Visit Loudoun Now Accepting Applications for Official Loudoun Destination Restaurants

Visit Loudoun is pleased to announce that applications are being accepted for new restaurants who wish to be considered an Official Loudoun Destination Restaurant. This popular program honors Loudoun restaurants that meet the World Food Travel Association’s definition of a destination restaurant, which is "a restaurant that is so interesting, different or special that people travel just to eat there." The Loudoun Destination Restaurant Program was established in 2007 to identify and recognize those restaurants that meet the destination restaurant standard.

The restaurants selected as Loudoun Destination Restaurants receive special recognition in all of the culinary marketing that Visit Loudoun implements including a listing in the Loudoun Touring Map & Visitors Guide, the Touring Guide to DC’s Wine Country, and on VisitLoudoun.org. Dining establishments who wish to be included as a Loudoun “destination restaurant” must have been open for at least one year as of May 1, 2014 and will be judged on the following criteria:

·         Unique Experience The establishment must offer a unique experience, either through the food, service, interior design, setting, or ideally, all of the preceding.

·         Cultural/Authentic The establishment makes an obvious attempt to create a culinary/cultural experience that educates as well as entertains. The authentic ethnicity of the operation is evidenced in various aspects of the dining experience – from the cuisine to the environment – and provides “nourishment” as well as sustenance.

·         Quality The establishment makes an obvious commitment to ensuring that the final product consistently meets exemplary standards. Responsible and appreciable cooking techniques are utilized to ensure that the culinary component of the dining experience is of a uniformly excellent quality.

·         Locally Grown Products Locally grown products are part of the prepared food and presentation.

·         Local Favorite The establishment is a favorite of locals and is a place of “character” in the community. Awards and accolades of public origin count in this category.

·         Loudoun Beer, Wine, and Spirits The restaurant features a Loudoun-inclusive beer, wine, and spirits menu.

Current Loudoun Destination Restaurants include:

·         Clyde’s at Willow Creek Farm

·         Fire Works Pizza

·         Goodstone Inn & Restaurant

·         Grandale Restaurant

·         Lightfoot Restaurant

·         Hunter’s Head Tavern

·         Magnolias at the Mill

·         Market Salamander

·         Market Table Bistro

·         Mokomandy

·         The Red Fox Inn & Tavern

·         The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm

·         Tuscarora Mill Restaurant

·         The Wine Kitchen

In order to be considered for inclusion as a “destination restaurant,” dining establishments must be nominated by business owners, employees, or patrons. Nominations will be judged based on how well the restaurant meets the above characteristics and an average user rating across the top review sites (e.g., Trip Advisor, Yelp, OpenTable).

Existing destination restaurants need not apply as they will be automatically considered for 2014.The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday April 18, 2014. Any restaurants added to the program in 2014 will be announced at Visit Loudoun’s annual meeting on Wednesday, May 7th.  To nominate a restaurant or if you have questions, please contact Stacey Sheetz at (703) 669-2005 or Sheetz@VisitLoudoun.org. Nominations will also be accepted via Visit Loudoun’s Facebook Page and on Twitter using the hashtag #LoudounDining.