By Eliza Berkon, Stefanie Gans, Beth Kellmurray and Lynn Norusis
This week, Northern Virginia Magazine editors are looking forward to trying Underground Kitchen’s pop-up in Warrenton; finding adventure at South Run Park, iFly and Cirque Italia; and visiting Arlington’s robust bar lineup, plus what we’re listening to and watching right now.
Mangia Bene! from Underground Kitchen Pop-Up
July 19, 6:30 p.m.
We don’t get a lot of restaurant pop-ups in Northern Virginia, but this week, there’s a roving supper club heading to Warrenton. From the Richmond-based Underground Kitchen, Venezuela-born Giovanna Delli Compagni (Asiate at The Mandarin Oriental in New York, Food Network’s Chopped) will cook a multi-course dinner at an undisclosed location. Tickets ($150) include cocktails, tax and tip. –SG // Underground Kitchen’s Mangia Bene! dinner: Warrenton
Day-tripping for those who can’t get away
Cirque Italia runs July 20-23
The vacation gods are not shining down on me this summer. With no jet-setting plans to speak of, I’m making due with day jaunts around the area. This week my boys and I are thinking about checking out Fairfax’s new sky adventure at South Run Park’s Go Ape, though they are trying to talk me into taking it up a notch at iFly and then hitting up an aerial show at Cirque Italia. –LN // Go Ape Zip Line & Treetop Adventure: Reservation Drive, Springfield; iFly: 20315 Commonwealth Center Drive, Ashburn; Cirque Italia at Potomac Mills: 2700 Potomac Mills Circle, Woodbridge
A very Lana Del Rey (and Insecure) summer
Lust for Life out July 21 & Insecure premieres July 23
When I first heard Lana Del Rey was putting out a new album called Lust for a Life, I balked. Can anyone pull that off other than shirtless, sinewy Iggy Pop? To top it off, she threw in a song called “Coachella — Woodstock in My Mind.” Needless to say, I’m dubious, but really, so long as Del Rey maintains her dramatic, moody swells cast in the shadow of the Hollywood sign (literally in the case of the video for the Lust for Life title track featuring frequent collaborator The Weeknd), I’m here for it. Then on Sunday, I’ll tune in for the second season premiere of Insecure, the HBO series masterminded by the endlessly talented (and funny and adorable) Issa Rae that’s spun off from her web series Awkward Black Girl. –BK
Fill ’er up and then fill ’er up again
When life gets tough, you might need a pub crawl. That’s going to be my approach this Saturday as a few friends and I venture out to some bars I’ve been meaning to hit up, such as the Westover Beer Garden, Cowboy Café, Baba and Galaxy Hut. I’ve inquired with our dining editor about perhaps picking up the beer beat, and I’m hoping this trip will show her the passion and rigor with which I approach my assignments. –EB // Westover Beer Garden & Haus: 5863 Washington Blvd., Arlington; Cowboy Café: 4792 Lee Highway, Arlington; Baba: 2901 Wilson Blvd., Arlington; Galaxy Hut: 2711 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
