By Jess Feldman, Stefanie Gans and Jennifer Zeleski
After a month of renovations, menu changes and some vacation time for staff, Trummer’s (it dropped “On Main” with the rebrand) reopens Thursday, Sept. 26. It’s perfect timing too, because while summer is about backyard parties, fall is for getting serious about restaurants. Here is list of recently opened places, like Mike Cordero’s Bronson Bier Hall (above) and those to come, like Cake & Death, which snags the corner spot from the recently shuttered Leesburg Vintner. Happy eating season.
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89 Pizza, Wings & Football
Status: Expected Sept. 28
One Loudoun’s Spinfire Pizza location will rebrand as 89 Pizza in an ode to owner Santa Moss’ time playing for Washington’s football team. He also runs his similarly numbered nonprofit, 89 Ways to Give. // 20552 Easthampton Plaza, Ashburn
Ann’s Lobster Rolls
Status: Open
Get your dose of New England fare at this no-frills stop, serving lobster rolls, fried fish sandwiches, seasoned waffle fries and banana pudding. // 3349 Jefferson David Highway, Stafford
Augie’s Mussel House & Beer Garden
Status: Expected October
The two-floor mussel-themed restaurant opened late last year for a preview and closed for a major renovation project, and is set to reopen next month with a patio, plus 35 taps, brunch and TVs all over the place, including outside. // 1106 King St., Alexandria
Baddpizza
Status: Expected fall
The new pizza brand will launch in three NoVA cities—McLean, Falls Church and South Riding—with pies like the one covered in blue cheese, hot sauce and chicken strips. There will also be wings, subs and salads. // Multiple locations
Ballywhack Shack
Status: Open
Located in historic Occoquan, the Ballywhack Shack serves paninis, various styles of hot dogs and sweets, right from a window stand on Mill Street. // Ballywhack Shack: 304 Mill St., Occoquan
Bronson Bier Hall
Status: Open
Restaurateur Mike Cordero debuted Bronson Bier Hall this month as a homage to German fare and craft beer, replacing his previous creation, the rowdy, rule-breaking A-Town Bar and Grill. The new, Ballston-based concept boasts five types of bratwurst, a meat counter, giant pretzels, outdoor games on the back patio and more, all in a 6,000-square-foot space. // Bronson Bier Hall: 4100 Fairfax Drive, Arlington
Cafe Colline
Status: Expected fall
From prolific restaurateurs Eric and Ian Hilton, the 50-seat Cafe Colline will be a new neighborhood bistro in Ballston. Based off its sister restaurant in Georgetown, Chez Billy Sud, this cafe will feature French cuisine with Provencal fish soup, steak frites, plus brunch and a curated wine list. // 4536 Lee Highway, Arlington
Cake or Death
Status: Expected December
Closing after 31 years, Leesburg Vintner gives up its coveted corner spot to Cake or Death. The bakery, from Curtis Allred (Delirium Cafe USA, Balls of Glory) will sell pastries and other sweets from local bakers as well as its own goods. There will also be an espresso bar, sparkling wine on draft and beer. // 29 S. King St., Leesburg
Chloez Cafe
Status: Open
Chloez Cafe offers up everything from avocado toast and omelettes to hoagies and burgers. // 5622 Ox Road, Fairfax Station
City Tap + The Lost Fox
Status: Expected fall
In the former Hail & Hog space inside One Loudoun, find two concepts: City Tap, an upscale bar-food restaurant with locations in Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago and DC, and the new rooftop lounge, The Lost Fox, which bills itself as a “tasteful American pub.” // 20374 Exchange St., Ashburn
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Nachos, margaritas, and football. Pretty sure we’ve just got your Sunday plans.
El Rey Taqueria
Status: Expected winter
Sibling duo Eric and Ian Hilton are expanding their DC-based taqueria concept to Ballston in late fall or early winter, offering tacos filled with al pastor, Thai shrimp and adobo chicken, plus sangria, cocktails and beer on tap. This is part of the Hiltons’ larger infiltration into the Virginia suburbs. // Ballston Exchange: 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
Haifa Grill
Status: Open
Halal-certified shawarma chicken and beef rotisserie dominate the menu, alongside other Mediterranean favorites such as kabobs, taboula salad, falafel, hummus and more. // 3541 Carlin Springs Road, Falls Church
Jefferson Ale House
Status: Open
World of Beer in One Loudon rebrands in name, but keeps the beers and upscale bar food, with the likes of giant soft pretzels, frachos (french fry nachos) and a shrimp burger. // 44699 Brimfield Drive, Ashburn
LEON
Status: Expected winter
This U.K.-based “natural fast food” restaurant is bringing Virginia its first location to the Mosaic District, and will accommodate gluten-free, wheat-free, peanut-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, vegan and pescatarian diets. // 2905 District Ave., Fairfax
My Home Thai Bistro
Status: Open
Find Thai staples like panang curry, chicken satay and pad see ew in a minimalist-chic (hanging greenery, metallic light fixtures) Reston restaurant. // 11830 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 800, Reston
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Open Road + Salt
Status: Opening winter
Metropolitan Hospitality Group is opening a second Open Road in Rosslyn by the end of the year, featuring the same Americana menu (burgers, pizza, ribs) as its original in Merrifield. Located in the plaza of the CEB tower, the concept will be paired with a separate, upscale bar called Salt, which will open next year. // 1800 N. Lynn St., Arlington
Santouka
Status: Expected November
This Japanese ramen chain is known best for its tonkotsu broth (made from simmering pork bones) and is making its DC-area debut in Tysons Corner before the end of the year. // 1636 Boro Place, McLean
South Block Juice
Status: Open
The Arlington-born juice, smoothie and acai bowl company opened its 10th location in Rosslyn last month. // 1550 Wilson Blvd., Suite 104, Arlington
Spice Kraft
Status: Open
After a brief period lacking chicken tikka masala, Del Ray gets Spice Kraft Indian Bistro as a replacement for Bombay Curry Co. // 2607 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria
Taqueria Picoso
Status: Expected fall
A vertical al pastor roaster will be one of the attractions at the forthcoming taqueria from the former restaurant director of Arlington’s Green Pig Bistro. // 1492 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria
The Bar @ChefScape
Status: Open
The Village at Leesburg food incubator is always shuffling concepts, and the newest is the launch of sports bar The Bar. // 1602 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg
The Renegade
Status: Expected October
Clarendon will soon be home to yet another triage concept with The Renegade, a coffee shop, restaurant and nightclub owned by Clarendon Ballroom chef Patrick Crump. The menu will feature snackable bites for just about $5, including lemongrass beef with crushed peanuts, fried yucca with jalapeno aioli and crispy Korean chicken. // 3100 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington
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Let try our Tonkatsu rice bowl 😋😋 on the soft opening Sep 21, 2019 #umairamenandricebowl #tonkatsu
UMAI Ramen & Rice Bowl
Status: Open
The space formerly occupied by Tipicos Gloria (relocated down the street) is now home to this ramen and rice bowl spot. // 482 Elden St., Herndon
Wild Wood Pizza
Status: Expected fall
Opening in The Village of Leesburg, Wild Wood Pizza, from the Rocket Collective Hospitality (forthcoming Cake or Death), will crank out funky pies like the Smoked Manhattan with pork belly, gouda and bacon and the Slow Burn with smoked chipotle aioli, braised lamb, fontina and adobo. Other plates include charcuterie, meatballs, baked pastas and panini. // 1600 Village Market Blvd., Suite 120, Leesburg