Jang Won - Piatti

Soricha Tea Theater

➤ 7112 Columbia Pike, Annandale, United States Of America, 22003-3106

Piatti • Tapas • Juice • Cakes • Coffee

---

"Soricha is a hidden gem in Annandale with a calming ambiance. From the moment you step inside, you almost feel like you 're stepping into a cafe in Asia says my Japanese friend. The cafe 's lighting is warm and the seats are comfortable. It 's a great space to catch up with friends or catch up on personal work if you come alone. The menu is QR code style, and the staff brings you your food drinks. First off, let 's have a coffee chat about the bingsoo it 's GINORMOUS. Ever had a huge bowl of ramen at a Japanese restaurant? Yes. Your bingsoo will be THAT big. Come in a group of at least 3 5 people or else it 'll be too much for a couple to eat (unless if you and your partner are major sweettooths . The portions are generous, and each bite is a heavenly combination of fluffy Korean shaved ice and delicious toppings. We 've tried the black sesame and the injeolmi both are super nutty, not too sweet (best compliment from an Asian , and topped well with complimentary toppings cornflakes, almonds, and a scoop of red bean. You can add extra toppings if you 'd like for an extra charge. Beyond bingsoo, Soricha offers an impressive variety of teas, drinks, and desserts there 's something for everyone, ranging from typical Asian flavors (matcha, black milk tea to experimental (dandelion root, mugwort . Note that you may have to call in advance for a group larger than 5, as the space only offers two large tables. Whether you 're a tea aficionado, a bingsoo lover, or simply looking for a cozy spot to unwind by yourself or with friends, visiting Soricha is a must if you 're in the DMV. I highly recommended! Expect to spend about $10 $40, as drinks and food are on the higher end here."

Marib

➤ 6981 Hechinger Dr, 22160, Springfield, United States

Piatti • Cafés • Mexican • Desserts • Breakfast

---

"This restaurant offers an authentic and delicious Yemeni cuisine experience. We tried several dishes, both vegetarian and meat-based. The Lentil soup and Saltah were standouts among the vegetarian options, offering a depth of flavor that truly transported us to Yemen. However, the stars of the show were the Maraq soup, Lamb Haneeth, and Chicken Mandi. Each dish was a masterpiece, bursting with complex flavors and textures. Our feast concluded with a delightful Kunafe, followed by a traditional Arabic coffee – the perfect ending to this delicious exploration of Yemeni culinary traditions. The service was excellent, and the restaurant itself was clean and hygienic. While the prices may be slightly higher than usual, the quality of the food and the overall experience definitely justify it."

Ariake

➤ 8708 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax I-22031-3311, United States

