The Food Travels of Alicia and Marc….

My Wife and I at Matchbox Restaurant in DC (2009)

My beautiful wife, Alicia and I met in 2006.   I met her on MySpace, mainly because I saw that she has a cheesecake business.  Being a “food enthusiast“, I wanted to inquire about her cheesecake business (And she was…and still is fine).  We talked back and forth, which led to a date, which led to a relationship, engagement, and then marriage (We are now expecting a child).  Like any relationship, you go through “ups and downs”, but yet and still…the “ups” are certainly in more abundance than the “downs“.  Also…our love and passion for food brought us together.  A passion that to this day we still indulge.

It is a dream of ours to either open up a restaurant, or Alicia has a dream of creating a “Cheesecake Truck“, which will go around and serve small, gourmet cheesecakes.  Or…we may do both.  Who knows?  The point is…we feel like we need to do “R&D” (“Research and Development“) prior to opening up our food businesses.  The more flavors and textures we engage, the more techniques we learn, the more open we are to new and exotic foods, the better chefs we will be, and the more creative will become.  Also…we just love to eat.

Last year, I decided to compile a list of all of the restaurants that Alicia and I have been to since 2006.  In making the list, I was astonished at the amount and diversity of the restaurants we have been to.  Everything from burger joints to pizza joints.  Steakhouses to Thai…we have done it all.  Most of our list consist of restaurants in the DC Metropolitan Area (Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia and Suburban Maryland), which has become in the past few years, a really enthusiastic place with regards to food.  We also have a few other places outside of the area, but whether local or not, we love food and I would like to share with you the places we went.

(*) This denotes a “Marc and Alicia Favorite“.  These are restaurants that we:  (1) Love, Go To Often, and Our Consistently Good.  Or (2) If we went once, the dining experience was so good and/or profound, that we would go to this place over and over again.
(**) This denotes an “Abysmal Restaurant“.  These are restaurants that are so god awful, that we wouldn’t recommend that a dog goes there to eat.  Whether because of being overpriced, the service was bad, and of course…the food being bad.

Well….lets list them:

Thai
Nava Thai-Wheaton, Maryland (Website:  http://navathai.food.officelive.com ) (*)
Ruan Thai-Wheaton, Maryland (Website:  http://www.ruanthaiwheaton.com )
Thai Basil-Chantilly, Virginia (Website:  http://www.thaibasilchantilly.com ) (*)
Bangrak-Ashburn, Virginia  (Website:  http://www.bangrakthaicuisine.com )
Sala Thai-Dulles, Virginia (Website:  http://www.salathaidc.com ) (**)
Duangrats-Falls Church, Virginia (Website:  http://www.duangrats.com )
Anothai Restaurant-Ashburn, Virginia (Website:  http://www.anothairestaurant.com ) (**)
Thai Square Restaurant-Arlington, Virginia (Website:  http://www.thaisquarerestaurant.com) (*)

Floating Market Soup at Nava Thai

Steakhouse
Charlie Palmer Steak-DC (Website:  http://www.charliepalmer.com/Properties/CPSteak/DC ) (*)
The Palm-McLean, Virginia (Website:  http://www.thepalm.com )
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse-Vienna, Virginia (Website:  http://www.ruthschris.com )
Morton’s-Reston, Virginia (Website:  http://www.mortons.com )
Ray’s The Steaks-Arlington, Virginia (No Website) (*)
Outback Steakhouse-Sterling, Virginia (Website:  http://www.outback.com )
Craftsteak-Manhattan, New York City, NY (Closed) (*)
Mon Ami Gabi-Reston, Virginia (Website:  http://www.monamigabi.com ) (**)
Ray’s The Steaks-East River, Washington, D.C. (No Website) (*)

Indian
Bombay Bistro-Fairfax, Virginia (Website:  http://www.bombaybistro.com ) (*)
Rangoli-South Riding, Virginia (Website:  http://www.rangolirestaurant.com ) (*)
Mirchi Indian Cuisine-Ashburn, Virginia (Website:  http://www.mirchiindiancuisine.com ) (**)

Chinese (Cantonese)
Mark’s Duck House-Falls Church, Virginia (Website:  http://www.marksduckhouse.com ) (*)
Uncle Liu’s Hot Pot-Falls Church, Virginia (No Website)
China Bistro-Rockville, Virginia (No Website) (*)

Dumplings Served at China Bistro

Braised Chicken Feet at Uncle Liu's Hot Pot

Americanized Chinese
Golden China-Sterling, Virginia (No Website)
Cheng’s Oriental Restaurant-Sterling, Virginia (Website:  http://www.chengsorientalva.com )
Pei Wei-Herndon, Virginia (Website:  http://www.peiwei.com ) (**)
P.F. Chiangs-Tysons Corner, Virginia (Website:  http://pfchangs.com )

