Fave Restaurants from “Back in the Day”
This Baby Boomer enjoys his food–no doubt–and certainly has had his share of really great food and really terrible food, but who hasn’t! Let’s just reflect on the fabulous food experiences and the restaurants that provided those memorable meals.
Listed by classification, but not in any particular order, these are my faves as I remember from “back in the day”.
FINE DINING
Top of the Town Arlington, VA Josef, the finest of Maitre d’s, always remembered your name and made you feel not only welcome, but very special. The food was good, but not nearly as good as the most wonderful view of Washington, DC at night being on the top floor of the Prospect House!
Alfio’s La Bella Vista Arlington, VA The owner, Michael, had the handsome looks of a young Al Pacino along with an extremely welcoming personality. Again, the food is good, but not nearly as good as the magnificent views of Washington sitting atop Arlington Towers. My favorite dish is a half-order of the Fettuccine JFK, fettuccine alfredo with ham and peas, as an appetizer.
The Williamsburg Inn Williamsburg, VA Formal dining at its best from outstanding service, an inviting ambiance, excellent food, and always a memorable three-hour experience. The Chateaubriand for Two was just exquisite!
Friday Night Seafood Buffet at The Williamsburg Lodge Williamsburg, VA Just a magnificent display of the freshest seafood and lots of it! OMG! There’s nothing more to say!
Daily Hunt Country Breakfast Buffet at The Cascades Hotel Williamsburg, VA A fabulous buffet featuring a wide variety of outstanding breakfast items unmatched anywhere!
Jimmy Kelly’s Steakhouse Nashville, TN An outstanding old-time southern steakhouse where prime beef is king along with several Jack Black’s. God bless, Hap Motlow!
RT’s (Arlandria) Alexandria, VA The best seafood restaurant experience hands down! It’s as simple as that!
The Portofino Restaurant Arlington, VA Classic Italian simply and wonderfully done!
Alpine Restaurant Arlington, VA I must say this is my all-time most favorite restaurant. We were treated like family and the Italian food was pretty darn good too–no kiddin’!
Caesar’s Forum McLean, VA Classic Caesar Salad and Steak Diane all prepared tableside–fantabulous!
La Bergerie Old Town Alexandria, VA An outstanding French dining experience having originated in Arlington.
BETTER DINING
Henry Africa Old Town Alexandria, VA We always thought this spot was great for lunch offering a wide and varied menu of American favorites.
219 Old Town Alexandria, VA Always enjoyed this spot for a Sunday brunch–excellent New Orleans-style seafood! The Oysters Three-Way was outstanding!
Tom Sarris Orleans House Arlington, VA Of course, known more for it’s wonderful salad bar and their prime rib wasn’t so bad either!
The Joshua Tree McLean, VA Marriott-owned California-themed restaurant with another excellent salad and slice-your-own bread bar.
J Paul’s Georgetown, DC An excellent lunch spot featuring the best seafood salads with your choice of lump crabmeat or large shrimp–umm, umm good!
Harvey’s Washington, DC A historic seafood restaurant established in 1858 serving U.S. Presidents and political leaders. Not really sure how good the seafood was after two Johnnie Walker Reds in very tall glasses with just a whimsical splash of soda which was added tableside by the scantily dressed cocktail waitress who was way too old to be so scantily dressed, but who cared–right?
King’s Landing Old Town Alexandria, VA Great dinner spot where we enjoyed an excellent filet mignon with bearnaise.
The Wharf Old Town Alexandria, VA Always for lunch serving the best cream of crab soup and fried scallops ever. Two or three extra dry Beefeater gin martinis with olives and finishing lunch off with a fine cigar. What can I say except WOW! Note: “Back in the day” the non-smoking section in restaurants was the one worst table in the house by the kitchen.
The Flagship Washington, DC Oh my, the best ever Crab Imperial and Crab Norfolk using only the jumbo lump backfin! It still tastes sooo good, but let’s not forget those awesome hot Rum Buns drenched in their ooey gooey luscious sauce as soon as you were seated!
Billy Martin’s Carriage House Georgetown, DC Always enjoyed this restaurant for either lunch or dinner serving all the standards of American fare.
Blackie’s House of Beef Washington, DC Known more for the “who’s who” of Capitol Hill heavyweights you might be dining with, rather than the excellent beef being served, hoping the owner, Blackie Auger, might just swing by to say “hi”.
FUN DINING
The Fish Market Old Town Alexandria, VA I so remember, Mr. “Ray”, the owner, a short rather round bald man with his signature bow tie and loud personality making the rounds at one of the many bars while we were enjoying a bowl of their renown Fish Market Clam Chowder, enjoying both clams and oysters on the half shell, washing them down with a very cold 32 ounce schooner of beer.
Joe Theisman’s Bailey’s Crossroads, VA Our “go to” gathering place after a late night of work at Giant Food or enjoying the Washington Redskins Sunday game “back in the day” when they were contenders. They had the best Lobster Bisque and their burgers were really good along with a sandwich called The #7. Often times, you’d see ol’ #7 himself!
