Cooking Pork Belly Short Ribs at Meokja Meokja.
It’s always a good time to visit Fairfax City – but especially during Restaurant Week. That’s when both locals and visitors get a chance to enjoy delicious meals at the City’s restaurants for lower-than-normal prices.
This year’s winter Restaurant Week will be held Monday, Feb. 26 through Sunday, March 3, and the huge variety of global cuisine available promises to offer something for everyone. Most of Fairfax City’s restaurants are locally owned and are part of a proudly diverse and exciting culinary scene here.
Participating restaurants will offer prix-fixe menus at set prices of $25 for brunch/lunch and $40 for dinner. Additionally, specialty restaurants will feature a two-for-$10 deal, providing food lovers the opportunity to further explore the rich variety and eclectic flavors of the City’s restaurants.
It’s the program’s seventh year – and although Fairfax is just 6 square miles, 24 restaurants will be taking part in this always-popular event. Dishes from a large number of cultures will be highlighted, as the City’s ever-growing assortment of restaurants enables customers to travel the world through their tastebuds.
Restaurants participating in this eagerly anticipated event include Baku Delicious, Bellissimo Restaurant, Commonwealth Brewing Co., Coyote Grill, Curry Mantra, Dolce Vita Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar, Draper’s Steak & Seafood, El Pollo Rico, Hamrock’s Restaurant, Jas & Fam Caribbean Flavor, Mama Chang, and Meokja Meokja.
Also taking part will be Ned’s New England Deck, Okonomi Asian Grill, Old Dominion Pizza, ONE Bar & Grill, Ornery Beer Co., Patriots Pub & Grill, P.J. Skidoos, Roots Natural Kitchen, Taim Mediterranean Kitchen, The Auld Shebeen, The Wine House, and ViVi Bubble Tea Fairfax.
“Restaurant Week is that nudge our residents get twice a year that says dining out is a community event,” explained Fairfax Mayor Catherine Read. “Trying new restaurants, or trying new offerings at favorite places, is something we can do together – and we invite other people to join us too. Dining in the city can be a culinary trip around the world without needing a passport.”
“The ongoing success of Fairfax City Restaurant Week is due in part to the hard work of its co-sponsors, the Fairfax City Economic Development Authority, the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, and Old Town Fairfax Business Association,” said Economic Development Director Chris Bruno. “Together, they have consistently expanded the event, establishing Fairfax City as a premier dining destination and fostering a strong sense of community among restaurant operators.”
A few examples of the dinner entrees in store for customers are:
Dolce Vita
Baked Dolce Gamberi - jumbo shrimp, pancetta and caramelized onions tossed with gnocchi and anisette cream sauce; Wood Fired Roasted Vegetables
with farro, balsamic vinegar, pesto and parmigiano-reggiano (may add salmon or chicken); and Roasted Pork Chop with braised white beans, sundried tomatoes, baby arugula and marsala sauce.
(Diners may add a wine pairing for each course for $15/person).
Mama Chang
Farmer’s Stir Fry; Mapo Tofu - soft tofu cooked in a rich, spicy, and savory sauce; Beef Chow Fun - stir-fried beef with wide rice noodles, scallions, ginger and bean sprouts; Braised Pork Belly & Tea Egg; and Mama Fried Rice (choice of vegetable, chicken, beef, shrimp or a combination).
The Wine House
Braised Lamb Shank with cannellini beans with chorizo and a rosemary demi-glace; Faroe Island Salmon Fillet with leek beurre blanc, gnocchi and winter squash medley; Wine House Jumbo Lump Crabcake with Dijon cream sauce, roasted red potatoes and asparagus; Pork Tenderloin with prosciutto and olive tapenade, red wine bordelaise, mashed potatoes and haricot vert; Steak Frites – flatiron steak, pommes frites and black peppercorn cream sauce; Beef Burgundy – traditional French beef stew with bacon, mushrooms, pearl onions and gnocchi; and Wild Mushroom Risotto with butternut squash cream sauce, Parmesan cheese and truffle oil.
* Diners are encouraged to follow @FairfaxCityRestaurantWeek on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook and tag #FairfaxCityEats. For more information, go to fairfaxcityrestaurantweek.com.
Photos Courtesy of Kerry Curran
Chicken Tikka from Curry Mantra.
Lobster Roll from Ned’s New England Deck.
Tiramisu from ONE Bar & Grill.
Faroe Island Salmon from The Wine House.
Crispy Brussel Sprouts at Earp’s Ordinary.
Fish and Chips at The Auld Shebeen.
Cooking Pork Belly Short Ribs at Meokja Meokja.
Pimento Bacon Grilled Cheese at Commonwealth Brewing Co.