Author: Deb

Anita’s – Chantilly

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Address: 13921 Lee Jackson Memorial Hwy, Chantilly, VA 20151
Phone:(703) 378-1717
Website:  www.anitascorp.com
 
September 11th, 2002…the first anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon…the loss of the plane in Shanksville, PA.  A few fellow Emergency Management types (including me) gathered at the Anita’s in Chantilly.  The sun was warm on our skin and a year later there was still a surrealness surrounding that hideous day.  I had cheese enchiladas.  It’s funny how you remember little things like that.  The food was so homestyle and unpretentious that there was a unique comfort in it.  Exactly what we needed.  We ate.  We talked.  We commiserated.  We may or may not have had margaritas in the middle of a work day.  We promised we would gather on every future anniversary.

We broke that promise.  

In fact, over the past 12 years my visits to Anita’s have been countable on one hand.  Which is a shame because it really is one of those places you can go with friends and feel, if just for a moment, that food just might be able to make everything ok.  Especially when enjoyed with the right company.  In that way that a slightly divey place can do like no other.

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When you start looking for dog friendly restaurants in the Fairfax area, the Anita’s in Chantilly consistently tops the list of recommendations.  So when my friend Yvonne thought I might be in need of some relaxing conversation and an ear to bend she called up and suggested Honor and I meet her there for drinks and a meal.

Patios can be crowded when the weather is nice – especially on a Friday night – and Anitas was sporting a pretty good crowd.  Nonetheless, we scored a table with a bit of space on the side, thereby keeping Honor’s wagging tail out of table shot of the other patrons.  Aunty Yvonne was determined to spoil Honor and I was determined not to stop her.  So she ordered him ice cream.  The Anita’s crew didn’t blink an eye.  Then she began pulling treats out of her Mary Poppin’s like bag.  It took about 30 minutes before the treat induced stupor kicked in but once it did Honor found the one spot on the entire patio that put him in the path of everyone else.  Then he stretch out his lanky shepherd body, closed his eyes, and refused to move.

Here is where the Anita’s wait staff turn out to be exceptional.  Even though I offered to try to move him, they told me not to bother and then nimbly navigated over and around him.  No dropped plates.  No dirty looks.  The patrons, apparently in sync with the laid back atmosphere, did the same.  

It wasn’t a long nap and before long my super sociable pup was up and excitedly making friends with children, adults, and even another dog.  Several of the wait staff also came over for a good pet and a snuggle (and then promptly washed their hands just in case anyone is worried.)  Between that and the margarita’s, it was a mini-party.

After we finished we took advantage of the beautiful evening and walked around the parking lot a bit.  Another plus for Anita’s in Chantilly is the green space around the parking area and the fact that despite being located on busy Route 50 there is very little traffic.  This means that Honor got a post restaurant walk in before we headed home.

Honorarium:  Ice cream.  Yum.  Fresh water refreshed often.  Excellent.  A patio full of dog lovers.  Awesome.  Not being allowed to eat the delicious people food?  Not cool people.  Not cool.  Because it smelled AMAZING.

 
Verdict:  Looking for a great evening spot with friends and your dog?  This is it.
 
Meanwhile, a special thanks to Aunty Yvonne.  Her impromptu invite was exactly what we both needed.

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TurCuisine

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Address: 13029 Worldgate Dr, Herndon, VA 20170
Phone:(571) 323-3330
Website:  www.turcuisine.com

Our visit to TurCuisine was almost accidental.  Had I not phoned ahead to V Virginia Eatery and Brewhouse to verify we’d have patio seating – and thereby learning that they are NO LONGER dog friendly, it would have been some time before trying TurCuisine.

It would have been our loss.

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I’m a fan of mediterranean vegetarian food in general and TurCuisine does not disappoint.  Where I was pleasantly surprised was their meat.  We ordered shish, chicken in Jenny’s case and beef in mine.  It was moist and perfectly seasoned with just the exact amount of chewiness.  No single spice over powered the dish, which is my chief complaint at other similar restaurants.  We both lingered over our skewers with the occasional moan of happiness.

