Arlington Magazine May/Jun 2021

Restaurateur Nick Freshman

Comprehensive expertise and unwavering commitment to your goals. When the path ahead is uncertain, you need both. at’s why at Evermay, our advisors are dual-focused: on the investment world and on your world.

A bite from the new Ballston Quarter and going for a walk with Cesar, her Goldendoodle, are two favorite things Sarah Picot loves to do in her community. As an Arlingtonian, a mother of two Yorktown and Wakefield graduates, and a top real estate agent and tough negotiator, Sarah brings a level of local industry expertise to her clients that helps them navigate through the ever-challenging process of buying or selling a home. At McEnearney, we take an authentic approach to representing our clients in every step of the process because our Associates are more than just agents - we live here, we work here, and we invest in the communities where we do business. Connect with Sarah to get your journey started with McEnearney.

Sarah Picot, McEnearney Associate Featured at True Food Kitchen, Ballston Quarter

CON TENTS

n FEATURES

FOOD & DRINK

86

Still Hungry

After a year of brutal decisions, manic reinvention, loss and resilience, these local restaurateurs can’t wait to serve you again.

100 New Eats

The pandemic arrived. They opened anyway. What should you order at these new restaurants? Our dining critic has a few suggestions.

COMMUNITY

114

Food & Fellowship

How a group of friends is keeping the faith—and helping people who are homeless—one home-cooked meal at a time.

HOME & GARDEN

130 All Decked

Out

The era of social distancing sent us clamoring for outdoor entertainment spaces. These beauties are sure to spark patio envy.

HEALTH

140 No Note, No

Explanation

Suicide rates are rising, and the fallout from Covid is putting more people at risk. Talking about it matters.

ON THE COVER: Restaurateur Nick Freshman. Photo by Joseph Tran.

Grilled octopus at Ruthie’s All-Day

GROW

Cultivating a plant to grow strong and healthy is a beautiful thing. Taking care of your health ensures you have many more gardens to grow together. Virginia Hospital Center provides you and your family the highest quality, personalized healthcare with convenient face-to-face & Telehealth Visits, and informative online health education. Find a Virginia Hospital Center physician at virginiahospitalcenter.com/doctors.

CON TENTS

36 My Life

A meditation on fatherhood.

146 Great Spaces

This remodel dispenses with formality. Bye-bye unused dining room. Hello, bigger kitchen.

Spring brings live outdoor music, a

and

22 Good Stuff

Three cheers for book deliveries, free yard sales, whiskey tastings and princess cameos.

28 Familiar Faces

She wrote a Black history curriculum. He wrote his first mystery novel.

158 Prime Numbers

A look at the area’s most expensive home sales. Plus, real estate trends by ZIP code.

164 Home Plate

Roman-style pizza and a winning burger concept.

166 Places to Eat

Our dining guide returns, with bite-size write-ups on more than 300 restaurants, bars and eateries near you.

176 Shop Local

Support local makers while finding the perfect gift for that special someone.

178 Driving Range

Miss the sand in your toes? Make plans to visit the family-friendly beach town of Ocean City, New Jersey.

184 Back Story

During World War II, Arlington Hall Station had a secret cadre of code breakers. They were Black women.

letter from the publisher

Turning a Corner

THE THOUGHT OF walking into a crowded restaurant or bar with a group of friends, an activity I’ve repeated thousands of times in my adult life, is almost too much for me to comprehend. After more than a year of isolation, save the occasional gathering around a fire pit, it’s safe to assume most of us are excited to go out and cut loose. And local restaurants and watering holes are awaiting our arrival with giddy anticipation. They’ve just endured the worst year of their careers. Given the pent-up demand, my hope is they will soon experience one of their best.

Last year, in mid-March, we were wrapping up a story about innovative restaurateurs who were helping to reshape the local dining landscape. Many were on the verge of opening new places. Then Virginia went into lockdown and we had to put the story on hold, just as they had to put their best-laid plans on hold. One year later, we circled back with the same folks to find out if, and how, the past year has fundamentally changed their outlook. They share their insights and reflections in our cover story, “Still Hungry,” with interviews by editor Jenny Sullivan. The good news? It’s not all bad news. Their stories are inspiring.

With more closings than openings in the past 12 months, it hasn’t been an appropriate time for dining reviews. Critiquing a restaurant during a pandemic, when supply chains and operations are disrupted, is like kicking someone when they are down. But our temporary pause on reviews hasn’t stopped our food critic from sampling what’s new around town. For “New Eats,” David Hagedorn visited eight restaurants that opened

during the pandemic. He draws on his extensive culinary knowledge (he’s a trained chef) to highlight what’s special about each place and tempt you with the tastiest items on the menu. I can’t wait to try these new restaurants, and I hope you will support them, too.

You may notice that this issue, like our last one in March/April, looks a bit thicker than usual. The size of a magazine is dependent on the amount of advertising. We are grateful that most of our longtime clients stuck with us in 2020 (it was a challenging year, as you can imagine) and advertiser demand appears to have snapped back this year. We are heartened to know that local businesses find the magazine (and our digital offerings) to be an effective marketing vehicle for their brand and message. As a reader, please note that you can support us by supporting our advertisers.

I hope you enjoy this issue of Arlington Magazine. The Food & Drink issue is an especially fun one to publish. When you feel comfortable, I hope you’ll visit and support your favorite local dining establishments, whether you’re ordering takeout, eating on the patio or taking that first tentative step back indoors. They will be excited to see you. If you have any questions or suggestions, please email me at greg.hamilton@arlingtonmagazine.com. Letters to the editor and story ideas should be sent to jenny. sullivan@arlingtonmagazine.com. Thanks!

Greg Hamilton Publisher

n contributors

Rebecca Morrison

LIVES IN: Lyon Village

ORIGINALLY FROM: “I was born in Iran and consider my hometown to be Vancouver, Canada.”

IN THIS ISSUE: Writes about the pain of losing a friend to suicide. “I was surprised to learn that men end their lives at a much higher rate than women. In 2019, men accounted for 78% of all suicides.”

NEW BEGINNINGS: “I spent 27 years as an aviation attorney. I didn’t pursue writing seriously until a year ago when my legal contracting job was terminated due to the pandemic. A writing class gave me the confidence to start writing about things I cared about. I also started painting.”

CONVERSATION PIECES: “In 2019, I started a podcast called The Second Half. It became a forum for stories about overcoming struggle and failure to find success, healing and love. My hope is that the stories guests share will help others feel less alone.”

CURRENTLY WORKING ON: “A memoir about my journey to becoming an American woman. Before the pandemic, I didn’t have the courage to put my stories down on paper. This past year has shown me that life can change in an instant, and that if you want to pursue your dreams you have to accept the fear and doubt and move ahead anyway.”

ONLINE: morrisonartstudio.com and @thesecondhalfpodcast on Instagram

Lisa Helfert

LIVES IN: Silver Spring, Maryland

ORIGINALLY FROM: “I was born in D.C. and grew up in Rockville, Maryland.”

IN THIS ISSUE: Photographed our story about a group of friends from Northern Virginia who prepare and deliver homecooked meals to homeless people on weekends.

TAKEAWAYS: “What stayed with me was the strength of heart I witnessed. By not turning a blind eye on other people, [these men] open themselves to difficult realities that are hard to face, and they do it with kindness, thoughtfulness and grace.”

MORE TAKEAWAYS: “They gave me two lunches—savory and full of flavor, with lots of veggies.”

RECENT PROJECTS: “I recently made a video about someone who played the trombone for his community around a lake during quarantine. I am now working on a project about a woman who grew a nonprofit to feed the underserved. The pandemic created a slowdown of work, but allowed me to study new things, organize, take stock and learn to be a better gardener and cook. I can grow my own veggies now!”

PERSONAL GOAL: “Be present—or aspire to be when you waver.”

ONLINE: lisahelfert.com; vimeo.com/ lisahelfert; and @lisahelfert on Instagram

MA GA ZINE

PUBLISHER & PARTNER

Greg Hamilton

PARTNER

Steve Hull

EDITOR

Jenny Sullivan

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Susan Hull

ART DIRECTOR

Laura Goode

DESIGNER

Kari Mason

WEB PRODUCER

Erin Roby

DINING CRITIC

David Hagedorn

COPY EDITOR

Sandy Fleishman

WRITERS

Tamar Abrams, Eliza Berkon, Robert Frederick, Sydney Johnson, Rachael Keeney, Rebecca Morrison, Kim O’Connell, Rina Rapuano, Jennifer Sergent, Carole Sugarman

PHOTOGRAPHERS & ILLUSTRATORS

Stephanie Bragg, George Brown, Skip Brown, Katie Browne, Heather Fuentes, Stacy Zarin Goldberg, Sarah Goldman, Lisa Helfert, Darren Higgins, Danny Kim, Chris Langford, Tony J. Lewis, Rey Lopez, Matt Mendelsohn, Anna Meyer, Michael Morgenstern, Hillary Schwab, William Stewart, Scott Suchman, Jonathan Timmes, Joseph Tran, Dixie Vereen, Michael Ventura, Thomas Walker, Stephanie Williams, Lloyd Wolf, Mykl Wu

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Traci Ball, Kristin Murphy

FINANCE MANAGER

Jill Trone

AD PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

Meghan K. Murphy

MARKETING ASSOCIATE

Leigh McDonald

CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER

Onecia Ribeiro

Arlington Magazine is published six times a year by Greenbrier Media LLC © 2021 1319 N. Greenbrier St., Arlington, VA 22205

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Phone: 703-534-0519

n reader feedback

The Missing Middle

I have been a subscriber to Arlington Magazine since its inception. The March/April 2021 issue is over-thetop in terms of advertising real estate agents and developers who build and sell multimillion-dollar homes. There’s one journalistically intelligent article, “Going, Going…Gone?” about Arlington’s housing market becoming out of reach for middleclass buyers, and three articles about mega-mansions. The “uncomfortable juxtaposition” your publisher identifies in his publisher’s letter is

much more than that—it’s appalling.

–Deirdre

Donahue, Arlington

My colleagues at Arlingtonians for our Sustainable Future (ASF) and I were all impressed with the careful, fair and objective way in which Alison Rice went about researching and interviewing many different people for the article “Going, Going...Gone?,” about the loss of middle-class housing options in Arlington. It’s a great contribution to the ongoing community dialogue on this important topic.

–Peter Rousselot, Arlington

I was impressed with the depth and straightforwardness of your article on “missing middle” housing in Arlington. You did a good job of faithfully reporting both sides of this issue at a time when way too much news reporting has lost that important, essential attribute.

–Stephen Barlas, Arlington

An American Story I just read Rebecca Morrison’s essay, “Belonging to America,” in the March/April issue, and then made everyone in my family read it. What a powerful telling of a powerful story! Badass is indeed the right word for you, Rebecca. Acts of bravery are needed to open people’s eyes to their ignorant biases.

–Julie Zelman Davis, Arlington

Correction

Owner Tricia Barba’s name was misspelled in our March/April story (p. 168) about Preservation Biscuit Co. in Falls Church.

Virginia Cancer Specialists

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AROUND TOWN

By Rachael Keeney

The Jurassic Encounter

Bull Run Regional Park

Hop in the car and head out to historic Bull Run, where dinosaurs are staging a comeback. This narrated, drive-through exhibit features more than 75 lifelike animatronic and static dinosaurs, from the dreaded T. rex to the horned triceratops. The hourlong experience, available 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, includes an educational audio tour and app. $49 per vehicle for up to 8 passengers. Bull Run Special Events Center, 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville, thejurassicencounter.com

Editor’s Note: At press time the following events were still moving ahead as scheduled. Check the latest status before you go. An asterisk (*) indicates that the event is all or partially online.

THROUGH JUNE 5

Stretched*

Arlington Arts Center

MAY 7-29

The Art of Nature

Del Ray Artisans Gallery

Nature provided a welcome and desperately needed escape this past year. In this free exhibit, artists share their colorful interpretations of the natural world, including plants, animals and water. 2704 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, delrayartisans.org

Nine painters stretch and transcend the traditional limits of their chosen medium with works incorporating unconventional materials and techniques. Featured artists include Amna Asghar, Rushern Baker IV, Erick Antonio Benitez, Mark Joshua Epstein, Saskia Fleishman, Jen Noone, Katherine Tzu-Lan Mann, Madeline Stratton and Rives Wiley. AAC will host virtual artist talks April

Tyler, 14 years stronger

As a young child, Tyler had debilitating seizures due to epilepsy. Thanks to successful brain surgery and care at our hospital, he is seizure-free, thriving and plays a mean game of chess.

For our 150th birthday, please make a gift today. You can help kids like Tyler grow up stronger. Children’s National Hospital, 150 years stronger.

G IVE TODAY

childrensnational.org/150years

22 and 29, and May 7, from 6-7:30 p.m. Free. 3550 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, arlingtonartscenter.org

THROUGH JUNE 5

Ryan McCoy: From an Abyss*

Arlington Arts Center

AAC resident artist Ryan McCoy has documented the pandemic with abstract works that visualize the nation’s staggering death toll, the psychological effects of sustained isolation and attacks on American democracy. AAC will host a virtual artist talk on May 13 from 6-7 p.m. Free. 3550 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, arlingtonartscenter.org

THROUGH JUNE 10

Initium Novum: Humanity’s End as a New Beginning

McLean Project for the Arts

Artist Yuriko Yamaguchi and writer Mineke Schipper explore age-old tales about the end of the world in an attempt to explore the new possibility of resurrection. Free. 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean, mpaart.org

JUNE 4-26

The Naked and the Newt: Humans and Herpetons

Del Ray Artisans Gallery

You might think differently about the story of the princess and the frog after seeing this exhibit, which explores interactions and intersections of people, reptiles and amphibians. Free. 2704 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, delrayartisans.org

MUSIC

MAY 2, 6 P.M.

Robbin Kapsalis & Vintage #18

The State Theatre

Miss live music? The D.C.-based blues and soul band will be belting out some serious tunes under the stars at this free outdoor concert. 220 N. Washington St., Falls Church, thestatetheatre.com

MAY 5, 7:30 P.M.

A Tribute to the Red Hot Chili Peppers

The State Theatre

Hey oh. Cover band Back To The 90s will play a setlist of the L.A. band’s top hits and deeper tracks at this free outdoor show. 220 N. Washington St., Falls Church, thestatetheatre.com

MAY 22, 7:45 - 11 P.M.

Skinny Wallace

JV’s Restaurant

The band out of Dale City, Virginia, returns to the JV’s stage for a mid-spring fling featuring classic rock, country tunes and some righteous guitar riffs. Established in 1947, the family-owned restaurant and dive bar operates with the tagline “ageless charm without yuppie bastardization.” 6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, jvsrestaurant.com

JUNE 13, 7:30 P.M.

Edwin McCain

The Birchmere

Perhaps the third performance date is the charm? Barring yet another postponement, Edwin McCain will perform pop hits such as “I’ll Be” and “I Could Not Ask for More” at this live show. $35. 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, birchmere.com

JUNE 18-20

Columbia Pike Blues

Festival*

Mutiple locations

This year’s bluesfest kicks off with a livestreamed Friday concert in collaboration with the Manoukian Brothers “Live from the Rug Shop” concert series. Saturday promises a full lineup of outdoor performances with audience limits to allow social distancing. And on Sunday? A blues DJ will spin tunes at the Columbia Pike Farmers Market. Check website for participating artists and show schedules. columbia-pike.org/bluesfest

PERFORMING ARTS

THROUGH JUNE 30

Here’s the Deal*

Signature Theatre

In this Signature in the Schools production, students in Mrs. Day’s Theatre III class

study a nearly century-old crisis—the Great Depression—to try to make sense of the current one. Characters weigh the pros and cons of progressive legislation like FDR’s New Deal in this world-premiere play by Caleen Sinnette Jennings, performed by 32 students from 18 different schools. The show will be available for purchase ($5) through the Marquee TV app. Free streaming available to schools; email sigschools@ sigtheatre.org for details. sigtheatre.org

MAY 22, 7:30 P.M.

The Remarkable Four Seasons of Vivaldi*

Gunston Arts Center, Theater I

The National Chamber Ensemble offers a spirited interpretation of Antonio Vivaldi’s most famous composition, complete with humorous interludes, multimedia stage effects and a reading of the sonnets. The performance will be livestreamed if in-person attendance is deemed unsafe. $18-$36. 2700 S. Lang St. Arlington, nationalchamberensemble.org

Daniel J. Watts’

The Jam: Only Child *

Signature Theatre

Tony Award nominee Daniel J. Watts recounts his life as the only child of a single mother in this powerful and playful story of metamorphosis. Watts digs through his memory’s attic to chronicle the growing pains of boyhood and the awkward teenage years that led to his arrival as a proud Black man. Now streaming on Marquee TV. Tickets $35. sigtheatre.org

Daniel J. Watts

MAY 26, 7:30 P.M.

Spring Performance Opener*

Bowen McCauley Dance Co.

Live from the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater, Bowen McCauley opens its 25th season with a reprise of “Dances of the Yogurt Maker,” a performance originally created in 2019 in partnership with Turkish composer Erberk Eryilmaz. The show will also include “Trois Reves,” a choreographic dream sequence set to the music of Maurice Ravel, with a live piano solo by Nikola Paskalov. This webstreamed event includes a pre-show discussion with the artists at 7 p.m. Free. bmdc.org

JUNE 17-JULY 12

The Servant of Two Masters

Synetic Theater

Love gets a bit complicated in this reimagined farce by 18th-century playwright Carlo Goldoni. Beatrice and Florindo just can’t seem to find their way

back to one another, thanks to the antics of a greedy servant named Truffaldino. Synetic’s unique form of physical theater will be on display in this performance directed by Vato Tsikurishvili. Check website for ticket prices. 1800 S. Bell St., Arlington, synetictheater.org

AUTHORS & BOOKS

MAY 13, 7 P.M.

Valeria Luiselli*

Arlington Public Library

Born in Mexico City and raised in South Korea, South Africa and India, Valeria Luiselli is the author of Lost Children Archive, a critically acclaimed novel about a family whose road trip across America collides with an immigration crisis at the southwestern border. This online author talk is part of the 2021 Arlington Reads

SUMMER CAMP

AAC is looking forward to a safe, fun, and creative summer, with both virtual and in-person summer camp and class options! The complete summer schedule will be announced in mid-April 2021:

arlingtonartscenter.org/education/camp

“Food for Thought” series. Free. arlingtonva.libcal.com

MAY 25, 7 P.M.

David Swinson:

City on the Edge*

One More Page Books

Join author and former D.C. Metropolitan Police officer David Swinson for a virtual launch party for his latest book, City on the Edge, which takes place in Beirut in the 1970s. Swinson is also author of the Frank Marr crime trilogy. Free. onemore pagebooks.com

MAY 25, 7 P.M.

Atul Gawande: Being Mortal*

Arlington Public Library

Being Mortal was published in 2014, but recent news about its author renews its significance. Atul Gawande was CEO of Haven, a health care company jointly formed by Amazon, JPMorgan Chase and Berkshire Hathaway, before he stepped down from that role to focus on health

care policy and the fight against Covid19. This online discussion is part of the library’s Book Whisperers book club, which meets every fourth Tuesday at 7 p.m. Free. arlingtonva.libcal.com

SEASONAL

MAY 15, NOON – 7 P.M.

Ballston Quarterfest

The popular food, drink and live music festival returns to Ballston this spring with a few Covid safety modifications. The logistics are still a work in progress, but you can bet there will be plenty of tasty food and drink specials from area restaurants. Save your appetite. ballstonva.org

MAY 15, 11 A.M. – 5 P.M.

McLean Day 2021*

Lewinsville Park

As the vaccine rollout continues, the

specifics of this year’s McLean Day event are still in the works. Watch for more details on what promises to be a safe and family-friendly hometown celebration. Free. 1659 Chain Bridge Road., McLean, mcleancenter.org

MAY 22

Arlington Home Show & Garden Expo*

This year’s event is virtual, but it’s still a great opportunity to tap into the expertise of area home builders, contractors, architects, landscape designers, master gardeners, real estate agents, home inspectors and zoning officials. Learn about the latest green and smart home technologies, remodeling trends and more. Sponsored by Resilient Virginia and the Arlington County Housing Division. arlingtonhomeshow.org

JUNE 5-6

Armed Forces Cycling Classic

Various Arlington locations

This annual weekend on wheels

features multiple races for cyclists of all abilities, starting with the Challenge Ride on Saturday, June 5—an amateur, noncompetitive event in which participants ride as many laps as they can (for up to 3 hours) on a 10K course that is closed to traffic, winding through the Pentagon, Rosslyn and Crystal City. Competitive cyclists, including the nation’s top Pro/Am men and women, will then race in Saturday’s Crystal Cup and Sunday’s 23rd Annual Clarendon Cup. The weekend’s biking festivities also include free kids’ races. See website for registration details and race fees. cyclingclassic.org

Got a calendar event we should know about? Submit it to editorial@arlingtonmagazine.com

good stuff n by

Whiskey tastings with Scott Sklar

Sydney Johnson

SKIP BROWN

The Neatest Hour

Over the years, Ashton Heights resident Scott Sklar has built up an impressively large collection of whiskeys, including some choice, 20-year-old single-malt Scotches. An adjunct professor at George Washington University (where he teaches two interdisciplinary courses on sustainable energy) and founder of The Stella Group, a clean energy consultancy, Sklar has traveled the world, sampling all manner of his favorite brown liquor. Before Covid, he and several neighborhood friends often gathered for “bourbon club,” in which each person would bring a bottle and share a few drams.

When the pandemic began, the gregarious Sklar saw an opportunity to widen his circle—by more than six feet. He purchased several large buckets from Cherrydale Hardware, which he flipped into seats; invested in some plastic shot glasses; and set up a makeshift bar outside his solar home on North Ivy Street, where he’s lived for 37 years.

Intrigued, people started coming by for free whiskey happy hours, which Sklar hosts most weekdays— barring wind or rain—for anyone 21 or older who wishes to partake. He says he’s welcomed lawyers, construction workers, teachers, taxicab drivers, retirees, bartenders, government contractors and many others to join him and his dog, Elvis, on his front lawn.

“These people are from all different backgrounds and all different places and they want the same thing,” Sklar says. “They want camaraderie and they want it in a safe way.” Plus, a little nip to warm the insides.

Yards and Yards

Last August, Lauren Kneussle started an initiative called the Drew Distribution—a free, biweekly “yard sale” during which families near Arlington’s Charles Drew Community Center could peruse donated offerings (clothing, toys, household supplies) and take whatever they needed. She recognized that some of her neighbors were cleaning out their closets while others were struggling through financial hardship. Soon she was joined by fellow organizer Alex Russell.

Less than 2 miles away and a month later, Kristen Johnson hosted the very first Fairlington Women’s and Kids’ Free Clothing Swap, after hearing a few neighborhood moms expressing concerns about where to find seasonal attire during the pandemic. The swap was a success, and concluded with three carloads of unclaimed items—which Johnson and her friend Heather Lilly promptly drove over to contribute to a Drew Distribution that was underway.

What they saw was sobering. “I was blown away by how incredible it was and how much need there is in our community,” Johnson recalls. “I was shocked to see that all of the clothing, diapers, toiletries and household items were all scooped up within a matter of minutes. I got sucked in.”

Johnson and Lilly offered to lead the next Drew Distribution. Before long, the effort was renamed the Green Valley FREE Community Yard Sale and grew exponentially. As word got around, donations continued to pour in, taking over Johnson’s Fairlington home—so much so that neighbors chipped in to fund a storage shed next to her house. By the end of last fall, the yard sale was serving 200 to 300 families every other week.

The organizers have been nimble in responding to community needs. When one mother cried after arriving late to an event, only to find all of the diapers gone, Johnson posted a notice on Facebook. Within two days, she’d raised almost $1,000 for diapers.

Cold temperatures and an uptick in Covid cases put the yard sales on pause over the winter, but they started back up in April and are now offered monthly.

Kristen Johnson (in the pink mask) at a free yard sale event

A Magical Gap Year

Eva Gary was a sophomore in the thick of musical theater rehearsals at Yorktown High School when she decided to become a princess.

Hearing about Ever Laughter, a small outfit that trained young actors to portray fictional characters for kids’ parties, she signed on and fell in love with delivering magic to children. The company disbanded in early 2020, just as Gary was immersed in college applications her senior year. She thought her princess days were over.

Then the pandemic arrived, and Gary agreed to do one last princess gig—helping a similar company stage a socially distanced mermaid party. Remembering how much she loved seeing kids’ faces light up (and not particularly keen on starting college during Covid), she decided to take a gap year.

Soon, she had formed her own party business, Princess Wish Parties, offering a suite of services that are mindful of the times. Among them: video cameos (starting at $15), video calls (starting at $40) and socially distanced, in-person

gatherings (starting at $90). The company offers bookings with more than a dozen characters, including princesses, pop stars and superheroes who engage kids in sing-alongs, arts and crafts, and games like charades.

Gary, 19, now spends hours crafting accessories, styling wigs and browsing the internet for the nicest (affordable) gowns. Characters wear masks— because “masks are very popular in our kingdom,” she says—and are accompanied by an assistant who drives, coordinates on-site logistics and takes photos.

For kids feeling the strain of isolation, the fantastic sightings have helped to keep the magic alive. Gary recounts one recent birthday party for a local elementary schooler: “The girls were screaming when [the princesses] walked up, and one of them said, ‘You know, I used to not know if the princesses were real, but now I know they’re real.’ ”

In the last year, Princess Wish Parties has had about 70 bookings in the D.C. area. Gary heads to college this fall, but it seems the company will still live happily ever after. She plans to manage the business from the Shenandoah Conservatory at Shenandoah University in Winchester. princesswishparties.com

Princess actors Hannah Smith, Stella Bunch, Kathryn Wevley, Carrie Walker, Anna Freeman and Tori Miller

Eva Gary

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Pages on the Bus

Jennifer Sauter-Price spent the latter half of 2020 driving around in a big purple bus, delivering books to Arlington kids. Known as the “Pajama Mama”—a nod to the pj’s she often wears while making rounds—the founder of Read Early and Daily (READ) is on a mission to spread the joy of reading to all.

An Arlington mom who previously worked part-time for The Reading Connection (a local nonprofit that closed in 2017), SauterPrice founded READ in 2018, using a buy-a-book/give-a-book business

model. Families can buy children’s books from the nonprofit’s website, and those purchases, in turn, fund donations. READ works with partners such as the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH) and Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) to get free books into the hands of kids who are eligible for free or reduced lunches.

In 2019, Sauter-Price applied for and won a $50,000 grant from the Gannett Foundation to fund a mobile bookstore. She tracked down a used school bus in South Carolina,

equipped with an operational wheelchair lift, and commissioned local artist Rodrigo Pradel to paint a colorful mural on its side.

The bus was finally ready to hit the road when the pandemic arrived. It sat parked in front of SauterPrice’s Arlington Forest home until June of 2020, when she started using it for contactless deliveries. By the end of the year, she had made 659 book bus deliveries to more than 1,900 children, gifting nearly 5,500 books to low-income kids. readearlyanddaily.org

From left: Book lovers Sam Chen and Brooks Deal with Jennifer Sauter-Price

We count on NCB to know community businesses like ours so we can serve up our best to our friends and neighbors at our newest location in Ballston - coming this Spring.

Gavin Coleman, Partner Longshot Hospitality, The Salt Line

We found that National Capital Bank not only understood our mission to provide the best in health care but valued the need for investing in the health of our community.

Drs. Stein and Duhamel, Partners, PMA Health

It’s hard for me to put into words the working relationship I have established with everyone at NCB. They do all they can to help and answer any question in a timely fashion, early mornings, late nights.

As a local bank, we know firsthand the importance of strong relationships. Among our proudest accomplishments are the long-term connections we’ve built with our Arlington customers and the times we’ve supported them and their businesses when they needed us most.

The places and people important to our neighbors are important to us — which is why when PMA Health wanted to expand their best-in-class care in Arlington, we recognized the value in adding another location to the community and worked hard to help them realize their plan.

In addition, we know the impact great local dining establishments can have on the well-being of its neighbors. That’s why we’re helping Long Shot Hospitality bring their regional restaurant icon The Salt Line to Ballston this spring.

Ultimately, we have a fondness for investing in those who invest in their community. Customers like 3rd generation Arlington native Herb Aman, President of Whitestone Custom Homes, whose quality craftsmanship continues to improve the local landscape and who — like us — holds a deep appreciation for Arlington County.

like us — holds a deep appreciation for Arlington County.

The places and businesses important to our community are important to us.

Herb Aman, President of Whitestone Custom Homes

familiar faces n

by Eliza Berkon | photo by Matt Mendelsohn

Wakefield High School

history teacher Antoinette Dempsey-Waters at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in D.C.

A New Course

Antoinette Dempsey-Waters believed Black history could be taught better. So she wrote a curriculum.

SINCE THE FALL of 2018, Antoinette Dempsey-Waters has taught an African American history course at Wakefield High School—one that she wrote.

She remembers pitching the idea for the class—a precursor to a course that is now offered in more than a dozen Virginia school districts—to a Wakefield department head in 2017. They were with a group of teachers visiting the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in D.C. for the first time.

“When I went, I literally cried because it was everything that I had learned growing up, over the years. All of the stuff that was stuck in here,” says the Bowie, Maryland resident, pointing to her head, “was finally on display in a museum.”

During that visit, Dempsey-Waters was stunned to overhear a young girl say she wasn’t familiar with the Tuskegee Airmen—World War II pilots who were the first Black aviators in the U.S. military. Growing up in Montgomery County, Maryland, she’d often discussed the war with her grandfather, a veteran, and even met some of the Tuskegee Airmen at school.

“This place made me feel validated,” says the educator, who has taught history and social studies for 17 years (she also teaches AP U.S. history, as well as economics and personal finance), “but for so many others, [the museum] was this place of learning all of these new things.”

n familiar faces

Inspired to bring its stories to the classroom, Dempsey-Waters started writing the curriculum for a new high school course focusing squarely on African American history. The class begins with ancient African empires and moves forward in time through the presentday Black Lives Matter movement. Each component highlights resilience.

“African American history, in my mind, is not a story of persecution, but a story of perseverance,” she says. “Within every single unit, there is always a positive piece where it’s a perseverance story. So although there’s this persecution, here is what happened in spite of.”

She offers an example from the Middle Passage—the transport of millions of enslaved Africans across the Atlantic to the Americas from the 16th to 19th centuries. Students read primary and

secondary accounts of these grueling journeys, including instances of uprising. “The idea [is] that nothing was passive; it was always a revolt, it was always a rebellion.”

The curriculum also incorporates narratives and key figures who haven’t always been portrayed in standard American history lessons. Students explore the roles of Black Americans during the American Revolution. They study Mary McLeod Bethune’s leadership in Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “Black Cabinet,” a group of advisers who counseled the president on ensuring greater equity for African Americans.

“There are so many histories and stories as to how people who are not African American have benefited from the equity African Americans have fought for in the United States,” DempseyWaters says. “So many other people

have walked through the doors that African Americans fought to open.”

In 2019, the year controversy erupted over a racist yearbook photo that appeared to show Gov. Ralph Northam in blackface, the Virginia Department of Education created a committee of historians and teachers, including Dempsey-Waters, to develop a new version of the course that would be taught in 16 school districts across the commonwealth. Virginia is one of several states to revise its African American history curricula within the past two years.

That same year, Dempsey-Waters was named “History Teacher of the Year” by George Washington’s Mount Vernon.

One of her class projects asks students to lead “teach-ins” for their peers in which they test fellow students’ knowledge of African American history before

designing lessons that correct misinformation and fill in knowledge gaps.

Students aren’t the only ones who need guidance, she says. In her very limited spare time (she and her husband have an infant and a 4-year-old), the Temple University and George Mason University alumna has been writing a pamphlet to help better prepare history educators.

“I start with, ‘Reflect on how you have benefited from the fight of African Americans,’ ” she says, before referencing citizenship and its roots in the Reconstruction-era 14th Amendment. It states that all individuals who are born or naturalized in the United States are U.S. citizens and afforded “equal protection of the laws.”

“Most people don’t understand how, when African Americans fight for equity in the United States, it’s equity

for everyone,” she says.

Dempsey-Waters recently submitted her syllabus to the College Board for a potential AP course—a version that, if approved, could be taught nationwide.

“I will be the first person in line ready to teach it, ready to help anybody,” she says. “My honest belief is that if we teach our children the truth, how we got to where we are today…we can delete a lot of stigmas and stereotypes that people have for each other and we can simply accept each other as humans. You’re just an American.

“That’s what my hope is. That eventually there will be no separate course—that it will be just all U.S. history. All of it all together.” n

Eliza Berkon is an Arlington-based writer and host of the music podcast Formative Tracks.

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Dempsey-Waters’ grandparents on their wedding day in 1945

familiar

faces n by Tamar Abrams | photo by Michael Ventura

Lawyer and novelist Jim Irving

The Detective’s Notebooks

Jim Irving kept notes from his days as a private eye. Forty years later, he published his first novel.

ON TV, PRIVATE investigators stake out the homes and businesses of suspected criminals with piercing intensity, to the tune of soundtracks played in minor keys. But in real life the job is fairly boring, says Jim Irving.

So, if you are a private detective who aspires to eventually write a novel, you keep a notebook in your car.

“I always thought the job would provide fodder for a novel someday,” says the Arlington resident, recollecting his time as a PI in Northern Virginia in the late 1970s. The tedium was occasionally interrupted by incidents that were “crazy and interesting and sometimes scary.”

Back then, Irving was fresh out of the University of Virginia with a degree in English. He specialized in “locates,” which involve finding people who don’t want to be found—cheating spouses, swindlers defrauding insurance companies, criminals on the lam.

Preserved in one of his many notebooks, from 1977, is an account of a particularly harrowing day in the life of a hard-boiled private detective. “I [ended up] in a trailer in Manassas for many hours, with people who were not friendly to me,” he says. “Sometimes, when I was following people, they could become antagonistic. This time,

I was spotted. They confronted me and tried to intimidate me with a gun.”

Not long after that incident, Irving left the gumshoe life behind to attend law school at William & Mary. That’s where he met his wife, Cindy (a certified financial planner), and set his sights on the quieter life of a lawyer. He’s now celebrating 20 years at the Arlington firm Bean Kinney & Korman, where he is a shareholder with expertise in business law and corporate transactions. The couple has lived in Arlington’s Rock Spring neighborhood for more than 25 years. Their daughter, Lindsay, is in grad school at UVA.

Through the years, Irving has served as a committee member of the Arlington Community Foundation, as president of the Arlington Rotary Club and on the board of YMCA Arlington. But he’s always been drawn to the writing life.

He carves out time to write every day, even if only for a few minutes. “One thing I do a lot is come up with a phrase, an idea, a nugget of something,” he says. “I do it when I’m in the car and stop to write it down. I take that nugget and have something that can quickly grow into a full scene. Or I have an idea in my sleep and run downstairs in the middle of the night to record it.”