Piatti • Asian • Sushi • Casual • Japanese

---

"Sooooo...I was recently discussing Ariake with some friends and while we all agree that Ariake is a quality sushi Japanese cuisine spot, they disagree on the overall rating. Their opinion was on the 3 star scale, while I deem it worthy of an overall 4 star rating. And surprisingly, one of their points of contention (if you will) is that Ariake is not an authentic Japanese restaurant. You know, James...this place is Korean owned, so how good can it be? Hmmm...that is an odd reason to ding a place since my rebuke to them was, Well, while that may be true, do you think that the majority of cooking occurring at XYZ (famous well regarded French Restaurant in DC) is being done by 'French cooks ' in the kitchen??? I can 100% guarantee, it is not. And for that matter, in many of the Chinese, Vietnamese, Italian, etc. kitchens, the food preparation cooking is being done with chefs not native to those cuisines. So in the end, we had to agree to disagree. Ariake occupies a building that was formerly a Pizza Hut as evidenced by the telltale hallmarks of slanted multi level hat like roof on the exterior and high ceilinged cavernous interior dining room. But other than these architectural hold overs, the interior space is very modern with faux marble table tops, a mix of wooden seating, tile and hardwood flooring, and abundant pendant and recessed lighting choices. My party of four ordered several dishes so as to obtain a wide sampling of flavors. I won 't really comment on the miso soup and house salad with ginger dressing, except to say they were forgettable. But the two sushi rolls the table ordered were quite good. Fresh tasting LARGE pieces of salmon and tuna were lightly seasoned with a spicy marinade, and wrapped in not too soggy sushi rice. Unlike at many sushi restaurants, the fish was not chopped up into a mushy paste (which places sometimes do to mask the flavor of fish that is not fresh), which really allows the quality of fish to be evident to the diner. As for the mains, of late, I 've been ordering ramen at sushi joints; and I was especially intrigued since the special of the night was a Truffle Tonkatsu flavor. The broth was hearty, rich, and had a discernable but not overpowering truffle flavor which enhances, as opposed to overpowered the dish. The pieces of char siu pork were tender and again unlike at many places, a good cut and portion size. The noodles were nice and chewy, and the pieces of seasoned nori provided briney flavor notes. The only detraction was the Ajitsuke Tamago or Ajitama. It was waaay too overcooked, since for ramen, this style of egg should be soft boiled to the point where it 's runny when you break it open. But I can live with it. I tried some of the other dishes, and I thought they were solid. Both the chicken teriyaki and the beef in the bento dinner box, had excellent grilled flavor. The teriyaki sauce was a tad sweeter than I usually like, but my friend and his wife seemed to enjoy the dish. If I hadn 't gotten the ramen, I would 've definitely ordered the bento dinner box. It had such a nice assortment of dishes, from a California roll, meatballs, grilled beef, and crisply fried shrimp tempura. Honestly, for $29 I think the dinner bento is a good value relative to the portion size and quality. I 've been back to Ariake a few times since my initial visit, and can see this being 2 3 month dining spot. I 've found the service to be attentive and most importantly, does not detract from the overall experience. Regardless of who 's preparing the food, Ariake is a four star place to me!"

2941

➤ 2941 Fairview Park DriveVA 22042, Falls Church, United States

Piatti • Fish • Wine • Steak • French

---

"2941 is a top notch experience overall. Of my and my wife 's dinners, the duck, the rib-eye steak, the potato puree (foam), the Parisian gnocchi, and the side order of crimini mushrooms were all excellent, with the potato puree being fantastic. The only miss was the Caesar salad which seemed more put together for artistic presentation than for pure eating enjoyment. Bartenders were great during a before meal cocktail. Waiter was efficient and pleasantly aloof. The big space is both cool and not optimum as in the end I 'd prefer a more intimate dining experience but as a change of pace it was cool. Or reserved table was about 15 minutes late being ready but hey, an excuse to get a cocktail. Small wine by the glass menu. wasn 't offered and didn 't ask for a wine by the bottle menu (which was a bit surprising). Ate ala carte but will likely try the tasting menu next time."

Thai Food

➤ 7031 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, 22003, United States Of America

Piatti • Thai • Food • Asian • Chicken

---

"This is my little neighborhood place that I've frequented for years but never reviewed. Every month or two, I get a hankering for Thai, and this place hits the spot every time. It might not be the very best Thai you ever have, but it has a special place in my heart. The food here is very consistent and you know exactly what you're getting. It's a family run, no gimmicks business and the staff have always been prompt and nice. There's limited seating indoors, and admittedly I've never eaten inside, but the decor is cute. I always order to go so I can eat in my pajamas with a good movie or show on at home perfect Friday night after a hard week. The portion sizes are excellent, more than your typical Thai places, and everything is flavorful. My orders are usually either the Thai or green curry fried rice, drunken noodles, or pad Thai. All of them are delicious. I usually get level two or three spicy. I can handle spice, but level four and up will give you spice high and a ton of heartburn. I recommend level one spicy for most people. My go to dessert here is mango with sticky rice and it always comes out perfect. I highly recommend giving this place a chance!"