Vietnamese
Four Sisters-Falls Church, Virginia (Website:  http://www.foursistersrestaurant.com ) (*)
Song Que’-Falls Church, Virginia (No Website) (*)
Present-Falls Church, Virginia (Website:  http://www.presentcuisine.com ) (*)
Pho 75-Herndon, Virginia (No Website) (*)
Pho Bistro-Ashburn, Virginia (Website:  http://www.phobistrova.com ) (*)
Huong Viet-Falls Church, Virginia (Website:  http://www.huong-viet.com )

A bowl of Pho at Pho75

Lotus Salad at Present

Greek
Plaka Grill-Vienna, Virginia (Website:  http://www.plakagrill.com ) (*)
Zorba’s Cafe-Washington, DC (NW) (Website:  http://www.zorbascafe.com )
Amvrosia Restaurant-Ashburn, Virginia (Website:  http://www.amvrosiarestaurant.com )

Diners
Silver Diner-Reston, Virginia; Woodbridge, Virginia; Arlington, Virginia (Website:  http://www.silverdiner.com )
Bob and Edith’s-Arlington, Virginia (Website:  http://www.bobandediths.com ) (*)
USA Diner-Jamaica, Queens (NYC) (No Website) (*)
Amphora Diner-Herndon, Virginia (Website:  http://www.amphoragroup.com/Diner/tabid/785/Default.aspx ) (*)
Bel Aire Diner-Long Island City, New York (Website:  http://www.belairediner.com )
The Village Cafe-Richmond, Virginia (Website:  http://www.villagecafeonline.com ) (*)

American/New American/Regional American
Artie’s-Fairfax, Virginia (Website:  http://www.greatamericanrestaurants.com/arties ) (*)
Cajun Experience-Leesburg, VA (Website:  http://www.cajunexperience.biz ) (**)
Jackson’s Mighty Fine Food and Lucky Lounge-Reston, Virginia (Website:  http://www.greatamericanrestaurants.com/jacksons ) (*)
Sweetwater Tavern-Sterling, Virginia and Chantilly, Virginia (Website:  http://www.greatamericanrestaurants.com/sweetMainSter ) (*)
Coastal Flats-McLean, Virginia and Fairfax, Virginia (Website:  http://www.greatamericanrestaurants.com/coastaltysons ) (*)
Carlyle-Arlington (Shirlington), Virginia (Website: http://www.greatamericanrestaurants.com/carlyle) (*)
Central Michel Richard-Washington, DC (NW) (Website:  http://www.centralmichelrichard.com )
Magnolia’s At The Mill-Purcellville, Virginia (Website:  http://www.magnoliasmill.com ) (*)
Market Salammander-Middleburg, Virginia (Website: http://www.marketsalamander.com )
Riverside Hearth-Lansdowne, Virginia (Website:  http://www.lansdowne.com/Dining/dining_riverside.asp )
The Wine Kitchen-Leesburg, Virginia (http://www.thewinekitchen.com )
Volt-Frederick, Maryland (http://www.voltrestaurant.com ) (*)
Restaurant 3-Arlington, Virginia (http://www.restaurantthree.com/)
Matchbox (Capitol Hill)-Washington, D.C. (http://www.matchboxdc.com/capitolhill.shtml)

Classic American
Chaps Pitbeef-Baltimore, Maryland (http://www.chapspitbeef.com ) (*)
Ben’s Chili Bowl-Washington, D.C. (NW) (http://www.benschilibowl.com ) (*)
Rockaway Fish House-Far Rockaway, New York (NYC) (http://www.rclenterprises.net/restaurant.html )

Chain American
The Original Pancake House-Falls Church, Virginia (Website:  http://www.originalpancakehouse.com) (*)
IHOP-Too many locations (Website:  http://www.ihop.com ) (*)
Ruby Tuesdays-Too many locations (Website:  http://www.rubytuesday.com ) (*)
TGIF-Too many locations (Website:  http://www.tgifridays.com )
Glory Days Grill-Ashburn, Virginia (Website:  http://www.glorydaysgrill.com )
Buffalo Wing Factory-Ashburn, Virginia (Website: http://www.buffalowingfactory.com )
Cheesecake Factory-McLean, Virginia (Website:  http://www.cheesecakefactory.com )
Cheeseburger In Paradise-Woodbridge, Virginia (Website:  http://www.cheeseburgerinparadise.com ) (*)
Cracker Barrell-Too many locations (Website:  http://www.crackerbarrel.com ) (*)
Hard Times Cafe-Herndon, Virginia (Website:  http://www.hardtimes.com )
Chili’s-Sterling, Virginia (Website:  http://www.chilis.com/EN/Pages/home.aspx )

