Sakoontra (Chantilly, VA)

Forget the great food.  Your kids will love this place for the life-size, yellow Thai taxi in the foyer.  You’ll have a touch time dragging them to the table.  For dinner selections, we love the Pla Todd Lard Pik (crispy fried whole fish flavored with fresh basil, fine chili and garlic sauce), which is simply amazing.  Panang curry and honey shrimp are also very good.  Special note: most entrees can be made vegetarian-style. 

Shiro Japanese Steak House (Burke, VA; Alexandria, VA)

The chefs at this local Japanese steak house provide the type of entertainment that will entertain the young-uns and take a little stress from harried parents.  Remember the guy who spun all those knives before Indiana Jones shrugged and just plugged him with his revolver. He survived and now works here! If your brood is large, you’ll be served family-style, with the dishes split evenly at the end of the chef’s cooking performance.  Kids love the show and tend to eat stuff they might not otherwise.  And the menu is not just limited to the steak and seafood from the grill. Appetizers consist of Tempuras, Seaweed Salad and Gyoza (Pork and Beef Dumplings).  As it’s a Japanese restaurant, you may also choose from their selection of Sushi.  All entrees are served with either Onion or Miso soup, and Shiro salad.  Capture the fun with a picture of your family and the chef.  $7.95 includes a photograph and a dessert for one.