Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano Deserves Praise

Even though this is a chain restaurant concept, I have to admit I really liked this place. Their service was way above average and their food was extra scrumptious. Then add their decor to rival several well-decorated non-chain restaurants and in my opinion, you have a winning restaurant formula. Very baby,kid and teen friendly atmosphere. Stop by Biaggi’s next time you are near one of their restaurants. If your experience compares even remotely to mine, you will be happy to have read this blog entry. For locations visit: http://www.biaggis.com

Written and copyrighted 2008 by Sherrie Hartzell, realtor in the Virginia Commonwealth at Keller Williams Preferred-Stafford, VA, as a licensed Virginia real estate salesperson. All rights reserved 2008.

Sherrie Hartzell sells real estate for clients. Her office is Keller Williams Realty, 385 Garrisonville Road, #105, Stafford, Virginia and she is a licensed salesperson in Virginia. All rights reserved by Sherrie Hartzell 2008. To schedule an appointment e-mail sherriebh@yahool.com and type appointment in the subject line plus your name and daytime phone number.

Marshall Farms Corner Unionville, Virginia (where Route 20 and Route 522 meet)

I adore their garlic parsley chive cheddar and their cheddar cheese. Having tasted cheeses from all over the world, their cheese still ranks amongst my top pick for tasting pleasing to the palate. In addition to cheese, they sell a variety of drinks and juices in single size bottles, desserts, deli sandwiches made to order, coffee, tea and wines from nearby wineries. Their service is friendly and down home. There are tables inside so sit down and eat your meal. All you need to bring is some money/credit card and a cooler to take cheese home with you in the car. Written and copyrighted 2008 by Sherrie Hartzell, realtor and licensed salesperson in the Virginia Commonwealth.

All rights reserved in 2008 by Sherrie Hartzell. Sherrie Hartzell sells real estate for clients. Her office is Keller Williams Preferred Realty, 385 Garrisonville Road, #105, Stafford, Virginia and she is a licensed real estate salesperson in Virginia. All rights reserved Sherrie Hartzell in 2008. To schedule an appointment e-mail sherriebh@yahoo.com and type appointment in the subject line plus your name and daytime phone number. All Rights Reserved 2008 by Sherrie Hartzell.

Pomo Grille 15750 Annapolis Rd Bowie, MD 20715

Everything from pizza, salads, chicken, veal and seafood to italian classics, antipasti and sandwiches will intrigue the most adventurous eater to the most timid. Unique pizza toppings include: anchovies, artichoke hearts, asparagus, eggplant and spinach. Their Mignon BLT sandwich was served with mozzarella, lettuce, mayo and tomatoes. Ordered to go it was a great choice. If I had the time, I would have preferred to eat in. Their restaurant even mid-afternoon still had a good bunch of diners. Their Website address is http://www.pomogrille.com and their phone number is 301-352-7666.  Written and copyrighted 2008 by Sherrie Hartzell, realtor and licensed salesperson in the Virginia Commonwealth with Keller Williams Preferred Realty, 385 Garrisonville Road, #105, Stafford, Virginia.All rights reserved by Sherrie Hartzell 2008.

Hotel Helix Lounge Washington DC 1430 Rhode Island Ave NW 20005

Impressive menu for a lounge even in DC. Caters to a younger, hip crowd but anyone with a desire to be trasformed forward to The Jetsons meet West Elm will find this a hangout worth visiting more than a few times. The laid back vibe and the unpretentiousness of the staff are refreshing in a town known for steak places for lobbyists and lawmakers plus lots of attitude and ego even in restaurants.Their chicken vegetable soup was one of the best soups I have ever eaten. It is spicy with chunks of celery, carrots, red peppers, yellow peppers, zuchini, chicken and even a bay leaf for flavor. Topped off with three slices of lightly browned baguette with herbes and these vegetables taste like real vegetables from a garden. Visit the Helix Lounge at the Hotel Helix tonight.  Their phone number is (202) 462-9001 and their website is http://www.hotelhelix.com  Written and copyrighted 2008 by Sherrie Hartzell, realtor and licensed salesperson in the Virginia Commonwealth with Keller Williams Preferred-Stafford, VA. All rights reserved by Sherrie Hartzell 2008 and copyrighted.

