local flavor

By Ashley Claire Simpson | Photos by Mark Gilvey No one launches a restaurant to make an easy profit. Alina Mourtaza, owner of Georgee’s Grill, knows firsthand that it takes far more than a sound business model to build and maintain a successful dining establishment. Studies show that most restaurants close within the first year, and to defy those odds, Mourtaza and her family have …

Provided by ASHA Public Relations, LLC Carmello’s of Historic Manassas was recently named 2018 Open Table’s Diner’s Choice Award by Carmello’s diners making reservations through Open Table. For information on Carmello’s, go to carmellos.com.  Open Table winners are selected according to real feedback from diners who booked tables through Open Table. Diners then fill out surveys to rate their restaurant experience. …

By Frank E. Vaerewyck It is estimated that three-quarters of the world’s dog population lives in the developing world as feral, village, or community dogs, with pet dogs uncommon. But in developed countries canines have lived and worked with humans in so many roles that they have earned the nick name “Man’s Best Friend”, a phrase used not just in America, …

By Marianne Weaver | Photos by Mark Gilvey Maaza 29 might be located in a Gainesville strip mall, but take one step in the door and there is no doubt this restaurant won’t be serving the typical chain-style, rushed meal. Owner Emanuel Reta wanted to create a restaurant to rival even the swankiest D.C. hot spots. From the 80-seat dining room filled with a hint …

Provided by Prince William Chamber of Commerce Foodies rejoice! For the third consecutive year, five of Northern Virginia’s top business organizations – the Prince William, Greater Reston, Loudoun County and Arlington Chambers of Commerce – are collaborating to produce Northern Virginia Restaurant Week, which kicked off yesterday, March 19, and runs until March 26, 2018. The Virginia Restaurant, Lodging and …

By Frank E. Vaerewijck Firefighters coming up in the new fire service will never know what it’s like to wet the ceiling at 2:00 a. m. What in the world is he talking about, you ask. Well, my friends, those of you that have been in the fire service for some time know what it’s like to be abruptly woken up …

By Delia Engstrom Limited edition bottles of Evan Williams Bourbon will soon feature Chris Baity, the Founder and Executive Director of Semper K9 Assistance Dogs, on their labels. As a finalist in Evan William’s American-Made Heroes program, Baity recently received one of the custom bottles as well as a $10,000 donation for Semper K9. “We had 3,000 nominees this year …

Provided by Sandi Clark, Pampered Chef Pampered Chef’s CORNED BEEF PUFFS A delicious Irish spin on a classic appetizer INGREDIENTS 8 oz (250 g) thinly sliced deli corned beef 2 green onions 1 cup (250 mL) swiss cheese 3 tbsp (45 mL) mayonnaise 1 tbsp (15 mL) country-style Dijon mustard Flour for dusting 1 pkg (8 oz/250 g) seamless crescent dough …

Provided by Sandi Clark, Pampered Chef Pampered Chef’s CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE INGREDIENTS 2–3 lbs (1–1½ kg) corned beef brisket 2 garlic cloves, pressed 1 medium onion 2 carrots 6 small red potatoes (1 lb/450 g) 3 cups (750 mL) water ½ green cabbage, cut into wedges Sauce 1 container (7.5 oz/212 g) chive & onion cream cheese, softened ¼ cup …

Provided by Sandi Clark, Pampered Chef You can’t have an Irish meal without including potatoes in some form or another. The most traditional way to add potatoes to your menu is to boil them. Boiled potatoes are super easy to make, but they can be a bit bland if you don’t go out of your way to give them some …