Arlington Magazine Jul/Aug 2022

Susan Sarcone & Mitchell Schneider

SO C IAL S CE N E E V E N TS

Socia l Scene Events is a full service firm, with over 20 years experience W e w ill wo rk closely w ith you to coord inate a spectacula r event Our services Include:

• W eddings

• Commitment Ceremonies

• Anniversary Celebrations

• Milestone Events

• Mitzvahs

• Corporate Events

■ FEATURES

26 Go Outside and Play

Summer is calling. Here are 27 adventures that will get you out of the house and into nature. HEALTH & WELLNESS

42

Top Dentists

Our area’s very best dentists, orthodontists, oral surgeons and smile experts, as chosen by their professional peers.

PEOPLE

60 Extraordinary Teen Awards 2022

Life during a pandemic didn’t stop these recent graduates from achieving remarkable things. In some cases, it inspired them to reach even higher.

MICHAEL VENTURA

ON THE COVER:

Paddleboarding Virginia’s lower peninsula near the Plum Tree National Wildlife Refuge.

Photo by Skip Brown.

Yorktown High School graduate Zoe Davis with Jack, a rescue pup from the Animal Welfare League of Arlington

Virginia Hospital Center is now VHC Health.

Virginia Hospital Center is now VHC Health — a new name that reflects our position as the region’s community health system. And, while our name has changed, what will never change is our promise and commitment to our community throughout Northern Virginia to always provide personalized, high quality care. For you. For life. Visit us at vhchealth.org.

CON TENTS

Around Town

Warm weather heralds the arrival of outdoor concerts, summer festivals and the Arlington County Fair.

20 Familiar Faces

Ready to show some skin? If you’re into body piercing, he’s Arlington’s go-to guy.

24 Big Picture

Catching up with “thru-hikers” on the Appalachian Trail.

78 Great Spaces

This backyard pavilion preserves a piece of Indonesian antiquity—actually, thousands of pieces. 80 Prime Numbers

The area’s most expensive home sales. Plus, real-estate trends by ZIP code.

88 Restaurant Review

A new hot spot for Peruvian ceviche, causa, pisco sours and selfies.

92 Home Plate

Late-night cookie deliveries—and farmers market croissants that will make it worth your while to set an alarm for Sunday morning.

93 Places to Eat

Hungry? Our dining guide includes bitesize write-ups on more than 250 area restaurants and bars.

104 Driving Range

Stick your toes in the sand and enjoy the low-key vibe at these lesser-known beaches.

110 Get Away

Fun with Legos, a place to stay by the Delaware shore and a new foodie destination in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

112 Back Story

In the time of segregation, an independent library for Black Arlingtonians.

letter from the publisher

Back to Normal(ish)

LAST YEAR, our July/August issue included a feature story titled “Rebalancing Act.” The gist of the story was that many of us had adopted unhealthy coping mechanisms during the pandemic (e.g., working too much, eating too much, drinking too much) that we needed to shed and return to a more balanced life.

If this issue’s cover story is any indication of the progress we’ve made in the past year, it seems we are in a better place. There’s no mention of Covid. It doesn’t focus on the pandemic, isolation, uncertainty or unhealthy habits. Instead, the story “Go Outside and Play” identifies and celebrates 27 outdoor adventures within driving distance that you can enjoy this summer. Whether your jam is cycling, hiking, fishing, rafting, SUPing, kayaking, soaring or simply smelling the roses, we have something for everyone.

Switching gears, you will also find our annual Extraordinary Teen Awards in this issue. Although there is a lot to worry about these days—another heartbreaking school shooting, political polarization and dysfunction, rising Covid numbers, the war in Ukraine, inflation and battered markets— please take a moment to pour the beverage of your choice, find a comfortable chair and read about these amazing kids. If they don’t give you hope for the future, I don’t know what will.

I love dumb dad jokes. (Just ask my kids.) Here’s a favorite: What time is it when you need to go to the

dentist? Tooth-hurty (2:30). OK, that’s an especially bad one, but it is a relevant segue to our second annual “Top Dentists” feature. We partnered with Professional Research Services to conduct a peerreview survey of the leading dentists in Arlington, Fairfax, the City of Falls Church and the City of Alexandria. The results are organized by specialty. I hope you find it useful. Following “Top Dentists” is Dentist Profiles, which is a special advertising section. Please take a moment to read them and, if you are looking for a local dentist, consider scheduling an appointment.

As we move into summer, it’s worth acknowledging that many of us are in the “high velocity years”— working hard, raising our kids, running them around town (or the region) to myriad activities, carving out time for friends and family—with no end in sight. Here’s to finding the time to slow down, unplug a bit, get outside and take advantage of a few of the activities in this issue.

We love hearing from you. I can be reached at greg. hamilton@arlingtonmagazine.com. You can find our editor Jenny Sullivan at jenny.sullivan@arlington magazine.com. Send us your feedback and letters to the editor. Hope you have a terrific summer.

Greg Hamilton Publisher

Eric is a seasoned nancial advisor and planner with over a decade of experience helping clients invest the right way. He also lives with his wife and daughter in Falls Church, and roots for Virginia Tech (his alma mater).

LASERDENTIST WHATISTHEDIFFERENCE? PEDIATRIC

■ contributors

An environment that offers distractions and entertainment

Staff interactions in a playful manner

Training and expertise in child psychology and cooperation techniques

Technologyusingdigital x-ray imaging and intra-oral cameras

At Dr. Rishita’s Smile Wonders, children can’t wait to come back for their next appointment.

571-350-3663

11790 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 105 Reston, VA 20191 www.smilewonders.com

Skip Brown

LIVES IN: Cabin John, Maryland, “within walking distance to the Potomac and 10 minutes from Great Falls, where I regularly paddle and surf”

ORIGINALLY FROM: Hampton, Virginia

IN THIS ISSUE: Photographed the cover and other outings for our story on outdoor adventures, plus a few Extraordinary Teen Award winners

HOW HE GOT THAT SHOT: “The paddleboarder on the cover was photographed with a drone, not far from where I grew up in the salt marshes of the lower Chesapeake Bay. One of my oldest childhood friends and I paddled over on SUPs. I climbed onto a duck blind to launch and fly the drone while my buddy paddled around. What makes this shot special to me is that it’s the same place I played as a kid. And with one of the same kids!”

ADRENALINE HIGHS: “I love kiteboarding and wing-surf foiling from various launches around Annapolis, Maryland; mountain biking the myriad trails in the DMV; hang gliding and paragliding the Massanutten ridge between Harrisonburg and Strasburg, Virginia; and kayaking and SUP-surfing the incredible whitewater of the Potomac River on and just below Great Falls. Also skiing, snowboarding and Nordic skiing in Canaan Valley, West Virginia—my go-to place for winter sports.”

DAY JOB: “I’m an editorial and corporate photographer bouncing back from two years of Covid underemployment. I shoot everything from magazine stories and portraits of lawyers to baby pandas for the National Zoo, a longtime client. And of course, a variety of my favorite outdoor adventure sports.”

ONLINE: skipbrownphotography.com; @skipbrownphoto on Instagram

Photographer Skip Brown (left) cruising the Potomac River with his son Ian

PUBLISHER & CO-FOUNDER

Greg Hamilton

EDITOR

Jenny Sullivan

ART DIRECTOR

Laura Goode

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Danny Ryan

DIGITAL WRITER/WEB PRODUCER

Eliza Tebo

DINING CRITIC

David Hagedorn

COPY EDITOR

Sandy Fleishman

CO-FOUNDER

Steve Hull

WRITERS

Christine Koubek Flynn, Stephanie Kanowitz, Wendy Kantor, Lisa Lednicer, Andrea K. McDaniels, Kim O’Connell, Barbara Ruben, Jennifer Shapira, Amy Brecount White, Jeffrey Yeates

PHOTOGRAPHERS & ILLUSTRATORS

Shannon Ayres, Raymond Bojarski, Skip Brown, John Cole, Darah Gardner-Hickman, Erick Gibson, Lisa Helfert, Tony J. Lewis, Deb Lindsey, Jesse Peters, Hilary Schwab, Ryan Thompson, Joseph D. Tran, Michael Ventura, Cameron Whitman

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Traci Ball, Kristin Murphy

FINANCE & CIRCULATION COORDINATOR

Julie Rosenbaum

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Jennifer Founder of

AROUND TOWN

Shemekia Copeland

MUSIC

THROUGH AUG. 14

Lubber Run Summer Concert Series

Lubber Run Amphitheater

Performances on the outdoor stage range from the Togolese rhythms of Elikeh and ska tunes by The Fuss to kids’ shows, jazz, soul and classical chamber music by the National Chamber Ensemble. Shows are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 11 a.m. Free. See website for the full lineup. Walking entrance near the intersection of North Columbus Street and North Second Street, Arlington. arlingtonva.us/lubber-run-concerts

JULY 16, 8 P.M.

Johnny Folsom 4: Tribute to Johnny Cash

The State Theatre

Celebrate the legacy of “The Man in Black” with covers of “A Boy Named Sue,” “Ring of Fire,” “Walk the Line” and other songs that have become part of the American lexicon. $20 in advance; $25 day of show. 220 N. Washington St., Falls Church, thestatetheatre.com

JULY 29, 8 P.M.

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in Concert

Wolf Trap

Kids, fans and Wookies are sure to delight in this live National Symphony

JUNE 18-20

Columbia Pike Blues Festival Weekend and Juneteenth Walk

On Saturday, blues vocalist Shemekia Copeland headlines the 25th annual block party, capping off a full lineup of live blues, R&B and funk performers including Eric Scott, Robbin Kapsalis & Vintage #18, Shakin’ Woods and Anthony “Swamp Dog” Clark. Listen to tunes from 1-8:30 p.m. while enjoying food, drink, family activities and a visit from the Arlington Art Truck. The weekend’s festivities also include Friday and Sunday pop-up performances at local restaurants and a Historic Juneteenth neighborhood walk from 9-10 a.m. Sunday in collaboration with the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington and Walk Arlington. Free. On Walter Reed Drive between Columbia Pike and South Ninth Street (plus other locations), Arlington, columbiapike.org/bluesfest-2022

headlines the Columbia Pike Blues Festival

MASTERS OF THE MIC

RAKIM & DJ JAZZY JEFF, SLICK RICK, DA BRAT, BIG DADDY KANE, TREACH OF NAUGHTY BY NATURE, & TALIB KWELI

JUL 1

ZIGGY MARLEY & STEPHEN MARLEY

BOB MARLEY CELEBRATION

JUL 27 BÉLA FLECK & MY BLUEGRASS HEART SAM BUSH THE JERRY DOUGLAS BAND JUL 2

PINK MARTINI

NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

JUL 8

DISNEY AND PIXAR’S TOY STORY IN CONCERT

NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

JUL 30

HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE ™ IN CONCERT

NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

JUL 22 + 23

SILKROAD ENSEMBLE WITH RHIANNON GIDDENS

PHOENIX RISING

JUL 24

DAVID GRAY

AUG 14

FANTASIA

LEELA JAMES AUG 19 …and many

Orchestra performance of the musical score by the legendary John Williams. Emil de Cou conducts. $42-$87. 1645 Trap Road, Vienna, wolftrap.org

JULY 29-30, 7:30 P.M.

Vince Gill

Capital One Hall

The Country Music Hall of Famer has released 20 albums in the course of his career, with hits such as “When I Call Your Name” and “Go Rest High on That Mountain.” $35-$150 and up. 7750 Capital One Tower Road, Tysons, capitalonehall.com

AUG. 18, 8 P.M.

Elvis Costello & The Imposters

Wolf Trap

Sing your heart out to “Alison” and hear songs from the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer’s latest release, The Boy Named If Nick Lowe & Los Straitjackets open the show. $37-$77. 1645 Trap Road, Vienna, wolftrap.org

PERFORMING ARTS

JULY 7-31

Best of the Bard

Synetic Theater

The Tempest. Twelfth Night. A Midsummer Night’s Dream Experience the magic of Synetic’s acclaimed wordless Shakespeare series in this “greatest hits” compilation show. Six actors will convey some of the most famous moments of theatrical comedy, drama, romance and revenge through movement, dance and pantomime without uttering a word. $10-$60. 1800 S. Bell St., Arlington, synetictheater.org

AUG. 16-OCT. 9

The Color Purple Signature Theatre

Felicia Curry (The Scottsboro Boys) stars in this Tony-nominated musical adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker. It chronicles the story of Celie,

who is torn from her sister as a teenager and forced into an abusive marriage, later finding hope in a group of friends who inspire her to change her life. Featuring a soaring score of jazz, gospel, blues and ragtime, The Color Purple illuminates the lives of Southern Black women. A Pride Night performance will be held on Sept. 16. See website for show times. $40-$108. 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington, sigtheatre.org

AUTHORS & BOOKS

AUG. 2, 5 P.M.

The Red Truck Bakery Farmhouse Cookbook Release Party

One More Page Books

Chef Brian Noyes has created a whole new batch of recipes, sweet and savory, from his award-winning bakery in Marshall, Virginia. Break out of that food rut with

McLean Rotary’s Dignity of Work Award Program

The Rotary Club of McLean is proud to announce the recipients of its first McLean community “Dignity of Work” awards: Anita Shrestha, an employee of Embassy Auto Wash; Milka Taherian, an employee of the Chesterbrook Safeway; and George Kapetanakis, owner and manager of McLean Family Restaurant.

“These quarterly awards recognize individuals who help enhance McLean’s economic vitality and community spirit through their exemplary vocational efforts, good service, and admirable work ethic,” said McLean Rotary president John McEvilly. “We seek to honor local people whose daily efforts make McLean a better place to work.”

Anita Shrestha, a native of Nepal, has served as a cashier for over 24 years at McLean’s Embassy Auto Wash. Her nomination stated that “she is dependable, remembers customers and also

makes sure all employees are treated fairly. And you can tell she really enjoys her work.”

Bulgaria native Milka Taherian has worked at the Chesterbrook Safeway for more than 16 years. She is unfailingly friendly, helpful, and courteous. Her dependability and commitment to her work have enabled her to support the educational and career aspirations of her two hardworking and accomplished daughters.

George Kapetanakis grew up in Greece, where he learned to make olive oil and fresh cheeses. Since 1969, the McLean Family Restaurant (MFR) has been a staple of the McLean, VA community, offering home-style meals in a friendly, neighborly, casual atmosphere. George’s hard work kept his business open and his staff employed during the coronavirus pandemic.

goodies like potato-pesto flatbread, corn crabcakes, pork tenderloin with rosemary and blueberries, and caramel cake with pecans. The author will have signed copies for sale ($28). Event is free, but registration is required. 2200 N. Westmoreland St., Arlington, onemorepagebooks.com

ART

THROUGH JULY 24

Interconnected Roots: An Arlington Art Truck Activation

Multiple locations

Want to contribute to a collaborative work of art that highlights the beauty of biodiversity and inclusion? Paint a swatch of color that reflects your identity to be interwoven into a pattern by Baltimore artist Edgar Reyes. Inspired by Mexican weaving traditions and culminating in a temporary indoor mural at Kenmore Middle School, this community art project will explore what is native and non-native—not only in plant, bird and insect species, but also with regard to the artist’s own journey as an American with Indigenous and European roots. Free. See website for art truck locations and program details. arlingtonva.us/government/programs/ arts/programs/arlington-art-truck

AUG. 1-26

Courage in Color

Gallery

Underground

Some of most influential modern movements relied on innovative daring use of color—from the non-naturalist colors of Fauvism the unmixed primary colors

Impressionists dabbed on canvas to depict reflected light. This juried show challenges contemporary artists to color courageously in new works. 2120 Crystal Drive, Arlington, arlingtonartistsalliance.org

SEASONAL

AUG. 1

Dark Star Park Day

Dark Star Park in Rosslyn Head to Arlington’s Dark Star Park at 9:32 a.m. on Aug. 1. That’s the day

when William Henry Ross in 1860 bought the land that is now Rosslyn—and the precise time when shadows cast by the park’s seemingly random metal poles and spheres (elements in a permanent art installation by sculptor Nancy Holt) align to create a fleeting masterpiece. Free. 1655 N. Fort Myer Drive, Arlington, holtsmithsonfoundation.org/dark-star-park

AUG. 17-21

Arlington County Fair

Thomas Jefferson Community Center

The county fair returns with funnel cake, frozen treats, live performances, animals, carnival rides, competitive exhibits and other favorite attractions. Bring the kiddos for some summertime fun. Admission is free, but rides are ticketed. 3501 Second St. S., Arlington, arlingtoncountyfair.us

Arlington Pride Festival

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

Don your best rainbow garb and head to Rosslyn’s Gateway Park for an afternoon of live entertainment, games, food, drink, prizes, swag bags, LGBTQIA+ resources and surprise guests. This inaugural celebration will also include kid-friendly activities and a dog park for attending pooches. Free. Gateway Park, 1300 Langston Blvd., Arlington, arlvapride.com

musical ode to the unemployed with a

familiar faces

■ by Wendy Kantor | photo by Erick Gibson

Body Positive

At Arlington’s most popular piercing studio, the baubles are sparkly but the motivations are often more than skin deep.

BLAKE WILLIAMS HAS 14 dragon tattoos and 12 piercings. Some of his body art you can see—like the “third eye” on his forehead, the ring in his nose and the letters that spell out “kindness” on his knuckles—while others fall into the “that’s private” category, he says. Williams, 47, is the head piercer and shop manager at CraigPokesU ( craig pokesu.com) on Langston Boulevard,

just up the street from Cowboy Cafe. It’s a delicate job that requires both emotional sensitivity and dexterity. He blings a lot of noses, ears and belly buttons, but also loves finding corrective solutions for people who weren’t pierced properly the first time—for instance, the 60-something client whose earlobes had been pierced too low decades earlier. The fix? “We put a tiny little ring in the bottom [holes], then corrected and moved up. She got to wear the studs she hadn’t been able to wear for years, and then she’s got a cool little ring hanging off the bottom.”

Symmetry is overrated, he adds. “Nothing has to match. Your ears are two different shapes—they’re two different body parts. It’s just like they say about your eyebrows: sisters not twins.

Blake Williams, head piercer and shop manager at CraigPokesU

Each one is subtly different…like a fingerprint. I have one client who has 10 piercings in one ear, and nothing in the other. I love it.”

Piercings are often tied to self-image, Williams says. If someone doesn’t like a part of their body, they can change it— add something shiny. He likes helping people express themselves, or in some cases even reclaim their bodies.

“It’s not always about just a piercing—there’s always something behind it,” he says. “I’ve had clients come in to get piercings to take their body back after an assault. If you change it, it’s not the same anymore.”

Studio owner Craig Unglesbee (the name behind CraigPokesU) says every tattoo and piercing he ever received made him feel more like himself. “Whenever I got a tattoo or a piercing it

made me happy,” says Unglesbee, 52, a former mortgage broker who switched careers and earned his piercing license after the 2008 housing market crash. “It was more [about] becoming the person I felt like I looked like inside.”

Unglesbee moved from Fredericksburg to Arlington in 2013 when Rick Cherry, owner of Rick’s Tattoos, posted on Facebook that he needed a piercer.

Five years later, Unglesbee leased the ground-floor space below Rick’s (a former barbershop) and opened a dedicated piercing studio. He furnished the waiting room with pieces he’d found at Amish antique shops, including a vintage tea set and a china cabinet.

“Our customer base has always been dominated by women and young girls, so I wanted to make it softer than a tattoo studio. More friendly,” Unglesbee

defy

says. “It’s like grandma’s living room.” Today, the tattoo and piercing parlors complement each other and share many of the same clients.

The piercers at CraigPokesU are licensed through the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation and are serious about safety and sterilization, using only 14-karat gold or medical, implant-grade titanium. “We don’t use mystery metals,” Unglesbee says. “The titanium we use is the same thing they use to do hip replacements.”

Tired of snow and winter, Unglesbee moved to Florida three years ago after he slipped on ice and fractured his shoulder, leaving Williams in charge of the day-to-day. “Blake is amazing,” he says. “He is the kindest, sweetest, most generous person I’ve ever met.”

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■ familiar faces

Williams grew up in Sylacauga, Alabama, about 50 miles southeast of Birmingham, and dropped out of school in seventh or eighth grade (he can’t remember). “I was a bad kid,” he says. He eventually earned his G.E.D., graduated from community college with a degree in welding and was working with his father at a fertilizer company when the plant burned down. The company relocated them both to Ohio, and a month later instated a nepotism policy and said one of them had to leave. “Obviously, it was going to be me, and not my dad,” Williams says. He started hanging out at a tattoo parlor in Orrville, Ohio, outside of Akron, trying to decide which dragon tattoo to get. (“Dragons are protectors,” he explains.) “I am not a snap decision person. I was there every day for

a week. The lady who owned the shop said, ‘We like you. Do you have a job?’ ”

She hired Williams to help clean the store. “Every time I saw someone walk out of the piercing room, they always had a smile on their face,” he recalls. An apprenticeship followed and he got his piercing license.

Williams was back in Alabama and living with his mom, a retired school bus driver and substitute teacher, when he ran into Unglesbee in 2015 at a professional piercing conference in Las Vegas. “We’d met four years earlier,” Williams says. “I walked over to talk to him and he said, ‘Hey, I know you’re good where you’re at. But I really need some help.’ ”

He moved to Arlington and became Unglesbee’s right-hand man.

