Ellie Bird

Inside Ellie Bird, a Family-Friendly Cafe for Falls Church | Eater DC

"Opened this month in Falls Church, Virginia, the casual, 70-seat Ellie Bird is a deeply personal project from restaurateurs Yuan and Carey Tang—who both grew up just down the street—and offers New American comfort food with Asian twists on an à la carte menu. The bread basket features Rooster & Owl’s famous warm pineapple buns alongside focaccia and grilled scallion butter, and the Vietnamese French onion soup layers pho-like spices (and, in winter, oxtails) under Gruyère and sourdough croutons. Shared plates highlight octopus ceviche with passionfruit vinaigrette, avocado, garlic-chili crunch and fried plantains; ricotta gnudi that evoke chicken-and-dumplings; and fried oyster larb gai lettuce wraps with Thai curry spices and puffed black rice. Entrées include Yuan’s kimchi bouillabaisse with grilled Hokkaido scallops, red snapper and littleneck clams, a braised lamb shank with apricot chutney, carrot garganelli with feta crema, a dry-aged ribeye and a whole grilled branzino with jicama slaw. Unique sides (dan dan asparagus, kale with Chinese sausage, “fancy tater tots”) and a beverage program featuring local wines (including a Boxwood house label), beers and playful cocktails—Kids’ Choice Awards (gin, pandan, coconut milk, mango), This Is Your Brain on Pisco (mezcal, gochujang, grapefruit, rice wine vinegar) and a zero-proof Pineapple Under the Sea—round out the menu. Prices run $12–$19 for starters/shared dishes, $21–$38 for entrees (ribeye $55) and $8 for sides. Currently open for dinner Tue–Sun with brunch and patio service slated for summer, the space celebrates its namesake with booths under birdcage fixtures, punny bathroom wallpaper, and a Little Birdies kids’ menu featuring the Tangs’ daughters’ favorites: cornflake-crusted chicken tenders, penne with butter and cheese, and a “Char-cute-rie.”" - Aparna Krishnamoorthy