"If you're looking for a place to have a good time, Backyard Grill & Bar is the place to be," says co-owner Robbie Qreitem. He's referring to his 11-year-old eatery in the Sully Plaza Shopping Center.
He should know a thing or two about restaurants, having grown up in the business where his parents ran the Black Orchid in Annandale and Leesburg.
SAYS BROTHER Freddy: "We're not a chain, we offer everything from angus steaks to pasta to seafood. Everything is made fresh."
Open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., diners can find something totally unique at Backyard Grill & Bar. There's a late-night menu featuring 12 styles of burgers (The Hawaiian, Tex-Mex), 14 sandwiches (Louisiana Cajun Catfish, Teriyaki Chicken), and six wraps (Fried Chicken Caesar, Asian Chicken). A fully stocked bar features 15 draft beers (Blue Moon, New Castle) and 12 bottled beers (Molson Ice, O'Doules). Ten TVs offer viewing of all kinds of sports, and there is an outdoor patio and a private-party banquet room for weddings or corporate events.
* On Tuesday, sample the raw bar with oysters, steamed clams, lobster, crab and shrimp.
* On Wednesday, demonstrate your singing with karaoke contests ($100 for the winners).
* On Thursdays, there is $1 a bottle domestic beer until 9 p.m. with a deejay.
* On Fridays and Saturdays, there is a deejay with dancing.
* On Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., there is a brunch with carving and omelet stations, Eggs Benedict, shrimp and oysters and all the standard breakfast fare.
Fifteen different appetizers — from ginger scented calamari to ahi tuna sashimi (for $8.95) to a Southwestern eggroll (for $7.95) — will get you started.
The menu offers a mix of grilled steaks and pasta dishes (Jambalaya $15.95, Salmon Alfredo $12.95).
Signature dishes include Salmon Watercress for $13.95 and Filet Mignon & Crab Cake for $19.95.
There are seven different salads — from Thai Chicken Salad to Cajun Fajita Salad to Backyard Famous Caesar Salads, with choice of toppings (chicken, steak, calamari, tuna, cajun shrimp and salmon) — $9.95-$12.95.
The clientele is mixed — everything from a business crowd to hotel guests to government workers to professional people. "There's a very strong regular crowd," said bartender Joe Hofman. "It's a local bar. I was coming here for four years before I started working here. We all know each other."
Whatever you're looking for, Robbie Qreitem says the customers feel like they're coming home: "We're an upscale neighborhood restaurant. We offer quality food."