Illustration by Shane Rebenshied
Best Accounting Firm
Thompson Greenspon
4035 Ridge Top Road, Suite 700, Fairfax, TGCCPA.com, 703-385-8888
For more than 60 years, Thompson Greenspon, among the 20 largest firms in Virginia, has provided audit, financial reporting, tax and consulting services to a broad spectrum of clients. More than 80 percent of the staff are certified CPAs with expertise in industries including construction, government contracting and non-profits.
second place: KPMG, McLean, KPMG.com, 703-286-8000
third place: Bennett & Atkinson, Manassas, BennettAtkinson.com, 703-368-1112
Best Architecture Firm
Clites Architects
109 W. Marshall St., Middleburg, ClitesArchitects.com, 540-687-7019
The small, full service firm focuses on residential architecture, but due to location, it’s not uncommon for owners Timothy Clites and Gary Lofdahl to tackle historic, equestrian or winery projects. The pair works directly with clients from design to construction, whether for a Middleburg farm restoration or D.C. condo remodel.
second place: Studio 360 Architect, Clifton, Studio360Architect.com, 703-350-5562
third place: Randall Mars Architects, McLean, RandallMarsArchitects.com, 703-749-0431
Best Concierge Doctor
Vivek Sinha, MD
113 S. West St., Suite 204, Alexandria, BelleviewMedical.com, 703-348-5603
As a family physician with Belleview Medical Partners, Dr. Sinha provides care for patients of all ages. Available 24/7, young adults away at college can use video chat to contact the practice, which then coordinates care with the campus health clinic to ensure they have the most updated patient profile.
second place: Robin Merlino, MD, Fairfax, MDVIP.com, 866-346-1263
third place: Foster Montalbano, MD, Alexandria, InovaVIP360.org, 703-373-3718
Best Cosmetic Surgery Practice
Austin Weston Center
1825 Samuel Morse Drive, Reston, Austin-Weston.com, 703-893-6168
The four-surgeon team at Austin Weston Center in Reston performs surgical and nonsurgical procedures tailored to both men and women, including laser hair removal and chemical peels. The mommy makeover, a post-pregnancy procedure, allows women to undergo a combination of surgeries, with breast lifts and tummy tucks being the most popular.
second place: Christopher Chang, MD, Fairfax, DrChristopherChang.com, 888-413-3920
third place: Mountcastle Plastic Surgery and Vein Institute, Ashburn, MountcastlePlasticSurgery.com, 703-639-4103
Best Day Care
The Congressional School
3229 Sleepy Hollow Road, Falls Church, CongressionalSchool.org, 703-533-9711
For children aged six weeks to three years, the early childhood program at the Congressional School emphasizes language development, gross motor skills, self-awareness and preparation for preschool. An average day at the school—located on 40 acres with 14 horses, an amphitheater and three playgrounds—includes nature walks and hands-on activities combining learning with movement.
second place: Middleburg Montessori School, ArtOfThePiedmont.org, 540-687-5210
third place: Goddard School in Gainesville, GoddardSchool.com, 571-222-5576
Best Day Spa
Three Ways Beautiful Salon
7917 Heritage Village Plaza, Gainesville, ThreeWaysBeautifulSalon.com, 571-284-5986
Using Glymed Plus pharmaceutical-grade products, the salon’s master aesthetician targets clients’ individual skin issues using facial and peel treatments, from acne to aging. Spa services include microdermabrasion and microneedling, along with Swedish, deep tissue, prenatal and postpartum massages.
second place: Tranquility Day Spa & Salon, Haymarket, TranquilityDaySpa.com, 571-248-4150
third place: Salamander Resort & Spa, Middleburg, SalamanderResort.com, 844-473-7996
Best Dental Practice
Deidra Bird Kokel, DDS
17 Fort Evans Road NE, Suite C, Leesburg, LeesburgDentist.com, 703-997-2978
Using laser dentistry, Dr. Kokel is able to numb patients without the need for local anesthesia—which means fewer shots for the needle-averse patient. The technology can detect, remove and fill decay without a drill, decreasing chair time and minimizing swelling and anxiety.