Today Williams lives above the shop

with his two cats—Tre, a three-legged orange tabby, and Gizmo, a longhaired Norwegian Forest cat. When he’s not working, he likes riding his ’96 Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail or driving around town in his brightyellow 2005 Chevrolet SSR convertible pickup truck.

He rebuilds transmissions and car engines for fun. If a staff member needs a headlight replaced, he’s happy to do it. “I just like to be able to help people,” he says.

The studio also benefits from his handiwork. Over Christmas, he laid new hickory laminate floors. During the pandemic lockdown, he gave the interiors a fresh coat of paint—a sunny yellow hue called “ice cream parlor” in the waiting area; bright purple in the piercing rooms.

In recent years, word of mouth has

made CraigPokesU a go-to for moms (including members of Mothers of North Arlington and Moms Run This Town) whose children want their ears pierced.

One mom’s appreciative Facebook post went viral after her daughter changed her mind during the appointment and Williams stopped immediately.

“She was embarrassed,” Williams remembers. “I told her there’s nothing to be embarrassed about. If you don’t want to do this, you don’t have to.”

A year later, the little girl came back to the shop and said, “I’m ready.”

Williams has a firm policy against piercing babies’ ears. The person receiving the piercing has to be old enough to consent, he says. If a child changes their mind at any point, he won’t go forward—no matter what the parents say.

“If you don’t want something to hap-

“If you don’t

something to happen to your body, and you say no, it should stop... We want children to learn at an early age the power of the word ‘no.’ The only one who can control your body is you.”

pen to your body, and you say no, it should stop,” he says. “Not just about piercing, but about life. We want children to learn at an early age the power of the word ‘no.’ The only one who can control your body is you.”

Sagatov 0722.pdf 1 5/19/22 3:31 PM

The studio usually engages two piercers simultaneously when piercing a child’s ears. “It’s kinda like synchronized swimming,” Williams says. “We tell them to breathe in like they’re smelling a flower, and blow out like they’re blowing a birthday candle. And when they blow out—that’s when we

pierce. There are no surprises.”

He wants every person to walk away with a good memory and a good taste in their mouth—literally. He gives each client a Ring Pop.

“Every client that leaves happy with a smile on their face—you’ve touched that person for their life,” he says. “We want to leave positive imprints on people.” ■

In a few years, Wendy Kantor hopes to take her daughter to get her ears pierced by Blake Williams—because her daughter will freakin’ love him.

big picture ■ Interview and photo by Shannon Ayres

Appalachian Trail hikers

Maricon Roquero and Aric Sabins

Just Passing Through

STRETCHING 2,194 MILES , the Appalachian Trail is the world’s longest hiking-only footpath, traversing 14 states from Georgia to Maine. The trail draws more than 3 million visitors annually, including intrepid “thru-hikers” like Roxboro, North Carolina, residents Aric Sabins and Maricon Roquero. The couple was 1,005 miles into their journey—with 1,189 more to go—when this photo was taken just off the trail at Bears Den hostel, about 50 miles northwest of Arlington in Bluemont, Virginia.

The typical thru-hiker takes five to seven months to hike the entire A.T., according to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and in midMay the two were more or less on pace, having begun their journey Jan. 30. Early on, they rallied through a few frosty mornings that were “very, very cold,” says Roquero, 47, a cut flower farmer who goes by the trail name “Mushroom.” Spring’s arrival was a salve.

Virginia contains more of the A.T. than any other state (nearly a quarter of the trail’s entire length), carrying hikers through forest, farmland and the undulating mountains of Shenandoah National Park. On May 13, Sabins and Roquero logged 17 miles and were getting ready to order a pizza when they stopped to pose.

Why do it?

“Everyone asks us that,” says Sabins, 56, a recently retired veterinarian (trail name: “Pink Hotdog”) who plans to return to work part time after joining the ranks of the 2,000-Miler club. “We enjoy hiking—that’s how we met, and that’s how we spend most of our time together. We thought this would be a fun way to spend the summer.”

The sweeping views and primeval tree canopy are good for the soul, he says, “but the best part of all, truly, is the people we’ve met. Not only the trail community, which is so giving, but the people in the towns we’ve visited. It’s a wonderful experience.” ■

Brave Some Rapids

West Virginia’s New River Gorge may be the nation’s newest national park—designated in 2020—but it’s familiar territory for the three outfitters who run Adventures on the Gorge (adventuresonthegorge.com). They’ve been navigating its wild and churning waterways for more than 50 years. Whitewater newbies will appreciate gentle runs along the New River’s upper section, while mid-level rafters can ride the lower part, which has Class II to IV rapids.

AND PLAY

Experienced thrill-seekers gravitate to the nearby Gauley River, where an 11-mile upper stretch of froth known as the “Beast of the East” features almost nonstop Class III to Class V rapids. The lower 13-mile run has calmer waters with an occasional Class V adrenaline boost. (The optimal time to visit the Gauley is in September and October when scheduled dam releases keep the waters gushing.)

Après-rafting, the outfitters’ 350-acre, park-adjacent resort property offers aerial courses, biking, rock climbing, horseback riding, zip lines and a two-level Canyon Falls pool. Overnight guests can stay in cabins or glamping tents and grab grub at five onsite eateries. Pricing depends on accommodations and activities, but a cool deal lets kids between the ages of 6 and 11 raft for free (with a paying adult) every day but Saturday. –Stephanie Kanowitz

AND PLAY

Whitewater rafting on the Gauley River in West Virginia

Set Sail from Annapolis

Spend the day on the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries in one of several unique vessels. Board the vintage Wilma Lee, a refurbished 1940 Chesapeake Bay skipjack, for a two-hour heritage, sunset or watch cruise (the watch cruise offers terrific spectator views of Wednesday sailboat races). Tours begin at $40 and depart from the Annapolis Maritime Museum (amaritime.org/ skipjack-tours/).

For a private excursion, hop aboard Capt. Mike Krissoff’s turbo-dieselpowered Markley 46 and chart your own itinerary—be it lighthouse-hopping, a trip to Chester River’s Conquest Beach for kayaking or paddleboarding, or a sail across the bay to St. Michaels and Tilghman Island. Krissoff’s Full Moon Adventures boat tours (capnmikesfullmoonadventures.com) generally cost around $250 per hour for up to six people with a two-hour minimum. He’s happy to transport bikes, boards and kayaks.

Yet another option: Pack a picnic and captain your own 22-foot electric boat with Annapolis Electric Boats (aebrentals.com). Cruise along Spa and Back Creeks to see the Naval Academy, downtown Annapolis and beautiful homes and marinas from the water. Each canopied boat runs on batteries (similar to a golf cart), accommodates up to 10 passengers and has a top speed of roughly 5 miles per hour. Rates begin at $200 for a onehour rental. –Christine Koubek Flynn

Angle for Trout

Want to learn the art of fly-fishing? Elk River Inn & Cabins (elkriverwv.com) will happily cast you a line—or rather, teach you how. Gil Willis, a native Alexandrian, has owned the 145-acre, pet-friendly property in West Virginia’s Pocahontas County—known as the “birthplace of rivers” because eight rivers start there—for more than four decades. His fishing camp includes eight inn rooms and three cabins.

Beginners can sign up for the Elk River Weekend Fly Fishing School, which includes lunch, flies, a guide, instruction and lodging; or, for a shorter time commitment, the eight-hour introductory Wade & Fish trip. Experienced fish-whisperers may prefer the Elk River Weekend Fly Fishing Package, or the Wild Brook Trout Trip, which promises to “challenge even the hardiest angler.” A West Virginia fishing license with a trout stamp is required for these excursions and can be obtained at wvdnr.gov/fishing Fishing packages range from $349 to $998. –Stephanie Kanowitz

Float Down the River

Tubing anyone? Laze along 3 undeveloped miles of the winding James River south of Charlottesville with inner tubes from James River Runners (jamesriver.com/tubing) Stop along the way to explore several uninhabited islands and enjoy the mild rush of riding novice-level rapids, known as riffles. Chill out on a river sandbar or atop some rocks and bring a picnic lunch. Floats can last one to four hours, depending on conditions and time spent lollygagging. Three-mile tubing trips are $27 per person— plus an extra $8 if you want an inflatable cooler to carry your beverages— and include a shuttle to the launch point. For those wanting more of a workout, James River Runners also rents canoes, kayaks and rafts, along with fishing gear (fishing licenses required). Half-day, full-day and overnight excursions are available. –Amy Brecount White

Tubing on the James River

Annapolis Electric Boats

Cruise the Harbor, Hon

Here’s a new and different way to explore Baltimore’s Inner Harbor—by kayak. Departing from the Maryland Science Center, this two- to three-hour guided circuit tour (bcrp.baltimorecity.gov) passes historic ships including the sloop-of-war USS Constitution and a Coast Guard lightship (think mobile lighthouse), as well as the USS Torsk, a World War II submarine.

Near the National Aquarium are two noteworthy ecoinitiatives: floating wetland prototypes comprised of native plants that naturally remove pollutants from the water; and an oyster colony dedicated to repopulating the bivalves that serve as natural filters for the Chesapeake Bay. Paddlers can take a selfie with Mr. Trash Wheel, a floating device that uses solar and hydro power to collect litter and debris from the water. At Fells Point, spy an old train pier before crossing the harbor for views of the city skyline and Federal Hill, a former military outpost. Inner Harbor Kayak Tours ($20) are limited to experienced paddlers ages 12 and older. Available Sundays, May through October. –Amy Brecount White

Fly-fishing on the Elk River in West Virginia

A kayak tour of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor

Paddle Through History

Poetic accounts of the Battle of Antietam suggest that Antietam Creek flowed red on Sept. 17, 1862, after the bloodiest day in American history left 23,000 soldiers dead, wounded or missing. Today its placid waters and quiet banks in Western Maryland are a refuge for kayakers, canoeists and tubers, as well as Civil War history buffs. For a leisurely six-hour paddle or float,

Kayaking near Western Maryland’s historic Burnside Bridge

put in at Devil’s Backbone County Park, glide beneath the 140-foothigh aqueduct (circa 1834) that channels the C&O Canal Towpath overhead, and follow the snaking creek to the point where it spills into the Potomac River. Along the way, you’ll skirt Antietam National Battlefield and pass under the limestone blocks of the historic Burnside Bridge. Antietam Creek has a few minor rapids, but the journey is gentle enough for kids. Bring your own boats and floats, or rent equipment from an outfitter such as Antietam Creek Canoe (antietamcreek.com) or River & Trail Outfitters (rivertrail.com). Both provide shuttle service to drop-off and pickup points. See websites for pricing. –Jeffrey Yeates

Savor the Chesapeake

Located on Virginia’s lower peninsula near the Plum Tree National Wildlife Refuge, Poquoson (pronounced po-koh-sen), which means “great marsh,” is a boater’s and paddler’s paradise. Punctuated by quiet inlets and coves, the sleepy town’s 87 miles of shoreline provide habitats for bald eagles, herons, egrets and a variety of marine life. For a guide to Poquoson’s waterways and trails, download a “blueway” map at ci.poquoson.va.us/247/kayaking-boating-in-poquoson The Whitehouse Cove Marina, a launch point for fishing expeditions, is 10 minutes by boat to the open waters of the Chesapeake Bay. From Oct. 14-16, the town’s 40th annual seafood festival (poquosonseafoodfestival.com) will draw some 50,000 visitors to feast on crabs, oysters and other fresh catch. –Jenny Sullivan

Buzz the Treetops

For a bird’s-eye view of forests and fields, hook yourself up with a zip line adventure. Open March to November, the Tree Top Zip Tour at the Salamander Resort in Middleburg, Virginia (empower adventures.com), has five zip lines and two suspension bridges that collectively span 20 acres of tree canopy at heights of 35 to 65 feet ($149).

Bear Mountain Ziplines (bearmountain adventure.com) in the Shenandoah Valley near Luray, offers the year-round Mama Bear zip line ($75), whose seven runs across 50 acres reach speeds of up to 35 mph

Daredevils can take it up a notch at Adventures on the Gorge (adventuresonthegorge.com) in Lansing, West Virginia, home to the 1.5-mile, 200-foot-high Gravity Zipline, as well as the AdrenaLine, a 3,150-foot run that sends willing parties careening above the forest at speeds up to 65 mph. Here, the year-round Treetops Canopy tour includes 10 zip lines, five swinging sky bridges and a 35-foot rappel. Tickets start at $104 for participants ages 13 and up; $57 for kids 10-12. –Amy Brecount White

Up, Up and Away

On the first weekend in August, a colorful flotilla of several dozen hot-air balloons will ascend from the Triple Creek Winery in Cordova, Maryland, north of Easton, about 20 miles from the Chesapeake Bay. This year’s Chesapeake Bay Balloon Festival (chesa peakebayballoonfestival.com) includes a dawn event on Aug. 6 and 7, in which the balloons rise in unison as morning breaks.

Weather permitting, visitors will have the option of taking to the skies in one of the balloons. (Those who prefer to stay a little more earthbound can opt for a tethered ride that climbs 50 feet in the air.) The festival also promises entertainment, food trucks, crafts and games, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting local fire departments, municipalities and a cancer charity. Three-day admission (rain or shine; no refunds) is $32 for adults; $5 for children 15 and under. Singleday admission is $20. –Barbara Ruben

ON THE GORGE (ZIP LINE)

Zip lining at Adventures on the Gorge in West Virginia

The annual Chesapeake Bay Balloon Festival in Cordova, Maryland

inthe garden

Pick Your Own Sunflowers

Ukraine’s national flower holds a special significance this year. Starting in mid- to late-July (the timing fluctuates depending on weather conditions), visitors can immerse themselves in more than 30 acres of sunflowers at Burnside Farms (burnsidefarms.com) in Virginia’s Prince William County, where the fields will be ablaze with more than 30 types of Helianthus blooming in succession over a period of about six weeks. Cut your own bouquet for $1.50 a stem, choosing from an array of sunflower varietals—short, tall, big or small, with yellow, orange, red and even white petals. Cosmos, zinnias and other summer blooms will also be available for picking.

The farm’s Summer of Sunflowers event includes one of the nation’s only sunflower mazes. Bring a picnic to enjoy the sunset over the evening fields. Open daily, July through Labor Day, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Separate admission for sunflower sunsets from 5 to 8 p.m. See website for ticket prices. –Barbara Ruben

Stroll With Pollinators

Heading to Bethany or Rehoboth this summer? Take a slight detour and wander through 37 acres of lush beauty on a coastal plain that slopes down to a wetland marsh and tidal creek in Dagsboro, Delaware. One especially popular section of the Delaware Botanic Gardens at Pepper Creek (delawaregardens.org) is the 2-acre Piet Oudolf Meadow Garden, named for the acclaimed Dutch garden designer and author whose projects also include New York City’s High Line. It’s a botanical wonderland of native perennials and grasses of all shapes and sizes, buzzing with bees, butterflies and birds in late May through September. For a shady respite from the summer heat, explore the Woodland Garden’s oaks, pines, ferns and flowering shrubs as you wind your way toward the Pepper Creek shoreline. Open Thursday to Sunday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is $15; free for kids 15 and younger. Guided garden tours are available for an additional $10. “Butterfly Thursday” pollinator tours of the meadow are offered mid-July to mid-August. –Christine Koubek Flynn

Burnside Farms’ Summer of Sunflowers in Nokesville, Virginia

The Delaware Botanic Gardens at Pepper Creek

Light the Night

Tour the Topiaries

From shrubs shaped like horses and hounds to a hedge coaxed to resemble swans gliding on waves, the topiaries at Ladew Topiary Gardens (ladewgardens.com) in Monkton, Maryland, rate among the best in the world. The Garden Club of America has named this Baltimore County destination “the most outstanding topiary garden in America,” with more than 100 verdant sculptures dotting 22 acres.

The nonprofit’s grounds also feature hundreds of blackeyed Susans (the Maryland state flower), climbing roses, foxgloves and other summer blooms in various garden “rooms” and along a 1-mile nature walkway. The butterfly house, open July 5 through late September, showcases native butterflies, caterpillars and plants.

Visitors can take docent-led tours of the property’s manor house, which began as a farmhouse in the late 18th century and was later renovated in the 1920s and ’30s by owner Harvey Ladew. It’s now home to Ladew’s collection of English antiques, equestrian-themed art and a library with more than 2,500 books. Both the house and gardens are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Admission is $15 for adults; $10 for seniors and students; $4 for children ages 2-12; free for kids under 2. House tours are an additional $5. Open April 1-Oct. 31; closed on Wednesdays. –Barbara Ruben

For a nocturnal outing, behold the glowing spectacle of some 18,000 illuminated lakeside orbs at Pennsylvania’s Longwood Gardens (longwoodgardens.org). A series of eight, large-scale light installations by British artist Bruce Munro is on display through Oct. 30. Visitors can arrive starting at 5 p.m. (4 p.m. in September and October), Thursday through Sunday evenings, to wander the gardens and watch the installations come to life at dusk. A 30-minute illuminated fountain show

begins at 9:15 p.m. in July and August (8:15 pm in September and October). On the second Friday of each month, Longwood hosts themed Light Nights with talks, live music, family activities and concessions. The property’s 1,100 acres of gardens also include 37 stainless-steel lilies that shimmer with light, and 1,000 plastic flamingos awash in ever-changing colors with the help of projection technology. Admission is $35 for adults; $32 for college students and seniors; $19 for youth ages 5-18; free for kids 4 and under. Timed ticket purchases are recommended. –Barbara Ruben

Ladew Topiary Gardens in Monkton, Maryland

A light installation by artist Bruce Munro at Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania

Go Underground

Hot outside? Descend into cool caverns, where the alchemy of limestone and water has created stalactites, stalagmites and other calcium-carbonate wonders over thousands of years. In the Crystal Grottoes Caverns (crystalgrottoescav erns.com) about 20 miles northwest of Frederick, Maryland, spelunkers can discover bacon, cauliflower, soda-straw and ribbon formations (to name a few) in a guided tour that includes seven chambers and rimstone pools ($20 for adults; $10 for kids under 12). Alternately, head to Lost River Caverns (lostcave.com) near Allentown, Pennsylvania, where, in the late 1800s, locals built a subterranean wooden dance floor in a section of the cave now known as the Crystal Chapel. Bootleggers also stored their wares in these caverns during Prohibition. Admission is $14.50 for adults; $9.50 for kids 3 to 12. –Amy Brecount White

See for Miles

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park has 22 miles of hiking trails spread across 3,500 acres and three states: West Virginia, Maryland and Virginia. The moderately strenuous 7.5-mile Loudoun Heights Trail—which includes a scant section of the Appalachian Trail—rewards hikers with spectacular views of Harpers Ferry and the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers, as well as interesting phyllite and quartzite rock formations. (The 4.5- to 6.5-mile Maryland Heights Trail offers equally superb views, but portions of it are closed through July to protect nesting peregrine falcons.) For a more easygoing walkabout, the 1- to 3-mile Murphy-Chambers Farm hike passes through fields and wooded ravines to arrive at views of the Shenandoah River, the surrounding mountains and Civil War cannons. Leashed dogs are allowed on all trails. Pick up a trail map at the park’s visitor center or go to nps.gov/hafe/planyourvisit/ hikes.htm to plan your route. If time allows, Harpers Ferry’s museums, ghost tours, shops and cafés are worth a stop, too (discoveritallwv.com/attractions/ harpers-ferry). –Christine Koubek Flynn

Retrace Black History

Learn from the Past

Perched above the banks of the Potomac River about an hour east of Fredericksburg, Stratford Hall (stratfordhall.org) was once home to four generations of the Lee family—including the only two brothers who signed the Declaration of Independence, and later, Robert E. Lee. Today, the nearly 2,000acre estate is open to the public for learning and exploring. Grab a self-guided audio tour (available Wednesday to Sunday) to hear about the Lee family and the enslaved people who worked the former plantation, which dates to the early 1700s. Get a grounds pass to wander the restored gardens and the 3 miles of paths leading to Mill Pond, a 150-foot-high cliff overlook and the river’s sandy beach. Keen-eyed scavengers may find fossils and ancient sharks teeth near the cliff formation, which was part of the ocean floor some 10 million years ago. Stratford Hall’s grounds are open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults; $5 for children ages 6-13; free for kids 5 and under. Admission to the main house is separate. –Amy Brecount White

At the start of the 20th century, Richmond’s Jackson Ward was one of the wealthiest Black neighborhoods in the nation. Known as the “Harlem of the South” and “Black Wall Street,” it’s where where tap-dancing legend Bill “Bojangles” Robinson rose to fame, and Maggie L. Walker, the nation’s first African American bank president, founded the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank, giving Black entrepreneurs access to capital. For a self-guided walking tour of Jackson Ward, a National Historic Landmark District, access a map at visitblkrva.com/jacksonward. Download the National Park Service app for a narrated walking tour podcast and transcript. –Jenny Sullivan

Hiking high above Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

Stratford Hall in Stratford, Virginia

A mural in Richmond’s Jackson Ward

Connect the Dots

The 51-mile Virginia Capital Trail (virginiacapitaltrail.org) opened in 2015 and has been attracting cyclists ever since. Informally known as the Cap2Cap—it connects the current and former Virginia capitals of Richmond and Williamsburg—the paved, multiuse trail follows Virginia State Route 5, transporting travelers past inns, campsites, barbecue joints, museums, farms, waterways and more. Though the trail has no major climbs, there are some hills, particularly on the trail segments near Richmond. Don’t want to do all 51 miles? A popular and accessible ride is the 7-mile segment between mile 0 at the Jamestown Settlement and Chickahominy Riverfront Park in Williamsburg. –Jeffrey Yeates

The scenic Virginia Capital Trail

Cross That Bridge

Pennsylvania has more covered bridges than any other state, with 200plus preserved structures dotting its bucolic creeks and rivers. If you’ve got the legs, cycling is an ideal way to experience the bridges and the winding roads between them. For an organized ride, the Lancaster Bicycle Club’s annual Covered Bridge Classic allows riders to choose among three route distances (35, 65 or 100 miles), enjoying rest stops stocked with food to refuel during the tour of Lancaster County’s prettiest covered-bridge crossings. The full 100-mile route features 14 of the county’s 29 bridges. Register at coveredbridgeclassic.org for this year’s ride on Aug. 21. Or, if you’d rather plan your own outing, visit discoverlancaster.org for suggested covered-bridge routes. –Jeffrey Yeates

Saddle Up

Explore Gettysburg National Military Park and learn about the Civil War the old-fashioned way—on horseback. Confederate Trails of Gettysburg and the Victorian Carriage Company, together known as Horse Tours of Gettysburg, provide equine tours ($99.50 for riders 8 and older) with licensed battlefield guides for a unique view of history. Riders receive headsets with single earbuds so as not to miss a word of the two-hour tour. Reserve your saddle in advance at horsetoursgettysburg.com. Carriage tours are also available, as are group discounts. –Christine Koubek Flynn

Biking in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

A horseback tour of Gettysburg battlefield

Plan a Glamping Jamboree

For those who love the great outdoors but don’t want to sleep on the ground or pee in the woods, there’s glamping. The event-planning outfit Wild Tribe Co. (wildtribeco.com) recently unveiled two luxury camping sites in Maryland with al fresco lodging that’s hardly primitive. For $650 and up, groups can rent Wild Tribe’s 13-acre Potomac House property in Charles County, a patch of riverfront bliss that includes a cottage with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a family room, plus two 225-square-foot, all-weather, raised-platform tents outfitted with beds (one king or two doubles), heating, bed linens and cellphone charging stations. Need more places for folks to crash? The site can accommodate an additional 15 tents for large parties.

