Grab These Free VIP Discounts and Never Pay Full Price In Raleigh Again!

Sign up now for instant access to The Ultimate Raleigh Directory of VIP Discounts and Deals including thousands of dollars in money-saving special offers, discounts and deals from Raleigh’s best retailers, restaurants and service providers exclusively for VIP Club members. It’s all FREE, just enter your information here:

Raleigh Compared to Northern Virginia

Part of the DC suburbs is Northern Virginia where there’s a lot of business going on. I remember the area used to be compared to Silicon Valley back in the 90’s. There are a lot of big technology companies headquartered there and government subcontractors. Actually after I left the hotel catering field, I dabbled in the technology arena for about 9 years in that area.

And aside from the business hustle and bustle, the Raleigh towns remind me a bit of Northern Virginia circa 20 years ago. Friends of mine that I go way way back with, met me for Sunday brunch on my trip over the past July 4th weekend. Oh, and one of their little ones joined us (see cute photo). So, my friend Lisa sent me a text message saying that Ruthie would be joining us but that she’ll be a lady. I replied back…I don’t know about the lady bit but I’m sure she’ll be sooo darn cute! …and she was happy with her kids meal and her sippy cup she couldn’t put down. Whoever invented a straw was brilliant!

But anyway…the Willow Creek Farm restaurant we ate at was born in the 2000 era. It’s run by a DC metropolitan area restaurant chain called Clyde’s that started in Georgetown back in the 60’s.

This particular restaurant has several different large rooms and 625 seats. It’s located in an area called Ashburn in the Dulles Corridor. A lot of families live out that way. Ashburn by the way kinda reminds me of Wake Forest a little. Everything is contained within the community and coincidentally there’s even a ice rink in both towns. Where Fairfax used to be in the heart of Northern Virginia, Ashburn could very well be now the new center as Northern Virginia has spread out westward.

Here are some photos…

Does this remind you of any famous Raleigh restaurant? There are high ceilings, lots of dark wood, horse decorations, barn like feel, and vintage country paraphernalia.

…it reminds me of Angus Barn a little.

Oh and here’ s my highschool friend driving around without her kids which is a rare occurence. Notice the car sign. Her husband is a Black Belt jiu jitsu expert and instructor. He’s a bad a$%. They run a Jiu Jitsu school for adults and children in Northern Virginia.

When I was up in NoVa as we natives call it, I also saw a firework display since it was July 4th weekend. They’re everywhere up there. Unlike the distant pop-pop from the NC State fireworks, anywhere in the DC area they have great fireworks. The DC fireworks are grand and you should definitely see it at least once, but insider wise, it’s not the thing to do if you want to avoid crowds. Driving into the city is a hassle and even taking the metro can be an ordeal.

…And while all the post-Independence Day activities were going on, I got a chance to catch the tail end of the Wimbledon men’s final match that seemed like it could last all day. Great tennis in action! Wished Roddick could’ve had a win, but proud of Federer for his 15th Grand Slam…they’re my two favorites.