Tuscarora Mill has been cooking up fine fare in Leesburg since 1985. Situated in a historic flour and grain mill, the restaurant’s rustic decor lends charm to the formal dining room and comfortable bar area. An early adopter of the “buy local” movement, the restaurant, known to patrons as “Tuskie’s,” sources ingredients from local farms and bases its menu around what’s fresh and in season on the farm. Although the menu changes frequently, regulars tout signature dishes like shrimp and grits and lamb shank. Adventurous eaters shouldn’t miss the wild game plate, which changes daily. In addition to food, Tuskie’s offers a wide selection of craft beers, wines, and cocktails. Bread-lovers will appreciate the efforts of the on-site bakery, which produces dinner rolls and sandwich breads fresh every day. For an upscale date night, celebratory brunch, or business lunch, Tuscarora Mill offers a great taste of the Northern Virginia harvest and southern hospitality.

Tuscarora Mill
203 Harrison Street
Leesburg, VA 20175
(703) 771-9300
 

As spring begins, gardens are alive with new shoots. The spring fruit and vegetable season adds tons of exciting new options to your cooking. Here are some of the best fresh fruits and vegetables to consider cooking with this season.

Asparagus is one of the most eagerly anticipated new crops every spring. When picked fresh, it’s fragrant and delicious. Cooking it is incredibly simple – steam it, roast it or grill it. All it needs is a little salt, pepper and olive oil for its natural flavor to shine.

Garlic shoots are an unusual but remarkable spring harvest. Before the white garlic bulb that you are familiar with forms, the plant grows a large, green shoot, also called a “scape.” This has a flavor similar to the bulb but milder. It’s great for soups.

Spring is also the best time to harvest new potatoes. Although potatoes can stay in the ground through the summer and into the late fall, harvesting them early keeps the skin from setting, making for sweet, tender spuds that cook quickly and burst with flavor.

In terms of fruit, one of the best bounties every spring is the cherry harvest. Cherry fruit starts growing in the middle of the season, and should be eaten quickly after harvesting for the best flavor.