The other food find was their shepherds, or country, salad.  It was a dish I feel in love with while in Bahrain many years ago.  Theirs was perfect.

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The wait staff was friendly and all took time to greet and admire Honor.  They also offered water without being asked.

The biggest challenge was the small patio.  It houses four 2 person tables and they were close enough together that Honor had a hard time keeping his long tail from wagging under the other table on our side of the patio.  Fortunately, the couple at the table next to us was kind and understanding.  Also dog lovers.  So I apologized for my wiggling pup and they shared pics of their cats and dog.  The seating is close enough together that you can’t help overhearing the conversations going on around you. When there is a dog occupying the entire space in the middle it’s almost impossible to hide the fact that you are hearing them.  So you ‘fess up and make friends.

 It was Honor himself  who realized that sitting on the other side of the patio railing made him, and the rest of us in the process, more comfortable.  Lesson for me.   Let go of that “dog outside the railing” guilt.

Another huge plus is that the patio is completely sheltered so we were fine, even with Honor at the railing, despite the fact that it was raining.

 

Honorarium: Small spaces and good food smells made me wiggy but I got lots of attention from everyone around me.  The water was a nice touch.  Next time we go I’m insisting on sitting outside of the railing where most of the interesting people are.  Especially the ones with kids.  I like them the best.

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Verdict:  Surprisingly good and fresh food. While I prefer my Dolmas chilled, I enjoyed the warm ones they serve.  The small patio is better for small dogs and calm large dogs.  If you’ve got a large(r) dog or puppy, even an old one, consider asking for one of the tables at the rail.  Call first for reservations as well.  They’ll hold one of these tables for you if they know when you’re arriving.  We’ll be back.

McAlister’s Deli

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Address: 13007 Worldgate Dr, Herndon, VA 20170
Phone:(703) 437-8239
Website:  http://www.mcalistersdeli.com/

Quick Friday lunch with a friend in between meetings.  Needed to be close to one of the next meeting locations.  So I went in search of something at Worldgate Center. First off, I called EVERY restaurant listed for WorldGate.

 

Turcuisine, which is listed on bringfido as dog friendly,  sounded good to me but not my lunch date.  Knowing how picky *I* am, I am not bothered in the least by other people’s preferences.  So that goes on the “later” list.

TGIFriday’s, always a safe if bland bet, will allow dogs outside but they can’t be on the patio. I was unwilling to tie Honor up outside the patio fence.

I seriously considered giving up and not bringing him.  But, on a  whim I gave one more try.  This time my call to McAlister’s Deli was answered.  Outside seating?  Sure.  Dog allowed?  Absolutely.

Feeling like it was a win on every count I headed over with Honor and tow.  My friend arrived a few minutes before us and waited so we could walk in together.  McAlister’s is a counter ordered, table delivered establishment so Honor and I dutifully waited outside while he went in.  A moment later he came back and said “they said to bring him on in to order, the restaurant is not full.

“Win – McAlister’s.

I ordered a muffaleta, the one item of food I fell in love with when we lived in New Orleans and for which I am on a continuous search to find locally (don’t anyone recommend the Italian Store in Arlington – as delicious as they are, they are not authentic and I’m always disappointed.) I was balancing dog, purse, and large soda in my hands and one of the folks at McAlister’s noticed and helped us navigate the wiggly puppy obstacle course AND carried out the water and water bowl.

Win 2 – McAlister’s.

We sat down and tried to relax.  Honor was at high energy (for him) so he wiggled around like a 2-year old, dumped over his water and tried to eat the bowl.  Fortunately, plentiful parking meant I could hop over to my car to grab Honor’s “doggy bag” while my friend graciously kept Honor with him AND managed to avoid getting white dog hair all over his dress pants.

Today’s dog logistics were too much for me to manage a camera – although I was wishing I had one on the way back from my car.   Honor was sitting quietly next to my lunch companion and, for once, not getting in trouble. It was one of those classic “man’s best friend” scenes.

The muffaletta was good.  Our meal finished we visited for a few minutes while Honor took every one of his toys out of the bag and then stuck his nose in the treat bag.  I didn’t notice that right off.

