Moving to NOVA; tell me about the food (Arlington, Leesburg: gated, pierogi)

[Pub-911]

The only people who know what the wait at Olive Garden is on a Saturday night are those who are waiting there. There are those of course, and then there are the many, many others -- most of whom might well be shocked to be told that there are experts on national quality levels of frozen tilapia.

[Hal Roach]

Taliban Italian? I think a visit to Dead Lobster was more recent in 1988.

[leighland]

Originally Posted by piperdiva

Thank you! Personally, I get along very well with people from NY, because I like people who will say what they feel straight out instead of the passive aggressive crap in SoCal. I'm used to being around Israelis in fact, and I fondly refer to them as New Yorkers on steroids.

As a general rule, majority of Jews; Israel, American, South American and Mexican, live in Montgomery County Maryland and NW DC

Nova has the bulk of muslims specifically, Afghani, Iraq, Pakistan, Somalian and Saudi Arabia. There is a massive 5 story Saudi Ministry of Culture Embassy near Merrifield in Falls Church. Also, there are various stores/strip malls around Nova catering to their needs; Food, religious schools,Clothing like burka/niquab, etc..

Basically if you plan to spend a lot of time on jdate you may want to look into Rockville MD lol

[piperdiva]

Originally Posted by leighland

As a general rule, majority of Jews; Israel, American, South American and Mexican, live in Montgomery County Maryland and NW DC

Nova has the bulk of muslims specifically, Afghani, Iraq, Pakistan, Somalian and Saudi Arabia. There is a massive 5 story Saudi Ministry of Culture Embassy near Merrifield in Falls Church. Also, there are various stores/strip malls around Nova catering to their needs; Food, religious schools,Clothing like burka/niquab, etc..

Basically if you plan to spend a lot of time on jdate you may want to look into Rockville MD lol

We have that here too.

[Old Guard]

You will feel obligated to be disappointed with the Mexican food in this area, it seems like a cultural obligation when moving from Texas or Southern Cali to this area.

It is certainly different. There are some Taco trucks and there are some little hole in the wall Taco joints I like.

But this area has good Thai and Korean. I think the seafood will be disappointing in general to you.

Frankly I can find good food that I like. I can like pizza I get here without having to compare it to NYC. I do not have to put on a production about it in an attempt to make myself look superior in some way.

[PK12]

Echoing others here - the Mexican food is disappointing for sure, but sushi is pretty darn good. Momo Sushi and Sushi Prince in Alexandria and Fairfax are excellent. And there are several really good higher-end options in DC.

In general, food (be it contemporary American or other ethnic food) is very well represented here, and of all varying types and degrees of authenticity.

Tell us what other cuisines you are interested in, and I can post recommendations.

[jill kristina]

CA and had to relocate to NOVA. Hopefully this place will be kinder to you than it was to me. Food wise, its nothing like authentic Mexican food you got in CA. Most of the food here is unhealthy, processed, and convenient. People here dont focus much on whole/natural foods. The majority of restaurants are chains with the occasional family owned establishment.

[ChristineVA]

Originally Posted by jill kristina

CA and had to relocate to NOVA. Hopefully this place will be kinder to you than it was to me. Food wise, its nothing like authentic Mexican food you got in CA. Most of the food here is unhealthy, processed, and convenient. People here dont focus much on whole/natural foods. The majority of restaurants are chains with the occasional family owned establishment.

That entirely depends where you are. Major suburbs: agreed. In the city or Arlington (or Leesburg), nope, there are plenty of unique, non-chain establishments.

I will also agree that we are not as "health" conscious with food as the west coast probably is.

[Pub-911]

Originally Posted by Hal Roach

Taliban Italian? I think a visit to Dead Lobster was more recent in 1988.

You are missing a lot and should try to get out more often. Just the salad and bread sticks with dipping sauces would be enough to warrant a visit to Olive Garden. Order an entree and dessert to go. I find that I do have to be a little more careful at Red Lobster, but there are hidden treasures there as well. Be careful what you choose to turn your nose up at.

[Pub-911]

Originally Posted by leighland

Nova has the bulk of muslims specifically, Afghani, Iraq, Pakistan, Somalian and Saudi Arabia. There is a massive 5 story Saudi Ministry of Culture Embassy near Merrifield in Falls Church. Also, there are various stores/strip malls around Nova catering to their needs; Food, religious schools,Clothing like burka/niquab, etc..

NoVa actually has lots of people from all over. With DC being such an international center, the cultures of the globe can be found intermingling here. Muslims and Islamophobes for instance can be found living on the same block here.

The SACM is meanwhile a part of the Saudi Embassy and has been around for decades. Its current building is dwarfed in scale by the nearby Merrifield post office. These are each closer to Vienna than to Falls Church, with the latter being known more for being home to the Eden Center, the social and economic hub of Vietnamese life and culture here in NoVa.