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Design Your Own Cajun Meal at Shakin Crab

November 3, 2017 by

Shakin Crab only opened in Manassas three months ago, but it has already amassed more than 50 online reviews for its contemporary take on classic Cajun food. Shakin Crab invites its customers to take part in the creative culinary process, allowing them to select their seafood and seasoning. Choose from a list of seafood that includes crawfish, King Crab legs, and shrimp (or combinations of two). Then pick original Cajun, lemon pepper, or garlic butter seasoning—or go for all three. Finally, choose your level of heat, from non-spicy to downright fiery.

If you prefer your seafood fried, Shakin Crab still has plenty of options for you. Its fried baskets come loaded with crispy oysters, catfish tenders, or even soft shell crab. You can also nibble on some Cajun or buffalo wings with sweet potato fries, hush puppies, or onion rings on the side.

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Lil’ Bowl Transports Diners to Thailand in Every Bite

October 13, 2017 by

It would be easy to miss Lil' Bowl. The eatery consists of a counter tucked away in Fresh World, a global grocery store in Fairfax. But the eaters who've been fortunate enough to stumble upon it seem to agree that Lil' Bowl offers authentic Thai and Japanese food, and it's definitely worth a visit.

Lil' Bowl only opened two months ago, but the positive reviews are already rolling in for its small plates, noodle dishes, and sushi rolls. You can't go wrong with the pad Thai, a classic dish of rice noodles, bean sprouts and bean curd, scallions, and crushed peanuts in tamarind sauce. Choose chicken, pork, beef, shrimp, seafood, or veggies to headline your Pad Thai. You can also opt for one of the signature sushi rolls, like the Bangkok roll. It showcases cucumber, asparagus, crab stick, and spicy masago inside with a mix of seafood and a dash of herbs and spices on top. Round out your meal with the Thai iced tea or mango-mint lemonade.

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Head Chef Noe Canales Makes Taste Buds Dance at Tortino Mare

September 1, 2017 by

It may be hard to believe that the cuisine served at Tortino Mare originated right in the eatery's Manassas Park kitchen, not Italy. The dishes are so authentically Italian that, if you close your eyes while you eat, you'll actually be transported to a bistro in Old World Italy. That's because Executive Chef Noe Canales has actually traveled to Italy—his ancestors' native country—to learn all about the flavors and cooking techniques of the nation.

He brings his knowledge to the kitchen at Tortino Mare every day. You can taste his expertise in dishes like Mama Lidia's pizza, smothered with fresh basil pesto, goat and fontina cheese, fresh tomato, and a dusting of parmesan. The house-made pasta also impresses eaters with options like the seafood linguini (linguini frutti di mare) and rigatoni with meatballs. Italian steak and seafood round out the list of entrees at Tortino Mare, a go-to spot for authentic Italian food near your apartment.

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Treat Your Sweet Tooth to a Cone at Jitterbugs Ice Cream Cafe

August 25, 2017 by

Maine Wild Blueberry, Campfire S'mores, and Mississippi Mud Pie are just a handful of the artisan ice cream flavors that delight taste buds at Jitterbugs Ice Cream Cafe. Since it opened in Manassas in May, Jitterbugs has been scooping out gourmet ice creams from Gifford's, a small business based in Maine.

The ice cream is already making waves in Manassas, inspiring some rave reviews from customers. Order a few scoops of Flying Fish Fudge in a pretzel cone for a salty-sweet treat, or try classic Old Fashioned Finally in a peanut butter-dipped cone to mix up your order. Jitterbugs also offers specialty sundaes and soft-serve ice cream. And if you want to do dinner before dessert, the cafe has a short list of food items, too, ranging from hot dogs to turkey and ham sandwiches to salads.

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Bite Into a Cookie Monster Doughnut at the New Texas Donuts

August 11, 2017 by

Although Texas Donuts only debuted in June, local customers have already taken notice. The shop originated in its namesake state, but has since branched out to other regions, including northern Virginia. All of the locations have one major thing in common: their staff crafts everything on-site each morning.

That includes each of the inventive specialty doughnuts, from the red velvet to the blueberry glazed. There's even a bright blue Cookie Monster doughnut, complete with the creature's signature googly eyes and a cookie dough bite in his gaping open "mouth." The bakery also dishes out the popular croughnuts, pastries that flake apart in layers like a croissant but offer the same sweet goodness of a doughnut. Doughnuts get even more decadent when Texas Donuts' staff uses them as the foundation for sundaes, complete with a drizzle of chocolate and a dusting of sprinkles.

