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This is a decent theater. It's got everything that the other newer places have, but with slightly more charm. It plays some movies you can't see at the big megaplexes, which is nice. Took some...
This is a decent theater. It's got everything that the other newer places have, but with slightly more charm. It plays some movies you can't see at the big megaplexes, which is nice. Took some driving around to find it, though.
My biggest complaint is that the prices are high. I went to a Saturday maninee and it cost as much as a night-time show. And with tickets being up in the $9 range now, that was a lot for a matinee.
Park across the lot across the street, if you can. Doing some dining or shopping, since this area is pretty nice.
Grab some popcorn and enjoy the film!
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This mall is bigger and better than some. Not as good as others. They have a good selection of stores that you actually shop in (as opposed to the shores you wished you could shop in like Tysons...
This mall is bigger and better than some. Not as good as others. They have a good selection of stores that you actually shop in (as opposed to the shores you wished you could shop in like Tysons II or even Pentagon City). The lack of a food court is mistake and somewhat surprising since they added on (Macy's) only a few years ago.
There are several anchor stores and a few non-fast food restaurants.
You'll find a different type of shopper at Fair Oaks than elsewhere. It has much more of a "suburbs" feel to it. That's not a bad thing (and may be a good thing). Expect to see fewer teenagers and more moms with infants/preschoolders. Whereas Tysons (I) has more teenagers and more families (including dads and older kids). In part, this is because Fair Oaks has the play area.
Chances are, Fair Oaks will have the store you need. Unless you have little kids, it's not all that pleasant just for killing time. I think that's because it's got a dated feel and there are too many push carts. Of course, Tysons is the same way, and it's more fun for just strolling.
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Wegman's
Category:
Retail Shopping
11620 Monument Drive
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
(703) 653-1600
It's like going to the Safeway plus the Whole Foods plus the Sutton Place at one time. They have all the usual stuff (and a better selection at that) plus a good health food area plus a huge...
It's like going to the Safeway plus the Whole Foods plus the Sutton Place at one time. They have all the usual stuff (and a better selection at that) plus a good health food area plus a huge "marketplace" with ready-to-eat, butcher, fish, bakery, and pastry area. To top it off, there's a big Asian food bar (the "wokery"), pizza shop, sushi shop, sandwhich shop, soup shop, and more -- just buy what you want and eat it upstairs.
We treat a visit to the Wegman's as an outing. We have more fun than the Safeway or Giant and stock up on items (especially ethic and natural foods) that we can't get at Safeway/Giant.
However, the story is poorly laid out the fact that aisles are split in the middle means that you'll find many traffic accidents. It's huge, crowded, and generally overwhelming. Some items appear in multiple areas, depending on brand or style. Want yogurt? That's in the dairy. Want soy yougurt? That's in the special soy-only fridge at the other side of the store. Want frozen Chinese dinners? Try both the frozen food area and the special "gourmet" frozen food area. And, guess what? These areas aren't next to each other...
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This isn't the fanciest place (e.g., Tehn Pen), but it's a good basic Thai restaurant with all the favorites. It's not a hole-in-the-wall, sporting lots of stars, some funky (albeit not very Thai)...
This isn't the fanciest place (e.g., Tehn Pen), but it's a good basic Thai restaurant with all the favorites. It's not a hole-in-the-wall, sporting lots of stars, some funky (albeit not very Thai) artwork, and shiny tables. Service is super quick, especially at lunch, and prices are reasonable. It's almost as good as the more popular Tara Thai, but less pretentious.
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I can't say enough BAD about this dealer. The following was my experience:
The keep most of their cars at the parking deck at Landmark mall (nearby, but cannot easily be walked to, especially at...
I can't say enough BAD about this dealer. The following was my experience:
The keep most of their cars at the parking deck at Landmark mall (nearby, but cannot easily be walked to, especially at night). For this reason, you need to drive the dealer to the mall, where you dropoff your car and pick up a test drive vehicle.
