Dizzy Pig BBQ Company: Award Winning BBQ near The Courts at Historic Manassas

Dizzy Pig BBQ Company's story extends across international borders. Chris Capell started experimenting with his new smoker in Fairfax; across the border in Canada, Mike Kerslake was doing the same. They happened upon one another in an online forum for cooks, and their shared love for everything barbecue eventually blossomed into a friendship that brought Dizzy Pig BBQ Company into business.

Dizzy Pig has a number of outlets, including one just a short trip from The Courts at Historic Manassas. The distinct rubs have won numerous competitions, and they're available at the store in Austin (as well as a slew of retailers across the country). From "Dizzy Dust" all-purpose barbecue rub for meats to sweet Pineapple Head rub for grilled fruits, pie fillings, or even fruit salads, the Dizzy Pig BBQ Company has a seasoning for every type of food and occasion.

Dizzy Pig BBQ Company
8763 Virginia Meadows Drive
Manassas, VA 20109
(703) 273-3580
dizzypigbbq.com/
www.yelp.com/biz/dizzy-pig-bbq-company-manassas

Celebrate the Souper Bowl Near The Courts at Historic Manassas Tonight at First Friday

The Super Bowl may have come and gone, but a much tastier version will be held today near The Courts at Historic Manassas. For February's First Friday, the Souper Bowl comes to Center Street. Various shops downtown will welcome locals to slurp up as many soup samples as they like for a flat fee of $5. Just grab a wristband at any of the stores along the Souper Bowl's route.

The city's eateries supply the soup, so if you try something you like, make a note of the source. At Prospero's Books, you can try the ancho tomato soup and grilled cheese from Zandra's. At Allyssa Bryn boutique, enjoy a sample of Okra's Creole gumbo, studded with chicken and andouille sausage. Anyone looking for something a bit heartier should head to Records & Rarities for smoked brisket chili by The Bone or Creative Brush Studio for clam chowder from Philadelphia Tavern.

Check out visitmanassas.org to learn more about tonight's First Friday event!

First Friday Souper Bowl
Center Street
Manassas, VA 20110
visitmanassas.org/event/first-friday/?instance_id=5575

Records and Rarities: Vintage Vinyl Not Far From The Courts at Historic Manassas

Records and Rarities isn't just in the business of selling music, it's also in the business of making music. The Manassas shop houses a recording studio where local artists can lay down tracks. It features contemporary equipment, including a WhisperRoom sound isolation booth that keeps out any outside noise while musicians record.

The studio evokes the same small spaces where many of the artists represented in Records and Rarities's inventory got their start. True to its name, the music shop stocks mostly vinyl —"pre-loved" vinyl, as its website puts it. The ever-changing collection of gently used records allows the store to offer a fresh new inventory on a regular basis. Come here and explore the many vintage records, or pick up a new turntable instead. Records and Rarities also stocks LPs, 45s, and some CDs, too.

Check out the Records and Rarities website to learn more about this music store near The Courts at Historic Manassas.

Records and Rarities
9366 Main Street
Manassas, VA 20110
(703) 490-9028
www.recordsandrarities.com/home.html
www.yelp.com/biz/records-and-rarities-manassas

Find More Than 100 Craft Beers near The Courts at Manassas at Monza

Take your time picking a beer at Monza. There are more than 100 craft brews available by the bottle at this restaurant near The Courts at Historic Manassas, so you have quite a task in front of you. Port City, Rogue, Southern Tier, and Flying Dog are just a few of the craft breweries who contribute to the beer list here. Monza's bar also offers more than 10 draft beers, and the collection often includes even more impressive pours like Southern Tier Pumking and Anderson Valley Wild Turkey Bourbon Barrel Stout.

The beers are just a part of the story at Monza, though. This welcoming Italian restaurant also has a widespread reputation for its food. Yelp reviewers highly recommend the Jack's Special, a medley of capellini, shrimp, scallops, and crab meat in white wine lemon butter. The house-made pasta mingles with brick-oven-baked pizzas, burgers, salads, and other classic Italian entrees on Monza's menu.

Monza
9405 Battle Street
Manassas, VA 20110
(703) 368-5522
www.eatmonza.com
www.yelp.com/biz/monza-manassas

Romance Is in the Air at Valentine’s Day Pops, an Orchestral Performance Near The Courts at Historic Manassas

The American Festival Pops Orchestra can be trusted with your Valentine's Day date. After all, the Washington Times describes its music as "classic, upbeat popular Americana performed with professionalism, affection, and more than a bit of pizzazz." That's all thanks to artistic director (and founder) Anthony Maiello, who worked hard to piece together an orchestra of the best musical talents around the DC area. This February 14, you and your significant other can enjoy their dulcet notes at the Valentine's Day Pops event, hosted by the Hylton Performing Arts Center near The Courts at Historic Manassas.

Starting at 8 p.m. in merchant hall, this romantic performance will feature some of the most popular, classic love songs ever composed. It focuses on modern pieces from the 20th century, so you can expect to recognize most (if not all) of the pieces as the professional orchestra plays them for you and your date at the Hylton.

