Savor Award-Winning Portuguese Fare at Carmello’s

At first glance, Carmello's menu might look strictly Italian. While it does have a heavy Mediterranean slant, the cuisine is actually based largely on Portuguese recipes. Owner and Portugal native Alice Pires is to thank for that. She brought the heritage of her homeland with her upon immigrating to the U.S. It's her culinary prowess (and the skill of her kitchen staff) that earned Carmello's the Open Table Diner's Choice Award just this month.

If you want to taste what all the fuss is about, just a few blocks stand between The Courts at Historic Manassas and Carmello's. The menu changes with the seasons in order to incorporate the freshest local ingredients available, but you can expect to see appetizers like brick-oven-baked oysters Rockefeller and crispy calamari on the menu. Fresh pastas tossed with seafood or veggies are also served at Carmello's. But the entrees outshine everything else, especially decadent creations such as the 18-ounce grilled drunken bone-in ribeye steak with garlic-herb oyster mushrooms and a loaded twice-baked potato.

Carmello's
9108 Center Street
Manassas, VA 20110
(703) 368-5522
carmellos.com
www.yelp.com/biz/carmellos-manassas

Mmm’s the Word at Mum Mum Restaurant, a New Eatery in Manassas

In lieu of walls, Mum Mum Restaurant has glass. The glass panes stretch from floor to ceiling, offering panoramic views of the surrounding Manassas treetops. Although Mum Mum only opened in March about 10 minutes from The Courts at Historic Manassas, its striking aesthetic is already making waves in the local dining scene. Even when the sunlight fades, pink-purple lighting at the bar set the entire space aglow.

The only thing that could potentially distract from the surroundings? Mum Mum's Thai cuisine. The succinct menu showcases gourmet creations, such as the khao mun gai tod (also known as crispy chicken with rice) and khao pad keow waan, a green curry served with rice and Thai basil. If you just want to grab a small bite and a drink, try the mango salad, edamame, or Thai version of hot wings. They're all on the appetizer menu at Mum Mum.

Mum Mum Restaurant
10945 George Mason Circle
Manassas, VA 20110
(571) 208-0264
www.mummumrestaurant.com
www.yelp.com/biz/mum-mum-restaurant-manassas

Famous Kabob Serves Afghan Food near The Courts at Historic Manassas

Feast on kabobs, falafel, and more at Famous Kabob in Manassas. Afghan food is the specialty here, and if you've never tried it, some regulars say this is a perfect introduction to the cuisine. Given the place's name, you probably won't be surprised that kabobs make up a large part of the menu: these skewered meat platters are available with chicken, lamb, or ground beef, and they're served with fresh bread.

Gyros and wraps are on the menu, too, as are interesting entrees like Kadu Chalu (a pumpkin dish served with yogurt, mint, and rice), and Palau, a lamb dish served in meatball sauce. Don't neglect to try one of the sweet desserts, too!

Yelpers praise the place for the high quality of its food, with some calling it the best kabob place you'd find in the area near The Courts at Historic Manassas. The space is decidedly no-frills, but somehow this just adds to the experience.

Famous Kabob Restaurant
9685 Libera Avenue
Manassas, VA 20111
www.famous-kabob.com
www.yelp.com/biz/famous-kabob-manassas

Yorkshire Restaurant: Comfort Food near The Courts at Historic Manassas

Classic diner fare with a Southern food twist is what you'll find at Yorkshire Restaurant. Just a short trip from The Courts at Historic Manassas, this popular eatery offers a breakfast menu of pancakes, eggs, French toast, and more, as well as a set of sandwiches and entrees for lunch and dinner. Steak and eggs, waffles, omelets, and bacon comprise some of the hearty breakfast fare here. Biscuits and gravy's available, too, for those who crave this uniquely Southern style dish.

Later in the day, you'll find sandwiches like turkey clubs and chicken salad, and you can order coffee or hot cocoa to complement your meal. Many reviewers note that they've been by the place many times without giving it a second thought, but were pleased by the quality of the food when they finally paid Yorkshire a visit. The place has a friendly diner-style atmosphere.

If you'd like to learn more about this Manassas restaurant, check out Yorkshire's Yelp page!

Yorkshire Restaurant
7537 Centreville Road
Manassas, VA 20111
http://www.yelp.com/biz/yorkshire-restaurant-manassas

Classic Dining near The Courts at Historic Manassas: The Philadelphia Tavern

One of the most interesting places to dine near The Courts at Historic Manassas might be The Philadelphia Tavern. Though it's located in Manassas, this local pub brings Virginia a bit of the City of Brotherly Love: according to its website, The Philadelphia Tavern's 19th-century bar was brought to Manassas from Philly. You'll find other bits of Philadelphia here, too, like authentic Amoroso rolls for the sandwiches, craft beers from Yards Brewing Company, and even dishes like shrimp steamed in Yuengling beer — another eastern Pennsylvania brewery.

Philadelphia food is almost synonymous with cheesesteaks, and The Philadelphia Tavern has a selection of them to enjoy. The Classic Cheese Steak comes with your choice of cheese (including Cheese Whiz) and toppings, while the Pizza Steak features grilled pepperoni and mozzarella cheese. You may not find scrapple, Tastykakes, or chocolate-covered onions here, but this is still probably the closest you can get to authentic Philadelphia food without leaving Manassas!

The Philadelphia Tavern
9413 Main Street
Manassas, VA 20110
http://www.thephiladelphiatavern.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/philadelphia-tavern-manassas

Find Pho near The Courts at Historic Manassas at Pho 234

Pho 234 has only been open for a few years, but in its short lifespan the Vietnamese restaurant has already won many fans in the diners of Manassas. That's because its chefs consistently deliver the best pho you'll find anywhere near The Courts at Historic Manassas—at least according to regular diners.

Pho, a Vietnamese soup traditionally filled with beef, makes for a more filling meal than you might expect. Its medley of sprouts, veggies, and protein (which can be meat-free, if you prefer) come together in a savory broth seasoned with classic Vietnamese herbs and spices. Pho 234's bowls are famously large, so you'll likely be full after a meal here. If the soup alone doesn't quite squash your hunger, add an order of the popular crispy rolls or a cup of the Thai bubble tea.

Pho 234
10376 Festival Lane
Manassas, VA 20109
(703) 530-9999
vietnamesefoodmanass.wix.com/pho234
www.yelp.com/biz/pho-234-manassas

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

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

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

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