We went on the test drive, but instead of returning to the parking deck, we were instructed to return to the dealership. We were clear that this was our first test drive and we weren't ready to buy (and, given that we had an infant with us, we were not prepared to be out too late). He insisted that we just return to the dealership where our car would be brought to us.
While we waited, they started to make offers. "No, we're not buying today and we really need to get home to put our child in bed." They continued to push, even as our child started crying.
"Where is our car?" we asked. The dealer, acting confused said, "it's right out front, as soon as we agree to a price and you sign the papers."
"No, we're not buying a car today." He continued to say that we could drive off in our new car and get home if only we'd discuss price and sign papers.
"We just want to take our own car home. Where is it?"
We were then told that no one had bothered to go get it. The dealer asked an assistant to go get the car. We sat for another 45 minutes and still nothing. More high pressure sales during the wait.
After 45 minutes, I asked again "where is our car?" The dealer checked and told us that no one went. I demanded to get my car back.
So, we got into the new car and drove back to the mall. When I indicated that I was unhappy with how we were treated, the dealer used the "N" word to refer to African-American assist who never got our car.
The next day, we got a call from the dealer saying that they were going to offer us a great price (which he quoted). He said it was the same vehicle and configuration we'd looked at.
I raced down, even though I wasn't happy with the fact we'd be detained the night before (and the racist attitude), because the price was about $500 cheaper than another dealer had offered.
After getting all the paperwork going, I noticed that the configuration was not what I'd indicated. The dealer told me that he couldn't possibly sell me the same configuration at that price. I asked to see a manager. The manager said that he didn't care what the dealer told me over the phone (or via a confirmation e-mail that I was able to print from the manager's computer). "I sell cars for what I want and I don't care about any e-mail or what one of our employees said."
We debated, calmly, for a few minutes. The manager kept saying that he didn't care about the e-mail or the phone call. He said that he didn't care about the honesty of his employees. "If they tell you something that's false, I'm not required to follow through on it" he said.
Eventually, I got fed up and asked that everything be torn up. I was loud in my request, but far from threatening. As I walked out, the dealer yelled that someone should call the police to have me arrested! I walked to my car and the assistant GM (a football player sized man) followed me and told me that he would never sell me a car. He confirmed what the floor manager said: they don't care what claims the salespeople make, even in writing. If they don't make a profit, then they'll renig on any claim.
In the end, I bought elsewhere where they keep promises. Landmark Honda keeps sending me SPAM (even when I asked everything of mine to be torn up, they seemed to have kept my e-mail address).
If you like to be basically kidnapped, get the hard sell (even in the fact of a crying child), lied to, subjected to racist comments, and being threatened for arrest, buy here. Otherwise, go elsewhere.
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Pho 75
Category:
Restaurants
1721 Wilson Blvd
Arlington, Virginia 22209
(703) 525-7355
Pho 75 (with locations also in Falls Church and elsewhere) is the best pho, hands down.
Before going for the first time, here's some things to know.
First, the place is far from fancy. Just a...
Pho 75 (with locations also in Falls Church and elsewhere) is the best pho, hands down.
Before going for the first time, here's some things to know.
First, the place is far from fancy. Just a bustling place with long tables. You might have to wait in line to get in and will be seated where there's room (usually at one of the long tables with other diners).
The menu is deceptively simple: pick the small size or the large size. Then, pick the meats. Oh, but this later decision is so hard. If you're a bit squeemish, go for flank or skirt steak. Maybe briskit. You know these things. Want to do it right? Go for tripe or another more exotic portion of the cow. Vietnamese meatballs aren't a bad choice, either. But wait! You can combine meats (do I want tripe and skirt? or tripe and flank?).
The food comes out quickly. A big bowl (even if you get the small) of soup (with one of the most pleasant scents that I know) filled with rice noodles, onions, and your selected meat(s). A plate filled with bean sprouts, hot peppers, basil leaves, and limes comes on the size. Drop in what you like. Don't be scared of the leaves, which are still on branches. Just toss 'em in.