Irving has been writing fiction ever since his college years, although for decades he remained unpublished. That changed in 2020, when he finally turned his dog-eared stakeout notes into the first in a series of thrillers about an underemployed criminal defense lawyer with a solo practice in Arlington.

His first novel, Friends Like These, was released in November by Speaking Volumes Publishing. The gripping plot opens with a suspicious death, then peels back the layers on a world of shady dealings and seamy characters, using Arlington as a backdrop.

“Arlington has a rich history and is evolving from a bedroom community to a business community, which is changing the character of the place,” the author explains. “The main character, Joth (short for Jonathan), just sits in his little office on Wilson Boulevard waiting for someone to walk through the door. He is unable to keep up with the changes happening around him.”

The second book in the trilogy— Friend of a Friend—will be published this summer, while Irving is diligently refining the third, Friend of the Court. All three titles feature Joth Proctor as the central protagonist, and they are sprinkled with references to local landmarks, such as Whitlow’s on Wilson

n familiar faces

(which recently announced it will close in late June after 26 years in Arlington), Rock Spring Park and the Arlington Courthouse.

While being published hasn’t brought fame or fortune, Irving says he has enjoyed attending a few virtual book clubs to discuss Friends Like These. It helps to live in a community of avid readers. “Arlington has everything you want—green spaces, close to Washington, and people who are warm, intelligent and interesting,” he says.

What lies ahead? The author’s personal life story may offer some clues into the settings for future Jim Irving novels. He grew up in Gloucester, Massachusetts, a place that lures him back at least once a year. He lights up when talking about his childhood home. “It is an unusually self-sufficient and self-

“The main character...just sits in his little office on Wilson Boulevard waiting for someone to walk through the door. He is unable to keep up with the changes happening around him.”

defining place, perhaps because you have to cross a bridge to get to it,” he explains. “People know and trust and rely on each other there.”

He reminisces about sailing and biking around the coastal city’s beautiful beaches and tide pools with childhood friends with whom he remains close.

In addition to those of Virginia, Maryland and D.C., he is a member of the Massachusetts bar.

So perhaps, in the future, Joth Proctor will travel to the New England coast, abandoning the frenetic life of

an ever-changing Arlington. But let’s hope that doesn’t happen too soon. Irving still has many notebooks from his private eye days in Northern Virginia that have yet to be plumbed for literary gold. n

Tamar Abrams lived in Arlington for 27 years before retiring from a career in global health communications. She downsized to a smaller place in Falls Church City in 2019 and now works as a strategic communications consultant and writer.

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Robert Frederick

Father Figures

I’M SITTING ON a sunny rooftop, preparing to meditate, with the intention of having a conversation with the childhood me. Certain aspects of my upbringing were difficult. That child from long ago could use some empathy.

I take deep breaths as my thoughts go to my father. I was born in South Baltimore in a rough area called Cherry Hill. My mother had me at 17—a child raising a child. My mom left my father when I was 2 years old. Being raised by a single mother, I often wondered what I was missing, not having my father around.

I thought my dad was a superhero. All of my relatives raved about his ath-

letic feats. A top-ranked wrestler in the state, he went on to wrestle for the Army, making the team as the only athlete who did not wrestle in college. At 19, he was drafted to serve in the Vietnam War. As for so many men of color, the experience left a lasting, negative impact.

I remember, as a little boy, watching my dad walk on his hands. He was so good at it that he could walk up steps. I wanted to be like him and spent hours practicing, doing headstands against the living room closet. By the time I was 4, I had achieved my goal. I wanted so badly to show him and see the pride in his face. I just wasn’t sure when I’d see him again.

There were long periods of time in which my dad was not around. No visits or phone calls. I missed him very much. So much time was lost over the years, when I needed him to be there to guide me. As it turns out, I didn’t need a superhero. I just needed a dad.

I continue to meditate, telling my younger self what his life is like now. I tell young Robert that he is the father of two wonderful, smart, athletic and kind sons, Jackson and Sawyer. I tell him these two boys are living very different childhoods than the one he had to endure. They are growing up in a stable, loving environment, with a dad who is present in their lives. They have a father who cooks, takes them to practices, helps with homework and is happy to watch a movie or talk over a game of chess. Their dad tells them he’s proud of them and gives them kisses, just because. He and their mom, Whytni, take them to museums, plays and foreign countries, where they can experience different cultures. They have been exposed to a world far beyond the one young Robert knew as a child. Their dad tries his very best to be a good dad.

My younger self’s eyes light up—he smiles with joy.

I confide to young Robert that it’s difficult being a father. I feel like I’m learning as I go, with no person to model myself after. I wonder, at times, if I’m doing the right things for my boys. Am I loving them enough? Showing them enough affection? Am I too permissive or too strict?

I hope I am showing them what a good father does for his children. It would bring me so much happiness to one day see them with families of their own, building upon what I have given them so that they can become even better fathers to their kids.

Before we married, Whytni once asked what I wanted most out of life. My response was simple: I told her I wanted to be a good dad. She says that was the

The author’s father (left), and the author as a young child

Her colleagues and clients refers to her as “The Queen of South Arlington” and it’s easy to understand why. Her extensive knowledge of the South Arlington market and happenings, rightfully earn her the crown. A recent winner for Realtor Magazine’s National 30 Under 30 Honor & NOVA Real Producers 40 under 40, her local & national connections run deep.

moment she knew she was going to marry me and have our children.

I contemplate that memory as I sit, legs crossed, continuing to meditate in the warm air. I tell my younger self: “You didn’t deserve to not have a stable father figure growing up. I’m so sorry.”

Tears stream down my face as my mind’s gaze focuses on that little boy, wishing things had been different for him. Wishing he could play violin in the orchestra and see his dad smiling and clapping in the audience. Wishing his dad could give him pointers to improve as an athlete. Wishing his dad could give him advice on how to treat women. Wishing his dad could teach him how to love and honor himself.

In my mind’s eye, I tightly embrace this young man one last time.

Then my father appears—not the

one I knew as a child, but the one I can now call anytime I need to talk. I’ve been blessed to witness the wonderful person he’s become. Today he is one of my best friends. He exemplifies a father in every sense of the word.

I take another deep breath, look at him and say, “I forgive you, I love you and I’m proud to be your son. Although you are not perfect, you are still my superhero in so many ways, Pop.”

Feeling the weight lifted from my shoulders, I open my eyes, wipe away

the tears and rejoin my family to enjoy the rest of our vacation. I am appreciative of what I have experienced, and committed to fighting for my family, day in and day out. That’s what fathers do. n

Robert Frederick is the owner of H. Christopher Harrison Consulting, an independent management and IT consulting firm. He holds a BS from the University of Virginia and an MBA from Dartmouth College. He has a seconddegree black belt in the art of kung fu.

COURTESY

Robert Frederick with his wife, Whytni Kernodle, and their sons, Jackson and Sawyer

The Face of Real Estate Law

Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh, P.C.

Renowned for their land use/zoning and commercial real estate law practices around the region, Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh has worked with many different organizations since 1983. They represent landowners and developers in their varied business activities and also focus on civil litigation and real estate transactions. The firm’s attorneys and planners include some of the region’s foremost legal and planning talent. Many are deeply involved in the civic and political organizations that make up the fabric of Northern Virginia and the metropolitan area. The firm offers well-established relationships in local governments and among contractors and other industry professionals along with an intimate knowledge of the region. These assets ensure the best opportunities for the firm’s clients to achieve their goals and objectives.

(703) 528-4700

www.thelandlawyers.com

Land Use & Zoning

Elizabeth D. Baker, Senior Land Use Planner

Robert D. Brant, Associate Attorney

Nicholas V. Cumings, Associate Attorney

Caroline Herre, Land Use Planner

Andrew A. Painter, Shareholder

M. Catharine Puskar, Shareholder

Lauren G. Riley, Associate Attorney

Lynne J. Strobel, Shareholder

Bernard S. Suchicital, Land Use Planner

Kathryn R. Taylor, Associate Attorney

Martin D. “Art” Walsh, Of Counsel

Nan E. Walsh, Of Counsel

Real Estate Transactions

Timothy J. Clewell, Associate Attorney

Thomas J. Colucci, Shareholder

H. Mark Goetzman, Managing Shareholder

Michael R. Kieffer, Shareholder

Antonia E. Miller, Shareholder

Kathleen Harney Smith, Shareholder

Susan L. Truskey, Associate Attorney

Alysia M. Yi, Associate Attorney

Other Practice Areas

Wendy A. Alexander, Shareholder, Litigation

Dennis J. McLoughlin, Of Counsel - Estate Planning

Charles E. McWilliams, Jr., Shareholder, Estate Planning and Business Transactions

Garth M. Wainman, Shareholder, Litigation and Business Transactions

The Face of

Academic and Executive Function Coaching

Wendy Weinberger, President & COO | Illuminos

Wendy Weinberger is co-founder and president of Illuminos, a premier academic coaching and tutoring company supporting students struggling with executive functioning skills. In her words, “We don’t just teach students what to learn–we teach them how to learn.”

A mom of five, Georgetown Law graduate, and former general counsel and COO, Weinberger grew up with close family members who were managing learning differences. She left her thriving legal career to expand her cousin’s successful Texas-based academic coaching and executive

function program to the D.C. Metro region.

Wendy’s intellect, empathy and nurturing spirit are woven into the fabric of Illuminos. Illuminos’ approach is unique, individualized and holistic. Their expert coaches work one-on-one with students, teaching critical foundational skills such as organization, time management and communication, while supporting subject-matter needs.

571-313-5163 www.illuminos.co

The Face of BBQ

Mandy & Joe “Hogsmoker” Neuman | Sloppy Mama’s BBQ

Mandy and Joe Neuman founded Sloppy Mama’s BBQ in the summer of 2014. The couple catered their own wedding several years before, a proper pig picking, in the style of the pig pickings from years spent in Southern Virginia. After the wedding, family and friends started asking for pig roasts of their own. The Neumans bought a food truck and set out to make the best BBQ they could with one goal in mind— making people happy.

Sloppy Mama’s prides itself on bringing authentic

American regional BBQ to Arlington. “That means we use nothing but local hardwood to smoke our meats and there’s never any gas or electricity in our cooking operation,” says Joe. “Fresh cut oak and plenty of Happy Sprinkles provide our heat and flavor.”

703-269-2718

www.sloppymamas.com

L-R: Joe, Everett, Ezra, Elise, Mandy

The Face of

Behavioral Health

Aaron J. Dodini, M.S., M.A., Ph.D., CGP | Dodini Behavioral Health

“When you want to make changes and build a better life, we’re here to help you make that happen. We love working with people in true partnership,” says Dr. Dodini of himself and his exceptional team.

Offering individual, couples and family therapy services, as well as group therapy and adult ADHD testing, the team focuses on long-term strategies for mental, emotional, and relational well-being. They have helped hundreds of people

get the clarity they need to live the life they want.

The practice was voted Best Mental Health Provider by readers of Arlington Magazine in 2019 and 2021, and by readers of the Arlington Sun Gazette in 2020.

Give them a call to pursue your fulfillment and long-term success!

703-909-5101 www.dodini.com

The Face of Business Law

Eric M. Lemmer, Esq. | Arlington Law Group

“As a business attorney, I work closely with for-profit enterprises and non-profits to learn the nuances of each organization and become a long-term partner in their success,” says Eric Lemmer. This deep knowledge allows him to offer customized solutions to help each company achieve its goals while minimizing risks, in good times and bad, allowing their businesses to thrive.

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented many challenges for firm clients, both economically and operationally. “My

partners and I have helped our business clients obtain emergency financial assistance, negotiate loans and leases, and navigate changing health, tax and employment regulations,” he says. “Our clients appreciate our responsiveness and creative solutions, and it has been very rewarding to help so many local businesses make it through the last year.”

703-842-3025

www.arlingtonlawgroup.com

2021 FACES

The Face of Comfort

John W. Smith, Founder & President | WILLEM SMITH FurnitureWorks

At WILLEM SMITH we obsess about comfort.

Comfort is about you. We care about how you sit and how your household lives. Together we’ll create the ideal solution that fits you and suits your space.

Since comfort also means low stress, we’ll recommend a performance fabric or our leather. Social distancing will end, and your favorite neighbor will again be in your midst: When Sloppy Larry re-enacts his whitewater rafting heroism with a Malbec in his mitt, you can focus on his tale, not the imminent oops.

Chairs, sofas, sectionals and all the accoutrements –WILLEM SMITH has everything you need to lounge, dine and work, sublimely. We offer easy parking, a relaxed but engaged showroom experience and, importantly, an outstanding value equation. Visit us soon. Sit it to believe it.

703-348-8600 www.willemsmith.com

The Face of

Community Banking

Arlington Community Federal Credit Union

Arlington Community Federal Credit Union empowers the financial lives of their members, and at the core of this mission are their values: service, empathy, opportunity, integrity, passion—and community.

The ACFCU staff lives their values by serving their neighbors, volunteering for community nonprofits and supporting local businesses. Their dedication to their members is matched only by their commitment to the communities they serve.

Pictured, seated: Salma Haddad, Glebe Road Branch Manager; Karen Rosales, CEO. Standing: Heather Sheire, Wendy MacCallum, Owners, Livin’ The Pie Life

Working hard to find solutions for each stage of their members’ financial journeys, from starting a business to buying a home, the team at ACFCU believes that empowering individual members uplifts your community one person at a time. Community is their middle name. And they are delighted to be a part of yours. 703-526-0200

The Face of

Cosmetic Dentistry

Michael Paesani, DMD | NOVA Dental Studio

A top-rated dentist located in Falls Church, Dr. Michael Paesani grew up in western Maryland. He received several distinguished honors and awards throughout school, earned his degree at The University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, and spent time studying and practicing in root canal therapy, dental implants, oral surgery, and the treatment of medically compromised patients. When Dr. Lawrence Banker began transitioning into retirement in his thriving Arlington practice, Dr. Paesani

joined him. Today the practice and dental team offers exceptional, detail-oriented dental care, with general dentistry and cosmetic services for patients of all ages. The practice provides fillings, implants, root canal therapy, crowns and bridges, veneers, and teeth whitening for their patients’ busy lifestyles.

703-997-1962

novadentalstudio.com

The Face of Cosmetic Surgery

Renowned for providing consistent and natural results, Board Certified Plastic Surgeons Drs. Munasifi and Economides are recognized for their talents and excellence. The practice offers a comprehensive suite of cosmetic services, including expert breast augmentation, lift and reduction procedures; tummy tucks; mommy makeovers; body contouring; VASER liposuction and male plastic surgery. They are also renowned for facelifts and eyelid

surgery. In addition to surgical procedures, they offer a wide range of nonsurgical services such as Botox®, dermal filler injections, FRAXEL laser skin resurfacing and noninvasive skin tightening. The Center provides high-quality services and a positive experience from start to finish.

703-841-0399

www.advancedplasticsurgerycenter.com

2021 FACES

The

Face of

Custom Homes

Craig & Meredith Hartsock | Cherry Hill Custom Homes

The Hartsocks began building in 2003, creating beautiful, authentic homes. A wide array of experience in residential construction has created a reputation for delivering a unique homebuilding experience. Meredith leads the design team and helps guide clients throughout design and selections.

Craig manages construction so that homes are built to client expectations, on time and budget. An in-house architectural team produces innovative, forward-thinking designs.

Experienced craftsmen take pride in their work and bring designs to life. The team provides informed advice to give clients confidence they are making a sound investment.

“We feel strongly that our clients are like family. We’ve built a reputation on taking care of our clients and providing them with a beautiful home that will last for generations.”

703-615-1669

cherryhillcustomhomes.com

The Face of Design Build

Michael & Deborah Sauri, Owners & Founders

TriVistaUSA Design + Build

TriVistaUSA is a family-owned boutique design + build firm based in Arlington. Michael and Deborah Sauri built the company to provide high quality and creative designs with an aesthetic yet practical flair woven into their client’s lifestyle needs. Collaboration is at the heart of the company. Drawing from Michael’s background as a professional musician and Deborah’s experience in graphic design, the pair easily translate their creativity and artistry into elegant and inventive living spaces today.

TriVistaUSA has won 40 (and counting) awards for excellence, including Best Builder by the readers of Arlington Magazine in 2021. “We offer creative solutions, rooted in resource-efficient building techniques with an understanding of zoning regulations—all while having fun,” says Michael. “Best of all? We do cool projects for cool people.”

703-243-3171 www.TriVistaUSA.com

The

Face

of Divorce Law

Ilona Grenadier | Grenadier, Duffett, Levi, Winkler & Rubin, P.C.

Ilona Grenadier, founding partner at Grenadier, Duffett, Levi, Winkler & Rubin, P.C., has practiced family law since the late 1960s. At her first job out of law school, Grenadier, the only woman attorney at her firm, was assigned a custody case. “Nobody else wanted to do it,” she says. Grenadier won the case and handled all the firm’s divorce work moving forward. In 1974, Grenadier opened her own law firm in Alexandria. Grenadier has been included as a Super Lawyer

for the past 15 years, and she has been recognized in Washingtonian magazine’s Top Lawyers, The Best Lawyers in America (from inception) and has earned Martindale Hubbell’s top AV rating. Today, the firm has eight attorneys in two different offices.

703-683-9000 vafamilylaw.com

The Face of Downsizing Anna Novak, Owner | Simply Downsized

Downsizing Specialist and Senior Move Manager Anna Novak helps her clients navigate the complex process of whole-home downsizing, estate closeouts, and transitions to retirement or senior living.

Novak’s nationally known website, HomeTransitionPros. com, keeps her followers current on the latest solutions for downsizing. It also offers free plans, checklists and professional tips to help downsizers approach their project with confidence.

Here in Arlington, Novak supports downsizers with

expert guidance, detailed oversight and hands-on help from beginning to end. “Every transition is different. We take out the guesswork and recommend a highly customized solution for each client’s needs,” says Novak.

“I love the expression of relief I see when our clients realize we can manage the whole thing. It’s such a weight off their shoulders.”

703-402-0471

The Face of

Employment Law

Broderick C. Dunn, Esquire | Cook Craig & Francuzenko, PLLC

A firm partner, Broderick Dunn helps individuals and small businesses navigate litigation and counsels clients in dispute avoidance. Focusing on labor and employment counseling and litigation, Dunn represents federal government and private sector employees as well as employers. Licensed in Virginia, Maryland and the federal courts in the District of Columbia, his practice also covers business torts, creditor’s rights, constitutional law and commercial landlord/tenant

issues. For the past several years, he’s been honored by Super Lawyers in the area of Employment Litigation. He was also recently named to Virginia Business Magazine’s Legal Elite in the area of Labor and Employment Law. Mr. Dunn is a graduate of Woodberry Forest School, Williams College and Washington & Lee University School of Law.

703-865-7480 www.cookcraig.com

The

Face

of Evidence-Based Education

Kristin Carpenter | The Linder Academy

When Kristin Carpenter decided to open a private school, it felt liberating. “At Linder, we spent 12 years providing the best interventions and instruction outside of school. Realizing we could design an entire curriculum around the best evidence-based practices was exciting,” she explains. With multiple graduate degrees, Carpenter uses all of them. “Schools have operated in the silo of education for too long, with serious delays in incorporating research from other fields. To design an exceptional program requires

knowledge of various sectors: cognitive neuroscience, developmental psychology, education, literacy and numeracy. While I might have collected degrees, it allows Linder Academy to reflect current knowledge about educating kids and developing enthusiastic lifelong learners,” she adds.

Launched in McLean in January, the school is expanding to Old Town this fall.

www.thelinderacademy.com

The Face of

An Experienced Realtor

Brian Klotz, TTR | Sotheby’s International Realty

A top producing agent with nearly 20 years of experience, Brian Klotz has a lot to offer.

Actionable advice on location, pricing and financing, coupled with seasoned marketing and negotiating skills, ensures his clients achieve their goals. He employs a handson, proactive and full-service approach.

Klotz’s client roster has grown, as has his love for being a Realtor. To quote Mark Twain, “find a job you enjoy doing,

and you will never work a day in your life.” Klotz found it and he puts his ambition to work every day. He is the “Face of an Experienced Realtor.”

Klotz has lived throughout Arlington in Country Club Hills, Clarendon, Dover-Crystal, Lee-Heights, Old Glebe and Rosslyn. Plus, Old Town Alexandria and Falls Church, too.

703-980-8218 www.brianklotz.net

TONY J. LEWIS

The

Face of

Falls Church Real Estate

ROCK STAR Realty Group | KW Metro Center

#LiveLocalFC - We LOVE our Falls Church Eateries! Join us at our favorites:

Audacious Aleworks, Baddpizza, Bakeshop, Borek-G, Café

Kindred, Caribbean Plate, Clare & Don’s, Dogwood Tavern, Dominion Wine & Beer, Elevation Burger, Falls Church Distillers, Famille, Fanny’s Restaurant, Fatouche, Fava Pot, Huong Viet Restaurant, Ireland’s Four Provinces, Italian Café, JV’s Restaurant, Lazy Mike’s, Liberty Barbecue, Lil City Creamery, Lucky Thai, Luzmary, Maneki Neko, Northside Social, Panjshir, Pho 88, Pizzeria Orso, Plaka Grill,

Preservation Biscuit Company, Rania’s, Rare Bird Coffee

Roasters, Saffron Indian Cuisine, Settle Down Easy Brewery, Sfizi Café, Solace Outpost, Spacebar, Spin Pollo, Super Chicken, Sweet Rice, The Happy Tart, The Johnsons Cafe, The Original Pancake House, Thompson Italian, Wild Tacoz, Yayla Bistro

703-867-8674

ROCKSTARRealtyGroup.com

Photo Location: Café Kindred

The Face of Family Law

Mullett Dove Meacham & Bradley, PLLC

MDMB offers award-winning counsel for divorce and family law. With an emphasis on comprehensive service, firm attorneys are dedicated to assisting clients in a wide variety of family related matters. The attorneys of MDMB have significant experience handling complex divorce and custody issues, and they also resolve many routine and straightforward uncontested matters efficiently. Firm services are tailored to the unique circumstances of each client. The attorneys make every effort to reach

resolution through amicable negotiations, mediation or the collaborative divorce process, but they are also well known for producing positive results in the courtroom and zealously advocating for clients when litigation is necessary.

The practice is focused primarily in the trial courts of Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., as well as the appellate courts of the Commonwealth.

703-522-8100 www.mdmblaw.com

The Face of

Financial Planning

Greg Smith, CFP ® , Head of Financial Planning

The Wise Investor Group

The Wise Investor Group uses an in-depth planning process focused on each client’s unique situation. “Financial planning is the bedrock for every decision we make because investments should fit you, not the other way around,” says Greg Smith.

“With a clear understanding of an individual’s finances and future goals, we help clients develop a financial plan and investment strategy that aligns with their unique circumstances—including risk and return objectives, tax efficiency and liquidity needs.”

For more than 25 years, the group has hosted the Wise Investor Show on WMAL-FM radio, offering education and advice about financial planning and investment analysis. Consistently recognized as among the country’s top advisors, The Wise Investor Group can help you develop a tailored strategy for your financial life.

571-203-1600 www.thewiseinvestorgroup.com Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated

The Face of

First-Time Buyers and Sellers

Olivia Adams, Olivia Properties | Compass

Buying or selling for the very first time is daunting, and you want someone in your corner who knows the “first-time” segment of the market inside and out. That’s Olivia Adams and her team.

“It’s a tough market now for buyers, so you need an agent with compassion and empathy, but one who provides insights and information on what you need to win.” For sellers, Adams’ team can show you how to structure

contracts to buy more time to find your next home. It can be complicated, and if you don’t know the elements of a contract, certain scenarios will absolutely backfire.

“Ultimately, you want someone you can relate to and someone whose last 100+ clients have been in your exact same shoes. That’s where our team thrives.”

443-472-0016 www.compass.com

TONY

The Face of Foot & Ankle Surgery

Matthew Buchanan, MD | Nirschl Orthopaedic Center

Dr. Matthew Buchanan is an orthopaedic surgeon with over 20 years of experience. He has dedicated his practice to the foot and ankle. Dr. Buchanan has received numerous accolades, including Washingtonian and Arlington Magazine’s Top Doctors.

One of the region’s leading minimally invasive (MIS) bunion correction experts, Dr. Buchanan also excels at total ankle replacement, sports injuries, cartilage restoration, and traumatic foot and ankle injuries. Dr. Buchanan joined

the Nirschl Orthopaedic Center, a top sports medicine clinic located on the Virginia Hospital Center campus in Arlington.

An active sports enthusiast, Dr. Buchanan understands a patient’s desire for a quick recovery. “When a foot or ankle condition has you on the sidelines, let me help you develop a treatment plan that gets you back in the action.”

703-525-2200 Nirschl.com

The Face of

Cusumano & Stuver Dentistry of Arlington

Conveniently located near the Ballston Metro, Cusumano & Stuver Dentistry of Arlington is dedicated to your complete dental health. A fixture in Arlington for more than 30 years, they have enjoyed building a legacy practice based on family values, trust, and gentle care. Drs. Cusumano and Stuver believe that the relationships they establish are the foundation for providing comprehensive and innovative solutions for your individual needs. They are at the forefront

of implant placement and restoration, are preferred providers for Invisalign, and continue to enhance smiles by caring for your cosmetic needs. Their knowledgeable and compassionate approach to dentistry is why Cusumano & Stuver Dentistry of Arlington will always be an integral part of the community.

703-525-4071

www.cusumanoandstuver.com

The Face of

A Healthy Dental Lifestyle

Manisha Grover, DDS | Clarendon Dental Arts

Clarendon Dental Arts treats the mouth as a gateway to your body and overall wellness. They take a proactive approach tailored to each individual’s treatment needs.

“Our Mouth, Mind and Body philosophy means we don’t just fix problems reactively, we treat the root of the issue, not just the symptoms,” says Dr. Grover. With 57 known links between oral and systemic diseases, the practice not only identifies your risk factors, but modifies your oral health

care before disease processes occur. “We use state-of-theart technology, saliva and bacterial testing, and assess the individual health and lifestyle habits of all our patients to maintain optimal dental health.”

Clarendon Dental Arts not only creates beautiful smiles, most importantly, they help save lives.

703-525-5901 clarendondentalarts.com

The Face of

Higher Education

Marymount University

Led by President Irma Becerra and her high-performing team, Marymount University is gaining momentum while on the path to national recognition for innovation and commitment to student success, alumni achievement and faculty and staff excellence. Its student-centered, one-of-a-kind educational experience is based on a strong liberal arts foundation with a career-focus. Here, Saints “Learn with Purpose” through small class sizes (12:1 student-faculty ratio and average class size of 15), extensive research and leadership development opportunities, internship and job connections and numerous study abroad programs. Marymount embraces a global perspective, with students hailing from 45 U.S. states and 78 different countries. And finally,

the University’s emphasis on service learning and its inclusive campus community help foster the intellectual, ethical and spiritual development of every student.

703-522-5600 marymount.edu

Back row, L-R: Jonathan Aberman (Dean, College of Business, Innovation, Leadership and Technology); Dr. Marnel Niles Goins (Interim Dean, College of Sciences and Humanities); Dr. Kenneth Harwood (Dean, College of Health and Education); Alison Gregory (University Librarian)

Front row, L-R: Dr. Irma Becerra (President); Dr. Hesham El-Rewini (Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs)

The Face of Home Loans

Colin Myers, Kelley Cannon, Anshal Rode, Ru Toyama, Scott Gordon, Joe Prentice, Robert Martinson | Monument Home Loans

Home mortgages are what Monument does—and all it does. With no juggling of auto loans, ATMs and asset management, the focus is solely on ensuring every client has a smooth and predictable financing experience. Monument’s team works with clients from all backgrounds—first-time buyers, experienced buyers, refinancing, jumbo loans, self-employed, creditchallenged—and is adept at finding the right options for any situation.

Monument understands mortgages should not be onesize-fits-all, offering one of the widest arrays of mortgage products in the DMV, and works closely with each client to identify the program that best meets their needs and goals.

Regardless of a customer’s circumstances, the Monument team has one objective—to close loans on time, as expected, and as efficiently as possible.

703-650-7431 | info@monumenthomeloans.com www.monumenthomeloans.com nmlsconsumeraccess.org

4075 Wilson Blvd, Suite 823, Arlington VA 22203

A division of Mann Mortgage LLC NMLS#2550.

From Top Left: Colin Myers, Loan Officer, NMLS #1473250; Kelley Cannon, Loan Officer Assistant, NMLS #2095194: Anshal Rode, Loan Officer, NMLS #816658; Ru Toyama, Loan Officer NMLS #1528382; Scott Gordon, Processing Manager, NMLS #483765; Joe Prentice, Sales Manager NMLS #1610163; Robert Martinson, Branch Manager NMLS #470762.

The Face of Home Renovations and Remodeling

Josh Newfield | Commonwealth Restorations

A leader in construction and remodeling in Arlington for more than 50 years, Commonwealth Restorations designs and builds quality additions and new homes. They are proud to have used their skills and knowledge on many older and historic homes in the region. No matter the style or age of your home, they can help you turn your existing house into your dream home—or build you a new home on your property.

Locally owned and operated, the company handles

renovations, additions, “pop-tops” and new construction. Their end-to-end client experience includes seamless communication, budgeting, staffing, on-site organization and quality craftsmanship. “We have a team to meet your building needs,” says Josh Newfield. “Let us help create your dream home with an addition, remodel, renovation or new home.”

703-525-5255 commonwealthrestorations.com

The

Face of

Innovative Bunion Surgery

Steven Neufeld, MD, Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Center (OFAC)

Offering a breakthrough in bunion surgery, Dr. Steven Neufeld, a board-certified foot and ankle specialist, is the first in the area to perform minimally invasive bunion corrections. His technique offers smaller incisions, less pain and faster recoveries. It reduces scarring and swelling, and the procedure is performed without general anesthesia. “It’s a game-changer for my patients, with no cast or crutches needed, and walking and driving right away,” he says. An experienced researcher and teacher, Dr. Neufeld has been in practice for 20 years. Originally from Pittsburgh, he received an engineering degree from the University of Pittsburgh, completed his orthopedic residency at The Ohio State University, and his foot and ankle fellowship in Baltimore, Maryland. With physicians, physical therapists, athletic trainers and podiatrists, OFAC has offices in Arlington and Falls Church.

703-584-2040 www.footankledc.com

The Face of

Land Use & Zoning Law

Kedrick Whitmore, Evan Pritchard, Zachary Williams, Matthew Allman, Maura Ikharo, Lee Gleason, Drew Robinson | Venable LLP

Active throughout the region, Venable’s land use team works with developers and landowners on some of the most noteworthy developments, from initial due diligence through the lifecycle of the building. Time kills all deals, and we pride ourselves on responsiveness that is second to none. Multiple practitioners with decades of land use experience effectively and independently head up development projects. This ensures that each project, regardless of size, receives the attention and focus required for outstanding results. Every time.

From small housing projects to mixed-use urban environments, we have a strong track record of working collaboratively with local government and community representatives to build consensus and address neighborhood concerns. In the last year, we have obtained multiple approvals to transform the National Landing area of Arlington. 703-760-1600 www.venable.com

The Face of Lawn Services

James Lo Monaco | Paul’s Best Lawn Service

A second-generation family business, Paul’s Best is a residential grounds maintenance company founded in 1979 by James’ dad, Paolo (Paul) Lo Monaco. Paul passed his pride in his work and commitment to customers along to his employees, who take care of homeowners across Arlington. Clients depend on Paul’s Best year after year—some for more than 25 years. “Our company is all about our people and the clients who rely on us to take care of their personal

space,” says James.

Paul’s Best offers a sophisticated approach to lawn care. In addition to mowing, regular cleanups and mulching, they deliver balanced turf care programs that use carbon-based fertility to create balance—adding only what the customer’s soil and lawn need to look great and perform well.

703-204-2826 www.paulsbestlawn.com

The Face of Lighting

Matthew Rowan, VP of Residential Lighting | Dominion Lighting

As the leader of Dominion Lighting, the high-end residential lighting division of Dominion Electric Supply, Matt understands that lighting is about more than just fixtures—it shapes how we experience our homes. That’s why spearheading the creation of a new Dominion Lighting brand and the new flagship showroom renovation was so important to him.

“Our responsibility isn’t just to sell fixtures, but to act as trusted advisors…to demystify what makes great lighting, cut through the clutter and confusion, and guide clients

through thousands of options to find what’s best for their style, preferences and needs.”

Make an appointment to visit Matt in the newly remodeled Arlington showroom or a team member in the Chantilly (VA) or Laurel (MD) showrooms by calling 703536-4400, emailing showroom@dominionlighting.com or visiting dominionlighting.com.

703-536-4400 dominionlighting.com | dominionelectric.com

The Face of Luxury Real Estate

Diane Lewis

The Lewis Team

Washington Fine Properties

Diane Lewis’ passion for real estate began more than 20 years ago, and she’s been delighting buyers and sellers around the area ever since. Today, she’s consistently recognized as a topproducing agent. She leads one of the region’s top teams, achieving success by knowing the market, offering excellent guidance, being honest and treating all her clients like family. The team brings a seamless approach to buying or selling, and clients remember the personal and compassionate care they received long after the transaction takes place.

“We deliver first-class service, expert marketing knowledge and trustworthy advice, helping clients make the best real estate decisions for their particular lifestyles,” she says.

When not selling houses, Lewis loves playing tennis and golf and can be seen around Arlington walking her Welsh Springer Spaniel. 703-973-7001 LewisTeam.com

The Face of McLean Real Estate

Casey Margenau and Associate Broker Lee Brady

Casey Margenau Fine Homes

For 32 years, Casey Margenau has been the go-to expert on McLean real estate. He has helped more than 3,000 families move in and around the city, amounting to over $3 billion in sales. When you average over $100 million a year in transactions over a long period, that isn’t just luck. That’s really working hard for your clients, doing more to exceed the expectations of your buyers and sellers, and enjoying constant referrals and word-of-mouth praise.

When he was with RE/MAX, Margenau was their #1 real estate agent worldwide five times in a row. Today, he and his team provide concierge turnkey realty services in Great Falls, Mclean, Oakton and Vienna, and they help people all around Northern Virginia. They deliver a seamless, stressfree process for homebuying and selling.

703-442-8600 www.margenau.com

The Face of Modern Design

Paola Amodeo | Paola One Design

This award-winning boutique studio was founded in 2015. Paola Amodeo has a multidisciplinary and international background. Born in Italy, she lived in Japan and then Los Angeles where she worked for 10 years after earning her Master’s Degree in Architecture.

“Modern design is not simply a style. It’s a lifestyle choice. Materials, geometries and natural light are studied as a whole and expressed in simple forms with an expert eye on budget and existing conditions,” she says. “Whether

a residential or commercial job, the approach is to study the most functional layout and then transform it into a stunning interplay of beautiful, eco-friendly materials and natural light.”