Mancinis Cafe Bakery 1508 Mount Vernon Avenue Alexandria VA 22301:Brunch Favorite

If you have not visited Mancini’s in awhile, you need to return. Their bruch items are fabulous and their offerings are delicious yet varied. Everything from french toast to quiche, egg sandwiches, breakfast meats and lighter fare such as sweets (including their brownies) and breads. Their french vanilla coffee was perfect with cream and they also had hazelnut and decaf plus various bottled drinks including nantucket nectar juices and water. Arriving mid-morning there were still four tables available although I do not recommend sitting in the silver two-seater by the window and the door; it was unstable at best. Our line was only about 5 parties deep so it went fairly quickly. The wooden tables in the larger area of the restaurant are your best choice plus there are window counters for people watchers and those reading the newspaper. The best strategy if you have kids plus two adults is to have one adult save a table while the other one stands in line, orders and pays at the counter. This is a great eating arrangement for people dining with kids since service brings your meal to the table and you already have your beverages. Parking in their lot is not always available, so just drive down about one-two blocks past their restaurant and park on the righthand side. Read signs carefully to make sure you are in a visitor parking zone and pay attention to any time limits. Make Mancinis a part of your next weekend brunch or even visit for a weekday breakfast or lunch.

http://www.cateringbymancinis.com

Written and copyrighted 2008 by Sherrie Hartzell, realtor in the Virginia Commonwealth. All rights reserved 2008.

Her office is Keller Williams Preferred Realty, 385 Garrisonville Road, #105, Stafford, Virginia and she is a licensed salesperson in Virginia. All rights reserved 2008 by Sherrie Hartzell and copyrighted in 2008.

Union Street Public House 121 South Union Street Alexandria Virginia 22314

No matter how many times I have eaten here before, I always venture back to this restaurant for very good food and a menu to suit anybody’s food cravings of the moment and anybody’s desired spending limit. Steaks are always a delight and I highly recommend their unique version of a steak sandwich which arrives at your table on an English muffin face open and topped with steak and melted cheddar cheese. Also, their garlic mashed potatoes won’t disappoint. Consider trying their cream of crab soup that is just sweet enough yet savory. Their booths upstairs are comfortable and accommodate larger groups perfectly as do their various table configurations. Even on a Friday or Saturday night seating is sometimes possible without a reservation. I recommend calling them in advance especially if your party is more than four people to avoid any long waits. Their po boy with oysters and steak is another pleasing menu alternative plus their deserts are delightful.

http://www.usphalexandria.com

Written and copyrighted 2008 by Sherrie Hartzell, licensed real estate salesperson in Virginia and Realtor in the Virginia Commonwealth with Keller Williams Preferred Realty, Stafford, Virginia. All rights reserved by Sherrie Hartzell with a copyright 2008. Send her an e-mail at sherriebh@yahoo.com and type appointment in the subject line plus your name and daytime phone number in the body of the e-mail.

Fotis Restaurant 219 East Davis St Culpeper Virginia 22701

Fotis Restaurant is a meal to experience. Service is close to the best if I review my entire lifetime of eating in fine dining establishments. Always call ahead preferably a week or two in advance to 540-829-8400. If you want to eat there on a special holiday, call several weeks before to ensure you even can reserve a table. They know how to position food on a plate for maximum appeal to your eyes and your stomachs. The only thing I wish is that their menu had one or two more items to choose from since I do not eat veal, shrimp or pork except in very rare instances when they are my only choices.  Check out their website and menu (divided into firsts, seconds, mains (entrees) and desserts) at http://www.fotisrestaurant.com .  Their desserts are worth every calorie.   Share one with a fellow diner if you’re eating light or bring half home for later.  We know some friends who want to eat here every time they’re in the area and in between visits, they talk about Foti’s food.

Written and copyrighted 2008 by Sherrie Hartzell, licensed real estate salesperson in the Virginia Commonwealth with Keller Williams Preferred-Stafford, VA. To schedule an appointment e-mail sherriebh@yahoo.com and type appointment in the subject line plus your name and daytime phone number or call 540-903-0212. All rights reserved Sherrie Hartzell 2008.

Pops Ice Cream Alexandria Virginia

For ice cream enter into the land of old ice cream parlors with red and white striped wallpaper, black cast iron chairs, and a large selection of ice creams plus cherry and vanilla cokes, milhshakes, and sundaes (including hot fudge plus other specialties). Their ice cream is one of my favorites and apparently the recipes have been around for well over 40 years. I tried cherry vanilla this time and a guest of mine had their hot fudge sundae. Their ambiance alone is worth the visit even before you eat their ice cream and kids will really enjoy this place. Remember Pops only takes cash so stop at the bank or cash machine on the way if you do not normally carry cash. Written and copyrighted 2008 by Sherrie Hartzell, realtor in the Virginia Commonwealth with Keller Williams Preferred REalty-Stafford, VA. All rights reserved by Sherrie Hartzell in 2008.