second place: Optimal Dental Center, Fairfax, OptimalDentalCenter.com, 703-226-2222
third place: Greenhill Family Dentistry, Gainesville, GreenHillDental.com, 703-753-2252
Best Dermatology Practice
Prince William Dermatology
7500 Iron Bar Lane, Suite 215, Gainesville, PWDerm.com, 571-261-1234
Dr. Cuong Ha has successfully performed more than 15,000 excisions and is trained to remove most skin cancers and benign lesions and tumors. Surgical procedures are performed in the clinic where advanced plastic surgery techniques are used to ensure the best cosmetic outcome. Other areas of expertise include mole removal, acne, psoriasis and eczema treatments.
second place: Michelle Riviera, MD, Arlington, ArlingtonSkin.com, 703-524-7206
third place: Professional Dermatology Care, Reston, ProfessionalDermatologyCare.com, 703-860-1818
Best Eye Care
The Eyewear Gallery at Reston Town Center
11900 Market St., Reston, Eyewear-Gallery.com, 703-709-5400
Optometrist Dr. Dawn Devaney Gammon believes, “Like a fine work of art, every face deserves a fabulous frame.” Trained opticians match designer frames—from brands like Barton Perriera, Caroline Abram and Dita—to patient skin tones and face shapes, and then place top quality lens materials to accurately fill prescriptions.
second place: David R. Gore, OD, PC, Haymarket, HaymarketFamilyEyeCare.com, 703-753-6633
third place: Eye2Eye Optometry Corner, Alexandria, MyEye2Eye.com, 703-548-0122
Best Financial Planning Firm
MiyeWire, LLC
1818 Library St., Suite 500, Reston, MiyeWireLLC.com, 703-925-0308
For more than 25 years, families have trusted MiyeWire’s holistic approach of guiding each new client in discovering their personal life goals and then tailoring a financial plan to support them. From long term and emergency savings to college or retirement—the firm strives to be a client’s first call when financial assistance is necessary.
second place: Curo Private Wealth, Reston, CuroPrivateWealth.com, 571-526-4581
third place: Carradice Wealth Advisors, Woodbridge, AmeripriseAdvisors.com, 703-590-0326
Best Funeral Home
Pierce Funeral Home
9609 Center St., Manassas, PierceFH.com, 703-257-6028
Honoring the achievements and celebrating the life of loved ones who have passed are the beginning of the healing process. Because of this, Pierce Funeral Home provides tribute services. With family photos, they create personalized videos, prayer cards, bookmarks, obituary websites and other treasured keepsakes.
second place: Demaine Funeral Home, Fairfax, DignityMemorial.com, 703-385-1110
third place: Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home, FMFH.com, 703-425-9702
Best Hair Salon
Three Ways Beautiful Salon
7917 Heritage Village Plaza, Gainesville, ThreeWaysBeautifulSalon.com, 571-284-5986
A team of master stylists, ranging in experience from 10-30 years, maintains expertise in techniques like balayage and ombre, as well as wanderlust, a new coloring service that creates a rainbow effect. The salon, established in 2016, also carries prodcuts by Eufora and J. Beverly Hills.
second place: Curves Hair Studio, Manassas, CurvesHair.com, 703-257-5722
third place: Tranquility Day Spa & Salon, Haymarket, TranquilityDaySpa.com, 571-248-4150
Best Home Builder
Daniels Design & Remodeling
3930 University Drive, Suite 100, Fairfax, DanielsRemodeling.com, 703-239-2700
The boutique builder specializes in green remodeling, environmentally responsible design and construction. Remodels start with insulation made from 80 percent recycled newspaper, water-conserving appliances, energy efficient air filters and locally reclaimed materials for countertops and flooring.