With her total commitment to the project’s outcome and sustainability, Paola and her team of consultants are slowly transforming the local architectural landscape.

310-266-1985

paola1design.houzz.com

The Face of

The Moving Industry

Gregg Day, Owner | Certified Master Movers

“I love what I do,” says Gregg Day. “I decided to start my own company after having been in the business for more than 30 years.”

Day started as a laborer and driver, giving him a unique understanding of every aspect of the business. Certified Master Movers brings an “old school” approach to every move. Whether a whole house, office or even just a few items, every move gets the same superior level of care.

The teams are professional, career movers vetted for experience, backgrounds and attitude. “We’re helping people at a very stressful time. It’s a very personal service,” says Day. “We’ve handled thousands of moves. We’ll get the job done right, if it’s one mile or on the other side of the world.”

www.certifiedmastermovers.com

The Face

of National Landing Real Estate

Susan Hand, Realtor | Compass

Susan Hand never thought she would live in the Aurora Hills/Arlington Ridge neighborhood for over 20 years. “It’s been such a great experience,” she says. “With so many wonderful friendships and the walkability is fantastic.”

It’s the only single-family neighborhood within a one-mile radius of National Landing, Amazon’s new headquarters. The company has invested heavily in many exciting new opportunities, with plenty of shops, parks, new restaurants and entertainment experiences. “It lives like a small town

with Halloween parades and Santa visiting on a fire engine at Christmas, and it’s just a stone’s throw from downtown D.C., Reagan National Airport, Old Town Alexandria and Metro.” Susan Hand knows the area well and all the options that are available in all price ranges. Let her show you around.

703-608-5056 susanhand.com

2021 FACES

The Face

of

North Arlington Real Estate

Katie Wethman, CPA, MBA

The Wethman Group at Keller Williams

Not many real estate agents have the career path that Katie Wethman has had: She is a CPA, earned her MBA at University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business, and worked for Deloitte Consulting, Corporate Executive Board and Freddie Mac before entering the real estate business. Now, she and her team work with homebuyers and sellers throughout Virginia, Maryland and D.C.

The Wethman Group has helped hundreds of clients throughout the past 16 years. They are passionate about educating clients to help them make better decisions. “Everyone on our team earns our clients’ trust, helping them think through all the options for buying a great home and also getting a great return on their investment,” she says.

703-655-7672 www.WethmanGroup.com

TONY J. LEWIS

The Face of Old Town Real Estate

Will & Marcella Oakley | The Oakley Group, RLAH Real Estate

Few people have deeper roots and a stronger love for Old Town and its distinctive neighborhoods than these two. Retired police detectives, they met when they were working in the city, and they know every street and sidewalk.

“We have a special place in our hearts for Old Town,” says Marcella. “It’s growing into a big city, but it really is still a small town and a wonderful place to live.” The Oakleys love the area for the same reasons any buyer would: a

welcoming vibe, the Torpedo Factory, walkability, farmer’s markets, running trails, the marina, historic architecture and so much more.

When you’re looking at Old Town, look to the Realtors who know it best.

The Face of Outdoor Living

Robert F. Groff, Chief Vision Officer | Groff Landscape Design

For years, area homeowners have turned to Groff Landscape Design for more useable and livable outdoor spaces. Family-owned and operated, the company designs and builds all elements essential to outdoor living and entertainment including: patios, pergolas, decks, walkways, retaining walls and landscaping. Led by Robert Groff, with an expert team—most of whom have been with the company for years—they create a low-stress experience with outstanding craftsmanship, clear communication and

meticulous management of every aspect of your project. The company has not only earned client kudos, but also multiple awards and praise from Angie’s List, Houzz and Arlington Magazine. “Our vision is to design and build a better future. We do it on time, on budget, guaranteed. My primary goal is to ensure you get the experience you deserve,” says Groff.

703-999-8225 www.groff.us

TONY J. LEWIS

The Face of Pediatric & Adolescent Sports Medicine

Suzanne Jaffe Walters, MD | Nirschl Orthopaedic Center

Dr. Suzanne Jaffe Walters is board certified in both Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine. She has over 15 years of experience taking care of athletes of all ages and has a particular interest in treating the young competitor. Conservative in her approach, she specializes in minimally invasive techniques that take into account the needs of a growing child. Dr. Walters has completed fellowships in Pediatric and Adolescent Sports Medicine at Harvard’s

Boston Children’s Hospital and Pediatric Orthopaedics at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Dr. Walters maintains her own rigorous sports schedule as well as that of her two children. Whether the injury occurs on the playground or the playing field, she is dedicated to providing the best care possible to get your child back in the game.

703-525-2200 Nirschl.com

2021 FACES

The Face of

Portrait Photography

Mike Stevens | Mike Stevens Photography

It’s said, “variety is the spice of life.” For Mike Stevens, adventure is the spice of life and every adventure needs a camera to document it. He’s been on many adventures since childhood, beginning with living in and exploring Europe, and photographing family and school trips. With every trip and use of the camera, his confidence and abilities grew. Confidence breeds confidence and that’s what he’ll bring out for you.

Whether your adventure is a new job, dating, social

media, family photo, graduation or special occasion, you need an image capturing your confidence. Stevens captures this by getting to know you, while on location in the Arlington and DMV area, through personalized, coached sessions. Document your adventure and show the world who you are in a portrait.

703-651-6137 mstevensphotography.com

The Face of Tax Resolution Law

Rees Broome, PC

Taxes are inescapable, whether you’re starting or selling a business, marrying, buying a house, setting up trusts for children, retiring, or acting as an executor. Since 1974, Rees Broome has served as tax counsel throughout Virginia and the Washington D.C. metropolitan region in every aspect of federal, international, state and local tax law.

We’re involved in tax planning and accounting, IRS controversies, business issues from employee benefits to executive compensation, and personal wealth management.

Rees Broome can provide our clients an outstanding level of legal expertise combined with hands-on practicality that can only be acquired from almost 50 years in the field.

703-790-1911

reesbroome.com

Back Row L-R: John E. Ritzert and John P. Morgan Front Row L-R: John F. Boland, Tiffany L. Burton and Jonathan J. Broome

The

Face

of

TMJ Therapy & Sleep Apnea

Jeffrey L. Brown, DDS, Fellow AACFP | Sleep & TMJ Therapy

Dr. Brown’s practice focuses solely on TMD, sleep apnea and pain management. Every day, he helps patients experiencing sleep issues, bite problems, chronic headaches, migraines, ear ringing, jaw joint noises, movement disorders and much more. In the body, if there is an internal imbalance, whether in an adult or child, the body will not function properly. That is why Dr. Brown takes a whole-body approach when treatment planning. His expertise allows him to identify and treat the underlying

problems conservatively with the use of dental appliances. Through treatment, Dr. Brown is able to reduce symptoms, align cranial bones, improve breathing, avoid extractions and greatly reduce the need for traditional braces. His team is devoted to helping patients function optimally, sleep better and live symptom-free lives.

703-821-1103 www.sleepandtmjtherapy.com

The Face of

A Top Real Estate Agent

Liz Lord, JD, Realtor | Compass Real Estate

In just five years, Liz has sold nearly $70 million in real estate—the majority in Arlington, where she’s lived for over 20 years.

Rather than a “saleswoman,” Liz sees herself as an advocate and expert for her clients. She doesn’t shy away from thorny challenges that come with transactions. And she always fights for her clients’ best interests. That advocacy is born from previous careers as a commercial real estate attorney and U.S. diplomat. Real estate, though, has always

been her passion.

A breast cancer survivor, Liz founded Cold Capital Fund, a non-profit providing area chemotherapy patients with financial assistance to prevent hair loss using cold caps/ scalp cooling. Her organization has helped hundreds across the DMV. “I like to stay busy helping people!” says Liz.

571-331-9213 www.arlvahomes.com

As a Fee-Only Registered Investment Advisor, Washington Wealth Advisors acts as a trusted financial partner for clients supporting them towards achieving their financial goals. Wealth Advisory Services – dynamic financial planning coupled with active investment management – are tailored to each client’s particular situation.

“Our approach targets your unique goals, time horizon and risk profile,” says Youngdahl. “As a fiduciary, our fundamental obligation has your best interests at the forefront of our advice.”

“We value our client relationships and the opportunity to support their ever-changing lives with independent financial advice,” adds Schauss. “We believe an organized client is an empowered client who can better remain on track.”

The firm serves busy families, executives, women building wealth and small business owners supporting them through all phases of their lives.

Restaurateurs Ian (left) and Eric Hilton at Parc de Ville in the Mosaic District

HunStillgry

Big takeaways from one of the restaurant industry’s toughest years ever

INTERVIEWS BY JENNY SULLIVAN

Last spring, we were putting the finishing touches on a story about restaurateurs who were reshaping the local dining landscape. Many had just opened, or were about to open, new concepts. Then the world shut down, and suddenly the tastemakers who had so reliably wined and dined us were fighting for their livelihood. A year later, here are their stories of survival, loss, soul-searching, optimism and what comes next. The following interviews were conducted in late February and early March.

n still hungry

In 2013, Victor Albisu introduced D.C. diners to Del Campo, a South American fine dining restaurant in Penn Quarter, while simultaneously opening his first Taco Bamba taqueria in Falls Church. The Del Campo space later became Poca Madre, a high-end Mexican restaurant, and an adjoining Taco Bamba—both of which closed in March 2020 due to the pandemic. But Albisu has been plenty busy in the suburbs. Today the DMV is home to five Taco Bamba locations, with a sixth soon to open in Rockville.

In February of 2020, the chef organized “Smile on the World,” a humanitarian delegation of chefs and dentists who traveled to Peru to provide meals and dental care to more than 1,000 people in underserved communities. He is now eager to expand that effort to other parts of the world. He lives in Vienna with his wife and two boys.

We’ve all been through it this year. There are days and there are days. It’s been a very human experience. There

are silver linings. We are an inexpensive restaurant. We’ve continued to feed people in uncertain times.

I trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, but my culinary life did not begin there. Taco Bamba was inspired by humble food and humble beginnings. My mother owned a Latin market and butcher shop in Falls Church. I grew up in a very Latin home—Peruvian and Cuban—eating tacos, pupusas, yucca, chicharrones on the street in a cone. For me, that was meaningful food.

My aunt had a restaurant in Miami. I spent summers there, not on the beach, but behind la plancha, learning how to fry eggs without breaking the yolks. I remember it like a great old sitcom: Kid comes back every summer and works the panini station, making Cuban sandwiches. That was my life for years.

Fast-casual food was always part of my existence, so the return to it was kind of an old-glove-type scenario. I slugged it out in the fine dining world for a long time, but when the oppor-

tunity presented itself to open the first Taco Bamba in the same shopping center with my mom’s store, I did it. It turned into something that grew on its own.

At Bamba, we offer tacos and Mexican street food. We honor the tradition, but we also try new things. We play every type of music we want to play. Some tacos are heavy metal, some are punk rock and some are opera. All come from the soul. We use tacos as a form of expression and creativity. We name them funny names. It satisfies me and my team—the people who have to make this food over and over again. We want to still be in love with what we are doing. The menu at each Taco Bamba is a little different.

Carne asada is the gateway taco. Chicken tinga is also in the “hey, nice to meet you” category. People come in and they are overwhelmed by all the stuff on the menu, so they just order something that looks familiar. Once we have their trust, that’s when it’s game on. All of a sudden they are trying the “Temple of Doom” or the crispy tripa with extra chilies.

Still, the quality of the food has to come before the story behind it. All my chefs come from fine dining backgrounds. Some of our tacos have eight or nine steps to preparation. It’s very unique for street food.

I’ve found this to be a time of introspection from a company perspective. What does this time have to offer us? Rather than pounding the table over why I can’t do this or that, I decided to really dig into fine-tuning the brand. We have about 200 employees now. We had to close the D.C. store due to the pandemic. We did our very best to retain as many people as we could. The stores that are supported by neighborhoods, like those in Virginia, have maintained their staffs completely.

I live in the pivot. If you imagine a racetrack, that’s me. It’s like a video

game. During Covid, we started doing delivery drops in neighborhoods. By the end of February we had done 180. This idea was born of a very service-driven mentality. It was a way for people to come together, even if from a distance, grab their bags and say hi to their neighbors.

Most of what we do isn’t born out of driving revenue. If that happens, great. But it’s more about what’s a cool idea, what can help, what can be more of a service to people.

I spend my time, as much as I can, in the present. This was a time of major uncertainty. To me, uncertainty is the breeding ground for success. It’s not always an uncomfortable space.

I give a lot of people food. My guys don’t love it when I’m around because I give stuff away. We try to be generous with our portions.

Prior to the pandemic, our business was half takeout and half on-site dining. Then, for a year, it was all takeout. Some stores have patios, but a lot of people just eat in their cars. We saw this well before Covid. People would bring foldout tables to the parking lot in Falls Church, or sit on the curb, or on the hoods of their cars. You see that enough times to feel humbled by your connection with the community.

We keep trying new things. We started Tres, a weekend menu of elevated, heat-at-home meal kits. We are now serving empanadas at each of our five Bamba locations, and we just introduced a build-your-own-taco takehome option called Cup O’Meat.

I’ve been exercising quite a bit, putting a lot of sidewalk under these heels—running, boxing, learning to fight. This year, I lost 100 pounds. There have been a lot of good parts to all of this.

We opened one Taco Bamba during the pandemic and we are about to open another one. We’ll see where things take us.

Victor Albisu at Taco Bamba in Ballston

Husband-and-wife chefs Gabe and Katherine Thompson owned a series of successful restaurants in Manhattan before moving back to Arlington (Katherine’s hometown) in 2015. Seven months before the pandemic arrived, they opened Thompson Italian in Falls Church, where Gabe specializes in house-made pastas and Katherine does the desserts. In April of 2020, they closed their dining room and shifted the entire operation to takeout. (As of

press time, the dining room remained closed, but the patio was soon to open for outdoor dining.) They live in Arlington Forest with their two kids.

Gabe: Letting go of at least twothirds of our staff early on was tough. Most of them have landed somewhere, thank God. All have said they would come back.

Katherine: We’ve always had the dream to open more than one restau-

rant here. We don’t want to lose the people we need to grow.

G: Takeout wasn’t in the original plan. Before Covid we had done maybe two orders to go. Then it became the only revenue stream. We had to tailor the menu. For instance, the Bolognese sauce we previously served with tagliatelle? We knew tag noodles would be like a brick by the time they got to someone’s house, so we’ve been offering the Bolo sauce in trays of bake-

at-home lasagna or rigatoni instead. Whenever we test a new item, we put it in a box and let it sit there for 30 minutes. Then we go and taste it.

K: We’ve now been open longer as a takeout restaurant than we were as an eat-in restaurant. We’re still making adjustments. On busier days we have too many orders coming in at the same time, so we’re trying to stagger carryout orders every 15 minutes—kind of like making reservations, except for food to

go. Watch us have that all figured out by the time we reopen the dining room.

G: We are not doing the same amount of revenue as before. On the days we offer special boxes, we do more sales than we normally would on a single day of restaurant service. But the weeks when we don’t do anything special, sales are a half to a third of what we would have done when we were busy.

K: This strange time has given us license to try new things and experiment. We started doing holiday-themed boxes. We did a couple weeks of Tex-Mex food. For the Super Bowl, we did nachos and wings. Our general manager, KC [Kristen Carson Hamilton], organized a few virtual wine-tasting dinners. We did the first one in partnership with The Italian Store. It’s been fun. We’ve made mistakes, too—like pretzel rolls for an Oktoberfest box. Never again. They were so much more labor intensive than I anticipated.

G: When we make a mistake, we do whatever we can to fix it. We did a Mother’s Day box, and all of these boxes are cook-at-home-type things where you assemble the pieces. Some guests didn’t realize they had to heat it up. One said, “Well, you ruined Mother’s Day.” We comped the entire meal for the guy because it wasn’t what he was expecting.

K: All of us are anxious. Every day I look at my phone—can food service people get vaccines yet? What is that timeline? Do we wait to open outside until all of our staff is vaccinated? Are we confident that outdoor dining is a safe environment for everyone? I feel like it’s endless decision fatigue.

G: We lost a member of our staff. He was our busser. He was one of those dudes who, whenever he was working, you knew the night was going to go well because he was so awesome. The last time we saw him was in November. He came in to let us know he was ready to come back to work whenever we reopened. He had been growing his hair out, and had this wonderful swagger. He got Covid a couple weeks later and never recovered.

K: He was a healthy guy, too. With this virus, you just don’t know. We didn’t even know he’d been sick when we found out he passed away. He had worked in almost every restaurant in Falls Church, so everybody knew him. He always went the extra mile. One night he brought a leaf blower in the back of his car and cleaned the leaves off the patio, unasked. He just noticed things that needed to be done and he did them. It still hasn’t really hit me that he’s gone. When we reopen, it will hit me—when he’s not there.

G: The entire staff knows our kids. We have to bring them to work often. We try to have family quality time whenever we can. We had some fun snow days this winter, sledding and tubing. But our kids have spent way too much time here.

K: It definitely takes a village. I was super busy over Valentine’s Day and we were like, Oh, do we have children? Thankfully another member of our team was feeding them in the dining room, checking in on them while they did their homework. It’s humbling.

G: Falls Church City—the location has been huge. We are in an actual neighborhood that humans live in. If we were in downtown D.C., where you really rely on corporate business, it would be so much harder. We have guests who dine every week at the same time. One guy orders every Thursday at 7:45. He always gets rigatoni, extra sauce.

K: So many of our repeat guests had never dined in our restaurant before Covid. When we were open, there were people who wanted to check us out but couldn’t get a reservation, which they found frustrating. With takeout, our food has reached a wider audience, which is really kind of cool.

G: The first thing I want to make when we reopen for on-site dining? I am looking forward to doing those long, supple egg noodles—pappardelle, tagliatelle.

K: I want nothing more than to serve a warm dessert with a scoop of ice cream on top. I’m keeping a notebook of “when we reopen” ideas.

Gabe and Katherine Thompson at Thompson Italian in Falls Church

Operating as H2 Collective, brothers Ian and Eric Hilton are the entrepreneurs behind some of the D.C. area’s buzziest bars and restaurants—including Chez Billy Sud in Georgetown, Brighton at The Wharf and El Rey taqueria on U Street. On the Virginia side, they co-own (with chef Brendan L’Etoile) Parc de Ville in the Mosaic District and Café Colline, which opened amid the pandemic in Arlington’s Lee Heights Shops, and they are partners in Solace Outpost, a new microbrewery in Falls Church City. In September, H2 Collective made the dire announcement that it would be closing seven of its D.C. properties “for the foreseeable future.” All have since reopened (or were expected to reopen by mid-April), and Ballston is soon to welcome a second location of El Rey. Ian Hilton lives in Donaldson Run with his family.

Operating during the pandemic has been a never-ending pivot. I hate the word “literally,” but it is literally trial and error. You are always making tweaks and second-guessing everything you do. Which risks have we taken that are paying off? Ask me a year from now. I will know in a year which things worked.

At first, I didn’t want to open Café Colline until we were allowed to use the bar. Without that element, it’s not the business I had envisioned. We didn’t want a stodgy, quiet dining room. We wanted an atmosphere that had some life to it. With capacity limits, the deal was: You could either have people sitting at the bar but no bartender, or you could have a bartender but nobody sitting at the bar. Not optimal.

Parc de Ville is a much bigger build-

ing, so there we could have a bartender behind the bar and seat people in other places with distancing. We are in the hospitality business, and right now we can’t do everything we want to do for people. It is what it is.

I’m not getting any younger, and this is a young man’s or woman’s game. We’ve recognized there are up-andcomers who can benefit from us and we can benefit from them. At Solace Outpost, the Solace guys are showing us how customer interactions are chang-

ing with QR codes and touchless payments. It’s a less in-your-face type of service that works in certain environments—that kind of English and Irish pub idea of placing an order and having it magically appear without constantly hovering servers. The technology that’s emerging now is here to stay.

We realized at the start of the pandemic that people gravitate toward farm breweries, wineries, wide-open spaces. We did an outdoor installation at the Kennedy Center—a pop-up con-

cept called Victura Park, with the look and feel of a winery—from March to October 2020. We’re doing it again this spring. People like being outside with room to roam. It’s very much a “come as you are” type of space. This year we will make the installation a little more permanent. Our contract is for five years. Eric Bruner-Yang curates the food for it.

With Covid came lots of tough decisions. We ultimately laid off very few people, but at the end of the day there

were some I wasn’t able to keep. That hurt a lot.

If I could turn back time…would we have been better off just closing everything down in March of 2020? Financially, probably yeah. But at the same time, the decision not to close kept a lot of people employed. The owner is always the last one to put any money in his pocket and I haven’t done that in a year. I’m proud we were able to keep a lot of people moving forward with a reason to get out of the house

and not feel like complete victims of this pandemic.

My mental health has improved significantly by virtue of having Café Colline just up the street from me. I walk up every day and stuff bags with burgers and feel like I’m accomplishing something. I’m back to doing jobs that had been delegated out. It’s a reminder of what got me into this business to begin with. We are still giving food to people with a smile and a kind word. Rather than making major watershed decisions, we are just trying to solve an unsolvable puzzle every day. Having simple blocking and tackling tasks helps.

We have a really good, loyal following at Colline. I know people do not want to eat French food three days a week—yet we have people who are doing it because they want us to make it through this.

And frankly, let’s maintain some perspective. I haven’t lost anyone near and dear to me to this virus. There are millions who can’t say that. That realization makes you check yourself. At the end of the day, I’m still aboveground and so are the people I love.

It’s been a surreal time. We have learned about all different kinds of people. I’m seeing unprecedented cooperation between tenants and landlords. There’s more of a kinship with other restaurant operators. Previously you wouldn’t even tell the competition what you were paying for a gallon of milk. Now we are more open with each other, sharing information and trying to help each other out.

What was so difficult about last March was the experience of taking a step forward and then a step back. At least now the steps appear to be heading in one direction—maybe slowly and deliberately, but forward. You’ve got a choice: Be optimistic or pessimistic. I know the easier choice for me.

Brothers Ian (right) and Eric Hilton at Parc de Ville in the Mosaic District

Her father’s rise to fame is well known. After leaving what seemed to be a plum position as chef of the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., Peter Chang hit the road, popping up in various kitchens from Virginia to points south. Soon, the itinerant chef from China’s Hubei province had developed a cult following. He went on to open a slew of eponymous eateries along the East Coast with his wife, Lisa, an award-winning chef in her own right. Their daughter, Lydia, who holds a master’s degree in international business from King’s College London, now heads up business development for a growing empire that includes nine Peter Chang restaurants, as well as Q in Bethesda, Mama Chang in Fairfax and NiHao in Baltimore. Lydia Chang lives in Arlington; her parents live in D.C.

We felt the effects of Covid before other restaurants. In January 2020, every Chinese person was gearing up to spend Chinese New Year with family and friends. It’s a tradition, and many of our restaurants are designed with large banquet rooms. When the story of the coronavirus broke in China, people knew it was serious. They were aware of the risk of contagion, and aware it could come here. The night before the Lunar New Year was to begin, we received a 90% cancellation rate.

Going into February 2020, our business revenue dropped anywhere from 20% to 50%, depending on the restaurant location and its clientele.

We go into the deep valley and slowly make our way up. In March 2020, we were preparing to open NiHao in Baltimore’s Canton neighborhood. We finally opened in July after significant delays, changing the whole business

model to carryout. That meant shifting the concept to think about packaging, the menu and which dishes would offer people comfort—noodles, dumplings, Peking duck.

We tried some ideas that didn’t work, like offering the duck carcass with onions, carrots and mushrooms, for customers to make into a beautiful noodle soup the next day. People were doing more home cooking and posting amazing pictures on Instagram, so the soup kit seemed like a good idea. But we got all kinds of questions—from how much water to use for the broth, to even how to boil water. We ended up making the broth and providing ingredients for customers to add to it.

In Arlington, the biggest change was no indoor dining. The dining room is too small for social distancing, so we won’t reopen it until we can return to full capacity. Before Covid, takeout at that location accounted for 30-35% of the business. Then it became 100%. We’ve been offering everything on the menu—even the scallion pancake. It’s not the same, presentation-wise, but it’s still being ordered. I like snacking on it with curry sauce.

When we went into lockdown, we had to let go all of our front-of-house staff. We created a few rotating positions with people answering phone calls and packing orders so they didn’t lose all of their income, but with dining room service not happening at all, it was hard. It was really difficult to see them struggle.

In Baltimore, we saw just how contagious this virus is. We were working holiday shifts at NiHao when a member of the kitchen staff got sick. In the end, 70% of the staff there tested positive for

Covid. We had to close until we tested everyone. Fortunately, no one was hospitalized. But thinking that they could bring it home to their vulnerable family members was so stressful.

The backbone of our business is our cooks and their talent. The company is our work family. Our executive managers eventually become business partners. We’ll open a new restaurant, and once it’s in good shape we pass on the ownership to the core staff there.

My dad is not a stress-free person, but he shifts that stress into motivation. We all agree that 2020 was the year we worked the hardest without seeing any progression. We kept trying things and

MICHAEL VENTURA

still felt like we were going nowhere. It was just full circle and repeat every day. But doing something is definitely better than doing nothing.

The U.S. was not on board with containment early on, like many Asian countries. I hear from friends in Singapore, China, Taiwan, where everything is normal now. They get to eat out, hang out, have a normal life. In a future pandemic, can we do better in the U.S.? Can we be on the same page? Wearing a mask is mundane, but not optional.

The news reports of violent attacks on Asian people, especially the elderly, make me so sad. Is this happening because of Covid? Are people blaming

Asians for the virus? It’s hard to imagine if my grandma was in that situation.

Our Bethesda restaurant, Q, was vandalized in December. They broke the glass on the front door and took the cash register. In March, NiHao was broken into. It’s not the worst thing that could have happened, but I still wonder why it happened to us. It makes you question: Where is safe? For the elderly? For minority business owners? I look at the age of my parents and wonder if they could become targets. I don’t know how to process that.

When we opened Mama Chang in 2019, the idea was to focus on Chinese homestyle cooking. To me, the best

chef in the family is my grandma. Her food is not as extravagant or elaborate as my dad’s, but it reminds me of my childhood and brings me comfort. It’s regional cuisine incorporating flavors like black fermented beans and pickled chilies.

Our next concept will be a prixfixe concept in D.C. focusing on food that’s culturally rooted in Chinese fare, re imagined. I think of all the times I’ve traveled to Asia or to the West Coast and explored amazing food and thought, Can I bring that to D.C.? Especially in terms of Chinese cuisine. There is a void and we are trying to fill that void.

Lisa, Peter and Lydia Chang at Q in Bethesda

Pupatella started as a food truck in 2007 and opened its first brick-and-mortar pizzeria in Arlington’s Bluemont neighborhood in 2010. From the beginning, founders Enzo and Anastasiya Algarme offered staff benefits, flexibility and higherthan-average pay. In 2018, the husband and wife teamed up with the folks behind Elevation Burger and raised $3.75 million to grow their pizzeria business. They now have four Pupatella locations in the D.C. area, with more in the pipeline, plus a franchise spot in Richmond. Pupatella is one of only four businesses in Virginia to hold Verace Pizza Napoletana (VPN) certification, a designation awarded to restaurants that adhere to strict Neapolitan pizza-making traditions. Enzo is originally from Naples. They live in Fairfax with their two children.

We’ve opened two new locations since the pandemic started—Dupont Circle last summer and Reston in December. It was scary and uncertain, but we have been so fortunate. The neighborhood support has made it all worthwhile.

We recently signed a lease in West Springfield and anticipate opening that location in late 2021 or early 2022. We have also applied for a building permit in the Mosaic District. The opening timeline there was shifted a bit later as a result of Covid, but we anticipate an early 2022 opening. We are also actively looking for our first location in Maryland, and are finalizing a lease for a second location in D.C.

With the arrival of Covid, we were forced to reduce some of our front-of-house staff, but we increased our staff in the kitchens. By adding two new locations during the pandemic, we thankfully have been able to increase our team size to the largest it’s ever been.

VPN certification requires quality ingredients, and our supply chains were significantly

disrupted. We use a lot of Italian ingredients. There were a few times when we were not sure if we could even open with what we had on hand. In the spring of 2020, everything in Italy came to a standstill. We had no idea if the shipments would keep coming.

Weirdly, even though we have been distancing from each other, we feel more connected to our customers. They have shown us such incredible patience and loyalty. We are humbled by the fact that we were able to continue our business while sadly so many other eateries could not. At most of our locations, takeout orders are around 90% of sales right now.

We made some changes, but they were more to our operations than our business model. We took extra time to check in on all of our employees. They have been under tremendous stress and needed to feel our support. We wanted them to know that no matter what, we’ve got their backs. The menu stayed the same, other than our typical seasonal specials.

We did change the recipe for our panini bread and that’s made a huge difference. Sandwiches have been growing in popularity ever since.

We want to keep improving the outdoor dining experience. All of our locations have outdoor seating. During the warm parts of the year, many customers enjoy pizzas on our patios. This time has taught us that no matter what, people will always love to eat together on a nice night. There are so many things we can do to make those nights more awesome and memorable.

We are honestly surprised that we fared as well as we did. Some days it was hard to keep a positive attitude. There were many close calls. We told ourselves that whatever happens, all is OK, because this is an emergency situation and health matters above all else. Money is just money.

Anastasiya and Enzo

Algarme at Pupatella in Arlington

Nick Freshman landed his first bartending gig in 1998 at the now-closed Clarendon Grill. By 2020, the native Arlingtonian was celebrating the 10th anniversary of Spider Kelly’s—the Clarendon bar he owns with Nick Langman—and gearing up to open The Freshman, an all-day café and bar at National Landing, not far from his home in Arlington Ridge. When the pandemic disrupted his timetable for opening, he offered The Freshman as a temporary distribution site for Hook Hall Helps, a relief effort providing free meals to hospitality workers. Freshman is the founder of Mothersauce Partners, a restaurant venture capital and strategic planning firm whose portfolio includes Thompson Italian in Falls Church and several other D.C.-area dining concepts. He previously served as chairman of the board of La Cocina VA, an Arlington nonprofit that provides bilingual culinary training to immigrants. At press time, The Freshman was aiming to open for business in mid-April.

The interior of The Freshman features a mural by Cita Sadeli, the D.C. artist who goes by “Miss Chelove.” We wanted a mural that celebrated not only the Central American region and its sustainable farmers who supply our coffee, but also the stakeholders who make our restaurants successful. They are just as important as the big white guy whose name is on the door. People from El Salvador and Guatemala make up a huge part of the workforce in this area. This was one way to elevate them.

The Freshman opened a year late. It sat vacant until we started using the space as a distribution spot for Hook Hall Helps. I was fortunate not to feel the pain so many of my colleagues were feeling. I had a restaurant I couldn’t

open, which paradoxically made me one of the luckiest operators in the business. I didn’t have to lay anyone off there, stay open just to pay rent, put my employees at risk, take on crippling amounts of debt or deal with the crushing anxiety of trying to operate during a pandemic. The best way to win the war is to not have to fight the war.

We did have layoffs at Spider Kelly’s. Our pandemic policies were not all practical. Some were reactionary, and mistakes were made. We laid off dozens of people, then hired them back, then laid them off again, then hired some back, but not all. It was awful for me as an employer, but worse to be the employee who didn’t know if they were going to get their full 40 hours a week, and on top of that there was no net. I had employees who started trying to get unemployment in March 2020 and never got a check.

I tried to use this time and my voice to advocate for people in my business who could not advocate for themselves. I testified before the Arlington County Board, participated on panels, made phone calls. On New Year’s Eve I organized an event on Capitol Hill. We had bartenders mixing drinks on the sidewalk and sold cocktails to benefit Hook Hall Helps. People were starting to appreciate how devastating this pandemic might be. There was a fight to save our industry economically—to save jobs, livelihoods and hundreds of thousands of small businesses. But it was also a fight to save the soul of our main streets, our neighborhoods and our cities. If you travel to a new place, the first thing you do is find out where to eat. Restaurants define the character of a place.

online ordering and embracing technology. We used to have no tech for our business because no one would develop it. Restaurants were seen as analog. Now that’s changing.

The pandemic has not created new dining trends so much as accelerated ones that were already in motion, like

Some evolutionary shifts are hard for legacy businesses. The move away from full-service, sit-down dining has been underway for years. There’s a movement away from tipping and more toward paying workers minimum wage. These are conversations we need to have. We need to take care of the people in our industry who work the hardest. Racial inequity is a huge problem in our business. I have always felt surrounded by diversity in all the restaurants where I’ve worked. But when I am in the company of owners and investors, I am largely with people who

look like me. So there is an opportunity problem. And while I have never experienced racial or sexual abuse from a customer, I’m sure every woman or person of color who has worked for me has plenty of stories. So we have an equal treatment problem.

This summer, I marched downtown with my wife and daughter, and was profoundly moved. My takeaway was that whatever I have been doing, it is not enough. When we talk about racism, or sexism, or any “ism” in this country, we are talking about power. There is an inherent fear among those in power that sharing your power weakens your position. I disagree. It’s not a zero-sum game. I want to create an ecosystem of incredible achievers who can all work to create something far greater

than I could ever achieve on my own. That sounds like good business.

I feel a lot more positive than I did at the end of 2020. We have work to do, but people in the hospitality industry don’t give up. That resilience, that scrappiness—it’s why I have dedicated my life to this business.

The future for small, independent restaurants in Arlington will look the same as it did before the pandemic. It will be precarious for the same reason it’s hard to be a homeowner in Arlington, hard to be a teacher and live in the neighborhood where you teach. A restaurant is a very expensive thing to start up. It’s high-risk and the margins are not great. Those things will continue to get harder.

But I am optimistic. I think the pub-

lic, writ large, recognizes the value of restaurants to their community. Local government and large landlords see it, too. Large landlords increasingly want local tenants because that’s what their customers want. They want local purveyors, cool little coffee shops, microbreweries. We need to move away from the old dealmaking, and we are. Entrepreneurs like to fall in love all the time. There’s always a cool new idea, a cool new location just around the corner. I think we’ll see a mini boom once dining is unrestricted and people are comfortable going out again. There is a palpable urge to reconnect— a human desire to be around other humans, for the shared experience of being in a place together, holding a drink, breaking bread. n

Nick Freshman inside his new cafe/bar at National Landing

New Eats

The patio heaters have been put away and the umbrellas are out. Try these new restaurants!

BY DAVID HAGEDORN

Early in the pandemic, some predicted independent restaurants might disappear forever. Those apocalyptic forecasts failed to consider the key ingredients of resilience, innovation and, in certain

cases, leases that were signed preCovid. Kitchens stayed open, takeout got creative, and a surprising number of new restaurants popped up in spite of it all, like spring crocuses. Here are eight that opened in the past year.

