Mosaic District

Don't get out to the Mosaic District very often, so when I do it's always an adventure.  Today's trip was no exception.  I meant to check out "Four Sisters" which was closed due to a power outage so I wandered into Cyclone Anaya's, a "Mexican Kitchen."  Perusing the menu I discovered not a single vegetarian option.  Even the guacamole had bacon on it.  I ended up at True Food Kitchen (see review, above) and then discovered Pastry XPO, which might be my favorite "hidden" Mosaic eatery.  As a district, Mosaic has grown a good bit from a year or so ago but it still hasn't realized its full potential as a foodie destination, IMHO.  There are a good number of decent chain restaurants (Cava, Cheestique, District Dumplings, Le Pain Quotidien, Matchbox, Naked Lunch, Nando's Peri-Peri, Sweetgreen and Ted's Bulletin).  Choolaah got good write-ups but I found it to be disappointing.  Jinya Ramen only has one veggie dish but it is delish -- and perfect on a cold winter day.  Artisan Confections is over-priced and not nearly as good chocolate as some seem to think.  Much of Mosaic is on the high side, price-wise.  I'm thinking that the leases are not cheap.  Parking is free and plentiful (yes!) but the ex-urb drivers aren't as careful with pedestrians as they are closer in, such as Shirlington, so watch yourself in the crosswalks.  Mosaic is likely nice in fair weather but I keep ending up there in the winter.  The place could use some of the waterfront's amenities, like a fire pit or a warming lamp.  It could also use some greenery and/or a water feature to keep it from being a typical suburban concrete island.  The bones are there.  You have retail, grocery, Target, movies and restaurants.  Given time it could warm up to be a real enhancement, rather than just an addition, to the area.