second place: TriVista USA, Arlington, TriVistaUSA.com, 703-243-3171
third place: Spectrum Homes, Centreville, SpectrumCustomHomes.com, 703-794-7058
Best Hospital
Inova Fairfax Medical Campus
3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church, Inova.org, 703-776-4001
In 2017, the Inova Heart & Vascular Institute at Inova Fairfax Hospital implanted its first Micra leadless pacemaker, a cutting-edge self-contained single chamber pacemaker appropriate for patients with vascular access problems. The hospital is home to the region’s only dedicated cardiac facility, level one trauma center, and pediatric and neonatal intensive care units.
second place: Fauquier Hospital, Warrenton, FauquierHealth.org, 540-316-5000
third place: Reston Hospital, RestonHospital.com, 703-689-9000
Best Independent School
Wakefield School
4439 Old Tavern Road, The Plains, WakefieldSchool.org, 540-253-7500
The liberal arts preparatory academy serves more than 320 students in junior kindergarten through 12th grade. In addition to core curriculum, extensive extracurriculars are offered, including an equestrian sports program, art showcases, musical and theatrical performances, and more than 30 athletic teams.
second place: The Congressional School, Falls Church, CongressionalSchool.org, 703-533-9711
third place: Middleburg Montessori School, ArtOfThePiedmont.org, 540-687-5210
Best Interior Design Firm
RoomAntics Interiors
5605 Mary Fairfax Court, Fairfax, RoomAnticsOnline.com, 703-239-3337
Interior designers Anita Buchheim and Aliza Spindell provide specialty services, including redesigning a room using clients’ own furnishings, and designing interiors for vacation homes. The duo will also accompany clients to Charlotte, North Carolina, the heart of the American furniture industry, to shop in exclusive showrooms.
second place: Liza Jane Interiors, Sterling, LizaJaneInteriors.com, 703-966-1554
third place: Daniels Design & Remodeling, Fairfax, DanielsRemodeling.com, 703-239-2700
Best Kitchen Design Firm
Daniels Design & Remodeling
3930 University Drive, Suite 100, Fairfax, DanielsRemodeling.com, 703-239-2700
The firm’s CEO Ted Daniels is known for renovating outdated kitchens and transforming them into modern spaces with clean-lines and color schemes, quartz countertops and environmentally friendly appliances and lighting. Through 3D modeling, Daniels presents plans that fit budgets, but are fresh and modifiable to clients’ tastes.
second place: Liza Jane Interiors, Sterling, LizaJaneInteriors.com, 703-966-1554
third place: Dominion Kitchens, Fairfax, DominionKitchens.com, 703-926-6420
Best Landscaping Company
RulyScapes
6512 White Post Road, Centreville, RulyScapes.com, 703-266-8179
The family-owned business specializes in residential and commercial landscaping. In addition to providing lawn maintenance, irrigation, tree care and snow removal, the crew designs and installs holiday light and decoration displays.
second place: Natural Surroundings Landscaping, Gainesville, NaturalSurroundings.com, 703-335-9171
third place: Patriot Landscape, Manassas, PatriotLawnAndLandscape.com, 703-244-7798
Best Law Firm
Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig, PLLC
211 Church St. SE, Leesburg, DBLawyers.com, 703-777-7319
Areas of practice include corporate restructuring, intellectual property and litigation. The team of 40 attorneys makes up part of a national firm that maintains three of its offices in Virginia; two others are located in Vienna and Richmond.
second place: Erik Pelton and Associates, Falls Church, ErikPelton.com, 703-525-8009
third place: Michael N. Driscoll Law Offices, Manassas, DriscollPC.com, 703-659-4423
Best Massage Therapy Group
Blue Ridge Orthopaedic & Spine Center
52 W. Shirley Ave., Warrenton, BroaVa.com, 540-347-2918
Certified massage therapist Megann Grimes graduated from the Virginia School of Massage and specializes in Swedish, therapeutic, sports, myofascial release and deep tissue massages. Tailoring levels of pressure and areas of focus to each client allows her to meet individual needs, whether it’s just to relieve daily stress or to fulfill a referral from a physical therapist.
