By: Thanh Buswell, Guest Blogger
Bobby Flay selected Virginia for his 15th Bobby’s Burger Palace location nationwide. Yesterday marked the restaurant’s grand opening and Real Housewives of Northern Virginia was invited to a private media lunch prior to the noon public opening.  Andrea, our Real Housewives of NOVA ring leader, reached out to me about attending. As total Food Network junkie, Bobby Flay fan and man-food lover in general, I was all for it!

At 10:00am, there was already a line started with the first woman parked in her lawn chair. Walking into the restaurant, there was definitely a buzz of excitement. Bobby Flay was as down-to-earth and casual as you see him on his many Food Network shows, wearing jeans and a tucked-in BBP tee shirt.  Luckily, a few of us were able to squeeze in five minutes of one-on-one time with Bobby Flay.  Armed with a couple questions from NOVA Housewives readers, I sat down across from a very blue-eyed Bobby Flay to chat about what he keeps in his pantry, his favorite thing to cook for his wife Stephanie, and the celebrity chef he’s ready to do a ‘throwdown’ with:

RHNOVA: What food do you keep in your house for quickly throwing together dinner on a crazy day?

BF: I have canned tomatoes to make tomato sauce. I have lots of different shaped pastas and couscous and then I have lots of things in my pantry like olives and capers, anchovies, parmesan cheese because it keeps really well. I always feel like having lots of ingredients in your dry pantry to throw pastas together is the best thing to have.

RHNOVA: What’s your favorite food to cook for your wife?

BF: To cook for my wife? Whatever she wants. I’m her short order cook, meaning it really varies. She’s from Texas so she likes southern food. It could be like, in the morning she likes biscuits and gravy with sausages or a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich.  For dinner, she likes fried chicken, she likes chicken Milanese. Sometimes she just wants a big ol’ steak.

RHNOVA: Can she cook?

BF: She can cook about six dishes really well; that’s all you really need.

RHNOVA: If you could have a throwdown with any celebrity chef who would it be?

BF: Celebrity Chef? Oh, Gordon Ramsey.

RHNOVA:  Aren’t you scared he’s going to yell at you?

BF: Not at all.

RHNOVA: Final question, what is your favorite Housewives franchise?

BF: Jersey, of course!

Okay, Bobby – we’ll give that one since you’re from NY!

Shortly after the Q&A session, Bobby Flay made a formal introduction of the new BBP restaurant, described his restaurant concept, ingredients and what he loves about BBP.  Key takeaways:

·         Burgers are made with Certified Angus Beef with 80/20 fat ratio cooked on a hot griddle and served with a soft, sesame seed bun
·          French fries are hand-cut in house and prepped using the Parisian Brasserie technique
·         The shakes are 11 oz of ice cream in 10 natural flavors, pistachio being the cult-classic
·         You can order any burger “crunchified” (topped with a thin layer of chips) for free

What else? Bobby’s got a thing about not taking shortcuts with his food, including serving a burger with half-melted cheese. Hanging in the kitchen with the chefs is a sign that reads: “Bobby Says Melt the Cheese Completely.”

I ordered the Classic Crunch Burger, French Fries and the Black & White Shake, Bobby Flay’s favorite shake flavor.  My burger was well seasoned with oo-ey melted cheese and the french fries were fresh-cut and served with a really great BBP fry sauce that is made with mayo, roasted red pepper and chipotle chile.

By the time I left, there was a lengthy line, curving around another side of the mall with many NOVA residents ready to have the BBP experience.

Want to check out Bobby's Burger Palace? We're giving away two $20 Gift cards!

ENTER BELOW TO WIN ONE OF FOUR FAMILY FOUR PACKS OF TICKEST TO CELEBRATE FAIRFAX!

Mark your calendars for Celebrate Fairfax! on June 7-9, 2013 at the
Fairfax County Government Center. Presented by Celebrate Fairfax, Inc, the annual festival hosts tens of thousands of visitors during the three-day run. 

