The concept and ideas for Everyday Road to Healthy began during a delicious dinner by the fire at American Flatbread in Ashburn, VA, where pizzas are made from all-natural ingredients and baked in a wood-fired earthen oven. So it seemed only fitting that we go back there to learn more about the philosophy behind this restaurant since it seemed to go along with our desire to eat healthier and be more environmentally responsible.
We had the pleasure of speaking to the General Manager of Ashburn’s American Flatbread, Janice Vasko. It was very evident that she is passionate about what she does and is very excited to spread the word about the healthier option of American Flatbread’s pizzas. The Ashburn, VA location opened in 2007 after much research to find local farms in the surrounding areas to provide all the ingredients needed to create the menu. The philosophy is summed up as “Organic if possible, always all-natural, and local wherever we can be.” Some of the farms that source the ingredients are Cherry Glenn Farm, Dakota Prairie (one of the few that are from out of state), and Fabbioli Wines, just to name a few.
And the taste? If you live in the area and haven’t tried American Flatbread before, you really must. These aren’t your typical greasy, cheesy pizzas that leave you feeling bloated and not-so-good. These pizzas taste fresh and leave you feeling satisfied and HEALTHY. We chose the two popular flatbreads on the menu for dinner this particular night…New Virginia Sausage and Punctuated Equilibrium, and it was clear after the first bite why they are customer favorites. Straight from the menu:
Steve Baker’s naturally raised Bluemont pork in a homemade, nitrate free maple-fennel sausage baked with sun-dried tomatoes, caramelized onions, mushrooms, three cheeses and herbs Punctuated Equilibrium Kalamata olives, clay oven-roasted sweet red peppers, handmade Cherry Glen Farms goat cheese, fresh rosemary, red onions, mozzarella and garlic
American Flatbread also offers gluten-free crust. So just when you thought you could never eat pizza because of the gluten, well go to American Flatbread and ask for a gluten-free crust and indulge.
And American Flatbread is more than just a restaurant…it’s a community restaurant. It recently hosted a friends and family night, it has hosted benefit bakes, wedding receptions, christening parties, corporate events and even kids’ make-your-own-pizza parties! It has also offered its space as a CSA (community supported agriculture) drop-off for Great Country Farms. This allows people to save on delivery costs by having a group of CSA members choose one delivery location for pick-up of produce from Great Country Farms.
Everyday Road to Healthy chose this restaurant to review not because they asked us to, but because we believe in supporting other organizations that have an honest desire to help people on this everyday road to healthy. We hope that those of you in and around the Loudoun County, VA area will come visit the restaurant (again and again) and taste the difference. There are other locations as well with the same philosophy for those of you in other parts of the country. Visit www.americanflatbread.com for more details.
Ashburn American Flatbread 43170 Southern Walks Plaza, Wynridge Dr. (Suite #110) Ashburn, VA 20148 (703) 723-7003 Normal Hours of Operation: M-Th – 4:30pm-9:00pm F – 4:30pm-9:30pm Sat/Sun – 12pm-9pm Daily Specials: Monday – ½ price bottle wine night Tuesday – 10% off to-go orders Wednesday – Weekly seasonal specials rollout Thursday – ½ off appetizers at the bar until 7pm Sat/Sun – Kids medium breads ½ off 12pm-4pm Happy Hour – M-F 4:30-7pm, weekends 12-7pm – at the bar only Upcoming Events:Thursday, January 27th – Benefit Bake for Loudoun Therapeutic Riding, where 15% of sales are donated to the charity organization
Saturday, January 29th – Hathaway Brown Band playing live from 9pm-11pm, $5 cover all ages.
Valentine’s Day Weekend (Fri, Feb 11th – Sun, Feb 13th) – Special prix fixe Valentine’s dinner menu
February 22nd – Beer dinner (details to be announced)
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