Glamping at the Ghost Barn, the company’s other location, is situated on 30 acres of farmland next to Lone Oak Farm Brewing Co. in Olney. The pastoral setup includes three glamping tents, plus a renovated barn structure with two full bathrooms, a kitchenette and an outdoor grilling station ($250 per tent, per night; $600 per night for all three tents). –Stephanie Kanowitz

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Travel Back in Time

Perhaps you’ve already run, walked or biked parts of the 184.5-mile-long C&O Canal Towpath from Washington, D.C., to Cumberland, Maryland. But have you ever spent the night in one of the masonry houses that provided shelter to the “keepers of the lock” some 100 years ago? The C&O Canal Trust maintains seven restored lockhouses along the canal where travelers can experience the history and solitude of an overnight stay next to the old locks. Each house is distinct, with a different layout and amenities. Higher rates apply to the three that have been updated with air conditioning, heating, water and electricity— but for a true step back in time, choose a more rustic dwelling and experience life as the lockkeepers once did, without modern amenities. Browse the houses and book a night ($100-$180) at canal trust.org. –Jeffrey Yeates ■

n Multidisciplinary team approach

n Highly specialized medical oncology, hematology, radiation therapy, orthopedic oncology/surgery, breast surgery, thoracic surgery, genetic counseling, palliative medicine and research

n Highly-rated physicians and surgeons in our community

n State-of-the-art technology, labs, and on-site pharmacy

n Access to Clinical Trials, including Phase I

Lockhouse 6 on the C&O Canal

Robert Christie, MD, FACP

John Feigert, MD

Keeran Sampat, MD

Patricia Rodriguez, MD

Jessica Heintz, MD, FAAHPM

DENTISTS T P O

Our area’s most respected dental health experts, as nominated by their peers in the dental community.

The dentists in this feature were selected by Professional Research Services (PRS), which conducted an online peer-review survey of certified dentists in Arlington County, Fairfax County, the City of Falls Church and the City of Alexandria. The featured dentists were screened and selected through the verification of licensing and review of any infractions through applicable boards, agencies and rating services. For additional information, visit prscom.com. Arlington Magazine was not involved in the selection process.

ENDODONTICS

Robert A. Cheron

Northern Virginia Endodontic Associates

3833 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 440, Arlington, VA 22203

Edward Chun

McLean Endodontics, LLC

1313 Dolley Madison Blvd., Suite 307, McLean, VA 22101

Wesley Citron

Vienna Endodontics

307 Maple Ave. W., Suite H, Vienna, VA 22180

Joshua E. Fein

Virginia Endodontics

3025 Hamaker Ct., Suite 320, Fairfax, VA 22031

Timothy Golian

Timothy Golian, DDS, PC

3925 Chain Bridge Rd., Suite 304, Fairfax, VA 22030

H. Vivian Lee

Arlington Alexandria Endodontics

4660 Kenmore Ave., Suite 700, Alexandria, VA 22034

Fernando J. Meza

Arlington Alexandria Endodontics

4660 Kenmore Ave., Suite 700, Alexandria, VA 22304

Michael C. Mocknick

Dr. Michael C. Mocknick

6845 Elm St., Suite 509, McLean, VA 22101

Maryam Monfared

Drs. Colasanto & Monfared, P.C.

3801 Fairfax Dr., Suite 51, Arlington, VA 22203

Brian J. Nalls

Tysons Corner Endodontics

8150 Leesburg Pike, Suite 502, Vienna, VA 22182

Ali Nosrat

Centreville Endodontics

13880 Braddock Rd., Suite 307, Centreville, VA 20121

David Palmieri

Dominion Endodontics

7115 Leesburg Pike, Suite 309, Falls Church, VA 22043

Loken M. Patel

Arlington Alexandria Endodontics

4660 Kenmore Ave., Suite 700, Alexandria, VA 22304

Jayesh S. Patel

Jayesh S. Patel, BDS, MSD

4210 Fairfax Corner Ave. W., Suite 230, Fairfax, VA 22030

Nathan E. Schoenly

Dominion Endodontics

7115 Leesburg Pike, Suite 309, Falls Church, VA 22043

Anna Sidor

Prestige Dental Specialists

7617 Little River Tpke., Suite 910, Annandale, VA 22003

Brian A. Suh

Tysons Corner Endodontics

8150 Leesburg Pike, Suite 502, Vienna, VA 22182

Stephanie Wu

McLean Endodontics, LLC

1313 Dolley Madison Blvd., Suite 307, McLean, VA 22101

GENERAL DENTISTRY

Eliana Anderson

RenovaSmiles

3701 S. George Mason Skyline Plz., Suite C7N, Falls Church, VA 22041

Ana Arango

Arango Smiles of Alexandria

6303 Little River Tpke., Suite 140, Alexandria, VA 22312

Steven H. Berk

Steven H. Berk, D.D.S.

7010 Evergreen Ct., Annandale, VA 22003

Samuel D. Cappiello

McLean Dental Care

6707 Old Dominion Dr., Suite 200, McLean, VA 22101

Shane Costa

Costa Dentistry

10135 Colvin Run Rd., Suite 101, Great Falls, VA 22066

David P. Cote

The Dental Office at River House

1111 Army Navy Dr., Arlington, VA 22202

Joe Cusumano

Cusumano & Stuver Dentistry of Arlington

4350 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 135, Arlington, VA 22203

Sandra D. Daniels

Daniels Dental Group

3801 N Fairfax Dr., Suite 25, Arlington, VA 22203

Jeena E. Devasia McLean DDS

6707 Old Dominion Dr., Suite 240, McLean, VA 22101

Robert H. DeWitt

Robert H. DeWitt, D.D.S., P.C.

8310-B Old Courthouse Rd., Vienna, VA 22182

Kristen Donohue

Sunshine Dentists

6035 Burke Centre Pkwy., Suite 260, Burke, VA 22015

Fred F. Farahi

Smile McLean Dentistry

1401 Chain Bridge Rd., Suite 301, McLean, VA 22101

Lynn Farrey

Courthouse Art of Dentistry

2250 Clarendon Blvd., Store F, Arlington, VA 22201

Raymund V. Favis

Favis Dental

3930 Pender Dr., Suite 170, Fairfax, VA 22030

Mary-Stuart Gallian

Sensational Smiles

3925 University Dr., Fairfax, VA 22030

Tamara Garrett

Arlington Dental Solutions

3801 Fairfax Dr., Suite 50, Arlington, VA 22203

Philip A. Gentry

Caring Dentists

1831 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201

James Geren

Mt. Vernon Center for Dentistry

8101 Hinson Farm Rd., Suite 114, Alexandria, VA 22306

Paul Gibberman

Gibberman Dental

6303 Little River Tpke., Suite 205, Alexandria, VA 22312

Mary E. Gregory

Mary E. Gregory, DDS Family Dentistry 2501 N. Glebe Rd., Suite 302, Arlington, VA 22207

Manisha Grover

Clarendon Dental Arts 2700 Clarendon Blvd., Suite R480, Arlington, VA 22201

Cecilia Gyllenhoff

McLean Dental Care

6707 Old Dominion Dr., Suite 200, McLean, VA 22101

Ronald Hauptman

Ronald Hauptman, DDS and Bahar Rowhani, DDS

311 Park Ave., Floor 2, Falls Church, VA 22046

Nada Hemedan

Success Dental Group 9671 A Main St., Fairfax, VA 22031

Gary G. Kaihara

Smiles International 6845 Elm St., Suite 475, McLean, VA 22101

Chad Kasperowski

Champions for Oral Health

8270 Willow Oaks Corporate Dr., Suite 650, Fairfax, VA 22031

Annie G. Kemps

Stephen A. Mabry, DDS, PLC 2800 10th St. N., Arlington, VA 22201

Jennifer Kim

Pender Dental Care

3903 Fair Ridge Dr., Fairfax, VA 22033

Jeffrey I. Klioze

Jeffrey I. Klioze D.D.S., LTD. 9425 Braddock Rd., Burke, VA 22015

Shawn S. Kumra

Elegant Smiles Dental Care

3801 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 14, Arlington, VA 22203

Greg L. LaVecchia

Greg L. LaVecchia, DMD, PC

1515 Wilson Blvd., Suite 103, Arlington, VA 22209

Carl G. Lebo

Carl G. Lebo, D.D.S.

3801 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 72, Arlington, VA 22203

Fernanda G. Levine

Levine Family Dentistry

6707 Old Dominion Dr., Suite 230, McLean, VA 22101

Robert A. Levine

Gloria Campos, DDS and Robert A. Levine, DDS 3918 Prosperity Ave., Suite 203, Fairfax, VA 22031

Melanie Love

Drs. Love & Miller, P.C.

450 W. Broad St., Suite 440, Falls Church, VA 22046

Stephen A. Mabry

Stephen A. Mabry, DDS, PLC 2800 10th St. N., Arlington, VA 22201

Zeyad Mady

Mt. Vernon Center for Dentistry

8101 Hinson Farm Rd., Suite 114, Alexandria, VA 22306

Carlene Marcus

Marcus Dental Care

1875 Campus Commons Dr., Suite 202, Reston, VA 20191

Pamela Marzban

Pamela Marzban, DDS

8996 Burke Lake Rd., Suite 101, Burke, VA 22015

David Matney

Ballston Dental Care

4141 N. Henderson Rd., Suite 18, Arlington, VA 22203

Michael K. McIntire

Greg L. LaVecchia, DMD, PC 1515 Wilson Blvd., Suite 103, Arlington, VA 22209

Mark Miller

Drs. Love & Miller, P.C.

450 W. Broad St., Suite 440, Falls Church, VA 22046

Robert A. Morabito

Everlasting Dental Care

6200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 114, Falls Church, VA 22044

Michael J. Paesani

NOVA Dental Studio

200 Little Falls St., Suite 101, Falls Church, VA 22046

Rosario Palabrica

Arlington Dental Team

1600 Wilson Blvd., Suite 620, Arlington, VA 22209

Hilary K. Pandak

Mark L. Tummarello, D.D.S. | Hilary K. Pandak, D.D.S.

11208 Waples Mill Rd., Suite 101, Fairfax, VA 22030

Dean Phass

Phass Family Dentistry

4700 King St., Suite 325, Alexandria, VA 22302

Sophia Phass

Phass Family Dentistry

4700 King St., Suite 325, Alexandria, VA 22302

Dominick J. Pisciotta

Dominick J. Pisciotta, D.D.S.

6408 Grovedale Dr., Suite 100, Franconia, VA 22310

Farhan Qureshi

Farhan Qureshi, DDS

5206 Dawes Ave., Alexandria, VA 22311

Nitin Rajput

Smile Reston Heights

11800 Sunrise Valley Dr., Suite 200, Reston, VA 20191

Adel Rizkalla

Karen Harriman, DDS

3100 S. Manchester St., Suite T-4, Falls Church, VA 22044

Michael Rogers

Fairlington Dental

4850 31st St. S., Suite A, Arlington, VA 22206

Kurt C. Rolf

McLean Dentistry

6707 Old Dominion Dr., Suite 245, McLean, VA 22101

Smita K. Sabharwal

SKS Dental

3801 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 22, Arlington, VA 22203

Elizabeth Shaeffer

Clarendon Family Dentistry

1301 N. Highland St., Arlington, VA 22201

Theresa Shannon

Phass Family Dentistry

4700 King St., Suite 325, Alexandria, VA 22302

Jeffrey A. Sisel

Shirlington Dental

2800A Shirlington Rd., Suite 770, Arlington, VA 22206

Christopher Spagna

Drs. Spagna & Kunaish

6400 Arlington Blvd. , Suite 744 , Falls Church, VA 22042

David Stuver

Cusumano & Stuver Dentistry of Arlington

4350 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 135, Arlington, VA 22203

Annah Phung Tran

Fair Lakes Family and Cosmetic Dentistry

12110 Monument Dr., Suite A, Fairfax, VA 22033

Kristen Bowling Williams

Kristen Bowling Williams DDS

801 N. Quincy St., Suite 110, Arlington, VA 22203

Bryan D. Wood

Huntington Dental - Bryan D. Wood, D.D.S. and Associates

5956 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, VA 22303

Brenda J. Young

Fairfax Dental Group

8316 Arlington Blvd., Suite 226, Fairfax, VA 22031

ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY

Ziad A. Ali

Integrative Oral & Facial Surgery

6845 Elm St., Suite 225, McLean, VA 22101

Joseph Arzadon

Northern Virginia Surgical Arts

611 S. Carlin Springs Rd., Suite 308, Arlington, VA 22204

Kenneth Blais

Northern Virginia Surgical Arts

611 S. Carlin Springs Rd., Suite 308, Arlington, VA 22204

Christopher E. Bonacci

Christopher E. Bonacci, DDS, MD

361 Maple Ave. W., Suite 200, Vienna, VA 22180

Jay Bukzin

The Meyer Clinic

1050 N. Highland St., Suite 220, Arlington, VA 22201

Edward B. Delgado

Drs. Delgado & Kuzmik P.C.

3601 Eisenhower Ave., Suite 250, Alexandria, VA 22304

Michael A. Gentile

The Meyer Clinic

1050 N. Highland St., Suite 220, Arlington, VA 22201

M. Timothy Gocke

Virginia Oral, Facial & Implant Surgery

7601 Lewinsville Rd., Suite 203, McLean, VA 22102

Daria Hamrah

Nova Surgicare, PC 8201 Greensboro Dr., Suite 601, McLean, VA 22102

Sang Y. Kim

Sang Y. Kim DMD, MD, P.C. 6845 Elm St., Suite 305, McLean, VA 22101

Michael D. Kuzmik

Drs. Delgado & Kuzmik P.C. 3601 Eisenhower Ave., Suite 250, Alexandria, VA 22304

David Liang

Northern Virginia Surgical Arts

611 S. Carlin Springs Rd., Suite 308, Arlington, VA 22204

Fred Liu

Fairfax Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

10530 Rosehaven St., Suite 111, Fairfax, VA 22030

David M. Morgan

David M. Morgan, DDS, MD, PLC 124 S. West St., Suite 103, Alexandria, VA 22314

Amir Naimi

Northern Virginia Oral, Maxillofacial & Implant Surgery

11490 Commerce Park Dr., Suite 100, Reston, VA 20191

Jonathan Park

Fairfax Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

10530 Rosehaven St., Suite 111, Fairfax, VA 22030

Dipa J. Patel

Arlington Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Center

3801 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 20, Arlington, VA 22203

Snehal Patel

Lorton Springfield Dental Implant & Oral Surgery

9010 Lorton Station Blvd., Suite 140, Lorton, VA 22079

Anh H. Pham

Arlington Center for Dentistry

1050 N. Highland St., Suite 300-N, Arlington, VA 22201

Cyrus Ramsey

Fairfax Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

5252 Lyngate Ct., Suite 101, Burke, VA 22015

Steven Robertson

Fairfax Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

5252 Lyngate Ct., Suite 101, Burke, VA 22015

Jeffrey Rothman

Alexandria Oral Surgery, PC

4660 Kenmore Ave., Suite 204, Alexandria, VA 22304

Huy C. Trinh

Northern Virginia Oral Surgery Centers

4211 Fairfax Corner E. Ave., Suite 235, Fairfax, VA 22030

Pedram Yaghmai

Northern Virginia Oral, Maxillofacial & Implant Surgery

11490 Commerce Park Dr., Suite 100, Reston, VA 20191

ORTHODONTICS

Curtis L. Abigail

Abigail Orthodontics

3801 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 60, Arlington, VA 22203

Kolman P. Apt

Specialists in Orthodontics

13015 Worldgate Dr., Herndon, VA 20170

Gregory D. Bath

Dr. Bath Orthodontics

2535 Chain Bridge Rd., Vienna, VA 22181

Scott Berman

Berman & Masoud Orthodontics

311 Park Ave., Falls Church, VA 22046

Ann-Colter Cheron

Cheron Orthodontics

6101 Redwood Square Centre, Suite 305, Centreville, VA 20121

Bill Crutchfield

Orthodontics By Crutchfield

14012-E Sullyfield Cir., Chantilly, VA 20151

D. Michael Ellis

Virginia Orthodontic Partners

4600 John Marr Dr., Suite 401, Annandale, VA 22003

Seth D. Feldman

Dr. Irwin S. Feldman DDS MS and Dr. Seth D. Feldman DDS

313 Park Ave., Suite G1, Falls Church, VA 22046

Harold L. Frank

Frank Orthodontics

200 N. Glebe Rd., Suite 128, Arlington, VA 22203

Ashkan Ghaffari

Ghaffari Orthodontics

100 Church St. N.E., Vienna, VA 22180

David Hughes

David Hughes Orthodontics

8314 Traford Ln., Suite A, Springfield, VA 22152

Herbert M. Hughes

Hughes Orthodontics

7906 Andrus Rd., Suite 18, Alexandria, VA 22306

Darin Iverson

Iverson Orthodontics

5401 Langston Blvd., Suite B, Arlington, VA 22207

Elizabeth Matteson Jones

Merrifield Orthodontics

2843 Hartland Rd., Suite 100, Falls Church, VA 22043

Christine Kim

Reston Orthodontics

1984 Isaac Newton Sq. W., Suite 101, Reston, VA 20190

Emily E. Kim

Kim Orthodontics

301 Maple Ave. W., Suite 440, Vienna, VA 22180

Rodney J. Klima

Klima Orthodontics

5204-B Lyngate Ct., Burke, VA 22015

William S. Lee

Alexandria Braces 6400 Beulah St., Suite 103, Alexandria, VA 22310

Quoc Lu

First Impression Orthodontics

6479 Old Beulah St., Alexandria, VA 22315

Crissy Markova

Virginia Center for Orthodontics

1600 Wilson Blvd., Suite 810, Arlington, VA 22209

Robert Marzban

Kingstowne Dental Specialists

5911 Kingstowne Village Pkwy., Suite 150, Alexandria, VA 22315

Deirdre J. Maull

Deirdre Maull Orthodontics

6845 Elm St., Suite 505, McLean, VA 22101

Hani Thariani

Tbraces Orthodontics

2501 N. Glebe Rd., Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22207

Stephan Tisseront

Tisseront Orthodontics

11720 Plaza America Dr., Suite 110, Reston, VA 20190

Kevin Toms

Klima Orthodontics

5204-B Lyngate Ct., Burke, VA 22015

PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

Amy H. Adair

Amy H. Adair, DMD, MSD 9295 Old Keene Mill Rd., Burke, VA 22015

Angela Austin

Alexandria Children’s Dentistry 6303 Little River Tpke., Suite 345, Alexandria, VA 22312

Girish Banaji

Banaji Pediatric Dental Specialists

2843 Hartland Rd., Suite 200, Falls Church, VA 22043

Mina Dadkhah

Smileville Family Dental 6354 Walker Ln., Suite 103, Alexandria, VA 22310

Jeffrey P. Davis

Jeffrey P. Davis, D.D.S., P.C. 7601 Lewinsville Rd., Suite 208, McLean, VA 22102

Jayne E. Delaney

Jayne E. Delaney, DDS and Rory N. Smith, DDS

50 S. Pickett St., Suite 120, Alexandria, VA 22304

Giannina Galliani

Growing Smiles of Northern Virginia 80 E. Jefferson St., Suite 400B, Falls Church, VA 22046

Sarah Ganjavi-Rejali

Vienna Pediatric Dentistry 301 Maple Ave. W., Suite 400, Vienna, VA 22180

Roselyne Gichana

Falls Church Pediatric Dental Center 6400 Arlington Blvd., Suite 80, Falls Church, VA 22042