Brisket, collards and beans at Ruthie’s All-Day

Queen Mother’s Fried Chicken

The fried-chicken sandwich craze was already well underway when the pandemic sent it into overdrive. Customers wanted takeout-friendly comfort food and chefs like Rock Harper were happy to oblige. Queen Mother’s Fried Chicken shares a kitchen and casual dining space with The Café by La Cocina VA, just off Columbia Pike.

Harper, who grew up mostly in Alexandria, named his enterprise after his mom, Carole. “My mother is a queen,” he says. “[Queen Mother’s] is a tribute to her, and to all Black women.” It’s also a tribute to a food that finds its origins in African American culture.

Upon ordering the Classic sandwich, dressed with “mother sauce” (Japanese Kewpie mayo, ketchup, lemon juice) and dill pickles, I find that the brioche bun can’t contain its enormous, 8-ounce chicken breast any more than my pre-pandemic T-shirt covers my new belly. Every delectable bite reflects Harper’s culinary bona fides. The Hell’s Kitchen reality show winner (Season 3) previously served as executive chef at B. Smith’s restaurant in D.C. and has long-standing ties to DC Central Kitchen.

Queen Mother’s cage-free, antibiotic-free chicken is brined, butterflied, dredged and deep-fried in duck fat and canola oil to craggy, crunchy perfection. In addition to the Classic, the menu offers three other iterations: Nashville hot; Virginia honey butter; and spicy mambo. Sides include coleslaw and waffle fries.

Harper started Queen Mother’s in D.C. in August as part of another restaurateur’s ghost kitchen concept, then moved the operation to Arlington in December. “I wanted to do it my way and fully control it, to serve fried chicken and smiles, build community, reach back to Black culture and lean into the stories—the fun ones and the tough ones,” he says. Smile received. Smile returned. Queen Mother’s (at The Café by La Cocina VA), 918 S. Lincoln St., Arlington, rocksolidfood.com

The Classic at Queen Mother’s

Lucky Danger

“American Chinese by a Chinese American” declares Lucky Danger’s cheeky packaging. My takeout bag is filled with a magical assortment of paper containers, each clearly labeled with what’s inside—crab Rangoon, duck-fried rice, pork dumplings, omelet with dried radish, chicken lo mein, kung pao chicken, mapo tofu and salt-and-pepper shrimp.

That most of the offerings come in small or large portions means you can sample many of them without breaking the bank.

Lucky Danger began as a pop-up concept in the District, the brainchild of Taiwanese American chefs Tim Ma and Andrew Chiou. Both are Southern-born (Ma is from Arkansas; Chiou, from Texas) and both previously owned full-service restaurants in the D.C. area. “My entire generation, we were born in the States but don’t speak Chinese or know much about our Chinese heritage,” says Ma. “This concept is a way to get in touch with our roots.”

When Federal Realty approached the chefs about bring-

ing Lucky Danger to Westpost (formerly Pentagon Row) as a carryout business, they decided to make the concept more permanent. “It was a 1,200-square-foot space in the back [near the Harris Teeter], not near the pretty ice rink,” Ma says, which frankly made it perfect for their needs. “It has parking in front and a driveway for pickup and delivery.” At press time, the Arlington location was set to open in April.

It’s been a learning process, Ma says. Tinkering with quintessential Chinese American dishes can backfire. “We put real lump crabmeat in the crab Rangoon, but people complained about the funny flavor,” he confesses. “So now we use imitation crabmeat in the cream cheese filling. The lesson: Stop being cheffy!”

Still, the delicate, crunchy coating on the salt-and-pepper shrimp, which is served with sauteed onions and jalapenos for a kick of heat, indicates a level of professional skill. So does the duck-fried rice made with tea-smoked duck breast and confit leg meat.

The menu’s sleeper, a wok-fried Taiwanese omelet, is a dish Chiou grew up with. “It’s all about texture and balance,” he explains. “Dried radish adds crunch and salt, and barely sauteed onions add sweetness.” Cheffy or not, it’s a winner. Lucky Danger, 1101 S. Joyce St., Arlington (Westpost), luckydanger.co

A takeout feast from Lucky Danger

The gyro sandwich

Smokecraft Modern Barbecue

The trophies on display are the first indication that your barbecue is in good hands. Smokecraft pitmaster and owner Andrew Darneille was working in management at Georgetown’s erstwhile Old Glory restaurant when he began entering barbecue competitions in 2016. He eventually turned his hobby into a profession, racking up more than 70 awards.

Wanting to put his years of front-of-the-house experience (and a University of Maryland MBA) to use, he signed a lease in Clarendon in May 2019. The timing could not have been worse. Construction on the new space began in December of that year, but Covid delays forced Darneille to postpone the launch until July of 2020. Because he wasn’t open before the pandemic, he didn’t qualify for any government assistance.

Once the doors opened, though, he made up for lost time. Smokecraft was voted “Best New Restaurant” by Arlington Magazine readers in the Best of Arlington 2021 awards. The 3,500-square-foot space is a stunner with plenty of natural light, a 35-foot bar and a rustic palette of wood, brick, granite and steel. It offers seating for 100 inside and 30 outside (at full capacity), with plans to nearly double the number of patio seats.

Darneille uses two Southern Pride gas smokers and seven types of wood, depending on what’s cooking (cherry for ribs; hickory and cherry for pork shoulder and brisket, for example). Every dish on the menu—including desserts—is hit with fire or smoke. “My goal is to treat smoke like salt and pepper,” he explains. “It’s a seasoning, but never overpowering.”

That nuanced ingredient is evident in his cubes of tender Duroc pork belly, tossed in a chipotlecocoa rub, smoked over cherrywood and finished with apple glaze. And in an enormous gyro sandwich packed with cherrywood-smoked lamb and pecan wood-smoked feta cheese. A vegetarian dish treats smoked spaghetti squash like pasta, tossing the savory strands with goat cheese, peppers, spinach and tomatoes. Even a Key lime pie made with crème de coco, pineapple juice and dark rum is kissed with applewood smoke as it sets. Smokecraft Modern Barbecue, 1051 N. Highland St., Arlington (Clarendon), smokecraftbbq.com

Smoked spaghetti squash

Key lime pie

The bar at Smokecraft

n new eats

After some searching, chef Matt Hill found his dream piece of real estate in Arlington Heights. Back in the 1950s, the historic building was occupied by Mr. W’s, a chocolate factory and candy and ice cream shop. Now the airy, 4,650-squarefoot space is home to Ruthie’s All-Day, which Hill co-owns with general manager and beverage director Todd Salvadore. It’s a laid-back spot that pairs smart cocktails and creative cooking with plenty of parking.

Ruthie’s, which opened in October, is named after Hill’s paternal grandmother in North Carolina. As a nod to that provenance, the menu centers on the Southern concept of a “meat and three,” prompting hungry diners to choose a protein and three sides.

Hill, previously the culinary director for The Liberty Tavern Group and the Best of Arlington 2021 winner for “Best Chef,” cooks on an Argentinian-style grill and a wood-burning smoker. For all his concept’s homeyness, this isn’t home cooking. The Rohan duck breast, for example, involves a four-step process—brining, smoking, pan-searing and chargrilling—that yields subtly smoked, rosy slices of meat with crisped skin. Tender octopus is slow-braised in olive oil,

chargrilled and served with black-eyed pea hummus, kale and smoked chili aioli. Hill’s brisket, the restaurant’s runaway best-seller, is smoked low and slow for 12 to 14 hours, then wrapped and rested to set the peppery bark.

Side dishes excel—especially collard greens with smoked tomatoes and fried rice flavored with kimchi and chicken livers. Don’t overlook the nicely curated beer and cocktail programs (try “A Day on the Green” made with gin, yellow Chartreuse, cucumber and lemon) or the fact that you can order breakfast every weekday morning. Weekend brunch brings an even wider assortment of breakfast-y fare, including biscuits with pork sausage gravy and fried eggs.

Hill’s wife, Jeanne Choi (they live with their two boys in Donaldson Run), helped design the sunny, light-filled restaurant, which seats 144 inside and 70 outside with a vibe that’s both nostalgic and fresh. Vintage touches like canepatterned wallpaper and schoolhouse pendant lights are juxtaposed with modern fixtures such as a satellite chandelier in the front entry and a gleaming, subway-tiled semi-open kitchen. Ruthie’s All-Day, 3411 Fifth St. S., Arlington (Arlington Heights), ruthiesallday.com

Ruthie’s All-Day

Smoked duck with sunchoke chowchow, crispy Brussels sprouts and a side of grits

Grilled octopus with black-eyed pea hummus

n new eats

Taco + Pina

Graham Bartlett was planning to debut Taco + Pina in Shirlington in March of 2020, but a combination of Covid happenstance and destiny fittingly turned the Mexican cantina’s grand opening into a Cinco de Mayo event.

Bartlett, formerly corporate chef for Richard Sandoval Hospitality (whose worldwide empire includes El Centro in D.C. and La Sandia in Tysons), was more recently the chef at Street Guys Hospitality’s Buena Vida Mexican restaurant in Silver Spring. This was to be his first foray as an owner.

“I had been looking at spaces all over the DMV, but I live nearby [in Del Ray],” he says. “When I saw this space, I was blown away by the small-town feel and the energy.” Bartlett signed the lease in September 2019 and opened Taco + Pina eight months later.

The restaurant has seating for 47 inside and 22 outside, its hot-pink awning and turquoise tables and umbrellas signaling a festive atmosphere. The interior design, courtesy of Architectural Design Studio in McLean, features hanging rattan chairs and a large mural by Del Ray-based Dambly Design, inspired by the comic books Bartlett read in Mexico when his professor father was on sabbatical in San Miguel de Allende. Captivated by mermaids, Bartlett commissioned an artist in Mexico to make the 70 whimsical mermaid sculptures that hang from the eatery’s ceiling.

The menu showcases tacos, nachos, tostadas, enchiladas and made-from-scratch margaritas—the signature quaff being a delightful slushy of roasted pineapple, blanco tequila, toasted Mexican spices, agave and fresh lime juice.

Bartlett is keen on the nachos loaded with shrimp, chorizo, black beans, grilled corn and queso-poblano sauce. His favorite taco is essentially a deconstructed chili relleno, for which he pan-fries cheese into a crisp disk, lays half a roasted poblano pepper and two corn tortillas on it and flips the lot over to toast the tortillas. Tomato-chipotle sauce and bits of crunchy tempura batter complete the extravaganza. Taco + Pina, 4041 Campbell Ave. (The Village at Shirlington), Arlington, tacoandpina.com

PHOTOS

A roasted pineapple margarita

Shrimp nachos

Balqees Restaurant

Sometimes opportunity knocks and sometimes it pulls up to your door. The latter happened for Ayman Awadallah and his wife, Reema, when someone came to buy a car from their dealership, Elite Auto Group, in Fredericksburg. The customer mentioned that he had just closed his restaurant in Falls Church and the space was available.

Though they had never owned a restaurant, the Awadallahs had a hunch they could make a go of it. The couple signed a lease in May of 2020, hired chef Rokaya Altimeemy, and opened Balqees Yemeni and Lebanese restaurant in July in Seminary Road Plaza. (Balqees is a reference to the proper name of the Queen of Sheba.)

Their son Mac Awadallah oversees operations, while Mac’s wife, Durrana Wardak, makes the showstopping cakes on the dessert menu.

Though the restaurant has seating for 45 inside, the 100seat patio, where many of the tables have built-in fire pits, is a more popular al fresco gathering place. No alcohol is served (the restaurant is 100% halal), but hookah is available.

Start a meal at Balqees with silken hummus or shafout, a refreshing yogurt-herb dip topped with cucumber-tomato salad and served in a large, bread-lined bowl. For the uninitiated, lamb haneeth—saffron-infused basmati rice baked with tender pieces of spiced, bone-in lamb and topped with fried onions—is a mainstay of Yemeni cooking.

Vegetarians will enjoy saltah, a stew of tomatoes, okra, potatoes, zucchini and peas that arrives in a boiling cauldron with a sly admonition to “Watch out! It’s hot.”

If you’re one who normally passes on dessert, don’t. Wardak’s bright yellow saffron cake, topped with whipped cream and rose petals, comes with a decadent little glass of saffron crème anglaise on the side. It’s meant to be poured over the cake, but I’d happily drink it as a beverage on my next visit to Balqees. Balqees Restaurant, 5820 Seminary Road, Falls Church, balqees.restaurant (on Instagram)

Lamb haneeth

Saffron cake

Stellina Pizzeria

I had to stare at the two Roman-style artichokes from Stellina Pizzeria for a minute just to take in their beauty, aware of how much work it took to prepare them. Chef Matteo Venini deftly trims each vegetable to leave only the tender center leaves, the bottom and the long stem. Each is then dredged in a light dusting of flour and deep-fried to resemble a crispy flower, with a bright side of herb mayo.

The 2,000-square-foot pizzeria, which opened in February, is the second outpost for Venini and co-owner Antonio Matarazzo. (The first opened in D.C.’s Union Market in April 2019.) “I live in Penrose and was looking for a space in Virginia,” Matarazzo explains. Shirlington’s walkable, villagelike atmosphere felt just right.

Molly Allen of Allen Studios in D.C. designed the casual restaurant, which seats 75 inside (on two floors) and 20 outside at full capacity. The exterior features floor-to-ceiling windows surrounded by patterned Amalfi Coast tiles. Inside, two vast murals—one of Sophia Loren, the other of Italian actor Totò—grab your attention.

So does the food. The centerpieces are Venini’s Neapolitan-style pizzas, whose dough requires a two-step, four-day

fermentation process before pies are baked in a Marra Forni gas oven. His signature is the cacio e pepe, a sauceless pizza topped with buffalo mozzarella and two sheep’s milk cheeses (cacio di Roma and pecorino), plus lots of black peppercorns, toasted and then ground with a mortar and pestle.

The menu has other standouts, too. Among the pastas, try the squid-ink chitarra with seafood in a zesty tomato sauce. My favorite salad is the brassica, a toothsome ensemble of ingredients from that vegetable family—charred rapini, broccoli leaves, red cabbage, watermelon radishes—tossed in a purée of cooked mustard greens, watercress and rapini and topped with pistachios and ricotta salata cheese.

Unlike the flagship location in D.C., Stellina Shirlington doesn’t have a bar (don’t worry, they still serve alcohol). But it does have a deli counter where you can stock up on housemade pastas and sauces, salumi, cheeses and tiramisu to take home. Stellina Pizzeria, 2800 S. Randolph St., Arlington (Shirlington), stellinapizzeria.com

Fried artichokes (below), Neapolitan-style pizza and the provisions counter at Stellina

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Leeks vinaigrette

Café Colline

Opening a little French bistro in the Lee Heights Shops was a no-brainer for Ian Hilton. His neighbors in Donaldson Run, where he lives with his wife and kids, had been nagging him to do something close to home when the former Cassatt’s Café space became available. It was just the spot for an expansion of the concept he and co-owners Eric Hilton (his brother) and chef Brendan L’Etoile had perfected with Chez Billy Sud in D.C. and Parc de Ville in the Mosaic District.

Little did the partners know they’d be riding out a pandemic roller coaster. Café Colline opened in August 2020 for takeout only, then briefly introduced onsite dining before reverting to takeaway in November. Hilton says the intimate dining room just felt too risky and too snug for guests once the weather got cold.

Stopping by to retrieve my carryout order one evening, I couldn’t help but admire the pretty space with its ornate wall mirrors, tufted leather banquettes and herringbone-patterned wood floor, picturing myself dining there once the buzz times returned. At full capacity, the 2,200-square-foot café is equipped to host 18 outside and 44 inside, including 12 bar seats.

Chef L’Etoile spent the winter packaging takeout orders in a way that prevents sogginess and allows for artful presentation at home (minimal DIY assembly required). To compose his standout version of leeks vinaigrette, I line a dinner plate with the delectable hazelnut and chopped egg dressing, subtly accented with truffle oil, before adding neat stacks of tender, poached leeks. This dish is plenty for two to share. A beautifully seared loup de mer (sea bass), plated skin-side up on a bed of haricots verts, is drizzled with a sauce of fennel, brown butter and capers, then garnished with toasted almonds. “It was a hit from day one,” says L’Etoile. “I love nutty preparations and I chose a fish that retains moisture when traveling.” It’s sublime.

His roasted Amish chicken with tarragon jus and sauteed spinach is superlative on its own, but the accompanying pommes Dauphinoise—scalloped potatoes cooked with cream, nutmeg and Parmesan—add a luxurious touch. For dessert, a chocolate hazelnut pot de crème, made with Nutella and crushed chocolate cookies, ends a meal that could only be more perfect were it eaten in Colline’s enchanting dining room. Which, by the way, has now reopened. I can’t wait to go back. Café Colline, 4536 Lee Highway (Lee Heights Shops), Arlington, cafecollineva.com n

David Hagedorn is a cookbook author and the dining critic for Arlington Magazine and Bethesda Magazine.

The dining room at Café Colline

Seared loup de mer

Chocolate pot de crème

FELLOWSHIP FOOD&

How a group of friends from Northern Virginia is keeping the faith and tackling hunger, one home-cooked meal at a time.

by

Sydney Johnson | photos by Lisa Helfert

Volunteers Javed Ahmed (lblue mask) and Tahir Rana (pink mask) hand out home-cooked meals in downtown D.C.

It’s a drizzly Sunday morning in Northwest D.C. A blue 2007 Toyota Sienna pulls up to the curb along E Street, packed with hot meals, drinks and snacks.

Noting the arrival of their “Muslim brothers,” the inhabitants of the tents that line the roadway slowly emerge as four men in PPE climb out of the mini‑ van and set up shop. The perfumed scent of curried chicken and vegeta bles wafts through the air.

By day’s end, the men will have handed out more than 100 hot meals. It’s something they do every weekend.

The weekly ritual started in October 2019, when software engineer Syed Mazhar, an Arlington father of two, originally from Bangladesh, decided he wanted to use his spare time to feed people who are homeless—a commit ment that is deeply rooted in his Mus lim faith.

According to the District of Colum bia’s most recent survey, more than 9,700 homeless individuals live on the streets of our nation’s capital—two times the national average. Mazhar saw

this alarming reality as an opportunity to practice Islam’s charitable teachings. He teamed up with his friend Khalifa Kanta, a full time Uber driver from Tan zania who lives in Alexandria with his

Farzal Ahmed (right) and his father, Javed, assemble meals for delivery.

Home-cooked curry and rice

Syed Mazhar prepares a traditional stew in his Douglas Park kitchen.

Tahir Rana distributes food to people living in tents in D.C.

daughter and wife (who is expecting their second child). The two men had met at their South Arlington mosque and formed a bond. Together, they began distributing food as part of an informal effort they now call “Food for Thought.”

Before long, they were joined by Alcova Heights resident Farzal Ahmed, an IT engineer from Pakistan. Ahmed’s father, Javed, sometimes helps, too.

“Every Sunday, when I wake up, I’m so excited I don’t even worry about eat ing breakfast,” says Ahmed, a married father of two with twins on the way. “I’m just ready to start doing the work.”

The group has made weekly deliver ies of home cooked meals, almost with out fail, for 19 months. The exception was a brief hiatus when Covid 19 first arrived in the D.C. area in March 2020. They had to pause distribution for two weeks because they didn’t have enough masks and latex gloves.

In August, Food for Thought wel comed another member—Mehdi Yese, a Crystal City limo service owner from Turkey. He was inspired by what he saw and wanted in. “Truly, [Mazhar] is sort of like an angel guy,” Yese says. “His heart is so generous, it’s incredible.”

Empathy and humanity lie at the heart of this grassroots effort. Each of the organizers wakes early on Sunday mornings and prepares his share of the day’s feast—sometimes with help from family—before meeting up at Mazhar’s Douglas Park home to package the meals, load the van and head into the city in separate cars.

One of the group’s rules is that they eat what they are serving. They would never offer a meal to others that they would not feed to their own families.

“This food that we make is really

from love,” says Mazhar, who worked in restaurants throughout college. He plans each week’s menu, prioritiz ing nutrition and flavor. The offerings might include rice with beans, veggies and a protein—perhaps a beef stew or chicken curry—plus snacks such as fruit, hard boiled eggs and applesauce.

Although she isn’t involved in meal deliveries, Mazhar’s wife, Baylor Sta pleton, is an integral part of the oper ation’s success. She wakes up every Sunday at 5 a.m. to start chopping vegetables and cooking stews in big batches before her husband joins her to assist in the kitchen.

“I’ve been the person who needs that help before,” Stapleton says, “and now I’m in a position to give that help to someone. I feel like it’s important that if we are able to, we need to help.”

In doing so, the families hope to influence how Islam is perceived by Americans. Mazhar believes that most people who express hatred for Muslims simply don’t know any Muslims. He wants to demystify the faith and break barriers through this work.

“The thought process behind [this program] was building a bridge of com munication, getting to know people,” he says. “We can do our part to [eliminate] some of the misconceptions.”

Each Food for Thought meal is pack aged with a sticker that reads, Love from your Muslim Neighbors. The friends have distributed thousands of them to the res idents of the tent city on E Street, and in McPherson Square park in the District. In February, they added another Sunday stop near Union Station.

Mark (who gave only his first name), a food insecure man who lives with his wife, has known the Food for Thought

Meals with a message

n food & fellowship

team since the beginning. He says he looks forward to Sundays, not only for the food, but also for the camaraderie.

“Their coffee is incredible, and they have food which is amazing, but they’re also human beings, you know?” he says, smiling under his yellow-bandanna face covering as he takes his hands out of his jeans pockets to adjust his baseball cap. “They talk to you and they have a bond [with the people they serve], which makes me want to be here to see them. I’m happy to see them.”

Regulars like Mark have become a sounding board for Food for Thought. At the start of 2021, when temperatures plummeted below freezing, Mazhar and his team asked how they could better serve their friends in need. They started driving into the city on Saturdays, and sometimes weekdays, to distribute blankets (which they buy from Walmart), hot chocolate, coffee and tea.

This winter, one of the “brothers” in the homeless community died from the cold. He didn’t have enough warm

clothes to protect him from the elements. Since the man was Muslim, his neighbor asked Mazhar’s group to lead a prayer service. They did so without hesitation, among the tents.

A short time later, another brother died after being hit by a car. That Sunday’s dinner drop became a memorial of sorts. The volunteers shared photos and videos they had taken of the man smiling and singing during previous visits.

Over time, the homespun effort has grown. Friends, neighbors and fellow congregants join the group from time to time, helping to distribute food on weekends. Some leave contributions, such as rice or bread, on Mazhar’s front porch.

The compassion has a multiplying effect. Ahmed was doing door-to-door work as a Census taker in his neighborhood last summer when he met Tahir Rana. “I happened to knock on his door and we started talking,” Ahmed says. Now Rana volunteers regularly with weekend meal deliveries.

Every little bit helps. The organizers pay for all of the food and supplies out of their own pockets, buying in bulk from Costco, Walmart, Amazon and Restaurant Depot.

They hope to continue the momentum—possibly by starting a website to raise awareness and funds. They’ve discussed bringing in a mental health professional who is willing to donate time and expertise to the cause.

“I love to see their smiles,” Mazhar says of his weekend friends in the city. “We have grown relationships with them. Seeing them happy makes us happy.”

The charity of those who expend their wealth in the Way of Allah may be likened to a grain of corn, which produces seven ears and each ear yields a hundred grains , reads a passage in the Koran.

It’s a philosophy these friends both practice and preach. n

Sydney Johnson also writes the Good Stuff column for Arlington Magazine.

Delivering hot coffee and hot meals along E. St. NW

Seniors & Aging

Vinson Hall Retirement Community

Vinson Hall Retirement Community (VHRC) is a Life Plan Community offering independent living and long-term care for seniors. The VHRC lifestyle replaces household chores with fun activities and friendships. “My wife (Susan Osborn) and I are engaged with resident committees and fitness programs. Susan also enjoys the camaraderie of her sewing group (the Needlers),” says resident Peter Linn.

6251 Old Dominion Drive McLean, VA 22101 800-451-5121 www.vinsonhall.org

Q: What makes Vinson Hall Retirement Community unique?

A: While our continuum of care is open to all area seniors, our independent living community is dedicated to serving military officers and their families, as well as retired government employees from any federal agency. Therefore, all of our residents have a connection to serving this country. Throughout our community, residents can be heard sharing stories of their travels, military history and anecdotes from a life of service. It's also fun to see residents reconnect with old friends after losing touch for years and form new friendships through mutual acquaintances.

Q: When should I start looking for senior housing options?

A: It’s never too early. If you wait for a sentinel event, not only will you be in panic mode, but there might not be availability in your desired community. We recommend starting to look around and getting on a waitlist once household tasks and yard work become onerous chores.

Q: How can I benefit from joining a retirement community?

A: There are many benefits to joining a retirement community, but having engaging and enriching social opportunities is perhaps the most important. According to the Harvard Study of Adult Development, relationships and social connections are the No. 1 factor to longevity, health and happiness. Older adults are more vulnerable to social isolation and loneliness, which can have serious mental and physical health repercussions. The Vinson Hall Retirement Community lifestyle is rich with activities and friendships that allow residents to live life to the fullest. Our community offers a robust variety of resident-driven programs that entertain, stimulate, and promote mental and physical wellness. And with all of our residents vaccinated against COVID-19, we’re starting to return to normal, per CDC guidelines.

The Providence

ANNAMARIE MARIANI-HUEHN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Providence offers assisted living, memory care and The Bridge—a neighborhood catering to those in the early stages of Alzheimer’s or dementia. From studios to two-bedroom apartments, all units feature modern kitchenettes, high-end appliances, upscale finishes, tall ceilings and ample natural light. The apartments are available on a monthly rental basis.

9490 Sprague Ave. Fairfax, VA 22031

571-396-0500 www.providencefairfax.watermarkcommunities.com

Q: What tips can you offer for finding the right assisted living community for me?

A: Look for communities that make you feel comfortable and welcomed as soon as you walk through the front door. The entire staff at The Providence is highly trained to serve from their heart and to care for the whole person, ensuring residents’ needs are met with patience, understanding and love.

The Providence is rooted in hospitality and integrated wellness, and it offers boutique-style senior living. The community boasts a wide variety of amenities that rival world-class resorts, such as concierge services, chef-driven restaurants, a lounge with a full bar, a salon and day spa, and a rooftop terrace with fire-pit seating. Residents have access to a creative art studio, tranquil gardens, and a state-of-the-art fitness and wellness center. And each floor of The Providence is adorned with a gallery of unique wall art and sculptures that pique curiosity and encourage exploration.

Q: What makes The Providence unique?

A: Our community focuses on renewal rather than retirement. Programming is unique and not what you would typically find in assisted living. Our Watermark University offers customizable courses, allowing residents, associates and family members to teach and take classes on specific subjects they’re passionate about. EngageVR is a virtual reality exercise that keeps the brain active, while providing uplifting and educational experiences. Virtual reality allows residents to tour world-famous museums and cities or visit their childhood homes.

Q: What is one thing prospective residents should know about The Providence?

A: Residents’ health and safety is our top priority. Our community features innovations—including an enhanced filtration and HVAC system, cold plasma bi-polar ionization, relative humid levels of 40-60 percent, and touchless technology in common areas, among other measures—that reduce or prevent transmission of viruses.

Dick Nathan Real Estate

DICK NATHAN, CRS, ABR, SRES CODY CHANCE, SRES LONG & FOSTER REALTORS

Selling area real estate since 1983, Dick Nathan (AB, William & Mary) earned his Master’s in Urban Planning from George Washington University. He was named a Top Agent by Washingtonian Magazine, 2019 and a Top Producer by Arlington Magazine, 2020. Cody Chance (BA, Furman University) earned Top Producer honors from Arlington Magazine, 2019.

4600 Lee Hwy. Arlington, VA 22207

703-284-9318

dick.nathan@LNF.com

Dick Nathan Real Estate LLC

Q: How can seniors benefit from a Realtor who specializes in senior living?

A: An agent who specializes in senior living can connect seniors with professionals who help them learn about retirement community requirements as well as with deciding how to handle a lifetime’s possessions.

We hold frequent “Right-Sizing” workshops featuring a professional household organizer and a comprehensive workbook loaded with resources. We also hold seminars on “Demystifying Life Plan Retirement Communities” with representatives from three different kinds of nearby retirement communities. Finally, we have a “Sell Your House to a Builder Program” to help homeowners find builders who buy properties for renovation and resale.

In addition, both of us hold the SRES [Seniors Real Estate Specialist] designation from the National Association of Realtors – and one of us is truly a senior who has visited and applied

for eventual living at several life plan retirement communities. So, on both a personal and professional basis, we understand senior issues.

Q: Aging in place—or at a life plan community?

A: Some people may want to stay in their own homes for as long as possible. However, an eventual move may not be of their preferred timing or within their control. Something may happen (a fall, a stroke, etc.) that requires moving to a setting not of their choosing—plus an unanticipated consequence could be that their home has to be sold under lessthan-ideal circumstances.

One approach to planning for the future is to become familiar with life plan communities, visit several of them and then make the decision as to where to enjoy those final years. Based on our experience, we can be helpful with pursuing this option. Contact us at dick. nathan@LNF.com.

The Jefferson

The Jefferson is an urban, luxury highrise in Arlington that offers independent living, as well as access to a full continuum of care, including assisted living, memory care, short-term stays, and rehab and recovery. Voted “Best Senior Living Community” in 2019 by Arlington Magazine’s readers, it is conveniently located one block from the Ballston Metro.

900 N. Taylor St. Arlington, VA 22203 703-348-1215 www.sunriseseniorliving.com

Q: Why choose The Jefferson?

A: Carole Perez: Several factors drove my decision to move here. Having previously lived in a rural community where I needed a car, I yearned for urban life and all that it offers. At The Jefferson, which is conveniently located in the heart of Ballston, everything I need is within walking distance or is easily accessible by public transportation. With one son nearby and a very accessible airport, I can easily reach my other three children. When they visit me, they will find an interesting major city filled with many options for entertainment and educational ventures for their families. Additionally, the ownership model—the units here are individually owned—separates it from other senior living communities.

Lucy Wofford: We are located in one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Arlington with walkability to numerous shops and restaurants.

Q: What is one thing prospective residents should know about The Jefferson?

A: Beverly Johnson: This is not an assisted living or “retirement” community; it’s a full-service independent living senior community with a continuum of care if needed. A significant percentage of our population continues to work full-time, part-time or volunteer in many ways. The Jefferson is populated with vibrant, active, mobile seniors.

Carol Patch: This is a very welcoming community. The residents are outgoing and it’s easy to find like-minded people for social activities.

Alan Wile: The community provides socialization for those who crave it. Even through the Covid-19 pandemic, The Jefferson found ways to provide opportunities for residents to engage in a wide range of enriching activities. Plus, with the medical presence and security available for advice and assistance, you’ll always feel safe here.

The Kensington

ELAINE CULLEN, LISA NELSON, NORMA (DOG), ANGELA BAILEY, FODAY KAMARA , PETER DE LA CRUZ, AMY FEATHER

Kensington Senior Living’s leadership created assisted living and memory care communities with their parents in mind. The nearby proximity of Kensington’s owners gives its communities unique advantages. They give continual support to their teams and get to know residents and their families, strengthening the sense of family to which all the partners are committed.

Angela Bailey, Executive Director

The Kensington Reston (Now Open) 11501 Sunrise Valley Drive Reston, VA 20191

571-494-8100 | abailey@kensingtonsl.com www.kensingtonreston.com

Amy Feather, Executive Director

The Kensington Falls Church 700 West Broad St. Falls Church, VA 22046

703-992-9868 | afeather@kensingtonsl.com www.thekensingtonfallschurch.com

Q: What does a successful partnership with Kensington Senior Living, residents and their families look like?

A: Amy Feather: Our promise, “To Love and Care for Your Family as we do Our Own,” is upheld by every Kensington team member, laying the foundation for the meaningful relationships cultivated within our community. We value a collaborative approach to unrivaled personalized care. Together, our experts, residents and their loved ones navigate decisions as one “Kensington family.”

Angela Bailey: We regard our residents as if they are our own family and when someone lives with us, we welcome their entire family into our loving community. Open communication is encouraged and fostered with each of our residents and their families. Our team meets with families before and after their loved ones move in so that we can ensure all needs are met in a tailored, individualized way.

Q: How do you ensure Kensington residents continue to thrive?

A: Amy Feather: Each resident is unique, bringing their passions, hobbies and life stories to the community and creating a tapestry of diversity and rich history. Our energetic staff does a fantastic job engaging residents in stimulating activities and making sure each day involves lots of smiles. The relationship between residents and our staff is one of love and appreciation. Kensington Senior Living family member, Lisa Nelson, shares, “I can’t imagine my aunt living anywhere else. The staff is incredible and keeps me informed regularly.”

Angela Bailey: Our Pocket Programs, which feature personalized small-group activities tailored to different interests and abilities, foster friendships and allow residents to explore their passions while boosting their sense of mastery. Our professionals are highly trained to provide care and services that reflect our continued commitment to excellence.

Goodwin House, Inc.

FRED & BRENDA PANG, RESIDENTS

Fred Pang is a retired Air Force colonel and Vietnam veteran. The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Management Policy from 1994-97, he later worked as a consultant. Brenda Pang is a retired elementary school teacher and homemaker. She taught in Defense Department schools in Japan and public schools in Hawaii.

4800 Fillmore Ave. Alexandria, VA 22311

703-578-7201 info@goodwinhouse.org www.goodwinhouse.org

Q: Why did you choose Goodwin House?

A: Brenda Pang: Goodwin House has many options and a solid track record of providing the best in senior living and healthcare. They cover the entire aging journey, with an at-home program, life plan communities with all levels of living and specialized care such as home health, therapy and hospice. You can truly customize what works best for you.

For us, happiness matters a lot—not only for ourselves but for our family. We talked with our children about moving into a life plan community. Their initial reaction was skeptical. The more we talked, the more we all came to realize that our moving would be good for us as a family. Our children now say that our moving to Goodwin House was a gift to them. They know that we are happy here and will be well cared for.

Q: What tips do you have for others as they consider options?

A: Fred Pang: The reality is that we will likely need healthcare as we age. So it is important to know how healthcare is managed. Make sure you check out the accommodations and plans that are offered. You want to know you would be comfortable living and not merely existing.

For us, once we selected community living, it was important that any transition from independent to assisted living or nursing would be as seamless as possible. We have that at Goodwin House. Short of hospital care, all shortand long-term care is on campus, and the accommodations and care are excellent. That feeling of community is not lost. You are still among neighbors.

HarborChase of Prince William Commons

Located in one of Woodbridge’s most vibrant and dynamic areas, HarborChase of Prince William Commons allows residents to relax and enjoy the atmosphere of refined elegance and unmatched hospitality. From its close proximity to Washington, D.C., to its upscale apartments and luxurious amenities, HarborChase combines distinctive services with meaningful care and classic sophistication.

