Cuisine & Careers in Northern VA

This is my first blog so I will start out with a brief introduction.

My name is Stacey, I live with my husband and two cats in Northern Virginia.  We have lived here for almost seven years, coming from Northern New Jersey.  I am an avid foodie, with a customer service, recruiting and career counseling background.  I do not like to cook, but I love to try most new foods and restaurants.  Laughingly, I have an adversion to most green foods but if it's fried, I might even try a green vegetable!

This blog will be mostly about restaurants or foods that I like in or near Northern Virginia that I would love to share with you, in the Northern Virginia area.  I hope that as I become a skilled blogger, you will enjoy this culinary journey with me and give me feedback or suggestions.  I'm also available to reply to any career or work advice, since I have a recruiting background as well.

I'll start with two of my favorite local restaurants, and I will also try to add links, some tips or info and phone numbers when available. 

My first suggestion or pick is this marvelous mix of delicious dinner-time picks:

Mokomandy 

20789 Great Falls Plaza #176  Sterling, VA 20165 - (571) 313-0505

They do not serve lunch, however they are open after 5 p.m. off of 286 (formerly 7100).

You have got to try their heavenly snacks, sides and small dishes.  My personal favorites include the sinfully decadent foie gras (duck) dumplings.  I always share these, though the truth be told, this is something that you should share but may not want to! 

I usually have the kale chips for a lighter snack or the devilled eggs, because no day is complete without bacon.  Also for a main course I prefer bulgogi beef but when they have the korean pot roast that is usually my first choice. 

For dessert, I usually get their Gateau di Syrop. It is a rich cake, but they have around 10 desserts so it's always hard to pick one so I like to share this too.

I would personally suggest making reservations. My 2nd favorite gem in the rough is:

Mediterranee Restaurant - 10123 Colvin Run Road, Great Falls, VA -(703) 757-9300

They are open for both lunch and dinner.

I love Jacques's (the owner/chef) home made foie gras and delicious artisan breads.

My personal favorites are most of his lamb dishes or his boar or other game meats as they become seasonal.  Also, sautéed marinated lemon chicken breast, chicpeas with cumin, paprika, tomato citrus sauce  is another winter-warmth dish that he makes.  I love to get the nutella and banana crepe when they have it, but again, they have a handful of desserts so it's always hard to pick one.

I often get his specials, they are not your typical specials or leftovers, they are delicious items that Jacques makes spur of the moment.

Also note that they have a wonderful wine list and many special events and "suppers," so again reservations are recommended here too.

On a brief career note, if you are being laid-off (as I am, shortly) or need any career questions answered, please feel free to drop me a note or reply.  I will try to reply quickly to your messages on a first-come, first-served basis.  I have worked in the recruitment and career counseling field for about 10 years, but have more experience & contacts if you ever need any assistance.

When you put your resume in most of the popular sites, you may not know that recruiters often look for the most recent postings from job seekers.  This brief tip may help you! 

Always mark your resume "private" at least once a week, even if for only a minute, and then make your resume public again, this way the system marks it as a new or fresh resume.  

Some sites may not have this available, if they do not, remove your resume and delete it, then re-post it to make it a fresh entry.  Also make sure that you spell out any or all abbreviations. 

Lastly, you do not need to put these three "old school" things on your resumes: "phone # or cell #" just the number, "email" - they can tell it is an email address by the .com or .net ending or lastly "references provided upon request".  It is understood that if a future employer needs this, you will provide it. 

Have a wonderful holiday season - Stacey C.