John Han

Pediatric Dental Care 9901 Fairfax Blvd., Fairfax, VA 22030

Rishita Jaju

Smile Wonders 11790 Sunrise Valley Dr., Suite 105, Reston, VA 20191

Neda Kalantar

Pediatric Dentistry of Reston 1984 Isaac Newton Sq., Suite 200, Reston, VA 20190

Michelle Keaney Flanagan

Michelle Keaney Flanagan, DMD 1005 N. Glebe Rd., Suite 480, Arlington, VA 22201

Peter Markov

VK Pediatric Dentistry

5001 Langston Blvd., Arlington, VA 22207

Niloo Mofakhami

Children’s Dentistry of Oakton

2960 Chain Bridge Rd., Suite 300, Oakton, VA 22124

Edward J. Nelson

Dr. Edward J. Nelson, DMD

2501 N. Glebe Rd., Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22207

Christine Reardon

Dr. Christine Reardon, DMD PC 3565 Langston Blvd., Suite A, Arlington, VA 22207

Emily Rosenberg

Growing Smiles of Northern Virginia

80 E. Jefferson St., Suite 400B, Falls Church, VA 22046

Andrew “Jason” Shannon

McLean Pediatric Dentistry 6711 Whittier Ave., Suite 102, McLean, VA 22101

Rory N. Smith

Jayne E. Delaney, DDS and Rory N. Smith, DDS

50 S. Pickett St., Suite 120, Alexandria, VA 22304

Ruksana Talaksi

Centreville Children’s Dentistry 14245M Centreville Sq., Centreville, VA 20121

Cris Ann Ternisky

McLean Pediatric Dentistry 6711 Whittier Ave., Suite 102, McLean, VA 22101

David Treff

Pediatric Dentistry of Burke 5284 Lyngate Ct., Burke, VA 22015

Jack Weil

Jack Weil, DMD Dentistry for Children & Teens

402 Maple Ave. W., Suite B, Vienna, VA 22180

Nahee Williams

Precious Smiles of Virginia 7841 Rolling Rd., Suite F, Springfield, VA 22153

PERIODONTICS

Edison Abril

Stephen A. Mabry, DDS, PLC 2800 10th St. N., Arlington, VA 22201

Francisco T. Carlos

Northern Virginia Periodontics

103 W. Broad St., Suite 601, Falls Church, VA 22046

Lillian Carpio

The Periodontal Implant Institute 1355 Beverly Rd., Suite 210, McLean, VA 22101

Lourdes Ann Christopher

Falls Church Periodontics & Dental Implant Surgery

313 Park Ave., Suite 103, Falls Church, VA 22046

Michael Colasanto

Drs. Colasanto & Monfared, P.C. 3801 Fairfax Dr., Suite 51, Arlington, VA 22203

Antara Daru

Precision Periodontics & Implant Dentistry

4660 Kenmore Ave., Suite 300, Alexandria, VA 22304

Jennifer H. Diaz

Jennifer H. Diaz, DMD, MS 9514-C Lee Hwy., Fairfax, VA 22031

Mehrdad Favagehi

Falls Church Periodontics & Dental Implant Surgery

313 Park Ave., Suite 103, Falls Church, VA 22046

Brian Feeney

NOVA Institute

1430 Spring Hill Rd., Suite 101, McLean, VA 22102

A. Garrett Gouldin

Northern Virginia Periodontics

103 W. Broad St., Suite 601, Falls Church, VA 22046

Christine Karapetian

Washington Periodontics

9004 Crownwood Ct., Suite A, Burke, VA 22015

Wahn G. Khang

Perio Implant Center

11866 Sunrise Valley Dr., Suite 101, Reston, VA 20191

Dima Lakkis

Dima Lakkis DDS, MS, PC

4660 Kenmore Ave., Suite 312, Alexandria, VA 22304

Thomas Lin

Smileville Family Dental

6354 Walker Ln., Suite 103, Alexandria, VA 22310

Eugene Oh

Vienna Periodontics & Implant Surgery

301 Maple Ave. W., Suite 440, Vienna, VA 22180

Alfonso Patron

Implant Logyca

1600 Wilson Blvd., Suite 960, Arlington, VA 22209

Eddy Phisuthikul

Prestige Dental Specialists

7617 Little River Tpke., Suite 910, Annandale, VA 22003

Trang N. Salzberg

Periodontics and Implant Center of Northern Virginia

243 Church St. N.W., Suite 200A, Vienna, VA 22180

Karl A. Smith

Karl A. Smith, DDS, LLC

2500 N. Van Dorn St., Suite 128, Alexandria, VA 22302

Keren Sperling

NOVA Periodontal Care and Dental

Implants

303 Maple Ave. W., Suite H, Vienna, VA 22180

William Wang

Northern Virginia Perio Health

4600 John Marr Dr., Suite 303, Annandale, VA 22003

Justin Zalewsky

Precision Periodontics & Implant Dentistry

4660 Kenmore Ave., Suite 300, Alexandria, VA 22304

PROSTHODONTICS

Harshit Aggarwal

Center for Dentofacial Aesthetics

7617 Little River Tpke., Suite 900, Annandale, VA 22003

Hugo Bonilla

Bonilla Dental Arts

3299 Woodburn Rd., Suite 120, Annandale, VA 22003

Fotini N. Chrisopoulos

Dent-Plant Dental Implant Center

1500 Cornerside Blvd., Suite 500 B, Tysons, VA 22182

Caroline C. Eskow

NOVA Prosthodontics

10550 Warwick Ave., Fairfax, VA 22030

Peterson Huang

Nova Premier Dental

313 Park Ave., Suite 306, Falls Church, VA 22046

Joseph A. Khalil

Arlington Dentistry By Design

1012 N. Highland St., Suite 130B-S, Arlington, VA 22201

Brian A. Mahler

NOVA Prosthodontics

10550 Warwick Ave., Fairfax, VA 22030

Luis J. Martinez

Virginia Dental Solutions

1890 Preston White Dr., Suite 200, Reston, VA 20191

Si-Woon Park

Tysons Corner Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry

8320 Old Courthouse Rd., Suite 402, Vienna, VA 22182

Daniel Sullivan

Lenz Sullivan Dentistry

138 Church St. N.E., Vienna, VA 22180

Negar Tehrani

Aura Dentistry

6870 Elm St., Suite 300, McLean, VA 22101

Benjamin O. Watkins

Smiles International

6845 Elm St., Suite 475, McLean, VA 22101

William Wilson

NOVA Prosthodontics

10550 Warwick Ave., Fairfax, VA 22030

Arlington Dentistry

By Design

JOSEPH A. KHALIL, DDS, PC

RAY CHO,

DDS

Named a “Top Dentist” by Washingtonian Magazine in 2019, Dr. Khalil is an expert in restorative, cosmetic and implant dentistry. He graduated with honors from the Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry in 2000 and completed his prosthodontic specialty residency at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry.

1012 N. Highland St., Suite 130B-S Arlington, VA 22201

703-841-0300

info@arlingtonsmiledesign.com www.arlingtonsmiledesign.com

Q: What made you decide to become a dentist

A: I have always enjoyed working with my hands. I had good dexterity and hand-eye coordination from a young age, and I loved woodworking and welding. My uncle owned a dental store, so I grew up around dental materials. Since I was always building something, I thought I might want to be a dental lab technician. But while I was at school, I realized I was too much of a people person not to be working with patients. When I was in the lab, I felt like something was missing. I envied the relationships the dental students developed with their patients. I wanted that.

Q: What is unique about your practice?

A: Despite being a high-tech practice serving a major metropolis, our office maintains a small-town feel. We are a

complete dental institute, an all-inclusive oral care practice that conveniently offers the gamut of dental services, including dental implants (including “teeth in a day” implants), veneers, bondings and Invisalign® braces, all under one roof. We are a Diamond Invisalign Provider and member of the Academy of Clear Aligners. Our state-of-the-art facility also serves as an education and training center for other dentists.

Q: What is your top priority?

A: Creating a positive patient experience. Patients’ best interests are at the forefront of everything we do. Ours is a relationshipfocused practice built on honesty, integrity and care. Through our co-discovery approach, we spend time listening to each patient’s goals so we can help them make the best, most informed decisions about their oral health.

TONY J. LEWIS

Michael B. Rogers, DDS

FAIRLINGTON DENTAL

Dr. Rogers graduated with honors from Harvard University and received his dental degree from UCLA. Achieving optimal oral health can be life changing. The Fairlington Dental team strives to create a partnership with each patient from the moment they walk through the door. “One of our greatest joys is helping patients smile again,” says Dr. Rogers.

4850 31st St. S, Suite A Arlington, VA 22206

703-671-1001

office@fairlingtondental.com fairlingtondental.com

Q: What made you decide to become a dentist?

A: My own childhood experiences with dentistry, both good and bad, led me to this profession. High fevers and the subsequent tetracycline treatment left my permanent teeth stained dark brown and missing most of their enamel. They also didn’t push out my baby teeth, so I went through serial extractions and had cavities on almost every tooth. Back then, even with novocaine, the entire experience was unpleasant. After a good experience with my orthodontist, I decided to become a dentist. Given my extensive journey as a dental patient, I can offer my patients a unique empathy.

Q: What makes you different from other dentists?

A: My specialties—jaw development and TMJ disorders and treatment, sleep

apnea causes and treatments, cosmetic dentistry and orthodontics—are all optional undertakings in general dentistry. But I find the most satisfaction in helping patients with these kinds of intricate issues, many of which I have also experienced. I have twice been treated with orthodontics, been through TMJ treatment, worn an oral device for sleep apnea for years and benefitted from cosmetic dentistry. I am currently undergoing jaw development treatment. In addition to eliminating my sleep apnea, this will prevent future TMJ and orthodontic issues.

Q: What is the most significant change in dentistry during your career?

A: Over the past 3-4 years, we have begun focusing on overall—not just dental— health in the assessment and treatment of our patients. I believe this approach, Complete Health Dentistry, will soon be the new normal.

Greg L. LaVecchia, DMD, PC

LEFT TO RIGHT: DR. GREG L. LAVECCHIA, DR.

LOUIS J. LAVECCHIA

Serving Arlington for over 50 years, Dr. LaVecchia provides comprehensive dental care with a special focus on cosmetics, implant dentistry and Invisalign. For many years, including in 2021, Dr. LaVecchia has been named a “Top Dentist” by Washingtonian Magazine.

1515 Wilson Blvd., Suite 103

Arlington, VA 22209

703-528-3336

service@drlavecchia.com www.rosslyndentist.com

Q: What makes your practice unique?

A: Our practice philosophy is rooted in the belief that when old-fashioned service meets modern technology, exceptional dental care is achieved. We believe that our strong family values are what truly sets us apart. My father, Louis J. LaVecchia, DDS, opened this practice in 1971, and we have been serving Arlington families with advanced and comprehensive dentistry since. We treat every patient as though they are part of our own family, with care, respect and kindness. And we are proud that our staff has been with us for many years.

Q: What is your professional/ educational background?

A: I graduated from Temple University School of Dentistry, one of this country’s oldest dental programs with a longstanding tradition of comprehensive curricula, including both academic and

clinical training. I also learned a lot from my father. In addition to opening his practice upon returning from his tour of duty in Vietnam, he was a full-time faculty member in Georgetown University’s Department of Operative Dentistry (197090). Now retired, many of the dentists in the area will say they learned everything they know from Dr. Louis J. LaVecchia.

Q: How do you employ new technology to help your patients?

A: Our experienced team offers comprehensive dentistry, including general, cosmetic, periodontal and implant dentistry. We use advanced technology to deliver a more comfortable experience and more precise diagnoses. Dentistry Powered by CEREC®allows us to provide same-day custom crowns—no messy impressions and no long wait for your permanent one. We are also a provider of Invisalign®Clear Aligners.

Manisha Grover, DDS

CLARENDON DENTAL ARTS

In 2009 at the age of 17, Dr. Grover was one of three candidates accepted to VCU School of Dentistry’s prestigious eight-year guaranteed dental program. While there, she volunteered with Missions of Mercy, providing free dental care to underserved communities in rural Virginia. She completed her residency at the New York Medical College at Metropolitan Hospital.

2700 Clarendon Blvd.

Arlington, VA 22201

703-525-5901

cdarts@clarendondentalarts.com www.clarendondentalarts.com

Q: Why choose Clarendon Dental Arts?

A: Oral health is directly linked to systemic health. At Clarendon Dental Arts, we are committed to helping our patients live healthier lives, empowering them to incorporate dentistry into their overall health plan through our “Mouth, Mind and Body” philosophy. Investing in the latest tools and technology allows us to do much more than offer diagnoses. Rather than treating patients reactively, addressing issues only as they arise, we use today’s scientific advances and technology to provide conservative and proactive treatment options based on life challenges, genetic risk factors and science.

We study each patient’s oral biome to uncover a comprehensive picture that includes eating habits, health challenges, breathing patterns and alignment, among other variables, that impact oral and systemic health. And our work doesn’t

stop there. Taking the time to explain the results to our patients is crucial in developing plans for their long-term health. Our goal is not only to create beautiful smiles but to help our patients achieve optimum overall health.

Q: How would your patients describe you?

A: Honest, compassionate, empathetic and dedicated. I enjoy getting to know my patients as individuals and love helping them along their unique dental journeys to achieve their dental goals.

Q: What can patients expect when visiting your office?

A: Our attentive team of dental health experts fosters a caring, personal and calm environment. We always strive to go above and beyond to ensure our patients are comfortable. Our office has a spa-like feel with such amenities as complimentary Bose comfort headphones, Pandora downloads and Netflix.

Falls Church Periodontics & Dental Implant Center

MEHRDAD FAVAGEHI, DDS, MS, BOARD CERT. PERIO

LOURDES ANN CHRISTOPHER, DDS, MS, BOARD CERT. PERIO

Drs. Christopher and Favagehi are a husbandand-wife team and have co-owned their practice for more than 20 years. They are board-certified specialists in periodontics and dental implant surgery by the American Board of Periodontology. Patients are accepted through referrals from general dentists or by calling the office to schedule a consultation.

313 Park Ave., Suite 103, Falls Church, VA 22046

703-237-3700 | periodontistoffice@gmail.com www.periodontistoffice.com

Q: What made you decide to become a periodontist?

A: Dr. Favagehi: Periodontics is a hightech specialty that focuses on tissues surrounding teeth, like gum tissue and jaw bone. We were both attracted to this field by the technology, which involves tissue engineering, regeneration, grafting, and 3D computer-guided implant surgery to replace and/or save missing teeth and regenerate lost gum and bone tissues around teeth.

Q: What brings you the most satisfaction in your work?

A: Dr. Favagehi: Putting nervous patients at ease and restoring and enhancing patients’ function and smiles.

Dr. Christopher: We love to see the positive effect restoring someone’s smile can have on their confidence and life.

Q: What makes you different from other periodontists?

A: Dr. Christopher: We have an exceptionally

strong academic background and have been educating other dentists for 25 years. We teach in dental school and at many regional, national and international conferences. To truly master a subject, you should teach it!

Q: What is your educational background?

A: Dr. Favagehi: I earned my Doctor of Dental Surgery from Virginia Commonwealth University. I completed my specialty training in periodontics and dental implant surgery at Ohio State University, where I also received a Master of Science in Oral Biology and a research award for groundbreaking research on surgical wound healing.

Dr. Christopher: Following undergraduate education at Wellesley College, I received my dental training at the University of Illinois-Chicago School of Dentistry. I earned my certificate in periodontics and a Master of Science in Oral Biology from Ohio State University, focusing my research on DNA fingerprinting of bacteria and peri-implantitis.

Rishita Jaju, DMD

SMILE WONDERS

Dr. Jaju graduated from Harvard School of Dental Medicine and completed her specialty training in pediatric dentistry at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. She is the only pediatric dentist in the Mid-Atlantic region who has achieved Advanced Laser Proficiency Certification from the Academy of Laser Dentistry and Breastfeeding Specialist Certification.

11790 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 105 Reston, VA 20191 571-350-3663

info@smilewonders.com www.smilewonders.com

Q: What do you do when you are not at work?

A: I am a full-time mommy dentist practice owner! When I am at work, I take care of my patients and team. When done with patient care, I love going home to my loving husband, active toddler and two adorable Maltese doggies – Kaju and Kulfi. I love traveling. I have visited every continent except Antarctica and I am looking forward to traveling all over the world again!

Q: What brings you the most satisfaction in your work?

A: My passion lies in care for infants, toddlers and children with behavioral or medical needs and extensive dental needs. With laser dentistry especially, I can improve the quality of life for my patients, including infants who are struggling to feed due to lip- or tongue-tie issues. It’s rewarding to know that the vast majority of patients come to us through referrals from their pediatricians, lactation consultants, feeding therapists, friends or even other pediatric dentist colleagues.

Q: What is unique about your practice?

A: I built my practice and my team with this mission: Providing the most comprehensive care with gentle laser dentistry technology, digital X-rays, in-office IV sedation and customized appointments. Offering patients such specialized attention that is not often found in other practices is a joy. We focus on education, prevention and best experiences so that our children grow up to love their oral health and hygiene. Parents tell us that their kids “love coming to the dentist!” Every time we hear that, it makes our day.

William S. Lee, DDS

ALEXANDRIA BRACES

6400 Beulah St., Suite 103, Alexandra, VA 22310 703-347-9876 | alexandriabraces@gmail.com www.alexandriabraces.com

Q: What is something your patients should know about you?

A: After nearly two decades of private practice experience, I went on to establish Alexandria Braces in 2014. The beautiful state-of-the-art facility serving Alexandria and the surrounding areas is outfitted with the latest in equipment and technology. Patient relationships are our top priority, which is why it’s been such an honor to earn recognition as a Top Orthodontist by such publications as Arlington, Virginia Living, Northern Virginia and Washingtonian magazines.

Q: What is your educational background?

A: After graduating with a B.A. in Biophysics from the University of Pennsylvania, I graduated with honors from Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. I completed my general practice residency at Yale University Yale-New Haven Hospital and my specialty training residency at Columbia University Department of Orthodontics.

Flavio W. Nasr, DDS

CRYSTAL CITY DENTAL CARE

2800 Crystal Drive, Suite 320, Arlington, VA 22202 703-415-0555 | nasrdental@gmail.com | crystalcitydentalcare.com

Q: What is one thing your patients should know about you?

A: Although I have been practicing for 34 years, I am still super excited about what I do. I take pride in offering optimal dental care that positively impacts my patients’ overall health, renews confidence in their smiles and adds joy to their lives.

Q: How do you employ new technology to help your patients?

A: With technology, latest doesn’t always mean greatest. I enjoy keeping up with new technological advances regularly. I ask a series of questions before incorporating new technology, including “Is this truly better?” “Is this technology ‘battle-tested’ in the real world?” “Will my patients truly benefit from it?” I will implement the new technology only when I’m satisfied with the answers. We use 3D scanners, Invisalign, soft tissue lasers for gum treatment, latest generation dental implant restorations, advanced porcelains for crowns and cosmetic treatment, Velscope fluorescence for oral cancer screening and more.

STEPHANIE

Sleep & TMJ Therapy

JEFFREY L. BROWN, DDS, MBA

Dr. Brown is a graduate of Georgetown Dental School and an international speaker for TMD. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain and holds memberships with many academies. His extensive knowledge in the combined fields of TMJ, sleep and orthodontics gives him a unique perspective.

2841 Hartland Road, Suite 301, Falls Church, VA 22043 703-821-1103 | office@sleepandtmjtherapy.com www.sleepandtmjtherapy.com

Q: What makes you different from other dentists?

A: My knowledge in the combined fields of TMJ, sleep apnea and orthodontics distinguishes me from other dentists and gives me a distinct perspective. I understand the effects cranial distortions and sleep-related issues can have on the body. This, coupled with my background in dentistry, allows me to offer patients struggling with TMJ and sleep disorders a better avenue to reducing their symptoms.

Q: What is unique about your practice?

A: Unlike other practices, we focus solely on treating craniofacial disorders and sleep-related issues. Limiting my practice to these areas of care has enabled me to concentrate on what I do best, providing alternatives to pain medication or surgery. Our goal for each patient is to help them get their lives back and return to their normal activities.

Q: What’s an example of a time when you helped a patient that you’re particularly proud of?

A: Chronic pain can drastically affect one’s personality and cause a severe loss in quality of life. Each day we see patients who have long been in pain and are exasperated after seeing multiple doctors without finding solutions. In particular, I remember one of my patients came to me with poor sleep, extreme curvature of the neck and was unable to stand up straight. Within a few months of treatment, the symptoms began to dissipate, and my patient started to feel like themself again. I reflect on such moments with great pride in the transformative impact our work can have on our patients’ lives.

SmileMcLean Dentistry

FREDRICK FARAHI, DDS, PC NEDA ETESSAM, DDS

1401 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 301, McLean, VA 22101

703-821-1633 | info@smilemcleandentistry.com www.smilemcleandentistry.com

Q: What makes your practice unique?

A: We are a multispecialty practice, serving this community since 1994 with quality-assured, compassionate dental care for the whole family. From general to cosmetic dentistry, pediatric dentistry, sleep apnea, Invisalign® and emergency dental services, we are passionate about helping our patients achieve their oral health goals. We have been named a “Top Dentist” by Northern Virginia, Virginia Living and Washingtonian magazines annually through peer votes. This office presents confident healthcare professionals with a long track record of successfully diagnosing and treating dental conditions.

