3 Fairfax Eateries Makes Food Critic's Final 40 Best Restaurants List

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — Three Fairfax restaurants are among the 40 best restaurants in the D.C. region, according to Washington Post critic Tom Sietsema's final list.

Sietsema announced on Oct. 7 that he was leaving his role as a Washington Post food critic after 26 years. That ends his practice of using disguises and a different identity for credit cards and reservations to review restaurants.

"During my run, I’ve endeavored to eat under the radar as much as possible — anonymously, the better to experience a restaurant like someone who isn’t a food critic," Sietsema shared.

Now, the food critic has revealed his identity and released his last 40 best restaurants list covering the D.C. region. He called the final list his "restaurant equivalent of a goody bag."

"The antidote to tough times can be a meal away from home," the food critic wrote.

The following Fairfax restaurants were among the 40 Sietsema praised in his final food column.

• Arties, 3260 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax, Virginia
• Elyse, 10822 Fairfax Blvd., Fairfax, Virginia
• Mama Chang, 3251 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax, Virginia

See the full list of Sietsema's 40 best restaurants in the Washington Post.