second place: Blu Angels Massage, Gainesville, BluAngelsMassage.com, 571-375-8748
third place: Ch’i Bodywork, Herndon, Chi-Bodywork.com, 703-589-0910
Best Med Spa
Mountcastle Plastic Surgery and Vein Institute
44095 Pipeline Plaza, Suite 130, Ashburn, MountcastlePlasticSurgery.com, 703-639-4103
Patients frequent Dr. Timothy Mountcastle’s practice to undergo procedures that help to minimize fine lines, sun damage and facial volume loss. Popular services include microneedling skin rejuvenation, painless laser hair removal, chemical peels and facial treatments to reverse signs of aging. Twice per month, the center hosts happy hours offering discounted Botox treatments.
second place: Austin Weston Center, Reston, Austin-Weston.com, 703-893-6168
third place: AVIE! MedSpa and Laser Center, Leesburg, AvieMedSpa.com, 703-870-3844
Best Orthodontic Practice
Optimal Dental Center
8303 Arlington Blvd., Suite 107, Fairfax, OptimalDentalCenter.com, 703-226-2222
The aesthetic and long-term commitments of traditional braces are no longer deterrents to receiving orthodontic treatment. Dr. Quyen Dang is an Invisalign premier preferred provider and is certified in Six Month Smiles, a short-term treatment to correct slight imperfections that offers drastic cosmetic results.
second place: Dunegan Orthodontics, Gainesville, DrDunegan.com, 703-753-4996
third place: Orthodontics by Crutchfield, Chantilly, OBCOrtho.com, 703-263-0575
Best Orthopaedic Practice
Blue Ridge Orthopaedic & Spine Center
52 W. Shirley Ave., Warrenton, BROAVa.com, 540-347-2918
Dr. James R. Ramser is one of the few orthopaedic surgeons in Virginia who routinely performs the advanced anterior hip replacement procedure, in which an entire hip joint can be replaced with one small incision. As a result, patients experience less pain and enjoy quicker recovery times compared with traditional techniques, with hospital stays averaging only one day.
second place: OrthoVirginia, Alexandria, OrthoVirginia.com, 703-810-5209
third place: Arthritis and Sports Orthopaedics, Sterling, ArthritisAndSports.com, 703-444-5000
Best Pediatric Practice
Milestones Pediatric & Adolescent Care
7500 Iron Bar Lane, Suite 120, Gainesville, MilestonesKids.com, 703-753-6772
Milestones Pediatric offers same-day sick appointments and early morning, evening and Saturday hours. For newborns, the office has a separate, private waiting room to keep sick children away from susceptible babies and their mothers. The practice’s areas of expertise include prenatal care, allergies, behavioral problems, sports injuries and immunizations.
second place: Northern Virginia Pediatric Associates, Falls Church, NorthernVirginiaPediatrics.com, 703-532-4446
third place: Advanced Pediatrics, Vienna, AdvancedPediatrics.com, 703-938-5555
Best Pet Boarding
Country Club Kennels
10739 Bristersburg Road, Catlett, CountryClubKennels.com, 540-788-3559
A tired dog is a happy dog—that’s why each dog gets six to seven outdoor play sessions per day at the facility. On the 45-acre property, additional activities include nature walks with a private handler, swimming in the pond or pool, or, for a more relaxing stay, doggie massages and baths.
