Loudoun County

Only two weeks left to visit the Brambleton Farmers Market- one of the five different Loudoun market locations. For those of you not familiar with Brambleton, it’s a relatively new development, situated just across from a slew of brand spanking new developments. Brambleton Town Center has everything from movie theatre, to a Caribou Coffee and, yes, even a farmers market every Sunday morning.

But like I said, there are only two more Sunday’s to go before this one shuts down for the winter and before it does, you’re going to want to check out Buchanan Farms.

I was never one of those people who went to a farmers market to buy meat. Like most, I bought my chicken and beef from the supermarket, occasionally splurging on the organic chicken, or the free range beef but I never really put that much thought into it.

Enter Buchanan Farms.

Owner Sharon Buchanan with daughter, Bonnie

I had the pleasure of speaking with owner Sharon Buchanan who said that the 1200 acre farm has been in the family for over 200 years.

All the meat is organic, grass fed, and butchered by a private butcher. “Our animals are humanely raised on green pastures and have access to multigrain feed for their entire lives,” said Buchanan, which, in turn “produces a higher-graded quality meat.”

Everything from pork, lamb, lamb sausage, and black angus is available; however not everything all the time. They only have a certain number of animals at any given time so when it’s gone, it’s gone.

“It’s all about quality, not quantity,” she says.

I'm told that the leg of lamb sells particularly fast

Rightly so.

You get a real sense of where your food comes from when you realize that the steak is from a farm not 30 miles away. All the feed for the animals is grown on the farm and the entire family lends a hand in helping out. There is a real sense of community from Buchanan. She knows all the vendors and is very involved in ensuring that farmers markets keep promoting their privately owned vendors.

Fresh ground beef from Buchanan Farms

Buchanan Farms encourages visitors out to their farm in Waterford, Virginia and hopes to have a website up soon. Until that time you can contact them at:

Buchanan Farms - 40817 Browns Lane, Waterford
(540)882.4633
buchananmeats@aol.com

If you’ve happened to bring your furry friend to the market with you, stop by Jumping Jack Dog treats, for some all-natural, dog-approved treats that are as tasty as they are healthy for your pup. We picked up a sack of almond butter flavored treats and Nitro, our corgi, just about went crazy over them. And with flavors like apple and peanut butter, there’s sure to be something for even the pickiest of eaters.

Nitro will wait for Jumping Jack treats!

Visit Jumping Jack’s website here.

Brambleton Town center doesn’t boast the biggest farmers market out there; there were perhaps 7 vendors there at the most. But you can tell that everyone there truly believes in their product and take extreme pride in being able to share it with the community.

Brambleton Farmers Market is located at the Sport & Health Parking Lot by Olympia Dr & Soave Drive in Brambleton Town Center and runs from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. until October 30th so get out there now while you still can!

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Northern Virginia Farmer’s Market and Hours:

Annandale Farmers Market • 6621 Columbia Pike, Annandale – Thu, 8-noon
Arlington Farmers Market • N. 14th St. & N. Courthouse Road, Arlington – Sat, 8-noon
Ashburn Farmers Market • 44036 Pipeline Plaza, Ashburn – Sat, 8-noon
Ballston Farmers Market • N. Stuart St. & N. Ninth St. – Thu, 3-7 p.m.
Brambleton Farmers Market • 22875 Brambleton Plaza, Ashburn – Sun, 9-1 p.m.
Burke Farmers Market • 5671 Roberts Parkway, Burke – Sat, 8-noon
Cascades Farmers Market • 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling – Sun, 9-1 p.m.
Clarendon Farmers Market• 3100 Wilson Blvd., Arlington – Wed, 3-7 p.m.
Columbia Pike Farmers Market • S. Walter Reed Drive & Columbia Pike – Sun, 9-1 p.m.
Community Farmers Market • West & Main Streets (Sat), North St. & Old Lee Highway (Sun), Fairfax – Sat: 8-1 p.m.; Sun: 10-2 p.m.
Crystal City Farmers Market • Crystal Square Arcade between S. 18th and 20th Streets – Tue, 3-7 p.m.
Culpeper Farmers Market • E. Davis & Commerce Streets – Sat, 7:30-noon
Dale City Farmers Market • Dale Blvd. & Minnieville Road, Dale City – Sun, 8-1 p.m.
Del Ray Farmers’ Market • E. Oxford & Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria – Sat, 8-noon
F airfax Farmers Market • 3720 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax – Tue, 8-noon
Falls Church Farmers Market • 300 Park Ave., Falls Church – Sat, 8-noon
Fredericksburg Farmers Market• George and Prince Edward Streets, Fredericksburg – Mon-Sat, 7-6 p.m.; Sun, 12:30-4 p.m.
Frying Pan Farmers Market • 2709 West Ox Road, Herndon – Wed, 8-12:30 p.m.
Great Falls Farmers Market • 750 Walker Road, Great Falls – Sat, 9-1 p.m.
Haymarket Farmers Market • 1500 Washington St., Haymarket – Sat, 8-2 p.m.
Herndon Farmers Market • Lynn and Station Streets, Herndon – Thu, 8-noon
Kingstowne Farmers Market • Kingstowne Center & Kingstowne Blvd., Franconia – Fri, 4-7 p.m.
Leesburg Farmers Market • 20 Catoctin Circle S.E., Leesburg – Sat, 8-noon
Lorton Farmers Market • 8990 Lorton Station Blvd., Lorton – Sun, 9-1 p.m.
McLean Farmers Market • 1659 Chain Bridge Road, McLean – Fri, 8-noon
Middleburg Farmers Market • 300 W. Washington St., Middleburg – Sat, 8-noon
Mount Vernon Farmers Market • 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria – Tue, 8-noon
Nokesville Farmers Market • 13005 Fitzwater Drive, Nokesville – Sat, 8-noon
Oakton Farmers Market • 3200 Jermantown Road, Oakton – Wed, 8-noon
Old Town Alexandria Farmers Market • 301 King St., Alexandria – Sat, 5:30-11 a.m.
Old Town Manassas Farmers Market • 9201 Center St., Manassas – Thu, 7-1 p.m.; Sat, 7:30-2:30 p.m.
Nokesville Farmers Market • 13005 Fitzwater Drive, Nokesville – Sat, 8-noon
Purcellville Farmers Market• 751 E. Main St., Purcellville – Sat, 8-noon
Reston Farmers Market • 11400 Washington Plaza W., Reston – Sat, 8-noon
Smart Markets – Centreville • 5875 Trinity Parkway, Centreville – Fri, 3:30-6:30 p.m.
Smart Markets – Fairfax Corner • Grand Commons Ave., Fairfax – Tue, 3:30-6:30 p.m.
Smart Markets – Gainesville • 13297 Gateway Center Drive, Gainesville – Sun, 10:30-1:30 p.m.
Smart Markets – Herndon • 460 Elden St., Herndon – Thu, 3:30-6:30 p.m.
Smart Markets – Oakton • 2854 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton – Sat, 10-2 p.m.
Smart Markets – Reston • 11890 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston – Wed, 3:30-6:30 p.m.
Upper King Street Farmers Market • 1806 King St., Alexandria – Wed, 3-7 p.m.
Vienna Farmers Market • 131 Church St. N.E., Vienna – Sat, 8-noon
Wakefield Farmers Market • 8100 Braddock Road, Annandale – Wed, 2-6 p.m.
Warrenton Farmers Market • Branch Drive and Warrenton Village Center (Wed), S. Fifth & Lee Streets (Sat) – Wed, 7-1 p.m.; Sat, 7-noon
West End Farmers Market • 4800 Brenman Park Drive, Alexandria – Sun, 9-1 p.m.

– Jennie Whistler

Great Food for a Great Cause

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

This week, September 26-30, the FundsOn organization is partnering up with participating restaurants Foster’s Grille, Pizza Go Round, and Red Hot & Blue in their charity campaign GIVE 50. The campaign will give 50 percent of the participating restaurant’s purchases to local schools and non-profits.

As government budget cuts continue to affect the amount of funds available for public schools, school programs such as athletics, fine arts, and other extracurricular activities are becoming more threatened.

