O’Faoláin’s
20921 Davenport Drive Sterling, VA 20165 (in front of the Regal movie theater)
703-444-9796
I am almost positive I found out about their DIY (do it yourself) Bloody Mary bar from a post on a local message board- and it was the main reason I thought of O’Faoláin’s for breakfast. Well- that and after a few Dark & Stormy cocktails with friends the night before… it just seemed like the right thing to do. The Man and I visited O’Faoláin’s & ordered from their Sunday brunch menu, and were so pleased that we did. We combined our trip east (yes- going beyond the Dulles Town Center Mall is considered a day trip) with some errands in Cascades, so it was the perfect way to make the most of our morning.
Upon entering O’Faoláin’s, there’s no doubt that- as their slogan states- you truly are in for “A Real Taste of Ireland.” The Irish tunes float above you as you take in the atmosphere: polished dark wood furnishings, Irish symbols, maps and art accenting the walls, soft, flattering lighting (although after a few pints, are we ALL gorgeous??) and lively greenery to make you feel at home. Just Irish enough to make you crave Sheperd’s Pie, but not so over the top that you fear being mauled by football hooligans if you root for England… no guarantees on the latter!
We were quickly seated the oh-so hospitable Conor, our host and the manager on duty, and given the bloody Mary bar tutorial and his recommendation to go with the Absolut® Peppar Vodka if we like it spicy, which- we do! The bar was laid out at the end of the actual beautifully designed, traditional, fully-stocked bar, and consisted of no less than 20 different hot sauces, fresh horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, lemons, limes, olives, celery, and of course- Bloody Mary mix. The glass were generously sized and pre-rimmed (if you preferred) with a mix of pepper and spices that enhanced the drink nicely. We chatted amicably with Conor & the bartender as we mixed our drinks- the tasting and refilling during the perfecting process is probably why we could only drink one each! We enjoyed sharing Bloody Mary variations we’ve seen over the years: okra or pickles instead of celery, pearl onions alongside the olives, and the pinnacle of perfection in garnishes: summer sausage! Only in Wisconsin… sigh. Anyway- it was a very pleasant & social experience at the bar. By the time we returned to our table, sat down, and enjoyed our drinks, our meals were swift to arrive.
The Irish Breakfast Panini- Irish bacon, pork sausage & scrambled eggs served Panini style on a French baguette, with a side of beans was a delicious way to start the day. The bread was fresh and lightly grilled, the eggs buttery and fluffy, and who could complain about bacon and sausage on one sandwich?!? The sandwich was served with a side of very nice breakfast potatoes- well seasoned, crisp, and browned to perfection. More than enough hearty, filling and satisfying food to fuel your Sunday until dinnertime!
Our waiter, John, was so attentive and polite- it was a real pleasure dining at O’Faoláin’s. The coffee was served hot and the cup stayed as full as The Man wanted it. John made sure our entrees were satisfactory, and had a genuine smile on his face. It seemed he was as glad to be there as we were, and that is a nice bonus on top of a great meal in this attractive yet casual establishment.
We cannot wait to return with a group of friends or with other families (the atmosphere is suitable for all types of dining experiences!) to try the Guinness Burger- Flame broiled 10oz Guinness burger served over a shredded potato cake with Tabasco onions- the curiosity alone is enough to make me go get this burger even if I’m not hungry! Chicken, fish, salads, more Irish specialties- it’s a diverse menu that knows its crowd and caters to every one in it! There’s a separate pub menu of with traditional American & Irish fare, and of course a bar with few- if any- limits!
Happy Hours are 4-7pm, Monday – Friday and includes $1 off beer and rail drinks, and there are daily drink specials with $3 beers of varying brands. Pub menu specials on week nights as well- I’m pretty sure we’ll show up on Monday night- ½ price burger night & $3 Smithwicks Irish Ale… oh the suspense! Sundays you can enjoy traditional Irish music in the dining area along with your Corned Beef & Cabbage.
Live music on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturday and ample, comfortable patio dining round out the reasons we will become regulars here. The cold draughts, warm hearts and hot food call you back again and again- because~
O’Faoláin’s Passes with Flying Colors!
Sláinte! (Cheers! Pronounced “sloynte” in Munster dialect
