In Memoriam

View Larger Map

I want to document the death of a diner. For the briefest moment, Metro diner existed in among the colonial buildings of downtown fairfax, nestled on the corner, offering eggs and chili and french fries. Wait, I don't think they had fries. In fact, let the death of Metro diner stand as a warning to other restaurants, and a plea for help. There is a terrible shortage of short order eating to be had in this town. Having spent some time in Philadelphia, one gets rather spoiled by the abundance of Greek diners, each knowing their way around everything from Gyros, to omelettes. We just don't have the same thing here.

So, let us remember Metro diner as the light that failed, and let's remember why. The Diner is a business and eating model that needs no improvement, no cleaning, no polishing, no changing (alright...I will grant you that a lot of diners could use some cleaning). I will miss Metro because of what it represented, but what I really want is the mom and pop place that isn't on the corner here.

I want to order french fries with my omelette at 8 in the morning on Saturday.

- J.Anderson

I WANT BREAKFAST.

I start this blog in anticipation of true happiness. Now that's a tall order, you might say, but really, its the little things in life that give us those moments of joy. Breakfast can be one of them. A fresh, strong start to the day can do wonders. Or even the idea of starting the day with Breakfast but doing it at 11pm can be a real buzz. Breakfast food is like comfort food. Think back to your childhood, filled with breakfast memories ... Grandma made you the best cheesy scrambled eggs you've had, your dad used to whip up those hot Saturday morning pancakes with melty butter and thick, sweet syrup, your crazy aunt Mildred just had a way with oatmeal and brown sugar that made you fall in love ... with the oatmeal, and Christmas morning you would wake to the smell of bacon sizzling.

Not only has Breakfast (and yes, I will always capitalize it) been proven to be an incredibly important meal health-wise, it also incorporates some great dishes. These dishes, sometimes the simplest seeming dishes, with high expectations, can be horrid. HOW do cooks completely RUIN scrambled eggs??

So, fellow Northern Virginians, come with me and discover THE places to get some of the best Breakfasts NOVA has to offer. From locals dives to classy joints to international chains, there will be none left standing. Whether you like your breakfast fast and on the go at 5am or late and leisurely at 11pm, I'm going to find it for you.

-- S.Coffin