Northern Virginia’s best new restaurant embraces smoke and sweetness

Neutral Ground Bar and Kitchen, the newest restaurant by renowned chef David Guas, is a captivating establishment in McLean, Virginia. The restaurant's design, featuring avocado-colored planters, tangerine umbrellas, and palmetto leaf wallpaper, evokes a coastal ambiance. Guas, inspired by his New Orleans upbringing, aims to create an "adult" restaurant where patrons can relax and enjoy the lively atmosphere. The menu showcases Guas's Southern roots while offering broadly American dishes, many of which are infused with smoky flavors from the wood-fired oven. Notable dishes include the charred cabbage and cucumber salad, Lillian's tuna croquetas, "The Pasta" with crawfish and black garlic, and "The Bird," fried quail with a sweet-spicy sauce. Neutral Ground provides a unique dining experience with its vibrant décor, delectable food, and lively ambiance. The restaurant's focus on quality and atmosphere is evident in its lack of a children's menu and its emphasis on details like the use of wooden silverware caddies. While the sound level can be overwhelming during peak hours, the restaurant's overall ambiance, delicious food, and attention to detail make it a standout destination in McLean. Guas plans to expand service hours to include brunch and lunch in the future, further solidifying Neutral Ground's position as a must-visit establishment for food lovers in the area.