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Thirsty Bernie Sports Bar and Grill
Arlington’s embarrassment of dining riches continues with the debut of Thirsty Bernie, an upscale sports tavern with an unconventional quarterback in the kitchen.
General manager Lucius Polk, who explained that the name is a riff on Saint Bernard rescue dogs, said to expect nearly two dozen plasma TVs, a long slate bar and just under 100 seats at this new neighborhood retreat. The weekday happy-hour deals should appeal to nearby Marymount students, while the menu is sure to draw folks from even farther—courtesy of executive chef Jamie Stachowski (formerly of Restaurant Kolumbia).
Noteworthy temptations include: made-to-order burgers on brioche buns, hand-cut Belgian fries, pierogies in apple-raisin sauce, barbecue spare ribs (smoked for 12 hours) and assorted Gifford’s ice creams for dessert. —WR
2163 N. Glebe Road, Arlington; 703-248-9300. Open for dinner and late-night dining daily and weekend brunch.
(August 2008)
Eventide
The best of the Americas will roll into Clarendon with the arrival of Eventide, a gourmet grandstand that aims to deliver the stars to local diners.
Partner and general manager Dave Pressley said the three-story restaurant will feature “finger-friendly” foods at the ground-floor bar, while larger plates will grace the second-floor dining room and rooftop terrace—although he stressed that any item will be available on demand throughout the restaurant. Executive chef Miles Vaden (most recently of D.C.’s Sonoma Restaurant) is expected to showcase contemporary American cuisine based on locally sourced, seasonal ingredients.
The wine program will focus on North and South American producers and a rotating, by-the-glass catalog. “A bunch of us are completely in love with wines from South America,” he said, estimating that the wine list will reach from “Seattle to Argentina.”—WR
3165 Wilson Blvd., Arlington; 703-276-3165; www.eventiderestaurant.com. Open for dinner and late-night dining, Tuesday through Saturday and Sunday brunch; closed Monday.
(August 2008)
Huong Que
Lieu Lai, sister number four of Falls Church’s fabled “Four Sisters” restaurant, said the family is very excited about relocating to their new Merrifield Town Center location, which is expected to be roughly the same size as their original restaurant but will feature a full bar.
Lai suggested that a few dishes could change as part of the transition, but stressed that “we’re staying casual.” Other carry-overs will include sister Le Lai, brother Hoa Lai (chef) and their parents.
Meanwhile, the family deli, Suong Que, will slide into their old Eden Center spot. And, in a pseudo-family reunion, oldest sister Ly and husband Sly Laio (former chef at D.C.’s Sequoia) will be opening their own California-style lounge, tagged Sea Pearl, in the same Merrifield complex.—WR
8190 Strawberry Lane, Ste. 1, Merrifield. Open for lunch and dinner daily.
(June/July 2008)
Zikrayet
According to owner Joyce Abdallah, Zikrayet was born of a purely selfish desire to enjoy Lebanese food and entertainment closer to home. “We wanted to bring the concept of a D.C. lounge into Virginia,” she said of her new restaurant and lounge.
The L-shaped establishment will feature a plush main dining room to the left, a central bar setup and the hookah-friendly (the restaurant is otherwise smoke-free) “Z-Lounge” to the right.
Chef Samer Ramadan’s (ex-Neyla toque) debut menu includes nearly two dozen, all-purpose mezze dishes. Assorted pita sandwiches pop up at lunch, while Lebanese standards (chicken shawarma, assorted kabobs) round out the dinner carte. Abdallah also lobbied for standbys like filet mignon and steak au poivre “in case somebody doesn’t want to do Lebanese.”—WR
540 John Carlyle St., Alexandria; 571-218-9839; www.zikrayet.com. Open for lunch, dinner and late-night dining daily.
(June/July 2008)
Mike’s Deli
The Tax man cometh again, Falls Church. But don’t worry, this one wants to give back, not take away.
Sibling restaurateurs David and Rebecca Tax—they of Clare and Don’s fame—are expanding their beloved Lazy Sundae ice cream operation with a new deli concept tagged Mike’s Deli.
“The deli is named after my late father, who enjoyed a good corned beef sandwich as if it should have been illegal,” David Tax explained.
Breakfast is projected to be all about bagel sandwiches, homemade corned beef hash and home fries. Look for heartier fare like overstuffed pastrami and corned beef Reubens and cheesesteaks in the afternoons. “As in all of our restaurants, we will also have a number of vegetarian options,” Tax promised. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.—WR
112 N. West St., Falls Church; 703-532-5299
(May 2008)
The Wine House
Michael Pearce, an ex-restaurateur-turned-Rubicon Estate consultant, is pouring his collective wining and dining experience into a personal retreat, Fairfax’s new Wine House.
