10 Best Restaurants in Manassas, Virginia

Here at Arcadia Run in Manassas, VA, we are surrounded by both a rich American history and cool modern culture.  A great mix of both elements can be found everywhere, from the architecture to the food. This city has variety of ethnic and local cuisine alike, which provides a wide array of dining options for residents and visitors. The Culture Trip, a website that serves as a global platform to showcase local culture, has made a list of the 10 Best Restaurants in Manassas!

Katerina’s Greek Cuisine (Mediterranean) – Known for authentic and quality Mediterranean dishes.

The Bone (Barbecue) – Endless choices of barbecued favorites and craft beer.

Malones of Manassas (Fine Dining) – Impeccable service and contemporary dishes featuring quality ingredients.

Okra’s Cajun Creole (Cajun) – The best of authentic southern comfort food straight from Louisiana, like po’ boys and Andouille sausage.

CJ Finz Raw Bar & Grill (Seafood) – Family owned with a mix of traditional seafood entrees and original recipes

Zandra’s Taqueria (Mexican) – Classic Mexican dishes and known for many salsas to choose from, like sweet salsa rojo or ghost pepper salsa.

City Tavern Grille (American) – Sure to please any guest with a large menu of American favorites like burgers, salads, ribs, sandwiches and beyond.

Carmello’s (Portuguese/Italian) – Modern cuisine made from scratch daily that changes seasonally and over 100 wines to choose from.

Ashton Avenue Family Restaurant  (Diner) – Classic diner eats including American, Greek, Italian, and Mexican classics with an extensive breakfast menu.

Don Lencho (Mexican) – Boasts its infamous “El Cachudo Challenge” featuring a massive burrito with 5 types of meat and the regular fixings.

Whatever type of cuisine you are craving while sitting in your new apartment home at Arcadia Run, there are so many amazing options to choose from right here in Manassas! Be sure to check out the participating restaurants in Fall Restaurant Week coming up soon!

Source: theculturetrip.com

Ultimate Moving Checklist

Moving into your new apartment home at Arcadia Run is very exciting but at the same time, moving anywhere can be very stressful if you are unprepared! We have put together the ultimate moving checklist and timeline from the Apartment Guide so you know that you can be ready and less stressed on move-in day!

5-6 weeks before you move

  • make sure to notify your current landlord that you will be moving out & ask about necessary actions
  • are you moving everything by yourself?
  • designate a special folder for moving documents
  • devise a budget for moving including furniture, moving company fees, food during time of move, etc.
  • transfer renters insurance
  • start collecting boxes, packing tape, markers, etc.

3-4 weeks before you move

  • sort through your things, everyone accumulates clutter now and again
  • change your mailing address
  • schedule a transfer or cancel of utilities
  • do you need a day off of work to move?
  • arrange any storage you need during moving time
  • throw away things you will not be putting in storage or taking with you
  • confirm move in date, moving company, and storage
  • do you need to clean your apartment before you leave? Schedule a day to clean

1 week before you move

  • finish packing most of your things – packing by room is easiest for unpacking later
  • remember how many boxes you have to take inventory – nothing is worse than losing the box with all of your shirts in it
  • confirm installation of utilities in your new apartment
  • CLEAN
  • arrange parking for unloading on moving day

Moving Day

  • take out trash & last minute things
  • pack your vehicle
  • do a twice over through the apartment to make sure you don’t forget anything
  • turn in your key!

Welcome to your new apartment at Arcadia Run!

  • do a once over of the apartment to map out where everything will go
  • clear a path for moving in boxes and furniture (prop open doors, etc.)
  • bring everything inside!
  • take inventory… again
  • start unpacking and place your furniture
  • relax, you’re home!

Now you are all moved in to your new apartment home and you can start getting used to getting more with the wonderful community and brand new amenities at Arcadia Run!