second place: Dogtopia of Gainesville, Dogtopia.com, 703-483-9444
third place: Pender Vet Animal Hospital, Fairfax, PenderVet.com, 703-277-7272
Best Physical Therapy Group
Blue Ridge Orthopaedic & Spine Center
52 W. Shirley Ave., Warrenton, BROAVa.com, 540-347-2918
For patients suffering from osteoarthritis, fractured bones or obesity, water’s buoyance decreases the weight borne on healing joints. Thanks to an arrangement with the Warrenton Aquatic and Recreation Facility, Blue Ridge Orthopaedic is able to provide aquatic physical therapy. In house, the center includes an orthotics lab, multi-purpose gym and dry needling services.
second place: Loudoun Physical Therapy, Leesburg, LoudounPT.com, 703-443-6700
third place: Optimal Chiro-Rehab Center, Fairfax, OC-RC.com, 703-573-4773
Best Pool Company
Swim Gem
10390 Portsmouth Road, Manassas, SwimGemInc.com, 703-368-7665
Experts in mineral spring, salt and chlorine pools, the staff performs a variety of services including repairs, installations and safety cover measurements. In-store, they can analyze water samples to help create a custom plan for improving clients’ pool water quality. The store now sells robotic cleaners for easier upkeep of both in ground and above ground pools.
second place: Aquaman Pool Service, Sterling, AquamanSwim.com, 703-996-8900
third place: BJ Pool and Spa, Fairfax, BJPoolAndSpa.com, 703-323-1333
Best Private Air Service
MartinAir Washington Dulles at Jet Aviation
234111 Autopilot Drive, DullesFlyMartinAir.com, 202-255-5163
Based in three locations, including Washington Dulles International Airport, the carrier’s fleet of 13 aircraft can transport clients across the U.S. and to destinations, including Bermuda and the Caribbean. Planes accommodate 2-12 passengers and are all outfitted with leather interior and first class amenities, including entertainment centers, galley kitchens and refreshments.
second place: Chantilly Air, Manassas, ChantillyAir.com, 703-361-8253
third place: Corcoran Aviation, Leesburg, CorcoranAviation.com, 386-679-0599
Best Real Estate Firm
The Spear Realty Group
20130 Lakeview Center Plaza, Suite 110, Ashburn, TheSpearRealtyGroup.com, 703-618-6892
The all-female firm is comprised primarily of Northern Virginia natives, with president Kim Spears living in the area for more than 30 years. Experts, both professionally and personally, to the region, the firm’s agents can assist in all buyer and seller needs from McLean to Chantilly, and every neighborhood in between.
second place: Jody Donaldson & The Donaldson Team, Chantilly, TheDonaldsonTeam.com, 703-818-0111
third place: Century 21 Redwood Realty, Arlington, C21Redwood.com, 703-528-8195
Best Veterinary Hospital
New Baltimore Animal Hospital
5296 Lee Hwy., Warrenton, NewBaltimoreAnimalHospital.com, 540-347-0964
Locally owned and operated for 35 years, the New Baltimore Animal Hospital has been accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association since 1991. The three-veterinarian practice performs services such as surgical procedures, dentistry, behavioral counseling and flea control programs. Lab results and prescriptions can be completed through an onsite laboratory and pharmacy.
second place: Town and Country Animal Hospital, Fairfax, TownAndCountryAnimalH.com, 703-273-2110
third place: Oakton-Vienna Veterinary Hospital, Vienna, OVVHPets.com, 703-938-2800
Best Wedding Venue
Poplar Springs Inn and Spa
5025 Casanova Road, Warrenton, PoplarSpringsInn.com, 540-788-4600
With a provenance that dates to the American Revolution, the historic manor makes for an intimate venue with rustic charm. From a rehearsal dinner in the cobblestone-walled Carriage House to a reception in the vineyard or tented patio, the inn provides all your needs, including planners, catering, a pastry chef and even a notary—all onsite.
second place: Goodstone Inn & Restaurant, Middleburg, GoodStone.com, 540-687-3333
third place: Heritage Hunt Golf and County Club, Gainesville, HeritageHunt.net, 703-743-200