This latest venture combines both retail sales and in-house dining, offering a bistro-like atmosphere (Pearce expects to have around three dozen seats), seasonal dishes modeled after “light European fare” and plenty of oenoriffic options.
“I want people to come after work for a glass of wine and perhaps a nibble,” he stated, outlining plans to stock around 600 different wines including various hard-to-find vintners from his native New Zealand. Pearce also mentioned wanting to organize a local wine-buying club but said he’s facing stiff opposition from skeptics at the Alcoholic Beverage Control board. Open for lunch and dinner daily.—WR
3950 University Drive, #212, Fairfax; 703-352-2211; www.winehouseonline.com
(May 2008)
Fatburger
Fairfax is poised to become our version of Fat City—at least it will be once California’s famous Fatburger moves into town.
According to a Fatburger spokeswoman, the fabled burger chain enjoyed by native Los Angelinos for more than a half-century will be breaking into the Northern Virginia market this spring. The spokeswoman said this latest expansion comes courtesy of music producer Pharrell Willams, he of N.E.R.D. fame, who partnered with Fatburger back in 2005 in order to bring the burger giant to his hometown of Chesapeake.
Every Fatburger offers custom-made burgers (featuring all the traditional condiments, plus bonuses like fried eggs, bacon or chili), grilled chicken sandwiches, fried starches galore (steak fries, “skinny” fries, onion rings) and homemade milkshakes. And while they don’t have any actual breakfast items on the menu, the spokeswoman claimed, “A lot of people like to start off the day with a Fatburger.”
Open for lunch and dinner daily.—WR
11054 Lee Highway, Fairfax; www.fatburger.com
(April 2008)
Old Arlington Grill
It would appear the powers that be over at the Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse have taken the whole “dinner and a movie” conceit to heart, opening their Old Arlington Grill alongside the beer-friendly theater.
Once the adjoining pupuseria folded, owner Greg Godbout said the Drafthouse folks pounced on the property in order to create an elevated dining experience for both the community at large and existing movie-going patrons.
“There’s a place for them to go before and after,” he said, estimating that the expanded dining operation would relieve the need to hustle the roughly 100,000 annual patrons in and out of the theater between showings.
Appetizers are expected to run from $6-$8, salads (Greek salad with jumbo shrimp) and burgers will run $5-$12, while entrees (barbecue ribs, crab-stuffed chicken, bacon-wrapped steaks) will run about $11-$22. Meanwhile, Godbout said discount desserts—including the likes of peanut butter cheesecake and deep-fried candy bars—will be offered on weekends to lure in night owls “looking for desserts, coffee or a drink.” —WR
2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington; 703-486-0345; www.arlingtondrafthouse.com
(April 2008)
Austin Grill Custom Burrito Shop
Austin Grill is launching a new grab-and-go dining concept in downtown Fairfax designed to fill any beer and burrito needs, on the fly.
Austin Grill president Chris Patterson said the new custom burrito shop will share the same quality food and decor of the traditional restaurants, but aims to challenge quick service competitors like Chipotle and Qdoba. “We’re sticking our toes in that arena,” he said of the company’s carryout-centric concept.
The wind-powered location—Austin Grill jumped on the Earth-conscious bandwagon years ago—will have about 60 seats and will serve beer. The straightforward menu is set to include: made-to-order burritos and salads (your choice of pork carnitas, spicy ground beef, grilled chicken, steak, stewed chicken or seasonal vegetable fillings), an “unburrito” (all the fillings, no shell), a taco trio, a salad-sandwich wrap, their homemade chicken wings and other Tex-Mex sides.
The company is looking to start with lunch and dinner service, but Patterson said it will remain open to exploring the prospect of adding breakfast service if the community demand is there. Open for lunch and dinner daily.—WR
3955 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax; www.austingrill.com
(April 2008)
Piccolino Ristorante Italiano
A popular Old Town Manassas carryout has been transformed into a full-fledged family dining venture now that King’s Bite has given way to the much snazzier Piccolino.
Owner Jose D. Vigil opened his original grab-and-go pizzeria almost a decade ago, but made the move toward fine dining earlier this winter. The top-to-bottom overhaul includes a new brick entryway, white tablecloth-clad dining areas and inlaid wine racks proudly displaying the restaurant’s burgeoning collection throughout.
The menu, too, has been upgraded.
The kitchen is now turning out the full spectrum of Italian dining, from familiar antipasto (fried calamari, provolone-stuffed eggplant) to assorted pasta, fish and meat specials. Homemade pastas seem pretty basic, but are generous with the promised toppings. Likewise, the handful of pizzas that remain—including a traditional margarita, grilled chicken variety and a dandy prosciutto-fontina-roasted peppers number—are terrific dine-in options, and an absolute carryout steal (just $9).
