Leesburg Public House

Leesburg Public House Restaurant Review:

Thanks to the energy of well-known local chef Mark Marrocco, Leesburg is home to an upscale yet casual bistro-like public house, outfitted with booths and tables and staffed by energetic and friendly twenty-somethings. But because of Marrocco, the real draw is the food, which includes the unique bacon popcorn appetizer, which, of course, is crumbled cooked bacon tossed with popcorn. The menu slides on from there, with flash-fried calamari, crispy and succulent, and a tempting chili-braised short rib tostada. Lunchtime offerings are slightly more casual, with entrées of burgers (try the Black Dog with crispy jalapeños and guacamole) or the Baja shrimp taco. Dinners steer toward more robust entrées --- think pepita-crusted salmon and ale-braised pork shank. Dessert choices are limited to such treats as Key lime pie and chocolate bread pudding. There are at least 30 different beers on tap and a lengthy beer menu.