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A New Restaurant Near The Courts at Historic Manassas: Hector’s of Nokesville

May 26, 2017 by

For a taste of one of the newest joints in town, head to Hector’s of Nokesville. They set up shop in April and have been earning rave reviews ever since. Expect authentic Mexican plates at great prices with generous servings.

To start, the stuffed jalapenos and the nachos are favorites so far. You can go for the Hector’s Platter, which comes with some nachos, wings, taquitos, beef tips, and a quesadilla for a little taste of everything. For your entree choose anything from the staples like enchiladas verdes to unique options like their chili verde. With the camarones Mexicanos dish being the most expensive at only $15.75, you can bring the whole family and still have an affordable night out. They even have a kids' menu.

Check out their lunch specials for a real deal. You can snag one of their combo plates with three different Mexican specialties from $5.25 to $6.25, depending on what you choose. You can also turn lunch into brunch with the huevos rancheros or the huevos con chorizo plates!

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This Weekend, Have Brunch at CJ Finz Raw Bar & Grille

April 7, 2017 by

A native North Carolina family has put their own twist on surf and turf at CJ Finz Raw Bar & Grille in Manassas. Open a couple years now, this eatery strives to bring impeccable cuisine and hometown dining together in perfect harmony.

There is something for every palate on their menu, from lobster mac and cheese and bacon-wrapped scallops to salads for those looking to stay on the healthy train. Weekend brunch is a fan favorite, with the crab Benedict winning over diners' hearts left and right. If that doesn’t strike your fancy, try the beef tips and biscuits dish or the crunchy French toast. Lunch and dinner are also served daily, and they’re even open until 2 a.m. for late-night beers and bites.

They have daily deals like $1 oysters on Mondays, $10 fish and chip Fridays, as well as happy hour daily from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. boasting $6 apps and drink specials.

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A New Restaurant to Try This Weekend in Manassas: Taiwan Cafe

March 24, 2017 by

The brand-new Taiwan Cafe has been taking diners by storm with glowing reviews during their first few months in business. The restaurant boasts two distinctive menus: one Taiwanese and one Chinese. Two dishes that seem to be early favorites are the three-cup chicken, which combines flavorful sesame and ginger for a delightful sauce and the perfectly crispy Taiwanese fried chicken platter. If you’re looking for a dish to kick-off the meal, try the minced pork string bean with dry black beans served with bao buns on the side.

If you like to stick to what you know, the Chinese menu will take care of you. They offer all the staples you know and love, like spring rolls and general Tso’s chicken, and so much more. Their lunch combo platters start as low as $7.75 and come with a main entree, egg roll, fried rice, soup and a soda. Can’t beat that kind of deal!

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Where to Brunch This Weekend: French Quarter Brasserie in Fairfax

January 31, 2017 by

We've been hearing great things about the delicious Cajun/Creole grub served up by French Quarter Brasserie. Open since 2016 in Fairfax, this New Orleans-inspired eatery is the first in the area to explore this style of cuisine. Another unique piece is their bar, The Big Speak Easy, which specializes in crafting Southern-style cocktails reminiscent of the 1920s through 1940s.

Lunch and dinner are served daily, with weekend brunch as well. You must start with a basket of the hush puppies, fried to perfection with a crispy exterior and fluffy interior. The entrees range from crawfish mac and cheese to fried catfish or eggplant pirogues. The jambalaya is also a good option for a burst of flavor in one bowl. The brunch menu is hard to beat. Options include both sweet and savory plates for every palate, all with a unique New Orleans twist. They have brunch po'boys, chicken and beignets, chicken and craw mac waffles, and so much more. Pair it with their Ragin’ Cajun Bloody Mary for the perfect weekend kickoff.

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Your Weekend Plans: Belly Up to the Buffet at Rangoli Celebrate India

January 13, 2017 by

There are plenty of flavors to be celebrated at Rangoli Celebrate India, an Indian food restaurant that made its debut in Manassas in fall 2016. With more than its fair share of five-star reviews on Yelp, Rangoli, which was previously located in Loudon County for more than a decade, serves up some of the most delicious dishes in the area.

If you want to grab a little bit of everything and see what your favorite is, the Saturday buffet comes highly recommended. The price is affordable at only $12.99 per adult or $7.99 per child. The favorite dishes thus far are the juicy lamb vindaloo, the perfectly fluffy fresh naan, and the eggplant curry. Don’t forget to try the desserts. They’re very accommodating of dietary restrictions, and strive to make sure that everyone is welcome and is able to indulge fully.

If you’re in a pinch for time or looking for a cozy night in, check out their take-out menu which you can download off the website. Also, delivery is free within 5 miles of the restaurant!

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