The 25-acre site is magically filled with fascinating sights and sounds of more than 300 exhibitors, food vendors, crafters and interactive activities. Celebrate Fairfax! showcases live concerts on eight stages, ExxonMobil Children's Avenue, a petting zoo, the Fairfax County
Karaoke Championship, carnival rides, and great festival foods. Another fun activity for kids is the Inova Train Ride to Good Health. 

Nightly fireworks, presented by SAIC, are a highlight of the festival, and one of many great family programs. This year's Bud Light Main Stage features top national headline performers:
The B-52s, Spin Doctors and the Summerland Tour 2013 - Alternative Guitars  starring Everclear, Live, Filter and Sponge!

Tickets: At the gate:
$12 adult (11 & Older); $5 youth (3-10); 2 & Under Free; $10 Seniors & Military.
Discounted tickets can be purchased in advance at www.CelebrateFairfax.com.
 
Performances on the Bud Light Main Stage include:
Friday, June 7th at  7:15pm – Summerland Tour 2013 – Alternative Guitars starring Everclear, Live, Filter and Sponge
Saturday, June 8th at 8pm – The B-52s
Sunday, June 9th at 4:30pm – Spin Doctors

POPULAR PROGRAMS:
Craft Beer Garden and Silent Disco  – Features craft brews and exceptional acoustic artists by day, and dueling DJs in a club-like atmosphere by night.  Two DJ's spin the crowd into frenzy and the only way you can hear it is with specifically tailored, wireless headphones. At our silent disco, rather than using a traditional speaker system, live music is broadcasted and picked up by specially designed wireless headphones worn by the audience.  Each headphone has two channels, one for each DJ, and the audience can switch back and forth between the two channels depending on what music they want to dance to.  Two DJs, two different types of music.  Those without the headphones hear no music, giving the amusing effect of a room full of people dancing to silence. Entertainment for everyone!

Greenology - This signature program at Celebrate Fairfax!, educates and motivates guests on leading a greener and healthier life. The Greenology exhibit at the 2013 Celebrate Fairfax! Festival will include the Dominion Virginia Power stage which offers demonstrations, lectures and performances geared toward giving attendees of all ages a better understanding of healthy living and the opportunities for positive changes in everyday life.

Fairfax County DockDogs Championship –  The world’s premier canine aquatics competition is coming to Fairfax!  DockDogs is a national dog jumping competition that will feature four-legged athletes from around the region. Three competitions combine to make one action packed family oriented show. Dogs compete in Big Air (long jump), Extreme Vertical (high jump), and Speed Retrieve by jumping off of a 20 foot dock into a 40 foot pool of water. The overall best competitor wins the Iron Dog. Dock jumping is a fun and exciting canine sport open to all breeds. 

ExxonMobil Children's Avenue - Located at the heart of the Celebrate Fairfax! Festival, is a
playground of interactive activities for the youngest of our guests.  With a primary focus for those 12 and under, ExxonMobil Children's Avenue is a not-to-miss destination for all young families. 
Programs in ExxonMobil Children's Avenue have a basis in education, fun, and imagination.  All activities are interactive, and include a petting zoo, Busch Garden's Children's stage,  Inova Health System Train Ride to Good Health and new this year, Silent Disco  Jr. and an Instrument Petting Zoo. 
All programs and activities in ExxonMobil Children's Avenue are FREE with festival admission.

Fairfax County Karaoke Championship - Think you have what  it takes to be the Karaoke Champion of Fairfax  County? Well now is your chance! The Celebrate Fairfax! Festival is proud to present the  fourth annual Fairfax County Karaoke Championship. The competition will consist
of three rounds: preliminary rounds starting March 17th at various local venues  (see www.celebratefairfax.com for a full list), semi-final and final rounds -- both at the Celebrate Fairfax!
Festival on Saturday June 8th.  One winner will be named Fairfax County Karaoke Champion and will receive the grand prize of $1,500.

For more information on any of the festival's programs, or to become a part of the festival as a volunteer, please browse our website, www.celebratefairfax.com, or contact the Celebrate Fairfax, Inc. office at 703-324-FAIR (3247).