Fast Food Chains
Popeyes-Too many locations (Website: http://www.popeyes.com ) (*)
McDonalds-Too many locations (Website:  http://www.mcdonalds.com ) (*)
Wendys-Too many locations (Website:  http://www.wendys.com )
KFC-Too many locations (Website:  http://www.kfc.com )
Taco Bell-Too many locations (Website:  http://www.tacobell.com ) (*)
Roy Rogers-Several locations (Website:  http://www.royrogersrestaurants.com ) (*)
Quiznos-Too many locations (Website:  http://www.quiznos.com )

Italian
The Italian Store-Arlington, Virginia (Website:  http://www.italianstore.com ) (*)
Trattoria Romana-Staten Island, New York (NYC) (Website:  http://www.trattoriaromana.com ) (*)
Zeffirelli’s-Herndon, Virginia (Website:  http://www.zeffirelliristorante.com ) (*)
King Umberto’s-Elmont, New York (Website: http://www.kingumberto.com )
Carrabas Restaurant (National Chain)-Reston, Virginia (Website:  http://www.carrabas.com )
Bertucci’s (National Chain)-Herndon, Virginia and Ashburn, Virginia (Website:  http://www.bertuccis.com )
Argias-Falls Church, Virginia (Website:  http://www.argias.com ) (*)
Palio of Leesburg-Leesburg, Virginia (Website:  http://www.palioofleesburg.com ) (**)
Forno Ristorante-Ashburn, Virginia (Website:  http://www.fornoashburn.com ) (**)
Dante Ristorante-Great Falls, Virginia (Website:  http://www.danterestaurant.com ) (*)
San Vito-Formerly Ashburn, Virginia (Website: http://www.sanvitorestaurant.com ) (**)

West Indian/Carribean
Teddy’s Roti Shop-Washington, DC (NW) (Website:  http://www.teddysrotishop.com ) (*)
Callaloo Cuisine-Ashburn, Virginia (Now closed) (*)
Jamaica Jamaica-Herndon, Virginia (Website:  http://www.jamaica2x.com ) (**)
Tropicana-Washington, DC (NW) (No Website) (*)
Allan’s Bakery-Flatbush, Brooklyn (NYC) (Website:  http://www.allansbakery.com ) (*)
Muffin Man Carribean Cafe-Seabrook, Maryland (Website:  http://www.muffinmancarribeancafe.com ) (*)

Brooklyn's Own...Allan's Bakery

Pizza
Sal’s NY Pizza-Ashburn, Virginia (Website: http://www.salsnypizza.net ) (*)
Don Corleone’s Pizza-Sterling, Virginia (Website:  http://www.salsnypizza.net ) (*)
2 Amy’s Pizza-Washington, DC (Website:  http://www.2amyspizza.com ) (*)
Tony’s NY Pizza-Manassas, Virginia (Website:  http://www.tonysnewyorkpizza.com ) (*)
Fireworks Pizza-Leesburg, Virginia (Website:  http://www.fireworkspizza.com ) (*)
Pizzeria Uno-Reston, Virginia (Website:  http://www.pizzeriauno.com )
Mario’s Pizza House-Arlington, Virginia (No Website) (*)
Z Pizza-Herndon, Virginia (Website:  http://zpizza.com )
American Flatbread-Ashburn, Virginia (Website: http://www.americanflatbread.com )
Church Street Pizza-Vienna, Virginia (No Website)
Pizzeria Orso-Falls Church, Virginia (Website:  http://pizzeriaorso.com )

This is the Vongole Pizza at Pizzeria Orso in Falls Church, VA

BBQ
Jammin’ Joe’s BBQ-New Baltimore, Virginia (Website:  http://www.jamminjoesbbq.com ) (*)
BBQ Country-Warrenton, Virginia (No Website)
Bluz Brothers BBQ-Ashburn, Virginia (Now Closed) (**)
Carolina Brothers Pit BBQ-Ashburn, Virginia (Website:  http://www.carolinabrothers.com )
Urban BBQ-Rockville, Maryland (Website: http://urbanbbqco.com ) (*)
Willard’s Real Pit BBQ-Chantilly, Virginia (Website:  http://www.dcbbq.com )
Smokey Bones BBQ-Woodbridge, Virginia (Website:  http://www.smokeybones.com ) (*)
Black Hog BBQ-Frederick, Maryland (Website:  http://blackhogbbq.com ) (*)

Seafood
Passionfish-Reston, Virginia (Website:  http://www.passionfishreston.com )
Hooked on Seafood-Sterling, Virginia (Website:  http://hookedonseafood.com ) (*)
Shoreline Seafood-Crofton, Maryland (Website:  http://www.shorelineseafood.com ) (*)
Moe’s Seafood-Baltimore, Maryland (Website:  http://www.mosseafood.com ) (*)
Clare and Don’s Beach Shack-Falls Church, Virginia (Website:  http://www.clareanddons.com )

