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Foodie Finds at the Town Centers

City-like in walkability but built for the suburbs with ample parking, town centers are drawing some of the best restaurants in Northern Virginia. –SG

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Mosaic District

This new tangle of blocks debuted with trusted local chains—Sweetgreen, Cava Mezze Grill, Taylor Gourmet—but now includes originals with ambitious food and celebrated chefs, including B Side (attached to Red Apron Butchery), Gypsy Soul (with James Beard award-winner RJ Cooper) and Brine (from storied oyster family Rappahannock Oyster Co.) Bonus: farmers market on Sundays. / mosaicdistrict.com

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One Loudoun

From a Washington football player (Pierre Garçon) debuting his 90-second pizza concept (Spinfire) to a “Top Chef” (Bryan Voltaggio, a runner-up on season six; his brother, an L.A.-based chef, won) opening a family-friendly restaurant with grown-up taste (Family Meal), One Loudoun keeps attracting bold-name talent. Next up: Restaurant Eve’s Cathal Armstrong announced plans for a 2016 opening of a yet-to-be-named concept. Bonus: farmers market on Saturdays. / oneloudoun.com

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Springfield Town Center

Closed in 2012 for a $250 million renovation, the Springfield Mall is now a town center anchored by emerging national chains, like Yard House (with plenty of craft beer on tap), Zinburger (capitalizing on the craft burger trend, paired with wine) and Wood Ranch (a barbecue and steak house with Springfield Town Center as its first location out of California). / springfieldtowncenter.com

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Reston Town Center

A model for town centers since its debut in 1990, Reston Town Center stays relevant with new additions, like this year’s Bartaco (a summery-vibed taqueria), Barcelona Wine Bar (classic and trendy tapas) and the replanted Neyla (Mediterranean dining room, formerly of Georgetown). There’s also all-day breakfast (Ted’s Bulletin) and one of the best happy hour crowds in the region (Jackson’s). / restontowncenter.com

(August 2015)