Looking to keep the kids busy this summer? How about a chance to check out the programs at The Music Loft in Herndon for FREE? Enter to win A SUMMER OF MUSIC LESSONS (8 weeks of 30 minute lessons -- a $300 value). 
 
Top 5 Benefits of Studying Music with The Music Loft

#1 All instrumental lessons in one location, saving you time.
One family can take lessons on multiple instruments on the same day.  We offer instruction on ALL of the popular instruments.
  
#2 The most qualified teaching faculty in the area.
Our faculty have degrees in music education and professional performance experience. Our instructors are dedicated to helping you achieve YOUR personal musical goals.  With 18
instructors to choose from, we are confident that we have the right teacher to meet your needs.  Our teachers are dedicated to providing the best music education in a warm, friendly, nurturing
environment. 

#3 Our award winning Master Classes and FREE recitals.
We are the ONLY music school to include as part of your students comprehensive music education program free recitals and numerous master classes every semester.
 
#4 A family friendly environment with a comfortable waiting room.
Instead of waiting in a crowded music retail store showroom, our families enjoy a spacious, professional waiting room with comfortable couches and chairs, kids toys, Wi-fi, and coffee. 
 
#5 A wide range of lesson times available to fit your busy
schedule. 
Monday-Thursday 3:00pm-8:00pm  AND  Saturday 10:00am-4:00pm

Chef and restaurateur Bobby Flay introduces his first restaurant in Virginia with the opening of Bobby’s Burger Palace (BBP) in Woodbridge, VA, the 15th BBP location nationwide. Located adjacent to Potomac Mills—a Simon Mall—BBP offers an assortment of burgers inspired by Bobby’s extensive travels throughout America and his love of the grill in a casual and convenient setting.  

“At any time of year, my favorite thing to eat is a cheeseburger,” says Bobby. “And at BBP, I celebrate America’s variety of flavors, styles and cultures surrounding this classic staple, offering a selection of specialty burgers, served at a great price. I’m very excited to open the first BBP in Virginia and be able to share this with the Woodbridge community.”

Each BBP burger is Bobby’s tribute to America’s regional flavors and traditions, made with only premium-quality ingredients and condiments. Cooked to order, patrons can choose from 10 signature burgers such as the Philadelphia Burger with Provolone cheese, griddled onions and hot peppers; the Buffalo Style Burger with red hot sauce, blue cheese dressing and watercress; the Dallas Burger spice crusted with coleslaw, Monterey Jack, BBQ sauce, and pickles; the Santa Fe Burger with queso sauce, pickled jalapeños, and blue corn chips; and the Palace Classic Burger with American cheese, lettuce, tomato and red onion – are all served on a sesame seed bun. Also offered is a BBP Burger of the Month, which in May will be Stephanie’s All-American Burger with American cheese, yellow mustard, pickled jalapenos and shredded lettuce. All burgers may be prepared with Certified Angus Beef or ground turkey, and a grilled chicken breast option is also available.

INSIDER DINING AT BBP When dining at the BBP, Bobby reminds you to get your burger crunchified, which means topping any BBP burger with crisp chips at no additional cost.  Crunchified selections include the Crunchburger® with double American cheese and potato chips and the Crunch Salad with chopped vegetables, romaine, crispy tortillas, white cheddar cheese cubes and balsamic dressing. 

I just realized that we're only two weeks away from our neighborhood pool opening this season and I panicked with fear just thinking about getting into my swimsuit! #SuburbanPeopleProblems.

So, today, I met with my friend, John Casto of Action Fitness. With a spinach shake in hand, John talked me into actually committing to a goal. I took the plunge and signed up for personal training and his Women's Only Fitness Bootcamp starting on Monday (OH NO!). I figure by posting here that you, my lovely/supportive/encouraging readers, will keep me accountable for at least the first month. My goal is to lose 5lbs in one month - totally doable, right?