Burgers
Urban Burger-Rockville, Maryland (Website:  http://urbanburgerco.com ) (*)
Ray’s Hell Burger-Arlington, Virginia (No Website) (*)
Foster’s Grille-Ashburn, Virginia (Website:  http://fostersgrille.com ) (*)
Big Buns-Arlington, Virginia (Website:  http://eatbigbuns.com ) (*)
Fuddruckers-Numerous locations (Website:  http://fuddruckers.com )
Rare Bar and Grill-Manhattan, New York City, NY (Website:  http://rarebarandgrill.com ) (*)
Johnny Rockets-Brambleton, Virginia (Website:  http://johnnyrockets.com/index2.php ) (**)
Cheeburger Cheeburger-Dulles, Virginia (Website:  http://www.cheeburger.com/home2/index.asp ) (**)
Five Guys-Numerous locations (Website:  http://fiveguys.com/home.aspx ) (*)
BGR, The Burger Joint-Arlington, Virginia (Website: http://www.bgrtheburgerjoint.com ) (*)
Joe’s Burgers-McLean, Virginia (Website: http://www.joesburgersmclean.com ) (*)
The Counter-Reston, Virginia (Website:  http://www.thecounterburger.com (*)

Americanized Mexican/Mexican Influenced
Pancho Villa Mexican Restaurant-Culpeper, Virginia (Website:  http://www.bgrtheburgerjoint.com ) (*)
Surfside-Washington, DC (NW) (Website:  http://www.surfsidedc.com/www ) (*)
Uncle Julio’s Rio Grande Cafe-Reston, Virginia; Arlington, Virginia and Fairfax, Virginia (Website:  http://unclejulios.com ) (*)
Guapo’s Restaurant-Herndon, Virginia and Manassas, Virginia (Website:  http://www.guaposrestaurant.com ) (*)
Oyamel-Washington, DC (NW) (Website:  http://www.oyamel.com )

Bakery/Confections
Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe-Arlington, Virginia (Website:  http://www.heidelbergbakery.com )
Milwaukee Frozen Custard-Numerous locations (Website:  http://www.milwaukeefrozencustard.com ) (*)
Lola’s-Leesburg, Virginia (Website:  http://www.lolacookies.com ) (*)
Great Harvest Bread-Herndon, Virginia (Website:  http://darngoodbread.com ) (*)
Curbside Cupcakes-Washington, D.C. (Website:  http://www.curbsidecupcakes.com) (*)
Cupcakes Actually-Fairfax, Virginia (Website:  http://cupcakesactually.com ) (*)
Edibles Incredible-Reston and Ashburn, Virginia (Website:  http://www.ediblesincredible.com ) (*)

Our Wonderful Wedding Cake, Made By Edibles Incredible

Mexican
El Charrito Caminante-Arlington, Virginia (No Website)
Guajillo-Arlington, Virginia (Website:  http://guajillogrill.com/ )

Peruvian
El Pollo Rico-Arlington, Virginia (No Website) (*)
King Pollo-Sterling, Virginia (No Website)

Salvadorian
Irene’s Pupusas-Wheaton, Maryland (No Website)

Korean
Yechon-Annandale, Virginia (Website:  http://www.yechonrestaurant.com/ ) (*)

Brazilian (In Concept)
Malibu Grill-Fairfax, Virginia (Website:  http://www.malibugrillsteakhouse.com/home.html )
Chima Brazilian Steakhouse-Tysons Corner, Virginia (Website:  http://www.chimasteakhouse.com/index.cfm ) (*)

Japanese
Sweet Ginger-Vienna, Virginia (No Website)
Nagoya Japanese Steak Seafood-Ashburn, Virginia (Website:  http://www.nagoyas.com )
Sakura Japanese Steakhouse-Fairfax, Virginia (Website:  http://www.sakurasteakhouse.com/ )
Sushi-Ko-Chevy Chase, Maryland (Website:  http://www.sushikorestaurants.com) (*)

Afghan
Bamian Afghan Cuisine-Falls Church, Virginia (Website:  http://www.bamianrestaurant.com) (*)

Lamb Chops at Bamian

Middle Eastern
Kabob Palace-Arlington, Virginia (No Website) (*)
The Lebanese Butcher-Falls Church, Virginia (No Website) (*)
Sahara Lebanese Market and Cafe-Sterling, Virginia (Website: http://www.saharamarketcafe.com ) (*)

Turkish
Kazan’s Restaurant-McLean, Virginia (Website: http://kazanrestaurant.com )

Deli
Celebrity Deli-Falls Church, Virginia (Website:  http://www.thecelebritydelly.com ) (*)
Hutzpah Deli-Fairfax, Virginia and Vienna, Virginia (Website:  http://www.chutzpahdeli.com ) (*)

BON APPETIT!!!

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