It was a quiet location and the day was nice.  It was one of those lunches where you don’t talk much and nothing about McAlister’s makes you feel guilty about the comfortable silence.

Honorarium:   Not a bad place for people watching.  No room under the tables but that was okay.  I got to go inside and I love that.  Also, lots of pats from the staff and a few passersby.  

Verdict:  Perfect for a quick, easy, and reasonably priced lunch.

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Clydes of Reston

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Address: 11905 Market St, Reston, VA 20190
Phone:(703) 787-6601
Prices:

$$$$

Reservations: opentable.com
Website:  http://www.clydes.com/reston
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We made our second visit to Clydes during Reston’s Pet Fiesta.  Given the “dog friendly” reputation of this Clydes it was a happening place for the brunch seatings.  The Pet Fiesta drew hundreds of dogs and their hungry companions and Clydes did an admirable job keeping up with their furry clientele.

Our first visit to Clydes was a week ago when I had a business meeting with a colleague from another company.  In both cases Clydes accommodated us beautifully, providing outdoor seating (by law dogs are not permitted inside.)  Also in both cases they brought a scoop of vanilla ice cream in a disposable dish at my request.

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It was a pretty sunny and hot day.  Joseph, our server this afternoon, made sure that Aunty Yvonne and I were both kept filled up with tea and Honor’s water bowl never went empty.  He even included some extra ice cubes!

I try not to be grumpy about food but I’ve got a couple of food allergies. Fish and Fungus.   One of the things I love about Clydes is that they do an excellent job of modifying dishes so that I can safely eat.  This is in part because they keep their ingredients fresh and separate and dishes are made to order.  In addition, true to my southern roots,  I like my tea sweet.  They don’t have sweet tea on the menu but they are willing to add simple syrup (available at the bar) to it…or bring it on the side so you can sweeten to taste.

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Their appetizers are flavorful and while they have some standards on the menu you’ll find a few favorites that they make uniquely their own.  The deviled eggs are amazing.  And the pickle jar allows for grazing with a nice mix of sweet and sour.

Honorarium:  Ice cream is da bomb!  Plus, I like the shady tables.  Everything was DELISH!

Verdict:  This is a terrific “go to” place if you’re looking for a solid meal with terrific service, excellent people watching, and a staff that deals well with dogs – and really appreciates well behaved ones!

The Red Velvet CupCakery

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Reston, VA: Town Center
11939 Democracy Drive
Sunday-Thursday, 11am-9pm
Friday-Saturday, 11am-10pm
t: 703-464-7075

http://redvelvetcupcakery.com/

 

Making our second venture out to Reston Town Center, this time in search of cupcakes for my daughter’s birthday, we swung around the corner and let several folks pet Honor.  Then I got to the front of The Red Velvet Cupcakery where I found a bowl of water and a hitchin’ post.  So far, so good.

I wove Honor’s leash around it and made sure he couldn’t go on a walkabout by himself.  Then I popped in to order my dozen cupcakes.  I kept looking out the window to make sure someone didn’t steal Honor then explained to the woman behind the counter that I was keeping an eye on my dog.

“Bring him in!”

“Are you sure?”  (I think my jaw was hanging half way to my bellybutton as I asked this.)

“Yup.  As long as he’s leashed he’s welcome.”

I didn’t need a second invitation.  Neither did Honor.  In addition to getting my delicious cupcakes he got lots of pats.  Both women ooh’ed and ahh’ed all over him then explained that they kept things clean and as long as he didn’t go behind the counter (and, for the record, he tried) there was no problem.  It was clear that dogs aren’t just an aside…they are an immediate part of The Red Velvet Cupcakery.

Honorarium: This place is AWESOME.  But I’m very sorry about the nose prints on the display glass.  Did you see those cupcakes?  Did you *smell* them.  If only I were allowed to eat chocolate…   The owner is working on specialty dog cupcakes and they’ll be available soon.  Right now she’s testing them on her pup.  Lucky pup.

Verdict:  We’ll be back and regularly.