To help support the campaign to keep public school programs up and running, you can purchase vouchers from the three restaurants at fundson.com and also receive a 10 percent discount from each purchase as you dine.

Within two months of their Grand Opening, Pizza Go Round has helped 12 area schools and non-profit organizations raise money! Thanks PGR Team!

Foster’s Grille (2004 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria; 703-519-0055; and 5007-E Westone Plaza Drive, Chantilly; 703-378-3797)

Pizza Go Round (44640 Waxpool Road, Ashburn; 703-858-1818)

Red Hot & Blue (Locations in Arlington, Fairfax and Herndon; www.redhotandblue.com)

What’s better than that? Enjoy your food while feeling good about supporting a great organization!

-Julia Harbo

A Food Lover’s Afternoon in Historic Downtown Leesburg

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Monday, August 22nd, 2011

Whether you are enchanted by its history, its railroad right of way-turned bike trail (the last 10 miles from Leesburg to Purcellville are arguably the best part of the W&OD Trail), its antique shopping, or its quiet beauty, it is clear that Historic Downtown Leesburg–Loudoun County’s original town center–has something to offer any visitor. If you are a food lover, there is even more reason to make Leesburg’s downtown an afternoon destination. Here are just a few memorable stops from my visit last Saturday.

Shop

(Image: Johnisha M. Levi/Northern Virginia Magazine)

Work up your appetite with a little early afternoon browsing. At the friendly boutique retailer Crème de la Crème, you’ll find shelf upon shelf of goodies for your dining room and kitchen, including an extensive collection of French table linens and cutlery and handmade French and Italian pottery.

(Image: Johnisha M. Levi/Northern Virginia Magazine)

Crème de la Crème
101 S. King St.
Leesburg, VA 20175
(703)-737-7702
www.shopcremedelacreme.com

Lunch

Market Station (Image: Johnisha M. Levi/Northern Virginia Magazine)

For lunch, meander over to Market Station, a charming shopping center framed around restored historic buildings (namely a railroad freight station, a station master’s house, a log house, barns and grist mills). Grab a sandwich to enjoy on the umbrella-shaded outdoor patio of bakery/coffee house/deli South Street Under. The almond chicken salad with red grapes, spilling forth from its bed of South Street’s famed ciabatta (also sold individually in foot long loaves), is ample enough to split.

Almond Chicken Salad on Ciabatta (Image: Johnisha M. Levi/Northern Virginia Magazine)

For a lighter option, choose the blackened chicken wrap, which swaddles tomatoes, red onions and hunks of avocado in addition to its mildly spiced protein. And don’t forget the lemonade. None of that mucousy corn syrup aftermath here as this lemonade is sweetened with agave. Fresh lime juice also nicely mellows the astringency of the lemon.

Blackened Chicken Wrap (Image: Johnisha M. Levi/Northern Virginia Magazine)

South Street Under
203 Harrison St. SE
Leesburg, VA 20175
(703) 771-9610
www.southstreetunder.com

Dessert/Snack
If you don’t heed any of my other advice, do yourself a favor and don’t go home without at least grabbing a slice (if not a whole pie) from Mom’s Apple Pie Company. In this tiny storefront parked at the slice-shaped intersection of Loudoun and Market Street, Texas Cake with mile-high fudgy icing, chocolate-drowned brownies (yes, chocolate on the inside, chocolate on the outside!), and saucer-sized cookies may compete for your attention, but there is a reason why this is the Pie Company, right? Emphatically yes–both pie slices I sampled were gold medal winners. A tawny double-crusted beauty hides a jubilant, slightly tart red raspberry and peach filling.

The Raspberry Peach Pie Goes Quickly! (Image: Johnisha M. Levi/Northern Virginia Magazine)

If you are a blueberry lover, you are in luck. Delve into a generous brown sugar and butter crumb topping and uncover concentrated forkfuls of indigo farm fresh berry. And don’t worry–Mom’s is open seven days a week! Try a new pie flavor every day. . .

