100 Best Restaurants 2009: Jackson's MIghty Fine Food

Reviewed by Todd Kliman , Ann Limpert , Cynthia Hacinli , Rina Rapuano , Eve Zibart

No. 99: Jackson's Mighty Fine Food

Jackson's Mighty Fine Food

11927 Democracy Dr.
Reston, VA
Phone: 703-437-0800

Cuisines:
Sushi, American, Modern

Opening Hours:

Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes

Nearby Metro Stops:
None nearby

Price Range:
Moderate

Dress:
Informal

Noise Level:
Chatty

Reservations:
Recommended

Special Features:
Kid Friendly

Website:
Click here to open in new window.

Best Dishes
Deviled eggs; duo of dips; lobster mac and cheese; goat cheese and cranberry salad; sea bass in ginger broth; crab cakes; lemon meringue pie; chocolate waffle.

Price Details:
Starters $5.50 to $14, main courses $9.50 to $27.


 

Reader's Rating:
4 out of 5

 

Cuisine: Nostalgic comfort food from the Great American Restaurants group. The kitchen puts out original dishes—deviled eggs with sugared bacon, lemon “marshmallow meringue” pie—but there are plenty of the chain’s classics, such as the flourless chocolate waffle.

Mood: The restaurant pays homage to the memory of the late chef Bill Jackson, with both a Norman Rockwell–style painting and a letter board listing all his nicknames (“Charmer”) and favorite things (wasabi). All-booth seating and cheery service keep diners happy.

Best for: A relaxed, not-too-expensive date; dinner with a picky eater; a kid-friendly meal.

Best dishes: Deviled eggs with sugared bacon and pecans; pimiento-cheesy red-pepper dip and guacamole; lobster mac and cheese; field greens with warm goat cheese and spiced pecans; crab cakes; sea bass with a gingery soy broth; lemon meringue pie with a graham-cracker crust; flourless chocolate waffle.

Insider tips: The restaurant looks big, but it fills up quickly—call ahead to put your name on the waiting list. Portions are generous and easy to share.

Service: •••

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Moderate.

>> See all 100 Best Restaurants

Reader ReviewsWrite your own review
 
Good The Next Chapter of Great American Restaurants
revcmcastle — January 22, 2009 7:18 PM
This review is targeted to fans of Great American Restaurants: you know that the style is "upscale casual." You know the quality is better than average. You know the service is better than average, attentive and well trained. You know that at More ...
Report the content