Q: What makes you different from other dentists?

A: We value teamwork, respect and integrity and believe it is important for our patients to play an active role in their treatment plans. Their voices will always be heard.

The Dental Office at River House

DAVID P. COTE, DDS, MAGD, ABGD

1111 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, VA 22202

703-521-8080 | biteops@yahoo.com www.biteops.com

Q: What makes you different from other dentists?

A: My patients often tell me how much they appreciate knowing that I will never overwhelm them with complex treatment plans or push unnecessary procedures. We take a very planned, conservative approach. We’ve helped patients heal more early cavities than we’ve had to fill through remineralization, a natural tooth repair process. Even when patients require a lot of work, we thoroughly explain all treatment options and lay out a clear course of action. I also work with insurance companies to keep patient costs as low as possible. I strive to help people achieve their oral health goals for the least amount of money, which resonates well with them—just ask the many patients who have moved across the country and still return for their dental care.

LISA

Michael J. Paesani, DMD

NOVA DENTAL STUDIO

Dr. Paesani graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine and completed his General Practice Residency at Veterans Affairs Medical Center in West Palm Beach. Looking to move closer to his hometown in western Maryland, he started NOVA Dental Studio in 2012 following four years of private practice in Florida.

200 Little Falls St., Suite 101 Falls Church, VA 22046 703-237-7725 info@novadentalstudio.com www.novadentalstudio.com

Q: What are your interests outside of work?

A: First and foremost, I’m a foodie. Living in the Northern Virginia area is a foodie’s dream, and I take advantage of it as much as possible. With such an amalgam of cultures coalescing here, there’s an opportunity to try just about any cuisine. Another of my biggest hobbies is woodworking. I love crafting small, simple things, such as cutting boards, but I also really enjoy making larger pieces like end tables and TV consoles.

Q: What has been the most significant change in dentistry during your career?

A: Over the last 15 years, the most formidable change in dentistry has been the digitization of manual modalities. We have incorporated as much of that as possible into our practice. In addition to digital X-rays, we use CT scans (3D X-rays) and specialized software to evaluate patients for implants, and to virtually place those implants before surgery. We then use the virtually placed implants to 3D print surgical guides for the actual procedure, ensuring each implant goes precisely where we intend.

The dreaded impressions—or molds—have also been replaced by digital technology. We now scan the teeth with a small wand, creating a digital impression for use in making crowns, night guards, veneers or even dentures.

Q: What brings you the most satisfaction in your work?

A: It is most rewarding to hand a patient a mirror after their smile makeover and watch them turn from side to side as they inspect their new teeth. It always leads to a huge smile—and usually a hug!

Mary E. Gregory, DDS

FAMILY DENTISTRY

2501 N. Glebe Road, Suite 302, Arlington, VA 22207

703-527-6495 | www.drmarygregory.com

Q: What is one thing you want patients to know about your practice?

A: With the health and safety of our patients and staff a top priority, we have gone above and beyond with all Covid measures to ensure we are providing the best quality dental care in the safest environment possible. For example, extra-oral suction units in each treatment room filter aerosols through three levels of HEPA and UV-C filtration to sanitize the air.

Q: What makes your practice unique?

A: We pride ourselves on fostering a genuinely warm and friendly atmosphere, blending the latest dental technologies and expertise with a large dose of compassion. People always tell us that we make it easy—even fun—to come to the dentist. My longtime team and I are honored to treat multiple generations of families.

Smita Sabharwal, DDS, FAGD

Named a “Top Dentist” by Arlington Magazine, Dr. Sabharwal received her Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentists, a career milestone achieved by only 7% of general dentists.

3801 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 22 Arlington, VA 22203

703-567-7121 | www.sksdental.com

Q: What is unique about your practice?

A: Our patients’ experience is important to us, and our skilled team takes pride in providing personalized, compassionate care in a comfortable, stress-free environment. We continually invest in our team by taking courses to ensure we stay current on the latest developments in dentistry.

We believe our patients deserve the highest quality in dental service, and we use the latest technology, including digital X-rays, intra-oral scanners and cameras, and oral cancer screenings with Velscope.

Center for Dentofacial Aesthetics

HARSHIT AGGARWAL, BDS, MSD, FACP, FICD

Dr. Aggarwal graduated from his mother’s alma mater, Nair Hospital Dental College in Mumbai, in 2004, earning his bachelor’s in dental surgery. He received his Certificate in Prosthodontics/M.S. in Dentistry from the now Rutgers School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Aggarwal was a clinical assistant professor at Marquette University School of Dentistry from 2009-14.

7617 Little River Turnpike, Suite 900 Annandale, VA 22203 703-256-2556 | www.cdavirginia.com

Q: What made you decide to become a dentist?

A: I’ve always had a passion for visualizing an objective and then reverse-engineering the steps needed to get there. This passion, coupled with my dexterity, love for creating positive change in people’s lives and dedication to helping them in their journey toward healthier living, made dentistry the right fit for me. Oral health is vital to overall systemic health. Every day, I get to help my patients make positive changes that will last a lifetime.

Q: What makes you different from other dentists?

A: My vision. I strive to build back trust in healthcare. When insurance companies, patients and doctors fight with one another, the disease wins. In my ideal world, we all work together to fight disease and patients can trust their doctors 100%.

Every procedure and every person I meet helps me fulfill this vision. We never recommend unnecessary treatments, and we care for all patients as though they are extensions of our families.

Q: How do you employ new technology to help your patients?

A: Our state-of-the-art facility features the most sophisticated dental technologies, and our team stays at the forefront of the latest techniques and industry advancements. However, the technology in my office does not dictate treatment plans. We always use the best technology available to fit each patient’s individual needs. We have a full-service, in-house lab where we make all our prosthetics. Our digital 3D scanners, cameras, sensors and CBCT ensure the most accurate diagnoses, efficient treatment plans and longest-lasting results.

Awards

Life during Covid didn’t stop these graduates from achieving remarkable things. In some cases, it inspired them to reach even higher.

BY LISA LEDNICER | PHOTOS BY SKIP BROWN & MICHAEL VENTURA

Benjamin Choi

The Potomac School

When pandemic lab shutdowns scuttled his plans for a research project on aluminum fuel in the summer of 2020, Benjamin Choi pivoted to a new idea that he could work on from home, using a 3-D printer—a prosthetic arm for amputees that could be controlled by brain signals. He had seen a documentary about mind-controlled prosthetic limbs in third grade and was convinced he could design one that was not only less expensive, but also less invasive.

His prototype, recently featured in Smithsonian Magazine, costs $300 to produce and uses external sensors on the head (in lieu of surgical implants) to capture the brain signals that move the limb. The project earned Choi national and international accolades, including a top-40 finish in the Regeneron Science Talent Search (formerly the Westinghouse Science Talent Search). He has a provisional patent for the device.

“I really like the idea of building things,” says the McLean resident, who turns 18 in June. “It’s personally impactful to build things that help people.”

Most students with demanding course loads take copious notes. Choi doesn’t take notes; he commits lectures to memory.

A straight-A student with the highest GPA in his class at The Potomac School, he has a clear affinity for science, but his interests also extend beyond science. He plays first violin with the American Youth Philharmonic, captained his school’s varsity squash team, and has had his fiction and essays recognized in the 89th annual Writer’s Digest Literary Awards, Fiction Southeast and The New York Times.

After earning admission to Harvard, Princeton, Yale and Stanford, he has chosen to enroll at Harvard. He says he may want to become a college professor someday.

“I’m a little bit of an obsessive person,” Choi says. “It’s a double-edged sword. I can do a lot, but sometimes I can get a little carried away.”

His mom, Erin Cho, an attorney, says her son has always been insatiably curious. He started reading at age 2 and drawing the world’s continents at 4.

“He wants to know everything about everything. He pursues things at 150 miles an hour,” she says. “There’s nothing that doesn’t interest him.”

Luke Valencic

McLean High School

For as long as he can remember, Luke Valencic has been entranced by outer space. In elementary school, he’d dress up as an astronaut for Halloween and request space-related books for Christmas.

An engineering camp the summer after his sophomore year of high school is what propelled him to build his first rocket, from a kit. “I saw the results you can have with relatively little time and money,” says the McLean resident. “It opened the doors to all the crazy projects I do now.”

Valencic’s next rocket, built from scratch, held a mini computer with an SD card, sensors and a battery that enabled him to monitor the rocket’s altitude, temperature, acceleration and velocity. He describes that prototype as “super over-engineered and impractical, but it was much more satisfying using one of my creations rather than going out and buying someone else’s.”

As a junior, he joined the National Association of Rocketry, a nationwide hobbyist group, and earned its Level 1 certification by designing a 9-foot-high fiberglass rocket that weighed 8 pounds and flew to a height of 1,200 feet. He’s now working on his Level 2 certification, which requires a rocket that can fly higher and withstand increasing aerodynamic forces. He also designed a high-altitude balloon with a GPS system and cameras to take atmospheric weather readings at 90,000 feet. It flew for three hours over the Shenandoah Valley before landing in the backyard of a house.

Between his various space projects, Valencic, 18, is pretty grounded. A four-year member of McLean High School’s tennis team, he coaches tennis at the Chesterbrook Swim & Tennis Club. During the pandemic, he took up guitar and taught himself how to record and edit music. He graduated with a 4.46 GPA.“[Luke] is someone who can grasp things very quickly, but when he does struggle to understand things, he’ll work at it until he does,” says his AP physics teacher, Jeff Brocketti. “It’s the willingness to work at it that’s somewhat unique.”

Valencic plans to attend Georgia Tech in the fall, where he’ll study aerospace engineering. Not much seems to intimidate him, except—of all things—flying. “Going on an airplane scares me a lot, ironic as it sounds,” he says. “I guess because I know all the things that can go wrong.”

MICHAEL VENTURA

Zoe Davis

Yorktown High School

As an honors student at Yorktown, Zoe Davis was a cheerleader, a member of the debate team and a Black Student Union club leader. She was a representative for Virginia Girls State, a service program of The American Legion Auxiliary that helps veterans and military families. As a sophomore, she and two friends successfully petitioned their school to add a class on African American history.

But there were times when she missed weeks of school. Davis has sickle cell anemia, a hereditary disorder that causes her red blood cells to contort into crescent-moon shapes that block the flowof blood through her veins, resulting in debilitating pain. This, too, was part of her high school

experience. She remembers finishing up an SAT prep class online from her hospital bed.

So it’s no surprise that she is also a stalwart advocate for others with sickle cell anemia. As Senior Teen President of the Northern Virginia Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, which provides educational and cultural opportunities for African American children, Davis shared her sickle cell journey for the chapter’s annual 5K race, which this year raised more than $14,000 for sickle cell advocacy, awareness and research.

“Zoe is determined to show that no matter what’s thrown at you, you’re going to push through,” says Juanice Jenkins, a guidance counselor at Yorktown. “It’s an innate perseverance.”

Davis is also passionate about animals. She has five dogs of her own, spent a summer as a veterinary intern at Caring Hands Animal Hospital in Claren-

don, and rounded out high school with a class in veterinary science at the Arlington Career Center, where she studied snakes, dogs, cats, gerbils, ferrets, rats, guinea pigs and frogs. (The rats were her favorites, she says, because they’re lovable and easy to train.)

This fall, she plans to study animal science and computer science at North Carolina A&T State University with the goal of becoming a veterinarian.

As someone who can be struck with pain at any moment, she holds a special kind of empathy for creatures that may be in pain, too.

“I’ve grown up sick my whole life, but I’ve had the privilege of being able to tell people what I need,” says the 18-year-old. “Animals can seem fine on the outside, but on the inside they could be in pain [with no way] to express it. When I see others in distress, the first thing I want to do is help.

Zoe Davis with Jack, a rescue dog from the Animal Welfare League of Arlington

Will Parker IV Wakefield High School

Will Parker was in first grade when he received his first art commission. His former preschool teacher asked him to draw a dragon and offered to pay him $5 for it. He happily obliged.

“That was a sign for me that I was really talented in art,” says the Arlington teen, who counts the Cartoon Network, DC Comics and video game animation among his early influences. One of his fondest childhood memories is drawing alongside his father, a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force. They bonded over pictures of cars and planes.

Parker’s creative drive continued through high school, culminating in a series of regional Scholastic Art awards. Much of his work focuses on nature and people from different cultures or ancient civilizations, rendered in watercolor, gouache and ink. “When I’m in the zone [drawing], the focus brings me peace,” says the 18-year-old, whose paintings have also been featured in juried exhibitions at Marymount University and the Montpelier Arts Center in Laurel, Maryland.

He graduated as an AP Scholar with Honor and now heads to the Maryland Institute College of Art, where he wants to major in illustration or animation. He recently began teaching himself to work in digital media.

Parker has other talents, too. He has taken piano lessons since fifth grade and won third place in Arlington County’s 2020 regional science fair, for a project that gauged the effect of music frequencies on chia-seed plants. He was a member of Wakefield’s track team and Spanish Honor Society, finishing high school with a 4.18 GPA.

His AP Art teacher, Margot ShteirDunn, calls him a “wise soul” whose insight is always astute. “When he asks for constructive feedback, I can feel he’s really absorbing what I’m saying,” she says. “He really takes the time to make meaningful connections between his artwork’s theme and tone.”

Nadia Malik

Langley High School

By the time she turned 18 in March, Nadia Malik was already a serial activist. Her instincts were first revealed in 2018, when, as an eighth-grader, she was bothered by the uneaten food she saw her fellow students throwing away. She started an organization called DIVVY, which donates unused food (think apples and oranges) from school cafeterias to local food banks and homeless shelters. Malik later expanded the organization to her high school, Langley, and has gotten inquiries about starting a chapter at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Fairfax County.

Her next light-bulb moment came during the early months of the pandemic when schools were closed. Feeling isolated and desperate to make a difference, she created a volunteer group for teens in Northern Virginia. Teens United launched in the spring of 2020 with a modest mission: free delivery of essentials such as groceries and prescription medications to the elderly and immunocompromised people, as well as front-line workers who didn’t have the time to run errands. Word spread, and by June of that year the group had established a second chapter in Florida.

Today, Teens United runs five campaigns—focusing on Covid-19, injustice, mental illness, climate change and inequity in education—with more than 2,000 volunteers across the U.S., and in Afghanistan, India and China. Designed as a hub for youth activism, Teens United partners with groups such as Cancer Kids First and Generation She to match teen volunteers with projects like beach cleanups and food drives.

As the daughter of immigrants from Pakistan and Poland, Malik grew up hearing the stories of how her parents came to America with nothing and eventually became real-estate agents. She says tales of strong women on both sides of her family fueled her desire to succeed.

At Langley, she maintained a 4.5 GPA while taking dual-enrollment entrepreneurship classes at Northern Virginia Community College. Her teacher Shelly Gaffin describes her as one of the most motivated students she has ever had. “She presents herself as an adult. You’d never know on the phone or through written correspondence that she’s [a teen].”

Malik plans to attend the University of Michigan this fall and major in business and biology.

Hunter Hicks Meridian High

School

Hunter Hicks was 10 when he visited an antiques store, noticed a display case filled with silver-looking pennies and decided to buy one from 1943. Turns out it was made of zinc-coated steel—because copper and nickel were needed for the war effort at the time it was minted.

“I didn’t realize how much history was connected with coins,” says the 18-year-old, whose vast collection now includes an Athenian Owl coin from ancient Greece and a mint-condition Lincoln cent dating to 1922 in its original doily holder. “I really liked the idea of having something that was valued by so many previous people.”

Recognized as a “Numismatic Scholar” by the American Numismatic Association, Hicks has received scholarships to attend coin conventions across the country and spent more than two years working as a numismatist for Wayne Herndon Rare Coins in Chantilly.

If high school is a time of conformity, this Falls Church teen was always determined to chart his own path. He started a Hat Club at Meridian, declaring every Friday “hat day” and giving away a few hats every week. He then took that crusade to Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School next door, where he lobbied administrators to rescind the school’s no-hat policy (and succeeded).

Hicks managed the girls’ field hockey, basketball and lacrosse teams at Meridian, and is now training to become an emergency medical technician. “I’ve always looked for unique experiences,” he says. “I’m not going to do the thing that everyone else does; I look for what I think would be fun.”

He’s also naturally inclined to help others. When schools closed early in the pandemic, he began scheduling video meetings with specialneeds students who were having a hard time with the isolation. He tutored classmates in math and, as class president, led weekly meal preparations at a local homeless shelter. He is a voting member of the Falls Church City Historical Commission.

“He has so many interests and pursues them all with passion,” says Marybeth Connelly, a member of the Falls Church City Council. “He’s humble and he’s kind and he thinks about other people. I find that remarkable.”

Hicks graduated with a 4.3 GPA and will attend Stanford University in the fall.

Antonia Jara Romero

Arlington Tech at Arlington Career Center

Antonia Jara Romero grew up on her grandparents’ farm in Cotacachi, a rural town in the Andes mountains of Ecuador, where the nearest hospital was 90 minutes away. Residents sometimes came to her grandmother, Graciela Dominguez, to get treatment for injuries and conditions such as parasites in babies.

At 10 years old, Jara Romero was tasked with boiling water, plucking herbs to make tea and taking blood pressure readings from people in need of care. Sometimes farmworkers suffered serious accidents and had to be driven to the hospital in the family car.

“One time a man came in and had been in a tractor accident,” recalls the teen, now 18. “I have a memory of my

grandmother holding his [lacerated] leg. It made me more aware of how people fall through the cracks of health care. There are people who don’t have access.”

Those memories of treating people, sometimes for conditions that were preventable, stayed with Jara Romero when she moved to Arlington with her siblings and parents in seventh grade. She spoke little English at the time. But by high school, at Arlington Tech, she was pursuing dual-enrollment classes at Northern Virginia Community College (where she expects to graduate in July with an associate degree in science).

This fall, she plans to study public health at William & Mary. She hopes eventually to return to Ecuador to address the gaps in its health care system.

“As a first-generation English language learner, [Antonia] really set the pathway for other students to achieve their dreams,” says Monica Lozano-Caldera, the equity and excellence coordinator at Arlington Tech. “She has an internally driven motivation to succeed.”

Jara Romero won three gold medals for top scores on the National Latin Exam, finishing high school with a 3.89 GPA. She was a member of Arlington Tech’s Ultimate Frisbee team and helped start a chapter of HOSA-Future Health Professionals at her school. HOSA is a global student-led organization that promotes careers in the health care industry.

“What Ecuador really needs—and other developing countries—is to focus more on prevention…because we don’t have enough money to treat everyone,” she says. “Everyone deserves access to health care.”

Anna Macon Corcoran

Yorktown High School

Math has always come naturally to Anna Corcoran. She took intensified algebra in sixth grade and intensified precalculus as a freshman at Yorktown. By the time she was a senior, she’d taken every accelerated math class the school had to offer. She never turned in an assignment late and earned straight A’s throughout high school.

Add in the fact that she is a nationally ranked runner, a member of the French Honor Society and co-founder of Yorktown’s Cancer Club. It’s not surprising that her math teacher and track coach, Kevin Robertson, calls her “a second-to-none individual.”

“Anna was one of the most spectacular students I’ve ever had in terms of intelligence,” Robertson says. “And I know that she will bring it every time she walks up to that [starting] line. Since freshman year, she has been one of the fiercest competitors on the track.”

A sprinter at Williamsburg Middle School who later took up cross-country at Yorktown, Corcoran takes after her father, Daniel, who ran track at MIT. “It was a really fun culture, and everyone was supportive,” she says of her school’s running teams. “One of my favorite parts is cheering everyone on.”

Corcoran graduated with a 4.44 GPA and will run track for Duke this fall, where she plans to study medicine with the goal of becoming a surgeon.

Outside of sports, she raised more than $20,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society—a cause that is close to her heart because her grandmother battled thyroid and skin cancer. At Yorktown, she co-founded Patriots Against Cancer, a club that serves as a support group for students whose families have been affected by cancer. Club members also write supportive letters to hospitalized children who are undergoing treatment, as well as to the nurses and the doctors who take care of them.

At 18, Corcoran is driven, but cautions others against trying to be perfect. She says her perfectionism was a problem for years. “When I was younger, I would set really high goals and it was really hard when I wouldn’t reach them,” she says. “Then I realized a lot of people mess up, and that’s how you grow and become a better person.”

Kimiko Reed

Washington-Liberty High School

As an International Baccalaureate (IB) candidate at W-L, Kimiko Reed made an unsettling observation: The more advanced classes she took, the fewer students of color she saw. Sometimes she was the only student of color in her class. She grew frustrated every time she had to explain why she felt racism was the most pressing issue in the U.S., or why certain comments about people of color were hurtful. When protests erupted in the wake of George Floyd’s death, she felt she had to do something.

“I realized that me being silent about microaggressions and macroaggressions was an act of conformity,” says Reed, 18, who is biracial. “I thought that this was probably happening to other people like

me.” So she founded Students for Racial Equity, a community-wide youth organization dedicated to empowering culturally and linguistically diverse students. After interviewing students of color about their experiences, she led professional development workshops for some 95 educators aimed at removing barriers to student learning.

The program expanded to include 45 student ambassadors representing high schools in Arlington and Fairfax counties. A $500 grant from the Arlington Youth Philanthropy Initiative paid for a website and a Zoom subscription.“Kimi has this doggedness about her,” says Elizabeth Burgos, W-L’s resource teacher for gifted students. “She’s kind, compassionate and empathetic.”