Open for lunch and dinner daily.—WR
9212 Center St., Manassas; 703-257-2220
(March 2008)
Panache Restaurant
The buzzing-by-day-but-vacant-by-dusk Tysons corridor may soon boast a bright, new late-night beacon once Panache takes up residence amidst the area’s existing corporate high-rises and luxury hotels.
A restaurant spokesman said the planned sibling to D.C.’s trendy tapas lounge will bring together a number of popular dining elements—think stylish decor, sleek architecture and mouthwatering cuisine—under one very well-funded roof (nearly $4 million in renovations). The restaurant will feature a separate bar/lounge area to the left, a semi-private dining room to the right and additional outdoor seating during summer months.
At press time, the menu remained in flux. But the Panache spokesman said to expect lots of small plates with Mediterranean roots (Italian, Spanish and Southern French influences). “We’re going to keep the prices very moderate,” he insisted.
Open for lunch, Monday through Saturday, dinner daily and late-night night dining, Friday and Saturday.—WR
1753 Pinnacle Drive, McLean; www.panacherestaurant.com
(March 2008)
So Addictive Dessert Internet Lounge
Old Town Herndon will become the site of a space age infotainery with the arrival of So Addictive, a franchising crossroads for the ages.
According to So Addictive partner Dr. Rostana Said, the multi-purpose venue will include everything from a full-service business center (including copying, faxing and free Wi-Fi) to a smorgasbord of corporate comfort foods (Seattle’s Best Coffee, Vie de France baked goods, Original SoupMan creations and Cheesecake Factory desserts).
The restaurant is also expected to provide a host of homemade menu items (still in development, at press time), including by-the-slice New York-style pizzas and a weekend pizza buffet. Meanwhile, Said said the entire So Addictive crew looks forward to meeting all their new neighbors and forging strong ties with local civic groups. “I think it’s a nice close community … and we hope to give back a bit,” she said.
Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night dining daily; Sunday brunch.—WR
733 Elden St., Herndon; 703-481-0010:
www.soaddictivelounge.com
(March 2008)
Yorktown Bistro
Some ambitious folks are hoping to draw area families to their new Arlington perch, the recently renovated Yorktown Bistro.
Partner Glenn Villacorta has joined with cousin Fredy Silva—a seasoned restaurateur and president of the Yorktown Bistro venture—to launch a restaurant that appears to meld fine-dining touches (warm yellow-orange walls, mosaic-wrapped counters) with casual sensibility (affordable entrees, local delivery).
The menu focuses on traditional American cuisine with a few Mediterranean flourishes, including nearly a dozen gourmet pizzas ranging from a buffalo chicken variety to roasted eggplant. Entrees include a whiskey-kissed filet topped with shiitake and onion confit, homemade lasagna, pesto-covered chicken and barbecue pork ribs with fried polenta.
At press time, Villacorta said they were still ironing out some liquor license issues, but suggested that the renovated bar would likely tilt towards domestic wines and “creative mixed drinks.” Adding a Sunday brunch is another near-term priority. Open for lunch, dinner and late-night dining daily.—WR
5171 Lee Highway, Arlington; 703-532-6060; www.yorktownbistro.com
(February 2008)
Bullfeather’s Burgers & Chicken
Oaktonites lobbying for more gourmet burger/roast chicken options can now enjoy a taste of downtown in their hometown with the arrival of Bullfeather’s Burgers & Chicken.
Owner Stratton Liapis says his latest dining venture combines his experiences as owner of D.C.’s carry-out friendly Lunch Box restaurants (1970-1995) with some of the most popular menu items from his current property, the Capitol Hill Bullfeather’s (purchased in 1994).
According to Liapis, all the burgers (mirrors the D.C. menu) are grilled over an open flame, and the so called “Greek Festival Chicken”—a spice-rubbed, rotisserie bird—is a family recipe honed over 15-plus years of cooking at church functions. Meanwhile, the new location boasts the debut of Liapis’ new sliders—2-ounce copies of his classic cheeseburger—which are available individually or by the half-dozen. Open for lunch and dinner daily.—WR
2946 Chain Bridge Road, Oakton; 703-281-2855; www.bullfeathersburgersandchicken.com
(February 2008)
Fontaine Caffe & Creperie
A corner of Old Town Alexandria will switch from British to French once owner Kyong Yi sets up her new Fontaine Caffe & Creperie, a European-style cafe replacing a now-defunct tea shop.