14080 Central Loop

Woodbridge, VA 22193

703-440-7047

www.harborchase.com/harborchase-prince-williamcommons

Q: Why choose HarborChase of Prince William Commons?

A: HarborChase of Prince William Commons is a full-service, resortstyle assisted living and memory care community that is unparalleled in comparison to other senior living communities. HarborChase leads with first-class hospitality by offering chefcurated menus that feature locally sourced premium ingredients. From graband-go coffee and sandwiches at CounterOffer, to casual lunches at Signatures or a cocktail at Fusion Lounge before dinner on Saturday night in our steakhouse, The Grill Room, HarborChase features an exceptional array of onsite restaurants. Our residents also have access to such premium amenities as a state-of-the-art fitness center and luxury salon & spa, as well as housekeeping and valet services. Additionally, our award-winning Life Enrichment program provides an everrevolving calendar of events to nourish your body, mind and soul every day. And with onsite nurses, care partners and a

doctor’s office, we are one of the safest places one can reside.

Q: What is one thing prospective residents should know about HarborChase?

A: Here at HarborChase our motto is “Celebrating Senior Living!” And that is truly what we do each and every day. Our residents have joined our community for many different reasons, but one thing they have in common is that they all benefit from our best-in-class hospitality and amenities and myriad opportunities to engage with others and enrich their lives daily. We pride ourselves on providing excellence of service that is tailored to meet each resident’s needs and interests, and we love hearing stories of the vibrancy and joy they have found in their new lifestyle. Residents often tell us they wish they had joined our community sooner.

Woodbine Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center

Woodbine is a 307-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation center conveniently located in the heart of Alexandria. Its commitment to providing a superior experience and exceptional outcomes for patients, residents and families has earned it a CMS 5-star rating. In 2020, Newsweek designated Woodbine as Virginia’s No. 1 skilled nursing facility.

2729 King St. Alexandria, VA 22302

703-836-8838

admissions@woodbinerehab.com

https://woodbinerehab.com

Q: Why choose Woodbine?

A: At Woodbine, outstanding healthcare and rehabilitation services are a 55-year tradition. Through progressive, innovative care, advanced technology and investment in service excellence, our highly motivated staff work to inspire our residents to live life to the fullest, offering an active and warm environment.

Q: What does it mean to “Breathe Easy” at Woodbine?

A: We house the only ventilator center in Northern Virginia, enabling us to help patients using a ventilator or tracheostomy achieve the highest level of independence. Our dedicated medical director oversees every aspect of the unit to guarantee residents receive premium care, 24/7. Additionally, you can trust our collaborative, interdisciplinary team of clinicians— physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, respiratory therapists, social workers, dieticians, speech pathologists and more—to develop individualized care plans tailored to the needs of each resident.

Q: Are there any interesting plans to expand the pulmonary program at Woodbine?

A: We are in the process of expanding our 63-bed pulmonary care unit to include up to 50 more beds. All beds will include heated humidity to enhance patient comfort and continuous monitoring systems at each nursing station to immediately alert staff to any changes in resident condition. Aligned with large hospital systems in Northern Virginia, our physicians can seamlessly provide continuity of care when patients are moved to our facility.

Q: How does Woodbine collaborate with community partners?

A: We are passionate about giving back to the community that has helped us thrive for more than 55 years. By working closely with such local organizations as the INOVA Skilled Nursing Facility Advisory Council, The Senior Services of Alexandria, Meals on Wheels and the Northern Virginia Hospital Alliance, we’re able to extend Woodbine’s mission beyond our facility.

All Out Decked

These outdoor spaces got a lot of use during the pandemic, in all kinds of weather. Now spring has sprung.

BY RINA RAPUANO

Michael and Melinda Winn’s backyard paradise

A Tale of Two Styles

“Out of all the clients we’ve worked with, I would say the least common route that people take is to tear down the house they’re living in, rent and rebuild a new house [on the same lot],” says Joseph Richardson, a landscape architect based in Arlington.

But that’s exactly what Michael and Melinda Winn did to their 1950s home in McLean a few years ago. It makes sense when you consider that Michael owns Winn Design + Build, based in Falls Church. Major construction projects don’t faze him.

Once the original home was gone, the empty lot gave Richardson a chance to address the site’s topographical problem areas—including the steep slope that dominated the backyard, which he deftly wrangled with stone retaining walls. But the couple came up against another stumbling block

that had nothing to do with drainage or permitting: blending their two very different style sensibilities into one perfect family sanctuary.

“We always say, at least in my industry...that every degree in architecture should come with a minor in marriage counseling,” jokes Michael. “I think that’s probably true for Joseph and his field, because there’s a little bit of trying to play the counselor and trying to find a good, happy place.”

Richardson’s diplomatic challenge was to mingle Michael’s love of symmetry and structure with Melinda’s desire for elements that reflect her Korean heritage. The solution: a relaxed zen garden that serves as a bridge between a more structured dining area at one end of the backyard and an outdoor fireplace at the other end. From inside the house, this connective stretch of

pavers and organic plantings becomes a focal point, providing beautiful views from the living room.

“I think the moment we unveiled that concept, everyone was like, ‘Oh, wow! Well, this is it. We’re all happy,’ ” Richardson says. “A big part of that was [considering] how do these spaces interact? Do they flow, and does everyone feel like their preferences and goals have been appreciated?”

Since the onset of the pandemic, Michael says his family has used some of those outdoor spaces more than ever. The loggia (a screened-in porch attached to the house) is where you’ll find him reading the paper on Sunday mornings. The leveled upper yard surrounded by stone walls is a prime spot for outdoor movie nights, thanks to a projector, and fierce family badminton tourneys.

Melinda gathers with girlfriends by the fireplace for socially distanced catch-up sessions, and the couple’s two young kids use it to toast marshmallows for s’mores.

In case you were wondering, Michael also got just about everything on his wish list—including his beloved symmetry.

“One of the features that I quite like is that you could draw a completely straight line from the street to the back of the house, as you go up the main [steps], through the front door, down the hallway, out the back door, through the loggia and up another set of stairs and through the hardscaping, and it’s all perfectly laid out,” he says. “It seems very orderly, which I appreciate.”

Architecture jrichardsonla.com

Joseph Richardson Landscape

The lower terrace is framed by a “gravity wall,” an old-school form of masonry in which the weight of the stones holds them in place.

Offset stone pavers in the zen garden create an informal look, whereas the lounge areas at either end are more structured.

Landscape architect Joseph Richardson used retaining walls to transform the formerly sloped yard into two level tiers.

Pizzas in Paradise

Amy and Karl Williams use their lush, European courtyard-inspired patio year-round for gatherings with friends, family dinners, cocktails at Thanksgiving and even to curl up by the fireplace with blankets on mild Christmas days. Yet, ironically, Amy says one of her favorite things about the outdoor space is how much she enjoys seeing it from inside their twice-renovated 1930s Aurora Hills home.

“I love how it looks when I’m in my house, because we have a lot of windows and doors,” she says. “I’m constantly using the stairs—and with all those windows, every time I look down, it’s just so pretty to look at.”

A trickling fountain helps mitigate traffic noise from nearby Arlington Ridge Road.

The patio space is accessible from four different rooms on the ground floor.

Her husband, a keen home cook, would probably say his favorite part of the upgraded space is the built-in pizza oven—or maybe the Kalamazoo grill, which Amy calls “the Ferrari of grills,” or the smoker that can be controlled with a cellphone, or the fact that the outdoor kitchen was designed to make sure Karl was never left out of the fun.

“While he’s cooking, he’s very much part of the entertainment space,” says landscape architect Susanne Fyffe, who designed the backyard oasis. “Everybody at the bar is drinking and talking, and you’re all interacting with ease, which was the point. I wanted to make sure the grill wasn’t off to the side, and he’s standing there by himself cooking. He’s right in the thick of things.”

As a longtime neighbor and one of

Amy’s closest friends, Fyffe had her eye on the backyard for years before she got the opportunity to give it a makeover.

“They love to cook and entertain, and it was a very small, awkwardly shaped space,” she says. “They wanted it to feel like a little Italian garden and be able to entertain a lot of people and be cozy at the same time.”

To help create that vibe, Fyffe installed a fountain, a concrete dining table that seats 12 (and doubles as a pingpong table) and a pergola outfitted with a hanging lantern, plus what Fyffe calls “mini spotlights to put a glow on the table.”

Next to that is a lounge area in front of a stone fireplace and pizza hearth, complete with a nook for wood storage, Old World-inspired sconces, two refrigerator drawers, a smoker and a rustic wooden mantel.

On the dining terrace, Fyffe surrounded a bed of gravel with a band of bluestone, giving the effect of a rug. For plantings, she chose skip laurels, emerald-green arborvitae and Chindo viburnum to provide screening for the couple’s mostly shady yard, along with plenty of hydrangeas. Amy says she and Karl both love gardening, too, so at least that part of the upkeep is fun.

“Our neighborhood is super, super tight, and we have tons of friends, and we have been able to use it for gettogethers during Covid,” says Amy. “It feels like you’re not in Arlington. It could feel European, or it could even feel like California.”

Fyffe Landscape Architecture fyffela.com

The stone fireplace incorporates a Forno Bravo wood-burning pizza oven, similar to ones you’d find in Italy.

Garden Party

When a couple likes to garden and cook as much as Hunt and Alison Shipman do, it’s only natural that they start dreaming of a backyard retreat. In 2016, with one daughter in college and two high-school-age kids at home, the Shipmans were finally ready to add an outdoor kitchen, a loungy fireplace area and a tree-lined walkway to the rear of their Falls Church home. They settled on working with Arlington-based landscape architect Jennifer Horn and had zero regrets.

“She has good ideas, she listened to us, and I think she had a way to share her experience,” says Hunt, “that didn’t feel like she was pushing us to do one thing or not do something. But we got there on our own, anyway.”

For instance, the Shipmans came into the project thinking they wanted some sort of hot tub, splash pool or plunge pool. After meeting with Horn a few times, they realized they would be better off without it—a decision they now know was the right one because of cost and maintenance.

To fully capture everything else on their wish list, Horn created a large deck outfitted with a grill, a built-in

Big Green Egg smoker, a searing station and a louvered pergola overhead so that the cooking and entertaining doesn’t have to stop if a light rain rolls in. That outdoor culinary zone gets used year-round.

“I’m the usual cook, and Hunt’s the weekend cook,” Alison says. “He likes the projects, and I like the 30-minute meal kinds of things.”

Horn used bluestone pavers to build the dining and fireplace areas, and to line walkways. Native serviceberry trees—a pollinator favorite—create an allée that guides guests from the driveway around to the back of the house. That pretty lined path has since morphed into a favorite family spot for photos on special occasions like homecoming, prom and graduation.

“You know, ultimately it was a pathway to get from the front yard to the backyard,” says Horn, “but it’s become something more like a family tradition for pictures now, which is really sweet.”

Since Hunt is an avid gardener, the yard already featured plantings and raised garden beds. To complement the existing landscaping, Horn added aromatics around the patio, and was able

to transplant some flowers and shrubs she had removed during a revamp of the front yard. “They were definitely interested in herbs and having edible plants when possible, so we did use some rosemary, even Russian sage and lavender,” Horn says.

Careful consideration was given to the landscaping by the fireplace. “We used red twig dogwood there,” she explains, “because we know that the red stems on that bush are very pretty in the winter when you might be sitting out by the fire.”

In recent months, the Shipmans were especially grateful for their luxe

When apple and peach trees proved hard to source, landscape architect Jennifer Horn switched to native serviceberry trees, which also bear edible fruit.

The dining terrace steps down to a fireside lounge.

backyard; it allowed them to safely entertain Alison’s parents and sisters, who live nearby.

“I like that it’s versatile,” Alison says. “There are kind of three separate spaces, so depending on how we’re entertaining, we can use either the lower patio by the fireplace, or the upper patio for drinks with friends—and obviously the kitchen area gets used year-round. Hunt loves the outdoor kitchen, and I think I love all of it.”

Jennifer Horn Landscape Architecture jh-la.com

For the outdoor kitchen, Horn kept an existing Trex composite deck, using stonework to integrate the deck and patio.

Water, Water Everywhere

All backyard renovations run into a few snags here and there, but some turn out to be far more challenging than others. For Lyon Village residents Josh Luszcz and his wife, Rebecca Pomarzynski, plans for a dream backyard were stymied when much of their budget ended up being diverted to deal with water issues.

“They were the lowest point in the neighborhood, so they were not only getting all of their own roof water, driveway water, etcetera, but all of the neighbors’ water was running off into their property,” says landscape designer Rob Groff, whose firm is based in Clarendon. “They basically had a swamp in the backyard. They could have done everything they wanted to do if it wasn’t for that.”

To mitigate the moisture, Groff’s team sunk permeable pipes into the ground to collect extra water from roof and patio runoff. The pipes are surrounded by gravel and topped with rock beds, which allows water to sit below the surface until it’s absorbed by the soil. Retaining walls, built to create flat terraces, also hide drainage fixes.

Given the constraints posed by the waterlogged site, the owners made some compromises to stay within budget.

“We left out a couple things that would [have made] the space more complete, like the fireplace and the pergola over the dining area,” says Luszcz, who bought the newly built home with Pomarzynski in 2018. They opted for concrete pavers (some of them designed to look like boardwalk

planks) in lieu of more costly stone, and downsized the trees and shrubs, understanding that more mature plants come with heftier price tags.

“We don’t quite have the privacy we were envisioning because we have to let the plants grow,” Luszcz says.

Groff selected native plants wherever possible, such as inkberry holly and river birch, both known for performing well in wet conditions.

Water management wasn’t the only site challenge. The property’s triangleshaped lot made the design solutions more limited, Groff says, as did municipal guidelines that restricted the small yard’s buildable space. Add to that an abundance of shady areas (which dry out slower than sunny ones) and the fact that the home has no back door;

GEORGE BROWN

What was once an empty grass lot is now a tiered backyard retreat with water-tolerant landscaping and defined areas for dining and lounging.

the only ways to access the backyard from the house are from doorways on either side.

“Normally, you’ve got this kitchento-patio connection, where you’re cooking, you’ve got a platter of food and you take it out to everyone. So that was definitely an obstacle,” says Groff. “We created these walkways on both sides of the house to make it as convenient as possible.”

Despite the challenges, Groff is pleased with the result. “This is probably one of the most complicated Arlington projects that we’ve ever worked on,” he says. “I think, at the end of the day, we turned a negative into a positive.”

Luszcz still considers the backyard a work in progress. He has his heart set on one day adding an outdoor fireplace, but for now is glad they got the detached storage shed they needed—a

modern, prefabricated structure with bold red doors that he installed atop a foundation laid by Groff’s company.

Overall, he says he is extremely happy with Groff’s work. He loves the look of it, and the lighting in particular. “It looks really fantastic at night.” n

Rina Rapuano is a freelance writer based in Washington, D.C., where she spends a good deal of time dreaming about someday having a backyard as lovely as these. Find her online at rinarapuano.com, on Instagram at @rinacucina and on Twitter at @rinarap.

Techo-Bloc concrete walkways connect the home’s exterior side doors to the backyard.

Built-in lighting has an enchanting effect in the evening hours.

NO NO

Suicide rates are rising, and the pain of the pandemic is putting more people at risk.

Talking about it matters.

By Rebecca Morrison | Illustrations by Michael Morgenstern

I FEEL MY HEART thrashing in my chest. I’ve interviewed plenty of people for my podcast, and yet I’m nervous. Pamela is a friend, but this topic is different. What if I unwittingly say something insensitive? I reassure her that we can stop at any time and edit out any parts that make her uncomfortable. I put on my headphones and

click the video button on my screen. As the ring-chime begins, I take a deep breath and begin.

On Dec. 25, 1980, Pamela’s father took his own life. Pamela was 13. Her mother found him Christmas morning.

“I heard my mom screaming,” she remembers. “I ran into the room and she was just lying over his body.” The rest of the day was a blur, as were the weeks and months that followed.

I ask Pamela if she’d been angry at her dad. “I had a lot of guilt. I don’t

think I was angry about it as much as I felt guilty,” she says.

They had gone shopping on Christmas Eve. “He’d been so busy, he hadn’t really had time to do any shopping,” she recalls. “I remember he was incredibly subdued, and I thought, Well, Dad’s just tired . I said something a selfish 13-year-old would say: ‘Gosh, Daddy, Mom has so many presents for you under the tree and you barely have anything for her. We need to get more things for Mommy to put under the

This article contains explicit and disturbing accounts. Reader discretion is advised.

tree, because, you know, it’s just not even.’ And he just looked really sad. He’s like, ‘Okay. Well, help me.’ So I picked out a nightgown for her.”

Pamela continues, her memories shifting to self-blame. “The last thing he said to me was, ‘Make sure you come and wake me up on time so we can go see what Santa brought.’ And I overslept.”

I feel her anguish as she says those words. Even tougher is what comes next.

“The first week afterward I looked head to toe, all throughout the house for a letter, just thinking he must have left [one],” says the Arlington resident, now in her 50s and married, with a daughter in college. “I would take every book off the bookcase and put it back. And then the next day I would do the whole thing again—open drawers, look under anything to see if I could find a note. But he never left one.”

Pamela’s desperate search for a reason is not uncommon. Many who lose loved ones to suicide find themselves struggling for answers they never find.

“Suicide can shatter the things you take for granted about yourself, your relationships and your world,” grief counselor Jack Jordan observes in a May 2019 article in Harvard Women’s Health Watch. A clinical psychologist based in Rhode Island, Jordan is also co-author of the book After Suicide Loss: Coping with Your Grief.

to his parents, we would race up to his room, a magical place filled with colorful toys and board games. I remember spilling whole containers of Legos on his worn-out carpet and sitting cross-legged for hours, creating our own villages of blocky houses and trees.

Each time my mother called up the stairs to say it was time to go, my heart sank. My friend made me feel alive. I never wanted to leave.

A few years later, we moved away. I saw him a couple of times after that, but as our parents’ friendship faded, so did our visits. My family’s move was followed by another, and then another. I was always the new kid in school. As I walked down the halls filled with students who had grown up together, I felt unseen. My home life was sadder. My parents fought all the time. There were moments when I looked at the pills in their medicine cabinet and thought maybe it would be easier not to be alive.

Many loss survivors feel compelled to do a kind of chronological “autopsy,” Jordan explains, to try and make sense of what happened. They look for clues or triggering events that might explain the “why.” They imagine being able to turn back the clock.

Shortly after my interview with Pamela, I get an email from a man who listened to the podcast: I’m 35, married, have two kids, and my father recently took his own life. No note, no explanation. I finally heard a story that I felt like I could compare myself to… It’s been 2

years. Thank you for putting this out for others to hear. It helped me.

I forward the man’s email to Pamela, remembering her saying she didn’t think she’d offered enough helpful advice on weathering the despair. It’s not the “how” that helps, I had reassured her; it’s the sharing of stories that let us know we are not alone.

It was for that reason that I shared my own story with her.

GROWING UP, I WAS a lonely kid. The only friend I had was the son of one of my parents’ friends—a gentle boy with dirty-blond hair and soft, sea-blue eyes. My one happiness was going over to his house. His face would light up when he saw me. After a quick hello

One day after school, instead of walking home, I walked into the middle school counselor’s office. I didn’t know what I would say but I knew I needed someone to see me. At first I just sat there, nervously bouncing my leg, not knowing how to explain the dread I felt. He was a patient, soft-spoken man with a salt-and-pepper beard, wearing worn corduroy pants. He asked simple questions and waited for me to tell him small bits about my life. I didn’t reveal all of my thoughts, but apparently I said enough that he called my mother after I left.

I arrived home later to a bouquet of red roses in my room. My mom and I didn’t talk about it until that night. I was sitting on the edge of her bathtub, watching her going through her facecleansing routine, when she asked me what was going on. I tried to explain my pain. She tried to understand. The

Pamela with her parents in 1977 (top photo). The author with her childhood friend in 1978.

conversation didn’t fix my family’s dysfunction, or my feelings of isolation at school, but it helped.

Eventually I made friends and saw a hopeful path forward. Like many people who go through periods of suicidal ideation, I managed to find my way out of that dark place. Life went on, as it does. I went to college. I fell in love, got married and had kids.

One day, many years later, my mother called to tell me my childhood friend had died by suicide. He was in his late 30s, single and had been struggling with mental illness. The news knocked me over.

What had happened to that kindhearted, happy boy? I couldn’t stop thinking about his last moments. My mind would stay in that room, lingering with him, wanting to reverse his feelings of hopelessness. I imagined his mother finding him and how that must have shattered her soul.

I wanted to call and tell her how much I had loved her son, but I didn’t. I couldn’t fathom her agony, much less what I would say.

Instead, I sat down and wrote him a letter, hoping that somehow my words would reach him: I’m so sorry for the pain you had to endure. I can’t imagine

how bad things got that you felt like you needed to leave this world.

I recounted stories from our childhood and told him something I should have shared with him while he was alive—that his kindness and friendship had filled a lonely girl’s heart. And that he, in turn, was not alone.

EVERY 11 MINUTES, someone in the U.S. takes their own life, according to the American Association of Suicidology, a mental health advocacy and suicide prevention organization based in Washington, D.C. The nonprofit estimates the number of suicide loss

Where to Find Help

PRS CrisisLink prsinc.org/crisislink

Regional Hot Line: 703-527-4077

Regional Text Line: Text “CONNECT” to 85511

American Association of Suicidology suicidology.org

National Suicide Prevention Call and Chat Lines

800-273-TALK (800-273-8255) suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat

Arlington Behavioral Healthcare Services

703-228-5160 (emergency line)

703-228-1560 (nonemergency line)

Suicide Prevention Resource Center sprc.org

survivors (people who know someone personally who died by suicide) at more than 5.4 million. In 2019, that was one in 60 Americans.

Then came the year 2020. Though it’s too early to quantify the pandemic’s impact on suicide rates, certain early indicators are troubling.

Prior to the arrival of Covid-19, U.S. deaths by suicide were already on the rise, increasing 35% between 1999 and 2018, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. Now the coronavirus and its many stressors—financial hardship, job loss, illness, isolation and grief among them—threaten to make a growing problem worse.

In a June 2020 survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 10% of adult respondents reported that they had seriously considered suicide in the past 30 days, compared with 4% in a similar study in 2018.

“The added stress and trauma of the pandemic is leading to a stronger sense of helplessness and hopelessness for many of the most vulnerable community members,” stated a recent report issued by PRS CrisisLink, an Oakton, Virginia-based nonprofit that provides a crisis hotline, text line and other suicide prevention services for Northern Virginia residents.

Stress, social isolation and mood disorders (depression, especially) are risk factors for suicide. So is knowing someone who died by suicide—particularly a family member.

After her father’s death, Pamela feared her mother might also end her own life. “My mom would go off, whether to go grocery shopping or to the store, and I would run around the house looking for her,” Pamela says. “I just expected to find her sitting in the car with the garage door closed and the motor running.”

I WAS RECENTLY

visiting with a friend on her front lawn when her neighbor walked up and joined our conversation. After a few quick pleasantries, the neighbor confided that she was struggling to come to terms with a friend’s suicide. He and his wife had moved to a retirement community just a few months earlier.

“They thought it would be a good idea to be in a place where they could get more care in case something happened,” the neighbor said.

Soon after the move, the man found out he had cancer. He ended his life a short time later.

“I just heard a few hours ago,” the neighbor shared, still in shock over the news.

The neighbor and my friend, both of them cancer survivors, wondered aloud if the diagnosis had been a factor; if the isolation of quarantine, compounded by the move to a new home, had also contributed to his act.

On my drive home, I kept imagining

the man enveloped in mental anguish, feeling he had only one option. My thoughts returned to the friend I lost.

Laura Mayer, program director for PRS CrisisLink’s call center, says it’s not uncommon for the living to try and imagine themselves in the position of the person who has died.

“We often try to put ourselves in that position to learn from it, control it and to seek understanding as to why that person did what they did,” she says.

“The empathy we have for those in pain makes it more devastating. It’s an attempt to understand the ‘why,’ which is unique in suicide grief. ”

Some describe suicide as a selfish act. It isn’t.

Consider that the definition of selfishness is “seeking or concentrating on one’s own advantage, pleasure or wellbeing without regard for others.” Suicide doesn’t result in pleasure, advantage or well-being. People who end their lives often feel like they are a burden to their loved ones. They may be experiencing such deep emotional pain that they see a departure as the only choice.

Colleen Creighton, an Arlington resident and CEO of the American Association of Suicidology (AAS), offers this analogy: “When someone is going through this, they feel like they are trapped in a burning building and there is no way out. Do they jump out the window, or do they stay and be burned alive?” The response is almost a reflex.

Four decades after her father’s death, Pamela says she has come to terms with the fact that he left without a last word.

“I know why he didn’t leave a note,” she says. “Because he was so far gone that he was just on this one track, you know? In some ways that’s a consolation for me, to realize that, OK, he didn’t have time to sit down and pen a last letter because he was just so tunnel-visioned that he couldn’t. He just

“Suicide is not inevitable. We can all play a part in making life more livable.”

had this one task at hand. That’s the way I kind of think about it now.”

In retrospect, she believes her father struggled with depression.

“He did the best he could,” she says, “I just don’t think he got the help he needed. It was unfortunate that he was in that kind of macho environment where you can’t share your feelings and you can’t reach out for help. But I think the culture has changed. I’ve even had the daughter of one of his colleagues reach out to me and say, ‘Because of what your father went through, because of his death, my father was able to get the help he needed.’ So I do think my dad left a legacy in that regard.”

SOME 47,500 AMERICANS ended their lives in 2019, according to AAS. Half of those deaths involved firearms. While the factors leading to suicide are usually multiple and complex, the final act is often impulsive. Access to lethal means is a significant risk factor.

There are too many stories of families upended by loss, yet there are far more stories of hope and recovery. For every suicide attempt that proves lethal, there are 25 attempts that do not.

Nine out of 10 people who survive a suicide attempt will not go on to die by their own hands, Creighton says.

“Sometimes a family member intervenes, or they get the help they need, or a burden they’ve been feeling is somehow lifted,” she says. “For many, a big piece of it is realizing they are not alone. That’s why we encourage people to talk about it. They realize others are

suffering just as they are, and there is nothing to be ashamed of, nothing to be stigmatized.”

Mayer, at PRS CrisisLink, offers a similar observation. “Suicide is not inevitable,” she says. “Many people who have thoughts of suicide find ways to cope. We can all play a part in making life more livable.”

There is something to be said for breaking the silence, for bringing these stories to light, even if broaching the subject feels scary and uncomfortable.

Toward the end of our interview, I ask Pamela whether her family ever went to therapy after her father’s death. “Honestly, I wish we had gotten some help as a family,” she says, “and individually. But it just never happened.”

It’s something she now regrets. “I’m sure I should [seek help],” she continues. “I’ve compartmentalized things so much that I’m…afraid…to open up that box. I think I’ve done a pretty good job of keeping things tidy. But I’ve also suffered a lot by not dealing with it.”

In the meantime, she has found a way forward. In 2011, after many years in the corporate world, Pamela became a personal trainer, devoting herself to helping others with their physical health, which, she points out, contributes to better mental health. In 2014, she raised money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention by participating in its annual Walk for Suicide around the Tidal Basin and National Mall. The memory of her dad is ever-present.

Suicide Warning Signs

If you recognize someone exhibiting these warning signs, it’s OK to ask about them directly and encourage the person to seek help.

• Threatening to hurt or kill himself or herself, or talking of wanting to do so

Seeking access to firearms, pills or other means

• Talking or writing about death, dying or suicide

• Increased substance use (alcohol or drugs)

• Expression that there is no reason for living; no sense of purpose in life

• Anxiety, agitation, sleeplessness or sleeping all of the time

• Feeling trapped—like there’s no way out

• Hopelessness

• Withdrawal from friends, family and society

• Rage, uncontrolled anger or a fixation on revenge

• Reckless or risky behavior without consideration of consequences

• Dramatic mood changes

• Giving away prized possessions or seeking long-term care for pets

Source: American Association of Suicidology, suicidology.org

“I would have loved for [my daughter] to know him,” she says. “I think he’d be proud of his family…the way we’ve persevered.” n

Rebecca Morrison is a freelance writer and artist based in Arlington. Listen to her podcast, The Second Half, on iTunes.

by Jennifer Sergent

photos

by

Stacy Zarin Goldberg

Family Friendly

THE DEMO WAS already underway when the pandemic shut everything down in March of 2020. Half of the main level of Missy and Lou Heinzer’s Arlington home was torn apart. Case project designer Allie Mann and project

developer Elle Hunter asked their clients if they wanted to keep going. “I looked around and there were no walls!” Missy recalls. They decided to press on.

For the next three months, the Heinzers and their three sons (now ages

7, 11 and 14) confined themselves mostly to the second floor while masked workers toiled below.

The final outcome was everything the couple had envisioned—a casual, open, workhorse of a kitchen with double islands, bar seating, a showstopping mosaic-tile backsplash and a jolt of candy-apple red in the form of a 48-inch Bertazzoni gas range with

double ovens. Hunter even approached the appliance manufacturer to get the color specs for the ovens so the team could replicate that same red on an exterior Dutch door in the adjoining family room.

Prior to the remodel, the family’s formal dining room had become little more than a pass-through from the foyer to their U-shaped kitchen. It was a decent-

size space, Mann says, but the layout wasn’t as functional as it could be.

The new kitchen takes over that former dining area (partition walls begone) and dispenses with the formalities in favor of a design that meets the practical needs of a family with three growing boys. A 54-inch fridge and freezer is “big enough to feed the boys and hold all the milk and pizza boxes,” Missy says, and a dedicated “kids’ island” is equipped with snack drawers, a beverage fridge, a microwave drawer and a sink to clean up. It’s no accident that the kids’ island is the one closest to the room that houses their video game setup.

“Everything was very intentional,” says Mann, who mapped the contents of each cabinet during the design phase

to ensure every appliance, dish, utensil and pantry ingredient had its place.

For all those working from home, power strips are under each island to charge phones and laptops.

The Heinzers purchased their house pre-kids, in 2005, with the intention of growing into it as a family. The renovation accommodates all that growth and more. “When you come in here, you can’t be sad,” Missy says. “It’s so joyful.”

Adds Mann: “Someday, when they’re able to entertain again, they’re all set!” n

Builders & Architects

Classic Cottages

PIERCE D. TRACY

Classic Cottages is a Northern Virginiabased custom home builder that builds primarily in Arlington County and provides turnkey solutions for families looking to build a new home. Whether families are looking to build a beautiful model home or a custom home from scratch, Classic Cottages can handle everything from concept to completion.

433 E. Monroe Ave. Alexandria, VA 22301

703-844-9936

sales@ccottages.com ccottages.com

As an outfitted custom home builder, Classic Cottages not only builds custom homes from scratch, but also works with tried-and-true floor plans that have become classic models over time. “With a semicustom approach to our model home program, we can make modifications to the home such as shifting interior walls, altering cabinetry layouts, switching out appliance packages, adjusting ceiling heights, and changing interior and exterior design features and finishes,” says Pierce Tracy, Classic Cottages’ vice president of business development. “This has become the most popular path to building with us in recent years and for good reason! While many of our clients choose to begin with a particular model in mind, they still have the flexibility to make changes to accommodate their personal lifestyle needs and design aesthetic—ultimately saving them time and money throughout the course of the build.”

Classic Cottages recently released a new collection of homes that are slightly smaller than their classic models. “This collection includes brand new models that each feature 4 to 5 bedrooms and 3.5 to 5 bathrooms—all in less than 5,000 finished square feet,” adds Tracy. “These 32- to 42-foot-wide homes can fit on narrower home sites, which are in abundance in Arlington.” When a client chooses one of these new models, they will be able to choose their finishes from design packages that have been personally selected by Classic Cottages’ team of in-house designers. This allows them to completely customize the overall look of their new home to make it a truly unique, one-of-akind masterpiece.

Whitestone Custom Homes

HERB AMAN

I am particularly proud to be trusted by my friends and acquaintances with the important task of building their custom home. Working with someone that I have known since childhood inspires me to make sure everything is perfect—and that resonates in the homes we build for speculative purposes, as well.

P.O. Box 7638 Arlington, VA 22207

703-244-2802

info@whitestonecustomhomes.com www.whitestonecustomhomes.com

For Whitestone Custom Homes’ owner

Herb Aman, building homes in Arlington is a family tradition. “My grandfather founded Broyhill Homes and built many homes here in the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s,” he says. “I take great pride in carrying on the family tradition and continuing to make this community a beautiful place to live.”

By working with clients and learning about their personalities and lifestyle, Whitestone Custom Homes is able to include in their projects the individualized features that make a house a home.

“As a true custom builder, we offer the details, such as entertaining-friendly great rooms, outdoor living spaces and a wide range of architectural styles that make a home your own,” Aman says. “Everyone has their own personal vision—our job is to turn that image into a reality.”

Whitestone seamlessly incorporates the design and construction phases of their projects by utilizing their team of architects, designers, project managers, suppliers and selections coordinators, smoothly guiding clients through the

process of designing and building the home of their dreams.

“We have very user-friendly software that gives clients a real-time look into their construction schedule,” Aman says. “We can upload daily jobsite photos for our clients if they are on vacation, allowing them to still see daily progress when they are away.”

A vital part of what sets Whitestone apart from the competition is Aman’s hands-on approach to each and every project. “I believe meticulous supervision is the only way to build a true custom home,” he says. “My clients know that I will have a constant presence on all of my active job sites.”

TriVistaUSA Design + Build

Awards & Honors:

Arlington Magazine Winner, Best Builder 2021 NARI Contractor of the Year (COTY)

Arlington Chamber of Commerce Service Small Business Award

Fred Case Remodeling Entrepreneur of the Year Award

Best of Houzz in Service

925 N. Garfield St., Suite 106 Arlington, VA 22210

703-243-3171

info@trivistausa.com www.trivistausa.com

TriVistaUSA Design + Build’s corporate culture is built around client satisfaction. Behind the scenes, TriVistaUSA’s talented team of professionals collaborates on every project to ensure that their clients’ needs are met.

Co-owners Deborah and Michael Sauri’s backgrounds are in artistic fields, allowing them to approach problem areas with creative solutions rather than one overall design. “A large part of TriVistaUSA’s success is due to a process called a design charrette,” says Michael. The term comes from mid1800’s Paris, when French architectural students would frantically gather around the cart submitting their work, finishing their projects as they were being rolled away—“en charrette” or literally “in the cart.” TriVistaUSA’s charrette process is less frantic, but more collaborative, calling on the expertise of every team member to bring different perspectives to their design solutions. “Our clients are presented with an exciting variety of options, all of which solve their home challenges, within budget, allowing them

to see multiple options and collaborate with us on their own solutions from the very first design presentation,” Michael emphasizes.