On the table, you'll find hot sauce, vinegar, and a sweat sauce. Put in what you like.
Eat with chop sticks and Asian soup spoons. Forks are also available.
As you reach the bottom, it gets a little spicier as the spices (star anise, cinamon, black pepper, etc.) tend to settle if you don't constantly stir.
They also have a nice selection of Vietnamese drinks. The salty lemonades (with or without carbonation) are unusual, but I can't image a bowl of pho without one. They take a lemon and preserve it in salt. They then throw one of these salty lemons in a glass of water with a bunch of sugar. When it arrives, nothing is mixed (the sugar is settled on the bottom of the glass). Stir, stir, stir. For those that prefer, they also have non-salty "fresh" lemonade.
Vietnamese coffee is strong, but has lots of milk. They make it in tiny pots right at the table.
Sure, there are a few other extras on the menu, but what you're here for is a big bowl of yummy soup. Great on a cold day. Great on a hot day (if the AC is on). Great when you're feeling a little blue (the hot soup and the spices do wonders for your mood). Just go!
Too bad that there prices have gone up. Although it's still one of the cheapest places around, I miss the days when you could leave having spent less than $5. Now, you'll spend a little more (maybe $8 for a bowl and a lemonade). But, gosh, that's still so cheap for one of the best foods available in the DC area.
Pay at the cashier when you're done. Somehow, they know who you are and what you ordered.
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The food here is good. Not the world's best, but better than Chi-Chis, Don Pablos, and maybe even Rio Grande. Certainly the dishes are fancier versions of Mexican dishes (they tend more towards...
The food here is good. Not the world's best, but better than Chi-Chis, Don Pablos, and maybe even Rio Grande. Certainly the dishes are fancier versions of Mexican dishes (they tend more towards real Mexican dishes than the Tex-Mex stuff you find elsewhere).
But you'll spend a lot of money here for what is essentially "peasant" food. It's proximity to the MCI Center means that parking will run you $15 (there are plenty of nearby garages and the restaurant offers valet). Waits can be long, although my recent visit claimed an hour wait and we were seated in 30-40 minutes. Drinks are good (large margarita and tequila menu), but expect to pay $8-$12 for a small-sized drink. The grenadine/tequila lemonade is available only for a limited time, but it's tasty and strong ($10!).
The thing everyone praises is the guacamole, which they fresh make on a cart wheeled to your table. Like it spicy? They'll do that. Want it mind, they'll do that, too. You won't get fresher guacamole than this. But... it's $12! Yes, it feeds 2 or 3 people and comes with chips and a basket of tiny tortillas. But, somehow, $12 for avocados, tomatoes, peppers, and onions seems a bit high.
Expect to pay $18-$30 for an entree. It's good food, but you just know that a restaurant in a less expensive part of town could deliver this same food for $8 a plate. I've been to many "dive" Mexican places with food like this and my bill (with a margarita or two) rarely tops $20.
The decor is stunning, although it's really just a bunch of blue bathroom tile.
Bottom line: If you don't mind blowing $100 (for 2) on a Mexican meal that you have to wait in line to eat, this is a great place. If you want good food in a more "relaxed" place, save $80 and an hour of your life and try Adam's Morgan, Arlington, or other nearby location. Let's be honest: you eat here because's it's trendy and cool. Not because it's the best you can do, food-wise.
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Minera (with another branch in Herdon, although I haven't been) offers a decent lunch buffet. The selection is good and always includes tandori chicken, a few curries, vegitarian dishes, 2 types of...
Minera (with another branch in Herdon, although I haven't been) offers a decent lunch buffet. The selection is good and always includes tandori chicken, a few curries, vegitarian dishes, 2 types of bread, 3 or 4 chutnies (the ginger is excellent!), one chinese dish (usually lo mein), fruit, salad, Indian desert (rice pudding), and more. I almost always go with natives of various parts of India, Pakistan, and Bangledesh and they tell me that the food is authentic enough.