I was thinking - since I'm going to be doing this challenge, wouldn't some of you like to do it with me?! Please! We can even go for margaritas after bootcamp :) I threw this idea at John and he said he'd extend ALL OF MY READERS a FREE ONE MONTH TRIAL for the Women's Only Fitness Bootcamp in Fairfax! WOO HOO!
Plus, FIVE WINNERS will receive a FREE personal training session to get you started. How fantastic is that? It will be way more fun if we do it together!

Getting ready to plan for your kids for the summer? Would one week of free summer camp help you out?

Let me introduce you to the The Creative Difference, an educational enrichment program, focusing on out-of school opportunities for children to broaden their learning experience through hands-on and creative activities. The Creative Difference hosts camps during the summer, school holidays, after school and for parents night out. Their programs are designed to inspire children in creative thinking, problem solving, self-direction, discovery, higher-order thinking skills, and the courage to create something different.
Check out the giveaway below!

Looking to eat out, bring the kids, and actually enjoy it? Check out a new review site: Teddy's Table. Teddy’s Table has a simple philosophy - Restaurant Reviews: By Families For Families.

Teddy's Table offers families and caregivers information on local restaurants with reviews from other families and parents about restaurants that adults and children can both enjoy. Want to know if a particular restaurant is kid-friendly? Teddy’s Table will tell you!

Teddy’s Table hopes to help make planning easier -- to help you find restaurants that are fun for kids AND parents. To help raise awareness of their new site, Teddy's Table is hosting a giveaway for one $25 gift certificate to one of their favorite chains of kid-friendly restaurant groups, The Great American Restaurants! Enter below!

giveaway sponsored by TeddysTable.com

If you're staying in town for Spring Break and looking for something to do with the kids - check out the extended hours at Sport Bounce of Loudoun! ENTER BELOW TO WIN FOUR OPEN BOUNCE PASSES!

Guest Post by: Thanh Buswell
Happy Spring! Last Saturday, we kissed winter and the “Snowquester” goodbye with our first March weekend in the 60s.  With the great weather came more outdoor projects in the neighborhood. 

While sipping my morning coffee at half past seven, my ears perked at the familiar sound of a pressure washer from Neighbor-Across-the-Street.  If you read my February guest post, you know I am married to the owner of Cascade  Services , therefore I may have specially-tuned ears for this kind of noise.  After a full day of errands and enjoying our Saturday with friends, we found Neighbor-Across-the-Street was still pressure washing his house 8 hours later. What a day - but he was on the right track!  

Pressure washing the exterior portion of your home is a great project to jump start your Spring Cleaning. You would be surprised at the amount of mold, dirt, and mildew build up on your home. Even homeowners that tell us their house siding is in pretty clean shape are taken aback when we point out the little black mold spots everywhere.  In addition, dirty siding is one of the top HOA violations and one of the simplest things you can do to instantly brighten your home. 

Luckily for you, we are holding a Spring Giveaway hosted by the Real Housewives of Northern Virginia!  This is the very first time Cascade Services has ever done a giveaway and we are pretty excited it’s for RHNOVA readers!

The Cascade Spring Giveaway is for One Single Family House or Townhouse Pressure Wash Service (up to four sides at a value of up to $260).  Be sure to enter -- not only do you get a professionally pressure washed house exterior; you’ll also get back hours of your weekend! (Just ask my neighbor.)

And just in case you aren’t the lucky winner, please check out our website to find out more about our services and a few coupons and “Like” us on www.facebook.com/cascademe to keep up-to-date with special deals throughout the year.

*sponsored content provided by Cascade Services, LLC

Metro Parent Relief is a childcare network that offers only the best talent throughout the Arlington, Alexandria, Capitol Hill, DC, and Bethesda areas.
Have you ever seen Millionaire Matchmaker? Just like Patti Stanger, Metro Parent Relief Founder, Stacie Smith, personally connects parents with care providers to provide the perfect match!

Metro Parent Relief is more than just a nanny agency, they are a childcare network of women helping other moms and dads get through the toughest job there is — parenting!