Reed also served as vice president of her school’s Math Honor Society, recruiting tutors for struggling students

and applying the equity lens in that context, too. Upon hearing about a minority student who was failing precalculus during Covid because she didn’t know how to access the online textbook, Reed intervened and talked to the girl’s counselor. Within a week the student had the textbook. Her grade shot up to an A. Reed finished her senior year with a 4.47 GPA and now heads to Columbia University to study biomedical engineering. She’s fascinated by the idea of using gene editing to address racial disparities in the treament of certain diseases—an interest she says was sparked by her father’s prostate cancer diagnosis. (Black men in the U.S. have a greater chance of developing prostate cancer and are more likely to die from it.) “The impact in my own family,” she says, “made me realize that better treatments are an important form of social justice advocacy.”

■ extraordinary teens

Tobias Klein

Bishop O’Connell High School

Toby Klein went pro before he was old enough to vote. His high school years at Bishop O’Connell were a blur of studying, training and traveling the globe for bike races, with little time for other activities. He wouldn’t have it any other way. “There’s so much suffering and so much sacrifice involved in this sport, but so much joy and euphoria,” he says. “Cycling for me is a form of meditation. It’s a really good stress reliever and sort of my getaway.”

Klein started cycling at age 9, bonding with his dad, Marc, on bike trips. His first road race was the annual Armed Forces Cycling Classic in Arlington (he came in second place in the kids’ race for his age group).

By his freshman year in high school, he had a coach. He began competing at the elite level, racking up trophies in the USA Cycling Amateur Road National Championships and earning third place last summer in the Trophy of Flanders, an international race in Belgium.

In September 2021, he signed a pro contract with Aevolo, a professional cycling team based in Colorado Springs that provides a stipend and equipment and covers his travel expenses. He sandwiched the interview for this story between tours in France and New Mexico and has raced in Greece and Italy.

The rigorous schedule didn’t stop him from paying it forward. In high school, he helped promote the benefits of exercise through Project Echelon, a nonprofit that helps disabled veterans recover from PTSD and traumatic brain injury.

Now 18, Klein graduated with a 4.43 GPA and was accepted to William & Mary, but he’s planning to defer a few years to focus on cycling. Once his racing days are over, he intends to pursue a career in finance.

Tracey Leipold, director of counseling at Bishop O’Connell, was struck by the Arlington teen’s maturity. He met all of his academic obligations, kept up with assignments on the road and rarely asked for extensions, she says, while logging thousands of miles on two wheels.

“One of Toby’s great gifts is he’s a super humble guy,” she says. “He is really respectful and grateful for opportunities. He shows the other students what can be possible.” ■

Lisa Lednicer lives in Arlington with her husband and 13-year-old daughter, who will be a freshman at Yorktown this fall.

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Jennifer Shapira

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Bali Wood

Inside this pavilion are thousands of pieces of a centuries-old Indonesian puzzle.

TOM AND SONYA RICKETTS were shopping at Arhaus in Tysons when an intricate store display caught Tom’s eye. Inquiring whether the ornate, handcarved, four-post structure was for sale, he learned it was the interior of an antique Balinese “joglo”—a vernacular house type dating back centuries.

The couple, avid travelers and collectors of Asian artifacts, envisioned a future for the joglo behind their home in Woodmont. They had already enlisted Anthony Wilder, whose eponymous design-build firm is based in Cabin John, Maryland, for a succession of renovations and home improvement

projects—including customizing Tom’s home office with a set of Hutong doors. Soon Wilder and his associates were designing a backyard pavilion to house this one-of-a-kind find.

Over two days, the team painstakingly photographed and tagged the joglo’s 3,500 hand-carved wooden pieces (believed to be 500-year-old teak) before disassembling it, storing its cataloged parts in a climate-controlled space and eventually reassembling it on a raised platform in the Ricketts’ backyard.

The antique structure is now nested inside a sweeping cedar-and-steel pavilion surrounded by black beach stones meant to mimic calming water. Lou-

vered cedar doors on the rear wall of the pavilion offer privacy from neighbors, but the rest of the structure is open on three sides. Sonya furnished the space with RH all-weather seating upholstered in a durable Chinese red fabric, and a Moroccan-style lantern from VivaTerra. Two Cambodian stone sculptures perch on custom pedestals. At night, LED lights illuminate the joglo and the surrounding landscape.

“It’s almost like an Asian resort,” Tom says of the three-season spot, where their three daughters love to huddle during thunderstorms. Completed in 2018, it’s an immediate conversation-starter when friends visit.

Wilder still remembers urging the couple to go for it after they spotted the joglo in the store. “The detailing that’s gone into this, it’s all handcarved,” he says. “It just floats in that space.” ■

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The Mather

Future Site Location: 7929 Westpark Drive, Tysons, VA 22102

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Mather is a unique not-for-profit organization headquartered in Evanston, Illinois and founded in 1941. Dedicated to creating Ways to Age WellSM, the organization maintains a focus on mission and strategic planning for the future, with an ongoing emphasis on impact, significance and sustainability.

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The Mather, projected to open in 2024, is a forward-thinking Life Plan Community for those 62+ where you can let go of worries and embrace opportunities. It ’s smack dab in the middle of it all, bordering a three-acre urban park and within walking distance of Tysons rail service, retail and restaurants. The Mather’s apartment homes start from 850 square feet up to 3,300 square feet, featuring expansive views, luxur y finishes and innovative smart-home technology. Entrance fees start at $646,700. The Mather will feature 38,000+ square feet of amenities, including multiple restaurants, spa, fitness center, indoor pool, rooftop clubroom, ar t studio, meeting spaces and more! Life Plan Communities are lifestyle communities in which people can pursue new passions and priorities, with a plan in place that supports aging well. Renderings and information shown here are subject to change without notice

April’s Most Expensive Home Sales

22201 (Arlington)

2314 N. Kenmore St.

List Price: $2.15 million

Sale Price: $2.3 million

Days on Market: 2

Listing Office: McEnearney Associates

Neighborhood: Maywood

Year Built: 1910

Bedrooms: 5

Full/Half Baths: 4/1

22202 (Arlington)

1714 S. Arlington Ridge Road

List Price: $1.5 million

Sale Price: $1.53 million

Days on Market: 9

Listing Office: Arlington Realty

Neighborhood: Arlington Ridge

Year Built: 1934

Bedrooms: 4

Full/Half Baths: 3/1

22203 (Arlington)

720 N. Tazwell St.

List Price: $1.15 million

Sale Price: $1.23 million

Days on Market: 8

Listing Office: KW Metro Center

Neighborhood: Ballston

Year Built: 1996

Bedrooms: 3

Full/Half Baths: 3/2

22204 (Arlington)

1707 S. Oakland St.

List Price: $1.5 million

Sale Price: $1.47 million

Days on Market: 6

Listing Office: Long and Foster

Neighborhood: Douglas Park

Year Built: 2007

Bedrooms: 5

Full/Half Baths: 3/1

This information, courtesy of Bright MLS as of May 16, 2022, includes homes sold in April 2022, 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)

1135 N. Ivanhoe St.

List Price: $2.2 million

Sale Price: $2.15 million

Days on Market: 1

Listing Office: McEnearney Associates

Neighborhood: Lacey Forest

Year Built: 2022

Bedrooms: Not available

Full/Half Baths: Not available

22206 (Arlington)

2200 S. Dinwiddie St.

List Price: $650,000

Sale Price: $650,000

Days on Market: 20

Listing Office: Re/Max Gateway

Neighborhood: Claremont

Year Built: 1947

Bedrooms: 3

Full/Half Baths: 2/0

2827 N. Somerset St., Arlington

C LO S E PA R T N E R S

22207 (Arlington)

3619 N. Vernon St.

List Price: $2.99 million

Sale Price: $3.07 million

Days on Market: 74

Listing Office: McEnearney Associates

Neighborhood: Bellevue Forest

Year Built: 2021

Bedrooms: 7

Full/Half Baths: 5/1

22209 (Arlington)

1564 N. Colonial Terrace

List Price: $1.3 million

Sale Price: $1.33 million

Days on Market: 1

Listing Office: Samson Properties

Neighborhood: Highgate

Year Built: 1993

Bedrooms: 3

Full/Half Baths: 2/1

22213 (Arlington)

2827 N. Somerset St.

List Price: $1.9 million

Sale Price: $1.9 million

Days on Market: 129

Listing Office: KW Metro Center

Neighborhood: Minor Hill

Year Built: 2021

Bedrooms: 5

Full/Half Baths: 5/1

22101 (McLean)

813 Carrie Court

List Price: $4 million

Sale Price: $3.75 million

Days on Market: 90

Listing Office: Long and Foster

Neighborhood: Langley Forest

Year Built: 2020

Bedrooms: 6

Full/Half Baths: 5/1

22102 (McLean)

1177 Orlo Drive

List Price: $3.55 million

Sale Price: $3.7 million

Days on Market: 7

Listing Office: MCM Realty Co.

Neighborhood: Woodlea Mill

Year Built: 1999

Bedrooms: 5

Full/Half Baths: 6/1

22041 (Falls Church)

5722 Magnolia Lane

List Price: $1.18 million

Sale Price: $1.25 million

Days on Market: 3

Listing Office: Re/Max Premier

Neighborhood: Springdale

Year Built: 2022

Bedrooms: 5

Full/Half Baths: 4/1

22042 (Falls Church)

3103 Manor Road

List Price: $1.6 million

Sale Price: $1.6 million

Days on Market: 2

Listing Office: Redfin Corp.

Neighborhood: Woodley Year Built: 2017

Bedrooms: 5

Full/Half Baths: 5/2

22043 (Falls Church)

6518 Roosevelt St.

List Price: $2.2 million

Sale Price: $2.2 million

Days on Market: 20

Listing Office: KW Metro Center

Neighborhood: Churchill Year Built: 2022

Bedrooms: 6

Full/Half Baths: 6/2

22044 (Falls Church)

3127 Worthington Circle

List Price: $834,999

Sale Price: $912,500

Days on Market: 5

Listing Office: KW Metro Center

Neighborhood: Lee Heights

Year Built: 1942

Bedrooms: 3

Full/Half Baths: 3/0

22046 (Falls Church)

100 Dulany Place

List Price: $1.68 million

Sale Price: $1.68 million

Days on Market: 5

Listing Office: Re/Max West End

Neighborhood: Devonshire

Year Built: 1996

Bedrooms: 5

Full/Half Baths: 4/1

What sets Monument Home Loans apart?

Our service. While our interest rates are quite competitive, our customer service is what sets us apart. From your rst phone call until your nal signature, our loan o cers and processing team are fully accessible whenever needed, day or night, weekday or weekend. We also understand that mortgages should not be one-size- ts-all; that’s why we o er one of the widest arrays of mortgage products in the DMV, and work closely with clients to identify the program that best meets their needs and goals. As a result, we enable people from all walks of life to experience a smooth, predictable process that results in the best mortgage for their circumstances – and to have an experienced loan o cer with them every step of the way.

813 Carrie Court, McLean

■ prime numbers

Real Estate Sales Trends

22203

22202

22204

22205

22206

22207

22209

22213

22102

22041

Number

22101

22042

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A ceviche sampler and a pisco sour at Inca Social

restaurant review ■

IT’S A THURSDAY evening in late March and Inca Social is hopping. The 18-seat cocktail bar is packed as two mixologists crank out margaritas and various riffs on Peru’s signature quaff, the pisco sour. A dozen more diners gab away alongside the ceviche bar, where a cook tosses cubes of raw mahi-mahi with leche de tigre (a “tiger’s milk” marinade of lime juice, fish stock and chilies), diced sweet potato, corn nuts, cilantro and red onions. Servers negotiate the narrow passages between tables to gather and sing “Happy Birthday” to one raucous party of 10, and then another.

This vivacious spot, which debuted in December in the former Kona Grill space in Rosslyn, is the second location of Inca Social. Co-owners Fito Garcia and Augusto Campo opened the first one next to the Dunn Loring-Merrifield Metro station in 2019. They brought on

by David Hagedorn | photos by Deb Lindsey

New

Inca Social brings a riot of colors and flavors to Rosslyn. PERU

Peruvian chef Michael Ciuffardi as a partner one year later.

The overall concept is Garcia’s baby. Born in Puerto Rico to Peruvian parents, he and his family lived in Peru and Mexico before settling in Oakton when Garcia was 7. After earning a business degree in marketing from George Mason University, he became a partner in various ventures, including Courthaus Social in Arlington and High Side, an Asian street food and craft-beer bar in Fairfax, which he still co-owns.

The flagship Inca Social fulfilled Garcia’s longtime desire to open a Peruvian restaurant, but the second one was more happenstance. “We were looking to do a Peruvian chicken place [in Arlington],” he says, “and looked at Kona Grill while looking at another space. The chef fell in love with the large kitchen.”

Spanning 7,600 square feet, the Rosslyn eatery isn’t just massive—with

seating for 193 inside, plus another 40 in a private dining room and 90 on the patio—it triggers sensory overload. Designed by Jennifer Neyra of Uncommon Interiors in Ashburn, the dining room features shimmery silver-tiled pillars, a faux cherry tree backlit in purple neon, and aquamarine neon creatures evoking the glyphs that originated in Peru’s Nazca desert some 2,000 years ago. A nook near the host stand is lavishly festooned with plastic flora—boxwood, wisteria, cherry blossoms, eucalyptus— and two pink-cushioned swings, plus a neon sign with the greeting, Hola, Mi Amor. Selfies, anyone?

Peruvian cooking is inherently fusion, bringing indigenous ingredients to a nexus of several culinary traditions. Among them: Spanish (criollo cooking is the Latin American interpretation of Spanish food); Japanese (known in Peru as Nikkei); and Chi -

Chef Michael Ciuffardi

nese (called chifa). The latter two were introduced when Japanese and Chinese workers, many of them indentured, immigrated to Peru in the mid-19th century after slavery was abolished there.

Raw fish figures prominently, given that Peru has 1,500 miles of Pacific coastline. Try the sampler of three fish and/or shrimp ceviches, all of which are marinated in leche de tigre. One tosses in rocoto (a spicy red pepper) cream; another brings the heat with a hit of aji amarillo, a fruity yellow pepper that is a mainstay of Peruvian cooking.

Ordering causa (potato terrine) is another must at any Peruvian restaurant. I’m referring to savory little stacks of whipped potatoes, which are flavored with lime juice and aji amarillo and topped with various fillings. Here, diners can specify whether they want their causa cold or deep-fried (cold is the way to go), and choose among seven different variations, such as shrimp or veggies. My chicken causa was unremarkable, but the one crowned with poached octopus in purplish-black olive aioli was quite flavorful and dramatic. Dollops of avocado sauce and aji mustard sauce add extra pops of color and zing.

Unlike its sister restaurant in Merrifield,which has a smaller space and menu, Inca Social Rosslyn offers 11 sushi rolls in full or half orders. I sampled several, including variations featur-

A photo opp near the host stand

Nikkei tacos with tuna tartare

Chilled causa with poached octopus and olive aioli

ing fried shrimp, avocado, cream cheese and salmon. All of the rolls come with mayonnaise-based sauces, but I couldn’t get beyond the sweetness of the rice and its oversoft texture. A better choice is the Nikkei tacos—crispy flour tortilla shells filled with avocado purée and tuna tartare dressed with sesame oil, soy sauce and ginger—which are terrific. Other pleasing small plates include empanadas stuffed with beef, carrots, peas and raisins; a braised chicken tamale with black olives and hard-

boiled egg; and anticuchos—skewers of grilled beef heart, chicken or shrimp (I can attest to the chicken) served with roasted potatoes, corn and chimichurri. Chilled mussels on the half shell suffered from over-marination in their tomato-onion salsa.

During one visit, the fish of the day (mahi-mahi) with mussels, shrimp, calamari and octopus had just the right amount of heat, courtesy of a red-chili sauce, to complement the seafood without overwhelming it.

Inca Social’s version of the staple dish aji de gallina, a fricassee of chicken in aji amarillo cream sauce, is billed as a stew, but was more the texture of chicken salad. It was nevertheless hearty and pleasant. The chaufa aeropuerto—fried rice with spring onions, snow peas, red peppers, scrambled egg and fried wonton strips (order it with chicken, steak or seafood)—is a tasty nod to Chinese influences in Peruvian cooking.

For dessert, spoon into the velvety caramel custard infused with lucuma, a fruit that looks like a large lime but whose fibrous yellow flesh has hints of sweet potato and maple. The tres leches cake is moist and nicely heavy on the dulce de leche.

Inca Social is a kinetic, happening, fun place. Just be warned that the atmosphere is noisy, especially when the booze is flowing. On one visit, my Deci-

WHAT TO DRINK

When in a Peruvian restaurant, it’s fitting to order that country’s signature cocktail—a sour made with lime juice, sugar syrup and pisco, a Peruvian brandy made from distilled grape wine. Inca Social offers six variations of the drink (passion fruit, strawberry and mango among the flavors), all topped with egg white foam and bitters. Pisco, tequila and rum are the main spirits in the remaining 10 cocktails. Vodka and peach schnapps add an extra wallop to sangria laced with passion fruit juice. On Thursdays, margaritas are $5 all day; $2 for ladies during happy hour (3 to 7 p.m.). Cocktails range from $9 to $12.

Four red wines and four white wines are available by the glass and bottle ($8/$24 to $9/$45).

The 10 draft beers ($6 to $8) include Pacifico, Negra Modelo and Modelo Especial.

INCA SOCIAL

1776 Wilson Blvd., Unit #1 (Rosslyn City Center), Arlington 571-312-7664 | incasocial.com

HOURS

Sunday to Wednesday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Thursday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to midnight

PARKING/METRO

Street or garage parking nearby. The Rosslyn Metro station is three blocks away.

PRICES

Appetizers: $8 to $18; Entrées: $14 to $25; Desserts: $7

bel X app registered 91 decibels, “just below pneumatic drill.”

If a quieter experience is more your style, go for lunch, which offers the same menu as dinner but with a bonus 20% off all food items until 3 p.m. ■

Neon art in the dining room

Flan with lucuma

David Hagedorn

You, Me, Pastry ORDER THIS now Treat Yourself Moltn Cookies

If you want to see someone’s face light up with pure joy, present them with a box of goodies from Annie Pu’s Toimoi Bakery stand at the Sunday FRESHFARM market in the Mosaic District. That was my spouse’s reaction to an assortment of flaky croissants in flavors such as cherry blossom (filled with cherry cream), pistachio-rose-almond (topped with rose petals and chopped nuts), strawberrycream, and a chocolate-hazelnut number inspired by Italy’s famed Ferrero Rocher chocolates.

I will confess that, before I shared, I scarfed down a plain croissant and a spiral-shaped Danish loaded with miso paste and bacon, as well as a plié au chocolat—a pastry in which croissant dough is folded over a chocolate baton like a hot dog bun before baking.

Pu, 29, was born and raised in Beijing. She graduated from college in 2014 with a degree in food science and technology, then completed a one-year pastry program at the Ferrandi cooking school in Paris, and a concurrent internship for the bakery chain Le Grenier à Pain, where she honed her skills making laminated baked goods. (Lamination is the process of encasing butter in dough, then rolling, folding and turning that dough several times to create alternating thin layers. Puff pastry is a laminated dough. So are croissants, which, unlike puff pastry, also include yeast.)

After a return trip to China, Pu held a series of baking jobs in New York City and Washington, D.C. She moved to Fairfax in 2020, not wanting to commute into the city anymore. “I also realized I didn’t want a day-to-day job,” she says. “I saw a lot of bakeries going bankrupt during the pandemic and wanted to figure out how to operate a bakery without a storefront.”

With the April launch of Moltn Cookies, entrepreneur Neal Miglani aims to satisfy a guilty craving we all have every now and then. His venture—which operates out of a ghost kitchen on Wilson Boulevard—offers late-night delivery (or pickup) of ooey-gooey, baked-to-order cookies, fresh from the oven. Classics (2 oz., $2.50 each) are available in six flavors: chocolate chip, double-chocolate chunk, M&M, white-chocolate macadamia, oatmeal-raisin and sugar. Premium cookies (4 oz., $3.75 each) include triple chocolate, s’mores, red velvet, crystal sugar and Reese’s peanut butter. Boxes of 6, 12 or 24 cookies are also available (see website for pricing). Hours of operation are Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday, 5 p.m. to midnight; Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. moltncookies.com

She struck out on her own, selling first at the Fairfax City farmers market, and now in the Mosaic District.

Pu likes to change things up and is constantly trying out new creations. In addition to croissants—in flavors such as matcha-almond, black-sesame-marshmallow and mangopassionfruit-mochi—her menu may include moon cakes, chiffon cake rolls (ube or Oreo-chocolate-sea-salt) and Portuguese egg tarts. Most pastries range from $4.50 to $6. She sells out weekly, so preorder online or show up early to avoid disappointment.