Blueberry Crumb Pie (Image: Johnisha M. Levi/Nothern Virginia Magazine)

Mom’s Apple Pie Company
220 Loudoun St. SE
Leesburg, VA 20175
(703) 771-8590
www.momsapplepieco.com

-Johnisha M. Levi

Find Your Zen For Charity

Posted by clara / Monday, August 1st, 2011

Monday, August 1, 2011

Photo Courtesy Mindy Piland and Yoga Time Studio.

This Friday, August 5, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Yoga Time Studio will be hosting Yoga for Empowerment. The class is free and all donations go to benefit the Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter (LAWS). Francesca Budesheim, a senior at Syracuse University studying Child & Family Studies, hopes to pursue social work in graduate school. After interning at LAWS she was inspired to find more ways to help. Her first step was to partner with Yoga Time Studio to host this event.

“Many people are affected by many types of abuse and those events go untold,” Budesheim says. “I want to spread the word and encourage the community to come together and for those affected by any sort of abuse to feel like they have a support system. That way they can get the help they deserve.”

Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter provides domestic violence, child abuse and sexual assault services for Loudoun County. They’ve also had a significant role in raising awareness and prevention for such crimes. Proceeds from Yoga for Empowerment will hopefully help LAWS get the money they need to build a new shelter.

Yoga Time Studio has hosted other charitable events in the past, namely classes collecting food to benefit local food pantries. This class will have modified workouts to benefit all skill levels.

Photo Courtesy Mindy Piland and Yoga Time Studio.

Even if you can’t make it to the class, you can still make a donation to LAWS. Show up at Yoga Time Studio before or during the class to add your donation to their event, or go online where you can make it on behalf of Yoga for Empowerment.

This class will be held at 340 South Nursery Ave in Purcellville, but Yoga Time Studio is located at 142 North 21st Street. For more information, visit the Facebook event, or contact Francesca Budesheim by phone 703-727-3532 or by email fmbudesheim@yahoo.com.

–Clara Ritger

Living Large in LoCo: The New Cobb Cinemas Offers a Full Menu

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Tuesday, July 26th, 2011

With the opening of Leesburg’s Cobb Village 12 Cinemas last Friday, Loudoun now has a movie theater worthy of its status as the nation’s richest county.

As the Post reports, Loudoun County was previously “underserved” when it came to movie theaters, possessing only the Tally-Ho, an 81-year-old two-screen theater whose fate is uncertain (it has been up for sale for a year), and one multiplex each in Ashburn and Sterling.

You hear that? It is the world’s smallest violin playing for the LC. Or is it LoCo?

Well, that has changed. Cobb is located off of Route 7 just behind Wegmans. So now you can check out a flick AND shop at the world’s best grocery store.

And as if Wegies wasn’t enough of a food option, Cobb Cinemas is pulling out all the stops. The 68,000-square-foot, 12-screen theater boasts:

-a bar that you can sit around if you don’t want to take your drink back to your seat. Order wine, beer (e.g., Stella Artois, Blue Moon) and liquor.

-a “chef-inspired” (when have you ever heard those words at a movie theater?) menu, with a full seating area to the side of said bar. Some of the options? Italian sausage ravioli, handmade pizza, and coconut shrimp.

-a cafeteria-style or pass-through snack bar. Instead of waiting in line for your Junior Mints and popcorn, you can just skip ahead to what you want, pay, and be about your business.

-a cafe with self-serve fro yo, pita, salad, croissants, and Pellegrino for healthier options.

In addition to all these selling points, did I mention this theater is the first in the area to have D-Box technology? For those of you who don’t know (and I admit, I didn’t seeing as I live in the dark ages of the Fairfax Cinema Arts Theatre and AMC Courthouse), D-Box technology produces movement concurrent with the action you see on the screen.

Cobb Cinemas currently has 36 seats available with this technology for Harry Potter fans, but you have to pay to play. For an adult, a D-Box ticket for an evening show is $18.50; for a child it costs $15.50. 3-D is an additional $3.50. So much for a movie being a cheap date!

To get a look inside the theater, and for more on D-Box, check out this Loudoun Times video:

Cobb Village 12 Cinemas
1600 Village Market Boulevard
Leesburg, VA 20176
(571) 291-9462

-Johnisha M. Levi

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