Faves and raves by
JEFF McKAY
Lee District supervisor, Fairfax County
PERSONAL STATS
AGE: 34
NUMBER OF YEARS IN D.C.: 34
NEIGHBORHOOD: Grew up on the Route 1 corridor, now lives off Telegraph Road in Lee District.
1. FAVORITE NEIGHBORHOOD HANGOUT
Mike’s American Grill (6210 Backlick Road, Springfield), House of Dynasty (7550 Telegraph Road, Alexandria), and Pena’s Italian. I love all three!
2. BEST MODE OF TRANSPORTATION
Metro, of course! How else can you cover the area while reading a book or newspaper?
3. FAVORITE LOCAL SPORTS EVENT
I love to go to Wizards games. The atmosphere a few years ago when they won a playoff game was electric.
4. BEST PLACE FOR LIVE MUSIC
The Swamp Romp at Wolf Trap — best jazz, Cajun music. Wolf Trap is a great venue. There is also great impromptu Irish music live in Old Town Alexandria on weekend nights.
5. BEST PLACE FOR OUT-OF-TOWN VISITORS
You have to take them to downtown. D.C. offers amazing museums and monuments. If we stay in Virginia, you can’t beat the National Air and Space Museum [next to Dulles airport].
6. FAVORITE HISTORICAL SPOT
Mount Vernon. It’s a great way to spend a day reflecting on our rich local history — much of which has ties to Mount Vernon.
7. MOST ROMANTIC SPOT
There is nothing more romantic than a drive to the Shenandoah Valley in the fall when the leaves just are turning color. Amazing views, great vineyards, and quiet time — the Shenandoah Valley makes a great romantic day trip or weekend.
8. FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A LAZY SUNDAY
A trip to Huntley Meadows Park (3701 Lockheed Blvd., Alexandria) with my daughter. It’s peace amongst normal chaos. A great way to relax on Sunday.
9. BEST BREAKFAST
Brunch at Houlihan’s in Springfield is a great special breakfast. My favorite place is at home with fresh coffee and every newspaper I can find.
10. BEST RETREAT OUT OF TOWN
We like to go to Colonial Williamsburg. It’s close by and offers tons of things for the kids and great golf courses.
11. BEST PLACE FOR LATE-NIGHT EATS
With a 2-year-old, late night eats are rare! I used to go to Krispy Kreme on Route 1 where the doughnut factory used to be. Now that it’s closed, we hit Silver Diner.
12. BEST MEMORY OF THE AREA
My favorite thing is how Fairfax County is so big yet it still has a small-town feel — especially to me, having lived here all my life. In a county of over a million, not a day goes by where I don’t run into old friends.
13. WORST PART OF LIVING IN D.C.
The traffic, of course. Thank goodness for Metro. Imagine our roads with 800,000 Metro passengers in their cars instead.
14. BEST PLACE FOR KIDS
The National Zoo. I love to take my daughter there to see all the wonderful animals. Since it’s free, we go all the time.
15. BEST FAIR OR FESTIVAL
Springfield Days. It’s a great celebration of the local community — a time when the local business and civic community work together and realize how important each one is to our quality of life.
