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Best Reston Restaurants? Help Out WaPo Critic

Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema was a little stumped when asked if he had a favorite Reston restaurant. Help him out with your recommendations.

Surely, Reston has more than one good restaurant.

In his online chat with readers this week, Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema was asked if he had a favorite Reston restaurant.

Q: RESTON:  Do you have a favorite restaurant in Reston? Doesn't have to be the town center. Trying to see if I've missed anything. Thanks.

A: TOM SIETSEMA: I honestly don't visit as much as I should -- maybe because so little interests me in Reston? It's been awhile since I ate there, but I always had a soft spot for El Manantial.

Granted, Sietsema's coverage area is the whole Washington, DC, area and he does not claim to be an expert on Reston. But Reston Patch readers are. So use the comments below to advise the critic of your favorite places around here. Patch will forward the list to him, and perhaps something will pique his interest.

Steve L October 26, 2012 at 11:51 am
While there's some good stuff in Reston, there's really not much that's worthy of repeated visits from Tom Sietsma. I usually head outside of Reston when I'm looking for a really satisfying meal with my wife. (Taste of Burma, mmm!)
Robert Valente October 26, 2012 at 12:03 pm
Nail, head.
Leila Gordon October 26, 2012 at 12:12 pm
I love several spots in Reston: Lake Anne's Montmartre, Jasmine, etc. have menu highlights; the Market Street restaurant at the Hyatt is amazingly good, as is Vinifera at the Westin; always enjoy the reliably good fare at Passion Fish, Mon Ami Gabi and Mortons at Town Center; and fans of DC/Penn Quarter cupcakes can get their own Red Velvet Cupcakery fix in Reston too. (Yup, I am just that biased.)
Karen Goff (Editor) October 26, 2012 at 12:43 pm
Hi Steve - I agree. Many of the "hidden gems," especially locally owned ethnic spots, around here are in Vienna and Herndon. But I figured if we all chimed in, it would be fun.
Johanna Nighbert October 26, 2012 at 02:54 pm
Cafesano (South Lakes)
Alice T October 26, 2012 at 03:10 pm
I was not impressed with El Manantial. Part of the problem may be lack of ambiance. The food was good at Montmartre, but the presentation was a bit drab. In general, it seems like most of the non-Asian restaurants around here don't do anything particularly interesting with the food. They need to try some different herbs and spices. I like Bursara, but it is overpriced. I prefer Angeethi and Chao Phra Ya in Herndon.
Robert Mowbray October 26, 2012 at 07:44 pm
My favorite used to be Jasmine, but the quality of food had declined about two years ago the last time I visited. Perhaps it is back to its previous quality. El Manantial was a close second to Jasmine and is my current favorite in Reston. I thought the ambience at El Manantial was better than in other Reston restaurants. I also like McCormick and Schmidts. After these three, I agree that there is not muchb in Reston.
Robert Mowbray October 26, 2012 at 07:51 pm
That should have been McCormick and Schmicks. I used to like the
Chinese restaurant near the Sheraton (Charlie Changs ?), but it isn't there anymore.
Bob Wybraniec October 27, 2012 at 01:11 am
I agree with Tom S. I've been eating at El Manantial once a week for ten years. The menu is varied and could please anyone. Family run, great service, quality food and some of the best sauces anywhere. Spacious and quiet where you can actually hold a conversation. Try it once and you'll be returning on a regular basis.
Bob
Albin Bielamowicz October 27, 2012 at 02:05 pm
Virginia Kitchen of Herndon in the K Mart shopping center is not a fancy place to dine but just very good down to earth home style cooking. Dined there and never left disappointed with any of my choices. Try it and you will like it
Albin
Cole October 28, 2012 at 12:15 pm
We've been to El Manantial many times and always enjoy the food and service. The tres leches cake is an awesome dessert.
Robert Mowbray October 29, 2012 at 06:02 pm
Looks like El Manantial was the only Reston restaurant to get more than one vote.
margie lambert October 31, 2012 at 12:18 am
El Manatial is hands down the best food and service in Reston maybe in a 10mile radius!
It is consistent... freshness, taste and quality. Service harkens back to days of fine dining.. The Fuentes family are restaurant people... their warmth and skill show through in their food. only other restuarant with consistently excellent food is Tada Thai in Herndon.

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Oops. Sorry I changed the photo. Now I should change the article to match.
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