Their focus on design ultimately impacts every aspect of TriVistaUSA’s clients’ lives: the flow through their remodeled home, the amount of sunshine available for them to enjoy, their privacy, the connectedness of family and the beauty they enjoy when they sip a cup of tea. “Although we see every project as an artistic opportunity, we all believe that form follows function,” says Deborah. “The design should relate to the needs of our clients, whom we love delighting with custom-crafted solutions that fit their vision.” One satisfied client put it best: “When you work with great people, you get a great experience. TriVistaUSA’s commitment to service and relationships is simply unparalleled!”

Red House Architects

ROBERT BRADDOCK

Awards & Honors:

Arlington Magazine Best Architect Top Vote-Getter 2013, 2016, 2018, 2020 Sun Gazette Best of Arlington 2018, InsideNOVA.com

Best of Houzz (Service) 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019; (Design) 2017

1612 N. Fillmore St. Arlington, VA 22201

703-346-9818

rbraddock@redhousearch.com www.redhousearch.com

A large part of the existing housing stock in Arlington was built in the 1930s, ‘40s, and ‘50s. These homes served their purpose with dignity, and vast numbers of people raised families in them. But, as products of their time, they were usually modest, with small, separated rooms and economical amounts of glazing. They were uninsulated or only nominally insulated. They were heated with a furnace and did not have air-conditioning. Storage was at a minimum. Basements were not considered habitable – most were not dry. Great numbers of Arlington homes were built on small lots, for working-class families. Expansion normally meant enclosing an existing porch.

On the plus side, they were often built with 8- or 12-inch thick solid masonry walls. And the wood framing that was used came from old-growth forests and was much stronger than the same size lumber used today. Small and sturdy –that’s the starting point.

Red House Architects’ Bob Braddock is intimately familiar with Arlington houses. “As a residential architect, I am

most often called upon to expand and remodel homes for growing families and in doing so, also address the existing shortcomings,” he says. “Today, we can open up large spaces with engineered lumber spans. We can bring in light with insulating windows and doors. We can combine robust insulation, draft-stoppage and new HVAC technology to heat, cool and maintain comfort while keeping energy expenditure at a minimum. And we can build with materials that have been reclaimed, recycled or diverted from the waste stream. These are all in addition to making beautiful and comfortable spaces that respond to the owner’s lifestyle and needs.”

“This is what I bring to the design,” Braddock says. “As well as care, creativity and especially order.”

Bowers Design Build

KATIE PETERS, DESIGN DIRECTOR; JOHN COBURN, PRESIDENT; WILMA AND BRUCE BOWERS, CO-OWNERS

For 31 years, Bowers Design Build has created an extraordinary homeowner experience. On-staff architects and interior designers create maximum functionality and beautiful finishes. On-staff construction experts execute the building process with quality mindedness and honed project management skills. The entire team is focused on delivering a great experience for their clients.

6715 Whittier Ave., Suite 200 McLean, VA 22101

703-506-0845

wbowers@bowersdesignbuild.com www.bowersdesignbuild.com

When Bruce Bowers started Bowers Design Build 31 years ago, his goal was to create an extraordinary design and construction experience for the homeowner. Coupling his relentless drive to do things “the right way” (learned at an early age from his builder father and grandfather) with his education at the University of Maryland’s School of Architecture, he developed a customercentric approach to customized designs and a precise construction process incorporating project management expertise.

Bruce Bowers’ passion for excellence has attracted a team of people who share this mantra. Inspired by the company’s long-standing reputation for extreme customer care, the Bowers Design Build team of on-staff architects, interior designers and construction professionals go above and beyond every day to ensure overall client satisfaction. Proof that their hard work is paying off: Recent results from GuildQuality.com show that 100% of their clients surveyed would recommend them to a friend. “While winning industry

awards for exceptional design and construction are wonderful, the true measure of the Bowers’ team’s success is happy clients,” says Bowers Design Build vice president and co-owner Wilma Bowers.

Satisfied clients describe the Bowers Design Build team as creative, detail oriented, dedicated, honest, fair and great project managers. “They recognize that our employees are talented people with a focus on customer care,” adds Wilma. “In fact, many of our customers have said they wouldn’t change a thing about their experience with Bowers Design Build. That is high praise—especially in the discerning Northern Virginia market, where competition is plentiful.”

Ballard + Mensua Architecture

SETH M. BALLARD

Awards & Honors:

Arlington Magazine Winner, Best Architect 2016, 2020/2021

Arlington Magazine Top Vote Getter, Best Architect 2018

Northern Virginia magazine “Best of Northern Virginia” 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021

Best of Houzz 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021

Build magazine “Best Residential Architect” 2019

5185 MacArthur Blvd. NW, Suite 370 Washington, D.C. 20016

202-810-6555

seth@ballardmensua.com www.ballardmensua.com

As a full-service architecture firm specializing in unique and custom homes and renovations, Ballard + Mensua Architecture offers clients far more than the standard architecture firm. “Our talents go far beyond design,” says Ballard + Mensua architect and principal Seth Ballard. “For example, our architects all grew up around construction and understand the nuts and bolts of putting a project together.”

In addition, Ballard + Mensua has established long-term relationships with numerous contractors and vendors, allowing them to offer not only architectural services, but all aspects of design, from interior design and decorating to landscape design and more. “With a broad network of the top builders and vendors that work under our guidance, we offer full-service project management from concept to completion,” Ballard adds. “As a result, we can provide all the positives of design/build, while maintaining the competitive bidding and checks and balances of a traditional client/architect/

builder relationship.”

Access to a wide array of solar energy consultants, mechanical engineers and contractors familiar with geothermal heat and other green technologies allows clients to utilize creative means to minimize their energy use and material waste. These green projects slow the consumption of finite natural resources and minimize our carbon footprint while reducing energy costs over time. In many ways, it’s the ultimate win/win.

“The bottom line is that our projects come in on time, under budget and to our client’s precise specifications,” Ballard says. “I love attending the open houses when one of our projects is complete-especially watching our clients’ pride in showing off all of our combined hard work.”

Alair Homes

JASON CHANEY, PM

CHAD HACKMANN, OWNER

AUDREY ELKINS, PM

Awards & Honors:

NARI Contractor of the Year Winner:

• both locally and regionally for basement remodel under $100k (2020);

• locally for Kitchen under $50k (2019); and

• locally for Addition under $250k (2019) Recipient of NARI's Community Service Award.

3100 Clarendon Blvd., Suite 200 Arlington, VA 22201

703-791-1317

chad.hackmann@alairhomes.com alairhomes.com/arlington/

Alair Homes was equipped to operate remotely before remote work was necessary. The company’s Client Control Platform has always allowed their clients to check in and do their part in making selections and managing their project from anywhere.

“With the pandemic and its impact on North America, our supply lines have been totally disrupted,” says Alair’s local owner Chad Hackmann. “But the transparency in the actual pricing of our subcontractors, vendors and suppliers allows our clients to keep track of the actual cost of their project.” As a result, there are no concerns about Alair cutting corners to make up for pricing differences. Rather, the company works in partnership with its clients to identify solutions. “Our clients can see exactly how their projects are put together, who is doing the work and exactly how we are being paid.”

It all goes back to Alair’s roots -- the company began by helping friends and family with their renovations and new construction projects. Their strong commitment to the local area continues

to this day. “As Alair's local owner, I live and raise my family here in Arlington,” adds Hackmann. Alair not only operates its business here, but also invests in the community through their outreach and involvement. “Whether supporting a local youth baseball team, holding a board seat on the local National Capital Treatment Center or working with the Make a Wish Foundation, we are proud to be a part of Arlington and Northern Virginia.”

Bolt Builders

JUSTIN OLEWACK

Designed with purpose, built on quality. We believe great building is rooted in integrity, relationships are built on trust and respect, craftsmanship is enamored with details, and quality is driven by control.

1408 N. Filmore St., Suite 2 Arlington, VA 22201

703-525-0719

justin@boltbuilt.com www.boltbuilt.com

Years ago, Justin Olewack made a lifechanging decision. “I elected to forego the security of a job to build a company that has meaning and purpose,” he recalls. Looking back, the president and founder of Bolt Builders is certain he chose the right path.

“It hasn’t always been a bed of roses,” he admits. “But I love the details and creativity this business offers. I’m an artist, and my canvas is the home I’m constructing.”

Bolt Builders are people-centric builders that do more than transform a home. “We create a living experience through impeccable craftsmanship and detail-focused design,” Olewack says.

The company employs a variety of new technologies to help their clients. Clients have every piece of project data at their fingertips in real time. Live Critical Path schedules provide clarity on the status of their projects, while daily job logs with photos make it possible to see the progress evolve.

With experience gained from having overseen $230 million of residential

and commercial production construction work over the past fifteen years, what advice would Olewack offer someone just starting out in the building profession?

“Stay focused on your core offering -- for instance, choosing quality over quantity,” he offers. “It’s easy to get all sorts of projects, but to be known for quality and great service on great projects takes years of refinement and discipline.”

FOXCRAFT Design Group, Inc.

FROM LEFT: CHANDLER FOX (REAR), ZEB RODIER (FRONT), DAN DALRYMPLE, MIKE BLOOD, JIM LYNCH, TONYA WHITE

“Building relationships one home at a time.”

110 Great Falls St. Falls Church, VA 22046

703-536-1888

chandler@foxcraft.com www.foxcraft.com

FOXCRAFT Design Group is entering its 33rd year as an award-winning design/ build firm and general contractor. What is the secret to longevity in such a competitive marketplace? “We truly take our clients’ best interest to heart, even if it means losing a project to help them make the best decision for their current financial picture and the future value of their home,” explains FOXCRAFT president and co-owner Chandler Fox. “We understand adapting homes for growing families and the importance that a neighborhood plays in family life.”

FOXCRAFT is among the most creative, experienced design/build firms in the region, specializing in meeting clients’ budget expectations and overcoming ever-changing national and county codes, regulations and guidelines. “We’ve done it all,” Fox says. “Clients come back to us many times for additional projects. We are problem solvers and trusted advisors.”

That, together with FOXCRAFT’s dedication to quality and attention to detail, helps explain why they have so many repeat clients. “Once we finish a

big project, they’ll often come right back to us, ready to do more work—which, as you might imagine, says a lot about the respect and relationships we develop with our clients,” says Fox.

In addition to remodeling, FOXCRAFT also builds new homes. That doesn’t change Fox’s primary motivation, though. “I love hearing how happy our clients are with the end result of a project, and getting a hug when it is completed,” he says. “Many of our clients remain close and personal friends.”

February’s Most Expensive Home Sales

22201 (Arlington)

1403 N. Hudson St.

List Price: $2.16 million

Sale Price: $2.13 million

Days on Market: 33

Listing Office: RE/MAX West End

Neighborhood: Lyon Village

Year Built: 2010

Bedrooms: 5

Full/Half Baths: 4/1

22202 (Arlington)

2631 S. Arlington Ridge Road

List Price: $1.63 million

Sale Price: $1.6 million

Days on Market: 495

Listing Office: Neighborhood Real Estate

Neighborhood: Oakcrest

Year Built: 2021

Bedrooms: 5

Full/Half Baths: 3/1

22203 (Arlington)

5870 First St. N.

List Price: $1.35 million

Sale Price: $1.29 million

Days on Market: 35

Listing Office: KW United

Neighborhood: Spy Hill/Boulevard Manor

Year Built: 2011

Bedrooms: 6

Full/Half Baths: 5/0

22204 (Arlington)

3232 Seventh St. S.

List Price: $1.27 million

Sale Price: $1.28 million

Days on Market: 4

Listing Office: Long & Foster Real Estate

Neighborhood: Arlington Heights

Year Built: 2010

Bedrooms: 5

Full/Half Baths: 5/1

This information, courtesy of Bright MLS as of March 16, 2021, includes homes sold in February 2021, excluding sales in which sellers have withheld permission to advertise or promote. Information should be independently verified. The Bright MLS real estate service area spans 40,000 square miles throughout the mid-Atlantic region, including Delaware, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and parts of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. As a leading Multiple Listing Service (MLS), Bright serves approximately 95,000 real estate professionals who in turn serve over 20 million consumers. For more information, visit brightmls.com.

22205 (Arlington)

2301 N. Powhatan St. #1

List Price: $1.8 million

Sale Price: $1.8 million

Days on Market: 127

Listing Office: Keller Williams Realty

Neighborhood: Arlington

Year Built: 2020

Bedrooms: 6

Full/Half Baths: 6/1

22206 (Arlington)

3006 S. Glebe Road #3006

List Price: $710,000

Sale Price: $725,000

Days on Market: 4

Listing Office: Compass

Neighborhood: Arlington Ridge Terrace

Year Built: 1989

Bedrooms: 3

Full/Half Baths: 3/1

Possibilities

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n prime numbers

22207 (Arlington)

3644 N. Vermont St.

List Price: $2.25 million

Sale Price: $2.2 million

Days on Market: 166

Listing Office: Keller Williams Realty

Neighborhood: NA

Year Built: 2020

Bedrooms: 5

Full/Half Baths: 6/1

22209 (Arlington)

1590 19th St. N.

List Price: $1.9 million

Sale Price: $1.9 million

Days on Market: 0

Listing Office: Non-Subscribing Office

Neighborhood: Colonial Heights

Year Built: 1998

Bedrooms: 4

Full/Half Baths: 3/1

22213 (Arlington)

2006 N. Westmoreland St.

List Price: $1 million

Sale Price: $1.08 million

Days on Market: 6

Listing Office: Keller Williams Realty

Neighborhood: 18 West

Year Built: 2005

Bedrooms: 4

Full/Half Baths: 3/1

22101 (McLean)

903 Countryside Court

List Price: $2.75 million

Sale Price: $2.71 million

Days on Market: 5

Listing Office: Washington Fine Properties

Neighborhood: Countryside

Year Built: 1978

Bedrooms: 4

Full/Half Baths: 3/1

22102 (McLean)

7814 Crownhurst Court

List Price: $2.4 million

Sale Price: $2.25 million

Days on Market: 2

Listing Office: Washington Fine Properties

Neighborhood: Garfield Park

Year Built: 2002

Bedrooms: 6

Full/Half Baths: 5/1

22041 (Falls Church)

6543 Oakwood Drive

List Price: $997,000

Sale Price: $1.05 million

Days on Market: 7

Listing Office: KW United

Neighborhood: Barcroft Woods

Year Built: 1962

Bedrooms: 4

Full/Half Baths: 3/1

22042 (Falls Church)

7054 Rosemary Court

List Price: $1.27 million

Sale Price: $1.27 million

Days on Market: 52

Listing Office: Keller Williams Realty

Neighborhood: Devonshire Gardens

Year Built: 2020

Bedrooms: 5

Full/Half Baths: 4/1

22043 (Falls Church)

6502 Manor Ridge Court

List Price: $1.83 million

Sale Price: $1.76 million

Days on Market: 52

Listing Office: TTR Sotheby’s International Realty

Neighborhood: Crimmins

Year Built: 2016

Bedrooms: 6

Full/Half Baths: 6/1

22044 (Falls Church)

3304 Sleepy Hollow Road

List Price: $950,000

Sale Price: $970,000

Days on Market: 0

Listing Office: Compass

Neighborhood: Sleepy Hollow Park

Year Built: 1966

Bedrooms: 4

Full/Half Baths: 3/1

22046 (Falls Church)

2632 Laura Drive

List Price: $1.75 million

Sale Price: $1.68 million

Days on Market: 310

Listing Office: Long & Foster Real Estate

Neighborhood: Timberlane

Year Built: 2020

Bedrooms: 7

Full/Half Baths: 6/2

your family Because needs more space.

Real Estate Sales Trends

22201

22205

22206

22204

Judy C. Smith

22207

Rob Ferguson is as local as they come. A lifelong Northern Virginian with more than 24 years of Arlington real estate expertise, Rob knows the neighborhoods and the local market.

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Hagedorn

Humble Pie

Tom Cardarelli had a plan. He would leave his executive chef’s job at Alexandria’s Vermilion restaurant, take some time off and then open a place of his own—probably a pizzeria.

The plan hit a snag. “I quit in February 2020, the worst possible timing,” he says. “Anyone interested in partnering up with me didn’t want to open a restaurant.” So he opened a food truck, tricking out a 20-foot trailer with a 600-degree, propane-powered Bakers Pride deck oven. Soon he was turning out Roman-style pies from a parking lot on Hume Avenue in Del Ray under the name Stracci Pizza, a venture he runs with his wife, Annalisa.

Stracci is short for stracciatella, which is pulled mozzarella cheese (Cardarelli makes his own) that’s

then shredded and soaked in cream. The word also means “rags” in Italian. “It signifies humble beginnings. Hopefully this will become bigger than just a trailer,” the chef said during a phone call in early March.

It already has. Shortly after that call, Stracci Pizza announced that it would be occupying the building next to the lot where the truck is parked (the former Emma’s Espresso and Wine Bar space), selling drinks and snacks inside while continuing to serve pizzas from the trailer.

Roman-style pizza differs from Neapolitan-style in that the dough contains olive oil and the pies are rectangular. Cardarelli uses a sourdough crust that undergoes a slow, cold fermentation for 72 hours, and a simple sauce made with organic Bianco DiNapoli tomatoes. Each pie is constructed with a two-step baking

process directly on the hearth. A first pass with a light coating of sauce and minimal toppings allows the crust to expand, followed by more toppings and a second pass through the oven. The result is a crisp, light, airy pizza that’s thicker than New York-style but thinner than Detroit-style.

Cardarelli offers five signature pizzas and a build-your-own option. The Brooklyner is topped with pepperoni, sausage, stracciatella, ricotta, Calabrian chilies and honey. The Erminia features garlic, spinach, artichokes and fontina cheese. The Stracci is a simple, classic combination of stracciatella, tomato, basil and olive oil.

The chef makes a limited supply of pizzas daily, so preordering is a must. His appetizers and desserts shouldn’t be passed up, either—especially the chicken-liver toast and the Marcona almond tart. straccipizza.com

Pizzaiolo Tom Cardarelli

Gee Whiz

Banking on the notion that a burger is never a bad idea (agreed!), restaurateurs Ian and Eric Hilton and chef Brendan L’Etoile rolled out a ghostkitchen burger concept in February.

Gee Burger operates out of three of their Northern Virginia restaurants: Parc de Ville in the Mosaic District; Solace Outpost in Falls Church City; and Café Colline in Arlington’s Lee Heights Shops.

L’Etoile uses Allen Brothers 20%fat ground chuck to make his burgers, which are served on toasted sesame seed buns from Uptown Bakers in Hyattsville, Maryland. Most of the offerings are made with two 3-ounce patties smashed on a flattop griddle.

“We cook them that way because we don’t want to be in the temperature business, especially when dealing with third-party app deliveries,” says Ian Hilton. “There’s nothing more angering than a bad burger.”

No complaints on my end. I ordered the Oh, Gee! Burger, topped with American cheese, Bibb lettuce, house-made pickles and a secret sauce that, if I had to guess, includes mayo and kimchi. It’s plenty juicy and quite delicious.

Other variations include the Gee Washington Carver (peanut butter, bacon, American cheese and fried shallots), Mellow Gee (Swiss cheese, caramelized onions and mushrooms) and the Kickin Gee (American cheese, spicy kimchi, pickled

jalapenos, secret sauce). The singlepatty Lil Gee cheeseburger is perfect for kids or those with dainty appetites. The menu also includes a fried chicken sandwich and french fries— the only side dish.

Gee Burger emerged as a new source of revenue during the pandemic. “I have no idea what the life span will be,” Hilton says of the concept. “It’s something I’ve never done before and it’s kind of fun, but there’s a one in a hundred chance it becomes a new brand for us.”

Eat ’em while you can get ’em. Gee Burger is currently available for delivery though DoorDash, Uber Eats and Grubhub. Café Colline offers walk-in and takeout orders during select hours. geeburger.com

Editor’s Note: Restaurant hours, safety protocols and capacity limits are shifting as the vaccine rollout continues, so be sure to check the latest status before you go. Takeout is now a standard option and most places have online ordering, but some dining rooms remain closed.

places to EAT

ARLINGTON

A Modo Mio Pizzeria

5555 Lee Highway, 703-532-0990, amodomio pizza.com. Formerly Joe’s Place Pizza and Pasta, the restaurant has rebranded with a new chef, a new menu (centering on wood-fired pies) and an interior makeover. L D $$

Aladdin Sweets & Tandoor

5169 Lee Highway, 703-533-0077. Chef Shiuli Rashid and her husband, Harun, prepare family recipes of curries and kabobs from their native Bangladesh. L D $$

Ambar Clarendon«

2901 Wilson Blvd., 703-875-9663, ambarrestau rant.com. Feast on Balkan fare such as stuffed cabbage, mushroom pilav and rotisserie meats. An outdoor terrace with dining pods is available.

b R L D G V $$

Amore Congelato

1201 S. Joyce St., 571-483-0891, amorecongelato. com. Thereasa Black’s artisanal gelati are made with

organic date syrup (in lieu of cane sugar) and oat milk, in flavors such as s’mores, banana pudding and salted-caramel pretzel crunch. G V $

Arlington Kabob

5046 Lee Highway, 703-531-1498, arlingtonkabob va.com. Authentic Afghan fare includes kabobs, wraps, shawarma and quabli palou (lamb shank with rice). L D $$

Arlington Rooftop Bar & Grill

2424 Wilson Blvd., 703-528-3030, arlrooftop.com. There’s plenty of bar food to go with the games, from burgers and wings to oysters and flatbread.

b  R L D A G V $$

Baba«

2901 Wilson Blvd., 703-312-7978, baba.bar. This subterranean café, which transforms into a cocktail lounge at night, is a sister to Ambar next door.

B R L D G V $$

Bakeshop

1025 N. Fillmore St., 571-970-6460, bakeshopva. com. Hit this tiny storefront for coffee, cupcakes, cookies, macarons, icebox pies and other treats. Vegan sweets are always available. B V $

Bangkok 54

2919 Columbia Pike, 703-521-4070, bangkok54rest aurant.com. A favorite for Thai curries, grilled meats, stir-fry, noodles and soups. L D V $$

Bar Bao

3100 Clarendon Blvd., 703-600-0500, barbao.com. The trendy watering hole serves dishes reminiscent of Chinese and Taiwanese street food, plus sake, soju and Asian fusion cocktails. L D V $$

Barley Mac«

1600 Wilson Blvd., 703-372-9486, barleymacva.com.

You’ll find upscale tavern fare and more than 100 kinds of whiskey and bourbon. R L D A G V $$

Bartaco

4238 Wilson Blvd. (Ballston Quarter), 571-3908226, bartaco.com. A lively spot for tacos (13 kinds) and tequila. Feels like vacation. L D V A $$

Basic Burger

1101 S. Joyce Street, 703-248-9333, basicburger. com. The homegrown eatery (and food truck) cooks with locally sourced, certified Angus beef and cagefree, antibiotic-free chicken. L D $$

Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery« 1515 N. Courthouse Road, 703-243-2410, bayou

KEY: Price designations are based on the approximate cost per person for a meal with one drink, tax and tip.

$ under $20

$$ $21-$35

$$$ $36-$70

$$$$ $71 or more

b Outdoor Dining

 Children’s Menu B Breakfast R Brunch

Dinner

A After Hours/Late Night

G Gluten-Free

V Vegetarian

« Best of Arlington 2019, 2020 or 2021 Winner

Circa

bakeryva.com. Chef David Guas’ New Orleans-inspired menu changes often, but you can always count on beignets and gumbo. Breakfast all day on Sundays. b  B R L D G V $

Bethesda Bagels

1851 N. Moore St., 703-312-1133, bethesdabagels. com. The popular D.C.-area chain is now in Rosslyn. Eat a sandwich! b L V $

BGR the Burger Joint

3129 Lee Highway, 703-812-4705, bgrtheburger joint.com. Top your dry-aged beef with options like grilled jalapeño, pineapple or fried egg. Veggie and turkey burgers are options.  L D V $

Big Buns Damn Good Burger Co.

4401 Wilson Blvd., 4251 Campbell Ave., Arlington, 703-933-2867, eatbigbuns.com. Satisfy your cravings with “designer” burgers, shakes, beer and booze. L D $$

Bob & Edith’s Diner

2310 Columbia Pike, 703-920-6103; 539 23rd St. S., 703-920-2700; 5150 Lee Highway, 703-5940280; bobandedithsdiner.com. Founded in 1969, the 24-hour eatery whips up pancakes, eggs, grits, meatloaf, shakes and pie à la mode. B L D A V $

Bollywood Bistro Express

4238 Wilson Blvd. (Ballston Quarter), 571-3121071, bollywoodbistroexpress.com. Build your own bowl with fillers such as chicken tikka, lamb kabob, tofu, paneer cheese, chana masala, pickled onions, greens and a variety of sauces. L D V $$

Bonsai Sushi at Crystal City

553 23rd St. S., 703-553-7723, crystalbonsai sushirestaurant.com. Pick up sushi, sashimi, yakisoba, tempura, teriyaki. Closed Mondays. L D $$ Bread & Water Company

1201 S. Joyce St., 703-567-6698, breadand watercompany.com. The cafe-bakery serves sandwiches, salads, soups and pastries. Don’t leave without a fat loaf of Markos Panas’ addictive, rustic “M” bread to take home. B L V $

Bronson Bierhall

4100 Fairfax Drive, 703-528-1110, bronsonbier hall.com. You’ll find communal tables, 16 German and regional beers on tap, sausages, schnitzel and cornhole in this 6,000-square-foot bar ode to Munich. b L D A $$

Busboys and Poets

4251 S. Campbell Ave., 703-379-9757, busboys andpoets.com. Bohemian types gravitate toward this Shirlington outpost with its poetry readings and an eclectic menu that includes oodles of options for vegetarians. b  B R L D G V $$

The Café by La Cocina VA

918 S. Lincoln St., 703-596-1557, lacocinava.org/ café-main. This lunch spot operated by La Cocina VA, a nonprofit that trains immigrants for culinary careers, serves soups, salads and sandwiches, along with Dog Tag Bakery pastries and Swing’s coffee. L V $

Café Colline

4536 Lee Highway, 703-567-6615, cafecollineva.

com. Helmed by executive chef Brendan L’Etoile, the cozy French bistro in the Lee Heights Shops satisfies with dishes such as paté maison, duck confit and chocolate pots de creme. b L D $$

Café Sazón

4704 Columbia Pike, 703-566-1686, cafesazon. com. A homey Bolivian café specializing in dishes such as silpancho and empanadas. B L D V $$

Caribbean Grill

5183 Lee Highway, 703-241-8947. Cuban preparations such as jerk-style pork, fried plantains and black bean soup are mainstays.  L D G V $

Carlyle

4000 Campbell Ave., 703-931-0777, greatamerican restaurants.com/carlyle. The original anchor of Shirlington Village is a reliable pick for fusion fare, happy hour and Sunday brunch. b  R L D G V $$$

Cava

1201 Wilson Blvd., 703-652-7880; 4121 Wilson Blvd., 703-310-6791; cava.com. Build your own salad, wrap or bowl, choosing from an array of Greek dips, spreads, proteins and toppings. L D G V $$

Cava Mezze

2940 Clarendon Blvd., 703-276-9090, cavamezze. com. Greek small plates include octopus, roasted eggplant, zucchini fritters, souvlaki, briny cheeses and succulent lamb. R L D G V $$$

The Celtic House Irish Pub & Restaurant 2500 Columbia Pike, 703-746-9644, celtichouse.

Spring Has Sprung

n places to eat

net. The pub on the Pike serves favorites like corned beef and traditional Irish breakfast.  R L D A $$

Chasin’ Tails

2200 N. Westmoreland St., 703-538-2565, chasintailscrawfish.com. It’s the place to go for a spicy, messy, finger-lickin’ Cajun crawfish boil. Lunch on weekends only. L D $$

Cheesetique

4024 Campbell Ave., 703-933-8787; cheesetique. com. The cheese shop and wine bar offers small plates, cheese boards and more. b B L D V $$

Circa at Clarendon

3010 Clarendon Blvd., 703-522-3010, circabistros. com. Bistro fare ranges from salads and small plates to steak frites and wild mushroom pizza. Sit outside if you can. b R L D A G V $$$

Colony Grill

2800 Clarendon Blvd., 703-682-8300, colonygrill. com. The Stamford, Connecticut-based pizza chain specializes in ultra-thin-crust “bar pies” with a spicy, pepper-infused hot oil topping. L D G V $$

Copa Kitchen & Bar

4238 Wilson Blvd. (Ballston Quarter), 571-4830324, copakitchenbar.com. Watch sports and munch on Spanish comfort foods like chorizo-manchego flatbread. B R L D A $$

Copperwood Tavern

4021 Campbell Ave., 703-522-8010, copperwood tavern.com. The hunting-and-fishing-themed saloon serves up steaks and chops, 24 draft beers and 30 small-batch whiskeys. b R L D $$$

Cowboy Café

4792 Lee Highway, 703-243-8010, thecowboycafe. com. Cool your heels and fill up on sandwiches, burgers, brisket and chili mac. A new outdoor beer garden features a mural by Arlington artist MasPaz. Live music on weekends. b  R L D V $$

Crafthouse

901 N. Glebe Road, 703-962-6982, crafthouseusa.com. Locally sourced bar food, plus Virginia beer, wine and spirits equals a good time. b L D A $$

Crystal City Sports Pub

529 23rd St. S., 703-521-8215, ccsportspub. com. Open 365 days a year, it’s a sure bet for big-screen TVs, pool tables and pub grub.  B R L D A G V $$

Crystal Thai

4819 First St. N., 703-522-1311, crystalthai.com. A neighborhood go-to for traditional Thai curries, grilled meats and house specialties like roast duck. L D V $$

Dama Pastry Restaurant & Cafe 1503 Columbia Pike, 703-920-3559, damapas try.com. The Ethiopian family-owned business includes a breakfast café, market and dining room. B L D V $$

Darna

946 N. Jackson St., 703-988-2373, darnava.com. Grilled kabobs, mezze and traditional Lebanese comfort foods are served in a modern setting. The upstairs is a hookah bar. L D V $$

Delhi Dhaba Indian Restaurant

2424 Wilson Blvd., 703-524-0008, delhidhaba.com. The best bargain is the “mix and match” platter, which includes tandoori, seafood, a curry dish and a choice of rice or naan. b L D G V $$

Detour Coffee

946 N. Jackson St., 703-988-2378, detourcoffee co.com. The comfy cafe has a college vibe and

serves up locally roasted coffee, light bites and weekend brunch. b R L D V $

District Taco«

5723 Lee Highway, 703-237-1204; 1500 Wilson Blvd., 571-290-6854; districttaco.com. A local favorite for tacos and gargantuan burritos.  B L D G V $ Don Tito

3165 Wilson Blvd., 703-566-3113, dontitova.com. Located in a historic building, the sports bar specializes in tacos, tequila and beer, with a rooftop bar. b R L D $$

Dudley’s Sport & Ale

2766 S. Arlington Mill Drive, 571-312-2304, dudleyssportandale.com. The 13,000-square-foot sports bar has wall-to-wall TVs, a roof deck, a ballpark-inspired beer list and pub food, plus weekend brunch. b  R L D A $$

Earl’s Sandwiches

2605 Wilson Boulevard, 703-647-9191, earlsinarling ton.com. Made-to-order sandwiches use prime ingredients, like fresh roasted turkey. b B L D G V $

East West Coffee Wine

1901 N. Moore St., 3101 Wilson Blvd., 571-8009954, eastwestcoffeewine.com. The cafe with locations in Rosslyn and Clarendon serves espresso drinks, brunch (try the massive Turkish breakfast spread), sandwiches, tapas, beer and wine. B L D $

El Charrito Caminante

2710-A N. Washington Blvd., 703-351-1177. This bare-bones Salvadoran takeout counter hits the spot with tacos, burritos and pupusas. L D V $

El Paso Café

4235 N. Pershing Drive, 703-243-9811, elpaso cafeva.com. Big portions, big margaritas and bighearted service make this Tex-Mex cantina a local favorite.  L D G V $$

El Pike (Pike Pizza)

4111 Columbia Pike, 703-521-3010, restaurant pike.com. Bolivian dishes satisfy at this no-frills eatery. Try the salteñas stuffed with chicken or beef, olives and hard-boiled egg. L D $

El Pollo Rico«

932 N. Kenmore St., 703-522-3220, elpollorico restaurant.com. A local institution, this rotisserie chicken mecca gained even more street cred after a visit from the late Anthony Bourdain. L D V $

Elevation Burger

2447 N. Harrison St., 703-300-9467, elevationburger. com. Organic, grass-fed beef is ground on the premises, fries are cooked in olive oil and the shakes are made with fresh-scooped ice cream. b L D V $

Endo Sushi

3000 Washington Blvd., 703-243-7799, endosushi. com. A go-to spot for sashimi, teriyaki, donburi and maki. L D V $$

Epic Smokehouse

1330 S. Fern St., 571-319-4001, epicsmoke house.com. Wood-smoked meats and seafood served in a modern setting. b L D G $$$

Essy’s Carriage House Restaurant

4030 Lee Highway, 703-525-7899, essyscarriage house.com. Kick it old school with crab imperial, lamb chops and prime rib. B L D G $$$

Federico Ristorante Italiano

519 23rd St., 703-486-0519, federicoristorante italiano.com. Find pasta, chianti and red-checkered tablecloths at this Crystal City trattoria co-owned by Freddie’s Beach Bar owner Freddie Lutz. L D V $$

Fettoosh

5100 Wilson Blvd., 703-527-7710, fettoosh.com.

Overstuffed pita sandwiches and kabobs keep the kitchen fired up at this bargain-priced Lebanese and Moroccan restaurant.  R L D G V $

Fire Works

2350 Clarendon Blvd., 703-527-8700, fireworks pizza.com. Wood-fired pizzas and more than 30 craft beers on tap are mainstays. You can also build your own pasta dish. b  L D A G V $$

First Down Sports Bar & Grill

4213 Fairfax Drive, 703-465-8888, firstdownsports bar.com. Choose among 20 draft beers and snacks ranging from sliders to queso dip. L D A V $$

Four Sisters Grill

3035 Clarendon Blvd., 703-243-9020, foursisters grill.com. Here, the family behind Four Sisters in Merrifield serves up banh mi sandwiches, papaya salad, spring rolls and noodle dishes. b L D $$

The Freshman

2011 Crystal Drive, thefreshmanva.com. Nick Freshman’s coffee, cocktail and casual dining concept is poised to become a prime hangout at National Landing. b L D V $$

Fyve

1250 S. Hayes St. (inside The Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City), 703-412-2762, ritzcarlton.com/pentag oncity. The hotel restaurant serves globally influenced dishes. For a treat, go for afternoon tea.  B R L D G V $$$$

Gaijin Ramen Shop

3800 Lee Highway, 703-566-9236, gaijinramen shop.com. Choose your broth and toppings, from pork shoulder to pickled vegetables. Gaijin makes its own noodles in-house daily. D V $$