Clyde’s Georgetown, DC and Tyson’s Corner, VA “Back in the day” this was “the bar of bars” for “preppies” as everyone was very properly dressed and the bartenders were very entertaining always putting on a show–their bacon cheeseburgers weren’t so bad either.
The Lounge at the Williamsburg Inn Williamsburg, VA The “matron” of The Lounge “back in the day” was a statuesque lady, in her fifties, dazingly dressed, and extremely refined. The dress code was strictly adhered to as you seemingly always stopped at The Lounge prior to enjoying dinner at the Inn. If ladies weren’t in a lovely dress or classy slack suit and men weren’t in a suit or wearing a jacket–they weren’t seated. If by chance, a gentleman failed to wear a necktie, one would be provided by the “matron”. The Lounge was a very classy spot to enjoy an excellent cocktail!
Top of the Key Bridge Marriott Arlington, VA Happy Hour with a great scenic view of Georgetown along the Potomac River and fresh shrimp for a nickel each to go along your beer or cocktail.
Outside Patio at the Clubhouse of the Golden Horseshoe Williamsburg, VA Great spot to take in the golfers coming into the 18th green while enjoying a relaxing lunch. Afterwards, feeding bread to the carp in the pond just outside the clubhouse
COUNTRY DINING
When you wanted to get out of town and do a “day trip” we’d head to one of these historic restaurants all serving traditional American fare starting with a relish tray and a cup of peanut soup along with a main course of fried chicken, ham, or roast beef, accompanied by some fresh seasonal vegetables, homemade yeast rolls, and excellent made-from-scratch desserts.
Battletown Inn Berryville, VA
Yellow Brick Bank Shepherdstown, WV
The Wayside Inn Middletown, VA
The Laurel Brigade Inn Leesburg, VA
EVERYDAY DINING
Hot Shoppes Arlington, VA A popular spot where you always ran into someone you knew serving consistent quality at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Always enjoyed the Mighty Mo, Steak and Cheese, or Teen Twist along with an order of fries and an Orange Freeze.
Kannteen at Kann’s Arlington, VA Quick and easy lunch spot, usually to meet Mom, when I was assigned to the Virginia Square Giant Food. Friendly staff of folks who had worked there forever. I always enjoyed their Sloppy Joe’s.
Hsian Foong Arlington, VA The best Chinese food I’ve ever experienced, especially, the Pork Szechuan and the Beef with Snowpeas, Mushrooms, and Bamboo Shoots.
Mario’s Pizza Arlington, VA An Arlington institution since 1957 noted for its Steak ‘N Cheese and Cold Cut subs and a pizza slice thanks to Lefty and Joe!
Evans Farm Inn McLean, VA Situated on over 40 acres on Route 123, this historic country inn offered traditional American fare in a cozy setting. We normally enjoyed our meals in their Sitting Duck Pub.
J.R.’s Steak House Fairfax Circle, VA Excellent reasonably priced steakhouse featuring a gourmet salad bar.
Lost Dog Cafe Arlington, VA Great comfortable place to enjoy a quick lunch known for their personal pizzas and tasty sandwiches.
The Italian Store Arlington, VA No doubt the best subs ever, especially, my all-time fave, the Milano.
Peking Gourmet Inn Bailey’s Crossroads, VA If it’s good enough for President Bush 41, it’s good enough for me!
Coco’s Italian Arlington, VA Old time traditional red and white checkered tablecloth Italian restaurant where you never left hungry and Emilio would always make the rounds.
The Gondolier Arlington, VA Great pizza where I was introduced by my dad to an anchovy and pepperoni pizza which I remember as being delicious.
Armand’s Pizzeria Old Town Alexandria, VA Quick and easy buffet with salad bar. Pizza was extra thick and quite tasty and sure to fill you up.
FAST FOOD
Hot Shoppes Jr Arlington, VA This Baby Boomer loved their Royal Burger which was a take on their famous Mighty Mo.
Roy Rogers Arlington, VA Folks enjoyed Pappy Parker’s Fried Chicken, their Roast Beef Sandwich, or the Double R Bar Burger. For me, it was their Cheeseburger and a trip to the Fixin’s Bar!
Tops Drive-In Arlington, VA Oh, boy, the Sirloiner was a really good hamburger, but nothing topped those flakey Onion Rings.
Little Tavern Arlington, VA “Buy ’em by the Bag” was their motto and this Baby Boomer did, but usually after a “few too many” on the weekend while visiting Georgetown! These greasy little “oniony” gems were the sure cure against a dreaded hangover.
This certainly isn’t an all-inclusive listing of dining spots enjoyed “back in the day”, but it is definitely more than a fair representation. Before liquor by the drink was approved in Virginia in 1967, our family would patronize a number of restaurants in Washington, DC. They’re not listed above as I was a bit too young to remember or even know how the food appealed to me and whether or not I could actually judge if it was good. Some of those restaurants included Paul Young’s, The Knife and Fork, Duke Zeibert’s, The Jockey Club, Rive Gauche, and The Golden Parrot. Once liquor by the drink came to Virginia, the restaurant scene grew very quickly and we found ourselves patronizing those establishments regularly rather than travel to Washington, DC.
Please after your reflecting, the Baby Boomer would be very interested in knowing what restaurants you enjoyed “back in the day”?