“I see people looking around for somewhere to take a break,” Yi said, adding that she hopes to provide an alternative to all the chain coffee shops and burger joints that seem to dot every suburban block.
Savory crepes to include global treats like the Tuscan (Italian sausage, cannelli beans) and the Spaniard (ham, chicken and shrimp). Sweets will range from fruity (strawberries, almonds, lemon cream) to fanciful (pears, cognac, chocolate). Open for lunch, Tuesday through Friday, dinner, Tuesday through Saturday and weekend brunch; closed Monday.—WR
119 S. Royal St., Alexandria; 703-535-8151; www.fontainecaffe.com
(February 2008)
Villa Mozart
Downtown Fairfax has flipped from French to Northern Italian with the arrival of Villa Mozart, a chef-owned establishment replacing Le Tire Bouchon.
Fiore di Luna alumnus Andrea Pace (owner and executive chef of Villa Mozart) and Reem Arbid (ex-FdL owner turned catering and special events manager at Villa Mozart) have reconnected in downtown Fairfax to launch Pace’s first solo project.
According to Arbid, a three-course prix fixe lunch menu ($18) has been devised to cater to the courthouse crowd. Dinner will feature Pace signatures like penne martelli (penne with Maine lobster), assorted risottos, rack of lamb, daily fish selections, beef and venison carpaccio, pumpkin gnocchi and other seasonal offerings.
Meanwhile, semi-monthly wine dinners—featuring distinct specialty dishes—are already in the works. Open for lunch, Monday through Friday, dinner, Monday through Saturday; closed Sunday.—WR
4009 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax; 703-691-4747;
www.villamozartrestaurant.com
(January 2008)
Wildfire
Another Chicago-based steak mogul is hoping to blaze a trail through Tysons, as Wildfire moves into the top floor of the Galleria this winter.
Lettuce Entertain You (Wildfire’s parent company) president Howard Katz says the thriving retail/office/residential boom in and around the Tysons area helped make the destination for the eighth Wildfire opening a no-brainer.
“If you are shopping, you’ll feel comfortable coming in,” he says of his contemporary-casual eatery, adding that they consider themselves to be a “mid-priced” alternative to some of the other corporate steakhouses around.
Patrons should expect an open kitchen anchored by the signature wood-burning ovens. House specialties include: the “stuffed burger of the day,” roasted turkey French dip, filet medallion trio and cedar-planked salmon. Kids’ selections include: kid’s filet with mashed potatoes and barbecue ribs and fries. Gluten-free options are also provided in every category. The restaurant also features a family-style “club supper menu” that combines generously portioned salads, starters, mains, sides and desserts for $29.95 per person. Open for lunch and dinner daily.—WR
1714-U International Drive, McLean; 703-442-9110; www.wildfirerestaurant.com
(January 2008)
Brooklyn Brothers Pizzeria
The founders of Ashburn’s Manhattan Pizzeria are looking to broaden their suburban standing with their new Brooklyn Brothers Pizzeria, an old school pizza joint taking root in Gainesville.
Brooklyn Brothers co-owner Jack Azar says the new Gainesville shop will be modeled after the neighborhood pizzerias his family still runs back in Long Island and Brooklyn. “It’s a pizza shop unlike any in the area,” he pledges, stressing that although it will be a full-service establishment, the place will be all about pie-slinging. The restaurant will feature multiple TVs tuned to nothing but high school sporting events, and Azar remains on the lookout for local athletic teams to sponsor.
Traditional menu options will include: by-the-slice pizza offerings, specialty pizzas, deli-style heroes, basic pastas, sliders, salads, cheese steaks and home-style favorites like meatloaf sandwiches. Delivery service will also be provided. Open for lunch and dinner daily.—WR
8010 Madison Crescent, Gainesville; 703-753-6663
(January 2008)
Alto Plaza
Centrevillians who have long wondered about the octagonal giant that has slowly risen over the past few years will have all their burning questions answered once Alto Plaza throws open its many, many doors to the public this winter.
According to an Alto Plaza spokesperson, partners Hakim Elmanouzi (a Ritz-Carlton alumnus-turned-restaurateur) and Manuel Amaya (Alto’s director of operations) envision casual dining on the two lower levels and live jazz and cigar-smoking on the reservations-only third floor. Look for ornate mosaics and eye-catching fabrics throughout. Wrap-around balconies will provide plenty of open-air dining while two separate dining areas will be available for private functions.
At press time, the final menu remained in flux. But the company spokesperson says to expect Nuevo Latino tapas downstairs and continental standards like lobster up above. Open for lunch, dinner and late-night dining daily.—WR
5800 Old Centreville Road, Centreville; 703-266-8811
(December 2007)
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