Lists of the best restaurants in the U.S. often include the usual suspects: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington D.C. Virginia's restaurants are supremely underrated, which we don't often mind since that also keeps them relatively undiscovered. Today's feature place, however, isn't much of a hidden gem after making The Restaurant List in The New York Times in 2023. Come with us as we explore Ellie Bird in Falls Church.

Ellie Bird opened its doors in April 2023 as a sister restaurant to the DC-based Rooster & Owl, which opened in 2019. Yuan and Carey Tang imagined a casual, homey space that would be deeply connected to their hometown of Falls Church. You'll find the brightly-colored restaurant exterior on Founders Avenue. Wondering where to park? There's a nearby garage that's specifically for the restaurant and shops nearby. Plus, they'll validate your parking inside.

The menu is a celebration of several global cuisines, crafted with seasonal ingredients aplenty. The bread basket, which is offered as a starter, features an unexpected yet delightful assortment of R&O pineapple buns, focaccia, and miso butter.

The restaurant offers dinner, brunch, and a prix fixe menu, which is a wonderful way to enjoy the full spectrum of offerings. While the menu may be somewhat limited, each item has been meticulously crafted. You'll find the sliders in the photo above on the brunch menu; they're made with spam, scrambled eggs, and scallion-vinegar fries.

Drinks are another must-try. In addition to local wine and beer, there are a handful of specialty mixed drinks that are as delicious as they are colorful. It Takes Two To Mango is one spirit-free option with all the festivity of a classic cocktail.

Save room for dessert? Chocolate cake is notoriously difficult to pass up, in my opinion, and that rings true at Ellie Bird. One of the most talked-about items on the menu, it's made with chai buttercream and caramel ganache and then topped with vanilla ice cream.

One final thing that we love about Ellie Bird: it's not just family-friendly; children are truly welcome. The kid's menu is just as carefully curated as the adult version, and it also doubles as a coloring book.

Want to learn more? Visit Ellie Bird online and begin daydreaming about your visit. You can even find a beautiful rental in Falls Church to make a whole trip out of it.