Source: Apartment Guide

Back to School At Arcadia Run

It’s that time of year again, there is a crisp feel to the morning air and the kids are getting excited. Of course, its back to school time! At Arcadia Run we want you to be the most prepared that you have ever been for the upcoming school year. Although it is a busy season, you should still enjoy it without the stress! We rounded up some of the important things to remember for back to school:

  • School supplies– We suggest that you shop through your home first, you never know what stray supplies you have collected  throughout the previous school year. Not only does this go for supplies, but your kids might still fit into those jeans from last year.
  • Prepare your apartment– With lots of storage space in your new apartment home at Arcadia Run, it’s easy to stock up on items you will need later. Dedicate a storage space for things like textbooks, extra supplies, and important school papers to keep yourself organized.
  • Savor the weather– When the kids are done with their homework, go for a walk, play on the new Arcadia Run playground, or shoot some hoops at our new ball court. Staying active is a great way to keep those young minds stimulated and ready for the challenging classes ahead!
  • Plan meals– During the weekend, take a few minutes to plan out packed lunches and dinner ideas for the rest of the week. This way you can do grocery shopping on the weekend for stress free cooking during the week.
  • Get appointments over with– Schedule doctor, dentist, eye & orthodontist appointments as soon as you get the schedule for the school year. This way you can work around extracurricular activities and work with days off to get necessary appointments over with.

We hope that these tips will get you and your family on track for the upcoming school year! Don’t forget to use these last days of summer to take advantage of the new amenities at Arcadia Run!

Events in Prince William County this Weekend

At Arcadia Run, we love our location in Manassas, VA and being part of the great Prince William County! There are always great events going on throughout the community and it’s fun to get involved. If you are looking for some family fun, or just something to do this weekend, The Washington Post shared a list of all things happening in the area:

FRIDAY, AUG. 28

· American Legion dinner – The public is invited to dinner with a different special each week. Proceeds support local veterans and the community. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Woodbridge American Legion, 3640 Friendly Post Lane, Woodbridge. 703-494-4304. www.vapost364.org. $5-$15.

· “Monsters University” movie – Bring a blanket or a lawn chair for a screening of the animated movie. 8:30 p.m. Loy E. Harris Pavilion, 9201 Center St., Manassas. 703-361-9800. Free.

SATURDAY, AUG. 29

· Shape Up Yoga – Taught by Bedrock Yoga as part of its Karma series. 9 a.m. Loy E. Harris Pavilion, 9201 Center St., Manassas. 703-895-3176. $20.

· Yoga on the Lawn – Vinyasa yoga taught by Hamuri Allen. 9 a.m. Rippon Lodge Historic Site, 15520 Blackburn Rd., Woodbridge. 703-499-9812. www.pwcgov.org/ripponlodge. $5.

· VFW barbecue – Kansas City-style barbecue to raise funds to buy personal care items for hospitalized veterans. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. VFW Post 1503, 14631 Minnieville Rd., Dale City. 703-670-4124. www.vfwpost1503.com. $15.

· Beer and Bacon Fest – With music on the main stage, more than two tons of bacon will be cooked at the event. 2-5 p.m. Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, 14900 Potomac Town Pl., Woodbridge. 800-830-3976. www.stonebridgeptc.com. $25-$69.

SUNDAY, AUG. 30

· Bird walk – The guided tour will include a variety of habitats. Bring binoculars and cameras. 8 a.m. Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area, North Parking Lot, 15020 Deepwood Lane, Nokesville. 703-499-4954. alliance@pwconserve.org. Free.

MONDAY, AUG. 31

· Job search network group – Plus discussion of various topics related to the search process. Mondays 1-3 p.m. House of Mercy, 8170 Flannery Ct., Manassas. 703-659-1636. Free.

· Bingo – Proceeds support Dale City Knights of Columbus activities and charities. Doors open at 6 p.m., games begin at 7:30 p.m. VFW Post 1503, 14631 Minnieville Rd., Dale City. 703-491-2378. $9 minimum.

Source: washingtonpost.com

Free Summer Concerts in August at The Harris Pavilion

 

One of the most popular events for music lovers during the summer are the outdoor concerts! The Harris Pavilion is home to many concerts and shows held throughout each year to entertain residents and visitors alike! It has been one of the most featured landmarks in Historic Downtown Manassas for many years. From April to November, the pavilion hosts events such as concerts, movies, and markets, but during the winter the pavilion is transformed into a local ice-skating rink. With the Harris Pavilion only a short distance away from Arcadia Run, we want you to be informed about the best local concerts this summer – and the best part is – they are free! Take a look at these upcoming concerts in August:

Tuesday, August 18 6-8PM

Take Out Tuesday Concert: Chris Rail – Folk, Americana acoustic

Wednesday, August 19 11:30AM-1:30PM

Wednesday Lunch Concert: Demetrios & Friends — Folk, Americana acoustic

Thursday, August 20 7:30-8:30PM

US Navy Country Current Band Concert

Saturday, August 22 6:30-8PM

Center for the Arts Concert

Sunday, August 23 3-4:30PM

Manassas Symphony Orchestra & Ice Cream Social

Tuesday, August 25 6-8PM

Take Out Tuesday Concert: Pat Quinn – Musicians performing a variety of Americana songs from 60’s to today

The Harris Pavilion hosts events and concerts every week, and summer is the perfect time to take advantage of these free events in the area. The Harris Pavilion can also be rented out for private events if you want to take your summer party to the next level! To learn more about the Harris Pavilion or events happening in Downtown Manassas, go to visitmanassas.org.

Sources: visitmanassas.comharrispavilion.com

Reasons to Rent in Manassas

In terms of features and amenities, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better value than Arcadia Run. It offers a variety of floorplans that are sure to suit anyone’s needs, many desirable features and amenities such as a fitness center and a resort-style swimming pool. One thing that is overlooked about this community is its location. Located in Prince William County, Manassas is a city that features the best of both worlds. It offers you the feel of a small town while also being close enough to provide a taste of big city life. If you’re looking to rent, Manassas has many things that make it a great place to live.

The city of Manassas is in a great location if you’re looking to commute. It’s just 30 miles away from Washington D.C. and the rest of northern Virginia, meaning you’re close enough to drive into the area for work. There’s also a VRE (Virginia Railway Express) station, allowing you to skip your drive and take the train, whether you are going down to Fredericksburg or heading up to D.C.

Manassas is one of the most historic cities in Virginia. It was the site of the First Battle of Bull Run, the first major land battle of the Civil War. There are representations of this history and other civil war era battles all over the city. You can find out about the long history of the city at the Manassas Museum, which hosts permanent and temporary exhibits and award-winning videos within its 7,000 square-foot walls. You can also find a piece of more current history at the Manassas Train Depot. Built in 1914, the depot hosts the Manassas Visitor Center along with being a stop for Amtrak and VRE trains.In historic downtown, you’ll find a great variety of shops filled with locally-made products such as jewelry, music, books, crafts and more. You’ll also find many restaurants that offer varied cuisine from around the world, from Portuguese food to sports bars. You can also visit one of their local breweries and grab a craft beer with your friends or neighbors.

If you’re looking for something active, the city features 12 different parks and recreations facilities for you to experience. Whether you want to go for a swim, walk your dog or play a game of basketball, you’ll find a fun activity to participate in.Manassas has a lot to offer anyone looking for the small-town charm with a big-city feel. If you’re interested in finding out more about Arcadia Run, please check out our website.

Sources: visitmanassas.org, manassascity.org, manassasparkcommunitycenter.com

Dixie Power Trio Comes To Town

Break out the picnic basket, strap on your boots and get ready to listen to some New Orleans rock n’ roll. The Dixie Power Trio is performing Saturday, August 17, at the Center for the Arts. Each Saturday during summer, the Center for the Arts partners with Micron Technology Foundation, the City of Manassas and the Harris Pavilion to offer free concerts to the public. A variety of popular folk, rock, country and more play each Saturday evening, giving the community an opportunity to connect over great music, food and fun.

summer sound banner

This Saturday The Dixie Power Trio is bringing their Louisiana style beats to Harris Pavilion. Inspired from New Orleans, the “trio” is actually made of four men: jazz musician Zack Smith, tubist Andy Kochenour, guitarist Chuck Underwood, and drummer Byron McWilliams. The trio has been playing clubs, concerts and schools for over two decades. Borrowing tunes from Led Zeppelin, the Ramones and Chuck Berry, the group has a knack for mixing rock n’ roll with a spice of Cajun.
dixie power trio
The Washington Post describes the trio as, “a class menagerie of tunes…from Lou Reed to Louis Armstrong, The Beatles to Led Zeppelin, Dr. John to The Neville Brothers. They call it Dixieland music for the 21st century, but it’s worth hearing now!”.

