We stick with that is comfortable. Patron the tried and true. And we’ve all said,” Why go there? What’s there to do in (insert name of other Northern Virginia neighborhood here)?” We’ve got your answer: a quick field guide to the little known centers in the smaller hoods. -By Anthony Baracat, Robert Fowler, Brandon Payton and Cassandra Sturos
Get a drink
Fredericksburg
Blue & Gray Brewing Co. (blueandgraybrewingco.com) – All beers brewed in Fredericksburg.
Battlefield Brewery – Over 16 beers on tap including beers the brewery brews themselves.
Kybecca (kybecca.com) – Handcrafted cocktail concoctions.
Del Ray
Cheesetique (cheesetique.com) – Enjoy a wedge of cheese to compliment the taste of good wine or beer. Check out the day in the life of the owner, pg. 112.
Evening Star Cafe (eveningstarcafe.net) – Craft brews and cocktails in the upstairs lounge.
Shirlington
The Curious Grape (curiousgrape.com) – Have a tantalizing sip from a vast assortment of wines, beers and fine foods.
Cap City Brewing Company (capcitybrew.com) – Signature brews year round, and worldly seasonal options.
Purcellville
WK Hearth (thewinekitchen.com) – For the cozy ambiance of home, have a glass of wine to warm you in this restored farmhouse.
Grandale Farm Restaurant/868 Estate Vineyards (grandalefarm.com) – 120 acres that houses both a fine-dining restaurant and a winery with tasting room.
Herndon
Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern (jimmystavern.com) – Herndon’s very own version of Cheers, check out this local tavern for a laid-back evening and enjoy some of their famous chicken wings.
Stone’s Cove KitBar (stonescove.com) – Offering a dozen indulgent cocktails, 20 vino pours and a list of draft beers.
Fairfax City
The Auld Shebeen (theauldshebeenva.com) – Celebrate Ireland at this pub and restaurant featuring live music, English football, karaoke and an eclectic menu.
The Wine House (winehouseonline.com) – Check out this locally-owned wine bar and downtown bistro, combining New Zealand, Napa and European flair.
Cup o’ joe
Fredericksburg
Blackstone Coffee Company (blackstonecoffee.com) – This wife-husband duo roast their own coffee for the freshest taste in town.
Hyperion Espresso (hyperionespresso.com) – Coffee from around the world—Ethiopia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Kenya, Indonesia and more. And, great people watching.
Del Ray
Swing’s Del Ray Coffeebar (swingscoffee.com) – A vast variety of finely made coffees, complete with a turntable for music.
Caboose Café (caboose-cafe.com) – Indulge in a delicious muffin while sipping on hot delicious coffee at this homey café. St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub (stelmoscoffeepub.com) – Enjoy the heat of organic and freshly roasted coffee.
Shirlington
Best Buns Bread Company (greatamericanrestaurants.com) – Those sweet-treats of rolls you get at Sweetwater, Artie’s, etc., these guys make ‘em; and eat up the slew of other goods at this bakery, along with a cup o’ joe.
BusBoys and Poets (busboysandpoets.com) – Books, art, live performances, all to be enjoyed with a cup of coffee or organic, fair-trade tea.
Purcellville
Loco Joe Coffee (locojoecoffee.com) – Check out this coffee shop that pays attention to detail, featuring tasty drinks with beautiful latte art.
Market Street Coffee (marketstreetcoffeeshops.com) – This coffee-shop is dubbed Loudoun’s living room for a reason. Sip on freshly brewed coffee in a quaint atmosphere.
Herndon
Green Lizard Cycling (greenlizardcycling.com) – A cycling shop meets coffee shop; a perfect stop for your morning cup o’ joe and a bike ride.
Fairfax City
American Bistro and Coffeehouse (abcoffeehouse.com) – Find daily-ground beans and fresh sandwiches and salads at this local shop.
Cameron’s Coffee and Chocolate (9639 Fairfax Blvd.) – The newest local coffee shop in Fairfax City, opening this past October, has a range of java options along with many housemade chocolates, bakery goods, granola and frozen yogurt.
29th Parallel Coffee and Tea (10160 Fairfax Blvd.) – Delicately-prepared drinks prove mesmerizing, especially the 29th’s noted pour over coffee.
Retail Therapy
Fredericksburg
The Boutique at Caroline Street (theboutiqueatcarolinestreet.com) – All of your designer brands at a low price.
Heritage Gifts and Imports (300 William St.)- A local import store with pizazz. You’ll find ties to cameos to books and jewelry.
Bluebird Studio Stained Glass (bluebirdstainedglass.com) – Anything from custom stained glass projects to repairs. You can also take lessons.
Del Ray
Potomac West Interiors and Antiques (evolution-home.com) – Browse through gorgeous home furnishings both vintage and modern.
Amalgamate (amalgamated-clothing.com) – Dress like a spiffy fellow from times past.
Kiskadee (kiskadeeshop.com) – Of-the-moment finds (attire, accessories, home goods and gifts)in this little yellow brick house.
Shirlington
Le Village Marché (levillagemarche.com) – Romantic ambience, Parisian-themed market, where you can find a wide assortment of charming home products.
Periwinkle (periwinkleshop.com) – Newly revamped with the latest in women’s attire..
Bloomers (shopbloomers.com) – Chic undergarments for everyday.
Purcellville
Everyday Elegance (everydayelegancepville.com) – From women’s wear to home décor to vintage finds, this shop has something for everyone.
Around the Block Books (aroundtheblockbooks.com) – Get your reading on at this cozy bookstore whose motto is, “We encourage loitering!”
Herndon
Roaches in the Attic (roachesantiques.com) – With a name like Roaches in the Attic, you have to check out this family-owned antique store that features early American glass as well as an ample supply of records.
Fairfax City
The Factory Tees and Vintage Apparel (thefactorytees.com) – Vintage pieces from the 1950s-80s, plus original t-shirt designs and vintage inspired tees.
Eminence Jewelers (eminencejewelers.com) – These full-service jewelers sell, repair and design custom and quality pieces just for you.
Fair Trade Winds (fairtradewinds.net) – Shop fair-trade jewelry, wedding gifts, accessories and more.
Feed me
Fredericksburg
A. Smith Bowman Distillery (asmithbowman.com) – Walk through the bourbon making process. Make your own and taste it by tour’s end.
Funland (centralparkfun-land.com) – Go karts, rock walls, laser tag, bumper boats, arcade games, putt-putt. Need we say more?
909 Saloon (909-online.com) – Casual food, craft beers, Virginia wines and a pretty good line-up for live music.
Del Ray
Signature Theater (signature-theatre.org) – Boundary-pushing, Tony Award-winning theater.
Shirlington
Artfully Chocolate (thecocoagallery.com) – The chocolate confections at this venue are as artful as the paintings that adorn its gallery.
Del Ray Artisans (thedelrayartisans.org) – Come pour your eyes over the artwork by local artists at this longstanding venue.
Purcellville
Franklin Park Arts Center (franklinparkartscenter.org) – Music, improv, ballet and theatre—the Franklin Park Arts Center has got it all.
Catoctin Creek (catoctincreekdistilling.com) – Take a tour of this working distillery, see how whiskey is made and then have a glass.
(December 2013)
