Restaurant Recommendations in Vienna VA (near Jammin' Java)?

February 8, 2012 6:23 PM

Restaurant Recommendations in Vienna VA (near Jammin' Java)? My wife and myself have tickets for Willie Nile at Jammin' Java on Saturday night. We've decided to call this Saturday evening our Valentine's Day and make a night of it by getting a decent dinner before the show. I know there are a gazillion restaurants in the general area - what's a good non-chain choice for dinner for 2 in the $40-50 neighborhood? My wife doesn't like sushi, so that is out. I'm familiar with the chili at Jammin' Java, but hunched over a folding chair trying to eat chili without spilling it isn't the dinner scene we are looking for Sat night; no matter how damn good the chili might be.
posted by COD to Food & Drink (9 answers total)

We've had good meals at Maple Ave Restaurant (don't be put off by the repurposed building - the menu can be quite good) and Sunflower (vegetarian, mostly Asian dishes). You also owe it to yourself to get gelato at Plush.
posted by itstheclamsname at 7:30 PM on February 8, 2012

Are you driving or walking? If you are driving and like Vietnamese food, I recommend The Four Sisters on Strawberry Lane in Falls Church which is four miles and about 10 minutes away by car. Holy moly the crispy spring rolls were so very delicious I could have eaten them all night! I took my husband there for his birthday a few weeks ago and we really enjoyed it. They have fresh orchids all over the dining room, too, which is decorated in a modern style, so the ambiance would be nice for a valentine's day vibe. It's also very affordable. Check out the reviews here. Before I booked it for my husband and me, I also checked them out thoroughly on yelp etc, and the reviews really were terrific. If you're going on a Saturday, I'd make reservations. Good luck!

I love, love, love Jammin Java, and I know what you mean about eating with your chili on your knees! I go there once a week for a children's show with my toddler. Hope you and your wife enjoy a great show!
posted by onlyconnect at 8:08 PM on February 8, 2012

Ps: there is a cupcake place right next door. Also delicious! Get a few extra and take them home!
posted by onlyconnect at 8:09 PM on February 8, 2012

Wu's Garden is two blocks away.
posted by djb at 8:41 PM on February 8, 2012

Sunflower, Yama, Amma, Panjshir, probably many other places since I've been down that way. You can pretty much throw a rock in the Jammin Java parking lot and hit a good place to eat dinner.
posted by clavicle at 9:02 PM on February 8, 2012

...Which you know, whoops, and Yama is a sushi place. Sorry about that. Forgive my non-preview and take the recommendation for Four Sisters, which is really great.
posted by clavicle at 9:10 PM on February 8, 2012

This place has the best prime rib I've ever had. No really. Technically, it is a chain (but a wee small chain)
posted by bananafish at 10:39 PM on February 8, 2012

There's always Amphora.
posted by empath at 11:20 PM on February 8, 2012

Amma is our favorite in that neighborhood, but it's very casual, almost fast-food style (order at the counter, plastic trays)...not sure if that's what you're looking for.
posted by JoanArkham at 5:48 AM on February 9, 2012