Mellow Mushroom (Herndon)

I have to admit, I was surprised to see so many crumbs under the table at this NEW chain restaurant. I mean, it only opened a few months ago and they've already given up on the vacuuming! 

Another negative about this place is that the high-alcohol beer servings are small... But neither of these is a reason to forego Mellow Mushroom. The food is great and the environment is pleasant. I like the people that they tend to hire and I LOVE the gluten-free menu for all of my buds with allergies and/or Celiacs! Also, people, this place has one of my favorite features: an open kitchen. Put me at a booth near the kitchen so I can stalk the preparation of my meal, and I'm a happy (chubby) camper! See you there!

Jimmy's Old Town Tavern (Herndon)

Not spotless but it ain't dirty either... And if it was, it would still be worth it! We walked in and there was an amazing musician playing LOUD (15 year old prodigy named TheycallmePiano). The food is standard and yummy, and the atmosphere can't be beat. This might be my new favorite joint!!!! LOVE it... And check out TheycallmePiano cuz she might be my new favorite too :-)

Busara (Reston Towncenter)

Busara was a pleasant surprise! I had never been to this restaurant and although the decor seemed to be leftovers from the '80s, the food was great! Get the crispy spring rolls as an appetizer and you won't be disappointed!  I had a very nice dish of pad Thai and the bar mixed me two great drinks. The food comes fast and the booths are comfy... Best of all, the floor was spotless (and I took this photo BEFORE the bus boy came around with his pan and brush). Yay for Busara!!!

Starbucks (North Point Village Center)

Clean is an achievement at 8:30 on a Friday morning! There was a consistent crowd coming, going, sitting, talking... And the staff was really attentive. We were in the establishment for less than 20 minutes and I saw them wipe down the counters at least 3 times. I christen thee WORTHY... Of making my Venti Mocha Frappuccino Light and my egg white and turkey bacon sandwich. Yum!

McCormick & Schmick's (Reston)

SPOTLESS! We hit McCormick & Schmick's happy hour and had a wonderful time! I was quick to relax and enjoy the food once I had my photo evidence of the restaurant's cleanliness. My husband and I ate and drank till our bellies were content and the bill at this nice (high-end) restaurant was still under $80. Amazing experience... But come early. It gets crowded around dinner time!

Joe's Crab Shack (Fair Lakes Shopping Center)

It's clean. We had to sit at a picnic table... but better simple and clean than ornate and filthy! The food is primarily fried but there is some variety. The steam pots offer a healthier alternative... But I suspect a lot of butter-dippers are ordering these which isn't a gift for anyone's heart. If you go, the crab nachos are worth trying and I have an affinity for a drink so strong that I can't remember it's name... But I know they will only serve you two of them before they cut you off!

SweetWater Tavern (Sterling)

Ummm... I don't even know what to say about this. My favorite appetizer in the whole wide world is the Blue Crab Fritters here at SweetWater but this photo could be a deal breaker. The ozzie rolls are great but I can get those at Jackson's (another Great American Restaurant) so I think this is the end for SweetWater and me. Goodbye my lovely crab fritters :-(

Silver Diner (Reston) Update

I don't know how I got talked back into this place but the picture speaks for itself and needless to say, if you see me at Silver Diner, I'm probably either having a psychotic episode or possessed by a demon...either way, save me!

Gordon Biersch at Tyson's... Again.

So, I'm going to try and convince you that I returned to this restaurant in order to do a "follow up" review but I truly just LOVE Gordon Biersch. And when I looked around at my other choices in mall eateries, none of them seemed as appetizing as Gordon Biersch. So I return to GB (as the waiter calls it) and I report this back to you, my loyal fan (AKA mom)... Good food, good service, good beer, and my daughter says good bathroom. As for under the table, well I would advise you not to look. It is not spotless under there and your appetite could suffer. As for me, my love of GB garlic fries outweighs my fear of germs.

Virginia Kitchen (Waffle King's Virginia Kitchen)

Now, if you want a REAL diner experience, Virginia Kitchen (in the Kmart shopping center, Herndon) is it. Just think traditional 70's rather than 50's root beer floats. 

No problems under these tables, the place may seem outdated but they know how to clean, cook, and serve. This place makes fresh squeezed orange juice and in-house biscuits and if you come in often enough, maybe you'll get your picture on the menu! Of course, I'm a regular but the staff has yet to notice... So no photo of the germaphobe gourmand... Yet!

Il Fornaio (Reston Towncenter)

Clean, clean, clean in Il Fornaio even under the dark, dark table but my germy senses were heightened by the temperature in the restaurant. I am notorious for bringing a sweater to a restaurant in the dead of summer but I never complain about AC because I love knowing that the air is circulating. At Il Fornaio I felt like I was sitting in a sauna, breathing in stale, germy air throughout the meal. The food was good enough (difficult to enjoy a meal when you are sweating) and the restaurant has one feature that us germaphobes love... an exposed kitchen! Nobody is spitting on your food or feeding you floor steaks when they are working within the customers line of sight. Don't bother telling me how ridiculous I am for believing that waiters serve "sneezers". I know I'm nuts :-)

The Counter (aka Counter Burger)

So... This might be the healthiest restaurant in Reston (if you don't order the fries) and it is pretty darn clean. There IS a stain on the wall (ew) but the floor has obviously been scrubbed. I love the food and I ordered the chicken in an organic salad with chipotle aioli.  Where I take issue with the restaurant is in seating. NO BOOTHS. But go anyway. And a tip for parents: my daughter pretends to be a goat and eats tons of lettuce, sprouts, and spinach.