Galaxy Hut

2711 Wilson Blvd., 703-525-8646, galaxyhut.com. Pair craft beers with vegan bar foods like “fricken” (fake chicken) sandwich melts and smothered tots with cashew cheese curds. L D A G V $$ Gharer Khabar

5157 Lee Highway, 703-973-2432, gharerkhaba rtogo.com. Translated as “home’s food,” this art-filled, 14-seat café serves Bangladeshi fare cooked by native chef Nasima Shreen. Try the goat biryani. L D $$

Good Company Doughnuts & Café

672 N. Glebe Road, 703-243-3000, gocodough.com. The family- and veteran-owned eatery serves housemade doughnuts, Intelligentsia coffee and other breakfast and lunch fare. B L V $$

Good Stuff Eatery

2110 Crystal Drive, 703-415-4663, goodstuff eatery.com. Spike Mendelsohn’s Crystal City outpost offers gourmet burgers (beef, turkey or mushroom), shakes, fries and salads. L D G V $

Goody’s 3125 Wilson Blvd., 703-351-7827, goodyspizzain arlington.com. A late-night go-to for New York-style pizza, subs, ice cream and breakfast sandwiches.  B L D A V $

Grand Cru Wine Bar and Bistro 4301 Wilson Blvd., 703-243-7900, grandcru-wine. com. This intimate European-style café includes a wine shop next door. b R L D G $$$

Green Pig Bistro« 1025 N. Fillmore St., 703-888-1920, greenpig bistro.com. Southern influenced food, craft cocktails, a daily happy hour and weekend brunch draw fans

to this congenial neighborhood hideaway. Chef Tracy O’Grady helms the kitchen. R L D G V $$$

Greens N Teff

3203 Columbia Pike, 571-510-4063, greensnteff. com. Think fast-casual Ethiopian: The vegetarian build-your-own-plate concept prompts customers to choose a base (injera bread or rice) then pile on plant-based proteins (curried split peas or lentil stew) plus veggies. b L D G V $

Guajillo

1727 Wilson Blvd., 703-807-0840, guajillo mexican.com. Authentic Mexican dishes such as carne asada, mole poblano and churros are favorites. b  L D G V $$

Guapo’s Restaurant

4028 Campbell Ave., 703-671-1701, guaposrest aurant.com. Expect hearty portions of all the TexMex standbys—quesadillas, enchiladas, fajitas, tacos and burritos. b  R L D G V $$

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ

1119 N. Hudson St., 571-527-0445, gyu-kaku.com. Marinated meats, veggies and seafood are cooked on tabletop grills. D $$

Hanabi Ramen

3024 Wilson Blvd., 703-351-1275, hanabiramen usa.com. Slurp multiple variations of the popular noodle dish, plus rice bowls and dumplings. L D $$

Happy Eatery Vietnamese Kitchen

1800 N. Lynn St., 571-800-1881, thehappy eatery.com. Vietnamese comfort foods (think banh

mi, noodle soups and rice bowls) are the stock-intrade at this Rosslyn food hall. L D $$

Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe

2150 N. Culpeper St., 703-527-8394, heidelberg bakery.com. Fill up on baked goods as well as Old Country specialties such as bratwurst and German potato salad. Closed Mondays. B L $

Highline RxR

2010-A Crystal Drive, 703-413-2337, highlinerxr. com. A Crystal City bar offering draft beers, draft wines, a whiskey menu and a retractable wall that opens up in nice weather. b L D A $$

Hot Lola’s«

4238 Wilson Blvd. (Ballston Quarter), hotlolas chicken.com. It’s all about Kevin Tien’s Nashvillemeets-Sichuan hot chicken sandwiches. L D $

Ireland’s Four Courts

2051 Wilson Blvd., 703-525-3600, irelandsfour courts.com. Irish fare includes cider-braised short ribs, a Guinness-marinated burger and imported cheeses from general manager Dave Cahill’s family farm in County Limerick.  R L D A V $$

Istanbul Grill

4617 Wilson Blvd., 571-970-5828, istanbulgrillkebabshop.business.site. Satisfy your craving for Turkish meze and kabobs at this homey spot in Bluemont. L D V $$

The Italian Store« 3123 Lee Highway, 703-528-6266; 5837 Washington Blvd., 571-341-1080; italianstore.com. A cult-

status destination for pizzas, sandwiches, prepared entrées, espresso and gelato. b L D G V $

Jaleo

2250-A Crystal Drive, 703-413-8181, jaleo.com. Spanish croquettes and housemade chorizo carry forth chef José Andrés’ enduring reputation as the maestro of tapas. b L D G V $$$

Kabob Palace

2315 S. Eads St., 703-486-3535, kabobpalaceusa. com. A Crystal City favorite for grilled meats, pillowy naan and savory sides. L D A G V $$

Kanpai Restaurant

1401 Wilson Blvd., 703-527-8400, kanpai-sushi.com. The STTR (spicy tuna tempura roll) is a must at this Rosslyn sushi spot. b L D G V $$

L.A. Bar & Grill

2530 Columbia Pike, 703-685-1560, labargrill.com. Regulars flock to this dive bar on the Pike (L.A. stands for Lower Arlington) for cold brews and pub fare. D A $$

La Côte D’Or Café 6876 Lee Highway, 703-538-3033, lacotedorarling ton.com. This little French bistro serves standards like crepes and steak frites. b R L D G V $$$

Layalina

5216 Wilson Blvd., 703-525-1170, layalinarest aurant.com. Lebanese and Syrian dishes aim to please at this family-owned restaurant. Closed Mondays. b L D A V $$

n places to eat

Lebanese Taverna

5900 Washington Blvd., 703-241-8681; 1101 S. Joyce St., Pentagon Row, 703-415-8681; lebanese taverna.com. A local favorite for mezze, kabobs, flatbreads and more. b  L D G V $$

Le Pain Quotidien

2900 Clarendon Blvd., 703-465-0970, lepainquo tidien.com. The Belgian chain produces Europeanstyle cafe fare. B L D G V $$

The Liberty Tavern«

3195 Wilson Blvd., 703-465-9360, thelibertytavern. com. This Clarendon anchor offers a spirited bar and creative cuisine fueled by two wood-burning ovens. b  R L D A G V $$$

Livin’ the Pie Life

2166 N. Glebe Road, 571-431-7727, livinthepielife. com. The wildly popular pie operation started as an Arlington farmers market stand. B L V $$

The Local Oyster«

4238 Wilson Blvd. (Ballston Quarter), 844-7482537, thelocaloyster.com. Seafood lovers can feast on raw bar, steamers, crabcakes, lobster rolls and “sammies” at this outpost of the Baltimore original. Currently operating weekends only. L D G $$

Lost Dog Café

5876 Washington Blvd., 703-237-1552; 2920 Columbia Pike, 703-553-7770; lostdogcafe.com. Known for its pizzas, subs and craft beer selection, this deli/café and its multiple franchises support pet adoption through the Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation. L D G V $$

Lucky Danger

1101 S. Joyce St., Unit B27 (Westpost), luckydanger. co. Chefs Tim Ma and Andrew Chiou put a fresh spin on Chinese-American takeout with dishes such as duck fried rice, lo mein and egg omelet with picked radish. L D V $$

Lyon Hall«

3100 N. Washington Blvd., 703-741-7636, lyonhall arlington.com. The European-style brasserie turns out French, German and Alsatian-inspired plates, from charcuterie and sausages to mussels and pickled vegetables. b  R L D A V $$$

Maizal

4238 Wilson Blvd. (Ballston Quarter), 571-3966500, maizalstreetfood.com. South American street food—arepas, empanadas, yuca fries, Peruvian fried rice, street corn and churros. L D V $

Mala Tang

3434 Washington Blvd., 703-243-2381, mala-tang. com. Chef Liu Chaosheng brings the tastes and traditions of his hometown, Chengdu, to this eatery specializing in Sichuan hot pot. b L D G V $$

Mario’s Pizza House

3322 Wilson Blvd., mariopizzahouse.com. Open into the wee hours, it’s been cooking up subs, wings and pizza since 1957. b  B L D A $

Maya Bistro

5649 Lee Highway, 703-533-7800, bistromaya.com. The family-owned restaurant serves Turkish and Mediterranean comfort food. L D V $$

McNamara’s Pub & Restaurant

567 23rd St. S., 703-302-3760, mcnamaraspub. com. Order a Guinness and some corned beef or fish and chips at this watering hole on Crystal City’s restaurant row. b R L D A $$

Me Jana

2300 Wilson Blvd., 703-465-4440, mejanarestau rant.com. Named for an old Lebanese folk ballad,

this Middle Eastern eatery offers prime peoplewatching in Clarendon. b  L D G V $$

Mele Bistro

1723 Wilson Blvd., 703-522-0284, melebistro.com. Like to know where your food comes from? This farm-to-table Mediterranean restaurant cooks with fresh, organic, free-range, regionally-sourced, nonGMO ingredients. b R L D G V $$

Meridian Pint

6035 Wilson Blvd., 703-300-9655, meridianpint. com. The brewpub that John Andrade transplanted from D.C. to Dominion Hills is now under new ownership, but it still serves craft brews, burgers, salads and bar food.  R D A G V $$

Metro 29 Diner

4711 Lee Highway, 703-528-2464, metro29.com. Classic diner fare includes triple-decker sandwiches, mile-high desserts, burgers, roasted chicken and breakfast.  B R L D V $

Mexicali Blues

2933 Wilson Blvd., 703-812-9352, mexicali-blues. com. The colorful landmark dishes out Salvadoran and Mexican chow. b  R L D G V $$

Moby Dick House of Kabob

3000 Washington Blvd., 703-465-1600; 4037 Campbell Ave., 571-257-8214; mobyskabob.com. Satisfy that hankering for Persian skewers and flavorful sides. L D $$

Mussel Bar & Grille

800 N. Glebe Road, 703-841-2337, musselbar.com. Chef Robert Wiedmaier’s Ballston eatery is known for mussels, frites, wood-fired pizza and more than 100 Belgian and craft beers. b L D $$

Namaste Everest

1201 S. Joyce St., 703-567-4322, namasteeverest. com. Try modern Indian and Nepalese dishes, from lamb or goat curry to momos (Nepalese dumplings), with a mango, mint or banana lassie. L D G V $$

Nam-Viet

1127 N. Hudson St., 703-522-7110, namvietva.com. The venerable restaurant specializes in flavors of Vietnam’s Can Tho region. b L D V $$

Napoli Salumeria

1301 S. Joyce St. (Westpost), 571-431-7903, napoli salumeria.com. Chef Antonio Ferraro’s market/café

offers pizza, pasta, panini, dolci and grab-and-go provisions. b L D V $$

Northside Social Coffee & Wine« 3211 Wilson Blvd., 703-465-0145, northsidesocial arlington.com. The homey, two-story coffee and wine bar (with a big patio) is always busy...which tells you something. b B L D V $$

Oby Lee

3000 N. Washington Blvd., 571-257-5054, obylee. com. Crepes and quiche are the bill of fare at this European-style café, bakery, wine shop and coffee roastery. b B L D G $$

Old Dominion Pizza

4514 Lee Highway, 703-718-6372, olddominion pizza.com. Order thin crust or “grandma style” pies named after local high school mascots. L D G $

Open Road

1201 Wilson Blvd., 703-248-0760, openroadgrill. com. This second location of the American saloon (the first is in Merrifield) is a solid pick for burgers and beers, or a proper entrée (blackened salmon, grilled half chicken, steak frites) and a craft cocktail. b L D $$

Osteria da Nino

2900 S. Quincy St. (Village at Shirlington), 703820-1128, osteriadaninova.com. For those days when you’re craving a hearty portion of spaghetti and clams, or gnocci with pesto. b D G V $$$ O’Sullivan’s Irish Pub

3207 Washington Blvd., 703-812-0939, osullivans irishpub.com. You’ll find owner and County Kerry native Karen O’Sullivan behind the bar, pouring pints and cracking jokes. L D A $$

Palette 22

4053 Campbell Ave., 703-746-9007, palette22.com. The gallery-café specializes in international small plates. b R L D V $$

Pamplona

3100 Clarendon Blvd., 703-685-9950, pamplona va.com. Spanish tapas, paella, grilled fish, pintxos, cocktails, snacks and sangria. b R D A V $$

Peking Pavilion

2912 N. Sycamore St., 703-237-6868. This family-owned restaurant serves standbys such as moo shu pork and beef with broccoli. L D $$

Sloppy Mama’s

Peruvian Brothers at The Stand

1601 Crystal Drive, 703-413-8048, peruvianbroth ers.com. Can’t catch up with their food truck? Stop by this Crystal City kiosk for empanadas, alfajores and Inca kola. B L $

Peter Chang Arlington

2503-E N. Harrison St., 703-538-6688, peterchang arlington.com. The former Chinese Embassy chef brings his fiery and flavorful Sichuan cooking to the Lee Harrison Shopping Center.  L D $$ Pho 75«

1721 Wilson Blvd., 703-525-7355, pho75.rest aurantwebexpert.com. The piping-hot soup at this local institution is all about fresh ingredients. b L D V $

Pie-tanza

2503-B N. Harrison St., 703-237-0200, pie-tanza. com. Enjoy pizza (including gluten-free options), calzones, lasagna, subs and salads.  L D G V $$

The Pinemoor

1101 N. Highland St., 571-970-2592, thepinemoor.com. Reese Gardner’s country-western saloon turns out steaks, burgers, local seafood and weekend brunch. b R L D G V $$

Pupatella«

5104 Wilson Blvd.; 1621 S. Walter Reed Drive, 571-312-7230, pupatella.com. Enzo and Anastasiya Algarme’s authentic Neapolitan pies are considered among D.C.’s best. b L D V $$

Pupuseria Doña Azucena

71 N. Glebe Road, 703-248-0332, pupuseriadona azucena.com. Beans, rice and massive pupusas at dirt-cheap prices.  L D V $

Quarterdeck

1200 Fort Myer Drive, 703-528-2722, quarterdeck arlington.com. This beloved shack has served up steamed crabs for 40 years. b  L D V $$

Queen Mother’s Fried Chicken

918 S. Lincoln St., 703-596-1557, rocksolidfood. com. Chef Rock Harper has transplanted his fried chicken sandwich operation from D.C. to Arlington, where he now shares a kitchen and dining space with The Café at La Cocina VA. L D $

Quinn’s on the Corner 1776 Wilson Blvd., 703-640-3566, quinnsonthe corner.com. Irish and Belgian favorites such as mussels, steak frites, and bangers and mash, plus draft beers and a big whiskey selection. B R L D A $$

Ragtime

1345 N. Courthouse Road, 703-243-4003, ragtime restaurant.com. Savor a taste of the Big Easy in offerings such as jambalaya, catfish, spiced shrimp and oysters. Or feast on the waffle and omelet bar every Sunday. b R L D A V $$

Ravi Kabob House

350 N. Glebe Road, 703-522-6666; 250 N. Glebe Road, 703-816-0222. Curries, kabobs and delectably spiced veggies keep this strip-mall café plenty busy.  L D V $$

Rebellion on the Pike

2900 Columbia Pike, 703-888-2044, rebellionon thepike.com. This irreverent tavern sports a deep list of craft beers and whiskeys, and serves burgers (including one zinger called the “Ramsay Bolton”), six kinds of wings and other pub grub. b R B D A $$

The Renegade

3100 Clarendon Blvd., 703-468-4652, renegadeva. com. Is it a coffee shop, restaurant, bar or live music club? All of the above. And Patrick Crump’s ad-

venturous menu includes everything from cinnamon lambchop lollipops to lo mein. B L D A $$

Rhodeside Grill

1836 Wilson Blvd., 703-243-0145, rhodesidegrill.com. Feast on chops, meatloaf, burgers and po’boys accompanied by every kind of hot sauce imaginable. b  R L D A V $$

Rice Crook

4238 Wilson Blvd. (Ballston Quarter), ricecrook.com. Korean-inspired rice bowls, salads and wraps made with locally sourced meats and produce. L D $$

Rien Tong Asian Bistro

3131 Wilson Blvd., 703-243-8388, rientong.com. The large menu includes Thai and Chinese standards, plus sushi. L D V $$

Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Co. 3471 Washington Blvd., 703-528-9663, rocklands. com. Owner John Snedden has been slow-cooking barbecue since 1990. b  L D G V $

Ruffino’s Spaghetti House

4763 Lee Highway, 703-528-2242, ruffinosarling ton.com. It’s under new ownership (Mina Tawdaros bought it in October, fulfilling a lifelong dream), but the menu still includes classics classics such as veal Parmigiana and chicken piccata.  L D V $$

Rustico

4075 Wilson Blvd., 571-384-1820, rusticorestau rant.com. You’ll find more than 400 beers to complement dishes from pizza to grilled trout and pastrami pork ribs. b  R L D G V $$

RusUz

1000 N. Randolph St., 571-312-4086, rusuz.com. The family-run bistro serves hearty Russian and Uzbek dishes such as borscht, beef stroganoff and plov—a rice pilaf with lamb. L D $$

Ruthie’s All-Day« 3411 Fifth St. S., 703-888-2841, ruthiesallday.com. Chef Matt Hill’s Southern-inspired “meat and three” serves up wood-smoked meats, chicken and fish with creative sides ranging from kimchi dirty rice to crispy Brussels sprouts with fish sauce vinaigrette. Breakfast (with house-made biscuits) offered daily. b B R L D G V $$

Saigon Noodles & Grill

1800 Wilson Blvd., 703-566-5940, saigonnoodles grill.com. The Rosslyn eatery owned by Arlington resident Tuan Nguyen serves pho, banh mi and other traditional Vietnamese dishes. L D G V $$ Salt

1201 Wilson Blvd., 703-875-0491, saltrosslyn. com. The speakeasy-style cocktail bar, which shares a kitchen with Open Road, serves tasty nibbles (cheese plates, oysters, carpaccio) with classic Sazeracs and Old Fashioneds, as well as nouveau craft cocktails. D $$

Samuel Beckett’s Irish Gastro Pub 2800 S. Randolph St., 703-379-0122, samuel becketts.com. A modern Irish pub serving Emerald Isle recipes. b  R L D A G V $$

Sawatdee Thai Restaurant 2250 Clarendon Blvd., 703-243-8181, sawatdeeva. com. The friendly eatery (its name means “hello”) is frequented by those craving pad thai or pad prik king. L D V $$

Screwtop Wine Bar and Cheese Shop 1025 N. Fillmore St., 703-888-0845, screwtop winebar.com. The congenial wine bar/shop offers tastings, wine classes, and small plates for sharing and pairing. b  R L D G V $$

Sense of Place Café & Roastery

4807 First St. N., 571-319-0414, senseofplacecafe. com. The “laptop free” café serves Enzymo coffee drinks, matcha tea, sweets and sandwiches. B L $

SER

1110 N. Glebe Road, 703-746-9822, ser-restau rant.com. Traditional Spanish and Basque dishes in a colorful, friendly space with outstanding service. b R L D V $$$

Sfoglina Pasta House

1100 Wilson Blvd., sfoglinadc.com. Fabio Trabocchi’s Rosslyn outpost is a destination for housemade pasta (you can watch it being made), a “mozzarella bar” and Italian cocktails. For a panoramic experience, reserve a table on the rooftop terrace. Closed Monday-Wednesday. b L D V $$$

Silver Diner«

3200 Wilson Blvd., 703-812-8600, silverdiner. com. The kitchen cooks with organic ingredients, many of which are sourced from local suppliers. Low-calorie and gluten-free menu choices available. b  B R L D A G V $$

Slapfish

671 N. Glebe Road, 571-312-4610, slapfishrestau rant.com. Grab some clam chowder, fish tacos or a lobster roll and pretend you are beachside. L D $$

Sloppy Mama’s Barbeque

5731 Lee Highway, 4238 Wilson Blvd. (Ballston Quarter), sloppymamas.com. Joe and Mandy Neuman’s barbecue joint offers wood-smoked meats galore— brisket, pork, chicken, ribs, turkey, sausage. Plus hearty sides and banana pudding for dessert. b B R L D $$

Smokecraft Modern Barbecue«

1015 N. Highland St., 571-312-8791, smokecraft bbq.com. Every menu item here is kissed by smoke, from ribs, crabcakes and spaghetti squash to the chocolate cherry bread pudding on the dessert list. b L D G V $$

Smoking Kow BBQ

2910 N. Sycamore St., smokingkowbbq.com. At this Kansas City-style ’cue joint, meats seasoned with a rub of 15 spices are smoked over cherry and hickory wood for 18-20 hours. L D $$

South Block«

3011 11th St. N., 703-741-0266; 1550 Wilson Blvd., 703-465-8423; 4150 Wilson Blvd., 703-465-

n places to eat

8423; 2121 N. Westmoreland St., 703-534-1542; southblockjuice.com. Cold-pressed juices, smoothies and acai bowls. b B L V $

Spice Kraft Indian Bistro

1135 N. Highland St., 703-527-5666, spicekraft va.com. Occupying the former Delhi Club space, this contemporary concept by restaurateurs Anthony Sankar and Premnath Durairaj gives Indian classics a modern spin. b L D $$

Spider Kelly’s

3181 Wilson Blvd., 703-312-8888, spiderkellys.com.

The “come as you are” bar offers a sizable beer list, creative cocktails, salads, burgers, snacks and breakfast at all hours.  D A G V $$

Stellina Pizzeria

2800 S. Randolph St., 703-962-7884, stellina pizzeria.com. Head to this Shirlington newcomer for Neapolitan pies, fried artichokes, squid ink pasta and a deli counter that offers house-made pastas, sauces, antipasti and dolci to take home. b L D $$

Supreme Hot Pot

2301 Columbia Pike, 571-666-1801, supreme hotpot.kwickmenu.com. This Pike eatery specializes in Szechuan hot pot, as well as skewered meats and a few Cajun seafood dishes. A sauce bar allows diners to choose and create their own dipping sauces. D G $$

Sushi Rock

1900 Clarendon Blvd., 571-312-8027, sushirockva. com. Play a little air guitar while sampling sushi rolls and beverages named after your favorite bands, from Zeppelin to Ozzy to Oasis. D A G V $$

Sushi-Zen Japanese Restaurant

2457 N. Harrison St., 703-534-6000, sushizen. com. An amicable, light-filled neighborhood stop for sushi, donburi, tempura and udon.

 L D V $$

Sweetgreen«

4075 Wilson Blvd., 703-522-2016; 3100 Clarendon Blvd., 571-290-3956; 575 12th Road S., 703-8881025; 2200 Crystal Drive, 703-685-9089; sweet green.com. Locally grown ingredients and compostable cutlery make this salad and yogurt chain a hub for the green-minded. b  L D G V $

Sweet Leaf

2200 Wilson Blvd., 703-525-5100; 800 N. Glebe Road, 703-522-5000; 650 N. Quincy St., 703527-0807; sweetleafcafe.com. Build your own sandwiches and salads with fresh ingredients. b  B L D $$

Taco Bamba Ballston

4000 Wilson Blvd., 571-777-1477, tacobamba.com. Every Bamba location tucks an homage or two onto its menu. Here, the taco options include the El Rico Pollo, stuffed with “Peruvian-ish” chicken, green chili puree, aji Amarillo aioli, salsa criolla, serrano chile and crispy potato. B L D V $

Taco + Pina

4041 Campbell Ave., 703-567-4747, tacoandpina. com. Try an order of Fanta pork carnitas or the vegetarian “chile relleno” taco, and cool your heels with a frozen roasted pineapple margarita. b L D V $$

Taco Rock

1501 Wilson Blvd., 571-775-1800, thetacorock.com. This rock-themed watering hole keeps the margaritas and Micheladas flowing alongside creative tacos on housemade blue-corn tortillas. B L D V $$

Takohachi Japanese Restaurant

3249 Columbia Pike, 571-312-7678, ordertakohachi japanese.com. The sushi bar offers $1 nigiri all day, plus favorites like tonkatsu ramen, tempura and saki. L D $$

Taqueria el Poblano«

2503-A N. Harrison St., 703-237-8250, taqueria poblano.com. Fresh guacamole, fish tacos, margaritas and mole verde transport patrons to the Yucatan.  L D G V $$

Ted’s Bulletin & Sidekick Bakery

4238 Wilson Blvd. #1130 (Ballston Quarter), 703848-7580, tedsbulletin.com. The retro comfort food and all-day breakfast place has healthier fare, too—which you can undo with a visit to its tantalizing bakery next door.  B R L D G V $$

Texas Jack’s Barbecue

2761 Washington Blvd., 703-875-0477, txjacks.com. Brisket, ribs and pulled pork, plus sides like raw carrot salad and smashed cucumbers. b L D A $$

T.H.A.I. in Shirlington

4209 Campbell Ave., 703-931-3203, thaiinshirling ton.com. Pretty dishes include lemongrass salmon with black sticky rice. b L D G V $$$

Thai Noy«

5880 Washington Blvd., 703-534-7474, thainoy.com. Shimmering tapestries and golden Buddhas are the backdrop in this destination for Thai noodles, curries and rice dishes. L D $$

Thai Square

3217 Columbia Pike, 703-685-7040, thaisquarerestaurant.com. The signature dish is No. 61, deep-fried, sugar-glazed squid topped with crispy fried basil. b L D G V $$

Thirsty Bernie

2163 N. Glebe Road, 703-248-9300, thirstybernie. com. Wiener schnitzel, pierogies and bratwurst provide sustenance in this Bavarian sports bar and grill. b  R L D V $$

Toby’s Homemade Ice Cream 5849-A Washington Blvd., 703-536-7000, tobys

icecream.com. Owner Toby Bantug makes premium ice creams, floats and sundaes. Coffee, pastries and bagels available in the morning. B L D V $

Trade Roots

5852 Washington Blvd., 571-335-4274, fairtrade roots.com. Lisa Ostroff’s Westover gift shop and cafe serves fair-trade coffee, tea, pastries, salads, organic wine and snackable fare like mini empanadas and Portuguese flatbread. b B L $

Troy’s Italian Kitchen

2710 Washington Blvd., 703-528-2828, troysitalian kitchen.com. Palak and Neel Vaidya’s mom-andpop serves pizza, pasta and calzones, including a lengthy vegan menu with options like “chicken” tikka masala pizza. L D G V $

True Food Kitchen

4238 Wilson Blvd. (Ballston Quarter), 703-5270930, truefoodkitchen.com. Emphasizing “anti-inflammatory” fare, the menu will convince you that healthy tastes good. b L D G V $$

TTT – Tacos, Tortas & Tequila

2900 Wilson Blvd., tttrestaurant.com. Ivan Iricanin’s ode to Mexico has all the colorful options you’d expect—tacos, enchiladas, street corn, six kinds of salsa and fruity margaritas, plus a sprawling rooftop lounge with expansive views. b B R L D $$

Tupelo Honey Café

1616 N. Troy St., 703-253-8140, tupelohoneycafe. com. The Southern fusion menu includes dishes like roasted snapper with sweet potato and farro.  R L D $$

Turu’s by Timber Pizza

4238 Wilson Blvd. (Ballston Quarter), timber pizza.com. Neapolitan(ish)-style pizzas fresh from a wood-fired oven. L D V $$

Uncle Julio’s Rio Grande Café

4301 N. Fairfax Drive, 703-528-3131, unclejulios. com. Tex-Mex highlights include mesquite-grilled fajitas, tacos and margaritas. b  R L D $$$

Urban Tandoor

801 N. Quincy St., 703-567-1432, utandoorva.com.

Taco Rock DANNY KIM

Sate your appetite with Indian and Nepalese fare, from tandoori lamb to Himalayan momos (dumplings). Lunch buffet daily. L D V $$

Weenie Beenie

2680 Shirlington Road, 703-671-6661, weenie beenie.net. The hot dog stand founded in 1954 is still serving half smokes, bologna-and-egg sandwiches and pancakes. B L D $

Westover Market & Beer Garden« 5863 N. Washington Blvd., 703-536-5040, westo vermarketbeergarden.com. A local hive for burgers and draft microbrews. The adjoining market’s “Great Wall of Beer” stocks more than 1,000 domestic, imported and craft beers in bottles and cans. b  L D A $$

Which Wich 4300 Wilson Blvd., 703-566-0058, whichwich.com. A seemingly endless menu of sandwiches and wraps with more than 60 toppings. b B L D V $$

Whitlow’s on Wilson 2854 Wilson Blvd., 703-276-9693, whitlows.com. The Clarendon institution recently announced that it will be closing its doors on June 26. Stop by and raise a glass before the bar makes its last call. b R L D V $$

Wild Tiger BBQ« 1201 S. Joyce St. (Westpost), wildtigerbbq.com. The pop-up concept by chefs Kevin Tien and Scott Chung features barbecue with an Asian flavor. Shin-shamen-rubbed proteins like pulled pork, ribs and brisket are served with kimchi pickles and your choice of five house-made sauces. L D $$

William Jeffrey’s Tavern

2301 Columbia Pike, 703-746-6333, william jeffreystavern.com. Brought to you by the owners of Dogwood Tavern, this pub on the Pike features Prohibition-era wall murals and mixes a mean martini. b  R L D A G V $$

Wilson Hardware Kitchen & Bar 2915 Wilson Boulevard, 703-527-4200, wilson hardwareva.com. Serves creative cocktails, boozy slushies and local craft beers, plus small plates, burgers and entrées like steak frites and duck confit. In nice weather, head to the roof deck. b R L D A G V $$$

World of Beer

4300 Wilson Blvd., 703-576-0395, worldofbeer. com. The beer emporium features 40 taps and a rotating roster of hundreds of brews to go with your German soft pretzel, parmesan truffle fries or pimento cheeseburger. L D V $$

Yayla Bistro

2201 N. Westmoreland St., 703-533-5600, yayla bistro.com. A cozy little spot for Turkish small plates, flatbreads and seafood. Pita wraps available for lunch only. b  L D $$

Yume Sushi

2121 N. Westmoreland St., 703-269-5064, yume sushiva.com. East Falls Church has a destination for sushi, omakase (chef’s tasting menu) and a sake bar with craft cocktails. L D V G $$$

Zofia’s Kitchen

4238 Wilson Blvd. (Ballston Quarter), 703-5506220, zofiaskitchen.com. Chef Ed Hardy’s pierogi operation stuffs the Polish dumplings with all kinds of fillers—beef brisket, bratwurst, beets, crab Rangoon, “loaded baked potato” or smoked whitefish with green apple, to name a few. L D V $

FALLS CHURCH

2941 Restaurant

2941 Fairview Park Drive, 703-270-1500, 2941.com. French chef Bertrand Chemel’s unlikely sanctuary in a suburban office building offers beautifully composed seasonal dishes and expert wine pairings in an artful setting.  L D V $$$

Abay Market Ethiopian Food

3811-A S. George Mason Drive, 703-820-7589, abaymarketethiopian.com. The seasoned grassfed raw beef dish kitfo is the specialty at this friendly, six-table Ethiopian café. L D $$

Al Jazeera

3813-D S. George Mason Drive, 703-379-2733. The top seller at this Yemeni cafe is oven-roasted lamb with yellow rice. L D $$

Alta Strada

2911 District Ave. (Mosaic District), 703-2800000, altastrada.com. Chef Michael Schlow’s menu includes house-made pastas, pizza and modern Italian small plates. R L D $$$

Anthony’s Restaurant

3000 Annandale Road, 703-532-0100, www.an thonysrestaurantva.com. The family-owned Greek and Italian diner serves standbys like spaghetti, pizza, gyros and subs, plus breakfast on weekends. R L D V $$

B Side

8298 Glass Alley (Mosaic District), 703-676-3550, bsidecuts.com. Nathan Anda’s charcuterie steals the show at this cozy bar adjoining Red Apron Butcher. The cocktails rock, too. L D $$

Badd Pizza

346 W. Broad St., 703-237-2233, baddpizza.com. At Joel Salamone’s pizzeria, order a Buffalo-style “cup-and-char” pepperoni pie (so named because the pepperoni slices curl into cups with crispy edges) and a baddbeer IPA, locally brewed by Lost Rhino Brewing Co. L D $$

Bakeshop

100 E. Fairfax St., 703-533-0002, bakeshopva.com. See Arlington listing. B V $

Balqees Restaurant

5820 Seminary Road, 703-379-0188. Order Lebanese and Yemeni dishes like lamb in saffron rice, saltah (a vegetarian stew) and saffron cake topped with rose petals and crème anglaise. b L D V $$

Bamian

5634 Leesburg Pike, 703-820-7880, bamianrest aurant.com. Try Afghan specialties like palau (seasoned lamb with saffron rice) and aushak (scallion dumpling topped with yogurt, meat sauce and mint).  L D V $$

Bartaco

2920 District Ave. (Mosaic District), 571-549-8226, bartaco.com. See Arlington listing. L D V A $$

Caboose Commons

2918 Eskridge Road (Mosaic District), 703-6638833, caboosebrewing.com. The microbrewery that started along the W&OD Trail in Vienna has a second location serving house brews and creative eats, including some plant-based options. b L D V A $$

Café Kindred

450 N. Washington St., 571-327-2215, cafe kindred.com. Pop in for a yogurt parfait, avocado toast, grilled eggplant sandwich, or an espresso fizz. B R L V $$

Celebrity Delly

7263-A Arlington Blvd., 703-573-9002, celebrity deliva.com. Matzo-ball soup, Reubens and tuna melts satisfy at this New York-style deli founded in 1975. Brunch served all day Saturday and Sunday.  B L D G V $

Clare & Don’s Beach Shack« 130 N. Washington St., 703-532-9283, clareand dons.com. Go coastal with fish tacos, coconut chicken or one of the many meatless options, and maybe catch some live outdoor music. Closed Mondays. b  L D A G V $$

DC Steakholders

6641 Arlington Blvd., 703-534-4200, dcsteakhold ers.com. The cheesesteak truck has a storefront in the former Frozen Dairy Bar space, where proprietors Usman Bhatti and Lilly Kaur are carrying forth FDB’s nearly 70-year frozen custard recipe. L D $$

District Dumplings

2985 District Ave. (Mosaic District), 703-884-7080, districtdumplingsfairfax.com. Asian-style dumplings, sandwiches and wraps. L D $$

District Taco« 5275-C Leesburg Pike, 571-699-0660, district taco.com. See Arlington listing.  B L D G V $

Dogfish Head Alehouse

6220 Leesburg Pike, 703-534-3342, dogfishale house.com. Microbrews, burgers, sandwiches, salads and wood-grilled pizzas.  L D G V $$

Dogwood Tavern

132 W. Broad St., 703-237-8333, dogwoodtav ern.com. The menu has something for everyone, from ancient grain Buddha bowls to jambalaya, burgers and coconut-curry salmon. b  R L D A V $$

Dominion Wine and Beer

107 Rowell Court, 703-533-3030, dominionwine andbeer.com. Pairings come easy when a café shares its space with a wine and beer shop. Order up a plate of sliders, a cheese board or some Dragon shrimp to snack on while you imbibe. b R L D V $$

Duangrat’s

5878 Leesburg Pike, 703-820-5775, duangrats.com. Waitresses in traditional silk dresses glide through the dining room, bearing fragrant noodles and grilled meats, in one of the D.C. area’s most esteemed destinations for Thai cuisine. b R L D V $$

Elephant Jumps Thai Restaurant

8110-A Arlington Blvd., 703-942-6600, elephant jumps.com. Creative and comforting Thai food in an intimate strip-mall storefront. L D G V $$

Elevation Burger

442 S. Washington St., 703-237-4343, elevation burger.com. See Arlington listing. b L D V $

El Tio Tex-Mex Grill

7630 Lee Highway, 703-204-0233, eltiogrill.com. A family-friendly spot for fajitas, enchiladas, combo plates and margaritas. b L D $$

Fava Pot« 7393 Lee Highway, 703-204-0609, favapot.com. Visit Dina Daniel’s restaurant, food truck and catering operation for Egyptian fare ranging from breakfast pudding with raisins, pistachios and coconut, to lamb shanks with okra. And oh the bread!

