7. The Liberty Tavern
195 Wilson Blvd., Arlington |703-465-9360 | thelibertytavern.com
You’ll find all the buffet classics at this Clarendon landmark: scrambled eggs, French toast, lox, a fruit platter, crumb cake, five different salads, Bloody Marys, Bellinis and mimosas. But there are also twists on tradition, including pickle-brined fried chicken, a blueberry pound cake with orange-blossom glaze, and an addictive spiced pork sausage with jalapeno-cheddar biscuits and gravy that somehow manages to be smooth instead of gloppy. Adding to the homey vibe: Instead of sticking all of the food in rectangular steel pans, the kitchen serves chicken in a skillet and the sausage gravy stays warm in an enamel pot.