Don't expect anything fancy. It's a huge and plain dining room with two buffets (one hot, one smaller cold one). Make sure to pick up you own forks, knives, and spoons near the cold buffet.
Lunch here will run you about $10 or so, with tax and tip. Not bad considering that you can get your fill.
For dinner, they offer a regular menu. I've never tried it, but it has everything you'd expect.
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First, let me say that this is a place where you know your child will have fun, be treated well, and will be (for the most part) safe. They are efficient, clean, and ensure that everything is taken...
First, let me say that this is a place where you know your child will have fun, be treated well, and will be (for the most part) safe. They are efficient, clean, and ensure that everything is taken care of. The staff are very friendly to the kids.
However, this comes at the cost of this being a very institutional place. Don't expect them to involve parents much, even if you want to. Despite claims of open door policies, they basically prohibit parents from visiting classrooms. The postive of this is that it keeps the kids safer without adults milling about. The negative is that it means that these aren't your kids any more (at least not during school hours).
They don't tend to follow modern "best practices" for some age groups. Again, in an attempt to maintain order and to ensure safety, there are age-inappropriate (although not harmful) activities, especially for the younger kids. They have frequent field trips and maintain adult:child ratios which are legal, but hardly prudent (1:5 or so). How one adult can handle 5 toddlers near a lake or at a zoo is beyond me. And yet, they are very capable and manage to do it.
They tend to be blasse about issues individual kids might have, such as allergies, issues at home, cultural differences, etc. Again, this allows them to provide consistent care which is good. But it has a cost for certain kids.
Some teachers do not speak English, which is not necessarily a problem when dealing with small children. However, do not expect to receive accurate reports from these teachers regarding your child. Did your child eat their lunch today? No way of knowing, since (1) parents aren't supposed to talk to the teachers and (2) the teacher doesn't know what you mean due to language problems. This also means that certain activities have to be adjusted. For example, teachers with communications problems will not read to the children. Instead, they turn on a record/tape/CD and hold up a book, turning the pages at the beep.
All in all, if you're someone who doesn't mind letting someone else decide what's best for your child, this is a good place. Your child will be safe. They will learn a lot. They will have fun. They will feel cared for. But there are no exceptions to the rules and you, as a parent, have to do what they say.
Also, you will be required to buy uniforms (and optional hats, backpacks, etc.). Yes, uniforms for toddlers. They're ugly and get get expensive (especially in the summer where they are required every day). A child without a uniform can be denied entry into the school. So make sure to do your laundry.
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L'Auberge Chez Francois is a bit out of the way, requiring you to travel out to Great Falls. For city folks, it might feel like you're way out in the country, until you realize that you're only a...
L'Auberge Chez Francois is a bit out of the way, requiring you to travel out to Great Falls. For city folks, it might feel like you're way out in the country, until you realize that you're only a few miles from Tyson's Corner.
But, oh, it's worth it. L'Auberge is charming, has wonderful, and opt notch service. Rarely stuffy, this isn't a Mortons or even one of the trendy places downtown. And, yet, it's a great special occasion place. It's romantic enough for an anniversary (I had my 4th anniversary dinner there). It's relaxed enough for a special dinner with an old friend. It's fancy enough to celebrate graduation, a big business deal, or a special birthday.
Yes, it's expensive. So this isn't the place to take your first date or to for a casual Saturday dinner with the kids. But it's worth it.
My only complaint was that, after being seated, they asked which of two special drinks I (and my wife) would like. We were under the impression these came with the meal, so we each picked one. It wasn't until we got the check did we notice they charged us for them (in the $7-$9 range, if I remember correctly). While drinks are rarely free, the way the waiter phrased it made is sound like it was included. Had we known, we would have skipped them because they weren't really our kind of drinks.
Want to celebrate in a comfortable place far away from the hustle and bustle? You can't do any better than this. Inn at Little Washington may be nicer and have somewhat better food, but for what they charge... you've better off at L'Auberge.
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