FLAVOR

Loudoun’s Global Dine Around

FLAVOR

BY DOUGLAS ROGERS, VISIT LOUDOUN

On a recent Thursday evening, leaving a yoga class at Five Peaks studio in Lansdowne, we saw a strange thing: a long (socially distanced) line of people outside Bhai Sahab Indian restaurant on Promenade Drive. We went to take a closer look. It turns out that every Thursday Bhai Sahab serves traditi onal Rajasthani Thali—a celebratory mélange of dishes presented on a large round metal plate and eaten communal style. Residents in Northern Virginia have taken noti ce and fl ock here each week. An hour later we had a table of our own in the modish, high-ceiling space and were soon tucking into mouthfuls of dal bati , kadhi, khichdi and all manner of spicy sauces and breads. So much for that yoga health kick. “We have the best thali in all Virginia,” a waiter said. “You can see—everyone comes here!” While America is the great melti ng pot, we’re oft en led to believe you can only fi nd authenti c ethnic cuisine in big citi es. Not so. Loudoun has palates from all corners of the globe—and plates to match. Lebanese food? Sterling is home to the opulent Sahara Restaurant Lounge. The Sahara may be a desert in Africa but the food here —grape leaves, falafel, tabouleh, chicken shawarma—is delectably Middle Eastern. As for the exoti c ambience, diners sit on cushions at low slung tables under lantern lights, hookah pipes are passed around and Arabic music fi lls the air. You’ll think you’re in Beirut. Then there’s Asian fare. While there’s no shortage of sushi or Thai in Loudoun, we take a special shine to smaller, quirkier joints like Thai Pan in Leesburg, popularly known as the “Gas Stati on Thai” place since it’s located in the brick kiosk of the Liberty gas stati on downtown. The setti ng may be underwhelming but the food—specialti es like crispy duck basil and pla lad prik (whole fi sh in chili sauce) all made with fresh ingredients—is to die for. Liberty is now easily our favorite gas stati on. Similarly quirky is Rodeo’s Mexican Grill in downtown Lovett sville: authenti c enchiladas, fajitas and chile relleno in the heart of town owned by local contractor Victor Juarez. Named for the annual charreada Mexican rodeo event Juarez hosts on his fi ve-acre property outside town, you will not taste bett er Chimichangas this side of Oaxaca. Over in Purcellville, meanwhile, are the Greek and Turkish delights of the recently opened Mediter-Rusti c Cuisine. The menu includes babaganoush, grilled halloumi and eggplant musakka, the latt er a Greek classic and our personal favorite. And what about German cuisine? German immigrant Nils Schnibbe is becoming a restaurant impresario in Loudoun with Schmidt’s BBQ and SideBar in Leesburg, but at More Bett er Beer Garden, his Round Hill eatery, he pushes some of the German dishes of his childhood. “Das Menu” features delights such as footlong brats with sauerkraut and a Jagerschnitzel—crispy breaded pork chop topped with mushroom gravy. Welcome to the melti ng pot!

Credit: @chefevakronenburg Thai Pan serves up some of Loudoun’s best Asian fare from the brick kiosk of the Liberty gas station downtown Leesburg.

For more informati on, visit visitloudoun.org/getout