The words toi moi translate as “you” and “me” in French. “The meaning is to connect people through pastry,” she explains. Consider me very connected. toimoibakery.com

places to EAT

ARLINGTON

A Modo Mio Pizzeria

5555 Langston Blvd., 703-532-0990, amodomio pizza.com. Joe’s Place Pizza and Pasta has rebranded with a new chef, a new menu centering on woodfired pies and an interior makeover. L D $$

Aladdin Sweets & Tandoor

5169 Langston Blvd., 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. O R L D G V $$

Arlington Kabob

5046 Langston Blvd., 703-531-1498, arlingtonka bobva.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.

O C R L D A G V $$

Assembly

1700 N. Moore St., 703-419-3156, assembly-va. com. The 29,000-square-foot food hall above the Rosslyn Metro contains a smorgasbord of dining concepts, from oysters and cocktails to Asian street food, tacos and diner fare, plus a gourmet market with prepared foods. B R L D G V $$

B Live

2854 Wilson Blvd., 571-312-7094, bliveva.com. Find beach-inspired eats, a Bloody Mary bar and live music five nights a week in the former Whitlow’s space in Clarendon. o R L D A $$

Baba

2901 Wilson Blvd., 703-312-7978, baba.bar. This subterranean cocktail lounge is a sister to Ambar next door. A $$

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 $

Ballston Local

900 N. Glebe Road, 703-852-1260, ballstonlocal. com. Pair your local brew with a plate of poutine or a New York-style pizza. L D V $$

Pamplona in Arlington

Bangkok 54

2919 Columbia Pike, 703-521-4070, bangkok54res taurant.com. A favorite for Thai curries, grilled meats, stir-fry, noodles and soups. L D V $$

Barley Mac

1600 Wilson Blvd., 703-372-9486, barleymacva. com. Upscale tavern fare, plus more than 100 kinds of whiskey and bourbon. R L D A G V $$

Bartaco

4238 Wilson Blvd. (Ballston Quarter), 571-390-

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

o Outdoor Dining

c Children’s Menu

B Breakfast

R Brunch

L Lunch

D Dinner

A After Hours/Late Night

G Gluten-Free

V Vegetarian

s Best of Arlington 2021 or 2022 Winner

■ places to eat

8226, bartaco.com. A lively spot for tacos (13 kinds) and tequila. Feels like vacation. L D V A $$

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 $$

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 s 1515 N. Courthouse Road, 703-243-2410, bayou bakeryva.com. Chef David Guas’ New Orleans-inspired menu changes often, but you can always count on beignets and gumbo. Breakfast all day on weekends. O C B R L D G V $

Bethesda Bagels

1851 N. Moore St., 703-312-1133, bethesdabagels. com. The popular D.C.-area chain has an outpost in Rosslyn. Eat a sandwich! O L V $

BGR the Burger Joint

3129 Langston Blvd., 703-812-4705, bgrtheburger joint.com. Top your dry-aged beef, veggie or turkey burger with add-ons like grilled jalapeño, pineapple or fried egg. C L D V $

Big Buns Damn Good Burger Co.

4401 Wilson Blvd., 703-276-3032; 4251 Campbell Ave., 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 Langston Blvd., 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, paneer, chana masala and pickled onions. L D V $$

Bonsai Sushi at Crystal City

553 23rd St. S., 703-553-7723, crystalbonsai sushirestaurant.com. A go-to for sushi, sashimi, yakisoba, tempura, teriyaki. Closed Mondays. L D $$

Bostan Uyghur Cuisine

3911 Langston Blvd., 703-522-3010, bostanuyghur. com. Discover the wonders of Uyghur Chinese dishes such as kabobs, lagmen (hand-pulled noodles), manta (dumplings) and honey cake. L D $$

Brass Rabbit Public House

1210 N. Garfield St., 703-746-9977, brassrabbit

pub.com. Pair carrot “fries” and lettuce wraps with craft cocktails like the El Conejo, featuring tequila, carrot juice, ginger, lime and cilantro.

O R L D V A $$

Bread & Water Company

1201 S. Joyce St., 703-567-6698, breadand watercompany.com. The cafe-bakery serves sandwiches, salads, soups and pastries. Grab a 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, German and regional beers, sausages, schnitzel and cornhole in this 6,000-square-foot ode to Munich.

O L D A $$

Buena Vida Gastrolounge

2900 Wilson Blvd., buenavidarestaurant.com. Savor an unlimited tasting menu of Mexican dishes by chef Jaime Garciá Pelayo Bribiesca, plus one of the best rooftop bars around. O R L D $$

Busboys and Poets

4251 S. Campbell Ave., 703-379-9757, busboys andpoets.com. Known for its poetry slams, onsite bookstore and social justice programming, the cafe offers an eclectic menu with oodles of options for vegetarians. O C B R L D G V $$

Wren in Tysons

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, sandwiches, pastries and Swing’s coffee. L V $

Café Colline

4536 Langston Blvd., 703-567-6615, cafecolline va.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. O 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 Langston Blvd., 703-241-8947. Cuban preparations such as jerk-style pork, fried plantains and black bean soup are mainstays. C 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. O C R L D G V $$$

CarPool Beer and Billiards

900 N. Glebe Road, 703-516-7665, gocarpool. com. After four years in Fairfax, Mark Handwerger’s garage-themed watering hole has returned to Ballston with pool, pub grub and an extensive beer

list, including “house” suds brewed at sister bar the Board Room. D A $

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. net. The pub on the Pike serves up pints alongside favorites like corned beef and traditional Irish breakfast. C 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. O B L D V $$

Chiko

4040 Campbell Ave., 571-312-0774, chikodc.com.

The Chinese-Korean concept by chefs Danny Lee and Scott Drewno serves fan favorites like cumin

lamb stir-fry and double-fried chicken wings, plus a few fun dishes that are exclusive to the Shirlington location. C D G 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. O 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 $$

Copperwood Tavern

4021 Campbell Ave., 703-522-8010, copperwood tavern.com. The hunting-and-fishing-themed saloon serves up steaks and chops, draft beers and 30 small-batch whiskeys. O R L D $$$

Cowboy Café s

4792 Langston Blvd., 703-243-8010, thecowboy cafe.com. Cool your heels and fill up on sandwiches, burgers, brisket and chili mac. An outdoor beer garden features a mural by Arlington artist MasPaz. Live music on weekends. O C R L D V $$

Crafthouse

901 N. Glebe Road, 703-962-6982, crafthouse usa.com. Locally sourced bar food, plus Virginia beer, wine and spirits equals a good time. O L D A $$

Crystal City Sports Pub

529 23rd St. S., 703-521-8215, ccsportspub.com.

■ places to eat

Open 365 days a year, it’s a sure bet for big-screen TVs, pool tables, trivia and poker nights, beers and bar snacks. C 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. O L D G V $$

Detour Coffee

946 N. Jackson St., 703-988-2378, detourcoffee co.com. This comfy cafe has a college vibe and serves up locally roasted coffee, light bites and weekend brunch. O B R L V $

District Taco

5723 Langston Blvd., 703-237-1204; 1500 Wilson Blvd., 571-290-6854; districttaco.com. A local favorite for tacos and gargantuan burritos. C 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. O R L D $$

Dudley’s Sport & Ale

2766 S. Arlington Mill Drive, 571-312-2304, dudleyssportandale.com. A spacious sports bar with wall-to-wall TVs, a roof deck, a ballpark-inspired beer list and weekend brunch. O C 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. O B L D G V $

East West Coffee Wine

3101 Wilson Blvd., 571-800-9954. The Clarendoncafe 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. C L D G V $$

El Pike Restaurant

4111 Columbia Pike, 703-521-3010, elpikerestau rant.com. Bolivian dishes satisfy at this no-frills institution. 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 $

El Rey

4201 Wilson Blvd., 571-312-5530, elreyva.com. The Ballston outpost of the beloved U Street taqueria serves tacos, margs and draft brews in a colorful interior featuring street-art murals by Mike Pacheco. L D A $$

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. O L D V $

Endo Sushi

3000 Washington Blvd., 703-243-7799, endosushi. com. A neighborly 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. O L D G $$$

Essy’s Carriage House Restaurant

4030 Langston Blvd., 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 proprietor 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. C 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. O C L D A G V $$ First Down Sports Bar & Grill

4213 Fairfax Drive, 703-465-8888, firstdownsports bar.com. Three cheers for 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. O L D $$ The Freshman

2011 Crystal Drive, thefreshmanva.com. Nick Freshman’s neighborly dining concept has something for every appetite and every time of day, from coffee and breakfast sandwiches to oysters and negronis. O B L D V $$

Gaijin Ramen Shop

3800 Langston Blvd., 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 Langston Blvd., 703-973-2432, gharerkhabar togo.com. Translated as “home’s food,” this art-

filled, 14-seat café serves Bangladeshi fare cooked by chef Nasima Shreen. 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 $

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. O R L D G $$$

Green Pig Bistro s

1025 N. Fillmore St., 703-888-1920, greenpig bistro.com. Southern-influenced food, craft cocktails, happy hour and brunch draw fans to this congenial neighborhood hideaway. R L D G V $$$

Greens N Teff s

3203 Columbia Pike, 571-510-4063, greensnteff. com. This vegetarian, fast-casual Ethiopian carryout prompts customers to choose a base (injera bread or rice) then pile on spicy, plant-based stews and other toppings. O 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. O C L D G V $$

Guapo’s Restaurant

4028 Campbell Ave., 703-671-1701, guaposres taurant.com. Expect hearty portions of all the TexMex standbys—quesadillas, enchiladas, fajitas, tacos and burritos. O C 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. L 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 draw at this Rosslyn establishment. 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. O L D A $$

Hot Lola’s

4238 Wilson Blvd. (Ballston Quarter), hotlolas. com. It’s all about Kevin Tien’s Nashville-meets-Sichuan hot chicken sandwiches. L D $

Inca Social

1776 Wilson Blvd., 703-488-7640, incasocial.com. Empanadas, saltados, ceviche, sushi and pisco sours round out the menu at this Peruvian cousin to the original in Dunn Loring. R L D G V $$

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. C R L D A V $$

Istanbul Grill

4617 Wilson Blvd., 571-970-5828, istanbulgrill virginia.com. Feast on Turkish meze and kabobs at this homey spot in Bluemont. L D V $$

The Italian Store s

3123 Langston Blvd., 703-528-6266; 5837 Washington Blvd., 571-341-1080; italianstore.com. A cultstatus favorite for pizzas, sandwiches, prepared entrées, espresso and gelato. O L D G V $

Kabob Palace

2315 S. Eads St., 703-486-3535, kabobpalaceusa. com. 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. O 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 Langston Blvd., 703-538-3033, lacotedorarling

ton.com. This little French bistro serves standards like crepes and steak frites. O R L D G V $$$

Layalina

5216 Wilson Blvd., 703-525-1170, layalinares taurant.com. Lebanese and Syrian dishes have delighted diners since 1997 at this family-owned restaurant. Closed Mondays. O L D A V $$

Lebanese Taverna

5900 Washington Blvd., 703-241-8681; 1101 S. Joyce St., Pentagon Row, 703-415-8681; lebanese taverna.com. A homegrown favorite for mezze, kabobs, flatbreads and more. O C 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. O C 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.” 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 and lo mein. 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. O C R L D A V $$$

Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery

1550 Crystal Drive, 703-718-4418, mahzedahr bakery.com. Café fare at this bright newcomer to National Landing includes coffee, pastries, focaccia, sandwiches and snacks. O B L D $

Maison Cheryl

2900 Wilson Blvd., 703-664-0509, maisoncheryl. com. Seared duck breast, steak frites and madeleines are among the offerings at this French American bistro. R L D V $$$

Maizal

4238 Wilson Blvd. (Ballston Quarter), 571-3966500, maizalstreetfood.com. South American

› New Interior Look & Layout

› New Website › Arrowine.com

› New Products & Delicious Treats

› Same Great Service

Your local source for artisanal cheeses, deli meats, charcuterie, chocolate, gourmet foods and of course, fine wines. Now o ering French Crêpes made to order. (In-store only)

10am - 5pm

■ places to eat

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. O 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. O C B L D A $

Mattie and Eddie’s

1301 S. Joyce St., 571-312-2665, mattieand eddies.com. It’s not just an Irish bar. Chef Cathal Armstrong’s kitchen serves farm-to-table dishes like lobster pot pie, house-cured corned beef, sardines on toast, and Irish breakfast all day. O R L D $$$

Maya Bistro

5649 Langston Blvd., 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. O 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. O C L D G V $$

Mele Bistro

1723 Wilson Blvd., 703-522-0284, melebistro.com. This farm-to-table Mediterranean restaurant cooks with fresh, organic, free-range, regionally sourced, non-GMO ingredients. O R L D G V $$

Meridian Pint

6035 Wilson Blvd., 703-300-9655, meridianpint. com. A brewpub serving craft suds, burgers, salads and bar food. C R D A G V $$ Metro 29 Diner

4711 Langston Blvd., 703-528-2464, metro29. com. Classic diner fare includes triple-decker sandwiches, mile-high desserts, burgers, roasted chicken and breakfast. C 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. O C 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. O L D $$

Nam-Viet

1127 N. Hudson St., 703-522-7110, namvietva.com. The venerable restaurant specializes in flavors of Vietnam’s Can Tho region. O L D V $$ Nighthawk Pizza

1201 S. Joyce St., nighthawkpizza.com. Restaurateur Scott Parker has teamed up with chef Johnny Spero and Aslin Beer Co. to introduce a brewpub featuring low-ABV beers, personal pizzas and smash burgers. L D V $$

Northside Social Coffee & Wine s

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. O 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. O B L D G $$

Old Dominion Pizza

4514 Langston Blvd., 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 and a craft cocktail. O L D $$

Origin Coffee Lab & Kitchen

1101 S. Joyce St., 703-567-7295, origincoffeeco. com. The industrial-chic coffee shop roasts its own beans and serves all-day breakfast, as well as bar munchies and dinner plates. O B R L D V $$

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. O 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. O R L D V $$

Pamplona

3100 Clarendon Blvd., 703-685-9950, pamplona va.com. Spanish tapas, paella, grilled fish, pintxos, cocktails, snacks and sangria. O 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 $$

Peter Chang Arlington s

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. C L D $$ Pho 75

1721 Wilson Blvd., 703-525-7355, pho75.res taurantwebexpert.com. The piping-hot soup at this local institution is all about fresh ingredients. O L D V $

Pie-tanza s

2503-B N. Harrison St., 703-237-0200, pie-tanza. com. Enjoy pizza (including gluten-free options), calzones, lasagna, subs and salads. C L D G V $$

The Pinemoor

1101 N. Highland St., 571-970-2592, thepine moor.com. Reese Gardner’s country-western saloon turns out steaks, burgers, local seafood and weekend brunch. O R L D G V $$

Poppyseed Rye

818 N. Quincy St., poppyseedrye.com. Pick up sand-

wiches, salads, avocado toast, cold-pressed juice, flower bouquets and gift items (beer and wine, too) at this pretty café in Ballston. O r L D G V $

Pupatella s

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. O 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. C 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. O C L D V $$

Queen Mother’s Fried Chicken

918 S. Lincoln St., 703-596-1557, queenmother cooks.com. Chef Rock Harper’s celebrated fried chicken sandwich operation shares a kitchen and dining space with The Café by La Cocina VA. L D $ Quincy Hall 4001 Fairfax Drive, 703-567-4098, quincyhallbar. com. Head to Ballston for tavern-style pizzas and 20+ craft beers on tap. D A V $$

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. O R L D A V $$

Rako Coffee Roasters

2016 Wilson Blvd., 571-2312-4817, rakocoffee. com. Sister roasters Lisa and Melissa Gerben, whose beans are on the menu at Maketto and other D.C. hotpots, now have a cafe in Courthouse. Try a baklava latte or an espresso martini. R L D V $$

Rasa

2200 Crystal Drive, 703-888-0925, rasagrill.com. Enjoy big flavors at this Indian fast-casual eatery by co-owners Sahil Rahman and Rahul Vinod. Build a bowl with options like basmati rice, chicken tikka, lamb, charred or pickled vegetables, lentils, chutneys and yogurt sauces. O L D G 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. C L D V $$

Rebellion on the Pike

2900 Columbia Pike, 703-888-2044, rebellionon thepike.com. The 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. O R B D A $$

The Renegade

3100 Clarendon Blvd., 703-468-4652, renegadeva. com. Is it a coffee shop, restaurant, bar or live music venue? All of the above—with snacks ranging from lambchop lollipops to lo mein. B L D A $$

Rhodeside Grill

1836 Wilson Blvd., 703-243-0145, rhodeside grill.com. Find chops, meatloaf, burgers and

po’boys accompanied by every kind of hot sauce imaginable. O C 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. O C L D G V $

Ruffino’s Spaghetti House

4763 Langston Blvd., 703-528-2242, ruffinosarling ton.com. Mina Tawdaros bought this local institution in 2020, fulfilling a lifelong dream. The menu still includes classics such as veal Parmigiana and chicken piccata. C 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. O C 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 s

3411 Fifth St. S., 703-888-2841, ruthiesallday.com.

Chef Matt Hill’s Southern-inspired “meat and three” serves up wood-smoked proteins with creative sides ranging from kimchi dirty rice to crispy Brussels sprouts with fish sauce vinaigrette. Breakfast (with house-made biscuits) offered daily.

O 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 $$

The Salt Line

4040 Wilson Blvd., 703-566-2075, thesaltline.com. The seafood-centric oyster bar that started next to Nats Park in D.C. now has an outpost in Ballston serving raw bar, clam chowder, lobster rolls, stuffies, smash burgers and fun cocktails. c O R 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. O C R L D A G V $$

Santé

1250 S. Hayes St. (inside the Ritz-Carlton), 703412-2762, meetatsante.com. Mediterranean fare includes shrimp saganaki, grilled oysters, chickpea fries, and mains ranging from whole roasted branzino to lamb “osso bucco.” B R L D 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. O C 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 $

Seoulspice

1735 N. Lynn St., 703-419-5868, seoulspice.com. Korean fast-casual comfort food, anyone? L D G V $

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.

O R L D V $$$

Sfoglina Pasta House

1100 Wilson Blvd., sfoglinapasta.com/rosslyn. Visit Fabio Trabocchi’s Rosslyn outpost for housemade pasta (you can watch it being made), a “mozzarella bar” and Italian cocktails. Closed Sundays.

O 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 Low-calorie and gluten-free menu choices able. O C B R L D A G V $$

Slapfish

671 N. Glebe Road, 571-312-4610, slapfishrestau rant.com. Grab some clam chowder, fish lobster roll and pretend you are beachside.

Sloppy Mama’s Barbeque

5731 Langston Blvd., sloppymamas.com. and Mandy Neuman’s barbecue joint smoked meats galore—brisket, pork, turkey, sausage. Plus hearty sides and ding for dessert. O B R L D $$

Your Hometown Barbeque Since

Smokecraft Modern Barbecue s

1051 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. O 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., 703-4658423; 2121 N. Westmoreland St., 703-534-1542; southblockjuice.com. Cold-pressed juices, smoothies and acai bowls. O B L V $

Sparrow Room

1201 S. Joyce St., 571-451-7030, sparrowroom. com. Hidden behind Bun’d Up, Scott Chung’s backroom mahjong parlor presents dim sum and Chinese-inspired craft cocktails in a moody setting. Open Thursday through Sunday, 5-11 p.m. D $$

Spice Kraft Indian Bistro

1135 N. Highland St., 703-527-5666, spicekraft va.com. This contemporary concept by restaurateurs Anthony Sankar and Premnath Durairaj gives Indian classics a modern spin. O 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. C D A G V $$

Stellina Pizzeria

2800 S. Randolph St., 703-962-7884, stellina pizzeria.com. Pay a visit for Neapolitan pies, fried artichokes, squid ink pasta and a deli counter that offers house-made pastas, sauces, antipasti and dolci to take home. O L D $$

■ places to eat

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 s 2457 N. Harrison St., 703-534-6000, sushizen. com. An amicable, light-filled neighborhood stop for sushi, donburi, tempura and udon. C 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. O C 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. O C B L D $$

Taco Bamba Ballston s

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. O 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 $$

Taqueria el Poblano s

2503-A N. Harrison St., 703-237-8250, taqueria poblano.com. Fresh guacamole, fish tacos, margaritas and mole verde transport patrons to the Yucatan. C 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. C 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. O 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. O L D G V $$$

Thai Noy s

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. O 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. O C R L D V $$

TNR Cafe

2049 Wilson Blvd., 571-217-0766, tnrcafe.com. When you have a hankering for Peking duck, moo shu chicken, Szechuan beef or bubble tea. L D G 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 $

Tortas Y Tacos La Chiquita

2911 Columbia Pike, 571-970-2824, tortasytacosla chiquita.com. In addition to its namesake foods, the eatery that started as a food truck also does alambres, huarache platters, flautas and more. B L D $

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. O 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. O L D G V $$

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. C 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. O C R L D $$$

The Union

3811 Fairfax Drive, 703-356-0129, theunionres taurant.us. Owner Giridhar Sastry was formerly executive chef at The Mayflower Hotel in D.C. His eclectic menu includes Mumbai panini (chaat masala, cilantro chutney, Havarti cheese, veggies), sesame wings and calamari with Lebanese garlic sauce. o C L D $$

Urban Tandoor

801 N. Quincy St., 703-567-1432, utandoorva.com. 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 s 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. O C 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. O B L D V $$

Whino

4238 Wilson Blvd., 571-290-3958, whinova.com.

Part restaurant/bar and part art gallery, this latenight spot (open until 2 a.m. Thursday-Saturday) features cocktails, shareable plates and a dynamic interior featuring street-art murals and “low brow” art exhibits. L D A $$

Wild Tiger BBQ s

1201 S. Joyce St. (Westpost), wildtigerbbq.com. The pop-up concept by chefs Kevin Tien and Scott Chung does barbecue with an Asian flavor profile. Shin-shamen-rubbed proteins like pulled pork, ribs and brisket are served with kimchi pickles and 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. O C R L D A G V $$

Wilson Hardware Kitchen & Bar

2915 Wilson Boulevard, 703-527-4200, wilson hardwareva.com. Order a boozy slushy or craft beer and head the roof deck. The menu includes small plates, burgers and entrées like steak frites and duck confit. O 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. O C 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 $$$

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. C 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. Order a Buffalo-style “cup-and-char” pepperoni pie 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. O L D V $$

Bamian

5634 Leesburg Pike, 703-820-7880, bamianres taurant.com. Try Afghan specialties like palau (seasoned lamb with saffron rice) and aushak (scallion dumpling topped with yogurt, meat sauce and mint). C L D V $$

Bartaco

2920 District Ave. (Mosaic District), 571-549-8226, bartaco.com. See Arlington listing. L D V A $$

Bing & Bao

7505 Leesburg Pike, 703-734-0846, bingandbao. com. Chinese street foods (crepes, steamed bun and fried rice) are the main attraction at this fast-casual eatery. Founders Rachel Wang and Mark Shen hail from Tianjin, China. L D V $

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 plant-based options. O 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. C 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. O C 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. C B 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.

