The comfortably cozy dining room of La Lou Bistro may be reminiscent of a chic Parisian eatery, but the cuisine is purely that of the Mediterranean. Flavor is showcased in a variety of tender kebabs, served with sides of rice and ratatouille, a medley of sautéed vegetables, and the seafood paella (one of their specialties) is also well-regarded. Italian food specialties are represented in an array of hot brick-oven fired pizzas, including classic margarita pies and a signature La Lou pie topped with lump crab meat, cherry tomatoes and garlic.

La Lou Bistro is open daily for lunch and dinner, with a special brunch service on Sundays. During the warmer months, be sure to take advantage of their outside seating overlooking the picturesque Leesburg Town Hall Green where lucky weekend diners can take in the weekly Acoustic on the Green summer concert series.

La Lou Bistro
19 West Market Street
Leesburg, VA 20176
(703) 771-0072
http://www.laloubistro.net
http://www.yelp.com/biz/la-lou-bistro-leesburg

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Dinner Series

You want to be prepared for everything from a fancy dinner to an afternoon of snorkeling on your upcoming vacation, but so many different activities on your itinerary may make packing your suitcase seem very daunting. Here are four simple ways to pack your suitcase a bit lighter on your next big trip.

1. Become familiar with the laundry service. Sure, no one wants to do laundry on a vacation, but it’s much more enjoyable than breaking your back from lugging around an impossibly heavy suitcase or backpack. Look up your hotel or hostel’s laundry amenities beforehand, and if there are none, check for the closest laundromat.
2. Take full advantage of the carry-on. Many travelers are intimidated by the carry-on because of airlines’ strict weight limits, but this smaller bag is a very underutilized space for extra clothes. Just weigh your bag as you pack to avoid paying extra baggage fees.
3. Mix and match. By packing clothes in neutral shades that can easily coordinate with one another, you cut down on the need to pack separate outfits for each day.
4. Cut down on shoes. Shoes obviously take up the most space in your suitcase, so be sure to only pack ones that you really need. After all, do you really need stiletto heels on a backpacking trip?

Packing Smart and Traveling Light [Rick Steves]
The Carry-On Challenge: How to Pack Light Every Time [Independent Traveler]
How to Pack Light: 9 Tips to Lighten Your Load [Huffington Post]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/edwin.11

Known for their hand-peeled Shenandoah Valley apple pie, Mom’s Apple Pie’s quaint Leesburg location offers a potpourri of fruit flavors, including Shenandoah peach, Virginia blackberry, sour cherry and red raspberry. Mom’s ensures that only the finest ingredients fill their delicately flaky, buttery crusts by growing their own fruit and harvesting it at its seasonal peak. Regional offerings such as lemon chess, bourbon walnut and pecan pie are executed by Mom’s dedicated bakers with authentic expertise. Not limited to just pie, hearty breads and a wide variety of hand-held treats are baked in-house, including coconut macaroons, novelty-size “monster cookies” and cinnamon rolls perfect for pairing with a hot cup of coffee.

Stop in during the week from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. or on Sundays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to browse their dessert cases and treat yourself to a sweet slice of authentic Virginian flavor near BLVD l Loudoun Station.

Mom’s Apple Pie
220 Loudoun Street, SE
Leesburg, VA 20175
(703) 771-8590
http://www.momsapplepieco.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/moms-apple-pie-bakery-leesburg

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/cookbookman17