Valentine's Day Pops
Hylton Performing Arts Center
10960 George Mason Circle
Manassas, VA 20110
(703) 993-7759
www.hyltoncenter.org/calendar/478/

Okra’s Cajun and Creole: Cajun Fare near The Courts at Historic Manassas

"The idea was to have a small mom and pop kind of place," explains owner Charles Gilliam of Okra's Cajun Creole on the eatery's "History" page. That original idea seems to have gotten away from him in the years between opening day in 1998 and the present, however. Okra's Cajun Creole has exploded in the intervening years, now staffing more than 20 employees and boasting a renovated space not too far from The Courts at Historic Manassas.

The expansion of the restaurant is due to the quality of its New-Orleans-inspired cuisine, and that part of Gilliam's initial vision hasn't changed. Yelp reviewers rave about the alligator bites, morsels of Cajun-spiced, fried alligator that come with Okra's own remoulade. They're the perfect way to kick off a meal at Okra's. Continue the feast with the popular pasta diablo or shrimp and grits, if you like. Okra's also serves beer from Abita, a brewery just outside of New Orleans.

Okra's Cajun Creole
9110 Center Street
Manassas, VA 20110
(703) 330-2729
www.okras.com
www.yelp.com/biz/okras-louisiana-bistro-manassas-3

Malones of Manassas: A Popular Eatery near The Courts at Historic Manassas

OpenTable's 2014 Diner's Choice Award. Northern Virginia Magazine's Best of NOVA 2013 Award. The Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor for 2014. Malones of Manassas has been racking up awards left and right, and it's only been open since 2013. In that short time, Malones has made an impression on both local publications and diners—as evidenced by the fact that some of its accolades stem from customers' votes. Since it's not far from The Courts at Historic Manassas, it's convenient to try the place for yourself.

According to its many Yelp reviewers, the shrimp and grits is one of Malones' best menu items. However, your options include a wide range of Southern comfort food—with a few upscale tweaks. Try the Pork and Beans 2.0, for instance, crafted with beer from Heritage Brewing Co. right in Manassas. You can also opt for various cuts of steak, low-country shrimp, or eggplant tortellini. Just make sure you save some room for the bourbon bread pudding, which earns praise from many Yelpers.

Malones of Manassas
9329 Main Street
Manassas, VA 20110
(571) 208-1246
malonesofmanassas.com/
www.yelp.com/biz/malones-of-manassas-manassas-2

Find Fine Italian Dining at Carmello’s Restaurant near The Courts at Historic Manassas

Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, commemorating a work promotion or simply looking for a great meal on a perfectly average evening, Carmello’s Restaurant is a popular place to dine near The Courts at Historic Manassas. This fine dining eatery specializes in Italian and Portuguese fare made with local ingredients that are in season from local farms and the restaurant’s own garden.

Here you’ll find creative takes on classic dishes made from old family recipes, as well as a few new surprises like Lobster Mascarpone Ravioli and Poached Octopus Carpaccio. The wine list offers perfect red and white pairings to go with any meal, and there are also impressive desserts like crème brulee to complete your meal. With a stunning rustic interior tucked away inside of a charming red brick building, Carmello’s Restaurant may be one of the area's most popular eateries.

Carmello’s Restaurant
9108 Center Street
Manassas VA 20110
(703) 368-5522
www.carmellos.com

Find Diner Fare near The Courts at Historic Manassas at Ashton Avenue Family Restaurant

Just a short trip from The Courts at Historic Manassas, Ashton Avenue Family Restaurant offers authentic home style cooking and dishes that make great comfort foods. In the style of a neighborhood restaurant, the diner features comfortable furnishings, tables large enough for the whole family, and an expansive salad bar with all the fixings. Ashton Avenue specializes in an eclectic blend of Tex Mex, Italian, and Greek cuisines, and though it may seem like a lot to handle, the tried-and-true eatery makes it work by using classic recipes and high quality ingredients.

Gyros and hamburgers are available for lunch if you want something heartier than the salad bar, while pasta, New York-style steaks and fajitas are popular dinner options and regulars rave about the tasty moussaka. Check out the Ashton Avenue Family Restaurant website to find out more about this Manassas eatery!

Ashton Avenue Family Restaurant
9920 Cockrell Road
Manassas, VA 20110
(703) 330-5151
www.ashtonfamilyrestaurant.com

Enjoy Dinner and a Movie Near The Courts at Historic Manassas at Manassas 4 Cinemas

If you’re looking for a great place for your next movie night in the Manassas area, the Manassas 4 Cinemas is a great choice. This well-maintained movie theater near The Courts at Historic Manassas may be smaller than the usual chain cinema, but although it only offers four movies at one time, it always shows the latest blockbuster releases that you most want to see.

The cinema contains three traditional theater rooms and a unique café theater, which features couch and bean bag seating and a full wait staff serving food, soft drinks and even a small selection of beer. Although it doesn’t have the state-of-the-art technology or modern amenities of more upscale theaters, many residents love Manassas 4 Cinemas for the cozy feel, smaller crowds, and more affordable prices.

Check the Manassas 4 Cinemas website for a full list of movie showtimes. Guests can also reserve a theater for private birthday parties or other events.

Manassas 4 Cinemas
8890 Mathis Avenue
Manassas, VA 20110
(703) 330-3538
www.manassas4cinemas.com

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