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

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr m01229

Housed in a historic buildin with interiors decorated with Italian marble and the work of local artists, Palio is an impressive restaurant with old world charm and modern touches. The cuisine is uniformly outstanding. Palio serves its own homemade breads and pasta, and a menu which changes with the seasons to reflect local flavors. Some guest favorites include the Fritto Misto appetizer, with fried calamari, shrimp, fish, and vegetables with an aioli sauce, as well as the lobster ravioli. There are menu items to accommodate any diet, including vegetarian dishes and gluten-free pasta. Each dish is paired with wines ranging from unique Italian vintages and vinos from local wineries. The service is exceptional and can handle large groups to intimate dinners for two with ease. Prices are great based on the high quality of the experience and cuisine. Suitable for any occasion, Palio of Leesburg will satisfy any craving for Italian comfort food.

Palio of Leesburg
2 W. Market Street
Leesburg, VA 20176
(703) 779-0060

Use these smart, simple tips for squeezing every inch out of your apartment’s floor plan and you’ll be amazed at how much extra space you'll find!

• Choose multifunctional pieces. Get rid of all of the furniture in your home that doesn’t play double-duty as something else. Choose sofas with built-in storage, a bed with hidden drawers, and a television credenza with a bookshelf to minimize the wasted space that comes from having too much furniture.
• Arrange… and rearrange. Arrange your furniture as many times as it takes to find a perfect flow. You’ll want to be able to comfortably walk from room to room without bumping into things, which takes some trial and error. If something doesn’t fit, it likely means that you don’t have use for it.
• Think vertically, not just horizontally. Many people forget about the horizontal space that they’re missing when furnishing a room. Add stacks of shelves on every wall, hanging organizers on the backs of doors, or new, custom storage systems from floor to ceiling in the closet.
• Maximize natural light. Finally, replace dark drapes with sheer curtains to allow in as much light as possible and make your space feel brighter.

How to Maximize Space in a Small Apartment [Freshome]
Ten Apartment Organization Tips to Maximize Space [Forbes]
How to Maximize Your Apartment Space [For Rent]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Xalion Malik