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By Katie Bianco, Jess Feldman, Holly Gambrell, Stefanie Gans and Jennifer Zeleski
Pour kale sauce over everything
From a farmers market stand to a pop-up to a permanent location, and with multiple names in between, Disturbingly Delicious Foods opens today in Falls Church. Dave Forbes spins kale and cauliflower into low-calorie versions of classics, like mustard (Flower Power), mayonnaise (Mayonot) and ketchup (Yumchup). His store, complete with his own line of sauces, will also sell local sausages, coffee, pies, produce and cheese. -Stefanie Gans, Dining Editor & Restaurant Critic // Disturbingly Delicious Foods: 455 S. Maple Ave., Unit H, Falls Church
Not always hungry, but I can always eat
Growing up with a parent from Russia, I was constantly exposed to cultural traditions, ranging from superstitious rituals to Russian ballet. But by far the best part of having an Eastern European father was learning to embrace all food, no matter where it came from or what it looked like. For someone who doesn’t take a lot of risks, eating is an activity I have zero fear of. That’s why over the course of the next two weeks, I will be diving into the food scene of NoVA and the District, thanks to both Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week, starting Aug. 12, and Alexandria Restaurant Week, starting Aug. 16. From caviar at Brabo Brasserie to an eggplant and burrata salad at Punjab Grill, I will have the chance to take in some of the best bites around, all in the form of tasting menus I can actually afford. Find out more about the details of both weeks, here. –Jess Feldman, Editorial Assistant // Aug. 12-25; location, times and prices vary
A childhood tradition in Arlington
I grew up in Arlington and I have a lot of great memories from living there, but one of my absolute favorites is going to the annual Arlington County Fair. As a kid, I’d wait all summer for it and then ride myself silly at the carnival, pig out on fair food and then cool down with a walk through the auditorium where all the local organizations are on display. It’s now time to pass down the tradition. You can find me on Saturday with my husband and two kids—introducing them to the wonder of carnival rides, funnel cakes and all that Arlington has to offer. -Katie Bianco, Editor // Arlington County Fair: Thomas Jefferson Community Center: 3501 Second St. S, Arlington; Aug. 14-18; free and ticketed attractions
Extended education (without going to grad school)
This has never been a secret: writing is hard. I adore getting to write for my job, but some days it feels like I’m pressing the pen through the paper just to make something that sounds somewhat creative, catchy and cohesive. And with this fall being the first that I won’t be enrolled in school in my lifetime (let the nostalgia sink in for buying school supplies), I am seeking ways to stay sharp and not become stagnant in my growth as a writer. That’s why I’ll be attending the Emerging Writers Festival 2019 in Alexandria this weekend. Catch me at the “Breaking into Food Writing with Cathy Barrow” session, where I hope to get insight on writing about my favorite subject, and dreaming up the possibility of one day publishing my own cookbook. Find more information (on the book sale, public events and more) here. -Jennifer Zeleski, Editorial Assistant // Multiple locations in Alexandria; Aug. 16-18, various times; tickets for classes from $75, public events free
Sweat, smile, repeat
I haven’t been on a bar crawl in about … well, to be honest, I can’t remember the last time I went on a bar crawl. Probably sometime during college, but now I much prefer choosing one winery or brewery to hang out at for a few hours and then going home at a reasonable time. I won’t be returning to the bar crawl scene this weekend, but will be trying my hand at a sweat crawl. For the uninitiated, sweat crawls include going to several gyms in a row to try out a variety of fitness classes. This Saturday, Aug. 17, I’ll be going to the free Summer Fitness Crawl in Arlington, making stops at Orangetheory Fitness (my favorite gym!), Pure Barre and CorePower Yoga. -Holly Gambrell, Digital Editor // Meet at Epic Smokehouse: 1330 S. Fern St., Arlington; 1-3 p.m.; free
Want more fun? Check out the August issue’s NoVA in 19 to see what else should be on your radar as we kick off the last month of summer vacation.
