Silverado:  Woven into the Fabric of Annandale

By:  CM Leonard

In the Annandale Shopping Center, at 7052 Columbia Pike, one of three family restaurants have been in service to the community for over fifty-five years.  First it was the Villa Maria Restaurant which charmed the community serving dishes primarily from Southern Italy on red checked table linens.  By 1977 the Great American Restaurant (GAR) Fritzbee’s replaced Villa Maria and expanded the premises; while the family friendly atmosphere and top notch food continued.  In 1996 with a fully gutted makeover, new kitchen, further expanded space, and a new theme, Silverado’s opened.  Since then, this Great American Restaurant has woven itself into the fabric of Annandale.

Patrons include those who have regularly dined here for thirty years, the many newer young families recently settling in Annandale as well as elderly couples who can, if they wish, eat early by taking advantage of Silverado’s continuous service hours beginning at 11 am.  Annandale’s vastly diverse population all come to Silverado’s.  Business lunches, birthday parties, prom dinners, holiday gatherings, Happy Hours, and the Chamber’s Mixers are held here regularly.

The Lonesome Dove decorating theme warmly compliments the delicious south western inspired menu.  Executive Chef Hong Lim, who has been with GAR for eight years and at Silverado’s for the past three, creates  a choice of steak or chicken fajitas particular to Silverado’s.  Patrons pile onto warm flour tortillas creamy homemade guacamole, pico de gallo, Monterey jack & cheddar cheese, and/or as much sour cream as they wish.  Sizzling meats grilled with caramelized onions, and piquant jalapenos add the final layer of flavor to this south-of-the-border comfort food.

Manager Dustin Ranney revealed that besides the fajitas and their expertly sautéed crab cakes, Silverado’s salmon dishes are customer favorites.  From the Grilled Salmon with Dijon Cream to the Grilled Salmon Salad accented with sun dried cranberries, goat cheese, pine nuts, new potatoes, and drizzled with the best salad dressing you will ever taste (Silverado’s own champagne vinaigrette) these successful dishes are due to the use of fresh ingredients, and skilled preparation.  Grandma always said to keep it simple, use fresh ingredients, and don’t mask the flavor of the food.  Confidently, Silverado’s executes this philosophy.

The Great American Restaurants have a comprehensive staff training program stressing the company culture summed-up as, “passion, integrity, and fairness.” Impressively they re-evaluate the program annually and raise the bar each and every year.    Having dined in all their restaurants on scores of occasions, I am constantly impressed with the passion.  Service staff have a thorough understanding of the ingredients being used and preparation methods.  They extend hospitable and efficient service, check back regularly with beverage refills, aid elderly patrons who might need some assistance or parents of youngsters who do need distractions such as coloring materials or their new etch-a-sketch.

Starting with the genuinely warm greeting you receive from the hostess, to proficient service staff, scrumptious food, comfortable appointments and décor, add reasonable prices. Silverado never disappoints.  Whether you are looking for lunch, Sunday brunch (Squibnocket Scrambled Eggs, Crabmeat Benedict and Bacon Bloody Mary–WOW!) or dinner, make Silverado’s your next stop.

Silverado
7052 Columbia Pike
Annandale, VA  22003
703-354-4560
www.greatamericanrestaurants.com/silverado

 

Hours
Sunday: 10:30am-10:00pm
Monday: 11:00am-10:00pm
Tuesday: 11:00am-10:30pm
Wednesday: 11:00am-10:30pm
Thursday: 11:00am-10:30pm
Friday: 11:00am-11:30pm
Saturday: 11:00am-11:30pm
The bar closes one hour after the dining room

Brunch Hours
Sunday: 10:30am-3:00pm

The other Great American Restaurants are Arties, Coastal Flats, Mike’s American (the largest), The Carlyle and next door neighbor Best Buns, Ozzie’s (Italian), Jackson’s, and Sweetwater Tavern.

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