Tysons, often overshadowed by its shopping malls, showcases a vibrant culinary scene, especially Afghan dining. Culinary critics highlight locations like Masroor's hospitality empire, which includes several eateries offering rich flavors reminiscent of Eastern Afghanistan. Dining recommendations emphasize meatless dishes at Bistro Aracosia, featuring creative uses of vegetables and aromatic spices. Critics celebrate the restaurant's commitment to quality, with dishes like beef dumplings and a hearty stew reflecting the fusion of traditional and innovative cooking approaches. Overall, Tysons emerges as a noteworthy dining destination.
The westernmost outpost in the Masroor family's budding hospitality empire - which includes the flagship Afghan Bistro in neighboring Springfield, Bistro Aracosia in D.C.'s Palisades neighborhood and breakout newcomer Afghania in Georgetown - immediately whisks Sietsema away to eastern Afghanistan. "You'll want sambosa, juicy ground beef and lentils in sheer pastry dusted with powdered sugar and cardamom," he writes of the homespun treat that chef and co-founder Sofia Masroor says she grew up eating "in Kabul with tea."
In his 2023 Fall Dining Guide, Sietsema chronicles the bounty of meatless wonders he's encountered at Aracosia, including butternut squash "lashed with garlic yogurt," mixed greens (spinach, kale, mustard, cilantro) spiced with fenugreek and turmeric, "glossy roasted eggplant," and tender chickpeas zapped with "cinnamon-spiced tomato paste." He dubs housemade beef dumplings decorated with yogurt sauce, dried mint and cayenne pepper as bona fide "crowd pleasers."
And he finds plenty to celebrate in generous orders of boneless chicken thighs "punched up with cilantro, dill and leeks" as well as a "racy" stew packed with veal, tomatoes, eggplant and bell peppers. "This is a restaurant that does backflips to please." (Entrées $19 to $47.)
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