First Watch

First Watch is consistent. Every time I've been there. There is a comfort in that. They have the traditional, they have the healthy side, it is always damn good, but there are no 'shizams',nothing to wow you. Some mornings you just want to know that you can lazily walk into a place, know exactly what you are eating and order it exactly how you want it. Some mornings you don't want to be that into your meal, you just want to eat it in peace and read your paper, work on your emails (there is free wi-fi here), meet with your freinds, or have a business meeting. First Watch is your joint.

Their omelet choices are surprisingly creative and span the globe (well, the American version of global foods). Also, they use cage-free eggs if you are concerned about the chickens. Along with the delectable breakfast classics (chocolate chip pancakes made from scratch, you know, for the kids), First Watch is one of the only breakfast specific places that offers actually healthy options. If that is your cup of tea, then you definitely need to go here. They serve egg white only, plain oatmeal, fresh fruit, veggies, etc. They offer all of the nutritional information and ingredients for every menu item on their website and in the restaurant. The little page icon next to the item will bring up a page with the nutritional info. Great for special dietary needs or allergies.

For you coffee-holics they have Sunrise Select Coffee. I've never heard of it, but I'm no coffee maven.

They also have a Sunday Brunch. I've never been but hear its good. (Have you been to it? Want to be published?! Contact me and lets arrange it!)

Fair City Mall
9600 Main St.
Suite S
Fairfax, VA 22031

Virginia Kitchen

[Waffle King's] Virginia Kitchen is an old school greasy spoon and keeping it real. It is hilarious to see this type of place in a Virginia suburb strip mall. By the time you leave, you'll feel like you should be walking out into the main street of a small town.

The ladies with the hair parlor doos, fake nails, and aprons are priceless. There are pictures of friends and family on the menu. The only thing that makes you realize that you are still in Northern Virginia and not Podunk, Middle-of-Nowhere is that these pictures include almost every ethnicity!

As for food...

The home fries were shredded and crispy. The scrambled eggs were typical diner eggs. I've heard that their biscuits are not to miss (I missed them though) and they squeeze their own OJ.

One of my friends ordered the Cinnamon French Toast, a clear winner in her book. She loved them and, I have to say, they made me wish I had ordered them rather than my waffles.

The fresh fruit selection was surprisingly diverse and yummy. They do offer cereal which many places leave off the menu.

Steer clear of the regular waffles. I ate with two friends and two of us ordered the waffles. They were disappointingly thin and rubbery rather than thick and fluffy. And, worst part, the squares were small. I don't know about you but I like my squares big. And if they are going to be small, the crispy edges and fluffy insides better make up for their smallness. They didn't. They do offer a Belgian style which may be better.

Also steer clear of the turkey sausage. I didn't finish mine. It was dry and a little gross.

Seating is available at booths, tables, or the little bar. We ate on a weekday morning and had no trouble getting a seat. I've heard it gets a little packed on weekends... must be that suburban craving for that small town feel. It's here.

450 Elden St.
Herndon, VA 20170
(Be sure to note the picture at the top left. Though it is right on the road, it can be hard to see)

Amphora

Oh Amphora... such an odd mixture of Greek and well, everything else. One of the only 24 hour sit down restaurants in the area (that is not a chain), Amphora captures much of the diner spirit in an eclectic and somewhat international style. Can you call it style? Well, go there and you decide. It suffers a bit from schizophrenia, as seen in the split dinning areas (one side diner, one side restaurant), the 42 page menu (ok maybe not 42 pages, but really... it goes on and on), or the choice between Mexican, Greek, Italian, and American fare (oh wait, do they have egg rolls?). Regardless, if you have a hankering for a cheap breakfast at any time of day or night, roll on over to Amphora and you can have it.

The food will definitely be prompt and hot. Fresh? Not so sure ... But shoot, who really needs fresh when you are eating fried eggs, fried bacon, fried potatoes and the like?! My server called me "honey" and my coffee cup and water glass were never empty. If you suffer from indecision like I do, prepare yourself here. Go decadent with the Banana's Foster French Toast, satisfy your picky eaters with "create your own omelet", Hollandaise lovers will be delighted with the entire section of the menu dedicated to the sauce, or go international with the Greek Pocket, Breakfast pizza, or Huevos Rancheros.

It is not McDonalds fast food, so don't expect to find a $1 menu but the prices are pretty reasonable ($5.50 - $10 for most; steak and crab obviously jack up the prices).

I've heard there is a weekend breakfast/brunch but haven't experienced it myself so I don't know if it is much different than the usual. Have you had it? They also have an entire bakery affiliated with the restaurant that has gotten good reviews.

I went to the location in Vienna. There is a cooler looking diner version in Herndon.

-- S. Coffin

Smith and Clarkson's

When traveling through middle-of-nowhere America, dining along your way usually produces restaurants in a particular mold: American staples (usually fried) on the menu and not so modern decor. Some of these places are real gems of *ahem* unhealthy, really tasty treats! Smith and Clarkson's fits the mold perfectly ... except that it is in Northern Virginia, right near an entrance to 495.

