Restaurant Spotlight of the Week:

Karaoke Idol

Karaoke Idol

7151 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA • (703) 533-0024

Hours: (Restaurant): Mon - Sun: 10:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.

(Karaoke Bar) Sun - Thurs: 7:30 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.

Fri - Sat: 7:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

(Karaoke Bar closed Monday)

Unless you have been living on Mars for the past four years you know about American Idol, the nationwide televised talent show that shines the spotlight on the unknown performance prodigies of this country. The format of the show airs selected auditions in four major cities before finally selecting the final candidates to send to Hollywood, where they compete for the top spot and the record deal.

But the selection shown by American Idol is limited by time, and to compete requires one to take time off to get to the auditions. That doesn't mean, though, that one has to wait for the next season of American Idol to get up in front of a crowd and either express a talent or celebrate a lack thereof. At the restaurant and bar Karaoke Idol, located on Lee Highway in Falls Church, talent is encouraged but not required and everyone can be a star for a moment.

The spot, which opened up in the past year, is separated into two different sections. The upstairs dining area, accessed through the front door, serves a combination of Filipino and American cuisine in a casual, no frills atmosphere. Meanwhile, downstairs, accessed through the rear door, is home to a café-like main room, complete with a dance floor and stage at the end of the room, with the requisite tinsel backdrop. Upon walking in a bar is the first thing to welcome the visitor, perhaps a necessary factor in making karaoke work.

While the upstairs dining area draws customers throughout the day, starting at 10:30 a.m., it is the karaoke bar downstairs, opening at 7:30 p.m. every day of the week except Monday, which draws the evening crowds.

If one hasn't ever been to a karaoke bar before, the first experience is always something special, although there is also a danger in becoming too interested and never wanting to go anywhere else. There's something wonderful about seeing an experienced singer get up and enjoy themselves to a cheesy 80s song. So too, is there more than a little bit of schadenfreude in listening to someone sing so badly their own mother would cringe. But in either case, it's an atmosphere where judgment is held until the next morning.

Still, if one doesn't crave a little bit of innocent exhibitionism, the food still makes the visit worthwhile. Rich and hearty Filipino food is the general fare, although they also serve American cuisine.

While the menu requires a little assistance for those not familiar with Filipino food there are some tasty choices. One of the best appetizers is the fried lumpia. Essentially, miniature egg rolls filled with ground pork, it is savory and crisp, and absolutely addictive. Also good, the longanissa, a pork sausage, is surprisingly sweet. Freshly grilled, the three inch sausages are good for an appetizer or as a light entrée.

Atop the list of entrees is the Pancit Bihon Guisado, rice noodles with chicken. The noodles are rich and spicy, though still approachable, creating the experience of tasting something for the first time while simultaneously feeling profoundly comfortable.

Finally, for a lighter option, the sinampalokang manok, essentially vegetable chicken soup, is an adventure in unusual flavor combinations. While the vegetables and chicken are familiar, the broth has a lemony flavor providing an interesting contrast to the meat. Still, one shouldn't let the food, no matter how good, distract one enough to prevent a journey onto the stage. While the management will never require it, one should never miss the opportunity to sing for your supper.