Recommendations--dinner--Alexandria to Silver Springs

Meeting my cousin in a couple of weeks and looking for a fun place to go for dinner. We'll be meeting up in Arlington (but could go down to Alexandria for a good place) and ending up in Silver Springs, so anywhere in those three places or on the route would be fine.

Here's the challenge: I love to try new restaurants (read: great food, well-prepared, innovative approaches to food, creative chefs) and cuisines always (live in Portland Oregon so we are SO spoiled) and especially whenever i travel. However, my cousin is describes herself as a "meat and potatoes, chicken and rice, pasta and pizza" kind of girl. The plan is that I am going to suggest three possible restaurants to her, including one that might be a bit of a "stretch" and she'll choose. Please please please give me some ideas so we don't end up at Denny's. Good value for $$ is always preferred.