its handsome bar and intimate dining room. There are also live jazz performances to accompany your dinner just about every night of the week. The menu includes classic seafood options like jumbo shrimp and Ahi tuna au poivre, as well as more unique, non-seafood items like Thai-style beef, ostrich steak, and Creole jambalaya.

Order a glass of red or white from the extensive wine list, and then settle in to the relaxing sounds of jazz.

The Ice House Cafe
760 Elden St
Herndon, VA 20170
(703) 437-4500
www.icehousecafe.com

Pin It on Pinterest