B L D G V $$

Four Sisters Restaurant 8190 Strawberry Lane, 703-539-8566, foursisters

n places to eat

restaurant.com. Mainstays include clay pot fish, grilled meats, lettuce wraps and pho. b L D V $$

Haandi Indian Cuisine«

1222 W. Broad St., 703-533-3501, haandi.com. The perfumed kabobs, curries and biryani incorporate northern and southern Indian flavors. L D V G $$

Hong Kong Palace

6387 Seven Corners Center, 703-532-0940, hong kongpalacedelivery.com. The kitchen caters to both ex-pat and American tastes with an enormous menu of options.  L D $$

Hong Kong Pearl Seafood Restaurant 6286 Arlington Blvd., 703-237-1388. Two words: dim sum. L D A V $$

Huong Viet

6785 Wilson Blvd., 703-538-7110, huong-viet. com. Spring rolls, roasted quail and shaky beef are faves at this cash-only Eden Center eatery.  L D G V $$

Ireland’s Four Provinces

105 W. Broad St., 703-534-8999, 4psva.com. The family-friendly tavern in the heart of Falls Church City serves pub food and Irish specialties. b  B R L D $$

Jinya Ramen Bar

2911 District Ave. (Mosaic District), 703-9927705, jinya-ramenbar.com. Embellish your tonkotsu or umami-miso broth with more than a dozen toppings and add-ins. b L D A V $$

JV’s Restaurant

6666 Arlington Blvd., 703-241-9504, jvsrestaurant. com. A dive bar (the best kind) known for live music, cold beer and home-cooked meatloaf, lasagna and chili. L D A V $$

Koi Koi Sushi & Roll

450 W. Broad St., 703-237-0101, koikoiva.com. The sushi is fresh and the vibe is fun. b L D $$

Le Pain Quotidien

8296 Glass Alley (Mosaic District), 703-4629322, lepainquotidien.com. See Arlington listing. B L D V $$

Liberty Barbecue«

370 W. Broad St., 703-237-8227, libertyfallschurch. com. This tasty venture by The Liberty Tavern Group serves smoked meats, fried chicken and all the accompaniments. Order a Grand Slam (four meats, four sides) and feed the whole fam. R L D $$

Little Saigon Restaurant

6218-B Wilson Blvd., 703-536-2633. Authentic Vietnamese in a no-frills setting. b L D $$

Loving Hut Vegan Cuisine

2842 Rogers Drive, 703-942-5622; lovinghut fallschurch.com. The Vietnamese-inspired vegan eatery offers menu items like rice vermicelli with barbecued soy protein and claypot rice with vegan “ham.” L D G V $$

MacMillan Whisky Room

2920 District Ave. (Mosaic District), 240-994-3905, themacmillan.com. More than 200 kinds of spirits are offered in tasting flights and composed cocktails. The food menu includes U.K. and American pub standards. b R L D $$

Mark’s Duck House

6184-A Arlington Blvd., 703-532-2125. Though named for its specialty—Peking duck—it offers plenty of other tantalizing options, too, such as short ribs, roasted pork and dim sum. R L D A V $$

Meaza Restaurant

5700 Columbia Pike, 703-820-2870, meazaethio piancuisine.com. Well-seasoned legumes and marinated beef are signatures in this vivid Ethiopian banquet hall. b  L D G V $$

Mike’s Deli at Lazy Sundae

112 N. West St., 703-532-5299, mikesdeliatlazy sundae.com. Fill your belly with homemade corned beef, cheesesteaks, breakfast and scratch-made soups. Save room for ice cream! b B L D V $

Miu Kee

6653 Arlington Blvd., 703-237-8884. Open late, this strip-mall hideaway offers Cantonese, Sichuan and Hunan dishes. L D A $$

Moby Dick House of Kabob

444 W. Broad St., 703-992-7500, mobyskabob.com. See Arlington listing. L D $$

Mom & Pop

2909 District Ave. (Mosaic District), 703-9920050, dolcezzagelato.com. The little glass cafe serves light fare, snacks, gelato, coffee, beer and wine. b B R L D A $$

Nhu Lan Sandwich

6763 Wilson Blvd., 703-532-9009, nhulansandwich. com. This tiny Vietnamese deli at Eden Center is a favorite for banh mi sandwiches. L D V $

Northside Social Falls Church«

205 Park Ave., 703-992-8650, northsidesocial va.com/falls-church. Come by in the morning for a breakfast sandwich and a latte. Return in the evening for a glass of wine and a plate of charcuterie, or a wood-fired pizza. b B L D V $$

Oath Pizza

2920 District Ave. (Mosaic District), 703-688-6284, oathpizza.com. The dough here is grilled and seared in avocado oil (for a crispy texture) and the toppings are certified humane. L D G V $$

Open Road

8100 Lee Highway, 571-395-4400, openroadmerri field.com. See Arlington listing. b  R L D $$

The Original Pancake House

7395-M Lee Highway, 703-698-6292, ophrestau rants.com. Satisfy your breakfast cravings with pancakes, crepes, waffles, French toast and more.  B R G V $

Our Mom Eugenia

2985 District Ave. (Mosaic District), 434-339-4019, ourmomeugenia.com. Beloved for its real-deal Greek fare, from saganaki to souvlaki, the critically acclaimed family business now has a sister restaurant in the Mosaic District. b L D $$

Padaek

6395 Seven Corners Center, 703-533-9480, padaekdc.com. Chef Seng Luangrath’s celebrated Falls Church eatery, hidden in a strip mall, offers both Thai and Laotian cuisine. L D G V $$

Panjshir Restaurant

114 E. Fairfax St., 703-536-4566, panjshirrestau rant.com. Carnivores go for the kabobs, but the vegetarian chalows elevate pumpkin, eggplant and spinach to new levels. b L D V $$

Parc de Ville

8926 Glass Alley (Mosaic District), 703-663-8931, parcdeville.com. Find French fare such as omelets, escargots, paté, mussels, duck confit, steak frites and boudin blanc at this spacious Parisian-style brasserie. R D $$$

Peking Gourmet Inn

6029 Leesburg Pike, 703-671-8088, pekinggour

met.com. At this James Beard Award semifinalist for “Outstanding Service,” it’s all about the crispy Peking duck.  L D G V $$

Plaka Grill

1216 W. Broad St., 703-639-0161, plakagrill.com. Super satisfying Greek eats—dolmas, souvlaki, moussaka, spanakopita. L D V $$

Pho 88

232 W. Broad St., 703-533-8233, pho88va.com. Vietnamese pho is the main attraction, but the menu also includes noodle and rice dishes. Closed Tuesdays. L D $$

Pizzeria Orso

400 S. Maple Ave., 703-226-3460, pizzeriaorso. com. Neapolitan pies and tempting small plates, such as arancini with chorizo and Brussels chips with shaved grana. b  L D G V $$

Preservation Biscuit

102 E. Fairfax St., 571-378-1757, preservation biscuit.com. Army veteran-turned-chef Jonathan Coombs has perfected his biscuit recipe. Order the signature carb with a sampler of house-made jams, or as a sandwich, with fillers ranging from fried chicken, hot honey and candied bacon to guacamole and egg with lemon aioli. L D V $

Raaga Restaurant

5872 Leesburg Pike, 703-998-7000, raagarestau rant.com. Chicken tikka, lamb rogan josh and cardamom-infused desserts. b L D G V $$

Rare Bird Coffee Roasters

230 W. Broad St., 571-314-1711, rarebirdcoffee. com. Lara Berenji and Bryan Becker’s charming Little City café roasts its own beans and recently expanded its space. L D $

Red Apron Butcher

8298 Glass Alley (Mosaic District), 703-676-3550, redapronbutchery.com. The premium butcher shop and deli sells hot dogs, burgers, charcuterie, prime steaks and sandwiches. L D V $$

Rice Paper/Taste of Vietnam

6775 Wilson Blvd., 703-538-3888, ricepapertasteofvietnam.com. Try a combo platter of pork, seafood and ground beef with rice-paper wraps at this Eden Center favorite. L D G V $$

Sfizi Café

800 W. Broad St., 703-533-1191, sfizi.com. A family-owned trattoria, deli and wine shop serving classic Italian fare—pasta, pizza, parm. L D $$

Silver Diner « 8150 Porter Road, 703-204-0812, silverdiner.com. See Arlington listing.  B R L D A G V $$

Sisters Thai

2985 District Ave. (Mosaic District), 703-280-0429, sistersthai.com. The Thai restaurant has a vibe that feels like you’re dining in your cool friend’s shabbychic living room. L D $$

Solace Outpost

444 W. Broad St., 571-378-1469, solaceoutpost. com. Filling the former Mad Fox space, this Little City microbrewery serves house-brewed suds, plus fried chicken, five kinds of fries and woodfired pizza. D A V $$

Spacebar

709 W. Broad St., 703-992-0777, spcbr.com. The little bar offers 24 craft beers on tap and 18 variations on the grilled cheese sandwich. D A V $$

Sweetgreen«

2905 District Ave. (Mosaic District), 703-992-

7892, sweetgreen.com. See Arlington listing. b  L D G V $

Sweetwater Tavern

3066 Gatehouse Plaza, 703-645-8100, great americanrestaurants.com. A modern alehouse serving seafood, chicken, ribs, microbrews and growlers to go.  L D G $$$

Taco Bamba

2190 Pimmit Drive, 703-639-0505, tacobambarest aurant.com. Taco choices at the original Taco Bamba (now one of six in the DMV) range from traditional carne asada to the “Iron Mike,” a vegan rendition stuffed with roasted cauliflower, salsa macha and mole verde. B L D $

Takumi Sushi

310-B S. Washington St., 703-241-1128, takumiva. com. The sushi and sashimi here go beyond basic. Think tuna nigiri with Italian black truffle, or salmon with mango purée. Closed Sundays and Mondays. L D V $$

Ted’s Bulletin

2911 District Ave. (Mosaic District), 571-830-6680, tedsbulletinmerrifield.com. See Arlington listing.  B R L D $$

Thompson Italian«

124 N. Washington St., 703-269-0893, thompson italian.com. Gabe and Katherine Thompson’s beloved Falls Church kitchen turns out house-made pastas, roasted chicken, creative sides, takehome supper trays and some of the best desserts around. b  D $$$

Trio Grill

8100 Lee Highway, 703-992-9200, triomerrifield. com. Treat yourself to steaks, chops, raw bar, craft cocktails and cigars. The patio opens daily at 4 p.m. for happy hour. b D $$$

True Food Kitchen

2910 District Ave. (Mosaic District), 571-3261616, truefoodkitchen.com. See Arlington listing. b  R L D $$$

Uncle Liu’s Hotpot

2972 Gallows Road, 703-560-6868, uncleliushot pot.com. Customers do the cooking in this eatery inspired by the ubiquitous hot pots of China’s Sichuan province. L D V $$

MCLEAN

Agora Tysons

7911 Westpark Drive, 703-663-8737, agoratysons. com. The Dupont Circle mezze restaurant brings its Turkish, Greek and Lebanese small plates to a second outpost in Tysons. R L D G V $$$

Amoo’s Restaurant

6271 Old Dominion Drive, 703-448-8500, amoos restaurant.com. The flavorful kabobs and stews are crowd pleasers at this hospitable Persian establishment. b  L D G V $$

Aracosia

1381 Beverly Road, 703-269-3820, aracosiamclean. com. Score a table under strings of white lights on the covered patio and order savory Afghan specialties such as braised lamb shank and baadenjaan chalou (roasted eggplant with saffron rice). b L D V $$

Asian Origin

1753 S. Pinnacle Drive, 703-448-9988, asianorigin va.com. Liu Chaosheng’s restaurant hits all the standards (kung pao chicken, beef with broccoli) plus twists like pumpkin with steamed pork. L D V $$

Assaggi Osteria & Pizzeria

6641 Old Dominion Drive, 703-918-0080, assaggi osteria.com. Enjoy a date night over plates of orecchiette with artichoke and veal paillard. The adjoining pizzeria serves wood-fired pies. b L D G V $$$

Badd Pizza

6263 Old Dominion Drive, 703-356-2233, badd pizza.com. See Falls Church listing. L D $$

Café Oggi

6671 Old Dominion Drive, 703-442-7360, cafeoggi. com. Choose among classic Italian dishes such as mozzarella caprese, beef carpaccio, spaghetti with clams and tiramisu. b L D G V $$$

Café Tatti French Bistro

6627 Old Dominion Drive, 703-790-5164, cafetatti. com. Open since 1981, the kitchen whips up classic French and continental fare. Closed Sundays. L D G V $$$

Capri Ristorante Italiano

6825-K Redmond Drive, 703-288-4601, capri mcleanva.com. A chatty, family-friendly spot known for tried-and-true Italian dishes such as spaghetti carbonara and veal Marsala. b  L D G V $$$

Eddie V’s Prime Seafood

7900 Tysons One Place, 703-442-4523, eddiev. com. Total steakhouse vibe, except with an emphasis on seafood. L D $$$$

El Tio Tex-Mex Grill

1433 Center St., 703-790-1910, eltiogrill.com. See Falls Church listing. L D $$

Esaan Tumbar«

1307 Old Chain Bridge Road, 703-288-3901, esaanmclean.com. This tiny eatery specializes in northern Thai dishes—papaya salad, larb, nam tok. A good bet for those who like heat. L D $$

Fahrenheit Asian

1313 Dolley Madison Blvd., 703-646-8968, fahren heitasian.com. A no-frills destination for Sichuan spicy noodles, dumplings, mapo tofu and other Asian comfort foods. L D V $$

Fogo de Chao

1775 Tysons Blvd., 703-556-0200, fogodechao. com. The upscale chain showcases the Brazilian tradition of churrasco—the art of roasting meats over an open fire. R L D $$$

Founding Farmers

1800 Tysons Blvd., wearefoundingfarmers.com. The farm-to-table restaurant features Virginiasourced dishes and drinks. B R L D $$$

Han Palace

7900 Westpark Drive, 571-378-0162, hanpalace dimsum.com. Pay a visit to this all-day dim-sum emporium for made-to-order buns, dumplings, crepes, roast duck and noodles. L D $$

Ichiban Sushi

6821-A Old Dominion Drive, 703-48-9117, ichiban sushimclean.com. A neighborhood go-to for sushi, udon, tempura and teriyaki. Closed Sundays. L D $$

J. Gilbert’s«

6930 Old Dominion Drive, 703-893-1034, jgilberts. com. Everything you’d expect in a steakhouse and lots of it—prime cuts of beef, lobster, wedge salad, steakcut fries and cheesecake.  R L D G V $$$

Kazan Restaurant

6813 Redmond Drive, 703-734-1960, kazanrestau rant.com. Zeynel Uzun’s white-tablecloth restaurant, a fixture since 1980, is a nice spot for kebabs, baklava and Turkish coffee. L D V $$

Lebanese Taverna 1840 International Drive, 703-847-5244, lebanesetaverna.com. See Arlington listing. b  L D G V $$

Lost Dog Café

1690-A Anderson Road, 703-356-5678, lostdogcafe. com. See Arlington listing. L D $$

Masala Indian Cuisine

1394 Chain Bridge Road,703-462-9699, masalava. com. A specialty here are “momos,” Nepalese dumplings with meat or vegetable fillings. The menu also includes tandoori biryani and Indian curries. L D V $$

McLean Family Restaurant 1321 Chain Bridge Road, 703-356-9883, themclean familyrestaurant.com. Pancakes, gyros and big plates of lasagna hit the spot. Breakfast served until 3 p.m. daily.  B L D V $$

Miyagi Restaurant 6719 Curran St., 703-893-0116. The diminutive sushi bar gets high marks for its friendly service and fresh maki and nigiri. L D $$

Moby Dick House of Kabob 6854 Old Dominion Drive, 703-448-8448; 1500 Cornerside Blvd., 703-734-7000; mobyskabob.com. See Arlington listing. L D $$

Mylo’s Grill

6238 Old Dominion Drive, 703-533-5880, mylos grill.com. Enjoy spanakopita, souvlaki and American classics. Friday is prime-rib night. b B L D $$

Pasa-Thai Restaurant

1315 Old Chain Bridge Road, 703-442-0090, pasa thairestaurant.com. Go for a classic Bangkok curry, or a chef’s special such as spicy fried rockfish with chili-basil-garlic sauce. b L D $$

Patsy’s American 8051 Leesburg Pike (Tysons), 703-552-5100, patsysamerican.com. Named for Great American Restaurants matriarch Patsy Norton, it serves greatest-hit dishes from other GAR restaurants in a space resembling a vintage railway station. b  R L D A G V $$

Pulcinella

6852 Old Dominion Drive, 703-893-7777, pulcinella restaurant.com. A stop for classic spaghetti and meatballs, linguine and clams and wood-fired pizza since 1985. L D $$

Randy’s Prime Seafood & Steaks 8051 Leesburg Pike (Tysons), 703-552-5110, randys prime.com. Randy’s (named for Great American Restaurants co-founder Randy Norton) serves prime cuts, duck-fat fries, seafood towers and other steakhouse standards. L D G $$$$

Rocco’s Italian 1357 Chain Bridge Road, 703-821-3736, roccos italian.com. The Juliano family makes everything in-house from family recipes. b  L D G $$

Silver Diner« 8101 Fletcher St., 703-821-5666, silverdiner.com. See Arlington listing.  B R L D A G V $$

Simply Fresh 6811 Elm St., 703-821-1869, simplyfreshva. com. A local favorite for pulled pork, chicken and brisket. Plus Greek diner fare and breakfast. b  B L D G V $

Tachibana

6715 Lowell Ave., 703-847-1771, tachibana.us. Sushi aside, the chef’s specials here include starters such as clam miso soup, monkfish paté and savory egg custard.  L D $$

shop local

by Rina Rapuano

Zip It Good

When the early days of the pandemic revealed an urgent need for masks, Arlington resident Karina Gaull did what many across the globe did: She dug out her old sewing machine, watched a few tutorials on YouTube and got to work making masks—in this case, for a local initiative dubbed the Million Mask Challenge.

“I got hooked because I love working with my hands,” says Gaull, who moved to the States with her husband in 2001 after the couple met and married in her native Brazil. “The minute I could sew a straight line, I said, ‘I think I can make more things with this machine.’ ”

She started with a project that’s considered a good jumping-off point

for newbie sewers—zipper pouches. As a former graphic designer who has also dabbled in jewelry design and calls herself a “professional hobbyist,” she was familiar with the language of colors and patterns. Only the medium was different.

“The next thing I knew, I had at least 80 zipper pouches stacking up,” says Gaull, whose repertoire now includes wallets, wristlets, totes and makeup bags. “It was just so natural to me to be able to work in different media… but to still implement my passion for colors and textures and prints. It was like a light bulb moment.”

Gaull mainly makes custom bags and pouches for those who reach out to her through Instagram or via her

website. Clients select a pattern and a primary fabric, and she takes it from there, often adding her own personal stamp to a piece by incorporating a whimsical beaded zipper pull or hand stitching. Prices range from $18 for a coin purse to $100 for her largest tote.

The most popular item is the $45 minimalist wallet. “Every woman needs a bag that fits at least her phone,” says Gaull. “It has a zipper pocket for coins and whatever. It has space for your cards. I added a wrist strap, too, so it’s kind of allin-one. If you just want to go to the grocery store and not carry a big bag, you can put that on your wrist and you’re good to go. Very practical.” karinagaull.com

Karina Gaull

Home Sweet Home

Sarah Allen, the newest owner of The Urban Farmhouse in Arlington’s Bluemont neighborhood, likes to joke that she comes “from a long line of very serious shoppers.” In addition to having a mother who adores shopping, Allen has some legitimate ties to the profession.

“My sister was a buyer in New York at big department stores,” says the former lawyer, who refreshed and reopened the shop at the end of January. “My step-grandmother owned a boutique in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, when I was little, and I used to love going in there. So I’ve always just wanted to own a shop.”

Last October, that dream finally came within reach when the store’s prior owner, June Tait, announced she was moving to Richmond and selling

the beloved boutique located below Covet. Allen considered changing the name—but then realized The Urban Farmhouse was already so close to her vision that doing so seemed unnecessary.

“I’ve always thought of opening a home and gift shop, which is what this is, so I don’t think it would have been terribly different,” says the new proprietor, who lives about 2 miles from the store.

She is making a few inventory tweaks, though. Customers can expect more home décor items, such as throw pillows, rugs and blankets; and she’s leaning on her husband to try and beef up what they call the “dude section,” with things like barware in an effort to attract more male clientele. Plus, the general vibe will now skew in the direction of Allen’s personal style, which she calls classic, functional and “sort of Scandinavian coastal.”

Items range from $1 bumblebee stickers to vintage furniture pieces in the hundreds of dollars. Allen says she aims to keep prices fair and accessible.

“I do think our furniture is priced very well,” she says. “I think that’s part of why people love us. We’re not selling $5,000 antiques. We’re selling well-loved, vintage pieces that will work in any family’s home.”

Allen understands that loyal fans might worry about losing the essence of what made the place special before, but she says the dynamism from seasonality, local artisans and the owner’s perspective is what makes boutique shopping interesting.

“They’re small businesses, so they’re unique,” she says. “You’re going to find things there that you’re not going to find in the big-box shops or even in downtown Clarendon.”

theurbanfarmhousestore.com

Sarah Allen

By Carole Sugarman

There were no swimsuit or evening gown competitions at this beauty pageant, but the winner was quite a leggy individual. Ten legs, in fact. That’s because the pageant queen—who took a wobbly victory walk down a miniature runway—was a hermit crab, capturing the 2019 title of Miss Crustacean of Ocean City, New Jersey.

And if anyone in the audience misconstrued the event as a test of good looks, Michael Hartman, Ocean City’s then special events coordinator and lively master of ceremonies for the pageant, was quick to correct them. “This is a scholarship program,” he deadpanned at the outset of the competition, held at the city’s civic center.

It was just another fun and endearingly wacky happening in the beach town, where families and kids built themed dioramas to pose their decorated hermit crabs (think a Crab-Tain Hook pirate ship or a Crabby in Wonderland tea party). “Crabs Got Talent,” the winner of the combination crab-and-craft contest, was a cardboard stage lookalike of the popu-

lar show America’s Got Talent made by a family from Collegeville, Pennsylvania.

No wonder Ocean City, founded on a barrier island by four Methodist ministers in 1879, bills itself as “America’s Greatest Family Resort.” Aside from a bustling boardwalk and a host of unique kid-friendly activities, the seaside locale is dry, meaning that alcoholic beverages can’t be sold within the city limits. So unlike Ocean City, Maryland, there are no Dirty Banana cocktails like those served at Seacrets Jamaica USA; the raciest that things get in OCNJ is a Dirty Hippie (chai tea latte with espresso) at Jon & Patty’s Coffee Bar & Bistro.

In fact, a visit to the “other Ocean City” is like taking a trip to the past. There’s an old-fashioned sweetness to the place, with its quaint bakeries, broad streets lined with new or restored Victorians, numerous playgrounds and multipurpose community center. Taylor Pork Roll—a processed pork product invented by 19th-century New Jersey businessman and politician

Taylor—appears on seemingly every breakfast menu.

The boardwalk is chockablock with rides, arcades, surrey (four-wheeled carriage) rentals and a slew of bikinibusting eats. The wide beach is amply staffed with lifeguards. The ice cream vendors who set up carts at entryways to the beach ring bells to alert sun worshippers that it’s time for a Popsicle.

What makes the place even more distinctive as a beach resort is the vibrant downtown area a few blocks from the boardwalk, with 100 locally owned shops and restaurants, ranging from old school to trendy. There’s Wallace Hardware, founded in 1909, and Hoy’s 5&10, but there are also nail salons, tony home furnishing shops, and clothing boutiques with chic beach attire.

And besides the Miss Crustacean contest, people flock to the annual Doo Dah Parade, featuring marching bands, floats and hundreds of costumed basset hounds (89-year-old actress Barbara Eden, the star of yesteryear’s I Dream of Jeannie, was the 2019 grand marshal). In

decorated strollers and wagons, babies and children compete in the 111-yearold Baby Parade; at the other end of the age spectrum, the Mr. Mature America Pageant (rescheduled for September this year) celebrates the accomplishments of men 55 years and older. Then there’s the Night in Venice, an elaborate boat parade and waterfront-home decorating contest capped off with fireworks.

Aside from all the people-made fun, respites in nature are close by. Directly west of Ocean City lies Great Egg Harbor Bay, home to boating, water sports, fishing and crabbing. On the south end of Ocean City, Corson’s Inlet offers a state park with hiking trails, interpretive tours, and habitats teeming with wildlife and birds…just the antidote to a night of belting out “Brown Eyed Girl” at a boardwalk sing-along and being coerced onto the roller coaster.

This story was originally researched and written pre-pandemic. While businesses and most activities should be open this summer, check online or call before visiting.

John

Sunrise on the beach

Where to Eat

On the boardwalk, concentrate on nostalgic operations such as Shriver’s, which has been making candy and fudge since 1898. Walk through an enormous candy land of chocolates and every imaginable flavor of fudge (pumpkin, Irish mint, Black Forest cherry) to the very back of the shop, where you can watch staffers make saltwater taffy on a pulling machine. Next head to Johnson’s Popcorn, which has been serving warm, not-too-sweet caramel-coated popcorn since 1940. There’s a great debate over the best boardwalk pizza. Manco & Manco (originally Mack & Manco) is an OCNJ institution similar to OCMD’s Grotto Pizza. We think Grotto has a slight edge. We still put our OCNJ ice cream money on Kohr Bros., which has been turning out top-notch frozen custard since 1919 and is familiar to visitors of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and OCMD. For a more updated icy treat, don’t miss a banana whip (frozen pureed bananas combined with other fruit, plus toppings and add-ins) at the Bashful Banana Bakery & Café

Selling from-scratch goodies, homestyle bakeries rule here, and doughnuts are king. Crisp on the outside, soft and cakey inside, Browns freshly made doughnuts are a total wow; eat ’em while

they’re hot—just not on the boardwalk, as aggressive seagulls are prone to dive-bomb and steal them right out of your hands. A few blocks away on the boardwalk, Oves Restaurant’s apple cider doughnuts are also made daily on-site; they’re denser than Browns’ and maybe a tad less spectacular. But the line usually isn’t as long, and you can rent bikes and surreys there to burn off the calories.

Off the boardwalk, Dot’s Pastry Shop sells cream-filled doughnuts and has a loyal following. Another must-try are Mallon’s Homemade Sticky Buns with their buttery interiors and sticky not-too-sweet topping; get the bestselling version with walnuts and raisins. And Wards Pastry is worth a visit, if only to see the decades-old bakery’s collection of cookie jars, and to check out the savory-sweet scrapple pie.

Since OCNJ restaurants can’t sell alcohol, there’s no real fine-dining scene. But a note to exhausted parents craving an end-of-beach-day beer: There are bars and restaurants right outside the city limits—in Somers Point and Strathmere, for example—that serve alcohol, and it’s hard to miss the 10,000-square-foot Boulevard Super Liquors store in nearby Marmora (where you can purchase booze to consume in your hotel room or rental).

Within the city, charming family-friendly outposts serve breakfast, sandwiches and

salads, such as Ready’s Coffee Shop & Restaurant, with its green vinyl booths and knotty pine walls, or Kessel’s Korner, with its fabulous salad platters, hoagies and seasonal fresh peach sundaes.

For something other than boardwalk pizza for dinner, Bennie’s Bread makes a memorable tomato pie, and Piccini’s bacon cheeseburger pizza was featured in a 2015 episode of Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives on the Food Network.

On Asbury Avenue, Jon & Patty’s Bar & Bistro serves creative dishes with fresh, well-designed preparations; Cousin’s has a twilight menu (4:30 to 5:30 p.m.) that includes Italian entrées with salad, vegetable, bread and dessert for under $20; and Boyar’s Market offers an extensive selection of homemade prepared foods for takeout, such as fried chicken and pulled pork.

Pizza from Manco & Manco

Where to Shop

Beach weather or not, plan a morning or afternoon stroll along Asbury Avenue, the heart of Ocean City’s downtown. For all the things you forgot to pack, head to Hoy’s 5&10, brimming with beach toys, underwear, hangers, bug spray, plungers and more. For all the things the kids want, Kay Jay’s Doll Shoppe stocks crafts, puzzles, toys and games, as well as American Girl, Bitty Baby and WellieWishers dolls, plus bargain-priced homemade doll clothing. For beach reads, there’s Sun Rose Words & Music, an independently owned shop selling new books, office and art supplies, greeting cards, games and music CDs, or The Bookateria Two, a secondhand store crammed with used paperbacks. Bowfish Kids, a children’s clothing store, has a magical space called Bowfish Studios, where kids can be transformed into mermaids, unicorns, fairies, sharks

and dragons—via makeup, hairstyles, temporary tattoos and costumes. The shop also runs a Mermaid Camp (for one or four days), and yes, kids learn to swim with a tail. Tweens up to twentysomethings will enjoy Island Gypsy’s casual, hip attire, and moms will find something among the beautiful shirts and sweaters at DonnaGay Dillon Boutique

Where to Stay

The three nicest accommodations on the boardwalk are Port-O-Call, a pretty pink building with a lavender and aquaappointed lobby, beachside pool and grill, restaurant, spa services and two units that can sleep up to eight people; The Flanders Hotel, an Old World-inspired spot built in 1923 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places that offers lobby shops, a restaurant serving three meals a day plus high tea, and multiroom units; and the Beach Club Hotel, where

Night in Venice boat parade

the Café Beach Club restaurant, next to the beachside pool, serves one of the best breakfasts and lunches on the boardwalk. The hotel also runs an adjacent building with one-bedroom suites and kitchenettes. For longer stays with ample time to de-stress, Ocean City has plenty of house rentals, with a wide range of prices and accommodations. To secure a rental, contact Berger Realty (bergerrealty. com), Monihan Realty (monihan.com) or Berkshire Hathaway (njshore.foxroach.com/ area/ocean-city).

What to Do

Family activities are scheduled seemingly every day or evening. Face painters and balloon sculptors entertain the kids on Asbury Avenue on Funtastic Tuesdays or Thursday’s Market Days, while Thursday night is Family Night on the boardwalk, with live music, sing-alongs, magicians and Hula-

Hoop contests. Not to mention that there are children’s plays every Tuesday morning and activities such as french fry or taffy sculpting on Wacky Wednesdays at the Ocean City Music Pier, which also holds all kinds of events and concerts (Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes are scheduled for July 5). The calendar on the Ocean City website (oceancityvacation.com) will keep you posted about daily activities.

On the boardwalk, Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, owned by Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian, has lots of ride options for younger kids, while Playland’s Castaway Cove entices thrill seekers with rides like Extreme Cyclone or Alien Abduction. In 2021, tags are required for access to the beach from June 5 through Sept. 6. Hotels often provide them, or check store.ocnj.us for locations where they can be purchased.

For bayside activities, businesses lining the aptly named Bay Avenue rent Jet Skis, WaveRunners, parasails, kayaks, catamarans, paddleboards, you name it. Pirate Voyages leads daily bay excursions aboard the Sea Dragon; kids search for treasure and wear pirate garb. And don’t miss Totally Tubular Watersports’ Aqua Park, an obstacle course/playground located right in the water (life jackets provided). n

Carole Sugarman lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and visits Ocean City, New Jersey, every summer.

Mummers Night takes place on the boardwalk every Tuesday night in July and August. The “Tin Lizzy” bumper cars at Gillian’s Wonderland Pier are also a family favorite.

back story n by Kim O’Connell

Secret Weapons

The Black women code breakers of Arlington Hall Station

SHERYL EVERETT WORMLEY remembers her grandmother Ethel Just as an accomplished scholar and collegiate educator who broke barriers for Black women during the Jim Crow era. With a bachelor’s degree from Ohio State and a master’s from Boston University, Just became dean of women at South Carolina State University around 1950. Those probably weren’t her only career achievements, although the others are harder to trace. During World War II, a unit of African American women secretly worked as code breakers in Arlington as part of America’s massive intelligence operation, which employed roughly 10,000 women code breakers in total. By deciphering encrypted communications, the women helped the Allied forces target Axis leaders and enemy ships—and even coordinate the D-Day invasion. Their command center was Arlington Hall Station, a former women’s junior college that became a key wartime cryptography center. (Today it houses the George P. Shultz National Foreign

Affairs Training Center at George Mason Drive and Route 50.) The station was unusual for the time in that up to 15% of its workforce was Black—an effort at equity that Eleanor Roosevelt may have dictated herself, according to author Liza Mundy’s book, Code Girls: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II

But between the top-secret nature of the work and the racial segregation of the period, even people working at Arlington Hall were unaware that Just’s special unit existed. Whereas stories of their white counterparts have come to light as records have been declassified, the identities of most of Arlington’s Black code breakers remain unknown.

In researching her book, Mundy scoured National Security Agency records, among many other sources, and uncovered only two names of Arlington’s Black women code breakers: Annie Briggs, who headed up the production unit, which worked to identify and decipher codes; and Ethel Just, who led a team of translators.

William Coffee, a Black man, supervised the women and recruited many of them, later winning an award for his wartime leadership.

Genealogical and newspaper archives suggest that the Ethel Just of Arlington Hall was likely Ethel Highwarden Just, a Howard University language professor who married pioneering Black biologist Ernest Everett Just. The couple lived in Washington, D.C., and had three children before they divorced around 1939.

Although definitive proof of Just’s role in the code breaking unit is elusive, the October 1956 edition of The Negro History Bulletin (a periodical launched in 1937 by African American historian Carter G. Woodson) states that Ethel Just worked as a “translator in the War Department.”

“William Coffee may have known people who attended or taught at Howard,” Mundy says. “It wouldn’t surprise me at all if the country’s historically Black colleges and universities contributed many members of the code breaking unit.” n

Black “code girls” at Arlington Hall Station

DISCOVER

Come see for yourself how phenomenal life is in and around Brambleton. Thoughtfully designed with today’s lifestyle in mind. Enjoy Loudoun County living at its finest.

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