O C 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.

O 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. O R L D V $$

El Tio Tex-Mex Grill

7630 Lee Highway, 703-204-0233, eltiogrill.com. A family-friendly spot for fajitas, enchiladas, lomo saltado, combo plates and margaritas. O L D $$

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. O L D V $

Fava Pot

7393 Lee Highway, 703-204-0609, favapot.com. Visit Dina Daniel’s restaurant, food truck and catering operation for Egyptian fare such as stewed fava beans with yogurt and lamb shanks with okra. And oh the bread! B L D G V $$

First Watch

5880 Leesburg Pike, 571-977-1096, firstwatch. com. Popular dishes at this breakfast and lunch café include eggs Benedict, lemon-ricotta pancakes, housemade granola, power bowls and avocado toast. O CB R L V $$

Four Sisters Restaurant

8190 Strawberry Lane, 703-539-8566, foursisters restaurant.com. Mainstays include clay pot fish, grilled meats, lettuce wraps and pho. O 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 $$

Harvey’s

513 W. Broad St., 540-268-6100, harveysva.com. Chef Thomas Harvey’s casual café brings roasted chicken, beer-cheese cheesesteaks, banana splits and other comfort fare to Falls Church City.

O C B L D V $$

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. C 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. C 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. O C 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. O L D A V $$

JV’s Restaurant

6666 Arlington Blvd., 703-241-9504, jvsrestaurant. com. A dive bar (the best kind) known for its live music, cold beer and home-cooked meatloaf, lasagna and chili. L D A V $$

Kamayan Fiesta

301 S. Washington St., 703-992-0045, kamayan fiesta.com. Find Filipino specialties such as chicken adobo, pork in shrimp paste, lumpia (egg rolls) and cassava cake. B L D V $$

Koi Koi Sushi & Roll

450 W. Broad St., 703-237-0101, koikoiva.com. The sushi is fresh and the vibe is fun. O L D $$

Lantern House Viet Bistro

1067 West Broad St., 703-268-2878, lantern houseva.com. Satisfy that craving for pho, noodles and banh mi at this family-owned Vietnamese eatery. L D G V $$

La Tingeria

626 S. Washington St., 571-316-6715. A popular food truck in Arlington since 2012, David Peña’s concept now has a brick-and-mortar location in Falls Church. The queso birria tacos are a must. Open Thursday-Sunday, noon to 4:30. L $

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 ‘cue 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. O L D $$

■ places to eat

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. O 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. O C 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! O 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. O 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 s 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. O 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. O C 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. C 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 that began in Great

Falls has a sister restaurant in the Mosaic District. O 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. O L D V $$

Parc de Ville

8926 Glass Alley (Mosaic District), 703-663-8931, parcdeville.com. Find French fare such as omelets, escargots, duck confit and boudin blanc at this spacious Parisian-style brasserie. Hit the rooftop lounge for cocktails. O 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. C L D G 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. O C 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 $$

Preservation Biscuit s

102 E. Fairfax St., 571-378-1757, preservation biscuit.com. 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 $

Pupuseria La Familiar

308 S. Washington St., 703-995-2528, pupuseria lafamiliar.com. The family-owned Salvadoran eatery turns out pupusas, fried yucca, chicharron, carne asada and horchata. L D $$

Raaga Restaurant

5872 Leesburg Pike, 703-998-7000, raagarestau rant.com. Chicken tikka, lamb rogan josh and cardamom-infused desserts. O 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 $$

Settle Down Easy Brewing

2822 Fallfax Drive, 703-573-2011, settledowneasy brewing.com. The rotating beer list at this nanobrewing operation is always fresh. Neighboring El Tio Tex-Mex Grill provides a taco stand and other food choices. Closed Mondays. O L D $

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. C 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 diminutive bar offers 24 craft beers on tap and 18 variations on the grilled cheese sandwich.

D A V $$

Sweetgreen

2905 District Ave. (Mosaic District), 703-9927892, sweetgreen.com. See Arlington listing.

O C 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. C L D G $$$

Taco Bamba s

2190 Pimmit Drive, 703-639-0505, tacobambares taurant.com. Taco choices range from traditional carne asada to the “Iron Mike,” a vegan rendition stuffed with roasted cauliflower, salsa macha and mole verde. B L D $

Taco Rock

1116 W. Broad St., 703-760-3141, thetacorock. com. See Arlington listing. o B L D V $$

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.

C B R L D $$

Thompson Italian s

124 N. Washington St., 703-269-0893, thompson italian.com. Gabe and Katherine Thompson’s celebrated kitchen turns out house-made pastas (including cook-at-home meals and supper trays) and some of the best desserts around. O C 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. O D $$$

True Food Kitchen

2910 District Ave. (Mosaic District), 571-3261616, truefoodkitchen.com. See Arlington listing. O C 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. O C L D G V $$

Aracosia

1381 Beverly Road, 703-269-3820, aracosia mclean.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). O L D V $$

Asian Origin

1753 S. Pinnacle Drive, 703-448-9988, asian originva.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. O 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. O 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. O C 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 (and steaks, too). 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 s

6930 Old Dominion Drive, 703-893-1034, jgil berts.com. Everything you’d expect in a steakhouse and lots of it—prime cuts of beef, lobster, wedge salad, steak-cut fries and cheesecake.

C 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. O C L D G V $$

Leila

7934B Tysons Corner Center, meetleila.com. Savor the flavors of the Middle East and Northern India in dishes such as htipiti (roasted peppers and feta), tandoor-roasted salmon and chicken fesenjoon (pomegranate-walnut-chicken stew), plus house-fired breads, fine cocktails and hookah.

R L D A $$

Lost Dog Café

1690-A Anderson Road, 703-356-5678, lostdog cafe.com. See Arlington listing. L D $$

Masala Indian Cuisine

1394 Chain Bridge Road,703-462-9699, masa lava.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, themcleanfamilyrestaurant.com. Pancakes, gyros and big plates of lasagna hit the spot, and you may stumble upon a politico or two. Breakfast served until 3 p.m. daily. C 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. O 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. O L D $$

Patsy’s American 8051 Leesburg Pike (Tysons), 703-552-5100, pat sysamerican.com. Find greatest-hit dishes from other Great American Restaurants properties in a space resembling a vintage railway station. O C R L D A G V $$

Pulcinella 1310 Chain Bridge Road, 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, randysprime.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. O C L D G $$

Roots Provisions & Grocery

8100 Old Dominion Drive, 703-712-7850, roots provisions.com. Part café and part gourmet market, it's got sandwiches, smoothies, acai bowls, salads, espresso drinks, pie, cocktails and graband-go snacks and pantry staples. B L G V $ Silver Diner 8101 Fletcher St., 703-821-5666, silverdiner.com. See Arlington listing. C 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. family-style takeout meals and breakfast. O C B L D G V $

Tachibana

6715 Lowell Ave., 703-847-1771, tachibana.us. Stellar sushi aside, the chef’s specials here include starters such as clam miso soup, monkfish paté and savory egg custard. C L D $$

Urbanspace

2001 International Drive, urbanspacenyc.com/ tysons. Travel the culinary globe at this Tysons Galleria food hall with options like Cantonese barbecue, spicy Ghanaian fare, empanadas, donburi and U.K.-style fish and chips. And award-winning Andy’s Pizza. C R L D $$

Wren

1825 Capitol One Drive S., thewatermarkhotel. com. Topping the new Watermark Hotel at Capital One Center in Tysons, this tony izakaya helmed by former Zentan chef Yo Matsuzaki offers Japanese American fare (hamachi tartare, Wagyu burgers, miso-marinated sea bass), stupendous cocktails and sweeping skyline views. D G V $$$

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Uncrowded Shores

For fun in the sand away from the masses, these lesser-known beaches.

BY ANDREA K. MCDANIELS

Cape Charles, Virginia

every vacation season, people pack the area’s most popular beaches—umbrellas and beach towels seen for miles along the shore. Most will head to tried-andtrue places such as Ocean City in Maryland, Virginia Beach, or Rehoboth and Bethany beaches in Delaware. These destinations have no shortage of visitors and are where generations of families have made their annual summer pilgrimages.

But following the crowds isn’t for everyone. For those who long for the lazy days of summer, for a way to escape the hustle and bustle, there are beaches off the beaten path offering

quieter experiences. Some are just a few miles from the more popular hubs.

For the most part, you won’t find retail strips with tacky T-shirts and ubiquitous saltwater taffy stands. Instead, you’ll encounter barren spots untouched by major development where vacationers can bird-watch, fish, scavenge for sharks teeth, or just lie on the sand.

Even the waters of these beaches are calmer and quieter—many of them being on the bay rather than the ocean. You may have to stay in another town, since some don’t offer hotel accommodations. But tranquility will be your reward. Here are four spots to check out.

Cape Charles, Virginia

Perhaps Cape Charles sees fewer crowds because of its location at the southernmost tip of Virginia’s Eastern Shore. It’s a bit of a trek—about 230 miles from Arlington—but it can be worth the drive.

The beach sits on the Chesapeake Bay, rather than the Atlantic Ocean, which means calm and shallow waters and the gentlest waves for families with small children. The conditions are also ideal for some water sports; you can rent stand-up paddleboards and kayaks from SouthEast Expeditions. Or you can fish from the pier.

An art display near the pier that spells out the word “love” is a popular place for photos. The sign, which sits on pallets in the sand, is reflective of the town: The “L” is made of sea glass and seashells in an ode to the bayside community, while the “O” is a tractor tire to celebrate agriculture. The “V,” made of kayaks, represents outdoor adventure activities, and the “E,” made of crab pots, is a nod to aquaculture.

Cape Charles, with a population of about 1,000, is just 2,817 acres, meaning everything is nearby. Some visitors park their cars and rent golf carts for their stay.

Venture from the beach and walk a few minutes to town to take in the historic architecture. Here you’ll find one of the largest concentrations of turn-ofthe-century buildings on the East Coast. (The Cape Charles Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.) Expansive porches front many of the homes, where residents sit to watch the sunsets.

Some of the houses have been transformed into quaint bed-and-breakfasts, but there are also plenty of inns and hotels, including the recently renovated Northampton Hotel on Mason Avenue, which boasts that it combines the historic with a modern flair. Hotel Cape Charles, also on Mason Avenue, features private balconies with harbor views.

Cape Charles is near nature and eco excursions, such as hikes at the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge or kayaking at Kiptopeke State Park. capecharlesvirginiascape.com

Cape Charles beach

Kayaking in Cape Charles

Bowers Beach, Delaware

Looking for a sleepy beach outpost?

Bowers Beach is just that, says Nancy Bradley, who works at JP’s Wharf seafood restaurant in town (technically it is in Frederica, but it’s considered a part of Bowers Beach). “You come here for a quiet experience.”

Located about 110 miles from Arlington, Bowers sits on the Delaware Bay between the St. Jones and Murderkill rivers. With its motto “The Way Life Used to Be,” the town clearly shuns

the commercialization of the more popular beaches. Visitors can rent bungalows, but there are no hotels.

A drive through this coastal community is like entering a time warp. Though the local fishing industry isn’t as prosperous as it once was, many townspeople still make their living off the waters beyond their backyards. JP’s prides itself on serving fresh local catch, from oysters to rockfish and trout.

The Delaware Bay’s calm waters offer great conditions for swimming, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, or for simply lounging and quiet strolling on the beach.

There are three parks in town where visitors can play bocce or shuffleboard, go for a picnic or find a quiet spot to read or meditate. The Bowers Beach Maritime Museum on Main Street, open weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day, chronicles the history of the town, waterman culture and coastal history. Bowers Beach is just 205 acres, putting all attractions within a short walk or drive.

Nature lovers will appreciate birdwatching, as well as the bayside spectacle that occurs in May and June when millions of Atlantic horseshoe crabs descend on the shores to spawn, covering the sands like a blanket. It’s the one time of year that the beach is crowded. bowersbeach.delaware.gov

Matoaka Beach, Maryland

Southern Maryland is where you’ll find Matoaka Beach and its picturesque views of the Chesapeake Bay. Located in St. Leonard, about 60 miles from Arlington, this is truly an off-the-beatenpath hideaway—you have to walk down a small trail from the parking lot to get to the water. There is no commercial

Matoaka Beach

JP’s Wharf at sunset

Bowers Beach

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development, and there are no restaurants. The only lodging is camping at rental cabins on the beach.

The privately owned beach that once operated as a Girl Scouts camp is now open daily to the public for a small fee—$5 most weekdays and $10 on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. It’s a choice spot for naturalists and outdoorsy folks who want to spend the day kayaking (bring your own), fishing and swimming.

Like nearby Calvert Cliffs, it is also where treasure hunters come to collect sharks teeth that fall from the nearby cliffs. How these fossils, which are millions of years old, came to be is a lesson in Maryland history. They

were preserved in the cliffs from a time when the state was under water.

Matoaka Beach is ideal for a day trip, but adventurous travelers who prefer the feel of a private island might choose to stay longer. visitmaryland.org/listing/ campgrounds/matoaka-beach-cabins

Betterton Beach, Maryland

In 1976, Kent County bought the land that makes up what is now Betterton Beach and turned it into a waterfront public park. Nestled at the end of a residential community, the beach feels like an extension of that neighborhood—like a local park that happens to have a beach.

The 5-acre bayside strand, located at the mouth of the Sassafras River and about 100 miles from Arlington, is popular among locals, but is also a nice escape for out-of-towners who want a quiet day on the water. The drive to Betterton Beach takes less than an hour after crossing the Bay Bridge—faster than the traffic-heavy drive to Ocean City.

Betterton is a good fit for families with kids who are looking for smaller crowds and calmer waters for swimming. There is a bathhouse and a pavilion for picnics and grilling. On the boardwalk, which isn’t commercially developed, take a walk or sit on a bench to watch the sunset. Those who want to stay overnight won’t find hotels, but can look for Airbnb options. There are hotels in nearby towns, such as Chestertown.

While the beach doesn’t offer many tourist attractions, the Betterton Heritage Museum provides a nice overview of the town’s history as a fishing village. It features decoys carved by Charlie “Speed” Joiner and a collection of postcards dating back to the 1880s. It is also home to one of the few existing arks once used as overnight housing for watermen. kentcounty.com/betterton ■

Andrea K. McDaniels is the managing editor of The Baltimore Banner, a digital startup launching this year. She looks forward to a beach vacation this summer.

Fossils at Matoaka Beach

A nature hike at Matoaka Beach

A FAMILY VACATION WHERE LUXURY GOES WILD

For the Love of Food

In the foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, equidistant from acclaimed dining destinations in Sperryville and Little Washington, Blue Rock features an inn, a restaurant and a tasting room. Opened in October 2021, the restaurant is helmed by Bin Lu, the former head chef at Washington, D.C.’s award-winning Pineapple & Pearls. Blue Rock’s menu changes often as local products come into season. Guest favorites have included the sourdough cavatelli “bouillabaisse” with saffron and lobster cream, and the warm chocolate soufflé cake with brown-butter-and-sourdough ice cream.

Each of the inn’s five guest rooms is individually designed. The second-floor “Covington” is decorated in black-and-white damask wallpaper and funky mountain-chic accent pieces. Also on the second floor, cozy “Walden” has whimsical owl-themed wall coverings, custom wood shelves and a catwalk among the treetops. All rooms feature Molton Brown bath amenities, Parachute linen bedding and lovely vantage points on the 80-acre property, which includes a vineyard, a pond and horses that often roam the pasture. A newly built fivebedroom farmhouse is also available for booking.

Guest room rates begin at $399 and include a breakfast of honey yogurt and granola parfait, a warm cinnamon bun, and coddled farm eggs with black truffles. Blue Rock, 12567 Lee Highway, Washington, Virginia, 540-987-3388, bluerockva.com

The Blue Rock burger, made with dry-aged beef

The patio at Blue Rock

The Tasting Room offers spirits and wine flights, and a full bar.

Suites at the Beach

Hyatt House Lewes/Rehoboth Beach is ideally situated near all that the Delaware shore has to offer, including multiple beaches, Cape Henlopen State Park and eateries ranging from seafood restaurants to ice cream shops. Opened this spring, the hotel’s 105 guest rooms and suites range in size from a 375-square-foot “den” with two queen beds, a mini fridge and coffee maker, to a 1,000-square-foot suite featuring a fully equipped kitchen, two queen beds, a comfortable living room with a sleeper sofa and an accessible bathroom.

The property has relaxing indoor and outdoor spaces, fire pits, gas grills, a 24-hour gym and Delaware’s largest indoor lap pool. Complimentary breakfast includes a made-to-order omelet bar, fresh fruit, yogurt and more. H BAR serves up soups and sandwiches along with premium beers and wine. The 24-hour H Market offers grab-and-go snacks and freshly prepared salads and sandwiches. Bonus: The property is pet-friendly. Rates begin at $299 per night. Hyatt House Lewes/Rehoboth Beach, 17254 Five Points Square, Lewes, Delaware, 302-783-1000, hyatt.com

Building Blocks for Family Fun

Located in New York’s Hudson Valley Region, Legoland New York Resort opened in phases last summer and launched its first full season this April. The park features multiple entertainment stages (home to its first annual July 4 Red, White & Boom! celebration), a water park (opening later this summer) and seven Lego-themed lands. Kids can transform into a mini-figure on the Lego Factory Adventure Ride, master the art of Spinjitzu on Lego Ninjago the Ride, explore Lego-built cities in Miniland—and of course, shop all things Lego in the “Big Shop,” the largest in North America.

Open year-round, the park’s 250-room Legoland Hotel offers themed rooms—Kingdom, Ninjago, Friends or Pirates—each with a separate sleeping area for the kids, two flat-panel TVs and a mini-fridge and Keurig coffee maker. Added perks include a free breakfast buffet, an in-room treasure hunt with a complimentary Lego souvenir and nightly entertainment, plus opportunities to meet huggablesized Lego characters and build with a master Lego builder. Vacation package rates begin at $167 per person. Oneday theme park tickets begin at $67.99. Check website for specials and daily pricing. Legoland New York Resort, One Legoland Way, Goshen, New York, 845-410-0290, legoland. com/new-york/

A Pirates room at the Legoland Hotel

Driving School at Legoland

The patio at Hyatt House

A suite at Hyatt House

back story ■ by

Kim O’Connell

One for the Books

Arlington’s first library for Black citizens filled an important gap during the Jim Crow era.

ON NOV. 14, 1940, a group of book lovers gathered for a literary event at Mount Olive Baptist Church, then located on a section of Arlington Ridge Road that once existed near Columbia Pike. They weren’t there for an author lecture or book discussion, but rather to dedicate the Henry Louis Holmes Library, created to serve Black patrons during segregation.

As part of the festivities, the Rev. J. Francis Gregory, a Black English professor from Washington, D.C., presented the library with a copy of Frederick Douglass the Orator, a biography written by his father, James Monroe Gregory. It was likely a prized volume in a collection that grew to about 2,500 books, most of them donated.

“The library in any community,” Gregory said at the dedication, “should be a center of activity…serving as a social, cultural, ethical and spiritual, as well as intellectual, recreational center.”

Operating out of the church basement, the Holmes library was the culmination of a long effort by Black Arlingtonians to provide books and research services to the county’s Black community. Like public schools and swimming pools, libraries were segregated throughout the South during the Jim Crow era. Black library patrons were required to use separate reading rooms or enter through back doors in the few places that granted them access at all.

In Arlington, the Henry Louis Holmes Association had been formed by advocates including Nora Drew, mother of noted surgeon Charles Drew; the Rev. A. Mackley of Mount Olive church; and Kitty Bruce, chair of the Arlington Inter-Racial Commission.

Born into slavery, the library’s chosen namesake had gone on to become a local civic leader who helped found Arlington’s Butler-Holmes community in what is now Penrose.

A librarian and two children

In 1942, Pentagon-related road construction forced the growing library to relocate to the Lomax African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Green Valley. Two years later, the Holmes library became an official county branch and moved to its final home in the George Washington Carver complex in Arlington View. It remained there until 1949, when it was shuttered to make way for more new construction.

Arlington County desegregated its library system the following year, but it did so without fanfare and kept no records of Black patronage for years afterward. Because other public services remained segregated—including county schools, which did not desegregate until 1959—it’s likely many Black citizens were either unaware that they had full access to the library system or simply felt unwelcome, even after the doors were technically open to readers of color. ■

Read more about the Holmes Library at

inside the Holmes Branch of the Arlington Public Library in 1946