For information about the artists, click the link below:

http://www.dixiepowertrio.com/

What: Summer Concert Series

When: Saturday, August 17

Where: Harris Pavilion, 9116 Center Street, Manassas

Time: 6:30pm

Rain or shine!

Directions from Arcadia Run:

1. Head southeast on Wellington Rd. toward Virginia Meadows Dr.
2. Turn right onto VA-234 S/Prince William Pkwy
3. Take the VA-28 N ramp to Manassas
4. Merge onto Nokesville Rd
5. Continue onto Center St. Harris Pavilion will be on the right.

For more information about the Summer Sounds Concert Series, visit http://center-for-the-arts.org/

Resident Life at Arcadia Run in Manassas, VA

At Arcadia Run, it’s all about modern living and getting use to having more. We express that lifestyle through the features and amenities that let our residents enjoy the finer things in life.

Within your apartment, you will enjoy the life of a gourmet chef right in your kitchen with the granite countertops and designer cabinets. You now can put on a lavish dinner parties for all your friends and impress any guest that comes to your home.

Arcadia Run Kitchen

However, it doesn’t stop there. Outside your apartment home, there are activities galore to keep up with your active lifestyles.

For the athletes, there are jogging trails that offer ways to stay fit and keep on top of your workouts. You can also bring a group of friends to the basketball courts and play a pick-up game to stay happy and healthy!

The fun doesn’t stop there though, because in 2014, a new resort-style swimming pool will be added to the apartments and our residents will enjoy swimming and tanning at the pool as if they were on vacation! Watch out for the pool parties coming to Manassas!

With such a wealth of activities at Arcadia Run, it makes you wonder why you would live anywhere else!

Thai Food Worth Celebrating is at Zabb Thai in Manassas!

There’s something about great Thai food that makes it so much more memorable.

Maybe it’s because the flavors are so bold and spicy and the dishes are so aesthetically pleasing, but we believe finding the best Thai restaurant in a neighborhood is a conquest that, until completed, requires constant vigilance.

Thankfully, if you live in Manassas, you needn’t look further than Zabb Thai restaurant.

Zabb Restaurant

Zabb is all about celebrating great meals, great company and, well, celebrating you. The restaurant offers a trendier, more modern interior than most Manassas places, which makes the place a great destination for dates, girls’ nights out or even just an after-work gathering. The wait staff is superb to match the atmosphere.

But what makes Zabb so great, of course, is the food. Try the salt chili pork and just try to tell us you’re not in love. Looking for a classic? The pad thai wows even those who are Thai food experts.

Zabb also offers a range of vegetarian options, so you can be sure all palates will be happy to head over. Try the wonton soup (get it spicy if you cat take the heat!) and the green curry vegetable, a bright and coconut-y dish that will have you planning a return visit very soon.

Best of all, Zabb Thai restaurant is located close to home at Arcadia Run. Head over for a meal after dinner or stop by Zabb for one of their great lunch or happy hour specials.

We love the atmosphere, style and flavors at Zabb Thai restaurant. Hurry over and consider your Thai food exploration complete.

For more information, “like” Zabb Thai on Facebook!

Image: Zabb Thai

Make Grounds Central Station in Manassas Your New Café!

Not all coffee shops are created equal.

While some specialize in great coffee, others offer an ideal work environment. A certain coffee shop might have excellent service while others open up for great community events.

In Manassas, there’s one coffee shop that does it all: Grounds Central Station.

Grounds Central Station

This café that began as a one-person endeavor has become a community staple in Old Towne Manassas, and it draws people for its excellent roasts, live music and knowledgeable baristas. Pop into Grounds Central Station for a quick cup of piping hot coffee or spend a day there getting work done; the atmosphere is great for writing, reading and finishing a major assignment.

What draws us most to Grounds Central Station, though, is their commitment to the community. When we enter the coffee shop we know we’re at a place that loves this town as much as we do. So whether we’re coming in to catch up with friends over one of their creative lattes or checking out a local musician at one of their open mic nights, we always feel at home at Grounds Central Station.

Head over to Grounds Central Station and see for yourself! It might just become your new favorite coffee shop.

For more information and alerts about upcoming events, “like” Grounds Central Station on Facebook!

Grounds Central Station

Images courtesy of Fun Things To Do in Manassas and Grounds Central Station.