Times are hard. Free food for a year? Now, that’s something worth sleeping in a parking lot for. Especially when it’s Chik-Fil-A. I wish I had known when it opened. I probably would have done the same thing. See some more photos the Washington Post took here.
Chik-Fil-A in Gainesville, VA
Osaka Japanese Steak & Seafood
Last Friday, we celebrated our friend Trish’s birthday at Osaka Japanese Steak & Seafood restaurant. It’s a really great place for birthdays. They give you a birthday ballon, sing a song, give you a piece of cake, and even let you take a swing at a traditional Japanese drum for a birthday wish. And I think they even give you a $10 discount on your birthday, too!
Apparently, some people have actually read my previous entry about Osaka Japanese Steak & Seafood Restaurant in Gainesville and have commented to the owners about it. WOW!
OMG! This pho sucks. As an Asian and someone who has eaten pho regularly for 14 years, this pho is so blech! We went to Pho 234 in Manassas this past weekend. Big mistake! First of all, the staff was super pushy. When was asked for a minute, the lady asked us to look over the appetizers and waited a minute. Like we needed to pick one right then and there. When I received the pho tai nam, I was so disappointed. The broth had a nutmug flavor that was overpowering. And the noodles–were just plain freaking sad. Clumped together and then they broke into a million tiny pieces. Obviously, they overcooked the noodles. In my 14 years of eating pho very regularly, I have never ever seen noodes that poor. For crying out loud, even when I had pho in Reno during my trip on Amtrak’s California Zephyr, the pho noodles were so much better. Anyway, if you’re Asian or you what good pho is, I suggest you eat it somewhere else.
pho 234 manassas
At Osaka in Gainesville (near Target and Giant), the filet mignon is so tender, it’s like pillow-soft. The lobster is juicy and cooked to perfection. The chicken is marinated in delicious sauce. The vegetables (zucchini, onions, carrots, and broccoli) are so good in that light orange side sauce. I could drink that dip it’s so good. And the fried rice is terrific. Everything Osaka serves up on their flame-throwing hibachi grills is awesome.
When you live out in western Prince William County (Gainesville, Haymarket, Bristow), there aren’t too many choices to eat out. Although, new restaurants are popping up every month. I’ve lived in Gainesville, VA for nearly 8 years. Crazy, I know. And Osaka has been there forever. Their hibachi is really good considering the location. Being Asian, I love asian food–especially Japanese. So I’m really glad they’re nearby and excited about the other Asian restaurants now in the Gainesville area (i.e. Pei Wei, Saigon Crepes, Anothai, etc.)
And their sushi, while not the best in the world–we’re not exactly near water–is really good and creative. Osaka created some new sushi based on our geography. Like the Linton Hall roll and Rt. 29. It’s sushi that is lightly deep-fried. It might sound a little unusual, but the combination is excellent. I have also tried their sashimi and it’s good, too. They have even have other unique sushi like lasagna sushi that’s a little strange, but I appreciate their creativity and it’s pretty good.
So if you’re looking for some tasty hibachi food and sushi and you live in Gainesville, Virginia, I’d give it a try. You won’t be disappointed–unless of course when they try to make you catch the shrimp in your mouth and you miss. It’s always fun watching the kids try this.
Here’s the link to Osaka Japanese Restaurant in Gainesville.
euphoria meets holy crap meets badass 
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