The inside is an awkward little 'L' shape, the ceiling seems too high, the lighting is industrial, the interior "design" is drab, and the people are ... well, I'll just say that I don't think they discuss cheerfulness and hospitality at their shift meetings. Our fellow diners were mostly men, many in jumpsuits. While you won't go there for the ambiance, it is a classic if you want really good diner food.

The ordering concept threw me off a little so let me prepare you. They have it set up for herding people through the restaurant. You are directed by half walls to the counter where menus, cashiers, and guests that entered behind you are all staring at you, waiting for your order. I stepped aside and let someone go ahead of me while I chose. They give you a number with your receipt which is called out either by the short order cooks or the cashier when ready.
The food was awesome, as evidenced by the fact that it was gone before I remembered to take a picture. They have quite the variety, from burritos to eggs Benedict to omelets. I ordered a Breakfast sandwich with egg, sausage, and cheese. Each was cooked to perfection, pipping hot, and obviously real (ie. not carton liquid 'egg').

My Breakfast mate ordered "Plate #5": Corned beef hash with 2 eggs and toast. While it was far too much food to eat in one sitting, the homemade corned beef hash (something I would not have ordered) was actually quite tasty and, to the connoisseur who ordered it, it was perfect! She got her eggs scrambled and they got another thumbs up there.
We saw some homemade muffins, shoved in a glass case up front (still in the pan ... I don't think presentation is much of a concern), and decided to test their baking skills as well. The muffin was very moist but way too sweet for my Breakfast mate.

At a neighboring table we watched as one gentleman consumed one of the "Plates" as well as the French Toast Combo, quite the feat considering the size of both of those things. At other tables the pancakes and omelets were hits with the kids. I am definitely coming back here to try the french toast, waffles, and pancakes. Their waffle is a made-from-scratch malted Belgian waffle cooked to a golden perfection. Their french toast looked thick, perfectly golden, and crispy. Their pancakes took up the entire plate and again, the golden color made my mouth water. They've got that griddle in the back in good hands!
And for you coffee shop die hards, they serve "Seattle's Best" and have local art for sale on the walls.

No frills, just enough grease .. a real winner in my book. Call me if you are going.

Mon. - Fri. 6am - 4pm
Sat. 7am - 4pm
Sun. 8am - 3pm
(They also deliver/carry out. Check out online ordering for quick service!)

--S.Coffin

Brooklyn Bagels, in Arlington at Courthouse

Remember the Soup Nazi? Well, if you want a bagel in Arlington County, you might relive that entire Seinfeld episode.
First you should know: they only take cash. Also, there are always lines. And you better bark off your order as quickly as possible. And no matter how perfect your order is they will still find something to ask you about, and get mad when you stammer a response. Plus, by the time I get there, they are always out of egg bagels.

But it's worth it. These are the best bagels I've have in NOVA. They use the New York cooking method, kettle boiled and then baked. That means they are crispy and blistered on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. They have lots of different cream cheeses. Smoked salmon, chive, roasted veggie, etc. When they make egg sandwiches, they cook the eggs right there. No microwaves. Everything is fresh and tasty.

The bagels are best when fresh out of the oven. As they cool they get much harder, and loose some of their flavor. Brave the Bagel Nazi, and stand in line, and order (and devour) it right there.


Brooklyn Bagels
2055 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 243-4442

Mon-Fri 6:30am- 5:00pm Sat-Sun 7:00am- 5:00pm
CASH ONLY

-- posted by M. Perry

Robeks

Robeks rocks. If you are looking for something to go or just something fruity for Breakfast, Robeks is the place. Everything there is fresh (or freshly "flash" frozen) and they don't use icky fake powders or sweeteners as a base for their smoothies. They are open by 6:30am on the week days (9am on Sat. and 11am on Sun.) and don't close until 8pm.

I don't eat their food (why go for the fish sticks at a pizza joint, right?!) but I love their smoothies. The two Acai smoothies are my favorites but I also dig the Bonzai Blueberry and the Pomegranate Passion. Though I have to say, I get something different almost every time I go in because I know it will be good and a great surprising taste. They are refreshing and thick and they taste REAL! Not like Smoothie King. Bleh.

The boosts that you can add are pretty cool too. The "power smoothies" come with boosts already included, if you are looking for some vitamins or protein or what not. But if you get overwhelmed with details, just ignore that.

The Robeks' that I've been to are really good about customizing your smoothie too. I usually get spinach added to mine as it gives you some green but can't overwhelm the fruits in terms of taste ... why not, right!?

You can also get some very different juices, if you are feeling adventurous. Wheat Grass is a staple for my orders. It is really sweet and comes as a shot. You definitely need a "chaser" for the wheat grass shot, as its a little ... pasture-y. The juices like G-Snap are quite the punch too.

Find locations here.

-- S.Coffin