Last month when N was visiting from San Francisco, we decided to have a happy hour + dinner at Reston Town Center. Sachin works nearby and I'm not too far off, so that location worked perfectly. Plus, it gave us all an opportunity to go back to Il Fornaio (a staple!) and check out Ted's Bulletin (finally!).
Il Fornaio is hands down our mom's favorite Italian restaurant, at least locally. She loves that they make handmade pasta and we've gone there for quite a few birthday dinners. But, this time since we went for happy hour, we didn't quite take on any large pasta dishes, but instead shared this delicious thin crust pizza. The Fradiavola Pizza is topped with sausage, onion, bell peppers, mushrooms and mozzarella, with peperoncino oil drizzled over the top. The dish is the perfect amount of spicy and full of flavor. And, of course, since it was a hot night out, we washed it down with a few glasses of a sweet Italian white wine.
Rating: A The only reason it doesn't get an A+ is because that honor goes to the best local Italian restaurant, Filomena Ristorante (forever in our hearts!).
Once we were done with happy hour, we figured lets keep the food tour rolling. None of us had been to Ted's Bulletin before, and while I was more intrigued by their breakfast menu, I figured checking out their dinner couldn't hurt. On arrival though I was happy to find that you had access to breakfast, lunch and supper all day long. Unfortunately we were all disappointed by our entrees. N and I shared the Meatloaf with Mingo County Ketchup Glaze - not good. Honestly, I didn't even bother to take a picture of it, it was that disappointing. I think I'll stick to my mom's meatloaf!
Sachin ordered the Popeye Chicken Burger, which is topped with spinach, mushrooms, caramelized onions, and a Boursin cheese spread. It tasted better than the meatloaf, but I wasn't exactly impressed.
A bit of a disappointment as far as their Lunch + Supper menus go, but I think I would still go back to try their Breakfast dishes - I mean they had biscuits and gravy, I'm sold. We didn't leave too upset though, because the highlight of the meal was definitely the Homemade Pop Tarts (we got Strawberry - classic!) and the Adult Milkshakes (the coconut one is fabulous).
Rating: C for Lunch + Dinner / B for Pop Tarts + Milkshakes
Print 
PDF
OMG that burger looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Katalina!
DeleteHow fun to try both of these restaurants. Sorry the meatloaf was a buzzkill, but those shakes sound fantastic! And homemade poptarts? Yes please!
ReplyDeleteYeah the shakes and poptarts definitely made the meal. I just want to go back and order a box of those poptarts to go!
DeleteOh wow! Shake and burgers looks so deeeelicious! YUM!
ReplyDeleteThe shake was great!
DeleteI don't know what I love more, the fries of the pizza. The fries do look perfectly cooked.
ReplyDeleteThe pizza!!!
DeleteWow that pizza looks so delicious!! Glad you have a staple Italian restaurant you like to go as we are still trying to find a good one!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it always so hard to find a good staple restaurant? Hope you're able to find a staple Italian soon! Maybe digging around on Yelp and doing a weekend of sampling, will do the trick? haha
DeleteMy husband and I used to eat next door to Ted's Bulletin at the Chesapeake Room every single Sunday for brunch when we lived in DC. Except my husband said when he was back there for business, it wasn't very good - new management I think. Anyway, if you go back to Ted's Bulletin, give the 5-Alarm Bloody Mary a try - mighty tasty! P.S. LOVE Filomena's :)
ReplyDeleteI've never been to that location, although it isss the original and I use to work on Capitol Hill so I can't believe I didn't give it a try. Yeah, I have a feeling the brunches are better. I'll have to try the Chesapeake Room's brunch! I love bloody marys so I will definitely give that a try when I venture to Ted's for brunch - thanks for the tip, Kathleen! Omgosh, and yes, Filomena's is my mom's and my boyfriend's absolute favorite for Italian food in the District. Can't go wrong and I love the huge portion size...I'm craving their gnocchi bolognese right now!
DeleteAwesome post, dear! I love it! Do let me know if you're following me in the social media sites, & I'll follow you back right away. xoxo
ReplyDeleteI'm following you on Insta...and I see you did the same, too! Thanks Shirley :)
DeleteLove food posts like these, dear! You got me drooling! xoxo
ReplyDelete